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"You Have It Within YOU"
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"Nothing contributes so much to tranquilizing
the mind as a steady purpose — a point on
which the soul may fix its intellectual eye."
~Mary W. Shelley, English Novelist
(1797-1851)
March
17, 2003
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Today's Tune (on/off):
"Put a Little Love in Your Heart"
IN THIS
WEEK'S ISSUE:
From the Inside Out...
The Kindness Challenge
Yes
You Can!...
Get
a Desired Home Price
Far
Horizons...
Emerald
Isle #2?
Links
That Shine...
Ideals Work.com
Fascinating
Facts...
Brian's
New Beak
Laughing
It Off...
Word
Power
Untangling
the Web...
What a Site!
Computer Ease
Look
at That!...
Whoopee!
Joyful
Lifestyles...
Choices (2)
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BE the World
You Want to See!
It's a simple challenge —
and a grand chance to
demonstratively make
a difference in the
world around you.
~
Chelle ~
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From the Inside Out
TAKE
THE KINDNESS CHALLENGE ...
The
big snow storm that recently hit the East Coast of the United States
has prompted countless "random acts of kindness."
Have
you ever been the recipient of a random act of kindness? Have you
ever given one?
Generosity
warms the spirit. The act of giving, no matter how small, opens
our hearts and spreads joy to the giver of the gift as well as the
recipient.
Random
Acts of Kindness are the perfect springboard to leap into generosity.
Random Acts of Kindness are good deeds done for strangers who could
use a little blessing.
We
all have stress in our lives. We all have bad days. There's nothing
like a Random Act of Kindness to pull a person out of a lousy mood.
In
our long ago Chicago days, my wife and I used to make sure we had
extra change with us when we traveled the tollway system. We would
pull up to the booth and give the attendant our toll, plus pay the
toll for the car behind us.
The
reactions were priceless. Some people sped away, unable to understand
they had been the recipients of a Random Act of Kindness. But most
were appreciative. Some even made the effort to catch up to us and
thank us.
Another
target for Random Acts is Kindness is the drive-thru window. If
you go through a fast food joint for breakfast and have an extra
four dollars, pay for the meal of the person behind you.
Imagine
their surprise and delight when they pull up to the window to pay
for their food, only to be told, "The guy in front of you already
paid for it."
Random
Acts of Kindness can be big or small. If you would rather be more
generous than a sandwich or toll booth change, perhaps you can buy
groceries for a needy family.
If
you can put the groceries on their front porch without them knowing
(and without getting bit by a dog), go for it. What's the worst
thing that could happen? If you are unable to buy them food (or
uncomfortable doing it) get them a gift card from the local supermarket.
Find
somebody who knows the family in need (maybe their pastor, or a
neighbor) and ask them to please give them the card, but not to
tell them the gift is from you. Random Acts of Kindness are best
served anonymously..
Be
creative with your Random Acts of Kindness. Have fun with them.
Make them a family project. If you think you get a charge from it,
wait until you see how the kids get into it.
The
possibilities are endless, as are the opportunities. We just have
to train ourselves to be watchful for the chance to bless.
It
can be as simple as a greeting card slipped onto a stranger's car
windshield that says, "You are loved". You could even
send flowers to a hospital patient you've never met.
Opportunities
to bless surround us every day. It's up to each of us to grab hold
of those opportunities and turn them into Random Acts of Kindness.
~
Chris Courtney, Heartwarmers.com
www.E-ncouragement.com
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 Yes
You Can!
GET A DESIRED HOME PRICE
While every real estate transaction is different, buyers and sellers
often fall back on standard negotiating techniques to get to a signed
contract both can live with. Understand the dynamics of negotiation
so you can stay focused and emotionally detached during a sometimes
anxious process.
Do
all of your negotiating in writing. It may seem cumbersome, but
there are no guarantees with oral agreements or commitments. Avoid
discussing terms with the seller or the seller's agent while your
offer is on the table.
There are literally hundreds of points that you can negotiate in
a real estate transaction. Usually, you'll deal with just a handful
when making your offer, such as the standard financing and home
inspection contingencies.
Most
purchase contracts, especially if they are standard documents, contain
boilerplate language that may not fit your situation and may in
fact be unfavorable to you. These are areas you need to negotiate
carefully. The more you know about the language and art of negotiation,
the better the deal you can make for yourself, and the more money
you'll save in the process.
BARGAINING
STRATEGIES ...
Starting
low and moving up works best for properties that are overpriced
in slow markets. Possible Outcome: Seller rejects outright
or counters to get you to increase your offer, and you move up and
agree on a price that comes close to what you want to pay.
Offering close to asking price works best for properties
that are priced well in active markets. Possible Outcome:
Seller may accept outright or counter to get you to increase offer
slightly.
Offering the top price you can afford works best in hot markets.
Possible Outcome: Seller may reject and you may have to walk
away.
Saving terms to bargain works best in situations where seller
is highly motivated. Possible Outcome: Seller may trade price
concessions for your agreement to close sooner or take charge of
repairs after the inspection.
Giving up something to get something works in most situations.
Possible Outcome: Seller ends up taking something you don't
really want but you asked for initially to gain a lower price or
other concession.
Moving in small increments works best for overpriced properties
in slow markets. Possible Outcome: Seller may agree to lower
price if given time to adjust to the idea.
Focusing on issues you can resolve to keep momentum going
works best after several rounds of negotiation. Possible Outcome:
Seller and buyer come to terms after resolving easiest issues first.
Being unpredictable works best after several rounds of negotiation.
Possible Outcome:Seller accepts your offer after you suddenly
make a sizable change.
Making an either/or offer works best after several rounds
of negotiation. Possible Outcome: Seller accepts one of two
scenarios you offer.
Splitting the difference works best after several rounds
of negotiation. Possible Outcome: Seller and buyer settle
on price exactly between asking price and offer.
Setting deadlines for action works best in any situation.
Possible Outcome: Seller and buyer will act more quickly
and decisively if given a time limit.
TIP:
In a competitive bidding situation, a seller may try to influence
your offer through your agent. If your offer is on the table and
you hear from your agent that the seller will accept it if you change
a couple of terms, ask for a formal counteroffer before responding.
In some states, such as California, a seller can counteroffer with
more than one buyer at a time. All states allow a seller to withdraw
a counteroffer before it has been accepted by a buyer.
~
MSNHomeAdvisor.com
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Far Horizons
EMERALD ISLE #2?
Photo:
Montserrat Stone Chapel
The
Island of Montserrat, fondly known as "The Emerald Isle of
the Caribbean", is a lush tropical paradise located between
Antigua and Guadeloupe. Montserrat was settled in 1632 by the Irish.
In the latter half of the twentieth century, St. Patrick's Day began
to also honor national heroes, with cultural activities and heritage
festivities. The shamrock, prominently displayed at Government House,
is still a national symbol. This year, Montserrat has linked with
Dublin to share St. Patrick's Day celebrations through websites,
youth events, churches and Government contacts.
 Click
for Dublin's Festival
 
 LINKS
THAT SHINE "IDEALS WORK"
Change companies and change the world. No matter which issues you
care about, chances are that companies have a lot to do with them.
Changing the practices of companies is a key to building a brighter
future. Choose which companies you want to support with your purchases,
based on their social and environmental records.
www.IdealsWork.com
VISIT
ALL LINKS
 PLEASE
REMEMBER ...
A
portion of all purchases that you
make with Amazon.com FROM OUR WEBSITE
will help support Inspiration Line programs.
Simply Click Books:
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Fascinating Facts
BRIAN'S NEW BEAK
An
injured bald eagle, delivered to Vancouver's North Island Wildlife
Recovery Center this past summer, is the first of his kind to sport
a false beak. At least 62-year old dentist Brian Andrews couldn't
find anyone else who had done this kind of surgery before. And that's
why it took him four tries to get it right.
Andrews volunteered to rebuild the eagle's beak after hearing about
its plight in a news story on the center. Robin Campbell, the center's
wildlife manager had been caring for the eagle, cleaning and dressing
the wound, but without a strong beak, a full recovery was impossible.
And
refitting that beak proved pretty difficult too. Andrews based the
design, complete with breathing holes, on a picture of an eagle
on a recent cover of National Geographic magazine as well as a dried
beak specimen. However, his first attempt only sealed off the damaged
area by way of a large plastic mould. But Brian tore off that apparatus
not long after it was installed!
Without
having any advice to go on, Andrews' second attempt didn't last
very long either. Condensation caught between the beak and the prosthesis
caused the beak tissue to soften so much, they had to remove the
new beak and try again. The third beak was the wrong size (Brian's
real beak shrunk a little from the damage of beak #2). But, so far,
beak #4 — constructed of a plastic prosthetic on top and an
open metal design below — is working out just fine.
Dr.
Brian Andrews, for whom the eagle is named, says the bird is even
feeding quite naturally now, able to tear away at a fish just as
it would have before the injury.
To
keep an eagle eye on Brian's progress, and find out more about the
wildlife refuge that's given him a home, visit North
Island Wildlife.
~Discovery Channel, EXN.ca
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Laughing It Off
WORD POWER
The
Washington Post publishes a yearly contest in which readers are
asked to supply alternate meanings for various words. The following
are some of the recent winning entries:
1.
Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon.
2.
Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have
gained.
3.
Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4.
Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.
5.
Intaxication (n.), euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts
until you realize it was your money to start with.
6.
Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly
answer the door in your nightie.
7.
Sarchasm (n.), the gulf between the author of sarcastic wit
and the person who doesn't get it.
8.
Gargoyle (n.), an olive-flavored mouthwash.
9.
Flatulence (n.) the emergency vehicle that picks you up after
you are run over by a steamroller.
10.
Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.
11.
Giraffiti (n.), describes vandalism spray-painted very, very
high.
12.
Decaflon (n.), the grueling event of getting through the day
consuming only things that are good for you.
13.
Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddish
expressions.
14.
Dopeler Effect (n.), the tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter
when they come at you rapidly.
15.
Frisbeetarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your soul
goes up on the roof and gets stuck there.
~Contributed
by Ron Gavran
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Untangling
the Web
WHAT
A SITE!
Keeping our water safe...
This website advocates compliance with environmental laws, identifies
problems which affect specified bodies of water and devises appropriate
remedies to address problems.
www.Waterkeeper.org
COMPUTER-EASE
Stop spam and other junk mail ...
before they reach your computer.
"MailWasher gives you control of your mail by allowing you
to see emails before you download them.Then you can bounce them
back to the sender with a message that your address is invalid.
Give it a try, then send me your feedback so I can publish your
comments on our website." ~Chelle
Click for 30-Day Free Trial ...
Firetrust
MailWasherPro
Look at THAT!
WHOOPEE!
Photo: Bazuki Muhammad /REUTERS
Skydivers parachute from Malaysia's
landmark Petronas Towers during a rehearsal for a New Year's
event in Kuala Lumpur in December, 2002. With a height of 1,453
feet, the towers have become symbols of the astounding growth that
has taken place in Malaysia over the last two decades.
~REUTERS
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 Joyful Lifestyles: Weekly Insights
CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES (Part
1)
Previously,
we mentioned that according to William Glasser, M.D., author of
"Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom,"
most of the emotional turmoil we experience is related to trying
to control those around us through seven deadly habits, including
punishing, complaining, blaming, threatening, nagging, criticizing,
and bribing. Glasser says you can avoid these "seven deadlies"
by replacing them with seven caring habits: Supporting... Encouraging...
Listening... Accepting... Trusting... Respecting... and Negotiating
Differences. How can a person make such a dramatic turnaround?
You could start with Glasser's "Tricks of Truly Happy People."
According to Prevention.com, these include:
Run
a reality check. Do you use the seven deadlies? How did you
talk with the people you live with this morning? Did you listen
to what they were saying? Or did you let their words run in one
ear and out the other? Did you encourage them to move ahead with
what they've planned for the day? Did you support them in their
choices? Or did you put them down or just nod your head as you
drank your coffee?
Really
listen. "Treat people like they're your best friends,"
says Suzy Hallock-Bannigan, a trainer with the Glasser Institute
who is based in South Pomfret, VT. Hang on their every word. Find
time to sit down with them and really pay attention, without being
distracted by cell phones, passing traffic, or the demands of
other people. Then give them time to get out what they have to
say. "I also try to check in with people all the time to
make sure I've correctly heard what they're saying," she
says.
Envision
the new you. Draw a mental picture of yourself as a person
who practices the seven caring habits. Keep it in the back of
your mind, then pull it forward when you're talking with those
close to you to see if you're acting like a caring person.
Accept
reality. "You have to understand that the only person
you can change is yourself," says Hallock-Bannigan. If your
husband is a tightwad who hates it when you spend a dime, you
can't do a thing about his attitude. But you can control yours.
Instead of slugging it out with him over whether or not a $15
pair of Liz Claiborne socks is "necessary," hold your
irritation in check and apply as many of the seven caring habits
as you can. Look for a compromise, such as holding the line at
one pair of socks, or promising to check store knockoffs that
are as pretty but cheaper.
Negotiate.
"When
you have a difference with someone who's important to you, you
negotiate," says Dr. Glasser. But what happens if your partner
digs in his heels? To deal with that, Dr. Glasser developed something
called the "solving circle" — a piece of string
that forms a circle outline on the floor. You and your partner
face each other and, as each of you feels ready, you step into
the circle and say, "The most important thing in my life
is our relationship. We have a problem with (name the problem).
We know that arguing and blaming will do no good. And in order
to avoid wounding our relationship, I am willing to (say what
you're willing to do that will help)." It may take a few
days to get this accomplished, and some people may find that a
third party — a therapist or marriage counselor — may
be a necessary ingredient.
Ask
the right question. In that split second after which the urge
to blame, complain, criticize, nag, threaten, punish, or bribe
arises, but before the words actually leave your mouth, stop,
and ask yourself, "Is this really important?":
Pick
a model. When Hallock-Bannigan was training Sisters in Ireland
to use the caring habits, one good Sister was having trouble figuring
out how to respond to someone who was criticizing her. So Hallock-Bannigan
asked her, "Who's the woman you most look up to?" The
answer was Mary Robinson, president of Ireland and a champion
of human rights. "Well, what do you think she would be thinking
and feeling in this situation?" asked Hallock-Bannigan. "What
would you see her doing?" Ten seconds later, the Sister was
off to do what Mary would have done.:
Write
about it. Keep a daily journal to help think your way through
the transition and keep track of your progress.
As
you know, my greatest desire is for everyone to fully realize
that
... WE ALL HAVE THE POWER OF CHOICE.
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CHOICE
THEORY:
A New Psychology of Personal Freedom
By
William Glasser, M.D.
Click
for Book Details & Reviews
(A portion of your purchases here
helps support Inspiration Line programs.)
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WWW.INSPIRATIONLINE.COM
"The intent of Inspiration Line is
to show What Is Possible … By choosing new perspectives,
we can change ourselves from the inside out and improve our relationships,
our community and our planet."
Editor . Chelle Thompson ~~~ Associate Editor . Geri Merrill
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