ALPHABETS OF HAPPINESS

Author Unknown
Dec 10, 2007

* A--Accept *
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even
if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or
actions.
*B--Break Away *
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to
accomplish with your life.
*C--Create *
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams,
sorrows, and happiness with.
*D--Decide *
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good
things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along
the way.
*E--Explore *
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much
to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about
yourself.
*F--Forgive *
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire
unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes
mistakes.
*G--Grow *
Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or
stand in your way.
*H--Hope *
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long
as you remain dedicated to the task.
*I--Ignore *
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your
goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a
small inkling of what the future holds.
*J--Journey*
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded.
Try to learn something
new every day, and you'll grow.
*K--Know *
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better.
The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.
*L--Love *
Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart,
there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's
room for endless happiness.
*M--Manage *
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less
stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things
in life.
*N--Notice *
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer
your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and
understanding.
*O--Open *
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the
worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.
*P--Play *
Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without
happiness.
*Q--Question *
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.
*R--Relax *
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that
things always have a way of working out in the end.
*S--Share *
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything
that you invest in others will return to you many times over.
*T--Try *
Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be
amazed by what you can accomplish.
*U--Use *
Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no
value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.
*V--Value *
Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged
you, and be there for them as well.
*W--Work *
Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel
guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second
chance.
*X--X-Ray *
Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the
goodness and beauty within.
*Y--Yield *
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll
find success at the end of the road.
*Z--Zoom *
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rear a ugly head.

The Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics

Green Guide 122 October/November 2007 Smart Shopper's Card
by Catherine Zandonella, M.P.H
Filed under: Cosmetics, Personal care products, Fragrances, Skin Care

Beauty is only skin deep, but the products we use to attain it contain chemicals that may penetrate far deeper. The average adult uses nine personal care products a day, with roughly 120 chemicals spread among them, many of which are incompletely tested for toxicity.
Below we've listed 12 chemicals that are best avoided. A single exposure to any of them is unlikely to cause harm, but daily exposure over a lifetime may add up. When shopping, be prepared to spend some time reading labels; even brands that advertise themselves as "natural" or "botanical" have been known to include some of these (see our Smart Shopper's Dirty Dozen Ingredients card).

1. Antibacterials
Overuse of antibacterials can prevent them from effectively fighting disease-causing germs like E. coli and Salmonella enterica. Triclosan, widely used in soaps, toothpastes and deodorants, has been detected in breast milk, and one recent study found that it interferes with testosterone activity in cells. Numerous studies have found that washing with regular soap and warm water is just as effective at killing germs.

2. Coal Tar
Coal tar is a known human carcinogen used as an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, have been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies when injected under skin.

3. Diethanolamine (DEA)
DEA is a possible hormone disruptor, has shown limited evidence of carcinogenicity and depletes the body of choline needed for fetal brain development. DEA can also show up as a contaminant in products containing related chemicals, such as cocamide DEA.

4. 1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is a known animal carcinogen and a possible human carcinogen that can appear as a contaminant in products containing sodium laureth sulfate and ingredients that include the terms "PEG," "-xynol," "ceteareth," "oleth" and most other ethoxylated "eth" ingredients. The FDA monitors products for the contaminant but has not yet recommended an exposure limit. Manufacturers can remove dioxane through a process called vacuum stripping, but a small amount usually remains. A 2007 survey by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that most children's bath products contain 10 parts per million or less, but an earlier 2001 survey by the FDA found levels in excess of 85 parts per million.

5. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has a long list of adverse health effects, including immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and cancer in humans. Yet it still turns up in baby bath soap, nail polish, eyelash adhesive and hair dyes as a contaminant or break-down product of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium compounds.

6. Fragrance
The catchall term "fragrance" may mask phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause obesity and reproductive and developmental harm. Avoid phthalates by selecting essential-oil fragrances instead.

7. Lead and Mercury
Neurotoxic lead may appear in products as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica, one of the ingredients in toothpaste, and lead acetate is found in some brands of men's hair dye. Brain-damaging mercury, found in the preservative thimerosol, is used in some mascaras.

8. Nanoparticles
Tiny nanoparticles, which may penetrate the skin and damage brain cells, are appearing in an increasing number of cosmetics and sunscreens. Most problematic are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, used in sunscreens to make them transparent. When possible, look for sunscreens containing particles of these ingredients larger than 100 nanometers. You'll most likely need to call companies to confirm sizes, but a few manufacturers have started advertising their lack of nanoparticle-sized ingredients on labels. For a more complete discussion, see Screen Test: Reading the Micro-Fine Print.

9. Parabens(methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-)
Parabens, which have weak estrogenic effects, are common preservatives that appear in a wide array of toiletries. A study found that butyl paraben damaged sperm formation in the testes of mice, and a relative, sodium methylparaben, is banned in cosmetics by the E.U. Parabens break down in the body into p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which has estrogenic activity in human breast-cancer cell cultures.

10. Petroleum Distillates
Possible human carcinogens, petroleum distillates are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics in the E.U. but are found in several U.S. brands of mascara, foot-odor powder and other products. Look out for the terms "petroleum" or "liquid paraffin."

11. P-Phenylenediamine
Commonly found in hair dyes, this chemical can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions. It's also listed as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine.

12. Hydroquinone
Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there's limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals. It may also appear as an impurity not listed on ingredients labels.

What You Can Do
* Complain to your drugstore when you see unhealthy ingredients in their consumer products. They may be unaware.
* Visit www.safecosmetics.org/companies to find companies that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to remove chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems.
* Take action in support of your right to buy safe personal care products at www.safecosmetics.org/action.
Resources
* Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: http://www.safecosmetics.org/
* Skin Deep: http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/
* National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database: http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/

ball gains

Whittle your waist and torch hundreds of calories


If you liked pelting your crush with a rubber ball in PE, you'll love these moves designed by Steve Feinberg, an instructor at Equinox Fitness in New York City. This workout (based on a class Feinberg created called Speedball) combines high-intensity footwork with upper-body rotation--all while holding a 2- to 4-pound ball. Continue each move until you can't do another rep with perfect form. Rest up to 3 minutes, then repeat. Do the routine 3 nonconsecutive days a week.

Lighthouse
Grab a medicine ball with both hands and stand with feet wider than your hips. Raise the ball to shoulder height with arms straight but not locked. Bend your knees slightly, then rotate your arms and torso 90 degrees to the right, pivoting on the ball of your left foot and turning from your hips. Repeat to the opposite side.

Monkey Swing
Grab a medicine ball and stand with feet wider than your hips and toes turned out slightly. Lower the ball so it's between your legs. Lean forward until your torso is parallel to the floor and bend your knees deeply. Swing your upper body to the right, raising the ball to shoulder level and rotating your spine to the right. Pause, then swing the ball to the left, allowing the spine to rotate. Pause. Continue alternating.

Side Touch
Grab a medicine ball with both hands and stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold the ball against your chest. Step to your left, turning your foot out 45 degrees, and bend your left knee to 90 degrees. Rotate from your waist and touch the ball to the floor in front of your left toe. Lift the ball up, then quickly push off your left foot and rotate from your waist to the right while raising your right elbow up and behind you. Let your hips turn naturally and allow your left foot to slide in toward your body. Return to start and repeat the entire sequence with your right foot forward.


Feinberg designed an easier-to-grip ball that will be available this spring at Speedball Fitness.
Appeared in the January/February 2007 issue of Women's Health



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When co-workers play dirty

By Mary Lorenz

Here's what to do when a co-worker resorts to sabotage and backstabbing
Don't be afraid to confront your co-worker directly
Confront the person face-to-face rather than by e-mail
Don't make the discussion personal and pick your battles wisely

Editor's note: CNN.com has a business partnership with CareerBuilder.com, which serves as the exclusive provider of job listings and services to CNN.com.


The Bears have the Packers, Alexander Hamilton had Aaron Burr, and Betty had Veronica. From sports to politics to pop culture, rivalries exist everywhere there's the potential for competition, and the workplace is no exception.
Rivalry between colleagues isn't rare.
Oftentimes, it's harmless and could even be a healthy morale booster. Whether you covet the boss's attention or are vying for that promotion, you're all probably trying to stand out among the crowd, a task that requires working that much harder and being that much more productive to get a leg up.
But when a colleague stops playing fair and starts playing dirty, the "competition" can quickly go from exciting to excruciating.
When a co-worker resorts to sabotage and backstabbing in attempts to climb the corporate ladder, what's an office underdog to do?
The best bet, according to Stephen Viscusi, author of "On the Job: How to Make it in the Real World of Work," is to face the problem head on.
"We call these people 'frenemies"' in the workplace," Viscusi says. "Often, they end up sabotaging themselves; however, those that don't sabotage themselves, need to be confronted directly."
Backstabbing co-workers operate under the assumption that no one will challenge them, so they usually back down when someone actually does.
Viscusi provides the following list of "dos" and "don'ts" to follow when confronting your workplace rival:
• Don't be afraid to confront your co-worker directly. "They are really just bullies and assume that most people will simply 'roll over,'" Viscusi says.
• Do confront the person face-to-face rather than try to conduct a discussion via e-mail. E-mails can be used against you or may be misinterpreted.
• Don't make the discussion personal. Keep it short and limited to real workplace issues.
• Do pick your battles wisely.
• Don't assume that frenemies ever change on their own. They usually don't.
If confrontation doesn't work, Elizabeth Freedman, author of "WORK 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace without Hanging Yourself," offers another approach.
She says, "If you're working with an idea-stealer or someone who takes credit for your hard work, think like a lawyer."


Use the following advice:
1. Gather witnesses.
Make sure other people know what you're working on as often as you can. For example, if you're working on a brochure, make sure you copy everyone who is involved in the project in e-mails, voice-mails and memos. so you have proof that you were the one doing the work.
2. Gather evidence.
Keep a running report of everything you've been working on, so that you have a paper trail of your efforts. This practice is particularly a good idea because "you never know when you'll need HR to intervene if things get particularly ugly."
Finally -- and perhaps most importantly -- "don't even consider stooping to your miserable co-worker's level," Freedman says.
While you shouldn't have to accept mistreatment, if you start playing games, spreading gossip or engaging in other unprofessional behavior, you will risk damaging your own reputation.
"No awful co-worker is worth that." E-mail to a friend


Copyright CareerBuilder.com 2007. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority
All About Worklife

FROM JULIE YAP DAZA

I just want to share that two years ago, I went to see St. Therese's
remains when it was put on display in the CarmeliteChurch. I went there
because I was curious what was this euphoria about the world's youngest
saint whose job is to grant people's wishes?

So I went with friend Lyn and I must admit the life of the little child,
Therese, intrigued me. It turned out she was a child who wanted to serve
her God more than anything else in the world. Thus, in every chore that
she did: even watering the plants, she performed it like it was for her
Master.

Since all her siblings were Carmelite nuns, she became a nun herself, the
youngest (12?) to be allowed inside the conven t. So we're talking of a
pure "uncorrupted soul". And then she died.

But she left a journal (suggested reading!)which contained all her
thoughts about God, love and life. Since then she became the saint who
grants all wishes.

Believe it or not, my wish was granted! Not because I said a novena but
knowing about her life and reading her works inspired me and made me more
patient and persevering.

According to religious beliefs, St. Therese was known as: "The Little
Flower". Whenever you ask for intercession to her for a miracle, she will
send you a rose in one form or another when the miracle has been granted.
You may smell rose's, receive a rose by visual means, etc.

REMEMBER to make a wish before you read the poem. That's all you have to
do. There is nothing attached. This is a powerful novena. Do not break
this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no
cost but a lot of reward. Let's continue praying for one another.

Make a wish before you read this poem...
May today there be peace within.
May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant
to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that
has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun. It is there for each and every one
of you.

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Mission Control

Do you have control issues? Do you tell your partner how he or she should drive or how to get things done? Learn how to be comfortable when not in controlBy Neil Fiore, Ph.D.

Question: Why do I feel so uncomfortable when I'm not in control?


Answer:Control vs. Trust


Like so many counterproductive habits, trying to control others can be a way of coping with insecurities. What's to fear? How about your survival and safety? If your sense of trust in the world -- and in your parents -- was broken at an early age because of natural disasters, illness or war, for example, you learn to cope alone and try to control as much as you can without relying on others. This can cause you to become hyper-vigilant and alert to your surroundings, often making it difficult for you to sleep, enjoy vacations or just relax.


Control Is Addictive.

Once you've had a taste of control, you'll find you always need more

Once you've had a taste of control, you'll find you always need more; you won't be able to have enough control to feel secure, safe and invulnerable to loss and pain. Why? Because our security in this world is limited and there's no guarantee that you'll be invulnerable to hurt and loss. If, for example, you have a family history of money worries, you might try to control your partner's spending by creating a strict budget. Trying to control his or her spending won't solve your addiction to control or your insecurity about money. Even having more money won't cure your habit of trying to calm these worries; you'll just be grabbing for more control.


The Solution: Let Go and Discover You're Supported

When you first learn to swim, you use your muscles to struggle and stay afloat. When you're exhausted from all the hard work, you then discover the water holds your body and you can float almost effortlessly. It's the same with learning to let go of struggle and control: you'll find that you are held by the earth, a chair, a bed and your body's ability to relax.
You can begin by experimenting with accepting the fact that

you are human and, therefore, vulnerable to hurt and loss and joyful surprises

you are human and, therefore, vulnerable to hurt and loss and joyful surprises, regardless of how much control you try to have. Some of my most vigilant and controlling clients learned to relax their need for control by first consciously letting go of their breath. They overcame their insomnia and controlling habits very slowly. They began by observing that when you let go of holding your breath and muscles, your body takes care of inhaling, and the chair and the floor support you without much effort on your part. So let's give it a try.



Try Three-part Breathing
Inhale.
Hold your breath while tightening your muscles.
Exhale slowly and completely as you float down into the support of the chair and floor.
Perform this three-part breathing a few more times with your eyes closed so you really feel the experience of letting go and finding that you are supported by the chair, the laws of nature and your body's wisdom.
Repeat this exercise throughout your day whenever you feel insecure or become aware of the impulse to control others. Soon you'll discover you can let go of muscle tension and build a sense of connection with a trustworthy support system. You'll be teaching your body and your conscious mind and ego they don't have to struggle alone. You'll be accessing more of your brainpower, thereby becoming more effective and efficient with less effort. That'll make you breathe easy.

The 12 germiest places in your life

Soap up! The 12 germiest places in your life .
Could your purse be making you sick? 'Health' magazine on lurking viruses http://workplace.gojo.com/resources

Sure, there are outbreaks of microbes and viruses across the country, but some of these germs are lurking where you least expect them. "Health" magazine senior editor Frances Largeman-Roth pinpoints the 12 germiest places you're likely to encounter during an average day and devises ways for you to keep clean. After all, the fight is in your hands. Literally. Eighty percent of infections are spread through hand contact. So wash up, people, and get ready to wage a bit of germ warfare of your own :

1. Your kitchen sink
Kitchen sinks are dirtier than most bathrooms. There are typically more than 500,000 bacteria per square inch in the drain alone. Plus your sponge, basin and faucet handles are crawling with bacteria as well.
Reduce the risk : Clean your kitchen counters and sink with an antibacterial product after preparing or cleansing food, especially raw fruits and vegetables, which carry lots of potential pathogens like salmonella, campylobacter and E. coli. Wash your hands as well with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds (long enough to sing "Happy Birthday"). Sanitize sponges by running them through the dishwasher's drying cycle, which will kill 99.9 percent of bacteria on them. As for the sink, clean it twice a week with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach and one quart of water. Scrub the basin, the pour solution down the drain.

2. Airplane bathrooms
It may not be a shock that there are a huge number of germs in most public bathrooms, but experts agree the cramped and overused ones on airplanes are the worst. There are often traces of E. coli or fecal bacteria on the faucets and door handles because it's hard to wash hands in the tiny sinks. And the volcanic flush of the commode tends to spew particles into the air, coating the floor and walls with whatever had been swirling around in it.
Reduce the risk : Toilet seats are surprisingly clean, but use the paper cover when available. After using the toilet, wash and dry your hands thoroughly, and use a paper towel to handle the toilet seat, lid, tap and doorknob. Put the lid down before you flush. If there's no lid, turn your back to the toilet while flushing and beat a hasty retreat.

3. A load of wet laundry
Any time you transfer underwear from the washer to the dryer, you're getting E. coli on your hands. Just one soiled undergarment can spread bacteria to the whole load and machine.
Reduce the risk: Run your washer at 150 degrees (you can check the temperature of your washing-machine water with a candy thermometer) and wash whites with bleach (not the color-safe type; it doesn't pack the same punch), which kills 99.9 percent of bugs. Transfer wet laundry to the dryer quickly so germs don't multiply, wash underwear separately (there's about a gram of feces in every pair of dirty underwear) and dry for at least 45 minutes. Wash your hands after laundering.

4. Public drinking fountains
Drinking fountains are bound to be germy, but school fountains are the worst, with anywhere from 62,000 to 2.7 million bacteria per square inch on the spigot.
Reduce the risk: Send your child to school with plenty of their own beverages and tell them to wash their hands throughout the day.

5. Shopping cart handles
Saliva, bacteria and fecal matter are just a few of the substances found on shopping cart handles. Cart handles rank high on the yuck scale because they're handled by dozens of people every day and, of course, raw food carries nasty pathogens.
Reduce the risk: Many stores have dispensers with disinfectant wipes near the carts. If your store doesn't, bring your own wipes and give the handle a quick swab. Or carry along a cart cover like the Grip-Guard or Healthy Handle.

6. ATM buttons
If you're not careful, you might pick up more than quick cash from your local ATM. These buttons have more gunk on them than most public-bathroom doorknobs! ATMs aren't frequently cleaned, and are regularly touched — a perfect combination for a lot of germs.
Reduce the risk: Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and rub it on hands after visits. Also be sure to do it after you handle paper money, which actually carries quite a few germs, too.

7. Your handbag
Recent studies found that most women's purses had tens of thousands of bacteria on the bottom and a few were overrun with millions. Another study found bugs like pseudomonas (which can cause eye infections) and skin-infection-causing staphylococcus bacteria, as well as salmonella and E. coli.
Reduce the risk: Instead of slinging your bag on the floor, hang it on a hook whenever possible — especially in public bathrooms — and keep your bag off the kitchen counter. Stick with leather or vinyl purses, which are typically cleaner than cloth

.8. Playgrounds
There's just no way to put this delicately: Children tend to ooze bodily fluids and then spread them around. When researchers sampled playgrounds, they found blood, mucus, saliva and urine. Pair those findings with the fact that children put their fingers in their mouths and noses more than the rest of us, and it's easy to understand why Junior (and maybe his mom or dad) has the sniffles.
Reduce the risk: Carry alcohol wipes or hand-sanitizing gel in your purse, and clean everybody's hands a couple of times during a park visit, especially before snacking. Pick warm sunny days for outdoor play: The sun's ultraviolet light is actually a very effective disinfectant. Most bugs won't survive long on surfaces that are hot and dry.

9. Mats and machines at health clubs
Antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus has been found on yoga mats and cardio and resistance machines. At high schools, antibiotic-resistant-staph infections have been transmitted through wrestling mats. The same thing could happen at health clubs.
Reduce the risk: Wipe down machines with antibacterial wipes before working out. Bring your own yoga mat or cover a loaner with your towel. Shower after a workout and soap up your skin to rinse off any bacteria you may have been exposed to, as thorough washing gets rid of antibiotic-resistant staph.
10. Your bathtub
Shocking, but true: The place you go to get clean is quite dirty. A recent study found staphylococcus bacteria, a common cause of serious skin infections, in 26 percent of the tubs tested, as compared with just 6 percent of garbage cans. Tubs typically had more than 100,000 bacteria per square inch! You're washing germs and viruses off your body and the tub is a fairly moist environment, so bacteria can grow.
Reduce the risk : Once a week, apply a disinfecting cleaner to the tub and actually scrub. Then you need to wash the germs down the drain with water and dry the tub with a clean towel. If you leave the tub wet, germs are more likely to survive. If someone who uses the tub has a skin infection, scrub it afterward with a solution of two tablespoons bleach in one quart of water.

11. Your office phone
This is enough to make you dial 911: Office phones often have more than 25,000 germs per square inch, and your desk, computer keyboard and mouse aren't far behind. Phones, including cell phones, can be pretty gross because they get coated with germs from your mouth and hands.
Reduce the risk: Simply cleaning your desk, phone and keyboard with a disinfecting wipe once in the middle of the day will kill 99.99 percent of the bacteria and viruses.

12. The hotel-room remote control
What's the first thing you do when you settle in at a hotel? You grab the remote control and switch on the TV — you, and the hundreds of other guests who've stayed there. How dirty is it? A recent study tested various surfaces for the cold virus after a group of sick people had stayed overnight and found the virus on the remote, door handles, light switches, pens and faucet handles.
Reduce the risk : Clean the remote control, phone, clock radio, door handles and light switches with germicidal wipes.

For more ways to fight germs, visit
www.health.com© 2007 MSNBC Interactive URL:

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