Archive for December, 2011
Be A Good Listener
One of the best things we can give from our heart is to be a good listener. Ken Haystead reads a beautiful writing about what we might ask of others to be a good listener. Some examples are: “Please listen and just hear me” and “If you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn and I’ll listen to you.” Good listening skills mean focused attention, an objective attitude, encouraging the other person to speak, and empathy, not sympathy. Turn on your “listening attitude” and develop better communication skills.
From Choice and Change
By April and Vincent O’Connell
Read by Ken Haystead
December 30, 2011
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Trust Your Creativity
Ken Haystead reads an article about the long and creative life of the great modern artist Joan Miró. The lesson to be learned in the telling of Miró’s tale is that longevity seems to be directly related to a person’s ability to maintain a strong desire throughout his/her life. A purpose in life is essential to our well-being and will to live. Longevity involves an unfailing belief that we, as individuals, do have something worthwhile to offer. Miró’s legacy goes far beyond the wealth of art he left behind. Its essence lies more with the way in which he experienced his life.
From an article in the Los Angeles Times
By Jo-Ann Lang Caudill
Read by Ken Haystead
December 29, 2011
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Give Till You Heal
Leave a Reply below and tell us what you think about the “Give Till You Heal” program by Larry Cosgrove.
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Loving Relationships
One of the best gifts we can give ourselves, and to others, is to be a loving human being. The concepts of love and loving are vital to living and learning. Ken Haystead discusses these ideas for more loving relationships: (1) Don’t set any conditions; (2) Look for ways to affirm; (3) Give an open expression of feelings; (4) Share your interests; (5) Don’t ignore your own instincts; and (6) Don’t always look for reassurance. This is a loving time of year when we, hopefully, drop our barriers and move a little closer to those with whom our lives are intertwined. How about giving some extra energy to being extra tolerant, kind and loving to someone?
Read by Ken Haystead
December 27, 2011
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Christmas Day
Ken Haystead reads a beautiful passage from the second chapter of Luke in the New Testament about the story of the first Christmas. It is important that we take a little timeout from all the activity, festivity and preparation in consideration of the other side of Christmas and touch its spiritual tone. Ken interprets “Peace on earth, good will toward men” to mean that men can live peacefully in our world and our time if they have God’s peace in their hearts and lives. May the magic, beauty and joy of Christmas touch your life.
From Luke, Chapter 2
Read by Ken Haystead
December 26, 2011
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Process Of Self-Discovery
Ken Haystead discusses these thoughts to help discover you: (1) Make contact with your “real” self by engaging in constructive internal dialogue. Your impulses are reliable indicators of your feelings. (2) Monitor your own negative self-talk and reduce personal self-criticism. Accept and encourage yourself, then change. (3) Deal positively and constructively with your own inner negatives. (4) Expand your self-nurture and give fuller and freer expression to feelings of enjoyment and well-being. (5) Allow yourself to activate your own inner urges toward growth, adventure and learning.
From Let Yourself Grow (PFT study guide)
Read by Ken Haystead
December 23, 2011
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Dealing With Anxiety
Ken Haystead helps us deal with holiday anxiety with the following tips: (1) Don’t pretend not to have strong feelings. Don’t practice the “control game.” (2) Admit your needs, fears and impulses. Find someone you can talk to. (3) Check your own place in the world. Look for the positive. (4) Check the quality of your own personal relationship. Develop a close, personal connection. (5) Don’t try to escape. (6) Let your anxiety work for you. (7) Addict yourself to a healthy activity. Spend at least an hour a day on yourself. (8) Have a quiet time with yourself and God.
From The Chronical
By Tom Greening and Dick Hobson
Read by Ken Haystead
December 22, 2011
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To Trust Or Not To Trust
Leave a Reply below and tell us what you think about the “To Trust Or Not To Trust” program by Larry Cosgrove.
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Know Your Limitations
One of the things that keeps us from knowing what we “can” do is not knowing what we really “can’t” do. These basic limitations form the boundaries to our human actions: (1) General – Dictated by our size, strength, intellect, endurance, reflexes, memory, and resistance to disease. (2) Personal – Evaluate yourself in the proper perspective as to your value and usefulness. Don’t put yourself down. When you know your limitations, you are most likely to do the things that you “can” do and do them well. Living life at that level is called “success.”
From Potentital
By Hugh Downs
Read by Ken Haystead
December 20, 2011
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Handling Guilt And Anger
Handling misfortunes that come our way takes skill and practice. We often have the notion that it is our fault when bad things happen. When you feel guilty, take a deep breath and say, “I was not responsible for that” or, if you were, say, “That was in the past; I have asked for forgiveness.” What do you do when you are angry? Always be angry at the situation, not at the persons, which can scare them away. Guilt and anger are natural emotions. When handled properly, you will find the key to good mental health.
From When Bad Things Happen to Good People
By Rabbi Harold Kushner
Read by Ken Haystead
December 19, 2011
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