Mimi Speaks

A.) Getting To Know Mimi (B.) N.Y.C. History (C.) Italian Harlem(D.) Spanish Harlem (E.) Black Harlem (F.) New York State (G.) Tenement Living: Social Issues Of Urban Life (Poverty, Crime&Vice, Homelessness, Group Conflicts, Diseases, Gays&Lesbians: Gender Identity, Domestic Violence, Drug&Alcohol Abuse, Police Brutality )

(H.) Chit-Chat Over Coffee Swirls

(I.) Jewish Knowledge (K.) Historical Facts On England & United States

Table of Contents (4a)

Positive Thinking and Self-Improvement

(L) Miscellaneous (M.) Timetables (N.) Ethnic Groups (O.) Legal Talk(P.) Entertainment: Backward Glances (Q.) Immigration

R.) Women__Bio Sketches, Feminine Fancies, Recipes, Kitchen Talk.(S.) Worship

(T.) A Little Taste of History, (U.) U.S. History-Transportation, (V) U.S. History-Panics, Economic Depressions, Business Matters

(W) El Rincón En Español (The Spanish Corner: ) . This section is dedicated to articles of historical facts, poetry, self-improvement, human interest stories etc. written in Spanish.

(X) So Mr. President, What Did You Do During Your Term in Office....? (The Series)

(Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events

Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events

(Z) The Italian Niche

Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano: dott. Antonio Castaldo

Thoughts of an Italian Writer: Dr. Antonio Castaldo

I) "El Rincón Borinqueña"

II) Arts and Entertainment

III Architecture

IV Education

V Wisdom: Thoughts From the Indian Masters

VI Understanding Music

VII Published Articles Written by Miriam B. Medina

Click on Icon to view articles on Ezine or on Table of Contents

VIII New York City Neighborhoods

IX Memories (Brooklyn, Manhattan and Personal)

John J. Burkard

X Red Hook, Reflections on History

MESSAGE BOARD FOR THEHISTORYBOX.COM (Feel free to express your comments or ask questions regarding: "TheHistoryBox.com." which will be reviewed before posting.

Thank You. ************ . Contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox

2011-12-05T20:11:00.003-05:00

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The Fort That Saved America

2011-11-05T19:16:00.002-04:00

By John J. Burkard Red Hook Area Historical Researcher Brooklyn, New York

Located in an area of present day South Brooklyn, is a neighborhood called Red Hook. Almost completely surrounded by water, it holds a secret which for unknown reason has never been told. Not in history books, and never, ever, recognized as a worthy happening when annual celebrations of the "Battle Of Brooklyn" of Revolutionary War fame take place. Yet, it can be said and indeed has been said, by many notable people, the events which took place in Red Hook on August 27, 1776 had been directly responsible for saving George Washington's Colonial Army from certain defeat.

Unlike today, the Red Hook of 1776 was completely surrounded by water. It consisted of a teardrop shaped hill close to 60 feet high in part, and extended east from the Buttermilk Channel, westerly to today's Dwight street, then north from Wolcott street, southerly to Reed street. Roughly six by eight square city blocks in area at its widest points.

On April 08, 1776, a regiment of men from George Washington's Colonial Army made up of hardened volunteers, under the command of one Major Shaw, using shovels, axes, and two man rip saws, felled trees and dug out an elongated entrenchment the entire west to east length of the Island. Which was also know as "Cyprus Tree Island", because the southern portion of the hill was covered with Cyprus trees as well as locust, poplar, cedar, and a rare one called the sassafras tree. But the name Red Hook as it is called to this present day became the official name of the island. These trees also effectively blocked the British ships from viewing the Fort while passing Red Hook in lower New York Bay.

The Fort became know as Fort Defiance, and was equipped with four heavy 18 pound cannons, brought down from West Point and Massachusetts. Because of the location on top of the hill, according to Major Shaw the Fort's young Commander, "We are able to fire enbarbette (over the top of the enclosures,) which is vastly better than firing through embrasures (small openings in the Forts wall). " Little did these brave men realize, just a short time later, that fateful August 27, they would be called upon to defend their Fort, and face extreme life threatening and dangerous conditions, by taking on the lead Man-O-War of the British Fleet, Commanded by Lord Viceroy, Admiral Howe.
With the American's boxed in on three sides, north, east, and south, by the British, and Hessian troops, Admiral Howe (brother of General Howe) decided he could sail around the Hook and up the East River, thereby successfully encircling Washington's Army on all sides. He sent the heavily armed ship the HMS Roebuck on a trial attempt at this endeavor, but was met with fierce northerly winds as the ship approached the East River, and because sailing vessels in those days were square riggers, they could not effectively sail against the strong winds. The soldiers at Fort Defiance witnessed this and at great risk to themselves commenced firing on the struggling ship just a few hundred feet away in an effort to take advantage of its predicament. They were so close, the Soldiers and Sailors could be heard shouting at each other. The man-o-war instantly returned their assault, with far superior firepower, and began to inflict great damage to the Fort, as well as the brave Americans who initiated the barrage.

However, the consistent wind gusts coupled with the fierce cannon fire from Fort Defiance, proved too much for the lone floundering ship, and Lord Admiral Howe ordered it to return to anchor with the rest of His fleet.

This tiny Fort, with its small complement of men saved the day for General Washington and the American Army. Surrounded on three sides by over 17,000 British and Hessian troops, the Americans had just under 10,000 ragged, tired, poorly equipped, and underfed men. Defeat by surrender or annihilation a certainty. For had the British Armada succeeded in occupying the East River that day, the over 200 ship based cannons would have made short work of them. Instead, on the evening of August 29, two days later, the Continental Army under orders from General Washington was able to successfully withdraw to Manhattan under cover of darkness, at pre-designated strategic points along the westerly shore of South Brooklyn, where he had his men locate escape vessels a month before. They then regrouped and went on to defeat the British, and win independence for the United States of America.

But history is often unkind, or blind to many facts of heroism and even acts of God. Alas, the story I relate through information and research was found quietly stored away at the bottom of shelves in the Brooklyn Public Library main branch. And for all practical purposes, never to be told. The story of "The Fort That Saved America" had been consigned to the identical fate of oblivion, that the British if successful that day in August 1776, would have rendered. Ironically, Mr. Gabriel Furman in his book (see note*) lamented this cruelty of history, when he wrote about incidents of the "Battle Of Brooklyn" He said, " I write of these happenings, ever fearful that in time they will be forgotten by all, but with fervent hope and prayer one day, a nobler pen than mine may bring them to light, that the brave forgotten soldiers involved may be given their just due and recorded properly in our history books. Indeed as it was meant to be."

Note* Gabriel Furman (Towne Of Brooklyn, published 1865)

A Nobler Pen

2011-11-05T18:53:00.003-04:00

By John J. Burkard Area Historic Research, Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York

In my previous contribution to theHistoryBox.com, (History Uncovered) I wrote about growing up and residing all my life in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn (75yrs), and my fascination with the historic association my neighborhood has (though often kept secret) with the "Battle Of Brooklyn" during the Revolutionary War.

I need to speak now of a folklore, of tradition, rumor, or call it old wives tale, regarding a Revolutionary War burial site? This was the talk of Red Hook for many years, but no one it seems ever did any research or took the time to find out just how true this belief, perpetuated by the neighborhood residents actually was. After rendering a presentation to the local Chamber of Commerce regarding a Heritage Trail I'm trying to establish, I was approached by the community affairs officer PO Michael De Martino of the 76th police pct. He asked me "What are you doing about the burial site?" I must confess I was taken by surprise, simply because it never crossed my mind to include this site in my Heritage Trail project, as it had never been looked upon as anything more than an undocumented rumor. My curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to dig a little into this long standing neighborhood folklore.

I set about to contact the occupant of the building where this triangular patch of land is located. He told me of his knowledge of the rumors, and of the local public school teachers bringing their charges to the corner site and explaining to them of the significance of the location. He told me they seemed to believe deceased soldiers killed in Prospect Park about 3 miles away were brought here and interred. This made no sense to me, so I set about researching various historic publications relating to the Battle Of Brooklyn, and came across "The Town Of Brooklyn" by Gabriel Furman published in 1823.Mr Furman was born in 1800, and died in 1854 on November 11, date sound familiar?.. And though he lived a relatively short life, it was an active and fruitful one. He was an author, a New York State Supreme Court Justice, a State Senator, and a practicing attorney.

In his book Town Of Brooklyn, he spoke of the Battle of Brooklyn, and of a lane that wound its way down into Red Hook. He wrote of American snipers hiding in trees along this trail and firing upon the British troops who were pursuing them hoping to cut off their escape during the famous withdrawal General George Washington ordered the night of August 29, 1776. This withdrawal was credited with saving the Continental Army from certain defeat. Mr. Furman went on to write of one sniper who though fully aware he would be discovered, continued to fire at the British allowing his comrades to escape. When he was eventually exposed, he was shot and killed, and his body lay where it fell for a number of days. This was the British way of setting example for the Colonists, to let the American dead remain and rot and have their flesh eaten by the vultures.

Eventually he was interred by friendly locals, in a hollow tree trunk that had been struck by lightning during a storm, this became his final resting place. However he had slain two British soldiers, a Major Grant and an aide during this heroic action. They are also said to be buried at this site along the lane. It is unfortunate, we do not have the name of the heroic American soldier. But it just so happens, the gravesite I mentioned, is only one half block from where this Lane ran on its way to Fort Defiance located at the lanes end and terminating in Red Hook.

Gabriel Furman also wrote in his book, "Many of the minor events connected with this battle and the Revolutionary contest are fast sinking into the shades of oblivion. I have therefore thought it proper to relate this piece of history. Not with the idea that I can be immortalized by the events I relate, but with the hope that my efforts will call forth some nobler pen, to do justice to the memories of many of the almost forgotten heroes of these hard fought battles, and arduous contests"

Now let me emphasize very strongly, in no way does this amateur historian/writer consider myself nobler than such a giant of a man as Gabriel Furman, in fact had I to write in those days with the quill pens etc, I would barely be able to scribe my name. But with a computer, we can all look much more competent than we really are, don't you agree?

But perhaps in my mentioning this historic incident it will highlight this location, and the burial site will no longer be just a rumor, but can take its proper place in my Heritage Trail, and the annals of American History.

Some interesting notes; The one story building that is adjacent to this plot was constructed in 1932. It was built leaving the corner triangular piece of land intact. It seems highly improbable this was done for any other purpose except they were prohibited from building on the site. However, researching this building back to the original construction date proved fruitless, since all data pertaining to its construction had been removed from the archive files of the Brooklyn Department of Buildings, and are not available?

I can readily cite a number of instances where historic data and plaques seem to have vanished into the oblivion Gabriel Furman refers to in his Town Of Brooklyn. More recently, the marker at the beginning of Red Hook lane (called Washington Memorial) in downtown Brooklyn vanished about 15 years ago. Now planners are contemplating eliminating the historic lane completely. Thankfully they are meeting with some opposition from many concerned citizens. The plaque marking the end of Red Hook Lane also disappeared some 50 years ago, now the site is being demolished for an Ikea superstore project. A bronze marker on a building in lower Manhattan where Robert Fulton resided while working and testing his steamboat engine, went missing about five years before the original structure was demolished and a large office building now occupies the spot, minus the bronze plaque of course.

Perhaps Mr. Furman, what we really need in New York City, is many, many, more nobler pens, and nobler voices, nobler citizens and if we're lucky a few nobler developers and contractors. But I guess I'm just asking for a little too much nobility.

John J. Burkard: Area historic research, Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York
Source: Information from his own personal research and readings.

MAIN BLOG DIRECTORY-November 2011

2011-11-04T05:51:00.003-04:00

(H.) Chit-Chat Over Coffee Swirls

(I.) Jewish Knowledge (K.) Historical Facts On England & United States

Table of Contents (4a)

Positive Thinking and Self-Improvement

(L) Miscellaneous (M.) Timetables (N.) Ethnic Groups (O.) Legal Talk(P.) Entertainment: Backward Glances (Q.) Immigration

R.) Women__Bio Sketches, Feminine Fancies, Recipes, Kitchen Talk.(S.) Worship

(T.) A Little Taste of History, (U.) U.S. History-Transportation, (V) U.S. History-Panics, Economic Depressions, Business Matters

(W) El Rincón En Español (The Spanish Corner: ) . This section is dedicated to articles of historical facts, poetry, self-improvement, human interest stories etc. written in Spanish.

(X) So Mr. President, What Did You Do During Your Term in Office....? (The Series)

(Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events

Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events

(Z) The Italian Niche

Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano: dott. Antonio Castaldo

Thoughts of an Italian Writer: Dr. Antonio Castaldo

I) "El Rincón Borinqueña"

II) Arts and Entertainment

III Architecture

IV Education

V Wisdom: Thoughts From the Indian Masters

VI Understanding Music

VII Published Articles Written by Miriam B. Medina

Click on Icon to view articles on Ezine or on Table of Contents

VIII New York City Neighborhoods

IX Memories (Brooklyn, Manhattan and Personal)

Back to Table of Contents (4a)

John J. Burkard

X Red Hook, Reflections on History

MESSAGE BOARD FOR THEHISTORYBOX.COM (Feel free to express your comments or ask questions regarding: "TheHistoryBox.com." which will be reviewed before posting.

Thank You. ************ . Contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox

Living the Life Beyond That Extraordinary Moment

2011-11-02T19:59:00.003-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

An extraordinary moment can be defined as something out of the ordinary, something great or astonishing, "far exceeding the usual; exceptional; remarkable." It is an occurrence or a realization that may change one's life forever. Once it happens, the effect is fleeting, instantly a thing of the past, but the images of that moment are strongly etched in one's memory or sub-consciousness, to which only a small percentage of it can be realistically conjured up.

People want extraordinary moments flowing in and out of their daily lives. The more of these moments they have, the better.

The immediate reaction to an extraordinary moment is one of happiness or bliss, and it often results in tears of joy, laughter, ecstatic shouts, or a profound warm feeling or simple grin...

Extraordinary moments are interpreted differently by most people. For some, an extraordinary moment could be the joy of their wedding day; the birth of their first-born; his or her manuscript finally accepted by a publisher; a promotion to a terrific job long overdue; the exhilarated feeling of one's first love; winning in sports; getting a first driver's license; being ordained into the ministry; getting accepted by the college of his or her choice; or reaping rewards from a long awaited investment that ultimately paid off, and so on.

However, once the novelty and excitement of that fleeting ecstatic moment passes, and one is caught up in daily routine and responsibility, life is viewed differently. For some people, emotions of a negative nature begin to manifest themselves. Anxiousness, fear, discouragement, failure, inadequacy, frustration, anger, disappointment, resentment and rejection set in. These negative feelings encourage some to look forward to an "imagined future time when things will eventually work itself out, or that they will become more financially stable in the hopes of improving their situation." Yet there are others whose lives are improved by these experiences, believing that they have lived their lives fully, translating their experiences into positive sentiments.

Optimistic people have learned how to manage their emotions, dealing effectively with stress, anger and fear. They look for the good in every situation; find opportunities inside every problem, becoming more flexible in coping with different circumstances, building harmonious relationships with loved ones and coworkers. For the optimistic person, who is ready and well adjusted, memories will only provide abundant treasures and tools to work with. A depressed person will make it his or her duty to remain unhappy by focusing only on the negative aspects of life, constantly complaining about this and that, attracting more of the same negativity into their lives. The consequences of where both of these individuals are and what they have is based on the choices and decisions which they have made "beyond the extraordinary moment."

People can be happy if they make up their minds to be so. The confident person attracts happiness, while the negative person will resist it. The home is where the greater part of one's life is spent with family. The home, a residence intended to be a safe haven for sharing extraordinary moments of love and happiness, sadly, for some, has become a battlefield of aggression and hostile thoughts, whose residents do not benefit from peaceful relationships. Spouses are in conflict. Children are in constant battle with their parents. In some cases, the element of intimidation and control is evident through verbal, mental and physical abuse. Children who come from a highly stressful home environment are inundated by it, which does not give them a chance to deal with their own emotions. Parents, who are always in conflict, can not be a role model to their children if they have not learned how to use the skills of emotional intelligence.

Many parents set themselves up for major disappointments, with expectations which they want their children to respond to, failing to realize that their child's character is different from their own. They have hopes and dreams of their own. This contributes to the problems and conflicts between them...

Think of it this way; you are now the proud owner of your first home or your dream home, you have been scrimping and saving for your whole life. Once the experience of that memorable moment is over, attaining the home, you begin to focus on other things that you want. As you begin to meet each desire, others surface, adding to the already overburdened wish list. You have the home but not enough help to move in; your furniture doesn't match the house, the kitchen isn't functional, etc. So the more you want, the less happy you feel.

Or this type of reaction to the attainment of an extraordinary moment occurs:

"Hey, congratulations, I hear you finally got that promotion to that fantastic job you have been working so long for. Wow! That must have been an extraordinary moment for you."

"Yes, it was at the time..."

"Oh, what happened?"

"That extra money in my paycheck looked good at first, but then after taxes, it didn't add up to much. Between the monthly payments and insurance coverage for my Porsche, the kid's braces, and my son and daughter's college tuition, even with the promotion, I don't seem to make any progress. And there's so much more responsibility. The position just doesn't meet my expectations!"

"May I ask why?"

"I've been putting in longer hours and I'm basically getting paid the same, though I got a raise. My family complains they do not see enough of me. There is not a day that goes by that I'm not uptight. I hate the perfume my secretary wears all the time; it gives me such a headache. I can not stand my new boss, what a pain. Not a day goes by that he does not find fault with my work." Etc., Etc.

This person sounds like someone who is extremely frustrated and angry with his or her job, though they have the job they wanted. If this individual is discontent because of the new job, then he or she must be distressed away from it, as well. This person maintains a Negative Mental Attitude.

Now, on the bright side, let's talk about the people that use a Positive Mental Attitude. Whether these individuals are experiencing mental and emotional conflicts or frustrations, they are motivated to take a positive view of the situation as well as of themselves to see how they can improve and correct it. Take the same situation, the promotion example. The positive thinker is determined to learn more about their role as well as the background of the company they work for, so that they can become more proficient toward making their work environment satisfactory. They will do whatever they have to do, even setting mini goals for themselves. Although, the promotion has been a disappointment, they look at each obstacle as a stepping stone to something much better. This will enable them to change their disadvantages to advantages....

So now I ask you, when was the last time you had an extraordinary moment? Is fear holding you back from living an extraordinary life? Fear of failure, fear of being poked fun at and fear of what others may think of you, even fear of success? Would you prefer to live with neurotic patterns rather than make changes? Do you remain in a state of lethargy and inaction? Get out of the rut you are in, and begin to explore new horizons. Did you happen to fail in business, one that you started? Do not forget that you still have the creativity and ingenuity, with which you originally succeeded. You can develop another company using the same ideas but with the experience you gained, which will result in a much more successful and prosperous accomplishments. Get rid of the Self-limitations which you have been imposing upon yourself, keeping you from achieving success and experiencing extraordinary moments in your life. When you change your thought process, the outer experiences will change as well. Work with whatever skills and talents you have and move forward, taking advantage of the opportunities that surround you, let the outcome speak for itself.

Are you feeling discouraged? That's normal; it comes to all of us at one time or another. Sometimes failure to achieve a goal may lead to a more rewarding experience so do not remain in that state of discouragement which will keep you from experiencing more extraordinary moments. Heed the positive; you will be amazed at how influential people, excellent opportunities and advantageous situations will present themselves in ANY situation. A failure or an obstacle presents an opportunity, use that philosophy to bring any dream to fruition. Ditch the "woe is me" attitude; you are not at the mercy of fate. I reiterate, what you have and where you are now are the effects of all the choices and decisions you make in your life. Life will give back exactly what you believe you can accomplish and are able to accept for yourself in your own mind. No more, no less.

I reiterate, people can continue to be happy "beyond the extraordinary moment," if they make up their minds to do so. Happiness depends on how you approach life and relate to the people that you interact with.

I leave you with this quote:

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, and all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be." - Santiz Patanjali -

Simply put, don't tie yourself down with negative thought, free yourself with positive thoughts, and the world can become an extraordinary place, not just a series of extraordinary moments followed by let downs. Good luck!

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
.

Dream It, Then Do It: Go Find Your Niche in Life: Part III

2011-11-02T19:46:00.004-04:00

By Miriam Medina

This is the final installment of a 3 part series examining how we are in control of our own destiny and how we can positively compel ourselves to find our niche in life, getting our dreams and achieving our goals along the way. In this final article, I will share with you a real life example of how to use positive energy, effort and will power to turn a troubling situation into a positive experience. I call this:

"Mimi Bloopers" First Performance Experience

I decided to follow my dream of becoming a songwriter and performer while approaching middle-age. It was not a hasty decision based on a mid-life crisis, but one that laid dormant in my sub-consciousness for a long time. I loved performing and just waited for the right moment to bring this passion back into focus.

My desire to pursue a composing-performing experience before a live audience was originally pushed by my sister Rosemarie, who was a stroke victim at the age of 42 and also a member of OPUS (Organization of "People Undaunted By Stroke) in Westchester County, New York. She was my biggest fan, using all her influence to set me up for my very first public performance. I did not know how she did it, but the auditorium was packed to capacity with a terrific audience. I have to admit, I was extremely nervous that day, afflicted by a bad case of stage fright. I was so stressed out that I had developed a slight case of laryngitis. In my performance I utilized a variety of costumes, hats, wigs and props to convey the theme and mood of my personal compositions along with some Broadway tunes which I had planned to sing. I don't smoke, but I decided to act real cute that day and puff away on a cigarette while singing, trying to inhale the smoke and push it out through my nose. That was the dumbest thing I could have ever done. I should have attempted to practice at home instead of before a live audience. I burned my nostrils, which made me cough terribly, bringing tears to my eyes. The more I choked on the cigarette, the more my wig would shift forward toward my eyes. I was terrified that it would catch on fire. What a sight, there I was on stage looking utterly ridiculous with my lop-sided wig, rotted sneakers three sizes too big and a massive feathered boa wrapped around my neck trying to sing "Elegance" from "Hello, Dolly."

In my extreme nervousness my voice started to break as I reached the higher pitch, and while moving my arms I lost my balance and fell backwards. All of my weight crashed against the table prop, bringing a tall glass vase crashing to the floor. Luckily I didn't cut myself when I fell. There was glass all over the floor and a chair next to the round table prop. Immediately, as if on cue, a janitor appeared from nowhere on stage and began whistling as he swept away the broken glass. My voice teachers always advised me that if I was ever caught in a distracting situation while performing, I should stay focused and continue with my singing. The crowd roared with laughter as they watched the ostensible comedy act of the janitor in the background sweeping while I was singing. How awful, they called my goof-ups COMEDY. Right then and there, I knew my so-called career was over just as soon as it had begun.

The career I was hoping to begin was as a professional singer, not as a comedian. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Nothing was going well. I was so upset. I packed up everything and left the building as fast as I could.

In the car I didn't say too much to my sister even though she was trying to sound cheerful. I was far from elated. On the contrary, I began to cry, mumbling that I shouldn't have gotten into this business. Maybe I should have listened to Mama and just continued to sing with the church choir as a back-up singer. I began lamenting all the expenses I had incurred in order to arrive at this point. The purchase of a brand new piano, trained voice and private piano lessons, time invested in my musical compositions, 2 years of vocal training at the Leneve School of Music and Art, a professional recording of two of my songs, all wasted. I was in such a rotten mood, completely discouraged. Let's face it, no one is immune to discouragement. It comes to all of us at one time or another, because "Life is an unfolding process, where we move from comparative ease to points of crisis." My dream was starting to slip away as I allowed my positive attitude to be overpowered with negative emotions. I had a lot of anticipation for that first performance, but since I didn't see the results I had hoped for, this fueled my discouragement.

My sister was getting annoyed with me and said: "What is wrong with you, will you, please stop with all this drama. Enough of this "woe is me" mentality. For being such a positive minded person, you amaze me. This was your very first show and you are already calling it quits? That's the way it goes! Sometimes it's okay, sometimes it's awful. You have to learn how to go with the flow. You need to crawl before you walk and walk before you run. So stop being so hard on yourself. To be honest, I thought you were superb and funny. I almost wet my pants when you were choking on the cigarette and at the part where you fell and broke the glass. The audience roared. You want people to remember you, don't you? Look at the bright side. Here's a terrific idea... why don't you try adding some comedic situations to each of your shows. Make it something like a vaudeville-style comedy variety act." I remember saying "Isn't that a little old-fashioned?" "Who cares? People need to laugh, and you can always knock them dead with the songs. Go for it, girl." Thank God, for my wise older sister and the humbling lesson that I learned from all of this.

Since that first experience, despite all the obstacles, setbacks and failures which I had encountered during my years as a songwriter-performer, I was still able to write and perform more than 25 original songs. I was beginning to feel a lot more confident about my progress and future in the entertainment field. There were some years that were more successful than others, until, regrettably, an accident brought closure to this chapter of my life.

Once again I found myself standing on the precipice of making a conscious decision to follow another dream with an intense desire to stick with it. Although my performance as a website administrator and blogger may seem less attractive, I have had no regrets about my career changes. Now I have added another heart's desire to my list of accomplishments as I am working on becoming a successful writer. This is my goal, this is the hollow I want to fill, and when I get there that is where I will remain.

As you can see for yourself, having a positive or a negative thought process does make a significant difference in finding your niche in life.

Positive minded people take advantage of all opportunities available to them, releasing themselves from all self-imposed restrictions. These individuals not only have a clear picture in their minds of what they want but also of where they are going. They know if they hold onto that dream long enough, clearly enough and confidently enough, it will attract everything that it needs to materialize. The person who has a positive attitude toward his role in life will wake up feeling good about himself or herself and will expect incredible things to happen. Occasionally he or she will have unfortunate experiences along the way, but the secret of success is not to allow those experiences to govern one's daily thoughts. They just continue expecting that more good will happen, and sure enough, it does happen because "like attracts like."

I am hoping that as you read this article you will become all fired up, finding a new determination to make something successful out of your life. If you are, then everything that I have said has been worthwhile. You are now on your way to progress. Dream it, Then do it: Go Find Your Niche in Life. It's already there, just waiting for you to claim it.

"Hold to that dream Don't ever let it go... For it is your strength and courage When traveling down life's road.

Patience is a virtue, But hope is far better. So hold onto that dream Hold fast to that dream No matter how old."

Miriam B. Medina

Miriam B. Medina is a successful website administrator and blogger, a strong woman with a Positive Mental Attitude who is not only a dreamer but an achiever as well. She strongly believes that anyone can fulfill their dreams as long as they are persistent in their efforts armed with the right mental attitude. She invites you to share in her worthwhile experiences at http://mimispeaks.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-followed-my-dream-reflections-of-late_09.html. Anyone who wants to develop or improve a positive mental attitude and anyone who is simply seeking happiness shouldn't want to pass this opportunity up. So get yourself a hot cup of coffee and a comfortable chair, kick back and come meet "MIMI".

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net

Dream It, Then Do It: Go Find Your Niche in Life: Part II

2011-11-02T19:41:00.004-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

This is part 2 of a 3 part series examining how we can get all of the things we want out of our lives, how we can carve our own happy niche in this world if we find the desire, believe in ourselves and work at it. In this first article, I explained the law of attraction and what it can do for us, that like gets like, and if you think and do the same things, you will get the same results. To change this you must figure out what you really want in life and identify your strengths and weaknesses, the weaknesses will prevent you from getting the results you desire. In this, part 2 of the article, I identify some very common weaknesses.

1. The Challenge of Indecision

This is an important factor that hinders many people from finding their niche in life, and it could hinder you. For some people making changes may appear to be quite an easy thing, while for others it is extremely difficult. All of our wishes and desires can become a reality if we keep them constantly before us without putting obstacles in our way, using excuses such as "ifs" and "buts". Indecision creates an unsettled condition in your mind and body. If you are always asking yourself, "I'm not sure if I should or I shouldn't do this" or telling yourself that "this is terrible, I just can't make up my mind," you will never get past first base.

As long as you are an indecisive person, you are weak and won't be able to move in any direction with full assurance. There is never a time when you will be guaranteed that any step you take will be safe and secure, so you cannot wait for such a chance. Wishing in itself will not produce the accomplishment of any dreams or goals you may have, you have to become a doer. You need to decisively make up your mind and take the plunge, moving forward with a burning desire to win or perish trying. If you keep at it and are persistent you will be amazed at where it could lead, even to the point of succeeding where you never thought you could.

2. The Challenge of Self-limitation

Another obstacle that can prevent you from finding your niche in life is called Self-limitation, which you may have been doing over the years. You need to stop it in order to open up the path that will change the course of your life. We can, at times, remain our own worst enemy. Some individuals would sell themselves short, underestimating their own capacity to succeed in life. Hidden deep within ourselves is an extraordinary and inexhaustible source of innovative ideas just waiting for us to make use of them.

Most of us live our lives within a limited circle. We set up barriers by limiting ourselves with "I cant's" and other forms of self-condemnation and Self-limitations. Consider a small dot that personifies you and me. In the center of a limited circle, closing in, the dot is consumed, locked in, closed off from possibilities that exist outside the small circle's line. Now we are the center of a circle without a circumference. The possibilities are limitless, the borders are open. When trying to find our niche in life, we need to eliminate all limitations, stop making excuses which we have been imposing upon ourselves, thus moving forward to undertake successful accomplishments.

When one changes the belief about one's self, about one's inner limitations, then the outer experiences will be changed as well. We do not want to impersonate another person's success in order to feel fulfilled or accomplished in life. We all have the knowledge and capacity on which to rely, to produce the same and even more such accomplishments. There are so many hidden talents within each of us that can be uncovered and developed today. Each one of us is unique, expressing ourselves in our own way.

3. The Challenge of Procrastination

There are individuals that go through life always testing the waters, waiting for the "time to be right to ever start doing something worthwhile." For them, there will never be the right time. Everything they say ends with, "I can't do it now but I will do it tomorrow" which never seems to happen. If and when they finally do decide to do something, the last-minute rush effort is often of poor quality. Many people procrastinate because of their insecurities. They dig their heels into the ground by convincing themselves that they do not have the necessary skills and talents to find their niche in life. In this case FEAR is the leading contributor, fear of failure, fear of being ridiculed by others, fear of what others might think of them. There is also a Fear of success. Some people may feel intimidated by success because they think they will become workaholics. They know that success will involve a lot of hard work, dedication, self-sacrifice and responsibilities. They are scared about whether or not they can meet those expectations. The battle has already been lost before it has begun. Every negative thought that is nurtured will always lead to a step in the wrong direction. Punishing yourself every time you realize you have put something off won't help you change. Instead, try rewarding yourself for your small accomplishments. Work with whatever you have and move forward, taking advantage of the opportunities that surround you. Let the results speak for themselves.

4.The Challenge of the Sad Sack "Woe is Me" Victim Mentality

Have you ever had an expectation in regards to something that you wanted very much only to see it fail to become a reality? Undoubtedly your first reaction toward this was a sense of great disappointment, followed by a feeling of discouragement. Let's assume, for example, a job seeker is trying to find his or her niche in their work life. The job seeker starts out with considerable expectations; well dressed, brisk walk, an excellent resume in hand, self-esteem all pumped up. That person is anticipating a strong economic future when he or she lands the job. How discouraging is it to be sitting at home, waiting for hours, days and even weeks, for the call that never comes.

Then there is the go-getter who wishes for something more than they are capable of doing. They set time limits to realize this accomplishment and when it doesn't happen he or she is devastated.

For these go-getters, not being able to see their expectations materialized provides a terribly crushing blow to their self-esteem. If the go-getters proceed to encounter more disappointments like this along the way, they will eventually believe that life is against them. They will begin to cultivate a "woe is me" victim mentality. The consistent practice of this victim mentality will earn them their rightful place as an inductee into the: "Sad Sack Whiner's Hall of Fame."

Sad sacks are chronic complainers. Because they are so negative in their outlook on life, people do their best to avoid them. From the moment they enter the room, the whole atmosphere changes. Sad sacks are easily spotted by their drooped shoulders, sagging chins, shuffled walk, averted eyes and expressionless faces. They spend their days hunched over, toting around baggage from all sorts of little upsets, imparting negative vibrations to everyone they meet. These individuals can't enjoy the present because they bemoan the past. They are even afraid to look forward to the future. Negative minded people get so immersed in their current difficulties and problems. They just can't seem to visualize the opportunities and wondrous things that may come their way. Constant complaining about adverse conditions that they brought upon themselves through poor choices and negative thoughts often causes unfavorable conditions to continue for them. These individuals find themselves railing at fate though it is their own choices and actions that create their environment. The complaining aggravates them and everyone else within listening range, causing them to hate their fate more. Sad Sacks have no direction in life. They are like a boat without a paddle, going nowhere, unhappy wherever they are.

Expressions such as: "It's just my luck; I'm always getting the short end of the stick." "Why, especially now, when I don't have the money, did this opportunity have to come? "How in the world am I supposed to achieve anything when I have so much already on my plate!" These types of negative thoughts allow the "woe is me" victim attitude to dominate your thoughts. This will hold you back from progress, preventing that creative energy from working through you and leading you to your niche in life. Guess what? That favorable lucky break that you have been waiting on for so long does not depend on luck, but years of hard work and determined effort. So get your head out of the sand, stop the whining, and start doing something useful to change your outlook on life.

5. The Challenge of Discouragement

No one is immune to discouragement. It comes to all of us at one time or another. If this feeling is nourished, it will keep you from finding your niche in life. I wanted to save this challenge for last, so I may reflect on my own personal experience which almost discouraged me at the time from finding one of my own niches in life. I would like to call it my: "Mimi Bloopers" First Performance Experience. In the last part of this 3 part article, I will share this real life experience with you to illustrate what it takes to go from a dreamer to a doer.

To be continued: Part III

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
.

Dream It, Then Do It: Go Find Your Niche in Life: Part 1

2011-11-02T19:35:00.006-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be, your identity is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil." James Allen from "As A Man Thinketh"

This is part 1 of a 3 part series examining how we are in control of our lives and how we can teach ourselves and will ourselves to get what we want out of life. In this first article, I will examine the law of attraction and how it affects our lives, how the energy that we exhibit attracts like positive or negative energies.

Many individuals wonder how others have been able to advance successfully in their lives and careers while they cannot achieve the same success in their own lives no matter how hard they try. Why is that? Your success depends on your attitude towards life along with the energy you put into it, which the law of attraction gladly reciprocates. Simply said, these individuals gravitate towards what they focus upon, generally producing more of the same results as the past because "like attracts like." They are directly or indirectly responsible for everything that happens to them. You get out of life exactly what you put into it, no more or no less. If these individuals would take a long, hard look at their lives, they would see how they have attracted marvelous things along with those unfavorable things. They have been thinking and projecting energies on a daily basis. These energies attract like energies and results, they have ramifications. The way a person thinks will determine what he will be and where he will be at tomorrow. This law of attraction applies to all aspects of everyone's lives.

Then there are those individuals that are quite satisfied with just shuffling along through life, filling in some niches along the way, accepting whatever fate has bestowed upon them. As a result of this mind-set, they very rarely make any physical or mental effort to differentiate themselves from being a creature led by destiny, like a puppet on a string waiting to be made to dance. They are not dreamers or doers. They lack the desire to exalt themselves above and beyond their state in order to make changes, to improve their situation or move forward, so their world remains small. To a degree, unless that person changes his or her area of thinking, they will always be confined to a small world. Desire is the driving force that motivates one to achieve the attainment or possession of something that is within reach. This is the key element that will transform a dreamer into a doer, which will eventually lead them to that sought after place in life that they've always desired. Desire is the achieving motivation that gives power of all human action, and without it, one cannot go far.

As the oppressive clouds of the current economic climate hovers over us, many people are choked by a daily state of anxiety and panic. Since money is becoming scarce and credit is much harder to come by, the uncertainty of our economy makes it extremely hard for many dreamers to become doers. This is especially true when people are struggling with supporting themselves and their families, with inflation, or after having joined the swollen ranks of the unemployed. All this has caused tension and sleepless nights for many, causing them to stay in a negative and fearful frame of mind. Although some people hope for the best, they still really expect the worst. Of course, the worst always happens to them eventually, since it is the strongest belief that governs their mind. By permitting unfavorable vibrations and energies to invade and control their sub-consciousness, they are preventing themselves from hearing, seeing or experiencing anything positive which might provide a solution to their problems.

I believe that each person has a distinctive purpose in life and that there is a special place reserved for them that is ready to be carved out. Since two individuals cannot occupy the same spot at the same time, only one person will be able to fill that space perfectly. This area is called a "niche" which is defined as a "suitable place for somebody, a position or activity that particularly suits somebody's talents and personality."

For some people finding a niche can be an effortless task, claiming a safe haven where it is much easier for them to believe than to disbelieve. For others it is downright elusive. So why is that? Let me give you a couple of examples where certain challenges can hinder a person from finding and claiming that elusive niche, a niche that they have been breathlessly chasing after all these years.

The Elusive Niche: Catch Me If You Can

In order to find your niche, you need to have definiteness of purpose and be decisive in the direction you choose. This can be determined by asking yourself two questions: "What is it that I want," and "Where am I going?" These two questions will give you the motivation you need to analyze yourself in an honest way. You need to reach into the depths of your mind and heart to discover what dreams or goals you really want to achieve. Find what you are passionate about, and make a plan from there.

In the process of analyzing yourself, it would be best to write down all of the strengths of your personality and all of the things you excel at. Then take a look at all your weaknesses as well. These weaknesses stand between you and noteworthy achievement. List them one by one, focusing on areas that need improvement. In part 2 of this 3 part series I will list a few common weaknesses that affect many who remain as dreamers instead of achievers.

To be continued: Part II

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
.

Are You Living A Life Worth Living? Part III

2011-11-02T05:52:00.004-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

This is part three of a three-part series examining how many people have been negatively affected by the current economic downturn. Part one examined the difficulties associated with living through an economic crisis. Part two explored ways to find inner peace to survive and move on, identifying and addressing The Stumbling Block of Fear and The Stumbling Block of Indecision that can hinder the search for peace and happiness. In this article we will address the final Stumbling block.

3. The Stumbling Block of the Scarcity Mentality

I can't believe that someone in this day and age would reject the idea of wanting to be prosperous. However, this is true. There are people who look at money as evil and see the rich as corrupt. They feel virtuous when they resent others who have more than they do, which makes them think what I termed in the above mentioned a Scarcity Mentality. By coveting what another person possesses, whether it's their lifestyle, their careers, their homes, their talents, their successes or their family life, they are impoverishing themselves with a continual consciousness of lack. They do not wish successful people well because they are consumed with jealousy. These individuals are so comfortable in their Scarcity Mentality that they only see themselves as poor. They are Martyrs to some Poverty Consciousness. This habit of resenting those who are rich or better off than they are limits them from expanding beyond the constraints of their own self, thus closing the door to new horizons and the possibility of wonderfully experiencing the same. How a person responds to the success of other people will demonstrate their state of mind. Maybe they think that the other person's considerable luck diminishes their own?

Nonetheless, there are individuals that feel life has not fallen in their favor, that they are victims of fate, accepting their lives living in poverty as their destiny. So in comparing their financial status with someone else's, that person's perception of prosperity is to blame and sponge off the successful person instead of working towards self-improvement. In other words, they try to get something for nothing, which makes them fit the description of a freeloader or moocher.

Sad to say, there are those who spend their lives anxiously and purposely waiting for a family member or relative to die to become rich in order to experience the easy life that they have always envied. The irony of this is that sometimes the individual who is supposed to die outlives the person who is waiting for their inheritance.

Let's not forget the individuals who scrimped and saved all their lives, depriving themselves of all the ordinary and happy pleasures of life in order to have a nest egg set aside. They look forward to a pleasant living in Florida, Hawaii or just spending their time traveling around the world enjoying their retirement. Sometimes it just doesn't happen as planned. However, since no one knows what the future holds or has any control over it, the possibilities of being incapacitated mentally or physically could occur. It can leave them to continue living in a nursing home, with the long-term care wiping out all of their savings which they accumulated over the years.

Then we have those people who hate to pay bills or real estate taxes, putting it off as long as possible, especially in these tough economic times. It bothers them to see their bank accounts dwindle, so when they reach for their check books, it is done with considerable reluctance.

The "Scarcity Mentality" was strongly practiced by my mama. My parents got married during the Great Depression. Poverty reigned in their home. In the years that followed the family increased, yet our lives remained the same, we lived in poverty even though the economy was better. There was never enough for us to eat. Sometimes our neighbor across the hall would give us her stale three-day old buns that she was going to throw out. We lived in a two bedroom apartment in East Harlem, New York, quite small for 9 people, my parents and us seven kids, of which I was the youngest. Even though, Papa worked as a refinisher in a furniture store, his earnings were meager. This made mama tighter fisted than ever. Frustrated with so many kids and having to stretch the dollar, she became a firm believer in the recycling of clothing. It was practiced all the time during our childhood years. Make due and mend was her argument when it came to the clothes and shoes that my brothers had worn. These clothes were passed down from one to the other. In any case, since the older ones were taller, the shorter ones would roll their "new" pants up at the waist. As for my sister and I, there was such a significant age difference that I couldn't wear her dresses. Sometimes I would end up wearing my brother Daniel's pants and shirt, since he was the youngest of the five boys and he was a little shrimp like me.

Mama was so conditioned to being thrifty, she would make us wear the worst and save our best clothes for Easter, Christmas and Sunday mass. Papa was a sociable person and of a generous nature. Papa would often invite his friends from the neighborhood to our tiny, crowded apartment, and have them stay for a meal. Mama would hit the roof each time. Her fiery personality seemed to overshadow Papa's, as she would vocalize her anger. "With planks between the chairs and nine mouths to feed, there is just not enough space or food for free-loaders," she would say. Mama's fear of poverty kept her from enjoying the things in life and from interacting with the people of the neighborhood. She was always afraid that there would never be enough food, drink, clothing or even money. The amazing thing about this was that after Papa's funeral, we never saw hide nor hair of these friends from the neighborhood again. I think they were afraid that mama would ask for a hand out, or they would have the burden of a widow and seven children thrust upon their hands.

Mama remained in that "Scarcity Mentality" for the rest of her life, even though she didn't have to stay that way. It hurt me so to see her do that. Arguing with mama was useless, since she was so set in her ways. I imagine after going through such terrible times during the Great Depression, it must have been trying for her to break old habits.

Taking That Step

To be able to enjoy a life that is worth living, one has to get rid of the Scarcity Mentality. We should give thanks for everything that we have. Instead of wasting our energies lamenting about what we are missing or what we once had, we need to pause and take inventory of all the things that we have been blessed with over the years. There are so many things, which have benefited us and enjoyed; such as a beautiful house in the suburbs, a marvelous high-rise apartment, close friends and family, a career, clothes, furniture, appliances, public transportation, the Internet, and even the latest in modern technology. Let's not forget to appreciate the person that we are. The heart of the matter is that we are in excellent health, possessing a strong body that can meet the demands of the long day. We also need to be thankful for the opportunity to express ourselves through our creativeness, but most of all, we have to be thankful that we live in America. How I love America, a nation among all nations, wherein we all enjoy his or her rights and the freedom of choice. We are truly blessed. Hey, you know what; life isn't so bad is it? When we learn to appreciate what we have we are much happier. Life takes on a new meaning with a certain degree of rosiness we even feel prosperous. "Prosperous?" You got it right. When you are satisfied with what you have and are grateful for it, you begin to develop a positive mental attitude, which will, in the course of time, draw that prosperity to you which will allow you to live a life that is worth living.

So my dear readers, get out of the dismal rut that you are in, convert all your setbacks into opportunities, reinforce your values and live in the most positive way that you can, because this current economic downturn will eventually pass. Remember, in order to be prosperous, you have to want to be prosperous. Expect and accept only the best in your life. Start with the creativeness that you have and move forward from there. If you are willing to give up your old way of thinking, giving a new, conscious instruction to your subconscious mind, then you will begin to see improvement in your outer experiences. Good luck and best of success. Feel happy about your life at last!

Back to Table of Contents: (4a)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
.

Are You Living A Life Worth Living? Part II

2011-11-02T05:48:00.006-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

This is part two of a three-part series examining how many lives have been changed by this recent economic crisis. Part one examined the difficulties associated with living through an economic crisis and the negativity such trauma often causes. In this article, we will explore ways to find inner peace to survive and move on.

To establish peace of mind, we must have a positive mental attitude toward life. One also needs to prepare some problem solving strategy. This plan should be as accurate as possible in order to help you determine your course of action regarding the issue of your worry. However, if, the plan does not successfully perform, then you need to replace it with a new plan. You keep repeating the process until you feel certain that you have found a plan that works. Preparing ahead of time creates confidence in your ability to handle any situation. One thing we can learn from is an ant hill. You probably have seen the ants rushing around in all various directions, moving in and out of the ant hill, bringing in tiny pieces of this and that, seeds and other things, scavenging for food. They all seem to be doing something, don't they? Each ant has his own work to achieve, storing its provisions in summer and gathering its food in the harvest.

Right here is the place where people connect with failure, because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail. There is no waiting for the time to be right, because the time will never be "just right." Make quick and conclusive decisions with all that concerns you. Conserve the energy that you are wasting on worrying. By channeling your energy into practical ways that will help you, it will help you to arrive at workable solutions in dealing with your situation at hand. Like the ants, one needs to plan ahead. Life seems chaotic, but if you have a comprehensive plan, you can always pull things together and survive.

Each new day brings unlimited opportunities. The extent to which we can live a life that is worth living depends on the daily choices we make and in the use of those opportunities. Opportunities can be utilized to our advantage as stepping-stones, helping us to live our lives with meaning, or we can reject them, placing them as stumbling blocks in our path. It's easier to criticize life and blame fate than to live it and create taking advantage of your own opportunities. In this article, I would like to reflect on how these two ways of approach can help or hinder you from living that dream life. In the positive sense, one will find personal growth and fulfillment, while in the negative sense, there is discouragement and failure to obtain. Successful people do not fear failure because they never expect to fail. Although they may be surrounded by skeptics, they do not deviate from the image that they have created for themselves.

Listed below are a few stumbling blocks that can be turned into stepping-stones that will help you to live a life that is worth living.

1. The Stumbling Block of Fear

One of the greatest enemies in life will always be fear. We live in a fear riddled society. The fear of war exists in the mind of the masses, fear of violence running rampart across our nation exists, fear for the financial future of our nation is palpable, and on a personal level, there is fear of failure. Even the people who are considered rich live in fear of losing all that they have. It's remarkably easy to get locked into the present situation and paralyzed by fear, which in turn will freeze whatever potential a person might have. Their whole perspective is limited because they can't think big enough to get past today, or big enough to see where they can go or what they could be a part of. In plain words, they lack the importance of creative visualization. Fear produces resistance. Whenever a problem arises, our first reaction is to introduce all the reasons why it can't be solved. Even when new ideas are presented to us, we automatically exclude them without considering all the options. We become our own worst enemy because of fear. Life is a mirror, and whatever image we show is reflected back to us. So if, you have fear of failure and negative thoughts, you will certainly not produce success.

Taking That Step

Life gives back to us exactly what we believe we can achieve. Moreover, what we are able to accept for ourselves in our own thoughts, as well. No more no less. Remaining in a negative frame of mind will keep you in a powerless state, unable to achieve anything, especially in the area of assuming and maintaining a positive attitude. Every wrong impression that we consider in our minds that are fueled by fear will mirror similar happenings in our life. In order to protect ourselves from the increasing impact of erroneous emotional reactions, we must acquire the ability to manage our feelings. The constant complaining about adverse conditions which we bring, upon ourselves through fear will continue to bring negative outcomes. Having a positive approach to life does not happen overnight, it is a step by step, day by day, continual process that brings about great achievements. It means having a mind-training regimented program in which we replace negative, destructive thoughts with a constructive way of thinking. You don't have to force it or push it, just walk at your own pace, and you will see the difference.

Remaining positive dispels fear and worry. Negative and positive thinking cannot occupy the same space at the same time. You know this is impossible, because one or the other must prevail. Take for example, a snowball. It is small it fits into the palm of your hand. If this snowball rolls down a snow-covered hill, it will collect more and more snow until it develops into an avalanche. That is how fear is. The more we cultivate fear, this fear will evolve into other fears. This will result in destroying our health, producing nervous tension as well as digestive problems, and most of all, it will interfere with finding a feasible solution to the problem at hand.

2. The Stumbling Block of Indecision

This is a critical factor that would hinder any one from living a life that is worth living. For some people making changes may seem easy, while for others, it is extremely difficult. All our wishes and desires can become a reality if we keep them forever before us, without putting obstacles in our way with excuses, of "ifs" and "buts". Indecision creates an unstable condition in a person's mind and body, if people are always asking themselves: "I'm not sure if I should or I shouldn't do this, etc?" On the other hand, saying "this is terrible I just can't make up my mind," they will never get pass first base.

As long as these people are undecided, they are weak and won't be able to move in any direction with full assurance, unless they are guaranteed that the initiative they will take is safe and secure. In the meantime, they are letting tremendous opportunities slip by. If and when these individuals do make a choice, they indulge in fear as to whether or not it was the right decision. No matter what they decide, they will always find a reason as to why that decision was erroneous, subjecting themselves to unnecessary physical and psychological pressure, bemoaning what might have been.

Taking That Step

People who possess a positive mental attitude trust whatever decisions they make, weighing all the pros and cons related to it, considering the consequences and deciding which will result in a better return for them. These individuals of a positive mental attitude are not hindered by self-imposed limitations or fear. They are flexible and have self-direction. Once they make up their mind, they don't fluctuate but take the plunge by moving forward developing their talents to the fullest. The challenge of starting again has forced many individuals to make decisions to the purpose of uprooting their families, leaving behind what is familiar and convenient to them. Because they felt it was the right decision, they were willing to make the sacrifice in search of something entirely new and unknown because they knew that the end-results would be worth it.

In part three of this series, we will examine the final stumbling block that can be turned into a stepping stone that you can use to build a life worth living.

To be continued: Part: III

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net

Are You Living A Life Worth Living? Part I

2011-11-02T05:43:00.006-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

This is the first part of a three-part series examining how the quality of life has been affected for many people by this recent economic meltdown. Part one examines the difficulties associated with the ramifications of an economic crisis. The current economic situation that exists today in the United States and around the globe has most of us caught up in a daily state of anxiety and panic. Money is scarce and credit is much harder to come by which means most of us are afflicted with the worry bug. These worries constantly follow us everywhere we go. No matter how hard we try, there is no way to get around it. We see our payroll or unemployment checks dwindling faster than usual. Gas prices are sky rocketing, real estate taxes are increasing, rent and mortgage obligations are getting more difficult to keep up with. There are increased heating expenses, food prices are rising, tuition payments are weighing us down and so on and so forth In short, our wallets and bank accounts have been crushed by the current economic downturn. It is a time when people are seeking employment, being fired, or are simply trying to hold on to the jobs they already have. Retired seniors living on social security benefits and fixed pensions are having a hard time coping with the increased cost of living. Not to mention the unexpected issues and calamities that interrupts the normal flow of our daily life.

We're all gasping for breath and worrying as we continue to struggle with ballooning expenses, trying to support ourselves and our families. The broad overall picture looks pretty bleak. Apprehension has been clouding everyone's thoughts. The more one dwells on the difficulties that are occurring, the more they are amplified.

These are times filled with enormous challenges for many people, where the loss or reduction of income has forced them to make drastic changes to their lifestyles. Many believe they are living a life that is, in their opinion, not worth living. Considering that most of us are creatures of habit, we become comfortable with what is familiar to us. After being accustomed to a lifestyle marked by material comforts, personal freedom and wasteful spending, we are suddenly shoved into one that is financially inadequate controlled and oppressive, a life that does not promote a positive attitude or give any reason to start over. The American Dream has been paralyzed, leaving many angry and worried, not wanting to continue to pursue their fabled slice of Americana. Not being able to keep up with the Joneses becomes a humiliating experience, a terrible blow to inflated egos.

These individuals are constantly lamenting about what once was and what they once possessed. Their life is filled with worries and anxieties, where blame-shifting tends to accelerate an already tensed atmosphere. In a house where there is aggression and frequent verbal confrontations, no one benefits from a peaceful existence.

We all know that the constant tension that we subject our body to is dangerous. Our minds and bodies are inseparable, and both will eventually pay the price, causing considerable damage to our health and our quality of life. Worry causes stress.

Stress increases our blood pressure and intensifies the risk of heart attack and the possibility of having a stroke which can kill you. Positive minded Individuals find a high-stress life exciting and challenging because they have the resilience to bounce back from stress. Negative minded people are particularly vulnerable to stress because of their poor coping skills. The slightest problem crushes their self-esteem and confidence in their ability to deal with it.

What happens to each and every one of us does matter, but, more importantly, how we recognize and respond to it says everything about us. Misfortunes that are suddenly thrust upon us can trigger emotions that have the ability to revolutionize the way we live and relate to others. One emotion is fear, which is a steady position or attitude of fright, dread, or alarmed concern, an uneasy feeling that something may happen contrary to one's desires. Then there is anxiety, which is a worrying, emotional state that is characterized by fear and concern for the future. Lastly, hysteria sets in, which is an abnormal excitement, wild emotionalism, or better said, a frenzy.

Still, we cannot change what has happened, but we can decide on how we should respond in order to live a life that is worth living or one that is not.

No matter how painful your life may seem, one has to handle it in a positive, constructive way. By changing the negative attitude to a positive attitude, you will create a new state of existence, which is called "Peace of Mind." All men and women want to live in this state of calmness, living without turmoil, agitation and free from worry.

When a person does not have peace of mind, it is because that individual is experiencing an internal conflict. Conflict creates confusion; it is the total opposite of Peace of Mind. In dealing with worries and stress, we need to be poised, which is being balanced, or better yet, unruffled. When you are, poised you are in agreement with life, ceasing opposition to circumstances, ideas or other people. Being able to detect the actual source of anxiety will help you to have better control of the situation. Then you can take the necessary steps to deal with what is troubling you. Not one of us is a victim of fate. True, there are circumstances that are totally out of our control, but others are of our own making. When we release the tensions and anxieties, we will find inner peace in dealing with life. In part two of this three-part series, we will explore ways to find inner peace.

To be continued: Part II

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net

How To Remain Hopeful in the Midst of the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression Part 3 (2)

2011-11-01T19:54:00.003-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

(Continued from Page: 1)

6. Finally, Don't be discouraged!

No one is immune to discouragement. Remember, temporary defeat is not failure. Sometimes failure to achieve the results you are expecting may move unexpectedly, complicating another potentially more rewarding experience. Allowing the discouragement to dominate your thoughts will keep you from making progress, preventing that creative power from rising to the top. In giving your attention to the positive, you will be amazed at how the right people, effective opportunities and favorable situations will present themselves in order to bring your desire to successful fruition.

I would like you to stop and think about this for a moment. America has always been a haven for many who have suffered from their home country's tremendous hardships, wars, calamities generating poverty, racial prejudices, religious persecution, and political oppression. In fact, this is part of what has made America great, it is a country made up of survivors and dreamers.

Centuries ago, a great majority of emigrants left their places of birth in pursuit of the "American Dream", which symbolized for them democracy, equality, liberty, justice and most of all, material well-being. "The American Dream" a term first used by James Truslow Adams in his book the Epic of America, written in 1931 is stated as such: "The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with an opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

America has always been viewed as a country of opportunity. Ours is a nation built on immigration. Its diversity of culture, races and languages combined to make us the leading, most diverse and respected nation that we have become today. Our remarkable democratic system has contributed to this diversity. We depend on each other.

Our early ancestors, in pursuit of the American Dream and the "Hope" that it inspired, dared to explore new horizons, freedom of choice and action, enduring enormous injustices, inhumanities, and severe hardships as they were woven into the texture of American life. Often stereotyped and discriminated against, they suffered verbal and physical abuse because they were "different." Yet, undaunted by lack of possessions, illiteracy, discrimination and discouragement, they sacrificed and toiled constantly, making substantial contributions to the economic strength of America and to a richer cultural diversity in the field of arts, music, education, language and cuisine. The new image culled from the foreign wilderness helped mold and maintain the enterprise system that has made America what it is today, the financial center of the World. Whether they worked on farms, in factories, building railroads, bridges, towns and cities, their rewards were greater than any country could ever offer... America is a nation among all nations, a leader of the World. A nation wherein every citizen enjoys his or her rights, especially in the area of choice and opportunity, in comparison with the restricted freedom found in other countries. Now, centuries later, America is still providing this same freedom and opportunity that our ancestors pursued, in whose footsteps we follow. The American Dream is still ours to embrace, still alive, even if it seems as though it is on a respirator. It is our job to revive it, not sit and expect it because it was "promised" to us.

Our forefathers had extraordinary courage, faith and confidence when it came to maintaining the right mental attitude in the midst of negative external forces. Think Valley Forge in the dead of winter facing an overwhelming military might with no shoes on your feet. Well, we're in an economic Valley Forge. Do we fight or flee, make excuses and blame or give it our all? The forefather's example should be an inspiration to all of us. I think we can also learn some lessons from them. With courage and faith, we will mentally prepare ourselves to manage and cope with the problems we face today, which will help us to find solace and determination in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Today is our chance to establish a firm basis for tomorrow. Let's keep our feet firmly on the ground and march on down the path of Faith and Hope, no matter how cold or hard it seems, and face the battle that has been forced upon us for we are conquerors like our ancestors, not quitters. America! NOW is the time to roll up our sleeves and get tough, dig in and hold our ground, work together to defeat one more enemy, this financial crisis. Learn to be a witness to the wonders that life will bring. Think yes we can, and yes we will overcome. It's time to make our forefathers proud.

Back to Table of Contents (4a)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
.

How To Remain Hopeful in the Midst of the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression Part 3 (1)

2011-11-01T19:46:00.007-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

In parts one and two, I covered the troubles we face in this current economic climate, recounted historical similarities to similar economic problems in our past, and discussed how faith, hope and clarity of mind are needed to help us work through these problems. In this, the final part of this three-part series, I will give you a couple of pointers that I would like to share with you. Remember, starting over takes a lot of courage, confidence and determination.

One of the many things that I love about America is that it offers a wide range of employment positions in every area you could possibly think of. So if, you are unemployed, what you have to do is decide what job you want to pursue, even in these difficult times, then analyze your talents and capabilities that you can offer. Then, use that famous American pioneering spirit and go after it. It's essential that you remain flexible, not getting locked in to one way of doing things. If you can't find a job, then create one. For example, if you were a bookkeeper, you could reach small businesses and see if they need someone to help them with their accounting for a negotiable fee. If you are able to get a few accounts, this at least will give you an incentive to keep going, to get out of bed and become productive once again. Yes, you can achieve success, even through the worst of economic crisis' by getting back on track and remaining hopeful. When I was unemployed a few years ago and couldn't find anything in my field, I went out and bought cleaning supplies, a vacuum and placed an ad in the papers offering to do house cleaning. I must say, it was an extraordinary experience for me in comparison to my previous occupations. Believe it or not, there still are people who pay to have their house cleaned, even these days. Work is work and money is money. You do whatever it takes to survive.

1. Plan Your Strategy

Put the remote aside for a moment so you are not distracted, and then get yourself a pad and pencil and keep it handy. One must develop a specific plan to fix your course of action in regards to the focus point of your worry. Whatever comes to mind, jot it down and keep all of it. Just as ideas or thoughts suddenly appear in your head, they often leave just as quickly. It is necessary to be flexible and not to condemn these ideas as they come to you. Even if they don't fit into what you are planning to do, don't reject any of them. There will be a day, down the road, when you think to some level that you have enough thoughts and ideas written down, then you can be critical as to what you want to use, eliminating or storing the rest for future reference.

Now after you develop a plan, if it does not successfully work, then you continue to replace it with a new plan, learning from your mistakes, until you find one that does work. When you choose this route, it creates confidence in your ability to handle any situation.

2. If You Want To Excel and Defeat the Calamities, Get Rid of Self Limitations

Although making changes may seem easy for some people, it can be extremely difficult for others. We can, at times, be our own worst enemy. Some individuals would sell themselves short, underestimating their own potential. This is not the time to set up barriers by limiting yourself with "I cant's," and other forms of self-condemnation and self-limitations. When one changes the way they think about one's self, then outer experiences will be changed as well. Forget the inferiority complex and the assumption that "nobody is hiring". Remember, even in these tough times, there are businesses out there that are still thriving and offering job opportunities. If there is an opportunity, seize it without hesitation. Also, don't sell yourself short by focusing on your lack of education and qualifications for the job opening you seek. Remember, sometimes the best educated person is self-made. So if you are still having a hard time with this, then take some courses, familiarize yourself with all the latest updated information in your area of choice. If you can't afford special courses, then go to your local public library. It contains a treasure trove of information that is readily available.

3. Self Direction

Remember, we are not "at the mercy of Fate," as the expression says "Que será, será...what will be will be." This type of thinking clouds any possibility for a better future. Self-direction is what motivates us to pick up the pieces and start again. In order for you to achieve whatever you set out to do, you must believe in whatever you want to obtain first, accept its feasibility, and confidently expect it to be realized, and in doing so you will raise your thoughts and your vision to see beyond your needs, circumstances, or conditions that surround you, which will result in fear turning to courage and confidence, anxiety to calmness, and despair to faith and hope.

4. Start Building Your Self-Confidence

Although you may have taken a sizeable loss in trading deals, which has plunged your family into a severe financial hole, you must not forget that you still have the creativity and ingenuity with which you originally started out with. If you decide to start again in another field, you can use this same creativity and ingenuity that worked before. Eventually this will result in a much more successful and prosperous accomplishment.

Hidden deep within ourselves is an extraordinary and inexhaustible source of innovative ideas that are waiting for us to make use of them. Musicians, authors, scientists, inventors, designers, artists, etc., over the centuries, have successfully learned the secret of tapping into the hidden talents that lie within them, and they work hard to develop them to their fullest. It is incredible as to how many creative ideas are born out of extreme necessity. The same inventive spirit found in the American people during the prosperous years can also be demonstrated during the worst.

5. This is not the Time to Procrastinate

Decision making can, at times, be mentally exhausting. People who are unclear, as the saying goes, "grow grass under their feet." They are called procrastinators, which is the opposite of being a decisive person. Because of their insecurities, they live in constant turmoil. It takes them forever to make a decision as to their choice, holding out forever, waiting for ever better possibilities which often never come. In the meantime, they are letting incredible opportunities slip by. Indecision creates an unstable situation in your mind and body. As long as you are an indecisive person, you are vulnerable and won't be able to move in any direction with full assurance, unless you are guaranteed that the step you will take in making changes is safe and secure. And we all know there are no guarantees in life. If and when you do decide, don't allow yourself to be harassed by fear as to whether or not you made the right choice. Work with whatever you have and move forward, taking advantage of the opportunities that surround you. Let the results speaks for themselves. "Where there is a will, there is a way."

To be continued: Part 3 (2)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
.

How To Remain Hopeful in the Midst of the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression Part II (2)

2011-11-01T19:41:00.005-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

(Continued from Page: 1)

The Panic of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression were the most terrible the country has ever suffered. After the stock market crash that began on October 23, 1929, culminating in the single worst day in Wall Street history, a day that would be known infamously as Black Tuesday, the country was economically gutted. "The stock market crash in October 23, 1929 wiped out an average of more than a billion dollars worth of paper values a day. A staggering total of 15 million were unemployed, and those who continued to work did so under greatly reduced wage scales." The flow of money into productive activities slowed down to a trickle. The country was suffering from under consumption, not overproduction. Banks were weighted down with government bonds, real estate mortgages based on exceedingly appreciated valuations, and highly speculative securities. Although, each of these crises, loaded with dreadful consequences, culminated in "Hard Times" for the American people, but the country still survived, ultimately returning to business as usual, resuming its former prosperity and growth. But America has ignored the lessons of the past.

Once again, we are in the midst of a new financial mess, one eerily similar to the Great Depression. Now, more than ever, we are in desperate need of Faith so that we can deal with the enormous problems ahead of us, and we need to hope that there will be a "business as usual" for us in the near future.

The general overall picture looks quite dismal. Apprehension has been clouding everyone's thoughts. Most people are living through extremely difficult times; their worlds seem to have crashed around them, plunging them into an abyss, filled with feelings of helplessness and despair. They are afraid to think of the future. Loss of income has forced many to make drastic changes to their lifestyles. Fear of the unemployment checks not showing up in the mailbox or savings being depleted dominate their thoughts, not Christmas joy or Yuletide cheer. Yet, we cannot linger and wallow in our negative attitudes and emotions. If we are to face the future with any kind of strength, the first thing we need to do is to discourage and eliminate those negative emotions that are driven by fear, panic, anxiety and despair. We must substitute this fear with positive emotions. A negative mind does not inspire courage, faith or belief. As Napoleon Hill once said, "A mind dominated by positive emotions becomes a favorable abode for the state of mind known as faith."

A skeptic would probably say: "You can't be talking about faith and hope? Get real lady, you don't even have a clue as to what I and others like me are going through! It's just not that easy! You're not in our shoes!"

Believe me, I am not being insensitive. I do understand your anger, and my heart feels your pain. I agree that there are factors that are totally out of our control, while others are of our own making. Economic deprivation is suffered by all groups within the community, it is not racist nor does it single out any religious beliefs, it consumes us all. Each person's situation is genuinely sincere and entirely different. While some have undergone substantial losses, others have suffered less. Nevertheless, no one's suffering is in any way less severe than the other's. Even at this precise moment, my own house is also being affected by this financial crisis. The current uncertainty in our economy makes everyone's options extremely limited. It hurts just not knowing how dreadful it will be before it gets better again.

Though I feel reasonable cause for worry, I don't want it to become an obsession that disturbs my sleep and influences my daily activities. So if I maintain a positive attitude toward the problem that I am facing, this will move my attention from the object of worry and put me in a state of calmness, eliminating confusion and distress. When times are worst, we must think most clearly, and I'm here to tell you, times are pretty bad so we must keep a clear head. In doing so, this will allow us to think with clarity, and help us to apply composure in dealing with any circumstances. One has to meet his or her problems in a positive, constructive way, no matter how depressing it may seem. There are those who have accepted the challenge and have been successful. Again it is not what happens to us, but HOW we react to it that counts. So we all need to start right, because when we start right on this journey of faith and hope, half of the battle is won.

In the final installation of this piece, part three, I will break down, step by step, ways to help you cope with your problems, ways to help keep your mind clear, and ways that will help you keep your hope through the remainder of this economic nightmare.

To be continued: Part III (1)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
.

How To Remain Hopeful in the Midst of the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression Part II (1)

2011-11-01T19:19:00.008-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

At the end of part one of this ongoing three-part series, I asked some tough questions as to how do we remain hopeful in the New Year in the midst of such difficult economic times? How do we dig ourselves out of this economic hole, a once in a lifetime economic hole, and keep our motivation? Who cares about setting New Years resolutions when you're filled with dread as to what the future holds for you? Will you have a job? A home? How can you afford to buy Christmas presents when you are struggling with the rent? In parts two and three of this three-part series, I intend to do my best to find an answer to these questions, so perhaps we can all remain hopeful as this economic nightmare plays itself out.

First and foremost, there are no quick solutions to such a massive problem, nor is there a magic wand that we can wave to stabilize the national and global economy. 'Abra-Cadabra, bring us back our jobs, our homes and Hocus Pocus... restore our financial well being!' No, sadly it doesn't work that way.

So in response to this devastating economic crisis, what can we do?

What we need to do above all as Americans is to have faith, faith in God and faith in our capacity to deal with and beat each problem that confronts us because we've done so for 234 years. The United States has passed through several significant financial crises, such as the ones in 1815, 1819, 1837, 1857, 1869, 1873, 1893, 1901 and 1907. Those are normal small economic corrections. Simply put, the mild bad times to correct the good ones previous to them. Everything that goes up must come down. It's a rule that applies to economics as well as gravity. Then there were the exceptions to the rule in 1837, 1893 and 1929. These years were defined as "serious depressions" because of the magnitude and duration of the collapses. Some attribute these panics to over-expansion and overages of debt, overextended notes and discounts, over inflated investments and falling prices, etc.

Where we sit is as yet to be determined, but it appears that, when all is said and done, this massive crisis will be an exception to the rule.

The Roaring Twenties were prosperous, happy-go-lucky years, where Americans spent money recklessly, drinking it down with two fists as they partied like crazy in speakeasies, rebelliously defying Prohibition and casting all care, and their money, to the wind. They had money to burn, or so they thought. It was a remarkable, exciting period in all of its aspects. "America was enjoying an era of great prosperity." Economic growth created successful business profits which in turn raised the standard of living for most Americans.

By 1928, everyone was singing praises to the glory days of America. It was a time when American businessmen and economists felt overly confident that the erratic fluctuations in the business cycle were finally under control. They were blindly unaware to the terrible sense of foreboding of an impending doom that was looming over the nation like a black cloud. Little did they know at the time, that this would be a rude awakening for the "American Dream" itself, and they were not prepared for the nightmare that was about to replace that dream.

On Wall Street, you would find the most exciting and keen intelligence in the country, and that mind trust would create a hazardous condition that would impact the world's economic foundation. As speculation and trading spiraled out of control, no one knew from one week to the next whether they would become a beggar or a millionaire. While one man made a fortune from a sudden increase in stocks or gold, one thousand would be instantly ruined. Even the soundest and most established firms fell with a thud, toppled by these sudden reverses. The image of these once powerful, self-confident, rich men walking briskly to and from their desks, painfully waiting to see how the money they controlled would fair in the stock pits was more and more replaced by expressions of nervous agony and cries of despair as their whole world crumbled under the force of economic volatility. Many of these failures were attributed to stock speculations, business deals gone wrong and lavish lifestyles led by brokers and CEO's. Sound familiar? Unable to cope with their losses, some suffered nervous breakdowns, heart attacks, or flung themselves from their offices to their deaths, leaving their families financially ruined.

To be continued: Part II (2)

To Contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
.

How To Remain Hopeful in the Midst of the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression Part I

2011-11-01T19:09:00.007-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

Every time the New Year begins, previous unfinished resolutions are recycled and new ones are established. Some concern losing that extra 20 lbs we gained over the Holidays, some of us are intent on finally pursuing a career or whatever else it is that one wishes to accomplish in life. The New Year brings change; it is like a fresh start that brings hope. Hope for a better world and a safer life. Hope for economic growth and an opportunity to strengthen significant relationships with family, friends and neighbors. We take inventory of our lives and try to change directions if need be. It is a time for soul-searching, goal setting, and improving ourselves. We focus on being a more productive intending to working harder, use our intellect and daring to be enterprising, and set goals to motivate ourselves. Above all, the New Year is a time where we feel we want to become a better, more useful, and happier human being.

Unfortunately, the closing of 2010 and the beginning of the year 2011, has found America as well as the entire Globe in difficult economic conditions which are sucking us into its chaos at a disturbing speed, making money scarce and credit harder to come by and more expensive. This is part one of a three-part series intended to help you remain positive, to learn how to hang on to hope in the New Year, in the face of the harshest economic crisis of our lives.

For most people, it's not a typical New Year, an occasion to set goals or to pursue careers, but instead it is a time when people are changing jobs, surviving cutbacks and wage decreases. Many are seeking employment in a barren labor market, being fired, or simply fighting to hold onto jobs they already have. The disastrous economic baggage from one year to another continues to drag on with no end in sight, while people struggle with fixed overhead expenses, trying to support themselves and their families. Retired seniors living on fixed pensions and social security benefits, individuals with little or no income, and the swollen ranks of unemployed are also having a hard time keeping up with their rent and mortgage obligations and paying bills. Parents with children in a higher education program are experiencing the crunch of the current economic malaise. Let's not forget to mention the other unforeseen issues and calamities that interrupt the normal flow of our daily lives, like illnesses, accidents and unforeseen expenses. Some individuals are still fortunate enough to have a nest egg as a cushion to fall back on, though it is dwindling, while others with limited means who live from hand to mouth are terrified by the economic collapse with utterly no guarantee that the worst is behind us.

Many Disturbing reports have been received in the past few years with no good financial indicators to act as a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. Plants and factories are still shutting down, massive unemployment, bankrupt businesses, banks closing their doors, and farm and home foreclosures. Jubilant Investors who were celebrating record highs in the stock market only a few years ago are now severely crushed by devastating losses.

As a result of layoffs and rising costs, many have been pushed over the brink, facing the nightmare of homelessness. Families that have lost their homes have had to depend on relatives or friends in order to survive. Others who were less fortunate have been forced to seek refuge at local shelters or have taken to the cold, heartless streets. It is said that in some communities, tent cities are going up as the shelters overflow beyond capacity. Charitable non-profit organizations that provide shelters, food, and medical and psychiatric care to needy individuals are hard hit by the current uncertainty of our economy. These groups are in dire need of financial support in order to continue keeping their doors open.

There are many Americans that are suffering physical and emotional hardships because they are not able to afford medical insurance or because they have lost their coverage as a result of unemployment. The emergency rooms and free care clinics are filled to the brim with needy individuals who are forced to seek free medical treatment where most are given "low priority status, unless critical."

The fact is, times are tough no matter how you cut it, no matter what you hear any politician say. You can see it with your eyes, the vacant homes, the rising costs of utilities and food as the inflation sets in. You hear it in the news, the unemployment numbers and the jobless claims. You can drive through any city and look at the lengthening bread lines. Call it a Depression, call it the Great Recession, call it what you will, for the foreseeable future it is simply our reality.

Not exactly Come All Ye Faithful or Jingle Bells, but it is a song filled with truth, one that most carolers will be forced to sing this Christmas season. Not exactly a joyous way to ring in the New Year on January 1st, is it?

So I ask you, my dear readers, this question: How do we as individuals remain hopeful in the midst of such difficult economic times as we are overwhelmed by such massive unemployment? How do we dig ourselves out of this hole, as more and more debt closes in upon us, burying us in economic mire so deep that it seems as though we might never escape it? How do we find that turn of the year hope and motivation that gets us through the Holidays when so many are hurting so badly and we all seemingly are affected by this once a century crisis? In parts two and three of this three-part series, I will begin to break this dilemma down and try to help find ways that we can all move on and look forward to the New Year as we struggle to rebuild our shattered economy.

To be continued: Part II

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net

Making Choices: Turmoil or Tranquility? ( 3)

2011-11-01T18:41:00.003-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

(Continue from Page: 2)

Even now, as a website administrator and blogger, I still have to deal with negative attitudes by those who are not pleased with what I am doing. "Why are you doing a blog? Even considering being an author? Don't you have enough on your plate running a website? Between your job and research, you want to write also? Aren't you taking on too much at your age?" These are the questions I have been asked.

No!

These were my choices and I have no regrets, because when I made my choice, I knew it was the right choice. So my dear reader if I had allowed myself to be swayed by the opinions of others, I would not be here today discussing the subject of "Making Choices: Turmoil or Tranquility?" So when one makes reasonable choices, one will always find a way of balancing health and personal issues, as well as responsibilities.

In establishing choices, whether they are advantageous or inept, they surely will lead to changes in your life. For some individuals, making changes may appear easy, while for others it is extremely difficult. Some may feel threatened by the change and resist it by being difficult and negative in their opinions and participation, while others, those who surrender to change, believe they are a pawn in the hands of luck, with no will of their own. The person with a positive mental attitude who is in charge of himself or herself does not consider evolution as a threat, but as an opportunity to develop his or her horizons. These individuals who possess a PMA are flexible and have self-direction. They trust their decision, weighing all the pros and cons related to it, considering the consequences and deciding which will result in a better return for them. Then take the plunge by moving forward with a burning desire to win or perish. They are not hindered by self-imposed limitations. They have learned the secret of uncovering the hidden talents that are within them, and develop them to the fullest.

If you are a procrastinator, you need to stop feeling upset, worried and miserable, and most of all, start letting go of the habit of being indecisive, which you have harbored all your life. Try establishing peace of mind by focusing on maintaining a positive attitude toward life. This way you will develop confidence in your ability to make correct choices that are right for YOU in any situation.

So my dear friends, when you need to make that choice, will it result in Turmoil or Tranquility? Which do you prefer? As for me, I've put off writing about this topic for far too long. Just kidding. Good luck!

Back to Table of Contents (4a) Positive Thinking & Self-Improvement

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net

Making Choices: Turmoil or Tranquility? (2)

2011-11-01T18:29:00.005-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

(Continued from Page: 1)

I am a person who loves challenges, who loves learning new things and who is also quite stubborn when I want something. Often when I try to get into a meaningful idea that I think is valuable and helpful to me, I have been faced with opposition, people who discourage me from my intent, whether it be family, friends or acquaintances. I met my greatest resistance when I decided to follow my dream as a songwriter and performer while approaching middle age. It was not a hasty decision based on a mid-life crisis, but one that laid dormant for a long time. I loved performing and simply waited for the right opportunity to bring this desire back into focus.

The years had passed quickly since my dream had been laid to rest. Once my oldest child was out the door with the youngest soon to follow, life was beginning to slow down for me. Grateful for the break, I finally began to focus on myself. Contemplating my reflection in the mirror, I felt relieved that there weren't any premature grey hairs present. My face had become quite chubby by then, as I detected a slight double chin that was beginning to show and my waistline had expanded. What a frightening and sad moment it was for me! I was now pleasantly plump and entering middle age. Restless and frustrated, I suddenly found myself at a crossroads in my life. It was time to make a choice. The childhood desire to perform, which was waylaid by life throughout the years in my sub-consciousness, began to surface in my conscious mind.

In order to understand the decision that I had made, I needed to self-reflect, which was a crucial part of the practice of not only self-analyzing, but also of understanding the choices and risks involved when making that decision. I asked myself two questions: "What did I want, and where was I going?" I quickly grabbed a notebook and made two columns. In one column I listed the strengths of my personality and the things which I excelled at. In the second column I listed all of my weaknesses that would stand between me and the extraordinary achievement I wished to succeed at. After comparing both sides, I made my choice and took the plunge with an unshakeable confidence that I would eventually succeed, despite all outward setbacks and obstacles. This is what it is all about, making sound choices when pursuing whatever you want amidst easy or difficult circumstances.

As for the word difficult, Mama was not one of my groupie fans, and since she was such a negative person by nature, she tried to discourage me in every which way possible. She told me that I was crazy and that I was going through a mid-life crisis. Musical careers were for the younger generation, not for a woman of my age, and especially a person with my body. Mama said that I would look utterly ridiculous, and what did I know about being a performer when I didn't have any talent or experience. She added that if I really wanted to perform, then I should have stayed with the church choir, giving my talents to the "work of the Lord." God bless my Mama, she was so old-fashioned, I know that she meant well.

My brother Michael laughed at me for wanting to be a performer, but I refused to budge, not giving in to him or anybody else's opinion. I realized right then and there that if my determination was not strong enough to follow my dream, I would fail and regret it immensely.

My life as a songwriter and performer was launched with my one woman show, Love and Things, which was a vaudeville revue and supper-club show rolled into one. Each choice that I kept making sub-consciously in the field of music became a conscious step toward reaching that goal. Although there were some years that were more successful than others, as an ASCAP member, I was beginning to feel a lot more confident about my progress and my prospects in the entertainment field, until regretfully, an accident brought closure to this stage of my life. Though it didn't seem significant at first, it did have a decisive impact on putting an end to my career as a performer. The final decision created a lot of emotional turmoil.

To be continued: (3)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
.

Making Choices Turmoil or Tranquility? (1)

2011-11-01T18:18:00.007-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

Every day we are faced with making choices. It is a big part of our lives, it helps determine who we are, and at times it can be downright maddening. There are choices which we make automatically, without even thinking about them, and there are others that need to be given some serious consideration before we can reach a decision. Some of those choices are simple, they're about what we eat, what we wear, where we should go, and what products we buy, or whether we should or should not change the television channel. Other choices are more important, where should we live, whom should we marry, which career path should we follow, whether or not we should have surgery, what job do we take, where do we invest our money, which college should we attend, and the list continues. Even teen-ages are constantly faced with difficult choices, such as whether or not they should experiment with drugs, use alcohol, what friends should they hang out with, should they or should they not start smoking, drop out of high school, date, etc.

Being a decisive or indecisive person is a procedure which usually begins when you are young, becoming a permanent feature of your personality that will follow you throughout your academic life, as well as into adulthood. Regretfully, there are many unhappy individuals who are working in unsuitable jobs accepting low wages that make them unhappy.

Why is this? I think it's because of an indecisive nature that caused them to make the wrong choices that they feel they are stuck with.

Decision making can be, mentally exhausting. People who are uncertain, as the saying goes, "grow grass under their feet." These people are called procrastinators, which is the opposite of being a decisive, proactive person. Because of their insecurities, they are in constant turmoil. It takes their backs being forced against the wall in order for them to make a decision or choice. They hold out perpetually, looking for even better possibilities, which may never come. In the meantime, they let tremendous opportunities slip by. From easy choices to complex choices, they are dominated by fear. They lack confidence because of a fear of failure or fear of what others may think of them. The longer it takes for them to make up their minds, the longer that person's fearfulness will command his or her ability to deal with the issue.

This is often a procrastinator's mantra, "What do I do, I just can't make up my mind! "I don't know if I should invest in this business or not!" "I don't know if I should change jobs or stay where I am?" Their Indecision creates an unstable situation in both mind and body. As long as you are an indecisive person, you're weak, and will not be able to move at any time with full assurance. No one is ever guaranteed that the path they choose will be safe and secure, but that is what the procrastinator seeks, and it causes them more problems than good.

If and when these individuals do make their choice, they wallow in anxiety as to whether or not it was the right choice. No matter what they choose, they will always find a reason as to why that choice was wrong, subjecting themselves to unnecessary physical and mental pressure, bemoaning what might have been. Regrets such as these dominate the procrastinator's mind: "I knew I shouldn't have agreed to marry him. What a bum he turned out to be, I thought he was going to take care of me, but it turned out to be the opposite." "I hate my job. I knew I should not have taken it. I should have gone to college when I had the chance instead of getting married. Now with three kids it's too late and I don't have the money." "I don't know why I agreed to buy this house, it's too much for me to handle and I don't even like where we live." "I hate this dress, it cost so much and it makes me look fat. I don't know why I picked it." "Why did I choose this car, what a lemon, it's been nothing but trouble since I got it?" "I don't know why I got into this business, I haven't been able to make any money yet, and I'm already in over my head," and so on and so forth.

The constant complaining in regards to adverse conditions that we bring upon ourselves through our choices often cause unfortunate conditions to continue, like a self-perpetuating wheel that turns itself and picks up steam as it rolls along from the wind it creates by turning. These individuals who make wrong choices find themselves railing at fate because they are mad they were forced to choose and then waited too long to do so. The complaining aggravates them and their situation, causes them to hate their fate more and procrastinate even more on other decisions. They lack self-direction, like a boat without a paddle, going nowhere..

Also, indecisive people are usually easily influenced by the opinion of others. When you live your life according to the opinions of others, you will not express your own desires and successfully complete whatever you want to achieve. The world loves a decisive person. Those who make decisions quickly and know what they want usually get it.

To be continued: (2)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Nature's Lesson-A Poem

2011-11-01T17:49:00.005-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

A poem relating to the beauty of nature and the serenity and guidance it can provide. When down or lost, there's nothing like nature to put things in perspective. A bird fights against the breeze, a tree stands the test of time. All of these wonderful symbols of nature teach us how to hope and move on, and how much beauty exists in the universe, even when we feel blue, nature, like poetry, is a cure for the blues.
I leaned my tired head against the inviting window, to see what waited outside for me

Watching and spying the grand design, I contemplated a stalwart, proud old Pine tree

The weathered tree stood straight and strong, not one leaf did despair

A testament to time basking in the warmth of the sun, billowing in the air,

The tree seemed stoic, much like me, relishing a treasured moment of sweet serenity...

I closed my eyes and sighed, as the weary hearted so often will
And thought to myself, how nice to lean on one so straight, so strong and still
Her pine needles seem to cheerfully dance, in the swirl of the wandering breeze
While her branches swim, sway, and scrape the skies, a wispy cloud floats with ease...

From somewhere in the distance I heard a melodious hum, like some ancient lullaby
I stepped outside so that I could see, the scope of her splendor sprawled against the sky
I watched as her branches swooped down and coddled, caressing the ground lovingly
Refreshing my soul and vitalizing my weary spirit, in a manner so motherly...

Suddenly my life took on a whole new meaning, my heart waking from a wintery dream
Flowing all throughout my soul as a river of joy merging into an endless, flowing stream
Oh how peaceful, that exhilarated moment, I could feel all of my burdens slipping away
Just to learn and understand the reason for my being, Gave me repose, a reason to say
That understanding the depth of it all, helps me appreciate what I have each and every day...

The blooming flowers in all its colorful beauty, The way that nature dresses up with ease
Belies the simple pleasure of flowing life found in the coolness of the gentle breeze
The sweetness of the songs of birds, the chirping swallows fluttering as they please
The joy of nature's grandeur in a blooming rose, how immense is my love for these...

Oh Mother Nature with all thy flourishing splendor, you are such a lovely sight to see,
No matter how tough my day or rough my life, I know that like all nature I am free,
But most of all, ever so grateful and secure in you, I know that I will always be
As a token to eternal life, like the proud dear kind Mother Pine Tree...

Back to table of contents (4a)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net

Table of Contents (4a) Positive Thinking & Self-Improvement

2011-11-01T04:50:00.016-04:00

Photo Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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"Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available."--Jim Beggs

RELAXING MELODIES AND ARTICLES TO INSTILL PEACEFULNESS

NATURE'S LESSON-A POEM

1. About Self-Direction

2. What We Can Do When Things Go Wrong (1) (2) (3) (4)

3. Tick-Tock, Goes the Merry-Go-Round of the Clock (1) (2) (3)

4. The Human Connection : Part I A Positive Approach Toward a happier Existence (1) (2) (3)

5. The Human Connection: Part II A Positive Outlook on Life (1) (2) (3)

6. Making Choices:; Turmoil or Tranquility? (1) (2) (3)

7. How To Remain Hopeful in the Midst of the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression? Part I

8. How To Remain Hopeful in the Midst of the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression? Part II (1) (2)

9. How To Remain Hopeful in the Midst of the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression? Part III (1) (2)

10. Replacing Fear and Worry With Hope.....Music/Video and Text

11. Why Do All Good Things Come To An End? (1) (2) (3) (4)

12.Disappointment versus Discouragement

13. Living the Life Beyond That Extraordinary Moment

14. Are You Living A Life That Is Worth Living? Part I

15. Are You Living A Life That Is Worth Living? Part II

16. Are You Living A Life That Is Worth Living? Part III

17. Dream It, Then Do It: Go Find Your Niche In Life: Part I

18. Dream It, Then Do It: Go Find Your Niche In Life: Part II

19. Dream It, Then Do It: Go Find Your Niche In Life: Part III

To Contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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MAIN BLOG DIRECTORY-October 2011

2011-10-26T06:45:00.003-04:00

(H.) Chit-Chat Over Coffee Swirls

(I.) Jewish Knowledge (K.) Historical Facts On England & United States

Table of Contents (4a)

Positive Thinking and Self-Improvement

(L) Miscellaneous (M.) Timetables (N.) Ethnic Groups (O.) Legal Talk(P.) Entertainment: Backward Glances (Q.) Immigration

R.) Women__Bio Sketches, Feminine Fancies, Recipes, Kitchen Talk.(S.) Worship

(T.) A Little Taste of History, (U.) U.S. History-Transportation, (V) U.S. History-Panics, Economic Depressions, Business Matters

(W) El Rincón En Español (The Spanish Corner: ) . This section is dedicated to articles of historical facts, poetry, self-improvement, human interest stories etc. written in Spanish.

(X) So Mr. President, What Did You Do During Your Term in Office....? (The Series)

(Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events

Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events

(Z) The Italian Niche

Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano: dott. Antonio Castaldo

Thoughts of an Italian Writer: Dr. Antonio Castaldo

I) "El Rincón Borinqueña"

II) Arts and Entertainment

III Architecture

IV Education

V Wisdom: Thoughts From the Indian Masters

VI Understanding Music

VII Published Articles Written by Miriam B. Medina

Click on Icon to view articles on Ezine or on Table of Contents

VIII New York City Neighborhoods

IX Memories (Brooklyn, Manhattan and Personal)

John J. Burkard

X Red Hook, Reflections on History

MESSAGE BOARD FOR THEHISTORYBOX.COM (Feel free to express your comments or ask questions regarding: "TheHistoryBox.com." which will be reviewed before posting.

Thank You. ************ . Contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox

Why History Is Important To Genealogy Research-A Poem

2011-10-26T04:54:00.004-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

For years there has been a growing interest in the field of Genealogy, which from the earliest of times has formed the basis of history. The natural inclination that prompts one to love the place of their birth, to learn the history of their origins and the descent of the family tree or their race, or the circumstances that helped form their lives, has attracted the attention of the intellectual public in a never-ending pursuit for answers. History reveals the story of man's past and his development. This poem is an expression of thanks to the many organizations and historical societies that have taken great steps in securing and preserving historical documents, a project which has been quite costly, for the benefit of future generations.

I've been thinking of documenting the seed that has grown into the family tree
Growing up I heard bits and pieces from mama, Aunt Clare and even uncle Willie
That Papa had known some shady characters in East Harlem who were up to no good
Louie the bookie, Benny the greaser, Freddie the stiff, Joey rubber-nose and all his hoods.

Grandpa always warned papa, stay away from those evil men, whatever you do
They've already spent their life in jail, do you want to end up that way too?
Get yourself an education, be smart and make lots of honest money,
So you don't have an accent like your papa, nor have people look at you funny.

'Yes, son, life can be cruel,' my grandpa would always say, 'yet I know you will survive,
If you always embrace the memories of my teachings, they will become your drive.'
As I traced my family tree, I turned and looked at the fine man my son had become,
I bowed my head and thought, thank you grandpa and papa for all that you have done.

Enough of this sentimentality, enough of these tears and this lump stuck in my throat,
Genealogy commands my curiosity; time to get my paper and write down the notes.
Now let's Google genealogy, but why does this one history website keep coming up?
Must I learn about New York City's history, to fill my history cup?

I'm not sure if I like this, will it be time that's worthwhile spent?
So many web links and articles, I don't think I'd be that diligent!
History was never my favorite subject, honestly I found it boring too,
I learned that Christopher Columbus discovered America way back in 1492.

I admit I'm tempted to look, but I'm not sure it's really worth the stay,
I'd rather go to the mall or do my nails, than waste this time away.
Born in East Harlem, with interesting things in our family too, I'll give this site a try
I'll get a cup of coffee and a bagel with cream cheese, and before I know it, time will fly...

Oh well, here we go, now let's see, where is it that I should start?
I remember Papa said he was born in Italian Harlem, somewhere down by Jefferson Park.
I'll look at the New York City Main Directory, maybe there is something there for me,
I see Immigration, Harlem, Tenement living- here it is, help finding your family tree.

As I explored, armed with the knowledge I was gaining, I felt more and more at ease,
I felt sad for those immigrant families, living amidst the crime, filth and disease.
New Yorkers fought in riots, arguing their religious protests and political views.
Broken heads and lifeless bodies found their way into the papers and the news.

"The Sins of New York," What a fantastic title. A tabloid, this I have to read.
Female Abortionist... Merry Yule-time Murder? The 1840's weren't good years indeed.
There was always a financial crisis, some kind of panic, and that crash of 1929.
So many wealthy people lost their fortunes joining the masses in unemployment lines.

My gosh, here's East Harlem, the Feast of Mt. Carmel, gangs of New York and more.....
They're all here by papa's old neighborhood; no wonder his stories were never a bore.
La Marqueta, the Boys Club, the Puerto Ricans and the Italians, always in a turf war.
Spaghetti and meatballs and Spanish cooking, delicious aromas mingling in the corridors,

Latin music blaring, mothers screaming 'Not domestic violence again on the 3rd floor!'
Old Irish men on porches singing, yards filled with rats and garbage galore,
The Feast of Mt. Carmel, down on First Avenue, attended by 50,000 people or more,
They're all in Miriam's memoir of the old neighborhood, to be read by the visitor.

Papa was playing stick-ball while grandpa would drink and play cards with his friends.
Compatriots reminisced about times in the old country, only survivors could comprehend.
Immigrants struggling to assimilate to the new world, desperately clinging to the old,
Finding themselves in complete isolation, seeking countrymen to bare their souls,

I never knew New York City had such rich history, in the suburbs one does not see,
Those days are long forgotten, but I'm grateful to genealogy for bringing them to me.
Because for all the days and years gone by, here forever the past will live on
All the things people did throughout history, are saved as live forever marches on.

Genealogy and History in all of its manifestations are Miriam B. Medina's passions. She loves nothing more than sharing what she has learned with everyone. Her memoir reflects her genealogy and explores some historical background from her old neighborhood, East Harlem, New York. For a vividly detailed personal memoir of her childhood life growing up in the vivacious, storied neighborhood of East Harlem, read this detailed description of her family's daily lives at http://thehistorybox.com/ny_city/recollections_blog.htm. It offers you a personal glimpse of tenement living in the forties and early fifties...

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Halloween Time Again!!!

2011-10-09T15:23:00.012-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

Halloween is a wonderful time of year, it really is. You can prank people and get away with it. You can demand candy from strangers and make trick them if they don't pay up. You can wear fake blood and gore. Any day you can wear fake blood and gore or pretend to be a ghost or a goblin is a good day. Of course, it's always best to play it safe when Trick or Treating, especially when little ones are concerned.

1. Wear bright or reflective clothing when plundering for candy: Of course, the beauty of Halloween is that you can dress up on the macabre side of things. There's nothing quite like dressing up like a mutant ninja in all black or a zombie with some random brains falling off your skull cap, but drivers of cars and other ghouls of the night need to be able to see you and your party in the dark for safety's sake. To that end, everyone in the party should wear something bright or reflective on their person. Nothing ruins a good time like a fender bender.

2. Check candy, all of it: That's right, gone are the days wherein it was safe to eat home made cookies and popcorn balls. Too many crazy fruit loops have ruined the big cereal bowl for us all. The odds of finding a razor in a Kit Kat bar are slim, but is that a lottery you really want to take a chance on wining? Of course not. Carefully check all of the loot before you let the kids reap the rewards of their booty. We want fake blood on Halloween, not real blood.

3. Trick or Treat in groups on the day or days that your community chooses: It's more than a little sad that most communities don't actually celebrate Halloween on October 31^st by Trick or Treating on that day any more, but it's a fact of modern life. Many communities choose a day that they can best protect the public and they make plenty of announcements to let people know what day you are supposed to Trick or Treat on. It is best to heed these rules. There are also plenty of local organized parties to choose from, and if you do Trick or Treat, the larger your party, the better.

Of course, it's always best to use common sense, but especially when it comes to parading little ghouls and goblins through the streets in public in today's modern world. Gone are the days that you could egg the neighbor's house in sheer maniacal joy as a simple Halloween prank and get away with it. The judge won't buy your argument that you're a kid at heart.

Anyway, enjoy your Halloween, remember, it's a very unique holiday. Don't be scared, have fun, and beware the REAL spirits that roam the night on All Hallow's Eve!

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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How Cats Can Steal Your Heart, Even WHEN They Destroy Your Home...

2011-10-05T19:56:00.008-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

Cats can drive you nuts, love them or not. I mean, who can't love a kitten? They're furry. They're cute. They're adorable little balls of fluff that play with twine and look oh so innocent and precious as they purr while they sleep. Then they get bigger. Then they become full grown cats.

Then they grow up and dissect your stack of bills on your desk before you have a chance to pay them or even look at them. All because you ignored them when you walked through the door or slighted them for your pet dog.

You simply rub your cat the wrong way and you can spend hours trying to piece your life, your home, and even body parts back together.

“Let's see, was that $75 to the electric company and $4459 for cable or what? That can't be right, but I can't tell, because my desk top looks like a jig saw puzzle. The cat went nuts, destroyed all my paperwork, turned my slippers into a claw sharpener, and even knocked Grandpa's ashes off of the hearth.... Sheesh, I remember when he was just a cute little kitten that curled up in the palm of my hand!”

The next thing you know your cable is paid for 3 years and you have free bonus movies on pay per view but you can't watch them because the power has been cut off.

Cats!

Cats are the teenagers of pets. They're moody, sometimes hard to understand, and they can cause a whole lot of trouble if they go unsupervised or don't get enough attention for too long a period of time, but talk to a cat person, a TRUE cat lover, and you'll see that many people love cats for the very same free spirit that leads you to a closet full of slippers that are chewed and sliced to ribbons. Just like teenagers, they can be lovable and entertaining too.

See, cats are very unique. They're very independent and full of personality. That's exactly why they're so entertaining and why they can make such great pets, if they get the attention and care that they deserve. The thing is, cats want attention on their own time frame, when and where they want it. Give them attention at the wrong time, and mark my words, you'll pay.

That's the trick to enjoying cats as pets. You have to learn and understand them for the unique individuals that they are. One cat might spend hours chasing the ball of yarn, making you laugh, while another may simply, yawn, lick it's paw, turn its tail up in the air and strut away from you. The fun part is spending the time with them to figure them out, to enjoy their company and to let them grow.

Then, before you know it, your cat will curl up in your lap night after night, nice and peaceful, because you've grown to accept and understand each other. Just like a teenager or a child, they're a member of your family, one that needs love and understanding. They just also happen to be fun to play with, even if they get carried away and become a furry paper shredder that shreds things that you want to remain intact.

But then, that's the beauty of cats, and pets in general, you never know what you're getting, because they're all different in their own wonderful way!

Miriam B. Medina is an expert author at Diamond Level at Ezinearticles.com. Read another article on cats at: Ezinearticles.com

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Slaves to Time

2011-10-03T06:11:00.004-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

The clock is one of the oldest human inventions, "an instrument for measuring and indicating time; especially, a sizable mechanism having pointers that move over a dial marked off in hours."

The clock is a guide for just about anything we do. Repeatedly, during the day, we look at the clock. We watch it. We are governed by it. Be here then. Do such and such at this time. We are always hurrying. We hurry to eat breakfast. We hurry to drop the kids off at the bus stop or at school. We hurry to go to work, so we can hurry to our coffee break. We hurry back from the break, all the while glancing at the clock, counting the minutes until lunch time. We hurry to lunch, watching the clock as ever, to make sure that we can hurry back to work on time. Then as we are working, we are continually glancing at the clock, making sure we hurry up to accomplish what we are doing, so we can hurry home. Finally, rush out, walking hurriedly toward the stairs or elevator to take us out of the building. Everyone walks hurriedly past each other, without talking, not paying attention to one another, attempting to be the first one to get in their car. Suddenly, like a swarm of bees, cars, trucks, and buses from here, there, everywhere, all at the same time, hurrying to merge onto the main roads that will take them to wherever they are hurrying to go. All speeding, only to slow down to a snail's pace as they integrate into the "RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC JAM," the traveler's worst nightmare, bringing all the Hurry-Scurry to a sudden s-c-r-e-e-c-h-i-n-g stop.

Whew! That was close.

Therefore, the question is asked: "why does this always happen?

Because...Everyone who left their job and departed in a hurry were hurrying simultaneously to get to wherever they were in a hurry to go. Yikes! Oh dear, maybe I should have picked an easier topic to tackle. With all this hurrying and clock watching, I'm starting to feel anxious. I think I'll need a blood pressure pill to calm down. Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Goes the carousal of the Clock.

Frequently we will hear someone say "I'm so stressed out....there, are not enough hours in the day to do all the things which I have to do." My dear friend, first I'll just say that I am sorry that your life is so frustrating... However, I think it extremely uncomfortable to accept the fact that I am also guilty of this, because it sounds exactly like my life. Since, I have always been a multi-tasking person; I do many things at once. Even when I was a young mom with two children, I frequently lamented: I have a full-time job; I have to take the kids to soccer and baseball practice; I have to attend parent-teacher conferences; I have to watch their homework assignments to make sure they are correct, and so on and so forth. Whereas, I am now matured, but still with an almost unlimited amount of laments related to time. Between the hours that I spend at work, including commuting to and from work, and activities such as writing, researching, translating, and administrating an informative website and blog, I have no time, as the expression goes, "to smell the coffee." Even when I am tired, my mind will just not stop working. I envy those individuals who live disciplined lives, those who are able to go to bed at the same time every night. I tend to crowd in, with one eye on that final draft that I have to do. The stress and the daily grind of activities keep eating at me constantly, but I can not resist a challenge. Tackling a lesser amount of work sounds fantastic, but then I ask myself, how does this relate to what is existent in the world today? The impression of having two feet in one shoe is normal for me when I get up. Totally confused and drained of energy, I see nothing done on my days off. Because of my personal experience, I think I can qualify as an expert in this subject. According to my understanding of space, I have created my crazy time schedule, juggling things around in order to cram in as much as I can. So then, who do, I blame?

There is no one to blame but myself.

I am guilty of allowing my schedule to dictate how I spend my days and nights. So will complaining to an unwilling listener infuse a sympathetic reply? As a New Yorker would say: "Fugheddaboudit!" Then why am I wasting my time here?

So if, we do not like the frenetic life we live, then we need to make changes in the agenda and push ourselves to relax a little. I find the most effective forms of relaxation that work for me are walking, writing, soaking in a hot tub, and listening to calming music, such as sounds of nature, with delicate musical instruments in the background. However, the most important way to relax of all is to get plenty of good sleep. There is nothing better for overall relaxation than a decent night's sleep. Is this possible? If we go to bed all tensed up, worried about what has to be done the next day, we will generate disturbed sleep, which will not only make us wake up aggravated and surly, but may also increase our blood pressure. So then we are defeating the purpose. I am fully aware that with all this hurry-scurry, I am perpetually building up vital health issues. Most diseases are caused by a direct result of stress. When we are anxious, we work at a significantly reduced size of efficiency. Through relaxation, we can learn to conserve our energy. Tension in itself is not harmful to us; however, the constant stress that we subject our body to is what is dangerous.

Oh no, speaking of time, is it that time already? Now I know I'm going to be late. Sorry, I have to run. See ya!

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net

Today's Music: What's Hot And Why

2011-09-15T17:59:00.012-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

Music is timeless, ageless; it even transcends culture and language. Today, like any other time in history, is alive with vibrant, energetic music, much of which will stand the test of time. This article discusses what's out there today in modern American music, what's HOT and why. It's surprising to me how some music can meet different age levels, how many similarities there are between Broadway music, classical, pop, heavy metal, even hip-hop and salsa. There are many different things that go into making bands and various performers stars, but it all boils down to the music, the talent and the persona of the performers themselves.

Perhaps that's what makes American Idol Winners so unique they have an over-riding talent and charisma that even eclipse the music itself. It's extremely rare that stars like Kelly Clarkson or Daugherty emerge from American Idol to lead powerful careers, because so few of them have song writing skills or musical skills that outlast the talent of simply performing. So what is it that makes bands famous, what turns adults on, teenagers on, and people of all ages, so that a musician and their music become immortal? What is it that pushed a band or a performer to endure endless years of struggle and turmoil to find that pot of gold at the end of the musical stardom rainbow? What pushes these artists to work and create their own unique masterpieces that eventually stand the test of time, a work of art that will entertain people and influence people for years to come?

The fact is while there are millions of kids listening to Eminem there are hundred hip-hop artists passing out free CD's on the walkways of Venice Beach trying to get their acts noticed. For every Britney Spears or Madonna, pop stars that stand the test of time there are numerous flash in the pan heartthrobs like Justin Bieber and The Hansons. Remember the Hansons from about a decade ago? Their song 'MmmmBop' topped the charts in the summer of 1997, and they were teen heartthrobs for about 3 months, then they disappeared. Like Justin Bieber now, they packed out coliseums and arenas for a summer.
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Now they are struggling to put 150 people in a small club as they endlessly tour across the country. That's the fate of most musicians that actually ever have a career in the music industry. They spend countless hours practicing, playing for nothing or next to nothing, and then struggling to play clubs or small gigs, perhaps latching onto a larger bill at a bigger venue now and then as they wait for their shot or they feed off of a short-lived reputation they received from a small period of time when they managed to 'hit it big.'
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Take a look at a few rock bands right now. Seether and Nickleback are huge, and deservedly so. They are extremely talented, and they produce fantastic tunes, some that still get a large number of airplay after a decade, but what separates them from Billy Talent or a powerful college touring band like 99 Burning. Both Billy Talent and 99 Burning fared remarkably well on college radio charts for a number of years. They toured. They played the small clubs. They have large, rabid followings in certain areas. Billy Talent is huge in Canada, but they don't draw or get much hype in the United States. 99 Burning is prominent in the Mid-Atlantic but have struggled outside of that area.

99Burning Website

Why? What is the difference between those 4 bands. Talent level, there might not be a huge difference, and obviously, in such a fickle business, luck makes a difference. But a lot of it comes down to drive, perseverance and determination. If Billy Talent and 99 Burning keep pushing as they have for the last 5 years, playing as many gigs as they can and expanding their audience, in another 5 years, they might reach the heights that Seether and Nickleback have reached, playing in arenas and topping the BillBoard charts like Seether and Nickleback do now on a routine basis. In fact, Billy Talent finally has a national distribution deal in the United States, and after tons of work, it appears as though their time might very well be arriving. Given the chance, in 100 years, maybe fans will still be enjoying their music, their hypnotic guitars and their haunting vocals and lyrics. They certainly have the talent, skill, and song writing ability to create some lasting classics, such as Pins and Needles and Falling Leaves, which were big hits abroad and have been acclaimed by reviews and media. The same with 99 Burning, whose songs Political Insanity/Wasted and She's My Nightmare still get airplay on college radio stations around the country, 3 years after their release.

.What we must remember is that what matters is the universal principles of music, and personality and creativity of the artists. Mozart and Beethoven were child prodigies, they had a buzz before they were mature, but they had the goods to back it up. Their music is, as pertinent and important today as it was 150 years ago. However, there were hundreds of composers in their day who are long forgotten, as is their body of work. For each Cats on Broadway or every A Chorus Line, there are thousands of Off-Broadway musicals that are forgotten before the show even closes.

What's important is what the music does to you. I can close my eyes on the subway, listening to a beautiful classic piece and picture a moody moon, hanging in the desolate horizon on a lonely moor. I can feel the loneliness and pain, and taste the desperation in the feelings invoked by the song. The guy sitting next to me might get the same feeling from a TuPac recording, and the girl across the aisle might get those feelings from Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway. That's what matters, does the music translate the feelings that the artist felt when they created that song. If they did, the song will likely stand the test of time, and what's hot today will still be pertinent and listened to in a hundred years, just as artists in today's world sample and reuse Mozart. Music is timeless when it is truly classic, and if the artist believes it and works hard enough, their creation becomes eternal, and we all benefit from the work.

With 13 years of research experience, History in all its manifestations is Miriam B. Medina's passion, and she loves nothing more than sharing what she learns with everyone. So be sure to check it out at http://thehistorybox.com/, a one-stop resource center for writers, journalists, historians, teachers and students.

Contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Standing Tall In The Shadows Of A New York Tragedy That United The World: September 11, 2001

2011-09-04T15:49:00.004-04:00

By Miriam B. Medina

It has been almost a decade now and there's much to remember when it comes to the tragedy that befell New York, The United States and the world at the hands of Islamic terrorists on September 11th, 2001. The catastrophe itself was a real horror for those killed and injured as well as for the family of those attacked in New York City, in planes, in the air, and at the mighty Pentagon. Those people should not ever be forgotten. Pain fades but it creates scars and scars never disappear, but for those who survive, it takes plenty of help to move forward. In light of the apparent death of Osama Bin Laden, there is some closure in regards to the actual crime that was committed against humanity that day, but from every great tragedy, there comes stories of extraordinary heroism, bravery, hope and humanity. September 11th was no exception. A decade later I want to remember the good that came from the aftermath of this tragedy, the help, solidarity and compassion shared by New Yorkers and the rest of the United States in the face of such a tremendous man-made catastrophe.
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Most people know the heart breaking details of what happened on 9/11. On a cool, crisp autumn morning, a handful of terrorists kidnapped several commercial jetliners. One crashed on its way to Washington D.C., killing all aboard, including a few brave passengers who tried to take the plane back from the terrorists. The plane plunged into the ground, thus saving hundreds or perhaps thousands more lives than if the aircraft had reached its destination. Two more planes flew into the World Trade Center, toppling and forever destroying the wondrous man-made towers. Many that were inside, simply going through a seemingly normal day at work, died in their attempt to escape the destruction or in their efforts to save people from the catastrophe. A third plane plunged into the Pentagon, killing many more people working to protect American lives and interests.
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When all was said and done, 2819 people died in that tragedy. Over 400 firefighters, policemen, paramedics and civil servants died saving many people, and trying to save many more. We have been at war with terrorism ever since. This was an unabated attack on innocent civilian lives, affecting many more than those killed or wounded in the attack itself. It also affected many more than just New Yorkers. Over 100 different nationalities lost citizens in the attack. The Twin Towers were more than just a few extremely tall buildings. The World Trade Center complex was a beacon illuminating hope in the city from 1973 to that fateful day in 2001. The designs were finalized in 1964 for the 7 building project with the Twin Towers to be the heart of the finished complex. Construction began on August 5th of 1966. The completed towers were 1368 and 1362 feet tall respectively, 110 stories in height, once and the tallest buildings in existence. They housed approximately 50,000 employees and saw 20,000 visitors per day. People came to see the grandeur of New York. The towers were part of the financial hub of the country and the world. To many around the planet they were a symbol of freedom. Many people from many nations went there to build a better existence for themselves, as well as for their families and their communities.
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That is America in a nutshell, opportunity and hope, where anyone can come and enjoy the freedom. We are a nation built of immigrants, and New York is the epicenter of the melting pot. This was no more evident than when such a large number of people from so many nations died along with thousands of New Yorkers in those buildings, and when the intrepid New York public workers, firefighters and policemen went into that building facing death or injury, they went to save anyone that they possibly could, not just New Yorkers. People from around the nation streamed to New York in the days that followed, making extensive attempts in whatever way possible to offer their help, as well as searching for survivors and victims. America always has unified in times of crisis, even if we squabble when there is no crisis. However, that's the beauty of America. We argue and fight to find the best way for all, so we can each enjoy our own freedoms without hurting others, and if need be when push comes to shove, we will even help each other out. America often gets a bum rap, as do New Yorkers. We are often labeled burly, loud, grumpy, and so forth, but September 11th perhaps more than any other tragedy exposed the true heart and character of Americans and New Yorkers. The love and sympathy and unity that grew from that tragedy showed who we are.
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New Yorkers, in spite of their many differences, attitudes, and famous lack of patience, have always managed to come through for each other and the world. Believe it or not, New Yorkers are one giant family of dedicated citizens that help each other out in times of sorrow and need. We always have. Although New Yorkers are accustomed to social, political and economic upheavals, crime, overcrowding, deterioration of neighborhoods, intolerable housing, outrageous rents and high taxes, they accept the turbulence that is associated with daily life as a normal and inevitable way of life. However, it still doesn't stop them from being aggravated with these issues and complaining about them, as well. There are a few rotten apples in the Big Apple too, but then there are rotten apples and chronic complainers everywhere.
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But what about all the emergency workers who bravely sacrificed their lives in the face of enormous endangerment that day and what of thousands of other emergency workers and New York citizens who faced the same peril that day and survived? Those terrorists didn't just violently take down the Twin Towers and kill thousands of hard-working people they attacked the American Dream personified.
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Keep in mind that when we remember 9/11, we must remember New York and America's response to that attack. The bravery, the unity, the poise that was displayed, and love and human bonding that formed. In place of the victims and the towers that fell that bloody day stood a unified city and nation, united to seek justice against terrorism wherever it might run and hide. The commercial hub of the United States, the epicenter of trade, fashion, entertainment, banking, publishing, and shipping was assaulted, as were freedom and hope. Nevertheless as always, we persevered.
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Leaders like Mayor Giuliani displayed resolve and poise. He guided the city through the horrors that we endured. Like him or not, he was a picture of leadership during that crisis. He did not sway but remained calm and focused. He gave the city and the nation the stoic, resolved face that it needed to see at the time. What of the united policemen and emergency workers who lost friends and relatives, who stood together exhausted as the President, addressed them and vowed justice. What of millions of New Yorkers who donated time, energy and resources to help the survivors get through the crisis?
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It wasn't just New Yorkers who displayed the unity that the country and the world felt in the aftermath of 9/11. At the first home Boston Red Sox game after the sports world resumed as all pro sports ceased for days and weeks after September 11th, thousands of Red Sox fans stood and sang "New York, New York" to honor the victims of 9/11 and the citizens that survived. The fact that Boston fans, die-hard fans of a team with a 100 year heated rivalry with the New York Yankees, would show such love and support to such a hated rival says a lot about this nation, its true feelings for its fellow citizens, and its understanding of true priority.
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Numerous nations around the world held a unified moment of silence to honor the victims. Many nations sent donations and assistance to aid in the recovery. In New York, as in the rest of the United States and most of the world, humanity exists, even in this day and age. We must always remember this.
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We must also always remember September 11, 2001. We must remember the 400 emergency workers that gave their lives to save others to protect the symbol and ideal of hope, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. We must remember the brave passengers on flight 93 that gave their lives to stop the hijackers from attaining their goal. The famous last words of a heroic victim, Todd Beamer, who died aboard that plane, were: "Are you ready? Let's roll."
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Those words must not have been uttered in vain. Let's roll means to move on, to take action, and they hold more contexts in regards to September 11th and its true meaning than to take a plane back. We must move on and forward. We must learn from the heroism displayed by victims, by New Yorkers and Americans during that tragedy and its aftermath. We must roll on in the name of hope and freedom. We must roll on in honor of those victims. We must remember the unity, support and love that New Yorkers and the nation shared. We must always remember and pay homage to the wreckage and destruction of the symbol of the American Dream that were known as the Twin Towers. We must always remember and pay homage to the victims caught in that destruction and to those that have died since, protecting the very American Dream that the Twin Towers personified. That's the irony of it all. By destroying the symbol of freedom and the American way, the terrorists utterly failed. They united us in the name of those principles, strengthening our common bond. We must continue to build on that strength when we honor and remember those that died on September 11, 2001, and we must continue to prevail.
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How about it America, are you ready to roll? Let's go build upon the American Dream that the terrorists tried to destroy on September 11th. Let's continue to protect and honor freedom, and lead the world by our actions and deeds, not our words.
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Let's roll.

With 13 years of research experience, History in all its manifestations is Miriam B. Medina's passion, and she loves nothing more than sharing what she learns with everyone. So be sure to check it out at http://thehistorybox.com/ny_city/history_box_remembers_9-11_nycity.htm, a one-stop resource center for writers, journalists, historians, teachers and students.

To Contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net

MAIN BLOG DIRECTORY-September 2011

2011-09-02T08:43:00.003-04:00

(H.) Chit-Chat Over Coffee Swirls

(I.) Jewish Knowledge (J.) Self-Improvement (K.) Historical Facts On England & United States

(L) Miscellaneous (M.) Timetables (N.) Ethnic Groups (O.) Legal Talk(P.) Entertainment: Backward Glances (Q.) Immigration

R.) Women__Bio Sketches, Feminine Fancies, Recipes, Kitchen Talk.(S.) Worship

(T.) A Little Taste of History, (U.) U.S. History-Transportation, (V) U.S. History-Panics, Economic Depressions, Business Matters

(W) El Rincón En Español (The Spanish Corner: ) . This section is dedicated to articles of historical facts, poetry, self-improvement, human interest stories etc. written in Spanish.

(X) So Mr. President, What Did You Do During Your Term in Office....? (The Series)

(Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events

Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events

(Z) The Italian Niche

Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano: dott. Antonio Castaldo

Thoughts of an Italian Writer: Dr. Antonio Castaldo

I) "El Rincón Borinqueña"

II) Arts and Entertainment

III Architecture

IV Education

V Wisdom: Thoughts From the Indian Masters

VI Understanding Music

VII Published Articles Written by Miriam B. Medina

Click on Icon to view articles on Ezine or on Table of Contents

VIII New York City Neighborhoods

IX Memories (Brooklyn, Manhattan and Personal)