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by Marisue Alsobrook

I'm mad and fed up, so read at your own risk!

I'm on my soap box today! Gas is up, groceries are up, everything is on the rise and the "experts" in the economy say we're spoiled and need to cut back!! O' that's a solution.

We're NOT SPOILED

I'm sick of being told we need to cut back and that America is spoiled. I guess it's better if we're more like the "world?" It's my fault that I need to get to work, need gas in the car, food on the table, and want to see a movie once in a while? Oh yeah, baby I'm living way past my means.

Someone's starving, somewhere so I need to give up my car to drive to the store and ride a bike. Of course! What was I thinking!

What in the "world" are they talking about? Because some other country doesn't live like we do doesn't make us automatically spoiled.

Why does America have food, fuel, housing, roads? We "have" because people here worked for "it." We became what we are because we PRODUCED! Production doesn't make you spoiled; it shows you're smart.

Collectively, we have more because we produce more.

Stop telling me I'm spoiled and I should just cut back so the TRULY spoiled - BIG OIL COMPANIES - can keep THEIR riches, enjoy their yachts, big tax breaks, government subsidies, AND "spoiled" style of living.

This article will post soon, please feel free to read others in the list to the right.   bookmark this site for this article….Marisue

by Marisue Alsobrook

Introduction:  If we're not in control of most of our happiness and attitude, then who is?  We CAN change how we think and react to life.  We CANNOT always control what life gives us.  Our hope, lies in our own thoughts and actions.  And always remember the quote from Abraham Lincoln,  "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." The quote about Abraham Lincoln is one of my favorites and has gotten me through many stages of my life.  We are much more powerful than we believe.  We are in control and take charge of our moods and lives.  Let's keep our self-talk positive!

Happy As You Want to Be -  Is Happy As You Can Be

Are you as happy as you want to be?  You can be happier!  Almost everyone has heard the hit single 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of being happy to all those who hear this tune. Bobby McFerrin's simple message surely made a lot of people happy by telling them not to worry.

Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is desirable by all, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.

By Marisue Alsobrook

Introduction:  Laughter is a natural stress reliever, and we all need more of that!  Stress stops us from enjoying the healthy benefits of small laughter.  You’ve seen those jolly people that seem to laugh every few moments.  It’s good for you!  Even though deep laughter releases the most endorphins, the small frequent giggles and laughs give relief all during the day.  Read this and relax by laughing; aim for several times a day.   I know it seems silly to “make” yourself laugh, but in the beginning, you'll have to put forth the effort.   We get out of the habit and then have to learn again!  I've been there.  Breathe, relax, and let the giggles begin!  I bet you’ll feel better. 

Finding the Funny

Finding the funny in life is easier than we think.  We're just out of the habit.  Life is and I think meant to be way more funny than we allow it to be; laughter is natural.  Just watch a puppy, watch a baby, watch a toddler, watch yourself!  Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous moments that we tend to ignore. We get so caught up in being serious that we miss opportunities to relax with laughter. 

Laughter is Healing

by Marisue Alsobrook 

Introduction: I believe that stress accounts for most of our attitude problems, most of our foul moods, lack of sleep, road rage, and illnesses.  We can reduce and elminate much of our stress, through many different behaviors.  By changing what we eat, adding regular exercise even in small amounts of time, adding some fun and learning to relax even if just for a few minutes each day, we will live a healthier, safer life. 

In my research, I've discovered what we eat can improve our lives considerably.  Consider the following information and remember: we must put to use what we learn to get the benefits. 

How To Use Diet To Reduce Your Stress  

The Challenge  

You don’t need me to tell you how pervasive stress is in our modern lives. In part, this is due to our chosen life styles and some stress is just unavoidable.  LIFE carries with it the envitable stress and challenges, for everyone.

Good News 

There is good news!  We can improve our lives!  The choice is ours; "Who knew?"  There are steps we can take, decisions we can make, that will make a dramatic difference in our energy and help us to "feel good" most of the time!  One element of our life styles that is likely to be making matters worse, is our diet.  We are what we eat, and that's scarey.   What are we putting in our mouths?  Do you find yourself eating fast food, making spur of the moment choices when you're under pressure?   Most of us tend to save time by eating food that actually increases our stress and may even fuel an addiction to stress.

by Marisue Alsobrook

Are You Parenting in the Fast Food Lane?  Do you find that your parenting time seems Hit and Miss?  These 5 Parenting Basics can keep your family from melting down from busy schedules, stress, and life's daily trials.

Introduction: No one is any busier than a working parent, unless it's a single working parent.  With our desire to give quality time to our children or spouse, we may be tempted to leave a few other  parenting tasks out, as we try to get everything done.  It's hard.  After parenting my own 3 boys and over 250 foster children over the last 18 years, I have seen the poor and painful results of shortcut parenting.  With regret, I've walked those steps sometimes myself; we all have.

I'm not blaming parents, entirely.   Pressures in life today are enormous.  It's easy to slip into electronic babysitting, by letting games, tv, computers, and movies take the place of "us"  as we rush around trying to put the house in order, do the laundry, pay the bills or steal a moment to breathe. 

Quality Time

Fast food is frequently the meal for the night as moms, dads, or single parents fight exhaustion.  Conversation with our kids can be described as murmuring moments; before we realize it, night has fallen and our time with them was spent fussing to get them to sleep.  Quality time?  Hardly.

by Marisue Alsobrook

Warning & Disclaimer:  Do not implement any of the following if you think it will get you fired.  Instead, move right into Plan B, and take that other job — when YOU are ready.  Read the entire article before taking any action.

First, let me state that there are many wonderful bosses who appreciate your hard work, plan for true incentives, and respect you.  We appreciate hard workers and great companies, everywhere!  This article is for those working with the opposite.

Introduction: Often, we think of abuse as coming from parents to children, spouse to spouse, or lover to lover.   However, many people are caught up in a hostile work environment and don't know what to do about it.  We need our jobs, and abusive bosses take advantage of that.  You can almost see it on their face:  "You need this job.  Where are you going to go?  I own you."  They've got you and they know it. 

They are also wrong.  You don't have to take it, and you can leave.  With careful thought, a desire to be respected and the confidence that you deserve it, you can get out of an abusive situation at work.  At first, you will want to try to improve the situation with communication, more effort on your part, and absorbing undeserved criticism.  That's natural, we all want to please the powers that be.  What is your "gut" telling you? 

By Marisue Alsobrook

Introduction:  After parenting my own 3 children and over 250 foster kids, I have become a believer in the Family Meeting.  Do a little research, guides and examples are helpful, copy success of others at first, then do what works for you.  One Basic Rule and it will be repeated here often:  KEEP IT SIMPLE; simple rules, simple structure, simple fun.

As with everything, gathering information so that you can build on success is a great way to start a new behavior for your family.  Stay with it.  Success does not mean "smooth" in Family Meetings.  These meetings are the platform for growth and growth involves frustrations, mistakes, and even arguments in mild forms.  Again, stay with it.  Kids will learn how to cope with all of the above, and you will all develop a closer bond, I promise.

Conflict Resolution in the Family Meeting

After several Family Meetings, you’ll begin to hear "If you don't stop that, I'm going to put it on the agenda!' from kids and family members. 

When I overheard my 12 year old foster daughter yell this to her teenage brother one day, I realized how important our weekly family meetings had become. As a parent/foster parent, I highly recommend family meetings for parents who want to become less authoritarian with their children without becoming too permissive.  

Family Arguments