Aging with Dignity - Old is just a state of mind!

Various estimates say that today the average duration of life is about 70 years for women and somewhat less for men.

Some believe that the human body is made to withstand a century and we can live up to one hundred years.

Until recently infectious diseases have been the greatest scourge to the human race, but now heart disease and cancer have taken over as the number one impediment to a long life.

With advances in medicine and healthier living styles we could all reach 100 within a couple of generations.


Quality is as important if not more important than quantity, so it is just as important to add life to your years as it is adding years to your life.

We should enjoy every moment of our extended life if we can achieve one.
It is useless to add years to life if we can't enjoy them . In fact if that extended part of your life is not enjoyable it would end up being a burden.

As we all know the greatest period of physical and mental activity is during the early years of life, usually from 18 to 30 years. The experiences we gather from the time we are born help us to use our physical and mental abilities more wisely, so that beyond 30 years we are able to perform increasingly well in spite of slowly slipping vigor.

After age 50 experience is no longer able to offset the rapid loss of energy and therefore aging begins to assert itself noticeably in many ways.

A number of things happen gradually, people need eyeglasses in their forties need them for reading, and in the fifties they may need bifocals.

Also after forty, people tend to put on weight because there is a slowdown in the oxidation rate of the aging body tissue. Also we tend to do less strenuous work but don't reduce the amount of food we consume.

After fifty there is likely to be some loss of hearing.

The high-pitched tones go first, so words with the sounds of F, S, and TH are confused. If vanity permits a hearing aid may be needed.

Aging is accompanied by a loss in physical and mental agility.


We notice a tendency to become stiff in the joints.
Slower to comeback after a strenuous trip, excessive "night life," or hard work; also a slowdown in the time it takes wounds to heal.


We notice our muscles get sore, and we are susceptible to sprains; we notice a slower recovery after an illness; and we are more set in our ways and find it difficult to adjust to new people, new places, and new ideas.


Men, especially, will notice a loss of muscular strength.
They become increasingly more unsteady and more clumsy, the stride in waking will become shorter.

However, performance and ability of the elderly has been underestimated and can be greatly improved by a proper diet, sleep and regular exercise along with rest and relaxation.

Some elderly people tend to lose their joy and will to live and chronic worriers may mope around and withdraw.

Medical authorities say that laughter is one of the best medicines for the elderly.
You can always keep your sense of humor tuned up by surrounding yourself with pleasant and interesting people.

Just act your age and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself even when no else is around.

We all know the role that physical activity plays in our lives, remember to exercise every day.

The joints must be used or quite simply they will cease to function properly, creating that stooped worn out appearance we so often associate with the elderly.

Talk with your Doctor before starting on a exercise regime try to keep yourself flexible and fit consistent with your ability.

Unfortunately growing old is a fact of life, there are no magic potions that we can use, no quick fixes.

However, there are measures that you can take to avoid your skin aging prematurely.

Our skin is the largest organ in our body and it is essential that we care for it properly otherwise our complexion and quality of our skin can deteriorate very quickly. It is a fact of nature that women grow older quicker than men. This is due to the hormonal changes that take place in our body over our lifetime, most especially during puberty and the menopause.

The best ways to look after you skin is to eat healthily and drink plenty of water. This can help reduce the amount of elastin that is lost from your skin. Avoid foods such as refined carbohydrates as they do nothing for your waist line or your skin.

For the ladies another great way to look after your skin is to invest in a good quality moisturiser and cleanser which can assist the skin in rejuvenating itself. Also ensure that your moisturiser has an Sun Protection Factor in it to protect from the sun's rays.

Who wants to grow old?

In our mind's eye we see "old" as being a negative thing...though once you start adding years to your own age "old" keeps getting, well, older.

"It's just a number!" I hear proclaimed by those who've crossed the threshold sooner than I.
But I think we need to think of "old" in a different way.

Maybe you conjured up a picture of what "old" looks like when you were a child.

Remember Uncle Ed or Aunt Edith? They looked as if they were one step from becoming a piece of petrified wood when you were, say, 7 years old.
But the older you become...the younger they seem.

How old are you, really? Are there people your age who look older than you?

Are there people your age who look younger than you? Look at those around you who are your age.

Are people your more agile, doing more, experiencing life more than you? If so, think about who you want to be and how you can take steps to live your life differently


What do you want to do by the time you reach 40 - 50 - 60 - 70 - 80 - 90 - 100?

"One hundred?" you say? Sure, why not.

Make a list of things you would like to accomplish before you leave this earth.

It doesn't have to be anything like "sky-dive" or "catch a shark" while deep-sea fishing.

It can be something like making a legacy quilt, learning how to make your own jelly.

Or, learning how to change the oil in your car, finishing that model car with your son or grandson...even though he his now in his 30s.

You get the point. What have you put off in doing until you get more time?



Write it down and make goals. Set deadlines for each activity

Get your own house in order

Create/Update your will, and assign who gets what when you are no longer around.
Do this now so you won't need to worry about it later.

Also, make sure there are no "wrongs" left to be made right.
Take care of those things immediately


Evaluate your nutrition and exercise

What more can you do

Become a mentor

If you have children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren...you have people to mentor.

The neighbor's youngin', a younger person at church or in your social circle who would be blessed with your knowledge.

Teaching keeps you young.
Pour out of your heart, what has been in there so long...don't let it get rusty!


Enjoy life
Live the life you have.
It may not be perfect but it is the only life you have.
Think about all the positive things around you, and focus on those.

Most young people do not think about "growing old", which is understandable...
For they have yet to experience the reality of "growing old" in the sense of declining in one's physical strength and mental capabilities

For them getting older has always meant getting better as they draw closer to the peak of their physical maturity
If they talk about "growing old", it is often with disdain for the way many people spend their golden years...

Discontented with life  Set in their ways

Bitter towards many people -- There is often truth in what the young say about the old:
"Some old women and men grow bitter with age. The more their teeth drop out the more biting they get."




This has prompted many young people to say: "I will never be like that when I get old!"

But growing old gracefully does not happen by accident
Unless one understands and apply certain principles while young, the chances are great that he or she will become like the elderly they are quick to despise --

Getting older used to mean giving up a lot of things you enjoy, but not anymore.


Research shows that people who stay active in life age better and more gracefully than those who simply stop enjoying life.


There's no age limit when it comes to learning, doing sports or finding love again.

Take up an activity join a social club If single start dating.



Defy social conventions by doing what you love, no matter what your age.

As you get older, your body goes through a lot of normal changes that may seem intimidating at first.
You lose speed, agility and strength as you age, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should give up exercising or staying in shape.
Instead, switch your focus to activities that are gentler on your body, such as yoga, walking or cycling.

There are many ways to hold on to your youth, but dressing in short skirts is not necessarily one of them.


While there are no rules as to what people of a certain age should wear, there are some clothes that can make you look as if you're trying too hard.


A balanced diet can ward off many diseases associated with old age, including diabetes, cataracts and even high blood pressure.


Talk to your doctor about supplements and vitamins, and make sure you drink enough water to keep your body well hydrated and your digestive system working.

Step classes would be too hard on your joints, but water aerobics have next to no impact and offer a great way
for seniors to do resistance training.
I recently met a female friend who is 60 +.

She is in incredible shape & has great style but is caught in the trap of getting older & being unsure what to do about it.

She had thought about getting cosmetic surgery, but was disturbed when she realised that if people with more money than sense can end up with hideously botched work, what would happen to someone like her?

Some things are worth dying for — & some are not. Cosmetic surgery falls into the latter.

It is so unnecessary.
You’re getting old: you know it & we know it too. No amount of cosmetic surgery is going to hide that fact.

She is never going to be a senior citizen in my eyes — she takes great care of herself.
Nobody likes wrinkles, but they are going to happen.
It’s just a fact of life.

You should be happy you have wrinkles — it means you’re not dead!

You should always stay true to yourself, regardless of age.
Eat well.

Keep your mind active
I am convinced that a lot of people die soon after retiring just because they’re bored.

Have fun & use your noggin! I read some research on living longer & it said that if you keep thinking, developing your intellect & stay socially engaged, you can increase your IQ even as you’re aging.

Quit smoking.It’s stinky, expensive & it kills you.

Not to mention it wreaks havoc on your skin.



Forget Cosmetic procedures

Women with the face of a 25 year old & the hands of an 80 year old are more terrifying & ghastly than any woman who has gone the natural route

Be versatile & honest with yourself

No one is judging you because you’re getting older.
Seriously. Most people will admire someone who is honest enough that they don’t need to cover up their age.
Another thing about being versatile: be brave enough to examine your wardrobe & get rid of what is not working for you anymore.

My advice on aging gracefully, work on your personality, not on your appearance.

The way you feel about life really is reflected in your face.
If you’re sad or angry, you will contort your face accordingly.
The more you do it, the more lined your face will become.

We have all seen people with mouths that resemble a cat’s bum from years of pursing their lips in ire.

If you’re happy & smile a lot, people will react much more strongly to the warmth you emit than the lines around your eyes.
I know everyone wants a quick fix, I can’t tell you what to do. Be true to yourself, look after yourself, love yourself & let yourself evolve. That is really the best advice.

I couldn't leave this topic without linking to something humourous

The Wrinkle Manifesto from the website Tightly Wound

Mind Control - What TV is doing to our Children

TV has come a long way since The Ed Sullivan Show refused to show Elvis Presley below the waist due to those madly swiveling hips.

But for as much as the television landscape has changed, the central concerns about its effects on a child's psyche and behavior have not changed at all.

And neither have the questions about what responsible parents can do to keep their children from being exposed to inappropriate programs.
"Large corporations are into the market of delivering sex and violence to kids, and it's amazing how passive parents have become due to busy schedules or just ignorance,"
"When we were children, I remember Tom and Jerry bopping each other over the head with a mallet, and we laughed.
Today's shows are much more overtly violent and profane."
Despite this increase in violence levels on television, it is important to resist the temptation to simply blame violent programs for violent behavior.
"Research does not suggest that watching violence increases violent behavior, but it does suggest that some kids are at risk of translating what they see into behavior,"
"Parents should monitor their children and become more involved in their viewing, too often, the TV is used as a babysitter.
Know what your child is watching and limit their time in front of the TV – there is so much more to do than sit around it all day".

Making a Plan

Aside from paying closer attention and making rules to regulate viewing,
what can parents do to get their children's attention when it comes to implementing a change in viewing habits?

First, parents must familiarize themselves with what their children are watching, once a parent has a better grasp on exactly what is being watched, it is easier to determine which shows should be prohibited and to decide how to limit the number of overall hours children are watching.
　
"One system to limit TV would be to give kids a certain number of tokens each week, each of which can be exchanged for watching a half-hour of TV,"
"Educational shows might not require any tokens, while shows with greater Adult or Supervisory content might require two or three tokens."



Any system of limiting viewership is more likely to be successful if the following steps are followed:

Parents or other adults must be around enough of the time to supervise television watching.
Parents should sit down with children, communicate understanding about why the children enjoy these shows and then provide an explanation as to why they want to reduce television viewing.
Parents can offer healthy rewards for cooperating with the plan, such as a weekend trip to the bowling alley or some other outdoor activity.
Parents should encourage alternate activities to television viewing to prevent boredom or sibling squabbles.

Television is not harmful, it's just entertainment!

But can the steady flow of images watched nightly from television screens across the country be so easily dismissed as simply entertainment?

If the sheer volume of absorbed images is considered, how can what is shown on television have no effect on one's own mental images?

And if new mental images are created, shouldn't it be logical to say that they can have an effect on behavior?

But the argument that television has a significant effect on children should not rely on studies alone, but on common sense.

 When a child is placed in front of the television his focus cannot be diverted and his gaze cannot be broken.
That child only has eyes for the video screen.
The bright colors, quick movements and sudden flashes capture the child's attention.
Only the rare child finds the television completely uninteresting.
Even if only cartoons are watched, most children find the images presented on the television set mesmerizing.

Television programs have the power to influence a child's entire daily schedule.

"They say they that they go to school "after Huckleberry Hound,"
eat a TV dinner "during Gilligan's Island," and
go to bed "after Charlie's Angels,"
Their whole day is controlled by what's on TV!

"Each year children read less and less and watch television more and more.
In fact, Americans of all ages watch more television each year,"
　

"The typical child sits in front of the television about four hours a day -- and for children in lower socioeconomic families the amount of time thus spent is even greater.
In either case, the child spends more time with TV than he or she spends talking to parents, playing with peers, attending school, or reading books.
TV time usurps family time, play time, and the reading time that could promote language development."
　

A highly active child will remain inactive while watching TV because that is what the medium requires.
In order to receive stimulation from the television, the child must be passive, and accept the predetermined flow rate of the images.
Both mind and body are passive (called an alpha state) allowing the child to concentrate on the vast, and often fast, array of bright pictures.


If the most recent survey is accurate, the odds are that what children are watching is probably violent.
Viewing large amounts of TV violence does not necessary cause a child to act more violently, but it can contribute to promoting a view that violence is commonplace in everyday life as well as creating a heightened fear of being assaulted on the street.

Most kids plug into the world of television long before they enter school, two-thirds of infants and toddlers watch a screen an average of 2 hours a day kids under age 6 watch an average of about 2 hours of screen media a day, primarily TV and videos or DVDs kids and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games.

The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development.
TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development.


As kids get older, too much screen time can interfere with activities such as being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family
Of course, television, in moderation, can be a good thing: Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on public television, grade schoolers can learn about wildlife on nature shows, and parents can keep up with current events on the evening news. No doubt about it — TV can be an excellent educator and entertainer.

But despite its advantages, too much television can be detrimental:
Children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight.
Kids who view violent acts are more likely to show aggressive behavior but also fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.
TV characters often depict risky behaviors, such as smoking and drinking, and also reinforce gender-role and racial stereotypes.

Violence

To give you perspective on just how much violence kids see on TV, consider this:

The average American child will witness 200,000 violent acts on television by age 18.
Kids may become desensitized to violence and more aggressive.
TV violence sometimes begs for imitation because violence is often promoted as a fun and effective way to get what you want.
Many violent acts are perpetrated by the "good guys," whom kids have been taught to emulate.
Even though kids are taught by their parents that it's not right to hit, television says it's OK to bite, hit, or kick if you're the good guy.
This can lead to confusion when kids try to understand the difference between right and wrong.
And even the "bad guys" on TV aren't always held responsible or punished for their actions.

Young kids are particularly frightened by scary and violent images.
Simply telling kids that those images aren't real won't console them, because they can't yet distinguish between fantasy and reality.
Behavior problems, nightmares and difficulty sleeping may be a consequence of exposure to media violence.

Risky BehaviorsTV is full of programs and commercials that depict risky behaviors such as sex and substance abuse as cool, fun, and exciting.
And often, there's no discussion about the consequences of drinking alcohol, doing drugs, smoking cigarettes, and having premarital sex.

For example, studies have shown that teens who watch lots of sexual content on TV are more likely to initiate intercourse or participate in other sexual activities earlier than peers who don't watch sexually explicit shows.

Alcohol ads on TV have actually increased over the last few years and more underage kids are being exposed to them than ever.
And although they've banned cigarette ads on television, kids and teens can still see plenty of people smoking on programs and movies airing on TV.

This kind of "product placement" makes behaviors like smoking and drinking alcohol seem acceptable.
In fact, kids who watch 5 or more hours of TV per day are far more likely to begin smoking cigarettes than those who watch less than the recommended 2 hours a day.

Obesity

Health experts have long linked excessive TV-watching to obesity — a significant health problem today. While watching TV, kids are inactive and tend to snack.

They're also bombarded with ads that encourage them to eat unhealthy foods such as potato chips and empty-calorie soft drinks that often become preferred snack foods.

Studies have shown that decreasing the amount of TV kids watched led to less weight gain and lower body mass index (BMI — a measurement derived from someone's weight and height).






Commercials

From the junk food and toy advertisements during Saturday morning cartoons to the appealing promos on the backs of cereal boxes, marketing messages inundate kids of all ages.
And to them, everything looks ideal — like something they simply have to have.
It all sounds so appealing — often, so much better than it really is.

Under the age of 8 years, most kids don't understand that commercials are for selling a product.
Children 6 years and under are unable to distinguish program content from commercials, especially if their favorite character is promoting the product.
Even older kids may need to be reminded of the purpose of advertising.
　
Here are some practical ways to make TV-viewing more productive in your home:

1. Limit the number of TV-watching hours:
2. Stock the room in which you have your TV with plenty of other non-screen entertainment (books, kids' magazines, toys, puzzles, board games, etc.) to encourage kids to do something other than watch the tube.
3. Keep TVs out of bedrooms.
4. Turn the TV off during meals.
5. Don't allow kids to watch TV while doing homework.
6. Treat TV as a privilege to be earned — not a right.
Establish and enforce family TV viewing rules, such as TV is allowed only after chores and homework are completed.

Try a weekday ban.

Schoolwork, sports activities, and job responsibilities make it tough to find extra family time during the week. Record weekday shows or save TV time for weekends and you'll have more family togetherness time to spend on meals, games, physical activity, and reading during the week.

Set a good example

Check the TV listings and program reviews ahead of time
Choose shows that foster interest and learning in hobbies and education (reading, science, etc.).

Preview programs

Come up with a family TV schedule
Then, post the schedule in a visible area (e.g., on the refrigerator) so that everyone knows which programs are OK to watch and when.
 And make sure to turn off the TV when the "scheduled" program is over instead of channel surfing.

Watch TV together.
If you can't sit through the whole program, at least watch the first few minutes to assess the tone and appropriateness, then check in throughout the show.

Talk to kids about what they see on TV
"Do you think it was OK when those men got in that fight?
What else could they have done?
What would you have done?" Or,
"What do you think about how those teenagers were acting at that party?
 Do you think what they were doing was wrong?"
 If certain people or characters are mistreated or discriminated against, talk about why it's important to treat everyone fairly, despite their differences.
 You can use TV to explain confusing situations and express your feelings about difficult topics (sex, love, drugs, alcohol, smoking, work, behavior, family life).

Talk to other parents, your doctor, and teachers

Offer fun alternatives to television.
The possibilities for fun without the tube are endless — so turn off the TV and enjoy the quality time together.

How does Excessive Viewing of TV Affect Children?

Watching television does not increase attention, promote social skills, or foster creative play.
For older children, it is important to play, read, do homework, and talk with other children and adults for healthy development.
Language skills are best developed through reading and interaction with others.

The problem of obesity has risen.
Watching TV consumes only a few more calories than sleeping.

Becoming desensitized to real world violence.
Children imitate what they see on TV.

Recently, I read in the paper where a five year girl found her daddy's gun.
She walked into the kitchen and shot her mommy.
She couldn't understand why her mommy didn't get up like they do on TV.

Of course we cannot dismiss the power of advertising on our youth.
I cannot tell you the number of times I purchased something my seven year old daughter begged me to buy. Noticing weeks later it was tucked away never to be used again.

A perfect example was the Beanie Baby craze.
Between my wife and I we would run across town to pick the latest Beanie Baby.
Unbelievable how hypnotized we were by advertising to put a smile on our child's face.
Today, we have a bag full and they are stuffed in the attic.


And Finally!

I'll leave you with a video which includes an extract of a movie we all remember well 'NETWORK'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iEq00R1nK4

Respect for Authority - or to be exact - The lack of it!

If you take a look at our youth of today you can’t help but notice that they are the most disrespectful group of children this world has ever seen ...... Why?

Let's think about it for a while!
There's a lot of truth in the old saying 'The Devil makes work for idle hands'

Today's youth, don't get involved with scouting, sport or adventure clubs.
Today's recreation is Play Station etc, cell phone, chat forums, blaring music, junk food, Soda, ice-cream (no wonder our kids are Hyper-active)

Boredom leads to Apathy, Apathy leads to Contempt, Comtempt leads to Rebellion and Rebellion leads to Destructfulness.
ie. Boredom invariably leads to Distructive tendencies.

But it's not just boredom, we ourselves are partly to blame.

Before you start pointing fingers or making excuses as to why children are this way I want you to stop and look in the mirror.
What are you doing to teach your child/children respect?

I watch the way people interact with one another and towards one another. This includes children and adults.
I believe one of the problems is that parents do not respect their children and therefore children not only don’t respect their parents, they have no respect for anyone including themselves.

I am not saying that you don’t love your children or that you are a bad parent.
I'm simply saying that maybe as parents we aren’t paying attention to the way we interact with our children.

The best way to teach respect is show respect, not just to other adults but to your children.
Don’t confuse obedience with respect, fear also instills obedience.

If a child is not respectful at home, they are not going to be respectful outside of the home
When your child talks to you are you listening? or are you busy doing five other things
Listen to what they are saying. Pay attention to what they are doing.
Make eye contact with them, how many times have you said "Look at me when I am talking to you,"

If you let them know they are important enough to pay attention to, then they will do the same to you and others.
If you make a mistake, admit it and apologise, it may change a child's perception of you, that (in fact) you're not perfect, but it will show that everyone makes mistakes and when they do they are truthful about it and admit it.

Once parents have captured the hearts of their children through love and discipline they are ready to accept their instruction.
Children of parents who have won their hearts will learn, more or less by osmosis, the character of their parents.
If the parents have not won their hearts, they will absorb the character of the peer group with which they identify and the leaders whom they admire.

It is difficult for a rebellious parent to teach a child not to be rebellious or to teach qualities that the parents themselves don't have.

Use the acronym READ as a basis for our character instruction

Respect for authority,
Esteem others as better than yourself,
Admit when you are wrong, and
Diligence in all things

A child shows lack of respect for adults by interrupting adult conversations, this is often done by pulling continuously on Mother's arm while saying, "Mommie, Mommie, Mommie, Mommie, Mommie," repeatedly until Mommie gives the child her undivided attention.

The tragedy is that most parents are oblivious to this very prevalent way of showing disrespect to adults, and they will generally acknowledge the child immediately, even doing so when their adult friend is in mid-sentence.
　
A child who has something to say to a parent who is engaged in conversation should be trained to come and stand quietly beside his parent, making sure that his parent sees them.
At an appropriate time after the other party has completed a thought, the parent can say, "Excuse me one moment," and turn and acknowledge the child, who has been waiting patiently. After answering the child's question, the adult conversation can be resumed. The child's concern has been addressed, but at the parents discretion, not the child's.

A growing lack of adult authority has bred a 'spoilt generation' of children who believe grown-ups must earn their respect.
The rise of the 'little emperor' spans the class divide and is fuelling ills from childhood obesity to teenage pregnancy
Attempts to 'empower' children and a lack of discipline in the classroom have also fostered rising levels of violence, at home, at school and in the street.
Children are becoming increasingly violent and disrespectful towards their teachers, 'parent battering' is on the rise and
the number of policemen attacked by children is soaring.


Children of the spoilt generation are used to having their demands met by their parents and others in authority this has consequences in every area of society,
from the classroom to the workplace, the streets to the criminal courts and rehabilitation clinics.
These consequences are measurable - Britain now has the highest rates of child depression, child-on-child murder, underage pregnancy, obesity, violent and antisocial behaviour and pre-teen alcoholism since records began.

Some children thought to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder might simply have never learnt how to behave?

Parents sometimes cannot invest the time in their kids that they should, when parents are out at work all the time their children are turning to peer groups to provide them with the family they need.

Have we been more concerned with becoming an affluent, successful country at the expense of investing in our family and our children?
　
Probably one of the most widespread social problems of our day is the lack of respect for authority.
This is blatantly evident in the youth culture of today and is often being re-enforced by TV programs and music lyrics.
We should not be surprised at this, as we are now the 2nd generation since the 60's sexual and drug revolution across the world, and we are reaping the harvest that our parents sowed.

In the 60's and 70's there was a massive shift in society values and core beliefs were thrown out and replaced by the philosophy of  'If it feels good do it'
There is little doubt that these actions were inspired by evil forces that are at work in the earth today.
Forces that are hell-bent on throwing out all God-ordained authority figures and replacing them with their own rule.

This is simply a continuation of the age old battle between good and evil that has been waged since the begining of time.
When chaos rules it becomes the 'law of the jungle' and only the strong survive.
Personal rights and liberties are lost and the person who has the biggest gun tells you how to live your life.

Respect for authority begins in the home, if your children are not taught to show respect for their parents then they will certainly not show respect for the authorities within government or the church etc.
It is easier for children to show respect to their parents if their parents are loving, fair and compassionate toward them.
The parents also need to practise what they preach if they are to have credibility in the children's eyes.

Teach your children to honour and respect the authorities in their lives, whether it be teachers, government, police or church authorities. Children do not always accept or understand logical reasoning.


Parents always wonder what kind of adults their children will grow up to be. Ultimately the person your child will become depends a lot on how you raise them.
If you discipline your child and teach him what is right and wrong then your child will grow up to respect authority, rules, and the like.


However, if you do not discipline your child he will grow up with no real respect for authority or what is right and wrong.
There are many other things that can happen to your children as a result of not being disciplined.
They may begin using alcohol and drugs at an earlier age, start hanging out with the wrong crowd, and exhibit all around poor behavior and bad choices.


So, discipline your children to give them the best chance in life.

What Is Respect:
  　
Respect means a lot of different things.
On a practical level it includes taking someone's feelings, needs, thoughts, ideas, wishes and preferences into consideration.

We might also say it means taking all of these seriously and giving them worth and value.
In fact, giving someone respect is similar to valuing them and their thoughts, feelings, etc.
It also includes acknowledging them, listening to them, being truthful with them, and accepting their individuality and idiosyncrasies.

Respect is like a boomerang in the sense that you must send it out before it will come back to you.

Showing and Earning Respect:
For this process to work efficiently several things are required.
For example:

1. Each person must be aware of their own feelings; i.e. know how they feel.
2. They must be able to express their feelings.
3. They must know how to listen non-judgmentally & non-defensively.
4. They must know how to validate feelings.
5. They must believe that feelings have value.
6. They must believe that feelings matter.
　
Give your children the opportunity to solve their own problems without underestimating them,
in particular:

1. Avoid telling them what to do
2. Avoid telling them what they 'need' to or 'should do
3. Avoid giving them unsolicited advice, sermons and lectures
　
Remember that the most effective way of finding out how well your efforts are working is to simply ask, "On a scale of 1 -10, how do you feel that I respect you?"

If you have created a safe environment, you are likely to get an honest answer.
Then if it is lower than 10, you can ask,

"What would help you feel more respected?"

Then you have the specific information you need to improve your 'rating.'
people are more than willing to express themselves when asked such a question.
And the answers are typically articulate, and more than often very surprising.
　
Teach respect - Start today!
　

How the Celtic Irish invented Hallowe'en

The Celts celebrated Hallowe'en as 'Samhain' the Feast of the Dead, when the deceased revisited the mortal world.
This 'Oiche na Sprideanna' or Night of the spirits marked the end of summer.

During 700 AD, the Catholic Church set the first day of November as All Saints Day - all Hallows (all that are blessed or hallowed). Thus 'all hallows eve' the day before - became Hallowe'en.




It was an occasion of family reunion and celebration when families moved there grazing stock from summer grass back to the homestead.

Whole families left the villages in the Spring after the crops were sown and moved to the summer pasture area.
Small homes were built with turf or sods, or of wicker work, and roofed with branches or heather.
A chair or two, the cast iron pot, a creel and a few household items would have been strapped to the donkey's back.
The little churn was slung on one side of the animal, into which the youngest child was often thrust, its head being the only part visible.

During the reunions during 'All Hallows',

Bonfires or Fires of Bones ( it's said  the bones of dead animals were burnt and the ash scattered on the land) were lit to mark the end of the growing period and to herald the new year (Celtic Calendar).

The Hallowe'en fire was used long ago to supply light and to rekindle the domestic fire.

The crops would have been harvested and the turf saved by then.

Hallowe'en was the night when the woman of the house opened her cupboards and spread a little feast for the family.

Even the poorest household prepared something special for that night.


Hazelnuts, apples and other fruits of the Autumn had an important place in the combined pastimes of feasting and foretelling the future.

Cabbages figure in many old games and one of these, or a turnip, were often tossed against a neighbours door on Hallowe'en night to give them a fright.

Many games were played upon the theme of identifying a future husband - matchmaking and marriage being among the functions of the festivals.

In one game, four plates were set upon a table.
Water was poured into one, a ring placed in another, some clay in the third and some straw, salt or oats in the last.
Someone would then be led to the table blindfolded and on to whichever plate they placed a hand, so their future would turn out.
The water signified migration, the ring marriage, the clay death and the fourth prosperity.
On rearranging of the plates others would be blindfolded and led up to take their turn.

In another game, a perfect Ivy leaf was placed in a container of cold water. On the following morning if the Ivy leaf had no blemishes that person would have twelve months of good health. If not...we can only guess?

Colcannon would have been one of the special foods served - consisting of mashed boiled potatoes mixed with cooked green cabbage and chopped raw onion seasoned with salt and pepper and maybe a poached egg atop.

The tradition of Colcannon being served on all Hallows eve came about from the Catholic Church of the time, suggesting that Catholics refrain from meat the day before 'All Hollows' as a type of penetence.

Barmbrack, a cake only really known in Celtic countries was a fruit loaf often containing a coin or a ring, those fortunate enough to get the slice with the coin or ring would have good fortune or marry soon.

Jack O'Lantern was supposedly a blacksmith, a lost soul, to whom the Devil (it is said) gave a hollowed out turnip in which was placed a burning coal ember.

He was doomed to roam the Earth forever.

So, today, we have the tradition of the turnip lantern.
In the USA where the turnip was not so widespread, a pumpkin was used.

Celtic Druids dressed up to disguise themselves from the ghosts or
devils roaming the land on Hallowe'en night so as to avoid being carried away.
Hence the tradition of dressing up at Hallowe'en.
However great the fright, nobody would really be surprised to meet with the Puca, the Black Pig, or meet up with that headless ghost, the Dullahan... or to wake in the dark of night and find the returned dead of the family seated around the kitchen hearth.

It was also the custom to make a special cross called a 'Parshell' two small sticks were laid crosswise and shafts of wheat were woven around the junction until the cross was secured.


It was then hung over the door on the inside of the house to help protect the family from illness, bad luck and witchcraft until the next Halloween when a new cross would be made.


The old cross would then be moved to another part of the house.


'Everyone has debts at Halloween' is an old Irish proverb and this was a time when people attempted to settle up.
Workers were paid, as was the rent, and farm folk secured crops and livestock for the hard winter to come.
While the adults were completing these chores, children visited relatives and friends and were given gifts of apples and nuts.

While many of the old traditions have died out, two have survived, especially in Dublin, include the lighting of bonfires and the custom of children dressed up in costume going from house to house shouting in unison: “Help the Hallowe’en Party! Any apples or nuts?”

Just a couple of generations ago, it would have been a group of young and grown boys who would blow horns and travel great distances in order to gather enough gifts for a night of feasting, music, dancing and fun.

What's this thing called cooking? - A Slowly Dying Art!

The dying art of cooking is creating a dog's dinner in kitchens, a study has found.

Health experts say parents need to make more of an effort to learn basic skills, and blaming lack of time is just a cop-out.

The warning comes as spending on takeaway food smashes records and McDonald's is criticized over the promotion of new family dinner boxes as no-hassle, no-dishes alternative to making meals from scratch.

Appalled nutritionists say the bulk purchase deals (BOGOF or 3 for 2), heavily aimed at households trying to save money, fly in the face of efforts to fight the nation's obesity problem.  This plays into the feeling that cooking for ourselves is simply too hard.  "Offering a cheap meal with virtually no nutritional benefit and some limp lettuce sends the wrong message."  A poll of 16,500 mothers nationwide has revealed, half believe serving nutritious, balanced meals is a challenge.  Hundreds confessed their kids refused to eat "healthy stuff". And one in three were worried their children were not getting enough exercise.

The research for Nestle found 11 per cent of mums felt guilty that they cut corners when preparing food for kids and caved in to convenience.
Dr Broad said traditional cooking skills were evaporating as consumers were seduced by fast food and instant solutions on supermarket shelves.  "Everywhere you look is a microwave packet or a 'just add water' solution, from gravies to pasta sauces, pies and lasagnes," she said.  "Growing numbers of people just haven't had the training from their own parents or school to cook from scratch."

Food Matters - You are what you Eat



Many healthy meals such as stir-fry, salads, oven baked or slow cooked meals could be completed for the same or less cost than fast food.  In the view of many, people no longer cooking has contributed to an overall decay in personal well-being, too, and that includes our obesity epidemic.  It’s not merely just the individual who’s to blame, though.

In many urban areas of the country, there are more fast food restaurants than there are shops to purchase whole and fresh foods; grocery shops are dwindling in numbers to the point where many people have no fresh food within reasonable walking distance.  Around schools and colleges, fast-food and other convenience eateries have set up shop in the hopes of steering students away from the comparably more healthy cafeteria food choices.  Many of those students are taking the bait, and eating fast food every day, as was lamented by a public school teacher who raised his hand to ask a question after a sneak-preview screening for Food Inc





Here are a few quotes from other concerned voices on the “Death” of Home Cooking and its repercussions.

“Unfortunately for the last few generations, cooking has been left by the wayside in exchange for cheap, convenient substitutes as people became increasingly squeezed for time and energy.” — Rob Smart, in the Huffington Post.

“As we lost our skills at the stove, we also lost something less tangible but no less important: the opportunity to spend time together in the kitchen, talking and cooking.” — Amanda Hesser, in The New York Times

People hate inconvenience.” — Joel Salatin, at a panel discussion after a screening of Fresh



“In the last depression, we didn’t have McDonald’s,”  alluding to the fact that the fast food chain’s sales have been climbing ever since the recession began.   Frozen food like pot pies and TV dinners are on the rise, too.
I think this goes to show that cooking for everyday consumption is already out the window for many people.

Fast Food Nation


But that doesn’t mean that it can’t enjoy a little play for novelty’s sake, does it?  So rather than overwhelm oneself with make-ahead meals, weekly grocery shopping and recipe-hunting, perhaps all those non-cookers out there might want to think of preparing a meal as a fun recreation.  For the sake of preserving an archaic tradition.  They might just find it rewarding enough to keep it alive.