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Vol. 4 No. 6, November/December 2002
Copyright 2002 by Wolf J. Rinke
mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com
http://www.WolfRinke.com
IN THIS ISSUE
1. IN THIS SPECIAL HOLIDAY ISSUE:
1. A SPECIAL HOLIDAY STORY TO REKINDLE YOUR SPIRIT
2. A HOLIDAY GIFT FROM ME TO YOU
3. BEAT THE HOLIDAY BLUES
4. HOLIDAY FEEDBACK FROM READERS
5. HOLIDAY HUMOR BREAK
6. ABOUT THE EDITOR
7. PRIVACY STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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HOLIDAY INSIGHT BREAK
"Love people the way they are,
not the way they ought to be."
--Wolf J. Rinke
Source: Make It a Winning Life, Perpetual desk calendar, Nov. 30
(Unique Holiday Gift-see below.)
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1. A SPECIAL HOLIDAY STORY TO REKINDLE YOUR SPIRIT
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THE GOLDEN BOX
Times were tough and money was tight at the Jameson residence. Dad had
been laid off more than four months ago-another victim of merger mania-and
Mom was unable to work since she was suffering with complications associated
with her second pregnancy. To make matters worse Julie, their 5-year
old daughter, was suffering from an unknown disease that no doctor had
been able to diagnose or treat. At the Jameson house only little Julie
seemed to be looking forward to the holidays. She was all excited because
she had come up with an idea to give all her love to her parents without
spending any money. All she needed was some wrapping paper so she could
wrap her gifts. After looking all over the house she finally found the
most beautiful gold wrapping paper, which she used to cover two boxes.
Dad was furious whey he caught Julie in the act of wrapping the boxes.
"Don't you know," he said harshly, "that we barely have
enough money to buy food, and here you are using up the only wrapping
paper we have left to cover these useless old boxes. Go to your room
and next time don't be so wasteful." On Christmas morning Julie
gave a carefully wrapped gift box to her father, "This is for you,
Daddy," she said.
The father was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger
flared yet again when he found that the box was empty. He spoke to Julie
in an angry tone, "Don't you know, young lady, it's rude to give
an empty box?" Julie looked up at him with tears in her eyes and
said, "Oh, Daddy, the box is not empty. I filled it with love and
kisses."
The father was crushed. He fell on his knees and put his arms around
his little girl and begged her forgiveness for his insensitive behavior.
A few weeks later Mom had a miscarriage and little Julie died unexpectedly
from that dreaded disease that no one had been able to diagnose.
Dad's heart was broken, and it is told that he kept the gold box his
daughter had given him by his bed for the rest of his life. And whenever
he was discouraged or faced seemingly insurmountable difficulties he
would open the gold box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember
the love of his wonderful daughter who had put it there.
You too have been given a "golden box" filled with unconditional
love and kisses from your loved ones. Cherish it with every fiber of
your body because it is the most precious gift you will ever own.
Source: Loosely based on an e-mail I received from an unknown source
with the admonition to "pass this on to your friends," which
is what I just did.
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2. A HOLIDAY GIFT FROM ME TO YOU
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I'd like to help make your holiday shopping easier by offering you a
one-of-a-kind holiday gift that will SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY!
It is an ideal gift for loved ones, friends, employees and co-workers.
It is a universal gift that everyone will LOVE and benefit from!
It will keep on giving for years to come!
It can be given at any time of the year!
It's inexpensive!
It's totally unique - there is no other gift quite like it!
What is it?
It's my Make It a Winning Life Perpetual Desk Calendar
This unique desk calendar provides words of inspiration and wisdom
every day of the year! PLUS easy to apply action steps to help make
the message a reality! Best of all at the end of the year, turn it over
and use it again, and again ... Truly a unique gift that keeps on giving
... FOREVER!
PLUS in the spirit of the holidays I will include absolutely FREE,
with orders of 4 or more calendars, a Make It a Winning Life audio-tape
valued at $14.95.
******* 4 Calendars plus audio-tape for ONLY $30 +S/H ($4.50 USA, $9.00
Canada, $18.00 all other) ******
Regular Price $51.80 plus $14.95 for the tape --You SAVE $36.75
You RISK ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! If for any reason the perpetual calendars
are not everything you expected, send them back to me and I will give
you your money back. No questions asked!!! The audiotape is yours to
keep!
Click www.wolfrinke.com/Special.html to order or for more information.
Or call 800-828-9653. Mention this ad when ordering by phone! Offer
expires 1/15/2003.
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3. BEAT THE HOLIDAY BLUES
By Wolf J. Rinke, PhD, CSP
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According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the American
Psychiatric Association (www.viahealth.org) many people are experiencing
clinical depression especially around the holidays. You have a serious
disorder that requires medical attention if you are suffering from one
of the following NEARLY EVERY DAY, ALL DAY, FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS:
- loss of interest in the things you used to enjoy
- feeling sad, blue or down in the dumps
In addition people who are depressed also experience at least three
of the following symptoms:
- feeling slowed down or restless and unable to sit still
- feeling worthless or guilty
- increased or decreased appetite and weight
- thoughts of death or suicide
- problems of concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- loss of energy or feeling tired all of the time.
If you are experiencing these symptoms you should make an appointment
with your doctor now.
If on the other hand you are experiencing the following symptoms you
are likely experiencing the blues:
- headaches
- inability to sleep or sleeping too much
- change in appetite causing weight loss or gain
- agitation and anxiety
- excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt
- diminished ability to think clearly or concentrate
-decreased interest in activities that usually bring you pleasure such
as food, sex, work, friends, hobbies or entertainment.
To beat the blues take the following actions and make this a truly
joyous holiday season:
TURN OFF THE NEWS
The media's axiom is: If it bleeds it reads. (We here in Maryland found
that out with the recent sniper attacks.) It is time that we inoculate
ourselves from this insidious virus-the incessant reports of bad news.
Remember, that whatever gets reported in the media represents the exception--not
the rule. The problem is that we hear the same bad news over and over
again, and we begin to believe that that is the way things are. It is
NOT! Think about it. How often did you hear about the sniper attacks,
compared to the good deeds being committed in your community right now?
Now which one do you believe occurs more often? Enough said!
MANAGE EXPECTATIONS
When are children most excited? About a week before the holidays or
right after they have ripped all the presents open? The former, of course.
Just like children, many of us also experience a feeling of let down
when the hustle and bustle of the holidays wind down. The reason is
that all the things that needed to get done have occupied all of our
mental and physical energies. And now that it is over, you experience
a sense of disappointment and the blues kick in. To combat this phenomena
start on a new project or a new goal right after the holiday. For example,
you and your significant other may want to start planning your summer
vacation.
MAKE LOVE NOT WAR
Tonight, when you put your children to bed give each one a really big
hug and tell him/her from the bottom of your heart: "I love you,
and I'm very proud to be your parent." And then shut up. Do not
continue the sentence with "but" because but erases everything
you have said before. Repeat the exercise with your spouse. Your spouse
and children are the most important people in your life. So do not waste
another day without giving them lots of hugs and kisses.
COMMIT RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
To do this right you must do something for someone else without expecting
anything in return. For example, get the family together and serve a
holiday meal at a shelter for the homeless. Or visit your local nursing
home and talk with an elderly person in need of companionship.
HELP CHILDREN FEEL SECURE
When children ask you questions about the despicable events associated
with September 11, 2001, anthrax, snipers or other challenges that we
will be facing in months to come, listen actively (see below) and then
answer candidly. Be sure to share your sadness, anger and frustration,
however do all you can to avoid expressing hate, spite and revenge.
Instead, remind your children that they can feel safe, because most
people are good, and that the evil perpetrated by a few represents the
exception.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LISTENING
To really listen you have to learn to make your own mind quiet and give
the other party your undivided 111% attention. The act of active listening-not
giving advice-is one of the most wonderful gifts you can give during
these stressful times.
CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY
It was Abraham Lincoln who said: "Most people are about as happy
as they make up their minds to be." Happiness is a state that only
you control. So don't wait for others to give you happiness. Make a
choice to be happy and then make it happen! For example, learn to get
pleasure from people, not things. Plan to spend the majority of your
available time with the people you love and deeply care for. If you
want to supplement it with stuff, learn to get pleasure from little
things.
MANAGE STRESS
Master the most powerful stress control system of all time:
- Change the changeable
- Accept the unchangeable
- Remove yourself from the unacceptable
Also make quiet time for yourself and treat yourself to whatever truly
helps you relax, may it be a hot tub, a movie or a walk in the woods.
DECREASE CONFLICT
Whenever you are in a situation that seems to be moving in the direction
of conflict, simply and sincerely say: "You are right about that."
The primary reason that we have a "need" to be right is to
feed our ego, and feeding your ego disempowers you. To insure that you
are not sounding like a parrot, use these derivations: "That's
an interesting perspective." "I have never thought of it that
way." "I see what you mean."
HAVE "PLASTIC SURGERY"
If overspending is a critical issue for you, start by having "plastic
surgery." Get rid of your credit cards, or at least put them away
for the holidays. Establish a holiday budget in advance. Make up a gift
list that insures that you stay within the budget. Avoid keeping up
with the "Jonses." It won't do a thing for you. Want to do
something extra-ordinary for that special someone? Make a gift yourself!
For example, write a beautiful poem, sign it and put it in a frame.
It will be more appreciated than even the most expensive gift you can
buy! (Also take a look at section #2 of this eNewsletter for a unique
gift that every one will love. It's inspirational, will keep on giving
forever and yet it's inexpensive.)
Source: From my upcoming book: "BEAT THE BLUES: From Funky to
Spunky in 7 Easy Steps." Pub. date mid 2003.
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For FREE articles, inspirational messages and money saving offers on
books, audio and videotapes that will help you live a happier, healthier
and wealthier life visit our website: http://www.WolfRinke.com/MIWL.html
or call 800-828-WOLF (USA); 410-531-9280.
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4. HOLIDAY FEEDBACK FROM READERS
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Wolf,
Last year on August 28 my wife Theresa fell down a short staircase
into the basement level of our home and suffered a spiral fracture of
one of the bones in her leg. She was unable to get back up the stairs.
Fortunately my youngest son, Michael, was at home and carried the cordless
phone handset down to her so that she could call 911. He then brought
some pillows downstairs for her and pushed the button to open the garage
doors in order to let the Paramedics into the house when they arrived.
He had to get his footstool in order to reach the button because at
the time he was 30 months old, wearing diapers and barely able to talk.
He literally saved the day.
The point of all of this is that Theresa and I set positive expectations
for both of our sons and have given them small jobs such as retrieving
items and putting things away from the time that they are able to walk.
We have always expressed positive expectations by doing things like
telling them "we know you can do it".
Suffice it to say that we got a big payoff that day in August. Without
Michael, Theresa could have been on the floor in the basement in extreme
pain until I came home from work in the evening. My message to parents
is as follows: Expect great things from your kids.
Michael J. Knowles
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DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION, SUGGESTION OR A SUCCESS STORY? We are getting
some great success stories from our subscribers and would like to hear
what's working, or not working, for you. Mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com.
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5. HOLIDAY HUMOR BREAK
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A retired man calls his son in Philadelphia. The father says to the
son, "I hate to tell you, but your mother and I can't stand each
other anymore, and we're getting a divorce. I've had it with your mother!
I want to live out the rest of my years in peace. I'm telling you now,
so you and your sister don't go ballistic when I move out."
The old man hangs up, and the son immediately calls his sister in San
Francisco to tell her the news. The sister says, "I'll handle this!"
She calls her father and says, "Don't do a thing until my brother
and I get there! We'll be there Wednesday night."
The father hangs up the phone and shouts to his wife, "Okay, honey
they're coming for Thanksgiving. Now, what are we going to tell them
for Christmas?"
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6. ABOUT THE EDITOR
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Dr. Wolf J. Rinke, CSP is an internationally recognized motivational
and management keynote speaker and seminar leader who delivers customized
presentations that combine story telling, humor and motivation with
specific "how to" action strategies that participants can
apply immediately to improve their personal and professional lives.
He is also a highly effective management consultant, executive coach
and author of 12 books including: "Make It a Winning Life: Success
Strategies for Life, Love and Business" available at www.WolfRinke.com
To take advantage of Dr. Rinke's services call 800-828-9653 or mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com
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7. PRIVACY STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
===================================================
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