TRAINING!!! TRAINING!!! TRAINING!!!

Dear reader, learner,

This is to extend our greeting to you for the year coming to an end and to also thank you for your friendship and reading our blog.

It’s our delight to reach you once again through this invaluable information avenue. As you know TREASURED1 CREATIVE IDEAS INT.…Nigeria’s publishing, entertainment, business, relationship and leadership Training forum is about to raise the roof. You may be wondering why we are taking our time and energies to organize this training.

1. We want you to become a shining light in your chosen field of endeavor

2. We deeply want to work towards change of status for Nigeria and Nigerian youths.

3. We want to contribute our own quota to National development.

Okay! Enough said here.

We have observed that Nigeria is growing with more young talents in different fields of arts, creativity (musicians, dancers, poets and writers) and culture of which making it is their only hope of moving forward to help each other out in the industry. Our longing is to be a part of those who will help in bringing a smile to the faces of these young upcoming and aspiring talents with/by any means possible, but through hard work, integrity of minds and trainings that will lead to better use of creativity in life, business, writings and relationship.

We have also noticed that, young Nigerians rarely have inspirational mentoring leaders to look up to with problems and rate of unemployment so frightening plus hopes and dreams being dashed in a land flowing with so many creative talents and everything needed to succeed. Should things continue like this? Instead of crying wolf we decided to be part of those who make a change for the best.

TREASURED1 CREATIVE IDEAS INT. TRAINING FORUM is designed to help you make it in that creativity of yours.

Our decision is to start from here and to continue bringing this training to you annually, making available leading Nigerian achievers who God will be using to help birth the long awaited change and mentorship our country and creative talents desperately needs to make it in all their endeavors in life.

Just a preview of what this meeting holds for you my friend:

-Using your creativity to gain limelight in the industry

-Poetry writing tips

-Book writing and marketing tips

-Networking with people of like minds

-Financial management tips

-Q's & A's

-And lots more

Click on the picture to get a clearer view.

SEE YOU SOON...

...

Some very simple rules for success

Did you know that the universe will give and in great abundance if you follow a few simple rules. Too many people believe that all they have to do is just ask and then forget it, nothing could be further from the truth. The law of the universe is just that, a law, which must be followed if you are to succeed. The rules are not hard and do not require a huge amount of brain power to grasp, but once mastered the world can be your oyster.

These are the rules as I see them.
1: Do not upset the karma of Mother Nature, it has been well known for many years that there is indeed a universal force out there, that is ever willing to help anyone who asks for its help, BUT don't go insulting it by breaking the every first rule. That rule is, you must not wish for anything that will bring harm to the earth or anything or anyone that resides on it. In other words do not wish harm on your peers or hurt them in any way.

Too many people carry a grudge about something that has happen to them, unless you can let the grudge go you will never succeed in life, you see there is a saying that goes like this, Like attracts like. Positive attracts positive, negative attracts negative. So if you are carrying that type of attitude within you, what will happen... Yes you've got it, you will attract just what you are carrying. So if your feelings towards something or someone are negative, then you know what the result will be unless you change it.

2: You have all heard the saying 'A Picture speaks louder than words" Well that saying is so very true and I will tell you why, but first we need to take a look at the two states of mind that each of us have, The conscious and the subconscious mind. The conscious mind is what we all use everyday of our lives, every waking minute the conscious mind is working, makes the decisions, the day to day choices that it is faced with. On the other hand the subconscious mind works quietly in the background, sees to it that we keep breathing, our eyes to blink, out hearts to continue to beat, All of this is done without any conscious effect on our parts.

However the subconscious mind does not stop there, for a start it remembers every word you have ever heard or spoken, every feeling you have ever had, be it good or bad. It knows fear, joy, and happiness, love even hate. One of its jobs is to make sure we get what we want, it does this by interrupting our very thoughts and because we think in pictures, that is what it sees. When you read a book are you thinking in words, or do you have a miniature movies going through our minds yes we all think in pictures. Yes we do think in pictures.

The subconscious mind unlike the conscious mind does not make judgments, it does not care if the input we are sending it is negative or positive in content, it makes no distinction, and it will operate on what we feed it, without question. That is a good thing if we are positive thinkers, but not so good if we are negative in nature. We have heard the saying, as a man thinks, so is he. Or we are what we think about all day. Napoleon Hill, in his book "think and grow rich" said it this way "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve" For those who have not read it, I recommend it and if you have read it and never got anything out of it, Read it again, but this time take notice of everything you read and you will discover the secret formula within it's pages.

When we think about our goals, our dreams and desires we must see them as actual pictures, we must picture them as actually being the fact, the subconscious does not care, nor does it even check to find out, if what we are thinking is real of just a dream as yet.

PICTURES DO MORE FOR OUR MEMORIES THAN WORDS COULD EVER DO
3: How much do we want our dreams and desires?
Yes I know we all want to achieve our goals, but what are we prepared to give to attain them. Are we prepared to give everything to succeed? Are we prepared to make it a obsession, a burning desire to live our dreams everyday of our life, even change our circle of friends if need be. That is the level of commitment we all need if we want to see our goals and dreams come to fruition. Don't get me wrong, this is not really that hard to do, its just a matter of commitment.

What do you do when you are interested in a new subject, new project, maybe a new member of the opposite sex comes into your live, do you just let it ride, No you give it all you have to give and more if that's possible, it becomes your one and only thought and interest. Then why not give that level of commitment to your goals and dreams, because that's what the universe expects of you. It's almost like the universe is trying you out, to see if your desire is strong enough to deserve it. But once it gives, it gives in great abundance.

How many times have you heard "I would love to drive a Rolls Royce one day, that Porsche or that BMW" yes I think we have all heard that type of thing from our peers, perhaps even from ourselves, But HOW MANY TIMES DO THOSE PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY WANT. I'll tell you what they do get, they get what they expect, what they think they are worthy of nothing more nothing less. So many of us have such a poor self image of ourselves we are happy to except what we can get, when it does not have to be like that. We simply don't expect any more although we would like to get more. Well guess what, who has to expect more and really know that you will get it, Need I say anymore.

The universe does not expect more than you have to give, but it does require that you have a top self image and faith that we will get it. If you have those things you will be a success and you will see all your dreams come true. When you write out a list of goals, be very specific about what you want and make it become a real part of you.Or you will never get what you are looking for.

4: You must make your dreams and goals your dominant thought, you must be very careful not to dwell on the negative but always make your thoughts positive, you might say something like this every morning and night, I don't like being the size I am. I hate being like this, I must lose weight soon. Ok you might think those words are positive, but you are still dwelling on the negative. You are still talking about Fat and how you don't like to be like that, instead of being positive by thinking and acting like you are already the weight you want to be, picturing yourself wearing the nice clothes, the way you feel about yourself etc..

If you take the very thing you want in life and make it a dominant thought, tie it all up with a graphic picture in you mind of the way you expect it to be, then you are well on your way to achieving it. You can make it as grand as you like, in fact the greater the better and don't settle for anything less than what you visualise, I repeat don't settle for anything less, you can and will achieve it. The universe is like that it will give without question.

Most people fail to change the way they see themselves, if your goal is to lose weight, then start changing the way you see yourself, instead of continuing to see yourself as FAT. Start to see yourself as THIN, wearing what you like, the perfect weight you want to be, imagine how other people will see you, the comments they will make. How you are going to feel when you have achieved your target. In other words change how you think and see yourself. You are a very special person, there is no other like you in all the world so if your self image is a little lacking, change it.

PLANNING GOD OUT

We have laid the plans for success

We have made the roads sure unrelenting

And have studied, researched the business

But still one great part is calling

We have tried and failed time

We have run and waylaid strength

And given the hope to be fine

But still our pant’s sighs one way

The written goals and dreams bile

And men take written map forward

But Gods direction none really file

And the cries stand atop the hills

Planning for all things is called

But to God all is praying chances

Where are the thinkers in halls?

God await man to plan him in!

Salau O John©

FAITH IS DOING

Doing that believed is real faith

It may be called crazy by all

But to do nothing is foolish to fate

Many believed only that openly seen

Faith is acting on true trust

And putting hope on the unknown

For Abraham was to this thrust

But where are those like him?

Believing and doing the illogical

Hoping and moving in the unbelievable

Humans are to see to be logical

But God the dead calls living

How many can but can this?

To do things believed unseen

How many can but heart release?

The strangest of faith waking death

Salau O John©

SEARCHING & RELOCATING FOR NEW JOB

If you’re struggling with your job search and feel you’ve exhausted every lead provided by your local network, it may be time for you to broaden your horizons. The world is a big place filled with lots of opportunities; why would you limit your career options to a single city? Of course, when i suggest that you relocate to find work, I am not suggesting that you just pack a duffel bag and set off into the great unknown. Relocating to find work demands careful planning, especially if you have a family. These six steps will aid you in your long-distance job search as you contemplate a new life outside your city or abroad.

1- Research your target locations
The first thing you need to do before you relocate to find work is figure out what areas best fits your personal and professional needs. For example, a rural town known for its farming community may not be the best target location for a software engineer who’s allergic to hay. Climate, culture and cost of living are all important factors to consider, and there are a number of online resources, such as destination archive, that can aid you in your research. You should also seek counsel from your contacts abroad or outside your city, if only to let them know you’re looking to relocate to find work.

2- Determine your job opportunities
Once you’ve selected a few locations and advised your extended network that you’re willing to relocate to find work, assemble a list of job prospects, making sure to include recruiting agencies and companies with branches near you. You can get this information from friends, the companies archive or by visiting area-specific job-search websites or by searching through your target city’s virtual phone book. Don’t be shy about cold-calling potential employers to see if they have an opening. You can even offer to do a preliminary phone interview to spare yourself an unnecessary trip.

3- Investigate the legal requirements
Should you land a position overseas, it’s imperative that you acquire all the necessary permits and visas before your official date of employment. That’s why you should always start the legal process as early as possible when you relocate to find work. Determine every document and authorization you’ll need to start a new job in your target location, and draw up the paperwork in advance. Keep in mind, however, that you may not be able to complete this task until an employer has made you an official offer.

4- Establish a budget and timetable
Following my previous tips on how to relocate to find work, you should have all the information required to establish a comprehensive strategy for your job hunt. Your strategy will largely deal with determining when you hope to move and how much money you can set aside for travel expenses, security deposits, unforeseen complications, and of course, long-distance communication. Keep in mind that it may take you longer than you expect to secure a position, so make sure you can afford your rent or mortgage in both your old and new locations if need be.

5- Plan an initial recon trip
Don’t rely solely on long-distance research to select your new location. There’s only so much you can learn through phone books, articles and third-party knowledges. That’s why it’s important to visit your target city at least once before you relocate to find work. You need to make sure the area suits your personal needs as well as your professional ones, so try to get a sense of the culture, and make a point of checking out housing. You should also schedule your trip to coincide with a local career fair if you can, and try to fit in a few job interviews.

6- Plan a second logistics trip
At this point, you should be confident of where you want to relocate to find work. The purpose of this second expedition is to finalize any remaining details regarding the logistics of your move and to secure a worthy job offer. As such, you should contact every employer and recruiter on your list of prospects and set up as many formal interviews as possible in order to spare yourself multiple trips. Don’t be afraid to ask whether the company is willing to pay for your travel expenses, but make it clear that you’re making an inquiry, not a request.

Broadening your career horizons
These six tips will help you relocate to find work. However, you should keep in mind that long-distance job hunts are usually uphill battles. Employers are often reluctant to even consider candidates from out of town because of their limited availability for job interviews, trusting thier background and the cost of their eventual relocation, should they be selected. That’s why it’s important that you remain flexible in your objectives. Don’t dismiss any offer before giving it careful consideration, and always keep your options open. You’re about to start a new life, after all.

FOLLOW PURPOSE

Many things calls all to bow

But only one road leads on

Many hearts have questions in how

But still answers lies in purpose

Jack of all trade may be thought

But perfection in one is calling

The mind may see cross-roads fought

But this recommends straight stalling

The future is a process in happiness

Though not all things are bright

The end is a big Gods kindness

Though at the beginning roots goes down

Purpose is the happiness of hearts

And understanding ways teaches plans

Many easy roads will call to part

But only one road leads true

Salau O John©

Imagination

Do animals set goals?
Animals do not set goals, they have it already built in. It is called instinct for them. There goal in life is to feed themselves, find shelter and procreate the species. They are not aware of what they are doing, it is already been programmed in their genes

What is the one big advantage the human being has over the animals? If you said imagination you are right on the money, yes we have the power of imagination. With out it we would be greater than the animals and the world would be an entirely different place that what we know today. Human beings have this skill, we have the ability to dream, and make our dreams come into being.

Since mankind has been on the earth he has strived for more understanding and vision. Even the humble wheel came from somebody thought process or observation. So it is to this very day, but what does it mean to dream?

I am not talking about the dreams we have during our sleeping hours, but the ones we have during our waking hours. Dreams of becoming something or someone. The dreams of being a success at everything we take on. Let me say at this point there is nothing wrong with these sort of dreams, without them we are dead in the water.

Having a dream in life is something we should all strive have and see come true. However there are a few things we must understand when shooting for a dream. Unfortunately many people miss the point.

The very first thing you need to understand is, your dream is just that, your dream. Never let anyone steal it from you, we have all heard "What makes you think you can do that"? or "I know so and so can do it but not you" Letting these word from other people effect us is downright folly.

To be a success at gaining any dream you like requires a steadfastness that many do not have. To be a success requires a one mindedness, and a passion to see it though to the very end. As problems come along work over them. You know one the famous speakers on Motivation "Dr Norman Vincent Peale" said it like this.

If you don't have a problem, then go out and get one. Beg one Borrow one even steal one if you have to, because without a problem you are going nowhere. Once you overcome that problem find another until you reach your dream.

This is what imagination can do for us, treasure the fact that you have this gift and above all use it.

SOLVE PROBLEMS

To create we must solve something

And to laugh we must give

Though in times things cry and try

Yet in solving we sow to reap

Who holds the mind salvation to give?

Why barring, the heart falls apart

Ah! Lays the power of life too brief

Why wail the world without freedom?

Hand-in-hand the bother sober

We are that of problem to grow

Why wait the dead to drive death?

A problem must be solved to flow

I call upon problem solvers!

I cry my heart out for pardon

But then their growth eyes closed

O for to awake no more gluttony borne

Salau O John©

11 Great Reasons why Smiling makes us More Successful!

First: Our smile shows others people that we are friendly:
If a stranger approached you and gained eye contact with you and then treated you to a broad smile you will have a fairly good idea that they are being friendly and certainly mean you no harm.

By contrast we would find it far more difficult to offer trust to the stranger that wears a scowl or unfriendly face features.

Second: A smile can make people happy:
When someone treats you to a smile, even a stranger, you usually smile back. For that moment you enjoy a flash of positive communication without saying a word. As you walk through a crowed area such as a main street you can do this hundreds times in a very short period of time.

When you smile at someone who is not already smiling and they smile back you have brought a moment of happiness into their lives which, who knows, could last all day.

Third: Smiling is infectious:
When you spend a lot in the company of someone who smiles a lot you will soon discover that their smile starts to wear off on you. It is hard not to return a smile; most of us do it at a subliminal level without thinking.

Fourth: Smiling can make you popular:
Which type of people do you prefer? A person that has a tired and listless face. An expression that may reflect their inner thoughts of boredom and worry? Or, would you prefer someone who is always smiling and shows that they have an enthusiastic passion for life.

I think for the majority of us the choice would be obvious!

Fifth: Smiling can help you to make new friends:
In the same way few of us would choice a miserable person for a friend. Lets face it we all want someone who is going to be bubbly and a happy and positive.

Sixth: A smile is usually returned:
When someone smiles back at you it make you feel good inside. You have just made a short but very positive communication and possibly the first step in the process of getting to know or making friends with someone new.

Seventh: Smiling makes you positive and happy inside:
When you smile it is hard to feel unhappy, negative or sad in anyway. Smiling gives you enthusiasm and drive, it is also habit forming.

Eight: A smile makes you look far more attractive:
You don’t see many celebrities or media personalities that are not smiling because if you did it is fairly certain that their popularity would quickly start to drop!

Ninth: Smiling also helps make you memorable to others!:
Have you noticed that smiling people are usually far more memorable than those that are not? It is fact that you are 3 time more likely to remember the person that is smiling over the one that is wearing a negative or neutral features.

Tenth: Most importantly, smiling is good for your health!:
When you are smiling you find whatever you are doing far easier. It releases stress, worry and tension that you may have built up throughout the day. Long term, developing the smiling habit will be one of the smartest things that you can do to improve most aspects of your life.

Eleventh: The effects of smiling can last for hours:
Whatever problems and challenges you have in your life, smiling temporary puts them and hold. For a while you forget the problems and become positive, and while you are in a positive state you have far more potential and power to advance and improve your life.

Lastly: Smiling is FREE!:
You are never going to run short of smiles and will always have enough to go around. When you weigh up the positive points of smiling it is a no brainer decision to do far more smiling and share them with as many people as possible.

Keep smiling!

AS WE GO ON

As we go on living again

Let us count the blessings each day

Waking up without sickness restraining

And running off with no thanks relayed

As we go on living again

Let us remember the hospitals

And thanks the Father His blessings rain

For life makes the difference in crystals

As we go on living again

Let us remember the end of days

Are we displaying the talents in vain?

As the time will ask what may

As we go on living again

Let u thank the stars that be

For the heavens gave us brains

And soon going home will be free

God loves us!

Salau O John©

START NOW

A little goes farther than nothing

Though much is desired to succeed

The heart and body connive in receiving

A man must look for a proceed

The fact is buttered by knowledge

But without action all is damned

Who could play and not pledge?

Man without plan is doomed

All that will be can’t be

As knowledge must be used

Though all seek to be free

Those in obedience are used

We’ll get somewhere someday

Though the roads are different

Today speaks of much to relay

We all seek true affluence

Salau O John©

The most Successful People work Easy, not Hard

The assumed belief in hard work leading to success is becoming more and more apparent to be a fraud in this day and age. After all, huge banking companies are failing their way to the top with incompetence that pays off in bailouts that would probably far outweigh what they would earn by working hard, smart and doing their job.

In other words, the people in power are social net workers who wink and nod, or are born into positions of wealth and opportunities to become leaders. After all, who works the hardest - the McDonald's employee working overtime in a constant state of stress and discipline or the CEO who makes deals by attending high society social functions.

Rather than work hard, work smart, and easy by attaining an atonement to nature and the universe by looking at what you would do for free and creatively turning it into a career. One of the only ways of doing this, as well as reaching the pinnacle of success is entrepreneurship, or at least breaking outside the corporate prison where others can decide for you how far you go.

I've known a lot of young women who toil in retail jobs but can get on the phone or Internet and get 100's, even 1000's of people to go to a party. Imagine how valuable a skill that could be in the viral world of Internet marketing, or event planning or arranging parties for corporate charities and events. The only blockade is an old adage that if it's fun it's not work!

Sure, even if you do something you love, your success will require a lot of effort, but it will feel effortless since you will be in tune with nature and the universe. If it feels hard, or like you're toiling, you may be going against nature and the universe and swimming upstream.

Consider the most successful businessman of the twentieth century - Bill Gates. In an interview with Barbara Walters, he was asked why he doesn't just retire and do what he enjoys. He laughed and said I am doing what I enjoy. To the rest of us, he looks as though he is working day and night, devoting his life to work. However, he never worked, he only did what he loved.

It will take a lot of courage, and it will go against everything you were conditioned to believe in government or private school, by your parents and everyone else.

Imagine what your friends would think if you were in college and a billionaire offered you millions of dollars for your idea and flatly said no. What do you think your friends would think. That's exactly what Bill Gates did when Ross Perot made him a multi-million dollar offer. Now, everyone would probably say he said no because he wasn't stupid.

So, do what you have to do let go of imprisoning thoughts - whether it's meditation, hypnosis, or whatever and do what the great explorer Richard Francis Burton once said: "Do what thy manhood bids thee do, from none but self expect applause; He noblest lives and noblest dies who makes and keeps his self-made laws.."

THE DRAINS OF SUCCESS

This boils the mind daily

Tasking the mind to breed

It’s the thought of working, living gaily

The joy dies out each day

As days are wasted for growth

Running for others to become

The worries bother and loathe

We are trying but this success?

O the pains none understands

Waking up early sleeping late

Time rolling for others stand

Hoping and running for our own

This drain of success is killing

For who is praised for this?

No days to rest in the billings

Another day is calling again today!

Salau O John©

WHEN GOD DECIDES

When you are blessed you are blessed

Nothing can stop that here

As the heavens only is pleased

No one can turn it around

Though the time may stand still

And the hours may be spent

Though you are up the hill

When the heavens decide you stand

All things may fail you out

And you cry being no one

Even your days may fail throughout

But when God decides nothing changes

As the morning after the night

And the light after the tunnel

Your fate only God alight

Though in believe God decides

Salau O John©

Becoming a good leader

When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they're supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.

Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. Then maybe leadership just suits you fine.

Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership.

You must also remember that good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavour a person chooses.

First of all, let's define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. He contributes to the organisation and cohesion of a group.

Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organisation. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organisation. You must be a leader not a boss.

First of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?

People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you're headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.

You yourself must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.

Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you're subordinates must be.

Studies have shown that one other bases of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organisation.

Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.

The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.

Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.

Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.

Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.

It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organisation.

Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone.

You should recognise and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realisation will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.

Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.

So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now.

Take your stand and be leader today.

THIS CHOICE BUGS

Sometimes we go through it

Other times we relent in this

Daily our hearts goes to fit

As we make the choice of life

Who knows who understand this?

Whether good or bad tomorrow

Today will speak bad or bliss

As we walk on becoming something

In relationship and life, the choice

What will tomorrow hold for us?

The mind pose that we choose

Though thinking may have died out

In love and business many things

We overlook this and work that

How our lives calls for reigning

These choices will burn maybe tomorrow

Salau O John©

Gaining Self Improvement with Emotions

Not everyone believes this but the emotional and mental aspects of a person, when combined, leads to better self improvement.

Emotions love to dominate our actions and reactions, even though we do not want it to happen sometimes. The society often see emotions as a sign of weakness, so people are used to putting them aside and focusing on the rational aspects more and more.

No matter how strict and logical you may be, you will always feel. One way or another, someone or something will get through you.

Positive emotions are a lifelong goal for many of us concerned about emotional health and self improvement. What is more important; the amount of money you made during your life or the times you laughed out of sheer joy?

People tend to put their positive emotions behind their negative feelings. This is one of the biggest problems that people come across during their lives.

There is no clear way to ignore a negative experience and try to replace it with a positive one. Life just does not work that way.

For example, when you were a child, if your goldfish dies, you would be heartbroken. Your parents will probably buy you another goldfish but the sorrow is still there.

Things get even more complex when you become an adult. A fight with your spouse the night before will affect your entire day. You will go to work angry, tired, and your mind will wander. On the way home from work you will not notice the sun shining and you would not be tempted to stop at a roadside stand to pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables.

All this because that one negative thought has contaminated the way you perceive the reality around you.

In this moment you will realize finding a safe place to relax your mind will do wonders for your emotional and mental improvement.

That place is relatively easy to find. It can be an actual place or an imaginary location. The best idea is to totally lose yourself in it.

Let us say you have a problem on your mind and it just would not go away. Go bowling. Do not know how? Just give it a shot.

Get caught up in the game. Your mind will drift away from the negative thoughts that dominated your last hours or days and start processing a whole new kind of information.

A safe haven can take many forms. It can be a song, a movie, even a person or animal. The main thing is allow yourself to get completely involved with this new activity.

You might still get flashes of the problem every now and then. Ignore it and get even more absorbed in what you are doing.

When the bowling game, the song, or the movie ends you will abruptly return to reality. You will probably want to retreat back to the safe place. Do not do it.

The safe place exists only as a helping hand, not as a solution to your life's problems, may it be a small or big. It serves only as an escape route.

You will return from your safe zone with an increased energy level. You will feel better about yourself and gain more confidence. You will see that any issue can be resolved.

This is how a small escape from a harsh reality can increase your emotional and mental health. Try to do this often and you are on your way to better self improveme.

THIS COMMON LIFE

Daily we go on with different situations

Trying to breathe different facts out

Though seeing so many things, no consolation

Higher or lower we are compelled

Situations differs to all in bliss

Whether sorrowful or joyful we go

The trailing and training of all these

We are humans in our connotations

We go on again breaking rules

Running the race life offers all

Friends or enemies may toil

But we all do get there

O for knowledge to brood all!

The heart lingers over living choices

We are making the calls to ball

Our common life is calling onward

Salau O John©