Growing...!?!

Recently Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.

And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting...'
Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day.....like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:
'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'

'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'

'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'

'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back...'

'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'

'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'

'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back…'

'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn…'

'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

Are you learning...!?!

Conflict...!?!

Fighting with friends is tough all around. We often say things we don't mean and feelings get hurt. Occasionally, no one wants to admit they were wrong and no one wants to apologize; it seems as though the situation is beyond repair. There are many ways to resolve conflicts with friends. Here are some things you can do to start down the road to conflict resolution.

Step 1
Calm down. No one thinks rationally when emotionally worked up. Give yourself time to calm down before even thinking of the subject of the conflict again.

Step 2
Give each other respect. Without first respecting your friend, it is unlikely that the conflict will be resolved amicably.

Step 3
Give each other space. When the conflict has become too heated, walk away.

Step 4
Give each other time. Time to cool off will help all parties involved think things over in a rational manner.

Step 5
Respect each other's space and time. Everybody's different. Your friend may need a week before he is ready to resolve the conflict and you may need only a day. Give him the time he needs.

Step 6
Communicate. Not talking only makes matters worse. Periodically contact your friend to let her know that you still care about her.

Step 7
Listen well. Listen intently and focus on his point of view with an open mind.

Step 8
Choose your words wisely. Avoid accusatory phrases like "you never," "you always" or "why would you."

Step 9
Leave out the "but." When your friend asks if you accept his apology don't say "yes, but..." It's a conditional acceptance and can lead to more hurt feelings. The same goes for "I understand, but.."

Step 10
Let it go. If you can't find common ground, agree to disagree and let it go. Nothing good will come out of the conflict if you don't.

People Management...!?!

Techniques in Handling People



1. Don't criticize, condemn or complain.
2. Give honest and sincere appreciation.
3. Arouse in the other person an eager want.

Six Ways to Make People like You.

1. Smile.
2. Become genuinely interested in other people.
3. Remember that a person's name is the sweetest and most important sound in any language to that person.
4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5. Talk in terms of the other person's interests.
6. Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.

Win people to your way of thinking

1. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
2. Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong."
3. If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
4. Begin in a friendly way.
5. Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately.
6. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
7. Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
8. Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.
9. Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and desires.
10. Appeal to the nobler motives.
11. Dramatize your ideas.
12. Throw down a challenge.

Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. A leader's job often includes changing your people's attitudes and behavior. Some suggestions to accomplish this:

1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
2. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
5. Let the other person save face.
6. Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise."
7. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
8. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
9. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

Happy Friendship Day...!?!

Results...!?!

Dear All,

To calculate your POINTS here is the table of POINTS:

Question 1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6

Question 2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1

Question 3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6

Question 4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1

Question 5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2

Question 6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2

Question 7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4

Question 8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1

Question 9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e ) 1

Question 10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well, know that you aren't.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think t his reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & ; practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest.. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once, someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should 'handle with care'. You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

Now you know exactly what kind of species you are...!

Stay tuned for more Fun and Learn...!

Dr. Phil's test...!?!

Dear All,
I hope you are over those 75 self-examination questions…!
Today I have a simple test for you…
The following is pretty accurate and it only takes a few minutes.
Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.
Answers are for who you are now and not who you would be or were in the past.
Have pen or pencil and paper ready.
This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and in their prospective employees.
It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.

Ready?

Begin.

1. When do you feel your best.
A) in the morning
B) during the afternoon and early evening
C) late at night

2. You usually walk...
A) fairly fast, with long steps
B) fairly fast, with little steps
C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
D) less fast, head down
E) very slowly

3. When talking to people you....
A) stand with your arms folded
B) have your hands clasped
C) have one or both your hands on your hips
D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with...
A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
B) your legs crossed
C) your legs stretched out or straight
D) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
A) big appreciated laugh
B) a laugh, but not a loud one
C) a quiet chuckle
D) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you....
A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted. ..
A) welcome the break
B) feel extremely irritated
C) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colours do you like most......
A) Red or orange
B) black
C) yellow or light blue
D) green
E) dark blue or purple
F) white
G) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...
A) stretched out on your back
B) stretched out face down on your stomach
C) on your side, slightly curled
D) with your head on one arm
E) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...
A) falling
B) fighting or struggling
C) searching for something or somebody
D) flying or floating
E) you usually have dreamless sleep
F) your dreams are always pleasant

Keep your answers ready and we will analyze it tomorrow...
Stay tuned...!

Sel-examination...!?!

Dear All,

This is the final set of 5 questions in this quest of self-examination...!

The sigh is clearly audible...!

Just pull up your socks and get all your answers together and tomorrow we will see a test...!

I don't think I need to comment on your answers, or do I...!?!

71. Do I smile more than I frown?

72. Do I surround myself with good people?

73. Do I take time out for myself?

74. Do I ask enough questions?

75. What other questions do I have?