What Diet Soda does to Your Body? - HOW COMPANIES ARE FOOLING YOU!!

What Diet Soda does to Your Body? - HOW COMPANIES ARE FOOLING YOU!!

More evidence that diet soda contributes to weight gain, not weight loss

A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that people who drank diet soda gained almost triple the abdominal fat over nine years as those who didn’t drink diet soda. The study analyzed data from 749 people.

People who didn’t drink diet soda gained about 0.8 inches. around their waists over the study period, but people who drank diet soda daily gained 3.2 inches. Those who fell in the middle — occasional drinkers of diet soda — gained about 1.8 in.

The belly is a bad place for extra kilos - it increases chances of heart disorders and Type 2 diabetes by many times.

These results, which the study authors call “striking,” add to the growing body of evidence that no- and low-calorie sweeteners may come with health concerns.
Sugar-free sodas contain substances that sweeten up soda at 200-600 times the sweetness of sugar.

The reason to this gain has been said to be - “Your body is used to knowing that a sweet taste means you are ingesting energy in the form of calories that, if you don’t burn them off, is going to convert to fat,”. Artificial sweeteners, however, confuse our bodies and weaken the link in our brains between sweetness and calories. That can lead to weight gain and cravings for sweeter and sweeter treats.

A recent study in mice showed that artificial sweeteners actually changed the gut bacteria of mice in ways that made them vulnerable to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance — both of which can lead to weight gain. And other mice research suggests that artificial sweeteners are associated with a drop in the appetite-regulating hormone leptin, Hazuda says. Leptin is the hormone that inhibits hunger.

 THIS ARTICLE IS FROM TIME MAGAZINE. IT SHOW-CASES HOW COMPANIES ARE FOOLING YOU THROUGH THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS.
BE CAREFUL.

YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR CHOICE!!

Rocky - Stallone

This is one of the SADDEST stories ever told in Hollywood. His name is Sylvestar Stallone. One of the BIGGEST and Most famous American Movie superstars. Back in the day, Stallone was a
struggling actor in every definition. At some point, he got so broke that he stole his wife's jewellery and sold it. Things got so bad that he even ended up homeless. Yes, he slept at the New York bus station for 3 days. Unable to pay rent or afford food. His lowest point came when he tried to sell his dog at the liquor store to any
stranger. He didn't have money to feed the dog anymore. He sold it at $25 only. He says he walked away crying.
Two weeks later,he saw a boxing match between Mohammed Ali and Chuck Wepner and that match gave him the inspiration to write the script for the famous movie,ROCKY. He wrote the script for 20 hours! He tried to sell it and got an offer for $125,000 for the script. But he had just ONE REQUEST. He wanted to STAR in
the movie. He wanted to be the MAIN ACTOR. Rocky himself. But the studio said NO. They wanted a REAL STAR.
They said he "Looked funny and talked funny". He left with his script. A few weeks later,the studio offered him $250,000 for the script. He refused. They even offered $350,000. He still refused. They wanted his movie. But NOT him. He said NO. He had to be
IN THAT MOVIE.
After a while,the studio agreed,gave him $35,000 for the script and let him star in it! The rest is history! The movie won Best Picture, Best Directing and Best Film Editing at the prestigious
Oscar Awards. He was even nominated for BEST ACTOR! The Movie ROCKY was even inducted into the American National Film Registry as one of the greatest movies ever!
And do You know the first thing he bought with the $35,000? THE DOG HE SOLD. Yes,Stallone LOVED HIS DOG SO MUCH that he stood at the liquor store for 3 days waiting for the man he sold
his dog to. And on the 3rd day,he saw the man coming with the dog. Stallone explained why he sold the dog and begged for the dog back. The man refused. Stallone offered him $100. The
man refused. He offered him $500. And the guy refused. Yes,he refused even $1000. And,Believe it or Not,Stallone had to pay $15,000 for the same,same dog he sold at $25 only! And he
finally got his dog back!
And today,the same Stallone who slept in the streets and sold his dog JUST BECAUSE he couldn't even feed it anymore,is one of the GREATEST Movie Stars who ever walked the Earth!
Being broke is BAD. Really BAD. Have You ever had a dream? A wonderful dream? But You are too broke to implement it? Too tiny to do it? Too small to accomplish it? Damn! I've been there too many times!
Life is tough. Opportunities will pass you by,just because you are a
NOBODY. People will want your products but NOT YOU. Its a tough
world. If you ain't already famous, or rich or "connected", You will find it rough.
Doors will be shut on You. People will steal your glory and crash your hopes. You will push and push. And yet NOTHING WILL HAPPEN.
And then your hopes will be crashed. You will be broke. Damn broke. You will do odd jobs for survival. You will be unable to feed yourself. And Yes, you may end up sleeping in the streets.
It happens. Yes, it does.
BUT NEVER LET THEM CRUSH THAT DREAM. Whatever happens to
You, Keep Dreaming. Even when they crush your hopes, Keep Dreaming. Even when they turn you away, Keep Dreaming.
Even when they shut you down, Keep Dreaming.
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF EXCEPT YOURSELF! People will judge You by HOW you look. And by WHAT You have.
But please, Fight on! Fight for Your place in history. Fight for your glory. NEVER EVER GIVE UP!
Even if it means selling all your clothes and sleeping with the dogs, ITS OKAY! But AS LONG AS YOU ARE STILL ALIVE, Your STORY IS NOT OVER. TRUST ME.
Keep Up the Fight. Keep your dreams and hope alive. Go great .

Want to battle Negativity ?

5 ways to Battle Negativity

1. Love yourself -

 Loving yourself means you don't let yourself be pushed around just to please others. Learn to say "NO" when it matters.

2. Need others -
  Trusting others is the difficult specially when you have been cheated once. Still you cannot manage all stress by yourself, you do need others. Be brave enough to ask for help.

3. Its not always about winning -
  The worst strategy to manage stress, is to take any situation as an ego battle and keep fighting till you win or you are destroyed. Sometimes you have to learn to give up and move ahead.

4. You are responsible for your reaction -
 Stress can lead to 100 different physical problems. From high BP, hair loss to obesity. You are too be blamed for it. They happened because at some moment you needed to detach from the stress.

5. The way out -
There is always a way out. It might not be as per your ego, but there is a way out. Take that way. That's what differentiates winners from losers.

Anger !

Medical Facts about Anger :

I. Disappointment is often the most common cause for anger.
    Upto 85% of the time, a person might be expressing his disappointment through anger.

II. The most common causes for "preventable" anger are -

a. hunger
b. lack of sleep
c. incomplete orgasm
d. physical pain
e. craving for smoking, alcohol or food.

III. The most common causes for "psychological" anger are -

a. stress
b. mental conditioning due to social environment
c. clinical depression/anxiety
d. personality disorder
e. inferiority complex

IV. Common ways to "manage" anger -

a.  Have proper sleep
b.  practice to eating food at regular intervals
c.  have medical examination and treatment for a good physical health
d. have medical and psychiatric treatment for a good mental health
e. coping mechanisms - yoga, counselling, exercise, cooking, support group, etc.

How is your Selfishness Satisfied?

Everyone is selfish that a truth..
Still many people land up visiting me with problems of depression, stress or fear even if their selfish desires came true.

The reason - selfishness compromises of 6 psychological parameters -

1. Time Limit - Your mind has a "mental clock", if your desires ain't fulfilled in this time frame, the mind starts detaching from the same.

The more restless you are the shorter your time limit.

2. Favorably Unique - Your selfishness should be satisfied in a way its better than everyone elses.

3. Reaction - your selfishness should trigger a reaction in others.

4. You and only You - Your selfishness should only benefit you and those you want. Not anyone else.

5. Accepted - Everyone should accept your selfishness and suppress their own. They should keep giving you love, care and kindness.

6. Unquestionable - Nobody should question you about your selfishness. Accepting that you have been selfish is difficult. It can trigger emotions from embarrassment to anger. So like to hide it under "greater ideals"

When all these 6 are satisfied, selfishness gives extreme pleasure and fulfillment.
 Else it can give rise depression, fear and anger.

Why is the strength of the mind hurt?

Once Confident, Now Lost it?

There are so many people who once were very confident!! But today, they are confused, scared and restless.

Why is the strength of the mind hurt?
The most common reasons are -
a. Sadness thats present for more than 2 weeks.
b. Constant criticism at work or home.
c. feeling alone after - losing a partner, lover or dear friend.
d. lack of appreciation from family or at work.
e. uncontrolled anger
f. development of inferiority complex - due to constant comparison with others.
g. fear of what people will say or comment on your action?
h. financial difficulties
i. suspiciousness about others and their intentions.
j. lack of pleasant relationships.
k. Stress cycle - mind involved in uncontrolled over-thinking and imagination.
l. Repeated failure in work, relationships or sexual life.

Treatment -
a. attention to self
b. consulting a counselor or psychiatrist to help bring emotions under control.
c. re-training the mind to focus on the confidence.
d. removal of guilt or sadness for failing on your confidence levels.
e. enjoying, appreciating and loving confidence development in self.

Is your Mind affecting your Body?

Hinduism and Buddhism have several mentions of how ancient doctors understood of the "connect" between the Mind and Body.
Modern Medicine uses the term Somatization to define the physical symptoms experienced due to psychological stress.

The most common physical symptoms due to stress are -
1. chest pain,
2. acidity and constipation,
3. headache,
4. excess weight gain or weight loss
5. shortness of breath,
6. lack of sleep,
7. abdominal pain,
8. decreased immunity - frequently falling ill.
9. impotence,
10. cough.

Many people keep taking treatment for these symptoms for years, but the problems don't resolve till one doesn't calm down the mind.

Hence the Most essential Mantra is that a healthy mind leads to a healthy body.

For a health of you should -
a. vent out negative emotions
b. develop a proactive approach to life.
c. feed yourself with positivity and love
d. regular meditation and exercise
e. good and controlled diet and sleep regime.
and if everything fails -
f. consult a psychiatrist/counselor whenever required so.

Summer Holidays - What to Do?

The Summer Holidays are here, and I've received a few emails inquiring about the best "mind courses" or "mind exercises" for children during this time.

Here are some tips I have for both Parents and Children.

Parents

1. Relax - its a tough academic year ahead, for next 1 month just relax.
2. Do something you like - break your normal routine
3. Take up a small hobby.
4. Let go of your extended family/friends for sometime. This is the best period to Spend maximum time with your children.
5. Don't over think about the past, present or future.
6. Best time to rejuvenate physically and emotionally.

Children

1. Let them Relax - Don't burden them with tuition and activities.
2. Teach them the importance of Time Management and Self Management.
3. Emotional well-being - by helping them vent out their negative emotions.
4. Don't let them indulge into video-games or TV.
5. Let them go out and play with their friends.
If they don't have friends, admit them to activity clubs were they can make friends.

6. Invest in their health - make sure they sleep well, eat well and get enough physical activity.
7. Fight obesity - children are over-weight these days. Summer holidays put them on strict diet plans and exercise schedules.
Make them understand the importance of being physically fit.

8. Psychological Well-being - if the child is weak in studies or has a very shy/fearful personality consult professional counselor/psychiatrist at the start
of the holidays. make use of this time to help the child, get back his confidence and concentration levels.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Corporate Managing!

Corporate Sector is one place where people love to pass the responsibility.. The great majority are extremely restless and confused lot. Taking a small decision means exchanging hundreds of emails.
Even after all this "process" oriented approach.. There are a handful of people who speak and work to the point, the rest make use of "useless English jargon", to mask their restlessness, high anger/irritation due to ego, jealous and inability to make quick decisions.

Here are some examples, of "funny and sarcastic" but true phrases used by "Managers" all over Corporate world -

1. Out of the box thinking
Meaning: I don't care about your idea, I just want to show how bossy i can be.. so Try again!!

2. Leverage
Meaning: You need to be more selfish and manipulative... Rob, steal or borrow but get the work done.

3. I'll Revert back
Meaning: I just want to avoid You and your ideas... You can keep waiting!!

4. ASAP
Meaning: My seniors are asking me why isn't work done.. So I have passed the blame on you.. Now Deal with it.!!

5. Please do the needful
Meaning: I’ve no idea what/how/when to do, but you do it anyway. And ASAP.

6. Lets Touch base soon
Meaning: I have nothing too offer and I just trying to avoid you.

7. Pro-active
Meaning: You are going to get a lot of extra work, good news you’re not getting paid for it!!

8. I’m low on resources
Meaning: I am having a panic attack thinking I might have too take responsibility! Time to get some new faces and put all the blame on them.

9. Bring to the table
Meaning: We both need to get the best of each other, but I will do it by undermining your efforts because I am the Boss!!

10. Keep me in the loop
Meaning: I am scared and insecure personality. Include me in every single email chain and conversation, because I want to feel in control of the situation.

11. Core competencies
Meaning: I just want to prove that you’re good at nothing. Hence, this spine-breaking jargon that means nothing. I will keep throwing such words till you don't consider me god!!

12. Give 110%
Meaning: Prepare yourself boy, i want you too work 26hrs a day.. and still will curse you.

13. Win-win
Meaning: I will take everything.. you can keep wondering what happened!!

14. What’s the ballpark number
Meaning: We are just clueless on what we are doing here.. Lets just start with a random number to see how much we can fool ourselves.

15. Let’s take this offline
Meaning: Polite way of saying - I don't want to hear what your ideas!!

16. I don’t have the bandwidth
Meaning: I am dumb!!... I am in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing.. but I will put all that blame on you.. why? because I'm the boss remember!!

17. SWAT analysis
Meaning: I’ve no idea what’s happening, so let me do my mumbo-jumbo.

18. Better visibility
Meaning: I am insecure about your rise!! I feel you can threaten my job.. I want a detailed analysis of every move you make in office. I want to even know, when you are going to pee!! .. so tomorrow I can manipulate that information to create a negative report about you!!

19. Open door policy
Meaning: I will only have time for you when I want some gossip.. and whatever you tell me.. will be excellent fodder to manipulate you and your colleagues for my own benefit!!

20. Value-add
Meaning: I want to fire you, not because you are bad at your work.. but because I want to feel like the BOSS!!

This is a sarcastic take on the stupidity that goes around in the corporate world.
This is just the TIP OF THE ICE BERG.. with hundred more of such jargon doing the rounds..Sad enough they are true!! and even more worrisome its causing a lot harmful STRESS to people!!

GET CLARITY OF MIND.. ELSE STRESS WILL KEEP HAUNTING YOU!!

Kindness - A rare virtue we easily forget.

A Taxi Driver wrote -

I arrived at the address and made a call to the passenger. 
'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood at the entry of the building. by her side was a small suitcase, which she dragged with lot of difficulty.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly.

She kept thanking me for my kindness.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to an old-age home.

As we drove furthers, she said - 'I don't have any family left... my sons have moved away, my husband is not more.. ' she paused and continued '.. and The doctor says I don't have very long.'

(I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.)

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me.

Two nurses came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said.

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

 We are so busy satisfying a never content mind.. that we forget time doesn't wait for anyone.
Love your elders,
Respect your parents,
Be Kind... you never know what can leave a deep impression on your life!!

How to Handle A angry Person?

1. Stay calm. Any angry person can cause a chemical reaction in you that could make the situation worse.

2. Assess the reason why the person is angry at you.
Try to put yourself in their shoes.

Don't be afraid to admit if you were unfair and accept your mistake.

3. Accept the fact that this person is angry with you, whether it's true or not - let them vent, stand back, don't get in their way.

Show them you actually listen to what they say.

This may already be part of the solution.

4. Time heals. Hurt feelings can make people unable to reason well.

5. Break the loop. Angry people can often repeat themselves when they aren't thinking rationally or think you don't get what they mean. Find a way to stop the repetition by telling them you understand.

6. Give up - if the person is still angry with you even though you have tried everything to calm them down.. Then its time to give up and move ahead.

Sometimes the best thing to do is move away.

"Do you know the TRUE meaning of My Choice?"

A Choice involves a responsibility. If you say its "my choice", it also means you accept the responsibilities that come along. Do YOU?

Do You accept the responsibility of being completely selfish?

Do You accept that your love is completely conditional. Its a trade, its given to get something in return?

Do You accept that whatever failures your choices will bring you, you'll accept them without blaming yourself, others, god or life.?

Do you accept The responsibility that you will take control of your life.. But only your own life..Not of anyone else.. letting everyone one else (your partner, friends, children) to be completely FREE.?

Do you accept The responsibility that you will openly accept the negative or positive feedback you'll get about your actions.. and you'll not be affected by the opinions?

Do you accept The responsibility that you will do everything to fulfill your own desires, not of anyone else.?

Do you accept The responsibility that you'll stop using terms like "giving, sacrificing or loving unconditionally" about yourself... because if it "your choice" to serve others, then you have chosen to give them the power to affect you and hurt you... and if its "your choice" to serve your own desires, than you don't care about others at all.

6 ways to make sure - First Impression is the greatest impression!!!

1. Smile! : it attracts positive response :)

2. Be mentally trustworthy - A lot of people approach a new situation with a lotof skepticism. This shows in their verbal and body language.

3. Be interested in the other person. - Everyone has a great story to tell.. are you ready to listen?

4. Be polite and firm : don't over do any thing

5. Keep the cell-phone away - People who are always checking their cellphone give away a negative impression.

6. Be a student - Everyone can teach you something, are you ready to learn?

That's life!! Enjoy yours...

Found this one, really meaningful:

Sometimes you are
unsatisfied with your life,
while many people in 
this world are dreaming
of living your life..

A child on a farm sees
a plane fly overhead &
dreams of flying. But,
A pilot on the plane sees
the farmhouse & dreams
of returning home.
That's life!! Enjoy yours...

If wealth is the secret to
happiness, then the rich
should be dancing on the
streets. But only poor kids
do that.

If power ensures security,
then officials should walk
unguarded. But those who
live simply, sleep soundly.

If beauty and fame bring
ideal relationships, then
celebrities should have
the best marriages.

Live simply, Walk humbly,
and love genuinely..!
All good will come back
to you...!!
..............

Remember these tips when you meet your Ex.

Tips to Remember when you meet your Ex.

Well ! Relationships are fragile. Even the best can come to an end.

Failed Relationships leave a major psychological scar on us .
While coming out of a relationship is tough, one of the major issues is meeting your Ex-partner again.

Few tips you should keep in mind -

1. Keep Calm - Your mind will be restless on seeing him/her. Take a second, Calm down.
2. Remind yourself Your mind might suddenly be filled with memories or emotions. - 
    Its Ok. Its not the end of the world. Be Calm.
3.  Move away from the situation as fast as you can. - Its ok too feel sad after it. Give yourself a pat on the back for                 handling the situation well.
4. Don't cry or plead them to come back.
5. Don't tell them everything going in your life.
6. Don't act as if you are too happy. Don't flaunt your "happiness".
7. Don't try and manipulate the situation to spend most time with him/her.
8. Don't be affected by their behavior.
9. Be confident, casual and friendly.
10.Don't show your hurt.

- 

It is not the burdens of life that bring us down !

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?

The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm.

While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward the supreme energy centres.

The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow our supreme power to lift us above them.

This energy enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in lives. We can soar above the storm.

To remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

Everyone are UNIQUE in their THINKING, in their CREATIVITY, WILLINGNESS to DO things. IDENTIFY your own strengths, and know you are hidden potential.

Do not let your weakness hamper your TRUE SELF.

The 12 Golden Advice don't ignore!!

1. Competing with others doesn't define you. Discover your own-self.

2. Heart-breaks heal with time, you just need to allow yourself to move ahead.

3. Learn to say No.. Stand up against those pressurizing you.

4. Spend time with your parents, they won't be around forever.

5. Invest money, rather than splurging it.

6. Learn to take Decisions, its the greatest power you can develop.

7. Best friends, brothers or sisters don't stick to you forever. Everyone moves on with their life. Don't live in past glory, move on with yours.

8. Don't try to follow the crowd. A leader is someone who has perfected the art to stand out.

9. It's worth waiting for the right person. He/she will walk into your life one day and it'll be exactly like you always wanted it to be. Till then, it is okay to wait.

10. Don't hesitate to question.

11. Stop being lazy.. exercise, socialize, read and travel!!

12. Don't be in a hurry to grow up! - you cannot come back!!

- Dr.Hemant Mittal (MBBS,DPM)

how to Be Popular and Get Noticed?

Personality Development - How to Be Popular and Get Noticed?

Remember -

Only you and your mind can stop you from becoming Popular.

Only you and your mind can stop you from not getting noticed.

Here are 10 ways to Become Popular

1. Give Respect and Demand Respect - most people give respect and "expect" respect in return.

2. Believe in yourself - Feel and Talk in your own way.

3. Don’t be too eager to help, until or unless asked for.

4. Whenever possible, take decisions - a wrong decision is better than indecision.

5. Meet people - the more people you meet, the more you understand how to impress people.

6. Leave aside the "my people" mentality- Till your loyalties are for just a small group of people, you cannot interact with other.

7. Help others - but when helping them remember -
a. Do something that contributes to their needs and lives
b. Make sure they know what you did for them.

8. Advertise yourself - you don't need to be super intelligent or at great positions for others to notice you. You need to present your life as if its the worlds greatest and happiest.

9. Be confronted - Invite criticism. - the more people want to criticize you, the more they will remember you.

10. Stand up for your belief - be polite but don't bend to others pressure.

written by -
Dr.Hemant Mittal 

None of us truly wins, until we all win!!

There was a farmer who grew excellent quality corn. Every year he won the award for the best grown corn.
One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors. “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked.

“Why sir,” said the farmer, “Didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”

So is with our lives... Those who want to live meaningfully and well must help enrich the lives of others, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all...

-Call it power of collectivity...
-Call it a principle of success...
-Call it a law of life.
The fact is, none of us truly wins, until we all win!!

What we learned

They're written by Andy Rooney, a man who had the gift of saying so much with so few words. .........Enjoy.........

I've learned ...That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned .... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned .... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned .... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned .... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned .... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned .... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned .... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned .... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned .... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned .... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned .... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned .... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned .... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned .... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned .... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned .... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned .... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned .... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned .... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile..

I've learned .... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned ... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned .... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned .... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned .... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned .... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned ..... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned ..... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned .... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned .... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.