SURiMOUNT

This blog has become a sort of personal-cum-public diary. As for its contents, some are meant for me and my friends and relatives; others are for the public. This blog will have only positive, ennobling, elevating, encouraging and uplifting thoughts/ideas/materials. Whoever visits should feel happy and should be able to pick up some good ideas/thoughts/links. In short, "NOTHING NEGATIVE" is my motto.(Grateful thanks to Jon Sullivan and Public-Domain-Photos.com for the background photo)

Saturday, May 31, 2008

A Thought for Today :

A purposeful life needs an axis or hinge to which it is firmly fixed and yet around which it can freely revolve. This axis or hinge has been, in my own case, a belief in the value of the human spirit and the virtue of human endeavour and achievement - Sir C.V.Raman

( Grateful thanks to Jon Sullivan and

Public-Domain-Photos.com for the above photo
(www.public-domain-photos.com)

How to Brainstorm

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Brainstorming is one of the more common types of informal invention. It should be used when writers encounter writers' block or when they are not sure what to write about. Brainstorming can also be used to guide writers in a certain direction if they already have a topic or idea that they wish to explore. This exercise helps writers to gather their thoughts and ideas before they begin a paper or other document. The end result of brainstorming should be lists of words that are somehow related in the writer's mind. These lists may be helpful in the preliminary writing process. Here are some guidelines for this type of invention:

Steps

Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes.
Write a topic word or a thought that you would like to explore, such as education or government at the top of your paper, and then continue writing words or phrases in list form down the page until your time has run out.
Never stop writing. Even if you have to write down an idea that's completely stupid and wouldn't work, it's better than stopping. Your pen should never stop.
Assume that no word that you write is self-explanatory, so continue to focus on one topic word until you feel like you cannot describe it in any further detail, or in other words, a deeper look at an individual or minute part of a larger whole.
If you get stuck, look back at your lists to see if any terms need more explanation.
This is also an uncensored practice, so no corrections are allowed during the brainstorming process.
When you are finished brainstorming, re-organize your terms into lists that make sense for your paper topic.
If you have enough to start your paper or document, then begin working on your rough draft. If you do not have enough ideas, try another informal invention technique such as freewriting or mapping.
Grab a dictionary, and find random words, either with your eyes closed as you stab a page, or the first interesting word that grabs your attention when flicking through. write them down, then write down the first couple of things that come to your mind for each word.and go from there.

Warnings

Brainstorming is not guaranteed to break the toughest writers' block, but it should give you an idea of where you are going with your writing process.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Brainstorm. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Nature sets the Example by Swami Budhananda

This may easily escape our notice but the fact remains that to provide for the food – the cereals, green vegetables and fruits, milk – that we eat and drink, for sustaining and nourishing our bodies, the whole cosmic process is at work. We seldom think that the mango or the apple that we eat and admire as delicious, in its growth and ripening process, there is so much work done by the good earth and the sun in the sky. But neither the sun nor the earth clamour for recognition of their service to man. Quietly they have been working on for time out of mind. The whole universe, factually speaking, stands at the back of every individual to make his life in this world possible. Have we or have we not anything to learn from the cosmic process? If we stop a little to think, we shall find that there is a profound lesson for every one of us to learn.

Take India, for instance. Here we have a vast land guarded in the north by the eternal snow-peaks of the Himalayas; the feet of the country are washed by three oceans. There are vast forests, mighty rivers, fertile soil, rich natural resources, an ancient people whose ancestry and civilization are counted in millenniums. And yet we are a new nation governed by a modern constitution guaranteeing basic human rights. We are now more than one billion strong. But it would appear that all these that could be counted as endowments and sources of pride, solace and strength, and a feeling of a self-assurance, often enough turn out to be so many problems to be faced. True, these one billion people can turn out to be many times more problems when we do not know how to put these endowments to good account. So, we must learn how not to make problems of our assets.

The first point to remember is the glory of man. That was one thing that Swami Vivekananda, time and again, taught us: ‘Never forget the glory of man’, and this ‘man’ is ‘you’ and also all your ‘neighbours’. When we live all for ourselves, think too much of ourselves, and think that the whole universe is accountable to us and we are not accountable to the universe, we are at the wrong end.

Therefore, two things must go hand in hand. They are:

(1) Awareness of the great potential of every human being; and that

(2) We have to grow towards attainment of self-fulfillment, not by each of us singly, but together.

We must also believe that all these one billion people can be looked after well. Our sorrows and sufferings can be minimized and there can be ever so much more happiness for all, of all, if only we own all of us as our own.

The important point to remember is that to help manifest everyone’s great potential is the business of every advanced civilization. Our ancient teachers taught us to set in motion within oneself a self-chastening process to go together with a keen ‘other-regarding’ process. In other words, self-development and the development of everybody else should go on simultaneously. It is not enough if we have a vast land, rich natural resources, mighty rivers, highly talented people and other endowments. What is important is to learn the art and science of turning all these things to good account, in the service of man. To learn to do this and to teach to do this are the business of enlightened citizenship which is of supreme importance for every nation in this world, particularly, India. As the Buddha says, that which is most needed is a loving heart.

Courtesy: Enlightened Citizenship, Published by Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi

Grateful thanks to the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi

Friday, May 30, 2008

How to Find Meaning in Life

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Why am I Here? What is the meaning of life? What should I do with my life? Is my dog getting enough cheese? These are questions that everyone asks themselves at one time or another, but the answers are often fleeting or misguided. Here is a brief introduction to the meaning of Life.

Steps

Find out how inquisitive and trusting you are. Many people find religious belief systems more than adequate to fill their lives with meaning. Being a "True Believer", however, will only result in giving up your identity for the identity of the collective. Conflicts and mid-life crisis inevitably arise when the adopted concept of self conflicts with the true self. If you are inquisitive and trusting of your own intelligence, the first step is to find your true self. Self revelation is not for the squeamish. Take the time to let go of societal and personal preconceptions, letting your identity emerge without construct.
Let go of language. The universe was here before Humans and certainly before language, and requires no pedantic explanation. Words are not things or actions. They are vibrations of the air molecules or squiggles on a page. Mistaking words for reality is the mistake that puts politicians in office and sells all of the products, religions, and systems of government on the planet. Saying "Tree" is no more a tree than saying "I love you" means that someone loves you. To perceive reality as it is, one must accept that words are a vehicle for the transference of our perception of reality, not reality itself.
To bring meaning to your life, you must be able to perceive it without language. The fraility of language will undermine your search.
Seek without purpose. The universe will unfold and become clear when you seek knowledge without prejudice. Knowledge is not a destination, but a journey. Human knowledge is also imperfect. But don't despair, we know enough to come to firm conclusions. A 'fact' can only mean 'confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent.' I suppose that apples might start to rise tomorrow, but the possibility does not merit equal time in physics classrooms. Work with what you can know, not what you can imagine.
Know that the universe is under no obligation to conform to your expectations. It is what it is whether or not you exist.
Know that your life in civilization is a construct, not a law of nature. Our lives and the way we live them are human constructs of what we think is the best way to live. It is littered with over 6000 years of myth, superstition, and dogma. Don't confuse the truth with the things you do to survive. Society doesn't, and very often won't make sense.
Understanding yourself, the universe, and your place in society, it will be easy to find meaning because you will determine what is meaningful. You will be able to separate the noise of language and society from the true sound of yourself. Define for yourself what brings meaning to your existence. Your meaning will be different from everyone else. You will know your life is meaningful because you will not fear death, getting old,or the various travails all of us encounter. Your destiny, your reason for being here will be apparent every waking hour. Contentment and bliss will follow.

Tips

Meditation is a great exercise for seeing things clearly as long as you don't get caught up in the technique. Many people think they're meditating when all they're doing is performing a ritual.
Watch what you put in your mind. Television, mass media, and modern music are detrimental to process of discovery.
Initially, question everything. This will sharpen your intellectual and observational skills as well as irritating everyone closest to you.
You will know your meaning of life is substantial when you can defend it to others. Open dialogue about the meaning of life is a valuable shortcut to the process.

Warnings

Most people are comfortable with their world-view, and uncomfortable trying to justify it. Don't force your new meaning of life on others. It will only serve to place barriers between you and those around you. But don't be afraid to explain your meaning of life to others.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Find Meaning in Life. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Simplify Your Life

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

We all would like our lives to run more smoother and less complication in our lives. However, " life is like a roller coaster," it has its ups and downs. And although life will never be hassle free, we can go over some tips that will help simplify it.

Steps

Avoid all debt. Don’t buy anything on credit.
Keep one credit card and $1,000+ in a savings account for emergencies (car repairs, medical emergency etc.).
Don't have kids or dependent spouses
Rent, don't buy. If you rent, you can pack up and leave with little incident. Get a smaller pad so you won’t accumulate more possessions.
Stop smoking and avoid alcohol and other "hard" drugs
Learn to record things on a calendar that has a large enough space to write in. It helps to aid in the guess work on what you did on certain days. We all back track sometimes. Plus people are all the time asking what you did on certain days. And you'll know for you wrote it down.
Find ways to make meals less of a hassle. Meals should be enjoyed and not dreaded to prepare.
Buy clothes you can mix match.This cuts down on cost and it's fun to play with fashion.
Have several pairs of basic pants, such as black and beige ones. Blue jean capris work well too. Add a cute or handsome top and you'll look sharp, without a lot of thought on what to wear.
Learn to hold on to receipts for at least six months to a year, meaning receipts that may be of importance. Anything that is under warranty, simply put the receipt with the instruction booklet etc. and hang on to it.
Come up with a budget that will help manage your money, regardless of the amount that you may have. Rich people overspend everyday. And average people sometimes try to fly too high, which can make you become a poor person real fast.
Save your shoe boxes it is a great place to store Utility bills and phone bills. You can simply slide it under the bed.
Ask your physician or doctor for a copy of a written report on all medical test. And keep them in a file or folder. It is really important to get a copy of your blood work. Therefore, you'll know how well that you are doing from year to year.
Keep a check on your health. It's recommended that you have a blood pressure monitor at home. You can tell a lot about your general health by your BP readings and heart rate.
Try to find a physician that listens to their patients. For you are aware of how that you're feeling.
Don't be easily led, follow your thoughts on things. If you feel that there is a problem there probably is.
Don't try to please others to the point that you are neglecting yourself. For life is so short. And some people will keep taking, without giving anything in return.
Don't try to be what others want you to be, just be yourself.
On a final note: be sure to read message that is posted on discussion page.

Tips

Always hang on to dreams. They are nice and some dreams do come true.
Dream your dream....then live it!!

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Simplify Your Life. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Be Optimistic

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

While being skeptical can be a healthy way to avoid getting taken advantage of, being pessimistic - that is, always assuming the worst - can have major negative consequences on your life. Seeing only the negative aspects of any situation can cause you to miss opportunities, neglect problems that need to be solved, and fail to take action that would otherwise improve your relationships and quality of life. Optimists, who are so much more at peace with the world, train themselves to look for the light at the end the tunnel. If you've always had a pessimistic worldview, it can be difficult to shift your focus, but it is possible to start seeing the glass as half full. Not half empty.

Steps

Let go of the assumption that the world is against you, or that you were born with a gray cloud over your head. It is an assumption that has no basis in reason or science. To believe that the universe or a spiritual entity has singled you out and shifted the world order just to make your life miserable is both self-centered and illogical. Be humble and stop pretending you've got the world all figured out. Sometimes bad experiences lead to good experiences, and you can't predict the future, so you can't assume it'll always be bad.
Look for the source of your pessimism. Deep-rooted negativity can often be traced to childhood experiences, when growing minds observe their circumstances and make presumptions about how the world functions. If all you saw growing up were disappointments, betrayals and failure, it's no surprise that now it's what you expect from the world as an adult. Sometimes we pick up a flair for pessimism from a parent who made negative assumptions about the world somewhere along the line. Either way, the sooner you can attribute your pessimism to a unique set of circumstances rather than the state of the world itself, the easier it'll be to change your perspective.
Understand that the past does not equal the future. Just because you've experienced pain or disappointment in the past does not guarantee that it's all you'll experience in the future. There were many things in your past that you couldn't control, and everybody comes across unfortunate circumstances at some point in their lives - you're no exception. But there are also many things in life we can control to one degree or another, and therein lies the possibility of change. A day or week that starts badly will not necessarily end badly. Do not make a bad start turn into a self fulfilling prophecy for a bad ending.
See yourself as a cause, not an effect. You don't have to be a product or a victim of your circumstances. Stop thinking about what is happening to you and start thinking about what you can make happen. If you're not happy with the way your life is now, set goals and move on. Use your past negative experiences to build character and make better decisions, instead of letting pessimism turn you into someone who avoids risk at all costs. Sometimes it is necessary to take risks to receive rewards. Moreover, taking no action is taking an action. It is better to play to win rather than merely to avoid losing.
Accept pain, failure and disappointment as a part of life, not the entirety of it. Life involves taking many risks every day, and not all of them will end positively. That's what defines risk. But the flip side is that some actions will lead to good results, and it's generally better to have a mixed bag than to have nothing at all. Ideally, the good stuff will outweigh the bad, but you'll never reach that point unless you put yourself out there and hope for the best. When in doubt, remember Lord Alfred Tennyson's words of wisdom:I hold it true, whate'er befall;I feel it, when I sorrow most;'Tis better to have loved and lostThan never to have loved at all.
Be thankful. Everyone has something to be grateful for. Make a list of the good things that have happened to you. If nothing instantly springs to mind, you aren't trying hard enough. The key to being an optimist is recognizing the benefits and possibilities of any situation, and understanding that it could always be worse. If all else fails, think of how life could be worse, and flip the thought process to recognize what you do have. For example: "I'm flunking out of school" can turn into "Well, at least I have a chance to go to school, and I still have time to turn my grades around." Get a notebook and a pen, and write down all the good things that you have. Every time you are feeling negative, read through them and remind yourself that it's not all bad.
Use positive affirmations. Write down short statements that remind you of what you're trying to change about the way you see the world. Put them in places where you'll see them every day, such as on your bathroom mirror, the inside of your locker, on your computer monitor, and even taped to your shower wall. Some affirmations to start with are:
- "Anything is possible."
- "I create my circumstances, my circumstances don't create me."
- "The only thing I can control is my attitude towards life."
- "I always have a choice."
- "Look at the little things in life that are good and it will make your life a WHOLE lot better"
Remember that life is short. When you feel pessimism clouding your judgment or you start to feel down about the future, remind yourself that every minute counts, and any time spent brooding guarantees nothing but less time to enjoy whatever life might have to offer. At its core, pessimism is impractical because it causes you to spend time dwelling on things that haven't happened yet and aren't guaranteed to happen, and it prevents you from getting things done. Pessimism breeds indecision. It's a waste of time, and time is a limited resource that you can't afford to take for granted.
Be a balanced optimist. Nobody's suggesting that you become an oblivious Pollyanna, pretending that nothing bad can or ever will happen. Doing so can lead to poor decisions and invites people to take advantage of you. Instead, be a rational optimist who takes the good with the bad, in hopes of the good ultimately outweighing the bad, and with the understanding that being pessimistic about everything accomplishes nothing. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best - the former makes you sensible, and the latter makes you an optimist.
Keep a List of Motivational and Inspiring Quotes. There are so many brilliant and well-spoken quotes, lyrics, sayings, anecdotes and hyperbole present generally throughout history along with the same that specifically target your personal tastes. You have a certain song that you feel speaks to you? Search for the lyrics and check it out more in depth, perhaps you can pick out a couple great lines, write them down. Maybe during a particularly tough day someone mentions some saying that gives you a rare boost of motivation, write it down. For example some 'fortune cookie' ones:
- Even the longest journey begins with a single step
- Life has a way of reminding one that it can be worse
- Until one understands the low and darker side of life, the appreciation of the awe-inspiring highs will remain stagnant

Tips

Look happy. Studies have shown that putting a positive expression on your face can actually make you feel happier and more optimistic about the future.[1]
Practice by conveying these ideas to others. If you hear someone being pessimistic, counsel them based on these steps. Sometimes it's easier to understand a perspective if you explain it to someone else first.
Always make the effort to try and find something good in every bad situation. It may be relatively minor in the scope of things, but there is always something positive to be found. It may seem silly at first, but as it becomes a habit, you will see that your attitude begins to change.
Make a list of the things you want, imagine yourself already having them, and use the subconscious mind to put your optimism to work.
Actually the world doesn't look down on you; your mind plays tricks so you think it does. Never let anything look worse than it is. It always has a way of getting better. Smile and don't let little things bother you..

Warnings

Avoid negative people. If you can't avoid them, learn how to not let them get you down.
Don't let your negative feelings control you.
Don't confuse pessimism with depression. Depression can make everything look worse than it is.
You can only change you. You can't change other people.
While it is true that you create your own circumstances, accept that the past is the past. Don't let negative circumstances trigger irrational guilt.
The past is the past. It's over. It's done. Let it go.
Realize that it's not about what happens to you, it's about how you react to what happens.
These steps are important because you can't always rely on other people to make you happy. After all, you won't be with other people forever, you'll be with yourself forever.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

↑ Feeling and Facial Efference: Implications of the Vascular Theory of Emotion. Psychological Review, 96(3), 395-416.

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be Optimistic. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Accomplish a Goal

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

We all have dreams. Whether they are big or small, they have a huge importance on our lives. But we need a plan to get there.

Steps

Set a realistic goal. Take a big dream, like "I want to be famous", and break it down into smaller, more manageable steps, like "I want to star in a science fiction movie", "I want to go to three auditions a week", "I want to move to another city" and "I want to save $5000 so I can move."
Plan ahead. Once you've broken down your goal into pieces, write down the steps on a piece of paper to make sure you have everything thought out. One of the worst things that can happen is your almost to the point of your goal, but you're not sure what to do next. Also, give yourself deadlines for each step. Otherwise, you'll end up procrastinating and never achieving your dream.
Brainstorm ideas. Are there different ways to reach your goal? Write everything down that you can think of in three minutes, no matter how silly or impossible it may seem. For example, you could go to acting school, or maybe you could land a spot in a reality show that would get you started.
Define and describe your goal. Write down when you want to achieve it. Write down the reasons why you want it. Write down what it would feel like after you have achieved it. Figure out exactly what it will take to get it. Be realistic about the time things will take. Many people don't allow themselves enough time, and give up too soon.
Be positive. Your goal should be written and have positive intent about what you want to bring into your life. This is very important, since the focus of your goal should not be centered around describing a problem you want to eliminate.
Contingency planing Never forget about the problems that might come up on the way and prepare for them. Positive thinking is important but preparedness is better than being shocked or devastated when obstacles appear.
Learn from mistakes. Making mistakes should be a subject at school to teach all our children how to learn from them, instead of trying to avoid them. In the pursuit of a goal you are likely to make some mistakes. Don't see them as bad or get angry. They are important to correct you and to lead you to success.
Draw on all your past achievements that are relevant to your goal. No matter how small you perceive your achievements, list them anyway. It could be something small such as joining a healthy eating mailing list, to coming home from work late, yet preparing a tasty nutritious meal for your family in under 30 minutes. Once you review your list, you will be amazed at how all those small achievements soon add up, and how much you are really capable of.
Visualize. Close your eyes and imagine yourself accomplishing your goals. Where are you? How did you get there? How do you feel? Do this often. Don’t get swayed easily with the noise and happenings going on outside. Put your attention on what you are trying to achieve. Remember the goal and you will have control over the discomforts and difficulties.
Listen to your internal dialogue. What you are saying inside affects you physically, emotionally and mentally. Is your defense system inside trying to make you stick to your past, limiting beliefs and perceptions? Take over and challenge your inner critics. Monitor any excuses you might be making in relation to your goal. For example, saying 'I don't finish work until late and won't have time to cook!' You must recognise that if you are truly passionate about your goal, it is up to you to make time.
Make a list of your personal strengths in relation to your goal. For instance, if you have a healthy eating goal you might want to consider strengths such as your level of commitment to eating healthily, or the fact that you enjoy cooking and experimenting with new recipes or even that you are an excellent cook. The list of personal strengths you can draw up is endless.
Seek help. Find the information, skills and knowledge that you need from other people, books, and audio or video programs. Speed up your learning process by emulating what other successful people have done. You save time and get results faster.
Create benchmarks or milestones. A benchmark is something you can use to measure your progress and know you're on track. For example, you can write "The first stage of reaching my goal will be done when I'm in the Entertainment section of the newspaper!" or "I'll know I've reached my goal of being famous when I'm a guest on Oprah."
Make a timeline. Draw a horizontal timeline with a dot at each end. The left end represents now, and the right end represents a point in the future. Specify what you want to happen and when, from now until then.
Be passionate. Striving towards a goal without passion is like a fire which slowly runs out of fuel to burn. Get excited, this will mean that you will love what you are doing. Methodically check your behaviors against impassioned dreams developed as a child. Always share the child within amongst your potential peers. This empowers the Law of Attraction that shapes the dreams of the child into the creative force of the adult.
Revisit, evaluate, and if you need to, adjust your goals. Keep a written record of your goals in a place where you'll remember to read them every day. They'll change and adjust over time as your life does, so keep them up-to-date.
Consider new opportunities and options that come your way. Sometimes things have a way of unintentionally leading you exactly where you want to go.
Start working towards your goals today. Ask yourself, "What can I do today to get one step, however small, closer to achieving my goals?"
Persevere. Now that you've got the momentum going, don't let it stop! Some steps may seem less exciting than others, but make sure to stick to your plan until the end!

Tips

Don't forget the words of Lao-Tzu: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Be true to yourself. Your goal won't be nearly as sweet if you achieve it by doing things you're not proud of.
Make sure your goal is SMART:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-related

Warnings

Things don't always work out as you had planned. Stick to your goals, but be flexible.
Don't share your goals with people who might tear you down. But, conversely; find someone close to you or a coach who will play the devil's advocate role - as learning to challenge yourself in new ways can help you to improve and get closer to your goals.
Do not be tempted to squeeze a square peg into a round hole. If something doesn't fit or it doesn't feel right, try a different approach.
Please remember that every coin has two sides. Do not be rigid in accepting or rejecting any advice. Goals such as freedom struggle are not necessarily Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time related. But nevertheless they created history.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Accomplish a Goal. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Be a Better Person

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Life can be difficult. People are always looking for an influence, someone to look up to, someone to emulate. You can set the example, be the person that people want to be like. You can help change the world by changing yourself.

Steps

Make friends. If there is someone that works or lives near you that seems devoid of a friend, reach out and help them. It is incredible the difference one person can make if they become another's friend.
Read. Read all of the time and about everything. People admire smart peers, and being well-educated means that you will be able to stick up for what you believe in by using fact.
Live life to the fullest. Try out for that school sport. Volunteer at the soup kitchen. Write that journal. Fill your life to the brim with rewarding activities and enjoy the blessings that come of them.
Boost your intelligence. The ability to perform mental tasks with ease in invaluable; taking simple steps in your daily life will help you to cultivate your brain power.
Finish college. If you haven't gone yet, make a plan to do so. There are so many opportunities that you are missing out on if you refrain from getting a formal education. Job opportunities will be opened up, you will gain respect from colleagues, along with the bonus asset that you become more intelligent. It is never to late to go to school.
Help others. If your best friend is in need of a lift, take him with you on your way to work. If your son is having trouble with his homework, try to take time to help him. When you help others, it not only makes you feel good, but you gain others' trust, which is invaluable to have. Helping out can also be a learning experience.
Spend time with your family. It is truly a learning experience to all of you. Spending quality time away from the T.V. can help you delve into the minds and hearts of your loved ones, allowing you to help them with any problems they may be experiencing and getting to genuinely know them. Studies have shown that children that eat dinner as a family are less likely to do drugs, alcohol, or be depressed. Just fifteen minutes a day with family can deeply help everyone involved.
Think before you speak - a good listener tends to be a good person, and trust from others will follow.
Stay active. Being healthy and fit allows you to perform more tasks with ease and precision. Just thirty minutes of activity a day can help you lead a healthier, longer, more fruitful life. So what are you waiting for?

Tips

Remember, never lose sight of who you really are or what your goals in life are.
While it is great to help others, be sure to leave some time for yourself.
Your family is very important. Always make time for them.

Feed your spiritual need. There is a need to be part of a group and have them care about what you have to offer to the group. Feeding your spiritual health is just as important as feeding your body.

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be a Better Person. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Be More Positive

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

An editor has suggested that this article be merged with: "How to SpecialBe Positive" Per the merge policy, if these topics are determined to be similar but distinct, then the articles will remain separate. Please comment on the discussion page. Notice added on 2008-01-29.
Do you battle cynicism, sarcasm and negativity on a daily basis? Are you ready to change your life from top to bottom? Well, it starts with a positive attitude! If you think positive, the rest will fall into place.

Steps

First of all, admit that you have a problem. You can't change if you don't admit your faults.
This is a VERY important step: Surround yourself with positive people! Our lives are shaped by the company we keep.
AVOID negative influences. Even if it's a family member or close friend, do not tolerate their bad behavior. Steer clear from it so that it will not rub off on you!
This is difficult, but you may want to consider letting go of any friend whose behavior is holding you back from achieving your goal. It could simply be time to make new friends.
Replace negative thoughts with something positive. If you're thinking something that isn't pleasant, think the opposite. If you do this long enough, it will make a huge difference.
Find an optimistic quote or saying and keep it in your wallet or pocket at all times for a quick reference.
Have goals. Goals give you a more positive outlook on life. Those who are bored with their lives and feel stuck usually feel depressed.
Listen to positive music. It's a great way to remain positive.
Smile at strangers.
Remember that no matter how bad you believe things are, there is still someone who is worse off than you.
Fake it! If you don't feel positive, fake it anyway. Try this long enough and you may just start to feel positive anyway. (It really works.)
Volunteer or help others. Helping others leads to a happier outlook on your own life.
If you are spiritual, read uplifting bible verses, pray and develop a closer walk with God. With God, all things are possible. Good luck!

Tips

Print these instructions and keep them with you for reference.
Don't give up! Bad habits don't change without much perseverence.
Hang around positive people and you will be like them. Hang around negativity and guess what...

Warnings

There will always be someone who hates your positive outlook. Don't let it bother you. You should simply overlook these people and let them wallow in their unhappiness. They will not change until they are ready.

Things You'll Need

Perseverence
Optimism
Passion and purpose
A willingness to change

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be More Positive. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Keep Yourself Happy

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Do you feel unhappy about certain things in your life? Are things going badly, and do you want to change it to the positive? Well, you just came to the right article, here you can read what to do.

Steps

Find things that make you happy.
- Surround yourself with the right activities and the right friends that bring opportunities for happiness into your life.
- Many people always think of the worse but never the better view of any situation.
- Negative people and their negative thoughts will only bring un-fulfillment into your life.
- Toss their way of life aside as you would a bad piece of candy, and enmesh yourself with people who have the way to enjoy life and living and will share happiness with others.
Don't let things down.
- If you or a loved one has a setback either in a job or in a personal situation, look for the positive in that situation instead of moaning about the negative effects.
- If your lose your job, then think about the prospect of finding a better job that pays more, has shorter working hours and can lead to a better more enjoyable daily life.
- With every negative, there is always a positive, and thinking about that will set you on the path in which you can make progress toward happiness.
Be positive in thoughts and actions by sharing with others.
- Instead of looking at a glass as half empty, look at it and see that it is half full.
- When you feel down then help others who need help by volunteering.
- Serve at a food kitchen and see what it means to not even have food to eat.
- Help build a house for those that have no home.
- Teach English to some who do not know the language, so that they can get a better job.
- There are so many ways to to help others, so find ways to benefit others: at the same time you will feel the joy inside of you by doing this for the betterment of others.
Make short term goals in all facets of your life.
- Instead of making huge goals for yourself make them shorter and easier to accomplish.
- For instance, if you want to lose weight, do not look at a huge amount of weight you may need to lose. Set your goal for losing only 10 lbs.
  - This you can accomplish more easily, but it's much more difficult to lose 50 lbs at once.
  - Keep setting the goal for only another 10 lbs -- until one day you will see the 50 lbs weight are lost.
  - Remember every 10 lbs is one clothing size less and look forward to buying new clothes after that weight loss...
Think of your possibilities for achievements in education or training that are within reach instead of far down the road.
- Find what kind of course of study you can take to begin to make progress toward your goals.
- You now must realize that each improvement in your education is progress; so do not park on a side-track, but keep moving onward along the main track.
Find the motivation for your life in your emotional and spiritual life.
- Your conscious life is but a result of your overall efforts toward helping others and leading a positive life.
- Your subconscious life will line up with your conscious, positive thoughts and achievements as you feed you mind with the necessary ingredients for cooking-up a cornucopia of joy and thanksgiving.
- Find new life in your spirit as you find other positive people serving God with a positive mind and an enlightened spirit.
If you do that, you will be happier as you make progress. These goals can be actually achieved. Keep that thought in mind and you will succeed.

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Keep Yourself Happy. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This article is a stub. You can help by expanding and clarifying it. Notice added on 2006-05-31.
The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius once said, "our lives are what our thoughts make it."

Steps

Realize that only a few things are in our power to control.
What power do you have over your death? Or whether or not someone likes you? Or being laid off from work? Answer: little to none
Can you stop the sun from rising or the wind from blowing? No. So why worry about things you cannot control. Learn to accept them. Accept them. What you can control is your reaction to events.
With your worrying all the time, you're never having the fun that you want, or anything that you want to accomplish in life .
"Your life is what your thoughts make it."
Be sure that anyone that you always admired, faced, in the beginning of their life, what you are facing now. So relax and accept yourself as it is and develop it.
Always remember that we are human and no one is perfect under any circumstances however, everything can be changed and improved as well.
Remember that you are in control of your life. You have the power to change. Don't be afraid of change, embrace it and become comfortable with yourself and your surroundings so you don't have to worry about things.
Do what you like to do, that will calm you down. If you are worried about something,that will take your mind off it.

Tips

Just try and relax
Try and give other people to go and do something, for they probably are thinking the exact same thing, and its only fair if you share it share it equally.
Try reading the Tao Te Ching or other spiritual literature. The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle is also a good read.
Don't worry; Be happy.

Warnings

This advice is for common worrying. If you think this is chronic you may need to see a doctor. Depression, anxiety, and your health could cause worry.

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How to Be Yourself

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar WildeIt's quite possibly the most commonly used phrase in the history of advice: Be yourself. But it's such a vague adage. What do they really mean when they tell you to be yourself? And is it really as easy as it sounds?

Steps

Find yourself. You can't be yourself if you don't know, understand, and accept yourself first.
Stop caring about how people perceive you. The fact is, it really doesn't matter. It's impossible to be yourself when you're caught up in wondering "Do they think I'm funny? Does she think I'm fat? Do they think I'm stupid?" To be yourself, you've got to let go of these concerns and just let your behavior flow, with only your consideration of others as a filter—not their consideration of you.
Be honest and open. What have you got to hide? You're an imperfect, growing, learning human being. If you feel ashamed or insecure about any aspect of yourself—and you feel you have to hide those parts of you, whether physically or emotionally—then you have to come to terms with that and learn to convert your so-called flaws into individualistic quirks.
Relax. Stop worrying about the worst that could happen, especially in social situations. So what if you fall flat on your face? Or get spinach stuck in your teeth? Learn to laugh at yourself both when it happens and afterwards. Turn it into a funny story that you can share with others. It lets them know that you're not perfect and makes you feel more at ease, too.
Develop and express your individuality. Whether it's your sense of style, or even your manner of speaking, if your preferred way of doing something strays from the mainstream, then be proud of it.
Have a Productive Day. Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and that some days, you're the statue. People might raise eyebrows and even make fun, but as long as you can shrug and say "Hey, that's just me" and leave it at that, people will ultimately respect you for it, and you'll respect yourself.
Believe in who you are. If you're always working to be someone you're not, you'll never be a happy person. Be yourself and show the world you're proud the way you are! Yea and don't forget that being yourself and honesty is the best policy! :-)

Tips

There's a difference between being yourself and being rude. You might have your opinions, dreams, and preferences, but so does everybody else. You don't have to disrespect people who disagree with you in order to be yourself; they're not you.
If fads or trends strike your fancy, don't avoid them! Being yourself is all about reflecting who you are inside in what you do, and what you like is what you like, no matter how trendy it is (or not trendy, for that matter)!
As the famous song goes, "Life's not worth a damn until you can say, I am what I am" - when you can sincerely say it, you will know that you can be yourself.
If you don't agree on what people express as an opinion you don't need to argue their point or be rude about it, and don't just act like you agree either because then you would acting falsely.
Even if you are interested in something that most people aren't interested in don't be afraid or hide it, stand up and show your true inner self. People will know how confident you are.
Don't worry about anything but being yourself and living life to the fullest!
These tips can be internalized and appreciated by learning to give maximum priority to 1. What you like maximally 2. What satisfies you for maximum time and 3. What can be shared with maximum people. This process goes on simultaneously with your blossoming which also goes on continuously [Cf: Namasmaran: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar]!

Warnings

Just because you don't care about how people perceive you doesn't mean you shouldn't be aware of it, especially in situations where being yourself might be misinterpreted. For example, you might enjoy being friendly and flirtatious, but in some cultures, that might be perceived as a sexual invitation, and you could get yourself in trouble.
Don't lose yourself when you're with other friends. Be yourself. Don't be someone else so other people will like you because, in the end, you end up hurting other people and losing yourself.
Keep in mind that 'being yourself' is not always the right thing to do. Would you tell a despicable person to just be himself and not change a thing? No. Most of the time when people in general perceive you a certain way, it means you don't fit in to your society. Whether you WANT to fit in or not is up to you, but you are only setting yourself up for trouble when you neglect society's ways. (That is, unless you decide to live in a cave for the rest of your life.)
That said, obviously nobody is perfect. However, if you are outrageously flawed (for example, have a short temper) then you should look into some self-improvement rather than ignoring everyone's cues and 'being yourself.' Don't deny yourself of the truth by saying it's everyone else's problem and not yours.

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How to Find Your Passion

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Everyone has something they are good or great at.
Some people don't know what their niche is yet,but finding what you are passionate about isn't as hard as it may seem, and once you find it, it's one of the best feelings in the world.

Steps

Grab a pen and a piece of paper. Prepare to make a list.
Ask yourself some simple questions, like:
- What are my goals?
- If I could do one thing for the rest of my life, what would it be?
- What do I love to do?
- What would I do, even if I didn't get paid to do it?
Dig deep within yourself, think about what you love to do with your spare time, and whether it's something you could do full time.
Combine your talents. Maybe you have more than one talent, like doing tricks on a BMX, and you love to write. Could you see yourself writing books on BMX riding and tricks, or true stories about how those riders started out doing what they love?

Tips

Take as long as you need to, your ideas may not come to mind right away, but in no time, you will find that you already are passionate about something, you just need to trust your instincts. If it feels right, give it a shot.

Warnings

Don't just dive into an instinct full force. Everything takes patience, careful planning, and a lot of dedication.
Something you do as a hobby can quickly become a grind if you decide to try to make a living at it. If it turns out that doing it full time makes you love it less, consider returning to your previous duties. Take a vacation from your "passion" activity for awhile, then try it again to see if you can rediscover your love for it.

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How to Make People Love You

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Do you want to be one of those happy, popular people who everyone seems to love? Now you can!

Steps

Change your attiude..If you want to be loved, love everyone! Be nice, gentle and friendly toward everyone, even if they are not nice back. No one can ever find fault with you if you are the kindest person ever.
Do the basics, like shower everyday, wash and condition your hair every other day, wear deodorant, brush your teeth 2-3 times a day, use mouthwash if you have bad breath, and look after your skin.
Speak up! People admire those with opinions more than those who never have their say and let everyone else rule their lives.
Smile, and look approachable
Don't ignore people or talk about them behind their backs.
Be helpful! Lend people things, help them with homework or chores, offer to help with their shopping... be there and be willing to help.
Have time to listen. The greatest thing you can have for everyone is time! Listen to peoples problems, and do your best to give solid, good advice.

Tips

Smile
Don't shout at people, or say they are stupid if they don't understand something straight away.
Be patient with everyone.
Treat everyone as you would like to be treated.
Try to be funny. People ALWAYS love someone that can make them laugh. If you need help with this see How to be Funny However, know when NOT to be funny, like when a person needs consolation. In that case, offer advice.

Warnings

Don't be a pushover. Even though you are being nice, friendly and gentle, do not let people walk all over you.
Some people just don't love everyone. Don't let it get you down if some people still hate you. There are many more good friends out there.
Don't be a seeker. If you accept, love and respect yourself uncnditionally appropriate people not all would love you and make you happier person.

Related wikiHows

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How to Love Life

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Life is short, and we all need to step back and realize how great it really can be. This guide will hopefully help you to love your life and everything about it.

Steps

Be optimistic. Think of life in the best way possible, look at the glass as half full, and find the better side of every situation. You would be amazed at how much more there is to life than the negative.
Live every moment to the fullest. Don't waste a single second being sad, bored, or lonely. Get out there and dance, and sing as if no one was around. You never know how much longer you have to do so.
Be selfless. Give more than you receive, and share with others. Do less for yourself, and more for the people around you. Also when you do the right thing you get a fantastic feeling inside.
Laugh often. This is possibly the most important point in this how-to guide. Laughter is the number one most important thing in life. Laugh much, and smile often.
Live in the present. Forget about the past, as there is nothing you can do about it. Don't worry about the future, as what is to come is to come, and if you forget to live in the moment, you would be surprised at how quickly time can slip.
Be yourself. Be outgoing, and live up to your own standards, not anyone else's. Who cares what others think about you? Who cares if you can't sing, can't dance, or if your clothes don't match. Do what you want to do, and be who you want to be.
Be kind to everyone. Kindness is the key to unlocking your own happiness and joy. If others notice your kindness, they will gratefully return it. Make as many close friends as you can, and help them when they are down, as you never know when you will need them to catch you.
Stand there. Sometimes just standing somewhere quiet or peaceful and get thinking about what you have achieved, what you are about to achieve, or what you want to achieve, and sometimes just sometimes it will hit you... a feeling of utmost respect for life.
Do what you enjoy If you have always wanted to learn something, or feel like improving on something you already do, go for it! Don't let anyone stop you from doing what you love, and if you feel comfortable doing it then don't hold back. If you do your going to regret it.

Tips

Be yourself, be yourself, be yourself. It is extremely important. Don't try to be someone your not because eventually people will see you for who you are and won't like you anymore plus why hang out with people who don't like you for who you are
Love yourself!

Warnings

Don't let others put you down. When someone else feels the need to say something negative to you, its their problem not yours, just keep on livin'.
Don't dwell on self-pity.
The only one who is going to take care of you is you.

Things You'll Need

Positive attitude

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Love Life. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

How to Get Inspired to Write

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Need that inspiration to write? Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing again.

Steps

Never wait for an idea to strike you. This is usually a waste of time. Instead, try some fun writing exercises which keep your brain working, thinking, making connections, and so on.
Listen to people talk. In other words, eavesdrop. Listening in on a conversation you know nothing about can give you a great idea. You can make up ideas about what happened before, and what is going to happen.
Play Spark the Image. This is an easy game. To play, start off with any word or object of your choosing. Envision your object, and try to think of the first thing that pops into your head that associates with your object. Do the same for the next word/object that you think of. For example, you might run through the following: yellow -> duck -> goose -> Mother Goose -> rhymes -> poetry -> Edgar Alan Poe -> Alan, your cousin -> your other cousin -> your family -> family dinner -> childhood, and so on. Use this as a quick warm-up.
Freewrite! Pick a subject and keep writing about it for two minutes. Write as fast as you can and do not stop for anything, even punctuation, grammar, spelling, etc. Review your work as you're bound to find something! Even if you don't pick a subject first and start out with how boring your day was, you'll get yourself warmed up and writing, and you might just let your mind wander to something that turns out useful.
Make a "What if..." list. Give yourself a scenario of about ten different problems that you might run into. Try to write up to three pages, focusing on adding at least two of these situations into the piece.
Return to saved things! Read the story that you wrote in first grade about the time you lost your mitten. Read all the writings you saved. When you go back to it, you might find something inspiring.
Have an open-minded spirit! When you have an idea, try to stick with it. If it turns out it's worthless, as least you tried.
Play the "Name Their Story" game. This is also easy to do. Observe a stranger somewhere, such as at the mall or in a bus station and tell (imagine) his or her story using whatever clues you choose. It might be based on clothing, general demeanor, hair color, or the types books of the person is carrying under his or her arms. Whatever the outcome, it can spark some surprising observations and get your writing flowing. You can do this with an object, too. Find an item that attracts your attention and imagine where it might have been.
Think of issues that you feel are important. These are easier to write about because you will probably know more about them than other things.
Get outside. Go to the nearest park, and bring your notebook and pencil. Eavesdrop on others and observe persons' actions. Take notes. When you get home, write about what you say, using your notes.
Think of something you are passionate about.

Tips

Most stories start with a good character - make a couple and put them together into the same story.
Work on dialog, an area that most writers struggle with. It can often help your writing become much more realistic.
Keep a voice recorder handy. Record your thoughts in the most possible words to best describe the tone or color of the idea. Later, listen to and revise your flow of your words to best express this tone/color, so that a third person would be able to comprehend it easily.
Carry around a small pocket notebook to jot down ideas, characters, opening sentences, or anything at all that makes you think, "Hey, that's pretty cool!"
To be a writer, you must be a reader first. Love reading!
People watch! Go to an area that you're fond of (airport, mall, or just in school or work) and watch the people around you. Don't make judgments, but attempt to look into their past. This is very useful for character development.
Keep a notebook or a few index cards handy. Your mind may be better at creativity and free associating when you're doing something else, like walking somewhere. Be ready to grab those ideas as they wander past.
You can use your cellphone to make tiny notes, observations etc about people, places and objects if you are unable to carry a notebook with you.

Warnings

Never plagiarize another person's writing. This can lead to legal issues and will also destroy your reputation as a writer of any caliber.
Typing and/or writing can lead to Repetitive Stress Injuries [RSIs] or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [CTS].
Too much writing can cause damage to fingers. Write in moderation.

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How to Get All Kinds of Free Things on the Internet

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

You'll be able to find anything and everything from useful things like free soap, free subscriptions, free deodorant, and free hotel stays to things as farfetched as free land in the USA.

Steps

Search, search and search...and you won't be disappointed! Google, Yahoo and the other search engines will become your best friends in your quest for Freebies..
Find general free offers at sites such as The Free Site, and About.com, which lists links to many freebie sites featuring books, phone services, and kids' stuff...and at Totally Free Stuff, which features freebies, samples and free stuff recommended by website visitors.
Find targeted free items from your list. Start with the most farfetched; Free Land at http://www.ownapieceofamerica.com, then free soapsuds at http://www.thefreesite.com and even free magazine subscriptions at http://www.favoritefreebies.com/free_magazines.htm
Talk to others. So many people search for free things on the Internet that they're busy most of the time telling everyone else about their finds via Forums. Try http://www.heyitsfree.net/forums/
Look up Open Source software. Almost all of that is free.

Tips

IMPORTANT! Make a list and check it twice to make sure the "free" offers are really Free and not certain type of "affiliate offers" that require you to complete forms and even require you to supply a credit card number to pay partial costs or handling charges if you want to receive your "free" item.

Things You'll Need

A Web browser, I recommend Firefox
A Frugal Mind
A Lot of Free Time

Related wikiHows

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How to Give a Great Impromptu Speech

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Oratorical Contests and certain classes will often ask for impromptu speeches to be made. With this guide, even those with the most absolute stage-fright will succeed.

Steps

Get used to talking in front of other people. The truth is that even the most calm of speakers still shake when they get up there. Sitcom-Stars still get nervous on live episodes.
Remember your audience. Always make eye-contact with them. Not only will this help the audience not fall asleep, but it will also make you more confident. If your eyes fall upon that one teenage boy who's goofing off and totally not listening, ignore him.
Try and get the audience involved. If you've ever had to listen to someone who mumbles through the whole thing, doesn't look up, and is just plain boring, you know how horrible that is. Try and get your audience pumped up.
Try and twist your topic. If you get a topic about something that you can't relate to, try and morph it into something that's only vaguely related, but still related enough to make sense.
Incorporate Humor. Everyone loves to laugh!
If you're facing a more serious impromptu speech, you have to be confident about yourself. Chest out, back straight, eyes ahead. It will give you an air of significance and make you a little intimidating, as well.

Tips

Be passionate about whatever your topic is. You have to embrace what you're talking about with arms wide open.
Take advantage of an eager audience. Remember, once you have the audience, you have the judges/teachers.
Try to read lots of books on a wide variety of topics, that way you'll have loads of examples to incorporate into speeches

Warnings

Make sure there's nothing about your appearance that could possibly embarrass you. Have a trusted friend (or better yet, a mirror) tell you if you have anything stuck in your braces/teeth. Make sure there's no toilet paper on your shoe, etc.
Be careful to not say something offensive. Not only can it harm you standings in competition, it can also make you look like a bad person.

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How to Entertain Kids

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

More than ten ways to entertain your child or others' for $10 or less.

Steps

Tell a story. Read a favorite book or make up a story together.
Tell a joke. Learn a simple magic trick.
Sing a song together.
Blow bubbles. Mix two quarts of warm water with 1/4 C. Dawn or Joy dish washing liquid and 1 Tbsp. Glycerin and then use funnels, canning jar rings and anything else you can find for bubble blowers. Turn the backyard into a bubble festival.
Visit a neighborhood park, the library, a pet store, a Japanese garden, a berry patch or a children’s museum. Take along a picnic.
Keep a collection of interesting rocks, dried flowers, pennies or a jar of worms. Put six worms in a jar half-filled with soil. Cover the soil with some old leaves. Keep the jar in a cool place and wrap with dark paper to keep the light out. Unwrap the paper to peer at the worms. Keep the dirt moist by sprinkling with a few water drops every few days.
Grow. Plant fast growing scarlet runner beans seeds. Grow a sweet potato vine. Put the narrow end of a sweet potato in a glass of water and wait three weeks. Keep the water clean, change as needed. Once the potato sprouts move it to a sunny window.
Build a play house of cardboard boxes, a fort made of card tables and blankets or sheets or a ramp for toy cars with an ironing board.
Explore. Take a walk on the lookout for bugs, flowers or anything that catches your eye. Lift rocks. Peer into puddles. Take along a magnifying glass, eyedropper, small plastic spoons, ice cube tray, tweezers, flashlight and jars with lids.
Camp. Pitch a tent in the backyard and sleep outside. Look up at the stars. Gaze at the moon. Imagine. Tell stories. Giggle.
Play with water in wading pools, washtubs or sinks. Paint with water on the sidewalk, patio, fence or house. Make mud pies or sandcastles. Mix half a box of cornstarch with a cup of water to make a fun cornstarch goo. Use funnels, spoons, cups, scoops, buckets and bottles.
Make finger jello, frozen bananas, frozen orange slices or easy “ice cream” sandwiches. Combine plain or vanilla yogurt with peanut butter to a good consistency for spreading. Mix well, spread between two graham cracker squares. Store in containers and freeze.
Give a child an hour of your time for free time fun. They’ll keep you busy. And love you for it!

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

www.best-kids-activities.com
Family Life Education Department at Edmonds Community College
http://www.gocitykids.com/ -a city guide for parents
Educators' Top 100 Children's Books
Jokes, sing-alongs and games for kids -from the National Institutes of Health

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Entertain Kids. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.