Are You Over Scheduled?
Stephen Borkowski
You don't have time to read this. You should be squeezing in 20 minutes of study time before you punch in at your part-time job. And after your shift ends you'll have to hustle if you want to make it to practice on time.
Sound familiar? Then you ought to make time to read this.
Some stress is a natural part of life, but maxing out your schedule to the point where you're constantly stressed out can have real dangers. Overtaxed students may find themselves abusing drugs or alcohol, engaging in risky behavior, making poor ethical choices and coping with depression.
"There are a comfortable number of balls that even the most skilled juggler can juggle, and beyond that it becomes impossible and the balls start tumbling down," says Carleton Kendrick, a family therapist and author of, Take Out Your Nose Ring, Honey, We're Going to Grandma's: Hanging In, Holding On and Letting Go of Your Teen. He discussed some warning signs that might help students recognize when they've got too much on their calendar.
Signs you're over scheduled
Sleeplessness. You have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up. Rest is critical to your health. Falling asleep during class might only hurt your grade, but nodding off at the wheel of your car is dangerous. "You cannot continue to take out of the sleep bank, and not be punished by it, mentally as well as physically," Kendrick says.
Nothing gets done. You add three items to your to-do list for every two you cross off. Over-scheduled students have a difficult time maintaining priorities. And if they are able to get things done, often they're not done well.
Low self esteem. "Since you're not accomplishing what you're attempting to accomplish, there's a drop off in self-esteem," Kendrick says. You enroll in less challenging classes to guarantee a good grade, or look for the path of least resistance in another facet of your life.
Forgetfulness. "It can range from vital, important things, like when to turn in a paper, to the mundane, like when to feed your pet," Kendrick says. "You're out of synch and out of rhythm." As a result, your grades and schoolwork suffer.
Sport injuries. Stress can affect your ability to focus on the field, which can result in injuries. If your performance is dropping in sports you've excelled in for years, it could be a sign of stress.
Personality and attitude changes. Kendrick says that for stressed out students "there's not as much excitement or joy about school or extracurricular activities." You feel like you've lost your sense of humor, lost your patience or find yourself complaining more often. This can hurt your relationships with friends and family.
Physical health. Stress can manifest itself physically in the form of a nervous tick. Stuttering or stammering while you try to express yourself can be a sign that you're mentally clogged by everything you're taking on. You may experience migraine headaches and become ill more often.
You're overwhelmed. You've lost perspective and aren't sure why you're involved in half the activities you're committed to. You feel like you're not in control of your life. You feel trapped. If this is true, it's appropriate to reassess what you're involved in.
If you are stressed out, turn to your parents, siblings or friends for support. Scale back your activities and choose to get involved in the things you love. Focus on pursuing one or two things you're passionate about, rather than getting involved in half a dozen clubs you were told look good on a college application.
Kendrick says, "You have to take a look at the number of hours in the day and say, what really is possible for me to handle, and have a life. And a life where I can kick back for awhile and play a video game or catch a movie and just veg out."
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
PURPLE HATS
In honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. Here is an "angel" sent to watch over you.
Pass this on to five women that you want watched over.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day be! cause my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything! just because it was practical, wouldn't show so il, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's" More "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it.. . live it and never give it back.
STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us. Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with , and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally. I hope you have a blessed day.
If you don't mind, send this on to all the women you are grateful to have as friends. .. pass it on to phenomenal women today in celebration of Beautiful Women's Month.
In honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. Here is an "angel" sent to watch over you.
Pass this on to five women that you want watched over.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day be! cause my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything! just because it was practical, wouldn't show so il, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's" More "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it.. . live it and never give it back.
STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us. Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with , and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally. I hope you have a blessed day.
If you don't mind, send this on to all the women you are grateful to have as friends. .. pass it on to phenomenal women today in celebration of Beautiful Women's Month.
Monday, August 28, 2006
The birth last night.
I stayed awake all night last night, busying myself with my new baby. The birth sure took that much from me, but who am I to complain? I spent a good part of the night scribbling and scribbling, just to get the right writes.
And finally! The birth of new baby! A new collection of poetry for tweenies and teens. Watchout for more on this.
The best is yet to come!!!
YA GOTTA LET GOby Steve Goodier
Miguel de Cervantes, author of DON QUIXOTE, wisely said, "Love not what you are, but what you may become." The problem is ... we may not be crazy about what we are, what we do or even where we're going, but thinking of making that big change is overwhelming. Or scary!
If you are longing for something different, but you are a bit wary of the next step, then consider this:Life is like a performer on a trapeze. She swings back and forth. And then she encounters another trapeze bar. It is swinging toward her and it is empty. Now she has a decision to make. She may continue to hang onto her present bar, or let go and grasp the new one. But she can't do both!
She can't hang onto the old and grasp the new with her other hand. She HAS to decide which she wants!If she chooses to let go of the past and grasp the future, she finds herself suspended for a moment in mid-air. She has lost her security and has yet to safely grasp the new bar. It is a risk!
But a risk worth taking, for the new bar will travel to new places and her lifewill move forward.You know what I'm talking about. You have let go of an old job in order to take a new one. You may have to let go of an old relationship before fitting a new one into your life. You have to let go of other priorities on your time or money before grasping than new opportunity you may want.
As Pumba (THE LION KING) says, "Ya gotta put your behind in your past." Then you're ready for whatever comes next!
__________Steve Goodier's books & newsletter:
http://lifesupportsystem.com/
Friday, August 25, 2006
International Youth Day Celebration 2006 in Abuja, Nigeria
The city of Abuja on the 12th of August witnessed the second day of the international youth day celebration as sixty seven (67) youths from all over Abuja and neighboring states gathered at the British Council Abuja to talk, learn, share, network and take action.
The event which was themed “Tackling Poverty Together” had in attendance great contributors like Dr. Abdulkareem Lawal, from DFID, who besides giving the keynote address on the first day, also actively participated in the group session on HIV, Education and poverty, John Richard, the Country director of British Council who gave the welcome address on the first day, briefing audience about British Council and their role in supporting Global Xchange programme.
Mrs. Esther Avbuere, the director of youth, Ministry of women affairs also gave a goodwill message. In Her speech, she noted that the present administration remains deeply committed to ensuring that all our youths, particularly the disadvantaged youths are properly integrated into National Development programmes and given a realistic and purposeful hope of a meaningful adult life. To fulfill this objective, however, its hoped and expected that government action would be increasingly backed and supported by Non Governmental Youth organizations which have a key role to play in the development of our youth”
Other great contributors and adult facilitators who brought their valuable knowledge to the event includes Dr. Olajide Ademola, reproductive health adviser, UNFPA, who gave an educative lecture and passionate advice on how young people can take action, with emphasis on importance of personal development and time management. In “Youth and Adult Partnership in tackling poverty” group session, Jasper Oei from UNICEF during his feedback emphasized on the need for youth not to limit youth and adult partnership to just young people being at the receiving end, but resourceful youths should learn to take out time to share their knowledge with adults around them. Mr. Uza T., from Partners for development trained the youths on financial management and entrepreneurship. Gbenga Adebusuyi from WIRE Africa also educated participants on youth empowerment with ICT.
The Global Xchange country management team, Mr. Kayode Akintola and Mrs. Ramatu Umar-Bako enlightened the participants on what Global Xchange was all about. . In the introduction, they pointed out that Global Xchange is partnership between organisations that are equally committed to the idea that International Volunteer Exchanges can help develop active global citizens, who are committed to working for positive change and can positively impact local communities in the UK and Nigeria. These organisations are the British Council, VSO and an implementing partner in Nigeria.
Some Global Xchange Volunteers co-facilitated the different group discussion session with the invited adult facilitators. Fatimah Umar and Jennifer Ehidiamen, of the Global Xchange made a narrative presentation on “goal setting as a tool for tackling poverty”. A big brother Nigeria celebrity and broadcaster, Katung was a surprise guest at the event. He shared his experience as a young broadcaster and his new status as the big brother Nigeria celebrity. Participants were allowed to ask questions which he answered intelligently.
The event’s objectives of the celebration was to equipped participants with accurate information on current trend around the issues of youth poverty and how to tackle it, give participants the opportunity to meet and interact to rally support with key stakeholders and mentors in development work. The knowledge they gain during the brainstorming session will help them in creating a framework for their take action community projects.
Muyiwa Adebayo, who was the MC of the event, thrilled everyone with music and jokes as he even composed a GX anthem for the event. The media played important role in support of the observance of the Day to promote public awareness of youth issues.
The event which was organized by Global Xchange youth volunteers with support from British Council and Voluntary Service oversea was rounded off with a skill acquisition training session on soap and Vaseline making. Fatima Madaki, one of the global xchange volunteers shared her skills and knowledge in this area with the hope that it will go a long way in gainfully engaging young people; help develop their innate skills and ultimately tackling poverty.
“Thanks for inviting me to the meetings. I learnt and took a great deal from them. As I traveled to Abuja from Akure, I asked myself, 'Lawrence, what are you going to do in Abuja? Are you sure these meetings are for you? Would you learn from them?' I could not return home since I had gotten to Okene. After the first day of the meetings, I think I got answers to my questions.
...I got a great deal from those meetings. I learnt about Volunteering and Goal setting. Dr. Ademola Olajide, during his practical advice, spoke to my heart. That day, I got to where i stayed and began to write some plans for my life” Lawrence, a participant writes after the event.
The two-day event which was organized by the Global Xchange Youth Volunteers with support from the British Council and Voluntary Service overseas Abuja was indeed a success.
Jenny was there!
Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude. Excellence comes not from education, money, ability or connections alone. It comes from a commitment to do the very best with whatever you have available.
The city of Abuja on the 12th of August witnessed the second day of the international youth day celebration as sixty seven (67) youths from all over Abuja and neighboring states gathered at the British Council Abuja to talk, learn, share, network and take action.
The event which was themed “Tackling Poverty Together” had in attendance great contributors like Dr. Abdulkareem Lawal, from DFID, who besides giving the keynote address on the first day, also actively participated in the group session on HIV, Education and poverty, John Richard, the Country director of British Council who gave the welcome address on the first day, briefing audience about British Council and their role in supporting Global Xchange programme.
Mrs. Esther Avbuere, the director of youth, Ministry of women affairs also gave a goodwill message. In Her speech, she noted that the present administration remains deeply committed to ensuring that all our youths, particularly the disadvantaged youths are properly integrated into National Development programmes and given a realistic and purposeful hope of a meaningful adult life. To fulfill this objective, however, its hoped and expected that government action would be increasingly backed and supported by Non Governmental Youth organizations which have a key role to play in the development of our youth”
Other great contributors and adult facilitators who brought their valuable knowledge to the event includes Dr. Olajide Ademola, reproductive health adviser, UNFPA, who gave an educative lecture and passionate advice on how young people can take action, with emphasis on importance of personal development and time management. In “Youth and Adult Partnership in tackling poverty” group session, Jasper Oei from UNICEF during his feedback emphasized on the need for youth not to limit youth and adult partnership to just young people being at the receiving end, but resourceful youths should learn to take out time to share their knowledge with adults around them. Mr. Uza T., from Partners for development trained the youths on financial management and entrepreneurship. Gbenga Adebusuyi from WIRE Africa also educated participants on youth empowerment with ICT.
The Global Xchange country management team, Mr. Kayode Akintola and Mrs. Ramatu Umar-Bako enlightened the participants on what Global Xchange was all about. . In the introduction, they pointed out that Global Xchange is partnership between organisations that are equally committed to the idea that International Volunteer Exchanges can help develop active global citizens, who are committed to working for positive change and can positively impact local communities in the UK and Nigeria. These organisations are the British Council, VSO and an implementing partner in Nigeria.
Some Global Xchange Volunteers co-facilitated the different group discussion session with the invited adult facilitators. Fatimah Umar and Jennifer Ehidiamen, of the Global Xchange made a narrative presentation on “goal setting as a tool for tackling poverty”. A big brother Nigeria celebrity and broadcaster, Katung was a surprise guest at the event. He shared his experience as a young broadcaster and his new status as the big brother Nigeria celebrity. Participants were allowed to ask questions which he answered intelligently.
The event’s objectives of the celebration was to equipped participants with accurate information on current trend around the issues of youth poverty and how to tackle it, give participants the opportunity to meet and interact to rally support with key stakeholders and mentors in development work. The knowledge they gain during the brainstorming session will help them in creating a framework for their take action community projects.
Muyiwa Adebayo, who was the MC of the event, thrilled everyone with music and jokes as he even composed a GX anthem for the event. The media played important role in support of the observance of the Day to promote public awareness of youth issues.
The event which was organized by Global Xchange youth volunteers with support from British Council and Voluntary Service oversea was rounded off with a skill acquisition training session on soap and Vaseline making. Fatima Madaki, one of the global xchange volunteers shared her skills and knowledge in this area with the hope that it will go a long way in gainfully engaging young people; help develop their innate skills and ultimately tackling poverty.
“Thanks for inviting me to the meetings. I learnt and took a great deal from them. As I traveled to Abuja from Akure, I asked myself, 'Lawrence, what are you going to do in Abuja? Are you sure these meetings are for you? Would you learn from them?' I could not return home since I had gotten to Okene. After the first day of the meetings, I think I got answers to my questions.
...I got a great deal from those meetings. I learnt about Volunteering and Goal setting. Dr. Ademola Olajide, during his practical advice, spoke to my heart. That day, I got to where i stayed and began to write some plans for my life” Lawrence, a participant writes after the event.
The two-day event which was organized by the Global Xchange Youth Volunteers with support from the British Council and Voluntary Service overseas Abuja was indeed a success.
Jenny was there!
Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude. Excellence comes not from education, money, ability or connections alone. It comes from a commitment to do the very best with whatever you have available.
On Youth and Volunteerism
I have spent the past 1 year doing lots of Volunteering work, both locally and internationally. I sure did learn a lot... you see, its about time youths all over the world begin to understand the importance of volunteering.
A good volunteering experience + School/Class room Education=? Guess?
- increases resumes to increase employability
- relevant skills and contacts with professionals
- discover new places and cultures
- learn new things about real world!
- activate critical thinking and learn skills to deal with real life concerns!
The list is endles!!!
Want to Volunteer? Do Not hesitate to contact me if you need an experienced volunteer's ideas on how to get started. or a youth volunteer trainer! Have a vast knowledge on Youth Volunteerism and Youth Volunteer management and Youth Volunteering resources.
Thanks to practical experience and lots of resources available to learn from (Thanks Theo!).
Success is an acquired taste. Those who learn to enjoy the activities which lead to success and achievement are the ones who attain that success. The best players genuinely enjoy the game. The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who truly love their work.
"I am not yet where I want to be... but of course I am not where I use to be!" My latter will be greater! By His Grace... my best is yet to come!
Stay Connected
Hush...hear the sound of the tomtom
being played by the African child
it is a rythm of love, peace, and joy.
stay connected to the right source
it is all free of charge
get all your problems solved
and be sure to be on the safe side
I am connected to the right source
that is why my life is so sunny
do I sound a little bit funny?
oh no! I am not trying to be cunning
stay connected to Jesus Christ
He is the true and only right source I know
Jesus christ...
the solutiton for a fulfilled and joyous life!
-Jennifer Ehidiamen
(from the book: In Days to come)
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Food for thought...
"We are here to be excited from youth to oldage, to have an insatiable curiousity about our world... We are also here to help others by practicing a friendly attitude. And every person is born for a purpose. Everyone has a God-given potential, in essence, built into them. And if we are to live life to its fullest, we must realize that potential." -Norman Vincent Peale"
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled (when dreams come true)is a tree of life(there is life and Joy)".Proverbs 13:12
"There is no thrill in easy sailing, when the skies are Clear and BlueThere is no Joy in doing only things anyone can doBut there is some satisfaction mighty sweet to takewhen you reach a destination that you thought you'd never make"
Because He lives... I can face tomorrow!!!
Monday, August 21, 2006
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