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“The ear,” said jazz great Duke Ellington, “is the most essential instrument in the world.”

When I was doing the executive coaching program at Royal Roads University back in 2002, I remember Marj Busse introducing us to her favourite acronym – WAIT - “Why Am I Talking.” Now, for a Presbyterian preacher and former university dean and professor, that was a powerful challenge. It inspired me to start thinking about the skill of listening in a whole new way. What we can learn and provoke by considerate listening is crucial to the central task of leadership – doing your work through other people.

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If there is one thing which epitomizes modern life, it is that people are more busy nowadays than at any time in history. We seem to rush from one thing to the next without having the time to think. Or to breathe. Or at least so it seems.

The usual response to this problem is to try to find ways of fitting more in—of doing more in less time, or taking less time to do the things we need to do. This approach can sometimes work—after all if you improve the rate at which you work, you’ll certainly save time.

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A lot has been written about the effects of our thinking on our life. By now many people know that in some way or another their thinking affects their life.

We hear things like: “Think positive, there are two sides to the coin, the glass is either half empty or half full”. Does this sound familiar? And yet, how many people, including yourself, have you encountered who you would truly classify as positive thinkers? Probably not many, right?

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A recent event game me the opportunity to experience the power of positive thinking. All too often we let the rigors of the day get to us and we end up caught in the mire. We easily lose sight of staying positive when the negativity around us creates an obstacle. It’s not until something big happens that we remember to put things into perspective.
When you have the opportunity, as I did, to assess whether you are taking advantage of the power of positive thinking: there are five questions you can consider to help maintain your positive focus. As we go through each question, I’ll use my recent experience as an example.

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Have you ever thought about the impact of one conversation and how many other people are affected as well? Interested in saving money, I signed up for a coupon-clipping and money saving class and that is where I first heard about Angel Food Ministries, the real connection in that class.

Intrigued with Angel Food Ministries, I felt compelled to share this resource through Linda Jones’ answers to 7 simple questions.

1. What is one thing everyone interested in serving others, saving money and serving God must do?
Be obedient to the Holy Spirit first and foremost. God will lay someone on your heart to help and when you help them, you are blessed in return. Angel Food Ministries is such a wonderful way to do just that!

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This time management tip is about the importance of communication in your efforts to be more efficient with your time. Communication always involves at least two parties, and the more people involved the more likely communication problems will cost you time. As with any good plan you have to start right to end right, and it’s no different with communication.

Good upfront communication improves time management and lessens frustration. Before starting on any project clarify the expected results, and get agreement on both the results and the time line. In most cases any two people don’t have to take the exact approach to get the same result. It’s the result that’s important not the details of how. Setting time lines up front establishes mutually agreed upon time frames so no one feels let down later.

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Nervousness is one of the greatest causes of loss of vitality, and is a repelling energy. It is reflected in the person who is uneasy, fidgety, squirming or in any other way addicted to irritated activity. There is a power in correct relaxation and it is certainly not slough or laziness.

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On a Sunday in early December last year, our pastor spoke about Mary, the mother of Jesus. He said something about how perhaps the Roman Catholics talk a bit too much about Mary’s role and the Protestants do not speak about it enough. That is probably true.

As part of Pastor John’s sermon, he showed some clips about a teen girl discovering she was pregnant. He reminded us that Mary was that young, and that being with child without a husband at that time and in that culture was not good. She could have been stoned to death. And yet her faith in God was strong enough to be courageous about this.

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When children, mostly teenagers, begin to use alcohol and drugs they tend to hide this from their parents. As a parent it is important for you to be aware of changes in your child’s behavior and attitude because alcoholism in teenagers is a rampant disease that has long-term physical and mental health implications.

But what signs should you consider as warning signals and not just an outcome of growing-up? If you observe any of the below mentioned signs in your child, then you need to confront him/her about this habit.

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We tell ourselves that we want a new life; in our minds we see ourselves reclaiming our right to live without limitations. We see ourselves walking away from destructive relationships and letting go of negative thoughts and feelings. And this is the very problem. We talk to ourselves about a fresh start and even plan the path we will take when things get right… but that’s it. We think, but rarely act. We dream, but won’t awaken to the one fact we must face if we would make a fresh start: The new beginning we long for is now or never.

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