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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

US, Japan troops to hold drill amid China tensions

TOKYO?? Japan and the United States will hold a biennial joint military exercise in Japan in November in a move likely to further anger China amid heightened tensions between the two Asian giants over disputed islets in the East China Sea.

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About 37,400 military personnel from Japan will join some 10,000 U.S. troops in the November 5-16 drill, an official at Japan's Self-Defense Forces said.

China's Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said last week China was "paying close attention to the relevant moves by the Japanese", when asked about a joint military exercise between the United States and Japan.

Yang also accused Japan of "manufacturing tensions in the region".

In recent weeks, both Japan and China have sent patrol ships to waters near the uninhabited islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, raising concerns that an unintended collision could develop into a larger clash.

Much at stake for US as tensions rise in troubled China Seas

Officials from Japan and China held talks earlier this month in Shanghai to discuss the dispute.

Chinese ships have been frequenting waters near the islands, also claimed by Taiwan, since Japan's government nationalized them last month, a decision that sparked violent demonstrations across China.

China vs. Japan, but the loser could be the global economy

Japanese air force officials, meanwhile, say there has also been a spike recently in Chinese air operations resulting in emergency "scrambles" by Japanese fighter jets to keep them from entering Japan's airspace.

According to statistics released by the Defense Ministry, fighters were dispatched 54 times between July and September in response to possible incursions of Japanese airspace by Chinese warplanes. That was up sharply from the three previous months, before the tensions heightened, when there were 15 such scrambles.

A ministry official said virtually all of the incidents were in airspace over the East China Sea.

Both countries have been flexing their military muscles to bolster their claims to the islands, which are strategically located and surrounded by rich fishing grounds, along with potentially lucrative reserves of undersea natural resources.

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Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49609054/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Harriet Cabelly: Don't Let the Friendship Boil Over -- Talk It Out

I'm trying to soothe my soul. It's been deeply hurt. I've also inflicted tremendous hurt on a person whose response in a Dear John email is that we are no longer friends and I am not to reach out to her again. She has cut off our 40-year friendship like a branch snapped off from a tree.

Actually, we met some 45 years ago in school and were close friends for about seven years. She then moved to the other side of the world, and we were in touch periodically, and then about seven years ago we reestablished ties and resumed a very close relationship.

I am one to look at my part, at my responsibility. I make no excuses; I did her a terrible injustice. She published a book and presented me with one of the first copies, and I did not read it. It's been more than a year since I've had it, and it still sits on my night table unread. I had told her I would read it in the summer, as I had many books to read for my five book clubs I was leading at work last year. But no, I still didn't "get to it."

After reaching out to her a few times via phone and email, as I was going to Israel to visit my daughter and family and wanted to make plans to spend time together, as we always do, I got no response. I reached out one more time and finally got what I wished for: a response back with an explanation. But what I certainly did not wish for was the shocking final statement, that we've come to the end of our relationship.

No space left for apology, discussion, argument. A cold turkey ending. Whew, this hurts. This will obviously sit with me for a long time, this sadness, this loss. The loss of someone who knows me so well: the history, the future travel plans, the laughter, the appreciation and gift of a friendship reignited -- all gone so suddenly.

I am guilty of causing a dear friend pain by not making time for her most meaningful and important accomplishment. I hurt her to the core. I accept complete responsibility. No excuses; I am wrong.

There were some other itemized points of wrongdoing on my part, but this was the last and most comprehensive -- the one that cut to the core.

I am a straight shooter and prefer to be told straight on what the problem is. I don't like BS, and I'd rather hear the truth, even if it hurts, than some nonsense excuse. I like to know where I stand. I certainly heard the truth, but the sudden death of our long-term relationship has me shaken and reeling.

I want to offer this: We all let things go, small hurts or injustices to one another. We don't want to bring up every little thing. We look away in our attempts to be benevolent, knowing we all have flaws and limitations.

But when something is brewing and starts to get in the way of feeling good in a relationship, or resentment starts to build, that's the time to speak up and air the problem. It's obviously not a place we necessarily want to go -- to bring up a discomfort or bad feeling -- but it beats the alternative of having something blow up in one's face and end up with nothing at all.

If something is starting to bubble up inside and the relationship is important to you, bring it up. Talk about it, argue about it, do something about it. But don't let it die. Relationships are what life is all about.

Relationships are easy when everything is sailing along smoothly. The real test is when trouble sets in, when misunderstandings occur, when wrongdoings occur, when mistakes are made, when hurts are inflicted. How do we handle it? What do we do with those difficult feelings? We can't be mind readers and we don't always know how our actions and words affect another person. We need to be open to telling and open to receiving. That's what makes for the authentic, meaningful and deep connections.

So please go out and tell your friend/important person what's bugging you, if it's a relationship you want to preserve. You might be surprised; it can bring in a whole new level of connection. When we're able to grow in healing, we grow in closeness.

For more by Harriet Cabelly, click here.

For more on relationships, click here.

Follow Harriet Cabelly on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Rebuild Life

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harriet-cabelly/friendship-advice_b_2013345.html

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How sweep it is: Giants finish off Tigers

The San Francisco Giants celebrate defeating the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of baseball's World Series on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Detroit. The Giants won the World Series 4-0. (AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee, Paul Kitagaki Jr.) MAGS OUT; LOCAL TV OUT (KCRA3, KXTV10, KOVR13, KUVS19, KMAZ31, KTXL40); MANDATORY CREDIT

San Francisco Giant's catcher Buster Posey and pitcher Sergio Romo celebrate defeating the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of baseball's World Series on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Detroit. The Giants won the World Series 4-0. (AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee, Paul Kitagaki Jr.) MAGS OUT; LOCAL TV OUT (KCRA3, KXTV10, KOVR13, KUVS19, KMAZ31, KTXL40); MANDATORY CREDIT

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo (54) and catcher Buster Posey and celebrate after striking out Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) to win Game 4 of baseball's World Series Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Detroit. The Giants won 4-3. (AP Photo/Tim Donnelly)

San Francisco Giants celebrate after the Giants defeated the Detroit Tigers, 4-3, in Game 4 of baseball's World Series Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Detroit. The Giants won the World Series 4-0. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

DETROIT (AP) ? Kung Fu Panda, The Freak, The Beard and all their seed-throwing buddies are on top of baseball ? again.

They may be under the radar, unappreciated and unexpected. But they're unassailable, the winner of two World Series titles in the last three years.

Their sweep of the Detroit Tigers, completed Sunday night with a 4-3, 10-inning win, was simply historic.

No National League team had swept a World Series since the 1990 Cincinnati Reds.

No NL team had won twice in a three-year span since the Big Red Machine in 1975-76.

"I'm numb, really, the fact that we've won two World Series in the last three years," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "This will sink in, but right now, I'm kind of speechless on that."

This happens in the NL only slightly more often than appearances of Haley's Comet. They are just the fifth NL team to accomplish the feat since the 1907-08 Chicago Cubs, joining the 1921-22 New York Giants, the St. Louis Cardinals of '44 and '46, the Los Angeles Dodgers of '63 and '65, and that Big Red Machine.

And these Giants did it with small ball, becoming only the fifth big league team ? and the first since the 1982 Cardinals ? to win the title after finishing dead last in home runs during the regular season.

"Our guys had a date with destiny," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said.

Marco Scutaro delivered one more key hit this October, a go-ahead single with two outs in the 10th inning against Phil Coke.

On a night of biting cold, stiff breezes and some rain, the Giants sealed the title when Sergio Romo got Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera to look at strike three for the final out.

"Tonight was a battle," said Giants catcher Buster Posey, the NL batting champion. "And I think tonight was a fitting way for us to end it because those guys played hard. They didn't stop, and it's an unbelievable feeling."

Posey, the only player in the starting lineup when San Francisco win the 2010 clincher at Texas, celebrated with his teammates in the center of the Comerica Park diamond. In the clubhouse, they hoisted the trophy, passed it around and shouted the name of each player who held it.

"World Series champions!" hollered outfielder Hunter Pence, who started the pregame seed-tossing ritual.

Pablo Sandoval, nicknamed Kung Fu Panda, was benched for most of the 2010 Series and then went 8 for 16 this year, including a three-homer performance in Game 1, to win MVP honors.

"I was ready for the moment," he said. "I was waiting for the opportunity to be in the playoffs again."

Cabrera delivered the first big hit for Detroit, interrupting San Francisco's run of dominant pitching with a two-run, wind-blown homer over the right-field wall in the third.

Posey put the Giants ahead 3-2 with a two-run homer in the sixth and Delmon Young hit a tying home run in the bottom half.

San Francisco then won a battle of bullpens.

Ryan Theriot led off the 10th with a single against Phil Coke, moved up on Brandon Crawford's sacrifice and scored on a shallow single by Scutaro, the MVP of the NL championship series. Center fielder Austin Jackson made a throw home, to no avail.

"We were very adamant that we have to step on their throats," Giants pitcher Barry Zito said. "We saw what they did to New York."

Santiago Casilla got one out in the ninth for the win. Romo struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th for his third save of the Series.

The Giants finished the month with seven straight wins and their seventh Series championship. They handed the Tigers their seventh straight World Series loss dating to 2006.

"Obviously, there was no doubt about it," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "It was freaky. I would have never guessed we would have swept the Yankees and I would have never guessed the Giants would have swept us."

The Giants combined for a 1.42 ERA, outscored the Tigers 16-6 and held them to a .159 batting average ? third-lowest in Series history ahead of only the 1966 Baltimore Orioles (.146) and 1966 Dodgers (.142).

"This was the worst day of my career," Tigers catcher Alex Avila said. "They played great, and we didn't. It's that simple."

The NL has won three in a row for the first time in 30 years. San Francisco won six elimination games en route to the title.

Once again, San Francisco took an early lead. Pence hit a one-hop drive over the center-field fence for a double and Brandon Belt tripled off the right-field wall on the next pitch for a 1-0 lead in the second.

The next inning, Cabrera gave the Tigers a reason to think this night might get them back on track to end a title drought dating to 1984.

With two outs and a runner on first, Cabrera lofted an opposite-field fly to right ? off the bat, it looked like a routine out shy of the warning track. But with winds gusting over 25 mph, the ball kept carrying, Pence kept drifting toward the wall and the crowd kept getting louder.

Just like that, it was gone.

Cabrera's homer gave Detroit its first lead of the Series, ended its 20-inning scoreless streak. Trailing for the first time since Game 4 of the NL championship series, Posey and the Giants put a dent in Detroit's optimism. Scutaro led off the sixth with a single and clapped all the way around the bases when Posey sent a shot that sailed just inside the left-field foul pole for a 3-2 lead.

Young, the ALCS MVP against the Yankees, made it 3-all with another opposite-field homer to right, this one a no-doubt drive.

But other Tigers disappointed. Prince Fielder, signed to a $214 million deal last winter, finished 1 for 14 (.071) against the Giants without an RBI. Cabrera, the first Triple Crown winner in 45 years, was 3 for 13 (.231) with three RBIs.

"You just don't get to write your own script," Fielder said.

San Francisco did. The Giants overcame a 2-0 deficit against Cincinnati in the best-of-division series by winning three straight on the road. They overcame a 3-1 hole against defending champion St. Louis in the league championship. And then they became the first champion that hit the fewest home runs in the majors since St. Louis in 1982.

Brian Wilson ? aka The Beard ? missed nearly the entire season. Tim Lincecum ? aka The Freak, was ace of the staff during the 2010 title run. He morphed into a middle reliever who held the Tigers hitless in a pair of outings.

Sandoval said "heart" was the critical ingredient.

"It's amazing what they accomplished," Bochy said. "I think when you look at this club, the terms 'teamwork,' 'team play,' and 'play as a team,' that's used loosely, but these guys truly did. They set aside their own agenda and asked what's best for the club. And we put guys in different roles, nobody ever said a word, complained or anything, and that's the only way it got done."

NOTES: Detroit 2B Omar Infante broke his left hand when he was hit by a pitch from Casilla in the ninth. ... Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, was at the game. ... In addition to the bat Sandoval used for his first two homers in the opener, the Hall of Fame received Ryan Vogelsong's jersey from his Game 3 win, Bochy's warm-up jacket, Gregor Blanco's glove, Pence's bat ? named "Tim" ? Scutaro's spikes, Brandon Crawford's cap and Matt Cain's spikes.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-10-29-World-Series/id-b48b92b5f9b54731a7aa747a494b7e69

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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Victoria On ?America's Next Top Model? And The Scourge Of Faux ...

Victoria Confronted On "ANTM"

Every reality show competition has its oddball and Victoria on ?America?s Next Top Model? fits it to a ?T.? She was homeschooled, attends online schooling at uber-religious Liberty University, and when she ?gets in character? she over-acts during all her photoshoots ? like in the most recent episode when she spat at the photographer. Victoria also just so happens to be the girl I want to win; she takes some of the best pictures, and easily has the best work ethic (which is half the battle).

Over the past several episodes of ?ANTM,? the other girls have been closing in on Victoria. It started with snotty comments about Victoria being weird ? which, sure, she is. Then it exacerbated in the episode before last when, at judging, the girls told Tyra Banks that they think Victoria isn?t eating enough ? which, if we can go off the way producers have edited the show, is probably also true. Victoria defended herself and said she doesn?t have an eating disorder, she?s just extremely anxious about the competition and being away from her mom for the first time ? which, again, is probably true. Tyra then pronounced she deeply cares about the health and well-being of the girls on her show, threatened that if Victoria restricts her eating she?s out of the competition, and vowed to keep an eye on her.

Then, on Friday night?s episode, all of this hoopla went even further: the remaining girls in the house confronted Victoria, telling her they don?t think she?s ?stable enough to continue with the competition.

Before I go on, I want to be clear that I don?t think you can seriously, accurately diagnose anyone you watch on reality TV. We know these shows are heavily edited to serve a formulaic narrative set forth by the producers predicated on dramatizing conflict within a group of people who have already been cast for their conflicting personalities to begin with. (You can find out more about reality show casting ? aka ?the Snooki formula? ? straight from the horse?s mouth here.) You can?t discount the fact that reality TV is heavily, heavily, heavily edited. Therefore it?s easy to paint Victoria as ?crazy,? which is clearly what producers want us to think because they?ve repeatedly included the other girls in the house saying as much.

The other girls in the house repeatedly call Victoria the stigmatizing word ?crazy? behind her back. But to her face and to Tyra? It? s a different story. ?At panel (watch below), they behave as if they are coming from a place of real concern. That ain?t real concern. That is faux concern. And it?s the faux concern that we call ?concern trolling? because it comes from a place of judgment rather than solving a real problem.?This is not the way to behave if someone has a legit problem. Concern isn?t concern if it includes social snubbing, cattiness, and?a lack of sincerity.

Maybe some of the girls actually have genuine concerns about Victoria, but they?re going about it in the wrong way (rolling their eyes behind Victoria at panel, etc.). ?That?s understandable to a degree because it?s a competition; they are probably hoping Victoria will self-immolate from buckling under the stress and they?ll have one less girl to fight against. However,?other girls in the house seem all too gleeful to encourage that self-immolation. ?In fact, the way Kristen is treating Victoria is straight-up?bullying. I don?t think Kristen has a single ounce of genuine concern over Victoria?s health, despite repeatedly saying she thinks Victoria is unstable. Kristen is instead trying to push Victoria over the edge on purpose so she?ll leave the competition ? which, if she genuinely thinks Victoria is so fractured, is kinda evil.

Panel judge Kelly Cutrone addressed the bullying during panel, issuing a stern warning to the other girls. Tyra, as far as we can tell from the editing, stayed silent. And that?s part of the problem.??Faux-concern on reality shows, especially on ?ANTM,? is a top-down problem. Tyra Banks is not only a judge but an executive producer, and reportedly an extremely hands-on one, getting her hands dirty setting the narrative and editing direction,??Jennifer L. Pozner, author of Reality Bites Back: The Troubling Truth About Guilty Pleasure TV, wrote to me in an email. ?Tyra always frames herself as the concerned big sister who wants to look out for the models? physical and mental health, yet behind the scenes she manipulates scenarios to cause the maximum emotional angst possible, pits girls against one another, and creates narratives that are deeply misleading and dangerous about health and eating.? I can?t be the only one waiting for Tyra to actually step in as she warned she would and address Victoria?s mental health and/or eating issues, whatever they may be.

Watching this go down on ?ANTM? leaves a sour taste in my mouth because I know of what I speak: when I was 24 or 25, a friend of mine took me aside and said that he was really concerned about my anxiety and depression. He said other people were concerned, too, and that he thought I needed to ask for help. He was right, of course, and I got serious about taking care of my depression in a real way. Almost four years later, I?m much happier and healthier. To an extent, I credit that frank conversation with my friend as a wakeup call.

That said,?do?I think Victoria has some actual issues that she might want to seek treatment for after the show is done taping? Definitely. I already wrote about her uncomfortably close relationship with her mom. And you can tell from the way she outwardly freaks out every time she calls her mom that she?s riddled with more anxiety about the competition than the other girls. She?s said so herself that she doesn?t eat a lot because she?s anxious ? which, to be honest, is something that I used to do in college when I was feeling overwhelmed as well. Do I think she is ?crazy,? whatever that means? No. How old is Victoria, 18? 19? For better or for worse, these are fairly typical negative responses for a young person handling immense amounts of stress. Victoria reminds me somewhat of a younger version of myself; she reminds me very,?very?much of a younger version of my best friend, who, incidentally, also has a close relationship with her mother and a somewhat sheltered upbringing.

I don?t know what is going to happen to Victoria in future episodes or after the show is complete. I do hope she gets the help she needs and is able to piece herself together. Watching what Victoria is going through at the hands of the other girls in the house makes me only want her to succeed even more.

Contact the author of this post at Jessica@TheFrisky.com. Follow me on Twitter.

Source: http://www.thefrisky.com/2012-10-22/victoria-on-americas-next-top-model-and-the-scourge-of-faux-concern/

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Assistant Professor, Vertebrate Biology at University of California ...

Assistant Professor, Vertebrate Biology

Location:Santa CruzCalifornia

Category: Postdoc Position

Description: University of California, Santa CruzUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ

DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR, CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

Assistant Professor, Vertebrate Biology

The Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a position in vertebrate biology, at the assistant professor (tenure track) level. We wish to recruit a faculty member who will complement our existing strengths in neuroscience, genomics, organogenesis, cell biology, RNA biology, and stem cell research by investigating the molecular and cellular basis of development and/or disease using mouse models. Examples of appropriate areas of research are mammalian organ development, including the nervous system, the role of stem cells in mammalian development, and the biology of cancer cells. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a vigorous, externally-funded research program, contribute to the intellectual vitality of the MCD Biology department, and teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The successful candidate must be able to work with students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.

RANK: Assistant Professor

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Ph.D. or equivalent degree in biology or a related field, postdoctoral research experience, and demonstrated potential for university teaching.

POSITION AVAILABLE: July 1, 2013, with academic year beginning September 2013.

TO APPLY: Applications are accepted via the UCSC Academic Recruit online system, and must include a letter of application, curriculum vitae, research statement (4 pgs. max.), teaching statement (1 pg. max.) and 3 reference letters*. Applicants are invited to submit a statement addressing their contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service. Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files.

Apply at http://apptrkr.com/280671

Refer to Position #JPF00015-13 in all correspondence.

All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC?s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm

CLOSING DATE: Review of applications will begin on November 30, 2012. To ensure full consideration, applications should be complete, and reference letters received, by this date. The position will remain open until filled, but not later than 6/30/2014.

UC Santa Cruz faculty make significant contributions to the body of research that has earned the University of California the ranking as the foremost public higher education institution in the world. In the process, our faculty demonstrate that cutting-edge research, excellent teaching and outstanding service are mutually supportive.

The University of California, Santa Cruz is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, committed to excellence through diversity. We strive to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

Inquiries regarding the University?s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to: Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064; (831) 459-2686. Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available here or from the Academic Personnel Office (APO) at (831) 459-4300.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Academic Personnel Office at apo@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4300.

VISIT THE APO WEB SITE AT: http://apo.ucsc.edu

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Map:

Date Posted: Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:40:27 GMT

If interested in this position, please email your resume to University of California, Santa Cruz.

Apply here

Source: http://scholarshipdb.com/assistant-professor-vertebrate-biology-at-university-of-california-santa-cruz-in-santa-cruz-us.html

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Monday, October 22, 2012

New! Sunday musings and affirmations 10-21-12 | Martina McGowan

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

??Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of? delusion.?

~ ?Jim? Rohn

Over the past few weeks and months, maybe even years, I have been writing increasingly about personal transformation. We have talked about using affirmations?and getting our butts in gear?. Beginning today and running for the next few weeks, rather than our usual affirmation poster or?wallpaper, I will post a weekly affirmation with some specific tips and questions to you dig a little deeper, and help propel yourself forward.?Don?t worry, I?m right here in the mix with you.

Let?s do this!

Affirmation: Each day, I move closer to my dreams.?

?My life is filled with almost endless possibilities,?and I can trust that my heart?s deepest longings are on their way. Because of these things, I have the courage to take action. Each day, I move a little closer to my dreams.

Some steps I take are big. I may enroll in a challenging course, begin the loan process for my?new business, or finish paying off an old debt. Whatever the step, however, I am confident that I am moving toward my highest vision of myself and my life.

Some steps are smaller. Just getting through a challenging day with a positive attitude is movement in the right direction. After all, I am happy about where I am heading in life. Therefore, maintaining positivity now is great practice, and is something I can do every day. Because I am in charge of my moods, my emotions and my responses to what is going on around me.

Sometimes, the actions I take may not even seem as though they connected to my goals. They may seem almost too small to be related my biggest? and best dreams. I trust, however, that as I hold my vision in my heart, I am guided. Each action I take moves me closer to my deepest yearnings.

Today, I trust in the fundamental rightness of my goals.?

I know that they, my goals, ?align with what I really want, and in time, they can be mine. Each day, I consciously take note of how I am moving closer to my dreams and give myself credit?for my hard work.?

Homework: Self-Reflective?Questions

1. What are some of my heart?s deepest longings?

2. If I feel like I am not moving forward towards those desires,?what seems to be in my way?

3. What can I do today to spur me on toward one of those dreams?

This is a short term?experiment.

My current plan is to do this every Sunday in preparation for our week ahead. But?I need for you to do four things for me.

1. Read the affirmation and statement aloud to yourself.

2. Write out your answers to the self-reflective questions. You don?t have to share them if you don?t want to, but write them down for your own benefit and boost.

3. Subscribe. If we continue this series, the only way you will get it on a regular basis is to subscribe.

4. Comment. I don?t usually ask for comments, but as I consider adding this additional feature to the blog, I am asking for feedback. If you liked it, or didn?t. If you see ways that I can tweak it to make it better. If you found the exercise helpful or not. If you had some kind of breakthrough, epiphany or wake up call. If you?d rather get this as a newsletter on a monthly basis. Anything?

Here?s the bottom line for this experimental feature. Because it will take some extra time to get these ready, no comments or feedback, no musings. Ok?

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-turtle/4177301701/sizes/z/in/photostream/

About Martina McGowan

Servant, physician (gynecologist), blogger, businesswoman, seminary student, mother, grandmother, sexual assault survivor's advocate, listener, minister, speaker, teacher, leader, writer, occasional haikuist