Day 12 of the 30 Day Inspired Living Challenge

PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY!

Are you ready for a natural disaster? If a tornado, earthquake, or storm hit your area, would you have the resources to sustain yourself and your family while waiting for help?

We don't like to spend time thinking about the things that could go wrong in our lives, but preparation is a mark of wisdom.

Here's the scoop:
What? - Gather the necessary items to safeguard against an emergency. Consider adding the items below to your emergency preparedness kit.

WATER

* Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
* Store one gallon of water per person per day. Don't forget your pets.
* Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).
* Change this water every six months. Household liquid bleach to kill microorganisms:

o Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, colorsafe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners.
o Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.
o The only agent used to treat water should be household liquid bleach. Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used.


FOOD

* Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables.
* Canned juices, milk, soup
* Sugar, salt, pepper
* High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix; foods that will not increase thirst.
* Vitamins
* Foods for infants, elderly, persons with special dietary needs
* Comfort/stress foods: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags.
* Pet food, at least one ounce per animal pound per day.
* Avoid foods like rice, pasta and dry beans that require a great deal of water to prepare. Remember to restock your food once a year.
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FIRST AID KIT

* Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
* Assorted sizes of safety pins
* Cleansing agent/soap
* Latex gloves (2 pairs)
* Sunscreen
* 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
* 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
* Triangular bandages (3)
* Non-prescription drugs such as Pain relievers, Anti-diarrhea medicines, Antacid, Syrup of Ipecac (used to induce vomiting with the advice of a Poison Control Center), Laxatives, Activated charcoal (used with advice from the Poison Control Center)
* Various roller bandages
* Scissors
* Tweezers
* Needle
* Moistened towelettes
* Antiseptic
* Thermometer
* Tongue blades (2)
* Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
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TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

* Paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
* Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* Cash or traveler's checks, in case banks are closed in the days following an earthquake
* Non-electric can opener or a utility knife
* Small fire extinguisher
* Pliers
* Tape
* Matches in a waterproof container
* Aluminum foil
* Plastic storage containers
* Signal flare
* Paper, pencil
* Needles, thread
* Medicine dropper
* Wrench, to turn off gas and water
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SANITATION

* Toilet paper
* Soap, liquid detergent
* Feminine supplies
* Plastic garbage bags and ties
* Plastic bucket with tight lid
* Disinfectant
* Household chlorine bleach
* Poop bags and scooper for pet waste
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CLOTHING AND BEDDING

* Sturdy shoes or work boots (keep near your bed)
* Rain gear
* Blankets or sleeping bags
* Warm clothing
* Sunglasses (keep your spare eyeglasses in the emergency kit, too.)
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DOCUMENTS

* Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
* Passports, social security cards, immunization records
* Bank account numbers
* Credit card account numbers and companies
* Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
* Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
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**Remember to include special needs family members such as a baby or an older person might have. It is also good to store in a water proof plastic bag important family documents (passports, wills, medical records etc.) along with your earthquake survival kit.

Why? - You never know what may happen when Mother Nature is having her way. We hope for the best, but it's wise to be prepared to sustain ourselves in an emergency.

How? - Set aside time today to do this. You don't want to be regretting not taking this important step should something happen. Take time to gather the essentials and enjoy the peace of mind of being prepared.

Ready, set, GROW!

Day 11of the 30 Day Inspired Living Challenge

READ 20 PAGES OF A NONFICTION BOOK!

Readers are leaders! The more knowledge you have, the more choices you can make in your life and the more informed those choices are!

Here's the scoop:
What? - If you're currently reading a book on personal development, continue and read 20 pages today. If you aren't, choose a great book related to a topic that you want to expand in for yourself and read 20 pages.

Why? - Studies show that people who are actively engaged in personal development earn more money and are more satisfied with their lives personally and professionally. Investing in your lifelong education by reading increases your ability to succeed in each area of your life.

How? - Set aside quiet time and read. Spend a few minutes when you're done reflecting on what you've read and how you can apply it to your life. My book, Divine Inspirations, is a great primer for applying spiritual principles to the practical aspects of your life.

Ready, set, GROW!

Day 10 of the 30 Day Inspired Living Challenge

DAY 10



REVIEW YOUR 6 MONTH, 1 YEAR, and 5 YEAR GOALS AND MAKE A PLAN OF ACTION!

Review your goals (or set goals) and get inspired to get going! Create a plan and take action! The best plans in the world won't work if you don't!

Here's the scoop:
What? - Create or review your 6 month, 1 year, and 5 year goals. Then create a plan to achieve each of the goals and determine what needs to be done each day to move you closer to those goals. Then take action! Start small and start now!

Why? - Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn this vision of the future into reality.Goal setting techniques are used by top-level athletes, successful business-people and achievers in all fields. They give you long-term vision and short-term motivation. They focus your acquisition of knowledge and help you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the very most of your life.

By setting sharp, clearly defined goals, you can measure and take pride in the achievement of those goals. You can see forward progress in what might previously have seemed a long pointless grind. By setting goals, you will also raise your self-confidence, as you recognize your ability and competence in achieving the goals that you have set.

The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You'll also quickly spot the distractions that would otherwise lure you from your course.

Harvard Business School researchers have taken a vital interest in what makes the difference in success or failure for people of similar backgrounds and educational standards. Their studies find that 3% of people are successful, 30% are moderately successful and 67% just exist. The significant difference for the 3% who are successful is that they have written down, specific goals. The 30% who are moderately successful have a general idea of where they are going but don't have any goals formalized. The rest are happy to watch the world go by.

What is interesting is that people in the 30% category only need to put in a small effort to jump into the next group. The secret behind the effort is 'the development of habits and strategies which support the achievement of clear goals'.

How? - Consider your vision for your life. What does your ideal life look? Consider the 6 key areas of Inspired Living - spirituality, relationships, career & education, health & fitness, personal development, and wealth. From there, create 5 year, 1 year, and 6 month projections for these goals. Be sure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, and have a time table attached.

Here are some additional tips for goal setting:
*State each goal as a positive statement: Express your goals positively – 'Execute this technique well' is a much better goal than 'Don't make this stupid mistake.'

*Be precise: Set a precise goal, putting in dates, times and amounts so that you can measure achievement. If you do this, you will know exactly when you have achieved the goal, and can take complete satisfaction from having achieved it.

*Set priorities: When you have several goals, give each a priority. This helps you to avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many goals, and helps to direct your attention to the most important ones.

*Write goals down: This crystallizes them and gives them more force.

*Keep operational goals small: Keep the low-level goals you are working towards small and achievable. If a goal is too large, then it can seem that you are not making progress towards it. Keeping goals small and incremental gives more opportunities for reward. Derive today's goals from larger ones.

*Set performance goals, not outcome goals: You should take care to set goals over which you have as much control as possible. There is nothing more dispiriting than failing to achieve a personal goal for reasons beyond your control. In business, these could be bad business environments or unexpected effects of government policy. In sport, for example, these reasons could include poor judging, bad weather, injury, or just plain bad luck. If you base your goals on personal performance, then you can keep control over the achievement of your goals and draw satisfaction from them.

Need additional help with setting goals? Check out the Goal Setting & Goal Getting Digital Download.

Ready, set, GROW!

Day 9 of the Inspired Living Challenge

DAY 9



NO SUGAR!

Sugar is an addictive substance and an enemy of good health!

Here's the scoop:
What? - Don't consume any refined sugar - pastries, soda, candy, chocolate, etc.

Why? - Sugar has been linked to a very long list of diseases. Check out this list to learn why you should avoid sugar at all costs: 76 ways sugar ruins your health

How? - Eating 4-6 small meals during the day and drinking water help curb sugar cravings. Before reaching for sugar, try eating protein or having a small meal. If you crave something sweet, try fruit! It's called nature's candy for good reason. Pause periodically to ponder the good choice you're making for your health!

Ready, set, GROW!

Day 8 of the 30 Day Inspired Living Challenge

DAY 8



DRINK 2L OF WATER

Your body is 75% water! You can't afford not to drink this life elixir!

Here's the scoop:
What? - Drink 2 liters of water today!

Why? - Water is a wellness beverage! Water has been proven to prevent a wide range of conditions and diseases. Water improves energy levels, mental clarity, skin quality, kidney function, and much more. Dehydration has even been linked to depression! You can't afford to skimp on your water intake. Your body needs to have toxins flushed out regularly and water does just that. Here are 16 more great reasons to drink water:

1. Weight loss. Water is one of the best tools for weight loss, first of all because it often replaces high-calorie drinks like soda and juice and alcohol with a drink that doesn't have any calories. But it's also a great appetite suppressant, and often when we think we're hungry, we're actually just thirsty. Water has no fat, no calories, no carbs, no sugar. Drink plenty to help your weight-loss regimen.

2. Heart healthy. Drinking a good amount of water could lower your risks of a heart attack. A six-year study published in the May 1, 2002 American Journal of Epidemiology found that those who drink more than 5 glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses.

3. Energy. Being dehydrated can sap your energy and make you feel tired -- even mild dehydration of as little as 1 or 2 percent of your body weight. If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated -- and this can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and other symptoms.

4. Headache cure. Another symptom of dehydration is headaches. In fact, often when we have headaches it's simply a matter of not drinking enough water. There are lots of other causes of headaches of course, but dehydration is a common one.

5. Healthy skin. Drinking water can clear up your skin and people often report a healthy glow after drinking water. It won't happen overnight, of course, but just a week of drinking a healthy amount of water can have good effects on your skin.

6. Digestive problems. Our digestive systems need a good amount of water to digest food properly. Often water can help cure stomach acid problems, and water along with fiber can cure constipation (often a result of dehydration).

7. Cleansing. Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body.

8. Cancer risk. Related to the digestive system item above, drinking a healthy amount of water has also been found to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45%. Drinking lots of water can also reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 50% and potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer.

9. Better exercise. Being dehydrated can severely hamper your athletic activities, slowing you down and making it harder to lift weights. Exercise requires additional water, so be sure to hydrate before, during and after exercise.

10. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population.)

11. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

12. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.

13. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

14. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

15. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain or up to 80% of sufferers.

16. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a ! printed page.
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

How? - Keep your water with you! It's easier to sip throughout the day when you keep your bottle on your desk or in your handbag. Drinking from a bottle will make measuring easier to be sure you get in all of the watery goodness!

Ready, set, GROW!

Day 7 of the 30 Day Inspired Living Challenge

DAY 7



PRAY FOR SOMEONE YOU DON'T LIKE!

The Challenge may have been relatively easy up until now. Here's where you get to stretch and step outside of your comfort zone. The people you can't stand are the people who need your prayers the most!

Here's the scoop:
What? - Pray for someone you don't like - whether a family member, boss, co-worker, church member, or "friend" - pray an earnest prayer for them to grow as a person and be blessed.

Why? - Prayer is powerful! Not only does prayer bless the person spoken of, it also blesses the prayer! Your ability to pray for those you don't like is an opportunity for you to express authentic levels of love to those around you. After all, God's most important command to us was to love one another. We demonstrate our love for God by loving each other. Everyone has needs, even the person you can't stand, and oftentimes, the deepest needs and insecurities reveal themselves as anger, resentment, and obnoxious behavior. Remember that hurt people hurt people! Pray for them and love them in spite of whatever annoyances and issues you have with them.

How? - Set aside a special time today to pray for the person. Ask God to help them grow and to bless them with their needs and desires. Tell God WHY you don't like them and ask Him to give you patience and the ability to extend the same grace and mercy that He extends to you every day.

Ready, Set, GROW!

No Fear

So I was on a plane Tuesday from Memphis to Philadelphia when the stewardess came over the speakers saying that we would have to land in Knoxville because the computer on the plane was malfunctioning. My limited knowledge of planes kept me from being able to really assess the threat level of a computer malfunction, but I was concerned. Several minutes later, she said we had too much weight to land in Knoxville and would need to burn fuel in the air for about 20 minutes before we could land. So, we flew in what I assume were circles and then landed. Technicians came to the plane and began checking things.

I was relieved when we got on the ground and hoped that they would de-plane us and put us on another plane. The technicians "fixed" our plane so we fired it up and took off again for Philadelphia.

I was nervous when we took off...what if they hadn't fixed it? What if it malfunctioned again? What if something else went terribly wrong? What if I died?

What if I died? No, really...what if? What would people say? Who did I speak to last and what was it about? How would people remember me? What would be unfinished? I gave thought to these questions, and I realized that I've gotten much better about tying up my loose ends...saying I love you often, hugging often, laughing often, sharing my wisdom and inspiration often. As I thought about the possibility, I realized that I would be ok with that. Did I want to die? Of course not. But did I regret having not said or done things? NO. And that was such a great feeling...to know that if I left the earth now, I'd have no regrets because I live an amazing life filled with purpose, joy, and fun and that the people I love and cherish would know exactly what they meant to me because I told them so and did things to show it.



After hearing about so many plane crashes over the past couple of years, it's easy to let your mind wander. I decided not to let it stress me. I prayed silently and decided to sleep. I slept soundly for a while and as I woke up, the stewardess was telling us we'd be landing soon.

We landed without incident, and I breathed a sigh of relief. We made it safely, and I was happy...happy because we were on the ground safe and sound but even more happy because my life is being lived out loud...with full expression of my hopes, dreams, and truths.

I encourage you to explore the meaning of your life and whether you would be ok with how you left things if you died today. James Dean told us to dream as if we'd live forever and live as if we'd die today. Live your life with all the purpose, love, and joy you can muster! You never know when your time or that of someone you love will come. We don't have to fear death if we know where our souls will go and we live lives that reflect the legacy that we want for ourselves.

Live your bliss!