Why not give a Valentines poem that can be loaded on the iPod or MP3 player, your Valentine can listen to it forever, hearing romantic words, given by you, when they miss you.

Valentines is that special time of the year for lovers; it has a very emotional charm. The prickly sentiments that a Valentines gift generates, the reasurance that couples - old and newly wed - receive when they select a special Valentines gift for their loved one, all that is difficult to put into...

As a professional concert pianist I have over time developed a secret psychology that helps me in any situation. You see, quite frankly I need a psychology that helps me because the music business is a tough business. If you're not sure you agree that it is tough then consider this; how many professional concert pianists do you know? Comparatively, how many doctors, lawyers, accountants, car salesmen, teachers or nurses do you know? Are you getting the picture?

The fact that...

Universal Laws and Principles – The Recipe for Life

John A. Smith

What is your experience of life? Do you experience life as a set of random events in which you have little say and control? If you do, you form part of the majority of people who live as victims of life, having life happen to them. In a previous article we touched on the fact that although most people tend to live this way, there is a growing group of people who, instead of struggling to make a...

The past few weeks have been sort of unproductive for me, mostly because of certain distractions that for the most part were beyond my control (scheduling problems, personal things that needed attention, the usual). Now I look back and say “how could let myself do this?” I feel as if I accomplished very little, and it’s time to buckle down again, put nose to the grindstone, and get some serious work done! But, how do I do it?

What I need is a way to get...

I wrote this piece several years ago. It is one of the essays in my book Vantagepoints on Learning and Life, and I share it today for three reasons:

•    I am on vacation, so I am trying to not work while on vacation.
•    I am in Michigan where I grew up (and where the story takes place).
•    I believe the message of the story and the metaphor shared is extremely valuable.

Taste the sweetness...

One of the most nerve-wracking situations for many people is attending social events, particularly those where you don't know anyone else. If you're like many people, you have visions of yourself standing alone, looking awkward, sweating, and sneaking out the side door early.

Socializing is difficult for many people. Why? For one, it's a perfect opportunity for rejection. After all, if you say or do something stupid, it's very easy for the other person to move on to someone...

I was a grown man still effected by childhood events and as an ex-stutterer I was fed up with it!

You see, as a child I went through some pretty rough times, but who has not, right? Well the circumstance I had to deal with was severe stuttering. If you currently stutter, used to stutter or simply have a friend that went through the experience, you know how embarrassing it can be for a person with that type of impediment; especially when a young group of people are not...

"A bird does not sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song." - Chinese proverb

What is your song? Did you even know that you had a song? Most people I talk to either are unaware that they have a song or they no longer remember what it is. It sure is good to know and have confidence in your song. When the seas of life become choppy and you are tired, knowing your song gives you peace, keeps you focused, and enables you to stay completely centered....

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on rowThat mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders...

A good sense of humor does a lot of good things for a person. It makes them more likable and increases their attractiveness. Also, people with a sense of humor tend to be very natural at starting and leading a good conversation.

The thing is, it is quite easy to develop a good sense of humor. Each and every one of us can cultivate our inner funniness to a level that people would admire.

Here are some priceless humor tips on how to cultivate yours.

1. Project a light,...