The current answers about well-being

The people of Gallup Press keep giving us what I consider the best of popular, strength-based non-fiction and they have done it again. If you wonder about "happiness", I still recommend reading Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman and if you want to learn about how you can increase your sense of "well-being", then the new book by Tom Rath and Jim Harter is a must read, too.

The title of the book is Well Being: The five essential elements. Those elements include: social, financial, career, physical and community well-being. I often make the comment that some authors turn what-should-be-a-brochure into a book, but this book makes the most of every page so all of the text is likely to be worth your time.

As with others in the StrengthsFinder series, each book comes with a code so that you can access the online Wellbeing Finder. After answering a series of questions, you will receive summaries of your current levels of wellbeing based on this model. You can continue to retake the Wellbeing Finder for six months and you are offered options for reminders that can help facilate your action plan for improved wellbeing. Is this of interest to you?

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Did you read The Help yet?

Two weeks ago, I was at a meeting with 8 women and 3 of us were reading The Help by first time novelist, Kathryn Stockett. It remains on all of the bestseller lists for many reasons.


If you have not already enjoyed the book, I will not give away its content or the possible messages that you may take away from reading it but I will tell you that it is entertaining while it also immerses you into our recent American past. Then, ideally, it will challenge even your present worldview.

Kathryn 'Kitty' Stockett was born in 1969 and grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. She attended the University of Alabama where she earned a degree in English and Creative Writing. Kathryn and her family now live in Atlanta.









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Boredom prevention ...

In our district, the school year ends next week. The first few days of summer vacation will be experienced as no-homework-euphoria but soon it will happen ... kids will get bored.

The following advice is based on recommendations from the Search Institute (www.search.org). One possibility is to collaborate with your kids and create a list, or box, full of ideas for the onset of "bored" moments ~ with older children, this approach provides an opportunity to be self-responsible and replace their boredom with fun and/or engagement in meaningful activities.

Some more specific ideas:

Birth to age 5

Spend time with your children if they are bored.

Keep kids stimulated with ordinary household items.
Visit the library to find books and participate in activities.

Ages 6 to 9

Invite your child to help with chores.
Introduce kids to new activities (pictures).
Visit some of your child's favorite places.

Visit places that your child with soon outgrow (e.g. children's museum or petting zoo).

Ages 10 to 15
Introduce young teens to new interests.
Monitor what your kids do when they're bored.
Develop a kid-friendly-home where friends can visit and be active together.

Find volunteer activities and create your own service-learning program.

Ages 16 to 18
Help teens find a balance in their daily schedule.

Help teens pursue their interests.

Offer teens opportunities to dream about their futures and take action steps.
Nurture your child's sparks.
Ask your teen about their friends.

Be a great listener (from birth through adulthood!)

* photos: a "new activity" for two 7-year olds ~ making candy covered pretzel sticks with white frosting ... for a healthier alternative, try celery sticks with cream cheese & craisins :)

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Hope for Haiti - give now!

Hollywood is busy with important work tonight!

If you want to help:
877-99-Haiti
www.hopeforhaitinow.org

You can even go to Itunes and pre-purchase the album created from tonight's performances; the talent is amazing! Itunes is donating the proceeds and you get to help others as you listen to great music.



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