Excuses Self-handicap Us

The New York Times has an article (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/health/06mind.html?_r=1&ref=science) on the scientific research on making excuses, which the experts call self-handicapping. One of my Children's Book writer friends (Gail Piernas-Davenport) talks about the article in her blog today. Yesterday she raised some excellent points about excuses. Please check out her blog at http://gpdavenport.wordpress.com/.

We decide what we want to do and choose whether to follow through on it, so making excuses for whatever reason doesn’t really cut it. If we can talk the talk, we need to walk the walk as well and just do it.

It is nice to get inspired by scientific evidence to back it an idea. This is the year that can make a real difference for each of us. What will you commit to doing this year? As Barbara Sher tells us, "isolation is the dream killer." Find a support group who can help you reach your goals. Together, we can each accomplish so much more.

Do you need help to accomplish those goals, big or small? Check out the Pro Nagger, Rachel Zamek at http://pronagger.weebly.com/ for help in that area. She has unique ways to encourage you to get it done.

Never Too Poor to Help Others

When I was growing up on a small farm in the 50's, I didn't realize how tight money was. Even with six brothers and sisters, we always had enough to eat from the food raised in our gardens, along with a few chickens and a cow or two. Our clothes were almost always either hand-me-downs or sewn at home. It wasn't until college that it became apparent that we had no money to spare.

But the important lesson for me was that Mom never hesitated to share whatever we had. If a friend, neighbor or relative needed something, she was always there to help. Whether it was a casserole dish, some fresh-baked bread, or a few extra hands to help with cleaning the house after a death, Mom gave of herself to help people in need.

What a wonderful world we'd have, if everyone responded in such a basic way to help others. Please think about what YOU can do for poverty today on Blog Action Day.