It's OK to like yourself

One of the biggest myths around
is that having a good opinion of yourself
means you're stuck up or big-headed

In reality, the opposite is true.

When you like yourself, you project a warm glow to the world
that says, "I think I'm OK".

Most people will respond positively to this.

Those who don't are most likely feeling insecure about themselves.

These little words of wisdom come from The Mini Motivator,© 1997, Paul Hanna

Never forget!

You are your own best asset!

Personal Development

A friend of ours - Tonya V, attends regular Personal Development seminars as part of her job.

She writes: "It was only after I read some of the letters in your regular newsletters and blogs that I started to look at people and how they act they they're in the presence of other people, not necessarily those who they already know. Especially as it relates to discriminatory behaviour.

Yesterday we had a seminar at one of the leading hotels in the city. People from all states were there, as well as some very well-known people from the entertainment and film industry. Morning tea arrived and I joined the queue for some coffee and a biscuit. I poured my coffee and took one biscuit and stood back from the crowd. A couple of women came up and we started chatting.

My supervisor joined the group, and stared at my biscuit which I was nibbling. her comment, "surely you don't need to stuff yourself with biscuits all day". I was shattered. I know she has a caustic tongue but in front of strangers, I was embarrassed. I stopped talking and looked away as I felt very close to tears - not that I'm thin skinned but when this sort of thing happens out of the blue, you tend to be unprepared for it.

One of the ladies in the group (a comedienne who lives here in Melbourne) took in the situation and merrily munching one of her biscuits (she had taken a couple), she laughed and said to my supervisor, "I'm so glad I don't work for you -- you'd really tear me to pieces. Look, I've got two biscuits. Oh, dear ....... and what's that, dear?", she asked my supervisor, before adding: "Oh, you've got three biscuits on your plate. Oh well, that explains everything". She walked away still chuckling.

My supervisor had the grace to blush. She took me to one side and said, "sorry". I'd never known her to be lost for words, but for once she had overstepped the mark. What did it matter whether i had a biscuit or not, or whether I had one biscuit or two? It was none of her business - she doesn't own me! But I was sure glad it was someone else who had taken her to task. I'll treat her a little differently from now on. I'm not telling her yet, but I'll be looking around for another position over the next three to size months and I'm taking a whole lot of notes of what it really means to have "personal development". I might even become a convener myself!"

(www.plussizeissue@blogspot.com and www.agingoutrageously@blogspot.com)

(Photo copyright Univ New South Wales, Australia)

Life is a journey, not a single destination

We are all searching for happiness.

It's OK to feel "lost" sometimes,
as it is in these lost times
that we go inside ourselves and find more of our hidden potential.

The next time you feel life is going nowhere,
take some quiet time to listen to the awesome power inside you.

It's there, just wanting to come out.

© Paul Hanna, The mini Motivator

Don't Underestimate Yourself

Instead of looking for that "wonder job"
or "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity",
start to go inside and learn to like yourself.

The world is your mirror and it's reflecting how you feel.
Lift your opinion of yourself and bingo - the world mirrors this.

....... © Paul Hanna, The Mini Motivator

Personal Trainers - Favourite Gyms

Everyone's talking about Personal Trainers - it seems that you've got to have one to be anybody these days. But who has the spare cash to afford one? Certainly not me.

If you can't afford a Personal Trainer then why don't you do to the local Gym? Aren't you listening? If I can't afford a Personal Trainer then I sure can't afford a programme at the local gym.

Anyway, I tried it once. And it's certainly not for me. Why? Simple. Because I'm a size 16 plus! woman and I felt out of my depth; I was made feel twice my size; I felt I couldn't keep up with the other young slim things; I felt hot, sweaty, out-of-condition and out-of-control and fat, fat, fat. And the instructor certainly didn't help matters - making cutting, rude remarks.

So why is it there aren't local gym facilities available (at affordable costs) at regional and community council levels which will encourage the participation of larger sized people. Everyone is telling us we're not healthy; and yet we're not really made feel welcome at these places even if we gather up enough courage to try them out.

I read in that wonderful American magazine Radiance many years ago, an article by a group of size 16 plus! ladies who actually started up their own group. An important part of this venture was, however, that they got a Gym management on side - they provided the equipment, and more importantly the rooms where they could work out to their heart's content, without worrying about what the other women were going to say. This gym Manager was glad of the opportunity of promoting his gym as a size friendly establishment - very forward thinking.

I'd be very interested to hear of any gyms here in Australia that have an understanding or commitment to helping the size 16 plus! women overcome their inhibitions and to take on personal health-care to another dimension. Any takers?

Manners maketh the man! And the woman too!

There's a lot of controversy these days when it comes to good manners.  Too many people, and this includes the media, seem to think and to say that good manners are old-fashioned, and that our culture has undergone so many changes that it's hard to work out what are good manners and what are not!

Now we, of this group, are of the old-fashioned views and standards.  Good manners and etiquette are timeless, and don't have to undergo such radical changes as we're being convinced is necessary today.   Being old-fashioned when it comes to manners, brings with it, feelings of security and in many ways feelings of safety.    

We're being persuades that in today's society it's necessary for us all to "understand" youth (anyone from 5 to 50 it seems) and their behaviour and allow them to be rude, to bully, to threaten, and to be totally obnoxious, without raising a finger.  As for questioning them, we're told to shut-up and move on.

I'm a great believer in good manners.  When it comes to behaviour with and between people.   And this includes, dare I suggest it, table manners and etiquette.   For it's no longer seen to be "cool" or "with it" for people to display good table manners.   People eat with their knives rather than knives and forks, and their fingers.  Don't get me wrong, finger food has to be eaten by finger, otherwise most of the enjoyment is lost.  But not when you are in the restaurant of the Sheraton, or the Langham, or the Windsor.  But it happens all the time.

A lady who is well known Australia wide, as well as Asia, is considered to be an expert in manners and etiquette.  Louise Percy of the Percy Institute situated in Western Australia, has all the answers.   I first met Louise Percy some years ago when I attended to short afternoon tea/etiquette course at her home.   A group of ladies shared afternoon tea and learned many of the little things that make up good manners at the table, and we were all impressed with Louise's genuineness and sincerity.


Why not visit her blog and get a "taste" of good manners and other matters, at   http://mannersandothermatters.blogspot.com/