Summary:

Negative influences are all around and can have a dramatic effect on your self esteem. Don't let unchecked people and circumstances pull you down. Here are 6 tips on how to minimize your exposure and how to concentrate on positive influences and as a starter guide for self improvement.

Keywords:

building self esteem, behaviour, self help, self improvement

Article Body:

Staying calm, composed and maintaining strong self esteem in today's tough environment can be difficult but is not impossible if you follow a few simple guidelines. Here are 6 tips you can use as a starter guide to self improvement.

Everything and everyone else around you can affect your self esteem. Other people can deliberately or inadvertently damage your self image. Unchecked people and circumstances can ultimately destroy your self esteem and pull you down in ways you won't even notice. Don't let these influences get the best of you. But what should you avoid?

1 : A Negative Work Environment

Beware of a "dog eat dog" environment where everyone else is fighting just to get ahead. This is where non-appreciative people usually thrive and working extra is expected and not rewarded. In this environment no one will appreciate your contributions even if you miss lunch, dinner, and stay at work late into the night. Unless you are very fortunate most of the time you will work too hard with no help from others around you. This type of atmosphere will ruin your self esteem. This is not just healthy competition, at its worst it is brutal and very damaging.

2: Other Peoples Behaviour

Bulldozers, brown nosers, gossipmongers, whiners, backstabbers, snipers, people walking wounded, controllers, naggers, complainers, exploders, patronizers, sluffers - whatever you want to call them, all have one thing in common - an overriding desire to prosper at the expense of others. Avoid them and do not be tempted to join them. They may get some short term advantage with their behaviour but deep down most are very insecure, unhappy and ashamed of their behaviour. For most their self esteem disappeared a long time ago. Seeing someone like this prosper is sickening but do not join them - you are better than that!

3: A Changing Environment

In today's fast moving society it is difficult if not impossible to avoid change. Changes challenge our paradigms and tests our flexibility, adaptability and alter the way we think. Changes can make your life difficult and may cause stress but, if it's inevitable, you must accept it, don't fight it and in time find ways to improve your life. Try to manage change and try to avoid multiple changes at the same time. If a particular change can't be avoided welcome it. Change will be with us forever, we must learn to live with it.

4: Past Experience

We all carry "baggage" - past experiences which have moulded us to who we are today, but some people live in their past experiences - usually something that hurt and still hurts. It's okay to cry out when you experience pain but don't let pain dominate your life as it will transform itself into fears and phobias. If something painful happens, or has happened to you, find a way to minimise the effects. Discuss it with a friend, a family member or a professional if necessary and move on. Don't let it continue to dominate your life and dictate your future actions. Because something bad has happened doesn't mean it will happen again. Learn what you can from any bad experience and move on.

5: Negative World View

The television news is full of doom and gloom and it is true that around the world there are many people suffering war, famine or other natural or man-made disasters. Whilst I do not suggest you should not care and do nothing, remember that there are many beautiful positive things happening too. Don't wrap yourself up with all the negative aspects around the world. Learn to look for beauty too for, in building self esteem, we must learn how to be positive in a negative world.

6: Determination Theory

Are we a product of our biological inherited characteristics (nature) or a result of the influences we absorb throughout out lives (nurture)? I believe how we are is due to a mixture of both nurture and nature and as a result our behavioural traits are not fixed. Whilst it is true that some things are dictated by genetics (for example race, color and many inherited conditions) your environment and the people in your life have a major effect on your behaviour. You are your own person, you have your own identity and make your own choices. The characteristics your mother or father display are not your destiny. Learn from other people's experience, so you don't suffer the same mistakes.

Are some people are born leaders or positive thinkers? I don't believe so. Being positive, and staying positive is a choice. Building self esteem and drawing on positive experiences for self improvement is a choice, not a rule or a talent. No-one will come to you and give you permission to build your self esteem and improve your self. It is in your control.

It can be hard to keep positive, especially when others and circumstances seem to be conspiring to pull you down. You need to protect yourself and give yourself a chance to stay positive. Improving your self esteem gives you that protection.

One way to stay positive is to minimise your exposure to harmful influences while using affirmations to boost the positive influences in your life. Constantly reminding yourself of the good things in your life will keep the impact of negative influences to a minimum.

Summary:

Nominated for 25 Emmys and 14 Golden Globes, including three for Best TV Series - Comedy/Musical, Roseanne forever transformed the television landscape when it premiered in the Fall of 1988. Following on the heels of the upstart Fox network's 1987 sitcom Married With Children (which Fox created with Roseanne and Sam Kinneson in mind), Roseanne took the traditional TV portrayal of a functional and happy American family and literally turned it on its head. The brainchild of Mat...

Keywords:

roseanne dvd review

Article Body:

Nominated for 25 Emmys and 14 Golden Globes, including three for Best TV Series - Comedy/Musical, Roseanne forever transformed the television landscape when it premiered in the Fall of 1988. Following on the heels of the upstart Fox network's 1987 sitcom Married With Children (which Fox created with Roseanne and Sam Kinneson in mind), Roseanne took the traditional TV portrayal of a functional and happy American family and literally turned it on its head. The brainchild of Matt Williams, creator of Home Improvement (1991) and writer for such hit series as The Cosby Show (1984) and A Different World (1987), Roseanne broke the mold of the traditional sitcom family and replaced it with the quintessential ideal of dysfunction. Attempting to portray a more realistic version of the American nuclear family, Roseanne instantly struck a chord with television audiences, and the series skyrocketed up the ratings - remaining a regular in the Nielsen Top 10 for the first seven of its ten seasons…

Roseanne follows the lives a lower middle-class family living in a small Illinois town. The very definition of dysfunction, the Conner family is headed by quasi-trailer trash couple Dan (John Goodman) and Roseanne (Roseanne Barr). As Dan and Roseanne live out their less-than-ideal (yet loving) marriage, they struggle to deal with a host of problems such as lack of money, bad family relationships, and conflicts with friends and neighbors. Along the way, they deal with the typical growing pains that accompany the adolescent growth of their three children - Becky (Alicia Goranson, later replaced by Sarah Chalke of Scrubs fame), Darlene (Sara Gilbert), and D.J. (Michael Fishman). Roseanne's younger sister, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), is also a regular on the show, and she provides added comic relief as she struggles to balance her myriad career choices with her search for the right man… The early years of Roseanne are sitcom entertainment at its best, and the writers and cast alike, issue superb performances. However, the show probably lasted a season or two longer than it should have, which is sad. It's like watching an old sports hero play just a few seasons past his prime…

The Roseanne DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the series premiere "Life and Stuff" in which television viewers are first introduced to the Conner clan. Roseanne must meet with Darlene's teacher in order to discuss a problem of grave concern - Darlene's incessant barking in the middle of class… Other notable episodes from Season 1 include "Dan's Birthday Bash" in which Dan's ideal night out is thwarted by a thug who picks a fight with Dan while he's playing pool, and "The Slice of Life" in which Roseanne must deal with her guilt in having yelled at Darlene after Darlene is rushed into emergency surgery for appendicitis…

Below is a list of episodes included on the Roseanne (Season 1) DVD:

Episode 1 (Life and Stuff) Air Date: 10-18-1988

Episode 2 (We're in the Money) Air Date: 10-25-1988

Episode 3 (D-I-V-O-R-C-E) Air Date: 11-01-1988

Episode 4 (Language Lessons) Air Date: 11-22-1988

Episode 5 (Radio Days) Air Date: 11-29-1988

Episode 6 (Lovers' Lanes) Air Date: 12-06-1988

Episode 7 (The Memory Game) Air Date: 12-13-1988

Episode 8 (Here's to Good Friends) Air Date: 12-20-1988

Episode 9 (Dan's Birthday Bash) Air Date: 01-03-1989

Episode 10 (Saturday) Air Date: 01-10-1989

Episode 11 (Canoga Time) Air Date: 01-17-1989

Episode 12 (The Monday Through Friday Show) Air Date: 01-24-1989

Episode 13 (Bridge Over Troubled Sonny) Air Date: 01-31-1989

Episode 14 (Father's Day) Air Date: 02-07-1989

Episode 15 (Nightmare on Oak Street) Air Date: 02-14-1989

Episode 16 (Mall Story) Air Date: 02-21-1989

Episode 17 (Becky's Choice) Air Date: 02-28-1989

Episode 18 (The Slice of Life) Air Date: 03-07-1989

Episode 19 (Workin' Overtime) Air Date: 03-14-1989

Episode 20 (Toto, We're Not in Kansas Anymore) Air Date: 03-28-1989

Episode 21 (Death and Stuff) Air Date: 04-11-1989

Episode 22 (Dear Mom and Dad) Air Date: 04-18-1989

Episode 23 (Let's Call It Quits) Air Date: 05-02-1989

If you will be visiting Universal Studios, you need to

be prepared. Arriving at the park unprepared can

literally ruin your vacation! Follow these tips to help

you get the most out of your Universal Studios Tour

adventure.

It will be very hot. Make sure that you dress in

cotton clothing that is cool. You should strongly

consider bringing a change of clothing, so you can

change into dry clothes after the rides that soak

you, or if your clothes get too sweaty. If you will be

there during the evening hours, bring warmer

clothes to change into. Do not wear new shoes!

There is a lot of walking involved, and you won’t

last one hour in brand new shoes. Wear an old

pair that are well broken in. Bring an extra pair of

shoes to change into if yours get wet.

Make sure that you bring earplugs. There is a lot of

noise at Universal Studios, and some of the

attractions are deafening. Also bring sunscreen,

sunglasses, and hats to help protect you from the

sun. Use a backpack or a fanny pack to carry your

belongings in – there are also lockers available

through guest services if you need a safe dry place

to store your things.

Make sure that you take the Universal Studio Tour

early in the day. The park will remain open several

hours after the tour has closed for the day.

Designate a meeting place with everyone in your

party, in case you get separated. Make sure that

everyone in your party has a map, and that they

know how to read it!

Leave small babies and toddlers with a sitter. They

will not enjoy Universal Studios, and they will make

sure that you don’t enjoy it either if you bring them.

Consider purchasing VIP passes which will allow

you to move to the front of the lines for the

attractions. This is a huge time saver, and will keep

you from wasting valuable time and getting bored.

Avoid eating inside the park if you can. It is very

expensive, and the food is much cheaper right

outside the gates in City Walk. Also save your

shopping for the end of the day, so you don’t have

to carry packages around with you. Universal

Studios Tours does have a package delivery

service, which will allow you to pick up your

purchases at the end of the day near the exit, in

case you find a souvenir that simply won’t wait until

closing time.

Most importantly, see and do as much as possible,

and have fun! Universal Studios has been entertaining

us for years, and entertainment is what Universal

Studios Tours is all about!

In the United States, there are about five different types of health insurance available: traditional health insurance; preferred provider organizations or PPOs; point-of-service plans or POS; health management organizations or HMOs; and most recently, health savings accounts or HSAs. With so many types of health insurance, it may be confusing trying to figure out which one best fits your needs, so thoroughly research each and speak with a professional if you need clarification.

Traditional health insurance is the one that most people think of when they think of health insurance. You pay the insurance company a premium every month, and if you have an accident or need for health coverage, you have a deductible amount you must pay and then the insurance company picks up the rest of the bill. You often have an inexpensive office and/or prescription co-pay with traditional health insurance.

With people living longer, health insurance companies began to look for more ways to reduce their costs, developing different health plans such as PPOs. PPOs are plans which will cover nearly all of your medical expenses as long as you stay within a preferred network of physicians or hospitals. This network creates a "preferred provider" list that you can choose from. Treatment outside this network of providers is covered but only at a reduced rate, meaning you end up paying more to see a physician outside the network. By limiting the physicians and hospitals covered in their network, the insurance company can control, to an extent, their costs and lower your premiums. POS plans work like PPOs, but require you to have a primary care physician through whom you can receive referrals for specialists. If you need to see a neurologist or a dermatologist, you must first visit your primary care physician for an initial diagnosis in order to receive a referral to a specialist for a more thorough diagnosis. POS plans also have a preferred provider network, and if you choose to visit a specialist or physician outside that network, your coverage will be limited.

HMOs combine a stricter version of PPOs and POS plans. HMOs have a defined list of physicians, often much smaller than PPO networks, which you may see. You will not be covered at all if you see a physician outside your HMO network. Furthermore, you must also get a referral from your primary care HMO physician to see any specialist. However, these restrictions mean that you pay an extra low or no monthly premium.

HSAs were recently signed into law by President Bush. You can deposit money into a special non-taxed, interest-gaining savings account that must be used for medical expenses. The ideal situation for an HSA is to combine the account with a low-cost, high-deductible insurance plan. The savings account is designed to allow you to cover the high deductible if you find the need to cover expensive medical costs while the insurance company will pick up the rest of the bill.

Again, it is important to carefully consider each option before choosing a single health insurance plan. Your health is important-make sure it is protected in the best way possible.