Wednesday, August 31, 2005

4 Amazing Tips To Successfully Persuade Anyone.

Having excellent persuasion skills is one of the most important abilities to possess in today's fast-paced world. We need the support and cooperation of other people to help us in reaching our goals. The saying "No man is an island" is an undeniable truth.

Here are some hot tips to effectively influence and persuade anyone you desire.

1) Enter their world.

You must understand the situation according to their point of view. Set aside your personal interests and concentrate on them.

Just pretend that if you are them, what would you do? What would be your opinion? Then take the appropriate action that would be beneficial to them.

Copy them. Observe how they act, how they speak, and how they think. If they rub their forehead while they think, act like them. If they speak at a clear and slow pace, try to do the same thing. This is called mirroring.

In due time, the people you're mirroring will subconsciously feel more comfortable with you. It's as if they see themselves in you.

However, you must proceed with caution. Do not let them be aware that you are copying them. They might interpret it as mockery and you'll just get into trouble.

2) Be Friendly and Nice.

Smile to brighten up the day. Make a sincere compliment to raise their spirits. Little things like these count a lot.

Make them feel that whenever they need help or just someone to look up to, you'll always be there to lend a hand. They would tend to be more receptive to people that they trust.

If you want to ask your boss a favor, do everything you can to please him. Overdeliver and exceed his expectations. Soon, he will notice your efforts and will be more than glad to grant your request.

3) Provide them with compelling evidence.

Explain to them how your ideas or suggestions could be the most effective techniques to implement. Show them undeniable proof that you have the best product by way of testimonials, before and after scenarios, and detailed comparisons against your competitors. Just make sure that all your claims are true and verifiable. Always maintain a good reputation.

4) Meet their existing needs and desires.

People are self-centered. They are initially concerned with their own well-being before others. If you can prove that your proposal will provide more advantageous benefits to them than to your own, then they will probably accept it.

If you could focus more on their interests, desires, needs, and expectations, then you would satisfy their cravings for attention. Moreover, it would show that you really care about them. Mutual trust and respect would be established.

This is the most important thing to remember when persuading anyone. No matter how close you are to becoming like them or how overwhelming your evidence is, if it does not satisfy the "What's In It For Me?" test, your persuasion efforts will not produce satisfactory results. Always bear in mind how they will benefit from your actions.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

The True and Magnificent Power of Giving.

You've probably heard of the popular saying "It's better to give than to receive." But do you actually know what hidden power lies within this magnanimous act known as "giving?"

When you give something from your heart without expecting anything in return, you release a powerful force that will trigger your good deed to "bounce" back to you in amazing, and sometimes unusual ways.

I firmly believe that whatever you impart to others will come back to you a hundred fold. You are doing yourself a big favor by helping someone in need. By doing even the smallest acts of generosity, you are inviting good vibrations to come into your life.

You would be earning the respect and love of your recipients. You know that you will always have a loyal group of friends who would help, protect, and do anything for you just because they feel that they have to repay you in any way they can. Most people would have the urge or drive to reciprocate any act of kindness you've shown them.

However, this does not mean that you must expect them to repay you. Give without any expectation of rewards. Don't do it just because you have an ulterior motive. Give unconditionally. Give because you are happy doing it. The universe will get back to you in its own special way.

Speaking of happiness, the act of giving can summon the spirit of joy to come into your heart. How would you feel when you've given something to your less fortunate neighbors? Let me tell you that nothing could brighten up my day more than hearing them express their most heartfelt gratitude and seeing their smiles extend from ear to ear.

Giving is also a healthy habit. It could prolong your life by instilling within you an inner sense of peace and accomplishment.

Just like all things in life, giving has its limitations. Being too generous can have its toll. Your kindness might be taken advantage of and people might abuse your good intentions. Beware of individuals who are continuously seeking your aid. It's better to teach them how to solve their problems than to always attend to their needs.

As one saying goes ...

"Give them some fish and you'll feed them for a day. Teach them how to fish and you'll feed them for a lifetime."

Lastly, here's what I consider the most important rule about giving. Keep your good deeds to yourself. Don't announce to the whole world that you've donated $100,000 to your favorite charity or that you've helped save a child from a life-threatening disease.

If you really desire to give, do it secretly and in private. Some people would write "anonymous" rather than their own names when they've made a contribution. The universe smiles upon these individuals, and they will get their just rewards in due time.

Now that you know how wonderful it is to give, would you go out to the world and share your blessings?

Monday, August 29, 2005

Building Solid Relationships Using the Power of Words.

We may not be aware of it; but the words we utter daily may have different interpretations, even if you think that they mean the same thing.

Here's an example.

Would you rather have someone tell you that you are "slim," or would you like to hear that you are "thin?" Being slim has a slightly positive effect because it is attributed to health and fitness.

Rather than saying you have failed, just mention that you have not yet achieved success. Get the picture? Always try to speak words in the most positive manner you can think of.

Here's another important advice.

Never compare the negative qualities of one person with another.

A former boss of mine has this to say to me when I made an error in my previous day job, "James (not real name) is doing a much better job than you are. He's not committing any mistake like you do."

That crushed my heart. My boss thought this would motivate me to do better. Nope, it just hurt my feelings and lowered my self-esteem. Of course, I would never make the same mistake again after her harsh scolding. I've learned my lesson well. But she could have said it nicely.

Experiences arising from discouragement and condemnation will have a negative effect on the recipient.

Some parents might believe that instilling fear on their children would improve their performance. They would say, "You're always failing. Why can't you be like your brother? You're such a disgrace to this family."

Now that's not the proper way to do it. They should inspire, encourage, and motivate their children; not belittle them even further.

They should tell their children that they have the capacity to achieve great things, if they would only put a little more effort. Teach them values that would make them feel important and loved.

You may even go as far as giving them qualities that they do not yet possess. By giving them confidence and by making them believe that they have such characteristics, they will eventually acquire such traits. Tell them how bright you think they are, and you will soon be surprised at the results. They will significantly improve if you firmly made them believe that they have the capacity to do so.

So if you ever wanted to persuade or encourage someone to do better, make sure that he or she is motivated out of inspiration, and not out of fear. Give advice that cares, and not offensive words borne out of hatred or anger.

Think first before you speak. Many relationships have been ruined by the wrong choice of words. Some people voice out anything that comes to their mind, without first filtering the good words from the bad ones. This might result in misunderstandings and arguments, which could have easily been prevented if we speak out in a way that is neutral and non-offensive.

Words are very powerful indeed. Use them responsibly for the benefit of all.

Control Your Fear Before It Controls You.

"Fear Factor" is one of my favorite TV shows. It highlights the courage of the participants to engage in the most fearsome and disgusting acts.

Most of the contestants are willing to sacrifice their dignity for the sake of the prize money. So what does that imply? It implies that with the proper mindset, determination, and will power, you can conquer your fear.

Everyone has some sort of fear. It may be brought about by any one or more of the following reasons.

1) by a traumatic past incident (like being bitten by a dog)
2) by the influence of other people
3) by their own negative way of thinking

But are you going to let fear take over your life? Will you remain a hostage of your fear forever?

You must take the necessary steps to overcome your fright. It's all in the mind.

Do you envy other people when you see them enjoying wild rides, and you're just stuck in a corner because you're too terrified to give it a try?

My suggestion is to face your fear head-on. Imagine yourself enjoying the experience instead of exaggerating the things that make you worry. (Unless of course you have health problems, then taking wild rides may not be a good idea).

Do you want to be a doctor but you're afraid that your intellect can't handle the pressure or you're worried about financial insecurity?

Well here's the good news. If you're really determined to achieve your deepest desires, a powerful force will enable you to reach them amidst every obstacle that comes in the way. I'm not kidding.

Someone or something will always be there to help you attain your goals. Just have faith in your abilities. Your will power have the utmost capacity to accomplish anything with the proper mindset.

You could use visualization to help you in defeating any kind of fear.

Are you afraid of heights? Then imagine yourself being on top of a mountain, overseeing the magnificent sights. Enjoy and feel the moment. Take away all worries and anxieties.

Then just do it! Face it head on! Go to the top of a building and savor the great feeling of being able to face your fear.

This applies to whatever thing that triggers your fear factor. Just imagine being able to defeat it, then confront it with the definite belief that you have the capacity to do everything you want if you just put your mind to it.

Face the thing you fear the most and you'll never have to fear anything again in your life.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Seven Incredible Lifesaving Tips to Manage Your Anger

Experiencing anger is extremely dangerous to your health. It causes your adrenaline and blood pressure to rise up at above normal levels. Moreover, you could end up hurting someone or doing something that you will regret later on.

Here are 7 fantastic tips to help you be the one in control of yourself, and not the hazardous madman called "Anger."

1) Relax and visualize.

Calm yourself down. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, imagine all those bottled-up fury come out of your nose and mouth. Release it and be free. Repeat this step over and over until you feel peace inside.

Then visualize being in a place where you feel most happy, calm, and relaxed. It may be a place like a beach, garden, scenic locations, or anywhere else you might think of. Just imagine being there and inhaling the essence of your serene environment. By doing this, you will not find it hard to attain inner peace.

2) Pour out your anger to safe outlets.

You had a big quarrel with your former friend. He betrayed your trust. You want vengeance and you're raving mad.

Hold it. Restrain yourself.

Try your best to get away from him as far as you can. You don't want to hurt anyone. Anger can possess your brain into doing something that you wouldn't dare do before.

How do you then release your anger if you can't restrict it anymore?

Buy a punching bag, then pour out all your rage in it. Punch it, kick it, strangle it. Imagine the punching bag is your enemy. When you're done, you will feel a sense of satisfaction. You may even punch and kick through thin air if you desire.

Another way to release it is "SHOUT!" Find a distant place where you can be alone - a place where no one can hear you. At the top of your voice, yell out loud "Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh." You can choose any word you like as long as you release all those angry demons out of your chest.

3) Forgive and forget.

Nothing could ease your mental and emotional pains better than by forgiving someone that has hurt you in the past. It is very unhealthy to burden yourself with unnecessary torture brought about by unpleasant memories of other people's demeaning acts.

Moreover, if they have taken something important away from you, would it make sense to also sacrifice your health and lifestyle? Of course not.

4) Exercise.

Engaging in exercises increases your endorphins. Your angry mood could miraculously change to a happy one if you get involved in exercises that you enjoy doing.

5) Have a circle of "sponge" friends.

Do you feel relieved when you voice out all your problems to close friends and relatives? That's the power of voicing out your inner feelings.

Always have someone to talk to when you're down, when you're depressed, when you're mad, or in any other occasion when you feel you have to get the thorns out of your chest.

6) Listen to soothing music.

It calms your soul. A 20 minute session of listening to relaxing music while resting comfortably could soothe the upset spirit. Take deep breaths often.

7) Pray.

Deadly consequences arise when people could not hold back their fury. Ask for guidance that you will be able to control your temper. Prayers bring inner peace to those who ask for it.

There you have it - 7 essential rules to release yourself from the treacherous killer known as "Anger." Manage your anger, save your life.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Five Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression.

Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives. We get sad when we fail in our exams, when we're rejected by the person we love, or when someone very close to us passes away. Depression, however, could be more fatal than just plain loneliness. It could render life-long
consequences that could ruin your self-esteem, health, and well-being.

Here are some superb tips to conquer the melancholy mood and get the most bliss out of your daily activities.

1) Get Enough Light and Sunshine.

Lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition.

Melatonin is only produced in the dark. It lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish. If you are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself from staying in bed.

This is the reason why many people are suffering from depression much more often in winter than in the other seasons. It's because the nights are longer.

If you can't afford to get some sunshine, you can always lighten up your room with brighter lights. Have lunch outside the office. Take frequent walks instead of driving your car over short distances.

2) Get Busy. Get Inspired.

You'll be more likely to overcome any feeling of depression if you are too busy to notice it. Live a life full of inspired activities.

Do the things you love. If you're a little short on cash, you could engage in simple stuffs like taking a leisurely stroll in the park, playing sports, reading books, or engaging in any activity that you have passion for and would love to pursue.

Set a goal - a meaningful purpose in life. No matter how difficult or discouraging life can be, remain firm and have an unshakable belief that you are capable of doing anything you desire. With this kind of positive attitude, you will attain a cheerful disposition to beat the blues.

3) Take a Break.

I mean it.

Listen to soothing music. Soak in a nice warm bath. Ask one of your close friends to massage you. Take a break from your stressful workload and spend the day just goofing around. In other words, have fun.

4) Eat Right and Stay Fit.

Avoid foods with lots of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol. Sugar and caffeine may give you a brief moment of energy; but they would later bring about anxiety , tension, and internal problems. Alcohol is a depressant. Many people would drink alcohol to "forget their problems." They're just aggravating their conditions in the process.

Exercising regularly is a vital depression buster because it allows your body to produce more endorphins than usual. Endorphins are sometimes called "the happy chemicals" because of their stress-reducing and happiness-inducing properties.

5) Get a Social Life.

No man is an island. Your circle of friends are there to give you moral support. Spending time and engaging in worthwhile activities with them could give you a very satisfying feeling. Nothing feels better than having group support.

Never underestimate the power of touch. Doesn't it feel so good when someone pats you on the back and gives you words of encouragement during your most challenging times? Hug or embrace someone today. You'll never know when you have saved another life.

Get intimate. Establish close ties with your family and friends. The love and care expressed by others could tremendously boost your immune system and fend off illnesses. Best of all, you'll live a more secured and happy life.

Friday, August 26, 2005

How To Start, Survive, and Finish Your Journey To Super Success.

"The more you hate, the more you love."

What an ironic statement. Whoever said those words must have been drunk. The bottom line is this: It is extremely difficult to like or love something that you despise.

But what can we do to solve this dilemma? What if you're trapped in an environment that you don't want to be involved in? What if you're sick and tired of your job that you feel like puking every time someone mentions your work?

Of course, you take inspired and motivated action to get out of your present rut and start living the life you've always dreamed of.

Guess what? It's not going to be easy. You will have to come out of your comfort zones to discover potentials and opportunities waiting for you. You have to conquer your fear and take calculated risks. You have to stay focused and persevere despite the difficulties you will encounter.

Success doesn't come easy. It takes heart and passion. It may also take some time before you can actually reap the fruits of your labor.

But how do you actually survive this stage? This is the moment when you're working extra hard to reach your goals. This is also the instance when you're enduring whatever adversity hits you.

For example, you're employed in a job that you hate. You know deep inside that you would not like to stay in the rat race throughout your life. So you decided to engage in a part-time business or to study night courses. Good move, my friend.

So far so good. A few days later, time started running out for you. Your family complains that you've never spoken a word to them in such a long time. You're getting crazy over your very hectic schedule. Soon enough, your attitude changes negatively. You get mad and frustrated over the tiniest setbacks. You hate the world for all the misery it has brought upon you.

Stop right now!

That is not the way to go. You are attracting negative elements into your life. Yes, you have to work harder, dig deeper, and sacrifice more to attain your ambitions. But no, you don't have to hate the world and feel bad about your difficult situation. Remember the Law of Attraction. If you hate the world, the world hates you back.

So what do you have to do?

Learn to love your current situation. See all the positive sides of life. Be enthusiastic. Love your boss, your coworkers, your family, your friends, and even strangers that you meet on the streets. It may not be easy, but nothing is impossible with a strong will power. Just don't fall in love so much that you totally forget about your dreams.

Balance is the key. Dream and take some positive action to move you toward your goals. Take it one step at a time. But while you're slowly crawling into the long journey to success, be patient and be as enthusiastic as possible. Don't hurry up too much that you totally forget how to enjoy life.

One fine day, you will finally attain what you have always longed for. But when that day comes, don't spit back on the face of those who belittled you before.

Stay humble. Don't look down on others when you see that you are becoming more successful than they are. Help them. Inject your positive aura into their personalities. When you give, you will yield back equal or greater rewards.

Are you ready to begin the journey? Start it with the courage and desire to improve your life. Survive and go through it with persistence, enthusiasm, and positive thinking. Finish it with a resounding bang of accomplishment and with the desire to help others succeed as well.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Insomnia: How to End the Frustration.

Insomnia is a common sleep sickness that has bothered many people around the world. But the consequences brought about by this disorder may not be as ordinary as it may seem. It can be downright punishing.

You know the frustration of looking repeatedly at your clock while endlessly moving around in your bed. It's mental and emotional agony to say the least. The tension builds up to its peak when you see the sunrise, and you have to go to the office lacking so much energy after spending a sleepless night.

You don't have to suffer anymore. Here are some tips to help you snooze faster than you could ever expect.

1) Wake up and go to bed at the same time everyday, even during the weekends. Some insomniacs tend to sleep at any time of the day to catch up on some sleep they lose during the night. Now this is the biggest mistake you can make. It ruins your body clock and will only worsen your insomnia. If you can't sleep one night, get up the usual time the next morning. You'll be sleeping soundly like a baby the next night.

2) Don't eat within 4 hours before you go to bed. If in case you went hungry, try some crackers or light snack. But don't indulge in an "eat-all-you-can" feast right before bedtime. Your food won't be digested well, resulting in poor and uncomfortable sleep.

3) Don't drink caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine can obstruct your ability to sleep. Alcohol can make you drowsy, but it can wake you up in the middle of the night and bring you side effects that will hinder a continuous sleep process.

4) Relax and stay fit. Avoid having a stressful lifestyle. Exercise daily to release tension. Engage in breathing exercises to relax your body. Most important of all, don't carry your problems or emotional baggage to sleep with you. Forget about it for the mean time. You can go back and solve your dilemma better the next day after a restful sleep.

5) Never force yourself to sleep. Trying your best to sleep requires some work. You don't want to work when you want to doze off. Sleep comes best if you are in a relaxed and comfortable state. Just lie down, relax, and let the sleeping fairy cast its spell upon you.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

4 Brilliant Tips to Speed Read Faster than Ever.

Many people, particularly students, would love to be able to absorb information faster. But before retaining information, they have to go through the first stage of learning, which is reading.

For many individuals who are pressed for time, speed reading has become a necessity. However, it's not just the reading part that is important. Equally essential is for the reader to fully understand the words coming out from the book or paper.

Here are some great tips to read and comprehend faster.

1) Relax.

If you're in the stressed mode, it would be much more difficult to concentrate; hence, it would just be a lot harder for the information to sink in.

2) Know what you want.

Focus on the areas that you really need to learn. Some people read all parts of a book, when all they need to know is a specific chapter.

Know your priority. If you need to find out about a certain subject, go to the Table of Contents and search for the heading that best suits your need. If you need to learn more, then adjust accordingly. The important thing is to weed out the stuffs that you don't currently need.

3) Get rid of the structure words.

Did you know that around 60% of the words we read are structure words? Examples are the words "the, or, and." They are essential in the structure of the sentences; but when you ignore them, they basically mean the same thing. They only serve to beautify, yet you can understand what you are reading even without them. Try not to focus too much attention on structure words.

4) Practice, practice, practice.

When I started exercising with weights, I can only lift the lighter ones. As the time goes by, I slowly add more and more weights as my body tends to adjust and become more comfortable carrying heavier ones.

The same concept goes for speed reading. Set a goal. Figure out how fast you can read, then create a plan to increase your ability.

If you can read 200 words per minute, set a goal to read 250 words a minute. After accomplishing this feat, set a goal to read 300 words per minute.

This takes time and practice, but the effort is all worth it. If this is your first time to set such a goal, read first those materials you are familiar with.

Carry on with more difficult ones as you progress. This way, you're not overwhelming yourself with understanding different new words and at the same time developing your speed reading skills.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Eating .. Gaining Weight .. How to Control the Urge to Splurge

I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens every time I think about munching into one, hearing the crunch, and getting that first taste of its yummy flavor. Pure heaven. Although you don't flip over chips, probably there's another food that lures you into the refrigerator or the pantry cabinet. According to one study, 97% of women (compared to 68% of men) experience cravings on food.

How do you control these urges that drag you in an intoxicated shape away from your diet plan and down into the swirling vortex of pleasure? I researched on the topic to give you expert advice on how to enjoy that art called eating without turning in into a feeding frenzy. Read on - and never again feel guilty about eating a chocolate chip cookie.

Take Charge of Your Eating Habits.

Try to control the number of food cravings you experience. It appears to be impossible for humans like us, but if you psyche yourself and develop fewer cravings, then slowly you'll submit to fewer cravings.

According to one study of nearly 500 women, researchers found that women who received a daily 1, 200 milligram calcium supplement reduced their number of premenstrual food cravings by 54%. To reach the same result by getting the needed calcium intake from food, rely on skim milk and yogurt. Sounds a bit difficult for all lactose intolerant? Try some calcium-fortified foods or juices like cheese and calcium-filled orange juices. If you don't feel you can get sufficient calcium from food, make up the difference using a supplement of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate.

How about something relaxing? When you're anxious, the body produces more of the hormone cortisol, which may increase the amount of carbohydrates you want to eat. Sweets or carbohydrates temporarily increase our levels of serotonin, making us feel
calm and relaxed.

Thus, one way of helping curb your sweet tooth, rent some videos, text your funniest friends, or schedule a spa weekend. Why not have a bit of chocolate once in a while? When you begin including small amounts of these forbidden foods into your diet, a funny thing happens: You don't crave them anymore.

Distinguish specific cravings from hunger. Suppose you drive by a fast food outlet and all of a sudden, you develop a deep craving for French fries. Rather than rushing down the drive thru section, reassess your urge. Turn on your favorite music and switch your attention away from the fries idea. Suppose, on the other hand, you feel the need to satisfy not the urge but your hunger, select an apple pie or salad as a substitute.

Cut Hundreds of Calories.

Sure you can cut on hundreds of calories on what you eat every day! How? By making the appropriate choices on replacing high-calorie to low-calorie foods, such as cheese, creams, whole milk, butter, etc. Here are easy tricks to keep you cooking and eating minus the calories.

· When cooking, use nonstick pan to eliminate the use of butter and/or oil.
· Remove the fat from the meat.
· Remove the skin of chicken before serving.
· Use butter-flavored seasoning on vegetables instead of sprinkling butter.
· For casseroles, desserts and sauces, use evaporated skim milk (12 cal./tbsp.) instead of heavy cream (51 cal./tbsp.).
· Cook stews and other casseroles ahead of time. Refrigerate. Remove congealed fat before serving.
· Choose real orange (71 cal.) over an orange juice (90 cal./6 oz).
· For snacks, low-calorie fruits (cucumbers, asparagus, carrots, apples, pickles) are good replacements for crackers and breads.
· Use bottled chocolate extract for milk shakes instead of sweetened cocoa.
· Use two egg whites (34 cal.) for cakes instead of one egg (82 cal.).
· Choose diet margarine (50 cal.) instead of the regular margarine (100 cal.).
· Choose cereals with the least calories then add fresh fruits to be more nutritious.
· In parties, good substitutes for snacks are carrot strips, pickle slices, and raw mushroom caps.
· Drip away fats by cooking hamburgers on the rack.
· Avoid chips with dips.

Staying in healthy shape depends on the right attitude. So how strong is your will power to control the urge?

Current Self Improvement News
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Complete local and regional sports coverage from central Illinois, including the Peoria Rivermen, Peoria Chiefs, Bradley University, Illinois State, Western Illinois, University of Illinois, Big Ten, Missouri Valley, Mid-State 6, Mid-Illini and 60 area high schools
The last self-help book you'll ever need (Fast Company Magazine)
Dear Readers, We've had a good year. You trashed me when I said NBC's version of The Office was superior to the original, an assertion of mine that's proven to be true. You rallied with me when "Jack" radio took...
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If books are the font of knowledge, then the St. Joseph County Public Library in downtown South Bend is overflowing with opportunities for self-improvement.
Pivot's Popular Bay Area Personal Development Course Now Offered at UC Berkeley (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
BERKELEY, Calif.----Dec. 5, 2005--Pivot, Inc. announced today that its personal development course, Concepts and Practices for Life, is now offered through UC Berkeley Extension. Starting in January 2006, Concepts and Practices for Life will be included as part of the prestigious university's Humanities & Personal Development Program of Study.
An Indian tsunami survivor of a self-help group gets ready at a stall in Nagapattinam (AlertNet)
An Indian tsunami survivor of a self-help group gets ready at a stall in Nagapattinam, about 325 km (202 miles) from the southern Indian city of Chennai, December 26, 2005. Mourners across the world gathered on Monday along ravaged Indian Ocean coastlines to remember more than 231,000 people who died in last year's tsunami.


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