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It is quite evident that we are living in one terribly noisy world and it seems to be getting worse every day. Everywhere we go we are accosted by loud, unwanted sound. When we enter elevators, malls and restaurants we are engulfed by musak. I recently had lunch at a popular restaurant and found the background music so loud that it interfered with normal conversation and the enjoyment of my lunch. When I asked the waitress if she could turn the music off, or at least down, she said, ” I don’t think we can.” Surely we as a people are still in charge of volume controls.

When you add lawnmowers, snow blowers, leaf blowers, jack hammers, jet engines, transport trucks, and horns and buzzers of all types and descriptions you have a wall of constant noise and irritation. Even when watching a television program at a reasonable volume level you are blown out of your chair when a commercial comes on at the decibel level of a jet.

We seem to have created a cultural acceptance of our noisy world in spite of the fact that it is making us ill physically and psychologically. We can’t seem to live without background sound. We have friends who turn on the television the moment they awaken in the morning and leave it on all day. The house is just too quiet if it isn’t on. Former highschool students of mine used to tell me that the first thing they did on arriving home after school was turn on their CD player as loudly as would be tolerated by their parents.

Cornell University recently conducted a study to determine the impact of noise on employees in an open area office space where people are constantly exposed to fax machines, telephones, office chatter, shredding machines, etc. Test results revealed that workers in an open area had high levels of adrenalin in their urine. Adrenalin is released by the body when under stress. It prepares us for fight or flight. When these employees were compared to those in self contained office spaces the results were startling. People in a quiet, self contained work area did not have the same high levels of adrenalin in their urine. They were much more relaxed and less stressed.

A puzzle, demanding attention and concentration, was given to both groups of employees. The open area group was found to be less diligent in the solution of the puzzle becoming easily frustrated and giving up much earlier than the group from the quiet office. The study also found that workers from the quiet office slept better at night, had better digestion, were much less irritable at home and felt better at the end of their workday than employees from the open concept office. Noise does seem to effect focus, productivity and general physical and psychological well being. Noise tends to increase stress levels which in turn can result in increased frustration, anger and strained interpersonal relationships. We must begin to establish a friendship with silence.

How to Make a Friend of Silence

While we have very little control over noise in the environment at large, we do have control over our own private environment. This is where we begin to cultivate a friendship with silence.

* Make a conscious commitment to the experience and appreciation of silence.

* Go for a walk in nature. Let the silence soothe your spirit.

* When you are alone in your residence turn off all noise making appliances. Begin with fifteen minutes of silence and gradually increase the duration.

* Learn how to meditate and schedule a ten minute meditation period once or twice a day. Gradually extend your meditation time.

* When driving to work, turn off your car radio and drive in silence.

* Go camping for an night by yourself. Find a quiet campground where they don’t allow people to blast their music without consideration for others. I usually go solo camping for one week each year to be alone and silent in the outdoors. It has become something I eagerly look forward to.

* Drive to a lake at sunset and rent a canoe. Paddle slowly along the shoreline observing the silent sights and the gentle sounds of nature as the sun sets and darkness approaches.

* In silence listen to your breathing. Get a sense of the silent rhythm of life.

* Just before retiring go outside and look up at the night sky. You will soon sense another universal rhythm so unfamiliar to many. Let the night sky and the darkness embrace you and calm you as you prepare for a night’s rest.

* When you read a book, do so in silence. Many of us read to music or during television commercials. Try silence. You’ll grow to love it.

Soon you will begin to cherish the periods of silence you have built into your day and long for more. You will quickly discover that you are becoming more relaxed and less tense even in the midst of our noisy world. You will have made an invaluable new friend of silence, a friend which can comfort, heal and soothe your spirit. What a gift you will have given yourself.

Be still and know the restorative power of silence.

Mike Moore is an international speaker and writer on human potential, motivation and humour. You can check out his motivational books, tapes, special reports and manuals at http://www.motivationalplus.com/store.html

[tags]relaxation, stress relief, stress management, humor and health[/tags]

You already walk your dog every evening, so you must be ready to start hiking
with your dog as you travel this summer, right? Perhaps, but a deep-woods nature
walk isn’t always a stroll around the neighborhood block…

START WITH YOUR DOG

Before you plunge down any trail, make sure you tailor your plans to your
dog’s capabilities. Are you mapping out a 12-mile day hike that will tag the peaks
of three mountains? Not all dogs are bred for that kind of long-term exertion. It is
especially important not to overtax your dog on a hike because she will soldier on in
an effort to please you and never let on to any pain.

Hiking can be a wonderful preventative for any number of physical and
behavioral canine disorders and running up trails and leaping through streams is
great exercise for that one in every three dogs that is overweight. But just like us, a
dog used to being a couch potato can’t be expected to easily complete a five-mile
loop trail. Have your dog checked by a veterinarian before significantly increasing
his activity level.

OUTFITTING YOUR DOG FOR A HIKE

Every canine hike should include such basics as identification tags (get one
with your vet’s phone number on it as well) and a bandanna that can help
distinguish a dog from game in hunting season. If you are pushing off on a long
hike with your dog there is no reason you should shoulder all the supplies.

Wearing a dog pack is no more obtrusive than wearing a collar. Introduce the
pack by draping a towel over your dog’s back around the house and then have her
wear an empty pack on short walks. Progressively add crumpled newspapers and
then bits of clothing. Fill the pack with treats and reward your dog from the stash.
Soon your dog will associate the pack with an outdoor adventure and eagerly look
forward to wearing it.

A dog can comfortably carry 25% of her body weight. Low density items such
as food and poop bags are good choices to include in a dog pack. Ice cold bottles
of water can cool your dog on hot days. Don’t put anything in a pack that can break
since you will soon see your dog banging into rocks and trees as he wiggles through
tight spots on the trail. Seal items in plastic bags for when your dog jumps into a
creek.

Always pack a “doggie first aid kit” that gives you quick access to gauze pads,
cling-type bandaging tapes, topical wound disinfectant cream and tweezers. Also
have a veterinarian’s phone number handy.

LOW IMPACT HIKING WITH YOUR DOG

Every time you hike with your dog on the trail you are an ambassador for all
dog owners. Some people you meet won’t believe in your right to take dogs on a
trail. Be friendly to all and make the best impression you can. Practice low impact
hiking with your dog by:

* packing out everything you pack in.

* not leaving dog scat on the trail.

* hiking only where dogs are allowed.

* staying on the trail and not allowing your dog to trample vegetation.

* not allowing your dog to chase wildlife.

* stepping off the trail and waiting with your dog while horses and other

hikers pass.

* not allowing your dog to bark - people are enjoying the trail for serentity.

One of the best ways to practice low impact hiking is to use a leash. This will
guarantee that your dog will not unnecessarily disturb the environment or other
people - and keep her safe on the trail.

TRAIL HAZARDS

Dogs are naturally curious and left to their own devices will almost certainly
stick a nose where it doesn’t belong. Dogs can’t get poison ivy but they can
transfer it to you. Other nuisance plants include stinging nettle that lurks on the
side of many trails and even the slightest brush will deliver troublesome needles
into a dog’s coat. Nasty thorns can also blanket trails that we in shoes may never
notice. If your dog has tender paws, dog booties are available to prevent pads from
cracking while trotting across rough surfaces. Used in winter, dog booties provide
warmth and keep ice balls from forming between toe pads when hiking through
snow.

Canine hikers, especially if you confine your adventures to well-trod paths, can
spend a lifetime in the woods and encounter little more than deer and squirrels. The
wildlife is there but the presence of a dog will keep most animals deeper in
seclusion. Shy creatures such as rattlesnakes are found in every state in America. If
your dog is bitten by a snake it won’t be necessarily fatal but get him to a
veterinarian with as little movement as possible as soon as possible.

A more likely meeting is with porcupines. They won’t run from a dog and any
encounter can wind up with your dog impaled by quills that will work into the skin
and easily cause infection. Less dangerous, but equally distressing, is a rendevous
with a skunk, another animal that feels comfortable standing up to a dog.

THE WEATHER AND YOUR DOG

Hot, humid summers do not do dogs any favors. With no sweat glands and
only panting available to disperse body heat, dogs are much more susceptible to
heat stroke than we are. Unusually rapid panting and/or a bright red tongue are
signs of heat exhaustion in your pet. A good rule of thumb is to carry 8 ounces of
water for every hour of planned hiking - your dog can even learn to drink happily
from a squirt bottle. Beware of allowing her to drink too generously from surface
water since even fast-flowing streams can be infested with a microscopic protozoa
called Giardia, waiting to wreak havoc on your dog’s intestinal system.

Some of your most rewarding hikes with your dog will be in the mountains
where the weather can change in a moment’s notice. It may be cooler at higher
altitudes but the sun will burn more intensely. When hiking in extremes of
temperature remember that a hike is not a race and rest often - for both your sake
and your dog’s.

WHERE CAN I HIKE WITH MY DOG?

While most hikers head first for America’s National Parks, as a general rule,
dogs in national parks are welcome only “anywhere a car can go.” This means your
dog can hike only along roadways and walk around parking lots. In most national
parks dogs can also go in picnic areas and stay in campgrounds. If you are hiking
in Canadian national parks, bring your dog along - there are few prohibitions
against dogs there.

You will find National Monuments are a mixed bag for active dog owners.
Some, like Dinosaur National Monument or White Sands National Monument, allow
dogs on most trails while others, Devil’s Tower or Cedar Breaks for instance, ban
canine hikers from all trails.

National Forests, under the stewardship of the Department of Agriculture and
not the Department of the Interior like national parks, offer the meatiest hiking
opportunities for dog owners. Dogs are permitted on most national forest trails,
although access can sometimes be remote. Many times national forest lands
surround national parks so you can get your dog on a trail after being cooped up
there. National Grasslands are cousins of national forests and you can expect to
have your dog accompany you on your hike. Hiking opportunities are limited,
however, as there typically aren’t many trails in a national grassland.

National Recreation Areas, as the name implies, are managed to maximize
public use - for humans and dogs. Many trails in national recreation areas are open
to off-road vehicles, mountains bikes, and horses. These types of trails will
invariably be open to dogs as well. You can expect to find good canine hikes in
almost any national recreation area.

Dogs are seldom allowed on trails at National Seashores but happily most (the
southeastern national seashores are an exception) allow dogs on the beach year-
round. National Lakeshores are good bets for canine hikers as dogs are allowed on
many trails in these parks along the Great Lakes.

National Historical Parks are hidden gems for canine hikers. There are few bans
on dogs in national historical parks. In addition to learning a thing or two about
American history, these parks often feature interesting hiking: the rolling hills of
eastern Pennsylvania in Valley Forge Historical Park, the mountains of Harpers Ferry
Historical Park, the wild Potomac River of the Chesapeake & Ohio National Historical
Park to name a few.

State Parks are always a good bet for canine hikes; California being the most
critical exception. Dogs are not allowed on trails in California state parks. With
spectacular state parks like Ricketts Glen in Pennsylvania, Hocking Hills in Ohio and
Custer in South Dakota, your dog can vacation happily without the national parks.

So grab that leash and hit the trail! And have as much fun as your dog.

I am the author of over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog and the
widely praised The Canine Hiker’s Bible. As publisher of Cruden Bay Books,
we produce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of canine hiking books found at
http://www.hikewithyourdog.com. During the warm months I lead canine hikes as tour
leader for hikewithyourdog.com tours, leading packs of dogs and humans on hiking
adventures. Tours, ranging from one-day trips to multi-day explorations,
visit parks, historical sites and beaches. My lead dog is Katie, a German Shepherd-
Border Collie mix, who has hiked in all of the Lower 48 states and is on a quest to
swim in all the great waters of North America - http://web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Katies%20Blog/
Katies%20Quest.html. I am currently building a hikewithyourdog.com tours trailer
to use on our expeditions and its progress can be viewed at http://web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Teardrop%20Trailer/Building%20A%20Tour%20Trailer.html.

[tags]hike,walk,dog,trail,canine,nationalpark,hikewithyourdog,leash,parks,beach,dogpack,camping,travel[/tags]

When preparing for a hike you will have to customize your wardrobe to accommodate the conditions you are going to be dealing with. Clothes to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The better prepared you are for your hike the more enjoyable your experience is going to be. You should make sure to avoid clothes that are going to be uncomfortable in during an active day of hiking. You should also take the time to choose your hiking boots carefully. Your clothes and your hiking boots are going to be the two most important factors in enjoying your hike.

When choosing your clothes you should avoid cotton at all costs. As you sweat cotton clothes absorb the sweat and dry incredible slowly. Cotton clothes will absorb your sweat and hold the moisture next to your skin. There are breathable clothing lines out on the market that are designed to pull moisture away from your body and dry quickly. Lycra clothing and any type of swimming shorts are good choices as they dry fairly quickly. Dark clothing dries faster so if you sweat heavily you might want to stay in this color range. However the lighter the color of your clothes the less attracted bugs are going to be. You should make sure to research the area you are going to be hiking in to decide which strategy works better for you.

If you are hiking in cold weather make sure to layer your clothes. You are going to need a layer close to your skin that is pulling the sweat away from your skin. Again avoid cotton because it will hold the moisture next to your skin and will pull heat away from your body. You should have a layer over that to keep you warm and a layer to repel water from the outside. Make sure to wear clean clothes and bring several changes of socks.

For more information about hiking please visit Go Hiking for all of your hiking needs.

[tags]camping,hiking,vacation,trip,travel,discount[/tags]

We are very pleased to have with us Karen Wright, a new Northwest writer. Welcome to Reader Views Karen.

Irene: Your book “The Sequoia Seed” was partly developed from responses you received in an on-line e-zine. Tell us what this book is about.

Karen: The Sequoia Seed is diary of the human journey. Regardless of where we live, how old we are, or what beliefs we have, we all share a common path to personal growth. On that path we battle with fear, unworthiness, and doubt as we strive to bring our most precious dreams to life.

The Sequoia Seed talks directly about our struggles while also challenging them. Most struggles are self-imposed and habitual. Becoming aware of our unconscious choices and our unlimited potential is what the Sequoia Seed is all about.

Irene: What inspired you to write this book?

Karen: My subscribers. Many of them have been with me for years and lamented that their computers were filled with saved Waking Up messages. They encouraged me to put my writings in a book.

And I suppose, in truth, I wrote The Sequoia Seed because I needed to read it. It’s so ironic that we can intellectually, and even emotionally, understand spiritual truths, yet still fall victim to doubt and fear. So far, I’ve found that whatever degree of enlightenment I’ve achieved to be a sporadic experience! I’m on the path too.

Irene: It certainly gives more meaning to the adage: when the student is ready, the teacher appears. It sounds like your subscribers are your teachers, as you are for them. When you say “subscribers” what do you exactly mean?

Karen: You’re absolutely right about my subscribers being my teachers - either directly with their responses and experiences, or indirectly by allowing me the privilege of living my life under their watchful eyes.

My subscribers are individuals all over the world who’ve requested my online ezine Waking Up. Waking Up, our common human goal, is a bi-monthly essay about real human challenges and spiritual truths. Insights, for me, never come in explosions of enlightenmentthey show up in unexpected moments of simple experiences. One day I was walking on a nature trail near my home. It was early fall and leaves were turning color. I was in a particularly deep funk that morning - fear had me by the throat. As I walked I barely noticed my surroundings. Worry, confusion, and panic blinded me to all by my anxious emotions.

I rounded a bend in the trail and stopped dead in my tracks. Before me was the most beautiful field I had ever seen. The dried grasses were backlit from the setting sun and they shone like radiant gold. It was truly stunning. I’m not even sure I was breathing.

Then it struck me. I was no longer in the grip of panic. All my woeful thoughts had vanished in the face of such magnificent beauty. One of life’s truths showed itself to me that day. Fear and beauty cannot co-exist. I wrote about that experience in Waking Up that week. I knew others would resonate. We all succumb to the dreadful paralysis of fear at times. And sometimes it seems like we have no clue how to get out of it. With that glowing field of golden grasses, I was given a ticket out of hell. I remember that when I start to slide into that fear pit. I get up and go outside and sink my bare feet in cool grass or smell a flower or stare at the setting sun. It never fails to calm my run-away mind and remind me that I’m safe.

These are the moments my subscribers sign up for. Moments of remembrance; moments of unity. They’ve written so often that the message was timed perfect for them. I think we share a common path and they feel connected to me, and I to them, in a way that’s hard to describe. And, I supposed, doesn’t need description.

Irene: How did you come up with the name for your book?

Karen: After eighteen months of testing out titles and asking for input from subscribers, I hadn’t found the title. A book’s title is incredibly important and I’d hoped inspiration would strike. One day it did. I was talking to a friend about my wonderful experiences camping and hiking in the Sequoia National Park in California. One my first visit there I spent some time with a park ranger and he told me all about sequoia trees. They are the most massive living thing on the planet and can grow taller than the Statue of Liberty (305 feet), can live for centuries, and the species dates back 157 million years.

A mature sequoia’s bark is three feet thick and has a natural fire-retardant, as does the cone. Cones are incredibly small, about the size of a small chicken egg, and can lie on the forest floor for decades before sprouting. Ironically, what destroys most of the rest of the forest helps the sequoia flourish. Heat from forest fires don’t damage the cone, but allow it to open and release its seeds.

The metaphor is remarkable. Like the incredible potential in a small sequoia seed, we have amazing potential within us. And that potential can lie dormant for years before it takes root. Often the catalyst for our own personal growth comes from our own fires: tragedies and personal crises. It’s at moment of challenges like these when we loosen our grip on what we believe to be true of the world and ourselves and allow a new truth to take root. In these moments of heartbreak, a window opens and we see new possibilities.

Irene: You have inferred that mid-lifers, who suddenly face changes, would benefit from reading this book. What information is particularly targeted toward them?

Karen: I’m not so sure “mid-lifer” is the best description anymore. I’m finding that, regardless of age, people are earnestly seeking more meaning and truth in their lives. I think this state is due more to the state of humanity than the age of a person. But, there are certainly lots of baby boomers searching. Perhaps we need a certain number of years under out belts to discover that the world’s infatuation with material success doesn’t bring much happiness.

Being a baby boomer myself, The Sequoia Seed naturally speaks to those trying to find a new reality. I think Marcel Proust said it best, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Most of us have spent years trying to change our circumstances and environment, only to find that our efforts have been pretty futile. Frustration often leads us to seek a new tactic. And eventually we realize that our worlds are merely a reflection of ourselves. How we believe the world is, is the experience we have.

The Sequoia Seed shines a light on our common misperceptions and challenges habitual beliefs and behaviors. If someone’s calling is a new way that they could exist, they will certainly see it.

Irene: You claim that fear gets in the way of our possibilities. Why do you believe that fear is so powerful?

Karen: That’s an ancient question that I’m not sure I have the answer to. And perhaps the answer is irrelevant. Whether we understand why fear is powerful or not may not help us overcome it. And this is because fear is an illusion. Fear is our mind’s response to the unknown. It’s a very basic response emanating from our instinctual fight-or-flight limbic brain. Fear is a self-preservation impulse. It’s meant to get our attention, not paralyze us. Yet, we’ve given fear so much power that we feel controlled by it. Ironic, when you realize that we create fear.

Irene: How do you suggest we face that fear?

Karen: I align with many spiritual gurus: don’t fight fear. Fighting it merely gives it more power. Fear should be used as an early warning system, to give us a heads-up for something that needs our attention. After becoming aware of the fear, simply ask if what your mind is telling you is rational. You will most likely see that fear exaggerates and fabricates. Take any fear to the ultimate conclusion and it will tell you that you’re going to die. Even if the fear starts small, it feeds on itself and ends up looking enormous.

For anyone who’s faced a fear, not let it stop them, and did what they were afraid of, they will undoubtedly tell you that once they took action the fear vanished. Fear’s only power is in paralyzing you - hence, the clich

Time out of doors is a precious commodity to the outdoor enthusiast - but are we getting the most out of this time. One way to ensure maximum backcountry enjoyment is to get the most possible value from the gear you acquire and use. Here are 5 ways to get the most out of your backcountry gear - and your backcountry experience.

- Purchase the best gear you can possibly afford. If you are going to spend a year planning your next excursion on the continental divide, spend three months getting into great shape, take three weeks vacation when it’s time for the hike, purchase an airline ticket, and so on - then why are you using the cheapest backpack you can find? A good backpack will make all the difference in the world. This applies to all of your backcountry gear. Whether its your GPS unit, sleeping bag, rain gear or dual-fuel portable stove, be sure to carry good equipment in order to get the most value for your money. Don’t buy cheap!

- Learn how to use all of your gear correctly and practice using it. When you are completely lost, it’s not the time to learn how to navigate with a compass and map. When you and your firewood are wet, it’s not the time to learn how to start a fire with the flare you’ve been carrying for 5 years in your pack. Take time to learn all of the features of your gear. You might be surprised to learn just how useful your GPS really is when you understand how to use the backtrack feature. You’ll be mighty thankful when you learn the proper weight distribution for your backpack. Take time to learn - practice around your home before you venture into the backcountry.

- Keep your gear with you and use it as much as possible. Your backcountry gear isn’t just for the backcountry. It has unlimited uses in everyday life. Never go on a road trip without your pack. You’ll almost always find an opportunity to use your binoculars or GPS unit. If you don’t have your gear with you, you’ll need it - never fails.

- Take great care of your gear. Hopefully you’ve learned this from your parents and not necessarily from experience. Your gear will only take good care of you if you take good care of it. Conversely, your gear will let you down if you don’t take good care of it. That’s a bad situation to be in. Inspect everything before you embark on your adventure. Clean and properly store all of your gear upon your return. Have you check your gear’s straps, fuel, waterproofing, batteries and overall condition lately? Taking good care of your gear is an important part of enjoying your backcountry trip.

- When you’re done with it, donate it - and some of your time - to a local scout troop. They are always looking for assistance from outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll feel great getting this last piece of benefit out of your old trusty gear!

Optimize your time in the backcountry. The easiest way ensure maximum outdoor enjoyment is to get the most possible value from your gear. Let these 5 ways guide you in getting the most out of your backcountry gear - and your backcountry experience. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time.

Get Outdoors!

Chuck Fitzgerald is the President of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online store providing backcountry specialty gear and educational information for outdoor enthusiasts. Visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com to receive the free newsletter “FreshAir” or call (800) 316-9055.

[tags]backcountry,gear,camping,hiking[/tags]

How many times have you “committed” yourself to “firm” goals at the beginning of a year and then not achieved them by year’s end? In the fast-paced world in which we all live, consistently finding the time to devote to improving our personal skills for a better future may be one of our greatest challenges. However, take heart; there are ways to regain control of your time and optimism for a better future. Empower yourself to achieve the goals that have eluded you in the past. Following are 10 tips to becoming more time efficient and goal oriented.

1. Establish a life plan or mission statement. What do you want to accomplish over your lifetime? Prioritize your most important goals with an explicit time period for completion such as 90 days, 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years. Develop a strategy to measure the incremental milestones along the path to achieving your overall goals so that you can measure your progress over time.

2. Consider career, family and personal growth goals. Expand your horizon. How many times all of us thought about someday pursuing our personal interests such as taking up a new hobby, learning a second language, reading the “classics,” or becoming healthier? What about traveling to that special place, hiking that mystical trail, learning to scuba dive, or sailing to the exotic destination that exists in our mind. Make sure that these goals get as much consideration as the more “sensible” ones such as career advancement, time management, or financial goals. Remember, “Someday” never comes, only the goals that are explicitly defined, with reasonable and honest time frames and a firm commitment are ever achieved.

3. Structure your important work hours with a time management system. Make sure to reserve time to manage our daily “emergencies” and block out time to complete necessary tasks like phone calls, email, meetings, marketing, unplanned interruptions, and administrative duties. To consistently find time to exercise, it MUST appear on your daily planner.

4. Plan your week ahead of time. Use either Friday afternoon orMonday morning to plan the week to come. At the end of the week, look to see what was not accomplished and list it in the following week’s to do list. If you consistently find many items not completed, reconsider how reasonable your planning has been and make changes.

5. Make a daily to do list. List out the items that need to be done and prioritize the importance of each one.

6. Manage interruptions. Keep track for one work week how many interruptions you experience, how long each one takes to resolve and whether they were external or actually self-imposed. You may be surprised at how much time, energy and money interruptions can cost you.

7. Review your schedule and goals daily. After taking the time to plan your week and list your goals, DO NOT file them away outside of eyesight and hope that everything will get accomplished. Keep these items in a place of easy access and review them frequently.

8. Make goals measurable. You must be able to measure progress towards your goals to sustain your motivation. After clearly defining your personal goals, being able to incrementally measure your progress is the most important component in lifestyle change. How will you know if you are on the right track to achieving your goals? You must break large goals into several measurable components so you can see your success and stay motivated in your efforts.

9. Get a buddy to help with accountability. Often describing to another person what we are working on and why its important to us can help us with support and accountability towards reaching our goals.

10. Have goals and tasks that are achievable. Make sure that the tasks and goals that you set out to accomplish are attainable; don’t set yourself up for failure.

It takes time and energy up front to become more time efficient and goal oriented, but you can create more time in your life and increase the chances of reaching your goals and full potential in life.

About The Author
Susan Van Dorsten is an executive coach specializing in maximizing sales, client development and personal productivity with diverse professional and executive clientele.

[tags]make goals, important goals, more time[/tags]

So, you didn’t know it was hot did you? Do you even know what Orienteering is? It is one of the most thrilling activities available for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and here’s the good news - it’s inexpensive. If you enjoy spending time out of doors and you are looking to break out of your regular routine, Orienteering may be the challenge you’ve been hoping for. Thousands of men, women and children around the country are addicted to the mental and physical rush of Orienteering. Let’s find out why.

First off, what is Orienteering? Orienteering is an outdoor sport where you use a map and a compass to find your way through a cross-country style course either leisurely or competitively. Here’s basically how it works: By using only a compass and a map, participants will move from one control point to another until reaching the end of the course. Each participant - an orienteer - uses a special device, a unique one is located at each control point, to mark their scorecard thus proving they have actually visited the required control points. The orienteer who reaches the finish line first, with all control points visited, is the winner. Sounds easy doesn’t it? So what’s the catch?

There are two main challenges to the sport. First, the route is not marked. Therefore the orienteer must personally navigate from control point to control point using only a compass and a map. To successfully do this, you will always need to know how far you have traveled and in what direction. Their map, provided at the event, gives detailed information on the terrain such as hills, landmarks, bodies of water and other obstacles. Secondly, to be successful in orienteering, the orienteer needs excellent map reading skills, the ability to focus mentally and the ability to make decisions. If the event is competitive, all of this is done as fast as possible.

The most popular type of Orienteering is Foot Orienteering - abbreviated as Foot-O - and it is an Olympic sport. World-class Foot-O athletes typically have endurance and strength characteristics similar to marathon runners. Other Orienteering types include Mountain Bike, Skiing, Trail, and Night Orienteering. To find out more information on Orienteering in your city, contact the United States Orienteering Federation or visit our online Education Center. Competitive orienteering has been called the “thinking sport” and has been likened to “running while playing chess.”

With Orienteering, you’ll improve your problem solving skills, your decision making skills and you will push yourself to new levels of accomplishment. All while having a great time. While leisure Orienteering is not nearly as fast paced or as pressure-packed as competitive Orienteering, you’ll still get an adrenaline rush when you’ve successfully found your way through the course - and that’s why Orienteering is Hot! Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

Chuck Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online specialty store with the “Best Gear Out There” and dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts to “Get It Right The First Time” with timely educational information. Please visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com to find great gear and to receive the Fact & Tips e-newsletter, “FreshAir.” (800) 316-9055.

[tags]backcountry,camping,hiking,recreation,orienteering,map,compass[/tags]

Sailing is a fantastic way of spending your vacation amidst the clear blue ocean and getting involved in lots of sea faring activities. Whatever occasion it may be, a honeymoon, a wedding celebration or a family vacation you can make the most of your opportunity by snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, playing golf, kayaking, swimming and sun bathing.

Apart from enjoying these several recreational programs, you can surely spend your time by observing sea birds, dolphins, sea turtles and whales. Sailing boats are available in a variety of forms and magnitudes depending upon the purpose for which it is going to be used. Some of the essential sailing gear comprise of gloves, short waterproof boots with a solid traction on the soles, wind shorts or pants and waterproof hooded windbreakers. Life jackets are also essential for sails boat. Hawaii and the Caribbean islands are two very exotic sailing destinations attracting large number of tourists each year.

Sailing School And Lessons

If boating, sailing and cruising are your passions then joining a Sailing School will prove to be of immense help. The sailing schools offer all-round sailing lessons - basic sailing instructions, basic cruising instructions, bareboat charter lessons, navigational lessons, coastal cruising courses, etc. Lessons, that are beneficial for both the novice and the veteran. While the beginners learn the basics from these programs, the experienced lot get a chance to hone their skills.

The many sailing schools like the Annapolis Sailing School, Offshore Sailing School, Ottawa Sailing School, Windward Sailing School offer comprehensive sailing lessons that enable the sailors to guide the vessels to safe anchoring at a targeted port. Equipped with the best of programs, the most experienced instructors, quality sailing gears, these professional sailing institutes offer different certificate courses. The backdrop or the environment in which the Sailing schools are located, also works to the advantage of the learners/trainees.

Published by Hak Ty. you can read more about the outdoor adventure here.

[tags]sailing, adventure, vacation[/tags]

Hiking is gaining popularity within the African-American community. We’re beginning to spend more time in nature in an effort to connect deeply with the spirit within. The alertness that is required to observe the natural beauty around us is calming, energizing and edifying. Noticing the colors on the trees, listening to the sounds of the birds, and overlooking scenic landscapes or wonderful bodies of water can heal the soul very profoundly.

Hiking Alone

To be alone with my private thoughts in the space of my own company is euphoric. Moving at my own pace and experiencing the freedom to take any path that looks interesting or simply stop to relax or read is very liberating. Sometimes I listen to inspirational music, messages of personal growth or a guided meditation on my portable CD player. Other times I just listen to the sound of our beautiful natural world. I always stop to journal when hiking. The insights I get while hiking are rarely achieved during the hustle and bustle of work and family life.

Hiking with a Partner

If you feel uncomfortable hiking alone a partner is a great alternative. You can still get that special time with your own thoughts and feelings by hiking together to a destination, then separating enough to get some private space where you can be alone with your thoughts or listen to some media of your choosing. Agree upon an amount of time for this (a half-hour to an hour is
usually good) then re-commune and hike back to the car. Try to keep the conversation as positive as possible. Use this valuable time for spiritual reflection and healing. Give encouragement, love and support to each other every step of the way and hiking with a partner can be powerfully rejuvenating and healing.

Practical Items for Hiking:

Always bring water. And, if you’re hiking for more than a couple of miles it’s a good idea to bring some food, i.e. sandwiches, trail-mix and/or fruit.

You don’t have to invest a lot of money, but a good pair of hiking shoes will make your experience more pleasurable. They absorb the rocks and irregularities of the paths you’ll be walking on.

Dress in layers that are easily adjustable for body temperature. Wear a breathable shirt next to your skin, and a jacket with a good zipper for temperature variability.

If you bring a backpack, it should contain the following items:

Water and Food
First-aid pack
Pocket knife
A camera - I always see something I wish to capture on film
A flashlight - with fresh batteries.
An extra shirt
Something to sit on such as a sheet, blanket of other pad.
I also pack my journal and a pen

The most important thing about hiking is your personal space. View it as a mini-retreat.

Delano Garner writes for “Shades and Reflections,” a resource site for African-American Spiritual Health. http://www.shadesandreflections.com
Contact Delano Garner at delano@shadesandreflections.com

[tags]African,American,African-American,Hiking,Spirituality,Health,Fitness,Self-Improvement,Delano Garner[/tags]

It is obvious everything you take for trekking is vital, but the most important piece of outdoor Hiking gear is your backpack. It does not matter what kind of backpack you have as they are all equally important. There are several types of backpacks to choose from but primarily, there are only two types of backpacks: unframed and framed.

Weight of the backpack should be your first criteria while selecting a backpack as outdoor trekking gear. Since you’re already going to be burdened down with paraphernalia, you don’t want a knapsack that unnecessarily, adds extra weight. You should select a backpack which weighs around 3 pound when it is empty.

Diverse types of knapsacks are available in market.

Rucksacks: The main feature of a rucksack is that it closes with knap pack.

Day Packs: This will refer to any backpack that is small to carry and to use in an overnight trip. This type of outdoor hiking gear is most popular with students. Students are using day packs for carrying school books, now parents using them as diaper bags and, even business men/women using them instead of briefcases.

You should select a proper outdoor hiking gear for short hikes. This selection is not difficult. You should consider weight and durability of back pack as prime driver for selecting a backpack.

There are some backpacks with built in water bladders, but these types are not recommended for the temporary walk because it is burden some and no matter, how relaxing it may seem at first, the added pressure is not worth it.

Framed backpack is necessary for all trekkers

If you are trekking out into the wilds and are chalking out a plan on staying over night, then you will need a bit bigger backpack than just a day pack. The recommended outdoor hiking gear would be a framed rucksack. Frame means a construct. This internal or external construct keeps the pack in shape. A well framed haversack is a necessary for outdoor hiking.

These types of backpacks are heavy duty backpacks compared to the pack. This well framed rucksack can carry more equipment in an organized fashion. Framed haversack should be able to carry heavier loads.

Each pack has its benefits and challenges. Internal frame packs are the more well-known variety because they are more comfortable and fit well to the body but in hot climate, this could be a difficulty because there will be very little air movement between the pack and your back.

Visit to get interesting information on hiking accesories like hiking_boot

[tags]Outdoor Hiking Gear, hiking[/tags]