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TODAY'S CHILD

people do not have to know absolutely
everything about your finances, or for
that matter, your sex life. Even if you
have made some regrettable mistakes in
your life, it doesn’t mean that everyone
has to know all the sorry details about
your misfortunes – provided that
anything you do divulge is genuine and
true, the rest should only be shared on a
‘need to know’ basis, if at all.
6. Be careful of what you share on Social
Media. I’m sure you’ve been cautioned
about this many times already, but it’s
certainly worth re-visiting. Once you post
something on Social Media, you can’t
always ‘get it back’ or delete it. Some
countries where Social Media and digital
technology are highly developed have
huge problems with cyber-bullying to the
extent that suicides amongst teens are
reaching epidemic proportions. Back to –
if you can’t say anything positive, rather
Surround yourself with friends, don’t say anything at all. You may wish to
family and acquaintances who you criticise a celebrity or sports icon online,
simply because you didn’t like their most
admire and respect. ” recent performance – rather don’t. You
don’t know what’s going on in their lives
at that time. They may be suffering from
”
the most important thing to do is value an ongoing, consistent basis. For many an illness (eg. food poisoning happens
more often than we realise when they
and appreciate yourself. Nothing that people, life is a roller coaster. They have travel to other countries) or they may
anyone else says or does to show you times when they’re wonderfully well off, have a child or parent who is ill, or they
love will have the desired effect, if you do but then life throws them a curve ball and may be having relationship troubles. Your
not acknowledge yourself as a valuable suddenly their finances are tight, maybe criticism could compound the problem so
human being, someone worthy of being their health isn’t as good as it was before that it escalates out of control. Would you
loved. – make sure you have a safety net in case really want to be the trigger that sets off a
you find yourself suffering through some whole negative sequence of events? How
So, this Valentine’s Day, start off by loving tough times. Never assume that you’ll will you love yourself one day, knowing
yourself. Love yourself by making sure always be riding the crest of the wave. that you made someone else’s life a living
that you fill your day (and for that matter, Most billionaires know what it’s like to hit hell?
every day) with beautiful moments that will rock bottom. Make sure you give yourself
become beautiful memories. Be nice to the gift of a cushion to land on, just in GIVE YOURSELF TIME
people. Smile. Play. Enjoy the sounds and case that happens to you – and whatever Once you’ve made that all-important
images of the nature that surrounds you. you do, don’t go and give it all away in an decision to re-tune your approach to life,
In your interactions with people, look for impulsive stab at being generous. Look remember to also give yourself the gift of
the positives – and starting from this day, after the older you, first! time. This is especially true if you’ve been
try to ignore the negatives. There’s that mean to a sibling. Suddenly being nice
wise snippet of advice that is as relevant 3. Make yourself feel good by paying to them won’t necessarily get them to be
today as it was when it was first thought on time and paying off all your debts, so nice back straight away. And if they are
up: If you can’t say anything nice, rather the people that you owe (the significant the ones who are constantly jealous of you
don’t say anything at all. This may seem a word here is ‘people’ – these are people, and nasty to you, give them some space
bit elementary, but what we fill our minds just like you) can also pay their debts and so they can get used to this new paradigm
with – well, that becomes our reality – and enjoy their quality of life. that you’ve shifted to. Stick to your new
before we can voice our dissatisfaction, principles. Who knows? Maybe they, too,
we first have to be thinking (or feeling) that 4. Surround yourself with friends, family will come around to your way of thinking!
way – and who wants to spend all their and acquaintances who you admire and
waking hours feeling dissatisfied? So, respect. Be kind and considerate. If you’re And, finally, even if you feel at the moment
rather avoid dwelling on anything that’s not a good ‘people person’ grow some that you don’t measure up to your peers,
negative. plants, enjoy the companionship of a don’t give up on yourself. What may
pet. Show them love and you’ll get love seem cool now might just, in a few years’
SOME MORE WAYS TO LOVE in return. Love does not have to cost a time, become very uncool. You may have
YOURSELF: fortune. Being loving can become a habit, hidden talents that you’re not yet aware
1. Eat healthy food. Choose quality in a good habit for you and for those around of that suddenly become very valuable in
smaller quantities over cheap and inferior you. the future. Each person is the sum total
bulk buys. of a whole host of contributing factors –
5. Maintain your dignity. When you genetics, home environment, education,
2. Whether you’re already employed full consider the concept of personal emotional intelligence, physical and
time, or you’re still only taking on part-time branding, one of the most important intellectual abilities, even their unique
and holiday jobs, make sure you spend aspects is keeping your good reputation positioning in society can suddenly
less than you earn – and pay yourself intact because once it’s in tatters, it’s become an advantage when trends
first by allocating a percentage of your often very difficult to pick up all the change.
earnings to a special savings account pieces again - there will always be
before you go out for some retail therapy. some residue that comes to the surface You are you. Be authentic. Keep it real.
Think long term – be kind to the ‘older you’ at the worst possible moment. Refrain And remember, start each day with loving
by making provision for future needs on from sharing ‘too much information’ – who you are.
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