Texoma Learnings

It should be apparent by everyone now that the local governments are almost bankrupt and that impacts on the educational system. For years now, the school boards have had to cut back on everything from buildings to supplies and personnel. Many educational systems are using trailer classrooms which are less than ideal for the learning process.

Say what you will, but children know that entering a trailer is less important than entering a brick and mortar building designed by an architect to give importance and stature to the learning process. Trailer classrooms cheapen the learning process no matter why the reason for having them. Children are not mature enough to fathom the reason and cost that requires them. The only thing they see is they are something less, therefore, the information they are receiving is not as important. Nothing will change that perception.

That is why many parents opt for home schooling. One reason, there are many others. Another is, the child, or children, are taught what the parents know is important to their lifestyle and core values. With home schooling, children aren’t exposed to the gossip and claims regarding their bodies and sexual information, both from the educational process and their peers. Many parents feel it is their right to inform the child in things of this nature when they feel the child is mature enough to process it. Maturity is not some automatic process that every child reaches in stages according to their age. I believe that is a statement no one will argue with.

There is also the bullying that goes on in many school systems that is under the radar. I don’t believe many educators would stand around and do nothing if it were obvious some child was being mistreated by another or a group of others. Children are especially adept at hiding what they are doing when it comes to bullying or ostracizing other children. What is not obvious to the adults supervising them can be absolute torture to children on the receiving end. Even recognizing it by the adult may not seem to rise to the level of having to correct it.

Many times it looks like play or slight teasing but it is the most important thing in the life to the recipient child. It can lead to depression and dread of going to school and their grades and learning ability is seriously eroded. Many times the child is too embarrassed to mention it to their parents. This is another reason for home schooling even if the child being home schooled isn’t the recipient or perpetrator of the bullying. The bullying process itself has a diminishing effect on the other children by never knowing how or when they may be picked to be the pariah.

Courtroom proceeding documents have to be accurate and organized. Many online accredited schools give individuals the education needed to become a successful court reporter. With a number of online schools offering an education in court reporting students will graduate a program with the skills necessary to be successful within the courtroom. There are a number of things one should know prior to enrollment.

1. Court reporters take verbatim reports of conversations, speeches, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events that take place within the courtroom. Court reporters serve the courtroom by presenting documented proof of what took place in trials and cases. They assist judges and trial attorneys by organizing or searching for information in the official record or give suggestions regarding courtroom procedures.

2. Training from online schools may take students two to four years to complete. Different courses will cover how to obtain great listening skills, impeccable grammar and punctuation, and knowledge of specific terminology related to the courtroom. Other courses will have students learning transcribing practices in an effort to become highly proficient.

3. Online training programs are designed to prepare students with specific skills that are needed to enter the profession. A foundation will be gained through learning about the many different areas of the justice system. Some courses will teach students how to stay up-to-date on current events relating to cases. Courses will provide students with the information needed to develop knowledge about stenography equipment for closed captioning, computer technology, software capabilities, and more.

4. Students will gain an excellent education because of the advantage of completing school online. Giving students the ability to go through courses at their own pace online schooling makes learning the required skills more effective. Courses are typically geared towards the type of reporting a student is interested in. Students for example can take specific courses that will prepare them to be a stenocaptioner. Through theses courses students will learn how to caption live television for the deaf community. Training in this field may require a student to complete two years or more before entering the field.

5. Gaining an education in court reporting leaves various avenues to pursue after graduation. Many students with a degree in this field often work inside the courtroom recording official proceedings. However, students may become freelance writers that work with attorneys and document proceedings of meetings and private activities. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that in 2008 court reporters held 21,500 jobs. More than half worked for state and/or local governments, which shows the growing demand to have qualified individuals employed in courts, legislatures, and various other agencies.

There are a number of schools across America that offer training in court reporting, but the best choices to go with are the ones that hold official accreditation. By checking this stipulation for a college or university online it validates that the education being received is accepted and respected within the profession. Agencies like the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (http://www.acics.org) can provide qualifying programs with full accreditation. Start gaining your online education in court reporting today and become a part of the fast growing profession.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

Nowadays, we need to keep learning throughout our lives. Most of us are likely to change jobs regularly, and so have to update our skills or learn new skills as we move to different organizations and positions. A well-educated workforce whose members are constantly renewing and enhancing their knowledge and skills is essential for the future development of knowledge-based societies.

If you have not already done so, you are encouraged to become a lifelong learner and thus accept the idea that your knowledge and skills will evolve over the years.

Lifelong learners need opportunities to study, whatever their background, and for many this need can be fulfilled through open learning. Open learning is based on the concept of allowing all applicants entry to courses, regardless of their educational qualifications.

Distance education

Distance education has experienced phenomenal growth worldwide in the past few decades, partly in response to the need to educate lifelong learners who are unable or unwilling to attend regularly scheduled classes. These learners want independence and flexibility in their studies, reflecting their lifestyles and their need to continue working while they are studying. There are now literally tens of millions of people studying at a distance around the world, in both developed and developing nations.

Distance education allows you, as a learner, to study while physically separated from the institution at which you are enrolled, through the provision of learning materials and support that enable you to study anywhere and at any time. There may be a limited number of scheduled classroom tutorials, but in general these are not compulsory, so you can complete your course of study without having to set foot in the institution. This has been made easier in recent years through the introduction and growth of communication technologies, leading to the advent of what has come to be known as ‘online learning’ or ‘e-learning’.

As you may already realize, distance education has many advantages and strengths. It allows you much more freedom in your study, in terms of:

* Timing – you can study whenever you like;
* Place – you can study wherever you wish;
* Duration – you can study for as long as you like; and
* Pace – you can study as quickly or as slowly as you wish (and go back over learning materials as many times as it takes to understand them).

You may have noticed people studying distance education materials on a bus or train, for example, thus taking advantage of a short journey to go over some reading, write notes or complete an activity. The need to travel, either for business or pleasure, can be easily accommodated when studying at a distance, as learning materials are transportable and communication can be achieved online, for example through email.

Are you likely to face any difficulties in studying at a distance? Certainly, many of the potential communication problems which existed in the past have largely been eliminated through advances in technology, such as email and the Internet. However, you should be aware that, as a distance learner, you will need higher levels of self-motivation and self-organization than are usually required for traditional classroom-based education. Distance education demands that, to a large extent, you are independent and self-directed. Though you will have a timetable to work to and deadlines to meet, it is up to you to find (make!) the time to keep up with the course requirements. If you fall behind, it is very hard to catch up, so be prepared to be self-disciplined in your studies.

Chronic teacher absenteeism is a major problem for some schools. This may have a direct effect on educating our children. Some teachers know that their schools are going to be closed or turned around and call in sick frequently. When a school is turned around, that means that it has been targeted for closure. All school personnel including the principal, teachers, clerks, janitor and any other staff employed at the school are dismissed. They then have little motivation to come to work, since they know that their job is being eliminated. At certain schools, there have been as many as ten teachers absent on any given day and it was not for attendance at a seminar for professional development.

And just so that you understand the cost to taxpayers, for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, over $25M was spent on substitute teachers. There are more than 700 substitute teachers in Chicago and that does not account for the permanent teachers who have been reclassified as substitute teachers after their school has been turned around or closed. So when a teacher calls in sick, the school system is paying for two people, the substitute teacher and the teacher calling in sick. Is that fiscal responsibility? Does this provide for the educational continuity of a curriculum? Are the students being shortchanged?

Let us look at school closings for now. When a school is closed it might be for poor performance or low utilization. By low utilization, that means if a school has the capacity for 300 students and only 150 students are enrolled, it is underutilized and may be scheduled for closure. Once the school is closed, the staff may reapply for their jobs. They are then tested. If they pass the test, they are rehired. Many, however, will not pass the test. The standards to pass these tests have been elevated. One taking the test should have a firm grasp of teaching principles and knowledge of the basic subject matter to be successful. By comparison, twenty years ago, there was a vast difference in the test in terms of level of difficulty. The test was so simple a fifth grader could have passed it. It goes without saying that the best teachers should be in the classroom. Maybe if more of them were teaching on a regular basis, our schools would improve.

Janice Hypolite is the author of “Disorder in the Classroom.” She received a degree in business from Roosevelt University. In the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system, she was employed as a substitute teacher who was assigned to various schools depending on need for any given day. She is a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Online education is exploding across the nation as one of the fastest growing educational tools. From nursing to education to business, people are adapting to the online format as a way to quickly and efficiently complete their educational goals. From associates to bachelors and onward to masters degrees, students realize that online education can help them achieve the dream of a degree.

One of the most common reasons for the rise in online growth is the convenience factor. Students have the freedom to schedule their classes where and when they choose. They also have the flexibility to go to school even if they have to work full time, because they can complete their studies at home around their own schedule instead of on someone else’s timetable. Online coursework also allows adults who have other responsibilities like families to attend to those duties, and to do coursework during their free time. The low cost of online courses is also a great feature that attracts students.

As an example of this explosive growth, a community college in Louisiana saw enrollment in online coursework increase by about 50% in only one year. In New Jersey, one state university is planning to increase online courses over five years in order to grow that enrollment by 20%. Educational institutions are realizing that the interest in distance education can be a very positive factor in these tough economic conditions. Increased enrollment that leads to higher revenue will help colleges improve these types of offerings and raise the bar for quality.

Of course, all of this growth doesn’t come without a few growing pains. Colleges and universities are constantly being faced with new challenges as they decide how to grow their online course offerings, while maintaining the high standard of quality that their students expect. One of the best ways that schools have seen to face these challenges is to adopt new communication and platform technologies as they become available to better connect staff and students.

Another facet of online education that colleges and universities must face is the differing needs of each particular course of study. Departments and professors may use a particular type of technology for certain classes that are unique. An example of this would be the use of discussion boards for a verbal heavy class like an MBA class. A nursing class, which requires more graphic and visual teaching aids, might use digital slides to teach particular surgical procedures or anatomy lessons.

Most online classes, however, use a combination of types of technology to impart the learning material to students. From discussion rooms to video lessons or tutorials to PowerPoint presentations, instructors will work to make the class interesting and engaging with a variety of approaches. In this way, students are less likely to lose interest or become bored by just reading material that is online.

The financial advantage of these classes is apparent in the lower costs for registration and fees, but there are other cost advantages as well. Educational materials such as books can be excessively priced, but by delivering learning material online, students may save as much as 30%. In addition to cost savings, e-books are instantly available; students don’t have to stand in long lines at the book store or wait for books to arrive in the mail.

An online education isn’t a solitary experience. Students taking regular classes expect certain support systems to be in place to help them with their college education as they pursue their degree. Online classes have the same support systems available at the click of a mouse. Digital libraries, online tutoring, or technical support are all available for online students. As new technologies keep developing, there are more options for online students, including access to some video lessons or digital libraries by smart phone or digital audio players.

If your family is suffering from financial problems your main concern will be how to pursue your schooling. You can become so occupied with trying to find the money for college you are not aware that there is an answer to your problems. Financial aid for college is available in the form of scholarships.

Financial aid will be the best answer. Financial aid for students means money that they can use in their college education. Do you know that there are many scholarships that have not been awarded because nobody applies for them? All you need is patience and determination in finding scholarships and grants that will bring one step nearer to reach your degree. If scholarships are going unclaimed you can get one as well.

One type of financial aid you can consider is to apply for financial loan but you have to repay back after finishing your course and the interest rates along with the payments make for a big hole in your pocket.

If you are not able to seek financial loan that is the time to look for another source. This time consider applying for scholarships or financial grants. This money will pay your tuition, books, housing and other expenses related to your education. With this kind of financial aid you do not have to pay it back after completing your education and you can concentrate on studying instead of worrying about money.

Scholarships may come from private individual, institution, social or civic organization or from different universities. Aside from academic scholarships there are scholarships given to athletes, musicians and for those deserving students. Given this opportunity this will help you finish a college degree without spending and get a decent and rewarding job after.

When looking for financial aid one place to look for scholarships is at a college campus. College financial aid offices know exactly what you can apply for and how to get it. They will be more than willing to assist you in finding scholarships that are right for you. Remember scholarships will not be handed to you on a silver platter. You need to look for it and bear in mind that once you get one your education will be paid for. If you want to go to college and get a better future now is the time to apply.

Students tend to look out for scholarships being given by large academic institutions or well-known large private organizations. What students do not know is that the competition in applying for scholarships given by these institutions is stiff and if you are a mother returning to school there are other ways of getting scholarships for mothers.

There are easier ways in finding scholarships and you really do not have to start looking for the bigger ones. Your local community has scholarship grants to offer. Your college or university has something to offer. These local academic institutions are giving away free education money for those who are need. Truly, you do not have to search for those nationally popular institutions.

The advantage of finding these locally offered scholarships is that you do not have to move out of your town or locality. Moving out may mean more cost on your travel, housing and meal expenses not to mention who will look after your children. If you are having financial difficulty it is not practical to move out. Studying near your home with scholarships for mothers will be more financially beneficial to you and your family.

Another advantage of scholarships given locally is that there are only a little competition. Nationally popular scholarships will be more difficult to get since almost every candidate from the whole country is competing.

Local companies and local community programs may be offering scholarships too. The most important thing is that you must know where to start and who to talk with. Getting scholarships for mothers is a great way for a free education. Moreover, applying for institutional scholarships is also an easy way to find out about job vacancies. Some companies will make you a job offer on condition you complete your degree and this will give you even more motivation to go back to college and study because at the end of it you know you will have the option of a job with security.

If you are a mother who is looking to go back to school take advantage of scholarships for mothers and get the education you know you deserve. All you need to do is to apply now.

Choosing to enroll in the military is an admirable and worthy pursuit. Not only does an individual have the honor of serving his or her country and becoming all they can be, but they also have the opportunity to travel around the world. Another advantage is the armed services offer its troopers access to continuing their education, so they can also take advantage of these higher education opportunities. As a result, these military students frequently leave the service with valuable qualifications in hand.

However, how can military students pay for their education? It is common that the military will pay for a student’s degree if he or she commits to several years of service after graduation. This can seem like an advantageous option for many. Not only does an individual get to achieve a bachelor’s degree, but he or she then has the opportunity to get hands on experience to learn, travel and work on what they learn with the military.

Probably more important is what kind of degree the soldier walks out with. These students may want to look for online degree programs in order to maximize time with friends and family before traveling abroad with their unit. Online schools offer flexible study programs, so military students often fulfill their service to their unit while enrolled in courses. They then can put money away for their future.

Other military students might find that scholarship programs help them afford the education of their dreams from other outlets besides their branch of the armed services. One such program was recently highlighted by Topeka, Kansas, CBS news affiliate, Channel 13 WIBW. Military students were offered scholarships by the home state installation, Fort Riley.

Thanks to community donations and other support, the base known as “the Home of America’s Army” was able to offer 10 students funding to complete their education. These individuals were either related to or spouses of Fort Riley military personnel.

This is not an unheard of situation. Such programs are not unique to military families and can give students an extra financial boost. In addition, online schools may be the best option for these learners, for they can study on a more flexible basis and therefore spend more time with family members when they are on leave or visiting home.

One thing all members of the armed services know, they can be deployed at any time and to anywhere. Online education will allow them to access course materials at the times they can, whether one is stationed in the Middle East or on a battleship on tour of duty in the Pacific Ocean. As long as they have access to Wi-Fi, they can work on their studies. In fact, many virtual schools will cut a soldier slack regarding deadlines if they are on a mission.

Modern technology, therefore, can help military students keep their studies going for their online degrees while doing admirable work for their country. Military scholarships and grants help pave the way. This invaluable experience may be complimented by a bachelors or associates degree if the individual chooses to enroll in an online degree program, subsequently forming the foundations of their future.

Retired President, Nellie Mae Educational Foundation

This article is part of groundbreaking leadership research has received extensive endorsements and enthusiastic reviews from well-known prominent business, political, and academic leaders who either participated in the study or reviewed the research findings. A total of sixteen leaders were interviewed on the subject of “Leadership and Overcoming Adversity.”

Dr. Wilson overcame multiple adversities. These included significant race, gender, and age discrimination. Blenda’s first experience with major discrimination was during her high school years in New Jersey. Though Blenda was in the National Honor Society, Wilson’s high school guidance counselor totally refused to discuss or help Blenda get into a college. Blenda’s comment was “Actually, she told me to ‘take a typing class’… then said, ‘You’re nice looking, and you might be able to become a secretary. ‘”

Wilson just ignored the “mean” counselor and she directly contacted several colleges for admission and scholarship information. Wilson was accepted to all of the colleges she applied to, including major prestigious universities, such as the “Seven Sisters.” However, major colleges only offered one-year scholarships with a series of renewals. Blenda wanted to get a full four-year scholarship to ensure that she could complete her college education. Cedar Crest College guaranteed Blenda four years of tuition scholarship money, a travel budget and a job. So, Blenda went to Cedar Crest College and got her degree.

She did not allow anything to stop her from receiving her education. After Blenda graduated from Cedar Crest College she earned a Master’s degree in Education from Seton Hall then completed a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Boston College.

Before she earned her Ph.D. and launched her higher educational leadership career, Blenda experienced gender and age discrimination from African American males, both from within her organization and the local community. Though Wilson was clearly more qualified and had more education than her male competition many people were vocal in their opposition to her being appointed as the Executive Director of the Middlesex County Economic Opportunity Corporation and the Head Start Program. Blenda Wilson pointed out, “The African American men in the community were upset that a woman would get this key position… One of the criteria was that they wanted someone with a Master’s degree. I had one. None of the African American men did.” Blenda experienced age, and gender discrimination and prejudice from from black men and white people.

Blenda Wilson shared that taking a leave from her local high school teaching position to become the Executive Director of the Middlesex County Economic Opportunity Corporation, “actually changed my life. I started doing the Head Start program… This was all in the 1960s, with the “War on Poverty,” the Office of Economic Opportunity. I [Wilson] was going to change the world.”

In 1969, after earning her Ph.D., Dr. Wilson began her career in higher education administration at Rutgers University. Then, from 1972 to 1982 Blenda “was youngest Senior Associate Dean in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard,” where, once again, she encountered age discrimination.

Dr. Blenda Wilson was the First Vice President for Effective Sector Management at Independent Sector (1982 to 1984). Independent Sector is a nonpartisan coalition of approximately 600 organizations that lead, strengthen, and mobilize charitable communities.

While serving in the governor’s cabinet as Executive Director of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, she created a plan (that became law in 1985) advocating for more efficiently organizing higher education within the state.

Dr Wilson was the first woman to head a four-year higher education institution in the state of Michigan becoming Chancellor of the University of Michigan’s Dearborn campus from 1988 to 1992. Wilson was widely recognized for her outreach to Dearborn’s Arab-American community and Detroit’s African-American community.

During Dr. Wilson’s tenure as president of California State University, Northridge, from 1992 to 1999, Dr. Wilson enacted a number of strategic plans to better serve the populations of the San Fernando Valley. Wilson also led the University in the enormous task of rebuilding of the California State University after the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Dr. Blenda Wilson was a former Chair of the prestigious American Association of Higher Education. Wilson was the first woman to Chair the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and was Deputy Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston where she served on the Board of Directors from 2003 to 2006. Dr. Wilson has served on the Board of Directors of numerous non-profit corporations such as the Getty Museum, The College Board, and has recently served as the interim President of her undergraduate Alma Mater, Cedar Crest College.

Dr. Wilson served as the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation from 1999 to 2006. The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, established in 1998, is New England’s largest public charity dedicated to improving academic achievement for underserved communities. During her seven-year tenure Dr. Blenda Wilson was a very successful CEO at the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.

Under Dr. Wilson’s leadership, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation (NMEF) distributed more than $80 million in grants to various educational institutions and to non-profit organizations to improve the access to college for deserving students. The NMEF was established to promote accessibility, quality, and effectiveness in education from preschool through postsecondary levels, especially for under-served populations. The Nellie Mae Education Foundation has net assets of approximately $400 million, making it one of the largest foundations in New England, and the largest focused exclusively on improving higher education.

Dr. Wilson has received honorary doctorate degrees from more than 25 colleges and universities, including Cedar Crest College, Rutgers, the University of Massachusetts, Brandeis University and Boston College. Wilson has served on the boards of trustees of Boston College and Union Theological Seminary, the board of directors of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, the board of directors of Higher Education Resource Services, and the boards of Boston’s “After School and Beyond,” Boston College, and Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses. Wilson currently serves on the Board of Directors of Medco Health Solutions.

Dr. Blenda Wilson has an impressive lifetime track record of effectively dealing with complicated issues of education policy. Dr. Blenda Wilson still takes time out of her busy schedule to mentor and coach select prospective female leaders.

The Dr. Blenda Wilson story shares a lifetime struggle against adversity, especially age, race, and gender discrimination, and is an excellent example of a prominent successful leader who overcame adversity!

Howard Edward Haller, Ph.D.
Chief Enlightenment Officer
The Leadership Success Institute

http://www.TheLeadershipSuccessInstitute.com

HowardEdwardHallerPhD@gmail.com

Howard Edward Haller, Ph.D., is an accomplished serial entrepreneur, successful serial intrapreneur, seasoned senior corporate executive, university professor, university board trustee, former university board president, academic scholar, an award winning published author, screenwriter (Member of the Writer’s Guild of America, west), and Professional Speaker (Member of NSA) delivering Keynote Speeches and Seminars on Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship, Servant-Leadership, Leadership and Adversity, and Innovation.

Dr. Haller is currently the Chief Enlightenment Officer of The Leadership Success Institute. Dr Haller is a noted Corporate & College Keynote Speaker, and highly-respected Executive Coach/Mentor to both Corporate, and Non-Profit, Senior Executives in the US and Canada.

He is a well-known Professional Speaker, Published Author, Entrepreneurship Mentor, Senior Executive Coach, and Intrapreneurship Coach. Professor Haller is currently active as a serial entrepreneur, involved in several ventures ranging from super high definition sign advertising to internet marketing training. Dr Haller serves on the Board of Directors of companies, including Internet Marketing Training Centers, Inc., American Realty Capital Advisors, Inc, CPM, LLC, and California State University Northridge Foundation Trustee. Dr. Haller is a Life Member of the Will Rodgers Foundation for Motion Picture Pioneers.

Dr. Howard Edward Haller is an award winning writer, academic scholar, and author of two published books: “Leadership and Adversity: The Shaping of Prominent Leaders” 2008 and “Intrapreneurship Success: A PR1ME Example” 2009, both published by VDM Verlag Dr Muller AG & CoKG. (Both books are available online at Amazon in the US, Canada, UK, and Germany)

Physical education or health and physical education are the areas of knowledge that will ultimately drive our success engine. We are physical and spiritual beings. Our mind, body, and spirit are all connected and learning how they work together and how to care for them can save us from unnecessary pain and suffering. Knowing how to take care of our body, mind, and spirit will lead us down the path toward happiness, health, and wealth.

The most powerful tool of influence we have is to model good behaviors. We should be sure we are working on our health and fitness at the same time we preach to others about the value health, fitness, and participation in sports. Each of us will have our own issues, goals, and obstacles to living a healthy lifestyle, but we must strive for excellence in this area. When we live it, we will feel the difference. We will find it much easier to dream, act, achieve, and enjoy.

There are a few areas of health and physical education we will focus on at this time. First, I will discuss the area of fitness. Fitness has to do with stamina, strength, and flexibility. Our objective should be fit enough so that a day of physical activity does not lay us up for a week.

To begin a fitness routine you need to visit your doctor and let him or her know what you want to do. They will give you the practical advice based on your over-all health. In doing this fitness routine you should build in stretching, anaerobic exercise, and aerobic exercise. You most definitely do NOT need to buy expensive gym equipment or memberships at clubs to get started. There are a number of good programs you can do right at home. Having someone who will do this with you and hold you accountable would be a great benefit. Any fitness program you actually do and do consistently will help you in all areas of your life. You will have more energy, will perform better on the job, will feel less stress, and will sleep better. You must take action to achieve those benefits. The motivation to follow through and the building of the routine is most people’s down-fall. That is topic of a future article.

The second area is that of athleticism. Athleticism covers things like stamina, coordination, speed, and agility. It encompasses the skills that enable us to do many different physical tasks. It is also the skills that would allow us to participate in team and individual sports for our entire lives. Skiing, swimming, basketball, baseball, softball, cycling, tennis, bowling, and of course golf are several of many sports that can provide a fun and competitive outlet for people of all ages. For those who are not naturally athletic becoming fit and actually participating in athletic activities and exercises can and will improve that athleticism. You can find that competitive outlet and not feel embarrassed about your performance. Just go get in the game.

Nutrition is a broad topic. There are basic principles that you need to understand. First, your body needs basic building blocks for your cells. It must get vitamins and minerals in the correct amount to operate to its maximum abilities. We get those vitamins in minerals from the foods and drinks we consume. The next basic principle is that the fuel for our body is calories. If we consume more calories than our body uses it converts the extra calories to fat. When we consume fewer calories than our body needs we burn excess fat. In each case we can develop serious health conditions if either problem continues for an extended period of time. One other fundamental principle is we must keep our bodies hydrated. Dehydration is an often ignored and a serious problem in America today. Within those foundations there are numerous other nutrition related topics that can be discussed all of which can impact our overall health. There are a number of books that would be highly recommended reading.

The final category would be that of our well-being. It is this area that may well be the most important, yet the most misunderstood and the most difficult to share. Our well-being consists not only of our general health and fitness, but our spiritual well-being as well. It is that spiritual side that has be so over-looked in western medicine. We are spiritual beings anyway you look at it and denying that truth can lead to serious consequences.

Spirituality goes beyond who we are. It includes things like beliefs, values, emotions and intelligence. These aspects of a person’s personality are not easily understood, but profoundly impact who they are and their well-being. There are psychological processes that can show people how to change your beliefs, values, and emotions. We can do things to improve our ability to think and reason. At the same time, genetics plays a role in those areas and will influence health and well-being as do injuries to the brain. Those factors are only part of the spiritual picture.
Spirituality has played a significant role in healing in most religions of the world. Eastern religions and native religions have kept more of those healing arts in tact over the centuries than have the western, Christian nations. Any discussion regarding spirituality and health would be incomplete if it did not include a discussion of faith and religious creeds. It also must be noted that while religious people tend to live longer and healthier than non-religious people being religious does not automatically mean you will be healthy; however, if you are truly a convert of a religious faith you will tend to be healthier than those who don’t.

Does it matter what religious faith you are? First, we must point out that ALL religions are mutually exclusive. They have core beliefs that set them apart from other religious views and those core beliefs cannot all be true. Given that fact it is a reasonable conclusion that it does matter because each will have a different view on how an individual is to live their life and what happens to you upon death. It then would make sense to investigate the truth claims of the religions of the world. If you were to start your investigation with Christian truth claims you may find that you can dismiss all the other claims because a fundamental truth claim of Christianity is that Jesus Christ was the only way to reach God, the father. If those claims are true then all other claims to the contrary are false.

We truly don’t fully understand the spiritual realm but we do know it does positively impact our physical and emotional health and well-being. So, seek the truth, build a relationship with God, and enjoy improved health and well-being.

Christian Barnard received his BA degree in Economics and his Masters degree in Special Education. After graduating, Christian began his study of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, hypnosis, Behavioral Modeling, Time Line Therapy techniques, Personal finance, and education. He spent much of his career working with unhealthy, unmotivated and unsuccessful students helping to get them back on track.