There are lots of ways to celebrate Red Ribbon Week and every part of your community can get involved. Here are some ideas.
 
Communities Can:
  1. Contact your elected officials about issuing a proclamation declaring Red Ribbon Week in your community.
  2. Invite elected and government officials to participate in Red Ribbon Week activities.
  3. Display a basket of red ribbons in the reception area of your organization for visitors to take, along with copies of the Red Ribbon Week fact sheet.
  4. Display red ribbons on the interior and exterior surfaces of your organization’s building.
  5. Sponsor a special alcohol and drug abuse prevention and seminar for the community. Invite a speaker who is an expert on drug and alcohol prevention to your organization and invite the community to attend.
  6. Submit a public service announcement (PSA) about Red Ribbon Week activities to your local radio station. 
  7. Sponsor an in-service educational program for your employees and community leaders.
  8. Organize a drug prevention awareness fair. Invite local nonprofit organizations to participate by staffing exhibit booths, disseminating educational materials, offering free health screenings, and much more.
  9. Set up and staff an exhibit table at a local hospital, doctor’s office, community center, or shopping center to promote Red Ribbon Week and to distribute drug prevention information and materials. 
  10. Post fact sheets and Red Ribbon Week event notices and other materials on bulletin boards in libraries, hospitals, local churches, synagogues, gymnasiums, grocery stores, parks and recreation departments, health clinics, universities, and other public places.
Schools Can:
  1. Wear red ribbons and distribute them to your friends, family, volunteers, staff, and employees.
  2. Sponsor a Red Ribbon Week activity (e.g., fun run, bike-a-thon, bookmark, poster, essay contest, classroom door decorating contest, etc.).
  3. Incorporate drug prevention facts and tips in your school-wide announcements throughout Red Ribbon Week. Create a bulletin board display about Red Ribbon Week and post it in a high traffic area of your school.
  4. Have a Red Ribbon Rally with performances by local talent or school groups. 
  5. Have a school assembly (everyone can wear red) and invite a law enforcement officer to speak about the dangers of drug abuse. 
  6. Do a drug prevention and refusal skills skit for your classmates. 
  7. Promote Red Ribbon at your school's sporting events by handing out red ribbons, providing information about Red Ribbon Week, and have the parents and students say a drug free pledge. 
  8. Sponsor an in-service training on drug prevention education for school administrators, teachers, counselors and the school nurse. 
  9. Start a Red Ribbon Club that meets regularly to promote drug prevention throughout the year. 
  10. Sponsor a health fair and invite health and safety workers from the community to set up educational materials for students and parents.
 
Most people are watching their dollars and working off a budget to make ends meet. Many are also now looking for natural alternatives to live a more wholesome and chemical free life. Following are a few ways in which you can have both of the above. These uses are becoming more prevalent and are easy to do it yourself. So, here are great easy uses for common household items to make your life more chemical free and your wallet a little fatter.

1) Toothpaste: Buff a CD/DVD
Apply toothpaste to a cotton ball and wipe the disc. Wash with water afterwards and you’ve got a brand new disc!

2) Cornstarch: Untangle Knots
Sprinkling cornstarch into tough knots, such as shoe laces helps loosen them.

3) Walnut: Buff Dings out of Wood Furniture
Get rid of unsightly scratches and dings on wood furniture by rubbing a walnut on the areas. The blemishes will vanish quickly and your furniture and pocket book will be saved.

4) Club Soda: Make Your Breads Fluffier
When baking, where recipes call for water, add club soda instead to make pancakes, waffles and any other breads fluffier.

5) Salt: Keep Windows Frost Free
Pour a cup of salt into a liter of water. Sponge the liquid onto the inside of window to prevent frost from forming during the winter months.

6) Rubbing Alcohol: Remove Permanent Marker
Dab the surface that has the permanent marker on it with a cloth or cotton ball covered in rubbing alcohol to make it disappear quickly.

7) Chap stick: Stops Bleeding When Nicked Shaving
Cut yourself shaving? Just swipe some chap stick over the cut to stop that constant bleeding. No more tissue squares!
Apple Juice: Removes Dandruff
Don’t ask how it works, but it does! Instead of buying a special shampoo, just wash your hair in apple juice to rid your scalp of pesky dandruff.

9) Aspirin: Get Rid of Armpit Stains on T-Shirts
Grind up an aspirin tablet or two, then make a paste out of it using water, lemon or vinegar. Spread the paste on the stained area and let sit for an hour before washing.

10) Olive Oil: Make Pets’ Coat Shinier
Add a bit of olive oil to your pet’s food to give them a healthier, shinier coat of fur.

11) Newspapers: Clean Windows and Mirrors
Instead of using a spray and a streaky cloth, use only newspaper to clean off your mirrors and windows for a streak-free finish.

12) Baking Soda: Remove Bugs from Windshield
Mix baking soda with warm water to make a paste. Spread the paste over your windshield for fifteen minutes. Then wipe or spray off with a hose.

13) Bleach: Extend Life of Flowers in Vase
Add a few drops of bleach to vase water to prevent the build-up of the slime caused by bacteria. It works just like chlorine in a swimming pool.

14) Kitchen Dish Soap: Flea-Killing Dog Shampoo
Kitchen dish soap (not dish detergent) can double as dog shampoo for its flea killing abilities.

15) Coke: Remove Blood Stains from Clothing
Soak the stain in coke until the stain is dissolved, then wash the clothing as usual. Wash before the coke dries, though.

16) Honey: Remove Blemish Overnight
Have a blemish you need to get rid of by tomorrow? Put a dab of honey on the blemish and cover it up (it’s best to use a Band-Aid) and the honey’s natural antibacterial properties will clean out the bacteria by the morning.

17) Wax Paper: Clean Can Opener Gears
Run a few small strips of wax paper through the can opener to clean out of the bits and pieces that have built up in the gears throughout the year. The wax will also rub off on the gears to protect for future use as well.

18) WD-40: Remove Crayons from Walls
Use the lubricant and a cloth to remove stubborn crayon marks from the walls just by spraying the wall and wiping with a cloth.

19) Chalk: Keep Ants and Slugs Out of the House
Ants and Slugs Won’t Touch Chalk. So, simply draw a line in front of your doorway where you are having problems with these pesky critters and they won’t cross it, meaning they won’t be able to get into your house.

20) Vinegar: Kills Weeds and Helps Flowers Grow
Vinegar is a magic wonder when it comes to gardening. It not only kills weeds but they help flowers grow as well. Douse vinegar all around your garden to prevent weeds from popping up and to help your flowers to grow healthy and strong.

21) Mayonnaise: Remove Bumper Sticker
Spread mayonnaise on the bumper sticker and let sit for at least thirty minutes. Then, rub the sticker off with a towel, leaving a clean bumper!

22) Tin Foil Ball: Replace Dryer Sheets Permanently
Instead of using a dryer sheet ball up one or a few sheets of tin foil and toss it in the dryer. It removes the static electricity from your clothes and one can last up to a year.

23) Banana Peel: Polish Leather Shoes
Use the inside of a banana peel to give shoes a professional and natural shine that will last for quite some time.

24) Mouthwash: Cure Athlete’s Foot
Pour mouthwash on cotton balls and then swab your feet. The alcohol will disinfect the bacteria completely if you continue this for a week or so.

25) Baking Soda: Clean BBQ Grill
Mix a cup of baking soda with half a cup water to make a paste. Dip your brush into the paste and scrub the grill. The caked on pieces and black residue will come off much quicker and using baking soda is much safer and cheaper than using cleaning chemicals.

26) Coffee Grounds: Fertilizer
Coffee is full of nutrients and vitamins that are very beneficial to soil. That’s why some people include it in compost piles. If you want to get the most out of your coffee, pour the grounds on areas where you want more grass or flowers.

27) Olive Oil: Shaving Cream
The smoothness of the oil can replace the need for shaving cream, and it also provides great moisture.

28) Dryer Sheets: Gets Rid of Static Electricity
Use dryer sheets to remove static electricity from things such as clothing, TV screens or your own hair. Tame fly away strands by running a dryer sheet over them.

29) Freezer: Freeze Candles to Make Them Last Longer
Put candles in the freezer for at least 2 hours before using. Once you burn them, the wax will melt at a much slower pace, making them last much longer!

30) Two glasses of water: Cure Headache
Water is the cure to most common headaches. To make the headache go away quickly, drink two cups of water very quickly.

31) Lemons: Deodorize Garbage Disposal
Toss whole slices of lemon into the garbage disposal then run it. The acidity of the lemon will rid your sink of all odors and leave a fresh scent that usually lasts for a few months.

32) Alka Seltzer: Remove Burnt-On Grease and Food Stains
When letting your pots and pans soak, throw in one or two Alka Seltzer tablets and the caked on residue from cooking will come off easily when you scrub/wash.

33) Apple Cider Vinegar: Relieve Diarrhea
Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into eight ounces of water to soothe your stomach. The taste may not be the greatest, but the antibacterial properties of the vinegar will end the unpleasantness of the bowel problems.

34) Toothpaste: Remove Scratches from Glass
Apply toothpaste to scratch, then rub with a cloth until the scratch is gone. Make sure the glass is clean beforehand.

35) Cheerios: Relieve Pain from Poison Ivy, Chickenpox and Sunburns
Pound one to four cups of Cheerios into a powder and add to your bath to soothe your skin while you soak. You may not feel relief while in the tub, but you will soon after.

36) Buttons: Sort Earrings
Organize your earrings and prevent them from becoming entangled by using spare buttons as holders for each pair.

37) Corn Oil: Prevent Hairballs for Pets
Add a few drops of corn oil to your pets’ food to prevent hairballs from forming. The thick oil helps the fur pass through the animal’s system much quicker and easily.

38) Whipped Cream: Remove Gum from Hair
There are many remedies for removing gum from hair, but this is a lesser known one. Give it a try rather than peanut butter the next time you’re in need.

39) Coke: Remove Oil Stains from the Driveway
Oil stains are very difficult to remove pavement, but one method guaranteed to work is Coke. The highly acidic drink will eat away at the oil until clean.

40) Brown Sugar: Facial Scrub
A scrub is good to do about once a month to remove dead skin and bacteria built up in pores and remove excess oil from the skin. Brown sugar does just as well as expensive products and will definitely result in a clearer and smoother complexion.

41) Dryer Sheet: Lint Brush
You already know that dryer sheets remove lint in the dryer. Well, it can do the same thing out of the dryer, too. When you’re in a fix, use a dryer sheet. It works just as well as a lint brush, and if you like the scent, it’s an added bonus.

42) Newspaper: Deodorize food containers and Food Drawers in the Refrigerator
For that stinky Tupperware or smelly refrigerator drawer that is too much to deal with, toss in a sheet of newspaper overnight before you deal with it. The paper will absorb the smell greatly reducing it or eliminating it completely.

43) Olive Oil: Unstick a Zipper
The oil will help the zipper slide more easily, fixing the problem!

44) Salt: Cool Something Quickly
You know that feeling when you’re having a BBQ and someone asks for a drink and you realize that no one has put them in the cooler? There’s nothing worse than a warm drink on a hot day. Chill a drink quickly, by adding salt and water to your ice. The drinks will be cold in a matter of minutes; saving your party and making you look smart all at once.

45) Scotch Tape: Prevent Wall from Chipping When Nailing
The wall can leave unsightly chips when hammering in a nail. Prevent this by simply placing a piece of scotch tape over the area you’re going to nail. The wall will be held tighter, preventing chips from occurring.

46) Alka Seltzer: Soothe Insect Bites
Dissolve two tablets into a glass of water. Then use a cloth or cotton ball to apply it to the affected area. The red will go down and most importantly, the itchiness will vanish usually in fifteen minutes.

47) Lemon: Whitens Whites
Add about half a cup of lemon juice to your load of whites to makes them extra white. You can use lemon juice with bleach or detergent, so don’t worry about mixing chemicals with the acidic lemon.

48) Banana Peel: Whiten Teeth
This may sound a little odd, but rub the inside of a banana peel on your teeth twice a day for two weeks and you will receive the same effect from a teeth-whitening kit. Plus, you’ll save yourself money and the hassle of using chemicals.

49) Hair Dryer: Free Photos Stuck on Pages
If you have a photo stuck on a page that you can’t get free, try using a blow dryer on the back of the page. It will loosen the photo from the page and the adhesive holding it there.

50) Banana Peel: Heal Most Skin Problems
Bananas are the magical fruit, because they heal many common problems on the skin. By rubbing the peel on your skin, you can heal bruises and cuts and eliminate rashes, itching and warts. Basically if you have a common skin problem, it can be cured by this fruit.

I hope you can put some or all of these to good use to save money and make your home a safer environment. There are tons more DIY uses for common household items like these. make sure to share the info with your friends!
 
There are many opportunities for children and teenagers to do volunteer work, so how can you select which one is best for your child? Here are some things to consider in order to get the best match!
Every child is different, and how can you find a project that your child will come away with feeling good about themselves, feeling that they made a difference, and most of all -- a generous and kind member of our society?

WHAT DOES YOUR CHILD ENJOY?Before you open the telephone book or surf the Internet to find places that accept volunteers, first have a short discussion with your child. What type of project interests them? Would they like to work with young children or the elderly? Would they like to work indoors or outdoors? Is there an organization that they know about where they would like to volunteer?

MAKE A LIST AND THINK OF ALL OF THE OPTIONS
  • If your child loves animals, they could help at an animal shelter petting the cats and dogs that are waiting for adoption. Volunteers are needed to play with and simply love the animals
  • If your child is open to working with those that are differently-abled, group homes and other centers for developmentally disabled children and adults often welcome volunteers to help out at parties, movie nights and special events.
  • If your child is interested in nature, history or art, maybe he or she would like to volunteer in a museum! Some of them have opportunities for youth volunteers to help in the gift shop or at the information desk.
CONSIDER ANY OF YOUR CHILD'S SPECIAL TALENTS OR HOBBIES Does your child like to take photographs? Sing karaoke? Does your he or she like to learn about Greek myths or collect snow globes? This can turn out to be more important to your child's volunteer experience than you might think.

One teenager came to our elder care center to volunteer and mentioned that he had recently taken to learning magic tricks. A friend of his was a very good singer and enjoyed singing Broadway show tunes. The two of them, without any adult "nudging" of any kind, created their own one-hour entertainment show. The residents loved the show, watching the young teen perform his magic tricks and then listening to his friend sing songs. The young singer even went out of his way to learn songs from their generation. The two friends did return to perform to a second full house audience and they also continued volunteering at the center as arts and crafts volunteers.

MAKING THE SERVICE MATCH TO MATTER While many think of volunteering as a time to simply "give back" and not think of yourself. This is the time to consider your child's feelings. What would your child simply not enjoy doing? Are hospitals a scary place? Do they not enjoy being around small children?

While facing your fears is a good thing to do, allowing your child to have control over what experience they will have will help them take control and responsibility. They are the ones that will do the volunteer work and they should have the same choices we all would like extended to us.

When speaking with youth volunteers I would always tell them "if you don't like your volunteer assignment, I will switch you," and I would explain to them that I expected them to give it three chances. If after three chances they just couldn't stand it, all they had to do was tell me. This appeared to take tremendous pressure off and it also gave them a bit of confidence because they knew they had a choice. In my two years with the elder care facility and more than 100 youth volunteers, I only switched one youth volunteer.

A lot of organizations accept youth volunteers. Our eldercare facility welcomed them with open arms. Other places to consider are local hospitals, animal shelters, nature centers or reserves, homeless shelters, childcare centers, centers for developmentally disabled children or adults, community outreach centers, local religious organizations, senior centers, libraries, aquariums, zoos, historical landmarks, museums, state parks and recreation centers.

ARE THERE ANY AGE RESTRICTIONS?Many places welcome youth volunteers, but most do have age restrictions. If your child is too young to volunteer independently, consider volunteering as a family. Most organizations have special projects that families do participate in. Even if you are unable to make a weekly or bi-weekly commitment, often there are special occasions or a monthly commitment is needed.

Some need volunteers with a special talent or skill, and you can create your own hours. If your family offers to create a web site for your local animal shelter, more than likely you can do most of this at home and can work at hours of your own choosing.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO VOLUNTEERIf traditional volunteering does not work for your family, you can still find ways to offer your children the volunteering experience. Organizations such as Midnight Run often ask volunteers for help preparing sandwiches or for items such as toothbrushes to hand out on their midnight runs for the homeless.

Making sandwiches as a family, or buying socks and bringing them to the Midnight Run organization together gives your children the experience of being a part of a volunteer project. Or consider having your children go through their old clothes and toys together to donate to the Salvation Army or another thrift shop in your community. Washing the clothes and cleaning the toys together to prepare them for children is a way for your children to share something that they have with the community.

Do your children like to sell lemonade in the summertime? Have them sell lemonade and donate what they make to a charity they select. Projects can be simple and small. You can buy two extra cans at the supermarket for a dollar and drop them off at a soup kitchen on the way home, or gather up your old towels and blankets and donate them to your local animal shelter.

LEARN MOREGet brochures or other information from the organization that your children can look at so they can learn about the organization they are helping. Another project to consider is keeping a jar of spare change that is visible and everyone donates to the jar of spare change. When the jar is full, you then decide as a family where the money should be donated. Children can have fun seeing the change accumulate and helping it "grow" in the jar.

There are many options for volunteering and soon you will find that your child is out the door saying "I'm off to volunteer....bye!"

FAMILY VOLUNTEER RESOURCES volunteermatch.com-- this organization has an excellent database of organizations that accept volunteers. You can designate "Kids"or "Teens." I live in a suburban area and I was impressed by the number of listings. They included a number of walk-a-thons for national charities, meals on wheels delivery, food preparation for a homeless shelter, elder care facility, volunteering at a music center, volunteering to be a friend to an exchange student and helping with a bike tour.

national.unitedway.org -- The United Way has a search capability where you can put in your postal code and they will tell you about volunteer opportunities in your area. Also look for Volunteer Centers in your area and contact them. Volunteer Centers are run through the United Way and have many volunteer opportunities listed. 

specialolympics.org-- Special Olympics has volunteer opportunities for youth and is an international organization. Visit their site to learn about their projects and how your family can become involved.

salvationarmy.org-- Check out the Salvation Army's web site to find out about their opportunities for youth volunteers in your area. You can also learn about their projects and how they use the funds raised to help many people.

hsus.org -- The Humane Society of the United States. At this web site you can learn all about what the Humane Society does. You can get in touch with your local humane society and learn about volunteer opportunities (there may be a link to your local Humane Society web site, or another address you need to visit, but this is a great place to start).

 
1) Your Health Should be a Top Priority | Take Care of YOU

No matter what is taking place in your life, always remember the value of your health. When you let your health suffer, challenges can seem incredibly difficult. The better you feel, the easier it will be to overcome challenges that you encounter in your life. Here are a few simple things you can do to keep you on the right path.

Make sure to eat a healthy breakfast. It truly is the most important meal of the day.Create yourself a weekly meal plan that includes your vital food groups. Creating a plan for yourself will also make you more knowledgeable on healthy foods you can prepare at home. Stretch for about 10 minutes in the morning and at night. Many people underestimate the value of stretching. It’ll help relax your body. It’s very therapeutic and you always feel much more physically and mentally refreshed. Save time to workout a few days a week. You can create a routine that works for you. Working out gives your body more natural energy and provides personal inspiration, as well as self-confidence. 

2) Meditate | Refresh and Clear Your Mind

Sometimes we all just need a mental break. We get so caught up in a challenge that we don’t allow ourselves to Simply Breathe.

Meditation can be very simple. Go into a quiet and comfortable space. Relax your muscles. Close your eyes. Take a deep, long breath and slowly exhale. Think happy and positive thoughts. Reflect on all the great experiences and wonderful people in your life that make you happy.

You can do this for about 5 minutes. Or you can spend more time if you would like, but 5 minutes of fully relaxed thinking can greatly benefit you.

3) Take Action | Make a Plan and Change Your Situation

Many of us get so caught up in a problem or challenge, that we don’t focus our energy upon solutions. Worrying can be one of the most toxic roadblocks in our lives. It’s very easy to allow your mind to worry. But aim to train your mind to focus on conquering your problems, instead of letting worry consume you.

The number one tool is putting your thoughts on paper. Write down your challenge and possible solutions. Write down everything that comes to mind: What is bothering you, Why it’s bothering you, etc. Brainstorm a list of ideas that can help you overcome this challenge.

4) Positive Self-Talk | Appreciate YOU

No one is perfect and we ALL struggle. Be Kind to yourself. You’re not alone. You are important no matter what challenge comes your way or how hard you struggle. Always remember that You Matter. You will make a difference in your life and the lives of others. You will always overcome your struggle.

Always keep a positive mindset. Positivity helps keep your mind on the right path. Understand that being positive will help you see the light in the toughest situations. Negativity will only bring you and those around you down even further. Always be positive and seek solutions.

5) Be Inspired by Music | Clear Your Mind

Music is one of the most therapeutic and inspirational forms of relaxation; it allows us to completely refresh and clear our minds. Rhythm, melody and great lyrics can quickly take your mind off stress and worry. Put your headphones in and just listen. Allow it to fill your mind.

Great songs can also help you connect to deeper emotions and feelings that you may be experiencing. Music reminds us that we are never alone. It allows us to feel connected with others through powerful lyrics. Simply allowing yourself to drift into the soothing rhythm can be eye-opening to inspiration surrounding you. Learning to play an instrument can also be inspirational and help challenge you to grow. Music is a language in itself. You’ll be able to better express yourself as well.

6) Seek Support | Surround Yourself with those who Care

It is important to seek support from those who love and care about you. When speaking to family and friends, explain your difficulty and ask for advice. Sometimes all we need is for someone to just Listen. The key here is to Always Speak with Positivity.

Make sure you don’t just complain to your family/friends or repeat the same worry over and over again. It’s important for you to show that you do believe you will grow and you can overcome/learn from your current challenge. When you speak with positivity, people are much more willing to help you. Sometimes, they’ll even go out of their way to help because they know you’re genuinely trying to improve.

7) Spend Time Outdoors | Appreciate Nature

Being outdoors can be one of the most refreshing atmospheres to cleanse your mind. Whichever scenery you like most, go out and get some air. The beach is one of the most refreshing places for many people. Drive to the ocean and just sit and watch the waves. Close your eyes, breathe in the fresh, crisp ocean air and remember that there is so much more to life than worry and stress.

Truly allow your outdoor atmosphere to sink in. You will almost feel like a new, refreshed person when fully letting yourself relax. Ease your mind, and think of all the wonderful experiences and people in your life, as well as the great future you have ahead of you.

8) Reflect, Keep a Journal | Express your Thoughts, Needs, Wants, Wishes

Keeping a daily/weekly journal is one of the most helpful tools possible. Putting your personal thoughts and feeling on paper (a notebook or via a computer document for journal entries) allows you to sort through your emotions. The better you understand yourself, the easier it’ll be to overcome challenges in your life.

Many challenges or struggles simply occur because we’re not sure what we want, or what we truly Value in our lives. Keeping a consistent journal will help you target your needs and prepare yourself for challenges.

9) Rid of Negativity | Surround yourself with Uplifting People

Choose to associate closely with people who Value You and want to see you succeed. They are there for you because they believe in your character and support who you are. Many worries in our lives come from self-doubt. But the doubt is often triggered from others. It’s human nature to seek acceptance. When the people you associate with do not provide support, it can make us doubt ourselves. Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people. Be kind to all, but choose to associate closely with Caring, Supportive people.

10) Keep Learning | Focus on how you can Grow Stronger

No matter what is taking place in our lives, there is always something to learn and always a reason to smile. We can continuously improve who we are and what we are capable of achieving. Personal Growth is Continuous.

The more we experience, the more we grow. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Don’t be afraid to face a challenge. Be Confident in Who You Are. Every challenge can be viewed as an opportunity to become even Stronger.

 
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Where to find hope:

When something happens that threatens to leave you hopeless, remember that you are strong. You are resilient and you can take the necessary steps to protect hope and encourage change.

Without hope, there is no next step. Without hope, there is no possibility of happiness. I choose hope.

1. Find Hope in Action.

Take the steps necessary to move towards the life that makes your heart sing. Like improving your health through changes in diet, schedules, and overall lifestyle.

2. Find Hope in Love.


Share your deepest desires and let the people that love you help you on your journey. We are all in this together. It will be hard to ask for help, but do it anyway. They need to help you as much as you need their help.

3. Find Hope in Education.

Knowledge really is power. The more you know, the easier it will be to move forward. If you don’t know enough, it’s hard to take appropriate action.

4. Find Hope in Giving.

Give your time, talent, and treasure to those who need your gifts. Turn your attention to someone else and you’ll create hope for them and for you.

5. Find Hope in Gratitude.

Be grateful for your life and your opportunities every day. With that awareness of how blessed you really are, comes great hope.

6. Find Hope in Trust.

Believe in yourself and others to be life changers and world changers. You have the power to make things better or different.

7. Find Hope in Intuition.

Listen to the voice that comes from your heart. That voice knows you. That voice will guide you.

8. Find Hope in Change.

The only constant in this world is change. Go with the flow and experience all that change has to offer.

9. Find Hope in Letting Go.

Let go of your fear, your sadness, your anxiety, or anything else that is holding you back. Letting go will give you space to let hope in.

10. Find Hope in The Least Expected Places.

You can’t always predict where you will find hope or who might give it to you. Keep an open heart and be ready for hope to surprise you.

Let hope heal you. Let hope change you and let hope let you change the world.


 
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One of the most critical aspects in the search for a missing child is the gathering of evidence that may hold clues about a child's disappearance or whereabouts. The mishandling of evidence can adversely affect an investigation. Similarly, the collection and preservation of evidence are key to finding a missing child. Parents play a vital role in finding a missing child by providing critical information to law enforcement, by protecting evidence in and around the home, and by gathering information about persons or situations that might hold clues. The following are some tips on what you should do to help law enforcement conduct a thorough and complete investigation.

Secure your child's room. Even though your child may have disappeared from outside the home, your child's room should be searched thoroughly by law enforcement for clues and evidence. Don't clean the child's room, wash your child's clothes, or pick up your house. Don't allow well-meaning family members or friends to disturb anything. Even a trash bin or a computer may contain clues that lead to the recovery of the child.

Do not touch or remove anything from your child's room or from your home that might have your child's fingerprints, DNA, or scent on it. This includes your child's hairbrush, bed linens, worn clothing, pencil with bite marks, diary, or address book. With a good set of fingerprints or a sample of DNA from hair, law enforcement may be able to tell whether your child has been in a particular car or house. With good scent material, tracking dogs may be able to find your child.

Do not allow anyone else to sleep in your child's bed, play with his or her toys, or use his or her bedroom for any purpose. Law enforcement dispatch should advise you not to disturb any part of the house until a thorough search of the scene has been conducted. Investigators should let you know when their search is complete.

Be prepared to give investigators all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance of your child. This includes knowing where your child was last seen, where your child normally went to play, what your child was wearing, and what personal possessions your child had with him or her. Describe in detail the clothing your child was wearing and any personal items in the child's possession at the time of the disappearance. Specify color, brand, and size. If possible, have someone obtain replicas of clothing, hats, purses, backpacks, or other items your child had or wore at the time of the disappearance. Give these articles to law enforcement for them to release to the media and to show to searchers. Make sure you mark these items as duplicates or replicas.

Make a list of personal identification marks and specific personality traits. Describe birthmarks, scars, tattoos, missing teeth, eyeglasses, contacts, speech patterns, and behavioral traits. If possible, find photographs that show these unique features. If you have fingerprints of your child or a DNA blood sample, also give these to law enforcement.

Gather together personal items, such as baby teeth, old baseball caps, or old toothbrushes. These items may contain hair or blood samples that may be useful as DNA evidence. Also look for pencils or toys that contain impressions of your child's teeth.

Think about your child's behavior and routine. Be prepared to discuss where your child played or hung out, what was the usual route taken to and from school, and what other paths of travel might have been taken. Be specific about what your child did for recreation, including playing outdoors, surfing the Internet, and other activities.

Try to remember any changes in your child's routine or any new experiences. Look at personal and family calendars to see if they contain clues as to your child's whereabouts or the identity of the abductor. For example, during the past year, did your child join a soccer team, change teams, or get a new coach? Did your child start playing or hanging out in a different area? Did your child keep a diary that might hold clues?

Try to remember if your child mentioned any new friends. Talk with your child's friends and teachers to see if they know of any new friends or other contacts your child recently made.

Find recent photographs of your child in both color and black and white, then have someone make multiple copies of the photographs and keep the originals in a safe place. Check your cameras for undeveloped film, because the most recent photos of your child may be found there. Ask family members and friends to do the same. Give law enforcement multiple photos showing different poses. Steer away from formal or posed photos that do not look like your child. Being careful not to damage the photo, mark the back of each picture with your child's name, address, date of birth, and age when the picture was taken. Find videotapes or movies of your child and make copies. Also ask family members and friends if they have videotapes or movies of your child, perhaps at birthday parties, soccer games, and so forth. Give law enforcement copies that show your child's expressions and mannerisms.

Make a list of family members, friends, acquaintances, coaches, teachers, and other school staff. Write down as many telephone numbers and addresses as you can. Offer information for prior in-laws and relatives as well. Include on your list anyone you feel might have something against you or your family. Make a list of everyone who routinely comes to your home. Your list should include postal workers, meter readers, garbage collectors, repair persons, salespeople, pizza delivery persons, and so forth.

Make a list of new, different, or unusual people or circumstances in and around your home or school within the past year. Think about if you or any of your neighbors had any home remodeling or house repairs done within the past year. Were any houses listed for sale in your neighborhood in the past year? Has there been any road construction or building in the area? Have any traveling carnivals passed through the area?

Ask your child's doctor and dentist for copies of the child's medical and dental records and x rays. Give copies of all medical and dental records to law enforcement for use in the investigation.


 
Looking for some fun fall activities? Here are a variety of suggestions for things to do in the fall. These activities also help you and your children spend quality time together after school and on weekends.

■Take a nature hike with your children. This is a great opportunity for your children to collect leaves for a special leaf project. It’s also a perfect time for you and your children to talk about their day/week at school. 

■Plant bulbs with your children to enjoy next spring. 

■Go on a hayride to a pumpkin patch and have your children pick their own pumpkins. 

■Make corn husk puppets with your children. 

■Go horseback riding on a scenic trail. 


■Wander through an apple orchard or pumpkin patch. Pick apples, make apple cider or pumpkin pie from the stash you bring home.

■Check out fall-themed books from the library and read with your children. You read some to them, they read some to you. 

■Create a scarecrow from leaves, straw and old used clothes. 

■Help your children press fresh fall leaves and make a pressed leaf scrapbook. 

■Bike through a national forest with your children. 

■Take a canoe ride by colorful fall scenery. 

■Visit a local fall craft fair, Oktoberfest or farmer’s market. 

■Show your children how to create a summer memories scrapbook filled with photos and mementos from last summer. 

■Have your children rake leaves from your yard into a big pile and jump in them! 

■Let your children finger-paint a fall scene on construction paper. They can even make fall-themed cards for friends and family.

■Make a fall wreath using collected leaves, pine cones, acorns and paper plates and hang it on your front door to greet visitors. 

■During a walk in the woods, look for animal tracks and help your children identify them. 

■Take your children to a football game. 

■Make smores in a fire pit on a cool fall night

 
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Consider homeschooling.The tips will help you get started with this adventure. 

TIP! Be cognizant of your budget for homeschooling.
      If you know what you need for homeschooling and taking special trips you can save ahead of time for them. Don’t limit your children only to the textbooks when teaching a curriculum. Your kid should learn using a variety of teaching mediums. Discussing current events is a great way to help your child about learning. This also help them to think critically. 

TIP! To find out more about laws and regulations related to homeschooling, get in touch with the state’s homeschool association. 
     You may have to register yourself as a private educator or give your children testing periodically. Set up a place for your kids to have arts and crafts they can use while you are teaching older kids. Older kids can read to little ones or help teach preschoolers
 This lets everyone learn and will instill confidence. 

TIP! When you homeschool your children there are many advantages.

 Even so, it might be a good idea to make sure that your homeschooled children are up to par with the standard system, by having them take the same exams as kids in the public schools. Designate your housework to your kids or hire outside help. It is unrealistic to think that you can do everything all by yourself. You will be extremely fatigued if you try to do everything on your homeschooling work. Accept help if you can get it and don’t feel bad about it.

TIP! Your child needs a quiet and comfortable area to study.

 It should be away from your child’s play area. Be sure to give your children plenty of hands-on learning. You could cook a dish from the country you are studying. An example of this is making cabbage rolls and perogies if they are learning about Stalin. If you are learning about WWII you can make German or a historical site. Learning will allow your child to more fully understand the senses. 


TIP! Give your child enough break time to burn off extra energy and get some exercise. 

This will allow them to better focus on their work. Make sure that you create a budget for your homeschooling. Create a separate account that has an amount for each child. Give a little flexibility with the budget for unexpected needs or costs. 

TIP! Read up on different styles of learning. 

There are plenty of books, magazines, and web sites full of information and lesson plans you can tailor to your own child. Make sure you do some research the process thoroughly prior to deciding to homeschool. There are many resources available which can help you to decide if homeschooling really is the right decision. 

TIP! You need to also realize that homeschooling will not always be fun. 

Unfortunately, there will be times when you have to make your kids read. Your kids count on you to get them ready for their future. Homeschooling is one method of doing that. Use the tips in this article and you can create a successful educational environment for your kids.

 
Family photos can include only your immediate clan,or also incorporate extended kin as well.The important thing is to keep them relaxed,candid and fin!Here are some ways to make the entire family photo experience a positive one:

1. Schedule the photo shoot when kids are at their happiest. Usually, at least for little ones, this means 5 to 6 p.m. is not the best time. You can’t always get the time you want, but if you have any control over this aspect at all, I highly recommend working your appointment around your kiddos’ routines.

2. That said – lighting is important, so you may have to be flexible. Bright, high noon sunshine is not ideal, so oftentimes, photographers prefer to shoot outdoor photos either in the morning or just before dusk. You might have to go with the flow and let your kids’ schedule be a bit different that day.

3. Speaking of photographers – if you want a professional photo shoot, but it’s out of your budget, try looking in your local Craigslist. Budding photographers are always wanting to expand their portfolio, so you may find someone offering a great deal. You can also try your church, your local university, or word of mouth with your friends – there’s always someone out there who’s wanting to expand their photography business.

4. Do your best to buy a package deal that gives you all the digital files for a flat price. This is much easier in the long run, because you’ll have control over all the printing. It might be more up front, but it’ll probably save you in printing costs over the long haul (especially when every. single. picture. is adorable).

Coordinate, but don’t match. This is just my opinion, as I know many families like to wear the same outfit for their portraits. But in my experience as a holiday photo card designer, photos look better when everyone blends well, but not too much. To be honest, when I see a photo with the entire family wearing denim shirts, all I see is a sea of denim shirts – not the people.

6. Avoid patterns. It’s okay if one family member has a simple stripe or a basic design, but too many intricate patterns detracts from faces. If in doubt of what to wear, go with a simple, solid-colored shirt.
Go casual. Especially if you have little ones. I love photos that look like the family is relaxed, having fun with each other, and basically like they do most any other day of the year. Sure, go ahead and brush their hair and have them in clean clothes – but you’re probably fighting an uphill battle asking preschoolers to sit still more than a minute at a time.

When it comes to the setting, think outside the box. The background is not the most important subject of your photo, so keep your location simple. Many cities have beautiful parks and natural settings, but don’t forget about your backyard. Other fun settings are front porches, old buildings, fences, and even on your master bed – let everyone play around and get goofy.

9. Get closer than you think. If you’re going to take the photos (with a timer, or when it’s just the kids), I can’t emphasize this enough - get much, much closer to faces than you think you should. Faces are what you really want to see – so get right up there.
The beauty of digital photography is that you can edit, retake, retouch, and experiment in all sorts of ways. Have fun taking that family memento, and keep it relaxed and light-hearted.

 
There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference.  
The little difference is attitude.  The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.
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Have you ever met Debbie Downer, Negative Nancy or Pessimistic Patty?  These people can be so entrenched in the bad things that there isn’t any room for good things to grow.  They inhabit our families and social circles.  It can be emotionally draining just being around them, and you must be careful because their attitudes are contagious.  Negativity perpetuates itself, breeds dissatisfaction and clutters the mind.  And when the mind is cluttered with negativity, happiness is much harder to come by.




Here are 10 ways to defend yourself against negativity:

  1. Don’t take other people’s negativity personally.  Most negative people behave negatively not just to you, but to everyone they interact with.  What they say and do is a projection of their own reality – their own attitude.  Even when a situation seems personal – even if someone insults you directly – it oftentimes has nothing to do with you.  Remember, what others say and do, and the opinions they have, are based entirely on their own self-reflection.  Read Learned Optimism.
  2. Spend more time with positive people.  You are the average of the people you spend the most time with.  In other words, who you spend your time with has a great impact on the person you eventually become.  If you are around cynical and negative people all the time, you will become cynical and negative.  Does who you are and who you want to be reflect in the company you keep?  Start spending time with nice people who are smart, driven and likeminded.  Relationships should help you, not hurt you. Surround yourself with people who reflect the person you want to be.  Choose friends who you are proud to know, people you admire, who love and respect you, people who make your day a little brighter simply by being in it.
  3. Be the positivity you want to see in the world.  Lead by example.  You can’t always save the world, but you can make the world a better place by practicing what you preach – by becoming self-aware, tapping into your compassion, and protecting your positive space.  Doing simple things like talking about positive daily events, common friends, hobbies, happy news, make for light conversations with negative people.  Keep the conversations focused on optimistic areas the person can relate to.  You can disarm their negativity, even if it’s just for a little while.
  4. Change the way you think.  The one thing nobody can take away from you is the way you choose to respond to what others say and do.  The problem isn’t the events that are negative.  The problem is the way you react to those events.  The last of your freedoms is to choose your attitude in any given circumstance.  Complaining, blaming and criticizing aren’t going to change the situation.  It is not always easy to find happiness in ourselves, but it is always impossible to find it elsewhere.  Regardless of the situation you face, your attitude is your choice.  Remember, you can’t have a positive life with a negative attitude.  When negativity controls your thoughts, it limits your behavior, actions, and opportunities.  If you realized how powerful your thoughts were, you would never think another negative thought again.
  5. Focus on solutions.  Negative people have an endless supply of pityparty invitations.  Don’t RSVP.  Oftentimes people use negativity as a barrier to protect themselves from the world, which in turn blocks them from solutions that could improve their life.  Instead, identify solutions.  Don’t dwell too much on what went wrong.  Instead, focus on the next positive step.  Spend your energy on moving forward toward a positive resolution.  Remember, when you focus on solutions, by thinking and acting positively, sound becomes music, movement becomes dance, a smile becomes laughter, and life becomes a celebration.  Read Stumbling on Happiness.
  6. Love whoever is around to be loved.  Practice acts of kindness.  It’s a lot harder to be negative when you’re in the presence of love and kindness.  Be that presence whenever possible.  Let your guard down.  Talk to someone you don’t know straight from your heart.  Compliment them.  Don’t anticipate awkwardness.  Just be you in that beautiful way only you know, and give them the chance to smile and connect with you.  Sometimes a kind word and some attention from a friend is all that’s needed to turn a negative attitude around.
  7. Provide support when it makes sense.  Some people complain as a way of crying for help.  They may not be conscious of it though, so their comments come across as negative complaints rather than requests.  Show some concern.  Just a simple “Are you okay?” or “Is there anything I can do to help you?” can do wonders.  Resist the urge to judge or assume.  It’s hard to offer compassion when you assume you have them figured out.  Let them know they are not alone.  People overcome the forces of negative emotions, like anger and hatred, when the counter-forces of love and support are in full effect.
  8. Realize that life is a series of ups and downs.  Acknowledge the negativity, accept it, and let it pass through your consciousness, thereby teaching you a lesson but not ruining your day.  Life is full of highs and lows, but you don’t have to go up and down with them.  We develop from the negatives when we accept them and learn from them.  This cycle is all part of the human experience.  Relax, let go a little, and enjoy the ride. Read Happiness Is a Serious Problem.
  9. Concentrate on today.  Too often, we carry around things from our past that hurt us – regrets, shame, anger, pain, etc.  Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.  Don’t let these negative points from the past rob your present happiness.  You had to live though these things in the past, and although unfortunate, they can’t be changed.  But if the only place they live today is in your mind, then let go, move on, and be happy.  You can decide right now that negative experiences from your past will not predict your future.
  10. Let go and move on when you must.  If all else fails, remove yourself from the wrong situations and relationships. Some people are like dark clouds; when they disappear, it’s a brighter day.  Know when it’s time to let go.  Letting go of negative people doesn’t mean you hate them, it just means that you care about your own wellbeing.  Every time you subtract negative from your life, you make room for more positive.
It isn’t easy to remain positive when negativity surrounds you, but remember that you have full control of your attitude.  Think of it this way: An entire body of water the size of the Pacific Ocean can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship.  Similarly, all the negativity in the world can’t bring you down unless you allow it to get inside your head.  People who are able to discern the positive points in negative situations are the ones who prosper in the long run.  So defend yourself against the ‘negative way’ and make room for a positive day.

http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/08/08/10-ways-to-defend-yourself-against-negativity/



    Authors

    Heaven Sent Media Blogs are produced by Angels On Air 
    co-hosts Kathleen Moore and Candy Stevens.The two work in tandem bringing forth awareness and outreach that affects positive change in communities.Moore is a socially conscious/non-traditional marketing specialist and mommy of ten (four birth children and six adopted),who proudly founded Army Of Angels.Stevens works on visual content,design and medium research to enhance media efforts and help insure they are impactful . Together Moore and Stevens connect with a vast constituency of volunteers through Army Of Angels chapters in each U.S. State and around the world to make sure families are armed with the information they require to remain,happy,healthy and safe.

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