The John Tesh Blog

Just How Spiritual Are We?

Is spirituality a part of your life?  The majority of Americans feel that a spiritual belief system should play a major role . . .  but faith cannot stop at belief alone. 

In today's excerpt from my new book, Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lessons For Personal Growth, I discuss what it means to take spirituality from faith to action.

It seems that 72 percent of Americans say their lives have meaning and purpose because of faith. But there’s a gap between what we believe and how we act.

That’s the finding of a new Gallup Poll that was conducted with The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society. It examined “The Spiritual State of the Union.” To do this, it looked at Inner Commitment—people’s connection with God or a higher power — and Outer Commitment — how they live out their commitment through service to society.

Nearly 80 percent of people agreed with the statement “the overall health of the nation depends a great deal on the spiritual health of the nation.” And almost as many people agreed “life has meaning and purpose because of faith.” Sixty percent agreed with the idea that all people, regardless of race, creed, or wealth, are connected by a higher power and therefore we should accept everybody.

More than a third of Americans prefer to think of themselves as spiritual, rather than religious. And they defined spirituality in several ways, including belief in God or a higher power, or just seeking to be a good person and reach their full human potential.

But here’s the problem: Only 44 percent agreed with this statement: “I’m involved and try to help the lives of the poor and suffering.” Could it be that we’re not putting our money where our mouth is? Something to think about.

In my new book Intelligence For Your Life, I delve a lot deeper into the issue of genuine spirituality. You can purchase my book at your favorite bookstore or go online to Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

Is Smiling Good or Bad For Your Health?

Can smiling too much be bad for your health? Recent findings from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfort claim that "professional smilers" such as flight attendants and sales clerks are in danger of several health issues.  Forced smiling can cause stress, depression and even heart problems.

The constant stress of having to flash your pearly whites at customers can lead to depression, high blood pressure  and contribute to cardiovascular breakdown. Why? When you're forced to smile, you're faking friendliness which puts extra strain and stress on your body.

Yes, at times we smile because we're happy, but on other occassions we use a smile to get something accomplished . . . a refund on an item, asking someone out for a date or requesting someone do a difficult task for us. In some situations, a sweet smile does pay off. 

Babies are definitely on to something when it comes to smiling. When they smile, it triggers positive feelings in other people. You can't resist a happy baby and often smile back.  People don't respond to a frown by frowning back. Rather,  people respond to a smile.

Here are eight good reasons why you should put on a "happy face:"

• Smiling draws people to to us. There's a powerful attraction factor when you smile at somebody.  Frowns, scowls and grimaces repel people, and we give off the message that we're not too friendly.

• Smiling can change a bad mood. The next time you're feeling down and disgruntled, try putting on a smile.  Medical experts say that smiling can trick the body into helping you change a nasty mood.  However, there's a limit to changing our moods by smiling.  You don't want to look phony which will increase your stress level.  Who knows . . . a smile may work to change your sour mood.

• Smiling can be contagious.  A room can completely change its somber atmosphere when someone enters the room smiling.  Teachers are great at this. They walk into a classroom right after lunch knowing the kids would rather still be out on the playground.  A bright disposition by the teacher can often help the students get their minds back to their studies.

• Smiling relieves stress. We wear our stress on our faces more than anywhere else. When you smile, you look less tired, worn down and overwhelmed.  You can actually reduce your stress level by putting on a smile and place yourself in a more positive mood so you can take steps to bring about needed change.

• Smiling boosts your immune system.  Your immune system is more functional when you smile.  You never know how much a smile can be conducive to fighting colds and flus. 

• Smiling can lower your blood pressure. Your blood pressure does lower when you've got a bright look on your face.  If you have a blood pressure monitor at home, test it out. Sit still for a few minutes and take a reading.  Then add a smile to your face for a minute and take another reading. See if you notice a measurable difference.

• Smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin. Smiling may save you money on expensive prescription drugs.  No guarantees this will work for everyone, but it's worth the effort to see if you're one of those lucky ones whose mood elevates with a smile.

• Smiling helps you stay more positive.  A smile on your face can change a negative day into one that feels more hopeful. When we smile, our body sends a message to our emotions that "life is not so bad after all."  If you don't believe me, put on a genuine smile on your face and try to think negative, hopeless thoughts.  It's not easy.

John
Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

For more information that will keep you smiling, read my new book Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lessons For Personal Growth.  You can purchase my book at your local bookstore or on line at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

Keep Your Life Surrounded With Prayer

Does prayer seem difficult for you?  You just don't feel "religious" enough to talk to God.  So you opt not to pray and leave it to the religious professionals to handle the speaking to God.

In today's excerpt from my book, Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lessons For Personal Growth, I share how I removed the religious formality from my prayer life and started to converse with God.

Talking to God can be a little awkward at first. But if you stick with it, you start to realize that you’ve got a lot on your mind. When you pray with your heart and not your head, you finally get to that stuff that you would never share with your shrink. I recommend praying out loud. And if you want to supercharge the prayer, pray with someone else.

Why do people swear that prayer improves their life and their business? Again, I’m no expert, but I believe it’s because God wants nothing more from us and for us than love.

If we pray without ceasing, read God’s Word and stay connected with him all throughout the day, then we can’t help but behave lovingly. And when we behave lovingly, people want to hang out with us. Our spouses feel safe with us because we stand on the truth, so our relationship improves. Our business partners want a piece of the joy that seems to follow us everywhere, so business improves. We get that promotion. Then the Holy Spirit works with our conscience and plants an itch in us that can only be scratched when we serve  others and find our purpose.

Listen, I’ve tried this both ways. Let me save you some time. If you want to live an intelligent life, if you want to have the life for which God made you, if you want abundance in your life, you have to surround everything you do with a consistent prayer life. Don’t worry about infringing on God’s time or asking for the wrong thing. Just have a conversation and be honest.

When it comes to trusting God, you can find a lot more in my new book Intelligence For Your Life. You can purchase the book at your local bookstore or go online to Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

Who Pays For Dinner When You Date?

The question has been recently raised on blogs and radio talk shows: Has masculinity been decreasing over the past 20 to 30 years?  Do men today have a good grasp on what it means to be a man?

To detect a man's level of masculinity, one question has withstood the test of time:  who pays for the dinner when you're out on a date?  Since the answer touches on equality between the sexes, the issue raises a red flag for many women.

First, we must determine what's the significance of a man paying for a woman's dinner. It's more than just a financial matter.  Many men I've interviewed have told me that even if a woman earns a salary three times as much, they will not allow her to pay for dinner. 

Syndicated radio talk show host Dennis Prager weighed in on this topic on a recent broadcast:  "What it means for the man to pay for dinner - whether it's a sandwich at Subway or a gourmet meal - is that he's making a statement concerning his desire to marry someday and provide for a woman."  When the man pays for the meal, he's telling his date, "I'm the kind of man who wants to someday take care of the woman I marry and I may as well start in my dating life."

Despite today's stress on gender equality, when it comes to a romantic dinner out, according to the Daily Mail, 50% of women interviewed don't expect to pay for dinner when on a date.

When women were asked: "What is the height of chivalry," 36% admitted it is the man picking up the tab.  So regardless of this modern world of social networking and internet relationships, old fashioned values at the dinner table are still in style. 

In fact, the same survey in the Daily Mail revealed 50% of the women who took part of the poll are "cursory purse grabbers."  They will act as though they want to pay and make a gesture towards their purse when the bill comes, but as soon as the guy makes a move towards his wallet, she 'll put on the brakes and gracefully let him pay . . . as it should be.

The survey also noted even if a date does not go well, 75% of men are still prepared to pay for dinner. I'm glad to hear that.  Dating is not a meal earned but a meal to be enjoyed regardless of how the date turns out.

Time Magazine refers to a "fear syndrome in men" when it comes to holding the door or standing up for a woman entering a room. They're afraid women . . . might be offended by such courtesies.  Many women sidestep the discomfort of a man displaying manners towards her by moving first to hold open their own door or wrestling on their coats before the man has a chance to lend a hand.

Yes, things have truly changed, according to the advice given in a Time Magazine article:  if the woman asks the man to go out on a date, then she should pay; if the man asks the woman for a date , then he should pay.  Some would disagree and argue that for a guy to expect the woman to pay for dinner is not liberating but wimpy and cheap.

Think of it this way . . . perhaps the emphasis on equality in this case takes away the opportunity men have to show care for a woman . . .  not because she's the "weaker sex" but out of respect and honor for her. 

It may be a great idea for women to give men back permission to act in a more masculine manner towards them.  Yes, that includes paying for dinner. . . . holding open a door . . helping her on with her coat . . . standing up when she enters the room.

One site suggests that if the man pays all the time, then the man will never be on the receiving end. Perhaps that's the point.  Are you going to pay for a woman's dinner to receive or because you're a male who knows this is the right thing to do?

John
Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Are you struggling with how to behave on a date?  I've got some great information for you in my new book Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lessons For Personal Growth.  My book can be purchased at your local book store or online at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

The Power of Prayer

Why pray?  We've all asked that question.  But did you stick around long enough to get an answer? 

In today's excerpt from Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lessons For Personal Growth, I focus on how prayer changes lives and . . . why you should pray.

Our problem is we think prayer is a tool to change God and bend His plans to conform to ours.  Yet research shows prayer actually brings about transformation in the one who prays.

Prayer is the catalyst for the life reaction that will ultimately get you to the life you want to be living. It’s the true secret of staying focused on your deepest desire. It is your connection to a life of power and passion.

Prayer is the most studied of all the spiritual disciplines. Research — scientific research –is ongoing at major universities around the world. Duke University has led the way in many of these studies and they have found that prayer can have a profound effect on ameliorating depression and lowering blood pressure. Prayer has been shown to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). And prayer’s ability to get people to the point of forgiveness can play a major role in reconciliation and healing of relationships. There have been enough successful studies on the efficacy of prayer in healing illnesses that many physicians now include prayer during their hospital rounds.

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virginia in Richmond studied 1,902 subjects. They used twins to insure more accurate data. They found that those who were committed to their spiritual lives tended to have less severe depression and a lower risk of addiction to cigarettes or alcohol. The study went on to say that the healthful lifestyles of the spiritually rich and faithful clearly contribute to their well-being. They tend not to smoke or drink to excess. Their marriages are more stable and their spiritual communities form a network that can catch and support them when they are ill.

So what is my own personal experience with the power of prayer? I grew up with the Lord’s Prayer. It was the first prayer we memorized in church and the prayer we recited at bedtime. It never really meant much to me. But as I grew out of the “pray because I told you to” phase of my life, I began to explore a more informal relationship with God that removed all the thus’s and thou’s and replaced them with a more natural one–on-one conversation.

There's more on the power of prayer in my new book Intelligence For Your Life, and you can purchase a copy at your local bookstore or on line at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

 

Are You Getting Happier As You Age?

What do you and I have to look forward to as we age?  Aches . . pain . . . passing on of loved ones and friends.  Yes . . . but that's not all.   There's actually more positive things ahead of you than you thought. 

According to new research reported by CNN, the happiest Americans are the oldest.

Sure, you'll still need to deal with the distresses of old age.  However, according to this new study, despite the disadvantages of getting older, seniors have found other ways to experience happiness.

Face it, you're not looking forward to getting older.  You're probably desperately seeking for something positive about your advancing years.  In fact, whenever I post a blog on the positive side of aging, the emails pour in thanking me for lifting people's spirits and providing them with encouragement.  Check out my blog on "Do You Have What it Takes to Live to 100?"

Are you ready to have your mind changed about getting older?  Start with this:  the odds of being happy increase 5% with very 10 years of age.  Here's one  more:  33% of Americans reported being very happy at age 88, as opposed to 24% of 18 t\to 20 year olds

So what's the secret of happiness at an older age?

•Older people know how to accept themselves and enjoy their accomplishments.  Younger people are still idealistic about what's ahead and have a higher frustration level contributing to a decreased happiness. Seniors are okay with their achievements and are not living discouraged lives because they never had their "fifteen minutes of fame" or received a Nobel prize in physics.

Are there any people who refuse to find happiness when they age?  Sadly, yes.  According to research at the University of Chicago,  baby boomers are the least happy.  That's my generation. Due to our achievement-driven mind set, we could very likely end up living up to the old-age stereotype that views growing older a bad thing.

The reason us baby boomers may end up bummed out in our twilight years is that we refuse to lower our expectations as earlier generations.  One Duke University aging expert commented, "They seem to believe they should have it all.  They're still thinking about a retirement that's going to let them do everything they haven't done yet."  That is assuming quite a lot . . . good health, an income comparable to what they are making in their younger years, a growing economy and emotional support from loved ones who are still alive.  That's an open invitation for some major frustration.

•Older people tend to be more socially active.  It's true people's social circles can shrink when they get older as friends and relatives pass away.  But when you're older you have more time to widen your social circles and are able to pursue social opportunities that you may have missed out on while chasing success in your youth.

The University of Chicago study noted that 75% of people ages 57 to 85 engage in one or more social activities at least every week.  Some of these events include hanging out with a neighbor, attending religious services, listening to a lecture, taking classes, volunteering or attending group meetings.

•Older people possess different values that bring greater contentment.  Perhaps with less commitments as they get older, they have more time to contemplate the meaning of life. They are not as stressed as younger people who don't have the time to consider what it means to experience happiness. When you're younger, you may be more materialistic and competitive and often too tired to appreciate what you have. 

*Older people refuse to allow adversity affect their emotional state.  Most people - especially younger adults - imagine adversity will make them less happy. Of course, severe suffering with chronic pain or a debilitating illness will severely diminish your quality of life.

Yet according to ABC news, current research says adversity has a smaller affect on people's happiness than they anticipate. One of the reasons is that we're getting better at life than we ever thought.

In other words, we're living life more wisely and making better choices. Despite the pain we may encounter in old age, we're making every attempt to make sure the pain never defines us.  Rather, focusing on our relationships with significant people in our lives is  often the wisest choice we can make when life strips us of its comforts.

John
Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

For more information on living smarter as you age, read my new book Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lessons For Personal Growth.  You can purchase my book at your local bookstore or on line at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

Give Your Soul A Workout

Do you take yourself too seriously? How can you tell?  Well, if all you can think about is yourself and how you appear to others,  you're a good candidate for what I am calling "a workout for the soul."

In today's excerpt from my new book Intelligence For Your Life: Powerful Lessons For Personal Growth, we begin our soul workout.  You'll be surprised how easy and relaxing of a workout it is.

Would you like to get your soul in shape? Perhaps the first step is to lighten up. As English author G.K. Chesterton once said, “Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly.” And what works for angels can work for us. If you tend to worry or obsess, if you’re a perfectionist, if you’re self-absorbed, you need a good dose of levity. All those things are sources of unhappiness. More than that, they shrivel your soul; God made you for joy, not so you could bear the weight of the world. Here are some other exercises that can give your soul a workout:

•Pray for someone you hate.
Hatred is a big, fat downer. So close your eyes and think, “May so-and-so find peace and happiness.” You can’t hate a person and pray for them at the same time. You’ll be doing both of you a favor.

•Hang up your troubles.
Before entering your house at night, walk over to a tree and close your eyes for a moment. If a neighbor asks, “What are you doing?” answer, “This is my worry tree. Rather than bring my troubles inside, I hang them here. And when I come out in the morning to collect them, most of them are gone.”

•Get outside yourself.
Here’s one for all of us who think, I’m worthless, I can’t do it,  everything I do comes out wrong, I’m a victim. What do all those statements have in common? They’re all about “me”—and what I’m doing or what’s being done to “me.” Here’s the secret of life: stop thinking about yourself so much. Move your focus outward.

•Unwrap the present.
That is, focus on what’s happening now. The past is over. When you’re nostalgic, you’re dwelling on what you don’t have anymore. And if you’re too focused on the future, then you want what you don’t have.

The only way to be truly happy is to relish what you do have, what you can do, and who you are right now.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

You can find more advice for the soul in my new book Intelligence For Your Life.  The book can be purchased at your local bookstore or on line at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

Here's another reader who enjoyed Intelligence For Your Life:

Say what you want about him, but this really is a good book. There's a lot of things in it that I really need to apply to my life in order to be a better person. And if I really dedicate myself to this, I'll be a changed man by my 70th birthday. Which, right now, feels like it's only 13 years away.  Tim . . . The Herald-Mail.

How to Pay Less at the Pump

Gasoline prices are rising and we're cringing at the pump every time we fill 'er up. 

According to U.S. News and World Report, the U.S. average price per gallon reached a new high of $3.20 per gallon in March of this year and was expected to go up another 20 to 30 cents in the next month. Now we're paying anywhere from $3.85 to $3.99 per gallon.

But how serious are people willing to make changes in their driving habits?

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of people polled by AAA Western and Central New York said they are taking practical steps to cut down on fuel costs.  In another survey published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 52% of readers say the cost of gas has caused them to limit their driving.  11% have actually gone out and bought a more fuel efficient car. 12% plan to use other forms of transportation, such as a bus, light rail or a bicycle.

However, rising gasoline prices are not the only problem we have with our cars.

The average cost to own and operate a vehicle is 54.1 cents per mile, or $8,121 per year.  Consumers can save as much as $3,000 a year by switching from a large model to a smaller vehicle.  Driving an SUV 15,000 miles a year averages $10,448, compared with $8,644 for a minivan.

What can you do in the coming months as rising gas prices leave us little other choice than to change our lifestyles? 

•Purchase a car with a smaller, more fuel efficient engine.  In April 2008, sales of passenger cars shot up 5.5% nationally while SUV sales were down 17.4%. 

•Visit GasBuddy.com where you'll find the lowest gas prices within your zip code.  You'll be connected to an up-to-date list of gas stations near you that charge the lowest prices.

•Drive less and less and do more things closer to home. A recent Nielson Co. research project discovered 70% of U.S. consumers are condensing errands normally spread throughout the week to cut down on their drive time. Mainly, drive your auto for necessities . . . getting the kids to school and traveling to work.

•Check out the Smart car as a driving alternative.  The Smart car is a small, gas-sipping, two person vehicle that gets close to 40 miles per gallon on the highway.  Other alternative vehicles include gas saving hybrids . . . sedans and SUVs.  For some commuters a Vespa scooter is a smart option.

•Consider joining Flexcar.   With this method you'll have access to hundreds of Flexcar vehicles of various makes and models.  You reserve a car so it's available when you need it.  When you're finished with your errands and appointments, you return the car to its designated parking spot  so the next member can use the vehicle.  With Flexcar, you'll spend about $10 an hour for car usage without the responsibility of automobile ownership. 

•Get serious about making public transportation your major means of getting around.   In cities where light-rail is available, taking the train to work is increasing.   Others are using their bicycles more and more.  Nationwide, total bus departures rose by 13% this year.

•Join a carpool.   If you're interested in joining a carpool, your best choice is to visit eShare.com where you'll find others in your area with whom to carpool.  Presently, there are more than 100 new listings every 24 hours.

John
Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

For more information on living smarter, read my new book Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lesson For Personal Growth.  You can purchase my book at your local bookstore or on line at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

Fill Your Heart With the Right Stuff

In the last excerpt from my new book Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lessons For Personal Growth, I shared the importance of guarding your heart.

However, there's one more important principle I need to tell you. Even if you're successful in keeping your heart from surrendering to the negativity in the world, the job of guarding your heart is only half finished.

I have learned that sometimes it’s not enough just to guard your heart. You must fill it up to make it less vulnerable.

Approach it the way you would a good diet plan. Most experts agree that if you let yourself become famished, you will reach for the first thing in front of you. Many times that’s the vending machine or the box of donuts in the break room. So the smart diet strategy is to make sure you fill up on enough fiber and protein to stave off the craving for a sugar and fat bomb.

You can use a similar strategy with your heart. Fill it with positive influences. My wife is fond of saying: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for everything.” A famished heart is vulnerable enough to fall victim to the world’s most tempting vending machine.

“Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” It’s your responsibility to protect yourself from those people and things that would be destructive to your heart and prevent you from living an abundant life. When you open your heart to people who are negative and disruptive, you run the risk of becoming what you behold. If you are in close relationship with someone who is easily angered, this person could intimidate, manipulate and control you through fear. Also, if you associate long enough with someone who rushes to anger quickly, you will eventually begin to imitate his or her destructive behavior.

Think about it. We spend so much of our time worrying about our waistlines, bank accounts and the lines on our face. But how often do we say to ourselves, “I need to protect my heart.”

The fact is, our heart is absolutely central to who we are.
Do you want to live an ‘Intelligent Life'? Then above all else, guard your heart.

You'll find more useful advice on taking care of your inner life in my new book, Intelligence For Your Life. The book can be purchased at your local bookstore or online at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

Start Your Day At the Finish Line

Why is it so hard to complete our tasks?   With the best intentions, we start off the day hoping to polish off a list of important to-dos.  By midday we've been thrown off with phone calls, unexpected errands and our own inability to flee from distractions. 

Studies quoted in the Wall Street Journal claim the typical professional handles more than 170 interactions in one work day. Success Principles guru Jack Canfield says our brains just can't process all the unfinished business we face in a typical day.

Time management expert John Maxwell advises that we start off our day in the right place . . . with a vision to finish our tasks. 

Maxwell describes race car drivers who compete to place their cars in a certain position on the track before a race even begins.  Drivers  know that that best spot is  pole position.  If you're in pole position, you don't need to pass other cars to win.  Just hold your place as leader and you'll win the race.

The way to finish well is to start out strong.  However, to stay in front during a 500 mile race, any good driver knows you cannot lose focus and forfeit the lead position.

Why We Lose Focus on Finishing 

•We convince ourselves we don't have the time.  Mostly, our issue is not lack of time, but the task is just not important to us.  So we shuffle the uncompleted task to the bottom of the pile.  To make ourselves feel better we rationalize, "I don't have the time."

•We are indecisive on how to begin.  The biggest obstacle to writing a difficult letter is that  we're at a loss for words.  The same goes for looking for a job.  We can't get started because the resources are overhwelming or we believe we'll never find a job. 

•We always find something else to do instead.  Before I organize the papers on my desk, I need file folders and file tabs. I'll go the office supply store for these items, and on the way, I'l pick up my dry cleaning and go to the ATM.  Before you know it, it's time for lunch. 

How to Finish At The End of the Day

John Maxwell offers an easy-to-use plan he calls "the bookends of success."

•We start off every day with a workable game plan. Each morning should be protected from distractions and interruptions.  Don't check your email; put your cell phone on silent.  Avoid using the mornings to figure out how you'll write a novel or save up for your dream house. Rather, narrow your focus to the next 24 hours.

Maxwell advises we ask, "Just for today, how can I be a success?" Using this method, you're placing a premium on the day before you.

Jack Canfield advocates we use our energy to fix and organize the things that nag at us.  It's hard to do much when we're surrounded by reminders of all the unfinished things that keep us down.

•We finish off in the evenings with a period of reflection.   By taking the time to reflect, I transform my day's experience into a learning opportunity.  I can also check up on the goals I set forth during the morning, see where I succeeded and evaluate what tasks I need to revisit the next day. 

•We find a way to include relaxation every day.  Success includes time to refuel by doing something that puts you into a positive state of mind.  For me, I enjoy exercising, playing the piano or enjoying a film with my family.  We all need some activity that reminds us how good it is to be alive.

If you fail to choose how you spend your time, you'll surrender control of your schedule to whatever interruptions or distractions happen to fall into your lap.  Find a way to live each day with purpose . . . your pole position.

John
Email John: johnsblog@teshmedia.com

For more information on how to be a successful person, read my new book Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lesson For Personal Growth.  You can purchase my book at your local bookstore or on line at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

Another radio listener shares here thoughts about Intelligence For Your Life:

John: I just received your new book in the mail. I am already almost done reading it. I am finding it hard to put it down to go to bed at night or to attend school on Monday and Wednesday evenings. I am finding the health section very helpful. Keep up the great work. I also love your Alive DVD. That is an amazing concert. Thanks.   

Margaret