Issue #2523
- WEALTHY: Why Wal-Mart looks good (Andrew Gordon)
- HEALTHY: 5 easy ways to make the holidays healthier (James B. LaValle)
- WISE: Ronald Reagan on finding heroes
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
- What is a hero? (Robert Ringer)
- Sleeping late, perfect weather, and football (Edwin Huertas)
- It’s Fun to Know… about the poultry-based sleeping pill
- Add "fealty" to your vocabulary
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This "Bailout" Could Be Perfect For YOU
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Here’s how a “robot” could grab $1000 a day from the banking crisis for YOU!
4 Things You Should Look for Before Investing in a Company
When markets go down, not all companies go down equally. Some go down more than others. And some actually go up.
Picking companies that go against the market is hard. As a rule of thumb, only about 20 percent of them are able to swim against the tide. But when the market is falling (as it is right now), it makes more sense to invest in individual stocks than in indexes that go down with the market. At least with individual stocks, you have a chance of picking strong companies that can survive and even prosper in a bear market.
If you’re going to invest in individual stocks, here is what you should look for…
- Companies with plenty of cash to spend on what they need in order to grow
- Companies with low debt
- Companies with products that sell – or can be tweaked to sell – in tough economic times
- Companies in recession-resistant sectors (like healthcare and staples)
Wal-Mart qualifies on all four counts. And, not surprisingly, its stock has been doing much better than most. That’s the kind of company you should be focusing on in these difficult times.
[Ed. Note: Finding strong companies that meet all four of Andrew's criteria is a great way to prosper despite the market's condition. But you can also make money on companies that are ready to crumble. Learn how to spot the "red flag" signals that could predict (with as much as 92 percent certainty) when a company's stock is going to tank.]
"We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we’re in a time when there are no heroes, they just don’t know where to look."
Ronald Reagan
Learning From Real Heroes
Americans love to throw around the term "hero." But what is a hero? We tend not only to ascribe the word to illiterate athletes, but to people who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, as well.
An extreme example of the latter would be the infamous Iran-hostage "crisis" that ended after 444 days on January 20, 1981. With Kim Jong Il’s best friend, Jimmy Carter, spending more than a year trying to remove his thumb from his left nostril, Iran’s version of Crazy Guggenheim – Ayatollah Khomeini – had things pretty much his way.
But once Ronald Reagan was elected president, Krazy Khomeini started envisioning a nuclear cloud over Iran for the next 400 years. Which, in turn, motivated him to come to his senses and release the hostages. Like every other civilized person, I was happy for both the hostages and their families.
Nevertheless, when the media started portraying them as heroes and New York held a tickertape parade for them, I was baffled. You happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and you’re hailed as a hero? I think a little perspective is called for. To me, a hero is someone who accomplishes extraordinary feats under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, such as the firefighters who marched into the World Trade Center towers in an attempt to save lives while everyone else was scurrying to get out.
In this regard, I have great admiration and respect for Jessica Lynch, the American soldier who was captured and held prisoner in Iraq, and was subsequently rescued in a daring raid by U.S. troops. My admiration and respect are a result of her making it clear to a national television audience that she was not, in fact, a hero.
Despite the way she was depicted by The New York Times and other major publications, she explained, in an interview with Diane Sawyer, that there was no truth to any of those stories. In fact, Lynch said that not only did she not do any fighting, she was hurt so badly that she didn’t even remember what happened to her. When Sawyer asked why she would volunteer such information, she explained that she could not live with herself if she allowed people to believe that she fought heroically when she had not.
So though Lynch is not a hero, her refreshing honesty and humility command enormous respect, especially in this day and age of declining Western values.
Thinking back to the Iran hostage situation reminds me of two genuine heroes – 13-year-old Mattie Stepanek, who succumbed to a severe case of muscular dystrophy, and Christopher Reeve, who became a quadriplegic after a horse-riding accident and passed away as a result of complications from an infection.
At the age of 10, Mattie Stepanek wrote Heartsongs, a book of poetry that became a New York Times #1 best-seller. He followed that remarkable feat with four more books of poetry, two of which also became best-sellers. He was a frequent guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live. His messages were always upbeat, positive, and inspiring. Few adults have ever spoken with more wisdom and deep insight into life than Mattie.
Christopher Reeve was beyond amazing. Though he had to struggle just to breathe, he found the time, energy, and determination not only to continue acting but also to direct a film, take an active role in fighting for stem-cell research, testify before Congress, and appear on virtually every major television talk show.
Other than recognizing these two giants of courage as true heroes, what else can we learn from their lives?
• Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
It seems somewhat ironic that the joint subjects of this article are a scrawny 13-year-old kid and Superman. But after a lifetime of observation, it’s become clear to me that size, physical strength, skin color, gender, and ethnicity, among other things, are of little significance compared to a will to succeed.
• Though human beings, through the gift of free will coupled with action, are able to exercise a great deal of control over their destinies, the inevitable will always be one of man’s greatest nemeses.
The National Safety Council says that a fatal accident occurs every five minutes in the United States, and a disabling injury occurs every two seconds. There is no question that we have the capacity to stack the odds in our favor when it comes to leading longer, healthier lives. Yet, in a head-to-head battle, we are no match for the inevitable. This, however, does not mean that you should become a fatalist and stop trying. That would be irrational on its face.
What it does mean is that you should always keep in mind that there’s an offsetting positive to every negative, and the offsetting positive to the inevitable is that it teaches the wise person humility. Do everything possible to stack the odds in your favor. Work hard at success in all areas of your life, but make certain you don’t become so enamored with yourself that you start believing you’re omnipotent, immortal, or both.
Remember, you’re always just one bad break away from becoming a quadriplegic, getting a terminal disease, or suffering a fatal accident.
• Relativity.
It may sound trite, but you really should be grateful when you wake up every morning, especially if you have been blessed with good health.
Given that a handicap is defined as anything that makes achievement more difficult, each of us is burdened with many handicaps. Not necessarily physical handicaps, but handicaps just the same. Broken marriages, financial problems, lack of a track record – the list of factors that can make achievement more difficult is infinite.
Brooding over a handicap, whatever it may be, is a surefire way to increase its negative impact on your life. You brood, you lose. Whenever you feel as though the temptation to feel sorry for yourself is taking control of your emotions, refocus your thoughts on genuine heroes like Mattie Stepanek and Christopher Reeve.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Heroes are great teachers. They lead by example. All that is required is that you be ready to learn.
[Ed. Note: Improving your life starts from the inside out. And it IS possible for you to become a hero. Yes, you need to take action in order to move yourself forward to success. But sometimes you need a little push to get yourself going... and some simple techniques to help you accomplish your dreams. Discover 189 ways to get everything you want out of life.
For a treasure chest of proven ideas, strategies, and techniques for increasing your income many times over, check out Robert Ringer's best-selling dealmaking audio series. And be sure to sign up for his Voice of Sanity e-letter.]
Why It Doesn’t Matter If the Markets Tumble
If you’re one of the millions of people concerned by the latest turbulence in the markets, I’ve got some good news for you.
It doesn’t matter if the markets tumble.
One investor delights when the stock market lurches up and down. His name is Frederick James and you won’t see him on Larry King or in the Wall Street Journal.
That’s because he’s always preferred to remain part of an elite group of investors who extract their profits in the background while the masses of regular investors see their nest eggs vaporize.
But, now Frederick has decided it’s time to share the wealth. He has agreed to reveal his secrets to ETR readers. Get your special report right here.
Beware of Holiday Diabetes
This is the time of year when many of my patients struggle with keeping their weight and blood sugar under control. It starts with Halloween, when we buy those delectable treat-size candy bars to pass out to trick-or-treaters – and eat many of them ourselves. It continues throughout Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day with the sugar-laden treats and leftovers from holiday meals contributing to our already flourishing spare tires.
The resulting insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar has been linked to an increased risk of developing Type II diabetes.
Medical guidelines don’t start labeling blood sugar a problem until it reaches at least 100 to 124 mg/dL, the current cutoff for pre-diabetes. But a study conducted within the Kaiser Permanente Health System and published in the American Journal of Medicine has determined that even lower levels are cause for worry.
Patients were sorted according to blood sugar levels of <85, 85-89, 90-94, or 95-99 mg/dL. Each one-point increase in blood glucose (BG) was paired with a 6 percent increase in the risk of developing diabetes. Those with BG levels from 90 to 94 mg/dL increased their risk by 49 percent, and those with levels from 95 to 99 mg/dL were 2.33 times more likely to develop the disease.
The results of this study don’t surprise to me. For years, I have been preaching that once your blood sugar starts climbing, unless you do something about it, you are going to become diabetic. But I’m happy to have a study that now quantifies that risk and backs up what I’ve observed clinically.
If you haven’t already done so, develop a strategy for limiting your intake of high-carb, high-sugar foods in the coming weeks. For instance, before going to a party, curb your appetite with a higher-protein snack, a bowl of soup, or a cup of hot tea. Whenever possible, opt for higher-volume, lower-calorie foods, such as vegetables with bean dip and lower-sugar fruits and vegetables. Go ahead and enjoy your favorite dessert – but take a small piece and share it with your spouse or friend. Better yet, volunteer to bring a healthy holiday dish to the party so you know you’ll have at least one healthy choice. Meanwhile, try to increase your exercise to rev up your insulin receptors and help your body better deal with the excess sugar you’re almost certainly going to be eating.
[Ed. Note: Facing the holiday season and all its unhealthy food choices can be overwhelming. Let ETR's health experts help. You can get advice from fitness and nutrition experts - and their interpretations of the latest breakthroughs - in ETR's free natural health e-letter. Sign up today.
It truly is possible to improve your health just by making wise choices when it comes to your diet and lifestyle. James B. LaValle, RPh, ND, CCN - founder of the LaValle Metabolic Institute and a nationally recognized expert on natural therapies - can give you easy-to-understand directions for living the healthy life you've always wanted. Learn how to feel better and live longer right here.]
10 Little Things I Love About Thanksgiving
1. It really starts to "feel" like the holidays when Thanksgiving comes around.
2. I start Christmas shopping for my kids, and it is exciting to see all the cool new stuff in the stores.
3. Being a Florida resident, I get to enjoy the PERFECT weather we get this time of year. A nice cool breeze that allows me to relax on my front porch without the usual heat.
4. Having a day off so I can sleep in late.
5. Watching the football specials on the tube.
6. Having my entire family come together to enjoy each other’s company for an entire day.
7. The smells coming out of the kitchen. Even better are the smiles on everyone’s faces when they see that big juicy turkey and stuffing (made from scratch, none of that Stove Top junk!) on the table.
8. After dinner, watching my kids run around in the yard without a care in the world.
9. Reflecting on events that happened throughout the year. It makes me realize that the end of one year is almost here, and a new one is on the way.
10. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all!
[Ed. Note: What is your #1 favorite thing about Thanksgiving? Let us know right here.]
It’s Fun to Know: The Poultry-Based Sleeping Pill?
You’ve probably heard that there is a natural sedative in turkey, an amino acid called tryptophan. But if you find yourself drifting off after dinner tomorrow, don’t blame it on that. Tryptophan does cause your body to produce serotonin, a chemical that, among other things, helps calm you down. But according to nutrition experts, the level of tryptophan in a typical serving of turkey is not nearly enough to make you fall asleep.
So what explains that post-meal drowsiness on Thanksgiving? Most likely it’s the large amount of carbohydrates you eat, along with any alcohol you may drink.
(Source: How Stuff Works)
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Adding a few thousand bucks to your paycheck each week. (And who doesn’t want a little extra cash?) Turning your passion for gardening into a small business… or becoming a black-belt martial artist… or writing a book of poems.
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Here’s your chance to get everything you want out of life.
Word to the Wise: Fealty
"Fealty " (FEE-ul-tee) – from the Latin for "to trust" – means fidelity, allegiance, faithfulness.
Example (as used in The New York Times): "[Andrew Johnson] was re-elected Governor in 1855, and his administration of the State affairs, both in that and the preceding term of office, was marked by a regard for the public interest rather than party fealty."
[Ed. Note: Become a more persuasive writer and speaker ... build your self-confidence and intellect ... increase your attractiveness to others ... just by spending 10 VERY enjoyable minutes a day with ETR's new Words to the Wise CD Library.]
Copyright ETR, LLC, 2008
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Apropos Ringer’s “What Makes a Hero” essay, I am heartily thankful for the real heroes documented below in an article that will surely NOT be picked by the mainstream media:
Marine Makes Insurgents Pay the Price
November 18, 2008
Marine Corps News|by Cpl. James M. Mercure
FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan – In the city of Shewan, approximately 250
insurgents ambushed 30 Marines and paid a heavy price for it.
Shewan has historically been a safe haven for insurgents, who used to plan
and stage attacks against Coalition Forces in the Bala Baluk district.
The city is home to several major insurgent leaders. Reports indicate that
more than 250 full time fighters reside in the city and in the surrounding
villages.
Shewan had been a thorn in the side of Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine
Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Afghanistan
throughout the Marines’ deployment here in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom, because it controls an important supply route into the Bala Baluk
district. Opening the route was key to continuing combat operations in the
area.
“The day started out with a 10-kilometer patrol with elements mounted and
dismounted, so by the time we got to Shewan, we were pretty beat,” said a
designated marksman who requested to remain unidentified. “Our vehicles came
under a barrage of enemy RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) and machine gun
fire. One of our ‘humvees’ was disabled from RPG fire, and the Marines
inside dismounted and laid down suppression fire so they could evacuate a
Marine who was knocked unconscious from the blast.”
The vicious attack that left the humvee destroyed and several of the Marines
pinned down in the kill zone sparked an intense eight-hour battle as the
platoon desperately fought to recover their comrades. After recovering the
Marines trapped in the kill zone, another platoon sergeant personally led
numerous attacks on enemy fortified positions while the platoon fought house
to house and trench to trench in order to clear through the enemy ambush
site.
“The biggest thing to take from that day is what Marines can accomplish when
they’re given the opportunity to fight,” the sniper said. “A small group of
Marines met a numerically superior force and embarrassed them in their own
backyard. The insurgents told the townspeople that they were stronger than
the Americans, and that day we showed them they were wrong.”
During the battle, the designated marksman single handedly thwarted a
company-sized enemy RPG and machinegun ambush by reportedly killing 20 enemy
fighters with his devastatingly accurate precision fire. He selflessly
exposed himself time and again to intense enemy fire during a critical point
in the eight-hour battle for Shewan in order to kill any enemy combatants
who attempted to engage or maneuver on the Marines in the kill zone. What
made his actions even more impressive was the fact that he didn’t miss any
shots, despite the enemies’ rounds impacting within a foot of his fighting
position.
“I was in my own little world,” the young corporal said. “I wasn’t even
aware of a lot of the rounds impacting near my position, because I was
concentrating so hard on making sure my rounds were on target.”
After calling for close-air support, the small group of Marines pushed
forward and broke the enemies’ spirit as many of them dropped their weapons
and fled the battlefield. At the end of the battle, the Marines had reduced
an enemy stronghold, killed more than 50 insurgents and wounded several
more.
“I didn’t realize how many bad guys there were until we had broken through
the enemies’ lines and forced them to retreat. It was roughly 250 insurgents
against 30 of us,” the corporal said. “It was a good day for the Marine
Corps. We killed a lot of bad guys, and none of our guys were seriously
injured.”
War should be remembered,but never celebrated.Preserving life is more important than destroying it.
Being able to be thankful……..for everything, all the good and all the bad.