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This month’s feature articles:

Regular monthly features:

"Even if you have doubts about the extent of your giftedness, you will really bring your talents to life if you will embrace your drive to become, serve, create, achieve, and contribute.

Self-recognition is not to fuel egotism or elitism, but to align with a more powerful, creative part of you that will let your heart, your knowledge, your talent loose on the world."

• Do you have a large vocabulary?
• Are you multi-talented?
• Do you have so many interests and abilities that it is hard to focus your energies on developing any of them to your satisfaction?
• Are you possessed of an unrelenting (and possibly off-the wall) sense of humor?
• Can you occupy time usefully without external stimulation?
• Are you persistently goal-directed in your behavior?
• Is your creativity apparent in all areas of endeavor?
• Do you have the need and the energy to develop more capacity?

"Derived from the Greek word for having a goal, entelechy is a particular type of motivation, need for self-determination, and an inner strength and vital force directing life and growth to become all one is capable of being. Gifted people with entelechy are often attractive to others who feel drawn to their openness and to their dreams and visions. Being near someone with this trait gives others hope and determination to achieve their own self-actualization." (Deirdre Lovecky, "Warts and Rainbows: Issues in the Psychotherapy of the Gifted", Advanced Development, Jan., 1990)

• Are you directed by an inner vision of your purpose in life, or have a dream that is all consuming?
• Are you highly motivated to be all you are capable of being?
• Are you deeply involved in creating your own destiny?
• Do you continue to believe in yourself and your vision, even when no one else does?
• Are others attracted to your vision, wanting to participate?

(part of the Theory of Emotional Development of Kazimierz Dabrowski), which determine developmental potential:

"The forms of `overexcitability' are particularly prominent in the gifted and creative because there we find a higher level of energy and capacity for sustained effort; enhanced differentiation and aliveness of sensual experience; greater avidity for knowledge, discovery, and attitude of questioning and questing; greater vividness of imagery, richness of associations, and capacity for detailed visualization, and greater depth and intensity of emotional life. One may think of these five forms of over-excitability as the substrate of giftedness and creative talent." (Piechowski, Silverman, Cunningham, & Falk, 1982) ---

A. Psychomotor excitability:

- Are you a high-energy person?
- Do you love intense physical activity and movement?
- Do you feel constantly pressured to take action?
- Are you impulsive?
- Do you have nervous habits?
- Are you restless, always on the go, incapable of just relaxing?
- Do you talk compulsively?
- Are you a workaholic?

B. Sensual excitability:

- Are you often moved to tears by music or the visual arts?
- Are you prone to eating and drinking excesses because they give you intense pleasure?
- Are you adventurous where new sensory experiences are concerned (food, music, erotic experimentation, different environmental settings, for example)?
- When you recall an experience, can you also recall the sensory aspects?

C. Intellectual excitability:

(Not to be confused with high intelligence, since many highly intelligent individuals do not enjoy intellectual activities and pursuits)

- Are you always questioning everything?
- Do you love to explore a wide variety of theories and ideas?
- Are you able to examine ideas outside of the framework of your own opinion?
- Do you enjoy research, analysis, and theoretical thinking?
- Is problem-solving a source of immense satisfaction?

D. Imaginational excitability:

- Do you write, speak, think, or dream in vivid imagery?
- Do you embellish the plain truth in ways that make your end of a conversation more impacting or amusing?
- Do you express yourself in ways that demonstrate a rich association of images and impressions?
- Do you entertain yourself endlessly with private jokes and wacky visual, auditory, or association images?
- Do you creatively reframe events to support your perspective on life?

E. Emotional excitability:

- Are you excruciatingly sensitive, with intense emotions?
- Can you describe your feelings with great precision?
- Do you have intense emotional attachments to others?
- Are your emotions sufficiently profound to take you beyond yourself into areas of philosophical consideration?
- Do you suffer from extraordinarily high levels of fear and anxiety or suffer attacks of psychological depression?

"Gifted adults differ intellectually from others. They are more sophisticated, more global thinkers. In addition, they have the capacity to generalize... They can grasp difficult concepts and phenomena. Their imagination and creativity are often incomprehensible to the average person... they have the ability to predict consequences... and foresee problems which are likely to occur. Gifted adults are able to see the pattern of development and growth, and therefore will recognize a trend. This allows them to predict and, by certain actions, to influence the trend." (Annemarie Roeper, "Gifted Adults: Their Characteristics and Emotions", Advanced Development, Jan. 1991)

• Are you an independent thinker, individualistic, and mentally self-sufficient?
• Are you a divergent thinker with unique and interesting perspectives?
• Are you highly intuitive, with insight and foresight?
• Do you enjoy experimenting with psychic and metaphysical ideas?
• Are you relentlessly curious and investigative?
• Are you verbally agile?
• Do you love intense discussions?
• Do you have an exceptional memory?
• Do you think things out at an accelerated pace?
• Can you work with extraordinary amounts of mental data?

"Those of us who are contemplative from the heart cannot tolerate the idea that life is accidental, purposeless, directionless. Therefore, we are faced with two alternatives: to erect and inhabit belief systems so as to posit meaning and purpose, or to cultivate the capacity to feel and experience life directly, and allow it to teach us its secrets, in accordance with our level of development." (Mary Rocamora, director of The Rocamora School)

• Do you strive to understand the nature and meaning of life?
• Have you read extensively on the nature of mind or done any meditation practice designed to help you experience the nature of mind directly?
• Are you attracted to, and long for, spiritual or mystical experiences that will provide the basis for a deeper understanding?
• Are you preoccupied with death and the possibility of after-death experience?
• Are you determined to make a meaningful contribution during your life?
• Do you have strong feelings regarding issues of morality and justice?

6. The "Autonomous Factor" (from psychologist Kazimierz Dabrowski)

"... the autonomous factor enables the individual to transcend the limitations of both heredity and environment through self-determination. The autonomous factor is a sense of inner-directedness, an inner drive to make conscious choices in accordance with those principles which are highest in oneself." (Linda Kreger Silverman, Institute for Advanced Development)

• Are you driven toward self-actualization and self-perfection?
• Are you highly self-aware?
• Have you demonstrated the capacity for intra-psychic transformation?
• Do you feel a great deal of empathy and compassion for others?
• Do you exhibit a high level of moral responsibility and integrity?

"In a world in which emotional health is defined in terms of contentment, ability to relax, satisfaction with self and with life, and lack of inner conflicts, it is no wonder that the perfectionist is perceived as neurotic. Worse, the consistent messages that perfectionists receive throughout life convince them that there is some basic flaw in their personality which must be eradicated. This greatly exacerbates the amount of inner conflict with which they must cope. Not only do they feel shame, guilt and inferiority for not meeting their own standards; in addition, they feel shame, guilt and inferiority for having all this inner conflict. And this is where the tension can mount to the point of paralysis." (Linda Kreger Silverman, 1987)

• Are you determined to do your best at all costs?
• Do you feel inadequate to measure up to your personal standards?
• Are consumed with self-doubt and self-criticism?
• Is self-perfection or the perfection of your life's work the central driving force of your existence?
• Do you have a sense of your potential destiny and feel responsible to live up it?
• Do you have inappropriately high expectations of others?

"All introverts are perfectionists. All gifted individuals are perfectionists in something (usually not their rooms). The gifted introvert is the perfectionist squared." (Linda Kreger Silverman)

• Do you prefer depth to breadth, concentrating on one activity at a time?
• Are you hard to get to know, more involved with your internal world than you are with others, and have only a few close friends that know you well?
• Are you easily humiliated, therefore keeping people at a distance?
• In a social situation, do you wait to be approached rather than introducing yourself, and take time to observe others before engaging?
• Do you develop skills in private before showing finished products to the world?
• Do you need privacy, respect the privacy of others, and resent having your personal space invaded?

"Advanced development has to do with recognizing and admiring a universal principle such as justice -- and then growing to the point where you do justice. You do justice, not only because it is right but more so because you cannot do otherwise. You don't believe in one thing but find yourself doing another; you become a just person." (Karen C. Nelson, 1989)

"Excellence may be a universal ideal, but it is a personal goal for only a few. The attainment of excellence begins with a vision -- a vision of what is possible. The vision does not visit everyone; it selects the most fertile ground for its development. What criteria does it use? Inherent capability, surely. However, there must also be emotional receptivity, a willingness to embrace the vision and devote oneself to it. If the ability is there, but the receptivity is lacking, the vision will be fleeting. It only remains with those who are willing to work toward its fruition." (Linda Kreger Silverman)

• Are you driven to achieve "what could be" when you think of "what is?"
• Are you solidly connected to an inner vision and aware that that vision will continually evolve?
• Do you feel compelled to connect directly with painful social ills, so as to educate others through your compassion and sacrifice?
• Do you work tirelessly to make a contribution to better the world, in accordance with your ideals?

Life Has Changed
(by George Carlin, comedian)

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your spouse and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Don’t measure life by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Bancroft Mineral Collecting – for the family, guides take you out to hunt

Bike Ontario Tours – see the land differently

Canada Day Celebrations – be proud, in many locations

Caribana – mid July to Aug in Toronto

Celebrate Toronto Street Festival – lots of entertainment at key intersections

Central Don Riding Stables – a little bit of the country in the city

CHIN Picnic and Shopping Bazaar – island fun and frivolity

Dream in High Park Theatre – open-air theatre for the family

Farm Vacations – try it instead of hotels and B & B’s

Glen Rouge Campground – only legal camping in Toronto, fee/night

Holiday on Horseback Vacations – fresh air and lots of sunshine

Molson Indy – racing at its best

Natural Life Festival – holistic and natural health care

Ontario Renaissance Festival – Elizabethan England near Toronto

Toronto Parks and Recreation Programs – activities in parks and squares

Toronto Star Great Salmon Hunt – fish till you drop

July 2- Night of the Full Moon

July 9 – Calgary Stampede Opens

July 31 – Night of the Full Moon

No stories were submitted. See you next month.
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(summarized from Eye Magazine)

Just how bad can fast food be? Morgan Spurlock, a 33-year-old New Yorker, decided to make a film called "Super Size Me." It was his response to hearing about two American girls suing McDonald’s for making them fat. He wanted to see what McDonald’s fast food could do and if it was really as bad as people made it out to be.

For one month, he ate McDonald’s food three times a day. The rules were: he had to try everything on the menu and could rotate eating the foods, accept all server suggestions to super-size orders, no other food or drinks were allowed. He was monitored by a variety of experts and doctors at all times. At the end of his project - which he filmed - he had gained 12 Kg and was suffering from depression, headaches, low sex drive and his liver was at the point of failure.

It is suggested that fast food is dangerous and should be treated the same way as smoking. There should be notices on wrappers of the dangers to health. It is also suggested that governments put high taxes on fast food to dissuade people from buying it. Perhaps fast food should be restricted just like movies, alcohol and cigarettes. The statistics on obesity show it as the second most common cause of death topped only by smoking.

Smoking has been made unappealing. Perhaps we should do the same with fast food which is creating a health crisis in the form of morbid obesity in people.

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• There is no formal title or name given, yet, to a person who writes encyclopedias.
• The highest-flying migrating bird ever recorded was a mallard duck that hit an airplane at 6,400 metres.
• All the gold ever mined would fit into a 50’x50’x50’ cube.
• If you have a known dangerous or tough, vicious breed of dog, your insurance company might not sell you home insurance.
• About 21% of Canadians over the age of 15 smoke regularly.
• The average number of cigarettes smoked each day in Canada is 15.7 in 2003. It was 20.6 in 1985.
• About 50 billion cigarettes are made in Canada every year.
• Imperial tobacco shipped 28.6 billion cigarettes in March 2001-March 2002.
• The annual cost of treating tobacco-related diseases in Ontario is about $1.3 billion.
• It is possible to send personal messages to the universe or dead loved ones for less than $25. Endless Echoes allows you to make a recording by phone call and they will beam it into outer space for you. Your message continues on forever once beamed.

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"Accent on Essential Life Skills" – This is a manual of 48 "how to" skills that enhance and enrich life and learning in a holistic way. The skills are for children and adults. Use it in education and business settings. Teachers and gifted program facilitators will find it particularly valuable. Corporate professional development skills training workshops are also available. Arrange for a free introduction.

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(from an article by Nancy Wartik, Toronto Star)

Recent experiments published in May, 2004, suggest that people are more likely to have a negative reaction to those of different groups if they are angry. Sadness or a neutral emotion did not result in the same level of prejudice.

Anger serves as a signal of threat or hostility which are perceived to likely come from those who are not members of our own social group. The experiments suggest that at a very basic evolutionary level, people are wired to distrust outsiders. Emotions provide quick, immediate guides or gut reactions to situations that require a rapid response. There is no time to reflect and think.

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Making the News: A guide for Activists and Non-Profits by Jason Salzman. Find out what the media wants to put on the news. Get your cause lots of attention.

Off Their Rockers and Into Trouble: The Raging Grannies by Betty Brightwell and Alison Acker. Raging Grannies is an organization of environment-friendly grandmothers who are committed to steering the planet by protesting effectively.

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. A heartbreaking story of family characters involved in ugliness and pettiness, disappointment and grief. The book is beautifully written.

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A life coach should have a deep understanding of human nature and spirituality, human psychology, leadership training and excellent communication skills in order to do this job. As a coach, one must know every aspect of human nature and effective living.

It would be good to have a degree in psychology or social work and communication to start. This is a relatively new type of profession but is growing as people search more and more for inner peace and spiritual nourishment and fulfillment.

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(from various sources)

The Rivolations, General Eclectic, I Am Robot, Truthhorse, Brilliant Fish, Fawns, The Midways, Bestbefore, Grand Poo Ba, The Postage Stamps, Grasshopper Sound Clash, Clothes Make the Man, Off the International Radar, Romeo Liquor Store, The Faceless Forces of Bigness, Butta Babees, Juicy, Slightly Stoopid, Lake Holiday, High Water Mark, Heart Murmur, Animal Monster.

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Having a Bad Day? Just Remember, It Could Be Worse...
(from the homepage link to jokes)

The average cost of rehabilitating a seal after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska was $80,000. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals were being released back into the wild amid cheers and applause from onlookers. A minute later, in full view, a killer whale ate them both.

Still think you are having a bad day?

A woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen shaking frantically, almost in a dancing frenzy, with some kind of wire running from his waist towards the electric kettle. Intending to jolt him away from the deadly current, she whacked him with a handy plank of wood, breaking his arm in two places. Up to that moment, he had been happily listening to his Walkman.

STILL think you're having a bad day?

Two animal rights protesters were protesting at the cruelty of sending pigs to a slaughterhouse in Bonn, Germany. Suddenly, all two thousand pigs broke loose and escaped through a broken fence, stampeding madly. The two hopeless protesters were trampled to death.

What?! STILL having a bad day??

Iraqi terrorist Khay Rahnajet didn't pay enough postage on a letter bomb. It came back with "return to sender" stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb, he opened it and was blown to bits.

There now, feeling better?

Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

One Key to Happiness: Focus 5% on what you have to do and 95% on enjoying the process.

"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth!" - Sherlock Holmes, The Sign of Four.

"You're a high-priced lawyer! If I give you $500, will you answer two questions for me?" "Absolutely! What's the second question?"

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A man goes to the doctor and says: "Doctor, there's a piece of lettuce sticking out of my bottom." The doctor asks him to drop his trousers and examines him. The man asks, "Is it serious, doctor?" and the doctor replies, "I'm sorry to tell you but this is just the tip of the iceberg."

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At age 4 success is . . . . not peeing in your pants.

At age 12 success is . . . having friends.

At age 16 success is . . . having a drivers license.

At age 18 success is . . . having a job.

At age 35 success is . . . having money.

At age 50 success is . . . having money.

At age 60 success is . . . having a job.

At age 70 success is . . . having a drivers license.

At age 75 success is . . . having friends.

At age 80 success is . . . not peeing in your pants.

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Courtesy of DiscoverTeenergy.com
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