Now Available on Amazon for Kindle!
(printed copies also available)
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You are welcome to quote anything from this e-zine, provided you give credit as to the source. |
"Don't be intimidated by the distance between your dreams and reality. Let your desire be fuel for your actions."
smz
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If you're like me, you like FREE things. The links below will connect you some things that are truly free. ENJOY!
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"If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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REALLY?!?
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Don't you often want to exclaim, "REALLY?!?" when people say or do ridiculous things? Well, now you don't have to, all you need to do is point at your shirt.
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" 'You are what you repeatedly do.' Your reality comes from those actions that you repeat day in and day out. I encourage you to laugh more, be grateful for the small things, hug your friends and family, and in essence, BECOME JOY. Let that be your reality."
smz
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Greetings!
I've always said that I wanted any movies I saw or books I read to end 'happily ever after,' because I already HAD too much reality in my life. Sadly, it seems the more you look around, the more reality shows you see and the grittier and more 'realistic' they tend to be. Instead of watching TV to escape into something positive, we're watching a rocket sled to misery and conflict. We all have this innate sense of curiosity about 'how the other half lives,' and it's only human nature to be voyeuristic when watching other people's lives, but... REALLY?!? How Much is Too Much?
T.S. Elliott once said, "Humankind cannot bear very much reality," and although he was speaking of the reality of truth, I think his comment applies to 'reality' as shown on TV as well. Have you ever considered how your criteria for acceptable behavior has changed in light of what you may perceive as 'normal' behavior from reality shows? Have you ever taken a moment to consider what effects the consistently negative messages from these shows have on your thinking? Remember, the choices you make every day have a direct impact on the quality and outcomes of your life. Change your choices, change your life. As always, your feedback, comments, thoughts and ideas are always welcome. Email me at szink@SarahZink.com. |
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| The "Reality" of TV
Do you know....That most reality shows.... aren't? Think about it - you're watching edited-for-TV clips designed to create good guy/bad guy scenarios, complete with every lovable and loathe-able character you deal with in your daily life. The sad news is: there's seldom any direction on how to resolve issues or overcome problems brought up during the show. Most of the time, the show centers on the bad behavior as if it is 'normal' behavior, and we consider the poor behavior acceptable. Recently, I spent some time watching several reality shows (as I could fit them into my schedule) and what I found was this: there's conflict after conflict, backbiting, gossip, slander, arguments, foul language, disrespect and more. To what end? I have to ask - is YOUR life like what you see on TV? If so, WHY would you want to watch more of it? If not, WHY would you want to watch any of it? These shows portray people in the worst light possible and reinforce stereotypes. Men are valued on their looks and wealth, and women are treated much like show horses. Conflict and bad behavior sells, and we eat it up AND THEN are disgusted with Snooki's behavior or with Kim Kardashian's wedding. REALLY?!? My next question is this: How MUCH time are you spending in front of the TV? I believe that TV is addictive. It's a way to 'veg' at the end of the day and forget our troubles and cares, if only for a little while. But beware - you mind is in neutral, and that's a dangerous place for you to be. You are vulnerable to receiving information without the benefit of your normal 'filter' of right and wrong, fact or fiction. I find it ironic is that we talk about how horrible the Roman games in the amphitheater were; theoretically, I can't see much difference between the low value people had for life in those games and the low value there seems to be placed on quality of life in reality shows today. I have to wonder if the day will come when we will be watching Spartacus-like fights to the death for our amusement, and it will be labeled "Reality TV". What's the 'Zink-ism' in all this? TURN OFF THE TV. Look your kids in the eye and talk to them. Read a good book. Do that craft you've been meaning to do. Take a walk. Now, THERE's some reality for you.
Look for Sarah's new book, "20 Tips for Power Chicks"
coming soon on Amazon!
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| The "Reality" of Social Networking
Do you...use social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) to keep in touch with friends and family? There's not anything wrong with that, and don't let anyone tell you there is. Where the challenge comes is when you SUBSTITUTE social networking for face-to-face or 'real life time' with your friends and family. Social networking has a place - a powerful place - in our lives. It can provide a strong connection with our long-distance family and friends that far exceeds email or phone calls. On the other hand, social networking can be abused to an infinite degree. A recent study showed that 48% of those polled say they updated Facebook or Twitter during the night or as soon as they woke up. 19% of people under the age of 25 say they updated Facebook or Twitter anytime they happen to wake up during the night; 11% over the age of 25 say they do the same thing.
The study also noted that 42% check Facebook or Twitter first thing in the morning, with 28% of iPhone users saying they do it even before they get out of bed. (REALLY?!?) And don't even get me started on the percentage of folks that use Facebook during the work day.
In and of itself, these numbers don't seem to be very 'dangerous', do they? Sadly, however, this behavior causes people to become so dependent on their technology that 40% of respondents developed an insensitivity to being interrupted by their technology at any time; 32% said interrupting a meal for a message is ok, and a surprising 7% said they'd let a text message or social networking notification interrupt them during intimacy with their partner. (again I say, REALLY!?)
If you are in this category, I believe it is a dangerous place to be, because there are no lines drawn to designate 'downtime'. At this point in a social networking addiction, you are totally connected, all the time. It can be overwhelming (or depressing, if you are substituting virtual relationships for real ones).
Are you addicted to social networking? Are you on the edge of being addicted? If so, here's your 'Zink-ism': Set a timer or make a schedule. Only check your social networking feeds at appointed times during the day. Wean yourself from being 'uber-connected' and venture away from your technology to develop REAL relationships and to have REAL experiences.
Do you need a speaker for your group?
Click HERE to inquire about rates and availability.
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| What's YOUR "Reality"?
Do you believe....That what you see on TV is 'real'? Do you believe that you can shape your own destiny? Do you accept that you can change your choices, and change your life? Don't be misled into thinking that what you see on TV is real. It's built for dramatic impact, and designed to give the illusion of 'reality'. You have an opportunity every day to create the life you have imagined. It's a temptation to discount 'positive thinking' by diminishing its value. Don't be misled into thinking that in order to be positive, you have to have a 'Pollyanna" type of mindset. REALLY?!? I doubt if anyone would call me a "Pollyanna", and I work hard to be positive. I believe you can be positive and hold out for the best while still keeping your feet firmly on the ground. So, what's the 'Zink-ism' here? Envision the reality you want. Begin to communicate and behave in ways that support that reality; make choices that lead you in that direction, and manage your time and resources to take you in the direction of your dreams.
Be on the lookout for Sarah's new radio show,
"THINK ZINK: Change Your Choices, Change Your Life" coming soon!
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