Holiday Fun Fact: About "Auld Lang Syne"

By Michael Masterson

"Auld Lang Syne" -- a very old Scottish song -- is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country to welcome the New Year. The title translates to "Old Long Ago." In English, we would say "The Good Old Days."

Bandleader Guy Lombardo is said to have added the song to his repertoire after hearing it sung by Scottish immigrants in his hometown of London, Ontario. Lombardo played it at midnight during a New Year's Eve party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City in 1929. A tradition was born. Since then, his version of the song has been the standard.

---

Today's Words That Work: Juggernaut

Juggernaut (JUG-er-nawt) is an overpowering, unstoppable force. The word is derived from Jagannath (Sanskrit for "lord of the world"), an avatar of the Hindu god Krishna. It is said that worshippers -- in a fit of religious fervor -- would throw themselves under the wheels of a huge cart that carried an idol of Krishna in an annual procession in India.

__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2844, 12-30-09], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.

"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success."

Pablo Picasso

"Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you."

Roger Ebert

Holiday Fun Fact: Frankincense and Myrrh

By Michael Masterson

When the Three Wise Men gave the Christ child frankincense and myrrh, they were doing much more than giving him something that smelled good. They were giving him a gift of good health. In those days, these two aromatics were widely used as medicine.

Frankincense, a natural antiseptic, sedative, and immune stimulant, was used as a treatment for respiratory problems, depression, infection, and tumors. Myrrh is a natural anti-inflammatory and astringent. It was used as a tonic and as a cure for cancer, leprosy, and syphilis. Mixed with coriander and honey, it was also used to treat herpes.

Both are still used by herbalists for many health problems.

---

Today's Words That Work: Fatuous

Fatuous (FACH-oo-us) -- from the Latin for foolish -- means idiotic or smugly stupid.

__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2839, 12-23-09], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.

Are you a Napper or a Napping Nay Sayer?

by Dow P. Winscott

Could 15 well spent minutes a day leave you feeling relaxed, recharged and ready to take on the world? Are you ready to indulge yourself in the guilty pleasure that is not fattening, won't elevate your cholesterol count, is not habit forming, will never, ever leave you with a hangover, and is absolutely free!?
Nappers of every stripe and persuasion will be delighted with the celebration and affirmation that The Art of The Nap represents and will welcome the creative stragies for making their naps even more heavenly. The napping nay sayers may remain skeptical, but even they will have to take a second look at the benefits of napping once they take the closer look that The Art of The Nap provides.
So, whether if you are an avowed and experienced "power napper", a "pre-emptive napper" or just like to curl up on the couch and zone out for a few minutes - read on and learn how to get your optimal best from the greatest guilty pleasure known to man (and woman) -- the nap!
Dow P. Winscott knows the value of napping. An avowed multi-tasker, Winscott, an adjunct instructor, has taught the full Psychology curriculum at College of DuPage for nearly thirty years, maintains a private psychotherapy practice, is the lead associate for a practice dedicated to meeting the social service needs of several suburban police departments and still finds time to serve as the General Manager for a manufacturing firm. An active community member, Winscott has served as a Police Commissioner for the past seventeen years. Winscott states, "I love doing all of the things that I do, but without the benefit of the occasional nap, I would be walking in my sleep. Not a great way to get things done!"

[Reprinted from the back cover of The Art of The Nap by permission of the author, ©2009 Dow P. Winscott]
The Art of The Nap is a "humorous approach to improving your life through napping. Every thing from a brief history of napping to specific techniques and strategies for improving your naps are covered. This book is a celebration of napping and the smart folks that use them to get more out of their busy lives." - Lulu.com, publisher
Review of The Art of The Nap
by Christine Hornby
Wow! Who knew? I've been on the fence between a napper and naysayer for years. I am a busy mom of 3 and have always felt guilty about sneaking in a nap every so often. I couldn't even admit it to my friends (or husband). Now I know that I can be Supermom with a few naps here and there. This book is witty, informative, and well written. Way to go! Nappers unite! :)
Christine

"Humor is the affectionate communication of insight."

Leo Rosten

"He who would search for pearls must dive below."

John Dryden

"My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there."

Charles Kettering

"What you pay attention to makes that thing important. You as human beings can create tomorrow's reality by what you think today or what you believe in today." - L. Ron Hubbard from his lecture "Introduction to Science of Survival" given at an auditorium on 211 West Douglas Avenue in Wichita, Kansas on the Monday evening of May 21, 1951.