Book Review: Comeback: Overcoming The Setbacks In Your Life by Rick McDaniel


Comeback: Overcoming The Setbacks In Your Life is a quick read. Only 105 pages, it shares what Rick McDaniel, the author, believes is needed for making a comeback after a loss or painful life event. Published by WestBow Press, the book is written in a conversational style but has many references to the Bible and God, which may turn away some readers.The author is a pastor in Richmond, VA and writes in a way that is not at all preachy, but definitely in a tone that conveys his belief that God has to be part of the "comeback" process.

His chapters identify what he believes is needed to move from setback to comeback which include: changing your mind (attitude); changing your heart (see things from a new perspective); restoring your confidence (not staying "stuck" in the event that caused the set back; letting go and moving forward); gaining momentum and leaving survival mode (when one "checks-out" after a setback, it's important after reflection to "check-back-in"); and restarting your dreams again. McDaniel also talks about dropping the setback mentality in order to realize that setbacks are temporary and don't define you as a person.

Throughout the book, McDaniel gives examples of people who have found success after loss. These passages might inspire someone who is faced with starting over after job loss, divorce or health problems. I was disappointed that every highlighted example was that of a male and most of the time the example was that of an athlete. Not once was a woman's story highlighted to inspire.

He mentioned Robert Downey Jr., Kurt Warner, and Lance Armstrong among many others, but I had to ask why he forgot to mention any female who had made a comeback? Didn't he know Lucille Ball was told to try another profession because she didn't have what it takes to be a Hollywood star? Or how about Oprah Winfrey, who has shared publicly the abuse she endured in her childhood and the other challenges she has had to face to get to where she is now? She was even fired from one television job because her boss said she was "unfit for TV." She certainly had the "come-back" mindset.





Despite the dominant male angle found in his writing, I had to buy into most of what McDaniel was saying. Although he outlines his ideas simplistically and very quickly moves from one point to the next, he does make some strong points that are worthwhile to the reader, who is most probably reading the book to become inspired.

For example, he stresses that it is important to learn lessons from our setbacks, and his quote taken from Warren Buffett on page 22 is a good one. "Setbacks teach lessons that carry you along. You learn that a temporary defeat is not a permanent one. In the end, it can be an opportunity." I also agree with his belief that "A negative attitude will never lead to a comeback."

He tells the story of Tom Smallwood who got laid off from General Motors two days before Christmas in 2008 and how Smallwood decided to take this setback as an opportunity to chase a childhood dream for becoming a professional bowler. He quotes Smallwood on page 38, "Getting laid off was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. But it led to the best result." Smallwood, one year after losing his job with General Motors, competed in the PBA World Championship and won, earning him more money than he ever did in one year at his old job with GM.

My favorite chapter in the book, Chapter Six, "Mr. Comeback," is the interview he had with Frank Reich, a former football player. One powerful quote from Reich; "When the circumstances, when the scoreboard, whether it's life or football, seem overwhelmingly against you, the lesson I've learned repeatedly is one play at a time, one day at a time."

What I took away from the book is that making a comeback is a process, and as McDaniel says throughout his writing, "Part of the process is keeping focused on where you want to get to and not giving up for any reason. Don't allow the many distractions in life to keep you from your goal."

If you know someone who is dealing with one of life's setbacks, this book might make a thoughtful gift and like a coach's pep talk to his team after a long losing streak, it will remind every player the value of getting back in the game and remaining hopeful.


View the original article on blogcritics.org

Can you name this strange old tool?


Do you know what it is?

Look below, read and learn.

Tobacco Smoke Enema Kit

Tobacco Smoke Enemas (1750s - 1810s)





The tobacco enema was used to infuse tobacco smoke into a patient's rectum for various medical purposes, primarily the resuscitation of drowning victims.

A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke towards the rectum.
The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration, but doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to the popular phrase "blow smoke up one's ass."

Love in Zimbabwe [via Nina Reznick]

These delightful set of photos was sent to Nina by her good friend Colleen Taylor who lives in the Vumba outside Mutare.

UK Border Authority orders Heathrow to suppress evidence of massive customs queues [via Nina Reznick]


 
The UK Border Authority has ordered Heathrow Airport's management to stop handing out leaflets apologising for the gigantic customs queues at its terminals and advising them to contact UKBA to complain. UKBA has also ordered the airport to stop passengers from documenting these queues with photographs. I came into Heathrow T5 on April 13, and was stuck in an hour-long line just to get into the customs hall, where we were sorted into EU/non-EU passports, and took a picture or two. At the time, uniformed employees were telling us that non-EU passport holders could expect to wait five hours to clear customs. The Guardian's Ben Quinn reports: 

The airport operator was also told to prevent passengers taking pictures in the arrivals hall, according to the Daily Telegraph, which obtained correspondence from Marc Owen, director of UKBA operations at Heathrow. Pictures of lengthy queues have been posted on Twitter by frustrated travelers.
Owen said: "The leaflet … is both inflammatory and likely to increase tensions in arrivals halls especially in the current atmosphere. It is inappropriate in that it is not for you to display how to complain on our behalf. Please refrain from handing out [the leaflets] or I will escalate [the matter] with ministers who are likely to take a very dim view. I know there are copies in the hall and your troops are ready with them." 

Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour's aviation spokesman, said: "This is a pure coverup. I can understand people wanting to take pictures of the queues. This is further evidence of Border Force trying to hide the severity of the problem. 
 "Passengers need to know how to register complaints and for Border Force to try to prevent them doing so is outrageous."

"Thank You Mother India" - Join Us for Our 2nd Annual Global Day of Support!


2011
Yoga Gives Back
For the cost of one yoga class, you can change a life.

Last year, over 750 people from around the world came together to
give back and express gratitude to Mother India for the gift of Yoga.
This year, join us!


"Thank You Mother India"

Thank You Mother India
Yoga Gives Back's 2nd Annual Day of Global Support
Saturday, September 29th, 2012

Let's unite again to express our gratitude to Mother India for the gift of YOGA. On this special day, we call upon the karma yoga of all studios and teachers from every discipline of yoga, from every city and country, to join us in supporting women and children in India.
Yoga Gives Back’s programs now directly fund 103 women and children in India with micro loans and educational funds. Together, we can make a difference to positively impact even more lives.
This year, our goal is to raise $50,000! Join us.

There are two ways to get involved:
1. Host a special donation class/event on Saturday, September 29th, 2012. If you cannot host one on this date, please pick a date and let us know.
2. Pledge your donation level and become a "Thank You Mother India" sponsor. Platinum - $2500, Gold - $1000, Silver - $500. Fundraise to your pledged level by inviting your community to your Online Fundraising page, such as Firstgiving, pre-sell tickets to your event, raffle or in many other creative ways.
Level Sponsors will be featured in our press articles, all promotional materials and post TYMI 2012 video!!!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!

     



 

Missing pet parakeet chirps his home address to police [via Nina Reznick]

Tale of lost bird has a tweet ending


This tale of a lost pet has a really tweet ending.

A Japanese woman was reunited with her missing pet parakeet Tuesday when the bird began reciting his home address to police.

The parakeet, named Piko, went missing Sunday and was spotted perching on a guest’s shoulder at a nearby hotel, the AFC reported.

Piko was taken to the local police where he stunned the cops by chirping the street address of his home, near Tokyo.

The owner later explained she taught Piko how to say his address and phone number after losing a former pet bird, reported MSNBC.

Parakeets, a type of parrot, can be trained to talk by imitating human words. Savvy parrot owners have used this trick before: In 2008, also in a town near Tokyo, a lost parrot told the veterinarian looking after it "I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura." The bird also gave his full address, and the owner was found.




6 Year Olds! [via Mary Calhoun]

A 1st grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!

1.
Don't change horses
until they stop running.
2.
Strike while the
bug is close.
3.
It's always darkest before
Daylight Saving Time.
4.
Never underestimate the power of
termites.
5.
You can lead a horse to water but
how?
6.
Don't bite the hand that
looks dirty.
7.
No news is
impossible.
8.
A miss is as good as a
Mr.
9.
You can't teach an old dog new
math..
10.
If you lie down with dogs, you'll
stink in the morning.
11.
Love all, trust
me.
12.
The pen is mightier than the
pigs.
13.
An idle mind is
the best way to relax.
14.
Where there's smoke there's
pollution.
15.
Happy the bride who
gets all the presents.
16.
A penny saved is
not much.
17.
Two's company, three's
the Musketeers.
18.
Don't put off till tomorrow what
you put on to go to bed.
19.
Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and
you have to blow your nose.
20.
There are none so blind as
Stevie Wonder.
21.
Children should be seen and not
spanked or grounded.
22.
If at first you don't succeed
get new batteries.
23.
You get out of something only what you
see in the picture on the box.
24.
When the blind lead the blind
get out of the way.
25.
A bird in the hand
is going to poop on you.
And the WINNER and last one!
26.
Better late than
pregnant.

Perigee "Super Moon" on May 5-6, 2012 [via Nina Reznick]

The full Moon has a reputation for trouble. It raises high tides, it makes dogs howl, it wakes you up in the middle of the night with beams of moonlight stealing through drapes. If a moonbeam wakes you up on the night of May 5th, 2012, you might want to get out of bed and take a look.  This May’s full Moon is a "super Moon,” as much as 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full Moons of 2012.

The scientific term for the phenomenon is "perigee moon." Full Moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the Moon's orbit. The Moon follows an elliptical path around Earth with one side ("perigee") about 50,000 km closer than the other ("apogee").  Full Moons that occur on the perigee side of the Moon's orbit seem extra big and bright.

Such is the case on May 5th at 11:34 pm Eastern Daylight Time1 when the Moon reaches perigee.  Only one minute later, the Moon will line up with Earth and the sun to become brilliantly 

full.  The timing is almost perfect.

Read Full Story Here



Morning Yoga Class at the Stella McCartney store to benefit Yoga Gives Back




The beautiful Stella McCartney store in West Hollywood is providing a morning yoga class to benefit Yoga Gives Back, June 5, 2012 at 10am. Kathryn Budig will teach and give a talk on nutrition. Yoga Gives Back Founder, Kayoko Mitsumatsu, will speak about the impact on the lives of the women we support in India. A fresh juice tasting will follow.
 
Please join us. Register at info@yogagivesback.org.

Emmanuel Kelly The X Factor 2011 Auditions [via John Reid]



He is living proof that the human spirit can rise above adversity to amazing heights.