Don't Stress

How to keep life's problem little

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Introduction:

Grown ups think that they've cornered the market on stress. But kids are
under a lot of pressure, too. There's always tommorrows spelling test,
or the big softball game on saturday , or your pesky little brother who's
discovered your dairy.

Life is full of tiny aggravations. The trick is not to let them get to you.
Easier said than done? Not at all . Its just a matter of learning new ways
to deal with the things that bother you most. And that's where this book
comes in. Just stick with the tips in these pages . They ll help you stomp
out the things that bug you.

1. Stop using others as your mirror .... ITs how you view yourself thats
important !:

Isn't it weird how we care so much about what others think of us? We
let people put us into all sorts of categories. You have heard the labels :
The brains, the jocks the nerds...

But no one really fits into a catagory. Foods fit into groups , people dont
! . So befor you let someone else define you, remember: Each person is
unique. And we are all made up of many diffrent characteristics. The
names other people give you can never define you- They can only
confine you . Dont you let them !.

2. The sun will come up tomorrow ..... unless , of course, its cloudy:

Okay . so its bedtime and you realize that this has been, with out a
doubt, the absolute worst day of your life. Oh well . Somedays are like
that. The key is to leave today in the past and remember that tomorrow
is a brand new day. Think of that new day as a clean sheet of paper.
Only you can decide what is written on that empty page. Its up to you to
scribble down words that are dismal and dull or bright and happy.

Do yourself a favor . Leave the clouds to mother nature. Fill all of your
tomorrows with as much sunshine as you can.

3 . Its a bad Hair day ... Try wearing a new hat ! :

We all have days when we look a lot less than our best . but dont spend
the whole day hiding in the bathroom . View those bad hair days as a
challenge ! Think of its this way: If yor hair looks messy , it is the
perfect time to wear that new funky , floppy hat you found at the
vintage clothing store . And if you spill paint all over your new pants ,
dont freak out. Now you' ve started a new fashion trend !

With a little creativity , your style will shine through, giving you the
confidence you need to make it through the day !

4. Psst... Here's a note :

There's something so exciting about receiving a letter . It's the thrill of

tearing open the envelope , carefully unfolding the paper, and reading
the words on the page.

Putting pen to paper is a great way to tell a friend just how much he or
she means to you. It gives you a chance to compose your thoughts and
write what you really feel . Knowing that you' ve made someone's day
better will lift your spirits as well.

Try writting at least one special friendship note a day. Just dont pass
them during math class !.

5. Rise and shine !

" you' re going to miss the bus ! Dont forget to take your homework .
Did you remember to make your bed?"
Let 's face it . Mornining is not exactly the most relaxed time of the
day. If you are liske most kids, getting ready for schools is more like a
mad dash through an obstcle course . You have to grab your books . wolf
down your breakfast , and get out the door - avoiding arguments with
your parents and siblings along the way.

The best approach to getting through the morning rush is to prepare the
night berfor. Pack up your lunch and put it in the refrigerator. Leave
your bcakpack by the front door. Lay out your clothes before you go to
sleep . Finally , set your alarm clock for a half hour earlier than you
normally get up.

You would be surprise how much you can get done in that extra half
hour. You may even find a few more minutes to practice for your piano
lessons-- before school ! ( That will give you time in the evening to
watch that new show you've been dying to check out .) When your
morning strars out smoothly , the rest of the day is sure to follow!

6. Sometimes being right can turn out wrong ( or the demise of the
words " i told you so !")

Why is it so important that we be right all th time? It isn't , But we sure

do put a lot of energy into being correct -- and making sure that
someone else knows he's wrong.

Many of life's questions have no real right or wrong answers . And most
of us would be a lot happier is we stopped focusing on proving ourselves
right -- and strarted focusing on making ourselves happy. Just think of
all the fun things you could do with the time saved by not arguing.

7. It's only a thing

" I can't belive you ruined my favorite sweater."

" How could you lose my favorite bracelet?"

We all form attachments to objects. Sometimes theres a sentimental

value attached to items that makes them worth much more than their
actual dollar value. In that case, What we're attached to is not the
object but the emotion behind it. And nobody can lose or destroy that.
And if it's the object itself you are attached to , Just imagine breaking
or ruining it yourself instread of your friend. Would you feel more
forgiving ? Remember: Objects can always be replaced. Friendship can't.

8. We'll return to our show after this commercial message .

Whenever you come face to face with what seems like a really bad
situation its time to give yourself a new job: Tv writer.

Most TV characters solve their problems in a matter of thirty minutes (

Twenty -two if you dont count the commercials.)

TV writers often come up with alternative endings for their shows .

Write Down all the different ways you can handle your problem. Some
of your solution will lead you into more stress-ful situations . But others
will show you that there's a light at the end of the tunnel . That's the
direction you'll want to follow.

9. Dont let history repeat itself

No matter how many ways you find to avoid them , some problems do
hit you head on . And sometimes you will make mistakes in how you
handle them . The key is to learn from your mistakes and vow not to
make the same errors again . That way, as you deal with the
consequences of your blunder , you can keep saying to yourself, " At
least when this is all over, I'll never have to go through that again."
Learn from your mistakes.

10.Find your hidden talent

Nothing can make someone feel better than knowing he's good at
something . Not necessarily the best , but awfully good. Everyone has a
talent hidden somewher inside them . The trick is finding what you
talent is . Usually people are interested in the things they have a
natural inclination for . So if you love the sound of guitar , take a few
lessons and see how it goes. If you like the freedom of running fast ,
join the track team . Once you find your hidden talent , there's no
stopping you. And you ll find that your confidence will take you to new
heights.

11. Study

Sorry, but that's the only real way to de stress before a test . Naturally
, you re going to do better in some subjects than in others. And you
probably have a friend who does well in the classes you dont have a flair
for. So maybe you can help each other reduce test stress-- by studying
together. You help her with the math and science, and she ll pull you
through that spelling test . And you just may be surprised: working
together can actually make learnig fun.

12. ITs just a letter ... Why grades dont tell the whole story

Lets face it . It would be nice to pick up your report card and see a list
of A's staring back at you . But it doesnt always happen that way. And
sometimes getting less than an A can be pretty disappoinging.

The truth is , People Put far too much emphasis on grades. School is nto
for acquiring high averages. It' about learning . School is a place where
you prepare for life as a grown up. And just because you are not a great
test taker , or raising your hand in class makes you nervous , doesn't
mean you don't have a huge store of knowlege in your head - knowlegdge
that is sure to come in handy someday.

More important than what your grades say is what your heart says. Do
you go to school each day eager to gather new information? Do you try
your hardest to study, pay attention , and do the work?Are you satisfied
with your work? Are you satisfied with your work? If you can answer yes
to those questions , then you ve got a 4.0 average where it really
counts.

13. Remember: Even Paula cole Couldnt get a date for her prom

Its true. Pop Sensation Paula Cole recalls not being able to get a date
for her own senior prom. And look at her now!
You 've got to remember that you are in this life for the long haul . The
things that mean a lot to you now may not be all that important in the
coming years . In fact, When you re going to yur tenth high schoool
reunion, no one is going to remember that you dropped your tray in the
middle of the cafeteria, or that you started singing (off- Key , of course)
before anyone else in the choir . And since none of these little tragedies
are going to matter in the long run , Why not laugh them off now?

14. Start a new trend

So you dont think those new T- Shirts everybody is wearing will look
good on you ? And may be those new platform shoes( on sale now!) are a
little less comfortable for walking to and from school .Are you tired of
following trends?

Before you go out and buy yourself something you know is totally wrong
for you , ask yourself this simple question: Is it really me ? All kinds of
people will try to tell you what's right for you . But the only person who
knows what style , color, and hair cut work for you is you . So go out
and buy what you like . And who knows -- you may be the next
trendsetter !

15. What i like about me

Imagine waking up every morning and discovering a list of all things

that make you great . Well , dont just imagine it...do it ! Make a list of
all things you do well : May be you re a good friend, amazing at tennis ,
and helpful around the house. Be sure to list every single one of your
most wonderful attributes . Then hang the list on your wall. And be sure
to read it every morning before you leave your room to start the day.

16. Mirror , mirror on the wall

Do you like yourself? You should . You are a one of a kind special person
full of promise and possibiliities.

So every morning ,before you go off to face the world , look in the
mirror and say " I like my self".
Watch your face as you those words . A smile is sure to spread . In fact
it's practically impossible to say " I like myself " With a frown.

17. Say Cheese

No matter how gray the day , put a sunny smile on your face . Your
brain will begin to believe that you are happy . Dont believe us ? Give it
a try . Its a scientific fact that using the power of suggestion ( in this
case a smile ) will help convince yourself that you really are happy. And
before long, that smile will be the geniune article!

If that's not a good enough reason to grin , think of it this smiling is

relaxing . Your face uses far fewer muscles to smile than it does to
frown.

18. Stick your fingers in your ears...

Okay, We dont mean literally stick your fingers in your ears. We mean
no more eavesdropping !

When you overhear snippets of a conversation , you are liable to

misunderstand the gist of what is being said. Suppose you hear two of
your friends talking about a great party Friday night - a party you
haven't been invited to. You are likely to feel hurt, left out, lonely and
frustrated . Of course , you missed the beginning of the conversation -
the party is a surprise ... for you.

19. Spend an afternoon just staring at the clouds.

Life is so complicated . We re always running here, calling there, and

trying desperately to get everything done in just twenty four hours.

If you ever want tod de- stress , stop whatever activity you are doing .
Give yourself a chance to focus on absoulutely nothing. Lying on your
back and staring at the clouds is just the kind of relaxation your body is
begging ofr . So stretch out and look at those white cottony puffs up
there.
Just a few minutes of staring into space will do your brain and body a
world of good. And when you 're findished contemplating whether that
cloud to the left looks more like an ice cream con or a rocket ship, you
ll be rested and ready to face the world wih renewed energy and
confidence.

20.Listen to the music in your head

Do you have a favorite pop tune? Something upbeat and happy, with
lyrics that make you want to dance or smile ? Well , you can take that
music with you whetever you go . Just play that song over and over
again ... in your head !

When you 're walking down that street , think of your favorite song.
Before you know it , you 'll be stepping in time to the beat and smiling
as you run through those happy words and that peppy tune . Music is a
very powerful force. Let it lift you up .

21. Congratulations to me

Some people are not confident about their talents untill someone else
recognizes them . Thy wait and wait and wait ... for others to tell temm
they 've done a good job.

But why wait? Deep down inside you know when you 've gone that extra
mile or achieved a goal you never thought you would. So instead of
waiting for an outsider to recognize your talents , give yourself a pat on
the back and say ," Congratulations to me!".

22. Take me to your leader

The next time you feel like you 've got HUGE problems , imagine you
are an alien studying human behavior . Looking at your life from a space
creature's point of view will help you see the big picture . You might
realize that things are not as bad as they seem. More important ,
pretending that you are an alien is guranteed to make you laugh. And
humor is one of the best remedies for any problem.
23. Be the teacher for a change

Does your school have a peer tutoring progrram? If it does , sign up .

Teaching others is a great way to feel good about yourself. First of all ,
you'll have the satisfaction of making someone else's life a little easier.
And who knows- you might even learn something ! But most important ,
tutoring will give you the opportunity to make a new friend. And that is
the greatest gift of all.

24. Make every day thanksgiving day

Have you ever had one of those days when you feel like your are the
sorriest person in the world? A day when it seems like everyone else has
an easy life and yours is the pits ? Well- belive it or not-- That's the
perfect time to give thanks.

When you feel your lowest, that's the time to make a list of all the
things in your life that you are thankful for . You can list the big things
, such as family , friends, your dog, and having a roof over your head.
But you should also list the little things that make life worth living ,like
the fact that your mom makes the most amazing strawberry French toas
, that your dad loves playing one on one basketball with you on
Saturday, and that your little sister has ballet class after school so you
'll get to listen to your music for a change.

Once you see how many wonderful things you have to be grateful for ,
you 'll realize that your life is pretty great after all.

25. Make it worth the wait

Did you ever try to cunt up all the time you spend waiting in lines?
There's the line in the cafeteria, the line at the movie ticket booth , the
line at the checkout counter at the record store... well ,you get the
picture.

Waiting in line can get pretty frustration -- particularly if you' re

spending your waiting time thinking about all the things you need to do
after you get to the front of the line. So don't think about them . Spend
your line time trying one of these:
Iometric exercises. Place your palms together and push them against
each other as hard as you can . It will buid your muscles.

Imagine what all the people in line looked like as babies. You 'll laugh
your way up the line.

Imagine that you are a movie star stopping to pose for the paparazzi.
Just keep those smiles and waves imaginary too. Unless you want
people to stare at you.

26. Work for peace

After a long , hard day , it should feel nice to come home to your
peaceful house and unwind. But ofr lots of kids, home is a war zone.
Nobody wants to live in a place where there's constant fighting and
screaming . So for the sake of your sanity (and your parents' sanity, too)
do your share to dclare a cease fire.

To decrease parental nagging , beat your rents to the punch. Make your
bed in the morning before you leave. Do your chores and homework
before your parents ask you to . In no time , your parents will be smiling
instead of growling in your direction.

27.Give Grandma a call

Scientists were amazed to discover that chicken soup really does make
you feel better. But they shouldn't have been so surprised .
Grandmothers have been making people feel better since the beginning
of time.

When something is really getting you down, talking to Grandma can

bring you right back up again . For one thing, a grandmother can easily
reassure you that people have had those exact worries for decades. In
fact , your grandma may have gone through a similar experience , and
look at what a cool lady she turned out to be.

28. Brotherly (and sisterly)love

 In real life there are no genies waiting to grant you three wishes.
Which means your siblings are never going to disappear. The best you
can do is learn to live with them --and may be even learn to enjoy
having them around.

Instead of focusing on the negatives of having sibs , think about this:

There's always someone to play cards with or tell jokes to. And when
your parents get on your nerves , there's always someone who
understands.

If you think about how lonely you'd be on a rainy day with out your sibs ,
living with them will seem easier.

29. Here's a bonus

In the grown up world, a job well done is often rewarded with a raise
or a bonus . It's just the boss's way of saying thanks.

Kids dont get salaries, so getting a raise is kind of out of the question.
But you can give yourself a little bonus for achieving a goal . Reward
yourself. Treat yourself to an extra half hour of T.V. Or perhaps an
extra dessret is more your style. There's always the nearest record
store, where that new CD you 've been dying for is waiting on the shelf.
Whaterver your reward, remember to tell yourself how proud you are
of you.

30. Have great fantasies

What would make you happy ? Really happy?

Indulge yourself .Allow yourself to daydream about what the perfect

life would be like would be like. Would you live in a mansion? Would you
be a rock star? Would you be the one to find the cure for cancer? Would
you throw the winning pitch in the Series ? Anything is possible in your
dreams. So once a day, take a few queit moments to let your mind go
wild .And who knows what the future holds? Dreams have been known to
come true, you know.

31. Honesty is the best policy...Honest

 Sometimes telling the truth can be tough . And the thought of revealing
the truth behind a situation can bring on a lot of stress . So you might
think the best stress buster would be to tell a little white lie.

But lies cause more stress than truth does . when people lie, their blood
pressure rises slightly, as does their pulse rate.That means lying is
actually unhealthy.

Sure , that initial lie might get you out of a quick jam. But then you'll
remember what you said when you lied. And you might have to tell
another lie to back up the first one. And then you'd have to remember
two lies. Who knows how far that could go? The stress of keeping track
of all those nontruths will make you wish you'd faced up to the truth in
the first place.

32. Have a conversation with your dog (or your cat , your hamster, your
canary...)

Pets are great to have around . They love you as long as you feed them.
And they 'll cuddle with you at just the right moment. Pets are also good
listeners. ( Maybe that's because they can't answer back) So tell your
problems to your pet.

Sometimes saying things out loud makes the solution easier to find. And
you often feel better about things once they are out in the open .

Talking out loud to yourself may seem just too weird. But talking to a
goldfish isn't all that strange...is it?

33. Rub a rock

Have you ever heard of worry stones? They are small , smooth rocks
that you can rub with your thumb to release stress. People have been
using worry stones for centuries to release tension. When you rub your
thumb against the stone, your body releases endorphins, which are
natural tension busters.

So give your worries to a rock. Rocks are tough. They never get stressed.
34. Make friends with mother nature.

The chirping of a cricket . The crunch your feet make on autumn

leaves. The gentle roar of the ocean . The quiet of fallen snow.

The sounds of nature are incredibly calming . Concentrate on them and

your brain will relax . Before long, your body will follow.

35. Study the stars

The night sky is an incredible sight . Whether you follow the moon's
phases or try to identify the constellations, you can't help but marvel at
the universe. Isn't it remarkable to realize that those stars have been
around since the beginning of time? Looking at the night sky is calming
in itself. And when you consider that our planet is a tiny speck in the
universe , your problems may seem smaller, too.

36. Say I care

It's not easy to be a volunteer . When everyone else is going to see that
hot new movie, you have to help out at the homeless shelter. And when
your friends are going skating, you find yourself indoors reading a book
to a blind woman.

Still movies only make you feel good for a few hours . And skating is
only fun untill you fall. But the inner glow you get from doing a good
deed for someone less fortunate will make you feel wonderful about
yourself for years to come . And when you feel good about yourself,
nothing can bring you down.

37. Call time out

It's easy to say things in the heat of an argument . And no matter how
many times you apologize, hurtful words will just hang there in the air
.They never completely go away.

The next time you find yourself having a quarrel , stop before you speak
. Take the time to count to ten. Think about the consequences of the
words you are about to say. Is it worth destroying a friendship over?
Probably not. In that cast , it's best to just let it go and agree to
disagree.

38. Dont keep it to yourself

Letting anger fester too long can be disastrous. Not only does anger
keep your body tense(ever try to smile when your lower jaw is locked?)
But trying to avoid a friend or family member who bugs you is almost
impossible. Besides, if you stay angry long enough , you almost never
remember why - You just know you re angry.

The best thing to do is take a short cooling off break and then sit down
and quietly , calmly talk with the person you are quarreling with . Be
secure in the knowledge that you can work it out.

39.Learning to listen

Are you a good listener? Or are you all mouth and no ears? Here's a way
to test whether you are truly listening. Ask yourself these questions: Do
you interrupt people before they finish what they have to say? Do you
change the subject constantly ? If you replied yes to both of these
questions, then you are not really listening.

YOu owe it to the people you care about to give them your utmost
attention when they need you. Because you 'd want them to do the same
for you, right? Everybody needs to take turns and listen up. And
remember, you can only learn when you listen.

40. First things first.

If you are like most kids , you have a lot going on: after school
activities, homework, chores..... well , you get the drift, sometimes
being faced with such a long list of things that need to get done can be
paralyzing . You just stare at the list and think, I'll never do all this.
So you dont do anything.

Here's a tip on how to stop feeling overwhelmed . First, write down the
things you have to do-- in priority order. Put the things that have to be
done right away at the top of the list. The things that aren't due for a
while can move to the bottom of the list.

Now set a goal for yourself. Say, " I will finish the first three things on
my list tonight . Tommorrow, i will do the next three." And be sure to
cross those things off your list as you finish them . That will give you a
great sense of accomplishment.

41. Dont let others bring you down... and dont make them responsible
for bringing you up either.

It's hard not to feel bad for a friend when she's sad. But her troubles
aren't yours. And while it's good to help out when you can , don't take
your pal's troubles home with you. Ultimately, everyone is responsible
for her own happiness.

But it works both ways. While it is reasonable to expect your friends to

listen to you when you need them , it is up to you to pick yourself up,
dust yourself off, and smile again. Your happiness is totally up to you.

42. You are not a know it all

When you walk into English class, you feel totally at home. But when
you walk into math , it's like walking into a foreign country where you
don't speak the language. Maybe in your case, just the opposite is true.
Either way, you 'll have to learn to accept a simple fact of life-- nobody
can know everything.

It is important to work hard and do the best you can with all of your
schoolwork . But understand that we all have our own strenghts and
weakness . You can't be perfect-- and why would you want to be? Just do
your best -- That's always good enough.

43. The land of the brave.

A group of bullies in your class has decided to pick on one girl. They
make fun of her hair, her clothes, even her lunch. But you kind of like
her. Still, if you let on how you feel , you 'll be the next one to be
picked on. What do you do?

At first it might seem less stressful to just stay out of it. But that's the
most stressful solution. Going against what you really belive in causes a
conflict in your brain.

So be brave . Defend the girl . You 'll feel true to yourself. And You may
discover a beautiful friendship along the way . No bullies can destroy
that.

44. Choose your battles

Save your fighting words for the things that really matter . Beforce you
start feeling the steam blowing out of your ears , take the time to
think: Is this really worth fighting over? If it is not , just blow the battle
off. If it is something you feel strongly about, however, try to choose
your words carefully and keep your voice calm.

Remember: If yor rant and rave all the time , no one will know when
you really mean it . Save your arguments for the really big things, and
your words will hold real power. (You'll also avoid some unnecessary
stressful arguments.)

45. Keep Your eyes on your own paper.

You take one look at your social studies quiz and you know today is a
disaster. You don't remember the answer to the first question, and
that's not a good sign . But you are sitting next to the smartest kid in
class and...

Don't do it. Dont look at her paper . It is better to get a poor grade than
to cheat . Once you get the poor grade, it's over, and you can try to do
better next time. But once you cheat, that stays with you. You 'll spend
hours wondering if your teacher and parents will ever find out . And
you'll never feel good about the grade you received . As usual , honesty
remains the best policy.
46. Play mind games.

It's one thing to stand up for what you belive in . It's another to feel
that what you beliveve in is always right. That kind of rigid thinking
blocks your ability to lear and grow as a human being .And when your
growth is stunted , you feel stress.

So learn to bend . Consider other people's ideas as well as your own .

You dont have to give up your belief system . Just acknowledge that
there are other opinions out there.And accept that people have
different life experiences that enable them to see things differently
than you do . When a new idea intrigues you, go out and lean about it.
hit the library, or call up a free categories on the internet.

If you find out something really fascinationg, spread the word. Have
discussions with your friends. You 'll be able to learn a lot from one
another.

47. "I love your smile"

Here's a goal to set for yourself: Try to give at least one compliment a
day.Saying something nice to people raises their self esteem. And when
you make your friends happy, you make yourself feel good, too.

48. Try Being two faced.

No, We dont mean lying and cheating behind someone's back.We mean
try to see both sides of the same argument. First, think of your point of
view. Then , think of all the reasons someone else might think you're
wrong. Being able to predict what other people will think may open
your mind to new ideas.

49. Work out

There's no better feeling than taking part in a good , sweaty workout.

when you work out , your body releases natural stress busters called
endorphins , which calm your body. And the harder the workout , the
better you feel .Your phys ed teacher will be able to set you up with
some good exercises to start with.

Vary your workout program to keep it fun . Do calisthenics one day,

Shoot hoops the next . And dont underestimate the power of a good ,
long run. Running is a solitiary experience. Sometimes being alone is a
good way to sort out the issues that have been plaguing you all day long.
But be sure to stretch before and after your run. And dont start any
workout program untill you check with your doctor.

Here's an added plus -- Working out makes you look great. And when you
look great, you feel positive about yourself.

50.Be prepared

Do you panic when the teacher begins calling on people who havent
raised their hands? Does your stomach tremble? Do your palms Get
sweaty? Well , there's only real solution to that problem--do your
homework.

If you study and do the work that's assigned , you won't panic when the
teacher calls on you -- because you know you know your stuff. In fact,
you just may find yourself raising your hand when the teacher asks a
question.

51. Dont worry about tomorrow.

Has this ever happened to you? You don't do as well as you would have
liked on a spelling test. Suddenly , Your mind is working faster than the
Concorde jet." Oh no. My spelling grade may not be as high as i want on
my next report card. And that means i may not get into a good english
class in junior high. And come high school, I'll be in real trouble, and...

Too many "ands" huh? Thinking like this is called the snowball effect. It
can be paralyzing . The trick to stopping it ? Stop your mind . Then focus
on a positive way to deal with problem. You can still become a great
speller if you really want to .
52. For the love of leaves

Go out and buy yourself a plant . One of the things that makes people
happy is the ability to love someone or something unconditionally . But
that's almost impossible.People can make us angry sometimes. And pets
can,too. But plants can't. They dont nag, they dont peek in your drary,
and they dont wet on the rug.

You can water , feed , and even talk to your plant without ever getting
annoyed with it . Your plant will bloom beautifully in return. And the
satisfaction of making a living thing blossom will help you blossom.too.

53. I think i can .... I think i can...

DO you remember that kiddie story about the little engine that could?
Even though it was a tiny engine, it managed to pull a bigger train up a
steep hill. How did it manage to do tha t? It didn't suddenly get
miraculosly bigger. It didn't get overloaded with more coal . It just
thought positively.

Thinking positively can help you , too. Going into a test knowing you'll
do well will keep you from getting nervous and freezing in the middle of
the exam . And being certain that you are every bit as fast a swimmer as
everyone else on the team may just give you the edge you need to win
the race . So go get' em.

54."Stay as sweet as you are"

That's the kind of thing we write in our friends autograph books. But
how many times have you become friendly with someone because you
think he or she is so special , only to try to change that person into
someone completely different?

No matter how much you and your friends have in common , you will
never think exactly the same way. So rather than wasting your time
trying to turn your friends into carbon copies of yourself( Which can be
rather frustrating , not to mention ' impossible') , enjoy your differences
. They are the spice of life.
55. Surprise I choose you

The next time you are the captain and it's time to choose sides, pick the
worst player first. That's right , the worst player. You are sure to give
that kid a confidence boost (which just might make him play better than
he ever has before). You 'll also give yourself a reason to be proud.
There's nothing better than making someone else feel good about
himself.

Choosing the worst player first has an added bonus -- you'll remember
the real reason for playing sports -- it's not the winning but the love of
the game that counts.

56. Weekly run - through

It's Sunday night. Tommorrow its back to school .All those things you
were able to push out of your mind during the weekend are back to
haunt you . You are feeling panicky

Take a minute to think . Start with last Monday.What did you do ? Did
you get up late? Have a hot break fast? chat on the phone for a while
with your best pal? How about Tuesday? Did you score any goals in
soccer? Did you ace the spelling test? What about wednesday ? Was that
the day you tripped in the cafeteria and spilled your milk ?

Go through every day of the week. Try to remember what you ate ,
what you thought , and how you felt. And when you've reached the end ,
say good bye to the week that was. It's over. It can't hurt you anymore.
Now get ready for a new week . It's full of opportunities you've never
even dreamed of.