Valentines Day is one of the worst days of the year if you are wanting a relationship but are without one.

Bah Humbug you think, but thats not what you feel. So what can you do to feel better?

Here are 10 Ideas to Help you get Through the Day.

Stay up the night before and work then you can sleep the following day away.

Go to a movie about bad relationships. (How about fatal attraction).

Spend time with a couple who is always bickering. Go sit in divorce court for the day.

What you say, no one recycles in Kenya, there is garbage in many streets and especially rural villages.

Well yes that is true there is no unified effort to recycle by government, and plastic bags and bottles are everywhere. Well this made me very discouraged until I saw with different eyes.

Nothing is wasted in Kenya, if it can be used again it is. Today I saw empty detergent bottles used as flotation devices by some kids, wow. Empty containers are also used as water carriers, scoops, baskets, and any number of useful items.

Auld Lang Syne was partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700’s, it was first published in 1796 after Burns’ death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, ‘Auld Lang Syne’ literally means ‘old long ago,’ or simply, ‘the good old days.’

Here are the lyrics: however, many people seem to remember only the first verse.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

It’s that time of the year where some of us (fewer I hope) make those New Year Resolutions that we often break leaving us feeling like failures.  Why is that??  I wonder if it is because we often try to make ourselves into something or someone we are not.

I love this quote from Steve Jobs of Apple.
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. ”

In thinking about this I realized that as I have gotten older I am more and more sure of and ok with, who I really am.
But knowing who you really are takes thought and time.

Happy Holidays

I was being silly here mostly because I was with a friend who has 5 year old twins.  Kids can always put me in the holiday spirit and make the world seem better.  If you are not feeling so jolly its ok,  you are not alone!

Here are two references that  might help you

The first is a professional article that offers scientific evidence for alternative and complementary treatments for depression.

Below you will find my answer to a question about holiday blues.

Hope you find something helpful here.

If you are interested in sustainable energy or  Bio- Gas in general take a look at my video on a Bio-Gas system.  I interview Zack from an orphanage in Kenya about their Bio-Gas system which turns cow dung into gas for cooking and manure for gardens.

By the way to clarify what I say in the video 30,000 Kenya Shillings  is about $ 390.00

If you are looking for a unique useful gift for the helper or health care worker in your life, consider a copy of my book Behavioral First Aid: Managing Emotions During Emergencies. It will be appreciated for its practical information and advice. Free shipping till Christmas! Buy it now

It is at this time of year that we all get increasingly stressed and at the same time put more pressure upon ourselves to have a perfect holiday. Well that is not possible. No one has a perfect holiday. Setting realistic expectations for yourself, others and the holiday is the best advice I can offer. Here are some tips about how to do that and avoid family crises.

• Make plans well ahead of time.

• Ask others what they would prefer to do on the holiday.

Check out some pictues of my work in school in Kenya www.flickr.com/photos/43476477@N08/

Helping a loved one who is depressed can be very difficult. Sometimes caregivers feel helpless and unsure of what to say or do. Fear can cause helpers to be overbearing, hovering and treat the depressed person like a child. This is not particularly helpful for either the depressed person or the helper.

Here are some principles to keep in mind when someone you love is depressed.