Mnemonic games

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Mnemonic index
Mnemonic and eidetic memory games

Puzzle
Logic games

Cards
Pyramid, Solitaire cards games

Math
Games for mind development

IQ test
Test your mind ability

Relax movies
Relax and meditation

Creating A Memory Album - by D. Anderson

First of all, regarding the September 11, 2001, attacks on the American people, we at The Seasons of My Life? wish to say that we are deeply sorry that so many of you are hurting and we extend our deepest sympathies to those of you who have lost a loved one, or are suffering.

Not only are some of you devastated from the loss of a loved one, but there may be many of you who are hurting from exposure to the tragic events of September 11, 2001 ? our courageous firefighters, police, rescue workers, volunteers, and millions of others across America who witnessed the attacks through the graphic media of television. For some of you, counseling may be in order before you can begin to heal.

Another positive and meaningful way to help begin the self-healing process might be to begin putting your thoughts and feelings down on paper. The easiest way to do this is by typing them using your computer?s word processor. You could begin by assembling a ?memory album? in honor of your lost loved one, or as a special tribute to America. Fill it with the special stories of your life, beginning with the day you and your loved one first met, or what it was like growing up in America. Describe in it the emotions that you are experiencing now, how you think you will feel in the future, and begin formulating and writing down some goals and plans.

Once you have written your special stories, you could decorate the pages of your memory album before printing by adding decorative borders, graphics, or clipart using your word processor. Add favorite family photographs that pertain to certain stories, newspaper clippings, and anything else that you feel should be included that is meaningful to you. Once printed, your unique memory album can be bound in any fashion you desire and handed down throughout your future generations as a cherished family heirloom document.

This process of writing your life stories, thoughts, and feelings is known as journalizing (also referred to as life review, guided autobiography, and spiritual autobiography) and can be accomplished with The Seasons of My Life? Autobiography & Family History Program ? an easy to use add-on application that works with your computer?s existing word-processor. With over 1,400 questions and memory-stirring reminders, The Seasons of My Life? was designed to take you back in time, enabling you to capture all of the memorable stories of your life.

This entire journalizing project, from start to finish, can be a helpful and soothing pass-time for you and your entire family. If you have young children, you might consider inviting their participation, making your memory album a family project which can be an excellent creative outlet for pent-up emotions in them as well.

Writing about your life can be a gratifying experience. It can be an excellent way of dealing with the past and the present. It can help build self-esteem, allow you to cleanse and get on with life, and may help you to connect with your inner self. For further information, please visit our web site at www.seasonsofmylife.com.

D. Anderson

http://www.seasonsofmylife.com

email: seasonlife@aol.com

One Potato, Two Potato . . .French Fries . . . Couch Potato? - By Dr. Michael Popkin

Our daughter, Megan, was barely walking when my mother made the comment that she seemed a little chubby. My wife and I naturally took great offense at this slight to our first born and heretofore perfect offspring, protesting that this was only a case of baby fat. My mother quickly backed off, saying that chubby wasn`t really fat, but only?well?chubby. Graciously we accepted her back-pedaling and were pretty well mollified until an hour or so later when we all settled back on the sofa after a big meal to watch TV. A few minutes into the show, a clearly obese actress appeared on the screen and my mother blurted out, "Wow, she sure is chubby."

Megan is now seventeen and there isn`t a chubby bone in her athletic body. Our son, Ben, is thirteen and playing football at the flyweight of a mere 76 pounds and wishes he could somehow put on a few pounds. But they are getting to be more and more the exception. The American Obesity Association reports that about 30% of children and teens today are overweight, and that about half of those qualify as obese. This is 2.5 times the rate it was just 30 years ago.

Among other problems, these kids are at higher risk for asthma, diabetes, hypertension and orthopedic problems not to mention being teased unmercifully by their peers. In a society that still overly glamorizes model-like physiques as the sine qua non of physical beauty, this can also lead to self-image issues, depression, and eating disorders. Oh, and these kids are also at much greater risk at becoming overweight and obese adults. Of course, by that time they will have lots of company as the incidence of overweight adults is now up to almost 66%. That two-thirds of us fall into this category (I pause to pinch my love handles, wondering if I qualify or not at 6`1" and 195 pounds) makes us wonder what has been going on in our society the past 30 years that?s making us so?well?chubby? You can`t blame increases of this magnitude on genetics, unless we have become a nation of teenage mutant ninja butterballs.

The evidence points more to lifestyle and diet. We have become a nation of fast food junkies munching away at French fries and other high-carb foods while frenetically on the go. Unfortunately, on the go in this case does not usually include exercise. At thirteen I was usually outside playing the sport du jour (basketball, baseball, football), while nowadays my son would rather be inside on the couch mastering the latest video game. I wonder how many calories one can burn defeating Japanese martial arts villains in a video game?

We have been teaching parents the importance of healthy activities in Active Parenting programs since the beginning, stressing that taking time for fun together is a great way to build relationships and teach qualities of character.

My wife sets an even better example for our children. Being a runner and veteran of a dozen Peachtree Road Races, she has made exercise and good diet a part of our family lifestyle. She even taught Megan and Ben to like broccoli by serving it as an appetizer (when they were the most hungry) as they grew up, and she`s made sure that our family vacations have routinely included mountain biking, hiking and other physical activities. In this era of fast food and faster living we need to follow such examples.

Some ideas to tackle this problem from the American Obesity Association and Active Parenting include:

? Make time for the entire family to participate in regular physical activities like walking, biking or rollerblading.

? Assign active chores to each family member such as vacuuming, washing the car or mowing the lawn

? Encourage your child to join a sports team at school or a recreation center.

? Limit the amount of screen time your child engages in (that includes TV, video and computer time).

? Serve a healthy diet, limiting fried foods, sugar and other unhealthy products.

? Encourage your children to be part of the planning, preparation and cooking of some of the meals.

? Eat more meals together at the dinner table at regular times.

? Have healthy snack food available such as fruits, vegetables and yogurt.

? Avoid serving portions that are too large (and share overly large portions when you eat out).

? Avoid forcing your child to eat when he/she is not hungry (If your child is losing too much weight, consult a healthcare professional).

? Limit fast-food eating to no more than once a week (and don`t supersize it).

? Avoid using food as a reward or lack of food as a punishment.

There is no real substitute for exercise and diet when it comes to teaching our kids, and ourselves, how to have a healthy weight in life. We teach our kids how to count by playing such games as one potato, two potato? Now let`s teach the whole family to pass on the French fries and get off the couch. Otherwise, somebody`s mother is going to be calling all of us chubby pretty soon.

Dr. Popkin?s newest book, the Active Parenting Now AudioBook, explains how to use effective discipline and communication skills to help your family run more smoothly. Visit www.ActiveParenting.com for more information about all of our parenting resources.

For more information about Active Parenting?s Online Parenting classes, go to www.ActiveParenting.com/Parents

Michael H. Popkin, Ph.D., founder of Active Parenting Publishers in 1983, has written and produced more than a dozen video and discussion programs.

Prior to founding Active Parenting Publishers, Dr. Popkin practiced family therapy in Atlanta. His work with confused parents and unhappy children convinced him that parents were not receiving the information and tools they needed to help their children become responsible, contented adults. He has served on numerous advisory boards, including the panel of experts assembled for the United States Office of Substance Abuse Prevention. He is widely known for his expertise in the field of parent education and has appeared on over 100 TV programs, including CNN and ?The Oprah Winfrey Show.?

Dr. Popkin earned a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University and served as Director of Child and Family Services at an Atlanta hospital before entering private practice. Dr. Popkin lives in Atlanta with his wife and two children.

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