life

Want To Know How To Raise An Honest Child?

100_8126Did you know that the biggest reason adults lie is because as a child they were unable to communicate with their parents or guardians? As children, these lying adults were unable to freely express who they were without fear of judgment or punishment.

Most adult liars were children raised to perform to a particular parents standards, and as a result they have had trouble coming in to who they are. They grew up in a home where free thinking was frowned upon. 

Growing up in such an environment, the child felt a need to lie to keep a parent happy. And because the child feared disappointment or disapproval from his/her parents,  the child then began a pattern of lying that would take years to correct, if ever.

To raise a truth-seeking honest child:

Be honest with your child, and yourself – Children learn what they live. If we expect them to be honest, we must be honest. If a child sees a parent lying that child will not only lose respect, but pick up on the habit. He/she will think “Hey, they got away with it and it made their life easier. It will work for me too!”

Respect who your child is – As parents we have ideas in our mind as to who our kids will be. Sometimes, we live vicariously through them. It is important that we respect who our children are. Perhaps they don’t want to be on the state championship bound football team. Or perhaps they have decided to pursue another form of religion. Whatever it may be; by not respecting their thoughts and feelings, it teaches them to hide it from you in fear of disapproval.

Respect the truth – It takes a lot of courage for children (in some instances) to tell the truth on certain topics. When they do tell the truth, instead of lashing out on them we should show respect for that truth. By lashing out, they learn to close up more and say less. 

Speak the truth – By speaking the truth ourselves and standing up for what we feel is right, our children will naturally begin to as well. If they watch us cower in the corner with every confrontation life brings, and if they watch us being used as doormats for other people then they lose respect. 

Live the  truth – We can tell our children what is right, but if we aren’t living a just life they will see through the charade. We must be honest in all areas of our life if we expect our children to be. 

Promote the truth – We have a rule in our home that the truth bears no punishment. It isn’t to say that there will be no consequences or repercussions, however they will not be punished for being honest. 

Encourage passion – Find something that your child is passionate about where he/she learns to use their voice. Whether it be speaking on animal rights, citizens rights, or student council encourage him/her to be passionate about what they think or feel. Our best leaders in this world were once taught to be passionate, and to find their voice. When they found that voice, they used it. And because of that, they changed the world.

Do Not React – When your child is sharing something about his or her peers do not allow them to see your reaction, shock, or anger as to what they are saying. Do not force them to stop talking to people who make bad decisions. Instead teach them how to make their own good decisions regardless of their company. Reacting will only shut them down and prevent you from knowing what is going on with their friends in the future.

The biggest thing that I have seen with children who lie regularly to their parents is that their parents are really overbearing. Especially those who only have one child and nothing to compare it to. They have a hard time accepting that their child is not them, and that they are their own person.

We can either adopt these items listed above or have a dishonest and unruly teenager when that time comes. And as for me and my house, we will continue to promote honesty and free thinking. So far, so good here!

The Right Path

When we separate ourselves from others and begin to travel the road we feel is best suited for us  is not always accepted by our peers. However, more often than not  it  is accepted by our conscience. These cleaner roads we must travel in life will allow us to encounter criticism and judgment,  however,  we must keep traveling and not give up.

For today:  Disregard the criticism of others and keep trucking along. Before you know it you will look back; and be thankful you took not only the high road, but the right road.

Dead ends are dead ends, and when we are on the right road there are none. Instead, doors continue to open leading us down roads with an infinite amount of street lights. One blown street light doesn’t mean the path no longer exists. Keep going.

The right path isn’t always that easiest, the shortest, or the most lit; but it is by far the best way to maintain happiness.

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Day 3: Removing The Anchor

When restoring happiness and peace it is important to untie those anchors that keep us in treacherous waters.  After all, how can we get to a new destination if this anchor keeps holding in the same location? If we remain anchored we take the risk of being shipwrecked with one storm, or even one wave.

By removing the anchor and entering the captain’s seat we take control. We can then head into the open waters and travel around future storms  vs. sitting through every storm anchored and praying for survival. By steering ourselves, we are then given the option to plow through the waves and storms with determination. It also allows us to  keep a better eye on the forecast.

Our survival rate will increase significantly by simply taking control of the boat.

For day 3:

It is time to untie the rope, leave the anchor behind and set sail.

Once you start steering, you find that you are closer to Paradise Island than you had originally thought. However,  in order to get there we must first let go.

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Take Time


I don’t usually write personal blog entries on here, however, today is different. The meaning behind this quote and photo deserve an explanation. This photo was taken in route to meet the president of a publishing company in Nashville a few weeks ago. I was there in  pursuit of my dream.  I was in the midst of becoming an official author.

It was all  just a simple twist of fate that I met this man, especially the way we met. We met on eBay, when he asked a question on an item I had listed. As we wrote back and forth we decided it would be worth both of our while to meet, and we did. It was an answer to my prayers, and a dream come true.

This dream of mine is becoming more real every day. My work will soon be in s15,000 stores across the country. It will be on shelves, which is amazing. Most know that it is hard to get shelf space in this country nearly 1600  books published daily by various authors. So to me just as any other author, this is a huge deal.

I am excited, I am passionate, and I have a zillion things to write. I can’t wait to see what the future holds, as I have more hope now than ever before. My happiness tank at this point, is pretty full. Now if I could land a job with the local newspaper, I would be in heaven.

“Find a dream and chase it. Happiness will then chase you.”

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Hallways

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

God Given Mirror




© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Day 2 – Inner Wisdom

Today’s mission; Take time to listen to your inner wisdom.

Sometimes  it becomes so loud with the opinions of others that we find it hard to hear our inner voice . Today, take time to listen to your inner wisdom. Our instincts are there to guide us, if we let them.

Day 1 To a Happier You

Day 1

We all get caught up in what “has been”, so for today; lets focus on what “will be.”

As we go about our day today; lets speak only of the current day or the days that lie ahead. Lets claim with our voice and our heart, all of the positive things that will occur from here on out. As we begin to project that positive energy towards those things, we will find that our mood has improved. When this happens, our happiness tank is beginning to fill up. So, lets keep filling it up!

Anything in the world can be ours if we claim it.  Lets start claiming more positive things today!

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Spoiled Children & The Parents Who Steal Their Drive

If we give our children everything that they want, what else is there for them to work for? By giving them everything they want or think they need, we begin building a strong foundation for co-dependency. And this co-dependency may follow them for their entire life.

When I look around at different parent child relationships throughout the course of my life I see many things. In families where the child has been given everything, adulthood is difficult for them. With every snag in the line these adult children are calling their parents for help. These once spoiled young children, are now co-dependent adults that have a very hard time standing on their own feet.

When I look at people who had what would be considered a less pampered childhood, there is more success. These people who have fought their way to the top, have done it because up was the only way left to go. They had nothing. They had no one. They realized they could only count on themselves. By not having much, they were given more drive.

There is a remarkable difference when comparing the lives of children who were given it all, and children who had to fight for what they wanted. As adults it is the difference of what most consider to be success or failure, or better yet “sinking, or swimming.”

As we continue to raise our children, let us remember that they do not need everything everyone else has. Nor do children need everything they want. Why have a life full of costly activities when they would be just as content coloring a picture, playing a board game, or making a craft and spending quality time together? They also don’t need the latest sneakers or clothing, because in 6 months it will not fit them anyway.

When we spoil our children we are stealing their drive. We are teaching them that they do not have to work so hard, and that we will “get it” for them. Do we really want them still coming at 40 asking for help with car payments, mortgages, etc.? Or do we want to raise them to be independent and successful?


Children learn what they live. Question is, what exactly are we teaching this next generation? Children are as simple or as high maintenance as we teach them to be.


Maintaining A State Of Happiness

Happiness is preferred by many, the state of which can be hard to maintain at times. What is it that makes you happy?

For some people money makes them happy, while another person’s experience of happiness may be something as simple as being home from work to enjoy the things they’ve work so hard for. For some it is a nice home, while others are happy to just have a roof over their head. For some it is a nice car, while others are happy to have any car that will run. And for some it is designer clothes, while others would just be happy with any clothes that are comfortable and fit well. It varies so much from one person to the next.

I have found that people are the happiest when they stay busy and set goals. When we set goals and focus our attention on those things we love, we have less time to find negativity within our life. We become so focused on what we are doing, that we worry less about what other people are doing or thinking. We have less time to let our emotions betray us or consume us. We also worry less about keeping up with our neighbors. When we stay busy and find exciting things to be a part of we simply find ourselves content, and happy.

If you are finding yourself discontent with life and unhappy, find something to look forward to. Get excited about something. When we are doing things that are exciting to us, we enter a state of happiness. To maintain it, we must keep doing things that are productive, and exciting. When excitement fades, happiness soon follows.

Happiness is in our mind! It is all about perception.