Going over the fiscal cliff is a misconception aptly named to incite fear and dread among the populace. In reality the first day of January will be more like going over a fiscal hump. Politically motivated fear tactics have proven themselves to be nothing more than that on a consistent basis and this latest effort will be no different.
The current hype over the fiscally sound policy changes seems to be full of contradictions, irony and a paradox thrown in for good measure. The current squabbling by the two factions in Congress over who is to blame is puzzling. After all, it was a bipartisan agreement in 2011 to phase-in policy changes that would help to reduce the burgeoning debt load of the United States Government and foster greater opportunity for long lasting and solid economic expansion. Blame is misapplied in this situation. Conversely the term accolades should instead be applied.
There are many facets of the fiscal bill that will provide significant benefits to society as a whole. The most profound will be a reduction in government debt. This will release monies currently held in government bonds to flow into the private sector. Business and consumer borrowers will have access to a larger pool of funds at reduced interest rates. There are some much more important likely benefits of this modest austerity platform that are not purely financial.
Reduction in childhood obesity and asthma,
Decreased production of subsidized carcinogens that contribute to significant sick-care costs in the US,
Provisions to encourage more free market competition, and
Reduced dependence on foreign petroleum products
There are, of course, more benefits and detailed explanations that an entire book could be composed of but for my purposes here I am simply offering a realistic alternative to the doom-and-gloom scenarios being perpetuated by the people who profit from fiscal irresponsibility. Our Congress took an unusual step in 2011 of doing something that will provide significant benefits to us all. Instead of embracing and fostering greater moves in the same direction we instead have a president and congressional leaders now trying to undo what may have been the most dynamic bi-partisan effort to begin grappling the broad spectrum of ills associated with the high national debt.
Keep an eye on Greece to see what the united States faces in the future. Welcome China as your new world super-power of fiscal strength and social influence in the 2011 austerity platform is overturned.
If you would like to make effective changes for improvement to your well-being and enjoyment of life then please visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me.
If you would like to follow my activities more closely then send a friend request to my Political FaceBook page.
Subscribe to this blawg.
More information about child custody rights and procedures may be found on the Indiana Custodial Rights Advocates website.
©2008, 2013 Stuart Showalter, LLC. Permission is granted to all non-commercial entities to reproduce this article in it's entirety with credit given.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Why going over the so-called fiscal cliff is a great step for the American economy and children
Friday, December 28, 2012
The paradox of time - or - slip and fall on the ice
Central Indiana just got blasted by a rather substantial snowfall a few days following a much less significant blanketing of the powdery stuff. In that first round of precipitation it came while the temperature was passing over the freezing mark into a sub-zero night followed by a morning that brought sunshine and an ascension to thawing temperatures. This produced the glistening sheen of water across the solidly frozen base of ice which reduced the viscosity for the ideal slip and fall conditions.
My brisk walking pace – about four miles per hour – sets the stage for a nearly guaranteed calamity as the long stride and greater force exerted through my angular momentum produces loss of traction on numerous occasions. But as I slipped and slid along the sidewalks and streets of Lebanon I never did fall. One leg extends to waist height, an arm goes another direction and the shoe in contact with the ice carries me along like I'm performing a haphazard ice skating maneuver. All occurring instantaneously and without conscious thought. Yet unlike many others, I do not fall. This is not limited to my ballet on ice either. Standing on the top platform of step ladders, walking roof lines or maneuvering my way through other precarious perches is done so with ease and without fear or falling.
For all of my Life Coaching partners I insist on yoga being part of their daily routine. Often I receive pushback citing a lack of time to devote to such a daily regimen. Yet, therein lies the paradox of investing – on its face it appears to be an expense. In this case the loss of time.
However, with my extremely busy, yet relaxed, schedule I do not have the time to not do my daily yoga, meditation and exercise routines all of which I invest no less than two hours. I cannot afford to pay others to perform the tasks that I may fear doing myself if I didn't have my balance. I do not have the extra money to pay for sick care insurance premiums in case I get injured. I don't have the spare time for medical procedures or to be laid up with a broken bone, sprain or other injury from a fall.
In short, I cannot afford either in the time expended to earn money nor the direct time dedicated to caring for the adverse effects of a slip and fall. As we progress through this current winter season it would be wise to invest in bringing greater balance to your life. That is unless you are so wealthy and blessed with boundless free time that you don't need to.
If you need assistance in establishing lifestyle changes that will provide you with greater free time, balance and, ultimately, greater enjoyment of life then please visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me.
If you would like to follow my activities more closely then send a friend request to my Political FaceBook page.
Subscribe to this blawg.
More information about child custody rights and procedures may be found on the Indiana Custodial Rights Advocates website.
©2008, 2012 Stuart Showalter, LLC. Permission is granted to all non-commercial entities to reproduce this article in it's entirety with credit given.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
There is one universal excuse - Use it frequently
One thing that people who are in need of Life Coaching, usually more than other members of society, is to be more effective in their use of excuses. So this is going to be an exercise for you. Take a sheet of paper and enumerate a list of the situations where you have had to offer an excuse. On a corresponding page of paper write the circumstances, event or factors that precipitated the situation. Finally, on a third sheet of paper, identify as precisely as possible the excuse you used or would use. Then continue reading. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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What I have for you today is a universal excuse that is validly applied in all situations. Before I hand this one-size-fits-all convenience to you it would first be prudent to examine the underlying motivations of excuses. Excuses are a manner in which information is relayed as to cause or fault of a failure to meet an expectation. The expectation can be organic from yourself for yourself, imposed, assumed or stipulated.
The self expectations are the most critical to your personal development and success. Your self expectation may be a macro lifestyle goal such as to lose weight, get out of debt, or devote more time to your children. They can also be a micro event such as getting the small pile of unopened mail on the kitchen counter examined. Think of the excuses that you have offered to yourself and the emotions attached to your failure to achieve these goals as established. You may want to write some of these down and ruminate about them momentarily. This is where my Life Coaching partners and I concentrate our efforts first. If you can't satisfy yourself then it is going to be difficult to satisfy others and ultimately achieve greater successes for yourself. There is a universal excuse that can be applied to failure to meet your self expectations.
Imposed expectations are important in that they generally involve some type of sanction. These may include making payments by a particular date, completing a task for your employer, and various laws in place to control behaviour. For anyone who has faced the failure to meet an imposed expectation and offered an excuse there is often little sympathy to be found nor acquiescence. The simple fact of the matter is an obligation was not met which may have ancillary consequences. This is any area where my Life Coaching partners and I devote little effort as the motivation to obviate the failure to meet these expectations is generally quite pronounced – financial penalty, loss of or demotion/suspension in employment, or government imposed fines, loss of privilege or incarceration. If you don't satisfy these expectations you will likely find yourself in a perpetual downtrodden existence. There is a universal excuse that can be applied to failure to meet imposed expectations.
Assumed expectations are those that we encounter in the course of everyday life and are generally associated with morals or manners. While not discarding your individuality it is still important to adhere to most of the assumed expectations. Failure to do so rarely has a direct consequence similar to those that result from the neglect of self or imposed expectations. Lacking compliance with assumed expectations may leave you perceived as being selfish, immoral, unconcerned or rude. This is not something that my Life Coaching partners and I focus our attention directly on but, rather, we let these become self-fulfilling behaviours resulting from concentration on modifications elsewhere. Some of these expectations range from providing care, nurturing and support to your children down to not letting a door slam in someone's face and a very subjective humane treatment of animals which can vary widely amongst cultures. Think Michael Vik who receive intense public scorn as well as criminal charges and temporary loss of employment. Although he offered apology more than excuse there is a universal excuse that can be applied to failure to meet assumed expectations.
Finally there are the stipulated expectations which carry great weight because of the element of trust. The first to come to the fore of my mind is the marriage contract. Violate this one and you can feel the broad range of consequences which can be from the subtle but stinging curtness in tone of voice all the way to a high conflict divorce where custody of the children is used as a means of obtaining revenge. More often you will encounter numerous stipulated expectations throughout your daily existence. The time you plan to meet someone at a restaurant, business contracts, a promise to the children to facilitate an activity after homework is completed or who is going to grab some milk on the way home from work. Lacking fulfillment of stipulated expectations derails your credibility. You will be perceiving as lacking trustworthiness. This is also a realm of behaviour where my Life Coaching partners and I focus our attention. The resolution to this problem is generally found in improving organizational skills. There is a universal excuse that can be applied to failure to meet stipulated expectations.
It should be obvious but likely isn't because society has conditioned you to believe that excuses are situational rather than universal. That's the beauty of this excuse, it's universality. Practice it. Look in the mirror. Make sure you can do it with conviction and pride. Next time you fail to meet an expectation simply stand high and boldly proclaim “I did not care to make that my priority!”
Parents who would like to achieve the best outcome for their children in a contested child custody case should visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me. Attorneys may request a free consultation to learn how I can maximize their advocacy for their clients.
Connect with me for the latest Indiana child custody related policy considerations, findings, court rulings and discussions. 
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Christmas Break Parenting Time Schedule - Indiana
The proposed changes to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines will most likely become effective in early 2013. That hasn't stopped some parents from adopting provisions from them already though. The most sought after and consequently voluntarily adopted change has been to the Christmas break. What is currently a rather convoluted scheme that can result in stretches of more exchanges than days has been simplified as follows.
B. Christmas Vacation.
The Christmas vacation shall be defined as beginning on the last day of school and ending the last day before school begins again. Absent agreement of the parties, the first half of the period will begin two hours after the child is released from school. The second half of the period will end at 6:00 p.m. on the day before school begins again. Each party will receive one half (1/2) of the total days of the Christmas vacation, on an alternating basis as follows:
1.In even numbered years, the custodial parent shall have the first one half (1/2) of the Christmas vacation and non-custodial parent shall have the second one half (1/2) of the Christmas vacation.
2.In odd numbered years, the non-custodial parent shall have the first one half (1/2) of the Christmas vacation and custodial parent shall have the second one half (1/2) of the Christmas vacation.
3. In those years when Christmas does not fall in a parent’s week, that parent shall have the child(ren) from Noon to 9:00 P.M. on Christmas Day.
4. No exchanges under this portion of the rule shall occur between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., absent agreement of the parties. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day shall not be considered separate holidays under the Parenting Time Guidelines.
The portion relating to New Year's Day has been removed.
C. Holidays.
In years ending with an even number, the non-custodial parent shall exercise the following parenting time:
[1] New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. (The date of the new year will determine odd or even year). From December 30th at 7:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. of the evening before school resumes.
While many are implementing this change into their parenting time schedules there is more resistance in my area of specialty – high conflict parenting. I use a strategy of trying to get the other parent to request the change. If my client suggests it then it is rejected automatically because that is just how some parents behave.
Much consideration was given to the will of parents, input from advisors such as myself and most importantly, the needs of and benefits to the children. Although not made a part of the guidelines, parents should be cognizant of the needs of children with attachment issues that may necessitate a modification to the half and half schedule. Some school systems will have breaks of nearly 20 days while others will only be nine.
I encourage everyone to begin using the proposed changes for the Christmas Break and continue from there. You may find the modified IPTG here.
If you would like assistance in drafting an agreement for modifying your current parenting time schedule then please visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me.
If you would like to follow my activities more closely then send a friend request to my Political FaceBook page.
Subscribe to this blawg.
More information about child custody rights and procedures may be found on the Indiana Custodial Rights Advocates website.
©2012 Stuart Showalter, LLC. Permission is granted to all non-commercial entities to reproduce this article in it's entirety with credit given.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Is it Cold and Flu Season for You
Well here in central-Indiana we have already been hit with January temperatures which came as an unwelcome reminder that cold and flu season is among us. It is with the following that I present the strategies that should keep the cold and flu viruses around you and not among you. Likely you have already see the flu shot advertisements. For December I want to give you some tips on ways to first avoid and then treat the common cold and flu. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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I am not a fan of the modern western medicine intervention methods which seek to treat symptoms rather than ailments. So, before doing anything else I would like for you to start with a stress evaluation since stress reduces immune function. Just make a list of what factors or events in your life are stressful, give a rating as to your level of control and then what you can do to mitigate the stress.
A cold is basically an acute, highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract which is medically referred to as acute rhinitis. Symptoms are generally mild and may include runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, mild headache, sore throat, cough, achy body and less often a low grade fever. Influenza is a more severe viral infection whose symptoms suddenly appear after a brief incubation period. These generally include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, aches and pains, and GI disturbances. For some people in particular risk categories an influenza attack can be deadly.
I suggest these proactive steps to avoid the colds and flu this season. Wear gloves and wash your hands using traditional bar soap like Ivory regularly. Do not use antibacterial soaps ever [unless you are preparing to perform surgery] as they are more likely to kill the beneficial flora that your body depends on to live. Remove your gloves to pick at your teeth, nose or eyes. Carry disposable tissues with you. Guys can tuck one or two in a wallet.
After the fact traditional treatments include increased fluid consumption, OTC medications – pain relievers, decongestants and antihistamines – and bed rest. Diets and herbal treatments are becoming much more accepted now also. You have likely heard of boosting Vitamin C, Zinc and taking Echinacea in some form. Research conducted in Germany and England showed that participants who took low doses of Echinacea everyday for two to three years had significantly fewer cold and flu infections than a control group.
This banana smoothie concoction of mine may be a new one for you but can be a tasty treat. Freeze some spotted organic bananas. In a blender place a thawed banana with the peel intact [cut off the stem and a half inch of the tail] and add a cup of goat's milk [homogenized cow's milk produces cancer causing free radicals] or soy milk then blend. Spice to taste with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg and then warm, don't boil, and serve as a soothing beverage. It is comforting to the throat, provides some warmth, a good blend of nutrients and the mood elevating hormone serotonin from the ripe banana peel. Alternatively you can add a serving of dark chocolate to the mix then refreeze and eat as an ice cream.
Dietary considerations are the best way to avoid illnesses. On a daily basis I consume onion, garlic and a high amount of Vitamin C and beta carotene. Beta carotene is converted to Vitamin A by the body. High doses of Vitamin A can be toxic. Cooking garlic destroys some of its benefits. If you don't like to eat raw garlic then I suggest that you shred or crush it to make a garlic oil. Take a cup of extra virgin cold pressed olive oil and add an ounce of garlic. Cook over low heat [>200F] for about a half hour. Use as a salad topping, bread dip or mix in with a cold spread such as humus. If you are a sushi eater like me then you likely get plenty of ginger root already. If not don't despair. Ginger root can be used to make a tea along with Echinacea and Mint. Add citrus peel to taste. Alternatively all herbs mentioned should be available in health food stores or easily purchased on-line in pill form.
If you are not doing so already let prevention of colds and flu be another reason to do daily stretching and meditation as well as cutting out the non-foods [those products containing artificial colours and flavours, HFCS and hydrogenated oils] which empirical studies have demonstrated all boost immunological functioning. In a child custody case it is most important that you not neglect or harm your child by subjecting them to the affects of these substances.
With the upcoming holiday season approaching I would like for you to be full of energy and vigor while enjoying time with your children. Even more important is to avoid being the one to give them an illness.
Parents who would like to achieve the best outcome for their children in a contested child custody case should visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me. Attorneys may request a free consultation to learn how I can maximize their advocacy for their clients.
Connect with me for the latest Indiana child custody related policy considerations, findings, court rulings and discussions.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Timing, Opportunity and Moving Forward in Life
My unexpected stock trading activities today have spurred me to express some thoughts about the importance of timing, taking advantage of opportunities and the effect this has on moving forward in life. Each year I write something lamenting the fruitless exercise of participating in the New Year's Day resolution ritual. Recently I did so with Being set up for failure, disappointment and self-defeating beliefs again where I particularly referenced the self-defeating aspects of initiating a life improvement plan based upon some arbitrary setting. It's like awakening to an alarm clock rather than when the body is rested and prepared. It has been years upon years since I have used an alarm clock. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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As life marches forward in a chronological pattern it becomes easy to get stuck in a perpetual routine as though each day is passing through a mirror - looking back you see the now and looking forward you see the now. The way you live today is how you will live the rest of your life. Thus, timing becomes important.
On Wednesday whilst preparing for the arrival of my number one son, Therin - my only son -, I was contemplating my options of where to play around in the stock market. I didn't have time to watch the market that day but still felt the urge to play. I settled upon the ultra safe bet of just buying the Dow Jones Transportation Index ETF [IDU] if it dipped. It was trading around $84.50 and had a 52 week range of 82.53 - 93.97. It earns about 10% per year and pays a dividend of 3%. So I entered a limit order of $83.95 which hit within a few hours. The closing price for the day was $84.40. I figure it's a buy-and-hold which I'll dispose of if it hits around $88 in the next few months.
So today I get online to do the myriad of tasks that have accumulated since the arrival of aforementioned Number One! This wasn't the onset of my day though. That began with my Yoga routine followed by a rather lengthy meditation session and then the recitation of the daily affirmations. Of particular note is “Financial rewards come to me”.
Again, I had no intentions of playing in the market today. I was holding a short position in the S&P 500 and my utility ETF which I didn't expect to see any action until a European calamity of Fiscal Cliff fears. Out of the blue I checked IDU which was trading at $85.05 - a comfortable gain and quite reassuring. I watched it continue to climb and didn't see the rationale or for that matter care. It was now at $85.50, up 1.9% in two days. A substantial move for such a banal index. So I sold and pocketed the profits.
How quickly plans change. Opportunities appear when they are least expected. These changes are a part of daily life though. Adapting to them and taking advantage of these opportunities is what propels us forward in life.
While it is important to draw broad outlines and set a reasonable timeline towards achieving goals one must not become locked into patterns or limited by an inflexible chronological standard.
Today, when I affirmed that financial rewards come to me I didn't expect it to be in the stock market. Maintaining that affirmation led me to check where I have financial opportunities. I discarded my previous plans and profited from today's opportunity.
More important than money though is the relationship you have with your child(ren). Nowhere is there more important opportunities to take advantage of than with a child or regarding custody. These will range from courtroom proceedings to unexpected learning moments when in the company of your child.
In a recent custody battle we developed our war strategy and established the chronological attack well ahead of the hearing date. Much to our surprise the other parent substantially violated the Court's order just two days prior to the hearing. The answers provided to our line of questioning proved to be an unexpected blessing. The net result was my client being given a most favourable significant modification in the parenting time order.
Since that time my client has been able to offer additional opportunities for parenting time to the other parent and also receive some reciprocal time. The children are reportedly pleased with the schedule and are not experiencing the levels of anxiety or other stressors that had been evident preceded the hearing.
While these parents are by no means best of friends now -- amicable communication remains tenuous – they are not experiencing their previous level of high conflict parenting. They have each taken advantage of opportunities that didn't come at an expected time and are moving forward in life and with their children.
Parents who would like to achieve the best outcome for their children in a contested child custody case should visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me. Attorneys may request a free consultation to learn how I can maximize their advocacy for their clients.
Connect with me for the latest Indiana child custody related policy considerations, findings, court rulings and discussions.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Gaining favourable child custody and well-being from being thankful
Tomorrow will come and go for many in traditional fashion: the gathering amongst friends and family, the chatter of banal conversation overplayed against a sporting type event presented on the television, the typical rote recitation of a prescribed thanks followed by the indulgence of a feast. If that rings familiar with you then I offer to you the opportunity to mix it up a bit this year. Not break from traditions but to focus on the deeper impact of giving thanks and to whom, especially for those of you with children.
This is not necessarily targeted to those of you embroiled in a custody battle or high conflict relationship, although you may receive greater benefit, but also those who are “happily married”. Often overlooked is the importance of maintenance of our interpersonal relationships. Like clock-work some people will have the oil changed on their automobiles, replace various filters, even go so far as to engage in “health” care by having regular check-ups. But somehow relationships don't receive the same attention, or maybe they do. There are opportunities for regular relationship check-ups such as marriage and birthday anniversaries – I am somehow bothered that people will still refer to my birthday in the present tense although it occurred over 40 years ago – but I think they go unfulfilled.
These anniversaries are a time to give reverence to their underlying event and be thankful. The presentation of gifts has become a commercialized acknowledgment of the event with little or no significance or feeling. A birthday card should express your gratitude that the recipient exists and include thanks that you are of part of that person's life. Likewise so should the wedding anniversary card. It may even be appropriate to express a more contrite display of gratitude that your spouse has put up with an accepted your petulant ass for another year.
So when tomorrow roles around take an opportunity to disengage from the banter of retail opportunities and gross commercialism of another upcoming holiday and consider your thanks. It is popular to claim greatest thanks for your children although so parents do view them as a burden and the bane of a carnal interlude.
While you should and may be thankful for having a child and the challenges, joy, heartache, pain and pleasures – yes, all of those -- that your child brings into life that thanks must be extended. Your child is not yours alone. You had a partner in that glorious creation. If that partner will be with you tomorrow then I suggest that you take a moment to sincerely express the richness of the rewards that your union has brought to your life. If that partner is no longer living then take a moment to give reverence to that person's life and that which is carried on through your child.
Now for the BIG LEAP. For those of you who do not enjoy – or in any lesser sense – cohabitation with that partner of said glorious creation you must also give thanks. My ex-wife – the mother of our son – and I had a notoriously hostile dissolution replete with regular police involvement and my having to wear body armour and have an armed security escort at times. Yet I have forgiven all of that. We are far from buddy-buddy now but our tenuous relationship is much less hostile now and although not reflective of the previously shared intimacies it is peppered with civility. I have expressed to her my thanks that I was the person for whom she chose to bear a child and that we both continue to care for, nurture and support our son, albeit in different environments.
Are you still with me? I want you to express sincere gratitude to that person who may have bankrupted you, taken your child out of your daily life and caused distress detrimental to your well-being. That person who may have pointed a gun at you and threatened to kill you. That's the person that I feel you should give thanks to in a meaningful manner. This is for you not that other parent.
Trust me on this one. You will find this to be step towards greater tranquility, harmony and balance in your life. Your psychological and physiological well-being will benefit.
If you would like to improve your well-being and achieve greater success in relationships, finances, fitness and more then please visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me.
If you would like to follow my activities more closely then send a friend request to my Political FaceBook page.
Subscribe to this blawg.
More information about child custody rights and procedures may be found on the Indiana Custodial Rights Advocates website.
©2012 Stuart Showalter, LLC. Permission is granted to all non-commercial entities to reproduce this article in it's entirety with credit given.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Tuesday is Indiana General Assembly Organization Day for the 2013 session
Tuesday 20 November 2012 will be Organization Day at the Indiana State House for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly. The date and duties of Organization Day are proscribed by statute as follows.
IC 2-2.1-1-2 Sec. 2. (a) The first regular session of each term of the general assembly shall convene on the third Tuesday after the first Monday of November of each even-numbered year to do the following:
(1) Organize itself.
(2) Elect its officers.
(3) Receive the oath of office.
This year will see 29 new legislators joining the General Assembly; twenty-five in the House and four in the Senate. This eclipses 2010 when 23 new members joined the General Assembly. The House had a high turnover rate of 25% while the Senate, whose members are elected every six years, remained much the same.
Organization Day is an opportunity for freshman members to be introduced to the veteran members, become more informed of the process and take the oath of office.
Members generally start arriving to the Indiana State House around 10:00am. The House will meet in session at 1:00pm while the Senate will meet at 1:30pm. The day general concludes around 4:00-5:00pm.
While not in session or caucus members are free to tend to their own business or meet with constituents.
Members of the public are invited to attend Organization Day so I encourage you to do so. If you are interested in affecting child custody legislation and would like to meet your legislator please call me at 317.474.3143 or contact me by email.
If you are involved in a child custody battle and want to position yourself for the best outcome then please visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me.
Follow my activities more closely by sending a friend request to my Political FaceBook page.
More information about child custody rights and procedures may be found on the Indiana Custodial Rights Advocates website.
©2008, 2012 Stuart Showalter, LLC. Permission is granted to all non-commercial entities to reproduce this article in it's entirety with credit given.
Friday, November 16, 2012
2013 Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines [IPTG] - update
The Domestic Relations Committee [DRC] of the Indiana Supreme Court convened today for the purpose of preparing media presentation for judges and attorneys to learn about the changes made to the current IPTG. The DRC has submitted the proposed guidelines to the Indiana Supreme Court who will decide to accept the proposed rule as submitted or made changes. The revised IPTG will then be promulgated before going into effect.
Based on past experience I anticipate that if the process runs smoothly then we could see the changes going into effect in the early spring of this year. The DRC does not and will not have any additional information as the Supreme Court does not keep the committee updated as to its progress.
I will begin a round of media appearances soon to inform the public of and help explain what some of the changes mean. I will provide updates here as to those appearances.
In the meantime, although numerous parents are adopting the recommended holiday schedule, especially the winter break, it is not a rule yet. This does not obligate parents to follow the current guidelines, as parents may always agree to modifications, unless there is no agreement.
If you are involved in a child custody action and would like assistance in facilitating an agreement with the other parent or need coaching to prepare for a contested custody hearing then please visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me.
If you would like to follow my activities more closely then send a friend request to my Political FaceBook page.
Subscribe to this blawg.
More information about child custody rights and procedures may be found on the Indiana Custodial Rights Advocates website.
©2012 Stuart Showalter, LLC. Permission is granted to all non-commercial entities to reproduce this article in it's entirety with credit given.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The 15 Minute, 5-step Easy Fitness Quiz
As Americans continue to demand higher sick care costs, those who want to avoid these elevated expenses are more concerned about their fitness and well-being. So with that I give you a fitness quiz in which anyone can take just a few minutes to assess their physical fitness using these five easy steps. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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The first is the simple and literally is a measurement. Using a string or tape measure determine the circumference of your hips and waist. Divide the waist number by the hip number to get your abdominal ration. For women it should not exceed .80 and for men .85.
Step two is to determine flexibility. Sit on the floor with your legs outstretched. Hold the heels of your feet and allow yourself to lean forward while focused on a point on the wall commensurate with the level of your head. Allow this stretching position to naturally pull your head towards the floor for about half a minute. Then tilt your head down. Your forehead should come to rest on the floor. I do this shortly after awakening but you may want to wait until later in your day after you have be mobile for awhile.
The third measure includes some mental processing as well as general muscular coordination. For this you will be in the yoga pose Mountain – standing with heels together, reaching overhead with palms pressed together and back curved convex. Rise to your toes and while breathing deeply close your eyes and maintain the pose for 10 seconds or so.
The fourth, a simple standing exercise. Sit on the floor, outstretch your legs, press the bottoms of your feet together then pull them close to you. Now rise to a standing position quickly. Take particular note of any feelings of dizziness or being lightheaded. These are signs of cardiovascular stress.
Finally, the easiest. Find your favourite foods or those you eat most often and start checking in descending order for any that contain artificial colours or flavours, high fructose corn syrup [HFCS] of hydrogenated oils. The first one you come to take it and any additional that you have and toss in the appropriate receptacle for what it is, garbage.
There are no set correlations between these and any measures of fitness that a medical professional would provide such as nutrient levels in blood, vital signs or stress test. These are just some simple measures that I have composed to give you an overview of your fitness. Your particular circumstances may vary but special circumstances aside a generally fit person should be able to meet these measures.
Your abdominal ratio may not meet what I recommend but you can use that as a relative measure. If your head doesn't touch the floor you can still get a relative measure of your fitness. Are you an inch away, maybe three? If more, you have some work to do. Can't stay balanced for 10 seconds with your eyes closed then try with them open for awhile. If you can't easily rise to your feet then go ahead and give yourself a little boost with your hands. If you get lightheaded and have to sit immediately then you have a blood circulation or oxygenation problem that could be a sign of a serious cardiac issue. You may go through less than 20 products to find the garbage. You should not be able to find those ingredients amongst anything you consume more than one serving per week of though. If you didn't through it out then you certainly need to examine why you are eating garbage instead of food.
While you may not be preparing for a contested child custody matter those of you who are will want to maintain optimal fitness, especially if you are self-represented. In closing of Being set up for failure, disappointment and self-defeating beliefs again
I said child custody is not a legal decision but a judgment made upon the parenting behaviours and skills of the parties involved. To effectively advocate for your parenting responsibilities you should be in the best condition you can.
I say it here again because of its' importance.
Parents who would like to achieve the best outcome for their children in a contested child custody case should visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me. Attorneys may request a free consultation to learn how I can maximize their advocacy for their clients.
Connect with me for the latest Indiana child custody related policy considerations, findings, court rulings and discussions.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Being set up for failure, disappointment and self-defeating beliefs again
It's November and that means it is time to usher in the “Holiday Season” – or the year-end thrust of decadence as I call it. And you know what that means – a burgeoning belly for most followed by the obligatory New Year's Day resolution to tighten-up, get right and lose the fat. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Make a suggestion for me to write about.
This month brings the first feast -- Thanksgiving -- where families gather, discard what few remnants of morality remain and engage in the festival of indulgence. Tables will be adorned with the dead animals that were most likely raised in tightly confining pens, fed a grain based diet and injected with hormones to add quick bulk. Their visceral fat, unlike their free range counterparts, will promote the production of free radicals. Cranberry sauce complete with High Fructose Corn Syrup and a smattering of pastries with HFCS will likely be the trimmings and desert. In between may come a few vegetables, sprinkled with various meats and chemicals such as sodium chloride [table salt] and a salad accompanied by saturated fat based toppings. Yes, it's the morally replete cancer cocktail holding it's dividends in reserve until enough add up for the payout of a stroke, heart attack or cancer.
Next comes the Christmas Season which is kicked off by retailers about the time the plaque from the festival of indulgence is weaving it's way through the recently released free radicals until it can find a perch on your artery walls in which to embed itself. The hustle and bustle of the retail extravaganza will find many people rushing around to acquire the latest electronic gadgets and other hotly touted products to give out as conciliation for the neglect of interpersonal relationships as though the growing materialism resolves all spiritual debts. Cars will line the drive-thru's of the quick-trash restaurants so that the exhausted shoppers won't have to slave in the kitchen to prepare but can just dispense the family meal consumed by the various members scattered about the house. As the synthetic additives take their toll those weary shoppers will awaken to another day and a jolt of a chemically induced state of wakefulness to attack the mind-numbing daily grind again.
The culmination of it all is the big day. Families gather together as their busy schedules allow, mute their various personal communication devices or other electronics for a prayer declared in rote fashion before diving into another feast featuring the same immunological crushing consortium of adulterated foods. A nearly week long trance will be broken by the gala of galas – New Year's Eve parrrrrrrrrrrrrrty!!!!!
It's time to make the self-destructive indulgence and morality dearth of the previous six weeks appear like child's play. It's closing in on midnight and the obesity challenge is in full throttle mode. Millions will race through all the deep-fat fried concoctions and other tasty trans-fat permeated morsels that food engineers along the New Jersey Turnpike can devise. 400 calorie drinks and 300 calorie hand fulls of snacks should produce that last pound of fat to add on to the annual total to ensure that the following day's resolution will be a for sure success.
Once again, success will elude these revelers who declare a commitment to some form of self-improvement while passing across that arbitrary invisible demarcation line which marks a new circumscription of the Sun. While these resolutions may be an admirable first step on that journey to self-improvement, that step is off-balance and will lead to a collapse. Those who experience this collapse will feel the familiar sense of disappointment that occurs a few weeks or months into each new year. The blame will be assessed against one's self because of the lack of will power, motivation or any other character trait that can be applied to this failure.
Yet others who make the same resolves enjoy complete successes that seem to be almost effortless. It would not surprise me at all if I were to enjoy the upcoming feasts, that will usher in a period of reduced travel for me – which I do by cycling or walking -- and still maintain my current weight. Better yet I may likely shed some of this bothersome fat around my gut and drop to 125 pounds as my appetite shows a marked decline.
Particular resolves need not be made upon a set date but, rather, should be done when you are most suited to begin the process of change. Any positive change will be beneficial in ways not immediately foreseen. If you are involved in a child custody case then the law [I.C. 31-17-2-8 and 31-14-13-2] provides particular factors that the court must consider. These include well-being of not only the children but the parents also and the environment in which they reside, relationships with others and the wishes of each parent.
Others of you not involved in child custody conflicts may still seek to improve your interpersonal relationships, physical health, financial standing or any of an unlimited list of possibilities that can be as minor as finding time and money for a vacation or as major as becoming organized. All start at the same point and require a similar level of dedication and assistance.
Self-improvement is enmeshed in a network of integrated life traits and skills that have a circular relationship. So whatever benefits you seek, having a strategy as to when and where to jump onto that merry-go-round will determine your success or failure.
In thinking of child custody, it is not a legal decision but a judgment made upon the parenting behaviours and skills of the parties involved. To effectively advocate for your parenting responsibilities you should be in the best condition you can.
In thinking of financial security, it is not a matter of earning more but effectively managing the portions of your financial world that you have immediate control over and then adapting to the conditions of others.
Parents who would like to achieve the best outcome for their children in a contested child custody case should visit my website and contact my scheduler to make an appointment to meet with me. Attorneys may request a free consultation to learn how I can maximize their advocacy for their clients.
Connect with me for the latest Indiana child custody related policy considerations, findings, court rulings and discussions.
