Just for Laughs

We’re less than 21 hours from the big announcement tomorrow. Here’s something a little different to tie you over.

Take a look at these hilarious questions to Dear Abby.

These are letters even Abby admitted she was at total loss to answer. I think you’ll receive your daily dose of healthy belly laughs in the next few seconds. Enjoy.

Dear Abby, A couple of women moved in across the hall from me. One is a middle-aged gym teacher and the other is a social worker in her mid twenties. These two women go everywhere together and I have never seen a man go into or leave their apartment. Do you think they could be Lebanese?

Dear Abby, What can I do about all the Secks, Nudity, Fowl Language and Violence On my VCR?

Dear Abby, I have a man I cannot trust. He cheats so much, I am not even sure the baby I am carrying is his.

Dear Abby, I am a twenty-three year old liberated woman who has been on the pill for two years. It is getting expensive and I think my boy friend should share half the cost, but I do not know him well enough to discuss money with him.

Dear Abby, I have suspected that my husband has been fooling around, and when confronted with the evidence, he denied everything and said it would never happen again.

Dear Abby, Our son writes that he is taking Judo. Why would a boy who was raised in a good Christian home turn against his own?

Dear Abby, I joined the Navy to see the world. I have seen it. Now how do I get out?

Dear Abby, My forty-year-old son has been paying a psychiatrist 50 an hour every week for two and a half years. He must be crazy.

Dear Abby, I was married to Bill for three months and I didn't know he drank until one night he came home sober.

Dear Abby, My mother is mean and short tempered. I think she is going through mental pause.

Dear Abby, You told some woman whose husband had lost all interest in secks to send him to a doctor. Well, my husband lost all interest in secks and he is a doctor. Now what do I do.

Now keep your inner smile going all day. Then, tomorrow stay tuned for my big announcement and get a smile that will last you a lifetime.

Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French

How Pythagoras Changed Our World

I’m sure you learned the famous Pythagorean Theorem in Geometry class. But, what your teacher probably didn’t tell you is how well-rounded this great mathematician was.

After all, he invented the word philo-sopher, meaning lover of wisdom.

As a young boy, Pythagoras learned the lyre, and soon felt limited by this five stringed modal instrument.

So, like any genius would, he invented a new instrument called a monochord – a wooden resonator to which a single string was attached. This string had a movable fret so that the tone of the single string could vary according to the vibrations set up by the length of the string.

Picture one string on a violin or guitar - depending on where the player places his finger, the notes change. As opposed to a seven stringed Greek lyre where each string only plays one note, so all you’ve got is seven notes.

With his new instrument, Pythagoras was able to create a scale with accurate intervals – the diatonic scale. This is the seven-note scale we still use today.

Without his invention, we wouldn’t have Bach, Mozart or the Beatles. We’d be in the dark ages music-wise.

At Pythagoras’ university at Crotona – which was the first university in history - it was customary for his students to open and to close each day with songs. In the morning they sang music to clear the mind from sleep and inspire it to the activities of the coming day. In the evening Pythagoreans sang soothing, relaxing, and restful melodies.

Similar to monks in a monastery or priests in a seminary starting and ending their days with chants. One exception - Pythagoras accepted men and women. He was ahead of his time so many ways.

Well, let me tell you something – you’re in for a treat. It’s been a while since I announced a new product.

That’s going to change.

In just days I’ll be unveiling something so simple and yet so profound, it may be the most important contribution to your life in years. Something so pure and yet so functional, every person no matter what age, can benefit from its wisdom and beauty. It’s very personal.

Yes, it is directly inspired by the great Pythagoras.

So, for those who want to live life brimming with confidence and joy – pay close attention to your inbox.

Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French

Why Even Mozart Had to Practice

Did you know scientists think it takes ten thousand hours of practice to be an expert at almost anything.

The ten thousand hour theory is important because it shows up in study after study in unrelated areas such as sports, writing, math, and music.

Now, you’re probably thinking – what about Mozart. After all he was an expert at a young age. This couldn’t have applied to him.

Or does it?

Little Wolfgang began composing at the age of six. And yes, he wrote his first symphony at age eight. He certainly was a precocious child. But, that’s not being an expert. Many children write music, as I did at that age. And some even write large-scale pieces when they’re eight years of age.

Remember, young Mozart had extensive training from his Papa Leopold, who was widely considered to be the greatest living teacher of music in Europe at the time.

So, let’s say Mozart began practicing at age two and did so for 32 hours a week. I know that sounds crazy, but considering his dad’s reputation as a taskmaster with high ambitions for both his children, this scenario is quite possible.

On this schedule, little Mozart could have been an expert at age eight.

Even if he hadn’t practiced that much, he still could have composed a symphony. Question is, did that first symphony make him an expert. Well, not really. We probably would never have heard about it, if it hadn’t been Mozart who wrote it. There’s a historical interest in this symphony, in fact musicologists regard all of Mozart’s early works as curiosities. But, truth is, they are hardly ever performed or recorded.

What’s important to remember is this.

The compositions of Mozart which are considered truly great are the ones he composed well AFTER he had been at it for ten thousand hours.

So, if you’re learning something – and who isn’t – take joy in the process. The more you apply yourself to that one endeavor, the better you’ll feel and the more successful you’ll be.

If you’re in love with the process of practicing, no matter what it is, you are already successful.

Take the Mozart example to heart. He is extraordinary proof that practice makes perfect sense. And that genius emerges from the continuous, never-ending application of your heart and mind.

Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French

P.S. To get yourself motivated listen to The Secret Power of Words and Music CDs. Instill your mind with inspiration and be amazed at where it takes you.

How Excitement Relaxes

When my husband Clayton Haslop performs on his violin, he lights the audience on fire.

His mind and body are in a perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. Every part of him is alert and aware. His heart opens up like a lotus flower receiving, breathing, inspiring. This magical union of yin and yang is a sight – and sound – to behold.

What if I tell you, it can be accessed in any activity you do. Even while you’re reading these very words.

For example, this morning while exercising and stretching I particularly focused on my form. I made sure to point my toes, stretch out my legs, keep excellent posture and make every exercise as beautiful as possible.

Sure enough, I had a great session. My extra attention released an excitement, a thrilling joy-juice of emotions inside me. Nothing felt routine this morning, even though I’ve been doing some of these exercises for years.

Funny thing is, I also felt much more relaxed about the whole event and totally lost track of time. Even now.

I realized that relaxing requires focus and focus requires relaxation. Just like great music has an underlying tingling tension – the ‘what’s next feeling’ – as well as an element of ecstasy.

Everything great is imbued with this gentle power – a fusion of virility and sensitivity.

Think of a person you most admire, whether in history or living today. I can assure you they resonate to this vibration of excitement and relaxation.

Or, imagine the thrill and peace of watching a glorious sunrise or sunset, majestic mountains bathed in light, or a tropical waterfall spilling into a lotus pond. These images of nature are all reminders of our own immense beauty.

A beauty so extraordinarily delicate and so immensely powerful.

Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French

P.S. The arts are one of the best and easiest gateways to feeling the beauty within you. Whether you’re being inspired by a painting, poetry, dance or music – make sure you get a regular dose of inspiration. Make your life extraordinary by listening music and words of beauty and wisdom.

Stretching Beyond Limits

On Friday I received my very first Thai massage. Boy was I in for a surprise.

My husband Clayton, who recommended I go, already told me - this was not like any massage he’s ever experienced. It was really about stretching the body beyond perceived limits.

Our masseuse, just back from Thailand, was also a professional dancer. Which made her approach especially potent. Because feels the massage is a dance between herself and her clients. The rhythm and flow – melody – set up an integral harmony. So, of course, I was very intrigued.

She explained beforehand, how other massage did not give her the rhythm and flow she feels when on the mat doing Thai massage. Yes, I lay on a mat, not a massage table.

I must say, I’m planning to see Kala once a week from now on. The experience was akin to hearing the universe inside my body.

I know, it sounds strange, but let me explain. As Kala was gently touching my body at first, I could feel the inner meridians activating. As she pressed and unlocked pockets of what felt like swollen and hardened parts of my body, I let go. I had to go very deep. Since there was a gentle rhythm in her own bodily movements and as well as her touch, I was able to release tension and relax more deeply than I previously thought possible.

Very soon this mega stretching triggered sparks in my brain, almost like fireworks of light. Then I realized, my God, my body is a temple! And I could vividly feel my inner and outer temple waking up.

After she finished, Kala asked me if I drink a lot of H2O.

Yes, I replied, "a gallon a day."

She said, "I can always tell by how well a person responds to the pressure I place on their body, how much water they drink. Most people are dehydrated."

Makes sense. Water lubricates, nourishes and stretches the body.

Boy am I glad I took that ‘risk’ last week. Now I’m embracing both exercise and massage as a Must in my life. Being stretched to my limits feels, well, like waking up to a renewed me. In fact, I feel limitless.

Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French

P.S. Aside from drinking plenty of water and stretching, you can embrace and nourish your inner universe with rhythm, melody and harmony. All of the above trigger an awakening - an inner awareness. The resonant vibrations create an immediate response inside your brain and body. So, you can imagine, good, powerful, healing sounds are a great way to mine your subconscious mind. Do so easily by listening to the 5 CDs on The Secret Power of Words and Music package. Go and unleash your inner fire Now.

Fishing for Fun

Most everyone, including fisherman, would consider hauling fish hard work.

But what if I tell you there’s a simple remedy these fishermen are using that makes their hard work feel like play. A tool so simple, anyone can apply it. Like all simple tools, the power behind this remedy is deceiving.

Recently CBS news interviewed several older fishermen in Virginia. They said that hauling in nets filled with fish was very hard work. But when they all sang together, their whole attitude changed.

Singing their old ‘sea chanteys’ got these men into rhythm with each other. Not only that, they swear time passed by much faster.

There’s a profound reason why singing turns work into play.

Once you take your mind off of the fact that you’re ‘working’ and focus on something fun, you’ve switched from mundane slaving to inspired living. When your fun activity involves melody and rhythm, like singing songs or chanting, you enter a world of joyful relaxation.

You’ve just tuned out work and tuned into happiness.

This switch from feeling like life’s a drag to getting juiced with positive vibrations happens in a split second. Good thing you can access this happy state in an instant.

Why is singing is so helpful. Because you’re using mind and body, Plus your emotions. Singing gets you physically moving, mentally focused and makes you feel good. It’s the same reason babies and children love to be sung to.

Clara often sings instead of talks while she’s playing. When I was a child, my sisters and I did the same thing. Our dad often recorded us at play while singing to ourselves and each other.

The profound relief you will feel when applying your voice in a harmonious way is instantaneous. Muscles relax, smiling feels more natural and nothing seems to faze you. Singing exercises the brain And body. When you sing, your heart lights up. You sit or stand up straighter and breathe more deeply.

What it really boils down to is this. Your voice is your feeling-communicator. The sounds coming from your body will always tell you and everyone else how you’re really feeling. Not so much the words coming out of your mouth – but the vibrations of your voice.

Next time you want to complain, try singing a song first. Use your voice to help you. Otherwise, you may want to remain silent.

Stand up and sing the first song you feel in your heart.

Warm Regards,

Tania Gabrielle French

P.S. Playing a musical instrument also stimulates both your brain and body. As does listening to music and words spoken with a deeply positive vibration. To get a complete package of positively charged music and profound wise words, go here NOW.

Turn on You Inner Light Switch

I’ve been practicing for an important presentation I’m giving in May. It’s a topic dear to me - namely, how your name affects your destiny.

My first run-throughs were more like info-gathering sessions. As a result, they felt totally uninspiring, and definitely not fit for an audience. I was still feeling my way around the whole idea of sharing something so important with so many people.

So I kept practicing and having fun with the whole process. Clara and I switched off pretending to talk in front of a large group of people. At first she was the pro, I the amateur.

Several days later, lightning struck.

And I mean lightning. I was lit up from the inside out. My practice had reached the point where all the information I gathered was now stored in my brain.

Now I needed to turn up the light inside. The first thing I was prompted to do was to take deep belly-expanding breaths and focus on relaxing my body.

Then I took the microphone. I imagined the scene exactly like I wanted it to be.

That in-spired me. I began speaking with joy and passion. Yes, I had made a mental guideline, but the fun came from not having any idea of exactly what I was going to say next. Sentences and words emerged and changed mid-stream. Out came an energy so potent – I was moved.

And THAT was my discovery.

I didn’t separate myself from what I was saying – and subsequently my audience. I was actually communicating with Myself. I was interested in what I was going to say next. Hey, this was fun.

I’ve been practicing this way for days. My words are never the same. But, once I’m warmed up and in the zone – BAM – the fire’s burning and all I have to do is stay focused.

This incredible energy is one I now recognize as being the same one I get while composing music. I didn’t know it could be transferred to other things.

So, I learned a profound lesson. I learned that my intention is the gateway to in-spiration. No matter how small the matter is, intention and inspiration are like identical twins. The one is always in touch and in tune with the other. If one is missing, the other is too.

Think of it this way. Every word and thought is formed with an intention. That intention is like sound – it travels. But the light with which the sound is colored is either inspired or not. That light is the key as to how deeply the sound or thought will penetrate your heart and mind and the hearts and minds of those around you.

You can bet, if you’re inspired, so will others be too. So, from now on, I’m looking at my thoughts as light bearers.

My barometer is as follows: When I FEEL lit up inside, I’m on the right track. When I don’t feel this way, I’ll take a timeout - breathe deeply, do a few stretches. Get back in touch with my body again. My awakened body then sends ripples of light to my mind and heart.

The Ancient Egyptians had a phrase for this. They called it “Awakening the Intelligence of the Heart.”

Turn on your inner light switch. I bet you’ll fall in love with yourself over and over again.

Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French

P.S. Other people and sources are crucial to turning your inner light switch on. When you find your source of inspiration, refer to it often. Listen to any of the 5 CDs in The Secret Power of Words and Music and get in-spired instantly.

This Girl Feels Joy

When I was young I wanted to be a gymnast. I got very good at tumbling without actually going to a gym.

You may not think music and sports have a lot in common, but they do. Like with so many seemingly unrelated things, there’s a strong link. The joy of physical movement is directly connected to musical rhythm and melody.

Find me a dancer who isn’t musical. Show me a great gymnast who doesn’t understand rhythm and line. Doesn’t exist.

It’s really easy to spot a great athlete, or great actor, or writer, or teacher. First, their presence radiates a pure joy for what they do. And secondly, when you watch them, hear them or read their words, you start feeling their rhythm – and it feels Good.

One such athlete is Australian gymnast Daria Joura. Originally from Siberia, she moved to Australia with her parents when she was seven. Now she is her adopted country’s leading gymnast.

What makes Daria so special is her joy. She literally incorporates it into all her routines. In fact, before she even begins, she’s doing something totally unique in this sport – she has created her own salute.

Before a routine, a gymnast must salute the judges by raising their arm while looking over to the head judge. They have to wait until they receive a signal before saluting. Sometimes this wait can be lengthy. This unknown factor can play mind games with a waiting gymnast. So, their salute says a lot about their current state of mind.

Daria has accomplished something that sets her apart emotionally and mentally. At the recent world championships she dared to change the salute to suit her needs.

Before each routine she swings up her arm, throws her head back and grins ear to ear while looking skyward – as if she is greeting a celestial judge. It’s an incredibly powerful thing to see.

Here is why Joura does it. ‘My salute really came about as a means to ‘wake myself up’ before my routine. It gives me a confidence boost and really captures attention.’ Yes it does. And with four gymnasts on the floor in a huge stadium at any one time, capturing the audience’s attention is a huge boost for an athlete.

She commands attention. She is a leader and has the charisma to influence both her team and the whole audience to root in her favor. She understands the power of good vibrations.

This 16-year-old inspires me to feel the joy in everything I do. To keep that internal smile, no matter what is going on.

Get your smile going externally And internally for the ultimate joyride. Do it while exercising, working, driving – anything. Joy is contagious and the best motivator in the world.

Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French

P.S. Look for things that bring you joy. Like the words of confidence and joyful music in The Secret Power of Words and Music that will last you for a lifetime. Order now - only 12 copies left for a lucky few.

What’s in a Name?

Our daughter Clara is on a roll. For 18 months, since Halloween 2005, she has not gone by her given name.

We’ve been asked to call her everything from luggage, airplane, aspen, exercise and carousel (those were the early days of ‘thing’ names) to bristle brushes, horsy, propeller, kitty cat, shrink, lookie, and one of my favorites – Mazookable. Luckily for us, she’s gone for girl names lately. Zenda, Nahara and Victoria.

The first question her friends usually ask her is, ‘what’s your name today.’

When we refer to her as Clara in conversation with other folks, she instantly corrects us. ‘I’m not Clara. I’m Victoria.’

Initially she gets very excited after initiating a name change. To the point where she tells strangers about it. Many a golfer across from our home has heard her announce boldly, ‘I’m Tova today.’ Golfer replies, ‘Hi Tova, I’m John.’ While I stand there and chuckle to myself.

So, what’s in a name?

A lot. In fact you can tell much about a person from how they choose to call themselves. My mother, who was German, often asked ‘Why is it so many Americans shorten their names.’ She preferred Michael to Mike, Kathleen to Katie, and Robert to Bob.

I used not to care much about what people chose to call themselves. Now I’m very aware of how changing a name, even to a nickname, Completely changes the vibration.

Just listen to the difference between Jennifer and Jen, William and Bill, and Elizabeth and Liz or Beth. The ring of Elizabeth is beautiful and regal. Imagine a Queen Liz the Second. Wouldn’t work. Or Prince Bill instead of Prince William. Royalty have always known the power in a name.

The vibration of a name is lowered, or reduced, when you take away letters and create a nickname. There’s a lot more to your name than might be expected.

Soon, I’ll be making an announcement about this very important and personal subject. Maybe I’ve piqued your interest today, but wait til you hear how much more a name reveals.

The secrets of your own personal vibrations are about to be unveiled. Stay tuned.

Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French

P.S. Words are no different than names. Except they aren’t personal. Every word has a vibration. Words that release positive vibrations will super-tune your mind and spirit. Just listen to the sounds and words in the The Secret Power of Words and Music 5 CD package.