Sunday, September 12, 2004
_____________________________________________________________
In This Issue...
* DON'T MISS THIS IMPORTANT STOCK MARKET WARNING
* DON'T BE A VICTIM: ADVICE FROM A BODYGUARD TO THE STARS
* MODERN MEDICAL DILEMMA: TOO MANY CURES
* HOW TO STAY UPBEAT AND STAY HEALTHY
* CONSUMER ALERT! HALF YOUR LOVED ONES ARE ABOUT TO BE STIFFED
BY THEIR MEDICAL INSURERS!
* TAXES ON GAME SHOW WINNINGS
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Dear Friend,
Safety is an issue most of us are concerned with. There is
the obvious concern of terrorism. In fact, the news brings
an unending report of terrorist threats and armed conflict.
Apart from world matters, there are everyday
threats that aim to harm us physically and mentally.
We spoke with a man whose job it is to protect Hollywood's
elite. He shares some alarming facts about personal safety
as well as ways to protect yourself should you be attacked
on the street.
Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. Negative mental talk
can eat away at our self image. Surprisingly, this practice
can cause a host of physical ailments if not corrected. Smart
ways to keep yourself healthy...
Jessica Kent
Editor
BottomLineSecrets.com
Special Offer
*************************************************************
DON'T MISS THIS IMPORTANT STOCK MARKET WARNING
You must act immediately to prepare for the volatile market
ahead.
Current economic, political and security factors are
forming a turbulent market climate that will bring masses
of unprepared investors to their knees.
But a select few investors who see it coming -- and act
accordingly -- will prosper.
Don't be left out. View the full report right here:
http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/TRZ/WTRZE907/
*************************************************************
Don't Be a Victim
Advice from a Bodyguard to the Stars
Pat Malone
Special from Bottom Line/Personal
No one ever believes that he/she will become the victim of a
violent crime. Statistics, though, can't be ignored. Someone in the
US is murdered every 20 minutes... and there are 30 to 50 serial
killers in the US at any one time, according to the FBI.
Here's how to protect yourself in an emergency...
BEST DEFENSE
Carry a cell phone, and preprogram it to dial the police emergency
number, usually 911. A cell phone shows that you are prepared -- and
criminals avoid prepared targets.
When you suspect a situation might be dangerous, immediately call for
help. If you hit the preprogrammed 911 button and can't talk, the
police still might be able to find you. Many police departments have
electronic locators.
If you don't have a cell phone, fake it. Reach into your purse or
pocket, and pull out your compact or wallet. Cup it in your hand, put
it to your ear and pretend you're talking. If the criminal thinks
that you are calling for help, he/she may leave you alone.
Poor defense: Pepper spray, mace or a weapon. You won't have time to
look for it if you're caught off guard. Even if you do try to use it,
the criminal may be able to withstand the weapon and turn it on you.
IF YOU'RE APPROACHED
Planning is vital. Nearly everyone without a plan hesitates and loses
the first critical seconds that he needs to escape. Result: The
victim is at the mercy of his assailant.
If you're confronted by an armed person -- whether you're male or
female, old or young -- try to escape. Don't argue or plead with your
assailant. Take out your wallet and drop it on the ground. Set down
your purse. Take off your watch or jewelry. Then run, making as much
noise as you can to attract attention.
Your assailant most likely is a robber, not a killer. If he wanted to
kill you, he would have shot you first. He probably will grab the
goods and make his escape. Even if he has a gun, he probably won't
shoot... and if he does shoot, he will be too stressed to aim
properly.
If a stranger tells you to get in a car -- don't. Do all you can to
resist.
Every violent criminal says, "Do what I say, and I promise I won't
hurt you." Don't believe it. Once a criminal decides to move you, he
is no longer just a robber. He has something else in mind, probably
rape or murder.
If he grabs you, you probably won't be able to kick or punch him.
Instead, gouge out his eyes.
Many criminals are high on drugs or alcohol. Unless you cause severe
pain, he might not feel it or he might be able to withstand it.
If you can't reach his eyes, bite him as hard as you can -- he will
let go.
When he loosens his grip, pull free and run. Yell, "Fire!" -- not
"Help!" It attracts more attention.
If you are locked in a car trunk, kick out the taillights, stick your
arm out the hole and wave like crazy. The driver won't see you, but
others might. Also: Some car trunks have an internal release. Become
familiar with your own car before an emergency.
PREVENTING TRAGEDIES
Of course, it is best to avoid dangerous situations. The basics...
Even if you think you're safe... pay attention. Criminals really are
lurking. When a criminal sees someone who is distracted, he will
strike... and act before you are aware that there is any danger.
Trust your instincts. If a situation makes you uncomfortable, get out
fast. Your intuition often is right.
Project the image that you're alert and ready for action. Keep your
head up, and walk briskly. Women -- if you're on the street or in a
parking lot and someone catches your eye or looks you over -- look
back at him. Sending the message that you see him and won't be
surprised is a good deterrent.
Don't be nice to strangers. We all have an inclination to help
others. Criminals know this and take advantage of it. Don't let
anyone stop you to ask for change, directions or the time.
Avoid places that are potentially dangerous. Don't drive through bad
neighborhoods to save time. Take the elevator, not the stairs. Use
ATMs inside buildings whenever possible. Exterior ATMs expose your
back to people on the street while you are distracted, making you an
easy target.
Parking lots and garages are dangerous places. Don't walk into an
empty parking garage alone. If you notice a single man sitting in the
car next to yours, don't go to your car. Return when the man has gone
or call the police.
Don't park next to a van or between two sport-utility vehicles.
Before getting in your car, look under and inside both your vehicle
and the one next to yours. Once in your car, don't sit there with the
window open, chatting on your cell phone. Immediately lock the doors,
start the car and leave the area.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Pat Malone, a protective services
consultant based in Cleveland. He has served as a bodyguard for the
Philippine government, the Saudi royal family and a number of
American celebrities. He teaches hand-to-hand combat, close-quarter
battle and defensive and survival tactics to law-enforcement agents
and members of the military. Malone speaks to groups about personal
safety. His video, Taking Control, is available by calling
800-316-2186.
Special Offer
*************************************************************
MODERN MEDICAL DILEMMA: TOO MANY CURES
Until the 1950s, we just didn't know much about the major
health problems. About 90% of our scientific studies have
come since that time. Now we have the opposite problem. We
now have too many ways to cure cancer... too many ways to
cure heart disease... too many ways to deal with strokes...
and on and on.
Fifty years of research have given us mountains of studies
and a wealth of new options. The end result is that with so
much to read, we're still not sure what to do about our
rheumatoid arthritis or hypoglycemia! It's great to have a
choice -- but which remedy do we choose?
Read on...
http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/blpnet/offers/order_ihs_mag.html?l=2&sk=157420&[EMAIL
PROTECTED]&sid=E091204A2A
*************************************************************
How to Stay Upbeat and Stay Healthy
Gregg D. Jacobs, PhD
Harvard Medical School
Special from Bottom Line/Personal
Everyone has internal monologues that conjure up worst-case
scenarios, but our initial reactions to stressful events often are
out of proportion to the actual facts. Your check bounces, so you
worry that your credit is ruined. You arrive at work late one day,
and you're afraid your boss will be angry.
Such negative automatic thoughts (NATs) can impair our physical and
emotional health. Mental negativity stimulates the amygdala, the part
of the brain that assesses threats, to unleash anxiety and anger.
This is a valuable defense mechanism when threats are real -- but
destructive when we concoct scenarios in our minds that emphasize the
negative and exaggerate potential harm.
Multiplied over the course of a lifetime, NATs can contribute to high
blood pressure... headaches and digestive complaints... a weak immune
system... depression... and other common health problems.
MANAGE MENTAL MONOLOGUES
A technique called cognitive restructuring (CR) can turn off some of
the negative chatter. Studies of patients who recover from depression
have shown that only 30% who practice CR suffer relapses, compared
with 60% of those given pharmacological treatments. CR also is
successful at treating anxiety, panic disorder and eating disorders.
To tame toxic thoughts...
* Be aware of your stress reactions. When you're under stress,
monitor your thoughts. It's very easy to get caught in a cycle of
negativity without really being aware that you are.
* Say "stop" when you catch yourself churning out negative thoughts.
You can say it out loud or in your mind. It's a mentally decisive
step that breaks the cycle of escalating NATs and negative emotions.
* Breathe. After you say stop, take a deep breath. Hold it for a few
seconds, then let it go. Just one or two deep breaths can help you
relax and divert your attention from the negative mental cascade.
* Reframe the internal monologue. NATs represent a distorted view of
reality. Once you realize that you're seeing things in the worst
light, you can reframe negative thoughts in a more realistic -- and
usually more positive -- way.
Three ways to help you see things more positively...
* Ask yourself key questions. Is this thought literally true? Am I
"awfulizing" and assuming a negative outcome? Is there another way to
look at the situation? The answers to these questions can lead you
toward a more realistic analysis.
* Weigh the situation against past experiences. Suppose you're stuck
in traffic on the way to a doctor's appointment and you find yourself
thinking the worst. The doctor could be angry -- but you've probably
been late getting to appointments before and nothing has happened
(assuming that you don't have a reputation for tardiness). NATs
naturally deflate when you remember that similar situations in the
past turned out fine despite your concerns.
* Be a friend to yourself. Most of us are much harder on ourselves
than we are on our friends. We encourage our friends to find the
positive in negative events... show them empathy and warmth... and
help them put things in perspective. You should do the same for
yourself. Ask yourself, What would I say to a friend with a similar
problem? Then follow that advice.
The "stop-breathe-reframe" technique takes time to master because
NATs are so automatic and habitual. With practice, nearly everyone
learns to turn off, or at least turn down, negative mental chatter.
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Gregg D. Jacobs, PhD, assistant
professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston. He is author
of The Ancestral Mind: Reclaim the Power (Viking).
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/014200457X/blpnet
Special Offer
*************************************************************
CONSUMER ALERT! HALF YOUR LOVED ONES ARE ABOUT TO BE STIFFED
BY THEIR MEDICAL INSURERS!
WHAT AN OUTRAGE! Our experts now estimate that more than
half of all Americans will have their health claims and
treatment requests denied by cost-cutting insurers. They're
counting on you to throw up your hands, but keep reading
and they'll soon march to your tune...
Read on...
http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/blpnet/offers/order_sc_mag.html?l=2&sk=138610&[EMAIL
PROTECTED]&sid=E091204A3A
*************************************************************
Answers to your questions from Bottom Line Experts...
If I win a big prize on a game show, is it taxed? How?
Answer from tax attorney Randy Bruce Blaustein: Such prizes
are taxable income. If you win a noncash prize, such as an
automobile or vacation trip, you'll have to find the cash on
your own to pay the tax -- or sell the prize to get the cash.
The value of the prize is reported by the show on a Form 1099
that is sent to you and the IRS. That reported value is not
necessarily definitive -- you can challenge it to try and
reduce the tax bill by showing that the prize actually has
a smaller fair market value than reported on the 1099. The
likely way to do this is by showing that similar items are
actually sold for less on the market, though, of course,
the details will depend on the nature of the prize.
Our inside source: Randy Bruce Blaustein, Esq., senior tax
partner, R.B. Blaustein & Co., New York City.
*************************************************************
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