Welcome to the next dimension of excellence!

cover story, page 10

Pho

to b

y A

pril

Ren

ee

Capree Foundation

is making a difference

VETERAN’S

Living Life with a Sense of

Passion & Purpose, Part 1

premier issue 2012 HEALTH

PROGRAMS

LEADERSHIP

EDUCATION

Publisher’s Message

Fitness Focus

Cover Story

Empowered to Live

Vo l u m e O n e

One in every 5,000-7,000 babies born is a child with

Marfan syndrome and theCapree Foundation want

to make a difference.

Informing Veteran’s on important information they

can use in prepaing for the future.

Living life with a sense of passion and purpose is

imperative for everyone.

Allow HM Publication to feature your business.

Bridge Ball Squeeze

A - Lie on your back, with

your hands at your sides on

the floor. The ball is between

your knees.

B - Tilt your pelvis up,

creating a contraction in your

abdominals and pushing your back into the floor. Then return to a relaxed position.

Benefits: Tones the inner thighs and relieves stress in the lower back. Perform 10-12 repetitions. You

will need a exercise ball, basketball, or beach ball.

Bottoms up

A

B

A

B

Benefits: Complete leg workout and

perform 10 – 12 repetitions.

A – Stand with feet shoulder width apart

and knees bent.

B – Bend forward from hips and place

elbows on knees with palms together.

Straighten legs, lock-out knees and bend

knees.

Third quarter

exercise focus:

LEGS

Single-Leg Balance Step-Out A - Place a resistance band just above your ankles, and stand with feet together and hands

on hips, fingers pointing toward the floor.

B - Extend right leg in front of you, foot flexed, then bring it to the right, and finally, behind

you.

C - Reverse motion to return to starting position to complete 1 rep.

Benefits: Works outer thighs and gluteus. You will need a resistance band.

Perform 10-12 repetitions then switch legs to complete set.

A C B

Clamshell Tie a resistance band

around your thighs, just

above your knees, and lie

on your left side with

knees bent and legs

stacked, left arm extended and hand on floor in front of chest.

Keeping the feet together and lift right leg. Return to starting position.

Benefits: Works outer thighs and gluteus. You will need a resistance band.

Perform 10-12 repetitions and then switch legs to complete set.

A

B

Recipe for salad, dressing and smooth drink on page 8

HELP Magazine│7

W e l c o m e t o t h e n e x t d i m e n s i o n o f e x c e l l e n c e !

Veterans of the United States armed forces

may be eligible for a broad range of programs

and services provided by the U.S. Department

of Veterans Affairs (VA).

There is an e-booklet available online at

www.VA.gov that contains a summary of

benefits effective January 1, 2011. It also

contains a directory of numbers and facilities.

This booklet may be downloaded in English or

Spanish from this website.

Most VA benefits laid out in the booklet have

certain eligibility requirements such as

“discharge from active military service under

other than dishonorable

conditions.” Dishonorable discharges will

result in VA benefits being barred from the

veteran. Benefits could also be blocked if a

veteran is in prison or is on parole. An

outstanding felony warrant will disqualify a

veteran for any benefits completely, according

to the e-booklet in the “Introduction” section.

Included in the e-booklet is healthcare in

chapter one. The chapter discusses a variety

of new and old medical programs for disabled

veterans or veterans suffering from mental or

physical ailment as a result of the war. On that

note, disability compensation, in chapter two

and three, is also explained. “Veterans with low

incomes who are either permanently and totally

disabled, or age 65 and older, may be eligible

for monetary support if they have 90 days or

more of active military service, at least one day

of which was during a period of war,” the

booklet states. Veteran’s continued on page 13

EDUCATION - Section

I am sure that most of you have seen the following quotation on the internet:

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check

made payable to “The United States of America 'for an amount of' up

to and including their life”. Information submitted by Al Spinks

The 2010 Census showed the resident

population of the United States on April 1, 2010,

was 308,745,538. (Source www.2010.census.gov)

According to the American Community Survey

there were 21.8 million military veterans in the

United States in 2010. According to my

calculations our military veterans consist of just

over 7% of the population. Which means that 7 out

of every 100 people in the United States were

willing to write that blank check and pay for it with

their rear ends?

Here are some interesting statistics about our

military veterans that are based upon the 2010

census. (Source: 2010 American Community

Survey)

Gender

Of the 21.8 million military veterans living in the

United States in 2010, 20.2 million of them were

male and 1.6 million of them were female,

Ethnicity

2.4 million were black veterans, 1.2 million were

Hispanic, 265,000 were Asian; 156,000 were

American Indian or Alaska Native; 28,000 were

native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; and 17.5

million were non-Hispanic white. (The numbers for

blacks, Asians, American Indians and Alaska

natives, native Hawaiians and other Pacific

islanders, and non-Hispanic whites cover only

those reporting a single race.)

Their Ages

9 million of these veterans were 65 years of age

or older and 1.7 million were younger than 35.

When They Served

7.6 million (35%) Vietnam era veterans: (1964 -

1975).

4.8 million Served during the Gulf War (1990 - 2010)

2.1 million served during World War II

2.6 million in the Korean War (1950-1953); and

5.5 million in peacetime only

49,500 served during the Vietnam era and both Gulf

War eras and no other period

54,000 served during World War II, the Korean War

and the Vietnam era.

Living veterans in 2010 who served during two

wars and no other period:

837,000 served during both Gulf War eras.

211,000 served during both the Korean War and the

Vietnam era.

147,000 served during both World War II and the

Korean War.

Disabilities

3.4 million veterans have a service-connected

disability rating.

Where They Live

States with 1 million or more veterans in 2010.

These states were California (2 million), Florida (1.6

million) and Texas (1.6 million).

Benefits Available to Veterans, Dependents and

Survivors

Since there are so many military veterans, the next

question to be asked is: “What benefits are available

not only for the veterans but also for their

dependents and survivors?”

HELP Magazine │ 9

HELP Magazine │13 W e l c o m e t o t h e n e x t d i m e n s i o n o f e x c e l l e n c e !

Special License Plates

Special Parking Privileges Law

To get the details about these benefits go to the

following web site: www.tvc.state.tx.us/

(Source: http://www.vabenefitblog.com/federal-

benefits-for-veterans)

The leading advocate for veterans in the state

of Texas is the Texas Veterans Commission.

Each time a story about veterans is covered,

the media has an opportunity to change lives.

Over 1.8 million Veterans live in Texas

605,000 served during the Vietnam War

450,000 served in Iraq and Afghanistan

They answered the call. Through their service

to our country they have earned our sincere

deepest appreciation. In exchange for their

service it is our duty as American’s to help

Veterans, and their families, transition to

civilian life. As a nation we should all feel

honored to be able help them live productive

lives with the physical and emotional wounds

incurred as a result of their sacrifice.

Many do not know help is available. Help

available for medical care and independent

living services. Help available for securing jobs.

Veteran’s continued from page 8

Along with the above, many more benefits are

described including home loan guaranty in chapter

four, life insurance in chapter five, transition

assistance in chapter 10 and other federal benefits

in chapter 15.

Before you sit down to start claiming your benefits,

gather the following information to expedite the

process: form DD-214, DD-215, or for World War II

veterans, a WD form.

How to contact the Veterans Administration

Internet: https://iris.custhelp.com/

Toll Free: 1-800-827-1000

Benefits Available to Texas Veterans,

Dependents and Survivors

State Benefits for Texas Veterans Include:

Employment & Reemployment

Texas Veterans Land Board Loan Programs

Texas State Veterans Homes

Free Drivers License for Disabled Veterans

Fishing & Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans

Free Park Admission for Disabled Veterans

Free Recording of Discharges

Tax Exemption for Veterans

There is help available for education.

We are their advocate. The State of Texas

leads all other large states in monetary

recovery of veterans’ compensation and

pension benefits. More than $2.1 billion in

compensation and pension is distributed each

year to Texas Veterans and surviving family

members represented by the Texas Veterans

Commission. Texas leads the nation in

veterans’ employment with Texas Veterans

Commission Employment Counselors helping

more than 34,038 Veterans secure a job in

2010.

Source:

www.veteranshour.com/texas_veterans_benefit

s.htm

How to contact the Texas Veterans

Commission:

Veterans HOTLINE: 800.252-VETS (8387)

Local (Austin) Inquires: 512.463.5538

Email: info@tvc.state.tx.us

Please share this information with all the

veterans you know.

14 │HELP Magazine W e l c o m e t o t h e n e x t d i m e n s i o n o f e x c e l l e n c e !

LEADERSHIP - Section

Written by Al Spinks

HELP Magazine │15 W e l c o m e t o t h e n e x t d i m e n s i o n o f e x c e l l e n c e !

Next quarter story on young

leaders with

One of the most important, if not the most

important, human needs is the need to feel good

about our self. It is the need to reach our full

potential as human beings and to leave no cards

on the table at the end of our lives. It's the need to

spend every waking moment with a sense of

passion and purpose. I believe that when this need

to express ourselves completely is not met it

leaves us with “a hole in our soul”, an itch that can't

be scratched or an emptiness that can't be filled.

Many of us try to fill this emptiness with many

different immaterial and material things, such as

money, people, drugs, alcohol, power, sex,

relationships, etc. The funny thing is that the more

of these things we acquire, it seems the more that

we need. Instead of feeling good about having

acquired what it is we think we need we seem to

be driven to acquire even more. In the end, we find

out these things weren't what we really needed at

all.

Now don't get me wrong, there is absolutely

nothing wrong with any of the things that I've

named above. However when we seek to acquire

them in a manner that is not related to expressing

ourselves fully as a human being then they don't

provide us with the good feelings that we thought

they would. These things they just will not fill the

emptiness inside.

The real question is: “Is it possible to live our life

with a sense of passion and purpose”? Is it

possible to live our life in a manner that fills the

hole inside? And, if possible what prevents us

from doing so? In order to find answers to these

questions Dr. Bill Crawford was contacted.

He is a Houston-based psychologist, who has

developed a unique perspective on achieving

success that he calls “Life from the Top of the

Mind.” In addition to holding a doctorate in

Counseling Psychology from the University of

Houston, Dr. Crawford is the author of four books,

and an organizational consultant and speaker.

Over the last 26 years he has created over 3300

presentations organizations and professional

associations both nationally and internationally. In

addition, his two PBS specials have been seen by

over 15 million people and he has been quoted as

an expert in such diverse publications as The New

York Times,

Entrepreneur, Working Mother, The Chicago

Tribune, Investor's Business Daily, The Dallas

Morning News, and Cosmopolitan just to name a

few.

Dr. Crawford was asked a number of questions

regarding the subject.

Spinks: Can you tell me a little about your "Life

from the Top of the Mind" philosophy and how it is

unique?

Dr. Crawford: Sure, when I was getting my Ph.D.

from the University of Houston, I learned that

everything we think, feel, do, and say… how we

act, how we react, and how others react to us, has

to do with how the brain processes information.

Therefore, I have created a system that allows us

to access our best by accessing a specific part of

the brain, and avoid the stress and the frustration

that cause so many problems by avoiding a

specific part of the brain.

Spinks: I understand that "Life from the Top of the

Mind" is a three-part system. Can you speak a bit

to what each part is about and what it does?

Dr. Crawford: Yes, I like to deal with real life as

much as possible and start where people are.

This means, I first help them identify the situations

that trigger their stress and show them how this

engages the lower 20% of the brain. Then, in Part

I, I give readers and participants a five step model

that they can do anywhere and allows the to shift

to the upper 80% of the brain (what I call the “Top

of the Mind”). In Part II I show people how to stay

in this upper 80% and access their clarity,

confidence, and creativity regardless of the

situation. Part III is what I call “graduate school”

because it is the most challenging.

Here I show people how to interact with others

who may be upset with them or resistant to their

message in such a way that they shift from the

resistant brain to the receptive brain. This allows

them to hear and process what you are wanting

them to know. The challenge, of course is that we

must be coming from the clear, confident, creative

part of the brain in order to influence others.

That’s why this is the last part of my system and

why I call it “Graduate School.”

Spinks: I also see you feel this system can be

applied to all aspects of life. Can one use your

system to help manage stress?

Crawford: Sure, let me explain:

While everyone knows that stress, anxiety, and

frustration can limit one's productivity (and even

negatively effect one's health resulting in sick

days and higher medical costs) most people are

tired of traditional "stress management"

programs, mostly because the solutions offered

by such courses seem either simplistic (get more

rest and exercise) or passive (take a deep

breath and calm down), or both. The "Life from

the Top of the Mind" system offers participants a

new perspective on stress, not as the problem,

but as information being sent to the wrong part of

the brain. Then, as mentioned, gives them a

concrete, step-by-step system for regaining

control by engaging the upper 80% of the brain

and changing the chemical makeup of the

body.Participants like this approach because of

its scientific nature, and because it gives them a

new way to understand emotions and behavior,

as well as specifics on what they can do to regain

control without having to change the world around

them.

Living life story continued on page 19

Living Life with a Sense of Passion

& Purpose, Part 1

16 │ HELP Magazine W e l c o m e t o t h e n e x t d i m e n s i o n o f e x c e l l e n c e !

Celebrating life by giving back

Residents of Houston’s South Park

neighborhood who are expecting a baby

received free furniture, clothing, shoes and

miscellaneous items at a “Community Baby

Shower” last spring. Similar donations were also

made to families with infants and toddlers at the

event sponsored by Preparing Youth for the

Future, Inc. (PYF).

Cynthia Batieste, founder of PYF decided,

thanks to the Lord, by giving to the community to

celebrate her 61st birthday. In lieu of birthday

gifts, Batieste asked family, friends and co-

workers to donate new or gently used furniture,

clothing, shoes and miscellaneous items for the

event. They responded by donating two cribs

with linens, a car seat, a pack’n play, tons of very

gently used and new clothing, shoes and

miscellaneous items for infant and toddler boys

and girls for the “Baby Shower”!

The cribs were given to families who were each

expecting a boy. One teen mom-to-be due in

July needed and received one of them, the car

seat to bring her baby home from the hospital,

clothing, diapers and wipes, bottles and

accessories. A single mom received a crib,

diapers, clothing and bottles and other

accessories for her son who will be born in

August. Five teen moms received clothing and Recipient receiving baby items from Preparing Youth for the

Future community outreach.

shoes for their toddlers. And two unemployed

dads received clothing and shoes for their

toddlers!

Batieste commented, “It was successful

because God was glorified and families’ needs

were met. Those who donated items were very

excited to help meet those needs. It was a

humbling experience to see those grateful

families ‘shop’ for what they needed with

dignity. We are here to help one another.

Others benefit when we are obedient to God’s

instructions, as in this case.” Family, church

family and friends helped with donation

collecting and the Baby Shower event.

Batieste, a member of Houston Praise &

Worship Center, works for the Boys & Girls

Clubs of Greater Houston and decided to hold

the event at the Jim & Barbara Morefield Club

where she once worked. The majority of

members at the Jim & Barbara Morefield Club

were products of single parent and/or female

only head of household families and received

free school lunch, all indicative of living in

poverty; which is the reason Batieste chose to

hold the event at that location.

If you would like further information, to make a

donation or volunteer, please contact Cynthia

Batieste at 832-890-7919.

HELP Magazine is asking all

advertisers to support one another

in their business. Everyone has

unique products and service we

can benefit from. Encourage your

friends and family to support too.

If you support an advertisier from

this HELP Magazine, you will

receive an additional 10% off your next advertisement.

We need each other to

survivor !

The Meaning of It All

Have you ever felt like something was meaningless or useless? Do you feel as

though everything that you’ve been through was for nothing? Has anyone ever

come up to you and asked a question that made you think about your own

situation? Some may ask, “What is the meaning of it all?” These questions loom

and resonate through corridors of our minds and we steadily search for the

answer. I know when people come up to me whether they are young or old and

ask me what you think about this or about that or how do you respond to this or

that. My response is simple what is the meaning or purpose behind what you’re

going through. Enlightenment starts when we understand that everything has a

purpose and we have to endure hardships in life.

Suffering doesn’t have a race, gender, age or nationality, but we all have to go

through situations to help us to evolve and change. I heard someone say a

longtime ago when life gives you lemons then make lemonade. I had to come to

the realization after suffering and losing things in my life that I thought had

meaning. The lesson I learned was, even though you think attaining materialistic

things are important, they really don’t mean anything. Having friends are cool and

living the socialite life is grand, but when it comes to understanding who you are

can be the difference maker. It takes time to learn yourself and about the things

that are around you. We can’t allow people to define who we are and what we

think. Independent thinkers are the ones who base their opinions on how they

view life.

Dependent thinkers are ones who depend on the thoughts and opinions of others.

I don’t want to be bound by anyone’s thoughts or opinions because everyone

experiences life on different levels. So if I was to go through some particular

situation and the person that I talk to has never been through it then I’m wasting

my time. Question, what about the people who went through the same thing and

they’re giving me advice about my situation? Well, first of all look at where they

are coming from. Were they the victim of circumstance or were they the ones

committing the act? Perception is not always reality and what you hear is not

always what it seems to be. The meaning of it all has everything to do with how

you perceive things to be. It’s amazing how we can form our opinions based on

others perception of life.

Here is a key concept: When you have gone through any situation in life and you

learn the lesson it teaches you, it will open up your mind to a whole new world.

We evolve, adapt and change when we understand that there is a meaning to it all.

Life’s circumstances can either make you bitter or it can make you better, but it all

depends on how you view things. Lastly, realize that life is lived between good

days and bad days, happiness and sadness, ups and downs, triumph and tragedy.

Life is a journey and those who are up for the experience will enjoy the benefits

that it brings.

I’ll close with this quote by Maxwell Martz: The hardest thing sometimes for us

to do is to love ourselves because of our past or because we did not turn out

the way we pictured. But that picture was probably influenced by the vision

of others on how we are "Suppose To Be." You are perfect in every sense of

the word with an opportunity of becoming better. Whatever negative that

happen in the past is a character builder to help someone else in the future.

Once you become happy with yourself you are a light that everyone is drawn

to; and then you become who you always were, but better than what you

always "pictured." Maxwell Martz

HELP Magazine │ page 17 W e l c o m e t o t h e n e x t d i m e n s i o n o f e x c e l l e n c e !

The brothers encourage all future business owners to

“EDUCATE YOURSELF!” Educate yourself in all aspect

of business. Make sure you do your homework in the

areas of location, products, and the needs of your

consumers. In other words, have a detailed business

plan!

“I Sense” is created by JP Weekes, co-owner of Reggae

Bodega

Weekes & Dockins story continued from page 10

WRITE TO US!

We love hearing from our readers.

Feel free to drop us a line today.

EMAIL: Send a message to helpmagazine411@gmail.com

WEBSITE: Visit our site and be on our client contact: www. helpmag.yolasite.com

SALES: For advertising information, email us or visit our website

832.785.4471

Matthew C. Dever, Lead Columnist - Empowered to Live

W e l c o m e t o t h e n e x t d i m e n s i o n o f e x c e l l e n c e ! HELP Magazine │ page 19

Continued from page 15

Spinks: How can one use your system to sharpen

their leadership abilities?

Dr. Crawford: The challenge for leaders is that

their job requires them to not only deal with high

level problems with serious implications, they are

also expected to be able to predict the future while

consistently bringing out the best in others. This

requires them to be a combination of visionary,

effective problem-solver, and psychologist.

Unfortunately, these expectations can also result

in the type of pressure that engages the lower

20% of the brain, and creates a special brand of

stress, frustration, and anxiety.

This is where the "Top of the Mind" system is

extremely effective, because the abilities to plan

for the future and come up with creative solutions

both reside in the upper 80% of the brain. Plus, in

order to bring out the best in people (as well as

convince those "resistant others" to support your

ideas) one must be able to interact with them in

such a way that they shift from the lower, resistant

brain to the upper, receptive brain so that they

understand and act upon your directives

Spinks: That’s pretty interesting stuff Dr.

Crawford. Let’s see if I can throw you a “curve

ball”. I volunteer with a number of non-profit

organizations along with individuals from diverse

backgrounds? While we have a common goal of

helping the organizations, I find it difficult to get

everyone on the same page and build effective

teams. How can your system help?

Dr. Crawford: Everyone knows that teams at their

best can be an excellent source of innovation and

productivity. At their worst, however, they can be a

cauldron for competition, back-biting, rebellion,

and what can easily become the super bowl of the

blame game. What many people don't know,

however, is that both the best and the worst of

these traits emanate from specific parts of the

brain. That is, teams, like individuals can become

trapped in the reactive knee jerk, strike out, or

withdraw part of the brain as well. Unfortunately,

when this happens, it can be even harder to

correct because each team member is reinforcing

the problem.The Top of the Mind System

addresses this by first helping the team members

understand what is happening neurologically so

that they stop blaming the organization (or each

other) and begin to purposefully define who they

are as a team. The system then lays out a five-step

process that is "neocortex" in nature, and includes the

examination of beliefs, moving past issues that they

can't change, and taking 100% responsibility for the

qualities and behaviors they collectively bring to life.

Part 2 of Living Life with a Sense of Passion & Purpose

will continue in the next issue.

Give us your thoughts on

domestic violence and

bullying by August 15th.

Do you think we have

enough centers to counselor

those who are victims of

abuse and are men really

abused by wome?

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