Expecting similarities between the German and English language is a normal idea. It is actually typical for anyone speaking English to hear distinct and familiar words which they could make out from a German conversation by just listening to it. Doesn’t matter if it is understood or not, what is important is that the German language has already made its impression to a foreigner yet again.

Yes, it’s true. Similar words from the German language can be found in the English language as well. But there are words that need double-checking too. One word from the English language can mean another in German. Though it isn’t suggested to learn just the words when one is learning to speak the German language (which means one has to start from the very beginning), because it would not be of any use anyway; the learning experience and means can be done in various methods.

Media is one of the best things about living in this generation because everything can be heard and watched easily through communication tools such as TV, the Internet and mobile phones. You can even learn German just by subscribing to podcasts and since you can bring an ipod anywhere (if you have one); it even makes it more convenient!

Going back to the language proper of German, it is suggested to concentrate best on its uses especially the articles that are commonly found before a German noun. It could get a little confusing but of course you can’t expect to speak fluent German in a day. Even those who have been speaking German for years now and were able to immerse in Germany doesn’t claim that they have a knack in speaking the German language already.

Another area of the German language you need to look in to is the pronunciation. A word in German may have the same exact spelling as an English word but it is pronounced differently. The pronunciation has to be thick, solid and should always come from the back of the throat. The pronunciation part needs a little effort because native German speakers can distinguish whether it is right or wrong.

The best learning source is a German speaking friend. A person who grew up in Germany is better because from him, you can learn a lot about what’s proper and not. This way, you’ll also have a personal language coach.

Staying fit is a great goal that will help you lead a longer, healthier life but if your brain can’t keep up, then what’s the point. The brain is a muscle too and it follows the same “use it or lose it” policy as your other muscles. So how can you keep your brain fit? Brain exercise is the answer.

Two of the most important factors in keeping your brain healthy are traditional exercise and nutrition. Keep your body healthy and your brain will follow suit. But after that there are other ways to exercise your mind.

You’ve probably heard people describe one of their older relatives like this, “my Uncle Larry is a sharp as a tack, he does the New York Times Crossword puzzle everyday.” Well, Uncle Larry has the right idea but his execution is a little off. You see the best way to stimulate your brain is to break free of everyday activities and challenge yourself in new and unexpected ways. By doing the crosswords everyday, he has created a familiar routine that becomes less challenging everyday. Uncle Larry, it’s time to add Word Searches and Sudoku for some variety.

Activities to exercise your mind:

* If you’re right handed, trying brushing your teeth with your left hand

* Try accomplishing something with your eyes closed, such as putting the key in your front door or walking to your fridge

* Try a different route on your daily commute

* Reconstruct your day by writing down what you did. For example, if you take a trip to the zoo, when you get home try to write down all the animals that you saw in the order that your saw them.

Your mother may have told you that playing too many video games will turn your brain to mush, but she was wrong. The Nintendo DS Lite has a few games that are designed to exercise your brain and they are quite good. They’re varied enough to avoid becoming routine and continue to challenge even after repeated playing. But the best part is that they’re fun to spend some time with.

I recently played my cousin’s copy of Big Brain Academy on her Nintendo DS. The game consists of a bunch of fun puzzles that you try to finish in a set amount of time. Just as you get the hang of the puzzle, it’s over and there’s a new one to try. When I finished, the game informed me that my score was that of a hair stylist.

If you’re trying to fight off the effects of old age, exercising your body is great but don’t forget to exercise your mind.

Do you tell yourself that you are not a creative person because you can’t draw or play an instrument or write poetry? I often hear many of my clients bemoan, “I’m not creative!”

This isn’t true! We all have the ability to be creative – it is a God-given gift – but you might not be noticing or enjoying your particular form of creativity. It’s important that you become aware of which forms of creativity are fun and fulfilling for you, because expressing your creativity is a powerful way of feeling filled up and joyful within.

Creativity naturally pours out of my three-year old grandson, as it does out of all little children who are given the opportunity to express it. When I was spending time with him recently, he was playing with a children’s microscope that has little slides with various bugs and other little creatures that he can slide in. He slid in a little shrimp and then starting running around the room saying, “Grandma, the shrimp is in the heater! Get it out!” Once I coaxed out the little shrimp, it now magically appeared under the table, or in the lamp, or back in the heater! He delighted in running around pretending this little shrimp was everywhere and engaging me in his magical game, laughing as he thought up new place for the shrimp to hide! I could see the pure joy he experiences in expressing his creativity.

How can you express your creativity in everyday ways?

Perhaps you really love scrapbooking or making photo albums, creating ways of enjoying memories. Do you enjoy setting a beautiful table, or creating a lovely flower arrangement from flowers that you grow? Do you love creating a wonderful garden? How about creating a bulletin board in your home or office for others to enjoy? Perhaps you just enjoy putting on music and allowing your body to dance around the room. Do you love being in your workshop, making things out of wood for yourself and others? One man I know decided to express his creativity by carving a totem pole, even though it was something he had never done and had no idea how to do it!

Maybe picking out fabrics and making clothing or blankets is fun for you, or knitting or crocheting for yourself, family and friends. Do you have fun making cards with stamps? Maybe you enjoy making collages with pictures from magazines.

You might be a person who expresses your creativity through your kindness or through your humor. Perhaps volunteering is a form of creativity for you. Perhaps you have learned to express your creativity in saying something kind to each person with whom you are in contact throughout a day.

The point is, all of us have many ways in which we can express our creativity, and expressing it is vital to our wellbeing. It is a wonderful form of play. If you spend all of your time just getting things done and do not allow time for your everyday creativity, you will not feel alive and content within. The old saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” applies to all of us. We feel dull inside when we don’t allow time for play, for creativity, for kindness to ourselves and others.

Creative expression will occur naturally when you open your heart to yourself and others, allowing the gift of creativity to flow through you from the spiritual source that is always available to you. New ideas are always waiting to be expressed through you – you just need to open to them and allow the time for them. When you do, you will feel the joy and fulfillment that comes from everyday creativity!