Many experts have declined to comment on the status of the internet addiction disorder for a long time. It was not really intended to be part of the wide array of disorders that threaten the modern person’s sanity at that time but as move on into the digital era, the very idea of internet addiction as a form of diseases is no longer remote. In fact, many health professionals are now convinced that too much attachment or destructive type of dependency on the internet can already be classified as a form of disease. Yes, there are still a lot of criticisms and discussions to be resolved before this type of disorder can be included in the books but the possibility that this type of disorder will indeed become a leading form of mental disorder in our generation is not really remote.

What most people online who think they are addicted are probably suffering from is the desire to not want to deal with other problems in their lives. Those problems may be a mental disorder (depression, anxiety, etc.), a serious health problem or disability, or a relationship problem. It is no different than turning on the TV so you won’t have to talk to your spouse, or going “out with the boys” for a few drinks so you don’t have to spend time at home. Nothing is different except the modality. What some very few people who spend time online without any other problems present may suffer from is compulsive over-use. Compulsive behaviors, however, are already covered by existing diagnostic categories and treatment would be similar. It’s not the technology (whether it be the Internet, a book, the telephone, or the television) that is important or addicting — it’s the behavior. And behaviors are easily treatable by traditional cognitive-behavior techniques in psychotherapy.

People who work online and spend so much time working in front of their computers are not exactly what you may call as internet addicts. Internet addiction is much more than just spending some time online trying to earn a living. In fact, even if you spend several hours surfing the net but you do feel this obsessive need to be online most of the time, you cannot really say that you are already an addict. We must understand that addiction is a strong word and before you can say that you are addicted to something, you must have that uncontrollable and insatiable craving for that something. Internet addiction therefore should be viewed in a more complex manner than just simple need to be online most of the time.

When exactly can you be considered as an internet addict? According to some experts, internet addiction happens when one becomes dependent on some aspects of the internet. Having a pathological relationship with some specific online sires such as those online gambling, online auctions, adult sites and others can actually make one an internet addict. A lot of people who are hooked on these sites often become agitated and restless if they cannot log into the internet and check out these sites during the day. In fact, some people are known to spend long hours on these sites that they often forget some themselves. In most cases, internet addicts face their computer the whole night that they can no longer function well during the day. According to some experts, denying this person access to the internet may result to extreme anxiety and withdrawal symptoms.

I have a 6-year-old boy so the movie “Cars” has been a big hit in our house. He saw the movie in the theater and we have all watched it several times since it came out on DVD. I have come full circle in my appreciation of the movie. The first time I wanted to see it because he had enjoyed it so much. Then repeated viewings got on my nerves. However now I have come to appreciate the important life lessons my son — and I — can learn from this family-friendly movie. Even if you do not have a child who wants to see the movie, I suggest you check it soon to see what you can take away from the experience.

The single most important lesson that we can take away from “Cars” is the importance of teamwork. The main character learns an important lesson that is easily understood by children that no one can succeed alone. Lightning McQueen learns that not only do we need friends in our times of need but that we gain from helping others as well. By the end of the movie, he fully appreciates the value of friendship in living a happier and more fulfilled life. We can all benefit from learning how to be a good friend.

When the movie opens, Lightning McQueen is a winner and he considers winning the most important (if not the only important) focus of his life. Obviously, this holds true for much of what our society and culture teaches children (directly and indirectly) when we know as mature adults that winning is not everything. Lightning learns that there are many things more wonderful in life than winning. By the end of the movie, while he still wants to be a winner he is a much happier person because he has other ways to measure himself a success.

Finally, “Cars” teaches us that doing the right thing can be rewarding. This encompasses lessons that Lightning learning including completing a job well done and helping others. In the end, his decisions to do the right thing rather than focusing on winning at all costs turns out to be far more rewarding.

While I am the first to admit that most of us need to mitigate the impact of media and popular culture on our children, I think it is important to celebrate the movies and television shows that have a positive effect. The movie “Cars” is a positive influence on children because it teaches three important life lessons including working together, winning is not everything, and being a good person can be rewarding.

Psychologists believe that our capacity as human beings depends on what our minds truly believe to be possible. “It’s all in the mind”, as they say. In order to show how simple this idea is, a concrete example may serve to illustrate it. Two students, without their knowledge, were subjected to an experiment. Both were of the same grade level, age, and nationality. They were instructed to take a long jump activity as part of a physical education class. Girl 2 was shorter than girl 1. It was expected that the shorter girl would initially feel hopeless because of the obvious size advantage of the other girl so, without receiving any motivation inspiring words from her coach, trial 1 was allowed to begin. As was expected from trail 1, the shorter girl lost by a distance of around 5 inches.

Trial 2 followed immediately after trial 1. With some proper coaching and motivational words this time, the shorter girl won by 1.5 inches! How did this happen? It happened because the power of belief and attitude. What happened exactly was that an explanation about the height advantage of the girl was re-contextualized for the shorter girl. She was told that she actually had an even advantage with the taller girl because of her lighter weight. When she saw the taller girl as being “heavier” than her, it was enough motivation to inspire the shorter girl to focus on her own strengths and to use them to win. It’s all in the way you look at it.

Inspirational words can totally change the direction of our lives. We often see life as a scary place with dangers around every corner. We may not even recognize the fact that many of our fears are hidden inside us and controlling us at every turn. Others, on the other hand, may see life as a series of opportunities to challenge themselves because they have overcome these hidden fears and opened themselves up to a world of extra energy that was also hidden inside them but covered and stifled by the fears that surrounded it. It doesn’t take a major change in many cases to alter the direction of your ship. One small turn on the wheel can eventually result in a completely different section of the globe that you will sail to! As soon as you change one of your coordinates, the direction of your entire life will also change. You will begin to see everything around you as reflecting of this new change and it will provide you with even more inspiration to try even greater things.

Inspirational words can really be found everywhere. It’s just a matter of being able to see them. From our homes, our schools to our workplace, there are opportunities to find inspirational words. From the movies we watch, the books we read, the music we listen to and the people we talk to every single day of our lives, we can be inspired to do great things. These are words, which may just be simple words, can hit the deepest part of our souls and awaken us to be reminded of the true essence of who we are. From there we will find ourselves capable of living our lives more peacefully and more harmoniously with others.

Next time you think about where you want to find some inspirational words, just look inside yourself and ask yourself what’s stopping you from picking up one of the thousands of books out there that teach the most simple truths of all. What’s holding you back from making a commitment to read just five or ten pages a day to improve your life? The inspiration is deep inside yourself and the words that you are looking for outside are only a means to help you find that place inside that you already had to begin with. The greatest inspirational words there are those that will come right out of your own heart and mind. They will be the ones that bring you to make a change and to reach for the stars.