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Attitude is defined as ones’ feelings or mood – Positive or negative – toward things, circumstances or people. No matter how you may choose to define attitude, it is one of your “most priceless” or disabling possessions. Attitude will shape your career. A great attitude will propel you forward, while a poor attitude will get you fired.

You, and only you, are in charge of your attitude! You must realize that your attitude is your choice to make, and that you alone can decide how to deal with events in your life. Your attitude will determine how you position yourself in life and what you get or don’t get out of life.

Attitude is important because attitude truly is everything! It drives virtually every decision you make and how you live each day of your life. Your attitude either propels you forward or holds you back.

Attitude is a reflection of the person inside, and while the external circumstances in your life can be chaotic, with a great attitude you can sill chart your path.

Viktor Frankel, psychologist and survivor of the World War II holocaust, observed a few men in the concentration camps walking through the huts comforting others, giving proof that everything can be taken from a human, but the last of human freedoms – the choice of ones attitude in any given circumstance – can not be taken.

The following points should be kept close at hand and read until they become the way you live your life on a daily basis.

• My job is to choose what kind of a day I want to have.

• I can tear myself down with negative self-talk or build myself up with “positive self-talk.”

• I can complain because of the rain or be thankful the grass is getting watered for free.

• I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or glad my present finances encourage me to plan my purchase wisely.

• I can complain about my health or be glad I am alive.

• I can complain about my lack of friends or a broken relationship, or go out and discover new friends and develop new relationships.

• I can complain because I have to go to school or open my mind and fill it with rich new knowledge.

• I can complain about having to go to work or appreciate the fact I am fortunate to have a job to go to.

• I can wait and see how my day will shape up and be, or I can plan and shape it to be rewarding and a positive experience.

• What today will be… is to a great degree up to me. My attitude… really determines my attitude.

Having a great attitude is not the result of having a great life; having a great life is the result of having a great attitude! Are you getting the results you want out of your life?

The wet season can also be the mold season in many areas of the country. Mold is often found near sources of water where it can easily grow and reproduce. As it grows, mold can breakdown and compromise the integrity and strength of the source in which it lives. When large amounts of mold spores grow, they can also compromise the health of the people living near it. Mold can be killed, but if it is not removed properly, it can remain in the area just cleaned and the dry spores can be released into the air.

There are professional mold remediation services that can help get rid of the mold in your home as well as any molded personal affects like documents, photographs and book. However, prevention is the best way to help keep your lungs healthy and homes and buildings strong. Rapid Refile has put together a few easy to follow tips on how you can help thwart mold from infesting your home. Below is a sample of what they say are real-life preventive measures a home owner can follow to reduce the likelihood of mold damage.

Home Mold Prevention Tips:

? Make sure there is good air circulation in your home by using exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen.

? Turn off the water flow to broken appliances and pipes to reduce mold growth.

? Replace cracked or defective mortar in basements.

? If you find your basement is wet or has water leaking into it, inspect the outside drainage systems for problems.

? Spread moisture-barrier materials like heavy roofing paper or polyethylene film in crawl spaces over the soil.

? Make sure there is good ventilation in the crawl space and, if possible, do not enclose it.

? Get rid of humidity or dampness within a building by heating it for a short time. After heating, open up the doors and windows, or use an exhaust fan, to let out the air that is moist.

? If there are freezing temperatures, take precautions against burst water pipes by insulating them.

? Make sure all the seals on the windows and doors are in good-working condition.

? Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.

? Make sure the ground around your building slopes away from the foundation so water does not collect around or enter in to it.

? Act quickly if you see condensation on windows, pipes, or walls inside a building. Dry out the area and determine if the source of the condensation is from a leak or the result of high humidity.

If your home or parts of your home become flooded by broken pipes or heavy rains consider the following advice:

? Work fast. Call in a mold remediation service, which will help in the cleaning and disinfecting of your home from toxins and spores mold can release.

? Lower the humidity and temperature in the building by turning on an air conditioner and a dehumidifier to slow mold growth.

? Dispose of moldy items in a sealed bag.

? Recoverable objects that can be saved should be frozen (which deactivates mold) or dried out. Mold remediation services can assist with restoring many of your items, including documents, pictures, and books.

? Make sure there is good ventilation within the building affected. Use a fan, if necessary, to promote good air circulation.

? Remove as much standing water in a building as quickly and safely as possible after disconnecting all electronic equipment inside the building.

Many simple steps can be taken to prevent mold damage as well as water damage during the winter months. This New Years, assess your home for any potential trouble spots that may promote mold growth and take the necessary precautions to keep your home safe and protected from the damage that water and mold can cause.

The Pacific Northwest — specifically Portland, Oregon — is renowned for pairing the convenience and luxury of urban life with the unmatched beauty of nearby parks and wilderness. Portland seems to be bursting with city parks, and Portland residents take great advantage of having a number of green areas right in their own backyards. The Forest Heights neighborhood of Portland is perhaps the best example of this combination; homeowners are treated to spacious and beautiful lots in the heart of a breathtaking natural setting. And the welcoming surroundings aren’t the only reason to consider relocating to Forest Heights. Top notch schools, clean streets and parks, and a bustling market center are just a few reasons why Forest Heights may be the perfect neighborhood for you.

It may be an old real estate axiom, but it still rings true; location, location, location. Nestled in the gorgeous, rolling West Hills of Portland, Forest Heights gives homeowners acres of pristine residential and forest areas to explore and enjoy. The neighborhood is conveniently located to the darling Northwest 23rd Street district, minutes from Downtown and a quick commute to the outlying Beaverton and Hillsboro areas. The natural beauty of the West Hills accents the diverse array of architectural types available to Forest Height homeowners. Unlike many cookie-cutter residential communities, Forest Height architects and designers make sure the mix of house styles is not only varied but aesthetically complimentary to the rest of the neighborhood. Classic Northwest-, Colonial- and Mediterranean-influenced houses mix to create as attractive a planned community as can be found in the Portland/Metro area.

Location may be important but it certainly isn’t everything. Luckily for homeowners, Forest Heights provides many opportunities for active residents to get involved in their community. Indeed, many Forest Height residents are responsible for helping maintain the charm and individuality of their own neighborhood. Apart from the beautiful parks, trails and old-fashioned streets, Forest Heights residents are also invited to participate in and attend special events as a way to build a greater sense of community and safety in the neighborhood.

Of course, a neighborhood is only as charming as its local merchants, and Forest Heights happens to have one of the most pleasant and convenient merchant centers in the area. The Forest Heights Village Center started in 2005 and boasts a broad spectrum of shops and services. Looking for a relaxing way to spend a Saturday afternoon? Treat yourself to a few hours of massage and beautification at DentSpa before checking out the fine hand-crafted needlepoint designs of In Stitches. Running errands between business meetings? Get those copies done at Postal Annex while shooting down some espresso from the nearby Starbucks. Or perhaps you’re looking for a fun or romantic night out with a loved one? Fill up at Pizzicato Gourmet Pizza and then try to squeeze in a little dessert at Sweet Ambrosia Bakery. Each business in the Village Center is on a five-year lease, meaning you won’t lose your favorite hairstylist or barista soon after settling in to your new neighborhood. And the Forest Heights Village Center also offers several special events throughout the year, such as holiday celebrations and summer music concerts. The Village Center offers such a dizzying array of shops and events, it’s amazing Forest Heights residents ever make it back to their homes.

For those home owners in the process of or planning to raise a family, Forest Park Elementary School allows children to get a solid education in the comfort of their own community. Forest Heights is also conveniently located to a number of Portland’s best public schools, and the Forest Heights bus service makes sure students get to their classes safe and on time.

Portland is quickly becoming one of the Pacific Northwest’s premiere relocation destinations, and with communities such as Forest Heights it is easy to see why. The jaw-dropping landscape, convenient location, community involvement, education options and merchant center provide residents with virtually everything they might need. Small-town simplicity is combined with urban eccentricities into one fun, safe and attractive community. If you’re looking into relocating to the Pacific Northwest, make sure to consider Forest Heights; it may be the best Portland’s West Hills have to offer.

~Ben Anton, 2008