Would you be more likely to safeguard yourself from a computer virus or a human virus like H1N1? If you said computer virus, you are among the 49% of Americans who are more likely to protect yourself from attacks by malware such as spyware, Trojan horses, and phishing than bacteria that can cause viruses like the flu.

With millions of Americans storing critical data and personal information online, computer viruses carry increased threats to our daily lives.  The most common cause of computer malware are websites that download and install files without your consent.  They can also come from files on USB drives, portable hard drives, CDs, email attachments, and sites that share files.  The primary intent of viruses isn’t to harm the functionality of your computer.  Their main goal is to hide and live on your computer undetected so they can replicate and spread in order to provide their creator with profit.

Just like good hygiene and hand washing can prevent the spread of seasonal viruses, computer viruses are preventable. Independent research conducted by Kelton Research indicates that while we are more likely to ward off an attack on our computers, only 3 out of 5 of us are confident we would know the correct course of action to take if our computer was infected.

Here are some basic tips to prevent a computer virus: (more…)

Where you aware that June is “Internet Safety Month?”

Throughout the month of June, Internet safety organizations, law enforcement, educators and others have been amplifying their efforts to raise the awareness level of the potential threats that lurk online, including the potential threats to our children.

As part of the effort to raise awareness, I was asked by Wired Moms to assemble a group of DC Metro bloggers for the 2010 Wired Kids Summit. This summit  is led  each year by cyberlawyer and WiredSafety Executive Director  Parry Aftab and her “Tweenangels” and “Teenangels.”  The purpose is the deliver cyber-safety research and information to government officials and various on and offline organizations. They also present awards to their favorite sites and individuals that they recognize have made the Internet safer.

I was blown away by those in attendance with me:  Facebook, Google, MTV, Disney, Nickelodeon, AOL, X-Box, Department of Homeland Security, 17 Magazine and others.  Wow, right?  It is amazing to know that these companies take cyber-safety so seriously.

Some key messages on cyberbullying, presented by the Tween and Teen Angels:

Cyberbullying is real and it is rampant. Of the 42,000 middle school students surveyed, 80% of them report that they have been cyberbullied.  Parents need talk to their children about staying safe online and what to do if it happens to them.  Teach your kids that they can’t hide behind the words they type and the images they post.

Never forget that cyberbullying hurts deeply. Most victims internalize the messages received at the hand of a bully. Parents should truly listen and try to understand the incidents.  It is incredibly important that parents become familiar with the technology their tween or teen uses so they can be familiar with the situation and be there to support their child.

Don’t react. If your child is targeted by a cyberbully, tell them not to respond.  Bullies usually are looking for a reaction from their target.  Instead, encourage your child to work with you to save the evidence and talk to you about it. If the bullying persists, share the record with school officials or local law enforcement.

A terrific resource for parents and teens on this subject is STOPCyberbullying.org

I used to be moving at manic speed.  No, really.  I was  a whirlwind.  Now, I am “recovering.”  I’ve been in a self-imposed “recovery” for about three weeks now.

Just like every other mother that I know, I have a lot going on in my life.  So many things vying for our time.  So many responsibilities. Torn between them all. Not doing one of them well.

I am here to tell you that I am not longer manic.  I am coming out from under the mania.  I am conquering it.

As I write this it is 7:30am.  My husband has left for work. My kids (miracle of all miracles) are asleep and instead of “getting a jump on the day”  and running throughout the house at top speed, I am sitting on my favorite chair with a nice cup of coffee and listening to the bird’s sing.

Do you know how long it has been since I have taken a moment like this?  I can’t even begin to contemplate that.  Sure there is laundry to fold, a bathroom to clean and oh yeah, a bedroom half-painted and client work to begin but instead, at this moment, I am blogging.  I am blogging because I love it and it makes me happy.

And when I am centered and happy I react so much better.  I prioritize so much better.  I am a better ME.  Which, of course, makes me a better wife, mother, business owner, blogger, friend and neighbor.

You might be saying to yourself, “Duh, Jen.  Every magazine in the world runs stories on this topic’s importance.  Why WOULDN’T  you take time for yourself?”

I guess I just didn’t think it applied to me.  It is the ole’ superwoman cliche.  I guess I always believed that I was above all of those pressures. Like somehow I was different.  That those rules didn’t apply to me.  Stress?  Health concerns? “Emotional breakdowns?” That was something that happened to OTHER WOMEN.

<ahem> NOTSOMUCH.

I’ve been chronically tired. I’ve gained weight. I’ve been moody and I have been disorganized.  Combine them all and you get one hot mess of a woman.

So one day last month I literally said “FORGET IT!” (Actually, it was the spicier version of that phrase, but you get my drift.) And I turned down an future family obligation. Then I passed up an unbelievable opportunity. And then I didn’t post a blog.  And then I sat down and READ A BOOK.  AND I refused to feel guilty about it. So radical, right?

I’ve kept it up.

You know what?  I am breathing again.  I am feeling healthier.  And I am managing life instead of letting life manage me.  Now, I evaluate every opportunity that comes my way.  As exciting as it may sound, I weigh it against my goals.  And if I can’t do it well or it will add too much stress, then I turn it down.

Revolutionary, I tell you!  I’m happier.  My kids are happier and my husband is much happier. And my clients get my undivided attention.

So, I ask you, are you managing or are you manic?  What steps are you taking to simplify your life and gain control of your sanity?  Is it a constant struggle between obligations and opportunities?

A resource: 72 Ideas to Simplify Your life

“What is your passion?”

It was a simple enough question, one that I should have been easily able to answer.  What IS my passion?  As I sat there listening to the life coach guide us in an exercise on Saturday night, I tried to clear my mind and really dig deep to answer.  Really concentrate.  And you know what I came up with? Nothing. 

NOTHING.

Isn’t that just sad?  I couldn’t identify my passion.

I had way too many thoughts in my head and not one CLEAR answer.  I knew what the obvious answers might be but I wasn’t FEELING THEM.  It was like all of my interests were gone.  There was nothing that truly sparked for me.  It seemed as if my entire life was now a faded black and white photograph where once it had been filled with vibrant colors.  I have to tell you, coming to this realization was shocking.

Stepping back from it, I realize that now am MOTIVATED.  I need to clear out my life and my obligations.  I need to get “un-busy” and re-connect with  myself so that I can remember what fills me up.  I think it is time for a little self-realization.

I know I am not alone in this. I think in today’s society it is so easy for women (and men) to find themselves engulfed in the day-to-day administrative details of life.  Running kids here.  Picking up groceries there.  Sprinting to the bank.  We FORGET who we truly are and what WE TRULY LOVE.  Obviously we love our families, that is easy.  But what about ourselves?  Where do we find joy?

The three questions that stumped me the other night I now ask you:

• What is your passion?
• If time and money were no object, what would you do?
• What excites you?  What makes you happy?

Something to think about, huh?

On a similar note,  I just read a fabulous post by Jenny the Bloggess about her RED DRESS.

“I want, just once, to wear a bright red, strapless ball gown with no apologies.  I want to be shocking, and vivid and wear a dress as intensely amazing as the person I so want to be. And the more I thought about it the more I realized how often we deny ourselves that red dress and all the other capricious, ridiculous, overindulgent and silly things that we desperately want but never let ourselves have because they are simply “not sensible”. Things like flying lessons, and ballet shoes, and breaking into spontaneous song, and building a train set, and crawling onto the roof just to see the stars better.  Things like cartwheels and learning how to box and painting encouraging words on your body to remind yourself that you’re worth it.”

She goes on to challenge readers to think about what they need and what they are too embarrassed to ask for.  “Find your red dress. And wear the hell out of it.”

Excellent advice, Jenny!  I think I that is what I am looking for… my red dress.  I suddenly feel the need to go on a shopping trip.  I’ve got a dress to buy.

How about you?

I promised that I would take you all along for the ride in my quest to train for the NYC Marathon.  So here is my official update:

THE GOOD: For the past three weeks we (Katie AKA “Fab Running Partner”) have been slowly ramping back up our mileage.  We’re doing a combination of flat long runs and hilly runs.  At this point our pace is pretty yucky but we are feeling strong.  Last weekend was five miles of hills.  AND I MEAN HILLS.  Surprisingly, our pace was the same as our long flat runs which means WE CAN DO BETTER.  This weekend we are due for a seven miler.  Ideally we would like to be able to hammer out 10 mile runs at a 9:30-10:00 minute mile pace before we begin our “official” training program at the end of June.  I think we are on track.

THE BAD: I am still having a hard time getting up to do those darn weight sessions.  I know that it is crucial to my strength as a runner, not to mention to my overall health and hopes to loose all that darn weight I gained over the Winter. Blech!

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Yesterday I bought these… Yep, AviMotion Toning Shoes. I’ll let you know what I think of them.  They pink (of course) and super cute.  My girlfriend swears by them but since I just started I am not sure yet.  I paid a lot for them so I am hoping I don’t regret it.  I am following @AviMotion which is great in case I need some answers.

Don’t forget! I am running for charity so if you would like to make a donation to support “Run For Something Better” you can do so here! (I just got some fun “thank yous” in the mail that I will be sending everybody that donates!)