As an alternative, keep a daily journal of blessings you experience.

Whichever way you count your blessings, you'll gain perspective and be better able to resist making comparisons when you see how others are blessed.

Tips 3, 4 and 5 can be used in moment when you begin to compare yourself with someone else.

TIP 3. EXHALE.

It's amazing how a timely exhale can create space for serenity and perspective.

Start by bringing your attention to your breathing, at your belly. Don't try to manipulate your breath. Just notice it, following in-breath and out-breath through several cycles. Then, on an out-breath, let thoughts of comparison leave your body.

Once you've blown comparison away, you might ask yourself, "Is this where I want to put my energy today?"

TIP 4. ACKNOWLEDGE LOSSES.

When you find yourself making a comparison, notice whether other person's success is reminding you of a hope or dream you have set aside. If so, be kind to yourself, and take time to recognized your loss.

TIP 5. SHIFT INTO GRATITUDE.

Try this tip now. Sit back comfortably. Think back to a time when you were feeling pull of comparison trap. Now, try shifting to a perspective of gratitude. Once you make shift, notice how you feel.

Gratitude is tremendous empowering. Shifting easily into gratitude may take a few tries, but it's a skill well worth cultivating.

YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR CAREER ARE UNIQUE. As you learn to focus more and more on your own life with calm, loving attention, you can leave comparison trap far behind.

(c) 2004 Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC

People using cell phones simply take longer to react, and miss things that would allow them to avoid collisions. Even when not at-fault, cell users were unable to avoid collisions with others.

Your cell phone records can and will be subpoened in case of a lawsuit involving an accident, by way.

So why not, when you strap kids into their car seats, lay cell phone down on floor beside them and turn off ringer?

Cell phones are great for productivity and personal safety. Just make sure you aren’t using yours to call EMS after a car accident caused by fact you were using yours while driving.

Go here http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/phon-ndx.htm for tips for safe cell phone use in car (if there is such a thing). And when you buckle up, buckle up cell as well.

P. S. And don’t let grandparents off hook either. According to National Public Services Research Institute for AAA, where cell phone use in car is concerned, distraction effect in drivers over age of 50 is 2-3 times as great and encompasses all tasks – placing calls, simple conversations, and complex conversations. They increase response time by 33-38%.

With statistics like this, can legislation be far behind? But do you need legislation to do what’s right?