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pil-lo-ry

noun :: A frame of adjustable boards erected on a post, and having holes through which the head and hands of an offender were thrust so as to be exposed in front of it.

verb :: To set in, or punish with, the pillory.

verb :: Figuratively, to expose to public scorn.

"Be that as it might, the scaffold of the pillory was a point of view that revealed to Hester Prynne the entire track along which she had been treading, since her happy infancy." --Hawthorne, Nathaniel

Whenever you are reading a novel, a magazine or a newspaper, make the extra effort to visualize what you are reading. Try to form a clear mental picture of the events about which you are reading. This will improve your ability to make good visualizations and improve your comprehension and enjoyment of the material. You can also do this if you listen to radio programs or audio books.

Do you ever remember something that you need to do right as you're about to fall asleep? After that, you can't fall asleep anymore because you are too worried that you'll forget it in the morning.

An easy way to solve this problem would be to have a pencil and paper next to your bed with a little flashlight. But if you don't have this handy, try putting something out of place. For example, throw a magazine or wadded tissue at the door. When you wake up in the morning, you'll notice the out-of-place item and be reminded of what you almost forgot.

You can use this technique for other situations besides falling asleep at night. For example, if you are in the car and need to remember something but can't write it down, open the glove box or ashtray and leave it open. When you park, it will be a reminder.

Try to remember some times in the past when you were totally relaxed. Maybe it was a recent vacation or a nice sunny weekend. What do these situations all have in common that might contribute to you being in a calm state? While you may have your own unique requirements, there are four common conditions that most people find contribute to calmness.

Physical Comfort
Pay attention to how your body feels and try to make it as comfortable as possible. Is your clothing comfortable? Is the temperature ok? Is your chair comfortable? Try to make changes to your environment to make yourself as comfortable as possible.

Fresh Air
Getting fresh air is a very important condition for calmness. This is one reason why the mountains or the beach are more relaxing than the city. Try opening a window to get a little fresh air.

Silence
People always try to find a quiet place to relax. As you go through your day, you are bombarded with noises. Traffic, people talking, babies crying, electronic equipment, radios and televisions all contribute to the noise pollution that can cause unnecessary stress. Eliminating noise from your daily life can help make you a calmer person. One way to do this is with noise canceling headphones or earplugs.

Stimulants
Caffeine, nicotine, sugar and other drugs all act as stimulants on the human body. You will never be able to fully relax if you are charged up with sugar and caffeine. Try switching to water, herbal tea or a diet caffeine-free soda.