There are vermin everywhere. In Northern Kentucky termite problems exists in many neighborhoods. In Cincinnati termite, mosquitoes, roaches and other pests exist. There are businesses that can very effectively address pests. Which begs the question; what is a pest. Quite simply a pest is an animal or insect that is not welcome. They are pests because they damage or destroy what is valuable to a person, pose health problems or interfere with a positive lifestyle. Termites can cause physical damage to buildings. Mosquitoes are annoying bugs that ruin a pleasant evening outdoors. They are pests since they mess with the life we would like to live. Pest control involves several fronts, attacking the pest directly, creating an environment that discourages pests from taking root, and staying vigilant so pests are addressed at the first sign. This method of dealing with pests can also be applied to bad habits and New Year’s resolutions.

As we start the New Year we often take inventory of our lives. We often find there are things in our lives that we would like to change. It might be an issue of weight or diet; it might be a matter of exercise or time. There might be a need for better health habits or creating a better life style. There are several ways to go about creating a positive change. If a house is being confronted by termites, the problem isn’t the termites, it is protecting the building. The very first issue is recognizing the value of the property. If the termites posed no threat to the house, they would not be pests. It is essential that we conduct an inventory on what is of value. The issue isn’t being fat, it is about putting a value on health and self acceptance. Many people that have become obsessed with weight focus on the blubber and not the motivating reasons. The issue turns into a fight to avoid becoming something as opposed to reaching for a better life. Even the best programs focus on losing weight rather then increasing health. When the value is placed on what is important, namely health and loving the body that we dwell in, new solutions appear and the problems become clear.

If weight is the issue, and for many people it is, the first question should be what is the goal; better health or improved self-esteem. The motivation needs to put the emphasis on what is of value, not what is unwanted. Keeping the attention on preserving and protecting what is of value brings more solutions and an open mind to addressing the problem.

If the value is on loving the body then there are several approaches that offer positive results. The first is an honest assessment of what the focus should be. Simply put, it is not about getting rid of pounds, but it is about increasing health or enhancing self-esteem. It is a fairly well known fact that simply beginning an exercise regime increases self-esteem.

Looking at all the issues that pester us we can easily begin to discover what is important and what we value.