Article: Before you can actually change any aspect of yourself, you'll need to acknowledge that something needs to change and identify the habit you wish to break. Perhaps someone has told you that you're doing something upsetting, or maybe you've simply recognized already that one of your habits is affecting your wellbeing in some way. Whatever your situation might be, identifying what isn't working well in your life is the first step towards change.  Think about all the undesirable situations currently in your life. Do you suffer from money problems? Health issues like obesity or smoker's cough? Hygienic problems? Give yourself an honest assessment and identify areas of your life that are causing you problems. Once you've identified the undesired situations in your life, take a step back and analyze your behavior and your actions to determine what you're doing that is causing/creating those situations. Are your money problems caused by compulsive shopping? Perhaps weight problems are caused by poor diet or lack of exercise? A smoker's cough is undeniably caused by smoking, which may lead to money problems as well. Most undesirable habits fall into one of three categories: habits of the mind (such as thinking negative thoughts about yourself), habits of consumption (like overeating or smoking cigarettes), and habits of behavior (such as anxious nail biting). Recognizing where your habit falls on this spectrum can help you identify other factors, like when and why you engage in that behavior. Now that you recognize what it is that's causing your problems, think about why you engage in that behavior. Every habit gives you something that you enjoy, even if that "reward" is simply avoiding something unpleasant that you don't want to do. Think about why you continue to engage in your undesirable habit, even though you recognize that it is causing you problems.  Some of the most common reasons for bad habits are attention, pleasure/gratification, excitement, comfort/validation, avoidance, and lack of consequences. Are your bad behaviors reinforced by others, or just by your own needs? Think about why your motivators (like attention, validation, etc.) are important to you. What do you get out of feeling that way? Sometimes recognizing your motivation will help you recognize your triggers. For example, you might be seeking excitement because of boredom, or seeking pleasure/gratification because you're stressed out. But other times your triggers might be less obvious. Before you can actually break your habit, you'll need to learn to recognize situations and scenarios that tend to precede your undesirable behavior. Train your mind to become more aware of your mood and your thoughts/feelings immediately before you engage in the bad habit. Studies show that commitment to change is a vital part of the transformation process. Without deep personal commitment, most people cannot change themselves or their habits.  You may be able to get support from friends/relatives, but you'll need to believe in yourself first and foremost. Making the commitment to transform your own behavior will help motivate you to work hard and break your undesirable habits.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Recognize your undesirable habit. Determine your motivating factors. Identify your triggers. Commit to change.
Article: Police work, at its foundation, is about protecting and serving people. To do this well, you have to see through the eyes of others, and try to feel what they do. Having compassion helps you make good decisions, especially in the heat of the moment.  For instance, if you find yourself in the midst of a domestic dispute where one party is agitated, compassion will help you realize that they are not necessarily directing anger at you to be threatening, but simply expressing how upset they are. Likewise, if you learn to recognize signs of mental illness, you can understand when an individual's behavior is caused by a disease rather than criminal intent. There are times when force is necessary to protect citizens or yourself. However, think of the question of whether or not to use force as a matter of human life, not the preservation of law.  Before using force against a person, ask yourself questions like “Is the use of force necessary in this case? Have I done everything I can to protect this person's life without the use of force?” Even if you were required to undergo training in the proper use of force, as your superiors if they can host a refresher course for officers. Being a police officer can be extremely stressful. If stress builds up and isn't dealt with properly, it can cause you to make serious mistakes on the job. As an officer, you do not want to harm anyone or just to less than your best because of stress. Make time regularly to relax and take your mind off of work concerns.  Try to spend time with friends and family as often as you can. Take a vacation if you have the opportunity. See a mental health specialist if you feel like stress is impacting your work performance.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Focus on developing a sense of compassion for others. Look to conflict resolution rather than the use of force. Seek a work-life balance.
Article: You should have a professional check to see that your furnace is working properly. Replace the furnace filter monthly and verify that nothing is obstructing an outdoor heat pump. Verify that your furnace is not on “emergency heat”. This will turn off energy-efficient settings and could double heating costs. Fireplaces can be a good way to heat your home, but an open chimney also exposes you to the elements. Be sure to have a fireplace door that you can close. In extreme cold weather, starting a fire can be counterproductive, because it will also allow this cold air in. If possible, you should have a professional visit your house to see if you have any insulation problems. Check for leaks in your weather stripping around your doors, windows, holes around pipes and the circumference of your garage floor. Use caulk to close up any holes.  On sunny days open your drapes to allow heat in. Be sure that heating outlets are free from obstructions. Move furniture and drapery away from the vent. Clean the vent regularly to establish proper airflow. Know what to leave alone. An insulated garage, porch, and attic are usually not worth the money that it would take to heat them. Close heat registers to save the expense of warming these spaces. Every degree that you lower your thermostat you are likely to see a 3% decrease in your energy bill. There are many things you can do do embrace cooler temperatures. Among them are:  Turning the thermostat down to 5 to 10 °C (41 to 50 °F) when you leave the house to see substantial savings. Wearing warm clothes when home. Eating hot, spicy food and drinking hot beverages. Exercising. Engaging in stressful activities.  Note that stress isn't always bad, such as an exciting video game. Better yet, combine exercise with stress, by playing active indoor games, like air hockey or Dance Dance Revolution (home version).[1] Evaporating water can cool the house dramatically. The walls and roof can hold heat from sunlight, then release it, inside the house, many hours later. Don't forget the roof!  Avoid this practice during a drought.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Check your furnace. Close the fireplace. Insulate your home. Learn to love the cold. Hose down the house on sunny days.