Do you frequently use search engines? Probably – they’re the modern day phone book after all. As someone who hits Google’s search page more times than the Williams sisters hit tennis balls, I know a search engine’s beauty and value.
However, something’s starting to worry me just the slightest. People don’t just use search engines for movie reviews and recipes. Some turn to search engines when they need information about health problems, childcare information, and so on. And why not? It’s the information highway, right? There are countless experts and informative websites lined up and waiting to give us just the information we’re looking for.
The problem is, there are also a lot of pit stops – places where there’s absolutely no value whatsoever. What’s worse, they may have information that could do more harm than good.
For a lot of topics, the ones that show up first are from forums and other user-driven websites. Don’t get me wrong, these serve a great service and there are individuals on these sites that could drive so-called experts to note taking. However, let’s be honest. There are some subjects that are just too serious to leave to chance.
You should have a certain number of websites and sources that you completely trust and should use them when you’re searching for information – especially 
medical information. If one of my daughters has a temperature, for example, I want the most up to date information and advice – and I want it from a medical professional. We should make sure that the young people in our lives understand this as well. They’ve grown up with the internet and don’t always question it’s wisdom or advice. To say that this could be dangerous would be as understated as the fact, itself, is scary.
This thinking led me recently to set up a Self Help Resources page on Self Help Daily. It includes what I think are the top medical information websites, inspirational blogs, my favorite fitness website, and so on. The information will grow and the “Recent Articles” will change, so be sure to check in on it often. I’m testing out a number of newsletters for a special section as well and am pleased to report that there are some really well done e-mail newsletters out there. I foolishly thought that they were fading, but there are lots of them that are in beautiful full bloom.
I’m taking this Resources page extremely seriously, so if you see a website, newsletter, or book on this page, rest assured I’ve put thought into it and believe in my heart of hearts that it will not let you down. Bear in mind that it’s still in the building process. What you see in place is just the beginning, I haven’t even added all of the categories!
