Monday, June 16, 2008

The Dating Game Part I

By Jaci Rae Relationshipfor some that word stirs up fears of commitment and for others it conjures up the idea of ever lasting love. For many on the dating scene ever lasting love is their ultimate goal but how do you find someone to go on a date with and once you do how do you go from date to relationship? While the person youre dating may be looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right, they may not be looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right now, meaning pull in the reins and go a little slower. But lets start at the beginning instead of jumping straight to the finish line. Lets get back to the basics. To get back to basics, lets start with a history lesson. Dating can be a scene right out of your High School memory banks. Many are haunted by memories of their first date and the nervous tension that resulted from the anticipation of it: Did I pick the correct outfit? Will I smell good to them? Is my breath okay? What will I say during those awkward moments of silence? Things havent changed that much since High School. Often the same questions come to mind and you will still get that same sense of nervous anticipation before embarking on a first date with someone. Dating can be a very intimidating time to even the most experienced and savvy dater. Recently I asked both men and women who dated frequently (3-4 times a week on average) if they still got first date jitters. The same answer echoed through 93% and that was a resounding, Yes! Amazingly enough, even those people who seemed confident and poised; those who seemed to have an endless amount of dating potential as well as a line of prospective suitors, still got first date jitters. So for those singles that still have troubling memories of their past dating experiences, how do you jump into the dating pool and begin to swim again? Unlike swimming in a pool filled with water, dont dive into the deep end of the dating pool first even if you remember how to swim. There may be sharks lurking waiting to attack. Its always best if you start in the shallow end of the pool first. Start out small by meeting people in groups at functions until you feel comfortable enough to seek out a dating partner. After that hurdle is crossed then by all means dive right in to the dating pool! Where can you find a dating pool in your area? Because many people have a select group of friends, they tend to see the same people at all of the functions, B-B-Qs, parties and other events. Same faces with the same stories that become all too familiar. So where do you meet compatible and available singles? Here are a few suggestions: 1. Find charity events in your area and attend them. 2. Look in your local paper for events that singles would go to. Social functions, chess cafs, ice cream socials, etc. 3. Find sporting clubs (the kind of clubs that actually have participation such as water or snow skiing trips.) 4. Take a specialty courses at a junior college or community center. 5. Go to your local coffee caf and sit on the comfortable chairs that are in the round to make conversation more likely. 6. Your local grocery store can be a buffet of single people. There are specific times and ways to approach people that I talk about that in my book, but dont have the space here. Use your best judgment. 7. Check out reputable online dating services (be careful, more later). If youre nervous, as most of us are, prepare for your first encounter just as you would when vying for a promotion at work. Practice ahead of time! Make up a little 3×5 flash card set with subjects you are comfortable talking about or questions that are conversation initiators (forget about the weather, thats a dried up subject). Here are a few you can use that are sure to spark some interest: 1. Read or watch the news ahead of time and discuss current events. Stick to positive uplifting ones and stay away from politics and religion. Example: Recently in the news there was a story about an autistic boy whose lifetime dream was to play basketball. To be close to the sport he did all the dirty jobs for both the boys and girls teams at his school. The last game of the season he was allowed on the court and scored a slam dunk. 2. Talk about your family (positively). Example: I have two brothers and one sister. Growing up we 3. Liven up the conversation with topics of any recent travels. Example: Recently I traveled to Washington State to see the Fish Market in Seattle. Talk about your experiences there and what you saw. 4. Ask about their career and how they happened upon it. Example: What do you do for a living? What made you decide on that career path? Did you go to school for your career choice? 5. Ask about their family (if they shy away, you need to also). Example: Do you have brothers or sisters? Does your family live close? These are just a few topics. If you cant think of any yourself pour over the Internet for resources on topics of conversation. While I gave you a few suggestions above, there are many more I am sure you can come up with. Because online dating has become the norm for meeting people I want to outline a few tips for using online dating services. When you join an online dating service you have much the same feeling of anticipation and excitement as you do when you are about to go on a blind date. The prospect of having people approve of you and possibly accept you as someone they want to have around them is exhilarating. But how do you create a powerful and compelling online dating profile? Youve heard that honesty is the best policyIt is. Be honest. The person youre trying to attract will eventually agree to meet you if you have written an eye catching profile. Eventually the real you will pop out. You dont want to get dumped once your feelings are involved. Statistics show that people can only keep up a faade of pretending to be something other than they are for approximately 3-6 months (there have been cases of years but thats not the norm). If you want to find Mr. / Mrs. Right, adhere to the honesty policy and represent yourself exactly as you are and not want you want others to perceive you. Be clever and funny in your profile but be sincere. (Think of the online dating profile as if you were actually speaking to them in person for the first time.) If youre funny, then show it in your writing. Dont tell someone how funny you are, e.g. Im funny and have a great sense of humor. That wont make them a believer. Here is an example of something funny and clever. Football fans will enjoy this one. (This is not for your profile but used as an example of funny lines I have used when talking to an audience.): If your partner is more concerned about that 3rd and 1 on television, than the 4th and 23 in your own living room, then you might be another statistic on the playing field of love. Tell them to not try for a 58 yard field goal, go for six instead. Do you see what Im writing about? Word pictures are very powerful tools that help draw the reader in and help to reveal who you are and what youre about. Another important aspect of your online dating profile is pictures. Show them a picture of you. A picture speaks volumes about who you are. If you say you are sporty but have a picture of you sitting on a couch, what does that say? Use a picture of you on a bike, in a race, waterskiing, etc. Dont use a High School picture if you are in your 20s or older. Use a recent picture. They will find out what you look like when they meet you. Why draw someone in and then have them ditch you if you dont look the same? The eyes reveal a lot in a picture. If they sparkle with whats called a catch light, the viewer will be more drawn to you. (A catch light is the little light that shows up on the pupil). If your eyes look suave, the viewer will probably click you away. Make sure to do a spelling and grammar check before you post to an online dating site. Words that are spelt incorrectly and bad punctuation can tune a lot of people out and then they will click you off. A few last words of advice: Forget about negativity in your profile and dont talk about ex-relationships. That will give the reader a sense that you are a serial dater and perhaps a heartbreaker. Avoid phrases like: I dont play games.; I love long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and romantic nights by the fire. You can show them that when you meet them. Every person I have surveyed in the past has said that lines such as the above are red flags and a sign that he/she is a player. Online dating can be fun, exciting and successful, but be safe and enjoy the process. When you finally connect with someone on an online dating site, agree to meet at a coffee shop during the day. Never go off in their car no matter how safe they seem, always take yours. Jaci Raes grit and determination brought her from a poor childhood to a successful singer and performer who tours around the world. She is the recipient of the “Female Vocalist of the Year” award at the Golden Music Awards in Nashville, as well as a Barnes and Noble and Amazon #1 Best seller. She is the author of The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money, as well as Winning Points With The Woman In Your Life One Touchdown At A Time. Jaci lives in California where she spends her spare time working on her music, writing and hanging out with family and friends. For more information, go to http://www.jacirae.com or http://www.winningromance.com About.com Dating Guide has just put Jaci’s book, Winning Points With The Woman In Your Life One Touchdown At A Time in the top six of all time dating / relationship books. http://dating.about.com/od/datingadvice/ss/RelateBooks_6.htm Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaci_Rae http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Dating-Game-Part-I&id=226547 faxless online payday loan best personal loan lotto payday results christmas fast cash advance
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Sunday, June 8, 2008

Come With Me To The Casbah!

By Debbie Rodgers A ripe persimmon is a thing of beauty sweet, succulent and an amazing shade of orange-red. Orange and red continue to be popular colors in decorating this year but 2004s shades are softer and more vibrant, like ripe persimmons and pomegranates. Dont limit these jewel-tones to the inside of your house. They can be incorporated into a beautiful outdoor theme by using the rich and exotic influences of Morocco. In countries such as Morocco, which line the balmy Mediterranean, curtains are often used in place of doors to allow breezes to circulate freely. Use gauzy fabric such as mosquito netting or scrim, a light, sheer, loosely woven cotton or linen cloth used for upholstery lining. Since its inexpensive, you can install luxuriously full draperies without going broke. If youd rather not have curtains, consider using the same fabric as a tent over a table or a chaise. Some nettings come with a center hanging unit, or you can easily make one of a 2 square piece of plywood and some rope. Intricate latticework is another element often seen in Morocco. You can emulate the look by edging pieces of plain lattice (the closer the weave, the better) with old carved porch posts. Paint roughly with turquoise or azure and then further distress the finish with sandpaper. Alternatively, you can install a carved wooden room screen. Wood furniture will give you the most authentic Moroccan look. Dont have wood furnishings? Try constructing a simple low-slung chaise from a used solid core door with six fence post tops screwed into the bottom. Paint or stain it to look like rich wood and top with a thick cushion (use an 8 foam mattress cut to measure). Use a heavy-weight fabric for the cushion cover and make sure its a bright orange or red color! You can improvise a table from a hollow core or solid core door set on cement blocks or stacks of bricks. Cover it with layers of rich cloths in your chosen colors. Youll find this table sits low to the ground and youll be able to eat in the traditional Moroccan way: sitting on pillows and rugs. Cover the cushions with co-ordinating or contrasting fabrics in rich finishes. Use azure, persimmon and lots and lots of gold fabric. Tiles are an absolute must in Moroccan style. If you cannot incorporate them in the floor of your space, by painting a tiled pattern on a wooden deck, laying tiles on a patio, or edging your pool-side cabana, be sure to pick them up in a tabletop, a plant pot, a wall-hanging or a large tray. Mix bright turquoise or azure blue and goldy-orange tile pieces in intricate patterns to capture the Moorish look. Moroccan-style lanterns usually have some sort of filigree work, whether wicker, metal or some other material. They are often pointed at both ends, necessitating hanging. Most often, they will enclose a flame, either of candles or small oil torches. You can also use white or ivory pillar candles instead of, or in addition to, hanging lanterns. Use accent pieces of dark wood or brass. Pile a brass tray high with exotic fruit such as persimmons, tangerines and glossy pomegranates. For greenery, use succulents such as banana trees and mother-in-laws tongue, and tropicals like palms and ficus. You can also add more color to your space with lush pots of bright geraniums. Use the rich color and sensual textures of Morocco in your outdoor space and this summer youll be escaping to the casbah! About The Author Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Visit her on the web at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Rodgers http://EzineArticles.com/?Come-With-Me-To-The-Casbah!&id=20072 christmas faxless payday loan payday calendars poor credit unsecured loans rome georgia cash untin payday
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Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Short Attention Span And Attention Disorder Solutions - Try The Natural Approach

By Robin J. Derry Nervous energy? Can’t concentrate? Meetings and school classes seem boring and pointless? Forget what you’ve just been taught? Never seem to know the time of day because you, and others, find you daydreaming? Your attention span may be wavering, and it’s not entirely your fault. When you consider the vast range of individual human behavioral possibilities, is it any wonder that a significant portion of humanity operates “out on the margins” of what can be loosely described as “normal behavior”? Attention Deficit Disorder Created By A Complex Brain. The mere fact that we can think a thought distances us from most of the animal and plant kingdom. 10 billion brain cells, each independently “networked” into as many as 25,000 other brain cells establishes “hard drive” complexity unmatched by any computer. Meanwhile, glands secrete powerful hormones like serotonin and norepinephrine to act as regulators over our mental landscape and “mood” as well as moderating physical pain sensation. Pump up from exercise, and brain toxins are flushed through in a rush of calm-making endorphins. Get the hormonal mix and brain network synapses slightly off-cue and you can rapidly de-construct into confusion, depression, sleep apnea…your attention span utterly fragmented. Attention Disorder - Psychiatric Drugs Approach. Facing an alleged “epidemic” in teen attention deficit disorder schools in particular have created a large and expanding market for administering psychiatric drugs. Arguing that these teens, and especially the normally fidgety and bored boys in the class, can’t concentrate nor complete tasks, teachers have moved “problem teens” to the school nurse and district psychologists for “evaluation and treatment”. * One Symptom Becomes Many Symptoms If You Look Hard Enough. Inexplicably, the case for “Johnny can’t seem to stay focused in class” mutates into action plans to treat “clinical depression”, “bipolar disorder” and even schizophrenia. It’s deeply true that boys will never be like girls…unless drug intervention occurs. * Vulnerable Kids Meet Powerful Psychiatric Drugs. The prescription menu for teen attention deficit disorder now includes branded psychiatric meds such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, Concerta, Adderall and others. Remarkable the school nurse’s refrigerator typically groans from the number and volume of prescription drugs now regularly administered to kids, often as a result of schools pressuring acquiescent parents. * Potential Drug Side Effects. Giving up on family and counselor intervention, families permit their kids to enter a potentially nightmare world of prescription drug dependency and medicated behavior they learn to associate as “normal”. Theory-based and clearly questionable in terms of the underlying science, attention deficit disorder medical regimens have been shown in a significant user-population to trigger the very symptoms that the drugs are meant to mitigate, namely attention disorder…depression…and even schizophrenia. Attention Disorder - Natural Herbs & Nutrients Approach. For hundreds if not thousands of years, knowledge about the plant kingdom’s psycho-tropic potentials has built up based on old fashioned “trial and error”. Forget anti depressants like Prozac when British and German scientists have established that powerful herbs like St. John’s Wort mirrors the effectiveness of the best man-made synthetic drugs…and without any of the side effects. * Key Nutrients. “Mood” management, especially naturally triggering serotonin increase can be created with supplements and even foods like oatmeal, turkey milk and pasta, plus vitamin supplements including B6, B12, magnesium, iron and zinc and others. * Exercise. There’s never a bad reason connected with exercise. Stimulate your body, trigger digestion and toxin release, mood calming endorphins kick in. You’ll sleep better, digest your food better, recognize and hold onto that “calm feeling”. Explore additional info regarding attention span difficulties, depression, and natural options for managing your brain health and moods while promoting natural rest and life cycles. Natural Strategies For Brain Health: http://www.wise4living.com/hfvit-brain/ Melatonin: http://www.wise4living.com/hfvit-brain/melatonin-sleep.htm Author Robin Derry is publisher for http://www.wise4living.com/ a specialty information site that gives solutions to health, household, sport, travel and legal needs. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_J._Derry http://EzineArticles.com/?Short-Attention-Span-And-Attention-Disorder-Solutions—Try-The-Natural-Approach&id=266086 free payday loan project payday login canadian payday loans saudi arabia tightens personal loan regulations
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Friday, May 30, 2008

Riverside DUI Fines

By Ken Marlborough Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or controlled substances affects a drivers sense and judgment abilities. DUI is responsible for a majority of traffic deaths. Intoxication makes a driver vulnerable and incapable of maneuvering a motor vehicle. In spite of these dangers, many drivers in the US continue to drive in a drunken state, endangering their own lives, as well as those of innocent bystanders. Though the offense cannot be completely controlled by law enforcement officers, certain measures go a long way in reducing the occurrence of such offenses. The imposition of heavy fines on the offender has been an effective method of controlling DUI offenses. When an offender is fined, it serves as a way to keep him from repeating the offense, because he has paid a price for his actions. Riverside DUI fines are proportionate to the severity of the offense. A minimum fine is always imposed on a charged driver. However, depending on the blood alcohol content levels and the cooperation with the cops, the amount charged as fines can vary. Serving a ticket for these offenses and rampant DUI fines go hand in hand in order to be able to prevent people from driving in intoxicated conditions. DUI fines also vary depending on the nature of the offense. This is determined by checking the probabilities of an accident or the seriousness of an accident that has occurred. Fines are also dependant on an offenders past records. If a person is a first time DUI offenders or a second time offender, the amount imposed as fine will be lower. When a person has multiple DUI convictions, along with the heavy fines imposed, the offender may even have to serve a sentence. DUI fines are mostly used for law and federal purposes. A large portion of these fines is used to bear the expenses of housing inmates. Along with a standardized DUI fine, new provisions in the law include imposing additional fines to fund construction and upkeep of prisons. This practice has been incorporated keeping in mind that many DUI arrests lead to the offenders serving jail sentences. DUI fines are mostly used for law and federal purposes. A large portion of these fines is used to bear the expenses of housing inmates. Riverside DUI Attorneys provides detailed information on Riverside DUI Attorneys, Riverside DUI Fines, Riverside DUI Defense, Riverside DUI Laws and more. Riverside DUI Attorneys is affiliated with Orange County DUI Lawyers Web. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Marlborough http://EzineArticles.com/?Riverside-DUI-Fines&id=252792 christmas no fax instant payday loan payday loans liar josie vogel from amw toronto hard money lenders for business loan fast cash online
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

In Pursuit Of Happiness

By Paul Pearson A curious thing can happen when we discover a sudden change in personal circumstances such as a life threatening experience or a forced sudden and dramatic transformation in life style due to physical or economic circumstances. Some of these people who, be they relatives, friends, neighbours or people we hear about in the mass media, may have been living together, in an ongoing state of irritation with conflict and anger on virtually every issue surrounding their life together, can suddenly make dramatic shifts, quite readily, in their consciousness. What became a relationship consistently of conflict or anger that had suffocated their love and happiness for many years disappears, with their disagreements fading away and becoming insignificant and their love for one another, OR LIFE IT SELF, re-emerges as though it had never left. What happens to cause this change of heart? Quite simply, we don’t know exactly how this sudden shift occurs or even when this kind of shift will occur. We do know that they exist and that they can and do occur. A sudden shift in awareness can occur in any area of human life that has to do with how we feel. Remember when you were much younger you probably believed in perhaps Fairies or fairy story characters or perhaps a more personalised manifestation such as a monster. At some point you realised what had been very real to you no longer existed as part of your reality. What was it that made you realise that these things were no longer real and that they or it, had only existed in your own mind? Why, at that particular time did this new level of understanding happen? Most of us go through these shifts in life. The imagined characters that seem real when we are young are predictable shifts but do vary greatly when the shift in our consciousness occurs. People have moments of autonomy, if only fleeting. Gaining the ability to achieve greater periods of sustained self-sufficiency is desirable as it enables you to become a whole person and enriched. Shifts occur when we look at the same set of facts or scenario in a new way producing another insight or understanding. Our ultimate concern or simply put our goal be it a shift or continuity or not, is what dictates control of our life and as a consequence our happiness. That ultimate concern determines other values, beliefs, associated goals, feelings, and actions. When we make other people’s approval our ultimate concern, then we make them our dominant force. We give up control of our lives and happiness. Seek your own approval not theirs. Let everyone have primary responsibility for his or her own happiness. Confusing “means” with “ends.” It’s not that having financial or career success cannot contribute to happiness. They obviously can contribute. But if one makes these means to happiness their end goals, then they become so focused upon the means that they may lose sight of the end happiness. We do not have one ultimate concern, as most of us are far too diverse or disorganised or confused to be dedicated to what our most important value is or may be. We all owe allegiances to several valued concerns that constantly conflict with one another sometimes to our knowledge and at other times are simply not considered. We have inner scuffles between our desires for success, love, friendship, security, fun, and contentment. Lack of integration among our higher values underlies much of our regular confusion and anxiety. Some people are afraid that if they make their own happiness a primary goal in life, they will become, too self-indulgent. Happiness is probably the only human state that measures our overall physical and mental well being. It results from harmonising among our inner parts. We cannot deny important parts of ourselves and be fully happy. Happiness and love go hand-in-hand. Loving someone means we value his or her happiness. When we feel love, we feel happy, even if the love is for an object, an activity, or a person. Responsibility follows control, so it follows that we are have greatest responsibility for our own happiness. Why should someone else be more responsible for my happiness then I am-or vice-versa? Have you ever been in a situation where no one will say what they really want and people are trying to make sure they please the other(s)? For example in trying to decide which restaurant to go to, one says, “Where do you fancy to eating?” “I don’t care; what do you want to eat?” This continues until both people become thoroughly frustrated. Is it not better if both people say what they want while considering the other’s wishes? How do you feel about other people being primarily in charge of your happiness? How happy would you be if you sacrificed what you wanted so that you can give it up to someone else? Do you feel more like doing something when you are doing it because you think you “should” or because you think it will make you happy? Happiness is a moment-by-moment choice that each of us make. We must first choose to be happy and then make a commitment to that choice without changing anything in your life except your relationship with your own thinking. Do not confuse a commitment to happiness with a way to make life better in some way. This may seem strange at first but I am sure you can recall changes in your circumstances that have not lead to an improved level of happiness. Earning additional money, solving a problem, acquiring qualifications does not produce happiness. Happiness exists independently of your circumstances. Happiness is a feeling you can learn to live in. Everything in your life is a consequence of the way you relate to your thinking. Commitment is an obligation and makes change much easier by removing uncertainty and anxiety and provides the freedom to let go of concerns as it fosters hope. Without commitment success in any venture is difficult. If you are dieting, stopping smoking, studying, starting a project or deciding to be happy, commitment is an important step. There is a great deal in life that is beyond your control. External circumstances touch us all, illness, accidents, other people’s reactions and their choices, all impact upon us. Despite all this you can make a choice regardless of what happens to be happy unconditionally. Attaching happiness to an outcome will simply create the same mental process to each specific outcome. Believing that happiness will come once you are married then leads on for example to being happy once you have children which then creates new circumstances to develop a new desire to obtain happiness having achieved the goal. For example, perhaps when your children pass certain stages in life such as the terrible two’s/ starting nursery/primary/secondary/sixth form/University/have a job/left home/get married is out the way, happiness will evolve and then you will be happy once you have enough money to meet the growing family needs. Believing that by solving our problems or improving our relationships will create contentment but this means that our happiness must be postponed until some future time when the preconditions are met. You may believe that you will one day arrive at a place, happiness but it will not be sustained without the decision to be happy. There is no way to happiness as happiness is the way if you are committed to the decision. Your commitment to happiness itself should let go of all your preconditions. No matter how difficult it seems learn and practice the mental processes that will lead to happiness. Being happy isn’t always easy. It can be one of the great challenges in life. Mature and take responsibility for your own happiness - right now. Understanding is the common sense of knowing something in the here and now and that our life experience comes from the inside out and not from the outside in. You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself. Galileo Focus on what you have and not on what you may lack. Commitment is the first step to bringing the future to the present. The author claims no credentials or special qualifications, other than a compulsion to write what he cares about. The author’s life has been marked by a generosity of spirit, by the vitality of his friendships, and by his personal struggles. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Pearson http://EzineArticles.com/?In-Pursuit-Of-Happiness&id=466799 christmas cash advance payday loan bad credit car loan walla walla bad credit need lower apr loan to transfer large debt no credit check stores
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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Weight Loss Remedy - Overcoming Weight Loss Excuses

By Michael Chang We often make excuses when it comes to losing weight. Because of this, we stop ourselves from doing our diet routine, gain more weight and get disappointed in the end. How do you stop making those weight loss excuses? You make many weight loss excuses and it automatically comes in without realizing it. Losing weight is not that easy but you have to discipline yourself. Next time, ask yourself why you make excuses every time you commit it. Some of the most common excuses include: No time to do any exercise. No time to prepare healthy meals. Too old to exercise. No enough support Not feeling well. Bored with exercising. The excuses mentioned above are just a few. You might have noticed that some are just lame excuses. So how do you stop making those weight loss excuses? Find out why you are making excuses. Are they acceptable? Or you are just thinking of another better way? If not, then why are you not taking some action? There are some who didnt like being overweight yet theyre doing nothing about it because they are afraid that they might fail and end up still overweight. Dont be afraid of change The way you think will affect how you succeed with your weight loss routine. The more negative you think, the more excuses youll commit and fail. Dont let your low self-esteem win over you. Strive harder for something that is important to you. Lack of time with exercises is the one of the most common used excuses because we are too occupied with other things. Lack of time is not a valid excuse because if we think that losing weight is really important for us, we need to find time to for it no matter how busy we are. Do as much as you can each day and youll feel more energetic. In order overcome weight loss excuses, know you need to understand the reason why youre making an excuse and think its importance to you. Discipline yourself; strive for a happy and healthy you. If youre having difficulties in losing weight alone, join support groups where you can meet people who can make your weight loss routine successful. Clinically proven products are also available to help you in your weight loss problems, such as Proactol, a new clinically proven fat binder. It is made of non-soluble and soluble fibers, immediately attaches to fats found floating on the surface of the stomach. This creates a fat-fiber complex that is too large to be absorbed in the small intestine, allowing the fat to pass naturally through the body. In clinical studies, Proactol has been proven to bind up to 28% of dietary fat intake. You can take it in after eating. Support groups and clinically proven products such as Proactol help you to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Check out our weightloss site for more information about Proactol. Popular Weight Loss Product Reviews Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Chang http://EzineArticles.com/?Weight-Loss-Remedy—Overcoming-Weight-Loss-Excuses&id=508821 get student loan with bad credit how to apply for an sba loan cash untin payday desperate for a personal loan
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Monday, May 19, 2008

Does the H&R Block Cloud Have a Silver Lining?

By Larry Holmes H&R Block (ticker: HRB) has fallen on hard times. Customers are due some $62.5 million dollars after settling a class action law suit against the largest tax preparer in the U.S. It seems that Block was accused of violating consumer protection laws. The company offered fast money, called “Rapid Refunds,” to customers expecting tax refunds. However, they were actually loans repaid by those refunds that charged interest rates of between 29 percent and 750 percent. Not only that, the company recently revised its second quarter financial results to include bigger than previously reported losses related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. So, for H&R Block, if it wasn’t for bad news there would be no news at all. But what looks bad on the surface can spell opportunity for investors. The truth of the matter is that H&R Block is a very good business that investors can purchase at a bargain price. We know it’s a good business because it’s earning a high rate of return on its own money. In what I think is sure to be the investment book of the year — The Little Book That Beats The Market by Joel Greenblatt — Greenblatt recognizes a good business by its return on capital. He takes earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), and divides it by its net working capital plus its net fixed assets. To determine H&R Block’s return on capital, we would first determine its EBIT for the past four quarters — about $1.04 billion. Then we would divide that figure by net working capital plus net fixed assets — call it $1.2 billion. We get a return on capital of about 87%. Forget the law suit. That’s over and done with. Forget the hurricanes. The damage to Block caused by them is already done. Would you be interested in owning a partial interest in a business that gets a return on its own money of 87%? I would certainly think so. Also, being in the tax preparation business, Block is a very seasonal business. It earns most of its money in the first quarter of the year — the quarter we’re about to enter. After we find a good business, the next question is can we buy partial interest in this business at a bargain price? To determine that, Greenblatt uses earnings yield — EBIT divided by enterprise value (market capitalization minus cash, plus debt). As a back-of-the-napkin calculation, let’s call it 12%. In other words, the company has returned economic profits on their shares of 12%. Compare that with the rate that an investor could get on a 10-year Treasury note of about 4.3% and H&R Block looks like it’s being offered at a bargain price. Of course, there are no guarantees and there are risks. If you want no risk, take the 4.3% that you can get on a Treasury note and hold it for ten years. Also, this article should certainly not be construed as investment advice. It is simply an illustration of how great investors like Joel Greenblatt get great returns (Greenblatt is the managing partner of Gotham Capital with average annualized returns of 40% for over twenty years). They buy shares of good businesses when they can buy them cheap. Despite its recent troubles, H&R Block certainly seems to qualify as such an investment. (C) Larry Holmes Larry Holmes invites you to visit http://www.smart-money-report.com/ Your common sense guide for financial and investment success. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Holmes http://EzineArticles.com/?Does-the-HandR-Block-Cloud-Have-a-Silver-Lining?&id=119193 need a gauranteed payday loan today greatland hard money lender cash advance no credit check lender puts money in escrow
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Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Law Of Sowing And Reaping Pt. 3

By Mark E. Baker In the first 2 parts of this study we defined sowing and the purpose of the seed, as well as the purpose of the harvest. In the third part of this study I would like to talk about obedience in giving and how God supernaturally increases our seed. Let’s start again with the words of Jesus. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. And again using the Young’s Bible Translation. Luke 6:38 ‘Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed, and shaken, and running over, they shall give into your bosom; for with that measure with which ye measure, it shall be measured to you again.’ I want to point out that this Scripture is definitely talking about monetary gain and not just spiritual gain. I believe that the law of sowing and reaping applies to both, but in this case it is talking about monetary increase. In the King James translation it says that (men) will give unto your bosom and Young’s says, (they) shall give into your bosom. If this were talking about spiritual blessing it would definitely not have said (men) or (they) would give unto our bosom. Because we know as James said James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. This was talking about us giving and us receiving. You give unto men as unto God and you receive from men as from God but God uses men to bless us in this natural world. This is not only talking about just receiving, but receiving in such a way that it is truly more than we can even handle. It says these blessing would be running over, not only running over but pressed down, shaken, and then running over. This is saying your basket will be so totally and completely full that it can absolutely hold no more, then on top of that it will keep on spilling over the top. In other words, the blessing keep on coming even when all your space for receiving is used up. WOW!! I want to point out something here. Motives are important to God. If you give out of impure motives for selfish gain then you will miss your blessing. The people you are giving to will be blessed but you will not. Let me show you what the Lord Jesus said about giving and motives. Mark 12:41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43. So He called His disciples to Him and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44. “for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” God not only looked at the gift, but at the motive for giving did He not? I truly believe our willingness to give is just as crucial as the gift itself. You can not give a lot if you don’t have a lot to give, but your desire to be a blessing is irrespective to the size of the gift when obedience is concerned. God will not tell you to give something you don’t have will He? We see throughout the Word of God that when we are obedient we will be blessed. There is a very good reason for this. Obedience brings the will of God to pass. Blessings must be God’s will if He wants us to be obedient in the first place, since the outcome of that obedience is blessings, not only financial but in all the areas of our life. Our Father God wants us to be blessed or He would not have told us to be obedient in the first place, would He? If He wants us to be blessed then we should want those blessings that He has ordained for us. Have you ever thought about this in this light? If you dont want His blessings then you dont want His will in your life! Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; When I was younger I was praying about a promotion at work. In the natural there was no way. I was the most inexperienced person in the group I was with at this company. I had been praying about this promotion for several weeks when one day the Holy Spirit spoke this Scripture to me and simply said it like this; the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land. I knew the Scripture, but when I heard it in my spirit I immediately knew what He was talking about. I had been very obedient in the way I handled myself at work, literally outworking all those around me, however I had developed a bad attitude about something that had happened there. Really, something had happened that was out of my control that put me in a bad light, and I had been unfairly associated in with the group that had actually been involved. Haven’t we all been there to one degree or another? In this case my obedience wasnt in question but my willingness at work. I immediately repented and realized the Lord had provide this job, and it was He who was taking care of me. I look to Him as my source, and since I am looking to Him as my source I need to have a thankful attitude as well as do a good job at my place of employment. The very next day I was told that I had gotten the promotion. Looking back on this experience, I realize that this promotion set me on a different path that changed my life. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would not have received that promotion if I had not repented and made an adjustment in my attitude. God was preparing me to receive a blessing, and in order to receive it, I had to have my basket cleaned out and not full of the kind of clutter that will keep the God ordained blessings from coming. Our motives and attitude will definitely block our blessings. Our willingness as well as our obedience will both be looked at just as the prophet Isaiah said. Let’s look at another Scripture that shows this kind of blessing. Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, `In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 10. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the Lord of hosts; 12. “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts. Many will argue the legitimacy of tithing in the New Testament but that is not the purpose of this study. I for one strongly believe in it. For now, we are looking at obedience in giving. This is not just talking about tithes only, but tithes and offerings as we just read. God must think this is very serious because He said we are robbing Him if we dont give. God is throwing down a challenge to us, He said, prove Me now in this, meaning in the giving of tithes and offerings. You can not prove Him if you are unwilling to give in the first place can you? Again we see that He will bless us radically if we give. He said He would pour out a blessing that we would not have enough room to receive. Let me ask you a question. Why would God give us a blessing that we were not capable of receiving? Because He loves to bless big. It not His fault if we not capable of receiving His big blessings. You see only a big giver can be a big receiver. God will not pour out a blessing on you if you are tight fisted. You will only prove that His Word is true, but this will be the negative side of it. You see just the opposite of blessings will happen when you rob God. He will not rebuke the devourer for your sake, the fruit of your ground will be destroyed, your vines will fail to bear fruit in the field, and all nations won’t call you blessed. But that is not the way it has to be with us is it? No. This reminds me of a true story I heard a minister tell one time. He said a certain farmer in his congregation had called him up and told him that the Lord had specifically spoken to him and instructed him to pick out a certain calf and have it butchered for him. The pastor said o.k. and when time came for the farmer to bring the prepared meat over, the pastor realized he didn’t have a freezer big enough to handle it all. He later went to the Lord in prayer about it and said Lord why would you have that farmer butcher that calf and give it to me when you knew I didn’t have room for all that meat. The Lord replied to him and in essence said, it’s not my fault you don’t have a freezer big enough. I believe we need to take the time to get before the Lord and get His plans, for when the increase comes and it will if we are willing and obedient, we need to be in a place where we are capable of receiving it. The Lord was teaching this pastor a very big lesson. It should be a lesson for us all. I have seen Christians who say they believe that God doesn’t want to bless us financially, yet these very same people will work like crazy and do all kinds of things to gain wealth. I could tell you some very real stories along these lines. If you truly believe that God doesnt want you to be blessed financially, then you need to stop trying to get wealth from the world as well. Why go to the world’s wealth if you think it is not God’s will for you to be prosperous in the first place? Wouldn’t that be contrary to the will and purpose of God? I can honestly say, thank God it is not! I am not trying to be sarcastic in this, but to make us think about our real motives in these areas. Do we really believe this way or are we just using it as an excuse to be stingy. God’s will for His children is to be blessed and for His children to be a blessing. You can’t be much of a blessing if you are not already blessed yourself, that goes for both spiritual and monetary blessings doesn’t it? Let me close with this. 2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. Let us purpose in our heart to be the cheerful givers that God has called us to be, and also be ready to reap bountifully because of it. I truly hope you see these Scriptures in a new light now. Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you want to be a joint heir with Christ? If so, I urge you to earnestly pray the following prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. Your word says, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. (Jn.6:37), So I know You wont cast me out, but You take me in, And I thank you for it. You said in your Word, “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Ro. 10:13). I am calling on Your name, So I know You have saved me now, You also said, that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. (Ro.10:9,10). I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. And I confess Him now as my Lord, Because Your Word says, with the heart one believes to righteousness and I do believe with my heart, I have now become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21), And I am saved! Thank You, Lord! I can now truthfully say, I see myself as a born again child of God! Glory to God I was raised Catholic, and was born again at the age of 17. I received God’s call into ministry at the age of 19 and began to prepare for ministry. I graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in 1979. The Lord has called me to teach. My desire is to help all that are seeking to come into a deeper understanding of what God has done for us through Christ Jesus and I have started a web site for this purpose called The Olive Branch; Please visit us for more free studies and resources to help you on your journey. Mark Baker http://www.olivebranchministries.us Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_E._Baker http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Law-Of-Sowing-And-Reaping–Pt.-3&id=499887 high limit instant cash advance credit card bad credit dave ramsey bi-weekly pay day moneytree pay day loans sell my house fast cash for home stop foreclosure real estate investment
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

How to Add Warmth, Color & Texture to Your Advertisements

By Jai Johnson “A powerful agent is the right word” –Mark Twain And what true words those are! Your marketing efforts have the ability to succeedor to failbased on the words you choose to represent your products, services, and yourself in your ads. You have the ability to choose any words you desire. The problem is, sometimes, we draw a blank. Our minds seem amiss of anything creative to say. This is when a diverse collection of pre-written phrases, designed to bring miraculous changes to your ads, comes in handy. A collection of pre-written phrases, which you can drop right into your ad text, offers a lot of magic, a good deal of choices, and an incredible journey through words which develop warmth, color, and add texture to your ads. With pre-written buzz-word phrases, you can bring your ad to life - immediately. So how do you come up with these phrases and buzz words? Step one is to become aware of every advertisement you’re exposed to, whether it be on television, in a newspaper, in email, or in a magazine. Just pay attention and study those ads. Step two involves gathering your pre-written phrases. Write down words which make an impact on you. Make a notebook, or a computer document, and as you are exposed to the ads around you, jot down those phrases and buzz words. Here’s some phrases and words I jotted down recently: Accept nothing but the best Because you’re worth it Consider it a gift from youto you The third step is to take these phrases and integrate them into your ads. The best way to do this is work with an ad which you’ve already written. How much impact does it have? How much sparkle and pizzaz does it possess? Does your already-written ad grab your attention? If the answer is NO, then it’s time to input some marketing miracle phrases - sprinkle them about your ad, pick some from your list which fit with your product or service - and revise. Let’s take a look at an ad I found written by someone who is not using marketing miracle phrases: “New ladies brown leather coat. Size XL.” The ad for this item really didn’t capture my attention. The photo of the item did - it’s a nice product! Let’s see how the actual ad can be spruced up with the use of some marketing miracle phrases: “Give radiance to everything when you wear this exquisite, full-length, chocolate brown leather coat. For lovers of fine quality everywhere, you’ll experience comfort and luxury, for just a fraction of the retail price. Handsomely crafted, it will make a chic addition to your winter wardrobe. Ladies size XL.” See the difference? Using marketing miracle words gives you a new way of impacting your buyers with words and phrases designed to bypass the mind, get your product deep into their heart and soul, and reach the core of their deepest desires. So why not try it with your own ads? Just follow the three steps in this article to add warmth, color and texture to your ads. See the change in your ads, and the change in your bottom line sales figures. Good luck! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Michele Jai Johnson is the author of 777 Marketing Miracle Phrases. Multi-published, her articles and short stories have appeared in many online publications, as well as national print magazines and newsletters. She is also the author of instructional courses and has written many short reports and tips booklets, in addition to 777 Marketing Miracle Phrases. You can pick up your own copy of her handy booklet here: http://www.michelejanine.com/777mmp.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jai_Johnson http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Add-Warmth,-Color-and-Texture-to-Your-Advertisements&id=5769 canada cash fast loan legal case summaries on payday loan companies bad credit auto bank loan xtra cash payday loan
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Sunday, May 4, 2008

Principles of Marketing 101

By Michele Schermerhorn Marketing results should be measured in only one way increased sales. Marketing should not be considered an art form. Its mere existence is not enough. Marketing is the first step to the sale. There are seven underlying principles upon which to base your marketing strategy and efforts. Follow them and your business will be a raving success. Violate them and you will fail as so many small businesses do. The seven underlying principles are Image, Differentiation, Repeat Business, Ease of Doing Business, Networking, Likeability, and Emotion. Lets begin with image. Image Much like people have an image so does their business. Some people are informal and likeable, as are some businesses. Some people are formal and aloof, as are some businesses. Your image is wrapped up in your packaging. The clothes you wear, the haircut you sport, the weight you carry, and the age you are, all create your image. The same applies to your business. Every way your business presents itself to your customers adds to or detracts from the image you are trying to create with your marketing efforts. Decide on the image you wish to convey to the public and design your business to support that image. Your business cards, letterhead, website, advertising materials, and every other portion of your business which will come into contact with a customer must reflect the same image. If you sell a product, your image is also reflected in your packaging, the colors, the box, the website, the store — everything. If you sell a service, your image is reflected in your writings, your website, your proposals and your presentations. Make every interaction with a customer or prospect reflect the image you have for your business. However, remember, it is far easier to create an unforgettable image by differentiating yourself from the competition. Differentiation Be as different as a zebra in a herd of horses. You must be different from your competitors in order to stand out. And, you must be able to convey that difference in all your messages to prospects. If you know you are different and don’t convey it, you lose. You must leverage your differences to your advantage. If you cant differentiate yourself, its because of two general reasons. You think you don’t have any competitors. Or, you have copied your competitors to the extent you all look alike to your prospects. Thinking you dont have any competitors is a dangerous and nave position to take. Even if someone doesnt sell the exact product you sell, they do compete with you for peoples money. If a potential customer is spending money with someone else, they arent spending it with you. Offer something different in product or service. The second option, where you look just like your competition, is equally dangerous. In this situation, the only way to compete is by having the lowest price. Lowest price also translates to lower profit margin. This means youre working harder to make money than you have to. Differentiating yourself from the competition is one of the hardest tasks to accomplish. It is also one with the largest positive impact upon your bottom line. Differentiating yourself will increase business. However, part of marketing is also hanging onto the business once you have it. Repeat Business A sale is great! But, two or more sales are even better! A customer who buys once from you represents short-term revenue. Short-term revenue requires ten times more work. In this mode, you are in a constant search for new customers. A lifelong paying customer is your objective. If you offer a one-time event, you do not have a marketing process — you have a single sale. A marketing process sells to clients over and over again. One of the reasons businesses fail is because they don’t stay in touch with customers. Frequency of contact can build trust and trust is a requirement for a sale. Set up a system to remind yourself to contact existing customers. This can be a regularly published newsletter, an email follow-up for input from the last sale, or a new product announcement. Keep in touch! Customers dont want to be taken for granted. Make your customers feel special and they will return to you, time and time again. Another proven method for encouraging that second purchase is to be a business that is easy to do business with. Ease of Doing Business Having many ways for people to buy from you increases your chance of the first sale and subsequent sales. Your website should be easy to navigate. This includes having contact information on every page, multiple methods of paying you, product descriptions with customer benefits clearly spelled out, and an easy to understand return policy. Many websites lose sales every day because they cant be contacted with questions or their order forms are confusing. Look at all the business systems you have established. These include the ordering system, the communication system, and the feedback system. Test them from the customers standpoint. If you cant be objective, have relatives and friends test your systems and provide you with feedback. Remove anything they complain about, no matter how small it seems to you. It can be hard enough to grow a business under the best of circumstances. Dont build your own roadblocks. Build networks instead. Networking. To increase sales, increase your network of contacts, both customers and suppliers. Weve discussed how customers can increase your business. They can return to purchase from you again. They will also tell others about you. But why network with suppliers? Suppliers profit when you profit. They have a vested interest in your success. The smaller the supplier, the more they have invested in your success. If you establish a really good network with your suppliers, you will have first access to new products and special closeout sales. In turn, you will both be more successful. This principle is also referred to as the principle of reciprocity. This works on the principle: “you scratch my back and I will scratch yours.” It is not just about relationships, it is about the value of those relationships. Make yours count. Likeability People buy from people they like. This is a long proven sales axiom. If people don’t know you, how can they like you? They need to like you before they will trust you. They must trust you before they buy from you. Likeability is one of the most valuable assets you have. Does your marketing copy (on your website or in your advertising) come across as the type of person you would like? Would you do business with this person? Is likeability subjective and emotional? Yes. But so are buying decisions! Emotion Marketing studies claim eighty-five percent of the buying decision is made from emotions. Buyers will then justify their purchase with logic. But emotion is where it starts! This means you must first connect with their emotions. Then give them the logic to justify what they bought. You cannot do one effectively without the other. Your clients perception creates the sale. So many business owners think their service or product is absolutely great. They cannot understand why it is not selling. It is because they developed their product or service according to their perceptions and not their prospects’ needs. Keep your prospects in mind at all times and you will succeed. Remember, marketing is the first step to the sale. Keep these principles in mind and you will succeed. Nice doing business with you! Michele Schermerhorn calls herself a Corporate Freedom Fighter dedicated to freeing cubicle prisoners to experience their own successful online business. She has over 30 years experience in the business world and over 12 years running her own successful online businesses. She is President of Online Business Institute Inc. (http://www.obinstitute.com), authors a sassy marketing blog (http://www.imarketblog.com), and regularly conducts free online seminars. Online Business Institute Inc. exists to Create Successful Online Business Owners One Person At A Time. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michele_Schermerhorn http://EzineArticles.com/?Principles-of-Marketing-101&id=36154 payday lening in arkansas lafayette online car loan unsecured medical loans installment pay day loan
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