Archive for April, 2009
April 30, 2009 at 2:50 pm · Filed under Cosmetics, Fun On The Net, The Healthy Way
Whether you are striving to become a world class athlete or to simply maintain your current level of fitness, you need regular exercise. In our fast paced society, it is too easy for distractions to derail your exercise routine.
To begin or continue the habit of exercising regularly, it is important to establish a fitness goal. Your fitness goal should be challenging enough to motivate you to exercise, but not so difficult that it will discourage you. Your fitness goal should be measurable and should be tied to a calendar date.
Perhaps your fitness goal is to lose ten pounds in the next six months; perhaps your fitness goal is to run a 10K race in less than forty minutes; or perhaps your fitness goal is to bench press two hundred pounds by the end of the year. Whatever the goal, be able to measure progress toward that goal.
Keep a log book of your exercise routine as well as current progress toward your fitness goal. The log book will enable you to see tangible evidence that you are moving in the right direction; you will feel satisfaction each time you record a workout in the log.
If the fitness goal represents a significant challenge from where you are now, there are many approaches you can take, but two of the most effective ways to tackle the challenge include breaking up the fitness goal into a series of smaller goals and finding a personal trainer who can help you define a plan to get you where you want to be.
Good luck with your fitness goal. Now get out there and do it!
April 27, 2009 at 2:24 pm · Filed under Misc Infos
Whether it’s our spouse, our children, or with a sales prospect or our boss, one of life’s great challenges is to listen well. Often, we are tempted to think about our response rather than listen. Or, we believe we already know what the other person is going to say, so we simply interrupt or wait impatiently for our turn. Listening, really listening, with our whole being, is a skill and one of the most important compliments we can give another human being. The following 10 “rules” can help.
1. Stop Talking! It is difficult to listen and speak at the same time.
2. Put the other person at ease. Give them space and time and “permission” to speak their peace. How we look at them, how we stand or sit, makes a huge difference. Relax, and let them relax as well.
3. Show the other person that you want to hear them. Look at them. Nod when you can agree, ask them to explain further if you don’t understand. Listen to understand them and their words, rather than just for your turn.
4. Remove distractions. Good listening means being willing to turn off the TV, close a door, or stop reading your mail. Give the speaker your full attention, and let them know they are getting your full attention.
5. Empathize with the other person. Especially if they are telling you something personal or painful, or something you intensely disagree with, take a moment to stand in their shoes, to look at the situation from their point of view.
6. Be patient. Some people take longer to find the right word, to make a point or clarify an issue. Give the speaker time to get it all out before you jump in with your reply.
7. Watch your own emotions. If what they are saying creates an emotional response in you, be extra careful to listen carefully, with attention to the intent and full meaning of their words. When we are angry, frightened or upset, we often miss critical parts of what is being said to us.
8. Be very slow to disagree, criticize or argue. Even if you disagree, let them have their point of view. If you respond in a way that makes the other person defensive, even if you “win” the argument, you may lose something far more valuable!
9. Ask lots of questions. Ask the speaker to clarify, to say more, give an example, or explain further. It will help them speak more precisely and it will help you hear and understand them more accurately.
10. STOP TALKING! This is both the first and the last point, because all other tools depend on it. Nature gave us two ears and only one tongue, which is a gentle hint that we should listen twice as much as we talk.
© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: “Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It’s all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com
April 27, 2009 at 4:05 am · Filed under Misc Infos
Everyone knows that stress isn’t good - that it can get on
top of us and effect our wellbeing. What most people don’t
realise is that stress can effect much more than just our
mood or mental state. Stress has been shown to have a
detrimental effect on many parts of our body and indeed
peoples health in general.
Most people are so used to stress and tension in their lives
that they do little or nothing about it until it begins to
have major negative effects on them. Everyone suffers from
stress - but it is important to sit up and take notice when
that stress begins to effect you.
Stress has a negative effect on your mental processes, it
can make you moody, anxious and unable to calmly cope with
life. However stress effects all of your body. Stress can
cause many afflictions such as high heart rate and blood
pressure difficulties. These are two key indicators of
stress being a problem so if you suffer from them then it is
time to try to reduce the stress in your life. By acting
early you can dramatically reduce your stress level and your
health should return to normal.
If you’re wondering about whether or not you should reduce
stress in your daily life, the answer is probably yes. Even
if you do not feel overly stressed out all that often,
stress reduction will still improve your life. Since being
too stressed can have major long term effects on your
health, this is one case where you’re probably better safe
than sorry.
Reducing your stress is not difficult, a little time spent
planning how to change your life can make a huge difference.
A small effort will go a long way to making you feel better
about yourself and others.
The first thing that you should do is to sit down and make a
list of all the things that are causing you to be stressed
out. It doesn’t matter whether or not you think something
should be stressful - write down anything that genuinely is
stressful to you. Then, go through the list again and see
which things you can eliminate from your life.
Obviously you wont be able to elminate everything on your
list from your life, there are some things like work that
are simply necessary. But there will be lots of things on
your list that you genuinely can address. Doing this, even
with only a few of the things on your list, can make all the
difference in your stress level.
Relaxation is something that you should add to your schedule
on a regular basis. There are few things that reduce your
overall stress level like a good time spent relaxing.
Therefore, you should set aside a period everyday to relax -
and make sure that it’s actually scheduled, after all,
you’re doing it for your health.
Exercise is another excellent way to combat stress, it will
make you feel better and more confident. It is particularly
good because it will make you fitter also, so your health
will benefit doubly.
If you start working on stress reduction, you should start
seeing improvements in your health right away. Also, even
if you are not noticing that your health is improving right
away, you should still feel confident that it is - the more
relaxed you are, the better you should feel. Start working
on stress reduction today, and have a healthier life
tomorrow!
Peter Sachford is the webmaster of
FP Health which is a
popular and extensive resource for health information.
For more information, go to:
http://www.fphealth.com
April 26, 2009 at 9:42 pm · Filed under Misc Infos
You might think this strange, but every day, before I start work, I stand up, look to the sky, throw my hands in the air, and shout out loud: “I feel terrific!”
This is what I call an ‘affirmation’ — positive self-talk to charge up my emotions and help me produce my very best work. An affirmation can be as simple as “YES!”…as uplifting as “I’m very happy at this moment!”…or as determined as “I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to succeed!”
Try it for yourself right now. Choose a positive message you want to tell yourself. Then stand up, put your head back, throw your arms up, and shout it out loud. Makes you feel uncomfortable? Good! You’ve just discovered how powerful words can be.
Unlimited Success & Wealth are All In the Words You Use
What’s the single most important asset you and your business possess? Forget money and numbers. The true currency of business is WORDS. Communicating your ideas, your offer, the benefits of your product — using words to achieve your aims is the single most important activity any business ever performs.
Unlimited success and wealth are as simple as using the right words. You can get everything you’ve ever wanted in life, simply by saying the right words — because the words which you communicate determine the quality of your life.
This is true whether communicating with others or with yourself. Especially with yourself.
Words have the power to induce someone to laugh, to cry, to be kind, to be loving, to be cooperative, or to buy. Or be unkind, angry, irrational.
Whether words are written or spoken, they have enormous power. Of course, when words are spoken, the added factors of voice timbre, emphasis, emotion…all have the potential to cause even more impact.
Use Words to Achieve a Win - Win Situation
Here is what few businesspeople seem to realize: People all over the world really want to help and accommodate their fellow humans. But they must be approached properly. The magic words I’ll reveal to you in a moment can manipulate a situation to bring you what you want — which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Magic Words Can Bring You Riches
The same words, strategies and techniques that I’ve used to get the best results from everyday situation — like hiring a Mercedes for the price of a Ford, slashing the cost of a first class hotel room, and buying valuable antiques at huge discounts — can work magic for your business, too. Here are 3 of the phrases, which have helped me build a career marketing over $500,000,000 of both my own and my client’s products and services.
Magic Phrase #1 — Attract All the Money You Need for any business venture you’d like to start. The magic words here are “sophisticated investor.” Every successful professional - such as a doctor or lawyer — likes to think of himself or herself as sophisticated. And you can often attract these people to invest in your business.
Run an ad in your local paper, high-lighting those two key words. Other magic phrases to include are “Local business person with excellent track record and reputable history”; start-up business opportunity, limited investment, high potential return”; and “references available.”
Magic Phrase #2 — Receive Free Expert Help for your business. Simply announce “I have a business problem and need expert assistance,” either to a local business group (such as the Chamber of Commerce, which you have in practically every town) or putting an advertisement in the business section of your local newspaper. And I’ve been absolutely delighted with the quality of assistance provided to me on several occasions by retired executives. Seek them out in your local area, and you could benefit from this great source of experienced know-how, too.
Magic Phrase #3 — Get Capable People to Work for Free. Your magic words here are “piece of the action.” Instead of paying a fixed salary, run ads offering people one of these options:
* Hourly rate for services rendered * Percentage of sales * Percentage of profits * Royalty on sales * Percentage of savings * Fixed payment for each unit produce
Anyone with a strong entrepreneurial instinct will be attracted by such an approach. It means there will be no limit on their income, they will be more independent, they can set their own hours — and the harder they work, the more they earn. This is just the type of person you should employ.
Assume The Other Person Has Already Said “Yes”
Ask questions which assume the end result you seek. For example, speaking with your bank manager about setting up a merchant account, you might ask these questions:
1. “How long does it normally take for a credit card charge to be credited to my account?”
2. “What discount or percentage of credit card sales will the bank charge us for your service?”
3. “How long would it take to get the service in place?”
4. “What equipment do we need to buy to make it easier for your bank to process our orders?”
Can you see how the end result — having a merchant account so you can process the credit card orders - is assumed by the very words used in each question?
Magic Words Deliver Power
And this is especially true when you’re speaking to yourself. As I said at the beginning of this letter, I use affirmations every day — standing up, looking to the sky, throwing my hands in the air, and shouting out a positive message I need to tell myself.
Yes, I feel ridiculous when I do this too. But that discomfort is just the push I need to change my emotional state. The magic words in my affirmations give me the energy and determination I need to produce my very best work. And I truly believe they’ll help you achieve your goals too.
April 26, 2009 at 9:54 am · Filed under Misc Infos
Make a game out of reaching your goals
Go to a yard sale and pick up a cheap board game, if you don’t have any “throw away” games at home. Sit down and brainstorm a way to transform the game into goal-completion fun. Use contact paper to cover the old instructions or commands, and write in new ones with a permanent marker. Use stickers, arts and craft supplies, etc., to dress up the game to fit your needs. Then set the game up somewhere out of the way to play on an on-going fashion until you reach your goal.
Use drinking games as a source of inspiration - for example, you might decide that whenever David Letterman takes a sip from his mug during his show, you have to do a set of crunches or iron a piece of clothing.
Create a “Wheel of Fortune” spinner (you can re-decorate an old board game spinner) and spin it every morning to discover your mini-goal for the day.
Set up a “game board” on the fridge and move magnetic pieces that represent various goals ahead one square for every task or mini-goal you complete on the way to the big finale.
If several of you are working toward a common goal, hold casino nights at home or at work, where you bet goal-related tasks (keeping score on paper) and forfeit what you lose. For instance, if you have bet twenty crunches, a mile’s walk and skipping two desserts on a losing hand of poker, you have to do everything you bet. You can also write such tasks on poker chips with permanent marker and then claim the forfeits you have in your stash after the game ends during the period between games.
Combine two or more examples for real fun!
(c) Soni Pitts
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of SoniPitts.Com. She specializes in helping others reclaim “soul proprietorship” in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.
She is the author of the free e-book “50 Ways To Reach Your Goals” and over 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.
April 25, 2009 at 8:54 am · Filed under Attirement, Education, Stuff for Kids
Graduation honor cords
On graduation ceremonies, graduates’ success and participation is noticed by use of graduation honor cords that are worn by the graduates. Cords are usually twisted in pairs and they are held together with knots. There are tassels on both sides of cords and they can either have the cord’s color or a different color. Graduation cords can be worn as many as possible at the same time depending on how they have been awarded unlike stoles and robes. Graduation honor cords are worn together with other graduation attire like caps, gowns stoles among others. In case cords are not available they can be replaced with stoles, sashes or stoles which symbolize excellent performance.
Graduation honor cords are available in different colors nowadays among them royal blue, sapphire, gold, red among others. Apart from the offline stores that sell cords, there are also online stores that normally sell the cords in pairs. This does not mean that the cords are sold in pairs only; one can make a request to the sellers in case a single pair is required. Graduates are not permitted to wear their cords after their academic year, which they were awarded for the honors. Cords are always worn at the discretion of the institution and every institution has its measures for awarding the cords.
GraduationSource, a leader in graduation regalia products since 1960.
April 24, 2009 at 7:07 am · Filed under Information Parlor, Reading Books, Shopping Portal
A Barrister’s bookcase is a conventional bookcase Its telling feature is a transparent glass front end. This glass front end is hinged at the upper lip allowing someone tailored access to volumes and other legal papers plainly by raising the glass door. The barrister bookcase is perfect for just about anything. Barrister bookcases were frequently used by attorneys since it was necessary for them to keep on moving. Nowadays, they are also very useful, especially if one is invariably on the move. This is because the bookcase is closed by use of doors.. This precludes them from having to be emptied on moving
These glass cases
These bookcases also have the favored position of helping to protect the collectibles from junk and other foreign impurities. They in fact offer broader protection than other types of bookshelves. Apart from debris, it is also possible to provide protection from sunlight by having the doors outfitted with tempered glass. . This will help in minimizing the amount and intensity of sun impacting the texts This in turn maintains the books color from languishing
This special kind of furniture, despite their many merits, can be rather pricy. Fortunately, their many rewards have moved some producers to start making replica editions and some in modern versions at very small prices. Many versions have simple looks. These can fit any decor.They can also be trimmed and made into customized storage units.They can be stacked together allowing them to be easily used to create very interesting unit arrangements. Some can be used to create end tables, pulpits or even breakfast tables.
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April 23, 2009 at 8:55 pm · Filed under Betting Online, Games Playing, Universe Of Gambling
My friend Adrian rings me on the telephone to tell me that he has found some online gambling internet sites that I just have to suss out. I have never really been deep into gambling, but I figured OK, I may give it a try out. So I tested out some black jack and poker, but honestly, they simply are not my thing. And Then I find these on-line elottery sites and then I realize that over cyberspace I can take part in all several lotteries around the planet. Right Away to me this looks a lot more joy, and then I reckon I may give it a go. Firstly I tried out my luck at euro millions, you know a European lottery. I picked my lotto numbers and waited and daydreamed that I would win the jackpot. I didn’t on that occasion only when the euro millions results came in; I was extremely surprised to see that I had really come really close to the winning numbers. I tried out a couple of other world lotteries, only I found that I had come so close the first time on the euro lotto, that I just had to give it another go. To date, I have not won millions of dollars, but, I have won some money, so I continue to play the euromillions and picking lottery winning numbers, hoping to get my big break. I am one of those individuals who like to believe in the likelihood of hitting the jackpot, because it’s hard to imagine getting that sort of money any other way.
As for my friend, he still stays on with his passion of on-line gambling and finds himself at the on-line casino for at least an hour a day. He too has won some money, but it has high’s and low’s and the difference is, when you lose at gambling you normally lose a lot but when you lose at the lotto, it doesn’t cost you very much. I think that the lotto is the only path for me to go foreward plus the idea of hitting the jackpot and on top of that, it’s only costing me just a few pounds “makes it more appealing”
April 19, 2009 at 8:06 am · Filed under Misc Infos
Is your designer handbag making you look fat? Much thought is given to the perfect pair of jeans or finding just the right blouse that will accentuate your figure. But how about your handbag?
Yes, your handbag can make you look fat or short or maybe even both. But the good news is, choosing the right handbag can make you look thin and tall.
It’s all about shape. You need to choose a handbag that is opposite that of your figure. If you were short and round, the perfect bag for you would be tall and sleek, like a clutch. Say you are tall and thin. Then a short and round bag would suit you best.
Now it is important you keep ratios in mind. Just because you are stout doesn’t mean you should carry around a pencil box, this will only add to the appearance that you are much larger then your handbag.
And don’t forget, fabrics and accents add a lot to the structure of a bag. A brightly colored, wildly patterned Monogram Multicolor Louis Vuitton Boulogne attracts a lot of attention. This bag will give the appearance that there is a lot my substance to your accessory then there really is.
Next, you will want to consider size of the bag. Take for example the Monogram Louis Vuitton Boulogne mentioned earlier. The bag itself has a small, classic, square shape to it, but it also has a long 12-inch strap. On a woman who is five and a half feet tall, this bag would be at or below her hip. This is too long for her height and therefore makes her look shorter. Now give the same bag to a 6-foot tall woman, and the bag would sit comfortably just above her hip and accentuate her waistline. The goal is to show off your womanly curves while hiding the womanly flaws we all have and hate.
Some popular designer handbag styles:
Tote - An open-top bag with straps or handles.
Hobo bag - A crescent-shaped shoulder bag.
Duffle - Tall shoulder bag, often with a wider opening on top.
Field bag - A flap-top shoulder bag with utility-type closure (buckles, snaps, etc).
Clutch - A small, handheld bag (frequently used for evening wear).
Satchel- A large, handheld bag.
Baguette - Long and rounded shoulder bag resembling the namesake bread.
Messenger - A large, soft shoulder bag with long straps (often worn across the body).
Cigar Box - A small, boxy, hard bag.
Pouch - A soft, small bag.
Oh, and a message to all of you who think you are avoiding bad handbag choices and have chosen a backpack style handbag. Watch out how big the backpack is and where it rests on your back. You could be adding junk to your ‘trunk’, or accentuating your ‘assets’.
Front or back, choosing the right bag is as important as choosing the right pair of jeans or the perfect sweater.
Deanna Key is the author of many articles and resources concerning desinger handbags. She has worked as an importer/exporter of designer fashions for over 5 years, and has imported over $25 million worth of designer goods. Read more helpful articles and get discounts on designer handbags at http://www.handbag-spot.com.
April 18, 2009 at 11:41 am · Filed under Misc Infos
When my first marriage faded into oblivion, the engagement ring I’d worn with such joy and love was banished to my jewelry case.
Some years later, older and much wiser, I resurrected the ring and had it re-set by a jeweler friend to reflect my newly discovered independence and style. But back in those days, the sight of those diamonds on my right hand was simply a painful reminder of my failure in the marriage stakes.
Now it seems I was ahead of my time.
The right-hand bling ring is the latest status symbol for women who no longer feel they have anything to prove.
Women are earning more, marrying later and have more disposable income than ever before, leaving them with plenty of room for a little self-indulgence. And it goes without saying that the newest status symbol should encompass the ultimate status symbol, diamonds.
In fact, the trend has become such a major force it’s been given its own (albeit lackluster) terminology - “self-purchaser”.
According to Greg Distefano, a spokesman for the Diamond Information Center at J. Walter Thompson, “The self-purchase market is now a $3.75 billion business in the United States. Rings are the single largest type in this market. They account for two out of every five pieces of self-purchased jewelry.”
Eager to get in on the action, DeBeers, the world’s largest diamond producer, has produced a series of ads to tap into the hearts and wallets of this enormous, previously ignored, consumer demographic.
“Your left hand is your heart. Your right hand is your voice,” croons their recent print ads. “Your left hand says ‘I do.’ Your right hand says ‘I did what?’ Your left hand knows the answers. Your right hand asks the questions. Your left hand rocks the cradle, your right hand rules the world. Women of the world, raise your right hand.”
With a market of over 43 million single women in the United States, Ruta Fox, a former advertising copywriter, created the “Ah Ring” in December 2000. “Since I was single, I named it The Ah Ring, and decided “Ah” would symbolize being A, available and H, happy. I thought since married women have wedding rings, and engaged women have engagement rings, single women should have a diamond ring they could buy and call their own,” says Ruta.
The Ah Ring was an instant success, generating over a million dollars in sales in the first year, and was featured in Oprah Winfrey’s “O” magazine.
Never a group to ignore the latest preoccupation with self-indulgence, celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon and taken the trend for diamond accessorizing to a whole new level. At this year’s Oscars 5,000 carats of diamonds strolled the red carpet. Showcasing diamond baubles by jewelry design luminaries like Fred Leighton and Harry Winston, single celebrities Renee Zellweger, Cameron Diaz and Halle Berry shone brighter than the strobe lights.
So, what are the top-selling trends in right-hand bling rings?
Mondera.com, a leading online jeweler, suggests colored diamonds are a popular choice, with pink, canary yellow, and blue diamonds the biggest sellers. The resurgence of brown diamonds, re-named and now cleverly marketed as cognac and champagne diamonds also sell well.
Contemporary settings, such as the sleek bezel-set and pavé, are popular with singles wishing to avoid the look of the classic round solitaire diamond. And for those who aspire to the cool sophistication of Audrey Hepburn, Tiffany’s newly released Lucida setting is the ultimate in bling ring elegance.
But for those sassy singles who would have to forego three months’ rent to afford a diamond, there are plenty of fabulous alternatives.
For all the bling without the sting, cubic zirconias are made with such precision these days that usually only a jeweler’s loupe can spot the difference. From the sublime to the outrageous, the affordability of cubic zirconias means that you can have a different ring to match your outfit and your mood!
“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” may well have become the newly revived mantra for the modern 21st century woman, but if you still need an excuse to go out and get yourself some bling, I like to remind myself of the L’Oreal maxim - “Because I’m worth it!”
Alex Miller has been involved in the jewelry industry for more years than she cares to remember! She lists her passions as “diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds” and has turned her passion into an informative website.
You can find more great articles about diamonds, engagement rings, bridal jewelry, honeymoons and more at http://www.Engagement-Rings-Guide.com. The place to go BEFORE you shop for jewelry online.
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