Are Writing Exercises Effective?

It was reported that the great American author Sinclair Lewis was once asked to give a lecture on writing to a group of college students: "Looking out at this gathering," he said to the assembled students, "makes me want to know how many of you really and truly wish to become writers?" Every hand in the room went up. Lewis looked at them for a moment and then folded his notes and put them away. "If that's true," he said, "then the best advice I can give you is to go home and start writing." He then turned and left the room.

If the first secret of writing is to write and if you've set up some sort of writing schedule, the next step is to figure out what to write.

Opening a brand new file and looking at a blank screen often results in a kind of brain-freeze; we feel as idea-less as the empty screen we're staring at. Writing exercises can help us thaw our idea bank. The goal of a writing exercise is to open your mind and allow you to hone your skills and experiment. The joy of such an exercise is it's not 'for real.' That is, there's no thought of pleasing an editor or finding a publisher or meeting a deadline or getting paid. You're just writing, with your internal editor turned off.

Some freelancers find writing exercises so effective and freeing they actually begin every writing session with a 10 or 15-minute exercise. Others use them more sporadically. But however you do it, writing exercises will help you with your writing. Use writing exercises in your writing schedule, as a natural part of your writing discipline; use the exercises often and watch your writing improve.

Ideally, a writing exercise is short, requiring you to spend no more than 10 or 15 minutes writing, thinking and feeling about something that's unrelated to the rest of your writing work. In a way, they are like mini-meditations and mini-vacations because they clear out the cobwebs and give you a new view.

It's that new view, that different way of seeing, of expressing, that's the key to a good writing exercise. Naturally, not every exercise blows your mind every time. Sometimes you are just not ready for the challenge presented, but even then, the seed is planted. Sometimes you are simply not up for doing a writing exercise, which is okay too. Again, simply reading can set some new thoughts in motion.

Lana Hampton makes it easy to improve your writing skills. Visit her Writing website today for the latest writing tips and information.

Looking for a Vacation in Paradise? Try a Bahamas Vacation

Plan your next vacation where most people call paradise...the Bahamas Islands. Choose from the many islands such as Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, Paradise Island, Abaco and Eleuthera. The Bahamas is an archipelago of over 700 islands. Find a perfect Bahamas vacation rental and enjoy all that a Bahamas vacation has to offer. Experience the unique cuisine, culture and nightlife of these historic islands.

Whether you're planning a family vacation, wedding, or romantic getaway, a Bahamas vacation offers it all. There are a number of reasons people select a vacation rental in the Bahamas. Islands such as the Grand Bahamas Island, Nassau, Eleuthera, and Abaco offer some of the best climates, beaches, sun, and fun places to vacation in the world.

Eleuthera is famous for it's pineapple - Nassau and Paradise Island boast some of the most beautiful beaches - Abaco offers world-class sailing. However, the biggest attractions by far are the powder-white beaches and sparkling, turquoise water. All of these combine to keep vacationers coming back year after year. There are many great beach resorts on the islands, but you can also plan a vacation getaway with a very private vacation rental in the Bahamas.

The Bahamas Islands are full of exciting activities. Vacationers can learn to scuba dive or snorkel on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world - Paradise Island, Nassau, Eleuthera, and Abaco. Grand Bahamas Island is the center of outdoor nature activities, including horseback riding, nature tours, kayaking, National Parks, and more. The steady tradewinds make these waters great for wind surfing and sailing. Let's don't forget to mention shopping, sightseeing, cycling, and even nature tours.

Let's go Fishing! All of the Bahamas Islands - Paradise Island, Eleuthera, Abaco - have their secret spots that the local guides are willing to share with vacationing fisherman. There are plenty of charter boats available that engage in sport fishing such as sailfish, marlin, tuna and tarpon. However, the sportfishing meca is on Bimini Island, just 50 miles south of Florida.

Whether you're planning a relaxing family vacation, romantic getaway, or a corporate outing, a Bahamas vacation has a lot to offer for everyone.

Terry Malone is the webmaster and owner of Vacation Rentals Unlimited - http://www.vrul.com. Visit us to find great deals on vacation rentals that are offered directly from their owners.

Giving From the Heart

I thought for sometime that I was hard done bye with having to produce this newsletter and manage my web site with old computer equipment that was so slow that I could have cat naps between the time one program would close and another opened. This had a mixed blessing in that I could work for hours without having to stop and rest so there were some advantages to having archaic equipment. What good does it do to be able to type 70 wpm and the computer processes only 30 wpm.

You can't imagine what some of these wonderful sites you are visiting are using to create very professional looking pages.

I met a new webmaster friend online several months ago, and we have been corresponding for some time. I thought her site was being done by a professional designer.

I wondered why we would be on line chatting and she disappeared for 1/2 hour or so, sometimes the next day or two. This happened on a continuous basis and she finally confided in me that she was using an old lap top and that she had to lean it against something so that the screen would not fall off while she was typing.

After hearing about this I decided to donate $50 to her cause. I felt that I was blessed even with my old equipment and that she could use the money more than I. Others felt the same way also and have donated money for her to buy a new computer.

I don't have a lot to give away, and when I give, I do so for the pleasure of doing it. I do not give from obligation, guilt or fear. It is also reaffirming that I actually have something to give away. If there is a surplus it must mean that there is abundance, and that instills in me a feeling of gratitude. That feeling was better than any thank you or blessing she could have given me. I never expect anything back, in fact it would probably be an insult, and anything would pale beside the satisfaction I received from giving.

What you give you get back and more, and I received all that I desired when I gave. However, just yesterday I checked my email and there was a receipt notice that someone had used my paypal account to purchase something. I assumed that I had sold one of my books and my vibration level started to rise and I began to float. I check the amount of the receipt and noticed that it was for fifty dollars. I started to think that it couldn't be, my books all sell for $17.50 or less, how could such a mistake have been made?

Then I noticed that it was a donation from an anonymous subscriber who liked very much what I was doing and wanted to be a part of it by sharing some of his abundance with me. I immediately thought back to the money I had donated and realized that it had gone full circle. I received much more than what I gave. The subscriber is now part of this circle and is a valuable asset to what I am doing. His energy is felt and appreciated and has added to the mix that makes up the site and the newsletter. With much gratitude I did not touch down until the weight of the covers finally bound me to the bed that evening.

The joy of giving is its own reward. Giving should always come from the heart and not from guilt, obligation or fear. One should never expect anything back and seldom would any such expectation be fulfilled.

One should be selfish in his/her giving, and do it because it is who you really are. You can never be disappointed when you give from the heart and you travel liter without the burden of expectation or receiving. The giver is the biggest beneficiary of giving and it always comes back many times over. I am reminded of this often and also that giving is an opportunity to re-affirm who you are, it is a physical expression of self, it is your truth manifested physically.

Roy E. Klienwachter is a resident of British Columbia, Canada. A student of NLP, ordained minister, New Age Light Worker and Teacher. Roy has written and published five books on New Age wisdom. Roy's books are thought provoking and designed to empower you to take responsibility for your life and what you create. His books and articles are written in the simplicity and eloquence of Zen wisdom.

You may not always agree with what he has to say. You will always come away with a new perspective and your thinking will never be the same.

Roy's style is hard hitting and comes straight from the heart without all the metaphorical mumble jumble and BS. Visit Roy at: http://www.klienwachter.com

Tapping The Potential Of Your Customers

Business owners of long standing know the cardinal rule "take care of your existing customers first". Today especially we see business owners looking constantly for the new customer. Hey, did you forget the customers you have. All of us want our businesses to grow. However, after a number of years, depending on your business, you might reach a point where your business starts to taper off. You find you are not getting any new clients. Before you throw in the towel, realize that you still have your current customers. Why not try to increase volume and steady revenue with your current customer base.

One of the things we have discussed in a number of our articles is to get feedback from your customers. Yes, you might hear about problems. However, this is a good thing, it allows you to fix them or stop selling that product. Ever wonder why some of your customers never buy again, that product with the problem might be the reason. Don't ask, don't tell DOESN'T work in the business world.

Send follow up mailings or call your clients and make sure they are happy with their purchase. This also gives you an opportunity to ask if you can be of service to them again. If they are not happy, find out why and fix it. Once you take care of it, then see if there is anything else you can do for them. You'd be surprised. Since so many businesses don't do this, your fixing the problem, gets you a loyal customer, who recommends you to their friends.

Another method we have discussed before is the survey. You can find out what your customers need by taking a survey. This can be done informally by asking them when you see them or you could call them. Another way would be to send the survey when you send out your brochure, flyer or if you send discount coupons to your customer. You want to find out how they are using your product, any new ways they are using it you might not have thought of. You also want to find out if there are any related products or services they are also buying. If you do call don't try to get a sale, if one comes, so be it, but the purpose of the call is not to make a sale, but to gather information.

Many times, like us, you may come up with another product or service you could offer. For example, from the surveys and questions we asked of our coaching students, we came up with the idea to add video/audio to our coaching program and then after further research to all of our products. This allowed us to offer the videos to current customers at a discount, of course, and it also got us new customers due to the increased popularity of the videos. Customers liked them because it was like having Chuck and I there at home with them.

However, for those of you selling concrete products you might want to offer your customers an opportunity to get acquainted with it. For example, let's say a new fragrance or cream. Get a beauty consultant to give a lecture introducing the product and its benefits. Or you can do it yourself. Your business is something you should be expert in, so you could certainly introduce the product yourself.

If in your business you meet with your customers on a regular basis, you could bring in a sample of the product for them to try. This way you could get feedback on the product, and if there are problems with it you can fix it or discontinue it.

What about how you present your product, could the packaging be changed, would packaging it with another item make it a better seller. Also, around certain holidays are you letting your customers know that your product would make a great gift. For those of you in service businesses make up some gift certificates that your customers could buy for a friend or family member. Example, One hour consultation with life coach, Karen Smith. Could your customers offer their customers your product as a bonus for something they are selling.

Another option is to take several of your products and put them into a package. For example, we offer several packages that have manuals, books and tapes combined. You could offer your exercise machine with your book on low calories recipes, and your other book on exercising efficiently.

How about offering a discount or price break for a certain number of your products. For example, for orders of 10 or more books we will offer a 35% discount.

On the flip side for those of you who sell in quantity why not offer the option to buy just one. Of course, price would be higher for just 1 to 2 as opposed to the larger quantity.

Remember, you need to do whatever you have to, to keep your existing customers happy.

This last idea is not for all of us, but for those who can, it can really increase your sales. Customization of your items. For example, if you were selling dolls you could put different hats on them, clothes, etc. There is a company that sells teddy bears for all types of occasions and they also have a number of different bears for those occasions. Remember, the more you customize your product the higher the price you can sell it for. I know a guy who makes furniture and offers his customers a choice of decoration on pieces he designs.

Again, I can't emphasize enough to get feedback on your ideas from your customers. That feedback, plus your sales will give you a good idea on which ideas are helping your business and which aren't.

Copyright DeFiore Enterprises 2004

Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our "how to" Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like having your own personal coach: mailto:subscribeHBS@homebusinesssolutions.com

Dont Be Incredible

Public relations is all about credibility and trustworthiness. If you don't practice PR, then you are likely to be incredible.

Some of the elements of a PR program include research, media relations, publicity, special events, employee relations, client relationship management, crisis communication, trade shows/conferences, community and government relations, and corporate identity. PR helps you shape internal and external opinion about your organization with an eye toward building support among your key "publics."

What can you expect from PR if it is done correctly?

- Boost Credibility. Media coverage or word-of-mouth from the right people heightens your credibility much more than an ad ever could.

- Build Trust. People trust what they are familiar with. A proactive PR program that gets and keeps your name in front of people can be the first step in building that trust.

- Generate Leads. Positive publicity for your products and services can generate sales leads for you to follow up.

- Word-of-Mouth. By increasing awareness of your company, people and products, media coverage provides fodder for the word-of-mouth machine.

- Shape Attitudes. From employee communication to publicity, PR tactics can be used to tell your story convincingly to key publics.

- Refine Customer Service. Those who believe PR is about one-way, top-down spin doctoring - I hope - are relics of the past. Two-way PR, in which the company actually solicits and listens to customer feedback, can provide the kind of edge companies need today in this age of commoditization.

So, don't be incredible. Make PR an integral part of your business strategy.

Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR, http://www.hoover-ink.com. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Duke Energy, Levolor, New World Mortgage, North Carolina Tourism, VELUX and Verbatim.

Teach Children The Skills Of Optimism

Optimists do better academically, socially and enjoy better health than pessimists.

Helping your child look on the bright side is a significant life skill to develop. When children think that can succeed they are more likely to give things a try. In other word, if they think THEY CAN, THEY WILL.

Optimists look at the flip side of negative events for some good, some hope and some reason to be positive. It means having a strong self-belief and confidence to deal with situations.

Experts in the area of optimism agree that there are five building blocks of optimism:

1. Having a go and persisting
2. Practising skills
3. Coming to terms with success and failure
4. Planning for the future
5. Having the belief and confidence to try again

Importantly, these building blocks link optimism with competence so when children experience success they are more likely to believe that they can achieve and have more success.

Some children are natural optimists. They are born with optimistic temperaments and have natural dispositions to deal with challenges and problems. Others expect the worst and tend to see catastrophes where really small challenges exist.

Recent American research indicates that children learn their optimism from their experiences of success and through their interactions with parents, teachers and significant others in the first eight years of life.

So the way adults talk is significant in the way they shape a child's belief about success or failure. The message is clear that adults need to be aware how they present the world to children as our explanatory style (the way we explain events) is on show.

Optimists explain adverse events in the following ways:

1. Adverse events tend to be temporary: "It takes time to find a friend" rather than "No one likes me."
2. Situations or causes are specific: "I am not so good at soccer" rather than "I am hopeless at sport."
3. Blame is rationalised rather than personalised: "I was grounded because I hurt my sister" rather than "I was grounded because I am a bad kid."

Pessimists have a tendency to build mountains out of molehills and give up before trying. The trouble with pessimism is that it tends to be self-fulfilling prophecy. "I told you I wouldn't get a kick in the game. What was the point of me even turning up?" Such comments just reinforce pessimism and these feelings of hopelessness lead to helplessness.

To promote optimism in your children try the following four strategies:

1. Model positive thinking and optimism. Let your children hear your positive self-talk.
2. Challenge your children's negative or unrealistic appraisals. For instance, "Everyone hates me. I have no friends" can be challenged with "Sometimes it feels like we have no friends but you spent all morning with Melanie yesterday."
3. Teach your child to positively track. Children should look for the good things they do and say them to themselves or out loud. They can look for the good things that happen in life, no matter how small and say them to themselves or out loud.
4. Teach children to positively reframe. When something unpleasant happens or failure occurs they can actively look on the bright side. E.g. "I pranged my bike but at least I came out unhurt" or "That activity didn't work but I know what to do next time."

The beauty about developing optimism is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, which makes it such a powerful success strategy.

Michael Grose is Australia's leading parenting educator. He is the author of six books and gives over 100 presentations a year and appears regularly on television, radio and in print.

For further ideas to help you raise happy children and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au. . While you are there subscribe to Happy Kids newsletter and receive a free report Seven ways to beat sibling rivalry.

10 Home Remedies For Arthritis Pain Relief

Your Remedy No. 1
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Stretch Gently for Strength and Mobility.

When it comes to arthritis, moving hurts, but not moving destroys.

Incorrect moving harms, but intelligent moving heals.

Yoga teaches movement with proper joint alignment which helps bring deformed joints back to normal position as appropriate muscles are lengthened and strengthened.

Consider a private session with an Experienced teacher or buying a book to leam the correct poses.

But remember, Smart Yoga Exercise is the key to restoring health to arthritic joints. Work within the limits imposed by the disease, but don't let yourself be immobilized by it.

Your Remedy No. 2
============

Find Relief Through Less Stress.

If you are hurting and you tense up, you hurt more.

People who have things in their lives under control will be better pain managers than people who don't.

Recent research confirms the importance of psychological attitude on arthritis pain relief.

People with arthritis need to learn how to pace themselves and not try to do everything they can possibly do on the days when they're feeling good.

All that does is make you tired and sore the next day. Try to do a little each day, whether you are having a flare-up or not.

Learn to relax. Take a lesson from natural childbirth. Childbirth is very painful, but women learn how to deal with that pain by learning how to relax.

Books and audiotapes teaching relaxation techniques are available at many bookstores

Idle joints can become painful joints. If you focus on pain, it hurts more, but if you get busy doing other things that are important to you, you're not going to feel it.

Your Remedy No. 3
============

Try Night Prevention for Morning Stiffness.

Almost 90 per cent of the patients suffer from some type of Morning Stiffness.

Apply a muscle ointment at night before going to bed. It will relaxe you and gives you a psychological boost as well.

The reason? People with arthritis tend to feel much better all day if they aren't stiff when they wake up in the morning.

Your Remedy No. 4
============

Float The Pain away.

Studies have shown that floating in specially designed floatation tanks, also known as isolation or sensory deprivation tanks, can relieve arthritic pain.

You usually spend about an hour in the tank.

The pain relief is produced by stress reduction. The body is relaxing, the muscles are relaxing, and this seems to stimulate a release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.

Water in the tanks is heated to precisely 93.5?F, the same temperature as the skin, and the surrounding air is warm and tranquil, leading to deep relaxation.

Your Remedy No. 5
============

Mix Oil and Water.

Recommendation: Heat and eucalyptus ointment, in the form of a thick, oil-based product called Eucalypta-Mint, work for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Use that in conjunction with moist heat when feeling stiff or having pain.

Simply rub it on and wrap the joint in plastic wrap. The moist heat can be applied with warm towels, or you can soak your hands or feet in warm water.

Your Remedy No. 6
============

Copper Bracelet

Sometimes longevity confers respect along with age.

Artifacts that were rarely noticed in their day take on new meaning and value as they persist throughout time.

Such is the case with the copper bracelet, which for decades has been worn for arthritis relief and remains popular today.

Studies have shown that some people with arthritis seem to have difficulty metabolizing copper from the food they eat, leading to increased pain.

The dissolved copper from [a copper] bracelet bypasses the oral route by entering the body through the skin. This might be the only way arthritics ever receive the copper their bodies need -copper that studies have shown can indeed relieve pain.

Physicians remain somewhat skeptical about bracelets but don't entirely dismiss them, either.

Copper may have a role. It's possible that a copper deficiency does increase joint inflammation, and it doesn't seem that supplementing copper in the diet has the same effect as wearing it.

Your Remedy No. 7
============

Work Wonders with Water Excercise.

Ask a dozen doctors about the merits of any arthritis treatment and you'll get a dozen different opinions. But ask them about exercising in water and they all seem to agree.

Water exercises are excellent.

Your pain will be significantly reduced in the water, and you become much more flexible in water than you are in air.

The beginning exercise techniques are easy for anyone to follow. They consist of waving, walking, and bending motions performed in chest-deep water.

The more advanced movements look like aquatic dance steps designed to take advantage of water's natural resistance and gentle buoyancy.

Your Remedy No. 8
============

Get Your Spouse Involved.

Though it's only natural for a husband or wife to do whatever's possible to help a mate who's hurting, such help can often do more harm than good.

When a wife tries to do everything herself and is constantly asking her husband how he feels, she is reinforcing his pain.

Advice: Don't be attentive and supportive only when your spouse is in pain, but also when he or she is feeling good and being active.

That's the time to say, "I'm really happy to see you doing things".

Praise is really important and something people tend to forget to do.

Your Remedy No. 9
============

Use Ice to Prevent Pain.

Recommend cold treatments for those times when a joint's been stressed from overuse or overwork.

Use a gel pack but ice in a plastic bag or a bag of frozen peas will do just as well.

Apply for 15 to 20 minutes, then remove for 10 to 15 minutes. That can be repeated for hours at a time if needed.

Your Remedy No. 10
============

Fast on with Carrot Juice.

A vegetable-juice fast significantly reduces pain for many patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Carrot juice, celery juice, cabbage juice, or tomato juice can be used.

Fast on nothing but the vegetable juice for one day during the first week to get started.

Follow that by alternate fasting for two days during the next week (i.e., Monday and Wednesday) and three days during the third week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).

Don't attempt any type of fasting without your doctor's supervision, however.

Dr Rashid M.H.
Arthritis pain Relief
A Powerful Arthritis Pain Management Toolkit Online

Short Term Solutions to Cash Flow Problems

If you're in a crunch for money, either because of an unexpected emergency bill or other reasons, you may want to look into check into cash services. Available online, check into cash services follow a three tiered process:

First, you send them a check.

Second, they send you cash and hold on to the check.

Third, they deposit the check.

Check into cash is basically a very fast loan that doesn't require credit checks or background checks. However, check into cash services should really only be used when you literally have no other options available to you. Check into cash advances are not supposed to be used frequently; rather, check into cash should be utilized as a one time or merely occasional transaction designed to get you or your family out of a tight spot.

If you find yourself relying on check into cash services, this could signal a more pressing problem with your budget keeping. And if your check into cash transaction ends with a bounced check, you'll end up owing more money than you would have if you'd just been able to wait for your regular paycheck to arrive.

Basically before you go in for a check into cash situation, figure out if and how and when you'll be able to pay the loan back. It might be a better idea to borrow money from a friend or relative in the short term rather than relying on a check into cash transaction. If you do decide to do the check into cash transaction, do research on the company first. If it's a good check into cash website, there will be a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section that should answer all your check into cash questions and concerns. If it's a poor or sketchy check into cash website, move onto a different check into cash situation. Good luck!

Tim Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Military-Loans-Online.com an online website that offers money saving rates on auto, home, bad credit, pay day loans and other free loan information that you can view in the privacy of your own home.

Anamcara - Being Forever Enough

When was the last time you felt you were enough just as you are? When was the last time you felt that you were seen as the being you are? When was the last time you felt unconditionally loved and loving?

When was the last time you felt life was itself enough? There was nothing to be added. There was nothing to be taken way. There was only this experience of gladness beyond measure of feeling alive. For many of us it is hard to remember this experience never mind to re-experience such gladness.

Your gladness is conditional on satisfying certain criteria. This is often some condition which is future based. When we reach such future time your gladness is replaced by other conditions. We have no time to feel glad about simply being here.

Our toxic economy of the never enough society holds us prisoners. It tells us that we will be enough when we acquire this product or that product. Our homes are cluttered with products we do not need and never use. Our minds are dulled with ideas and values that are not our own.

We came into this world as an expression of delight. Now this light which is the light of our being has become dull and lost in the exclusive world of the external.

We are alive to "our life" but we are not living "life." We are working in order to make a living. We do not live to work. Work justifies your ability to live your life. We are told we are entitled to a life once we have earned your daily bread and not before. If we are unemployed or do not work then we have little or no value. If we are old then many of us are told, directly or indirectly, that we have passed the point were "our life" is useful.

We are encouraged to believe more science and more technology will solve your problems of less and less time and more and more stress. We put faith in your leaders of industry and your politicians. At least now we have the intelligence to put less authority in the teachings of churchmen and women. .

Where once we worshipped God the Father we now worship the God of Gross National Product. This is how our lives are measured. This is the measure of our national progress. This is the measure of your cultural endeavour. This is called progress. We are not invited to question progress toward what. Where is this increased Gross National Product taking you?

In the economies of the Western World were most attain levels of income to meet basic needs it is into the experience of increased unhappiness. There is a clear statistical correlation between increased GDP and greater unhappiness.

There is greater depression, loneliness, alienation and anxiety than at any time in human history. We are living longer and healthier lives. This is due to the advance of science and medicine. Our bodies are now managed like well-oiled machines.

Yet we have lost something more precious.

We have lost your true sense of ourselves in the increasing race for more gratification via economic activity. There is no time to stand and stare. Even if we took such time we no longer know how to look. We no longer know how to relax beyond the static we call "thinking." We no longer know how to "let go."

We have transmogrified into a "human doings." We have become slaves to the God Kronas. This is the God of clock time. Our lives are a series of blocks that we sell into a slavery called employment or work. Our life is measured in fifteen-minute segments that are given a monetary value dependant on our status. This then becomes our value, our worth and our self-worth.

We find it hard to even imaging that we are, always have been, and always will be "forever enough." We cannot even think let alone feel this as a possibility. We do not let ourselves experience this as a reality.

We would be considered mad. We would be thought to have gone off your head and yes we would have clearly done so. As a result we would go dancing into life and we would feel a sense of celebration and thankfulness.

We would then "Go placidly amidst the nose and the haste." We would remember what peace felt like and we would feel the blessing of silence. We would be at the centre of the chaos of this world and still feel a sense of gladness at being alive.

Learn that you can feel "forever enough" in the only time you ever have. This is the glorious ever present moment. Learn to open your eyes and your heart to this is the reality that you, dear friend, are forever enough just as you are.

Knowing you are "forever enough" is your birthright. It is your nature and your true reality. Come home to what we in Ireland call, "The Homeplace." This is the place of you belonging and your "longing to be."

BEING ENOUGH

When was the last time you felt you were enough just as we are? When was the last time you felt that you were seen as the being you are? When was the last time you felt unconditionally loved and loving?

When was the last time you felt life was itself enough? There was nothing to be added. There was nothing to be taken way. There was only this experience of gladness beyond measure of feeling alive. For many of us it is hard to remember this experience never mind to re-experience such gladness.

Your gladness is conditional on satisfying certain criteria. This is often some condition which is future based. When we reach such future time your gladness is replaced by other conditions. We have no time to feel glad about simply being here.

Our toxic economy of the never enough society holds us prisoners. It tells us that we will be enough when we acquire this product or that product. Our homes are cluttered with products we do not need and never use. Our minds are dulled with ideas and values that are not our own.

We came into this world as an expression of delight now the light has almost ceased.

We are alive to "our life" but we are not living "life." We are working in order to make a living. Work justifies our ability to live our life. We are told we are entitled to a life once we have earned your daily bread and not before. If we are unemployed or do not work then we have little or no value. If we are old then many of us are told ,directly or indirectly, that we have passed the point were "our life" is useful.

We are encouraged to believe more science and more technology will solve your problems of less and less time and more and more stress. We put faith in your leaders of industry and your politicians. At least now we have the intelligence to put less authority in the teachings of churchmen and women. .

Where once we worshipped God the Father we now worship the God of Gross National Product. This is how our lives are measured. This is the measure of our national progress. This is the measure of your cultural endeavour. This is called progress. We are not invited to question progress toward what. Where is this increased Gross National Product taking you?

In the economies of the Western World were most attain levels of income to meet basic needs it is into the experience of increased unhappiness. There is a clear statistical correlation between increased GDP and greater unhappiness.

There is greater depression, loneliness, alienation and anxiety than at any time in human history. We are living longer and healthier lives. This is due to the advance of science and medicine. Your bodies are now managed like well-oiled machines.

Yet we have lost something more precious.

We have lost your true sense of ourselves in the increasing race for more gratification via economic activity. There is no time to stand and stare. Even if we took such time we no longer know how to look. We no longer know how to relax beyond the static we call thinking. We no longer know how to "let go."

We have transmogrified into a "human doing." We have become a slave to the God Kronas. This is the God of clock time. Your lives are a series of blocks that we sell into a slavery called employment or work. Your life is measured in fifteen-minute segments that are given a monetary value dependant on your status. This then becomes your value.

We find it hard to even imaging that we are, always have been, and always will be forever enough. We cannot even think let alone feel this as a possibility. We do not let yourself experience this as a reality.

We would be considered mad. We would be thought to have gone off your head and yes we would have clearly done so. As a result we would go dancing into life and we would feel a sense of celebration and thankfulness.

We would "Go placidly amidst the nose and the haste." We would remember what peace felt like and we would feel the blessing of silence. We would be at the centre of the chaos of this world and still feel a sense of gladness at being alive.

Learn that you can feel "forever enough" in the only time your ever have. This is the glorious ever present moment. Learn to open your eyes and your heart to this reality that you, dear friend, are "forever enough" just as you are.

Knowing you are "forever enough" is your birthright. It is your nature and your true reality. Come home to what we in Ireland call, "The Homeplace." This is the place of you belonging and your "longing to be."

Tony Cuckson is an Anam Cara. This Celtic term means "Soul Friend." He specializes in providing insight for the spiritual journey, Blessings for YOU, words of wisdom and finding inner peace. Visitors to Irish Blessings Matter website and Tony's Blog get the opportunity to develop a purpose driven life through articles, newsletters and other programs.

Get your free report called "7 ways to it's a wonderful life" at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.com/, or go to Tony`s Blog at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.info/ where you will find links to information related to spiritual parenting, spiritual coaching and spirit in business.

The Brand of Ugg!

There are few trends that last longer than one season. Ugg is one that has been around quite a while. Ugg has become a brand associated with mainly high quality, highly fashionable footwear. Believe it or not, they first got their start in the United States on the west coast where there is little need for winter boots. That is due in part to the fact that Ugg is not just for snow. Completely the opposite, they are for anytime, anywhere, and with any outfit that does them justice! Let's take a look at Ugg Boots here and find out just what they are all about!

Ugg is a term that is used to talk about several different types of boots. In most cases, we are talking about the trendy boot that is produced by a company called "Ugg Australia." But, these are not the first Ugg's to have come about. If you take a look back to the 1930's, sheepskin style boots were being worn by pilots during World War I. And, you will again find these same Ugg boots arriving on the scene is the 1960's when Australian surfers were wearing them. They would warm their feet in these boots after catching a few waves. Even still, they were worn by many Australian people as a way to keep their feet warm during the winter months and were usually worn indoors.

But, the Ugg boots that are so popular today are not made in Australia at all. Although they are still the same sheepskin type boot as they were then, the brand "Ugg" is one synonymous with high fashion trends.

Just what makes Ugg boots so darn good, though? Well, it takes only a second to know just why they are so wonderful. When you slip them on, they are comfortable. But, they are so soft that they are even luxurious. The fluffy inside of these boots offers a very warm and cozy place for your feet! They are also quite cute little boots. Therefore, they are some of the most sought after boots on the market. But, did you know that the term "ugg" actually was used to describe these boots as ugly? It is quite true that "ugg" is a shortened version of the word ugly. But, in this case, they were not referring to those boots made in the United States, but of those sheepskin boots made in Australia years ago! Today's Ugg Boots are anything but ugly!

Today, you can find many different styles of Ugg. They are produced, as we mentioned, by a company called "Ugg Australia." Its parent company is Deckers Oudoor Corporation. It is a heavily marketed brand that has drawn the attention of all sorts of people including some celebrities! Stars like Paris Hilton and Oprah Winfrey are known to love their Ugg boots! Because of this highly in demand following, these boots and shoes can be purchased just about anywhere. But, consider this before you run off to your nearest mall to purchase them.

To find the cutest and most wonderful of all Ugg boots and shoes, look for them right online. You will be happy you did simply because you will find a huge selection of them on the web. And, you are likely to find better pricing online as well. No matter which way you look at it, Ugg is a brand that will be in our hearts for years to come. Look for them on the feet of your favorite stars but don't forget to get yourself a pair as well. You will fall in love with their comfort and style within minutes of slipping them on your feet!

Kim Neal
Slip into the comfort, warmth and style of a beautiful Ugg today!

http://www.my-sheepskin-boot.com

How To Choose A Credit Card

Your credit score may just be a little number, but it packs a big punch. A poor credit score can keep you from getting a mortgage or a car loan. In addition, your credit score may haunt you for a long time if it suddenly drops. Of course, if you have a good credit score it opens a lot of doors for you. This is just one reason why it is important to think about which credit card you apply for before you do.

Every time you apply for a credit card, the company has to check your credit score. This is a bad thing. Numerous inquiries from credit card companies look bad on your credit report because it looks as though you are scrambling to open lines of credit, which can be a sign that you are struggling financially. Of course, this may not be the case. However, credit scoring companies all look at it the same way.

You can avoid scarring your credit score with credit card applications by choosing your card wisely. Choose a card that matches your lifestyle and works for you instead of against you. If you plan to pay off your balance each month, you might want a charge card instead of a credit card. American Express offers a number of charge cards with flexible spending programs that are perfect for people who plan to pay off their balance each month. They also offer some flexibility so that if you have an emergency you can use the card and pay off large charges over time. In addition most of their cards offer you reward points for using the card. On the downside, American Express charges an annual membership fee for having the card.

If you do not plan to use the card often, but plan to make large purchases on the card, which you will pay off over time you should get a revolving credit card, which allows you to carry a large balance over time. Of course there cards require you to pay interest on everything you buy. Interest expenses can get very high.

Other kinds of cards include:

1) A check guarantee card, issued by your bank, that you can use to ensure that your cheque will be honoured up to a certain limit.

2) A debit card, issued by your bank, where whatever you spend is immediately deducted from your bank account

Do you need a credit card?

a) A credit card means you don't need to carry huge amounts of cash around and risk losing it.

b) A credit card means you can buy items over the internet.

c) A credit card means you can make purchases abroad without having to worry about local currency.

d) A credit card gives the opportunity to spread the cost of a large payment over several months.

e) A credit card is useful in an emergency. For example, an unexpected repair to your house or car.

What You Need To Consider:

1) APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
This is the rate of interest that you will pay on any outstanding balance.

2) Special Introductory Rates
You may be offered a low or 0% rate of interest for a limited time (Up to 6 months) when you sign up for a new card. A higher rate of interest may be charged for cash withdrawals.

3) Balance Transfer Rate
Card issuers may offer you a lower rate of interest if your swap your balance from another credit card to theirs.

4) Interest Free period
Remember to check when interest payments will begin. Will you pay interest from the day of the purchase? Or will you have a number of days interest free before you begin to pay? There is usually no interest free period for cash withdrawals.

5) Cashback and Rewards
Some cards over points or rewards for every pound spent on the credit card. Make sure that these are appropriate for you. For example, there&'s no use collecting airmiles if you never fly.

6) Minimum Repayment
Remember to check what the minimum monthly repayment will be. If you borrow ?1000 on your credit card the monthly minimum repayment will probably be in the region of ?25. But if you only pay this amount each month it will take a long time to pay off the balance and cost a lot in total when you include the interest payments.

7) Annual Fees
This is the fee that the issuer will charge you every year for using their credit card. Not all credit cards have an annual fee, so remember to consider this when you are choosing which one is right for you.

8) Late Payments
There will be an extra charge, as well as the interest owed, if your payment is late. This charge may even be more than the amount you owe so be very careful to check what the charge is, and to ensure that all your payments are made on time. A good way of doing this is to set up a direct debit from your current account.

9) Exceeding Your Limit
You may also be charged a fee if you exceed your credit limit.

Choosing the right credit card is a complex decision, but it can be made easier by using the free online credit card finders at http://www.creditcardbuzz.com.

Stephen Kelly is a financial advisor and the founder of Credit Card Buzz (http://www.creditcardbuzz.com). A free site with credit card reviews, ratings, analysis and online applications.