Elite Cavern

2009-01-29T00:26:00.000-08:00

Wealth Creation Power of Gratitude

Do you have an attitude of gratitude?

There’s been a lot of focus both in the media, at the water cooler and at the family dinner table about the terrible financial loss people have been dealing with. Jobs have been declining at an incredible rate. The bureau of labor statistics reported In December, the number of unemployed persons increased by 632,000 to 11.1 million and the unemployment rate rose to 7.2 percent.

Some people have lost more than 50% of their IRA and 401K savings and no one, even if you have a terrific credit score, we’re talking more than 720, are having a difficult time accessing credit.

All this is understandably disturbing. It has stricken fear into the hearts of Americans and citizens worldwide. Suddenly everything we’ve taken for granted is gone. This loss of security has affected even those who have yet to really suffer any financial loss. We’re all left with a lot of questions and an abundance of uncertainty.

With all of this unfortunate news there is one thing you can do to regain your security, to regain your control, and to get started on a path to even greater wealth and abundance.

Gratitude.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
-Melodie Beattie

The first steps of Gratitude and Wealth Creation

Gratitude is an emotion. It’s recognizing and feeling appreciative of what you have. Now this can be difficult if you’re losing money at a record rate, if you’re in debt, and if you’re at risk or have lost your job. No matter where you are financially, even if you’re at the very bottom, there is always something to be grateful for. Are you breathing? Do you have someone who loves you? Do you have food on your table? Do you have job? Do you have skills, abilities, and knowledge unique to you? Do you have your health? There is always something to be grateful for and the first step to wealth creation is to recognize what you do have and to be grateful for it.

When you look at what you do have rather than what you do not have it changes your perspective. It gives you power, hope, and strength to look at your present and your future differently.

Focusing on what you don’t have or what you have lost doesn’t change or solve anything. You still don’t have it. However focusing on what you do have changes everything. It gives you the ability to make plans for the future. To grow what you presently have, even if it is only your breath.

Feeling Gratitude is Profitable

Napoleon Hill, author of the esteemed and widely read “Think and Grow Rich,” speaks of gratitude as a way to overcome your fears. Overcoming your fears is imperative to attain great wealth.

It’s easy to know you’re supposed to be grateful, to say thank you for what you have however feeling gratitude is another thing altogether. Spiritual and financial experts often recommend keeping a gratitude journal. Write down what you’re grateful for. Make a routine out of it and document your gratitude every day, perhaps at the end of the day as you’re getting ready for bed or first thing in the morning.

While this type of gratitude experience is a great start, it is not enough.

Journaling can easily become another task. “I have to write down 5 things I’m grateful for before I go to bed,” doesn’t inspire actually feeling grateful.

In order to achieve the kind of effects, the power of gratitude, you must feel grateful down to your core. Every cell in your body needs to sing “THANK YOU.” This requires quiet contemplation.

Think about what you’re grateful for and why. If you’re grateful for the food on your plate, why are you grateful for it? Who are you grateful to? What does having food on your plate right now mean to you?

When you’re grateful down to your core this type of gratitude becomes a way of life. It affects everything you do, every decision you make, and how you interact. If you believe the law of attraction then you know that you attract more of what you focus on and when your heart is singing thank you, you’ll attract more of what you want into your life.

Expressing Gratitude Is Profitable

It’s important to note that as you’re building a business, gratitude plays a critical role in how your customers and prospects relate to you. This goes beyond saying a quiet thank you for your customers and actually thanking them.

The Psychology of Consumer Behavior by, Carey, Clicque, Leighton, & Milton, 1976, showed that when customers of a jewelry store were called and thanked they showed a 70% increase in purchases. This was compared to customers who were not called at all and customers who were thanked and then notified about a promotion. Simple gratitude goes a long way toward boosting business profits and increasing wealth.

The same concept is embraced by restaurant servers who write a simple “Thank you” on the bill – they receive larger tips. Think about that big tip jar on the counter at your local coffee shop. Are you more likely to put a dollar in there if it says “Thank you” or if it says “God is watching you,” or even if it says nothing at all? A big “Thank you” goes a long way.

So how can you thank your current customers?
Send them a letter.
Send them a personal email
Give them a call
Give them something for free
Recognize them on your website, blog, or newsletter

We’re all in this world together. Understanding that, appreciating, that and expressing gratitude not only for your customers but for everything you have in life is the first step toward receiving all that you desire. It’s more than having a glass half full attitude, though that is a super start; it’s about sharing that attitude with everyone around you.

We’re drawn to people who are positive, who are grateful, and who appreciate us and what they have. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have or what you’ve lost, use the power of gratitude to build on what you do have. You’ll be grateful for the results.

Excerpt From: Jeremy Gislason
SureFireWealth INC

2008-09-25T03:45:00.000-07:00

Does The Credibility of Government of Malaysia Has Been Affected by Use of ISA (Internal Security Act)?

The recent used against three person under ISA (Internal Security ACT) by the current government of malaysia under UMNO rule to curb/calmed racials tensions.

The detention under ISA of a blogger, newspaper reporter and an opposition MP highlight the problem which had become the struggle to survive for certain group of people and individual in the current government in order to stay power.

NOW, the question that need to be ask; does the government still hold the credibility and the good image that they carried for so long?

Has ISA been use to curb/arrest criminals or communism and terrorist or has it been manipulate by certain individuals to silent the truth from been spoken out.

Has ISA been abuse and do we still need to keep ISA?

Has the government realize that they have been elected by the people to rule with justice and true?

The home minister: syed hamid albar said no one above the law? Does he understand what he had just said it? or being ignorance?

Recently, a member of parliament from Gua Musang , Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said the detention under the ISA of a blogger, newspaper reporter and an opposition MP had heightened rather than calmed racial fears.

"In the present context of a leadership struggle within Umno and a strong opposition, it is impossible to dispel the notion that these measures are calculated to keep certain individuals in power.

"Nothing does more to undermine the legitimacy of a government than plainly unjust acts," Tengku Razaleigh said in a statement here.

His criticism follows that of former de-facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who resigned from his cabinet post last week in protest against the ISA arrests.

Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin was on Tuesday sent to the Kamunting detention centre in Perak where he will begin his internment of up to two years under Section 8 of the ISA.

Selangor senior executive councillor Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng have been released.

The arrests were also criticised by other Barisan Nasional component party leaders from the MCA and Gerakan.

In his statement, Tengku Razaleigh painted a bleak picture of the nation's current political and economic situation.

He said the political and economic crisis could cascade into long-term instability for the country.

"I appeal to all parties to come together to hold an honest discussion about what is happening to our country.

"We need to come together to find unity and direction out of this dangerous situation."

2008-09-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

SAPP PARTY QUIT BN AND RAYMOND TAN DECIDED TO DUMP SAPP.

After long battle and waiting for an answer, finally SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) under the leadership of Datuk Yong Teck Lee together with his supreme council decided to quit from BN(Barisan Nasional) for good. All the members of the parties agreed unanimously to quit from BN and broke rank whatsoever that to do with BN. But seems not everyone in the parties agreed with Datuk Yong Teck Lee decision to quit. His deputy president, Datuk Raymond Tan and Mr. Au are totally against SAPP from leaving BN.

Now, what is more startling revelation here, Raymond Tan, his ex-deputy president, revealing some insight why Datuk Yong Teck Lee made the hush decision to quit from BN is because Datuk Yong Teck Lee was disappointed for not been given a seat during the recent election in the state. (By the way, Datuk Raymond Tan, decided to quit from SAPP)He claimed that Datuk Yong was not pleased with the decision made by Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi for not chosen him to be one of the candidate. NOW, the question that we would like to ask to Raymond Tan, why are you revealing all this secret to especially people of Sabah and Malaysia. What are you try to proof to us. What benefits that Sabah get from BN after been rule by BN (UMNO) for many years and why are you care to help SABAH.

By telling us all about your former leader (Datuk Yong) this and that will help him(Raymond Tan) to expose the true colours of your former leader? By begging Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi not to arrest his President for corruption under the ACA, does that make him a hero?

Question.....

1. By exposing your former president his weaknesses does that help him(Raymond Tan) to be good leader.

2. A good leader will try to support his President for whatever cause and not start attacking his leadership.

3. By asking the PM for help when even PM also are having leadership problem ( in house problematic) guarantee will he help? Do you think the people of sabah, care to know what are you doing. Begging and pleading. For what the people see, you only think about your own position and prestige. Rank and business dealings.

4. By forming another party does that help you achieve or champion the right of the people of sabah. What motives that he has for forming party? To save his business/status?

Let the people of sabah decides and judge. A good leader will not reveal or attacking his own president for whatever reason because at the end, three fingers will pointed back at him. When a leader think about himself , he cannot see others. He only think about himself and him alone.

2008-09-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

Why Government of Malaysia are using ISA and arrested three person?.

Lots have been happening here lately where the Government lead by UMNO are trying to win the heart of rakyat(people) but it seems, whatever decision their made, it creates more damages and mistrust among the people. Whats more the arresting of three (3) person under ISA under the pretext of protecting the country from chaos and prevented racials tensions.

From the eye of layman what the Government did was not only wrong but also created more hatred, no confidence, breach of trust, mala fide. By arresting the reporter from Sin Chew Daily, Ms.Tan Hoon Cheng,who reported the statement made by YB Ahmad Ismail that the chinese in Malaysia are squatters (pendatang) and labels the chinese as Jews of America and put her under ISA (Internal Security Act) just because she reported what had been said by this Encik Ahmad Ismail. Really show how backward the Governemnt really are. Home Minister: Syed Hamid Albar said, She was been put under ISA for the safety and protection. The question that we have to ask, why must ISA be used against citizens knowing that person had never done anything wrong . Why ISA never been use again Encik Ahmad Ismail for rising the issued of racism. Why Dato' Syed Hamid gave a funny statement to justified his action (since he is the Home Minister).

Why put Teresa Kok (MP from Selangor)under ISA when she never uttered any words about the "AZAN" are too loud. Why the Government never properly check the authenticity of the report and hearsay from Khir Toyo, the former menteri besar selangor and reported also from local malay newspaper. It creates lots of misunderstand and confusion.

Question, by enforcing ISA, does Government trying to creates fear to all the rakyat (people) for telling the truth. If it corrects, then we all in big shit of trouble because the Government will check and scrutize all our activities even when we read newspaper, coming late to work, spank our kid for being naughty, late making payment to all our bills, etc etc and next things you know everyone will put under ISA for our safety and protection. C'mon dude! Its not acceptable.

I think its time for the rakyat to choose another Government to rule.

By putting Raja Petra under ISA will help the curtail the tensions created by the Government or his cronies?

***When the leadership are weak, the people suffered.

2008-03-02T22:15:00.000-08:00

Dreams are the Key to Your Purpose

A person's dreams can give a person the chance to discover his purpose and meaning in life. Dreams are akin to visions and goals in life. Yet, they tend to be unrecognized in the lives of people because they are so busy with the business of living and providing for themselves. More than that, the world offers a lot of noise and diversion to people and prevents them from realizing their dreams. People should be able to identify the dreams that they have.

This requires conscious efforts and soul-searching on the part of people. As such, people who want to live their lives in accordance with their dreams should be willing to search deep within themselves for these dreams. Up to a certain degree, they have to shut down the noises of the world and be silent for a while. After recognizing the impulses and the ideas that make up your dreams, you need to take a pen and write down your dreams. This way, you are able to track down your dreams more effectively.

You may not be able to figure out right away how to achieve these dreams. But the important thing is to write these dreams. It would even be better if you can designate a notebook as your journal, which you can use to track your progress in achieving your dreams. Your journal can also become the venue in brainstorming the different steps you need to make in order to achieve your dreams. You cannot achieve your dreams in a snap of your fingers. Rather, the steps you need to take are many and sometimes you really have to be patient and persistent to achieve these dreams. If you expect your dreams to come true after doing exerting little effort, you are badly mistaken. Remember that a house is built after laying down the foundations and then slowly, the building blocks are added till the roof is put on top. The process takes time.

But unless you take the first steps in achieving your dreams, you will never find your purpose in life. This world thrives on a myriad of processes, which cannot be undermined. The process of achieving your dreams also rests on different processes. In finding purpose and meaning in your life, you better follow your dreams. It may be costly and you might experience a lot of difficulties along the way but you the destination is worth the journey.

About the Author: Cassidy Williams. The One Question is a website that helps people discover their purpose in life. It discusses the meaning of life and lets you find yours.

2007-10-23T23:35:00.000-07:00

20 Cute Love Quotes to Make You Smile

If you're a hopeless romantic, nothing can bring a smile to your face quite like cute love quotes can. The problem is, finding cute love quotes that aren't cheesy can be a bit harder than one might imagine. That being said, they are indeed out there. Here are 20 cute love quotes that are anything but cheese.

1. "Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means." ~ Leo Buscaglia

2. "Love builds bridges where there are none." ~ R. H. Delaney

3. "Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great." ~ Comte DeBussy-Rabutin

4. "Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell." ~ Joan Crawford

5. "When you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out." ~ Elizabeth Bowen

6. "Love is too strong a word to say it too early, but it has too beautiful a meaning to say it too late." ~ Kurt Cornish

7. "What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork." ~ Pearl Bailey

8. "Love is the only gold." ~ Alfred, Lord Tennyson

9. "LOVE: The irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired." ~ Mark Twain

10. "Marrying for love may be a bit risky, but it is so honest that God can't help but smile on it." ~ Josh Billings

11. "I don't want to live-- I want to love first, And live incidentally." ~ Zelda Fitzgerald,

12. "Love is like an hourglass with the heart filling up as the brain empties." ~ Jules Renard

13. "Love, like a river, will cut a new path whenever it meets an obstacle." ~ Crystal Middlemas

14. "Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." ~ Franklin P. Jones

15. "Love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise." ~ Samuel Johnson

16. "It is with true love as it is with ghosts; everyone talks about it, but few have seen it." ~ Francois De La Rochefoucauld

17. "If only one could tell true love from false love as one can tell mushrooms from toadstools." ~ Katherine Mansfield

18. "Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence." ~ H. L. Mencken

19. "Gravitation can not be held responsible for people falling in love" ~Albert Einstein

20. "Everyone admits that love is wonderful and necessary, yet no one agrees on just what it is." ~ Diane Ackerman

Who says cute love quotes have to be cheesy? These twenty love quotes prove otherwise. The next time you find an anti-romantic in need of romantic inspiration, share these cute love quotes with them and prove that love is worth pursuing!

For more [http://www.famous-quotes-and-quotations.com/love-quotes.html]love quotes, check out the popular love quotes section at Famous-Quotes-And-Quotations.com, a website that specializes in 'Top 10' lists of quotations in dozens of categories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Noel_Jameson http://EzineArticles.com/?20-Cute-Love-Quotes-to-Make-You-Smile&id=735878

2007-08-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

3 Easy Tips on How to Ask a Girl Out.

Do you find yourself struggling with how to ask a girl out?

She's attractive, interesting and has a great personality. But every time you're around her, you can't seem to figure out how to ask her out on a date? Well if this sounds like you, then you're not alone. In fact, lots of other guys have problems with getting a date.

What's funny is it's actually pretty easy to ask a girl out on a date. If you know the RIGHT sequence of events and how to set things up, it'll be easy to land a date without making her feel pressured or uncomfortable.

If you follow my 3 step plan, you'll easily increase your chances of a woman accepting your date request. Let's get started...

Your first is to make sure you build attraction around this girl. When you first meet her (or if you already know her), the conversation must get to the point where she is interested in what you have to say. So this means you should display ALL the traits that she'll find attractive.

For instance, you should do the following:

* Display an alpha male personality

* Demonstrate higher status

* Be cocky/funny

* Tell interesting stories

* Ask provocative questions

Now during the process of attraction building you need to show one additional thing: You have an interesting life. When you're talking to this girl, you should mention how you like to do fun things.

Specifically you should mention an event you're doing within the next week. The key to this step is to discuss how much fun you're going to have and why you're really excited about it. Then steer the conversation towards something else that she finds interesting.

Finally you'll come to the conclusion of the conversation. This is the moment where you'll ask her out. Instead of just getting her number, you should act like you had a sudden thought. Mention that she might be interested in the event you were recently discussing. Then tell her "it would be cool if you tag along". Get her number and let her know that you'll call with more details.

This technique for asking a girl out is a great way to set up a date without having to resort to specifically giving a date request. You build attraction and excitement about a specific event. Then you ask the girl out without making her feel uncomfortable with an uncomfortable dating environment.

Asking a girl out can be hard for a lot of guys. The trick is to know how to build excitement about date and eliminate her nervousness. If you make her interested about the date, you'll discover that it's easy to make her want to go out with you.

About the Author: Scott Patterson can help YOU meet, attract and seduce ANY woman! In his free resource, Attraction Mastery , Scott provides over 50 TIPS you can use to get instant results with girls. To claim your free copy of this incredible resource, visit his site right now: http://www.ChickMagnet101.com

2007-07-12T00:58:00.000-07:00

10 Inspirational Quotes, Self-improvement & Success – Hand in Hand.

Everything that happens to us happens in purpose. And sometimes, one thing leads to another. Instead of locking yourself up in your cage of fears and crying over past heartaches, embarrassment and failures, treat them as your teachers and they will become your tools in both self-improvement and success.

Remember watching Patch Adams? It’s one great film that will help you improve yourself. Hunter “patch” Adams is a medical student who failed to make it through the board exams. After months of suffering in melancholy, depression and suicidal attempts – he decided to seek for medical attention and voluntarily admitted himself in a psychiatric ward. His months of stay in the hospital led him to meeting different kinds of people.

Sick people in that matter. He met a catatonic, a mentally retarded, a schizophrenic and so on. Patch found ways of treating his own ailment and finally realized he has to get back on track. He woke up one morning realizing that after all the failure and pains he has gone through, he still want to become a doctor. He carries with himself a positive attitude that brought him self-improvement and success. He didn’t only improved himself, but also the life of the people around him and the quality of life. Did he succeed? Needless to say, he became the best damn doctor his country has ever known.

So, when does self-improvement become synonymous with success? Where do we start? Take these tips:

Stop thinking and feeling as if you’re a failure, because you’re not. How can others accept you if YOU can’t accept YOU?

When you see hunks and models on TV, think more on self-improvement, not self pitying. Self-acceptance is not just about having nice slender legs, or great abs. Concentrate on inner beauty.

When people feel so down and low about themselves, help them move up. Don’t go down with them. They’ll pull you down further and both of you will end up feeling inferior.

The world is a large room for lessons, not mistakes. Don’t feel stupid and doomed forever just because you failed on a science quiz. There’s always a next time. Make rooms for self-improvement.

Take things one at a time. You don’t expect black sheep’s to be goody-two-shoes in just a snap of a finger. Self-improvement is a one day at a time process.

Self-improvement results to inner stability, personality development and SUCCESS. It comes from self-confidence, self appreciation and self-esteem.

Set meaningful and achievable goals. Self-improvement doesn’t turn you to be the exact replica of Cameron Diaz or Ralph Fiennes. It hopes and aims to result to an improved and better YOU.

Little things mean BIG to other people. Sometimes, we don’t realize that the little things that we do like a pat on the back, saying “hi” or “hello”, greeting someone “good day” or telling Mr. Smith something like “hey, I love your tie!” are simple things that mean so much to other people. When we’re being appreciative about beautiful things around us and other people, we also become beautiful to them.

When you’re willing to accept change and go through the process of self-improvement, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is. The world is a place where people of different values and attitude hang out. Sometimes, even if you think you and your best friend always like to do the same thing together at the same time, she would most likely decline an invitation for self-improvement.

We should always remember that there’s no such thing as ‘over night success’. Its always a wonderful feeling to hold on to the things that you already have now, realizing that those are just one of the things you once wished for. A very nice quote says that, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” We are all here to learn our lessons. Our parents, school teachers, friends, colleagues, officemates, neighbors… they are our teachers. When we open our doors for self-improvement, we increase our chances to head to the road of success.

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

By Tim Staines

2007-07-01T04:39:00.000-07:00

How Your Life Can Have Meaning after the Death of a Loved One.

How can you find meaning in life now that your loved one has died? How can existence possibly have any purpose? It is common to feel that life has ended for you. When someone we love is no longer physically present, we are often haunted by despair, emptiness, and the lack of purpose.

Even though grief therapists know this is a common yet temporary experience, it is not common and temporary as far as you are concerned. It is too real and deeply painful to consider what the death of your loved one means.

1. The first step to take is at some point in your mourning is to decide that you will become restoration oriented. I cannot tell you when that will occur; only you can make the call. In short, you must form the intention of reinvesting in life despite all of the feelings inside that say, no way. You may not be able to do it today. Later, a little at a time, will do. However, it is clear that a loss orientation always leads to stagnation and increased unhappiness.

One of the secrets of human behavior is to discover that you can act your way into new beliefs and assumptions about life. Yes, act. You don’t necessary have to start with the positive mental attitude everyone talks about. This happens in someone’s life every day. What they never thought could happen within, suddenly changes due to their persistent make believe behavior.

Act as you wish to be is an ages old recipe for adapting to change. Hard work? Yes. Yet it always works, if you do one thing: keep acting “as if.” This means acting as if you are where you want to be.

2. Embrace that which is unfamiliar is the second step. It is the familiar and predictable which gives us a secure feeling. The loss of your loved one forces you to face a new world, a new life, devoid of the presence of the person who added so much meaning to existence. You will have to face the unfamiliar, learn new skills, and reach out—or live a much contracted existence. That is a given. But you can approach the task with special motivation to look for ways to reinvest your emotional energy.

Here is a taste of what others have done. Take short or long trips to places you have never been. They can be places near your home or out of the country. Start sampling foods from other cultures. Some you can purchase in your local super market. Others can be tried in restaurants. Try a sport or exercise you have never done before. It could be Yoga, Tai Chi, boating, breathing exercises, or golf as starters. Never stop learning. There are thousands of things we have never done.

3. In welcoming the unfamiliar, don’t be over-controlling. Let whatever you discover in your attempts to embrace the unexplored to play out. Don’t judge too soon whether it’s good or not so good for you. See what it fully offers by giving it much time and space to play its role in your daily life. Consider the satisfaction it brings and the interpersonal relationships it generates in your evaluation to make it a part of your new life or to abandon it. Let these events unfold to create a multiplicity of possibilities and wonder for your greater good. Study the possibilities carefully.

4. At root, you are searching for meaning in the death of your loved one and in a life without him/her. Realize how vastly important meaning is. It is the flywheel of life around which everything is organized; you are a universe of meanings and emotions. It builds and tears down, brings sorrow or joy, throws you into the past or causes you to become interconnected in a web of relationships. Changes in meaning can bring changes in your ability to cope; even your body will respond in healthier ways.

We act out and believe what is meaningful and makes sense. Meaning will change your life for good or for the worst—all on the way you choose to perceive an event. The miracle of it is that you can find new meaning for your life, let go of the old, and cooperate with the massive changes imposed by loss. For it is meaning that will keep you connected to your loved one, and learning to love in separation.

Don’t forget, all of the above works if: you act as you wish to be, seek and accept the unfamiliar, and refuse to be controlling as you allow the new to play out. This will facilitate making a diligent search in your thought life for other meanings in the death of your loved one and in your life. What other meanings can you find?

Dr. LaGrand is a grief counselor and the author of eight books, the most recent, the popular Love Lives On: Learning from the Extraordinary Encounters of the Bereaved. He is known world-wide for his research on the Extraordinary Experiences of the bereaved (after-death communication phenomena) and is one of the founders of Hospice of the St. Lawrence Valley, Inc.

His free monthly ezine website is
[http://www.extraordinarygriefexperiences.com.]http://www.extraordinarygriefexperiences.com

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lou_LaGrand http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Your-Life-Can-Have-Meaning-after-the-Death-of-a-Loved-One&id=625760

2007-06-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

Communication Skills - the 4 Powerful Secrets that Win People Over .

Having a conversation seems very natural to some people, but to others it is a struggle every time. There is no need to feel frustrated or upset every time you are faced with a situation where you must be involved with a conversation.

Conversation is essential and important to every day life. If you avoid conversation with others they may see you as stuck up. Thinking you do not value what they have to say or think they are not worth your time. You can gain a horrible social image if you avoid conversation.

There are four great tips that can help you to overcome whatever may be bothering you about conversation.

Tip#1 How to answer rude or inappropriate questions.

Some people are very bad at the art of conversation and may say something off beat. They may ask an extremely personal question or just make a comment that is not appropriate.

To handle this situation you should politely give a short answer or reply without drawing attention to the situation and then move on. Change the subject or if the person just piped up with this, go back to the original conversation.

Tip#2 What to do when you run out of things to talk about.

If you are constantly watching others and paying attention to what they are talking about you shouldn't run out of things to say. If you do find the conversation running out then try to find something common to talk about. This will bring everyone back into the conversation and allow it to pick up again. Some good conversation topics are current events or something about the place you are at.

Tip#3 How to kick up a conversation.

Sometimes for lack of better things to talk about a conversation can get boring. If people are not interested in what is being talked about they will stop talking or leave. You do not want to end up with silence or awkward good byes.

So if you feel the conversation is dragging try to bring up something different than what you have been talking about. This is a good time to state an interesting fact you know or to share a hobby. Pet peeves are another good thing that will liven up the conversation.

Tip #4 How to deal with a topic you know nothing about.

Sometimes you will find that the people you are having a conversation with bring up a topic you know nothing about. In this case you have the opportunity to use your listening skills.

You should take interest in learning about this topic by asking questions. This shows you are interested in the other person and you care about what they have to say.

These tips cover four main situations that crop up in conversation and cause anxiety. Knowing how to handle them can make you feel more at ease with the idea of having a conversation and improve your overall communication skills.

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available only at: conversation topics

2007-06-14T05:12:00.000-07:00

How To Deal With Emotional Problems.

Into every life a little rain must fall. But every once in a while, that rain becomes a deluge, especially when personal problems become too much for one person to handle. At some point, you might find yourself having to help and comfort someone who has a problem.

While you may have learned how to patch-up a physical wound, you might not feel capable of providing help with an emotional wound. You may feel at a loss when dealing with an employee, a friend, or even a family member who is angry, crying, or despondent.

Some people are afraid of helping others deal with personal problems. They would rather walk away, allowing their employees, friends, or family members to figure it all out for themselves. However, the act of helping someone deal with a personal problem is a mark of your success as a communicator, a problem solver, and a person.

No doubt you’ve heard the classic advice from a well-meaning friend: “Never let personal problems surface at work.” And no doubt you’ve been privy to some standard advice from a well-intentioned colleague: “When you go home at night, leave your work problems at work.”

Problems are not something you can switch off and on. A serious personal problem tends to engulf all of your time and thought no matter where you are. Personal problems do not respect time frames. So its illogical to have an argument in the morning with your spouse, and not expect to think about it at some time, more likely, several times during the workday. You just can’t pretend to be happy if you’re really miserable.

If you breakdown a typical workday, the largest chunk of time during a 24-hour period, is spent on the job, anywhere from eight to ten hours. Any problem from home will undoubtedly surface at work. Likewise, a problem at work will overflow into the time you’re trying to devote to family and friends.

Many people, especially men, feel that the idea of suppressing your emotions is a sign of strength. This train of thought is wrong. As kids, we’re taught to contain ourselves and not show certain emotions. An obvious example of this is that men shouldn’t cry; it’s not the macho thing for men to do. We get the idea that showing emotions is shameful. We need to let go, and get past these ideas, because they are destructive and counterproductive. We need to recognize that we can talk to other people about our problems.

The best managers are often those who know how to help employees with their problems. A good manager understands that people have problems that sometimes invade the workplace and take over for a while. A good manager knows how to listen and how to serve as a facilitator.

Emotional crises tend to involve more than one personal problem or distressful event. When personal problems take their toll, it’s usually because of a series of concurrent events. For example, you’ve had an argument with someone important in your life, a bad investment is coming to light, and a close relative is extremely sick and demands attention. When it rains, it pours. Things begin to unravel, and you feel overwhelmed.

Problems can manifest themselves in several ways. They can manifest in an inability to make eye contact, or the inability to concentrate, nervous gestures, or deep sighs. Other signs might be a loss of sense of humor, a quick temper, difficulty in performing routine tasks, or taking too long to perform tasks.

If an employee comes into your office in a fit of anger, or a sibling calls you in tears. What do you do? Remember, you’re not a psychiatrist; instead, you’re more like a practitioner nurse, assessing the damage to determine a course of action. You’re there to provide comfort and guidance.

If the person’s emotional reaction is severe, consider helping him or her get professional attention. If the outburst is not as severe, you might be able to help. Three of the most common emotional reactions you may encounter and be able to handle are crying, anger, and despondency.

Crying. Take the person to a private room. Offer something to drink, such as water, coffee, or a soft drink. Never hold or cradle an employee who is crying, only do this if it is family member. Give the person time to gain his or her composure. Don’t come on in a strong or overbearing manner. Instead, use a calm, sympathetic tone of voice. If the person declines to discuss the reason for the tears, don’t push. If he or she doesn’t want to explain, simply back off. But if the person does want to talk, remain understanding and sympathetic. Don’t make judgments. In the case of an employee, offer him or her a chance to go home early. Check at another time to show your concern for his or her well-being.

Anger. If an individual comes to you angry, make it clear that he or she must cool down before you take any action. Ask the person to explain, but cut of any tirades. Try to get at the facts. Once the story has been explained, the person may feel ashamed for the outburst. Assure him or her that anger, within reason, is an acceptable emotion.

Despondency. Maneuver the despondent person into a private room. Without conveying any kind of judgment, ask gently whether the person is feeling down or unhappy. State your willingness to help. If the person agrees to talk, be a good listener. If tears come, don’t’ stop them. They may provide a great relief for the person. Recognize that despondency is more serious than crying or anger, because it can signal deeply rooted depression. Look for an extended pattern of depression. If necessary, you may need to recommend some fairly serious steps, such as a leave of absence or outside counseling.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember in these situations is that you are providing comfort, listening, and trying to help solve a problem. You should let the rules of common sense and logic be your guide. Also, don’t let the event ruin your day or overrule your priorities. Recognize, that you’re only temporarily turning your attention to someone’s problem. Once the problem has been addressed, then return to your daily schedule.

Everyone deals with personal problems in different ways. Some people are vocal; some people hide; some call on their sense of humor; some get very intellectual or philosophical. Your goal should be to develop a method that works best for you.

As a starting point, you should simply acknowledge the situation. If you’re becoming overwhelmed, try to step back and develop some perspective. Recognize that personal problems are affecting your work and other aspects of your life. Then you can look for an appropriate path to get out of your dilemma.

It’s important to realize that you’re going through a rough time that will soon fade into memory. Know that you can manage it; don’t let it control, or consume you. There are ways you can go about your life even though you are thinking about your difficulties.

One of the best ways I’ve found to do this, is to simply think of the problem as a burden. Visualize your emotional issue as a weight that you carry with you like luggage. Take your burden to work with you. When you have to attend a meeting or make a telephone call, set down your bag and perform your work. After each task, pick up your burden and deal with it. This way, you can avoid letting your burden consume you and get some work done.

It’s important, that you never let your problems take on a life of their own. Sure, a crises is going to disrupt your life for a while. A crisis causes you to think and react. It is going to force you to turn your attention to it. But you must realize that you have control over it. You can decide how you are going to let this crisis or personal problem affect your life. Hopefully, you’ll come out of it a better person, having learned something from your problems.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could always walk around carrying a big umbrella for those rainy days? However, even if we could, it’s inevitable that there will be a time when a problem bigger than a dump truck will splash a lake full of water on us. It’s unrealistic to expect to stroll through life high and dry.

That’s why personal problems are such problems. You know they’re out there; you know you’re going to get hit by a few of them. Your success in overcoming your problems all depends on whether you let them take the form of a light summer shower or a downpour that rains on your parade.

Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. He is the founder and CEO of JLM & Associates, a consulting and training organization, specializing in personal and business development. Through his seminars and lectures, Joe Love addresses thousands of men and women each year, including the executives and staffs of many of America’s largest corporations, on the subjects of leadership, self-esteem, goals, achievement, and success psychology.

Reach Joe at: joe@jlmandassociates.com
Read more articles and newsletters at:

http://www.jlmandassociates.com

2007-05-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

How To Be A Winner In Everything You Do.

Experts, including many leading psychologists, agree that what separates life's winners from its losers are certain patterns of thinking and behavior. Losers tend to perceive the path to success as a straight, unbroken line from beginning to end. As a result, these people are unable or unwilling to cope with setbacks along the way.

If their progress is slowed or halted for any reason, they often become frustrated and give up. For these people, setbacks are failures that can not be overcome. Their motto might be, "if at first you don't succeed, give up".

Here are some of those winning characteristics found in common among successful people in all walks of life.

1) Goal-Oriented

In order to be a winner, you must have a goal- some point you wan to reach. That's the first and most important requirement for success. Simply put, you can't be a winner if there's nothing to win.

Both short- and long-term goals are essential elements in providing a sense of direction and purpose. Without a specific, clearly defined goal, you're like a traveler who has no destination. You have no idea of where you're going or why. You don't know how to use your time and resources to their fullest advantage. On the other hand, goal-oriented people know exactly where they are headed and why. They plan their journey carefully, keeping in mind all the detours they may face along the way, and never lose sight of their destination- their goal.

2) Motivation

Once you have set your goal(s) you must have the drive or motivation to reach it regardless of the obstacles in your way. Winners are all highly motivated people who press forward until their goals are reached. That doesn't mean that in order to achieve your goals you must exclude everything else from your life. You'll still need to socialize and relax, but you must set priorities. Consider how much time you spend each day in unnecessary pastimes that do little more than sap your energy.

If you use that time instead to focus on and work toward a specific goal, you'll increase your chances for success dramatically. The bottom line is, in order to be a winner, you must want to reach your goal more than anything else.

3) Positive Mental Attitude

Having a positive outlook doesn't mean blissfully ignoring the many harsh realities of life. Winners understand that risks and potential setbacks are a matter of fact. Instead of dwelling on these negative aspects of life, winners are constantly looking for alternate ways to pursue and achieve positive results. After all, how much can anyone accomplish with a defeatist attitude?

A positive approach with allow you to be your most creative and productive- both mentally and physically. Negativism will make you more vulnerable to stress and less likely to pursue your goals.

One way to become a winner in everything you do is to study successful people and then follow their examples. You don't have to make yourself over in someone else's image. But you should learn and develop the winning characteristics these people have in common.

It's not an impossible task. If you are willing to make the necessary changes in thinking, attitudes and behavior, you can realize your full potential and achieve whatever goals you set.

About the Author:
Enrique Villalobos is the owner of MakingExtraMoneyAtHome.com, which provides free articles and resources about working from home. Visit it now and download the free ebook "Dotcomology, The Science of Making Money Online."

2007-05-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

The Power of Your Words.

Most of us underestimate the power of our words. We sometimes miss how our words set a tone. A few words can make someone's day, or shatter it. Words can inspire someone to buy, or to go away without buying. Our words can move someone to do their best work, or to work against us. Your spoken words serve either to build up or to tear down. They serve to empower and inspire, or to disempower and hurt. Words are either life affirming or destructive. For this reason we should choose our words carefully. "The word is the most powerful tool you have as a human...like a sword it has two edges, your word can create the most beautiful dream, or your word can destroy everything around you." (The Four Agreements, Don Miquel Ruiz)

When you are talking to someone ask yourself this question: "Who am I being and what is the impact of my words on the people around me?" The power of your words lies in the intention behind them. Is it your intention to create a resolution or to be right? Do you intend to help the organization accomplish its mission or to satisfy the need to take someone down? We communicate best when we are clear about who we are and what we intend. This kind of clarity prevents us from saying words that are harmful to ourselves and others. It may prevent us from engaging in harmful gossip and complaining.

Gossip is usually destructive. It is often a careless use of our words. We just aren't thinking about how we are affecting others. Sometimes gossip is mean spirited and intended to cause hurt. Whether gossip is careless or intentional, it causes pain. We may be hoping for a little humor or self justification, but the results of gossip are anger, suspicion, embarrassment, and fear. These creations of gossip negatively affect morale, service, and productivity. You cannot both care about someone and gossip about them. If you think back to the last time you either heard or offered gossip, it probably didn't make you feel good. Gossip disempowers us.

Similar to gossip is chronic complaining. Complaining about people and situations makes us feel and look powerless. Managers who complain in front of their employees lose credibility as leaders. Chronic complaining leads us into a dead end street where there is nothing to be done. We become victims who are powerless to change anything. While venting frustrations to a trusted friend can be helpful in releasing negative feelings, complaining to everyone tends to reinforce negative feelings. Like gossip, chronic complaining disempowers us.

Our power to do harm is exceeded only by our power to do good. A simple, sincere apology (given without expectation of return) can heal a relationship. An uplifting word at the right moment can change a life, launch a career, or convince someone to go beyond perceived limitations. By consciously looking for evidence of greatness in others, and by using our words to tell them, we help others to build confidence. When we sincerely speak well of others we uplift ourselves.

There is great power in making the commitment to keeping our words as positive and life affirming as we are able. As an affirming presence our influence grows. We feel better about ourselves. Constant negative speech imprisons us and prevents us from finding joy and success. Developing the habit of speaking well of self and others frees us to enjoy life more. We become a blessing to ourselves and to others.

Our spoken words originate from our thoughts. The best way to increase the positive power of our spoken words is to clean up our thinking. We must become willing to think well of ourselves. Constant self criticism needs to become unacceptable. We free ourselves to think and speak well of others by thinking well of ourselves.

Consider practicing the following:
• Affirm life in your thoughts and your words. (To affirm life is to build up, to nurture, to support, and to bless)
• Refuse to gossip. Commit to saying only words that are uplifting or helpful to others.
• Refuse to listen to gossip. Compassionately tell others it is beneath them to gossip.
• Refuse to indulge in complaining about another person.
• Refuse to dwell on self critical thoughts. Learn from mistakes and move on.
• Intentionally look for positive qualities to think about yourself. Make a list often.
• Intentionally look for positive qualities in others. Tell them.
• Don't take the words of others personally. Their words are more about them than about you. Let go of your grudges and your hurts and wish others well. This practice will make you happier.
• Do not allow negative emotion to control you. Accept it. Be willing to let it go. Stop feeding it with negative words. Choose words that will refocus you on who you are and what you really want.

Gossip and complaining are distractions and a misuse of your energy. Decide what you really want and apply your energy to it. As you become more life affirming in your thoughts and words you will experience more joy and success, and your sense of well-being will affect others. More people will trust you and want to help you. Your life will change. Affirm life with your thoughts and words and you will find that your organization, your family, your community, and you will benefit greatly.

William Frank Diedrich is a keynote speaker and the author of The Road Home: The Journey Beyond the Spiritual Quick Fix, 30 Days to Prosperity: A Workbook for Well Being, and Beyond Blaming: Unleashing Power and Passion in People and Organizations. William also offers a free online newsletter, Transformation Times. To learn more about Bill, his books, and his services,

go to http://www.transformativepress.com

or to http://noblaming.com

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Frank_Diedrich http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Power-of-Your-Words&id=456496

2007-05-14T01:24:00.000-07:00

What Women Want: a Five Point Guide for Men

What women want may surprise you. At least once a day, as a dating coach and a columnist, I get an email from a guy somewhere begging for an answer to this most frequently asked question by men: "What do women want?"

The question of what women want comes from a genuine confusion in many men. What most people already know is that men and women think in very different ways. And how those different thinking patterns are demonstrated gets some couples in trouble. Men like action activities; women like to sit and talk. When you are planning a date, if you want to please her, try and combine both such as lunch and a walk in the park. Another example of the different ways men and women think is that men perceive working long days and even on weekends as a way to show their success or love. Women, however, may see that behavior as neglect. There are many other examples where men and women get their signals crossed.

If you have ever been at a loss for understanding what women want, here is a five point guide:

1. Being Number One

All women want to be Number One. Just ask Cinderella, Cleopatra, Miss Piggy, or any other well-known female icon. They want to know that they come first in a man’s order of priorities. They want to feel that their boyfriend or husband will choose them over every other activity or relationship. If your girl knows this, she won’t mind when your mother, child, friend, or co-worker calls and asks for help. What she won’t understand is if you have dinner with your Ex on occasion, or drop your plans with her and go have beer with the guys instead, or, never take time to ask about her day because you watch the sports channel every minute you are at home. Being Number One is the Number One desire of most women.

2. Keeping Your Word

Women want a man who keeps his word...in his relationships, his work, and in all aspects of life. If you promised her the world (Disney World, that is) then you'd better give it to her. If you don't do what you will say you will, she won't trust you. Without trust, your relationship doesn't mean anything. Keep your agreements. If you can’t, tell her so (preferably, beforehand) and tell her how you plan to rectify it. More importantly, don’t make promises you can’t keep.

3. Listening

Women want a man who listens. I know you are tired of hearing about this one, but it is central to a relationship. She wants to be heard. Listen to her. Apparently, this is difficult for most men to do. Sitting down and talking is not something you are naturally wired for. But you can learn. Further, it’s impossible to have intimate or important conversations with dogs barking, kids crying, or phones ringing. If your girl is trying to talk to you, handle any emergencies, turn off the cell phone and TV, and give her your full attention. If you do, you will make her feel that she matters.

4. Believing Her

Women want to be believed by men. Men tend to be (or think they are) more analytical than women. Therefore, when she speaks, and is trying to tell you something important, you may have a tendency to dismiss it. If you know how to balance your brain with your heart, and listen with kindness, you will find that what she has to say is relevant to your life with her. If you are with someone you don’t trust, then her words will have no affect on you. (And you should be asking yourself why you are there.) But if you love and trust her—then believe her.

5. Doing What She Asks

Women want you to do what they ask at crucial times. She doesn't expect you to "fix" everything, but there are times when her requests call for action. I know, I know—some of you are probably smirking by now. But if you implement what she says, you will have an extremely happy partner. This statement assumes that you are with a good person; that she is rational most of the time; that she does not ask the impossible or the ridiculous of you; and that she is equally giving. Some men find this hard to do because they feel that to do this, they are being a wimp. Believe me, she wants you to have backbone. And there is every opportunity in all parts of your life to exercise that quality. She isn't asking for you to give up anything. She is asking to be heard and cared about. If you trust her character and if she tells the truth…do what she asks.

Go on and try these suggestions. If you are with a happy lady…you are going to be a happy man. This is what women want.

Visit

http://www.tonjaweimer.com or http://www.singlesdatingtips.com for more tips, skills, and insight on dating, relationships, singles, and love. Subscribe to our F*ree Savvy Dating Newsletter from master single's coach, life coach, and syndicated columnist, Tonja Weimer. Copyright 2006, Tonja Weimer. (Please note source if reprinting this article.)
Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:Tonja Weimer Dating Coach, Singles Relationship Coach, Midlife Singles Coach, or Personal Life Coach all describe the help you may be seeking. Visit Tonja's website for more exciting dating tips! Singles Dating Tips Online

2007-05-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Smile More Often

The ability to smile is a gift to humans. It not only fills a mood of happiness and positive energy into one's own soul, but also spreads a feeling of good will, friendship, love, and care for the others to perceive, who happens to be facing you or to whom you are smiling at.

Further, a heartening smile is a non-verbal symbol of acceptance, which is very crucial in our social lives, and a gesture that personifies your confidence, eagerness, aptitude, and willingness to perform your duties with full heart. Have you ever heard an HR personnel lecturing on interview skills telling the candidates not to smile at the interviewer before accepting his invitation to take the seat? Or have you ever met a receptionist attending to your queries with a tight lip?

In fact, not! No friendly interaction could do away with a broad smile on either of the participant's faces. This is a universal truth in fact, but restated by our motivation and success-type of gurus.

So, it is quite obvious why it is important to learn to smile, even in times when you do not feel to smile at all, but to grin or gnaw. Here are top 5 reasons as to why you should smile more often than how you are today. If you are confident enough that you are smiling very often, please skip this article; it is meant for those poor souls who have not still fathomed the importance of a cheek-to-cheek smile.

a) As mentioned earlier, a full hearted smile sets the tone for the rest of the day. It makes one feel good and better and the positive energy a smile brings into oneself is both self perpetuating and infectious.

b) A heartening smile makes others also feel welcomed to come and talk to you.

c) A smile originating from your inner self is a good enough stress buster. It triggers your hormone production, thus soothing the building tension in you.

d) A smile not only peps up your appearance, but it also plays a major role in toning up your facial muscles. Remember, smiling is a subtle exercise in itself.

e) Finally, a smile does not cost you anything. And it returns in lot, the results being emotional, social, and biological.

Our world is full of sad people, with long faces. Let you also do not add to their already long ranks. Smile yourself into a new life and let others also follow suit. So, next morning, when you get up, make sure that there is a broad smile originating on your lips. Make it a habit to smile and soon you will realize how substantially this little change can transform your life!

John Khu is an experience entrepreneur and internet marketer. He specializes in communication development and personal happiness.
http://www.happyessence.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Khu

2007-05-03T06:14:00.000-07:00

Developing Your Sense Of Humor

Having a good sense of humor is one of the most important characteristic of all happy and successful people. A good sense of humor helps you to solve problems, improve your relationships, and have a positive outlook on virtually every aspect of your life.

Sense of humor is something people talk about but rarely understand in terms of what humor really is. It is often defined as having a different perspective on things. This way of looking at sense of humor is only partly correct. If you defined sense of humor as just having a different perspective, it would be like saying, “If you were just 6 feet tall, you’d understand this” and “If you just had a full head of hair, you’d be more comprehensive.

Changing your perspective means going back through your entire life and looking at all the belief systems and elements that went into making up your perspective. So it’s not a simple process. A sense of humor is a very particular developed sense of perspective that allows you to access joy even in adversity.

I’m not talking about going through life and laughing things off. Nor am I talking about the fact that you ignore a problem or don’t take it seriously. I am talking about first dealing with the problem and then putting a positive spin on it.

The idea is that a sense of perspective when it comes to humor allows you to see yourself in the scope of things rather than always at the center of things. Most of us have a tendency as to believe that any problem we are confronting and facing at particular moment is the most important thing that is going on in the world.

This way of looking at problems is a very heavy responsibility. It makes you feel as if the problem is everywhere and it becomes the focus of your being. This is why a developed sense of humor is so important, because it allows you to see yourself in the scope of things rather than always at the center of things.

When you look at things with a sense of humor perspective, it enables you to have a remarkable capacity to control how you see the things that are going on in your life. You cannot control the external events in your life, but you can control how you look at them.

An important part of a developed sense of humor is the capacity to take yourself lightly, even though you may take your work or your problem very seriously. A sense of joy in being alive is an intimate component of the human will to live. It’s not abstract, but it’s not easy either, you have to work at it.

One of the best ways to develop your sense of humor is to make a list of all things that make you happy, that put a smile on your face, or give you joy. Make of a list of the things you do or once did that you don’t have time for anymore, that nourish and sustain your sense of joy. List the things that enliven you and strengthen your spirit, so that when a problem occurs you’ve got a reason to combat it and have the flexibility to see it though to a successful conclusion.

The root form of humor is umar in Latin. It means to be fluid and flexible like water and that is what humor is about. It’s staying flexible so you don’t get broken by the difficulties you confront. Being flexible enables your creative mind to stay open so that you can still come up with solutions even in painful situations.

Making a list of the things that make you happy sounds simple, but it’s not. I’ve done it with thousands of people over the past ten years and what I’ve found is that most adults over the age of 35 cannot write down more than three things that give that make them happy. They will invariably start off with something such as, “my work, I love my work.”

You should never put work on your list, or anything that causes you or other people harm. Instead you should list things that make you happy and put a smile on your face. For example, you might want to list things like going to a movie, fishing, or kissing your spouse.

Don’t try to complete this list all in one sitting. You should spend at least four to six weeks completing it. I advise my clients to get a small diary or pocket folder and carry it with them. This way you can write down things as they come to mind or as you’re actually enjoying them. After six weeks time you should have over 100 things on you list that make you smile, laugh, or feel better.

This list is going to become a critical component in developing your sense of humor because it will help you deal more effectively with all those small things that are always chewing at you. If you have a big problem, you can handle it, you can see it, and get into it, but it’s all those little things that keep sneaking up behind you and nipping at your neck that having a good sense of humor helps you deal with.

Misery is not subtle. Pain is not subtle. Joy, humor, and laughter are very often subtle. So you have to pay attention to them to start activating them into your life and that’s what this list will help you to do.

Making a list of all the things that you enjoy and put a smile on your face will not only help develop your sense of humor but it also gives you the opportunity to find out more about the people in your life and what makes them happy and this will enable you to help them develop their sense of humor. When you are able to give other people joy and put a smile on their face, especially when they need it most, you will be giving them the greatest gift you can give.

Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. He is the founder and CEO of JLM & Associates, a consulting and training organization, specializing in personal and business development. Through his seminars and lectures, Joe Love addresses thousands of men and women each year, including the executives and staffs of many businesses around the world, on the subjects of leadership, achievement, goals, strategic business planning, and marketing.

Reach Joe at: joe@jlmandassociates.com

Read more articles and newsletters at: http://www.jlmandassociates.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Love

2007-05-03T06:11:00.000-07:00

Get Clear About Your Life Purpose.

Do you want to wake each morning looking forward to the day ahead?

Do you want to be of service to others by creating benefit and value in your everyday life and environment?

Do you want to love what you do?

If your answers sound anything like "yes", then it’s likely you’re not yet living the life that’s right for you. The result? You’re living out of habit with a routine that serves only to help you exist as opposed to live. The solution? To get clear about what it is you really should be doing with your life, to start living it and to realise the wonderful benefits for you and your environment.

Are You?

Fed Up With Where You Are Right Now – Perhaps Even Resentful?

Wishing You Were Doing Something More Meaningful Each Day?

Sensing It’s Time You Did Something About It? If any of your answers are "yes" then read on ...

What’s In It For You?

Discover What It Is That You Really Should Be Doing With Your Life

Transform It Into Reality

Revel In The Benefits That Come Your Way As Your Environment Seeks To Support You

By sticking to the same old routine of existing as opposed to living, we risk forming a habit that serves only to frustrate us. We slip out of alignment with our inner self, and because of this we fail to express our potential and the magnificence of the person we really are. The way to cut through this is to wake up to our calling – to discover what it is that motivates us to be of service and to make a difference.

How do we achieve this? Simple – we first need to discover our unique qualities and motivators for creating change, then set about applying them in our interactions with others. As we continue in this way, we begin expressing ourselves more naturally. In turn, we become compelled to make an even greater difference and do so by organising other areas of our life into alignment with this way of being and doing.

Result – we open up to who we really are and find ourselves expressing a genuine love for life. We also benefit from the support of our environment as all manner of opportunities appear to help us on our way.

INQUIRY: Make a note of your core values and unique personal qualities. List some of the ways in which you enjoy expressing these when interacting with others. How can you call on them to make a difference? What more can you be and do to build on this?

ACTION: For the next thirty days, make this a reality by putting the above into action. Notice how different you feel, and the effect you have on your environment. Perhaps there’s a way you could make a living from this? If so, check it out – what’s the first step? Trust in yourself - grab the initiative and make it happen. You’ll never know the difference you can make until you’ve made it.

Make A Habit Of Getting Clear About Your Life Purpose

For more information on how you too can live a better life, visit http://www.rightlifecoaching.co.uk/ now.

Best Wishes

Simon

“Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfilment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity,“ Viktor Frankl

Simon is a professional Self Development Coach based in the UK. He specialises in helping individuals and businesses to see the reality of their challenges and desires, and then set about ways to transform and achieve them through inner change.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Perkins

2007-04-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

10 Tips to Improve Your Self Esteem

Striving to improve our self esteem is on everybody’s mind. It doesn’t matter if you actively pursue this goal or you subconsciously working on improving your self esteem. The problem with this is that you really don’t know exactly what you want to improve. You’re acting intuitively on external signals.

Do you know how to improve your self esteem? Probably not. To make it a little bit easier for you and to achieve your goals quicker I put together 10 tips that you can utilize right away.

1. Build up your self-esteem. You must take an inventory. What do you want to improve or change about the way you interact with others? Try to make only one change at a time. Always check you progress before making another change.

2. Celebrate your journey, not your destination. Learn to always feel good about where you are now, and to exude self-confidence about anywhere you might find yourself tomorrow.

3. Set clear goals for yourself before every interaction. Know what you want. Think about how the people you will be meeting can help you reach those goals. Then decide how to approach each person accordingly. Apply this regularly and you will notice a difference.

4. Be proactive. Take the initiative. Be decisive. Let the other person know exactly how he or she can help you. Proactive people tent to be more successful in their career.

5. Treat each person you meet as if she or he is truly important. (You'll be amazed how this works.)

6. Give a firm handshake; look the other person straight in the eye. Practice both of these. Your handshake should be just right. Not too firm and not too loose. Train yourself to notice something you like or find attractive in the person.

7. Listen! Listen! Listen! Teach yourself to develop good listening skills. Learn a way to remember the other person's name. If in doubt simply ask for the name again 2 or 3 sentences into the conversation.

8. Visibly respond to the other person. Smile, nod agreement, and address him or her by name. Apply all you listening skills to visibly respond. The body language is the most important part of a conversation. Practice, practice, practice…

9. Pay more attention to the other person than to yourself. Are you responding to what may be going on in his or her life? Don't filter out bad news. Put yourself in the other person's shoes. Be caring.

10. Stay "in the moment." Don't mentally cut off the other person. Don't reload while he or she is speaking. What this means is that you need to focus on the other person 100% during a conversation. Anything less is considered rude.

Next time you meet somebody new look out for these behaviors. Put a mental checkmark on the each of the 10 tips and see how well this person scored. Chances are that the person scored very high if you tent to like her/him. On the contraire the person probably scored low if you don’t seem to connect.

The more you practice the more likely you will create a positive aura which is commonly known as charisma. To step up to become a charismatic personality it takes more than just these 10 tips.

Creating a positive aura will benefit you in every thing you do. You will create a warmer ambience with your family. You will be more successful in your career. Even while trying to meet a partner of the opposite sex you will notice a difference on how people perceive you.

Unfortunately a small article can’t do justice on the wide spectrum of creating a positive aura and developing a charismatic personality. You will get the complete picture and step by step explanations in Race Kale’s new book “The Power of Charisma”.

Author: Peter Dobler is an active real estate investor and a successful home business entrepreneur. Learn how to become a charismatic personality in this new book.
http://www.powerofcharismabook.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Dobler
http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Tips-to-Improve-Your-Self-Esteem&id=47420

2007-04-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

Self Confidence - Overcoming Words Of Self-Doubt.

No matter who you are I am sure that you have had at least one person say something to you that was hurtful. Many times these things can produce self doubt and lead to a low self confidence. These words can live on in your mind for years and continually make you doubt your own abilities in life. Here are 3 ways to overcome those words of self doubt so that you can increase your self confidence and find your greatness in life.

1. Begin to say positive things to yourself.
This is often called affirmations and can be one of the hardest things for you to start doing depending on how low your self confidence is. However, if you start and stay consistent with this, you will begin to see dramatic changes in the way that you see yourself. For instance, if you have been told that you aren’t smart, every morning you need to get up and say out loud, ‘I am smart. I have the ability to do anything that I put my mind to.’ Say this 50 times when you get up and 50 times before you go to bed and watch the change happen.

2. Find new friends.
If necessary, find new friends that will encourage you and say good things about you. Having friends that make fun or say negative things about you, aren’t worth having.

3. Stop the self-doubt.
This may take time but is essential if you want to increase your self confidence. You have to make a decision to longer think negative things about yourself no matter what others may have or are telling you. The first place to increase your self confidence is you. If you tell yourself that you aren’t good enough for something, you are your own worst enemy. Begin to believe in yourself.

Is there greatness on the inside of you but you don't know how to achieve it? Jason has just completed his brand new 7 part e-course, 'Find Your Greatness'

Get it free here: Find Your Greatness

Do you want to learn how to create successful habits and goals? Download Jason’s new FREE ebook here: Goal Setting

Author: Jason Osborn, has dedicated himself to changing thousands of lives by helping people find their greatness and true potential through his Find Your Greatness Newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Osborn

2007-04-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

Curing Stress Vs Coping With Stress.

There are many avenues and techniques used for coping with stress. Relaxation techniques, engaging in a creative activity, a good workout, or relaxing walk. Coping, however, isn't curing. If you want to deal with chronic stress in an effective manner it is necessary to get at the root cause.

Stress is generally a two pronged attack on you... external and internal... essentially the two colliding factors are what has happened and how you internalize the level of seriousness. The sum of these two products determines what your ability to cope is with any given situation.

Certainly life offers up many stressful events such as a lost job, a failed marriage, a serious illness, and on and on. But, even for these events to result in stress (especially long term stress) any individual has to evaluate the events and themselves in a particular way.

Self confidence and experience in handling stressful events go a long way toward any person being much more resilient to stress. If the person identifies situations realistically and internally knows that they have the capability to deal with and overcome life's inevitable inequities; they will certainly feel challenged (not incapacitated) - but this is a normal part of living and in fact is quite a healthy reaction... and is far from constituting chronic stress.

In order to deal with chronic stress it is vital to have an objective sense of the actual damage and the external factors that come into play. Many circumstances in life involve losses that are, at the very least, are temporarily out of our control... but situations change, wounds heal, relationships mend, and new friends and partners are found.

Even permanent losses should not result in loss of persistence and hope. We humans are a very resilient lot. This is not to say that 'time heals all wounds', but through thought and effort you can cover a great distance in doing so. When a person focuses on what is valuable and what is possible and look beyond the stress agent then acute stress is mitigated and when thought and effort combine with a pragmatic attitude toward life's personal tests and challenges, a chronic stress invasion is all but impossible.

Unfortunate event's happen within everyone's life. Everything isn't always 'ok' - but having a sense of realism is a major tool for you to have. When bad situations occur it is this realism that keeps things in perspective in that; yes bad things happen and things truly may be 'as bad as they seem' - but rarely do they have to stay that way.

Objectivity is a key characteristic in either keeping chronic stress away or breaking the cycle. Long term stress many times partners with or leads to depression and is in fact many times self perpetuating... you feel bad - so everything looks bad - things look bad - so you feel even worse.

Recommitting to successes and achievement and overcoming life's daily challenges is essential to break the negative cycle. With every hurdle that you overcome, you grow stronger in your ability to get over the next one. But, getting to this in your life takes conscious thought and most of all... action. Rarely do life's answer come mailed special delivery right to your doorstep.

About the Author: Jeff Foster. For more important information on coping with and managing stress, be sure to visit www.0-stress.com where you will find advice and tips on stress the causes of stress, depression, phobias and much more.

2007-04-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

You Can Choose To Live A Healthier Lifestyle

Ask yourself these two questions, as you get older do you honestly think that you are likely to get sicker, have different health problems and more of them? Or will you choose a healthier lifestyle?

Since we now live in the information age, if we really want to be healthier, then it is possible to improve with age, rather than giving in to the downhill spiral of deterioration and ill health. Past research has proven it to be so.

You may have heard the saying, "An ounce of prevention is cheaper than the pound of cure." You might be interested to know that should you continue to do things that are not healthy, you will be known as being "bad". Things such as, eating poorly, smoking, refusing to be more active, this is commonly known as "Lifestyle Suicide."

There is a much better way. Here are some of the more significant areas that involve lifestyle and our ability to make choices. Keep in mind that by choosing wisely you are focusing on a healthier lifestyle choice and will improve your health to its greatest potential ever.

Cigarettes: nicotine is a very highly addictive substance. Research shows that the average smoker makes seven attempts to quit. Ex-smokers say that it was all worth the effort although the cravings do still last for years. Quitting smoking is the most effective choice a person can make in improving their health. So if you have decided that you want to quit, then do it now!

Food is all about what you eat and how. There is a serious problem with obesity in our country. Portion size must be taken into consideration, but you must also take care to eat the right foods and exercise in order to receive the full benefit of a healthier lifestyle.

Deciding to lose the extra 15 or 25 pounds is noble, but dieting alone will just not work. The key to achieving your goal is activity. Avoiding or even eliminating completely, any refined carbohydrates such as white sugar and flour, along with regular yet moderately exerting activities will eliminate the necessity of measuring or weighing of food, and will almost guarantee that you lose one to two pounds a week.

Avoid foods with trans fats, like margarine, white sugar, flour and prepared foods. Instead eat more raw and unprocessed foods. Don't miss out on breakfast and never eat late at night.

Eat foods rich in anti-oxidants like darker colored fruits and vegetables, purple grape juice, green tea, red wine and dark chocolate. Try to drink four or more glasses of water daily.

If you decide to start exercising remember to Keep It Simple. Start off by walking for 15 minutes three times a week; this should cause you to get a bit of glow. Gradually increase your walk, causing a bit more of a glow. Although there is no upper or set limit on how long you choose to walk for, the health benefits do get greater after 60 minutes of activity.

If you do decide to start taking better care of yourself and live a healthier lifestyle, it is recommended that you get some advice from professionals who will take care of you in a holistic way, as opposed to just treating the symptoms. Prevention of health problems before they even become symptomatic is the best approach.

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author: Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of my-personal-growth.com , a site that provides information and articles for self improvement and personal growth and development.

2007-04-09T00:13:00.000-07:00

Not Getting What You Want in Life?Your Thoughts Could Be the Culprit

Unhappy? Stressed out? Do you feel you not only want more fun in your life, but you need more fun in your life? You seem to be doing all the right things, but yet you still feel unfulfilled.

So, what’s wrong? You want that feeling of happiness again, like that sense of pleasure you had as a child when you saw your first rainbow.

But now you feel like you aren’t getting what you want out of life, and it’s leaving you feeling disheartened. The answer could be that your thoughts are sabotaging your happiness.

Is it possible that our thoughts have that much power over us? Yes! Our thoughts are the most powerful manifesting agent we have. Our thoughts work together with our subconscious mind to manufacture our reality. Our thoughts dictate to our subconscious mind to create what it’s saying.

Our subconscious mind is non judgmental; it is like a computer assembling data. Whatever data you give it, it will accept. If the data is false or inaccurate, the computer doesn’t care, it will accept whatever you punch in.

Our mind works in the same way. Our internal dialogue is the data that we input to our subconscious mind. Our daily thoughts are the information that our subconscious uses to create. Our subconscious mind’s job is to make our thoughts materialize. If your internal chatter says, I’m not as intelligent as my co-worker, your subconscious minds says,

“Okay you’re not as intelligent as your co-worker, I’ll produce that for you. I will manifest your co-worker getting that promotion instead of you, to show you that it’s true.” If your internal chatter is always complaining about the injustices that happen to you, and that you are a victim, your subconscious mind says, “Yeah, you are such a victim, you are always getting treated unfairly; I will create a circumstance where you are treated unjustly, so you can be victimized.”

Have you ever wondered why successful people keep getting successful? It’s because of their thinking. They have found the formula to success, their thoughts. Your subconscious is hard at work creating what you tell it. It wants to please you, so it will do what you think.

Changing your outer world starts by changing your inner world first. When your inner world isn’t congruent with your outer world, it creates turmoil inside your body, leaving you with the feeling of being stressed, tired, and an overall sense of unhappiness.

How do you stop the sabotage? Pay attention to your thoughts and internal dialogue. When you hear your little voice say anything limiting or negative, stop and replace that thought with what you really want, and believe you deserve it.

It doesn’t stop there, and then you have to take action into making that a reality. Act as if it were already true. When you do this, your subconscious knows you are serious about making a change, and it will assist you into getting what you really want. It will take a little time to start manifesting, but you will see a difference. Changing your thoughts results in changing your life.

About The Author
Marla Sloane Ph.D. is a successful author and speaker. Her Daily Positive Affirmations subscribers have reached world-wide proportions, and her book, “The Masks We Wear and How to Live Without Them” is at the heart of her teleclasses; Live Your Best Life. Marla has also produced, Trilogy of Meditations, for your Mind, Body, and Spirit, which is distributed nationwide, and in Europe. You can visit her web site at: www.marlasloane.com.

2007-04-05T00:03:00.000-07:00

A simple yet very powerful way to beat your negative emotions

Negative emotions, like insecurity, fear, despair, discouragement, frustration, anger, deception can pollute your life. Throughout the day, you experience all kinds of emotions, some are positive and others are negative and painful.

Feeling positive emotions, like happiness or peace is a choice, isn't it? Negative emotions are choices as well. Consciously or unconsciously, you choose to generate a feeling.

When you feel negative about yourself or an outside event, you can say to yourself: "I am in a bad mood" or a better way to say it is: "I choose to be in a bad mood". This statement gives you more freedom and responsibility, don't you think?

This freedom and responsibility can help you choose whether you want to immediately change the kind of emotions you're experiencing or not. It is your choice to totally master your thoughts and eventually master your personal life.

Here are the following three steps to get rid of negative emotions, simply but powerfully. With some practice, you can apply it successfully in seconds. This technique is called the cloud technique. So the next time, you experience a negative emotion, apply these three little steps:

1. The cloud symbol. First, make a representation of the negative emotion as a cloud. Notice its shape, colour and how it moves? The representation for example could be a big, black cloud that moves around you.

2. Blow the cloud Step out of the cloud and leave it where you were standing. Look at it, asking yourself the following questions "Is this emotion useful for me right now?" or "Is this emotion helping me as I communicate?" Now you're going to take a deep breath and blow at the cloud which will dissolve before you or float up into the blue sky and disappear. Notice how the negative emotion goes away as well.

3. Feel great Finally, decide what you want to replace your negative emotion. Choose a new positive emotion to try such as love, kindness, peace, friendship, confidence, humour or curiosity. Imagine another cloud or a door that will represent your positive feeling. Then step into the cloud or the open door and see how you feel. By then, you should be calm, at peace or full of love. This is your choice.

This technique can be surprising at first, due to its simplicity. When you are stuck in a negative mood, it may seem like you have no choice. When you use this technique, you will be more aware of your power to change your thoughts, emotions and even your life. You will be more conscious of your inner gift, which is your free agency or your freedom to choose.

Changing your emotions in a blink of an eye is possible. It is also a choice you can make consciously. Don't let your emotions control you. You can master your life by mastering what happens inside of you. The more you apply this technique, you more you will feel great and the more you will be success in your life.
Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com
About the Author: Emmanuel Segui

2007-04-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

11 Symptoms Of Depression And How To Recognize Them

Everyone feels "blue" at times. Life is full of highs and lows. But people with depression feel sad all of the time. Depression is a real medical illness. Left untreated, it can lead to other mental illnesses or even suicide. Real clinical depression is not something you can just shake off. You can't talk yourself into feeling better. It can interfere with your daily activities and can hurt the ones close to you. The first step in getting better is to recognize the symptoms and admit that you might have depression. Some people may have only a few of the following symptoms while some may have many.

Persistent sad mood or feeling empty.
Feelings of hopelessness.
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
Loss of interest in favorite hobbies or things you once enjoyed
Loss of interest in sex.
Decreased energy.
Sleep disturbances, either sleeping too much or too little.
Inability to concentrate.
Overeating or not being able to eat.
Restlessness or irritability.
Thoughts of suicide.

Depression may also cause a wide variety of physical symptoms. People with depression often experience digestive disorders such as constipation, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Depressed people may also get frequent headaches and experience back pain. Anxiety attacks may also coincide with depression.

Women experience depression twice as often as men. Hormones can play a huge role in depression. Menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, post-partum period, miscarriage and menopause all can be contributing factors to depression. Women have additional responsibilities at work and at home and are usually the care giver for the children and sometimes aging parents. These stressors can lead to depression

Men that are depressed often try to mask it with alcohol or drugs. They rarely admit to being depressed. Often times they will work excessively long hours to hide it. The rate of suicide in depressed men is four times that of women. Men often become angry, irritable and discouraged. They are less likely to seek help and are often harder to diagnose.

There are three major types of depression:

Major Depression.
This is a disabling depression that has a combination of the symptoms listed above. It interferes with one's ability to eat, sleep, work or enjoy pleasurable activities.

Dysthymia.
This is a less severe type of depression. It is not disabling, but generally keeps one from functioning well or feeling good. People with dysthymia will probably have a least one major depressive episode in their lives.

Bi-Polar Disorder.
It is sometimes referred to as manic-depressive disorder. It is characterized by severe high and severe lows. The cycles may happen rapidly or come on gradually. Left untreated it can worsen to a psychotic state.

If you experience any of the above symptoms and they last for longer than a couple of weeks you should seek medical treatment. There is no shame in admitting that you may have depression. It doesn't mean you are crazy or weak. People of all ages, race and gender can suffer from depression. With the right interventions, you can enjoy your life once again.

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Jean Morgan is the publisher of Beat Depression Today an informative ebook and self help package for anyone suffering from this illness. It is available from http://www.beatdepressiontoday.com
Jean also has a blog at http://howibeatdepression.blogspot.com/ Jean Morgan is the publisher of Beat Depression Today an informative ebook and self help package for anyone suffering from this illness. It is available from Beat Depression Today Jean also has a blog at How I Beat Depression

2007-03-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

Success – Array a Simple Way to Achieve it Now

Even the word itself, ‘success’ carries both strong emotions and the shroud of mystery. What is success anyway, and how can one achieve it.

For most people in the world, success has become to mean a level of financial security, along with notoriety and the conviction that one’s tomorrow will be as secure or more than one’s yesterday.

This concept of success is shallow however, as just earning money and being somehow famous does not qualify anyone as a success.

Success is rather, a level of self-confidence that whatever a person does will be achieved in a proficient, honest, and skillful manner.

Should money and / or fame come with it, so much the better.

Down on Your Luck

Many people feel success eludes them as they are down on their luck. Nothing is father from the truth.

Luck is nothing more that your state of preparation meeting opportunity.

If you are not ready when an opportunity comes, you cannot seize it, and it passes you by. Most people blame it on bad luck. Its not so.

If you are in some sort of down cycle, you must examine yourself. Ask yourself ‘why’ , and try and see what opportunities passed you by. Were you ready for them?

Turning the Situation Around

If you desire real success, you must be committed to the idea.

Do not look at other people who seemingly have success as a constant companion.

Their stories may reveal (and often do) down periods, bad luck scenarios, and downright failure episodes.

Rather, look to yourself only, determine with the simple steps below what you need to be doing to turn your situation around.

Simple Steps to Reverse a Negative Trend in Your Life

If you have had enough of failure, and wish to turn a negative trend in your life to a positive one, you must first establish the foundation for the positive to have a hold on your life. Follow these easy steps:

1. Banish all negative thoughts from your mind. Replace them with their opposite or positive ones. Let this be a mental exercise if nothing else, but do not harbor any negative thoughts

2. Do some small positive action, without being prompted to. Share even a small bit of your limited resources with someone else who is unfortunate.

3. Create, if you must, a situation where you can achieve even the smallest of victories. Reward yourself thereafter, and then,

4. Move from one easy victory to another, but each with a greater challenge.

Simple Victories To Triumphs

This technique, used throughout the ages by many successful people always works. By beginning with easy and achievable victories, you create also in your mind a positive attitude and a trend begins.

This trend acts as support for your willingness to attempt greater victories and challenges. Chances are you will begin to feel different about yourself in no time.

This one fact alone opens the door for success to come in to you.

Remember, you must follow the 4 steps above without deviation.

Give them a sincere try, and you will see both your “luck” returning and success beckoning to you join in. Your natural state is positive, is successful and is lucky.

You only have to start remembering it.

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author: Sacha Tarkovsky . MORE FREE INFO AUDIO AND PDF GUIDES On all aspects of self improvement and success visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/index.html

2007-03-29T00:42:00.000-07:00

Generation of Will Power

Now, let us focus our discussion on how do we cultivate the will power within us? There are totally eight steps that need to be followed in order to generate the will power in human beings. They are discussed as follows:

a.First we need to understand what exactly will power is in working terms. It is the positive and creative function of the mind which impels, propels and enables us to do chosen actions in a definite way, and avoid doing unchosen actions equally in a definite way. It is that power of the mind which enables us to do, what we know is right and not to do such things, which we believe to be wrong, under all types of circumstances, be it favorable or unfavorable and known or unknown.

b.Secondly, it is very important for us, both to know and as well believe that will power is something which can be increased by everybody, without any exception, provided we are ready to apply ourselves to it and work for it steadily, sincerely and most importantly, methodically. Failures occur in each of our lives. But it does not necessarily mean that past failures will be reflected in present and result in same failures in future! No one is destined to be weak, except one who personally chooses to be so! A step taken ahead towards a better, nobler and higher state of existence is possible at any point of time in an individual's life. It is never too late or too early to stand up straight in support of the right things in life and try to be a good, true, pure and strong. Because, it is always said: "Better late than Never!"

c.Only when we have a firm hold on this truth, we can develop a will within us, to develop the will power. Though it may sound a bit ironic, but is seriously important to possess a firm will in order to be successful in developing our will power. Incredible, although it may appear, but it is the fact that many of us do not even has the will to develop the will power! To most of us, it seems to be a sort of botheration and too accurate a responsibility to be carried out all the time. But when, as a result of correct guidance, we come to know that we have within us unlimited power, then we develop our mind to manifest that power in our life.

d.Once this mind is developed, very soon we leap forward and take the most important decision of developing the will power within us. This step helps in removing the dichotomy between our head and heart, the intellect and emotions and the thinking and feeling. It can be done by loving the truth of our being. And by doing so, our thoughts and our emotions will unite in order to do the best expected of us by ourselves.

e.Two things will oppose the creative move within us: 1. our regrets about the past and, 2. our worries about the future. Both of these are detrimental to the cultivation of will power, because they successfully undercut all forward looking, creative and positive movements within our minds. Exaggerated regrets about our past and too much worry about out future, will only damage our present, and weaken our minds and injure our future also.

f.In order to live in the living present wisely, we require the guidance of a sound sense of values. We should be able to persuade ourselves that we are not just fooling around. Cultivation of one's power of conviction, at least is very important for the development of will power.

g.Our sense of values needs to be zealously guarded, for we are being constantly assailed by chaotic winds of various contrary ideas. Sense of values can be guarded by three things:

1. by constant discrimination between the real and the unreal.

2. By keeping ourselves busy and,

3. By avoiding idle curiosity about things which do not generally concern us.

h.Lastly, to develop our will power, we must never take our failures very seriously. We must not lose heart in the face of repeated failures. Because, we all know - 'Failure is the pillar of Success.' Failures should be accepted as a part of the game and only then we can pave our way to success. These steps when rightly followed helps in developing the will power.

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com
About the Author:Abhishek Lodha had the will of doing something with astrology and the occults.

2007-03-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Motivation and Personality - Which Type Are You?

The level of motivation that a person has depends a lot on the personality of that person. If a person has the personality of a quiet, shy type of person, their motivation will come from living within that personality.

They are more likely to get motivated in different ways to that of a person who has a loud and bold personality. If a person has a go-getter personality then their motivation will be strong and vivacious, with a nothing can stop them type attitude.

Personality has a big impact on how we are motivated in our lives. Motivation and personality are definitely connected.

There are three basic personalities that seem to be motivation for what we do and who we want to become.

1. The need for power

This personality has a strong desire or drive to make people act or behave in a way that they would not otherwise behave.

This type of motivation is usually found in a strong-willed person. They like to be in charge of situations. The motivation is more for power and prestige than doing a great job.

2. Need for achievement

This type of personality has a strong drive to excel. This person usually strives to succeed at everything they try.

They avoid really hard tasks as well as really easy tasks. They like 50/50 odds and are not gamblers. The motivation is to achieve it on their own with their own skills.

3. Need for affiliation

This type of personality has the need for strong interpersonal relationships with others. This person is usually a soft-spoken quiet individual.

This person strives for friendships. The motivation for this personality is being cooperative rather than being competitive. They seek mutual understanding.

There are also combinations of one or more of these types of personalities, as well. They determine what motivates a person to do the things that they want and need to do.

Whichever personality a person possesses, they need to start with goal setting to achieve motivation. The first step is setting goals that are realistic to your specific needs and wants.

Try not to set these goals too high, nor too low. Either one of these will cause undesirable results. The goals must be possible to attain or they are useless to us.

This step is essential to motivation. You can't be motivated if you do not have goals. Rewarding yourself for your hard work and effort is another essential part of learning motivation. There must be rewards for a job well done. It is what keeps us going.

Motivation and personality do go hand in hand. As you can see, different people and personalities are motivated by different drives. Successes are measured by different motivations and rewards.

About the Author:Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: motivation techniques

2007-03-25T00:42:00.000-07:00

What You Should Know About Link Building (How To Increase Traffics To Your Site/Blog)

Few can speak about link building and link baiting with the experience and authority that Eric Ward brings to the table. He’s been doing this sort of thing since 1994, before the vast majority had even heard of a hyperlink.

In this WebProNews: The Insider video, Managing Editor Mike McDonald connects with Ward via webcam to discuss the finer points of link building today, what constitutes good link bait, and creating a good balance of organic and paid links.

What is linkbait?

Linkbait can be anything – anything that inspires somebody at another website or blog to link back to it. The only boundary is creativity.

What makes something linkable? We can only speak with examples and general guidance, but:
Whatever it is, it should be clever and useful to the end-user, either by “interestingness” or by its ability to solve a problem.

Widgets, then, make sense as great linkbait. Good linkbait is pure, not coming off as “slimy” or “cheesy.”

“In the long run,” says Ward, “the end user votes with the mouse.” How do you develop a linking strategy?

Strategies should mesh with the intent and market of the website being promoted. Any link is not necessarily a good link. Quality links matter. The right audience matters.

Timing is important. If you want to promote something for next week, organic SEO isn’t going to work. You may need to buy some links or bid on some keywords.

Use organic SEO for promotions far in the future (if for the Christmas season, begin in September).

There is no optimal balance of paid and organic links. It depends on what the end goal is. Get the content in front of the audience you care about. Watch this video and you will understand more:

2007-03-23T19:59:00.000-07:00

Getting What You Really Want

Everyone wants something in life, love, money, success, recognition ... Yet too many people fail to realize their desires, and nearly all of them for the same reason. They seem to go whichever way the wheel turns, as if they have no control over their situation. If their vehicle takes them to places they never intended to be, or crashes into the brickwall of utter despair, that's just the cruelty of fate.

Don't get me wrong, I realize that truly horrible things do happen to folks, and through no fault of their own. Gigantic obstacles are placed in our way sometimes, that seem absolutely insurmountable. Generally speaking, however, getting what you really want out of life is a matter of three (possibly four) simple steps.

Firstly - and this may seem like a no-brainer - you have to decide what it is you want the most. Decide what to aim for, with some specificity. Don't make a laundry list of wishes, but focus on one thing at a time. If you're not sure about where you want to go, there's no point in getting into the vehicle in the first place.

Secondly, create an action plan. This will be your map for getting from point A, where you are now, to point B, where you want to go. You know what you want, what steps are you going to take to get it?

Some things are obvious. If you want a better job, start with skills assessment and maybe some additional training. Then you'll need to sell yourself and your skills either to your present employer for a promotion into the new position you want, or to a new employer.

Other goals will require a bit more thought. Some will really leave you stuck without a clue of how to get there. Not to worry, though, no matter where it is you want to go, someone, somewhere has probably already been there. So what did they do to get there, what road did they take? Books, biographies and such, can be a real help with this. So hit the library if you're in need of guidelines.

Get ideas, get advice, create a good map for yourself, and know where you're going. Write it down, and make sure you can read it every day.

The third and final step is execution. Do what you planned. Take the steps you outlined on your road map and be persistent. If you run into naysayers, simply ignore them. Everyone who ever did anything great always ran into naysayers.

Never take your eyes off the goal. Keep pushing. Whatever you do, do not give up until you have what you desire in your hands. Never, ever give into the notion that you 'can't get there from here.'

Decide - Plan - Execute. It is really that simple.

About that fourth step. Sometimes your action plans may not get you to where you want to be. Maybe something is missing, maybe some step is not quite right. If you find this is the case, after exercising your full patience and persistence, you simply must rework your plan.

Look at it, figure out what's missing, and get back at it. It's just like following a map through a place you've never been before. If you find taking a particular road takes you to the wrong town, rather than turning around and going home, giving up, you take a second look at your map, figure out where you made the wrong turn, and get back on the road.

Whatever you do -- Keep your hands on the wheel!

2007-03-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

Emotions as information

Your emotions are an instant information system, always letting you know when you are telling yourself lies and when you are in truth. Learn about what your emotions are telling you.

When you were a small child, your painful emotions may have felt too overwhelming to feel. If you experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, your little body was not big enough to manage the painful feelings. If you were neglected, unseen, misunderstood, invaded, smothered, shamed or ridiculed, it may have felt too painful to manage. If you were a highly sensitive child with parents who did not understand high sensitivity, you may have felt too much emotion to handle. You might have had to learn ways of not feeling so much emotion.

What did you learn to do as a child and adolescent to manage your feelings?

.Did you learn to numb out, taking your focus out of your body and into your head, thinking rather than feeling?
.Did you learn to use food, alcohol or drugs to numb out?
.Did you learn to numb out in front of the TV or computer?
.Did you learn to leave your body or to dissociate in other ways?
.Did you learn to live in fantasy or daydreams to not be present in your body?
.Did you learn to be a perfectionist, an overachiever, always being busy – doing rather than feeling?
.Did you learn to get angry rather than feel the pain of the loneliness, heartache and helplessness?
.Did you learn to focus on what was going on with others rather than on your own feelings? Did you learn to absorb others' feelings and be there to help them as a way to avoid your own pain?
.Did you learn positive addictions, such as reading or sports, to avoid your feelings?

Those of us who did not receive the love we needed had to find various ways of managing the pain. This was a necessary part of our survival.

However, as adults, avoiding feelings has many negative consequences. Your feelings are your inner guidance system. Your feelings instantly give you much vital information.

.Your painful feelings, such as fear, anxiety, emptiness, aloneness, depression, hurt, anger, jealousy, guilt and shame, are letting you know that you are thinking thoughts that are not true – that are out of alignment with what is in your highest good, or that you are behaving in ways that are harmful to you.
.Your loneliness around another person may be letting you know that the person's heart is closed.
.Your confusion around what another person is saying or doing may be letting you know that the person is lying.
.Your discomfort around another person may be letting you know that the other person is not safe to be around.
.Your inner peace, joy and fulfillment are letting you know that your thoughts and behavior are supporting your highest good.

As adults, many of our emotions come from our thoughts. If you think a thought such as "I am not good enough, " you will feel anxious or depressed. These painful feelings are your inner guidance system telling you that the thought is a lie. If you then do something to avoid feeling the anxiety or depression, you are not getting the very important information that your feelings are giving you, and you are abandoning yourself. This self- abandonment – avoiding your feelings and the information that your painful feelings are giving you – leads to addictive behavior.

As a child, others may have been causing your painful feelings. As an adult, you are generally the cause of your pain – by judging yourself, neglecting your feelings, and making others responsible for your pain and joy. As an adult, it is your own self-abandonment that is often the cause of your pain.

As an adult, you CAN learn to manage your painful feelings by opening to learning about the information that your feelings are giving you, and by learning to access your inner higher wisdom to bring in the truth and love to yourself. You will know that you are thinking and behaving in ways that support your highest good when you feel inner peace and joy.

The information your emotions are always giving you is vital for your health and wellbeing. Why not start today to attend to your emotions rather than avoid them?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" and “Healing Your Aloneness.” She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding® healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or email her at margaret@innerbonding.com

2007-03-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

It has been reported that Google has a wireless phone in development. About a hundred people are working to develop the Blackberry-like device, which will be able to make Internet voice calls and support Google applications. You can hear this video news for more details.

2007-03-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

What if you told you there is a way to do shopping on the internet. Being a founding member of a company, say like Microsoft, or Amazon, or Google would mean that you would be sitting on easy street right now. What if i told you there is a company that will be starting up on April 15th that is taking the "Club" concept of shopping to the Internet. Would you be interested?The Global WealthBuilders Offshore Privacy Club is that company, and you can join the club as a founding member at http://gwbopc.com/marcsoon There are people signing up from all over the world and you can be one of them. The compensation plan has been posted on the website, and it will blow you away with its simplicity!They are only taking 200,000 people into the first tier of this "Club". You can then help build the club and reap the profits from the top. There will be millions of people who will want to join the club after it goes public, just to buy the "wholesale priced" products that will be for sale, but they will not be able to make the same kind of money that the first tier of members will make.Sign up today and be on the inside track to making the kind of money you deserve.

Public Speaking: Your Way To Success

2007-03-07T21:40:00.000-08:00

Question. Do you dare to speak in public? What is the 1st thing come to your mind when you speak in front of people This what the author of this article explain and how to overcome it:

The fear of public speaking is one of the worst phobias to suffer at the hands of – if not the worst! Sufferers can be almost paralyzed with the fear in some cases. In my clinic and via my products, I help hundreds of people over each and every year to control their fear and actually begin to enjoy the art of public speaking.

You can read more here in details

Crazy Hand Expressions

2007-02-28T00:34:00.000-08:00

We use our daily hands everyday and we never thought to use it for other things for example like this video clip shown here.

Its Amazing that these people can comes out with these brilliant hands movement. Hands shadow. Really creative, don't you think so :)

Crazy Hand Expressions!! - More amazing video clips are a click away

Arrow Flexible

2007-02-23T03:27:00.000-08:00

Watch this video and you will know what i mean.

A fourteen years old girl doing some acrobatic act by bending her flexible body. But most amazing thing is, she use her 2 legs to hold the archer and release an arrow on time and it hit straight to the main target, a belon. Bulleyes. Unbelievable even the judges can't believed it, bewildered.

Arrow Flexible - Watch more funny videos here

Smoking Crab

2007-02-18T20:18:00.000-08:00

You might think this is a hoax but what you gonna see will make you wonder what on earth this critter is doing. Yes, actually that crab is smoking. Sound bizarre yet its happening.

Smoking-Crab :)) - video powered by Metacafe

Damien Rice at Four Seasons - I Remember - (The End)

2007-02-13T16:39:00.001-08:00

Authentic music and song. Kinda cool to listen,check out the video music and see for yourself

The Robot on skateboarding

2007-02-05T17:45:00.001-08:00

This robot takes it to the extreme with skateboarding and skating. Ever thought that robot can do like this. Mind boggling,yet its happening

GameDaily's E3 2006 Video Blog #4

2007-01-29T19:41:00.001-08:00

Ah! Play Station 2 is already outdated and replace by Play Station 3. Graphic,body movement, action really look cool. Vast improvement compared to the previous one. Check it for yourself :)

Drawing Youtube

2007-01-29T19:27:00.001-08:00

Ever thought that someone can draw your face while watching "Youtube" video. This cool guy even ask his audience to submit they video so that he can draw their faces. Wow! Very talented.

Archerfish catching prey...

2007-01-28T18:00:00.001-08:00

Ever wonder how God created natures to be adaptable and learn to perfected they skill in order to survive? You won't believe this. Lets have look at this video and you will be surprise how an archerfish get/catch their food. Interesting

Apple's Next Product

2007-01-28T00:39:00.000-08:00

It seems Apple have produce new products for his customers.
For example lets have a look on above photo. What do you think?
Is it look great, intriguing, innovative or annoying? Whatever it is, they have come out with ingenious idea. For more information you can click here

Auto and Trucks

2007-01-25T05:54:00.000-08:00

6 Tips For Saving Gas

In the past couple of months we have seen the price of gasoline soar higher than ever before, and this can be hard on people who have a budget that is tight. Even though gas prices have come down a slight bit. This writer has comes out with six suggestion or tips to overcome these problems. Here what he has to say. Read the article

iBlinds - New generation iPod accessory

2007-01-22T20:41:00.001-08:00

Coming to new technologies, new ideas just pop-ups. Imagine, if the blind at your windows start dancing/move according to the sound of music. This must be really look cool. We heard of ipod, iphone. What about iblind. See for yourself

publishing business

2007-01-21T17:52:00.001-08:00

What if you could read books by using the latest technology currently develop like a PDA but lighter and easy to carry. Check it out:

Singing Telegram Business Plan

2007-01-19T18:00:00.001-08:00

Ever thought to do your business like this?

Lessons from the Singing Telegram Business Plan

2007-01-17T22:47:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdmsD-fK-JM

Quick...how do you get your message "heard" by the right people who can directly influence the bottom line revenues in your business?

Well, there are many ways depending on your business and customer base. Watch the video and see how one company chose to get their proposal directly into the hands of someone who has the potential to make a dramatic impact on their bottom line.
What's the connection?

What is the connection between this video and business blogging? Maybe much, maybe very little. One thing is apparent though. At a time when information clutter, overload, volume and competition are always at the ready to overwhelm your message and reduce it's effectiveness in reaching your audience, you must think about how to break above the noise and deliver a crisp, clear and direct message that will be heard and received.

The company in video used a low tech but effective medium to deliver their business plan to their target in a memorable way. As a result they were able to get immediate attention and some level of action towards their business objectives as outline in their business plan.

Things To Know Car Loan

2007-01-14T19:30:00.000-08:00

Car loans are the loans that are used for financing the purchase of a car, paying whose price in cash is not quite affordable because of the huge tags of price attached to them. People take loans for financing cars, which they find as the best way of buying a car, because disposing such big amounts at a time is not very feasible for any average individual. Only very few people, with strong bank balances can afford to buy cars by paying in cash. But the best way of financing purchase of cars is by grabbing car loans, which are much more accessible and also involve low interest rates and easy installments.

Car loans have a proper procedure, which the individual needs to understand before choosing for the car loan that suits to him. It involves a complete process, where the individual needs to be thorough about the things; he is going to indulge into and should collect all the details regarding the loan of the car.

After deciding on the institution from which the individual wants to take the car loan, the second thing that needs attention is the fact whether he needs the loan for buying a new car or a used car. This is an important factor since the interest rates depend on this; generally the interest rate is lower for loans used for buying new cars than that which are used for buying used cars. Besides this, the time period available for repaying the amount of loan for new cars are far more stretched than that for used ones, which is for sure an added advantage.

The consumers of these loans must be very careful, they should not believe on the fake advertisements that are been published and displayed now and then to attract more and more consumers. The consumer should check into these commercials thoroughly before they settle down on things, because these commercials are usually false and are no way real. These loans involve high down payments and also immense high rates, which make them really impossible for the customers.

New Year

2006-12-29T19:05:00.001-08:00

We look forward to another new year,
And pray that the good Lord will bless,
The coming days on their way,
With love, and joy, and success.

Each new day is a mystery,
Until it's light unfolds...
And our hearts seek contentment,
In what tomorrow holds.

The old year was a busy one,
Life seldom does stand still...
We walk through shaded valleys,
And trudge up the rocky hills.

But God is there in all His glory,
Waiting for us to reach for His hand,
And when we trust in His pure love,
Life's road leads to the Holy land.

Ring out the bells of welcome,
Bring in this brand new year...
I pray for health and happiness,
And deliverance from all fear.

Each New Year holds a promise,
For some unknown events...
Hold true to God's great purpose,
And we'll always be content.

Peter Pan's gift to children continues with a sequeal

2006-12-22T20:13:00.000-08:00

For well over a century, a Christmas staple for children across Britain has been an annual trip to theater to enter a magical yuletide world of villainous pirates, diaphanous fairies, and dashing heroes. But few have realized that a simple seasonal excursion to see one of Britain's best-lved Christmas plays, J.M Barrie's "Peter Pan", has almost 80 years benefited thousand upon thousands of sick children.

Now a sequel, Peter Pan in Scarlet" is set to continue in good work.

Peter Pan , lovable, mischievous boy who never ages and fliers with the help of fairy dust, is known to generations of children around the world in a number of guises: Some Prefer Disney's cute 1953 animated version: others, Robin William's disenchanted grown-up Peter in "Hook".
Most favor the darker original tale, in which Peter rebels against adult world as petulant and stubborn as Pan himself. Many also know the story behind Peter Pan's creation through Johnny Depp's 2004 performance as its diminutive, retiring author, James Matthew Barrie, in the movie "Finding Neverland.

But there's another side to the story of Peter Pan, one that, like its acclaimed author has remained largely hidden from the public view.

Though nowadays almost solely known for "Peter Pan", J.M. Barrie was, in the early 20th century, a major playwright more renowned than such illustrious contemporaries as George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde. He also had a profound love for children, and on befriending a family of five young brothers, created Peter Pan as a story to entertain them.

The character soon evolved into a play, first performed to rave reviews in London on Christmas 1904. In the United States, too, it quickly achieved stellar popularity. After an initial run in New York just before Christmas 1905, it embark on a nationwide tour so highly acclaimed that Mark Twain remarked, "the next best play is a long way behind it. In 1911, Barrie transformed the play into a book, the first editions of which flew off the shelves.

"Then, in 1926", relates Christine De Poortere, director of the Peter Pan project at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, "Barrie was asked by the Great Ormond Street Hospital to give a series of public lectures to help raise funds.

The Hospital, founded in 1852, survive on private fund raising, mostly carried out by middle class ladies and was the only children's hospital of its day.

"Ah want to know more? we will continue next page later. "

Second Mortgage

2006-12-21T21:32:00.000-08:00

An individual’s home is the biggest asset that one has at his disposal. A home to back you up when you need a loan is one of the greatest advantages of home ownership. In recent years, there has been a major boom in the amount of people looking to use their homes as a way to get access to extra money when they need it most. One of the best ways to do this is through a second mortgage.

Second mortgage loans are loans that are made in addition to the first mortgage, and it is usually based on the amount of equity that the borrower uses to build into his home. Usually it’s required to fund home renovations. Since the borrower has already been through the process once, the underwriting that is required to get a second mortgage is much simpler than it was the first time around when the borrower had taken the first loan. The cost of the transactions involved will be lower when the borrower applies for the loan second time.

This usually happens for the fact that interest rates on the second mortgage are a bit higher than they were on the first one. But then, there are some positive points too. For example, the fact that the interest paid on the loan may be tax deductible. In most cases the interest is 100% fully deductible as long as the combined loan to value of the 1st and 2nd mortgage does not exceed the value of the home. On a second mortgage, one borrows a fixed sum of money against the home equity, and pays it back after a specific time. The amount borrowed will be combined with the amount the borrower still owes on his first mortgage.

But there are a few things that one should keep in mind. First of all, one should not take a second mortgage on his home unless one has made payments on the original mortgage balance for a good amount of time. One may be able to get a second mortgage if one does not have much equity, but then the loan rates will be much higher, and the amount that one can borrow much lower. It will essentially be a waste of time and money. A second mortgage is a loan that is secured by the equity in ones home. While obtaining a second mortgage loan the lender places a lien on the borrowers’ house. This lien will be recorded in 2nd position after the primary or 1st mortgage lender's lien, hence the term second mortgage.

Second mortgages aren't for everyone. Borrowing more than 80% of the home's value will subject the borrower to private mortgage insurance. The monthly payments should also be a factor. If one refinances in the future, he will have to pay off the 2nd mortgage.Loan proceeds from a second mortgage loan can be used for just about anything. Many consumers take out 2nd mortgage loans to consolidate debt, do home improvements or pay for their children’s college education. Whatever one decides to do with the loan proceeds it is important to remember that if one defaults on then payment then he can lose his home. So one would want to make sure that he is taking the loan out for a worthwhile purposeThus we see that a second home loan can be of great help to the borrowers, although the borrower must take steps to ensure that he does not squander away the advantages of second mortgage.

Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loans

2006-12-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

Bankruptcy is an ugly word, but a very real possibility to many people struggling to pay a laundry list of bills that never seem to end. At times, that pile of bills seems impossible to deal with, a mountain you’ll never get out from under without taking drastic measures. But bankruptcy isn’t the only alternative to a life chained to the never-ending cycle of bills, late fees and more bills.

Think about consolidating your debt in a single loan, a form of refinancing that helps you put your finances back in your control and your life back in order. But refinancing is for people who own a home, right? What if you don’t have a home, or you don’t want to risk losing it by putting it up for collateral? That’s where an unsecured debt consolidation loan comes into play.
Unsecured debt consolidation loans do not require collateral. You can pay off all your other creditors and keep your house – or lack thereof – out of it. Lenders are able to stay in business by covering their risk with higher interest rates than they offer on secured loans.

But this can still translate into lower monthly payments for you, especially if your credit cards carry high interest rates to begin with and you’ve fallen into the trap of paying late and accruing late payment fees. Those disappear when you pay off that debt with the moneys from your are competitive and you may be able to negotiate a better interest rate. It helps to have a good unsecured debt consolidation loan. And don’t forget, shopping around always pays off; lenders credit score since lenders do look at your credit and employment history when they consider you for a loan.

If you shop around, negotiate, and still find that the interest rate is not going to make enough of a difference in your monthly payment to make life comfortable again, consider choosing a long-term loan. While you will generally end up paying out a greater total amount by the end of the loan, lengthening the life of your unsecured debt consolidation loan will lower your average monthly payment. That right there could make all the difference in the world.

Unpaid or slow-paid bills wreaking havoc on your credit score? Some lenders will consider you despite your credit history. A good employment history proves stability, and even if you don’t have the best employment history there are, again, lenders who will offer unsecured debt consolidation loans to almost anyone. While the interest rates are higher and the limits to what they’ll loan are lower, your credit score will improve when you get the loan, and having all those creditors paid off will do nothing but increase your credit score.

If you bills are getting the best of you to the point that you’re actually considering bankruptcy, stop. Gather up those credit card bills, utility bills, department store card bills, medical bills and any other bill that’s costing you sleep at night. Look into an unsecured debt consolidation loan and see how easy it can be to save your credit and peace of mind.

Extra Income

2006-12-17T22:34:00.000-08:00

Extra Income --- Very Welcome

Gone are the days of mid 50’s and 60’s when a family could survive upon a single income. Today the inflation and economic factors are such that survival on two incomes has become hand to mouth. Going by this trend we can very well imagine what the future holds for us. Two incomes certainly will not be enough. It’s best to prepare for the worst and expect the best instead of vice versa. Its best then to have multiple incomes flows into your finances than to have an insecure future. The concept and importance of extra income becomes all the more apparent.

People who have been well-to-do have always known and taken care of this. If one income dries up, one can always fall back upon the other streams of income, and if all go well you can only get richer, no harm in that. Ordinary and average living people have always been in a dilemma regarding this. Loss of one income really affects them adversely and it would take years of hard work before any normalcy returns. Not to mention, the rippling effects of financial distress that could cause a lot of heartburn and unwanted emotional disturbances.

Having diverse sources of income or extra income gives you a backup to fall back upon. If one source vanishes, you should not feel the difference. One should have enough time to reorganize and regroup, that’s it, and you are back on the happiness highway, safe and sound. The importance of extra income and extra sources of incomes is not lost on anyone today, therefore the want and rush.

Extra Income can be of two kinds – Linear and Residual.

Linear income is the extra income you earn on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. There is no more future commitment attached to it from your end or form the receiver’s end.

Residual income is an extra income where you work hard once and reap the fruits of it all for many years in the future. The reward for the same effort paid over and over again.

In normal course of a career, any individual earns a linear income through a job or a profession. You are earning only for the time you can spare on work on a daily basis. Some earn a higher linear income. Most smart people try to shift to residual incomes from their linear incomes through extra income routes to have a secure retirement and future. Starting with one residual extra income effort a year would be a good idea.

Internet gives a lot of options in the extra income route. One has to be careful in selecting the right one from them by recognizing the hype form the straight talking ones.

Almost all these programmes have residual income components in them. Select one and give it everything you can, when you can earn the residual from it, time to start off with the next one. All the best.

Virtual Trespass

2006-11-30T17:07:00.000-08:00

By

Sherin Kunhibava

Abtract

This article aims to create awareness on the developments that have occurred in American cases in relation to the application of trespass to chattel in newer settings, namely cyber space. Trespass to chattel has been successfully extended to apply in a number of cases which involved Internet Service Providers and also Data Collection Robots. There are, some fears of its extension especially after the decision of the trial Court and Court of Appeal in Intel v Hamid. However the more recent Supreme Court decision in Intel v Hamidi has fortunately clarified the law.

Introduction

Can there be an action of trespass, in the virtual world?

To understand computers especially the Internet, real world situations are compared to, related to, and often used to describe situations in the virtual world. For example people using the Internet are said to browse it. At commercial sites we shop or purchase a product as we would in the real world. Worms and viruses that corrupt the Internet are given names and graphically drawn as real live worms that wiggle . The list is endless. The truth however is that the Internet is not a physical or tangible entity, but rather a giant network which interconnects innumerable smaller groups of linked computer, networks. It is thus a network of networks. A web site is no more than a collection of digital information, and browsing is ‘simply the transferral of information in the form of ones and zeros from one computer’s memory to another’s . There is therefore no physical presence as in the real world. A web site cannot be a plot of land or premise because it has no physical presence. How would these facts affect the tort of trespass?

Let’s say hackers enter an official government web site that is strictly for the use of personnel, would this amount to trespass? Can this be compared to the physical entering of a person on land without the authority of the other?

Trespass

‘Trespass’ was defined way back in Entick v Carrigton simply as ‘Every invasion of property, be it ever so minute, is a trespass.’ Our Malaysian courts follow the same principle where Abdul Malik Ishak J added in MBF Property Services Sdn Bhd v Madihill Development Sdn Bhd (No 2) that a trespasser is liable whether he knows that he is trespassing or he does not know that he is trespassing.

As can be clearly seen trespassing must be done on property, a web site may be described as a site but in actual fact it is no more then a collection of zero’s and one’s. Further ‘hacking’ itself does not in actual fact cause any physical presence on the web site. Although trespass to land per se may not wholly apply to the virtual world, there is another type of trespass that has actually worked.

The trespass to chattel or goods, a property tort, has been extended by a number of American cases to cyberspace.

‘Trespass to chattels is a common law tort action which provides redress for unauthorized use of or intermeddling with another’s personal property. The interference must be intentional; it must be unauthorized; it must be substantial, involving actual harm or a serious infringement of rights, and it must involve physical contact with the property. Chattel, or personal property, is defined as physical, tangible property, and is distinguished from both real property and intellectual property. Consent of the owner is a defense to trespass to chattel, although the owner can revoke consent, or limit it as to time, place, or other conditions. Acting outside the scope of limited privilege may create liability for trespass to chattel. Defendants may raise other defenses to trespass to chattel, including a privilege for using public utilities.’

Tresspass to chattel has been pleaded where the plaintiff was an internet service provider (‘ISP’) complaining of unsolicited commercial bulk e-mail, also known as spam or Data search and collection robot cases .

Summarised below are the various findings of recent cases which have allowed or disallowed the ancient doctrine of trespass to chattel in the contemporary virtual world.

Cases where trespass to chattel was successful

In the case of Compuserve Inc v Cyber Promotions Inc the plaintiff CompuServe, inter alia, provided an e-mail service to its subscribers which the defendant took advantage of by sending e-mail advertisements to hundreds of thousands of Internet users many of whom were the subscribers of CompuServe. The plaintiff sought a preliminary injunction to prevent the defendant from sending any more e-mail advertisements until the final conclusion of the trial. They claimed that the defendant by sending the unsolicited e-mails were committing trespass to its personal property or chattels. The District Court of Ohio accepted the argument and approved the use of the tort of trespass to chattels as a theory of spammers’

liability to ISP’s, based upon evidence that the vast quantities of mail sent by spammers both overburdened the ISP’s own computers and made the entire computer system harder to use for recipients, ie the ISP’s customers . The District Court stated the following:

‘… a trespass to chattel may be committed by intentionally using or intermeddling with the chattel in possession of another… … It is undisputed that plaintiff has a possessory interest in its computer systems. Further, defendants’ contact with plaintiff’s computers is clearly intentional. Although electronic message may travel through the Internet over various routes, the messages are affirmatively directed to their destination’.

A similar approach was taken in the case of eBay Inc v Bidder’s Edge Inc which involved data and collection robots searching for information . eBay is the leading online auction website. Bidder’s Edge aggregated data from eBay and other online auction websites, and presented that data for comparison shopping. Although eBay permitted aggregators to search its databases, it had denied permission to Bidder’s Edge to do so. eBay claimed that Bidder Edge’s activities constituted a civil trespass. The court held that in order to prevail on a claim for trespass based on accessing a computer system, the plaintiff must establish:

(1) the defendant intentionally and without authorisation interfered with plaintiff’s possessory interest in the computer system;

(2) the defendant’s unauthorised use proximately resulted in damage to plaintiff.
The court held that eBay had presented evidence sufficient to establish a strong likelihood of proving both prongs and ultimately on the merits of its trespass claim. The court also relied on the damaging impact this activity could have, especially if replicated by other searchers on the functioning of a Web site’s computer equipment. Here the preliminary injunction sought for was granted.

In another robot search case of Register.com, Inc v Verio Inc, the Court issued a preliminary injunction enjoining Verio Inc from either utilizing a search robot to obtain information from Register.com’s Whois database, or utilizing information derived from that database for mass unsolicited advertising by telephone, direct mail or electronic mail. The Court held that Verio's actions would likely constitute a breach of the plaintiff's Terms of Use, as well as a violation of relevant legislation and a trespass to chattels. The
Court found that Register.com was likely to prevail on its trespass to chattel claim as a result of Verio’s use of a search robot to obtain data from Register.com’s Whois database .

As stated by the Court:

‘One who uses a chattel with the consent of another is subject to liability in trespass for any harm to the chattel which is caused by or occurs in the course of any use exceeding the consent, even though such use is not a conversion.’

The Court held that once Register.com objected thereto, for example, by filing this suit, Verio knew that its use of a search robot exceeded the scope authorized by Register.com.
The Court noted that “evidence of mere possessory interference is sufficient to demonstrate the quantum of harm necessary to establish a claim for trespass to chattels.” While Verio’s use alone did not significantly impair the operation of the Who is database, the threat that many others would also use search robots to access the Who is database if the Court did not find such use prohibited, created a sufficient threat of injury to warrant injunctive relief. In reaching this conclusion, the Court relied heavily on ebay Inc v Bidder's Edge Inc.

While in the preceding cases trespass to chattel was pleaded successfully on grounds of harm or threat of harm, in the following case there was an absence of both.

In Intel v Hamidi , Intel brought an action against Hamidi, a former employee seeking an injunction to prevent him from sending further e-mails to the plaintiff's employees. Hamidi had used Intel’s internal e-mail system, which was connected to the Internet, to send e-mails to between 8,000 and 35,000 employees on six specific occasions and he refused to stop when Intel requested that he do so. These e-mails criticised Intel's employment practices. The messages did no harm to Intel's computer systems and caused no delays in its computer services. Intel's only claim of harm was that the employees who read Hamidi's email were distracted or upset or lost productivity The trial court granted summary judgment for the plaintiff and issued a permanent injunction on a theory of trespass to chattels. The Court of Appeal affirmed this decision. (The Supreme Court’s decision is discussed below).

Before we proceed with Ticketmaster Corp v Tickets.com, Inc ,and the latest Supreme Court decision in Intel v Hamidi let us pause and reflect.

Has the trespass to chattel theory been stretched too far? While in Compuserve it is clear that the trespass to chattels theory provided a weapon against “spammers”. In eBay, the trespass to chattel theory was used to suppress legitimate competition. Bidder’s Edge a ‘price comparator’ was blocked from gathering price data. In Register.com the decision in eBay and the trespass to chattel theory was further extended ‘to a threat that many others would also use search robots’, although there was no significant damage done to Register.com’s operation of the database by Verio’s action. Trespass to chattel theory was also used to stifle free speech, in the Intel v Hamidi case. There was no harm to Intel’s computer system or services by Hamidi.

Based on the decisions of the foregoing cases there are fears that trespass theories might in the future be used to block search engines and linking, and thereby threaten two of the most important aspects of the Internet. For example if a web site continues to offer a link to another site after being warned that the traffic it generates is not welcome, it could fall within the reach of trespass law. Similarly, a search engine could face trespass liability if it did not comply with a request to stop crawling a site.

Cases where Trespass to Chattel was unsuccessful

The following two decisions disallowed the theory of trespass to chattel, the basis for their decision being that no harm or threat of harm to the plaintiff’s computer or services was proved.

In Ticketmaster Corp v Tickets.com, Inc, the Court denied the plaintiff's application to stop the defendant from using spiders to copy factual information contained on the plaintiff's web site. In so holding, the court rejected plaintiff's claim that such spidering constitutes an improper trespass on plaintiff's computers because the spidering neither harms plaintiff's computers, nor interferes with their use. On the issue of trespass the court held the following:

“A basic element of trespass to chattels must be physical harm to the chattel (not present here) or some obstruction of its basic function (in the court's opinion not sufficiently shown here).”

Based on the above, the court found that Tickets.com's use of plaintiff's site was slight and did not interfere with its operation. Moreover, while Tickets.com's actions may deprive plaintiff of some advertising revenue, it may also produce a benefit by referring customers seeking tickets to Ticketmaster.

Rejecting plaintiff's other arguments as well the court denied plaintiff's application for a preliminary injunction. The Supreme Court in Intel v Hamidi later described this case as “the one case where no such effect (harm), actual or threatened, had been demonstrated, the court found insufficient evidence of harm to support a trespass action”.

When Intel v Hamidi reached the Supreme Court in California, the lower court’s and Court of Appeal’s decision was reversed. The Supreme Court held that the tort of trespass to chattels “does not encompass, and should not be extended to encompass”, Intel's electronic communications, which neither damaged nor impaired the functioning of plaintiff's computer system. The Supreme Court described trespass to chattel as follows:

“In the absence of any actual damage, a cause of action for trespass to chattels will not lie; a mere momentary or theoretical deprivation of use is not sufficient unless there is a dispossession. Thus, plaintiff's complaint was about the content of defendant's messages rather than the functioning of the company's e-mail system. Further, the consequential economic damage that plaintiff claimed to have suffered, i.e., the loss of productivity caused by plaintiff's employees reading and reacting to defendant's messages and plaintiff's efforts to block the messages, did not constitute an actionable trespass to plaintiff's personal property.”

This decision by the California Supreme Court corrects the lower court’s decision which sought to extend the theory of trespass to chattel to situations when no harm or threat of harm occurred.

Therefore following the Supreme Court’s decision in Intel v Hamidi, one can safely say that Courts in the future would must likely refuse any claim of trespass to chattels to electronic communications that do not threaten or actually harm property.

Conclusion

While trespass to chattel heroically tackles spammers as in Compuserve and Register.com, concern does arise when it is used for more innocent and useful causes as in ebay .

It is opined that the cases of Ticketmaster.com and Intel v Hamidi do not ‘contain’ or ‘restrict’ the doctrine of trespass to chattel in cyberspace, they have merely clarified the law, ie the theory applies in any situations where harm or threat of harm is found.

Therefore fears that a search engine may be blocked or linking may be prevented is not groundless. As long as these two activities can be shown to cause harm or threat of harm an action in trespass to chattel may arise.

To answer the question posed at the beginning of this article, yes trespass can and is applied to cyberspace; although many may hail its resurrection others may fear its extension. Suffice to say; today the threat of trespass to chattel being overextended is just a fear. Lets hope it remains a fear in reality and virtually.

Your Clients On The Internet

2006-11-29T22:06:00.000-08:00

Some Practical Law On Domain Names And Trade Marks

Internet domain names are likely to become extreme important for because in the near future as email replaces the use of telephone and users increasingly use the World Wide Web to order products. The important of domain names for business on the Internet has been demonstrated recently by a series of legal dispute over the possession and use of certain domain designations. These disputes have involved trademark infringement, although there is also the possibility of infringement of s.52 of the Trade Practices Act and for actions in passing off.

What is a domain name

An essential part of the Internet is the manner of distinguishing and locating all the various computers, users, files and other resources attached to the Internet. This is a accompanied via Internetworking Protocol Addresses (“IP Addresses”), which are represented as strings of digits is difficult and cumbersome to remember, the IP Address system has been overlaid with a more user-friendly system of “domain names”. This allows Internet resources to be assigned a designation that is more easily remember, like for example, “Mcdonald.Com”.

As with IP addresses, domain names are divided into fields and separated by periods/

“Philip.cornella_cit.cornella.edu, for example, locates Philip at a machine name “cornella at Cornella University. The father you go to the right in the domain name, the more general the address becomes. There are only a limited number of designators for the right-most field and theses either show the country or type of organization to which the address belongs.

Registration

Anyone can register an Internet domain name submitting a completed registration form to a delegated authority (there is currently no charge). The registration is simply a listing service undertaken on a first come-first served basis and no adjudication is made of the ‘right’ of an applicant to a name .Rather, application have the responsibility for ensuring they have due title to a name and by lodging a request for a name assert such a claim. It is up to the requester to be sure they are not violating anyone else’s trademark.

At present, once an organization or person has registered domain name in Australia, they may use it, reassign it or simply hold on to it. Where there is a conflict between an applicant and an existing listing held by delegated authority, it is left to the parties to resolve the problem.

Possible legal wrangles

The registering of a domain name does not entitle its owner to use the name in a way that conflicts with a registered trademark. The issue therefore becomes whether the use or otherwise of a domain name can in fact amount to infringement. This has already been raise in the US in a number of cases including MTV v. Curry where Curry, employed as a host on MTV, organized an Internet site develop to popular culture and entertainment. He registered the site as “mtv.com” and refused to surrender or dismantle it on leaving the company. MTV sued. Pending trial, the parties quietly settled the dispute, with Curry handing over the rights to the “mtv.com”.

Despite it’s interest value this and other case do not provide any relevant precedent on the factors which might cause a domain name to infringe a trademark. The usual law applies. Though domain names designate a location they also clearly indicate the source or affiliation of the Internet resource (the function of trademark). As such they could lead to deception or confusion of customers who are familiar with a registered trademark for goods or services, especially where use of the Internet becomes a natural extension of the service offered in real space.

Matters which are yet to be determined include the effect of the top level domain name on an action for infringement. Theoretically it might be possible for example, for “mtv.com” to infringe MTV’s trademark while “mtv.edu” might not.

It also seems possible that a form of ‘cybermark’ law will develop preventing the use of a domain name which is ‘substantially identical’ or ‘deceptively similar’ to another domain name in cyberspace – neither imported from real space cyberspace refers to the global, link environment of computer information). This would be natural result of a domain acquiring a reputation based entirely on it’s Internet activities rather than business in the ‘real world’.

The future

Wholesale registering of Internet domain names by those with no intention of using them and the increasing number of names being registered, has brought about a change in the rules for registration in the US from July of 1995. Though names are still allocated on a first-come-first served basis, if the domain name is not used for a period of 90 days then that name must be relinquished on request. In addition, if someone doesn’t like the fact that an applicant owns a particular domain name that party can try to summarily force them to relinquish it. They can do this by presenting proof of a current registered trademark that is owned by them and that is ‘identical’ to the domain name. The owner of the domain name then has 14 days to prove that they also have the relevant registered trademark before their domain name is taken away.

However if both the domain name holder and the company trying to acquire it can prove they have the relevant trademark registration, a stalemate will result. InterNIC, the North American name registration authority, will take no further action and the domain name holder an only be restrained from using the name by a Court order.

It is likely that similar problems will cause similar rules to be adopted here in the future. Businesses are well advised to register a domain name as early as possible and, if they have not already done so, secure a trade mark corresponding to their domain name. The lack of settled trademark law with respect to domain names should otherwise not deter business from venturing out into a cyberspace.