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Energy Vampires

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

How do you tell if someone is sucking your life blood or just a really needy person? We’ve all been through those friendships, some call them “toxic”. Working as a hands-on healer, I have been particularly vulnerable and compassionate to people’s suffering.
My first instinct is “let me help you”. I’ve done this since I can
remember.

Co-dependency is another word for it: the need to be needed. I don’t know if it’s a need for me since I find a deep sense of relief and enjoyment being alone, probably due to burn-out on compassion or just plain restoring my energy.

They say… a friend in need is a friend indeed. So when the lines become blurred by what your friend wants, needs or even expects you to do or give to them, then you may be in danger of a vampire.

The last such person who sucked me nearly dry was an expert, waltzing his way into my life, taking me full throttle into his spin zone. Suspect of such overt attentions, I never gave complete surrender of my heart. I knew he couldn’t be trusted. And yet, I let him stay. Perhaps it was the excitement of his high-octane energy that was so intoxicating to me after spending the previous three years in virtual hermitage.

As an animal lover, I’ve always had several dogs and cats around. Birds surround my home, occasionally fly in and one even spent the night in my bedroom. I awoke to it chirping away in the morning. They watch over me, and I them, offering bread and crackers in safe spots, away from the cats.

After the energy vampire moved in (within a short time, as is typical), the birds left. I didn’t notice for awhile that something was missing, but what? Energy vampires are excellent at drawing your attention away from the people, things and interests you have; replacing your wants with their needs.

I must’ve been a tough case for this energy vampire, as he enlisted the full time help from his brother who also “needed” to move in. Together, they succeeded, but it took a while. As a healer, I practice regular meditations and visualizations to maintain my own psychic strength and develop the chi.

Ugliness, accidents and catastrophes follow these sorts of people. “Bad” things happen, seemingly out of the blue. Jail stays may be a familiar stop for some, since they have no qualms about stealing energies, they may also steal STUFF, and get caught. It’s hard to tell, as they can be excellent liars and you will never know the whole truth.

The point is, keep your eyes open, your guard up. I already knew how to sleep with my (inner) eye open, and could sense the changes around me in the middle of the night. Protection from them can become a full time job, as they are naturally devious, while you must train yourself to see the deceit.

Before it all ended, my dog and cat of eleven years both died. My son moved out under nasty circumstances and my daughter would barely speak to me, though we’d all been close before the vampire came to roost.

The vampire’s brother succeeded in undoing my daily tai chi practice, eating me out of house and home, disrupting sleep by coming in late in the evening with women in tow. The list goes on.
He was ejected pretty quickly (a couple months), while the main Drain took longer.

Over a period of time, I developed “panic attacks” and knew it was going downhill fast. My bank account was severely diminished, my ability to fight him off (psychically) weakened. I saw the writing on the wall.

Planning an escape can take time, one must be careful not to overly upset a vampire, lest they suck what’s left of your life. It has to be by mutual agreement, or their idea.

After my dog died, I was so bereft and despondent, even he conceded to replacing the dog with another puppy. My new arrival perked up my spirits, giving me some new strength!

An old friend stepped into the picture needing a temporary place to stay and became another form of protection, both physical and psychic. The vampire began to see that I was not the heiress he needed, had tapped me for all I was worth and in a blaze of anger, busted up a few things. The mirror cracked a wide swath into his utter dependency and addictions.

I awoke the next morning and suggested he should probably leave now. All the bridges were thoroughly trashed and burned. He threatened to never return, as if I should ever want him to, then quickly gathered his few belongings and left.

The relief was immediate, but the repercussions lasted months. As the Universe prevails for goodness, a Shaman came into my life within days, helping to rid my home, myself and even my little puppy of the dark energies that had terrorized us. The grey, ashen appearance that I’d been reduced to was replaced within one dramatic healing: color, life, joy could be mine again!

It’s said that the evil forces try to take out the healers first. I’m sure the tests will come again into my life. Caution prevails now. Just the other day, I put my hands upon a woman’s neck, suffering from major stress. The next day, a dark little gremlin took up brief residence in a spot beneath my shoulder blade where I could not reach it to pull it out. Nothing too serious, it was gone the next day. Still, you can’t be too careful.

A drowning man will pull you under, yet you still want to save him.

For practical purposes, one may surround oneself with a protective shield on a daily basis: fill the space around you in rich, royal blue, seal the blue with a golden halo, then surround that in white light. Often, this will naturally repel predators. More serious offenders may require a stronger level of protection.

A strong chi uncompromised by emotional or physical abuses (such as drugs, alcohol, cigs and too much red meat) is a good start. Daily prayer, requests of protection from Higher Powers are essential.

And, have Faith! While people are human and prone to making huge blunders, they’re still worth helping out. Not every friend in need will spin your world upside down, and most are truly grateful for the hand you give.

Nancy Nylen is a writer and single mother, a hands-on healer who has faced many demons and done battle with them, too. She is currently taking a brief respite from healing from the last demon who sapped her energies and left her hanging…. Not to worry, the good souls are never down for long!
Come visit and write to her at: http://www.causeoflife.com

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Choosing the Christian College That’s Best For You

Saturday, July 7th, 2007

With hundreds of colleges and universities across the country and around the world, the whole idea of choosing one specific school can seem like an overwhelming proposition. You may already be receiving information and viewbooks from places that you never even knew existed. Today more than ever, schools are aggressively recruiting students via telemarketing, direct mail, college fairs, radio, publications, television and of course, the Internet. With so many choices, where do you begin?

The following steps are designed to help you sift through the myriad of options by asking questions that will eliminate some schools while drawing your attention to those that will best meet your needs.

STEP 1 - FINDING THE TYPE OF SCHOOL THAT IS BEST FOR YOU.

The first important step in choosing a college or university is to decide what type of school you most want to attend. You can quickly eliminate many schools by establishing an initial set of requirements. Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I most interested in a:

  1. Two year or four year school?
  2. Christian or a non-religiously affiliated school?
  3. Location - how far am I willing to go from home?
  4. Urban, suburban, or rural campus?
  5. Larger or smaller enrollment?
  6. Nationally revered or regionally known?

You should try to have the answers to most of these questions midway through your junior year. Begin by talking with your parent(s) or guidance counselor. Speak with college students at different types of schools. Whether you are in a traditional high school setting, graduated high school years ago, or are homeschooled, seek the opinion of those people you most respect. Ask yourself what aspects of high school you most, and least, enjoy(ed). However, in the end, remember that you are the one who will be attending the school.

You may notice that cost was not mentioned above. The cost of the school should not be a factor at this early stage. I believe that one of the mistakes made by students and their families is that they eliminate colleges based on cost too early in the decision making process. They often do not understand the financial aid process and how affordable even a private college education can be!

Before moving on, let’s address the issue of academic reputation. Schools that have an exceptional academic reputation can offer unique opportunities. However, there are also many schools that are not as well known that can offer excellent programs and opportunities.

A smaller or lesser-known school may provide you with the opportunity to become more involved. Holding student leadership and/or student work positions will allow you to gain valuable experience. This can be especially important when considering the competitive job market after graduation. The opportunity to stand out and be recognized will translate into a more impressive resume. These types of schools may also provide more direct interaction with college faculty and staff - individuals in a position to help you with information and recommendations as you consider employment or graduate school.

The higher profile school certainly has advantages as well. In addition to name recognition, these schools may provide a greater challenge, forcing you to “stretch” yourself further than you have before. The final result may produce a more confident person, better prepared for the rigors of a competitive job market. If the school is larger in size, it may also provide a greater selection of majors, on campus employment and resources.

Each type of school has its strengths. Your challenge is to discover which is best for you!

STEP 2 - FOCUSING ON YOUR BEST OPTIONS.

Once you have established the type of school that will best meet your needs and interests, you can consider numerous factors to further narrow down the field. Some of the factors discussed below may not be important to you, while others may play a critical role in your decision. Remember… it’s your call!

  1. Academic Standards

    By looking through a school’s admissions material, or placing a call to the admissions office, you can easily learn the academic profile of the “average” student. If your scores and grades place you at the lower end of the academic profile you still may be accepted, but realize that it will likely be a greater challenge. If you are on the higher end, your position as an applicant is obviously enhanced.

  2. Career Planning and Placement

    I believe this may be one of the most overlooked issues when students consider colleges and universities. Make sure that you ask what career planning and placement services are available. Ask about the percentage of students who go on to graduate school and/or find employment in their chosen field after graduating. Also, try to learn the specific placement rates for your particular major/program. One of the primary goals of any college or university should be to help you gain employment in your field or assist you in attending graduate school.

  3. Internships/”Real life experience”

    Ask what internship and co-op type experiences are available in your area(s) of interest. These opportunities may be paid or unpaid. The important thing is that you can gain valuable work experience while still in school. This will help you become more marketable upon graduation. You should view any such opportunity as a chance to build your resume.

  4. Accreditation

    Most schools are accredited by a regional accrediting agency while some individual programs may have a professional or national accrediting agency. For example, The National League for Nursing and the National Association of Schools of Music, professionally accredit some nursing and music programs respectively. If you are looking at a particular program at a school, this may provide a good indication of its strength. However, remember that some majors/programs may not have a professional accrediting agency, but for those that do, this can be an objective way to measure the strength of that program.

  5. Majors/Programs

    You need to be confident that your needs and interests will be met as you consider your major or program of interest. We have already considered two ways to help you determine the strength of an academic program - the job placement rate and professional accreditation (if applicable). However, you can also ask about the percentage of faculty with a doctorate or terminal degree. If you are considering a pre-professional program such as Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Veterinarian Medicine, or Pre-Law, be sure to ask about the placement rate for graduate school. This will provide yet another indicator of the program’s strength. Learn what percentage of students who begin the program, actually complete it. Some colleges or universities may allow many students to begin a program and then “weed out” a large number along the way. This may help the school gain a higher placement rate.

  6. Attrition

    ” Attrition” is a term that refers to the number of students who drop out or leave the school. You should be aware if a college or university has a lower number of it’s students returning after their first year, or if the school graduates only a small percentage of it’s students in four years. It’s important to know whether or not a school has many students who leave before completing their program. Students may leave for a variety of reasons - they may change majors, can no longer afford the school, were not challenged enough, could not handle the academic program, or perhaps they just didn’t like the atmosphere. If you discover that many students are leaving the school because of finances, this may be an indicator that financial aid awards decrease substantially for continuing students, or the cost is increasing at an especially high rate. Ask an admission representative and current students these types of questions to gain an understanding of the attrition rate.

  7. Enrollment History

    You should ask about the school’s enrollment history over the past few years. Is enrollment increasing, decreasing or unchanged? There may be good reasons for any increase or decrease in enrollment. Some schools remain at a constant enrollment by choice. They may not have the facilities for additional students or they may have made a decision to increase the academic standards and maintain their current enrollment.

  8. Faculty-to-Student Ratio And Class Size

    Colleges and universities recognize that many students are not content to sit in lecture halls with 300-400 classmates. Learn what you can expect in terms of class size and faculty-to-student ratio. If you are considering a larger school it may be wise to ask for the specific faculty-to-student ratio in your chosen major. If the faculty-to-student ratio is high, be aware that you may be competing with many other students for your professor’s ear.

  9. Find Out Who “Teaches” The Classes

    The “instructor” may not always be the professor you thought would be teaching the class. At some colleges and universities, graduate assistants may teach courses, especially the lower level ones. You may be comfortable with this, but learn ahead of time what to expect.

  10. Academic Assistance

    Find out what type of academic assistance is available. Schools may have academic assistance for students with special learning needs, seminars on improving study skills, tutoring, assistance on research papers, supplemental instruction, and/or study groups. Whether you are an “A student” or “struggling”, everyone encounters the need for academic help at some point.

  11. Organizations, Clubs And Athletics

    Although probably not as important as other areas, clubs, organizations and athletics can all add to your college experience. Ask about your specific areas of interest. This can be particularly important if, for example, you would like to major in journalism and the school has little opportunity to work on such projects as the yearbook or student newspaper.

  12. Computer Labs And Equipment

    Computer labs and other computer opportunities for many students are essential. Are computers widely available - in dorms, libraries and/or labs? Your dorm room may already be wired to the school’s network. Some schools even provide a computer for every freshman.

STEP 3 - CAMPUS VISITS

Many schools can meet your needs academically. I believe the greater challenge is in finding a school where you also feel comfortable. Once you have selected a handful (I would suggest three to five), it is critical to visit the campus. Every college in the country seems to have a viewbook with beautiful pictures of trees, buildings and smiling faces. Be assured that schools similar on paper may be very different when you spend time on campus.

Be honest with yourself - are you really going to attend “The College for “Intellectual Giants” 1,000 miles away without ever visiting? If you are unable, or unwilling, to visit a campus, that school should be immediately removed from your list. Why even consider a school that you will not have the time, energy, and/or money to visit? This would be like buying a house without ever seeing it!

I would suggest campus visits during your junior year, completing them early in the fall of your senior year. During your visit you should keep in mind the following objectives.

  1. Visit At The Appropriate Time

    Be sure to visit while school is in session. If you visit during a break or summer, you will not get a clear picture of what the college or university is really like. You also may miss out on many of the opportunities listed below.

  2. Admissions Interview

    Whether or not the school requires an interview, you should always set up a meeting with an admissions representative. This is an excellent opportunity to confirm that the school has the important characteristics you have outlined. If the admissions representative does his/her job effectively, you should leave the meeting with a clear picture of the school’s strengths, weaknesses, goals and expectations.

  3. Financial Aid Interview

    Specifically request a financial aid appointment when you set up your visit. Some colleges or universities may have their admissions representatives handle this type of initial meeting. However, if possible, try to get at least a short meeting with a financial aid representative. You will be able to address specific questions about scholarships and financial aid forms at this time.

  4. Attend Class

    Ask in advance to attend a class in your major. Although classes vary, this will at least give you a sample of the class atmosphere. Keep in mind if the class is a general education requirement or a lower level course, chances are it will be larger than a 300 or 400 level class which is more focused for students within that major. If you’re uncertain about your major, attend one of the general education requirement classes.

  5. Faculty Appointment

    Schedule an appointment with a professor in your area of interest. This is where you can get more specific questions answered about your major including course requirements, placement rates, internships, co-ops, etc. Ask the questions that are most important to you.

  6. Tour Campus

    View the academic buildings, dining hall(s), residence halls, library, athletic facilities, bookstore, administrative offices, student union and any other part of campus that is of interest. At smaller schools you will probably be able to see about every building on campus during your tour. Larger schools may have separate tours for different areas. This is a great opportunity for you to hear from a student and get some “inside” information. Get student opinions regarding professors, classes, social activities, residence halls, etc. Be sure to ask what they like least about the school as well.

  7. Eat In The Dining Hall

    Have at least one meal in the dining hall. This will give you an idea of the quality of food. While I would never recommend choosing one school over another just because of food, it is one more factor you may wish to consider.

  8. Stay Overnight

    I believe that an overnight stay can be extremely helpful. This will give you a more informal look at the college atmosphere. You will probably be staying with a student. This will provide an opportunity to ask questions in a less structured setting. You may be surprised how much a night on campus can sway your opinion - negatively or positively.

  9. Open-House Versus Individual Visit

    Both structured programs and individual visits have their advantages, and both are worth doing if time permits. Visiting a campus twice may be more feasible if you have narrowed down your options to just two or three schools. The advantage of an open house is that the school will have a schedule already established. The open house will probably be more “polished” and you may feel more comfortable with other prospective students present. The disadvantage of the open house format is that it is less focused on your specific concerns and interests. If your only visit to campus is for an open house, be sure that the appointments with admissions, financial aid, and faculty are still covered. If not, try to schedule time for these appointments before or after the open house, or plan a second visit to the campus if you’re serious about the school.

  10. Be Consistent

    As much as possible, follow the same process with each school you visit. Don’t stay overnight at one school and not the other, or attend class at one and only speak with a professor at another. Having similar visits at each school provides a fair comparison.

———-

Thom Seagren is president of The Christian Connector a Christian college information resource. The Christian Connector lets you select from over 100 Christian colleges that will send you free information, and awards a $2,500 Christian college scholarship each year.

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Mind Maps For Business

Saturday, July 7th, 2007

• A system to remember your presentation so you don’t have to read your notes
• A technique that helps you take a project, see the big picture, focus on the key areas and understand all the inter-connections
• A means of making note taking from journals, books, e-articles, quicker, more logical, better organised
• A method for brainstorming that presents ideas logically structured
• An approach to time management, enabling you to focus on your priorities, make efficiencies
How would you like to spend just 10 minutes learning a new skill that will help you in all of the above areas?
In the last year, Mind Mapping has given me all of these rewards and truly revolutionised my approach to knowledge, learning and business. Read on for an introduction to using Mind Mapping in business.

So what an earth is a Mind Map?
Well this is a superb example of how valuable the art of Mind mapping actually is; words cannot adequately express the essence of a Mind Map. The best way to explain is to look at one. Click on the example at the end of the article. And for those who like the words as well as the graphics, I would describe a Mind Map as a ‘thinking tool’; ‘a diagram which places a key idea in the centre of a page and uses words, pictures and linking lines radiating outwards from the centre to present connecting ideas, knowledge and information’.

So how would you use a Mind Map in business? How long is a piece of string? I used a Mind Map to draft this article. It’s a very economical way of making notes. The focus is on key words and their connections, so I saved loads of time in just drafting the core concepts rather than using all these superfluous linking words which glue our sentences together (and turn them into a readable article!). You will also see from the example not only how it facilitates the organisation of words and ideas into a logical format but also how it can enhance the structure by allowing you to view the big picture along with all the detail. And as the key words act as triggers it also facilitates brainstorming as your triggers spawn multi-dimensional concepts.

That’s just a little taster of how valuable Mind Maps can be in business and I will come on to more uses shortly. But first a slight diversion to answer the question ‘why do we need a thinking tool at all?’

We all know that we have a left and a right brain. Left brain deals with logic, analysis, numbers, words, reason, order, sequence. Right brain is in the business of creativity, thinking in pictures, patterns, colours, and uses intuition. Fast forward to caricatures. Think left brain-dominant scientist, ‘brainy’, numerate, weak on the inter-personal side. Think right brained arty farty creative genius, the musician, poet, artist, never could get their Maths O’level.
Now I would never for one minute suggest that we are more likely to fall into either stereotype! But the chances are that we have over-developed the left hand side because we needed to, to pass exams and do business in our traditional western ways. But while we may well have a preference for over-using a particular side of the brain its more than likely due to conditioning and education than nature. The good news is that we have infinite scope to continue to develop the lazier side of the brain. And by doing this the sum of the whole can truly be greater than the individual parts. By using the right and left brain together we can unlock talents we never knew we had, solve problems creatively and generally go about our business in a more efficient and effective way than we ever thought possible.

Mind Maps give us a very simple technique to make the most of our brain’s full capabilities. By engaging the right brain we enhance the logical thinking of the left by bringing in a creative perspective. Mind Maps help us do this by using very graphical means to express our ideas – pictures, shapes, colours, patterns, all very visual stimuli.

And as a thinking tool, a Mind Map also mirrors the way the mind works, storing and retrieving information. So of course it’s going to be an efficient way of organising our thoughts using the contours that are already hard-wired in there.

And there’s more. You may have heard of VAK preferences. VAK refers to visual, auditory and kinesthetic. We all have a preference in our thinking and learning towards one of these styles. Visual people like to learn from seeing things and find it useful to use pictures and graphs. Auditory learners are at their best when listening – talks and lectures, ‘teach yourself’ CDs. And the kinesthetic like to actually do the practical stuff, have a go, ‘get their hands dirty’. Many western educated individuals are either visual or auditory, with a slight majority preference for visual, but there are still a significant number of kinaesthetic thinkers and learners too.

So why does this matter? Well if we can identify our preferred style we can exploit it and look for ways to use it that can improve our learning, problem solving and memory skills. If you are visually preferred, like me, then Mind Maps are an absolute gift. I find my thinking is massively improved when I can get stuff down on paper, see it (rather than hear it); the patterns, colours, shapes in Mind Maps all enhance this. But what if you are not a visually preferred person? Well, as I said before Mind Maps will help everybody make the most of using their right and left brain together. But actually an auditory or kinesthetic style is only a preference and like harnessing the multi skills of left and right brain together, we can improve all our techniques by developing other styles rather than just relying on our preferred ones.

Here’s an example. When I first took a learning preferences test two years ago my results were strongly visual. This didn’t surprise me as I have always had a problem paying attention on courses and lectures, when you just have to knuckle down and listen. The only way I can concentrate and remember anything said is to write it down, draw pictures, doodle, put things in boxes. Up until this point I had always relied heavily on my visual skills and as a result my auditory skills were puny, under-developed things. (This will ring a bell with any of my former colleagues who will remember me multi tasking away on conference calls – at the expense of full-on listening I’m afraid!). Armed with my personal development education I actively set about building those auditory muscles. It was going to be very important to me to be able to offer telephone coaching as well as face to face, so I really had to mature my auditory skills. And I did it! I used a number of techniques (which are beyond the scope of this article) but I really enhanced my auditory muscles. My recent tests show I am evenly split between visual and auditory. This is a fantastic result for me; it has given me a much wider toolbox of skills to call on in my work and life generally. So, the lesson here is, even if you are a kinesthetic or auditory person then Mind Mapping will help you in building your visual muscle and give you a much more rounded skill set.

So there’s the theory. Mind Mapping is a ‘thinking tool’ which will help you do better all sort of things from strategic planning to problem solving to note taking.
Now on to the practice. How can we use Mind Maps in business? Here are just a few examples, with some clarification as to how they can be helpful.

Technical note taking - Focus on core concepts.
Business Planning - Structure, organisation.
Recall and memorising - Hooks and cues.
Exam revision - Key facts and memorising.
Presentations - Logical structure, memorising.
Brainstorming, idea generation - seeing associations, logical ordering.
Agendas - Brainstorming, structure.
Report writing - Planning, organising.
Time management, ‘to do’ lists - Prioritising, efficiencies.
Concentration - Mirrors mechanics of mind, fun. Systems/processing documenting - Structure, organisation. Goal setting- Big picture focus.
Group projects - Integration, flexible to add to. Decision making and problem solving - Analysis, interconnections, interpretations.

And one last thing…..If for no other reason give it a try because………..its fun!

Links

Mind friendly learning is already in schools. Our kids know about it! Don’t you just wish we’d had it back then? This site will tell you more about it and how it is used in schools and has some great Mind Map examples too http://www.salt.cheshire.gov.uk/mfl/index.htm

The Mind Tools site is one of my favourites for resources and ideas. Check out their section on Mind Mapping at http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm

Mind Genius software is my recommended choice if you want to go for the professional look. http://www.mindgenius.com/website/presenter.aspx?type=doc&uri=/home.htm#topofpage

For a brilliant quick introduction to Mind Mapping, ‘Mind Maps in a Week’ is published by Chartered Management Institute, available via Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0340849525/wwwtheaccount-21

For more depth you have to read Tony Buzan, the guru of mind mapping. Buy his books also on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007212917/wwwtheaccount-21

I am so blown away with the benefits of Mind Mapping that I tutor it as a core skill in all my one to one coaching programmes, encouraging my clients to use it as a part of their own professional and personal development. This is unique to my coaching programmes, a truly value added extra. Mind Mapping on your own is great but think also how your team – both technical and support – could add value by solo or group Mind Mapping. Consider a team Mind Mapping workshop. Or would you like to take the test to determine your own preferred thinking or learning style? Email info@theaccountantscoach.com for more info. Carol McLachlan is a chartered accountant, professional and personal development coach and NLP practitioner. Working with accountants and other professionals, she helps individuals and groups set goals at work and at home in order to attain the results to which they aspire. http://www.theaccountantscoach.com

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Y-Series – A Review Of The Questions

Saturday, July 7th, 2007

Y-Series – A review of the questions

Observation of the surroundings and investigative thoughts about a great number of the mysterious questions starts to develop since childhood: it’s a natural gift of qualities of a sound human brain. Born with an intellectual demarcation among various phenomena, a human being reacts to the environment with a suitable response. This response is, actually, due to a refined sum-up of the answers to his Y-questions which somehow he instituted naturally or piled up as he grew up and widened his brain. Sometimes he criticises by “skinning the hair off” and sometimes his analyses positively which leads him to a harmonious life system.

Why – in short Y – series is a complex and summits our daily question. The minute queries which we observe in our work place, home, office, meeting with different people, social and cultural, mechanical or intellectual case… Y-series would present an extension of the ideas and brain shattering concepts. Some of the basic information is already available but the point is we have not touched although we know they exist. Handling such matters for example why science fails to explain certain phenomenon, why we pray to one God (Allah), What can make the things better, how we can bring happiness back, when is the time to hold up the rope and climb the mountain of obstacles, etc. Obstacles coming in the way of one’s success matters only attention and solutions. When the limits of the case seemingly ends and a human being start to become “devastated or disappointed” Y-services would be a good alternate to jingle the keys unlocking the closed doors: those which brighten the person and lead him out of distressing situations.

Outstanding as well as the common people from any part of our beautiful world face the same case sometimes but with different angles and view points. They endeavour to tackle it according to their resources and immediate environmental suitability available at that time. Some times they use their own experiences to get to the bottom of Y-question or occasionally they take the example of the personnel who had already experienced that situation and follow the results. Interpretation of those results could be altered because the person, who wrote at that time, can be in somehow different situations than current status of the daring a specific situation.

Least but not the last, time to time addition in the Y-world excuses in advance for any kind of offence or misapprehension of any spiritual, logical or religious viewpoints. What time demands is to friendly reconsideration over the fact that there is much room above the top: other words to say that trying to understand in a tone what the author wants to convey is far better than a sudden criticism biased on one’s personal views.

Mr. MALIK graduated with distinction from the University of Punjab (Pakistan) in 2001. For further education he went to Germany and secured M.Sc. thesis from the University of Stuttgart (Germany) in 2003. Now he is striving for his Ph.D. in Physics. His interests are Microelectronic Device Fabrication. Organic semiconductors, Diffusion barrier layers. Inorganic Coatings, Plasma CVD.

To know different cultures, learn other languages, discuss closely related religions, life styles and hobbies are some of the extra curricular activities which are a significant part of his life.

maliksnet(at)hotmail(dot)de

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Avoid Common Business Start-Up Mistakes

Saturday, July 7th, 2007

If you are considering starting up a business, you are facing both an exciting and stressful time. To succeed, you should avoid the common mistakes many new business owners make.

The motivation to start a business is usually derived from a dream. You envision something of interest that you think you can make money off of. You probably have been sitting on the idea for some time and something has motivated you to finally have a go at it. Maybe your finances are such that you can comfortably devote your time to it. Maybe you got laid off. Regardless, a vision is not enough to ensure your success! Over the years, I’ve seen many businesses based on good ideas crash and burn. Here are some of the common mistakes they make and you should avoid.

A vision for a business is vital, but it fails to take in the details of running a business. If you start a business without preparing for the details, you are probably going to be frustrated. The key to launching a business is to prepare, prepare, prepare. Research your business area. More importantly, research the potential competitors in the industry. Know everything. Read everything you can get your hands on. Knowledge is power when it comes to starting a business, and you must obtain as much as possible if you want to succeed.

The second biggest mistake is failing to understand the requirements of running the day-to-day business. The single biggest complaint you will hear from new business owners is they have to spend so much time on administrative matters. It can take a lot of time and divert you from the actual reason you got into business. Make sure you understand what you are getting into and how you will manage your time.

The third biggest mistake is failing to take advantage of business resources available to you. When starting out, most new business owners lack experience. Regardless of this, they charge off into the business world like they own the place. This is a mistake. A better approach is to speak with experienced business people. Perhaps a better suggestion is to listen to them.

One resource that everyone should take advantage of, but rarely does, is SCORE. SCORE is a non-profit organization that helps small businesses. The organization is made up of retired business executives that are willing to answer your questions and impart advice. Companies such as Vermont Teddy Bears used their services when starting out. You should to!

Roughly 70 percent of business will fail in their first two years. If you take the steps above, you can avoid being one.

Richard A. Chapo is with SanDiegoBusinessLawFirm.com - providing California incorporation services.

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Kiss A Frog And Make A Prince - Have The Husband Of Your Dreams

Friday, July 6th, 2007

Do fairy tales really come true? Can you really kiss a frog and watch him become a prince? Do good dreams come true? Are you willing to pay the price? The price of love which says of another, You are more important than I am.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? A wicked step-mother laughing at you saying, “You will always be married to the frog under my spell.” Does your heart, like mine, yearn to be swept off your feet with Prince Charming dashing to your rescue on his white steed with glass slippers in hand?

When it comes to believing in fairy tales most women feel their lives somehow mirror the adverse side. The wicked step-mother “Life” exacts her toll and tolerance is the accepted role. This creates a quagmire, a vicious cycle of hoping for the positive all the while disregarding the possibility of white steeds and glass slippers. This creates a no win situation; however, I believe and know from experience there is a way—a better way.

Can we really hope? Can our hearts really believe? Can you and I really see a Prince Charming in our frogs? I resound with a great big, “Yes!”

Can our marriages change? I believe so if we are willing to kiss our frogs and believe there is a prince longing to emerge?

“Oh, but he has warts,” I hear you saying, “And he stinks. He’s so slimy and green. Come on! A prince inside my frog? You’ve got to be teasing me?”

“But wait; let me think, what is there to loose? Kiss a frog? These lips touch a frog? Maybe? After all I have tried everything else and insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.”

“Tell Me More!”

“OK! Words are kisses. They transform using the invisible, but empowering force of faith and love.”

“Are you telling me my words are really kisses of love and can transform even a warty frog? Please?”

Yes, words are kisses for good or evil. They are seeds of love and hope or death and destruction. If the only thing we ever changed in our marriage relationship were our words, everything else could be transformed. What are you speaking? Who are you agreeing with? God? Or, well, you know who?

While growing up, many of us heard these words, “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I beg to differ. The Bible teaches life and death are in the power of the tongue and we must be satisfied with the fruit of it no matter what, good or bad.

God created each and every one of us with a plan. He wove His DNA into each of us, yes, even our husbands. We are all created in His image. Even though the circumstances of life have sometimes tarnished our view of who He says we are His original plan and vision for each of us has not changed. When we as women realize this and believe, we will see our “Knights in Shining Armor” as ones who long to come out of their frog suits and don the garments of “Prince.” God has given us more power and influence than we can imagine. We must be careful how we use it.

I challenge you to look deeper until you see the mighty, tender-hearted man of God hidden beneath the rough, bumpy exterior. See your man through God‘s eyes. He will show you who he is if will just ask.

Get real quiet. Listen. Can you hear him? Your frog is calling to you, “Help me! Believe in me! Don’t give up on me! Ribbit! Ribbit!

With this in mind, are we the ones to affirm them with kind words? Are we the ones to call them handsome? Are we the ones to tell them we are proud of them? Are we the ones to forgive, to pray? Most of all, are we the ones to agree with God about who He says they are? I say with an astounding shout. “YES!” If we don’t, who will?

You know for yourself if someone calls you stupid long enough, you will believe you are stupid. Your husband, my husband, there is no difference. Did you ever think he might just be this way because your words have convinced him, or at the very least, someone else has told him these things and you have agreed?

Will you dare lay down your own life to give birth to another and release him into his kingdom, his destiny?

Maybe you have spoken and agreed with words declared over him early in his life. Do not despair; it is not the end, so to speak. Be encouraged; remember what I said, “There is a better way.” Ask for forgiveness and release him from any judgmental words or actions. Speak God’s wonderful, magical words of encouragement and watch him evolve right before you eyes.

Who will break the cycle? Will it be you? I hope so. There is nothing to loose and everything to gain. All things are possible to him who believes.

I hear you saying, “You don’t live with him. You don’t see the things he does or hear what he says to me!”

O’ contraire, I do know. I am living proof this works. My husband once a frog is now “Prince, Mighty Man of God.” He is always bringing me glass slippers.

Regardless of your skepticism, I ask you to please consider an idea. Why not try treating him as if he is the way you want him to be. Respect the frog like you would a prince. Use your words and call him Prince. What a novel thought, a thought so contrary to all natural inclination. Our emotions scream NO! This going against everything we think and feel. Our minds become religious and tell us we should not lie. After all, facts are facts.

Yet, God’s Word says, “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it”. (Eph. 4:29 Amplified Version).

Imagine your vocabulary reflecting the above scripture, allowing your frog to hear good and beneficial words helpful to his progress. Eventually each and every word seed you plant will grow into an abundant harvest of edible fruit. God’s Word always accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent. Life begets life. Death begets death. As long as the sun, moon and stars hang in the heavens, we will reap what we sow. A kernel of corn will never produce tomatoes. Ungodly, wrong speech will never make a frog become a prince.

You ask me one more time, “How do I do this?” One of the best ways is to find expressions of truth in the scriptures and repeat them out loud. Turn scriptures into proclamations and come into agreement with God. You can call things that are not as though they are until the manifestation appears. However, unless you can say something nice, it is best to keep quiet. Sometimes a spoken word is not needed. Maybe a smile, a loving look of kindness or a hug is all that is needed to help your frog know he is loved and appreciated. Be a speaker and a doer of the “Word”.

Whatever you speak, the more you say it, the more you believe it, so why not verbalize the language of grace and edification? You will be changed in the process. You will most likely reap the benefits of a transformed heart yourself before you see his changed.

Fairy tales can come true if you will only believe, if you will only plant right seed. Actions and words have power to change, turning frogs into princes. Closets will be filled with glass slippers. Delicious, edible fruit will abound at your table. The little ones under your care will learn how to live in a palace; in turn becoming fountains of godly edification. Your ceiling becomes their floor.

Look, can you see the bigger picture? Listen, can you hear the louder call? It’s really not about you and me. It’s about destiny, about purpose; and yes, most of all it is all about love, a love we all need to give and to receive. Get out of your boat of tolerant unbelief and wade into the pond with a heart of expectation. Your “Prince” is waiting.

This is a sample of my upcoming book, Kiss a Frog and Make a Prince, Have the Husband of Your Dreams.

Brenda Craig, creator of Journals of the Heart, is a writer, speaker, intercessor and avid worshiper of God. Brenda’s poetry, short stories and dialogs with God express the journey of a life given in service to King Jesus. She began writing poetry at a young age and has continued to grow in her gifting.

Her dialogs with God have resulted in the creation of love letters written to her during times with Him. Since the same trials and tribulations are common to all men she believes these letters will encourage and add a new dimension of intimacy in your relationship with God.

You can read more of her inspirational works on line at http://www.journalsoftheheart.com or under Hearing From God at http://www.allaboutprayer.org/ Keep an eye out for her upcoming devotional, Journals of the Heart, An Intimate Pursuit.

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Blind Dating - Before Going on your First Date

Friday, July 6th, 2007

Consider this scenario! You meet a guy in an Internet chat room. You exchange a few text messages with him and both of you seem to hit it off instantly. In the days that follow you are spending a wholesome number of hours every day in chatting with him. You revel in his brilliant flair for conversation, which entices you to open up and discuss about the most intimate aspects of your life. One day, he sends you his photograph via e-mail. Suddenly, you have a face for the man with whom you have been chatting for so long. You find him good looking and that night when you go to bed you find yourself fantasising that he is in the same bed beside you.

Next day, you select your best photograph and, without losing another moment, e-mail it to him. Things go on an overdrive after that, as he promptly e-mails back that he wants to meet you. You are eager to meet him too, yet suddenly the realisation dawns that you hardly know this guy. All you have about him is a photograph and the lines of text messages that you had exchanged for the past few weeks. Going out with him would be almost like going on a blind date. You have never been on a blind date before and you are naturally kind of nervous about going out with a stranger. After all, you are one those girls who consider themselves really picky when it comes to guys they date.

You e-mail him a suitable excuse that you think might suffice to satisfy him. But he is insistent that he wants to meet you in person. The next email from him contains his mobile number and a note that says that he wants to talk to you. You hurriedly dial his number and hear his voice for the first time. His voice sounds reassuring and confident just like his text messages did. He assures you that the date he has in mind will be totally platonic. Nothing physical is about to happen! You laugh at the idea. But he has already made deep inroads into your heart and you are now about as eager to meet this guy, as he seems to be to meet you.

The nagging possibility that this unknown stranger might even turn out to be the elusive lover you have always dreamed of has already taken hold of you. But even as your mind is agog with the possibilities, you are also being racked by some real defeatist thinking, “Sure, he seems charming, but all jerks sound charming on the phone.” Before the phone conversation is over you have made an dinner date with him at a popular restaurant. Now there is no turning back, you are already committed to a date with a person who is almost a stranger to you.

So how should you prepare for this blind date? Here are a few points that you should consider:

1) Location is of utmost importance. You have done the right thing by agreeing to meet him in a public restaurant where, if something gets wrong and your dream date turns into a nightmare, you will have the protection of the crowd around you.

2) Cash and credit cards. It may be the guy’s task to pay, but the woman should not appear empty handed just in case.

3) Condoms for both men and women. Hey, he might have promised a platonic date. But you never know how things might progress once you and he get together. We are living in the modern age. Whatever your outlook to sex and relationships, it is always advisable to be prepared for any eventuality.

4) A smart woman should never leave her house without a mobile on her person and if she is going on a blind date, a mobile is of even greater importance. If something goes wrong, you can always summon help through your mobile.

5) As an added precaution you may ask your friend to call you about 45 minutes into the date. If things are going well, you can send the call to voice-mail.

6) Before leaving your home you need to make sure that you know the directions to the restaurant where you two are meeting.

7) A sense of honour. Okay it’s not “a thing” but it is the one factor that ruins dates more than anything else, the inability to laugh and enjoy oneself. Going on a date in a bad mood is not going to make your guy feel special.

8) While taking all the precautions it is also essential that you avoid distrusting him completely. After all, people are innocent until proven guilty, so there is no need for you to take along an attitude that you blind date is going to be as bad as your ex-boyfriend. For best result you must take trust and doubt pragmatically.

9) Never forget that it was the personality that you displayed while chatting on the Internet that got him so enthused about you. Make sure that you haven’t left your personality behind at home. Whilst first dates can be quite daunting for many, there is no excuse for forgetting yourself.

10) Never be on time or he will take you for granted. Being a lady it is your progressive to be 15-30 minutes late for the date. But at the same time you should make sure that you are not too late.

That’s about it! He meets you inside or outside the restaurant as you have arranged with him, and you get to make eye contact with your blind date. Once you are at a table in the restaurant you should relax, get a drink for both parties and settle down for some great conversation which, hopefully, will be as invigorating as the Internet chatting you two had indulged in. May be, you will find in him what you have always been looking for in a man.

But if that happens to be the case you must exercise caution in the way you express your feelings for him. Men enjoy giving a chase. Apply every trick in the book to let him know that you are interested, but don’t let him know for sure.

Here are a few tips that you can incorporate to impress your man on your first date:

1) Display your personality in everything that you do during your date. For example, when it comes to food, go ahead and order what you truly want to eat. Don’t let him order for you, make him feel that you are really in control.

2) Don’t check out other men at the restaurant while you are dating this guy. Make sure that he is not checking out other women.

3) During conversation try to find out if he has any good platonic female friends. Men should be able to relate to women as friends, not just as sex objects.

4) Never rush to sex. This is the first date and if you give him what he wants on the first date itself, he might lose interest in you. Wait for few weeks - if not months - before bringing sex into your relationship. It is most important that you do it at the time of your own choosing and not of his choosing.

5) This is your first date with him, so it is always better to keep it brief. You want to have something to talk about the next time you get to meet him.

6) Don’t tell him everything about yourself, eventually you may, but at the first date it is better to be a tad conservative in talking about your personal life and thoughts. Instead give him a chance to open up. All men like to talk about themselves and if you grant him that opportunity he will start worshipping the ground beneath your feet.

7) But if he talks too much about himself you may as well decide to avoid him in future. Talking too much about oneself is a sign of insecurity.

8) It is possible that he might be the man you would like to be married to, but never talk about marriage on your first date.

9) Flirt. A mild flirting is a good way to get him really interested in you. You may joke around with him, make lots of eye contact and may be touch him on the arm. But don’t overdo the flirting routine. Try to keep it a little mysterious, not totally obvious. Never let him develop the notion that you are head over heels gaga over him.

10) But if you find that the guy is a loser and you want to get away from him then you could start talking about something really boring - like the configuration of your laptop. That will usually scare him off.

11) It is important that you should not be tense when you arrive for a tryst with your date. You should smile a lot and keep things fun and happy. Being confident and smiley will elicit a far more positive response. If he isn’t the macho kind and you don’t like him anyway, don’t let that spoil your evening.

You can still even have some affectionate fun with him - anything goes as long as it remains at a platonic level.

If you do all the things right, there is no reason why you should not emerge a winner in all your relationships.

Michael Douglas is a dating expert and he is the webmaster of http://www.datersmanual.com (Guide to Internet Dating) where he provides further advice on blind dating, speed date ideas, dating etiquettes, learn the art of flirting and other dating tips.

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Debt Help Services You Should Know

Monday, July 2nd, 2007

If you are in trouble and need help with your debt, there are various debt help services from which you can choose. Whether your debt is more than you can handle or you just want to find a way to lower the interest that you are paying each month, there are services that can give you the help that you need. Many of these debt services offer debt counseling, loans, and debt negotiation.

Debt Counseling

Debt counseling is a popular debt service. It is all the more important with the new personal bankruptcy laws. Your creditors have a vested interest in having you seek credit counseling before you decide to declare bankruptcy. These services are usually nonprofit, and can help teach you how to manage your money and deal with your existing debt. Many times, they provide a counselor that will work with you on your specific case. Debt counselors help you to find solutions that will help you lower your debt. They also work to help you pay off your debt more quickly.

If you decide to go with debt counseling services, you may want to check out the company before you become involved or give them any money. You can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if their are outstanding complaints against the company. You also want to know how they handle these complaints. Check the online forums to see how others have rated their services. Remember there are various companies that promote scams on the Internet. So be sure to check the company out thoroughly before using their services.

Loans

Other debt services that are available to many people are various loans. There are debt consolidation loans and home equity loans that can help you to bring down your debt and pay it off gradually. When you are looking at loan services, you want to look for a loan that has an interest rate that is lower than you are already paying. Do not be afraid to compare various loan from different companies. This is often the best way to deal with your debt if you have the choice.

Debt Negotiation

There are professional companies that offer debt negotiation services as well. These services can help you lower debt by having a staff member negotiate a deal with your creditors for you. They can also negotiate a payment plan that is more reasonable and manageable. Often, these services can help you lower the interest on high interest credit cards so what you are paying each month will go more to the principal of what you owe. Often, debt negotiation can result in you being able to pay off your debt in a lump sum by reducing your total debt.

These methods of debt help all offer great benefits if you will take advantage of them. If you are in debt and need help getting out of it, consider the many debt help services. These services help you manage your financial state of affairs, and allow you to get your life back on track.

Get the latest in debt help know how from the only true source at http://www.debtexpire.com Check out our debt help pages.

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So you Want to Buy A Guitar Amp

Saturday, June 30th, 2007

Yes, you have a great electric guitar but that’s not all about it. You need to buy a great guitar amp. Nothing can really replace a guitar amp. Yes, you can plug your guitar into the general PA system and still get acceptable sound but wait until you hear the same guitar plugged into a guitar amp.

Just like guitars, guitar amps come in different sizes and prices. You can get a decent guitar amp for less than $200. At the same time, there are amps that will cost you a few thousand dollars.

So what should you look for in an amp?

It depends on a few factors: It depends on the kind of guitar you are playing. Are you playing an acoustic electric guitar, a semi hollow guitar, an electric guitar or an electric bass?

The type of music genre you intend to use this amp for also matters a whole deal. A small guitar amp will be just fine if you are playing the guitar in a jazz group. However, if you intend to cut it in a rock group, you’ll have to get something that can “make their ears bleed.”

Are you going to be using this for the show or personal practice? You’ll certainly get a few lawsuits if you intend to practice in the garage with the guitar amp that “them” rock guitar stars use in mega jams (That is, unless you leave alone in the wilderness).

Guitar amps have character. This is a huge factor in the selection of guitar amp cabinets. A particular Marshall guitar amp cabinet will produce recognizable sounds. Sounds that no self-respecting guitarist will agree to attempt otherwise.

That said, you can’t possibly buy every guitar amp cabinet out there just because you want to take advantage of their various sound colors. Not to worry, some innovative companies have developed tools that can model most of the guitar amp models that we all have come to love so much. So, buy a guitar amp (as good as you can afford) and get such tools to model the other ones that you love but can only wish for.

Bill McRea is the publisher of Guitar Warehouse the best place to Buy Guitar and learn Guitar Playing Techniques. Visit our site for over 60 Free Guitar Lessons and Information about playing Guitar.

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Profile of Comedian George Lopez

Friday, June 29th, 2007

George Lopez was born on April 23, 1961. He was born to a Mexican-American family in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles, California. He was abandoned by his parents at a young age and raised by his grandmother. This early life experience has provided Lopez with much of his stand up comedy material. He talks much of his upbringing, and he pokes fun at the Mexican American culture of California. Poverty and financial hardship is another subject of his often biting and satirical humor.

After working his way up through the ranks in the comedy clubs of Los Angles, Lopez moved into the mainstream with a series of albums and a television show. He is an example of the new generation comedian that is multi-talented. His first comedy album, “Right Now Right Now” was released in 2001. It was followed by another called “Team Leader” which garnered an Emmy nomination in 2004. He also is the subject of an autobiography that made the New York Times best seller list. It was written by Armen Keteyian.

The event that propelled him into national stardom was “The George Lopez Show”. He is the co-creator, writer, producer and star of this popular ABC prime time sitcom that is now in its 6th season. One result of the show was to pave the way for his inclusion on Forbes Magazine’s “The 100 Top Celebrities List”. He is ranked number 85 on the list, but his e-score rank is 43rd. The e-score rank is a combination of factors that rates popularity a bit higher than earnings or power within the industry. His salary according to Forbes exceeds 12 million dollars per year.

Despite his success on television, Lopez continues to do live shows. He is booked into some of the most prestigious venues, and generally plays to sold out crowds. His earning from touring alone exceeded 8.5 million last year according to his official web site. George Lopez recently suffered from a serious illness, and received a kidney transplant. The donor was his wife Ann, and the experience was the subject of a recent show on his series.

Despite his position as one of the foremost Hispanic comedians in the country, he has been involved in some controversy. He is engaged in a little feud with fellow Hispanic comedian, Carlos Mencia, whom he accused of stealing some of his material. He is also critical of guest show host Jay Leno, who he blasted in a recent interview. Despite this, George Lopez’s career is still on the fast track. A new album has recently been released. A HBO special, “America’s Mexican”, is due to air at the end of February, 2007. He was selected as one of the 25 most influential Hispanics in the Country by Time Magazine. He is a comedian and star at the peak of his career.

Joseph Daily is with JokerDaily.com - providing free daily funny quotes.

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