It seems, today, that everywhere you look there is some health nut or vitamin pushin' junkie out there telling you to watch what you eat or don't drink that. Its enough to make you go crazy. Well, I'm about to add to the insanity. There is good reasons why these people exist. One, there is a growing demand for more healthy lifestyles and those that cater to this demand, like fitness trainers, nutritionist, etc. Two, as human beings we are weak and constantly need to be encouraged, even if its something that will save our lives- or at least improve it. One of the major cause of death here in the western hemisphere is the many effects of uncontrolled/unmanaged cholesterol levels. Here is an article by Jack Koetting that may shed some light on how YOU can help YOU better manage your cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol Levels - The Good, The Bad, and Management Of
By: Jack Koetting
What is cholesterol, and is it all bad? What's the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol? What are the healthy or normal cholesterol levels you should strive for?
In this article, I'll explain what happens when your cholesterol levels aren't normal, as well as some of the ways to manage them, so that you can be better educated and proactive where your health is concerned, and maybe even extend your life.
First of all, cholesterol is a waxy substance found in cells in all parts of the body. And no, it is not all bad. In fact, cholesterol is necessary for building and regenerating cells. It also insulates nerves and produces hormones in the body. The key is maintaining normal levels.
Where does cholesterol come from? About 75% of the cholesterol in our bodies is manufactured in the liver, and the other 25% comes from food, mostly meat and dairy products. If your liver produces too much cholesterol, that is when the levels become abnormal or unhealthy, and a method for bringing them back in balance becomes a necessity in order to preserve cardiovascular health.
This is especially important in people with diabetes, or metabolic syndrome (sometimes referred to as pre-diabetes.) Unhealthy cholesterol levels, when combined with weight gain and increased blood pressure, can lead to all kinds of health challenges.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
Notice the plural, because it is not only total cholesterol or just the bad cholesterol number that is important. Complete cholesterol care implies being aware of all the numbers.
So what are the numbers you should know that make up the complete cholesterol picture?
First is the LDL or bad cholesterol. This is the component that when it becomes elevated, causes buildup on the walls of the arteries. As this buildup hardens, it becomes plaque, which increases your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Science is proving that this buildup starts to develop in late teens and early twenties, and continues progressively as we age.
Of course as this buildup continues, it starts to narrow the opening in the arteries, restricting blood flow and raising blood pressure. Left unchecked, it can continue until it ruptures which causes a clot to form, totally cutting off the flow of blood.
If this clot is in the area leading to the heart, it is a heart attack. If it is in the arteries leading to the brain, that is a stroke. Both are considered cardiovascular disease.
LDL levels of greater than 190 are considered dangerous. 160 to 189 is considered poor, 130 to 159 is fair, and readings less than 129 are considered healthy. Some doctors are suggesting levels be below 100, and recent research is showing that if we can reduce our LDL to less than 70, we can actually start to reverse the plaque buildup.
The next number to be aware of is HDL, or the good cholesterol, which reduces your risk of CVD. In fact, your HDL number is becoming much more important because research has shown that for every 1% you reduce your LDL or bad cholesterol, you get about a 2% reduction in cardiovascular risk. But for every 1% you increase your HDL, you get a 3% reduction in risk. What should your HDL be? Healthy levels for men are above 40, and for women, it should be above 50.
Total Cholesterol or TC is the addition of your LDL, HDL and a component known as VLDL. Healthy levels are anything under 200. Another important number to be aware of is your cardiovascular risk ratio. This number is determined by dividing Total Cholesterol by HDL. This number should be below 5, with the optimal amount of 3.5 or lower.
Where do triglycerides come from? Fats consumed in our diet, or made in the body from carbohydrates, cause triglycerides in the blood. Some calories are converted to triglycerides and move into the fat cells for storage. So how do those numbers stack up?
Triglyceride levels of less than 150 are considered acceptable. Levels from 150 to 199 indicate moderate risk, 200 to 499 indicate high risk, and levels in excess of 500 indicate extreme high risk.
If it's confusing to remember what's good and what's not, an easy way to remember the different parts of the total picture is "L" stands for "lethal" LDL, "H" stands for "healthy" HDL, and "T" stands for "treacherous" triglycerides.
METHODS FOR DEALING WITH UNHEALTHY CHOLESTEROL
There are different methods a person can use for improving one's cholesterol levels. The most widely known is through the use of special cholesterol lowering prescription drugs called "statins". Statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, and others represent nationally a 25 Billion Dollar per year treatment option. They have proved themselves effective at lowering the LDL segment of the cholesterol picture, however they do very little to reduce triglycerides or raise the HDL.
Besides, statins sometime carry very significant side effects, and therefore some people can't take them. What are some of these documented side effects?
The Statin Effects Study concluded that the top two are possible liver and muscle damage. However, there are also lesser known effects such as sudden memory loss, increase in eye cataract risk, suppresses the body's natural immune function, increased cancer risk, kidney and nerve damage, depletes CoQ10 levels (necessary for healthy heart function), sleep disturbance, blood sugar or blood pressure changes, and sexual dysfunction.
According to the drug manufacturers, only an insignificant number of patients are affected by these side effects. But if you're one of them, is it "insignificant" for you? What you will hear more and more from the drug companies, is that they also will admit that just lowering the LDL is not enough.
Combination therapy will become the new buzz word. It means adding additional drugs to raise the good cholesterol, or lower triglycerides or blood sugar. Of course, it's highly likely that these additional drug additives will have their own set of additional side effects.
In fact, reports on the recent results of a clinical study by one of the leading pharmaceutical company's combinations to try to raise the HDL led to "pulling the plug" on the whole experiment. Why, you ask? According to the report, an "unacceptable number of people died" while taking the combination therapy. Makes me wonder what number of people would be "acceptable".
Do we see increased costs and co-pays in our futures? I believe you can bank on it. Some people feel, and I'm one of them, that even the cheapest co-pay is more than they're willing to risk their quality of life for.
So are there other, safer alternatives for you? The answer is yes. In fact, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines for healthcare providers, statin drugs should not be the first treatment option offered. According to these guidelines, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) should be used as a first approach.
What are some of the features of TLC? Increase of soluble fiber, regular exercise, and weight reduction are the main ones. When it comes to diet, watch your fat intake, and eat more fruits and vegetables.
In addition to soluble fiber, other methods that can control cholesterol levels are the use of plant sterols or stanols, and a natural component called policosanol, from sugar cane, which blocks the enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol. Statins block the same enzyme; however, the difference is that the policosanol does not damage the liver. Also ancient Chinese medicine has used a particular extract from the chrysanthemum plant to help in the breakdown of cholesterol.
If you're concerned about safety and effectiveness, choose a natural solution with solid clinical evidence, that incorporates multiple methods, and raises HDL in addition to lowering LDL.
Be proactive in your own health, be educated on your cholesterol situation, make the right lifestyle choices, and you'll improve your chances of living longer.
Additional information on lowering cholesterol can be found in "Your Guide to Lowering Cholesterol with TLC" by the US Nat'l Institutes of Health. NIH Publication 06-5235
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Jack Koetting is a professional network marketer who specializes in teaching others how to be successful with network marketing. If you want to get in touch with Jack or learn more about controlling cholesterol naturally or network marketing success visit www.jackkoettingbiz.com for free report.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Shoe Shopping
Walking through my closet I had an amazing realization, I married a shoe monster. It was clear to see the differences between hers and my side. My three pairs of dress, two casual, and three pairs of tennis shoes huddle together in the corner of our closet, paled in comparisons to the one hundred and seventy-five pairs of shoes my wife owned. Which was strange, because, I can remember her just the night before saying that she couldn't find any shoes to wear with a particular outfit that she just have to wear.
In any event, women seem to have a natural attraction to shoes. But not just to any shoe, it has to be the right shoe. Today, more and more women are discovering that black shoes are a must have, they seem to go with everything. Here is an article by Gregg Hall that may explain this new trend. Drop me a line at everythingwomen@gmail.com or leave a comment at this post at http://iwomenspace.blogspot.com and let me know what your thoughts are.
Why Black Dress Shoes Are A Must Have For Anyone's Wardrobe
By: Gregg Hall
Most people have a variety of shoes in their closet, including sandals, sneakers, casual and dress shoes. No matter what taste in shoes a person may have, the one color you can find in just about every closet is a black shoe.
One of the things that make black shoes so popular is that they compliment just about every outfit. They can transition from jeans to an evening gown or casual slacks to a tuxedo. Most men can get away with owning one or two pairs, because they usually wear business suits or casual apparel that will go with a basic black loafer. Women on the other hand wear a variety of clothes, so they may have different types of sandals, such as ones with flat heels or strappy ones with high heels. They also have a variety of pumps, boots and casual black shoes, so they are prepared for any type of occasion. Many women's shoe stores offer fancy clips for shoes in rhinestone or other gem types. These clips can change a casual black pump to an elegant shoe worthy of a cocktail party. These clips make great accessories, because a woman can now dress up a comfortable casual shoe and look great without giving up their comfort.
Another great benefit to having black shoes is that they are less likely to show wear like scuff marks, or dirt and scratches. If you scuff them while on your way to go dancing, no one has to be the wiser. This is not the case when wearing shoes of a lighter color.
Athletes are now favoring black sports shoes for the same reason. It's rare to see the white sneakers of the old days that started off looking clean and were soiled by the end of a sports match. Black sports shoes can look as good as they did when they arrived at the event, when it's time for the athlete to go home. You will now see them adorning the feet of many baseball and soccer players for this very reason.
Black shoes that do get scuffed or dusty are easily cleaned with a damp cloth and can regain their luster by using a good black shoe polish. This adds to their appeal because lighter colored shoes may not clean as well. You can get black shoe polish that has a "scuff" remover ingredient that make your damaged shoes look like new again. This means the shoes will be wearable for a longer period of time than their lighter cousins.
The next time you go shopping for shoes, get a few more pair in black. The same way you can never have too much jewelry, you can never have enough black shoes.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as men's designer dress shoes at www.mensdesignerdressshoes.com
In any event, women seem to have a natural attraction to shoes. But not just to any shoe, it has to be the right shoe. Today, more and more women are discovering that black shoes are a must have, they seem to go with everything. Here is an article by Gregg Hall that may explain this new trend. Drop me a line at everythingwomen@gmail.com or leave a comment at this post at http://iwomenspace.blogspot.com and let me know what your thoughts are.
Why Black Dress Shoes Are A Must Have For Anyone's Wardrobe
By: Gregg Hall
Most people have a variety of shoes in their closet, including sandals, sneakers, casual and dress shoes. No matter what taste in shoes a person may have, the one color you can find in just about every closet is a black shoe.
One of the things that make black shoes so popular is that they compliment just about every outfit. They can transition from jeans to an evening gown or casual slacks to a tuxedo. Most men can get away with owning one or two pairs, because they usually wear business suits or casual apparel that will go with a basic black loafer. Women on the other hand wear a variety of clothes, so they may have different types of sandals, such as ones with flat heels or strappy ones with high heels. They also have a variety of pumps, boots and casual black shoes, so they are prepared for any type of occasion. Many women's shoe stores offer fancy clips for shoes in rhinestone or other gem types. These clips can change a casual black pump to an elegant shoe worthy of a cocktail party. These clips make great accessories, because a woman can now dress up a comfortable casual shoe and look great without giving up their comfort.
Another great benefit to having black shoes is that they are less likely to show wear like scuff marks, or dirt and scratches. If you scuff them while on your way to go dancing, no one has to be the wiser. This is not the case when wearing shoes of a lighter color.
Athletes are now favoring black sports shoes for the same reason. It's rare to see the white sneakers of the old days that started off looking clean and were soiled by the end of a sports match. Black sports shoes can look as good as they did when they arrived at the event, when it's time for the athlete to go home. You will now see them adorning the feet of many baseball and soccer players for this very reason.
Black shoes that do get scuffed or dusty are easily cleaned with a damp cloth and can regain their luster by using a good black shoe polish. This adds to their appeal because lighter colored shoes may not clean as well. You can get black shoe polish that has a "scuff" remover ingredient that make your damaged shoes look like new again. This means the shoes will be wearable for a longer period of time than their lighter cousins.
The next time you go shopping for shoes, get a few more pair in black. The same way you can never have too much jewelry, you can never have enough black shoes.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as men's designer dress shoes at www.mensdesignerdressshoes.com
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Planning a baby shower
Who would have thought that the arrive of your precious bundle of joy, your baby, would have been met with so much activities? Whether its mom and dad mapping out the next 20 years of the child's life or the demolition of a portion of your home to build the perfect nursery, all involve needs to do a whole lot of planning. There is however, one bit of planning that helps mom and dad prepare without involving them directly. Planning a baby shower. In this planning friends and family of the couple play the greatest role. Now, even though it called a baby shower it seems, to be an occasion mostly for the mother-to-be. It is a party where friends and family come together and shower the mother with baby gift like clothes, furniture, toys and sometime, even money. It is, however, different from other parties. Following is an article from Terry Baeseman that I hope will help in the planning of this very special day. Remember if you have an experience that you would like to share with us at http://www.iwomenspace.blogspot.com send an email to everythingwomen@gmail.com we would love to hear from you and share your thoughts with our community of iWomen.
Baby Shower Planning Tips for a Great Baby Shower.
By: Terry Baeseman
Everyone has been to a baby shower that was boring and not much fun. They may have laughed and tried to make it work for the mother-to-be, but really did not have a good time. This is because baby showers, like any type of function or party needs some basic planning and researching to ensure that it is fun for everyone.
One of the first things to do is take the mother to be to a store and have her spend an afternoon making a wish list about midway through the pregnancy or as soon as preparations begin. There are many stores that allow her to do this electronically. It saves her information, and even family across the country to access the list at their local store or online. As each item is purchased it disappears from the list, so there are fewer repeat and more variety of presents at the shower.
After the registry or wish list is completed, then the mother-to-be is kept out of the loop. For the planner the busy part of planning the shower is just beginning. The planner needs to find a location for the party, make a guest list, pick the timeframe, and decide on food, drinks, and snacks, as well as the games and prizes for the winners.
The first thing to do is create a guest list. Enlist the help of the mothers-to-be husband or some other person living with her to help. Get the names and addresses from her address book, stop by her work, if possible, and find out who her friends are there. Go ahead and purchase the invitations and Thank You cards, however, before you send out the invitations is it important to look at the size of the list and pick a location to have the baby party.
Location of a shower can be a person's home, a small conference room at a club or hotel, or a local hall that rents out a multipurpose room. With the guest list is it best to figure about 2/3 of the invited guests will arrive. This gives you an idea as to the size of location you will need. You will want enough room for everyone to sit down and enjoy themselves, a place to set out snacks, food, cake and drinks, and a place to set the presents. Select the location and schedule it. Now it is time to send out the invitations.
Once the invitations are sent, preparing for the food and drinks, as well as games comes next. Keep in mind the age group of the guest list and make sure you have snacks, and drinks that will accommodate all guests. The same should go with the games you decide to play. The mother's-to-be grandmother may be attending and she may not enjoy the same thing as the 18-year-old niece. Keep this in mind and create a wide variety of games and refreshments that everyone attending the baby shower will enjoy, especially the guest of honor.
The day before the shower, pick up the balloons, and some prizes for the games. Unique and interesting prizes can always be found at dollar stores. Preparing everything the day before, will allow you to set up and get ready without feeling rushed. This relaxed attitude will roll over into the baby party, and help create a baby shower to remember.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Terry Baeseman is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of Little Baby Showers and can be reached at littlebabyshowers.com/
Baby Shower Planning Tips for a Great Baby Shower.
By: Terry Baeseman
Everyone has been to a baby shower that was boring and not much fun. They may have laughed and tried to make it work for the mother-to-be, but really did not have a good time. This is because baby showers, like any type of function or party needs some basic planning and researching to ensure that it is fun for everyone.
One of the first things to do is take the mother to be to a store and have her spend an afternoon making a wish list about midway through the pregnancy or as soon as preparations begin. There are many stores that allow her to do this electronically. It saves her information, and even family across the country to access the list at their local store or online. As each item is purchased it disappears from the list, so there are fewer repeat and more variety of presents at the shower.
After the registry or wish list is completed, then the mother-to-be is kept out of the loop. For the planner the busy part of planning the shower is just beginning. The planner needs to find a location for the party, make a guest list, pick the timeframe, and decide on food, drinks, and snacks, as well as the games and prizes for the winners.
The first thing to do is create a guest list. Enlist the help of the mothers-to-be husband or some other person living with her to help. Get the names and addresses from her address book, stop by her work, if possible, and find out who her friends are there. Go ahead and purchase the invitations and Thank You cards, however, before you send out the invitations is it important to look at the size of the list and pick a location to have the baby party.
Location of a shower can be a person's home, a small conference room at a club or hotel, or a local hall that rents out a multipurpose room. With the guest list is it best to figure about 2/3 of the invited guests will arrive. This gives you an idea as to the size of location you will need. You will want enough room for everyone to sit down and enjoy themselves, a place to set out snacks, food, cake and drinks, and a place to set the presents. Select the location and schedule it. Now it is time to send out the invitations.
Once the invitations are sent, preparing for the food and drinks, as well as games comes next. Keep in mind the age group of the guest list and make sure you have snacks, and drinks that will accommodate all guests. The same should go with the games you decide to play. The mother's-to-be grandmother may be attending and she may not enjoy the same thing as the 18-year-old niece. Keep this in mind and create a wide variety of games and refreshments that everyone attending the baby shower will enjoy, especially the guest of honor.
The day before the shower, pick up the balloons, and some prizes for the games. Unique and interesting prizes can always be found at dollar stores. Preparing everything the day before, will allow you to set up and get ready without feeling rushed. This relaxed attitude will roll over into the baby party, and help create a baby shower to remember.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Terry Baeseman is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of Little Baby Showers and can be reached at littlebabyshowers.com/
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Baby on the way?
Planning for a baby, needs not to be an overwhelming experience. There are some things one can do to increase the chances of having a health pregnancy. Here is an article by Apurva Shree that may assist those mothers-to-be and those still considering.
Things To Consider While Planning A Pregnancy
By: Apurva Shree
Couples who are keen on planning a pregnancy will benefit immensely if they have a pregnancy checklist that can guide them and remind them of things that they may not even have considered. If you opt for pregnancy planning, a pre pregnancy checklist can get you prepared for changes related to pregnancy.
Pre Pregnancy Checklist
Having a baby is a wonderful experience and, as responsible parents, it is our duty to make sure that we do all that we can possibly do to ensure the healthy development, growth and delivery of the baby. There are several things that parents can prepare as a list from the pre pregnancy stage to ensure this state of affairs.
Be very sure that you want a baby with your partner, that both of you will be responsible and caring parents. If your relationship has some problems, be sure you sort them out as various pregnancy problems may cause serious strain on the relationship which may later affect the health of the mother and the child.
Select a reputed and trustworthy physician and get a check up. This may alert you to any condition that may cause possible complications during pregnancy, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart condition, epilepsy, etc. Vaccinations against hepatitis B, tetanus, German measles, etc. are given to those who need them.
If you are using condoms you may start baby making right away, but if you have used oral contraceptive pills, it is considered safe to get pregnant after three normal menstrual periods.
It may help you if you use an ovulation calendar as it will increase your chances of conception.
Planning a pregnancy can be good as the doctors recommend supplements of folic acid and multi-vitamins which have been known to reduce birth defects in the infant.
It is best if you keep your body weight ideal and did regular exercise to stay fit.
Avoid drinking, smoking, drugs, over-the-counter medication.
Read plenty of books to learn as much as you can to make pregnancy and child birth healthy and enjoyable.
Eat nutritious meals that are healthy, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nutritional deficiencies may cause infertility, so eat healthy. Avoid junk foods.
Try to stay stress free. Try stress management techniques.
Discuss the nature of your work with your healthcare practitioner. Ask if you need to make any changes especially if you are exposed to heavy metals, radiation, solvents, etc.
Start saving for childbirth as rearing a child may be expensive. Have a financial plan ready.
If you have been trying unsuccessfully for more than a year, consider taking fertility tests. If there are problems in both of you or one of you, stay calm and try the treatments suggested.
Get a good health cover that meets your needs.
If you are a working woman, try and learn all you can about maternity leave and pay in your firm.
Avoid foods such as raw or undercooked animal products or fish. Soft cheese, fish such as marlin, sword fish, shark are not recommended during pre conception or pregnancy.
Be sure to go for regular check ups, eat foods rich in folic acid, iron, calcium and take any supplements that have been recommended.
Stay relaxed and have an enjoyable and healthy pregnancy.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Apurva specializes on pregnancy articles. He has written on a range of related issues as pregnancy planning, pre pregnancy checklist and pre pregnancy stage. Read more on Pregnancy Articles
Things To Consider While Planning A Pregnancy
By: Apurva Shree
Couples who are keen on planning a pregnancy will benefit immensely if they have a pregnancy checklist that can guide them and remind them of things that they may not even have considered. If you opt for pregnancy planning, a pre pregnancy checklist can get you prepared for changes related to pregnancy.
Pre Pregnancy Checklist
Having a baby is a wonderful experience and, as responsible parents, it is our duty to make sure that we do all that we can possibly do to ensure the healthy development, growth and delivery of the baby. There are several things that parents can prepare as a list from the pre pregnancy stage to ensure this state of affairs.
Be very sure that you want a baby with your partner, that both of you will be responsible and caring parents. If your relationship has some problems, be sure you sort them out as various pregnancy problems may cause serious strain on the relationship which may later affect the health of the mother and the child.
Select a reputed and trustworthy physician and get a check up. This may alert you to any condition that may cause possible complications during pregnancy, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart condition, epilepsy, etc. Vaccinations against hepatitis B, tetanus, German measles, etc. are given to those who need them.
If you are using condoms you may start baby making right away, but if you have used oral contraceptive pills, it is considered safe to get pregnant after three normal menstrual periods.
It may help you if you use an ovulation calendar as it will increase your chances of conception.
Planning a pregnancy can be good as the doctors recommend supplements of folic acid and multi-vitamins which have been known to reduce birth defects in the infant.
It is best if you keep your body weight ideal and did regular exercise to stay fit.
Avoid drinking, smoking, drugs, over-the-counter medication.
Read plenty of books to learn as much as you can to make pregnancy and child birth healthy and enjoyable.
Eat nutritious meals that are healthy, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nutritional deficiencies may cause infertility, so eat healthy. Avoid junk foods.
Try to stay stress free. Try stress management techniques.
Discuss the nature of your work with your healthcare practitioner. Ask if you need to make any changes especially if you are exposed to heavy metals, radiation, solvents, etc.
Start saving for childbirth as rearing a child may be expensive. Have a financial plan ready.
If you have been trying unsuccessfully for more than a year, consider taking fertility tests. If there are problems in both of you or one of you, stay calm and try the treatments suggested.
Get a good health cover that meets your needs.
If you are a working woman, try and learn all you can about maternity leave and pay in your firm.
Avoid foods such as raw or undercooked animal products or fish. Soft cheese, fish such as marlin, sword fish, shark are not recommended during pre conception or pregnancy.
Be sure to go for regular check ups, eat foods rich in folic acid, iron, calcium and take any supplements that have been recommended.
Stay relaxed and have an enjoyable and healthy pregnancy.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Apurva specializes on pregnancy articles. He has written on a range of related issues as pregnancy planning, pre pregnancy checklist and pre pregnancy stage. Read more on Pregnancy Articles
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friendly Advice?
After the dust has cleared, and the newly married couple has settled in, it may be a good idea for them to prepare themselves for the onslaught of those wanting to share on how a marriage works. Keep in mind that these persons, for the most part are excited loved ones, who can only offer insights into what experience has taught them. They may not be experts on the topic so take their advice with a grain of salt. It is also a good idea to remember that or beware of those who are quick to identify with your pain or challenges without making an effort to understand the surrounding circumstances. Here is an article by Jacob Gan that attempts to identify the helpful and harmful nature of friends and others giving advice. I hope to get a lot of feed back from this article.Email me your thoughts: everythingwomen@gmail.com
Why Advice Giving Is Not Advisable
By: Jacob Gan
Often in our interactions with family and friends, problems being encountered would inevitably be brought up. Inevitably too, in trying to be helpful, we often react by giving advice on how to solve the problem.
However, this is generally not recommended, for the following reasons:
We assume we know what the problem is and forget to be a listener, to find out enough details about the problem and the other person's point of view.
We forget to extend empathy to the woes of the other person.
We get 'credit' for being the one to give the advice since the advice is likely to be something that the adviser has done or others have done that was successful. So if the listener does not succeed or had done it before but it was not successful, the implication is that it is not because the advice was not good, but the listener has not applied it well. This tends to make the advisee feel stupid and incompetent.
When we give advice, we're talking 'down' to the other person as we become the 'expert'. We're so eager to talk and show our knowledge and 'wisdom' that we do not interact at an 'equal' level with the other person. We take on the position of 'expert' and might tend to forget that the other person also has knowledge to share with us.
We are giving the message that we think the person cannot work out the solution himself. This is disempowering for the other person.
We belittle the efforts that have been taken by the person. We become the evaluator of what the person has done rather than helping him/her to self-evaluate.
Example of Advice Giving:
A: Jolyn and I are having problems. We have been having more quarrels lately.
B: Hmm… I'm always thought both of you were not suitable for each other. (B is getting credit for his prediction. B is not asking questions to find out more about A's problems)
A: Well, we were getting along pretty well. But I've been very busy with work recently and haven't had time to go out with her. She feels I'm spending too much time on work.
B: It shows she does not understand you (B is assuming he knows what the problem is). Maybe you should break up with her (advice giving, implying A cannot work out a solution). It could be a blessing in disguise.
A: I'd be miserable. Don't know what I'd do without her.
B: You'll get over it (B is not extending empathy to A). I did too when I broke up with Doris 2 years ago. (B is giving himself credit)
A: I sent her roses to make up but it doesn't seem to work.
B: I don't think that will work with her (evaluating what A has done). Since she wants time with you, just put aside your work and make time for her.
A: I have deadlines to meet.
B: Well, you have to decide what you want (this is not likely to be helpful to A's dilemma and might make him feel stupid and incompetent instead.)
Using Questions in conversations is generally more helpful as it helps the other person think through the issues that they have. Example is this conversation below:
A: Jolyn and I are having problems. We have been having more quarrels lately.
B: I'm sorry to hear that (extending empathy). Would you like to tell me more about it? (being a listener, to find out details of problem)
A: I've been really busy with my work and haven't had time to go out with her. She feels I'm spending too much time on work.
B: Has it always been this way with your work?
A: No, it's these recent two months because of a big project. Deadlines to meet and other work pressures….
B: Must be tough on you…. (extending empathy to A and indirectly giving credit to A for holding up)
A: Yah… but I do need to make time for Jolyn… I have been working too hard. I should ease up a bit (self evaluation). I think I'll send her some flowers afterwards and then call her for a dinner date tomorrow. (coming up with his own solutions)
B: All the best …
Reference:
www.succezz.com/StresstheSilentKiller.html
www.succezz.com/How2BHappy.html
www.succezz.com/S2/7WaystoLiveLiftotheMax2.html
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
www.jacobebooks.com/S4/TheJourney.htm www.motivate2success.com/ www.succezz.com/7WaystoLiveLiftotheMax.html
Why Advice Giving Is Not Advisable
By: Jacob Gan
Often in our interactions with family and friends, problems being encountered would inevitably be brought up. Inevitably too, in trying to be helpful, we often react by giving advice on how to solve the problem.
However, this is generally not recommended, for the following reasons:
We assume we know what the problem is and forget to be a listener, to find out enough details about the problem and the other person's point of view.
We forget to extend empathy to the woes of the other person.
We get 'credit' for being the one to give the advice since the advice is likely to be something that the adviser has done or others have done that was successful. So if the listener does not succeed or had done it before but it was not successful, the implication is that it is not because the advice was not good, but the listener has not applied it well. This tends to make the advisee feel stupid and incompetent.
When we give advice, we're talking 'down' to the other person as we become the 'expert'. We're so eager to talk and show our knowledge and 'wisdom' that we do not interact at an 'equal' level with the other person. We take on the position of 'expert' and might tend to forget that the other person also has knowledge to share with us.
We are giving the message that we think the person cannot work out the solution himself. This is disempowering for the other person.
We belittle the efforts that have been taken by the person. We become the evaluator of what the person has done rather than helping him/her to self-evaluate.
Example of Advice Giving:
A: Jolyn and I are having problems. We have been having more quarrels lately.
B: Hmm… I'm always thought both of you were not suitable for each other. (B is getting credit for his prediction. B is not asking questions to find out more about A's problems)
A: Well, we were getting along pretty well. But I've been very busy with work recently and haven't had time to go out with her. She feels I'm spending too much time on work.
B: It shows she does not understand you (B is assuming he knows what the problem is). Maybe you should break up with her (advice giving, implying A cannot work out a solution). It could be a blessing in disguise.
A: I'd be miserable. Don't know what I'd do without her.
B: You'll get over it (B is not extending empathy to A). I did too when I broke up with Doris 2 years ago. (B is giving himself credit)
A: I sent her roses to make up but it doesn't seem to work.
B: I don't think that will work with her (evaluating what A has done). Since she wants time with you, just put aside your work and make time for her.
A: I have deadlines to meet.
B: Well, you have to decide what you want (this is not likely to be helpful to A's dilemma and might make him feel stupid and incompetent instead.)
Using Questions in conversations is generally more helpful as it helps the other person think through the issues that they have. Example is this conversation below:
A: Jolyn and I are having problems. We have been having more quarrels lately.
B: I'm sorry to hear that (extending empathy). Would you like to tell me more about it? (being a listener, to find out details of problem)
A: I've been really busy with my work and haven't had time to go out with her. She feels I'm spending too much time on work.
B: Has it always been this way with your work?
A: No, it's these recent two months because of a big project. Deadlines to meet and other work pressures….
B: Must be tough on you…. (extending empathy to A and indirectly giving credit to A for holding up)
A: Yah… but I do need to make time for Jolyn… I have been working too hard. I should ease up a bit (self evaluation). I think I'll send her some flowers afterwards and then call her for a dinner date tomorrow. (coming up with his own solutions)
B: All the best …
Reference:
www.succezz.com/StresstheSilentKiller.html
www.succezz.com/How2BHappy.html
www.succezz.com/S2/7WaystoLiveLiftotheMax2.html
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
www.jacobebooks.com/S4/TheJourney.htm www.motivate2success.com/ www.succezz.com/7WaystoLiveLiftotheMax.html
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Sweet Honeymoon
Now that your big wedding day has already been planned, what can you do about the big wedding night? Yes your honeymoon. It is just as important as your wedding day, but with less hassle. For this your plans will only affect you and your spouse. Some people are so drawn in by the overwhelming atmosphere that a wedding brings them, sometime they carry those jitters into their honeymoon; this may prove not to be a good idea. It is important to plan your honeymoon, with the idea in mind that it is meant to create a relaxing, sensual and fun environment. Here is an article by Adrian Adams that I hope may help when planning your honeymoon vacation.
Tips For Planning An Exciting Honeymoon
By: Adrian Adams
Getting married and going on a honeymoon are very exciting times. Yet too many people get so caught up in everything being perfect that they are stressed out on what should be a very enjoyable time. Since planning a wedding takes up so much time, the honeymoon should be the perfect opportunity for the newlyweds to relax and enjoy their time with each other.
The most important thing to consider for any honeymoon is your budget. You don't want to worry about the cost of it or you won't be able to fully enjoy it. Plan it in advance so you can get a great deal on it. Even if you can't afford to go far away, plan something fun and relaxing. There are wonderful bed & breakfasts located all over the place so you won't have too much trouble finding one.
Make sure your honeymoon plans include activities both of you enjoy doing. The whole point of the honeymoon is to spend your time together so make sure you will both like what is taking place. If you haven't been to a particular location before, make sure you have all the information you can find on it available. This way you can plan your trip accordingly. Be careful not to plan too many things to do so you can spend relaxing time together.
Make sure you have all of your documents needed for the trip. This may include passports, shots, photo ID, spending money, and anything else you need. Pack well in advance so you won't be rushed after the wedding to get your travel items prepared. It is a good idea to leave a copy of your itinerary and confirmation numbers with a trusted friend or family member so that you can contact them if you lose anything.
If you will be visiting another country for your honeymoon, you may find the culture to be very different. For example they may not approve of the public display of affection that many newlyweds engage in. Make sure you are willing to honor the cultural differences. If not, then choose a honeymoon location what this will be acceptable.
Most of all, enjoy your honeymoon. It should be fun and full of great memories. This is likely your first of many trips together as a married couple. As you start your life together make your honeymoon a very romantic and enjoyable time instead of one full to stress and too many activities.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Enjoy a romantic honeymoon at our Dallas Bed And Breakfast. www.adallasguesthouse.com
Tips For Planning An Exciting Honeymoon
By: Adrian Adams
Getting married and going on a honeymoon are very exciting times. Yet too many people get so caught up in everything being perfect that they are stressed out on what should be a very enjoyable time. Since planning a wedding takes up so much time, the honeymoon should be the perfect opportunity for the newlyweds to relax and enjoy their time with each other.
The most important thing to consider for any honeymoon is your budget. You don't want to worry about the cost of it or you won't be able to fully enjoy it. Plan it in advance so you can get a great deal on it. Even if you can't afford to go far away, plan something fun and relaxing. There are wonderful bed & breakfasts located all over the place so you won't have too much trouble finding one.
Make sure your honeymoon plans include activities both of you enjoy doing. The whole point of the honeymoon is to spend your time together so make sure you will both like what is taking place. If you haven't been to a particular location before, make sure you have all the information you can find on it available. This way you can plan your trip accordingly. Be careful not to plan too many things to do so you can spend relaxing time together.
Make sure you have all of your documents needed for the trip. This may include passports, shots, photo ID, spending money, and anything else you need. Pack well in advance so you won't be rushed after the wedding to get your travel items prepared. It is a good idea to leave a copy of your itinerary and confirmation numbers with a trusted friend or family member so that you can contact them if you lose anything.
If you will be visiting another country for your honeymoon, you may find the culture to be very different. For example they may not approve of the public display of affection that many newlyweds engage in. Make sure you are willing to honor the cultural differences. If not, then choose a honeymoon location what this will be acceptable.
Most of all, enjoy your honeymoon. It should be fun and full of great memories. This is likely your first of many trips together as a married couple. As you start your life together make your honeymoon a very romantic and enjoyable time instead of one full to stress and too many activities.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Enjoy a romantic honeymoon at our Dallas Bed And Breakfast. www.adallasguesthouse.com
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Do Brides-to-be make mistakes?
Well, do brides-to-be make mistakes?
As much as we would like to believe that we are perfect, there are moments when we could have done something a little different and probably save on time, money and emotional distress.
For a bride-to-be these moments may be more frequent than some would like to admit.
I would imagine, that for a young lady who has probably thought about her wedding day for most of her life, the actual moment may become more and more over whelming as the big day draws near. After all her job is not as simple as her future husband's, for the most part, all he needs to do is show up looking half way decent. On the other hand, the success of the wedding presentation, the guest satisfaction, the little things that make that day memorable, rises and fall under the apparent responsibility of the bride-to-be. Here is an article by Amy Nutt that may help to calm some nerves as she highlights a few things that brides normally stress about or just plain forget.
Brides-To-Be - Top Ten Pre-Wedding Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
By: Amy Nutt
Planning a wedding can be one of the most exhilarating, yet stressful times of a woman's life. Whether you are going extravagant, or just keeping it simple, there are many details that must be addressed, and often, little time to do them. This time constraint is often the source of many common mistakes made by brides before a wedding. Lack of research is another contributing factor. This, however, is often due to the fact that most brides have never planned a wedding before, so the process can prove a bit daunting. Below are the top ten mistakes commonly made by many brides-to-be, and how to avoid them.
Not sticking to your budget. Often times, couples will set a wedding budget, then make further plans without keeping it in mind. This can be a big mistake. While it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and frenzy of planning a wedding, it is important to follow your budget. Failure to do so can either result in spending more money than what you have, or being disappointed when you can't pay for something you are set on doing.
Messing up the marriage license. There are a number of rules and regulations surrounding this process that it is easy for couples to make a mistake. Because the bride often plans the wedding, the groom usually takes care of this detail, but it is always something the couple should do together. It is a good idea for the bride-to-be to get involved in this one so both parties know what is needed and when to do it.
Ordering the wedding gown too late. If you have your heart set on a specific gown, you will want to take care of this early on in the planning process. Even if this detail is not as important to you as it is other brides, it is a good idea to have this one taken care of early. Most times, the gown must be altered, sometimes even more than once, so attention should definitely be given to this major detail.
Waiting to book hotel rooms. A common mistake made by many brides is waiting too late to book hotel rooms for wedding guests. This is especially important if you are getting married during a busy time of the year, or would like your guests to stay in a particularly busy hotel. This detail should be taken care of soon after the wedding date is set. It's much easier to re-book a room in advance than it is to find a room at the last minute.
Inviting too many guests. When choosing a place for the wedding and reception, make sure these sites can accommodate the number of guests you would like to invite. This is crucial because you often take care of this detail well in advance, certainly long before you have received notice of who is and isn't coming to the wedding.
Indulging in last-minute beauty treatments or crash diets. Getting a facial the day before the wedding can be a bad idea. Instead of rejuvenating your skin, it can actually lead to break-outs, especially if you have never before used the products included in the facial. Because of this, you have no idea what they may or may not do to your skin, so take precautions. The same goes for crash diets. You want your dress to still fit the day of the wedding, and going on a crash diet could result in its being too big.
Failure to understand invitation postage. Many brides are not aware the invitations often require additional postage, therefore, these items are often sent out without it. If this happens, the postal service will return your invitations to you, and you will be responsible for including the proper postage and sending them again. This, of course, can significantly delay the entire process, not to mention add stress to your wedding planning.
Ignoring religious restrictions. Skipping pre-marital classes or failing to wear the appropriate wedding attire can result in your wedding officiate refusing to marry you when the big day arrives. To avoid this, make sure you understand what will be required of you and your husband-to-be prior to the actual wedding. This is especially important if you do not practice the same religion.
Trying it on your own. If you are lucky enough to have been offered help by friends and family members, take it. There are so many details to attend to that it can easily become overwhelming and you may find you will need all the help you can get.Forgetting to focus on what it all means instead of just the actual event. Yes, the wedding is important, but you should always keep in mind that you are getting married and starting a life together. Brides be good to your grooms and grooms to the same to your brides.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
The Perfect Wedding Guide for Toronto Weddings - a wedding directory, wedding services and wedding retailers.
As much as we would like to believe that we are perfect, there are moments when we could have done something a little different and probably save on time, money and emotional distress.
For a bride-to-be these moments may be more frequent than some would like to admit.
I would imagine, that for a young lady who has probably thought about her wedding day for most of her life, the actual moment may become more and more over whelming as the big day draws near. After all her job is not as simple as her future husband's, for the most part, all he needs to do is show up looking half way decent. On the other hand, the success of the wedding presentation, the guest satisfaction, the little things that make that day memorable, rises and fall under the apparent responsibility of the bride-to-be. Here is an article by Amy Nutt that may help to calm some nerves as she highlights a few things that brides normally stress about or just plain forget.
Brides-To-Be - Top Ten Pre-Wedding Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
By: Amy Nutt
Planning a wedding can be one of the most exhilarating, yet stressful times of a woman's life. Whether you are going extravagant, or just keeping it simple, there are many details that must be addressed, and often, little time to do them. This time constraint is often the source of many common mistakes made by brides before a wedding. Lack of research is another contributing factor. This, however, is often due to the fact that most brides have never planned a wedding before, so the process can prove a bit daunting. Below are the top ten mistakes commonly made by many brides-to-be, and how to avoid them.
Not sticking to your budget. Often times, couples will set a wedding budget, then make further plans without keeping it in mind. This can be a big mistake. While it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and frenzy of planning a wedding, it is important to follow your budget. Failure to do so can either result in spending more money than what you have, or being disappointed when you can't pay for something you are set on doing.
Messing up the marriage license. There are a number of rules and regulations surrounding this process that it is easy for couples to make a mistake. Because the bride often plans the wedding, the groom usually takes care of this detail, but it is always something the couple should do together. It is a good idea for the bride-to-be to get involved in this one so both parties know what is needed and when to do it.
Ordering the wedding gown too late. If you have your heart set on a specific gown, you will want to take care of this early on in the planning process. Even if this detail is not as important to you as it is other brides, it is a good idea to have this one taken care of early. Most times, the gown must be altered, sometimes even more than once, so attention should definitely be given to this major detail.
Waiting to book hotel rooms. A common mistake made by many brides is waiting too late to book hotel rooms for wedding guests. This is especially important if you are getting married during a busy time of the year, or would like your guests to stay in a particularly busy hotel. This detail should be taken care of soon after the wedding date is set. It's much easier to re-book a room in advance than it is to find a room at the last minute.
Inviting too many guests. When choosing a place for the wedding and reception, make sure these sites can accommodate the number of guests you would like to invite. This is crucial because you often take care of this detail well in advance, certainly long before you have received notice of who is and isn't coming to the wedding.
Indulging in last-minute beauty treatments or crash diets. Getting a facial the day before the wedding can be a bad idea. Instead of rejuvenating your skin, it can actually lead to break-outs, especially if you have never before used the products included in the facial. Because of this, you have no idea what they may or may not do to your skin, so take precautions. The same goes for crash diets. You want your dress to still fit the day of the wedding, and going on a crash diet could result in its being too big.
Failure to understand invitation postage. Many brides are not aware the invitations often require additional postage, therefore, these items are often sent out without it. If this happens, the postal service will return your invitations to you, and you will be responsible for including the proper postage and sending them again. This, of course, can significantly delay the entire process, not to mention add stress to your wedding planning.
Ignoring religious restrictions. Skipping pre-marital classes or failing to wear the appropriate wedding attire can result in your wedding officiate refusing to marry you when the big day arrives. To avoid this, make sure you understand what will be required of you and your husband-to-be prior to the actual wedding. This is especially important if you do not practice the same religion.
Trying it on your own. If you are lucky enough to have been offered help by friends and family members, take it. There are so many details to attend to that it can easily become overwhelming and you may find you will need all the help you can get.Forgetting to focus on what it all means instead of just the actual event. Yes, the wedding is important, but you should always keep in mind that you are getting married and starting a life together. Brides be good to your grooms and grooms to the same to your brides.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
The Perfect Wedding Guide for Toronto Weddings - a wedding directory, wedding services and wedding retailers.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
" Thinking of getting married"
'Tis is the season for love.
The wedding day is a special day in the lives of every engaged couple. Whether they choose to get married in an elaborate ceremony with a large number of guests, or have a small intimate gathering of close friends and family, it is an event they both will remember for a lifetime.
Those memories, in many cases, turn out to be more impacting than the actual wedding day itself. Therefore, it is important that you try to minimize those things that would tarnish the hind sight view of this important day.
It has been my experience that the number one issue that most couples have when planning for their big day is how to pull off the best, biggest, most glamorous, memorable, tasteful, one day event on planet earth ........ with a small budget. I'm sure you have some stories about how you did it, we would love to hear them. Here is an article written by Kyle Richey suggesting ways you can have your dream wedding on a modest budget.
How To Plan A Low-Budget Wedding That Feels Like a Million Bucks: The Right Way!
By: Kyle Richey
Your wedding is a special day that you may remember for years to come.
First, congratulations on combining your life with your special loved one! In this article you will learn how to have a great wedding day without going into debt for years to come. Marriage is a wonderful thing, but you need not spend thousands of dollars on a wedding day in order to have a memorable, fun and exciting wedding day. You can learn how to plan a low-budget wedding day to have a lot of fun without spending too much money on one day in your life.
Do You Need A Wedding Planner?
Even when you are planning a wedding on a small budget you may or may not need a wedding planner. A wedding planner can help you plan your wedding on a small budget, but sometimes you just do not need to make that another expense. Instead of a wedding planner where you would be relying on a person to help you plan your wedding, you should try a software program to get tips with wedding budget guides that will help you plan your wedding day within your budget. This will also help you keep the quality in your wedding day, but you will have guides to follow so you will not be able to go above your wedding budget if you follow the guides. This can help you a great deal and keep you away from spending too much money and time on a wedding planner.
Budgeting Your Wedding Expenses
Your wedding expenses can be broken down into several categories to help you budget your wedding day a lot easier. You should start with your main and most expensive costs for your wedding day to get an idea of where you stand on your wedding budget. Start with the costs of your reception, ceremony, and honeymoon. All of these parts of your wedding are important and require the most costs out of anything else.
Your wedding ceremony:
You can save money on your wedding ceremony by having it held at a family or friends house instead of at a venue. You can ask your family member or friend to host your wedding at their home, and it will not cost you anything to simply have your wedding ceremony there. Your wedding reception: If you have your ceremony at a family member or friend's house you could also have the reception there to save money. If they have a nice yard or a good-sized entertaining room you could have it in there.
Your honeymoon:
Instead of flying on an airplane to some exotic place you could take a road trip to a quiet town and rest, relax and have fun with your new mate in a hotel room, ranch, or other place to stay. Keep it cozy and real. Tips On Saving Money On Your Wedding And Retaining QualityIt can be easy to cut corners in your wedding expenses to save money while retaining the quality of your wedding day and your honeymoon. You can simply cut things out of the wedding that are not necessary such as wedding favors, fancy centerpieces, etc. You could also opt to make them yourself if you have the time.
Create the wedding invitations yourself as well instead having some super fancy ones created for you. You can do a lot yourself instead paying a lot of money to others to get it done for you, and don't be afraid to cut some small costs out of your wedding. This is your day! By budgeting properly you can save a lot of time and money. You can keep track of all of your expenses with some software. Enjoy your wedding day without blowing away your budget!
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Don't be one of the thousands of people who fall into debt and get so stressed about their wedding that they miss out on the fun. Figuring out www.day2cherish.com/weddingbudgetsecrets">how to plan a low budget wedding is easier than you think! Learn simple tips and let software help you plan your amazing wedding and save $8,241+ now: www.day2cherish.com/weddingbudgetsecrets">www.day2cherish.com/weddingbudgetsecrets
The wedding day is a special day in the lives of every engaged couple. Whether they choose to get married in an elaborate ceremony with a large number of guests, or have a small intimate gathering of close friends and family, it is an event they both will remember for a lifetime.
Those memories, in many cases, turn out to be more impacting than the actual wedding day itself. Therefore, it is important that you try to minimize those things that would tarnish the hind sight view of this important day.
It has been my experience that the number one issue that most couples have when planning for their big day is how to pull off the best, biggest, most glamorous, memorable, tasteful, one day event on planet earth ........ with a small budget. I'm sure you have some stories about how you did it, we would love to hear them. Here is an article written by Kyle Richey suggesting ways you can have your dream wedding on a modest budget.
How To Plan A Low-Budget Wedding That Feels Like a Million Bucks: The Right Way!
By: Kyle Richey
Your wedding is a special day that you may remember for years to come.
First, congratulations on combining your life with your special loved one! In this article you will learn how to have a great wedding day without going into debt for years to come. Marriage is a wonderful thing, but you need not spend thousands of dollars on a wedding day in order to have a memorable, fun and exciting wedding day. You can learn how to plan a low-budget wedding day to have a lot of fun without spending too much money on one day in your life.
Do You Need A Wedding Planner?
Even when you are planning a wedding on a small budget you may or may not need a wedding planner. A wedding planner can help you plan your wedding on a small budget, but sometimes you just do not need to make that another expense. Instead of a wedding planner where you would be relying on a person to help you plan your wedding, you should try a software program to get tips with wedding budget guides that will help you plan your wedding day within your budget. This will also help you keep the quality in your wedding day, but you will have guides to follow so you will not be able to go above your wedding budget if you follow the guides. This can help you a great deal and keep you away from spending too much money and time on a wedding planner.
Budgeting Your Wedding Expenses
Your wedding expenses can be broken down into several categories to help you budget your wedding day a lot easier. You should start with your main and most expensive costs for your wedding day to get an idea of where you stand on your wedding budget. Start with the costs of your reception, ceremony, and honeymoon. All of these parts of your wedding are important and require the most costs out of anything else.
Your wedding ceremony:
You can save money on your wedding ceremony by having it held at a family or friends house instead of at a venue. You can ask your family member or friend to host your wedding at their home, and it will not cost you anything to simply have your wedding ceremony there. Your wedding reception: If you have your ceremony at a family member or friend's house you could also have the reception there to save money. If they have a nice yard or a good-sized entertaining room you could have it in there.
Your honeymoon:
Instead of flying on an airplane to some exotic place you could take a road trip to a quiet town and rest, relax and have fun with your new mate in a hotel room, ranch, or other place to stay. Keep it cozy and real. Tips On Saving Money On Your Wedding And Retaining QualityIt can be easy to cut corners in your wedding expenses to save money while retaining the quality of your wedding day and your honeymoon. You can simply cut things out of the wedding that are not necessary such as wedding favors, fancy centerpieces, etc. You could also opt to make them yourself if you have the time.
Create the wedding invitations yourself as well instead having some super fancy ones created for you. You can do a lot yourself instead paying a lot of money to others to get it done for you, and don't be afraid to cut some small costs out of your wedding. This is your day! By budgeting properly you can save a lot of time and money. You can keep track of all of your expenses with some software. Enjoy your wedding day without blowing away your budget!
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Don't be one of the thousands of people who fall into debt and get so stressed about their wedding that they miss out on the fun. Figuring out www.day2cherish.com/weddingbudgetsecrets">how to plan a low budget wedding is easier than you think! Learn simple tips and let software help you plan your amazing wedding and save $8,241+ now: www.day2cherish.com/weddingbudgetsecrets">www.day2cherish.com/weddingbudgetsecrets
iWomen Space Six Week Writers Choice
Happy Summer everyone......
First, let me apologize to you guys for my absence for the last couple of weeks. I have been thinking of new and more relevant ways to connect with you, my loyal readers.
Therefore in keeping with the commitment of "iWomenspace", for the next six (6) weeks I will be posting articles from established writers, relevant to women matters and issues. I will also like to invite you to write to me with your concerns and feedback, write to everythingwomen@gmail.com. If you have something, anything you wish to share with this community of women....and a couple of men, then write it down and send it to me I will review your comments/articles, for approval, and post them. It is my hoped that these articles will provoke conversations that will encourage and help women in their day to day life and provide men a unique view through the portal of what make a woman, a woman. There are also benefits to subscribing to this blog. Not only will you be kept updated on the content, you will also receive awesome discounts and be apprised of sales on all of the advertised merchants on this blog. I'll be waiting to hear from you. For the next six weeks it’s your show. Enjoy.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thinking of starting a new Online Business
Are you seriously thinking about starting an online home business here is an article that I wrote along with a friend of mine, James, that may help.
"If you are like the countless millions out there, you too are searching for a way to a better life. It is only human nature to evolve. Inside you is the ever-present urge to advance, whether that means losing those few extra pounds, becoming a more spiritual minded individual, a better parent, more skillful or a more successful business. What ever it is that interest you, drives you.It is not surprising, therefore, that most of us try many avenues to fulfill the need or urge to advance.We may invest time and money in many different areas of interest, desperately seeking for that one time when we finally hit, that elusive, break. That one moment when all our time and efforts payoff, but not just payoff, but payoff “BIG”.
Although, those moments are rare they do happen. Life is such that given the proper training, tools, and support, partnered with excitement and motivation there is nothing that cannot be accomplished by anyone. As stated before, there are those rare moments where one can achieve great success at their endeavors, however, chance for success increase magnanimously when there is a guide or plan that step by step leads you through. Most successful businesses in the past have achieved great success for many reasons. Maybe their visioneers bring superior skills into the business at a time when it was crucial to have them. An example would be a computer savvy individual creating a web hosting serves during a time when massive numbers of laypersons became interested in owning a site but did not have the tools, skill or enough money readily available to create their own. You can imagine the great potential in this type of business. Another, maybe an individual who was a great salesman, just had a great product that everyone wanted. Yes it could happen. And this is how you must view your business, as the greatest thing that everyone needs to know about.As the world makes the transition from the Industrial Age to the Information Age, there are many new opportunities and tools of leverage becoming available to the masses to attain wealth.
One of the most obvious, and yet not so obvious one, is the internet. Since the introduction of the internet to the public masses we have seen a steady increase of millionaires. Online businesses have made the world a smaller place to shop, connecting anxious buyers to eager and creative sellers. Trillions of dollars are exchanged daily worldwide across the internet. It is therefore no wonder many flock to this tool in the hopes of realizing their dreams and filling their humanistic need to evolve. Without guidance, however, there is bound to be loss.It is not as difficult as you may imagine to succeed in life working a home business online, but it does require time, patience, motivation, deliberate planning and applied techniques.
In this guide we will discuss some basic ideas anyone can grab hold of to yield maximum results from their online home business.At the beginning of most success stories some kind of internal action must be taken. It has often been said that the most important tool of business is the mind. It has the ability to make your dreams reality and … yes your nightmares too. For most of us the very thought of success is just a dream. We will sometime say great words and paint a very attractive picture of what our life would be like “when” we became rich, but deep down we don’t really believe that we can get there. Changing this perspective is not easily but possible and necessary. Renewing your mind is the key to success. Once you grab hold of what this means, you will seek ways in which to make success your reality.In most cases, renewing your mind may mean simply changing your environment. Ones perception maybe obstructed by his present condition or company. A man who has lived in very humble surroundings all his life may more than likely find it difficult to see opportunities that would cause him to win. He knows only how to survive, nothing extra. Maybe he finds himself in a “ safe” job, with benefits, that takes up most of his time and pays only enough to satisfy the bills until the next month. He is not in a position to learn a different way because he has watched his parents live the same way and his friends all basically talk the same talk while walking the same walk. He is hopelessly engulfed in an abyss of need, want and fear of the future. By no means does this imply that he is not capable of freeing himself, it just means that he is unaware of the fact that he needs to be free or that he can. He is lacking the motivation of others and that of that the successful man inside.There are several ways one can combat this.
First, lie to yourself. A childhood friend of mine once told me, a lie is something told that has yet to be discovered as truth. In other words, tell yourself often about the future you expect, as though you have already gotten it. In the bible it states , “God,... calls those things which do not exist as though they did” and “ you shall have what you say”. These are all different shapes of encouragement. What are you encouraging? You are encouraging the inner belief that you can success. In the world of online home businesses, it is very important to have these types of conversations with yourself because the rewards may not come very quickly. Amongst, the critics, complainers and setbacks it is important to be focus and KNOW that you will succeed.
Next, connect with like-minded persons. As state earlier, there are millions that flock to the internet in hope of finding a way to a better life. Their experience can benefit you. Some take years and lots of money discovering ways to win. In most cases they are more than willing to share their disappointments and triumphs, thus providing you shortcuts to success. There are many forums and message boards and even chat rooms dedicated to just that. This type of support is crucial. In my opinion, however, there is no greater way to learn how to setup a successful online home business, than to hear, watch and read first hand from those who have established proven systems that continuously yield high-income results. What better way is there to learn how to be a millionaire than to be mentored by a millionaire? There are a wealth of e-books, audiocassettes, DVDs, seminars and classes that one can acquire that does just that. Consider these, as you spend your time and money as investments in the ‘lies’ you tell yourself.
Now that you have reprogrammed your mind to accept success and avail yourself of the tools that will motivate you, it is important to choose a direction. It makes little sense to buy a brand new car, fill it with gas and head out on an exciting and adventurous journey without directions or a game plan. You will find that the excitement will quickly fizzle out and you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere, out of gas.
There are many different ideas and opportunities for business on the internet. Find a theme, idea, or niche that interest and excites you. Begin to ask yourself questions and search for their answers. Is there a great demand for this item? Will I be able to consistently meet these demands and maintain good relationships with my suppliers? How much competition do I have? Do I have the proper level of support if I need help? What are my short and long-term goals? Once you have decided on an idea, stay focus. Start small and build up. Maintain a single theme. Search for other like businesses and see what they are doing and how you can improve on it. You may discover a new idea or choose an entirely new direction. All of this will become important when the time comes to promote your business.
Now that you have reprogrammed your mind to accept success and avail yourself of the tools that will motivate you, it is important to choose a direction. It makes little sense to buy a brand new car, fill it with gas and head out on an exciting and adventurous journey without directions or a game plan. You will find that the excitement will quickly fizzle out and you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere, out of gas.
There are many different ideas and opportunities for business on the internet. Find a theme, idea, or niche that interest and excites you. Begin to ask yourself questions and search for their answers. Is there a great demand for this item? Will I be able to consistently meet these demands and maintain good relationships with my suppliers? How much competition do I have? Do I have the proper level of support if I need help? What are my short and long-term goals? Once you have decided on an idea, stay focus. Start small and build up. Maintain a single theme. Search for other like businesses and see what they are doing and how you can improve on it. You may discover a new idea or choose an entirely new direction. All of this will become important when the time comes to promote your business.
Next, create a website. This site will encompass every aspect of your business. It is important that you start small and build your business and your site. Simplicity is still the best way to go. Unless your business is geared at attracting those looking for the bells and whistles on a website like under popup windows, dropdown newsletters, phasing out transition screens and such, which can be very expensive, it is best to keep it simple. Most prospects get confused very quickly when they don’t see what they are looking for the instant they arrive at your site. All of the time and monies spent making the site pretty may be wasted. If you choose not to be hassled with the task of creating a website from scratch, there is the option of hosting. With this option you will be able to have the look of a top notched site with many features like an auto responder, helpdesk support, automatic setups and others for a fee but you will be limited in some ways. This is where mentors can be a great help.
Promoting your business or website is another area where you will need much support both motivational and technical. Promoting involves, marketing a real business. Presenting a product, idea, skill or service to persons who need it and those who don’t know that they need it. It is important that you keep in mind three special audiences that your marketing efforts must appeal to: (1. You. You must feel comfortable with your advertisement. It must be something that expresses your beliefs, integrity. This will determine the type of people you attract. (2. Your prospects. These are the persons who are eagerly trying to find what you are selling. They are impatient people because they have so many other options so yours must shine for them. Then finally (3. The Search Engines. This is the means by which many will find your website. You must learn what it is that attracts the search engines then give it to them, without sacrificing integrity. The proper set of keywords play a major role in this, but be careful not to over do it. The main thing is to just get the word out. Print and other media are also great ideas to reach your prospects. There will be many times when you will become discouraged and frustrated but by now you would have developed the strong and supportive inner voice and community standing by to help.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Presidential contest or .....?
"Can a black man be elected president of the United States?"
This is the question posed to Oprah Winfrey by Larry King. During these nomination campaigns many issues have been presented to the US populous for their consideration in choosing their Democratic/Republican nominee, and ultimately the next president. Some of the most memorable ones were: Are the people that you have associated with, at any point in your life, an indication of ones judgment calls? Are you, accountable for the actions of those you may have associate with? Is conflict of interest a common way of doing things, on Capital Hill? Is longevity in politics or age a true measure of a person's ability to make wise judgments? Is the country ready for a black man, white woman or old veteran for president?
These are the issues that make news. At the moment the United States is facing a "slow economy" as explained by John Roberts, an economist and Director of Editorial Research at CRN. In his article " Economic Analysis: Financial Uncertainty, Recession Fears Loom", he went on to explain the potentially tragic situation the US may find itself in as a result of a "full-fledged recession".
Next, the War in Iraq has taken center stage in this part of the world affecting the US and neighboring countries alike. The affects can not only be felt in our pockets, or at the gas pump, but also in our hearts. Many families grieve daily not knowing if their dedicated love ones, are ok. With an unclear and seemingly distant end to this war, for these people the pain only grows.
Why then are the most important issues in the race for presidency so superficial? Are we more concern about characters that are able to entertain us? Is it more of a popularity contest than a presidential one? Is it just me or are the real issues taking a back seat to who can generate the most 'gossip' or who can attach themselves to the biggest TV or movie personality. Why is the issue of black, white, man, woman even an issue? Whether a candidate is being endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, John Hagee, or Madonna, shouldn't what he/she has to say along with his track record of good decision making play a greater role in ones decision making?
Finally let me just remind you. Smoke and mirrors are tools of a magician. His goal is to present to you a satisfying illusion. Let’s focus on what the real goals of election are about. It is about choosing a person/party that you feel will show the best judgment and wisdom when carrying out your vision for your own country. Plato, The Republican echoed my thoughts perfectly saying,” Mankind will never see an end of trouble until... lovers of wisdom come to hold political power, or the holders of power... become lovers of wisdom."
This is the question posed to Oprah Winfrey by Larry King. During these nomination campaigns many issues have been presented to the US populous for their consideration in choosing their Democratic/Republican nominee, and ultimately the next president. Some of the most memorable ones were: Are the people that you have associated with, at any point in your life, an indication of ones judgment calls? Are you, accountable for the actions of those you may have associate with? Is conflict of interest a common way of doing things, on Capital Hill? Is longevity in politics or age a true measure of a person's ability to make wise judgments? Is the country ready for a black man, white woman or old veteran for president?
These are the issues that make news. At the moment the United States is facing a "slow economy" as explained by John Roberts, an economist and Director of Editorial Research at CRN. In his article " Economic Analysis: Financial Uncertainty, Recession Fears Loom", he went on to explain the potentially tragic situation the US may find itself in as a result of a "full-fledged recession".
Next, the War in Iraq has taken center stage in this part of the world affecting the US and neighboring countries alike. The affects can not only be felt in our pockets, or at the gas pump, but also in our hearts. Many families grieve daily not knowing if their dedicated love ones, are ok. With an unclear and seemingly distant end to this war, for these people the pain only grows.
Why then are the most important issues in the race for presidency so superficial? Are we more concern about characters that are able to entertain us? Is it more of a popularity contest than a presidential one? Is it just me or are the real issues taking a back seat to who can generate the most 'gossip' or who can attach themselves to the biggest TV or movie personality. Why is the issue of black, white, man, woman even an issue? Whether a candidate is being endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, John Hagee, or Madonna, shouldn't what he/she has to say along with his track record of good decision making play a greater role in ones decision making?
Finally let me just remind you. Smoke and mirrors are tools of a magician. His goal is to present to you a satisfying illusion. Let’s focus on what the real goals of election are about. It is about choosing a person/party that you feel will show the best judgment and wisdom when carrying out your vision for your own country. Plato, The Republican echoed my thoughts perfectly saying,” Mankind will never see an end of trouble until... lovers of wisdom come to hold political power, or the holders of power... become lovers of wisdom."
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Women Talk
There are many enduring qualities of the female species. They are loving, caring, loyal, strong, emotional and the list goes on... However, there is one quality that tends to stand out in every culture of women ... there ability to vocalize what's exactly on their minds. Yes women talk allot. Now this may come as a shock to some women out there because they have yet to take a breath to hear someone say it. Thank God for written words. It is not my intention to spin this aspect of a woman as a negative one, on the contrary. Many wars could have been avoided, in my opinion if more dialogue had taken place both at the international level and right in our homes. Husbands have for thousands of yes answered woman's "thorough dissertations" of tasks, or directions with, "yes dear" or "ok". An almost humbling response, translated to mean, "please no more talking I gat it". In most cases we end up doing it our way anyways, not because we are stubborn but because you (women) have given us too much to remember and we forgot most of it. Please for give us. But, aside from God giving women, extremely, powerful vocal cords to send their husbands into a state of depression, why do women communicate so aggressively and so frequently?In her blog, DEANNA DAHLSAD, gives a wealth of insight into " Why DO Women Talk So Much?".
She explains that, "A female brain can, and will, effortlessly, put out 6,000 to 8,000 spoken words a day. A man's maximum spoken verbiage lies between 2,000 to 4,000 spoken words daily -- and if watching my dad and husband is any indication, it's not without great effort. All of this has its roots in our survival as a species." Also, "For women, talking and sharing are bonding experiences which help them build relationships. Women learn how to trust and who to trust by communicating and paying attention to the smallest of details. Having communication reciprocated, to know that others are listing, is a reward too." She concluded by saying, "Women talk so much because communication never fails to make women feel understood, comforted and supported. It's proof that we matter! And we do delight in letting others know that they matter too".
Oh that is so nice. I will never listen to my wife in the same way as I have done in the pass again. No seriously. I hope the other men reading this will also understand and learn to grasp the verbally therapeutic nature of the females in their life.
Here is some home work for the women out there. I would love to read some of your responses to this. Please mentally deliberate on this topic and make relevant comments. I am looking for comments that will share the thoughts and feel of other women as to why they feel they need to talk so much. Also, respond in a way that would help us guys understand and be in a more receptive mode when you speak. Yes educated us as to why we ought to listen more and what you want us to do help you achieve verbally therapeutic bliss.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Only "Six" More Days before Mother's Day ... What do Mothers Want?
Lets not kid ourselves. Even though most mothers would say something like..."oh don't bother" or "Just knowing you thought of me is enough" or the classic, "you have already given me all that I can want". What a load of crud. Let's face it mothers are women too. As a guy, I would love to just sit back and say, " well you said not to bother, so..... I didn't.
But we know what's really going on in dear old mother's mind. As a child she fond over pretty things, as a young lady she defined herself with pretty things, as a woman she worked to be comfortable around pretty things, as his fiancee she subtly suggested what pretty things she wanted. As a wife she took joy in being showered each Birthday,Valentine's, Christmas, Anniversary, or "just because" days with pretty things. Now that she is a mother she wants us to believe, "oh don't bother....just knowing you though of me ..... when it comes to mother's day. To you husbands out their, this to no time to become wary, you trained all year for this. No, it doesn't have to be an extravagant gift, but you do have to put a little thought into this. To you "children" out there this is where you shine in your mother's eyes. 
What ever you buy, make or do for her, she will appreciate it, because it came from you. Just keep in mine, especially dad's she is still a woman who still likes pretty things.Here are some famous quotes to inspire you in the right direction. What mother means to you and what she really wants.
Marion C. Garrette
Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.
Oprah Winfrey
Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.
Strickland Gillilan
You may have tangible wealth untold;/Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold./Richer than I you can never be -/I had a mother who read to me.
William Makepeace Thackeray
Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.
Jewish Proverb
A mother understands what a child does not say.
Spanish Proverb
An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.
Leon Blum
When a woman is twenty, a child deforms her; when she is thirty, he preserves her; and when forty, he makes her young again.
Oscar Wilde
All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his.
Rajneesh
The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.
Peter de Vries
A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after.
Author Unknown
All mothers are working mothers.
Oliver Wendell Holmes
The real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men – from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms.
Helen Hunt Jackson
Motherhood is priced; Of God, at price no man may dare/To lessen or misunderstand.
John Erskine
Woman in the home has not yet lost her dignity, in spite of Mother's Day, with its offensive implication that our love needs an annual nudging, like our enthusiasm for the battle of Bunker Hill.
Hope that got your juices going:
Now that you are inspired, don't let that energy get away. Search this page for the best gift ideas.
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Psychology of Women
The unique beings that we have come to identify as "women" are very complex. As is the case in the majority women, 'emotions' seem to be their driving force. They are instinctively drawn to highly dramatic situations and although make claiming to love Independence, desperately seek out others for comfort and emotional support. Now, by no stretch of the imagination do I claim to be an authority on these subjects. Just another guy in the dark searching for his footing. However, here are some professionals that might assist in clearing up our misunderstandings as to the psychology of women. Rhoda K. Unger, editor of the book, Handbook of the Psychology of Women and Gender (Hardcover). Margaret W. Matlin, author of the book "The Psychology of Women" and Claire A. Etaugh and Judith S. Bridges authors of the book "Women's Lives: A Topical Approach ".I wonder if the women will agree with them.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Mother's Day Rule
All throughout history the role of women have changed/modified time and time again, but there is one that has weathered the Ages. The role of a mother. It was in the early 1900's that President Woodrow Wilson publicly realized that Americans would do well to set aside a day honoring and celebrating mothers, according to 'America's Library', "Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia wanted to remember her own mother along with all mothers. Anna's mother had been very active in working to improve the health of people in her community. Jarvis's mother also organized a Mother's Friendship event in her community to bring confederate and union soldiers together for a peaceful celebration. Many other women such as Julia Ward Howe, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Elizabeth Smith also fought for peace and encouraged mothers to speak out. Anna Jarvis convinced her mother's church to celebrate Mother's Day on the anniversary of her mother's death, and campaigned for a national day honoring mothers. Because of Jarvis's hard work, Woodrow Wilson chose that date for the national holiday". Mothers have, from the beginning of time had to be everything for their children, a friend, doctor, lawyer, judge and sometime even dad. With the approach of another Mother's Day season, grateful children, fathers, friends and family all search in eager anticipation to find an item or service that answers the question. What does mom want. Although I can't offer specifics I can offer a variety of ideas.The countdown is on ....only 13 days left.
Hows about a massage, after another grueling year what's better than a massage at home or a full spa. No you don't have to do it yourself ..... although you can if you like... , but how about a massage chair. My featured item:
Click on the pictures fore more great ideas:
These are the usual iteads, but continue down if you really wanna surprise her.
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