Starting the New Year With a Financial Game Plan

Starting the New Year off right is important. Ninety percent of us will have the same year as last year financially and it is because of two primary things. The first reason is because we do not have a solid game plan; the second reason is because we are neither consistent nor persistent with our game plan. So how do we address these issues so we can move into the ten percent who will make a different in their new year? It starts with your game plan.

Everything should be analytical; meaning we should base our projections on how things went the previous year. Income wise, we should not say we're going to make $100,000 dollars this year if last year we brought in $10,000. That kind of jump is not realistic although there are possibilities it can happen. We must stay realistic. So based on last years net income, a realistic game plan would be to increase your income 20 to 50%. According to the $10,000 example, a 50% increase this year would be $15,000. This would certainly be more viable than the $100,000 dollar goal.

Along with the realistic goal; we need to have a game plan to meet that goal. An extra 5 grand is not going to fall into our laps, so we need to do something that is consistent with earning an extra 5 grand. We could start a home business, invest in stocks or other markets, or pick up another job.

Once we make the selection of what we want to do, we must commit to a planned schedule to get to our goal. If we picked up another job, it would be easy because we wouldn't have a job for long if we chose not to show up. So if you start a business or invest, we have to be consistent in our efforts daily.

Remember, we have the entire new year to earn an additional $5,000 dollars, so just because things do not go well in the first few months; it is not reason give up and go back to our normal living. If we do that, we'll be waiting to make a New Year financial game plan all over again in 2011. Be consistent, don't give up, stick to a firm plan and what we may notice is that if you put our heads down for the first six months and really attack our goals, we'll get it by June and have lots of extra income to parade with the rest of the year.

Set a realistic goal, write out a solid game plan, and be consistent and persistent with it and you will have an excellent year. This is how you start the New Year with a financial game plan.

Article Source: Ezine Articles- Due Daniels

How to Make 2013 the Best Year Ever

If you are reading this article than most likely you are looking to make some changes or improvements to your life during 2013. So let's fast forward to the end of 2013 for a second. I want you to think to yourself and finish the following sentence, "2013 has been the best year of my life because..." I am guessing that whatever you completed that sentence with is going to be your main goal of focus for the upcoming year. If you are having a difficult time answering why 2013 will be your best year ever, don't fret. Simply grab a piece of paper and a pencil and in 30 seconds or less write down your 3 top goals. According to entrepreneur and success expert Brian Tracy, it doesn't matter if you have 3 hours or 30 seconds to do this exercise. Your mind will guide you to your top three priorities or goals.

Now chances are that you wrote down a health or fitness goal, a financial goal, and a relationship goal. Or you wrote down some combination of the three. Maybe two goals were health related and one was financial. OK, so this is the easy part. While most people don't have a problem making goals, they do have a problem keeping them. In fact it's estimated that only 12% of New Year's resolutions are kept. That means a whopping 88% are broken. I would love to help shift the balance of those numbers and get more people to realize that they can achieve their goals.

The next step after deciding what your goals are going to be is to identify the top 3-5 actions that are going to be needed to accomplish your goals. For example, one of my goals in 2012 was to get my body fat down below 10%. I was able to reach this goal by last summer by making it a priority to complete a few specific actions that I repeated daily. First, I made an effort to work out daily for 45 minutes or more. Some days it was weights. Some days it was cardio. Other days it was yoga. But I made an effort to exercise daily. Second, I made 2 of my meals shakes so that it was easier to get the nutrients my body needed without all of the calories of a large meal. My third step was the hardest for me and that was to quit eating after 6 pm. I found that I am a late night eater and all of the effort I put in during the day was being lost by eating extra food because I was tired or bored.

The third step is to be consistent. In his bestselling book, The Compound Effect, Daren Hardy explains how momentum toward your goals is gained by repeating a few key actions daily. If you are serious about making 2013 the best year ever, your actions cannot be a "sometimes thing." There needs to be a focus that is guiding your actions. And when you repeat the actions over and over again you will begin to see positive changes.

Unfortunately, too many people give up on themselves way too soon. They have convinced themselves that there must be a quick fix solution or a magic pill out there that will get them to where they want to be. The truth is that this is not the case. As I once heard Nick Sarnicola say, "Your beliefs determine your actions. And your actions determine your results." So believe you can make 2013 the best year ever. Next take the daily actions to make 2013 the best year ever. And in 12 months look back at the year that was and enjoy the success you have achieved!

Article Source: Ezine Articles

Make A Little Buzz Moment With New Year 2013

With the New Year commencing, all of us would have ideas on what to gift our loved ones. We would not have completed the formality of gifting and would have found that the New Year 2013 has already started. Here are some useful tips which can be used while shopping. Deciding New Year gifts for our loved ones will differ from one person to another. For example while shopping for ladies looking for accessories like wallets, make up kits, phones, photo frames and mirrors can be considered.

Looking for gifts like bangles, combs, pen stands, holders also make a good option for a New Year eve. These can be found in craft bazaars for reasonable prices. Do have a check on the age of the person the gift is intended for before having the bills paid.

On the other hand, things like neck ties, shirts, pants and other clothing stuff are some of the gifts that can be given to men for New Year party. There are few men who are crazy about gadgets. So picking a latest gadget for them would easily make them happy. An iPod, headphone, CDs are some in the list that can be opted for. A recent survey shows that it is easier to decide upon the gift for women than those for men as women have a larger collection to be selected from.

If you are thinking of gifting a newly married couple, then there are New Year cruises which are promoting their package trips. Gifting tickets for such trips is also one of the other options available. It is a right choice for those who would like to enjoy their New Year in a different atmosphere.

Gifting couples who have been married for a while, with tickets for package tours also is a good way of impressing them as they definitely require a break. Taking New Year breaks will help them in regaining their forgotten memories and in enhancing the relationship. The package trips are generally organized for a week and gifting these tickets would need you to plan and inform your dear ones well in advance so that they can also arrange and plan for this trip.

If you cannot decide upon a gift then you can also think of making some gifts at home. Though this requires you to have some interest in craft making to make gifts on your own, it is very cost effective and your dear ones would love to see your hard work on the handmade item. A few items that can be handmade are personal calendar with family pictures, a diary with an embroidered name, glass vase with the person's name.

Gifting your loved ones does not require any reason or season, it makes them happy and gives them the feeling that they are being respected and remembered. This feeling will help in building and maintaining the relationship, love and affection so go ahead and give them something which will make them happy.

Reference:  Charman Goyal 

5 Easy Ways to Enjoy Your Life - Live Longer!

1. Enjoy Your Significant Other

One of the top things that correlates with people who live to be centenarians is that they were in a successful, long-term relationship that brought them happiness.

It may be easy to live with somebody that you aren’t entirely happy with when you’re both working 40 hours per week but once you retire, you really need to be able to enjoy each other. The chronic stress of a toxic relationship can literally take years off of your life, so if you want to live longer, choose carefully when picking your life mate.

2. Surround Yourself with Friends and Family

Research suggests that people who are close to their families and lead active, healthy social lives may not only live longer, but may also recover more quickly from illnesses when they do get sick. Also, having a network of people with whom you regularly enjoy spending time may strengthen your immune system as well as reduce your chances of suffering from depression and chronic anxiety.

3. Switch to a Mediterranean Diet

Italians are known for their longevity and their propensity to age well and for years, this has been attributed to the Mediterranean diet that they follow. Olive oil, a staple food, is rich in Omega 3’s which are linked to increased telomere health and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and many other conditions related to unhealthy aging.

Mediterranean diets are also rich in fruits and fresh vegetables which provide a host of age-fighting and disease preventingantioxidants, nutrients, and phytonutrients.

Red wine is another staple and the resveratrol found in the skin of red grapes has long topped the list of anti-aging products. As a matter of fact, it’s been suggested that resveratrol ingestion is singlehandedly responsible for the French Paradox. If you’d rather supplement than drink red wine, click here to find some great deals on resveratrol.

4. Maintain a Good Attitude

There’s something to be said for seeing the glass as half full. People who have a positive outlook even when things aren’t that great are much more prone to live longer and suffer from fewer illnesses.

Happy people cope with stress better than their pessimistic counterparts, and how we deal with stress plays a huge role in our health and longevity. They are also, for obvious reasons, less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety disorders, and many other types of diseases and illnesses.

5. Learn Something New

Whether you’re a puzzle connoisseur or prefer to master new physical activities such as boating or photography, learning new skills keeps your brain healthy and agile. According to recent research, people who are constantly on the hunt for new things to file in their mental card catalogs may be stimulating growth of new brain cells and keeping neural connections strong. This can help you avoid debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Final Word

There are no substitutes for following a healthy lifestyle, but living well encompasses way more than just eating good foods and working out regularly. If you truly want to live longer, think about your entire body, not just your physique.

Good mental hygiene and brain health is every bit as important as physical health and clean living so get out there, make some friends, have a glass of wine, and learn something. And don’t forget to have fun while you’re doing it!

Source: Ageying Arsenal

Natural Anti-Ageing Foods

What you choose to eat has more impact on your health and appearance than you may realize. In order to promote glowing skin and a youthful appearance, include some of these natural ant-iageing foods into your diet on a regular basis.

• Nuts
  All types of nuts are wonderful snacks and are jam-packed with the nutrients that your body needs to stay young. Nuts possess a variety of amino acids, which are used as building blocks for your body. Nuts also have an abundance of the healthy fats that keep your skin supple, vibrant, and strong.
• 
  
• Acai Berry
  The Acai berry is full of antioxidathatnts  help your cells rejuvenate, clean themselves, and form new, healthy tissue. It’s also a source of low-GI carbohydrates, which keep your blood sugar more stable.
• 
  
• Whole Grains
  Possessing none of the yuckiness that white flour possesses, whole grains keep your digestive system healthy and happy. Eat everything whole grain that you possibly can, which will help you in more ways than one. Whole grains keep your heart on a healthy rhythm and they help purify your blood. They also keep your digestive system healthy so that it can function properly.
• 
  
• Olive and Coconut Oils
  Fats are essential to maintaining firm, elastic, vibrant skin.Oilive Oil and coconut oil are the healthiest form of oils and they possess the greatest variety of healthy fats. These healthy fats are a great replacement for hydrogenated oils, butter, and margarine.
• 
  
• Tomatoes
  Tomatoes possess huge amounts of antioxidants and are packed with vitamins and minerals. Eating tomatoes will help you keep your heart, lungs, teeth, and hair happy. As an added bonus, they are low-calorie!
• 
  
• Cantaloupe
  Cantaloupe is one of two fruits to contain large amounts of potassium as well as numerous other healthy goodies like antioxidants, minerals, and even a little bit of protein.
• 
  
• Pineapple
  Pineapple has numerous positive health benefits. The juice is anti-inflammatory and the pulp is extremely fibrous which helps keep your digestive system healthy. The number of vitamins and minerals are out of this world and it’s a wonderful source of low-GI carbs.
• 
  
• Veggies
  You just can’t say enough good things about vegetables. No single one can be pointed out as “best,” because all of them are chock-full of powerful anti-ageing agents. Minerals, anti-oxidants, and vitamins abound, and the more colorful, the better.
  
  source ageing arsenal

Practicing Self-Care: Women Are We Killing Ourselves in the Name of Love?

Dear Woman,

• Are you more "burned out" than you realize, running on empty most of the time?
• Are you too drained to be truly present with the closest people in your life?
• When people ask you how you're doing, do you say "Great!" even though you're dragging yourself around with your last ounce of energy?
• Do you feel like your needs don't count?

Despite all the progress we've made over the years, being a woman today is harder than ever before. Many of us are still victims of a deeply rooted, collective belief that it's selfish to put ourselves first. No matter how many opportunities we may have gained, we're often still expected to play the role of major caregiver--not only for our children, but our parents and partners as well.

The whole truth is that today's woman is serving triple-duty: as a result, there's less time than ever to focus on ourselves, both internally and externally.

Ultimately, however, nothing--no matter how important the roles we play might be--should come at the expense of our own well-being.

***

When we care for ourselves first and foremost, we become role models--for our children, our partners, and, most of all, for each other. By bringing our whole selves into the equation--rested, playful, creative, sexy, and smart--we build the foundation to do what we need to do in a balanced and harmonious way. This delivers unexpected results: the true joys of creativity, spontaneity, energy, productivity, and love.

This is not selfishness; it is the essence of Self-Care.

***

The Dalai Lama has said it is the western woman who will lead us to the new world. That's quite a mandate--and a compliment as well! But in order to do that, we must learn to care for ourselves first, or we will miss the mark and not fulfill our potential.

This means:

• Putting ourselves first and practicing Self-Care every day.
• Loving ourselves from the inside out.
• Learning to love our bodies as they are.
• Discovering the true meaning of "sisterhood," as we support rather than compete with one another.

So many of us mistakenly believe that Self-Care will be just another large drain of our time and energy--one more set of demands to put on the "To Do" list. But true self-care is actually 180-degrees the opposite.

What would it take for you to make self-care a vital part of your everyday life?

***

I invite you--a woman who cares about herself and her world--to practice Self-Care and to "make our lives our own dance." Only then will we have the chance of fulfilling our potential as women, walking into the new world, one step at a time.

Here are four exercises to strengthen your Self-Care, fra Kom wherever you are:

1) Shut off all technological devices and sit quietly for five minutes every day.

2) Do something you consider play "just for you" for at least fifteen minutes per day. This could mean anything: dancing in your living room, reading a book, taking a bath, singing or listening to music.

3) Ask yourself: what do I really need and want? What really matters to me? Start to make a list of the things you love to do.

4) Make the following quote your mantra: "Only go as fast as the slowest part of you can go."

source: Ezine Articles Dr Lynda  Klau

7 Successful Marriage Secrets

Fabulous tips revealed - It can only get better! Lovely video to Enrich Your Lives. Take a Look.....

10 Tips for a Happy Marriage - Great Advice

To have a really good marriage, you need to work at it. As the saying goes, the only place you find success before work is in the dictionary.

Here are some things you can do to help build a strong marriage.

1. Watch Your Relationships. To preserve your determination to make your marriage succeed, don’t get too close flirt with members of the opposite sex. If you do, in the back of your mind, you might begin to view them as alternatives in the event that your marriage doesn’t work out. This will weaken your resolve. After all, why work so hard when you have an escape route? Also, these types of close relationships are likely to make your spouse feel threatened.

2. Pay Full Attention. Listen to your spouse when he or she talks to you. It’s a sign of respect. Try to give him or her your undivided attention. Also, nod in agreement occasionally—it tells your partner you’re listening. If your spouse talks to you when you’re in the middle of something important, say so, and suggest a time when you’ll be able to pay full attention.

3. Share Enjoyable Activities. Do fun things with your spouse. Exercise together, take leisurely walks, or share a pursuit that’s mutually enjoyable. Such activities strengthen your relationship and make it easier for the two of you to endure the hard times that come in every marriage.

4. Learn from Your Experiences. Learn from the past. For example, if you find that you’re often tense when you’re very hungry, minimize your conversation with your spouse during those times. Similarly, if you see that your spouse gets worked up whenever you mention the name of a certain relative, don’t mention that person’s name unless absolutely necessary. Try to learn from the past.

5. Be Polite. Be courteous to your spouse. When speaking with him or her, use phrases such as “please,” “thank you,” “would you mind if I….,” and so forth. It will make your spouse feel appreciated and respected.

6. Never Say “I Told You So.” Remove the phrase “I told you so” from your lexicon. Saying these words only causes ill will between you and your spouse.

People say this phrase for two reasons:

• To show off that they were right,
• To get their mates to listen to them in the future.

What they don’t realize is that the message that comes across is, “Aren’t I smarter than you?” which is insulting.

When you’re proven right after an argument, your spouse will realize this on his or her own. There is no need to point it out.

The poet Ogden Nash wrote the following poem to encourage people to act this way:

To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the wedding cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.

7. Don’t Keep Score. Don’t walk around with a watchful eye making sure your partner carries his or her share of the workload. Instead, take the view that it doesn’t matter if you end up doing more than half of what has to be done. Making sure your relationship stays fifty-fifty will put so much tension into your marriage that it’s not worth the effort. So unless your spouse is very lazy or a real responsibility shirker, don’t keep track of who does more.

8. Watch Out for the Little Things. A family court judge once commented that in 99 percent of the divorce cases he presided over, the couples were upset about very small matters. Here are some of the types of complaints he was referring to:

• “She never lets me leave the window open at night.”
• “He always wears that loud shirt that embarrasses me.”
• “She never replaces the toilet roll when it’s finished.”
• “He always leaves his socks on the floor.”

These small matters can be very detrimental to a relationship, so watch out for them.

There is, however, a silver lining to this cloud: Just as little things can ruin a relationship, they can also build one. A brief call to ask how your spouse’s day is going can make a big difference in his or her feelings toward you. Remembering your mate’s birthday with a little gift can mean a lot. Even just bringing your partner a chocolate bar or a novel you think he or she will enjoy can mean a great deal, because it shows you care.

Women in particular often need small but frequent gestures of love.

9. Greet Your Partner Happily. Smile at your mate when you greet him or her. It will make your spouse feel appreciated and loved. Even if you’re in a bad mood, be sure to flash that grin. It’s a small investment that can go a long way.

10. Respect Your Spouse’s Privacy. Don’t go through your partner’s things out of curiosity or in an effort to make them look neater. Privacy is a fundamental need all humans have, so be sure to respect it.

Similarly, make it a habit not to repeat your spouse’s words to others. You never know what your mate wants kept secret.

Great Advice - To Get Us Through The Winter Months

In winter, heating, air conditioning and cold winds all play havoc with skin, hair and make-up. Here’s how to counteract the beauty problems that arise when the temperature drops.

1. Dark circles under eyes

The delicate skin under your eyes can be easily irritated in winter, especially if you’re tired and stressed. Nasal congestion due to cold or flu can also dilate and darken veins that run from your eyes to nose. To help alleviate dark circles, see a beauty therapist about having lymphatic drainage to move toxins; start using an eye cream; drink plenty of water; and boost blood circulation through regular exercise (which we tend to do less of in winter).

Quick fix:

To disguise dark circles, use a light-diffusing cream concealer. Apply and blend with your little finger, then lightly dust over a sheer, peachy loose powder to balance the blue tone of the dark circles.

2. Breakouts

Even though breakouts are caused by excess oil production, don’t go on an oil-reducing mission in winter. If you dry the skin out too much, more oil will be produced. Because your skin loses about 25 per cent of its ability to hold moisture in the winter months, the cleanser that kept you shine-free in summer is likely to dry out your skin now, so try switching to a more nourishing cream cleanser. Also regularly exfoliate so oil can get out and spots can start to heal.

Quick fix:

Apply a concealer directly to blemishes using a small brush, then pat around the edges with your finger to blend.

3. Split ends

You can’t fix split ends, but you can temporarily mask them. Nourishing hair with treatments and using a leave-in conditioner can calm split ends and prevent future splitting. To maintain healthy ends, have your hair trimmed every six weeks and use specialised protective products to protect it from heated appliances, the sun and when colouring.

Quick fix:

To mend split ends temporarily, rub a dab of thick styling cream between your fingers and pinch it over frayed pieces. Use the teeniest, tiniest dab or your ends will look stringy.

4. Washed-out make-up

In winter, pale skin can look pasty; olive skin can take on a dull, greenish tone; and dark skin tends to look ashen. A blend of blush and bronzer on the apples of your cheeks, and a wash of foundation a tad darker than your natural skin tone, will give you a healthy winter glow. Just remember to apply your foundation evenly – and don’t forget your neck!

Quick fix:

Be more dramatic with your eye make-up – especially when you’re wearing dark colours and heavy fabrics. Avoid frosted shadow, as it can wash you out, and choose lipstick over stains, which are drying and can look patchy.

5. Brittle nails

Again, dry and cold winter air – and washing hands more often in hot water – can take their toll on your nails. Once a week, rub cuticle oil into and around nails to keep them hydrated. Also get into the habit of rubbing moisturiser into your cuticles and nails after you wash your hands. Keep a tube of moisturiser next to the kitchen or bathroom sink as a reminder.

Quick fix:

Brushing on a nail hardener will help to toughen and protect weak spots.

6. Flat, lifeless hair

Cold, dry winter air can make hair limp, lifeless and prone to static. Fortunately, fixing the problem can be as simple as switching products – just don’t overload your strands or they will fall flat. Changing how you condition your hair (applying conditioner only from the ears to the ends), and asking your hairdresser for layers, can boost your hair’s volume.

Quick fix:

For instant volume, tip your head upside down and run your fingers through your hair as you blow-dry to give the roots lift. When you tip your head back, continue to blow-dry without brushing and your hair will appear much thicker. To get extra oomph, apply a volumising mousse on the root area only.

7. Cracked heels

Cracked heels are not just a summer condition – the cold can take its toll on your heels, too. Follow this foot-softening routine once a week: apply a rich moisturiser to your feet, then soak them in really warm water with a few drops of a nourishing oil (such as jojoba). Let them soak for 15-20 minutes, then while still damp slough off dead skin with a pumice.

Quick fix:

To soften and help seal cracks, slick on an ointment, then wear cotton socks while you sleep.

8. Frizzes

Air conditioning and heating zap moisture from your hair, making it look dull and dry. The best way to restore softness is to shampoo with a moisturising formula twice a week; then follow with a rich conditioner – but don’t rinse it all out. This will help keep the cuticles of the hair shaft smooth and add extra weight, which also fights frizz.

Quick fix:

A great blow-dry can transform even the frizziest hair. The trick is to always angle the flow of the air downward to smooth frizzy cuticles and to finish with a shot of cold air.

9. Dry skin

As much as it’s tempting to stand under a long, hot shower when it’s cold outside, resist the urge. The hot water will begin to compromise your skin’s lipid layer that holds in precious moisture. Turn down the heat or shorten your shower time, and moisturise straight after the shower while your skin is still damp, using a cream that creates a barrier to stop moisture from evaporating. Also apply a creamy-based mask once a week as a moisture booster.

Quick fix:

Invest in a facial. You’ll be cleansed, exfoliated and nourished, which will get your skin back on track.

10. Chapped lips

Your lips lack sebaceous glands that produce sebum (which is the skin’s natural protector), so they dry out and crack easily – especially in winter. Regularly apply a lip balm that contains a high concentration of beeswax and paraffin wax to protect and soften. At night, apply an eye cream on the lips and to the surrounding skin to prevent those pucker wrinkles. And avoid licking your lips – it only makes them drier.

Quick fix:

First apply a thick slick of lip balm to soften lips and leave for 10 minutes. Next, gently exfoliate dry, flaky skin with a soft baby toothbrush using light circular motions. Blot  your lips with a tissue to remove excess balm.

Reference: Body & Soul

5 Organizing Tips For a Stress-Free Holiday Season

The holidays are fast approaching... Do you feel ready, or are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the things that you still need to get done? Relax. Take a breath. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, kick off your shoes, and take a moment to read through the following holiday tips to make this season more enjoyable and memorable.

1. GOALS: First things first... Don't forget to take care of yourself. You're no good to anyone else if you're feeling stressed out. Be sure to set aside some time each day to focus solely on you. Do some pleasure reading, play your piano, or take the kids ice skating. Whatever makes you most happy should be at the top of your to-do list every day this season. By taking care of yourself, you'll be better equipped to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and to value and honor the best parts of your life with your undivided time and attention.
2. SCHEDULES: Consider just what this holiday season should hold in store for you and your family. Do you have invitations to 10 different Christmas parties calling to you from your inbox? Decide which ones are most important to you, and add them to your calendar. Maybe you just want to skip all the parties this year. That's OK. All the more time to spend with your family. People may miss you, but they definitely won't think any less of you. Just take a few moments to send a handwritten "thank-you-for-the-invitation-but-sorry-we-can't-be-there" note to share your well-wishes with the party hosts.
3. DECORATIONS: As you unpack all your Christmas decorations this year, toss or give away those that you no longer love. Styles come and go, and our tastes change over the years; so, really, it's OK to get rid of the decorations that don't really suit you anymore. Then, to truly honor and enjoy the items that remain, put all your everyday knick-knacks into temporary storage (i.e., the boxes in which your holiday decorations are normally stored). Be sure to decorate as soon as possible this season so you'll have more time to spend with friends and family. The Bonus: You'll instantly create additional storage space for wrapped gifts that have arrived at your home from faraway friends and relatives. Plus, you'll have a temporary storage location for all the gifts that need to be delivered to those same folks.
4. LISTS: Without a doubt, your brain must be running on overload at the moment. Don't keep yourself up at night running tomorrow's to-do list through your head! Write it all down. Use lists to your advantage. Keep a running list of things that need to get done before the holidays. And, what about your gift giving? Who should be on your list of recipients? What do you plan to buy for each of them? If you're at a loss for ideas, do some preliminary window-shopping online. Then, make a list and head for the store! Your shopping trip(s) will be far more efficient this year! Finally , don't forget your Christmas card list. The most efficient solution? Create an electronic address book on your computer, do a quick mail merge, print addressed envelopes (with postage), insert cards, and mail. Save your work, and you'll just have to do a quick update next year!
5. GIFTS: To spare yourself some time and energy, set up a gift-wrapping center in a spare room of your home where you can store your gift wrap, ribbons, bows, scissors, tape, tags, and pens in one place. Then, after each shopping trip, you can wrap all the gifts that you purchased without having to round up your supplies all over again. So efficient! As you select gifts for those on your list, consider helping your friends and

Article Source: Ezine 

Simple Anti-Ageing Tips: Strategies For Staying Vibrant

Anti-ageing isn't some vague concept reserved for the distant future. Today, people are living longer than ever and staying younger longer by following basic anti-ageing tips. And you can too! Whether your just starting out or well on the road to maintaining your youth, these anti-ageing tips can help.

Water is a basic element in nature and makes up about 98% of our bodies! This makes proper hydration key to maintaining a healthy body balance. Drinking enough water is essential to maintaining supple, healthy looking skin. It helps clean your pores and flush toxins from your digestive system. This internal cleansing is invaluable and should be your first step on your anti-ageing quest. Remember drink 40 oz. of water per day!

In addition to hydration, anti-ageing efforts should always include eating right and exercise. This can't be emphasized enough! Maintaining this change may require a certain amount of willpower but it will be a rewarding endeavour. Try to maintain your ideal weight and walk for thirty minutes a day, for at least five days a week. It's easier than you think!

Maintaining a balanced diet does not include skipping meals. Rather, you must be sure to eat enough. One of the golden rules of eating healthy is not to skip breakfast. In addition to breakfast, make sure you have healthy snacks on hand to satisfy your hunger throughout the day. Fruit is fantastic for this! Also, instead of having three large meals each day, consume several smaller meals. This way your body will absorb the food's nutrients better and maintain energy levels that boost your metabolism. A strong metabolism is important to any anti-ageing regimen.

Remember to stay away from away from processed foods and prepare your own meals. This means avoiding the middle of the grocery store! Do the bulk of your shopping in the produce, meat and dairy sections. Home cooked food is another step towards a healthy lifestyle. Preparing your own healthy meals helps you control you intake of sugar, salts and fats. Although cooking may seem like a chore, remember if you take care of your body, it will take care of you!

If you follow these simple guidelines and add in some of your own, you will be rewarded with a healthy body. But don't forget, a positive attitude is also a healthy first step toward a lifetime of youthful living and should be a primary goal of any anti-ageing strategy

Article Source: Ezine articles

Solution Corner Beauty Secrets- How do I get Beautiful Bigger Eyes Instantly ? Try These......It will Make a difference....

1.Twin Peaks

Using two different eye shadow shades from the same color family creates instant dimension on your lids

2.Pop It and Lock It

To appear more doe-eyed, concentrate colour at the middle of the lash lines,You can apply a thicker line on the top lashes and fade it out to the sides, but keep the colour focused on the highest and lowest points to emphasize the widest section of your eye shape.

3 .Doubling up on mascara coats along your top lashes will create a lifting effect for droopy lids.

4.Curl It On Up

When you curl your lashes, start at the root of your lash and gently pulse the curler shut three times. Then, move the curler half way up the length of your eye lashes and repeat. This will ensure that you'll get a natural curl, instead of a funky crimp.

5. Follow the Crease

To get the most out of the natural contour of your eye, only apply liner as far as your crease extends

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6. Colour Wheel (and Deal)

As a general rule of thumb, warm sandy shades are great for women with green eyes. Pinks and golds complement brown-eyed girls. And blue hues work for everyone.

7.Lighten Up

Especially if you're wearing glasses, use light colours on your lids to draw attention to the shape of your eyes

8.Go Bright

If you think smoky eye makeup makes your eye area appear smaller, experiment with brighter shades to get an exaggerated look without the moody side effects,

9. Mind the Line

Always remember to keep the majority of color and product around the lash line. This creates structure and shape, which ultimately helps to enhance eye size.

10.Tidy Up

Groom your brows even if you have a nice, natural arch, a few errant hairs can pull attention downward. Keeping a clean shape will also make your eyelids look bigger.

11.Dot the Line

After you apply mascara, dot liquid eyeliner between your lashes to fill in any sparse spots. This will also help to elongate the line of your eyes

12.Get Pouty

Wearing a bright lip colour with no mascara or shadows on your eye can also make your eyes look bigger Martin notes. Just be sure to cancel out any uneven tones around the eye first with colour-correcting concealer."

source: realbeauty

12 Practical Tips On How to Live a Joyful, Happy, Positive & Fulfilled Life.

1. Smile & Laugh. Smiling does wonders! If you want to instantly improve your mood, try smiling and laughing just a little bit – Even if you don’t initially feel like it. You will feel your mood get better, and this gets even more effective the more often you do it. If you’re not used to smiling and laughing, don’t worry, you can learn. Practice and work on laughing at yourself and at situations you encounter. If you make mistakes, learn from them, make amends where necessary, and move on. Don’t underestimate the power of laughter and smiling – They are good medicine for the soul. Practice taking things calmly, try not to let things easily get to you. Are you smiling yet? You can do it… Smile  !

2. Examine Your Thoughts, Refocus If Necessary. If your thoughts are constantly getting you down in the dumps, try refocusing your thoughts on things that will instead lift your spirits. Make a regular and conscious effort to fill your mind with and to think good thoughts. Remember, “…whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8 – AKJV).  Being stuck in a destructive cycle of negative thoughts can get your brain forming negative feelings like anger, stress and anxiety; which in turn make you get deeper into negativity. Refocus and reassign that energy to good thoughts, imagery and ultimately feelings instead.

3. Count Your Blessings, Be Thankful & Optimistic. Instead of focusing on the things you don’t have, try to recall and be thankful for the things that you do have. Changing the way you think about and view things or situations can have such a huge positive impact on your life. You can make your life much more enjoyable by choosing to be constantly thankful for the things that bring you joy and happiness – for instance, your relationship with God, a loving and supportive family, wonderful friends, good health, purpose, hopes and dreams, hobbies, a place to live, a job you enjoy, etc. Make the best of what you currently have – always remember that you have something to be thankful for.  And if there are things you desire to change, pray and work with optimism towards them – always one step at a time.

4. Make & Work Towards Goals That Challenge & Excite You. Strive for long term goals or dreams that get you going and give you something to look forward to. Goals that will challenge you and excite you, taking concerted thoughts, time and effort to accomplish. Something that will motivate you towards improving yourself, and that you can take pride and joy in. What do you want out of life? Do you like your current lifestyle? Are there things you would change? What makes you truly happy? How would you like to affect others? Think about it and pursue your dreams, but remember not to neglect important aspects of your life while pursuing those dreams – always try to find the right balance. Then work towards reaching your goals, one step at a time.

5. Don’t Be Forget The Source of Your Joy. Don’t forget that God is the ultimate source of your joy. Don’t make anything or anyone else the source of your joy, otherwise when that thing or person goes away your joy goes with it/them. It’s also very helpful to diversify your interests and activities so one thing does not consume all of your attention and focus. It is healthy to have a few things going on in your lives at once. For instance a career, a relationship, a hobby, an exercise routine, volunteering, time with friends, fellowship, time to learn new things, etc. But don’t forget that God is our ultimate source. “You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.” (Acts 2:28 – NKJV)

6. Put a Smile On Someone’s Face. Do something to make others happy and you will reap the benefits by feeling great too. “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35 – NKJV). People that are ready to give and give tend to be a lot happier than people that are inconsiderate and selfish. Put a smile on someone’s face. Making other people happy – whether they are strangers or people we care deeply about, can have such an amazing effect on us.

7. Take Time To Be Sad When You Need To Be Sad. Please remember that there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance..” (Ecclesiastes 3:4 -KJV) We can’t be happy all of the time. There are sometimes when we just need to go through certain “down times” – e.g. time to grieve, time to cry, time to heal, or time to express anger, disappointment or whatever “not so happy” emotions we are feeling, however we are able. Life happens. Obstacles & disappointments will sometimes get in our way. Things will seem to come from nowhere. It is all a part of life and it is certainly very healthy to express those emotions (and act constructively on them) when the need arises. If we don’t give our emotions a healthy outlet when we should, we are in danger of “blowing up” somewhere down the line. But the hope and prayer is that overall, we will be joyful in life, always learning valuable lessons when we are up and also when we have setbacks. Our hope, joy and strength comes from God after all, and “because He lives, we can face tomorrow”!

8. Forgive Others & Forgive Yourself. Don’t allow yourself to be overcome by anger, hurt, grudges and revenge against people, life or God. When you release others and let them go, you release yourself to live life to the fullest as well. Accept people’s apologies, even when they are not packaged exactly the way you hoped. Forgive. Move on. Forgive yourself too. Nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes. Learn from your mistakes and move on instead of dwelling on them. Life is simply too short.

9. Develop Healthy Relationships. A basic need we all have as human beings is to have someone who loves and cares for us. Choose your friends very carefully. If yourfriends are treating you badly, have a bad influence on you or just constantly stress you out, then please, pray for and work towards finding friends that will have a good influence on you and also care about you. And make sure you are being a good friendtoo! You may need to look elsewhere and go out of your comfort zone to meet new people.  One great way to meet people is by getting involved in activities that reflect who you are. Ensure any relationship you are involved in – family, romantic or otherwise, is a healthy one.

10. Stay In Touch With Family & Friends, & Have The Right Priorities. God is our number one friend. Don’t forget to keep in regular contact with him just like you would an earthly friend. The more you grow in your relationship with God, the more you’ll discover what an awesome friend he is. If you are married, your spouse should be your best friend (after God). If your spouse is not your best friend, take the time to pray and work on making that the case. Surround yourself with people who are positive, beneficial, encouraging, inspiring, motivating and helpful. Our friends should however not just make us feel good – We also need friends that will lovingly tell us the truth to help us become better people when there is a need to (even when it hurts), not friends that will instead criticize us behind our back. Maintain your relationships by keeping in touch, making an effort and regularly spending and enjoying time with your loved ones. Rejoice and celebrate with each other. Support each other through tough or rough times. Be ever thankful for the friendship, companionship and love you share. Keep in touch, and don’t forget to always show the people in your life that you care about them.

11. Explore, Go Out, Read, Sing , Dance…Have FUN!- Take the time to do things that you know will lift your spirits. Sing & Dance as often and as much as you possibly can.  Put on some of your favorite uplifting music, something you know will get you in the mood to dance and sing – whether on or off key:). . Go out and have some fun with friends or/and family. Indulge in simple pleasures regularly, for instance try to make time to curl up and watch or read something that will make you smile or laugh from time to time. You can read uplifting verses from the Bible. Read a really nice novel while munching on some yummy snacks. Enjoy life, rejoice, and be glad!

12. Relax, & SLEEP!. Seriously. Lighten up and try your best to avoid things that bring you stress, as stress can cause many mental, physical and spiritual problems. Take practical steps towards improving the things you can change and don’t brood over things you can’t control. Set aside time each day to simply relax and not have to worry about anything. Take Vacations. Regularly take the time to relax with your loved ones too. And I cannot over emphasize the importance of getting enough rest! Make sure you get enough sleep and rest regularly. Rest your body, and rest your mind. Wake up refreshed and ready to face (and enjoy) another new day, by God’s grace.

More Happy, Joyful, Cheerful and Uplifting Bible Verses & Prayers

Job 8:21 “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.” (ESV)

Nehemiah 8:10 “…for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (KJV)

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (NASB)

Psalm 92:4 “For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” (NASB)

Psalm 30:11 “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” (NKJV)

Psalm 9:2 “I will be glad and rejoice in you: I will sing praise to your name, O thou most High.” (KJV Ad.)

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (NASB)

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ” (NIV)

Source: Jolly Notes

7 Tips for Better Family Communication

1. Create opportunities for talking. It’s no secret that Americans are overworked, overcommitted and overscheduled. Parents rush home from work to to take them to soccer practice, piano lessons and Girl Scout meetings, all before hitting the drive-through window to pick up fast food for dinner. Mix in kids who’d rather text their friends than chat with Mom or Dad, and we have a family communication crisis.

So what can you do? Make time for talking by reducing the number of activities your family is involved in each week − the time it frees up for communication will be invaluable. And if you do find yourself in the car running from place to place, make a point to turn off the radio, the cell phones and the personal game players, and use that opportunity to catch up on the day’s activities.

2. Insist on family meals. In addition to bringing everyone together for a wrap-up of the day’s activities, insisting on a few standing family meals creates ritual and routine that kids come to expect and look forward to. Use the family dinner table as an opportunity to share what’s going on in family members’ lives. 

3. Go on individual dates with your children. Spending time with each of your children lets them know that they matter and aren’t getting lost in the hubbub of a busy day or large family. Older teens might enjoy going out for a hamburger or a latte at their favorite coffee place. Younger children often enjoy going to the supermarket, especially when you let them select their favorite cereal or special dessert. Don’t forget your spouse or the older family members who live near you. Regular date nights for couples and lunches with aging parents keeps those relationships healthy, as well.

4. Remember the 80/20 rule. When trying to improve any relationship, listening is far more important than talking, so when it comes to family communication, listen four times longer than you speak. Likewise, think twice about what you say before you say it. Sometimes a parent’s first reaction is to rant and scream, especially to negative news. Do your best to avoid this, and if you do verbally explode before your child is finished, apologize quickly and assure him or her that you’re now ready to listen.

5. Use technology to your advantage. If the family computer’s been relegated to homework duties or surfing the Web, why not put it to work by creating a family newsletter that you publish monthly, just for your immediate family? Ask everyone in the family to contribute "articles" and information about themselves, then print out a copy for each person and hand deliver it.

6. Create family traditions. Tucking the kids into bed at night, setting up a family movie night, attending religious services or creating special holiday treats are all examples of family traditions. Family members come to expect and appreciate these traditions, seeing them as opportunities to come together as a unit. If your family is short on traditions, there’s no reason you can’t start some now. Why not set up a bowling night once a month? Or grow a family garden? Or visit the same spot every year for summer vacation?

7. Maintaining positive family communications. 
This benefits your family in so many ways. Children feel comfortable sharing their problems with parents, reducing the risk of peers having an undue influence on their lives. Parents remain connected and intimate with each other and their children, strengthening the family bonds. And all family members develop effective communication styles that can improve the quality of their relationships beyond the family home. Why not start talking today?

http://www.lifescript.com/life/family/parenting/7_tips_for_better_family_communication.aspx

Parenting: 5 Ways to Stop Disrespect and Encourage Respect

1. Stay Calm when your Johnny is insolent

Let's say your thirteen-year-old Johnny is changing from an easy-going child to becoming a rude teen when you ask him to clean up his mess in the kitchen. "Why don't you do it?" he sneers. "It's your kitchen."

Avoid getting swallowed alive in an argument. If you do, you may drown in your own sea of disrespectful words, regret your behavior, and end up feeling guilty

Remember, many kids will go to any lengths to argue their case. Be philosophical. Separate yourself from the problem. See insolence as your child's problem, not yours. But how can you separate from your child's behavior?

It would be easier to yell, "Stop being so rude! What's the matter with you?"

Hold your tongue.

Ask yourself, "How can I stay in control of my emotions, think clearly, and have an outcome that is good for both of us?" When you have that answer, you'll be closer to solving the problem.

2. Use Silence and Give Yourself Time to Deal with the Disrespect. 
You might say something like, "Johnny, stop!" Please talk to me in a respectful way." If you do, speak with calm authority. Use your serious parenting look. Then be silent and wait for Johnny to speak to you with civility.

In most situations, you don't need to react right away. Say, "I need time to think. I'll let you know when I'm ready to talk with you."

Silence can be a powerful way to start handling problems because it keeps your child wondering what you're going to do. Silence also helps you collect your thoughts, decide what to say next, and how to say it. Now that you've collected your thoughts, what could you say to Johnny?

3. Speak to Your Child with Authority and Be Brief.
Avoid showering your child with lots of reasons why Johnny is wrong and you are right. Sooner or later he'll figure out how to twist one of your minor points against you. Your best ideas will be lost. Pick out one or two ideas that say exactly what you want to say. Keep it short.

"Johnny when you insult me with your tone, I feel angry. If you continue to speak to me with disrespect, I won't take you and your friends to the movies this Saturday."

The consequences could be anything you know Johnny wants like his favorite TV shows, computer time, video games, or something else. It's important to be consistent and follow through with your consequences. If you say it, you must do it. Following through with penalties builds character. Otherwise, Johnny will know your backbone is just a wishbone.

4. Don't Expect a Happy Ending to Every Problem. 
Sometimes your child will need to experience your backbone several times before realizing you mean what you say. If Johnny has been acting disrespectfully for a long time, it will take many experiences to correct his behavior.

5. Encourage Respect by Complimenting It. 
Develop the mind-set of noticing Johnny's respectful tones and words. Even tweens and teens like to be appreciated for their efforts. Here are some examples:

. "Johnny, I like how nicely you spoke to me in front of your friends."

. "Johnny, I noticed how your brother smiled when you congratulated him on his grades."

. "Thanks for cleaning the kitchen so cheerfully."

Don't miss any opportunity to praise him. Be honest, specific, and completely positive. After thinking and speaking with calm authority, praise is the best way to turn him around.

Conclusions for Stopping Disrespect and Encouraging Respect
Strengthen your backbone with calm clear thinking. Make good use of silence. Pick only one or two points to make clear. When you're ready to speak, keep it brief. Give consequences and follow through. Compliment your child's good behavior whenever you see it. If you do, you'll be building character and getting the esteem you deserve
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Article Source http://ezinearticles.com/?Parenting:-5-Ways-to-Stop-Disrespect-and-Encourage-Respect&id=7320935