How to Save a Relationship From Falling Apart - 3 Easy Steps

Is your relationship on the rocks? Do you want to save your relationship?

For most relationships nowadays, break up seems to be inevitable. More often than not, the only question is only of time. Some partners break up after so many years of being together, while some break up after few good memories. If you feel something is not right with your relationship as of the moment, start looking at the etiology of the problems. Read this through and find out if your relationship is on brink now.

First, INTENSITY OF LOVE. Is the fire still burning? Most of the time, a relationship starts with magic and burning desire for each other. You want to spend each day being with your partner as if there will be no tomorrow. Sadly, as the relationship progressed, things between you change and you start asking "Is the feeling gone down?" Maybe now is the time for a reevaluation. Discern whether both of you have been taking each other for granted and do something about it.

Second, COMMUNICATION. Do you still chat over the phone until your mom told you to hang up? Do both of you still eagerly look forward to meet each other Or does meeting each other seems to be a burden to you? Are you still excited to have dinner with him/her or have a movie date? Do you seem to get irritated at each other for insignificant reasons these past few days? Maybe a little talk to be able to understand each other won't hurt.

Third, FUTURE PLANS AND COMMITMENTS. Have you ever made plans for your life to come? Do you still share your highest hopes and biggest dreams with each other? Are you still looking forward to marry him/her and grow old together? If doubts surface up with these questions, there is really a problem. A break up may be entering the picture sooner or later. And if you leave your relationship hanging with such changes, separation is not impossible.

Saving a relationship is never quite easy when partners become distant. But if you don't want to lose your partner and put everything to waste, you must act now and bring back the love on the relationship that you've been taking care of.

A Successful Restaurant is Possible With a Successful Restaurant Franchise

While the restaurant industry can be difficult to succeed in, the numbers that are out there are just a bit misleading. Yes more restaurants fail than succeed, but that is more because the people that are opening up restaurants have no idea what they are doing. How many times have we heard about movie stars that open a hot spot and it goes belly up less than 2 years later? Today, it is even more competitive and knowing the benefits of restaurant franchise can give a future restaurant owner a leg up on the competition.

Known Brands - for just about any concept that is out there, there is also a franchise that is available. Salad Works, McDonald's and Outback are all perfect examples of brand names for restaurants that are filled all the time. Normally, when people have an option, they will go with a proven brand versus risking spending their money at a place that is a risk.

National Advertising - when a restaurant owner decides to step out on their own, everything that they do to promote the restaurant falls into their lap. A franchise operator has the benefit of national advertising that is taken right out of the franchise fees. This gets the restaurant name in the spotlight and keeps it there.

Success - there are far fewer franchise failures than there are Mom and Pop failures. There is an enormous amount of research that goes into deciding the right locations for restaurants and very few times will a place like McDonald's open a location in a bad spot. The owner is the one that benefits from all of their corporations hard work.

Knowledge - this may be the number one reason that most restaurants fail. People think that they can have a snappy concept and it will work and they know nothing about ordering, labor percentages, product yields and shelf life. Franchises educate their owners and some go as far to have their own universities that must be graduated from.

Money, Money, Money - getting a loan from a bank is almost impossible for a restaurant owner unless they can prove without a doubt that their concept has a chance of working. When dealing with a franchise, the model for success is already in place and this promotes confidence in the lending institutions. Some companies will also work out financing themselves and in essence, back their own restaurants.

Product Quality - the independent restaurant owner is literally at the mercy of their suppliers. You get what they give you and unless you are a major account, there is little bargaining power. A franchise has the power of every restaurant across the country behind it and because they will often have an approved vendor list that all restaurants must buy from, the prices are much cheaper and the product is much better.

Yes, the restaurant industry is a tough one to succeed in, but it is far from impossible. Even if a restaurant owner wants to eventually open their own concept, it would be a smart move to open a franchise first and see how restaurants are meant to be run. It may not be the ideal concept for someone, but the knowledge gained will pay of tenfold down the road.

6 Ways to Spice Up Your Sex Life?

Are you expecting a less-than-lusty libido?

Here are some ways to boost your sex drive:

(1) Get active

Releasing feel-good endorphins through exercise can help put you in the mood. The extra flexibility and muscle endurance that results from a regular fitness routine is an added bonus in the bedroom. I prefer those exercises or activities that can be easily built into part of daily life. Take for example; I stay in a high-rise apartment on the 12th floor. Because my working hours are very long, during week days I don't have much time to exercise, which is a problem, most of us face after we leave school. To keep fit, I climb up and down stairs everyday when I leave my place to work and do the same on returning to apartment after work. The beauty of this, I don't need to purposely allot a time for this irrespectively of how busy I can be at times, I don't need to be in any special attire and I can do this whether it rains, shines or snows.

Another exercise you can consider is cycling if you can cycle and your work place and favorite grocery stores is within cycling distance. This can also be easily built into your routine without making too much adjustment in your life style and you can also do your part in helping to cut down carbon emissions. Isn't this cool?

The main point here is to choose an activity that is sustainable and does not cause too much adjustment to your routine so that there is less chance that you may stop half way later for whatever reasons. To me, quitting is very demoralizing. I hope you won't get into such state!

(2) Read steamy novels to loosen you up

Try anything with romance to get the imagination flowing. If you don't have the time and patience in reading novels, watching romantic or love movies are perfectly OK and will be ideal if you can watch with her at whatever place you feel most relaxing.

(3) Tank-up in zinc-rich foods

Zinc is linked to sex hormone levels and can be found in strawberries, raspberries, beans, nuts and of course, oysters. Oh! I love oysters. I like to eat them raw without adding anything on them to "damage" their natural flavor.

(4) Drop a few kilos

Too much body weight can lower self-esteem and lead to conditions that dampen sex drive and performance. Body fat can also bind to sex hormones, and clogged arteries can reduce blood flow where it counts and increases the risk of erectile dysfunction. The way here is to eat right. It can be deliciously painless to eat a low-fat diet packed with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.

(a) Eat healthy fat

Cook with olive oil and canola oil and snack on nuts. Nuts such as cashews, macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, pecans and walnuts have fiber and other nutrients that interfere with the absorption of fat. They are satisfying, make you feel fuller longer. Also good is lean protein such as beans, fish, chicken and lean cuts of beef. Look, are you sacrificing a lot in your eating when you follow this suggested diet?

(5) Relax

Stress kills sex drive. A common problem facing especially middle age men who is getting a lot of stress from work. Doing anything you enjoy in your free time is always relaxing. It can be going for leisure trips if you enjoy traveling or it can be as simple as just lying down on bed or watching comedies to laugh out loud in order to release some stress.

(6) Quit smoking

According to Panayiotis M Zavos, director of the Andrology Institute of America and professor of reproductive physiology and andrology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, he and his fellow researchers have found that men's smoking had a significant and negative effect on the ability to conceive. They also found out that smoking significantly diminished a man's sexual desire and satisfaction - even for young men in their 20s and 30s. The smokers reported having sex less than 6 times a month, whereas non-smoking men were having sex nearly twice as often. Other experts agree that smoking can impair sexual performance. "Smoking causes damage to the smooth muscle inside the penis that interferes with erectile functioning," says Richard Milsen, co-author of The Sexual Male and a urologist for more than 30 years in Woodbury, N.J. "So if men can't perform as well, it would make sense that their libidos would suffer."

What You Need to Know About the Past and Present of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, just across the bridge from downtown Charleston, is undoubtedly the most popular place to buy a home in Charleston, SC. The city of 70,000 inhabitants is perfect for young professionals that want to live close to the beach and also to the busy nightlife in downtown Charleston. It is a preferred place to live for young families for its quality schools and plenty do to for families with children looking for outdoor activities year around. But this peaceful town is also very popular among retirees looking for a comfortable place to retire with plenty of outdoors activities such as tennis, golf and water sports.

From 1990 to 2000, Mount Pleasant was the fastest growing area of Charleston County and one of the fastest growing areas in South Carolina, doubling in population in just 10 short years. Although it has its own town government, by many it is still considered to be part of Charleston. Located mere 15 minutes by car from the historic sites of downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant has its own colorful history. The Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens is one of the most photographed historic sites in the United States, well-known from historic movies and mini-series including "The Notebook," "North and South" with Patrick Swayze and "Queen" with Halle Berry.

Noted as the oldest working plantation in the United States, the magnificent property features the world famous avenue of oaks, original slave cabins, butterfly garden and a colonial revival style mansion built in 1936 on the site of the original plantation house that burned down. Today, the plantation plays an important role as it grows and sells fresh produce at its local market, Boone Hall Farms Market that opened in March 2006. The plantation is also open to locals who want to pick fresh strawberries and other fruits and vegetables. It is a popular venue for food and wine festivals, namely the world's largest oyster roast in January.

Mount Pleasant was originally inhabited by Sewee Indians. In 1680, the area of Mount Pleasant and Sullivan's Island was granted to Captain Florentia O'Sullivan who brought the first settlers from England to this area. Mount Pleasant was also the secret site where nine men were trained to become the crew of the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley.

The Charleston Land Company, established after the Civil War by a former slave and carpenter, Robert Scanlon, and Scanlonville, a 614 acre property that he purchased and sold to poor African-American man of Charleston, are one of the only four known cooperative ventures that were owned by freed slaves after the Civil War. Scanlonville today is becoming a popular area where old homes are giving way to new construction as it is located just minutes from the Ravenel Bridge.

For years, the Old Village was populated by wealthy Charlestonians that built summer homes on this side of the Cooper River. Today, the Old Village is still one of the most expensive and desired areas of Mount Pleasant for its charming atmosphere and water views. It is a walking neighborhood shaded by ancient oak trees. It is located near Shem Creek, a restaurant area frequented by locals and boaters.

With the fast growth came much needed development and many new neighborhoods have been built in the last decade. Today, Mount Pleasant offers many new and established neighborhoods to choose from when looking to buy a home. Park West is a large and popular neighborhood as it offers new schools, shopping centers, medical care and parks all on the property. It also offers a variety of price ranges from $200,000 to millions.

Charleston National was designed to be an exclusive golf neighborhood and a private country club along the Intracoastal Waterway. The 18-hole Charleston National championship golf course designed by Rees Jones is a reason why many buy a home in this pristine Mount Pleasant community.

Another popular neighborhood located near shopping and the beach is Seaside Farms. Well-know for its location near the Mount Pleasant Town Center and the Isle of Palms connector, Seaside Farms is smaller and more intimate than Park West. The Belle Hall Plantation is a family friendly neighborhood located near the Palmetto Islands County Park, shopping and a popular Belle Hall Elementary School. The Hibben is an exclusive part of the neighborhood popular for its unique architecture and mash views.

One of the most desirable neighborhoods in Mount Pleasant has been and is I'On. This award-winning, traditional neighborhood is located approximately 3 minutes from the Arthur Ravenel Bridge which connects Mt. Pleasant and Charleston. If you love homes in the historic downtown Charleston, you will be impressed by I'On. Developed and designed to mimic the architectural style of the historic Charleston homes and mansions with piazzas and gardens, I'On Village incorporates natural beauty, lakes and canals as well as its own village center with restaurants, shops, salons, galleries and even a farmer's market.

Whatever your reasons are to move to Mount Pleasant, easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway, local creeks and the Charleston harbor is why so many boating enthusiasts choose this town as their home base.

Fashion in College

Just before we got into college we would look at all the older teenagers and yearn to be like them; so cool and all that.

That was when baggy clothes were the in thing. You had loose baggy shirts and loose baggy pants, which were a craze. Of course in school you couldn't be as fashionable as half the day you were in your school uniform and the rest of the time you spent studying.

But the day a kid passed out of school, and one of the first things on his or her agenda was to get a brand new wardrobe; something that would fetch a lot of attention, mainly from the opposite sex.

What was cool

I remember all the older guys in my college wore these jeans that they bought from ~Cartier", a shopping centre. They used to be this particular shade of blue that was not too dark, and very slightly ~neon-ish". The make was invariably something called Dacron.

Then there was this craze for Nike and Reebok shoes. If you had all of these you were, very, very eligible. Oh yes! I remember myself going all over town to find one place where these shoes were available cheap as my allowance wasn't too high. Not being able to find any such place I had to borrow some money from my elder sister and buy myself a very basic pair of Nikes.

Fashion in college

There'd be these gangs of girls and guys in college who would by their attire try and look like the various pop and movie stars of the day. The girls would ape mainly Madonna or Laura Branigan and the guys would try and look like Paul Young or Tom Cruise.

Imported brands

That was a time when a lot of foreign makes of clothes and fashion accessories were making their way into India either legally or otherwise. You had Pepe and Levi's jeans which were quite popular. Then you had Lacoste T-shirts and accessories.

Something else that was catching on then was moccasins apart from the sports shoes. There was an Indian brand called North Star that made them and sometime later Timberland came in albeit under a different name. Woodland.

All in all college time was when you were free from a lot of worries and could be really footloose and fancy free.

Make Him Feel Your Love - You Need to Have a Plan

Are you trying to find a way to show your guy how much you love him? Are you worried that you might not know how to do it? Are you concerned about the way he might interpret your actions? There are good and not so good ways to make him feel your love. Follow along for tips to help you go about it the right way.

You need to consider a few guidelines before you jump into action. It would be a good idea to follow a plan which takes into account your desired result and his possible reactions to your efforts. Ultimately, the bottom line is subtlety.

First, follow your guy's lead. Let his actions determine the pace at which your relationship moves forward. There are signals which he will give out and you must be in tune with him to pick up on them. For instance, if your guy checks in with you every day or even a few times a day, it is obvious that he is truly into you. This gives you the green light to call him on a regular basis because you have let him set the tone for the frequency of talking with each other.

You should also pay attention to the emotional level of your dates. Movies, ball games, or a few cocktails are non-committal types of dates; however, family dinners, office parties, or romantic candlelight dinners are much more serious. Follow his pace; do not take the initiative here.

Don't reveal your most intimate details of your life too soon. Letting your guy know your deepest emotional thoughts too early is a sure way to make him withdraw. You could appear very needy or too attached too soon. Whatever he may think, you certainly are not making him feel your love when you unload your emotional baggage on him before he's feeling that connected to you.

Finally, don't let on how smitten you are with him. A guy does not want to be led into love; he wants to know that it is his choice to pursue a relationship. There's a fine line here and you must always be conscious of how much affection you show him. Show enough to let him know how much you care, but don't go overboard. And, certainly, public displays of affection in front of his friends are a big, big mistake. Guys are overly conscious of their friends' opinions and you definitely do not want them giving him a hard time about your actions.

You can make your guy feel your love if you plan ahead. A plan helps you succeed; but it also helps you avoid making some unfortunate mistakes.

Build the Optimum Use of Your Recreation Time - Computer Games

It doesn't matter if you are a teenager or an adult, computer games would attract you with their amusement features. No one will refrain from playing these enchanting and exciting entertainments. After a chaotic day activity, we all want to relax. Some quantity of enjoyment is crucial to keep everyone healthy. By engaging these thrilling games, we will not be far from having fun and entertainment. These kind of games are structures of enjoyment same as songs and movies.

Computer games provide a proficient means of pleasure with their surprising graphics and stunning visuals. They are keeping people enthralled within the entire game showing their interest. With the boost in technology, these entertainments have heightened more. These skeptical games let people to play with diversified players in real time setting.

With appealing story rules they assure to provide a marvelous teasing experience to the players. There are unbelievable high speed racing and fighting games and a lot more. Few of the most well-known games involve the amazing Mario Brothers series created by Nintendo. Today, the games exist up with more progressive graphics as well as specialized effects.

The gamer doesn't need an isolate gaming animate to play these kinds of games. These are also available on your own PC at home. With progressive graphics and upgraded sound sequences, they ensure to provide an amazing gaming encounter to the gamers. These computer entertainments are created staying in mind the particular interests of the people. Users can actually play computer games whatever time they want after transferring the data from their computers.

There are enchanting games such as Mass and Halo Effect that offers an exciting experience to the users. These types of games are derived on the marvelous science fictions plots. Few of the several games involve Mortal Combat which provides enjoyment to the full stretch. Fighting games attract many gamers who love suspense and action. The user can fight with these virtual images. You can seek your own computer games in numerous DVD's and CD's that are being purchased using online shops. The player can seek more turns and twists in these types of games. Program games can be detached into numerous categories of various creations.

With the accumulating demand for computer program games, people can seek more upgraded games available in online shops. These program games let the gamers to have true to life experience by competing with a number of players. The gamer can also engage online video games that are readily available through internet.

"I'll Be Back" - Words of Wisdom About Success in Weight Training and Promises to Return

Few phrases are more memorable in weight training and in Hollywood than "I'll be back." Those words uttered (in a robotic Austrian accent) by bodybuilder-movie-star-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger promised a return of the Terminator. But they are also wise words from a highly successful body builder about getting back to the gym and getting back in shape. Whether you are returning to the gym for the first time in years or you are stepping up your work outs to build strength and stamina, you need to set up a conditioning program that challenges you without hurting you. Nothing is more frustrating and de-motivating than to return to the gym, begin to see results from your heavy labor - only to be stalled or stopped by chronic pain or injury.

Here is what may have happened

Again, whether you are returning to the gym for the first time in awhile or you are simply upping your conditioning intensity, if your body is "disorganized" you WILL get recurring pain in old injury spots. And you will need to back off your workouts or quit altogether. What is a "disorganized" body?

Your body is a spiral (rather than the standard t-shape you may think it is). If you look closely at yourself in the mirror, you will see that one shoulder is hire than the other, and when you turn to the left or right, you will find that you turn more easily one way than the other (I turn more easily to the left, by the way). But that spiral is in your body at every level - from your swirling DNA strands to your muscles to your sketalal structure --one layer coiled lithely upon the next.

Overtime, your body is hit with injury, repetitive motion strain and the cumulative stress of sitting too much or slouching too often. These things cause your muscles, tendons and their protective sheath (called the fascia) to bunch up around the strains and pains in order to protect them. The result is that the beautiful, natural spiral of your body gets pushed and pulled into all manner of wacky shapes. What you feel is pain. Sharp pain in old, scarred-over injuries. Prickly, irritating pain in tired, overworked areas like shoulder blades and upper back. And throbbing burning pain in "end-points" - the spots that are at the end of the spiral - like your head and neck.

How do you RE-ORGANIZE your body?

One of the best ways to treat a disorganized body AND improve conditioning results is to have structural bodywork done. During your first visit with a Structural Therapist, the first thing I (or any SI practitioner) will do is relieve any immediate pain you are having. Following that, you and I will spend 10 to 20 minutes discussing your current lifestyle (how long you sit during your work day, whether you lift heavy objects, etc.) as well as any past injuries you have had. Once I know the root of the problem, I will be able to treat the precise parts of your body (and your spiral) needed to relieve ongoing pain and create ease and balance throughout your entire body.

Your treatment may require more than one session to address all problem areas. With each session, I methodically unwrap painful layers that have built one upon the other. By the end of the sessions, movement and fluidity will be restored throughout your body. You will rediscover a range of motion you'd forgotten you had. And you will find it much easier and less painful to return to the gym and to meet your conditioning goals.

Are Paid Survey Schemes For Real?

In a paid survey individuals take part in a statistical survey and are paid through reward program. Normally quantitative details about the participants' personal and economic addictions is gathered against their characteristic demographic, dependent on age, sexuality, location and income. Millions of persons are interconnected via the net around the planet and numerous business enterprises are preferring it as an effective marketing medium. There are a number of surveys which a looking for persons to provide their opinions on different subjects.

There are a number of various kinds of survey programs. Information is gathered on areas including matters like goods, types of services and political affairs through a survey.You may be asked to take part in focus groups or you may be asked to answer questions over the phone. You may be required to critique new product samples or watch and evaluate movie trailers or play and valuate games.

The great thing about paid survey programs is that there is no risk involved at all and you get paid as you do them. If you are stay-at-home mum, college student or retiree, you will find that paid survey programs will put extra cash into your pocket.

A lawful paid survey scheme shall not ask for a money upfront or for credit card details. Anyone should be free to join, but it may restrict persons from particular geographic territories for relevance. All that paid surveys require from you are your thoughts and not your hard earned money, since they are paid by businesses which use the information. The bad thing is there are numerous scams on paid surveys on the net. The aim of these scam projects is to bombard you with many adverts on several offers when you register and you will be lucky to earn any cash from them.

Is there vital information I want to know to get moving?

You require to create an email address particularly for this. A specific email address will separate personal from business concerns, since you will be taking part in as many survey programs as possible.

PayPal and cheque are some of the favourite ways of payment used by numerous survey schemes. Signing for a PayPal account is a worthy move since you can receive payments fast. You can cash in points or prizes for hard currency when a survey system offers them as reward. You can also get gift certificates for supermarkets like Walmart and thousands different shops.

To facilitate, you fill out common fields like addresses, names and telephone numbers on a survey form. You need some tools to perform some of the repetitive and strenuous tasks. Software such as RoboForm will be a great time saver since it fills out time consuming everyday fields automatically and also deals with your passwords.

Depending on how many of surveys you can get weekly and the amount of your effort, you can earn a lot of money from survey schemes. It is possible to net a recurring income from a number of companies by referring persons. You will be paid a share of a profit for a single survey the referred individual takes. Incomes similar to $500 to $6,000 per month have been reported.

To gain many surveys you must register with numerous survey institutions. Since some businesses can pay you for just signing up it is possible to commence getting hard currency in no time at all. You may have to wait for hard currency for a slightly longer period if you are partaking in a focus group. The only way you you can enhance chances to make hard currency with surveys is to enhance the number of sign ons!.

Luxury Wedding Cars - Be Unique

When it comes to making decisions about your wedding and the type of transport that needs to be arranged then there are various options open to you. Whether you have your wedding in a traditional church location, a registry office, or somewhere a little more unusual, these days there are lots of vehicle choices to choose from to get you there on time.

The traditional wedding vehicles are vintage and classic wedding cars that can easily be found for hire. Just take a look through the yellow pages, in your local paper, or online for a list of companies that hire out classic wedding vehicles.

Vintage wedding cars offer a very elegant and chic way to arrive at your wedding venue; mostly they involve cars that were made before the 1950's. For sophistication then you really should go with a Rolls Royce, Lincoln, Austin or Ford as they are truly beautiful cars. Vintage cars might be old but they are extremely well looked after and maintained and their engines purr like a pussy cat. Due to their age they often are more comfortable for brides as they offer more space than newer models.

Mostly vintage cars used for weddings are white, however there are a few variants to be found on the colour scheme and if you have the time to search around you might find a two-tone car, generally a white body with black, maroon or dark blue roof.

Classic cars can be manufactured after the 50's and as late as the 80's and include well known names such as Daimler, Mercedes, Jaguar, Rolls Royce and Bentley. Just think of a typical James Bond movie and you will be on the right track. These cars are easily found in white and silver. Generally a classic car is chosen for the Groom and Best Man as their luxurious interiors are comfy and calming for what can be a nerve-wracking journey.

An alternative for the Groom and Best Man is a sports car. Anything from a BMW to a Ferrari, a Porsche to a Mercedes can now be hired as wedding cars and are a popular choice with lots of young couples. It's even possible to drive this yourself, although of course you have to be prepared to pay a high premium to cover any accidents that might happen.

Most vintage and classic wedding car hire companies provide a uniformed chauffeur to get you from place to place on the big day so there is no need to worry about who will drive, everything is taken car of for you.

Seen a lot more these days and another choice for your wedding is the stretch limo. Limousines are linked with true glamour, chic, and extravagance, people who have far too much money have been using chauffeured limousines as a mode of transportation for hundreds of years.

It is worth looking around at different wedding car companies before hiring a vehicle as costs vary widely with each one. Prices are usually set depending on if a chauffeur is included, the mileage involved and how long you require the vehicle. You will need to have some idea of your requirements before you can get a quoted price. There is no point in giving prices here as it all depends on the model of car you want, if you hire more than one car then you should ask for a discount.

When you hire a wedding car there are companies that will provide extra's at extra cost, such as ribbons and bows to decorate the car, flowers and even champagne. Check what is included in the price before you agree to anything as you should know exactly what you are getting for the price.

Hiring a luxury wedding limousine on your big day is sure to get you noticed and is the height of sophistication. You could even fit the whole family into one! Check online for luxury limousines and wedding cars in your area and find something unique for your own special event.

Learn Voodoo Spells - 3 Very Important Points You Have Got to Know About Voodoo

Voodoo, has always been a source of fascination with people and especially now with so many wanting to learn voodoo spells. Because of the popular media, people have always been misinformed as to what voodoo is, assuming it's a cult when really in essence it's a religion, just like Christianity or Jedi.

In this article I will discuss Voodoo's fact from fiction caused by the media.

1. Hollywood.

Blame is on Bela Lugosi, his 1944 film: 'The Voodoo Man'. Is predictable at best, with the Voodoo dolls and black magic. There is good and evil in all things, Voodoo also has white magic too! And, is just as common place, its just don't discussed because its not as notorious enough.

2. Hollywood Again!

Hollywood would love to let us know there is only one type of Voodoo that can be found in one place in the world but did you know there are more than one type of Voodoo. In actual fact, you will find Voodoo in Louisiana, Haitian (Vodou), and West Africa (Vodun).

The latter being the one kind of Voodoo people most probably recognize, although its hideously gets the wrong impression.

3. Voodoo Black Magic.

Its true that most people are more interested in negative 'things' rather than be turned on by positive motives. And, the same is true of the media whether its in written or movie form. Black Magic is what attracts people to Voodoo. Remember, there is white magic too.

Take for example, where a child is feeding some ducks, very few bother to take any notice, yet, people definitely take notice when a major traffic accident occurs and everybody stops.

The point: Its seems evil is more interesting than good.

Top 3 Reasons Why Couples Break Up

Lisa and John were dating for nearly a year when she confessed: "Something does not feel right." If you have ever felt the same sentiment, we want to help you cut through the confusing emotions and see your situation more clearly.

There are countless reasons why couples breakup, but in a study that asked more than a hundred dating couples who had just broken up to write an anonymous essay on "why we broke up"," top three reasons ascend.

First, their desire for autonomy. Some men and women complained of feeling trapped by their partners. One guy wrote "She was upset whenever I went out with friends, even during special occasions." Another woman said, "I felt like a possession with no choice at all." Most individuals want love and attachment in a relationship, but not at the expense of losing their freedom.

Lack of similarity was next on the list of reasons why couples breakup. Both men and women discovered that as the relationship forged ahead, their values, attitudes and interests simply did not fit in. Whether it involved genuinely embraced religious beliefs or something as seemingly superficial as movie preference, lack of similarity was a commonly referred reason for breaking up. If a relationship is "for keeps", we feel the need for connection on things that matter to us.

The third most common reason for a breakup is lack of supportiveness. Many men and women complained that their partners were not sympathetic, understanding and caring. People often need an encouraging word or a caring hug when they feel bereaved and when they do not find this, they feel neglected. We want someone whom we can share our winnings and faults and will still accept us. Thus, if we do not feel supported by our partner, we want out.

Top Five iPhone Clones - They Are Better Than Ever

When consumers are searching for a new phone they want to check out all the latest phones and newest deals. And phone makers are always in a rush to come out with new technology and phones to offer. With the rush to make phones and the panic to constantly buy them, the top five iPhone clones are going to be forever changing.

The top five iPhone clones that are currently well sought after are beautiful and fresh. They all offer something different and similar. The competition between them is intense as they go head to head. Luckily there are lots of phone users out there with different tastes, needs and opinions making them all very successful iPhone clones.

The first iPhone clone to mention is the Samsung Instinct. It has GPS and a fact data transfer that is faster than the original iPhone. It has amazing speed allowing a downlink in three 1mbps and uplinks in 1.8 mbps. It also features voice activation allowing special buttons to be pressed such as the voice, text, traffic, pictures, messaging, and movies. This phone allows people to take advantage of all the features while staying competitive with the iPhone.

The next phone is the Sony Xperia. This phone has a three inch widescreen display which has been much anticipated. It also has windows 6.1 and its screen enables up to nine desktops.

The Deeda Pi is the next phone on the short list. It is the closest thing to the iPhone and might even fool all your friends. It has an open source platform that supports 3G and third party software.

The fourth phone to list is the LG Voyager. It is similar in its menu organization and it features a 3.2 megapixel camera and camcorder. It allows for social networking, Dolby, mobile and FM turner. This phone is popular for its association with Ciara who has advertised for it and gives off great sound for listening to music.

The last phone is the LG VU. This phone contains the same haptic touch screen technology feedback, mobile TV however, it also has a lack of power in the media FLO TV web browser and sub menu interfaces.

The iPhone which was the first of its kind and has been growing and changing ever since has been the role model for others over the last few years. Although an iPhone clone may have some of the features that a regular iPhone has, it can also have less or more features than its senior. The iPhone currently is known for its GPS system, iPod, internet access, great applications and unique games. And while it has amazing features, some of its clones are pretty special as well.

It is a great time to be a cell phone owner. Power is at your fingertips while you can take your computer around with you. It is amazing to think that you can carry around a camera, camcorder, GPS system, music, games and internet anywhere you travel. And with companies changing their styles, appearance and programs it makes shopping for a new cell phone a fun experience. The only trouble is choosing the right one for you. A sales staff should be able to direct you in the right direction and give you the phone that has the features you need or desire.

A Look at the Business of Private Jet Charter

In the 1950s airline travel was deemed a luxury as very few people traveled overseas. Travel by aircraft was expensive and the operations set up to service the needs of those that did utilize this new method of transport, didn't enjoy the economies of scale the likes of British Airways and Lufthansa enjoy today. Aircraft were subject to weight limitations and thus in many cases, luggage was sent independently on another aircraft, ahead of the passengers. Waiting staff were included on these early airline flights to ensure that the service was similar to that experienced on the luxury liners of the day. Some aircraft even carried projectors to show in flight entertainment.

These days technology has opened up this business to the masses and much of the developed world would consider air travel as the primary solution in traveling overseas. These increased volumes have reached the stage whereby the business has become a victim of its own success. Airports are full to capacity, security queues are lengthy and tedious and competition is such that airlines no longer look at setting themselves apart on service. They are setting themselves apart on cost, and in doing so are reducing the level of service. This has almost certainly fueled increased demand in the air charter market. Those travelers lucky enough to have the resource to travel by private jet do so for one or all of the following reasons:

1. They don't waste precious time checking in 2 to 3 hours before a flight departs.
2. Departure time is dictated by the passenger, not by the aircraft operator.
3. Smaller airports can be used by Private Jets, thus there is less congestion at these facilities.
4. Travelers can take an aircraft from airports closer to home, and arrive at airports closer to their intended destination.
5. The on board service is tailored to the needs of the passengers.
6. Business passengers are often subjected to strict meeting timetables. Private jets can exercise more flexibility in terms of timings and destinations, thus a 3 day trip on a scheduled airline could be squeezed into a one day trip on business jet.
7. Celebrity passengers can retain an element of privacy away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.
8. Many private jets now have Wi-Fi facility on board as well as telephone equipment. Thus even time in the air can be productive which is useful if embarking on a 7 hour flight from London to New York.

In essence the majority find it obscene that individuals can justify so much expense by flying on Private Jets or helicopters. There is no doubting that it is expensive but where there is a market for such a service, should it be mocked? If we take a step back to look at the jobs and wealth created from pilots and flight attendants through to airport staff, engineers, insurers, cleaners and catering suppliers. There are private jet travelers who may spend £20k a year on flying private charter, and there are those who spend millions. What we have to consider is that all of this money goes back into the economy which is more that can be said for the £billions used in taxpayer bailouts of the banks.

Then there are the environmental factors. Of course this is a huge concern because of the irreversible nature of these effects. Many firms however, have embarked on initiatives to offset their carbon impact. I am personally not a great fan of the schemes that donate a percentage to a fund that doesn't appear to do much environmental work, but there are some that plant trees for every X amount of air miles flown. We also have to consider the massive increase in fuel efficiencies that aero engine designers now make a priority in all of their research work. Private Jets are subject to much less delay than their airline counterparts and so, generally speaking, contribute significantly less environmental impact.

Essentially this is a market that is set to grow as the mainstream airline services continue to chase cost cuts and deal with passenger numbers increasing at a faster rate than the infrastructure can cope with. Bombardier in collaboration with GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturers Association) forecast that over the next 10 years there will be demand for 9950 aircraft at a total revenue of $228 billion. This is up from $104 billion in the previous 10 years. Bombardier's closest rival Gulfstream had an unprecedented response to its G650 launch with 100 firm orders received within three months.

These firm orders to date now stand at 200. In addition to the firm orders, JP Morgan analysts confirm that Gulfstream have a further 400 letters of intent to date. Such success has led Bombardier CEO, Pierre Beaudoin, to announce their intentions to develop a flagship aircraft with 7000 nautical mile range. Even in the midst of the downturn, it is evident from aircraft shipment data that the Private Jet market is displaying resilience. In the first 3 quarters of 2009, 615 business jets have been shipped globally with Bombardier leading the revenue figures at $3.95 billion.

Whilst there are movie stars who need to attend a film launch tour, pop stars with concerts in different cities every night, and business men that need to undertake meetings in the same day, thousands of miles apart, then there will always be demand for Private air charter. Maybe the increase in numbers utilizing private jets will give rise to more opportunity, greater accessibility and increased competition for future private travelers.

Christmas is Coming - Beware of the Turkeys!

Once more we are into December, and here in the UK we have had our first frost of the year. As I look out of my office window the fields are white. Maybe we will get some snow this year before Christmas? The kids hope so.

But as Christmas approaches, just a few weeks away, the Turkeys are all out in force!

What do I mean? Well I don't mean the birds. Look up turkey in the dictionary and one definition is shown as:

Slang

a. A person considered inept or undesirable.

b. A failure, especially a failed theatrical production or movie.

And in this instance I mean the failed or inept 'Business Opportunities' that are being hawked around by the usual suspects... again.

Yes, the approach to Christmas is always a time when people look for ways to make a bit of extra money, maybe start a business of their own, and so they start to be bombarded with emails about useless, unprofitable, or totally out of date ideas all dressed up as golden opportunities.

This is the bumper harvest for the scammers and rip-off merchants who will happily sell worthless junk to anyone and everyone. They are guaranteed a comfortable and prosperous Christmas and don't really care if their 'golden opportunities' make absolutely NOTHING for the people who buy them.

So be very careful where you spend your money if you are still looking for a GENUINE way to make money online.

Don't get me wrong here, there are a lot of ways to make real money from the internet - I do it full time. But keep your wits about you and don't fall for the 'get rich quick' merchants who will just take your money and run.

Remember the golden rule: If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true. You can't magic money out of thin air, somebody has to lose it or spend it for someone else to receive it, so don't get taken in by fancy claims on flashy websites. You worked hard to get your money so look after it wisely.

And most of all, have a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year!

Out Smarting Your Average Thief

Crime is something most people would rather not think about. It's not a pleasant thing to spend your time dwelling upon after all, and there's also this sort of magical thinking about how concentrating on bad things will make them more likely to occur. The fact of the matter is that crime is real and one must be prepared to deal with the consequences. Acting complacently and denying the fact that something could happen to you (many people go about their lives thinking that it is always other people who are victims) is simply not the smart way to go about crime.

You can take preventative measures, especially when it comes to your home security. Your home should be your fortress, your place of refuge from the stresses of the outside world; unfortunately, this is not always the case. More and more often, the outside world does get in and sometimes it does so in a violent manner. The rate of property crimes isn't going down; it's actually going up in some areas. Robbers and thieves are getting younger and bolder. Some even target homes when they know people are at home; fortunately however, these aren't your common thieves. Most thieves look for an easy target, a home that's empty.

In order to beef up your home security, you've got to take initiative. The overwhelming majority of thieves aren't criminal masterminds. That's the stuff of Hollywood movies. For the most part, petty thieves are young kids who are looking for a quick buck. They are first and foremost opportunists. They look for easy ins and outs. They look for homeowners who have left their guard down, those who have become complacent-and it is incredibly easy to become complacent.

To keep the thieves at bay, there are a number of measures that you as a homeowner and family maker can take. Taking charge of your home security doesn't require that you put down piles of cash either. You simply have to become more aware of your vulnerabilities. For instance, if you have the tendency to leave the garage door open all the time, make a conscious effort to close it.

You have to develop smart habits. Don't leave spare keys outside underneath a doormat or a fake rock; thieves know that many people do this and that's one of the first places they'll look. Don't leave any garden tools or ladders outside, as thieves will use these to get into your house.

Secure your doors and windows. While many people do lock their doors, many people do not lock their windows. All windows, particularly those on that provide easy access for criminals should have locks on them, not merely latches or hooks. There are specific types of locks you can buy that allow you to prop your windows up to allow air in, but which keep criminals out. Some window locks also come with keys.

Never leave newspapers, milk bottles, or other delivered items on your doorstep. Nothing is more inviting to a criminal than a stack of magazines or newspapers in front of your home.

Consider purchasing a home alarm system. They are incredibly affordable nowadays and you can rest assured that your home will be protected.

Sony KDL32W5500 Review

Sony is the world leader in consumer electronics. The company has been in the field since long, and has been rolling out beautiful home appliances. Their TVs, Music Systems, Laptops, Handy Cams, Digital and Conventional Cameras, etc have all were very well appreciated and received by the consumers. BRAVIA is a LCD HDTV brand of Sony. Here we shall see the all new BRAVIA - Sony KDL32W5500.

HDTVs are High Definition Televisions. They have a very solid picture quality and are known to provide high resolution images. BRAVIA is Sony's flagship LCD HDTV brand. These are known to give great colour quality and excellent image quality. They are equipped with the latest technologies to stream with many appliances that a dlna TV can support. This is a sibling of the Sony BRAVIA 32E550 which is actually double the cost of the Sony BRAVIA KDL32W5500.

This TV has the default black bezel blueprint found in almost all the brands of Sony. This is not as good looking as the 32E5500 but is a classy looking model. It features about four HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) ports. This is really nice. This also USB and Ethernet connectivity so that any dlna enabled PC can support the TV. This also provides access to Sony's Applicast online service that has content that can be viewed on the television.

This latest BE-3 or BRAVIA Engine 3 present in bravia television helps to deliver high quality viewing experience. It also is equipped with the revolutionary MotionFlow 100 Hz technology that doubles the PAL refresh rate. The menus on the screen are neatly designed and offer a whole lot of features that are truly user-friendly.

The colour quality is very perfect akin to all the other Sony products. The Sony KDL32W5500 has very beautiful night colours. This is seen when you watch the darkest of films. The quality is just awesome. The LCDs these days have really good black levels in their display, but Sony is definitely above all.

Not only black levels, this LCD TV is excellent in showing rich and highly saturated and high colour balance levels also is very perfect. The latest highly colour-rich movies like Wall-E are all a treat to watch on this new television set. The motion blur technology is also up to the mark. With the revolutionary MotionFlow technology the high action pictures are played easily without much blur effect.

The BE 3 has been exceptional in handling the HD stuff. The HD seems like real. The BRAVIA Engine really needs a salute. The only few drawbacks are that the viewing angle of the screen is a bit less. It means many people can't see the TV at a time clearly. Another problem is the audio output. It is not as strong as the rest of the competitors.

Just keeping the negative effects aside this TV is good bargain for money. It is really a nice piece to own for the HD experience BRAVIA offers. Though many competitors exist Sony truly shows the door to all of them with this KDL32W5500. I give it 8.5 / 10.

Teen Game - A Fun Game For Dates, Parties, Or Just Hanging Out

We unfortunately live in a culture and society that does not provide too many wholesome and uplifting activities for our teens and youth to participate in. Is it any wonder why our teenagers are becoming more violent, idle and lazy, selfish and disrespectful, immoral and unethical, unhealthy and overweight, etc. when they are so bombarded and enticed by the never-ending influences of the media and entertainment around them?

Perhaps what is worse, it seems that our youth and teens are losing their ability to simply be creative and just have simple, wholesome fun together. While there are certainly many good games and activities out there that teenagers can do and participate in, I wanted to share just one that hundreds of teens across the nation have tried and absolutely loved. It is simple, costs no money, may seem silly at first - but it is extremely FUN! Perhaps more importantly, even if it is for just one night - it gets teens interacting together in a wholesome social way, and keeps them away from the movies and parties that usually have no positive influence on them anyway. I hope teens, youth, and people everywhere enjoy this fun game - try it for your next game night, date night, or teenage 'hang-out' - HAVE FUN!

GROCERY STORE ABC GAME

# of Players: 4 or more

Objects Needed: Papers, Pencils

Divide those playing into pairs, and then everyone will go to your local grocery store. Each pair will start at the front of the store, with their own paper and pencil. The goal in this fun game is for each pair to find a product for every letter of the alphabet, write down a product that no other pair does, and be the first team back to the front of the store. Pairs will only receive points if they write down a product that no other team wrote down; and yet, it is still a race because the first team back to the starting position gets an extra 10 points.

At "go," each pair will scatter throughout the store looking for products for each letter of the alphabet. The rules are that the letter has to come from the first letter of the product, and it has to be the brand name or label name. So, for example, a pair can't use "B" if they see a banana - they would use "D" for Dole because Dole is the brand name or company/product. Also, pairs can use "S" for Snickers, but not "C" for Candy Bar. They can use "C" for Colgate, but not "T" for Toothpaste, etc. Pairs have to write down the letter, the brand name they found for that letter (only one product can be written), and the isle they found it on (to prevent cheating). Then, the first pair back to the front gets an extra 10 points. Once all pairs are back to the front of the store, everyone will compare answers, and again, pairs only receive a point if they wrote down a product/brand that nobody else had on their list. The pair with the most points wins the game! Have fun!

Las Vegas Has a Lot to Offer

Las Vegas, Nevada is tucked away inside the gorgeous Mojave Desert. This area offers tourists not only an arid desert surrounding, but also mild climates. Three hundred days a year, Las Vegas experiences sunshine. For this reason, and more, millions of vacationers each year choose this city as their destination.

Las Vegas Vacations provides tourists with an opportunity to truly explore this city. There are many attractions here that are recognized around the world. The Vegas Strip is one of these terrific attractions. It is approximately four miles long, stretching down Las Vegas Boulevard.

Along the Vegas Strip vacationers will find luxurious casinos and hotels. This city is commonly known for providing visitors with excellent gaming opportunities. Many large hotels even have onsite casinos for their guests to enjoy. So, if this is one of your interests, it will not be hard to find a casino.

Although Las Vegas is a big casino city, it has much more to offer visitors than just that. Depending on your lodging choice, you will be present with many opportunities to explore. The sights and sounds of this location are very inviting. There are wonderful restaurants located here.

Shoppers will also be happy to discover that some hotels even have their own shopping promenades. These are the accommodations that offer guests everything they need, all underneath one exquisite roof. An example of this type of hotel is the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.

This luscious hotel also has a fabulous onsite casino. Like many similar hotels the Paris Las Vegas Hotel is a theme accommodation. Staying here, gives guests a chance to experience some of the splendor of the City of Light. One of the major components of this hotel is a huge reminder of Paris.

This is the Eiffel Tower replica which stands in front of the hotel. This replica is only half the size of the real thing. It is, however, an amazing construction. When visitors journey to the top of this tower, they will discover a restaurant on the eleventh floor. The Eiffel Tower Restaurant provides visitors with not simply a delicious meal. It also displays a stunning view overlooking the city.

The Paris Las Vegas Hotel has two distinct shopping promenades. These offer shoppers the opportunity to visit fashionable shops, as well as, retail stores. Anything from jewelry to apparel can be found here.

You will also discover a whole host of dining choices. There are many great restaurants here, such as, Café Isle St. Louis, Café du Parc, and Les Artistes Steakhouse. All of these keep the Parisian theme alive as you visit this area. Some of the most delicious dishes are served at this location, prepared by expert chefs.

Las Vegas Vacations allow tourists the opportunity to experience the grandeur of this city. Attractions found in this location are absolutely fantastic. There are a number of great attraction choices are completely free. The Bellagio offers a few of these free attractions to visitors.

The most popular is the Fountains at Bellagio. This world-famous fountain show can be seen nightly. The show includes lights and music, as the fountains appear to dance. This is such an amazing sight that it has been featured in many movies on the big screen.

The Bellagio also has a conservatory and fine art gallery. Visitors can come here and get a special experience of the area. The Conservatory at Bellagio has elaborate plants and floral arrangements.

The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, houses exhibits, as well as, objects collected from around the world.

Finding interesting activities to participate in Las Vegas is easy. Each day here can be spent experiencing the fantastic offerings available in this great city. It is the Entertainment Capital of the World, and for good reason.

What is Abundance If You're Starting From Scratch?

I never thought about abundance when I was a child, and maybe I didn't think about it until I heard about Robert Kyosaki and then I saw the movie, The Secret. I had always thought of myself as middle class and was happy to be able to pay my bills and to go on a two week vacation when I wanted and had the time, and skiing some weekends during the winter. Mostly, I liked being home where I could garden and sail during the summer and visit with friends. This was abundance for me.

After reading many of Robert Kyosaki's books, I realized that working should be by choice. There were several income streams that didn't require daily (much less hourly) attention. And, best of all, a person didn't have to be born wealthy to have "an independent income" (Virginia Wolfe). When I read Virginia Wolfe, I believed that by an accident of birth I had already lost out on the independent income. This is not so in this decade.

What is abundance to you? You get to decide. If you want to be able to travel to Europe for a long weekend, or visit family members for their birthdays, you decide. If abundance for you is being able to buy from better retail stores, or paying off your credit cards at the end of each month, you decide. However, the common element in all these ideas is an independent income -- independent of a 9 to 5 job.

How do I Build an Independent Income?

An independent income is never built from a 9 to 5 job, even if you are the corporate CEO. Although, these days they are able to get multimillion dollar contracts, even so, a CEO is not able to leave any time s/he wants to go on vacation. So, even with a huge salary, a salaried worker is still beholden to the whims of the corporation.

If we look outside of the 9 to 5 job, we have music, sports, writing, public speaking/training, real estate and the internet as possibilities. If you are starting out with a nest egg, we can include investments in other people's businesses or in the stock market. And, if you have advanced training or credentials in some specific market, you can think about consulting.

But, if you don't have special training or a nest egg, you are pretty much relegated to music, sports, writing, public speaking/training, real estate and the internet. Now, for the first two, you need some talent. What if you don't have great talent?

Now we're down to writing, public speaking/training, real estate and the internet.

Which is the Easiest and Fastest Way to Build Abundance?

It does depend on your inclination, but right now it's not easy to get into real estate with "0 down" as so many of the training programs promote. And, the market is volatile, so I'd recommend waiting for a little while unless you already have a couple of down payments.

We're down to writing, public speaking/training and the internet. And, if you build an internet site, using some basic writing skills, then you can actually promote yourself as a speaker and trainer. In a little over a year or two (depending on your interest niche), with no prior experience, you can build a website that earns $5000 a month. How does that sound? It's not abundance, but you will be on the way.

Tough Spot in Your Life? Feeling Down, Lost - What's the Good News?

"IT SHOULDN'T BE LIKE THIS." "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?" "I FEEL SO BAD." Everyone in their lives will feel like this at some points and, sometimes, many times over. It's not easy to know where to turn or what to do. The world seems like such a dark place at moments like these. And, yet, really, the world is the same as it always has been and always will be no matter what's happening in your life - you still shop, prepare food, shower, clean your clothes, talk to people, go for walks - and everything around you doesn't seem to notice - why doesn't the world just stop and help you? It's not like that and it never will be - the sooner you can see that what's happening in your life right now is just a "blip" interwoven in a myriad of life's offerings, the sooner you'll understand and appreciate that no one is spared and that "you're not the only one".

What's good for you now? YOU - you are the best thing that ever happening to you right now! I've been through many of life's tumultuous times - it gets easier to cope with them and to take action - of course, the key here is "take action" even if you don't feel it! Feel is the key word here because action and the way you feel are not particularly connected in your space right now. The last thing you want is to take action of any sort - wallowing is closer to the norm.

1. First, we rage and blame - let's face it, what is more exciting that raging and blaming - it makes you feel alive at a time when your insides feel numb. Of course, you soon discover there's real emptiness in this approach.

2. We feel sorry for ourselves - this too can only go on so long. The isolation which this creates internally and externally doesn't really help.

3. Depression often becomes a friend - When you get as far as depression, you know it's too far. You need to get out of this space as soon as you possibly can otherwise it's a downward spiral and, trust me, you really, really don't want to go there - anything that goes down doesn't necessarily come up again - it may sound like a good thing to you right now - it isn't!

So is there another way - yes - and the sooner you start, the better.

1. Allow yourself a pity party whenever you need it - once a day, once a week, once a month - give yourself a half hour, an hour or even an afternoon - allow yourself to feel the feeling you're feeling but set a deadline to stop. The best one is an hour - go for a walk, feel bad, cry, yell, do whatever you need to do and get back on board! For how long? Until you don't need it any more and you won't - it'll become really boring to you eventually.

2. Stop the blame - there's no one to blame - not you, not the world, not society, not your family, not your employer, not your friends - IT IS WHAT IT IS - the sooner you accept what has happened, the better. It's happened! It's over! There's nothing you can do to change the past. And whatever has you in this state is in the past though it feels very real and alive to you.

3. Take the time to get to know yourself - Whenever something happens that's negative in your life, it's the perfect time to connect with yourself. Who are you? How have you changed? How will you be changed forever because of what has happened? What positive things have you learned about yourself - coping, beliefs, strength, weakness, power, lack of power - and how does that make you feel? Do you want to change?

3. Choose - this is probably the most important part - once you choose, you'll feel much better. Start with something small at first. For instance, if you have lost your job, begin with looking on the internet and in newspapers for jobs or, if you've always wanted to be in your own business, investigate the possibility of starting a business of your own. If you've lost someone, think of ways that you can turn your loss into something positive - placing flowers on their favorite park bench and thinking of all the wonderful times you had together.

You can then continue making choices for yourself which will take you, every single day, onto a new path - a new life -

4. Connect with people in a positive way - go out with people to enjoy their company - not to talk about your problem. In fact, minimize talk about your issue or don't talk about it at all. Just enjoy. I know - it's the last thing you want to do - it's really one of the best things to do - go to a museum, for a walk, to a sports game, to a movie - note the "doing" part here -

5. Action - Take action - every single day, plan to do 3 things - just 3 things - that's all - and once you've accomplished those three things, then plan for the next 3 things the next day. For instance, you write your resume, write a couple of draft letters to employers and research the net for information about writing resumes and cover letters. If you have experienced loss, research the internet for support groups, call a friend and go for lunch, write a plan of action for the next 3 days. Each step is a step forward - keep moving - this momentum will eventually accelerate.

Is it overnight change? No. Will it get you back into life? Yes. Will the bad feelings go away? Yes and No - you'll always remember and know what happened but at least you'll be "living with it" instead of having it take over your entire world. Is it a foolproof formula? It's a start - a few things to get you back into the game. Everyone is different - some people go directly to action and do not make the other stops - it's fine - it's whatever works for you! If you don't have a path though, each of these steps can help.

No one can do it for you - no one - only you - no one can make you feel better - only you - no one can change what happened - not even you!

Keep the Tax Man Away From Your Christmas Party!

Christmas is slowly creeping up on us and most of the annual party preparations are underway. Not only will business owners be preparing Christmas Parties, they will be considering what gifts, if any, they will provide to clients and employees. However, an important issue to consider is the possible Fringe Benefits and income taxes that may be applicable when providing 'entertainment' to staff and clients.

Christmas parties fall into the category of "entertainment benefits" and as such will incur FBT unless specifically exempt or they fall under the "minor benefits" exemption. A minor benefit is one that is provided to an employee/client on an infrequent or irregular basis and the cost is less than $300 inclusive of GST per employee/client.

Holding the Christmas party on the business premises on a working day is usually the most tax effective. Expenses such as food and drink are exempt from FBT for "employees" with no dollar limit, but no tax deduction or GST credit can be claimed. However, where employees' families (i.e. associates) also attend and the combined cost for the employees and associates is $300 or more inclusive of GST, there is FBT only on the associates' portion of food and drink, and a tax deduction and GST credit can be claimed on that portion. The cost of clients attending the party are not subject to FBT, but no income tax deduction or GST credit can be claimed on their portion of the cost. If only employees and clients attend - with only finger food or a light meal and no alcohol - then the entire cost is tax deductible. There is no FBT and a GST credit can be claimed.

Should you be holding your Christmas party off the business premises, these would only be exempt from FBT if the cost per head for employees/associates is less than $300 inclusive of GST (i.e. considered a minor benefit). If this is the case no tax deduction or GST credit can be claimed. Note that associates are not counted in the "per head" calculation, meaning that the $300 FBT minor benefits exemption applies to the combined cost of the employee and any associates who also attend the function. Therefore, if the combined cost for employees/associates is $300 or more, GST inclusive, there is FBT on the combined cost - but a tax deduction and GST credit can be claimed on that portion. The cost of clients attending the party are not subject to FBT, but no income tax deduction or GST credit can be claimed on their portion of the cost.

Non-entertainment gifts provided to employees "separately" from the Christmas party, however, are exempt from FBT where the total value is less than $300 inclusive of GST. A tax deduction and GST credit can also be claimed. These include flowers, wine, perfumes, gift vouchers and hampers. The ATO has indicated that if the these type of gifts are given to employees two weeks before the actual Christmas party, then the gift and the Christmas function will be treated as separate benefits. This means that the $300 FBT exemption limit can be claimed twice.

Non-entertainment gifts given to clients and suppliers do not fall within the FBT regime, as they are not provided to employees. Generally a tax deduction and GST credit can be claimed for these gifts, provided they are not excessive or overly valuable.

Entertainment gifts (examples include theatre tickets, passes to attend a musical, live play, movie, tickets to a sporting event or providing a holiday) have different tax implications. If they are given as gifts to employees and family members and are over the value of $300 FBT is payable and a tax deduction is allowed. Where the combined cost for employees/associates is less than $300 GST inclusive, there is no FBT, no tax deduction is allowed and no GST credit can be claimed. The cost of any entertainment gifts provided to clients is not subject to FBT and no tax deduction, or GST credit can be claimed.

Of course this all sounds quite complex, however the team of accountants at The Quinn Group can ensure that the taxman is kept as far away as possible from your Christmas party and provide you with the best tax outcome. For individually tailored information and advice for your tax situation contact us on 1300 QUINNS or click here to submit an online enquiry.

Do You Want to Know How to Attract Your Desires and Achieve Your Goals?

The universal law of attraction is a law that is always on. You cannot change it, and it is already active in your life - dependent on what you focus upon. If you decide to get smart about it, instead of creating your life by default, you can use the law of attraction to help you attract your desires and achieve your goals.

You Are Already Asking the Universe for Your Desires
Your desires start from within and they emanate outward from you in the form of energetic vibrations. But not everything you desire is sent out to the universe in a manner you would like to receive it. If you have any fear associated with your desire - you could be drawing what you fear to you instead of what you desire.

How to Really Ask The Universe for What You Want
According to the universal law of attraction, all you have to do is ask the universe for what you want, and you will receive it. In the movie The Secret they said that all you have to do is Ask, Believe and Receive. While this is technically correct - thinking the thought, believing, and receiving doesn't always work for some people.

The reason? There is no power in the asking.

It takes powerful thoughts combined with powerful emotions to create a feeling for the universe to respond to.

What Empowers The Asking?
Thought alone does not create your desires, nor does emotion alone create your desires. Your desires are created when your thought marries your emotion. This then creates a feeling that is emanated from your magnetic heart center back into the universe to bring you what you desire.

But How Come It Doesn't Show Up?
The reason it may not be "showing" up in your life is because you have a block to receiving it. As young children, we took on the belief systems and energy patterns of our caretakers by embracing them or rejecting them outright. Or maybe we took a little bit of this and a little bit of that. But if you find yourself constantly hitting the ceiling of your desires, it is because you have serious energy blockages going on and you can't receive what you want.

Self-Sabotage
Or you may be experiencing self-sabotage. Since 80% of your life operates from the subconscious part of your being, much like the underside of an iceberg from below the surface, you may not even be aware of your self-sabotaging behavior as it happens unconsciously.

Our belief systems and energy patterns reside in the subconscious part of our being and if you are trying to attract something that is outside the realm of these systems' acceptability, you're going to have a revolt on your hands and a self-sabotaging of your conscious efforts.

Remove The Energy Blockages
To receive your desires, you must remove the energy blockages and reprogram your system. It is as if you are reformatting your hard drive. Hidden within your being are programs, viruses, and patterns that no longer serve you. They served you at one time when you were young, mostly out of survival, but now they serve no purpose other than to keep you limited.

Whatever it is that you desire to manifest, you can do it with heartfelt thought and emotion. It may take some time, or it could happen immediately, once you remove what is blocking your desire. I've found it's easier to start small, and then move up to the big things. Once you get the feel of how it feels to manifest something, you'll know when you hit that block.

Elegy Film Story

The 2008 drama film 'Elegy' starring Penelope Cruz and Ben Kingsley is based on the novel 'The Dying Animal'. The film was on the top 10 lists of several critics for the movie of the year awards.

Ben Kingsley plays David Kepesh, a professor and a cultural critic. He is divorced and has a son who has not forgiven him till now for abandoning his mother. One day David encounters a beautiful student in his lecture, he is completely mesmerized by her presence and soon they begin a serious relationship. David is already in another relationship with a student whom he met 20 years ago.

Penelope plays Consuela who invites David to her graduation party. But fearing humiliation on being criticized for their age difference he makes an excuse that his car broke down and he cannot come. Consuela is frustrated and realizes, he is lying. Soon after this incident they split.

After two years Consuela and David meet again. She leaves a message on his phone to meet again. Consuela mentions that she need to confess something. Consuela comes to his apartment and tells him that she has a lump on her breasts and will require surgery. As a result of which her breasts will be removed permanently. On hearing this David cries and pleads her as to why she did not called for his support earlier. Consuela explains she has not met a single man since their split who loved her like him.

In the ending we see David visiting the Hospital to check on Consuela's health and the last scene shows a flashback where Consuela tells David she loves him.

How to Purchase Items on eBay

eBay.com is a website that features thousands of online auctions, where anyone with access to the Internet can buy or sell items to or from buyers and sellers all over the world. Most users are located in the US, and often you will see that some sellers will only ship to the US, however, it is a worldwide market.

The reason is eBay is so unique is simply because the extremely large and unique selection of, well, everything you can possibly think of! Items include clothes, books, movies, furniture, antiques, collectibles, memorabilia, and of course, some useless junk someone is trying to get rid of. If you don't know where you can buy something, try eBay! If you don't really want to pay full price for something in stores, look for a used copy on eBay!

There are a few problems with buying on eBay. There are scammers to try to trick you into buying something worthless. There are multiple safeguards in place so you can try to avoid these situations, but every once it does happen. eBay offers a variety of tips that will help you make smart shopping choices and avoid fraud.

Anyone who sells an item on eBay carries a track record of all of their previous sells. This way, before you even make a purchase, you can know if the seller has received bad reviews from previous transactions. To be safe, and if you have the option, look for buyers who have sold many items already and has good reviews.

Here are a few things you will need to do to make a purchase on eBay:

1. Set up an account. You need to create an eBay account with a username and password. This account will be attached to an email address so you can be contacted without giving out your information and notified by eBay of updates. The account will also be necessary to keep track of your reputation. Both buyers and sellers have a track records-this is a checks and balance method for eBay. Seller can report buyers who wouldn't pay for their goods, etc., and buyers can report sellers who sell products that were advertised falsely or shipped damaged items, etc.

2. Place a bid. eBay is an auction site. Most items are listed for 7 days. Sometimes you will have the option to buy right away, and that will be noted on each individual item. To place a bid, you simply click the "Place Bid" button on the item of interest. Never place a bid that you wouldn't be willing or able to pay if you were to win the item. Also, don't place a bid until you have read all the details. You might see a picture of something you want, but then in the notes, the seller has listed that certain items are missing, etc. The bid will vary depending on what others have bid. You can bid the minimum or bid the maximum amount you are willing to pay. If you bid more, it will not show up on the website, but if someone were to bid after you, eBay would raise your bid for you based on what your maximum amount is. If no one bids, you only pay the minimum bid.

3. Pay for your purchase. Once you win, you must pay for the item you won. The safest payment method (and sometimes the only one allowed by the seller) is through Paypal. It's easy to set up an account on Paypal. Basically, what they do is almost instantly transfer the money safely from the buyer's account to the seller's without giving out any personal information to either parties. This is much safer than giving payment information to the seller directly, and much faster than mailing a check. Happy shopping!

Your Small Business Opportunity - Will You Make it?

To make your small business opportunity succeed, you need success traits - do you have them? Can you ignore a ringing phone? Or better yet, can you answer the phone just as you plan to leave for vacation? I've outlined 5 of these required traits below. Take a look and see how you measure up.

Essential Traits to Small Business Opportunity Success

1. Persistence

How many months of failure can you handle? If you didn't like that word, failure, congratulations - neither do I. You may spend months working and not see any appreciable gains, but I don't call that failure.

Call it experience, or farming, perhaps. If you can keep working even when you don't see any return, you are definitely persistent.

Make sure your cause makes sense, and that you can still keep food in your cupboards and a roof overhead. Then keep working.

2. Tenacity

When you work on your business, you have interruptions, right? Maybe the kids need lunch, or you need to fix a dishwasher. Where do you draw the line with these interruptions?

I call this tenacity. Finding a way to handle reasonable interruptions, like the kids, but to sidestep or rearrange the others. Maybe someone else would be a better choice for appliance repair, especially if you have a big project underway.

3. Integrity

How much do you want success? Will you do anything to get it? Think about this - anything? Of course not.

Success in your small business opportunity, in MLM, a franchise, whatever, should never compromise your integrity. Don't get desperate and lose everything by taking the low road to what looks like success.

Trust me. You will want to have your integrity intact when you arrive at any success. It will feel better, you'll enjoy it more, and you won't have to hide how you achieved your place.

4. Prioritization & Balance

All right, look back at persistence and tenacity. Notice, I said the kids are a reasonable interruption. I call this prioritization. Remember to prioritize your work, and don't always put work ahead of other areas of life.

One day you'll achieve your success. You'll have thousands in the bank, you'll have a yacht, a ski cabin, a monster truck or whatever you want. But if you have lost all the people in your life to share it with, maybe the price was too high.

Make room to succeed, while also keeping an eye on the joy life brings. Bounce the kids or grandkids on your knee. Take an afternoon and go to a movie or picnic with someone special.

Then get back in the office and crush it until you need another break, or until the kids need lunch.

5. Vision

At this point, you know have the first 4 wrapped up. But do you know where you are going? DO you have your next goal defined and figured out? Do you have any kind of a plan to get you there?

You must have vision or you'll never get to an end point, a finish line. Granted, you will need to keep setting goals, but you still need to know that you have reached a goal now and then.

Write out what you want to achieve, and make sure that your small business opportunity still matches that and vice versa.

Master Traits

If you master these traits, you'll find you have what it takes to succeed in almost any circumstance. If you feel you need more of one or another of them, get started. Start practicing, and you'll improve. Take time to track your progress, and to learn more about the traits you need to work on.

Low Carb Snacks - Some Healthy Snack Ideas

Focusing on low carb snacks can have a surprising impact on your overall weight loss goals. With so many people having busy schedules today, you may find yourself doing more snacking than eating regular meals. Even if your lifestyle isn't so hectic that you miss sitting down to meals, you may still find yourself eating snacks throughout the day. The quality of these snacks, and how often you partake of them, can be quite significant. Snack calories can add up fast, especially if you aren't paying attention to them!

If you eat snacks out of vending machines, like candy, potato chips or pretzels, your snacking habits could definitely use some improvement. These "foods" are not only high in carbohydrates, but they are essentially empty calories, often containing lots of sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats.

The workplace can be especially treacherous when it comes to being tempted by frequent, high calorie snacks. This is especially true during the holiday season, of course, but it can also occur throughout the year. Many offices have frequent little parties for people's birthdays, special events where everyone brings in food and the like. It can be difficult to refuse these treats; in fact, it might even make you feel like you're being rude. One thing you can train yourself to do is to take very small portions on these special occasions, and don't go back for seconds, even if they are offered!

It's important to have healthy, low calorie and low carb snacks on hand when you are at work, school, on the road or even at home. This way if you get the munchies in between meals you can easily reach for something healthy and more easily resist the higher calorie temptations. What are some healthy, low carb snacks that you can arm yourself with?

Nuts are a good choice, as they are high in protein and healthy fats. Almonds, cashews, sunflowers and walnuts are all good for you. You can get all of these in nut butter form (or you can learn to make it yourself with a grinder). These nuts are all superior to peanuts or peanut butter, though even peanuts are okay in small amounts. When eating nuts, try to get pure ones without added salt, sugar or artificial ingredients.

Fruits and vegetables are another good choice. Carrots and celery are both good, and can be made more palatable by dipping them in healthy things like spinach dips, hummus or guacamole. Fruits such as apples, grapes, blueberries and pomegranates are all good for you and rich in antioxidants. If you prefer juices, be sure to get pure juice and not ones with added sugar. Even all natural fruits and juices, healthy as they are, should be consumed in moderation, as even natural sugars can be fattening if consumed in high quantities.

Popcorn, when it's air-popped or cooked in healthy oils is another healthy snack that is low in calories. It's best to pop your own and put a modest amount of sea salt on it. You don't really need any other toppings. Avoid the artificial "butter" put on movie popcorn.

If you are focusing on improving your snacking habits, you should also make sure that you are consuming enough water. This can reduce your hunger pangs in between meals. Our bodies can actually mistakenly think we need food when what we really need is water. Water is much healthier than other thirst quenchers such as soda and energy drinks, which tend to be either high in sugar or full or artificial ingredients and stimulants.

These are just a few healthy and low carb snacks to get your mind working in the direction of eating healthier in between meals!