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5 Ways to Attract the Relationships You Want

2008-12-04T14:10:00.001-08:00

There has been a time in my life when relationships were a source of great discontentment in my life. I worked around negative people. I didn't have a lot of the kinds of friends I wanted. I was in a marriage that was lonely and filled with conflict. Although today all my relationships are not perfect, I feel blessed with the quality of people in my life. Much has changed and I've learned a lot about how to attract the relationships I want in life.

When you think about relationships, our lives are filled with so many. You may have a spouse whom you share your life with. You probably have children who you interact with on a regular basis. No doubt you have a few friends or maybe many friends. You might be a daughter to a mom and dad, a niece to an aunt or uncle, or a sister to one or more siblings. It's possible that you work or volunteer with people everyday. Are your relationships everything you want them to be? Do they nurture you and fill you up or do they drain your energy, leaving you feeling depleted? If you're like most people, you probably have relationships that do a little of both.

Relationships are essential to our survival and well being. God did not create us to go through life alone. Our relationships teach us more about who we are and who we are not. They highlight what we want in life and what we don't want. Relationships challenge us to grow in ways we might not grow on our own. When you think about your own relationships, I want to encourage you to look at ways you might attract more of what you want from your relationships.

Know What You Want

Do you know exactly what you want in a relationship? Is it the same for every kind of relationship you have? Make a list of the criteria you have for a positive or healthy relationship. Your list might look something like this:

The parties must treat each other with respect
There needs to be an acceptance and appreciation of each other's differences
Each person should know how to resolve issues without fighting or arguing
The relationships should provide an emotional connection
We should work together in a way that is fair for all parties involved
We should support and encourage one another
There needs to be openness and honesty with thoughts and feelings
We need to be able to laugh and have fun together

Now you can look at each of your relationships and decide if it meets your requirements. If not, you have a starting point for creating what you want. All of us, at any time, have five choices regarding our relationships. We can accept the relationship the way it is and be happy. We can remain a victim to the relationship. We can change the relationship. We can change our perspective of the relationship. We can leave the relationship.

Change Your Beliefs about What You Deserve

If you want the best relationships have to offer, you have to believe you deserve the best. Otherwise, you will settle for less than the best. At your core, what do you believe about relationships and people? Some limiting beliefs might be:

All marriage partners fight.
Most people in corporate America are negative.
You have to be careful about who you trust.
Most people are in a relationship for themselves.
There are no good guys or good gals left - they're all married.

Whatever you believe, you will attract. So start believing what you want is truly possible.

Be Who Your Ideal Is

In my workshops, I tell women that if they want to attract inspiring friends, they must be an inspiring friend. We are energetic human beings, and like energy attracts like energy. The other day a woman shared a story about lunchtime at her place of business. All the co-workers would sit around in the lunchroom eating their lunches. One person would start to complain about the company or her job, and then the next person would chime in. Before you know it, a gripe session had begun. This woman told me that she found herself not being who she wanted to be, and instead joining the negativity with the rest of the crowd. Go back to your criteria for a positive and healthy relationship, and be all of those characteristics in your relationships. You will be a leader and force of change in your own life.

Stop the Ugly Dance

In the most intimate relationships, we often engage in the ugly dance. Our partner, or someone we're very close to, will say something that triggers us. From our subconscious mind, we react, and the dance begins. This happened to me the other day when I was talking to my mom. She said to me, "This year I am not going to go all out for Christmas because my kids don't appreciate it." There was the bait. In the past, this fish (me) would have taken a bite of that bait, but not this time. I stopped what could have been an ugly dance. I refrained from defending myself and telling her that she was wrong. I let my mom have her feelings while I just listened and politely changed the subject. Every person that comes into a relationship, including ourselves, has some emotional baggage we carry with us. Drop the luggage and stop the ugly dance.

Create a Sacred Space

Michael Port, renowned business coach and author of "Book Yourself Solid", talks about having a red velvet rope policy in your business. I like to use that policy in my life. Imagine you are entering a high quality event like an opera or The Grammy Awards ceremony. You walk up to the attendant and hand him your high priced ticket and he opens the red velvet rope to let you through. Pretend your life is that high quality event and you get to decide who enters that sacred space. One of my friends is a very inspiring person. A lot of people want to enter her sacred space, but only a few get past the red velvet rope. Is it because she is mean? No, it is because she understands the importance of protecting her energy and keeping her life positive. Who gets to enter your sacred space?

Positive and high energy relationships will add more to your life than you can imagine. So start today and attract exactly what you want from your relationships. Your life will be forever blessed with peace, happiness and fulfillment.

Lori Radun, CEC - certified life coach and inspirational speaker for moms. To receive her FREE newsletter, and the FREE special report "155 Things Moms Can Do To Raise Great Children", go to http://www.true2youlifecoaching.com

Amazon Kindle - Will it Be on Your Shopping List at Christmas?

2008-12-04T11:49:00.001-08:00

In recent months the Amazon Kindle wireless reader has been proving extremely popular with both gadget addicts and bibliophiles. This neat little toy will make a wonderful gift for anyone you know this Christmas and as with other things recommended by Oprah this quickly sold out. If you are not sure if whether investing some money in it below we show you some of the advantages to be had from owning one of these.

1. Although the initial cost of purchasing the Amazon Kindle is high you are going to end up saving yourself quite a bit in the future. Instead of spending money purchasing books in paperback format you now can download them in electronic format directly on to the Kindle.

2. No longer do you need to drive to the bookstore or the library to get the book you want or have to wait for a number of days before it gets delivered. What you do is log into Amazon and then just download the eBook you are interested in after you have purchased it from them.

3. Having a Kindle is more environmentally friendly as no longer do you need to purchase books in paper format. Which in turn means that far less trees will have to be cut down to actually create more books for us to read.

4. If you spend a lot of time away from home or travelling on public transport then rather than carrying around a heavy book or having to try and open the newspaper in a crowded space you just get your Kindle out.

5. As well as being able to download books on to the Kindle to read it has the facility to download news as well. So no matter where you are or where you are going you can keep in touch with what is happening elsewhere.

6. You don't have to pay any fees in order to use the Kindle wireless reader if you want to do some browsing online.

7. Each Kindle comes with a rechargeable battery that will last for several days once fully charged. Plus it also offers the facility to allow you to actually use it even when the battery is being charged.

8. Also not only can you download plain text files on to your Kindle to read, but it has the option to allow you to download mp3 files as well. This means that as you read you can listen to some great music as well.

9. Along with the Kindle being light weight it is very user friendly and navigating around it is extremely easy. You no longer need to spend time turning pages yourself as this device does it for you and so as you read you won't have to scroll up and down it.

10. This will make the perfect gift for those who say that they have everything or if you are having problems deciding what gift to get someone you care for. However, if they already have one of these not only are they lucky but you could purchase some electronic reading material for it for them.

Although the cost getting one is high and at the moment finding them to purchase is a problem they are worth the investment. Certainly if you are having problems finding one on Amazon then there are other options available.

An Amazon kindle will make a great gift this Christmas But they are scarce. Find out where you can buy a kindle today. Visit This Years Gifts Free advice and tips on where to get this years hottest gifts. http://thisyearsgifts.com/

More Information to Do With Wireless Outdoors Speakers

2008-12-04T09:34:00.001-08:00

We all know how much fun it is just to relax outdoors with friends and family and either talk or just pass time. Some people prefer to barbecue and invite friends and family and just have a good time. The items you will find on a great outdoor expedition or outing is a barbecue pit and some music for most people. When it comes to music some people have someone playing music while in some occasions people simply carry their radios and other CD players and just have the music playing. Since people will probably not huddle in one place and will be spread out, there is a need to spread the speakers as well. This meant long wires. Sometimes the wires are simply not that long and this poses a limitation as far as the music is concerned. But recent advances in music technology has the picture changing with the advent of wireless outdoor speakers which do not require any wires to be connected between the receiver and the speakers themselves.

Wireless speakers employ more or less the same technology that is employed in cordless phone. The device or system consists of a tuner or receiver and then a set of speakers. The music player plays the tune and converts the CD signals from digital to analog. These signals are them transmitted into the air and a decoder usually located inside the speakers converts the signals into digital sound which we appreciate.

The technology behind how wireless outdoors speakers works allows the speakers to work on a range of 900 MHz which is almost the same as a good wireless or cordless phone. The signals can also travel through walls making the speaker placement extremely flexible. This means that the distance limitations imposed by wires are no longer present with wireless speakers. They can thus be placed anywhere and even away from where they can be damaged.

Wireless outdoor speakers can be purchased at most major electronic stores. The chances are if you can find a store that sells stereo equipment or home entertainment units then the chances are great that you will find a wireless outdoor speakers store. These speakers are especially popular with the same people who purchase iPods and other portable music devices. This is because they are the ideal and do not require one to even transport CDs.

EBay is another great place to purchase wireless outdoors speakers. This is because EBay is the largest market place on the planet and one would be hard-pressed not to find excellent speakers are extremely affordable prices.

Wireless outdoor speakers are also great for the indoors. This is because there are no cumbersome wires to contend with. One can also place the speakers away from the receiver and since the sound can traverse through walls, the speakers can be placed in different rooms from the tuner itself. This is ideal especially for people that want speakers in places like the kitchen or bedroom.

Looking for wireless outdoor speakers? Check out complete guide to Wireless and Outdoor Speakers : waterproof, rock, solar, audio and stereo speakers with surround sound.

HP Officejet H470wbt Review

2008-12-04T07:16:00.001-08:00

Hewlett-Packard has another good product to boast in the market. Their new HP Officejet H470wbt is extra portable that users will find it very convenient to use. The commands are comprehensive and well organized buttons including the power, paper feed, and cancel can be expected. Weighing only 4.5 lbs makes it extra portable and convenient to carry anywhere at any time. Measuring 13.4 in X 6.5 in X 3.2 in makes it easy to fit in any bags or briefcase.

The design is elegant, wrapped in black color with rounded edges makes a perfect combination. All the necessary ports for connecting a camera and other devices are available at the back of the printer. Memory cards like a SD Memory Card and MultiMediaCard can be suited at the back portion just close to the USB port.

Print quality is good with output printed with resolutions 1200 dpi x 1200 dpi for black and white prints and 4800 dpi x 1200 dpi for color prints. HP Officejet H470wbt uses two ink cartridges, one for black and the other for colored printing. A standard black ink can print an average of 500 pages and a regular color cartridge can print up to 330 prints. There are also compatibles available for the cartridges.

HP Officejet H470wbt can be connected either wired or wireless. However, there is no built in wireless port, but the machine is capable of wireless access. An external HP wireless adapter is available for the function. For easy connection to a computer, the USB connection can be used. An extra PictBridge is also added for connectivity purposes.

The printer tray can hold up to 50 pages of plain paper, the common number of any other portable printer. Some portable printers can only hold 30 pages. Papers can contain legal size, greeting cards, envelopes, photo paper, and index cards. Faster printing and good images can be expected on plain papers.

H470wbt is compatible with most operating systems including those for mobile devices and regular computers. Operating systems for regular computer include Mac OS X 10.3.9, Mac OS X 10.4 and higher, Linux, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, and Microsoft Windows Vista. For mobile devices, operating systems supported are Palm OS, Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC, Novell NetWare 5.x, and Novell NetWare 6.x.

Included in the box is HP Officejet H470wbt, CD containing the driver and other applications, Power adapter, consumables including a black cartridge and a colored cartridge, and the manual. A one year limited warranty comes along with the purchase of the package. To get the most out of your HP printer, technical support can be reached 24/7. A customer can send email or through phone. This will surely meet your mobile printing requirements.

If you want to know more about hp laser jet printers then please feel free to visit printer ink at http://www.superwarehouse.com

How To Get Auto Loan With Bad Credit?

2008-12-02T16:22:00.001-08:00

There are millions of people with bad credit and it can happen to anyone so its really nothing to be ashamed of. But it can be frustrating when you need or want to buy a decent car and dont have the luxury of waiting until your credit score improves. You have a higher chance of being rejected a loan but it is possible. The first thing you have to understand is, if you do get financed somewhere, you will NOT get a low interest rate! Lenders verify your income and address so you must have a sufficient income to pay your bills, car payment, insurance as well as being able to afford the repair and maintenance costs. Nobody will take a chance on you unless they are certain you can afford it. Keep in mind that you should never take on a car payment you know you can not afford. Other thing lenders will consider is the length of time you have been at your current job, obviously the longer the better chance you will have. The same thing applies with how long you have been at your current address.

Your best bet of getting a loan with bad credit is to belong to a Credit Union and apply to them if you cant get one from the bank. They often have more relaxed loan criteria and it is especially true if you have been involved with them for a length of time. Now, dont give up hope on the banks either. If youve had a relationship with your local bank, theyre also worth a try. Specially, if youve had any small loan with them and a better shot if youve paid off a loan with them in the past. If the manufacturer of the car you want has their own credit institution, they can be another good source. Theyre more flexible on the loan criteria and can be aggressive in financing.

But all in all, trying to get an auto loan on a bad credit is not highly recommended. You not only have to pay higher loan rates but also a rather substantial down payment that could be as high as in the thousands rather than hundreds. So if possible, consider waiting and working on fixing your bad credit and get your score up to at least 680 before applying for your auto loan.

If you are looking to buy a car, I advise you to do your homework. Don't forget to check out our
Tips & Auto Value Quotes Review section. We have the best car buying tips.

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Connecticut Homeowners Insurance Discounts and Connecticut Auto Insurance Discounts

2008-12-02T13:57:00.001-08:00

Discovering Connecticut homeowners and auto insurance discounts seems almost like a necessity these days. Part of getting the discounts is just knowing that they are out there. More times than not, insurance companies won't offer these up unless you threaten to leave. Use the tips below to learn about homeowners and auto insurance discounts that are available to Connecticut residents.

CT Homeowners Insurance Discounts

There are a wide range of discounts available for homeowners insurance in Connecticut. Keep in mind it will vary from company to company for availability of these discounts.

1. Combination Discount: By combining your homeowners and auto under one insurance company, many companies will reward you with a discount on both policies!

2. Smoke-Free: No, this doesn't have to do with smoke alarms, although those are helpful for saving money as well. This discount is offered by companies to non-smokers, as they are less likely to start a fire in their household.

3. Safety Devices: On to the smoke alarms, security systems, deadbolt locks, and other devices! By protecting your home from the perils that your insurance covers, you are less likely to submit a claim, therefore earning a discount.

4. Longevity Discount: Some companies will offer a small discount for keeping your business with them for 3 or more years. This discount should be weighed carefully against any potential savings you may realize by switching to a different company with a cheaper rate.

5. Clean Record: Just like in a CT auto policy, your claim record is taken into account. If you are claim-free on your homeowners, many companies will give some type of discount.

CT Auto Insurance Discounts

For Connecticut auto insurance, many think they can only qualify for discounts if they have a perfect driving record. While many discounts do revolve around your record, others have more to do with the vehicle you are driving or safety precautions you have installed in your car.

1. Good Driver: Based off your driving record over the past 3-5 years, this discount rewards those with no tickets or accidents.

2. Good Student: Typically will require a report card or transcript proving a 3.0 GPA or better, this rewards drivers between the ages of 16-24 that are full-time students.

3. Anti-Theft: If your vehicle includes certain anti-theft devices, a small percentage will be taken off your comprehensive coverage (this is the coverage that would cover theft).

4. Defensive Driver: By taking a course through the DMV, you can receive a discount for up to the three years of your policy. However, this discount typically will have a minimum age requirement between 50-65 years to be able to take this course.

5. Multi-Vehicle Discount: By having two or more vehicles on the policy, you may be eligible for an automatic discount.

6. Alternative Fuel Discount: This is a new discount and only offered by a handful of companies. This discount is for hybrid cars or other alternative fuel vehicles. This can give you a discount of up to 10% of all coverage.

Find Connecticut Homeowners And Auto Insurance Discounts Today!

To find Connecticut homeowners and auto insurance discounts today, start by comparing many different companies and the discounts they offer side by side. Do your homework and you can be well on your way to finding the best Connecticut auto and home insurance!

Spend just a moment or two shopping around and see how much you can save. Get started comparing car and home insurance rates today!

Guiding Principles

2008-12-02T11:37:00.001-08:00

Helping employees get answers to their personal health benefits questions is a common responsibility for benefit administrators (BAs).

Many employees turn to their companys benefit administrator for assistance because they feel the BA is in a better position
to get accurate and timely information from the health insurance carrier. However, there are rules and restrictions that govern how BAs can obtain specific health information for employees.

In the past, BAs could simply ask the health insurance carrier a question related to the personal health of an employee and
the carrier could provide the answer directly to the BA. However, this has changed. In todays workplace, there are
rules and restrictions for obtaining health information on a specific employee. The federal and state governments have issued
strict guidelines with severe penalties concerning the misuse or unauthorized disclosure of an individuals protected health
information (PHI).

Therefore, it is important that companies and their designated benefits representative understand these rules and regulations
and how they pertain to sharing an employees PHI.

Getting permission

Benefit administrators can still help employees obtain answers to their personal health questions but they must now follow
the guidelines set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The HIPAA regulations,
effective April 14, 2003, impose specific policies and procedures governing the use and disclosure of an individuals protected health information.

In order to make an inquiry on an employees behalf, the BA must obtain written consent from the employee. The authorization form is usually specific to the health benefits company to which the inquiry is being made and must contain certain elements required under HIPAA, including the limitations of the authorization, effective and termination dates, and information regarding the individuals rights under the authorization.

Some health benefits companies will only accept an original consent form; others will accept a faxed copy.

Receiving a response

Once the appropriate form is received by the health benefits company, a response to the BAs inquiry can be released. The information that will be reported back to the BA will bethe minimum necessary the least amount of information necessary to answer the question, limited to the range of
permission.

For example, if the initial inquiry was regarding whether a claim had been processed for payment, the health benefits carrier would provide a response of no or a response of yes that would include the date of payment. Based on the scope and
wording of the question, what the claim
was for and the amount paid may not be disclosed.

If this additional information is needed, it must be addressed in the initial question and would have to be included in the range of permission that the employee granted. HIPAA guidelines are in place to protect each individuals personal health information. The federal and state governments are clear as to what can and cannot be shared without authorization and may
impose civil and monetary fines and penalties for noncompliance.

However, these regulations do not mean that BAs cannot help employees receive answers to their personal health questions.
Understanding HIPAA guidelines and your health benefit companys policies regarding authorization forms will
allow your BA to continue to help employees find out answers to important health benefit questions.

LINDA JONES has more than 16 years of experience in the health care industry. She has been with the company since 1994. As manager of account services, she is responsible for membership growth and retention of small and large employer groups. Reach her at http://www.vistahealthplan.com

Income Protection and Mortgage Payment Insurance

2008-12-01T11:44:00.001-08:00

Income protection and mortgage payment insurance are two both very valuable insurance policies that you are able to take out for a small premium each month if you choose to buy from a specialist in payment protection. Both policies ensure that if you should lose your income after suffering from an illness or an accident or if you become unemployed you would have something to fall back on.

Income protection and mortgage payment insurance can be found with an independent payment protection specialist who could provide you with a policy for mortgage cover that was 40% cheaper than you could get it for by adding it onto the cost of the mortgage when borrowing. High street lenders do offer cover but it is well known for the huge costs that it incurs on top of the mortgage. A standalone provider would offer a policy that would be based on the level of protection you wanted, your age with an aged based policy, and the amount you wished to protect each month.

You are able to choose from mortgage cover for accident, sickness and unemployment together, accident and sickness alone or unemployment alone. Your age is taken into account and this allows those who have taken on huge mortgages to be able to afford to protect their borrowings and the roof over their head. Protecting your mortgage repayments is essential as if not and you get into arrears there is a strong possibility that the lender could choose to take repossession of your home.

Income protection would allow you to be able to maintain all of your essential outgoings which also include your mortgage and any loan repayments that you have to make each month. You would also be able to keep up with all other bills needed to keep the home running and to keep you out of debt. You would not have to scrimp and scrape in order to be able to find the money needed to pay your outgoings or have to juggle what little money you did have around in order to be able to meet your bills. You would be able to concentrate on searching for work or of making a recovery and get back to earning a wage again and supporting the family.

Both income protection and mortgage payment insurance would pay out after you had been unable to work or was incapacitated for a certain length of time and it would also payout for a set period before expiring. Usually providers will set out that you have to wait until between 30 and 90 days before you are able to put in your claim. Policies will usually then provide you with your income which is tax-free for between 12 and 24 months. You would have to check to make sure that are eligible to claim before buying the protection as cover is not suitable for your needs. Exclusions can be found in all forms of payment protection and checking these is the only sure way of knowing whether or not you would have something to rely on if and when needed.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of income protection and mortgage payment insurance.

Finding a Bad Credit Car Loan

2008-12-01T09:21:00.001-08:00

Shopping for a new car or other vehicle can be stressful; shopping for a new car or other vehicle with bad credit can be a nightmare. Many people think that because they have poor or bad credit they won't be able to get the financing that they need to purchase the car that they want, though in many cases a bad credit car loan can be found if you simply know where to look. Before you give up on ever finding the bad credit car loan that you want, take a little bit of time to consider some of the following information; you might just find that the bad credit car loan that you thought was beyond your grasp is actually in your reach.

Car Loans and Collateral

When shopping for a car or other vehicle, there generally isn't any additional collateral needed because the car itself serves as collateral to secure the loan. This is true of a bad credit car loan just as it is of one for good credit... the higher value of automobiles works well to secure the loan. It is possible to secure the loan using other forms of collateral, such as home equity, though loans taken out in this manner generally are used to purchase more than just a single car or truck.

When shopping for a bad credit car loan, you should consider whether or not you would want to use an alternative collateral as security; though some forms of collateral might improve your chances of loan approval, the downside exists that if you fall behind on payments you might lose whatever the alternative collateral item was.

Taking the Time to Investigate Options

Just as there is no one solution that's right for your general lending needs, there isn't one particular source of a bad credit car loan that's going to be right for every person or even for every car. It's important that you take a little bit of time at the offset of your search to look into different banks, automotive financing companies, loan offices, and online lenders to make sure that you're going to get the best deal on your loan that you can get.

Request rate and term quotes from several different lenders, making sure that you've investigated many of your options both locally and online. It would be a shame to spend time looking for a loan, only to miss out on your best offer because you didn't feel like checking out a few more possibilities.

Comparing Loan Offers

After you've received several different bad credit car loan quotes, you should carefully review each one and compare it to the other quotes that you gathered. Ideally, you're looking for a loan quote that offers a low (or at least reasonable) interest rate along with flexible loan terms... after all, a good rate isn't any good to you if it's coupled with loan repayment terms that you aren't able to work with. If you don't see any quotes that seem overly appealing, don't be afraid to spend a little longer requesting quotes from other lenders in order to make sure that you've covered as many lending options as you can.

Choosing Your Car Loan

Once you've reviewed all of your bad credit car loan quotes, it's time to make a decision on which loan is best for you. Take your time, since you'll likely be repaying the loan for several years down the road. Find the best and most balanced loan from the offers you've received, and then follow through with your application.

Jerry Warner writes general finance and loan articles for the Bad Credit Loans Online website at http://www.badcreditloansonline.co.uk

How To Save More Money On Your New Car Loan

2008-12-01T06:58:00.001-08:00

Many people are looking for ways to save money today. However, sometimes people do not seem to think about how to save money when they buy a car. They place themselves at the mercy of the car salesman and hope to get a good deal. That, of course, is not the best way. Here are a few tips to help you get a good deal on a car and save some money, too.

1. Look Over Your Credit Report

Your credit report says a lot about you - probably even more than you might want. It informs the lender about the timing of your payments, your total indebtedness, how many times you applied for credit, and of course, your credit score. The lender will look at these numbers and assign you an interest rate and the amount you can borrow based on these numbers and other information.

Because it figures so highly into the calculation, you need to make sure that it is accurate. Mistakes readily occur on credit reports. By getting a copy of your report, you can look it over to determine if it is accurate - and up to date. If you must make corrections, wait at least six weeks before you apply for any loan to make sure the information has been changed.

2. Prepare For A Good Financial Situation

Your current level of indebtedness could also be a problem if there is either too much debt or too much credit. Too much debt means that you probably are not able to handle much more financially. This means you are a greater risk to the lender. It will raise your interest rates and lower the amount of cash you can get. Too much credit, on the other hand, which could refer to a number of credit cards with little or no credit on them, means that you still could max them out. This is also a problem, because if you should max them out, then you may not be able to pay back your loan. By reducing both, it could raise your credit score and put you into an ideal situation for a better car loan.

3. Get Several Quotes And Compare

Get several quotes online from different lenders for your car loan. This will enable you to find the best deal in terms of being more suited to your needs. You can get the loan with lower payments, lower interest rates, the time you want and more. You can choose. If you don't see exactly the terms you want, you can either apply to more lenders or try to negotiate with them.

4. Get A Preapproved Car Loan

Preapproved car loans will give you a better price and let you know exactly how much you can get. When a lender issues you a loan, they will send you a blank check and give you a credit limit. All you need to do is to find the car you want within that price range, and write the check out for that amount.

5. Buy A Used Car

You can save a lot of money by buying a used car. In fact, when you drive off the car lot with a new one, you just lost about $1,500 or more in depreciation. Let someone else bear it. You will get more car and less depreciation if you buy a used one with low mileage. You may also be able to get last years model straight off the dealer's car lot - but never sold.

6. Investigate Car Prices

Unless you look into the prices for a car you want, you have no idea what the car is worth. This means you could pay thousands more for it - and never know the difference. By knowing a car's value, however, you can negotiate for a better deal.

Joe Kenny writes for the Loans Store, for cars they are offering great cheap car loans, or Rebuild.org for cheap auto loans
Visit today: Car Loans from UK Loan Store

Car Payment Calculators - How to Understand Your Car Payment With Loan Calculators!

2008-12-01T04:29:00.001-08:00

The car payment calculator. Only bean counter and banking people use them right? Well if you have been sitting back in that lazy chair and dreaming about that new or used car you are contemplating buying, then listen up!

Like most of us out there you are not going to just write a big fat check and get that car. Most likely you are going to need an auto loan. It pays to remember that all loans are not created equal and can vary greater from one lender to the other. Not to mention the insurance you will need to pay for as well.

With the rapid rise in prices these days, most of us are on a budget and just being able to know for sure how much that shiny new car will cost us each month and how many months we will feel the pain can eliminate a lot of pressure when deciding how much car we can purchase.

This is where the car payment calculator is worth it's weight in gold! By adding all the little components of your future loan into it, it will immediately spit out all the information you will need to put together that next loan.

After punching in all your numbers you will know exactly which category of car you will be able to afford. Knowing this kind of information before applying for the loan can give you a major advantage over the lender.

One important thing you should do before getting to the calculator stage is get online and check out your credit report. Virtually all loan companies will use that information in determining your interest rate and length of loan they are willing to give you.

By sending in a quick request to the three major credit reporters you can obtain a free copy of your report from them once a year.

When you get the credit info you have requested you can then do a quick web search of the dealers in your town to see what kind of interest rates and down payment requirements they have in place. Quotes can vary widely depending on the dealer.

Once you have all the information you need just plug it into the car payment calculator and in mere seconds you will have all the data you need in determining you loan.

A few very useful websites out there not only have free auto payment calculators for you to use but also offer a variety of lender information as well. Some also have great advice on what you should consider when buying a new or used auto based on your credit and monthly income.

It's also worth mentioning that many of these websites also include the free services of the big three credit reporting agencies who then work in tandem with the auto lenders profiled on the site. They can put together packages to meet nearly every kind of credit situation.

Another major benefit you may find when using your calculator is auto insurance information which some site provide as well. It's easy to forget just how much insurance can add to your bottom line every month when making your payments.

Whether you have decided on a new car or used or even considering a lease option on a vehicle you have chosen, car payment calculators will help you immensely in finding the perfect loan you can afford while doing it accurately and extremely fast.

Before you just run out and buy that car you are dreaming about stop by http://www.mycarpaymentcalculator.com and do your home work! Also check out funding options for your new car. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Making Changes to Your Enrollment Roster

2008-12-01T02:01:00.001-08:00

Health insurance companies face increasing pressure to stay competitive in todays marketplace. Having a competitive stance goes beyond offering affordable health benefits packages it also involves having superior service, such as an efficient
billing and enrollment process, that provides a hassle-free experience for customers.

The majority of billing and enrollment tasks involved in administering your health benefits plan are the responsibility
of your health insurance carrier. However, understanding the role you or your companys benefits administrator plays in maintaining a current enrollment roster is integral to establishing a positive working relationship with your health insurance carrier.

Carefully reviewing your roster, making changes in a timely manner and understanding your carriers retroactive change policy will help ensure accurate billing and that your employees receive access to covered services.

Review your membership/enrollment roster.

Typically, your monthly health insurance invoice will include a membership or enrollment roster that indicates the current number of covered employees and their dependents. Review this roster carefully and communicate any discrepancies.

Notify your carrier of membership changes.

Throughout the year, it may become necessary to make changes to your companys enrollment roster you hired a new employee, an employee had a baby or someone left your company. Whether
you are adding or removing individuals, reporting these changes in a timely manner will help ensure that they are reflected
on your next monthly bill.

Understand the importance of effective dates.

When making a change to your companys membership roster, its important to clearly indicate the date the change should take effect. Furthermore, when adding an employee and/or a dependent,
inform your health benefits company prior to the effective date. This enables your carrier to complete the entire enrollment process and helps ensure that the new member has access to covered health care services by his or her effective date.

Understand retroactive additions and terminations.

Retroactive additions and terminations are membership changes that are communicated after the effective date. Most health benefit companies have restrictions on how long employers have to make a retroactive change and also have policies about the types of documents that must be submitted with the request.

The process of making enrollment changes varies from company to company the above tips should only serve as a guide. Be sure that you or the companys benefits administrator know your
health insurance carriers specific policies. Knowing the process and how to navigate the system will help both companies
yours and your health insurance carrier achieve the mutual goal of providing your employees with a positive and hassle-free health plan experience.

KRIS HAMMOCK is senior director of enrollment and billing for VISTA, a health benefits company headquartered in South Florida with more than 300,000 members. She spearheads the commercial enrollment and billing operations for the company. With 14 years of health insurance experience, Hammock has been involved in various aspects of the industry, including claims, customer service and utilization management. Reach her at http://www.vistahealthplan.com

Learning to Leverage Your Inner Resources Attracts Health, Wealth & Success

2008-11-14T14:22:00.001-08:00

Working mothers of America, multi-tasking anomalies of the male dominated financial world, it's time to unite and turn on your super powers. No more holding back, no more playing small. Forget your fear of being powerful. You couldn't possibly abuse your power more than anyone currently in a position to already is!

Today's lesson starts with a pop quiz; No worries---its multiple choice:

Suddenly you feel a second wind coming on, or perhaps even a third. Was it the extra espresso shot after lunch or are you just pumped about your latest idea? Never mind, no time to dawdle, you only have an extra 40 minutes before you have another commitment. Do you...

A. Clean the kitchen?

B. Hop on your recumbent bike and burn a few extra calories?

C. Run those 3 errands you haven't been able to get to?

D. Check your emails?

E. Emulating your type A friends you put the dishes in the dishwasher, check email while jamming in 12 minutes on the bike then running 1 or 2 of the errands on the way to pick up the kids?

Most working moms I know would go for E or at least some combo of the above. The problem is that the more you are in that mode of doing till you drop, the less effective you actually become. It would appear that there really is no choice in the matter but if a single thought can change history, which it has, then perhaps a little more info or a shift in perspective could alter the course of your destiny as well.

Women are the closest things to super heroes when we set our minds on something. We've just been too busy "spinning" to remember and recognize how powerfully creative we are when it comes to co-creating our lives. Part of the problem comes from programming that said take care of everyone and everything else first.

If in fact you had opted for 24 minutes on the exercise bike you would actually have more energy to do more. You would have provided some critical downtime for your brain. Downloading those looping thoughts from the left hemisphere of your brain creates space for new ideas to come through from the right hemisphere of your brain.

Accessing ideas rather than retrieving and repeating the way it's always been is the key to shifting your reality. Taking time to leverage what you've got, the inner resources that connect you to your internal guidance system is like having a personal GPS set for success. Success your way. Success defined by your ideal day.

So take time to relax, receive and replenish. Know that you are at your highest and best when you are flowing. When you are in touch with your creativity, radiating authentic vitality you will attract more of everything that you need.

Eliminate before you delegate; Delegate all that you can. Do only what only you can do, and that will still be enough!

Try this for a while and notice how as your own energy increases, more of what you've set your mind to will start showing up with a lot less effort. That's the power of leveraging. Investing in yourself will lead to freedom on every level including financial freedom.

Just like a single step doesn't create a path, a new thought here or there won't create the new mental maps that determine your expectations which in turn create your reality. That's why, at BarbaraZagata.com you'll find lots of resources, many of them FREE, to help you make wealth attraction a no-brainer!

Because when you feel inspired and hopeful, taking the steps that require more discipline or courage will seem like a natural progression of what you already know.

Please visit my site and while you are there be sure to sign up for my FREE inspirational newsletter, Pathway2Abundance. When you do, you'll receive an exclusive gift from me, my down-loadable Special Report: "THE 7 AFFIRMATIONS THAT TOOK ME FROM $10,000/YEAR TO $10,000/MONTH AND THE POWERFUL TECHNIQUES I USED TO SYNCHRONIZE THEM WITH MY BODY & MIND." http://www.Pathway2Abundance.com

Along with all the encouraging audio & video on my blog, this will make your path towards financial freedom fun, easy and totally do-able! Believe me, if I can, you can! I'll show you the way! Let's get started today...

A Serial Cheater - How Should She Handle It?

2008-11-14T12:47:00.001-08:00

Question: How do you handle a cheating husband or boyfriend?
Answer: You use principles that apply to every relationship situation.

Here's a recent letter from one of my readers (I'll change her name to "Sweetheart"):

Dear Mimi,

What do you do when your husband does not stop cheating? I left him for six months, and served him with divorce papers. He begged me not to divorce him. After some time of thinking how much I do love him, I came back. Then he was once again on the internet and staying out late at night, telling me that he is out with friends. I know the truth.

I am not going to leave the marriage again, and neither is he, but I want respect and my marriage back. There must be another way.

Please help.

--Sweetheart

Dear Sweetheart,

I probably should not advise you here, because only you can make the decision, and from what I read in your letter, it sounds like you plan to stay no matter what. About respect, a lot of it is what you will tolerate. People don't really want to get away with treating someone else badly. They don't feel good about themselves and they end up resenting the person who lets themself be treated badly. Life is short, and there are hundreds of men waiting for a woman to love. Not to mention the fact that it's pretty nice to live without a man in your life. Don't close off your options.

If you are 'determined' to stay with a cheater (something I think you should reconsider), then you might try treating him differently - I would not act victimized by the cheating. Act like you have your own world and are happy - and that you know he is cheating. He'll wonder why his outrageous actions don't bother you. That is a starting point.

Blessings to you, Sweetheart, and I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Mimi Tanner

Dear Mimi,

I am trying to live my life. I would like to know how I can work with what I have. According to the articles I have read by Cucan Pemo, it said not to confront the cheating husband or try to pull him away from the cheating. Actions speak louder than words.
Tell me if this is true.

--Sweetheart

Hi, Sweetheart,

I have to agree with that. If you try to pull him away from the cheating, then he will only go for it more. Human nature. That cheating will be old and cheap and trashy eventually and it has no soul and can't bring him any joy in the long run. So maybe one way to look at it is to let him be his own worst enemy there - until he finally realizes that it leads to nowhere.

I know some people can't be cured of cheating (serial cheaters). I'd say to work on one goal at a time for yourself and focus on yourself, not on him. The shift in your manner will be noticed by him.

One thing I have learned is to 'let others be.' Let him do what he is going to do. Do not try to stop it. He'll be wondering why there is no resistance from you - and that WILL work in your favor.

It's a big world out there - don't forget !

Take care,

Mimi

Dear Mimi,

Two of my friends said the same thing. I do notice when I am doing my own thing he notices. When my phone rings he asks who is on the phone. I have to go with what you said.

Thank you,

--Sweetheart

Readers: you see - it's absolutely true. When you take care of yourself - and stop focusing on what you can do to save him, help him, change him, cure him, or "make" him love you - you take on a completely different aura, and you throw the old ways of relating with him out of balance.

There is a book out there which I have not read yet, and I'm about to read it. When I do, I'll review it for you. It's been around for a while, and has held its own in the marketplace, so I'm assuming it's good: it's called "Men Made Easy." Review of it coming soon - that's a promise. The author, Kara Oh, recently revamped her website, and I like the new photos on it a lot. I emailed her recently and she's super nice!! Those photos of Kara and her hubby don't lie, so I think maybe her book works, hmmm? Well...I'll let you know.

The interesting thing about Kara is that she is now 57 (and still attractive), so she has the benefit of life experiences to back up what she is writing about. She also lists her phone number in Santa Barbara on her website, which is completely unheard of in the relationship business.

Her website is: Men Made Easy.

Here's what the author, Kara Oh, says:
"Whether you are single or married, been with him a long time or newly involved, having trouble or blissfully in love, Men Made Easy is your relationship survival guide, and your instruction manual for men, all rolled into one!"

Mimi Tanner reveals the secrets of flirting and getting the attention of your man. Her emails are read by thousands of women every day. Check out Secrets of Flirting With Men. You may reprint this article if this statement is included, with all links unchanged.

Human Resources Management Suggestion - Making Appreciations Powerful For Retaining Employees

2008-11-14T10:58:00.001-08:00

I walked over to a fellow football team member and said," Nice game, Waddell." Without a blink, a football helmet was thrust at my mouth, destroying my front tooth. I am guessing that he didn't appreciate my appreciation. Gratitude gone bad at only eight years old. More about the twist concerning this incident later in this article.

When is a simple thank you, not? When is a gracious appreciation or gratitude a manipulation? Scary to even think it, but I am sure that you may have felt it at times when you have received, or maybe given to another person a simple acknowledgment.

Maybe a boss says, "Nice Job," or you say to someone, "Nice Dress." Appreciation like these can leave the person with a sense of fear because they are not clear of the motives. Scary to even receive a simple "thank you" nowadays or that others may have felt the same from your gratitude.

Appreciation can easily be changed from fear producing, unclear words, to words that raise powerful self esteem and are energy builders. Yes, a clear recognition can develop a positive change in body chemistry and be an inexpensive energy booster. An easy way to retain happy employees and management.

A clear appreciation is only a few more words than an unclear one. Take for example, "Nice Job, David." David does not know what his boss is talking about or why he is saying this. David probably is wondering what his boss really wants. Not a feel good feeling from his bosses so called gratitude.

Let us say the boss has read this article and comes back to David with a clear appreciation. It might sound like this: " David, thank you for the finished project ahead of time. I was able to give it to my boss so he can complete his project. It filled my need for responsibility and peace of mind knowing that it is completed. I am really delighted with your work and I thank you for your efforts."

From this clear appreciation, David instantly knows what action his boss is talking about, what need is met, and how the boss is feeling. Far clearer than,"Nice job, David." Instead of wondering about his bosses words, David is probably more enthusiastic about his work and contribution from a few more words of clarity.

There are four parts to giving a clear appreciation.

1: The first is what has happened, let us call it observation, Try to make the observation as concrete as possible. Something you saw, felt, tasted, heard, or even smelled. Keep it as simple as possible.

2: What value is being met, Could be dependability, trust, support, etc.

3: What is the emotion caused from this experience. I enjoy using " I am grateful"

4: Sometimes you may want to ask a question at the end to hear how the gratitude was heard. Just in case it was heard as manipulation,

Let us try another with, "Nice Dress, Mary." Because of the unclear appreciation, Mary does not know what this person wants or is reacting too. Let us make it clear with the three steps.

(Observation) Mary, when I see that flowered red dress, it reminds me of my trip to Hawaii last month.

(Need) I value the memories it brings back and to remember a wonderful experience. (Feeling) I feel so happy thinking about my vacation again. Thank you so much for wearing your dress.

(Question for clarity to make sure that she heard this as a positive appreciation) I am wondering what you are thinking from what I just said?

Mary now has a clear picture why her dress was appreciated and is probably feeling happier than before the appreciation because she has contributed to another person's happiness. We all want to contribute to each other's life. It is a basic need we all have.

Let's get back to young Waddell at the football game. How would it look if I could go back in time and redo my unclear appreciation? I wouldn't give him any type of appreciation and I would have my pearly white tooth in my mouth. My appreciation to him of "Nice game, Waddell" was said in a sarcastic demeaning way because I was second string behind him and he really had a lousy game. An example of how a sarcastic appreciation may be detrimental to both people because I lost the tooth and his parents had to pay for it. Don't say anything unless it is true.

Our personal and business society is appreciation deprived because we hear the negative all day long. An easy way to change this attitude is by giving clear honest gratitude. Try it now by practicing on yourself, thinking of something you did to enhance your life or someone else's. What are you feeling and what need was met by doing the action. See if it raises your self-esteem and energy level. Then give a clear appreciation to someone else.

You can make a positive difference in your personal and professional world starting now. If you choose to make clear appreciations to yourself and others a daily exercise you will liven up your day, raise your self-esteem, and also make somebody else happy.

Personal communication skills is never an easy subject, yet Rick Goodfriend wants communication with others to be easier, more satisfying. He is founder of World Empathy Day where you can find many more tips on relationship communications and how to solve difficult challenges. More information is at http://walkyourtalk.org/indexCD1.htm or videos at http://www.youtube.com/rickiis Successful communication with anybody is possible with the proactive skills he teaches. Rick Goodfriend is also a co-creator and host of a television show on proactive communication and resides in Santa Barbara, California where he continues to surf, hike and practice his personal communication skills.

Bartlett Rentals

2008-11-14T08:55:00.001-08:00

A vacation to New Hampshires White Mountains is bound to be filled with not only plenty of skiing, but also a variety of other outdoor adventures such as snowshoeing, ice skating, snow tubing, and dog sledding. To surround yourself with all the beauty of this stunning mountain range and get the most out of your snow-covered vacation, make your way to Bartlett, New Hampshire and stay in a vacation rental that meets all your needs.

You can find a wide selection of Bartlett vacation rentals, ranging from condos to chalets to houses, that come stocked with a variety of amenities to make your trip as stress free as possible. With a washing machine, a hot tub, a fully functional fireplace, and all the privacy youve ever wanted on vacation at your fingertips, you can retreat to your rental after a long day on the slopes and cozy up to all the great things it has to offer. Snatch a warm blanket from off the sofa and curl up near the fire as you watch the snow grace the surrounding trees or catch up on the days happenings on your big screen television.

Depending on where you want to stay, accessing the ski lifts can be a short walk or a short drive away. You can find condo rentals that are located within the Attitash Mountain Village and are just steps away from all of the resorts chair lifts. For those who want to escape from the activity at night, a cozy mountain chalet that is nestled in a private wooded setting may be the answer to your lodging dilemma. And with the ski slopes a quick car ride away, you dont have to sacrifice access to all of Bartletts great daytime activities.

For those who want to enjoy the breathtaking scenery throughout their trip, a mountainside condo or home rental with spectacular views is exactly what you need for your winter getaway. Whether you want to awake to the sun rising over the mountains and the light reflecting off the pure snow, or you simply cannot live without a moonlit mountain view, there are numerous rentals to accommodate your needs. And with the mountains as your Bartlett backdrop, youll constantly feel the pull to explore the great outdoors and get the most excitement out of your vacation.

When you make your home base in a Bartlett vacation rental, you are not only making it easy to enjoy the amazing skiing Attitash Bear Peak offers but also the other great activities that surround the park. If you want to head out for a day of dog sledding, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing, everything you need to participate in you favorite winter adventure is easily accessible. Your car is parked in the garage so you dont need to worry about cleaning off the snow and if you chose to stay near the mountain resort, you can quickly and easily walk to your days adventure.

There are a wide variety of available Bartlett rentals to make your vacation in the White Mountains as memorable and relaxing as possible. You can choose from a variety of options such as proximity to the mountain and the number of bedrooms so everyone in your group can have not only a great time out in the snow but also in your accommodations. Forget about trips where your family has to cram into several small, sterile hotel rooms and learn how much more comfortable it is to stay in a spacious and luxurious vacation rental. Begin your search for the perfect Bartlett vacation rental today so you can hit the slopes this winter without a care or concern in the world.

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Bartlett vacation rentals for your next trip to New Hampshires White Mountains.

Keynote Speaker - Determining A Speaker's Worth

2008-11-14T06:44:00.001-08:00

There are many factors that come into play when it comes to determining a speakers worth in terms of the fees they charge to speak.

1. Who they are - do they have name recognition?

a. Do they have name recognition because they are an expert on a certain topic?

b. Do they have name recognition in a certain field or industry?

c. Do they have public name recognition or corporate name recognition?

2. How unique are they in terms of what they speak about?

Are they considered to be the number one expert on this topic or in this field?

3. How much in demand are they?

4. What kind of events they have spoken at before?

What size audiences and in what kind of venues?

5. Are they being asked for by name?

6. Evaluations from past speaking engagements - how are the evaluations from attendees coming back?

7. Client testimonials - are clients sending testimonials following speaking engagements and is the speaker being booked again by the hosting company or attendees?

8. Topics - are the speakers topics more general in nature?

a. Are the speakers topics more specific and well framed?b. Is the speaker using the platform as a marketing opportunity (to market themselves and their products)? c. Are they using the platform to deliver a presentation that is thought provoking and provides take away value?

9. Credentials can play a big part in what people are able to get for speaking.

10. The length of time involved how long will they be required to be on the platform? Will they be asked to attend any other functions (dinners, meet and greet etc)?

11. Location where is the meeting being held and how far does the speaker have to travel to get there.

12. Does the speaker have a book on the New York Times best- seller list?

a. Has the speaker had much media coverage? b. Have articles been written about them? c. Have they been interviewed for publications? d. Have they been quoted as the authority on a certain topic?

There is no simple answer to what fee a speaker can command or how that fee is determined. Generally the higher profile they have and the more in demand they become the higher their fee will be.

A desire to creatively express myself in the world is what drives me. A wish to provide a service that is of value to others is at the foundation of my business. Pursuits directly related to improving the quality of our lives on this planet are of keen interest to me. I have a background in the entertainment industry and came to the US to study at Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, from where I graduated in 1988. For more information please visit http://www.keynoteresource.com Ph: 1-800-420-4155

Who Is a Healer?

2008-11-14T04:32:00.001-08:00

As my bus stopped at a light, I noticed a man looking about from street sign to building to street sign in confusion. Stopping to help, a passer-by spent the time working to bridge a language gap and, finally, after a smiling breakthrough, was able to point the stranger in the right direction. My bus moved on.

It was the worst of all penalties. A flunked semester in math meant summer school math class for me. I find it taught by a pair of maniacs who love the subject so much, and have found so many interesting and fun ways to use it, my whole attitude toward the subject shifted, even though I never did anything with what I learned.

She was beautiful, blond and about six years old. When she came to me to share her most prized possession, I expected to find something at least as adorable. Scampering quickly to her room, she came out holding a hat protectively. She sat beside me and then, to my jump-out-of-my-chair disgust, pulled what my Brooklyn past could only identify as a sewer rat, inordinately long, patchily spiny-haired and fearfully ugly. She held it to her heart, loving it for all it was worth.

He was the first person I met when I moved by motorcycle to Santa Barbara. When he heard I was a paramedic, he walked me right over to the local Fire Station to introduce me to the Chief, who refused to come out. Later on, hed stand at the same corner almost every day for months. Holding Punch and Judy puppets in his hands, wearing a Jesters high hat with tassels and booties to match, he had a sandwich board on his chest and back reading, Puppets are people, too! He would wave at cars, and then give them the finger.

We were entrusted with the companys first, brand-new, modular ambulance the night before the Mayor was supposed to christen and dedicate it at a big deal official ceremony. A compartment door was left open. When we backed up too close to a wall, it ripped away, taking a chunk of the compartment with it. Our local tow-truck operators, who happened to handle our motor vehicle accident extrications on the side, spent the next 12 hours completely repairing and repainting until it was perfect again. No one ever knew.

She was our maid on Thursdays. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays she was some other white families maid. She was big and black and smelled like ammonia and I could run in to her full speed and shed wrap every bit of her flesh around my six year old body and hug me like I was all there was. Years later, I met some of the other children from families she did her work for. She was the only one that hugged them, too!

When I was 22 I was in jail in New Yorks Rikers Island. Another inmate pulled me aside and said, You know, a young man like you has a few ways to go here. You can get up in the morning and fight, and fight the rest of the day, too. You can go to one of the Big Men here, and let him know youll be his kid. Hell look out for you, but you-will-be-his-kid! The third is you can wait until five or six guys catch you in the laundry room. Then, youll be everyones trick. And the fourth way? I asked. There aint no fourth way! he replied.

He was an old man who I ended up taking back and forth from hospital to nursing home in my ambulance so often I could no longer avoid him. At first, it was all routine transfer -- business. With each trip he was one step closer to the grave. Still, hed bring forth a smile and a story about St. Petersburg, Russia, the Czar and, of all people, Rasputin who lived down the street from him when he was a child.

She had come to town to open a comedy club. She brought up established acts from L.A. and knew she needed to cultivate some local talent, too. Fearing that Open Mic nights would attract drunks telling dick-jokes, she started a Stand-up Comedy Class. I was in the first one. After about six months she pulled me aside and said, You know, at this point I have to admit I dont know how to teach you. Were not in synch. All I can do is give you a place to fail, ten minutes a week.

Russ Reina shares over 35 years of experience in the healing arts through his web site http:// mauihealingartist.com. It is a potent resource for those wishing to deepen their abilities in connection and develop their powers as healers. For a powerful free tool to explore your inner world, please check out his adjunct site http:// thestoryofthis.net

(Permission is granted to reprint this article, unedited, provided proper attribution is made and the signature line -- the above resource paragraph -- is kept intact)

True Wisdom Will Stand The Test Of Time

2008-11-12T08:12:00.001-08:00

Luke 7: 35

But wisdom is justified of all her children.

This is a passage where Jesus is talking to the Pharisees. They had rejected the fact that He was the Son of God, because they had their own expectations of a warrior king that would be sent to physically fight for their freedom from the Egyptians.

God had worked in that way before, and they expected him to do so again. Their thinking was so concrete on the subject that they would not be open to the new thing that God was doing for His people. They also did not want to give up their high positions of power and authority.

They first had a complaint that John the Baptist was a devil because he did not eat, act, and dress like everyone else. Then they tried to spread the rumor that Jesus was a glutton and winebibber because he tried to minister to the sinners who needed His salvation.

Jesus finally told them that wisdom can always be proven by the things that come from it in the future.

James 1: 5 says: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

The wisdom that a Christian receives and applies will stand the test of time. You must always take the revelation of the truth very seriously, though, to make totally sure that you have heard from God.

When you want something badly, it is very easy to justify your own fleshly feelings as pure truth. Your own opinion can sometimes be so strong that you can persuade yourself that the flesh is right.

When you ask for wisdom, you need to get rid of preconceived ideas of your own and be open to what God desires to reveal as His truth. You need to remember that you cannot see into the future, and you will never be able to see the big picture when you only look at things from your fleshly point of view.

When you always do things in the order that God has laid out, people will start to see that you are a person who has much discernment. They will know they can trust you because your wisdom has been justified and proven to be truth. God wants to bless a person like this because He knows He will be able to use them to do His work.

The Israelites were unable to see the great future that God had planned for them and their descendants. They wanted to do things the way they had always done them, because that was all they had known since Moses had taken them out of Egypt.

Do not leave yourself in a box and think that God only has to operate a certain way. He can choose anybody or anything that He desires to work on your behalf.

Ask Him for wisdom, and open your heart and mind to receive the wonderful truths He has for you.

Cathy Deaton is the author of Handbook for Victorious Christian Living, a book for the Christian who is truly seeking God and wants to live in victory in every area of their life. Please check out the site at http://handbook-victorious-christian-living.com She also has started a blog called Who God Is. God has truly done remarkable things in her life and she has found that He is a God of wonder and amazement, and wants to bless His children in more ways than they could ever imagine. Also please check out her other site at http://www.blueprint-victorious-christian-living.com

CAPAI: Christians Against Proselytizing Among Israel

2008-11-12T01:32:00.000-08:00

CAPAI -- Christians Against Proselytizing Among Israel -- is an organization headed by Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden. Is there an equivalent organization of Jews against Jewish proselytizing among Christians? I doubt it.

I am opposed to anybody - Jew, Israelite or Gentile - becoming a convert to the counterfeit Christianity of "traditional Churchianity." Such popular error misrepresents true Christianity with its Babylonian mystery religion dressed up in the drag of "Christianity."

True Christianity, as taught by Herbert W. Armstrong, merely announces the soon coming Kingdom of God to be established by King Messiah, Yeshua. We don't seek converts or believe it's our responsibility to "save" the world. If God wants to save the world, it will be saved. There's no contest between God and the devil, contrary to traditional myths.

I encourage Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden and others to call upon Jews not to be hypocrites against "Christian" proselytizing while remaining in a self-imposed exile, far away from the Jewish homeland, and having the chutzpah to preach against Jesus in such professing countries, as I've seen on too many forums. Mind you, these forums I refer to were not legitimate Jewish responses to efforts to convert them.

Jews Should Follow Judaism to Israel!

May faithful Jews not confuse ersatz New York with Eretz Yisrael. Israel needs American Jews and American Jews need Israel! Such a great influx of American Jews into Eretz Israel could help sweep away the suicidal peace process and restore Israel to its right mind.

A Jewish Homeland

Weren't the Jews prophesied to return to Israel? Are the Jews ethnic Jews or merely converts? How should Israel treat their resident Arabs? Why does the world focus on Jerusalem for all the wrong reasons?

David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. With a focus on the Middle East and Jerusalem, his analytical articles help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out the Beyond Babylon blog.

Homosexuality, Homophobia And The Christian Right

2008-11-11T22:13:00.001-08:00

Focus on the Family says that they do not promote hate but yet when I was there (at Focus on the Family), I watched a video saying that homosexuals were out to attack families and that homosexuals had an agenda to ruin them.

This to me is funny and very sad. Do you really think we are hatched or something? We also are human beings and have families. It is very sad for me, especially my family that the Christian Right tries to pass laws that do not allow gays any basic rights. Two examples would be basic domestic partner benefits and hospital visitation rights. Additionally, the Christian Right believes it to be okay to fire someone for having a homosexual orientation. This to me is crazy. How is that equality? The problem is that you are unable to look at a homosexual and see the person/individual. You refuse to see good, just a pathological sexual deviant.

The Christian right chooses to demonize homosexuality as if it is all bad. Sexual orientation is simply that, it is sexual orientation. It is whom we are attracted to sexually and emotionally. We see heterosexuals who abuse their sexual orientation with sex/drug/alcohol addictions and other problems just as homosexuals. But yet you do not pathologize heterosexuality. Additionally, it is preached that homosexuality is a sickness and these people are the cause of AIDS. In fact, most AIDS cases are from heterosexual relations. Also, AIDS is a worldwide problem that affects people from all over the world. The Christian Right argues we need to focus more on medical issues like heart disease than AIDS. I do not agree because most heart disease cases are found in the US and Europe mainly because of poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Examples include but are not limited to not getting enough exercise, smoking, high saturated fats, etc.

It is important to note that homosexuals can have healthy loving relationships as well. But you will not look at that. Instead, you turn to a scripture on Sodom and Gomorrah. I have read that scripture many times and it does not speak about homosexuality. That scripture is clearly about rape. It is about men that want to have sex with other men against their will. The scripture also does not lie about how women were viewed in the older Hebrew society, and how women at that time lived in a clearly sexist culture. Hence, Lot attempts to give these men his daughters for them to have sex. I never hear anyone ever say how insane that is. Let's cut to the chase here and say that rape is unacceptable whether it is homosexual or heterosexual. Again, the problem is that Christian Fundamentalists lump us all in one category. We are pathologized. The sad thing is that there is no awareness of that. Thus, this is why homosexuals are a marginalized population and continue to be marginalized.

I am an openly gay man. My sexual orientation is big part of my life but not everything. I have a partner, a family, a relationship with my parents, and relationship with my sister, brother in law and my nieces and nephews. I am close to all of them. However, I still have to worry about being called faggot on the streets and have had employers preconceive ideas (negative) about who I am because of my sexual orientation. Additionally, I have had my life threatened numerous times simply because someone thought I was gay. You see, my mother, who is Catholic woman, told me that she does not worry about me catching AIDS but rather she worries about me being gay bashed and murdered.

This is her biggest worry. So, where does this hatred come from? I believe that it comes from churches and authorities in higher institutions such as the government. For example, the military and their don't ask don't tell policy. Clearly, we know what this says about gays. This sets up a good/bad tier system regarding sexual orientation. Again, gay is bad. So I wonder, what is the evidence of that? According to the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Counseling Association, there is no supporting evidence that suggests a significant difference between how homosexuals and heterosexuals deal with life and their problems. Fundamentalists, such as Focus on the Family take a few examples and then lump gays into one category, which says we are ill and sick.

The Christian Right ignores or fails to recognize that heterosexuals do and have behaved in similar ways that they say homosexuals do. When a gay person does something wrong, Fundamentalists are quick to point out that we all do it, further perpetuating false, untrue beliefs about all homosexuals. This clearly makes it more difficult to exist in the world. Despite my loving family and the loving support I have from them, I still have to live in this world. I must work and I must go to the grocery stores and malls. I have been almost gay bashed three times after leaving a gay bar with friends at different times and different places in my life in this so called free country. So you really do not understand the power that you have as preachers or pastors? The unfortunate piece is that when you preach that homosexuality is evil, others take those views and believe it. They believe they should and have the authority to enforce them. They may be verbal slurs or even result in violence. I know you say you don't promote this but it happens and these people (your fellow Fundamentalist Christians) use the bible and religion to perpetuate hate by engaging in this verbal and physical violence.

That is how oppression is perpetuated and this is why gays are still a marginalized population. Christians do not have to worry about walking down the street with their husband or wife and get slurred or harassed based on being who they are. Men and women can hold hands together or kiss in public. I do not have that right; otherwise I could get gay bashed. It has happened to my partner and me where we have been threatened when walking home from a grocery store. So no I do not believe that heterosexuals or Christians are a minority. I do not think you clearly understand what it means to be oppressed or be lumped into a category. Gay people have lost their lives because of their sexual orientation and that is THE REALITY.

I believe what you might have been referring to is that you are experiencing an out lash from a group of people tired of being oppressed. I am sorry you have to deal with that but that is what happens when a wounded dog gets backed into a corner. We have seen that happen in other oppressed groups in the United States. Gays have been wounded by an oppressive society and thus we fight for our BASIC RIGHTS. We fight for ourselves, our partners and our families, so that we can live the life that heterosexuals already live. I have hope one day that my partner and I could hold hands and express affection in public.

I don't because it worries him. He does not know how to defend himself and so I do not want him to be harmed. I love him too much for that to happen. However, this does anger me because in my family, I was taught to express my emotions and affections. I learned to love in my family and was taught that you told the ones you care about how you feel. I also learned to express my affections in order to make my future partner feel special. I know you probably won't validate what I have said but it is true. We are human beings with emotions and feelings.

In fact, we are all more the same than different. Maybe one day you will really look at what it means to be Christian, to be Christ like. And as far as I know, Christ understood people, loved them, respected them and validated them. I believe these are the values we need to teach people. We need to look at people individually. We should not judge groups of people and lump them into categories. Thus, in my life and the way I live, I want to look at the individuals and not judge groups of people. I realized that if I lumped people into groups, I would not be able to like anyone on this planet. And in my opinion, there is too much beauty and love in certain people that I don't want to miss out. This includes everyone from all groups!

Barry Aneda is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Associate Counselor working with our GLBTQ community in the field of Addictions and HIV/AIDS.

For more information you can reach him at http://www.barryaneda.com To visit his virtual office, simply click the link titled Visit My Virtual Office.

How To Achieve Solace Amid Catastrophe

2008-11-11T14:19:00.000-08:00

As you look around you, perhaps you are one of the people who feel you have been slammed by the universe. Some may feel as I used to - God? What God? How could any god let this happen?

Your pleas and feelings are understandable, but they are not, however, the end of your journey. You will come to know how to achieve solace again, some measure of understanding to ease the torturous pain.

I have been there, too. When injustice felt like a perpetual life in purgatory every day. How did I come out of the shackles of the deepest despair? I wanted to know truth. I wanted to know "why" and I wrote a letter directly to God asking "Why?"

Much to my amazement, I received an answer that immediately lifted the pain. The crushing sorrow that I had come to call my daily existence was suddenly lifted. I received the higher perspective that took the place of how I was viewing the tragedy in my life.

I want this for you, too. If you are feeling shell shocked, as if your heart and soul have been blasted apart and ripped out of your chest, this is the best time to write a letter to whoever or whatever name you give to the must pure spiritual source in the universe - the source of that 'still small voice.' I call that God, and it is crucial that you get in touch with the highest spiritual truths that are behind desperate tragedy so you can come back to life and live again.

I know what it feels like to feel like a breathing corpse. I can promise you that all that is required for you to receive answers that will bring you solace is your deep desire to receive those answers.

Your request for knowledge and understanding must come from the deepest place in your heart.

Humanity cries for the loss of life, and yet what many have not fully integrated into daily knowledge is that when a person leaves this physical life, and crosses over to the other side, they are vibrantly ALIVE again!

If your loved on is on the other side, call out to him! Speak to her. Our loved ones can hear us, they actually visit us, even though we cannot physically see them because they are no longer in a physical body, but their soul, their essence, their consciousness and ALL of the love they feel for you is just as alive as you are right now.

From lifetime to lifetime we experience despair. We do not remember all we have undergone in our prior lifetimes. We do not remember learning so many lessons. This is the lifetime to bridge the gap between human catastrophe and spiritual truth.

Nothing happens in this universe that is void of energy. It is the loving energy in your heart that desires understanding that will receive exactly what you need, you just have to be willing to do so.

Receiving answers from God is far from any sort of special ability. You have been receiving answers throughout all of your life. The inner nudges that guide you to do this or that, to call or write, only for the other person to say, "I was just thinking about you!"

Our energy is felt by our loved ones no matter how near or far away they are. Whether they are on the opposite end of the earth or on the other side, our loved ones love for us remains eternal.

Take out a pen and paper and write Dear ____ (whatever name you give to God, Source, Holy Spirit) and ask from the depths of your heart what you need to know in order to feel your deepest grief lifted.

I have worked with clients whose children passed on. Understandably, they were barely alive themselves. Filled with pain that was torturous at best, they received answers, and they came back to life from the inside out.

If this process did not work, if it was not the time for you to experience this process, you would not be reading this right now. It is time for you to receive answers to your questions. Now, all you need to do is ask, and then listen within your mind to the words that flow into your mind, and write down every word verbatim. Censor nothing. Write down every word that flows into your mind. Then re-read what you wrote. When you ex. When you experience actually receiving answers that are simple, yet profoundly life enhancing, please share this process with anyone who is suffering that is open to this.

It is pure. You deserve answers. Humanity must transform from the current catastrophic perspective. Those whose children have just crossed over to the other side, their children are ALIVE on the other side. Please let this view or perspective into your consciousness, because it is truth.

We all have so much more in common as a human race than our differences lead us to believe. Our hearts share the same feelings. It is time for your heart to finally know inner peace. Ask the questions with a pure heart. Listen within for the words that flow into your mind. Write down every word, then see how you feel after you have received the higher perspective. I care deeply that you feel understanding, as that is the conscious foundation of inner peace.

Barbara Rose, Ph.D. is the best selling author of thirteen books including If God Hears Me, I Want an Answer!, Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being THE ONE, and Individual Power.

She is a world leading expert in personal transformation and spiritual awakening, and a pioneering force in incorporating Higher Self Communication, the nondenominational study and integration of humanity's God Nature into modern personal growth and spiritual evolution. Dr. Rose is known for providing life changing answers, quick practical coaching and deep spiritual wisdom to people worldwide as the Founder of International Institute of Higher Self Communication.

Her highly acclaimed work is widely published internationally transforming the lives of millions across the globe. Dr. Rose works in cooperation with some of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time to uplift the consciousness of humanity. Her website is http://www.BorntoInspire.com

Christian Consumer Credit Counseling - Better Than Other Credit Counseling Services?

2008-11-11T10:51:00.001-08:00

Credit counseling is becoming more and more popular these days. Many consumers find themselves in financial situations that are spiraling out of control. They want and need help, and so they turn to a Christian credit counseling service.

But which credit counseling service should you choose? Is it even the right choice? Here are some things to keep in mind when looking at a Christian consumer credit counseling service.

How Christian Consumer Credit Counseling Works

A Christian credit counseling service is a good choice when it comes to managing your debt load. They will help you list all of your income and expenses for developing a personal budget. Based on your financial situation they will help you create financial goals and an action plan to achieve the goals.

Through a debt management program a Christian debt counseling service will negotiate with your creditors for you and help you settle your debts for less than what is owed. They can get your interest rates lowered and late fees reduced. You will then give the credit counseling service a specified amount each month and they will distribute the money to your creditors.

Different Types of Christian Credit Counseling Services

There are many Christian credit counseling services from which to choose. There are nonprofit debt management and credit counseling agencies. But you can also find for-profit organizations that offer debt management services.

Chances are, if you are having financial difficulties, it would be difficult for you to pay someone for their help. Fortunately, there are many Christian credit counseling companies who offer their services for free or for a nominal set up charge. The reason they can offer their services at no charge is because your creditors pay them to help you manage your debt.

There are some legitimate credit counseling services who will charge you for their services. These may have counselors with special training or be able to offer something that the free services cannot. Before you choose one of these, be sure that you are truly getting a better deal.

Reason to Work with a Christian Credit Counselor

Many people of faith choose a Christian credit counseling service because it reflects their values. There are many Christian credit counseling services who will structure your plan to allow you to work tithing into your budget. They will also teach you how to avoid getting yourself back into the same situation you are in now.

The counseling portion of the program is just as important as the negotiating with your creditors. These companies will help you to establish a budget. This will allow you the freedom that comes with living within your means. The goal is for you to pay off your debts and then manage your finances in a responsible, Christ honoring way.

Using a Christian credit counseling service is a good move for consumers who want to take control of their debt. Choose a credit counseling service that is reputable, has reasonable rates and have your best interests at heart. Keep an open mind to all of that you will receive and they will get you on the path to financial freedom.

Get more Christian consumer credit counseling information to help you in choosing a Christian credit counseling service at http://www.DebtFirms.com. Plus, you can learn many great ways to reduce and get out of debt.

Running on Empty, Reaching For Abundant Life

2008-11-11T07:14:00.001-08:00

Running on empty far too long

Help me sweet Jesus get by!

Get beyond just getting by!

To live the true abundant life

Before I reach for pie in the sky

To bring heaven's blessings to earth

Before I think to weep, sob, and cry

Empower me to live again and fly

Higher than my perplexing circumstances

Overwhelming challenges and difficulties

Make me the man I ought to be to live fully

To arise above every adversity and uncertainty

To powerfully push through what I'm going through

To fearlessly and boldly do what I know I ought to do

To not apologize for living authentically and being me

To walk humbly, lovingly, and graciously among humanity

To work tirelessly, but take time to enjoy life joyously

To live with a childlike heart and continually uplift society

To take time to listen attentively and reply compassionately

To forgive, live, and allow people to evolve and also be

As they too mature, grow, and follow their personal passion

Let me be understanding and feel before thinking to take action

Help me to sensitively and intelligently plan ahead as I progress

Help me to never give any less than my absolute wholehearted best

Sustain me when at the end of the day I am weary and in need of rest

Give me wisdom when life and irritating people put my patience to the test

Uphold and embrace me when I feel lonely, confused, and utterly hopeless

Fill me to overflowing so I can rejoice and live without anxiety and stress

Come Lord Jesus and turn every minus into a plus full of divine essence.

Invite worldwide minister Paul F Davis and author to speak in your city!
RevivingNations@yahoo.com (or) gmail.com

If you liked what you read, check out Paul's new book "A New Earth - Connect with Your Creator & Experience Endless Awakenings" (a 200 page Christian response and perspective to Eckhart Tolle and Oprah's 'New Earth')

Paul's new book at http://paulfdavis.com/booksvideos.htm

Paul Davis is a highly sought after worldwide minister who moves in the miraculous to touch and transform humanity.

Paul has a unique ability to hear the voice of God, naturally bring forth the supernatural in a playful and heartfelt fashion, unlock and simply explain divine mysteries, impart life changing revelation, and usher in powerful manifestation bringing heaven to earth.

Paul is the author of several books including Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; God vs. Religion; United States of Arrogance; Poems that Propel the Planet; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery 101; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; and many more!

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

A Call To Adventure - Are You Ready To Make The Decision?

2008-11-11T04:48:00.001-08:00

The Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell, mythologist and thinker, describes the Heros Journey that we all embark on during our lives, the first aspect of which is the Call to Adventure. We spend years building a life that is safe and comfortable and secure, and at some point in time we develop a yearning, a desire, or sense that there is something more, something else.

It is a call to move into a different domain, to move onto the next stage. It often involves leaving behind that which is most comfortable and familiar, and stepping into the unknown. Many people have an imagination of how they would like their lives to be, and oftentimes it does not fit well with the reality they have constructed for themselves over the years. Being unpleasant to compare them, they get busy. They attend to the music of the busy outer world so that they dont have to listen to the inner music that was composed as the score for their future destiny.

But this call, this inner music, refuses to fade, and the call is repeated again and again in different forms. By the time an individual reaches the teen years, they have had a calling at least once. A mistake, a chance meeting, an overheard comment, may reveal an entry into another world, a world where an individual is exposed to something that is at once unknown and yet strangely familiar.

Refusing

There exists the choice of refusing to answer the call. And the number of reasons is as numerous as the number of those who have refused. Joseph Campbell points out that when this occurs, the adventure is turned into its negative form. The person becomes a victim to be saved, with boredom and hard work dominating. His flowering world degenerates into a wasteland of dry stones and any house built will be a house of death. All he does is create new problems for himself while he moves slowly towards his disintegration.

Paying attention

The calls become more and more urgent, if you will, over time. An excellent example of this is seen in the movie The Matrix. Here, Neo, the main character, is a computer whiz who also works as a hacker. He is searching for something although he is unsure of what that is. Initially someone begins to communicate with him through his computer and he responds. Then he is invited to go to a nightclub. Again easy to respond to. He is offered a meeting with someone who can give him what he wants. Again he agrees. In the car on the way to the meeting he is held at gunpoint and decides he wants out because it is getting to be too much. When he opens the door, one of the women says to him, You have been down that road. You know exactly where it ends. And I know that's not where you want to be

At this point he has to make a decision. Resume the life he has been leading, searching, unfulfilled, wanting or continue in the adventure and have the life he knows is really his. And eventually it gets to a life or death situation. He chooses to put his life on the line to save another.

Where are you?

And in a sense it becomes that for all of us. When you consider that life depends on death for its perpetuation, those things that die become nutrition for new life, Joseph Campbell suggests that the resolution of this paradox is one of the functions of the myths of the world. It is a useful way for humans to assimilate this knowledge and live with death. So to become who you really are, you have to stop being what you were. There is a death and rebirth, an ending of a particular way of being in order that you can begin to live life anew, to walk your unique and individual path so that you begin to make your dreams a reality.

If a man advances confidently in the direction of his dreams to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours

Henry David Thoreau

Are you ready to answer the call?

Are you willing to do what it takes to re-establish that connection between who you really are and your rightful place in the universe?

Be the hero in the journey of your own life. Learn the Ultimate Decision Making Process, your own. Because it means that who you are determines what you do and what you do strengthens who you are. Dr David McDermott walked away from a career as a plastic surgeon where he was helping people change on the outside. He now teaches profound personal change from the inside out, using the ultimate decision making model. Learn your own personal strategy for how to make a decision