Archive for June, 2009





Its a no brainier that college students need extra money. Going to class, taking notes and studying for tests is what you are spending the big bucks on but there is more to the college experience than these things. It will take extra money and being a wise spender to enjoy the things out of the classroom. Below are some suggestions that will give some ideas on how to have the funds to enjoy the college life and still have time for your studies.

If you have not thought about using the internet to make some extra money, it is time to start. The internet can provide the extra Ka Ching you need. You may not get rich as a student on the internet but you can always have money in you pocket. Who knows it may lead to great income down the road. I personally know a man who graduated from one of the finest universities in the U.S. and got rich on the internet in a area not related to his degree. There is little money or lots of money to be made in cyberspace. It is up to you and you alone.

You will need to sell something or help others sell something. You can do it by creating a simple website or websites and selling you own products and help others sell their products to affiliates programs and advertising programs such as Google adsense. Don’t buy adwords unless you have deep pockets and you probably don’t or you would not be reading this page. Ebay is a great way to pickup some quick cash. Find something to buy very cheap and sell it a reasonable price for the customer.

Some things will bring in way more than you expect, especially if it is vintage tee shirt of some band or star. Check out the good wills, yard sales, etc. They are still out there and owner does not know what they have. They just want it out of their house. When you find something like this and you will if you seek diligently, SHOUT because you are fixing to make some money. These finds are little treasures. It is not hard to get setup on ebay if you are not already. I just play around with it and sell 12 to 16 thousand dollars per year. It is not all profit but it is all money and the money left over feels good in my pocket.

Keep your eyes peeled for junk, curbside, awaiting trash pickup. When Ma tells Pa to clean out his junk from her house that is money in your pocket. Pa doesn’t care, he just wants Ma happy and Ma is not happy with junk in her house.

For more information on how to make money in college and college funding sources visit: http://mcdonoughinfo.com/



Ba Zi (or 4 Pillars) Fundamentals





Ba Zi literally means 8 character. The 8 characters refers to the 4 Heavenly Stems and 4 Earthly Branches of our birth time. The year, day, month and time of our birth can be converted using the Chinese Solar calendar into 4 Heavenly Stems and 4 Earthly Branches each.

Fundamentals of Ba Zi consist of:

• Yin and Yang (sometimes referred to as polarity)

• 5 elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth)

• 10 Heavenly Stems

• 12 Earthly Branches

• 24 Solar Periods

• 12 Qi phases

• 10 Gods

• Shen Sha (Deities & Gods or others termed Stars)

• Imagery

Ba Zi can be divided into 4 pillars (Year, Month, Day & Hour) and each pillar consist of 1 Heavenly Stem and 1 Earthly Branch. Traditionally the chart is written from right to left, starting with the Year Pillar on the right.
Further to the imagery part, this is a list of Heavenly Stem and their image.

Jia - Trees

Yi - Flowers; shrubs

Bing - Sun

Ding - Fire

Wu - Mountains, stones

Ji - Soil

Geng - Axe

Xin - Scissors/Jewellery

Ren - Sea

Gui - Clouds; dew

It is useful during analysis to link the image back to chart

The earthly branches and their corresponding zodiac sign (which laymen are more familiar with) as as below:

Zi/Rat

Chou/Ox

Yin/Tiger

Mao/Rabbit

Chen/Dragon

Si/Snake

Wu/Horse

Wei/Sheep

Shen/Monkey

You/Rooster

Xu/Dog

Hai/Pig

All the branches have some form of relationship or inclination among themselves. The commonly used combinations are:

3 Combinations (San He)

Shen+Zi+Chen (Monkey+Rat+Dragon) ==>Water Frame

Hai+Mao+Wei (Pig+Rabbit+Ram)==>Wood Frame

Yin+Wu+Xu (Tiger+Horse+Dog) ==>Fire Frame

Si+You+Chou (Snake+Rooster+Ox)==>Metal Frame

3 Union (San Hui)

Hai+Zi+Chou (Pig+Rat+Ox) ==>Winter / Water Frame

Yin+Mao+Chen (Tiger+Rabbit+Dragon)==>Spring / Wood Frame

Si+Wu+Wei (Snake+Horse+Ram)==>Summer / Fire Frame

Shen+You+Xu (Monkey+Rooster+Dog)==>Autumn / Metal Frame

6 Combinations (Liu He)

Zi+Chou (Rat+Ox)==>Earth Frame

Yin+Hai (Tiger+Pig)==>Wood Frame

Mao+Xu (Rabbit+Dog)==>Fire Frame

Chen+You (Dragon+Rooster)==>Metal Frame

Si+Shen (Snake+Monkey)==>Water Frame

Wu+Wei (Horse+Ram)==>Fire Frame

I am a Fengshui Practitioner in private practice and I specialise in Ba Zi, ZWDS, Flying Star Fengshui, I-Ching and other Chinese Metaphysics tools. My blog site is at: http://fengshuiforward.com and http://fengshuiforward.com/forum



Writer’s Block Begone





Back when I was in college, I belonged to one of those professional associations for the video industry. (I was a student member.) The monthly newsletter had a column called “Writer’s Block.” Although called Writer’s Block, no one ever wrote about this mysterious and debilitating condition. So, finally, one day I decided to tackle the subject.

I don’t remember much about the article except it seemed to be about eating chocolate, taking walks and not doing much writing (it was supposed to be tongue in cheek). I don’t think it turned out as successful as I had hoped.

Anyway, my point is this — while I still eat lots of chocolate and take lots of walks, I’ve also been forced to wrestle with that particular nightmare many a time. And in those wrestling matches, I’ve learned a few moves that might help you in your own struggles.

First, I’ve come to view writer’s block as a friend more than an enemy. Okay, maybe friend is too strong. An ally. (Okay, maybe he’s a really mean ally, but an ally all the same.)

Writer’s block isn’t about the writing. Writer’s block isn’t telling you you can’t write or you’ll never write again or you’ll never have another idea again. Writer’s block is telling you something else is wrong, and you need to deal with that something before you can get down to the business of writing.

Now, when I say writer’s block, what I’m talking about is the inability to write. You have no idea where to start, no idea where the project is going, or maybe you have no ideas at all. That’s true writer’s block, not to be confused with writer’s procrastination. Writer’s procrastination is when you know what you want to be writing (or should be writing) yet you’ve somehow lost the ability to sit in a chair and type. Oh, but you can still check e-mail. And surf the Web. And lots of other tasks that have nothing to do with the writing project you should be doing. But try and start that project — you’ll just fall right off that chair.

I’ve had more than my share of encounters with that particular fellow as well, and I’m planning to share tips on beating writer’s procrastination in future issues. (Trust me, you need to beat writer’s procrastination. He is the enemy and he’s evil.)

But writer’s block is different. Writer’s block says there’s a problem. Writer’s block says you haven’t researched this project enough or you haven’t thought this through enough or you’re missing crucial information. Maybe your approach is all wrong. Maybe you should be writing a Web site and not a brochure for your business. Maybe you’re trying to force a book-sized idea into an article-sized container and it just doesn’t fit.

If your ideas have suddenly dried up, maybe writer’s block is telling you to take it easy. You’ve been working too hard — you need to take time and recharge your creative batteries. Or maybe you haven’t dealt with some old hurt or anger and you need to take some time and deal with that block.

Writer’s block also might be telling you the project is all wrong for you. (Although be careful with the last one — writer’s procrastination is a wonderful mimic and he might be trying to slip something past you.)

When I’m stuck, the first thing I do is get away from the computer. I take a walk, jump in the shower (I get a lot of great ideas in the shower) or eat some chocolate. (Some things never change.) I think about the project. I review my notes. I analyze what I’m doing. And I ask myself questions. Do I have all the information I need? Should I do more research? Is my approach right? Have I thought this project through enough?

Sometimes I can spot the problem in a few minutes. Sometimes it takes a few days. But always, without fail, I’ve discovered writer’s block was right. There WAS a serious problem with the project. A fatal flaw in the foundation — a weakness in the structure. Eventually, it would have collapsed.

And by stepping in, your writer’s block stopped that from happening.

Creativity Exercises — Make friends with writer’s block

I realize this might be a scary exercise for some of you, especially if you’re in the throes of writer’s block (and I’ve been there — I know how terrifying it is) but that’s all the more reason to do this.

Now, when I say make friends with your writer’s block, I’m not talking about inviting it to move in and existing in a permanent blocked state. What I’m talking about is a way to put writer’s block in its rightful place — where it uses its talents to help and not harm you.

Take a few moments and thank your writer’s block. Thank it for all the times it blocked you. Tell it you know it was trying to help you and you appreciate it.

Whatever you do, DON’T fear your writer’s block. You give it too much power if you fear it. Power corrupts. You don’t want to corrupt your writer’s block, you want it to do its job — helping you craft the best writing pieces you can.

If you’re in the middle of a bad case of writer’s block, try asking your writer’s block what the problem is. Why won’t it let you start that project or what happened to your ideas? Do it as a journaling exercise or a meditation. You may be amazed at what it tells you.

Michele Pariza Wacek owns Creative Concepts and Copywriting, a writing, marketing and creativity agency. She offers two free e-newsletters that help subscribers combine their creativity with hard-hitting marketing and copywriting principles to become more successful at attracting new clients, selling products and services and boosting business. She can be reached at http://www.writingusa.com







The secret to making more money than you can stand is to provide solutions that people will always need. Don’t just focus on selling products or services - sell solutions and you’ll never be broke again for the rest of your life.

In over 7 years of research and testing I’ve discovered the two simple secrets to making more money than you can stand. If you’ll follow this simple road map you’ll experience more profits than you ever imagined possible. I only ask that after the money starts rolling in you write and tell me of your experience. That’s it! Now here are the two simple secrets. If you have a product or service and you want to convince someone to buy …

1. Highlight Time Savings!

Choose a product or service that saves people time. The reason we buy the latest cell phone, instant soup, or microwave oven is they save us time. Right?

Think about it, can you ever recall buying a product or service because it wasted your time? No way! Yes, most of the products and services we buy we purchased because it saved us time in some way.

Think back to the last three products or services you purchased and chances are you bought them because they saved you time directly or indirectly. For example, you bought that cheeseburger and fries instead of cooking it yourself because it saved you time. You bought groceries at the supermarket instead of taking the time to grow them yourself. And you buy clothes because it saves you time from having to sew them.

Yes, it’s hard to believe just a few generations ago most people grew their own food and made their own clothes. So, anything you can do to help your customers save time by using your product or service is sure to strike a positive cord in them.

Let me tell you a secret. This time-saving solution is so powerful I’ve bought an inferior product at a higher price. Why? Because at the time it would have cost me too much time to try to find another similar product. We’ve all been in that position, where you have so much to do - but so little time. Right?

Always be sure to stress a time-saving element to your customers. Because saving time is the one thing most people are willing to trade their money for. Why? Because there’s only so much of it available. 24 hours each day and no more. The product or service is only secondary to sales. When you think about it time-savings is what people are buying, directly or indirectly.

Yes, every time we spend our money we’re looking to save time. It takes most people time to earn their money, so the things we always see as a valuable trade-off for our money is anything that saves us time. Money and profits are attracted to people who help save people’s time.

2. Highlight Irritation Elimination!

Let’s face it, no one likes irritations. We avoid it, we delay it, and we even try to ignore anything that causes it. We’ll even pay thousands of dollars to people who will help us eliminate it from our lives.

A big part of making more money than you can stand is working to remove little irritations your customers have, through your product or service. What small irritation do your customers see or experience in your business, product, or service? Do you know? Do you care? Have you asked them lately?

A good practice is to secretly shop or do business with your competitors. Now please don’t drop your coffee on the floor or shout me down, hear me out first. Secretly shopping at your competitors can be one of the cheapest and most effective market research tools you can use.

While you’re shopping at your competitors you should be taking note of any little irritations you experience. The irritations you find in your competitors can be areas you can improve on or remove from your own business, product or service. Not all businesses can remove every irritation. Some just comes with the territory.

So, the next best idea is to give little extras to offset the irritations your customers must put up with. For example, magazines, television, soothing music, a snack machine, or kids play area can also help if your business requires customers to wait.

If you have to ship your product to your customer - give them something to download online while the product is on its way.

Conclusion

If you take the time to take action on these two simple principles you’ll find more ideas and solutions coming to you. You’ll discover in good times and in lean times these two principles will be in great demand from your customers.

The business or business person who pays attention to them will be the one customers will pay attention to as well. The businesses who ignore these two principles will find more customers ignoring them too. Which will you be?

Roy Primm has written hundreds of articles showing thousands how to make money in undiscovered niches. Discover more revealing secrets in free report at http://booklocker.com/books/1015.html







“Oh come on, Glen,” Thomas sounded excited. “Share with me more ways to improve psychic ability now, please.”

“Well…alright,” I replied.

I walked over to my shelf and picked up an amethyst.

“Here…..this is your energy source from Nature.”

“This?” Thomas stared at the purple stone with scepticism.

“Yes, this crystal is the one. Come, sit down and let me explain…”

If you read Part I of this article-how to improve your psychic ability, you will remember the intimate relationship between the third eye chakra (located between the eye brows) and your psychic ability.

Focus your attention and energy from the crystal on this chakra.

There is no crystal that measure up to this task more than amethyst.

Amethyst is an extremely powerful and protective stone with a high spiritual vibration. The pure vibrating energy of this purple stone sets you in tune with the spiritual energy of The Universe. This energy unlocks your gateway to the realms of clairvoyance and elevates your psychic power at the same time.

Also known as the ultimate psychic stimulator, this crystal is the perfect companion on your inner journey to the psychic realm.

To stimulate your third eye chakra, lie comfortably and place an amethyst thumb stone between your brows for about 20 minutes everyday. Let the pure vibrating energy of the amethyst invoke the divination in you.

Just remember to cleanse, charge and program the crystal after every session.

“Any other methods?” Thomas asked once more.

I nodded.

“In part three of the article, I will reveal how to improve your psychic ability using your body energy.”

“Part three? Oh, not again,” disgruntled Thomas.

Let Glen Lim gives you an exclusive report, The Secrets to Develop and Supercharge Your Psychic Ability-free!

In the report, he reveals proven techniques and strategies you can use to develop and strengthen your latent divine power, including a “push buttons” technique. You will be excited to know that all you need is 60 minutes to feel the differences. Claim your copy in the exclusive collection of http://www.crystalsbay.net

Glen Lim specializes in harnesses the energy of Nature, especially crystals and inner self to improve different aspect of life.

Join him at http://www.crystalsbay.net as he reveals the insider’s secrets to health, wealth, love, success and happiness using the powerful forces of Nature.







We have entered quite a unique time in humanity’s history.

The roller coaster ride of the stock market is enough to cause anyone stress and anxiety.
Compound that with the ever present threat of terrorism and war, the uncertainty of the United States’ presidential election and the collapse of the world’s financial markets and it’s easy to see why fear is running rampant right now.

Many Spiritualists say that all this earmarks the beginning of the Golden Age of humanity. This will be a time when peace and love is the norm and all of our thoughts and desires manifest with ease and joy. It will be as if each of us is living in our own personal, tranquil oasis with all that we need to thrive readily available.

I personally choose to believe in this upcoming Golden Age because it will be incredibly wonderful. But I’ve realized that I don’t have to wait for the Golden Age to fully arrive. I can create my own personal Golden Age through clarity and confidence in my ability as a Divine Creator.

Clarity activates the Law of Attraction in magnetizing people, situations and resources that are in alignment with your personal wishes and desires. Are you crystal clear and unwavering about what you want to experience or do you allow yourself to become distracted by the negative press and other’s fears?

Are you confident that you have the innate ability to be, do or have whatever you desire? Do you know for certain that it is your birthright?

During this unique time in history it is all too easy to feel and act from fear. One solution is to create an easily accessible environment where you feel safe and supported. In this environment you will know that you have access to all the resources that allow you to not only survive but to thrive.

This can be as simple as setting up a weekly scheduled time to talk with a friend or your coach and celebrate your wins. You can create a mini-oasis in part of you home with all the things that help you feel empowered and peaceful. Or you can listen to a guided meditation designed to connect you with your innate resources and help you to easily create clarity and confidence.

Do whatever you can to feel good as often as you can. When you feel good you are thriving and you actually help raise the vibration of the entire planet. This gives you the incredible opportunity to be a part of the solution rather than compounding the fear. Be the awesome, Divine creator that you know you are and help humanity take one step closer to the Golden Age.

Becky Kimes is a master energy worker and life coach who helps people expand into the possiblities of their lives. Visit http://www.thrivingonpurposenow.com/TOPNoasis.htm and receive her free guided meditation: Your Oasis Admist All the Chaos







There are few things more satisfying on a chilly winter’s day than a warming soup served in a chunky bowl. And what is it about drinking tea from delicate china that makes us sit up that little bit straighter? Every day we use tableware to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, but we rarely consider the huge effect it can have on our enjoyment of the food or drink we’re about to consume. Modern lifestyles have had an influence on the way we eat, and we’re much more casual diners than our grandparents or even our parents were. The slow but steady demise of the dining room has also played a major part in the way we serve our meals, with families and friends more likely to gather round the table in an open-plan kitchen than make time for a formal feast. ‘Social norms have relaxed so much,’ says Australian chef Bill Granger. ‘It’s ironic that in sophisticated urban environments, we’re dining more like French peasants did 300 years ago.’

Fashionable foods

Trends in tableware are influenced by fashionable foods and the way in which we eat them. ‘Restaurants and their menus have a huge bearing on what people buy,’ says Dik Delaney, head of design at Royal Doulton. ‘Often food lovers are keen to see how chefs use tableware before taking the ideas home and recreating them’. Gone are the days when ‘proper’ dining meant dusting off granny’s best china and serving up on a full dinner set. Now we’re more likely to take our cue from a local gastropub and enjoy hearty British recipes from rustic earthenware, or an Asian pick ‘n’ mix banquet from glossy lacquered bowls. Think of jewel-like nigiri or seaweed-wrapped California rolls served on a round dish - somehow not right? Graphic foods like these look best lined up in regimented rows on square plates. ‘They’re still the only appropriate shape on which to serve sushi,’ says chef Bill Granger.

Plain and simple

Tables of chic eateries everywhere have increased the popularity of simple white serving ware in our kitchens (think back - it really wasn’t so long ago that a matching set of patterned plates was everyone’s table staple at home). A favourite with the majority of chefs and restaurants, a plain white plate can provide a ‘frame’ for food, transforming even the most basic beans on toast into a culinary delight, while still proving the perfect foil for more adventurous dinner party dishes. As a result, chefs are increasingly being asked to collaborate with tableware companies when they’re developing new products - take Jamie Oliver’s collection for Royal Worcester and the new Gordon Ramsay range by Royal Doulton. For the latter, a design team visited the TV star’s restaurants to study how both chefs and customers used their plates. The resulting tableware is both glamorous and functional.

The new essentials

‘We don’t need complete dinner services any more,’ says Wedgwood design and creative consultant Francesca Amfitheatrof. ‘Attitudes have changed and we can be adventurous with a less formal mix-and-match approach.’ Instead, it’s all about customising your crockery, so compile your ultimate wish list before investing in some good-quality basics. Space and storage limitations make today’s kitchen essentials work harder and, as a result, you’re more likely to need flexible items and dishes that can double up. Don’t waste your funds on cups and saucers just because tradition dictates if you know you won’t use them. On the other hand, if you’re a coffee lover, proper espresso cups will be a good investment if they make your morning shot that much more enjoyable. Above all, it’s essential to think about your particular needs and cooking style when choosing crockery.

• Large dinner plates will give food room to breathe. According to John Lewis, the size of tableware has increased over the last few years, and many plates are now 30cm whereas the standard is 27cm. Also think about pieces that can work for starters, sides and desserts.

• The experts agree that multifunctional, medium-sized bowls are an essential. A favourite with foodies everywhere, they can be used to serve anything from soups and salads to pasta and puddings, with deep versions being ideal for casual eating when food is balanced on laps.

•’Go for some supersized serving dishes so that everyone can tuck in,’ suggests Thomasina Miers, Masterchef winner 2005 and author of Cook (Collins, £16.99). ‘Bountiful plates and bowls are becoming an absolute must for people cooking at home’. Choose porcelain serveware that can go straight from oven to tabletop.

Share and share alike

The popularity of foods from around the world means meals are far less likely to be brought ready-plated to the table, as in many countries the act of sharing with your fellow diners is integral to a meal. Instead large platters and bowls allow everyone to help themselves, a trend that translates well into contemporary social settings. ‘Sharing is key in Chinese and oriental cooking, so I usually make an array of small dishes that allow guests to sample a little of everything,’ says Ching-He Huang, author of China Modern (Kyle Cathie, £14.99). ‘It’s a lot less formal, especially when you have groups of friends that are new to each other.

Colour and texture

‘The classic white plate is the white T-shirt of the tabletop world,’ says Donna Hay, Livingetc’s contributing food editor. Donna suggests thinking of your tabletop in the same way you think of fashion. ‘Adding colour or texture is easy to do with dipping bowls, platters and other smaller items. Just as with fashion, these are those inexpensive accessory purchases that are easy to part with after the trend has passed’. Another way to introduce personality is by mixing basics with well-loved, vintage hand-me-downs or flea-market finds. ‘We’re definitely getting more eclectic,’ says Bill Granger. ‘I used to have cupboards full of white plates, but now colour and pattern are creeping back in. I have plates that don’t match for the first time in years.’ This works equally well in reverse if you’ve inherited a traditional dinner service, as by interspersing homely items, you can create a much friendlier atmosphere. Alternatively, Caroline Clifton-Mogg, author of China and Glass (Jacqui Small, £25), suggests going for different textures and tones of white to create a more varied look. ‘Buy dishes that include white in the design, but add one or two new colours or a motif in a different hue.’

Care and cleaning

• The majority of modern tableware is now dishwasher safe. New plates usually have glazing over the decoration, so the pattern will not fade.

• Older or hand-painted items won’t have a protective glaze, so will fade over time even through hand washing. You can tell if an item is not glazed by feeling for a slightly raised pattern. If in doubt, wash by hand.

• Check manufacturers’ instructions to see whether items are suitable for the microwave, oven or freezer. Any gilded pieces will not be safe in a microwave.

Expert essentials - what the pros can’t live without

• ‘Definitely big oval platters. They’re great for piling up food to look generous without being messy.’ - Bill Granger, chef and restaurateur.

• ‘A large pasta bowl that can be used for warming soups in the winter and creative salads in the summer - ideal for alfresco entertaining.’ -Stuart Cullen, Villeroy & Boch.

• ‘A large, wooden, beautiful salad bowl - mine is my grandmother’s, along with her beautiful salad spoon and fork.’ - Thomasina Miers, Masterchef winner 2005.

• ‘My lacquered wooden sushi trays and my oriental ceramic plates and bowls I bought from an oriental store in north London.’ - Ching-He Huang, author and presenter of Ching’s Kitchen.

You can find more information on dining room tableware and dining room ideas at house to home, helping you create a look you’ll love



Fast Cash Fast - Reality Or Fantasy?





What exactly is fast cash? Getting cash extremely quickly would be the best explanation. Is it really possible to get fast cash? It really depends on how much debt you really want or what lengths you are prepared to go to achieve some fast cash.

Be Wary of Cash Advances

Obviously, there are numerous Cash Advance places that will give you cash advance in a jiffy. Be prepared to pay significantly down the track to use these facilities. You want to be very careful if you are considering using these types of facilities. The interest charged on money owed can be significant and sometimes once you get into a rut of relying on these products you cannot get out easily.

What Are Some Better Ways to Get Fast Cash?

So what are some better ways to get some fast cash? You could work smart for it. Set up some passive income streams and let them work for you. Think this is too much work? Well really - it will be difficult to find fast cash without working either hard or smart. So the first step is to use your head.

Be on the Look Out for Opportunities

The best thing you can always do is be on the look out for opportunities. If you wander around with no interest about making some good quick money - then chances are you will miss the good opportunities that arise.

Take Action When You Spot a Good Opportunity

If you are constantly on the look out for good opportunities, then you will recognize a good opportunity and be able to take action quickly. An example of this is knowing how much certain items are worth. You could spot a bargain at a department store that is on special and sell it on eBay for a significant profit if you snap it up.

So having the background information in your head or the ability to find it quickly is an advantage.

Some ideas for Fast Cash

There are plenty of ways to make some fast cash. Really - the best way though and easiest way is to buy something cheap and sell it for a profit. If you keep a look out you will spot bargains.

You should factor other things into your cost price though like time you spent looking for an item or the cost of fuel in your car to pick it up.

If you are on the look out for more easy fast cash ideas then have a look here;

http://www.weekendeasycash.com/fastcash/FastCash.htm

If you want to make some fast cash from AdSense then have a look here;

http://www.fastcashsteps.com







Doubtful that you can make money from scratch?! Who says you can’t?!

Who says only internet marketing gurus and experts can make money online?!

No way… Even teenagers can earn cash online. It’s our generation… We own the freshest trends… Technology runs in our blood… So, why not dominate the internet?! I’m sure every one of us would want to earn some extra cash. So read on and learn! This article is mostly for teenagers. But hey?! Who said grown ups can benefit on this. If teens can make quick cash with these steps, what more can grown ups do?

Are you a teen getting really into being online? Well if you are, then perhaps you are starting to think of ways on how to get your hands on the cold hard cash. Here are 5 ways for teens to make money online easily, and doing the things you already love to do:

- Making MySpace or Friendster Layouts

Do you love MySpace or Friendster? Most teenagers love using new layouts everyday. Well if you are good with HTML/CSS then perhaps you can start making some layouts for your friends and charging a dollar or two to customize it to their liking. They can also just use profile editors to customize some layouts and then offer them on a small site which they can get for free and sell them there. Making money off of MySpace or Friendster is something easy, and if you would apply your talents and find out how, you will surely love this idea and will have online profits in no time.

- Finding Cute Graphics

Do you know a lot about computer graphics? Well if you do, then you can make money at home seriously just by finding these graphics online. Find 200 that you like, and then offer those graphics (giving credit to the creators/owners of course) on a small website for your friends to use. The way in which they can make money doing this is by adding a couple of ads around the page. These ads will bring in cash every month as long as there’s traffic on a daily basis. Your can even create your own ads, or sell ad space.

- Writing A Blog

Do you want to write and want people to know what you right? Well if you think I’m talking about you, then you should definitely get a free blog, fill it up with ads, sell ad space themselves, and tell them to start writing or adding anything they’d like to that. Make money blogging is very effective nowadays. Blogs are the craze right now, and if his/her friends will tell their friends about his/her blog, he/she is sure to start making the big bucks like that. Do you find awesome funny or entertaining videos on YouTube all the time? Then add those videos in your blogs to give it a more spice. Videos + Blogs = $$$.

- Pay To Post Site

Have you ever heard of Gather.com or MyLot.com? Do you know how to earn money on the web with these two? Well if you haven’t, then you should know that these two sites will pay their users to chat with cash or with gift cards to very popular stores. These sites are very credible and it’s very easy to join.

- Typing Service

Do you type more than 50 words per minute? If so, consider making some fliers and posting them around campus, and any college campuses near by. People are always looking for someone who can type fast when they’re in a hurry and need to finish typing essays or research papers for class. They can charge by the hour or per word, or per page. This is sure to bring in money, no matter what. Even businesses are looking for typists all the time. You can make money fast free with typing service, and the beauty of it, is that it’s very free. You don’t even need an internet connection for it.

Writer’s Haven

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Annual Feng Shui Cures For 2009





Writing this Annual Cures Newsletter each year has become a labor of love, growing out of my own desire to know what to do, how to do it, and how best to assist my students and clients. Each year I compare several reports provided by other practitioners around the world. Some are quite basic and others are wonderfully rich in history and in the metaphysical underpinnings that give meaning to why we do, what we do.

All master practitioners emphasize that first and foremost a home or office must have good feng shui. Just doing Annual Cures will do little to help if the home or office is a feng shui disaster.

There are a lot of variables to consider, primarily your innate constitution for handling health stressors, your karma with money that enable you to handle what could be financially challenging times, your relationship harmony based on how well you have resolved your relationship issues, and so forth. Good feng shui won’t make some one of low IQ a genius, but good feng shui will increase every student’s ability proportionate to their capability.

Predictions can be made to what will generally effect the populace at large, but what kind of a year you will have is unique to you and can be examined based on your birth information. This is something I have been doing for 35 years with Western Astrology. Others trained in Vedic Astrology, Four Pillars of Destiny, and other systems of analysis can also describe your future trends. As all systems are glimpses into the holographic whole, the guidance and insights should be similar in accordance to the skill of the reader.

When I do Future Forecasts, I think of it as similar to a Road Map indicating road conditions. If there is a ‘bumpy’ stretch ahead, it is best to slow down to avoid ‘bottoming out’ and putting a hole in our gas tank; or when conditions are favorable, we can put ‘petal to the metal’ and zoom effortless and undeterred along our merry way. The concept is: forewarned is forearmed - to go with the flow as co-creator of your destiny, instead of bouncing along totally unaware and out of control.

Solar and Lunar Calendars

Countries in the Orient use two calendars. The Lunar Calendar is used for ceremonial purposes and determining the Animal Sign of the year. It is this Lunar New Year which you are all familiar with from placemats at your favorite Chinese restaurant. This calendar begins on the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice, which this year falls on January 26 And then there is the Solar Calendar.

It is the Solar Calendar which is used in Xuan Kong (Time-Space) Feng Shui, commonly referred to as Flying Star (Fe Xing) Feng Shui, that determines the important feng shui adjustments that are needed as the earth’s magnetic field shifts at the beginning of each Spring.

The Chinese Solar New Year begins in the Orient on Feb. 3 or 4. It is this day that is considered the beginning of Spring as it is about mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

2009 - Year of the Yin Earth Cow
How Now, Brown Cow

Some call it the Year of the Ox, but technically, as this is a “yin” year, Cow is a more appropriate designation. Either way, the Ox or Cow is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. It is also the sign of the born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint. They engage all the trials of the whole world and seek solutions for them. These people are extremely intelligent, speak little and, when necessary, are articulate and eloquent.

Sound familiar? That’s right, Barack Obama is an Ox. He was born in 1961, the Year of the Metal Ox. As the second animal sign in the Chinese 12-sign system, Oxen are diligent, stoic, and hard working - an abundant harvest reflects one’s conscientious effort.

Of course not all Animal Signs are compatible with the Ox, especially those born in Goat, Dragon, and Dog years. Individuals born during these years are especially advised, and everyone in general, to wear an amulet featuring a Pi Yao charm on a necklace, key chain, or hanging from your rearview mirror. Though you can get specific Animal Sign charms for your particular year, a Pi Yao is the best way to go, as Pi Yaos are loyal and will sacrifice themselves to protect the well-being of their owner.

Xuan Kong Feng Shui - 2009
Annual Number 9

There are many approaches to feng shui. The first and most important is evaluation of the Landforms and Chi Flow to, through, and around a place. This, in fact, is the subject of my book, Choose the Best House for You: The Feng Shui Checklist.

Many of you are familiar with the Bagua as a method of ‘mapping’ the home or office by designating certain areas as being a focal point for Abundance, Relationship, Career, and so forth - what is often referred to as the Eight Aspirations. In this system we place various items that symbolize these aspirations.

A more traditional approach uses a compass to determine the magnetic field of a location as seen in cycles of 20-Year Periods. There are nine periods equalling 180 years. Since Feb. 5, 2004, we are now in Period 8.

Within each of these 20-Year Periods, each year is also governed by an energetic pattern referred to as the Annual Number. The Annual Number for 2009 is 9. The #9 determines how the other numbers, representing various Elemental types of energy, or Qi, ‘fly’ according to the energetic sequence described by the Lo Shu Magic Square (above). It is these numbers, representing the Five Elements - Wu Xing that determines which areas of the house may or may not be enjoying good fortune.

Maintaining Balance

Consider if you were to weigh something on a balance scale with one side being heavier than the other. You add a little counterbalance to one side or another and eventually bring the scale to equilibrium. Or like a shower faucet, if the water flow is too hot, add a little cold until it is just right.

Now comes the Annual Elementals with some bringing positive, and others bringing negative, influences. In some cases the balance is unaffected, and in some the balance is tilted radically askew. It is this need to maintain equilibrium that dictates which remedies to apply to rebalance the negative tilt, and which enhancers should be considered to maximize the auspicious potentials.

By analyzing where these energies fall, using the Creative, Reductive, or Controlling Cycles according to Five-Element Theory, we can neutralize the negative energies and enhance the positive ones. Below is a description of what to do.

NOTE: As feng shui was developed by the Chinese over thousands of year, many of the solutions have Asian themes. However, you may substitute other items that you feel will achieve the same results.

It should also be understood that as feng shui has traveled from China to many new locales, different practitioners have developed differing methodologies to achieve harmonious results. Having learned their methods in some isolation from other practitioners, some feng shui experts may sound authoritarian about ‘how it should be done.’

Consequently, we in the west have a wonderful opportunity to hear what all teachers have to say, and to choose what we experience as working best for us. Try to be flexible during your learning process, do what resonates with your sensibilities, and do not follow any one method blindly. Most important, observe the results and modify accordingly.

Empower Your Cures and Enhancements

I am sure many of you reading this are already quite evolved in your own spiritual cultivation and maturity, and are quite capable to bless and energize your cures and enhancements by either placing on your home alter, or by doing the Three Secret Reinforcements of mantra, mudra, and visualization.

You can also energize each item by holding the item in the palm of one hand with the palm of your dominant hand over the item. Tune in, recite a prayer or blessing to program the item to fulfill its purpose. Or, as they say, to Anchor your Intention. Wait until you feel the item enliven with the transference of Qi, then respectfully place the item in the appropriate location.

Cleanse or Dispose of Old Cures

Before the beginning of the Solar New Year on Feb. 4, cleanse all cures, such as Wu Lus (gourds), Pi Yaos (dragon-headed four-leggeds), Wind Chimes, and many of the money cures used the previous year. There are some practitioners who suggest all cures used the previous year should be disposed of, while others feel this is a bit extreme. Almost all practitioners agree, however, that it is best to completely dispose of Bagua Mirrors and Salt Water Cures (described below) as they are full of negative energy.

Some authorities suggest previous year cures should be cleansed by leaving them exposed to the Full Moon over night, others place them in direct sunlight for at least four hours. Some say you should sprinkle the previous year’s cures with Sea Salt and then rinse off. Clean according to your tradition.

Installing Cures

Once items are cleansed, they should be put in their new positions by Feb. 4. Some people put their cures into place before Feb. 4, but anytime during the year is better than not at all. Once cures are in place, it is said that it takes about a month for them to absorb any negative energy being generated by the negative numbers and to enjoy the benefits of the enhancements put into place to enhance the positive numbers.

But whatever you do, don’t worry if your bed, front door, or office are in those areas considered “afflicted” this year. By placing your feng shui cures and enhancements in the right Sectors, you will bring balance to your home or office, so you can continue to enjoy good health, great prosperity, and relationship harmony.

However, if after the Annual Cures are in place, you begin to experience difficulties regarding finances, health, relationships, or any other area of life, remove, readjust, or add additional cures according to the suggested placement, and then observe again. Flying Star cures for the house are done once. Annual Cures are for short term results and might need adjusting.

Note: Consulting with a professional feng shui practitioner may be beneficial to evaluate the outside Landforms and the Flying Star number combinations which were in effect when the home or business was built.

Work With Your Floor Plan and Use an Accurate Compass
As you read through the following recommendations, it may be easier to do so with an accurate floor plan of you home or office in front of you. You can divide the floor plan using the traditional 9-Box Grid method or the 8-Spoked Wheel method preferred by many Hong Kong masters. Whether using the Grid or Pie method, mark each sector with the appropriate compass direction, and then fill in the recommendations.

If you do not own a traditional lou pan (feng shui compass), any good compass will do that has ALL 360º clearly indicated. (Avoid compasses with degrees in 2º or 5º increments, or that just have the letters of the directions.

The illustration above uses the 8-Spoked Wheel method and is an example you might want to follow. This will assist you in making your shopping list. Then, when you gather your remedies, you will have a clear reminder as to where the cures and enhancers should be placed.

Note: Cures listed are suggested choices. Use one or more. If you use one with no apparent result, add another. Cures can be put in the appropriate compass direction of the house, and or in the corresponding corner of any room, especially in one’s office.

Feng Shui Cures and Enhancements for 2009
First, we will look at the inauspicious Stars which require cures to neutralize their potentially negative influences and which, if possible, you do not want to disturb with activity. If you can use another room, it is advised. If you need to use any of these areas, don’t worry! Just be sure to put the suggested cures into place and observe results, making appropriate adjustments as needed.

K’un - 2 Black Earth in the West
“Star of Illness”

The first difficult number (Element) that needs reducing is the 2 Black Earth which this year is found West sector of the house. The #2 makes this an area of potential illness (especially stomach ailments), and misfortune in 2009. So take extra care to neutralize the #2’s potentially malicious influence.

As with 5 Yellow mentioned next, it is best if you do not have to use this area of the home. If you do have to use this area, be sure to use the cures listed below to neutralize their negative influences. If you are among the few lucky ones with a bathroom, utility room, or lesser used room in the West, do not be concerned - no cure is needed.

Wu Wang - 5 Yellow Earth in North
“Star of Misfortune”

With Annual Star 9 in the Center this year, 5 Yellow (Wu Wang), considered malicious as it is not associated with a gender or trigram, will fly to the North. If possible, do not use any room in the North. As Fire feeds Earth, if you have a fireplace in the North, it is advisable to avoid using it during 2009. If there is a bed or desk in this sector of the home or room, consider if you can move the bed or desk to a better sector. Though a bathroom, utility room, or an infrequently used guest room in the North mitigates the 5 Yellow’s detrimental nature, placing cures are still recommended.

The following cures are recommended to protect prosperity, relationships and health: A 6-Tube Wind Chime is placed wherever the 5 Yellow is found, as ‘moving’ Metal reduces the negative effects of the 5 Yellow Earth. You can also place a brass Five Element Pagoda in this area filled with earth taken from near the home or office to lock the negative Earth energy up. Also place round objects.

Other additional cures also recommended for controlling the negative influences of both 5 Yellow Earth and 2 Black Earth are as follows:

Cures for 2 Black and 5 Yellow:

• In both the West and in the North, 6-Coins tied together with a red cord can be used to weaken #2 and #5 and to protect wealth, especially if this is the front door. A Solid Brass Ingot, Brass Dragons, or a metal statue of Kuan Kung, a Wealth God, can also be placed in either West or North to protect prosperity.
• If the #2 or #5 is in a bedroom, a small heavy Brass Wu Lu can also be placed next to the bed. The Wu Lu is nicknamed ‘the Giver of Life.’
• Many practitioners feel the Salt Water Cure is the most effective cure for #2 and #5. Some practitioners use an open bucket while others suggest a 12 to 16 oz. urn with a perforated covering. Which ever you choose, fill it 2/3 with rock salt and place 6 copper coins and a silver coin (optional) on top (real copper and silver, not alloys). Then fill the urn with water. If you use a cover, either gauze or plastic wrap, secure it with rubber band or twine, and then poke holes in the cover large enough to allow the urn or bucket to breathe, and yet not evaporate too rapidly. At the end of the year this cure, urn, salt, coins and water should be disposed of by placing the old materials in a sack and dumping them in the trash. New materials should always be obtained for the current year’s use. Remember, one Salt Water Cure in the West and North.
• If the front door is in either the East or North, a Bagua Mirror should be hung outside above the door to deflect the incoming Sha (killing) Qi. Other objects of metal, especially round in shape or metallic colors, should be placed inside near the front door. Oil the hinges and avoid slamming the door.
• As the Fire Element enhances Earth, avoid using bright lights, red colors, burning candles, or playing loud music. If there are already red colors in this area, you can leave them, but add more Metal images or objects to maintain balance.
• If you do have to work outside the home in either the West or North, hang a 6-Tube Wind Chime between that area and the house. If you are working on a larger area that includes the West or North, do not be concern as long as the West or North is not the focal point.
• Use Metal Singing Bowls or Tibetan Tingsha (cymbals) once in awhile to disperse the negative energy of the #2 and #5.

Zhen - 3 Jade Wood in the NE
“Star of Arguments”

Though the #3 is not a timely number, it is said to be usable in Period 8. Even so, it is still wise to be cautious as #3 is not inherently a fortunate energy and can bring short tempers, arguments, legal problems, divorce, and so forth. As with any negative influence, minimize use of this area and postpone remodeling.

Avoid metal wind chimes, metal ornaments, or placing any additional objects made of metal in this area as Metal “attacks” Wood. Avoid adding water or watery colors or symbols, as Water nourishes Wood. In fact, it is advisable to remove water features that may have been placed there in previous years.

It is best to reduced #3 Wood Element using the Fire Element. So burn candles, use bright lights, hang a lead-glass Crystal Sphere, place interior design accessories that are red, like Red Tassels, lamps with red lamp shades, a red piece of paper, or objects that are triangle shaped. A Red Kuan Yin, representing peace and compassion, or a Red Laughing (Ho Tai) Buddha can be used to transform the negative Qi of 3 Jade Wood.

You can also put your 12-Coin Ball tied with a Red Ribbon in the NE to guard against financial lost. If the NE is the direction of your front door, hang a new Bagua Mirror over the door to deflect any negative incoming energy. What makes the NE even more challenging, is that it is also the direction of Tai Sui.

Grand Duke Jupiter (Tai Sui) in NE

Unfortunately, the #7 shares the NE with Tai Sui, remember never to face the Grand Duke or disturb this area with remodeling, or even hammering a nail into a wall to hang a picture.

Avoid all out door digging. If you need to mow a lawn or do some construction that includes the NE, begin the project or activity to the left or right of the NE sector.

If your desk faces this direction, you may want to consider shifting it slightly to avoid the 15º occupied by the Grand Duke, which this year is 22.5º to 37.5º. Best of all is to sit with your back to the Grand Duke, and use this energy to support you in all your endeavors.

Do not put wind chimes, a fan, or any appliances that make noise in this sector this year, which can be difficult if this is your kitchen or TV viewing room. If that is the case, try to position yourself with the Grand Duke behind you and be sure to a Pi Yao (mythical animal with a dragon-head, horse body, with one or two horns, little wings, and hooves, or any fierce looking animal such as a rhinoceros) in the SW sector of the house or a room facing the NE for protection. Perhaps carry a Pi Yao Charm in your pocket, or some other Protection Amulet in accordance to your spiritual belief.

Some authorities recommend a pair of Pi Yao be used in order to adequately control Tai Sui. Whether one or two Pi Yao, plain or bejeweled, pay attention the first few weeks to see if they are truly protecting you, especially financially.

Dui - 7 Red Metal in East
“Star of Robbery”

The #7 is declining in influence and has now become a negative influence representing violence and robbery. And this year 7 Metal conflicts with Wood East.

If the 7 Star is in the kitchen, there needs to be caution against fires. So check smoke alarms and home fire extinguishers. If you have an office in the East consider moving it, or be extra careful to double check all legal agreements.

If the front door is in the East, be sure locks and security systems are working properly. You may want to put a new Bagua Mirror over the door. If your front door mat is red, you may want to replace it with one that is blue or other dark color. If you have a wind chime, it might be a good idea to remove it until Feb 4, 2010.

To avoid Metal 7 danger Do Not adding things made of Metal or Earth, as Earth nourishes the Metal energy of #7. Blue and dark colored accessories, along with a bowl of clean still water with six coins or “lucky bamboo” can be a calming influence to #7. Some people place a Blue Rhinoceros figurine in the area of #7.

Three Killings (San Sha) in the East

Unfortunately, this year the #7 Star shares the East with the Three Killings, which can add to this sector’s difficulties. However, the Three Killings should not be a problem if the proper remedies are put into place. Most of all, avoid sitting with your back to the East, and remember Do Not face the 15º of the Grand Duke in the NE (22.5º to 37.5º).

To protect yourself, place three Qi-Lin (Chinese Unicorns) or Pi Yao (often sold in pairs) facing East. To avoid financial lose Do Not begin construction or digging in this direction.

Next, we will look at this year’s fortunate Stars which you want to activate in order to tap their potentially positive influences.

K’an - 1 White Water in NW
“Star of Relationship”

This year the position of #1 Star is situated in the NW of the home. As the NW is related to Metal, Water Star 1 is nourished bringing opportunities for promotion and a boost for prosperity.

To hold onto the money that comes in some authorities recommend a Bejeweled Dragon-headed Tortoise. Actually, any money enhancers should do the job: such as the 12-Coin Ball with a red tassel, a Solid Brass Ingot, and anything else made of solid metal, such as a Seven-Tier Pagoda, or a Gold Arowana Fish figurine as the Metal nourishes Water.

As Water is the friend of 1 White Water, installing a Water Fountain or aquarium (moving water) in the NW sector will also boost prosperity and professional good fortune. Do Not, however, put a water feature with a water pump in the bedroom if the bedroom is in the NW of the house.

A Brass Wu Lou or other metal or round objects beside the bed will be beneficial. Blue dark colored, or heavily patterned interior design touches are encouraged to stimulate the Water Element. Avoid adding Fire Element colors or shapes.

Xun - 4 Green Wood in South
“Star of Intelligence, or Romance”

Wood 4 combines well with Fire South which brings new opportunities for career improvement or travel, if the front door of the house or an office is situated in this sector. Caution though, to feed the Wood and not the Fire.

Still water is an especially good way to attract prosperity, but the water must be kept clean water, whether in a vase with fresh flowers, or with four “lucky bamboo” in the bowl. An office in the South is especially auspicious for writers and other creative professions. If the #4 is in the bedroom use relationship images like Mandarin Ducks, which mate for life.

Do Not use water scenes in the bedroom, as some say this can lead to infidelity. If the #4 is in the bedroom, a wood Kuan Yin, Mandarin Ducks, or Dragon and Phoenix will add romance and stability to relationships.

Avoid adding objects that are white or metallic tone in color, made of metal, or are round or semi-circular in shape as Metal attacks Wood. Avoid the color red, triangle shapes, or burning candles as Fire reduces Wood. Either remove these items, or add additional dark, watery colors, and amorphous shapes to nourish 4 Green Wood whichever room in the house #4 is visiting.

Placing a Crystal Globe on a desk favors travel, a Seven-Tier Pagoda, an Abacus, and or a Calligraphy Pen Set is excellent to benefit academic achievement as well as the creative professions. A Gem Tree with Red Stones can also be used to harmonize 4 Wood with South Fire.

Qian - 6 White Metal in SW
“Star of Heaven”

The sector with #6 is usually considered to be excellent wealth and career success, especially this year as the SW Earth feeds the Metal Element of #6.

However, caution is also needed this year as the SW is also the location of Sui Po, the Year Breaker. Though you can strengthen the #6 with things made of metal such as a Dragon-headed Turtle with a coin in its mouth, metal Dragons, or other metallic wealth images, be careful not to activate the negative influences of Sui Po, the Year Breaker, by renovating, digging, or disturbing this area in any way.

You can also energize #6 with a lead-glass Crystal Sphere, or real Quartz Sphere or natural and unshaped. One or six Hollow Gold Ingots can be placed in the SW to enhance #6 (light weight, non-metallic, and gold color), or a non-metallic Gold Buddha.

Do not burn candles, and avoid adding anything with the color of red or that is triangular shaped, as the Fire Element destroys Metal.

If the SW is a bedroom, tone down #6 Metal with blue colored items, images of relationship harmony such as depictions of a Dragon and Phoenix

Gen - 8 White Earth in SE
“Star of Wealth”

The #8 is most fortunate as it is the Reigning Star for the next 15 years. This will bring great good fortune and career recognition, especially if your front door or office is located in this direction. If your front door is in the SE and you typically enter the house through a different door, place an energizer in this sector, such as a Water Fountain, kinetic sculpture, or chiming clock. And keep the entrance way clean and clutter free.

However, with #8 Earth in conflict with Wood SE, it is recommended to use more than one cure to insure financial well being and harmonious relationships such as a Wood Wu Lu tied with a red ribbon. As Fire makes Earth and triggers the good fortune in Star #8. Other items utilizing the red color can be used to burn up the Wood Element of the SE, while activating the #8 Earth, such as a Cinnabar Egg or a Red Laughing (Ho Tai) Buddha with hands over his head, holding an ingot, or sitting on a pile of ingots can all be used effectively. Coin Swords, 8-Coins on a red string with a tassel, and so forth will stimulate the 8 White Earth to bring financial good fortune. Use one or more.

Traditionally, a prosperity symbols like a red Wealth God, 3-Legged Toad or Dragon-headed Tortoise with a coin in its mouth is placed in the sector occupied by the Wealth Star 8, or placed in the SE end of an office. Using Eight Mansion Feng Shui, you can also place any prosperity symbol in the Sheng Ch’i direction of your Life Gua (see my Master Formula Study Guide #1).

Consider reposition your desk to a SE sector of the home or office and placing important financial documents in this sector, along with such wealth energizers as a real Quartz Crystal Sphere, Wealth Vase, Treasure Ship, or semi-precious stones, such as a Citrine Gem Tree.

However, the very best wealth energizer is activity. Open windows and let fresh air in. Most important of all, every time you walk through a door or room in this area, think: ka ching! If the SE is not a frequently used room, you can energize the SE sector of your office with something that moves, whether an aquarium, CD player, or an oscillating fan.

If your bedroom is in the SE, romance images such as a Dragon and Phoenix figurine, two Rose Quartz Hearts, or a pair of Mandarin Ducks will be beneficial for attracting a relationship and for maintaining relationship harmony.

Avoid using items made of metal (other than metal coins), as the Metal Element drains the Earth aspect of Wealth Star 8.

Li - 9 Purple Fire in the Center
“Star of Future Prosperity”

The 9 Purple Star is the “rising star” of Period 8 and represents the future prosperity and success of your business or career. It is also referred to as the Multiplying Star as it makes more of whatever it comes in contact with.

This year the Fire Element #9 is in harmony both with the Period Star 8 Earth and the double Earth of Yin Earth Ox, and will bring great good fortune to many homes and businesses.

The Center of the house is also a good area for study or for a bedroom. If a bedroom, placing a Wood Kuan Yin statue here will enhances relationship harmony. It is also recommended to place healthy green plants, fresh flowers, or any other symbols of yin-yang harmony to empower relationships, as Wood nourishes Fire.

For prosperity use red or purple objects such as an amethyst geod, nine amethyst crystals, or an Amethyst Gem Tree. A Scroll with Nine Fish, or nine dragons all strengthen #9’s good fortune while protecting it from negative Monthly Stars.

Avoid using items made of earth, square shape, or earth tones as the Earth Element weakens Fire and, possibly, the good luck of the Star of Future Prosperity.

Elliot jay Tanzer has provided astrological services since 1973. He is the author of Choose the Best House for You: The Feng Shui Checklist, Evaluating Astro*Carto*Graphy Maps: Finding the Best Places to Live & Travel - Your Step-by-Step Guide, and Exercises for the Spiritual Body - Meditation and Metaphysics and Their Practical Applications. He has been a featured speaker at many astrology, feng shui conferences, whole life expos, and metaphysical societies.

If you would like to learn how to do a Flying Star analysis, my Tutorial for Using the Master Formula Study Guides, along with my three laminated Study Guides, will explain each formula needed, and how to interpret the results.

Though the traditional 9-Box Grid is used my many feng shui practitioners, some Masters feel that as a compass determines direction as eight pieces of pie, it is more accurate to determining the position of Flying Star cures and enhancements using the Pie-Method. To make this easy to do, I have designed a perforated See-thru 8-Spoked Wheel Template for plotting the eight compass directions accurately onto any floor plan.

An illustrated version of this article can be download at: http://www.luckycat.com Many of the suggested cures and enhancements can also be purchased at this site.

For information about Astrology and Astro*Carto*Graphy Map Readings, Feng Shui consultations, mentoring, or to purchase books or feng shui products, call me at: (310) 281-6798, or at my Web site: http://www.Astrolog2009.com. All astrology and feng shui consultations whether in person, via Skype, or by phone are recorded.







This is the first article of a three-part series. I decided to try
something a little different and illustrate the marketing
challenges of a small business. I’m using one of my clients,
PrescottWeddings.com (you can read more about PWC,
including a testimonial from the owner of PWC, on my Web
site, http://www.writingusa.com)

PWC is an online resource guide for couples planning their
weddings. Along with a ton of information for brides and
grooms, the site includes a resource guide where local
businesses can advertise their products and services.

We launched PWC in November 2001. Like many start-up
businesses, PWC didn’t have much money for marketing.
Yet we had two major challenges (three counting the limited
budget):

1. PWC had to attract two kinds of target markets to the site
– advertisers and couples — essentially at the same time.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, we had to appeal to each
group even though one was dependent on the other —
advertisers wanted brides and grooms logging onto the
site, and brides and grooms wanted a complete resource
center.

2. Several bridal print publications had come and gone in
Prescott — and had burned their advertisers while racing out
of town. Businesses were understandably hesitant about
sinking their money into another bridal venture.

Armed with those challenges, we went to work. Now, just
over two years later, PWC enjoys well over 40,000 hits a
month and has increased its advertising base by over
600%. On top of that, PWC is well on its way to establishing
a reliable brand in not just Prescott but throughout Yavapai
County.

So how did we do it? A great Web site with great content (but
more on that in a later article) plus three main marketing
strategies:
1) Using print to drive traffic online
2) Thinking small
3) Frequency, frequency, frequency

I’ll cover number two and three in the next two articles. Today
we’ll talk about number one: Using print to drive traffic
online.

The cornerstone of PWC’s marketing program has been
print advertising, more specifically monthly advertising in the
local newspaper. Print advertising is an excellent choice for
many businesses — from small to large. In fact, it’s not
uncommon for small and medium-sized businesses to
build their advertising program around print.

The strength of print advertising is its flexibility. Print
publications come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They
can appeal to a broad readership or a narrow one. They can
be published every day or once a year. This variety gives you
a lot of flexibility in fitting print advertising into your
campaigns.

You can also track print to a certain extent (coupons in
newspapers for example). Print is physical, allowing your
customers to carry something around with them.

However, print’s weakness is also its strength. It’s a visual
medium only, so it requires more effort and interaction from
your audience to make an impact (they need to stop and
read it).

In the case of PWC, we chose monthly advertising in the
local paper as the foundation of our marketing program. We
decided upon the local newspaper because it has the
broadest reach. Prescott isn’t big enough to have its own
evening television news, so the newspaper is the best
vehicle for local news.

If you live in a big city, the local newspaper may not be
practical because of cost. In that case, you may want to try a
niche newspaper or magazine, like a business or lifestyle
journal, or maybe a regionalized newspaper. In Phoenix for
instance, the Arizona Republic is the main newspaper, but
all the cities around Phoenix, like Scottsdale and Tempe,
also have their own papers.

Because PWC is a Web site, there’s an assumption we
should be using only online methods to advertise. Online
methods are good, and PWC does use them, but they only
take you so far. Print is a part of the “real world” — something
you can touch and pick up, not virtual like a Web site. Print
has also been around a lot longer, and carries more trust
with it. We found by using print, some of that trust and “real
world” essence rubbed off, making PWC seem less
anonymous and more like a “bricks and mortar” business
(a business with a store front).

Also, since we were trying to drive local traffic to the site, it
made sense to advertise locally rather than attracting
people from all over the world. But even with our local
advertising, we still have a substantial number of visitors
from around the state, including Phoenix and Tucson, as
well as all over the globe.

The point of our marketing program was to advertise
regularly so we could both build the PWC brand and drive
traffic to the Web site. Yet it was essential to keep our costs
down. So we leveraged our monthly newspaper advertising
to stretch our marketing dollar as far as we could. More on
that and how we “thought small” in Part 2.

Michele Pariza Wacek owns Creative Concepts and Copywriting, a writing, marketing and creativity agency. She offers two free e-newsletters that help subscribers combine their creativity with hard-hitting marketing and copywriting principles to become more successful at attracting new clients, selling products and services and boosting business. She can be reached at http://www.writingusa.co m







The use of mini-sites has become the mainstream for most internet marketers. Some people claim mini-sites to be “trendy”, while others know they are here to stay.

Their use is not just a fad, mini-sites out perform every other type of website in the history of the internet as long as they are used wisely.

Here are 10 critical reasons why we see them in use everywhere we surf:

1) They can be created quickly! Any marketer will tell you, if you don’t know already, time is of the utmost importance when selling any product. The quicker a sales letter, order page, and product gets in front of buyers, the faster you make profits.

2) They can be generated easily! Why waste precious time and effort struggling to create a massive informational site to sell a product? Think about it. A person can have a mini-site up and running in a matter of a couple of hours. Wow, less frustration and stress to make solid profits! What a concept!

3) Mini-sites are cost effective! Everyone wants to save a buck these days, especially with the way our economy is going. The price of gasoline and oil alone is causing inflated rates for just about everything we buy.

Why pay the extra $300-a couple of thousand dollars to have a webmaster or designer create one for you when you can build your own free?

That’s right! There is free software on the net like Mozzila for instance that you can download and use to generate mini-sites.

FYI, in most cases you can generate a site and have it up and making profits, subscribers or driving traffic to one of your other sites, before a professional can place you on his or her schedule.

4) Mini-sites have a primary focus! They focus on one objective — usually to call a person to act — to subscribe to a newsletter, click an order button, or click a link on a site referring them to a product.

The more narrow the focus the less confused visitors will be. I know from experience and from hearing other marketers say, it is easier to keep the visitors attention and call them to act when we only give one choice at a time.

Remember, there is great wisdom in this statement when you generate any website.

5) You can test headlines and sub-headers faster! If the sites can be built quicker and easier, don’t you believe they can be tested faster to see what works and doesn’t work? It sounds like a big “cha-ching” to me!

6) Mini-sites can be tested for search engine optimization quickly too! You don’t have as many pages to go through— the fewer pages you create, the more time saved so you can do other things like write articles or create another site you can sell products or link to.

As long as your sales letter and so forth has good content, Meta tags, descriptions, and keywords your site can be optimize more efficiently and get better rankings.

7) You can generate many for different purposes! Mini-sites are so easy and quick to create that I use them as a means to make different streams of profits and lists over and over again.

Here is an example: I may have 2 or 3 for the sole purpose of gaining subscribers to different newsletters describing the use of the products I’m selling, while I have 5 or 6 others that promote affiliate products or my own.

I interlink them with each other and with other high-traffic sites making them more attractive to search engines.

If you are tired of wasting time, energy, or money on your websites and want to make profits or get subscribers faster, try spending a one time fee on a good program that shows you step-by-step how to set up and use mini-sites. It will be the best return investment you can make.

Look at it this way, it can be like having your own energized bunny where you can create, and create, and create some more to serve whatever purpose you have in mind and not spend another dime paying other people to do it for you.

© All rights reserved.

Article may be freely distributed in its entirety! Absolutely no selling or altering content including the links provided.

Attention ezine owners: You can pick up an already formatted copy of the article via email at minisitearticle@profitbyminisites.com.

Mary Murtha graduated with a BLS and M. Div degree majoring in biblical study, theology, and ethics. She also started her online business 6 years ago and just published a new “mini-site” that helps people start and succeed with their online business by using mini-sites. If you want to learn more about mini-sites, sign up for my newsletter and get a free mini-site report and 2 free marketing ebooks at this site: http://www.profitbyminisites.com



Mahjong Fun





Mahjong is a traditional Chinese game that involves skill, intelligence, and a little bit of luck. Mahjong means “the game of a hundred intelligences” in Chinese and it lives up to that meaning. It’s traditionally a gambling game and it has gone by many different names in the past. Ma Chiao, Mo Tsiah, Ma Cheuk, Ma Jong, Ma Chiang, Ma Chong, Man Chu, Mah Diao, Pung Chow, Mah Chong, Ching Chong, Mah Cheuk, Ma Chiang, Kong Chow, Mah Deuck, Lung Chan, Mah Lowe, Pe Ling, Baak Ling.

There are many different versions of the game, but it is generally played by Chinese, Japanese, and American styles. There are tournaments held all over the world. There is even a World Championship for the game.

Mahjong normally is played by 4 players, but you can play with 2-5 players. You can choose to play with mahjong cards or tiles, but tiles are commonly used. There are 136-152 tiles that are used when playing.

The point of the game is to make a set of four defined groups of tiles. The first player to complete the sets is the winner. All tiles have a value on them and that is how scoring is based. Many people enjoy the game of mahjong. You can also play it on your computer at home.

http://funandgamessite.com is a fun and games information portal founded by Jakob Culver.

To find out more information about this topic and more visit the website:

http://funandgamessite.com







A reading is a great way to not only discover things about you, but to acknowledge what you already know and perhaps haven’t put into words. I have had many readings in my lifetime, and I always take something valuable from the experience. What better way to spend your time and energy than getting to know yourself!

  • Astrology Reading: I have had astrology readings and have had charts created for me, and they are always fascinating. The wonder of astrology these days is that there is so much in the Western and Chinese varieties: natal, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, relationship, compatibility, love, career, pets, etc. And each of these readings can assist us. Recognizing oneself in the signs, planets, houses and aspects is a great feeling. For example, one thing about me is that I avoid housework at all costs. When my natal astrology chart was done, it said that I have almost no earth and “have trouble with everyday tasks.” While this information hasn’t made cleaning any less difficult, it has helped me to understand myself and feel better about this part of my personality. What a gift!
  • Face Reading: Several years ago, one of my friends read my face. She not only examined and measured different aspects of my face, but my head. These bumps, spaces, curves and other unique parts have meaning! Face Reading encompasses the reading of expressions and physiognomy, the determination of a person’s traits by aspects of their face and its structure. My friend had studied personology, which was developed by a judge, and she had been a successful jury selector. Long story short, I experienced a very cool reading that taught me things that other readings hadn’t, like the fact that my rounded forehead was an indication of original thought and creativity. At the time, I was a graphics designer, which fit this trait perfectly.
  • Numerology Reading: Numerology is a wonderful science that I’ve read about and I’ve also received personalized numerology reports, which were very detailed and interesting. One number that is determined in these readings is the Life Path number, which is based on the date of birth and is much like the external energy of a person’s life. The energy of the person and who they are within these external happenings is indicated by the full name at birth. Forecasts can also be made from the numbers, and from the relationship between those numbers and the current date and name. My personal experience was that reading the prepared reports was eye-opening and complex in a good way, like I would be able to continue reading the reports and gain new insight each time.
  • Psychic Reading: I have more personal experience and education regarding psychic readings than with any other type. My numerous readings have been varied, most in person and some by phone, and include aura, past life, couple, family, rose, music, female, chakra and others. Some psychic readings have simply been asking a question of one or more readers and getting answers. Others have been focused on a particular aspect of me, such as being female. In the female readings I’ve received, the reader clairvoyantly looked at me as a spirit at that moment, and how much I wanted children, how much I owned my body, the lies I’ve been programmed with about being female, past lives when I was female and so on. More than once I discovered that the way I had been feeling, a strange something I just couldn’t shake off, was not even my energy! And many times the reader was trained in psychic healing as well, and could help me let go of the energy and begin assisting me with the accompanying issue. The female and other type psychic readings I’ve received have given so much validation to me and my journey as a spiritual being. I highly recommend them.
  • Tarot Reading: There was one point in my life when I got many tarot readings. Now I usually get the ones using three cards, but then I went to a reader who did the larger spreads. I believe she used the Rider-Waite deck, but there are many decks to choose from. These readings were always encouraging and invigorating, filled with possibilities of what I could create in my life, and I enjoyed them. I have used the Inner Child deck for myself, which is fun. I believe that with tarot, as in all readings, it is interpretation that counts.

Those are the types of readings I am familiar with and know are available. There are, of course, other forms of divination such as the I Ching and Runes. Many people think that a reading all comes down to the reader, but we as “readees” are not without responsibility. Still, that’s for another article. Human beings know when they need some assistance and guidance, and I believe that getting a reading is one of the most helpful and enlightening experiences we can have. And let’s not forget the fact that they’re entertaining!


For astrology information and forecasts, or to receive a psychic reading, check out http://www.astrology-and-you.com







A recent article published in The Chronicle of Higher Education about teaching meditation in college has created a great deal of buzz. Several media folks contacted me for my opinion, and they were surprised by my response.

I am sure there are plenty of meditation teachers who are grinning on their cushions at the notion of meditation being offered at universities for academic college credit.

Not me. I think it is a misguided idea–and I’d like to suggest a much better one.

It’s not that I don’t wholeheartedly believe that meditation is a powerful way to reduce stress, increase concentration, and develop greater awareness and compassion. It’s not that I don’t agree that college students could benefit from meditation–especially during those stressful finals weeks.

But making meditation an academic college course perpetuates a dangerous notion: that meditation is for highly intelligent, educated people only. ANYONE can benefit from meditation, and the more elite we make it appear, the more people will assume that they are somehow not the “right kind of person” to meditate.

Is a college professor the “right kind of person” to teach meditation? While there are certainly those who have studied meditation personally and professionally, they are not necessarily the ones who can teach it as a valuable wellness tool instead of a Religion or Philosophy course.

As much as I believe in the power of meditation, I’m not sure that paying $4000 (the going rate for one class at a private university in the U.S.) for a one-semester academic course in sitting-and-breathing is an appropriate addition to the curriculum.

Credit for sitting and breathing. Cha-ching! The universities find a new income stream.

Sure, I’m biased. After all, I have four teenage daughters, two of whom are taking college classes, so I tend to be rather mindful of the bang-for-buck quotient.

I’m also wary of turning the practice of nonjudgmental awareness into yet another adult task to be evaluated, another achievement to enable us to get ahead in a competitive world. Judging one’s ability to be nonjudgmental seems counterproductive.

The alternative–offering pass/fail grades only–is equally problematic. A pass/fail class that consists of mostly sitting and breathing would be a shoo-in for the no-brainer credit award. We don’t need to create more elitism around meditation, but neither do we want it to become the leading bonehead course on campus.

I believe meditation should be offered on every college campus–but make it an activity credit, like yoga or tai chi, instead of an academic credit. Or better yet, offer it at no charge in every student union building as a helpful skill for stress reduction.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, widely regarded as the maestro of meditation-as-medicine, has developed an outstanding program–Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction–which is being taught in communities all over North America. We need much more of that–in workplaces, clinics, hospitals, fitness clubs, retirement communities, HeadStart programs and drug rehabilitation centers.

Yes, we need to bring meditation to the masses. But the most critical element is this: we must open the world of mindfulness to include activities OTHER than meditation.

Those who are most dedicated to the practice and promotion of meditation tend to be Buddhists, whether they are teaching in a temple or a prestigious university. The irony is that if those who are most committed to creating a peaceful world could release their attachment to meditation, they would be far more likely to spread the message of mindfulness to the masses.

It’s time to bring meditation down—WAY down.

In fact, we’d do well to shift gears entirely. Instead of focusing on teaching meditation in college, we should jump into playing with mindfulness in kindergarten.

We know that there are certain skills that are learned more quickly and easily by young children than adults–music, foreign languages, sharing–and I propose that mindfulness is one of them.

After all, five-year-olds are much more likely to stay fully present–that’s what kids DO! And we want them to view it as an awe-inspiring way to see the world around them with greater awareness and wonder.

Kindergarteners learn by playing, so there’s no need to force any particular sitting position or limit oneself to traditional props. In fact, if five-year-olds were encouraged to play with the idea of paying attention, I guarantee that they would be far more creative about it than any 18-year-old.

We don’t need gongs in the kindergarten classroom–a kazoo would work just as well. We don’t need to incorporate cushions, esoteric language, or religion of any kind.

What we do need are creative teachers who recognize the value of having students who are able to focus calmly in order to play well with others, listen, and learn.

Step away from the idea of meditation as an academic area of study, and jump into the notion that playing with preschoolers is a far more effective and enjoyable way to make mindfulness a lifelong practice.

Maya Talisman Frost has taught thousands of people how to pay attention. Her playful, powerful eyes-wide-open approach to mindfulness has been featured in over 100 publications around the world. She has been meditating for 30 years. To read her free special report, “The Dirty Little Secret About Meditation” visit her website at http://www.Real-WorldMindfulness.com



Martial Arts Schools and the Lion Dance





Where there is a Chinese community, there will be a lion dance at official events such as parades, weddings, grand openings. The uninitiated may think it strange to have a noisy lion dance as part of the entertainment. Actually there is more to it than mere entertainment. Traditionally a lion dance troupe is invited to bring in good luck at an auspicious event.

From the standpoint of the martial arts school, putting up a lion dance promises good income for the school. Moreover, it is an opportunity for the school to showcase its top trainees. The next time you watch a lion dance live or on TV, savour each move and leap. Take in the heart-thumping drumbeats and clanging cymbals as well.

Normally, two ‘lions’ are present in each performance, although more or just one may participate. The lion costume consists of a lion’s head made of colourful papers over a bamboo frame. Some bits of furry materials enhances its look. It has a mouth that opens and closes, eyes that blink, and ears that wiggle. A multi-coloured silk cloth seven to ten feet long forms the body or tail.

Animating the creature is the job of two males-one manipulates the head and the other the body. The fancy footwork, arm thrusts, changes in height and speed, all shows the lion in different moods: happy, angry, sad, contented, cautious, excited, curious, and tentative.

The lion moves in sync to deafening beats from one single large drum. Gongs and cymbals accompany in supporting roles. When the lion’s head is raised, fast music is played. The lion moves to the beat and stops when the music stops. Key movements, such as those leading up to stunts require music with special significance. These beats have ritualistic meaning for attracting good luck and dispelling evil.

The lion dance at Chinese New Year always includes a head of lettuce with a red packet (envelop) for luck tied to it. The lettuce is planted several feet high from an upper floor window for the head dancer to pluck. This part of the dance is called Choi Ching, which literally means “pick the greens”. To reach a high hanging choi ching, the dancer stack on the shoulder of another.

The lettuce represents a medicine that had once saved a village from a deadly plague. This is why the lion spits out or returns the lettuce instead of swallowing it. Inside the small red packet is a gift for the martial arts school. It ranges from a few hundred dollars to thousands from big corporations.

Lion dancing is the ultimate workout for martial arts students. It strengthens the body, improves rhythm and invokes creativity. The dance (literally means ‘manipulation’) requires strong stances and powerful waist movements to animate the lion. Traditionally, lion dance is a way for martial arts schools to show off their pugilistic skills in a competitive but non-combative manner. Good teams excite the crowd and attract new students sign ups.

So the next time you watch a lion dance, think of it as an invitation to join the martial arts school.

For information on martial arts skills, visit my blog at http://horsestance.blogspot.com



Maximising One’s Potentials





“I am talented, so are you!” - many of us may have come across such or similar slogans of Motivational Speaker or their Learning Technologies Companies. We often get inundated with such TV commercials or media advertisements extolling the wonders of how motivational speakers can inspire one to reach new heights in one’s personal achievements. Motivational theories come in many forms, the most widely marketed of which would be one that encompasses Neuro-Linguistic Programming (or better known as “NLP”) studies. NLP essentially is an advancement in psychotherapy which essentially studies behavioral suppositions of the subconscious human minds and leverages on such behavioral inclinations to motivate one to achieve new heights. Judging by the quantum of revenue this industry has been churning out regularly, it is safe to say there are many consumers who are sufficiently convinced about the efficacies of motivational theories and practices. I have to say I take my hats off to these motivational speakers for their ability to make motivational teaching such a commercial success.

It is not surprising that motivational theory workshops have such a strong appeal to the men in the street. Motivational practices actually pander to the human need to feel they are in control of their own achievements. It is emotionally appealing for each individual to think that they can better their own outcomes even though there is no guarantee on the betterment of outcomes. In essence, when the buying process becomes an emotive one, logic gets thrown out of the window and the likelihood of the commercial success of the product in question becomes higher.

Lest I be mistaken for being an opponent of motivational theories and practices, let me confess that I do believe in the efficacy of motivational theories and practices. This is the result of my experience of being an amateur sportsman and avid sports fan which allows me to come across many situations of mental conditioning or mental strength proving to be the difference between winners and losers. As a result, I definitely subscribe to the idea that professional motivation can bring out the improved performances in many fields including sports.

While mental conditioning can be achieved through NLP or motivational theory practices, I am sorry to disappoint many motivational theory believers to share that mental strength is mostly a gift of nature rather than a product of nurture. That is to say, while practicing motivational theories can help one to better his outcome somewhat, it is not expected to improve his results overwhelmingly if he does not possess certain types of inborn talents.

One of the most important yet underrated strategies in life is to maximize what one already possesses. A lot of people attempt to chase after what they do not have; hoping that motivational theory practices can extend their potential significantly. What they fail to realize that motivational theory practices are subjected to the same laws of finiteness that humans beings of this universe are subjected to. That is to say, while adopting motivational theory practices or NLP may allow one to extend his potential somewhat, the saturation point of one’s potential is near. Continuous practice of motivational theory or NLP will not yield marked improvement in one’s potential or outcome beyond the saturation point.

How then, can we best tap on the potentials of NLP and motivational theories and practices? I believe we should prioritize identifying our own potentials first before embarking on the journey of stretching our own potentials with the tools of NLP and motivational theories. In my next article, I will touch on the tools for effective identification of our own potentials.

I am a Fengshui Practitioner in private practice and I specialise in Ba Zi, ZWDS, Flying Star Fengshui, I-Ching and other Chinese Metaphysics tools. My blog site is at: http://fengshuiforward.com and http://fengshuiforward.com/forum







Trading Reliability, Simplicity and Effectiveness For Skimmer Profits

Tom Barthel’s article, “Pulling the Envelope,” in the May 2007 issue of Water Garden News, has got me going. In it he said, “Technological innovations for skimmers and filter-fall products have leveled off recently. On the rise, instead, are units that use creative features and meet the customer’s need for low maintenance, durable products sold at competitive prices.”

He is confirming the truth about what I have been preaching for over ten years. The true reason that sales of liner skimmers and fall-filters have leveled off is because their poor performance is coming back to “bite” the skimmer scammers in the bottom line! These skimmers are designed for making profits, not filtering ponds.

The so-called pond experts operate like the pharmaceutical industry. They advise consumers on the so-called benefits of the very products they produce and sell, in this case skimmers. Drug companies sell products which generally mask the actual symptoms of a disease and in the process mess up the body’s balance even more. This creates yet a new need for another drug to mask yet another symptom.

If the skimmer’s engineering and design is not effective in providing the proper filtration of water, it will not only require regular cleaning, but will demand another “drug” or band-aid. Hence, yet another innovation sweeps the planet, and this engineering marvel is designed to solve yet another water garden ailment. Some of the “drugs” used to treat ineffective filters are what I call the “flim-flam filter falls,” the “bio-balls filter falls,” the “ooh-la-la cha-ching cha-ching filter falls”.

These are some of the sales pitches you might hear from the purveyors of miracle potions for your ailing water garden: “Oh you poor thing, your pond is turning green, your water has body odor. ( the fish are exhibiting an evolutional behavior, by trying to leave the water and live on land.) Here, we just happen to have something for those two symptom. It’s called ‘Green Be Gone’, only $32 a pint and we recommend you buy a gallon. Then, add three bottles of our ‘fish safe’ (we’re not sure about the turtles) and plant-safe, ‘Stink Be Gone.’ So that your fish will go back in the water where they belong, we recommend our very own private label, ‘Home Sweet Home pH Up.’ And if that does not work, for another $39 per pint, try our ‘Home Sweet Home pH Down.’

Oh, and I have some bad news for you. My technician just got back from your house call and discovered that your leaky pond is from a big fat rat that chewed a hole in it. Sorry, our warranty does not cover that, only factory defects.”

This is why the liner pond experts recommend covering the bottom of your pond and the catch basin of your pondless waterfall with rocks. It is to give you added surface area for the nitrifying bacteria to grow which is not provided by the cheaply produced, expensive to buy, state-of-the-art, Berkeley-designed, MIT-engineered, Rubber Maid approved, maintenance-laden, grotesque profit-making, scum-sucking skimmers and fall-flushing plastic wonder devices!

I don’t claim to be political, but I do claim to be correct. Why? Because “a man with experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument.” After building more than 1,900 concrete ponds and waterfalls over 26 years with no cracks or leaks, my experience speaks for itself. I have always wondered why I have no competition in the area of professional concrete ponds and waterfalls. The answer is simple: everyone is using liners. Why? Because they are cheaper? No! It’s because the liner industry has spent millions in advertising that they are cheaper.

They never mention all the negative aspects of liner construction, such as rodents, tree roots, sharp objects, the weight of the rocks, etc., that can puncture holes and cause leaks. Let’s compare the cost differences in construction and long-term maintenance of both concrete and liner ponds.

Let’s look at the facts, rather than water garden hype, liner industry tent revival terminology, and biased opinions from the liner messiah’s disciples, the tinker-toy skimmer and filter salesmen. To be fair with my comparison, I’m not going to use the pond liner “messiah’ Aquasacape as my example, even though everyone knows they are truly the “Microsoft” of the liner industry.

I’m going to use someone who claims to be the best in the industry. Proof of this fact is that he suggests you google “Pondless” and you will find him at the top of the first page. He also states’ “My skimmers, filters and pumps are the best in the entire water garden industry.” His statements are now in the public domain since they can be found on his website.

So let’s use Russell Water Gardens for our comparisons between two ponds: one built with a rubber liner and the other constructed professionally with concrete, rebar and highly efficient, quality equipment.

I. Pond 12’ x 14’ x 4.5’ deep (no rocks)

Russell Water Garden’s equipment and materials pricing:

1. 25’ x 27’ liner (required for a pond 12’ x 14’ x 4.5’) $675

2. 25’ x 27’ underlayment material $675

3. Hydro Centrimax HC-050 4,500 gph, 6.5 amp,

2 yr. warranty (Russell’s own pump) $650

4. Hydroclean “Piper” skimmer (Russell’s own) $560

5. Dolphin Hydro Vortex filter (Russell’s own) $830

6. 100 ft. 2” flex PVC pipe $260

7. 80-watt UV light $764

8. 10 20-watt underwater lights $600

TOTAL (with everything still in the box) $ 5,014

II. Professional Concrete Pond

Pricing of materials available to contractors and/or homeowners, including labor:

1. 5 yards concrete (3500-7000 psi) with stealth fiber $525

2. 426 sq. ft. rebar (8-10” on center @ $2 per sq. ft.

including materials & labor $852

3. Concrete pumper – 5 yards (ranges from $175-200) $200

4. Concrete labor (3 men @ $35/hr. x 3 hrs) $225

5. 3 bags Thoroseal plus labor $150

6. Sequence pump (#5800SEQ23 w/leaf basket;

5800 gph, 3.1 amps, 3 yr. warranty) $423

7. Aqua Ultraviolet Ultima II 4000 filter $855

8. 100 ft. of 2” flex PVC piping $143

9. Emperor Aquatics 80-watt UV light with wiper $629

10. Skimmer (professional concrete/gunite pond,

with low water valve waterway Renegade) $ 87

11. 10 20-watt underwater lights – Alpine $240

TOTAL cost of Material and Labor (project completed) $ 4,329

So far, I have shown a difference between the costs of two types of ponds, except for the important fact that labor is not included in the first example and it is included in the second. Now for some information on construction methods and pumps.

1. Construction Method

Liner: These manufacturers only provide warranty against factory defect, not from heavy sharp rocks, gnawing mice, rats, ground squirrels, gophers, chipmunks, groundhogs, tree roots, sharp objects, animal claws such as raccoons, dogs, etc. Concrete (3500 – 7000 psi rebar with stealth fiber): When constructed professionally, concrete ponds and waterfalls can carry a lifetime warranty, something that no liner can do.

2. Pumps:

Most liner ponds use sump pumps, which use 50 to 60% more energy than a high-efficiency centrifugal pump, and which carry an inferior warranty. In the previous comparison, the Sequence pump costs 35% less than Russell’s, and it pumps 25% more water per hour for 1/3 less the energy and with 1/3 longer warranty than Russell’s pump. In six years, if you had to replace Russell’s pump every two years (the length of the warranty), the cost of the pumps plus electricity would be: $1,950 (3 pumps) + $4,853 (energy cost using it 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week for 6 years) = $6,803. On the other hand, with the Sequence 5800SEQ23 pump, there is a 3-year warranty; over 6 years the pump cost would be $846 (2 pumps) + $2,314 (energy cost @ 24 hrs./day, 7 days a week, 6 yrs.) = $3,160.

So the total cost of energy for the Hydro Centrimax pump plus the warranty replacement cost over six years is a whopping $3,643 more than that of the Sequence pump!

NOTE: Russell’s website publishes the following statement: “You will find that Hydro CentrimaxTM pumps are the best value of any centrifugal pump on the market today.”

Russell also boasts about his skimmer being the best. Twenty dollars worth of plastic that he sells for $560 – let’s see if they really are the best.

Here are his instructions for cleaning his “HydroClean Pond Skimmer:

1. “Lift the lid off the skimmer and take out the skimmer net at the front.”

2. “Shake the skimmer net to get rid of any debris.” [Try not to get any on you.]

3. “If there is any algae on the skimmer net, hose it off as needed.”

4. “Replace the skimmer net in front of the skimmer unit.”

5. “Behind the net there is a brush rack, a bar with large brushes hanging from it. Pick up the brush

rack and shake it to get the debris off.” [Be sure not to splatter any of the pond scum, fish waste,

worms and parasites on yourself.]

6. “Replace the brush rack in the skimmer behind the skimmer net.” [Be sure to wash your hands very

thoroughly when you are finished.]

7. “Failure to clean the skimmer can lead to slow water flow and place stress on the pump. It can even

cause the pump to overheat and burn out. Check the skimmer often to see if it needs maintenance.”

Now, let’s compare Russell’s $560 maintenance-intensive, messy skimmer with the Waterways Renegade professional concrete pond skimmer at only $87.

Here are the maintenance instructions:

“Lift the lid, remove the basket, dump debris, replace basket, close lid. No need to check skimmer often. If the basket gets full, the pump will not be affected, even if the water level in the pond drops below the skimmer opening. This skimmer has a special float valve system that by-passes the skimmer in the event of neglect or low water level.”

Russell’s biofilter is very similar to his skimmer in design. While it is basically a molded tub, Russell claims his “Hydro Vortex” filter supports a higher number of fish than other brands of biological filters. Even though, there are several manufacturers of biological filters that can easily out-perform this simple elementary and cheap design. It is the same as comparing an economy car to a high performance luxury model.

Only in this case, you are comparing an economy filter with a state-of-the-art, high performance, engineered, no maintenance (a simple turn of a handle to clean it) filter for only $25 more.

Bottom line I repeat: “A man with experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument.”
The pond I described is my pond.

I have the Sequence pump, Aqua Ultraviolet filter and UV light, anti-vortex drains, professional skimmer, and four times more fish than the so-called experts say I should have. My pond is crystal clear, my fish are healthy, and I have not lost one of them to disease in the four years I’ve had them. The only chemical that

I have ever recommended to any of my 1,900+ clients in their professionally constructed concrete pond is rock salt, which controls the algae and aids in the slime coat of the fish.

For more free information on all aspects of water gardening, go to www.watergardenauthority.com and click “articles.”

Douglas C. Hoover; CEO of Aquamedia Corp, Master Waterfall Builder, architect, engineer, freelance writer, author, designer & builder of well over 1,900 waterfall and ponds in CA (26 years).

Author of “Waterfall and Pond Construction Manual” and developer of the “Water Feature Digital Design Library 4.0″ Free downloads, no sign in- http://www.askdoughoover.com



A Path to Happiness





Happy are people who have dreams AND are willing to pay the price to make those dreams come true.

Our Supreme Being, whoever that is to you, has given you a wonderful gift. The gift is the choice of free will. Every day we have the ability to influence our own lives. A positive mental state, all by itself, helps create positive momentum in your life. The same is true of negative thinking. Our perception of the world is our reality. Identical events are viewed differently by two people. One person will see an opportunity for accomplishment, while the other will see an insurmountable obstacle. Both of them are right about what they see. We want you to see an opportunity for accomplishment.

Fitness is empowerment. Starting an exercise program begins a new journey in your life. It is an important journey and it will be life-changing. Several weeks into your fitness program your body will begin to feel and look different. You will like the change. You feel better about yourself. Fitness means you are capable and willing to accomplish your goals. That sense of empowerment begins to invade other areas of your life. If you can change your body, you can change your life. Suddenly, your life is a series of events where you have power. You are no longer a passenger on the airplane of life, powerless to control where the airplane lands. Fitness teaches you to become the PILOT! You decide where the where the airplane goes (most of the time.) Life is a series of journeys.

I am a Personal Trainer. I improve lives through fitness. When I work with a new client, I ask the client to identify their fitness goals. Every person, each client, will tell me about their goals and ask if we believe they are achievable. To that person, achieving those goals seems almost impossible. Almost to a person, each client has serious doubt about the likelihood of success. They cannot envision success. Success seems insurmountable. Each person knows where they are right now and they consider the goals we’ve just discussed to be an unattainable fairyland, far off in the distance and impossible to reach. Viewed through the eyes of the client, the goal is unachievable. The goal is too far away to reach.

My perspective is significantly different:
The client cannot envision going from A to Z. We know that our journey definitely includes starting at A and arriving at Z but I only want us to initially go from A to B. The client, sometimes with some prodding, agrees that going from A to B is a doable task. Success breeds self-confidence and improved self-esteem. When we arrive at B, we congratulate ourselves for the successful effort and look to our next goal: C. We’ve made some progress, since we started at A and are now at B, but we are still have a long way to Z. We refocus. Now we want to get to C. We do. More success means more confidence. The way I describe the progress to new clients is that our journey will be like being in a car and going from zero MPH to 100 MPH, while our acceleration is barely noticeable. The client at some point notices that we are working our way rapidly through our alphabet of goals. Z comes into view. It all started with our journey from A to B.

Every journey begins with a single step. It requires a conscious decision and effort. Most people do not realize that they have the power to take that first step. In the Tao Teh Ching (chapter 63), an ancient Chinese text, it states that a wise man can accomplish the most complex task in the world because he works diligently toward mastering the small tasks. The complex tasks are made up of a series of small tasks. Mastering the small tasks, doing our best at the simplest of things, allows us to conquer the seemingly unconquerable. The most complex of tasks is only a chain of small tasks, each one manageable if tackled one at a time. The same idea holds true on our journey to becoming fit. We take one single step at a time.

Studies have shown that exercise has many of the same benefits of prescription anti-depressant medications. Interestingly, these studies have shown two consistent results. First, the more depressed the person is before beginning exercise, the more the exercise will reduce the depression. A person with mild depression will not receive as much benefit from exercise as a person with more significant depression. Secondly, the more exercise performed, the greater the relief of symptoms of depression. Exercise has no negative side effects. A combination of medication, therapy, and exercise is the best way to combat depression. Exercise has an important part in most treatment plans. It costs little and has no negative side effects. Exercise makes us feel better and also helps us live longer.

Fitness improves our lives in many ways. Fitness improves every relationship in your life. Frustrations of everyday life become more bearable, in some cases the frustrations disappear altogether. Stresses don’t seem so important. Exercise reduces anxiety and makes stress more manageable. The example I use is that each person is like a rock. Everyday stresses are like small pebbles thrown at the rock. The pebbles cause chips and tiny cracks in the rock. A full day of being hit with those small pebbles being thrown at us results in frustration and stress. Exercise helps buff away those chips and cracks, relieving stress, returning the rock to its original condition. By relieving stress, exercise improves our mood. When we are in a good mood we tend to treat those around us better. Spouses, children, friends, and co-workers will notice (and like) the improvement in our day-to-day attitude.

Exercise improves and lengthens our lives. Exercise has been shown to increase our positive feelings and help tone down some of our negative thoughts. General fitness, long known to be good for our bodies, is also good for our minds. The definition of fitness has also undergone a significant change. Working out at a gym, either on an exercise machine or with free weights, is only a part of the definition. Fitness or exercise has different meanings for different people. Exercise can be brisk walking or jogging. It can be playing tennis or another sport. It can be yard work. The important part is that whatever the activity, your heart rate needs to be elevated substantially above your resting heart rate.

Exercise and fitness in general share some benefits, while the particular type of exercise will have specific advantages of its’ own. Cardiovascular exercise is known to lower our resting heart rate and resting blood pressure, among other things. Strength training, or lifting weights, will increase bone density and strengthen our tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Playing a sport like tennis or racquetball will improve balance and agility. One of the amazing things about exercise is that a program can be designed to meet the specific needs of any individual. Some people are interested in losing fat. Other people need to increase balance. I had a client a few years ago that sustained a brain injury. We helped him relearn motor skills and increase his agility. We all have different needs and wants, and exercise has the answer for each one of us. Fitness will improve the life, both mentally and physically, of anyone who makes the effort to exercise.

Life is a series of journeys. We get to choose most of the paths. Become a person who is willing to make your dreams come true!

Cliff Wiese has been active in fitness, sports, and sport psychology since 1981. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, as well as a Sports Performance Coach. He works with a varied international clientele, ranging from world-class athletes to pre and post rehabilitation patients to Special Olympians. A speaker and writer in high demand, Cliff can be reached by email at cwiese@lycos.com or by telephone in the USA at 979-229-6276. Cliff attended Schreiner University on athletic and leadership scholarship and has done graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma. He is active in Special Olympics as a Powerlifting Coach and is a volunteer grant writer for a number of charities, primarily organizations involving at-risk children. Cliff is also personally active in sport and has won championships in five different sports. He is currently finishing his first book, aimed at creating and sustaining successful and life-long workout routines for non-exercisers.



Shop ‘Til You Drop Generic Drugs





This can’t really be emphasized enough - use generic drugs as often as you can, unless of course your doctor has insisted on no substitutions. And even then, ask about that. You see, doctors don’t really give much thought to the price of your drugs unless you point blank ask them.

This isn’t to say they aren’t getting better at understanding that their choices for drugs for patients does ultimately cost someone some significant bucks if they aren’t prudent in their prescribing.

The bottom line here is that health care administrators, government agencies, and insurance companies etc. are starting to put limits on the dollars for drugs prescribed. If you stop to think about that, it only makes sense because costs are spiraling right out of control. Think billions of dollars in deficit for the US health care system.

This is an interesting area actually as drug companies are smart and market directly to consumers. Their main goal is to convince them they need the “newest” drug on the market because it’s better. Don’t believe that for one minute. Often the newest drug these days is a remake of the old one that worked just fine thanks a bunch.

The only reason drug companies oppose generic drug manufacturers is because they will lose market share and profits will **** like a vacuum. There is nothing wrong with generic drugs. They’re the same drug as the original patented one, perhaps formulated slightly differently. E.g. the coating may not be gelatin

Don’t be ****** in by the lure of a newer, better, more effective drug. If the old one is tried, tested and true, then why not use it? One thing is for sure; it’s a darn sight cheaper than the patented new drugs.

Yes it’s true - even when it comes to prescribing drugs the ka-ching is the driving force behind managing expenses. Learn to manage your own personal health care budget by asking for generic drugs at the pharmacy or better yet, ask your doctor to give you a script for the generic version of the drug you need.

Richard Cantu is with Texas Health and Life, a Texas health insurance and Texas life insurance agency in Texas. To learn more, visit http://www.texashealthandlife.com







September signals back to school for most of the children in the U.S.A. What will us moms do with all our free time? LOL

Whether your kids are in preschool a couple times a week, 1/2 day kindergarten, or are full-time in grades 1-12, you now have some time to yourself without children or at least less children. Use that time wisely because a new school year can mean a new start for moms also.

Make a List
Start by writing a list of everything you want to accomplish during your lifetime. Do you dream of going back to school for a degree, start your own business, or simply work on craft projects you’ve been putting off. Maybe your goal is to finish reading a book or perhaps write one of your own. Do you want to learn a new skill like photography, computer programming, knitting, gardening, or scrapbooking? It’s completely up to you!

Break out your calendar
Set aside time each week to work toward your goal, just like you would for a doctor’s appointment or meeting with your child’s principal. By taking small consistent steps toward your goals you will build momentum and ultimately reach your goal quicker than you thought possible. Consistency is key!

Don’t Make Excuses
If you dream is to take courses toward your degree consider distance learning through online courses. These allow you to do the coursework when it’s convenient for you (during naps, bedtime, etc.)

If you want to learn a new skill check out some books from your local library or try a correspondence course. Many offer affordable monthly payment plans and it doesn’t matter where you live.If you plan to return to the workforce once your kids are in school full-time; practice your skills and keep up on the trends in your chosen field. Perhaps you want to train for a new career. There are other options to taking college courses. Try reading and learning the skills from books, videos, online, etc.

With your little ones in school now is your chance. Schedule some time, even if it’s only 10 minutes, to work toward the life of your dreams. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” — Tao Te Ching

Kimberly Shavatt is a wife, stay-at-home mother of 3 and owner/editor of http://www.HelpingMomsAtHome.com Find lots of helpful hints and tips to help you save time, save money and save your sanity.



All About Tea





Tea, the wonderful beverage we indulge in when we want to relax, wake up, cure a tummy ache, soothe an upset child and infuse our systems with anti oxidants has enjoyed a rich, colorful and diverse history - a very, very long history that began more than 5,000 years ago in China. Legend has that an early emperor, Shen Nung was also a highly skilled ruler and a rather creative scientist. He was far ahead of his time in many respects, including insisting that all drinking water be boiled for hygienic purposes. The legend goes that he was traveling to far away region one summer day and he and his court stopped rest. The obedient servants began to boil the water, per the emperor’s ruling. As they boiled the water, however, some dried leaves from a bush that was nearby fell into the water. As the water boiled with the leaves, a brown liquid began to infuse the water. The Emperor, ever the scientist, was intrigued with the new, brown liquid and drank some. He found the new drink to be quite refreshing, thus tea was born. It should be noted that though this is largely regarded as a myth, many mythologists find that the story is so practical that it likely is very closely related to actual events.

The Asian Inspiration
Tea was a very popular beverage throughout China and every single aspect of their society embraced it and drew it into their culture. The first book written on tea, the Ch’a Ching, was written by Lu Yu in 800 A.D. His work on tea and how it is used in various cultures propelled him to a state that was almost a sainthood in his own lifetime. In fact, the form of tea service that he portrayed in his book, that showed strong ties in Zen Buddhism, is what the Zen Buddhist missionaries later introduced to Japan.

Buddhist priest, Yeisei, brought the very first tea seeds to Japan. He had witnessed the valuable role that the tea in China had played in enhancing religious mediation. Yeisei is know as the “Father of Tea” in Japan because of his introduction of tea to the Japanese culture which quickly elevated tea to an art form. The Japanese Tea Ceremony, a complex yet beautiful art that requires years of training and practice. From there, tea houses were created and tea gained in popularity as the original Zen roots were eventually lost.

Europe Finds Tea
When tea was all the rage in Japan and China, news of this new sensation began to trickle back to Europe. Traders and caravan leaders mentioned it, but no one seemed to know how to serve it or even what it looked like. A Portuguese Jesuit Father Jasper de Cruz was the first European to experience tea personally and write about it in 1560. As Portugal had begun trading with China, they began shipping tea to Lisbon where Dutch ships would transport the tea to France, Holland and the Baltic countries.

Tea soon became high fashion in Hague, the Dutch capital. This was mainly due to the exorbitant price of more than $100 per pound. This meant the wealthy could enjoy it - and the poor could not. Eventually, as the amount of tea that was imported increased, the price began to drop, making it more available to a wider variety of people, including apothecaries. It wasn’t until 1680 that there is any mention of adding milk to tea. Tea was popular in France for about fifty years, until wine, chocolate and exotic coffees captured the French imagination and preference.

Tea Arrives in America
As the Dutch actively traded throughout the Western world, 1650 saw Peter Stuyvesant bring the first tea to colonists in the Dutch settlement called New Amsterdam which later became known as New York. Tea had found its way to America and America was hooked. In fact, when the English acquired the colony they found that that one small settlement was consuming more tea at the time that the entire country of England.

England gets a Taste
Great Britain was the first to venture into the Chinese trade and it was due to this that tea finally reached England sometime between 1652 and 1654. Its popularity skyrocketed. Nobility nodded in approval as they consumed the beverage and the future of tea in England was secured. As tea mania swept over England, all classes enjoyed its refreshment. Soon, the English Afternoon Tea was born.

By 1670 English colonists residing in Boston became aware of tea. By 1720 tea was a trade staple between the Colony and the Mother country. The colonial particularly enjoyed tea. Tea trade became centered in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, which, incidentally, were the future centers of the American rebellion. Tea was very heavily taxed, so smugglers would get contraband tea to the colonies from other ports. The John Company who held the monopoly on tea distribution in the area was quite disgruntled as they saw their profits plummeting. They put pressure on Parliament to take action and put an end to the activities. Then it happened.

The American Revolution and Tea
England had recently completed the French and Indian War and, in England’s viewpoint, it was meant to free the colony from French influence and give trade more stabilization. Parliament decided, then, that the brunt of the cost should go to the colony since it was for them. Suddenly, there were taxes for everything from newspapers to tavern licenses, marriage licenses and docking papers. When the colonists rebelled, Parliament levied even more, heavier taxes, including the 1767 tea tax. The colonists rebelled and purchases imported tea openly and freely. The John Company was still slipping in profits.

When things finally came to a head, the famous Boston Tea Party was born. The men of Boston dressed as Indians and threw hundreds of pounds of tea into the harbor. The Port of Boston retaliated by closing and royal troops moved in to occupy the city. The colonial leaders met and declared revolution. Thus, a free nation was born.

Tea a Timeless Tradition
Today tea is even more popular than ever. Americans enjoy their tea iced, hot, in leaves, in bags, there are a wide variety of types and flavors available and one can access all they want by simply walking into the local market and picking out what they want. Additionally, tea has recently been proven to have health benefits as well as stress relieving properties. So, the beverage that has its origins in ancient China, moved around the world, started a revolution and freed a nation is one of the most popular drinks worldwide today.

Nicholas Hurd is the developer of The Tea Information Source. You’ll find anything you want to know about tea at this site. copyright 2007 Nicholas Hurd all rights reserved



Career Success Tip: The Zen Way





Many young executives like to ask for career success tips. I usually start by saying career success does not come in a day. Yet, day-in day-out I see young people entering the working life pushing themselves as if they will make CEO in a year. They have a tendency to compare their progress with their contemporaries. You should not and must not compare your career success to your contemporaries.

If you ask me, what is career success? Frankly, I don’t have the answer. But, I can give you a career success tip that works for me. However, ultimately only you can answer “what is career success?” because only you can seek. No one can do it for you. It is to be defined by your own values and principles in life. You would have to define what is career success for yourself. It means different things for different people. And it is your career goals.

The first step is to ask yourself “What is career success?”. It is not a question you should mull over daily. You will have to spend time thinking about this. The answer will not come easy. Ask yourself that question, and then let it float in your mind for however long it takes - never force the answer.

Remind yourself this - if your career is a marathon, then it includes the preparation for the race - the warm ups, the stretches, the strength exercises, the stamina building, the constant practice runs. Constant effort is what will eventually get a positive response. And that response is success.

My biggest fear looking at many young first job executives is that a lot of them embark on this marathon and end up hurting themselves. They hurt themselves because instead of warming up and stretching, they sprint. Eventually they end up injured, taking months and years to recuperate.

This is an important career success tip. Your career like many things in life cannot be rushed. You succeed by not rushing nor lazing off. Your career success comes to you when you do not rush yourself through it. But this also means you do not laze off. When you rush you start to be careless. You forget the basic important steps in the race for your career success. If you sprint through at this early phase, you risk overdoing it. On the other hand, if you laze off – you won’t put in the appropriate effort needed for success. For success to happen, you need to be moderate in your pursuit. That would be career success tip for you. There is a saying:

Hurrying makes things too tight, Slacking off lets things get too loose, By not hurrying and not slacking off, We can succeed at what we do.

In this race, you are your own competitor. To end this career success tip, I leave you with this thought from Dao De Ching:

He who knows other men is discerning, he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes other is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich. He who goes on acting with energy has a firm will. He who does not fail in the requirements of his position, continues long. He who dies and yet does not perish, has longevity.

Long Yun Siang or Long, as he is popularly known runs http://career-success-for-newbies.com with his wife Dorena as their way of paying it forward. Their website – based on their real life experiences - provides tips, tools and advise for newbies pursuing career success. Download a FREE copy of their mini eBook titled “Career Success Recipe for Newbies” at the website now.



Top 10 Attributes of Successful Sales Managers





The Five Cs of Trust

Character

Competence

Confidence

Credibility

Congruence

The Five Points of Presence

Charisma

Enthusiasm

Optimism

Empathy

Vision

Why do you suppose that the first major category deals with trust? The ability to gain and keep trust is a vital factor in being able to influence your team. Research has shown, time and time again, that trust is always a contributing factor in the ability to influence others. When a person trusts you, that trust alone can cause them to accept you. On the flip side, if your team doesn’t trust you, all the evidence, reasoning, facts or figures in the world won’t get them to budge. Character is the foundation of trust.

I also believe that the teaching of Phillips Brooks, a nineteenth-century clergyman, offers profound wisdom on the nature of character: “Character is made in the small moments in our lives.” Stop and think a moment about those individuals in your life whom you respect most deeply. While you may be able to recall a few momentous occasions, it is likely that it is these people’s quiet example that has most impressed you. It is their very nature and spirit, even when they are not “on stage,” that has garnered your respect.

Competence is your knowledge and ability in a particular subject area and comes from life-long learning and experience. We consider others to be competent when we see them continually learning and advancing their training and education, being successful in what they do or having a strong track record with the various people they have worked with. Obviously, competency is a crucial element to trust. If your team is to trust you, they have to feel like you know what you’re doing. Confidence is also a major factor in gaining trust and influence. You can probably think of a time when it was very apparent that someone you were relying on was not very confident in her/his abilities. In turn, her/his lack of confidence made you feel uneasy. You must exude confidence or else your team will feel like it’s a case of “the blind leading the blind.” They will not trust in you or your abilities; therefore, you will have very little influence over them.

The next attribute under the trust umbrella is credibility. Gerry Spence, perhaps the most famous trail lawyer of all time, explained the importance of credibility the best: “One can stand as the greatest orator the world has known, possess the quickest mind, employ the cleverest psychology and have mastered all the technical devices of argument, but if one is not credible, one might just as well preach to the pelicans.” To boost your credibility with your team, find out who your team knows and respects. See if you can get their mentor’s endorsement, either in person or in writing, to back up your credibility. If you are a known expert in your field, be sure to communicate that you have studied the subject, researched it and met with its other experts. Also, be prepared to drop the names of people your team will recognize. Another way to boost your credibility is to always present yourself in a calm, organized and authoritative manner. Being overly emotional or flustered throws your credibility out the window.

The last building block of trust is congruence. Congruence means that your words and actions always match. You are not one who is known to say one thing and then do another. Agreement and harmony in your verbal and nonverbal messages increase trust, and hence your ability to influence. When congruence is lacking, red flags go up in your team members’ minds. You can probably think of a manager you’ve known whose words you always had to take with a grain of salt. Such an individual is not the type of person you are likely to be influenced by.

Now that we’ve revealed the Five Cs of Trust, let’s take a moment to examine the Five Points of Presence. Presence is the ability to influence and empower others. Your presence energizes and inspires other individuals. They are compelled to follow you because of the vision you offer. Charisma heads the list of attributes under the Five Points of Presence and is a big part of motivating others.

People who are charismatic often hold us in awe. Their energy prods us, motivates us and inspires us. They fulfill our need to have heroes. We feel better for having met them, seen them, listened to them and interacted with them. Charisma is closely related to enthusiasm. If you are passionate about what you do, your enthusiasm will carry over into your interactions with your team. It is quite possibly passion and enthusiasm that most powerfully recruit the hearts and minds of those around you. Others are more likely to jump on board if they can see your conviction. Enthusiasm is a great moving force that we should seek to permeate into all we do. It is the drive that keeps our motivation up until the goal is reached. Emerson said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Another great thinker, especially in the area of personal development, Norman Vincent Peale, said, “When one gets enthusiastic, the entire personality lights up. The mind becomes sharper, more intuitive; the entire life force and creative ability are enhanced. Such a person is motivated and will certainly make an impact.”

Another key factor is optimism. Optimism is more than a positive mental attitude. It is not just thinking about positive things and then hoping they will come true. True optimism is a frame of reference that governs how you lead. Optimists don’t just hope for but they actually expect success and goodness. Even when there are setbacks, they are able to quickly bounce back. If you can inspire optimism in your team members, they will be grateful for your positive influence and the difference it makes not only in the workplace, but also in their personal lives. Nobody wants to be around a moody, angry or pessimistic manager. Your optimism will attract others and be contagious. Once your optimism spreads, your team will begin working together with a lot of positive energy.

Now, let’s spend some time on attitude. Remember the old adage “Success in life is 85 percent attitude and 15 percent aptitude”? Harvard University actually conducted a study wherein it was determined that “success” (income, status, prestige, etc.) had significantly more to do with attitude than ability. In fact, attitude appeared to contribute more to lifetime earnings than even a person’s level of education. Your attitude reflects what’s going on inside of you and is a strong indicator of what will actually play out on the surface. That’s why, when it comes to teambuilding, an optimistic attitude starts with you. Optimism is something you can control, and you can’t expect your team to develop it if you don’t have it yourself.

Empathy is another major part of being an effective leader. When someone feels your empathy, they will be more open to your influence. The world is full of people who are trying to make us do things for their reasons. It is refreshing to find someone who will take the time to pause and seek to understand. As a leader, once you know whom you are dealing with, what s/he is thinking and why s/he is thinking such things, you will be better able to empathize.

Zig Ziglar points out that this kind of focus on others actually helps us meet our own needs: “The best way to get what you want out of life is to help others get what they want.” When you’re trying to work on being more empathetic, you must remember the universal needs of all men and women: approval, attention, praise, encouragement, understanding and acceptance. We can learn a lot about empathy from the ancient classic Tao-te-Ching by Lao-tzu. It states: “Evolved leaders win the trust and support of the people through their complete identification with them. The interests of people are naturally promoted because they become the interests of the leader as well.”

Vision is the final attribute of the Five Points of Presence. Influential leaders have a clearly defined vision, which in turn serves as a powerful tool in helping others see the big picture. Most people will embrace their leader’s vision if they know exactly where they fit into it and what they have to do to achieve it. Vision should pull the team together and generate energy, passion and a willingness to work hard. Creating a sound vision begins with focusing on our destination. In other words, you must know where you are going. If you hope to achieve outstanding results, give your team clear direction. Stephen Covey said, “To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.” Lastly, when you plan and execute your vision, don’t be afraid to dream big. Walt Disney once said,

Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency.

Think of the incredible legacy that has been enjoyed by millions and that will continue to touch generations of people because of this one man’s vision. It all started with one man, whose enthusiasm had a ripple effect on all those he worked with. Walt Disney’s mark will forever be emblazoned upon the world.

Kurt W. Mortensen is one of America’s leading authorities on persuasion, motivation and influence. Kurt spent 15 years researching personal development and motivational psychology and is currently a professor on the university level. He offers his speaking, training, and consulting programs nationwide, helping thousands achieve unprecedented success in business and personal endeavors. Kurt is author of Maximum Influence a bestseller and is endorsed by Stephen R. Covey, Brian Tracy, Robert Allen, and Mark Victor Hansen. Go to http://www.prewealth.com/iq to find out where you rank in your ability to persuade or email askkurt@persuasioninsitute.com.







House Energy Correction is the concept of controlling the 8 Directional Energies; 7 Chakras and 7 Energy Bodies of the People; Boosting and Balancing the 5 Elements of the Lands & Buildings. Simply stated, it is the Total Energy Rectification of Horoscopes of the Family Members and Business Partners; Vaastu and Fengshui Energy Correction for their Lands & Buildings. Read the revealing FAQs about unique Crystal Energy Fields based on the Ancient Siddha Programming Techniques for Karma Correction. This is the first of a series of 3 parts of FAQs.

Question 1 : What exactly is “Energy Correction” ?

Human beings, like all objects, receive different levels of energies from the 8 different directions. When all the 8 directional energies are positive enough, they get positive results. When the energy levels dip below a limit, they suffer. For example, if a person receives high positive energy from his North, he will be financially well off. But if he also receives negative energy from his South East, he will never be able to enjoy it. The blue print of the energy levels of a person at his birth time is what you could call as his Birth Horoscope.

These 8 energy streams control the 7 Chakras and 7 Energy Bodies of the person, which in turn control every thing else in his life. The quality (positive or negative) of the energy and the quantum (percentage) of the energy that a person receives is his Karma or Destiny. The concept of correcting the 8 Directional Energies and tuning the 7 Chakras & Energy Bodies of a person so that he stays within a 100% positive energy belt all his life-time is called Personal Energy Correction.

Question 2 : Can you explain more about these Energy Beams from the 8 Directions ?

Energy (or Prana or Chi) is pure and on it’s own, is always balanced positive. It is the basic power brick on which the Cosmos is built upon. However, depending upon the Karma of the Person, Land and Building, it/he receives energy either as positive or negative. Then the percentage of the positive or negative energy that it/he receives culminates in positive or negative events of it’s/his life. Unlike Land and Building, the Person moves. Where the Person moves, his Karma follows. So do the Energy Beams that he receives from the 8 Directions. It does not matter what direction he is moving or facing, it does not matter whether he is in India or America, he keeps receiving the same Energy Beams with the same Quality (Positive or Negative) and Quantity (Percentage), until the change is destined or brought about.

Question 3 : You spoke of Horoscope & Karma. Are you saying that both can be rectified ?

Yes ofcourse. All the Planetary Energies are received by a person through the 8 Directional Energies only. By filtering or/and transforming them, you pacify the planets, remove the effects of problems like female curses, planetary & pithru doshas, etc. In other words, you rectify the Birth Horoscope itself. In fact, there is a more sophisticated process with which I undertake Karma Correction itself. This process minimises the bad karma to such an extent that one simply doesn’t feel it’s impact at all.

Question 4 : So then what is “House Energy Correction” ?

House Energy Correction is a two fold process. In the first fold, Personal Energy Correction (including Horoscope Rectification) for all the residing family members is done. In the second fold, the Five Elements of the Land and the House are fully balanced. In other words, the Karma of the Lands, Home and the People living there are integrated, cleansed, tuned and balanced. That is called House Energy Correction.

Sub-Question : What are the controlling Five Elements of Nature ?

The controlling Five Elements of Nature are also known as the Pancha Pranas or the Pancha Bhoodhas : Earth (Bhoomi), Water (Jala), Fire (Agni), Air (Metal, Vaayu), and Ether (Wood, Sky, Spirit, Space, Aakash).

Question 5 : Once corrected, how long do these positive effects last ?

In my process, once corrected, the energies stay corrected. That is because I use Crystals as my Energy Tools. Unlike any other remedies, Crystals last for hundreds of years. Plus the Crystal Programming Techniques that I use are extremely powerful, time-tested and bestowed by the Ancient Ones or the Sacred Siddhas. That is why I say the positive effects will atleast last for 3 generations. The Energy Corrections that I undertake are done through custom built Crystal Energy Fields.

Question 6 : Can you eloborate more on these Crystal Energy Fields ?

The Crystal Energy Fields are created by numerous Crystals arranged in a special formation, after being programmed and energised for executing specific tasks for specified people. The quality, colour, nature and shape of the Crystals needed for House Energy Correction depends on the Karma of the Family. Some of the crystal energy shapes that I use for Energy Correction are Maha Meru, Stupa, Vajra, Viswa Vajra, Rahu or Vajra Phurba, etc. I also use exclusive crystal shapes like Maha Meru with Viswa Vajra, Ashta Vajra Stupa and Ashta Vajra Maha Sakthi Chakra.

Question 7 : How do you determine the type and number of Crystals that are needed for a particular family or business ?

By Clairvoyance or Sookshma Drishti, I scan the energy levels of the People, Lands & the Buildings. Without it you cannot practice Energy Correction. I also use certain Divining Tools like Tarot Decks, Runes & I-Ching Coins, if and when needed.

Question 8 : Are there many models of Crystal Energy Fields ?

Yes, there are very many models. Some are very sophisticated and more powerful than others. Some are for specific tasks like bringing together estranged couple, concieving a child or solving psychic problems or breaking black magic. Some of them are dedicated for Business Energy Correction. There are certain models for only handling factory related problems like production and labour problems, litigations, etc. I also build exclusive CEFs for the NewAge Kabbalah Numerology which I practice. The kabbalistic numeric vibrations of the tuned name are transmitted 24/7 through CEF, to achieve and retain results.

The FAQs will be continued in Part II.

Janarrdhana Guptha is an Energy Consultant, Fengshui & Vaastu Researcher, Crystal Master & Clairvoyant Karma Reader. His speciality is permanent Karma Energy Correction through custom-built Crystal Energy Fields. His E-Mail : crystalvaastu@yahoo.com. His websites :http://www.crystal-vaastu.com/home.htm & http://www.newage-kabbalah-numerology.com







Taoist Philosophy
To
understand the purpose of the form it is important to understand its basis and
roots.The origins of Tai Chi go back over 5,000 years and are based
in Taoist philosophy developed and refined by the great Taoist thinkers such
as, Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.The core concept of Taoism
and Taoist philosophy is that everything in the universe is subject to change
and when dealing with this change we should act not to fight it but work with
it and avoid conflict.The core Of Taoism is that action should always
be effortless and come from spontaneous creativity, but this should not require
mental or physical effort.According to Taoist philosophy change is constant
but, by understanding change and acting in accordance with the laws that govern
it, we can work effortlessly to achieve our aims.Taoism is about working
within the laws of change, not struggling to oppose them, this is seen as futile
and a waste of energy.In Tai Chi this manifests itself in that a posture
will always be difficult and a struggle, unless there is union of mind and body,
to make the move an effortless interaction.Yin and Yang
Another
concept in Chinese philosophy related to change is yin and yang.These
two opposing, yet complimentary forces are constantly at work in the universe
and in our lives.Yin and yang are the basis of change but they also
come together in harmony to create a balanced whole.The simplest example
of this is breathing. We breathe in and we breathe out - an opposing action
that comes together to create balance and harmony. Change and harmony, is the
basis of yin and yang and of Tai Chi.The principles of yin and yang
are reflected in the form the sequence of movements that make up the Tai Chi
discipline.The form is actually a sequence of movements that flow continuously
representing both change and harmony. A movement begins, grows completes
and empties then another begins until the sequence is completed.The
Tai Chi Philosophy

The aim of the Tai Chi form is to create streams of
energy to flow through the body.In the philosophy of Tai Chi, it is
said Chi (life energy) follows the mind; each posture and movement creates a
different energy flow, which, has a beneficial overall affect on overall well-being.Tai
Chi stimulates circulation, aligns the skeleton and joints correctly, stimulates
the organs of the body and helps digestion.It increases muscle tone,
strength, improves balance and co ordination and improves breathing.Tai
Chi does not just provide physical benefits; by raising energy levels, it also
affects the mind and the spirit.Tai Chi focuses thought, so that mind
and body energy works together as one.Tai Chi reflects both Taoism in
terms of effortless interaction and yin and yang in terms of reconciling two
opposing forces, to create harmony and equilibrium. This combination is the
very essence of the Tai Chi philosophy.

Re Vitalise offer a warm welcome to both novice and experienced pupils. In addition to offering, regular Tai Chi tuition there are several weekend breaks available. To learn more about our services go to:
http://www.re-vitalise.co.uk



Building Wealth - Getting a Cash Machine





Building wealth is easy once you get a cash machine. What is a cash machine? Well it’s not some magical machine, its something every one of us can build.

A cash machine is a business that you start or buy that generates income for you. The easiest way to get this cash machine is to build a business around skills you already have.

Don’t worry if what your skills are exactly what you love doing, because you need to focus on getting your business up and running quickly.

For example if you are an accountant, see if you can get some independent jobs on the side, either at night or on the weekend. Actively try to solicit work as an accountant and if you have extra work give it to a friend and charge them a finder’s fee.

Even if you don’t love being an accountant, by doing what you already know you can build a cash machine faster.

If you don’t want to build a cash machine you can buy one. This could most likely come from franchises. There are dozens, even hundreds of franchises you can buy for under $1,000.

Start today to get at least one cash machine up and running within the next three months. Then take that cash and keep reinvesting it into other assets, this is the best wealth building plan.

A lot of people get caught up in the details of trying to come up with a detailed business plan, but don’t get caught up in the little details, start right now. Building wealth requires large bold steps, start today.

Fierce Personal Finance