Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Glass Shower Enclosures - Elegant and Chic Designs Available in Glass Shower Enclosures

Glass shower enclosures allow homeowners to transform their bathrooms into modern, chic spaces. With the right combination of glass enclosures and stylish designs to choose from, you can even make your bathroom resemble any high-end hotel bathroom space!

Unique design
Glass shower enclosures are becoming more and more reasonably priced these days. With an increased number of production techniques available in manufacturing these glass enclosures, it is possible to make your home beautiful and elegant in no time! There is a wide selection of installation types, which can help lend added grace and charm to your bathroom. When used for the shower area, these glass enclosures can look classy and very chic. Such a design and style is especially complementing for a house that has an urban theme to it. In addition, with the numerous styles, designs and sizes available, it is easy to transform any bathroom space.

Cost effective rates
Glass shower enclosures have considerably reduced in price over the years. With a large range of price slots available, you can select an enclosure that matches your budget. If you are ready to shell out exorbitant amounts and wish that your bathroom resembles a royal space, then too you can select many enclosure variants in the market today. If you prefer a more modest glass enclosure then too you can find one. Even the low priced versions have fantastic detailing and designs on them. In fact, some of the cost effective versions look very elegant and are as good as any costly cubicle. There are many stores online, which provide a fine selection of such enclosures at very reasonable rates.

Various styles available
Glass shower enclosures come in a wide variety of styles and designs today. The most popular versions are the corner enclosures. The corner styled enclosures offer a high degree of functionality. Even in bathrooms, which have a small space in them, such enclosures provide an illusion of more space. In addition, the compact design makes them occupy very little space as well. In addition, most of the corner styled enclosures looks very beautiful in design. The other popular design and style found in such enclosures is the three-sided styling. These enclosures vary between angular and curved as well. Many people these days are also opting for the stand-alone types to add charm and elegance to their bathrooms. These are four-sided and all the sides are made of glass. Such enclosures also look very beautiful and lend an illusion of spaciousness to the bathroom. Before you purchase glass shower enclosures make sure to assess your bathroom space and shape.

We at http://www.vigoindustries.com offer a fine collection of exquisite glass shower enclosures available in various price slots. You can select from unique designs and patterns to suit your individual budget and design style.

Brainwashing People

Rustic Feeling With Vinyl Log Siding

Love the look of a log cabin and then realize it is a major operation just to change things or blow out walls. I suggest trying vinyl log siding as an option. It looks very much like log, and gives your home that rustic feel. Vinyl log siding does not require the maintenance that real wood requires, giving you more time to enjoy your home.

No longer will you have to stain, seal or even make plan for insect prevention, because vinyl log siding is low maintenance, while still getting that wood look you desire. It is fade resistant even after years of exposure to the sun and the weather. It will never rot, splinter or corrode, in fact if you are a mother like me, not having to pick splinters out of little hands can be a real time saver. I do not want to put anything on my house or in my house that could hurt my kids.

Vinyl log siding installs as easily as any other vinyl siding and looks great up. It has absolutely no maintenance what so ever saving you lots of time and money. Some people even choose to fill it in with in with thermal insulation. I think that is a wise decision whether you live in a hot and humid climate like mine or in a colder climate. Good insulation can dramatically change your heating and cooling bills. It also stabilizes the temperature in the home, where it does not fluctuate too much.

It can range in price, but the actual product is worth the expense, which is similar or cheaper than the alternative siding, remember this type of siding is basically maintenance free. The place where you could wind up spending a lot of money is on the actual labor of putting it up. Every time I have a project around the house, I have a big barbecue and invite people over to help with the bribe of free food. What you will pay for food and drinks will not come near to what you would pay a stranger to do it and as a bonus you will be working with people you enjoy being around. It is also easy to put up if you have the right tools and a little patience. You can enjoy the look of real logs, with out the cost, hassle or maintenance, by choosing to go with vinyl log siding.

Learn more about Vinyl Log Siding

Governments Through History

When to Hire a Contracted Painter

Professional help is something that all homeowners should look into when remodeling their home. The skill and training that these contractors possess can make a project go very smoothly and with relative ease, something that many projects are in desperate need of. When considering home improvement, it is important to remember how difficult and complicated the work can get.

Finding a contracted painter can be the saving grace that a home improvement project is screaming for. Many homeowners get in over their heads when it comes to remodeling their house and bite off way more than they can chew. Avoiding this scenario is obviously the best advice for homeowners, but when avoidance is no longer an option, calling a contracted painter can help to smooth things over and get the project back on track. Often times, this is what homeowners need to ensure that the project is completed in a timely manner and with the best quality possible.

Getting in way over their head is a practice that many homeowners unfortunately grow accustomed to. When things seem bleak and they do not know what to do, it is a good idea to call somebody who does. Usually this is a professional contractor with the experience necessary to get a project out of deep water and back on the right track. When things get too hairy for the homeowner to handle themselves, finding a professional that knows what they are doing and perhaps has dealt with similar situations before will get the homeowner out of trouble and can save the project before it goes down the drain.

Obviously, the best way to avoid situations like this is to be completely honest about the skills the homeowner possesses. If the project is out of their ballpark, they should consider hiring a contracted painter from the get go. Too often do homeowners think that they know what they are doing and that painting is something that anybody can pick up in no time. They quickly find out, however, that exterior painting is much more complex than many may think. It can get out of hand quickly, and for many can become a nightmare if they do not know what they are doing.

Planning the project may help to alleviate some of the stress many homeowners feel during the project. A well-laid plan often means a smooth project. Developing an idea to the point that both the homeowner and the contractor know where they want the project to go will help to move things along nicely. If all parties are on the same page, then everybody will be able to work towards a common goal. Knowing where things are headed is often the key in making the correct call when things get out of hand or problems present themselves.

Hiring a contracted painter is one of the smartest things homeowners do when dealing with home improvement and remodeling projects. Having a good contractor handling the painting, homeowners can focus on other areas of the project or can just sit back and relax knowing their remodel is in good hands.

More information on http://www.collegeworksestimates.com College Works Painting home repair for your home is just a click away.

Teenage Pier Pressure

Painting For a Quick Face Lift

Painting is probably the quickest and cheapest fixes for your home. Your house is going to look better right away, and if you are selling, you will get back more money than you put into the project.

You are vulnerable to particles and fumes when you are sanding, painting, or working with solvents. Protect your skin by wearing cotton gloves when using sharp or abrasive tools. Wear latex gloves when working with paint. Wear neoprene gloves when handling solvents, strippers, and harsh chemicals. Protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses when working with tools. Wear goggles to protect against dust and aerosol droplets when sanding, spraying, or painting over your head. To protect your lungs sand, paint, and strip outside, or cross ventilate with a least 2 open windows or doors. If there is a danger of breathing dust, aerosol, or solvent fumes, filter the air with a respirator.

Priming is essential and helps ensure a professional looking paint job. primer is fundamental to good looking walls, not a way to sell you one more paint product. It is a specially formulated product designed to:

Increase adhesion.

Help the finish coat develop maximum sheen.

Give the finish coat a uniform appearance.

Increase the finish coat coverage.

prevent blemishes on an old surface form bleeding through the new coat of paint.

Add to metal corrosion resistance.

In preparation for painting:

1. Move furniture away from walls and protect floor and baseboards with 12-inch base board masking and a paper/poly drop cloth

2. Set Popped nails or screws, repair cracks and holes, and fill dents with light weight crack filler.

3. Let the crack filler dry based on instruction.

4. Treat any areas of mildew with 3-to-1 water/bleach solution and protect your hands with rubber gloves.

5. Rinse the entire wall surface with clean, fresh water and let the wall dry overnight.Clean with a TSP solution before you prime and paint.

6. Spot prime all of the repaired areas with a latex stain-blocking primer.

7. Prime the entire wall with the same stain -blocking primer for uniformity.

Glossy paints dry to a hard, nonporous surface; therefore, it is almost impossible for new paint to adhere effectively. Glossy surface lack what painters call "tooth," or roughness, which gives the paint something to stick to. A light sanding or use of a chemical deglosser will do the trick to for a "tooth."

Although priming is vital to lasting finish and a great looking room, there are also sound economic reasons for a good priming job. Primer is not just a watery paint. It is formulated to adhere well to a variety of surfaces and seals them to prevent stains and discoloration from bleeding through the final coat.

Mask the room and determine the order for painting the room. Paint last the areas that are likely to get dripped on. Prime and paint ceiling first, and walls second, and trim last. If you plan to prime the trim with a different tint than you will use on the walls, mask the trim first. Mask the top of the walls if you are painting the ceiling. Mask the ceiling and trim if you are starting with the walls.

If using latex, dip the brush in water to help absorb the primer. If using alkyd, dip the brush in mineral spirits. Brush out the liquid on a piece of cardboard to remove loose bristles. Brush primer on areas of walls and trim that need special attention: patches in drywall and plaster, areas of bare wood exposed by scraping and sanding, and any spots treated with stain blocker.

It if hard for a dry roller to absorb primer or paint. So prime the roller before you put it in the primer or paint. If the prime is latex, spritz the roller with a garden mister and squeeze off the excess water. Use mineral spirits for alkyd primer. Run the roller over the paint grid or roller pan several times to get an even amount of primer on the roller cover.

Prime the ceiling. Start on the short side of the room and "cut in" the edges about 2 inches wide and about 5 feet long along the edge of the ceiling. Then, wearing safety goggles and an old cap , roll paint onto the ceiling, working the roller into the cut-in areas to remove as many brush marks as possible. Roll with diagonal strokes and move from the edge toward the middle of the room. Continue cutting in and rolling until your are finished.

Cut in a section of the wall. Wait until the ceiling dries and mask it off with blue painter's masking tape. Mask off the trim if you haven't already done so. Starting in a corner, prime along about 5 feet of trim, 5 feet of ceiling, and from top to bottom of the corner.

To minimize the wall area that will have a brush-stroke texture, run the roller over the strips you have primed during the cutting stage, getting as close as possible to the masked trim, ceiling, or adjacent wall.

Begin rolling at the top section of the wall along the cut-in strip. Sand the walls if necessary. Roll the ceiling with the finish color. When the primer is dry, mask around the ceiling. After cutting in a section, start rolling, Protect your eyes with safety goggles and wear an old cap. A 5-gallon bucket with a roller grid requires a filling less often and is less likely to tip than a paint tray. Use a relatively dry roller to reduce spattering. Roll diagonally, as you did to prime, to avoid creating visible rows across the ceiling. Extension poles you to reach more areas without leaning dangerously from a ladder. Then after apply the finish putting on the paint. You can apply more than one coat if you feel that is necessary.

Prime and paint the trims, remove the masking for the walls, allow the pain to dry thoroughly, and mask off for the trim. Control dripping by pouring the trim paint into a small bucket and dip the trim paint into a small bucket and dip the trim paint into a small bucket and dip the brush about halfway into the paint. Tap the brush against the sides instead of scraping it around the rim to remove excess paint in the tip of the brush; This will leave paint in the body of the brush.

Continue painting the delicate areas like the windows and edges with caution until you are completed with your paint job. Your paint job will end up looking professional, because it was done using the right steps.

http://hstrial-oswingrant.homestead.com

Searching For A Soul Mate

Monday, June 29, 2009

How to Avoid Conflict With Friends and Family, Or Anyone

Genesis 13:8. Abraham in Bible provides a great example of how to avoid conflict when dealing with friends and family. In Genesis 13 Abram and Lot had left Egypt and they had settled between Bethel and Hai. After a while, strife developed between Abram's herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen because there was not enough land to support both herds of cattle. When Abram became aware of the strife, he immediately addressed this issue with Lot to avoid anymore conflict (Genesis 13:8, "And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.").

In Genesis 13:9 Abram tells Lot "Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." The manner that Abram presented his plan and the plan itself stopped strife immediately and avoided strife in the future. The steps Abram used to avoid conflict with Lot can be used by anyone to avoid conflict with friends, family, or anyone.

Conflict Avoidance Steps.

1. Identify A Reasonable Solution to Resolve the Dispute. In the dispute between Abram and Lot, Abram identified that the close proximity of the herds was creating strife. They needed to spread out the herds.

2. Have One of the Disputing Parties Identify Fair Options That Would Be Satisfactory to Both Parties. Here Abram identified two choices (one goes to the left, the other one goes to the right) that he thought would be fair options for both Lot and himself.

3. Let the Other Party Choose Which Option. In the case of the dispute between Abram and Lot, Abram let Lot choose between the two options (one goes to the left, the other one goes to the right).

This is a wonderful way to avoid conflict: have one party divide the object of contention into two satisfactory options, and then let the other party choose which option.

GENESIS 13 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Genesis 13:8, "And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren."

Randall McClure Sr. is author and publisher of http://www.access-jesus.com

Access-Jesus.com helps people learn about, love, and promote Jesus.

Old Souls Of The World

Ever Thought About Self Love?

By self love I'm not talking about narcissism and lack of regard for others, but true, self love in terms of loving yourself for who you are. Do you? Despite all your weaknesses, perceived faults, parts of your body that you don't like... do you love yourself anyway?

If you can answer yes to that question - Fantastic! If you find it challenging to answer yes - don't beat yourself up over it! Many of us struggle to love ourselves - warts 'n' all. There is no blame here, just self awareness and self acceptance.

Let's look at this another way. There is an Ultimate Being, God, Buddha, Allah, Divine Spirit, Father Mother God, Creator, Holy Spirit, whatever your words for it, we know that there is an overall consciousness that inhabits everything. Is a part of everything. We can see this when we look at beautiful flowers, or landscapes, or stunning sunsets, the smell of fresh air, the taste of tasty food, the sounds of birdsong or rolling waves. Whatever you find relaxing or beautiful is infused with God consciousness. So when you look at, hear, feel, smell, taste, or touch these beautiful things it's easy to feel love for them.

Having accepted that God is in everything, we also then need to accept that God is within us. If we love God for being in everything, we also then need to love ourselves because of this. Otherwise we are rejecting God.

Now I know that these thoughts might be pushing some buttons in people because of the word "God". I make no apology for that. It's a terminology that is easy to use to get across the concept that the Ultimate Consciousness is within us all. Therefore Every Thing and Every One deserves to be loved by us - including ourselves.

Take some time to think more about yourself. Start to acknowledge more the things about yourself that you do actually like. Let go of negative thoughts about yourself that bring you down. You love other people warts and all, try doing the same for yourself. Take it gently, but take another step towards self love and self respect. Start by writing a list of 50 positive things that you love about yourself. It may take you a couple of days and that's OK. Take your time, but do make sure you complete it. Once you have your list can you make it longer? Every time you find something positive about yourself that you love or like, add it to the list and, each day.

Alun is a spirtual life coach focused on personal and spiritual evolution. You can read more about him and his work here http://www.lifesense.co.uk

Finding A Mentor

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Contractors Read This - Construction Morals

If you have an older home there's a good chance you have one by six diagonal floor sheeting and some of the knots have fallen out by now. Some of these large knots can create safety hazards for your home. Performing major remodels or whole house renovations on older homes you can run into quite a few problems with these kinds of wood floors.

One of the first things I do is remove the carpeting and padding. This exposes the floor sheeting for further examination. By the time I am done with all the plumbing and electrical repairs underneath the subfloor it seems that some of the 1 x 6 has been damaged. Your first thought of course is just to replace the 1 x 6 that is damaged and be done with it.

This is one way to approach the problem, another is to repair the 1 x 6 that was damaged and install half inch plywood over the existing floor sheeting. Please make sure the floor is level and has no humps or dips in it before you start installing the new plywood over the existing floor sheeting.

I ran into a problem like this on one job where the contractor was in a hurry to finish the flooring and chose to go right over the existing floor that was out of level. The bad part about this is when the homeowner chose to go with expensive wood flooring throughout his home. When you walked in to the front of his house you felt like you were going out to a small wheelchair ramp for about 10 feet and then of course it felt like you were going down for another 6 feet.

In order to repair this properly it would've taken the other contractor about 24 hours to repair the floor. In this case the homeowner would have been glad to pay for the repair after the fact. Sometimes when contractors mention a potential problem down the road and how much it will cost to repair that problem, most homeowners cannot see the value in the contractor's opinion at that time.

I felt sorry for the homeowner because this was not what he wanted and he was upset with the contractor but the job was done. This is my warning to any contractor, handyman or home repair specialists. When installing a new plywood floor over an existing floor to strengthen it up, use some common sense and repair the floor correctly or don't do the job at all.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes in Home Remodeling

Make A Live Out Of Your Life

How To Repair Holes From Door Knobs - Home Tips

Fixing holes in your wall can be a challenge if you have no idea how to repair the wall or even how it is built.

Have you ever slammed a door shut because you were a little mad a something of someone. Well now have you ever slammed a door open a little to hard and then hearing a sound like something just stuck to the wall.

Well now that would be the sound of your door knob going through the drywall or plaster. Oh crap now what do I do. And don't try to blame this one on the kids either. Right about now you are wondering how in the heck am I going to repair this and not let it happen again.

You should have a nice round hole in the door. Try to remove the piece of drywall without it falling into the wall. After you get this piece of drywall out set it to the side for possible reinstallation. Now get a measuring tape to see if the wall is framed with 2 x 4 or 2 x 6.

If the wall is framed with 2 x 4 it will measure three and one half inches in between the drywall or plaster. If it is a 2 x 6 framed wall it will measure five and one half inches in between the drywall or plaster.

We will use the 2 x 4 wall for our example on fixing the hole from the door knob. Cut a piece of 2 x 4 about 5 inches long and taper both ends of the 2 x 4 so you will be able to slide the piece of wood into the damage hole.

When you slip the wood into the hole set it on edge and screw the sides into the drywall. This will hold the2 x 4 in place. Next reinstall the piece of drywall you removed and screw it into the drywall. Now for the secret to finishing the wall.

Go down to your local home improvement store and purchase a round rubber door stop that glues onto the wall. These rubber and sometimes plastic door stops will be about 6 inches in diameter and work great for these holes.

You could also buy a few more of them to protect the walls from big bad door openers.
Keep Your Temper In Check and You Won't Have To Keep Writing Them

Greg Vanden Berge has been in the home building and remodeling business in California for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information.

His website provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building in North San Diego Valley Center Remodeling

Visit us now for Drywall Ideas

Choices We Make In Life

The "Seven Deadly Sins" Home Buyers Commit

Buying a Home can sometimes seem to be a daunting task, filled with details and pitfalls. It's hard to remember everything as you are going through the process, but if you can avoid the following seven common mistakes you will come out way ahead.

1) Not Getting Pre-Qualified

This is the step you take before you even start looking at homes, and it will make your life so much easier. Start your home search by visiting a lender. They will ask specific questions about your income, bank accounts, debt, etc. and will help you determine how much home you can afford to buy. Stick within the limits they set for you and you will be much happier in future years. Their guidance is an important first step on the path to home ownership.

2) Thinking There is Only One Perfect Home For You

Buying a home is usually a process of elimination. You have a list of "must haves" and "want to haves", and "definitely don't wants". There are a limited number of homes currently for sale in the area you have chosen. Often times you can't get everything you want in one home, so you must trade-off and balance some of these "haves", "wants", and "don't wants".

New properties come on the market every day, so try to be flexible and open to new possibilities. By eliminating the homes that don't work, you get down to picking the best of the "possibles". Don't worry, you often end up finding a house that is just right for you, and you'll know it the minute you walk in.

3) Not Knowing the Total Costs Involved

When you find homes you like, ask your lender for an estimate of closing costs. This should include Title Company fees, Pre-paid expenses like taxes, insurance and pro-rated mortgage interest. Attorney fees and Homeowners Association dues may also need to be taken into account. Examine this Estimate closely and make sure you understand where each cost is coming from and whether it will be an ongoing cost after you own the home, or a one-time fee. Check the actual Closing cost statement at settlement to make sure there are no surprises.

4) Not Having a Home Inspection

Some buyers try to save a few bucks by not having a whole house inspection or by doing it themselves. Saving money today this way could end up costing you thousands in the future.

Get a qualified Home Inspector to go over the entire house, inside and out, basement and attic. His report will call out all deficiencies and suggest repairs and further action. The findings in the report may also give you leverage you can use in the negotiations with the seller.

5) Not Considering Long Term Needs

It is important to think ahead. Is your family growing? You may need more home 3-5 years from now. That "cute breakfast nook" of today will not be so cute when six people are bumping knees trying to squeeze into it. Will this home suit you in the future, or will you grow out of it.

6) Not Following Through on Due Diligence

Make a list of non-house related issues - Schools, crime rates, neighbors, traffic, power lines, new development in the area, environmental issues, etc. Ask these questions before you make any offer on a home. By getting these answers now, you'll have more confidence in your home purchase.

7) Not Buying a Home Protection Plan

This is an inexpensive short term insurance policy on the home, usually covering appliances and basic repairs for one year. It can be purchased for a small fee and will give you peace of mind about that dishwasher or water heater going bad just three weeks after you move in - every home buyers nightmare. Talk to your Realtor, they can recommend a good plan.

If you can avoid the seven common mistakes above, you'll be miles ahead, and can have peace of mind that you are making a solid, well thought out decision about the purchase of your next home. What's the old saying....."An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? Never has it been so true as in the home buying process.

Vicki Walker is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Davis, California. Her clients buy and sell Davis CA Real Estate and Homes She has been a Yolo County Realtor for over 12 years and enjoys writing articles about the business of Real Estate.

Bhagavad Gita

Hire a Local Qualified Home Inspector to Do Your Home Inspections

Did you know that a newly constructed house needs aresidential inspection performed on behalf of the home buyer? Even buyers of older homes often forget to have a home inspection or even know they can require a home inspector as a part of the pre-purchase process. Failing to have the inspection performed can relieve the seller from liability with any needed repairs, and leave you holding the money pit.

Did you know that a house inspection from a professional will usually consist of over 2500 different items being looked at. It is our job to completely evaluated almost all systems of the house from the roof all the way to the basement or crawlspace. Certified home inspectors have demonstrated their ability to locate structural issues, HVAC problems, plumbing and electrical issues, and even issues outside of the home that may have been missed even by the local building inspector. The cost of a home inspection is very low compared to the cost of almost any missed repair issues.

In areas like the humid Atlanta region there are issues such as water leaks, black mold, HVAC condensation, and leaching that may not be applicable in other areas. In fact each area of Georgia is different so if buying a home in North Georgia it is important to work with a reliable residential inspection specialist who has experience in the North Georgia area. After all, would an inspector from South ofAtlanta know how to look for roof damage caused by snow on a home in Ball Ground? Not likely. Keep it local and find a home inspector to provide a home inspection on your nexthouse or investment property. Every area has it's own set of issues related to the climate alone.

David Lelak is the owner/home inspector for IHI Home Inspections in Atlanta, GA. He is a Certified Atlanta home inspector, a member of Nachi and has been in the residential construction industry for over 20 years. My job is to protect one of the biggest investments you might ever make. So when I do a home inspection I inspect the property as if I were purchasing it for me and my family. Your families safety is my biggest concern and I want customers for life. Visit my website today at http://www.ihihomeinspections.com to schedule your inspection online.

Editorial services provided by my friend Ken Cook http://www.icobb.com

Gregs Videos

Sunday, June 21, 2009

How to Use Affirmations to Get Anything You Want

Do you know how to use affirmations? As with just about any subject, there are a lot of nay sayers when it comes to affirmations. Many will state that affirmations do not work. Well many people will tell you that investing in the stock market did not produce positive results for them as well. Yet there are people that have made a killing in the stock market.

What is my point?

My point is simply this ... maybe you do not fully understand the correct way to make affirmations work for you. You can say affirmations for many subjects: health, wealth, anxiety, love, etc. you name it. The key to making affirmations work ... is how they make you feel. Does your affirmation change your mood? Or do you have an inner voice cancelling the affirmation? Do you hear your small voice (ego) telling you it just isn't true? "I am rich", "I am lean and at my ideal weight", "I am in a wonderful loving relationship with my soul-mate".

Does you ego argue with you: "rich ...you're broke", "you don't look lean to me", "looks to me like you are alone." This is when you need to take control. You need to take control of your mind and get it to focus on WHAT YOU WANT. You need to say your affirmations and feel the feelings of what you are affirming. So if you say "I am rich" over and over again, you need to feel like your are rich. The affirmation is your re-programming your subconscious mind (and drowning out your ego) so you do get what you affirm.

Words by themselves do nothing. You need to feel the power of your words - as in the words in your affirmations need to inspire, uplift, change your state of being so you do feel better. So pick words that bring you mental pictures that uplift you and feel good.

Your affirmation could be a single word. For example: riches or lean or wealth or love. If these words bring powerful feelings ... then I'd say you should affirm them. I used to affirm "be love". This was a strong reminder for me to BE more loving. This especially worked for me when I was not in a great mood at the time.

Affirmations are a wonderful tool. I recommend you spend 10-15 minutes several times a day doing your affirmations and feel the feelings of having your affirmation now. The real key, as with any technique, is consistent application. Do it. Do it daily ... and believe it will make a difference.

For a good source of additional information click here

Self-Talk - What Style of Music Does Your Self-Talk Resemble?

My dad used to say that he always knew who was at home when he arrived. If he smelled something cooking he knew it was my sister, Debbie. If he heard piano music he knew it was me.

From the time that I was a baby, my dad sang to me. My mother, to the horror of family members, cashed in her teacher's superannuation (pension) of $300.00 when I was six to buy a piano so that I could take lessons. I remember taking my quarter each week and setting it on the corner of the instructor's piano to pay for the half hour session.

Over the years I have sung in choirs, purchased hundreds of 45s, LPs, 8-tracks (my age shows), cassettes and CDs. I have bought tickets to concerts, danced at Cabarets and sung in the Rotary Festival. As well, I have added some fun jazz songs when doing professional or impromptu entertaining.

Music has been and continues to be a powerful and influential part of my life.

Now I don't want to be disrespectful but I'm not big on "heavy metal". I don't know if it's the loudness or the lyrics but sometimes I would listen to songs with clients and feel the hair on the back of my neck rise or a tightening in my muscles. It's not that I hate it but it doesn't give me the same feeling as other types of music.

Our brains are similar, in some ways, to a ghetto blaster or stereo system. The major difference of course, is that the electronic system has a power button and can be turned off. Not so with the brain.

Sometimes I hear people state that they "veg" in front of the television and just let their brain go blank. That is really not possible. The brain is always working - even when we sleep.

The main similarity between the brain and the stereo system is that with each we choose the tunes we play. Self-talk involves the continuous stream of messages that we tell ourselves 24 hours a day. "I knew you wouldn't be able to do that" or "Way to go. You did it" can be as powerful to us as the reactions we have to "heavy metal" compared to "a lullaby".

When people are anxious, worried or insecure, the behaviours can often be observed in their body language. They might tremble, stutter or apologize frequently.

Affirmations are statements that a person makes to himself or herself. In order for them to be effective in helping the individual to reach potential, they need to state a goal in the present tense that is said with emotion. For example, if you are facing a test, it won't help to keep telling yourself "I can't do this. I'm going to fail". Instead you might reword your affirmation to "I can do this. I am smart enough and I have made it this far. I know that with preparation I am a person who can accomplish things that are important to me!"

What a difference! It's kind of like the difference between "heavy metal" and a "lullaby". They sound different and create different reactions and results.

What's your musical preference?

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://www.lindahancockspeaks.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Light Workers video

This video tells of the estoic wisdom between the three types of light workers and how they are going to bring the earth into a new earth full of love and light.

Life of Jesus

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a spiritual help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Overcoming Limited Beliefs
Small Things Lead To Change

Spiritual Connection to the Earth

From an oversea's show, spliced to view the message from one elder (Floyd Red Crow Westerman)...how america has come and is destined to go. .. added the Elders Speak to the title

Life of Jesus

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a spiritual help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Mark Twain
Bathroom Remodel Investment When

Finding the Truth About the Secret

Jesus said what you sow you shall reap. In a sense, this is what "The Secret" and the so-called law of attraction are all about. But while Jesus was speaking to the way we treat others, The Secret is about what we manifest for ourselves through our thoughts and beliefs. In other words its about how we treat ourselves.

We see the law of attraction in play all around us every day. Think about that relative or friend for whom everything always goes wrong. No matter what business they start or relationship they get in, nothing ever works out. You might be inclined to say they've had an endless string of bad luck.

Most of us are kind of in between, having some "good luck" and some "bad luck". Maybe you can't seem to get rid of your credit card debt, while your neighbor, who only makes a modest income, got rid of hers in almost painless fashion. These are examples of how the law of attraction can work in a bad way-attracting negative things with negative energy. We also know it can work in a positive way and attract good things with positive energy. Besides knowing people with an endless string of bad luck, you've probably known people who seem to have everything work out for them. The truth of the law is self-evident, the hard part is really making it work for you.

Its easy enough to accept that you control what you attract into your life. What needs to happen next is getting in harmony with the positive energy that is already out there in the universe. If you want greater prosperity in your life then visualize it. It really is that simple but we also have to avoid getting in harmony with negative energy-which will act as a roadblock to manifesting our dreams. For many of us our conditioning and habitual way of thinking is caught up in the negative. That's why its so easy to worry about paying bills off instead of visualizing wealth.

So it isn't that the law of attraction doesn't work, its working all the time. But it works on our conditioning and habitual ways of thinking that are rooted in the unconscious mind-and its hard to undo a lifetime of bad programming in a day. If your subconscious mind is not in tune with positive energy, then "the secret" isn't going to work the way you want it to. But there are ways to learn how to reprogram your unconscious mind and underlying beliefs. Then the law of attraction will work in abundance.

For more information, please visit Making The Secret Work for You.

The Jewish Menorah - A History

The menorah is a seven branched candelabra which has come to represent the Jewish People and Israel. Its origins directly derive from the Torah and its symbolism has proven to be long lasting.

Early coins and pottery containing images of the menorah and dating back to biblical times have been recovered from archaeological sites.

The first menorah was originally made for the tabernacle and later placed in the first and second temples. The Torah records how the great artist, Bezalel, fashioned the menorah in accordance to detailed Divine instructions. These instructions are recorded in Exodus 25:31-40, see excerpt below:

"31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it. 32 And there shall be six branches going out of the sides thereof: three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candle-stick out of the other side thereof..."

Listed below are some of the facets of the menorah:

- (as stated above) it was hewn out of a single block of pure gold

- it weighed approximately 150 pounds and just under 5 ft in height

- it had seven branches; a middle branch and three branches extending from each side

- according to Maimonides and Rashi, the side-branches extended from the middle branch in a diagonal line, not in a semi-circular arc as most drawings depict

- extra pure olive oil was used in the cups - gently pressed, not crushed and just the first emerging drops were considered pure enough

- it was positioned beside the southern wall of the temple, opposite the 'shulchan', the table which held the twelve show-breads.

The daily maintenance and lighting of the menorah was a task allocated to the Kohanim (priests). Interestingly, although only the Kohanim were permitted to prepare the menorah, there were no restrictions as to who could light it.

It is written that one branch of the menorah miraculously stayed alight continuously. Synagogues today have a 'ner tamid' (everlasting light) situated opposite the ark, which contains the Torah scrolls. This reminds us of the significance of the menorah during temple times. In addition many synagogues also display a menorah, or an artistic impression of one, in painted decorations or on stained glass windows.

After the fall of the Second Temple, Jewish historian Flavius Josephus recorded that the menorah was taken to Rome and carried along during the triumphant homecoming parade. A depiction of this event is preserved on the Arch of Titus that still stands today in Rome.

During the Jewish festival of Chanukah a menorah is lit on each of the eight nights. This menorah differs from the temple's menorah in that it has nine branches instead of seven.

The location of the original menorah is unknown today but the symbolism lives on; the national emblem of the State of Israel is a menorah, flanked by two olive branches.

The author of this article researched the origins of the menorah during the development of a range of Judaic themed homeware. http://www.judaicamosaica.com

Thursday, June 18, 2009

The Pizza Man And The Parrots?

Another day ends as the crimson sun sets beyond the glistening waters of the Verrazano where kites fly, joggers jog and lovers gaze. Its no wonder Brooklyn is the star child of New York.

Famous for its humble beginnings and ahem... a few A-list celebrities: Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Marisa Tomei and Tony Danza each began their legacies here.

The food? Let's just say when it comes to food, no where on earth will you find better bagels, mozzarella, or pizza. John Travolta put Brooklyn on the map in 1977 when he played the role of neighborhood ruffian Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, ate a piled high triple slice of pizza at Lennys on 86th Street and strutted his stuff through the streets of Bensonhurst.

In this great town, there is always room for more! In the land of Badda-boom, Fughettabout it, and thick-necked tough guys are some docile newcomers: the Green Monk (Quaker) Parrots, a.k.a (Myopsitta Monachus) which have inhabited the towns trees and utility poles. As legend would have it, the beautiful South American decedents destined for sale at local area pet shops escaped (or rumored to have been released) from a shipping crate at Kennedy Airport in 1968. They have adapted brilliantly to harsh NYC winters by nesting near warm power lines and transformers. As a result the birds have multiplied and appeared in satelite colonies delighting most residents throughout the borough.

According to www.brooklynparrots.com, the adorable tropical newbies are so adaptable in fact, that theyve developed a taste for our pizza! What is it about Brooklyn pizza that attracts tropical birds or anyone for that matter? Neapolitan thin-crust or thick Sicilian, round or square, classic or nouveau, no one makes Americans favorite food better than Brooklyn pizzerias. Perhaps its the light, crispy crust made with the freshest toppings? Who knows? Parrot Expert, Steve Baldwin tells like this:

I was walking down Brooklyn's Bedford Avenue on Friday when I heard a pronounced crunching sound coming from overhead. I looked up, and there in a tree was a pair of wild monk parrots sharing a slice of pizza. "Eureka!" - I shouted, reaching for my trusty camera, cognizant that I was on the cusp of a new discovery that would forever enlighten scientists studying the fascinating species known as Myiopsitta Monachus. For while it has been known since Charles Darwin studied the monk parrot in the 1830's that the species is "omnivorous" (meaning that it will eat almost anything, as long as it tastes good), and that bagel-eating among New Jersey wild parrots has been demonstrated in the field (Evans-Fragale, 2004) no actual evidence of pizza-eating among wild parrots has, to my knowledge, existed in the formal literature, until now."

Despite neighborhood hospitality cultural diversity and the best pizza in the U.S., the birds are moving on. They have been spotted setting up nests in the Bronx, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Florida.

I'd have to say that it's a real honor to be graced with culinary accolades from The Wild Parrots of Brooklyn. The parrots help to make Brooklyn a little greener and remind us that the best things in life really are free - even if the pizza is not.

Art imitates life for Brooklyn Author Nancy S. Mure, who created The Pizza Man and the Parrots, illustrated by Tom Torre. The heartwarming and humorous children's story is about a good natured Pizza Man and the talking birds who prove to be his toughest customers! http://www.nancysmure.com

How Can My Fireplace Affect My Health?

Many people love the look of fireplaces in their homes. Having a fireplace creates a warm, inviting feel that makes visitors feel at ease, and creates a centerpiece that enhances the dcor of any room.

Although fireplaces are usually good for your home's energy, there are a couple of situations where having a fireplace can actually drain the positive energy of your home, and create an environment that can foster poor health.

This can happen when you have a fireplace that is located in the center of your home. Your home's center is the most important area for maintaining positive energy and good health. This is because the energy in this area affects all of the other areas in your living space. For this reason, it is vital that the energy in this area be kept as clear as possible.

The center of your house represents the center of your body. Having a strong element of fire in this area is just like having excessive heat running through your body. Having a fireplace in the center of your home can create a sense of exhaustion throughout your living space. It also affects your adrenal glands, and can weaken your immune system.

Obviously, if you have a fireplace in the center of your home, it is not practical to move it for the sake of improving your home's energy. However, there are a number of feng shui techniques you can use to stop the energy drain.

First, you can place a water feature, such as a small table top fountain or a fish tank, near your fireplace. Including the water element in this area will help to balance the energy created by the fire element.

If it is not possible to place a water feature near your fireplace, you can use objects that represent water, such as paintings or pictures of seascapes, rivers, lakes, or waterfalls. Hanging these pictures over or near your fireplace will help to improve the energy throughout your entire home.

You can also use black colored objects to represent the water element. Black planters, vases, and statuary placed near your fireplace will help to build positive energy to support your family's good health.

Hanging a mirror over your fireplace, or placing one in the surrounding area, will also bring in the water element. Using a mirror near your fireplace will stop the drain of energy, and you'll notice that your whole house just feels better.

Another area that is not ideal for a fireplace in terms of health is in the middle, left area of your home. This area also represents health, as well as family. Having a fireplace here can result in 'heated' family issues or over-activity in the body (such as high blood pressure, over-active thyroid, etc.)

Once again, the key is to balance out the fire energy with the element of water in the same ways as mentioned previously. Since this area is also associated with the wood element, you could also add some wood here - some ways to do that would be to bring in a plant or some flowers, a picture of flowers, plants or trees, or simply something that is made of wood. You could also use anything in the colors of blue or green.

It is important to take care of your health in any way that you can. If you have health issues and you happen to have a fireplace in either of these two areas - you'll want to consider these recommendations. They really can make a big difference.

Linda Binns shows you how to be more successful in all areas of your life by working with your environment. Get FREE Feng Shui Success Secrets. These powerful and practical secrets can help you transform your life. Go to http://www.fengshuiexplained.com now.

Linda Binns is author of Feng Shui for Your Relationships: Changing Your Environment to Create Better Relationships. She has been a Feng Shui Practitioner, Author, Speaker and teacher for over 10 years. She has appeared internationally on television and radio and in local publications. Linda is also the founder of The Feng Shui Success Institute - which teaches in-depth Feng Shui training and practitioner certification.

The Times They Are Changing

We live in a very interesting time in world history. The evolution of getting to this point has never been so dynamic. Even though all the events that have taken place prior to this point in time have great significance, and the fact that it is what brought us here, our current world environment has been propelled into the 21st century with lightening speed. The advancement of technology in communications, information, and the internet has created the instant information age. And with that our conscious minds have become more inter connected with the world than ever before.

What is interesting is that this phenomenon is the staging ground for all of us to become more enlightened. We are, and always have been connected to the entire universe. We all have roots in the universe because consciousness affects our physical world, which includes all living things right down to the individual cells. Our minds have a great influence on our health and well being and on how we view the world. Our existence in the universe is born of a sense of participation and kinship with all others and all matter. The basic oneness of the universe is the central characteristic of the mystical experience, but is also one of the most important revelations of modern physics, (i.e. quantum physics). But I don't want to talk about quantum theory; I want to talk about the human connectedness, and what I detect as a shift in the thinking of more and more people.

Because of the information age, a fast paced lifestyle, what's in it for me attitude, and a win at all cost mentality, too many people began losing sight of the connection we all have with each other and the universe. The ideal of we are all in this together was fading, and taking responsibility for the common good of all, had begun to disappear. Over the last decade, an exponential amount of negative actions and the pursuits of an ideology of egotism have brought us to this juncture. But there is hope because I see the beginning of a change in the minds of many people.

Now, more than ever people are placing an increased importance on relationships. Taking stock of what really matters, like family, friends, and community. There is a new awareness that we are all connected to the universe, and that human consciousness and the physical world are intertwined. The realization is that there is a profound interaction that exists between conscious mental activity and the physical world itself.

We cannot separate our own existence from that of the outside world. We are not only associated with the earth that we inhabit, but with the furthest reaches of the cosmos. We affect all of those about us, so events such as caring, loving, and confiding exert profound consequences on the universe.

Following the Laws of Attraction, the universe gives us what we want if follow our dreams and our passions, but it also takes away if we lose sight of that connection that exists between us all. I believe that there is a change in the winds of time because there is the beginning of an understanding of this relationship. Maybe, just maybe it could be the start of the new Age of Enlightenment.

http://www.enerchilivingspaces.com/

Owner : EnerChi Living Spaces & Gallery. We are a unique Home & Garden decor store. Specializing in Feng Shui design and consultation. We offer one-of-a-kind gifts and personalized ideas for decorating your home, garden and office. We offer workshops in Feng Shui decorating, meditation, journal writing, and manifesting your dreams. We support our local artists and musicians with shows and vignettes. Our merchandise is selected from all over the world with an emphasis on Asian Western design. The store exhibits a unique blend of products in a tranquil peaceful setting. We have just launched a home staging service for our local market. We have just completed an expansion to over 2,000 square ft. and our new website has launched. http://www.enerchilivingspaces.com

Interview with George B. Wallace, author of "Oh! God? Is That You? I Have A Question"

Chatting with us today is George Wallace, all the way from Hawaii. George recently published a controversial book that is sure to create headlines. Welcome to Reader Views, George.

Irene: Tell us the gist of your book Oh! God? Is that you? I Have a Question.

George: God is not human. Humans might say this. They do not believe this. Nearly everything they do and say and symbolize indicates that they do not believe this. This idea of a nonhuman God changes everything.

Irene: Please clarify you are saying that God is not human and people say He is not, and dont believe He is not. Are you meaning to say that people say that God is human? Im not quite following your answer above because it doesnt make sense of what you say later.

George: Simply, actions speak louder than words. Pay attention to what people do, and not what they say. In other words, watch the hands. People will agree, if not directly say, that God is not human. People will agree that He is beyond human. People will agree that He is not, cannot, be human. That He is beyond human comprehension. That is OK so far as it goes. They do not believe this in their bones.

Take a look in the materials provided to children in the indoctrination classes. Look at the picture books. Look at the pictures in books for older kids and even adults. Look at the walls in instructional areas and chapels at icons, paintings, and sculptures. Start with the Sistine Chapel ceiling. How is God portrayed?

Plus, there is the backup use of the cop out plea. Jesus was human. We can show you God as human because Jesus was human. Begin with the Nicene Creed, the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. If Jesus, Christ is God, how is he pictured? The last time I checked, this fine example of middle-eastern Semitic Hebrew manhood is often portrayed as a northern narrow faced European, fair skinned, sometimes with blue eyes and wavy red brown hair.

Irene: What inspired you to write this book?

George: The Ah Ha! moment when I suddenly realized the effects on humans of a God that was not human. Our words say one thing and all our symbols say another. This is a really mixed message. This realization continued to expand as with a layering of shells. One concept led to another, and soon I knew that I had to write in an attempt to keep things clear for my own mind. The book grew out of that writing.

Irene: Your book is challenging some belief systems. Tell us about some of the controversy that is around your writing.

George: The very idea that God is not human is quite controversial enough. The last few days of rioting in the Muslim world illustrate just how emotionally attached to such basic bed rock concepts we humans can be. Even if those concepts are irrational. The happy, fuzzy, warm idea that God is human is a fairy tale. This fairy tale is very comforting to most human beings that believe in a monotheistic God. To take it away outrages many.
Most are unwilling to even consider it. It rattles their bedrock of faith like an earthquake.

Irene: It is my understanding that its only some religions that believe in a human God. I also understand that some Christian religions believe that God and Jesus are the same. Would you please clarify this for us.

George: I did not research to discover the number and names of religions that believe in a human God. I think that in terms of numbers of believers, Christianity and Islam are about equal in numbers. Each of these is about equal in size to Hinduism, and Buddhism. In theory Christianity, Islam, the Hebrews, and possibly a few other splinter groups all worship the same God. Each exhibits different variants in this process. I am not an expert in how each of these religions shows God. Or, even if they try.

As to some Christian religions believe that God and Jesus are the same that was the argument in about 300 AD, which led Emperor Constantine to force the religious issue for political considerations (reduction of civil strife) and which brought about the Nicene Creed, the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. In my book, I left that question a bit unclear. I said that Jesus returned to God. I am unclear in my own thinking as to
Whether or not Jesus and God are the same. I simply believe that Jesus is now a part of God. Does that mean that they are the same? Can you split an eyelash finer than that?

My work was to briefly look at religions that did not think of God as human. It was the thought process that fascinated me as it is the thought process from which values for living and relating to other people are derived. I was not, and am not particularly interested in all of the perverse methods that people have found to mistreat each other over the thousands of years of human culture. I was interested in exploring basic issues. Questions like: Why would God create anything? What could possibly be the motivations that would move God to do anything? In the possible God-human relationship, where does Man really fit?

Irene: Why do you believe that many of the people are disbelieving what you write?

George: While we are early in our gathering of responses, those responses are definitely mixed.

Irene: Yes, I can image they are mixed at this point. I would image you would get different responses from different belief systems for example the Buddhists who dont believe in a God would have a different reaction than a Christian, lets say a Catholic, would. What are some of the responses you have been getting.

George: My readings about Buddhism are less clear than your statement that they do not believe in a God. There is their eternal search for enlightenment. Is enlightenment just another word for God? Ive met a few practicing Buddhists that have said to me that they pray to Buddha. Might this not reflect a drift in their belief about the nature of God?
Possibly it is a lack of clarity?

The last person to say to me that he was a Buddhist, also said that he wished that he had had my book years ago to give to his son. The implication to me was that his son was struggling with the concept of God.

Whenever dealing with the word Christian I tend to want to ask a lot of qualifying questions. What brand of Christianity? Catholic? Greek Orthodox? Russian Orthodox? Ethiopian Gnostic? Protestant? Main Stream? Sect? Who is your leader? Do you bite snakes? Do you speak "in tongues"? I have attended church services in about twelve different Christian denominations. At the moment, I have three books in the hands of friends. I await their written responses.

Irene: One of the points you cover is the effectiveness of prayer. Please give our reading audience your opinion on prayer.

George: The concept of God answering any prayer, or making some change in the real world based on the request of any human, is ridiculous. The value of prayer is entirely internal to and for the individual. God has a Plan. It is His Plan. We are a very small part of that Plan. Our limited purpose is to provide God with information. If He goes fiddling with the parameters of His Plan in the middle of the process, He gets incomplete or
inaccurate information. He would not do that because humans are simply not that
important to Him.

Irene: Why do people believe the opposite?

George: Because it is easier and much more comfortable to believe otherwise. They lie to themselves. It is a self perpetuating falsehood. Few persons ever truly want to accept reality and responsibility to and for themselves. It is so much easier to give responsibility to someone else. Especially someone powerful, like "God". God will take care me.
Whatever He says, goes. God wants it. God did it (to me). This is not quite sane.
It is quite similar to believing in a large invisible furry rabbit with magical powers as a personal friend and companion.

Irene: You have been referred to as an anti-Christ and demon infidel. Those are some pretty strong accusations. What does this do to you?

George: It generally makes me laugh. That any humans act so, and say such drivel, tells me that we humans are not so far removed from the apes as we would like to think.

Irene: Do you think their accusations could be coming from their own fears? And why?

George: I really, really want to say simply, yes. Because they are afraid. Afraid that they are wrong. That they have made a mistake. That they have bet on the wrong horse. I have a lifetime of study and experience in dealing with all ages of people from classrooms to boardrooms. This tells me that the louder the message, the more circumspection and suspicion is required. The loudest are the least secure. The most vociferous are the least secure. The most profane are the least secure. Most such
Are torn by internal strife, and are closest to a shattering of belief. They know this instinctively to be true of themselves. This is particularly true as shown in their personal actions. This is especially true when their personal self-interest is involved.

Irene: What is your personal image and belief around God?

George: God is a timeless eternal immaterial intelligence who questioned Himself and in that process created the Universe and initiated life for His own purposes. He needs to have done this only once. That humans existence is an accidental, random chance result. A result that derived from the evolutionary process of developing life. Life which follows the rules that God first established for the Universe. However, we are here, and God is perfectly willing to use us to further His purpose. What happens to us individually, or as a race, is not particularly important to anyone but us, and certainly not God.

Irene: How does that differ from the masses?

George: As a first estimate, I'd say that it is totally at odds with the beliefs of the masses. Most people refuse to believe that God did not plan everything around the human race. They believe that we are special, in Gods favor, and that God is there for us. Many insist that God created the Universe the way that they say He did. In other words, telling God how to do His job. Why do they do this? Because a document written by humans
said so.

Irene: What do you believe is Gods purpose for Himself?

George: In my book, I say that for God to have decided to make any change in the Perfection that was Himself, He had to Doubt Himself. God had to ask, Am I Perfect? All else came after that first question. Creation of the Universe. Creation of life. And so on. Gods Purpose is to seek Perfection.

Irene: You say that what happens to us individually, or as a race, is not important to God. How important is it to ourselves to improve and live a fulfilled life?

George: That question is the ultimate question that every human must eventually answer for himself, unless he / she dies first. Very large numbers of humans never face this question. They are too young and still gripped by their internal belief in their own immortality when they die. Unfortunately, I fear that the activity we so easily call war is our own unrecognized genetic programming that could have as a purpose to force a confrontation with this very question of life fulfillment. It functions as a built in safety valve. Face death. Face it squarely. You will ask different questions. You will have different answers. You will act differently.

Irene: In your book you say if a soul is banished to Hell that Burned souls would give God indigestion. Thats a pretty strong statement against the belief of some. What do you base your belief on?

George: I believe God uses us to gather information for His Purpose. He therefore uses all humans to do this. God wants the souls of all humans. All of them then go to God. God does not need to keep some souls in a freezer for later use like leftovers in a plastic dish. Similarly, He has no reason to burn some souls. God has no need to "punish" some souls, nor burn some souls. God has no need of overdone human toast. God has no
Need of Hell. Hell is a human construct. Hell is a lie. Hell is a Big Lie, created by human beings with the purpose of seeking control of other human beings. My literary effort of language is an attempt to break through the impenetrable shell most humans have created around their minds and beliefs. It is shock value. Maybe if they are shocked a bit, they will also consider a new idea.

Irene: After Father Leo Booth published When God Becomes a Drug: Breaking the Chains of Religious Addiction & Abuse in 1991 he hired bodyguards to protect him when he went out into the public. He was threatened with the loss of his life. Have you been threatened?

George: Not yet. I expect it to happen any day. As sales start to increase, it is inevitable that some unbalanced mental case will come into possession of my book. Such brain dead defectives are always waiting "out there" to take advantage for themselves that fabulous fifteen minutes of infamy. Luckily Hawaii has a higher level of tolerance than most Holy Book thumping places.

Irene: I would imagine there are many people out there that are outraged with your comments. How do you handle their objection to your beliefs?

George: I tell them that I'm looking forward to a debate with Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, and that I expect to win. I encourage them to watch when the show finally comes on TV. Other than that, I am on a relatively large island in the middle of the largest ocean on the planet. It reduces exposure to a large continental sized variety of nut cases.

Irene: On the other hand, Im sure you have a huge following from people saying things like its about time something like this was written. How much support do you have?

George: "Huge" is an overstatement. On the other hand, we've just started to seek out responses and sales have barely begun. It takes a while to build a marketing effort. I have had positive responses so far. One friend told me that he wished that he had had this book years ago to give to his son. I really appreciated that. Beyond this, I tried to make it clear in my book that I'm not interested in starting, or leading, a movement, or
A new kind of "church". Religion is too personal to me. I think that religion is a personal and very individual responsibility, best savored largely alone, or with immediate
family.

Irene: Thank you George for taking time from your busy schedule to chat with us. Controversy always creates a wave, and Im sure that once your book hits the crest it will create a flood. Is there anything else that you would like our reading audience to know about you or your book?

George: When I was in the early stages of writing this book, before it became a book, I was first writing for myself. Later I was writing for my children and grandchildren. A lot of me is in the book. It needs to examined as a whole. Think of reading the book as a very thorough interview process of and for a prospective major employee. Most people charged with that responsibility, choosing a high level administrator for their business,
or school, spend more time at that job than they spend thinking about and choosing their religion. Than choosing their belief system. That seems to me to be an misapplication of effort. http://www.OhGodIsThatYou.com

Irene Watson is Managing Editor of Reader Views
http://www.readerviews.com

Hope is Action - Self Help Tips

I am going to talk about a forgotten necessity of your life. With daily stress, financial obligations, and competition you get to neglect the most important thing in life, YOU. Your self is so important that it is the only source of happiness, and success in your life, the world, and the universe. How can you ignore it?

Yourself is Dignity, Responsibility, Courage, Love, Action, and Power.

I am talking to adults that care about themselves, enjoy their present, and have a vision of their future, however they are entangled with surrounding negativity, global crisis, and personal obligations. They are hoping for things to change and improve by itself, so they can proceed toward their goals. Let me tell you that your hope is a wishful thinking. It is just a word you say to comfort yourself, not an inner feeling.

Hope, optimism, motivation, and self confidence comes from within yourself. It becomes active and rewarding only with action.

First you must make a choice to be aware of who you are based on your creation, not on psychological loops. Then you take action toward positive change of yourself and therefore to succeed in all perspectives of your life.

You have to BE before you are able to DO

Ask yourself "what do I have to lose to function at my maximum potential?" Nothing, you have nothing to lose, and all to gain. And your only cost is your will. "Why settle for less than your significant complete creation?"

I was so frustrated with everyone around me complaining about economy, marriage, and relationships. And I had to repeat the same words again and again, that you are the source of whatever is happening in your life, your job is yourself, when you change, everything around will too. I chose to positively channel my frustration with taking action toward a change. I have put together a coaching program that will guide you to explore yourself to become a master of your existence, and a leader of your life, through understanding the greatness of your creation.

I am going to work with you, everyday to get you back to who you really are, a complete human, with a mind, a heart, and a body. To transfer your wishful thinking to reality of happiness and success in all aspects of your life.

To claim your program "Hope is Action" go to http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs009/1102313419702/archive/1102366204153.html

Rola Jabri is a founder and president of MAOC Studio Inc. As a marketing consultant, and trainer she ventured in different venues with entrepreneurs to reach out to individuals as they are the source of any positive change in the world.

Copyright 2008 Hope is Action. The name and content of this article may not be copied, published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of MAOC Studio Inc.

Increase Your Self Esteem This Year!

Self esteem is vitally important and directly contributes to the results that we see in our lives. When you take a look at people who are thriving in the world, you can see that their self esteem is at a very healthy and beneficial level. When you take a look at people who are experiencing a great deal of pain and loss, you can see that their self esteem has taken a very severe blow.

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR SELF ESTEEM THIS YEAR?

First, you have to be able to really believe in yourself. And this can be quite tricky for many people. But, it is absolutely necessary. Believing in yourself is the cornerstone to improving your self esteem. And you can do this by starting out small. List a few things that have made you proud about yourself or things that you have accomplished that you can honestly describe as a success.

Everyone has at least a few things that they can be proud of. Next, create a hunger in yourself to make the change something that you really want. Realize just how much better your life will be if you allow yourself the gift of having a high level of self esteem. Realize that your relationships will improve and that you can begin to achieve what you want if you really feel good about yourself.

Increase your self esteem this year by allowing yourself to believe that you can and that you will. Give yourself the gift of feeling good about yourself and watch your life transform!

Learn how to attract love, money, or happiness or all three in YOUR LIFE NOW! Go to http://www.successfulfather.com and SIGN up for the FREE newsletter and BOOKMARK the site and return as often as you can!

You can attract the life that you truly desire! All you have to do is learn HOW!

Law of Attraction Secrets

Bryan Appleton is an investor/entrepreneur who has dedicated himself to teaching others how to achieve their dream life. He is also a proud single father with one son.

You can publish this article as long as you leave it intact and in full as well as keeping the URL link clickable.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Observer and the Observed

So quantum physics tells us that the observer causes the observed, or at the very least that the observer interferes with that which is being observed by the very process of observing it. Ive heard some people crying "heresy!" They do not like the idea that once the observer is not observing the observed, then the observed is not.

In my mind that misses a large, obvious point which makes the concept ludicrous. We are all one, god if you will, or at the very least energy, unseparated my anything other than atomic configuration which on a larger scale appears to create separation of bodies of mass. Since we know better, then theres a couple other points we cannot overlook.

Firstly, because we are all one energy field, for lack of a better term, there is no disappearance of anything when it is not being observed. Our human notion of not existing encapsulates anything not within the small frequency band our six physical senses can pick up. Perhaps the observer causes the observed to become a manifest, physical experience (to the observer), but the lack of observer in no way takes away the existence of that experience/being/energy.

Secondly, because all energy is the same, and we as apparently individual human beings are conscious, then its very difficult to imagine that any spec of the energy field of all-that-is could not be conscious. The type of consciousness may vary greatly, in an infinite number of ways, but is still basic consciousness nonetheless. For us to be conscious implies that everything is, that energy itself is consciousness. That ours is focused into a small amount of matter at the moment (exclusively, as far as what we deem our conscious mind is concerned) does not mean that every other piece of this energy shares that form of focalised consciousness.

If our rule of free will stands up, as it must, in that the law of attraction clearly states that we create our reality by what we think about, thereby allowing that to become part of our reality, then all forms of consciousness must inherit this same trait, although perhaps experentially very different. Therefore the observer cannot observe the observed unless the observed is also an observer that is observing the original observer.

With this understood, all observers are in fact by nature observed, as that which they are observing is also by nature observer. The process of observation therefore does not contain observed and observer, but both of those in both participants, or what I will now call observed(er).

I dont mean to shake rocky ground, but this places all new challenges on the understanding of the role of observer in the observed.

And having raised an issue without providing satisfactory resolution, I leave you now.

jonpeeoh (http://www.jonpeeoh.com) is a new web community devoted to raising consciousness, magick, and teaching others to take control of their powers as creators of their own reality.

Buddhism Religion Being Adopted in Many Facets

The Buddhism religion is growing in popularity. Many people are turning to Buddhism as a way of bringing peace and happiness into their lives. They enjoy the ritualized chants, meditations and lifestyle practices that the Buddhist religion offers.

The real secret to Buddhism, for those who are not aware of the faith, is that anyone can practice it. You can certainly enjoy and employ certain aspects that could enhance your life. Many people utilize Buddhism in some way every day but just do not realize it. It may be Buddhist art, meditation, a visit to a Zen garden or even yoga.

Yes, most Buddhists have a Buddha statue to look to for guidance and as a way to keep in touch with the Buddhism religion. Many people find the Indian and Tibetan artwork very relaxing and have incorporated it into their decor for their homes. With very pleasing color tones and a sense of tranquility, the Buddhist art is transforming many bedrooms and work places into Zen meditation retreats.

Speaking of meditation, the art of meditation practice is one that everyone should learn. It is a way to clear the mind and rid the body of stress. If you have had a bad time at work or you are under considerable family stress, meditation may be just what you need to find relaxation and a way to work through those problems. You do not have to assume some of the more traditional poses for meditation. Simply sit in a chair with your back straight, shoulders squared and your feet planted firmly.

You will then take in deep breaths through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth. While performing this breathing exercise you should begin working on clearing your mind. This mini "meditation retreat" can help you relieve the stress and tension in your body. If you devote just ten or fifteen minutes a day to this when things get stressful, then you will be able to tackle those touchy situations in no time at all. It will give you the time you need to think clearly.

One aspect of the Buddhism religion that is practiced in gyms across the world is yoga. This form of exercise allows you to assume different positions and relieve the stress and anxiety that may be plaguing you. If you need help getting started or simply want more information, then there are many books on Buddhism for sale in your local bookstore or you can check them out at your local library.

Learn more about the buddhism religion at Mike Selvon portal, and while you are there download your FREE gift on the teachings of Buddhism.

World's Worst Mass-Murderers - Religious Extremism Or Enlightened Secularism?

History - Written in Blood

The history of the world has been written in blood, until recently by dominating religions, intolerant of other faiths or beliefs: from dark-age pogroms, to early Islam's rampages, to the Crusades, to conquest of the New World, to the Inquisition, and to Stalin and Hitler and genocidal Holocaust. Throughout this gory litany, peace-seeking philosophers, war-weary, have dreamed periodically of a world without conflict. Other than the cultures and countries which worshipped the glory of mortal combat, e.g. the rulers and elite citizenry of ancient Rome, Sparta and more recently Prussia, most philosophers, and certainly at-risk commoners throughout history have dreamed of quiet lives without conflict or violence, safe from both external and internal attacks upon their freedoms and persons, hoping only to be permitted to enjoy their families and accomplishments in peace - and to die in bed at a respectable age.

Early on, wars were fought and peoples murdered to spread religion, coercive conversions forcing acceptance of the God of a dominant power. Dismayed at the carnage, rational humankind philosophized that no true divinity could tolerate, much less demand, such unwarranted cruelty - hence they must all be false - hence an anti-religion philosophy of rule-by-rationality should-be superior. Mankind began searching out a workable approach to peaceful governance - coexistence among peoples of differing faiths and philosophies - without bloodshed. By an "either-or" argument, if God and Religion seemed to be more cause than solution, perhaps durable peace could be achieved between nations - if "faith" would be discarded and replaced with "reason".

Such daring thinking was envisioned, then espoused - the concept of "enlightened" rule was developed - a peaceful society, governed by fairness in rules of conduct and justice; it was embarked upon and grew, with democratized liberation of countries from prior religious domination. Such optimistic and exciting "Enlightenment" theories took root, conceptually non-tyrannical authority being envisaged - neither rule by royal-lineage nor by divinity figures, instead leaders to be selected from the populace by majority choice, government by rational, impartial laws and justice, replacing religious dogmatism. The theory was implemented with confidence, preamble efforts beginning in (1776 in the US - excluded hereinafter, and) 1794 with the French Revolution. The ringing phrase "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" became the slogan of hope in France .

This expectation of a better approach was, however, short-lived, lasting but two years - ending with a parade of citizens, deemed unworthy of life, escorted to the guillotine - and a flood of blood. Subsequently, perhaps inevitably, the pendulum of non-religions or "enlightened" governance went into "overswing" - the world experiencing (perhaps) the ultimate in authoritarian rule based upon the moral compass of mere men - dictatorships - Communism and Nazi-ism!

Extremism of religious ideology and bigotry in living memory as well as recorded history, cannot be denied. Millions of lives have been taken by hatred as frenzied zealots of one religion held power over others - oft-times given a no-win choice, forced conversion or the sword. Even greater extremism is evident today, the virulence being obvious in the venue selection - where civilians, especially children gather - bloodied body-parts of innocents are shown in lurid photos and described in every newspaper - blown-up in buses, restaurants, marketplaces, houses of worship. Human intolerance of faiths other than their own, especially during outbreaks of mob psychology - particularly when exhorting a divine "commandment" to kill "the infidel" - are spurred on by inflammatory and instantaneous distribution of world news. Such bloodshed is even more commonplace today than in the past. So what is the carnage scorecard?

Undoubtedly hundreds of thousands of helpless human beings have been killed by the excesses of religion in recorded history, inflamed zealots, dark-age pogroms, genocides leading to the Holocaust, and present-day Islamo-terrorists. However, in contrast, when the supreme decision authority for life and death has been placed in human ethical standards of morality and justification, the pursuit of ever-greater powers and conquests are apparently irresistible. Rationalizations and cold assessments of benefits and advantages seem to easily overwhelm restraint - leading to carnage and ferocity - greatly exceeding even inflamed religious bigotry. Instead of the envisaged tolerance and fraternity, the end result of political experiments in "enlightened" human authority has been both unanticipated and uninhibited, the untethering of the worst instincts of human beings.

Over 100 Million Killed

Totaling the score can only be done in round numbers, but despotic rulers have caused over 100 million people being killed - by Communism and Nazi-ism within this past century: China, Soviet Union, North Korea, Cambodia, Africa, Afghanistan, and Nazi Europe. These human beings were killed, not in battle or by faith-based hatreds ("if your god is not my god, then you must die"), but from an ideology that denied "faith" itself ("There is no god, only man is the judge of right and wrong!"). With "political correctness" holding sway, it is religion itself that is targeted.

The history of humankind is a history of killing, not for food as in the animal kingdom, but to increase power, dominance of peoples and for land-mass acquisition. Today, of the world religions, all but one seem to have grown beyond desires to kill or compel conversions of other faiths, only the Muslim religion seems to still justify the sacrifice of not only their own lives but also those of their own children, in order to deny others a desired worship of their own gods.

Clearly, man's warlike nature is not curbed by devotion to a divinity. But the record shows that governance and morality considerations - which if not restrained by considerations superior to human authority - seems to lead to rationalizations for abuses with much more extreme end-results. Human nature, absent the moral and ethical compass of religion and with authority without limitation, seems to the inevitable justification of the ultimate in extremism, rationalizing away impediments to increasing authority and acquisition - mass murder without conscience.

Aaron Kolom qualifies as a "rocket scientist" with over 50 years aerospace engineering: Stress Analyst to Chief of Structural Sciences on numerous military aircraft, to Corp. Director Structures and Materials, Asst. Chief Engineer Space Shuttle Program through first three flights (awarded NASA Public Service Medal), Rockwell International Corp.; Program Manager Concorde SST, VP Engineering TRE Corp.; Aerospace Consultant.

Aaron L. Kolom - from Brainwashed* and Miracles**
* The Perceived Mind-Set of the Secular Elite re Darwin Evolutionism!
** To Believe in Them - Have Faith - In Science and Logic!

Visit website at http://www.brainwashedandmiracles.com to learn a bit about Science vs the Bible, from conflict to confirmation.

Lighting Your Path From Within

You might have heard the expression, 2009 is your year to shine. Please, let that be true every year! Yet there is truth in that statement. The Universal energies are revved up at the moment to help bring your evolution to new heights. This is a highly charged time to help you create the life of your dreams, and more importantly, fulfill your higher purpose. As you radiate your inner light, you act as a beacon of hope and inspiration for others, and truly make the world a more beautiful place.
2009 is a Universal year of 11. (We derive this by adding the numbers 2+0+0+9=11). 11 an extremely powerful number; in numerology, it is considered a master number. As the name implies, master numbers require skill and dexterity as they present great challenges and subsequently, immense rewards.

It is evident what many of the challenges are at the moment; we are all aware of the crumbling global economy and the energy crisis that threatens our standard of living. And yet, these crises initiate an immense opportunity for us to change our collective future in ways that galvanize our innate healing and creative powers.

Every crisis, whether personal or universal, is a message from our soul to seek a new restorative path. Our current global economic collapse reveals a necessity for us to build healthier more efficient businesses based on the principles of integrity and service. Our pending energy deficit is a directive for us all, at long last, to end the cycle of depleting and polluting our earth's resources in favor of harnessing the unlimited power of nature in a clean and regenerative way. There can never truly be a shortage of energy; it is all around us. As long as the sun is shining, the winds are blowing, and the waters are flowing, we have an unlimited supply of vital life-giving energy. You too have an unlimited supply of infinite creative Source energy that you can tap into at any time to invigorate your life.

We are fortunate now to experience the powerful vibration of 11. The highly charged 11 is considered the number of intuition and illumination. In fact, the word LIGHT reduces to the number 11. The 11 vibration emphasizes the need for you to rely on your inner light, to align yourself with Spirit to find your true calling, and illuminate your path from within. Should you choose to place your faith in the external material world for your security, you might experience confusion or fear. However, if you choose to listen to that voice inside of yourself that believes in the goodness within and around you, and trust your unique calling, you will always find your way.

You might hear people refer to 11 as being a number of the number of wishes. Perhaps you have an awareness that seeing 11:11 signifies something magical. Your thoughts are indeed more potent during this mystical alignment. The shape of the 1 is like an antenna, creating a conduit between you and the Divine. In the Tree of Life, the number 1 is at the top of the tree, at our crown where we receive our inspiration, as well at the bottom of the tree, where the divine becomes manifest into being. 1 is the Alpha and the Omega. The sacred geometry of the number 1 allows you to receive inspiration from Spirit and materialize those visions into reality very quickly. It is electric!

The double 1s in the number 11 create something even more profound. Look closely at the shape of number 11; the double columns of the creative 1 energy represent the pillars of the soul - a portal into a higher realm. Should you have the courage to walk through those pillars into the unknown, amazing opportunities await you!

So how do you do this? How do you face the unknown without fear? One thing to remember is that you came into the world with an intention. Not one person on this planet can offer your unique brand of humor, wisdom, creativity, kindness, healing or love. If you chose to incarnate at this time it is because you had something you wanted to learn and contribute. Any gift inside of you was given to you by the same infinitely powerful Creative forces that will help you bring these gifts into being. If you were given a dream, you were also given the tools, power, strength, and support to fulfill your heart's desire. All of the forces in the Universe will help you manifest your purpose.

The genius of your creation resides inside you like a seed that is planted deep within the earth. A seed innately knows the correctness of its purpose while it unabashedly reaches towards the sun. It needs only careful tending to reveal its true magnificence. Your spirit is like a flower that needs proper nourishment to grow and thrive. Just like a flower, when you express yourself in all of your beauty, all who experience you will bask in the joy of your being.

You might want to reflect on what seeds you are cultivating in your life right now. Are you nourishing seeds of joy, hope, serenity, love, and compassion? Are you honoring your spirit by living passionately and expressing your truth? Or are you focusing on what is not working in your life now and what you are afraid of?

Your passions will inevitably lead you to your purpose, and joy will guide you towards your calling. You know you are on the correct course when you are passionately engaging in your journey, flowing with the natural rhythm of your life. During these moments all of your cells will wake up and say "Yes! This is it! Keep going! It is like being on a highway and seeing signs towards your desired destination. Spiritual energy is light. It actually feels light. When you feel joy within you, you radiate a positive loving energy and those around you cannot help but feel better in your presence. And truly, your ultimate calling is to be joyful and share that joy with others.

Consequently, when you feel heaviness, confusion, or fear, that's your body's way of telling you that you are not in alignment with Spirit. Material concerns, while very real, can often distract you from your soul's truth. Feelings of worry, regret, comparison, can all seem very rational and logical, yet can take you out of your awareness of the now. The energy of the future is being created by the energy that you are cultivating in the moment. So while you are engaging in worry about your future, or regrets of the past, you are merely perpetuating a continuous cycle of worry. Rather, a series of simple and beautiful present moments will create a future of joy and serenity.

Now is a potent time to ask yourself - what do I really want to do with my life? If I wasn't afraid of the consequences, or what people thought of me, or who I would be disappointing, what would I really do? Instead of asking your head for the answers, ask the wisdom of your heart. Take a moment to put your fears aside, relax with a deep breath, sink into the infinite lightness of your being, and ask your heart, what do I really want right now?

The answer could be something very simple. Perhaps you would like to have more time to yourself, garden, dance, or do yoga, or something more pronounced like starting your own business or moving to another part of the world. Anything that nourishes your spirit and feeds your soul will lead you towards your destiny. When you nurture your gifts, bringing them life, energy, and power, you are tending the growth of the great miracle of creation that is YOU.

I remind you in these tumultuous times, as the winds of change blow in your direction, that you need not be afraid of the dark. You have all that you need for your spiritual journey within you; your passions to energize you, your imagination to inspire you, and your intuition to guide you towards your destiny. You will inevitably meet other courageous dreamers along the way, who dare not dim their brilliance. Together, you will illuminate the path for many brave souls to shine brightly like stars in the sky, and the whole world will celebrate in a glorious festival of lights.

Kari Samuels is an Intuitive Counselor with an international clientele. She helps guide others towards the realm of inspiration, self-awareness, and divine living. She utilizes a variety of modalities for a holistic vision of our spiritual journey including numerology, tarot, astrology, and transpersonal psychology. It is her joy to help others manifest their greatest potential. Visit her website at http://www.karisamuels.com