Hopi Prophecy - Return of Pahana

Cherokee elder and wisdom keeper, John Red Hat Duke, passed away on December 30th, 2003. He was a great spiritual leader, a man of mystery and legend, but was he Pahana?

Has Pahana of Hopi legend returned? Many believe he has, but you are invited to read the following and judge for yourself.

The Hopi have awaited three people for many, many years--for centuries. Were these three people Cherokee elder John Red Hat, his partner Dorothy (Dottie) Daigle (The Lady in White), and an anthropologist friend? Chief Mike of Oraibi accepted these three as carrying the Pahana anointing, although there is one more prophecy to be fulfilled that will validate Pahana--the small piece of sacred tablet that the White Brother took with him when he left. When he returns, it is prophesied he will bring it back with him. Hopefully, the complete write-up in the book "Red Hat's Wisdom" will help clear up some questions, and also reveal why Elder Red Hat told me the angels wept!

Creator's plans often seem to be complex, multi-threaded. Were the three that the Hopi have been waiting for actually just three people, or could they also be three forces? In any case, the three are identified by symbols, and legend has it that they will help the Hopi people survive when all appears hopeless, and this will occur prior to the time of the Great Purification.

These three legendary symbols are the Sun symbol, the Moha symbol (swastika), and the Red symbol. Dottie believes the Sun symbol is symbolic of Creator, the Moha symbol is symbolic of the four forces of nature which will be set in motion, air, water, earth, and fire, and the Red symbol is the Walking the Red Road spiritual path which the ancestors directed her to write. Walking the Red Road is included in the book currently available, "Red Hat Speaks." These three forces will purify humble people and the earth, and will finally bring us to a new age of peace and harmony.

Dorothy was taught by Cherokee elder and wisdom keeper, John Red Hat Duke, for over ten years in Keetoowah Cherokee spiritual ways, in Eastern philosophy, and in Judaism. She was raised Christian so she has a good working knowledge of Christianity. She became disillusioned with Christianity, so she now follows no religion but strives to walk the Red Road spiritual path according to Jesus' teachings.

She received her call from Creator in the fall of '92, and was then taught by the great prophet Elijah for four years. She was given four assurances by Creator when He called her. She was told that she was anointed by the Holy One of Israel, that she would be protected until this work was done, that Creator would go before her whenever He sent her somewhere, and that she did not have to prove herself to anyone. She is one of Creator's two prophesied witnesses. She carries wisdom of many years of living under Creator's guidance and direction.

Share Cherokee elder John Red Hat's teachings, and the teachings of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus on the site, http://groups.msn.com/RedRoad

How About a Universal Religion for Humanity?

There are simply way too many religions out there that will not yield to the possibility that someone else might have been raised in a different culture with a different religion. Thus people fight over ideal and religion. People die due to this huge problem in humanity and something must be done. One idea is to ban all world religions or ban any country from promoting a particular religion. Another concept is to have one world religion based on such things as;

• Truth
• Reason
• Science
• Wisdom

So, how about a Universal Religion for Humanity? Is it even possible and if so what would it be like and could it adapt itself outside our Biosphere or Earth as humans travel and colonize nearby worlds? If so this might solve the problem that we face with wars in the here and now. We need to stop religious conflicts in the world and thus need a peace keeping force to do this.

Yes by all means we need to keep the world talking to each other and understanding each other's culture, but we also need to fish out the bad guys who use and promote religion to build armies and terrorists groups to kill. Perhaps we might impose additional taxes on religions that cause the World the most problems?

The issue of religious intolerance in the name of religion is obvious hypocrisy and yet, as a World Community, these issues are not being addressed. If we fail here to stop the hatred and misunderstanding, all we do is continue more of the same for another few hundred years, but why?

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Christianity on Its Last Wave; So Wave Goodbye

Have you been watching the increase in Christianity in the United States of America? Well, this is interesting because recently on a trip to England I found most people had totally dismissed Christianity and many are adopting a more Jeti Religion approach to things; Let the Force be With You.

Pretty cool stuff if you ask me and it sure makes a lot of sense and why not make a religion out of science anyway, as it is pretty hard to refute it all and the evidence is all easily available. Does this mean that Christianity on Its Last Wave in the UK? Yes, pretty much that is what it means and it will be gone soon.

So Wave Goodbye to Christianity many of the social science professors are now saying and I bet we get a paradigm shift in the United States as well, as our scientists leave the storyline of religion, all religion, not just Christianity far behind. Some say the story of Baby Jesus and rising from the dead really does not pass the smell test of known science and seems a little bit of a fairytale as well?

Indeed it does sound like that. Nevertheless the recent increase in Christianity swung the pendulum too far out of sync with reality and so this is most likely the last hoorah and the end of Christianity, as we know it. Is that a bad thing? Hard to say, humans seem to like some sort of religion, yet perhaps no religion or a more reasonable one makes the most sense? Consider this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

What Is A Spiritual Relationship?

A Spiritual Relationship is when the two or more parties involved experience harmony, joy, understanding and peace. With a spiritual relationship the persons involved are connected at the heart. Emotionally they sense the deep connection they have together, and it is felt at their core or heart. A spiritual relationship is one that has a spiritual union felt both physically, mentally and at other levels. Both parties feel like their spirits are connected. There are certain people we connect to instantly. These are people to whom we have karmic connections. The same holds true for people we can2238t stand immediately. We have a karmic connection with them as well. Both of those types of relationships are spiritual because our spirit as or essence either is attracted or repelled beyond our conscious control.

A soul mate is another spiritual relationship that many folk encounter in a lifetime. With a soul mate there is a karmic connection that can span several lifetimes or incarnations. We can have more than one soul mate and they can be incarnation with us in a lifetime or serve as a spirit guide if they are not incarnated in our lifetime. Soul mates have shared many experiences with us and know us inside out. This kind of spiritual relationship can be very deep and stir both positive and negative emotions out of us. Just because someone is a soul mate does not make him or her always peaches and cream with us.

For the most part, a spiritual relationship has a lesson for us to learn. They give us the tools to develop characteristics and qualities that we need as human beings. Spiritual Relationships can also be identified with the patterns we pick in relationships. Issues of abuse, abandonment, love, manipulation, power struggles, intimacy and rejection all fall under the category of karma and spiritual relationships. These situations all teach us a lesson or two. The trick is do we really learn from these types of experiences or ignore the lesson. This is particularly true when one partner executes power over the other as a dominating person over a dependant person. The karmic lesson is the struggle that ensues as the dependant person struggles to regain the independence and get their power back.

Sometimes we become spiritually stuck and cannot evolve in a relationship. These are not spiritual relationships. These types of relationships hold us there not allowing for growth or other experiences. It is true that being a victim, martyr, persecutor, rescuer or love addict may have a karmic lesson but in this case the spiritual lesson is learning how to let go.

In conclusion a true spiritual relationship is one where both parties feel wholeness and complete together. It is the harmonization of male and female energy, which creates freedom within the relationship to accept each other unconditionally without hidden agendas. In a true spiritual relationship one know how to give or take without being asked and to meet the other parties needs without question.

Regina Schwartz has been involved with metaphysical practices through her great grandmother since the age of Nine years old. She is a polished medium and reader. She has had her own psychic phone line since 1998. Her site is a must for information on Psychics, Readings, Mediums and Spiritualists. Visit it at: psychic information

Spiritual Awakening 4 - Signs of Contact

I dare say that many of us have been sat at home and felt that 'something' wasn't quite right. Had a feeling that there was something different about the place but not quite been able to pin down where that feeling was coming from. Somet2218imes is can drive us to distraction trying to figure out exactly what it is and what triggered the feeling, unfortunately we can't always find the source.

I know when I walk into my home whether I have an extra 'guest' as it were, as I can feel the shift in the energy. The best way to describe how this feels to me, is for you to imagine walking into a room filled with electricity, almost like a static charge, as if the room contains dozens of TV screens all emitting white noise. Somehow the energy in the room feels more dense, the air seems to change and more often than not I feel the 'pressure' of someone near to me, a closeness that make me feel like I could reach out and touch someone stood there. But that's just how I feel, everybody has different reactions.

So how can spirit let you know when they are around? Well, to be honest, how spirit choose to make contact can often be based upon personal references. For example, a common method used by spirit it to use a smell, this could be a hint of perfume, or a cooking aroma etc. As smell is the strongest of the senses linked to memory, a scent or aroma can transport us back to a place in time when that smell was common place, leading us to link it to the people that were around us at that time. It could be tobacco smoke linked to a grandfather, sweet perfume linked to an aunt, or face cream linked to a grandmother. The smells that are chosen generally have a specific link to a person you are connected to. I won't say that it is always easy to make the connection, as occasionally the link can be pretty bizarre, and you may have to search way back in your memory to place the smell, but the link will be there.

Electricity is also a useful tool for spirit. Affecting lights, TV's and radios seems to be a common method of signaling their presence. I have good friends who have had music playing through their sound system when it has all been switched off, even after disconnecting the speakers! The kitchen seems to be the centre of activity in my home and amongst other (non electrical activity), I have spirit switching the kettle on in there, playing with the telephone on the bedroom, and draining batteries in mobile phones and MP3 players.

Another method of contact is through sound. Unusual bangs, knocks and clicks, that you know are not naturally occurring - the kitchen is a great resource of sound making devices. The kettle switch, dustbin lid, cupboard doors etc. Instead of disregarding the noises that your house makes, as most of us do. Listen to the sounds, try and decide where they are coming from, investigate what could have made the sound, could it be naturally occurring? If not, who made the sound?

Of course there are the tales of having objects moved around the home, but this takes a lot of energy to perform, so is perhaps not as common as we would be made to believe by television programmes. Although it is common for small items to disappear for a while, only to turn up in the strangest of places! Keys seem to be a popular choice and television remotes, things that we notice being out of place very quickly.

In reality, the most commonly reported sign that of spirit activity is temperature change. Generally referred to as 'cold spots' where the temperature of a specific area can be quite dramatically lower than that of the surrounding area. Warm spots also occur, though there are generally regarded as being formed by loving energies as opposed to generic spirit activity. Whether they are warm or cold, make a note of where you encounter them, how long are they there for, and whether they always appear in the same place. At the same time you notice the temperate change, keep you eyes and ears open for any other signs that you have a 'visitor' in you home.

The author is a practicing witch and psychic/intuitive who hosts a spiritual and witchcraft forum at http://www.circleoflight.myfreeforum.org and who runs a web based business http://www.the-covenstead.com Supplying the mystical community with reference materials, pagan, wiccan and occult supplies, crystal therapy items and beautiful distinctive jewelery.

Family Matters - A Spiritual Portrait - Part 1

Wherever you go in America, there are varying degrees of emphasis on family. Debates also abound as to whether or not the changing family structure is responsible for the current, cha21DBotic state of our Society. Instead of focusing on external factors, let's consider the altering family composition as a dynamic metaphor depicting a spiritual yearning for wholeness that transcends religion, culture and social policies alike. Entertain for a moment as well this spiritual longing as the underlying impulse for familial acceptance and belonging in both individual and cultural consciousness. In this context, rather than the shifting family structure causing the current social and cultural upheavals, this unrest becomes an inevitable phase of spiritual growth and social reform driven by the pervasive though often unconscious thirst for individual wholeness, or holiness.

This metaphorical interplay reveals itself in various philosophies and traditions with phrases like, "as above, so below," and "as within, so without." Equipped with this basic premise, consider the desire for physical family then as a symbolic projection, an urging for the reunion of personal identity with our original spiritual heritage. Thus, rather than defined by archetypes, role players or biological relations, the visible family unit structure transforms into a metaphor for an individually self-contained, holistic entity. As such, this spiritual or holistic family unit comprises the human self and personal identity, sometimes called the inner child, with its parents, heavenly father and earthly mother.

The symbolically -rich structure of the chakra system, a widely accepted energy model used in healing disciplines as well as certain spiritual philosophies, reveals this spiritual family motif. These disciplines recognize seven primary energy centers called "chakras" whose locations range from the crown of the head down through the tailbone in the individual consciousness structure. In the first or Root Chakra resides correspondences with the earth, goddess, and the material or tangible environment. Within the seventh or Crown Chakra resides correspondences with heaven, god, and the infinite or intangible forces. The fourth or Heart Chakra is the center of the seven chakra system and the environment where heaven and earth, or spirit and matter, synthesize as Love. These chakra correlations provide universal metaphors illustrating heaven (father god, spirit) blending with earth (mother goddess, matter), or spirit (invisible) blending with tangible (visible), to produce the inner child, or human personality (personal identity).

The mother or feminine, receptive element consolidates consciousness into a tangible form contained with the enveloping omnipresence of the father or masculine element. It is the goddess who provides the ordered structure, or matrix, upon and within which god pours forth his legacy, i.e., qualities and characteristics, to manifest in the visible world. Life in the human body and tangible reality flourishes by the on-going, dynamic interplay between the god/goddess polarity and gives birth to the holistic family. The inner child's perceptual reality, sense of divine association and belonging reflects the quality relationship of this father-mother dynamic and hence, family stability. The idea of parents "staying together for the sake of the children" rather than divorcing is a metaphor illustrating the critical importance of this holistic, interdependent structure to individual well-being. As a metaphor, our culture's high divorce rate suggests the rational, linear mind's perceptual separation between holistic family members, a condition which also gives rise to the current state of social, health and environmental challenges.

There are religions and philosophies emphasizing god or goddess as well as both divine facets; however, in actuality it is impossible to exclude one from the other since it is essentially a single vertical flow generating the polarity principle. While acknowledging our dualistic aspects, the idea of a "mother/father" god ignores, and inadvertently splits, the distinction existing within a whole already supporting a mother/goddess facet. Single parents will readily testify to the challenges inherent in fulfilling both mother and father roles. Reality as a dualistic paradigm is plainly evident with male/female gender metaphors in addition to psychologically catalogued masculine/feminine qualities. In addition to its association with balance, I understand the yin/yang symbol accurately represents this polarity-based marriage by illustrating each aspect present within the other, i.e., each facet is contained within the other and neither exists exclusive of the other.

Holistic awareness reveals the heritage of the mysterious, unseen god usually reserved for religious philosophies with its complimentary pole, the physical world as goddess, divine by relationship. The marriage tradition of a woman taking the last name of her husband is a metaphorical correlation between the sacred divinities of the material world, i.e., earth, and the intangible god. In many traditions, the intangible god is often considered exclusively divine though by reason of their polarity relationship or partnership, the material world must also, therefore, be divine. The current mainstream "mind-body connection" focus is a growing awareness of these interplays in an individual, personal context and summarizes the interactive consciousness network forming the holistic family structure. A communication breakdown within the unit brings challenges, just as it does in the human family, and contributes to disease, insecurity and the unrest prevalent today. While distinctions between spiritual family members are natural, examples of the long-range, damaging implications of their on-going, perceptual divorce are historically traceable. For example, in the early 1900s, this culture began its move away from the pure, whole foods of previous centuries as refined sugar and flour moved into prominence in the American diet. This movement coincides with a dramatic increase in the incidence of disease and illness as well as a growing reliance on prescription chemicals in an effort to restore the resulting distress.

Although individuals once relied on developing personal craftsmanship for such daily care items as cloth and food staples like butter and bread, basic survival goods are now readily available in stores, provided by lifeless machinery and impersonal production lines. In addition to diminishing the vital force in food, the mass-production of finished food products jeopardizes holistic family solidarity by dividing individual, personal seasons from the cycles of nature with her instinctively familiar, maternal rhythms. The effect is a compromised connection with our Mother Nature through the loss of natural, intimate, daily interactive communion. As technology and industry gain popularity, surface engagement with life has grown so that "doing" fills a "being" void, conformity masquerades as loving acceptance, intellect substitutes as intelligence and value finds itself defined by the numbers game -- communion within the spiritual family network, i.e., genuine quality family time, succumbs to overscheduling as compensation for an instinctive lack and growing hunger.

Continued -- Part 1 of 2

Cheryl Stroup is a Reiki Master Teacher and has been providing Reiki and other healing services since 1993. As a Reiki teacher since 1996, her classes induce transformation while her teaching material is well known for its cutting-edge perspective. Transform your daily bathing routine into a healing, self-caring ritual.

Visit our handcrafted soap web site for a selection of soaps made with flower essences and infused with energy techniques. http://www.SacredShowers.com

Rain Gutters And Downspouts - All You Need To Know

Rain gutters and downspouts are obviously one of the more important aspects on the outside of any home. They help in protecting your foundation from eroding as well as your roof and siding from rotting as well. Not to mention preventing a complete muddy mess that you have to try and avoid walking in. The biggest question about rain gutters is, what do you really need for your particular home? Here is a quick look at some of the basics on choosing a gutter system for your home.

What size of rain gutter do you need?

Because gutters come in different sizes, as well as materials one of the first things you will need to know is what size you need. This will depend on what part of the country you live in. If you live in an area which receives heavy rainfall then you should go with a larger 7" gutter channel. You need the bigger size to handle the heavier amounts of precipitation to prevent them from overflowing. For those living in areas which get little rain then a 5" or 6" gutter will be fine.

What kind of material do you want your gutter made out of?

Your next step is deciding what type of material you would like to have your gutter made of. The most common materials are aluminum and vinyl. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you can also choose to have them made from copper, steel or other materials. Obviously, cost will be a consideration when you are looking at copper gutters, but copper will last a lifetime if cared for properly. If you live in an area where you do not have extreme temperature fluctuations then a vinyl gutter system would make for a good choice.

Seamless or not?

Finally, you will need to decide on whether you would like to have a seamless gutter system or one that is in sections. Seamless gutters and downspouts are considered by most experts to be the best choice. It eliminates the "seams" that could eventually lead to leaks and sagging. Keep in mind though; a seamless gutter will still have seams at the corner breaks. Also, seamless will be a more expensive option. All in all though, it is the best route to go.

Installing rain gutters

Finally, whatever gutters and downspouts you decide to install, don't use the old style of putting them up with big spikes and ferrules. This is a very outdated method of installation and will only lead to problems down the road since these spikes expand and contract with the weather and wear out the fascia boards as well. Use gutter hangers and you will eliminate this issue altogether.

Once you have made your choice for the type of guttering you want you can have it installed by any number of contractors for a nominal cost. It is well worth leaving to the pros. Getting up on a ladder and trying to do it yourself is not a great idea, especially if you have ever fallen off a ladder as so many people have. Let a pro do it and you can enjoy the benefits of their work for years to come.

You can learn more about Rain Gutters And Downspouts as well as much more information on all types of gutters and downspouts at http://www.GuttersA-Z.com

Are You Seeking Plumbing Repair And Replacement Services?

Big house, small house, old house, new house, we all suffer our fair share of plumbing nightmares. Most of the times, we may not have contact details of a good plumber and before we end up in a bigger mess, it is crucial to learn a few plumbing skills. If you know that the problem is more than you can handle, do not attempt to DIY. It's a waste of time and you will end up paying more to the plumbers who come to fix the mess. Word of caution: Always wear thick, rubber gloves that are resistant to chemicals.

To fix easy plumbing problems, most plumbers suggest owning some basic plumbing tools. These are:

• An adjustable wrench
• Basin Wrench
• A pair of pliers
• Screwdrivers
• Philips head and common kinds
• Pipe Dope/Teflon Tape
• Pipe Vises
• Toilet plunger
• Toilet auger
• Washers

Common plumbing issues are:

Clogged drains:

What would you do if you dropped a family heirloom or your engagement ring? The problem could also be bigger. Say, your main drain is blocked. In this case, if you don't want to tackle the problem yourself, it is wise to call in the experts. In the first case, things you shou16D0ld do are:

1.Beneath the sink, is the 'P' trap or the 'S' trap(these are both shapes). Place a chemical resistant bucket, wear thick chemical resistant gloves and wear protective goggles to safeguard your eyes.
2.Release the two nuts of the 'P' trap's couplings. Use a wrench. After the pipe is free, retrieve the item.
3.This is a good time to check the washers and replace them if necessary. This will prevent further leaks etc.

Simple Ways of Cleaning a Sink Drain:

• Pour in copious quantities of hot water after each single use. Make sure there are no clumps of hair, dirt and other particles blocking it.
• There are two simple and easy ways to clean drains and avoid odors. Clean it by dropping a handful of baking soda into the kitchen drain, once every week. On the other hand, you can also use hot tap water mixed with 1 c. vinegar or lemon juice in and let it stand for 30 minutes. Rinse it well.
• Purchase a drain cleaner liquid. Make sure the chemicals used in the solution are compatible to the materials of your bathroom pipes, fittings etc. Once a month is sufficient to keep your drains clean and unclogged.
• Why not opt for a natural cleaning solution to unclog drains? The world wide web is a great resource of finding ingredients to make natural drain unclogging solutions.

How To Tackle Noisy Pipes:

• When water pressure is more than 50 pounds psi, this causes noisy pipes. Other reasons can be loose pipes or even air chambers that are filled with water.
• Avoid using galvanized straps on copper pipes.
• In case pipes are loose, fix them up with straps or hangers as required to stop movement.

Other Plumbing Problems:

• Broken Water Heaters
• Clogged Plumbing Vents
• Clogged Showers
• Frozen Pipes
• Leaking Pipes
• Plumbing Emergencies
• Preventing Kitchen Drain Clogs
• Sink Sprays Diverters
• Shower Heads

Only try to tackle the problems if you know your way around a wrench and other basic plumbing tools. This is not child's a play and require extreme care. When in doubt, call the experts.

The article was written by the owner of George Brazil -a leading name in experienced and registered plumbers in the Los Angeles area.

Window Replacement Project Tips

Windows provide us with a view of the outside world while bringing the beauty of sunshine into our home. Windows, however, are much more than just a view. In fact, they help to shield us from the harsh weather that mother nature often sees fit to serve up, including rain, sleet, snow, hail and harsh temperatures during winter and summer. Because they work so very hard for us, we have to take the time to recognize the signs of a needed DIY window replacement. If we protect our windows they, in turn, will continue to protect us.

When the inevitable time comes that your windows need replacing, the first thing to do is to decide whether to purchase a wood or vinyl DIY window replacement. Typically, window replacements can be matched to fit the current look of your home and, best of all, many current products are expected to last for up to 20 years and often are accompanied by a warranty.

When it comes to DIY window replacement installation, it is pertinent that special attention be paid to any small cracks around the window that may be present. If they are there, energy costs may be higher as a result. The reason is because the outside air will be able to enter the home through these cracks, which will cause the heating or air conditioning unit to work harder in order to maintain the homes temperature. In order to prevent this from occurring, homeowners must carefully inspect each DIY window replacement carefully. The best way to remedy a crack is through the use of caulking and weather stripping, which will help to eliminate the problem.

The best place to find all of your weather protective products is through the local home improvement store at which you purchased the window replacement. If you are not comfortable undertaking a DIY window replacement project, there are contractors in every area that are experienced in everyday installation and can often help your project get completed with minimal inconvenience to you. At the very least, you can hire a contractor or window installation professional who can help to supervise your work. Their fee may be considerably less if they are simply onsite and supervising someone elses work, but this is something that each individual DIY window replacement scenario will determine.

When selecting a professional, whether it be for installation or supervision, make sure that they are experienced in window replacement and have completed similar projects with success. In addition, try to hire someone who has been in business for several years and has a positive reputation with the local Better Business Bureau. Even with a DIY window replacement project, it never hurts to have professional supervision.

Find all types of home improvement contractors who specialize at installing carpet, doors, siding, roofing and much more. If you are a home improvement contractor or an author of home improvement articles, add your site or articles today.

10 Steps To Achieving Maximum Performance Through Recognition

As a conscientious leader, you can:

Build a high performance team

Value your team members

Bring out the best in each of the members of the team

Employees will actually become a part of the team. This will happen when they feel included in plans for the future and when they feel rewarded for achieving goals. Everyone wants to be part of the team, part of the company, part of the big picture.

Being included doesnt mean being consulted or being asked for approval. It does mean taking those employees into consideration and keeping them informed of the plan and the progress.

Being rewarded for achieving goals doesnt have to include money or awards but in fact could be just high 5s and back patting as steps are achieved along the way. Show them that you understand that they actually helped achieve that goal. I read that at MDI, every time a major contract was signed, a giant gong in the entrance room was gonged loudly enough so everybody in the building heard it and knew of that success. Timing is important

The word rewarded, conjures up thoughts of money or gifts that are considered expenses or costs. Rewards can of course range anywhere from a thanks, you did a good job to Cash bonuses and everywhere in between. Promotional products fit almost every catagory except cash.

Rewards can be the success of the company and the continuance of operation or even expansion which could lead to promotions and long term employment.

Actual rewards should be considered as investments.

PLAN REWARDS

Set criteria for awards program, Present lasting, personalized awards

Standard, classy timeless awards stand the test of time

A personalized award will be kept and treasured

A functional gift will be used and discarded.

Trendy and gimmicky gifts are fun for a while

When your company name is on an award, you are in fact advertising your company while rewarding or acknowledging someone. Everyone will see the image you project.

Set clear objectives for your company

PHILOSOPHIES

Management & Shareholder needs

Company Vision and Mission Statements

PRODUCTS

Main or Key products

Ancilliary products

Possible new products

TIMELINE

Short term goal, 1 year goal, 5 year goals, beyond Year end

Expansion/merger/takeover plans

SET CLEAR GOALS FOR MONTH, YEAR AND FUTURE (in measurable terms)

Product Volume

Dollar Value

Dates

Measureability

Progress tracking

WHO IS ON YOUR TEAM???
Yourself
Employees
Staff
Suppliers
Customers
Community

10 STEPS TO ACHIEVING MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE THROUGH RECOGNITION.

1. Timing, Timing, Timing. (Not Location, Location, Location)

2. Quality (not cheap, does the trick)

3. Appropriateness (choose the award to match the event)

4. First Impression, Last Impression (there is a 'right' time to make it the best)

5. Corporate Image ( everyone sees what you project. Be good and be constant )

6. Achievability of contests or programs ( make sure you get winners)

7. Image building. Communicate/advertise the program, the winners (You want your image to travel.)

8. Reciprocation creates obligation payoff repayment (be cognizant and make it your advantage.)

9. Consistency exudes reliability ( you see this in all the major players )

10. Focus on all, one at a time
-Business
-Product
-Customers
-Suppliers
-Employees
- Families
- Community

Is it all about Recognition, Promotional Products, Awards Program and Incentives? NO!! It's about business. It's about you. It's about them.

You've heard it said 'Business is Business' but I believe more and more that 'Business is Family'. Sure there are times when bad things happen but you get over it, solve the problems and get back to business. Get the 'family' working again.

My name is Rod Winning I own and operate Winning FairWays Inc. Promotional Products for Success I can be contacted at rod-fairways@hotmail.com www.winningfairways.com

Rod Winning is President of Winning FairWays Inc. Promotional Products for Success. http://www.winningfairways.com contact him at info@winningfairways.com or at rod-fairways@hotmail.com

About Home Improvement

Indeed, theres no better feeling than being at home. Here, you can enjoy doing the things you love while being comfortable at your own pace and space. But, how can you enjoy ultimate comfort in your own abode when your home needs fixing and improvement?

D-I-Y OR PRO?

If you would want to do some improvements in your home, the first thing you should consider is whether you can do the fixing all by yourself or you need the services of a professional home fixer.

If you are planning to do it on your own, there are actually many references you can use. Aside from magazines, websites are also available in the Internet that designed for those who prefer to the task by themselves.

But, better make sure that you are indeed prepared to these tasks of home improvement because it is hard to keep everything hanging when you no longer have the drive to finish what you have started. Before trying on any big projects like remodeling any part of the house, changing wall papers, buying a new set of appliances, or renovation of windows, rooms, and even gardens, ask yourself first if you can dedicated a lot of time because these changes will require many of it.

For you to know if you are ready in doing drastic home improvements, try repairing small things or do modest installations. If you think you and your partner can handle bigger projects than these modest tasks, then you can start doing major renovations. By doing the renovation yourself, you can save more money because you wont have to pay a pro.

Hiring the services of a professional is needed if you are the type of homeowner who is only interested in planning the project and doing the finishing touches afterwards. Usually, professionals charge high rates because they can assure you that the job can be finished faster, more accurate and more reliable. Since these people are experts in home improvement, they can guarantee you that the work will be done precisely.

But, before you hire a contractor, make sure that you have set all the records and terms straight. Make sure that the pro knows what you want them to do and when do you want them to finish. Also make sure that you established a clear division between your work and the contractors.

BASIC HOME IMPROVEMENT

If you are planning to do some home improvement, familiarize yourself what are the aspects that might need renovation or fixing.

1. Electrical safety. This is one of the basic concerns of any household. Double check if your electrical wirings are all intact and check if theres a need for a repair. To ensure safety, try developing a simple home electrical safety to minimize the possibility of accidents due to faulty wirings and the like.

2. Hardware. Maybe its now time to check if all your cabinets in the kitchen, bedroom, garage, and storage are all okay. Who knows, these cabinets need changing of nuts, bolts, nails, screening, etc? If you want to fix these yourself, you can look for the things you might need in home hardwares found at home centers.

3. Windows and doors. Windows and doors are indeed wonderful decorations to your home. If you want to recreate your windows, try adding flower boxes for a change.

4. Wallpaper and borders. Bored of your old wallpapers and borders? Then, you can now renovate these to turn your room into a unique room. You can find discounted wallpaper and borders almost anywhere but make sure they are high-quality so you can use them for a long period of time.

5. Outdoor projects. Look around your garden if it needs updating or repair. You may also want to change the theme of your garden to make it look more refreshing.

Home improvement may also include storage and garage, metal roofing, house plans, deck designs, patios, fences, appliances, craft projects, and bathroom fixtures and furniture.

Bob is the owner of http://homeimprovement.knowsmart.com/. Explore this home improvement web site and get the latest home improvement idea.

Is Today The Day You Take Action

You will either step forward into Growth, or you will step back into Safety.
~ Abraham Maslow ~

As the year quickly moves forward, this could turn out to be just another day, week and month that passes by, or it could be the beginning of something new. Take a look at your life. Overall, how is it going? Would you describe your life as a joyous, passionate expression of self? Are you living your most abundant, peaceful, loving life? Everyone of us carries within an idea, a dream, or a desire. Taking action on these desires is how excitement unfolds. Yet so often these dreams are dismissed or put on the cold back burner. Will today be another day that passes by without taking action on your dream?

Question:
What could I do dE11ifferently today that would effect my life?

What to Do?
We generally have some sort of an idea of what we would wish to create within our lives. Yet we also sense the enormity of all that it would take to change the status quo. The task ahead seems huge and unmanageable. All the familiar feelings of procrastination, doubt, and overwhelm rise to the surface to protect the known comfort of what is. It seems much easier to remain in the safety of what is known and familiar. And yet the desire to create change continues to exist. How do any of us get past the plateau that we sit on?

Take a Small Step
What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it. Antoine De Saint-Exupery ( 1900-1944, French Aviator, Writer)

In the end, as adults, no one can save us but ourselves. We own, and are responsible, for our own lives and happiness. To get what we want out of life, it helps to know what it is that we want. We need to know what we dream of. Close your eyes and be willing to take a look at the big picture. What is it you want? For example:

Be at peace with food and your body

Weigh a certain amount _________

Write a book

Begin a new business

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

Now step back from the big picture and find what steps you can do now, today, to make your dream come true. What are five small, achievable steps you can take today to move forward with this dream? For example:

1. Write down my desire.

2. Create a simple picture board illustrating my desire.

3. Take five minutes to imagine myself joyfully living my desire.

4. Create a daily action list to help create different habits.

5. Feel joy in the recognition that I took these steps today.

Question:
Will today be the day I gently push aside all of my excuses, and take tangible action on my personal desires?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr. Annette Colby, RD can help you take the pain out of life, turn difficult emotions into joy, release stress, end emotional eating, and move beyond depression into an extraordinary life! Annette is the author of Your Highest Potential and has the unique ability to show you how to spark an amazing relationship with your life! Visit www.LovingMiracles.com to access hundreds of content filled articles and sign up for a Free subscription to Loving Miracles! newsletter.

Small Bathroom Makeovers - 3 Things You Must Do Before You Hire A Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Small bathroom makeovers are a lot of work and you need a good contractor

Remodelling your bathroom can be one of the most rewarding things that you do to your property. Not only can you make it look beautiful you can often rearrange things to fit more into even the smallest of spaces. But how do you go about getting the work done? You probably don't want to do the work yourself because even the smallest bathroom makeovers are a lot of work. No you want it done and finished so that you can start enjoying it. The most common way to go about it is to hire a contractor to do the job for you.

Hiring a professional bathroom remodelling contractor to do the work for you is the obvious way to go. You should expect him to follow your instructions, do a good job and finish it in a reasonable length of time.

But how do you choose the right contractor?. One that will do a good job and not rip you off in the process. Remember that you will be letting this person, or gang of contractors into your property and leaving them alone for long periods of time trusting that they are getting on with the job and not rifle through your jewellery.

I'm going to give you 3 things that you absolutely must do before you hire your contractors. Remember that you are going to be paying out a fair amount of money for your new beautiful bathroom so it's worth spending a little time and effort making sure you select the right people for the job:

1. Use your gut feeling or intuition
2. Get a background check done on your contractor
3. Take up references

Use your gut feeling or intuition

Meet with your prospective contractors and talk to them about your bathroom renova5B4tion job. When you run out of bathroom things to discuss ask him about himself. Where does he come from? How long has he been doing this type of work? Where did he get his qualifications? Does he have a family?

Talk about anything and everything you can think of to try and build up a picture of this person. When you have that picture in your mind you can then say to yourself "Do I like this person?" Does everything add up? Do you feel as if you're being lied to or perhaps not being told the whole truth?

Believe it or not your gut feeling can often be remarkably accurate. You should listen to what your intuition is telling you and if it tells you that you don't trust this contractor then don't hire him. This isn't a very scientific test and you can't use it as the only way to select your contractors but if it tells you to run then you should. Move on to your next prospective contractor as quickly as you can.

Get a background check done on your contractor

Getting a background check done on someone can be as simple as entering their name and a few details into an online public records database. Discover how to do that in the article How To Do A Public Records Criminal Background Search On Your Bathroom Remodeling Contractor. It's important that you try to find out some information about5B4 your contractors past. Does he have a criminal record? Does he have arrest warrants out for him? Has he been made bankrupt?

Take up references

When I did my small bathroom makeover I asked if I I could see some examples of the contractors work and made a point of actually going to see it first hand. This turned out to be a fantastic way of selecting the good contractors from the bad and it was a lot of fun visiting people who had used the same guy that I was about to let loose in my house.

Bad contractors will avoid giving you any references like this and definitely won't want you visiting them. If this is the case then turn away and don't look back. If this contractor can't show you an example of his work then he isn't likely to do a good job for you is he?

The contractor that I used gave me 3 of his customers in the local area and made arrangements for us to go and visit the properties. This was great because not only were we able to see the results of his work we were also able to talk to his customers and find out exactly how the job went. Make sure that you ask whether it was completed on time and to the original budget. You can also ask how the contractor dealt with any problems that arose during the bathroom remodelling project. You can't stop problems from happening but it's how painless the contractor makes it for you that's important.

The information that you will gain from the t54Fips above can be invaluable to you in making your decision about the person you are about to invite into your home to do your small bathroom makeover. Take your time about your decision, it will pay off for you in the end.

You can do background checks on almost anyone in less than 10 minutes. Learn how to check for arrest warrants, criminal record and bankruptcy at the same time How Do I Check For Arrest Warrants? Don't know what an arrest warrant is? Learn about them here http://www.howdo-i.com/backgroundcheck/whatisanarrestwarrant.php

Home Improvement Contractor Is He Qualified

I am a general contractor in the state of Michigan. In other words I fix, build, or remodel anything pertaining to residential homes. The purpose of this article is to inform home owners about a growing problem in the construction/remodeling industry. That problem is the increasing numbers of unqualified individuals that are entering the field.

Due to the struggling economy and recent lay offs, many conversations around the kitchen table go something like this: What are we going to do now Jane? Well John, you helped my brother roof his house that one time and you fixed the door on our shed and you like working around the house...why dont you put an ad in the paper as a roofer or a carpenter? Hey Jane, thats a great idea. I can get business by offering a really low price. Yea, that's what Ill do!

Now I feel for a guy that is out of work. I really do. But when an unqualified individual decides "hey I'll be a contractor", all to often this results in nothing but trouble for the customer. What happens if John falls off the roof or drops his hammer on the hood of your brand new car? Is he insured?

What about warranties? If he says I will guarantee this roof wont leak for 5 years, and then it does, will he still be in business? Statistics say no. As a matter of fact, most of the people entering into business today will not be in business 1 year from now, much less 5 years from now.

Of course there is the most important question: does he know what hes doing? Does the fact that John helped his brother roof a house make him a qualified roofer?

There are insurance considerations as well. For example, lets say a home owner hires an individual that is not licensed to install a new furnace in his home. If the furnace starts a fire and burns the house down, some insurance companies will deny the claim. The reason is since there is no record of a permit(which there would not be as an unlicensed individual can not obtain a permit) they assume that the furnace could have been installed incorrectly. Now a home owner is left with a huge loss and all because they wanted to save a few bucks on the installation.

Do yourself a favor and stick with a pro. If you conduct a proper contractor interview, then you know that you are going to get a quality job by a licensed and insured individual who offers a warranty..and honors it. If you are not sure how to conduct a proper contractor interview, you can find information on this and other subjects at my web site.

My name is R. Paul Phillips. I am a co owner of Tanner-Phillips Properties, which is a new construction/remodeling business in Lansing, Mi. I have a free home improvement information website located at http://www.greater-lansing-home-improvement.com While my site is tailored for the Lansing area, the majority of the information is useful to anyone interested in home improvement tips, product reviews, how to screen contractors......etc. I also have a contact page so you can ask questions specific to your project.

5 Ways To Lower Your Homeowners Insurance In Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita homeowner's insurance has varying costs. These costs, or premiums, are dependent upon a number of things. These include the type of coverage you choose to carry, the amount of your deductible, and the kind of home you need to insure. Santa Clarita is located just north of Los Angeles, California, in an area prone to earthquakes and heavy rains at certain times of the year. Here are 5 tips for lowering your homeowner's insurance rates if you live in Santa Clarita.

1. When you are purchasing a home, look closely at the location, building materials and quality of construction of the home you want. Newer homes will cost less to insure for at least the first five to seven years. In an earthquake prone area, such as Santa Clarita, choose a home with wood frame construction. This type of construction will be more likely to withstand this kind of disaster.
2. Every year, look at your possessions. If you have expensive jewelry, furs, silver or fine art work, you are probably paying extra to insure them on a floater policy. You may no longer own these items or you may find that you do not need to insure them for as much as you currently have your homeowners policy set to cover.
3. Purchase your homeowners insurance and automobile insurance policies from the same company. This way you will receive a discount and, also, have only one company to deal with in case of a claim.
4. Maintain a strong credit record. Your insurance company most likely uses credit information to determine the price of your homeowners insurance policy. Check your credit record annually to be sure that the information stated is accurate.
5. Raise your deductible limit. The deductible is the amount that you must pay before your insurance pays when you have a claim. By raising this deductible to $500 or even $1000 on your homeowners insurance you may be able to save up to 25% on your policy.

By checking with your insurance agent you will be able to discuss your individual situation and circumstances to get the best possible rate. Remember that price is not everything; the service and reputation of your agent and insurance company will mean more to you when you have a loss or claim.

To find out more about how to lower your homeowner's insurance rates go to http://www.InsuranceSantaClarita.com

Is a Sauna Right for Your Home?

Stress is quickly becoming a part of today's fast-paced life. All the pressures you encountered at work, in school, and elsewhere, are better off released from your body. And total relaxation coming from a good sauna experience is what you really need.

But then again because of people's busy lifestyle, finding time to go to a sauna salon becomes harder each day. Well, if you can't go to the sauna, why not let the sauna come to you? There are a lot of modern home saunas a16B6vailable today that can be installed conveniently in one of the available rooms of your house.

The benefits of saunas are not only for the body's total relaxation. It has many health benefits as well. Regular sauna sessions are known to improve a person's cardiovascular health and immune system. A lot of skin disorders are treated by a sauna because it helps in flushing out toxic substances from the body through sweating.

But one of the notable benefits of sauna is in the area of weight loss. Several people can attest that sauna had helped them cut off inches and lose some pounds. Sauna works by melting body fats and turning them into sweat. Also, it is known to speed up one's metabolism, which is very important to ensure the normal function of all body processes.

Home sauna kits can be easy to install. And not much space is required. It can be placed somewhere in the bathroom, or even inside the bathroom closet. But if you have an extra room in the house, preferably adjacent the bathroom, you can join the two together for a real spa experience.

Modern home sauna kits are available in a ready-to-assemble package. For those who can afford it, custom-built sauna baths are the way to go. By custom building, you can specifically design the whole room, considering the space you have, and use the equipments of your choice.

The heat source is the most important element of a sauna. And you have different options. Wood fired heaters are the most popular choice among families who prefers a Finnish-style sauna room. Then there are electric heaters too, which can conveniently be plugged to a regular power outlet. Gas heaters are also used.

So if you need to enjoy a warm, relaxing treat anytime you feel like it, install a sauna right inside your homes. And you will be living healthily and calmly from then on.

Thomas Oak writes articles for http://www.hot-sauna.com/ if you are in the market for a new sauna stop and take a look at all of the latest advancements and information on new saunas and sauna kits for your home.

Is Life Keeping You From Getting Anywhere

Are you too busy with what you are doing to change or get ahead?

Are you so distracted with life that you have time to pay attention to what you want in life?

Can you even remember what you want any more?

The routine tasks of daily life can so easily use up all of your time that they become the main part of life.

When was the last time you spent time thinking or contemplating what you want in your life? For most it has been far too long.

Are you aware that your daily activities are your predominate habits? A habit is an automatic thought, routine or behavior. They become so ingrained in you life that you build interpretations, thinking, behavior, and defens5B4es around them, protecting the status quo.

Have you noticed how protective you can be about what you do and think, even if you are not really sure why. How you will defend anything even if it is really not in your best interest. You will actually personalize and protect your habits no matter how negative, debilitating and restrictive they become.

Sometimes, what habits prevent you from doing is far more damaging than the habit itself. Many habitual routines cause you no harm other than sapping your time and energy that could be utilized for your personal growth and development.

We have all heard of how effective use of our time leads to results. Well, there are always results in your life; everything you do has a result. Even when you think you are doing nothing, you are getting the results of the doing 'nothing'. And part of the result is, what you are not doing while doing the 'nothing'.

If you sit and watch TV instead of washing the dishes, the result is - the dishes are not washed, and of course you accomplished TV watching.

This goes on all day, with you getting appropriate results for all of your actions and apparent inaction.

The question becomes, how long are you going to continue to let what you do all day long prevent you from the life you desire? You can't continue to do everything you do now and expect different results. You must make some adjustments.

Change what you are doi5B4ng and what you are doing will change. Your results will change and so will your life. It takes effort on your part. Who said the life you want is easy? I'm not saying it is hard either, not any harder than what you are doing now.

The challenging part is in getting yourself to alter what you are now doing to allow for what you want. You have gradually built your life to what it is today, whether you did so intentionally or not.

You then need to make any adjustments that are needed to support what you want. It will take effort at first, as your ego mind will want to fight to preserve the status quo. It will take determination and self-discipline on your part at first to override the existing habits.

This can only take place when your inner drive is sufficient to back your efforts. Only when you become fed up with what you no longer want and you become deeply desirous of what you do want will you have the needed mental and emotional drive.

You will need to insert into your day, some things that support what you want. You need to be moving in the direction of your dreams, not just once in a while, but each day.

Take a look at what you want in your life - what activities would lead to them becoming reality for you? Put these into your daily schedule and help them become your habits. Even if small, they will begin to have an effect.

If you were in baseball and wanted to be batting over 300, don't yo5B4u think you should be doing a lot of batting practice? Of course, that's obvious right! Then why don't you do any practice for what you want?

You have allowed yourself to be consumed by your habits, you must change that in order to get what you want. And what you have in your life is directly related to how much time and attention you have given it. Give an appropriate percentage of your time with what you do want.

Spending all of your time doing things that are not part of what you want your life to be and then complaining about it changes nothing. All you are doing is accentuating your unhappiness.

Another key part of this is to know what you want unfiltered by the ego. There is a lot deep in your mind that is covered by the activity of the day. Schedule time in your day for contemplation of some sort, as well as the specific activities.

Meditation is good or any quiet undistracted dedicated thinking 20 to 30 minutes at least once a day. Contemplative thinking is something most of us do not do enough of, as we are so busy running around just doing what we are in the habit of doing.

It is so easy to allow ourselves to get in the rut of just wishing of something rather than taking steps towards making it happen.

And very important, you must stick with it, just doing something for a short term or once in a while will not effect change. What job, business or college degree can you be successfu496l in if you only do it once in a while?

If you want it to be a part of your life - make it a part of your life!

Change your efforts and your results will change.

John Halderman writes and speaks with intent on helping you get effective results with your personal growth. For self-improvement tools, tips and resources for living a satisfying life get the "Effective Personal Development Newsletter" and a bonus report http://www.activepersonaldevelopment.com

Colored Marble Tile Flooring For Your Bathroom

All throughout civilization, there has been no doubt of marble's eminence. One of the most popular places in the modern home for marble floor tiles is the bathroom.

Marble has retained its ranking as the supreme building material for vanities. A natural marble vanity or sink stands out as the one and only choice for many discriminating and aesthetically-inclined homeowners.

While marble has the characteristic of being etched and stained by water and chemicals, the use of modern sealants has significantly reduced this major risk.The stone that inspires poetry and has been used to create architectural wonders across the world is in fact a metamorphic rock, which was formed by the alteration of limestone or dolomite.

Marble is used for both interior & exterior flooring applications. Marble is available in many colors like milky white, red, black, mottled and banded, gray, pink and green. Some manufactures offer marble tiles in the form of gree1689n marble tiles, green marble slabs & green marble blocks

New Technologies Have Reintroduced Marble Tiles As Bathroom Vanities

A more recent advance in tile fabrication technology has enabled marble floor tiles to be within the reach of many homeowners. A sink could be a bowl of polished marble which sits atop a vanity. A tall faucet empties water into the vessel. It is a simple, yet supremely artistic way to decorate a bathroom that will make all your houseguests green with jealousy.

Marble tiles on the floor of a bathroom are almost a commonly seen necessity, if a homeowner's target is to create a luxurious bath. These tiles are available polished or honed. Honed tiles generally provide more traction. Polished tiles do provide a more elegant look, however they can be very slippery when wet, so bath mats need to be placed at strategic points in the bath or shower room.

Marble Could Also Be Used As A Shower Wall

Many professional interior decorators know the key to a luxuriously created bathroom is to utilize marble around the walls and the tub. Most Jacuzzi bath tubs and Roman tubs look far more elegant wrapped in stone. Marble is also a popular fixture in shower walls and in steam showers; again however, traction is a factor that need to be seriously taken into consideration.

Marble mosaic tiles are often used on shower floors, and the grout lines provide the necessary footing to prevent slipping.Hand-carved marble trim pieces are also good for use in framing bath mirrors, and a wide variety of marble accents will round off your ultimate dream bath.

Tumbled Marble Also Makes For A Rustic, Old-World Bathroom Feel

The current rise in the popularity of "tumbled marble" has seen an increased use in many homes. These rustic tiles look more like travertine, wherein they have a rough finish, and often have little pits full of crystal, as well as an an uneven edge which is usually rounded at the corners.

These varieties are available in many sizes and are good for backsplashes, showers, and flooring. The hand-carved look of these tiles helps provide an excellent method for counteracting the formal air which marble typically lends to a room.

http://tilenet.net - Tilenet Marble Tiles

Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company

Reach Your Goals with Goal Pooling

Goal-pool with friends or acquaintances

Get together with a group of friends or co-workers and host a logistical brainstorming party where all the invitees lay out the goals theyd li5B4ke help with and make plans to meet them, with the help of the rest of the group. The result might look something like this:

Every Monday the whole crew gets together for a half-hour after work to help Barbara make fund-raising calls for her charity (and in exchange, everyone gets invited to the hoity-toity, networking-heaven Christmas party held to thank the donors and volunteers).

On Wednesdays, Bob hosts a scrap-booking dinner where he provides the food in exchange for mooching supplies, equipment and techniques from his more scrap-savvy cohorts.

On Sundays, June hosts a brunch where everybody eats high on the hog in exchange for honest feedback on her catering recipes and presentation/marketing ideas.

Continue goal-pooling until everyone involved has met their goals unless everyone decides to keep going and move on to the next batch of goals!

(c) Soni Pitts

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of SoniPitts.Com. She specializes in helping others reclaim "soul proprietorship" in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.

She is the author of the free e-book "50 Ways To Reach Your Goals" and ove33Er 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.

Self-Hypnosis Recordings to Gain Confidence

Self-hypnosis recordings are used to achieve many goals, especially those that are related to self improvement. As a technique to gain confidence, self-hypnosis has remained popular. But how effective are these recordings and how will they work to help people gain confidence?

Self-hypnosis Hypnosis is not considered nor accepted as a pure science, but it is widely practiced as an alternative form of treatment for a variety of psychiatric problems. It is also used to supplement the more traditional form of treatments such as medication and is often used as a way to manage pain, attain relaxation and yes, gain confidence. By using different techniques and when administered properly, self-hypnosis can become a valuable tool in personal growth.

Will self-hypnosis recordings help me gain confidence? Before you put your trust on self-hypnosis, first learn what the nature of this technique is. For one, self-hypnosis is mainly a tool to achieve a set goal. It is not an end in itself and whether or not it works will depend on different factors, all of which contribute to the success of a hypnosis therapy.

Second, self-hypnosis is notoriously dependent on its user. Certain individuals, for example, cannot be hypnotized not because they have some physiological anomaly in their person but because they do not have the tendency to believe or accept suggestions. That is not to say that people who use self-hypnosis are gullible. It's just that they are wired differently and are more willing to accept whatever it is that they so willingly volunteered themselves to do. So if you already prepared yourself to accept suggestions that you will gain confidence, then self-hypnosis will be of great use to you.

How are self-hypnosis recordings used to help people gain confidence? The goal of self-hypnosis is to allow you to attain contact with your own emotional life. Whatever behavior regression or pre-conceived notions you may have such as fear, phobias, anxiety and conflicts are brought out and eliminated or at least minimized, reducing their negative impact on your emotional life. The result, as all hypno-therapists hope, is a better and emotionally more stable you.

Self-hypnosis is a gradual process and beginners often undergo a series of basic techniques before moving forward to the more advanced techniques. Techniques also differ and whichever you use will depend on your own personal preference.

You will, though, encounter the techniques that are commonly used for self-confidence hypnosis sessions. One is the monotonous and repetitive use of verbal commands, another is the controlled breathing technique and still another is one that may use either or both music and imagery. Choose the technique that you are most comfortable in because that has more likelihood of working for you.

Can self-hypnosis recordings change my life for the better? While hypnosis has been practiced for thousands of years, its use is still clouded by plenty of misconception and misinterpretation. Do not cling to the hope that self-hypnosis will change your life. It won't. It's how you react to it and what you will do as a consequence of using it that will determine whether you will gain confidence or not. If you use if effectively, you can definitely benefit from the result of your sessions.

Is there any danger at all in using self-hypnosis recordings? Assuming that the self-hypnosis recordings you use are prepared by a qualified and trained professional, there should be little concern on your part. However, hypnosis has the ability to confuse, often allowing memory to combine with fantasy, producing a totally different and complicated version or persona altogether.

If you want to play it safe, go to a trained professional to ensure your safety and emotional well being. This is especially important if you're the kind of person who has more tendency to be accepting of suggestions. Otherwise, simply choose self-hypnosis recordings that are provided by professionals to help you gain the confidence you so richly deserve.

A caveat: self-hypnosis is not a cure-all and it will not solve all your problems. What it will do is to help you get in touch with yourself to find out how you can best solve a problem or react to a certain situation. As a way to gain confidence, self-hypnosis will only be effective if you yourself allow it to become.

For more complete information on self-hypnosis please go to: http://www.aperfectharmony.com http://www.a-1hypnosis.com/index.htm http://www.drnathaliefiset.com

Enjoy Your Bathroom by Using an Exhaust Fan

There are many different pieces of hardware that are required in order to make your bathroom function correctly. You need to install a toilet, sink, shower and bath tub. The most vital piece of equipment in everyone's bathroom is the extractor fan. Most people forget about the exhaust fan when remodeling their bathroom, however they really are very important. These fans help to circulate the air and remove any unwanted smells, they will also remove the steam from the bathroom before it has chance to condense on the mirrors. They also protect designer shower curtain from mold. Bathroom exhaust fans can also be used to drown out the world so you can relax in comfort.

Public Restrooms

Most public restrooms do not have any form of fan installed. Many large public restrooms have an odor spray which goes off every so often to remove unwanted smells from the room. Smaller restrooms may not have any form of smell control! It all depends on where you are going to the toilet. It also depends on the type of establishment that you are using, if they want you to feel more comfortable then they should have installed an exhaust fan.

Couple Bathrooms

It's very common for a married couple to have separate bathrooms from the rest of the house. When sharing a bathroom with your spouse you should certainly consider installing a bathroom exhaust fan.

Many couples have come up with the idea of installing two toilets in these shared bathrooms, however even if you do this you will still need a bathroom exhaust fan of some kind. Many men are not allowed to go to the toilet in the main bathroom because they are just too smelly! They may be forced to go in the powder room.

Most women spend twice as long in the bathroom as a man, and so it's important that it is perfect for them. Many people are investing in creating separate bathrooms so that the two don't bother each other. It is thought that by having separate bathrooms you can even save marriages! It's amazing how just one tiny thing can do so much and make all the difference in your life.

The copywriter Guy Morris is very excited about problems relating to shower drapes and where to buy fun shower curtains. You can learn about his articles on designer shower curtain and shower drapes at http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com

Make Custom Home-Building Process a Dream with Seven Steps

You probably know someone who has built a custom home. Chances are you heard their stories of construction delays and going over budget. These situations often result from a homeowner not being fully prepared prior to beginning the process. While the thought of the ultimate home with all of your desired features is intriguing, you dont have to let the actual process of building your dream home be overwhelming.

So, go ahead and come out from hiding and remember this wisdom from Anatole France who once said, To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

It is true with a dream home isnt it? It would not be called a dream home unless it was first a dream. But with all dreams, there is reality. And in the case of building a dream home, the reality is having a sound plan in place. Otherwise, you could be faced with a nightmare situation of delays and budget problems.

Follow these seven rules to get past the hurdles and start on the path to successfully build a custom, dream home:

1. Look at Needs vs. Wants: You typically will not get everything that you want in your dream home. Determine your needs first, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, an office, garage, kitchen, and family room. Then evaluate other features that you want in your home but are willing to forego if they cannot work into the overall plan.

2. Evaluate Costs: Look at the costs for the features you want, such as a pool, media room or a wine cellar. Then prioritize the rankings of your wants. Be prepared to nix some from the list.

3. Determine the Style: Deciding on the style of home you want is very crucial in determining the home you want to build, but keep in mind that the style can affect your budget as well as building and supply costs. Round turrets, multiple elevations and complex roof lines can be costly.

4. Look at C.C. & R.s: Make sure your homes style, elevations, exterior finishes, colors and square footage comply with the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC & Rs) for your neighborhood before you finalize your house plans and break ground on your project. Also, be sure to obtain architectural approval if required.

5. Set a Realistic Budget: Accurate budget planning is important to prevent any surprises when it comes time to start building your dream home. Obtain actual quotes with itemized costs and supplies from subcontractors to prepare a detailed budget.

6. Feel Comfortable in Decision-Making Process: Be prepared to make decisions. When building a custom home, you will be picking everything from lighting and plumbing fixtures to appliances and exterior veneer materials, so it is important to feel comfortable in the decision-making process. Do not labor or fret over your decisions. If you like it, go for it and do not second guess yourself after the fact.

7. Get Detailed House Plans: Obtain a set of stock plans or custom design them with a home designer or architect. Make sure the plans provide specific details about the size, specs and dimensions so that you are getting the exact house that you want. Also, be sure to have your plans engineered by a licensed structural engineer.

Rhyne Cannon is owner and President of UBuildIt Matthews, which removes the mystery of managing your own building project with expert construction guidance and a proven system that has worked for thousands of families to realize their dream home. For more information, call 704-849-0025 or visit http://www.ubuildit.com

Sound Proofing A Must For Quite Atmosphere

If you subsist in an earsplitting city or a strident environment, you may be engrossed in sound proofing your home or office. There are many different ways of sound proofing your home or office. One inexpensive method of sound proofing is in the course of the use of sound proof paint. If you would like more information about sound proof paint, make somebody's day read on. A pioneering sound proof paint you may be paying attention in is called acoustic-coat. This sound proofing paint was created from technology developed by NASA. It is latex and water based. It contains within it u114Dnoccupied ceramic micro spheres, resin, and sound absorbing fillers. The amalgamation of ingredients allows this sound proofing paint to reduce noise by 30 percent. We understand that soundproofing problems are limited by accessibility and budget, so we offer a variety of soundproofing solutions to cater for these needs. Our soundproofing product assortment is multitalented enough to be adapted to your accident and guarantee you obtain the solution you need.

Sound Proof A Necessity:

Every now and then it is necessary to keep sounds gathered together. For example, a sound proof room would be superlative for a television or audio recording studio, as well as for an in-home office or corporate building. Professional contractors of land Renovations can build technologically advanced rooms that will allow sounds to stay in or keep voices and external noise out. Don't let highways and transportation barriers interrupt the imperative work you need to accomplish. We understand deadlines and create solutions to ensure you can meet them. Trust in a company that specializes in business and home sound proofing solutions that ensure a quiet environment. Eradicate noise pollution evolving both outside and inside from entering a desired section of your residence. Minimizing transportation activity and indoor hubbub, a sound proof room may be the answer to serenity and stillness. Hide away from unwanted distractions and relish in a jiffy of silence gained. Its proud to construct sound proofing walls that maintain and savor much needed quiet moments. You won't hear a sneak a look!

A soundproofing panel, characterized in that it comprises: at least two substantially plane opposite plates forming there between a closed internal space and an aggregate which comprises at least stout bodies in contact and which completely fills said internal space said stout bodies being able to slip, on the one hand, with respect to one another and, on the other hand, with respect to said plates in such a way as to dissipate part of the vibratory energy circulating around said soundproofing panel

Sound Proofing Kills Noise:

Noise is conceded by vibrations, either through the air or through the structure of the building. Referring to 'sound proofing' is a bit of a misnomer, it would prove very difficult to full sound proof a floor/ceiling, the best that can be reasonably expect is to reduce noise intrusion to an good enough level. To diminish noise, the vibrations must be isolated from the area. With floors/ceilings there are two options; either segregate the structure above the floorboards or below, each has its own advantages and disadvantage. Noise is quite simply uninvited sound. It is irritating and harmful primarily because of its intensity. At increased greatness sound energy becomes noise and physical as well as psychological harm can occur in humans when exposed to noise for periods of time depending upon the intensity. Physical harm to human beings is easily recognized and measured. Psychological harm even though difficult to measure can result in concentrated worker efficiency both in quality and quantity of work produced. Peacemaker is a sound blocker - Reduces sound from transmitting through walls, floors and ceilings. Peacemakers superior resilience will not pack together over time, decreasing results.

You can also find more info on soundproof door can and home soundproof. Homesoundproofinghelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Sound Proofing.

Self-Liquidating Promotions - Or How to Use Solar Power to Help at Least 5 Parties Each Win

It isnt often I run into what we call in the biz, a self-liquidating promotion. By this, we mean that the promotion, activity or showing actually pays for itself. I found one recently when I met Ann and her husband, Tony Fierimonte, of Deerfield Beach, Florida; and their neat product, the Big Belly. The Big Belly is a unique garbage container that is a solar-powered, automatically-compacting receptacle that looks good, takes up a small footprint, and allows an advertiser to mount appropriate and tasteful ads on all four sides of the container. Ann and Tony have the exclusive rights to sell this invention in all of Florida and the Caribbean and non-exclusively elsewhere.

This is a terrific example of taking a major problem and turning it into a positive. Imagine how often you have to empty then haul aw13F9ay the trash in certain situations like: at restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other food or hospitality businesses, not to mention on busy downtown streets or along the beach? If they fill up fast, they have to be emptied sometimes four times a day. The 220 gallons of trash is compacted tightly (using up to 1,200 pounds of force) so it only has to be emptied once a day, instead of four.

Naturally this saves labor, fuel, truck and time costs. The garbage trucks (those which are rumored to get the least amount of miles per gallon on diesel fuel, 2.8 mpg) are now less expensive, since they are required for less frequent pickups. Consequently there is less carbon monoxide in the air, resulting in a greener environment. Moreover, since they use free solar power, there is no need to hook them up to the electric grid, dig trenches or string overhead wires to the unit. (However, because they are both attractive and popular, I would strongly suggest chaining them down, so they dont grow legs overnight). Classic marketing occurs when someone searches out a pain or a problem and comes up with a solution that solves the problem or alleviates the pain....at a profit.

This is exactly what the inventors of the Big Belly have done. This is all good; but for an ol greybeard marketer, here comes the very best part of this little green wonder: the darn thing can actually pay for itself! I called, Vince Barauskas, with Merrimac Leasing Corporation in Winchester, MA. He informed me that his firm provides new and used equipment leasing, whereby the buyer of the Big Belly unit has the option of placing advertising on the four sides of the unit. Usually, the income derived from the advertising pays for the monthly lease cost for the unit. After 36 months, you buy the unit for one dollar and its yours. So is the ongoing advertising revenue. Ann Fierimonte has herself a nifty little business here. One thing they have a lot of in Florida and the Caribbean is sunshine.

How would you react if I told you this little beauty also sucks up and stores the juice even when its covered by four inches of snow in Boston? Its true. It does just that, so these machines are capable of working anywhere in North America. Just imagine if a business wanted to generate some positive goodwill and awareness for itself in town. It could buy one or three of these units, donate them to the municipality or township, work together with the city government to charge local businesses to advertise on the units with the funds going to the local business owner who paid for and donated the unit(s) in the first place.

This is a marketing case where everyone wins: the city gets some lovely, cost-saving, green trash receptacles; the advertisers get a great, on-the-spot ad where and when they need it; the public are informed of other local businesses that want their business; the local business owner who donated the unit gets a tax write off (perhaps, Im not an accountant, but it sounds right); plus one of those four available ad panels to let the local passersby know that they were the local firm who donated this unique green contribution to the people of the town. Its not often you come across what we call a self-liquidating opportunity like this. Usually it just involves two parties who win. In this case, I count five different parties who benefit from this unique marketing joint venture: the town/city, the buyer of the units, the advertisers, the local community; plus the Fierimontes who marketed and sold these environmentally-friendly green bins in the first place. Whats it called when you have five parties all benefiting from a marketing promotion: a quintuple whammy?

Copyright, Roy MacNaughton, 2007

Roy MacNaughton is a niche marketer and business writer. Hes a seasoned marketer, with more than 30 years of international marketing and franchising experience, including nine years online. If you want to learn more abut the amazing Big Belly, go to: http://www.solarbins.com/cam Or learn more at Roys blog: http://www.UmarketingU.com

Self-esteem and Self-worth

These concepts derive from each other and can be interchanged. Self-worth refers to man's value, whereas his self-esteem is the expression of this value towards the external world.

What is a person's self-esteem?

Self-esteem is a form of spiritual state, a spiritual infrastructure, on which a person's spiritual forces develop. It is also an attribute, an urge and a unique creative energy, which may be either negative or positive. Positive energy ra5B4ises self-esteem, thereby encouraging positive development. Negative energy, in contrast, lowers self-esteem and in so doing, inhibits or arrests this positive development and encourages a negative one. It will be easier to better understand the meaning of self-esteem if we view it from our own perspective and from God's.

From our perspective, it is the level of self-esteem we perceive ourselves to have, by which we appreciate and present ourselves to the outside world, and by which we also act and react. This is also the level at which we appreciate the other. As this level tends to shift, it should be seen as subjective.

From God's perspective, this is a person's true self-esteem and its level is steady. This level follows from Gods declaration that man was created in His image. It is this level which the Divine attempts to persuade us to accept as proper and to act in accordance with. Our divine purpose, as well as His expectations for its realization and implementation, is also based on this level. This level is always higher, sometimes far higher than our subjective self-esteem. In other words: Our perceived self-worth is significantly lower than the true one.

Abraham Adar, the author of the book "Man and the realization of his purpose", which guides man to realize his purpose through decipheri381ng the Pentateuch's divine wisdom. Some material from the book as well as additional information is presented in his website.

http://www.adar-publishing.com

Things To Know About A Replacement Basement Window

While you are remodeling your basement make sure you got all the important stuff sorted out. One of which is the type of window to use. In the old days, windows in basements are made of metal or wooden frames. This has caused problems because they are prone to rust and rot. Therefore your windows get damaged sooner than expected. If you have this concern, then it's time to get a replacement.

If you want it quick, you can always opt hiring companies that specialize on replacement basement windows. But of course it's also important to know a bit about it before you buy. This article should guide you in what type you should use.

1. Frames made from Vinyl. Windows are the major source of good ventilation and proper air circulation in a closed and buried room such as a basement. Choose a replacement basement window that is made of vinyl. It's rust-free and will not rot from its damp environment. It is also modular so you won't have any trouble installing it.

2. Light. Since you are at it, your basement window must be energy efficient. This attributes to the amount of light that your window can allow to come in to your basement. Use the right frame size and glass thickness. Especially with daylight, the amount of heat could help balance your basement room temperature. Basements are prone to moisture because of its damp surroundings.

3. Function. Other than the things mentioned above, another use of window is for passing objects. Most often, it is difficult to have ladders, boards, or poles to pass through the basement entrance. Doors and stairs are narrow and the latter are steep too. A perfect replacement basement window must include other functions such as good ventilation and accessibility for long objects.

4. Aesthetic Appeal. Of course, this is a must. Windows contribute greatly to the interior motif and concept of your den. Beautiful basement windows must not only look good from the inside but from the outside as well. This can be planned out properly. There are so many innovative basement window types that are available in the market today. Some are designed with sliding panes. Others are double glass panels. Choose the one fit best to your basement's interior design. But don't forget to consider the above mentioned.

When you got all these things listed down and figured out, you're ready to go and look for a supplier. Take your time in choosing the right replacement basement window for you. Look for the one that you think is most reasonable. That means beauty, functionality, durability must be present.

There are so many beautiful window designs to choose from out there. Some may cost more but have really good quality. If you do find the type that is beautiful but expensive, the considerations mentioned above should help you decide which ones to buy.

Discover if a basement remodeling picture can assist you with your replacement basement window

Panic Attack Self Help To Overcome Anxiety

A panic attack embodies an abrupt rush of disconcerting physical symptoms, wedded to thoughts of impending ruin; this may create symptoms such as making a scene, having a heart attack, or not being able to breathe. While your first panic attack may have a distinct trigger, further episodes can be unpredictable in terms of time or space.

A true panic attack includes actual physical distress in the form of fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, a confused state, faintness or lack of concentration. Not all of these symptoms need be present to represent a panic attack. Once someone has had several panic attacks they may become fearful that this will overtake their life.

He or she may hesitaB1Bte to be alone, to venture far from home, or to be in public places. Even when not experiencing an anxiety attack, the person with these attacks often becomes increasingly nervous and apprehensive. He or she attempts to remain physically and psychologically tense in preparation for the next attack.

This Panic Attack Self Help Program will teach you self-help skills you can use to overcome panic attacks. You will learn how to handle your worries about symptoms and how to control the symptoms themselves. Then you will discover how to venture out into the situations that you once avoided.

Part of panic attack self help is to learn about different types of medications available. You need to find out how to work with your doctor and figure out and manage any possible physical causes that are increasing symptoms. If you sometimes think about things that are bothersome or unwanted, or feel as if rigidly following routines are the only way to cope with stress, you could be one of millions who have obsessive-compulsive disorder.

It may be as mild as doubting whether you turned off the iron before leaving the house, or it may be as severe and disabling as washing your hands for hours each day. But whatever its degree, it is upsetting, distressing, uncomfortable, and can disrupt your life or destroy your most important relationships. So learning panic attack self help becomes important. Self help book and anxiety control books can be of good help.

Panic attacks involve both physical and emotional symptoms, including sense of doom, heart attack, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, dizziness, and confusion. The first attack is usually triggered by something specific, but subsequent attacks can occur anytime. Episodes like this can leave a victim feeling helpless, alone, and always anxious. Fortunately, our Panic Attack Self Help Program is there to help. You will learn how to deal with your symptoms and eventually be able to conquer situations that once triggered attacks. Attacks can be decreased or overcome by thoroughly studying our self help book and anxiety will diminish over time.

Remodel Your Closet In One Day

Now that you have got a plan you are ready for action. Solicit some help from a few choice friends you can work well and have a good time. If you know anyone who is project oriented that can be a huge plus. These people know how to get things done. They are used to taking large projects and breaking them into smaller tasks that can be tackled efficiently.

Meet at the hardware or home store as soon as it opens. Usually this is a quieter time for stores. If you wait till mid morning, especially on a Saturday, it can be hectic and you won't be back with your materials till after lunch and may run out of time in the day to finish your project. Take your categorized shopping list and delegate part of it to each person. Stick to your list and don't get side tracked looking at other interesting things. You are there to pick up your closet materials, not to plan a future project. Designate a meeting time at the checkout. Double check the materials to for size and quantity. When organizing your materials at the worksite they should be out of the way, but each item should be easily accessible. Putting everything in one pile can be frustrating when trying to find a specific item. You should now be ready to for the first phase, demolition.

Demolition: Put on your gloves and safety glasses. Be judicious with your use of force. The idea is to deconstruct your closet so that the surrounding walls are left in the best condition possible. Swinging wildly with a sledgehammer is likely to put a hole in a door or send debris flying through the window. Have one person do the demolition and the others form a bucket brigade to pass the wreckage out of the house. Remove all nails and screws that might be sticking out of the wall and thoroughly clean the area before starting to build.

Layout: Referring to your plans detail the closet layout on the closet walls. Measure off the floor where each shelf will go and use your level to scribe a line across the wall. Do this for the entire plan before starting any rebuilding. Draw vertical lines at the edges of each cabinet. At this time you may be able to make limited adjustments with shelving heights if you are unhappy with the layout. Next use the stud finder to locate and mark the center of each stud wherever you have layout lines. Studs will typically be found every 16".

Construct: Start by installing any cabinets you have decided on. Transfer the stud layout to the cabinets and drill one hole towards the top of the box for each stud. While someone holds the cabinet on the layout lines screw it to the wall. Fasten adjacent cabinets together first with clamps then with shorter 1 " screws to avoid blowing through the other side. Shelving may be held up by angle brackets, wood cleats, or plastic hanger clips. Since there will be a lot of weight on shelves and closet poles make sure all fasteners are driven into studs. With brackets in place you can measure up and cut your shelving. Follow the carpenter's mantra, "measure twice, and cut once." Measure up the front and the back of shelves since walls may be out of square.

Spackle up any damaged walls or holes you may have created during construction and pickup some classy matching wooden hangers to finish the project off.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of clothes hangers and wooden hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.