What Are Your Dreams?

"What are your dreams for today? What would you like to see happen in your job, your family, your world? Our capacity to be dreamers of daytime is one of the distinct human qualities we possess, and yet without practice, it withers. Are you ready to be a "dangerous" person? Someone bold enough to create out of your own intuitions, a vision of something important you want to accomplish. Spend some time today and this week reflecting on the dream you need to now be cultivating in your moments of opportunity that present themselves to you. Then, take the next step, and with open eyes begin to start making this dream come alive."

- John Keenan

Larger Than Ourselves

"It is this belief in

a power larger than myself

and other than myself

which allows me to

venture into the unknown

and even the unknowable."

--Maya Angelou

Track Lighting for the Soul

It was still very early in the morning and the hallway was very dark as I stumbled around the corner. As I was feeling my way through the darkness I saw light coming from my office at the end of the hall. Thankfully it was enough light to guide me down the hall to navigate around the inevitable pet toy that was in my way. As I settled into my desk I thought of how God's word is like track lighting.

When you board an airplane for a flight, just before take-off there is a small presentation in case of an emergency. One of the safety features mentioned is the track lighting in the aisles. You are told that in the event of an emergency the track lighting on the floor on each side of the aisle, will guide you to safety. The lights are bright enough to penetrate even some of the worst possible conditions such as complete darkness or dense smoke.

Our lives are much like this. As we stumble through the darkness of our daily lives, trying to find our way, or do our jobs, or care for our families, we often bump into things that bruise or hurt us. Things that we did not see or anticipate in the darkness. God's Word can help to penetrate our minds and shed light on even the darkest moments we experience.

God's word, the Bible, is much like the track lighting for our soul. It contains the information we need to make the journey down the hallway of life to God. He is the light we see shining ahead of us, drawing us closer and closer to Him. If we focus on Him, and study His word, He will guide us.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."

-- Psalm 109:105

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2005. All Rights Reserved

Source: http://MAWebb.blogspot.com

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

How to "Recharge" Your Life

Recently I moved from Nevada to Ohio and I have been amazed at the differences in landscape I see on a daily basis. The desert can certainly be a beautiful place, too, and every state or city I have lived in has had its own unique charm and beauty. But, I picked a great time to move to the East as the Fall leaves were at the height of the season when I arrived. What a treat! To see all that color and to experience the smells that Fall brings with it: leaves falling; crisp, cold mornings; Harvest moons and so forth!

A maple tree in my neighbor's back yard has been particularly beautiful and I noticed today that its leaves are finally dropping as it gets ready for winter. I couldn't help but ponder, too, how many of our lives are preparing for the winter as well. We all tend to go into "hibernation" in the winter and I, for one, really do not have the luxury of hibernating this winter. There are things I need to do in my life and I need to not waste any time reaching some very basic, and necessary, goals financially, emotionally and in my physical space. So, I went in search of information on how to "recharge" my life.

There are a lot of presumed "experts" in this field and some have some pretty wacky and wild ideas of what "recharge" means. Everything from removing all the toxins from your body, to mind-bending exercises and more. I'm a bit skeptical of what I call "hocus-pocus" and not a big risk taker at all. I want something that is logical, easy-to-do, simple and "normal" that will keep me on track. So, back to the drawing board I went.

At last I was successful and found some great advice that is reasonable. Henry Ford was quoted to having said:

"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs."

Now that is something that I can relate to and seems logical enough. But, how do I apply this to my life as it is now? Life coaches, mentors and psychologists will tell you that your life is all connected in one way or the other. Goals are always good, but that in and of itself is not enough. You need to know how to "chunk down" the goals into manageable "baby steps" so that you can keep going on a day-by-day basis. Henry Ford was right, divide it into small "jobs" and nothing can stop you.

With Fall almost over and winter approaching now is a good time to start planning for the coming year. Don't wait for New Years to suddenly be upon you to make some half-baked, insincere resolution, and then go merrily on your way.

Instead, sit down and take an honest assessment of what you have done, and will do in 2005 and where you want to be in 2006. Break that down into manageable "chunks" or small jobs or tasks. Then, in the Fall of 2005 use these goals as a launching pad to connect your life to a more successful future. This is a great way to begin a fresh new 2006 year. You will feel revitalized and recharged and ready to continue on your life's journey with a new fresh perspective!

I'm heading over to my desk now with paper and pen in hand ... good luck on your endeavors as well!

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2005. All Rights Reserved

Source: http://MAWebb.blogspot.com

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Appreciation Attracts Prosperity

Did you know that appreciation is one of the most powerful forces in the Universe for manifesting and attracting prosperity? According to teachers like L. Ron Hubbard (father of Dianetics), Abraham-Hicks and Drunvalo Melchizedek, appreciating yourself and your life can literally boost you to the highest vibrations.

If you’re a student of prosperity or manifestation, you probably know that the higher your vibration, the easier it is to attract positive things into your life. Because most of us are so busy and stressed by the pace of life, we find it difficult to get to and stay in a high vibration. Yet, this is where the attraction of prosperity most easily occurs. According to Abraham-Hicks, 17 seconds of pure positive energy (translation: appreciation), is actually worth 2,000 hours of physical work! That means, if you want prosperity in your life and you don’t want to work so hard, then start appreciating as many things as you can.

How do you appreciate? It’s simple. Pick any topic in your life. Start by finding the best thought or feeling you can about it. Then, find the next better thought or feeling about that. Then, the next better one. Keep reaching for the next better thought or feeling, and pretty soon you will be in appreciation!

For instance, let’s say you’re not too fond of your place of work and you feel so stressed there that you have a hard time being appreciative. A good thought you might have about your work is that it pays your bills so you have food, shelter and gainful employment. Next, you might reach for a thought about a co-worker who is your friend, who keeps you laughing. After that, a thought about a good laugh the two of you shared will probably pop into your head. After that, a thought about how much better your current job is than your last one will appear. Next, you might appreciate the amount of vacation time you get. And so on.

The trick is to follow this process through, no matter how artificial it seems at first, until you actually feel a positive shift in your thoughts and feelings. You will feel lighter, brighter, happier, more uplifted and joyful. Many people have followed this process through until they are literally crying with appreciation. Think about how much prosperity that attracts!!

Even though Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, a little appreciation and gratitude (or giving of thanks) on a daily basis will take you far in the journey toward prosperity. Good luck and, most of all, have fun with this!

About the Author: Stephanie Yeh and her partner have helped many other people achieve and experience prosperity with the help of a strong 15 year network marketing business. Her current project, the Journeyman Wealth Program, is aimed at helping 15 people a year fully achieve their dreams. Stephanie’s Prosperity Abounds website works on the basic principle that “You are the creator of your own reality!”. Web Site : http://www.prosperity-abounds.com

True Success Defined

"Success is always temporary.

When it is all said and done,

the only thing you'll have left

is your character."

--Vince Gill

Society today determines "success" according to external and personal values. For human beings "judging a book by its cover" is a natural process and what you see, with your five senses, is often interpreted as reality or truth. Unfortunately, though, when you evaluate success using this criterion you are only scratching the surface.

Now, there is nothing wrong with material or external symbols of success. But the value, or measure of success, determined by our possessions is really a personal opinion. We place the value of our success on these items. An expensive sports car, or boat, has no real value on its own. The value comes from the symbol in which we want it to represent, or measure of success we want others to see that it portrays. When our "success" gets out of control then these symbols, or expressions of our success, are often illusions. Illusions are all too often the cause of frustration, anger, pain and lack of depth and soul that we see in the world today.

Let's turn the focus and root of success inward. Success is not what happens on the outside, but it is something that comes from within. Our real value, or spiritual successfulness, is the source of all that we are or have become. It is our true potential or the higher part of ourselves that makes us truly successful. Spiritual successfulness does not need outward symbols or possessions. It comes from "within" us and not "outside" of ourselves.

If you go about your life attempting to replace that which comes from within you, that spiritual part of yourself, with external symbols or possessions, we will never feel fulfilled or successful, no matter what you do. You will need to constantly replace, upgrade or "go to the next level." You will always want more because you have not tapped into the source of true happiness. Therefore, just as Vince Gill spoke of in the quote above, your success will be an illusion and only something temporary.

So, the definition of true success is that it is none other than the simple ability to connect with the "you" within. Nothing more and nothing less, that's all there is to it. True success is achieved when you strive to continually reach your highest spiritual potential. Real success is how you are inside rather than how successful you appear outside of your inner self.

Copyright M. A. Webb 2005. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Opportunities Are Like Fine Wine

Opportunities are like a fine wine - they just better with age! No one should feel discouraged, or not pursue a dream or an opportunity simply on the basis of their age. As long as you have your health and are capable of thought there is a place for you in this world and the older you are the more valuable your experience and contribution!

You may have run across people who could have been doing some sort of useful or creative work, but repeat negative phrases such as:

• "I had a difficult childhood"
• "If I could only live my life over knowing what I know now"
• "I married too soon"
• "I am too old to do anything now"
• "They want younger people now"

People constantly gripe and complain about their lack of opportunity, when all around them are more opportunities than one person can possibly use. Some say they can't move forward because they don't have any cash, capital or assets. But, how many rich people are there that started with nothing? Unfortunately, it is not opportunity that people lack, but perseverance.

Human beings have a natural tendency for laziness. If you want to be successful in life, or business, you must lift yourself above this nasty character trait and set your will to work and your heart on fire to achieve the success you desire. Lack of decision, too, leads to procrastination and can easily rob you of your inheritance. It is so easy to say to yourself, "I'll do it tomorrow," and then find that tomorrow never comes. That single indecision can lead to a lifetime of neglect and delays.

Are you seeking some sort of achievement or success? If you are serious about this and have a goal in sight, seize this very moment and do what you can do to make your dream become a reality. Just start doing something! Stop using your age, or some other flimsy excuse, as a reason to not move forward. Be bold and self-confident. With a little patience and determination you can take that first step to success. The more little steps you take the easier they become and before long you will have achieved your goal.

Take the disappointments that come along the way in stride and turn these into learning opportunities. Leverage them to move you closer to your goal. NEVER let a roadblock stop you from becoming successful!

Susan Coolidge said:

"Every day is a fresh beginning; every morn is the world made new: you who are weary of sorrow and sinning, Here is a beautiful hope for you -- A hope for me, and a hope for you. Every day is a fresh beginning: Listen, my soul, to the glad refrain, and, spite of old sorrow and older sinning, and puzzles forecasted and possible pain. Take heart with the day, and begin again!"

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2005. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Formula for Happiness

In highly developed countries there is a growing trend where people think about the meaning of life. Typically this is a spiritually based concern that is genuine and broader than the tradiational religious views practiced in numerous other countries in the world. And yet, it is unclear to most how they want to live their life in a meaningful way.

Many people think that they will achieve happiness "when...." But it is important to note that happiness is not something that you can buy or attain and it is not something that just happens to you. Happiness is an emotion that comes from deep within you. You are motivated from within to express happiness.

John Agno, a certified Executive and Business Coach has a great formula that I'd like to share with you. Write this down on a 3x5" index card and keep it with you as it is a very helpful tool.

Happiness = K x D x L

Where:

• K = knowing who you are
• D = discovering your life's work
• L = learning not to tolerate what's not important

This is his formula for happiness. Know yourself, what your true calling is and that you get what you tolerate.

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2005. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Daily Prayer

"Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you Lord, that I can see. There are many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the effort of rising, thank you, Lord that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord for the food we have. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for the gift of life."

-Author Unknown

How Do You Take Care of Yourself?

Taking care of ourselves is a topic that we often avoid, but warrants some thought from each of us. What do you think of when someone tells you to put yourself first? You may have a whole list of excuses or responses to this question, including: "That would be selfish," or "I've got to take care of my kids and family first," and the biggest excuse of all, "I'm too busy!"

There are two reasons that we should take care of ourselves:

• You are worth it!
• If you do not take care of yourself, you will not be able to care for anyone else.

In a recent Dateline article found on the UCDavis website, they likened taking care of ourselves to an airplane trip. You will recall when they give their short presentation on safety and talk of oxygen masks, they tell you to put your mask on first then to assist others around you. If you put your mask on first, or take care of yourself first, then you will be able to assist many people around you. If you deprive yourself of what your body, heart and soul needs, then there will be very little of yourself left to share or help others.

There's a third reason we rarely heart about, but let's put all our cards on the table today:

• We need to take care of ourselves and not always take care of others because that sometimes hurts the other person.

For example, if you are a parent and you always take care of your child's problems or hurts, they will never learn from their mistakes or develop a healthy self-esteem or even learn how to take care of themselves. Uh-oh! How many times have you heard a parent say that they want to protect their child from getting hurt or having to deal with problems or difficulties. Think about what is best for that child, family member or friend before you jump in to solve a problem.

Now, in order to take care of yourself you will need balance in your life. Balance is something that we achieve when:

• We have a life work that is challenging and gives us a sense of accomplishment;
• We have time to play in order to relax, have fun and experience joy;
• We have love in our life, meaning not just a romantic or physical love but the love of one person to another;
• We experience a spirituality where we have some sort of connectivity to something larger than ourselves.

As you read this list you may find that you have all of these components for balance in your life. Next, determine what percent or proportion they represent in your life. In my opinion this is the whole crux to living our lives on a daily basis - keeping these elements in proportionate balance.

So, what are some things that you can start doing today to take care of yourself? When was the last time that you did something purely for fun? When was the last time you said "no" to someone without feeling guilty about it? When was the last time you let your child solve a problem on his/her own? When was the last time you put your personal needs, health or well-being ahead of another's lesser needs?

Taking care of yourself may be one of the hardest things you can do. It helps to have a friend or family member who is supportive and is someone you can talk openly with about what is going on in your life. Other ways to take care of yourself include talking over your concerns with another; exercise, diet and sleep; setting limits; and solving problems. You should also take mini stress breaks or mini vacations each day to refresh your energy and spirit. As you begin taking care of yourself you will find that you have more to give to others and that the balance in your life will once again be restored.

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2005. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Gratitude

"In ordinary life

we hardly realize that we receive

a great deal more than we give,

and that it is only with gratitude

that life becomes rich."

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Tug-of-War With a Tiger

"If you are losing a tug-of-war with a tiger,

give him the rope before he gets to your arm.

You can always buy a new rope."

-Max Gunther

Happy Birthday Slinky!

Many of us have fond childhood memories of our first Slinky. We walked them down ramps, stairs and our school desktops, or just about anything that could remotely show off it's "magical" abilities. Being a huge fan of desk toys today, I have still have a mini-Slinky sitting on my desk. It's quite therapeutic at times and even comforting when I'm working through problems.

In 1943 Marine Engineer Richard James invented the Slinky after a tension spring from a meter he was using to test battleship horsepower fell off his desk and "walked" end-over-end across his office floor. Two years later the first 400 went one sale just before Christmas and they've been a huge retail item ever since.

In this month's Reader's Digest ("An Immortal Coil," November, 2005) it was written, "...here's to hoping this American classic springs eternal." Happy 60th Birthday Slinky!

Life is About Constant Change

Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my favorite women in history. She had a remarkable sense of humor, a gift for understanding people, and incredible insight and wisdom about living life to its fullest. She was not blessed with a "perfect" life and, like many, had to bear incredible sadness and tragedy in her life along with its successes and happiness. I highly recommend that you buy her book, "You Learn by Living!"

In her book she talks about the constant change and readjustment we face in our daily lives:

"Readjustment is a kind of private revolution. Each time you learn something new you must readjust the whole framework of your knowledge. It seems to me that one is forced to make inner and outer adjustments all one's life. The process never ends.

Whatever period in life we are in is good only to the extent that we make use of it, that we live it to the hilt, and that we continue to develop and understand what it has to offer us and we have to offer it. The rewards for each age are different in kind, but they are not necessarily different in value or in satisfaction."

Whatever you are facing in your life today requires you to determine what you have to offer, what you want as an outcome and then to pay attention to the details and information you have at hand in order to understand your situation. You can choose to face these readjustments in life as an opportunity to grow, or you can run screaming the opposite direction and be in a state of denial. Eleanor Roosevelt embraced the changes in her life and found ways to turn even unthinkable situations into learning opportunities.

Decide today whether you are going to "...live life to the hilt..." or if you are going to run away from an opportunity that can help you achieve your lifelong goals and happiness!

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2005. All Rights Reserved

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michele is a Netpreneur with five websites and numerous Blogs (see links on this page). She has successfully marketed an online learning system to a small niche market with little or no advertising budget.

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Achieve Success - Break Bad Habits Today!

Do you want to be successful in your business, workplace, home or community? Most of us want to have some degree of success in almost all of these different aspects of our lives. But, all to often, we find that we have some personal habit or mindset that blocks, or prevents us from achieving ultimate success. You DO have the ability to change by breaking these bad habits today! Here's a simple step you can do to start yourself on the road to ultimate success:

Take a few moments to evaluate or thinkn about a personal habit or behavior that "trips you up." Start with one at a time so that you can achieve your goal and build your confidence.

Next, identify how you can design a practice (either a set of physical steps or a new mindset) that will help you break, or overcome the bad habit. For example, if you want to lose weight and yet you find yourself raiding the refrigerator late each night, what can you do to either remind you of your goal or to distract you from late night "grazing?" Identify what you can do when the urge to open the door gets stronger (remember, you WILL be tempted and you will need a strategy or distraction in place to deal with this.) Who can you enlist to help you and remind you of your goals?

Take a notebook or journal and write your goal down. Review it frequently, or post it in a prominent place that you will see frequently during the day to remind you of your goal. Structure will help you be more creative and to give you positive reinforcement to help you meet your goal and break the bad habit.

Write down: "This week I will ______________________ to break my habit of ____________________."

Copyright 2005, M. A. Webb. All Rights Reserved


PUBLISHING RIGHTS:
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your e-book or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michele has 20+ years experience in oncology healthcare, including Cancer Registry management. You can learn more about cutting-edge learning tools and opportunities by visiting her Cancer Registry and online training site.

Katrina Victims Need Your Help and Prayers

The images we have seen on TV and the stories reported in the past week have been tragic, even horrific. Here and there we hear of loved ones that are found, pets that are rescued and families reunited. Unfortunately, it's not near enough to wipe out the devastating and long-term effects that we will see, everywhere in the USA, for the coming months and years.

It came to me that I could either be depressed and simply watch the news, or I could do something to help. I don't have much money to give, but I've dug as deep as I can. Now I'm looking at volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are going to be needed for many months ahead as these folks try to rebuild their homes and lives.

I encourage each of you to take the time, dig deep and to give as much as you can, either money or your time, to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. There are two organizations, specifically, that are mobilized and ready to give mass care: American Red Cross (Red Crescent Society outside the USA) and the Salvation Army. Please either visit their websites or call your local branch office today to do what you can to aid our family, friends, neighbors and fellow countrymen who are in desparate need!

Live ... Imagine

"Live out of your imagination, not your history."

--- Stephen Covey

Are Short Walks Good for Weight Loss?

Many of us can find 15 minutes here and there during the day to walk. While walking for 15 minutes can certainly help you lose weight and improve your stamina and overall health and well-being, it will not help you burn as many calories as walking steadily for 45 minutes or an hour. Combining your short 15-minute walks into one long steady walk will definitely be more beneficial, but you will need to weigh the benefits against what you are doing, what you enjoy, and what fits into your schedule.

Longer walks (45 minutes to an hour) help your body to burn off the available sugars (or glycogen) that it has stored up. After the sugars are burned off the body can begin to burn fat and walking for longer periods of time gives the body the extended period of time it needs to begin this process. Another advantage for taking longer walks is that you may burn a bit more fat each day. Your body replaces the burned glycogen either through the calories you eat or through breaking down stored fat. If you eat more calories than your body needs, it stores it right back again as fat. Diet and exercise, together, is the key to losing weight.

Consider taking longer walks each day to maximize the burning of calories and ultimately weight loss.

About The Author: Michele loves reading, learning and sharing with others tips and information that helps us live life to the fullest and with the most happiness possible. She writes books, reports and articles for readers of all ages.

Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Copyright 2005, Michele Webb. All Rights Reserved

Counting Your Blessings to Bring Happiness

If you have the winter blah’s or are just feeling a bit down or depressed, here’s a very simple way to boost your spirits and put you on the road to happiness. Research studies have shown that one of the best ways to give a boost to your happiness meter is to remind yourself of those things in your life that are good and positive. Here’s what you can do:

1. Write It Down. Spend a few minutes each day to think of a blessing in your life, or a moment during the day where something positive happened or someone said something to you that made you feel good, or something that made you laugh. Write it down either in your journal or on a slip of paper. If you use slips of paper to write your blessings on, put these into a “blessing bowl” or jar in a prominent place in your home. Another way to keep your blessings close to you is to slip your list into your wallet or purse.

2. Share Your Blessings. To get the most out of your blessings and maximum boost to your spirits, you should share your blessings with other. Don’t be afraid to tell someone about something that has made you happy or of a new blessing in your life. This is a great activity for a family around the dinner table or during family night. Sharing your blessings can open up the topics for discussion and also provides opportunities for families or friends to help one another.

By writing down those things in your life that have blessed you or made you happy you will reinforce the positive in your life. It is no secret that you will benefit even more by sharing these things with your family and friends. Spend some time today thinking of what your life has been blessed with and share it with someone! You’ll be amazed at how much better you will feel.

About The Author: Michele loves reading, learning and sharing with others tips and information that helps us live life to the fullest and with the most happiness possible. She writes books, reports and articles for readers of all ages.

Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Copyright 2005, Michele Webb. All Rights Reserved

Stress-Buster Getaways

Research has shown that taking a short trip, or getaway, has the same effect on reducing stress and relaxing us as the long trips. The Stanford University psychiatrist noted that our minds are generally more relaxed the FIRST couple of days of a trip as compared to the last few days.

So, if you are feeling tired and in need of a getaway, here are a few planning tips:

1. Close to home. Stay close to home – don’t spend the entire time away in transit to and from your destination. For example: if you live in Dallas, don’t go to Miami Beach. Find somewhere that is in close proximity for this “mini” getaway. Think about where you have always wanted to, places you have not visited yet or places where you know you can get away to and relax and have fun.

2. Check the season and weather. Not all of us can getaway only to warm and sunny locations, and you may need to take a break now instead of waiting for good weather to come about. If you like the beach, but it is off season, just plan and pack accordingly. Instead of basking in the sun’s rays you can stroll through the antique shops or bookstores, layer on the warm clothes and take a walk along the shore, or get a table inside your favorite seafood restaurant instead of outside on the patio.

3. Pamper yourself. A getaway is a time to pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a top-of-the-line hotel. Explore the city or local area, visit the spa, and indulge yourself in those activities that you normally do not take the time for. Order room service, read a good book, get tickets to the local theatre or playhouse … getting the picture?

After treating yourself to a relaxing and fun getaway, you will come home refreshed and with a new perspective on life. To keep the getaway fresh in your mind and to remind yourself of the fun you had, bring back a small reminder or souvenir that you can place in your home (i.e., on the refrigerator, window sill of the kitchen, bathroom counter, bulletin board). When you look at this souvenir you can take a “mini-vacation” to that spot. Remember how relaxed you felt and how much fun you had. These short breaks will help you keep your perspective until the next getaway!

Planning the next getaway can be fun too! Take turns with your spouse, partner or traveling companion picking the next destination. This gives everyone something to look forward to and ensures that you will take care of your needs and keep the stress levels manageable.

About The Author: Michele loves reading, learning and sharing with others tips and information that helps us live life to the fullest and with the most happiness possible. She writes books, reports and articles for readers of all ages.

Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Copyright 2005, Michele Webb. All Rights Reserved.

What Makes a Person Happy

Research studies have shown that happier-than-average people have a lot of the same traits and characteristics in common. Here a five top traits of happy people:

1. Social Butterfly. Happy people tend to go out of their way to be with other people and to spend time with family and friends. When they are sad or anxious, they will seek out others for solace and comfort.

2. Keeping Fit. Happy people keep their moods elevated, and more active, by keeping fit and healthy. You do not have to be a marathon runner or body-builder to receive the benefits from exercise.

3. Never in a Rut. New experiences will keep you from getting in a rut and becoming depressed, restless or unhappy. Try no things, explore new places, meet new people, sample new foods and try new activities. Never let yourself get into a rut.

4. Put on Those Rose-Colored Glasses. Depressed people tend to view themselves and their lives fairly accurately. The happier-than-average person tends to see themselves and their circumstances as better than they really are!

5. Maintain Your Perspective. Unhappy and depressed people tend to blow, even the little things, out of proportion. They see every little setback as something that will affect them, and others, for the rest of their lives. But, happy people tend to tackle and work through everyday problems and tend to not view a problem as the end of the world.

About the Author: Michele loves reading, learning and sharing with others tips and information that helps us live life to the fullest and with the most happiness possible. She writes books, reports and articles for readers of all ages.

Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

Copyright 2005, Michele Webb. All Rights Reserved.

A Crystal Ball for Your Web Business

Are you considering launching an eCommerce website? If you are, you may want to take your crystal ball down from the shelf to shed some light on whether or not your business will fare well online. In reality, there is no magic to eCommerce at all, it is all about preparing, thinking and implementing your ideas and products using sound business techniques. Here are just a couple of questions to ask yourself before you get started:

Will you be selling a product that can be delivered economically and conveniently from the Internet? If you are unsure or answered “no” you should go back and do some more research until you can safely answer “yes” to this question. For example: if you are selling custom-made glass products that require expensive packaging and shipping costs, make sure you can still make a profit from your sales, after expenses, before starting up.

Do you have a desire to market to customers outside of your own geographical location and can produce a product that has a broad appeal? This was important for me when I started my eCommerce site. Although I live in a major metropolitan area, there are not many cities or towns outside of our local region. A website business has opened up global opportunities for my products.

Are there significant economic advantages involved with taking your business online? This is a key factor to whether your business will succeed or flounder. But, if you ponder questions #1 and #2 very carefully, question #3 should be smooth sailing.

Can you economically draw customers to your website? If there is any potential for your website business to require a lot of cash flow, it is with marketing. But, by careful planning and research you can find affordable hosting domains or marketing packages to reach out to the entire global markets. Or, you can do like I did and start on a shoestring (with less than $500 spent in the first year) and be willing to start a bit slower, do a little more leg work on your own, and yet still succeed as a viable online business. Make sure, however, that you are not directly competing with large companies such as Amazon.com, Priceline.com or the like as you would need a seven- or eight-digit marketing budget to compete on their level.

There is still a lot of room in eCommerce for businesses that are based on targeted niche markets built on shrewd, but solid business plans. Take the time to do some careful planning before you launch your web business to ensure that you will achieve all your goals and dreams!

Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.

About The Author

Michele Webb is living proof that an "ordinary" person can successfully launch multiple website businesses with little or no training.

Copyright 2005, Michele Webb. All Rights Reserved.

Classified Ads That Get Results

Classified ads do not have the big market appeal that a full color display ad has, but but they are still one of the most economical ways to get your business into the public eye. And, because classifieds do not demand expensive eye-catching designs or ingenious wording that you often see in direct-mail campaigns, they are a perfect marketing avenue for even new entrepreneurs. Here are some tips to help you write ads that will make the difference between mediocre ads to ads that get great results.

Keep It Short

Ads that are short and precise have better results. Use white space to make your classified ad stand out from the rest of the listings. Look at the local classifieds and you will see that this works especially well for newspapers. With a little care you can apply the same concept to online ads.

Place just a few words in each line with: 1) the first line listing a benefit the reader will receive; 2) the second line containing the name of your company; 3) the third line your address or email. This results in a striking, centered ad surrounded by white space.

If you are placing an online classified ad and do not have the capability to insert line breaks or center the text, then you will need to keep the text short and use key words to attract the reader to your ad.

Establish a Goal

The goal of placing your ad should only be to get the customer to click through to your site for more information. If your listing does not elicit that response, then you should rework it until it does.

Action Words

Use action words that will prompt a response from the reader. For example, words such as: amazing, attractive, confidential, etc., are all words that compel the reader to do something. There are a many resources available, one that I found to be particularly useful is Words That Sell, by Richard Bayan.

Unique Appeal

You want to make your product or service appear unique to all other products or services on the market (if any). Spend a few minutes to identify what is unique about your product or service or solicit feedback from friends or family about what would appeal to them should they need a product or service such as yours. Use this uniqueness to appeal to the market in the ad.

No Selling!

Whatever you do, do not try to sell your reader on your ad. What you DO want to do is evoke a response using action words. The ad is meant to entice them and evoke an action from them to return to your site and then prompt a sale(s) of your product(s).

Spark Interest and Curiosity

Using a combination of the title and the text or body of the ad you want to spark an interest or curiosity in your ad or product. Use the title to grab the interest and attention of the reader and the ad, or text body, to spark curiosity. You want to generate enough curiosity to have them act in response to your ad.

Avoid Saturated Ads and Products

If your product is already over-marketed on the Internet or your ad is one that is “canned” or pre-prepared you are less likely to achieve good results. Develop your ad so that it is unique, draws the attention of the reader and then guides them to your site or product that is also unique and fresh.

This does not mean that you should not sell information products, for example, which are in overabundance on the Internet market. Instead, think of one type of e-book or information product you can develop that will stand out from the others and meet some need that has prompted the reader to start searching.

Avoid Hype

Nothing is appealing about an advertiser that resorts to hype, threats, or false innuendo about their product. Avoid hype or false representation at all costs. I cannot emphasize this enough. Internet users have grown up and have become savvy, intelligent buyers and are not interested in purchasing products that are hyped. Just state the real facts and use some sound business principles and marketing methods to get the job done well.

Be Organized

Do not underestimate the power behind having a schedule for posting your ads. Post the same ads every 5-7 days. No more. No less. This will keep your ads in front of the readers and you will avoid being black-listed for spamming.

Spamming is an incredible annoyance that is truly deterring good customers from Internet buying. Simply do not send SPAM!

Let’s Wrap This Up

These simple and easy-to-use tips can make the difference between ads that deliver mediocre results or those that deliver eye-boggling, heart-pounding results. You will need to develop your own style for writing your ads and then practice, practice, practice. Few of us were born with the ability to write a “super” ad right away. Most of us have had to practice, watch for results and then tweak the ad to get the results we have wanted. Do not be discouraged if you find yourself in this group too, you’ll be a part of a much bigger group of entrepreneurs. What is important is that you learn from each ad and campaign that you send out. If you can infuse these simple steps into your advertising campaigns you will be well on your way to posting classified ads that get results!

AUTHOR BIO

Michele Webb is living proof that an “ordinary” person can be a successful Netpreneur who successfully launched a classified advertising website in a highly specialized niche market.

REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS

Reprints are available upon request at no charge. You have permission to reprint or use this article in your website or newsletters as long as the article is not modified in any way and is printed in entirety including the author's bio and links. We will happily provide a text or HTML version upon request.

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2004-2005. All Rights Reserved