The Dbottino Weblog

If you are wishing for more prosperity or desiring wealth, it requires attention and knowledge on multiple levels. There are three levels of consciousness to transform your relationship with money.

In the “real” external or outer world, we must gain and understand financial knowledge. We educate ourselves about income and expenses, investing, taxes, and the importance of savings. We read books, watch television programs, attend classes and learn about the stock market, planning for retirement, how to ask for a raise, how to cut our taxes, and managing money. Here is where we develop skills, acquire tools, and use our experience to make sound decisions. At this level, it is our lack of knowledge and skill most likely to trip us up.

We also must understand our feelings, thoughts, beliefs and values around money, prosperity, wealth, poverty, and all that entails. From early childhood we have absorbed lessons, true and untrue, and developed beliefs about money from parents, school, friends, the media, our religions and our cultures. Our values around money, wealth, work, poverty and other money-related issues were also formed early on. We are still absorbing messages about money, especially in the western cultures where money is “king”. Your unconscious beliefs or values can negatively or positively affect your ability to choose wisely. Making these beliefs conscious and determining whether they are still useful to you may enable you to make better choices and have what you desire. There are many tools and techniques available to bring these beliefs to light including simple ones like asking yourself questions about what you believe and why.

The last way we affect prosperity is through our spiritual practices and understanding. It helps to learn about the spiritual laws governing prosperity and abundance in our lives. These include having clear insight into who you are, and your place in the world. It includes understanding the interconnectedness of all living things and the planet. For many of us, having clarity and congruency, living an authentic life, understanding the laws of attraction, and being in touch with our inner spirit or self (sometimes called higher self are necessary steps in transforming our relationship with money. And most importantly, having intense gratitude for all we already have.

Mary Anne Fields is a Personal Coach, Trainer & Speaker specializing in the areas of life transitions, your relationship with money, simplifying your life, preparing for retirement and living your dreams. For more information about Life Unfolds, see http://www.lifeunfolds.com.
(713) 528-5971
maf@lifeunfolds.com
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In my previous article, “Writing: It’s a Crowded, Lonely Business” we discussed briefly what POD, or print-on-demand is, and what to look for in a POD publisher. In this article we will look at the pros and cons of POD publishing. To state it briefly, print-on-demand’s strengths are also print-on-demand’s weaknesses. Let me show you what I mean…

• Anyone can be published — even idiots and crackpots. In the world of POD publishing, the rule of the day is caveat emptor, or “buyer beware.” Because POD allows just about anyone to print just about anything, the books offered by POD publishers are a mixed bag. Some POD sites offer user ratings and reviews with their books, and that’s a definite plus, just pay attention to who is doing the rating and reviewing. It might just be the author himself!
• You can write what you please. Just remember, that doesn’t mean people will be pleased with what you write. Traditional publishers will go with what is safe and proven ninety-nine percent of the time. With POD, the sky’s the limit. Got an experience you want to write about and share with the masses? Have a particular interest you enjoy writing about? Have an experimental style of writing that you’d like to try out? Did you come up with a killer idea for a cool novel? Great! Go for it! Just remember that there is a reason so many manuscripts receive rejection notices from the big-name publishers: they just won’t sell to a wide enough audience. Traditional publishing houses are about taking manuscripts, turning them into books, and making money with them. It’s a gamble. Even with the books they do publish, there’s no guarantee they’ll turn a profit. Given the risks involved, going forward with an unusual, or eccentrically unique book is a rarity amongst traditional publishers.

  Self-publishing through a POD let’s you write pretty much what you want, with a few limitations, but that does not mean people are going to beat the doors down just to get a copy of your book. Sadly, you may learn the hard way why so many “regular” publishers turned you down. But please don’t let that stop you from writing! If one thing doesn’t work, try something else. Keep perfecting your craft and let your mistakes teach you, not discourage you.

• You can write about any topic you please. Their are plenty of folks with specific interests who would love to have just one more book on their topic of interest. You could become their next favorite author. Just remember that niche markets are characterstically small. But a well-written work can garner you a loyal following, and that can spring board you into larger projects.
• You get to be your own editor. The downside of that is that you get to be your own editor. One reason traditional publishers carry more clout than POD publishers is that the authors and manuscripts of books produced by traditional publishers must endure a long and drawn out process before a book ever sees light of day. Beyond the query letters, proposals, rejections, and final acceptance of a manuscript, there is the editing. Then there is the editing. And finally, there is the editing. Did I mention editing? Everything about the manuscript is examined, picked apart, and re-examined. The author may have to do re-writes. He will definitely have to endure the agony of seeing his work ruthlessly scrutinized and questioned. It’s a necessary part of the process. With POD publishing it’s all on you, unless you hire someone to do it for you. If you are your own editor, be sure you know what you are doing.

  If your excuse is, “Well, I’m just a storyteller. I’m not good at grammar,” then you may just be writing your book for yourself. Your command of the written word is a reflection on you as an author whether you care to accept it or not. And that only covers the mechanics. As author you need to be passionate about your writing. As editor you must be brutal. Does everything in your story really belong there? Are all your characters necessary? Does everything they say make sense? Are they and their dialogue believable. Will anybody even care about this particular story? There is more to editing your own work than just spelling and grammar check.

• Brick and mortar stores may or may not be interested in your book. Because POD books do not need to pass through the same filters as books produced by traditional publishers, most bookstores, particularly big-name bookstores, are reluctant to feature POD books on their shelves. Who can blame them? POD books are varied in quality; some are superbly written, some are just no good. Then there is the problem with returns. Most POD’s do not have a return policy except on damaged books. They won’t take a book back simply because a customer decided they didn’t like it. So if a bookstore agrees to sell your book, what are they supposed to do if a customer wants their money back? This is a problem.

  One solution is to offer your books to smaller bookstores on consignment. You provide the books at your own cost, and you split the profits with the bookstore owner, plus you agree to buy back any unbought or returned books. It isn’t the best solution, but who said this was going to be easy? Besides, look on the bright side. People may LOVE your books and want more; and if that happens, the bookstore will want more of your books, too. That could lead to big dividends later.

There is nothing more exciting for an author than to see his name in print. It’s like seeing your name on the marquee for an actor. Having people read your work and like it is an excitement that extends beyond words even for the best of writers. POD publishing is one way to accomplish that dream.

Glenn Haertlein is a teacher at a Christian school for children special needs. He is also a freelance writer. To see his latest work, visit http://www.imglenn.net

When joining an online Christian dating service the personal information that you choose to disclose is meant for public viewing, your financial information however is not.

First: be positive that the site is secure.

Before providing your bank or credit card information to any online site, confirm that the site is secure by checking the URL in the address bar of your browser. Secure sites will begin with https:// rather than http:// with the added “s” designating a secure server. Internet explorer users can also look for a small closed padlock at the bottom of the browser window.

Legitimate site owners pay a fee and submit legal documents to a certification company to receive a secure site certificate which will be indicate by the https:// at the beginning of the URL. To be warned if a sites certificate is invalid Internet explorer users can adjust the advance settings of the browser to warn if there is a problem with the sites security certificate. Go to tools-internet options-advance tab, scroll down near the bottom and ensure that both “Check for publisher’s certificate revocation” and “Warn about invalid site certificates are checked.” With these boxes checked a site with certificate problems will prompt a warning on your computer.

Second: Know who you’re dealing with.

To determine the true owner of a Christian dating service site do a search on the domain name at Betterwhois.com. The results will provide information on how long the site has been online, who registered it and their contact information.

If it is a private registration and the information is not available, it’s time to do some more checking. Alexa.com ranks websites by the amount of traffic that the site has and details on how long the site has been online, the name/contact information of the owner and users reviews and comments relevant to the site.

If the above two checks haven’t provided name or contact information, it may be time to wonder why the secrecy?

Third: Check the sites privacy policy.

A legitimate site will have a privacy policy indicating what they will or will not do with your info.

Fourth: Look for contact information on the site.

Should you need to contact the owner to resolve membership issues are you stuck with email or do they provide a Telephone number?

Fifth: What is the cancellation policy? Should you decide to cancel your membership, how do you do it? Will a simple email be sufficient or do you have to take legal action?

I can’t guarantee that these five steps will keep you safe; following them will minimize your risk.

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters….

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Star Wars (1977)

FADE IN: Context: galaxy far, far away. Empire versus the Rebellion etc.

The Antagonism; Good versus Evil polarization: Darth attacks Leia’s ship; Darth versus Leia; Leia taken hostage (Sword).

Heralds seek a Hero: Herald’s journey dangerous, full of obstacles, near death experience, separation: C3PO and R2 escape Vader’s clutches.

Heralds pursued: Stormtroopers after the droids.

Meeting the Interdictor (Uncle Owen) and the Hero (Luke).

Call to Adventure: Heralds and Hero Sacred Meeting: Luke gets Leia’s message.

Interdiction: Uncle Owen forbids Luke to seek Obi Wan.

Yearning for the Transformation: Luke looking at the moons.

Breaking the Interdiction: Luke forced to pursue R2.

Mentor Guardians / Near Death Experience: the sand people.

Meeting the Mentor : Obi Wan magically appears.

Safe Haven: Obi Wan takes Luke back to his home.

Spiritual guidance, back story and magical gifts (light sabre).

Refusal : Luke cannot go with Obi Wan.

Antagonism Developed (Outer Cave): the Empire has taken control; fear of the Death Star will keep the individual star systems in line.

Unbearable Antagonism: Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru murdered.

Antagonism Developed (Middle Cave): Leia interrogated with needles.

Conscious Decision to Transform: “I want to learn the ways of the force like my father….”

Warning at the Border of the First Threshold: “we must be cautious.”

Entering the New World of the First Threshold : Mos Isley.

New and Magical Creatures: the creatures upon entry.

Threshold Guardian: the storm trooper guards.

Foreboding of the Cave: uncomfortable about entering the bar.

New and Magical Creatures: the aliens in the bar.

Rules by an Authority Figure: the barman.

Outer Cave: confronting the criminal wanted on several star systems.

Foreshadow of the Physical Separation : Storm Troopers outside the bar.

Middle Cave / Meeting Allies: Han and Chewy.

Hero and Shape Shifter relationship: Luke and Han’s relationship antagonistic.

Departing the Old World and the Old Self: “you’ll have to sell you speeder…”"that’s alright, I’m never coming back here again…”

Inner Cave / Shape Shifter’s Back Story: Han shoots the bounty hunter.

Antagonist Developed (Inner Cave): “I think it’s time we demonstrated the full power of this battle station.”

Foreshadow of the Push : Antagonists pursue the Luke et al.

Physical Separation: Forced off the First Threshold: the Storm Troopers chase Luke et al off Mos Isley.

Mid Point: The Antagonist’s threat made explicit: Alderran destroyed.

Road of Trials [not very well developed in this movie] : Luke training and learning about the force.

Developing Characters and Relationships: “let the Wookee win.”

Cynicism: Han skeptical about the force.

Time Pressure to Sieze the Sword: “terminate Leia.”

Fish out of Water: arriving amidst Alderran’s debris.

Pulled In / Miscalculation: following the short range fighter onto that small moon.

Foreboding: I have a bad feeling about this.

Resisting the Pull: “they won’t get me without a fight.”

Resistance Futile: entering a much larger world.

Antagonist Alerted: “the Princess may still be of some use to us.”

Foreshadow of the Atonement: Vader sense the presence of Obi Wan.

Chameleon: Luke et al hide in the smuggler compartments.

Wolves Clothing: Luke et al get the Storm Trooper uniforms.

Guardians: questioned by control; blasting into the control room.

Meeting the Oracle: the database informs of the geography of this World and tells Luke et al that Leia is on board.

Mentor’s Challenge: Obi Wan leaves to release the tractor beam.

Warnings and Refusal to Seize the Sword: Luke has to persuade Han and Chewy.

Separation: R2 and C3PO stay behind.

Journey to the Sword dangerous and pessimistic: “this is not gonna work…”

Foreshadow of the Atonement:: Vader sense Obi Wan.

Threshold Guardian to the Sword: the guards.

Comedic Element: “how are you?”

Seizing the Sword: Luke rescues Leia.

Preparing for the Atonement: Vader knows he must face Obi Wan.

Night Sea Journey: going down into the garbage level.

Serpent Battle: Luke battles the underwater serpent.

Near Death Experience: the garbage compartment contracts.

Celebration at the Rebirth: Like et al rejoice at escaping death.

Mentor’s Challenge: Obi Wan releases the tractor beam.

Separation: Han and chewy chase the Storm Troopers.

Hero’s Inner Challenge conquered: Luke can do it alone.

Reward / Romantic Challenge conquered: Leia kisses Luke.

Convergence: Hero and allies converge.

Shape Shifter’s True Nature: “shall we leave this party?”

Atonement with the Father: Obi Wan faces Vader.

Apotheosis: there is nothing you could have done.

Magic Flight: the Millenium Falcon is pursued.

Celebration: “we did it.”

Push to the Final Conflict : “are you sure the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship…”

Ultimate Boon: they have the plans that can destroy that Death Star.

Refusal” “I’m not going back there again.”

Shape Shifter as Romantic Competition: “you think a princess and a guy like me…”

Returning to the Sponsors: back to the rebel base and meeting senior commanders.

Time Pressure: “no time for our sorrows, commander.”

Time Pressure: the Death Star prepares to orbit.

Rescue from Without: “a small one man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense.”

Antagonis’s Confidence: “this will be a day long remembered…”

Shape Shifter’s True Nature: Han won’t stay; Luke…”may the force be with you…”

Romantic Challenge / Encouragement: Leia kisses Luke.

Matching Peers: Luke and Biggs.

Crossing the Return Threshold: viewing the Death Star from a distance; diving in.

Master of the Two Worlds: Destroying the Death Star. See FINAL CONFLICT.

Freedom to Live: Medals; Ceremony; Reward.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

If you have decided that becoming a Yoga teacher is your passion, your next step is to create a plan of action. When doing anything that requires a major change, a call to action is one of the hardest hurdles to overcome. There are so many people who wish for goals, but do not plan to go after them. Let’s look at a few ways to make your plan of action to become a Yoga teacher.

What kind of help or support system do you need to teach Yoga? Remember the saying, “no man is an island.” Everyone needs encouragement, even if you are very confident in your abilities. Will you need financial help, educational resources, or to be mentored by a local Yoga teacher? Make an assessment of what you need and plan accordingly.

What should you learn about becoming a Yoga teacher? If you really want to teach Yoga, you should explore every resource available about how to teach Yoga classes. You should also learn about how to succeed in the Yoga teaching business. These factors will also determine how fast you progess once your Yoga teacher training course has concluded.

Where should you learn to teach Yoga? There are many options for Yoga teacher training, so let’s cover a few of them. If you decide to take an on-site Yoga teacher training, please avoid the weekend certifications. These programs may teach you a few postures and breathing techniques, but you will likely know little more than the average Yoga student.

Having a complete syllabus is important. A complete Yoga teacher training program should contain information about: Asanas, Modifications, Contraindications, Proper use of props, Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Methodology, Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Assisting with Posture Alignment, Working with Special Populations, Insider Yoga Teaching Tips, Yoga Teacher Ethics, Chakras, Bandhas, Mudras, Doshas, Yamas, Niyamas, Pranayama techniques, Meditation, Relaxation, Yoga Business Development, Communication, Marketing, and Networking.

How, in the world, can someone expect that kind of knowledge to be transmitted and processed in a weekend? There is a logical reason why 200 hours has become the Level 1 minimum International Yoga teacher training standard.

There is an unforeseen problem for Yoga interns, who desire to take a “weekend certification” course, in order to open the door to Yoga teaching as quickly as possible. This creates a dilemma of not having enough knowledge to be a safe Yoga teacher and not having the knowledge to stay in the Yoga teaching business.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Just last week I was really late for a training session with my personal trainer after I took my acceletrim solution for fast weight loss, and when I am late, guess what can happen, traffic. The thoughts were rushing in my head of how badly I needed to get to there and how there was not much time. It is tempting to tail gate, but why bother. So many times before I will be sitting in bumper to bumper traffic and only moving a few miles per hour and someone behind me is tailgating me. I will look in the rear view mirror and think “why is this guy so close to the back of my truck”, and then I will realize that they are probably really late for some meeting or have to get somewhere real fast. The only reason they can’t get there faster is because I am in front of him, and so are many other cars.

Tailgating in traffic does not mean you can get to where you are headed faster; it might just agitate the drivers in front of you. There is a reason for the traffic, whether it is the time of day or ducks crossing the road, there is a reason. If we put that time and energy studying the traffic before leaving the house we might be able to miss it all together and get to where we need to go without any hang ups.

Where are the Lech Walesa’s, the Margaret Thatcher’s, the Ronald Reagan’s, the Winston Churchill’s, the Golda Maier’s? Where is Mandela, de Klerk, Gandhi, Pope John Paul 11, Harry Truman. Generals MacArthur, Eisenhower and Schwarzkopf. Where are the Chesty Puller’s and George Patton’s….and Admiral Nimitz? And Shirley Chisolm, Margaret Sanger, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King? Lee Iacocca and Pete Rozzelle. TR, FDR and JFK? Lombadri, Auerbach, and Halas? And the list goes on. But curiously, why is it so easy to go back in the past and pick out such names but so difficult to find their current counterparts?

Maybe I’ m just too “old school,” but it seems there is a dearth of leadership in this country right now. When I listen to a Mitt Romney or John Kerry, I just don’t hear that strong sense of vision, that passion to be able to get people to commit 100% and take the necessary action to see that vision become a reality. When JFK was guiding us through the Cuban Missile crisis, that passion was contagious and I had it. I was ready to do whatever was necessary. Great leaders excel in the art of communication and motivation, instilling confidence and enthusiasm, and demonstrating integrity on a consistent basis. JFK instilled that confidence and passion during those 14 scary days in October 1962. I doubt Al Gore could do that for me. Rudolph William Giuliani ? Maybe. Bill First? Never.

In any organization, a leader’s actions set the pace. Such behavior wins trust, loyalty, and ensures the organization’s continued vitality. One of the ways to build trust is to display a good sense of character composed of beliefs, values, skills, and traits. Lee Iacocca once said, “The speed of the boss is the speed of the team.” These days, it’s called walking the talk. If the leaders don’t do it, do not expect the team members to do it. Chesty Puller walked the talk. So did his men. Greenbay Packers, under Coach Vince Lomdardi, would do anything to win his praise. It was called mutual respect.

These leaders didn’t pontificate; they just led by example………..by having the aforementioned ingredients of values, traits, beliefs, and skills. Arguably, President William F. Clinton was a chief executive who produced rock solid results, but did he demonstrate integrity on a consistent basis? President Richard M. Nixon’s ability to be visionary is historically manifest but he too stumble along the way.

In their work “Leaders,” researchers Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus conclude, “Leaders articulate and define what has previously remained implicit or unsaid; then they invent images, metaphors, and models that provide a focus for new attention. By so doing, they consolidate or challenge prevailing wisdom. In short, an essential factor in leadership is the capacity to influence and organize meaning for the members of the organization.” They continue, “Managers are people who do things right and leaders are people who do the right thing. The difference may be summarized as activities of vision and judgment — effectiveness verses activities of mastering routine — efficiency.” In this sense, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are leaders of today, for they created technical models that provided a focus for rapt attention.

Bennis and Nanus describe leaders as changing the basic metabolism of the organization. Business lecturer Tom Peters wrote that leaders, “must create new worlds. And then destroy them; and then create anew (‘Thriving On Chaos’).” Interestingly, Peters defines visions as aesthetic and moral — as well as strategically sound, which, of course, would eliminate Hitler’s quest of the world as being a vision. Martin Luther King had a vision that was not only proclaimed, but was lived convincingly and was an exemplar of the process. MLK walked the talk. Pete Rozzelle had a vision for the National Football League and he influenced those around him to carry out his vision. He took the league to the next level. Ella Grasso, first woman elected state Governor in her own right (Connecticut), shut that state down during the Blizzard of 78. It was a decisive action by a great leader.

How do today’s leaders stack up? The McCain’s, Hillary’s, Biden’s, First’s, Tommy Frank’s, Paul Bremer’s, Wes Clark’s, Judd’s, Jeb’s, and so many others…….how do they stack up on the leadership index? Does our own Senator John Sununu have what it takes to become a great leader? Maybe. Does Hillary? Will she walk the talk? Time will tell.

And what about today’s business leaders? We have Carol Bartz, Muriel Siebert and Robert L. Johnson. Michael Dell, the Wyatt’s and the Wrigley’s and they are darn good…..but where are the Lou Gerstner’s, Jack Welch’s Harold Geneen’s and Lee Iacocca’s? The Hewlett’s and the Packard’s. The Ken Olsen’s, An Wang’s and IBM’s Watson’s? The Land’s and the Eastman’s. Today, an alarming number seem to be doing the “Perp Walk” on television, slurping excessive pay at the corporate trough, or playing insider tips on the stock market. Some are even called “Celebrity CEO’s” as if they were movie stars or super athletes. How nauseous is that? Business ethics seems to have become an oxymoron. Today’s corporate leaders seem to be saying, “do as I say, not as I do.” Their obscene compensatory behavior is is hardly the stuff of leadership. Thankfully, we have the Gates and the Buffets, but there are too few like them. Regrettably, the period 2001 through 2004 will go down as the period of great corporate accounting scandals and that is just plain shameful.

What ever became of the Y.A.Tittle’s and Sonny Jorgensen’s who would take their bloody lumps and get up ready for more, instilling in their team mates a sense of dedication seldom seen these days. That was “old school” leadership. Today’s leadership is doing the boogoloo in the end zone after a touchdown.

Closer to home, how does one recognize a leader? Recognizing that no one is perfect, what are some traits to look for? What about that special kind of leader in the Mount Washington Valley? Maybe he or she will possess some of the following:

Personal ethics and integrity should top any list. “Relativity applies to physics, not ethics.” Albert Einstein

Courage…..the willingness to take risks and be accountable for the outcome. “Last, but by no means least, courage moral courage, the courage of one’s convictions, the courage to see things through……” Douglas MacArthur

Inspires and motivates……nothing is as contagious as genuine enthusiasm. “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.” Vince Lombardi

Committed, dedicated and cool under pressure…….inspires confidence. “Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others.” Unknown source
A desire to envision and create. “A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.” Denis Waitley

The ability to prioritize. “If you want to make good use of your time, you’ve got to know what’s important and then give it all you’ve got.” Lee Iacocca

A genuine desire to help others succeed. “The more I help others to succeed, the more I succeed.” Ray Kroc, Founder of MacDonald’s.

Decisiveness. “If I had to sum up what makes a good manager, I’d say decisiveness…..in the end you have to set a timetable and act.” Lee Iacocca

Know anybody like this in the Valley? I think I might know a few. Like to work for someone like this? I’ll bet they are around; the trick is to find them.

“Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.” Harold S. Geneen

Ted Sares, PhD, is a private investor who lives and writes in the White Mountain area of Northern New Hampshire with his wife Holly and Min Pin Jackdog. He writes a weekly column for a local newspaper and many of his other pieces are widely published.

His works focus on issues and themes dealing with socio-political topics, business and economics in which he advocates a free market approach to capitalism, patriotism, and matters dealing with individual freedom.They are frequently inspirational in nature and sometimes reflect the Objectivist philosophy of novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand. He also writes short stories that feature ironic and surprise twists.

In many industrialized countries, menopause can be a time of great discomfort and stress. Menopause is not a disease, to be viewed as something to be ‘treated’, but a passage in life from childbearing years. The symptoms American women may experience include hot flashes, mood swings, irregular bleeding, memory problems, decreased sexual interest and other changes that effect the enjoyment of sex. Although dietary habits and amount of activity a woman engages in can decrease many of these problems, genetics and previous health can also play a role in how severe the symptoms can be for a woman.

Multiple studies today indicate that taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may not be as safe as previously believed. As just one example, in July, 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative Study published results that demonstrated that the risks of HRT outweighed the benefits. Now more and more women entering menopause are considering ‘natural’ solutions to resolving uncomfortable symptoms of this life transition.

There are three particular herbs of interest when entering menopause. They include Black Cohosh, Chaste Tree Berry and Red Clover.

Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh is also known as Black Snakeroot, Bugwort, Rattleweed, Snakeroot, among other names. Black Cohosh was first used medicinally by Native Americans who introduced it to European colonists. Do not confuse black Cohosh with two unrelated plants, Blue Cohosh and White Cohosh.

Black Cohosh is one of the most popular herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms. Overall, the research supports that using Black Cohosh can help reduce menopause-related hot flashes. The research is a bit mixed on exactly how Black Cohosh works and if it has estrogen-like activity. Some research does show that in any estrogen-like activity, this activity does not pertain to the reproductive organs, such as breast, endometrium, and ovaries. A big question for women going into menopause is whether this is a safe herb for women with a history of cancer; the research generally says it is. However, for all women, this herb should not be taken for unlimited amounts of time.

There are also concerns of liver toxicity with the use of Black Cohosh. Until more is known, anyone who wishes to take Black Cohosh should consult their health practitioner and monitor their liver function to be on the safe side. It would also be wise to avoid taking it along with other herbs that may increase the risk of liver damage, which include androstenedione, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, germander, kava, niacin, pennyroyal oil, red yeast, and others.

Remifemin, a branded black Cohosh product, has been used in Germany since the mid-1950s to manage menopause. Research that has been done generally has used either Remifemin or two other products produced by Enzymatic Therapy and Phytopharmica.

As mentioned earlier, before taking this and most other supplements, make sure to discuss them with your doctor, particularly if you are taking any prescription medications or have any medical conditions. All herbs do have various interactions with other substances.

Chaste Tree Berry

Chaste Tree Berry is also known as Vitex, Chinese Vitex, Hemp Tree, and Mang Jing Zi, among others. An interesting bit of history is that historians say that monks chewed Chaste Tree parts to make it easier to maintain their celibacy.

This herb has been most often recommended for relieving symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, headaches and cramping. Although this is where most of the research has focused, it is now being studied to see if it can help with menopausal symptoms as well, and has also become quite popular for this use although there have only been three studies looking into how it could help with hot flashes in menopause.

The therapeutic effects of Chaste Tree Berry have primarily been attributed to its indirect effects on various neurotransmitters and hormones. It seems to increase levels of progesterone and decrease levels of estrogen. Theoretically, Chaste Tree Berry might interfere with the action of dopamine antagonists such as antipsychotic drugs due to dopaminergic effects of Chaste Tree Berry. It is believed that this herb could interfere with any hormone-related medications. Finally, there is a report that some women who were receiving invitro fertilization procedures and taking Chaste Tree Berry were unable to get pregnant. Consequently, if you are taking any medications or have a history of any medical conditions, speak to your health professional before starting this herb.

This is an herb that is not recommended for women with a history of any hormone-related cancers. However, for others it does appear to be safe. So, particularly for women who suffer from PMS or have mild menopausal-related hot flashes without a history of cancer, this could be an effective herbal remedy.

Red Clover

Other names for Red Clover include Genistein, Meadow Clover, Purple Clover, Trifolium, among others. Do not confuse Red Clover with Sweet Clover, Soy or Liverwort, however.

As a food, Red Clover is considered safe. Medicinally, there have only been four studies on Red Clover for menopause and three of these showed no benefit. Research has considered a possible blood cholesterol-lowering affect, decreasing prostrate size, and perhaps a positive effect on cancer, but research has not definitively supported any of these benefits, yet.

There is some evidence that red clover isoflavones can inhibit oxidative and conjugative metabolism. The list of possible drug and herbal interactions is so large that the best recommendation is to never consider this herb without a long discussion with your doctor, or avoid this herb completely.

This is an herb that appears to be safest when eaten as opposed to taken as a nutrition supplement. Although it could be safe for healthy persons with no medical history or on medications or other herbs, it does not appear to relieve any menopause symptoms. It also is an herb recommended to be avoided by any woman with a history of cancer.

We have just reviewed three popular herbs taken to relieve menopause symptoms. Of the three, the one with the best safety and effectiveness profile is Black Cohosh. Chaste Tree Berry has been shown to be most effective for PMS and should not be taken by women with a history of breast cancer. Red Clover appears to be something safer to eat than take as a supplement and should be avoided by women with a history of cancer, as well as people on any other medication or herbal product. Something that I hope readers were able to realize is that although herbs are a natural form of medication, they still do work like drugs and should be taken as seriously as prescription medications are. Interactions are possible with all substances and before taking any herbal product, I highly recommend that you consult with a healthcare professional with adequate education and background to help you make an informed decision on how to best handle symptoms.

Finally, it’s important to point out that in some societies there is not even a word for menopause. Women pass through this stage of life without notice. This makes it very clear that lifestyle has much to do with how a woman experiences this period of time in her life. If you currently suffer from symptoms of menopause, there are several things that you should evaluate. These include:

The amounts of fruits, vegetable and whole grains you eat daily,

Your intake of saturated fat, animal products and refined foods,

Your alcohol intake and smoking habits,

Regular exercise habits.

Each of these factors plays a large role in not only your health but how you experience the journey through menopause.

Marjorie Geiser helps people overcome their confusion and distress they may feel when trying to add healthy eating and fitness into their busy lives. She offers a free, monthly newsletter on various topics of health. She is a Registered Dietitian, Personal Trainer and Life Coach. To learn more about her services, go to her website at http://www.megfit.com or email her at margie@megfit.com.

Personal Loan for Bad Credit

You could need a personal loan for any reason–to pay medical bills, go on a vacation, buy a car, buy gadgets for the home, invest in a business, plan a wedding, or pay for a child’s education. If you own property, have a steady job, and are known to pay your bills on time, you can easily get a personal loan from your bank or your credit card company, at a reasonable rate of interest, and pay it off over the next few years. However, if you are not a property owner, are self-employed or unemployed, have just completed college, or have been involved in a bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce, tax, or repossession case, you will be considered a bad credit risk for a personal loan. When you apply for a personal loan, you may have to pay a higher rate of interest or your application may be refused outright. If you do have a problem with bad credit, you can apply for a personal loan with us at Abacusmortgageloan.com. We have been associated with many financial institutions and organizations that offer personal loans to people with bad credit. When you send in your application, we will send you a list of our associates. You should apply to each financial institution on the list till your application is accepted. This is because each financial institution with which we are associated has different personal loan programs, rates of interest, and terms and conditions on which they give personal loans. We assume that if you are applying for a personal loan, you plan to pay it back on time and rebuild your credit. Along with a list of our associates, we will also send you information on how to purchase real estate and cars without undergoing a credit check. We will also give you a list of credit card companies which offer their products to people with bad credit. As a prospective client, we would advise you to get one of the three credit rating agencies–Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion–to check your credit record and send you a copy of the report. You should then check this credit report to check that the information is correct. If you find that the information is incorrect or missing, get in touch with the credit rating agency and have the report corrected. This may take a month or two, but you can then use the corrected credit report to apply for personal loans. We advise all our clients to follow this procedure because we find that when more than one financial institution issues queries on the credit rating of a prospective borrower, it affects that person’s credit rating. On the other hand, if you ask for a credit report on yourself, it does not count as an enquiry. We can also show you how to check your credit report and get it corrected. If you need a personal loan and have a problem with bad credit, please get in touch with us abacusmortgageloan.com.

Convertible bonds are bonds issued by corporations that are backed by the corporations’ assets. In case of default, the bondholders have a legal claim on those assets. Convertible bonds are unique from other bonds or debt instruments because they give the holder of the bond the right, but not the obligation, to convert the bond into a predetermined number of shares of the issuing company. Therefore, the bonds combine the features of a bond with an “equity kicker” – if the stock price of the firm goes up the bondholder makes a lot of money (more than a traditional bondholder). If the stock price stays the same or declines, they receive interest payments and their principal payment, unlike the stock investor who lost money.

Why are convertible bonds worth considering? Convertible bonds have the potential for higher rates while providing investors with income on a regular basis. Consider the following: 1. Convertible bonds offer regular interest payments, like regular bonds.

2. Downturns in this investment category have not been as dramatic as in other investment categories.

3. If the bond’s underlying stock does decline in value, the minimum value of your investment will be equal to the value of a high yield bond. In short, the downside risk is a lot less than investing in the common stock directly. However, investors who purchase after a significant price appreciation should realize that the bond is “trading-off-the-common” which means they are no longer valued like a bond but rather like a stock. Therefore, the price could fluctuate significantly. The value of the bond is derived from the value of the underlying stock, and thus a decline in the value of the stock will also cause the bond to decline in value until it hits a floor that is the value of a traditional bond without the conversion.

4. If the value of the underlying stock increases, bond investors can convert their bond holdings into stock and participate in the growth of the company.

During the past five years, convertible bonds have generated superior returns compared to more conservative bonds. Convertible bonds have generated higher returns because many companies have improved their financial performance and have their stocks appreciate in value.

Convertible bonds can play an important role in a well-diversified investment portfolio for both conservative and aggressive investors. Many mutual funds will invest a portion of their investments in convertible bonds, but no fund invests solely in convertible bonds. Investors who want to invest directly could consider a convertible bond from some of the largest companies in the world.

About the author: Tony Reed is the author of " Upside potential with convertible bonds", please visit his website Bonds trading & Bonds market for more information.

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