Helping Americans With Spinal Cord Disabilities

In 1946, a small group of veterans who had received spinal cord injuries on the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific during World War II created an organization called Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association. The government issued wheelchairs to these heroes but they had little else: no suitable housing to live in, no transportation to move around in and no ramps to get into the corner store.

They worked together in those early years, and by 1948 they convinced Congress to pass laws providing paraplegic veterans with one-time grants toward a wheelchair-accessible home and a specially equipped automobile. A few years later, some of these war veterans helped to write the first design standard requiring access for wheelchair users in new public buildings.

Selflessly, some 40 years later, their leaders lent their voices to the groundswell of support for the federal Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

After 60 years, our organization, now known as United Spinal Association, has greatly expanded our mission to include all people with spinal cord disabilities nationwide, but our commitment to veterans has never been stronger. For instance, last year we helped get crucial legislation passed that provides much-needed traumatic injury insurance to our wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

We dispatch trained service officers directly to VA hospitals to find out what our veterans need and to help them apply for, and to receive, their veterans benefits. We aggressively represent their interests before the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., and we sponsor numerous recreation events and athletic competitions to help wounded veterans readjust to civilian life. We also helped fund two prestigious spinal cord research facilities located at veterans hospitals.

With our roots in service to veterans, we have become the fastest-growing organization in the country dedicated to helping people with spinal cord disabilities.

Help Struggling Families With Gifts of Livestock

Somewhere in a forgotten corner of the United States or 47 other countries around the world, a family struggling with hunger and poverty could help sustain itself if it had some livestock.

Fortunately, you can fund all or part of the cost of helping such a family through Heifer International, which for more than 50 years has provided farm animals and training in sustainable agriculture to poor families with marginal resources.

So if you're looking to give a gift that's both unique and meaningful, start a new tradition this holiday season; donate a sheep, cow, or any other farm animal in honor of your mother, father, grandparent, teacher, client or anyone close to your heart.

Here's how it works: A goat costs $120 (or a share for $10) and can supply a family with several quarts of milk each day. Extra milk can be sold or made into cheese, butter or yogurt. A llama is $150, and a water buffalo is $250. Heifers are $500 ($50 a share), chicks, ducks and geese are $20, and a hive of honeybees is $30. Honorees receive a unique gift card that describes the generous contribution made in their name.

Once the family has completed training and prepared appropriate facilities, they will receive the animal that Heifer International provides.

This animal will provide wool or milk or transportation or eggs - and a promise of new hope and peace for this family. Surplus products are sold to give them extra income for school supplies, medicine and housing improvements.

Every recipient family promises to "pass on the gift" of its animal's offspring to another family in need. Then the next family to receive an animal and training makes the same promise, and so on until an entire community is lifted out of poverty and into self-reliance.

Heifer International provides the answer for donors who are looking for more accountability for what their charitable dollars are doing and who desire more specific, sustainable remedies to poverty and care for the Earth.

Help on Donating your Car

The number of the automobiles has grown to a large extent in the recent past. Now there are a number of potential customers, mainly the ones who buy the cars in the middle bracket of cars. The number of cars that gets sold every year observes a considerable increase as compared to the previous years. Now there is an option for those who don’t know what to do with their old cars. There are a few cars that do not have any price value, and are parked as junk vehicles. People who are facing problems of dumping their old cars can now donate their car. There are a few online websites that throws some light on this new mechanism of car dumping. There are a few companies that are facilitating the car owners with an option of donating cars. You can donate car with the help of the online websites that are providing with this facility.

If you own a car and you want to donate it, you can do so by simply filling up an application form. There is an application form that can be obtained online and can be filled easily to donate a car. You can donate car with the help of the easy car donation and vehicle donation programs. The vehicle donation program is another charity program that allows you to donate your not so useful cars. The make of your car or the model of your car doesn’t matters when it comes to car donation. There are around three organization non profit companies that are facilitating this concept of car donation. You can choose from this organization depending on their approachability and your current location. There is a donation form that is available on various websites which must be filled before you make the donation. There is a toll free number as well that can be called to get the additional details of the program, and the rules and regulation.

With the help of this non profit organization you can donate your car online. When you donate your old car, you get a free pick up service invariably of whether it is in running condition or not. If you donate your car, you are also provided with a special tax deduction. To help you donate your car with ease there is minimum paper work that has to be done. The online car donation drive is a hassle free program wherein you can donate your car with ease.

Help Celebrate Administrative Professionals Week

According to the Department of Labor there are 13 million administrative assistant related jobs in the U.S. Those dedicated individuals deserve to be celebrated for the support they offer companies all across the nation. Administrative Professional Week is celebrated the last week of April, with the day being observed on the Wednesday of the given week. The recognition of these behind the seen workers grows every year. They are one of the many unsung heroes of the labor force in America. Let’s show them our appreciation and make this year’s Administrative Professional Week and Day special for all the Administrative Assistants and Secretaries. Here are a few ways how.

Send flowers to them at the office. They can enjoy the scent and beauty for days reminding them of the recognition they have received for all their hard work.

Tuition Reimbursement for anyone who is furthering their education for their present career is a generous and appreciative gift.

Free Lunch or Dinner is always appreciated. Free lunches and dinner could include a group outing, an office party in the office cafeteria/lunch room or a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant.

Box of Chocolates – Need I say more? Who couldn’t resist a box of chocolate gourmet truffles? This is a good gift suggestion for those with many assistants and on a budget. You can inexpensive boxed chocolates in local grocery stores to gift basket websites.

Gift Baskets are among one the more popular gift choices and for good reasons. Gift baskets can be customized to fit an individual’s taste or can be given to a large group to share. Either way, gift baskets always make great gifts. For group baskets, try snack gift baskets, fruit baskets, cookie bouquets or candy bouquets. They look great and come with variety so that everyone is satisfied. Individual gift baskets can range from bath and body gifts, wine baskets, Thank You themed baskets or gourmet gift baskets.

Another stand out appreciation gift would be a plaque. A plaque is a nice personalized gift that is sure to make any assistant feel special and appreciated. This is also a gift that can be hung in the office and admired all year round.

Whether you choose any of these gift ideas or not, please remember to celebrate Administrative Professionals Week. The work force wouldn’t be the same without them. Your company, office, job wouldn’t be the same without them.

Heifer International Wins $1M Humanitarian Prize

Arkansas-based Heifer International will receive the 2004 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, officials said. At $1 million, the Hilton prize is the world's largest humanitarian award.

Heifer is the first U.S.-based organization to receive the prestigious prize since 1997.

"Heifer International's success proves that it's often simple ideas that are the best," said Steven Hilton, president of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, after announcing the international jury's selection. "Providing poor families with cows and other livestock, along with agricultural training, helps people become self-sustaining. Ideas on how to help the poor in our world come and go, but Heifer has produced a model that has endured for 60 years."

"The million-dollar Hilton Prize will be a powerful tool in Heifer's fight against hunger and poverty and will help to accelerate the vision of a world living in peace, equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet," said Jo Luck, president and CEO of Heifer International.

Also present at the announcement was Armine "Mint" Chermue, a member of the Akha tribal group in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Years ago, Mint's desperately poor family received a water buffalo from Heifer, which helped her family raise the money to send Mint and her siblings to school.

"I was lucky, because a lot of girls from poor families are forced to sell their bodies because of their economic situation," she said.

Heifer was founded in 1944 by Indiana farmer Dan West, who had worked as a relief worker during the Spanish Civil War. West believed that orphans and displaced war victims who were receiving reconstituted powdered milk needed "not a cup, but a cow."

Now, in 38 U.S. states and 50 countries, Heifer is providing more than 30 types of animals, along with training in environmentally sound agricultural practices, and other resources to assure that Heifer's original gift of self-reliance will be passed on from generation to generation.

Hearing Aids - Beautiful Music To The Ears

Loss of hearing is perhaps as normal, if not more, as losing hair with age. Reduction of hearing can also be caused by illness, certain medicines and in a large number of cases; it could be a birth defect.

Diminishing of hearing, however, can be helped with the use of hearing aides, which are electronic widgets that convert sound pressure waves into electricity by a microphone.

The electric impulses are increased and then reconverted to a great deal more strong sound pressure waves by a receiver. These increased waves are subsequently presented to the impaired ear. The goal of a hearing aid is to make speech available to a listener, whatever the technology being used.

How do you know you need a hearing aide? Being sensitive to your bodys need and accommodating to its deteriorating parts is a resourceful and enjoyable way of life. If you:

1. Find yourself asking people to repeat themselves too often.

2. Feel that you understand them better when you are facing them.

3. Find the need to increase the volume of television or radio when nobody else seems to need it.

Perhaps, it is time to see an audiologist and get an audiometric evaluation (AE) done. It is a pain-free method and takes a few minutes. An AE helps a certified audiologist evaluate your Diminishing of hearing and prescribe the right course of treatment.

Many hearing problems are a result of earwax and middle ear infections. Before buying a hearing aide, it is imperative to consult with a hearing aid specialist.

Which hearing aid to choose?

There are various types of hearing aids available in the market today. You need to work with your audiologist to figure out which model suits you best.

In The Ear (ITE) products have the largest custom made styles; In The Canal (ITC) units are smaller and require more dexterity; Mini Canal (MC) units are in between ITE and ITC; Completely In the Canal (CIC) products are the smallest aids produced; Behind The Ear (BTE) are the largest and hugely reliable; and Post Auricular Canal (PAC) is a new device planned to supply comfort and acoustic alternatives.

Your audiologist will be able to guide you through these opportunities as well as with the levels of technologies available in hearing aids. The best technology available is a 100 percent digital aide. This means your hearing aide is a complete computer.

These widgets are wonders of 1990s and allow the highest control over sound quality and loudness. They process sound at extraordinary speed and the output is amazing.

Lastly, if you have suffered hearing Diminishing in both ears, you will need two hearing aids to achieve normal sound balance. Two aides help your central nervous system to process sounds better and filter noise from speech. One aid, regardless how efficient, will give you flat sound!

Healthy Neighborhoods Make Healthier Kids

Experts say many communities across the nation are becoming less healthy, a dangerous trend that can harm children's health.

Often, these problems exist because the way communities are designed can have serious health consequences, especially for children and families.

For example, in urban areas, lack of sidewalks, safe spaces to play, and access to fresh foods contribute to increases in childhood obesity. In communities all across the country, children are exposed to preventable toxins at home, at school and outdoors that can cause serious diseases.

Many children, especially those living in low-income communities, do not have a nearby doctor or pharmacy to provide them with the health care they need.

Fortunately, there are things communities across the nation are doing to improve children's health. For instance, in MacArthur Park, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, the community came together to create a free health clinic and new affordable housing. An abandoned minimall was transformed into a new charter school that offers health and recreation programs for families in the community.

Delaware County, Ohio-the fastest growing county in the state-offers another example of what people working together can accomplish. Unchecked growth had begun to impact residents' health when the community launched a rigorous assessment to identify areas for improvement. As a result, more parks are being built and community programs were created to encourage families and children to be more active.

Is your neighborhood healthy for children? Five questions to ask:

1. Is my family's house free of harmful levels of mold, lead and other kinds of toxic substances?

2. Is there a safe playground nearby where my children can play?

3. Is there a grocery store in my community that offers fresh meat, fruits and vegetables?

4. Is there a health clinic or pharmacy in my neighborhood?

5. Is the air in my neighborhood clean and safe for my kids to breathe?

Health Issues Concerning Asian Women

Did you know that Asian American women are at high risk for developing osteoporosis? Statistics actually show that Asian women in the United States have many of the same risk factors as Caucasian women. If you are Asian American woman, it is important that you understand what osteoporosis is and the steps you should take to prevent or treat it.

Following are some of the issues that are causing a rise in the number of Asian women being diagnosed with osteoporosis:
Asian women have been found to consume less calcium. This is mostly due to the fact that up to 90% of Asian American women are lactose intolerant and avoid using dairy products that contain calcium. As you may know, calcium is essential for maintaining a healthy skeleton.

Asian women generally have lower hip fracture rates than Caucasian women. Even so, Asian women seem to have as high a rate of incident of vertebrae fractures as Caucasian women.

Additionally, slender women have less bone mass and are a greater risk for bone fractures related to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease brought on by low bone mass. It causes bones to be vulnerable to fractures. If you don’t take steps to prevent osteoporosis, or you have it and don’t get treatment, it can progress painlessly until a bone breaks which will most likely be in your hip, spine, or wrist. Spinal fractures are the reason why you see some older women with that ‘hunched’ appearance. Those fractures can also result in a loss of height, in addition to chronic pain.

Some of the issues that could increase your chance of developing osteoporosis are:

* Caucasian and Asian ancestry
* Having a thin, small-boned body frame
* Previous fractures or a family history of fractures resulting from osteoporosis
* An estrogen deficiency resulting from:
* early menopause due to natural circumstances
* early menopause resulting from surgical removal of the ovaries
* as a result of prolonged amenorrhea
* Aging
* A diet low in calcium
* Smoking
* Excessive alcohol consumption
* Extensive use of certain medications

Even if one or some of these conditions apply to you, you can still take steps to prevent it from happening to you. The best defense is to take care to keep you bones strong, especially before the age of 20. Eat a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and exercise regularly – walking, jogging, dancing and lifting weights are a few of the better routines. Don’t smoke and limit your intake of alcohol. Talk to your doctor, especially if you have a family history of osteoporosis because there are painless testing methods and medications to treat it.

Healing Anger and Violence in Our Society

I have counseled individuals, couples, families and business partners for the past 35 years and authored eight published books. All this experience has resulted in the development of a profound six-step healing process, called Inner Bonding, which anyone can learn and use throughout the day (FREE course available - see resource box).

The violence in Littleton, Colorado sparked many discussions regarding the cause of such horrifying behavior on the part of two teenage boys. I would like to address this in terms on Inner Bonding.

In my experience, it is not possible for us as human beings to be violent when we are connected to our true, core Self and to a source of spiritual guidance. When we do the work we need to do to develop a spiritually connected loving adult self, we have an inner adult who places limits on our behavior regarding harming ourselves and others.

However, it is very common in our society for people to lose touch with their true, core Self. Since our core Self holds our intrinsic feelings of compassion and empathy for others, losing touch with this aspect of ourselves may cause us to be able to harm others without feeling any pain or remorse over it. The question is, then, how do we lose our connection with our core Selves?

Many child development experts state that those people who disconnect from their empathy and compassion, generally do so between the ages of two and four. If our parents lacked empathy and compassion for our feelings and needs, we might have chosen to be caretakers and take care of their needs, or we might have chosen to become like them and not care about others' feelings and needs. We may have had no role modeling for maintaining our own inner connection. If our parents shut themselves down to our pain and their own, we may have learned to shut down to our own and others vulnerable feelings. If, in addition, we were physically, sexually, emotionally or verbally abused or neglected, we may have shut down to survive.

Some children, whose parents were shut down or abusive, manage to stay connected with their core Selves through contact with animals such as dogs or horses, while others stay connected through contact with relatives or friends with whom they identify. But many young children just disconnect to survive. When in this disconnected state, if they watch violence on TV or practice violence through video games, they may further train themselves to numb out against compassion, empathy, and the pain of harming others.

Likewise, if children grow up with no personal connection with a source of spiritual guidance, they may not know that we are all one, and they may not consider the possibility that the consequences of their actions may follow them into their lives after death.

Without connection with their core Self and their spiritual guidance, they are left with only their wounded selves. If they happen to be operating from an enraged wounded self, this self can certainly act out in angry and violent ways. With no loving inner Adult to set limits, the harm to themselves or others can be disastrous, as we have seen.

While limiting guns is certainly a good thing to do, it will not stop the violence. This violence will not stop until we no longer need to learn, as very young children, to barricade our hearts. As parents and teachers we need to be practicing a healing process such as Inner Bonding so that we can reclaim our core Selves and our deep connection with God. Only by doing our own inner work will we be able to be the loving role models that our children need. The change in our society must come from within each of us.

Have Too Much? Give It To Charity!

Every person I know has a house filled with many things. Go into your bedroom and look in your closet. I am quite sure that you do not wear all of the clothes you see (although congratulations if you do!). And I am equally sure that you do not really need all ten pairs of similar black dress shoes. Or take a glance at your recreation gear in the garage. When is the last time you actually used those cross-country skis? There is a solution - a great solution - to downsize your life and do something great for your community at the same time. Give to charity. There are a variety of suitable organizations who would be glad to take your excess possessions of your hands.

Deciding to give to charity is a perfect way to accomplish many good things all at once. Obviously, giving to charity is a great way to help those in need. You may have many extra pairs of pants, but it is quite likely that many people in your town struggle to afford owning more than one or two pairs at once. You might be shocked if you knew all of the common, every day needs people live with each day. Out of your excess you can help the increase the quality of life for others. What an amazing thing to be a part of.

Giving to charity is not only great for those who receive the items, it is also great for those who give. That is right. Giving will fast become something you treasure. Nothing feels better than practicing generosity, and you will quickly find that you will look for ways to simplify your life in order to bless others. Giving to charity will also give you the chance to simplify your overcomplicated life. As years go by people tend to gather more things than they can use at once. Just think back to when you first moved into your current home or apartment. Remember how you did not have enough to fill all of your closests and pantries? Look at those same closets and pantries now and I bet you will find that they are overflowing. Do you remember where those glasses came from? Who gave you that wool sweater again?

But how do you decide what to give to charity and what to keep? I will give you a few practical tips. With clothing, if you have not worn it at all during the last two years, chances are high that you will not have a need to wear it again. Household items can be a little harder to separate, but a good rule of thumb is that if you cannot remember the last time you used it, you probably do not need it. Just begin going through your possessions and decide as you go. If you are in doubt about an item, ask yourself these questions: do I really need it? Will I really use this? Is there someone else who could use this item more than me?

Giving to charity is a wonderful way to simplify your home, learn to see the needs of others and meet them all at the same time. Why not take a quick walk through your house and consider giving some of your things to charity today.

Have a cause? Wear a rubber wristband!

They are the hottest wearable right now, despite the fashion gurus adding the adjective 'once trendy' while referring to them. Yes we're talking about rubber wristbands. You can't escape them anymore. Be it evacuees at Gaza or NBA football stars, all are wearing these bands. Passing fad? Don't know, but they are still selling like hot cakes.

If you have just stepped out of a time machine and can't distinguish a rubber wristband from a tennis wristband, read this: Rubber wristbands were popularised by famous cycling champion Lance Armstrong who fought and survived multiple cancers. Armstrong wore a signature yellow rubber wristband during his record sixth straight victory at the Tour de France in July.

Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain when he was 25. He won the 1999 Tour de France and has won it six years in a row. The 'Livestrong' rubber wristbands from the Lance Armstrong Foundation are a means to show support for those battling cancer. The sales of these wristbands shot up when Oprah Winfrey encouraged her viewers to order a bracelet when she had Armstrong as a guest on her show.

The Live Strong rubber wristbands sell for $1 a piece. And they are still selling at the rate of 200,000 per day. The funds raised through selling them will support the Lance Armstrong Foundation's efforts to help young people with cancer and their family members to live strong.

Today there are rubber wristbands of all colors available -- blue, pink, yellow, striped... The blue rubber wristband was launched by BBC Radio One, and has the words 'Beat Bullying' stamped on it. This wristband is highly popular among footballers. One of the most popular rubber wristbands around is the 'Support our troops' wristband worn by family members of American servicemen. They come in many colors. The pink ones are about breast cancer awareness.

These wristbands are made of either silicon or rubber. There are also paper and leather wristbands, and ornamental bracelets.

Wearing a wristband is a good way of announcing your support for any worthy cause. What's more, you can have your own custom message stamped on it. The beauty of rubber wristbands is that they can be worn in any situation.

So what does the continuing popularity of the rubber wristbands imply? That they are more than just an accessory. They are about attitude, a reminder about one of the numerous worthy causes that drive the human civilization forward. They are about the human need to show solidarity to those fighting against mighty odds.

Yes, rubber wristbands are a civilizational need in these turbulent times. Let the fashion gurus call them a passing fad, or whatever they like. But these rubber wristbands are here to stay.

If you have a worthy cause to support, show it by wearing a rubber wristband.

Has TV helped the Online Psychic Readings Industry ?

Moonwhisper.com as well as many other psychic reading websites has proven that the internet is a viable venue for professional psychics to display their services and provide an obviously very lucrative service to the major players in the online psychic reading industry. With an increasing demand for high quality and affordable psychic advice rising daily smaller websites are finding it easier to break into this niche market and take psychic service promotions to the next level with a complete line of co branded services on the web. You will find that the fires of this rise in interest in the psychic readings niche has been fanned in part by the rise of popular TV shows that have really brought the paranormal and psychic ability into main stream American homes. These shows have really taken a lot of the taboo previously associated with psychics and turned them into heroic figures solving mysteries, crimes as well as helping those in need with their psychic abilities.

You may be asking how has this helped online psychics? The answer is simple we are now more accepting and aware of these paranormal events that have always taken place and we have been desensitized to the previous stigma associated with psychics by the constant barrage of the paranormal on TV. It has now become normal to consult with psychics and to believe that a psychic has the ability to predict the future because we as Americans are so used to it from our exposure on television. May I add it is about time we have learned to accept psychic abilty instead of shy aware from it as the answers we seek could be just a click of a mouse away.

In my opinion we can look at the rise of online psychic popularity in two ways either as a sad cry for help by the public at large who are desperate to find hope anywhere or as a beginning of an age of enlightenment where we are finally at place where we are accepting of a higher spiritual plane and are not afraid to seek advice from a realm that is intangible but nevertheless very real. I find the latter to be a more optimistic and open minded way of thought and I really believe that psychics will no longer be shunned and mocked but be sought after and accepted as a genuine professional service. I see the future of psychic readings to be very bright and something that will continue to grow and blossom as our spirituality becomes more accepting and our rational minds let go and let the psychic mind be released.

Hampers: Aids In House Organization

In today fast pace, being disorganized is not an option. Disorganization can lead to confusion, wastage of time effort and money. Simple organizing can prevent clutter, having no clutter to clear thinking and clear thinking to efficiency.

Neglecting to clean the house even for one day can make it harder for anybody to clean on the following days. Clutter starts to pile up. Something gets lost somewhere. The mess creates confusion and the house starts not to be an enjoyable place anymore. When it was said that everything starts at home, clutter too could be one of the reasons.

One of the best and tested approaches to organization is grouping things into categories. When lumped into categories, the mind is directed to easily recognize which group is assigned to what which therefore makes for easy recall.

There are many organization tools available in the market today one of the simplest, most efficient and least expensive is the hamper.

This simple basket is great at compartmentalizing things. It can make your organizing more simple and easier. One hamper alone when used in a room can already substantially increase the room space that used linen and clothes occupy. Then you can start fixing up the place one at a time. Spending 30 minutes a day to clear up the clutter and start organizing will do amazing things in home organization. The hamper has been synonymous with linen and laundry but it can also be used as storage spaces in lieu of boxes and can be good extension for cabinet spaces.

You do not have to do the clearing up yourself. Kids can be trained for the task. Place a hamper in each room where dirty clothes will be assigned. When everything is dropped into the floor, it will take you time to pick it all up. A hamper on the floor can be just as good as throwing things on it. Boys are generally known to create more clutter than girls do but if a hamper is placed, they often treat it like hoops and start practicing their shooting arms at it. Once a part of the home starts getting organized others can easily follow. Children are good at picking ideas up and doing correlation.

Girls are not so much of a problem but smaller kids usually are. If that is the case, a favorite cartoon character can be attached to it. Organizing will always attract better response in children if it is done creatively and playfully.

To rid of the clutter, and make organizing the house faster, do not hesitate to discard things that are no longer used. For many that could be hard to follow even when common sense tells them that they should. If it is the same with you, select things that you can discard or donate. Others you can keep in the attic while some remains in your cabinet. After a year that the old things are not yet used throw it out. Because things that ceases to serve a purpose does not have to occupy and clutter the house.

Assign a hamper in the bathroom and the same effect can be duplicated. Tossing dirty laundry on the hamper is just the same as throwing things on the floor.

As the idea is picked, the house gets better organized, and the habit is developed.

Halloween Party Games

So you want to have a Halloween party, but are unsure how to keep the kids entertained while they are there. After all, there is only so much pizza and candy that a kid can take! If you are tired of the traditional games, like costume contests and bobbing for apples, here are a couple of alternatives that can help keep everyone entertained.

Spooky Storytelling

On a creepy night like Halloween, telling spooky stories can help set the mood. Before the party, you will want to take a small deck of index cards and write story-starting phrases. You will want at least one per party goer, and more if you want the game to continue longer. Keep them appropriate to your party's age group, but you can include things like:

It was a dark and stormy night...
The door creaked open and we saw...
The witch cackled over her cauldron, stirring what looked like...
I peaked under the bed and saw...
There was a knocking at the window and...
I heard a horrible scream and I knew...

To play the game, sit everyone in a circle and dim the lights. Consider having a flashlight to pass to the person whose turn it is to tell the tale. Have everyone pick a card, and then someone starts the story. Set a timer for one or two minutes, and that person has to start the story with the phrase on their card. When the timer goes off, the flashlight gets passed to the next person, who then continues the tale with the phrase on their card. This continues at least until everyone has a turn, or longer if you have the time.

Mummy Memory

Get a large serving tray and fill it with small Halloween goodies. Toy spiders and bugs, stickers, pumpkins, and other Halloween party favors can be a good way to go (plus, you can recycle these items into the goodie bags to go home when you are done). Cover the tray with a cloth, and give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil. Remove the cloth, giving everyone a minute or two to study the tray, and then recover. Everyone should then try to write down everything that they remembered, with the person remembering the most winning a prize.

Terror Tag

You need a larger, empty room for this game. Before the game starts, secretly assign each person to be a ghost or a mortal. An easy way to do this is to give each person a slip of paper with their designation on it – but make sure they know it is to be a secret! You should always have a much higher ratio of mortals to ghosts, so most of the time one or two ghosts will be plenty. Then, turn down the lights so that it is dark in the room (or you could blindfold players). Have them go about the room, shaking hands with other players, and whispering to them if they are ghost or mortal. If you shake hands with a ghost, you must freeze in terror. This continues until there are only ghosts left.

Halloween party games can be fun to play and help pass the time. If you need more ideas, consider giving any of your regular party favors a Halloween twist and using them.

Halloween Meal Planning

So you've decked the house out in creepy accessories, and picked out the perfect costume. The candy is ready to go for the trick-or-treaters and the music for your Halloween party is downloading into your MP3 player. What else could you possibly do for the holiday? Why not come up with some fun Halloween items for lunch or dinner? Here are some fun ideas to get your creative juices flowing while you are planning your menus.

Ghost sandwiches

The best way to make these is with all white ingredients – think of things like turkey, swiss cheese, white bread, miracle whip, etc. Make the sandwich like you normally would, and then use a large, ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut it into a ghost shape or cut the sandwich with a knife. You could even use a small amount of ketchup or other condiment to draw eyes and a mouth on your ghost.

Bat and Cat cookies

The easiest way to do these is to buy a tube of your favorite sugar cookie dough from your local store. Roll out the dough, and use a cookie cutter to cut them into bat and cat shapes. Bake the cookies like you would normally. While the cookies are baking, melt some dark chocolate. When the cookies are cooled, brush the chocolate over the top to create “black” cats and bats. If you are feeling very creative, consider using red or green candies or sprinkles to give your animals creepy looking eyes. Allow the chocolate to harden, and keep cookies in a cool place to prevent them from melting.

Pumpkin Wraps

Take a tortilla and spread it with your favorite orange ingredients – pimento or cheddar cheese, slices of ham, orange peppers, etc. all work well. Roll the tortilla tightly to create a wrap, and then cut into half inch slices (you may need to use a toothpick to hold the wrap slices together, consider getting the decorative ones in green to be the “stem”). Lay slices on their sides, and using small pieces of veggies or cheese to create the eyes, nose and mouth on your pumpkin.

Pumpkin Pizza

Spread your favorite pizza dough or ready-made crust with sauce and cheese. Then, using pepper slices and pepperonis, create the ridges of the pumpkin and the face of the jack-o-lantern. Bake as usual and serve.

Graveyard Dirt

You can make this dessert in one large pan or individual cups, depending on the size of decorative tombstones you can find. Start by crushing an entire package of chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos) and layering a portion of them in the bottom of the cup/pan. Combine ½ cup of butter, 8 oz of cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon of vanilla and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine 3 cups of milk with 2 – 3.5 ounce packages of instant pudding (your choice vanilla or chocolate). Fold in 1 12 oz tub of Cool Whip (again, your choice regular or chocolate). Then fold together the two mixtures. Layer a portion on your cookie layer, then continue layering pudding mix and cookies until all have been used. While you are creating your layers, you can consider hiding in some gummy worms or plastic skeletons so that bits and pieces poke at the top. Garnish the finished product with a couple of decorative tombstones and you have a creepy Halloween dessert.

Use these and your own ideas to create some fun and creepy Halloween meals!

Halloween Games for Kids

While adults may be jumping on the Halloween bandwagon, first and foremost Halloween is a kid's holiday. Besides trick-or-treating and costumes, Halloween parties are one of the many activities that kids can look forward to each Halloween. If you are thinking of jumping in and hosting your own kid's party this year, one thing that you will need to think about is the games.

When planning kid's party games, keep in mind that many games will only have one winner. So be sure to play enough games that every child can be a winner, or consider providing second and third place prizes to help avoid hurt feelings. If you don't want to use candy for prizes, Halloween party favors and small toys also make great prize ideas.

Ghostly musical chairs

Almost everyone is familiar with the game of musical chairs, so you probably won't need a detailed expression of the rules. All you need is one chair less than the number of kids attending the party (so 9 chairs for 10 kids, for example). Cover the chairs with white sheets and paint some eyes and mouths on them to make them look like ghosts. Line the chairs up or arrange them in a circle. To play the game, play some music while the children walk around the chairs. When the music stops, the child left without a chair is out. Remove a chair, and keep playing until there is only one child left.

Dress the scarecrow

If you have some of dad's old clothing lying around the house, this is a fun game for kids. Divide the children into small teams, and give all teams some clothes for their scarecrow. Jeans or overalls, flannel shirts, boots, gloves, and a straw hat are typical, though you can use whatever you have on hand. One child in the team is the scarecrow, and has to stand still while the others of the team put the clothes on. The first team to complete a scarecrow is the winner.

Meet my mummy

For this one, you will again want to divide children into small teams and have one child volunteer to be the mummy (preferably a child who was not the scarecrow if you play both games). Give each team a roll of toilet paper, and have them wrap their mummy with it (you can also use rolls of streamers in Halloween colors if you would prefer). The first team done wins.

Pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern

Create a large pumpkin out of cardboard, or make one out of construction paper and pin it to a bulletin board. Paint or glue eyes and a mouth on the jack-o-lantern, leaving the area where the nose should be empty. Cut out several yellow triangles, writing the child's name on the front and placing a small piece of double-sided tape on the back. Blindfold children and have them attempt to pin the nose where it belongs. To make the game more difficult, spin the child in circles several times before having them pin the nose on.

Almost any child's party game can be converted to a Halloween game with a little creativity. Of course, leave plenty of time for snacks and the ever-popular costume contest.

Halloween Family Fun

Halloween is a great family holiday. There are plenty of activities that the kids of all ages in your family can participate in, so why not get out of the house and join in the fun? Most cities will have plenty of options for Halloween fun in the month of October.

Trick-or-Treat

One of the most popular Halloween activities is trick-or-treating. If you are concerned about your kids heading out on their own on Halloween night, why not tag along? Don a costume yourself, and take the time to enjoy the scenery and everyone else's costumes. You might even get some candy of your own.

Deck the yard

And the halls, and yourself. If you choose to stay at home on Halloween night, why not make it fun for everyone who comes to visit you? Decorate your yard, entranceway, and yourself and get ready to enjoy the trick-or-treaters that come to call.

Costume parties

If you enjoy costumes, why not attend a costume party or host your own? This can be a great way for adults to have a more mature Halloween celebration, or just a fun way to allow the kids to enjoy their costumes for a little longer.

Haunted Houses

If you really want to get creeped out on Halloween, consider taking a tour through your local haunted houses. Most are designed to be gory and scary, so keep that in mind if there are little ones in your group. These attractions are usually quite popular, and are often open the entire month of October, so if you don't want to wait in line consider visiting them earlier in the month.

Boo at the zoo

If there is a zoo in your city, it might be worth checking to see if yours offers any special events in the month of October. Usually taking place on the weekends, Boo at the zoo usually allows your kids to dress up in costumes, receive treats, visit their favorite animals, and participate in fun activities.

Movie night

For movie buffs, some theaters will set up all-night horror film festivals. They often feature select cult classics like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, as well as others. This can be great entertainment for those who plan on staying up all night. Alternatively, if you want to stay home, consider having your own movie night at home with your personal Halloween favorites.

Haunted hayrides

For another traditional Halloween activity, consider taking a haunted hayride. Often hosted by local farms (quite possibly the one you pick your pumpkin from) these after dark activities include a spooky hayride, bonfire, and snacks and are usually appropriate for all age groups.

Research your ghostly neighbors

Nearly every town has an area or building that is “haunted” by some local ghost. Visit your local library or historical center to find out where these places are, and take your own local tour. In some areas, paranormal investigation teams will take tours out on Halloween to do some ghost hunting of your own.

Read a book

If curling up at home alone with the leftover candy is more your speed, consider reading a suspense/horror book. Your local library can surely recommend some good ones depending on your tastes.

Halloween always offers plenty to do if you take time to do it.

Halloween Crafts for Kids

Many kids love Halloween. There are parties, costumes, and every kid's favorite – candy. Trying to keep kids entertained until Halloween night can require the patience of Gandhi himself. Here are some easy Halloween crafts that you can use to keep the kids entertained.

Puppets

Ghost puppets are easy to make and can inspire hours of creative play. Get a white handkerchief, black marker, and a rubber band. Drape the handkerchief over your child's middle three fingers, secure with a rubber band, and draw on eyes and a mouth with the marker. You can also put the cardboard from a paper towel roll and stuff the head with cotton balls if you want a more permanent puppet.

Lollipops

If you are planning on handing out lollipops as part of your treats for trick-or-treating, you kids can help you decorate them. Cover the lollipop with a tissue, tying securely with a rubber band or piece of ribbon. Use a marker to draw eyes and mouth on your ghosts and they are ready for giving.

Spider webs

Take 3 craft sticks and glue them together so that they make a star shape. Taking white or black yarn, weave it over one craft stick and under the next, working your way outwards from the center. When it is finished, glue down the end and attach a plastic spider. Your creation is now ready for hanging.

Candy Cauldrons

Find an empty plastic container and paint it black. You will also need to paint three small wooden balls black as well. Once everything is completely dry, glue the balls to the bottom of the cauldron. Add a wire handle if you would like, and fill your cauldron with your favorite Halloween candies.

Paint a pumpkin

Pumpkin carving is a bit messy and difficult, and can be dangerous if you do not want small children handling the knife. Instead, get some permanent markers or acrylic paint your pumpkin to look like a monster, clown, or other Halloween character. For kids, the smaller “pie pumpkins” or even the mini-pumpkins will work perfectly for this craft.

Paper plate masks

While your child may not be able to dress up in their costume until the day or evening of Halloween, you can easily create your own masks. Help your child cut eyes and breathing holes out of a paper plate. Punch a hole on either side to attach a ribbon or string to tie the mask on. Then you can allow your child to decorate the mask with crayons, marker, paint, or by gluing items to it.

Reusable treat bags

Purchase some reusable cloth totes or shopping bags as well as some Halloween-colored fabric paint. You can also look for iron-on transfers and stencils to make decorating easier. Allow your kids to decorate their own bag. If you do this a few days before Halloween, it will be dry and ready to go along when trick-or-treating.

A little creativity and you can come up with your own Halloween crafts for kids as you wait to celebrate this fall holiday.

Habit Pattern!

Habit Pattern! By Joseph Ghabi

Do you ever wonder about your daily routines? Think about it, from the minute you wake up in the morning until you lay your head down to sleep. Think of the habits you have become accustomed to, or what you have been programmed to do in the morning. For example, taking your shower after your coffee or smoking a cigarette with that coffee, but before you brush your teeth! Regardless of what it is, think about the many habits you accumulate over time. So it goes on…you eat, you go to work, you eat again, you talk with a colleague and then eat again. After work you come home and talk to your husband or wife about your day, eat again, then crash on the sofa and watch TV. Then after a few beers head to bed and either make love or go to sleep. Until the next morning when you will awake again and it is another day with the same routine, with its same habits and it goes on and on for days, weeks, months and even years pass you by un-noticed and, I must say, in many instances wasted! That’s an example of life for the majority of us. All we seem to do is argue about our lives and complain. Well, what’s my point? In reality, in order to break a routine or a pattern we have created in life we must first recognize the need to and then try to make some change. Otherwise nothing, just simply nothing, will ever change. It is that simple! This is the story of our earthly life!

So what’s next, well, we decide to take the initiative and to begin digging into a deeper level of thinking, and perhaps understanding, of our life here. Oh Boy! We have a headache now! Is this what we usually try? Analyzing and thinking won’t get us anywhere. We must first begin looking for a way to change, and understand the need to change, before we will see any outlet or way in which our idea for change can manifest itself.

We were born on this plane in order to grow, progress and evolve at a soul level. This is in order to gain a conscious awareness of existence, life and the essence of experiences, which brings our soul its growth from coming to experience this earth plane. That’s really great! What does that sound like to you? I know, just another load of fancy words that again will probably mean nothing to most of us! That’s great!

Just how many of us are actually aware of this ‘conscious awareness’ of our soul? Perhaps many or maybe only a few, and does it really matter? What is it that really makes it so difficult for us humans to realize our true purpose on this plane? Is it simply some pattern habit that we have become used to which has contributed to us losing sight of the truth of our being here? Or have we managed to find some other means to help us find our own truth. To help convince us otherwise, of who we really are, or should be, according to these terms? In reality it doesn’t matter when or how this has come to be, but we must now realize and see that on the grand scale of things we are stuck and we will keep turning and turning in the same circle!

Do you really think for a moment that we are born with habit patterns? The answer is usually no, however, many of our souls do carry karmic lessons from past lives because in those lives we were stuck with our habit patterns. Until we learn the lesson required to break those patterns, to elevate above them, our soul will keep dragging them from one lifetime to another making it harder for us as humans to let go of them. These habits then become our reality, in a sense, where we cannot see life as being anything different, and don’t know any better. In life’s lessons and the experiences for our soul, we do stagnate by repeating many different patterns for a simple reason. We never seem to understand our lessons, experiences and the circumstances. These were brought upon us for their real purpose, which is for bringing about a conscious awareness for our soul, and that is all.

One time when I was watching TV, Dr. Phillip C. McGraw was a guest on the ‘Oprah’ show. He was interviewing a woman (I do not recall her name) who was driving her husband nuts, all for the sake of satisfying her habit patterns. She believed things ‘should’ be done in a certain way, ‘her’ way, but never mind her husband’s way of doing it! This perception of hers was created by the accumulation of many events she experienced in her life, and which she basically had never really ‘dealt’ with. This caused her to build her own ‘safe niche’ by attempting to control the most important person in her life.

I do not recall what Dr. Phil’s response was on that matter, but my personal impression of what was going on in her case was that the situation was related to a need to have control over something in order to satisfy an internal void that resulted from previous un-dealt with experiences, perhaps from when she was a young girl. The irony is right there! We all move through life disregarding the effects of our past experiences and resist accepting them. We allow them to go on until it gets to a point where it affects our ability to have a successful relationship in the future. We resist embracing these principles and then complain by saying “how come my relationships do not work?” Why, of course they won’t ever work while we have our feet and minds stuck in the past!

Every single habit pattern has something attached to it on a conscious level and on a sub-conscious level. This is what causes it to flourish and eventually becomes our reality. We must learn to be honest, and brave enough, to go deep inside ourselves in order to get to the bottom of the problem. But who has time to do that? In reality very few people will be able to challenge themselves enough, without making all the excuses in the world to avoid handling their own reality.

What I have found interesting in our ‘human’ way of thinking is that we often seem to have a hard time admitting when we are wrong even when we already know we are. This has a lot to do with our inner security and the fact that most of us are afraid to let go of our familiar circumstances.

What is a habit pattern?

I had a discussion with a good friend of mine before I conducted a lecture on this subject. She advised me that a ‘Habit’ and a ‘Pattern’ is the same thing? I did agree with her to an extent, but somehow, writing this article did not help me to define the two. Therefore, I wrote it again.

Let me define a habit. A habit is something we pick up and insist upon repeating many times on a conscious level. This sometimes makes us disregard the fact that it is being used to cover up something else, perhaps another habit! A few examples of this could be smoking cigarettes, drinking or using drugs. These are all habits we use to replace something else which is missing in our lives.

Let me now define a pattern. A pattern is something that remains frequent on a bigger picture and is stuck in our sub-conscious, usually without us even being aware of its presence because it becomes so normal. Anytime we have a situation occurring in life that can trigger something from the depths of our sub-conscious that feels familiar to us, or similar to a previous situation, then it becomes a pattern. An example of this will be a situation of always being a ‘doormat’ for other people or constantly ending up in the same situation when it comes to your relationships, or even as far as feeling guilty.

A habit pattern is any event or experience in our life that is repeating itself over and over, time after time, year after year. This occurs even when we know on a conscious or unconscious level that this life situation is not the best for us, yet, for any seen or unseen reason we still fall into our same old trap. It is when what seems to be our own reality becomes too familiar that we will have a hard time distinguishing between what is real, or what actually is not, to us.

This will apply to everything we do in our lives. It is when we regularly fall into similar situations whether they relate to events, relationships, work, finances, with our relationships with our kids, our parents. Whatever the circumstance is, it is considered to be a habit pattern.

Why do we fall into creating our own habit patterns?

There are many reasons as to why we do this. First of all, we need to understand that we do not inherit this from our family and that it is our own personal self-inflicted attitude, towards ourselves, that creates this. Whether it is our satisfaction towards our self, our self-esteem or gratitude towards our selves, it doesn’t matter. It can still be a habit pattern. Although, some can be partly inherited from our families, it all depends on the circumstances of our upbringing. Regardless of any circumstances, we always have our ‘Free Will’. It is entirely up to us, and in the end it is our own responsibility to reverse our life events. The whole idea of the ‘ME, ME, ME’ mentality is driving many of us towards maintaining focus and attention on ‘us’ rather than on the conflicting habit pattern that we need to work towards handling, in order to manifest, a change in our life.

These patterns grow with us and are enriched by our family, culture, and religion in a direct and indirect way, in order that they become a part of who we are as individuals. In some instances you might say, “Well, I can’t let go of my past experiences or else I will lose my identity”, and you are absolutely right! But in such a case it is not about losing your identity, it’s about knowing when things are NOT working in your life and insisting on repeating the cycle just because it has become so familiar to you. As a matter of fact, our human nature seems to naturally love safety. Anything to do with new ventures or trying something new is perceived by us to be unknown territory and will be likely negated before we even try it! A simple example of this is when you ask a friend “let’s go and have some Indian or Japanese food” and their immediate reaction is “OH NO!! Indian or Japanese!” then you ask them if they have had a bad experience with it. They say “No but my friend did not like it”, or whatever lame excuse they can come up with! This is a very small example but think of the many other silly excuses we make throughout our lives whether it is in our relationships, how we deal with people, how we understand ourselves, how we deal with our own sexuality, and with sexuality altogether, as a matter of fact!

I do believe that in order to break any habit you just need to learn to try something new at least once, whatever your situation may be. But you must do it without judgment to avoid negating it before you even try. You might miss an opportunity of a lifetime if you do not. Why? There are no coincidences in life. There are experiences that are in fact all part of our growth even if it is as silly as a meal of Indian food. It is the principle behind trying it that is important, not the food itself. Think about it!

Going to India may not have to be in your mind at all, especially if your friend had a bad experience with Indian food! Imagine you tried Indian food and discovered that you really liked it, well, this might well eventually lead to the opening up of an opportunity for you to go to India and it may turn out to be the experience of a lifetime for you. Can you see what you might have missed out on just by saying ‘no’ without even trying it? What is my experience, is my experience, and is not attached to someone else’s experience. I have traveled to 35 countries but I never asked someone if they liked their trip to those countries before having gone there and for simple reasons. First of all, an opportunity occurred which drove me to consider going to a particular country and that was not by coincidence. My learning experience from a trip to a particular country will never be the same as someone else’s. This is normal for the simple reason that we all do have different attitudes about culture, food, ethnic groups, and even about religions. We might have the attitude that we think we are superior to everyone else and so with that, very few things will ever satisfy us. So, you see how I will see my own experiences from a different perspective as somebody else’s. Even if we do the same activities together, on the same trip. I believe many of you can identify with similar situations after being on a trip with your wife or husband!

Now what “can” we do, what do we “have” to do, to get rid of our habit pattern? The most important factor is that we need to be able to identify them first. Remember, if you are still unaware of it in your own mind, even if many people around you tell you about it. If it still does not make sense to you, you will never see it. Until this happens, and only then, can you begin to handle dealing with it and clearing up this pattern.

Once it has been identified your next step is to learn to listen. Accept what others are telling you and just say thank you for their advice, whether you like what they are saying or not. Do not react! Take what they say and, when you are on your own, think about what you have been told. I am NOT saying you must blindly accept other people’s opinions, but at least listen to them in a responsible manner. If the problem is with a relationship you are involved in then sit down and write down a list of all positive and negative aspects of your previous relationships. Write down everything! Do not look back and analyze what you are writing because in reality it is not important. Most of what you are writing is from your past and you can not relive your past even if you wish you could! Please don’t get me wrong here! If you are going to write for only five minutes every two weeks and make a big deal of what you are trying to accomplish, then simply don’t bother doing it in the first place!

In the end you are doing it for yourself, because you are aware that there is something that is not working in your life and that requires your immediate attention. Take it seriously. Six to nine months later sit down and slowly read what you had previously written. With that you will begin to have a clearer idea of the bigger picture of your habit pattern. Why? Because you will have it written out in front of you in an indirect way from the different occasions when you were writing! Try it and you can be your own judge!

Why it is important to retrace the roots of a pattern? Very simple indeed! Our habit patterns of today have created our own reality and have been accumulating throughout our lives, or for whatever length of time, we have been dragging it along with us. These patterns we create become our safety zones, our security and our protection because we grow to believe that they are.

Do not waste time with making excuses by telling your self it is from a past life and you do not know how to deal with it. It is easy, just learn how to deal with the experiences that happened to you in this lifetime, and this will be enough ammunition for you to begin moving with it.

It the end, and in order for us to really move forward, we are not allowed to drag our past with us. The experiences of the past should stay there. All that is required is that you take from it the essence of the understanding, that these experiences and lessons have brought to you, in terms of strength and awareness, to help you to move forward in your life. Not the other way around, by making you stagnant or be stuck in your experiences. It is necessary that you understand the lessons and events that happened to you, regardless of how tough or difficult they were. You will say “It is easier said than done”, but think of this, when you go to university, do you graduate if you do not pass by making your grades and understanding the essence of your courses? How come we can accept that concept of learning but we cannot accept our past experiences as being lessons? We need only to understand, accept, and bless the people who were involved in our life in the past, not to blame ourselves for what happened and simply just move forward in our lives. Life is an attitude of our understanding of the ‘I’ and of ‘our selves’.

Copyright © Joseph Ghabi
http://www.freespiritcentre.info

Guide to terrorism and world markets

What worse could have happened to the US economy then the 9th September 2001? Some perverted religious fanatics demolished the embodiment of the world trade. Terrorism is a threat to all the nations of the world. The human loss due to these activities cannot be condemned with words. The ruthlessness of the terror traders has an impact on each and every segment of life. The extent of these activities is extending by the day and the generally silent Europe too is feeling the cramps.

The world markets face the wrath of the terrorist activities in their faces. There is an overall loss to the business in many ways. The people suddenly fear traveling through air. The airline companies themselves are more apprehensive about continuing with their normal work. Apart from the loss in passengers, the security too has to be made very tight and the loss has to be born by the companies.

As a matter of fact, all sectors are put to a stand still due to these terror strikes. The direct effect of these is seen in the sudden drop in the markets. The stock prices do drop down and the trading comes to a stand still, however the business seldom stops and the markets show their cushioning effect by regaining the vigor. But at times the loss of even trading day can be fatal to a country’s economy.

Such attacks also incur a direct burden on the defense budget. It goes without saying that the governments do take desperate measures to minimize the losses and cover the country against the future threats. The new areas of defense research open up and thus fresh jobs are created. This brighter side of the attacks is over-shadowed by the loss of lives and panic that is created with in the country. The government, under such circumstances, looses the track of their priorities and the developmental works are sidelined. This causes damage to civic society.

The worst hit by terrorist activities is the third world countries. The terrorists make these vulnerable counties their bases and from here carry out the destructive activities. Their influence in such countries shows and threatens the developed world of their power and dominance. Thus such countries make an appropriate guinea pig. If a terrorists strike a big country or a city, the whole world knows about it. The tragedy with these countries is that their miseries are not broadcasted because of their non connectivity with the rest of the world. They are thus the breeding grounds of terrorism and worst hit areas by this destructive activity.

A joint effort by all the countries of the world, taking along the third world countries, is required to curb the growing tentacles of terrorism. Many big nations have joined hands against terrorism after major attacks in the world. They also need to include the most vulnerable victims of terrorism, the developing countries. Support to them, both economic and military, should be provided to them by the capable nations. Bodies like UN must pass resolutions and work upon them to uproot the cannibalistic practice of terrorism. Unless we don’t join our hands it would be very difficult to face these destructive forces and our economies will be victims of their activities.

Group Helps Women Celebrate Their Lives

I've been there, right where you might find yourself today: unfulfilled, unappreciated, unhappy and unable to make my life different. No matter how much I gave of myself all day long, at home and at work and in the community, it was never enough.

No matter how exhausted I was at the end of the day, I was never able to pat myself on the back for all the good things I had done that had led me to that exhaustion.

I watched my three beautiful babies asleep in their beds. I saw my real estate sales go through the roof. I saw the smiles on faces all around and I knew I must have within me something very good.

And yet I never celebrated. I failed to celebrate myself. I failed to celebrate life. And as all the good things that were right there within my reach slipped away, I felt empty and inadequate.

My personal journey has involved some pretty daunting obstacles along a steep learning curve, but I eventually emerged as a woman who knows her own power and has learned to love herself and the world. Once I learned the secret of a truly celebrated life, I became a fully celebrated woman, and I've never looked back.

I am convinced of the potential women have to make the world a better place. That is why I realized a long-time dream to develop an organization to support and assist other women through the same experience. Along with my wonderful partner, Michael Robinson, I founded Women Celebrations. It's a national organization for women to celebrate their lives fully.

I have identified and overcome my own obstacles, and I see myself today as a potential source of positive energy for everyone -; especially each woman -; I encounter. I explain my own journey to self-fulfillment and success with this affirmation: "With the help of so many, I am raising my level of consciousness to experience all that comes my way. In a healthy frame of mind, I face and release my fear, manifesting wonder and good things to myself and those around me."

I have looked around, and I've seen hundreds and thousands of women, uncelebrated, empty, frazzled and confused, and I've made the commitment to give them a way to learn to be celebrated too.

That's what my organization offers: an opportunity to learn what it means to be fully celebrated; what steps women can take to reach that goal; and how they can live their lives, day in and day out, in a way that will keep the celebration alive.

Green Card Requirements - what are they and how do I comply?

What is a Permanent Resident Card?

A Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a Green Card, is evidence of your status as a lawful permanent resident with a right to live and work permanently in the United States. It also is evidence of your registration in accordance with United States immigration laws. The Permanent Resident Card is also called Form I-551.

What Does the Law Say?

Section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that, "Every alien in the United States shall be issued a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations."

It also states, "Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him. Any alien who fails to comply with [these] provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

The specific requirements and procedures for applying to renew an expiring permanent resident card are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 264.5.

Who Should Renew a Permanent Resident Card?

You should renew your permanent resident card if you are a permanent resident who was issued a Form I-551 valid for ten years, and that card is either expired or will expire within the next six months.

If you are a Conditional Resident and your status is expiring, these instructions do not pertain to you. You are to use Form I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence) to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status.

How Do I Apply to Renew My Permanent Resident Card?

If you are a lawful permanent resident whose ten-year I-551 has expired or will expire within the next six months, you may renew your card by filing an Form I-90.

What If I am Outside of the United States?

If you are outside the United States, and your permanent resident card will expire within six months, (but you will return within one year of your departure from the United States and before the card expires), you should file for your renewal card as soon as you return to the United States.

If you are outside of the United States at the time of the card's expiration, and you have not applied for the renewal card prior to your departure, you should contact the nearest American Consulate, USCIS office, or Port of Entry, before attempting to file Form I-90 for a renewal I-551 card.

How Can I Find Out the Status of My Application?

If you have immigration-related questions, you may call the USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. You should be prepared to provide the USCIS staff with specific information about your application, such as your receipt number, Alien Registration Number, name, and date of birth. Please click here for complete instructions on checking the status of your application. Or, you may check the status of your application online at Case Status Online. Please remember that an E-Filed receipt number may not be available through Case Status Online for 72 hours.

If My Application is Denied How Can I Appeal?

If your application for a renewal of your permanent resident card is denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the application was denied. You will not be allowed to appeal a negative decision. However, you may submit a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider with the same office that made the unfavorable decision. By filing such a motion, you may ask the USCIS office to reexamine or reconsider its decision.

A motion to reopen must state the new facts that are to be provided in the reopened proceeding and must be accompanied by the appropriate documentary evidence. A motion to reconsider must establish that the decision to deny your application was based on an incorrect application of law or Immigration policy, and further establish that the decision was incorrect, based on the evidence in the file at the time the decision was made. For more information, please see How Do I Appeal the Denial of Petition or Application?

Can Anyone Help Me?

If advice is needed, you may contact the District Office near your home for a list of organizations who can assist you with the preparation and filing of your application.

Going The Extra Mile Benefits Everyone Including Yourself

In a world where mediocrity is becoming alarmingly common, it's a refreshing change to encounter people who are willing to go the extra mile.

If we are lucky we encounter such people on a daily basis. A checkout clerk who is particularly courteous, a co-worker who helps you do something not in their job description, or even a family member who does something to lighten your load.

Going beyond what others expect of you can never be a bad thing. It's a great principle to live by no matter who you are or what you do.

Your attitude is something that shines out beyond the boundaries of what you present to others. There's nothing that beats the feeling when someone surprises you by going the extra mile.

Nature encourages the habit of going the extra mile. If every animal/plant in the ecosystem had a lazy attitude the world would end. It's as if mother nature encourages working harder than is called for.

If every human on the planet adopted a philosophy of going the extra mile the world would undoubtedly be a better place.
Imagine a world were service is always courteous and delivered with a smile.

While it's possible to still earn a living without ever having to push the boundaries of what you will and will not do much in terms of helping you achieve your goals.

10 Reasons to go the extra mile:

1. Can foster a sense of direction in life
2. Develops a positive mental attitude
3. Encourages initiative
4. Creating a more pleasant environment for everyone
5. Gives job security
6. often there's extra compensation
7. Has a positive effect on all those around you – coworkers, clients etc.
8. Clear conscience
9. Can prevent procrastination
10. Going the extra mile can stimulate your soul.

That warm feeling you get inside when you go the extra mile for someone else is irreplaceable. There's no substitute for a heartfelt thanks and you can rest easy in the knowledge that you have made life just that little bit easier for those around you.

Why not try to incorporate this idea into your daily life. By setting a goal that you will go out of your way for someone else on a daily basis – you commit yourself to that warm fuzzy glow daily too!

Going the extra mile can make you stand out in a crowd. And of course it might just help you achieve that financial success you dream of.

God Bless all the Truckers

God Bless all the Truckers

Dear God, Bless all the Truckers on the highway and bring them home safe and sound to their loving families.

May the Highways lead you to a safe Journey to your next Delivery and Destination. Thank you for bringing home Americas Freight and putting our Necessities on the store shelves.

NOTE: Freight Never stops, And GayTruckstop Network™ knows this first hand. For each and every driver out their that will be home for a holiday. There will be many that will not make it home. Or will spend a national holiday in the bunk of their truck!. Some Drivers Choose this, While others do not due to DEMANDING FREIGHT.

Do yourself and a driver a favor, Shake his or her hand and thank them for Delivering the freight that we all rely on thru our daily lives!, Thank them for bringing home the very clothes you are wearing. Thank them for almost anything you can imagine, Cause one thing is obvious. At 1 point, It was moved by a TRUCK!


Thank you Truckers

TruckerJeff ( Jeffrey Bailey )

Glitters Of Gold

When you have a dream and follow it with your complete being, the most unusual opportunities unfold. During the early 1840s John Sutter wanted to build a large agricultural empire in California. He had managed to get there from Switzerland, and was determined that nothing get in his way. He and his hired hand, James Marshall, were working on building a sawmill down by the river when they spotted shiny pebbles of a golden color. Could it possibly be gold? It was, much to their dismay! Gold seekers would only get in the way of their agricultural dreams, so they tried to keep it a secret.

Secrets are hard to keep and Sam Brannan in San Francisco caught wind of the potential. Did he want the gold? No! He thought in terms of supply and demand. If gold seekers came they would need shovels and picks and pie tins. Sam bought all of them he could find within hundreds of miles. He bought them for pennies, and when the gold seekers came rushing in, he sold them for fifteen dollars (an exorbitant amount in those days). Within weeks Sam was the same as a millionaire. He made his fortune without ever sweating over the river.

Bending over the river searching for those specks of gold that were half the size of a pea was painful and exhausting work. For those experiencing success it was worth it. News of the sore muscles and aching backs reached an innovative thinker back in Indiana. He made his fortune selling a bottled salve to the fortune seekers who were traveling through on their way to California. “Just rub it all over your body and roll down a hill. The gold will stick to this special salve and you’ll be rich without slaving over the river.” Those with the glint of gold in their eye couldn’tresist such an offer.

Most of the gold seekers left their homes during 1849 and were dubbed “the 49ers.” The majority of them never arrived, but all encountered someone applying the law of supply and demand along the route. Trying to get through the desert without any water took the lives of many. Realizing this, the entrepreneurs in California brought buckets and barrels of water to the dessert – which they sold for as high as $100 a drink. If you didn’t have the money to pay, you were left to dehydrate and die in the desert.

Even though striking it rich with gold, many settlers found it hard to come out ahead financially. While they might have earned a dollar a day back where they originally came from, and were making twenty-five dollars a day now, those selling food were also playing the game of supply and demand. A meal at the end of the day took all of that twenty-five dollars. Those who found sources of food to sell were the ones who became rich. Sutter, the courageous thinker who originally found the gold, had his thousands of acres of agricultural land raided, his cattle stolen and slaughtered for food. Sutter remained penniless. And all the 49ers are now gone.

The elusive value of gold continues to fluctuate as concepts of supply and demand are applied in the minds of people. Ultimately, any object or service is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Although ‘all that glitters is not gold,’ gold still influences the economies of every nation.

Giving Gift Certificates

Buying gifts for anyone can be difficult. You need to balance whether the recipient will like the gift with the type of gift you can afford. Add to this the fact that you may have been buying the same person regular gifts for many years and it can be very difficult to keep buying something that they will get real value from. Of course, some people are just very difficult to buy gifts for.

Gift certificates provide an excellent compromise. You can spend as much or as little as you need to while ensuring that you don’t buy something inappropriate. With the advance of the Internet it is also possible to buy gift certificates for stores or companies that you or the lucky recipient would normally have access to.

Many stores offer gift certificates and the only decisions you will need to make will be the store to get them from and how much you want to spend. Book, DVD and music stores are the most popular when it comes to gift certificates because while many people love to read, listen to music or watch movies, it can be difficult to know what they already have in their collection.

You can also purchase gift certificates from clothes stores, DIY stores and virtually anywhere that encourages visitors. They have become the hottest trend in present buying because they are so easy and so convenient. You can literally leave things to the last minute and rush out to buy a gift certificate.

Receiving a gift certificate means that you are able to receive exactly what you want as your gift without having to openly tell people what you want. There should be no need to return your gift to the store because you got the wrong size, the wrong color or the wrong album.

Gift Giving Customs And Suggestions For Gifting To The Japanese

To the Japanese, gift giving is a way of communicating respect, friendship, and appreciation. When meeting with a Japanese colleague or visitor for the first time, always be prepared for the gift giving ritual that has been deeply rooted in the Japanese culture for centuries.

The following are some guidelines to keep in mind when doing business with the Japanese:

* Gifts need not be extravagant, although expensive gifts are not viewed as a bribe.

* When meeting with a group of Japanese professionals, be sure to give higher quality gifts to those with more senior rank within the company.

* Always wrap the gifts you present, but remember to avoid white and brightly colored wrapping paper. White symbolizes death and bright colors are too flashy.

* Never surprise the Japanese recipient with your gift. Subtly alert the recipient that you would like to present a small memento.

* When presenting a group gift, be sure to allow time for the entire group to gather before making the presentation. When meeting with a group of Japanese colleagues, either present a group gift or a gift to each individual within the organization.

It is considered extremely rude to present a gift to one individual in a group, without giving gifts to the rest of the ensemble.

* Downplay the importance of the gift. This is common in the Asian culture. It conveys the message that the relationship is more important than the gift

* Always present the gift with two hands. This is also true with presenting business cards.

* Avoid giving gifts in sets of four. The word "four" in Japanese is "shi," which is also associated with the word for death.

* Gifts are normally exchanged at the end of the visit.

* Avoid giving monetary gifts or gifts displaying company logos.

* Be certain that gifts are of unquestionable quality.

* Business gifts should be given at midyear (July 15) and at year-end (January 1).

* Products that are difficult to obtain in Japan. This could be something not sold in Japan, or something that is extremely expensive.

* Gifts that reflect the recipient's interests and tastes.

* Pens are highly appropriate gifts for Japanese colleagues. First, the pen is a symbol of knowledge in the Japanese culture. Second, a pen is a lightweight gift that is easy to pack and carry when traveling abroad.

Gift Cards The Double Present!

Finding the right gift for that special somebody has always been of great importance. They might say that it’s the thought that counts, but the thoughtfulness invested in any gift should go deeper than simply picking something up at random. While your mother might love flowers, there’s little point in purchasing a bunch for your girlfriend who is allergic – a gift doesn’t have to be precisely what your loved one wanted to be genuinely appreciated, but it should represent something they can use, and some understanding of what they love to do.

For this reason it might be argued that gift cards are simply an impersonal approach, bought to make the gift giver’s life easier rather than displaying any special thought or message to the recipient. And while there is a great thrill to be found in receiving the very gift you have talked about non-stop for weeks, or something purchased by the sensitive soul who intuited a gift that you hadn’t even realised you needed yet, a gift card is a genuinely thoughtful gift, allowing the recipient to purchase exactly what it is they really need.

How many of us have received gifts that ended up unused, unloved? Even with the best will in the world, a well-thought out gift can miss the mark. Why complicate life by gifting items that only add stress to the lives of those we love by having to be dragged from storage each time we visit? It is not just the recipient who wants to find a gift that will beloved and cherished.

If you are worried about your gift card seeming impersonal, then make your mark on what is undoubtedly a special gift. Make your own handmade card to accompany your gift, and make a date to go shopping to spend it. By choosing a non-store specific gift card, such as those made by Visa, you can leave the arrangements in the hands of the recipient of your gift, so that you in effect present them with a twofold gift – the opportunity to purchase something they’ve always wanted and the chance to spend time with you.

Giant Squid Finally Captured On Film

On 27 September 2005, the greatest zoological discovery of the century was announced. For the first time ever, a live giant squid was caught on film.

The Animal

The giant squid (Architeuthis) has been known to humans since ancient times. Giant squid were regular features in many Norwegian tales (where, many believe, it inspired the creature known as the Kraken). The first substantiated report of a real giant squid, was in 1873. The animal was reported to have been attacking a minister and a young boy, near Bell Island, Newfoundland. Five years later, scientists received their first giant squid specimen, when a carcass washed ashore in Glover’s Harbor, Newfoundland.

What’s in a Name?

The scientific name for the genus containing the giant squid is: Architeuthis, which translates to: “The ruling squid.”

How big?

The largest giant squid on record was a female that washed ashore on a New Zealand beach in 1887. From end to end, the creature measured 16.8 meters (55 ft) long. Because of the “springiness” of their tentacles, though, this has been viewed as an exaggerated length. If the animal were still alive, it resting length would have been closer to 9.8 meters (32 ft).

Elusive Monster

Despite knowledge of the existence of this beast for the past 127 years, scientists have never been able to actually capture the creature alive; either in a net, or on film. This was due to a variety of different factors that were not conducive to human capture. Some of these factors included:

Depth – Most large squid prefer depths of several hundred, to one thousand meters.
This makes it very hard to place fishing nets and bait.

Time – Suggested by their gargantuan eyes, and verified by observations of other species,
large squid prefer to hunt in areas of the water column, which remain very dark. They usually only come closer to the surface at night. These scenarios present a problem for anyone wanting to film these animals.

Pressure – Water pressure increases by one atmosphere for every 9.8 meters (32ft) in
depth. Giant squid appear to favor depths between 600-900 meters (1,968 – 2,952 ft). At 900 meters, water pressure is 92 times greater than at the surface. If a large squid were caught at that depth, and brought up, the rapid change in pressure could possibly kill the large animal long before it ever reached the boat. The only choice would be to bring the creature up slowly; a process that would leave plenty of time for it to escape.

Seeking Help

One telltale way to find giant squid, is to follow one of their primary predators: the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). These animals are known hunters of giant squid. Many individuals are known to carry large sucker and claw marks believed to be souvenirs from their epic underwater battles. By figuring out where sperm whales like to hunt, one should be able to get a good idea of where the squid live. By following this process, scientists have been able to get a fairly good estimate of the general living depths for giant squid.

Minor Success

In February of 2001, Dr. Steve O’Shea, along with the Discovery Channel, caught the first ever living giant squid. In fact, he caught of few of them. The only catch was that they were only larvae. The babies had to be maintained in special pressurized tanks, in order to keep them alive. Unfortunately for Dr. O’Shea, the larvae did not survive the trip back to the mainland.

Patience is Key

Japanese researchers: Tsunemi Kubodera, and Kyoichi Mori, set out to capture film of an adult giant squid, in the wild. From 2002 to 2004, Kubodera, Mori and their crew, set up remote camera systems in Japanese waters, which were known to harbor sperm whales and giant squid. They hooked depth loggers to the cameras, along with bait rigs dangling below them. For the bait, the researchers used a Japanese common squid on one end, and a mesh bag filled with shrimp, to use as an odor allure on the other end.

Finally, on 30 September 2004, Kubodera, Mori and their crew struck gold. A large, 8 meter (26ft) adult squid was caught attacking a piece of bait the researchers had dangling 900 meters below the surface.

The Battle

At 9:15 AM, the squid attacked the bait. The camera captured the attack on film. During the initial attack, a portion of the squid’s tentacle became snagged on the bait rig. At 1:28 PM, the squid finally broke free from its snare. It had struggled on the line for a mind blowing 4 hours!

Unexpected Souvenir

The struggle to break free was so violent, that the animal actually ripped off the tentacle that was stuck to the bait rig. This tentacle remained attached to the rig, as the researchers brought it up. The leftover squid remnant measured 5.5 meters (18 feet) long! The tentacle was observed to still be sucking and attaching itself to anything it could get a hold of.

Truth is Stranger than Fiction

Prior to these observations, scientists had assumed that giant squid were sluggish creatures that remained neutrally buoyant in the water column; dangling their long tentacles in order to lure fish in. Now we know that these animals are much more active, and aggressive than we had once thought.

Not Over with Yet

With the announcement of this discovery, a renewed interest in the giant squid has begun. Many documentary film companies are now attempting to capture even better footage of these animals in their natural habitat.

There’s Always a Bigger…Mollusc?

With all of this renewed hubbub over the giant squid, it should be pointed out that it is not completely unique among squid. As with many things named “giant” in zoology, there always seems to be something else that comes along to dwarf the previous “biggest.”

Enter the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni). Though this animal has been known to science since 1925, it never received the acclaim it’s smaller (but longer) relative, Architeuthis, got. While the colossal squid doesn’t appear to grow as long as the giant squid (their tentacles are shorter), they are many times larger than them. Furthermore, while giant squid are often viewed as the antagonists in battle scenes with sperm whales, there is good reason to suggest that the colossal squid might be responsible for so many battle scarred whales. As previously mentioned, many large sperm whales are found with deep claw marks on their heads. Giant squid tentacles do not have claws on them. They only contain suckers. Colossal squid tentacles, on the other hand, are laced with numerous hooks.

Who knows what else awaits discovery down in the murky depths of the ocean.

Ghost Mothers

So many women talk about their relationships with their mothers—no matter how old they are. For some, their mother, from whom they have supposedly separated long ago, still occupies a central place in the psyche. She’s too close, she’s too much. She has advice, is nosy, and interferes. The daughter wants time away, she wants boundaries, and fights for her separation from her mother.

For others, the mother still occupies the psyche, but with a wrenching kind of longing—a mother that is biological and even sometimes present, but also a mother who is so self-involved as to be emotionally absent, or literally out of the picture. This kind of mother takes up space and energy as a nagging, missing piece, a ghost. Her image hovers, her memory, or perhaps a dream of how it could have been, should have been, but never is.

Which kind of mother do you have?

My mother was a dream. I realize now, 10 years after her death, that I was always trying to get the dream to come true—to have her be warm and huggy, to have her want to know me, to visit me in my house, to know my children. To know me. It never happened. It left a yearning that I played out with men, it left a hole that I tried to fill in many ways.

When I was little, she left me when I was four years old, and once a year appeared in the landscape of my life—I lived with her mother—only to disappear too soon and in a flurry of anger at her own mother, without seeming to notice how hard it was for me.

So many people—men and women—struggle with this kind of emptiness, the burn of anger in the pit of the stomach, the unanswered questions that can’t be asked—why are you like this?

Mothers who are neglectful, selfish, and abandoning do not set out to do these things, they are a result of her own problems, her own pain, and maybe even mental illness. It is hard for us as her child to see this fully, or to forgive it.

How to help to heal the Ghost Mother wound:

1. Learn about your mother’s life—how she became the way she is—though talking with relatives, if she won’t talk to you directly, or by sitting down and hashing through history shown in photos and family albums.

2. Find adoptive mothers who will nurture you, and friends who understand your story.

3. Learn to mother yourself—though therapy, through having children of your own. They will teach you.

4. Write your story. Tell your story. Having witnesses to your story is a part of healing. Seeing compassion in the eyes of others shows you that you are worthy of it, and deserve it.

5. Learn to forgive. Work on it. Work on being yourself and having a life you like and enjoy.

6. Learn to surround yourself with who you like, people who love and like you, and beauty that makes you feel part of the web of life.