Turning Your Journal Into An Idea Bank

A few magazines refer to their written idea sources in assigning articles to reliable, experienced writers, or even allow those writers to peruse them for topics to write about.

And for awhile, I kept an idea book that was similar to a writer's journal. But there was a problem. If I needed an idea, I had to virtually read every entry before locating the one I wanted and needed. However, doing this so frequently proved to be a waste of time and energy. But after tweaking it a bit, I found a way to make it more efficient and profitable for me.

I used a looseleaf cover and paper, organizing my journal into a few specific categories of interest, such as "pet health." There, I would include entries that directly pertained to that topic. For example, I would include observations tracking my progress in helping my cat recover from conjunctivities (pink eye), from following the vet's advice to developing my own strategies for administering medicine with an eye dropper. I would also include a few notes on what I probably should have done, as well as mistakes I made during that time. Bits of information from relevant, reliable websites and books would be included.

Organizing my observations and notes this way enabled me to quickly locate a given topic and review its entries. Rereading those entries not only refreshes my mind, but provides some material from which to manipulate and gain additional insights for possible articles and books.

In effect, I was writing entries in a writer's journal, but in a more organized manner. No more endless searches and rereading entries for me!

You can try this yourself, using a separate hardcover, stitched notebook for each topic of interest. This strategy is especially effective if your chosen topic or topics are rather involved, motivating you to write detailed entries. Otherwise, a looseleaf notebook is fine. You can change the order of topics from three to two and organize their contents better.

Another suggestion is dating each entry, as well as assigning a title to it. Doing this will save time. Instead of reading all of the entries under a given category, all you'll need to do is read a few selected ones. Dating entries is also useful for organizing purposes, especially if you want to track your progress in moving from idea trigger to a fully developed piece.

And finally, wait until you have a month to several months' worth of entries under various topics of interest. Your subconscious will be at work in the meantime and you will be in for a pleasant surprise when you refer to your idea book again. Remember to keep making entry "deposits!" And have fun.

Happy idea mining!

Dorothy Zjawin's website, http://www.profitable-pen.com focuses on mining ideas from writer's journals for articles and books.

Orlando Vacation Accommodation - Unforgettable Accommodation

As a family, we have been visiting Orlando since 1998, where we have stayed in numerous hotels on the US192 in Kissimmee. Anyone who has visited Orlando will know that there is never a shortage of affordable and clean accommodation in this area. We decided to spread our wings a little and make the most of our holidays in Florida. So our third trip involved renting a private villa.

Now to some, this may not appeal, but let me tell you something, this is a resource that is not given justice that it deserves. Most are located in small communities along the main areas of Orlando close to Disney World. The first villas we ever heard of were in an area called Lake Buena Vista, but since then have spread rapidly to other popular areas along the US27 and the US192. All are within an easy drive to all the major attractions that Orlando has to offer.

New villas offer more than ever before. Take a look http://www.orlandovillas4u.co.uk

Some of the communities are gated and so you need to be granted access to enter by vehicle, others are surrounded by a privacy wall but you can drive on and take a look around. You will be amazed at just how beautiful most of these homes are. Ranging from 3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms which can usually sleep upto 8 guests, upto 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms which have been known to sleep upto 16 guests. Most of theses villas have private heated swimming pools and quite a few now have a Spa or Hot Tub too. Some also have games rooms which are usually the garage that has been converted, although this does seem a little over the top, I mean, how much time do you intend spending playing games when you have your own pool and the whole of Florida to explore?

Most of them have some sort of conservation area within the community, which just adds to the ambience of the place, it just makes it that much more difficult to leave at the end of your holiday. We remember our first stay in a Villa, our memories are more than fond. From the minute you walk through the front door, you realise this is just the start. How you laugh at yourself for staying in those what now seem inadequate hotels and just wish you had found somewhere like this years earlier.

One of the greatest feelings you get is the feeling of being at home, the kids being able to get away from under your feet and go amuse themselves playing with the things they have just bought. One of the things we have always looked forward to is to be able to have a leisurely meal without having the pressure of having to move on, renting your own home gives you this freedom. By the Pool, in the Nook or more formal at the Dining Room table. How American this all is. From the second you pull on to the drive, you get the sense of being home. No waiting for the bathroom when you are all getting ready to go to the parks for the day, get up, jump in your own shower, dressed and you're away. Luxury Furnishings just add that finishing touch, but it gets better, the pool is cleaned by your very own pool guy, the garden tended to by your very own gardener!

What? That's true, you may be living like an American, but you don't have to work like one. Where else can you enjoy a dip in the pool in the privacy of your own villa? Certainly not in an hotel, shared by the other guests! Dining on the Lanai just adds to the experience, the enclosed Pool Screen stops you having to share your food with others. I could just go on and on?? All I can say is next time, Try it for yourself. It's a World's apart from staying in the hotels you are used to.

Andrew P Moore is the owner and contributing writer of http://www.orlandovillas4u.co.uk. He lives in the UK and now owns his own vacation rental home in Orlando Florida. You can visit his website for details of his villa by visiting http://www.orlandovillas4u.co.uk. Discounts are available for readers of his articles.

Basic Tarot for Beginners

If you would like to learn to read tarot cards, but have no idea who to ask to teach you or how to go about it, the following tips should help you get started on your path to telling fortunes just like a pro!

Your first challenge is to choose a deck from the 8,000 or so published brands of fortune telling cards on the market. What works for one person often doesn't for another. Some people are comfortable reading several decks and others only identify psychically from a single brand. Your local bookstore will probably carry several choices of decks and the online store at Psychic Realm also has a selection of introductory Tarot. However, I highly recommend going to a store, picking up a deck and seeing if you like the feel of the cards.

The feel, weight or look of the cards often "speaks" to you. If you a feel a connection with the images on the cards or even how they feel in your hands, then that is probably the deck that you will relate to best.

I also recommend a deck that comes with a small book inside the package or box so you will have something to quickly reference if you should get lost in the meaning of the cards. When I first read the Tarot, I typed myself up a one sheet that a resembled a chart on a computer so that all the meanings of each card right side up and upside down were apparent to me at a glance.

Your next step would be to get acquainted with your cards. The best way to learn is to study the image on each card, one at a time, while memorizing it's meaning. Be patient. There are usually 78 meanings to learn so this is not always a fast process. Some tarot teachers recommend that you put the deck of cards under your pillow at night so you can get better acquainted with them. The idea is that your subconscious will absorb the meaning. You can also meditate or dream upon the individual cards in the same way by placing them under your pillow.

Some people like to charge their cards after they first get them, either by praying or meditating over them, passing them through the smoke of incense or placing them in the light of the full or new moon for a night. Finicky readers believe the power of the cards is enhanced if they are placed inside a special box, pouch or wrapped in a silk pouch. I personally don't think this makes much of a difference but pomp and circumstance is supposed to add to the power of all ritual and magic, so if storing your cards in a special way or in a special place helps you read them better than by all means do so.

Also many readers protect their cards by not letting anyone touch them. There is a belief that others can "infect" the cards with their beliefs, fears or anxieties. The cards do act as a portal through to the other side, so keeping them away from other people may be a good way of preventing people from accidentally "touching" you through the cards and passing along possibly toxic energy.

This however brings up issues when it is time to decide who is actually going to shuffle the cards. Some readers hand the cards over to the questioner and others prefer to always do the shuffling and never let the cards be tainted by another's hands. My personal take on this is that if you don't like the person's energy, shuffle them yourself or even -- don't do the reading at all!

Most Tarot decks consist of 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana, and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The Minor Arcana consist of four "suits", just like a deck of regular playing cards... The four suits are, Pentacles or Coins, which deal with work/money/success issues, the Wands, or Staffs, which deal with more spiritual issues, the Cups, which deal with emotional issues, and the Swords, which some see as representing negative experiences and loss.

When starting out, I highly recommend making your life easy, and getting the person to ask you a question out loud. Both parties should focus on the question while you shuffle the cards. As you get more experienced or confident with the cards, you won't care if they ask a question, but repeating the questioner's question out loud yourself does seem to assist the divination process. Shuffle the cards until the person you are reading for feels it is "right" to stop or until you feel it is right to "stop". After you are done cutting, you need to cut the deck. Most readers divide the deck into three piles. At this point you can either have the person you are reading for pick which pile to pick up as the top of the deck, or you can pick them up in an order that feels right to you. Another option, is to fan the cards out face down, and have the person you are reading for pick out the cards they want you to read

Two Simple Spreads:

The Three-Card Spread:

This spread is good for yes or no questions. After you are done cutting the deck lay the cards out from left to right.

The first card to the left represents the past/issues affecting the problem.

The second card in the center represents the present/problem.

The third card to the right represents the future/outcome.

The Celtic-Cross Spread

Lay out the cards on the table in the following order:

4 10

5 1/2 6 9

8

3 7

The first card represents the person asking the question and the foundation of the matter.

The second card is placed across the first sideways and represents obstacles or issues dealt with the person in the present.

The third card represents what is on the subconscious mind of the questioner and everything he or she has been through with regards to the matter.

The fourth card represents the potential and the best that can be accomplished given the choices the questioner has made so far in his life regarding that matter.

The fifth card represents what has transpired in the past.

The sixth card represents what will take place in the immediate future.

The seventh card represents the fears of the person. Generally, this card will show you what is inside of them that is blocking him or her from reaching their desired outcome. It can also represent the atmosphere or influences that strongly affect the questioner.

The eighth card represents how others see the person or the situation.

The ninth card represents the hopes and fears that the questioner might have for the future.

The tenth card represents the predicted outcome of the situation or the actual answer to the question.

Some individuals like to keep pulling an addition six to ten cards after this cross is laid down to determine what will happen in the future.

It is important to remember, that no matter what maps or directions you are given, Tarot reading is an intuitive art and after you do it enough you will begin to develop an intuitive sense of what the cards mean when they are placed in relationship to each other. Happy Reads!

Samantha Steven's articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. If you wish to buy Samantha's books about metaphysics click here http://www.insomniacpress.com/author.php?id=110 You can meet Samantha Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com

Nine Keys to Make your Sales Copy Convincing

Would you pay $12,500 to discover the keys to great sales copy? Maybe not, but Brian Keith Voiles did. And he put it to use for Fortune 500 Companies. You may not have that kind of promotion money, so here are the nine keys for FREE. Be sure you cover all of them in the right order.

1. Attention

Write a headline that grabs your reader by the collar. Fear or curiosity are good places to start. For example, "Avoid a beginner's mistakes in ad copy, and yield 30 times your sales in just 4 months."

2. Interest

List the five or so top benefits of your product or service. Acknowledge your target market's problem while you show them the solution. Show them that you've been where they are and you can help them.

3. Credibility

Mention your clients or buyers as referrals. Let your prospective buyers know others have benefited from you and your products.

4. Prove

Include testimonials with full names, cities, and today either a web site or email address. These people are your greatest sales force, because new visitors or readers don't quite trust you, and will listen to the opinion of well-known opinion makers and satisfied customers.

5. Believable

Give your full contact information on your Web site or in your product. Make it easy to buy with no hassles. Let your visitors know why they should trust you.

6. Scarcity

Have limited offers, special time sensitive sales, and discounts on a few products each month to show a limited quantity at this special price.

7. Action

Ask for the sale. On my Web site, I use words like "Ready to buy now? Click here to order." More sophisticated sites use lines with links in them that change color. While this is streamlined, maybe your "newbies" aren't that Internet savvy.

8. Warn

Let your audience know the pain and suffering they will experience if they don't use you or your product. Without Web site makeover coaching, your site may be attractive, but will it do what you want-create lifelong various streams of income? Without bookcoaching, your idea may die and you won't be able to do what every author wants-to share your unique wisdom and benefit thousands of others.

9. Now

Tell your audience why they should buy right now. Will they save money? Time? Avoid unpleasant things? Make their life so much better?

Using these nine keys for convincing sales copy has catapulted my business success, and can do the same for you-even if it is free.

Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 140 free articles. Email her at mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com

Be Patient? Nah, Lets Kill Something

There's the old joke about the two buzzards sitting in a tree overlooking a highway. One responds to the other, "Be patient? I'm hungry. Let's kill something." Just like that buzzard, it is not in the nature of most marketers to be patient for business to grow. They want to go out and "kill something," too.

The trouble is that most marketers go after new business the wrong way. They want to "take down" the new piece of business using all the tools of the trade from advertising and direct mail to cold calling and event marketing. This is an expensive way to drum up business. Your existing clients are just waiting to tell you about people they know who could use your services, and then help sell you in to these people they refer. Not only is this more cost effective, it practically guarantees the prospects will share the same characteristics of your best customers.

"OK, Harry," you're asking, "but how do I do it?"

The first rule of getting referrals: ask. When should you ask? Let's review.

- After your customer has purchased something from you is a great time to ask. The new customer is pumped up about your offering and you can harness that energy by asking for names of others who could beneft from doing business with you.

- Upon delivery of your product or service is the next time to ask. The benefits of your offering should be readily apparent now, so you can remind the customer of the importance of their referrals.

- Anytime you have personal contact with your customer is a good time to ask. You are continuing to build a relationship with them and can use the opportunity to ask for referrals. Don't ask more than three times per year.

Many people hesitate to ask for referrals because they are not sure how to do it. Just be honest. Tell your customers that referrals are very important to the growth of your business, and that you want to grow it with people just like them. Remind them that the people they know will benefit from your service the way that they have. Then, ask.

Tell your prospect that you'd like for them to give you the names of three or four people who might benefit from your services. Pull out a sheet of paper and pen and look expectantly at them. If they can't immediately give you names, ask some prompting questions. Such as:

Who are your three best friends? Who are the most successful business people you know? Can you think of anyone who would benefit from my services?

Write the names down and keep writing until the customer runs out of names. Then, go back and ask for contact information for each one.

Thank the customer in the way you feel most comfortable. Some people like to send a gift, others will just drop a note of thanks. Some wait to see if the referral becomes a customer and then send a higher end gift. Do whatever works for you, but do thank them and keep them in the loop, letting them know about your follow up and the outcome of your prospecting.

So, don't just sit there in your tree. Get out there and kill something.

Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR, http://www.hoover-ink.com. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Duke Energy, Levolor, New World Mortgage, North Carolina Tourism, VELUX and Verbatim.

Teach Your Children How To Resolve Conflict Without Using Anger Or Power

Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is perhaps the biggest challenge facing adults today. Children's disagreements both at home and at school can be noisy, physical and psychologically hurtful. The approach to conflict resolution learned and practised in childhood often stays for life.

Conflict is part of daily living. Effective people resolve conflict in ways that protect relationships, honour feelings and lead to a resolution. They neither avoid conflict nor do they use power to dominate others or win conflict.

It is useful for parents to provide a process for children to resolve individual differences peacefully and effectively. When two children have a disagreement that is upsetting to one or either then they may need adult assistance to resolve the conflict. One process that is both easy to learn and highly effective is the Face-Up conflict resolution process that is a variation on some common processes in use.

In the Face-up process children face each other and maintain eye contact. This helps for greater openness and understanding. It generally requires an adult to be present as a third party so parents may need to stick around to make sure it works effectively.

The steps involved in the Face-up process:

1. Safety first: To ensure safety and integrity it is important that both children are calm. Give them time and some help to regain control if they are angry or upset.

2. Feelings second: Using I-messages children tell each other how they feel about the situation. "I feel awful when you don't share your toys. I really feel like losing it because it is not fair." Focus on the feelings and don't let it get into recriminations or accusations.

3. Repeat third: Sometimes this process is enough to get a resolution or at least an apology. Repeat this procedure if necessary so both children feel they have been heard.

4. Resolve fourth: State the problem as you see it or as children identify it. Sometimes children just want to state their case and they will make their own suggestion about resolving it. "You can play with my old toys but I don't want you playing with my new toys for a while. They're special." "Okay."

5. Make-up fifth: An apology or an agreement is often enough however sometimes damage may need to be repaired or a follow-up talk from a parent about better behaviour may be appropriate.

Teaching children some simple rules for resolving conflict and a process such as the one above may well be one of the best investments in time and energy that a parent will make.

Michael Grose is Australia's leading parenting educator. He is the author of six books and gives over 100 presentations a year and appears regularly on television, radio and in print.

For further ideas to help you raise happy children and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au. While you are there subscribe to Happy Kids newsletter and receive a free report Seven ways to beat sibling rivalry.

Vioxx Personal Injury Lawsuits

Personal injury attorneys representing clients who have allegedly been harmed by the prescription drug Vioxx are congratulating themselves over a historic judgment rendered recently. On August 19, 2005, a judge awarded the family of Bob Ernst $253.4 million due to his death from the drug. Vioxx, which had been prescribed most often for arthritis pain, was withdrawn globally by its maker, Merck, after research trials showed it increased patients' chances of a heart attack. Although Merck pulled the drug off the market in September 2004, legal action against this leading pharmaceutical giant will continue and expand. Let's take a look at why Vioxx has become a litigation lightning rod.

In 1998 as Merck was running clinical trials for Vioxx, company reports to the FDA stated that there were no cardiovascular signals apparent. This meant that there were no telltale signs that the drug could cause heart problems for users. Later, however, it was revealed that an internal study conducted by Merck around the same time ? Study 090 ? revealed serious cardiovascular problems as compared to patients not taking Vioxx. The study was never published by Merck as the company insisted that it was not large enough to provide definitive data.

The following year the FDA gave Vioxx its approval and the drug became the second nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication [or COX-2 inhibitor] to hit the market. Celebrex, another problem drug, was the first.

Merck widely and thoroughly launched a marketing campaign upon the introduction of Vioxx to the marketplace. Indeed, by 2003 the drug had entered 80 nations with sales exceeding $2.5 billion. Still, there were problems looming as ongoing tests conducted by Merck hinted of potential deadly side effects.

As early as 2001, the FDA recommended label warnings be put on prescriptions warning users of potential side effects. In addition, Merck was warned by the FDA to quit misleading physicians about potential side effects.

As potential problems began to surface, they served as red flags to industry watchdogs, to the FDA, as well as to personal injury attorneys who began to gather evidence to show that Merck was negligent. Indeed, web sites and advertising campaigns ? meant to inform and attract patients harmed by the drug ? were launched and fairly soon the internet, radio, television, and print media were flooded with advertisements asking those suspecting harm from Vioxx to come forward.

With the September 2004 announcement that Merck was withdrawing Vioxx, personal injury litigation was well on its way to being established. By early 2005, the first cases were filed and the Ernst case became the first Vioxx lawsuit to be settled.

Wrongful death lawsuits against Vioxx's maker, Merck, are expected to increase as the result of the Ernst decision. Personal injury attorneys insist that thousands of former Vioxx users and/or their families are due compensation for Merck's neglect. It remains to be seen if juries will render judgments as large as the Ernst judgment and whether courts will uphold these amounts. Nevertheless, it is certain that Merck is in for a long battle that will reach well beyond its US base.

Matthew Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on just about any and every issue imaginable. You can preview samples from his high performing site at http://www.thearticlewriter.com

Cant Wait For Payday? Try Check Advance

Check advance can come in really handy when you're waiting for the regular pay check that never seems to come. Check advance stations exist in most major cities, sometimes several check advance locales to a block. But before you visit a check advance payday center, spurred on by the thought of cold hard cash in your hands, consider these check advance warnings:

1. The check advance will be smaller than the amount your regular paycheck gives you

2. The check advance check may come with other hidden fees

3. The check advance will give you cash now, but if you can wait for your regular paycheck it may be better than check advance in the long run

These are all things to consider before you run off to the check advance place. However, we all go through times where we simply need a check advance, and as such we're willing to pay whatever mildly inconvenient service fees the check advance station asks of us. Check advance gives you cash immediately, but not unlike credit card late fees or bounced check fees, check advance may also gouge you slightly during the transaction.

If you really do need the money fast, check advance will still seem like an excellent deal. If you don't have time to visit a check advance location personally, you can file for one online and have the money at your home or place of business within twenty four hours. The amount of cash can be anywhere between five hundred dollar and one thousand dollars. There are even online sites that offer financial planning help to women, as well as provide them with advance cash options. Sometimes you need to pay the loaner back in installments, sometime with a lump sum. Be sure to find out what is expected of you in the transaction before approving it.

Tim Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Military-Loans-Online.com an online website that offers money saving rates on auto, home, bad credit, pay day loans and other free loan information that you can view in the privacy of your own home.

Anam Chara - Wishing Versus Wanting

There is an old saying, which warns, "be careful for what you wish because you may get what you want."

How many of us actually heed this age-old advice. Do you know what it is you would wish for if you were given the opportunity? We are forever being conditioned to believe there are "things" we want and need. This does not mean we know our true heart`s desire. We have become unsure of what we truly want. To make a wish is to dwell deeply in imagination. Albert Einstein once said "Imagination is greater than intellect."

This father of modern science Albert Einstein loved the imagination. I have come to know him through many of the quotations attributed to him. In fact only this week I received a magazine, which was a gift subscription from a friend. On reading the back page I find the following quotation: -

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is."

Albert Einstein

This reminds me there are only two ways to live.

One is to live in fear and the other is to live as love. Wishes and wish making have been the subject of fairy story all through the ages. Wishes are the gifts given to the hero/ine. The hero/ine is granted wishes to be used, as they desire for good or ill.

Often the story of wishes is about the journey of the little self to the true SELF. The more selfish the wish the harder the quest becomes for the hero/ine. Wishes have magic about them. When I use the word magic I mean they have the power to draw energy to you. You become the energy you wish for. Miracles and magic contain the same type of energy.

Wishes are deeper than wanting. Wishes are closer to your heart`s longing and belonging. Wanting is fickle and subject to the vagaries of fashion. Wants by their nature change. Wants are often imposed from without. Wishes are more related to universal values and to individual heart felt yearnings.

There is to my mind an element of sorrow connected to wishing.

In the phrase "be careful for what you wish," you are advised to "be careful." This instruction interests me because it advises us to enter a feeling experience. To "be careful" is to become full of lamenting. It is to sing a song of your hearts sorrow. In this way you become connected to the song of the universal heart.

Hero/ines know wishes are fulfilled when they display the courage to enter the heart. When you overcome the fear of knowing who you truly are you come home to yourself. You become all you ever wished for. You become all you could have imagined and did imagine.

At the end of the journey on the Yellow Brick Road Dorothy is asked by the Great Oz, "What have you learned." In essence she learns she loves her home and the relationships there. She wishes she had never left it. She is advised by the Wizard that she can now return home because she has discovered the power of her heart. She is told she always had the ability to return but love had to be there in order for her to release the magic in the ruby slippers..

We have forgotten our power to love. We do not look to our hearts for guidance. We look to experts in knowledge and not lovers of knowing. We look for people who are guides to some unknown future and avoid the presence of the wise.

Wishing is not wanting.

The word wish is based on the old Germanic words WEEL and WONT. These combined give us the idea that wishing is a "dwelling in imagination." Wishing is a visionary art. It is holistic. Is not partial. To have your wish come true you have to become at-one-with the wish. You create in your hearts imagination the very experience you long for.

Wishes call on the power of unconditional love.

They call on the energy of intention. What do you as co creator of this world intend. You have the power to be all you desire. You can have it all. The question for you to answer is "Too what purpose?" Where lies your life's purpose? What do you intend to be? This is different from asking answering the question "what do I intend to do?"

"Doing your life" is merely expressing your life in activity. More and more this means activity for activities sake. Expressing your being is love in action. Joy in living is simply the ability to act from love rather than to do action from a place of judgement.

Wishing is contemplative. Wanting is whimsical. One takes you inward to a place of knowing. The other keeps you outwardly focused. The latter keeps you directed to a future orientated place. Life is lost through being absent to the present moment.

"Be careful what you wish for." Wishing is only for the hero/ine. This is not someone who only fights on battlefields. It is any one of us who dares to be open to the reality of who they are. This wishing is more often done in the silence of the heart.

Go well wishing.

Wish yourself well. Wish yourself happiness. Wish others wellness and happiness. Wish each and everyone well. Feel it and just don't say it. When you connect with this well wishing with an open heart you will be "full of care." You will be full of lamenting. You will have come home to your heart. You will come your senses. It will begin to melt any sorrow, bitterness and hatred that is locked away. These are the dragons you are to befriend rather than destroy.

Once you feel and experience your hearts desire you will be less concerned with judging others. You will know "there but for grace go I." You will know that "no man is an island." You will begin to feel a deep connectedness with all there is. You will become a wishing well presence.

Well wishing is a meditation technique I use myself. Sometimes on a difficult day I give all the wishing to myself. Most days it is sent to all my friends and family. This includes the world family.

Wish well and open your heart to caring.

You cannot love greatly without the possibility of sorrow. Do not fear your sorrow. Do not lock it away so that you become uneasy with it. Do not make it the energy of dis-ease. Be careful. Do not be afraid of lamenting. Know that all is well and all manner of things shall be well.

Remember you are enough just as you are.

Make a heart felt commitment to come home to knowing this. You can be present to the experience of wonder. You can be present to the feeling that you are OK now and forever. Come home to the under-standing that there is nothing wrong with you.

Well wishing upon you now and forever. Remember that the Blessing is already here and you are it.

Tony Cuckson is an Anam Cara. This Celtic term means "Soul Friend." He specializes in providing insight for the spiritual journey, Blessings for YOU, words of wisdom and finding inner peace. Visitors to Irish Blessings Matter website and Tony's Blog get the opportunity to develop a purpose driven life through articles, newsletters and other programs.

Get your free report called "7 ways to it's a wonderful life" at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.com/, or go to Tony`s Blog at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.info/ where you will find links to information related to spiritual parenting, spiritual coaching and spirit in business.

The Ugg Boot and More!

The Ugg Boot is one of the most popular types of footwear on the market right now. Anyone who is not familiar with them should consider slipping one on! They are remarkably soft and luxurious. They offer an excellent level of comfort and a wonderful style as well. They are very warm and cozy. Your feet will be in shoe heaven! Let's take a closer look at what is available in the Ugg line and see if we can't find something that you will enjoy!

We can start with the trademark Ugg Boot. These boots are a take off of a sheepskin boot that has been worn for many years. They were once used by pilots in World War I and were used throughout Australia as a wonderful way to keep your feet warm during winter. They were even used by Australian surfers who needed a quick way to warm up after riding the waves! Today's Ugg Boot is a combination of that same warm feeling boot that warmed people and a flare of style. They are offered in various colors and styles, but Ugg is known for their cute shaped boot with white fluff spilling over the top. In fact, some of those that you may have heard of are the Ugg Fluff Momma Boot which features Ugg fluff on not only the inside of the boot but also the outside and the Pink Uggs which was one of the most popular Ugg boot colors.

But, this is not the only thing that Ugg has to offer! You will find that they offer an assortment of products. Staying in the women's line, we have many choices. For example, the new Ugg Cozy is one of the cutest slip-ons that you can own. Your feet will never want to come out of these. They are clogs that feature that same sheepskin interior that we love so much. For something a little most dressy, consider the Ugg Tiburon which are leather uppers that are simply gorgeous. In boots, you can choose the classic tall or the classic short boot.

Let's move on to the Ugg's men's line. Yes, men can enjoy the luxury of Ugg as well. You will find within this line all sorts of wonderful shoe options. You can start your day with a very nice feeling Ugg Ascot! This slipper is definitely all man but offers the same softness that you'll find in the Ugg Boot. On a cold winter morning, nothing can be better to warm up your feet! Or, you may be interested in the Ugg Harbor. This is a more classic looking man's shoe that offers distinction and class. Of course, men can purchase the classic short and classic tall boots as well. In the men's line they are more masculine yet still offer that softness that is hard to find elsewhere.

Another very popular line of Ugg is their children's line! Yes, boy's and girl's Uggs are some of the fastest growing in popularity. Start your child out right with an infant Ugg that is too cute! These are designed to keep even the smallest baby's feet nice and toasty! For older children, you can purchase all sorts of outstanding footwear options. Choose from boots of course, for even the coldest temperatures, slippers, classy looking shoes, as well as leathers as well. Boy's and girl's will love slipping these on!

No matter what type of Ugg you are looking for, there is no doubt one available for you. They have come a long way from their days of being in World War I aircrafts. And, thanks to their manufacturer, Ugg Australia, you can feel good while wearing these shoes while still being in style! You will simply love the options in color, styles, and designs that you have. The whole family will be wearing Uggs because they just are so darn cute and comfortable!

Kim Neal
Slip into the comfort, warmth and style of a beautiful Ugg Boot today!
http://www.my-sheepskin-boot.com

The Advantages of Credit Cards

There are many evils associated with credit cards, but there are benefits that are hard to ignore. One benefit is having the credit card company act in your behalf to recover funds from a disputed transaction. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act the credit card company has to investigate the dispute and either take the charge off your bill or explain why it is correct. Even better, you don't have to pay the portion of the credit-card bill or related interest charges while the dispute is being investigated.

The types of blling disputes/errors covered by the Fair Credit Billing Act are:

• Charges that list the wrong date or amount.

• Charges for goods and services you didn't accept or weren't delivered as agreed.

• Math errors.

• Failure to post payments and other credits, such as returns.

• Unauthorized charges.

Before you dispute any of issues you must first contact the retailer and try to settle the dispute. If they ignore you, or the dispute is not settled then contact the credit card company. Usually you need to have your dispute in writing to the credit card company. The address for billing disputes is different then the address to send payments. The billing dispute address can be found on the back of your monthly statement. If it cannot be found, call the credit card company's customer service for the billing dispute address. You usually only have a certain number of days to dispute the billing error so make sure you mail in your dispute before the deadline.

If contacting the credit card company doesn't resolve the dispute, you may contact the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's Customer Assistance Group. Their website is http://www.occ.treas.gov/customer.htm and phone number is 800-613-6743.

About The Author

Christine Breen is the owner of 1stop-creditcards.com a site helping consumers find a better credit card.

kokopoko2000@yahoo.com