Sunday 28 February 2010

Buying a Puppy - Should I Get A Dog Or A Puppy

Many people only think of getting a puppy, but that may not be the best choice for their circumstances or lifestyle; the character of an older dog is easier to see and any difficult or undesirable traits will already be apparent. When it comes to training a puppy, it will generally require more patience than training a dog, as an older dog should already be housetrained, and will usually be more settled than a young pup.

Puppy or Adult Dog - At-A-Glance Guide

A Puppy


Pros
  • Puppies and young adults tend to be more adaptable than their mature counterparts, but it really does depend on many circumstances and characters.
  • You can enjoy seeing a puppy grow and develop.
  • You will, hopefully, have many years to enjoy together.
  • To a great extent, it will be easier to train him to behave in the way you require.
Cons
  • A young puppy needs small feeds at regular intervals during the day at first, opportunities to go outside to relieve himself after meals and plenty of attention in order to shape desirable behavior and properly socialize him, all of which are time-consuming.
  • A puppy may find it frightening to be introduced into a busy family unless he has been brought up in such an environment and been well socialized with humans (and possibly other pets) since birth.
  • If there are young children in the house, they will need a good deal of supervision while around and handling the puppy to ensure he is not inadvertently hurt or tormented.
  • He will not have been neutered.
An Adult Dog

Pros

  • Not as time-consuming as a puppy.
  • He is likely to have been house-trained.
  • Character established.
  • Potentially socialized with people and other animals.
  • He may have been obedience-trained.
  • Potentially neutered.
Cons
  • Limited lifespan depending on age.
  • He may take longer to bond with you and other pets.
  • An adult may be more difficult to integrate into your family.
  • He may have some illness or some established condition.
  • He may have undesirable behaviour traits that only become apparent when he has settled into your home.
Dogs and children

Young children cannot be expected to know how to approach and handle a dog correctly, so it is imperative that they are supervised at all times when together to prevent accidents. Naturally, children want to explore their new pet and play with him, but poking him in the ear or disturbing him when he is eating or sleeping are certainly not the best way to do this.

If your children are taught how to handle dogs with gentleness and respect, then most children and dogs become the best of friends.

Which sex?

If your dog or puppy is to be neutered, then the question of its sex becomes less important as there will be little difference between males and females. How loving and obedient the dog will be depends on how he is brought up and treated by his owner.

One dog or two?

Is it a good idea to get another dog as a companion for your existing one? Having two dogs can usually work very well for all concerned once they have accepted each other. It can also have drawbacks if you do not take care to make sure that they do not bond closer to each other than to you. You may end up with problems in training them, and in their learning undesirable traits from each other.

Dog Breeds - Should You Get A Cross-Breed Or Pedigree

Before getting a dog, you will need to make a number of decisions, including selecting the breed and type of dog you would like. You may have in mind the ideal appearance, color, type and temperament, but would the type of dog you have in mind fit without any problems into your family's lifestyle and fulfill your expectations?

What's the difference?

Picking a pedigree or non-pedigree dog is your decision. However, armed with a fair amount of knowledge you are in the best position to make an informed choice and, therefore, end up with a pet that fulfils all your basic requirements.

Some pedigree dogs are known for certain character traits, such as a laid-back attitude, tolerance and a strong affection for humans, and this can make the job of choosing a dog easier if you do your homework well.

The options

Dogs are available in three varieties:
  • pure-bred (pedigree).
  • cross-bred (pedigree parents of different breeds).
  • mongrel (a dog with one or both parents cross-breds or mongrels).
Cost may influence your choice, but bear in mind that pure-breds are not necessarily superior to cross-breds or mongrels - indeed in terms of health the reverse is generally true, as many pure-bred dogs are prone to physical and psychological problems caused by inbreeding.

What's in a name?

Pedigree dog breeds are categorized into named groups to differentiate their particular uses, that is, what they were originally bred to do.

Longhaired breeds need correct grooming on a daily basis to remain matt-free, healthy and looking good.

Your lifestyle

This determines, to a great extent, what sort of pet you should be looking for/In the dog's lifetime, you are responsible for his health and well-being.

Some breeds, compared with others, are high-maintenance, so only consider these types of dogs if you are able to provide daily care and attention for them for the next 15 years or so. If you get a dog with a coat that needs a lot of grooming, or requires clipping on a regular basis, you must be prepared to learn how to care for his coat properly

If you choose an extrovert, energetic type with high exercise needs, then you must have the time to cater for him. Such considerations may seem obvious, but animal welfare organizations still have to cope with thousands of unwanted animals that their owners felt unable to care for.

The right dog for you

Pedigree dogs are not necessarily more loving, clever or naughty than other dogs, and each breed's appearance is a matter of taste. Working dogs tend to be more demanding of their owners, companion dogs tend to be more laid-back and cross-breeds tend to be generally thought of as being 'hardy'.

Whatever the type or breeding, an animal's character is also determined by the way it is reared and its handling by humans. Whether you get a pedigree or non-pedigree dog, the costs of neutering, vaccinating, feeding and caring for him will be just the same. The only difference will be in the initial cost of acquiring him.

Whatever type of dog you get, you will need to learn how to train a puppy to make sure you build a strong and loving relationship between the two of you. One of the first things you will need to learn is how to house train a puppy

Friday 26 February 2010

Understanding The Differences Between OCD and Phobias

Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between OCD and a phobia. There is a sense in which most Anxiety sufferers have an obsession - if you spend all your time worrying about having a panic attack, or finding a spider, or meeting someone in the street, then you are obsessed to a certain extent. And you could say that behaviors such as constantly checking a room for spiders, or crossing the road to avoid a meeting, have an element of compulsion to them.

But there is an extra dimension to OCD, which is the link between the obsessions and the compulsions. A person with OCD usually has a strong feeling that they need to carry out their compulsions or else some dreadful consequence will ensue, and almost always they also feel that they must do their compulsions in a certain way, like a ritual.

So, if you are afraid of spiders and you need to check each room for them, then you have a phobia. If you feel that letting a spider be in the room is likely to bring bad luck, or harm to yourself or your family, and if you also check the room in the same way each time, then you have OCD. Similarly, someone who is anxious about the security of their home might double check that they have locked the door, whereas someone with OCD might check repeatedly, locking and unlocking.

OCD can exist alongside other Anxiety disorders, for example social and health phobias, and also depression.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This is caused by exposure to danger or abuse. It is classified as an Anxiety disorder although it relates to events that have happened in the past rather than fears about what may happen in the future. Most people who experience traumatic events such as road/rail/air accidents or incidents involving violence can expect to have at least some disturbing physical and emotional reactions associated with shock and horror.

Usually these are short-lived. Support from family and friends, with possible short-term professional help is usually enough to help them through it. A very few people go on to develop PTSD, where they continue to have strong reactions over a long period, usually feeling that they are re-living the trauma and unable to resume their normal lives.

PTSD needs professional treatment so we don't recommend attempting self-help.

Children and young people

This site is intended for use by adults dealing with their own Anxiety. Where children are concerned, although they may be having problems which show many of the same features as adult Anxiety disorders, we do not recommend trying to adapt a self-help approach without getting advice.

Most children go through phases when they are frightened of particular things - these are part of their normal development and are usually outgrown. If problems do persist way beyond the expected age or cause severe disruption to the child's everyday life and forming of relationships, some professional help and guidance may be needed.

It is advisable to get a proper assessment which takes into account the child's general health, overall development and any factors within the family or environment which might be contributing.

Keeping an anxiety diary

It's time to get out your notebook and start keeping a diary. An Anxiety diary is a simple record of your anxious feelings day by day. It's important that you write down your Anxiety scores at least twice a day, but there is no need for you to try to account for every minute of the day. But don't leave it till the end of the week and then try to remember everything, because you won't remember accurately enough.

Even doing it every day you will find that you tend to record the bad times, and ignore the comparatively good times. The important thing is to learn to assess your Anxiety by scoring it. Be honest, only you will ever see the diary.

Get these free tips for overcoming anxiety attacks and finally learn how to conquer your anxiety symptoms once and for all.

Thursday 25 February 2010

How The Laser Works In Laser Eye Surgery

What is a Laser?

LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The first word is a good place to begin. A laser is a light. Not a light like the one in your living room, but a special kind of light. It has unique qualities.

Monochromaticity - A laser has only one wavelength or color. A regular light bulb has a range of wavelengths.

Directionality - A laser has a narrow beam which does not diverge. Compare a laser pointer with a regular flashlight.

Intensity - A laser is an extremely powerful light. A simple laser can produce light which is a hundred times more intense than sunlight.

These properties make the laser useful in light shows, war games, and incidentally, health care. Within medicine, lasers were first adapted for eye surgery.

The Excimer Laser

Lasers are differentiated from each other by the wavelength of their light beam. A laser generated from krypton gas produces light with a wavelength of 647 nanometers (nm). This wavelength falls within the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation and is seen as red. An argon laser which is used in retinal surgery has a wavelength of 514 nm and is green. A holmium:YAG laser with a wavelength of 2.13 micrometers is useful in the treatment of hyperopia.

The excimer laser uses a combination of argon and fluoride gases to produce radiation in the ultraviolet range (193nm) which is invisible to the naked eye. This laser light has the ability to break molecular bonds in a process called photoablation.

In 1983, it was first realized that this laser could be useful for corneal surgery. Why? Because this laser was different. Unlike other lasers, the excimer had the ability to remove corneal tissue with a high degree of precision, and equally important, without causing thermal damage to the remaining tissue. Sculpting of the cornea entered into the realm of possibility.

It is difficult, yet desirable, to comprehend the degree of precision exhibited by the excimer laser. A millimeter is one thousandth of a meter or four hundredths of an inch. A micron, or micrometer, is one thousandth of a millimeter. That is, one millionth of a meter. For the sake of comparison, a potato chip is about 500 microns thick, a human hair is about 50 microns thick and a single red blood cell is seven microns in diameter. The excimer laser has the ability to sculpt the cornea within a fraction of a micron.

Advocates of laser eye surgery point out that the steadiest hands in the world cannot even approach that level of surgical precision.

There are other kinds of lasers on the horizon which act in a similar fashion to the excimer. The light from these solid state lasers is produced from a crystal, whereas the excimer beam is created from a gas. Technically, solid state lasers are not excimer lasers, but that's a whole new area to explore.

Before you have laser eye treatment, are you certain you fully understand the risks and implications of the procedures, and have you selected the right type of corrective eye surgery for your specific condition? Get all the facts that the ads don't tell you here.

Laser Eye Treatment - What You Need To Know

It will take a very comprehensive article begin to show realistically the promise of laser eye surgery and other refractive surgery treatments - the power of these highly-technical, life-changing procedures to correct focusing errors such as common nearsightedness. Unfortunately, many people are learning about the popular state-of-the-art LASIK operation through mass advertising campaigns. Some marketing methods can be misleading. Although "sound-bite" commercials help make people aware of this innovative technology, they are unable to tell the whole story.

For example, TV and radio advertisements seldom explain refractive surgery's effect on age-related presbyopia (a condition causing blurry near vision that affects middle-aged and older people). Nor can short commercials present details about potential complications.

Many LASIK eye surgery newspaper articles begin with a happy story about a thrilled patient praising their new miracle vision and end with a sad case about a different person with a poor result. While most people get excellent results, problems absolutely do occur.

Complication rates can vary considerably among doctors, depending upon their surgical skill, their training, and their understanding of their laser. A corneal surgeon - an ophthalmologist specially trained to operate within the cornea's multiple layers - may have an advantage performing LASIK. The newer flying-spot lasers may decrease the chance of problems.

Statistics can be confusing. You may wonder what is covered in the "complication rate."

Does it include "undercorrections" where the patient's eyesight after surgery remains a little near- or far- sighted?

What is the rate of rare serious infections that must be treated immediately with antibiotics?

Are the complications temporary or permanent?

Can they be surgically corrected?

Some complications can be managed immediately during the surgery, some are temporary, and some can be permanent.

You need to be able to select a doctor with the lowest possible complication rates for the procedure that you are considering.

Keep in mind that a physician may have a distinguished career in general ophthalmology, yet still be inexperienced at performing LASIK. LASIK eye surgery looks deceptively easy to perform, but it requires great technical finesse. The surgeon's learning-curve is steep and endless. LASIK has the potential to help millions of people, but the reputation of a procedure is only as good as its worst results. As much as humanly possible, doctors and their informed patients must reduce surgical risks to a minimum.

You may be fascinated with the idea of improving your vision, but you probably fear an operation on your eyes - especially after reading about a poor outcome in the popular press. Knowing the right questions to ask can help you achieve your goals and reduce your anxiety. Of course, caution is always prudent. But I believe that patient education is the key to managing the fear of refractive laser eye surgery.

Such knowledge should enable you to use this sophisticated medical technology to your benefit.

After researching your options you should begin to think more as an expert does. You will gain a better understanding of how your remarkable eyes work. You will have more insight into the benefits and risks of the operations mentioned above. You will know key questions to ask your doctor to see if you are a good candidate for refractive laser eye surgery. My goal is to help you make an informed decision about your eyes. Only then can you decide if the benefits are worth the risks, considering your lifestyle.

Do you want to have refractive surgery? Which kind? Are you a good candidate? If so, which procedure is right for you? And of paramount importance to your future vision, who should be your doctor?

Laser eye surgery is becoming an extremely popular method of correcting vision problems, but do you fully understand the implications and risks of opting for laser eye correction? Arms yourself with the facts about corrective eye surgery to help you make an informed decision before you risk the health of your eyes.

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Body Detox Tips - Inject Some Creativity Into Your Life

Do something different, swap things around and see how it feels. Get a new perspective.

I get up at the same time
I have the same thing for breakfast
I go into my office
I have lunch
I finish at the same time every day
I go home
I watch TV
I make supper
I go to bed
I get up at the same time . . .

Sounds familiar?

There is no room in there for any creativity. I know what happens and when it happens during my day, so I have no need to think about anything because it just happens that way!

Now, if I was to change everything around - I would need to keep my wits about me in order to get everything done in the same length of time.

Your day of change should be total. Everything you do should be done differently. Choose a day that would have been completely routine and turn it topsy turvy:

Set the alarm earlier or later

Get out of the other side of the bed

Have your shower/bath before breakfast or after breakfast, whichever is not the norm

Wear a completely different outfit. If you normally wear dark colors then choose anything you have that is bright and vice versa. Wear trousers not skirts. Wear ties not bowties. Wear cufflinks. Carry a handbag not a carry-all

If you normally wear make-up then go fresh-faced

If you don't wear aftershave then put some on

Get the bus instead of taking the car, or take the car instead of the train

Buy tea on the way into work rather than coffee

Take the stairs, not the lifts

If you normally have tea then use herbal or make coffee instead

If you normally go to lunch then buy a sandwich to eat at your desk or bring in a packed lunch

If you call your friends in the afternoon then call them in the morning

Leave work later than normal or go earlier

Go a different route home

Eat out if you normally eat in, or cook something that you have never had before or get a friend to cook

Watch TV if you normally read, or read if you usually watch TV

Call your parents today instead of Friday

Do the weekly shop late evening instead of Saturday morning

Have a bath before you go to bed or take a shower

Read a book or talk about the day instead of going straight to sleep

Apply moisturizer if you don't normally, then turn off the light.

Any of the above activities could make you look at your day completely differently. You may want to change things permanently, or you may decide to go back to normal. It's up to you. But, for today, be different, be refreshing and inspiring.

There can a lot more to detoxing your body that simply following the latest detox program. Whether it's a more serious drug detox you're starting or are looking for healthy detox tips, check out HealthyDetoxTips.com to get started the right way.

Body Detox Tips - Create Some Space In Your Head

Starting a detox diet is in ideal time to get other areas of your life in order and under control again. A total body detox need not just be about changing the foods you eat - clearing your head and your life is a very cleansing experience in it's own right.

We all have ghosts or skeletons in our minds. We are full of 'what if, 'I wonder', 'should have' and 'if only.  If we used this time more effectively, doing something about our worries instead of just worrying, then we would clear a lot more space and create a lot more peace in our minds.

Because we believe there is nothing we can do to sort out the situation, we keep going over and over it in our minds and using valuable space that would be better used for something positive and constructive.

When we start a body detox program we can take this opportunity to clean the thoughts away or file them so that they can be used when we choose to use them, rather than springing to mind when we least need them to.

The first step is to note down all the things that:

You truly believe you cannot do anything about but want to, in order to clear them out of your thoughts.

You constantly think about and want to do something about.

Now you can start to make amends and clear your mind. Taking the situations and individuals one at a time, write them a letter. Make sure that you cover every issue that concerns you and make sure that you put in the letter exactly how you feel about the situation. Include anything that has resulted from this situation or incident and any repercussions that have occurred since then. Take every thought that creeps into your mind and put it down on paper.

Whatever you decide to do with these letters (store them, burn them, read them or even send them), you can rest assured that all your unsettled business is now settled. All your thoughts have been faced - they won't have gone away but they have now been managed and you should feel really positive that you have taken some action.

In future make sure you 'sort' your thoughts before they get too disruptive. If you can say what you feel, say it right on the spot so that it doesn't fester. If you don't want to say it then write a letter immediately and send it. The sooner you write, the less you will have to say because you haven't had time to dwell on it and make a mountain out of a molehill. But do think before you write as, once it has been sent, it has been said!

Monday 22 February 2010

Why You Need To Detox Your Body Regularly

Every day we hear about new man made chemicals, toxins and pollutants being released into the environment that are polluting the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. Although the toxicity of our environment sounds terribly alarming, the good news is that the human immune system (our main method of fighting off threats to the body) is incredibly robust and very good at dealing with many of these poisons. The body also has its complex excretory system whereby it can eliminate toxins - through breathing, sweating, urinating and defecating. It is only when these elimination processes are impaired or compromised that we accumulate toxins in the body and have to endure the resultant debilitating symptoms.

Problems arise when you are in contact with toxins all the time, ingesting them bit-by-bit, often in minute amounts. It is their cumulative effect over a long period of time that is dangerous and can eat away at the body's strength and core stability. If combined with stress, irregular sleeping patterns and eating hollow foods, the toxin will start to weaken your body, thus making it more prone to disease.

Strong and efficient though your immune and excretory systems are, you probably have (most of us do) a body that is suffering from toxic overload and are desperately in need of a detox.

How often, then, should you detox? If you are constantly absorbing these toxins, you need to be getting rid of them just as frequently. Should detox be a way of life? Yes, it should. If you have thoroughly cleansed your body but you are still exposing it to the same pollutants as before then, every so often, you need to embark on an internal spring-clean to remove all the particularly stubborn toxins.

A concentrated, deep-cleansing detox once or twice a year will keep your body's level of toxicity under control and ensure that the more intransigent toxins are eliminated. You'll notice the difference: as your bodily functions improve, you will, for instance, suffer far less feeling bloated or tired and those headaches will most probably vanish. Your digestive process will improve, your liver and kidneys will function more effectively, your blood will purify itself more easily and your hormone levels will find their perfect balance.

The effect of a full body detox diet is to allow your body to cope with external evils more easily; but, to achieve that, you have to stop putting them into your body in the first place. Because you can do nothing about toxins such as traffic fumes, over which you have no control, the basis of a healthy detox is to eliminate most of the toxins you ingest for a minimum period of three weeks. This has the effect of giving your body a rest from struggling to digest and eliminate poisons and also helping it to remove those already stored.

A healthy detox diet is a twofold process. First: you are going to alter the habits (eating, drinking and smoking) through which we all abuse our bodies and thereby create those symptoms of sluggishness, tiredness, hormonal imbalances, aching joints, headaches etc. This means eliminating potentially harmful toxins from your diet.

Second: you are also going to ensure that you use fewer chemicals in your make-up, homes, workplace, car, etc. You know that CFCs (those chemicals containing atoms of carbon, fluoride and chlorine which are daily released by such objects as hairsprays) are doing untold damage to the ozone layer, so imagine what they must be doing to your liver!

There are plenty of simple steps to take to minimize the damage. One of the easiest ways of reducing toxins coming into the house is by taking your shoes off and leaving them at the door. Studies have shown that one of the main transporters of lead into the home is the shoe. It is extraordinary how seldom we think about the toxic-laden tarmac, dirt and other unknown substances found in the street that we pick up on the soles of our shoes and then cheerfully distribute through the home.

Discover the secrets the celebs use when it comes to healthy body detox diet programs that cleanse and detox your body and help burn fat at the same time. Learn how a simple milk thistle liver detox drink can rejuvenate your health and improve your complexion.

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Surviving A Break Up Is Not Easy But You Can Do It

By Kim Sanchez

Breaking up is hard to do as the song goes. And it is true. Often times, when we break up with someone, we feel that it is already the end of the world. We feel that our life has ended when the relationship ended. But of course, that is not true. We still breathe the same air that we breathe every time we wake up. We walk the same streets and we do the same things. But the color and the life goes out because we are not doing the things we usually do with someone we love.

You have to realize that time heals all wounds. I know that's a cliche, but it is so true. There are many ways that you can do to cope with break up pain. If you are asking, "How do I cope?" Read on and learn the basics.

As I said before, there are a lot of things that you can do to take your mind off of the break up. There are a lot of things you can do to ease the pain. One sure way you can get help is to create your own support network. The best support network for you are your friends and family. Your friends and family will help you get busy to get your mind off the break up. You can share painful experiences with each other. Talking will really ease the burden and pain. Going out with your friends and family is better than wallowing in self-pity and depression. Let your emotions out rather than keep it inside. Keeping it inside will only hurt you in the long run when you blow up.

Reconnecting with people is a great way to cope with break up pain. People who are close to you will do everything they can to ease your pain.

Letting go and moving on with your life is a sure guarantee that you will survive the break up. Opening yourself up to other people is a good start to get you back on the right track.

About the Author:

Safe Showers - Walk In Tubs Make Your Life Easy

By Stephen Daniels

Traditional shower design often fails to take into account the limited mobility factor that accessible walk in bathtubs address. This creates challenges for the user who experiences physical impediments that make bathing a frustrating and complicated process. Showers often lack grab bars, anti-slip protection and a proper seating area common to walk in tubs for a safe and relaxing bathing experience.

An easy to install and comfortable alternative to traditional showers, walk in tubs have many features and amenities designed to make life easier. More and more handicap accessible units are being manufactured that include handy grab bars, height-adjustable shower heads and easy to use faucets. These tubs can contribute greatly to your comfort and safety.

For the ultimate accessibility, handicap showers usually feature a very low threshold or are even level with the floor. However, walk in tubs provide the option of either taking a shower or enjoying a nice soak in warm water without worrying about how you will get in and out of a traditional bath. Being able to take a bath is not merely a luxury - soaking is well known to be therapeutic and aids in easing bodily aches and pains. Walk-in models usually come with a shower head that can be either hand-held or wall mounted and can be adjusted to the perfect height for you.

A surprising number of different walk in bathtub models and styles are manufactured today. An inward or outward opening door set in the side of the tub is the primary feature that sets them apart from other tub types. This door allows for a much safer and easier entry and exit into the tub than traditional baths. Outward opening doors may be safer in some cases, as the door can be opened even when the tub is full if there is an emergency. However, inward-opening doors are usually preferable in that they require less room, and they are also self-sealing due to the water pressure when the bath is full.

Excellent for either showering or bathing, "sit-in" tubs are generally the most popular models. They feature a chair-height seat that is easy to get in and out of. Other units feature powered seats that can lower and lift you safely and easily in and out of a traditional height bath. This allows you to enjoy full-length bathing without the worry of slipping and falling. While practically every model boasts anti-slip surfaces and convenient grab bars for added safety, many newer tubs also have hydrotherapy jet options. These jetted tubs have added therapeutic properties that can aid further in soothing aching joints and sore muscles.

Many different sizes and types of handicap accessible tubs are available to accommodate your needs and lifestyle. Short models are designed for various hard to fit places, including many that are specifically made to fit into the same space as a traditional shower stall. Long tubs are similar in size to traditional baths, allowing for more room to relax and enjoy a soak.

Unlike traditional tubs, walk-in models require you to be inside the tub both as it fills and as it drains. This necessitates several special features, the most important of which is a thermostatic mixer. This regulator ensures that all water comes out of the faucet at just the right temperature for your comfort and your safety. Some models have quick filling features as well. Another major issue is how quickly the tub empties. Seniors could catch a chill from sitting for several minutes in cool water as they wait for the tub to drain. Dual drain systems, or even a pump that can drain the tub in less than a minute, are options that some models offer to solve this problem.

Whether you'd like to soak in the tub daily, or you plan to mostly take showers but like the option for an occasional bath, walk in tubs simplify your life by offering the ultimate in comfort and safety.

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Monday 1 February 2010

Subconscious Mind Power - A Means To An End

By Graham J Milne

Do you remember the movie, "Field of Dreams, with Kevin Costner? In the movie, he hears the mantra, "If you build it, they will come." You may not know it, but you have your own "field of dreams." It's your subconscious mind. With your subconscious mind, if you "think" it, it will come. What will come? Whatever you want, truly.

You have the power to create the life you want, to change who you are, to change whatever you think is missing or inadequate into something perfect, all through the use of your subconscious mind. It's truly a powerful and beautiful thing, and can heal, transcend current circumstances, make you feel good; or make you feel bad. The subconscious mind, truly, has the power to completely change our world if we take control of it.

If you're skeptical, you're not alone. However, give me a chance to show you with a few examples just how powerful your mind is. One of my favorite examples is actually from the medical field, and works on a scientific basis. It's been documented time and time again, actually, and it's called the "placebo effect." The medical field has coined the term "placebo effect" to denote a specific type of effect. Oftentimes, for example, this term is used during medical trials. The control group is given a "placebo," which is an inert substance that has no medical benefit whatsoever as a drug might give. It's used as a counterpoint to the other group, which gets the actual medication. This is to clearly prove any benefit (or detriment) the drug itself might give. However, both groups are told what the medication is for and what it should do for them, and neither group knows which pill they've gotten; placebo or actual medication.

Most studies have shown at least some of what is called the "placebo effect." That is, at least some of the people in the placebo group have shown "effects" from the "drug," even though they've actually gotten a placebo. That is, their subconscious minds decided that they had gotten the drug and produced some of the same benefits and side effects as they were told the actual medication would give them. Simply, these patients believed they had gotten the medication, so their subconscious minds produced the medication's effects to at least some degree.

Think about this in your own situation. Perhaps you haven't been involved in any medical trials, but when you go to the doctor, are you told a specific medication is going to give you side effects? If the doctor minimizes side effects to you, don't be surprised. A doctor knows how powerful one's mind is, and may actually think telling you will cause side effects; through the power of your subconscious mind. Therefore, a doctor may minimize these negative things, in the hopes that you won't experience them. Suggesting them, in other words, may increase your chances of having side effects. And of course, they also want you to be compliant with taking the medication, so that's another reason to minimize the negative effects of the drug.

What do these two examples above prove? That the power of suggestion AND the power of the subconscious mind will give you a very powerful results. It works in the medical field, and it can work in your everyday life, too. Why can't you tap into this power and positively change your life? You can, with the power of suggestion; change the way your subconscious mind works by using it to your advantage.

You can use visualization to change the way you see things, too. Visualization is a very simple technique that really, really works. You can do this in a couple of different ways. Number one, close your eyes and visualize in your mind's eye what you want, seeing it as though it were right there in front of you.

Another way, and this is often used in conjunction with the first technique, is to create a physical picture. Let's say that what you want is a new car, find a picture of the car you want better yet, go get a picture taken of you with the car. Hang that picture up where you can see it every day; the more you see it, the more the vision is imprinted in your mind your subconscious mind the more power it has. The subconscious mind power that you have will make that vision a reality.

People have known about the power of the subconscious mind for many years, and many have used it to their benefit. Only recently, though, has science begun to understand how very real this process is.

A scientific field called quantum physics has shown that matter is no longer solid at the subatomic level and simply becomes pure energy. And, quantum physics has shown that the mind can actually manipulate this energy. In fact, quantum physics has actually proven that the energy itself does not exist UNLESS it is observed.

What does that mean? Matter or energy exists because it is observed, and for no other reason. It is the mind of the observer that makes the matter exist, and not the other way around. In short, matter; and reality itself; is actually a creation of the mind. This is truly "subconscious mind power" at its essence.

In fact this is what the ancient religions have been saying for many thousands of years and with new understandings in quantum physics, modern science is at last beginning to catch up. Whatever your spiritual belief may be, there is no denying that the science of quantum physics works.

Wouldn't you like to give this a try? Change your life just by thinking about it. Harness the power of your subconscious mind and use it to your advantage instead of simply being at its whim. For the next week, visualize or use affirmations to positively change your life and see what happens. Start small at first so that you can prove to yourself that it works, and then ultimately go on to create the life you want; all with the power of your subconscious mind.

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How To Find Awesome Acoustic Songs

By Aaron Wilding

There is no doubt that acoustic music has came onto the scene and made an impact on the music world, radio, internet, and pop culture. Acoustic songs are different than other types of music in many ways. Although the genre is fairly new compared to other types of music, listeners have responded, and it is clear that acoustic songs can survive up against fierce competitors.

Today, acoustic music has developed into a genre of its own. Its sometimes hard to even categorize where it fits in the scheme of mellow, indie, alternative, lounge, folk or many other favorite genres. Although they may be viewed as related, there are some significant differences in respective genres.

One of the first things you should think about when writing an acoustic song is what you are trying to get across. What do you want you audience to relate to? One of the highlights of the best acoustic songs are that they convey an emotion through the lyrics more than the other aspects of the song. Knowing what you want to write about is a great starting point for a song.

From there, you can go in a few different directions. Since acoustic music is so simple, you might want to think about coming up with the music first. Some acoustic artists come up with the lyrics first, then set them to music. Coming up with the music first can kill two birds with one stone - even if you don't have the lyrics, you know how they need to match the music.

Bars and coffee shops are famous for great acoustic music. Acoustic artists are looked for to provide a relaxing, yet stimulating atmosphere. This could be accomplished through a up close and personal performance, or through slight magnification of the sound through speakers and amplifiers.

Radio stations are also coming to catch the wave of acoustic songs. Many radio stations in large cities pride themselves on playing the best acoustic songs in the area. Listeners have begun to develop a serious passion for the genre. One of the best things about having acoustic artists at bay for a radio station is they can easily come in and play a life show for listeners.

Combining the two can also be a challenge. When you have lyrics you feel comfortable with, and a riff or two you really like, you are well on your way to coming up with a great acoustic song. Don't give up. Slight adjustments may be needed, and even some more major changes might take place. Be flexible.

It is true that acoustic songs have taken a special slice of the music genre pie. The great thing about music is that all different people relate to all different types of music. Acoustic music is no different. The fans are loyal. The artists are passionate. Acoustic music is here to stay.

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What Makes A Good Golf Training Aid?

By Joe M. Randolph

Being a professional golfer is always a dream of many amateur golfers. Everyday they try to improve their skills and they constantly look for help to improve their scores. Golf training aid comes very handy at these times. These are becoming very popular by days, especially when more and more people are trying to improve their skills and mend their handicaps at this game.

There are largely many varieties of golfing coaching aids . Some famous and known ones are Medicus Twin Hinge driver, Chip Pal Net, Speed Stick and the Footjoy socks. Each of these has its own functions and applies to specific portions of the body to improvise the output of the player.

The Web is the number one place to discover a golfing coaching help today, for there are thousands of different adverts, from numerous makers flocking the web ; to be brought to the eye of the public, especially those golfers hunting for them.

But what makes a good set of golf training aid? Is it the price, or is it the output level? There are just too many training aids to name nowadays, every one having to mend one specific problem of a particular player.

Performance and Quality

The best golfing coaching help should have the most important effect on your golfing game abilities. There are 2 things that come into account when we chat about this. A good golfing coaching help set does 2 things. One, it should produce the best result re improvement in the particular talent you were lacking or not so good at, and 2 ; it should result in a significant enhancement over the shortest period.

For example, we have a look at 2 golfing coaching helps to see this idea more clear. A weighted club is a variety of golfing coaching help that some people use to enhance their abilities on swinging. The best weighted club set is the one which will enable a golfer to do or practice 2 different sides of the wing at the same time. And at the same time, this must be done in the shortest time period, having the ability to help the golfers achieve their goal in a fair period of time.

Another famous golfing coaching help that we're going to see, and you can simply find online is the Chip Chum Net, or or the Chip-N-Chip, which does the same function. This coaching help is utilized by golfers who have issues with their chipping. And the most efficient set of chipping coaching help has to do 2 things. First ; it has got to help the player achieve better accuracy in chipping, and second, this must be done in the shortest period compared to any other sort of improvement help.


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Happier After A Smoking Cessation

By Ingolf Ymer

Smokers have more fun. This is a common accepted fact, which recently have been busted as a myth by British scientists. More than 70% of the 879 ex-smokers who were interviewed in the survey, answered that they were happier as ex-smokers.

Out of the 879 ex-smokers, who took part in the survey, almost 70% felt that they were happier after they had quit smoking. Less than 4% were less happy and about 26% felt no change in their mood.

The result is obvious: it is difficult to find ex-smokers who are sorry they quit smoking, while it is pretty easy to find the opposite: many smokers regret that they started to begin with.

Quitting smoking might prolong your life, but loss of life quality is inevitable - at least this is a common myth. Rather, ex-smokers actually can have the cake AND eat it too: quitting smoking boosts self confidence and mental energy, and the ex-smokers receives widespread recognition for their achievement. Ex-smokers are on the winning team.

Focus on life quality rather than health

When trying to motivate people to quit smoking, focusing on the health benefits is far more efficient that pointing fingers and trying to scare people to quit.

Instead, we are developing new methods in which we dont to focus on diseases and health, but rather on the improved life quality, which freedom from smoke brings. The methods were developed from experiments with advice on smoking cessation for cancer patients. They were excited, partly because they felt that with a smoking cessation they themselves made a difference. Rather than being part of the problem, they were now part of the solution instead.

Better in time

The increased satisfaction is more pronounced, the longer the time that has passed since they quit smoking. But even with ex-smokers, where the smoking stop was stope new, it was still the majority who feel happier now. Younger ex-smokers was more excited after their cessation than older people. However it did not matter whether they were heavy smokers or only smoked a few cigarettes a day.

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Believing in Mind Power - Surpassing Intelligence

By Alexander George

Do you believe in mind power like I do? If yes then you should agree with me that with the help of mind power we can achieve our goals and dreams in life, right? Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who never fully trust themselves and they set aside their power of mind.

However there are still many people that disagree to this belief and never realized how important mind power is. They don't understand how the power of mind works and just stay where they are, unsatisfied, unhappy and been facing many misfortunes. They don't trust mind power and they don't use this to fulfill their dreams and desires in life.

It would be useless if you argue with this people who complain about many things in their life, talking with their consecutive failures and so many misfortunes. It seems that it is the end of the world for them and they will never be successful like other entrepreneurs or business men/women.

The main factor that affects all this failures can be the reason of taking for granted the mind power. They don't let their mind work properly to help them. They lack trust with their capabilities and stay contented of the least things they could have. It is okay though to be contented of simple things that you can gain and earn but it would not be wrong too if you have dreams for your loved ones. If you can do something then why not go ahead and try it, who know you will become one many successful business men or women.

Well, mind power is not difficult to understand. Let us start from the basics. Our minds are capable of doing great things. They have to power to help us achieve our goals in life. They are hidden and just need to be awakened and be useful to humans.

After knowing what you want, focus on that dream and concentrate. Know the needs of that dream and work on that. Do not give up or lose hope if during your first tries there will be imperfections.

Another thing about mind power, you will not achieve something if you are not serious about your dream and if you do not focus to your goals and desires. Go find a direction and know your priorities. Be responsible enough to work things out with concentration and eagerness to fulfill your task. Life is not about being easy and worthless; you have to exert effort and hard work.

Successful entrepreneurs started from scratch, started from nothing but because they use their mind power, look where they are now. Use them as your inspiration and a guide that will lead you to your dream. Believe in yourself that you will be successful like them and be patient enough to wait for your time. Each of us has mind power and all we need is just to have positive attitude. Attitude is defined as the person's feelings and moods towards things situations and circumstances. If you imply positive attitude, no doubt, you will see yourself shining, happy and contented.

There are many people unfortunately let negative attitudes rule them, this is because they lack concentration and motivation. They also have lots of distractions that become a conflict to their dream. Believe me, if you don't know how to resist temptation and distraction you will never achieve anything.

Finally, keep this in mind. There are no other real meanings behind mind power. Because this is already within use and will just naturally flow if you know how to use and control it. If you know how to get things done, then surely you ill achieve many things.

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