Home Decorating Tips - How to Change a Rooms Dimension Using Wall Pictures

The Basic Role of Pictures

Wall art plays an important role in interior design as it helps create the ambience of a room. By cleverly placing wall pictures in certain ways, you can change and create a new look and feel in a room.

The role wall pictures play in interior design are:-

• pictures, mirrors or other ornamental accessories on walls help make the room look 'lived in' and they also inject your personality into the room;
• color pictures and prints help connect with the rooms accent;
• pictures help absorb noise in a room, otherwise a room with totally bare walls will sound empty and will have an echo;
• pictures and prints can help enhance or change a room's 'look and feel'.

How to Lengthen a Room

If you have a small room in your house, you can easily achieve the illusion of length. This can be done in two ways. If you like bold statements then simply paint a couple of horizontal lines in a bold color across the middle of the wall in which you want to lengthen. These lines then naturally create the illusion of increased length in the room. An alternative way to do this, and a more subtle way, is to use pictures.

By strategically placing art pictures or photographs with any kind of strong horizontal line in the print, can accomplish the illusion of length. For example, if you chose two or three long rectangular pictures with horizontal panoramic prints such as ocean & beach pictures, fields, or scenic mountain pictures, then this will help extend the length of the room naturally.

Two, three or more of these horizontal landscape pictures will give the maximum impact you are looking for to help lengthen a small room. Also bear in mind not to overdo the room with furniture. Too much clutter makes a room appear smaller.

How to Broaden a Narrow Room

If you have a room which is a bit on the narrow side, there is a simple strategy to make the room appear broader. All you need is a tin of paint, a wall mirror and a large colorful wall picture.

Get your tin of paint, which should preferably be a darker contrasting color to your other walls, and paint one of the walls with this darker paint. Find a colorful and lively large painting and hang it on the wall you have just painted - colorful flower pictures are ideal for this.

On the wall adjacent to your picture, hang a decorative large mirror. What has happened here is that the mirror reflects on the large picture, and the additional darker color on the wall has immediately given the room some much-needed depth. This combination will then make the room appear wider.

By adding these simple additions to your narrow room, you have instantly created a balance in the room's dimensions giving the sensation of additional space.

How to Heighten a Low Ceiling

Rooms with low ceilings give an oppressive feeling, whereas rooms with a high ceiling give a light and airy feel with a large amount of space. To overcome the problem of a low ceiling, there are a couple of interior design strategies to use.

First of all put down a darker floor covering, whether it be a wooden floor, carpet or lino. Paint the walls with a lighter color than the floor, or use light colored wallpaper. If you can, use white paint for the ceiling as this always gives the room maximum light and instantly draws the eyes upwards.

Hang up wall pictures with strong vertical lines as this then gives the impression of height. Use portrait prints such as vertical landscapes, i.e. lighthouses, trees, cityscapes, or floral prints such as flowers in a560 vertical vase or tall long stem roses. Therefore, by combining the dark floor, light walls and ceiling and portraits prints, all adds to the sense of height in a room.

Summary

Art pictures and prints play an important role in home decorating for several reasons. They do not only reflect and put your own personality into the room, but they can also help as a solution to change the look and feel of a room by giving the illusion of height, width and length. This can easily be achieved by combining wall pictures, contrasting colors and decorative mirrors.

Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of Online Home Improvement Ideas.

Hydrogen Gas Saver

If you are trying to figure out a way to save money on gas, then you are not alone. Of course, there are many types of routine maintenance things that you can do to your car to help get more gas mileage out of it. These maintenance practices include spark plug maintenance, proper oil grade choices, and being sure to maintain proper air pressure in your tires. And although all of this helps, there are still other solutions, like installing a hydrogen gas saver, that can improve and reduce your gas consumption even further.

A hydrogen gas saver is also known as a hydrogen generator gas saver. It works by making hydrogen and oxygen gas - also known as Brown's Gas, or HHO - by using your car's electrical system, a bit of baking soda and some distilled water. Only one gallon of distilled water is said to produce almost 2,000 gallons of fuel for your car.

These generators are actually able to be installed by you. So, you don' t have to pay costly installation fees. If you purchase a hydrogen gas saver, it should include detailed instructions to help ensure your succes169Cs. Once installed, it is like you have the results of making your car a hybrid, but for far less than the cost of actually purchasing a brand new hybrid car.

Another benefit of the hydrogen gas saver is that it should help limit fuel emissions from your car. Your engine should also be more efficient. So, besides giving anywhere from 20 - 70 percent better fuel economy, you get improved performance out of your car, including taking the compression knock out of your high compression engine.

So, if you really are trying to figure out how to save money on gas, you just may want to consider purchasing a hydrogen gas saver. If you are already taking care of your car so that it can be fuel efficient, but still want to do more,then this might get the job done that you are looking for.

To learn more about the other benefits and a review on a few hydrogen gas saver guides on making one yourself which will cost below $150, come to my website at http://www.usewaterasfuel.info
Build one of this hydrogen gas saver systems now so you can start saving on your refueling cost! Its just a couple of bucks and the items are easily bought! Get one of this guide on how to make one now at http://www.usewaterasfuel.info and make life with your car or truck easier!

Buying Cheap Bathroom Furniture

You can get cheap bathroom furniture from a number of places but before you go for it, you should have a fair idea of your actual budget and the standard of quality. Cheap bathroom furniture does not necessarily mean low quality or below standard furnishings but economic and quality products.

If your budget is limited and you have no other option than to go for cheap bathroom furniture, be ready to devote some time in shopping around for the best product. With this, you will be able to find furniture that is not only cheap but also good quality and long lasting.

Looking for Cheap Bathroom Furniture

Start your search for economical bathroom furniture from the internet. There are plenty of websites that offers more than 30 to 40 per cent discount on purchase. Some people believe that discount is only given when there is some problem with the quality of product. However, this is not true because in some cases, retailers are left with no option than to offer discount because their previous stock still remains and they cannot order new stock. By giving discount, they easily clear their remaining stock. Thus, take advantage of this scheme and get quality furniture at cheap rates.

You can also go to furniture retailers and shops when they are on sale and get standard quality furniture at low price. However, make sure that the shop or online store/website is reputable because there are websites that sell below standard bathroom furniture options at cheap rates. Give preference to those shops and websites from where your family members or close friends have made a purchase in the past.

No Compromise on Quality

Never compromise on the quality of your bathroom furniture because low quality furniture can deteriorate within a short time. Also, it can leave a bad impression on your guests as personality of a homeowner is reflected by the bathroom.

If a bathroom is equipped with quality furniture and everything is in order, this means that homeowner is a clean and tidy person. On the other hand, if the quality is sub-standard and accessories are not properly arranged and lying in a mess, it presents you as a careless and negligent individual.

When you buy below standard bathroom furniture at cheap price, no doubt you save money initially but in the long run you spend more. With time your sub standard furniture starts deteriorating and you are left with no choice then to repair it or buy new. Usually, this kind of situation arises after a few years time, but with cheap furniture it can come early depending on the quality of furniture you have purchased.

4BathroomFurniture is a complete guide to buying bathroom furniture and decorating it. The site provides reliable information on Contemporary Bathroom Storage Furniture, Bathroom Vanity Furniture, Wicker Bathroom Furniture and more to buy the best product.

All That You Need to Know About Choosing the Right Bathroom Sink

One of the most important rooms in the house, the bathroom fuses practicality with personal luxury. At its center, the bathroom sink is often the focal point of the room, poised for decades of daily use. Therefore, choosing this fixture is an important task. There are many choices and styles available. Choose one that works best for your bathroom space and personal taste. As you go through the selection process, keep other influential factors in mind, such as your preference in bathroom faucets, your overall bathroom theme, and the design and style of coordinating fixtures, such as the toilet and tub.

The process of shopping for a bathroom sink can be dizzying, but knowing that every model will fall into one of the following general categories is a good way to get started. Here's a quick rundown of what's out there.

When it comes to sink rims, you will either find an undermount sink or a self-rimming one. Undermount sinks are rimless and designed to portray depth. They are installed beneath the countertop. Self-rimming sinks are more ubiquitous than their rimless cousins. These models are mounted above the counter and have a visible ring.

If you're looking for a space-saving model, try the pedestal, console, wall-mounted, or vanity top sink. Pedestal sinks are freestanding sinks without accompanying countertops. They fit nicely in corners and small bathrooms. Console sinks are similar to pedestal sinks but include a small amount of counter space for those who can't do without their toothbrush and soap holders. Wall-mounted sinks do not even have bases. These space-savers mount directly to the wall, so you can use the space beneath them for storage racks or make the room appear clutter-free. Finally, vanity top sinks are smaller than vanity sinks. Both models are single furniture pieces built directly into countertops, but the latter is mounted to an accompanying cabinet with or without drawers.

The last model we will cover is one of my personal favorites for its old world appeal. Vessel sinks sit above the counter like large bowls or vessels, with pre-drilled holes for faucet mounting.

Renee writes for CalFinder a responsible contractor referral service specializing in providing homeowners with FREE bathroom remodeling estimates. You can find more articles like these on the CalFinder Bathroom Remodel Blog.

How To Accessorize One Of The Most Important Rooms In The House - The Bathroom

One of the most important rooms in a home is the bathroom. Ask any real estate agent, and they will let you know that a clean, well-decorated bathroom, with a peaceful atmosphere and bright cheerful colors will add thousands of dollars to the value of the home. The bathroom is, according to the real estate pros, of particular interest to the lady of the house. The bathroom is second in importance only to the kitchen when it comes to the homes value in the real-estate market. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to create a bathroom with the appropriate atmosphere and style is the appropriate use of bathroom accessories.

Your first and most important task in changing the look of your bathroom and increasing your homes value is choosing the right color scheme. The color of your walls sets the mood and can create the appearance of more space when you choose light colors. You will also want your bathroom accessories to compliment the wall color, so choose with care. These days a bathroom design can be done in almost any color theme and should compliment the other styles and colors in the home. With the advent of modern technology and the internet, you can shop from the comfort of your own home saving time and gas while viewing the offerings of a variety of retailers at the same time.

By far the most important of the bathroom accessories you will need to buy is the bathroom suite itself (this would encompass the sink, toilet, bathtub and possibly a bidet). You will want to choose a color that compliments the dcor of the room, especially the walls and the bathroom tiles. There are many colors to choose from including the traditional white or ivory as well as many pastel shades of pinks, yellows, blues and greens. If you like to change the look of the bathroom frequently, you may want to stick with the traditional colors. You will find many various types of integrated bathroom suites available in either traditiAB8onal or contemporary designs. The traditional choices range from designs of previous centuries, such as the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Modern designs might include different shower options such as waterfall, multiple heads and ionic technology.

Other important aspects of the bathroom are the faucets or taps. These basic and often overlooked, but completely essential bathroom accessories are available in numerous styles and colors. There are probably more than you can even imagine. Ranging from basic simple classic designs, to the elaborate or even more sleek modern designs, the choices available to the modern consumer is extensive. One important thing to determine is the finish you want. Most standard faucets come in a chrome or gold finish, and some of the more ornate ones have ceramic handles or even plastic characters or other themes.

Once you have decided on the overall dcor and color scheme and found the bathroom suite, faucets and handles you can begin to think about other things such as lighting fixtures, mirrors and bathroom accessories. You might consider adding a bidet for increased hygiene. Bidets are very common in Europe and Latin American countries. Some bidet designs are now even integrated into the toilet, and they are increasing in popularity in the United States. Towel bars or racks and bathroom cabinets are the other indispensable elements of the finished bathroom design. You can create a bathroom that provides a haven of peace, tranquility and relaxation with a well chosen color scheme and some thoughtfully selected bathroom accessories.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about bathroom products as well as bathroom accessories online at http://www.exclusivebathroomaccessories.com

Giving Your Siding a Facelift

If you are looking to add some value and glamour to your home there is nothing quite like redoing the paint or siding. Now the question is presented, which type of exterior should you choose for your home? The largest deciding factor in this choice is likely going to be what type of exterior is already on the home. If you have vinyl siding, or stucco, or simply painted wood it will usually be more cost effective to stick with what you already have. However here are a few more things to consider when this choice presents itself.

There are four basic types of siding on the mark9B6et today. Vinyl siding, stucco, aluminum siding and wood. Stucco is a great exterior to deal with and is very easy to keep in pristine condition. A good power washing can bring life back to the most distraught looking stucco quite easily. What to look for to decide if your stucco needs to be redone is crumbling around the bases and edges. Stucco is also easy to paint. When dealing with vinyl siding it is not a good idea to paint this surface as vinyl can bend easily and cause the paint to crack and peel.

Usually in this situation vinyl siding will need to be replaced if it cannot be cleaned. Aluminum and steel siding is another long-lasting surface that is easy to paint and easy to maintain. Usually a fresh coat of paint will bring this metal surface back to life. Finally we come to wood siding. Paining or staining is an absolute necessity for wood as it needs to be protected from the elements, if not it will rot and decay quickly. Is the wood soft and splintered? Can you see the grain on the back side of peeling areas? If so, then replacement might be necessary. The same is true if your siding appears to be warped or buckled.

The exterior of your home is the first thing that people see so it is quite important to have it in the best condition possible. No mater what type of exterior your home has, a little time & effort can make it shine like new! Don't be afraid to put a few dollars into it either, during the sales process it will come back in abundance.

HomesByLender.com is the elite source for FSBO financing and homes for sale by owners. Utilize our nationwide search to locate FSBO homes in any state or town. HomesByLender.com is your one-stop FSBO information source.

2 X 2 Stair Handrail

What is Sixth Sense

Sixth sense or extrasensory perception (ESP) is an ability to perceive the subtle dimension or the unseen world of angels, ghosts, heaven, etc. Sixth sense (ESP) includes the ability to understand the subtle cause and effect relationship behind many events beyond the understanding of the intellect.

The subtle world is made up of five cosmic elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether) which cannot be seen. Though we cannot perceive this world which impacts our lives to a great extent, we can tune into it using our spiritual antenna i.e. our sixth sense (ESP). Sixth sense (ESP) can be developed by doing spiritual practice, according to the five basic principles of Spirituality which increases our spiritual level and enables us to perceive and experience the subtle world to greater degrees.

Subtle information can be perceived by 11B4either:

1) Letting a subtle entity use ones hand to write the message (automatic writing)

2) By a vision where one can see the words or passages in front of ones eyes, or

3) Through thoughts. Receiving the answer in thoughts is most subtle among the three ways.

Subtle knowledge is received from either of the following sources:

1) Automatically due to the ability to tap into the Universal Mind and Intellect, or

2) As answers to questions asked by one to subtle entities using ones sixth sense (ESP) through the medium of ones subtle mind and intellect.

Which person will receive knowledge through the subtle intellect will depend on a number of reasons. The spiritual level of a person is one of the key factors in deciding which person receives knowledge from the subtle. Other factors include: motivation and intense yearning of the person, necessity for Gods mission, resolve and blessings of a spiritual guide beyond the 70% spiritual level, and destiny of the person.

Sometimes people have premonitions of things to happen or a gut feel of events that have happened in the past. This is possible in two ways.

One way is through subtle bodies like ghosts from the nether region or hell. If the ghost or subtle body does not have this ability, it gets the information from higher-level ghosts like higher sorcerers with this ability.

The second is by accessing the Universal Mind and Intellect. There are seven layers to the Universal Mind and Intellect. Depending on ones grade of sixth sense (ESP), a person may be able to tap into a lower or higher layer of the Universal Mind and Intellect.

A person at the spiritual level of 40% generally receives knowledge from a subtle body of a corresponding spiritual level i.e. 40%, however the accuracy and the grade of the knowledge received through their sixth sense (ESP) is also 40%.

Up to the spiritual level of 70%, the receipt of knowledge through sixth sense (ESP) is more likely to be from ghosts, and hence it is accompanied by a proportion of black energy which creates various problems in ones life. Those unaware of the mechanisms of the receipt of knowledge through their sixth sense (ESP) may be ignorant of this aspect and hence blindly believe in all the knowledge received. The subtle bodies usually give some correct knowledge at the outset to garner belief. Once this is established, they give varied degrees of incorrect or misleading information.

Sixth sense (ESP) is to be used only for spiritual growth towards God-Realisation which is the ultimate in spiritual growth. From a purely spiritual perspective, it is considered misuse when sixth sense (ESP) is used for anything else, such as worldly matters. When sixth sense (ESP) is misused by a person who is psychic, over time two things happen. On is that the ability is lost over a 30 year period. The second is that the person becomes target of higher level ghosts which initially give some genuine information, enough to gain the confidence of the person. However they later mislead them and the people they are guiding. In such cases, their psychic ability lasts for longer periods and may appear to have improved steadily. But this psychic ability is not by virtue of the person but because of the higher level ghosts guiding the psychic. In such cases, the rare gift of sixth sense available to the person that could have been utilised for God-realisation is wasted on lesser matters.

http://spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritualresearch/spiritualscience/sixthsense/

Richard Nixon

The Power of Forgiveness

We live in a crazy, high demanding lifestyle and overly connected world, during our day to day rat race that we call our lives, we may step on a few toes, anger a few associates, upset a friend and maybe do something that makes most men sleep in the dog house that evening.

How many of us have been down that road?

When was the last time you thought about forgiving someone? Forgiveness is an important part of life, not only in the business world, but in our personal lives as well. When you forgive a colleague, associate or loved one for their wrong doings against you, it will really set you free. Many times especially in business someone does something to make you upset; it could be an employee, a client, a friend, business partner or just the courier guy. Can you imagine back to how you felt when those feelings were happening. Was your blood boiling? Did you notice your temperature going up? Did you lose your lose focus on what you are doing? Were the feelings of anger taking over and was that the only thing you could concentrate on.

Usually overtime, cooler heads prevail and you can begin to focus of your role, your job or the things that really matter in your life. Have you heard the old saying, write the letter but dont mail it, or draft up the email and put it in your drafts if it feels right in 24 hours then you can send it. However, if it doesnt and the feelings of frustration having surpassed, you can simply delete the message from your drafts, no harm, and no foul.

When you offer up forgiveness to the party that wronged you, or the employee that made the error that lost the big deal, or the client that left you and didnt have all the facts together, you begin the healing process of letting go.   Another area we fail to realize is important when it comes to forgiveness is to forgive those that should have done something but failed to do it. I am sure it has happened to you in the past when you were expecting a friend or a loved one to come to your aid or rescue and in your time of need and they simply failed to show up. You need to forgive those people in your life. Go ahead dump all that emotional garbage and forgive those people that who simply failed to show up in your time of need. We hold onto that for way to long.

The other over looked area of forgiveness, you need to learn to forgive yourself. How much personal pain are we carrying around? How many times do we fail to forgive ourselves? Small Business owners and people in general are their worst critics, this thinking really limits your abilities and most importantly what you can achieve. You must learn to forgive yourself for your own shortcomings and get on with what matters the most.

Forgiveness is a very powerful force in the universe, not being able to extend your forgiveness to others for what they have done to you, what they have failed to do and most important forgiving yourself will limit your growth both as a person and as a professional. Let go of the baggage that you have been hauling around and weighs you down! Get that monkey off your back and lighten up, focus to your success and you will succeed.

Stuart Crawford is the Director of Business Development for IT Matters Inc., Calgary, Albertas award winning Microsoft Small Business Specialist. He can be reached at scrawford@itmatters.ca or via their website http://www.itmatters.ca Stuart just released his second book for the Small Business IT industry entitled Do you have IT? Get it online today at http://www.doyouhaveitbook.com

Jack Canfield

Do You Know What Triggers You?

Do you ever wonder why you're able to get along so well with some people, while others send you up the wall? Why is it that one of your children seems to make parenting seem easy, while the other child seems to be a constant challenge in your life? Do you ever wonder why at one moment you so adore your partner, and the next moment you're questioning why you ever got into the relationship? Let's take a closer look at what causes these triggers in our lives.

The people, things, and ideas in the world that we have a strong reaction to, that we reject, hate or judge, represent parts of ourselves that we have disowned or rejected. Sigmund Freud referred to this as the repressed side of us and Carl Jung called this our shadow side. In any case, many in the field of psychology or personal growth arena look at these "button pushers" as our teachers, bringing us gifts. The gifts are the opportunity to learn more about ourselves, increase our self-awareness597 and become more balanced and at peace in our present lives and in the world.

Think of all of the people who upset you or "push your buttons". Do they have similar traits or aspects to their personalities or do they fall within a few categories like selfish or self-centered or perhaps know-it-alls or whiners or super achievers? Could this be because you've never allowed yourself to be selfish? Has you role always been to be selfless? Have you lacked the ability to express what you know with confidence and self-assurance? Have you received the message that it's never okay for you to whine? Have you not been able to become that superachiever you've always wanted to be?

As long as a trait or aspect of ourselves is denied or disowned, we will continue to attract people into our lives that carry that trait and "push our buttons"...if not a partner, child or friend it might be your boss, subordinate or the waiter at your favorite restaurant. Once we embrace a disowned part, or at the very least, learn to accept that part within ourselves, it will no longer wield the same power over us, triggering us the way it once did.

For More Articles by Therapists on this and other Topics, go to http://www.therapylinx.com

Henri Nouwen

Common Thinking Errors

There are certain mindsets or points of view that can be counter-productive to good communication. These errors in thinking, and if taken to the extreme, can inhibit both personal growth and growth in relationships. Here is the list:

1. All or nothing thinking: You see th514ings in extremes, everything is black or white. This can be obvious or subtle for example saying 'He is always late, but I never get angry over it'. This mindset can be that of the perfectionist also.

2. Minimizing or catastrophizing: You exaggerate the importance of small things. 'The entire meal was ruined because the desert was not served promptly.' Is this a catastrophe? An example of minimizing is taking a significant issue or event and reducing its importance so it appears inconsequential. People often do this so as not to have to deal with uncomfortable emotions or consequences.

3. Overgeneralization: You take a single event and draw general conclusions that it is universally true. If your date is late you say 'All men/women are always late'.

4. Minimizing or qualifying the positive: If someone says you did a good job, you respond by saying 'I could have done better'.

5. Jumping to conclusions: This one is pretty self explanatory. You make a negative interpretation even though there are no definite facts that really support your conclusion. 'My boss didn't say Hi this morning, I'm in big trouble.' 'My girlfriend isn't home, she's cheating on me.'

6. Mind reading: Couples are often guilty of this, if he/she loved me they would know what I want.5B4 You arbitrarily conclude that someone is reacting in a negative way to you and don't bother to check it out. 'I know what you're thinking.'

7. Should and must statements: These are shame generators. "Musts" and "oughts" are also offenders. This can be the product of inflexible and rigid thinking. 'I must not let them see me cry.' 'I should have been there'. The emotional consequence of failure to adhere to the rule is shame and guilt. When you direct should statements toward others, you are setting up unrealistic expectations and if they don't behave they way they 'should' anger and resentment result.

9. Emotional Reasoning: While your feelings are valid, and they are your own, they do not necessarily reflect fact. Being frustrated at not being able to accomplish a task does not mean your are dumb. Feeling hopelessness does not mean you are hopeless.

10. Personalization: You see yourself as the cause of some negative event for which, in fact, you were not really responsible. Your loan application is not approved; it does not mean the loan officer had it in for you. Your daughter does not get asked to the prom does not mean you are a poor mother.

While all of us may be guilty of some of these mindsets, the danger is when they become a persistent view of your self, others and the world around you.

Tell4A7 your story! Pick up tips and tricks to help in addiction recovery and enhance your life free of addictions. Join our growing community. The author, Bill Urell MA.CAAP-II, is an addictions therapist at a leading drug treatment center. He teaches healthy life styles and life skills. Visit: http://AddictionRecoveryBasics.com

Japa Meditation

Mastermind Your Way To Success

I want to share the top nine reasons to consider joining a MasterMind group of positive, solution oriented professionalsB68 to help you connect even more to the "Law of Attraction".

For me, personally, it has been the catalyst for my growth in my career and in my personal life. Surrounding myself with an incredible group of positive, win-win people has increased the earnings of my business start ups, has helped me create better solutions to issues I deal with, increased my personal and professional confidence and opened an even bigger world of "possibilities".

Let me explain...

1. Expand your view. Many times we cannot see beyond our personal experience or our personal "view" of the world. Much like, "We cannot see the forest for the trees". Our personal "trees" block the view of the beautiful and boundless forest. So, when we are together with our MasterMind group, I am still, after 20 years of participating in them, amazed at the options, insights and opportunities that are created. Not to brag, but I am EXTREMELY creative, yet I consistently see new ideas and thoughts for myself and others that are needed to nourish the Law of Attraction lives we want to live.

2. Unlimited solutions and possibilities. There are TRULY unlimited solutions. Beware of people saying "The way I see it, you only have one option". MasterMind groups create as many options as you are open to receive. Unlimited solutions await us and we can provide unlimited solutions to others.

3. A safe and positive place for you and your dreams. Your MasterMind group is the one place that should be safe to share your dreams, your hopes, and your challenges. A warm, caring and non-judgmental place for you to stretch your wings, explore your potential and give life to those desires that have been confined to your heart or your head. A safe place to "create" your life.

4. Accept accountability. The group can help hold you accountable TO and FOR your dreams, as well as the actions you need to take to manifest them. They may say "WHEN are you going to take action and report back to us?" By being part of your group they, too, are investing in YOU. You owe them accountability to step out there on that limb, knowing they are behind you to help you if you fall and to celebrate as you fly. We are not victims; we are victors, once we accept responsibility and accountability to manifest, with joy, our dreams.

5. Celebrate! Sometimes there are people that would consider you celebrating your successes as "bragging". That you are "too full of yourself". Cancel! Cancel! In order to manifest through the Law of Attraction, you want to surround yourself with those that are truly happy and EXCITED for your successes. The MasterMind group is the place for celebration. The group is invested and as excited for your successes as their own because you each are sharing parts of yourself to create the synergy, energy of possibilities. So, get ready t5B4o celebrate your success of your dreams manifesting!

6. Givers gain. Remember that while you are receiving hope, ideas, inspiration, and possibilities from your MasterMind group you are GIVING hope, ideas, inspiration, and possibilities to others in your group. I can attest for the fact that your heart feels fuller when someone found a nugget in something you shared or gave to them and it impacted their life, their dream. Again, givers gain.

7. Group resources. If, on the average, it has been said that each person knows 250 people, and you have 8 people in your group, then your personal network just expanded to 2,000 contacts for you and your MasterMind group to share as resources. In our age, with mobility, the internet, social networking and more, I believe in a higher, but still, a very conservative 750 people each that we know which increases our network of contacts for our group to 6,000. We are 2 to 6 degrees from a person we need to connect with to make our dreams come true. I do believe that. As you get clearer on WHO you want to connect with, you increase your odds of "connecting" based on the Law of Attraction model. So, let your MasterMind group tap their network.

Another piece of group resources is the resources that exist to help us manifest our dreams and goals... it might be a person, a website, a contact, a place, a magazine. Your MasterMind group is a magnet to help you attrac5B2t the resources you need. A large magnet can attract more then a small magnet, so empower yourself and your group to use the resources you all share.

8. Increase your confidence and braveness factor. Is "braveness" a word? I'm not sure, but I personally can attest for an increase in confidence and braveness by being part of a MasterMind group. I saved this for last, but I feel that in order to "attract" we NEED to develop our confidence that we can do it! We CAN make our dreams come true. Being brave is not always easy, but sharing your heart and soul with others that believe in us, increases our braveness factor. I have seen it over, and over. The group believes in us before we believe in ourselves.

This quote to me defines this concept:

"When I see in you what you do not see in yourself, I am the bridge." Author unknown.

Your group is your "bridge".

9. Fun and joy. Your meetings will be fun. You will feel more joy when you see and feel the support and the endless possibilities. The Law of Attraction in action!

So, if you truly want to live a life that celebrates the Law of Attraction, create or find a MasterMind group. If you want to create better relationships, create more time, more money, more joy, and create the highest energy "synergy", start today on your journey of creating or finding a MasterMind group to help you on your journey to even more joy in your life.2EA

Resource City Connections, your knowledgeable and nurturing business community for business owners and entrepreneurs looking to accelerate their business. If you're ready to supercharge your sales, easily attract perfect customers, and have more fun and freedom, get your FREE success tips from Resource City Connections on how to improve Cash Flow by using the Law of Attraction. Go to http://www.acceleratecashflow.com Now!

Intention Statement

The Motivation Myth

"It is the ultimate management conceit that we can motivate people." Peter Scholtes, team effectiveness consultant and author

After six years at Universal Pictures, Harry Cohn formed Columbia Pictures in 1924. During the following decades he ran the company with an iron fist. His image as a tyrant was reinforced by the riding whip he kept near his desk to crack for emphasis. Cohn form of "motivation" led to the greatest creative turnover of any major studio. At his funeral in 1958, one observer suggested that the thirteen hundred attendees "had not come to bid farewell, but to make sure he was actually dead."

Some parents want their kids to be independent as long as they do everything they're told to. Some team leaders want their teams to be empowered as long as they follow directions. What some "leaders", call "motivation" is getting others to carry out their orders. Some seem to live by the philosophy that if I want any of your bright ideas I'll give them to you. Just do what you're told...and look like you're enjoying it. These forms of "motivation" are based on fear and force. If the punishment is strong enough and the policing rigid enough, they will lead to compliance. People will follow the rules and marching orders. But that's all. Energy, creativity, and extra effort will be minimal. So will ownership and commitment. The only passion tyrants and autocrats create are fear, loathing, and the desire for revenge.

The key problems of the Motivation Myth are clearly illustrated by a Farcus cartoon; a team leader is at the head of a conference table addressing her team with these words, "we need to improve morale, any of you boneheads have a good idea." The main cause of the problem seems pretty obvious. She just needs to look in the mirror. But obviously the obvious isn't always so obvious. Root causes and symptoms are continuously confused. The Farcus team leader is treating low morale as a problem to be solved rather than an indicator of much deeper issues. Clearly a key source of a deeper problem is her contempt for her team and her forcefulness. Her approach is like an auto mechanic reporting, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."

Many of the symptoms and root causes of motivation and morale can be clarified by understanding the doing versus being aspects of mobilizing and energizing. We need to get beyond "do to" programs and techniques. The big sticks of fear, punishments, and discipline or the carrots of incentives and rewards may work in the short term. But to keep them working, we need to continually increase the beatings or sweeten and vary the incentives. Eventually the beatings will burn people out and they will quit. Some will leave and find other jobs. Many will silently resign and continue to report for work everyday.

People should be fairly rewarded for their contributions. The absence of money can be demotivating, but its presence doesn't provide healthy, long-term motivation. Using money or types of incentives to get increased performance turns people into selfish, self-centered mercenaries who are increasingly tuned into WIFM (what's-in-it-for-me). Pride, teamwork, concern for customers, shared values, growing and developing, passion, meaningful work, and the like fade. These become hollow words that raise "the snicker factor" whenever they are heard.

Effective mobilizing and energizing goes well beyond "doing" programs to the "being" or culture of a team, organization, or any group including a family. That culture is a set of shared attitudes and accumulated habits around "the way we do things here." The culture provides the context or backdrop that either energizes or exhausts people.

Excerpted from Jim's fourth bestseller, Growing the Distance: Timeless Principles for Personal, Career, and Family Success. View the book's unique format and content, Introduction and Chapter One, and feedback showing why nearly 100,000 copies are now in print at http://www.growingthedistance.com Jim's new companion book to Growing the Distance is The Leader's Digest: Timeless Principles for Team and Organization Success. Jim Clemmer is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, workshop/retreat leader, and management team developer on leadership, change, customer focus, culture, teams, and personal growth. His web site is http://www.clemmer.net/articles

Aeschylus And Athens

You Can Be Self Motivated

You have probably heard that sharing a burden lightens the burden in half. What 548is equally as true is that telling other people your hopes and dreams waters down the power you gained in focusing on your goals. The response you will usually get from others is a lack of belief in your vision even when the other person is only looking out for your best interests. It's a rare event when someone else can see the vision you have for your life. Others are more likely to start picking your dreams apart and pointing out all the things that are wrong with them.

You are feeling motivated, feeling great about your life and the direction things are going. Along comes your sister or your best friend who take aim and just shoot you down. You get told to do a reality check. That certainly lets the air of you and there go all of those good feelings you were having about your future. Well, here is a reality check. You are the only one who can keep your motivation going.

Keep the urge to share your dreams to yourself until you have control over your emotions. Once you have focus on your dreams, negative comments will not dilute the power of your dreams. Until you can do this, mediate on your goals privately. The main reason to share with someone else is because you are having doubts about how capable you are of following your goals. You are seeking positive feedback. Unfortunately, the reinforcement you5A1 want is rarely offered.

There's nothing wrong with sharing your dreams and seeking positive feedback, except that you're looking for it in the wrong places and will probably wind up getting just the opposite. Not always, but why take that chance until you feel stronger about your dreams and goals? This need for feedback relates directly to your degree of belief in yourself. When you genuinely trust in yourself and are fully motivated to succeed, you will find that you do not need reinforcement because you have already supplied that for yourself!

Rather than looking for outside reinforcement or validation, concentrate on ways that YOU can step up your motivation. Keep building yourself up with your own version of pep talk and keep your ultimate destination in the forefront of your mind. Take steps you know will get you where you want to go. If you must seek advice and encouragement along they way, look for it only from those who have achieved what you're attempting to accomplish. There are almost always others who have paved the way for you. You will build up your inner strength eventually to the point where it will not count what others say and do. That will be the day when no one will be able to deflate your motivation again. Remember to be self-motivated and take those action steps needed to reach your goals.

Robin Skeen

http://www.robinskeen.com

Robin lives in the lovely state of Ohio, USA. She is a freelance writer and her website contains her reflections on inspired personal growth - transforming body, mind and spirit so you can live your best life NOW! To find out more, visit today. Free reports and eBooks are added on a regular basis.

Our thoughts really belong to the collective consciousness of the world

You Won't Get It, Until You Know What It Is

The biggest frustration amongst people seems to be not having what they want in life.

Yet they have exactly what they wished for.

Your mind is like a powerful computer. Much more powerful than anything man made that exists today. The purpose of your mind is to provide the outcome that is programmed into it, by you. It will always give you the programmed result - that is a law of nature.

And this is where the trouble starts.

Most of us have no idea how to effectively program this computer, and those that do, program it with ineffective programs more often than not.

Do you realize that the only difference between your success and that of say a Donald Trump or a Bill Gates, is the way that they think.

Whether they did it consciously or not, their thought patterns follow a set of guidelines that led them to the success that they enjoy. These patterns are burnt into their minds, and they will not alter them for anything. It is who they are. Like them or not, they are effective in their chosen fields.

So what does this have to do with you, and more importantly, can you use this knowledge for your own good.

Well the short answer is Yes.

You can use this knowledge, and are actually doing so every single day.

Your life is exactly as your mind thinks and reacts to circumstances on a continuous basis right now. So the good news is that you are already doing it, you cannot help yourself, it is human nature.

The bad news is that the thought patterns you have running in your mind, are not giving you the results you consciously want. They are giving you the results that you have programmed into your mind, mostly subconsciously.

This is why goal setting can be so important. With a clear goal in mind, your thought processes will at least be aligned in some direction most of the time. This can and does make a huge difference to your results.

Lets use the computer program analogy once more.

A computer will process information based on a specific set of rules and criteria. That is basically what a computer software program does. If you have a program that says if A happens, always do B, you get a predetermined predictable result. You know that a certain input will give you a specific output.

With our minds, not having a goal is like saying, if A happens, do B , or C or D or whatever strikes your fancy. The result is confusion and wasted energy. Spinning around without going anywhere.

Now life presents us with A today, B tomorrow, an C,D,A the next day. If you however have a set of actions ready for whenever A happens (by having a set goal) you automatically move toward your desired outcome every time A occurs. You might not have moved far, but you did move a small amount toward your goal, every time A happens.

At least you are moving in a certain direction, that you have predetermined, by simply deciding what you actually want, and then setting a goal to get there.

Goal setting is a huge topic, and not quite as simple as described. It is however very worthwhile, and just may make the difference between contentment and a life of frustration.

So find out what you want and why, then work towards that goal.

Kevin is the publisher and editor of besuccessfulnews.com, a site that provides information and articles on how to succeed in your own home or small business.

George S Clason

Self Development And Growth

When starting out the the area of self development and growth, one of the most important anAA8d basic skills to learn is the skill to deal with issues in your life.

Many sources often overlook the process of how to change. The process is long and hard, and often you will lose motivation and forget your goals for self improvement. While you may yearn for instant gratification and instant change, the reality is that it just wont happen overnight. Habits take a long time to form and break; deeper psychological issues that a long time to resolve.

Often when people deal with their issues, they're dealing with it in a LOGICAL manner. This doesn't motivate you because motivation is EMOTIONAL. When you feel emotionally affected towards the issue, you will have the drive to resolve the emotions. This is the basis for my model of dealing with issues.

Without further ado, here it is: Dealing with issues, the 4 steps.

1. Figure out what the issue is.

This first point is ridiculously obvious, but incredibly important and oftentimes looked over. In many instances, we believe that we're dealing with one problem when in reality we're actually facing problems with a deeper inner issue.

For example, in the world of dating and relationships, the actual act of meeting members of the opposite sex can be quite daunting. The possibility of rejection, the fear that they will dislike you is present. No one likes to think that they are incompetent with the opposite sex, and this is the issue that may arise and challenge them if they approach and get rejected. So they sit at the back of the bar with their friends talking about how they're 'pimps' and 'could pick up anyone in this bar' but 'they don't want to' because 'no one here is worth it'.

What is happening here is an avoidance of the real issue: they depend on other's approval and reactions to feel good about themselves. An issue of low self esteem and low self confidence.

This issue would not be realised without some serious hard thinking and the ability to see things for what they really are. Your mind and ego will throw up a million different cognitions to throw you off the real issue because the truth hurts your sense of self.

This first point is ridiculously simple yet hard to realize.

2. Experience the issue.

This is different. I swear by this technique 100%.

When you figure out what the issue is, it's going to try and hide. It's going to throw up excuses as to why you have those cognitions. You're going to want to avoid the issue. Yeah that's right, you know what I'm talking about. This is the nerd realising that they suck with women but rationalising it as due to their studies or the fact that they "don't have time", then using that as a constanB07t excuse not to GO OUT and MEET women. Or the woman who has emotional issues that affect her relationships but blames her relationship problems on her looks.

By experience the issue I mean to feel it fully. You KNOW it's there, you aren't going to avoid it. You just broke up with your partner? It feels crap. Don't avoid having the feelings. You're scared of chatting up that cutie? Don't avoid the issue. Immerse yourself in the experience of feeling like that.

Only then do you have a solid base for your motivation to get the problem fixed.

3. Act on resolving the issue

After experiencing the feelings that you don't want to feel, make a decision to ACT upon the issues. After all, just pointlessly making yourself feel bad is... pointless. So what did you do? Make a commitment to take steps forward in solve the issue. If you're afraid that people will 'reject' you then approach people until you emotionally realise that 'rejection' by a stranger means nothing more than the fact that you approached them in the wrong way. If you're avoiding exercise because of an underlying issue of laziness, get out there and exercise! Do you actually WANT to be unhealthy? How does being unhealthy feel?

Experiencing the issue should give you the MOTIVATION to ACT on the issue. If you don't act, you'll just stay the same. Do you really want to feel the way you felt when you were experiencing the issue? I doubt it.

4. Figure out your other issues

In self improvement, it is critical to remember that your problems will NEVER end and you will ALWAYS have issues to deal with. Reality is harsh.

If you're serious about improving yourself, keeping this in mind will help you a lot. You will always have something to fix. Take a break once in a while, moderate how much you work on yourself, but never forget that you always have something to improve. Read "The way of the superior man" by David Deida. It gives a good description of this point.

I'd dare say your not as good with women as you wish you were, your looking for something that can take you above and beyond 99% of men for free, it's here, you just have to reach out and grab it.

Have fun,

-- Solace

Richard Nixon

What Does It Take to Be Great

It takes the wisdom to know that you are here for Higher reasons that your logical mind my not remember or even fathom.

It takes the courage to speak your truth, and it takes patience with others when they are not coming from a place of love and support.

Being great is not a matter of ego. Quite to the contrary, being great takes vision to fulfill your beingness with the brilliance and vision you hold within.

It takes harmony, and supporting others to recognize the greatness they hold within. It is a reemergence of the spirit of cooperation, and aligning with others to make many dreams come true.

It stems from a non-threatening or threatened paradigm, where a win/win for all is the only way to play.

It shatters the egos need to own, and embraces the souls re-emergence to share with all others.

Being great boasts no ego. It is achieved in the spirit of sharing, of serving, and of illuminating the hope within others when they have lost all hope of their own.

Being great needs no recognition as the rewards of a life lived in this process far outweigh the egos need for stature. The soul knows its stature, and its possibilities are limitless, boundless and eternal.

Being great is not an outcome. It is lived each moment. It is filled with a child-like wonder that helps others to remember the child-like wonder they once had.

As you read these words, remember that your greatness lies within your heart, and in your Divine connection to the guidance you receive that gently nudges you to honor who you are. Not by doing more, but by BEING more.

What greatness do you hold within that you 5B4would like to bring out? THAT is the greatness you are, and no one else can be you. Remember that!

Copyright by Barbara Rose, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.

Barbara Rose, PhD. most widely known as "Born To Inspire" is the best selling author of "Know Yourself", "If God Hears Me, I Want an Answer!", "Stop Being the String Along", "If God Was Like Man" and Individual Power. She is an internationally recognized expert in the field of personal transformation, relationships and spiritual awakening. Barbara is a pioneering force in incorporating Higher Self Communication, the study and integration of humanitys God-Nature into modern personal growth and spiritual evolution. Her highly acclaimed books, public speaking events, tele-seminars, widely published articles, and intensives have transformed the lives of thousands across the globe. She is the founder of IHSC -Institute of Higher Self Communication, inspire! Magazine and Rose Humanitarian Alliance. Barbara holds a Ph.D. in Metaphysics and works in cooperation with some of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time, to uplift the spiritual consciousness of humanity. Visit her website http://www.borntoinspire.com

Jack Canfield

Building Your Coaching Business - Constant Flow of More New Clients

Here is an approach that keeps new clients coming without end. Ask for two referrals every time you signup a new client. Make it a part of your fee.

When you quote your fee in a proposal, or verbally, request 2 referrals as a part of that fee. It might sound something like this.

Always state that your fee is ...whatever it is plus 2 referrals...with the stipulation that "....as long as you are extremely happy with the results you get. My goal is for you to get _________ times more than you paid, and a referral is a natural outcome. In fact, my fee is (state a higher rate, by $500 to $1000) without the referrals and $_________ with the referrals. So, be thinking as we go through the program who you know that needs help moving their business forward at least as far as you will have moved." Always position yourself that you are so confident that he will be extremely satisfied, and you have to deliver on that promise to collect on the referral. Show him how confident you are and that you'll have to deliver to get those referrals.

Remind your client every week or so to be thinking about who they know that would like to et the same kinds of results they are getting right now. That will be an easy referral if you have made a significant difference in this client's business.

Also, coach your client how to make that referral. It should never be that coaching costs $________. It should look more like, "Wow, my coach has helped me get an additional $__________", or "This coach I'm working with has doubled my [department, workgroup, business] in just weeks, what are you struggling with where you'd like for that to happen?"

Now, let's look at what this would do for your business. If, for every client you get, you get 2 more referrals, and assuming you typically close at least 50+% of your sales, then you have a steady stream of clients, one behind the other. You'll close at least one of these two, resulting in one client added for every client you already have. Obviously adjust your figures based on your typical results. I also find that a referral is likely to result in something like 75% or more closure, but under one condition....that the referral really is to someone who needs you rather than blind referrals. It is up to you to coach your client who the right referral is, and this will become a steady stream of new clients.

Although this could keep a steady stream of clients, if you are also keeping existing clients, moving them into monthly coaching programs, and other opportunities, you should be building a larger and larger base of current clients.

A word of caution: if you only have one client at a time, make sure that you have other marketing going to build your client base large enough. At one client at a time, just one time not closing a new client will put you back to zero. Just one client not making the right referral can set you to zero.

This is an extremely powerful approach, and should be used with every client. But don't bet the farm until you have a large enough client base where the overall statistics will average out over time..

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Get your "How to Build a Super Star Coaching Business" for free

Alan Boyer coaches coaches, who want more business than they can handle, or at least more than they imagined...before this.....The reports have been "5-10 times more clients in just a few weeks, and still growing.

http://www.leaders-perspective.com/Super-Star-Coaching-Business.htm

Richard Nixon

Discover What You Want To Be When You Grow Up

"I climbed to the top rung of the ladder only to discover I had it leaning against the wrong wall."
-Joseph Campbell

Are you over 50, wondering what you want to be when you grow up? Is the book of your life a page turner? Do you feel eager to discover what the next chapter contains? Or is your book of life putting you to sleep? Many of us in our wisdom years - or seeing them quickly approaching - experience a spiritual crisis, a crisis of consciousness. It feels too late to try and figure out now what we want to be when we grow up. We cant even remember what future dreams we held as children. Yesterday, I spoke with a former CEO now in seminary. He said that the combination of a poetry class and a High School reunion was his wake up call. Of all the fellow classmates he encountered, not a single man was living out his dreams.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

What were the first ideas, dreams, inklings you had?

After college, where did you envision making your contribution to the world?

Its never too late! I once coached a man in his late 70s who came to me after a failed suicide pact with his wife. They had planned5B4 to set out in their sail boat together, open up the bailers in the transom and let the boat sink. The universe had other plans and she was killed in a head on collision with a drunk driver.

No longer able to get around easily, he did not feel that volunteering was a viable pursuit. He was losing his vision, which hampered his life long passion for reading. But he was a career physicist with a brilliant mind, and there turned out to be a swarm of young men willing and eager to come to his home to hear him talk. They enriched his later years. If you wanted to be an artist, community helper, or aerospace engineer when you were young, ask yourself how you can rekindle that passion. Live out a piece of your earliest dream now and enhance your wisdom years. Hire a life coach and get excited about your next chapter.

Nanci Weston Adair, MA, LCPC
GoalModel Life Coaching
11 Rowe Avenue, Portland, ME 04102
Nanci@goalmodel.com Nanci Weston Adair MA, LCPC Founder of The GoalModel MethodTM.
Nanci is a delightful and energetic presenter. She brings 30+ years of dedicated service in the holistic health field together with a lifelong passion for metaphysics. Coaching clients describe Nanci as challenging, encouraging and strategic. Nanci has delivered seminars to business2D5 leaders and corporations across the U.S. Nanci has recently completed her book on The GoalModel Method for personal and professional achievement. Nanci maintains a home, studio and business in Portland, Maine.

Jack Canfield

Bathroom Counter Top And Bathroom Vanity Countertop Choices

Bathroom Counter top choices are almost infinite it seems. With new materials and technologies your selection has not been made easier. However it has never been a better time for creativity in bathroom design, since for almost any bathroom decorating idea you may have there is certainly a countertop surface material, pattern and color to fit your needs. One factor that will determine your choice of bathroom and vanity countertop besides appearance and cost will probably be durability and maintenance. Here are some of the more popular bathroom vanity counter top surfaces you'll encounter:

Laminate Bathroom Countertops
A popular choice for years due to its versatility and affordability. Available in so many colors, patterns and textures that it's a breeze to coordinate with your other bathroom design elements like wall covering or fixtures. When installed on counters plastic laminate resists moisture superbly and is easy to maintain. Laminate is available in different grades, but basically affordable so don't buy the cheapest, get your moneys worth.

Ceramic Tile Bathroom Countertops
Impervious to water, durable and easy to clean tile bathroom countertops offer a great opportunity to bring individual style and personality to your bathroom. Available in many colors, shapes and finishes. Even hand painted. Very versatile. Don't select a fragile tile and you must use a grout sealer in areas exposed to water. Tile comes in two finishes, glazed and unglazed.

Stone and Concrete Bathroom Countertops
Granite, marble, and slate will probably be the most expensive choices for your bathroom countertop. They are have a rich, elegant appearance and are natural stone that is extremely durable. Becoming more popular are two other materials, they are limestone and concrete. Limestone has more of a textured appeal compared to granite and the other stone countertop surfaces. While concrete offers flexibility. It can be shaped, carved, inlaid with objects or colored. Though it offers many new creative possibilities concrete tends to crack easy.

Solid Surface Bathroom Countertops
Man made and very durable this synthetic made of acrylic or polyester is easily maintained. It comes in varied colors and textures, even faux stone. Solid surfacing material is used to fabricate counter tops, shower enclosures and even floors. It is not cheap, as a matter of fact it can cost almost as much as marble or granite. It is impervious to abrasions, water and dents that could occur over time. And it is easy to repair if necessary. Solid surface materials possess a lasting durability requiring minimal maintenance.

As you can see there is a counter top surface choice that should fit your maintenance requirements, decorating and bathroom design ideas as well as your budget. Regardless what your personal preferences are, your bathroom remodeling project will benefit from the flexibility of your counter top choices. Your bathroom can have a updated new stylish look that reflects your style based on your bathroom vanity countertop material choice.

Get more in depth vanity and bathrooom countertop ideas and information go to Bathroom and Vanity Countertops and Cabinets.

Also go to http://Countertops-And-Cabinets.Com which is dedicated to providing quality information on bathroom, vanity and kitchen countertops and cabinets.

Surface Mount Electrical Panel

Giving Your Siding a Facelift

If you are looking to add some value and glamour to your home there is nothing quite like redoing the paint or siding. Now the question is presented, which type of exterior should you choose for your home? The largest deciding factor in this choice is likely going to be what type of exterior is already on the home. If you have vinyl siding, or stucco, or simply painted wood it will usually be more cost effective to stick with what you already have. However here are a few more things to consider when this choice presents itself.

There are four basic types of siding on the mark9B6et today. Vinyl siding, stucco, aluminum siding and wood. Stucco is a great exterior to deal with and is very easy to keep in pristine condition. A good power washing can bring life back to the most distraught looking stucco quite easily. What to look for to decide if your stucco needs to be redone is crumbling around the bases and edges. Stucco is also easy to paint. When dealing with vinyl siding it is not a good idea to paint this surface as vinyl can bend easily and cause the paint to crack and peel.

Usually in this situation vinyl siding will need to be replaced if it cannot be cleaned. Aluminum and steel siding is another long-lasting surface that is easy to paint and easy to maintain. Usually a fresh coat of paint will bring this metal surface back to life. Finally we come to wood siding. Paining or staining is an absolute necessity for wood as it needs to be protected from the elements, if not it will rot and decay quickly. Is the wood soft and splintered? Can you see the grain on the back side of peeling areas? If so, then replacement might be necessary. The same is true if your siding appears to be warped or buckled.

The exterior of your home is the first thing that people see so it is quite important to have it in the best condition possible. No mater what type of exterior your home has, a little time & effort can make it shine like new! Don't be afraid to put a few dollars into it either, during the sales process it will come back in abundance.

HomesByLender.com is the elite source for FSBO financing and homes for sale by owners. Utilize our nationwide search to locate FSBO homes in any state or town. HomesByLender.com is your one-stop FSBO information source.

2 X 2 Stair Handrail

Walk in Bathtubs

Safety is a primary concern when it comes to bathing among the disabled and elderly. A walk in bath1C4Btub, designed for accessibility and ease of entry, can help make bathing a safer and more enjoyable experience for handicapped persons.

Many times, showering in a walk in shower becomes the only option for personal hygiene needs due to concerns for safety. Having a walk in bathtub can change this. Walk in bathtubs are more accessible since they are designed with a door on them. Having a door on the side of the tub provides a way to enter by only stepping up a few inches instead of a few feet. Since bathing occurs while sitting down, a walk in tub can actually be safer than a walk in shower for handicapped persons. Walk in showers are easily accessible, but since showering is a standing activity there is a risk of falling.

A walk in bathtub also allows a handicapped person to enjoy the experience of a luxury bath. Many walk in bathtub models come with whirlpools and jet features to make bathing a relaxing experience. Since whirlpools are good for circulation, health benefits can come from this as well.

Cost can be a limiting factor when it comes to installing a walk in bathtub. If installing a new walk in tub is too expensive, consider transforming an existing bathtub into a walk in tub by installing a door on it. Kits and instruction manuals are available to help with this process.

Amanda Taylor is a writer for various home decorating and home improvement websites. For more information about walk in bathtubs visit http://www.bathtub-depot.com today. Also, visit http://www.bathtub-depot.com/handicap_showers.html for information about handicap showers.

Stairs And Walkway

The Benefits of Bathroom Wall Mirrors

A bathroom is a room that wouldn't be complete if it didn't have some wall mirrors. Almost every task that is completed in this room needs a mirror to help facilitate it. Purchasing bathroom wall mirrors that reflect your room's design as well as being a functioning piece of furniture is the balance that every professional or amateur designer hopes to achieve.

Small pieces of polished metal acted as mirrors as early as the Middle Ages. Mirrors as we know them today, which are pieces of glass with a painted metal backing, began being produced in the early 1300s. The technology of making mirrors themselves has not changed very much in the past 700 years. However, the style and decoration of mirrors has gone through many transformations. Many quality mirrors have beautifully scrolled or beveled edges and are elaborately framed. And yet, as simple as a mirror is, technology has still managed to add an element to some of today's mirrors.

You can purchase a mirror today that can be hardwired into your home's electricity that will keep the entire mirror completely fog-free. You can also obtain a mirror that includes lighting in the glass itself thereby eliminating the need for overhead or side lighting.

A wonderful addition to any bathroom is a magnifying mirror that is attached to the wall next to the sink. This mirror is equipped with a retractable arm so that it can be stored against the wall and out of the way and yet easily brought out in order to accomplish such tasks as shaving, tweezing, or applying makeup. Many of these mirrors also come equipped with their own florescent lighting.

It is always good to have a full-length mirror somewhere in your home that is located in a room with very good lighting. The bathroom is a perfect choice for either a stand-alone or a full-length wall mirror. There are also many beautiful styles of mirrors that are meant to hang above the bathroom vanity. Again, several of these can be purchased with their own lighting attached and many others also do double duty as a bathroom wall mirror and as a medicine cabinet.

Bathroom wall mirrors come in many shapes and styles and there is a mirror that can complement any bathroom dcor or theme from nautical to regency or ornate to modern. Depending on the size and style of the wall mirror, prices can range from the teens into the hundreds of dollars. Every bathroom can be complemented by the choice of mirrors. Be sure to save a portion of your redesign or remodel budget on some beautiful bathroom wall mirrors.

For more advice on finding a reputable contractor for your bathroom remodeling try visiting http://remodelingabathroomguide.com, a popular bathroom remodeling website that including advice on bathroom remodeling software on how you can use it to design the bathroom of your dreams.

2 X 12 Doug Fir Exterior Stair

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6263

Changing a Toilet Wax Ring

If there is water slowly leaking around the base of your toilet, or you constantly smell a foul odor in your bathroom chances are the toilet wax ring has begun to fail and it is time for it to be replaced.

A toilet wax ring is pretty much described by its name. It is a 1 to 2 inch thick ring of wax, frequently found surrounding a plastic funnel. The toilet wax ring works by forming a water/air tight seal between the base of the porcelain toilet base and the toilet flange (plastic or cast iron).

If a toilet rocks when it is sat upon, over time the toilet wax ring will breakdown and fail. This failure manifests itself in the formation of small water and odor leaks around the base of the toilet. If left unchecked, damage could occur to the bathroom floor and unsafe sewer gasses may build up in the home.

A new toilet wax ring should also be replaced any time a toilet is removed (e.g. during the installation of a new bathroom floor).

Replacing a toilet wax ring is easy to do and can be done by the do it yourself homeowner with a little knowledge and some preparation. Replacing a toilet wax ring can be done in about 1 hour assuming there are no extenuating circumstances.

The basic ste16D0ps required to change a toilet wax ring begin with turning off the water supply line and emptying the tank and bowl of water. The supply line also needs to be disconnected from the toilet.

Next the anchor nuts, secured to the Hold-Down bolts, need to be unscrewed.

The toilet is then lifted off the toilet flange and turned over.

The old toilet wax ring can then be scraped and removed off the base of the toilet, and the floor can be cleaned of any old wax ring residue.

The new toilet wax ring is then pressed onto the base of the toilet and the toilet is then reseated onto the toilet flange.

The anchor nuts are then re-screwed back onto the Hold-down bolts and the supply line reconnected.

The water supply line to the toilet can then be turned back on and the toilet is back in business.

For more help on changing a toilet wax ring see the Changing a Toilet Wax Ring EBook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Changing a Toilet Wax Ring EBook will quickly explain to you in detail the step-by-step process for changing the wax ring on a toilet and includes how-to pictures for every key step in the process.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.

Rodent Proofing Your Home

Braintrust - the New Paradigm for Business Growth

Five entrepreneurial brains gathered around a dinner table. Brain number one was struggling to find answers to a vexing question: "what should I title my new keynote speech and related seminar?"

This brain, belonging to Joan, knew that she could get help from similar brains if she just brought them together, opened everyones mind with a clear statement of her problem, and then let the ideas flow. For two hours we focused on her question. Each new idea generated other questions. Joan captured this outpouring of creativity. By the end of the dinner we had debated the top four or five ideas, with a list of pros and cons for each. Joan would choose her title from among those.

This dinner started The Braintrust. Everyone wanted their turn too, so we agreed to meet quarterly, with each person being host and the focus of our attention. We recognized the power of five brains trained on one problem. We agreed to lay one specific problem on the table, give help freely and keep our conversations and trial balloons completely confidential.

Once each person had their turn in Braintrust Year One we realized:

• We were energized in the process of helping others.
• We had created something larger than our original purpose.
• We wanted more . . .

More meetings, more closeness, more accountability.

Braintrust Year Two got off to an amazing start. We completed Goal Positioning Sheets and laid our highest hopes and worse fears on the table for everyone to see and hear. Each of us prefaced our goal presentation with the statement I took a deep breath, faced what I was most afraid of or most daunted by, and made that my goal. Everyone received praise for their guts, and specific help for their next steps. My own goal is to sell more products online. My obstacle to that is my limited understanding of how to use internet marketing tools. One of the others suggested I look online for tutorials. Imagine my surprise when I opened the home page of my shopping cart service and there in bold print was a link to their tutorials. Although I know its been there for years, I had never before seen this link because I wasnt looking for it!

Whats new here? Isnt this a Master Mind group? Heres whats new:

• We came together because we knew and liked each other
• Our processes have developed organically over time and in response to our needs
• We have complementary businessesno competition, but similar issues (services businesses, business development, marketing, customer service, fees/prices)
• Calling ourselves The Braintrust reflects our confidence in each others smarts and that trust is commitment number one.

Stuck in a rut? Need a board of creative directors? Wondering if your newest idea is crazy or concrete? Bring together your own Braintrust and see what you have never seen before even if its been there all along.

Speeches and consulting by Susan G. Trivers, MBA to executives and entrepreneurs leads them to new discoveries, ways to think fresh about old ideas, and how communcation skillfulness is the basis for all achievements.

Start with Susans two fundamental principles: Put the Audience First and Be Yourself, Polished. Add effective leading (not supporting) materials to your key points, craft excellent stories, and add engagement activities and youll raise your career profile.

The Red-Hot Guide to COOL Speaking Craft and Deliver presentations that are Creative, Original, Outsized & Liberated is Susans easy-to-use, apply-it-now e-book that answers all your questions about standing out when youre standing up in front of an audience. Available at http://www.susantrivers.com/store.php
Questions are always cheerfully answered at susan@susantrivers.com

Real Psychics

Refinish Your Hardwood Floor Like a Pro

This article is written by a pro of refinishing hardwood floors since I have done too many to count. Maybe 300 would be a good guess. My father was in the business full time (as well as aluminum windows and doors (which I'll write another article about that soon) and while I attended college, and for a short time after, I worked with him as well as on my own refinishing hardwood floors.

In fact, I just did my mother-in-law's last summer and my back still hurts!

Before you even16D0 think of starting this DIY project, you need to be fairly good shape. There is a lot of bending, kneeling and scraping...if you do it right.

Ok, you still are here reading so I guess you are serious :o)

Here are the easy? steps to a beautiful, shiny hardwood floor:

Determine what kind of finish you would like first. There are a couple choices, flat, medium gloss and high gloss. It's strictly taste as they both wear the same. I prefer a polyurethane paint but some like varnishes. I found urethane to be a durable finish and won't yellow over time. Look for 'non-yellowing' on the can. They come in either oil or water based, and I prefer water base for the ease of clean up.

Go to your local hardware store that carries floor sanders, edger sander, pain scrapers, sandpaper (medium) and the floor paint.

Prepare your floor by filling in any blemishes, depressions, cracks and nail holes.

Sweep and then vacuum floor. (at this point I would hang a plastic sheet over any door openings if the door has been removed (new construction etc).

Sand main floor being careful to keep sander going in same direction. Start with a coarse sandpaper and switch to finer for second sanding. The first sanding is to get to bare wood and the second for a finished look.

Sand the edges. The trick here is to use a fairly light touch and rotate the sander in semi-circle reducing sand marks.

Now the fun part. Take your scraper in scrape the corners and under heaters. Don't worry about under heaters too much as it won't be that noticeable.

Whew! The hard part is done. Now the fun part. Sweep and vacuum floor and if you see a swirl or sanding marks scrape the out.

Put the sealer down. Wait at least 2 hours, hand sand the whole floor, vacuum and apply the urethane. If you don't have air conditioning, put a fan on the floor to dry it quicker.

I usually waited at least 4-5 hours for it dry, most of the time overnight. I recommend at least 2 coats of urethane for a durable, hard finish.

You're done! Wow not so bad was it?

Oh yeah,

Email me for a chiropractor lol

Dan Farrell is the owner of http://www.closet-organizer-plan.com where you can get a free closet organizer plan and other home improvement ideas and articles.

Step 2 In Wall Patching

Positive Self-Talk For Better Results In Life

One of the biggest influences that we can use to our advantage in life is oneself. In particular, we can use our thoughts because they influence our feelings and therefore can have a profound effect on how we deal with life in general.

By learning to control our self-talk and turning it into positive self-talk rather than negative, which most people do unconsciously throughout the day, you can begin to gain more control over every aspect of your life and make essential changes.

Your ability to succeed in life largely depends on how you deal with life, a positive mental attitude leads to a confident and ultimately more successful person than one full of negativity which leads to a lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem

Your quality of life is based on how you think and feel from moment to moment and changing the way you think can drastically change how you see life and deal with life.

Making positive self-talk a daily routine of your life reprograms a new thinking pattern in your subconscious mind. You should aim to repeat positive self-talk around 50 times throughout a day to overcome any negative self-talk you have developed over the years. You should repeat your positive self-talk statements aloud.

Here are some effective positive self-talk phrases to change your life

I have an interesting challenge facing me this could be used when a problem occurs in life or there is some difficulty, rather than looking at the situation in a negative way and thinking I have a problem, thinking of it as a challenge is a much more positive way of dealing with it.
I like the person I am this could be used to bolster self-confidence and gain respect about yourself and the person you are, similar statements could be I am the best, I am a good person or I have many excellent qualities.
I know I can do this this could be used if you are faced with a certain task that you would previously doubt yourself capable of conquering, similarly you could say I have the ability to conquer this or this doesnt pose a problem for me
I am full of health, energy and vitality this can be used to encourage good feelings about your health either after you have been sick or while recovering from an illness.

Positive self-talk is simple yet effective. Start making it part of your daily routine today!

Get Your FREE 5-part mini course, "5 Days to Instant Mind Power"
I'll Also Give You A Copy of My "Subconscious Mind Power Hacks" Report value at $27 For FREE!
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Bernard Jordan

How To Accessorize One Of The Most Important Rooms In The House - The Bathroom

One of the most important rooms in a home is the bathroom. Ask any real estate agent, and they will let you know that a clean, well-decorated bathroom, with a peaceful atmosphere and bright cheerful colors will add thousands of dollars to the value of the home. The bathroom is, according to the real estate pros, of particular interest to the lady of the house. The bathroom is second in importance only to the kitchen when it comes to the homes value in the real-estate market. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to create a bathroom with the appropriate atmosphere and style is the appropriate use of bathroom accessories.

Your first and most important task in changing the look of your bathroom and increasing your homes value is choosing the right color scheme. The color of your walls sets the mood and can create the appearance of more space when you choose light colors. You will also want your bathroom accessories to compliment the wall color, so choose with care. These days a bathroom design can be done in almost any color theme and should compliment the other styles and colors in the home. With the advent of modern technology and the internet, you can shop from the comfort of your own home saving time and gas while viewing the offerings of a variety of retailers at the same time.

By far the most important of the bathroom accessories you will need to buy is the bathroom suite itself (this would encompass the sink, toilet, bathtub and possibly a bidet). You will want to choose a color that compliments the dcor of the room, especially the walls and the bathroom tiles. There are many colors to choose from including the traditional white or ivory as well as many pastel shades of pinks, yellows, blues and greens. If you like to change the look of the bathroom frequently, you may want to stick with the traditional colors. You will find many various types of integrated bathroom suites available in either traditiAB8onal or contemporary designs. The traditional choices range from designs of previous centuries, such as the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Modern designs might include different shower options such as waterfall, multiple heads and ionic technology.

Other important aspects of the bathroom are the faucets or taps. These basic and often overlooked, but completely essential bathroom accessories are available in numerous styles and colors. There are probably more than you can even imagine. Ranging from basic simple classic designs, to the elaborate or even more sleek modern designs, the choices available to the modern consumer is extensive. One important thing to determine is the finish you want. Most standard faucets come in a chrome or gold finish, and some of the more ornate ones have ceramic handles or even plastic characters or other themes.

Once you have decided on the overall dcor and color scheme and found the bathroom suite, faucets and handles you can begin to think about other things such as lighting fixtures, mirrors and bathroom accessories. You might consider adding a bidet for increased hygiene. Bidets are very common in Europe and Latin American countries. Some bidet designs are now even integrated into the toilet, and they are increasing in popularity in the United States. Towel bars or racks and bathroom cabinets are the other indispensable elements of the finished bathroom design. You can create a bathroom that provides a haven of peace, tranquility and relaxation with a well chosen color scheme and some thoughtfully selected bathroom accessories.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about bathroom products as well as bathroom accessories online at http://www.exclusivebathroomaccessories.com

2 X 12 Tread Shrinkage

Time Management Program - Punctuality is Important

Punctuality is a big deal in time management. Everyone is late sometimes, right? Yes, most people are occasionally late and when they are its because of an unexpected occurrence. But when you are habitually late punctuality is an issue you need to address.

When you arent punctual you set yourself up for escalating levels of stress. When you start the day late you tend to run late the entire day. Even though you may not place a high value on punctuality, recognize that others do. Lateness can lose you the sale, cost you the job, diminish the level of respect the other person has for you because they are thinking that if you cant even be counted on to be on time how can they count on you for something important.

Punctuality is an integrity issue that creates chaos in your time management program. When you arent punctual you are demonstrating a lack of integrity with yourself and others. When you agree to hold an appointment at a specific time and then youre late you have missed an opportunity to keep your word. Keeping your word enables you to feel good about yourself and others to feel good about you.

Punctuality communicates more than timeliness. When you arent punctual it demonstrates a lack of focus and clarity on whats important. When something is really important to you, you will be on time. Being late communicates the appointment wasnt important to you.

How do you improve your punctuality? Start allowing a little slack time between your appointments. Give yourself at least an extra 15 minutes between each appointment. Then if youre a little early use those few minutes to do those little things that dont take much time like reading an article, making a quick phone call, planning the next weeks calendar etc. As you improve your timeliness youll feel a whole lot better and more in control. You wont need to be speeding around to get everywhere, and you project a more professional image.

Would you like to learn more about your time behaviors? Try this Time Management Analysis and find out where your opportunities for improvement are.

Do you have $1 to invest in your future? Give Coaching a Try.

John F Kennedy

Concrete vs Cement - A True Understanding Helps Build Better Walls and Fences

With our experience building precast concrete fences and walls in California, we've become pretty comfortable with a good understanding of the concrete and cement business. Generally "concrete" and "cement" are not the same thing. Sidewalks and foundations are made from concrete, not cement, although cement is a vital and significant ingredient of concrete. There are other ingredients which may include gravel or crushed stone (also known as aggregate), sand, water and, other performance-enhancing additives. The trucks you see with the swirling container that most people call cement mixers are actually concrete mixers.

The cement in concrete is known as Portland cement, because Joseph Aspdin, an English bricklayer who is credited with the invention of its, felt that its color was almost the same as limestone quarried on the Isle of Portland. Aspdin got a patent for cement as far back as 1824. He used to heat limestone and clay in a kiln until parts of the mixture fused, then he ground the burned and desiccated result into a fine powder. Adding water to the powder produced a workable paste and initiated a chemical process, called hydration, in which the water bonded with compounds of calcium, silicon, aluminum and iron, and caused the whole thing to combine into a rigid mass. Wet Portland cement doesn't merely "dry," hydration transforms it into a chemically distinct material, which continues to strengthen over time.

Though concrete is very hard to crush, it's pretty easy to actually pull apart. A way to compensate for this tensile weakness (that means it's easy to break apart) is to add steel reinforcing rods, known as rebar, which hold the concrete in place overall when it cracks. Concrete reinforced with rebar must crack, Meyer explained. "That may sound funny to the layperson," he said, "but the reason is that if it doesn't crack, you wouldn't need the steel. It is the challenge of the engineer to keep cracks small, so that rather than having a few big cracks, we have many little cracks."

Another way to reinforce the cement is by adding threadlike fibers made of steel, polypropylene, polyolefin, and other materials-samples. So by adding polypropylene fibers to the mix it can reduce the risk of such failures, because in high heat the fibers melt, leaving voids that act like relief valves for steam.

Artisan Precast, Inc., the leader in concrete fence walls and high quality fences and installation services to assure the on-time execution of your landscape project. Since 1982, their fence brands - Woodcrete, Brickcrete, Fencestone, Cedarcrete and Woodcrete Rail,- have become very popularly accepted by architects, landscape designers, engineers, residential, commercial and industrial developers, utility companies, government agencies, and others in the construction industry.

Prefabstairs