iilinks

Alon

e - in the world - he traveled
Via rock steps and forest’s embrace
The wind kissed and then whispered:
Take our amulet and use it only once
…when obstacle comes.

And to a lake - he headed
And stabbed his toes on the lily bridge
The water stood still and said:
Look at me and you will see
A moment of light inside of me
Take it and walked on your way.

Then - into a shallow marsh - he went
Where fierce bulls strolled to find a mate
But before a horn was nailed
He pulled out his amulet - then said:
Sorry bull but I must pass
I will remember you and your marsh
As I travel…

And he knew…
On wind’s kiss
…it was written:
journeys can be smooth
journeys can be tough
just find your way…

…soon it will be dark.

NOTE: Kindly send honest comments to vjagunap@yahoo.com

About the Author: Vernan Jagunap, an admirer of fine arts and literature since childhod had been mastering the art of writing fictions since year 2000. He is living in Leganes, Iloilo, Philippines where he is trying to write his first novel.

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=925&ca=Poetry

According to the shamanic traditions, the great mystery of being is that all things are alive and have a level of intelligence. This is because all things are a part of the Great Spirit. However, all things also function individually, in thought and action. It is in these individual actions that karma is born. Karmic laws also state that all karma, both good and bad, must also return home…return to sender!

Most of us don’t have a good grasp of group karma. Simply stated, if you agree to be a member of a group situation, you are also agreeing to it’s collective karmic pattern of return. So sooner or later problems at work, in your business or corporate structure will show up at your front door. It’s like you caught the flu from the group…but now your personally ill.

As humanity grows in it’s awareness…it also grows in karmic responsibility. So years ago many industries caused environmental problems, but were not aware of that fact.

However, karmic law states all things must return home……….so these industries don’t really exist today…..or operate in a weakened condition [ in the future they will not exist at all].

According to my spirit guides, there is a big push these days too clean up the karma of the global business world. We know from the news that many business institutions, and even very large corporations are in trouble these days..many will not make it through the heavy gate of karmic return. They will fail………….

On the brighter side, Spirit is not against business, but is really pro-business….so now what?The newer business model that is emerging is much more holistic. By agreeing to function more holistically, much less damaging karma developes…..and if you’re really aware of all business levels…very little negative karma developes.

So, if you’re in a corporate or business situation, and things are not really going right…take the time to clear the issues up, before you catch the karmic flu!

Just at the environmental level, many things should be addressed….but just start by keeping your office or work space clean and organized….this helps clear out negative energy patterns.

Taking it one step further…use Feng Shui tools and techniques if you know how. Or buy a book, hire a consultant or use trial and error to solve some of the ongoing issues around you at the job or business.

Good Luck!

The Business Shaman

About the Author: Jerry is a professional shaman. He publishes a free online magazine and newsletter dealing with shamanism and holism as they apply to life and business. You can reach the publication at this address: http://www.jeremiahhuck.workzsites.com

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=908&ca=Business+Management

If your commitment to eat right, exercise, and lose weight always seems to lose its steam, you are not alone! Weight problems are not just about what you are eating, but why you are eating in the first place.

To see what I mean, ask yourself these questions. Do you think about food and eating more than you think you should? Do you feel guilty when you eat certain foods? Do you have trouble passing up tempting food even if you aren’t hungry? Do you often eat when you are bored, stressed, lonely, or angry? Do you eat differently in private than you do in public? Do you fluctuate between dieting and eating too much?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you have probably discovered that dieting hasn’t really solved the problem. To help you understand why, lets take a look at three different eating styles: Over Eating, Restrictive Eating, and Instinctive Eating.

In “Over Eating” people eat because it is mealtime or because something looks good - whether they are hungry or not. They may also eat to distract themselves or cope with stress and emotions. They may reward, comfort, or entertain themselves with food. Their weight tends to go up and down depending on whether they are off or on their diet.

In “Restrictive Eating,” a person controls his or her weight by dieting. They decide when, what, and how much to eat based on the rules of the latest diet they are following. Since diet rules are always changing, they sometimes feel confused about what they should eat. They think of food as either “good” or “bad”—and they think of themselves as good or bad, depending on what they ate.

Now think about someone who doesn’t struggle with his or her weight. If you are having trouble thinking of someone like that, think of a baby or a young child. I call this “Instinctive Eating.” These people just seem to know when, what, and how much food they need. When their body needs fuel, they get hungry, triggering an urge to eat. They simply stop eating when their hunger is satisfied. Most of them really like to eat and seem to be able to eat whatever they want.

However they will turn down even delicious food if they aren’t hungry.

You might believe that a person who eats instinctively has been blessed with willpower and a great metabolism. But the truth is, we were all born Instinctive Eaters. Its just that many of us “unlearned” our natural ability to know how much to eat. The good news is that you can relearn those skills if you are willing. I did! Here are some important steps to get you started.

1.Let go of the idea that there is a perfect diet that will finally solve your problems. The answer lies within you.

2.Whenever you have an urge to eat, instead of focusing on the food, first ask yourself, “Am I hungry?” Remember that hunger is a physical feeling. It is not the same thing as appetite, cravings, or the desire to eat.

3.If you are hungry, remember that there are no “good” or “bad” foods. You are less likely to overeat certain foods if you know that you can have them again when you really want them.

4.Stop eating when the hunger is gone but before you feel full, even if there is food left. Give up your membership to the Clean Plate Club!

5.If you are not hungry, ask yourself if something in your environment triggered your urge to eat and what you could do to reduce the trigger or distract yourself from it. For instance, could you put the candy dish out of sight or do something else for a while until you are actually hungry?

6.If there was an emotional trigger, ask yourself what you could do to better cope with that emotion. For instance, if stress triggered your urge to eat, could you try a relaxation exercise instead?

7.Don’t expect yourself to be perfect—it is not possible or even necessary.

By relearning to eat instinctively, you will see that eating to satisfy hunger is pleasurable and that it is good to eat foods that you enjoy. You will find that meeting your other needs in appropriate ways will bring balance and joy to your life. By learning these important skills, you will reach a healthier weight and a healthier lifestyle—without dieting!

About the Author: Michelle May, M.D. is a practicing Board Certified Family Physician with expertise in the cognitive-behavioral aspects of weight management. She is the author of Am I Hungry? What To Do When Diets Don’t Work in collaboration with a Registered Dietitian and Psychologist. Visit her website http://www.AmIHungry.com for more ideas on managing weight without dieting.

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=899&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

If you’re interested in publishing a book and gaining a market presence and income from it, you’ll need a literary agent. They are the grease that keeps the oft-rusty wheels of publishing moving. Every day, they eat lunch or talk to editors and acquisition people in publishing houses all over the world, all the while pitching them on the new hot ‘properties’, as your manuscript will be called.

Generally speaking, you need an agent (though there are literary lawyers and others out there who would disagree with me.) I’ve had four agents, some fine, one useless, and one downright criminal (though eminently likeable.)

Here are some tips I can pass along that will help your search for this important part of your team.

*Make sure you’re selling something marketable. It could be you’re the only person out there who wants to read about your Aunt Tillie’s days as a pickle packer. Before you approach an agent, find out what problem your book solves and who it will appeal to. Research similar titles on Amazon.com and look for gaps in the marketplace. Go to bookstores and see what’s hot (and what’s not.) What’s not is on the remainder shelf; what’s hot is placed up front and center, with massive piles of the book in sight. Give an agent a good reason UP FRONT to get excited (before they even read your mss)

*Make sure your book idea or manuscript is in top shape. There is no substitute for excellence… it helps! You’ve got to have an awesome concept, and an even better title.

*Make your book proposal as professional possible. (Book proposals are only for non-fiction books, those other than novels.) You’ll want to include a lot more than just what the book’s about. You’ll need to include any market research you’ve done on who’d buy the book, ideas for unusual places the books could be sold, or ways to tie it in with ’special sales’ (that’s pub-speak for big wholesale orders) to certain industries, or connections with your workshops, speaking gigs, web site, etc.. You’ll also want to include an impressive bio, merchandising ideas, a sketch of the competitive marketplace and publicity ideas. (If this sounds daunting, worry not. See my blurb at the bottom.)

*Establish your credibility. If you’re writing fiction, let them know you’ve either had unique life experiences that will make your book especially interesting to the media. (If you’re writing about your white water rafting exploits, did you have a great experience related to this you could spin on air?) If you’re writing non-fiction, are you a PhD or do you have a masters, or lots of great professional experience? It’s tougher to sell a great book written by someone who’s got no credentials in the field to back them up … but it can be done.

*Hook up with a star. Can you get a celebrity endorsement, or a testimonial or foreword from a highly placed industry star? This will help an agent feel they can sell your work.

*Find the niche no one has explored. They’re out there, even in your chosen field. This is especially true for non-fiction, though niches apply to both genres. The best niche comes from your own passions and interests… what’s really You?

*Do not send your manuscript! Send a one page letter describing your project and why you are the person to write it, plus your proposal (non-fiction only) or a few sample chapters of your manuscript (fiction.) Offer to send the rest right away if they are interested. Make sure everything is spell-checked, double spaced, with correct margins, etc..

*Hand pick the agents you submit to. DO NOT SEND MASS MAILINGS TO AGENTS. It won’t work, and is a waste of time and money. Instead, research who to approach and pick the 5, 10, 20 or so who actually sell your type of work. Agents stick to niches themselves, and one way to find that niche is in various resource guides like Writer’s Market, the LMP (Literary Market Place … in all big libraries), or the Writer’s Digest 2002 Guide to Literary Agents. (I have several other techniques I share in my Self Help Author’s Crash Course, which is on sale at the moment. See below.)

*Make your letter great.

Your pitch will be placed in a pile with the other cold submissions that arrived that day (maybe 25 -50) and an assistant will thumb through them, spending about 10 seconds on each one. This means if you have a personal contact, you mention it in the first sentence. Trim your description of your book into a meaty, mouth-watering paragraph. Add a bit on why you are the person to write it. And BE SURE to let them know you hand picked them, out of all the agents out there, because of the great work they’ve done for authors X, Y and Z. In fact, you predict they will have similar success with your property, as they did with Book X they just sold to Q Publisher, etc. In other words, make it personal, a little witty, and smart

*Don’t use old contact info … and call to see that the agent you’re contacting is still at the address you have before you send anything

*Don’t ever pay an agent to evaluate your book. This is not how standard agents work, and is illegal.

*Give the agent one month to evaluate your work. Then follow up by phone or email. Many will tell you how they like to be contacted in guides such as The Writer’s Market and those listed above. Continue to follow up, until such actions are ridiculous. You’ll probably get some kind of response, especially if you’re letter is great

*Follow up and ask for referrals. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the intended agent on the phone. They may seem interested, but just won’t commit. (A standard line is “I’m not taking on any new clients right now.”) So ask if they know any agents they might recommend, or someone who is expanding their operation. Then send a thank you note if their info has been helpful. Agenting is a small world, and many people stay in it for life. They’ll remember when you reappear at their door years later. And this time it may open

*Be persistent. You may have to go through several lists of hand-picked agents, before you get the bite you need.

*Work your personal connections. Be exhaustive, thinking of anyone you know who might connect you with other agents, or even authors. Most authors will want to see the project you’re pitching, and may not feel comfortable sharing their contact with you… but many may.

About the Author: For information on how to create your own publisher-ready book proposal that agents will sit up and pay attention to, drop by Suzanne’s site, http://www.getknownnow and get her free listing of 25 Top Self Help Literary Agents.To reprint this article, please use with this bio box in tact. Thanks! ©2005 Suzanne Falter-Barns LLC. v

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=879&ca=Writing

Country Home Accessories
by: Lisa French

Country home décor is the most sought after home interior and it’s no wonder since country décor invites a casual friendly lifestyle.

Make sure you carefully study the specific style, and color scheme then carefully coordinate the colors of each element of your country décor.

Although the kitchen is primarily a working area little touches can make a big difference:

Pie safes or glass door cabinets can be used for displaying antique china.

Hanging potted plants from the ceiling or placing them in the window.

You can also display:

* Cookbooks
* Wooden spoons
* Bowls or baskets of fruits or vegetables
* Vases of fresh flowers
* Pottery
* Old tin canister:

Pot racks are great for hanging:

* Copper pots
* Baskets
* Dried herbs

You can add a touch of country to your bathroom simply by adding:

Old glass jars, which are great, for holding cotton balls, Q-tips, or a fresh flower.

Decorative baskets, a galvanized pot, or a wine rack used in the bathroom are good for holding towels.

Baskets and pots can hold magazines, books, towels, oils, soaps, shampoos, sponges, and lotions.

Shelves can be used to display a collection of:

* Knickknacks
* Candles
* Potpourri

Don’t forget you can hang pictures or display your kid’s artwork, in the bathroom.

You will want your living room to have a comfortable lived in look that will always make your friends and family feel welcome.

Some charming accents can be displaying:

* Beautiful hand made quilts
* Throw pillows
* Rugs

In your living room you can also arrange:

* Candles
* Potpourri
* Plants
* Flowers

Be consistent in your choice of home interior color, styles and materials so as to avoid a patchwork look that is indicative of bad planning.

About the Author: Author: Lisa French is a freelance writer specializing in home decor.Use of this article requires a link tohttp://www.decorating-country-home.com

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=859&ca=Home+Management

A LI’L PRAYER

God,… help me to find
the good in the bad
the joy in the sad
the fun in the mad
the has in the had.

And please help me to see
the man in the lad
the style in the fad
the sum in the add
the love in the bastard…

Amen.

About the Author: WILLIAM B. RAMOS, is a person on an offending wheelchair. But wisdom of many years and experience has taught him to see it as a throne than a disability.

His poems were borne out of his rich experiences and realizations of how hard life is and yet how good God is, for when he is weak, his God is strong.

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=828&ca=Poetry

It has been believed that its rude to ask a woman her real age. But why? Is it an insult to be treated your age? So what if you’re older?

Women love it when people think they look younger than they really are. What’s with looking younger? Does that mean that when we’re younger, we’re more beautiful? That makes us most beautiful during the moment of our birth… I don’t think so…

Age is a mere creation of our human minds. Before, days months and years don’t exist. There is only day and night. No mondays or Fridays, No Septembers and Decembers, until our ancestors were able to create the sundial which lead to the creation of time. But long before age and time were determined, people lived a simple life. Can you imagine a world with no deadlines to meet? a world with no age restrictions? no curfews! ? There’s no one too young or too old for anything.

Unfortunately, this can’t be true because age and time are now part of our lives just as breathing is…

I believe that as we get older, we tend to mature- that’s one thing worth growing old for! Age doesn’t assure wisdom, its just that when you’re older you tend to be more experienced than youngsters. There goes your edge towards maturity.

As we age, we also gain respect. In a country like ours, its an obligation to respect your elders. we pay due respect to our parents, grandparents, elder brothers and sisters, and even to strangers..

When you get older, you also get to see life in a different perspective. I guess its all because of the been-there-done-that mentality. You can act like you have been there and you’ve doen that though you really haven’t and no one could contradict you because they would never know.

As in games, growing older is like going from one level to another. There’s always a new set-up. There are new set of tasks and difficulties, new set of troubles and problems… new set of everything.. both positive and negative.

It’s all in the state of mind. If you condition yourself to go with the flow of age and time, then life has a bucket of surprises for you.. surprises fit for your real age.

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=814&ca=Aging

I may have not been too vocal in the past
Of my respect and love—for they are so vast
An old ballad sings: “Some good things never last”
But in me, O Mother, may you put your trust

My childhood memories with you and Father
Are in my heart well-kept—be lost they’ll never
Our countless strolls in Luneta and Ongpin
Were magical as the lamp of Aladdin

Your well-cried tears and heartily shed laughter
Till my twilight I will always remember

To be happy for and love one another
You taught us how—my lovely sisters and me
Forgiveness in our hearts, you said, should be free
The reason we persevere to be better

The pains and sacrifices that you’ve been through
I shared them all with you; you know it is true
Every ups-and-downs, you’re always there beside
Me—believing, comforting, reassuring

Like a hen, you reared us single-handedly
Like chicks, we followed you affectionately

I might have pecked and
Scratched you from time to time
Whatever pain I’d caused you…pardon my rhyme
For you, I will always be…hoping…dreaming

I may have not been too vocal in the past
Despite, you knew my love and respect are vast
A few years more must pass—oh Time, such a tease!
Yet from yearning to go home I’ll never cease

– Tuesday, January 18, 2005;
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
While listening to “Ode to My Family” by The Cranberries
(’No Need to Argue’; 1994, Polygram Records)

©2005 eLf ideas

About the Author: aLfie “eLf” vera mella was born in 1971 in Metro Manila, Philippines. He was a very inquisitive child who had shown fondness for reading and writing at an early age. He graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, but the literatus in him never left his heart. A true artist, eLf was the vocalist of a New Wave band, named Half Life Half Death, which served as the musical vehicle for his poetry.

Before he left his beloved country in 2003, he was working as an editor of and writer for scholastic books and magazines. eLf is currently living in British Columbia, Canada, serving as a caregiver for his maternal grandfather. He may have left a well-loved work but for a noble reason, and he never ceased from doing what he loves most since childhood—writing. Virtually always home, he usually spends his solitary nights reading, researching, and writing about various subjects of his interest—chiefly, Culture, History, Literature, Mythology, Music, and Science—with New Wave music always lingering in the background like a gentle breeze on a quiet sea.A writer at heart, eLf started inditing his thoughts around the age of six; and he intends to continue documenting his feelings and ideas until his twilight./http://www.elf-ideas.blogspot.com

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=792&ca=Poetry

Everyone wants to save money. Don’t you? Well, painting your own, color matched art can be a lot easier than you might think!

Usually the picture that you want for your room will have an outrageous price. Or maybe you just can’t find anything that matches your new color scheme?

There is a simple way to paint your own pictures and save a fortune. Not only will you save money but you can exactly match your décor as well. Use this easy method and you can make your own unique pictures.

First decide what size of picture you want and buy a suitable stretched canvas. It needs to be suitable for acrylic paints which are water based. Some canvases are only suitable for oil based paints, and will not work for this project.

It will be easiest to choose an abstract theme. Abstract art will look good in most rooms. You can include shapes from any of the patterns in the furnishings. Use a basic shape rather than trying to copy the shape in detail. For example, just use a simple leaf outline rather than showing every vein in the leaf as it is depicted in the curtains.

Any water based paints used in the room can be included in the picture for a perfect match. Otherwise take along a color sample of your paint or wallpaper, as well as any fabric samples when you go to buy the paints for the picture.

I like to use acrylic paints as they come in a large range of colors. It is easy to adapt the colors to match those that are already in the room. Also acrylics come in a range of metallic colors which can look stunning.

Another option is to use tester pots of interior paint. This can be an economic way of buying colors for your picture - as long as the paints are water based.

Keep the painting simple for the best result.

When you see paintings that you like you can use them as the inspiration for your own abstract. Simple bands of color can be very effective. Also blocks of color can look good too. Use tape to mask off the areas before painting if you want a crisp edge. Acrylic paints are an adhesive, so remove the tape before the paint dries - unless you want to the tape in the final picture!

You do not need to cover all of the canvas. Leaving areas of the white canvas will help to brighten the final effect. One method is to just splash on a few colors and leave it to dry.

If you are unhappy with the result of your efforts simply paint over the canvas and start again. No stress!

Leave the picture to dry. When completely dry you can improve or highlight parts as necessary. This would be a good time to add metallic paints if you are using them.

Once the final coats of paint are dry, give the picture a coat of acrylic varnish to seal it. Once sealed, it can be wiped with a damp cloth to keep it clean.

The canvas could be framed, but a lot of modern pieces are displayed without a frame. In modern surroundings this is a very good look, and saves on the cost of framing.

It really isn’t that difficult to paint your own pictures. By learning a few simple techniques you will be able to paint with confidence. When you paint your own pictures you will be able to match your décor exactly and repeat the patterns already used in the room - all at a fraction of the price of buying one from a gallery. Your own unique masterpiece!

About the Author: Catherine Calder, author of the Acrylic Painting Course. This ‘No-Draw’ painting course shows you, step-by-step, how to complete 12 pictures, and ideas for more!For a free report about painting your own artwork -‘How to Paint Abstract Pictures for Pleasure and Profit’ Click here => http://www.learnanddo.com/acrylic.asp

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=783&ca=Home+Management

Love

, if I weep it will not matter,
And if you laugh I shall not care;
Foolish am I to think about it,
But it is good to feel you there.

Love, in my sleep I dreamed of waking,
White and awful the moonlight reached
Over the floor, and somewhere, somewhere
There was a shutter loose- it screeched!

Swung in the wind- and no wind blowing-
I was afraid and turned to you,
Put out my hand to you for comfort-
And you were gone! Cold as the dew,

Under my hand the moonlight lay!
Love, if you laugh I shall not care,
But if I weep it will not matter-
Ah, it is good to feel you there.

About the Author: You may e-mail me with any comments about my poetry.thank you for reading my post poem!!!!

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=753&ca=Poetry