Healing Through the Written Word By Virginia Dever

Healing through the Written Word - Writing is the medicine we need to heal our everyday wounds and provide us with the immunity to go forth and live, knowing we have a powerful healer at our fingertips.

Everyday wounds are those hurts that present themselves to us on a daily basis through our relationships and interactions with others and stay with us until they are addressed and eventually healed. Each day we are presented with situations that can develop into wounds or contribute to our growth as a Higher Ground Human. It all depends on what we choose.

"Everyday wounds" consist of the following:

* Fears we have not faced or embraced. * Hurt feelings that either are not recognized or addressed. * Blocks or obstructions that keep us from achieving our goals, evolving, or developing self esteem. * Lost dreams due to overwhelm. * Feelings of isolation. * Frustration * Negativity and judgments. * Unable to focus.

We can choose to walk in integrity taking us one step closer towards becoming a Higher Ground Human or as many of us do we can choose to take the safe route, hide our true feelings, protecting our vulnerability and safely hiding our fear.

When we choose the latter, we are being untrue to ourselves, the biggest sin of all. We are our own worst enemy. Once we realize and accept our hurtful behavior we are ready to step onto our healing path and begin the journey. To do otherwise would be deliberately unkind.

Writing is an untapped natural healer, which according to The Med Serv. Medical News, reporting on a study by Smyth & colleagues, concluded that "The simple act of writing about bad times can be potent, and a low cost, method of relieving pain and symptoms of chronic illnesses....

Healing our emotional wounds is necessary for us to move forward, to grow spiritually, to live peacefully and to Be the best we can be.

Walking in integrity means our thoughts; actions and feelings are all aligned, all in accordance all congruent (in agreement). Actively and consciously inhibiting and holding back our thoughts and feelings takes work AND can lead to stress, ultimately affecting our immune system often putting us at risk for major and minor diseases.

James W Pennebaker, PhD is his 1990 book; Opening Up showed a relationship between expressing our emotions through writing and the positive effect this type of writing has on our immune system.

Healing is learning to be true to ourselves. To be true to ourselves and to trust ourselves takes courage and a knowing of who we are. To become true to ourselves we must embrace our fears, walking through them to the other side. When we do this we open ourselves to trusting and experiencing life.

Knowing who we are is a life-long journey AND it takes willingness on our part to consciously take that first step.

I believe we are all aware of what happens when our emotions are left dangling with no where to go, or no release. They can manifest themselves into physical ailments, leaving us confused and often making visits to the doctor's office.

Healing our everyday wounds is necessary for our mental health AND for personal growth.

Everyday wounds are painful and many of us choose to simply ignore or eliminate the pain by being in a constant state of denial.

For those who choose to travel through the pain, we find integrity and personal growth on the other side.

Writing is a powerful tool to have when moving through the pain. Through writing we can make sense out of confusion, giving meaning to emotional hurts, pin-pointing the root of our pain and sadness and opening us up to a whole new world.

Writing on a daily basis at the same time is a simple everyday ritual we must develop. When you have a conflict between your thoughts and your actions sit down and begin to write giving yourself a prompt. Your prompt may be "Why was I angry yesterday.........?" and just let the words flow through your fingers onto the paper. This free writing is powerful. You will know when you are finished.

Now give yourself the prompt "Why was I not truthful .......?" and begin to write, letting the words flow out onto the paper.

Once you are finished sit quietly and read both writings. I promise, you will be exposed to the answers to both of your prompts, giving you the opportunity to make amends to yourself by bringing your actions and your thoughts in alignment. You will begin to walk your thoughts and your talk AND be yourself. There is nothing more powerful and a battle worth fighting.

The famous American poet, EE Cummings, said, "To be nobody-but-yourself----in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else---means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight...."

This exercise will take only 30 minutes of your time, yet it is invaluable when it comes to your personal growth.

Writing helps us get in touch with what is hidden from us, giving us answers to those questions that seem to baffle us often exposing the reason behind our anger.

Writing gives us energy and frees us from the ties that bind. When we write we create a spiritual, truthful connection with ourselves and with others.

Give yourself the gift of writing.

Virginia Dever Writer - Coach - Healer Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Virginia_Dever

Weight Loss - What Goals to Set and How to Reach Them

To successfully lose weight in a sustainable manner, the approach can make all the difference. An effective approach is to set appropriate targets (objectives to be more or less long term and daily), to choose good ways to implement and monitor its progress towards achieving these objectives by adjusting the means according to the results .

SELECT appropriate targets

Have realistic expectations on the time required for weight loss reduces the risk of abandoning the effort.

How to set realistic goals?

- Getting to the idea of losing relatively slowly

Most experts agree that losing 5% to 10% of its original weight may be achievable. So for a weight of 90 pounds, a goal is reached 5 to 9 pounds.

A realistic goal is to lose one half to one kilo per week to stay healthy.

- To calculate

Allows the calculation to be realistic about the time required. For a loss of 10 pounds, consider a program of at least 3 months.

For a loss of 20 pounds, at least six months will be needed.

This requires a reduction target of 500 to 1000 calories a day either by eating less, doing more exercise or both. One kilogram equals 7700 calories. Thus a change of 500 calories per day, compared with the daily need to maintain weight, can lose a kilo in 2 weeks (500 * 15 = 7500).

- Set short term goals

Focus on stages like losing 2.5 pounds versus 10 pounds to help stay motivated (e). The daily goal is to get through the day by not eating too much or even succeed to insert a step in the day.

Losing weight slowly helps maintain weight loss for at least one reason: it gives time to adopt new behaviors that will be needed for weight maintenance.

Focus on changing habits every day, not just on weight loss, can make all the difference to reach its goal.

SELF-SUPERVISE

- Monitor progress

It is important to note its weight on a regular basis to monitor its progress. Be weighed daily or at least very regularly, while learning to take account of natural variations, allows to adjust the power or the level of daily exercise to achieve its purpose.

- Make the right adjustments

Keep a food diary can double weight loss

Lose weight without dieting: 10 strategies supported by research

Lose weight: two expert advice

- Re-evaluate the need to target

If you are not able to reach your goal, it is probably too high in relation to your eating habits and your level of energy expenditure.

There are learning to make a better choice for food and resources to implement to succeed in changing habits in daily life.

If weight gain continues, it would be beneficial if the goal becomes the maintenance rather than weight loss. When this goal is reached, it will gradually add small changes.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacky_Chen

Learning How to French Kiss is Easy By Lauren Worthington

Learning how to French kiss your girlfriend or boyfriend may seem very scary at first. However, with enough practice and tips you will be able to kiss your boyfriend or girlfriend with confidence and ease. If you are ready to take your relationship up another level, then learn how to French kiss.

Because French kissing involves a physical aspect, attraction is crucial. Creating the right kind of attraction with your boyfriend or girlfriend can be done through the way you look and the way you smell. Take extra time to do your hair or make-up. In addition, try to dress in a way that you know your boy or girl likes. Wearing the right type of cologne or perfume can turn up the attraction, as well. Just be careful not to spray too much cologne or perfume or else your partner will not be attracted to you, bur rather he or she will be coughing from the overpowering smell.

The use of flirting and complimenting is another route to take to strengthen attraction. This coupled with dressing nicely and smelling good can create a very strong sense of attraction between you and your partner. Girls should flirt and tease their partners, while guys can give their girls nice compliments.

When you are learning how to French kiss, do not forget the basic fundamentals of just plain, old kissing. Keep your eyes shut to avoid awkwardness while you are kissing your partner. Also, make sure that when you go in for a kiss, you tilt your head slightly to the left or right to make sure you do not bump noses and hurt one another.

Placing your girlfriend or boyfriend in the right place and environment is also a crucial point in French kissing. Perhaps watch a movie on a cozy couch while cuddling. Also, men should hold their girls in the arms gently and caress their bodies. Girls can rub their partners' necks and massage their backs. Each of these routes will create relaxation and comfort.

When and only when relaxation, comfort, and attraction has been achieved, you can then begin kissing. Do not just start shoving your tongue deep within your partner's throat. This is simply not how it is done. Gentle, light, little kisses are the avenue to take at first. Once you do this for a while, then you can start the transition to the French kiss by opening your mouth and placing and putting your tongue upon his or her tongue.

Once you have gotten rid of nervousness with your partner, you can then experiment different types of styles and techniques of French kissing. By touching your tongue and mouth to different parts of your partner's mouth, you can create a whole new set of feelings. You should consider rubbing your tongue across the top of your partner's mouth and vice versa. Another move you can make is slightly nibbling on his or her lips when you take your tongue out of his or her mouth. Doing all these things will intensify the feelings of affection and pleasure for both you and your partner.

Lauren Worthington is a kissing specialist who teaches various ways to French Kiss. It is recommended you check out her course which teaches Learning To French Kiss. You can also read further articles of hers on Learning How To French Kiss

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lauren_Worthington

Online Dating 101 - Online Dating Basics By Kevin Koger

Feeling like there’s something that’s just not quite there yet in how you’re going about this whole online dating thing? Don’t feel bad, chances are you’re one of the many people who’re still pretty new to this gig. Heck, internet dating has only been around for about eight years, so obviously no one out there can claim to have all the answers.

But hey, seeing that we've been perfecting the art of matching people up online all eight of those years, we’d like to share a little of what we’ve learned about how to make the best of your online experience. Who knows, one of these pointers might be just what you’ve been missing in perfecting your own online dating adventures.

Therefore, without further ramblings, here are the:

TOP 10 TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL ONLINE DATING

SAY CHEESE!
Look your best and submit a great photo of yourself for your profile photo. A good picture really is worth a thousand words, and research shows that you are nearly 10 times more likely to be noticed if you post a photo to your profile.

And, the same stats hold true when you contact someone you’ve noticed on the site. If you don’t have a photo, don’t be surprised if the responses aren’t too quick in coming back.

Now, don’t get mad a start making accusations about all the shallow people out there. While it may be true that some people place too much emphasis on physical appearances, the bottom line is it does make a difference when two people are meeting and making initial evaluations of their interest in each other. And, it’s also a trust thing. It is always going to be much easier to interact with a face than with a blank box.

FRESH IS GOOD
Change your profile picture and greeting occasionally, add photos to your photo album, and login regularly—this will not only get you noticed, but it will help others get a more varied and up-to-date idea of what constitutes the real you.

When something interesting happens in your life, tell us about it in your profile greeting. This is a great way to let your online friends in on what it might be like to actually spend time with you. That’s the main goal of online dating isn’t it, to find people you’d finally like to meet and spend time with face-to-face? Anyways, it’s always more fun to hear about a crazy experience you’ve just had than to read the same old descriptions of you and your cat that have been on your profile for months now.

As for photo albums, this is the icing on the cake. Not only do these photos round out and confirm the physical picture your friends are forming of you, but they also go a long way in helping others really see what makes you “you.” The head and shoulders shot of you in your profile photo is nice and all, but when they see you hanging 10, running with your Chihuahua, or shoving a big fat piece of cheesecake in your mouth … now they’re getting to know you.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ME
Have fun describing yourself without making excuses about why you're on the site or who convinced you to finally go online. Tell us what makes you unique.

Believe it or not, being an online dater no longer places you on the fringes of society or even in the minority. Online dating has grown up and moved into the mainstream, and so you can now happily assume that the face-saving qualifiers of past times online are now obsolete. And, more importantly, just realize that they don’t help your cause when meeting others online.

One more thing … try to be original. Yes, I’m sure you really do like the outdoors and want to meet someone who looks good in a tux and in jeans, but so does everyone else! Tell us some things about yourself that wouldn’t necessarily come out in an elevator conversation with your tax accountant. For example, what are you passionate about? What would you do if no longer had to work for a living? What’s your favorite flavor of gelato? Do you secretly wish everyday was sampling day at the grocery store? … now it’ getting interesting!

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY
Don't be fooled thinking telling fibs will impress that special someone enough to get relationship started... it will turn them off! Be your best self.

When you really stop and think about it, what do you think your new friend’s reaction is going to be if when you meet for the first time it’s obvious you’re not the person they thought they were going to be meeting? “Oh .. hi. I see that you’ve been dishonest with me from the get-go here, but hey, I’m still thinking we’ve got a great shot at having an open, trusting relationship for the long-term” Obviously not.

They’re going to be hurt, and disappointed. And, your relationship is unlikely to get past the wave goodbye as your friend gets back in their car to go home.

IT'S NICE TO BE NICE
Okay, so you get a little grouchy once in a while—don’t we all? However, people like nice people. Please be considerate and polite … it will make this whole online thing so much more enjoyable for all of us!

There’s an interesting social phenomenon researchers have discovered in online interactions. They’ve found people often change their standards of politeness and diplomacy when a conversation is happening online, versus face-to-face.

Don’t believe it? You might be surprised if you were to go back and look at some of the things you’ve said. Look at some messages you’ve sent, and then consider saying the exact same words in a face-to-face or a telephone conversation. Sound a little rough? Don’t feel too bad, it happens to the best of us, just try to keep this in mind the next time you’re typing out an email or instant message.

One more thing—please don’t ignore people. A quick “thanks, but no thanks” note is so much better than no reply at all. In fact, next time you’re replying to a message on the site, check out the new “Thanks but No Thanks” template. It’s a quick way to nicely let someone know you’re not interested in corresponding.

YOU CAN PICK YOUR FRIENDS …
Invite your friends along! Create Activity Groups, go on group dates, try Express Dating, enjoy travel events, and just enjoy the net together. After all, instant messaging alone isn’t enough to build solid relationships.

Group dating and group events simply make a lot of sense for online dating. Not only does it make those first dates less stressful, it often makes them more fun, and it definitely makes first meetings a much safer proposition.

Have you ever tried Activity Groups? They’re a great way to meet people with common interests in a safe, fun group setting. You can join a group that’s already been created, or you can create your own and invite all your friends to join … and their friends … and their friends … you get the point.

BREAK OUTA THAT SHELL
Don’t be afraid to make the first contact. Online dating makes it easy for all you shy ones out there to break the ice, because you get to do all the initial getting to know each other from the comfort and safety of your own computer.

To start, just send a Flirt or a quick email message saying Hi—and do it often! You might be surprised how many of our great members suffer from lack of attention from their online peers. Not only might you find someone with whom you’re very interested in maintaining contact, but you’ll probably be making someone’s day.

EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS
If your first internet efforts haven’t turned up “the perfect one,” don’t despair. Hundreds of new people sign up every day on the site, so just come back to see Who’s New. You may also want to consider expanding your searches—don’t be too intent on sticking to your itemized checklist for eternal mates.

You might also want to try some different searches from time to time. Because there are about a million different things you might find attractive in another person, it’s nice to mix up the criteria you’re searching on once in a while. For example, you can search by their Occupation, any Keyword or combination of keywords you can think
of, and many others.

UH OH … THIS MIGHT ACTUALLY BE FUN!
Don’t be afraid to have some fun along your path to relationship happiness! Enjoy getting to know people and understand that many happy relationships and even marriages start with a good ol’ friendship. And, don’t rush it!

You’ve heard animals can sense fear? Well, we humans can be pretty perceptive as well (except for that one guy who just can’t take a hint). So, don’t think others can’t sense when you’re frustrated, dejected, conceited, holier than thou, fed up, etc. etc. Put a smile on, and enjoy the ride, because even if the first few people you meet aren’t Mr./Mrs. Right, it doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun in good
conversations with them.

You may also need to be a little bit patient as you head off into the brave new world of online dating. Not all marriages are “love at first site,” and even if yours is, it may take a lot of looking before you “site” that special someone. And so, once again … enjoy the ride!

USE YOUR NOODLE
Ya know, that gray matter between your ears? That's your noodle. Use it! Be smart, be cautious, and follow our safety guidelines, your instincts, and the spirit in all your dating activity.

Done right, online dating is a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to meet some wonderful people … just ask the thousand-plus people we’ve had submit success stories to us in the past few years! So, enjoy it, and follow these ten tips, and hopefully we’ll be getting a success story from you sometime soon.

Visit http://www.metromingle.com today to meet local singles in your area in a clean and wholesome environment

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Koger

Learn How to Make Women Want You By Joseph Horn Platinum Quality Author

Are you tired of being that guy at the bar who just sits there wishing he could approach and talk to women? Do you wish you had the courage to do something about it? The good news for you is that women are now willing to help you learn how to approach them and talk to them.

The biggest problem was that men never really knew what women wanted. That alone kept most men too nervous to approach and talk to women. That no longer will be a problem. Women are now writing books and magazine articles to teach men how to approach and talk to them. The theory is that if you already know what they want, then you will have no problem approaching them.

By knowing ahead of time what women want, you will be able to make them want you. Not the other way around. That is how you are able to take control of the situation. At the end of the day, that is what women want. They want a man to be in control. Women loose interest very easily if they are bored. By being in control of the situation, the chances of the women to get bored is very unlikely.

The most important thing you want to do is not come across arrogant. Some men tend to do this when they have control. You want to stay confident but don't cross that line. By including them in the conversation, you will ensure that you don't come across arrogant.

So start learning the secret about women. Get the edge you needed to approach and talk to women today.

Click here if you are ready to - LOSE BODY FAT once and for all! Learn all the secrets the women never wanted you to know. The days of women being a mystery are now a thing of the past. Women are taking control of the dating scene and helping men learn how to approach and talk to them. If you are ready to learn how to approach and talk to a woman then CLICK HERE!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Horn

Making The Connection: Tips For Getting Noticed By Toni Coleman Platinum Quality Author

Chances are that you have had a wide variety of experiences in your quest for meeting
singles. These can range from an event that yields several nice interactions and at least
one offer to get together for a date, to going home feeling frustrated and convinced you
are destined to be a dating failure.

If you had made a note of your mood, your general attitude, your level of comfort, (and
other related factors) after each experience, you would have some very useful information.
For the attributes you carry along with you to these social gatherings will have a
great impact on the outcome of each.

The following are tips for helping you to present the best you to others. As you read each,
do a quick inventory of how you rate in that area. It's always helpful to ask friends to
weigh in with their observations. The more information, the better.

1. Present yourself as confident and in possession of a healthy self-esteem.

In general, people are attracted to those who appear confident and who feel good
about themselves. Certainly, this is a turn-on for you as well. If you feel desirable
and sexy, it makes sense that others will too.

If low self-esteem is a problem for you, this should be the first area you work on in
yourself. It is not necessary to have over the top confidence, just a sense that you
are someone that has a lot of positives to offer others.

Do some reading, take a class that teaches assertiveness and/or practice daily
affirmations. Remember also that when you treat yourself with respect and adhere
to healthy boundaries with others, you will foster a healthy sense of self.

2.Be Yourself

NEVER try to be someone you are not. Not only do you come across as insincere, you
also will present as uncomfortable and make others feel this way right along with
you.

Trying to be cool, aggressive, (etc.), generally just makes you awkward and unapproachable.
Relax, be natural, be the you that your friends and others who know and like you, see
and appreciate.

Think back to the times you have witnessed someone "acting" in a social situation,
and the general reaction of those around them. Then think about the people you
know who are good at meeting others. These are the people who present their true
(best) side.

3. Smile and Show Enthusiasm

Certainly you have encountered strangers who were sullen and appeared negative
and unapproachable. A smile can change all that.

Have an open and inviting expression. Make good eye contact. People are DRAWN
to others like this. Let that attractive stranger know you are open to meeting them
and happy to be there. If they have an interest back, this will pave the way for a
first interaction.

If you don't feel like smiling it may be a good idea to sit this one out at home
with a movie or a good book or a low-key get together with a good friend.

4. Present Your Best Appearance

Always make your best effort in your grooming and choice of clothing.
Attractive is just that. It's not about having beautiful features or a fantastic body.
It's all about presenting what you have in the best light possible.

This also includes presenting an attractive personality. Be friendly, not pushy.
Be open, not indiscreet. Have opinions, don't be a know-it-all. Always remember to
consider others' feelings and needs. These interactions are not just about you.

5. Have Some Good Openings Lines Available

Hint: Natural conversation is best.

Some possible ones to consider:

*Do you know so and so?

*I noticed you were enjoying the music a lot, isn't this a great band?

*Your drink looks good- what is it?

*I noticed you standing here alone and thought you may want some company.

Of course, the direct approach is ok too.

*Hi, I'm so and so, what is your name?

Remember that there are no rules anymore about who goes first. If you see
someone who interests you, go for it. Just remember that they may not return
your feelings. Then you move away gracefully, look around for someone
else that attracts you, and make an overture towards them.

Also remember that rejection is part of the process. If you let the fear keep you
from taking that first step, you will greatly lessen your chances of meeting and
connecting with compatible singles.

Toni Coleman, MSW is a licensed psychotherapist, relationship coach and founder of http://www.consum-mate.com. As a recognized expert, Toni has been quoted in many local and national publications including: The Chicago Tribune, The Orlando Sentinel, New York Daily News, Indianapolis Star and Newsweek newspapers and Family Circle, Woman's Day, Cosmo Style, Tango, Men’s Health, Star (regularly quoted body language expert), and Nirvana magazines. She has been featured on abcnews.com; discovery.health.com; aolnews.com; MSN.com, Match.com and planetearthradio.com. Toni offers dating help and relationship advice as the weekly love and dating coach on the KTRS Radio Morning Show (St. Louis, MO) and through her syndicated column, “Dear Dating Coach.” Her newsletter, The Art Of Intimacy, helps over fifty-five hundred subscribers with its dating and relationship advice. Toni is a member of The International Coach Federation, The International Association Of Coaches and The National Association of Social Workers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toni_Coleman

KING OF FIGHTERS

Iori Yagami
Kyo's rival, and a somewhat evil young man with loads of power. The Yagami bloodline has been tainted by a pact with the Orochi, and every now and then, Iori becomes uncontrollably insane as the Riot of Blood overtakes him. No, he is NOT emo, despite what the red hair would have you believe... well, okay, maybe he's just a BIT emo, but he's still cool! You wouldn't dare call him emo when he's in the Riot, or he'd eat your intestines.




Kyo Kusanagi
The main hero of the series, Kyo comes from a long line of warriors who wield a sacred flame. He would step away from the spotlight in later games, but would still be playable and remain one of SNK's most beloved characters. Also changes his outfit for each new storyline in the series. Genetic clones would be made out of him in later games, retaining his old moves while the real deal's moveset has had many alterations over the years.



Ralf Jones
A hotheaded commando who fights with some highly aggressive moves, many of which generate explosions. Speculated by many to have originally been Paul from the SNK shmup Ikari Warriors. He's got quite a loud mouth and is just the type of guy who really gets on your nerves if you fight against him.




Clark Steel
Ralf's brother-in-arms, who tends to be more laid back than his partner and prefers grapples and throws to striking attacks. Speculated by many to have originally been Vince from the SNK shmup Ikari Warriors. Dig the shades!

Japanese Anime and Manga

Japan is the home for many unique things and two which have become popular worldwide are Anime and Manga.

Manga, similar to western comic books, are unbelievably popular in today’s modern Japanese culture. Unlike American comic books which are targeted at children and teenagers, Japanese Manga is geared towards an adult audience although most appeals to all age groups.

Manga is unique to other types of comic books as the stories are usually deep and absorbing. These graphics and artwork are usually highly detailed and can have there own styles although they tend to stick to the standard Manga styles.

Anime is equivalent to western cartoons and many are in fact based on Manga although adapted for TV. Chobits and Cardcaptor Sakura created by CLAMP are both popular Manga which were then made into an Anime. Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh are examples of Anime which made its way outside Japan and became hugely popular.

Both Anime and Manga have there own distinctive style which is characterised by large eyes which allow emotions to be clearly shown and generally only three colors for the skin tones; one each for the base color, shadows and highlights. Extra features such as “sweat drops” and veins appear to enhance the impact of emotions displayed.

For more info on Anime or Manga, visit http://www.thedevilspride.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Harris-Baird