Take This Zen Test: Can You Practice When You’re Agitated?

June 28th, 2008

Zen is so simple in theory.

The general idea is to be completely where you are, for whatever is happening, when you’re there.

If you feel joy, be there for it, and if you’re getting a route canal, be there for that.

In a sense, we can’t really escape from what is in front of us, though we try.

For example, at Santa Monica beach, I’m amazed at the number of rollerbladers, joggers, and walkers who anesthetize themselves with earphones tuned into music. Isn’t it enough, I wonder, to hear the ocean’s waves, the gulls jabber, and people laughing?

Why do we need a soundtrack when nature’s own is perfectly cool, ever changing, and in accord with deep rhythms and patterns?

Or, let’s say you try to avoid a certain amount of unpleasantness with your boss, choosing to suppress your negative feelings about a decision he made, instead of expressing them.

Where do you think those feelings go?

Do they vanish because we wish them away? Or, is it more likely that they get twisted into our back muscles, making us sore and tight?

We go to the chiropractor for relief, and we get some symptomatic help, but any reminder of our office makes us tense up, once more.

If you read my articles you know that I’ve unplugged from cable and satellite TV, so I watch very little, unless I’m on the road.

On a recent trip, I was watching the “Godfather” trilogy, which is still completely amazing after all these years, and what stunned me were all of the commercials for pain relief, and for maladies about which I had been utterly clueless.

If you actually suffer from any of these, please excuse me, but I think merely watching these ads can make you nuts, just by internalizing the idea that so many things can go wrong.

The thought came to me that there is probably someone out there who is taking 500 pills a day, a hypochondriac to be sure, but somehow he believes that he is so threatened by daily life that he must, lest his world will fall apart.

Do you know what that device is called in the middle of the washing machine that moves back and forth, relentlessly?

An “agitator.” That’s what TV is, but TV is also emblematic of everyday life.

Life agitates us, twisting us this way and then that way, lifting us, and then pummeling us.

The Zen question is: Can you “practice,” which is to say, can you maintain focus on essentials, on your basic work of waking up, becoming more enlightened about this experience we’re all having as humans, while you’re agitated?

For instance, from time to time, people come into my office while I’m writing, and they’re conversing loudly, sometimes disagreeing, and spewing hostility into the air.

My trained response is to continue writing, and to not resist their intrusions.

I’m not actually shutting out or blocking anything, but just continuing to focus on where I am in my writing. When I achieve this, I’m doing Zen.

Back to that buried conflict with the boss. Sure, you’re afraid to express your feelings, but can you still do it, though you’re less than completely comfortable?

That’s the time when Zen rolls up its sleeves and gets down to work!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, “The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,” published by Nightingale-Conant. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. Headquartered in Glendale, California, he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

For more information about coaching, consulting, training, books, videos and audios, please go to: http://www.customersatisfaction.com

How To Get Low Airfare

June 26th, 2008

Finding Low Airfare is NOT That Complicated…as some may want you to believe. With more than 20 years in the Travel/Tour Industry, and senior editor for Luxury Romantic Vacations& FACTS! Read the FULL Report below.

You can of course, spend hours searching web pages, spend countless dollars on travel memberships, review newspapers and ask friends for their great knowledge about securing the cheapest fares and it’s very likely you’ll receive several options pertaining to getting the low airfare.

Let’s Begin…Airline tickets are a product, a commodity that are for sale and is based on the supply and demand principle. As the demand is high, so too are the airline ticket prices.

Your typical travel agency will have a contract with a wholesaler at established rates. You, the consumer, will pay the going retail rate for the ticket. It’s that simple, very much like other products on the marketplace. Is it possible to purchase a ticket directly from the wholesaler? It’s very unlikely. Wholesalers deal in bulk; therefore, the sale of 1-ticket is not time nor cost effective for the wholesaler.

There are travel agencies who purchase a number of seats on particular flights and sell them at reduced retail rates. The agencies buy the tickets at a discounted wholesale price because of the bulk buying. Agencies that typically purchase bulk seats are specialized in a particular area. For example, an agency might specialize in Spain; therefore, they’d purchase several
seats in advance on airlines and market them as their specialty. They in-turn can offer fabulous rates.

To find these specialized agencies, check you Sunday Travel Section, Yellow Pages and/or library. Your library may have a means of searching their data base for SIC Codes. In the case of Travel Agencies, the SIC Code is 4724-02. You do need to make sure the agencies are specialized for the area in which you want to travel to get the best possible rate.

Internet Airfares…Some internet sites offer a low airfare are really bucking the system. In reality, they are hooked up with another travel agency, therefore, another mark-up and what you think is a good rate, may not really be. There are some GOOD Internet Sites that offer great savings and we’ll explore some of those.

Travelocity is one of the established leaders in securing low airfare off the internet. With little overhead, compared to the typical storefront travel agencies, Travelocity, provides one of the lowest airfares for nearly all destinations.

It’s site is easily navigate around and you know what you’re getting. Because of Travelocity’s purchasing power, they are able to negotiate good contract rates and pass the savings on to you.

Orbitz is another great contender when looking for the low airfare. Five airlines started Orbitz; American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United. They have the capability of offering their seats at discounted rates. They have over 450 airlines to search from in their database, one of the
largest.

Bestfares.com is a travel member site. You don’t have to be a member to view the various promotions; however, if you
want to take advantage of any promotion, membership is required.

With Bestfares member-based site there are some Hidden Costs, so BEWARE. This is what we are not happy about with
Bestfares.

Bestfares will reveal some great travel opportunities; however, they are typically very limited on travel dates, seats and other restrictions. Also, they have higher than average booking fees. We’ve found that what looks like a good deal upfront doesn’t look so good once everything is out on the board…it may not be the low airfare as you think.

Craig Dahl - Senior Editor

Craig Dahl, the professional travel/tour operator reveal the insights so you can get low airfare.

Check out our Travel Network to secure a low airfare at Luxury Romantic
Vacations.

Gaming Portables To Turn Mobile And Sexy

June 25th, 2008

Its senseless that laptop computers are now becoming a common thing, as if you should have one. Those searching for the latest intel centrino 2 offerings could be kept waiting as manufacturers have given warning of possible delivery shortages. I think the worst thing for manufacturers is that it doesn’t look like anything will hinder this demand for laptop computers. It’s a fast changing industry that is seeing new trends all the time.

I’ve heard a growing amount of people enquiring about gaming laptops. These notebook computers are also in value because of the stiff competition faced from cheap laptops. For those who desire mobility, the speed laptops give in relation to playing games shouldn’t be frowned upon much longer as performance is improved. Past obstactles with bulky, over heating laptops for gaming are fading away and new thinner, slicker units are being released. Despite all the good things of laptops, desktops should always perform nippier than them. Gaming laptops are the benchmark of performance for the notebook market and it will be exciting to see how the approaching technology fairs.

A number of small assembelers offer custom built laptops to niche segments. Traditionally performance components go into these notebooks. In vast number cases you can ask for all the major components you desire and this is best suited to gamers, professional and hardcore users. If you will be doing more specialist work on your laptop then those premade ones will probably not give all the flexibililty and power you desire. So plainly this is why you need a custom notebook. The positive news is that there are a large amount of system builders who do this and they give exceptional service too. To a few people this means a lot.

Ample amounts of cool gadgets are being launched soon. Simple ultra portables are the in trend. I did not think anyone thought they would be so trendy. People require laptops that are weightless yet additionally large enough to be flexible and user friendly. There are portables similar to this in the market already, just at big ticketdear prices. Companies are loading more power into laptops and it looks as if gaming laptops will get sleeker and lightweight. All the companies are seeking to launch the next massive thing so it’ll be exciting to survey.

Baby Shower Etiquette

June 24th, 2008

Baby showers are very popular and is also a tradition that almost all mothers-to-be from every parts of the world practice.

Since baby shower is not only a gift giving event but also a social event, some etiquette should be observed. These etiquettes may vary depending on your country but the following list is the most common ones -

1. Baby showers are not only for first-born babies but also for subsequent babies. Every pregnancy is a reason to celebrate, so there is nothing wrong to throw a baby shower to subsequent babies.

2. The best time to hold a baby shower is sometime before the birth. Usually, baby showers are held a month or two before the birth of the baby. Recently, some people practice holding the baby shower a month or two after the birth.

Holding the party before the birth of the bay will give time for the mother to buy the items that were not given as gifts during the baby shower.

3. Traditionally, a close friend of the new mom hosts the baby party. Relatives and co-workers can also host the event.

4. Usually, twenty people or more are invited but this will also depend on the number of people that can be accommodated in the venue. Sometimes, they hold a small number before the birth and larger group after the baby is born.

5. It is just proper to give gifts that are related to babies. Neutral colors can be picked for gifts so that it will relate to either a boy or girl. It is best to choose gifts that can be useful and something that a baby may need everyday like diapers, feeding bottles, bibs and baby blankets.

6. The person hosting should shoulder the expenses on food and other things.

7. For the host, it is okay to have games to break the ice but it is not that required. Conversations, food and drinks are the thing that should be considered. It would also be a nice idea to have a book where the guests can write on their notes and messages to the new mom.

8. A baby shower is usually held during weekend since that is the most convenient day for the visitors and would normally last two to three hours. The time may be extended especially if everything is doing well.

9. Ideally, the baby shower is held at the home of the person hosting the party. The new mom would be informed since a pregnant woman is not fit for surprises.

10. A theme for the party is not that necessary but this adds life to a party. Wearing costumes and decorating the venue gives a happy and celebrating atmosphere.

11. It is not necessary to have a special invitation printed. The host can buy stationeries or greeting cards with baby themes in bookstores. It will also be a good idea to have the invitations sent at least three weeks before the party. This will give enough time for guests to RSVP. Do not forget to include the directions.

12. It is only proper to welcome guests when they come and thank them when they leave. The host should always be present during the party and should be the one attending at the guests.

The Thriving Trans National Real Property Market - Served by The Property Index Online Company

June 21st, 2008

The Property Index site has a vast range of property for sale in Spain, view the range online.

Despite the fact that the Property Index must be rated a recent establishment, (they were registered only in March of 2007), they have fast proven their mettle. In point of fact a extremely hip establishment focusing entirely on guiding anyone who is striving to buy, sell, rent or let estate in most popular areas of the world. Their promise: to be of assistance to you to unearth dead-on what’s required very quickly and, moreover, painlessly. Property is easily available all over the world in our times, arguably the most fashionable area being property available in Spain. It’s quite easy to chart the fun land available in Spain, the motive for hunting for property here is property you can purchase and the sensational chance of living with such a brisk people.

It’s one of the truly sought after markets in our times, and considering the gorgeous landscape and great sunshine that surrounds you all the time, who could say no… Property in Spain is immersed in culture, art and history, this part of the world is and has always been home to a good many indigenous nations. Just 25 years ago you’d find very few of UK citizens keen on land in Spain. Ask any one single person who has moved to Spain and they’re likely to tell you the same. Plenty of people would descry it as a craze and others descry it as a as something approaching a fetish! People who move over here will typically range from young well to do couples who are looking for a bit of a new challenge to the retired meaning to loosen up and enjoy themselves.

There could be situations when trying to purchase land in a foreign country; of course there are 100s of varied procedures whether organizing, inspecting or signing up. If you only miss only a single procedure that may easily provoke huge situations as well as, preeminently, loss in financial terms. As you will likely have counted on with this fashionable destination, land could be expensive in this destination which is plainly caused by the growing demand. Nevertheless real estate buyers are somewhat spoiled in such a part of the world so full of fair terrain and scenery. Presently it’s able to offer the whole shebang a real estate buyer may conceivably want and lots more.

How To Find Cheap Floors?

June 19th, 2008


Flooring is an important and inseparable aspect of home construction. There are a variety of materials such as marble, tiles and hardwoods available in the market that can make the floor look absolutely ravishing. However, it is not possible for everyone to bear the prices of these materials. One good alternative is to look for cheap floors.

Local hardware or home improvement stores are the best places to look for cheap floors. These stores usually have a variety of flooring solutions depending on the budget of the customer. Apart from that, these stores also offer discounted sales or bargains in order to sell off at lower price outdated materials or discontinued varieties that are no longer manufactured by the companies. Other places to look for cheap flooring solutions are stores that sell “seconds”. Usually, these are materials that either carry minor defects or may be broken. One can even wait for year-end sales organized by the manufacturers and distributors. During these sales, one can get a discount of almost 50% on the original retail price of the material. Last option is to search for online hardware shops on the internet. These shops provide flooring solutions at a far discounted price than retail outlets since they need not invest any extra amount on developing infrastructure.

Tips for Playing Better Poker

June 19th, 2008

Poker has been gaining such popularity lately that many people are looking for the secrets of the pros to help them play a better game. Countless books and shows and web pages have been created to help people play better poker.

Whether you are playing at the casino or in a regular weekly game, you want to know the techniques that will make your game that much better.

There is one secret of the pros that is important for every poker player to know. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing Texas hold em’ on a televised celebrity match, or seven card stud in the casino, or five card draw with a bunch of buddies at your house. This is one of the main secrets that pros use:

“Play tight.”

The term “playing tight” means that you should fold bad hands quickly and aggressively play good hands. If you have a bad hand, get out early. Don’t try to wait it out and hope that the cards will turn your way. They rarely do. However, if you have a good hand, stay in and bet high. Your high bets will drive out the weaker players and still raise the pot to make up for the small losses that chipped away at your pile of cash through the evening. In fact, a good player may only play a couple hands in an entire evening, but if they play tight they can still win.

So what is a good hand and what are other ways to help you play tight poker? It depends on the game you’re playing. Here are some suggestions, although these are just guidelines and not everyone will agree.

If you are playing Texas Hold ‘em, stay in if you are dealt a good black jack hand on your two down. If not, get out.

If you are playing five card stud, stay in if you are dealt a pair. You may want to stay in if you are dealt an Ace, but you’re taking a risk. Otherwise, get out.

No matter how tempting it is, don’t hold out for a straight! If you’re trying to build a straight, fold because the chances are slim.

If you are playing draw poker, keep the required amount plus a “kicker” card, which will throw off your opponents as to what you have. And you’ll be surprised at how often that kicker will help you win the pot.

Don’t bluff. If you are great at bluffing, you may want to do it occasionally, but most people are terrible at it. What’s more, in many friendly games, people will pay to see if you’re bluffing because the stakes are low, so if you gain a reputation for never bluffing you will also gain a reputation for going big only when you have a good hand.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Poker Resources a website providing information on Poker

Online Sports Competitions Wagering — a Beginner’s Guide

June 18th, 2008

Link up two of everybody’s topmost interests and you’ve got is a phenomenon we customarily title a sportsbook wagers Web property. Can you think of anything that could believably be more ingenious. If you think of a cluster of people cheering in support of a given local sports heroes, and more often than not stakes are reckoned alongside the commotion. Keen to get their share of the action, spectators recurrently essay to speculate who will win the impending meetup. Put together, this all turns to become a warmhearted, amicable meetup called sportsbook wagers Web property.

Granted that it might easily seem to be obsessive, but, instead, sportsbook wagering is essentially simply entertaining and to connect with one’s fellow sports fanatics. Here, you can wager a any slight sum of coins and still enjoy yourself. Read on a few remarks to get you going sportsbook wagering. In order to wager, you’d be well advised to look up a sportsbook wagers Web property, which is a place that takes sportsbook wagers Web property. In America, there’s currently four states to do sportsbook wagering absolutely legally, but informally you may go for it anywhere you like if you can locate a bookie and you happen to be of legal age. Covered sports you can bet on are professional plus, too, college class football and basketball, pro baseball, pro hockey, plus, too, betting on. You’ll be able to wager on the comprehensive results of a game, on what round a given opponent will be knocked out, and even if a given tossed coin in a game comes down heads or tails.

Devils Afleet wins at Santa Anita

The sportsbook company will lean on statistics make it easier for you choose which sports heroes you feel is most likely will win. Primarily, there’s spread, that’s lead in points assigned to a losing party presumed to take a licking by a specific number points. This comprises the odds maker’s mode of offering impartial lays for a sports book. For example, a person may wager on a competitor presumed to take a licking and and still make money on that bet if the party takes a licking by a specific number of points. You can choose between plenty of different classes of bets– straight, teaser stakes,parlay lays next to over-unders, the straight bets being the dominating one in sportsbook wagering.

So do have a crack at it, and chill out at one fell swoop. Simply make sure that you won’t get seized and spend your entire income on a bee! For chances are you’ll be caught lamenting it till the end of your days!

Go on a Walking Safari Vacation in Beautiful Southern Africa - Get Near to the Hippos

June 17th, 2008

South Africa is an awesome country, the marvellous open spaces buzzing with animals and one of the lowest population densities in the area. Zambia has some of the nicest natural terrain in Africa, the brilliant blend of clear fields, surroundings and marshlands makes the complete place come to life. Not only may you be graced at the scenery, you yourself will also be allured at the fantastic lakes and waterfalls. This is a real sanctuary on earth.

In Zambia you will be able to visit the best waterfall of all, the Victoria Falls. This alluring waterfall has been a location for countless lions with many big cats and elephants coming to drink the pure waters that run here. Also make sure you yourself view the snakes & hippos around the Zambezi River, & remember to book a tour guide as the river can be a tiny bit rough. you yourself may furthermore wish to go on a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park & get upclose with the varieties of wildlife. On a driving tour you will view giraffes and particularly rare wild dogs. If one are lucky enough you will view a heard of elephants with their young. The ability to be so close with all of these pretty animals is amazing. Try a safari in Zambia with Kaingo.

Places to stay in Zambia might often range from 5 star luxury hotels right through to tents without any showers. Whichever accommodation type you yourself select one can be sure of a fascinating time.

Online Sports Wagers — What You Should Know

June 17th, 2008

Join man’s main pursuits and you will disclose something normally termed a sportsbook wagers site. So what could be more creative… If you imagine a troop of fellows rooting for their local sports club, and almost always bets are pinned down complementing the din. Wanting to participate in of the delights, onlookers will normally attempt to divine who is most likely to win the imminent meetup. All this will develop into a warmhearted meetup named sportsbook wagers site.

Learn to play all the hottest bet store football sky sports games online now!

In order to place any bet, we would advise you go to a sportsbook wagers site, which is a place that offers sportsbook wagers site. In the United States, you’ll find four states to do sports betting legitimately, but inofficially you may go for it practically anywhere if you hunt out a bookie and you are legally an adult. Included sports events you’ll have a choice of wagering on are pro added to college football and basketball, pro hockey, pro hockey, added to bets on both horse and dog racing. Patrons have a choice of betting on the general tally of a game, in what round an opponent will be vanquished, and even whether a tossed coin in a game will land either heads or tails.

The betting establishment will depend on pure statistics to help you guess which sports club you sense is most likely to win. First thing you’ll find the likelihood, i.e. points lead given to a the losing contestor expected to be beaten by X number points. Plainly, this comprises the bookie outfit’s technique of making impartial stakes possible for a Sports Book. E.g., a person might bet money on a lineup expected to be beaten and and still make money on the wager if the contestor loses by X number of points.

There are normally countless forms of stakes: straight, parlays, teasers, which are equivalent to to parlays differing in that you will either add or subtract points from the chances to fortify your bets plus, beyond, over/unders, i.e. wagers on the total points made in the contest by all sides, the straight bets being the best known in sports betting.

Why not conduct some test runs, and enjoy the amusement for good measure… But see to it that you won’t get gripped and waste your total pension plan on a fancy. After all, you just might find yourself ruing it till the end of your life.