Fears are they as big as they feel

What are you afraid of? There is plenty to fear - whether you are a child, a teenager or an adult. Fears come in all shapes and sizes from the Boogieman to the Taxman. You can be afraid of speaking in front of a crowd, growing old, getting a bad grade on a test, losing friends, looking bad, embarrassing yourself. The list can go on and on. Everybody is afraid of something and to different degrees.

Are fears only as big as we make them?

Let's take a look. Let's say that you have a new boyfriend, and you really, really like him. You're afraid that now that he has claimed to like you, he will wake up some morning only to like your best friend better. You're so worried that you start asking him questions about how he feels about your friend, such as "Do you like the way she looks?" and so on.

Your fear of losing your boyfriend gets so big and out of control that every time you're with him that's all you talk about. Guess what? He might like your best friend better one day. And he might not. But I can guarantee that talking about it with your boyfriend day in and day out is only going to make your boyfriend think about it - and get bored with your relationship.

So let's say he does wake up some morning and decides that he likes your girlfriend. Was there anything you could have done about it? Did worrying and having all of that fear stop him? No!

Now, let say he never decides that he likes your girlfriend. Did you waste a lot of time worrying and being afraid about it? Yes! Either way it was a waste of time, and it prevented you from being close to your boyfriend and sharing special moments with him.

Some fears can ruin a relationship and keep us from being in the now. If your boyfriend is with you right now that has to be good enough.

Another thing fears can do is to prevent us from doing things and experiencing situations that would make our life fuller. For instance, suppose you want to join a certain club at school, but you know that it requires you to speak in public. Speaking in public has always made you sick to your stomach, so you don't join. What if you joined and walked through those fears and eventually you could speak in public without getting sick? What if you even started to enjoy it?

We all have many fears, and we have to take a look at each of them individually. We need to make a list of our fears. We need to ask: Is this a fear that is holding me back? Is this a fear that is ruining my relationship? Or is this a valid fear? A valid fear, for example, would be getting into a car with a drunk driver.

The more we get to know our fears, the better we will be at deciding how to handle them. We do not want to be controlled by our fears. We do not want our fears running our life.

I have noticed that when we face our fears and walk through them, we become empowered. When we do the opposite and allow our fears to control our life, we empower our fears.

Rocking the vote in 2008

The story arc of Shades of Darkness, Shades of Grace covers five years and three elections. Set in Minnesota, home to the nation's highest voter turn-out, the Pierson family understands that voting is not a right but a privilege, and one they exercise regularly. With 2008 a presidential election year, readers of the novel might view Minnesota as an example for the rest of the country to follow.

Nationally between 1960 and 2004, voter participation in presidential election years declined from 63.1% in 1960 to 55.3% in 2004. There were encouraging blips, as percentages rose between 2000 and 2004, from 51.3% to 55.3%. Still, that pales in comparison to Minnesota where a whooping 76.8% of the population voted in 2004, leading the country in voter participation.

The decline in U. S. voter participation didn't occur overnight and tangible factors contribute. In the age of YouTube where every politician's foibles can be looped endlessly on the Internet, voter cynicism is high. Other factors in the nation's political system also come into play, most notably the weakening of traditional party allegiances. Both the Democratic and Republic parties have been losing clout for years.

In the novel, it's also clear that the Pierson family is active in DFL politics, hosting fundraisers, handing out candidate literature, and answering phones. Because Minnesota has such stellar turnout, it seemed important to include this subplot. Rather than focusing on the family's political affiliation, I wanted readers to remember why it's so essential to exercise a right too many of us take for granted, inspire them to get involved, and remind people that every vote does indeed count.

Don’t believe your vote matters? Jesse "The Body" Ventura didn't become Governor of Minnesota in 1998 because no one went to the polls. Just the opposite, and for some, the realization of how important each vote is came when they voted for the former WWF wrestler not expecting him to ever win.

Some other great examples of a few votes making a big difference:

In 2002, Dan Sparks was elected to the Minnesota State Senate by five votes, and Mike McGinn won election by 35 votes.

In 1999, Leslie Byrne was elected to the Virginia Senate by 37 votes.

John F. Kennedy won the presidency in 1960 over Richard Nixon by a margin of less than one vote per precinct.

One vote per precinct passed women's right to vote in California in 1911.

The presidential election of 2000 was a true cliffhanger, too close to call the morning after. At the time, I was working as a course developer for an international consulting firm. A few days before the election, I asked a co-worker if he was planning to vote. He said no, that his vote didn't matter. I mentioned in passing that was too bad, because in other parts of the world people are willing to die for the privilege to cast their vote in a democratic election. The day after as the world waited in anticipation to see who the next President of the United States would be, Chris informed he had decided to vote after all and was glad he did.

The voting sub-plot in Shades of Darkness helps describe the Pierson family's political activism in a progressive state. But it also serves as an impetus to get readers involved in their community and the world at large by implementing one of the most important privileges we as Americans have.

How a bathroom scale can help you stay fit

Everyone knows what a bathroom scale is, but few realize how beneficial they can actually be in the weight loss process. Not only that, but these little weight watchers can help individuals stay motivated to maintain their current diet and exercise regimen.

A bathroom scale is available in one of two formats, include digital and basic. The best time to weigh yourself is in the morning and in order to get the most accurate result, place the bathroom scale on a hardwood or tiled floor. This is better than placing it on carpet because a flat, sturdy surface will provide for a more realistic reading.

As mentioned previously, a bathroom scale is essential for anyone who is currently hoping to shed a few pounds or for those who are starting a serious diet regimen. The best way to use a bathroom scale is not to excessively weigh in, which may be discouraging, but rather to check in once a week. For instance, every Monday at a certain time of day could be weigh-in time. Record weekly progress and keep it in a journal for future reference.

As for the cost of a bathroom scale, most digital models start at $20.00 and go up from there. Depending on the size of the scale, the manufacturer and features, the cost may be slightly higher. This is especially true with a bathroom scale that offers a voice reading. For individuals who cannot see well or have trouble bending down to see the results, a vocal bathroom scale is ideal. Upon someone stepping into the scale, it will read the results in a conversational tone back to the weigher. A vocal bathroom scale operates on batteries, which may or may not be included with the purchase of a brand new model.

Individuals who are searching for a bathroom scale will find a variety of options at a local retail store, online specialty shop or exercise depot. The internet, which acts as the world’s largest shopping mall with an array of virtual stores at every turn, is an excellent place to shop for all things fitness. A bathroom scale, which is a necessary part of maintaining the ideal weight, may also be recommended by physicians who encourage their patients to lose weight in order to promote better health.

The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. While a bathroom scale is pertinent in the measure of weight loss, it should not be used as a sole determining factor. If you, or someone you know, has a weight problem or needs to lose weight for health improvement, consult a physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Change is vital to end binge eating disorder

So, you are at the point where you realize that you have Binge Eating Disorder and you want to make a change in your life for the better… But what do you do next? If you are like how I was, a mixture of emotions used to begin to fill my head about what my new self would be like. I was excited about getting on with my life and making Binge Eating Disorder a thing of the past. But I was also a little nervous about letting Binge Eating Disorder go. Why? Not because I wanted to eat myself to death, but because I didn’t know any other way. I had turned to food for about nine years of my life and that was all I knew. I didn’t know how to deal with anything that was going on in my life. I didn’t know what I would do without bingeing to make myself feel better. What would I now do when I was happy, sad, bored, excited, or scared? It was definitely a scary time for me to wonder what my new life would be like.

The most important thing that I did was to first transform my feelings toward change. When most people think of change, they are scared because they are chartering along unknown territory. They are not sure of what the future has in store for them. They start questioning whether or not they are truly ready to take on this risk.

I knew that I had to erase everything negative in my mind about change and focus on what good would come from it. There were so many things that I was able to think of. For example, I would be a healthier person. I would feel better about myself. I would start to like myself. I wouldn’t feel like I was leading a double or secret life. I would not worry about when or how I would binge next. I would finally have a normal relationship with food. Most importantly, I would finally be happy.

When your negative thoughts of change start to turn into good thoughts, change doesn’t seem like such a bad thing. It certainly doesn’t seem like something to be scared of. I found myself starting to get excited about changing my life. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to unravel and become my life.

After the decision has been made to make changes in your life, next will come motivation. Motivation is the driving force inside us all that push us to better ourselves. Motivation is what keeps on refueling us and reminding us what it is that we truly desire. Positive change is what produces positive motivation within each and every one of us. When you feel inspired to change the bingeing in your life, motivation will kick it up a notch to push you in the right direction. You will begin to do whatever it takes to achieve your desire result: no more bingeing!

Once positive changes in your life start to happen, you will want more. You will feel motivated to keep on pushing forward, no matter how hard the obstacle may seem. It is motivation, along with hard work and dedication that is going to create the new path for your new life of no more binge eating.

By: Kristin Gerstley

endbingeeating. com

Cheapest guaranteed loans both secured unsecured

It is not possible to have money always at your disposal for every need of yours! Yes, you may find yourself in need of a loan at a very crucial juncture!

Due to some unavoidable circumstances you may be running out of cash. If you are on the lookout for loans at a cheaper rate of interest, you can benefit by availing cheap guaranteed loan. As the name suggests, these loans can be availed by borrowers at a cheaper rate of interest.

It is a secured loan available to borrowers at a lower rate of interest. They can be obtained easily by the borrowers by pledging some valuable asset as collateral against the loan. You can satisfy all your short term needs with the help of these loans. Moreover, you can also payback them in a short period of time.

However, if you are bogged down by a troubled credit score, you can find respite in the form of cheap guaranteed loans unsecured. These loans ado not call upon for any credit check and placement of collateral. It is the bet option for a borrower suffering from a bad credit history. A secured loan fetches you a loan at a comparatively lower rate of interest as compared to an unsecured one.

Cheap Home Loans – Own A Dream House Now!

It is a dream for many to own a house of their own. Owing to lack of funds, they fail to realize their dream. Despair not! It is not impossible to build a house now. Yes, you can start off by availing a loan to get the necessary funds. Make use of the cheap home loans now to get a loan at a lower rate of interest. These loans facilitate easy accessibility to funds to all kinds of borrowers.

Stop hunting around for the perfect loan that can help you meet your needs. Make the right move now by going in for these loans. With these loans, you stand a better chance to borrow the amount of money that you are looking for.

Borrow a home loan now at a comparatively lower rate of interest. If you can afford to pledge some valuable asset as collateral against the loan, you can meet all your needs fast. It is the presence of security which assures the lender of getting back the money on time.

You can payback the loan in easy monthly installments too. The repayment term for these loans varies from 5 to 25 years. Have no concerns about your bad credit. For cheapest personal loan rates check your online options. You can instantly get a loan for all your needs. You can avail these loans the very same day. Make best use of this opportunity now!

Do it yourself home decor made easy

Most people think that redecorating their homes should be left up to the professionals and their highly expensive salaries in order for the project to be done right or look good. Please believe me when I say that its simply not true. Homeowners don't need to have a remodel job straight out of the magazines. Any ambitious do it yourselfer can have a room looking sleek and chic for under $1,000. Remodeling with a budget in mind saves money, but also increases the value of your home.

Another cost effective way to remodel a room according to most is wallpaper instead of paint, wallpapering con suit anyone's need and budget, setting a mood and adding elegance to a room. Choosing the right wallpaper can make a room appear larger or smaller, providing an illusion of height for a room with low ceilings. Wallpapering can also add a design and pattern that is difficult to replicate with paint. The average cost of a single roll of wall covering is about $12.

Actually, you would be surprised at all of the inexpensive but beautiful things you can find at your local Wall - Mart. My wife and I decorated our whole rental property with knick-knacks and accessories that we got from Wall - Mart for under $100 and a little imagination. By the time that we were finished, we had a showplace. We were very pleased with it. Since we've been together I've learned a lot about home decorating. She's obviously better at it than I am, but I've got to say this for myself, I am better than average. And, on good days, I can come up with some truly original ideas.

Honestly, if you don't think you can afford that designer furniture you see in decorating magazines, your wrong, Just go to your local thrift or second hand stores. You may find old, beat-up, pieces of trash items that with a little time and a little effort, you could turn them into real "show stoppers". Just look and see how sturdy they are. If they are sturdy, you can work wanders with them. If you are looking for coffee tables, kitchen tables, or night stands, if you like something and its made of particle board, its more than likely not worth the time and effort of finishing it. Try to find pieces made of real wood. Then sand it down smooth and finish it. You'll be glad that you did.

To get great ideas, go to the bookstore or your local library and look for any decoration or home decorating books that interests you. Another way to get really good ideas is to Google the words "home decoration" or simply go to my personal favorite home decor website: homedecornow. info. There you will find anything you need to know about home decorating that you could possibly want to know. That's a great website, you really should go check it out.

Well, that's it. And as always, I hope you found this article both entertaining and informative. May GOD bless you always, and in always.

Life and health insurance

Buying life and health insurance products is something that many of us keep putting off for as long as we possibly can. We know that we should buy into these insurance policies but we tend to shelf the idea, preferring to live for today rather than plan for tomorrow. Rather like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand, a lot of us it seems choose to take our chances in the hope that our circumstances will never merit the use of life or health insurance. But it can be an awfully big gamble to take.

Advantages of a life and health insurance policy

As we get older we often become more susceptible to health problems, disability and poor mobility; eventually of course we will all die. Both situations are naturally very distressing for family and dependants. However, the situation can be made worse if the ill / deceased was the main income producer and there are still bills to pay. The last thing anybody wants in this situation is to have the bailiffs knocking at the door, or your home repossessed because you cannot keep up your mortgage repayments.

A life and health insurance policy combines cover for the likely and the inevitable. By opting to take out a life and health insurance policy you and your family will have peace of mind that should you become critically ill or die during the term of the policy, your family and dependants will be financially secure. There will be no worries about bailiffs or repossession orders and through the health insurance side of the policy you'll be able to select a level of quality health care to suit your needs rather than relying on treatment through the NHS.

Cover provided by a life and health insurance policy

The cover provided by a life and health insurance policy is quite comprehensive. On the life insurance side of the policy you will be able to choose between a term life insurance product and a reducing or decreasing life insurance product.

Term life insurance via the policy pays out a fixed lump sum upon the death of the policyholder, providing the insurance policy is still active. A reducing term life insurance policy is a type of insurance where the amount paid out upon death reduces to zero in line with the policyholder's mortgage balance, and is suitable only as a financial instrument with which to pay off the mortgage in the event of an early death. If you want to leave your loved ones in complete financial security then a term life option on the policy is recommended.

The health insurance part of the mega insurance policy provides comprehensive health care. It will cover you for all diagnosis, treatment and recovery costs associated with the illnesses, disability and diseases noted on the mega policy. Health insurance also means that you do not have to wait for treatment on the NHS. Instead, you will be able to select when and where you want to receive treatment, so tailoring it to your own convenience.