Saturday, February 23, 2008

Our Dreams Help Us More Than We Know

By Ellen Besso

"Our dreams can help us at this time more than ever. They are indicators of deep desires, of where we want to take our lives." quote by Ellen

It is time to visit my women's cavern. I haven't been there in a very long time. I carefully climb down through the jagged boulders and reach the wide, open area of my cavern. I notice the stone bleachers along one side, the stone walls & at one end, the altar. On the altar are flowers of all colours, candles & power objects. To one side are blankets of different colours. No one else is there right now.

I take my time choosing just the right coloured blanket for today...for the work I need to do. Red keeps coming into my mind, so I choose that. I wrap myself in the red blanket & make a hood with it to put over my head. I sit down cross-legged a distance from the altar. I wait...

As I sit there, more women gradually arrive and take seats on the stone benches. I understand that the stone 'bleachers' are there for the women who support me in my internal work. I see present day friends and also my ancestors. Auntie Helen, Nain, Grandma, Auntie Olwen are there. Susan Y., Susan K., Diane, Shahnaz, Darlene, Alisa, Kathy, Jeanne, Angel, Amy & Irene are my present day supporters. Blackie my dog is there as an honourary female.

The women come down from the benches & wrap themselves in blankets. We sit in a circle on the floor & begin the drumming & singing. My work is to bring forward that strong, powerful part of me that is so necessary in order for me to develop my practice and my life in the way that I want to...to develop myself in a totally empowered, authentic way.

The energy of the drumming & singing builds & ebbs of its own accord until the cavern echoes & vibrates with it. As the music slowly draws to a close, I move into the centre of the circle. One by one, each woman comes forward & gives me a gift...a small object or some inspiring words written on pieces of paper. These gifts are tokens that signify their support of me, & symbols that they believe represent the new life I am giving birth to. After the exchange we hold hands & sing together before sharing tea & slowly climbing back up, out of the cavern.

My women's cavern is from a dream I had several years ago when I was working with Judith Duerk, a Jungian therapist. Judith felt that the cavern room is my unconscious.

Copyright Ellen Besso 2007

Through her 'Odyssey of Change' coaching program, Ellen Besso offers Midlife Women the opportunity to navigate the midlife maze and find joy & fullness in their lives.

Personal action plans include strengthening the body-mind connection; releasing beliefs that limit growth; & specific actions to move you forward into your ideal life.

Ellen is uniquely qualified to be your guide because she has personally journeyed through perimenopause and into an inspired life as a menopausal crone! Her professional credentials include certification as a Martha Beck Coach and an M.A. in Counselling from City University.

To find out more about Ellen's work and read articles written by her contact:

www.ellenbesso.com or

ellenbesso.com/midlifemaze

info@ellenbesso.com

800 961 1364 - N.Am. or
604 886 1916 - Gibsons, BC

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Why Women With Curves Are Fabulous

By Joanne Marston

Are you really sexier when your chest is flat, your hips do not exist and your shoulders stick out? Are you more beautiful when you are pale and your face is sunken? Are you a role model if teenage girls worldwide starve themselves to be as thin as you?

The answer to all the above questions is no!

So why is it we are obsessed about our weight? Is it because we are brainwashed into thinking thin is in or do clothes really look better when they hang off you? I think everybody will agree it is not the second.

What puzzles me as strange is the bikini clad top shelf magazines for men never ever feature skinny girls. They always have a bust, toned stomach and a rounded butt. Now if these are aimed at men and sold as their 'ultimate sexual fantasy' then surely women worldwide need to wake up and see that men actually prefer girls with some real curves!

When you actually read the polls carried out in womens magazines about who has the best body in Hollywood, Showbiz etc its always the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Catherine Zeta Jones and Jennifer Lopez.

So to recap. Men prefer to look at beautiful women with curves. Women admire beautiful women with curves and class these as perfect bodies. Yet why do we still have an image in our heads that we need to look like Victoria Beckham or Nicole Richie when all the evidence is pointing against it?

Women worldwide need to start listening to the facts and putting their health and future plans before the desire to have a shrinking waist. Im 110% certain that their are plenty of people suffering from incurable illnesses who would give anything not to loose weight at such a drastic rate. You only get one body and you are only here for one life so enjoy it.

For great ladies health and fashion advice visit http://www.ladies8.com
For fab deals on designer bags and sunglasses visit http://www.designerdirect8.com
For some fantastic deals on beauty and fashion visit http://www.lookinggood8.com

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Evening Shawls - Your Fashion Emergency Insurance

By Meryl Rougeaux

Most of us have run into a fashion emergency at one time or another. You know the type-you receive an invitation to a formal dinner party that's two weeks away. There you stand, scanning your memory for something, anything that might be dangling in the dark recesses of your closet. There's always that standard black dress that has kept the back of your closet company for the past three years; the one that always serves as backup in these fashionably desperate situations. But, it's late summer and black is boring. Bright colors are a natural, necessary complement to the cheerful evening ahead. Thankfully, this is where the most versatile accessory comes in to save your day-evening shawls!

From what you can remember, that little black dress has a gorgeous scooped back and a not-so humble front cut. The style will surely create a few admirers; but it won't be practical on a cool and breezy summer evening. In a pinch, that cream-colored cardigan you wore last winter could be tossed over the dress for added warmth. But, do you really want to cover that little black number up with anything that could be suspected of being a cold-weather emergency blanket?

It's time to splurge. Go to Fashion Scarvesand Shawls online, and discover what beckons for your immediate attention? Some of the most gorgeous colors tempt you. You've discovered a true fashion playground! You have choices upon choices, each more tempting than the other.

Which color will go best with your features, your skin tone, and your personality? Maybe golden hues for a sun-kissed look or, perhaps red tones to create a more passionate effect. Jazzing up the black dress will be easy with all the pattern choices lying before you. Flowing from the pages are pashmina, silk and cashmere shawls with multihued glitz, eclectic block prints, and elegant embroidered designs. All attract a favorable harmony with your spirit.

It's time to buy. You've flipped through enough fashion magazines to know the perfect color and the most flattering design. With impulse you click "the add to cart" button for your new evening shawls and take ownership over it. This finely woven piece of art is light enough to flow and yet strong enough to protect your skin from any evening chill. You will be elegant and warm in your new wrap!

With this new brilliant fashion companion in hand, you are safe to drag that dress out from the deep abyss of countless other lonely clothes hanging precariously on the closet rack with it, feeling confident that you will look fabulously chic. As you stare at your reflection in the mirror right before slipping out the door, you are thrilled with your beautiful evening shawls. Your fashion emergency has just been solved. Regardless of its age, however timeless that may be, that little black dress with the slinky back and scoop neck-line has renewed life when paired up with the most perfect fashion companion of all times! New evening shawls in different colors and textures.

Meryl Rougeaux has been in the fashion industry for many years. She know what looks good, is in style at reasonable prices. She sells all kinds of evening shawls. Visit her top ranked online store at: http://www.fashionscarvesandshawls.com.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Trust in Your Individuality

By Gina Ratliffe

I've been thinking lately about how easy it is to get bogged down by the busyness of life.

As a success coach, I often hear women stressed out about who they think they are supposed to be and what they think they are supposed to be doing--in life and in business. I see women entrepreneurs regularly compare themselves to others--it's a very human characteristic and it's a hard habit to kick.

But you know what? It is amazing how much more you can get from life when you stop and take a second to appreciate that maybe you are being and doing exactly who and what you should.

I had a meeting this morning with a new business colleague, and it was amazing to hear him describe what he considered to be the most effective part of my website. He responded most to the exact aspect of my website that I feared wasn't exciting enough (as I compared my website to others I've seen).

He said:

"There are lots of folks out there teaching you how to get rich on the internet, but I responded differently to Gina because she focuses not only on how to get rich, but also on how to improve yourself as a person while doing it."

I released a very big sigh of relief upon hearing that the "touchy feely," spiritual side of myself turned out to be the most effective in communicating my goals.

This is very true in business, but it's also true in your personal life.

I recently befriended a young woman named Betsy who turns 30 in a few days. Betsy explained to me that when she hits 30, she plans to try to reign in her personality because she feels like compared to "everyone else," she comes across as too overbearing.

I talked through this with Betsy and let her see that her own unique "big" personality is exactly what draws others to her and why she is loved by her friends and family. Altering her personality because she feels like she is "supposed" to act a certain way would mean living her life in an unauthentic way.

Seven Tips for Staying True to Yourself

1. Don't second guess yourself. You're likely on the perfect path for you.

2. Let your freak flag fly! Basically, your own uniqueness is what will draw other unique, life-enriching individuals to you.

3. Remove the word "should" from your vocabulary. (What you should do, what you should say, who you should date, where you should work, etc.) It gives too much power/importance to other people. Instead focus on the word "want" -- what you "want"to do, how you "want"to live.

4. Pick one person in your life who stays really true to themselves and model that quality in your own life.

5. Take time for YOU and write out a list of your ten best qualities. If your best friend were to write them out, what would she or he say?

6. Connect yourself to your spiritual self--you were made the way you are for a reason. Time to embrace the real you.

7. Get over yourself-the good news is, you're just like the rest of us, original, unique, and perfect just as we are.

Here are a few examples of women I personally know who I see showing up as their unique self in the world:

� Annaliza Spiga - www.DolceBakedGoods.com
� Angie Renick-Hayes - www.WholeSelfKnowing.com
� Dr. Sirah Vettese - www.SpiritualMakeovers.com
� Christianne Schull - www.OutrageousGoodFortune.com
� Desiree Doubrox - www.AnEmpoweredWoman.com
� Anna Miller-Sharma - www.LaBellavitahome.com

Check them out and enjoy!

Mostly, enjoy being the precious you, that only YOU can be this week.

If you would like to learn valuable lessons like how to live your life authentically and how having a mentor can make a positive change in your financial success and career, check out how at Queen Esther's Royal Strategies for Success, How To Create YOUR At-Home Online Empire Teleseries. This class can help you make more money consistently and have fun as you do it!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Male Menopause Symptoms - The Truth About Male Menopause!

By Michael Mensa

Everyone knows that women go through menopause, it's a standard process that all women must go through. However not many people realize that men can actually suffer from the symptoms of menopause. Most people find it hard to believe but it's actually true. In this article we will look at male menopause symptoms, the cause, and what forms of treatment are available.

Male menopause or andropause occurs when the production of testosterone gradually declines, it affects 4 in 10 men between the ages of 40 and 60. There are several conditions that share the symptoms of male menopause so it is a good idea to a doctor if you suspect you are suffering from them, self diagnosis may do more harm than good.

The cause of these male menopause is aging. Between the ages of 40 and 50 men start to develop testicular problems. These may result in a decrease in the levels of testosterone produced. When the level of this hormone is lower than what it used to be the indicators of male menopause start to arise.

Fortunately these symptoms are not too serious, but they can cause discomfort, however in the rare case that they are serious you should seek medical advice.

So what are the symptoms of male menopause? These have been outlined below, however bare in mind that certain diseases can also cause the problems outlined below i.e. diabetes:

Hot flashes (these are also experienced by women during menopause), fatigue, pain in the joints, sleep problems, low sex drive (a very common symptom of low sex drive), erection problems, weight gain, depression (if you suffer from this you must seek medical attention) and irritability.

What should I do if I am suffering from male menopause symptoms? If you think you are going through this it is highly recommended that you speak to your doctor. Fortunately majority of these can be treated. When you speak to your doctor he will be able to give you a proper diagnosis of your condition, and he will let you know what treatment options are available.

Although most people have never heard of male menopause, and most probably think it does not exist, it is actually a real condition that affects a lot of people. Male menopause symptoms should not be ignored, seek advice if you suspect you are suffering from them.

This article looked at male menopause, its symptoms, the causes and what you should do if you are suffering from them.

For more information on menopause head over to http://www.menopausefactsonline.com where you can also find out about a menopause natural remedy and early menopause symptoms.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

5 Sanity Tips For New Mom

By Terri Toon

Becoming a stay at home mother is one of the greatest feelings known to womanhood! It is exciting to know that you are going to raise your own child hands on in the home and be able to enjoy them too! You are excited to change their diapers, wash them, coo to them, teach them, hold them and love them, exactly what you are suppose to feel for your children. But then something happens, you start to become weary and tired, then suddenly all of it can just seem to be too much! The overwhelming dread of being woke up in the middle of the night to tend to your hungry, unhappy child; you start to feel like a failure, as if you are not doing your "job" as a mother correctly. By now you have started to feel a bit unappreciated by everyone and it is magnified because of your sleep deprivation. You are not alone! This is the most common situational struggle that a new stay at home mother goes through. It feels like it will never end, but believe me it does!

Below is a list of 5 Tips that helped me as a stay at home mother and can help you too!

1.) Always remember the saying "This too shall pass": I remember my mother telling me this and at the time I did not believe her but she was right, it did!

2.) Communicate to your loved ones how you are feeling even if it means complaining and seems depressing. You will soon learn they felt the same way when they were in a new mother and you will not feel alone!

3.) If someone asks how they can help, give them suggestions. Anyone who has taken the time to ask how they can help you truly wants to be of help to you! I was too much of a martyr, when people would ask me, I would respond with "I am fine" or "I don't need anything", but really felt the opposite and eventually shot myself in the foot when it came to receiving any help. When someone takes the time to ask you what they can do for you, let them know! Put a list together and take advantage of the assistance while you have it.

4.) Asking for help is a hard thing to do. It is easier when someone suggests some help, but if no one offers a hand, you need to ask. Asking for help is important and essential to do before you are already feeling overwhelmed. If you can utilize the assistance of others, you will be better off on the end.

5.) Don't forget about yourself. You need some time to reflect alone and it is not selfish to do this once in a while. Learn to treat yourself here and there and you will a much happier sleep deprived mother!

All in all, motherhood is the greatest joy there is! If you can practice these 5 suggestions you will be on your way to becoming a satisfied stay at home mother who is filled with joy and laughter every single day!

Terri is a full time stay at home mother who writes and mystery shops on the side. She has recently finished an eBook called "Mystery Shopping Madness". For legitimate income opportunities or if you would like to sign up for "Moms Monthly Tips & Guides" Newsletter, you can visit her site at: http://www.momsmoneymaker-website.com

Monday, February 11, 2008

A Young Woman's Lament

By Kyle King

Being young and female has many advantages, but it also possesses equal amounts of difficulty. Your physique is intact and you're a woman recently out of extended years of education and have developed yourself in a career - or maybe not...

Either way, being young means that you have the distinction of being the "ideal" female -- physically, but you haven't had enough life experience to feel completely solid in your expression. The cultural paradigm gives you loads of kudos for just your youth and beauty, and doesn't take your remarkable mind into consideration. It's more than frustrating to be in your skin with all this. Instead of enjoying being young and free, you worry about getting older and having less value in a culture that doesn't honor your knowledge or awareness.

Any of this sound like you?

Youth, in my mind, is a woman before she's 40. It's not until your mid to late 30's that you hit your stride emotionally, spiritually or sexually... yet you are expected to carry on in life with confidence and security. The biggest problem I see with young women is that they don't have total access to those feelings of poise and wellbeing.

What to do? Given that beauty is the biggest concern, when does one make the time to develop herself holistically? Just today a woman asked me, "Why are so many women on anti-depressants?" I have an answer for that, but it may not be the one you're looking for.

FOCUS.

You're probably focused on others more than yourself. If you are focused on yourself, it's likely that you're negatively focused rather than positively so. After even just 10 years of that, your state of mind is completely cluttered with garbage, enough to make you depressed.

The "easy" fix is to take drugs to solve the problem (and it doesn't always do the trick); the harder one is to examine your life.

� Do you have a sense of meaning in your life?

� Do you spend more time concerned with other people's needs or problems, or your own?

� How are you relating to yourself?

� Are you concerned that you'll never find the right partner, or struggle with the relationship you have?

� Are you supportive, joyful, or excited by challenges?

� Are you concentrating on your looks, competition with other women (for men or jobs, etc.), how stupid you are, or what you are doing "wrong"?

� Do you worry that you will never get ahead?

You can swirl around for a long time searching for answers, and by the time you're in your '40's you will start to understand that help is a good thing. Not the kind of help that a doctor may provide, which could merely be some drug prescription.

Today there are many resources designed to help women. Numerous foundations and groups have developed expressly for women and the issues that they face. Regardless of age or gender, we all benefit from each other's wisdom and learn through conversations and examples from our peers, and seniors. Seek out mentorship. Resist the compulsion to "figure it out" yourself. You don't have to; other people can guide and support you with great success.

Helping young women is my passion. That passion doesn't negate the value extended to older women with this material - it's just that young women have so much to offer the world, and often fall short by default.

Without the consistent influence of older women in my youth, my life took some serious crashes that I now believe I could have avoided. For that reason, my own work is expressly designed to aid women who are between 25 and 40 years old, yet serving all women regardless of their age or demographics.

The old axiom of "we teach what we long to learn" is true in my work. You are our future leaders, don't shy away from assistance in your future becoming rich and wonderful. No need to lament, there is help for you - no matter where you are on the age continuum!

Look for it, invest in it and make it as important as your visits to the gym, your manicures and your lattes!

Master coach, stress expert, executive trainer and online entrepreneur, Kyle King is "The Amazon Queen" and the creator of the incredible "Inspiring The Amazon Within�" homestudy and tele-course for women, which teaches the best acceleration strategy for women to achieve success in life and business.

Visit http://www.inspiringtheamazonwithin.com to receive her free newsletter and the special report, How to Attract What You Want The Amazon Way. You can also visit http://www.runrhino.com where her work with executives, and major corporations is highlighted.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

How To Keep A Man Happy - Six Little Things

By Erica J Miles

Do you know how to keep a man happy? There are many things that you will have to do to keep a man happy. It is not hard to do. All it takes is a little imagination and willingness to get up and do something that will make your man's pulse race. Here are some things that men like that you can use to keep a man happy.

One: Men like to be respected. You want to do everything you can to let your man know that you do respect them because if they feel like you don't than this will make them unhappy.

Two: Be spontaneous in the bedroom and out of it. You and your man may have busy lives that make this difficult to do but you really need to make sure you do this. Men can get bored very easily if you do things the same way every time. Spice things up once in a while and keep your man on his toes. This will definitely make him happy.

Three: Be adventurous. Again this can be done in the bedroom and out of it. If your man wants to try go somewhere new or try something new than you should go with him to make him happy.

Four: Let your man know that you value his opinion and be sure that you listen to him. Men like to feel important and needed just like women do. To make sure that they feel this way it will be up to you.

Five: How to keep a man happy can be as easy as you dressing sexy or dressing up a little to go out for a night on the town. Men love it when their women look good. It is not hard to keep your man happy when you are willing to make an effort to look good for him.

Six: Spicing up your sex life is the easiest way to keep a man happy. Do something different. Don't be afraid to experiment because this will make your man happy but can also make you happy too.

These are just a few of the things that you can do to keep a man happy. Learning how to keep a man happy is not hard if you just take a little bit of time to do your research. Do whatever you can to make your man happy so that they don't move on to someone else.

Erica Miles invites you to visit her how to keep a man happy website today. If you are a pro-active, progressive, open minded woman, who understands that there is fierce competition out there, you will enjoy my site. For highly researched tricks and tips that will help you to keep your man from straying please visit here now: ===] http://www.keep-a-man-happy.com/

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Single Women, You Take Care of Others - This Valentine's Day, Take Care of Yourself

By Dr. Karen Gail Lewis

You are a caretaker. You give so much to others. Then, along comes Valentine's Day and-- what? You don't have a special man to give you flowers, candy, a romantic dinner, not even a loving greeting care. Do you feel anger? Grief?

If you are single, Valentine's Day, along with New Years, are the two most hated holidays. Many of my single clients tell me they "hide out" on February 14.

Valentine's Day, though, is not about lovers; it's about love. It has become commercialized for lovers, but it's really a time to connect with people you care about. In the midst of the hearts and flowers that have become associated with this day, the origin of the holiday is lost.

In fact, there is no agreed upon origin. There are numerous stories about the man Valentine and the holiday of love. They range from Roman days to honor the god Lupercus, to Emperor Claudius forbidding marriage, to Pope Gelasium turning a pagan game of romance into a game about saints.

You can choose which version of the origin of the holiday you prefer, in the same way you can choose how to relate to Valentine's Day. Remember when you were in elementary school? Remember the fun you had making Valentine's Days cards? (Okay, you also had some grief worrying if Linda would give you a card, or was Lucy going to get more cards than you.) Back then, there was no thought of romance; there was just the fun of giving. The same for today; there doesn't need to be any thought about romance.

So, you have a choice. This year, February 14 can be a day of shame because you do not love and are not loved by a special man, or you can honor this day by acknowledging those people who make your life better. You spend much of your time taking care of others, making their day better, but now you can give to those who make your day better. This might be the person who cleans your home, your dry cleaner, the person at the front desk at your parents' assisted living home-- or your office.

You can also make the day special by bringing together your single friends. Have a delicious meal, have fun and laugh a lot. And talk about how society does, in fact, have subtle prejudices against singles, especially mid-life single women. Rather than feel depressed and hopeless about this, think of ways you and your friends can work towards making change. Remember, women made a major societal shift when they gathered together back in the 70s. There's no reason you can't, now.

Dr. Karen Gail Lewis is founder of Unique Retreats for Single Women, weekends bringing small groups of women together to shift their thinking about being single in a society prejudiced against single women. She's a marriage and family therapist, author of With or Without a Man: Single Women Taking Control of Their Lives and other books about single and married women. Join her for a FREE teleseminar on Unspoken Truths About Being Single in a Married World. Register at http://www.DrKarenGailLewis.com

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

What Is The Bottom of My Lipstick Tube Saying?

By Erin Love

How many tubes of lipstick do you have in your makeup drawer? If you are like me , you probably have about forty! I love lipstick and I have at least one tube in every color. It was only recently, however, that I really learned exactly what words such as "matte" and "frost" (which appear on the bottom of each of my tubes) meant. Now I know why I have more "cr�mes" in my lipstick drawer! Read below to see which one is your favorite and why!:

Matte - These lipsticks provide full coverage color and tend to stay on longer than any other type of lipstick. They are best in dark colors, but might make you r lips feel and appear dry because they contain zero shine ingredients. To remedy this problem, slick on some gloss.

Cr�me - This type of lipstick contains more emollients than the matte ones, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they will shine more. You may still need that lip-gloss! You'll find that the majority of lipsticks are "cr�me" because they are the most versatile and they wear very easily.

Frost - Mature women should steer clear of this type of lipstick. Frost lipstick tends to be pale and metallic in appearance, which makes lips appear dry and older than they are. If you have a "frost" in your lipstick collection but you are in love with it, try pairing it with a lip-gloss that has no metallic tint to it. The gloss will tone down the harshness of the metallic pigment.

Sheer - This type of lipstick is perfect for the "natural" look. They are light , like gloss, but have a deeper and longer lasting color than gloss. I love this type of lipstick because you don't need a mirror to apply it! It goes on easily and doesn't smear or get transferred onto the teeth.

So... Which one of the above types of lipstick do you own the most of?

Erin Sharplin Love is a Certified Fashion and Image Consultant, Professional Organizer, Certified Wedding Coordinator and the owner
of Panache by Erin. Panache by Erin offers such services as Closet
Rejuvenation, Wardrobe Assessment, Outfit Coordination, Personal Shopping,
Home/Office Organization, and Wedding Coordinating. Erin Sharplin Love is also the Founding Editor of a quarterly magazine, Panache Magazine. For more information about Erin and her
services please go to http://www.panachebyerin.com or call 318-398-0326.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Say Something Nice and Make Them Feel Sexy

By Gigi Greene

I love compliments. When someone compliments me, I instantly feel attractive and Sexy. One afternoon in Dallas, I was hurrying into Dillards to do some shoe shopping. Just as I was entering the store, a woman was passing me leaving. I smiled at her. I didn't know her, but I think because I was so excited about my hunt for shoes, I was in a good mood. Anyway, just after she passed by me, I heard someone talking and turned around wondering if maybe they were talking to me. It was her. The woman I just passed was walking towards me. As I made eye contact with her, she said, with emphasis on each word, "You look great."

Then I watched as she gestured with her hand, while saying, "From the top, to the bottom, your complete outfit, You, it's just great." I think I was in some state of shock. I didn't know this woman. Naturally, I liked hearing what she said, but I was skeptical. What were her motives? Then it hit me, and I smiled. What was I thinking? This was just a compliment. I giggled to myself and said, "thank you" feeling a little uncomfortable. She was talking a lot then, and I'm not even sure what else she said. To be honest, I was elated by the compliment from this complete stranger. As I calmed, I heard her apologize for stopping me, and I suddenly felt like I should respond, so I mumbled back, "No, it's okay." Then, wanting to make sure she knew how flattered I was and how much I appreciated what she said, I added, "That was really nice of you to say something," and I thanked her again. Yes, it was strange. I was totally surprised by her candor, but I liked everything she had said.

Although she stopped me, it was okay. I was still finding it hard to believe that she had taken time out of her busy day to say something nice to me. Not only did she notice something about somebody else; she was bold enough to approach me and say something. As we parted, I walked through the store with some sort of endorphin explosion inside. I bought a lot of shoes that day. I was feeling happy, and shopping was more fun than ever. Receiving a compliment feels incredibly good. Today, I would like to encourage you to take the time to compliment somebody you love. It's going to make them happy and the happier they are, the happier they'll want to make you. You don't have to go to the mall and walk up to a stranger. It's easier than that. Just look around the house. Here in the south, complimenting somebody, especially somebody you love, is a sure way to make them feel Sexy.

Gigi Greene http://www.sexyinthesouth.com

Friday, February 1, 2008

How To Find "Mr Right" Using a Fairy Tale

By April Lorier

So you are a Christian woman looking for a nice Christian man with whom you could spend the rest of your life. OK, so let's start by reading a fairy tale.

If a woman reads Lyman Frank Baum's classic tale, Wizard of Oz, analyzing the characters, it is a much more interesting read. There are four basic types of males within the tale. The question raised is what kind of man would you prefer to spend your life with?

The Scarecrow finds it very difficult to focus on what matters most. With his straw-filled head, he has no clue how to participate in relationships, especially with women. It never occurs to him that females are wired differently than men and that they have totally different needs. He has been wired to solve problems, to think, to analyze. What possible good could come from emotions or listening to her without interrupting when she's upset? And when the problem has been solved why does she need to keep talking about it? What is the point of crying, anyway? And hugs or strokes of understanding - oh, please! He's the man who says, "I do my part: I work my butt off to provide for her and the children. What else could she possibly need from me?"

The Tin Man flaunts his masculinity in a sexual way. You will not see him making himself vulnerable to anyone, least of all, a woman! If he ever does cry, you can be sure no one will witness it. It would be unmanly. His search for his heart is with sexual advances, lavish gifts, extravagant trips, and flashy clothes.

The Lion wants courage to take a risk, but usually the woman has to initiate the relationship. If she wins him, he will depend upon her courage as long as they're a couple. Oh, he parades around with bravado, flexing his muscles, but it is the woman who rules this man! If she doesn't like his family, he will slowly detach from his family of origin to keep her satisfied. He couldn't make it without her!

The Wizard is like a Chameleon, naturally colored for his surroundings as a camouflage. Need a hero? The Wizard can be your hero at a moment's notice! Need someone with finesse? The Wizard is your man! Need a charmer who makes you feel like a Princess? He's your Prince! Rarely does this man reveal who he really is. No, this man hides behind all types of facades - whatever serves his immediate purposes. This man can be all things to all people. That is, unless you want a man knows who he is and can be true to himself (and to you).

Lest you think there are no decent types out there, I hasten to add any one of these types can change. Many times all it takes is for a man to become a new creation in Christ. Scripture teaches the old man - the man he was before he committed him self to the Lordship of Jesus Christ - can be reborn from the inside out. As he matures in his walk with Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit will teach him how to be God's man. This is what a Christian woman wants!

Getting to know a man over a considerable length of time, and seeing how he reacts in a variety of situations will tell you who your man really is. It is not enough that you are attracted to him, or that he claims to be a Christian man! Premarital counseling with your pastor will reveal potential problems before you take the big plunge. Don't get in a big rush to snag that man! And most of all, make sure you are in an intimate relationship with your Savior at all times. After all, you want a man who puts God before you in the relationship. Those are the men who will treat you with gentleness, sacrificial love, and fidelity.

(c)2008 April Lorier

April Lorier is an award-winning poet, writer, Author, Christian Speaker, Columnist, and former music teacher.

As a pastor's daughter and a survivor of severe child abuse, April Lorier has an intimate knowledge of child abuse in and out of the church. She founded COPE, Inc, for the retraining of abusive parents. She successfully fought for the passage of The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), signed by Ronald Reagan.

Her autobiography, "GOD'S BATTERED CHILD: Journey from Abuse to Leader" (2007) is available at Amazon, B & Nobles, Target and at http://gods-girl.com