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By Nancy E. Schwartz Before your organization embarks on any communications planning or implementing a campaign, it’s vital to understand the needs and goals of your audiences, and their behavioral patterns. That’s the only way to connect your nonprofit’s goals (e.g., engaging advocates to contact their state senators on a green space protection issue or motivating registration for a new parenting training) with what’s important to your audiences. Personas can help. Traditionally, personas have been used for design of computer hardware and software, particularly web site usability. They are starting to be used for marketing and communications planning and I think they have a huge value in the nonprofit marketing arena: How Can Personas Help My Organization Connect with Our Target Audiences? Personas are hypothetical “stand ins” for your nonprofit’s actual audiences. They enable communications and development teams (and that includes planners, writers, designers and others) to stand in their audiences’ shoes. They focus the communications initiatives on supporting audience needs and interests. And you’ll find far greater success designing a communications plan or a program’s marketing message that meets the goals of a specific person, rather than trying to plan or write for the hazily-defined needs of many. Is Persona Just Another Word for Market Segment? No, but that’s a common objection you may here from the marketing traditionalists within your organization. Market segmentation is a great tool for identifying the groups of people you are trying to reach, and why. But market segmentation can’t shape your marketing messages or choice of strategies. Assume you know that 33% of women aged 25-40 are interested in supporting breast cancer research, and that messages and graphic design are key elements affecting their giving decisions. Well, that’s a good start. But personas add a great deal of richness. A persona might show that Miriam, aged 36, wants to give to breast cancer today but is concerned that she doesn’t know enough about how her money will be used if she gives to your nonprofit. She wants to be assured by information showing how contributions are used. How Do We Create Personas that Work? Although personas are fictional, they must be defined with rigor and exactness. Ideally they are based on some understanding of real audiences. It’s easiest to create accurate personas if your organization has some idea of demographics and, even better, data on habits and interests. When you base personas on audience research, you’ll ensure that the personas truly represent your audiences. Interviews of current and potential audiences are one of the best ways to gather qualitative information. Here’s a link to a recent case study on another approach to audience research:http://www.nancyschwartz.com/getting_feedback.html But remember that personas can’t stand-alone. Your organizational goals must guide the communications planning process. And frequently, it’s important to test messages or multiple versions of letters with your audiences. What Does a Persona Look Like? Here’s a sample persona checklist. The precise details you’ll want to include depend on your organization’s marketing and communications goals. Are you aiming to increase use of a new health care clinic, motivating volunteers for your mentoring program or build the number of visitors to your nature preserve? No matter your goals, here’s what you’ll want to include in your personas: A one to two page narrative profile, for each persona. A few fictional details about the persona’s life –an interest or a habit–that makes each person unique and memorable. When you start here, the hypothetical constructs spring to life. Brief outline of a daily work day or day at home (depends on who you are trying to reach), including specific details, likes and dislikes. Name, age, photo and personal information. Work environments if you’re trying to reach professionals, rather than individuals, including length of time in the job, professional development habits (if marketing services such as training for social workers on public benefits), information- seeking habits and favorite resources, personal and professional goals, colleagues with whom the persona works most closely, etc. Personal and professional goals. Sample Persona Nonprofit Communications Campaign on Community Fitness Context: A nonprofit is launching a new community fitness program and needs to promote it to community activists, politicians, and citizens, and to motivate their involvement. The staff needs to know what’s important to these audiences segments, so it can shape its messages, website (a centerpiece of the campaign), brochures and events accordingly. Challenge: This is the first time the organization is proactively communicating to motivate creation of fit communities. It will launch a new website as the centerpiece of this campaign, but doesn’t know how to design the site to most effectively educate its diverse audiences and motivate them to act. The communications team doesn’t really know where to start. Persona (short version): Introducing Frank Cummings, age 64 Frank, 64, owns his own home in a moderately-priced area of an industrial-based community in Ohio. He is married, and has two children who now live in neighboring states. Frank took an early-retirement option from the electrical contracting firm where he worked for 19 years. Now he spends a lot of his free time working on his home and yard, and walking in the neighborhood. One problem Frank has noticed as he walks is that the traffic speeds along his street (a connector between two arterial streets) are often well in excess of the 25MPH posted speed limit. Frank has made comments about the high speeds to his city council representative, who is, with Frank, a member of the local Lions Club. But the council-person, while sympathetic, hasn’t done anything other than to suggest that Frank should lodge a complaint with someone at the city, or the police. Meanwhile, the speeding cars continue, and Frank feels unsafe as he walks. Web use: Like many in his age group, Frank is a late-comer to computers and the Internet. He needed to learn to use a computer-based service mounted in his truck the last few years he was working, and struggled to keep up with the technology that seemed to come much easier to younger people in the firm. Frank purchased a computer primarily to use e-mail with his children, but he also has used several programs such as QuickBooks and tax-prep software. His connection to the Internet is through dial-up on the home’s single phone line. It’s slow, so Frank doesn’t do much Web surfing. Goals: - Slow down the traffic outside his house to increase walker and biker safety. - Make his neighborhood a more enjoyable place to live Application: Once the nonprofit got to know Frank, and his persona peers, they were able to shape messages and communications to connect with these individuals’ interests, habits and goals. As a result, they knew they were doing their best to maximize audience response. Readers, try crafting a set of personas today to shape or re-shape your nonprofit’s marketing and communications plan, service or product, or specific communications campaign. I think you’ll find it’s invaluable to get to know these folks. Nancy E. Schwartz helps nonprofits succeed through effective marketing and communications. Subscribe to her free e-newsletter “Getting Attention,” at http://www.nancyschwartz.com/getting_attention.html and read her blog at http://www.gettingattention.org for more insights, ideas and great tips on attracting the attention your organization deserves. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_E._Schwartz http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Use-Personas-to-Connect-with-Your-Target-Audiences&id=301370 cod pharmacies xanax pharmacies buy xanax without prescription buy xanax valium xanax online pharmacy prescription xanax

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Gian]Bryan Gian Nokia 6111 is a compact slider phone that can be easily slipped into pockets and small purses. Though a little chubby as well, the gadget measures just 84 x 47 x 23 mm and weighs 92 g. The Nokia 6111 has a pleasing black and silver design, that comes along with a minimalistic bend. Like all slider phones, the front of Nokia 6111 is dominated by a display. Below which is situated the navigation buttons. A metallic silver square acts like a navigation keys, while the four other colour coded buttons flank on either side. This colour scheme of the Nokia 6111 adds a distinct charm and class to the handset. The Nokia 6111 slide opens to reveal a neatly etched keypad. The keypad comes with round keys and are slightly smaller. Nokia 6111 is a tri-band GSM phone and is packed with more features than other phones in this range. The phone has a 1 Megapixels camera, with 6x digital zoom, and is better than Motorola SLVR L7 and the Sony Ericsson Z520i. One can take still as well video photography with Nokia 6111. For music bugs, the Nokia 6111 also acts as a media player. With music the handset can play MP3, MP4 or AAC files, and with video it can view 3GPP, H.264 video, MPEG-4 and AMR. The only catch here is that Nokia 6111’s usefulness as a media device is limited by its small 23MB onboard memory. Further, it also features a radio, voice recorder and has Java-capabilities. When it comes to ergonomics, Nokia 6111 might not be a flashy mobile, nonetheless the gadget does not disappoint. The Nokia 6111 operates on GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz networks, and offers up EDGE, GPRS and HSCSD for high-speed data transfers. It features Push to Talk, host of messaging services and Bluetooth, Infrared and USB via PopPort as connectivity options. Bryan gian is a Expert Autor. He has written many articles on [http://www.mobilerainbow.org]Mobile Phones, [http://www.mobilerainbow.org/nokia-mobile-phones.html]Nokia Mobile Phones Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Gian [http://ezinearticles.com/?Nokia-6111---Looks-Small,-Acts-Big!&id=539067 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Nokia-6111—Looks-Small,-Acts-Big!&id=539067 without prescription tramadol buy soma 2c order tramadol 2c order soma 2c ultram 120 buy cheap tab tramadol buy ultram online cheap

By Dr. Mona Spiegel What makes grandparenting hard? Given all of the pleasures that this stage in life brings (see April 2006 MFC Newsletter), what would be difficult about grandparenting? Ive heard several answers to this question and they all relate to FEAR. One woman told me that grandparenting is hard because I dont want to impose. The fear that her presence might be a nuisance to her family prevents her from acting upon her natural desire to visit or call, lest she intrude. She ends up suffering in silence while she waits to be invited. Furthermore, even when invited, she is reluctant to accept because shes unsure whether the invitation is sincere. Another fear is, I dont want to show that Im not capable. Having taken pride in being self-sufficient all of their lives, it is indeed difficult to face the limitations of old age. Grandparents may want to maintain their self-image by continuing to do everything for themselves, no matter how hard it may be. Finally, I dont want to be a burden. That is the big B word that is the ultimate fear for many grandparents. Most grandparents (the majority of whom are women) have spent their whole lives taking care of the younger generation; they dread the possibility of becoming takers rather than givers. My response to these fears is, You have a job to do. You are needed. Dont let your fears get in the way! Lets imagine that you have a job in a corporation at the executive level, and you need to prepare for an important meeting. Are you going to spend the next four hours typing up your notes? No! Youll have someone else do it! Youll ask for help. Because that person can do in one hour what would take you four hours to accomplish. But, you say, I am paying that person a salary to help. Well, thats where we get to the crux of the matter. You have already paid the salary of those who will help you, through years of monetary, physical and emotional support. It is time now to call in the debt. Your children are indebted to you. The next generation is indebted to the previous generation. When your children acknowledge their obligation to you — by physically doing for you what you can no longer do for yourself — they in turn feel better about themselves. Most importantly, they serve as role models for their own children, who see their parents helping their grandparents and remember that lesson for future years. Grandparents, keep doing what you know how to do best. Your value to your family and community exceeds all physical limitations. You are the CEO of your corporation and all of its members need your experience, insight, wisdom and love. Grandparenting: The Perils You have more relationships now to consider than ever before in your life. Each relationship is a potential treasure or land-mine. First of all is your relationship with your own child, who is also a parent. What happens when you disagree with what your child is doing? What do you do when you see something that youre not comfortable with? Dont, if possible, say anything in front of your grandchildren. If theres something that you want to say, do so privately. Another very important relationship to negotiate is with the in-law, the son-in-law or daughter-in-law. Its crucial not to put your child in a position of having to choose between a parent and a mate. There is a lot of swallowing that you need to do, I know. Sometimes it makes breathing laborious. It takes much practice to withhold your critical thoughts and express only the positive. We cant redo other people; the only thing that we can do is figure out how we should behave. Lastly, lets examine your relationship with your grandchildren. You might feel that times have changed and your relationship differs significantly from the relationship that you recall having with your own grandparents. Is the gap between generations wider now than in previous centuries? Yes, the gap has widened for certain stages in life, particularly between adolescents and grandparents. Technology has changed the face of communication, as well as its speed. Few grandchildren go to their grandparents home for Sunday dinners (Remember Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf?). Life has changed so dramatically that your grandchildren may have a hard time understanding your world. Then turn it around. Try to understand their world. Get some idea of what theyre involved in, so that you have what to discuss. Learn and love. But what can you do if one of the parents feels threatened by your close relationship with their child/ren? Again, it is important to be sensitive to their feelings. Involve them in your plans, ask permission to take out your grandchild; inform them of your plans so that they dont feel out of the loop. They need to feel in charge of their children, often out of a sense of their own insecurity. Your children need your attention and praise as much as your grandchildren do! Mona attended Barnard College and then continued on at Columbia University, where she earned two Masters degrees and a Doctorate in Psychology. Mona settled and still lives in Rockland County, NY. She worked for many years as a diagnostician and therapist, originally in schools and then in full-time private practice. As Monas children grew up and left home she once again returned to her original goal; namely, to help people not only resolve their problems but also reach their highest potential. She thus founded MyFamilyCoach to provide professional coaching to women who want assistance and guidance but do not need therapy. Mona publishes the MFC Newsletter and contributes articles to family magazines, both online and in print. She speaks to womens groups all over the country, introducing them to the benefits of coaching. Mona is a member of the International Coach Federation and the American Psychological Association. Visit her at http://www.myfamilycoach.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Mona_Spiegel http://EzineArticles.com/?Grandparenting:-The-Fears&id=329594 debt company down debt credit card debt elimination home 800 id verification credit card debt elimination personal credit card debt elimination debt elimination with credit restoration

By Tammy Garcia Our appearance plays an important role in our daily lives. The way we look has a dramatic effect on the way we act and perceive the way people are viewing us. Thats why choosing to have facial plastic surgery can be one of the most influential decisions a person will ever make. A facial plastic surgeon is typically a board certified surgeon who specializes in addressing surgery of the head and neck. These surgeons perform the majority of these elective facial plastic surgery procedures, and perform a wide variety of procedures. These procedures include: * Blepharoplasty, or surgery of the eyelids. This procedure can correct droopy eyelids that can make you look older and impair your vision. * Facial scar revision. Facial scarring is caused by a wide variety of sources, including accidents, surgery, a burn or acne. Successful facial plastic surgery can reduce the signs of some facial scars. * Forehead lifts. Often the first signs of aging begin to appear in the brow and forehead area due to the effects of sun, wind and the pull of gravity. This facial plastic surgery procedure will tighten loose skin and remove the excess forehead wrinkling and drooping. * Mentoplasty, or surgery of the chin. A well-defined chin can have a dramatic effect on ones profile, and is often combined with Rhinoplasty, or surgery of the nose, to create facial balance. * Otoplasty, or surgery of the ears. Redefining ones ears can have a powerful effect on self-consciousness and self esteem. Both children and adults can benefit from this relatively straightforward facial plastic surgery technique. Copyright 2006 Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery* Rhinoplasty, or surgery of the nose. One of the most common requests for facial plastic surgery starts with a request for the nose. Whether its being unhappy with the nost they were born with, aging or injury, nothing will have a greater impact on your overall appearance. * Rhytidectomy, or surgery of the face. Aging is inevitable. As the years go by, the effects of aging begin to appear on the face and neck, including crows feet near the corner of the eyes, forehead lines, and folds around the chin and front neck area. Both heredity and personal habits such as sun exposure have a huge impact. Having Rhytidectomy, or a face lift, can improve not only your looks, but also your self-confidence. * Wrinkle treatment, or botox injections. The gradual development of facial wrinkles, whether fine lines on the surface or deeper creases and folds, can be reduced by clear-cut procedures. While results from just one facial plastic surgery procedure can have a dramatic effect on not only the way you look at yourself, but also the way you live your life, the best place to start is with more information. Visit with the staff at a reputable facial plastic surgery center and find out which procedures are right for you. Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery offers you two of todays top doctors in the field of plastic surgery. Dr Randolph C Robinson is double board-certified by the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr Jeremy Z Williams completed extensive training in plastic surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD before returning to his native home, Colorado. Please visit their site at www.ParkMeadowsCosmeticSurgery.com to learn more about which facial plastic surgery is right for you. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tammy_Garcia http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Results-From-Your-Facial-Plastic-Surgery&id=275918 phentermine online doctor consultation buy phentermine 37.5 mg buy phentermine in california buy phentermine with discover card

By Tim Tanis When your life (or your closet) is so crammed with stuff that its overflowing, theres no margin, no space for something new and wonderful to come into your life. You know how thrilled those people are when they see their newly reorganized space - complete with clean, white space on the walls, in the cabinets, and on the closet racks. When you begin to realize that you can live without all this stuff, its easier to pass through your space and notice more things that you can get rid of. Clean up clutter today. You can get a pretty good idea of the benefits of clutter clearing simply by imagining your life free of all the negative effects of clutter: lack of focus and clarity; feelings of being professionally, creatively, spiritually, and/or romantically stuck; insufficient time and attention for self and family; increased stress, irritability and depression. No matter what other factors may be dragging you down, I guarantee you that cleaning up your clutter will dramatically improve your mood. Clean up clutter in your car also. Now that youre car is empty, its time to stock it and organize it for stress-free travel. Do you frequently promise yourself Someday Im going to organize this mess. Clothes Around the time I had reached a minimalistic plateau my girlfriend moved in with her collection of containers, two computers and boxes of CDs & tapes, books, clothes, bedding. And the C pile is for all the clothes you never wear because: 1) you dont like them, 2) they dont fit, but youre waiting until you lose weight (and that hasnt been happening) or 3) they dont go with anything else. Papers And, all those old papers magazines, catalogs, school papers, kids stuff, etc. Keep your important documents and papers in a safe place. The only way to end the piling habit is to deal with the incoming papers immediately. Read them then throw them out, or, file them. If you effectively deal with papers as they enter your home, youll eliminate the source of the paper piling compulsion. Action files enable you to unclutter your desk yet still keep reminders and current papers close at hand. Clean up clutter before it happens ! Eliminate Those broken down items, messes, eyesores, and anything you think you can live with out. Save only those items you really want. Everything else you can eliminate all together.We are all guilty once in awhile of lack of proper organization of our space. What you love, you preserve There are so many tools available to support your Clutter Campaign. Make sure the tools are in working order and utilize technology to your advantage. Clean up clutter today. Tim Tanis is an independent web publisher.For info on cleaning up clutter.http://www.clutter.articlesforyou.biz Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Tanis http://EzineArticles.com/?Clean-Up-Clutter&id=488888 tramadol order by 3 00 pm buy cheapest tramadol online order pal pay ultram zyrtec buy tramadol online zyrtec online buy zyrtec

By Christopher Walker MEME Summary of the Keynote presented to Gosford. What is a MEME? A meme is to the consciousness what a gene is to the physical body Genes are of the physical worldMemes are of the world of thought Memes are thoughts we think without thinking. A meme therefore lives in our subconscious and can define our behavior, reactions, actions, motives, tastes, preferences, inclinations, interests, decisions. But rarely to we identify them. Memes come from societal norms. Memes come from parents. For example incest happens in the children of incested women at nearly 4 times the prevalence than in those children of non incested mothers. This is not a gene it is a meme. WE have social norms. And these are memes because we hardly know that they can be questioned. In some religious societies people are punished severely for breaking or even questioning memes. As a change agent in human love, I must question those memes and therefore I get allot of resistance from people. Memes are often unquestioned. To do what you love in your life you must break memes. This is the key to it. Memes can sit in your subconscious and prevent you living the authentic life you know is possible. Here are some memes, that can prevent you from living your dreams. The meme that something always looks after us (universe or god or someone) The meme that our expectations are real and the world has a problem The meme that we are separate from nature The meme that support means love and challenge is not worthy of love The meme that you are, in some way, better off copying someone else. The meme that someone is happier than you The meme that there is a place where there is less challenge The meme that growth means more success and mental peace. Here are some new memes you might like to replace the above with; Nothing is wrong. There is only beauty in the world that I still havent been able to see. Love is support and challenge. There will never be an imbalance. Challenge is as much fun as support/ I cannot be right. Even my intuition is half wrong. My thoughts are half right. I can only do what I love. There is nothing to fix. It isnt broken. Everything is worthy of love. No matter. Anything we try to fix just proves our own judgments and causes more memes.There are no excuses There is no one to blame nobody does more to us than we do to ourselves. Appreciation builds deprecation destroys. People become as I treat them. Everything I want to change in somebody is something that I dont appreciate and therefore wanting to change people, depreciates them. We are everything we see. Just in different forms. The power is that what we judge we breed, what we judge we attract. What we appreciate is us. What we criticize is us. WE are the all. And this is how we expand, by seeing both sides. There is nothing to change. Depression is caused by elation (fantasy) Live with spirit Chris Walker Chris Walker is a world leading change agent, an environmentalist and author of more than 20 books. Born and bred in Australia, he consults to people and organisations throughout the world on improved relationships, health and lifestyle through the application of the Universal laws of Nature. The result he offers is that we stay balanced, share loving relationships, work with passion, enjoy success, and live our personal truth. To learn more about Chriss work and journeys to Nepal, visit www.innerwealth.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Walker http://EzineArticles.com/?Its-All-In-Your-Mind—Love-Must-Still-The-Mind&id=311196 pharmacy finasteride cheapest propecia prescription cheap propecia canada finasteride order

By Elizabeth Palmer Recently I read my son’s story book, where he wrote about our last holiday. It said “We are going to Tathra, because we never get to go anywhere”. I’m afraid it’s true. Lack of funds and my husband’s work commitments generally means we are staying home when other people are leaving town. But one thing we do do - and do often - is have picnics. Picnics are a great way to spend some quality family time together. And it’s a fun way to do something special when a holiday is out of the question. Even though it doesn’t take up much time, it can be just as meaningful as a holiday. I can remember each picnic our family has had - and I know the children do too. The best thing about having a picnic, is it’s easy to have a picnic that suits your needs. If you only have an hour to spare, you can make a quick snack and take it down to the local park or river. If you want to make a day of it, packs lots of food and lots of games and pick a place that is good for a walk or a swim. And don’t forget to take a camera, so you don’t miss out on your “holiday shots”. If money isn’t an issue, pack some special food that you don’t generally eat. Splurge on the kinds of foods that you generally pass by in the supermarket. If you’re on a budget, then limit the foods to less expensive ones. Enhance the experience by cooking some food with your children beforehand. Picnics can also be a great time to socialise with other people without having to spend a lot of time preparing your house or trying to impress. Ask people to bring along their own picnic lunch or a meal or snack to share. On the subject of socialising, I’ve found picnics are a fun way to have a cheap stress-free birthday party. Children seem to have more fun in an outdoor environment and there’s very little cleaning up to do afterwards. Our family has special picnic spots that we go to often. They feel like our own special places. But we also like to try out new spots. There are so many places you can go to have a picnic; neighbouring towns, spots by a river, playgrounds, historic buildings, botanic gardens, national parks. When all you need is a picnic rug and a hamper full of food, there are tons of possibilities. I could have a picnic at a new spot every week and still never run out of places to go. We also have special days when we have picnics. Boxing Day is a good day for us to have a picnic. It gets rid of some of those Christmas leftovers. However, I do live in Australia and the weather might be a bit better for a picnic on Boxing Day for me than it is for you. A picnic can become a pain if you are not prepared. Check and double-check your food hamper. Do you have enough plates, knives, serving spoons, napkins? Make sure you have a picnic rug if you need one. Check the weather and be prepared. Take sunscreen, hats and aeroguard if necessary, or warm coats if the weather is cooler. If there’s a possibility of rain go somewhere where you can eat under shelter. Think about ways you can make your picnic even more special. Take a pretty tablecloth, pretty napkins and a nice centrepiece. Write notes to your family, telling them how much you love them and love spending time with them, and place them under their plates. Include a favourite food for each family member. Pack a surprise that nobody knows is in there. Create your own picnic traditions. How about a special song you sing on the way to the picnic? My sons and me sing a song about a bumpy road that always has everybody in giggles. Create a picnic king or queen. Make special hats that you only wear for picnics. Create a rule that everybody going on a picnic has to wear something blue or red. If everybody is starting to get stressed or irritated, then it’s time to rethink what you’re doing. If you hate cooking, don’t feel like you have to cook food for the picnic. Buy it instead. Don’t make everybody play a certain game if nobody really likes it. The picnic should reflect what your family likes doing. Remember that the idea of a picnic is to bond as a family and have fun. ***** For more articles on arts and crafts, family and relationships, homemaking, christian living, frugality, fun and entertainment, food and more, go to Elizabeth Palmer’s Traditional Living website, at http://geocities.com/historylass/tradliving.htm or you can subscribe to the Traditional Living newsletter by sending an email to tradliving-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Palmer http://EzineArticles.com/?Family-Picnics&id=131650 keywordbuy carisoprodol diazepam online soma prescription drug soma information carisoprodol linkdomain online smtp ru consultation online soma

By Gail Juliano Reiki is usually taught in three levels. At each level of teaching, the student is given certain traditional information, and is given symbols and an attunement for that level, which each time more fully opens the student to receive the higher teachings of the Reiki energy. But exactly what does this mean, the higher teachings of the Reiki energy? Most teachers and many students approach Reiki from a focus of learning a healing technique, which they can apply to others, and to self. Over time, Reiki has primarily become a thing we do, even to the extent that it has commonly come into usage as a verb, as in for example, I Reiki you. Many students, practitioners and masters never go deeper than this, and to practice Reiki in this way is wonderful, and a gift in and of itself. But Reiki is so much more powerful than just the ability to place your hands or mind on another and heal them of some affliction or discomfort. Many truisms about Reiki that have come into being over time including; Reiki comes to you, not you to Reiki; Reiki is your teacher; One must learn to master the energy; One must learn to be mastered by the energy. So often, it is easy to gloss lightly over these sayings, not really delving into their essence. Nor do many really delve into the deepest meaning of each level of teaching. Many are content to stick with the superficial aspects of things. This attitude crosses all aspects of our disposable, quick-fix, healing-on-the-hurry-up culture and has become prevalent in most Reiki class teachings. If you are one who takes life as a process and not as a series of events, you will begin to look — really look, at what you are being taught at each level. There you will find the clues and blueprints for the deeper (higher) aspects of Reiki. Level 1: Becoming conscious about physical issues. This is the level where we begin; the gross physical level of matter. Youre taught the history of Reiki in the physical world. Youre shown how to physically place our hands on yourself and others to impart healing. But also, during this time, you become more conscious about your own physical issues — all aspects of your physical world; your body, relationships, career, home, money, and so on. Because Reiki begins healing at or about the time of attunement, and heals at the level of cause, all things in your physical world which are not in alignment with your souls purpose for incarnation will begin to dissolve to make way for what is Truth according to your highest Self. Depending on your level of fear and resistance, this can be a more or less difficult process. You might find yourself suddenly without the job that truly had nothing to do with who you are at your core. You might find some of your friendships dissolving or changing. You might find that the abusive relationship youve been in for thirty years just folds up. Perhaps youll become more conscious about underlying causes of bodily aches and pains and of dis-eases. These physical things, of course, will overlap into second and third level issues, but first level is where you really begin to get serious about looking at what you have created in your physical world. Level 2: Becoming conscious about mental and emotional issues. At this level you progress to a finer quality of energy. You learn in your second level class the usage of several traditional symbols, and how to give a remote or distance healing, using only your capacity to hold anothers perfection in mind. You work with the subtler energies of symbols to empower and heal mental and emotional issues. Here, you become more aware of your own mental conditioning and emotional patterns. You can begin looking at old negative patterns of fear, anger, jealousy, resentment, worry, low self-esteem and so on. Habits and addictions come to the forefront, as Reiki again urges you to come into alignment with your deepest heart-felt life purpose. All thoughts that serve to keep you small and inefficient will begin to crumble. Again, depending on your level of attachment to those established beliefs, the process can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable. Level 3: Becoming conscious of your deepest spiritual and philosophical beliefs. Here, you are taught to become a Master. You are taught to master the energy and not so often, to be mastered by the energy. You are stepping into teaching and mentoring others. You cannot do this unless you are strong in your own core, in your own beliefs. This is the level where your deepest beliefs will be called to task. What are your beliefs, as opposed to those that were imprinted upon you by parents, church, school, Reiki teacher, and culture? This will be a time of deep soul searching. You will find yourself asking the deepest questions. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Why am I doing this? What do I really love? What do I really believe? How can I help? How can I serve? These are often your deepest beliefs and the most difficult to shift. But if you have been working diligently at first level to clear physical issues, at second level to clear mental and emotional issues, then this level should be an easy transition. Also, during this time you may be called to take on some project or transition that will test you and perhaps even seem like more than you can do. But to truly step into the power of this level, you can recall Eleanor Roosevelts words, You must do what you think you cannot do. Yes, Reiki can empower you. But not necessarily to only become a practitioner with another tool. In a very real way, it can empower the world through your commitment to your own healing. This is the only way to actually heal anything in the world. Gail Juliano is a licensed body worker and Reiki Master Teacher in the Usui, Karuna, and Shakti traditions. Learn more about these Reiki traditions, or contact her at www.21stones.mysite.com Gail Juliano, LMT, is a licensed body worker, and has been teaching Reiki principles for over 15 years. She teaches Usui, Karuna(R), and Shakti Reiki systems. She is a story-telling healer and mentor, and has owned several small businesses since 1991. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Juliano http://EzineArticles.com/?Reiki,-the-Higher-Teachings-and-Meanings-of-Three-Levels&id=538667 soma carisoprodol buy diazepam online pharmacy indonesia valium buy xanax valium zolpidem ambien valium order online codeine

By Teddy Shabba First dates if you let them can be a daunting tasked, forced with the pressure of making a good first impression and making sure that you choose an activity that is enjoyable and at the same time something she can do or is not allergic to. If you go on a first date without a game plan you will find yourself overwhelmed and spending too much money on women who don’t deserve it. However, if you follow the following 5 rules you will not only find your first dates to be better and more enjoyable you will also discover yourself going on more and more quality second dates. 1.) Keep It ShortDo you know why 90 percent of movies last less than 2 hours? Because, after 2 hours most people will get bored or begin losing interest in the movie! No matter how great the beginning of a date is, all a woman is going to remember is the end so make sure you end the date before it gets boring or starts to lose interest. 2.) Keep it SimpleConsidering that you hardly know anything about this woman besides the fact that you are attracted to her, the best thing to do is something simple such as coffee or ice cream that will allow you to actually get to know her and begin creating attraction inside of her. 3.) Keep it InexpensiveAgain, considering you barely know this woman there is no reason to spend any money on her. She is going out with you because she either likes you or she likes free stuff. The less you spend the more she will assume that you either like her or are really confident. 4.) Keep it During the Weekdays (Sun-Thu)Friday and Saturday nights is when most people go out and it is also when you should go or hang out with people you know you are going to have fun with. First dates on the other hand need to be when you don’t have much if anytime planned for fun and exciting things to do and even if you do have time on Friday or Saturday you don’t want her to know that. 5.) Keep it LightA first date is not the time or place to reveal anything of real importance to her, if she chooses to reveal information about herself that is fine as long as you get her back on track, remember that your goal is to create attraction in her and not a self-help session Teddy Shabba is a Dating Coach for Men and creator of Dating Advice and Tips for Men which provides an abundance of information for men on dating and more. If you would like more information on how to attract, seduce and meet women sign up for the Teddy Shabba Dating Advice Newsletter for Men today. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teddy_Shabba http://EzineArticles.com/?First-Date-Success-Comes-Down-to-These-5-Rules&id=314519 tramadol without prescription order ultram pill online cheapest prescription tramadol get ultram prescription

By Anne Mihelakos Wedding Budget Planning Who Pays? When planning a wedding, one soon realises that no matter how you look at it, it could cost you a tidy sum. We have been collecting data from our brides over the past 6 years and it never ceases to amaze us how much can be spent on a wedding. Some couples choose to have casual intimate affairs and have spent as little as $1,000.00, whilst others opt for something a little more grand and opulent and have spent as much as $80,000.00. However, no matter what your budget, we all would like to know who pays for what. We have put together a list, by category, of the key items involved in organising a wedding. Alongside we indicate traditionally who has been responsible for these items (in bold), bearing in mind that not everyone sticks to tradition. Beauty Bride’s Hair Bride Bride’s Makeup Bride Bridesmaid’s Hair & Make-up Bride Bridal Party Bridesmaids’ Dresses & Accessories Attendant Flower girl’s Dresses & Accessories Bride Groomsmen’s Suits & Accessories Attendant Pageboy Suit & Accessories Groom Bride’s Attire Bride’s Gown Bride’s family Bride’s Headpiece & Veil Bride’s family Brides Shoes & Accessories Bride’s family Ceremony Celebrant or Officiant Groom Ceremony Decorations Groom Ceremony Musician Groom Ceremony Venue Groom Flowers & Decoration Bride’s Bouquet Groom Bridesmaids’ Bouquets Groom’s family Ceremony Flowers Groom’s family Flower girl’s flowers Groom’s family Groom’s Boutonniere Groom’s family Groomsmen’s Boutonniere Groom’s family Reception flowers & Centrepieces Bride’s family Gifts Bridesmaids gifts Bride Gifts for Parents Bride & Groom Groomsmen’s Gifts Groom Groom’s Attire Groom’s shoes and Accessories Groom’s family Grooms Suit Groom’s family Honeymoon & Travel Spending Money Bride & Groom Honeymoon Travel & Accommodation Groom Wedding Night Accommodation Groom Misc Favours Bride & Groom Rehearsal Dinner Groom Photography & Videography Extra Prints & Video Copy Bride & Groom Photographer’s Fee Bride’s family Videographer’s Fee Bride’s family Reception Beverages - Alcoholic & Softdrink Bride’s family Master of Ceremonies Bride’s family Reception Meals Bride’s family Reception Music Bride’s family Reception Venue Bride’s family Wedding Cake Bride’s family Rings Bride’s Wedding Band Groom Groom’s Wedding Band Bride Stationary Invitations & Reply cards Bride’s family Thank you notes & Placeholders Bride’s family Transport Transportation Groom Wedding Planning Wedding Consultant Bride & Groom Anne Mihelakos is the owner of True Bride, the most comprehensive of wedding sites and your ‘Ultimate Wedding Partner’, providing Australian couples with fantastic wedding planning tools. This wedding web site has one of the most comprehensive wedding directories of wedding suppliers across Australia. For more information, visit the website http://www.truebride.com.au Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Mihelakos http://EzineArticles.com/?Weddings:-How-Much-and-Who-Pays?&id=443601 phentermine on line no prescription cheap generic phentermine phentermine order by discount phentermine without prescription