Rules for Effective Dating

Rules for Effective Dating

Those in the dating world often have specific reasons for dating. It is not only in the interest of dating itself, or just to have a little enjoyment or companionship. Frequently, there are clear objectives—from trying to have a little fun to finding a suitable partner for a long-term relationship.

It is important for those who have entered into the dating scene to remember that there are two basic approaches to dating: the right way and the wrong way.

The wrong way of dating can have huge effects on your future happiness. By following a few tips, it may help you avoid some of the more common mistakes:

• Prepare! Do a little homework. Learn as much as you can about the person you are about to meet. Look for the potential in your date, any way you can, even before you decide to meet. Talk to friends and those you respect. Get some feedback about your situation and the possibilities for the future.
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before your date. Sometimes when you are dating online, you must travel to meet. Suitable preparation is necessary to be well rested—that way you can be at you best, ready to showcase your charming personality and sense of humor—the essential factors for successful dating.
• Look your best. First impressions are everything, and can influence our opinions of our date. It takes a long time to overcome a bad first impression, if it can be done at all.
• Be reasonable about your expectations. Decide you are going to have fun before you meet for your first date. Make sure you both are comfortable and entertained, and do everything you can to make the date enjoyable. Continue to do so, even if you don’t feel there will be any further relationship. As in life, it is always good to have a positive attitude. Good will and respect is the best way to offset any disappointment over not finding your soul mate.
• Don’t be impatient. Give it a chance to flourish! Always try for a second date—unless there are substantial misgivings about the person’s attitude, behavior or values. The first date can be a very stressful experience, and different people react differently. It is known of many couples that started off disliking each other, only later to enjoy a long, secure relationship.
• Be persistent! In the beginning, don’t expect to be swept off your feet. To fall head-over-heels for another on the first date is a nice dream, but in reality it is a rarity. It is very unlikely that strong chemistry will happen instantaneously. Long-term relationships have passion, but also mutual respect blossoms in time. Usually it takes some time to recognize the real deal.
• Ask appropriate questions. Don’t just make small talk—although a little couldn’t hurt—be curious and ask pertinent questions. Most dating has a purpose—from a little fun for a week or so to a lifetime commitment—and the answers should help realize that purpose. But don’t give them the third-degree! Try to understand your date’s lifestyle, motivations and values. Ideally, they should match yours.
• Let your heart be your guide! As your mother would say... when you know, you know! It’s true! Be determined in your dating goals, and keep dating until you find the right one. This is not a race—although there are many who will insist it is. If your mind and your heart maintain that your date is not the real thing, then respect them and be graceful. Let them know clearly and kindly how you feel. There is nothing worse than leaving the other person with false hope, wondering about their future.

Online dating is a wonderful way to find a mate who shares your same values, standards and principles. But it does not have to be stressful or a chore. With a little mindfulness, respect and good humor, online dating can be fun... that lasts a lifetime!

HARMONIOUS LIVING

HARMONIOUS LIVING

By Margaret Sanders

The flow of “Chi” (energy) from one entity to another is the basis of Feng Shui. The Chi energy in your environment influences your moods, emotions, physical energy and, over time, your health. Chi energy is carried through the environment by wind, water, the sun’s energy, light and sound. It flows in and out of buildings mainly through the doors and windows, but come Chi can enter and leave through the walls. The basic aim of Feng Shui is to enable you to position yourself where this natural flow of Chi helps you realize your goals and your dreams in life.

Your home must say to the world, “I am ready for success and happiness to find a clear path into my home and into my life.” With that said, where should you start?

Start with the entrance to your home…

The first step is to create a clear, open and beautiful entrance for energy to move freely and circulate through your home. When your entrance radiates positive energy, it opens the door to your destiny. Feng Shui promotes the belief that your golden opportunities come in through the front door. Think of the door as the threshold for all good things to come your way.

You should embellish the formal entrance since it is ordinarily seen from the street and maintains your public image. However, it is possible that you don’t use this entrance on a daily basis. The door you do use most frequently is significant in allowing the majority of the outside energy to flow inside the home. If you enter through an alternate door such as a laundry room, garage or side door, you should evaluate and beautify it with the same positive energy as you would the formal entrance.

• Create a path leading up to the home that’s as easily accessible as possible. Curved, windy paths leading to the main entrance are auspicious.

• Trim those shrubs, remove any items, such as trash bins, from your driveway or lawn and let people see your home first, not your clutter.

• Notice the upkeep of the paint, roof and landscaping. A home that is clean and well cared for will leave a lasting impression.

• To encourage positive living energy into the home, place two wide-leaved plants next to the main door. Having two on either side of your door encourages balance and good health and will help entice the energy in.

• A beautiful picture placed on the wall opposite the main door is used to encourage energy into the home and therefore opportunities to come into your life.

• Your main door should always open inwards into a wide space to invite the Chi and therefore opportunities into one’s life.

• The location of the door with regard to the sectors of the home indicate a priority to the occupants therefore if the door is located in the North sector, you will find that your career is a priority to you.

• Avoid facing a dark room, a direct interior staircase, mirror, stove, sink, fireplace, the door of a toilet, laundry, bathroom or bedroom. To remedy this, keep the doors closed or place a screen between the doors.

Aphrodisiacs—Do They Really Work?

Aphrodisiacs—Do They Really Work?

Lately, in one form or another, we are continually surrounded by love (or lust). Endless advertisements claiming that help is available; find the perfect partner, improve our sex lives and have an endless sex drive. It is based on the mere suggestion that a particular product can lead to the possibility of sex. Of course, claims like that are certain to boost sales and suppliers know this.

So... is there such a thing as an aphrodisiac, or is it all just a myth?

Aphrodisiacs actually provide sexual desire, but don’t—as often thought—improve performance in the bedroom. It is hormones in the body that actually make us feel sexually aroused and more receptive to the idea of making love, but if the balance is not right, we are obviously not going to feel in the mood.

Lack of sexual interest can also be due to many other factors: fatigue, stress, depression, anxiety and occasionally some serious medical conditions—it may be wise to seek the advice of a doctor.

Many believe that eating certain foods and taking specific supplements will provide them with the “magic” properties they need for a night of passion. Unfortunately, there is not sufficient evidence to prove this theory either way. It could be that certain people need higher quantities of products to make them feel passionate. It may just be that some products work better on some people than they do on others.

It is also thought that as the first signals of desire are actually sent from the brain, aphrodisiacs may act as a placebo and simply relax the body in preparation for lovemaking—drugs and alcohol can also produce a similar relaxed feeling.

Although many foods and supplements have been cited as aphrodisiacs, two of the well-known ones are probably chocolate and oysters—not necessarily together.

Oysters

Oysters are high in zinc, which is thought to improve sexual potency in men. Clams, muscles and oysters all contain compounds that may help to release sex hormones, such as, testosterone and oestrogen.

Chocolate

On the other hand, chocolate contains phenylethlamine and senotonium, which produce “feel good” chemicals in the body. They occur naturally in the body, and are released by the brain when we feel happy or passionate.

Bananas

Bananas are rich in potassium and the B vitamins, which assist in the production of the sex hormones.

Ginger and Garlic

Ginger and garlic help increase circulation, helping to improve the body’s overall sense of health and well-being.

Honey

During medieval times, honey was used to make mead (or honeywine), an alcoholic drink. Mead this was believed to enhance sexual desire.

Along with foods, there are a number of supplements that are thought to act as aphrodisiacs.

Supplements

Ginseng is a well-known aphrodisiac, as is rhino horn. Rhino horn actually contains a large proportion of calcium and phosphorus, which is thought to increase general health and help combat fatigue.

It is also thought that certain scents can lead to sexual desire. Again, everyone is different and a scent that attracts one person may repulse another. Sometimes it may be because a certain scent reminds you of something you feel comfortable with and therefore relaxed and open to passion.

The same could also be said about music. Exercise can do the same, by helping you unwind and get the circulation going. Exercise also releases endorphins into the brain, which helps give you the “feel good” factor.

So, perhaps so-called experts are not entirely satisfied with the use of aphrodisiacs and feel that you would be better off with regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Still, why not turn up the heat in the kitchen? Cook a meal for you and your partner that includes an assortment of aphrodisiacs. Let nature take its course, and hope for a night of passion to follow!

     

More Samples...

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A (not so) untenable situation...

I knew it was too good to last...

After finding myself at the threshold of a new and exciting phase of my life, I the rug has been abruptly pulled out from underneath, through a series of "cutbacks." I suddenly found myself back on the market, looking everywhere for writing work, copy writing, editing, free-lancing, full or part-time. Not to say that my situation is untenable, as certainly has been the case at various times throughout my career.

I have only myself and my bride to worry about, not small children and an ex-wife who was relentlessly adverse to contribute (the minute she landed a job with decent pay, she left me and the kids - but that is ancient history).

So mine is a story repeated throughout the American landscape - hardworking corporate employee loses position due to budgetary constraints and shrinking profits. I should be in good company. But is that really the case?

I look at the response rates of my work for my previous employer, and found that my creative output continues to contribute to a large segment of the business. In fact, there has been little drop in earnings. I would think that performance alone warrants a more benevolent separation - at the very least - instead of the abrupt dismissal I actually received.

Yes, I did get a little in the way of severance, with promises of good references and the hope of free-lance work. I am not bitter, nor angry at my circumstances. As I have said, my situation is not untenable.

So now I have some hope, looking around with some promising results. I must keep believing new opportunities will present themselves soon.

At least I have my health and my good looks... right?

My experience...

Yes, there is an answer to your research and copywriting needs!

After a varied and successful business career in both Sales and Management, I seek to utilize my experience gained through my recent term as Head Creative Writer for Media Impact Advertising (Clearwater, FL.), as well as years of organizing and training successful sales teams.

What I offer you is valuable, well-researched and creative marketing and advertising copy, effectively maximizing response rates while engaging the reader (as well as customers).

My primary duties at Media Impact were to provide fiction and non-fiction pieces used in various marketing campaigns for a series of entertainment websites (including—asknow.com, spiritnow.com, psychics.com, LeeMoorhead.com, JewishMatches.com, secretencounters.com). Samples of my work are available at www.pjammann.com and my blog at http://www.mediamemetics.blogspot.com/. Additional PDF’s are available on request.

To demonstrate my level of commitment to providing the best marketing and advertising copy, I have recently revised my writing, reporting research and editing skills by completing the nationally accredited Journalism/Mass Communications Program at the University of South Florida Saint Petersburg. I graduated from USFSP magna cum laude in December with a stellar 3.97 GPA – including the final four consecutive semesters with a perfect 4.0 GPA. This afforded me the chance to modernize my expertise to include digital journalism, Marketing/Advertising, online writing, web-based research and Media Law.

However, numbers only tell part of the story; there are also many examples of my work as a word artist through my academic and business career; publication in the USFSP Crow’s Nest, The Weekly Challenger (Saint Petersburg, FL.), freelance writing, social media and various blog posts.

The bottom line is – I know what works!