Easy And Fun Ways Of Decorating For Your Teenager

By Marsha Wallis

Ah, teenagers. Haven't we all been there? Change in mood is as fast as changing horrible clothes. Shift in trends is faster than they can say "Hello!" How strange...but maybe not. Teenage phase is part of life. You've been there, done that, so I'm sure you know it's normal really, when your teenager's taste in decors takes a new turn almost every week. A teen's room is his property even if technically, he lives in YOUR property. He would do anything to make it look good. Because of the vacillating nature of teenagers, its best to use products that can be easily replaced or taken off like area rugs, paint, window blinds and duvet covers for decorating his room. Wall to wall carpeting won't work, given that he might decide anytime that he now wants a polished bare floor in his room.

Duvet covers can be purchased easily enough or you can even make them. It is best to use a duvet cover that is similar to a giant pillowcase for the comforter, than to keep changing the colors and styles of the bedclothes. This is true more of girls than boys. You can sew together a duvet made from two sheets and affix Velcro to fasten it together, slipping a white comforter in the cover and instantly changing the style of the room. This is easy and inexpensive to do. What is more important, it can be changed easily if the style suddenly becomes unpopular.

Department stores, home boutiques and discount shops sell a wide variety of cheap window treatments. You and your teen can have a field day browsing through the various shades of window blinds and curtains. If you're quite a seamstress, you can also make your own curtains. All you need are a measuring tape and the fabric of your choice.

For decorating the walls, wallpaper is not a good idea for a teenager's room. I mean, they keep on changing their minds! Wallpaper can be difficult to remove and replace. It's better to maximize the magic of paint. There are hundreds of available colors and your teen can even mix and match. He can go abstract and surpass Picasso if he wants to. In time that he gets bored and desires to have another shade or ambiance to his room, a simple repainting job, which can actually be fun as well, is all that he needs to do.

Accessorizing the room to make it look more trendy need only some few essential items, one of which are area rugs. They come in various colors, shapes, sizes and designs that your teen will surely find something he likes. An area rug can also add color and personality to the room. Similar to a trouble-free repainting of the wall, an area rug can also be replaced without much effort. If your teen decides to let go of a geometric patterned rug and go wild with animal prints, a mere difference in rug seals the deal.

Decorating the room of your teenager can be fun, but you just do not want to put a lot of money into the project. By using less permanent decorating ideas such as duvet covers, paint, area rugs and inexpensive window treatments, you can give the room the dcor that you are seeking for a lot less money than you can imagine. If you want to make your teenager happy, take these decorating tips and help them decorate their room the room of their dreams with the style and colors that they like. For now. - 31376

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Having Stylish Diaper Bags

By Benedict Perez

Diaper Bags are one of the in things nowadays. These bags suit many different purposes. This is a style where you can see that these gears are shaped like a babys diaper. These are very handy stuffs and you can place a lot of things inside them. They come in different designs with different sizes and colors.

There are styles that can suit for the male sector of the society. Anything you wish you can do with them is possible at your own pleasure. Diaper Bags are very useful to very busy people. They can be worn as a back pack or as a shoulder bag. They can also be simply held as an ordinary handbag. These bags are so easy and comfortable to carry and can coordinate with any occasion.

You can place as many things as needed if time insists. You will never regret having one of these things. You will also miss a lot of things when you do not have them. They can contain many things so you would not find any trouble how to stuff things you need. These things are soft and spacious and usually with open tops. They are extremely versatile gears and so manageable. Diaper Bags can be for any age group and to be used for any purpose.

Diapers Bags are perfect outfits for nursing mothers for they can provide them with sufficient space for the babys stuffs. These are very handy gears that mothers should have. They are very easy to use particularly with the open tops. You would not have any problem with the babys bottles if you are bring along some for a short trip. You can also place some pieces of diapers inside them which really fit the way they should be.

Diaper Bags can do a lot of tricks and useful things for the person bringing them. They are available anywhere at your nearest mall. You can also check on web sites that offer the wide array of these awesome bags. - 31376

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Bringing along babies when you go outside of your homes could take an extra effort especially if you are a doting mom. This is why you will need Diaper Bags to store all the things that he/she needs while away from home. It comes in many wonderful designs that will perfectly match you and your babys outfits. For selections, simply visit www.baghaus.com.

The Farmer And The Piece Of Straw That Made Him Rich

By Masami Sato

A millionaire created through giving!

There is an old historical Japanese tale about giving and it shows how we can receive the most extraordinary gifts when we're giving and appreciative of what we already have.

Here is the story.

A long time ago, there lived a penniless young farmer. Nothing that he did turned out to be profitable. He was completely impoverished without any money, without anyone to help and nothing to eat. One night, totally at his wit's end, he went to a shrine and sat near the altar and pleaded to Gods to show him what to do.

"I have always been truthful and assiduous, but all my industry never resulted in anything good for me. What did I do wrong?"

He fell asleep besides the altar just after having asking his question. In the morning, as he was waking up, he saw one of the Gods in his dream surrounded by a blinding golden light. The God's voice echoed through his mind.

"When you wake up today, treasure the very thing you have in your hand and keep giving it generously to others on your way," the God whispered.

The farmer was brimming with questions when he woke up but he tried to shake off his sleep and clear his mind of the strange but clear dream he had. However, he saw a bit of a straw in his hand. It must have remained on his clothes while he worked in his fields.

He nearly dropped it to the ground, but stopped for a moment remembering what the God said. He sat down again. And looked at the straw.

He sat still for a long time thinking what this meant. He had no clue why a piece of straw can be of any value to him. Then he saw a wasp flying around. It eventually landed on the tip of the straw. He caught the wasp and tied it to the straw with a piece of thread from his clothes. Now with a piece of straw with a flying wasp at the end, off he went on the path.

He had proceeded only a bit when he saw a woman and her child coming from the opposite direction. The child was crying. When he wished them, the boy saw the straw in the farmer's hand with a wasp dangling at the end. The child was curious and asked the farmer if he could have it. He was about to refuse when he remembered how God had told him to cherish what he had and also at the same time to give to others what he had. So he offered the straw to the child. The mother became happy since the child stopped crying because of the gift. In return for the straw the lady gave the man three tangerines.

The farmer moved on. As he proceeded, he felt hungry. He was about to eat the tangerines when he again remembered that what was important was giving things to others, not giving it to himself.

As he went over a steep hill, he saw a merchant sitting down on the ground by a tree. Next to him was a wooden box. The farmer said hello to the merchant. He seemed to be exhausted. The merchant saw the tangerines in the farmer's hand and asked if he minded giving him the tangerines. He said he was so thirsty.

The farmer was as thirsty as the trader as he had been walking for long on that hot day. Nevertheless, he offered the tangerines to the trader, who then ate all the three tangerines and felt recharged. He felt very happy about the help rendered to him and opened the wooden box that was by his side. Inside the box were rolls of silk that was dyed with hand. The merchant gifted the farmer one roll and proceeded on his way.

The farmer proceeded again through the same route. He finally found a rivulet from which he drank water and felt restored. He felt more energetic and comfortable and went on.

He continued to walk for a long time but did not see anyone again. So he decided that the silk could be what would bring him luck. He felt he should go to the town nearby and try to sell the silk.

And just when he turned the corner, he saw a group of warriors. One of the warriors who seemed to be the leader was standing by a horse lying on the ground. The farmer heard the voice of the warrior talking to his followers.

"This horse would not last long. We just have to leave it. Just take care of it and catch up." He jumped up on another horse and galloped off disappearing out of sight.

The fighters who remained there conferred among themselves as to what to do. They had no interest in putting it to death but there was no other option. Finally one of them drew the sword.

The farmer quickly ran over to them and asked them to stop. He said he would like to look after the horse. He also offered the silk fabric to the warriors. They jumped at the offer and took off very quickly.

With the dying horse by his side, the farmer just remained there. He wondered if he had done things wrongly and whether he would never become rich. Suddenly he remembered the river he had seen on the way.

He made his way to the river and once there stripped off his shirt and dipped it in water to be able to feed the horse. He made his way back to the horse again and fed it by squeezing out the water into its mouth. After the water trickled in for a while, the horse reacted and soon became conscious. The farmer was then able to pull it up and make it stand.

Once the horse could stand, the farmer was able to take it to the river. The horse drank directly from the river and the farmer also led it to the patches of grass nearby. Very soon the animal was rejuvenated.

So now the farmer owned the horse! The man and the animal traveled together, and the farmer had to run as the horse led the way. They traveled together for miles. Finally, as the sun was setting, the horse came to a halt in front of a big house. The animal pushed the farmer towards the gate when he finally drew level with it.

As the farmer made his way to the gate, all of a sudden the gate opened and an old man was standing there. The man looked drawn and he was hastening out onto the road. The old man took notice of the farmer as well as the animal standing nearby.

The old man asked the farmer what he was doing. The farmer said he was looking for a place to stay the night. The old man said he was going to the town for an urgent matter. He asked the farmer if he minded looking after his house until he returned. He said he might not be able to come back for a little while.

As the old man seemed to be in a hurry, the farmer offered him the horse. The old man appreciated the generous offer and took off with the horse. As he was leaving, he said something peculiar to the farmer.

"If I do not return within three years, this house is yours."

As you probably guessed, the old man never returned.

So the farmer lived happily ever after in the old man's big house with kind-hearted neighbours around and a land rich in good crops. He always kept in mind the rule that he should give to others what he had.

I am grateful to you for reading this story. And how did you feel about it?

There is always a pattern to things. If the venture of getting can be converted into the venture of giving, our life would pour forth with greater profusion. But it may be a bit difficult to make this ancient wisdom a part of our lives.

Here are some of the interesting distinctions we can find in this story :

* When we are ready to give what others need, they will consider it more valuable than while we are trying to 'trade' it (as basically we are always hopeful of getting something out of that transaction), as then they only consider the price we ask for and tend to pay less.

* When we are not attached to the things we have, we often find that we attract better opportunities as we can let go of existing ones.

* When what life offers is not a bed of roses, instead of concentrating on the difficulty if we kept our attention on giving and sharing, life is sure to bring in good things later.

* When we try to encash what we have created, believing that "this is the maximum it will bring", as we think we might be the loser if it is not turned into cash, our life will stagnate. Instead of that, we should continue to give liberally whatever we have got and however wealthy we are or we are not.

Gifting is an inherent part of the lives of most winners. When we are ready to give first, we have better chances of living a life of perfection, ease and growth. - 31376

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The Secret of Attaining What One Desires - Just "Give"!

By Masami Sato

Here is the secret to get what one wants. It is just giving. The reasons for it are based on the well-known philosophical dictum "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?" The egg, and the chicken that is born out of it, create the circle of life, and form the basis for a profound comparison for attaining and giving what one wants: the circle of joy. This brilliant concept is analyzed in the clear voice and lucid prose of Masami Sato, the author of the book named ONE.

As humans, most of us naturally have endless desires for all kinds of things. And of course, the traditional principals of economics tell us that while wants are unlimited, resources are limited. This induces us to think, the more and more resources we have, the more and more desires we will be able to fulfill. We become very protective of our resources. We then think sharing or giving these resources will reduce the portion that can be used to get what we want. This is the traditional win-lose game that is being played.

Then, is it true?

What if the answer turns out to be "no"? What if it in fact contradicts the secret of attaining more? What if the secret of attaining more is in itself simple - by giving more?

One can get something just by giving something else. Exactly the way one can have eggs by raising chickens. As simple as that. Normal. Automatic. And it is a completely joyful experience.

First of all, let us begin with some analogy to explain things.

Chicken and Egg - The Cycle of Life

Philosophers have asked this question since the dawn of time, "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?"

There is a simple answer to this unending doubt. It is that the question is unimportant, since both chicks and eggs are here now. Nevertheless, if one wants a greater effect, one can choose to start somewhere.

Giving and Receiving: the Circle of Joy

What if we asked the question in a different manner? "Which comes first, giving or receiving?"

Again, for better results, we have to begin somewhere. Giving away things to others is definitely far simpler than attempting to get it first!

What happens when we try to get it first?

If we want to have something, naturally we try to get it. And we try to hold on to it after getting it. This is very natural to do-it makes sense intellectually.

But the actual result of 'trying to get' is mostly not ample and actual long term benefits.

For example, desiring to see others joyful is not about finding the joy from them or managing them to become happy. It is about how much pleasure we can give them and share with them. Period.

So how do we begin to get what we desire?

From the other end of the circle - by giving generously!

When we start giving before we even have what we hope to get - that which we dream of - we are sending out a powerful message to ourselves which tells us, 'there is enough, and more will come.' It allows us to sense the joy today - the joy of giving.

All that is required of us is to give out the love in abundance to others. It would somehow come back to us. Giving love is the only way to be completely loved. When we recognize others for the big things they do and great credentials they have, again it would come back to us. Others accept us because we accept them.

In the same way, if we wanted to have enough in our life materially, financially and emotionally, we just need to share the things we want generously with others.

Some people may choose to give materially by giving their time. Others would choose to give financially by giving their wealth. Those who give much more (like time, wealth, kindness, affection, principles etc.) have more of all these because it is the balance. And balance is the law of nature.

Just remember the rule of the game

Important rule: never give anything expecting a return.

When we have the expectation that giving should create 'getting' something back, we get upset when we don't see the result coming back immediately to us. We may even hold unpleasant feelings towards the recipient of our gift. And clearly, holding a negative feeling for someone is not a pleasant or kind thing to do! So we can feel the real joy of giving when we're doing something for others knowing that we're simply doing it for ourselves-we're doing it for our own joy!

Losing to win, giving to receive

In the beginning it may look as if we are losing. However, at some stage we recognize that taking things without giving is not an acceptable life pattern. And we have been aware of it all throughout. That is why tithing has been a normal part of the lives of many people who were leaders. And they did not do it with any fanfare so it was not done to gain popularity. It was done because it was a way of life.

Look around yourself. 'Lesser' creatures do it naturally. The bumblebees take the honey of the flowers and in return pollinate the flowers, thereby making them bloom. They do it in accordance with the laws of nature. They do not do it as a part of any law of justice. That is why they create permanence, without even making an attempt to do so.

Giving to another is just a role of who we are, it is the same as having; nothing more, nothing less. No confusion, no strings attached, just letting go easily.

The real secret of getting more can be summarised in two steps: Give first, and do not expect anything in return.

When we let go and give wholeheartedly, what we need will be given to us. Automatically. - 31376

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How do I Get Rid of Acne Quickly

By Carlos Smith

"How do I get rid of acne?" If I had a dime for each time I have been asked this question, I'd be set for life! This is the most universal skin complaint amongst teenagers, and accounts for the largest number of visits to the doctor, for skin related conditions. What I'm about to show you, in this article, is hopefully going to answer that question for you, so read on for some top tips!

Before I answer your question "how do I get rid of acne" I would first like to share with you what actually causes this terrible skin condition. Ignore all the people that say it's caused be a lack of personal hygiene. It's infact due to a hormonal imbalance which often occurs around your teenage years, which is why 9 out of 10 teens suffer from acne at some stage.

The hormonal imbalance produces excess sebum, which therefore begins to clog up the pores in your skin. Sebum is what keeps the skin moist, however too much of this is not good for your skin. Although you can't help this natural imbalance, there are steps you can take to unclog your pores to great effect, and I'm about to share those tips with you.

If your asking "how do I get rid of acne" then you must realise that picking your pimples is only going to make things worse. In the short term, manipulating your pimples will only increase the inflammation and redness, makin them look bigger and uglier. In the long term, you could be left with horrible scarring, which is much harder to get rid of.

Are you aware of how brilliant water is at getting rid of acne naturally? This often gets overlooked, as many people simply want to use synthetic products only, without changing their personal habits. Many acne sufferers complain of dry skin, which is not what you want, as dry skin becomes itchy and more irritable. Water helps to keep the skin hydrated.

If you can, the amount you should be aiming for, is 8 glasses per day. Water not only helps to keep skin hydrated, but it will help to flush out the nasty toxins in your body. Water contains amazing rejuvenating properties, that will aid in quicker skin cell growth too.

If you're asking "how do I get rid of acne naturally" then you'll want to listen up. This is one of the most powerful and effective home remedies for acne around. Lemon juice can be drank, and just a few glasses per day will provide your skin with crucial vitamins needed to make your skin healthy and smooth again.

Lemon juice can also be applied directly to your face. By just simply rubbing into the affected areas, the chemicals in the lemon will help lighten the redness caused be acne, making your pimples less visible. - 31376

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You can now do one of two things. You can either decide to ask the question "how do I get rid of acne" and never find what you're looking for. Or you can find out the 3 major causes of acne today, and learn how you can once and for all get rid of acne for good. The choice is up to you.

When Making Dreams Come True Is As Easy As Brushing Our Teeth

By Masami Sato

What if making dreams come true is just so easy? Can we let go of our doubts? Is it possible? How can we do it so magically so that it is as easy as brushing our teeth? This excerpt from ONE Book by Masami Sato shows us exactly how to do it step-by-step, preparing you to start walking towards your dreams today.

We all have dreams. But not all of us have the faith in ourselves, that we can have and live those dreams in our lifetime. Actually, the secret to have such certainty is simple. And the reason why we doubt it so much is also straightforward.

Let us start with the first question that can be asked to us..

Why don't we do everything we always wanted to do?

Our thoughts usually stop us from acting. Sometimes the more we think about something, the less we become committed to achieve what we set out to do in the first place. Because the more we think about it, we tend to come up with more and more reasons for not doing it.

Is it then possible to be sure that we will definitely accomplish what we want to do in our life?

Yes, definitely! For a start, let us look at the power of habits..

If we are scheduled to go to a meeting tomorrow night, we wouldn't spend lots of time thinking whether we can get there or not. We wouldn't be concerned about the chance of having a car accident and missing the appointment. Just like when we are walking to the bathroom, we wouldn't worry that the toilet might be broken!

We have so much more sureness about these types of 'normal' activities we indulge in every day. They are the habits.

But, we doubt our dreams

Interestingly, there are so many things we are not so sure about. Especially the things we really want to do in our life - our Dreams!

So, what is the secret for the assurance that we will realize our dreams?

First: Simply make it a daily habit!

We can begin with being more assured about our actions to fulfil our desires - the type of dreams that really nurtures our life.

For example, if a person's dream is to make his fair share of contributions to the society, and giving is a big yearning in his life, there is no need to doubt the possibility of being able to make that contribution. Al that is necessary is to make it a daily habit.

Second: Try to make it as important (and as much easy) as brushing teeth..

Realising dreams can be just like brushing one's teeth. It simply doesn't feel nice if we do not brush our teeth for pretty long, isn't it? We can't bother to spend hours considering which toothpaste we should use or wait to clean teeth till there is some need to do so. We feel a little out of sorts if our teeth are not clean. So we clean them. That is all!

Looking at our example, if giving is what we desire most, then we should ask ourselves a few questions: What if giving is truly as important as brushing one's teeth? What if it is giving us a comfortable feeling? What if it aids in remaining healthy?

Irrespective of how much or how little we own right now, we surely can start offering it and sharing it today. As such, no matter how improbable the realisation of dreams might appear, we can start walking towards them today. We can definitely do, if we see it as a crucial issue, a top priority that we should stick to every day! Then we will be uncomfortable if we do not do it. Just like cleaning our teeth.

and Third: Give first, then we will get

When we start giving before we even have what we hope to get - that which we dream of - we are sending out a powerful message to ourselves which tells us, 'there is enough, and more will come.' It allows us to feel the joy today - the joy of giving.

If you want to be rich, be generous. And you'll be blessed with abundance. If you want to be superbly intelligent, don't be afraid to teach others. And you'll know more. If you want to give, just give selflessly. Do not attach any expectation of return. Just let go. And joy will automatically be rewarded to you. The simple joy of giving.

So do not be hesitant to dole out and share what you have, for it will not prevent you from achieving your purpose, whatever it is. It will only help you to realise your dreams more easily. And your journey through that path would be full of joy.

But surely habits are much smaller in scale, compared to our BIG dreams?

Just manage do it, no need to worry about the 'scale'.

Because anything is possible in life. We might start things in a small way. And these small things will always take us to another action, and another. Having certainty in our small actions and executing them one by one always takes us forward. But if we thought it was 'impossible' to do something now because it just seemed 'too big', it will never happen.

The power to achieve one's dreams has always been there, and will always be there. Those who have managed wonders, sensations, and real joy, already know this. They go on using it.

Visions and miracles do not happen accidentally. We choose to create them.

So, are you likely to start moving towards your dreams today?

Contents are excerpted with minor modification from ONE, a book written by Masami Sato. To get a free copy of ONE, visit www.B1G1.com and start sharing the joy of giving. Feel free to use or republish the content of the above article, fully or partially, as long as it is preserved in its original content, with proper attribution to Masami Sato and www.B1G1.com. - 31376

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Preparing Your Child for Success In School

By Chris Arribbat

Mothers and fathers aren't the only people who help children get ready for school. Entire communities share this job. Businesses, schools, government agencies, and religious and civic organizations help out. So do day care providers, doctors and other health professionals, elected officials, relatives, and neighbours. But no one is more important than parents, because life's most basic lessons are learned early and at home. The first 5 years are when the groundwork for future development is laid.

Preschoolers need opportunities to exercise and develop physical coordination. To learn to control large muscles, children need to throw balls, run, jump, climb, and dance to music. To learn to control small muscles, particularly in the hands and fingers, they need to colour with crayons, put together puzzles, use blunt-tipped scissors, and zip jackets. In kindergarten, they will build upon these skills. Parents of youngsters with disabilities should see a doctor as soon as a problem is suspected. Early intervention can help these children develop to their full potential.

Youngsters must believe that, no matter what, someone will look out for them. Show that you care about your children. They thrive when they have parents or other caregivers who are loving and dependable. Small children need attention, encouragement, hugs, and plenty of lap time. Children who feel loved are more likely to be confident.

Figure out what suits your budget and what you can expect to spend in your community. For low-income parents, the federally funded Head Start program (and in some communities Chapter 1 programs) are available. State-subsidized child care programs also are available, although most often more people need the subsidized care than there are spaces available. Many families are entitled to the child care credit on their income tax forms.

If you think about it, school, while very important, does not really take up very much time. In the United States, the school year averages 180 days; in other industrialized nations, the school year can extend up to 240 days, and students are often in school more hours per day. So, the hours and days a child is not in school are important for learning, too. - 31376

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www.ebooksgallery.co.ukThere is no one skill or skill that youngsters need to do well in education, but a combination of things contributes to success. These include good health and physical wellbeing, social and emotional maturity, language skills, an ability to resolve matters and think creatively, and general knowledge about the world. www.ebooksgallery.co.uk