Writing in Flow – 5 Strategies to Finding Your Muse

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As a writer, I am always searching for tools that will improve my productivity. For me, writing is on-again, off-again: some days my fingers fly across the keyboard so fast that my brain has trouble keeping up; while others it’s a titanic struggle just to squeeze a single word onto the blank page. Many of my writer friends also complain of similar periods of feast or famine, so I guess this is a common phenomenon of our field. But does the creative process have to be so hit or miss?

While I have yet to find a book dedicated to finding your nonfiction writing muse, the fiction-writing world contains many attempts to teach writers how to write in flow or find their muse. And while the systems described in these books are intended for the fiction writer, they can be applied by the nonfiction ink-stained wretch who may be struggling with putting words to paper. One treasure that I discovered is Writing in Flow: Keys to Enhanced Creativity, by Susan K. Perry (Writers Digest Books, 1999).

What is “writing in flow”? Writing in flow is the currently fashionable phrase for the old writers’ term, “finding your muse.” When writing in flow, the writer loses all sense of time and space, becoming totally immersed in her work until some time later–minutes, hours, or even after an entire day–she remembers to breathe and pulls herself back into the physical world. During this time there are usually no thoughts of hunger or thirst, quotidian trivia like the bills and the laundry, or impossible deadlines. You are the words and the words are you. Writing in flow is the closest thing I’ve found to achieving a writer’s heavenly high without actually ingesting mind-altering drugs.

So, how do you achieve this writer’s nirvana? Perry’s book delves into the subject, explaining exactly what writing in flow is and what it feels like, the master keys to writing in flow, and finally how to make your writer’s flow happen. In this last section, Perry discusses several techniques writers can use to help induce the state of flow. And while I am sure that many of you already practice these techniques, it never hurts to be reminded of what we can do to improve our writing technique and productivity. A few of the techniques discussed by Dr. Perry:

Ritual and routine. Ritualizing your behavior focuses your mind on your current task and removes the pressure of what others might think of your writing when you are finished. During this time there is no room for any distractions or thoughts except for what you are writing.

Clearing your desk. Sometimes, when shifting priorities force us to begin a new project before the previous one is complete, staring at your notes and e-mails about the previous project can distract you. Clear this material from your desk so that it is out of sight, out of mind, before beginning the new project.

Just do it. Many experienced writers have developed the ability, through years of patient practice, to enter the flow state simply by immersing themselves immediately and fully into their current work. If this works for you, then “just do it.”

Musical aids. Often, listening to certain types or even specific pieces of music can instill a flow state. This is one of my favorite flow techniques, and I use different kinds of music for different kinds of writing: classical and instrumental movie sound tracks for fiction; and folk music, certain types of rock, and jazz for nonfiction pieces.

Simple silence. Often, loud voices, ringing phones, and other interruptions stifle a writer’s creativity. This was a really big killer for me when I first began writing, and under certain circumstances it still is. If silence is your road to flow, buy some sort of white noise machine for your cubical, or if you are lucky enough to have an office with a door, close it before you begin to write. Better yet, invest in a pair of high-quality headphones capable of blocking extraneous sounds. Silence, you’ll find, is golden.

I’ve tried all of the techniques discussed by Perry at least once and have chosen those that work best for me. And if you too need help with rediscovering or improving your writing productivity, I recommend Perry’s book. After all, what could be better than having writer’s nirvana at your beck and call, rather than waiting for a balky muse that may never sing? Writing in flow, how smooth the sound!

Potty Training – Toilet Related Injuries in Toddlers

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As potty training advances a natural progression to the toilet becomes necessary.

Most parents will readily agree that potty training is very much a learning curve for both parents and child; and the degree of difficulty varies as no two children are alike.

People worldwide view videos of children getting stuck in the toilet seat which seems funny at the time but too few know the result can be a nasty to severe injury.

The young child competent in potty training is placed on the toilet and partially slips through the toilet seat so as to get stuck in the seat, predominantly waist level at the back and the bended knee joint at the front.

The child is pulled free of the seat but the damage has already been done – the child has had a sudden acute lower back injury.

Toilet Injury 1.
• Medical examination shows a strain to the ligaments in the lower back
Symptoms of this potty training toilet injury vary as to the severity of injury and may include:
Pain and tenderness that is worse with movement
Swelling and bruising
Normal or limited muscle movement
A bulge or deformity at the site of a complete tear
Recovery time for a muscle strain can vary depending upon a person’s age, health and the type and severity of the strain. While a minor strain often heals well with home treatment, a severe strain may require medical treatment. If a severe strain is not treated a person may have long-term pain, limited movement and deformity.

At this point, potty training may experience a disruption.

Toilet Injury 2.
• Medical examination shows a sprain to the ligaments of the lower back.

Symptoms of this type of potty training toilet injury may exhibit symptoms much like those of a broken bone.

Recovery time for a sprain can vary depending upon a person’s age, health and the severity of the sprain. A minor sprain in a healthy person may heal in a few days to a few weeks. A severe sprain can take several months to heal and never heal completely, resulting in long-term pain, limited movement, deformity and instability of the joint, and repeated injuries.

First aid for a sprain includes rest, immobilization, ice, compression and elevation. While a minor sprain will often heal well with home treatment, a moderate to severe sprain may require medical treatment such as a cast or splint, physical therapy, medication or surgery. A cast or splint is not appropriate for this type of injury so traction often results.

Now potty training has a significant setback because of reluctance to exert any pressure on the injured area.

Toilet Injury 3.
• Medical examination shows a herniated disc in the lower back.

The disc is a spongy, gel – like ligament between each vertebrae of the spine which acts as a shock absorber preventing spinal injury like crush fracture.
Sudden spinal injury or trauma can cause tiny tears or cracks in the hard outer layer of the disc. When this happens, the gel inside the disc can be forced out through the tears or cracks in the outer layer. This causes the disc to bulge, break open or break into pieces.

Symptoms and effects of this potty training toilet injury are extremely serious.

When a herniated disc presses on nerve roots it can cause pain, numbness and weakness in the area of the body where the nerve travels. In the lower back, pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg is typical and referred to or diagnosed as sciatica.

In some cases, though rare, there may be weakness and numbness in both legs and loss of control over bladder and bowel functions.

Confirmation of a herniated disc is usually done by CT scan and/or MRI scan.

A herniated disc will take weeks to months to heal through combinations of bed rest, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, light exercise, pain medication and application of heat and ice though if the disc is broken into pieces, surgery usually results with the fusing of the vertebrae where the disc once was, resulting in permanent limited movement and in most cases, chronic pain.
• Medication cannot cure a herniated disc – it can only assist with pain (prescribed pain killers) and swelling (prescribed anti-inflammatory).

Should this injury be the outcome, all potty training has effectively been negated.

In any one of these injuries that can and do happen, all progress can and will stop putting the child into a state of potty training regression.

The LupiLu potty training toilet seat can prevent all three of the above mentioned accidents from happening.

This dual action toilet seat is manufactured in durable polyurethane and replaces any ordinary toilet seat within minutes – no handyman is required.

The bottom layer is a normal adult sized seat; the toddler seat is perfectly proportioned to hold a child from 18 months to 5 years old which make its use an ideal method for potty training. All layers, including the lid feature a soft close mechanism. One gentle push of any layer or lid sets the mechanism to close slowly and automatically which eliminates the possibility of little fingers being trapped and using the toddler seat completely eliminates the possibility of a young child slipping through and becoming trapped in an adult sized seat.

This product is extremely durable, very hygienic as every part of it is accessible for cleaning, it will not warp or split by being exposed to cleaning materials and the potty training toddler seat is so well shaped, in the event of an adult inadvertently using the seat, it won’t break and there will be no spillage onto the floor.

Potty training is an essential part of a child’s growth and the transition from potty to toilet can be made much safer with the LupiLu seat.

However, given this seat’s attractive design and robust form, it makes a lot of sense potty training the child directly on the toilet which effectively transforms potty training from inconvenience into an enhanced family friendly bathroom.

Parents, please remember that potty training is a crucial part of your child’s development and should be taken seriously.

Further information is available at www.theclevafella.com

Salt Lake City Schools Should be Teaching Tolerance Along with the Three R’s

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This year, students attending one of Salt Lake City’s schools were learning about Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, as part of their curriculum. The McGillis School tells children why this holiday is observed, along with Jewish customs associated with the festival.

It doesn’t matter that not all the students attending this particular school in Salt Lake City are of the Jewish faith. This exercise would be a valuable addition to the curriculum at any one of the Salt Lake City schools, or schools in any other region, for that matter. Schools need to focus on the basics of education, that is true, but there are other reasons why children go to school as well.

Schools Responsible for More than Just the Basics

Along with learning about English, Math, Geography, and the like, we send our children to schools in SLC to learn how to socialize and interact well with others. It is those lessons that will stick with the children long after they have graduated from school.

Part of the problem of intolerance and prejudice comes from not really knowing anything about the people that we are being intolerant of or prejudiced against. Schools in Salt Lake have the power to start changing that. Would we continue to believe stereotypes about a certain group of people if we actually knew someone personally who happened to belong to that group? Probably not. We would know that whatever thoughts we had about a particular race, religion, country of origin, or what have you are not based on anything real.

Tolerance Programs Should be Included in All Salt Lake City Schools

We all tend to be less tolerant of things we don’t understand; it’s just human nature. Simply because it is in our nature to behave in this way, that doesn’t mean that we can’t learn better patterns of behavior. Let’s start with the children attending our schools.

I really do hope that this program is adopted by all schools in the SLC area including other districts as well. Let’s get the children thinking about different ways that holidays and festivals are observed, but also let them know that underneath it all, that we are really not all that different. That would be a wonderful lesson to leave the students attending Salt Lake City schools with when they go out into the bigger world to further education or to work.

Given that Salt Lake is largely know for the often criticized Mormon religion, it’s a really great sign that the community is helping children to understand different belief systems. This new attitude of acceptance and tolerance that they learned while attending Salt Lake City schools is contagious (but in a good way). We all have a duty to stamp out intolerance whenever we see it, and starting children on the learning process while they are still attending Salt Lake City schools is a great way to start.

How to Learn Spanish Online – 5 Easy Steps to Assure Your Success

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This piece of writing provides a roadmap on how to learn Spanish online. You should start your journey to learn this romance language by searching at Google. I would start my search at Google for “learn Spanish newsletters.” From the various online newsletter for learners of this language you can become skilled at grammar, vocabulary, and even become knowledgeable about Latin American culture.

Secondly, I would search for “forums” where you can meet others who are trying to learn this language. They can offer you tips and techniques and even encouragement. Encouragement is definitely something that you will need to learn Spanish online considering that the journey to become fluent or conversational in a foreign language is a very long journey.

Thirdly, you will need to know how to conjugate verbs in the target language. Therefore, it is a good idea to do some searches at Google for “online Spanish Verb Conjugators.” The major problem with these tools are that they are not very comprehensive and will often lack audio.

Fourthly, you will want to find an online language-learning partner. There are several websites where you can find people who want to learn English. In exchange for helping them learn how to speak English they will help you learn Spanish. However, there is a drawback to this. If you are very busy you may not have the time to help someone learn English.

Last but not least, you will need to learn the vocabulary and grammar of the targeted language. By searching on-line, you should be able to find numerous websites with web pages that teach Spanish. If you take these five steps, you can learn the language on-line.

000-430 – IBM Tivoli Netcool Service Quality Manager

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About 000-430 Exam:
000-430 exam certification is for an individual who can demonstrate the ability to implement and support an IBM Tivoli Netcol service quality manager solution. This exam certified professionals are able to perform the tasks independently majority of times, and in some situations, take leadership and provide mentoring to peers.

Industry value of 000-430 Exam:
This exam is one of the important and top of the line certifications in the field of IT professionals. Present phenomenon of job market gives high priority to these certified professionals. So the market value of this exam is huge.

Job benefits of 000-430 Exam:
Professionals having this exam certification enjoy many job benefits, some of which are as follows:
• Describe the customer experience manager architecture and components
• Plan and design the Tivoli Netcol service quality manager v 4.1.1 software solution based on customer requirements and environment.
• Verify, install and configure the prerequisite software to customer experience manager.
• Install and configure service solutions.
• Perform performance tuning and problem determination.

000-430 Exam course:
There are some online and offline courses particularly for this 000-430 exam. These courses are not required to take the exam but those are helpful to get success. The course structure is as follows:
1. Planning
2. Installation
3. Configuration
4. Administration
5. Performance tuning and problem determination

Study tips for 000-430exam:
It is of utmost significance that you have to be familiar with the job role description and the parameters this certification is based on, as well as have knowledge of the topics outlined in the test objectives measured on the test. You have to compare your own technical level of the exam objectives and the training courses and then measure how much preparation you need and it is true that you need to have a lot of preparation for this exam.

Recommendations for 000-430 exam:
Before preparing for the 000-430 exam, it is recommended that you have to measure your current level of skill by taking the assessment test by online or offline courses and you can assess your improved skill and readiness for the exam.

Nurses Continuing Education Are Constantly Learning

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Nurses continuing education classes are constantly learning more and more about the medical field. The reason why most nurses continuing education are taking these classes are to keep them up-to-date on the ever-changing information about medications and procedures. Keeping all nurses current helps to make sure that they are given the right information and know how to properly perform a procedure.

Testing

Nurses continuing education are required to complete a set number of hours a day when classes are being held and must be able to pass their exams. In most cases, a test will take place that requires the nurse prove that they are aware of the procedure and how to perform the it quickly and correctly.

If the nurse is unable to do it correctly, he or she will be asked to take the class over again until they learn how to do it as instructed.

Course Offerings

When looking to participate in nurses continuing education classes, the classes being offered will vary from one session to another. In most cases, the available classes will keep the nurse knowledgeable about medications and the most up-to-date information on illnesses and viruses.

If the nurse sees a patient and does not know anything about the illness or virus, not only is the patient at risk, but also the staff. This is one reason why it is important that nurses continue their education even after they have graduated from school.

Refresher Classes

Refresher classes are available to all nurses continuing education in their specified areas of expertise. The refresher class will help to make sure that all information the nurse needs is fresh in their minds; this ensures that patients are receiving the best care possible.

Once the refresher course is over, a test will be given and the nurse will be expected to pass the test with a certain score percentage or they will have to retake the test as well as the refresher course. When attending the refresher course, be sure to bring paper and pen to write down any information that you think that you might forget later on down the road.

Hands-On Training

The nurses continuing education are not only learning from the textbooks and video’s that they are watching in classes, but also learning from the hands-on experience that they can only get from working. The hands-on part is essential to learning the proper way as you are actually working on someone who can tell you when something hurts or when they feel uncomfortable.

But when working in a classroom, the mannequin is usually getting the percentage of the hands-on time. While this may be a good idea at first, the hands-on time with patients is what the nurse will learn the most from.

This is why it is essential for nurses continuing education to frequently to learn new skills. Once they learn new techniques, nurses will be given the opportunity to try it out. Once they have mastered their new skills, they will move onto another area of expertise.

Cookery Courses, Taking in the Challenge

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The popularity of many food networks, shows and advertisements brought many viewers to the edge of their seat. Celebrity chefs often intrigued people to their knife skills, creativity, and cooking expertise. This created a massive impact to food-lovers, adult and child alike. The interest in culinary grew larger due to the exposure to cooking through media.

Diverse experience of many chef celebrities brought their show to a new level for experience, exploration and expansion in preparing, cooking and presenting food to various people. As a result, many people were greatly influenced to take some classes in a professional cookery school. Cookery courses popularized as the trend on gourmet cooking increased in the past decades. Hearty and full-flavored recipes were taught by various schools according to their program line and specialization. Technical skills were also taught importantly such as knife skills and other cookery techniques. Foundations in cookery were also taught as a basis for understanding the various processes behind.

There are many cookery courses available from beginner to professional level. Choices on different courses spread in a wide array of selection such as bread-making, patisserie, canapés, butchery, sauces, soups, chocolate mousses and desserts, pastry and puddings are widely available in one to two day sessions each. Others go beyond a week or so. Exciting flavors from east to west can also be learned, experienced and savored. Mediterranean, Thai, French, Italian, Indian and British cuisines are indelibly delicious and challenging. Yet, these traditional and authentic flavors have been around for many centuries, and appeals profoundly to people with different cultural backgrounds.

Another unique course offered is the gluten-free and meat-free dishes. Health conscious people are becoming aware of the health trends and the protective mechanism of the vegetarian diet. Vegetarian specialty cookery courses are offered by a few schools. Though, preparation of healthy dishes without the use of meat is definitely a challenge. But this provides a healthy option for those who want to maintain a robust, active and fit body.

Many schools equip the students for the mastery of the techniques and provide a learning environment for sufficient practical experience and social milieu. The social environment becomes encouraging to the students as well. The support from the chef instructor and staff, motivates the student to pursue the course out of their passion in cooking. Perhaps, it is learning the art of cooking directly from the experts, which strengthens the student’s confidence and professional bearing. It also allows the student to view the courses in the outlook of an expert, and obtain lessons from their line of expertise and experiences earned in the field and shared to the class.

One may find that their heart for cooking may have come from grandma’s classic Bolognese or mother’s traditional oatmeal cookies. Whatever it is, it must be nurtured. Just as the heart beats for the passion for cooking, and the soul longs to savor the goodness of every meal in every bite. Thus, the hands move to make this dream a reality. Cookery courses are available and a good way to start reaching your dream in becoming a full-pledged Chef!

Health Insurance And College Students

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As a parent you should not overlook a solid health plan for your college student. Among all the other support you give to your son or daughter, selecting a health plan should be high on your list of things to do. Often enough your own health plan will cover your children when they are 20 to 24 years old. Your college student usually has to qualify to be put on your health plan, such as financial dependency on you and long term enrollment which would consider them a full time student.

If you do not have a health plan that can be utilized for your child, the college he or she is attending will likely have some available for your selection. Some colleges include health care coverage as a mandatory part of enrollment. An added cost on enrollment is often needed to subscribe as part of the health care coverage, which will be an another burden on top of the tuition cost. If you are worried and cannot find any other option, you may need to justify the extra cost and obtain health coverage through the college in question.

You should always do your research by comparing the costs and benefits of each health plan, even if you already have a health plan and you’re thinking about including your son or daughter in it as they attend as a full time college student. Deductibles and copays will be something your child may need to pay if they desire to be independent from you, even if they are financially dependent on you. You should take into consideration what type of medical treatments are included in the plan, such as xrays, lab work, doctor visits, surgery and dental procedures.

Another thing to consider is if they’re covered on spring break and other holidays, since college kids tend to get in trouble at these times. No Matter what plan you select, you should make sure the plan is inside your budget and properly covers your college student, as they are obviously important. There may be certain plans available to part time college students, however these will vary greatly with costs and benefits. A good resource on college student health insurance plans is the American College Student Association located at http://acsa.com/. Members earn discounts and receive loads of information aimed specifically at all types of college students, from a reputable and well established association.

There are several ACSA endorsed student loan programs that can help you pay for health insurance for your college student. Financial aid for student tuition based on your son or daughter’s GPA and needs can help pad the burdening effects of paying for long term health insurance as well. There is lots of help available for obtaining health insurance and financial aid for students who aren’t covered by their parents, students who need temporary health plan coverage, grad students or students who are even married, and even international students who need coverage that complies with their visa requirements.

Life Coaching Basics

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Life coaching is not about therapy, consulting, counseling, or advice. It is basically a process that addresses business successes, personal projects, transitions and general conditions among others especially in the client’s personal life and profession by putting efforts on the current situation, discovering the barriers, challenges and selecting the course of action in order to make life be how you would like it to be.

Life coaching involves the coach and the client and the relationship between the two of them, giving all the power to the client. It is believed that one knows the answers to every single question or problem he or she may be facing in his or her life, though the answers maybe hidden or concealed. As a life coach, my skills revolve around knowing the right questions to ask a client, being equipped with helpful tools and techniques that empower you to get to the answers that you already have within yourself.

One may ask, why work with a life coach? What each and every person dreams of is success, achievement, happiness and joy. Working with a life coach assists the clients to uncover their own blocks so that they are better able to manifest and allow the life they truly want to live.

As a holistic life coach, I assist an individuals in identifying and setting the goals that he or she really wants without basing them on others interests. My role as coach is to assist clients in clarifying their personal values in order to attain something better when it comes to setting the goals. Remember that when the goals are based on the things that the client value most, they become more naturally motivated.

As your life coach, I’m with you for every step. As a client you will learn to forgive your past mistakes and see them instead as valuable lessons. We are going to work together to focus on your very best self.

For this week, I wish you focus and balance in your life. Please feel free to send me an email or give me a call for your free life coaching consultation.

Warmly,
Sandy

How To Find The Right High Paying Career For You

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If you’re searching for a high paying career but don’t know where to start here’s a few things for you to think about.

First of all do you really want to work for someone else your whole life? Today is the information age and it’s a little bit different than when our parents grew up because today you can actually create your own high paying career from home.

So many of us are taught growing up that in order to be successful in life, we have to work hard, go to school, get a job, and then we are finally somebody in the world.

Well that’s all changed today, there are more people creating quiet fortunes from home than you could ever imagine. So on your quest to find the right high paying career for you, you’re going to want to sit down and ask yourself some serious questions.

The first question you should ask yourself is…

Do I really want to spend my whole life trading my time for money, making other people rich? Do I really want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a degree because it will make my parents happy?

This is the mistake the majority of people make, they think that in order to be successful in life they have to follow that plan, well that plan leave more people broke, depressed, and unhappy than it does happy, healthy, wealthy, and free.

This is why 98% of people retire dead or dead broke by age 65 and only 2% retire wealthy, so start to think about some other ways you can make money.

Now if you really want a high paying career but you don’t want to be a part of the rat race, start looking into the home based business industry.

If you choose to create wealth for yourself, to create your own high paying career. Just remember, there are plenty of people out there willing to help you do so.

So in closing be careful not to get caught up searching for your dream job in the wrong places. If you want freedom and time to do the things you love then you’re not going to find that in a job, you’re going to have to do it on your own but don’t worry like I said there are plenty of people out there willing to help you.