Join The Alliance

That's right! Straight up, you can get a course worth $1997 for FREE!

You need to find someone you can trust. You need to find someone who’s been personally recommended to you or someone you connect with.

It’s a war zone out there.

Thousands of newbies are being crushed into oblivion every single day. It’s your job to make sure you’re not one of them. I’ll tell you how you can become part of this “sea of change”.

Visit DeltaSquadronCourse.com for more information or just click HERE and Join The Alliance today!

~Chuck

We Can Still Pull This Off

By Chuck Young

This has got to be the most interesting presidential elections ever. No matter who the candidate is the overwhelming theme is “CHANGE”. And why is that? Well, let me see…Unless you partied and it was 1999, and you lapsed into a coma for the first eight years of the new millennium, you realize the questioned elected president has brought this country to the brink of destruction. That last comment could have brought cries of anti-American sentiment, possibly brandishing me a traitor, but now that we are all on the same page (finally), this is just a stated fact. In the course of history, no one, albeit President of the United States, or any other elected official has divided this country since the Civil War. When we were attacked 7 years ago, the President became a leader of the free world that could have brought this country to unity and fight against a cancerous enemy. Instead, he divided us, Democrat and Republican, as much a divide as Yankee and Rebel. George W. Bush was given a blank check, not only by Republican Senate and House, but by all Americans. We pleaded, Mr. President, please make us safe.

What happened next will be questioned by millions of people in the future. They will read their history books and ask how and why an entire country, the strongest nation on earth, could let this atrocity happen. And why didn’t anyone stop him. Mr. Bush took the blank check, broke the bank, piled up credit that our grandchildren will be paying, and took away all of our strength, our peace of mind, and our credibility to our neighboring countries, and the world.

The clock is ticking, and the reign of this barbaric leader is coming to a close. We are now faced with the task of finding someone qualified enough to begin the healing process, one which will take decades. What a phenomenal race it is…we are on the brink of changing history with the possible election of either the first black United States president, or the first woman. Anyone says this election is not about race or gender, they are dead wrong. How could it not be? We are not ostriches. You can’t close your eyes and say it isn’t so. But both these candidates have run their campaign as if it weren’t an issue, and I applaud them for that. There is no feeling coming from Barack Obama implying, ‘vote for me because I’m black’, nor is there sentiment coming from Hillary Clinton that she should get your vote to show everyone how a woman can do a better job.

They are running on their merits alone. They let you know what they bring to the table.

So, it’s not either of them who cause problems for the Democrats, it’s the circus they’re performing in. The talk is, since the Republican candidate is already known, the democrats have to hurry and pick a candidate so they are challenging him, not themselves. The only problem I have is this…didn’t we know who the republican nominee was at the beginning of the last race for the white house? Personally, I believe it was an injustice to Hillary for people to tell her she needs to get out of the race. Why? She has just as much right to run for the position as Barack does. I’m not suggesting she should hang on as long as Mike Huckabee did. I mean, when it’s over, it’s over. But as long as she has a chance, any chance, she should be able to do what she needs to do without any flack from any of us.

In reading the previous paragraph, it would seem I’m for Hillary. I say with reservations, I am not. I have a tremendous amount of respect for John McCain. I believe he is a loyal and honest American that I am proud of. But I’m not for him, either. And don’t even start with Ralph Nader. I would have no problem with him running, if there was a chance he’d win, or at least believed he had a snowballs chance of winning. But how can a guy, who had to put up with zero campaigning, zero debates or caucuses, or smear ads, just toss his hat into the ring and say, I’m here. He’s in just to throw the proverbial wrench in to try and hurt the Democratic Party (no matter what he or anyone else wants us to believe). But his running brings me to the point of this. I want John Edwards to be the next president of the United States. He is the most capable, the most qualified person for the position. His health care plans, economic plans, foreign policy (the list is endless) are sound and better than anything any of the other candidates possess.

Why he didn’t come out as the top candidate (or at least second) is, WE took our eye off the ball.

Our minds are a whirlwind of panic and doubt. Are we safe? Will the gas price level anytime soon? Will we lose our houses? Will there be a recession, or a depression? Can we regain the faith of our neighbors? Since 9/11, we’ve lived in a fog, and it seemed there was another scandal every other day. The unpopular war rages on, with no end in sight. So we ARE looking for change. We want to return to some state of normalcy. And maybe that is why we have the candidates we do. I mean, how much more change could there be than making a historic change, a first. I’m in no way suggesting we are not ready for a black or a woman president, we are. We are the United States where we welcome all…your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

As far as a woman leader, you can look to history to see many great leaders were (and are) women…Golda Meier, Queen Elizabeth, Indira Gandi, the list too extensive to display here. I am also very impressed with Obama, and have been since I first saw him in 2004 commenting on the war. He is very intelligent, charismatic and decisive, and would make a phenomenal and highly effective Commander and Chief.

But, look back at the debates. How many times did John Edwards have to vie for time? No one cared about what he had to say because everyone’s attention was drawn to the center ring. We showed John no mercy. And it wasn’t anything he did. On the contrary, as I said before, I believe he has the most solid plans for our nation than anyone up there on stage. The other two candidates thought so as well, and stated their admiration for him and his proposed policies.

We need to find a way to band together, and get John Edwards to run as an independent (and to also level the playing field) and elect him to be our next President of the United States. If you agree with me, and have any thoughts or proposals on how we can make this a reality, please submit your ideas to: submit@ChucksTips.com.

We still have time. Let’s take back our nation and put the most qualified person to do that in as Commander and Chief. Tell everyone you want to start 2009 out right…by the swearing in of John Edwards as the President of the United States.

Tax Time Is Approaching

If you sell on eBay, or if you have an online business, listen up. There are several tax issues in the news right now that could have a huge impact on the way you do business.

The first issue, and the one that is getting the most attention, is Congress's push to get the IRS to force brokers (companies such as eBay and Amazon) to report personal data on their customers.

In this proposal, brokers (such as Amazon and eBay) would be required to report names, addresses, and gross proceeds of each customer that completes more than 100 separate transactions and generates more than $5,000 in gross proceeds each year.

Most likely, companies will report this information for all of their customers because they won't know who will meet the criteria above until the end of the year.

This proposal could cause problems for smaller companies. Not only will collecting this information be costly, but smaller companies may not have the technology to keep this data safe from hackers. The Center for Democracy and Technology is concerned about the safety of the personal data collected, and rightly so, given how much fraud and identity theft takes place today.

The proposal could have a negative affect on ecommerce, as some customers may shy away from doing business on the internet if they are required to provide Social Security numbers.

If passed, the proposal will be effective beginning January 1, 2008. There is no indication that there will be any retroactive treatment for the new law.

Secondly, state and local taxing authorities are pushing for the ability to impose sales tax on sales made online. Currently, eBay sellers and online business owners are not required to collect sales taxes on items that are sold and shipped to customers in another state.

If the state the eBay seller or business is located in has a state or local sales tax, then you are supposed to collect sales tax on items sold and delivered to the same state, but many people are not complying with these rules.

Every state (and many localities) has their own sales tax rate and rules, so the Streamlined Sales Tax Project was introduced to help simplify the collection and reporting of sales tax. Without some simplification, the cost to small businesses to comply with sales taxes would be tremendous.

Finally, the Internet Tax Freedom Act, which was created to promote the growth of the internet, is set to expire in late 2007. This act prohibits companies from taxing internet services, and if this act expires, small businesses would be hurt the most.

States and local taxing authorities are eagerly awaiting the chance to collect taxes on internet services, but many companies, such as AT&T, Comcast, NetChoice and others, are lobbying for a permanent moratorium on this tax.

All of these issues could have a huge impact on eBay and other online businesses, so if you make your living online, you should keep your eyes and ears open for news regarding these tax issues.

Note: This article was written May 27, 2007. Tax laws change frequently, so please check with your tax professional if you have any questions about the tax issues discussed above.



Kristine A. McKinley, CPA, Certified Financial Planner®, and founder of Beacon Financial Advisors, teaches individuals and families how to invest and plan for retirement, college, and other financial goals. Kristine offers financial and tax planning on an hourly, fee-only basis. For more information on eBay taxes, sign up for our free special report 'Tax Tips for eBay Sellers' or visit our website. www.squidoo.com/ebaytaxtips/

Thought of the Season

fom Kerry Wood, author, poet, teacher:

Years ago I wrote a letter of thanks to a famous Yale professor whose Shakespeare lectures had inspired me and urged me to a teaching career. He wrote back about how much it means to be remembered and to get letters even from students such as I, who were just a speck in a huge lecture room and never spoke to him nor were spoken to by him. He wrote: "I suppose you are right to say I don’t know you. From a big class like English 34 it was my sad but unavoidable fate to know very few. But in another way I do know you because only certain rather rare kinds of people indulge their sympathetic intuitions enough to realize that letters like yours can take fifty years off an old man's shoulders."

I save notes from students and parents. Last Thanksgiving, I shared some with my writing group. It's gratifying to get thank-yous at the end of the school year, but truly heartwarming when t remembrances come from students of 20 and 30 years ago.

Here’s one from Karen, a talented writer I had encouraged to major in English.

I adore Berkeley and I've decided to be an English major. People say it's impractical, but I would like to teach at the college level. I've decided to do it even if I have no talent at all.

By the way, you lied—and my teacher who said I should make a career of fiction lied—because my rhetoric professor said my writing stinks and I should give it up. After several C's, I went to office hours to discover what was wrong with papers I had slaved over for hours. Five minutes into his defense, I fell apart and cried. I think I scared him because after that my grades really jumped. I still only got a B+, though, and it was a disappointment. So I decided to become a math major but then I got into a literature course on major American and British authors. It’s exciting! We have a new book to read every week and discussions are lively. I loved Pound and Eliot, but Joyce is my top, top favorite.
I may not have any talent at all but I adore literature and I'm going to stick with it until they kick me out of the department.
Anyway, I wanted to thank you for letting me into your class when I wasn't supposed to be there and for giving me some valuable training even if I have a long, long way to go before I arrive anywhere. I forgive you for grading me too easily. You're a good teacher.
Love,
Karen

That letter was written in 1987. Today Karen is an English PhD, has written a critical study of Isabel Allende, and teaches English at City College of San Francisco. I wrote her a note suggesting that any erroneous judgment of her talents might be imputed to her Berkeley teacher and not to me.

Kerry Wood

www.kerrymwood.com
Author of the memoir “Past Imperfect, Present Progressive" which is available on his website.

5 Effective Ways To Strengthen Your Relationship

By: Chris Green

Millions of couples endure the nightmare of relationship breakdown every year and the divorce rate shows no sign of slowing. It seems that many people find it very difficult to form lasting, happy relationships and here are 5 common mistakes that kill relationships. Get rid of them from your relationship and you'll enjoy a happier love life.

Without doubt, the single worst way to spoil your relationship is to be argumentative because you need to be right. This is DEADLY. Argumentative people will argue to the nth degree
until they "win" about everything and anything. They will not listen and consider their partner's viewpoints and will rarely if ever compromise. Any criticism, even if fair and justified will be met
with defensive and sometimes angry responses as the need to be right overrides the need to compromise and improve the relationship. Try not to get into silly, futile arguments and remember that winning arguments isn't the objective, but what is best for your relationship - if you want it to last.

Respect for each is absolutely fundamental. This means accepting and loving your partner
for the wonderful, unique human being they are. However, many people actually believe they "own" their partner, and expect them to conform in ways they deem appropriate. This is more like slavery than love! Your partner isn't your private property, they certainly aren't your slave and it isn't conducive to a happy relationship to restrict their freedoms by treating them this way. Your partner may want to grow in ways you may not like or even feel comfortable with
but preventing their growth not only stifles them but you as well. Because your partner will treat you in the same way. Instead of restricting each other's freedoms, it is far better encourage your partner to grow and become the person they want to be. Indeed, this is the only way true love can flourish.

John Lennon told us "all you need is love" and while it's a great song, it simply isn't true. Successful relationships require more than love if they are to last. People aren't perfect and all of us have our quirks and habits that can grate on our partners. Life also throws us some pretty
trying times and getting through these times takes determination and hard work and many relationships flounder during such times. Along with the changes we all have do deal with such as children and aging to name but two, you can see that love - while it must be there -
isn't the only ingredient needed for a successful relationship.

Keeping the spark alive in a relationship is something many couples fail to do. Contentment sets in, you start to take your partner for granted and gradually, the spark fades and dies. It's so easy to fall into the contentment trap and the result is you stop making an effort for your partner. Your appearance changes, you don't go out as much, and lots of other activities you
used to do have been ditched. The mystery has gone, the challenge has gone, the spark just isn't there! Keep it alive by making the effort to do new things, to enjoy new adventures and remember to do things separate from each other as well as with each other and you'll reap the rewards.

Routines can kill relationships in double quick time, they are that bad. OK, we all need a certain
amount of routine in our lives but when there is so much routine life becomes totally predictable, the boredom critter creeps in and eats away at your relationship. Imagine being in a relationship where you do the same things each and every week, nothing new is tried, no excitement, no adventure, no buzz! You know what happens to a garden if it isn't watered? It withers and dies. That's what's happening here. Make the effort to keep the spark alive by doing and enjoying new experiences and keep the boredom critter away!

These super tips will strengthen your relationship and both you and your partner will enjoy long lasting happiness and a deeper loving bond.

Learning To Play the Guitar

Before we dive into the basics of how to play the guitar, let 's take a look at the actual exercise layout. When we watch our favorite rock stars jamming with their amazing guitars at concerts or in music videos, we are envious of their speed, dexterity and skill. We want to be able to do the same thing and find ourselves wondering how in the world they learned to play so well.

The guitar is not a difficult instrument to learn how to play, but before you begin taking lessons there are a few basics you should keep in mind. You must be determined to succeed. Without determination, you are destined to give up before you've learned to play this wonderful instrument. Determination is especially important when it comes to learning to play the guitar.

Patience is the Key

Another key to learning the guitar is patience. You cannot become a rock star overnight. Learning the guitar takes time, especially during the initial days. Once you have these two basic tenets, the third thing, which is specific to music, is having a musical ear. You have to be able to, over a period of time, identify the sounds associated with particular notes.

Buy yourself a Guitar

The first step to actually learning how to play the guitar is to get yourself a guitar. Owning a guitar is vital to the learning process simply because learning involves constant practice. You have to constantly practice what you learn, as a lack of practice can make you rusty and setback your learning process.

Having your own guitar enables you to practice whenever you want, at the frequency you desire. Also, the feeling of ownership is a big confidence booster. By purchasing your own guitar, you have taken the first step to learning how to play it. The last and final preliminary step before you kick off the actual learning process is getting yourself a teacher. [Note from Chuck's Tips: I bought a guitar from a vendor on Amazon.com and am very happy with it. I took it to a reputable guitar teacher who also approved. AND, it only cost $39.99! Woohoo!]

Find a Good Teacher

In the days before the Internet, to learn how to play the guitar, you had to learn from a guitar teacher. This meant you had to actually go to the house of a teacher, or have the teacher come to your house. That was quite a limiting experience, because there was no guarantee the teacher you were learning from was the best or was able to teach you the style you wanted to learn.

Did You Know?

If you have lot of time and are ready to spend some money, private lessons are the best way to learn guitar. The problem is, it has become harder to find a good private teacher these days with the proliferation of online guitar courses.

Learning Guitar Online

There has been an explosion of online guitar teaching course lately and this has changed the equation forever. There are numerous online websites that are designed to teach a student how to play the guitar. These courses take potential guitar players from the simple basics to complex chords and various playing styles. In order to learn online, all you really need is your guitar, a computer and internet access. You should search for a site that best suits your particular
needs. Once you've found the perfect site for you, jump right in and start taking those guitar lessons. You will be glad that you did.

Kirk Downing is the creator of the popular portal for guitar enthusiasts called JamDojo. Total beginners can find a wealth of information in the form of articles and blog posts. If you're trying to learn how to play guitar JamDojo.com is the answer.

Energy For The Holidays

The holiday season is very demanding time, resources and energy. Before you grab that next espresso, read this.

Energy Drinks Vs. Natural Energy Boosters

By: Marty Meshek

Do you want a natural energy solution to building better energy reserves? Do you drink more and more coffee and energy drinks each day and still feel drained? Americans consumed $3.5 Billion dollars in energy drinks in 2005 and it does not look like we are slowing down.

We used to get our energy with the food we consumed and an occasional cup of coffee or tea. Along with that, just forty to fifty years ago our soils were not depleted. Our farmland’s topsoil contained all the trace minerals needed by our cells to keep our body functioning properly. Now, with technology, companies are producing “instant energy gratification” in the form of quick acting energy drinks and high powered espresso drinks.

There seems to be a Starbucks on every corner and multitudes of energy drink options in every convenience store. Many Americans are getting through their day by guzzling several energy drinks or iced lattes.

Want to be able to increase your activity? Or, have enough energy after a day of work to go work out? Do you want improved energy, have more focus and boost your immune system?

Here are several natural ingredients that will rebuild your energy levels allowing you to cut back on those energy drinks and coffee.

Cayenne
Cayenne is a pepper well known for its benefits to the circulatory system. Cayenne also boosts metabolism. It aids the body to balance pressure levels and resist abnormal bleeding. Cayenne also nourishes the digestive system. This plant assists in the body's utilization of other herbs, when used in an herbal combination.

Alfalfa
Alfalfa is a well-known herb to health-conscious consumers. It is high in nutrients, which are drawn into the plant from deep in the soil. The richest land source of trace minerals, the roots of Alfalfa plants have been known to reach as much as thirty feet deep! The leaves of the alfalfa plant are rich in minerals and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and carotene. They are also a source of protein, vitamin E and vitamin K. Alfalfa nourishes the digestive, skeletal, glandular, and urinary systems. Alfalfa contains chlorophyll, which is renowned for its cleansing qualities.

Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is a rich source of many nutrients, including amino acids. Bee pollen contains easily assimilated protein and lecithin, which nourish the brain and nervous system. Bee Pollen nutritionally supports the body in many ways, including assisting with vitality and a feeling of well-being. It has been used by athletes to maintain energy and stamina.

Kelp/Spirulina
Kelp contains nearly thirty minerals which nourish the glands (especially the thyroid and pituitary). By enhancing the action of the glandular system, it helps balance the body's metabolism and rate at which it burns calories. Kelp, also known as seaweed, grows in the rich ocean beds, far below surface pollution levels. Because of its high nutrient content, this herb is reputedly beneficial for a wide range of applications. It is known to nourish the sensory nerves, brain membranes, also spinal cord and brain tissue. Kelp contains alginic acid which can help protect the body against the effects of radiation. These energizing "super foods" are some of the most nutrient-rich substances produced by nature.

Ginseng, Schisandra and Licorice
Siberian Ginseng can be used in cases of stress, depression and low libido. Siberian Ginseng and Schisandra and Licorice, are herbs known as adaptogens. Adaptogens help us to cope with the changes in our environment both emotionally and physically; they support and ultimately promote overall health and by promoting our physical and mental strength; they help our body adjust to variances in diet and environmental factors. Licorice supports the adrenal glands and plays a crucial role in countless metabolic steps to convert fats, protein and carbohydrates into energy. It is included in every adrenal boosting product on the market and many times taken by itself to boost the adrenals.

Guarana
From seeds of an Amazon vine plant. Guarana is a tonic very similar to caffeine and boosts the adrenal glands and stimulates cerebral functions. It provides energy and alertness. It has a very similar chemical structure to that of caffeine, but releases its energy more slowly into our system making it a little better for your system than regular caffeine.

Maca
The South American country of Peru hosts a great variety of beneficial plants, including Maca, a legendary sex-enhancing root passed down from the Inca. It provides energy benefits to both men and women. It has been called "Peruvian ginseng," even though it bears no relation to ginseng. But like ginseng, the plant is employed to increase strength, energy, stamina, libido and sexual function.

Yohimbe
Yohimbe. The benefits of yohimbe are a subject of much controversy. Yohimbe is used to help build muscle, improve sexual function, reduce anxiety, elevate mood, and prevent heart attacks. Because it stimulates the central nervous system, it has been used to treat narcolepsy and for weight loss. It is a great metabolism booster. Yohimbe increases fatty acid mobilization, decreasing fat synthesis, which means it not only aids in weight loss, but actual fat reduction. Yohimbe is popular with bodybuilders. By stimulating the production of testosterone, it can help build muscle mass. Be careful with Yohimbe, as this herb will naturally get your heart racing fast.


Marty Meshek is a natural cleansing and energy specialist. He operates the website: www.EnergyForToday.com dedicated to free information on natural energy boosters and the power of cleansing.

October Feature: LifeLock

LifeLock

LifeLock provides a proactive identity theft service, specializing in the prevention of identity theft rather than the reporting of it. LifeLock was founded in 2005 and is already considered the industry leader.

Guarantee Your Good Name

By now you've heard the stories about Americans whose identities have been stolen. They're not pretty…people working for hundreds of hours over many years to get their lives back in order, kids not getting student loans because someone has already ruined their credit, people losing homes because thieves placed mortgages they never knew existed, even innocent individuals ending up in jail.

LifeLock can keep this from happening to you and they guarantee their service up to $1,000,000.

Tip Of The Week

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
-Chinese Proverb

Like the lump of coal that will be made into a diamond by incredible pressures, you are a gem already. You’re here because you are looking for the least painful way to polish your life and etch in the facets that will make you shine. You probably have some fear and are hesitant to proceed without knowing exactly where the road leads…and how many thorns lie on the ground and in the way. Fear is not going to disappear; it will always be there. But how much power it has over you is for you to decide. Do you fear the pressure of “too much to do and too little time”? Do you fear the changes you may need to make in order to chip away the rough edges and shape your life into a brilliant and priceless gem? When you are going through a rough time, don’t become discouraged. There is great wisdom in this week’s quote. Stop your mind from racing into the gloom and think for a moment. Ask yourself these questions:

How did I get to this point?

Give yourself an honest answer. If you have made choices that led you there, evaluate the way you make choices. Or, in some cases, actually start to make choices and don’t let circumstances dictate the direction of your life.

What am I learning from this?

As humans, we are always learning. But our lessons only help us if we realize exactly what it is that we are supposed to learn…and do. If you need to develop determination, initiative, courage, patience, tolerance, or any number of things, then do it. Otherwise you will be repeating the same behavior that brought you there.

How Can I Avoid This In The Future?
Take whatyou’ve learned and make it part of your life. Make a change. You can read inspirational quotes and self-help courses and even see clearly where the problems lie, but in order for you to have a better life, you must take action. Don’t just learn, do.

What do I do now?
Let the trials polish the gem. Go along with the changes and start to SHINE!

What Happens When 3 Extraordinary Teachers from "The Secret" Come Together to Teach the Science of Getting Rich?

by Chuck Young

The Science of Getting Rich is a timeless classic written in 1910 by Wallace D. Wattles. It is a bold title for a book and suggests that getting rich is a predictable outcome if one can master the principles outlined in the book. Here is how Wallace D. Wattles puts it in his own words, "The ownership of money and property comes as a result of doing things in a certain way. Those who do things in this certain way, whether on purpose or accidentally, get rich. Those who do not do things in this certain way, no matter how hard they work or how able they are, remain poor. It is a natural law that like causes always produce like effects. Therefore, any man or woman who earns to do things in this certain way will infallibly get rich."

Certainly, this book is well referenced by many of the great teachers today and it is the same book that inspired Rhonda Byrne to produce that runaway success "the Secret". Here is what Rhonda Byrne said on her introductory note to the book, "I can honestly say that, since that first night when a tattered printed manuscript found its way to me (thanks to one of my daughters), my life has never been the same. Once you read it for yourself, you will understand why". Rhonda went on to produce the movie "the Secret" and the best-selling book of the same title which has sold millions of copies worldwide.

However, learning how to do things in that "certain way" as described by Wallace D. Wattles may be more challenging for some as the book was written nearly 100 years ago. Some of the language is a little dated and much of its wisdom lost from a modern day perspective.

Fortunately, a new training seminar for the Science of Getting Rich has brought the wisdom of this timeless classic back to life for modern readers. Called "the Science of Getting Rich", this program is the most comprehensive training system for mastering Wallace D. Wattles wealth creation philosophies and principles since its creation. It comprises written, audio and live seminar formats for learning, applying and mastering the Science of Getting Rich

A unique "twist" to the program is the fact that it has an in-built vehicle for creating substantial financial wealth through its affiliate program. This is truly a unique wealth education and wealth building program designed to empower any individual with the resources to get rich. It is a program whose time has come. The program would not be possible without the original text from Wallace D. Wattles, the skills of leading teachers of our time, the phenomenal success of "the Secret" and the Internet as a learning and distribution tool.

Click here to learn more about the Secret Science of Getting Rich and the details of the program.

Tip of the Week

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
--Chinese Proverb

Like the lump of coal that will be made into a diamond by incredible pressures, you are a gem already. You’re here because you are looking for the least painful way to polish your life and etch in the facets that will make you shine. You probably have some fear and are hesitant to proceed without knowing exactly where the road leads…and how many thorns lie on the ground and in the way. Fear is not going to disappear; it will always be there. But how much power it has over you is for you to decide. Do you fear the pressure of “too much to do and too little time”? Do you fear the changes you may need to make in order to chip away the rough edges and shape your life into a brilliant and priceless gem? When you are going through a rough time, don’t become discouraged. There is great wisdom in this week’s quote. Stop your mind from racing into the gloom and think for a moment.

Ask yourself these questions:

How did I get to this point? Give yourself an honest answer. If you have made choices that led you there, evaluate the way you make choices. Or, in some cases, actually start to make choices and don’t let circumstances dictate the direction of your life.

What am I learning from this? As humans, we are always learning. But our lessons only help us if we realize exactly what it is that we are supposed to learn…and do. If you need to develop determination, initiative, courage, patience, tolerance, or any number of things, then do it. Otherwise you will be repeating the same behavior that brought you there.

How can I avoid this in the future? Take what you’ve learned and make it part of your life. Make a change. You can read inspirational quotes and self-help courses and even see clearly where the problems lie, but in order for you to have a better life, you must take action. Don’t just learn, do.

What do I do now?
Let the trials polish the gem. Go along with the changes
and start to SHINE!

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Chuck's Tips Joins Web 2.0

You may notice a little box to the right that informs you what we're up to at the moment. It's our little "Tweet" to let you know we're working hard to bring you the content you need, desire and deserve. Join Twitter to take a peek at what we're looking at, where we surf and what we're working on. We've also joined forces with del.icio.us, and StumbleUpon. The internet is a very exciting source/resource of knowledge, entertainment, and profit. Just watch and see where we end up next! Come along and share the fun. See you at http://www.chuckstips.com ...and be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss out on anything!
~Chuck

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Secret, Secret...Who's Got The Secret? WE DO!

The Future is NOW

Okay, so we've got this blog and we've got some stuff to share. We can promise you that what is to come will be fun, exciting and informative. Don't stop reading here! That's not just another cliche'! It's all true. Stay tuned here to learn The Secret Life Of... the healthy, the wealthy, the happy people! And we are just some of them!

Be well!