Be Your Boss: Taking Care Of Inner Health

 Inner health is a very important subject because 95% of life-threatening diseases start inside our bodies where we can’t see what is happening. 

By ignoring symptoms we often allow the problem to increase until treatment becomes difficult or, in the worst cases, impossible. 

It is also true that one hour of prevention is far better than one year of treatment. 

In this article, we will look at the main source of “body fuel” – the food that we eat and, more importantly, how we eat it. 

But before going into that subject there are other things we should not be doing:

1. No smoking.

2. No drinking alcohol to excess.

3. No taking of unprescribed drugs.

This article is written on the assumption that you abide by the three rules above.

What we eat is the starting point. 

There is no point in eating foods that are saturated in fat as your basic diet and complaining that you are overweight and/or feel unwell. 

Of course, you do because this is self-inflicted by an inadequate diet. 

Small meals are taken regularly (even six meals each day) are better for you than long periods without food followed by a heavy meal.

Large, rich, meals late at night should be avoided, especially for older people. 

A cooked meal at midday is digested better than a late-night meal.

You should drink at least one and a half quarts (1.5 liters) of fluid each day; much more if the weather is hot.

 If you become ill you should double your fluid intake. Water is the best.

Improving your diet is not as difficult as most people claim. In most instances, it is simply a case of adjusting the balance of what we eat.

 Here are a few tips:

Eat more fiber in the form of fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain bread. 

In addition, add two tablespoons of coarse bran to your breakfast cereal. 

This provides bulk, or roughage, that your digestive system depends upon to function properly.

Cut down on fat, normally taken in fast foods and fries, etc. 

Eat more lean meat, fish. Grill rather than fry foods where possible.

Eat less sugar (This means no soda’s because the average can of soda contains an equivalent of 20+ Tablespoons of sugar equivalent) 

Do not drink beer with meals because beer stops your body from breaking down fats.

 Water is the best drink followed by low-calorie drinks and unsweetened fruit juices.

Walk for at least half an hour each day. Park your car at the furthest parking space from the supermarket; the exercise will increase your lifespan. 

If possible use stairs rather than escalators. 

All of these small things, together with your balanced diet, will increase your health and lifespan.

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OCD Victim: Why we do what we do?

 Where does an OCD sufferer begin to start? to explain what compels them to do the things that are slowly destroying them inside or the people around them.

Do you suffer in silence to please your loved ones or show them the door?

Being an OCD sufferer for as long as I can remember has left me a dedicated addict to Temazepam.

"The tablets will help" were the doctors' very words. 

I also recall him saying, how I would kill myself if I carried on doing what I was doing.

Those life-threatening rituals regardless of those words of wisdom from my local GP are still being carried out.

Prescription prescribed by one psychologist.

How could he help?

 Questions raised by the psychologist were that of my childhood. 

Questions like was I abused as a child. Well if that being the case I certainly was not going to confide in or tell a complete stranger.

Some things stay hidden in the closet and are taken to the grave.

Most OCD victims may have suffered at some stage in their life some form of abuse. 

In a way this makes sense, but what of our fellow-sufferers with no abusive upbringing where do the answers lie?

So severe is the urge to cleanse ourselves, we enter into another world where we find contentment in releasing our energies in habitual rituals that we no longer have control over.

Is there a cure? Yes, of course, all we do is stop what we are doing, how? 

By not committing ourselves to listen to those little voices in our heads any longer.

Demon's who cast an opinion on how we run our lives. 

What right have they to enter our heads uninvited? 

Rid of these devils and we have the antidote for the poison inflicted upon us.

For an invisible force, they win hands down every time.

Help comes in many forms in i.e. medication relaxation classes, herbal tonics, etc. 

Depending on the individual and of course how severe the symptoms

Therapies differ and do work with high success rates for many sufferers. 

Recommending what is best for you is out of my jurisdiction we all differ greatly in our needs to find the cure.

The first step on the road to recovery is to face up to the problem. Will this cure me you ask?  

No, but it will certainly slow down the process of putting yourself into an early grave. 

OCD is about speed, the quicker one job or task is done; it is time to move onto the next. 

This death sentence that I have imposed upon myself is challenged each day by slowing down. 

Do a little research on the illness to find how you can help yourself; this helped me greatly in my search for freedom 

Finding the time to read was another step forward because to have done this. 

I knew I had then put another chore on the back burner.

Half the battle is won for a victim of OCD if they can be heard in the way that they want to be understood. 

A move in the right direction is to talk to fellow sufferers of this self-destroying disease. 

2% of the population are victims of this uncontrollable force behind why we do what we do.

Alienate these aliens by becoming a force with other OCD victims in the battle against self-destruction because that is exactly what it is, Self Destruction.

And the most dangerous accomplice on this mission is YOU.

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How To Get A Good Night's Sleep!

 Do you remember when you were little and it seemed as though sleep overcame you as soon as your head hit your pillow? 

And you slumbered through the night until morning time? They call it the sleep of the innocent, but don't you wish you could sleep like that again? 

Adult responsibilities, stress, lifestyle, and other worries often result in poor sleep habits, and once the cycle of tossing and turning begins, it is difficult to return to a decent night's sleep. 

Many adults rely on prescription drugs to fall asleep and quite a few are addicted to them! 

Others 'self medicates' and use alcohol and other recreational drugs to try and fall asleep. 

If you are regularly struggling to sleep well, then you probably need to learn to fall asleep again!

So let’s go back to basics! 

And who better to consult than babies! 

After all, babies are the experts at sleeping so why not learn a little from them! 

Apart from their age and body clock, there are specific reasons that babies fall asleep so well. 

Let’s have a look at a few of them and see if we can’t borrow some of the tricks! 

ROUTINE: Most parents try very hard to get their children into a routine. 

Regular bedtimes, bath times, and mealtimes are something to strive towards. 

Of course, one cannot be too rigid, but a child on a regular routine will feel secure and will be able to ‘predict’ his environment more easily. 

It also helps his body clock to start the process of winding down before he actually gets to bed. He knows that after supper comes to his bath, a story, a prayer, and a good night kiss. 

When his head hits the pillow, he is ready to meet the sandman!  

So try and follow this example. 

Start a nighttime routine. 

Make your evenings more or less predictable along the lines of supper, bath, and bed.  

For at least three weeks try and follow this simple routine and go to bed at the same time each night – about 8 hours before it is time to get up.

 Wear soft comfortable and cozy nightwear, specifically for sleeping (remember flannel pajamas?) 

EXERCISE: This is something kids do lots of! 

They don’t stop running around for a minute! Now I am not suggesting that you start running around wherever you go, but regular exercise is one of the best sleep aids around! 

It’s also free and healthy and has lots of good side effects. 

Take up a sport, go to the gym, or start regular walks. You won’t regret it! 

HAVE PEACEFUL EVENINGS: 

How many times don’t you hear parents saying to their kids “Calm down now, it’s nearly bedtime”. 

Or “You’d better stop running around – you won’t be able to fall asleep!” 

Perhaps you say this to your own children – with good reason! Do you follow your own advice? 

Or do you sit up watching thrillers (or even worse the news!) or finishing off the day’s work that you brought home from the office? 

Sound familiar? Try a different approach. 

Never watch TV while trying to fall asleep. 

Rather dim the lights while you get into a hot bath and put on some soothing music. 

Use aromatherapy in your home – in particular, lavender for its soporific properties. 

Be quiet and peaceful for the hour before you go to bed and your body will start to get the message! 

OTHER HINTS

Avoid all products with caffeine or sugar after 6pm. That means coffee, cola chocolate, and all 'soda pops' (fizzy drinks). 

Also, stay away from heavy meals at night. 

Your tummy will be too busy digesting to allow you to sleep well! 

Don't eat red meat, refined products, or lots of cheese. Go for pasta, grains, pulses, potatoes, and rice. 

Good evening or bedtime drinks are warm milk, lettuce extract, and chamomile tea (sleepy tea) - all safe and proven sleep aids. 

If you are really struggling, some herbal remedies to aid sleep are Valerian, Passiflora, and Kava Kava. 

Try to put these simple hints to the test for three weeks only. You will be surprised at the difference they make! 

Good night!

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Prove Your Power: For A Long Life - Keep Your Life Simple!

 It may be too unsophisticated, but keeping your life simple is an important key to longevity. 

Aside from prolonging life, it makes a long life happy.

What is the purpose of a long life, if you spend most of it in illnesses?

A short life is better than a long life of being bedridden, medicine sustained and pierced by dozens of intravenous tubes.

In all the perplexities that are going on around, many people have forgotten how simple “simple” really is. 

They have forgotten that one key to a healthy life is being downright simple.

Simplicity is oftentimes so profound to other people that they do not believe it unless someone complicates it for them.

They find it hard to imagine that once upon a time, people lived comfortably and very happy — that satisfaction exists even without TV, air conditioners, or phones. 

They lived much longer and healthier lives long before the discovery of Science and Medicine. They don’t need some social science experts to tell them that needs are proportional to progress, and that needs cannot stay as they are while progress goes on, especially at a fast pace.

Well, some people have found the secrets to keeping simple while progress goes on running a crazy race around them..... 

We will see this later in this article....

This thing about life being complicated (and should be made complicated to enjoy it) has been impressed on people by media and by a “metropolitan culture” that says life is all about competing and coping up.

Daily, from every possible angle of attack, we are bombarded by manufactured suggestions that we cannot be simply simple — that you got to have this and that, and you got to be this and that — or be left behind by the majority and be worlds apart from the rest.

This is mostly the spirit of modern commercialism. 

Though not actually said, the mindset of “being simple is a sin” has become rampant.

In case you haven’t noticed, commercialism has become the strongest life pressure, and the strongest life killer! 

The pressures brought about by stressful competition can kill!

Recently, Australian health experts discovered that too much emotional and work-related pressures produce chemical reactions in the blood that later develop into fatal diseases like cancer.

According to physical therapists and massage therapy experts, pressures build up lumps in the body that constrict smooth blood flow. 

These constrictions produce your unexplained body aches that can later weaken your body defenses. They are harmful to your health.

Advocates of simple living say that Commercialism is blowing surface-deep physical and vain emotional needs out of proportion by tricking the conscience of people into believing that non-conformities to suggested and highlighted commercial needs are bad.

Simply put, it is saying, “You’re a loser if you don’t have this!”

Commercial needs are often for physical beauty, trendy accessories, fame, prestige, fashion, and other mundane, temporal, and non-essential things, all of which man can live without. 

These things excite and resurrect the spoiled brat in people. So, stop wasting time, trying to be like or have and go for a walk in a park, meet nature, and be grateful for yourself. Because in the end,

You only need you to be happy!

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From the Couch to the Deathbed: Dr. Freud's approach to science

 In many Western countries, going to a psychiatrist for therapy and counseling is well-accepted as a means to maintain mental and emotional health.  

For most patients, the psychiatrist is considered a source of calmness, reason, and understanding.  

Seen as a professional counselor who possesses the right knowledge and skills about handling life problems and personal conflicts, the psychiatrist is often seen as the “last straw” of an emotionally disturbed and desperate patient. 

However, not too many people see psychiatrists as normal people who also encounter difficulties and struggles in life.   

In truth, at the very core, they are also vulnerable to pain and frustration.  

Known as the Father of Psychoanalysis, the famous psychiatrist Sigmund Freud was widely acclaimed for his writings and theories of psychology. 

Freud became an instant celebrity in different medical and psychological associations for his theory about the unconscious mind and how he believed that sexual desire was a strong determinant or motive for human thought and action. 

 Credited with such remarkable psychological concepts such as the id, ego, and the superego, Freud became a highly respected yet controversial figure in the European scientific community.  Even today, pictures of Freud are used in pop culture are symbols of human intellectual intricacy and discernment.  

In real life, according to his biographers, Freud also faced stress and anxiety in the same manner that his patients did.  

After carefully studying his early life, biographers believe that they have unlocked the secret to Freud's own secret fears and frustration, which would later become anchors to his theories. 

 As a young medical practitioner, Freud dissected hundreds of eels to look for “eel testicles.”  At that time, the origins, reproductive processes, and migratory behavior of eels were still mysteries that challenged the scientific community. 

 After failing to locate the reproductive organs of the eels, Freud abandoned his study and chose another field on which he could pour out his complete devotion as a man of science.  

His biographers often refer to this time in Freud's life as the starting point for the psychiatrist's focus on human sexuality. 

 In his writings, Freud conveyed his belief that sexual desire was somewhat a “motivational energy for life” and viewed psychosexual development as the explanation for specific human thought and behavior. 

 Aside from his work on psychosexual development, Freud was also concerned about overcoming depression through the use of cocaine.  

It is not widely known that the psychiatrist was a user of cocaine, a substance that he believed to be useful as a stimulant and cure for depression.  Long before antidepressant prescriptions were formulated and sold in pharmacies as doctor-prescribed drugs,  Freud was already convinced about the use of chemicals and other drug formulas to address emotional problems.  

Surely, if he were alive today, Freud's use of cocaine would be frowned upon and will be considered illegal.  In fact, recent journals have focused on the correlation between Freud's cocaine use and his preoccupation with sexual desire as a motivating factor.

Far from the pop image of the psychiatrist as a stable, rational dispenser of reason and understanding, Freud himself came to a point where he found no more reason to live.  Perhaps like many of his patients who came to him out of despair,  Freud also reached a point where he thought that no more help was available to him --- whether it was from the field of medicine or psychiatry. 

On September 23, 1939,  Freud asked his doctor-friend to assist him in committing suicide.  After almost a lifetime of helping other people deal with their own problems,  Freud chose to escape his own troubles through a morphine overdose.

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Gaining Wealth and Success Without Climbing the Corporate Ladder

 Many people fall into depression because no matter how hard they work and no matter how much time they spend in the office, they are still far from being successful. 

While many see their jobs as a means of finding personal expression and fulfillment, the majority of people define their success in terms of money

 They try to put up with the endless loads of work, impossible deadlines, and work pressures --- yet doing all these have not brought them closer to financial security. To make matters worse, many successful executives and highly driven young professionals find themselves sick and tired all the time.

 The enormous toll on their health had made their job seem like a curse instead of a blessing. 

It is no wonder that millions of dollars are spent on health care each year due to stress and other work-related anxieties. The uncontrolled drive for success had brought not a few people to the emergency room or to the hospital to get both medical and psychiatric care. 

In America, millions of people work at least 40 to 60 hours a week. 

They do so because their success beliefs are anchored on the following premises: 

• Get good grades in school in order to get a good job. 
• Find a job in a large company or corporation. 
• Work hard in the office in order to get recognition and promotion, which entails getting a high salary. 
• Get the children through school and have enough retirement and pension money. 

This formula for success has been tried by millions yet not everyone gets to achieve their goals, at least in financial terms. 

In fact, some success finance and success gurus question the wisdom of the said formula. 

They think that there are other ways to attain success without the stress and anxiety of climbing the corporate ladder. 

One such guru who questions the effectiveness of the traditional approach is named Robert Kiyosaki. He is an investor, businessman, author, and motivational speaker. 

He is best known for his book entitled Rich Dad, Poor Dad. 

In his book, he tackles the two different sets of advice he received from his “rich dad” and “poor dad.” 

According to Kiyosaki, his “poor dad” was a smart and highly educated individual, who, nevertheless, failed to succeed financially. 

He said that his “rich dad” was not academically inclined but was very street-smart and financially adept. 

In his book, he also discusses the depression, stress, and anxiety that are encountered by many people who thought that their education and jobs would automatically guarantee financial success. 

Kiyosaki said that one of the most important questions that his “rich dad” asked him is: “Why do you work so hard for something you'll never own or can never pass on to your children?” 

That question said Kiyosaki, somehow leads one to think that having a stable job may not be the key to financial success after all. 

Kiyosaki also writes about a concept which he calls the 'Cashflow Quadrant.” 

The Cashflow Quadrant, according to Kiyosaki, spells out how money or wealth is generated by different types of people. 

To better understand the concept, picture a simple cross on a blank sheet of paper. On the top left quadrant, write the letter 'E” which stands for Employee. 

On the lower left quadrant, write a letter “S” which stands for the Small Business Owner or Self-Employed. 

On the upper right quadrant, write the letter “B” to mean Big Business. 

And on the lower right quadrant, right the letter “I” which stands for Investor. 

Kiyosaki says that many “E” people are resource-oriented in terms of their approach to work and their lives as well. 

To succeed, these people rely on their current resources: their academic degrees, cash on hand, secure job, physical health, etc. 

According to Kiyosaki, employees usually have this mindset. The “S” people, on the other hand, are able to generate their own income by having their own business. 

But according to Kiyosaki, the “E” and “S” people rarely succeed enough to have real wealth that would allow them to retire comfortably. These people are able to retire with some money but only after decades of hard work.

 Kiyosaki argues that being in these quadrants is not the best option since an employee can lose a job and his health which would then prevent him from doing his job. Small businessmen can encounter severe changes in the market that affects profit, or one's own company can fall into bankruptcy. 

In contrast, the people who belong to Big Business (“B”) and the Investors (“I”) are the ones who can really gain wealth. 

Where lies the difference? 

Big Businesses and investors achieve financial success because they are able to harness the expertise of other people. 

Unlike the self-employed or small business owners, the members of the “B” and “I” quadrants do not do all the work by themselves. 

They let the experts do the work based on their desired objectives or financial goals. 

Unlike people from the “E” and “S” quadrants who “work hard for the money,” the “B” and “I” people let their money work for them. 

In his books, Kiyosaki cites some financial instruments, strategies, and anecdotes on how people can make their money work for them. 

He discusses this concept using the term “active income vs. passive income.” 

The main point of his financial advice is that people should learn how to invest their money on assets such as real estate property that can be rented out so that they would have regular income even without working.

 He also mentions that since the value of the property depreciates, the amount of tax to be paid also decreases and does not pose any financial difficulty on the part of the investor in the long-term. 

Kiyosaki says that financial literacy and having the right mindset are important in order for people to know how they can choose the best path towards financial freedom.

 While Kiyosaki's books do not exactly show the step-by-step approach to financial success, he does provide very good motivational thoughts on how to avoid financial self-destruction.

 He focuses on improving one's mindset which includes moving from being resource-oriented to being opportunity-oriented. In a typical financial counseling session, Robert Kiyosaki would usually say that: 

“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire...the size of your dream...and how you handle disappointment along the way.” 

Indeed, the ability to handle disappointments is essential to one's emotional stability and physical health. Having the right mindset when it comes to finances and life itself is the key to real success. After all, financial success without health is simply a bad deal.

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"A Better You" Your 7 days program for self-improvement

Is your self-esteem, on the rocky side?

Here are some helpful hints to improve, the better you in seven days.

I seem to lost count of how many times I've read and heard of celebrity marriages failing almost left and right.

 Not that I care (and personally I don't), it seems strange that we often see movie and TV stars as flawless people, living the fairytale life of riches and glamour. 

I suppose we all have to stop sticking our heads in the clouds and face reality.

There are many ways to lose your sense of self-esteem despite how trivial it could get. 

But whatever happens, we should all try not to lose our own sense of self.

So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the things you can think and improve on that should be enough for a week.

1. Know your purpose 

Are you wandering through life with little direction - hoping that you'll find happiness, health, and prosperity? 

Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

This may seem tricky at first when you see yourself to be in a tight or even dead end. 

But there's always that little loophole to turn things around and you can make a big difference to yourself.

2. Know your values 

What do you value most? 

Make a list of your top 5 values. 

Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. 

As you set your goals for 2021? - check your goals against your values.

 If the goal doesn't align with any of your top five values - you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

The number shouldn't discourage you, instead, it should motivate you to do more than you can ever dream of.

3. Know your needs 

Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. 

Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? 

There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. 

List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!

4. Know your passions 

You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. 

Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you ought to be. 

Express yourself and honor the people who have inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.

5. Live from the inside out 

Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. 

Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. 

For most of us city slickers, it's hard to even find the peace and quiet we want even in our own home. 

In my case, I often just sit in a dimly lit room and play some classical music. 

There's sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast.

6. Honor your strengths 

What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? 

List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. 

Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. 

You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know with others.

7. Serve others 

When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. 

When you are true to who you are, living your r purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence. 

The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you is indeed rewarding, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.

Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth it. 

It shouldn't always be within the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room. 

The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better.

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How To Cope With Bullies

 Bullying is one form of harassment inflicted by an abuser of more physical and/or social power and dominance than the victim. 

Bullying is often done with clear intentions of harming the target through different means.  

These means may include verbal harassment, physical assault, emotional blackmail, or other more subtle methods of coercion such as manipulation.

Bullies are often characterized as having authoritarian personalities.  

They also feel a strong need to control or dominate anything, be it a weaker person, a stronger person, or a situation.  

They have also been noted to display deficiency in terms of social skills and possess a prejudice against subordinates.  

A lot of studies show that most bullies have envy and resentment as motives for bullying.

 Researchers have identified other risk factors such as quickness to anger and use of force, addiction to aggressive behaviors, mistaking others' actions as hostile, concern with preserving self-image, and engaging in obsessive or rigid actions.

Bullying exists in any setting of inevitable social interaction, like schools, workplaces, inside the home, and around the neighborhood. 

This may even occur between different social groups, social classes, and even between countries. 

Like any kind of abusive behavior, bullying is a repetitive act done to gain power or control over another person, race, or country.

Bullying is generally classified into:

·Direct bullying. The bully displays physical aggression in the form of shoving and poking, throwing things, slapping, choking, punching and kicking, and beating.

·Indirect bullying. Also called social aggression, the victim is forced into social isolation. 

This is usually done by bad mouthing the victim, refusing to socialize with the victim, name-calling, mocking the victim, forcing other people to avoid socializing with the victim as well, and other forms of manipulation.

But why do bullies act this way?  

Some studies have shown that some bullies do it to be thought of as popular or tough, or sometimes just to get attention. 

Bullies are said to also do it out of jealousy or they may simply be acting out because they themselves were bullied earlier in their life. 

Some bullies are noted to have come from abusive families and neighborhoods.

Being submitted to bullying often may contribute to developing an inferiority complex, which is a feeling of being inferior to others in one way or another. 

Constantly being mocked or criticized in a negative way by bullies may force a person to start believing those lies and lose faith in themselves. 

Victims may also be more prone to developing stress-related mental conditions such as anxiety from oftentimes being bullied.

Victims should know that they’re not the problem, the bullies are. 

Victims should not start second-guessing themselves just because bullies telling them they're no good.  

Being different shouldn't rob you of your right to security.  

Don't be ashamed of your difference.  

It's not your fault you are unique.  

A good way to avoid being bullied is to go out in a group, it would make it difficult for bullies to single you out.  

If it doesn't work, it would help to tell someone you trust that someone is bullying you.  Having someone mediate for you does not make you a coward.  

Remember, keeping yourself safe should matter more than what others think.

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How To Enjoy Being Single In A Couple's World

 It’s sometimes easy to forget how great the single life can be when you’re surrounded by loved-up couples and fending off your mum’s clumsy attempts at matchmaking. 

What’s the problem with being single? 

Nothing, of course – except that sometimes the sight of your coupled-up friends all over each other, or a stranger holding hands with her boyfriend in the street, can make you suffer a sudden attack of single panic – the feeling that you’re alone in a world of twosomes. 

But don’t despair, you just need a dash of single-survival therapy.

Many women see being single as just a waiting period between men, but there’s no better time to learn about yourself, explore opportunities and do all the things you were too busy to do with a boyfriend. 

All it takes is the right mindset – so follow these strategies for feeling fabulous when you go solo. 

Indulge Your Desires - When you’re single, you live life on your own terms. 

Meaning you can move to a new city or head off to the Caribbean for a week without having to take someone else’s needs into account. 

Single women who have more freedom often see more of their friends and have more opportunities to do what they want, when they want. 

You also have time to pursue interests you may have previously put on the back burner. 

Let’s be honest – it’s hard to squeeze in me - a time when you have a man. 

So take advantage of this period to travel, start a course, or go on a self-improvement kick. 

Savour Small, Sexy Encounters - Cursing into a situation like a dinner party where you know there’ll be lots of couples may sound scary. 

But, armed with the right attitude, it’s a golden opportunity. 

See, unlike your attached friends, you’re a sexy agent, able to flirt around the room and flirt up a storm, not having to worry about a bad-tempered partner brooding in the corner. 

In fact, it’s those guilt-free, ego-boosting moments that make single life so much fun (especially when you’re the envy of every ball-and-chained girl in the room). 

Single women are often so caught up in getting a man, then don’t appreciate the coy, carefree encounters that make being unattached exciting. 

So train yourself to revel in those opportunities. Once you’re back in a relationship, you’ll miss that anything-can-happen rush you get from meeting new men.    

Don't Give In To Brainwashing - Ask yourself this: what’s so bad about being boyfriend-free? We line in a society that sends out messages to women: while the media glamorizes being single, there’s still that old-school message from friends and family that says it’s sad and pathetic. 

So don’t let your coupled-up friends. 

‘Don’t worry, we’ll find you a man!’  into your psyche. 

Tune them out and you’ll realize you’re having a good time. 

If you’re enjoying the single status – going out with friends, pursuing your own interests – let others know. 

That way, they’ll quit obsessing about your single, status and you can get back to the task at hand: flirting with the hottie who whipped up your latte.

Okay, so you've got the right attitude, but what do you say to those unwanted voices?

Your parents ask: ‘So, have you met any nice young men lately?’

You say: ‘Well, I’ve been hanging out biker bars and AA meetings, but so far nothing.’

Your ex asks: ‘Found yourself another bloke yet?’

You say: ‘Actually, funny you should ask – I'm into women now.’

Your friends say: ‘I think you’re being way too picky.’

You say: ‘Didn’t your ex live with his mum?’

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How your personality effects the way you deal with stress

 Did you know that your personality affects the way you cope with stressors in your life? 

Some people cope fine with levels of stress that others would find crippling. 

Our reactions to stress are partly inborn and partly learned throughout our lifetime. 

Everyone reacts to stress, it just depends on the level of stress you can handle before symptoms arise. 

Some people are really quite 'bomb-proof' and seem to cope fine with a multitude of stressful situations, but even they will eventually react once the pressure becomes too much for them.

As we live our everyday lives stress builds up until, like an overfull water barrel, it overflows and symptoms appear. 

Using the water barrel simile, if you open the water barrel tap and let some stress out every-so-often then the barrel is less likely to overflow, and no matter what your personality, you will cope better.

How do you turn on the 'tap' to reduce the pressure? There are many different ways to reduce stress, the way that will work best for you will depend on your personality. 

Some people find relaxation/meditation is the best way to relieve stress, but it has to be done regularly to have any real effect. Other types of people find that taking part in energetic sports works best for them. Whether you relax or work out will depend on your personality and your approach to life in general. One thing is certain, we all need to keep an eye on our stress levels and work consistently to reduce them because stress-related illnesses are common and emotional problems caused by poorly controlled stress levels can affect us all whether we are the sufferer ourselves or effected by a close colleague/friend or relative's problem.

Use the checklists below to find out which personality type fits you best.

If you are a perfectionist:

  

  Obviously, everything must be perfect, you just can't leave it alone. 

  If you make even one little mistake you want to repeat the whole process. 

  You dislike your routine being disrupted. 

  You get upset when others do not do their job properly and may take over, increasing your workload. 

  You can't rest till the job is done to your satisfaction, no matter how long it takes. 

  You do all your work to your own, self-imposed, superhuman standards. 

  You react badly to emergencies or change.

 

These people create their own stress by being too hard on themselves. 

They need to be more realistic and forgiving of themselves. 

You will probably find that relaxation helps, just let yourself have time off, build leisure time, and relaxation breaks into your daily routine.

If you seek stimulus:

 

  You habitually take risks. 

  You are easily bored. 

  You dislike routine.  

  You start projects easily. 

  You don't often finish the project off completely. 

  You find the little details time-wasting. 

  You are full of ideas. 

  You find it hard to maintain a steady relationship.

 

These people thrive on risk. 

They are the bungee jumpers, fast car drivers, mountain climbers. 

Their attention span can be short as they are racing on to the next thing. 

These people tend to smoke or drink too much and forget to take care of themselves properly. 

Often these types respond well to taking part in energetic sports, to burn off the tension.

If you are an anxious type:

  You feel that people take advantage of you. 

  Even small disagreements upset you. 

  You are probably too nervous to make a change, even though you realize it would help you.

  You lack self-confidence. 

  You feel vulnerable. 

  You say "Sorry" easily and even if it wasn't your fault. 

  You bottle up anger so well that even you don't know it's there. 

  You just can't say "No". 

  You fear being unpopular.

 

These people have poor self-esteem. They often take on jobs that are not demanding enough and then become bored and frustrated. 

They can spend so much time avoiding things that they miss out on living a full life. 

Although relaxation and or meditation is helpful for this group, it should be combined with methods to build self-esteem. 

A few hypnotherapy sessions can do wonders to build up self-confidence and the effects can be life-changing.

If you are an ambitious personality:

  You are totally dedicated to anything you begin. 

  You always finish anything you start. 

  You think relaxation is a waste of time. 

  You even dream about work. 

  Work is more important than social life. 

  You often do two or more jobs at once. 

  You can focus on your present task to the total exclusion of other things.

  You may forget mealtimes.  

  People getting in your way, slowing you down, make you angry. 

  You feel that there is an urgency for every task, and never enough time. 

  It is important that others see you achieve.

 

These people are often the most stressed, but least ready to do anything about it! 

They deny that they are stressed and just keep going until ill health forces them to stop. 

These are power-driven people, often somewhat aggressive when crossed. They need to be in control. 

A combination of relaxation and active leisure pursuits can help here, as well as sticking to a routine that includes time out away from work-related activities.

Your personality self-assessment:

You may be obviously one type or you could be a mixture of types. Once you recognize certain qualities about yourself, you may be able to find a better balance, understanding, and harmony within yourself. You may have noticed that all these personality types are driven by fear, and the reaction to fear is stress. 

If you recognize yourself here then do something now to make the changes you need to make to help yourself to a better, happier life.

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How vulnerable Are You To Stress?

 In modern society, most of us can't avoid stress. 

But we can learn to behave in ways that lessen its effects. 

Researchers have identified a number of factors that affect one's vulnerability to stress - among them are eating and sleeping habits, caffeine and alcohol intake, and how we express our emotions. 

You can make yourself less vulnerable by reviewing the items on which you scored three or higher and trying to modify them. 

Notice that nearly all of them describe situations and behaviors over which you have a great deal of control. 

Concentrate first on those that are easiest to change - for example, eating a hot, balanced meal daily and having fun at least once a week - before tackling those that seem difficult.

Bills are piling up, the front lawn is a jungle, and you can't remember what your desk looks like under those stacks of paper. 

If only you had more time. 

We've all said it at one time or another. 

Lack of time can be a major source of stress. 

As demands of daily living grow, more and more of us feel there just aren't enough hours in a day to do everything that needs to get done. 

Teaching people how to manage their time is now an American enterprise. 

There are time-management books, tapes, workshops, and seminars to make us more efficient. 

Day planners, organizers, and calendars help us remember and organize things. 

We even have personal coaches to help us turn chaotic lives into more orderly ones. 

Time Is On Your Side 

Learning to better manage your time can make you feel more in control of your life. 

That can reduce stress. 

If you can get a handle on how you spend your time, you'll be able to work smarter and function better at home and away. 

You'll relax more, be less stressed, find your goals are within easier reach and have more time for yourself. 

You'll also be proud of how organized you've become! 

Sound impossible? 
It's not! 

Here are some ways to become a wise time manager wherever you are: 

Get Organized. 

You can waste a lot of time looking for things you've misplaced, trying to make plans or decisions at the last minute, or putting things off for later. 

Clean up your desk and office by making places to store things — file cabinets, notice boards, in- and out-boxes "to read" and "bill-paying" trays — even a shredder! 

Make files, update your Rolodex, and organize your pantry and drawers so you can find things more easily.

What's that you say? 

These things take time and you already don't have enough time? 

Putting in some extra time to get organized will save you a lot of time in the long run. 

And don't try to do all your organizing in one day. 

Tackle just one drawer or closet each weekend. 

Sort through a pile every other day until you get through all of them. 

Keep a day planner or calendar handy and use it. 

Post all your important telephone numbers and email addresses in an easy-to-see place so you don't have to keep looking them up. 

Make a schedule for bill-paying day, laundry day, grocery shopping day, and library day. 

Make "to do" lists and check off tasks once they're done. 

This will show progress and help you feel like you're getting things done when you don't think you are. 

Set Priorities. 

List the things you must get done in a day. 

Be realistic. 

Writing down how much time you expect each activity to take, helps. 

The most important things go at the top of your list. 

Focus on getting those done during your high-energy time of day. 

Bump the less important tasks to the next day or week if you can't get to them. 

And don't beat yourself up if you don't. 

Remind yourself that there are only so many hours in a day and you're doing the best you can. 

Nobody's perfect! 

Stay Focused. 

If you're working on a project, close your office door, ignore the phone and email messages, tell family members or coworkers you're unavailable - try to get rid of all the distractions that prevent you from finishing your task. 

Distractions can cause stress. 

And the stress gets worse because you didn't finish the job you set out to do even though you made the time. 

Schedule a half-hour at the start and middle of the day to review and respond to emails and phone calls. 

Allow another 30 minutes at end of the day to wrap up for the day and get organized for the next one. 

Multitask Wisely. Why not kill two birds with one stone when you can? 

For instance, write Christmas cards or update your Rolodex while you're watching television. 

Don't get carried away with multitasking, though. 

That may lead to more stress and even be dangerous. 

Shaving, sending a fax, or sitting in on an important conference call while you're driving is downright dangerous! 

Get Help. Decide what you realistically can do in the time you have and get help doing the rest. 

Lighten your load by asking someone to run an errand while you're cleaning the house for company. 

That lets you receive your guests more graciously when they arrive. Getting a coworker to pitch in on a big project shows you can delegate work and get things done. 

With a little practice, you can become quite good at managing your personal and professional time. 

Not only will you become more efficient, but you'll also have less stress. 

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Attitude of Gratitude

 An attitude of gratitude? People often think it will come from having some great luck or fortune. 

Of course, it could feel great to win the lottery, and great friends, money, houses, travel - these are all good things, but not enough by themselves. 

The right frame of mind is necessary to fully enjoy life. You need an attitude of gratitude.

Gratitude 101

Your life is better when you feel blessed when you can look around and say "Thank you, God," or "Thank you universe."

 Whether or not you are religious, when you see life as a wonderful gift, your experience is a richer one. 

Imagine going through life like you're a child, and every morning is Christmas. 

Of course, it is easy to think that gratitude comes from having what we want. 

We might imagine ourselves giving thanks if we had money, a loving family, and maybe a house on the beach. 

But we know there are ungrateful, unhappy people with these things. 

We also know that there are poor people full of gratitude for what little they have, so where does this feeling come from?

Creating Gratitude

An attitude of gratitude arises from how you look at things. 

It is the natural feeling that comes when you recognize the real value of the people and things in your life. 

Focus on the good and you cannot help but have a better attitude and experience of life. Gratitude, then, is something you can encourage, something you can learn.

The first step is to stop and smell the roses. How can you be thankful for something you don't notice or enjoy? 

By the way, roses really do smell great.

The second step is to make this appreciative approach to roses and life a habit. 

You don't need to ignore the ugliness in the world. 

Just consciously choose to see the good and beautiful things, until doing so becomes automatic.

One way to encourage this habit is to start writing down every positive thing that happens to you, and all the things you like. 

Continue this until you start automatically seeing the good things in life. 

If you've ever bought a white car, and started seeing white cars all over, you know-how awareness and focus can alter your perception of reality. 

In the same way, once you are aware of the good, and start looking for it, you'll start to see wonderful things all over. 

Simple exercises like the one above train your mind with time. 

When you are in the habit of "counting your blessings," gratitude and a much richer experience of life is the natural result. 

You will have an attitude of gratitude.

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Avoid a Life of Regrets With Your "Yes List"

 How many times have you told yourself "yes!" today? 

Not enough I bet. 

Yes is the most powerful word in the English language. 

Unfortunately, too many times we say yes to others when we should say no. 

At the same time, we continue to tell ourselves no when we need to say yes. 

You deserve to create the life of your dreams. 

Period. 

The first step on that road is to learn to tell yourself yes before you say yes to others. 

One big reason so many people don't like their lives is that they accidentally created a life that's not based on what they want. 

How did that happen? Pretty easily and unconsciously. 

If most of your life isn't how you thought it would turn out then you haven't figured out what you want to say yes to in your life. 

This doesn't make you a bad person, it makes you a typical twenty-first-century human whose life is filled with distracting details and tasks. 

Random decisions lead us down random paths with random endings we don't want. 

When you know what you want to say yes to then your life begins to change drastically. 

Why? 

Because anything that comes up that's not on your "Yes list" is an automatic no. 

How helpful is that? Very helpful. 

This allows you to cut out time that gets wasted on activities you don't need to do. 

For example, let's pretend Grace's yes list includes things like reading, having a clean house, taking care of her kids, exercising, being healthy, enjoying her job, and connecting with her friends. 

So today, like every day, Grace is bombarded with choices. She gets to work and someone generously brought in a huge box of donuts to share with everyone. 

She thinks one would taste good and she wouldn't mind a sugar rush to get her day started. 

Should she eat it? 

Not if she's saying yes to being healthy. 

That yes cuts out the possibility of junk food and helps to prevent a future morning in the mirror asking "How did this happen to me?" 

Later in the day a friend calls and invites Grace out to dinner at 9 p.m. 

Grace says no to dinner out because she ate out last night and doesn't want the extra calories among other reasons that don't fit her "yes list". 

But then she says yes if her friend will come over to her house at 7 instead of 9 so she can have a healthier meal, be with her kids, get to bed early enough to not be tired at work, and to live within her "yes list." 

Do you get it? 

The point is that if your yes list has "start my own business" at the top then you say no to anything that doesn't support it like too much television viewing, playing video games every day, joining a softball league, etc. 

Once you make your "yes list" and then prioritize the list you'll be in the driver's seat as you drive through each day making choice after choice after choice. 

You'll be conscious about what you want and you'll be doing what you need to do to get what you want. 

Your future mornings with the mirror will see you smiling and thrilled with your life. 

This way you won't end up at the end of your life wondering "what if?" 

Even better, you won't be complaining about what you should've, could've, or would've done. Instead, you'll be basking in your accomplishments and living the life you love.

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Around the World with Craigslist

 Craigslist is an online community that offers members the opportunity to take a virtual trip around the world. There are Craigslist sites covering cities in all 50 states of the United States as well as sites for cities in over 50 different countries. With so much local and international coverage it is clear to see how users of Craigslist can virtually travel the globe through Craigslist.

 The existence of Craigslist communities around the world gives users all over the world a variety of opportunities including the ability to find international jobs, learn about cultural events, meet others in distant locations and find housing options in either different states or foreign countries. 

Working Abroad

For many, the appeal of working abroad may be very alluring. 

This is especially appealing to those who are young and do not have any commitments such as family keeping them from taking a risk and attempting to find a job abroad. Additionally, those who are financially secure and approaching retirement may be enticed to consider a foreign job. Although the possibility of working in another country may seem intimidating to some, there are others who may enjoy the opportunity to take on this type of adventure. 

Learn about Cultural Events

Those who are planning a trip to another state or country may find the community section of Craigslist to be especially helpful. Here they can search for events which may be going on during their visit or activities which may be of interest to them during their trip. 

In the community section of Craigslist, users can also find information relating to volunteer opportunities or classes of interest. They can also review the local news section of a particular location to learn more about what is going on in that particular area. All of this information can be useful for users who are planning a trip as well as for those who are just interested in learning more about another geographic location. 

Make Long-Distance Connections

The personals section may also be of interest to those who are planning a vacation to another geographic location. Those who do not know anyone in the area might post an advertisement seeking a tour guide to show them around the city or accompany them to events. 

Although this may seem like a risky endeavor to those who are less adventurous, it can lead to an excellent opportunity to have a native provide you with insider information on a particular location during your visit. 

Of course, caution should be exercised to ensure the encounter is not potentially harmful 

One way to avoid being placed in a potentially harmful situation is to agree to meet those found through a personals advertisement in a busy, public location during daylight hours and to never go to a secluded location with the individual. 

Find a Place to Stay

Those who are looking for affordable housing in another location might consider the housing swap category under the housing section for a particular city. 

Here individuals post information regarding the type of home or apartment they have, the location of their housing, and information regarding when and where they would like to find another homeowner to swap homes with for a set period of time. 

A housing swap may be an affordable way to eliminate lodging from a travel budget but it does come with some inherent problems. 

The primary problem is you have to first find another homeowner who is willing to offer their housing for a period of time, secondly, you have to coordinate with the other owner to find a suitable time for the swap, and finally, you have to rely on the other individual’s description of their domicile. 

Additionally, the homeowner has to be willing to allow the other individual to use their own home for a period of time. 

This may make many feel uneasy because they may be fearful of their possessions being stolen or their house being damaged. However, those who are willing to take this risk may find an affordable solution to lodging costs. 

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Advertising on Craigslist

 Advertising on Craigslist is worthwhile for just about any business offering products or services. Whether these products are offered through eCommerce websites or physical stores, the business owners can see financial gains through advertising on Craigslist.

 Firstly unlike other advertising opportunities, there is very little risk involved in posting on Craigslist

 With the exception of job postings and housing postings in specific markets, advertising is free on Craigslist. Users are asked to agree to the terms of service of the community and are expected to follow specific guidelines when posting advertisements but there are no financial obligations to those placing advertisements on Craigslist. 

This means those who post advertisements do not have to be concerned with whether or not the advertisement they place will meet their expectations in terms of sales generated. 

Reaching Potential Customers on Craigslist

Another reason why posting advertisements for products or services on Craigslist is so worthwhile is the likelihood of reaching a large audience of potential customers. 

A review of the Craigslist fact sheet reveals pertinent information regarding the amount of traffic the website receives. 

According to this information, Craigslist receives approximately four billion page views each month with ten million people using Craigslist each month. 

From these statistics, it is clear that advertisements placed on Craiglist are likely to receive at least some attention from potential clients. 

With so many visitors using Craigslist each month the advertising possibilities are limitless, however, there is no guarantee any of these visitors will be interested in your products or services. 

Like any marketing campaign, your advertisements on Craigslist must be intriguing, informative, and in a location where you will reach your target audience.

Finding Your Target Audience on Craigslist

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Prove Your Power: Cruise Ships: A Romantic Getaway for Couples

Prove Your Power: Cruise Ships: A Romantic Getaway for Couples:  With large workloads, hectic schedules, and children, many couples need a break from their daily routines.  This break often comes in the f...

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Cruising With a Celebrity: Are Celebrity Cruises Worth the Money?

 You may have seen advertisements on television, the radio, or online.  Your celebrity is vacationing aboard a cruise ship and they want you to join them.  The advertisement you heard is for a celebrity cruise.  Celebrity cruises are gaining popularity in the United States and all around the world. 

The question that many want to be answered is, are they worth the money?

Celebrity cruises are not to be confused with the popular Celebrity Cruise Lines.  Celebrity cruises are cruises that are offered by a wide range of different cruise line companies. 

 The intention of a celebrity cruise is to attract travelers. 

To do this, celebrity cruises are booked with well-known television stars, movie stars, and musicians.  For some reason, and they are right, cruises lines know that fans follow their idols.  

If you are interested in determining whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, there are a number of factors that you should first consider. 

One of the most important factors is the purpose of the cruise.  

A number of well-known musicians, television stars, and movie stars are compensated for their appearance.  

While this may not have a direct impact on your reservation, it may be in your best interest to know.  

In addition to being compensated for their appearance, a large number of movie stars, television stars, and musicians use a celebrity cruise to promote one of their upcoming shows, movies, or music albums. 

 It is not guaranteed, but you may be granted behind the scenes information and footage. 

To many fans, this information makes a celebrity cruise worth it.  

Promoting a charity or another good cause is another reason why a number of well-know celebrities make the decision to participate in a cruise ship voyage. 

 If you are interested in promoting a specific charity or cause, you may find it beneficial, in more ways than one, to attend the cruise.  

In addition to being able to meet one of your favorite celebrities, you could be helping to bring awareness to one of the many world charities that need assistance.  

Another important factor to consider when deciding on a celebrity cruise is the amount of time the celebrity will be onboard.  

Due to busy schedules, celebrities may be unable to stay on board for the whole length of the cruise.  To determine whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, you will want to know how long each celebrity will be on board. 

If they will only be onboard one or two days, you may find that the cruise is not worth your time or money.  

In addition to the length of a celebrity’s stay, you will want to know when certain promotional events are scheduled. 

These events should be established ahead of time.  To determine when you may be able to dine with, meet, or get an autograph from your favorite movie star, musician, or television star, you should check the ship’s itinerary.  

This will enable you to determine if you will even get a chance to meet the celebrity onboard.  

It is also important to estimate how many passengers will be in the celebrity cruise you wish to take. The number of onboard passengers may have an impact on how much time you get to spend with the cruise ship celebrity.  

If there are a large number of onboard passengers and the celebrity will only be on the ship for a short period of time you may be unable to meet with them. This is something that should be closely examined when determining if a celebrity cruise is worth any value to you or your family. 

Finally, the cost of a celebrity cruise should be closely examined.  The cost of a celebrity cruise is often higher than other traditional cruises. 

 This is because you are often paying to meet the person who is onboard. That is why it is important to take the above-mentioned factors into consideration.  

Celebrity cruises are nice, but a celebrity is not the only reason why you should plan a vacation on a cruise ship.  

You can still enjoy a cruise, with or without a celebrity. 

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Cruise Ships: A Romantic Getaway for Couples

 With large workloads, hectic schedules, and children, many couples need a break from their daily routines.  This break often comes in the form of a romantic getaway.  If you and your partner are searching for your next romantic adventure, you may want to examine the possibility of taking a cruise.

When it comes to romantic getaways, there are many who don’t even consider a cruise ship as an option.  

However, there are others who literally live for cruises

 These couples are likely to take two or more cruises each year.  Whether you’ve been on a cruise ship before or not, it is possible for you and your partner to have a romantic cruise ship getaway.

Before booking a cruise ship getaway, you are encouraged to consider a number of factors

If you are interested in having an intimate, relaxing, and romantic cruise, you are encouraged to search for a cruise ship that has an age limit for its passengers. These cruise ships often restrict children from coming aboard.  Many times, cruise ships with a passenger age limit target their voyages specifically to couples looking for romance.  

While it is possible to find a cruise ship with an age limit for their passengers, you may find it a bit difficult. 

 If you are unable to find one, inquire as to where couples with children will be placed.  

A number of popular cruise ships work to keep families and individual couples separated.  If this policy is in place, a cruise line is likely to state the policy on its website.  

The same information can be obtained by directly contacting a cruise ship representative.  

The size of the cruise ship you are interested in vacationing on is also likely to determine the level of intimacy onboard.  If it is the intimacy that you want, a smaller cruise ship may be your best bet.  

Larger cruises ships have more passages and more passengers often make it difficult to have onboard private moments.  A number of romantic cruise lines target their smaller cruise ships to couples looking to vacation alone.  

In addition to the size of the ship, the style and décor of the ships may determine whether or not you can experience romance onboard.  As previously mentioned, there are a number of cruise lines that target couples looking to vacation alone.  Part of that targeting may include creating a romantic environment.  On romance themed cruise ships, you may find romantic cabins, room service, and other similar services.  

Vacationing aboard a cruise ship is a great way for you and your partner to spend quality time together.  When selecting a cruise ship to vacation on, the intimacy off the ship is just as important as on the ship.  Almost all extended cruise ships dock in a port.  These ports are often located in another country, but not always.  To make the most out of your vacation destination, you will want to consider a cruise line that offers stops in romantic ports.  These ports may include but are not limited to the Bahamas, Hawaii, or the Caribbean. 

The Bahamas, Hawaii, and the Caribbean all have a number of cruise ship ports

  Additional ports can be found in the United States and overseas.  What many passengers enjoy about these particular ports is their climate.  The climate and the overall weather could have an impact on the romance aboard your ship.  Tropical weather tends to add to the romance in the air.  

Cruises ships are often viewed as large, oversized vessels.  In addition to traditional cruise ships, it is possible for you to take a local cruise.  If you are looking for a romantic getaway, but you fear the cost of an expensive cruise, you are encouraged to look into local cruises offered near your home.  These cruises often involve dinner, dancing, and sometimes an overnight stay.  They most often occur on a large river or a lake.

Now that you know what to look for when booking reservations for a romantic getaway aboard a cruise ship, you can start making preparations.  With a small amount of time and research, you could be sailing the seas in luxury, with the one that you love.

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