OK, so here we are. We’ve switched the calendars out and made our resolutions. Now it’s time to set about the process of making those changes we’ve resolved to make. You haven’t forgotten already have you?

I heard you say this year I’m going to… stop smoking, exercise more, take a few night classes, start saving for retirement, eat healthier, cut my alcohol intake by 50%, get more rest and on and on and on. Choices to change. I applaud you for living consciously enough to even realize that some changes might be good.

Unfortunately there are those who don’t dare think that on any given day, we can in any way we choose change anything or everything about ourselves and thus our lives. It seems we’ve somehow been coerced into believing major portions of the course of our lives are set in stone and are therefore unchangeable.

This of course could not be further from the truth.

On any day we wish we can open a new book for reading or start writing a new and exciting chapter of our own, in our own. We can stretch ourselves to meet new challenges, or we can choose to shrink away from them. At will we can turn old friends new again, and new friends old. We can move up, or we can move on. The choices that we can and must make are essentially endless.

What we must not loose sight of is that these things are in fact CHOICES. And even more importantly we must realize it’s through these choices that our history is being continually written.

We also of course have the choice and option of exercising our choice not to choose. I call this the choice of mediocrity. This tag because not to choose is still a choice made. It’s just allowing the choice to be made for you rather than by you. A very mediocre way to live. It’s choosing to pretend to be alive rather than going ahead and doing it. I can’t imagine though why someone would CHOOSE mediocrity. I Guess it’s a comfort thing? I mean what the heck, we’re here anyway. May as well do the thing. Right?

Anyway, not to get sidetracked…

If things aren’t the way you want them to be the first thing you must do is choose to do something different from what you’re currently doing. My personal philosophy on this one is if things aren’t working, ANY other course of action is better. Figuring it’s already not working so I can’t break it. It’s already broken.

We have both the ability and the responsibility to make conscious decisions and choices. What I’m suggesting is that you resolve to be the driver in your life rather than a passenger. You wouldn’t set the cruise control on your car and just let it take you where ever it ends up would you? Don’t do it with your life.

We must not allow errors in judgment to be repeated every day. If you want things to be different at some point you must resolve to do some things differently. After all, What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same things you’ve always done expecting to get different results. It’s up to you to make the choices that bring the things you want into your life. Whether it be peace, love, happiness or whatever. You must realize there are definite things you can do to bring these things to you.

Two things are always happening. You’re always making choices, and these choices are always changing your world. The question is– Are you going to allow the things that change today in your life to be random events, or are you going to exercise your freedom to choose your changes? Either way, one thing is for sure…

A change is certainly going to come.

Have a nice week.

Live some. Love some. Learn some. Everyday.

C…

About the Author:

Clyde Dennis, a.k.a. “Mr. How-To” has been writing and publishing Articles and Newsletters online since 1999. Clyde’s company EASYHow-To Publications provides “How-To” information on How-To do, be or have just about anything one can imagine. For more information visit http://www.EASYHow-To.com. Email correspondence for Clyde should be sent to: cdennis at easyhow-to.com

Love is Good!
But is it Blind?
Will Love visit Us?
Or will it Blow away?
I’m so fed up of looking!
For Love!
Do you feel that way?
Shall we say for Today
Though!
That Love is Good!
The Sadness has Passed at Last!
With this New Love
that we have.
So Shall we say
Just for Today.
That Love is Good!

I am a new author and poet. I would love to make writing my career, and actually receive some money, for doing what I love to do-”Write”

For the most part, training for your first Ironman is done and you’re in the taper mode.

Your attempt at Ironman immortality is possibly just a week or two away. All the demons are beginning to surface and self-doubt is leading the way. Followed closely by that inevitable question……..”What on earth have I gotten myself into?”

Fear not. Its quite possible that pretty well every ironman hopeful has had exactly those same feelings as the big day grows ever closer.

There seems to be a couple of reasons why almost everyone deals with this same issue. For one thing, you’ve put an immense amount of time and effort into your preparation. You’ve given up a lot and most likely family and social life have been put on hold.

The thought of failing and letting down everyone who has supported your preparation can become overwhelming if you dwell on it. Of course, the ultimate goal is to reach the elusive ironman finish line, but keep in mind the long list of accomplishments you have achieved by reaching the start line.

Maybe you had to learn how to swim, or had never been anywhere near a triathlon bike. Possibly you were a bit out of shape and not particularly pleased with what you saw when you looked in the mirror. Maybe your self-confidence was at a pretty low ebb. Let’s face it, sometimes life can get a little stagnant and repetetive and it seems nothing will ever change it.

Then one day, something pretty amazing happened. You were “Ironstruck.” Something moved you about this event and a spark was ignited that brought about a stunning metamorphosis.

WELL, LOOK AT YOU NOW!! YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!

You are most likely in the best shape of your life. You have a better understanding of diet and nutrition–of training and resting–of sacrifice and accomplishment.

You are already a new, improved version of yourself and as result have done something very special for those who care about you. All this, and you have yet to start the race. You simply cannot fail, because of what you have already accomplished, you have won.

So…….don’t fear the Ironman. Embrace it. Go to the start area early on race morning. Feel the remarkable power, spirit and exhilaration that builds as the starting gun nears. Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone and at that moment in time you are an integral part of the fittest single group of people in the world.

Have confidence in your preparation. You have earned the right to participate. That spark that was ignited months ago has led you down this path.

Welcome the challenge and soon you will come to know what you are truly capable of. You will leave your comfort zone and surpass physical, mental and emotional limits that you never thought you were capable of and that tiny spark will become a glow that will stay with you forever.

In 2005 we saw many shark attacks and it appears that this is an increasing and an alarming trend for surfers, beach go’ers and parents alike. Some believe that the warmer waters are causing these pre-historic and quite well adapted and evolved predators to seek food closer to shore. Others say that the ocean currents during the Hurricane Seasons are brings the fish into the waters where they normally would not be and the sharks are simply following their favorite sushi.

One scientist recently mentioned that with the increasing areas of dead zones off the coastlines of human populations due to run off pollution and human treated or untreated waste is void of aquatic life for which the sharks normally eat. He further states that the sharks are looking for food and willing to eat anything that moves or looks like it could be food, as they are hungry. Thus he believes that hunger is the driving force and reason behind these attacks.

No matter what the real issue is with these increased shark attacks most marine biologists predict that these attacks will continue and increase in the future. They are warning of more shark attacks in 2006 and an increase in the coming years if not doubling very soon. These kinds of statements do not please economic vitality municipal committees or Mayor Round Table Business Groups. Economic Development Associations and Chambers of Commerce Groups have asked me to hold this article from print. Never the less, let the truth be known, shark attacks are increasing and no one of any credibility believes this is a fluke or that the trend is some sort of anomaly. Everyone believes that these attacks will indeed increase. Next time you think it is finally safe to go back in the water; Think on it.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

A question for the ages in relation to the golf swing. Golfers around the world are familiar with the term clubhead speed. It is the rate at which the golf club is traveling at impact with the golf ball. Golfers are also familiar with the term power.
They know that power is directly related to clubhead speed. Knowing the connection between the two, which comes first?

Clubhead Speed and Power in the Golf Swing

Take a moment to answer the question; which comes first, clubhead speed or power?

Write down your answer and continue reading. Before we answer this question, let us do a quick review of both clubhead speed and power.

Clubhead Speed

Again, we understand that clubhead speed is the rate at which the clubhead is moving at impact with the golf ball. The development of clubhead speed is a resultant of your golf swing mechanics. It is essentially a summation of the entire process of the golf swing, beginning with address, moving through the backswing, into transition, onto the downswing, and completing with impact.

The paragraph above should answer the question of which comes first; clubhead speed or power? Clubhead speed is the resultant of power development with the mechanics of the golf swing.

The next question we want to ask is about power:

How is Power Developed in the Golf Swing?

Power is a combination of two entities:

1. Golf Swing Mechanics

2. Body

Your golf swing mechanics is the efficiency at which you perform the golf swing. Essentially, the golf swing can be broken down into the stages. These stages are;

Address, Backswing, Transition, Downswing, Impact, and Follow Through

Each of these stages within the golf swing can be performed efficiently or inefficiently. PGA Tour players tend to perform the mechanics of the golf swing very efficiently, where as the 30 handicapper performs them very inefficiently.

If the mechanics within each stage of the golf swing are efficient. The creation of power and transfer of this power into clubhead speed is at a greater percentage.

On the flip side, if each stage is performed inefficiently. The amount of power developed and transferred into clubhead speed becomes a low percentage.

The first key in power development and the generation of clubhead speed is golf mechanics.

Efficient Golf Swing Mechanics = Greater Power Development and Clubhead Speed

Once we understand that efficient golf swing mechanics equals more power and clubhead speed. We can turn our attention to the “support structure” of your golf swing.

The Body

The body is what drives the golf swing. It is your skeleton, muscles, and nerves performing the mechanics of the golf swing. As a result, your body has a direct affect on how much power you generate in your golf swing.

The mechanics of golf swing requires certain levels of:

Flexibility

Balance

Strength

Endurance

Power

Optimal levels within these body categories allow for the possibility of performing the mechanics of the golf swing at their most efficient levels.

For example, a full shoulder in the backswing is necessary for optimal power development. In order to perform a full shoulder turn, you must have a high level of flexibility.

If you are lacking the flexibility to perform a shoulder turn it will affect the amount of power you can generate.

Bottom line the body is the foundation on which the golf swing is developed.

If you have a weak foundation, you will have a weak golf swing.

Efficient Golf Swing Mechanics + A Strong, Flexible, and Powerful Body = Clubhead Speed

We now know clubhead speed is a product of power development in the golf swing. Power development within your golf swing is contingent upon two entities. The first entity is your golf swing mechanics. Performing the mechanics of the golf swing efficiently elicits more power. Secondly, it is the body. Optimal power development requires certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power within the body. Put these two entities together and you have the ability to generate high levels of clubhead speed within your golf swing.

Sean

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

150,000 square feet, that’s how much property Allied London says it plans to develop into office space at its renowned Spinningfields site. Allied London, which also has prime office space in Liverpool and Edinburgh, has long held prime property at Spinningfields.

This new office block may have influenced the Manchester City Council’s office relocation decision to no longer let a 100,000 square feet desk space at Deansgate. Allied London now hopes to begin work on a four million square feet Spinningfields development within a year and a half.

If the council had chosen to let at the Spinningfields site this would have stopped work which was scheduled to being in late 2010. The new building is essentially what caused the city council and Allied London to come to the conclusion that an agreement on office space would not be able to be reached.

Representatives for Allied London feel like this is the wrong time to tie up a portion of the highly-regarded site for a temporary letting with the city council. They say the decision to halt the agreement was mutual, though probably slightly more Allied London’s decision than the cities.

Allied London currently has several new lettings in the works; Pricewaterhouse Coopers and lawyers DWF as well as a large public sector occupier are among just a few interested in new office planning and office fitouts.

Portland, Oregon residents who wish to make improvements on their homes have numerous options at their disposal. One home-improvement option that is gaining in popularity is the addition of a closet, which adds to both the functionality and resale value of a home. In addition, a closet can be a much-needed embellishment to a home’s static atmosphere.

A walk-in closet has the most appeal to homeowners because it has enough space to allow you to arrange clothing, shoes and home items in an efficient manner while also affording the space to creatively display pleasing, aesthetic arrangements. A walk-in closet reflects your style and tastes but should never compromise functionality.

Companies that specialize in home improvements will visit your home and give you a price quote on what it would cost to add a closet to your home. The independent Portland Closet Co. has been in business since 1985 and is one of the top closet companies in the Portland, Oregon area. Not only are they renowned for their quality craftsmanship, but they also offer a no-payment-until-2010 option that many homeowners will find enticing in the current economic climate.

Custom closets can also be designed on some company websites, depending on the type of closet or design ideas that the customer is seeking. From walk-in closets to reach-in closets, most closet company websites have a concise description of suggested uses for different types of closets. Some websites even have an online design program that allows customers to build the closet system of their dreams.

Cancer of the mesothelium is a uncommon cancer of the tissue that lines the body’s inner organs. Around two thousand new cases are detected each year in the whole US. Out of this group, aroundthree fourths of occurrences affect the sac that protects the lungs, named the pleura. This is known as pleural mesothelioma. In almost 10 to 20 percent of cases, malignant mesothelioma could affect the tissue that encloses abdomen organs, called the peritoneal membrane, generating what is then known as peritoneal mesothelioma.

Exposure to asbestos is absolutely the overwhelming risk factor for this uncommon cancer. After exposure to asbestos, the time to development of the mesothelioma disease might be 2 to 4 decades. Due to job related introduction, cancer of the mesothelium is about three times more regular in males, than in females. Due to the mass of instances moves upward with age, there are about 10 times more cases in the males over age 64 than in the men in their midlife.

Being diagnosed with Mesothelioma is a weighty sickness, which, currently, has a decidedly poor degree of overall survival. However, if it is recognized early on, treatments are then available that can considerably lengthen the patient’s life. Advanced therapies continue to be and are being tested by the way of clinical trials.

Live gambling web sites are currently governed by means of 3 administrations. These are called OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA).

The OSGA is in fact an unbiased agency that keeps checks on the thriving offshore sports gaming trade, they want to also present gamblers a way to to select dependable businesses to play games with. The agency tries to guard the concerns of customers, additionally they do not levy any joining fees. The association are a competent and impartial third party company who assert equitable impressions, established around your evaluations, impartial investigation, telephone discussions, tips and also delivers inside news.

The IGC are a nonprofit organisation. The organization was set up to allow an arena for involved participants to discuss controversies and in addition to advance pertinent worries in the multinational web-based gaming industry, to establish equitable and also dutiful business standard procedures and methods that strive to improve client trust in interactive wagering merchandise and utilities, and to aid as the industry’s general strategy counselor and the IGC also offers an info center.

The Interactive Gaming Council has worked up a name for encouraging honor, right practise and in addition plausibility due to the standards of integrity it establishes, and also its allure to credible business concerns. The IGC influences offshore sports betting via employing an extraordinary 10-step acceptable policy code and also charges sports gambling business enterprises license fees to exhibit the council’s logo. Disappointed customers may moreover disclose their issues to the Interactive Gaming Council.

Cards LB Dansby inks franchise tag offer

The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association has been formed in a venture to generate a standard which will raise the procedures of internet sports gaming operations. The IGC suggest that through partnering entirely with honorable partners, they are able to establish an affiliation of the fairest and most competent online gaming businesses multinationally. There are establishments which review the behavior exercised by online betting and which should with luck serve to ease any misgivings because of apprehension held by many bettors. On-line sports betting websites are altogether free from danger, since private data are not necessary and the payouts not to mention the gaming odds are as a rule usually as balanced and sportsmanlike as a traditional Vegas-style Vegas type wager. These web sites lessen traveling time, but nonetheless maintain the essence of a regular Vegas betting site, however now you are able to bet at your own pace.

The 21-22 February will see the 16 remaining teams in the Champions League battle it out for a place in the coveted final held on 17 May in Paris. The second round fixtures have been decided so here is a run down of who is left in the competition and their chances of progressing to the quarter finals:

Inter Milan vs Ajax
Inter qualified comfortably from Group H as winners and have a favourable match against Ajax. The Dutch side qualified as runners up of Group A without too much trouble. Inter are overwhelming favourites to qualify for the quarter finals and striker Adriano, with four goals so far in this competition, poses the main threat. Manchester City.
Verdict: Inter to qualify at 2/5.

AC Milan vs Bayern Munich
Milan stuttered through the first round, with just three wins in six matches, before eventually topping the group ahead of PSV Eindoven. Andriy Shevchenko is the tournament’s most dangerous striker with six goals. However, Bayern Munich should not be underestimated. They dumped out Arsenal at this stage last season and were only edged out by a single goal against Chelsea in the quarter finals.
Verdict: AC Milan to qualify at 4/6.

Liverpool vs Benfica
The Reds take on the team who dumped Manchester United out of the Cup and are firm favourites to progress to the quarter finals. Liverpool were unbeaten and hadn’t conceded a goal in 11 league and Cup games until Sao Paulo denied them the World Club Championship on 18 December. Benfica’s 2-1 win over Manchester United was a shock result, but one they are unlikely to reproduce. Ronald Koeman’s side are only sixth in their domestic league and are likely to see their interest in the Champions League come to an end at this stage of the competition.
Verdict: Liverpool to qualify at 4/9.

Barcelona vs Chelsea
This was the most “anticipated” draw in terms of a replay of last season’s second phase encounter. Barcelona have won 13 games straight in La Liga, while Chelsea have topped the Premiership since August, losing just one match, against Manchester United, all season. Barcelona have also been unstoppable in Europe, winning five out of the six group. Despite the unquestionable talent at his disposal, Jose Mourinho may find his Chelsea team outgunned this time around.
Verdict: Barcelona to qualify at 5/6.

Lyon vs PSV Eindoven
Lyon are a team not to be underestimated in this season’s Champions League and won their group ahead of the glamorous Real Madrid. John Carew is Lyon’s top goalscorer with four goals while Juninho has laid on three assists. PSV will have their backers but Lyon remained undefeated in the group stage and should edge this encounter.
Verdict: Lyon to qualify at 1/2.

Villarreal vs Rangers
An upset could be on the cards in this encounter with Rangers a large price to qualify ahead of Spaniards Villarreal. Under-fire Rangers boss Alex McLeish may be ridiculously off-the-pace in the Scottish Premier, but he has got it right in Europe and Rangers have become the first side north of the border to venture this far in the competition. Villarreal scored just three times in six group stage matches.
Verdict: Rangers to qualify at 5/2.

Real Madrid vs Arsenal
This is the first time the two have clashed in Champions League and the bookmakers are having difficulty separating them. The Gunners won their five opening matches in the group stage before an experimental line-up drew 0-0 with Ajax in the final round of fixtures. Real Madrid have plenty of attacking power in their line up but are suspect at the back which could be to Arsenal’s advantage.
Verdict: Arsenal to qualify at 10/11.

Juventus vs Werder Bremen
Juventus stormed through the group stage, winning five out of six matches, with David Trezeguet scoring four goals. The “Old Lady” have already beaten and lost to German opposition in the competition this season, with two 2-1 results against giants Bayern Munich in the group stage. Werder Bremen are at their best at home, demonstrated in the 5-1 demolition of Panathinaikos and 4-3 victory over Udinese.
Verdict: Juventus to qualify at 4/11.

David Walker runs soccer betting and free bets websites. A free email course: “Seven Days to Better Betting” is available at both of these websites.