Making-Money-Month Is Now!

Quote of the month: *The secret weapon for success is knowledge, so what you don*t know can hurt you. - Geela

These days there is a growing trend towards reality TV shows that are based on external shallow values. With the appeal of junk food, it has a powerful hypnotic effect even on the strongest minds. But while reality TV may seem like a harmless form of entertainment, the damage (which is done so subtly) is very powerful and therefore it deserves a closer look. So the question is *Do we really need another reality TV show or perhaps it*s time for a reality check?*

The popularity of reality TV shouldn*t come as a surprise considering the fact that we live in a culture that worships vanity, rather than virtue, and lives by the mantra of *He with the most toys lives,* rather than *He with the most joys lives.* It*s been said that circumstances don*t make a man, they only reveal him. Likewise, reality TV is merely a reflection of what our society has become - a materialistically driven society where the love of power and money overcomes the power of love. It*s a reflection of a society that is not only devoid of a solid wholesome value system, but is also separated from spiritual roots. It*s also a culture that thrives on living on the edge, characterized by thrill-seeking and addictions (including the addiction to stimulation).

So here is the true reality behind reality TV. Reality TV, which is in the business of making us feel good rather than be good, actually contributes to the growing problems in our society by celebrating human weakness rather than human excellence. Reality TV doesn*t empower us, but rather overpowers us by taking our innate power and inner knowing and spirituality away from us, leaving us feeling insecure, inadequate, less fulfilled, isolated and confused by virtue of the promotion of anti-social behavior, excessive self-indulgence, self-entitlement, greed, compromised integrity, obsession with winning at all costs, and erosion in morality.

When you consider the magnitude of the challenges that are facing America today, it becomes obvious that what we need is certainly not another mind-numbing reality TV show, but rather a good reality check. Whether we recognize it or not, America is in desperate need of healing and true revival. It needs a jump-start, not only in the economy, but most importantly a jump-start in the spirit. After all, we are only as strong as our spirit, because when the spirit is weak it*s easier to become overwhelmed by what life throws our way. But when the spirit is strong, no turbulences can effect us, much like a ship in the vast ocean that can sail smoothly as long as there are no holes in it to make it sink.

America could use a reality check if only to reexamine our value system, which is out of balance and has led to social ills and failing systems and institutions. In a conflicted state of uncertainty, doubt and fear, it*s only natural for people to feel overwhelmed, wishing to escape from reality. However, reality TV proves only an artificial relief. It*s obvious that we are looking for love (real joy, fulfillment, meaning and purpose) in all the wrong places. In a culture that demands instant gratification, and relief from everyday anxieties, a quick fix (for coping), seems to be the chosen drug of choice.

So now for that reality check. The reality is that the prevailing mentality in American society today is *more is better,* acquiring external riches as opposed to internal riches and that you can get something for nothing. There is a sense of entitlement and an expectation of wanting the good life without having to work hard for it. This is reinforced, glorified and perpetuated by the media with shows like *The Lifestyle of The Rich and Famous.* When all you see is glamour, but not the hard work and sacrifice that goes into achieving success, it only inspires more envy and the desire for a *get rich quick* scheme leading to the erosion of morality and integrity.

From environmental pollution to spiritual pollution, we can no longer ignore our failing systems and institutions. From an Enron economy with ballooning budget deficits (which is really a reflection of a deficit in integrity) and a vanishing social security system (which creates social insecurity) to politicians doing what*s politically correct instead of what*s in the best interest of the community, to a failing education system as reflected in poor test scores which lag behind those of other nations, to the break-down of the family system (where kids find themselves home alone growing up with their peers, gangs or TV without nurturing parents to instill in them solid wholesome values system), we are planning to fail by default.

Our spiritual bankruptcy is evident practically in every facet of our lives, resulting in social ills from perversion, to the phenomenon of people going from being heroes to zero. We can no longer ignore the senseless violence in our schools and crime on our streets, increased teen suicide (often due to hopelessness, low self-esteem, lack of direction and a solid, wholesome value system) and substance abuse. Americans are more stressed out today than ever before despite the fact that we have the highest standard of living in the entire world. The true reality is that America is going, slowly but surely, from being a nation of producers and innovators to a nation of insatiable consumers (even the holidays are too commercialized to enjoy) while drowning in debt just to support a lifestyle we can*t even afford. All of these problems can be traced to the pursuit of materialism, which is a by-product of the American Dream.

But rather then play the *blame game,* it*s far more productive to approach the reality TV issue in terms of what you can do to improve your own life. A reality check is a good starting point. Remember, the true spirit of the American Dream was all about perspiration, innovation, risk and reward with the focus on a wholesome values system, integrity, a strong work ethic, community and being of service. All of which creates total prosperity (from health to wealth) with purpose, meaning and real joy. Now that*s a reality worth striving for!

About The Author

Copyright © 2004, Geela

Author of *The American Dream*

http://www.Geela.com

Geela is an award winning singer/songwriter/composer, columnist, and author of the best-selling book *THE AMERICAN DREAM,* her true- life story of how she came to America as a young immigrant with nothing and overcame incredible obstacles to achieve mega-success. She founded ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD to help children and promote a culture of peace and harmony. Get a free sample of her music and her book at http://www.Geela.com

Choosing the best cell phone takes planning and the knack for
really knowing yourself. Your cell phone has to fit your
lifestyle, and that includes your budget. Almost all cell phones
require you committing to a long term contract with a cellular
company, so make sure you read the fine print, in order to avoid
any disappointments later on.

Armed with the knowledge of how much you want to pay, you can
quickly decide what features you want. Herein lies the secret to
choosing the best cell plan: when you know exactly what you
want, and how much you’re willing to pay, you can always find
just the perfect phone.

Some principles to base your cell-phone purchasing decision
on:

1) Not all cell
ular carriers or networks are created equal

2) Phone quality directly affects customer satisfaction

This means you need to do your research in order to find out
what type of phone and what type of cellular plan is right for
you. Find out what people who already own the phone are saying.
Research customer reviews and notate if anyone has brought up
certain issues or problems with plans or providers. It might
seem painstaking to do this level or research, but the hours of
hassle it saves you later on will be well worth it.

Several key components of picking the best cell phone are:

1) Cell phone styling and features - loads of features and
sleek design is what most people want

2) Reliable and cost-efficient cellular plans - cell phones are
monthly bills, people who pay monthly want a good service that
works

Cell phone styling varies widely in range, and it’s recommended
that you look at and hold several different styles of cell
phones to get a good feel for what to expect. A phone that
doesn’t feel right in your hand, will be one you’re unhappy
with. The easiest way to see a variety of cell phones is by
visiting a local retailer. If the screen is hard to read, or the
keypad is difficult for you to work with, you need to factor
that into your decision to buy. Keep a small checklist of the
pros and cons of the purchase. If the cons outweigh the pros,
then decided against it.

Next make sure to rigorously investigate the cellular plan
you’re expected to purchase, and read it before entering into
the agreement. Make sure all fees are disclosed, and that you
understand what you’re agreeing to in terms of total payments.
It’s better to be careful up front, than regret the decision for
years.

Expectations of cell phone consumers is high, and it’s no
wonder why: with over 800,000,000 phones sold in 2005, this is
one of the most popular products in the world. Companies ranging
from Nokia to Sony Ericsson make millions of units monthly and
ship them to locations around the world. Education is the best
tool that a cell phone consumer can have these days.

A business blog is a great way to expose yourself and your small business. There are a variety of reasons why they’re such a great marketing vehicle. In this article we’ll discuss the top 5 reasons why blogging for business is so valuable and has so much potential.

1. Search Engines Love Blogs!

I’ve spent a lot of time promoting both my business website and my blogs. From experience I can tell you that promoting a blog is 10 times easier than promoting a traditional website, and the results have been 10 times more impressive. Why? Search engines just love blogs. They’re current, their content changes regularly, and they’re relevant. You have an opportunity to use your most important keywords on a regular basis, and the search engines just can’t get enough.

There are literally dozens of blog directories where you can list your blog in very specific categories. This means that those using the directory and looking in your category are very likely to have an interest in your blog. All of these links back to your blog from the directories also boost your search engine rankings.

2. Demonstrate Your Expertise

Posting regularly to your blog with insightful comments, observations and lessons show that you know what you’re talking about. Doing this regularly over time will prove to your readers that you’re an expert. It’s far better to demonstrate your expertise than to try and tell people that you’re an expert. Your blog will give you this opportunity

3. The Only Investment Needed is Your Time

Blogging is probably the lowest cost form of marketing available. All you need to invest is your time. Of course that’s not an investment to be taken lightly. For your blog to be successful you MUST post regularly. You’ll want to post at least once a week. 2-3 times per week is a more reasonable goal. I personally post 2 or 3 times each week, and this only takes about an hour of time out of my week. This will probably pale in comparison to the time and money you spend on most of your other marketing efforts.

4. Connect with People on a Personal Level

Most of what you find on a traditional website, brochure, article or other marketing collateral is very impersonal. People are looking to make a personal connection with those they do business with. A blog gives you an incredible opportunity to be you. It’s important to share some personal stories, history and opinion on your business blog. It will show your reader that you’re a real approachable person. I’ve even had people I’ve never met start talking to me like they’ve known me for years. Later I found out that before we met they’d read my blog.

5. Develop Marketing Materials

One of the most overlooked benefits of blogging is the backlog of quality content you’ll develop. Successful blogging requires that you post regularly. This means that you’ll be writing several times each week. Do that for a few months and you’ll have material for dozens of articles, maybe even a book! Most of the articles I write started as posts on my blog.

Blogging for business provides a great opportunity to expose yourself and your business in a very positive light. Take some time to find a few business blogs in your industry. You’ll quickly see how much value the blogger and their business get from this medium. Then decide if starting a business blog is right for you.

Scott Ingram is the founder of NetworkInAustin.com, a networking resource for networkers in Austin, Texas who use networking as a business development and marketing strategy. They offer free blogs to their members and even help their members promote their business blogs. Scott also posts regularly to his own blogs: Business Networking in Austin and Austin Networking Events.

Hypoglycemia is a condition involving a low blood sugar level. It usually affects adults and children over 10 years of age. Symptoms include feeling tired, fatigued, anxious, hungry, light-headed, sometimes with excessive perspiration and/or dizziness.

Most cases of hypoglycemia happen with diabetics. A reaction might not be serious and eating carbohydrate rich food or drinking sugar can usually take care of it. However, these potential symptoms should not be ignored, because if it is ignored, it may cause a person to lose consciousness.

Hypoglycemia also affects people who are not diabetic. It can occur when someone is fasting or has gone without food for a while, and may even be associated or confused with another illness or possibly certain medications. And some hypoglycemia happens within about 4 hours of eating a meal and may actually be caused from processed foods or refined sugars.

What to do to keep from getting hypoglycemia. Ironically, avoiding sugar seems to help the most. Oftentimes, this is easier said than actually done. Just stop eating any simple sugars. Try it and you may find a significant change in your energy levels. Also try eating small meals frequently, with 4-5 small meals throughout the day and be sure to have some fiber also. Regular exercise can help, with your workouts being 3-4 times a week for around 45 minutes at a time.

If you suffer from hypoglycemia, there are some precautions that you should think about doing. You could wear a bracelet with the condition on it in case of emergencies, and your local pharmacy should have them for sale. Notify your friends and co-workers about your symptoms so they can watch out for you and remind you to eat when you appear to become irritable or fatigued. Keep snacks on hand and remember to eat regularly to keep your blood sugar levels consistent. Be sure to limit alcohol consumption. And always check your glucose levels before using heavy machinery, driving or doing anything strenuous.

Copyright 2005.

Jessica Deets researches the internet and writes articles of interest for people. The Hypoglycemia News website has news, information, resources, articles and a blog at http://www.hypoglycemianews.com Feel free to stop by and leave your comments on our blog.