7 Very Doable 2013 New Year Resolutions

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Here are seven very-doable New Year Resolutions for 2013. With any one of these simple steps you could easily get in better shape and slow the aging process THIS year for a younger, more vibrant you. Let's see if one or more of these 2013 resolutions appeals to you.

1. The Chewing-Gum Approach to cutting calories -- Resolve to take smaller-size bites of food and keep the food in your mouth and chew it until all the flavor is gone. With this little technique and watching your portion sizes, you get to enjoy and savor all the flavor in your favorite foods and satisfy your hunger -- all while consuming substantially fewer calories.

2. The Top 10 -- Several times each day, such as right before meals, snacks and bedtime, take a minute to mentally list ten things, people, happenings ... you truly appreciate. These can be friends, family members, some quality you like about the individuals, or small things (e.g.,that pair of shoes that look particularly good on you AND are comfortable, too); in this case, size really doesn't matter. What does matter is that you experience feelings of gratitude while thinking of the aspects of your life that are worth appreciating. Nothing lowers stress and slows the aging process as do thoughts of appreciation.

3. Exercise Your Mind -- Decide that in 2013 you will enjoy a mentally challenging game each day. It could be a crossword puzzle, Sudoku, KenKen or one of several other puzzle choices. If you don't have time to devote to solving one of these time-consuming mental games each day because of your very busy schedule, then take two or more days to complete the game. Just make sure to put in at least five minutes each day in working toward the solution. Your dendrites and axons will thank you with a sharp mind in the decades surely to come.

4. Breathless in Seattle or _______ -- Decide that every day you are going to enjoy an aerobic activity that gets you out of breath, or at least breathing deeply at some point. During your walk, for example, make sure there is a hill or steps in the middle of your session that makes you huff and puff as you climb them. When we perform a physical activity for as little as 10 seconds that gets us out of breath, it signals the release of human growth hormone (Hgh) from the pituitary gland into the bloodstream to start the process of repair and regeneration of cells to fight free-radical damage and reverse the general aging of the cells of the body and the brain. IMPORTANT: Always check with your health-care professional to make sure it is safe for you to perform strenuous exercise.

5. Up the Dietary Ante Little By Little -- Completely revamping one's diet all at once is seldom sustainable unless the individual is extremely motivated. For most of us, making small changes, one at a time, is more likely to result in a lasting improvement in our diet. Decide on one improvement you are going to make to your diet in 2013. It could be as simple as adding a daily dark leafy green vegetable, putting the salt shaker away or substituting water or tea for your afternoon soda.

6. Keep in Touch -- Each day, send a note or an e-mail to an old friend you haven't been in contact with for quite a while, just to say, "Hi!, how are you, I'm thinking of you, remember when we...?" By the end of the year you'll have brought a smile to the face of several friends, acquaintances and family members -- to the tune of 365 re-connections. It is well known that staying socially active is one of the ways to stay youthful and well as we age.

7. Try Something New -- Do something new and different each and every day. It could be as simple as driving a new route to the store, visiting and exploring a new website, or trying a new food or recipe. On the other hand, it could be something more comprehensive, like taking up a new sport or hobby or traveling to a country or state you've never visited. In this last scenario, you could plan time each day to learn a little bit more about the places you're about to visit, including the customs and language.

There you have it. Seven simple steps you can take to make 2013 your best year ever. Any one of these resolutions can be easily achieved -- a resolution you can keep for the whole year for a younger, more vital you. Or maybe you have your own idea of an easy-to-do New Year's Resolution that's just right for you in 2013. Happy New Year!

7 Tips On How To Deal With Missing Your Ex

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For those who have just ended their relationship, there will surely be moments when you will miss your ex.

Here are seven tips on how to deal with missing your ex girlfriend or boyfriend.

1. Remind yourself that your relationship is over.

For as long as you are hoping to be back in a relationship again with your ex, you will continue to feel that you are missing someone in your life. You have to be determined in realizing that the relationship is over and there is no use thinking of having another chance at getting your ex back.

2. Return your ex' stuff.

Schedule an exchange of items with your ex and let him/her know that you are giving them back their stuff, and you are expecting your things back also. This way, you do not hold on to these personal items for sentimental reasons, reminding you of your ex often. If there are other things you forgot to return, just throw it all away to avoid having constant reminders of your ex' presence in your life.

3. Write your ex a letter... then burn it.

This is a good way to get all your pent-up emotions out of your system. One of the main reasons why partners still miss their ex is because they really have not fully expressed themselves yet. Writing an honest letter is a good outlet to let it all out, and when you burn the letter you can enjoy watching your words go up in smoke.

4. Hang out with your friends again.

You will surely miss your ex if he/she took up most of your time. Usually, when you are in a serious relationship, your friends and family get a bit neglected. Now may be the best time to reconnect with your old friends and spend more time with them to get your mind off missing your ex partner.

5. Get into a new hobby and meet new friends.

Now that you have more time in your hands, you can fill it with new activities or interests. Think of the things that you wanted to do but never got around to doing it because you didn't have the time then. Before you know it, you may actually be enjoying your new hobby, making more new friends along the way.

6. Get a new pet.

Whether a cat, dog or a bird, reconnecting with another being can help you deal with reality. A pet can demand attention which you may be willing to give now that you have no one to give it to. When you miss your ex, you can also reach out to your pet that loves you unconditionally.

7. Start going out with other people.

The world keeps on moving even if yours stopped for a while when your ex broke up with you. It is about time you start mingling again and date every once in a while. Do not worry if your first date is lousy or you do not click with another person at once. Like everything else in this world, it will just be a matter of time.

Once you start enjoying yourself again, you are sure to miss your ex less and embrace your new life more.

7 Tips for A New Art Collector

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Collecting art is not just for the wealthy but has become a popular hobby for many people today.

As people begin to appreciate certain styles of art, there becomes a supply and demand situation where prices can indeed reach almost unattainable limits. These types of collectors purchase strictly as a form of investment.

But there are many beginners who pay little attention to the rules of the art world and instead buy what they like. There may be a theme associated with a collection you are drawn to or there may be up and coming artists you admire and want to invest early in their career.

Whatever the case, there are a few tips to pay attention to regardless of your experience as you begin to add to your own collection.

Where To Start

1. Do your research. If you are interested in an artist or a specific piece to add to your collection make sure you have checked out the galleries in your area before settling on your next purchase. Most galleries will have additional information available on the pieces you are considering.

2. Visit the museums in your area and get on their mailing lists to ensure you will be invited to any new openings or special events. Although you cannot purchase from a museum, you can find invaluable information in the featured publications.

3. Don't buy it if you don't like it. The idea of collecting is that you enjoy the pieces you purchase and wish to display them proudly.

4. Check out the non-profit art centers in your area as well as any artisan fairs that may be scheduled throughout your city. There is often art for sale at these events as well as artists and experts on hand to help guide you in your own collection.

5. Go to your local library for books and magazines on art collecting. They will have a wealth of knowledge on collecting and offer tips to help you understand what to look for. They will also and suggest areas you may have over looked when searching for specific pieces.

6. Find fellow art collector by attending similar events. Exchanging opinions and ideas can be very rewarding in new friendships and in networking for new pieces for your collections.

Go online. There is a mountain of information on the internet that can help you narrow down your preferences and build your knowledge base in any aspect of the art world.

The Choice is Yours

The sky is the limit when it comes to collecting and the value of art is unique to each individual. Someones masterpiece may be an acquired taste and the more you learn about your personal preferences, the more extensive your collection can become.

Its all a matter of personal style.

7 Things You Can Learn from Sailing

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Sailing can be many things: a competitive sport such as sailboat racing, a fun and adventurous holiday, or an active hobby. Sailing trips can be relaxing, but also filled with adrenaline. They're perfect for groups of friends, families, couples, for team building events, and for solo thrill-seekers as well.

If you're already into more active hobbies or maritime activities such as scuba diving, fishing or surfing, you just might fall in love with sailing. It is definitely a hobby that brings you closer to nature, as you learn to appreciate the power of currents and winds, and the simplicity of moving across vast bodies of water.

Sailing can also teach you a lot. With each new sailing trip, you'll have the opportunity to develop useful skills  such as working in a group, depending on yourself, navigating according to winds and using a compass and a map. You'll also acquire nautical terminology and, overall, grow as a person.

Let's look at some of the most important things you can learn from sailing:

1) Planning ahead

Sailing requires detailed preparation before embarking on a journey. This means getting to know your route, checking the weather conditions and packing your clothes accordingly. It also means making sure you have all the documents you might need: boat license, your personal IDs, a passport if you're traveling abroad, as well as foreign currency. Another thing sailors need to consider and plan ahead in order to ensure everyone's safety is whether to hire a crew or not. If there are no professionals or people with advanced sailing experience in the group, getting a chartered boat is always advisable.

2) Thinking like a minimalist

Related to planning ahead, sailing can make you think more like a minimalist. Sailboats are usually very limited in space so unless one is sailing on a million dollar yacht, every bit of room needs to be utilized. For this reason, sailors are taught to think practically and bring only the things they will most definitely need. These are usually clothes, emergency ratios, medicines, non-perishable foods, canned goods and plenty of bottled water to last for the duration of the trip or until a harbor checkpoint is reached. Gadgets like smartphones are also necessary for communication, while tablets and laptops can come in handy not only for staying in touch with civilization but also for following weather forecasts.

3) Working in a team

There are many activities that can teach you how to work in a team, but few of them are as good as sailing. If you go sailing with a group of friends, you'll notice how quickly you'll develop into a boat crew. (Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't hire a crew in case you need it.) As a matter of fact, many companies take their employees on sailing excursions exactly because sailing builds team spirit. It takes a whole crew to handle a sailboat, pull the ropes, hoist the sails, follow the weather, navigate, and take care of food and medical supplies. It is most definitely a team effort.

4) Depending on yourself

In a crew, just as in any team, every person is assigned with certain duties. These duties need to be respected as all the team members depend on each other, but they're also an opportunity for every individual to learn to depend on themselves. After all, there are always situations where only one person is able to perform certain assignments so they are forced to develop their independence and self-assurance.

5) Learning how to navigate

Another very useful thing that sailing teaches is how to navigate. In fact, it is a skill that can be used throughout the entire life, regardless of whether one is on water or on dry land. Sailors learn how to read nautical maps and use a compass, how to properly follow weather reports, how to differentiate winds and currents and determine the route based on their directions. Perhaps the most interesting way of navigating one can learn by sailing is celestial navigation. Also known as astronavigation, this skill lets the person specify their location by looking at the starry night sky. And the best part about it is the fact that it requires no tools, which means it can be used even when modern equipment fails.

6) Respecting others

Sharing a boat with a group of different people makes one realize the importance of mutual respect and proper conduct - especially when it comes to safety and personal space. There's even sailing etiquette, a set of rules that regulate behavior on board to ensure that everything goes smoothly and that everyone gets along. The rules contained in sailing etiquette are tightly related to sailing, but many are in essence common good manners that play an important role in building any interpersonal relationship:

Asking permission to board. Just like knocking on somebody's door when visiting, before stepping on a boat, each person should ask for permission from the highest official present at the given moment.
Avoiding overpacking. It is important to respect other people's personal space and avoid taking up too much room by bringing unnecessary items. Everyone also needs to make sure to always keep their things in designated storage areas.
Thinking about the safety of others. It is advisable to check up on people and make sure that everyone is safe.
Bringing something others can use. For example, some scuba diving equipment won't take up too much space, but can be a source of fun for everyone.
Offering help. When enthusiasm gets the best of them, people sometimes do things which are more annoying than helpful. For this reason, each crew member needs to make sure they don't get in anyone's way and that they always ask and offer help.
Avoiding making a mess. Remembering to keep things neat and tidy is essential. Each crew member should take care not to leave their things around, to pick up the trash, use the restroom (known on a boat as the head) accordingly, and keep the noise down at times when it might cause inconvenience to others.

7) Learning to be open to new experiences

"Not all those who wander are lost", says a popular quote from Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings", and this is definitely true when it comes to sailing. People take up this hobby to explore new sights and sounds, discover new places - and perhaps make some new friends along the way. And for those who favor sailing as a long-term hobby, the biggest exploration that occurs is usually that within themselves. Sailing helps them to improve both physically and mentally, and get to know themselves better.

7 Tax Tips for Musicians

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For many musicians, the idea of making a decent living doing what they love is practically a dream come true. However, making a profit in the music industry can be difficult enough without having to worry about the tax laws and restrictions that can make life even more complicated. Luckily, there are plenty of steps a musician can take to make sure they are fully compliant with the IRS and their state taxing agency.

Classify Yourself

You need to decide exactly what type of musician you are before you can even begin thinking about taxes. What course is your career taking? Are you in a band? Are you interested in being a music teacher? Or, do you offer lessons from your home or at a nearby music shop. Once you have classified yourself, if will be easier to keep track of your finances and tax liability.

$600 Rules

No matter what type of musician you are, if you make more than $600 in a year doing something then you will need to report your income to the IRS. Whether you make that much in tips from performing at clubs, or from teaching the piano to a family friend, it will need to be reported to the IRS.

Teaching Advantages

If you are a music teacher at a school, you may be able to take advantage of several tax deductions available to teachers. One of the most useful tax advantages for teachers is the educator expense deduction that allows qualifying teachers to deduct $250 worth of out of pocket expenses for classroom supplies. For more information on tax tips for teachers, including the educator expense deduction check out this article on CEO Roni Deutch's personal blog.

The Business of Music

If you teach music classes from home or a business, you may be able to classify yourself as a small business owner. Speaking of teaching from home, if you have a separate room at home that is used to run this business then that room may qualify for a home office deduction. If you have not already, you may need to get a small business license from your city or country, and if the business expands you may even need to get a federal ID.

Quarterly Payments

If you are earning income from your music, either teaching or performing then you might want to consider making estimated quarterly payments. If you wait until the end of the year, then you might end up with a massive tax bill, and possibly even penalties and fees. To learn more about making estimated payments check out this post from earlier in the year.

Deserved Deductions

If your music career turns into a legitimate business, not just a hobby, then you can take advantage of all the business friendly tax incentives. First and foremost you can deduct all expenses related to the business from your taxable income. Just remember to keep all of your receipts and records of purchases. Some common music business deductions include instruments, sheet music, trade magazines, lessons and training costs, travel expenses, etc.

At Home, and On the Road

If you are a solo artist or part of a band, that performs at several venues across the country, then your taxes are going to get a little more complicated. Unfortunately, income taxes are due in the state that you earned the money in. Therefore, if you live in California but get paid $1,000 to perform a show in New York, then you are going to need to file state tax returns in both California and New York. Filing returns in multiple states can become very complicated, and you will need to keep a detailed record of all venues you are paid to perform at.

The Tax Lady Roni Deutch and her law firm Roni Deutch, A Professional Tax Corporation have been helping taxpayers across the nation find IRS tax relief for over seventeen years. The firm has experienced tax lawyers who can fight IRS tax liens on your behalf.

7 Steps to Keep YourHobbies and Marriage Intact - Save Your Marriage

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Ian and Kim were a couple who came for marriage counseling, as they were constantly fighting over Kim's love of fashion and the financial cost of her shopping sprees, her husband Ian couldn't keep up with it and thought that there were far more important things to be spending money on. Kim felt hurt that Ian didn't try to understand her passion and angry as he spent plenty of money out socializing and drinking. They came to save their marriage, as after years of not understanding each other's interests they had grown so far apart, they were living separate lives under the same roof.

Reshma and Binod another couple that sought marriage counseling to save their marriage, were also struggling to see eye to eye over the amount of time Binod would spend watching cricket, tennis, and football on TV. Any game, any time of day when he wasn't working he would want to sit and watch TV, this drove Reshma crazy, she was concerned what that would teach their 3 children and annoyed he didn't seem interested or make an effort for family time.

It can be difficult if you or your partner have a hobby you passionately embrace and the other one sees it as nothing but an intrusion. Yet it is critical to reach a compromise to prevent frustration and resentment from building, as resentment can often lead to angry silence, withdrawal or explosive rows. Here are 7 Steps to Keep Your Hobbies and Marriage Intact - Save Your Marriage

1. Recognize we all have hobbies. I've noticed working with many couples, that on average men tended to have one hobby that takes up a lot of their time and women had several activities (which they weren't counting as hobbies). For instance, I love to run, swim, practice yoga, write, dance, cook and try alternative healing courses. None of these hobbies individually take up much of my time, but collectively they add up to be more than some of the most consuming hobbies.

2. Ensure you both have hobbies. Expecting your partner to be your hobby or vice versa can be a recipe for disaster. It's just like expecting them to make YOU happy, only YOU can do that. If your spouse is having difficulty to accept your hobbies and have none of their own, help them to find something enjoyable and stress-relieving.

3. Find the good. We tend to love our hobbies, to us they are noble, important and engaging. If you think your spouse's hobby is silly, trivial or dumb or they say the same about yours, you are judging each other, when you need to be supporting each other. Look for the good in each other's hobbies, for example Kim explained to Ian, that he was benefitting from her fashion and make up passion, as she always looked good and took care of her appearance, which he always complimented her on. The benefit to Resma of Binod's hobby was that he could play with the children and watch TV at the same time, so she could get on and do things she needed and liked to do. Plus she was grateful that his hobby was not a financial burden to them.

4. Accept all hobbies, as they are part of who we are. When we reject the hobbies of our partners or they reject ours, we are in some way rejecting a part of each other. As our hobbies make us who we are and for most of us are a source of stress relief and happiness. Would you rather prefer a grumpy, bored spouse with plenty of time or a happy, content spouse with a hobby? I'd choose the second.

5. Learn about each other's hobbies. I love the statement "If you can't beat them, join them!" I think this is a great approach in marriage to learn more about each other's passions, it will enhance your conversation and connection, even better if you can join them.

6. Always have at least one hobby you share. Find a hobby you look forward to doing together, this will help you become closer and strengthen your relationship. If we engage in all our hobbies without our spouse, we miss the opportunity for the fun and excitement to be brought into the marriage.

7. Talk about your boundaries. Despite the above we all have boundaries, Think about what you both really need to be happy. Chances are its often not the hobby that really bothers us. Its the time or money spent on it, especially if the time or money isnt being spent on something else important to us!
Ask yourselves what is it that bothers you? Could it be you want more time as a family? More intimacy, affection or appreciation? Are you concerned financially that you won't have enough money for the car, holiday or children's needs?
Learn to share what precisely what is on your mind so you can move forward and compromise. Be vulnerable and you will reap the rewards! Rather than say I hate you doing that stupid hobby" instead say, I miss being with you and would love to spend more time together Or if your partner has a problem with your hobby ask them lovingly what concerns they have. Then work out a compromise that suits you both and fits in with the family.
Hobbies can help a marriage if the right balance is struck, aim to support one another and speak up if you need to.

From my heart to yours,
Nicola

6 Tips to Remove YouTube Addiction

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By The Pioneer of Subliminal Messages Online.

Yes, you don't watch a lot of television but you're spending too much time in YouTube. This video-sharing website has garnered millions of followers all over the world, for only a very short time. With so many videos to watch you can't help but spend the rest of your day doing nothing else but that.

Now just imagine how it can affect you personally. You can no longer complete your tasks, you spend less time on productive activities, and you may even distance yourself from your loved ones. It's not really surprising that you'll end up suffering from depression and a lot of stress later.

But how do you exactly get rid of YouTube addiction? Here are seven tips:

1. Just block it. If you don't want to watch any YouTube videos, then just block the website from your computer. A lot of websites and plug-ins can already do that for you. Every time you check on YouTube, you'll end up having an error page. Further, to make sure you don't delete the plug-in, you can look for a tool that allows you to add passwords. Have someone set it for you.

2. Spend less time in front of the PC. You won't be tempted to watch YouTube videos if you also spend less time with your PC. Besides it's really not a good idea to spend more than 4 hours in front of your computer. You don't have to cut everything off suddenly. If you spend 8 hours with it, you can reduce it to 6 or 5.

3. Take up a sport. A sport can be a good motivator for you to spend less time with YouTube. In fact, it can increase your self-confidence, plus you're forced to spend more time with your friends and perhaps your family. It also feels so good if you win competitions.

4. Choose a hobby. If you don't like sports, then at least pursue a hobby, and hopefully it doesn't involve computers. If you're a mom, arts and crafts would be perfect. You can share the hobby with your kids. If you're a dad, creating furniture and fixtures may be an exciting hobby, which may even turn into a profitable venture.

5. Go to the outdoors. There are a lot of things you can do outside of your home, but you're missing all of them since you're just there, watching YouTube. Try being in the outdoors at least an hour a day. And if you can afford it, spend a night in the mountains camping or even travel outside the state or outside of the country.

6. Encourage yourself to just do it. Unless you have the will to get rid of your YouTube addiction, you'll never be able to do it. But how? Use subliminal messages. Affirmations have a way of changing your present mind-set from "cannot" to "can." The moment you wake up, say the following lines:

Today, I'll spend more time on things that make me grow.
Today, I will spend more time with friends and family.
Today, I'll relax and spend my day with a lot of quiet and peace.