Improve your self confidence in 15 minutes

Improve your self confidence in 15 minutes

I used to be frighteningly under confident in groupl situations.  People who know me now would never believe I used to doubt myself so much I literally had to learn confidence until it became a natural part of me. I can tell you relaxed optimistic confidence is just, well so much more fun.

Here I'll tell you about the things that made the most difference to my confidence levels...

Some people have naturally high levels of confidence but everybody can learn to be more confident.

Firstly, it's important to get a clear idea of what self confidence really means, otherwise you won't know when you've got it! So, self confidence means:

1) Being calm. For every situation in life you need to run on the appropriate level of emotion. Too much emotional 'leakage' into a experience can spoil the experience. You make great strides towards confidence when you begin to relax in a greater range of situations.

2) Being cool. The second part of self confidence is about being able to relax with uncertainty. To be 'cool' in a situation really means relaxing with not knowing how things will pan out. If you truly tolerate uncertainty, you can do pretty much anything.

3) Not being too concerned with what others think of you. You know when you imagine what some place is going to be like before you go there but when you get there it is totally different to your imagination? That's how reliable your imagination is! Stop trusting your imagination so much. I've long since stopped bothering to imagine what others think of me because so often I've turned out to be wrong.

4) Being specific - where do you want confidence? 'Confidence' is meaningless until you tie it to something specific. You are already confident that you can read these words or can switch a light on and off. So you don't need more confidence everywhere. To get what you want in life you have to establish exactly what you do want. Where do you want confidence in your life? Think about the specific situations now and write them down. You beginning to steer your brain towards confidence.

5) Understanding that what you expect is what you get. Your brain is an organ that needs clear goals to work towards. When a task has been set in your brain it will do everything it can do to bring about the completion of that task. If you've tried to recall someone's name but can't, hours later you'll often find their name pops into your head.

The 'trying to recall' experience set the task or blueprint for your brain's future subconscious behavior which eventually produced the name for you - when you weren't thinking about it consciously. You can use this natural mechanism to start feeling more confident. But, to ensure you set the right task for your subconscious mind, the next point is vital.

6) Don't task your mind with negatives. Instead of: 'I don't want to mess up' (which sets the task of 'messing up' for your brain), set the blueprint for what you do want! Your brain doesn't work towards what to do by being told what not to do. And nature has given you a wonderful natural tool to set the right task blueprints with.

7) Use nature's goal-setter: Now you understand how vital it is to set the right task for you brain, you need to know how to do this reliably. Good hypnosis will strongly 'program' the right blueprint in your mind through the use of your imagination. If you powerfully imagine feeling confident and relaxed while in a relaxed hypnotic state it will be hard for your unconscious mind to do anything else. The blueprint for relaxation has been set firmly into your subconscious mind.

3 simple strategies to get you feeling confident quickly:

1) Think specifically of the time/place/situation you want to feel confident in. Remember 'confidence' doesn't mean anything until you attach it to something specific.

2) Focus on words in your mind right now that describe how you do want to be in that time and place. Maybe words such as 'calm', 'relaxed' or 'focused'. Remember your brain works on clear positive instructions.

3) Close your eyes for as long as you like and think about how those words feel. Then, imagine the situation itself and rehearse it in your mind feeling confident and relaxed. This way you set the right blueprint or 'task' for your unconscious mind.

You can repeat this often to make it more effective and use it with as many areas of your life as you need to. If you listen to a hypnotic cd or download that can make the benefits even more powerful (see my profile below). So if you feel like you'd be blessed with less confidence than some other people you can start redressing the balance by using your mind in the right way right now.

It took me years to learn how to be more confident - now you can do it in a fraction of the time. Good luck!

Article by Mark Tyrrell

Corporate technology manipulating global consciousness?

When consciousness rules the world...

Will we be cheering in celebration, or wondering what went
so terribly wrong?

As technology advances and unlocks greater connections
between reality and consciousness it should come as no
surprise that governments and global corporations are
getting involved. They are beginning to use people skilled
in 'consciousness manipulation' to their own advantage.

It should also come as no surprise that this year, 2012,
marks a turning point for the future.

The answer to how the future will turn out, all
depends on who gets involved.

Be a fly-on-the-wall and listen to a recent private talk Eric
Pepin had about recent events and the coming future in
2012 and beyond:

Click here to listen

Here are some highlights of the discussion:

• The Unsettling connection between HAARP, Weather Manipulation,
  and the Manipulation of Collective Consciousness.
• Why these Global Movements are Unusually Quiet & How this Ties
  into Jumping. (Could Governments and Corporations be Jumping
  on Certain People?)
• How Exactly does Weather Reflect the Collective Mind?
• A Few Words on the Norwegian Spirals and the Strange Sounds in
  California.
• Why non-thought is a key to understanding this class. (Information
  must be Presented in a Cryptic Manner in order to Avoid Detection by Gaia.)
• How Data is Processed and Stored in this Universe.
• How we're in a cataclysmic race with time and space.
• Specialized people that have been fractured into organizations who's
  designs are to subdue mass change and opposition. (Making people passive.)

Listen in here:

http://nl.higherbalance.com/july

It's interesting times and important to realize that isn't a bad
thing. Change is a necessary part of growth.

Consciousness, unlike the dying 'power models' of the past... money,
weapons, armies, political ties... is not a straight equation. 1 + 1
doesn't always equal 2.

One person can make all the difference...

Listen to Eric's recent talk and commit yourself to your own positive
change. As you go, so the world goes with you.

In growth, light and wonder,
Eric


Eric Robison

Author of Bending God: A Memoir

P.S. There's going to be emails coming the next week dealing with what is
happening in the world now, how 2012 will change our ability to connect
with each other, the global mind, and tap into abilities stronger than ever
before - if we can stay tuned in.

The future belongs to the mind. We want to empower you to have the
tools and knowledge you need, to help make a world we always dreamed
was possible. It's there, waiting for us!

17 Deadliest Decisions You Can Make

POST WRITTEN BY: MARC

17 Deadliest Decisions You Can Make

When the deepest part of you becomes engaged in what you are doing, when your activities and actions become gratifying and purposeful, when what you do serves both yourself and others, when you do not tire within because you are pursuing the sweet satisfaction of your life and your work, you are living life the way it is meant to be lived.

Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.  Here are some small, deadly decisions to avoid on your journey forward.

1. Not loving what is. – Love what you do, until you can do what you love.  Love where you are, until you can be where you love.  Love the people you are with, until you can be with the people you love most.  This is the way we find happiness.  Read The How of Happiness.
2. Waiting and waiting and waiting. – Good things don’t come to those who wait.  Good things come to those who pursue the goals and dreams they believe in.  “Coulda, woulda, shoulda…” stop it!  Don’t blame your past for what you don’t have.  Blame your present.  Ask yourself this:  “What can I do NOW that will bring me closer to where I want be?”
3. Changing who you are because others have changed. – People change.  Get used to it.  Accept it.  Wish them well anyway.  Be happy anyway.  If you’re being true to yourself and it isn’t enough for the people around you, change the people around you.
4. Letting heartache define you. – Don’t allow your temporary wounds to permanently transform you into someone you aren’t.  A strong personis not the one who doesn’t cry.  A strong person is the one who cries for a moment openly, and then gets up and fights again for what they believe in.
5. Running away from problems. – Running away from your problems is a race you’ll never win.  You may not be proud of all the things you’ve done in the past, but right now is a new beginning.  It’s doesn’t matter who you used to be; what matters is who you are today.  What you do TODAY can improve all of your tomorrows.  So don’t run; instead do something that creates positive change.
6. Being ungrateful. – Even in the most peaceful surroundings, the ungrateful heart finds trouble.  Even in the most troublesome surroundings, the grateful heart finds peace.  Choose to see the world through grateful eyes; it will never look the same again.
7. Allowing long-term anger to occupy your heart. – The best medicine is a strong dose of love, laughter and letting go.  Just like we would never allow even a tiny bit of poison to be in our food, let us not allow even a tiny bit of anger to live in our heart.
8. Believing that beauty looks a certain way. – We’re taught to believe that miniature waists and perfect tans are beautiful.  We’re made to believe that blonde hair with blue eyes will win every time.  But the truth is originality is beautiful.  Big brown eyes, green eyes, blue eyes alike.  Curves, and lots of them.  Your natural skin tone is beautiful.  Your hair color and your smile.  Your voice, your laugh, and your personality.  Every inch of you that shines with your unique essence.  You’re truly beautiful, just like the rest of us.
9. Letting your expectations run rampant. – Everyone has their own challenges, everyone has their own journey.  It is meaningless to compare one with the other.  Always love and accept the real people in front of you, not the fantasy of who you hope and wish these people could become.
10. Disrespecting others. – Treat people the way you want to be treated.  Karma is only unkind if you are.  No matter what happens in life, be good to the people around you.  If you do, you’ll leave a great legacy behind regardless of the dreams and ideals you choose to pursue.
11. Disrespecting yourself. – Being kind to yourself in thoughts, words and actions is just as important as being kind to others.  The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving others, and forgetting that you are special too.  Read Pulling Your Own Strings.
12. Putting up with unfaithful friends and lovers. – The people who want to stay in your life will always find a way.  Real friends and lovers stay faithful.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot in someone’s life.  Never force someone to make a space in their life for you, because if they truly care about you, they will create one for you.
13. Rushing love. – It’s not hard to find someone who tells you they love you, it’s hard to find someone who actually means it.  But you will find them eventually.  So don’t rush love – don’t settle.  Find someone that isn’t afraid to admit they miss you.  Someone that knows you’re not perfect, but treats you as you are.  One who gives their heart completely.  Someone who says, “I love you” and then shows it.  Find someone who wouldn’t mind waking up with you in the morning, seeing your wrinkles and grey hair, and then falls in love with you all over again.
14. Neglecting your most important relationships. – Relationships built on a foundation of love and respect can weather many storms and earthquakes.  This foundation can be checked, maintained and kept healthy with generous doses of acceptance, forgiveness, listening, gratitude and considerate actions.
15. Trying to control every last detail about everything. – Sometimes it’s better not to assume, not to wonder, not to imagine, and not to obsess.  Just breathe, do what you can, and have faith that everything will work out for the best.  When you least expect it, something great will come along – something better than you could have ever planned for.
16. Never taking risks. – Life is inherently risky.  There is only one risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.  Get out there and make something happen, even if it’s just a small step in the right direction.  Strive for progress, not perfection.  Read The 4-Hour Workweek.
17. Giving up on YOU. – Sometimes life doesn’t give you what you want; not because you don’t deserve it, but because you deserve better.  No matter how many times you break down, there should always be a little voice inside you that says, “NO, you’re not done yet!  Get back up!”  That’s the voice of passion and courage.  Life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel; but you are well equipped for it as long as you tap into your talents and gifts, and allow them to flourish.

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PRIVACY

Hidden Government Scanners Will Instantly Know Everything About You From 50 Meters Away

Within the next year or two, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will instantly know everything about your body, clothes, and luggage with a new laser-based molecular scanner fired from 50 meters away. From traces of drugs or gun powder on your clothes to what you had for breakfast to the adrenaline level in your body—agents will be able to get any information they want without even touching you.

And without you knowing it.

The technology is so incredibly effective that, in November 2011, its inventors were subcontracted by In-Q-Tel to work with the US Department of Homeland Security. In-Q-Tel is a company founded "in February 1999 by a group of private citizens at the request of the Director of the CIA and with the support of the U.S. Congress." According to In-Q-Tel, they are the bridge between the Agency and new technology companies.

Their plan is to install this molecular-level scanning in airports and border crossings all across the United States. The official, stated goal of this arrangement is to be able to quickly identify explosives, dangerous chemicals, or bioweapons at a distance.

The machine is ten million times faster—and one million times more sensitive—than any currently available system. That means that it can be used systematically on everyone passing through airport security, not just suspect or randomly sampled people.

Analyzing everything in real time

But the machine can sniff out a lot more than just explosives, chemicals and bioweapons. The company that invented it, Genia Photonics, says that its laser scanner technology is able to "penetrate clothing and many other organic materials and offers spectroscopic information, especially for materials that impact safety such as explosives and pharmacological substances." [PDF]

Formed in Montreal in 2009 by PhDs with specialties in lasers and fiber optics, Genia Photonics has 30 patents on this technology, claiming incredible biomedical and industrial applications—from identifying individual cancer cells in a real-time scan of a patient, to detecting trace amounts of harmful chemicals in sensitive manufacturing processes.

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Above: The Genia Photonics' Picosecond Programmable Laser scanner is capable of detecting every tiny trace of any substance on your body, from specks of gunpowder to your adrenaline levels to a sugar-sized grain of cannabis to what you had for breakfast.

Meanwhile, In-Q-Tel states that "an important benefit of Genia Photonics' implementation as compared to existing solutions is that the entire synchronized laser system is comprised in a single, robust and alignment-free unit that may be easily transported for use in many environments… This compact and robust laser has the ability to rapidly sweep wavelengths in any pattern and sequence." [PDF]

So not only can they scan everyone. They would be able to do it everywhere: the subway, a traffic light, sports events... everywhere.

How does it work?

The machine is a mobile, rack-mountable system. It fires a laser to provide molecular-level feedback at distances of up to 50 meters in just picoseconds. For all intents and purposes, that means instantly.

The small, inconspicuous machine is attached to a computer running a program that will show the information in real time, from trace amounts of cocaine on your dollar bills to gunpowder residue on your shoes. Forget trying to sneak a bottle of water past security—they will be able to tell what you had for breakfast in an instant while you're walking down the hallway.

If Genia Photonics' claims pan out, this is will be an incredible leap forward in technology. And one with staggering implications.

Observation without limits

There has so far been no discussion about the personal rights and privacy issues involved. Which "molecular tags" will they be scanning for? Who determines them? What are the threshold levels of this scanning? If you unknowingly stepped on the butt of someone's joint and are carrying a sugar-sized grain of cannabis like that unfortunate traveler currently in jail in Dubai, will you be arrested?

And, since it's extremely portable, will this technology extend beyone the airport or border crossings and into police cars, with officers looking for people on the street with increased levels of adrenaline in their system to detain in order to prevent potential violent outbursts? And will your car be scanned at stoplights for any trace amounts of suspicious substances? Would all this information be recorded anywhere?

Above: A page from a Genia Photonics paper describing its ability to even penetrate through clothing.

There are a lot of questions with no answer yet, but it's obvious that the potential level of personal invasion of this technology goes far beyond that of body scans, wiretaps, and GPS tracking.

The end of privacy coming soon

According to the undersecretary for science and technology of the Department of Homeland Security, this scanning technology will be ready within one to two years, which means you might start seeing them in airports as soon as 2013.

In other words, these portable, incredibly precise molecular-level scanning devices will be cascading lasers across your body as you walk from the bathroom to the soda machine at the airport and instantly reporting and storing a detailed breakdown of your person, in search of certain "molecular tags".

Going well beyond eavesdropping, it seems quite possible that U.S. government plans on recording molecular data on travelers without their consent, or even knowledge that it's possible—a scary thought. While the medical uses could revolutionize the way doctors diagnose illness, and any technology that could replace an aggressive pat-down is tempting, there's a potential dark side to this implementation, and we need to shine some light on it before it's implemented.

The author of this story is currently completing his PhD in renewable energy solutions, focusing on converting waste to energy in the urban environment. Even while most of this information is publicly available, he wanted to remain anonymous.

Image by oleandra/Shutterstock

Like Pavlov’s dog, this architecture is making me salivate (30 Photos)

Like Pavlov’s dog, this architecture is making me salivate (30 Photos)

Nouriel Roubini’s ‘perfect storm’ already threatening global economy

By Noel Hulsman | Insight – 15 hours ago

Batten down the hatches.  Hold off on any serious splurges. And if you've got a steady job, cling to it closely. The devastation predicted for the global economy in 2013 has already begun, says "Dr. Doom" economist Nouriel Roubini.

Nouriel knows from bad times. The New York University business professor was one of the very few who accurately forecast the housing collapse and credit crunch that sparked the financial crisis in 2008. That prescience earned him a rank of #4 on Foreign Policy magazine's list of Top 100 Global Thinkers. And as bad as 2008 turned out to be, Roubini says 2013 is shaping up to be far worse and the wheels are already in motion.

"(The) 2013 perfect storm scenario I wrote on months ago is unfolding," Roubini said on Twitter on Monday.

"If perfect storm occurs difference btw 2008 & now is:then we had all the policy bullets;now we running out of rabbits to pull out of the hat."

This time around, he says, it's not a matter of bad mortgages in Nevada and reckless gambling on Wall Street. It's global. Emerging markets and developed ones. And the problems stretch from protests on the streets of Athens to sabre-rattling in Tehran.

Combined together, it spells uncertainty and risk, the two things that the markets hate most. The problem is that when the investors get skittish, the banks get scared, cash stops flowing, businesses scale down, and the death spiral begins.

Now, of course, Roubini didn't earn the title "Dr. Doom" by being an optimist. However, he's not just being a bear, he's backing his predictions up with some very hard-to-refute facts. These are the storm clouds gathering:

• The economies of China and India are slowing down. Fast.  China, in particular, looks like it's in for a hard landing. The rest of the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, Mexico and Turkey) are not far behind. Given how much resources and commodities those countries import, particularly from Western Canada, any downtown in demand threatens huge repercussions.
• The Euro-zone is a slow-motion train wreck. Greece, Portugal, Cyprus and Ireland will have to restructure their debt this year. Spain and Italy may very well be next. The Eurozone won't break up this year, but could very well find itself on the brink by the end of 2013. Regardless, the risk and uncertainty that will consume Europe will spread through the global equity markets. Every time a major European economy requires a bail-out, it causes a correction in Eurozone markets, which in turn, impacts North America. Every time. And Roubini sees nothing but bailouts in the months ahead.
• Tensions in the Middle East are steadily escalating. Negotiations between Tehran and Washington have failed, and Obama's decision last week to send a major troop carrier into theStrait of Hormuz, within 50 kilometers of Iran, suggest moods are darkening. There is very little chance of the U.S. launching an attack before the election in November, but after that, it is anyone's guess. What isn't in doubt, however, is what the threat of conflict in the world's richest oil region will do for the price of crude. Or what happens to the global economy when oil prices soar.
• Last, but by no means least, is the lack of tools now at policy maker's disposal. In 2008, economic regulators employed a series of measures to rescue the global economy: Bond buying programs, lowering interest rates and pouring billions into a variety of stimulus programs. Central bankers now have few tools left. Neither Europe, the BRICs nor the U.S. are in any position to deficit spend, certainly not to the extent required to make a difference. There will be no more billion-dollar bailouts of the banks. Not when financial institutions like Barclays have just had to acknowledge that its CEO made $26.6-million last year while his bank falsified reports and manipulated interest rates.  In the shadows of Occupy Wall Street and the increasing economic hardships in Europe and U.S., there is no chance whatsoever of any banker getting another billion-dollar rescue package.

So there it is. Four iron-clad reasons why the death spiral predicted for next year's global economy has already begun.

Consider yourself warned.

10 best budget-friendly all-inclusive resorts

By Chanize Thorpe | Budget Travel – Fri, 29 Jun, 2012 8:19 PM EDT

Jolly Beach Resort & Spa (Photo: Jolly Beach Resort)

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It's a fact that all-inclusive resorts can be expensive, with the average nightly rate at some of the bigger chains running $450—per person. And when you find one in your price range there's usually a caveat—the beach is a 15-minute drive away, or the "all" only includes non-alcoholic beverages (those margaritas by the pool really add up). We here at Budget Travel love a challenge and—though it wasn't easy—we found 10 beachfront all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America (plus one Mediterranean resort so charming we couldn't resist including it) starting at $100 per person, per night. And they really are all-inclusive: a double room, three meals a day, drinks (from soda to cocktails), and lots of activities. And each one has an added bonus, too, from tennis lessons to scuba instructions. The only thing not included? Caveats.

Tired of spending layovers in an airport?  Download Yahoo! TimeTraveler on your iPhone to create custom itineraries based on your location and amount of time you have to spend.

Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, Antigua

Set on 40 acres (including a mile of white sand), the Jolly Beach Resort & Spa is great for those who want to get out on the turquoise water. Kayaks, Hobi Cats, and paddleboats are all at the ready and there are also two pools. Would you rather just take in the view of the waves? The 464 rooms all have at least partial ocean views. The resort also has five restaurants, ranging from a casual beach take-out place to the Italian Bocciolo. Bonus A proper afternoon tea with scones and cucumber sandwiches is also offered every day in the courtyard-a nod to the island's British roots. Bolans Village, Antigua, 866/905-6559, jollybeachresort.com. From $171 per person, per night.


Majestic Colonial (Photo: Majestic Colonial)Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 

This 658-room resort in Punta Cana gives you a lot of you choice for how to spend your evening: there are eight restaurants, plus nine bars including a piano bar and a sports bar. Not that there aren't choices during the day as well: The main pool is more than 1,300 feet long (there is also a children's pool and a whirlpool) and catamarans and windsurfers are available on the beach. The snorkeling right off the beach is top-notch, and all the equipment you need is also included. Bonus Every room at the resort is a suite with a terrace or balcony (and a Jacuzzi tub). Playa Bavaro, Punta Cana, 809/221-9898, paradiseislandbahama.com. From $150 per person, per night.


Sunscape Dorado Pacifico (Photo: Majestic Colonial Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa)Sunscape Dorado Pacifico, Ixtapa, Mexico

The Sunscape's budget-friendly price makes it a deal, but most people travel here for the location on a sandy beach on quiet Playa del Palmar. The resort re-opened in November 2011 after a $10 million upgrade to all the rooms (including new furniture, flat-screen TVs, and fully renovated bathrooms) and restaurants as well as the addition of a new spa (alas, massages aren't covered in the all-inclusive rate and start at $68). There are only 285 rooms, but you'll find the choices typical of a much larger resort. There are four bars plus eight restaurants ranging from seafood to Italian to Mexican (and the small size means no reservations are required). Bonus Embrace your inner Serena Williams or Roger Federer and perfect your serve at the free tennis clinics. Paseo de Ixtapa S/N Lote 3-A, Ixtapa, 800/087-4890, sunscaperesorts.com. From $151 per person, per night.


Iberostar Costa Dorada (Photo: Iberostar Costa Dorada)Iberostar Costa Dorada, Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic

Iberostar operates six hotels in the Dominican Republic, but this resort 10 minutes from Puerto Plata gives you the most for your money. The 516 rooms (which all have either a terrace or balcony) are located in thatch-roof buildings painted cheerful shades of yellow and purple. The entire property underwent a full renovation in 2011 resulting in completely remodeled rooms, a new lobby, and a renovated kids' club. There are three a la carte restaurants (Brazilian, Mexican, and seafood from the local waters) plus a buffet restaurant. If you aren't content to just sit on the beach or the massive pool, there are activities all around the resort, from archery to merengue lessons. Bonus While some all-inclusive resorts only serve house-brand liquor, bartenders at Costa Dorada pour from imported names as well (Tanqueray, Stoli, etc.). Carretera de Luperon Km 4, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, 888/923-2722, iberostar.com. From $100 per person, per night (three-night minimum).


Barceló Langosta Beach (Photo: Barcelo Langosta Beach)Barceló Langosta Beach, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Staying here affords travelers the best of both worlds: The resort is on a secluded beach surrounded by rainforests and a national park, but is less than a mile from the popular town of Tamarindo. This is a low-key resort, with just one buffet restaurant and one a la carte restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine (there is an additional $36-$42 fee for the a la carte restaurant) and one bar, plus a small casino and an amphitheater with daily entertainment. But the 134 rooms have views of the Pacific Ocean or the estuary of Las Baulas (part of the national park). Bonus Tipping for the staff is included in the rate, so no need to reach for your wallet every time you order another round. El Robledal, Tamarindo, 800/227-2356, barcelo.com. From $180 per person, per night.


ClubHotel Riu (Photo: Club Hotel Riu)ClubHotel Riu, Negril, Jamaica

Head out to the far western tip of Jamaica and you'll find this lively beachfront resort in Negril. It is right on the beach, but the place to be is by one of the umbrella-shaded loungers around the two gigantic pools (both are well over 3,000 square feet). There is a party atmosphere here, and the complimentary mini bars and liquor dispensers in the 420 guest rooms are regularly restocked. If you want to go all out, head to the Pacha nightclub, where reggae is sure to be spinning. If you are looking for quiet, try the solarium terrace. Bonus The resort often adds credits to the Renova Spa in the all-inclusive packages, such as $20 per person toward a 50-minute massage (massages start at $100). Norman Manley Blvd., Negril, Jamaica, 888/748-4990, riu.com. From $101 per person, per night.


Coral Beach Hotel & Resort (Photo: Coral Beach Hotel and Resort)Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, Paphos, Cyprus

While the other resorts listed here are close to the U.S., this all-inclusive trades the Caribbean for the Mediterranean—and it's worth the trip. The 420-room resort is located on the edge of the UNESCO-protected Akamas Peninsula on Cyprus’s western coast. The beach is lined with blue loungers, as is the 164-foot pool (keep an eye out for members of the British Olympic swim team; they use the pool for training). Have dinner overlooking the boats bobbing in the harbor from the terrace where blue-and-white-checked tablecloths flap in the sea breeze. Then watch some local folk dancing. Who knows, after a glass or two of zivania, you might join in. Bonus If the scenic surrounding inspires your creative side, the resort offers free art classes in pottery and glass-painting. Coral Bay, Paphos, 011-357/26-88-10-00, coral.com.cy. From $144 per person, per night.


Paradise Island Harbour Resort (Photo: Paradise Island Harbour Resort)Paradise Island Harbour Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas

At just 246 rooms, this family-friendly resort is a fraction of the size of the 4,000-room Atlantis next door. But it's also a fraction of the price for the all-inclusive option. Paradise Island is on a private beach and has a large pool and three places to dine (a pool-side grill, a buffet, and a steak and seafood a la carte restaurant). Unwinding is the first order of business here, so you won't find the same 24/7 whirl of activity here as at the mega resorts. But that doesn't mean anyone in your family will be bored. The kids' camp keeps them busy with sand castle building and craft making, plus sports like pool volleyball and beach bowling. Bonus If you've ever wanted to learn how to dive, this is the place: the resort offers a complimentary scuba lesson in the pool. Harbor Dr., Paradise Island, Nassau, 888/582-0192, paradiseislandbahama.com. From $200 per person, per night.


Royal Decameron Golf Beach Resort & Villas (Photo: Royal Decameron Golf Beach Resort & Villas)Royal Decameron Golf Beach Resort & Villas, Farallón, Panama 

This 1,170-room mega resort does things big from its spot on a mile of secluded beach. There are eight pools, 10 restaurants, and 11 bars (including one swim-up), which means you’ll rarely do or see the same thing twice. Play in the Pacific with free paddleboards, kayaks, or windsurfers, or check out the local underwater residents with the provided snorkel gear. The nightlife is also big here and the party goes long after the sun sets (which probably has something to do with the open bar). Bonus Though the base-rate is for a garden-view room, each one has a terrace or balcony overlooking the tropical foliage. Avenida Principal Farallón, Km 115, 011-507/993-2255, decameron.com. From $106 per person, per night.


Krystal Cancun (Photo: Krystal Cancun)Krystal, Cancun, Mexico 
This Riviera Maya resort makes the most of its location: the pool runs lengthwise along the sand, and there's even a beachfront infinity whirlpool. The Krystal, which is in the heart of the Hotel Zone on Punta Cancun, has 453 rooms, and each one has a view of either the Caribbean Sea or Cancun Lagoon. The rooms were also renovated in December 2011 with updates like marble floors, flat-screen TVs, and rain showers—perfect for washing off all that sand. Bonus One of the downsides of an all-inclusive resort is that you have to eat every meal on-site. Krystal includes a Discover Cancun pass that covers one dinner at a local restaurant. Paseo Kukulcan Km 9.5, Cancun, 800/437-9605, krystal-hotels.com. From $100 per person, per night.

See slideshow: 10 best budget friendly all-inclusive resorts

10 Things to Tell Yourself Today

POST WRITTEN BY: MARC

10 Things to Tell Yourself Today

Count your blessings, not your troubles.  Live one day at a time.  Let the wrong things go.  Give more than you take.  Look for the good in people and situations.  Make time for those who matter.  Laugh when you can.  Cry when you need to.  Focus on your priorities.  Make decisions, not excuses.  And always stay true to your values.

Yes, today is the perfect day to stand up and say…

1. I am fighting hard for the things I want most. – The longer you have to wait for something, the more you will appreciate it when it finally arrives.  The harder you have to fight for something, the more it will be worth to you once you achieve it.  And the more pain you have to endure on your journey, the sweeter the arrival at your destination.  Most great things don’t come easy, but they are worth waiting for and fighting for.
2. I am taking action now. – Many great things can be done in a day if you don’t always make that day tomorrow.  Don’t let your fear of making a mistake stop you.  A life spent making mistakes is not only more enjoyable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.  Read Getting Things Done.
3. I am focusing on the next positive step. – A situation can occur in life that stops us dead in our tracks, frozen with fear.  We can either stay stuck in that place by continuing to give it our attention, or we can gently remove our attention from whatever is happening, and focus instead on our next step – on what is possible tomorrow.  Remember, the future holds nothing but endless potential.  There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.  We just have to get there.
4. I am proud to wear my truth. – How others see you is not important.  How you see yourself means everything.  To be beautiful means to live confidently in your own skin.  Say it, and then say it again: “This is my life, my choices, my mistakes, and my lessons.  Not yours.”
5. I have a lot to smile about. – Happiness is not a result of getting something you don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what you do have.  You create happiness with your attitude, your behavior and your actions.  It is all up to you.  Read The Happiness Project.
6. I am making the best of it. – Everything you go through grows you.  Sometimes you think doing something is a total waste of time, and then it ends up being one of the best things you ever did.  Don’t judge the day before it unfolds.  Amazing things can and do happen when you least expect them.  Let each day be a scavenger hunt in which you must find at least one of these things: a sincere laugh, an act of kindness, a realization, or a lesson that will lead you closer to your dreams.
7. I am letting go of yesterday’s stress. – Sometimes the reason it’s so hard for us to be happy is simply because we refuse to let go of the things that make us upset.  As the sun sets on this day, let it go.  Leave behind the stress, the drama and the worries.  Lay this day to rest.  Tomorrow is about hope, new possibilities, and the opportunity to make a better day.
8. There is enough time today to do something I love. – Where did you leave your happiness?  With an old lover?  In city you once lived in?  In a story you never finished writing?  In a dream you gave up on?  In a hope you got too weary to carry?  Wherever you left it, go back and retrieve it.  If you don’t remember where you left it, dedicate a little time today to doing something you love to do, and you will find your happinesssomewhere nearby.
9. I am priceless in someone’s eyes. – Being with someone who overlooks your worth isn’t loyalty, it’s stupidity.  Don’t let the people who aren’t worth it get to you.  Focus on those who love and accept you for who you are, and shower them with the love and kindness they deserve.  And above all, cherish the people who saw you when you were invisible to everyone else.  Read The Mastery of Love.
10. It’s not too late. – No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change and become a better version of yourself.  Peace, strength and direction will come to you when you manage to tune out the noisy judgments of others, in an effort to better hear the soft and steady hum of your own inner strength.  And once you hear it, you will realize that it’s not too late to be what you might have been.

The Fastest Way to Cook Corn

By The Editors of EatingWell Magazine | Shine Food – Wed, 27 Jun, 2012 11:57 AM EDT

By Hilary Meyer, Associate Food Editor, EatingWell Magazine

I love sweet summer corn, but if I'm in a rush it's often not the fastest choice. It's not that it takes a long time to cook, but the shucking combined with the painstaking duty of removing all the straggling silks left on the cob makes it a little high-maintenance in my book. Unless you cook it in your microwave. Yes, your microwave.

Cooking corn in the microwave eliminates pre-shucking since it's cooked right in the husk. And once it's done, the husk and silk slip right off--like magic--making it by far the fastest (and least messy!) way to cook corn. Here's how you do it, plus two more great ways to perfectly cook corn on the cob.

How to Microwave on the Cob: Place corn one at a time (in the husk, untrimmed) in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on High for 5 minutes. Use a towel or wear gloves to transfer the corn to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut off the stem end, including the first row of kernels. Make sure you cut all the way through the husk. Using a towel (or wearing gloves), grasp the ear of corn from the top end and shake the ear. The cooked corn will slip right out of the husk, completely free of silks.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob: Lightly brush husked corn with olive oil. Place on a grill preheated to medium-high and grill, turning occasionally, until the kernels are lightly browned and charred in spots, 6 to 10 minutes. Keep in mind that smaller kernels cook more quickly.

How to Boil Corn on the Cob: Bring a large tea kettle of water to a boil. Place husked corn in a large skillet. Pour boiling water over the corn. Turn your stove on and cook over high heat until the water returns to a boil. Immediately drain.

What's your favorite way to cook corn?

By Hilary Meyer