Wow – is that an old cliché or what?

Remember ladies?
Remember when Mom would tell us, “Pretty is as pretty does”?
Translation – True beauty comes from what you do, not how you look.

A classic, and just as relevant today as it was back in the day, perhaps even more so.
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Enjoy the Moment

Ladies, there is one thing at which men are much better than us, and that is enjoying a relationship for what it is at any given moment.
They don’t need to identify, quantify, define, or otherwise label things.

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No surprise, given the popularity of shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, but dancing has become one of the hottest hobbies and sports – yes, sports – in the world today!!

Would you believe that a non-profit organization called USA DANCE is an affiliate member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and is recognized by both the USOC and the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) as the National Governing Body of DanceSport in the United States? (DanceSport is the competitive version of ballroom dancing.)

What does this have to do with you?

My dating friend, whether lady or gent, you need to get your booty out there on that dance floor and kick up those heels, because dancing is where it’s at for today’s dynamic duos.

The benefits of dancing are amazing both for you as an individual as well as in your coupling efforts.

Let’s look at a few of them:

General Benefits

First, ballroom dancing gives you an enhanced appreciation of music and its rhythms. It will help your sense of balance, and promote more fluid movement in your walking and running.

You’ll make new types of relationships with others. Dancing with a partner in harmony gives you a more open, understanding, responsive, and supportive relationship both with your partner as well as with others. Overall, your outlook on life will become more positive.

Physical Benefits

Dancing is a great body conditioner, even if you can only manage to do it once a week. But if you can dance two or three times a week, you’ll increase your stamina, you’re your heart stronger, strengthen your legs, and generally tone your body. And as mentioned above, you’ll become more balanced, fluid, and flexible.

Mental Benefits

Mentally, dancing serves as a wonderful stress relief. A pressure-cooker day melts away when the evening eases you into the arms of your dance partner. Sleep that night is sound and sweet.

Becoming a competent dancer also provides an excellent learning experience in discipline, goal setting, planning, achievement, assuredness, self-confidence and pride in your abilities. These favorable attributes transfer into all other areas of your life as well. The payoff can be significant!

A third benefit involves that old saying “use it or lose it.”

Learning and remembering the many steps and movements required of the various dances provide a significant mental challenge and a constant stimulant to the brain. Surely this is why avid dancers usually remain mentally alert, regardless of age.

Social Benefits

A good dancer is a definite plus to social occasions — especially you men. If a man takes the time to become a skilled and confident, but not overly forceful leader, his presence is appreciated by every lady in the room. A good dancer does not need to be handsome to be popular. Similarly, a lady who is a good dancer radiates grace and charm, regardless of whether she is a physical beauty.

In both your business and professional life, you’ll be amazed at how your ability to dance affects your popularity and attractiveness to people of both sexes. And these days, with dancing as popular as it is, it is almost essential to be able to dance well in order to truly function at many social occasions.

When adults become involved with ballroom dancing they meet many new people who have a similar interest and develop lasting friendships with many of them. Many dancers say that ballroom dancing adds an entirely new and very beneficial dimension to their life.

In sum? Learn to dance: it is a valuable skill that will enhance your life in every way.

In part 1 of this series, we discussed the basics of blogging:

• what a blog is,
• how to set one up, and
• the ways of approaching content.

In this article we’ll talk about what to write about and how to meet people through your blog.
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Phone calls, text messages, emails, instant messages – these are our high-tech modes of staying in touch with friends and family and pursuing that coveted “other.” I am going to suggest another way to stay in touch and make new friends: blogging.
That’s right, blogging.
Read More . . .

My fellow female friends – can you relate to this?

You’ve met a man, and you like him.
You’ve been going out with him for a couple months.
You feel like you’re into a really nice relationship that you want to continue
to escalate. You are pretty sure he’s on the same page, but
you feel like you “need” to know.

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This is a tough subject to broach, but it is real and a serious issue for all
of us women.
And that is: we are our own worst enemies, or can be.

The sisterhood is a myth, mostly.
That’s right, contrary to popular belief, we are not each other’s
best friends – when it comes to men, anyway.

I know you want to throw tomatoes, rotten apples, and any other gross
thing you can find at me right now, but hear me out.

First, there is not a great abundance of men out there.
There’s also not exactly a shortage, but still, the competition is tough,
especially since it’s us women who want the coziness of relationship.
If you want a predominance of men, the counties in the United States
to go to are Chattahoochee, GA, Union County, FL, Jones
County, TX, DeKalb County, MO, and Crowley County, CO.

Chances are you’re not about to pick up and move to some unknown
place just to find a man.
So how do you cope with the competition and maintain your
treasured girlfriends?

The operative phrase is “treasured girlfriends.”
Your friends should be the most important thing to you.
No man is worth jeopardizing a long-standing, steadfast friendship.
With that said, when you embark upon your man-meeting journey,
the first thing you should do is talk to your girlfriends about it.
Get them involved from the start.
Tell them your plans.
Ask their advice.
Share your experiences – within reason, of course.
Maybe one or two will even join you in your project, and you can giggle,
commiserate, and support one another in your efforts.

The beginning stages are not where the trouble usually begins.
It’s later, when one of you begins to develop a relationship with the
opposite species and the other one doesn’t.
Let’s say you are hitting it off with this hot guy – you want to spend
more and more time with him.
Where does that leave your friend?
Not to say you shouldn’t nurture this new relationship, but there’s this
concept of cherishing the old that you need to remember.
The crux of it is, spend time with your new man, but not to the exclusion
of everyone else in your life.

It will be good for your relationship for you now to be so totally available.
Now for another aspect of the sisterhood situation: not every woman
in the world is your best friend, right?
What I’m getting at here is the competition for men can get pretty
cutthroat among women who will do anything to get a man.
And “anything” includes cutting down or otherwise hurting any perceived
threat from her own sex.
You know the type: she butts right into a conversation you’re having
with a cool guy and elbows you right out of the scene.
She is rude to you in front of a group of people, and then laughs after
saying something cruel and hurtful.
She calls your current heart throb and tells him some lie so that he cancels your next date, and the one after that, and — you get the picture.
This woman is the original Black Widow – how do you handle her?

You don’t.
It’s unfortunate, because I know you really liked that hot fellow,
but going up against her is just going to make you look bad.
She is an expert in manipulation, in making things look like they’re not,
or vice versa.
So if you go up against a Black Widow, I advise you to cut your loss and
walk away.
True, this might be a wretchedly heartbreaking alternative, but look at
it this way.

Frost etches the windowpanes and snow covers un-raked leaves.
The heat is off until spring cleanup.
But the heat is ON for holiday gift-giving!What in the world do you get for that new guy who sends your heart a
pitter and a patter?

Here are a few different suggestions to raise his eyebrow in surprise
and admiration for your creativity and cleverness.

You’ve only talked to him on the phone or through instant message,
but you think there is real potential, try these:

1. An e- or snail mail greeting card, but make it light and funny.
   Try designing it yourself, or rely on standbys such as Yahoo
   Greetings or Blue Mountain
2. An IOU for a visit to the local zoo or to the nearby ice cream stand
3. An invite to join you watch the planes land and takeoff at the airport.You bring the popcorn.

You’ve met face-to-face once or twice. How about:

1. Disposable camera and invite to the flower show when it hits town
   in February
2. Marbles in a glass jar with a challenge for an old-fashioned
   marble game
3. Similarly, a set of jacks promising a package of red licorice
   if he wins!

It’s been three or more times that you’ve hung out, and the chemistry
has definitely activated. Thinking about:

1. Going green: in his name, Adopt an Acre of Costa Rican rainforest or Rescue a Reef by contributing to the cause of salvaging
   the world’s coral reefs:
   http://support.nature.org/site/PageServer?pagename=
   holidaygiving_hgg&gclid=CO7Qn5rfjpACFShsGgod4WsTug
2. Basket filled with old fashioned deck of cards, packets of popcorn,
   bottle of fine wine, and a challenge for a Gin Rummy tournament
3. Small palm tree, and in a picnic basket: Bob Marley CD, pina colada
   mix, fresh pineapple slices, a mango, jar of macadamia nuts, and a
   loaf of homemade coconut banana bread.

So ladies, there are a few ideas to boil the water in the cauldron and delight that man in your life.

Happy Holidays and my warmest wishes

So you say to yourself, it’s hopeless,
I’ve tried everything, men are another species, I do not understand them.

Many, many, many women say the same things, and many have even given up on the dating scene altogether.

Do me a favor: don’t give up.
Read on and see if what I’m about to say doesn’t change your dating acumen forever.

Now ladies, the operative idea is this:
context is everything.

What the heck does that mean?
It means this.
When you embark upon your dating journey, you are to approach it from the standpoint of being in control.
You are to do this:

1. Keep the focus on you.
   This is YOUR game, not his.You are out to judge him, see if he’s good enough, determine whether you’re interested.You are not, repeat NOT to feel insecure or otherwise worried about what he thinks of you.
2. Ask questions.
   Forget what everyone has told you about not asking a man questions.You need information; therefore, you need to ask questions.But do just that – get information.And whatever you do, don’t ask questions like a district attorney.
   Determine what information you need to have, and then formulate your questions in a cute and funny way!
3. Don’t have an alternative agenda.
   This is hard to explain, but the crux of it is that many women enter opposite sex encounters “wanting” or “expecting” something.
   Men feel this and it’s scary.
   Just enter the encounter with no expectations or hopes, and think of it as strictly an information gathering session.
4. Don’t have an alternative agenda.
   This is hard to explain, but the crux of it is that many women enter opposite sex encounters “wanting” or “expecting” something.Men feel this and it’s scary.Just enter the encounter with no expectations or hopes, and think of it as strictly an information gathering session.
5. Listen. Listen to what he says.
   Smile and nod.Don’t react, respond, or otherwise show judgment.Accept his answers at face value and be done with it.

Now, two more things:
first, I want you to meditate on what I’ve just said.
Go find a quiet corner and assimilate these ideas into your consciousness
Second, get yourself into a situation where you can practice these techniques and gather information.

The Potential of Conflict:
Using Conflict to Strengthen Your Relationships

Many of us have it in our heads that conflict with members of the opposite sex is a bad thing.
After all, we women are supposed to be demure, accommodating, and agreeable in order to be attractive, desirable, and appealing to men.

Read More . . .