A Closer Look at Pigeon Forge Real Estate

Those looking to invest in real estate should not overlook Pigeon Forge, TN. Though the 2000 census estimates the number of permanent Pigeon Forge residents at just over 5,000, the population during the popular summer months can soar to tens of thousands. Pigeon Forge has doubled in the last 25 years, and the real estate business is booming.

A great number of people who buy Pigeon Forge real estate do so in order to rent out the property during the busy tourist season. Cabins of all sizes are always being bought and sold, with some going for as much as $500,000. Savvy investors can make their money back in just a few short years by putting the property up for rent.

Pigeon Forge is located in a prime area for real estate. It is located within minutes of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and lots of Pigeon Forge real estate has views of the beautiful mountains and of the Little Pigeon River. Pigeon Forge real estate is a great investment for investors or for nature lovers who want to live close to a stunningly majestic national park.

Since the value of Pigeon Forge real estate is constantly rising, many investors buy empty plots of land and simply resell the land in a few years for a huge profit. Prices vary drastically for lots depending on their size and location, going from $15,000 for a few acres to over a million and a half dollars for some prime lots.

Pigeon Forge real estate is a sure-fire investment and can be a beautiful place to live. People looking to make money or relocate to a scenic region are advised to check out Pigeon Forge.

Pigeon Forge Cabins Info provides detailed information on Pigeon Forge cabin rentals, chalets, hotels, motels, campgrounds, vacation packages, attractions, restaurants, real estate, and more. Pigeon Forge Cabins Info is the sister site of Gatlinburg Cabins Web.

Esoteric & Occult Secrets

To understand the nature of esoteric and occult secrets it is worthwhile looking at origin of the words esoteric and occult. Esoteric derives from the Greek word esoterikos, from the root word eso, 'within' . The word occult derives from the Latin words occulere, 'conceal' and occultus, 'secret' . Both of these words, esoteric and occult, are used to describe the study of arcane wisdom, the spiritual mysteries, and magical and hermetic philosophies.

'Secrets' often form the basis of many mystery schools, occult organisations, and magical groups. Often there are various oaths and obligations a student or member is expected to undertake and uphold, even if they end their association with the group or philosophy. There was, and still is, often said to be a punishment for revealing of the 'secrets' to non-members, sometimes to be enforced by members of the group or perhaps via karmic laws or self-inflicted punishment of guardian of one's own soul.

The safeguarding of 'secrets' by groups often forms a control structure that is designed and enforced via a hierarchy. Perhaps it is solely at the discretion of a group's leader, or perhaps via a council, committee, or members of a certain rank or grade.

There may be many reasons given for the control of such information, such that it is incredibly powerful, dangerous in the wrong hands, or that it will not be understood, abused, or ridiculed by non-occultists. There even may just be some emphasis on the importance of keeping secrets, maintaining oaths and obligations, or working out of sight (as is the essence of occult). Generally what it boils down to though is control, with the leader or leadership seeking to control who can and who can't learn the so-called 'secrets' peculiar to their system. I would even go as far as saying that for some groups or ideologies, the careful controlling of 'secrets' is to cover up the lack of true wisdom and understanding.

I am not suggesting that these groups don't have knowledge that they closely guard and keep secret. However, I do call into question the occult and esoteric nature of these 'secrets'. The can keep knowledge hidden, and call it a 'secret'. They can maintain that it is wisdom, and claim that a person needs a certain amount of understanding to understand and safely or correctly use the information, concept or technique.

Knowledge can be gained others; individuals, groups, books, etc. There is no doubt about that. The modern Information Age has seen a proliferation of philosophic, hermetic, magical and religious texts either via books or in more modern times via the Internet. All manner of once secret information has now been revealed, and is easily obtainable by anyone with access to a search engine. Sometimes various control mechanisms have been invoked to have 'secrets' removed from the web pages, even to the point of lawsuits to target those who revealed the information.

Some will argue that these groups have the right to control their knowledge, their information, and only reveal it to those they deem worthy of it. Perhaps it is their right to attempt to control information they are in possession of. I would like to suggest that all the energy put into controlling and maintaining secrecy is pointless and doesn't really assist in understanding and wisdom of esoteric and occult concepts. Further, I would like to suggest that true occult and esoteric secrets cannot be revealed ? they must be experienced, thereby making the revelation of the information portion of a 'secret' relatively useless to someone who has no context for the information.

True 'secrets' tend to be of a personal nature gained by experiences, intuition, and revelations from the Higher Self. Esoteric secrets are the secrets within. Occult secrets are hidden deep within our psyche. Gnothi Seauton (Know Thyself) of the ancient Greek's gives us an indication that knowledge of the Self is a central part to learning the Mysteries. It is only via our Self that we can access our Higher Self ? the part of us that is described as being of a higher dimension, metaphorically described as higher or deeper within our psyche.

It is the Self and the Higher Self that are ultimately the holders of all our personal 'secrets' of occult and esoteric wisdom and understanding. As our Higher Self contains the blueprint for our life's purpose there is nothing we cannot learn from our Higher Self that we need to know, if we need to know it. Seeking out knowledge for the sake of hoarding it doesn't help us unfold our life's purpose. By spending time and energy maintaining and controlling 'secret' knowledge we are likewise wasting time and energy that could be better put to use in living our life, exploring our purpose, and continuing our journey and evolution.

Another important point, I believe, is that due to the individual nature of our personal journey, knowledge that is a revelation to us, revealed via our Higher Self, may have little importance to someone else's path and journey. It is more important for them to learn and understand how to arrive at their own conclusions, their own wisdom and understanding, and essentially their own secrets about their purpose in life. This aspect breaks down control structures, disempowering hierarchies and empowering the individual. It is a 'feature' of true wisdom that it cannot actually be controlled. Control is part of the polarities of the physical world where someone can have power and disempower someone else. Once wisdom and understanding are actually achieved, the true 'secret' can be synthesised from this. I believe that this true 'secret' or 'truth' will be easy to recognise within our own psyche (the inner world), as well as an applicable principle present and observable within the external world ? as above, so below.

Once someone is familiar with the process of learning from their Higher Self they no longer require other's to reveal secret knowledge to them. The source of all their wisdom is easily accessible and the truth of the 'secrets' can easily be demonstrated or observed, both internally and externally. Others may well know the truths, secrets, and principles already, and they may carefully guard those secrets and control who can and who cannot be told them. If the secrets are universal principles and not only relevant to an individual then it is completely pointless wasting energy on concealing them, as they are already concealed from those who do not currently understand how to discover them for themselves. If the 'secret' is of an individual nature, only of use to that individual's purpose and journey, then it is likewise a waste to conceal the secret from other's, as other's cannot benefit from the knowledge anyway.

This is not to say that there is any point, or need, to reveal to all and sundry what knowledge, wisdom and understanding one finds from the esoteric and occult secrets revealed by their Higher Self. One can work in silence, in the background, without any effort to maintain secrecy, unless secrecy is actually necessary and needs to be maintained for a particular part of one's journey. If you are following your life's path, or at least attempting to follow the guidance of your Higher Self then the need for control is gone. Secrecy will be maintained if secrecy needs to be maintained, because that is what your Higher Self will provide for you. There is unlikely to be a struggle, unless there are particular lessons contained in the experience of that struggle that you need to learn.

You can read further article on esoteric knowledge on my website at http://www.magicalpath.net/.

What Successful Sellers Know - Others Dont ... The Subtle Art of Closing

Ask any salesperson, "At what point in the selling process does the 'Close' take place?" Eight out of ten will answer, "at the End". To be fair, they are not totally incorrect but they are, nevertheless, more wrong than right proving in principle and in practice, Perado's Law: Twenty percent of the sales force make eighty percent of the sales and profitability.

The questions that should then be asked are, "Why it is so many professional sellers have it wrong?" and, "What is right?"

For decades salespeople were [and still are] taught certain accepted selling fundamentals; the best being Dale Carnegie's 5-Steps to a Sale: Attention, Interest, Conviction, Desire and Close. Perhaps a little ahead of his peers, Carnegie's formula has certainly stood the test of time and continues to work. On the other hand, selling, like so many other disciplines, has many subtle layers that color the process, especially as it relates to the Close and like the 1/100th of a second that can separate a Gold Metal winner from Silver, the outcome in sales is equally dramatic.

The 'No Close' Know-Nots!

The last couple of decades spawned some major changes regarding how sellers were to sell and redefined some of the rules of engagement. It also produced new selling gurus convinced in theory that the 'Art of Closing' was no longer in fashion. Things like their new Funnel approach all but eliminated the need to understand and hone closing techniques of any kind. History demonstrates that convincing though they were, in practice, they were dead wrong.

Regardless of whether one is selling pens, mufflers, computers or airplanes, customers still possess an innate psychological need to have what is often a new direction [the decision to buy] validated. Asking for the order and reaffirming the decision-to-buy a good one, does this and yes, it takes place at the end of the selling encounter. Not surprisingly, however, what transpires at the 'Front-End' of the sale - the point successful sellers know the art of the close actually takes place - is what allows this process to transpire.

From another perspective, we can draw parallels of closing-strategies to that of the last war in Iraq. Long before the firing of the first bullet or cruse missile launch, specially trained soldiers [Special Ops] had already been in Iraq for months covertly uncovering strategic information to send back to the invasion architects.

War experts agree and it's been well documented, the job the US and British Special Ops did was so exceptional it all but captured victory before the war in the Middle East ever took place. Interestingly, those who have read Tzu Sun's book The Art of War, would understand the uncanny parallels of the Iraqi campaign to his conflict strategies - conscious too of how he [Tzu Sun] would have certainly been impressed.

What, though, should we glean from this example? An overview of the battle strategy for the Iraq war clearly demonstrates the success of the campaign was front-end loaded: first understand the enemy. Learn its strengths, weaknesses. Uncover - ahead of time - what challenges may be faced. Then and only then, develop 'Practiced Strategies' expressly designed to overcome any such resistance. Simply put, the Iraq war was won in the quality of its Preparation - in keeping with Tzu Sun's mantra: The war is already over before the enemy believes it has even begun.

Drawing our parallels from this to selling, customers, although not our enemy, nevertheless put forward unique challenges [real or otherwise] requiring first, an intimate and compassionate understanding of their needs BEFORE the implementation of a strategy/process using proven/practiced skills designed to garner customer Trust, Rapport and Satisfaction [the Close] ever takes place.

The Bottom Line:

Successful sellers continue to hone their closing skills ever mindful of the importance closing and the 'Ability to Close' has to the success of the sale. The difference for them, however, is they see the art of closing from a point most others can only see through their rearview mirror.

About The Author

Paul Shearstone aka The 'Pragmatic Persuasionist' is one of North America's foremost experts on Sales and Persuasion. An International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation, Corporate Ethics, / Time & Stress Management Specialist, Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs, motivates and entertains. To comment on this article or to book the Pragmatic Persuasionist for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 or 1-866-855-4590.

www.success150.com or paul@success150.com.

A Managers PR Paradigm

If you manage a department, division or subsidiary for a business, non-profit or association, your primary public relations model probably should read this way: people act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired- action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization the most, the public relations mission is accomplished.

Properly executed, this comprehensive blueprint will help you persuade your key external stakeholders to your way of thinking, then move them to take actions that lead to your unit's success.

And, as you move the emphasis of the public relations crew assigned to your operation from communications tactics to the model outlined above, YOU move ever closer to personal success as a unit manager.

Here's why. The blueprint demands of you a sharper focus on the very groups of outside people who play a major role in just how successful a manager you will be ? your key external audiences.

Like most managerial initiatives you implement, your new public relations blueprint also will require aggressive execution.

So, sit down with your PR people and explore why it's so important to know how your operation is perceived by those target audience members. Make certain everyone around the table understands (and accepts) the reality that those perceptions just about always result in predictable behaviors that help or hinder your operation.

Which is precisely why your team will need to interact with your key target audience and ask a number of questions as part of this initial perception monitoring session. "What do you know, if anything, about our services, products or people? Have you ever made contact with us? Was it a positive experience? Do You have any problems with our organization?

You can always retain a professional survey firm to gather these data for you but that can be expensive. Remember that your public relations people are already in the perception and behavior business and can certainly handle this vital assignment.

Regardless of who handles perception monitoring among target audience members, it's crucial to be on alert for misconceptions, inaccuracies, false assumptions, untruths and, especially, unfounded rumors.

The reason is, the perception data you gather will form the basis of your public relations goal, which can be quite direct such as fix that inaccuracy, correct that untruth, or clarify that misconception.

At this point, you need a strategy to tell you how you're going to achieve that goal. Where matters of perception and opinion are concerned, there are really just three strategy choices: create perception where there isn't any, change existing opinion/perception, or reinforce it. But try to size your strategy choice to fit your new public relations goal.

Now, if you're to actually alter hurtful perceptions among members of your target audience, you need to prepare a message that is not only compelling in its presentation, but completely believable. And it must be crystal clear, factual and persuasive if it is to move opinion in your direction and lead to those behaviors you desire.

Now, when it comes to communication tactics to carry your message to the eyes and ears of your target audience, you're in luck. There are dozens of tactics available to do the job for you. Everything from speeches, newsletters and brochures to emails, open houses and customer briefings. But keep in mind that you must insure that the tactics you choose have a good record for reaching people just like the members of your target audience.

To show management that progress towards your goal is actually happening, you will have to duplicate the earlier perception monitoring interaction among target audience members. This time, however, you and your PR people will be watching carefully for signs that the offending perception is being altered, AND in your direction.

Happily, there's one more option open to you ? you can speed up the process by adding more communications tactics to the mix, AND increasing their frequencies.

Best part about this particular blueprint is that it will help you ramp up your public relations effort in a way that let's you pursue the behavior changes you really need if you are to achieve your unit's operating objectives.

About The Author

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com

Handling Failure -- Teaching Kids How to Profit From It

There is nothing pleasant about failure, at least not at the time that it happens! Failure embarrasses us, feels bad, and often costs us money. Little wonder that people avoid failure like the plague.

As parents, we unwittingly pass on the message to our kids that it is bad to go wrong or fail. Teachers punish pupils directly or indirectly, for making mistakes. Their peers never let them live it down. Friends and loved ones try to discourage us from venturing into the unknown, all for the fear of making mistakes and failing. In the final analysis, we have become a people who think we are "better safe than sorry." We become "once bitten, twice shy."

However, failure can be a blessing in disguise. Through it we can learn what doesn't work. Then we can find what does. Failure is a much better teacher than success. Success makes our heads swell; failure makes us stop, look and listen. If we add "Learn" to this sequence, then failure becomes the first step to success. Stop-Look-Listen-Learn; that's the way to profit from failure.

The role of failure is expressed in these words of wisdom:

I've missed more than nine thousand shots in my career. I've lost almost three hundred games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. -Michael Jordan

Failure is an absolute pre-requisite for success. You learn to succeed by failing. -Brian Tracy

Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent. -Marilyn Vos Savant

I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed? and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep on trying. -Tom Hopkins

If we give our kids the right perspective on failure, that it can be a spring board to success and not a hindrance, then we will prepare them to handle the real world out there, where nothing good comes easy. We will teach them to build realistic expectations ? that success does not come easy, that winning comes from losing and learning, that when we lose, we must learn from our losses, and you cannot get success without first failing.

Practical examples

Here are some "failure scenarios" and ways that we can teach our kids to learn from failure:

Scenario 1: He spills his food all over the floor.

Lesson: We show him where he went wrong (wasn't looking where he was going, ran instead of walked etc) and how to do it better next time to avoid the spill. We express confidence that he can do it properly in future and praise him when he does. Now he knows how to avoid the mistake, and has the self-confidence to keep on trying till he can do it right.

Scenario 2: She gets her sums wrong.

Lesson: We show her where she went wrong, and the right way to do them, as often as it takes her to get them right without help. We give her more sums to re-enforce the learning. We express confidence that she can get them right next time, and praise her when she does. This way, we provide an atmosphere where it is safe to keep on trying, because if she "fails" she will be helped and not ridiculed. She learns that it is OK to try and fail, because you can keep on trying till you succeed. And you will succeed, if you don't give up.

Scenario 3: He loses his job

Lesson: We analyze the situation together, identifying where he went wrong and what he could have done to achieve better results. We express confidence that he will get it right next time, and praise him when he does. The support he receives boosts his self-confidence. Self-confidence strengthens the resolve to keep on till you win.

Scenario 4: She gets pregnant

Lesson: We talk about the choices we make and having to bear the consequences. We discuss how this will affect her life. We may express disappointment, but also show her that we love her and are there for her. We discuss plans for the baby, and preventing a re-occurrence of this situation. Supporting her through this trying time tells her that she is valued by you, even though she has failed you. Show her that you expect her to make wiser choices in future, and that you believe that she can. This way you boost her self-esteem and strengthen her resolve to be more responsible in future.

While you may not agree with some of these recommendations, please note that the focus is on making a learning experience of the situation. It is important to teach children not to be afraid to make mistakes (though we do not plan to make them!). Rather, when failure does happen it's a sign that our strategies aren't working and it's time to make a change.

Adults all around the world spend huge sums of money on personal development seminars, trying to get rid of the fear of failure. But you can give your children an edge; give them those success lessons right now!

Failing does not make us failures. It is failing to learn from failure that undoes us. We must teach our kids that failure is the first part of success. The sooner you learn all the things that don't work, the sooner you learn what does. And that means success, by learning from failure and winning!

Copyright 2005 Oma Edoja

This article may be reproduced but only if left as is, with the writer's resource box below, accompanying it.

Oma Edoja is a published writer, motivational speaker and infopreneur. She works with adults and teens, helping them set goals, overcome obstacles and move forward. She is also a mother and former schoolteacher. Please visit Oma's motivational blog http://omaslounge.blogspot.com and her parenting blog http://theparentingmix.blogspot.com for more useful tips and resources.

Camera Cell Phone Sprint

Camera cell phone by Sprint ? offer with a service plan.

Camera cell phone by Sprint offer is just an example of many types of camera cell phones offered by service providers like Sprint PCS, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Cingular Wireless, and many more. Camera Cell Phone by Sprint can be purchased when you sign up for the cellular phone service plan offered by Sprint. Sprint allows you to use a variety of camera cellular phones and has many different service plans from which you can select the one that is right for you.

Camera cell phone by Sprint ? promotions.

Make sure you look for promotions when you sign up for a cellular service plan. Example of the promotions that are offered by Sprint could be a discount on purchase of Camera Cell Phone by Sprint, extra minutes of free talk time, and many more.

Camera cell phone by Sprint - Sanyo SCP-5300.

The Sanyo SCP-5300 is an example of the Sanyo camera cell phone by Sprint. This camera cell phone has many important features which include but are not limited to camera, web browser, color LCD screen with 65000 colors, and games. This cellular phone is stylish and has a very nice design. It offers polyphonic sounds/ring tones, which sounds very realistic, like real music. The built-in camera allows you to make VGA photos, allows you to zoom, and offers a built-in flash. You can send the pictures that you took with this camera cell phone by Sprint to anyone on your list of friends.

The Sanyo SCP-5300 camera cell phone by Sprint uses this service provider's 3G data network. This network is fast and reliable. You can use this cellular phone to browse the internet, check email, download pictures, ring tones, games, wall papers, etc. Additional games can be downloaded to your phone and you can enjoy playing them on the 65000 color LCD screen, thus enjoy a great quality entertainment.

Visit http://www.camera-cell-phones-2u.com

A Heavenly Wedding - Courtesy Wedding Loans

You always dreamt of walking down the aisle in style. Marriage for you meant including all pomp and show. Marriage, like for many others, is a time to show off your standing in the society. The personal resources being deficient to meet the requirements of the wedding, you are even ready to take high interest debts.

But, have you ever thought about the life after the marriage? Is your marriage to stand on the pillars of debts from day one? With such high interest debts, will you be able to enjoy the married life? There are many simple joys that the newly wed couple are exposed to after marriage. With the narrowing down of the finances, it becomes difficult to enjoy such moments and may even lead to breakage in marriages. Wedding loans can however cause a drastic change in the scene.

The dwindling finances after marriages can happen to any person, whatsoever be his financial status. However, certain important steps taken before marriage can save you from being one of them. The planning to finance the weddings must start from the very beginning. This however, does not mean thinking more of the finance than your spouse. Wedding finance will need decision on some important points. Difference of approach between the couple must be welcome so as to be aware of all aspects of the case.

The very first decision will be regarding the budget of the wedding. The ultimate burden of the heavy expenditure on wedding will have to be borne by the couple. They can either hold a modest wedding and have enough savings for the life time, or conduct an elegant wedding with no savings to fall back on in cases of emergencies. Listing down the expenses as necessary, unnecessary but desired, and completely unnecessary will be helpful. The classification of the items to the various sub-categories must however be a unanimous decision, to avoid any ill-will.

Once the decision on the budget is made, the borrowers will be thrown into a dilemma as to use the personal resources or wedding loans. Both have equally strong advantages to attract decision in their favour. The personal resources put no obligation on the individual. He can get an easy finance without having to pay towards any extra cost. But, it can severely limit the marriage plans because of its limited stature. Credit finance can be helpful in this case. There is no limit to the amount that one can qualify for wedding loans, provided they fulfil the criteria regarding income, collateral, or credit history. These are easily available through banks and financial institutions.

Wedding loans however need to be distinguished from the high interest debts that people take from the high street lenders in haste. Wedding loans are comparatively cheaper because of the low rate of interest. A wedding loan offers more flexibility than a high interest debt. Borrowers may choose the interest to be charged in the manner they desire. High street lenders, on the other hand may try to force their terms on the borrowers. The repayments to the high street debts could become burdensome and expensive. The repayments to a wedding loan on the other hand, are decided by the borrowers himself.

If deciding the finance option was difficult, selecting the lender will be much more difficult. Had the offers of all lenders been similar, the borrower would have been rid of time taken in the selection process. But, they are not. Except for a few basic features, each lender has a different offering. Borrowers need to be alert to escape the trap laid down by the overcharging lenders. Because of the interest rate being dependant on so many factors, lenders get an excuse to peg the interest rates high. Groundwork for the wedding loan in the form of an appropriate lender will have to be prepared beforehand.

The search process has been simplified substantially because of the loan providers employing the internet to advertise and market their financial products. Though the personal visit to the lenders will be ever-necessary, online search can heavily lower the list of loan providers. Given a chance, no loan provider would talk modestly about his services. It will be through the intuitive powers inherent in an individual that he will be able to make a distinction between hollow promises and promises meant to be kept.

The approval of wedding loans may be time taking. However, the time taken will vary with the lenders and the individual case factors. Borrowers must provide for this time period. Borrowers must take all steps from their side to speed up the approval process. Online application and keeping all documents in place will include such steps.

So, what are you waiting for? Did the lack of funds force you to stall the wedding plans to the next year? With a wedding loan to finance your wedding, your dream of a memorable wedding can really come true.

Andrew baker has done his masters in finance from CPIT. He is engaged in providing free, professional, and independent advice to the residents of the UK.He works for the Secured loan web site ukfinance world for any type of uk secured and unsecured loan please visit http://www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk

A Childs Plight

In the streets of Bogot?, a child - named Simon* - wanders amidst the crowd. He is a lonely soul, lost in the multitude, forgotten by humanity, rejected by his society.

He looks like any other child. His eyes are full of dreams and hope. Yet, at the tender age of 10, he knows of hunger and distress. He knows of violence, terror and cold, but most of all . . . he knows of loneliness.

He is "nobody" to many, and only "someone" to himself. He has no parents to protect him. He has no home to shelter him. He has no place to belong.

As he walks down the busy streets, his hopeful eyes look for a place to sleep tonight. Will it be that corner? or Will it be that bench? Perhaps, it will be a lonely alley, as lonely as himself. He knows sooner or later he'll find the right place, where he might sleep safely in company of his street friends. If he could only ignore the stomach cramps tearing his inside! What he found in the trash just wasn't enough!

His little mind reminds him of his fellows in the streets. Six of them were lately found shot to death in a ditch. Will he end up like them or will he someday find that kind, caring hand that might save his life? If only there were someone to turn to, someone daring enough to care about children who, just like him, are innocent victims of human cruelty and pride. They are children their social system has forgotten, leaving them stranded to their own tragic fate . . .

"But, enough of this reality!" - he murmurs to himself. Another night has come. He gathers with other homeless kids who - like him - are children of the streets. They are the closest to a family he has ever had; the only human warmth he has ever known. They all share the same fears, the same dreams and pain. Rejection and neglect from those entrusted with their care brought them together and forced them to survive on their own. They try to keep warm and soothe their hunger pangs by sniffing toxic fumes from some type of imported glue. Every sniff kills a cell in their tender, yet still growing brain. Together, they will try to keep awake until exhaustion forces them to doze off.

They go to sleep praying, asking the night to shelter them from the big man and his gun. It is just all part of their struggle, their struggle to survive. For, although they are nobody to most, they are someone to themselves. They have nowhere to turn . . .

Soon exhaustion takes it toll. Simon lays his little body on the cold cemented pavement and promptly begins to dream. In his dreams he escapes to another world, a different reality where he no longer wanders lonely in the streets. He dreams of a hot homemade meal he shares with loving parents. They keep him safe and make him feel complete. A mother and a father who care! What would it be like to have them in his life? What would his life be like if he had people who care about him?

In the streets of Bogot? a small child has died tonight. His friends called him Simon. While he was dreaming of loving parents and a safe home, the big man came. Hidden by the dark and with no hesitation, he took this little boy's life with the cold metallic sound of his merciless firing gun. He threw the boy's body into the nearest dumpster. Thus, reflecting how most people in his society perceive the life of little boys like him to be worth. He dreams no more. He no longer seeks that loving, caring hand reaching out for him; the only hope he had for a fair chance in life. Author's Note

As we go to sleep tonight, another child will lie down on that same spot other homeless children before him had until they ended up with a bullet in their heart. This child will also dream the same old dreams they all shared. He will shelter that same hope; trying to forget his life's daily nightmare. In the streets of Bogot?, a child will silently cry himself to sleep tonight wishing that people like you and me could bring hope into his life.

Although most homeless children worldwide do not suffer the same fate, they too have to face many dangers trying to survive in the streets. You can make the difference in a homeless child's life now, especially Tsunami orphans in Asia, by making him/her a "someone" in your life. Get in touch with your local community action centers, the red cross or, homeless shelters and "adopt" a child, officially or figuratively. Don't just give money! Get involved in that child's life, mentor him or her, let the child know through your loving care and concern that he or she is a "somebody" to many. Don't just "remember" these children for the holidays; they need our tender-loving care year around. No child in the world should be all alone to face life. Children are our world's greatest treasure and hope.

*Simon is a factual-based fictional child inspired by a 1991 World Vision documentary about the fate of homeless children in Bogota, Colombia, at the time. The children's plight deeply moved me and led me to write this piece I now share with you.

Copyright 1991 - 2005 Barbara Hidalgo aka SoulfulWriter. All rights reserved. Barbara is an essayist, poet, editor and publisher with a background in broadcast journalism. She is dedicated to writing thought-provoking pieces and assisting new authors with their craft. Visit Soulful Writers' Publications for more of hers and other authors' work under "Connections."

10 Fishing Gems

Fishing Gem #1 ? When Is Best?

If you are in a boat and plan to anchor and bottom fish, get out there before the sun goes down and set up .

Over many years, it has been noticed that a good bite usually starts 2 hours before sunrise. Use an alarm clock to make sure you don't miss it!

You want to be set up and ready to wet-bait a half hour before the sun sets. Anchoring and cooking needs to be done prior to the sunset. Cooking while evening fishing can be hazardous and spills may occur!

One of the reasons to be all set up at least 30 minutes before dark is that there is usually a minor bite ? hour before or after either sunrise or sunset. Typically they feed shallower during this minor bite ? about 30 feet down in many cases.

Remember, on most bodies of water, the remaining minutes at twilight can be absolutely magical for fishermen.

Fishing Gem #2 ? Go Towards The Light!

For good fast action (in either saltwater or freshwater), try to fish around piers with lights on the end of them. Most successful night fishing excursions occur around lights on buoys or piers.

Fishing Gem #3 ? Can't Forget The Stream Fishermen!

Brown trout are so active after dark that it sometimes is possible to fish in just one pool and, in a good stream, take one trout after another. Use very large dry flies, oversized streamers, wet flies, and nymphs. The larger flies are easier for night-feeding trout to locate. You should fish them very slowly. With wet and streamer flies you can leave them suspended in the current near the surface and frequently take trout, although this system would not normally work during the day. Big dry flies can be drawn slowly along the surface of the water in a jerking motion to help attract trout. Some fishermen use small popping bugs when fishing for trout at night.

Fishing Gem #4 ? Things To Know About Hooking Up With Stripers

Most successful Striper fishing excursions occur around lights on buoys or docks in deep water (up to 100 feet!).

There are also reports that Stripers will not go near an area where dead Stripers have been dumped for days. Some believe dead or wounded Striper let off an odor that keeps others away.

In most lakes, you will be more successful using jig heads than hooks and sinkers and Shad are a much more effective bait than anchovies.

Fishing Gem #5 ? Keep That Bait Alive And Kickin'!

One secret to keeping your bait alive while waiting for the sun to set is to paint the inside of your bait tank black. Bait fish will typically swim towards the light, which in daylight would mean they are banging themselves against the sides of your bait tank. Your bait will live much longer if you eliminate daytime light, so they will stay in one place to avoid self-destruction.

Fishing Gem #6 ? Listen Up!

When you fish after dark, always be alert for signs of feeding fish. At night your normally hear feeding fish before you see their swirls or splashes. When you hear a fish break the surface, chuck your lure to the spot as soon as possible. Remember that fish often have trouble locating a lure at night, so make repeated casts to spots you think hold fish.

Fishing Gem #7 ? Deep Water Essential

Under deep-water conditions, you should to use a bait-caster in combination with a long graphite rod that has a lot of backbone. This setup will enable you to move a lot of line and will ensure a solid hook set in the deeper water. In addition, you should also utilize your black light to carefully watch the bow in your line to detect subtle strikes as the bait drops. These tactics will produce when fish are holding to a deep-water pattern and most other areas are not producing.

Fishing Gem #8 ? It Ain't All Peaches And Cream On A Boat!

The possible downsides of night fishing are that you need to limit your group socializing and partying; it just won't work if you want to catch fish. It's also not recommended for young children, and not for more than 2 to a boat, unless the boat is large. If you had to ride out a storm, it would be a bit scarier than in the day. If the fishing is good (which it usually is at night), be willing to alter your sleep patterns.

Fishing Gem #9 ? Lake Fishing Keys To Success

Main lake points offer excellent opportunities to catch fish at night. If the action slows down, come back later and you can catch additional fish from the exact same point.

Colors ranging from red/black, blue/black, green/black to chartreuse/orange seem to work well on all lakes throughout the summer. It is wise to carry a wide assortment of colors, weights, and blade sizes to meet the demands of the fish.

Main lake points and secondary points are key areas that attract fish at night throughout the summer months. Basically, the fish are inactive during the day due to the hot temperatures and will suspend in deep water off of the points. However they will move onto the points at night to ambush schools of baitfish. These locations are fairly easy to locate and can be fished very quickly allowing you to cover a lot of water in a short period of time.

Fishing Gem #10 ? Live-Bait Catching!

Obviously have some bait jigs ready when you need to replenish your stock of live bait on board. For rapid bait catching, the Evening Secret is one of the best solutions, especially at night.

Copyright 2005 EveningSecretFishing.com Fishing

Frank Faldo is a Long-Time Fisherman and friend of EveningSecretFishing (http://www.eveningsecretfishing.com/specialsecret/10_Fishing_Gems.php )

Feel free to use this article on your website or anywhere else - but all links and bio information must remain in tact.

Consolidating Credit Cards

Credit card consolidation is a popular solution for those with significant credit card debt, usually distributed on three or four different cards. Basically, this means putting all your debts together on a single card, like transferring it all to one loan. Of course, the goal is to pick a card that offers better conditions than what you already have, in order not only to simplify, but also to reduce your payments.

Since there are so many offers out there, and lenders fight over your business, you can sometimes find solutions that can save you thousands of dollars per year. If you consolidate your debt to a credit card with low interest and 0% balance transfer, you can save considerably, and pay off your credit sooner (which, of course, is the main goal when dealing with credit card debt).

The most serious mistake people do when consolidating is to go though the entire process just to simplify their accounting, and they don't pay enough attention to how much they could save. Another mistake is to close your zero balance accounts when consolidating. This practically means you close some of your credit options, which is never a good idea.

When you plan to consolidate, call your banks and explain the situation. They want your business, and you'll be surprised how flexible and willing to negotiate they can be, once you explain to them that you have various options available to take your business someplace else.

There are many web sites offering solutions for debt consolidation. However, keep in mind that, while this is a comfortable and fast solution, you don't have the options to negotiate directly with the banks. Also, most often the best offers come from banks that want to keep your business, so make sure you give a change to the banks you've had a long-term relation with. If you're not pleased with the results, take your money elsewhere quickly.

Consolidation is often a necessity for students, new graduates, or people who have filed for bankruptcy some time ago. If you've handled your payments well and managed to clear up your record to a certain degree, there is no need to continue paying more than it's worth for your credit cards. Sit down and go through the numbers carefully, and think analyze the problem realistically. Don't forget to check your credit report and your credit rating before you start anything - it will help you plan and plead your case. Also, if your credit request gets rejected, don't forget to ask for your free copy of the credit report.

Of course, credit card consolidation is not a miracle solution for all your financial problems. On the contrary, you may find that it requires a lot of financial discipline to make the payment on time and to straighten things up. However, it is less confusing than having several small credits, and so it is easier to keep things under control.

There is also the option of getting credit counseling, if things get really confusing. A successful plan will make sure you make the payments on time and regularly, without putting a strain on other aspects of your life. Of course, it's a lengthy process, usually taking one or two years - but it's worth the trouble.

Sometimes, you can lower costs by consolidating your debt through a second mortgage - but be really careful about the hidden costs and problems - you may want to consult with a specialist or two before taking this step. Usually, this means that your home will become collateral, and you may lose it if things go wrong. Also, costs add up quickly and you may end up paying more than you initially thought.

This article has been provided courtesy of Creditor Web. Creditor Web offers great credit card articles available for reprint and other tools to help you search and compare credit card offers.

Quick Tactics To Brand Your Business And Make More Sales

This may come as a surprise... to you, but Branding is more than just Logo and Business or Product Name recognition.

Branding is "The total emotional and intellectual involvement your prospects and customers have with your business and products."

This article addresses 5 basic problems and questions about Branding:

How Are Brands Created ?

=> Branding by "Personal Experience"

This creates the strongest bond between your customers and your business and products.

Your customer service, front and back end offers must be of high quality, in order to create exceptional "Personal Experience". This starts a virtuous cycle.

Exceptional "Personal Experiences" lead to general public and market acclaim spread by word of mouth and other publicity. In turn, this feeds into a still stronger Brand, starting the cycle all over again.

However, always remember it is easier to create a negative Brand than it is to create a positive one, by offering low or poor quality and value products, services and customer support.

=> Branding by "Indirect Experience"

For many direct marketers, "Personal Experience" Branding is difficult and not easily achieved because sales that lead to "Personal Experience" are not easily made !

The "Indirect Experience" strategy relies on creating a consistent, repeating association to the product in your prospects mind.

Marketers use a variety of tactics to achieve this aim.

* Jingles in audio visual media

* Using Slogans

* Advertising through classifieds, display, press releases, and give away products and information.

* Sponsorship of media, cultural, sporting and other events

Brand Building On The Internet - The Issues

The Internet has re-defined Branding models of the past because it has levelled the playing field, for both consumers and businesses.

Prospects and customers are more involved with businesses and products than they were in the past.

Research of products and services, before purchase is easier.

Consumers have so much choice now they are no longer easily "taught" loyalty to a particular Brand.

Consumers are less willing to form bonds or create "loyal" associations with products and businesses.

On the other side of the coin, businesses have much more competition and must be more customer focussed than ever before.

Companies that thrive and stay in business recognise building lasting relationships with existing customers is more profitable, than always trying to find new customers.

A World of stronger consumers who by-pass your direct and indirect experiences with a click of the mouse, is difficult for Brand builders.

On the Internet those that succeed make profits, the rest fail.

The Cost And Value Of A Brand.

Brand building has a cost in time, money and effort.

The cost of Brand building is easily quantified in Dollar terms.

The value of a Brand is harder to establish because it involves measuring emotional and intellectual associations that might not necessarily translate into cash sales.

Not understanding the value, but clearly understanding the cost of Branding, some marketers decide to get round this problem by competing solely on price.

This is a short sighted tactic because it invites "price wars", and if you get involved in a "price war" against an opponent with deeper pockets you are bound to loose.

A better strategy is to compete on high product value and build quality Brand recognition over time.

Brands Are Not Eternal

Brand building is an ongoing Business strategy.

The emotional and intellectual associations and recognition that together make up Brand loyalty wear off if not re-energised frequently.

Brands are subject to fashion, fads and change, and understand recognition is not the same as popularity.

Your market may recognise your Brand, but that may not translate into sales if the association is unfashionable.

The temptation, in such circumstances, is to spend less on Branding, cut prices, or , drop the business line altogether.

These are knee jerk reactions to uncontrollable events when taken in the short term. A measured initial response is to re-invent the Brand, freshen it up and market it to a new generation of consumers.

Many businesses re-invent, and re-brand themselves and go on to achieve new consumer acclaim.

Strategies For Brand Building

Here are a few short to medium term tactical measures you can start using today to kick start your Brand building program.

* Get a professional web site with customised headers, footers and logos - Make your "visitor experiences" happy ones.

* Advertise regularly using paid channels where you can. If money is a problem, use f'ree advertising, but advertise regularly !

* Write useful articles and publish regularly. Invite visits to your site through your resource box.

* Syndicate your articles and build personal name recognition using a tool such as Name Branding Syndicator available from http://www.highprofitsoftware.com/syndicator/

Visit http://www.simplyeasier.com/mbd to see how you can get this tool for F'ree as part of a product bundle.

* Brand your business by associating and complimenting other succesful products - Develop a quality reciprocal link and partnership strategy.

Try products like Zeus (http://www.cyber-robotics.com/) and Arelis (http://www.axandra.com/index.htm) for this tactic.

* Use a good autoresponder service and communicate frequently with your customers and prospects giving useful, and personal information.

There are many good tools for this tactic, but try Getresponse (http://www.getresponse.com) or Aweber (http://www.aweber.com) for a start.

* Use Zip Brander available from Russell Brunson of http://www.zipBrander.com/ to put your products, affiliate programs and other offers in front of your purchasers easily and frequently.

Branding your business and products is a key part of your success strategy.

You want people to associate your business name and products with high quality, and high value.

Successful Brands make money - just ask Microsoft, Levi, Ford, Coke.

Start Branding your business and products today, and generate maximum lifetime customer values.

(c) 2004 Charles Kangethe

About The Author

Charles Kangethe of http://www.simplyeasier.com is a leading new wave Netpreneur and a published author from England. The "Simply Easier" brand name is your guarantee of high value, quality Marketing Products, Services and Resources.

charles@simplyeasier.com

How to Write Ads that Increase Your Business

I caught myself wracking my brain over what kind of article I should write for newspapers that would be useful to business people. It struck me that I was making a solid effort to get into the mind of my target market. It also struck me that this is the biggest mistake most business owners make when designing their own ads. They start listing off their services and are ready to stick their logo front and center before even putting a thought to what their customers really care about.

The first step in creating any advertising, be it a direct mail piece or an email, always has to be to think about what your customer wants. What do they desire? What do they need? Can you solve a problem for them? People all want to know, "what's in it for me?"

This isn't a new concept and I'm sure you've heard it before, but when I look at newspaper ads and listen to the radio, it's evident that few heed this priceless advice. My guess is, it's because it's difficult to do. Difficult, but not impossible. So before you go ahead and spend another grand on your next pamphlet or print ad, use these tips on how to write great advertising.

Eye Catching Headlines Headlines are found in an opening sentence of a sales letter, the subject line in an email, the title of your web pages and in your ads. Since the headline gets one or two seconds, now is your only chance to grab some attention. Grab 'em, and grab 'em good. Headlines have the following characteristics.

- arouse curiosity.

- promise answers to a questions or solutions to a problem.

- show benefits to your potential customer.

- promise to reveal a secret or information that's hard to find.

- create emotional appeal.

- they have to force you to stop what you're doing and read on.

Common headline tricks:

How To, as in - How to Beat your Competitor Every time. Ask a question - Are You Looking for a Computer At Half the Cost?

Wlsh lt was flrmer? Make a Promise - We can help you make your creditors go away. Make a Bold Statement - Attention Worn out Moms!

The easiest headline tricks are the How To's and the Questions. No matter what will work best for you, you have to know who your customer is in order for it to work.

The Rest of your Ad

Make Promise - Most of the time your promise is in your headline. The next portion of your ad has to be to explain what you mean. If you asked them if they're looking for a computer at half the price, you have to tell them how you can do it.

Prove it - You've made the promise, now prove to them why you're the one to fulfill it. Tell them why they should trust you. If you told the you can make their creditors go away, tell them how. Provide testimonials or case studies. Maybe you've got before and after shots. Give them a money back guarantee. Prove to them that they can trust you.

Ask for Action - Spell it out for them. Tell them exactly what you want them to do. Remember, your advertising doesn't do the selling for you. You and your staff do the selling. If you want them to call and make an appointment, tell them that's what you want them to do. If you want them to buy your widgets online, tell them to visit your site. Ads that don't request action don't bring you more customers.

You now have two choices. Continue to advertise as you do, retaining little to no response, or, you can employ these proven advertising methods and begin to see your advertising as an investment, rather than an expense. No matter what you do, you have to think about who your ideal customer is first. If you put them first, they'll appreciate it.

Linda Laforge-Koebel is an advertising professional dedicated to the business success of her clients. To find more resources or to sign up for the Business Booster newsletter visit her at: http://www.CreativeEngineer.com or contact her by email at: linda@creativeengineer.com