Dream Ultra

When your single your always imagining meeting that right person. Come on admit it, we all have our fantasies. We also incorporate our fantasies into our daily lives and imagine meeting that person who gets our heart racing and our palms sweaty at the places we go. While we’re in the gym we think about it. At work we think about it. While driving we’re thinking about it. We think about it a lot!

Certainly while we are sitting at our local coffee shop we look up as someone is coming in and wonder and hope. We hope for that coffee house possibility of meeting that right person. Why not, it could happen and it certainly does! After all you’re not the only one thinking about it, we all are. So that person walking in is hoping for the same thing you are.

To give your possibilities more of a chance try going to the same coffee shop and go at the same time. Most people follow routines and by following one yourself you could see the same person regularly. Regularity creates familiarity creating a sense of comfort, which allows two people to ease into conversation. Try not just picking up your coffee to go, sit and enjoy a refill. After all, there are no possibilities while sipping your mocha café latté driving. In fact, take a hot sip while driving and you might have a different possibility, an accident.

When you see that certain someone that cause your heart to have a little arrhythmia, don’t just freeze, at least smile. Take a chance and even say hello. You never know unless you try. If it goes nowhere don’t worry, the great thing about your coffee house, there is always another person coming in creating endless coffee house possibilities.

So sit enjoy, what’s your rush after all the coffee is good and that next person walking in could be the one you want to meet who wants to meet you, anything is possible at the coffee house!

About The Author- As a life & relationship coach, Devlyn has made helping people find ways to improve their lives his personal mission and passion. He is a public consultant, a private counselor, an author and creator of Tools To Life. He has hosted his own radio shows called “Tools To Life″ and “Love beat″ and has been a guest on over 150 various shows. You can read his articles and advice all over the Internet. Devlyn has often been referred to as “America’s Leading Life-Coach.” For Free E-books and more information visit DevlynSteele.com www.DevlynSteele.com

One of the most fun — and occasionally dreaded — parts of a bridal shower are the games. Although they’re meant to be bonding experiences, bridal shower games aren’t for everyone … and if your gal group meets exclusively for cosmos and indie jazz, you might want to skip them.

But the fact is, bridal shower games serve a purpose. No matter how familiar or unsophisticated they might seem, they still serve as icebreakers. And icebreakers are especially useful if your shower combines guests from different walks of life. A shower might toss the bride’s work friends together with her hometown friends and a handful of relatives — and these groups probably don’t know each other — but an icebreaker can bring them together (of course, so can a few chilled bottles of Veuve Clicquot).

So if your guest list is a mixed bag of ages, backgrounds, tastes and styles, here are some true-blue games that will bring your shower through with flying colors.

Bridal Shower Bingo

One of the most popular is, of course, Bridal Shower Bingo. To play this game, dream up a list of words for each bingo card that relates to weddings, wedding gifts, the bride herself, or romance. For the cards themselves, arrange a grid of squares in your favorite desktop publisher, placing each word or phrase in its own square. Make the center square “free” (you′re just generous that way). Or just grab some of those no-cost, printable bridal bingo cards from the internet.

Give each guest their own card. Or if you really want to press home the icebreaker effect, get two guests to share one.

Next, print out your word selection with lots of letter spacing so you can cut up the sheet into strips and toss them in a basket.

Finally, have the hostess act as the caller. She’ll pull the words out of the basket and call them out. Once a player gets a complete marked-off line of words, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, she shouts out “Bingo″ (or “Bride”) in return for a prize.

Uncool, you say? Angelina Jolie would never be caught dead playing Bridal Shower Bingo? Maybe, but you’d be surprised how jiggy things get when you turn up the music and start calling out those words. There’s a reason why hundreds of people flock to bingo halls on a weekly basis — it’s freakishly fun. Leave the anthropologists to wonder why, and just roll with it.

Bingo Redux

One of the funniest variations on Bridal Shower Bingo is to give guests blank cards and have them fill it out with predictions of what gifts the bride will get.

Or for another twist, fill your cards with titles of songs relating to love and romance, and then play 10 second snippets from a CD you’ve burned ahead of time. This gives your guests the double challenge of identifying what they’re hearing, and crossing off the titles. Choose a sweet Starbucks-y combo of Cole Porter, Diana Krall, Ray Charles, and obscure Beatles tunes. It’s fun and cool.

Kiss George Clooney

You could also “kiss the groom,” but why not kiss George Clooney instead?

Take a sturdy board, and staple on a men’s shirt and pants combo from the thrift store. Draw in the hands and shoes, and glue on a life-sized printout of George Clooney’s winsome face. Have each guest apply a healthy dose of lipstick. Now blindfold her, turn her around three times, and have her try to kiss George Clooney on the lips. The closest kisser wins a prize (how about an inexpensive autographed photo from the man himself? Try eBay). The rest get to dream.

Lottery Tickets

Fast and simple, not too costly, and who knows? Someone might go home with special memories … to her new penthouse suite. It could happen!

Purse Pursuit

Or try a scavenger hunt — through a purse. In this game, give your guests a list of things you might find in one. Guests mark off items for points as they hunt through their own purses.

Give expected items (aspirin, cosmetics, mints) a few points. Hand out higher points for odder objects (tiny airline liquor bottles, a granola bar, crochet hooks, a Canadian coin). Award really high points for random items that might show up in a purse (a rock, toilet paper, chopsticks).

If all this seems too complicated, weigh each purse and hand out a prize to the heaviest handbag — since a gift certificate to an orthopedic specialist probably won’t fit your budget.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is editor of FavorIdeas. Stop by for continually-updated celebrity wedding news, ideas for a

Your wedding day is going to be perfect. All of the plans are coming together beautifully. Now it is time to decide on personalized wedding favors for your guests. Just as weddings can be anything from simple and informal to elegant and formal, wedding favors can match or compliment any wedding theme.

Thankfully, there are several choices from which to choose when it comes to considering gifts for those special friends and family who are sharing in your special day. You want your wedding favors to be unique, appreciated, and within your budget. Favors for your bridal party and those helping with your wedding
day should be a bit more personal and therefore, might be different for each
person.

Wedding favors for your guests can be something that will evoke fond memories of your wedding day each time they look at it. Examples of personalized wedding favors might be: engraved miniature picture frames with the bride and grooms’ names, crystal goblets or other crystal items, candles, pens, engraved glass coasters, engraved bookmarks, or monogrammed key chains. Wedding favors that are consumable are also popular and appreciated by guests. For example, flavored coffees with an engraved coffee scoop, bath salts, soaps, hot cocoa nestled inside a personalized mug, teas, cookie cutters that match the wedding theme with cookie mix, biscotti or gourmet chocolates in a monogrammed tin.

Other wedding favor ideas might be stainless steel heart shaped ice-cream scoops, silver coffee scoops, place card holders that match the wedding theme, personalized golf balls, bud vases with the bride and groom’s name engraved on them, or bubbles in a plastic or glass container.

If you want to add a personal touch, compose a message to your guests, have it printed in a beautiful script font, and place it in a two-sided picture frame. Place your message in one frame, leaving the other frame blank, so your guests can later add a picture of you, the bride and groom on your wedding day. This will be an especially cherished keepsake.

For those whose budget is a bit smaller, brides can easily create their own
wedding favors with the help of store-bought items. To make inexpensive yet attractive wedding favors, begin with a small container. Tins, mini wire baskets, votive candle holders, or glass jars can hold everything from mints, jellybeans, bath salts, or any small item that would both please your guests and compliment your wedding theme.

Some ideas for unique wedding themes might include using mini terra cotta pots, miniature garden pails or watering cans filled with seedling packets or small flowers for a garden wedding. Birdhouses could also be painted to look like miniature churches complete with the bride and groom’s names and the wedding date. For an elegant wedding, beaded organza bags filled with individually wrapped
chocolates or candies would a nice touch. To add the final touches, use ribbon, beads and a gift tag on each favor. Wedding favors can be store-bought, handmade, or a combination of both. They can be everlastingfavors.com/favors-favor-packaging.html personalized
or more general and compliment any everlastingfavors.com wedding theme No matter what you choose, have fun making those choices that will further enhance your special day and make it memorable.

Alexis Small is the founder of everlastingfavors.com EverlastingFavors.com which
is division of SNSDesigns,Inc. They carry an extensive line of unique favors,accessories,gifts for all occasions and decoration supplies for different events. They offer the most popular bridesmaid and groomsmen gift ideas, such as personalized gifts and key ring for everyone.For more detail information about discounts,new items,service or ideas, make sure to visit the website.

There’s an awful lot of information about the Handfasting ceremony. Libraries carry books on the subject, specialty shops are selling special ribbons and cords for the ceremony itself, and they’re even producing boxes and porringers which are perfect for holding the ribbons. Yet there are some practicalities that make the Handfasting ceremony something of a challenge. How do you handle all those cords or ribbons before, during and after the ceremony?

If you’ve thought about the Handfasting ceremony but decided you know too little about it to go ahead, here’s the practical information you need to make it all happen smoothly and naturally.

1. Cords are easier to handle, so go for those rather than ribbons. However, if you’re only going to have one, it could be anything from a ribbon to an exotic piece of material.

2. If you don’t want them carried in a container by your attendants, place them on the table with the rest of the paraphernalia either hanging across the table, or in a box or bowl.

3. Decide whether you want to use just one cord, or half a dozen.

4. If you use ribbons, you can have them tied, or wrapped around your wrist. If you have cords, you could have a slip knot which can slide up like a noose.

5. Decide who will do the tying – the celebrant or your attendants. If you’re using a number of cords, you could have each one tied by a different attendant – male and female alternately.

6. When the tying is in the process have either the celebrant speak, explaining what each cord stands for, or leave a card for each of the attendants with the cord. Each attendant will pick up the cord and read the words from the card.

7. Have a rehearsal. The whole handfasting ceremony. Begin where the celebrant calls the name of the attendant, the attendant walks to pick up the cord, returns with the cord, ties the couple’s hands, and walks back to his or her place. All the actions should be done slowly and ceremoniously. You might even consider having background music while it’s happening.

8. Inevitably, the cords need to be taken off before the signing of the register. But here’s a thought. Although normally hands are tied crossed – bride’s right hand in groom’s right hand – you might like to consider this. Have only your inside hands tied – that is if the groom is on the bride’s right arm, her right hand, and his left hands are tied. If that happens, instead of removing the cords before the signing, you could continue to be tied during the signing. Probably make great photographs.

9. After the signing you return to where the ceremony began and are introduced as husband and wife. Before that happens, you could make the same ceremony out of the untying, as you did with the tying. Again, everything should be done slowly, and perhaps the celebrant could be saying something then, as s/he did when the tying was taking place.

10. As each cord is untied, it is returned to the place from which the attendant took it in the first place. When the whole wedding party is back in place, the celebrant greets the couple, and invites everyone to come up and give their best wishes to them.

And that says it all.

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant authorized to perform marriage in Australia. She also performs general ceremonies such as Baby Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment Ceremonies. To learn more about Vlady, visit her at weddings-celebrant.com weddings-celebrant.com

This looks like an awkward question. Who will confess that he/she is not lovable? But the truth is that many of us are not lovable at all. Can you imagine of a small kid? A kid is always lovable. Why? If we can answer that question, we will solve the puzzle about whether we are lovable or not?

A kid is innocent. Knows nothing and is totally defenseless. You love a kid, because he/ she wants you to protect him/her. You love a kid because of innocence. You love the kid because of the smiling face. You love the kid because the kid has no malice towards anyone. Does not desire any thing bad for any one. Recognizes no enemies and has faith in everyone. The kid is totally free of all negative emotions. That is why we all love a kid.

How many of us are like that? How many of us keep a smile on our face forever? How many of us are free of negative emotions? Not many. Agreed that we are grown ups and can not be like a kid. But surely we can borrow some good qualities from the kid. How about forgiving everyone? How about not getting angry at all? How about having faith in everyone unless proven otherwise? How about loving everyone? How about stopping judging anyone?

Once we acquire some of these qualities, we will become lovable. Believe me that it is that simple. All of your friends and colleagues will begin liking you more. You will get love from unexpected quarters. You will get your dream darling in a little time, after you transform yourself.

CD Mohatta writes for ecards and online greetings, screensavers and desktop wallpapers. He writes articles on

Online dating is fascinating.

You can meet thousands of available singles that are literally just a click away, seeking love, romance, dating, marriage, friendship – and yes, of course sex. Men and women alike join dating services hoping to make new friends and start new relationships.

But there are some common mistakes ALL people make when using Internet personals – including YOU!

Here are ten common mistakes all people make when dating online. Check out if you are guilty of some of them.

MISTAKE #1 - “Giving it a try”

Most people start using online personals with the attitude “Let me give it a try and see where it goes”. They don’t really think they WILL meet someone – they only HOPE to meet someone. What is the difference? When you “hope” to succeed, you don’t try hard enough – if it works, great, if it does not work, fine, at least I’ve tried. When you think you “will” meet someone, and it does not work, you change something in your approach to online dating to get the results you want.

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t “give it a try” – do your best.

MISTAKE #2 - Hoping “the right person will find you”

Most people don’t pay when post their profiles on online dating sites, which usually means they can receive letters but cannot answer ads of other members. They hope people will be writing to them. If you are an 18-year-old model-type girl, this may work for you. But if you are not, then you shouldn’t hope your dream partner would email you out of blue. You will get much better results if pay for premium membership to the dating site and write to people yourself.

BOTTOM LINE: Contact other people don’t wait for them to contact you.

MISTAKE #3 - Sending one-liners

It’s amazing how many people using online personals send letters of the type “Hi, liked your profile, please see my profile”. If your photo does not impress the other person in an instant, most likely they will just delete your email. Some *might* actually read your profile – and if there is nothing in your profile that impresses them in an instant, then they will also just delete your email.

BOTTOM LINE: Write letters that have some substance in them.

MISTAKE #4 - Sending form letters

I always know when I receive a form letter - always! I am sure you know it too. If there are no personal references in the letter, I know this letter was not written specially for me. No one wants to be one of the crowd. Every person wants to be special!

BOTTOM LINE: Write individual letters for each person you contact.

MISTAKE #5 - Writing boring letters

Many people are guilty of this one. They write about things they want to say and not what the other person wants to hear.

The result: letters that are plain BORING.

Remember: it’s not about YOU – it’s about THEM! Tell them what you liked about their profile so much that you decided to write to them. Some things may be uncertain in their profiles – ask questions and guess the answers. For example, she ticked “Tell you later” in her profile about kids – if she did not have any kids, she would say so. Ask if she has kids and tell her you think she does and that you just love kiddies. A person who actually THINKS and what more – thinks ABOUT HER, it’s indeed something special, and your letter is sure to get noticed. Don’t talk much about yourself in your letter (she can always read your profile) - tell her why you think you will be the right guy for HER. If you do not fit her requirements 100%, tell her why it won’t be a problem. You pride yourself as having great sense of humor? Back up your claim – make her laugh! From the first line, your letter should grab her attention and she should not be able to stop reading till the end. THEN she will be certainly compelled to check your profile on the Internet personals website.

BOTTOM LINE: Write interesting letters – the type of letters you would like to receive.

MISTAKE #6 - Contacting dozens of members at once

Once people pay for their premium membership to the online dating site, they tend to contact dozens of members at once. The reason for that is that they don’t hope to receive much response. STOP for a minute: what are you actually looking for? Most of us are interested to start a relationship with someone special. In fact, all you need is only one person – but the one who is RIGHT for you. Do you really want to correspond with 50 people at a time? Spend more time reading profiles on the site, and then select a precious few that you like the most and write to them. Make sure you get responses from your favorites before contacting other people.

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t contact dozens of people at once – concentrate on the ones you like the most.

MISTAKE #7 - Not following up

Let’s face it: we live in a fast-paced world. We tell people “Let’s get together soon” and forget it in an instant. We send an email, never get a response and lose the contact forever. This is extremely important when using Internet personals: if you do not get a response, follow up. Send another email. Tell them you are waiting for an answer and you want to hear from them even if they are NOT interested. Having somebody who is really interested in you is not very common nowadays. This very fact may convince people to answer you. Check if they are premium members. If they are not, they might have to pay the membership fee before they are allowed to answer your email, and this is the reason why they did not respond. Check the rules of the website before assuming they are not interested.

BOTTOM LINE: Follow up. Make sure there are no technical problems averting your contact.

MISTAKE #8 - Not having a photo in your profile

If you don’t have a picture in your profile, you are missing out on people’s attention great deal. Many great singles, men and women alike, NEVER answer mails from members without photos – leave alone writing to them. If you are concerned about privacy, take a photo where you are in the distance and hardly recognizable, or put on sunglasses. Smiling broadly also changes your face.

BOTTOM LINE: Put a photo in your profile. This is proven to increase your chances up to 10 times.

MISTAKE #9 - Bad body language on the photos

When people look at your photos, they try to figure out what kind of person you are. If you cross your arms of legs, or in any other way “cover” your body on the photos, placing a barrier between you and the viewer, you make them think you are timid, insecure and lack confidence. Use open body language - open palms, arms on the sides of your body – never “covering” it, smile and “look” the viewers in the eyes.

BOTTOM LINE: Check your body language – people make their opinion about your personality by looking at your photos.

MISTAKE #10 - Giving up

You’ve tried this and that and nothing worked, so you give up: “Internet dating just doesn’t work for me”. That’s the biggest mistake of all. What you should do is to use your negative experience and learn WHY it did not work. Look at profiles of other people that attracted you and compare it with your own profile. Try to change your wording. Get a new photo with a happy smile. Try to contact somebody you feel nothing about and see how it goes. Maybe you are just trying too hard? Treat your search for a partner as you would treat the search for a new job: if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Make it your habit to check new listings every day and write to one person. See what works and use it again. Borrow ideas from other people. Just don’t give up!

BOTTOM LINE: Online dating works. All you need to do is to gain experience. Practice makes perfect. Your special person is waiting for you!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elena Solomon is a dating coach.

Her latest book “12 Simple Rules” became #1 ‘Love & Romance’ bestseller in the leading ebook distribution service in just ONE WEEK after the release. It shows you EXACTLY how you can utilize the natural laws of attraction and our in-built sexual strategies to win in the game of love. A special part in the book is devoted to online dating.

Get the UNFAIR ADVANTAGE in the battle of sexes!
12SimpleRules.com/ 12SimpleRules.com/

That glorious figure, spot less face, centre spread picture and promises of eternal happiness. Russian beauties are ruling the virtual dreams market today. There is a beeline to date, meet and marry them. By a conservative estimate, there are approximately seven hundred sites on the internet hosting offers, characteristics and vital statistics of Russian ladies, quoted to become the ideal partner of every willing husband. Google threw up a figure of 1112367 links figuring the term “Russian Brides”. That figure is increasing by the hour. So what is the real picture? Is it just another scam or a pipe dream? Is there any authenticity in the claims made by these sites and published in the print medium? Does the ideal Russian partner exist? It’s a difficult question to get a straight answer for.

The internet is an ideal medium to get to know people living in a remote world. It a medium which has brought the human race closer and has also exposed a number of facets in human relationship which were unexposed. People meet in a virtual world, a virtual environment where they are alone and hopefully no one is prying upon them. They set their identities as per the whims and fancies, live with an imaginary alias and try and attain the perfection which is not available in real life. Out of this behavior of the cyber world, a phenomenon has emerged which has created vibes the world over, especially in the male population exposed to the internet and dating sites. The promise of a beautiful, suave and friendly lady, living in the eastern block of the world, who could be a dutiful housewife, a raunchy partner in bed, a friendly assistant in times of your need; an ideal soul mate. Males approach them via the net. They write lovely letters to each other, increase the frequency of their net meetings, graduate to a physical meeting if they are lucky (which more often they are not), and if all goes well marry and live happily ever after. The ultimate dream of every eligible, or not so eligible bachelor.

Statistics show otherwise. More often the males approach the lady in question after seeing a nice picture on the net, send a few mails to her or maybe her agent (if she exists), open her heart out to her and then express his heartfelt desires. The lady next, requests for some money to travel to the male in question as she is very destitute and from a very poor family (the make up does not suggest that in the centre spread!). The male obliges and loses the money. This then takes the shape of a scam. A scam which is happening as I write this article, as you read it and as people get attracted to such sites.

I must add though that there are a few sites which claim even ISO 9001 certification! I don’t know for what, or from where have they received this certification, but they have it and are thriving in this business. Thus the dream of a Russian bride is as much mired in controversy as the reason behind their success. There must be genuine site on the internet which actually try and help people to come together, make the interaction possible, but they are far outnumbered by the number of scrupulous agents just trying to make a quick buck. This dream might be just a dream

secretstoimpress.com Virginia Beauty and Fashion consultant, Svetlana Polyakova from SecretstoImpress.com specializes in teaching men and women the fine techniques of how to meet to meet that special person, secretstoimpress.com dress to impress, secretstoimpress.com beauty & Fashion tips and etiquette.

Relationships are an important aspect of our life, especially the relationship we have with our spouse. This is precisely why God has given us a most special design for applying into marriage. Gods purpose and plan for us has no flaws and never changes like the culture of society does.

What do you see going on in the world with marriages of today? The divorce rate is going up and up, and the culture is becoming more and more perverted. What do you think is going to happen if people continue to follow what they see in the world as right for their marriage rather than follow what was meant to be for marriage?

I do know that at times it is difficult to follow Gods plan for us, and it seems like we are the only marriage with trials and tribulations, but all relationships experience problems from time to time. Unfortunately, most of the quandaries of marriage never get resolved properly because couples just don’t have the determination to fix the marriage.

No doubt about it, marriage can sometimes be difficult and demanding but we should focus on what is important to us. God actually wants us to push ourselves on even through the heartaches and sufferings of marriage, as well as the good times. It creates in us better people, and it makes us stronger marriage partners, and it gives us the faith we need to lead our marriage under the convictions of Gods design.

“…Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Romans 5:3,4

Don′t let your marriage fall through the sand. It is never too late to start building your marriage upon the foundations of Gods design. Your house can be built upon the rock if you persevere onward through your sufferings, and do not falter, for you will be rewarded with a pleasurable marriage.

~~~

Angie Lewis is the author of Journey on the Roads Less Traveled, a book about love, life and marriage. Angie has written a new book, Love The Man Your Married. In her book Angie shares and answers comments and questions from married couples about marriage related issues that affect couples today.

The book involves all areas in marriage that couples need to know and understand and apply for a successful marriage. This book is a most reliable resource for married couples, from infidelity issues to complete forgiveness. It is my hope that all couples find and begin to utilize the biblical truths for their marriage by reading and studying this book.

If you value your relationship with your spouse, and want to read about positive ways to save your marriage, then this book is a must read! Pick up a copy today!

For more information on these books visit Angie’s websites spiritual.journeybooks.4t.com spiritual.journeybooks.4t.com

Subscribe to get your FREE monthly newsletter so you can learn to stay happily and forever married! heavenministries.com heavenministries.com

Are you over forty, single, and think a love relationship has passed you by? Do you think you will never find love because you are “older”? The truth is, with the right attitude, being over forty can work to your advantage. In all probability, you have learned something from your past relationships. You are at a stage where you can look beyond the surface presentation of someone and deeper into their character.

What are the qualities that you can polish, if you are over forty, that will make you very attractive? Take a look at the following:

*Learn to listen

People over forty have a better sense of how to listen. Being in a love relationship takes listening skills. Listening involves more than letting someone else talk–though it begins there. Many people cannot allow enough time or room to let the other person express what they want to say. To listen with care is to allow that space and to not judge. Full listening is giving someone your complete attention without expecting something in return.

*Develop your talents

If you are over forty, you probably have discovered some activities that you are good at. Being a talented person is very attractive. Relationships that flourish are usually between two very talented people. If you do not know what you are good at, uncover those hidden desires and dreams and go find your edge. You develop your unique identity from polishing your talents and acknowledging your successes.

*Be brave and adventurous

People who are not afraid to fall in love and have a relationship must have a certain amount of bravery. When you are over forty, you are more willing to take the risks associated with putting yourself out there and discovering if there is the potential for love. What do you have to lose? You may discover that the person you thought you could care for is not available–emotionally, or otherwise–but that does not mean you are not worth loving or that you are not going to find the perfect person for you. It just means that you have to keep looking. People over forty are willing to make an adventure out of being single.

Have commitment and determination

If you truly want to find love and a relationship–at any age–you must persevere. Did you just walk out of the house one day and get handed your diploma or your job or your home? Of course not. You worked for it. So why would you think that you could just walk out the door and fall into the arms of True Love? If you are over forty, you are going to have to DO something. And, if you are over forty, you are mature enough to figure out what actions you have to take.

Stay in the “now”

Keep your conversation in the present and your eyes on the road ahead. Being actively involved in a life of possibility attracts people to you. Talking about your current interests draws others to you. Many people over forty have not put their past hurts behind them. When they meet someone new, they talk about their EX. Get some help in moving past that issue so you can find the love and the life that you deserve.

The sooner we learn that age has nothing to do with meeting people, the sooner we can find someone wonderful. Can you find love and a great relationship after forty? Of course!

Visit tonjaweimer.com tonjaweimer.com or singlesdatingtips.com singlesdatingtips.com
for more tips, skills, and insight on dating, relationships, singles, and love. Subscribe to our F*ree Savvy Dating Newsletter from master single’s coach, life coach, and syndicated columnist, Tonja Weimer. Copyright 2006, Tonja Weimer. (Please note source if reprinting this article.)

In a fast-paced world of wedding planning, stress levels are high; immune systems are low; and over the course of the past 20 years, brides have transmitted, what has become a bridal epidemic of our time.

The number of victims has steadily increased; and to date, there is no cure. It’s been dubbed various clinical names: Multiple Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia, Temporary Insanity. But in the world of matrimony, anyone who’s been exposed – fiancés, family, friends, and victims themselves — this broadening illness has been commonly termed “Bridezilla Syndrome” or “BS.”

A contagious condition, BS has become more prominent and has plagued today’s busy, wedding-planning woman. In a preliminary study, the disease has spread at an alarming rate. Symptoms of victims of BS — better known as Bridezillas — include reoccurring mood spells, bouts with selfishness, signs of controlling behavior and feelings of meticulousness.

Unfortunately fiancés, bridal party members, friends and family eventually fall victim to the actions and attitudes of a Bridezilla.

Research suggests that symptoms are recognized most often by the fiancé and Maid of Honor, and are completely undetectable by the actual victim. In some cases, a bridal party member, who having had too much alcohol to drink, confronted the Bridezilla. Most often, an emotional, breakdown of the victim would follow, thus intensifying her condition. In a survey of 100 Maids of Honor, an alarming 85% said they avoided confrontation with the victim for fear it would only exasperate the illness.

So we must ask the underlying questions: Where is all this BS coming from? How does one know when she’s full of it?
Unfortunately the source has not been found; though it is believed that it has existed since the dawn of the institution of marriage. A short-term condition (symptoms persist about 1-2 years depending on one’s wedding date), Bridezillas seem to have been unfairly blamed for their actions, for which some believe they have no control, albeit their control over everything else. In fact, it’s been clinically proven that a Bridezilla actually does have feelings — feelings of selfishness, insecurity, anxiousness and stress!

Though it’s been said there is no cure, there are ways to prevent infection of BS. A survey of healthy brides, whom successfully planned their weddings without contracting the disease, was conducted. Results showed commonalities of the actions performed to avoid the disorder. Doctors, psychologists and wedding planners strongly suggest the following preventative therapy:

1. Keep Perspective - remind yourself that the wedding is only one day in your life. When things get out of control, close your eyes and remember the reason why you are planning this wedding in the first place.

2. Don’t Assume Your Groom Doesn’t Want to Help - ask him what he’d like to take responsibility for; and then let him. (note: some grooms may follow the cliché and decline this offer.)

3. Know That You Can’t Control Everything - realize this and accept it!

4 Delegate. Delegate. Delegate - If you act like you can handle everything, people will let you. Spread the duties.

5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff - people won’t remember whether or not your invitations had those cute little tissues enclosed.

6. Treat The People You Cherish with Love - the wedding is one day; your family and friends are forever.

7. Allow Others to Vent - give your fiancé, family and bridesmaids permission to tell you when you’re going off the deep-end.

8. Take the Heat - give yourself permission to hear them.

9. Do Something for Yourself Every Day - the catch is that it must not involve the wedding.

10. No Wedding Talk After 10pm.

Although preventative therapy is available, some brides inherently fall victim and still contract BS. But there is hope! This is not a terminal illness. In fact in most cases, the bride has been known to be miraculously cured once she has returned from her honeymoon. Doctors and psychologists theorize that the change in altitude from flying coupled with excessive levels of the love hormone, Oxytocin counteracts the disease by boosting the immune system, thus eliminating symptoms.

In cases of remission, the disease has been known to resurface when a person, under certain circumstances, may be planning her wedding again. According to research, those brides with a higher IQ score avoided the reoccurrence of symptoms by simply eloping.

Whatever your situation, whether a Bridezilla, fiancé, friend or family member of one — join in the fight! With love, hope and education, our brides of the future and their bridal parties will have a winning chance against all the BS!

Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul NOW available at all bookstores and at discount online at amazon.com.

THE PERFECT WEDDING BEGINS WITH INSPIRATION! Romantic, humorous, touching and true. This books brings to light the true meaning of love and commitment, whether you are newly engaged, recently married or reflecting on the years of married bliss. Makes the perfect bridal shower gift!

Visit www.bridesoul.com for more information about Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul.

Footnote: Preventative Therapy of Bridezilla Syndrome provided by www.WeddingQuestions.com.

By the author of Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul.

Gina Romanello is the author of Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul.

A graduate from Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism, Gina was thrilled when given the opportunity to join the Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul team. Her temporary position turned into eight years of employment in their book production department.

Her position as Executive Administrator to Patty Hansen & Irene Dunlap has played an integral part in the compiling and marketing of Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, Christmas Treasury for Kids, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul II and Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul.

Noticing many friends and family members endure the stress of planning a wedding, Gina saw a need for Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul, a Chicken Soup title sure to comfort and enlighten a stressed-out bride planning her big day.

Contact Gina at mailto:gina@chickensoupforthebridesoul.com gina@chickensoupforthebridesoul.com or visit her website bridesoul.com bridesoul.com