Posted by admin on March 31st, 2009 — Posted in Best Real Estate Resources, Finance Web
First of all…who is a first time homebuyer for Gallatin Homes for Sale? You are typically a considered first time homebuyer if they have not owned a home during the past three years. If you have closed on a home - the closing statement…or HUD-1 will determine if you can collect this tax credit.
If you’ve recently married and either spouse has owned a home within the past three years…you most likely will not qualify…but always consult with your accountant or legal advisor about any purchase you intend to make.
What kind of home qualifies? Just about anything…single-family, condo, or manufactured. And your home purchased in 2009 will not have to be repaid…it is a true tax credit. But…beware… if you sell the home within three years of the purchase date…the ENTIRE tax credit will have to be paid back.
The tax credit itself is very simply calculated. It is 10% of the purchase price…with a maximum of $8,000. It doesn’t matter if you obtain a mortgage or pay cash…the tax credit remains the same as long as you meet the requirements.
There are income limits - but they should be calculated with your accountant. But…to simplify this explanation - Your adjusted gross income should be less than $75,000 for a single taxpayer…and under $150,000 for a married couple.
It’s a great time to buy Gallatin homes for sale. You can’t beat the historically low interest rates or the great tax credit. Take advantage of this combination while you can.
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Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 — Posted in Bookstuff, Living With The Law, World Of Shopping
A barrister bookcase is a traditionalistic shelf that is believed to have originated in United Kingdom. Its distinguishing feature is a pure field glass face. This glass face is hinged at the upper lip allowing a person easy admittance to volumes and other legal papers plainly by raising the glass door. The barrister bookcase is perfect for a thousand things. Barrister bookcases were frequently used by attorneys since it was necessary for them to keep on moving. Nowadays, they are also very convenient, specially if one is constantly on the move. This is because the bookcase is closed by use of doors.. This means they can be moved while whole.
Great Shelves
Good Barrister’s Wood Bookshelves quash the use of the normal sideway opening doors . Instead they use doors with a different opening mechanism. A metal scissor mechanism used inside the barrister shelves ensure the mobile doors do it in a parallel manner without the problem of having the doors jam or skew in the process. One advantage of utilising the barrister bookcase is the ability to have some of these units group together and have them secured to a wall. The feeling of an fetching cabinet will be given.Depending on the preference of the owner, barrister bookcases can have a of material choices. Whether madeusing glass or wood, barristers give an elgance to a room.
Barrister bookcases however, despite many benifits,often are quite expensive. Luckily, there unqiueness has caused some makers to start creating replica editions. Some contemporary versions are also available at very healthy prices. Some variations have simple appearances and can be made to fit a particular style. They can also be trimmed.They can be stacked together allowing them to be easily used to create very interesting unit arrangements. Some can be used to create end tables, kitchen tables or even dinning tables.
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Posted by admin on March 29th, 2009 — Posted in Insurance Portal
According to the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), based in Dallas, about 89% of large employers offer some type of dental plans to their employees as part of their employee benefit scheme. While one may consider it unnecessary to go for a dental plan if there is no history of problems, it is advisable to secure a plan for requirements in the future.
Dental discount programs are basically membership-based policies. In exchange for the prescribed fee, the patients get a discount on different dental services such as fillings, braces, routine examinations and cleaning. Patients are typically provided a 30% discount off the regular charges. In some cases, it may even be as high as 70%. However, for the discount program to be activated, the patients need to approach a dentist who is a member of a network of dentists providing discounts on their services.
Some aspects of these plans are:
a) An initial down payment towards enrollment in the program
b) Monthly installments to the dental-discount company
c) Discounts on cosmetic procedures that are not normally covered by insurance plans.
These plans are quite different from dental insurance plans, in that they do not have a monthly deduction from the paycheck. This plan also does not place a constraint on the holder by limiting the patient to a dentist, as do insurance schemes. Under a discount plan the patient can visit a member dentist anywhere and still avail the discount benefits. Therefore, these plans do not come under the purview of the state insurance department.
Due to their ease of operation and availability, they are by far the most preferred dental benefit options. Consequently, a lot of companies have this as their main scheme. Like most of the other dental plans they can be purchased online; however, it is always wise to approach the exchange of confidential details with caution.
Dental Plans provides detailed information on Dental Plans, Dental Insurance Plans, Discount Dental Plans, Individual Dental Plans and more. Dental Plans is affiliated with Employee Benefit Plans.
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Posted by admin on March 29th, 2009 — Posted in Insurance Portal
A policy is defined as a printed document issued to the policyholder by the insurance company stating the terms of the insurance contract. The terms include features about the premium, death benefit, cash value utilization options and other benefits. There are various types of policies that are targeted at different individuals to meet their changing needs. Usually, they combine death benefits with various options to use the cash value.The types of whole life insurance policies are ordinary life insurance, limited payment whole life insurance, current assumption whole life insurance and other special forms of whole life insurance.
Ordinary life insurance policies are issued in amounts of $1,000 or more, with premiums payable on an annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis. Limited payment life insurance is a policy on which premiums are payable for a specified number of years or until death, if death occurs before the end of the period. Variable life insurance places the control on the policyholder to invest the cash value in a broad range of equity, bond and money market instruments. Current assumption whole life insurance is a variation of universal life insurance in which premiums and death benefit are fixed and the cash value growth depends on the market conditions.
The main features of the policies are developed according to the needs of the insured and are innovative. Premiums can be fixed and flexible, i.e. payable only for a specific period, and the death benefits can be constant or variable. Additionally, policies come with riders. A rider is an amendment to the policy that modifies it by expanding or restricting its benefits or excluding certain conditions from coverage. Some of the riders are accidental death benefit, which provides additional death benefit under certain conditions, for example if the insured dies as a result of accident; or an unemployment rider, which waives the premium during the period of unemployment.
Hence, it is the responsibility of the individual to choose the policies based on his or her needs, the insurance company and the financial resources of the individual.
Whole Life Insurance provides detailed information on Whole Life Insurance, Whole Life Insurance Quotes, Whole Life Insurance Policies, Term Vs Whole Life Insurance and more. Whole Life Insurance is affiliated with Instant Whole Life Insurance Quotes.
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Posted by admin on March 29th, 2009 — Posted in Insurance Portal
Homeowners’ insurance is a necessity that many first-time homebuyers are unaware of. Not only do lenders always require that mortgage properties be fully insured, you can benefit in many ways from this type of protection.
Many people who rent don’t carry renter’s insurance on their property. They feel as if they don’t need it or they are unaware of it.
Owning a home is a different matter. You now have things worth insuring. Without it, you could lose your home and still be liable for a mortgage. With it, if you lose your home, you have protection that ensures your home will be rebuilt.
Anyway, banks require that you carry hazard insurance. Most homeowners’ policies go further, adding protection against additional problems, such as theft of personal property and liability coverage for injuries on the property.
The basic form of homeowners insurance is known as HO-1. This policy provides you with coverage against damage by aircraft, vehicles, smoke, vandalism, malicious mischief and theft. It also provides liability for injuries to others on your property.
Broad coverage is known as HO-2. This includes the above coverage, adding the hazards of falling objects, weight of ice, snow and sleet, freezing and other single occurrences in heating, plumbing, electrical and air-conditioning systems.
Comprehensive coverage, HO-3 or HO-5, gives you coverage against all hazards except flood, earthquake, war and nuclear attack. Other policies include the HO-4 for apartment renters and HO-6 for condo owners.
In each policy, personal property is protected in a certain ration to the coverage purchased for the building itself. For example, if your home is insured for $110,000, your personal property insurance may be preset at $76,000. If you find you need additional coverage for your personal property it is easily and inexpensively purchased.
Just like auto insurance, the higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. Also, your insurance will remain lower if you hold back from bothering the insurance company about minor problems. Save it for when you really need it.
Martin Lukac, represents http://www.RateEmpire.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate/mortgage market. We specialize in daily updates, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies! Visit http://www.RateEmpire.com today!
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Posted by admin on March 29th, 2009 — Posted in Hall Of Health, Meds + Medicine
BPH, or benign prostate hyperplasia, is a routine medical term used for a swollen prostate. In simple terms this actually means the prostate gland, a gland which envelops the urethra and is situated below the bladder, becomes bigger and this may reduce and even block urinary flow. The prostate gland enlarges as the years go by and as a result can produce complaints such as difficulties with passing urine, decreased urinary flow, and also urinary retention. Frequent night time trips to the bathroom and even inflammation of the urinary tract can additionally be result from an enlarged prostate gland.
Prostatic Swelling - Available Therapy
Benign Prostate Hypertrophy is considered one of the more common medical conditions of men over sixty. Current Guidelines are that males over the age of fifty undergo exam by their physicians on a yearly basis, even if no symptoms are noticed, to help sustain better prostate gland health. Inability to micturate or blood whilst passing urine should lead to getting immediate medical intervention. Solutions for prostate enlargement may be surgical procedures and drug therapy. However, impotence and even loss of normal bladder function may be observed as a result of surgery. An alpha blocker and medicines that shrink the prostate gland are frequently given for better prostate gland health, but medicine will frequently lead to undesirable results so what are the alternatives?
Got a Swollen Prostate Gland? A Natural Way to Gain a More Healthy Prostate Gland
To encourage better prostate health and in addition reduce any symptoms brought about by an enlarged prostate gland, many herbal remedies will help. Inflammation is reduced by the treatment Afican pygeum, offering ease from the more disagreeable symptoms. Formulated from the fruit of a tree indigenous to southern Africa, African pygeum has been employed on a large scale in Europe as a formula for improved prostate gland health.
Trimming Down the dietary fat may help, as well as increasing exercise, pressure in the prostate gland can be relieved by ejaculating regularly, and trying to avoid sitting for a long time. Use of over-the-counter antihistamines and even decongestant drugs may increase the problems connected with an enlarged prostate gland, so take these with care. Additional suggestions also include to cut down on having any liquids within a couple of hours of retiring for the night to cut down frequent urination at night, the reduction of alcoholic drinks and drinking much less coffee may decrease symptoms.
Prostate Gland function may be also respond to other supplements namely saw palmetto extract, Borago officinalis oil, the chemical element selenium, and also lycopene, a chemical extracted from tomatoes. Before commencing whichever herbal therapy don’t forget to check with a physician.
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Posted by admin on March 29th, 2009 — Posted in Lady Luck, Lucky Bets, Sports Parlor
Most risk takers will certainly have discovered the term “offshore sports betting” recently, but a few may not be altogether positive what that symbolizes. A foreign gambling website in effect performs outside the territory of any distinct country or else it could mean an on-line gaming web site which bases its master computer within the boundaries of a nation in which world wide web based playing of games of luck isn’t currently proscribed. In brief then, it can be delineated as a sports gambling web site running extraneous to the land of the gambler. Online sports gambling internet sites are by and large modulated via 3 councils. These are called OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association FTGA.
bet interaction sports
The OSGA is an autonomous “watchdog” federation that currently keeps tabs on the thriving overseas sports gambling industry in an effort to supply the paying public an avenue to easily identify worthy businesses to play games with. It tries to protect wagering lover’s rights, additionally they don’t charge any association expenses. The association is a proficient not to mention nonpartisan third party agency that voices equitable info, advised by customer feedback, unbiased examination, discussions, inside information and in addition delivers industry information.
The Interactive Gaming Council are a non-profit-making council. The agency has been created to allow a platform for involved parties to address issues and in addition to move forward mutual interests in the world-wide online gaming profession, to ensure equitable and reliable trade standards and routines that raise consumer confidence in internet based gaming products and services, and in addition to serve as the overseas betting industry’s extensive policy advocate and in addition the IGC functions as a data base.
The Interactive Gaming Council has worked up a regard for honor, consistency and also sincerity by virtue of its scrupulous ethics, and also its allure to ethical businesses. The IGC regularizes offshore sports gambling through endorsing a special ten-point code of conduct and also bills gambling businesses fees for featuring their logo. Unfulfilled gaming fans may moreover report any of their challenges to the Interactive Gaming Council.
The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association was established in a venture to present a benchmark which will raise the standards of internet gaming trading operations. The authority think that by partnering with good partners, they can put together an alliance of the most honest and most efficient internet gambling businesses multinationally. So, in summary these are bodies that keep an watchful eye on the behavior of internet based sports gaming and which should hopefully help to take the sting out of some of the concerns felt by doubters. Machine-accessible betting web sites are totally free from danger, in that private details should not be demanded and the recompense and the odds are mostly equivalent to common Vegas-style bet. They slash travel, but keep the original essence, however today you can gamble in your home.
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Posted by admin on March 28th, 2009 — Posted in Living With The Law
The Business Regulatory Climate in the United States in 2005 changed from a referee type enforcement mission to an attitude that all business people were guilty of some sort of unethical behavior. More regulations were made in 2005 than any other year in the history of the United States. Regulators and Government Prosecutors like Elliot Spitzer went into attack mode by using the media to strike fears in consumers and citizens then used this to increase enforcement, expansion of his offices and go on fishing expeditions to search for fraud, by filing bogus lawsuits based on hear say and trying to compile a case. This is typical of the “prove you did not kick your dog” enforcement and assertions that you are guilty until proven innocent.
In 2005 we saw many junior just out of law school 26-year old government lawyers follow Elliot Spitzer’s lead breaking the law by filing half-truths in courts, coaxing witnesses in plea deals and then using public relations and the media to hide their tracks. We saw this type of aggressive attacks on the business community throughout 2005, as the government used extortion tactics and then media press releases to prove to the public that they were the heroes of civilization and cleaning up Corporate Corruption once and for all. Only one problem the only thing corrupt is the attack on Free Enterprise from government regulators purporting duty to country while breaking the law, compromising their family names and filing falsehoods in court. I predict that in 2006, we will see more of this.
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
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Posted by admin on March 27th, 2009 — Posted in Psychologists Den
I heard about a woman who was suffering from depression, so her concerned husband took her to a psychiatrist. The doctor listened to the couple talk about their relationship, and then he said, “The treatment I prescribe is really quite simple.” With that, he went over to the man’s wife, gathered her up in his arms, and gave her a big kiss. He then stepped back and looked at the woman’s glowing face and broad smile. Turning to the woman’s husband, he said, “See! That’s all she needs to put new life back into her.” Expressionless, the husband said, “If you say so, Doc, I can bring her in on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
Okay, that’s not how to treat depression, but I have a few other suggestions that make more sense. As a result of trial and error, over the course of thirty years, I’ve found ten blues battling strategies that often help me. These are not quick fixes, and this list is not exhaustive. It is also not a “must do” list.
When you’re depressed, the last thing you need is a list of expectations to live up to. Don’t stress about forcing yourself to accomplish all these things. They’re not items to be checked off a list each day. The only one that is crucial is number one. After that, you can experiment with the others as you feel able to.
1) Get the Facts and Get Help.
Web sites and books on depression abound. Find them and do some research. You need to know what you’re dealing with. Learn all you can about depression, so you can make educated decisions about your own health, learn how others cope, and find what medical treatment is available. Many books have self tests to help you determine whether you are experiencing clinical depression or temporary sadness in reaction to an event. In addition to reading everything you can get your hands on, one of the most important things you can do for yourself is seek medical help right away. Depression is much too complicated for you to solve on your own. Clinical depression is a serious medical condition that is very complicated to treat. Often it is a physical problem that requires long term medication. In my own experience, it’s taken years of medication, counseling, and practicing various self help methods to slowly emerge from it, and it’s still a daily battle.
Many people suffer needlessly from depression because they won’t consult a doctor. If you’re waiting for God to heal you, consider this: God gives scientists intelligence, which they often use to create helpful medicines; and He gives doctors wisdom to treat illnesses. Wise doctors and modern medicines are gifts from God and vehicles through which He often heals. Doctors can help you determine whether what you feel is truly depression, or if you are just reacting normally to a sad life situation.
If you’ve experienced depression, you already know it is not an illness you can “snap out of,” no matter what others may tell you. It’s not something to be ashamed of either. Depression can be a serious physical illness caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals or other factors. Like any serious medical condition, depression needs to be treated. Without the proper treatment, none of my suggested coping strategies will do any good.
2) Get Focused.
Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness pervade the life of a depressed person. The opposite of depression is a hopeful attitude. Focusing on hope and developing a hopeful heart is a must. It can be accomplished in a couple ways. One way is to search the Bible for the numerous Scriptures that tell how God has helped those who felt hopeless. It’s helpful to memorize verses like these: Hebrews 4:15 (For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet was without sin.); 2 Corinthians 4:8 & 9 (All-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.); Matthew 6:34 (Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.); Isaiah 41:10 (Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.); and John 14:27 (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.).
The story of Job and the book of Psalms are the most worn pages in my Bible. While at my lowest, I’ve read and re-read them more times than I can count. My fridge and the mirrors in my house are covered with sticky notes reminding me of how God intervenes in the lives of His people.
Another way to focus on hope is by practicing positive self talk. This simply means telling yourself good things. I made a list for myself of positive affirmations like “God cares and understands my pain. God values me. God is giving me strength. I am made in God’s image. I can choose my attitude. I choose not to put myself down. I’m a worthwhile person. I have a purpose. I enjoy life. I choose to be happy and I am competent.” If you struggle with depression, I think you’ll find it helpful to write down as many of these affirmations as you can think of and read them every day. Even if they’re not currently true or you don’t really believe them, it’s okay. Say them to yourself anyway. Your mind will come to believe what you tell it, so tell it you are already the type of person you want to become. Be sure to remind yourself often that God is with you and He is pouring his strength on you. “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. …For You are the God of my strength…” (Psalm 42:5 and 43:2 NKJV)
2 Corinthians 4:18 says we need to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Focusing on positive, heavenly things rather than earthly things will keep the feelings of hopelessness at bay.
3) Get Friendly.
Fellowship with other people is a mood lifter. Being alone is the worst thing you can do when you’re depressed. Unfortunately, it’s usually the very thing I want most. Depression grows best in isolation. I find it very difficult to get out and socialize when I’m depressed, but if I push myself to do it, I’m almost always glad later. Some ideas for socializing include joining a club, taking a class, inviting someone to meet you for lunch, or visiting a nursing home to chat with the residents there. It especially helps me to be with friends who enjoy the same hobbies I do. Shopping, watching movies, and rubber stamping are some of the things I enjoy doing alone, but they’re twice as much fun when I do them with friends.
4) Get Giggling.
I collect cartoons and funny newspaper columns. I visit humor web sites online, watch funny movies, and read funny books. Best of all is laughing with friends. One of the reasons I enjoy my grandson so much is because he makes me laugh. I can act goofy with him and let go of my inhibitions. We dance and sing and make up silly rhymes. I have photographs of us wearing funny glasses with big black mustaches. I laugh every time I look at those. Laughing affects brain chemicals. It releases endorphins, which make you feel good. Chocolate does the same thing, but a good laugh is less fattening.
A friend of mine, who had a very frustrating job, told me that one day she was inspired by someone who had a huge, bright smile. She decided to emulate that woman and smile at everyone she encountered. Right away, she realized that smiling was addictive. It seemed to make the time pass more quickly and she found herself less frustrated and more at peace. She told me, “It sounds corny, but it really works!”
Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NKJV) I’ve heard that a person can act her way into feeling better. Act happy, act glad, and it helps you to feel happy and glad. Paul exhibited this truth in his own life. Acts 16 tells how Paul and Silas were attacked, beaten, locked in stocks, and thrown into solitary confinement. Yet, at midnight, what were they doing? Feeling sorry for themselves? Asking God, “Why?” Moaning and complaining like I do? No, they were singing! Sure they were suffering, but they knew they were children of God. Paul may have even been remembering his personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. (Acts 22:10) They were praising God because they had been rescued from their sins, filled by the Holy Spirit, and added to God’s family. No jailer could take that away. That was worth being grateful for, no matter what else happened to them. Even if they were to be killed, it would only send them to heaven. So why should they fear? That’s some awesome faith, isn’t it?
5) Get Rhythm.
When I feel a case of the gloomies descending, that is not the time to play melancholy music. Positive upbeat tunes are in order — the sort of music you might hear at a parade or a circus. Music gets your toes tapping and your blood flowing. It makes you want to sing. Singing and dancing sends a message to your brain that you’re happy. Your brain is an actualizer. Whatever it “thinks” is true, it works to bring about. This is why positive thinking works. You tell yourself, “I’m happy” often enough and your brain accepts it as fact. It actualizes that truth, making it happen. I’ve found that when depression takes hold of me, I tend to ruminate on negative thoughts. Listening to good, Christian music with positive lyrics helps to pour good things into my brain and crowd those negative things out. There’s a list of good things to ponder in the fourth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. It says to think about whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, noble, right, or admirable. Philippians 4:8 says, “If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” Christian music helps me accomplish this.
6) Get Busy
We all need to feel like we’re involved in something significant. We need to participate in something outside ourselves. You might consider volunteering at a local women’s shelter or food pantry. I’ve enjoyed both and discovered that when I stay busy helping others and concentrating on their problems, I get a break from focusing on my own troubles. This is how HUGS and HOPE began. It started with a small effort to make a difference for one family and it grew. I’ve learned that joy boomerangs. When you give it away, it comes back to you. Helping others gives you the heart-warming satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference in the world. That will elevate your mood as well as your self esteem.
7) Get Physical
This is two-fold. Physical exercise is good for us, but physical contact is equally important. Our bodies need to move to be healthy, and going for a walk is the easiest exercise for me to do when I’m depressed. It doesn’t require as much energy and motivation as other activities. Breathing the fresh air and looking at the beauty of nature can be helpful, and taking my dog along is even better. Just watching his ears flop as he bounces down the road in front of me often brings a smile to my face.
Exercise affects brain chemicals, and the healing touch of physical closeness does too. If you’re depressed, hug somebody - anybody, everybody! A hug is good medicine. It reduces stress and tension and it boosts your immunity to illness. Hugs raise self esteem and lower blood pressure. They feel good and make people happy. And they’re free! Hugs are the universal language that communicates love and acceptance. They’re healthy for the “hugger” as well as the “hugee.”
Get Quiet
I need to lean heavily on God’s word and spend time with Him. When I pray, I talk things over with God. When I read the Bible and meditate on it, I hear Him speak to me and I contemplate what He says. I’ve found this to be one of the best anti-depressants there is. However, I need to add a word of caution here. Too much solitude can worsen depression. Isolating yourself and avoiding people can make depression grow. Don’t use meditation time as an excuse to avoid human contact. Time with God is of the utmost importance, but balance between quiet time alone and time spent with others is essential.
9) Get Forgiveness - And Give it Too!
I’ve read that many psychiatrists agree that depression is guilt or anger turned inward. David is an example of someone whose guilt led to depression. After committing adultery, he wrote, “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.” (Psalm 32:3-4)
Sin makes you feel bad, but when you receive God’s forgiveness, your guilt is removed; and often depression is removed too.
Depression can sometimes be caused from the need to forgive someone else or yourself (whomever is making you angry). Grudges cause feelings of frustration, which aggravate the hopeless feelings of depression. When we forgive, we let go of past hurts and give up bitterness. Then depression has no negativity on which to feed. If you free yourself from feelings of hate and open yourself up to feelings of love, you may feel as if the depression is physically lifting off your shoulders.
My friend Nance went through a difficult divorce, which left her bitter about the past, anxious about the future, and miserable in general. She harbored a lot of grudges and guilt, and she worried constantly. She felt the need to control everything in her life, yet she knew she couldn’t. After attending a women’s retreat, Nance realized what her negativity was doing to her.She released her worries, fears, anger, and resentments at the foot of the cross. Then she felt a renewal in her heart. She was happy and at peace.
When she was dying, Nance told me that the most difficult thing she’d ever had to do was forgive - both her ex-husband and herself — for past mistakes. She said forgiving was even harder than dying!
Forgiveness isn’t a simple one time event. It’s a process that often takes time (sometimes years), but it’s an important step to healing.
Jesus taught forgiveness when he said we’d be forgiven in the same way we forgive others, and when he told Peter we should forgive, not seven times, but seventy times seven. Of course, Jesus also lived forgiveness. While hanging on the cross, he looked at his torturers and said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
10) Get Thankful.
When I’m depressed, I need to make a conscious effort to count my blessings. An attitude of hopelessness and discontent has a hard time competing with an attitude of gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:28 says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” It’s important to remember that depression is not fatal and it doesn’t last forever. You WILL survive! Remind yourself that this cloud of despair will pass eventually. It may seem like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, but trust that there is; and be thankful for that, as you wait for the light to appear.
So, while kisses from your husband (or a psychiatrist) may be great, they can’t cure depression. But along with medication and the proper treatment, now you have some practical steps you can take for your own well being. There are times when one of these strategies may be more helpful than the rest. Other times, it may seem that none of them makes a huge difference. But I keep practicing all of them anyway, because I know they are steps toward a healthier lifestyle. Following them on a regular basis may not eliminate depression forever, but they help me to minimize their severity.
These tips can be helpful for people who are not depressed too. They can be useful for anyone who is a little discouraged, a little blue, or needs to refocus on more positive things in life.
I hope that by trying these ideas you may find yourself on the way to experiencing more joy.
******************
Author Marsha Jordan is founder of a nonprofit charity called Hugs and Hope for Sick Children (http://www.hugsandhope.org). More of her articles on depression are in her book, Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter, a compilation of essays illustrated with drawings by critically ill children. A wonderful mix of the serious and the zany, this book warms the heart and lifts the spirit. PROCEEDS BENEFIT SICK KIDS! This book was written to encourage anyone who faces disappointment — which is EVERYone! Some essays in the book include “What Did I Do To Deserve This?” “What Was God Thinking?” and “More Than I Can Handle.” Order the book or learn more at http://www.hugsandhope.org/book.htm
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Posted by admin on March 26th, 2009 — Posted in Tuition Hall
Do your children ask during school hours if they can take just a little, teeny five-minute break? Mine do. I’m not sure how they came up with the idea that they are entitled to do this (probably the first time they tried it, and it worked!), but they insist that five-minute breaks should be a part of every home-schooling day. Lunch and recess? No problem. Five-minute breaks? Beware!
So,what’s terrible about a little five-minute break? The problem is, they somehow turn into fifteen-minutes or more, and then you find out that in addition to growing longer (all by themselves), they are also addictive! Yes, first it was just one five-minute break a day. But soon the requests changed to “When I finish my math can I take a five-minute break?” “When I’m done with spelling, can I?” And then reading, and on and on. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if I opened a teacher’s manual and saw the instruction: “STOP NOW FOR A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK.” Why not? They seem to be everywhere.
Okay, five minutes is not a lot of time. I realize that. The problem is that kids do not. Really. To them, being granted permission for a break is like getting a key to a magical door to another world: they step into it hoping they will never have to come back. Take my oldest son, for instance.
Hungry for his next five-minute “fix,” Brian’s eyes, which are large anyway, suddenly take on beagle proportion, and he puts on all the puppy-dog pathos he can muster. (Please, Mom, p-l-eeease, can I take a 5-minute break?) And despite the five minutes stretching into ten or more, I am then subjected to a barrage of complaints such as, “Oh, already! I just started playing with Matt! It can’t be five minutes already!”
ME: Well, actually, it’s FIFTEEN minutes!
BRIAN: (laughingly) Fifteen minutes? No way! No way!
Despite his blossoming skills at telling time, he just cannot fathom the realities of a sixty-second minute. Somewhere in the mysterious regions of his just turned seven-year-old brain, he thinks of five minutes in terms of seconds (300 of them) and then expects to live them out in years; What else can account for his daily baffled expression when I inform him that his time is up?
Once, losing all patience, I made the radical move of threatening to abolish five-minute breaks from our school. My children were in arms instantly:
ME: Where is it written that you must have five-minute breaks?!
THEM: Mom! EVERYONE has five-minute breaks!!
ME: I don’t! I never get a break! What about that?
(For some reason, this morsel of truth never evokes anything other than sheepish smiles: It’s true, but they don’t care!)
Of course, I do take breaks. I nurse the baby when she’s ready for it, but I keep within ear shot of the “classroom”–just close enough to keep up my stream of “Okay, no more talking! That’s enough! Be quiet, you two! Brian, did you finish ALL those spelling words? Kaitlin, I thought you were reading!!”
(It seems the closer we get to the end of the school year, the more my children suddenly have to say to each other across the table during school. It’s actually a law of the universe, like gravity: The closer kids are to being DONE with something, the more they drag it out.)
Are you thinking that our methods are not enough fun, that school shouldn’t be such a drag that kids can’t wait to get away from it? I agree. I just haven’t figured out, yet, how to complete all the requirements of the school year in a way that is always fun.
Learning, let’s face it, is sometimes hard work. Perhaps in some ideal world (and maybe in some ideal homes), it’s always fun, but that isn’t the case in my experience or our school. My kids show me they enjoy learning by all the spontaneous inquiries they make, reading they do, and so on. The trick, I suppose, is to encourage their natural curiosity with the right amount of work, while trying not to overwhelm them in the areas in which they are not naturally inclined.
Until I get that right, however, I’ll just have to live with the five-minute break. Only for now on, I’m setting a timer!
Linore Rose Burkard writes Inspirational Regency Romance as well as articles on Regency Life, Homeschooling, and Self-Improvement. She publishes a monthly eZine “Upon My Word!” which you can receive for FREE by signing up at her website quickly and easily. For her latest short story check Here Ms. Burkard graduated from the City University of New York with a Magna Cum Laude degree in English Literature, and now lives in Ohio with her husband and five children.
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