One of the basic principles of modern life is the maintenance of good relations between people and the desire to avoid conflict. In turn, you can win the respect and attention only if being courteous and self-disciplined. Therefore, nothing can be more valued by people around us as courtesy and compassion. But in life we often find ourselves confronted with rudeness, harshness, and disrespect against a person. The reason here is that we underestimate the culture of human behavior and its manners.

Manners constitute a way to behave, the external form of behavior, treat people, used in speech, expression, tone, intonation, body language, gestures and even facial expressions.

In a society good manners are considered modesty and self-discipline, the ability to control oneself and carefully and tactfully communicate with other people. Bad manners are considered to be the habit of speaking aloud, without shame in terms of familiarity gestures and behavior, carelessness in dress, rudeness, revealed in a frank malevolence of others, in disregard of other people interests and needs, to shamelessly impose on other people will and desires, in the inability to control anger with the intention of insulting the dignity of people around, lack of tact, foul language, use of derogatory nicknames.

Manners are related to the culture of human behavior and are regulated by etiquette. Etiquette implies sympathy and respect to all people, regardless of their positions and social status. It includes the courteous treatment of women, respect for elders, forms of address to the elderly, forms of address and greetings, rules of conversation, table manners. In general, etiquette in a civilized society coincides with the general requirements of courtesy, which are based on the principles of humanism.

Compassion is an obligatory condition of communication. Delicacy should not be excessive or turned into flattery that could lead to unwarranted praise for anything seen or heard. There is no need to strenuously deny that it is the first time you see something, listen, eat, and fear because otherwise, you will be seen as an ignoramus.

Videos usually appeal to both the visual and audio senses of an individual so it would be mandatory that when making one, it should at least engage these two senses to attract the their attention and to deliver the message that is ought to be delivered.

A good video is what you need in order to achieve this, but really, what makes a good video? We keep on saying these words like they would just materialize in front of us. The opposite is true though. In order to get your hands on these videos, you have to work hard for it. So when you make a video keep in mind the following characteristics.

One, it attracts prospective viewers. A good video should always have this characteristic in them that appeals to those who are directed by the message. Without reaching the first step, then no one would be able to get the message that you are trying to come across. You have to tell them that you exist and definitely worth watching. Two, it entertains the viewers. In our world today where everyone is busy with their own lives, it would take sheer talent and entertaining prowess to let them stop and listen to what you have to say. Throw in music and catchy lines to put a smile on their face a couple of seconds and they will, without a doubt, pause and hear you out.

Lastly, it contains a message. A song without a message is useless. So is a video with no message on it. Yes you may catch your audience’s attention; yes you kept them entertained for a long time, for what? Nothing. The message is the meat of the dish and the first two are just your toppings, your plating to keep their attention glued to the main ingredient. If you have this and you have relayed it to them successfully, then you have a good video without a doubt.

Keep these three characteristics in mind the next time you make a video, and you will never go wrong.

Americans spend $30 billion a year on vitamins and supplements. The truth is many of them are unnecessary, and are of very doubtful benefit to those taking them.

An unfortunate: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”. The majority of the vitamin and supplement industry is the model for this statement. We want to protect our health but reality is- we could be hurting ourselves in a number of ways.

A few points to consider about taking vitamins:

• We hold a very incorrect belief about vitamins: “They can help, but they cannot hurt”. This is completely not true. Many vitamins and supplements contain “other” ingredients such as dyes and hydrogenated oils. Titanium dioxide, a known carcinogen is often used as a “flow agent” to increase production of the vitamins through the machinery. Poor quality ingredients are used to save cost which can have heavy metals such as lead and mercury – unfortunately all too common in fish oil supplements. We certainly don’t take our supplements in order to get a daily dose of carcinogens. We must know where the supplement is sourced, and really understand that process and its production.
• There are many that say multivitamins “create very expensive urine”. Taking a vitamin does NOT replace a healthy diet. Much of the vitamin is excreted in the loo – either our body had enough of that vitamin or, the body cannot absorb it for a variety of possible reasons.
• Some vitamins are stored by the body – and if the accumulate above a certain threshold can become toxic.
• People need to consult with their medical providers before choosing vitamins. Yes, they can interfere with certain conditions, and they can most definitely contain allergens.
• There is a real science as to time of day, combination with other supplements for effective supplementation. If we randomly choose certain vitamins – we can be putting our inner balance of nutrients out of whack. If 2 vitamins use the same receptor site – one might not be absorbed. Some vitamins need others, coenzymes to be absorbed properly.
• Taking certain supplements can actually reduce the body’s own production of its own natural stores.
• Quality. Yes – we are all concerned about price. However, quality of our supplementation is of the utmost concern. There is no quality regulation on our supplements. Just because it is manufactured by a well known company – does not mean the best quality or the highest integrity in production, or – is in a form the body can absorb!
• Vitamin D. I urge everyone to consult with their medical providers about taking vitamin D. There are numerous vital roles of vitamin D in the body, and many people are vitamin D deficient. Slathering on sunscreen, living in a location with less sun exposure, hard to absorb enough vitamin D from our foods… there are a plethora of reasons we need vitamin D supplementation. However, many brands are made with D2 – which requires an added step in the body to convert to D3. Check with your healthcare professionals about taking a D3 supplement. You can ask for a vitamin D blood test – to check your levels.
• Oxidative Stress: As I have written many articles here on ezines – getting our antioxidants is a vital part of our nutrition and supplementation. The correct dosage and variety of antioxidants can balance our redox state – the balance within between our oxidative stress levels from Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidants. Oxidative stress is at the root of all of our chronic illnesses… diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, many cancers, macular degeneration, cognitive impairment… Getting antioxidants in our foods (colorful fruits and vegetables are a good start) and with educated supplementation is the very best investment in our health. Problem is – again – most vitamins for providing antioxidants can be poor quality, not well absorbed, not nearly enough to actually lower oxidative stress, and do not have the range of antioxidants to be effective enough to prevent disease.

We cannot take multivitamins hoping it will replace good solid nutrition, or that they will make up for some of our poorer food choices or vices. Supplementation does NOT allow us to “smoke safely” or drink alcohol excessively. I’ve heard this rationalization repeatedly in my career. It is just not true.

I also get very annoyed when I walk in to a vitamin store – and I hear uneducated salespeople giving advice on supplementation. Because someone works in a vitamin store – does not mean they know the science, no matter how convincing they are. Good sales and good science are not the same.

There is excellent supplementation. Our #1 goal should be prevention or management of disease. That brings along the energy, focus, physical strength & anti-aging… all those wonder promises we strive for taking vitamins. If you are going to take supplements – get educated. Insist on seeing the science. Not just of the vitamin, but the details of the actual supplement you are going to ingest. Far too often the dollars of these vitamins and supplements are invested in the marketing and advertising. Choose supplements of the highest quality, that the actual product itself has been scrutinized and proven with objective science.

You may be the leader in your industry, already well known for delivering top customer service. You may be experiencing the meaning of the truism, “It’s lonely at the top.” When your company looks around for a role model, for inspiration to go even further, to whom can it turn? One solution is to look to the leaders of other industries, to analyze their philosophy and assay what it is that has made them successful.

One such industry leader is Nordstrom, the company that grown from one downtown Seattle shoe store into a nationwide fashion specialty chain with renowned services, generous size ranges, and an outstanding selection of apparel, shoes, and accessories for the entire family.

According to its website, the company’s philosophy has remained unchanged for more than 100 years since its establishment by John W. Nordstrom in 1901: offer the customer the best possible service, selection, quality and value. Maybe that’s why Nordstrom has been the subject of intense interest by others in the retail industry and beyond.

In fact, authors Robert Spector and Patrick McCarthy have written a national bestseller entitled, The Nordstrom Way: The Inside Story of America’s #1 Customer Service Company (New York: Wiley & Sons, 1995). McCarthy enjoyed a successful career as one of Nordstrom’s outstanding salespersons. Consider this series of summary statements from Spector and McCarthy’s book, followed in each case by comments. Perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised.

• Nordstrom’s best people will do virtually everything possible to ensure that a shopper leaves the store a satisfied customer.

  This is what great customer service means. Remember what Zig Ziglar says: “It’s your attitude more than your aptitude that determines your altitude.” Of course, this attitude of “Whatever it takes” applies to your internal customers just as much as to your external clients.

• Motivated employees perform “heroics”–acts of outstanding customer service, which are part of the Nordstrom technique.

  Encourage people to report the heroics they witness their coworkers do. These heroics can come in all shapes and sizes: from going out of your way to locate a product, to making unheard-of deliveries, to responding kindly and delivering satisfaction when a customer is extremely upset–whatever it takes for our client to say, “Wow! They beat my expectations, and my expectations were already high!”

• Employees are instructed to always make a decision that favors the customer before the company. They are never criticized for doing too much for a customer; they are criticized for doing too little.

  Your performance is always measured by what you can or cannot deliver to your customers. Like Nordstrom, you must regard their needs ahead of your own interests.

• Nordstrom would rather hire nice people and teach them to sell, than hire salespeople and teach them to be nice. Nordstrom, it is said, “hires the smile and trains the skill.”

  I’ve heard an almost identical statement from my company’s managers discussing their hiring practices. Especially is this true in the customer-facing departments, like sales, customer service, and shipping.

• If you treat customers like royalty and let them know that you will take care of them, they usually come back to you.

  It’s always easier and more economical to retain a customer than it is to find a new one. Invest time and attention on the customers you have already to ensure that they will be loyal to you even when a competitor undercuts your price. They will know it’s an apples to passion fruit comparison.

• When customers enter a department, salespeople always make sure they are acknowledged. They are relaxed and unhurried in order to help the customer feel the same way.

  Here you sometimes have to learn to walk a fine line. Yet the principle holds true that if your employees seem frantic, the customer will pick up that same attitude. They must learn to exude a calm confidence, even when their extremely busy or pressed to meet a tough deadline.

• Keeping current good workers with the company is just as important as attracting new ones.

  What is the average tenure of your employees? Six months? Four years? Twelve years, or more? Just listen to what people again and again say at their retirement party: At our company, they say, “I’ve worked here for X number of years, and I want to tell you new people: This is a great company to work for. I’ve always felt like I was treated as family here at the company.”

• The underlying Nordstrom culture and philosophy is not difficult to pass on to the next generation because it’s simple: Give great customer service.

  “Customer Focus” has to be one of the core values of your company; you can’t just give it lip-service. It must be foundational to what you are and do.

Search out leaders in other industries and discover their customer service philosophy. You will find inspiration for yourself and your employees to deliver top service and products, resulting in excellent customer retention, lengthened employee tenure, and an improved bottom line.

The typical executive today spends approximately 20-25 percent of their time writing. Yet, very often, business writing is one of the last skills that people feel it’s important to work on. But look around your workplace – do your leaders write effectively? Do people tend to listen to good writers? Are good writers able to persuade or convince effectively?

Interestingly, many great leaders consider communication to be an essential competence in the workplace. So what about businesses in general?

Should Effective Business Writing Be A Company-wide Initiative?

Let’s look at some facts here:

• More and more of our work today is undertaken through writing rather than in person or on the phone.
• We depend on our writing skills to influence, persuade, encourage, collaborate, to lead.
• Very often, the entire workflow depends on our writing skills.
• The practice of good writing can mean the difference between business or no business, action or no action, collaboration or conflict, relationship building or relationship-busting.

Good Business Writing Is Not Easy

One reason why good writing is not easy is because there are lots of considerations:

• You have to think about your reader, about style and tone, about the words to use, about sentence construction, plus there’s the issue of grammar and punctuation.
• Your business writing is closely linked with company identity. You must consider what your company stands for and where it’s going – what’s the ‘voice’ your company wants your clients to hear, and how does your company want to be perceived by the public at large?

These considerations are not simple to determine, but they cannot be ignored. Conversations about these things are crucial to the organisation’s success, not just the individual’s.

Why not get conversations like this going in your organisation? Why not get a team together to see how you can improve the communication and writing skills in your workplace? It’s important to get people on the same page about this, and you have to start somewhere.

If your organisation is serious about success, it’s essential to encourage effective business writing throughout your workplace.

When we think of precious gems, we usually spare little thought to the hard work that it takes to bring them to us in the beautiful jewelry that we love to wear, but diamond mining is, in fact, an expensive and dangerous procedure, reflected to the consumer in the price that must be paid to own one. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were some way to recreate that same brilliance and beauty in a less dangerous, and hence less expensive way? Today’s technological innovations mean that this does not have to be a pipe dream any longer – with lab created diamonds, we can wear beautiful gemstones produced by the intelligence of mankind, rather than the trials and tribulations of nature, and without the expense that mining brings. Lab created diamonds are now very good and becoming as popular as the real thing.

The popularity of diamonds have urged experts to try to find more cost effective ways of providing the brilliance of the stone in our jewelry, and over the years there have been many alternatives to diamonds put forward, including cut glass, rhinestones and cubic zirconium. While these have proved satisfactory for some purposes, these lab created diamonds have consistently lacked the brilliance and beauty of a genuine diamond. This was until the discovery of moissanite in meteor fragments, and the realisation that moissanite could be reproduced in controlled circumstances, leading to the dawn of lab made diamonds.

It was discovered in 1995 that moissanite could be reproduced under laboratory conditions, and the unique beauty of the stone made scientists realize that there would be a huge market for these lab created diamonds. While the difficulty involved in growing these lab made diamonds remains quite high, the price for moissanite jewelry is higher than you might expect in a diamond substitute, but today, many gemmologists consider the moissanite stone to be a gem in and of its own right. Unlike previous substitutes, moissanite is in many ways superior to diamonds, with more sparkle and brightness that the mined gem.

Previously, choosing a gem that looked like a diamond but wasn’t one was seen as a step down, a compromise, but with the quality of today’s lab created diamonds, this is no longer the case. So take advantage of today’s great moissanite prices while they last, because someday soon, the brilliant sparkle of this stone will make lab made diamonds even more sought after than the ‘real thing’.

Lab created diamonds, and Moissanite in particular, are now as good as the real thing.

Not long ago, I was on a 10-mile trail run. It wasn’t an easy run, as I had run about 2,000 feet of elevation gain in the last five miles and had run about 7-miles total with about 3 to go. I met a hiker near the top of a small rolling hill and as I ran by I simply smiled and said; “It’s all good.” I guess he wasn’t in a good mood, and he replied; “What does that even mean?”

Without even thinking about it, I said; “It means no matter what hardships you have in life, when you are out here in nature, on the trail – it’s all good!”

Now mind you, I was cresting the hill and beginning to accelerate past him and then start down the hill. So, I didn’t quite hear what he said over my 25% volume iPod 80s rock music, but, I think it was something like; “Whatever?”

“No time to worry about that now,” I thought as I was moving fast towards some rocky areas on the trail ahead and being a downhill I had increased my speed. I concentrated on each step, no need to face plant over someone with a bad attitude.

I did wonder later, as I finished my run, what on Earth was bothering that guy. I wondered if what I’d said helped him with a little positive philosophy.

I hoped I hadn’t made whatever he was going through seem trivial or made him feel stupid for his negativity.

Maybe he’d recently gone through some rough times, maybe someone in his family had passed away, maybe his whole life had been shattered – maybe he was out walking/hiking/thinking trying to put some space between himself and his problems.

All I know is that when I am out there running on the trails, no matter how many miles, how hard the run is, or what challenges I am dealing with in my life at the time; It’s All Good!

Know what I mean?

Adults may practice Aikido for stress reduction, relaxation, self-defense, its many cardio vascular benefits, or a host of other reasons. But these are concepts that most children don’t even think about or care about. So why is Aikido a good idea for kids? What can it contribute to their lives and yours? (assuming you’re a parent)

Below are 10 of the reasons to give Aikido a try if your son or daughter has shown any interest in physical activity and specifically, martial arts training or if your child has exhibited signs of Attention Deficit Disorder or ADHD.

1) Aikido is a “non-aggressive” martial art. What does this mean? Basically that the main principles of Aikido don’t encourage self defense at all costs. Generally speaking, Aikido classes aren’t taught with a mindset of kicking and punching your way out of conflict. In essence, you don’t really start a fight with Aikido – but you can certainly finish one. Aikido doesn’t encourage kids to emulate the Power Rangers or Ninja Turtles punching and kicking their friends, siblings, dogs, and cats. Aikido technique starts when someone else “breaks the rules”, i.e. attacks. More importantly, Aikido teaches kids that fighting is a last resort for dealing with conflicts.

2) Aikido emphasizes remaining calm, relaxed balanced. Of course, kids can’t, and shouldn’t, be calm all the time. But Aikido teaches them that they have a choice. If they need to sit still at school or concentrate on homework or focus during sports, Aikido teaches them the fundamentals of “going within” and gives them tools to help when being calm is necessary. This is entirely different from keeping their emotions bottled up. On the contrary, Aikido calmness feels good and, in fact, the study of Aikido is the study of communication.

3) Aikido teaches kids “practical” self-defense. I put quotation marks around “practical” to indicate that practical for a child is completely different from practical for an adult. Striking arts like Karate and Tae Kwon Do, although very good for health and well being, give children one primary tool for dealing with conflict: aggression. If your child only knows how to kick and punch their way out of a conflict they will have a lot of difficulty dealing with the more prevalent “attacks” life deals out: stress, bullying, verbal abuse, and disappointment. You see, if the real attacks in life don’t look like or behave anything the attacker in dojo or dojang, your child will not have the proper tools to identify and then most effectively deal with the situation.

4) Aikido gives kids a positive world view. It teaches that in order to create something worthwhile you have to have goals, a clear picture of the intended outcome and then practice, practice, practice. Aikido teaches the law of reciprocity or, what goes around comes around. If you start trouble, you’ve lost. But if your mind is correct, calm, and positive, you can make something good out of whatever life hands you. In fact, Aikido training for kids teaches that its each persons responsibility to actively look for ways to make something good out of every situation.

5) Aikido teaches to enjoy every experience in life. Children have it difficult enough with increased homework, peer pressure, demanding standards and increased dangers all around. A serious approach to life doesn’t always feel good and it usually doesn’t yield the best possible results. Aikido works best when you relax and feel light and having an outlet for your child to “let go” and be a kid while learning valuable life skills can be a tremendous character building experience.

6) Aikido helps kids in, and at, school. By training in Aikido kids develop a calm, clear, and balanced mind. As a result, they absorb knowledge easier and can think and focus with greater clarity. Aikido emphasizes developing the full human potential and since children spend the bulk of their formative years in school, it is one of the most important places for this potential to be realized.

7) Aikido for kids helps with sports. Aikido classes focus on the very things almost every sport requires: stamina, sport specific strength and skill, relaxation, focused mind, proper breathing, centering, and being able to visualize the outcome. Unfortunately, most youth sports only emphasize the narrow sport aspect of whatever game is being played. While most youth athletics encourage having fun and team work, very few amateur coaches (typically dads and moms) have the proper educational training to teach children the other, more important, fundamentals mentioned above. Almost all of the parents of the youth that train weekly at the Aikido Grand Rapids/ Toyoda Center facility remark at some point of the amazing transformations that occur over time in their sons and daughters that they directly attribute to the Aikido for kids program.

8. Aikido is for everyone. Aikido does not require specific athletic talent or skill. In fact, athletic prowess can sometimes be a hindrance to understanding and executing Aikido techniques. The key to making progress in Aikido is simply relaxing, effortlessly moving, helping others and cultivating positive mind. Is there a better message for children?

9) Aikido works for people of all shapes and sizes. Since Aikido does not rely on size, strength, speed, weight, or reach, it can be effectively applied by children on adults. In fact, it can be quite surprising how much power your children can muster when throwing adults! Some of the most effective and powerful Aikido practitioners have been the slightest of individuals. Aikido utilizes an understanding of basic universal principles and emphasizes non-contention of force. Aikido teaches that there will always be somebody bigger, faster and stronger and not every “attack” will come in the form of a bad person. Aikido for kids gives them a large tool box of skills to draw on in a variety of situations for the rest of their lives

10) Aikido class for kids is good physical activity!  Plain and simple, we tire them out! Children that have ADD and ADHD show surprising results when they leave an Aikido class tired.

Even if you never hired the services of a locksmith, you will still need one someday. For instance, you may lose your car keys or you may lock yourself out of your home. As far as finding a good professional is concerned, you may find it a bit hard. The reason is that some locksmiths are good and others are not so good. So, it’s important that you do your homework prior to deciding on one. Below are a couple of tips that can help you to hunt a good one.

Get Recommendations

No matter what professional you want to find, you may want to get recommendations. As a matter of fact, getting recommendations from family members, friends and colleagues is a great idea.

Once you have got a few names, make sure you find out more about the professionals. This can assure you that you are going to deal with the best professional. You may not want to hire an inexperienced locksmith.

Search online

There is no doubt that you can find all types of information on the Internet. Aside from recommendations, we suggest that you perform research on the web as well. The majority of locksmiths have their websites where they provide information regarding their professional services.

Once you know the services they offer, don’t forget to check the customer reviews. Actually, reviews from the locksmith’s previous clients may give you a good idea of the service quality of the professional.

Check Qualifications

Professional locksmiths undergo strict training in order to get qualified. Actually, you are looking for a locksmith who can repair, install and do the upkeep of the locks without damaging your locks or other things.

So, It’s a good idea to ask the professionals for their educational qualifications. Hiring an unqualified professional is not a good idea at all.

License and Insurance

Make sure that the professional is licensed. In the same way, make sure that the locksmith has an insurance policy that covers both General Liability and the Workman’s Compensation.

Experience Matters

For any profession, experience is of the utmost importance. As a matter of fact, the demand for highly experienced locksmiths is on the rise in the here and now. The reason is that they have a higher level of reputation in the area.

According to most experts, it’s a good idea to look for a professional who has at least 5 years of experience in the field. Actually, experienced professionals know how to install and repair all kinds of locks in a professional manner.

Availability and Reliability

You may not want to hire a locksmith who won’t come to your rescue when you are in trouble. At times, it’s more important to find a locksmith who you can rely on. Reputation is not something that is the most important.

So, before you sign the agreement, make sure you know that the professional is reliable and available.

Long story short, you may want to make sure you use the tips given above to look for an experienced, qualified and reliable locksmith in your area.

Can you name someone in your acquaintances who do not want to look good? You will not find a woman who does not care about her looks. All women are beauty conscious and receiving compliments on your looks makes your day, isn’t it? Beauty does not come free of cost. You have to spend countless bucks on cosmetics and on other things which will elevate your beauty. How about looking stunning without spending a lot of money? Is it possible? Yes, it is. In this article, you will get to know how you can look beautiful without spending a fortune.

Get a Ravishing Look without Blowing Your Budget

Pay Attention to Hygiene: A good look starts with hygiene. The expensive cloth you wear will not be able to make you pretty if you smell bad. Therefore, it is necessary to smell good all day long. Take a shower on a daily basis. Use a fragrant soap which will make the fragrance last for a long time on your body. Keep your teeth clean by brushing and flossing regularly. Keep your body odor away by wearing washed clothes and by spraying a mild perfume on your body.

Style up Your Hair: You do not have to spend a lot of money on the salon. When it comes to your hair, you can do the styling of your hair at home. A good styling of hair starts with washing your hair once a week. Brush your hair before it gets messy. Read online fashion magazines to know how to give a great style to your hair.

Wear Clothes as Per the Shape of Your Body: A loose-fitted cloth can never get you the look you desire. Hence, you should be careful when you choose your outfits. Make sure to wear an outfit which would be well fitted on your body. Get your clothes stitched and designed properly as per the shape of your body from your dress designer.

Moisturize Your Skin: Investing in a good moisturizer will bring a natural glow to your skin. On browsing several online cosmetic stores, you will get a wide range of moisturizers. Dump the chemical-based moisturizers which may affect your skin. Switch to the Amazing Aloe Vera Skin Care moisturizing cream which is made up herbal essential oils and the extracts of vegan plants. This moisturizing cream contains Vitamin E, coconut oil, macadamia oil and avocado oil to keep your skin hydrated from within and to unleash the natural glow of your skin. The anti-aging properties such as Shea butter, lavender, Aloe Vera and chamomile will not only keep your facial skin nourished and moisturized, but also the ingredients will help prevent your skin from getting wrinkled.

Adorn yourself with an Exquisite Piece of Jewelry: In order to look attractive, you do not have to spend on the expensive jewelry piece. You can purchase a fine piece of jewelry which will not cost you much. A nice-looking jewelry piece on your wrist or around your neck will give the elegant touch in your appearance.