Power for change

We must become bigger than we have been: more courageous, greater in spirit, larger in outlook. We must become members of a new race, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the human community.

Adopt responsibility for your own well-being, try to put your family together, try to serve your community, try to seek for eternal truth… That’s the sort of thing that can ground you in your life, enough so that you can withstand the difficulty of life.

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.

Learn about three pillars of SUCCESS

The three of the most important things are Learning, Reflection and Execution.

Learning

Learning new things not only makes us competitive but it also puts us in a good state of mind. When we are in a positive state of mind we are more capable of creating the reality that we want.

Reflection

Reflection fuels you with motivation and inspiration. Inspiration will come from spending time in solitude and reflecting on things you learned in life, through experience and books.

Execution

The learning and reflection in your life will not be of any use if you do not apply what you have learned and act on what you’ve realized, to achieve successful career you need execution. 

We should judge by talent and work not by community or caste. 

Putting forward your positive energy connects you back to basic human values which we all share. Good Deeds Day shows that no matter the size of the gesture, a smile that brightens someone else’s day or volunteering in your community, we can all take active part in making a difference.

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Better Ways to Enjoy Healthy Sex

Want to get more from your sex life? A few small changes can take your enjoyment to the next level or rekindle the spark! Try some of these ideas to upgrade your sex life.

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Communicate More

Good communication lies at the heart of every healthy sex life. Talk to your partner about what you like. Discuss what you don’t like. Suggest new things or explore the topic together. The more frequently you can talk about sex, the more natural it will become. A good tip is to have these conversations away from the bedroom so that your partner doesn’t feel pressure about their performance.

Try Something New

There is a huge world of sex toys, sex games, erotica, porn and aids designed to appeal to all kinds of sexually active people. Whether you are heterosexual, same-sex, able-bodied or disabled, into fetish, prefer ‘the basics’ or interested in learning a new sexual skill, you’ll find something to suit. Go online for inspiration or into a sex shop, or treat yourself to a discreet mail order catalogue so that you can explore new options together.

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Take Care Of Your Sexual Health

Some STIs come with no symptoms, so it’s important to have regular checks if you are sexually active. The good news is that you can do home STI kits Bexley wide and across the UK – without needing to go to a clinic. Find out more at home STI kits Bexley.

Take Sex off the Menu

Sometimes sex can become pressured, so why not take it off the menu and reconnect with your partner? Try couples massage with massage oil and spend time exploring each other’s bodies. Communicate, take it slow, enjoy the time together and commit to not actually having sex! This will allow you to rediscover what turns each other – and yourself – on and to build anticipation.

Try Something New

Go to a hotel with a lavish bed. Try a different position. Experiment with a little role play. Treat yourself to new underwear so that you feel sexy and desirable. Whatever you do to freshen up your sex life, enjoying something new will really benefit you both. It doesn’t have to be big, and it doesn’t have to be expensive – just have fun trying new things with your partner and see what happens!

 

The importance of music for business branding

A life without music would be a very boring one indeed. We take it for granted, hearing it every day and most of us think of it purely in terms of a recreational activity. When it comes to marketing and branding, most professionals spend a lot of time and effort focusing on the visuals, but why not focus on music? Music has the ability to help people bond and evoke positive emotions. In this case, businesses should definitely not ignore music when thinking about branding.

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Identity

Music can be used effectively to strengthen a business identity. Music by a particular artist or genre can help to define who you are, what you do and what you stand for. By selecting the music to play in the store, this can help to evoke the image of your brand, connecting with customers at a rate that is much deeper and more emotional. Music has its own power, beyond what language or visuals alone can achieve. You can reach the target audience by connecting with the right emotional nerve and the customer won’t even realising you are doing it.

Engaging

Having a strong brand identity, helped through the clever use of music will strengthen and enrich your customer engagement. Music can create a buzz, foster excitement and evoke emotional connections and associations that work together consistently with your visual marketing strategy. As you must have a visual brand consistency, so too should your music.

Currency

Marketing aims to engage customers on an emotional level so that they make an investment into your brand. Playing the right music helps that emotional connection, it turns customers into advocators and allows you to stand out from your competitors. An added bonus is that music is a universal language, it gives you the opportunity to further expand your reach and target audience. For help choosing the right Music for Business branding, visit a site like Mood Media, a leading supplier of Music for Business.

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How to get started?

Let your imagination run wild as the things you can do with music are wide and varied. You may not get it right the first time, but that’s ok, sticking to it and doing it often is the key to developing improved content for your customers.

Just remember that it’s not about pushing the music you love, it should be about your audience. It’s important to pair the right music with the right target audience. You may need to do some research to find out exactly what genre or artist will best suit your target audience demographics.

Going on a Date? Here are some Top First Date Ideas

Going on a first date with someone you like can be pretty daunting; the butterflies in your tummy and the dryness of your throat can make you seem even more anxious – here are the best ways to deal with first date anxiety. When you ask someone on a date, it’s great to consider restaurants that are romantic or activities that are fun and a bit different – at the end of the day, you will want to make your date feel special. If a romantic restaurant setting is something you fancy, you might want to consider an Italian Restaurant Dublin based eatery, or an Italian restaurant near you for your first date – first impressions are important. Cinemas are popular first date settings for many, but this is a place you might want to reconsider, as there is no opportunity to chat and get to know one another. 

Visit A Zoo 

If you are both animal lovers, a zoo could be a great place to go to on your first date; it gives you a common topic to talk about and is a great way to get to know each other. This won’t be too extravagant, but it is a sure way to start making memories together.

Picnic at The Park 

What is more romantic than a picnic at your local park? If you are both ‘foodies’ this will be a great way for you to bond over a common interest. It’s also the perfect opportunity to just chat and laugh together. Once you are done with your picnic, you can even take a romantic stroll around the park grounds.

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Have Fun at A Trampoline Park

Trampoline Parks have certainly grown in popularity over the last decade, they are a hit with kids – but that doesn’t mean that they can just have all the fun. Some Trampoline Park venues do adult nights, so why not bring out your childish side, and have a bounce around. This would be the perfect first date setting for couples who are more active.

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Ice Skating/ Roller Skating 

Ice Skating or Roller Skating can be the perfect way to bond with someone, as this typically involves hand-holding for security. You don’t have to be a professional skater to take part in this activity, as falling over just adds to the laughs and giggles. Some skating venues even hold roller discos – a great way to have fun, and really get to know each other.

Theme Parks 

If you both love fast roller coasters, then visiting a theme park will make for the perfect first date. Scary roller coasters can certainly bring out the fear in people, so hand-holding for a bit of security on a ride could bring you closer together. Theme parks are great for thrill-seekers, who love to have a bit of fun.

An introduction to thermal plasma spraying

There are many different options available when it comes to coating products to provide a protective or decorative finish. Paint, powder coating or electroplating processes are all in common use.

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An increasingly popular technique is the use of thermal plasma spray. As the name implies, this involves the use of heat to soften particles so that they form an even coating when they hit the surface to be treated. The technique is used on products for use in a wide range of industries from the automotive sector to aerospace, agriculture and even medical and food production equipment.

How does it work?

The application of the coating involves the use of a hot plasma gun. The coating material is fed into this in the form of a powder. This is melted in the gun using a plasma flame and then sprayed onto the surface to be treated.

A number of materials with high melting points can be applied using a thermal plasma spray, and the process can be used to protect a whole range of materials including glass, metal, ceramics and even plastics. The thickness of the coating applied can be very accurately controlled down to a few microns. This controllability plus the choice of coatings and substrates available means this is a supremely versatile process.

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Where is it used?

Because of its versatility, plasma coating can be found on many different products across a wide range of industry sectors. Depending on the material being applied, the coating can provide not only protection, wear resistance and an easy-to-clean surface, but it may also offer insulation properties as well as heat resistance.

Thermal coatings can be found on industrial machinery and hospital equipment, but also on domestic items such as household appliances and kitchen utensils. The non-stick coating on your frying pan was quite probably applied using a hot plasma spraying technique. In healthcare environments, coatings can be used to provide an antibacterial protection.

It is no surprise that plasma coatings can be found employed in some pretty harsh environments. These include gas turbine blades and other turbine components, mining equipment and drilling tools for the oil and gas industries. It can also be found coating the impellers and other components of pumps to ensure a long life and a smooth flow.

Construction industry trends to look out for in 2020

With exciting developments in technology, the construction industry is ever-evolving. Let’s take a look at some of the trends to watch out for in the construction sector in 2020.

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Robotics

Construction has traditionally been a sector that has relied on manual labour and has seen little automation; however, in addition to being used to demolish buildings, robots are now being used in the construction field to do things such as lay bricks and even lay roads. By increasing automation in the industry, construction companies have been able to achieve improvements in both build times and build quality.

Virtual reality, mixed reality and augmented reality

Virtual reality (VR) is playing an important role in helping architects and construction companies with designing structures and detecting errors in the designs. Augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality can assist with 3D modelling of structures and buildings and provide a permanent record of a structure that clients can use to explore the designs prior to construction.

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BIM

Building information modelling (BIM) involves generating and managing digital representations of construction projects. BIM involves combining information with technology, as digital representations are constructed from various data sources. The reason BIM is one of the leading trends in construction is that it can lead to higher efficiency due to enhanced communication and the easy exchange of data; what’s more, it provides a higher quality of information. Many forward-thinking companies have embraced BIM technology; for example, https://www.piggottandwhitfield.co.uk/building-services/ is one of the technologically advanced construction companies Manchester has to offer using BIM technology.

Sustainability

Sustainability has become a focus across every industry as the world acknowledges a climate crisis. Although it has been an aim for decades, the construction industry has never been under more pressure to optimise energy efficiency and strive for zero emissions in the field. Construction students will now learn about renewable energy and efficient technology as part of the drive towards sustainability. Current trends in the area of sustainability include developing insulating materials to offer improved thermal efficiency, materials to generate and store energy, and materials made from recycled construction waste.

Exoskeletons

An exoskeleton comprises a metal framework fitted with motorised muscles that can increase the strength of the wearer. These can reduce the risk of injury and increase efficiency on construction sites.

Signs that you need to have in your retail business

Customers are the lifeblood of any business. The first part of attracting customers is letting them know about your business – where it is and what it does. Making sure you get noticed and keep your staff and customers safe relies on your signage.

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External signage

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Usually the first element of your signage that potential customers will see, external signage is often the most important element of your outside messaging because it encourages people to your door and determines their first impression of your business. This signage must let people know where you are and why they should take note. It covers not only doors and windows but also signs on perimeters and pavements. Place this signage so that it is visible to the largest audience.

Signage for information

As a rule of thumb, share more information and more detail the closer people get to your product. Start big and simple with just your business name for your external signage. Add some more detail on the door, such as your opening hours or some information about what you do. Once inside, include more information, including product-specific information. Informational signage could also be directional or departmental; for example, think of the hanging signs above the aisles in supermarkets. The aim is to make things as easy as possible for customers. As well as product signs there are some signs that you need to be displaying legally and these include clearly marking fire exits and routes through your building. If you are unsure of what your responsibilities are in this area you should consult with a Gloucestershire Fire Risk Assessment company such as http://keloscape.co.uk/fire-risk-assessment/

Persuasive signs

The detail comes in at the persuasion stage, which is where you make the sale. Persuasive signage might use words, imagery or a combination of the two with the aim of influencing behaviour towards the sale. It might highlight a new product, an offer, or some product benefit. Make sure there is a clear call to action and a perceived benefit to the consumer. Persuasive signs should be eye-catching and inspire consumers to want more. They must also integrate with the rest of your marketing and be consistent with your branding and corporate visual identity.

The Small Business Chronicle has more information on why retail signage is so important for your business.

The right signage will drive footfall to your store; however, beware overdoing the signage, as too many messages and too much information can be confusing.

7 TIPS TO BE AN EXPERT OF URBAN GARDENING

Living in the heart of a big city often means that you have less space to do your gardening, your hobbies with plants and have more hustle and bustle. Here are tips to be an expert on urban gardening.

You may not even have a space for a small urban garden, but that does not mean that because you live in the city you have to sacrifice your love for gardening.

Reasons to Hire A Caterer for Your Wedding

Are you kidding? Are you really planning on not hiring a caterer? Is this even something you’re considering? You have so many things to plan for your wedding day, do you actually want to take on the task of catering the event yourself? Even if you have a good friend who wants to help out and chip in by supplying the food and beverage for the big day, is that individual truly prepared to meet the needs of providing it all?

Let’s say this person, or even you perhaps, wants to prep, cook, and pack up all the appetizers, meals, side dishes, and so on (if you have the time do all that, then you are truly superhuman), who do you expect will get it all set up at the site of the event and lay it out for all the guests?

Food prep and service are the two main jobs of a caterer in huntington ny. But after those two tasks are accomplished, who do you expect will clean up and pack any leftovers? I can’t imagine you are envisioning a scenario where you and your spouse, in wedding dress and black tie, are busing tables and taking large bags of trash to the Dumpster.

Think about everything you need to consider when you’re planning the culinary portion of any big event, much less your own wedding! Are these things that you plan on doing? I highly doubt it!

Less Stress

So, this is your wedding day, you’re already nervous and more than a little stressed out. But now you have to take on the high expectations of putting out a luxurious spread of food and beverage for your wedding. When you hire a caterer, you are taking this stressful aspect of the event and putting it in the hands of a professional who knows how to handle every single facet of the job.

Of course, you will need to decide on what the menu will contain, how it will be served, and the number of people who plan to attend. But the rest is left to the experts. They will prep and cook everything, plate it or pass it out on trays, if you want a buffet-style service then the food will be laid out accordingly.

These aren’t tasks you are going to undertake on your own between wedding vows, nor do you wish to place this big responsibility on a friend or acquaintance with little to no experience in doing this job. What about drinks? You may need to hire a bartender or, at the very least, someone to pick up the alcohol and put it out for guests to serve themselves.

Time and Money

You can save on both when you hire a caterer for your wedding. Time saved in having someone else gather ingredients, prep them, cook them, bake them, and transport them to the venue where your wedding is being held. Money saved in having a caterer get you a break on the price of fifty salmon fillets through deals with wholesalers that most caterers enjoy.

And remember, the caterer does the cleaning up. Not you. That’s more time spent with friends, loved ones, and your new spouse as you head off on your honeymoon.

Care Options for People Aging on A Budget

Seeking out good nursing care for your aging parent can be a financial challenge. Professional senior care in Naples, FL, regardless of the type of care you may want to hire, can cost tens of thousands of dollars PER YEAR. That’s right, you could be nearing six figures when all is said and done annually, and that’s for living in a nursing home, should you decide that is something your parent may require for their health and well-being.

If your senior is facing some form of chronic health condition, whether it’s diabetes, cancer, arthritis, or Alzheimer’s, you may be left spending even more money to care for your elderly adult. Perhaps you are the senior in question and the costs are left to you to cover. You may find that your independence is being threatened because you need comprehensive care but you aren’t sure how you will pay the high bills associated with healthy aging.

So, here are some of the most affordable care options that you or someone you love might consider when they are aging on a budget:

Friends and Relatives

These are options for caregivers who are a good fit to offer assistance to a senior who needs someone to help out around the house, go grocery shopping, provide transportation to doctor’s offices, and prepare meals. These are individuals who are close friends or relatives and happy to be of assistance when necessary. You typically don’t need to pay these caregivers, but they aren’t the best options for supplying round-the-clock medical care.

Professional Caregivers

These are individuals you pay to come to the house and do all of the above-mentioned services, as well as other assistance such as bathing, getting dressed, going to the bathroom, and other more sensitive tasks including medical services and physical therapy.

These caregivers are trained to provide a wide range of tasks and services in the home, these folks will come to you or your aging parent’s house and their services can cost anywhere from $18 to $20 an hour for their time. So, you may want to pick and choose when and how often a professional caregiver comes to the home to provide the services needed.

Elderly Day Care

This care option is much like that which you might rely on for taking care of children. There are day care centers for elderly adults in that a senior spends time at a day care facility where caregivers are available to watch after that senior when a primary caregiver is unavailable to watch them in the comfort of their own home.

These facilities are ideal for helping main caregivers who need to go to their job or simply must step away from their caregiver duties for a temporary period of time. You can find a good adult day care center by conducting some basic research for facilities in your area. The costs of attending adult day care might be more expensive than having a friend or relative helping out, but less expensive than a nursing home or assisted living facility.

How to Paint A Room in Your Home Like A Pro

One of the easiest and most enjoyable do-it-yourself tasks that homeowners can and should accomplish at least once is painting a room. But while this job doesn’t have a whole lot of challenges to overcome in doing the work properly, there are a few things you should know so the finished product looks like you hired exterior painters richmond va.

There are some hard and fast rules as to the order in which you should take each step of the process, if you fail to follow these guidelines you won’t just be making the job harder on yourself, but your work may not look its best when you’re done. That could result in your having to do the job all over again or hiring an expert to come in and fix what you attempted.

So, here is the progression of steps as to how you should paint a room in your home like a pro:

Preparation of The Surfaces

Before you open one can of paint or dip your brush into it, you must prep the surfaces that you plan to paint. That means cleaning everything thoroughly, remove all grease, dirt, dust, grime, anything that has accumulated on the wall over time. Allowing these things to remain on the wall prevents the paint from bonding to the surface properly and it will start to peel.

You should also make any repairs to the walls or ceiling that are necessary before you start. You’re not going to paint a damaged wall, that doesn’t make much sense. Use a spackling putty and putty knife to fill in any dents or holes. After the putty has dried, sand to a smooth finish.

Priming the Walls

The interior walls of your home are typically painted with a latex paint, which means you should be able to repaint them without any primer. However, this does not apply in situations where you are painting over a dark color or something bright and bold. You will need to prime first. If there are dents or dings in the drywall that you have not been able to patch up, you may also need to use a primer. Walls that have been painted with an oil-based paint instead of latex will also require a primer.

Caulking the Cracks

You will also need to check your walls for any gaps or cracks that exist and, if you find any, you’re going to need to caulk them. But first remove the old and loose stuff before applying the new caulk with your caulking gun.

Go with an acrylic caulk and be sure you choose one that is resistant to mold and mildew if you are applying it in a kitchen or bathroom where moisture is a constant. Do not use silicone caulk anywhere you plan to paint.

Prepping Your Room

Now that your surfaces are prepped and repaired, it’s time to get started on the task at hand. You’re almost ready to paint, but first you need to prep the room you’re about to paint. That means removing all furniture, furnishings, wall decorations, and removing electrical covers. Basically, make the room bare.

Apply painter’s tape at the baseboards, windows, and door trim and cover the floor with a tarp or plastic sheet, this is especially important if you have carpet on the floor. You do not want to spill paint on your carpet fibers. That can get to be a real mess and a pain in the neck to clean up.

Start with The Ceiling

You want to begin at the highest point first because paint can and will drip. You would much rather have it drip and drop on your walls before they’ve been painted, so you don’t ruin the work you’ve done already. So, get your roller ready (this is going to be a lot easier to finish with a roller instead of a brush), and cover it with your paint.

Paint the ceiling with the roller, just be careful with ceilings that have a textured surface. In those instances, you may need to get the brush out so you can get color into any nooks and crannies.

Paint the Walls Next

Pretty self-explanatory, get your roller or brush and make long vertical strokes to apply your paint evenly. Make sure you begin at one corner of the room and work your way over, two feet at a time. One very important thing to keep in mind here is to go slow. Go at a leisurely pace, otherwise if you go too fast you could end up splattering the paint.

Cleanup

When you’ve finished all of the walls and trim, all there is left to do is pick up your drop cloths, refurnish the room, and clean your rollers and brushes. Voila, you’re done!

 

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