Obsessions can grow wild in a fertile mind that provides them with thoughts and actions that are focused especially to keep them alive. They grow like weeds, and are difficult to kill if you are not careful to get to the root of them when you decide to get rid of them. Most obsessions don’t start out being the monsters that they end up becoming; they usually start out as a simple concern that morphs way out of proportion.

Any person can become obsessed with a thought or an idea, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes days of very focused and sustained concentration around a specific thought or fear for it to start taking over and pushing reason and rational out of range.

Some people mistake being distracted by something, as being obsessed with it. It is true that if you let something distract you long enough, you are in danger of becoming obsessed with it. But simply being distracted by something that is based in reality, and actually needs your attention, is normal. Still, you should be careful not to let anything distract you to the point that you find yourself neglecting other areas in your life that are important as well.

Once you have found that you have crossed the line into obsession, time can be your biggest ally, or your worst enemy. The quicker you take your attention off of what you are obsessed with, the easier it will be for you to keep it off. If you have let it get to the point, that you have already let your obsession become a regular part of your life, for some time, be ready and willing to take drastic measures to rid yourself of this pattern of thought. If you do not take it seriously and let it continue to gain power over you, it can take over everything you do.

Normal thoughts and obsessive thoughts differ in many ways: Obsessive thoughts take on a snow ball effect. They start as one regular thought of someone or something and lead to irrational or delusional thoughts that become impossible to ignore. Obsessive thoughts also tend to lead the person who is having them to act out on their thoughts in a negative way. Another indication that you have become obsessed with something is if it starts to be the motivation for everything you do.

The more you cater to these destructive thoughts, the more momentum they gain. By entertaining them or the things that they make you want to do, you are feeding them. If you keep feeding them, they will grow. To get rid of them, you will have to starve them. This process can be very uncomfortable at first because your obsession has become a big part of your thought process; being without these thoughts can leave you feeling a little lost in the beginning. As you slowly allow other things to occupy your mind, you will notice feeling a lot less anxious and more peaceful. If you simply cannot find your way out of the maze of your obsession it may be a good idea to talk to somebody that can help you. Obsession can steal your sense of well being, and if allowed to go on, eventually make it hard for you to discern reality from fantasy.

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words “road trip” is fun.  Images of the open road, music blaring, the wind blowing through your hair, and the excitement of adventures not yet had, start dancing in your head, as soon as you hear those three little words.

If you’ve never been on road trip then the ante goes way up and the thrills become unimaginable but just as fantasy filled.  There is nothing on the open road, yet nothing seems more tempting at times.  It could be just the thought of being far away from home.  It is an unspoken rule that the farther away from home you go, the less you have to act like your real self.

Then one day you get extremely lucky and somebody asks you if you would like to go on a road trip with them.  They start telling you what they have to do and how far they plan to go in how long, but you don’t hear any of that, you just hear yourself saying “I’m there”.

After planning and packing you hop in the car and head off for a week long drive across the U.S., which happens to be over fifteen hundred miles, but it doesn’t occur to you, how much time has to be spent driving, for you to be able to make that two way trip in one week.  All you know is that you are so there.

Everything starts off amazing as you leave one state and head into the next.  The excitement is overwhelming as it floods your system with adrenaline; well it does for a few hours.  A couple of states later,  you start wondering how many miles did they say it was going to be, and when would you be stopping to eat, sleep, get the feeling back in your back side.  You finally succumb to sleep, only to be awakened by the loud horn of the semi that was honking to wake up the driver of your car.  It’s about this time that the reality of what you are doing starts to hit you.  By now you are hundreds of miles from home and there is no going back.

Finally you and your road trip partner stop to get something to eat.  The food is okay but not double the usual price okay; it’s obvious they smell tourists coming from miles away.  After about day three and ten hours of sleep, you start to feel very homesick and homicidal at the same time.  It seems you’ve agreed to go on a road trip with a person who happens to be stuck on a power trip.  They will not let you listen to the music you want or drive, even when they are clearly ready to fall asleep at the wheel.  They also forgot to tell you, or you were not listening when they told you, that you would hardly be stopping during this trip because they need to be back for work in a few days. After driving through a summer hail storm with, a half asleep egomaniac, at the wheel, it is official, you want off this ride.

It is now time to take matters into your own hands and do the most logical thing possible; you get to the nearest bus station and catch a bus home.  As you settle into the seat for your long ride home, you feel the bus swerve and wonder how long it’s been since the driver last slept.

There are so many stunning details involved in wedding planning. Those who are currently planning their own wedding are feeling the pinch of these details. The big details are the greatest challenge, but once the biggest of the trails have been trekked, it is time to enjoy the fulfilling mini-details that will make the splendor of the wedding moment a true bliss.

The ambiance of a wedding reflects love and togetherness, but the specific items that you use for that ambiance are up to you. Centerpieces are a major feature to any wedding reception and finding a unique idea that reflects your personal taste can be a lot of fun.

From flowers to candles, simple displays are easy to make, and easy to help you stay within budget. With today’s retro and classic styles a taste of elegant flair can be used with decorative genius at a small price.

For a brilliant display of creativity try using an exaggerated-size wine glass flower vase (available at discount stores such as Wal-Wart). Add colored marbles or a few smooth rocks, fill with fresh, clean (or filtered water) and buy several small to medium sized beta or gold fish and add 1-2 fish per large vase. The vase should be big enough to hold 2-3 quarts of water to supply the fish enough oxygen to last the length of the reception. Add a sprig of cut vine or a few small flower-heads to float on top of the water for color. Most beta fish come in varying colors and may even accent your color scheme. Then give away the fish to guests who have tanks at home! This can be relatively inexpensive if purchasing the vases in bulk.

For another tasteful flair try this impressive idea. Amaze your guests with a stunning glass pond on each table. Using a large, flat-bottom glass basin (try a 28″ + flat-bottom glass bowl) fill ½ of the way with clean water. Find smooth stones that will match your ensemble and sprinkle them across the bottom of each basin. Find small, floating glass tea light holders that will be equipped with a tea light of specific scent and color. Add the tea light equipped holders to the water to float gracefully. Add a flare of extra color by adding small fresh cut flower-heads to float, or add a big sprinkle of glitter to the water to add a reflective hue off of the candle flames.

For a natural hint of color try using 10″x10″ clear glass pedestal vases fill ½ full with clean water. Add small seashells to cover the bottom of the vase and add 2-4 floating candles, your choice of color. With a pedestal vase the stalk leaves room under the vase to display items such as flower petals on the table or seashells with tea light candles in-shell. Even take a few inches of fake ivy vine to wrap around the stalk.

Make your own personality come alive with your creative ideas. Any idea can be personalized to your own taste. It is your wedding and everyone deserves a wedding that accentuates their style in their way.

   Exercise can be so boring but only if you let it! Working out is as fun as you are. So if you’re bored take a closer look. You’re a bore. Most people are so used to daily routines. Wake up, go to work, take a lunch, go back to work, drive home through traffic, start cooking dinner, get clothes ready for the next day and repeat. What if exercise is the one thing that makes us feel like we are not in a daily routine? It can be that time in the day where you have complete freedom to be who you are. No cell phones, no nagging wives or husbands, no demanding bosses, no stupid co-workers. It’s your time to let your hair down and get wild. Oh, you mean no one made you look at it that way? Well let me share a few things that I’m all about!

      I dance! I go wild! I put a crazy outfit on or a sexy outfit whichever I feel at the moment. I put some music on and dance like no one is watching! I can laugh at myself, I can cry, I can scream, it’s my time to be free and it doesn’t take anything out of my wallet. If you can’t do it alone then take classes that take you out of the box. There’s erotic dance lessons for all the in the closet vixens. You can do ballroom and waltz across the floor for an hour. Salsa if you want to feel spicy. Before you know it you are breaking a sweat in a very fun and creative way. Makes you feel good because you’re different and will definitely make you smile when you see people around you as uncoordinated as you are. The best part is you can take what you learn home with you and go crazy dancing by yourself. What’s the craziest part of all this is the next time you hear a song you will actually feel more coordinated and confident. You will see yourself actually getting better by just having fun. There’s nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment.

      Yoga is another great way to exercise especially after a long day at work. It doesn’t matter how athletic you are. I’ve gone into a yoga class where an 80 year old woman is holding a pose with so much more balance and precision than I could ever imagine doing. It’s brings stillness to your mind so say bye to worry and stress! It stretches you while strengthening muscles and achy bones. If you’re super daring then join a bikram yoga. Yes, yoga in a sauna. You come out drenched in sweat feeling light, limber and refreshed. You can meet really cool people and become part of a yoga community. There’s nothing that gives more motivation than new friends. It will get you in shape and improve your mood. Oh did I tell you it sheds inches off? But that’s not the reason why we do it. The feeling after can be compared something close to the after effects of a good orgasm but don’t take my word for it!

      So your schedule is too busy you say? Cut out unnecessary convos on the phone. They usually add up and can be time you are putting into yourself instead. Make dinner the night before so that all you have to do is heat it up once you get home. Better yet make dinner for the next few days. Once you get into a habit it will become a second nature and you will feel lost if you don’t exercise. You will be addicted to something good for a chance. All it takes is you doing it now and not saying you’ll just do it tomorrow. 

If you are short on ideas, then check out the Fitness Section at Eat-Healthy-Live-Healthy.com. They  have quite a few interesting articles.

The first few days home from the hospital with your new baby will be hectic, but they’re also the best time to start collecting materials for your new baby scrapbook.  A new baby scrapbook is a meaningful memento that your child will cherish throughout his or her life.  Even if you don’t feel up to creating your scrapbook during your first few weeks home, start to set aside the items you’d like to include so that they don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of life with your new baby.

Pictures

Pictures will likely make up the bulk of your baby scrapbook, so be sure to get lots of shots both before and after your trip to the hospital.  As some soon-to-be mothers get closer to their due dates, they’ll actually hire professional photographers to document the entire journey of pregnancy, delivery and recovery – but if this seems a bit invasive, consider enlisting a trusted friend or family member to take pictures for you.

Hospital mementos

Small trinkets from your hospital stay make great additions to your baby scrapbook.  Be sure to save the nametag that hospital personnel attach to your baby’s wrist, in addition to any “new baby” signs that the staff post in your room.  If your hospital provides you with a baby blanket to take home, you might also want to hang on to it – a small swatch cut from one of the corners can be another meaningful addition to your scrapbook.

Birth announcements

If you send out mailed birth announcements to friends and family members, keep a copy for yourself to include in your baby book.  You can also include a printed copy of the newspaper announcement, if you choose to have one published.  Finally, even if you decide to go the more modern route of announcing your baby’s birth via website, you can still print out a copy of the post you made for your baby’s scrapbook.

Cards and gifts

If you’ve held on to any of the cards you received at your baby shower, you may want to include a separate “pre-birth” page.  You might also find that some friends and family members will send congratulations cards following your baby’s birth.  These, and other small gifts, make great additions to your baby scrapbook.

Putting it all together

Once you’ve assembled all the different pieces to include in your new baby scrapbook, it’s time to hit the crafts store!  Stores like Michaels or JoAnns all carry scrapbooking materials, or, depending on where you live, you may be able to find a stand-alone, dedicated scrapbooking store.  These stores carry a wide variety of materials, including pre-made scrapbook kits that come with everything you need to put your baby book together.

If you’re feeling creative, you can also create your own new baby scrapbook from scratch.  Most crafting stores offer specialty papers, stickers, stamps, pens and much more that can be used to create a unique, one-of-a-kind baby book.  Some scrapbooking stores also offer classes on making baby books where you’ll learn new techniques and work with others on your project.  Look for stores in your area that offer these classes – they can be a great way to get out and meet other new moms, all while putting together a keepsake that your child will treasure forever.

My pregnancy and asthma article was included in this week’s Carnival of Spiritual Growth. There’s a lot of interesting articles, including stuff on yoga, self improvement, and health and well being. I encourage everyone to check it out.

Are you thinking of eloping?  While you may want to avoid planning a huge, complicated wedding, eloping isn’t for everyone.  Consider the following advice before you make the decision to elope.

Why Eloping May Be for You

The number one reason couples elope is to save money.  Running away for a few days to tie the knot is simply much less expensive than a big, traditional wedding.  Eloping also helps couples to avoid the thousands of dollars in debt they can accrue on a big wedding.  In addition, some people don’t want to spend months planning their weddings; while others prefer to avoid family members who may not approve of the wedding.

There’s also something very romantic about being swept away to get married, whether it’s at city hall or in Las Vegas or another exotic location.  Eloping can feel like a grand adventure, and some couples prefer the intimacy and spontaneity of small wedding.  Not everyone likes the bells and whistles of a big wedding, nor all the hoops they feel they must jump through.  If this describes you and your soon-to-be-spouse, eloping may be right for you.

Why Eloping May Not Be for You

If you’ve always dreamed of a large wedding, eloping may not be a good choice for you.  Some women begin planning their weddings when they’re only seven or eight years old.  They want the entire affair – and the Prince Charming to go with it – and eloping means giving up this dream.  Even if eloping sounds good at the time, you may find yourself regretting the wedding you never had.

Weddings are also very important for your family.  There are likely to be some hurt feelings, especially from the mother of the bride if you decide to elope.  If your family doesn’t approve of who you want to spend the rest of your life with, eloping could cause even more hard feelings.  While this is not always the case, it does happen.

If you decide to elope, you also won’t have the memories or mementos from a large wedding. While you can certainly take pictures of city hall or of a Las Vegas wedding chapel, it’s not quite the same as formal wedding photos and dried flowers pressed from your bouquet.

Eloping Dos and Don’ts

If you decide that eloping is the best option for your and your fiancé, consider the following advice to help avoid some of the problems that come with eloping.

Have a private ceremony, but host a reception at a later date for your friends and family.

Bring a professional photographer to wherever you are getting married.  Even if the ceremony is at city hall, you can still send out pictures to your friends and family, along with your wedding announcement.

Bring your parents with you.  While this may seem like it voids the point of eloping, you can often appease your parents with just the invitation to attend. If money is an issue, plan to have a fabulous five- or ten-year anniversary party when you’re in a better financial position.

While eloping can be very exciting, don’t forget to check into the paperwork you’ll need.  Every state has its own licensing requirements, and most states won’t allow you marry on the same day that you applied for a license.  This is one of the reasons why many people go to Las Vegas to elope, since the process is much simpler and faster there.

If you’re planning a courthouse wedding, you may want to ask how many guests you’re allowed to have present during the ceremony.  Depending on the time and seating room, you may be able to invite as many as ten to twelve people to witness your nuptials.  However, in most cases, the court clerks can act as witnesses, so you don’t have to have anyone there if you don’t want to.

It is possible to have a healthy pregnancy even if you have asthma; however, you must take extra precautions to keep your asthma under control during this time.

Asthma, Pregnancy, and Possible Complications

If your asthma is not kept under control during pregnancy, there are several complications that can occur. High blood pressure, toxemia, eclampsia, or severe bleeding are all possible complications, as is a difficult labor and delivery. There is also the chance that your baby will be born prematurely, with a lower birth weight. It is therefore very important to the health of you and your baby that you control your asthma while you’re pregnant.

Asthma Medications

Many medical studies demonstrate that difficulties with your asthma can cause significant problems with your pregnancy. Therefore, it’s recommended that you continue to take your asthma medications while you are pregnant, even though many women express concerns about how the medication may affect the baby.

In most cases, asthma inhalers contain such a low dose of medication that many doctors believe there is little harm to your baby. However, if you take an oral medication for your asthma, you might want to speak with your doctor. He or she may switch your medications, decrease your dose of an existing medication, or switch you to an asthma inhaler. If it is at all possible, these medications should not be used during the first three months of your pregnancy, as the chances of harming your baby are much higher during the first trimester.

Controlling Asthma While Pregnant

As mentioned previously, good control of your asthma is essential to having a successful pregnancy. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to limit the impact of asthma on your baby.

Determine an asthma plan: Your prenatal doctor and your asthma doctor can determine what kind of medication is appropriate and what dosage will be safe for you and your baby.
Determine your asthma triggers: You might find it helpful to keep a diary of the specific things that seem to trigger your asthma. Once you’re familiar with them, try to find a way to avoid these triggers.
Coordinate your care: Be sure your prenatal doctor and your asthma doctor work together to provide your care. This will help to prevent any medical mistakes that may occur during your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Effects on Asthma

Unfortunately, pregnancy can aggravate your asthma and make it worse, although this is not the case for every woman. Many women claim that their asthma didn’t change at all during their pregnancies, while others said their asthma was actually better while they were pregnant. If you’ve been pregnant before and your asthma was worse, it will probably be the same during your future pregnancies. However, if your asthma did not get more severe during your pregnancy, it probably will not do so this time either.

To Get Pregnant or Not to Get Pregnant

Asthma should not be a reason for you to not become pregnant. However, if your asthma is severe, you need to speak with your doctor before becoming pregnant, if possible. You doctor can help you decide which is the best course of action to take for the benefit of you and your baby.

Do you believe your star sign is important? I’m undecided. Most people think it’s hocus pocus, but some people swear by it. My exotic dancer friend even screens her clients using astrology and says that it’s dramatically helped her!

Astrology.com: Probably the most popular astrology website. The site has so much stuff on it that it’s difficult to navigate around though.

My Free Horoscopes: The site is different from what the name implies. This site gives information about astrology, feng shui, and a realm of other spiritual beliefs. It will help you learn about these topics and help you make a decision for yourself if these are the sorts of things you would like to explore further.

0800 Horoscopes: A free horoscope site that has new horoscopes daily.

Why Horoscopes Are Dumb: Opinion piece about why the whole horoscope industry is ridiculous in this author’s eyes.

Daily Horoscopes: Looking for information about how your sign is doing today? Then this site is for you. Gives you a daily outlook on life.

Wikipedia: Astrology: Want a boring background on astrology, read this.

Strip poker is a fun game to play when you are drunk and have a small crowd of good-looking guys and gals.  Unlike most drinking card games, strip poker is not a “drinking game” per se. Basically, you take the game of poker and bastardize it a little and boom, you have yourself a drinking game.

If you’re new to strip poker, the first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with the rules of poker. There are a variety of popular poker games. The most popular is Texas Hold’em, but people also still play five card draw for strip poker purposes. There’s two ways I recommend playing strip poker, whether it’s using five card draw or Texas Hold’em.

The first and easiest is that whoever has the worst hand (or best hand) has to take off an article of clothing. This is the easiest because there is no betting, no skill whatsoever. You deal out the cards and whoever’s hand is the best or the worst (or both!) takes off a piece of clothing. Simple as pie.

Now, a more boring way is to involve betting. Generally, each player gets ten chips. If you lose all your chips, you have to take off a piece of clothing to get another ten chips. The problem with this method is that whoever is the winner of the game ends up with most of their clothes on. That’s no fun. Also, this means “skill” becomes involved, and that’s no fun as well. That’s why I recommend the first way, the most mindless, fun way of playing strip poker.