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Our economy is firmly in the toilet so many folks are opting either by necessity or choice to work from home. If you’re considering this, start off on the right foot to maximize your chances of optimizing your mental and physical powers by putting the principles of Feng Shui to use in your home office.

Feng Shui dictates that the objects and their arrangement in your home will influence the prosperity of the homeowner. To attract and maximize the positive energy in the home, everything should have its own space and everything should be in its correct place.

Here are 5 Feng Shui home office decorating tips you can use to get the benefits of the good energy in your home:

Windows should be free of any darkening treatments. Let the sun into the home for as long as possible. It looks great and livens up the living space! Potted plants inside to encourage happiness and wind chimes outside help to set the mood.

Candles are a great way to allow the positive energy to flow in the room.

A water feature and/or a beautiful piece of art stand for prosperity and therefore will attract prosperity into your home business. The color of prosperity is red so consider a red color scheme or accents in your home office.

Do a good job of organizing your closets and get all that surplus “junk” out of the way. Pack it away and clean the energy lines in your office. Straight lines to get to and from your desk is the way to go and allow for open spaces in the floor plan. The color of your desk is also important. Choose a red, black or a dark colored desk to allow you the best chance for maximum concentration. Once you’ve got the color right, make sure not to have your back to the doorway and if possible, try not to face a wall.

Floor coverings are not something you might think about when planning your Feng Shui revolution at home but, here’s a few detail to pay attention to.

Every piece of furniture in the room counts if you want the benefits of decorating with Feng Shui. Each piece gives off its own energy that contributes to the overall feel of the room and something like an area rug or mat is no different. The rug breaks up the mass of the floor and if done right, can create a feeling of warmth that promotes that positive energy we’re after. Be sure to pick a color that blends in with the overall theme of the room and you’re on your way.

If budget is a concern, you might have to resort to second hand furniture. This isn’t the end of the world, but (this sounds wacky to the uninitiated but with a bit of experience you’ll see it’s true) be sure to check out the history of the previous owners. If they’ve failed at their business, the energy is trapped in their belongings. I told you it might sound strange, but it’s worth paying attention to as it also happens to be true.

Sporting dogs were developed to assist hunters with searching for and retrieving game birds. This group included spaniels, setters, retrievers and pointers. They are all high-energy dogs that require daily exercise. They love the active, outdoor lifestyle but make great family dogs because of their gentle temperament. In general they are non-territorial and social, enjoying playing with other dogs.

Hounds include well-known, diverse breeds such as the diminutive Dachshund, the Beagle, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Greyhound. Hounds come in two varieties, the Scenthounds which have an amazing sense of smell that is used for tracking game. And the Sighthounds, which were bred to sight and chase game; these dogs are amazingly fast runners. Some hound names tell the story of what they were bred to hunt: Norwegian Elkhound, Irish Wolfhound, American Foxhound. Hounds can be independent characters with a strong instinct to chase. The Scenthounds are more social creatures; the Sighthounds tend to be more aloof. Many hounds hunted in groups, so they are not territorial or dominant.

Working Breeds are loyal, stalwart companions that are also protective of their owners. They are territorial and dominant. They are good alarm dogs. Working Breeds were bred for such wide-ranging tasks as pulling sleds, protecting flocks of sheep from predators, rescuing people who were stranded or hurt, patrolling property. They tend to be large, sturdy dogs but many are good natured with proper training. They don’t demand as much exercise as the sporting breeds, so they can live in smaller homes or even apartments. The Akita, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Saint Bernards are all members of this group.

Terriers are confident, tenacious creatures, two traits that were necessary for their prior careers as hunters of rats and other vermin. They are curious, busy and love investigating and exploring. They have a sharp, staccato warning bark, so they make good companions for people living alone. Airedale Terriers, Miniature Shnauzers, Scottish Terriers and Norwich Terriers are some of the members of this group. They don’t demand too much exercise or attention, but some are high energy companions.

Toy breeds were bred to be companion animals, sometimes for royalty. They are ideal for small homes, the elderly or frail or just those individuals who want a companion that is small in every way: small size, small messes to pick up, smaller feeding requirement, smaller need for exercise. Toy dogs are among the longest lived, often reaching their late teens or even 20 years of age. They are devoted to their owners, cuddly and loving. They have a strong desire to please. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Maltese, Pomerian, Toy Poodle, Pug and Yorkshire Terrier are all members of this group.

Non-Sporting Breeds are a delightful assortment of dogs, so diverse that it is difficult to summarize them in a tidy classification. The classification does not describe them accurately: they are definitely good sports. The playful little Bichon Frise, the Boston Terrier (a friendly dog sometimes called the American Gentleman), the unmistakable Bulldog, the high-energy Dalmatian, and the sensitive Standard Poodle are some of the members of this group.

The Herding group was originally dogs that were the best friends of ranchers and shepherds-protecting both livestock and people. Now, they also make great home companions, though they sometimes retain some herding instinct that must be channeled appropriately. Border Collies, for example, will try to herd the children around the house as though they were cattle. They are problem solvers and independent thinkers. They are also loyal, attentive and eager to learn. Some breeds in this group are quite active and needs lots of exercise. Australian Shepherd, Collie, German Shepherd, and Old English Sheepdog are some of the members of this group.

Bullying is a critical issue found in almost all schools, particularly in middle and high schools. Senior children often prey on younger or vulnerable students using methods which are both delicate yet effective. Bullying occurs almost every day in all schools across the nation. Even though each and every child is different, those who bully others do share some common characteristics.

Let us look at some of the common traits we can find in those bullies:
Common Characteristics:
• Those kids often are often found to be reckless, irresponsible, confrontational and dominant.
• Such children can get easily frustrated and annoyed.
• They lack the much needed virtue of empathy or compassion towards others.
• They often tend to violate rules and regulations and view violence or brutality in a positive way.
• Teenagers who bully are often physically much stronger than others.

It is quite difficult to point out a single factor as the reason of bullying among kids.

There are possibly several aspects that can place a child at jeopardy for harassing his or her colleagues or peers. On the other hand, it has been established that those children who bully are more prone than their non-bullying colleagues to come from their homes with certain characteristic factors.

Family Risk Factors:
• A lack of affection and attachment on the part of parents contribute much to the bullying nature of a child.
• Exceedingly unfettered parenting which includes a lack of setting limits for their children’s behavior can also cause a high risk.
• A lack of guidance and supervision by parents can also be a major factor for kids resorting to bullying.
• Ruthless and severe physical disciplining at home is also considered to be one among the family risk factors.
• An incident of bullying at home is also believed to cause harmful effect in kids.

Violent and Disruptive Behaviors
Many studies have revealed that bullying can be a precursor to other serious disruptive, rebellious and violent behavior. Teenagers who get involved in bullying are more likely than their peers to indulge in various activities like the following:
• They often get into regular tussles with their peers or colleagues.
• They may get injured or injure others in a brawl.
• They resort to destroying or stealing belongings of others.
• Bullies along with their gang or with their girl friends indulge in drinking alcohol and smoking.
• They intentionally skip school and miss their classes and that may even lead to dropping out of their schools.
• Bullies carry weapons often intended to protect themselves.

Does your child exhibit any of the characteristics given above? Monitor your kid. Spend time with him and instill in him the virtue of compassion, before it is too late. Prevent and protect your child and present to him a bright and prosperous future.

Academic instruction isn’t the only responsibility teachers have in today’s classrooms. More and more, teachers are being called on to teach students about values … things like making good decisions, the showing of respect, taking responsibility, choosing friends, and having a positive attitude.  It’s a responsibility that could be overwhelming, considering the limited hours available in a school day, the number of kids in the classroom, and the diversity of backgrounds and personalities each child represents.

Character Education by Just Do The Right Thing” is a practical and powerful tool that equips educators to tackle values training with confidence.

By: Francis David

So you’re thinking of adding a ferret to your family. With all of the energy and companionship these lively animals have, the road ahead is sure to be filled with love and laughter. While ferret colors vary from one animal to another, there are many characteristics that these animals share.

Adult female ferrets can weigh from 1 ½ to 2 pounds. Males weigh between 3 pounds and 5 pounds as adults. Typically, it is the male ferret that tends to be the cuddler of the family, while the female is a bit more restless and active. Even with her activity level, however, your female ferret will give you loads of loving.

The two basic ferret color you see are sable and albino. A ferret that is albino is white with pink eyes. Ferrets who fall into the sable category have black legs and a black tail. Their underfur will be either white or yellow with longer shinier surface hair of dark brown or black.

Sable ferret color is marked by a mask around the eyes of your ferret. This mask develops when a kit is about 2 weeks old. Until the kit reaches adulthood, it will also feature a vertical band, called its “baby band”, between his eyes.

In addition to having variations in ferret colors, there is also a variation in the length of their coat. The Angora ferret originated in Sweden when a breeder came across a mutation in his ferrets which produced longer hair on the hind quarters and back end of their bodies. The coat of a full angora ferret is a coat 2-4 inches long. There is no undercoat. Angora ferrets also have a telltale fold on their nose and a small tuft of hair located either on the tip or inside their nose. The shape of an angora ferret’s eyes and face is slightly different from that of an American ferret.

While an angora ferret can be oh so cute, this type of ferret is also more energetic.

If you know anything about the energy levels of the American ferret, it might be difficult to imagine a ferret with more energy and curiosity than that. But indeed, the angora brings it all to the table in one sweet little package. It is recommended that if you are to purchase an angora, you have an adult ferret at home to show the newbie the ropes and set an example of behavior. Angora ferrets can be ever the instigator and also be a little nippier than an American ferret.

Ferrets go through a shedding season in the spring and in the fall. During this time of shedding (molting), a colored ferret will experience a change in the color of their coat. Many ferrets turn a very different summer color, only to return to their original color in the fall.

In order to prevent your ferret from ingesting hairballs, it is important to brush him regularly. This can be done with a ferret brush or a cat brush. Because of their wiggly nature, you can expect a bit of wrestling to go on during grooming time. If your ferret just refuses to sit still to let you complete the task, try offering him one of his favorite treats he will hold still for. Brushing your ferret should not be overlooked. Ferrets do not cough up hairballs as cats do, which means they are susceptible to gastrointestinal blockages if they do ingest a hairball.

No matter what color or type of ferret you get, you’re sure to have a fun filled road ahead!

Have you been wondering how you know if you need a feng shui consultation? When is the best time to have a consultation? Let’s think about it for a few moments.

How are things going in your life? Are you generally healthy? How is your personal life with your family, friends and mate? Is your professional life and wealth up to your satisfaction? Most issues originate in one or more of these parts of your life. Without health it is difficult to enjoy your life. Without happy relationships your life will be less than it can be. After all money can’t buy you real love. Of course money is important and makes the rest of your life more enjoyable. Do you have problems in any of these areas?

Each section of your house relates to parts of your body. If your house has problems or a sha in the section that relates to your legs for instance, then you may have trouble with your legs too.

The rotating energies of the year, month and day can join together in supportive or non supportive ways. When they meet they can create opportunities for legal problems, gossiping or relationship problems. They might also create opportunities for new romance or make it easier to get and keep money.

Knowing more about your house and its surroundings can help you to explain past problems and more importantly help you avoid or diminish future conditions that are detrimental. You will also be better able to take advantage of locations in your home and the timing of good energies to advance your life’s plan.

So if you have problems you would like to eliminate or improve, you should consider a feng shui consultation. Your life might be going along well but you feel it could even be better, then you might consider a feng shui consultation.

What is the bet time for a consultation? Now, especially if you are starting a new building project.

When you know what type of land to buy you can avoid many serious problems from the beginning. Maybe you already have land. Now is still the time. You will be able to make best use of the property and improve upon any conditions that are not optimum before you build. Oh, so you already have a building. Now is still the time. You can make the best use of what you have by employing feng shui to choose the best locations for your bedroom, office and other living spaces. Are you renovating? Now is the time to have a feng shui consultation to make sure you are not creating problems.

As you see, now is the time to take advantage of a feng shui consultation to improve your life.