My hair loss treatment journey started the day I started to find myself balding. The most obvious thing to do was to find ways to style my hair to cover my bald spot. I began wearing more hats on the weekends as I went out with my wife, friends or family. Of course at work I could not wear caps so it was a painful experience each morning for me just to walk in the office. Your thoughts changes when you are going through hair loss. It is so true that you never know what you have until you lose it. That can be true about your hair loss.

Having suffered from hair loss, I started to appreciate every strand of hair that I had left. It was as if with each strand of hair I lost, so was a small portion of my confidence gone as well. A acquaintance of mine had the same problem as me. I observed lately that he appeared so much more relaxed and it looks as though his hair was growing back. I didn’t wanted to bring it up but after a while I decided to ask. It was then that he told me about Advanced Hair Studios. My friend Josh told me that he had only had a few treatments and has already started to see some positive results, he not only regrown his hair, but his confidence as well. I was determined to give Advanced Hair a try as after all I had a lot to lose, meaning my hair and self-assurance.

I have to admit that I was a little sceptical at first. Outcomes were obvious within a few weeks. Not only on my head, but in my behavior. I began to lose the hats on the weekends and I quickly started to feel better about myself. My wife has also noticed a change in my day to day behavior as well. It is amazing how just a few treatments to the Advanced Hair Studio had begun to change my life as a whole. I always felt as if the first thing people observed about me was my bald spot. Now, I am not concerned to look people in the eyes again as I have my full set of hair back.

Advance Hair Studio has not only given me back my hair little by little, but a big chunk of my life as well. So, if anyone is experiencing hair loss I highly recommend them. Don’t let your self-assurance continue to be lost with your hair.

Not that I hate to say it, but life can be lonesome without a date. I finally bottomed out, this morning I ate a whole bag of Oreos. On a weekend while being single, for once. That actually happened. Am I crazy? Honestly, that’s the moment when I initially looked into finding a date in North Dallas.

No problem. I’ll meet new singles with this Dallas dating service. That never sounded better. The reason I mention my dating woes: We were at my 40th birthday near North Dallas two weeks ago, great aunt Judy had to know if I’ve bumped into my soulmate. They sure have nerve. My response was, “I’m eating here, and no.”

And of course Cousin Terry mindlessly kept jabbing me along the lines of marriage. I joked to all of them: “Seriously, I manage, don’t I?”

Guess what? Everyone looked away and giggled. Shortly after, I called Dave because the dating pressure was too much. That didn’t help! It was more useful listening to my dad, which is never the case. Nina, who was just deployed on military commission suggested that I mingle at singles events by Great Expectations. I said, “Yeah, maybe I should.” Should have thought of it myself. I love the Denver Singles Events at Great Expectations.

Early on, dating events were kinda foreign as I am a simple guy. I was a bit nervous at first, and I was speechless at first. This emotional anxiety could not put an end to us from enjoying ourselves. The evening was a great way to start at Great Expectations. The greatest most memorable part of it all was the honest, desirable singles.

It’s been a pleasure to party at these splendid Dallas singles events, I met some great people who I could tell feel as excited as I am when talking about real-world dating. I really shouldn’t allow everyone give their two cents about me not dating. Surprisingly enough, dating with Great Expectations is my pleasure and like a dream come true.

Steve

Just Trying to Help

For years, women’s wigs were not forever my personal obsession. Art was what I thought about every day. This applied until last week when my hair wouldn’t be the same due to medical hair loss. I said that I can’t allow for the outcome of appearing on TV as a chrome-dome powerless Samson (from the Bible) of Texas.

I thought that my charm would be more difficult, bereaved of beautiful hair. I felt like that it would be impossble to realize wonderful style. Oh, how incorrect. Before I got wise and bought my favorite real wig, I went through a barrage of hot unnatural hair extensions that made me uncomfortable. My lover Jim found me some dignified wig stores where I could get human hair wigs I would love.

So I walked to the store and checked it out. I noticed an inventory of glorious, seamless lace front wigs. Their tailored invisible lace wigs did wonders for me.

Provided the right hair piece, a proud individual like me would develop courage while admitting to her balding. Never have I been so inspired to flaunt my current hair styles. It meant a lot to me to finally regain my personality on the streets of Manhattan.

Perhaps I’m getting out of hand as I ramble, but my style is an important aspect of your confidence level. Is there more things to individuality than a beautiful head of hair? You know, it couldn’t mean much if that were so. Its true, medical wigs offer an important option for stylish ladies who can relate.

I couldn’t tell you what these blessings have meant to me. No one has noticed the truth of me and my lacking hair. Still there you have it, I’m very set to be alive. Lace front wigs improved things for my family and I.

Judgmental people may call that sentiment is needy. Oh well. I don’t care who you are, what creature comforts make existence so possible? For me, it’s my career and my hair.

Care for Your Hair!

Denise Holton

Firstly, You couldn’t describe me as exactly satisfied being picky and remain an honest woman. But, I’m not uncomfortable about it, either. I only mention it in this blog as an ear-catching detail foreshadowing what I am about to explain in grand style.

Last Monday I was talking to Trisha, considering buying a membership to a Dallas Singles dating service. As of this minute, I stand to the blogosphere as a happy member of the matchmaking service. Seriously, it’s true. It’s great! If you know me at all, you may be wondering, “You totally owe me an explanation.”

So, I noticed these Great Expectations Reviews and felt encouraged. They’re for the honest singles who care enough to know dating should have a point.

Because in all honesty I’d never enjoyed or even tolerated this silly social phenomenon a lot of singles have named “dating.” I heard it all the time. Each night readers nagg, “Are you seeing somebody?” and “Oh I know just the guy for you!”

“Nonsense,” I banter right back, smiling ear to ear. “Not after that last blind date you set me up on.”

“Don’t be silly,” they deadpan. “How would you know, you haven’t seen Friday Night Magic in a year!”

That’s just my best friend (on a good day) Patty McCarthy. She pours common sense to my brain to put me back on course. Caring souls I depend on . No countering that, so I signed up.

Coming home to the message of this essay. As I browsed from thousands of quality singles for my first singles event with Great Expectations, something occurred to me that was quite true. For the longest time, I hadn’t had too many emotional great expectations for dating and myself in the adventurous winding course of this world. Being single isn’t so bad, especially if you use the freedom to date. Having great expectations works terrifically on a cynics social life.

–Christy Palmer

What is holding you back from living the life you’ve always dreamed about? What is stopping you from reaching your goals? What is preventing you from enjoying healthy loving relationships? If you knew the answer to these questions you wouldn’t be interested in reading this article.

Hypnosisa.k.a. HypnotherapyIs an excellent and safe healing technique to bring about changes that enhance the potential for success and happiness.

Hypnosis/Regression takes you back to your beginning . . . the place where beliefs are formed. Combined with hypnosis, Regression is a unique and intuitive process that bridges the present and the past, the practical and the sacred. From that vantage point, lasting change can occur, in which negative values, principles, and patterns can be discarded, positive doctrines can be reinforced, and a new philosophy for life can be developed.

Hypnosis/Regression enables a person to:

•	Gain insight into present difficulties and past events
 •	Discover the negative beliefs that shape present life decisions and actions
 •	Increase self-esteem and optimism about life
 •	Unlock potential
 •	Improve relationships
 •	Create new beliefs that reflect the true inner self
 •	Reduce anxiety, tension and stress
 •	Weight loss
 •	Smoke cessation
 •	Increase creativity and clarity
 •	Enhance intuition and inner peace
 •	Strengthen immune system
 •	Acquire a deeper perspective and greater vision of your life purpose
 •	Embrace life as an enriching opportunity to learn
 •	Createmind-body healingphysically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
 •	Integrate mind, body and spirit
 •	Release old patterns and phobias from previous and present lives
 •	Remove physical imprints, negative memories and attachments from past lives

Many people wonder how soon they will see the results. Results depend on the symptoms you are working on and how deep and profound the experience was, which created the symptom. The results may be immediate after the first session or it may take several sessions before you see the results you desire.

Another reason many people neglect engaging with a mental health professional is a concern about being able to come for the required sessions. For example: What if I can’t take time off work? I am very busy. Which prompts me to wonder why you value yourself so little, or that you put everyone and everything else first. If you do not take care of yourself, who will? The majority of mental health professionals have evening hours. Call until you find someone who has evening hours.

And last, but not least you deserve to have peace of mind and a happy life.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD,a Certified Hypnosis and Regression practitioner works with people face-to-face or via phone. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life’s challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

Whenever someone asks me to do a favor, take on a responsibility
complete a task, help with a chore, my knee-jerk reaction is to
say “Yes, sure!” While it would be interesting to discover
whether this comes from conditioning, a desire to please, or a
sense of wanting to contribute, in the end it, that’s not the
question I really need to answer.

What really matters is whether my saying “yes” is serving me
well or not!

Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn’t. How do I know the
difference and, just as vitally, how do I say “no” when it
doesn’t?

If what I’m saying “yes” to is fun for me, is an opportunity
(which means something that has little risk, and a good chance
of paying off in some way in the near future), rather than a
possibility (something which involves more risk as to whether
and when it will bring fruit) I’m more likely to participate.
Sometimes I have to take a closer look to get a feel for things.
If it feels like an obligation that isn’t going to be fun or pay
off in some way, if I’ve already got too much on my plate and am
feeling overwhelmed or if I’m doing it just to curry someone’s
favor, feel important, or not have to deal with turning someone
down, I know I have to start thinking about how I’m going to say
“no”.

How do you say no? Or do you? There are many styles of saying
“no”, and many ways of “languaging” it. The important thing is
to do it in a way that feels like it’s your words, and that you
really mean what you say. Fear that you’ll feel guilty about
saying “no” or that others will think badly of you? Have you
felt that way about other people who have politely turned down
your requests for assistance? Possibly so, but more than likely
not.

Is it costing you more to say “yes” than “no”? What are the
costs and how do you balance them? It’s all very individual, and
some- thing you must determine for yourself.

I’m offering a free teleclass on the subject if you’d like to
learn more. See more information below, under “Wanna Be Happy?
Be SELFISH!”

I’d love to hear from you with your thoughts about and
experiences with expectations, if you’d care to share them with
me.

Has someone nearby been sending you emails rather than calling or meeting you face-to-face? When you do get together, does she or he stand back, avoid holding eye contact, or speaking up?

While there are many possible reasons for their behavior, that person may, in fact,
be a victim of what has become “the third most prevalent psychiatric disorder”
according to Dr. Lynne Henderson, a director of The Shyness Clinic. Yes, shyness.

Along with Dr. Phil Zimbardo of Stanford University, Henderson has been studying
what they believe is a growing social epidemic. In their research, nearly half of
Americans describe themselves as chronically shy. Another 40% considered
themselves as previously shy and only about 5% believed they were never shy. Dr.
Zimbardo intends to draw more public attention to this disorder in his role as the
new president of the American Psychological Assocation.

Shy people tend to smile, touch and speak less. In social situations they experience
symptoms such as rapid heart beat, perspiration, and butterflies in the stomach . . .
often. Henderson and Zimbardo say that shyness is a form of excessive self-
preoccupation. Shy people think more negative thoughts about themselves, are
more likely to expect to be rejected and perceive others as less approachable than
less shy people.

They are even more likely to forget information presented to them when they
believe that they are being evaluated. In short, the world looks like a
scary, unfriendly place, so, ironically, they prove themselves right and often look
unapproachable.

At what cost? Shy people obviously have more trouble meeting people, conversing,
forming relationships — participating in life. Professor emeritus Thomas Harrell of
Stanford University examined Stanford M.B.A.’s over a 20 year period to elicit their
“success” factor and found that,”The number one factor linked with success was
social extroversion, the ability to speak up, something that shy people are least apt
to do.

The bad news continues. In addition to the pervasive loneliness which shyness
engenders, two potent, negative consequences of shyness are

1) greater health
problems because shy people tend to have a weak network of friends and are thus
less resilient to illness and less likely to even tell give doctors sufficient information
to be treated, and

2) likely to make less money, live up to their potential at work or
feel appreciated for their contributions.

Metaphorically, shyness is a shrinking back from life that weakens the bonds of
human connection. In her book, “That’s Not What I Meant”, Dr. Deborah Tannen
wrote that, “Little of what we say is really important, relative to the words that are
used, but it is the conversation itself that shows involvement.”

Why are more American describing themselves as shy?
Is it our growing social isolation? Machines are replacing humans in many of our
everyday interactions, from bank ATMs to gas stations to Email. Dr. Henderson
believes that, “The growing context of indifference to others means a lowered
priority is being given to being social.” With less time spent in face-to-face
interaction people are feeliing less comfortable with their ability to connect when
they do want that closeness, turning modern-day shy.

What can you do to reach out through your shyness? Shyness expert, Jonathan
Berent, offers four pieces of advice which I have paraphrased:

1. When you feel safe you do not feel shy.

Seek out and create safe environments to experience the non-shy parts of yourself,
where you can be completely yourself without fear of judgment or negative
consequences.

2. You are responsible for your actions, not your feelings.

A natural instinct is to be driven to get rid of uncomfortable feelings. But you can
remove feelings or control them. You can only feel them and then move onto what
you want to feel or do next.

3. Your feelings are not within your control, but your follow-up thoughts and
actions are.

Trying not to feel shy leads you to trying not to feel at all. Try stuffing
your feelings and you may turn compulsive, obsessive, addicted to something or
someone and/or withdraw.

If you try to stay with your feeling of shyness and see the worst that you can feel,
then, over time, you know that you can survive, and even thrive in situation that had
seemed scary.

4. Shy people are often attracted to those who do not return the affection which is a
very painful way of creating safety.

Knowing this, you can become more aware of people who are comfortable enough
to reciprocate your reaching out.

One final personal note. Most of my childhood I was quiet and kept to myself,
mostly because I enjoyed daydreaming and reading. But most people thought that I
was shy. In fact a school therapist diagnosed me as “phobically shy.” I saw how
isolating their view of me could make my life if I did not learn to reach out more so
that people would be comfortable with me when I did want to connect.

We all know from harsh experience that, while everyone yearns to be known and
cared for, not everyone knows how to show appreciation in the face of caring. You
“say it better” to connect and care, not because those gestures will always be
acknowledged, but because, it is your brave and warm expression of how you want
to live your life. Yes?

Kare Anderson is the author of LikeABILITY (see Grand Store at
http://www.SayitBetter.com), Make Yourself Memorable and SmartPartnering. A popular
speaker on SmartPartnering and on how to be more frequently-quoted to become
your kind of customers’ top- of-mind choice, she also publishes the SayitBetter
newsletter, with 32,000 subscribers in 28 countries.

Creativity is the constructive use of imagination in which you give material form to creative ideas. Everything created is first imagined. Being creative does not simply mean having a lot of ideas, but also materializing creative ideas in the real world. This article will teach you how to become creative with inspiration from your favorite movies.

Why You Need to Be Creative

When you stifle your creativity, you suffer consequences: your self-esteem diminishes, you feel perpetually unfulfilled, your life seems boring and small, and you envy other people’s creative successes.

In my coaching practice I see how creativity changes my clients’ lives. When they follow their creative ideas, a whole world opens up for them. They discover a new focus, become fully engaged in their lives. They feel energized and they gain a renewed sense of hope and self-confidence.
If you also want to experience true joy and renewed energy and if you want to tap into a perennial fountain of youth, develop a creative habit today.
How Creative Are You?

Take the following quiz. It will give you good insights into how you treat your creativity and how you use it to improve your life.

1. I don’t know how to use creative imagination for guidance and solutions when I’m stuck with a problem.

2. I don’t have an inner mentor to inspire me when I need a boost of self-confidence.

3. Every once in a while I put a creative idea into action. (e.g.: cook something from scratch, develop a business idea, design an outfit, work on my home, etc.) I should do it a lot more often.

4. I don’t trust my creative ideas and I seldom follow through with them.

5. To me, the word “imagination” means “escape from reality”

6. I don’t know the five characteristics of a creative habit.

7. My friends are not creative.

8. Only artists are creative people. I’m not an artist, so I don’t think I can be creative.

9. I never think about the meaning of these words:

Produce,
Reproduce,
Imitate,
Create,

and how they describe my happiness-seeking actions.

10. I’m not used to doing something creative to channel my negative emotions when I feel angry, hurt or distressed.

Give 0 point for each TRUE and 1 point for each NOT TRUE.

Check your score:

10-7: Congratulations! You should consider teaching others how to use creativity like you do!

7-4: Continue being creative every single day of your life. Correct your few “anti-creative” attitudes and become an example of a creative, fulfilled person to your family and friends!

3-1: Why don’t you take your creativity a little more seriously? It will give you many returns that very few activities can offer.

0: You stifle your creativity and suffer the consequences. Your life will change immediately if you develop a creative habit.

How Movies Can Help You Become Creative

The characters in the following films are different but they all share one characteristic in common: their lives are determined by their willingness to be creative. They can inspire you to trust your creativity and follow your creative impulses until they bring fruits in your life.
Choose a film and watch it alone or with a group of friends. Answer the questions at the end of the list in writing and discuss your answers with your friends. Repeat the same with more films of the list, as your time permits:

• Amadeus (1984); directed by Milos Forman
• Artemisia (1997); directed by Agnes Merlet
• Babette’s Feast (1987); directed by Gabriel Axel
• Chocolat (2000); directed by Lasse Hallstrm
• Frida (2002); directed by Julie Taymor
• Maya Lin: A Strong, Clear Vision (1994); directed by Freida Lee Mock
• Music of the Heart (1999); directed by Wes Craven
• Shall We Dance?(2004); directed by Peter Chelsom

Questions to answer:

1. What role does creativity play in the life of the main character of the story?

2. How does the environment respond to the main character’s creativity?

3. What forces in the character’s life do oppose his/her creativity? Notice that these forces may be not only external, but also internal.

4. How does the character stand up for his/her need to stay creative? How does he/she defend his/her creativity? List his/her actions and evaluate them.

5. How does the story reach you and what lessons did you learn about your own creativity?

6. What are you going to do to be more creative? List 3 things and start doing them immediately.

Tips on Developing A Creative Habit

In order to give you real benefits, a creative habit must have these characteristics:

1. It must give you energy.

2. It must hold your interest.

3. It must give you the freedom to make mistakes and see them as learning experiences.

4. It must challenge your thoughts, stretch your imagination, and generate new discoveries and problem-solving ideas.

5. It must increase your self-confidence and self- acceptance.

With these characteristics in mind, go ahead and explore your favorite creative habit. Here are three tips to help you along the way:

1. Interview three people you consider creative in any domain. Ask them about their creative habits and their relationship to their creativity. Ask them about the gifts they received from their creative habits. Ask for advice of how to develop and maintain a creative habit.

2. Read chapter 11, titled “Practice Creativity”, of Reel Fulfillment: A 12-Step Plan for Transforming Your Life through Movies. It has a list of steps and ideas on how to develop a creative habit. Pick one and follow through.

3. Have a Creativity party with your friends. Show them your favorite movie about creativity and then discuss your thoughts. Ask every person to bring a home-made treat. Now, that’s creative!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maria Grace, Ph.D., is an expert at teaching people how to learn lessons from popular movies to find the job, home, relationship, and healthy body and mind they want. She is a Fulbright scholar, licensed psychotherapist, sought-after public speaker and coach, and the author of “Reel Fulfillment: A 12-Step Plan for Transforming Your Life through Movies” (McGraw-Hill, 2005). “Reel Fulfillment” was praised by Publisher’s Weekly as one of the top “self help books out of the self-help box” for 2005-2006.

For more information visit http://www.mariagrace.com and http://www.reelfulfillment.com