Help Others

There are a lot of things you can do to help in your community, whether it's with your mom's chores, or if a friend is upset. Here are some little things you can do to reach out to other people.
Try to offer first. When people need your help, they'll most likely ask you first, but if you have the chance, try to offer to help before they ask you. This'll show that you were willing to help from the start. For example, if you see a friend struggling to carry groceries, offer to help. Or if you see them getting bullied, help stand up. Or if you see them getting pushed down or beaten, ask "Are you all right?" and help them up. Then try to cheer them up. Believe me, helping people will always make you feel better because it's the right thing to do.
Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Being compassionate can give you a strong reason to help someone else. It can also show people that you really do care about someone.
Volunteer or donate. Being in charitable organizations is a great way to help the less fortunate, like donating food or money to the poor.
Listen. You obviously can't know what you need to do if you're not even paying attention. Plus, people aren't going to rely on you very much if you act like you don't even care what they're saying.
Think about what might happen if you don't. More people will feel more miserable if you just leave them when they need you, and you don't want to see people unhappy, do you? Don't stress yourself too much, but it's always nice to lend a hand.
Observe. Find out what that certain person might like. For example: He/She is always folding up paper. You can buy a origami set and teach him/her your tricks. Or he/she seems bored a lot. Try spending time with them to play a board game or play cards.

Helping out is a great way to make new friends, too. Once people know they can trust you, they're more likely to help you out in return.
Even if you are in a bad mood, you will probably feel better yourself after helping others.
Helping can be just about anything so long that it is done in sincerity. Even a simple smile, "hello," or compliment could lift someone's spirit!
Hospitals and youth groups have many volunteering opportunities.
Spend time to become a close friend to that person, so he/she can look foward to your visits.
Even though at first it might be kind of awkward, keep trying!

Don't always expect rewards or praise in return. What really matters is that you were able to make someone happy. Besides, rewards usually come when you least expect it.
Keep in mind that they may not always need help. If someone says something like, "No thanks." or "I can handle it.", then just insisting may annoy them. You won't always be able to tell if they really do need your help, but it's best to back off if others are angry or in a hurry. However, if they refuse your help, you should ask one more time, and if they still refuse, then walk away.

Things You'll Need

* A person to help
* Spirit
* Some games
* Free time
* Hospital or youth group (optional)

Pack Without Overpacking

Many people fall victim to lugging large, heavy bags throughout the airport or train station when they go on a vacation. This "How-To" is the answer to their prayers.

Research the average climate and weather for your vacation spot during the month you are visiting.
With the weather information you just found in mind, pull the clothes from your closet that are climate appropriate to your destination. Be sure, however, that even if the weather is warm, you still pack a light waterproof jacket in case of rain.
Get the smallest suitcase possible that will hold the clothes you have set aside and a few other small items. The best would be to use a small rollerboard or backpack. Hard suitcases, while being protective, are harder to pack well and tend to be much heavier. You can fit more at less weight in a soft shell bag.
Try to match up just enough outfits for number of days you are going on vacation, if less than a couple of weeks. For a longer trip, be sure to have clothes that mix and match well. Reusing articles of clothing to make new outfits gives you a large variety with a smaller amount of clothing. One way to do this is to have the majority be staple colors such as whites, beige, browns and black. Throw in a few colored or patterned pieces to add variety.
The easiest way to have a lot of options is to pack accessories. Shoes are too bulky to carry a lot of, but be sure to have a casual pair and a slightly dressier pair. Remember, you can buy cheap flip flops just about anywhere, and you can throw them out at the airport before coming back home. Women especially can pack things like scarves, belts, and inexpensive jewelry, which will make any outfit unique.
Pack the clothes into the suitcase by rolling them. For shirts fold lengthwise before rolling, for pants fold in half lengthwise and then half horizontally. This allows you to fit more into a small suitcase. Be sure to keep clothes that wrinkle easily on the top.
Get together your toiletries and tuck them into the corners of the suitcase, or inside shoes. Be sure to wrap all of them in a plastic bag to make sure nothing gets ruined if they spill. Also keep in mind that that most hotels supply shampoo, conditioner and soap, and also most places sell travel size bottles, which help to keep the weight down.
Try not to over stuff, but if you find that you cannot fit everything you wanted, close the suitcase and stand it up overnight. The contents will settle and you will be able to fit more into the top by the next morning.
If all else fails, just pack as usual, then take half away. You probably will not need most of it, and unless you are trekking into rural or uncivilized areas of the world, you will be able to pick up anything you couldn't pack.

Be sure to roll the clothes instead of folding them. The only clothes that may be better folded are collared shirts or stiff pants, which have ironed creases. However, usually those types of clothes are not necessary on a trip, and if they are, it would be much wiser to put them into a garment bag which flight attendants will usually allow you to keep in the cabin closet.
Try to pack shoes that are neutral colors such as black, brown and white. These shoes will match with more outfits, so you will not have to pack as many shoes which will lighten up the load of the suitcase. If possible, pack shoes that can cross between dressy and casual, such as strappy sandals or leather loafers.
Squeeze all the air out of your pack, you'll get a lot more room. Remember, if you stand the bag up for a few hours, or even just close and shake down, you will end up with at least 3-5 extra inches of space in the top. This is a great place for bulky things like make-up cases or shaving kits.
Travelsmith.com has clothing that is reversible and can be washed out in the bathroom sink and will dry overnight. You may also want to invest in a roller backpack. They are the most efficient for trips where you will be going to many locations, you can wheel them or wear them as a backpack.
Be realistic. You might want to bring along, say, 5 different books, but what are the chances you're going to read them all? Plus, unless you are going somewhere special, the fancy clothes and fully matching outfits will not be needed. They will end up being a burden.

While packing for a vacation to a cold climate, it may be hard to pack all in one small suitcase because the clothes are bulkier. A larger suitcase may be necessary.
Remember to make sure that anything liquid or even anything that could melt is wrapped in plastic so that spills will not ruin everything else in your bag.
Be sure to check all zippers before you start packing to make sure that they zip easily, otherwise you will have to unpack everything later and change bags. This also goes for the wheels (if any) or straps.
If you are packing as a couple or as a family, be sure to keep the amounts as even as possible, so that one person will not have more or less changes of clothing than another. Also if you can share items such as t-shirts, keep that in mind while packing, it will help lessen the load.

How to Be Generous

Being generous begins with treating each person as though they have already achieved the potential for greatness that is in every one of us. It is in essence a sincere desire to make others' lives easier or more pleasant.

Remind yourself every day of the generosity you want to not only feel, but show.
When interacting with others, notice the things you could do to make their lives easier or happier. Even if you do not take action, awareness of your power to improve the world around you is key.
Think of specific ways you can be good to the people you know. I.e. if a friend or family member's name appears, list something nice you can do for that person. If it's a co-worker or teacher, think of how you might make his or her job easier--perhaps by helping someone finish a job or working hard, so the teacher can continue with new material.
Extend this thoughtfulness to strangers, even if all you do is smile and say hello, or let them on to the highway in front of you.
Think about how your action impacted them, i.e., they smiled and had a pleasant moment; they were able to get to their destination on time.
As you're consciously generous to others, it will get easier and easier. Soon the time will come when you're automatically generous. The natural progression is that others will be more generous to you. After all, it's true that "what goes around, comes around."
Remember that generosity is not just a decision, its a lifestyle.

* Generosity can also be forgiving a person's shortcomings or mistakes.
* Don't push yourself on being generous; just try to summon it as instinct tells you to.

Try to avoid being generous on cash, as it can cause some issues between you and others. If someone you know really well asks for it, consider the following: Are they going to pay it back? What will the money be used for? If you like the answers, then go on, but remember, don't give out your entire bank account, and try to find something in the deal for you - a return on your investment if you like.

Get the Perfect Valentine's Gift for Your Boyfriend

Still looking for the perfect Valentine's gift for your boyfriend? Here's some tips on creating some more personalized, caring Valentine's gifts for the special boy or man in your life that will show just how much you care without getting too swept away by Valentine's mania.

Ask first! About a week before Valentine's Day, talk to your boyfriend and ask if he has anything special in mind that he'd appreciate. Don't ask too many questions, just a few sweet ones will do to give you an idea whether or not he has an interest in divulging any ideas.
Decide what type of romance he fancies. Does he really appreciate a romantic approach that will involve booking a special restaurant for a five-course meal or filling the swimming pool with rose petals? Or is he more comfortable with just the usual night on the town with lots of laughter and favorite beers as the two of you pub crawl? You know best how he feels, so make use of this knowledge to plan a special night together.
Do something rather than give something. If he has long wanted his hair dyed black, you could buy him some hair dye and prepare a home salon and dye it for him. Make sure you feel confident enough to get it right! You could also do this for home pedicures, massages, a yoga lesson etc. - anything you have said you'd get around to helping him do or learn some day.
Go homemade. It's not just about buying stuff. Valentine's is really about showing that you care. Make your boyfriend a card that says how much you love him. Write a poem or some sweet prose. Anything to say how much you care about him and the reasons why. Many people just love being told the exact reasons why they matter so much; this can be the best gift of all.
Give a kiss for a gift! Guys sometimes would just like a kiss. If you haven't given him one yet, wow, this will be special. But most of you will have already kissed; so it is how you present the kiss that matters. Take him somewhere unique and make the kiss something out of the ordinary. For example, take a trip up a cable car, take him in your arms in the cable car and say: "We are kissing on top of this mountain in a cable car because I really love you, you put me on top of the world and this is a Valentine's special". Kiss so long that the crowd claps you both.
Bake something for your sweetheart. Bake some heart-shaped cookies with hundreds and thousands and "I love you" printed on them in icing. Arrange in a box and present it to him with a card.
Decorate a photo of the two of you. Choose a perfect photo of the two of you, decorate a frame for it and write a little something to go with it, including why this photo means a lot to you. This is a very personalized and caring gift. You can even make a wallet-sized one and include a new wallet if you've got a good idea what sort of wallet he'd like. Put a good luck heart or coin in it as well.
Check the tips if you're out of ideas. There are some traditional stand-bys suggested there.

Guys don't usually like glass, that's a guy give girl thing.
Chocolates are good too.
Back up plan for any guy is maybe a sweater from some clothing store he likes or a t-shirt. Watches are always good presents too but they are for the more serious couples. If you're looking for something a little unpredictable and also trying to drop a hint, pick him up a pair of nice boxer shorts.
If He loves you that much, anything you do, he will love with all his heart and still give you kisses and hugs afterwards.

Don't buy him anything he has asked for unless you feel you should or you really wanted this advice and asked for it; you don't want to be predictable.
Don't feel bad if he doesn't like it; that's his fault for not being gracious enough to appreciate that the thought is what counts. If he can't appreciate you, then consider whether he's worth your time.

How to Be Your Own Valentine

Okay, so you are not in a relationship at the moment. That doesn't mean you can't still enjoy instead of dread St Valentines Day. You can still have some fun. Besides, how often do you really treat yourself? This is your chance. Valentine’s Day is for showing our love. How about showing yourself some?

Make some preparations before hand by shopping for all the things that are going to make your evening with yourself amazing.
Pop out for a coffee, a quick drink or some take away and you might be surprised, and feel better about yourself, when you see just how many other people there are around who are not in relationships.

Candlelit bubble bath
Candlelit bubble bath
Back home begin with a glass of wine while soaking in a candle lit scented bubble bath.

Relax And Enjoy
Relax And Enjoy
Surround yourself with pink girly things, cushions, candles, flowers etc. Anyhting that reminds you of Valentine's Day but is not romantic will do splendidly.

Be comfortable
Be comfortable
Change into your soft fleecy pink PJs, or whatever else you feel most comfortable in.

Buy flowers
Buy flowers
Don't wait around for someone to buy you flowers - buy your own.

Buy chocolates
Buy chocolates
Don't hold your breath waiting for someone to buy you a box of chocolates - buy your own.
Take care of you - don't wait for someone else to do it.


If you feel like doing more for yourself, you could try a massage, a hair do, or just treat yourself to some new shoes. If you are in the mood for some company invite some single friends around - who knows, someone might click with someone. You could also make it a single girls night - but avoid lamenting over guys. If you decide to watch movies, avoid romantic movies and stick with comedy.


Avoid wine, just stick to roses and romantic type boxes of chocolate unless you want to end up drunk and feeling sorry for yourself!
It is highly advised that you do NOT tell all your friends about your special 'self-valentine' day. It might make you look a little bit strange