For most of us, a first date warrants some degree of apprehension but if it is a blind date, the experience can be truly nerve-racking. However here a few tips to shrug off innumerable doubts on the eve of a blind date and just get on with having a good time.

First impressions do matter. So make sure that you are clean, well-groomed and dressed right. Check for body odor and bad breath as these can badly ruin a budding relationship.

Ideally for a blind date, you should meet at a popular or a public place where both are comfortable. A concert at a park, an art gallery or a museum are good options. The aim is to allow you both some time to get to know each other without tying you down for a long time, as in case of a dinner or movie. Towards the end of the date, if you feel comfortable with each other, you could go for a coffee or dessert. However you may keep an exit option, like arranging for a friend to call you at a given time, in case the date turns out to be a disaster.

At the end, consider if you want to meet again. Saying no is not easy but ultimately better than not returning calls. On the other hand, if your blind date is not a complete disaster, you might want to meet again since the next time you both will know what to expect and be more comfortable with each other.

If you feel that your marriage is rapidly going downhill here are a few ways to press the brake. But the most important point is that both partners should feel that the marriage is worth saving. If you find yourselves agreeing on that one, then explore the following suggestions.

You can avoid an imminent breakup by first acknowledging that there is a conflict and things have to be set right. Follow this up by identifying the main cause of the conflict at present instead of raking up past issues and starting a blame game.

While discussing the primary cause of the conflict verbalize your thoughts. State clearly and objectively what has upset you and why. But be careful not to accuse the other person of creating the problem. This will only make your partner defensive and will not get the discussion anywhere.

After having talked through the cause of the conflict, try to find a solution. Discuss what each of you can do to change the situation and how each of you can bring about changes within oneself.

Even after all your efforts, if you find it impossible to come to a solution, then seek professional help. You may find marriage counselor more effective in identifying the source of conflict and solving it.

Finally remember if both of you feel that your marriage is worth saving, then no effort should be spared in setting things right.

Dealing with an autistic child isn’t an easy task. An autistic child, at times, can be stubborn, throw unnecessary tantrums, behave aggressively and get angry, when he/she is frustrated or distressed. An autistic child is a special kid fighting his/her way daily to perform simple day-day to work which can be done easily by a normal kid of that age. Autism is known as a complex developmental disability. According to the experts, autism can be seen in a child during the first three years from birth. It’s a condition which is resulted from neurological disorder effecting normal brain’s function distorting personal and social interaction skills.

Music therapy has proved itself to be one of the best cures for autism. It provides a controlled flow of emotions with a sense of calmness to facilitate positive change in human behavior. This therapy may involve listening, creating music by playing instruments, dancing on beats or singing. Studies have approved the fact. Taking active participation in this therapy, allows an autistic person to gain an opportunity to understand the non-threatening outside stimulations.

Autistic child may reject social contacts, if suddenly placed in the mainstream. Music therapy can be considered as the first step towards socialization. It is a gradual socio-emotional realization of the outside world. By stopping the initial social withdrawal, it is considered as a helpful tool in constructing non-verbal and verbal communication within the kid. Improving language comprehension, encouraging a desire to start communication, decreasing echolalia (uncontrolled and instant repetition of the words spoken by another) music therapy works as a fascinating and effective medicine.

This blessing in disguise can make your special child even more special in many ways. But it is important to understand different children behave differently when encountered with a new stimulus.

All around us relationships seem to be treading on thin ice with the least bit of stress enough to render loved ones apart. This seems to hold greater resonance for long distance relationships which bear the additional burden of loneliness and physical absence. However here are a few ways to keep the hearts closer even though the miles come in between.

One blessing of modern times is that now there are several ways to keep in touch. Phone calls, e-mails, faxes and text messages are quicker than letters through post which was the only way to communicate in earlier days. so communicate regularly and it will help you both to feel close.

Plan to meet as frequently as your schedules will allow. Looking forward to dates and cozy dinners can make both of you feel special and keep the relationship going.

Let your partner know all that is going in your life. Even daily disappointments and achievements are not too little to share as this will make you feel closer to your loved one.

It is very important to continue to trust each other. If you feel that your partner is acting suspiciously, sort out the issue before your relationship arrives at a breaking point.

The shadows of recession do not seem to be withdrawing any time soon. Almost every sector of the economy is gearing for cost cuts and employees are in perpetual anxiety of getting the pink slip. Here are five tried and tested ways to keep your job and survive the recession.

It is crucial to be visible to the right people. While hard work does count, it is not enough. Much more important is to be noticed and appreciated for the work that you have put in.

Avoid being a maverick in your workplace. In times of growth, experimentation with boundaries is better accepted than now when managers are keen to keep the focus on core issues.

If you find your boss dithering on handing out assignments, work towards your own growth. Volunteer for a new project or make a visible contribution to another team. You might attract the attention of your boss’s superiors.

In these tough times, it is essential to remain in the grid. So do not forget to network with former college mates, ex-employers, friends of co-workers and anyone who might come up with a useful lead in case you lose your job.

The unique thing about neighbors is that they are going to be around. You may love them or hate them but you just can’t wish them away. So if you find yourself getting into a sticky situation with your neighbors, take these steps to ease the dispute.

Start off with having all the facts. This includes determining whether the annoying incident is a one-time affair or a repeated nuisance. Also figure out beforehand, who is responsible for the disturbance, so that you can negotiate with the correct party.

Put in on paper. Writing down the cause of your annoyance and your expectations on getting them resolved will help you to focus on the matter at hand instead of getting personal or defensive.

You could also sound out other neighbors on whether they too face similar problems. However restrict this to sharing your concern and do not develop it into camps of conflict.

Select a neutral place to thrash out differences with the concerned neighbors and arrange a time that is convenient to both parties.

If you are not one of them, imagining the hardships tackled by the queer people (gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender and other sexual minorities) is not possible. After long years of injustice and discrimination from the mainstream, the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights movement is spreading a global message across the world to let them live with their rights. The global protest for acquiring gay rights began in Europe over one hundred years ago to change the rigid mentality of orthodox society and gain respect with acceptance.

The community earlier was uncomfortable to speak about their sexual orientation to the society, friends and even their parents thus, locking themselves from the world with a reason which was never their fault. Many of them, till date, are suffering with the marginalization. Who would like a life where you are accused as criminal in your own country for just being yourself? LGBT is now turning to be the largest social movements and trying to break the chains of each and every queer to “come out” and fight for their birth rights.

Being a part of queer community should not be treated as a disease. They are one of us.
The mainstream has homophobia-fear of gays, but if you do have some friends from this community, you have to admit that fearing from a human is an act of silliness. Conservatives should understand that these communities, after all, are humans who have every right to open the windows to look outside into a life where they breathe in open air as these traditionalists do.

Live and let them live.

How many times have you almost asked that attractive looking co-commuter out on a date? There are so many times when we wish we had the courage to ask a person out and yet have stepped back wracked by anxieties. Here are some tips to help you go ahead with that dream date.

The first step is naturally to introduce yourself to the person whom you’ve been admiring silently. Ask for his/her phone number or if this seems to drastic get a common acquaintance to acquire a contact number.

Call the person at a convenient time and remind him/her that you had introduced yourself. Beat as little about the bush as you can and lightly suggest if you both could get together for coffee or do something similarly casual.

If the other person refuses politely, take the hint and hang up after a cordial good bye. On the other hand if he or she agrees, suggest a meeting point and time which will agree with both of you.

Let the meeting be casual and a brief one – half an hour or so. This will be enough to indicate if both of you would like to get to know each other better. If so, go ahead and ask for a more formal date such as a movie and a dinner.

Are you sixty or above, completed all your responsibility towards your son or daughter or friends or relatives or at work place and planning to take a retirement as accustomed? And later on, scheduling the rest of the days sitting at the corner of the house discussing civic responsibilities, concerning for lives of children and grand children, politicians, global warming, young generation, security, life, death and finally accused as a nagging personality? Definitely, NOT AT ALL. Who frames these awkward ideas? Gone are those days when being sixty or plus meant to just pass the rest of the life without the ultimate fun, zeal and enthusiasm.

Today people retire from jobs and responsibilities only. Stepping in sixties and living the life king size has become the motto. From partying out late at nights to craziest adventure sports, from world tours to planning another date with their beloved spouse…and the list never ends. You name it and they are ready with their stories of the thrilling experience.

Times flies like it was just yesterday they were preparing their school bags and now, sitting on a chair signing the retirement’s documents. But in between this, they lived a life that was required and best for other’s benefits. So this long and really long vacation is their right to let them free themselves under the skies once again breaking the rules of all the stereotypes.

Have a happy vacation.

Every one of us at some step of our lives have lost something very dear to our heart, something with which there was loads of untold emotions attached , something which had become a necessity to live, something which was a reason to live and no matter how small or irrelevant it was to other’s, it meant a lot. We lose that “something” so important which had been once the smile of our lives and we are told that life doesn’t stop, it moves on etc, etc.

All the philosophical statements are the last conclusion our mind processes at that time so these things work as least effective medicines. The grievance on the loss stays within our hearts unexpressed for years in form of memories, tears, a laugh and the shared happiness that did prevailed in those times. The loss could be of any kind which may include a small toy, a beloved person, a lovely pet or a . So when they no longer exist, does the world around us come to a big full stop? Do we stop breathing?

No, neither there is a big full stop nor we stop breathing. At the end, we have to move on in our lives ahead without a choice. However hard it may be but that is what the rule book says. They will always hold the same position, space, respect and love in our hearts as they did for eternity.

Every thing existing in this universe has an end, it’s up to us how fast we accept the fact and start living again.