Holiday Fun for Singles

Holiday Fun for Singles by: Rinatta Paries


Are you dreading the holidays because you are single? For those who are alone, this can be a difficult season -- especially if you know what it is like to be in a relationship during this time of year. This can, however, be your best time of the year if you follow this plan:
1. Participate in Lots of Holiday Gatherings
Who knows? You may meet Mr. or Ms. Right at that next party. Or you may meet someone who knows someone who is right for you. And you will most certainly have fun, which makes for a good holiday season.
So how do you find these gatherings? Ask your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers about upcoming holiday events. Then see if you can join in on the fun!
2. Volunteer
Many people volunteer during the holidays, especially very good-hearted, loving people -- the kind of people with whom you want to be in a relationship! This is why volunteering is a great way to meet others while also making yourself feel good for contributing.
How do you find these opportunities for holiday volunteering? Look in your local paper and in your phone book for charitable organizations. Or contact your local United Way for charitable organizations in your area.
3. Worship
Religion and spirituality can be uplifting and satisfying for your soul. Thus, the holidays are the perfect time to rejoin or revisit your place of worship. Plus, you'll find that lots of other people are making the same choice this season!
If you have trouble meeting your fellow worshipers, take on a volunteer role. Become a greeter, volunteer on a holiday committee, or take on some other role that fits your personality and interests. Being in a role with a job to do makes it easier to strike up conversation with people -- and possibly find romance!
4. Participate at Work
Are there holiday events going on at your work? If so, participate! If not, lead a group of people in organizing some activities.
Create opportunities to socialize with as many of your co-workers as possible, then ask each of them to bring friends to the events.
5. Send Out a Holiday Letter
Mail a letter about your life to your friends and family, and maybe even to work clients. Tell them about significant events and milestones in your year -- and tell them you are single and looking! Describe your ideal mate and include your picture. Who knows what the postman will bring back?
6. Step Out of the Ordinary
Participate in activities that you either normally avoid or don't have time to do. And take time to research brand-new activities in which you can partake. Step out of your norm and you are likely to meet new and interesting people.
Some ideas for activities: speed dating, neighborhood gatherings, singles clubs, dances, group nature hikes, etc. Find these activities by looking in your local paper, surfing the Internet, and listening to your local radio stations. Also ask your friends if they know of any fun group events.
7. Be More Social
Try to attend at least three social occasions a week right now -- perhaps a party, a singles event, and a work event.
These activities should not just consist of you and your friends going out. Do things that will expose you to new people. If you can manage more then three social events a week, you will be even better off. The more social you are, the more people you will meet.
8. Be Happy
You want to shine and be attractive this holiday season. This can be somewhat achieved with stylish clothes, a good haircut, and jewelry and makeup for women.
However, it will be better achieved by being happy, which will make you shine from the inside out. Make yourself happy by working on your attitude on a daily basis. Focus on being grateful for the bounty of what you have, even if you feel that what you have is not enough.
9. Give and Be Generous
Give to friends and loved ones, but also give to strangers and charity. The more you give, the more joyous and in the holiday spirit you will feel.
The more joyous you feel, the more attractive you will be to others. People want to be with joyous, happy people.
10. Make a Significant Emotional Shift
Learn something extraordinary and profound about yourself, your relationships, or your life. Transform some part of yourself. Change something so radically that you will have no doubt about the change.
This will help you attract love now and will guarantee that your relationships will be better in the future. Knowing this, you will enjoy the holidays more.
Your Relationship Coach, Rinatta Paries www.WhatItTakes.com
About The Author
© Rinatta Paries, 1998-2002. Do you know how to attract your ideal mate? Do you know how to build a fulfilling relationship, or how to reinvent yours to meet your needs? Relationship Coach Rinatta Paries can teach you the skills and techniques to attract and sustain long-term, healthy partnerships. Visit www.WhatItTakes.com where you'll find quizzes, classes, advice and a free weekly ezine. Become a "true love magnet(tm)!" help@whatittakes.com

8 Minute Dating

8 Minute Dating - For Singles With No Time For Small Talk by: Jack Crow


You will get to a certain age where, no matter what city code you live in, you will not be content with the date or dates you are currently having. If you're dating without success and your big event or events are turning into dating flops, then perhaps it's time to 'save time' and find a fast, free, fun, good or make that great, group of singles who are looking for the same thing you are.
It's time to join people who actually want to talk to you and buy YOU a drink. If you've been left on the curb and have just about given up on love then it's time to make an 8 minute speed date and meet your match, be they male or female.
8 minute dating isn't like normal dating where you spend minutes and hours thinking of what to say and before you know it, the night has gone by. Yeah the last 4 hours of uncomfortable silences were great. If this sounds like one of your dates, read on.
8 minute dating is one of the new ways to date for people who seem to have no time for going out every night or weekend. It's the same as 5 and 3 minute speed dating except the length of the date is different. These 'speed dating' events are held offline around the country by various companies. At 8 minute dating events, you have 8 one-on-one dates that last 8 minutes each. If you meet someone you would like to meet again then the 8 minute dating company provides the contact information for both parties.
Surprisingly 90% of people meet someone who they would like to go on a date with again. Now, this shocked me because when you think about the hassle you usually have to go through just to get 1 date, getting 8 dates in 1 go seems like a no brainer and a serious time saver.
Admittedly only 60% of BOTH singles want to see each other again so don't take it too hard if you like someone but they don't want to see you again. Hey, it's gona happen anyway, you might as well speed up the process instead of wasting your time going to a bar, night after night and spending lots of money for weeks only to find out said person 'really isn't that into you'.
With this in mind, 8 minute dating seems to be looking better and better all the time. But is it safe? In a word yes. 8 minute dating is usually held at a restaurant or some sort of public event and is hosted by the company on the night, so you won't be going for dinner with strangers by yourself in an unknown environment. Also, said companies keep your contact details confidential until you meet someone you wish to see again. At that stage it's up to yourself weather to continue with the company or organize your own personal date.
What are the benefits of an 8 minute dating event?
1. It's faster than a normal date and you meet real people who you never have to see again if you don't wish to, without hassle.
2. Everyone's here for the same reason, to meet someone, so you're guaranteed not to chat up someone's girlfriend or boyfriend by accident.
3. You only have to talk for 8 minutes. If you don't like the person, you only have to endure them for 8 minutes :-)
4. 8 dates in 1 night, this is not going to happen in a bar. Serious time saver.
5. There are mingle periods during most events where you can talk to anyone there. So if you get landed with 8 lemons by accident, this will be your chance to stalk, err I mean talk to Mr or Miss right.
6. Most companies hold competitions on the night to liven things up.
Ok I'm interested, how do I go about going on one of these 8 minute speed date things then?
1. First you need to find a speed dating company that holds offline events. Most online dating sites don't do this as they're aimed at 'online dating', not offline events, although there is the occasional one that does. Follow the link at the end of this article over to our dating review site and you will find 8 minute speed dating sites listed there. By registering with one of them, you'll be well on your way to those first 8 dates.
2. Usually registration is free but you'll have to pay to attend an event. This is well worth it and cheaper than going on 8 separate dates. Also it's safer, as you'll be in a controlled, public environment where staff will be on hand at all times, plus your details are not told to anyone until you decide.
I wish you the best of luck.
About The Author
Jack Crow is a freelance writer and part time webmaster. When he's not building web sites he's checking out new dating sites that appear on the net.
To see them visit: http://www.sexy-american-singles.com

5 Communication Tips

Top Five Communication Tips for Singles by: David Steele


1. Use The 3 Magic Words of Listening- "Is there more?" For most people, listening is far more challenging than talking. If you do nothing else, being attentive to what your partner is saying and using these 3 magic words will make you a star listener. Try it! Are you wondering what the "3 Magic Words Of Speaking" are? Simply . "I love you." If you are expressing things that may be difficult for your partner to hear, be sure to start and end with these healing words.
2. It's NOT about you!
When your partner is expressing a thought, feeling, need, issue, or judgment, it comes from their reality, is valid for them, and it is not about you! Most arguments would never happen if we would simply accept our partner's point of view and agree to disagree.
3. It's ALL about you!
Your thoughts, feelings, needs, issues, and judgments are your reality, are valid for you, have little to do with your partner, and many people (including your partner) are unlikely to see things your way. If you take full ownership for your experience you will be able to create the conditions for connection and harmony in just about any situation with your partner. A fulfilling relationship is about having, accepting, and negotiating differences, not being "right," seeking sameness or consensus.
4. Turn complaints into requests
We bring many, many needs into any relationship and will experience an issue when a need is not met. It is impossible for all needs to be met all the time in any relationship, so you will have many opportunities to experience and express issues. Simply making a request and focusing on what you want to happen, instead of what is wrong or not happening, and negotiating a "win-win" outcome, will effectively prevent or resolve conflict.
5. Tell your truth
The path to true intimacy and connection is by being authentic and telling your full truth to your partner about your thoughts, feelings, needs, wants, issues, boundaries, etc. Intimacy means, "Into me I see," a transparency between two people that requires full expression of what is inside. Seeking to avoid conflict and maintain harmony by censoring yourself can work for awhile, until your suppressed truth comes out in other ways, such as withdrawal, resentment, "acting out," etc. Telling your whole truth can be scary, but will result in the kind of relationship that you really want.
About The Author
David Steele, MA, has helped thousands of singles and couples get what they want from relationships. Check out his new book, Conscious Dating; Finding the Love of Your Life in Today’s World, at http://www.consciousdating.com.