How Astrological Signs Affect Personality

By Jed Eane

In astrology, the position of the sun at the time of your birth determines your sun sign or, as it's more commonly known, your star sign. The sun is deemed very important in astrology; it rules willpower and ego and is fundamental to who a person is and what they're about.

The position of the other planets at the time you were born also has an effect on how you behave, but it's the sun's position, over all the other planets' positions, that is taken into account when determining a person's character.

Elements

How Your New Zodiac Sign Affects Your Diet Habits

By Theresa DeLay - DietsInReview.com

For some, following the Zodiac is a way of life. Whether a sun sign or a water sign, you can chock up a lot about who you are, and how are others are, based on when you were born and the alignment of the sun, moon, and stars on that date. People peg their personality, likes, dislikes, mannerisms, and more on their astrological sign. To some it's quality entertainment, to others, it's a cornerstone of their identity.

So if your astrological sign applies to all of that, why not link your diet habits to your astrological sign? Here's an overview of how each sign tends to diet. Does yours align, or did it miss the mark?

God’s Personal Attention to Detail

by Rick Warren Your hands shaped me and made me. Job 10:8 (NIV) God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise. Some animals run, some hop, some swim, some burrow, and some fly. Each has a particular role to play based on the way they were shaped by God. The same is true with humans. Before God created you, he planned exactly how he wanted you to serve him, and then he shaped you for those tasks. He carefully shaped and formed you to serve him in a way that makes your ministry unique. God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory. Talk about it  What abilities, talents, and gifts has God given you? How do you think God wants you to use them?  What interests do you have that can be used to serve God?  Why do you think God gave you the personality you have? What kind of service do you think he had in mind? Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life." His book, "The Purpose Driven Church," was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors.

Are You Somebody's Thorn?

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. —Proverbs 27:17

It is sobering to realize that you may be a thorn in the flesh to someone else. 

Has it dawned on you that you are another person's problem because of your particular personality? The problem is, of course, yours, but you unfortunately make it somebody else's as well. It may be the person who has to live with you, work with you, or deal with you from time to time. You force that person to have to walk on eggshells around you. He or she loses sleep because of you. How does that make you feel? Well, it sobers me to my fingertips, knowing that I may very well be another person's thorn in the flesh.

Perhaps you are aware of your problem, but you say, "I can't help it. This is who I am." You have prayed about it often. But have you really tried to get help? You are never too old to learn as long as you want your problems solved.

What you need to know about birth order

By Olivia Yao, Three Moons | Yahoo! SHE

  

Most people know the usual birth-order relationship combinations but there’s a lot more to it than we thought.

Do you know your birth order plays a part in developing your personality? Ever notice how only children and firstborns are usually controlling? What about how middle children are more often than not the peacemakers who get along with almost anybody? And how about those lastborns who are usually funny and carefree? Studies suggest that the best relationship matches happen between an only child and a youngest child, a firstborn and a youngest, and a middle child and a youngest child. Of course, these are generalizations and there is a lot more to birth order, most of which you can find on the WWW.

The worst combination

Melissa Pizaña-Cruz, certified life coach and head of the parenting cluster of the Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM) of the Ateneo de Manila University, says, “The worst mix is an eldest and eldest, or an only child and only child. A firstborn married to another firstborn will cause high friction because both are usually controllers, both bosses.”

An example she gives is the situation in China where, because of the only child policy, the divorce rate is very high. “You have only children who are married to only children,” she says. “And they’re not used to giving in, which is what you need in a marriage—a give and take relationship.” However, she adds that “wrong” or “bad” birth order combinations “can work in certain circumstances.” What are these circumstances?

Emotional birth order

It’s possible for you to be of a certain birth order but to emotionally belong to another, explains Pizaña-Cruz. “We have what we call an emotional eldest or emotional youngest,” she says. You could emotionally be of another birth order if for example, “you are an eldest child but do not function as the eldest in the family.”

In her family, Pizaña-Cruz is the youngest, but was born six years after her three older sisters who are two years apart from each other. “So even if I’m the youngest, I’m an emotional only child or eldest because of that gap,” she shares. “That can happen. Or let’s say for one reason or another, one of the middle children takes on more responsibility for the family, that can drive them up the emotional family tree and make them an emotional eldest.”

Parent modeling

According to Herald Cruz, Pizaña-Cruz’s husband of 18 years, certified life coach and co-head of the parenting cluster of the Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM) of the Ateneo de Manila University, what has more importance over birth order is who holds the power in the family of origin. “Parenting is 80% modeling,” he says. So if in your family, it is your father who holds the power—calls the shots and makes the decisions—you will most likely expect your husband to do the same thing. So, “if the woman has the power and she marries a man who has the power too, it can also be a source of conflict,” he adds.

Problems with birth order

Because more importance lies in who has the power in a marriage, you shouldn’t necessarily rely on birth order to check your compatibility. Pizaña-Cruz says it’s important not to put people in a box just because they belong to a certain birth order. They may emotionally be of another birth order. At the same time, she adds that you can change throughout the years. If you realize along the way that both you and your spouse make a bad birth-order combination, Pizaña-Cruz says, “You can change the dynamics of your relationship if both of you are willing to change. There’s always hope.”

Olivia Yao has been writing ever since she can remember. She has written for health, teen, parenting, and children's magazines. Her latest endeavor is being a mom to her three-year-old daughter—her toughest assignment yet. Swap stories with her at threeolivias@yahoo.com.

For counseling and other inquiries, contact: Center for Family Ministries (CeFaM) Spiritual Pastoral Center. Ateneo de Manila University Campus, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Telefax: 426-4285. Telephone: 426-4289 up to 92. E-mail: cefam@admu.edu.ph

http://ph.she.yahoo.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-birth-order.html

Wife's Respect For Husband Shrinks As Tall Tales Grow

By Abigail Van Buren | Dear Abby

DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Sam," and I have been married for 32 years, and all these years he has lied continually. It has gotten so bad that I cringe every time we're invited to family functions or get-togethers with friends. Sam uses these gatherings to be the star of the show, spilling out the most outrageous whoppers you can imagine.

My family knows when he's lying or exaggerating about something. They roll their eyes and nudge me to let me know they know. Sam fabricates the most outlandish stories and never owns up to anything he has done wrong. Instead he blames me or others for his actions. If I confront or challenge him, he gets defensive and says I'm "always" belittling or challenging him in front of others.

Abby, even though I still care for this man, I don't have the respect I wish I had for him. What can I do? -- DISENCHANTED IN THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT

DEAR DISENCHANTED: After 32 years, there is nothing you can do about it. Your husband has a personality problem -- probably related to insecurity -- that causes him to lie to get attention. It's pathetic, really. However, to embarrass him by pointing it out in front of others is cruel and unproductive. Until he's ready to admit to himself that he has damaged his credibility so badly that no one believes a word he says, nothing will change.

---

DEAR ABBY: My close friend "Kate" has just told me she's getting a divorce. She confided that she cheated on her husband, "Phil," and says she doesn't want to try to work on her marriage, even though they have a baby together. Kate says that Phil is a great father and he's not abusive -- she just doesn't love him anymore.

This came as a shock to me, and I'm not sure how to be supportive. When I divorced, my husband was the one who cheated and left me, so I know how Kate's husband feels. I know I should be sympathetic to her, but I don't know what to say. Can you help? -- TRYING NOT TO JUDGE

DEAR TRYING: Continue trying not to judge. It is understandable that you'd identify with Kate's husband since his position is so similar to what you experienced. If you know and like him, befriend him. I'm sure he could use a friend right now. However, before you do, ask Kate if she would mind.

As to your question about what to say to her, all you really need to do is acknowledge her announcement by saying, "I'm sorry to hear it. I hope you have given it careful consideration." Period.

---

DEAR ABBY: I'm 15. My father just started paying child support three years ago for my twin sister and me. He only pays a small amount each month, and he has never paid any medical or health bills for either of us in our lives.

Recently we found out he lied about his monthly salary so he wouldn't have to pay for us. I'm really hurt because I feel like he doesn't care about us. How do I cope? Help! -- INCREDIBLY HURT IN THE SOUTH

DEAR INCREDIBLY HURT: While I can understand your disappointment in your father's lack of character, please do not allow his failures to make you think less of yourself. His behavior shows that he doesn't care about anyone but himself. Now that you and your mother know he lied about his income, it's possible the child support he didn't pay can be collected retroactively. If your mother hasn't discussed this with an attorney, she should do it now.

---

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

---

For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order "How to Have a Lovely Wedding." Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

http://news.yahoo.com/wifes-respect-husband-shrinks-tall-tales-grow-050107450.html;_ylt=AuYTllOBoWKwGG.8gtrIxDJol88F;_ylu=X3oDMTRtcHF2bmlmBGNjb2RlA2dtcHRvcDEwMDBwb29sY2Z3aWtpdXAEbWl0A05ld3MgZm9yIHlvdQRwa2cDMGNmZGNkNDQtZTJhNC0zYjY1LWEzZjItMzZlZjY3OGZiNjJmBHBvcwM1BHNlYwNuZXdzX2Zvcl95b3UEdmVyA2UwMjljYTYwLTZlNWItMTFlMS1iNjdkLWEyMjJhZjZlM2RjNA--;_ylg=X3oDMTM2NTI5NzEzBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDYmU3MmM1MzMtOGZjMi0zZjM0LWFkY2MtNDIyYmNiNTEzMTAyBHBzdGNhdANzY2llbmNlfGdyZWVuBHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3