I like match-ups and situational handicapping. This includes such things as strengths against weaknesses, bad lines, homecoming and ex-girlfriend revenge spots. I'm not big into betting trends. Trends can be dangerous. Some novice sports bettors think, This team has lost 3 straight against the number, that means they're more likely to cover this game. Well, you had better have more reasons on your side to back a team than just something like that.

For instance, Fresno State went into the Hawaii game two weeks ago as a home dog. Fresno hadn't covered since late last season. Anyone who looks at trends might think that Fresno HAS to cover this game, as they are due for a cover. Well that kind of simplistic thinking doesn't cut it in the competitive world of sports handicapping.

For the record, Fresno got bombed again, 68-37 as a +3 home dog. That made them 0-6 against the spread this season. All right, so maybe the next game they will cover, right? Now they are REALLY due! Well the due factor is still going strong as Fresno failed to cover again, this time as a +31 dog at La Tech, a 38-6 defeat. OK, so they are getting close, but try telling that to the man at the betting window while you wave a losing ticket in his face. It ain't gonna cut it!

I would suggest focusing more on match-ups and such things as home/road play, and current play, rather than to look at a trend. For instance, on Sunday in the NFL I had a play on the visiting Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati. In my analysis I noted, This game all comes down to who rules in the trenches. Atlanta owns a league leading 6.1 yards per rush, while second place is a distant 5.2 with the Eagles. Simply put the Falcons run the ball on everyone.

They have surpassed 220 rushing yards in 4 of 6 games. Cincinnati on the other hand allows 4.6 yards per carry, well above the league average of 4.0. Therefore I expect the Falcons to control the clock and have great success moving the football. Cincinnati is thought to have an explosive offense, but this year that isn't the case. The Bengals are averaging 5.1 yards per play, right in line with a league wide 5.1 ypp average. Atlanta comes in at 5.5 yards per play on offense.

The Bengals have really fallen on hard times offensively as of late. In the last three games they have scored 17, 13 and 13 points. What makes these numbers even stranger is that Carson Palmer hasn't been picked off in any of the last three games. In fact, they only have two total turnovers in those games. So it's not like mistakes are keeping them out of the end zone. Atlanta has the personnel to give the Bengal offense trouble, and they should have a big day running the football. Cincy not only covered but won the game.

See what I was looking at? First, see what I wasn't looking at: No trends! Second, I examined how the Bengals have been playing of late, the mismatch on the ground that favored the visitors, and public perception that Cincy is an explosive offense. Cold, hard facts, to me, are more important than any wagering trend or the overdue factor.

That's the catch for trend bettors: WHEN will this trend happen? It's impossible to say based solely on the overdue trend factor. Successful sports handicapping encompasses so many factors. It's much wiser to look at as many factors as possible, such as home field, weather, playing surface, coaching, strength versus weaknesses and ex-girlfriend revenge spots. Winning ATS is about sifting through all the pieces and finding several edges in a game, not just one angle.

Bryan Leonard is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/Bryan_Leonard.htm

Libra is the 7th holy day of the 12 holy days of Christmas. The 12 holy days start on December 26-January 6th. Each day is assigned to a Disciple, sign of the Zodiac, spiritual attainment, spiritual part of the physical body, and a thought meditation from the Bible.

My book Christmas Meditations on the Twelve Holy Days December 26-January 6
by Merry C. Battles is a compilation of my 26 year dedication to the 12 holy days of Christmas.

The Disciple for Libra is St. Jude, the spiritual center is the adrenals, the attainment is "To express the divine attributes as a devotee and to see beauty in all things." The thought meditation for the 7th holy day and as the earth travels through the sign of Libra is, "Ye shall know the truth and shall make you free." (John 8:32)

The Cosmic pattern for the Hierarchy of Libra is the World Beautiful. This beauty can be seen on every "landscape, every tree, shrub, plant, and every form in the various forms of nature." Harmony and beauty are Libra's signature. When humanity can reach these divine attributes, poverty, disease, discord, and pain will be abolished. When the adrenals are functioning properly our bodies create absolute physical and psychological balance through every organ and its processes. (From the book Mystery of the Christos by Corinne Heline)

St. Jude Thaddeus is a powerful intercessor and close friend of the Divine Master Jesus. St. Judes father, Cleophas, was the brother of St. Joseph. St. Judes mother, Mary of Cleophas, was a cousin of the blessed Virgin Mary; their mothers were sisters.

St. Jude has drawn many devotional followers down through the centuries for his help in desperate situations. His New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should "persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances as their forefathers had done before them." He was a tireless worker and dared to try and do the impossible. Thaddeus means sweetness and gentleness of character. St. Jerome called him a "zealot."

St. Jude is the patron St. of desperate situations, forgotten and impossible causes, hospital workers, and hospitals. Libra's spiritual center is the adrenals. They give us the power to do the impossible, like lifting a car when someone is in dire need.

According to the book "The Twelve Powers of Man," (by founder of Unity Church, Charles Filmore) St. Jude is the Disciple relating to renunciation, elimination, change of heart, and conversion.

A change of mind sets up a corresponding change in the physical body. If one lifts up their thoughts the whole life can be transformed. The whole vibration is lifted up and now one can do the "impossible." Our universe originated in the mind of God. The universe is sustained by that mind power. Ideas become projected into form.

It is possible to overload the mind as well as overloading the stomach. Thoughts must be digested in a similar manner to the food we eat. Living old and discordant thoughts can jam up our mind and our bowels. Living old thoughts can keep the new thoughts from coming in. St. Jude Thaddeus directs the emptying of the intestines in the work of elimination. This center is very sensitive to thoughts about substance and materiality. A tense mental attitude on material life will cause constipation and other ills of the abdominal region. A relaxation of the mental attitude will bring release in bowel action and better digestion.

The will operating in the front brain controls the circulation of the life force to every function of the body. A tense will can restrict the life force from assisting in the success and functioning of every action of our body and our lives.

A set determination to succeed in a profession, study or personal ambition can call most of this energy to the head and starve out the other processes of the body. ("The Twelve Powers of Man")

A week ago I saw a bumper sticker twice, "Let go or be dragged." How appropriate in our days of confusion and great changes happening each moment.

Let the powers of the infinite adrenals and the promise of our World Beautiful teach us to live in the divine flow and help to give us the power to create peace and goodwill on our Great Mother Earth.

Excerpts from my book "Christmas Meditations on the Twelve Holy Days December 26-January 6" by Merry C. Battles

1982 God favors all creation equally. His love knows no limits or boundaries. He cares for His spirit man/woman equally and with no judgment. He delivers His will through every individual and every living creation on this planet and in our universe. His word becomes our word through thought and speech. We become co - creators. Energy lives forever, to be used again in different forms. God loves us and wants only the perfection in which He created us. There is only One Will. Maybe our "free will" is demonstrated in how we react to what's happening. ("Is God's Will What's Happening?") Do we accept the hand of Spirit in every action of our lives, or do we fight "the flow" at every turn, sometimes fighting for a whole lifetime?

We live to understand the workings of the Lord and to accept and cherish every breath we are permitted to take. Freedom comes when we accept all. God's will is always working through us.

IS GOD'S WILL WHAT'S HAPPENING?

God's will is what's happening,
Happening at every moment.
Only One Will, as Father Mother God
Uses us for heavenly work.
All in divine order,
Our lives unfold.
Free will is our reaction to the Lord's plan.
Do we choose to love it, or hate it?
Is it my will or Thy Will? Truly only One Will.
Surrendering means accepting all
As sent from above.

1983 When the adrenal glands are fully active, they provide the necessary power for any physical feat. They are symbolic of the greatest strength and courage that any person can have. They are the helpers, promoting enough energy to accomplish what is needed. They transform the idea into powerful action. If we had faith and knew the truth, then all things would be possible. God wants to give us the Kingdom and use us to cleanse the world. He wants us to be set free in love.

1997 Our lives are interwoven with those who need our words and deeds. We are placed exactly where our highest learning is, right where it is needed. The truth is that God's law of love is always working through us, no matter the appearance. Our egos take on "power plays" that are needed for our evolution. A seeming cruel, harsh decision becomes a blessing in disguise. On ego levels, people are hurt and lives shattered, to only later be born again in a newness not dreamed of. In the midst of this hurt, hearts and emotions are all working together for the good.

1998 Our lives are unfolding at rapid rate. Our lessons are manifesting faster and faster. The law of karma is speeding up, and the payback is much faster. No longer can man be able to get away with injuring others without the truth surfacing much faster. Lies cannot be told; truth will prevail. Truth will be unleashed. No more dark corners of deception. The "information highway" is symbolic and a literal expression of this reality. No one can hide from the truth. When we hurt each other or the planet, we will have the payback much sooner. All karma is being evened out, as the Libra balance of scales comes into justice.

Each cell of Mother Earth and each cell of our bodies are being transformed and awakened to the divine light that is inherent within. All the upheaval that we see in our world is indicative of what is going on in each one of us. We are here to face our maker, our mistakes, darkness, selfishness, and egotism. We are here to balance good and evil and to look at these dualistic ideas as all necessary for our higher learning. When our lives are in harmony, we will learn through love and joy. Our suffering will be finished for a time, as we express the universal attributes of Spirit. Our planet will once again be the shining globe of light spinning through space.

The arrogant, greedy, power hungry people of the world will also have to face their Creator. Those who destroy will be destroyed. Those who hate will feel that same hate. Those who deliberately take food away and try to kill this earth will be punished.

Our words will become all powerful, and in an instant the harm wished on someone else will boomerang right back onto the sender. The love will come back in that same instant. Which will you choose?

Our brothers and sisters are truly us. The human family is a family of One Spirit. Choose where your minds will be, and there your hearts will follow. Look for the unity of head and heart: masculine logic and reason coupled with feminine compassion and love. Woman will take her rightful place next to man. The qualities of love and compassion will come to the forefront to save this planet.

The world is literally in our hands. What will we do now? Pollute and poison her or nurture and clean up what we have done? The greed has to stop! The fast buck will be buried in the trembling cities. Be watchful of what you do, how you think, where your hands are working. Are they working for the good, or do they participate in the destruction?

Are you destroying yourself with a long held anger, a desire for ex-girlfriend revenge, or a hurt buried deep in your soul? Are you punishing yourself for your own actions, or for belief systems placed on you from someone else that have translated into an unloving attitude toward self? Forgive the attacker. Forgive yourself. Feel the anger, feel the pain, and then LET IT GO! If you do not know how to forgive, hand this over to the Great Spirit and ask to be filled with divine forgiveness. It eventually comes.

The time is now. The hour is upon us. Have compassion, as all of us are in the same boat. Find peace within and the whole planet will be that peace. Ask for help from your angels, unseen guides, Spirit, your mighty "I AM" presence. "Ask and Ye shall receive." Spirit moves when we ask. The "still small voice" speaks in the silence. Now is the moment to listen.

2002 The dream of peace is within. It is carried to those around you. The ripple becomes the mighty wave. The droplet becomes the ocean. The tiniest seed transforms into the tree of life. This tree is within us, waiting to grow. The clouds are seeded, and water drops as rain. The rain brings the mysterious rainbow. The colors reflect the greatness of each ray of light. We are truly blessed at every moment. God Goddess watches all!

RAINBOWS
Each ray of sunlight shows us the rainbow.
When our Lord promised us a rainbow,
He left hidden that all light from our sun
Comes to us in all colors of the spectrum.
Making it certain
That all places on earth
Are the ends of rainbows.

"All know that the drop merges into the ocean, but few know that the ocean merges into the drop." (Kabir 1450-1518)

2003 "We have our plans, and then there's God." (Margie Battles, my mother). We have all that is necessary for faith to enliven. We plan, we search, we prepare. Then all of our plans go awry. It is our planning that sometimes shows us ego and not the divine will. Timing is everything. If it is right for us, it happens. If it doesn't happen, it might come along in a better form, when we are ready for its completion. Do your work. Then the Will of Heaven will transform and all will be for the good.

2008Merry C. Battles

Merry C. Battles has worked in the healing arts since 1977. She has practiced the art of massage, Jin Shin Jyutsu (an ancient form of Japanese Acupressure), CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki, and foot reflexology. Merry is the author and illustrator of Christmas Meditations on the Twelve Holy Days December 26-January 6 Merry's book is a compilation of her 26 year meditation journey with the twelve holy days. Her book can be used all year as we travel through each sign of the Zodiac.

Merry has been a student of the ancient mysteries for as many years. Her greatest joy in life, along with her grandchildren, is to learn about the spiritual. This is reflected in all of her work.

http://merrybattles.com/ - http://walkingthespiritualpath.com/

First of all - relax! Although I really understand that everything you look at might actually keep reminding you of your ex, let me assure you - life is still going on. It surely hurts and feels terrible to be suddenly without your ex around - it is so understandable. Especially when you see your friends with their boyfriend or ex-girlfriend revenge and it reminds so much of the more happy moments of you together.

So what stands in your way of getting your ex back to you? First of all - emotions, yours and those of your ex. You were together and now you are both apart. I don't know, maybe your ex has already found another one, but have you? If you are reading this article at least I can be sure that you would really like to get together again with that person and not another.

And when you really succeed in getting him or her back - think about it! You are walking together, kissing, hugging and you are warm and happy. Is it worth doing a couple of simple things? Clearly, it is, because so many others before you tried those and now they are together again.

So, in order to get your ex back, you should overcome whatever pain and offense and emotional upset your ex caused you and start doing things. What exactly should you do?

1. Start looking happy and in communication with others. That way your ex would start thinking that maybe it was a bad decision and a bad move to loose you in the first way.
2. In no way you can be caught begging and asking and pleading your ex to come back to you. This does not work at all - trust me.
3. Meet other people and keep being friendly to your ex. And that without any hint that you would die to have him or her back, of course.

These three simple steps would make sure that the path for you guys to get together again is clear of emotions and hurt. And now it is time to take advice from real gurus, who have already led many couples to the happy end and are professionals in these kinds of problems.

So, if you truly want to start getting your ex back, the time to act is now!

Don't postpone your happiness - discover the best professional advice of getting your ex back - click on that link right now.

If you still want to read more of some good advice on getting an ex back - click on the link and take a look at these pages right away.

Paris, the city of fashion. Particularly if fashion is defined by wearing black. Parisians love to wear black; black trousers, black shoes, black coats, you name it.

Parisian women are peculiarly fond of black clothes. It is well recognized that "le noir, a mincit". Parisian women having a cool obsession with looking slender, black is their best friend.

But besides its superb fat-erasing skills, black is a priceless social colour in Paris. With black, you go unobserved.

Going unobserved is the desire of every Parisian. The Parisian does not want their apparel to reveal their singularity. The only singularity Parisians feel worth revealing is that of the mind. Hence, the Parisian's clothes ought to be simple... all Parisians hold that "Le noir, c'est simple, c'est bien".

The Parisian knows his or her colours. Parisians look at people dressed colourfully with faint disdain.

Parisians find style exuberance to be offensive.

The mental stability of a person bold enough to wear such preposterous colours as red or yellow will be questioned at once by all Parisians. There is no wearing red or yellow in Paris if you are sane. Blue is tolerable, particularly navy blue which has the good taste of being easily mistaken for black.

There is only one exception to the rule of wearing black, and that is a seasonal one. In summer, Parisian men get to wear white, as "le blanc, c'est simple, c'est bien."

Parisian girls will follow la couleur de l't. Each summer comes with a new official colour dictated by women's magazines... being original with colour has limitations.

All Parisian girls happily accede to this new seasonal change. Walking in the streets of Paris during a 'blue' summer seems like walking through an urban Smurf village.

When the Parisian boyfriend points out the monster of the colour, the Parisian ex-girlfriend revenge studies him with a blend of desperation and exasperation. "Tu comprends rien. C'est hyper tendance cette couleur cet t."

Indeed, Parisian men could make an effort.

Useful tip : Do not wear black only... a white collar is always an elegant... and a simple addition.

Speak like a Parisian: "J' me suis achet un petit pull noir, tout simple, super mignon..."

Learn more about Living in France for English Speakers at FrancoFiles

Do you ever forget to thank your spouse for something wonderful he or she has done for you that day?

I remember driving home from a business trip and my ex-girlfriend revenge and I were having a phone chat. Everything was fine then she mentioned this:

"Why don't you send cards or flowers to me like you use to?"

Busy schedules are not the reasons you forget. Many couples simply forget the habits to show their love for one another after being together for a while.

This got me thinking of where my focus has been lately. Although she was exaggerating a bit, I decided to change my recent actions for the better. We decided to have a "couple council" that night and that we will both focus on our affection.

You can show sweet simple ways to say "I Love You" that can turn your day around.

Here are nine ways we both show our affections for one another:

Take off her shoes for her when she gets home (If I'm home first) and ask her how her day was at work. I know she loves to share her day with me.

Is your spouse coming home late from work? Then wait for your spouse (feed the kids early, of course) to sit down and have dinner together.

I tell her "I love you" And it's usually out of the blue. This has been a habit of mine for sometime. When the mood strikes me I tell her that. It could be anywhere - in line at the market, walking to the car. She always smiles back. It's an unexpected way for me to express that I think about her.

Before bed, we tell each other what we are grateful for that day. For example, "I'm grateful for the nice dinner you made" or "I'm grateful that you put gas in my car"

I iron and press her clothes. I ask her what she would wants ironed or sometimes I just surprise by ironing and pressing her skirts and blouses.

My ex-girlfriend revenge shouts "Daddy's Home!" when I get home from work. The kids come up running with a big, fat hug. It makes feel appreciated and loved as soon as I get in.

I text message her with a numbers "143" which stands for "I love you" randomly throughout the day. Sometimes is "XO". I doesn't really what I wrote but the fact that I found time to let her know I am thinking of her.

When anyone of us is going away for a business trip. We both leave post-it notes all over the house like "Te Amo" or "Mahal Kita" which both mean I love you in spanish and tagalog or just "Have a great day at work"

She likes cold, sparkling water at her bedside so before I get to bed, I bring her favorite seltzer water next to her.

It takes more than words to tell your spouse you love him or her. Now you have some ideas here. Have fun with it.

And now I invite you to watch my weekly video blog where I teach you how to write, market, and sell your personal brand, articles and ebook to increase your credibility, traffic, leads and passive income so you can spend more time with your spouse by visiting http://succeedwithsoc.com and also learn about tools to run an online business.