(NewsUSA)

In his philosophical treatise, "The Human Condition," author Bob Yari offers a pathway to fulfillment and happiness based on a balanced lifestyle, a positive attitude, and gratitude for the world's abundance.

It is a self-help and self-realization book, meant to make people think and experiment with some of the concepts discussed. Ultimately, says the author, a better understanding of the human condition is the key ingredient to achieving happiness. If we can adjust our attitude and our perception of everything that happens to us in life, we can become much happier people.

 PHILOSOPHY FROM LIFE EXPERIENCE

 "My life experience has gotten me to develop a defined 'philosophy' of living that has enabled me to be a more content and happier person when faced with diversity, loss, and anxiety," says Yari. After refining this way of thinking over many years and seeing how it made his life more enjoyable, he wanted to share it with as many people as he could.

It is our ability to move past our own propensities and "natural programming" that will allow us to better enjoy our lives, says Yari, who offers intelligent observations and a roadmap to enhance our life's journey in this highly readable and intellectual work.

Yari takes us inside the human condition and the human mind, discussing all the conceptual drivers that influence one's quality of life -- attitude, gratitude, acceptance, balance and logic, to name a few. He presents a discourse on each, how they affect that human condition, and what readers should consider in order to optimize their connection with them.

Readers are so easily drawn to the dialogue and insights that they are just as likely to come away with a better "understanding" rather than a specific course of action that preaches "do this" or "do that." This technique positions Yari not so much as a mentor but rather as a colleague simply sharing his thoughts and ideas that have worked for him personally, providing a safe and comfortable connection to his readers.

 "STEP OUTSIDE OURSELVES"

 "To sit back and analyze how our mind handles information and thought and how we can improve our own mental functioning is an act that requires advanced and forced steps," he writes. "The first is to step outside ourselves and our immersion in our spectrum of life and to look upon life, ourselves, our functioning, and our purpose objectively."

Ultimately, says Yari, a better understanding of the human condition is the key ingredient to achieving happiness. In "The Human Condition," readers will be challenged to come to this better understanding, often having to contemplate a different awareness of and focus on concepts that have been embedded into their DNA and their thinking.

"If we can adjust our attitude and our perception of everything that happens to us in life, we can become much happier people. We need to start acknowledging what a great gift we hold."

"The Human Condition" is sure inspire readers to open their horizons and release the inherent, and often unused, powers of their own minds to better their lives. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3s0Dt96.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - In the northern hemisphere, the sun's lower winter angle in the sky peers straight into your windows, causing glare, more fading from its UV rays and unwanted hotspots. The usual remedy is to block out the natural daylight with curtains or blinds. However, this may darken the interior and create the need to turn lights on.

Then there's the appearance of the home. From the exterior a home's windows may appear disheveled with a drape partially open, a blind a bit crooked and next to it, a curtain pulled tight.

Then there's the cost of curtains, drapes, blinds and shades, that can add up quickly. Can you go "curtainless" and still reduce the sun's glare?

"A cost-effective solution is long-lasting, professionally installed window films, which can be permanently affixed to the glass by experts in a day or less to windows, doors and skylights. Many designs and features are available, such as privacy films that still allow in natural light, or clear, glare-reducing films that offer energy savings," says Darrell Smith, executive director of the International Window Film Association (IWFA).

Window films themselves are high-tech systems with multiple performance coatings produced to address specific problems in buildings. They may last 15 years or more and can be installed on single or dual pane windows in good condition, and they may also upgrade the glass to today's energy standards.

Window films with the IWFA logo are rated just like windows for their energy savings features. Window film manufacturers and businesses may offer a warranty that not only covers the window film, but may also cover the window glass.

"Window films are always 'on' and work when you need them so there is no need to pull drapes, shade or blinds," adds Smith.

Other benefits in addition to savings may include enhanced safety, the blocking of up to 99 percent of UV rays and privacy films. Window films may also help to keep heat in during winter and reduce the sun's solar heat by up to 80 percent in summer. Another plus is that a home may have a cleaner, modern look.

Get in touch with a local window film business at www.iwfa.com before the sun forces you to be in the dark.

(NewsUSA)Now-perhaps more than ever before-creating a relaxing outdoor space has been at the top of homeowners' to-do lists. Basic porches and patios are out, and families are investing in extravagant exterior areas with high-quality furnishings and amenities. And they're doing so with natural and durable materials like cypress. Here are five ways homeowners are decking out their outdoor space.

Photo courtesy of J Paul Moore Photography

Beautiful Flooring

If you're building an outdoor room, one of the first considerations is what's underfoot. Nancy Moore of The Porch Company in Nashville, Tennessee, says she loves utilizing the softness and beauty of wood in above-grade applications.

"A wood floor is much more attractive than a masonry one in my opinion-and less expensive," Moore says. "Cypress is our go-to wood for covered porch floors because it's naturally resistant to decay and readily available in tongue-and-groove boards, which gives a more finished look. And due to its light color, unlike cedar, we can use stains to develop a wide range of color choices."

Moore also offers some important advice. "If you're installing a tongue-and-groove floor, make sure there's an appropriate gap and you slope it to allow for water drainage," she explains.

© 2021 Nickolas Sargent of DBA Sargent Photography

Decorative Ceilings

"A lot goes into designing an outdoor space," says Tom Kirchhoff of Kirchhoff & Associates Architects in Jupiter, Florida. "The ceiling must relate to the furniture layout, decorative accents, and lighting. We tend to make the ceiling the focal point of our design creativity, and really love using natural cypress because of the warmth it provides, as opposed to other materials, such as stucco."

Photo courtesy of M&M Millworks of Louisiana

High-End Cabinetry

Whether indoors or out, homeowners can never have too much storage, says Robert N. Holley of M&M Millworks of Louisiana, a custom cabinet shop in West Monroe, Louisiana.

"We produce top-notch cabinets, regardless of if they'll be installed indoors or out," Holley says. "We prefer working with cypress because it's local, easy to sand, offers a rustic appearance, and holds up well to the elements in all seasons-especially in our hot and humid climate.

"Cypress also accepts a variety of finishes to meet any style. But if it were up to me, we'd use a clear sealer instead of a pigmented stain. I like to show the wood's natural beauty."

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Deshotels, Backwards Anvil LLC

Showpiece Tables

When it comes to outdoor furniture that's built to last, Benjamin Deshotels, a blacksmith and owner of Backwards Anvil LLC in Port Island, Louisiana, chooses cypress.

"In our neck of the woods, cypress has a rich history and that's a big motivator to incorporate it into our projects," Deshotels says. "Cypress also performs well in outdoor environments; not to mention it's a beautiful wood with lots of character.

"I recently used cypress to build an outdoor table with matching benches. It's finished in an oil-based stain to enhance the wood's color and a few coats of spar varnish to provide protection from direct sunlight and UV rays."

Photo courtesy of Lake Cypress Outdoor Products

Real Seating

There are a lot of factors to consider when buying outdoor furniture-including quality, durability, and price. And Steve Peugh of Lake Cypress Outdoor Products in Sulphur Springs, Texas, says cypress checks all the boxes.

"We've been crafting high-quality, Adirondack-style furniture with cypress for more than 30 years," Peugh says. "Cypress is a naturally durable wood and it won't decay like pine and some other common species. It's also stronger and denser than cedar."

And when compared to wood alternatives, like polywood and plastic, Peugh says people choose cypress for three reasons. "First, it won't heat up like alternative materials. Second, it'll last for many years. People think polywood will last forever, but it gets brittle and will break. And lastly, cypress is less expensive than wood substitutes-which is surprising to many customers.

"Homeowners are tired of replacing their outdoor furniture every few years. And at the end of the day, people don't want to sit on plastic, they want the real thing."

For more creative ideas on decking out your outdoor space, visit CypressInfo.org.

(NewsUSA) - For many people, the idea of creating and sticking to a budget is intimidating. The thought of investing, managing debt and saving for major purchases, such as a house or car, can leave anyone overwhelmed.

"A budget is a necessity for controlling spending and working toward financial goals," says CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Ross Levin, CFP®. "But what people don't remember is that budgeting is actually about making choices."

One smart (but ironic) choice you can make is to budget for a financial planner -- who will help you better manage your budget. A skilled financial planning professional can help you build a workable budget and give you the tools and encouragement to stick with it.

How do you pay for a financial planner?

Although financial planners aren't free, their valuable expertise can help you plan for many parts of your life -- not just help you budget.

There are various ways a CFP® professional may get paid for their services, and some options might be friendlier to your budget than others. Common ways that financial planning services are paid for may include:

• Commissions on products you buy, or transactions you make,
• Fixed fees for particular services,
• Hourly rates,
• Monthly or quarterly retainer or subscription fees,
• A percentage of the assets they manage for you, or
• A combination of the above.

It is important to ask your financial planner a number of key questions, including how clients pay the advisor and what costs you should expect in working with them. Their answers should help you determine how much to include in your budget to pay for your financial planner's services.

What will you get for your money?

Financial planners provide a variety of services that more than offset their cost. A CFP® professional can advise you about the details of the tax code, how to best save for retirement or other goals, and how to manage the risks and rewards of your investments. A CFP® professional can also guide you on how to use your health savings account effectively, and how to maximize tax benefits from charitable donations.

CFP® professionals provide advice to guide financial decisions at all stages of life, including when or whether to buy or refinance a home, how much to put aside for a child's education, and how to invest for long-term wealth.

"A good financial planner will not only help you set your goals, but also track your progress toward achieving them. And when your objectives change [as they often do], your plan can change with it," says Levin.

Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org for more information about the benefits of financial planning, why it is worth fitting into your budget and how to find a CFP® professional who can help you manage your financial future.

(NewsUSA) - The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the face of America's workplace. In fact, an increasing number of folks might find their "new office" feels a lot like home -- because it is literally their home.

Our post-pandemic "return to the office" may look very different with hybrid or fully remote work models rapidly rising in popularity. Studies support this trend with 83% of workers believing a hybrid model would be optimal going forward, according to an Accenture survey. Further, 87% of managers believe working from home is the future, according to Remote-How research.

While the new dynamic promises an improved work-life balance, it will also cause energy use and utility bills to skyrocket with technologies, appliances and systems running overtime at unprecedented levels -- making optimal, energy-efficient home climate control a greater challenge.

The good news is that families can prevent a utility-bill blitz by following a few simple tips. With home heating and cooling accounting for nearly half of home energy use, small steps can go a long way.

• Ease Into Electric: According to Columbia University's Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control. Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25% on your energy bill. Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space.
• Get "Smart" About Climate Control: When it comes to smart home temperature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create "smart" systems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-connected device or voice-operated home automation system.
• Voice Your Preference: Take control of your comfort. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to verbally dictate home temperatures. Easily controlling the temperature more closely allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.
• Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone: Many of us live in homes designed for bigger families, but have yet to downsize. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home on a regular basis, consider upgrading to a zoned ducted, or ductless system. That will allow you to save energy heating and cooling spaces where you and your family don't spend a lot of time. This will multiply savings as you're not only needing less cooling, but you also gain from a more efficient system in the spaces you do still use.
• Try Low-tech Fixes: Simple changes can have a big impact. Take advantage of the sun's energy to heat your home by opening your south-facing curtains at sunrise to make best use of "passive solar gain." Force down warm air. Denser, cooler air stays closer to the ground, and warmer air rises. So, force it downwards with a low-speed fan. Insulate and fill the gaps. Warmed air leaking out around poorly sealed window frames, power sockets, recessed light fittings, and other gaps is a big source of heat loss in homes. And thick curtains help to insulate glass at windows.

If your family is spending a lot more time at home and your utility bills are soaring, a ductless heating and cooling system is definitely a worthwhile investment. Many Fujitsu systems have an Energy Star rating that is more than twice as efficient as the minimum standard set by the government. To learn more or find a contractor near you, call 888-888-3424 or visit www.constantcomfort.com.

(NewsUSA)

"Good Grief -- A Journey from Loss to Love"
by Valerie D. Swinton and Fred J. Kirby Jr. 

If you lost a loved one to death and wonder how, when, or even if you should move forward, then this book just might help you. The authors of this book each lost lovely, wonderful spouses to long illnesses after lengthy marriages. Their spouses encouraged them to continue living and to find another mate. Even in tragedy, grace helped them to discover purpose and rediscover who they were individually.

New circumstances require adjustments, continued growth, and constant struggle, but strong faith in God conquers all. Don't rush through the grieving process. With stories from the authors and others who have lost a spouse, you may find there is hope in new beginnings. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3kpdFzI.

"The Reunion Bomber"
by Bill Flynn 

Former FBI agent Ronan Ryan returns to Eastboro to attend the reunion of his high school class. A celebration with his basketball teammates and a pleasant encounter with his first love is interrupted by a violent act of vengeance. The reunion restaurant becomes a crime scene, but the killer's work is not finished. His other targets are all members of Ronan's class, including his high school sweetheart and his friend, the Eastboro Chief of Police.

They join with a jailed computer hacker to try to find the deranged but clever garage dweller who methodically wreaks terror on the classmates of his past. The reunion ends in 48 tense hours after the bomber makes his final detonation. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3xyVCfO.

"Distressed? Anguished? Heal Your BMind"
by Jacob Gonik 

For nearly 30 years, Jacob Gonik has successfully treated anxiety, stress, fears, traumatic obesity, depression, and other mental disorders in an average of 10 sessions thanks to his "Heal Your BMind" Concept. It is based on a new approach: Your mind has just two parts: an Intellectual part (IMind) and a Behavioral part (BMind).

Psychological problems are not embedded in your personality; they all reside in your BMind in the form of programs. The BMind works like a computer or smartphone app. When you enter ZETA, a BMind relaxing state, all harmful programs can be identified and healed! Self-ZETA is a mentalization process that anyone can use to modify habits and control stress, anxiety, insomnia, fears, and more. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3k74wgJ.

"You're Kidding, Right?"
by Brad Goldfarb 

This book is based on 30 actual questions that retired financial advisor Brad Goldfarb received from clients where the only possible response was, "You're kidding, right?" The common thread behind these questions: they seemed to come from clients' emotions and not necessarily rational thinking. Goldbarb knew he could simplify complicated analytical techniques so every investor could easily understand them, avoid mistakes and apply them to their own strategy.

This book was not written to offer specific advice to investors. It was not written with the idea of do-it-yourself. It was written to educate and enlighten investors to allow them to work more collaboratively with their financial advisors, especially during downturns and turmoil in the financial markets. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3itXAYE.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.