Three years ago, Carnie Wilson was 300 pounds, unemployed, depressed, and sitting in a doctor's office being that she probably wouldn't live much longer. At night, she had terrible dreams of her mother getting a phone call from the police saying, "We're very sorry, but someone found your daughter in bed, and she's gone." Knowing she had to do something to save her own herself, Carnie opted to have gastric bypass surgery. She woke up the next day in the hospital determined that she wouldn't just work on having a new body, but also a new life. That's the story we've already heard. In Still Hungry, Wilson picks up where she left off in her 2001 book Gut Feelings. She takes readers step by step on her weight loss journey, which wasn't just a road to reaching 125 pounds. It was a mental trip where she had to conquer all of her fears and insecurities, including issues with her father, Beach Boy Brian Wilson--which made her gain the weight in the first place. This book offers a unique way of showing the progression of weight loss, with one section serving as a diary of sorts. It details Carnie's weight at specific times so that readers can use this part of the book to find their own weight and see how Carnie's life lessons got her head in the right place so the pounds could keep falling off. Wilson also offers a humorous look at her own weight loss, asking: What's better--sex or chocolate? (Answer: "Sex followed by chocolate.") She also discusses re-establishing her career as an actress and singer in Hollywood. It wasn't easy when the National Enquirer was practically staking out her house to catch her on "a fat day," or when fans e-mailed her to chastise her for flashing "some arm flab" onEntertainment Tonight. And, of course, the book includes Carnie's minute-by-minute description of posing for the June 2003 issue of Playboy magazine, with the inevitable questions: Can I eat breakfast before posing nude? Why do I have my period this week of all weeks? and Do I look fat? Carnie also gives readers a glimpse of what spurred on the much awaited 2004 regrouping of the Wilson Phillips band and how she is in perfect harmony again with her partners, sister, Wendy Wilson; and bandmate, Chynna Phillips. Finally, the last part of the book reveals the specific weight-loss plan that Carnie still uses to keep slim--and anyone can follow this plan to lose weight whether they've had weight-loss surgery or not. Carnie even includes a few of her favorite desserts. Wilson is still hungry for knowledge, love, acceptance, and yes, a chocolate chip cookie or two.

'Shaman', meaning 'intermediary between spirit and the natural world', has become a much overused word in the West. It's not a job title one can give oneself, and in indigenous societies, a shaman is usually born to this role. Ya'Acov Darling Khan is one of the few westerners who have been acknowledged as shamans by indigenous elders or teachers. After being hit by lightning, Ya'Acov took a 30-year journey into the heart of shamanism to seek his own healing, and to learn how he could serve others with the wisdom he acquired through his experiences. He has studied with indigenous teachers from the Arctic Circle to the USA and South America, and has taken part in ceremonies in such diverse locations as Welsh caves to the depths of the Amazon rainforest. Nowadays, Ya'Acov continues to study and regularly journeys to the Ecuadorean Amazon to work alongside the Achuar and Sapara people. For thousands of years, shamans helped the people in their communities remain in balance with themselves, each other, the natural world and the spirit world. This beautifully written book is not only a powerfully honest, humorous and inspiring memoir, but a guidebook for those from many cultures and walks of life wishing to return to their indigenous roots, and be part of midwifing a more benign human presence here on Earth as part of a new dream.

When people and circumstances upset us, how do we deal with them? Often, we feel victimized. We become hurt, angry, and defensive. We end up seeing others as enemies, and when things don't go our way, we become enemies to ourselves. But what if we could move past this pain, anger, and defensiveness? Inspired by Buddhist philosophy, this book introduces us to the four kinds of enemies we encounter in life: the outer enemy, people, institutions, and situations that mean to harm us; the inner enemy, anger, hatred, fear, and other destructive emotions; the secret enemy, self-obsession that isolates us from others; and the super-secret enemy, deep-seated self-loathing that prevents us from finding inner freedom and true happiness. In this practical guide, we learn not only how to identify our enemies, but more important, how to transform our relationship to them. Love Your Enemies teaches us how to: - Break free from the mode of "us" versus "them" thinking - develop compassion, patience, and love - Accept what is beyond our control - Embrace lovingkindness, right speech, and other core concepts Throughout, authors Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman share stories and exercises for achieving finding peace within yourself and with the world. Drawing from ancient spiritual wisdom and modern psychology, Love Your Enemies presents tools that are useful for all readers.

"This beautifully illustrated gift edition of Heart Thoughts is a collection of meditations, spiritual treatments, and excerpts from my lectures. It focuses on aspects of our day-to-day experiences, and is meant to guide and assist you in particular areas where you may be having difficulty. "It is now time for you to release old beliefs and old habits, and the meditations and treatments within these pages can help you build your confidence as you make necessary changes in your life. "This is a time of awakening. Know that you are always safe. And also know that it's possible to move from the old to the new, easily and peacefully." - Louise L. Hay

In this book, Louise has gathered together the insights and wisdom of some of the most inspirational teachers and authors she knows, people who have demonstrated the power of gratitude in their own lives. Renowned contributors include Wayne Dyer, Bernie Siegel, Doreen Virtue, Shakti Gawain, Alan Cohen and Dan Millman. All profits from this book will benefit Louise's non-profit organization, The Hay Foundation.

Following the category-dominating success of Witchery, indigenous medicine woman and seer Juliet Diaz initiates readers following the current witchy trends of herbal medicine and magic into a deeper, wilder connection with the ancient healing power of over 200 plants.

All it will take is for you to slow down and pay attention to the world around you and, I promise, you will find the world within you.

Indigenous seer, gifted plant whisperer, and Witchery author Juliet Diaz invites you to walk the path of the Plant Witch. Journey far beyond the basic medicinal and magical properties of plants, deep into Mother Earth's drumming heart. Drawn from ancestral practices passed down by generations of teachers, the lessons in this book will awaken your intimate connection with nature, your ancestors, your guides, and to your true self through the powerful magic of plants.

Within these pages, you will learn:

• Essential, magical, and medicinal properties of 200 herbs, flowers, trees, and fruits.
• Rituals for abundance, cleansing, and connecting with spirits.
• Spells to ward against evil, find answers, and protect against self-sabotage.
• Potions to open your third eye, bring luck, and promote creativity.
• Communication techniques for speaking and listening to plants.
• The optimal moon phases and seasons to work with different plants.

Even as humans forget our place in nature's rhythm and cause harm to our Earth Mother, the spirits of plants still call out to us, appear in our dreams, and inspire us as they push through cracks in cement-resilient and determined to thrive. From abre camino and acacia to yucca and ZZ plant, each has unique personality and wisdom to share if we are only willing to listen.

Is stress preventing you from enjoying your daily life? Do you find that you're becoming more distracted or forgetful? Are 'the blues' sapping your spirits? Or do you simply feel not quite like yourself? If you want to reclaim your focus, memory and joy, you're not alone. There are millions of people fighting against the epidemic of brain fog that's sweeping the nation. The good news: it's not an irreparable condition - rather, it's a side effect of modern-day living. Many of the foods we eat and the habits we have do not support our brains. We no longer get what we need in order to produce essential brain chemicals that keep us energized, calm, focused, optimistic and inspired. And even worse, our choices could lead to long-term problems, like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, depression and anxiety. Sadly, if you look at the way most of us live, it seems almost as though we've chosen a lifestyle deliberately intended to undermine our brain chemistry and our health. Fortunately, there is a solution. The Brain Fog Fix is an easy-to-follow three-week programme designed to help naturally restore three of your brain's most crucial hormones: serotonin, dopamine and cortisol. Rebalancing these chemicals will in turn enable the rest of your brain's chemistry to reach optimal levels. Each week of the programme focuses on a different element of your life, including improving your mood by modifying your diet and using cognitive strategies, increasing your energy by focusing on sleep, exercise and memory-boosting games, and enhancing your spirit through practices that help you connect to something larger than yourself. By the end of this simple programme, you'll be thinking more clearly, remembering more accurately, learning more quickly and unleashing the floodgates of your creativity. And you'll simply feel better - for now and in the long term.

Discover life-changing methods for sustainable wellness, cultivate an authentic energy flow and attract uplifting vibrations. Hailed as a 'super-guru of London' by UK press, Alla Svirinskaya is a fifth-generation energy healer who has been able to 'read' human auric vibrations since her childhood. In Energy Rules, she introduces her unique concepts and methods to help you unlock the power of protection and own your energy. You’ll learn that our energy is as unique as our fingerprints and a precious part of our identity. We need to maintain an authentic energy flow, or we start to attract toxic energy, lose individuality and become vulnerable to energy vampires (or become one ourselves). In this groundbreaking book, you’ll learn how to: · reclaim your unique 'energy ID' as your navigator in life · boost your aura's immune system to neutralize toxic energy · use the aura 'probiotics' formula to help you thrive in modern life Alla offers practical new solutions for kickstarting wellness and becoming immune to the toxic energies that sabotage your personal power. Alla also introduces her pioneering multi-sensory meditation to help you preserve your authentic life force.

Renowned breathing expert offers a guide to conscious breathing with techniques for loosening patterns of constriction, reducing stress, and alleviating tension. Breath moves in wavelike motions. When breath flows freely within the body, we live in a natural state of harmony, making choices that enhance well-being and generate energy.Each individual breath travels through us in a unique way depending on its flow, texture, speed, and patterning. Like a leaf falling from a tree that spirals to the ground, waves of breath travel through the airways of the body in a spiraling motion. This is the way air moves, the way breath moves, and the way oceans, rivers, and lakes move, too. When we tighten our passageways and compromise our breathing, our health suffers. Most of us are born with the ability to breathe freely and naturally, but as the years go by, our breathing becomes labored—compromised by fear, disappointment, trauma, and pollutants. So we contract our breathing body and create ways that feel protective of our vulnerable selves but actually constrict the oxygen intake and thus the nourishment our body receives. In The Breathable Body: Transforming Your World and Your Life, One Breath at a Time, Robert Litman shares the insights and practices he has discovered during more than 30 years of professional experience in conscious breathing and movement. Born with breathing difficulties and suffering from asthma as a child, Robert found ways to overcome his own childhood PTSD and now shares trauma-sensitive teachings to help people breathe and live better. You can change your life—including alleviating symptoms of asthma, snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, digestive difficulties, and fatigue—by changing how you breathe. The techniques in this book will teach you how to support and protect your body and its respiratory system. Through conscious breathing, movement, sound, and a clear understanding of anatomy and respiration, we learn habits that support healthy and natural breathing.

In this volume, Louise L. Hay shares her philosophy of life on a multitude of subjects from addictions to fears to spiritual laws, and everything in between. Her insights offer meditations and practical knowledge to apply to your day-to-day life. "This is a book of ideas to spark your own creative thinking process. It will give you an opportunity to see other ways to approach your experiences...Begin anywhere in this book. Open it at will. The message will be perfect for you at that moment. It may confirm what you already believe, or it may challenge you. It is all part of the growth process." Louise L Hay

Discover tried-and-tested techniques to help you relax during labour, including mindfulness, breathing exercises and visualization, so that you can have an empowering, positive birth. Now with two new chapters, this brand-new edition of The Calm Birth Method will show you how you can make birth a gentle and enjoyable experience. This authoritative guide will help you to build confidence in your body and its abilities and offers practical techniques to support and prepare you. Walking you and your birth partner through the whole process of birth preparation, Suzy Ashworth and Liz Stanford share: · Why many people feel so scared of giving birth and how to eliminate these fears during pregnancy · How relaxing during birth transforms your physiology · Practical techniques to promote deep relaxation and mindfulness · How to unify birth partners and care providers to ensure the birthing environment is stress-free Take the power back into your own hands so that you can learn to trust your body and look forward to welcoming your child into the world.

International finance coach Ann Wilson is known as the Wealth Chef because of her ability to help people cook up monetary success. In this book, Ann has laid out a step-by-step guide to creating financial freedom. In its pages, readers will find five recipes for wealth that helped Ann go from having nothing to becoming a multimillionaire. These recipes reveal the secrets to: * Becoming debt-free while simultaneously generating wealth * Getting your 'wealth accelerators' working * Increasing your quality of life while reducing your expenses * Focusing on personal goals and tracking successes for rapid results Ann takes what she's learned from her own life and from teaching around the world - from Africa, to Asia, to Australia, to America, to Europe - and gives readers an in-depth yet manageable plan and tested principles to improve their relationship with money. Simply put, she shows readers how to become financially savvy and build wealth starting immediately. They realize they can create financial freedom and live their dream life now, feeling empowered to throw away the old recipe for success: mix together one secure job with a lifelong portion of hard work and sacrifice to hopefully live the dream life after retirement. Why wait? With the practices and techniques Ann presents here they don't have to!

"Do you believe in ghosts?" Annette just sort of blurted out.
Sara and Seth both looked up with surprise. "Well," Sara stalled, "I guess I do." She remembered the night Solomon had visited her in her bedroom after Jason and Jimmy had shot him, but she hadn't really thought about him being a ghost that night; she'd just been so glad to see her beloved feathered friend.
Sara and Seth looked at each other. Both of them knew that if anything would fall into the category of ghosts, Solomon would most likely be it, but they didn't say anything, uncertain about telling their new friend their special secret.
"Well, do "you" believe in ghosts?" Seth asked, looking intently at Annette's serious face.
Annette looked at Seth and then at Sara, who both sat quietly, each waiting to hear the answer.
"No, I just wondered if "you" did," Annette answered abruptly. "Hey, let's swing." And without taking the time to execute a perfectly calculated leap from the platform as she usually did, Annette grabbed the swinging rope and jumped off as if she couldn't do so fast enough. . . .""

What makes you purr? Of all the questions in the world, this is the most important. It is also the great leveler. Because no matter whether you are a playful kitten or a sedentary senior, a scrawny alley Tom or a sleek-coated uptown girl, whatever your circumstances, you just want to be happy. Not the kind of happy that comes and goes like a can of flaked tuna but an enduring happiness. The deep-down happiness that makes you purr from the heart.

Before leaving for a teaching tour to America, the Dalai Lama poses a challenge to his beloved feline, HHC (His Holiness's Cat): to discover the true cause of happiness. Little does she know what adventures this task will bring!

A hair-raising chase through the streets of McLeod Ganj leads to an unexpected revelation about the perils of self-obsession. An encounter with the mystical Yogi Tarchen inspires a breakthrough discovery about her past - one with dramatic implications for us all. And overhead conversations between ivy-league psychologists, high-ranking lamas, and famous writers who congregate at the Himalaya Book Cafe help her explore the convergence between science and Buddhism on the vital subject of happiness. Sparkling with wisdom, warmth, and a touch of mischief, The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Art of Purring is a charming reminder of why HHC is becoming one of the most-loved cats around the world.

So what is the true cause of purring? The Dalai Lama whispers this secret on his return - only for the ears of HHC and those with whom she has a karmic connection ...that, dear reader, means you!

THE PATH TO YOUR ULTIMATE RETIREMENT STARTS RIGHT HERE When you think about planning for retirement - whether it's years in the future or just around the corner - you're bound to have questions. Can I ever afford to stop working? Will Social Security be there for me when I need it? How can I make my money last? Have I waited too long to start saving? Suze Orman, America's most recognized expert on personal finance, answers all the questions that keep you up at night - starting with the biggest one: It is never too late to start planning for a next act that's fulfilling and secure. With her signature blend of compassion, insight, and expertise, Suze guides you toward a plan that will put you in control of your financial future and help you to create the retirement you deserve. SUZE GIVES YOU THE STRAIGHT TALK ON: * Moves to make-and not make- while you're still working * How to invest safely in retirement- with just the right amount of risk * Out-of-the-box ideas to find a new role for your next act * How to lower your living costs now in ways that can have a big impact down the road * Decisions to make before you reach age 70 * Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, annuities, HSAs, and long-term care insurance * The must-have documents to put in place today * The Five Laws of Money to take with you into your Ultimate Retirement years (some of them may surprise you) * And much more

In her first book Vianna Stibal, the creator of ThetaHealing, introduced this amazing healing technique to the world. Based on thousands of sessions with clients who experienced remarkable healings with Vianna, this comprehensive follow-up is an in-depth exploration of the work and processes central to ThetaHealing, giving the reader a detailed guide to the Feeling, Belief, and Digging Work, as well as further information on the 7 Planes of Existence that allow us to connect to the highest level of love and energy of All That Is.

Reclaim ownership of your health, rewrite the narrative surrounding body image and restore your right to healing, safety and self-love. For too long Black women have been left out of discussions about body image, food, health and wellness. By bringing the bodies of Black women centre stage, eating disorder specialist Jessica Wilson asks us to reimagine the ways we think about, discuss and tend to our bodies. This book is a call for body liberation now. It's Always Been Ours pushes back against some of the unhealthy ideals within the wellness movement. Seamlessly blending stories of clients, friends and celebrities, Jessica reveals how a fixation on thin, white women negatively impacts how Black women exist within our bodies and harms all women. Jessica urges us to reject a diet culture that disproportionately harms Black women. She offers, instead, a politics of body liberation that prioritizes Black women's physical and psychological needs. With just the right mix of wit, levity and wisdom, Jessica shows us how a radical reimagining of body narratives is a prerequisite to wellbeing for everyone. It's Always Been Ours is a love letter that celebrates Black women's bodies and shows us a radical and essential path forward to rediscovering vulnerability and joy.

Melody Beattie, the best-selling author of The Language of Letting Go, brings you 50 cards to help remind you that each day you can ask for and accept the healing energy of God and the Universe. Remember that you are all part of, and one with, the continuous cycle of healing, and she urges you to live according to the concepts of detachment and present-moment living. When you live in the here-and-now, you allow life to happen instead of trying to force outcomes. When you relinquish regrets over the past and fears about the future, you can make the most of each day.

All is Well, the new book by celebrated authors Louise Hay and Mona Lisa Schulz, not only explores the medical science behind the affirmations in Louise Hay's international bestseller You Can Heal Your Life, but also offers stories and practical advice for personal healing. Structured around seven emotional centres, which mirror our chakra system, Louise and Mona Lisa examine the connections between these centres and the body. Drawing on years of research, they explore probable mental causes for the physical manifestation of illness associated with each centre, and then lay out how to address these health concerns. Combining two complementary systems, Louise discusses new thought patterns and offers new affirmations to counteract specific emotional weaknesses, and Mona Lisa, who has worked for many years as a medical intuitive and physician, helps readers listen to their own bodies' intuition and prescribes medical solutions that are based in Western science. They provide real-world examples of people who faced illness and outline the specific emotional and physical prescriptions that helped them heal. Affirmations, intuition and medical science form a powerful triad that enable readers to achieve maximum health and wellbeing, and to experience on a deep level that, as Louise always says, 'All is well.'

This fully illustrated 62-card deck is based on Gabrielle Bernstein's New York Times bestseller, Miracles Now. Each card contains a powerful, life-changing message, modernized and boiled down to a 140-character description that can be tweeted, pinned on Pinterest, posted on Facebook or shared on Instagram with the hashtag #MiraclesNow. As Gabby says, 'My hope is that you'll use this deck daily as a spiritual guide to help expand your miracle mind-set. When in doubt, put your hand on the deck and say, "Thank you, divine guidance. I need a Miracle Now. Show me what you've got!" Trust in the guidance you receive and let it inform your next right action.'

New science updates the "blue zones" secrets to healthy longevity with a flexible, holistic approach that incorporates epigenetics, nutrition, and mental health. Through his documentary film series, The Human Longevity Project, Jason Prall traveled to select regions around the world known for their long-lived, healthy populations. He sought to understand not only the longevity secrets of these societies but also the scientific basis underpinning their health wisdom. Through his travels, he came to the realization that while the pursuit of longevity is sexy, it's insufficient and hollow-what most of us really want is an extended life filled with vibrant health, meaning, and purpose. We want to thrive as we age. This book combines his own personal experiences with the knowledge and wisdom gained from interviewing more than 100 health experts and dozens of amazing elders from around the world. You'll discover that when experiential wisdom is supported by the latest scientific research, a more integrated picture emerges of how you can most effectively increase your happiness, health, and longevity. Life is a mysterious process with a natural development, order, and cycle. It is lent to us for a brief moment before the physical body is left behind. If we wish to thrive in the modern world, we must create a mental, emotional, physical, and energetic environment that is congruent with this natural lifecycle. The reality that humanity has created, filled with next-generation technologies and increasing comforts, presents both unique opportunities and novel challenges. We have the option to choose a more harmonious path that establishes greater coherence within ourselves, one another, and the environment. This is the amazing opportunity that lies before us. When we live from alignment, all life benefits.

An accessible introduction to the profound teachings of the Tree of Life and how you can use them to improve your experience on Earth. Qabalah is a Western non-religious mystic tradition containing a body of magical knowledge and practices. It offers teachings on the creation, origin and fate of the soul, the nature of divinity and the role of human beings on Earth, and includes meditative, devotional and mystical practices, such as astrology, tarot and magic. David Wells has been studying Qabalah for over 25 years and in this book shares his knowledge of this fascinating philosophy. He breaks down the concepts of Qabalah into an easy-to-follow path and shows how you can use them effectively in your life. The book is full of practical exercises, simple rituals and safe practices that will allow you to experience the power of Qabalah for yourself. You will discover: - the role of the Tree of Life - the central organizational system of Qabalah - the 10 Sephiroth (spheres) of the Tree and what they mean - meditations and exercises for each Sephira - how to create a personal sigil (symbol) to represent your highest values - how to use Qabalistic prayer and work with the four great Archangels for daily support and protection This book was previously published under the title Qabalah (Hay House Basics series).

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a simple, natural method of allowing the mind to go beyond thoughts and gain access to the silent inner field of creativity, energy, peace, and happiness that is our own essential nature, our Self. Widely known and prescribed by physicians for its powerful stress-reducing effects, TM is much more than that. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1918-2008), who brought TM to the West, said that TM offers any individual not only a gateway to the highest spiritual unfoldment (Enlightenment), but also "sound physical and mental health, greater ability in action, a greater capacity to think clearly, increased efficiency in work, and more loving and rewarding relationships with others." Five million TM practitioners around the world and more than 360 published, peer-reviewed scientific studies have consistently corroborated these lofty claims. Described as "a great book, by far the most comprehensive on the TM Program" when it was a bestseller in its original version, Jack Forem's study of TM became a much-loved classic. This updated edition contains all the features of the original plus much more. Clear, easy-to-read diagrams explain scientific research showing TM's beneficial effect on the brain and a broad spectrum of contemporary concerns, from health, self-actualization, and development of intelligence to post-traumatic stress (PTSD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and much more. In these pages, Oprah Winfrey tells how she has offered TM to everyone on her staff. Dr. Mehmet Oz explains the benefits of TM for heart health. School principals describe the dramatically positive effect on their students when TM is introduced in the classroom. Interviews with celebrities as well as men and women of every age, background, and religion provide a lively testimonial to the efficacy of TM in making anyone's life happier, healthier, and more creative.

This text features teachings on the law of abundance and a 40-day prosperity plan to enable the reader to discover for themselves what money really is. A six-step programme helps to dispel beliefs in limitation, and offers the reader a chance to change their attitude to money and wealth creation.

In this compelling exploration of like, Gregg Braden merges the modern discoveries of nature's patterns (fractals) with the ancient view of a cyclic universe. The result is a powerful model of time-fractal time-and a realistic window into what we can expect for the mysterious year 2012 ...and beyond. Applying fractal time to the history of the world and life, he proposes that everything from the war and peace between nations to the patterns of human relationships mirror the returning cycles of our past. As each cycle repeats, it carries a more powerful, amplified version of itself. The key: If you know where to look in the past, you know what to expect when the same conditions return in the present and future. For the first time in print, the Time Code Calculator gives you the tool to do just that! Through easy-to-understand science and step-by-step instructions, discover for yourself: * How the conditions for 2012 have occurred in the past, and what we can expect when they repeat! * The 'hot dates' that hold the greatest threats of war and greatest opportunities for peace, as well as economic cycles such as the stock-market collapse of 2008! * How Earth's location in space triggers cycles of spiritual growth for humans! * Your personal Time Codes for the key events of business, relationships, and change in your life! * How each cycle carries a window of opportunity-a choice point that allows us to select a new outcome for the returning pattern! * What the 1999 ice cores form Antarctica reveal about past cycles of climate, global warming, Earth's protective magnetic fields, and what these things mean for us today! In a powerful yet comprehensive style, Gregg gives us a way to make sense of the rapid, and often dramatic, change of today's world. It is these understandings that guide us way from the destructive choices we've made in the past. They also show the way to the greatest possibilities of our lives. Gregg suggests that is we can see time form this perspective, the past reveals the great secret of our moment in history and what we can expect as we approach December 21, 2012!