Friends and Family - An Affluent Lifestyle Portfolio

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Friends and Family

An Affluent Lifestyle Portfolio

CHANTAL OWENS

Rags to Riches Entertainment Group

An imprint of Aauvi House Publishing Group

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Published by Aauvi House Publishing Group at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Chantal Owens

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E-ISBN: Smashwords Edition

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Titles by Chantal Owens

Friends and Family – An Affluent Lifestyle Portfolio

Travel – On the Move

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Contents

Book Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

1 – What Matters Most

2 – Strengthening Relationships

3 – Activities and Lifestyle

4 – Genuinely Interested In Others

5 – Connect with Successful People

6 – Associate with Charities

7 – Partner with Productive People

8 – Embrace an Affluent Lifestyle

9 – Live a Productive Lifestyle

10 – An Affluent Lifestyle Portfolio

Closing Remarks

End of Book

About the Author

About the Publisher

Books by Aauvi House

Excerpts by Aauvi House

Credits

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Introduction

In its brief history, Aauvi House Publishing Group has become the new it marketers of information-based lifestyle solutions in the self-help and how-to markets for all age groups. Reinforcing a belief that living a planned extraordinarily fulfilled lifestyle is of paramount importance to its readers.

The Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series is a first, of a twenty-one book series, that will be revised and re-launched periodically with all new material. These books feature famous themed cities represented by the book covers and include an introduction comprising a short story about its featured city. Annually, the series guides will be rolled up as chapter inserts into a single book and sold during the holiday season.

Anyone who desires the secrets to A-list living, values their appearance, is concerned about lifestyle or just needs more information can benefit from reading and continually referring back to the Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series. Each book – practical in its approach – is full of facts that teach you how to make the most of your life, how to achieve peak performance, and how to maintain general health. In short, the Aauvi House Publishing Group, Rags to Riches Entertainment imprint’s ability to offer its readers a more complete and concise migration path to an extraordinary red carpet lifestyle, just got better.

Information Is Timeless

Everyone holds a secret desire to be part of the A-list seeking a confident, fashionable, and extraordinary life. These series guides make transformation routine to which all men and women will relate.

Actionable Strategies

The Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series contains specific strategies in each book and edition that can transform lives. It details social skills of boosting confidence, replacing bad habits, and re-inventing one’s self. These books will appeal to professionals, parents, and generations of young adults.

About the Authors

The Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series are written by a team of contributing authors, all of whom have a witty, quirky, slapstick appeal.

About Our Cover Story – Rio de Janeiro

Since jet setting is part of such a grand lifestyle, the Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series theme includes a cultural or travel experience with every book. That is, between promotional junkets, film festivals and red carpet appearances, celebrities can rack up as many frequent-flyer miles as they do trips to rehab. And so can you, once you have an insider bird’s eye view of the possibilities.

Whether traveling by plane or virtually by way of these pages, our cover story, Rio de Janeiro Brazil is highlighted by its splendid views. Rio de Janeiro is the second major city of Brazil, behind only Sao Paulo. It is in the pursuit of leisure that Rio is outstanding. With its world famous beaches free to all, its splendid bay, one of the loveliest in the world, and its wonderful climate, a blend of summer and springtime, Rio de Janeiro is a city that lives in and for the sun.

Rio de Janeiro commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and accumulation in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th largest in the Americas, and 26th in the world.

The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1815 during the Portuguese era, 1815 to 1821 as the capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves, and 1822 to 1960 as an independent nation. Rio is nicknamed the Marvelous City.

Rio de Janeiro is the most visited city in the southern hemisphere and is known for its natural settings, carnival celebrations, samba, Bossa Nova, and balneario beaches. Some of the most famous landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain, named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf mountain with its cable car; the Sambodromo, a permanent grandstand-lined parade avenue which is used during Carnival; and Maracana Stadium, one of the world’s largest football stadiums. The 2016 Summer Olympics will take place in Rio de Janeiro, which will mark the first time a South American city hosts the event.

About Friends and Family

There is something great about A-list living and Friends and Family, the fifteenth book of a twenty-one book series, is a vital step to achieving such an extraordinary life. An affluent person’s pleasures and self-satisfaction have more to do with their families, friends, religion, financial independence physical fitness, and perhaps a bit of golf.

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What Matters Most

I just heard gossip ... about myself. What happens when you overhear rumormongering about you? Five women dish right back.

Going home on the train one night, I was half aware of a guy talking on the phone behind me – until I heard my name. Paralyzed, I listened to him insult me for miles. Right before my stop, I turned around. He was shocked and has since apologized. Now I have a no-gossip policy. No one deserves to be talked about, especially within earshot!

I read on a roommate’s blog that her roommate – me! – had ‘the most annoying laugh.’ I felt horrible! When I confronted her, she wasn’t at all apologetic. So my friends and I had even louder laughing sessions. Take that!

After I couldn’t get off work to attend a friend’s shower, the bride accidentally cc’d me on an e-mail saying I ‘wasn’t a real friend’ and that she hoped I got what was coming to me. It turned into a war, and I severed ties. I’m better off.

When I worked for the Republican party, I overhead a coworker saying the reason I was pro-choice was that I’d had an abortion. Afterward, I asked him where he’d heard the completely false story. He turned red and later sent me an apology.

I caught a college classmate saying, ‘I don’t get why our professor loves Sofia’s work – she must be sleeping with him.’ Then she turned and saw me. I just replied, ‘Let me know if you need me to look over your work!’

Let Go of Bad Feelings

At this point in your life, your friends are standing in for family, so betrayal of magnitude can shake your foundation. It can help to talk about it with other friends who can offer perspective. Maybe there’s something going on in his or her life that you don’t know about … or something about you that he or she can’t handle.

Whatever the reasons, dump the revenge fantasies, and just concentrate on whether you want to give him or her another chance. Is this the first betrayal, or one in a series? Is it a very long-lived friendship that deserves another shot? If you do want to try to repair things, write an e-mail along the lines of: I don’t understand what happened, but I feel hurt. If you want to tell me about it, I’d like to know.

A study found that complaining can increase distress. Instead, briefly talk to a pal, and then channel your energy into an activity that will distract you, like watching a movie.

Dissecting a minor issue may make it seem more serious, so try simply to let the grievance go. See a friend if it’s gnawing at you hours later, but set a time limit to avoid obsessing.

When discussing anything from a guy or gal crisis to a work dilemma, focus on figuring out a solution rather than rehashing all the dramatic details. It will help you move on.

Don’t put all your friendship eggs in one basket. You don’t want any one person to be the source of your identity. Instead, have several close friends in different circles, so if you end up disappointed or hurt by one of them, it’s not so devastating.

Signs You Need to Dump a Friend

Ferreting out a toxic friend isn’t that easy, but sometimes a necessary evil. Great friends are like amazing jeans: They offer incredible support and cover your butt when you need it the most. But also like denim, it’s easy to get used to a friend who doesn’t fit you like he or she should. Here are some subtle tip-offs that you ought to make yourself less available as your friend’s personal therapist or ego-booster … or even move on altogether.

Looking back a few months, you realize you let all your friend’s calls go to voice mail, even if you were in a chatty mood, because you couldn’t muster the energy for small talk.

Your friend labels you as a hazmat area after seeing you because you’re so moody.

Upon noticing your friend’s new purse, you obsess over the fact that he or she blew $200 you lent him or her years ago.

After a long talk with your friend, you eat a pint of Ben and Jerry’s to take your mind off your friend’s neuroses.

If you have a differing opinion, you reply, You’re probably right. It’s easier just to get your friend off the topic since your friend hates losing a debate.

Your friend acts accessible but always says, super busy … but totes want to hang out soon!

Your friend tweaks his or her successes into digs, like It’s funny – you were the one who used to get hit on, but since I lost 10 pounds, they love me!

After you tell your friend about a life change (for instance, a new job or apartment), you notice your friend’s support is tethered to concern or doubt (It’s just that I’m so worried about you).

When your friend’s single, you detect he or she seems a bit pleased when you tell him or her about a bad date.

You sometimes walk away from a conversation with your friend feeling like a stripped car.

When you see your friend, you never quite get around to talking about you. But you could write a novel about the crappy boss and hellish landlord he or she yapped about for 90 minutes straight.

Your friend’s e-mail that asks, Want to meet up? means one thing: Your friend must’ve split with his or her latest affair.

A friend in common mentions something personal you had told your friend in confidence – the third time this year alone!

You avoid talking about a life crisis because your friend’s reply is inevitably, You think that’s bad…

Your friend rattles off a huge list of former friends who are dead to him or her for some betrayal and adds, But you’d never do that to me.

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Strengthening Relationships

We all have friends, or at least the beginnings of friendships. However, no matter where your friendship is you can strengthen it. Strengthening friendships is an important part of life, as relationships, both friends and family, are what get us through the day.

Strengthening Friendships

Good friends are not made by a quick chat. Friendship takes time to develop. So, to strengthen your friendship, give it time, and spend time together, otherwise nothing will happen.

Friend must-have: Someone you can be yourself with is what defines a close friend.

If you are friends and have had a fight be sure to apologize for getting upset about things that aren’t very important. This shows maturity, and desire to be friends.

Make a conscious effort to point out how much you appreciate the friendship and then don’t take their friendship for granted.

Respect is huge. You need to respect each other’s opinions and choices. You can’t like someone you don’t respect; it doesn’t work that way.

Tolerate and appreciate differences. We all have those little things that make us individuals; appreciate them. In fact, it is our differences that make our friendships so fun!

Be flexible and willing to see things from the other’s point-of-view. You won’t fight as much, and you will enjoy the time you spend together more.

Listening to your friends. Don’t dominate the conversation; instead, it is important to take time to listen too. You want to be the go to person they can talk to. Having someone who will really listen to and understand us can have a profound effect on us.

Supportive listening means:

Ask them about their feelings, and listen.

Reflect back what you hear, so they know you really understand.

Instead of always trying to tie the conversation back to your own experiences, focus questions on them and their feelings.

When they’re talking, are you missing some of what they say because you’re waiting for them to stop talking so you can interject? Stop, and really listen to them.

When you practice supportive listening, you strengthen your friendships because your friends will know that it is not a competition to see who can say the most, it is genuine concern. Focus on making time spent with friends enjoyable. Don’t take a bunch of calls while with friends; let your focus be them. When you do this, your friends feel important, because they are. Supportive listening friendships don’t fall apart.

Building Strong Family Relationships

Our society thrives on strong families. Our family teaches us how to function in the world. It should provide love and warmth to all of its members. A strong family gives its members the support they need to make it through life’s toughest spots. Strong families also have open lines of communication – where all family members feel heard and respected. One of the best ways to strengthen your family is to, again, increase your listening skills and those of other family members. Until we can hear each other, we cannot build strong relationships.

Give the person your full attention, turn off the television or put down what you are doing.

Focus on what the person is telling you – rather than thinking about your reaction or response to what is being said. (There will be time for that.)

Listen for how the other person is feeling and relay back to them what you think they were saying and how they are feeling. I hear you saying that you don’t like your sister. You look pretty mad. Did something happen?

Resist giving advice or your reaction until you are certain you have fully understood what the person was saying to you.

Use I Messages

Use I messages rather than you messages when talking. I messages are more difficult because they require us to be clear about our own thoughts and feelings. They, however, increase the chances that our message will be heard and decrease the chances that a fight will begin.

I don’t like all this fighting. It upsets me to see the two of you not getting along.

Rather than, What’s wrong with the two of you? You’re making me crazy! Can’t you ever get along?

Teach everyone in your family to talk with I messages as much as possible. You are much more likely to resolve problems when the focus is on behaviors and how those behaviors are affecting you or the family. You messages should be discouraged because they often lead to bad feelings and increased fighting. You messages seldom resolve the problem.

Encourage All Family Members

Encourage all family members to share their thoughts and feelings. Strong families allow all family members – no matter how young or small – to talk about their thoughts and feelings. This does not mean that members are not respectful of one another, but rather that feelings and ideas are respected. Everyone should be expected to express themselves in appropriate ways – such as with I messages. When people feel heard and respected, they feel better about themselves, are more open to solving problems, and are more likely to allow others to express themselves.

Likeability Matters In Life and Business

Everyone from researchers to contemporary and ancient philosophers, agree that the key to happiness is strong-ties to other people. Relationships are the gems in your life.

Be genuine and authentic. No one likes to be around fake people. Every conversation you carry has energy. It can either be used to lift people up or tear someone down. Sometimes it’s not what you say in front of their face that matters. The big question is: Do you represent people well when they’re not in front of your face? It’s what you say when they are not around that matters.

Be more interested about the person. Everyone wants