It is also well advised to refrain from making major commitments and signing important contracts during this period. Careless thinking, misinformation, haste and poor communication impede ability to make wise decisions.

Often people feel pressured to make an immediate decision. It is best to wait if possible.

It is likely that you will change your mind after Mercury changes direction as new information comes to light or a different perspective is revealed.

HOW TO USE THE ENERGY OF MERCURY RETROGRADE

There are many positive uses for Mercury Retrograde energy. This is an excellent time for introspection - looking towards past. Your focus may change and alternative ideas may come to light.

Mercury Retrograde is an optimum time to focus on people, issues and projects that are already established or from past.

It is an excellent time to initiate contact and meet with people who have not been in your life for a while. In fact, it is not uncommon to be contacted by long lost friends and family at this time.

This is time is to take on any activities that entail review or revision of old or already established projects.

Cleaning out reviewing and reorganizing records is an excellent example. Another is gathering your financial information together from past year in preparation for filing your tax return.

WHEN DOES MERCURY GO RETROGRADE?

Mercury makes his retrograde dance approximately three times a year for a period of three weeks. You may feel its effects up to a week or so before it makes its retrograde station.

Here are periods when Mercury goes retrograde for 2005 and 2006:

2005

March 19 to April 12

July 23 to August 16

November 14 to December 4

2006

March 2 to March 25

July 4 to July 29

October 28 to November 18

Use this information to optimize your planning and efficiency.

Self-Employment 101: It's about making a living and creating a life! ... Observations, information and resources for those of us who are self employed or just thinking about it.

Now that's not proper way to do it. They should inspire, encourage, and motivate their children; not belittle them even further.

They should tell their children that they have capacity to achieve great things, if they would only put a little more effort. Teach them values that would make them feel important and loved.

You may even go as far as giving them qualities that they do not yet possess. By giving them confidence and by making them believe that they have such characteristics, they will eventually acquire such traits. Tell them how bright you think they are, and you will soon be surprised at results. They will significantly improve if you firmly made them believe that they have capacity to do so.

So if you ever wanted to persuade or encourage someone to do better, make sure that he or she is motivated out of inspiration, and not out of fear. Give advice that cares, and not offensive words borne out of hatred or anger. Think first before you speak. Many relationships have been ruined by wrong choice of words. Some people voice out anything that comes to their mind, without first filtering good words from bad ones. This might result in misunderstandings and arguments, which could have easily been prevented if we speak out in a way that is neutral and non-offensive. Words are very powerful indeed. Use them responsibly for benefit of all.