In the last two weeks I've read articles crying the age old desperate woman battle cry, "there are no marriageable men". This has to be the most ridiculous assumption women has ever bought lock, stock, and barrel.

There's no shortage of men, just ask those women who are happy single. The more desperate and needy a woman is the more she'll act as a repellent to what she thinks she want, a marriage seeking man. I've read how education could be a barrier for men interested in matrimony (undereducation of either the man or woman limits potential mates), somewhere I've seen birth rates of male children as another possible reason. Not once had anyone ask the question to all these women who claim there's a shortage of men could they be the obstacle to marriage and not the male population?

"It's funny how women who are happily single have no shortage of men in their lives and marriage desperate women complain of a man shortage." Joie

Somewhere in all this disparity over finding husbands women continue to fight illusions (negative illusions might I add) over being single, especially if they're past the age of 35. "I can't be happy on my own, I need a man."

They could learn a thing or two from their peers who are secure in themselves and have a healthy attitude in regards to being single. These women recognizes how marriage could add new dimensions to their lives but they don't rely on it as a "be all end all" for happiness. They are quick to tell others there are no shortages of men wanting marriage, no just a shortage of women willing to allow themselves happiness not based on marital status.

"I personally don't buy the eligible man shortage baloney. Being unhappy and desperate for love is a barrier to marriage not some man shortage." Denise

"The man shortage is created by women by being unhappy as they currently are. Women need to understand they must be happy to attract happy. What man want the burden of spending their lives trying to make some unhappy woman happy, he would have to be crazy to sign up for that job." Leiza
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Regena English,editor webmaster@leatherspinsters.com

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"Praying without ceasing is going through your whole
day, everyday with such focused intention for all your
life's desires, with certainty, detachment, and gratitude."
David Cameron Gikandi, A Pocket Full of Money (ebook)
http://www.imagesofone.com
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Feeling good about your life involves just 2 parts. Really! One is to learn to think about yourself in healthy ways. This is a learned skill, ladies and gentlemen, not something that a lucky few were born with. The second involves "making things happen". Seeing yourself being successful - at anything! - builds the blocks of contentment.

Use these 10 ideas to help you feel good about your life, starting today.

1. Never stop questioning. Every time you feel frustrated with a task, ask yourself, "How does this task fit in with my ultimate goals?" "How can I do this better, faster, easier, simpler, and even more fun?"

2. Don't give up on life. Be interested and curious about yourself and about others. Don't assume that's "just the way it is". Look for the choices behind your results.

3. Accept your weakness. Don't deceive yourself by thinking you're the only one with difficulties in their life. Everybody has them (yes, everybody!). Instead of spending your time and energy trying to "overcome" your weakness, make friends with it and make it work for you. Where would NYPost Columnist Liz Smith be without her "weakness" for gossip?

4. Don't stop learning. The brain is a muscle just like any other, and it will stagnate if you let it. Make it your rule to learn something new every day. Then USE what you learn to make your life better.

5. Expect nothing; expect the best. Paradox? No. It just means that you don't want to miss out on what's wonderful in your life right now, while you spend all your time peeking around the next corner.

6. Don't lie to yourself.. Telling lies to yourself is the most harmful form of disrespect. Write out ways in which you are untruthful to yourself, and how to correct it. "I will no longer pretend that overspending my budget is ok".

7. Nurture what you want to grow. Many many people are (figuratively) wondering where the roses are in their life, yet they spend all their time planting and nourishing weeds. You reap what you sow. That's just the way it is.

8. Don't live in the past. Let go of things that are draining you. There's nothing in the past that you can change or correct -- that can only be done in the present. Use Today. Today, change what you need to change, and move on to feeling good about your life.

9. Swim with the current. Don't waste your time complaining about what you can't control (weather, other people, economy). Concentrate on what you CAN control, like who you hug, what you read, how much you laugh, where you go, what you do, what you think about.

10. Stand like a Rock. You know what's right for you --be willing to stand up for what's right for you.

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Professional Life Coach Kathy Gates is the author of several e-books and e-courses designed to help people live happier, healthier, easier lives. Sign up for her ezine, "Make It Happen" at http://www.reallifecoach.com