skip to main |
skip to sidebar
The tradition of the New Year's Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar.
With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.
The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had.
The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. Thus he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new. The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year's Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins imprinted with the god Janus became more common New Year's gifts.
In the Middle Ages, Christians changed New Year's Day to December 25, the birth of Jesus. Then they changed it to March 25, a holiday called the Annunciation. In the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII revised the Julian calendar, and the celebration of the New Year was returned to January 1.
The Julian and Gregorian calendars are solar calendars. Some cultures have lunar calendars, however. A year in a lunar calendar is less than 365 days because the months are based on the phases of the moon. The Chinese use a lunar calendar. Their new year begins at the time of the first full moon (over the Far East) after the sun enters Aquarius- sometime between January 19 and February 21.
Although the date for New Year's Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year.
Ancient New Years
The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, Babylonians celebrated the beginning of a new year on what is now March 23, although they themselves had no written calendar.
Late March actually is a logical choice for the beginning of a new year. It is the time of year that spring begins and new crops are planted. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.
The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.
The Romans continued to observe the New Year on March 25, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.
In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar.
It again established January 1 as the New Year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.
Now let me see your New Year Resolutions comment !
-
-
There are many reasons to be romantic...
You will experience the spark of infatuation
again -
When you are romantic in your love life you
create sparks of love in you and your partner's heart.
Your partner will be happier -
Your romantic gestures create a happy mood
with our partner. This is perhaps the most important reason
people act romantically, to make their
partner happy. You will be happier -
When you are romantic, you get attention from a lot of people, so naturally we will be
happy.You will make love more often -
It's a proven theory that when people are happy and romantic, they have sex more ofen
than any others.You will enjoy sex more -
When you are happy you will make love with full determination and concentration.
You will keep your love alive -
Romantic people have deeper relationships and mutual attraction, which helps their love
life stay alive.You will increase the probability that you'll stay married.
You will add depth and meaning to your relationship.
You will create a safe haven where you can really be yourself.
You will be truly heard and deeply understood by one other human being.
You will be better parents -
Romantic couples will make their home happy and peaceful which brings joy to their
lives.
When you experience joy you will have a calm peace of mind which will make you better parents and role model for your children.
Your children will understand love better than most kids.
Your children will experience what love is really all about.
Your children will have a better chance of choosing partners wisely.
Your children will be better able to create healthy love relationships.
You will come to appreciate your own and your partner's uniqueness.
You will strengthen your self-esteem and self-confidence.
You will have the quiet confidence that you've achieved something that few people
accomplish.
-
-
1.It is your attitude at the beginning of a task more than anything else that will determine your success or failure.
2.It is your attitude towards life that will determine life's attitude towards you. Despite many people's belief to the contrary, life pays no favorites.
3.You control your attitude. If you are negative it is because you have decided to be negative and not because of other people or circumstances.
4.Act as if you have a good attitude. Remember actions trigger feelings just as feelings trigger actions.
5.Before a person can achieve the kind of results he wants, he must first become that person. He must then think, walk, talk, act and conduct himself in all of his affairs, as would the person he wishes to become.
6.Treat everybody as the most important person in the world.
7.Attitudes are based on assumptions. In order to change attitudes one must first change one's assumptions.
8.Develop the attitude that there are more reasons why you should succeed than reasons why you should fail.
9.When you are faced with a problem, adopt the attitude that you can and will solve it.
10.We become what we think about. Control your thoughts and you will control your life.
11.Radiate the attitude of confidence, of well being, of a person who knows where he is going. You will then find good things happening to you right away.
12.In order to develop a good attitude, take charge first thing in the morning.
Do you say, "Good morning, GOD" or "Good GOD, morning?"
Read these twelve points every day for the next thirty days and see how your life changes.
ATTITUDES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN FACTS..
-
-
Failing
Life lived without experiencing failure is a year gone by without the winter season. Failure is a man’s best friend and man’s worst enemy.
Success is only meaningful if it has been achieved after endeavouring failure.
Failure is not a loss but a door opened for man to gain knowledge and experience. No great man in history ever succeeded without failing!
We consider the failure to be an end however it is a start. It is a new start to achieve the topmost pinnacle of success. Failure comes our way to teach us how to get up and join the race of life again.
Without failure life would be boring and predictable. Failure makes life unpredictable and adventurous. Failing is not the loss of hope but the generation of new hope which is stronger than it predecessor.
If the world failure is to be eradicated from the face of the earth it would lead to the eradication of success because success is only possible in the when failure is defeated.
Failure is our loyal companion from our birth to our gravestone. Death is also the failure of our will to live on.
When a child is learning how to walk he fails innumerable times and falls on his knees but the child never loses hope and tries till success comes his way. So as children when we do not accept failure why accept is when we grow.
A child is not as powerful in the physical sense as an adult but yet it has a strong will to defeat failure so where does this will get lost when we grow up to be physically strong adults? Defeat becomes real when we accept it!
When a child does not lose to failure why is failing such a tragic incident in adult life? Failure should be accepted and we should work to turn it into the fruit of success.
Failure is the blue print of success. Work hard and change it to reality.
Success is within the grasp of every human being who walks this earth.
-
-
-
What do you do when you have a headache this big? Before reaching for a pill that dulls the pain without addressing the problem, look to the cause. The causes of headaches are many, but the root cause can almost always be traced back to lifestyle. Read on to find out how to stop a headache in its tracks!
Common Causes of Headaches
Something in your life is creating an adverse environment that causes a headache. For instance, most people are familiar with the occasional headache that comes from a cold, staying up too late, or drinking too much.
Other common culprits include sinus problems, muscle tension, eyestrain, stress, jaw clenching, a virus, allergies, poor eating habits, and a muscle injury in the neck and back. Some women may experience headaches due to a hormonal imbalance.
The Food Factor
What we eat on a regular basis affects the energy flow in our body. Proper eating habits can help maintain a good flow of energy and blood to the head, preventing headaches. Eat frequent smaller meals and choose wholesome foods, with no preservatives, additives, or artificial compounds.
For headache relief, eat more: whole grains, fiber-rich foods, green leafy vegetables,
parsley, chrysanthemum flowers, mint, green tea, onions, ginger, pearl barley, carrots, prunes, buckwheat, peach kernels, and almonds.
Stay away from: alcohol, chocolate, MSG, nitrates, sulfites, sugar, salt, caffeine, and oily, greasy, or fried foods. Consider that caffeine, because it affects your blood vessels, can provide instant relief from a migraine headache.
But be cautioned that regular use will make you dependent, meaning when you don't have it, the withdrawal will give you a painful headache! Do not eat late at night, while on the run, or under stress. Spicy, stimulating foods, and heavy starchy foods should also be avoided.
Remedies for Relief
Here are some remedies and suggestions to help you tame the pain:
• Make fresh carrot juice. Drink a glass of carrot juice every 4 hours until your headache subsides.
• Prepare a compress. Put 5 drops of lavender essential oil in 1 cup of warm water. Soak a towel in the water and then wring it dry. Place it on your forehead and/or upper neck as a compress during a headache.
• Try making this herbal tea: Boil 2 tablespoons each of chrysanthemum flowers, cassia seeds, and mint in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes. Drink 3 cups a day until the headache subsides. These herbs will help clear the sinuses and reduce head pressure. Other herbs that may prevent or temporarily relieve headaches include feverfew, peppermint, wintergreen, chamomile, and passionflower.
• Regularly stretch your neck and back muscles and pay attention to proper posture and ergonomic positioning during work and play to avoid tension headaches.
• Nip your headache in the bud before it starts with a gentle walk. Taking a walk in fresh air will help stimulate blood flow and increase the flow of oxygen to the head. So when you feel a headache coming on, step outdoors and go for a 10-minute walk, breathing deeply and vigorously.
• Headaches can typically be prevented by relaxation and stress-releasing techniques like meditation and tai chi. Practice these daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle, free from headaches. And please note that vigorous exercise during a headache episode is not recommended because it can worsen the condition.
Take note:
When you experience severe, debilitating headaches that don't respond to over the counter medication, or wake up in the middle of the night with excruciating head pain, visit your physician or the emergency room immediately.
I hope this article finds you free from future headaches! May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
--Dr. Mao www.askdrmao.com
For every 10 individual, there is one who is left-handed. And most of the left handed are males and among twins, one of them is left-handed.
There are many differences between a left-handed and right-handed individual not only in their way of writing but also in handling different objects, using scissors, throwing and catching.
During the 17th century, left-handed were believed to be supporters of dark forces. This is a belief in France because according to them the devil blessed his supporters using his left-hand.
According to research done by Dr. Alan Searleman of St. Lawrence University in New York, he found that most left-handed are intelligent and has a higher IQ scores compared to the right-handed. According to Searleman, left-handed individuals are intellectually advanced and have high language skills. This maybe the reason why many left-handed persons are into creative profession.
Most left-handed are facing right when writing and drawing. Speech deformation and dyslexia are usual disease among left-handed.
Left-handed persons are also good in tennis, baseball and swimming. Scientist also found out that left-handed persons reached puberty stage 4 to 5 months earlier compared to right-handed individuals.
It was also found that 4 out of 5 original Macintosh computer designers are left-handed and 25% Apollo astronauts are also left-handed.
Researcher also found out that left-handed persons have a shorter life span compared to right-handed.
Why are there people who are left-handed and what is the reason why they are left-handed? Hand-orientation of babies develops while they are still in the womb and most of the time this is the hand stuck to the mouth.
There is also what they call Geschwind Theory, formulated by Norman Geschwind, a neurologist. According to Geschwind, if a child is exposed to higher testosterone levels before he/she was born, he will be left-handed.
For your information out of 17 US Presidents, 6 are left-handed. Among them are Gerald R. Ford (1974 - 1977); Ronald Reagan (1981 - 1989); George H.W. Bush (1989 - 1993) at Bill Clinton (1993 – 2001). Barack Obama is also left-handed.
1. Be true to your values and principlesKnow who you are below the surface and be true to your authentic self. Don't hold back. Don't compromise what you know is right. Be diligent and disciplined. Even when no one's looking, don't fudge.2. Stand up for yourself and for othersSpeak out. Reach out. Step up. As Gandhi said, be the change you wish to see in the world. Be your own best champion. Champion others. Take everyday stands for justice.3. Make choices, lots of them, and be responsibleDon't wait for someone else to step in. Take charge yourself. Act. Make fundamental choices, be responsible for them, and swear off blame.4. Harness your fearsDon't be afraid to be afraid. Look at your fear head on, what is ittelling you? Where does it come from? What's the worst case? How canyou use fear rather than being used by it? Turn it into an ally.5. Express yourself, give voice to your full-bodied selfClaim your emotions, both "positive" and "negative," withoutjudgment. Use them as fuel.6. Be willing to change and know what will stop youBecome familiar with your negative ego, your inner critics, the partof you that objects to your becoming more, that will sabotage whatyou're doing. Where will that lead you? What will you get out ofpretending to be small? Go looking for that part of you, so that youcan anticipate what might stop you and be proactive.7. Embrace your imperfectionsMistakes and defeats are bound to happen, and it's okay. Be curiousabout them, grab hold of them. They present you with wonderfulopportunities to learn about yourself. Don't let those opportunitiesslip by. Don't dilute them with judgments about yourself. Instead,what can you learn?8. Be nervousRegularly, do something that makes you nervous, that stretches youinto more of who you truly are and can be. Don't wait to be on yourA-Game.9. Pursue deep challenges, be restlessDon't dabble. Too much of life awaits. Engage your lifepassionately.10. Connect with something greater than yourself, the divineForge your courage in service.Make a differenceMake your life matterLaugh often and have fun
By Katherine Martin
A little boy asked his mother "Why are you crying?""Because I'm a woman", she told him. "I don't understand", he said. His mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will." Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?" "All women cry for no reason", was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he put in a call to God; and when God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?" God said: "When I made the woman she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world; yet, gentle enough to give comfort." " I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children." "I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining." "I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly." "I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart." "I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly." "And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed." "You see: The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair." "The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."
By Butch Jimenez
This speech was delivered during the commencement exercises of the University of the Philippines ( UP ) graduating class of 2003 by Mr. Butch Jimenez, the youngest commencement speaker in the university's history. He once dreamed of doing so, and it came true!!!
Students wished they had a pencil or paper to jot down notes during the speech; some even wished they had a taperecorder.
Some members of the faculty found his speech practical, refreshing, and funny!
Butch Jimenez, head of PLDT's media and strategic communications department, delivered this speech at the UP Diliman Class 2003 commencement exercises.
......Better than being negative
AS college students, you're just about to set sail into the real world. As you prepare for the battleground of life, you'll hear many speeches, read tons of books and get miles of advice telling you to work hard, dream big, go out and do something for yourself, and have a vision. Not bad advice, really. In fact, following these nuggets of truth may just bring you to the top. But as I've lived my life over the years, I have come to realize that it is great to dream big, have a vision, make a name, and work hard. But guess what: There's something better than that.
So my message today simply asks the question, What's better than...?
Let's start off with something really simple. What's better than a long speech? No doubt, a short one. So, you guys are in luck because I do intend to keep this short.
Now, let me take you through a very simple math exam.I'll rattle off a couple of equations, and you tell me what you observe about them. Be mindful of the instructions. You are to tell me what you observe about the equations. Here goes: 3+4=7, 9+2=11, 8+4=13,and 6+6=12. Tell me, what do you observe?
Every time I conduct this test, more than 90 percent of the participants immediately say, 8+4 is NOT 13, it's 12! That's true and they are correct. But they could have also observed that the three other equations were right. That 3+4 is 7, that 9+2 is 11, and that 6+6 is 12. What's my point?
Many people immediately focus on the negative instead of the positive. Most of us focus on what's wrong with other people more than what's right about them. Examine those four equations. Three were right and only one was wrong. But what is the knee-jerk observation? The wrong equation.
If 10 people you didn't know were to walk through that door, most of you would describe those people by what's negative about them. He's fat. He's balding. Oh, the short one. Oh, the skinny girl. Get the point? It's always the negative we focus on and not the positive. You'll definitely experience this in the corporate world. You do a hundred good things and one mistake-guess what? Chances are, your attention will be called on that one mistake.
So what's better than focusing on the negative?
Believe me, its focusing on the positive. And if this world could learn to focus on the positive more than the negative, it would be a much nicer place to live in.
......Better than working hard
We have always been told to work hard. Our parents say that, our teachers say that, and our principal says that. But there's something better than merely working hard.
It's working SMART. It's taking time to understand the situation, and coming out with an effective and efficient solution to get more done with less time and effort.
As the Japanese say, "There's always a better way."
One of the most memorable case studies I came across with as I studied Japanese management at Sophia University in Tokyo was the case of the empty soap box, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies.
The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a box of soap that was empty. It immediately isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department.
For some reason, one soap box went through the assembly line empty. Management tasked its engineers to solve the problem. Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soap boxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty.
No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast. But a rank-and-file employee that was posed the same problem came out with another solution.
He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soap box passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
Clearly, the engineers worked hard, but the rank-and-file employee worked smart. So what's better than merely working hard? It's working smart. Having said that, it is still important to work hard. If you could combine both working hard and working smart, you would possess a major factor toward success.
.....Better than dreaming big
I will bet my next month's salary that many have encouraged you to dream big. Maybe even to reach for the stars and aim high. I sure heard that about a million times right before I graduated from this university.
So I did. I did dream big. I did aim high. I did reach for the stars. No doubt, it works. In fact, the saying is true: "If you aim for nothing, that's exactly what you'll hit: nothing."
But there's something better than dreaming big. Believe me, I got shocked myself. And I learned it from the biggest dreamer of all time, Walt Disney. When it comes to dreaming big, Walt is the man.
No bigger dreams were fulfilled than his. Every leadership book describes him as the ultimate dreamer.
In fact, the principle of dreaming and achieving is the core message of the Disney hit song, "When You Wish Upon a Star". "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are; anything your heart desires will come to you.
If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme. When you wish upon a star,as dreamers do," as Jiminy Cricket sang. But is that what he preached in the Disney company? Dream?
.....Imagineering
Well, not exactly. Kinda, but not quite. The problem with dreaming is if that's all you do, you'll really get nowhere. In fact, you may just fall asleep and never wake up.
The secret to Disney's success is not just dreaming, it's IMAGINEERING. You won't find this word in a dictionary. It's purely a Disney word.
Those who engage in imagineering are called imagineers. The word combines the words "imagination" and "engineering."
In the book "Imagineers," Disney's CEO, Michael Eisner,claims that "imagineers turn impossible dreams into real magic." Walt Disney explained there is really no secret to their approach.
They just keep moving forward-opening new doors and doing new things, because they are curious. And it is this curiosity that leads them down new paths. They always dream, explore and experiment.
In short, imagineering is the blending of creative imagination and technical know-how. Eisner expounds on this thought by saying that "Not only are imaginerrs curious, they are courageous, outrageous, and their creativity is contagious." The big difference with imagineers is that they dream and then they DO! So don't just be a dreamer, be an imagineer.
You must have all been given a lecture at one time or another about the importance of having a vision. Even leadership expert John Maxwell says that an indispensable quality of a leader is to have a vision.
The Bible also makes it very clear that "Without vision, people perish." So no doubt about it, having a vision is important to success.
But surprise! There's something more potent than a vision. It's a CAUSE. If all you're doing is trying to reach your vision and you're pitted against someone fighting for a cause, chances are you'll lose.
The Vietnam War is a classic example. Literally with sticks and stones, the Viet Cong beat the heavily armed US Army to surrender, primarily because the US had a vision to win the war, but the Vietnamese were fighting for a cause. In the realm of business, many leaders have visions of making their company No.1, or grabbing market share, or forever increasing profits.
Nothing really wrong with that vision, but take the example of Sony founder Akio Morita. He did not just have a vision to build the biggest electronics company in the world. In his biography, "Made in Japan," he reveals that the real reason he set up Sony was to help rebuild his country, which had just been battered by war.
He had a cause he was fighting or. His vision to be an electronics giant was secondary.
What's the difference between a vision and a cause?
Here's what sets them apart... No one is willing to die for a vision.
People will die for a cause. You possess a vision. A cause possesses you. A vision lies in your hands. A cause lies in your heart. A vision involves sacrifice. A cause involves the ultimate sacrifice. Just a word of caution.
You must have the right vision, and you must be fighting for the right cause. In the end, right will always win out. It may take time, and it may take long. But if you have the right vision and are fighting for the right cause, you will prevail. If not, no matter how sincere you are, if you are not fighting for what is right, you will ultimately fail.
Two final quotes
Allow me to end with two quotes that I have lived by ever since I stepped out of UP. The first comes from the Bible, which says, "To whom much is given, much is required."
Having been given the opportunity to study in UP, no doubt, much has been given to you in terms of an excellent education.
Don't forget that in return, much is now required of you to use that education not just for yourself, but for others. And as you move up and start reaching the pinnacle of success, even more will be required of you to look at the welfare of others, of society and of the country.
Though I have often dreamed of addressing any graduating class of UP Diliman, I never really thought it would happen. This brings me to the second quote I have held close to my heart as I traverse the destiny God has laid out for me.
"There is no destination beyond reach of one who walks with God." My standing in front of you today, as the youngest commencement speaker of this esteemed university in 92 years, is proof of how true that quote is.
A final review:
What's better than focusing on the negative? Focus on the positive.
What's better than working hard? It's working smart.
What's better than dreaming? Imagineering.
What's better than doing something for yourself? Doing something for your country.
What's better than a vision? A cause.
What's better than a long speech? Definitely, a short one.
Thank you and congratulations, UP Diliman graduating class of 2003 "Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey that never ends."
Telemarketing calls, bad drivers and poor customer service are our most irritating bugbears, 4400 people have confirmed.
Inventions of modern life such as spam email, inconsiderate mobile phone use and speech recognition answering services rated significantly higher on the aggravation scale than longstanding irritants such as barking dogs and having to wait in line.
The results, released today, reveal the majority of Australians think the number of daily hassles and irritating situations we endure has increased in the past five years.
From a list of 32 common daily hassles, respondents were asked to indicate which irritated them.
Inconsiderate behaviour - including dinner-time telemarketing calls, talking to a "robot" and not a "real person", unfriendly or uncaring customer service, driving dangerously to get ahead of traffic, competing for a car space or queue jumping - was a universal annoyance.
People older than 40 experienced more irritation around technology, violence (on TV and on the streets) and bad language than younger respondents.
The Australian Psychological Society, which conducted the nationwide survey, said an individual's response to stress could have an adverse impact on health, leading to high blood pressure, anxiety and relationship troubles. Spokeswoman Amanda Gordon said that while a large majority of respondents didn't retaliate or become physically or verbally aggressive, most people tended to be passive, preferring to talk themselves through the situation, talk to someone else or plan how to avoid the situation again.
She said people needed to learn how to be assertive to deal with situations that really get under their skin. "We know that not responding in an assertive way can [affect] self-esteem and, in some cases, even lead to anxiety or depression."
The best way to deal with an irritating situation was to state the other person's need, state your own, then find a compromise that tried to meet everyone's needs, she said.
"Being assertive is not generally a skill that comes naturally to us and requires effort and training but helps to ensure a 'win-win' outcome."
The top strategies participants used to manage their irritations included
humour (36 per cent),
taking a few deep breaths and staying calm (32 per cent),
talking themselves through the issue (28 per cent),
talking to someone else (27 per cent),
planning how to avoid getting into the same situation again (23 per cent)
and exercising (21 per cent).
Source: The Sun-Herald
Have you ever witnessed someone eating one of those fast food meals with a triple-burger sandwich, an extra-large order of French fries, and an even larger serving of soda and reflected - either to yourself or out loud - on how you could "hear their arteries clogging?"
Of course you have. In fact, you might have even heard your own arteries clogging as you consumed a meal filled with animal fat, simple sugars, and processed foods. Both Western and Chinese medicine alike recognize the importance of diet when battling high cholesterol, and eating improper foods such as these can trigger the digestive system to build up the amount of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) - which are also known as bad cholesterol - in the blood. This can then lead to life-threatening illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, and, of course, clogged and hardened arteries.
Cholesterol, however, is a tricky condition. A person with high amounts of LDL cholesterol in their blood may have inherited the condition from a genetic predisposition, and it may not seem like changing the diet can't in any way help. Happily for your health, this isn't true, and I have had tremendous success treating patients with very high cholesterol that simply needed a change to their diet and lifestyle to improve their health. Keep in mind that this change in diet does not have to be an all-or-nothing overhaul of deprivation and starvation. If you have high cholesterol, start simple!
Try incorporating the following five foods into your diet. High in fiber and low in cholesterol, they will not only help to lower your LDL cholesterol levels, but also benefit your body's health in general.
1. Apples: A study was conducted in Finland to determine whether or not eating apples can lower cholesterol. The results of this study determined that eating three apples a day for three months can help you drop your cholesterol level by twenty points. This is a result of apple's high amount of pectin, which is a source of dietary fiber that will draw LDL out of your system. Also, quercetin, an antioxidant, helps to inhibit the amount of LDL in the bloodstream. As autumn is a time for apples, be sure to take advantage of all of the tasty varieties that the season offers.
2. Spinach: Spinach, along with other green leafy vegetables, contains
a carotenoid known as lutein. Lutein has been associated with the prevented buildup of cholesterol in the blood. With a little help from one or two helpings of fresh spinach, you'll be on your way to low cholesterol levels in no time!
3. Oats: There are few things as satisfying as a warm bowl of oatmeal in the morning. Whole grain oats, like whole wheat, are a high-fiber grain. While whole wheat is helpful in lowering cholesterol, oats contain more soluble fiber and therefore are more likely to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in your system. When eating foods containing oats, however, be sure to always eat whole grain oats, because the oats found in processed foods like granola bars often don't contain soluble fiber.
4. Homemade orange marmalade: Who would guess that this delicious fruity spread would also be good for lowering LDL cholesterol? Orange marmalade includes orange rind - which contains compounds known as polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs). PMFs are found in the pigment of orange peel and are responsible for cholesterol-lowering actions, yet don't reduce the level of good cholesterol. You can use orange rind in your cooking, as well.
5. Green tea: Green tea is beneficial for many conditions and ailments, and high levels of LDL cholesterol is no exception. Drink one cup of green tea daily and you may find that your high LDL cholesterol levels will say their final farewell.
Lowering your cholesterol starts with the foods you eat - and the foods you choose not to eat. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eating the right foods can help you on the way to a long, healthy life. As always, talk to your physician before beginning a new health regime.
I hope you will take these tips and lower your cholesterol levels. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me. To learn about more safe and natural ways to lower your cholesterol, look in my book Secrets of Self-Healing. Click here to find more information.
by : Dr. Mao
www.askdrmao.com.
So What do you think? How far can Be Ex partner be a friend?
Most love stories have similar fates. While some promise a lifetime of togetherness, others decide to part ways to find a new mate.
Irrespective of whether the break up is mutual or one-sided; a lot of people are curious about their ex-lovers wanting sometimes even to reconnect with their loved ones lost. Once the anger settles down, you put all your memories in your back pocket and decide to move on in life. It might take weeks, months or years, but over a period of time you grow as a person and you learn to forgive.
Chaya Majumdar, a marketing executive says, "Your ex lover knows you better than anybody else. You have shared all sorts of moments together. If things did not work out between the two of you as a couple, how does it make sense to lose a guy who was your best friend at one point of time? Though things can't remain same, but what's the harm in being in touch."
The duration may vary, but most of us end up as well-wishers to our ex lovers with the passage of time. If you learn to deal with a separation sensibly, then it's easier to sit across a coffee table with your ex in time.
Psychiatrist Dr Sanjay Chugh opines, "It is quite possible to develop a healthy relationship with your ex as you already share an emotional proximity and comfort level with that person. It requires a great amount of maturity that most of the people lack. The person should be willing to accept the change in the nature of relationship. "
Once a relationship ends, your ex occupies the role of a friend in your life. And just as you share a different chemistry level with all your friends, the dynamics with your ex metamorphoses through time. With some, you confide everything, with others you just kill time and then there are those with whom you go shopping, bowling and share beer pints. So let's check the varied categories of a healthy ex relationship:
She is my best buddy!
Jeten Rawat, a media person says. "In my case, my girlfriend decided to walk out of the relationship. But soon after, we realized that we still miss sharing our sorrows and success with each other. She remains the one with whom I can share anything and everything without even giving it a thought. I know we are not soul mates, but I couldn't find a better friend."
If you are forgiving enough, then it is easy to remain friends, after all, what is the point of living with lots of bitterness?
Some strings attached
Once an affair goes kaput, every part of the relationship definitely can't go back to normal, but if you manage to subtract possessiveness and expectations from the relationship, you will start enjoying whatever is left between you two.
Richa Tyagi, a medical student adds, "My boyfriend was scared of commitment, so after an intense argument I decided to call it off. After almost a year, I entered into a new relationship and that took all the bitterness away from me. I can't say that I am friends with my ex boyfriend, but yes I am in touch with him. He tries to be really nice and flirtatious with me sometimes. Whenever I talk to him I get this feeling that I am better off now and it satisfies my ego somewhere."
Oops! I did it again...
Some couples decide to be in touch even after their break up as there might be some old feelings left or they are just not ready to let go. However, such relationships come with a 'Handle with care' tag.
Article Source: http://indiatimes.com
1. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN GIVE TO A FRIEND, NOT WHAT YOU CAN GET OUT OF A FRIENDSHIP.
- If being happy is your only motive for wanting someone to be your friend, then you are not being a real friend. Don't get caught up in keeping tabs on who has given most in the friendship. Give to your friends regardless of how much they give to you.
2. ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIEND.
- Real friends inspire and push each other to be the best that they can be, rather than drag each other down. They are happy when other people achieve their goals.
3. BE WILLING TO FORGIVE.
- Don't let hurt turn to grudge. This is one sure way to destroy a friendship. Forgive your friend and move on.
4. TACTFULLY POINT OUT THEIR MISTAKES.
- This is one way to show concern for others. If you really care, you will tactfully point out a specific example for his own good. But once you've brought the problem to your friend's attention, don't harp on it all the time. Don't walk away from a friendship when you see some of your friend's faults. Be patient with a friend as he or she tries to change. Realize that nobody is perfect.
5. BE RELIABLE.
- When you say you are going to be there, be there.
6. DON'T TRY TO CONTROL YOUR FRIENDS.
- Real friendship does not mean you always have to be together. It may be tempting to have a fun person all to yourself, and feel threatened when your friend spends time with others. If you are afraid to let your friends out of your sight, you are probably afraid of losing them. Good friendship will endure time spent apart. You and your friends may learn to appreciate each other even more.
7. BE THERE FOR THE GOOD AND THE BAD TIMES.
- Celebrate with them if your friends are excited about something. But don't be there just for the good times. When your friend is upset about something, give them your full attention. Most of the time, what friends really need is a sympathetic ear, someone who understand their feelings.
8. LEARN TO ACCEPT PERSONALITY DIFFERENCES IN YOUR FRIENDS.
- Be careful not to evaluate other people by how you react in a particular situation. Do not automatically take your friends' behaviour personally.
9. DON'T BE A BLABBERMOUTH.
- Learn and be willing to keep each other's secrets.
10.DON'T LET ARGUMENTS DESTROY YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
- Suppose you're having a discussion with a friend and after you've said what you think is true, they still disagree. Don't keep arguing until you get mad with each other. Just drop it. Your desire to win the argument may ruin your friendship.
Always Keep Smiling !
The father of a teenager usually tries to teach him life skills in an attempt to prepare him for the proverbial 'Big-bad world'.
One such father was on a business tour to a foreign country. He had taken his fourteen year old son with him. They were staying at a small hotel. They went out in the day. They were walking on a busy road.
Suddenly the boy realized that the father was no where around. He looked around for him desperately, but to no avail. The boy looked in the restrooms; the shops; the restaurants and the corridors. But no where could he find his father.
The boy was scared. He felt tears brimming in his eyes, but he fought them back. He walked the street up and down several times but could not find his father.
As the sun began to set, the boy decided that the best thing he could do was to make his way back to the hotel. He rummaged through his pockets, only to find that he did not have enough money to pay for his fare back to the hotel.
Anyways, he did not even know the way back. So, he tactfully asked the traffic policeman to guide him on how to get there, without letting him know his actual predicament.
He took a bus to a place that was half way to the hotel, for that was the farthest he could pay for. The other half, he walked. He read the directions from the site maps on the way. Many times he had to ask for directions from strangers.
It was late in the night when he finally trudged into the hotel tired, hungry and weary. He marched up the stairs to their room, hoping to find father inside, but he was disappointed. He sat down and thought, 'What next? What should I do? How will I find him in this alien land, with no money in my pocket?'
Just then he heard the key turn in the door and father walked in! "Dad, Where were you? I've been looking for you all over? Why did you leave me alone and go away?" The father eased himself out of his shoes and stretched himself onto the bed, "I was only a few steps away from you, all the time!" "What do you mean?" asked the boy incredulously.
I wanted to see, if you could fend for yourself. I was testing you to see whether you could find your way back to me."
"Oh! Really? Then why did you follow me all the time?"
"I had to be sure you were safe. I must say, you did rather well. I'm quite proud of you!"
Years passed. The boy grew up to be a man and the father became old. One quiet evening, the old man sat in the garden, looking at the sunset.
He was talking to God, "Lord, I am old now. I've gone through so many ups and downs in life. Do you even know what I have been through?
As I sit in this armchair in the twilight of my life, I wonder what life is all about. I wonder why you created me and then left me alone in this world to fend for my self. Why do you not guide me? Why don't you talk to me sometimes?"
Then God replied, "Do you remember the day, you decided to test your son?"
"Yes."
"Did you let him out of your sight, even for a moment?"
"No."
"Neither did I! If only you had looked around carefully, you would have seen me. I too expect you to find your way home.
Your son did well; he found his way back to his father! I too expect you to find your way back to your eternal father; to your eternal home!
Come my child, I am waiting for you to find your way back to me because you belong to me."
Low self-esteem and lack of confidence can hold us back from achieving many things. It can also be detrimental to our physical and emotional well-being.
The level of our self-esteem has profound consequences on every aspect of our existence – how we operate in our workplace, how we deal with people, how high we are likely to rise and how much we are likely to achieve.
The reasons of low self-esteem often begins during childhood. Even the most confident of adolescents can grow up to experience low self-esteem and start to feel unworthy. Adult life can be tough and it can sometimes feel like the ‘survival of the fittest’ and we’re all, at some point, going to bump into people who will try to belittle us.
Low self-esteem is best described as having a low opinion of oneself (either consciously or subconsciously), and feelings of being ‘worthless’. Yet the subject has not received the kind of attention that it deserves. Unless our self-esteem plummets to the extent that we can no longer handle our lives effectively.
Characteristics of low self-esteem:
1. General lack of participation
2. Negative responses to questions
3. Sluggish physical behaviour
4. Excessive use of activities for escapism (TV, videos, internet, reading). Be careful of over-analysing here as this alone is not an indicator
5. Aggressive or argumentative behaviour
6. Indecisiveness
7. Unwillingness to try anything new (anything from new food through to goal setting)
8. Inability to say no (need to be liked/loved by others by saying yes)
9. Need to prove self-worth and ‘status’ by boasting, making public claims about capabilities (whether true or false)
10. Low self-esteem has been correlated with low life satisfaction, loneliness, anxiety, resentment, irritability and depression
How to improve your self-esteem and boost your confidence:
1) Accept Yourself
Firstly, you need to become more accepting of yourself and realise that nobody is perfect and that we all make mistakes from time to time and that this is natural and perfectly acceptable.
2) Recognise your talents
Another method of boosting self-confidence is to recognise talents, abilities and good qualities. Constantly remind ourselves of these and to give ourselves a pat on the back whenever we are able to utilise those abilities and qualities for the benefit of ourselves and others.
3) Embrace challenges
Never shy away from risks. You can end up stifling your own personal development and become more afraid to take risks if you perpetually do the same thing over and over again because it’s something you know that works. Life is an evolutionary process and things change all the time. For you to become confident, it’s crucial that you try out new experiences and embrace challenges and risks and see them as an opportunity for growth as opposed to something to be frightened of.
4) Never compare
Don’t judge yourself by competing with others. Everyone’s different. Some of us can jump higher than others, some of us can spell better but it’s important that we only aspire to do and to be the best that we can and not to compare ourselves with the achievements of others.
5) Consult a physician
If the above techniques do not seem to work, then see a counsellor or a physician who can guide on further treatment. Low self-esteem if untreated can lead to psychological problems too.
by: Dr Yatri Thacker,
homeopathy physician and stress counsellor
1. The story began when I was a child;
I was born as a son of a poor family.
Even for eating, we often got lack of food.
Whenever the time for eating, mother often gave me her portion of rice.
While she was removing her rice into my bowl,
she would say "Eat this rice, son. I'm not hungry".
That was Mother's First Lie
2. When I was getting to grow up,
the persevering mother gave her spare time for fishing in a river near our house,
she hoped that from the fishes she got,
she could gave me a little bit nutritious food for my growth.
After fishing, she would cook the fishes to be a fresh fish soup,
which raised my appetite. While I was eating the soup,
mother would sit beside me and eat the rest meat of fish,
which was still on the bone of the fish I ate.
My heart was touched when I saw it.
I then used my chopstick and gave the other fish to her.
But she immediately refused it and said "Eat this fish, son.
I don't really like fish."
That was Mother's Second Lie.
3. Then, when I was in Junior High School,
to fund my study,
mother went to an economic enterprise to bring some used-matches boxes that would be stuck in.
It gave her some money for covering our needs.
As the winter came,
I woke up from my sleep and looked at my mother who was still awoke,
supported by a little candlelight and within her perseverance she continued
the work of sticking some used-matches box.
I said, "Mother, go to sleep, it's late,
tomorrow morning you still have to go for work.
" Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep,
dear. I'm not tired."
That was Mother's Third Lie.
4. At the time of final term,
mother asked for a leave from her work in order to accompany me.
While the daytime was coming and the heat of the sun was starting to shine,
the strong and persevering mother
waited for me under the heat of the sun's shine for several hours.
As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam had finished,
mother immediately welcomed me and poured me a glass of tea
that she had prepared before in a cold bottle.
The very thick tea was not as thick as my mother's love,
which was much thicker. Seeing my mother covering with perspiration,
I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too.
Mother said "Drink, son. I'm not thirsty!".
That was Mother's Fourth Lie.
5. After the death of my father because of illness,
my poor mother had to play her role as a single parent.
By held on her former job, she had to fund our needs alone.
Our family's life was more complicated. No days without sufferance.
Seeing our family's condition that was getting worse,
there was a nice uncle who lived near my house came to help us,
either in a big problem and a small problem.
Our other neighbors who lived next to us saw that our family's life was so unfortunate,
they often advised my mother to marry again. But mother,
who was stubborn, didn't care to their advice,
she said "I don't need love."
That was Mother's Fifth Lie.
6. After I had finished my study and then got a job,
it was the time for my old mother to retire.
But she didn't want to; she was sincere to go to the marketplace every morning,
just to sell some vegetable for fulfilling her needs.
I, who worked in the other city, often sent her some money to help her in fulfilling her needs,
but she was stubborn for not accepting the money.
She even sent the money back to me.
She said "I have enough money."
That was Mother's Sixth Lie.
7. After graduated from Bachelor Degree,
I then continued my study to Master Degree.
I took the degree, which was funded by a company through a scholarship program,
from a famous University in America .
I finally worked in the company. Within a quite high salary,
I intended to take my mother to enjoy her life in America .
But my lovely mother didn't want to bother her son,
she said to me "I'm not used to."
That was Mother's Seventh Lie.
8. After entering her old age,
mother got a flank cancer and had to be hospitalized.
I, who lived in miles away and across the ocean,
directly went home to visit my dearest mother.
She lied down in weakness on her bed after having an operation.
Mother, who looked so old, was staring at me in deep yearn.
She tried to spread her smile on her face;
even it looked so stiff because of the disease she held out.
It was clear enough to see how the disease broke my mother's body,
thus she looked so weak and thin.
I stared at my mother within tears flowing on my face.
My heart was hurt, so hurt, seeing my mother on that condition.
But mother, with her strength, said "Don't cry, my dear.
I'm not in pain."
That was Mother's Eight Lie.
After saying her eighth lie, She closed her eyes forever!
In general, men are looking first for physical attraction at a woman. Many of them consider that if she is beautiful and well dressed, its the perfect partner they are looking for. But they don't know that behind this appearance its hiding something worst.
Maybe this happened to you too. After you began a relationship with her you found out that she is not exactly what you want and what you expect. She hurt you and dumped you when you last expected. Many men are chasing after a woman who lied them and used them. But, in order to stop this, you should know from the beginning which types of girls you should avoid for to not be hurt again.
Desperate girl
-it is the type of the girl who spend all her life laid out, looking for a perfect life, and suddenly she discover that she gets old and she doesn't get married yet because she hasn't met the perfect man for her
-she wants desperately to get married no matter who the guy is or what he does
-she is pressed by the time and is ready to marry with a jerk as long as he has marriage material
-watch out because if you marry one of this, you have to spend the rest of your life with her
Materialistic girl
-usually is good looking and well dressed
-is looking very well outside but inside it is a bunch of money hungry taker
-she is looking all the time after boys which are staying very well with their wallet
-she expects that a man should finance her entire life just because she is biologically female
-she is very friendly, nice at the beginning but after some time you'll see that no matter how much you give her, she wants more
-she is greed personified
-she is interested only in what she wants and not others feelings
-stay away from this kind of girl because she will dumped you after she spend all your money
Angry girl
-she is the type of the girl which sees life like a battle
-anything what is happening or is told to her is seen as a insult at her address
-has also a bad opinion about man, sees only the wrong sides of a man
-she is always upset and angry
-usually she likes to take out of context everything what is said to her and to interpret the words like she wants
-you don't have any future with her, she has a simmering anger at men which can explode at any moment
Insecure girl
-she is very nice and treats men very well
-but she suffers by frustration
-is wracked by anxiety about making the wrong decision
-she has to think twice about what to do, what to wear, where to go, what to eat
-she needs constant reassurance that she's attractive and worries incessantly
Stupid girl
-this type of girl likes to speak a lot but she doesn't say nothing smart
-she likes to say always gossips about the others, but when you want to talk something important with her, she is not able to make conversation
Uptown girl
-she is very rich
-everything she has is better than yours and she wants to make sure that you know it
-she only dates the best of best
-is entirely focused on herself
-she is very selfish, self-indulgent grown up as '' daddy's little girl''
-needs to be constant center of attention no matter what she does or where she goes
Childish girl
-everything in life hurts this kind of girl
-is the type of girl who cries a lot, every innocent comment or criticism will upset her
-avoid this kind of girl because if you are dating one you will have to spend all the time apologizing even if you didn't make any mistake
-avoid also long term relationship with her because she is capable of suicide if you want to leave her and all the blame will be thrown on yourself
Elusive girl
-is the type of girl who is afraid to start a relationship
-she might be hurt in a past relationship and so subconsciously avoids or sabotages new relationships in the present
-she look interested at the beginning but after a while she runs away
-is the type of girl who likes to send mixed messages so you'll never understand her
Talking girl
-it is a big difference between somebody who is able to make good conversation and have sense of humor , and somebody who always have to make a comment about everything
-it is the type which is very hard to please and always has to say something about everything is happening or speaking around her
Romantic girl
-this lives in her own world, of movies and romance novels
-she is very dreamy, imagining things, expecting Prince Charming to come after her
-she doesn't know how the real world is
-she was grown with the idea that she is a princess
Dragger girl
-this kind of girl will always make you feel bad even there is no reason to feel that
-it is always worrying and she can never be happy, everything around her is a total drag
-even if a wonderful thing happen to you, she will make you feel like it was the worst thing that could happen ever
Controlling girl
-she likes to have the total control in your relationship and on you too
-wants to control you in everything you do, you wear or eat
-if you try to control her too, she will get angry, cry, scream or use any deceptive female tactic until you give up
Flirting girl
-she flirts with anybody and flaunt her sexuality at every opportunity
-has a big power of attraction
-exist the risk to dump you in any moment if somebody better comes along
With all these types of girls you should avoid, it is now more easy for you to make a good choice about your next girlfriend; but remember that not all the women are the same, maybe there is somewhere a good, carrying woman just for you.
Note: I'm sure none of my friends here are like this exactly, but a little bit maybe ... Lol...
Many of us face the dilemma when an age old question crops up about choosing the right professional career.
Most of us ,scared of left behind, follow mob-choices with no relevence to personal liking; thus killing the inherent sensibility,our own expectations and desires in the process.
Though there are exceptions to this mobocracy and these exceptional young men and women are those who know for certain what they want from their life and thus are able to charter the roadmap of their life.
The larger chunk of younger generation faces utter confusion all around passing thro scores of repetitive discussions with parents and other seniors hell bent in brain washing exercise for forcing their choices.
Yes one must listen to parents,friends and others who give counseling with good intentions but it is always essential and equally imprtant to analyse what do u want to do in life ahead?
You have to analyse what u enjoy doing most,what's ur aptitude, your inclinations and genuine interests in life.
One has to remember that what u do,if you enjoy doing it,your efforts becomes play.
Don't succumb to parent's pressures or opt for money spinning jobsalone. First see whether u really feel inclined to do it to enjoy life ahead before choosing a career.
You are the person who has to decide ,whether u 'll do it or leave it aside,u are the person who has to make up your mind whether u will like to lead or remain a follower.Whether u would like to attempt a goal at a far distance or you would prefer to stand where ever you are.
Come on Friends, get involved with your comments on this article which for many of you may help in choosing the right career ahead.
'Gossip' has always been considered synonymous with women. Have you ever wondered what men gossip about?
From bitching and backbiting to discussing their weight, wardrobe and shopping list as well as cribbing about men, in-laws and kids – there is no dearth of subjects for women to start an interesting chat session.
But have you ever wondered about what men gossiped about?
Is it just sex, women and sports that rule a man's mind or is there something else that they love pondering about.
We asked men spanning various age groups about what's their favourite subject when it comes to 'male gossip'...
Bitten by the sex bug:
This one ought to top the gossip list, as 'men and sex' make for a great combo. So what's there to gossip about? It could vary from sharing their one night stand experiences, new sexual positions they experimented with, erotic fantasies to ofcourse the women they're either chasing or dating.
The hottest babe around:
Irrespective of their commitment status, men are always inquisitive about the new babe who has joined their office or shifted to their neighbourhood; and whenever they spot a hot girl around, they just can't resist talking about her with their mates. Discussing her looks, attitude, guessing her personal details, likes, and dislikes, men can fritter hours chatting.
All about a fab figure:
Men love sharing details about their dream woman's svelte figure, perfect assets and sexy curves. If not any girl in real life, you can easily spot men gossiping about celebrity babes and their hot bods. After all, a well toned body is what all men seek in their perfect woman, so indeed a woman's body figures importantly on the male agenda.
Me and my woman:
Like their women, men also give equal importance to emotions and relationships. Whether frustrated or content, talking about their present relationship figures prominently in their gossip list. Some men love talking about the success mantra of their marital life, some may bare their sex life among their friends and some frustrated souls spill the beans about how their partner gets on their nerves. "Though most men do not discuss much about their family life, but when they do, it's merely a way of venting out their tension,”
Work and money matter:
Most men are career-oriented and they love discussing the same. From their company and job profile, pay package, Have you ever wondered what men gossip about? turnover to general economic conditions, goals, targets - work related gossip is common among men. "Men believe in making intelligent choices and that won't come from discussing our shopping list, so we'd rather spend time talking about a new job and better business propositions. Besides, we often chitchat about the ways to deal with our bosses and office politics and undeniably, it helps when we share our work woes,"
Gizmo gaze and car craze:
No matter which car or gadget a man personally owns, discussing about the latest mean machines and gadgets interests men the most. Be it high-tech mobiles, I-pods, pen drives, music systems, cameras or digital planners, talking of its benefits, drawbacks and pricing is what gets their adrenalin pumping.
"My friends are very passionate about the latest gadgets and the inspiration comes from the Bond movies, where the spy makes the best use of his gadgets to make his life simpler. For instance, my friend bought a cell phone a few months ago with a memory space of 1 GB, whereas now the company has re-launched the same with 5 GB space. We talk about it to remain updated with the latest tech developments,"
Sporty talks:
Watching a live telecast of matches or wrestling, keeping a strict check on the score board, commenting on each and every ball being played, suggesting tricks to the wrestler and finally discussing about the participating teams and the tournament, men find instant gratification talking about sports.
Fashion fundas:
Men are increasingly becoming brand conscious, but they aren't ostentatious about their indulgences. A lot of men love discussing the latest watch to have hit stores or what's the best pair of sneakers to pick.
"Though fashion is generally associated with women, men also like following trends, particularly of Hollywood. Whenever we watch a new film, talking about the shirts, suits, patterns of the stars is our favourite time pass topic,"
Back biting woes:
Surprisingly, men take a level of interest in gossiping about their friends, teachers, colleagues and bosses. However, unlike women, the jealously factor isn't on a high. "It's great fun discussing about people you know. Men love to gossip, but we are not malicious."
Something's cooking:
The last thing you find men talking about is be cooking or the cuisines they enjoy. While it's believed that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, men don't find it an interesting topic - unless there's a group of hotel management students.
"Seldom men talk about anything related to food or cooking. The only thing we may discuss is about the new restaurants opened in the vicinity and their specialty. Though it's only if someone from the group has been there and had a good experience."
(read as excuses you can give everytime you're in a smoochy mood)
1) IT HELPS PREVENT TOOTH DECAY
Dr. Peter Gorden, Dental Advisor at the British Dental Association, explains: "After eating, your mouth is full of sugar solution and acidic saliva, which cause plaque build up. Kissing is nature's own cleaning process," he adds. "It stimulates salivary flow and brings plaque levels down to normal."
2) IT RELIEVES TENSION
Stress Consultant Michelle Kay Mcnabb says, "A passionate kiss is a great relaxation technique, when your mouth is in a kissing position, you're almost smiling and, as our emotions and body language are so closely linked, it's almost impossible to smile and feel tense at the same time," she explains. "Also, your breathing becomes deeper and your eyes close when you kiss - that's what you do when you relax. It's a perfect way to shut out the world."
3) IT HELPS YOU TO LOSE WEIGHT
A long kiss makes the metabolism burn up sugar faster than usual," says Claire Potter, Cosmo's Fitness Consultant, "The calories burned depend on the intensity, but you can rely on10 calories every ten minutes."
4) IT SLOWS THE AGING PROCESS
"Kissing helps to tone ur cheek and jaw muscles, so they're less likely to sag," adds Claire Potter.
5) IT INCREASES FITNESS LEVELS
Your heart is pumping, your pulse is racing... "If kissing is exciting, you release adrenaline into the bloodstream and your heart pumps more blood in your body," according to Dr. Susan Hotchkies. "It's a great cardiovascular workout."
6) IT'S A GOOD INDICATION OF WHAT'S TO COME
Kissing a partner gives you the perfect opportunity to check out his/her pheromones - these are the chemical messengers that signal sexual attraction. "The first kiss is always a good way to work out if there's any chemistry between you, "says Paul Brown, a sexual and marital therapist." In humans, it's thought that smells plays a vital part in subconscious attraction, and if your pheromones aren't 'in tune', you're unlikely to hit off in other areas." And finally...
7) IT BOOSTS SELF-ESTEEM
There's nothing better than a passionate kiss for a major dose of feel - good factor. "In theory, when u're kissing, you're happy. And when you're happy, you feel good about yourself," says psychotherapist Paul Zeal.
“What you believe will be done for you.” – Matthew 8:13
Thirteen years ago, my father Gene, at the age of 75, stepped on a chair to reach for a light bulb in our garage that needed to be changed.
Dad lost his balance and fell on the concrete ground, head first. He survived the fall but Dad had to go through two brain surgeries.
He stayed in the ICU for almost six months. There were times when we thought he would die. But through prayers, he slowly recovered.
Still, his brain was damaged. He communicates with us only through moans and fragmented words and gestures. The emotional centers of his brain were scarred too.
He is erratic, hotheaded and lacks self-restraint. His eyesight was also affected.
Sometimes, he sees nothing but shadows, and gets depressed. With all these problems, you’d think we would complain to God for not answering our prayer.
On the contrary, we thank God for the “extension” of life He gave Dad.
My father is now 88 years old and his mere presence is our answered prayer. When we pray, many times, God doesn’t give us exactly what we pray for.
But His answer will always be the best for us. We may not understand why it’s the best but that’s why it’s called faith. Bo Sanchez
REFLECTION:
Are you praying for something that hasn’t been answered yet? Don’t give up. And be open to the best.
Lord, take away my doubts that I may allow You to do whatever You’ve planned for me.
www.kerygmafamily.com
While I’ve had a lot of practice dealing with negativity, it is something I find myself having to actively work on. When I’m caught off guard and end up resorting to a defensive position, the result rarely turns out well.
The point is, we are humans after all, and we have emotions and egos. However, by keeping our egos in-check and inserting emotional intelligence, we’ll not only be doing a favor for our health and mental space, but we’ll also have intercepted a situation that would have gone bad, unnecessarily.
Here are some tips for dealing with a difficult person or negative message:
1. Forgive - What would the Dali Lama do if he was in the situation? He would most likely forgive. Remember that at our very core, we are good, but our judgment becomes clouded and we may say hurtful things. Ask yourself, “What is it about this situation or person that I can seek to understand and forgive?“
2. Wait it Out - Sometimes I feel compelled to instantly send an email defending myself. I’ve learned that emotionally charged emails never get us the result we want; they only add oil to the fire. What is helpful is inserting time to allow ourselves to cool off. You can write the emotionally charged email to the person, just don’t send it off. Wait until you’ve cooled off before responding, if you choose to respond at all.
3. “Does it really matter if I am right?” - Sometimes we respond with the intention of defending the side we took a position on. If you find yourself arguing for the sake of being right, ask “Does it matter if I am right?” If yes, then ask “Why do I need to be right? What will I gain?“
4. Don’t Respond - Many times when a person initiates a negative message or difficult attitude, they are trying to trigger a response from you. When we react, we are actually giving them what they want. Let’s stop the cycle of negative snowballing and sell them short on what they’re looking for; don’t bother responding.
5. Stop Talking About It - When you have a problem or a conflict in your life, don’t you find that people just love talking about it? We end up repeating the story to anyone who’ll listen. We express how much we hate the situation or person. What we fail to recognize in these moments is that the more we talk about something, the more of that thing we’ll notice. Example, the more we talk about how much we dislike a person, the more hate we will feel towards them and the more we’ll notice things about them that we dislike. Stop giving it energy, stop thinking about it, and stop talking about it. Do your best to not repeat the story to others.
6. Be In Their Shoes - As cliché as this may sound, we tend to forget that we become blind-sided in the situation. Try putting yourself in their position and consider how you may have hurt their feelings. This understanding will give you a new perspective on becoming rational again, and may help you develop compassion for the other person.
7. Look for the Lessons - No situation is ever lost if we can take away from it some lessons that will help us grow and become a better person. Regardless of how negative a scenario may appear, there is always a hidden gift in the form of a lesson. Find the lesson(s).
8. Choose to Eliminate Negative People In Your Life - Negative people can be a source of energy drain. And deeply unhappy people will want to bring you down emotionally, so that they are not down there alone. Be aware of this. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands and do not mind the energy drain, I recommend that you cut them off from your life. Cut them out by avoiding interactions with them as much as possible. Remember that you have the choice to commit to being surrounded by people who have the qualities you admire: optimistic, positive, peaceful and encouraging people. As Kathy Sierra said, “Be around the change you want to see in the world.”
9. Become the Observer - When we practice becoming the observer of our feelings, our thoughts and the situation, we separate ourselves away from the emotions. Instead of identifying with the emotions and letting them consume us, we observe them with clarity and detachment. When you find yourself identifying with emotions and thoughts, bring your focus on your breathe.
10. Go for a Run … or a swim, or some other workout. Physical exercise can help to release the negative and excess energy in us. Use exercise as a tool to clear your mind and release built up negative energy.
11. Worst Case Scenario - Ask yourself two questions, “If I do not respond, what is the worst thing that can result from it?“, “If I do respond, what is the worst thing that can result from it?” Answering these questions often adds perspectives to the situation, and you’ll realize that nothing good will come out of reacting. Your energy will be wasted, and your inner space disturbed.
12. Avoid Heated Discussions - When we’re emotionally charged, we are so much in our heads that we argue out of an impulse to be right, to defend ourselves, for the sake of our egos. Rationality and resolution can rarely arise out of these discussions. If a discussion is necessary, wait until everyone has cooled off before diving into one.
13. Most Important - List out things in your life most important to you. Then ask yourself, “Will a reaction to this person contribute to the things that matter most to me?“
14. Pour Honey - This doesn’t always work, but sometimes catches people off guard when they’re trying to “Pour Poison” on you. Compliment the other person for something they did well, tell them you’ve learned something new through interacting with them, and maybe offer to become friends. Remember to be genuine. You might have to dig deep to find something that you appreciate about this person.
15. Express It - Take out some scrap paper and dump all the random and negative thoughts out of you by writing freely without editing. Continue to do so until you have nothing else to say. Now, roll the paper up into a ball, close your eyes and visualize that all the negative energy is now inside that paper ball. Toss the paper ball in the trash. Let it go! Share your thoughts in the comments.
by Tina Su thinksimplenow.com
When a man was sitting beside a sleeping woman after working late one day
A little boy came by and said:
“Why do you spend so much time beside her ?”
And the man answered:“
Son, Have you seen all what she is capable of ?"
“she functions on all kinds of food,
she is able to embrace several kids at
the same time, gives a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee
to a broken heart and she does all this with only two hands”.
The little boy was impressed.
“Just two hands....impossible!“
And this is a normal woman?!
“Too much work for one day.... “.
“Indeed”, said the man. “That is why she is my favorite”.
“She cures herself when sick and she can work 18 hours a day”.
The little boy came nearer and touched the woman.
“But she is so soft” “She is soft", said the man, “But she is also so strong.
You can’t imagine what she can endure and overcome.“
“Can she think?" the little boy asked.
The man answered:
“Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate."
The little boy touched the woman’s cheek....
“It seems she is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her.”*
“She is not leaking....it’s a tear” the man corrected the little man.
“What’s it for?" asked the little boy.
And the man said:
“Tears are her way of expressing grief, her doubts, her love,
her loneliness, her suffering and her pride.”
This made a big impression on the little boy; “Hey, you are lucky.
You know everything. The woman is indeed marvellous!"
Indeed she is!
Woman has strengths that amazes man.
She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens.
She holds happiness, love and opinions.
She smiles when feeling like screaming.
She sings when she feels like crying,
cries when she is happy and laughs when she is afraid.
She fights for what she belives in.
Stands up against injustice.
She doesn’t take “no” for an answer, when she can see a better solution.
She gives herself so her family can thrive.
She takes her friend to the doctor if she is afraid.
Her love is unconditional.
She cries when her kids are victorious. She is happy when her friends do well.
She is glad when she hears of a birth or a wedding.
Her heart is broken when a next of kin or friend dies.
But she finds the strength to get on with life.
She knows that a kiss and a hug can heal a broken heart.
There is only one thing wrong with her,
She forgets what she is worth...
It seems strange that anyone would need to offer cautions about early marriage these days, since statistically it seems that most people are actually putting off marriage until they are in their late thirties or even older than that. But there are still those who want to be married at a very young age and unfortunately many turn a blind eye to the unique problems they'll be facing if they go through with such an early marriage. If this sounds like you, what are some things you need to think about and consider before getting into such an arrangement?
First off, keep in mind that many young people have a hard time making a living when they lack employment history. Someone in their very early twenties may have a degree but because of a lack of experience, have a harder time finding a job than others. Financial problems are very common for those who opt for early marriage. Also, many young people lack experience in handling the money they have, and in planning their budget and sticking to it. It's hard enough for mature adults to put money away in savings much less for younger people to control their impulse spending! And many who get into an early marriage have really no idea how much it actually costs to rent an apartment or buy a home, and of all the smaller expenses that go with living outside their parent's house. Utilities, groceries, gas and insurance for the car, health care costs, all of these things add up pretty quick and take quite a toll on the young person's financial situation. Many an early marriage has ended simply because the couple couldn't afford all those responsibilities thrust upon them.
There are also other responsibilities in marriage that many young people are unprepared to handle, and often don't even expect. Most are accustomed to the life of a single person where you go wherever you want to go, whenever you want to, without a care or thought in the world. However, even early marriage means having to consider that other person in your plans and your actions. Failing to call when you're out late or wanting to go out with friends when your spouse wants you at home can cause a lot of arguments between people, especially those who don't know how to handle these types of situations. Those in an early marriage are often surprised at the number of demands put upon them by their spouse and by how quickly an argument can erupt over even minor or small things.
Anyone considering an early marriage would do well to really think seriously about what they're getting into. Marriage between two mature adults is difficult enough, as the statistics on divorce will prove, but an early marriage brings about special conflicts and problems as well. If you want to have a long and successful marriage, you need to consider what problems you and your potential spouse might face, and do so before you actually take those vows.
By: layran
www.marriage101.org
