Dancing

Dancing is an expression of total freedom. To dance you are expressing your individuality as well your unity with everyone. The rhythm of life is most vibrant within us as we dance. When you dance you have to express yourself. It is very therapeutic when done in anyway. Some like more structured setting, and some prefer to make their own moves.

Therapy

One of the best therapies is writing. Therapy is basically where you get stuff out of your system and of course pay a lot of money. Writing is free, you just need a pen and paper and you get stuff out of your system and feel pride of yourself. it does not even matter if no one reads it, you at least put it out there.

It is really for shame the length we go thorough to make a point. If we only sat down; with a pen and paper, and wrote anything most, if not all the conflicts will be resolved even before they occur. The power of writing brings us together, share ideas; however they will show most of us how similar we all are.

The “Skin” We’re In

Have you ever wondered how it is that you can love someone without liking them?

On the surface, it doesn’t make any sense at all… how could you possibly love someone without liking them? The answer, though, is in the last sentence, right at the beginning… “On the surface”.
Personality “Layers”

We all have multiple personalities, and I don’t mean in the insane way (although that may just be a more severe form of the norm). We have one personality, our core, that is deep down inside of us. That personality is who we really are. Over the top of that we have various layers of “skin” that we show to different people.

The skin that’s on the outside is no more who we are than the clothes that we wear. When we love someone, we love them at a deeper level than the “skin” that they are currently showing the world. We hold on to that deeper layer that we have come to know, and we instinctively understand that the layer that we love is more truly who the person is that the skin that we dislike.
The Problem

People don’t all have the same number of layers… emotionally powerful events can either create or rip off layers. Powerfully negative events tend to build up additional layers, to insulate our core from harm. Powerfully positive events can melt away layers, essentially healing the remainders from past problems. Some events can do both at the same time… the death of someone close to you, for example, can rip away some of your layers of defense, while at the same time causing you to build new ones.

We present different layers to different people, too… we even have layers that we show ourselves most of the time. We then add other layers to the ones we’re showing ourselves as we move to people we identify with less… the closer to ourselves we regard someone, the closer to the core us they get, but if we seldom show ourselves our core, imagine how much less likely we are to show someone else. Many people may go all the way through their adult life without ever showing anyone else their core self. It is impossible to let someone else deeper than we allow ourselves to go. If you don’t look at your core, you can’t show it to anyone else, no matter how much you love them.

Everyone else starts at the layer where you place your self and moves outward from there.
The Solution

There is only one way to consciously move someone closer to you, deeper into your layers: spend more quality, quiet, slow time with them.

Want to be closer to your wife or husband? Spend more quality, quiet, slow time with them. Children? Same answer. Family, friends, acquaintances? All the same answer.

Want to improve your relationships with all of those people at the same time? Spend more quality, quiet, slow time with yourself. Remember, everyone else starts with at least as many layers as you show yourself. If you remove a few of those layers, you move the starting point for every other person closer.

When is the last time that you actually sat down and looked within? I’m talking about time you didn’t worry about what you need to do tomorrow (or today), you didn’t try to solve problems, you didn’t worry about someone else… just sat there, by yourself, closed your eyes, and let that core self, the real you, rise closer to the surface?

It’s hard… life sometimes seems like it’s actively trying to keep you from doing it. You may have a wife and kids, friends, two or three jobs, etc., etc., etc. You know how I know it’s hard? I have those things, plus I actually know what I need to do and how to do it, and I still have a hard time taking that time for myself.

The most effective times to do this, at least for me, are first thing in the morning, before the day gets started, and right after work. The morning goes much deeper, but the time after work lets me get enough off of the surface that my time with my family is higher quality… which helps me to keep from building up yet more layers for both myself and them.

I think any time helps, though, as long as you can do it consistently enough to make it into a habit. Making something into a habit requires that you do something at the same time, every day (or nearly so), for somewhere around a month.

When I say “the same time”, by the way (and not just in this article), I mean in an event-driven sense, not in a clock-based sense. ”The same time” means first thing when you get up, or right after lunch, or something like that, not 7:15 AM (though that may be first thing when you get up).

It’s easy to let good habits slip over time… I’ve let many of my good habits slip, including the time mentioned above, and writing new articles regularly. It takes a lot of mental effort to establish, or re-establish, good habits (but very little mental effort for bad habits), but that effort pays off immensely… you’ll find that the amount of mental energy that you have to spend increases substantially once the good habits are in place (and often your physical energy level, as well).
Your Turn

Getting away from quantity time and toward quality time is hard to do, whether it’s time for yourself or time with others. Have you found anything that works for you? Anything that makes it easier to turn quantity into quality?
From A Miracle A Day

Inspiration

Inspiring ideas are great. They encourage us to change as well as push the limits. Inspiration is a bit humorous though. It may inspire us to go down the wrong path as well, we however learn a lesson, on every path we choose to go on.

The choices we make influence other choices and further lead us to great opportunities. The bad part is you cannot see how the choice will affect you until you make it. No one can make your choice but you. Others can encourage or discourage you, but only you have the power to make your own choice.

Inspiration takes place before as well as after the choice is made. Without inspiration life would not be fun at all. Inspiration gives you that extra push you need to make the choice that seems right to you.

Future

It may be bright, or it may not be, but the present is all we have. It is all that we can and are able to deal with. That is why it is known as the present. The past is simpler, and should be appreciated, but does not always prepare us for what’s important within the future. Believe in yourself right now. No matter what you will accomplish today make sure you can explain it in the future. Memory may fade fast, but writing last forever. The main goal in life is to be remembered as long as you can.

History

History is important. Every day history is made. So the study of all history is always made. So the true effect of history can never fully be seen.
Every day we add to the history of our very being, which constantly adds to the tapestry as well as the voyage of life. This voyage is ongoing and so vast that it must be truly appreciated always.
All the times we live through is so magnimous that it cannot be totally appreciated. The life we all live is constantly having an effect on every other life living throughout the time in the future as well as the present moment in time.
yeremiah@aol.com
Yeremiah Hardt

Butterfly Effect

The “Butterfly Effect” is a flexure in time that is uncharacterized and not like anything that has another explanation. Some believe it can only transpire from the present to the past, however it also can also arise from the past to the future. It rarely occurs in the future however it is possible and unrecognizable.

It is impossible to change the past to better the future, for you never know a different could in essence destroy the very existence of everything that might occur.

Ripple Effect

Throw a stone into water and watch the ripples take form. Watch every ripple give birth to another and another and another, which is very similar to ideas. This helps maintain order in the world, in maneuvering through obstacles. It is a method to stay focused on one part of a problem and after that is complete move on to another.


Rivers live so long because ripples help them manage life's obstacles with everlasting powers that that ripples have and the same thing occurs with ideas. But with ideas as well as ripples both need a strong foundation to make them strong and long living.

10 Principles for Peace of Mind

1. Do Not Interfere In Others’ Business Unless Asked
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others’ affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God.. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

2. Forgive And Forget:
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,20 Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:
This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yours if in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.

4. Do Not Be Jealous:
We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody’s life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment:
If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:
This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

8. Meditate Regularly:
Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:
An empty mind is the devil’s workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God’s name.

10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:
Do not waste time in protracted wondering ” Should I or shouldn’t I?” Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over split milk?


KEEP SMILING not because of something but inspite of everything.

Art of Giving

"Rivers do not drink their own water, nor do tree eat their own fruit, nor do rain clouds eat the grains reared by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others?

Even after accepting that giving is good and that one must learn to give, several questions need to be answered.

The first question is when should one give?

We all know the famous incident from the Mahabharata.

Yudhisthir, asks a beggar seeking alms to come the next day. On this, Bhim rejoices, that Yudhisthir his brother, has conquered death! For he is sure that he will be around tomorrow to give. Yudhisthir gets the message.

One does not know really whether one will be there tomorrow to give! The time to give therefore is now.

The next question is how much to give.

One recalls the famous incident from history. Rana Pratap was reeling after defeat from the Moghals. He had lost his army, he had lost his wealth, and most important he had lost hope, his will to fight. At that time in his darkest hour, his erstwhile minister Bhamasha came seeking him and placed his entire fortune at the disposal of Rana Pratap. With this, Rana Pratap raised an army and lived to fight another day.

The answer to this question how much to give is "Give as much as you can!

The next question is what to give. It is not only money that can be given. It could be a flower or even a smile.

It is not how much one gives but how one gives that really matters. When you give a smile to a stranger that may be the only good thing received by him in days and weeks! "You can give anything but you must give with your heart!

One also needs answer to this question whom to give.

Many times we avoid giving by finding fault with the person who is seeking. However, being judgmental and rejecting a person on the presumption that he may not be the most deserving is not justified. “Give without being judgmental!

Next we have to answer How to give

Coming to the manner of giving, one has to ensure that the receiver does not feel humiliated, nor does the giver feel proud by giving.

In giving follow the advice, ’Let not your left hand know what your right hand gives? Charity without publicity and fanfare is the highest form of charity. 'Give quietly!

While giving let not the recipient feel small or humiliated. After all what we give never really belonged to us. We come to this world with nothing and will go with nothing. The thing gifted was only with us for a temporary period. Why then take pride in giving away something which really did not belong to us? Give with grace and with a feeling of gratitude.

* When you help someone in need, give it before he asks for it; for if you place him under the necessity of stretching out his hand, you take away from him his self-respect which is worth more than the value of your alms.

What should one feel after giving?

We all know the story of Eklavya. When Dronacharya asked him for his right thumb as "Guru Dakshina", he unhesitatingly cut off the thumb and gave it to Dronacharya.

There is a little known sequel to this story. Eklavya was asked whether he ever regretted the act of giving away his thumb. He replied, and the reply has to be believed to be true, as it was asked to him when he was dying.

His reply was "Yes! I regretted this only once in my life. It was when Pandavas were coming in to kill Dronacharya who was broken hearted on the false news of death of his son Ashwathama and had stopped fighting. It was then that I regretted the loss of my thumb. If the thumb was there, no one could have dared hurt my Guru.

The message to us is clear. Give and never regret giving!
And the last question is How much should we provide for our heirs?
Ask yourself 'are we taking away from them the gift of work'? - A source of happiness! The answer is given by Warren Buffett: "Leave your kids enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing!
I would conclude by saying: let us learn the Art of Giving, and quoting Saint Kabir:
"When the wealth in the house increases, when water fills a boat, Throw them out with both hands"

Ending the Struggle With Depression

Medical experts claim that one of the many ingredients to a healthy lifestyle is to be happy.


A person who is free from negative vibes and thoughts are the ones who rarely get depressed and stressed out.

Although it is normal for anyone to experience depression at some point in his or her life, extreme condition of anxiety depression may be detrimental to a person's perspective and approach towards life.

As defined in medical terminology, manic depression is a psychological condition that changes how a person thinks and feels in a negative way. This condition is far from the aspect of just being sad, moody, or unhappy. Serious cases of depression, when not consulted, can eventually affect a person's behavior and sense of well-being.

37 Ways to make a Difference

For YOURSELF:

1. Smile more often! Be amazed of how many will be happy to smile back at you. Besides, this is the best facial exercise you can make to delay aging signs -- so smile!

2. Eat right! Boost your immune system by eating more natural food, like fresh fruits and vegetables. This alone can significantly reduce your weight and health concerns.

3. Exercise regularly. The reason is not just to lose weight, but it's a great habit to maintain good health by improved circulation, elimination of body toxins, etc.

4. Drink water more than 'colored drinks' for your health. Water has no sugar or additives.

5. Read and learn more. Devote time and money for self-improvement, the best investment you can make that truly pays off.

6. Love, care, give, and share more. This practice is the very purpose of your life.

7. Keep believing. Pray. Nurture your spirit. This won't cost you any, but help or answer to your needs can be just a prayer away.

For those YOU CARE ABOUT:

8. If you love them, then say it and show it! Do not take them for granted. They need both to hear and see you care.

9. Spend more quality time with them. It is what they'll remember most.

10. Visit, write, call those you haven't for a while.

For our SENIORS:

11. Give a helping hand and cheers -- cooking, cleaning, or whatever they are limited to.

12. Give a ride or offer to carpool with them whenever there's a need.

13. Involve them on activities that will continue to stimulate their senses, or they can contribute their gathered wisdom.

For our CHILDREN or YOUTH:

14. Walk or create programs for youth to benefit them and rally for their good future.

15. Give them more opportunities to explore and develop their natural gifts and talents, express their dreams and goals.

16. Encourage our children more by your words and example. Stay positive! .

For our VETERANS: (For the freedom we now enjoy is due to their sacrifices.)

17. Send cards or anything to show you remember and appreciate them.

18. Recognize them and give a smile, a salute, or high-five when you see them around.

19. Support their events and fundraising efforts to help them.

For our HOMELESS Citizens: (Just like you and me, they need care and understanding. )

20. Encourage them by taking time to help them get the help they need/resources to get back on track.

21. Volunteer in your local shelters. There are many ways you can help or contribute.

22. Help create more programs to help them get out of their situation.

For our VOLUNTEERS: (For helping us make things happen.)

23. Big "thank you!" note or anything to show your appreciation of them.

24. Join them and be prepared to do a random act of kindness anytime.

25. How about "volunteers appreciation day" to celebrate them and have a good break?

For our ENVIRONMENT: (We only have one planet, so we must take care of it.)

26. Clean and plant trees with your workmates, neighbors, etc. Anywhere permissible.

27. Recycle consciously, not just plastics and papers, but clothes and others you can share. Clean up your closet, garage, or storage for everything that you don't need. Do a yard sale or simply drive to or call local charities for pickup. This is one recycling to meet needs of others.

28. Learn more of what's causing the global warming and contribute to preventions/ solutions.

For ALL of US:

29. Sing, dance, be happy no matter what. Brighter days are yet to come!

30. Speak the truth. Seeking the truth can set someone free.

31. Notice and say something good or positive to someone, and mean it.

32. Learn survival techniques. Always be prepared for any emergency.

33. Accept yourself. You are gifted and blessed more than you know.

34. Be forgiving and understanding as you seek forgiveness and understanding.

35. Learn how to budget or how to manage your money. Spend only on needs and the money that you actually have.

36. Be involved in your community in making good things happen!

37. Will you support me on my personal goal to make a difference (i.e., to reach at least three million people everywhere to bring HOPE and more OPPORTUNITIES for people to live better lives)?

-- - By Anolia Orfrecio Facun

Resolving Conflicts 101

What's so bad about arguing?

First, let me clarify what I mean by the word argue. It is a legal term. In a court of law attorneys make arguments designed to show the guilt or innocence of their client. They present the 'facts' with the attitude, "Any reasonable person would agree with my argument."
What works fairly well in the court room, works poorly in a marriage, because there is no judge available to determine when your spouse is 'out of order'. Arguments become charged with emotion and you end up yelling, screaming, or crying. Each feels the other is unreasonable. What's so bad about arguing? It turns spouses into enemies who have feelings of hurt, anger, and resentment.

Why is it so important to resolve conflicts?

Because unresolved conflicts stand as barriers to marital unity. Conflicts are those issues over which we have differences and we both feel that our side is right. If we don't find a 'meeting place' we become enemies instead of teammates. And, life becomes a battlefield. No one likes to fight. So, sooner or later someone gives up and walks away.
How sad that thousands of marriages end because couples never learn to resolve conflicts. The first step in resolving conflicts is to get out of the "arguing mode" and get into the "understanding mode". Stop trying to win an argument and start trying to understand each other.

Why do people argue?

In one word, rigidity. In essence we are saying, "My way is the right way, and if you don't do it my way, I'll make your life miserable." The arguer insists on getting his own way.
Conflict resolvers have a different attitude. They say, "I'm sure we can work this out in a way that will be positive for both of us. Let's think about it together." They look for a win-win resolution. They begin by respecting each other's ideas and looking for a solution instead of trying to win an argument.
The Scriptures say, "Love does not demand its own way." Actually, love is looking out for the other person's interest. "What would be best for you?" is the question of love.

You will never resolve conflicts if you don't learn to listen.

Many people think they are listening when in fact they are simply reloading their verbal guns. Listening means seeking to understand what the other person is thinking and feeling. It is putting ourselves in the other person's shoes and trying to look at the world through their eyes.
Here's a good sentence with which to begin. "I want to understand what you are saying because I know it is important." One man told me that he made a sign which read: "I am a Listener." When his wife started talking he would hang it around his neck to remind himself of what he was doing. His wife would smile and say, "I hope it's true." He learned to be a good listener.

We are all busy.

Often, too busy to listen. And yet, listening is the only way you will ever come to understand your spouse's thoughts and feelings. Listening takes time and requires focus. Many people pride themselves in being able to listen while reading e-mails or watching television. One husband said, "My wife insists that I sit down and listen to her. I feel like I'm in a straitjacket, like I'm wasting time."
When you drop everything, look at your spouse and listen, you communicate, "You are the most important person in my life." On the other hand, when you listen while doing other things, you communicate: "You are one of my many interests." Listening is a powerful expression of love.

After a Breakup

Relationship break up can be a very painful experience. Mourning the loss of the relationship for a time is perfectly natural. It is a time to come to terms with your loss so that you can move on to a brighter day. Part of that brighter day will probably involve dating again. After a break up, when should you start dating again? That is different for every person, but here are some questions to consider that help you determine if you are ready to start dating again.

10 actions you can take now.

Fear makes you a prisoner. Fear inhibits you and causes you to lower the bar. Fear is the critical voice in our head saying: “You’ll never make this w ork, you’ll never get on top of this?” Fear is irrational and makes you focus on the worst outcome. We paint pictures of how bad it is going to be and also how powerless we are to act. When we make mistakes, when finances are difficult, when we have made a bad decision and covered it up we become consumed with fear.

Fear speaks failure over our lives and that is a lie!

1. Write down your fears, often they look different in black and white. It is time to get them into perspective. What is the worst that can happen?

2. Are there things that you’re holding back on, are there decisions, actions, things that need to be said? Does fear tell you to put that action off until tomorrow? You have a limited time on this earth. Deadlines are called deadlines for a reason!

3. Little by little. Make a list of three of the smallest actions that you need to do and complete today, they must move you closer to your desired outcome. Pick really easy tasks that you know you can do so that you can build up some momentum. Often when we need to make changes we think of the biggest leap and because it is so big it becomes to overwhelming. Complete three simple easy tasks today.

4. Start asking yourself positive questions. For example, ask “how can I make taking this action a more enjoyable experience?”. Now your brain has something to do! Don’t expect the answer straight away (but be aware of opportunities and situations that provide clues) – but you’re going in the right direction. Get into the habit of asking yourself questions rather than making blanket (negative) statements.

5. Redefine “mistakes” and learn from all experiences. Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes you’ve made in the past by being fearful of starting new relationships, jobs etc. That gets you nowhere. Call a mistake an “opportunity for learning” and seek the learning in every “mistake”. A wise mentor of mine once said “if you have a go and fail at least you get an education, what can you learn from doing nothing?”

6. Birds of a feather flock together. Seek the company of supportive people and reduce contact with those who foster feelings of negativity and have a “fearful” approach to life.

7. Read books about people who have succeeded despite the obstacles and look at the principles and qualities behind what they did, their thinking and attitude. Closer to home – seek out role models who represent what you want to become. Learn from their approach and attitude. Become a student of excellence follow people who have achieved what you wish to do.

8. Know that whatever quality you like or admire in someone else is lying dormant in you – waiting to be developed. How else would you recognise it? Make a list of the qualities you most admire in someone else and ask yourself how they can be acknowledged and developed in you.

9. Your past doesn’t have to define your future. Be aware of your past and willing to let go of it. Each day brings a new opportunity to do and think about things differently.

10. List your goals and the actions you need to take to achieve them every day. Every time you do something that brings you a little closer to achieving your goals, you will feel better about yourself and reduce your unnecessary fears. Reduce your fears by focussing on positive outcomes. Reduce your fears by creating forward momentum. Reduce your fears by not accepting the lie.

Earthly and Personal Statistics