Wednesday, September 30, 2009

How to Live a Healthy and Joyful Life - By Dr.Kelly Sennholz

I was asked to write a list of my favorite health habits. Below is the list I created to assist you with living your healthiest and most joyful life.

Eat high fiber
A diet high in fiber provides relief or prevention of constipation, decreased risk of some types of cancer, decreased cholesterol, deduced risk of coronary disease, blood sugar control, reduced risk of type II Diabetes, and decreased risk of obesity. The varies for age and sex but in general getting 28 to 30 g of fiber a day is a good start. Take a couple of days to mentally measure the amount of fiber you're taking in.

Eat healthy fats
In general, fats from fish, flax seed oil, butter and nuts, hemp seed, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and eggs from chickens fed a diet high in greens and insects are all good food sources of healthy fats. Healthy fats reduced inflammation in your body, improve blood clotting, create healthy cell membranes, lower bad lipids, decreased artery thickening, reduce the risk of obesity, and may inhibit cancer cell growth.

Exercise regularly
I hate going to the gym. However, I love to get my exercise by doing activities that are fun. Take a walk and look at the flowers. Join a sports team and see what you can do. Stretch yourself a little bit every day. Just move. Your body will love you and it will be fun.

Eliminate refined carbohydrates
I call these the "white foods." Most of the foods you can think of that are white (bleached flour, sugar, white pasta, candy) are not good for you. I'm not just talking about weight gain or control of calories. I'm talking about the hormonal and chemical alterations that cause in your body which lead to lifelong decreased health.

Sleep 7 to 8 hours a day
Sleep deprivation leads to decreased immunity, weight gain, depression, mood swings, vascular disease, and many more ill effects on your body. For people doing shift work, it is even a higher priority to stay in tune with your body and to listen to what it needs. Don't overdue caffeine and none after 4 p.m., bedroom for sleep and sex only, eat no later than 2 hours before bedtime, no raucous T.V. before bedtime, create a ritual that honors your life and your body (many people journal, meditate or pray right before sleep), address health issues that impede sleep (like sleep apnea, menopause, etc).

Take quality supplements
It is prudent for adults to take a multivitamin every day because of the decreased nutritional content of our food, the increased processing of our food supply, and the substitution of healthy foods with unhealthy foods. The USDA surveyed 16,000 Americans and found that not one person obtained 100% of essential nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc. Similarly, children and adolescents did not obtain enough essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin C, and calcium.

Reduce stress
If you have a stressful life my recommendation is insert into your day what I call "peace breaks." It can happen in your car, the bathroom, when you take a short walk around the block. Let your blood pressure fall, your mind relax, and to consciously put your attention on peacefulness and releasing any thoughts. Do this 2 to 3 times a day, especially right when you wake up and right before you go to sleep.

Be cognizant of children
Be an example of health in front of your children. Don't reward with candy. Reward with time, reading, love, and attention. Stand for healthy habits in schools. Be a mentor. So many people I know have come from hard beginnings to become truly magnificent people. The commonality in all of them is they had at least one person in their childhood who really cared.

Eat breakfast and eat a low glycemic, Mediterranean style food pattern
Eating a healthy breakfast (low glycemic, high nutrient foods) helps maintain hunger levels, sugar levels, and healthy eating throughout the day. Keeping a steady blood sugar throughout the day by eating 5 to 6 small, low glycemic, Mediterranean style meals appears to be a delicious and healthy way to maintain your physique and avoid disease.

Find passion in your life
I believe what you create with your life is your individual expression of the divine. It all counts. What matters is the love you bring to your life. Express your life with passion and know that it is received with enthusiasm. You matter more than you will ever know.

Challenge yourself
What have you wanted to do in life that you just haven't taken the time for? Is it a trip? Taking a challenge in your relationship? Reading a new book or taking a new class? Stepping just a little bit out of your comfort zone can make life exciting and full. Bring your spouse along if he/she will come. Make it a family affair. You only pass this way one time.

Create habit
The opposite of new challenges is the steady hand of habit. Creating habits can open space and energy for creativity. What part of your life feels confusing and out of control right now? What habits could you install to balance this chaos? By creating a life of habits, you also make room for challenges and inventiveness.

Have a healthy social circle
The belief systems you develop are deeply influenced by the people in your life. Who in your life supports your most deeply felt beliefs? Who in your life moves you away from your emotional, financial, spiritual and physical center? How much time do you spend with these people? If your only circle of friends is the people you work with every day, it may be time to open and widen the circle a little. Make one new friend and cultivate that friendship. Choose a friend who is loving and supportive, who fills your life with positive words and be that friend to others. Studies show that lifespan is greatly influenced by the company you keep (or lack thereof).

Laugh a lot
When is the last time you belly laughed? If it has been a while, perhaps it is time to lighten up. Look for opportunities to laugh. Make your family and friends laugh. Play a gentle, loving trick. Get tickets to a comedy club where a lighthearted comic is playing. Spending the evening laughing with your friends may put a whole new veneer on your week.

Give
I am speaking specifically of volunteering -- an act or donation that is mainly anonymous and brings worth, peace and love to the world. Here is a partial list of the reasons and benefits: make new friends, build confidence, see more of your community and the world, gain important skills and experience, relieve stress, fight boredom, make a difference in the world, and just have fun. It is truly exhilarating to be surrounded by giving, loving people in the act of improving the world for those around you.Put these concepts in practice in your life. Find one small way to make the world a little better today. If we all do that, we have created a movement of health, love and joy. Be a part of the movement today!
About the Author:
Dr. Kelly Sennholz is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Symtrimics LLC, a Physician Prescribed Wellness Program. She has been instrumental in creating excellent health for thousands of patients and transforming medical practices to true sources of health. Symtrimics allows doctors to once again feel satisfaction in their medical practice and real relationships with their patients.

4 Healthy Reasons to Eat Salads Daily

Making one simple change to your diet – adding a salad almost every day – can pay off with plenty of health benefits.
By Elaine Magee, MPH, RDWebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Have you had your salad today? Eating salad almost every day may be one of the most healthy eating habits you can adopt -- and one of the simplest, experts say.
Eating salads is a super-convenient way to work in a couple of servings of vegetables and/or fruit. Green salads are on the menu of almost every restaurant. You can even buy a side salad (with Romaine lettuce, carrots and tomatoes, available with fat-free or reduced-calorie salad dressing) for a buck at many fast food chains these days. And you can make a green salad at home in 5 minutes, armed with a bag of pre-washed salad greens, a few carrots or other veggies, and a bottle of light salad dressing.
Not only that, but salads are cool, crunchy, and fun to eat (lots of textures, colors, and flavors). Most people enjoy eating salads--even kids! You can customize them to include the fruits and vegetables that appeal to you the most, and whichever ones you have on hand.
Here are four health reasons to reach for a salad today:

1. Eat Salads for the Fiber

It's hard to believe that something we can't even digest can be so good for us! Eating a high-fiber diet can help lower cholesterol levels and prevent constipation.
Not only that, says Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan, eating more fiber can help you feel fuller, eat less, and ultimately lose weight.

2. Eat Salads for the Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables

Many experts agree that Americans need to eat more fruits and vegetables (especially dark green and orange vegetables) and legumes -- all popular salad ingredients. David Jacobs, PhD, professor of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, says in an email interview that there is plenty of evidence that nutrient-rich plant foods contribute to overall health.
If you frequently eat green salads, you'll likely have higher blood levels of a host of powerful antioxidants (vitamin C and E, folic acid, lycopene, and alpha- and beta-carotene,) especially if your salad includes some raw vegetables. Antioxidants are substances that help protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.
For years, researchers have noted a link between eating lots of fruits and vegetables and lower risks of many diseases, particularly cancer. A recent study from the National Cancer Institute suggests that people whose diets are rich in fruits and vegetables may have a lower risk of developing cancers of the head and neck -- even those who smoke and drink heavily. Foods found to be particularly protective include beans and peas, string beans, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, apples, nectarines, peaches, plums, pears, and strawberries.

3. Eat Salads to Cut Calories and Increase Satisfaction

If losing weight is your goal, you may want to start your meals with a green salad. Studies have shown that eating a low-calorie first course, like a green salad of 150 calories or less, enhances satiety (feelings of fullness) and reduces the total number of calories eaten during the meal.
Rolls, lead researcher of the study, suggests that "bigger is better" as long as the salad is bigger in volume, not in calories - which means more veggies and less dressing and other fatty add-ons.
"We saw reductions in consumed calories when people ate salads that were 1 1/2 cups and 3 cups in volume but around 100 total calories," she says. The 3-cup, 100-calorie salad reduced the total calories consumed at the meal by about 55.

4. Eat Salads to Get Smart Fats

Eating a little good fat (like the monounsaturated fat found in olive oil, avocado and nuts) with your vegetables appears to help your body absorb protective phytochemicals, like lycopene from tomatoes and lutein from dark green vegetables.
A recent study from Ohio State University measured how well phytochemicals were absorbed by the body after people ate a salad of lettuce, carrot, and spinach, with or without 2 1/2 tablespoons of avocado. The avocado-eaters absorbed eight times more alpha-carotene and more than 13 times more beta-carotene (both of which are thought to help protect against cancer and heart disease) than the group eating salads without avocado.
If you dress your salad with a little olive oil, there may even be some additional years in it for you. Italian research on people aged 60 and older has suggested that a diet that includes plenty of olive oil and raw vegetables is linked to reduced mortality.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

PEARLS OF WISDOM

Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved - William Jennings Bryan, 1860-1925
The three great essentials to achieving anything worthwhile are; first, hard work, second, stick-to-it-iveness, and third, common sense - Thomas Edison
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better - Samuel Beckett
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going - Beverly Sills
Success is about enjoying what you have and where you are, while pursuing achievable goals
- Bo Bennett
People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.
- George Bernard Shaw
You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action - Anthony Robbins
The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible - Richard M DeVos
Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby.
- Ruth Renkel
What you are will show in what you do. - Thomas Edison, 1847-1931.
“The most important key to achieving great success is to decide upon your goal and launch, get started, take action, move.” — Brian Tracy (b. 1944); author, motivational speaker
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived
The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity - Ayn Rand
You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand - Woodrow Wilson
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. ”
—Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true - Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Some people grumble because roses have thorns; I am thankful that the thorns have roses. ”
—Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (1808-1890);critic, journalist, and novelist
“Hard work is the key to success, so work diligently on any project you undertake. If you truly want to be successful...have faith in yourself. If you come up with a new idea that you believe in, don't allow other people to discourage you from pursuing it.”
—Charles Lazarus; trumpeter, composer
“Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.” —Swami Sivananda (1887-1963) spiritual leader, author, physician
“Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right'. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.”
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970); author
“We are all functioning at a small fraction of our capacity to live life fully in its total meaning of loving, caring, creating, and adventuring. Consequently, the actualizing of our potential can become the most exciting adventure of our lifetime.” —Herbert A. Otto; author
“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.”
—Maya Angelou (b. 1928); poet
“Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” —Og Mandino (1923-1996); essayist, psychologist

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

10 WORDS TO DELETE FROM YOUR VOCABULARY - By - Barbara J.Henry.

Words are powerful because they shape our thoughts, determine our actions, and chart the course of our lives. This is true whether the words are positive, giving hope and encouragement, or negative utterances that steal our joy and confidence.Wherever we are in our lives, personal relationships, or careers, the words we have used consistently are partly responsible.This fact should prompt us to become more aware of our words, and when needed, to change them so that we can begin to get the results we really desire.Recently, during a particularly challenging period, I discovered that I was using some of the following words far too often to get the favorable results I sought.
1. Can't : The use of this word is primarily responsible for countless hopes and dreams lying dormant on the "drawing boards" of our lives. Completely eliminate your use of this word and you will see a significant positive change in your life.
2. But : When used as a conjunction, "but" negates whatever statement that precedes it." I want to study law, but it will take a lot of hard work." Your mind does not focus on your desire to become a lawyer or judge; it only sees the hard work you will need to perform. Replace "but" with "and."
3. Should : Any statement that uses the word "should" generally elicits guilt. "I should go to the gym," makes you feel guilty for not going. Replace this word with "choose," as in, "I choose to go to the gym, or I choose not to go to the gym today."
4. Maybe : This word indicates indecision, doubt, or uncertainty as to a course of action. For example, "Maybe I'd better wait to..." For those of us interested in personal development, "maybe" should be used very sparingly. Use "I will" or "I will not" instead of maybe. The mere sound of the more positive words emits feelings of confidence and resolve which are so important to our personal well-being.
5. Soon or Later : Both are indefinite references to time. They are also non-committal. They should be replaced with a definite time and date. When someone tells you he or she is going to do something "soon" or "later," there is no way to determine when whatever it is will get done. Imagine what could happen to deadlines and your integrity when these words are used frequently.
6. Someday : Someday, like soon or later, is much too indefinite, and when it is used, it shows the same lack of commitment. Replace "someday" with a specific date and time.
7. Never : This word is absolute, and there are only limited situations when "never" is absolutely true. The use of this word, in my opinion, suggests a closed mind, which seriously hinders our self-growth efforts. The word "never" should be replaced with a non-absolute term.
8. Won't : The word "won't" implies an unwillingness, reluctance, or closed mindedness, and like the absolute term "never," it is quite harmful because it closes the door on many of the actions we need to take to reach our goals.
9. If : This is a small word that carries large doubts and uncertainties, and when used often, it gnaws away at our confidence and intended actions, two qualities necessary for any type of success.
10. Try or (I'll Try) : I don't know about you, but each time someone has said these words to me, or the few times that I have used them in conversations with others, whatever the subject of "I'll try" was, rarely, if ever, got done. Replace "I'll try" with "I will."These words must be given serious thought before we use them in our "self talk" or in the conversations we have with others.We must remember this: Our words affect our thoughts, our actions, our very lives, and because of their power, we must choose them with the utmost care.
About the Author:
Barbara J. Henry is a published author, (Journaling: Twenty Plus Reasons Why You Should Start Now), Personal Development Expert, poet, and avid reader of books on self-growth, spirituality, and personal development, which are also the subjects of her blogs.Barbara describes herself as "The Journaling Lady" because she has journaled dailysince June of 1995.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Meditation By Dr.Bakhtiar Choudhary.

Meditation-Understanding What is Meditation and What happens in Meditation?In simple terms, meditation can be defined as relaxation of the body-mind complex with awareness. “Body - mind” may look strange because ordinarily we think that the body and mind are separate things. In fact they are not, the mind is the subtle part of the body and body is the gross part of mind. That is why, when the body is sick, the mind also becomes sick and when the mind is sick, the body also suffers.Concentration and contemplation are also thought to be a state of meditation but they are not. During concentration, the mind is focussed and working vigorously. As a result, after each concentrated effort, the mind becomes tired and head becomes heavy. Concentration has got its own utility. Concentration means narrowing down the mind or focusing the mind on one object or point. Science has evolved out of concentration. Scientist who is working in his lab, totally focused, is oblivious of the things happening around him, no wonder we may find that some of the scientists are absent minded as in the process they have narrowed down their mind to one single object or item.The same is also the case with contemplation, which is again an activity of the mind. All philosophies, theologies, are a by-product of contemplation, for example a philosopher contemplating on the subject of love, beauty, life, god etc. The more and better that one can think, the better the philosopher is. In this context, it is also reported that some of the philosophers have gone mad as a result of too much thinking….Meditation is neither concentration nor contemplation as in both the cases, the mind is working vigorously. It is pure relaxation like a silent lake with no ripples at all. Thoughts are like ripples in the lake of our consciousness. It is total rest which is a very important phenomenon for a healthy and peaceful living. It is very unfortunate that there is no training exists for such an important event for us from the very childhood.It is very strange that from the very beginning, every child is trained to switch-on the mind, activate the mind but is never taught to switch it off or give rest to the mind. As a consequence of this, our mind never gets any rest. Even while the body is resting the thoughts are stimulating, desires are disturbing, memories are moving and the ambitions are anchoring. It is continuous chattering….Day in and day out. One may not find a single moment when the mind is not chattering. By working continuously the mind remains mediocre and fatigue sets in. Noted modern psychological researches have pointed out that many of the diseases are born out of a mind, which dwells in anger, frustration, turmoil and negativity for a long periods of time. These diseases have their roots in the mind and they spread to the body. They are termed as psychosomatic disorders. By practising meditation, mind can rest and roots of these diseases can be removed from the mind. Interestingly, a very important definition of meditation is the art of living in the present moment. We hardly live in the present moment. Our mind almost always dwells in the past or in the future.Remember That: We have no control over the pastWe do not know about the futureWe are left with presentWe go on missing the present moment, the only moment that is available to us all the time. We may even find that all our so-called stress, negativity, anger, frustrations etc, are rooted either in the past or in the future. The habit of living in the past or future has gone so deep into us that we hardly do any activity by being totally in the present moment. Most road accidents occur due to this very reason, we are never in the drive, and are always somewhere else. Relaxation could be achieved by living in the present moment. If we look at it little deeper, the above two definitions have a deep-rooted connection and interdependence. If we are relaxed, we find ourselves in the present moment and also whenever we are in the present moment we will experience relaxation. All meditation techniques are developed down the ages by great masters to make us relaxed with awareness and keep us in the present moment.This experience of deep relaxation or the art of living in the present moment has very deep implications in human life. We must know our true self. The wisdom of the great ones; the realised ones, very clearly indicates that the root cause of human misery on earth is the very fact that we do not know who we are, from where we have come, and where we are going. All that we know about ourselves is the outward information given to us by family and society; name, cast, creed, designation, sect etc. In spite of all the outward knowledge acquired by us we remain utterly ignorant about our inner true self and without experiencing this inner knowledge we can never be at ease with ourselves and with others or with our existence.People who have gone deep within themselves have always known that all of us have original core and pure consciousness, pure silence, and ability to unite with infinite super-consciousness. They have also experienced that there is a vast diversity on the circumference, but at the centre we all merge and mingle in to one unity, into one omnipresent pure energy and pervading spirit. To have this experience and to rejoin with the source is pure bliss. That is very purpose of all the “Religions”. Religion is a beautiful word, which has originated from a Greek word called ‘religere’ which means to ‘reunite’ ‘rejoin’ with the essential core. From this essential core, from this silence all are manifested, all are created.Meditation helps us to become silent and get attuned with one silent dynamic source. Some period of regular withdrawal from all the external and internal activities is very important for a meaningful, peaceful, healthy and blissful living. Cessation of all physical and mental activity occasionally gives us tremendous opportunity to see events clearly without any preconceived ideas and judgement. We can see, and feel things as they are and act accordingly.A meditative process creates gaps, silent spaces in ourselves through which we can have a look into the source and can have access to the infinite strength. Normally, due to the continuous chattering of the mind or due to the going process of inner dialogue we do not get an opportunity to look into our own being which is rooted in the infinite source of existence because there is no gap, no interval between the two thoughts. Gaps are very valuable because that is the only door, only way of connecting with the divine sources. That is why so much emphasis is given to silence and stillness. “be still, and know that I am God” ………And meditation is the way. As it creates stillness in us and once we know, experience and rooted in the stillness, it becomes our permanent nature and then wherever we go, even in the midst of tremendous movement and activity it remains the same, the same.The difference between Sleep and Meditation As far as relaxation is concerned, it can be achieved through deep sleep i.e. during Delta (0.5 to 3.5 cycles per sec) brain wave period, the period of total oblivion, without any awareness; and that is what deep sleep or good sleep is all about for most of us, certainly it refreshes, rejuvenates and also helps the body mind to heal itself. However, in this very state a very vital phenomenon called “awareness’ is missing which is a very important and vital ingredient as far as human evolution and growth is concerned. All the great mystic traditions of the world have given great emphasis on the aspect of human evolution. According to them the whole purpose of human life is to evolve. Infact all around us, in nature, the process of evolution is continuously happening on its on accord, without any conscious effort. The rocks, the trees and all others animal species are evolving naturally or unconsciously without any conscious effort on their part and the culmination of their evolution is ‘the human being’. And with this quantum leap of nature into a qualitatively different dimension all natural, unconscious evolution comes to an end. It could be said that below humans all evolution is collective and with human the evolution becomes individual and by choice. The freedom to evolve becomes a choice to humans. Every individual has to choose and make his own efforts if he or she wants to evolve. The freedom to take conscious decision is a great gift from existence to humans only. No other animal is endowed with this gift.Once the great Socrates was asked by some one “if you have a choice, what would you like to become? A contented pig or a discontented human being?” The answer of the great one was wonderful. He said “I would like to be a discontented human being has choice-------the freedom to choose growth------- the freedom to become more and more consciously aware where as the pig has no choice, it is still a part of the collective unconscious”. But with choice, freedom, freewill, comes a greater responsibility ------- Now it is every individual’s responsibility to make oneself happy, blissful or miserable. No other person could be held responsible for her or his misery or happiness.Relaxation with AwarenessA deep meditative state provides deep relaxation of body and mind with awareness. It has been noted from the lab tests that the human mind functions through the following four brain wave states:a. Beta state (18 to 28 cycles per sec.): A state of wide-awake, logical thinking state with divided attention also a state of action. Stress is accumulated in the Beta state.b. Alpha state (7 to 13 cycles per sec.) A state of deep relaxation of body mind with focused awareness and also a healing state. Meditation takes one to Alpha state.c. Theta state (3.5 to 7 cycles per sec.) It is a dreaming state or REM (Rapid Eye Movement) state. Great creators, artists, musicians, inventor’s etc. work in the Theta state.d. Delta state (0.5 to 3.5 cycles per sec.) It is a deep dream less state and also a state of healing and regeneration.A profound meditator enters in all these four stages with total awareness and complete relaxation. The total awareness during all the brain wave periods was tested and experimented at the Menninger foundation in Kansas, USA in 1977. Elmer Green and other researchers, using the Electroencephalograph machine recorded the brain wave function of an Indian Yogi, Swami Rama. The Swami demonstrated that he could enter in to even the Delta stage with total awareness, total consciousness. Such a demonstration under scientific conditions had not previously been demonstrated by any body in a lab. The ability to remain totally conscious deep sleep is a proof of the existence of a forth state (Turiya state), the ultimate waking state of consciousness. The Swami proved this by recalling each and every incident, which had occurred during the period of deep Delta brain wave sleep. Outwardly it looked as if he was totally lost in sleep. But he was aware all the time during his sleep.For the first time, Lord Krishna’s famous statement in the 2nd chapter of the “Bhagavat Geeta” – “Ya nisha Sarvabhutayam tasyam jagrati sanyamni---- (“Even when the mortals are sleeping or that which is night for the mortals or for all, the Yogi, the awakened one is fully awake”) was proved correct in a scientific lab.A meditator, by remaining aware and alert, gains a profound experience of total relaxation, which is not only for more beneficial than the conventional sleep but it also opens up a doorway to higher states of consciousness i.e. deeper states of relaxation with awareness and ultimately it leads to “Samadhi” or “Enlightenment” or to ultimate flowering of human consciousness. For a person who has mastered this state of awareness, the so-called barriers linked to waking, dreaming and deep sleep i.e. conscious, subconscious and unconscious minds are dissolved. For this type of person dreaming completely disappears. These perfectly integrated, aware and totally relaxed super conscious persons live permanently in Bliss, and death is also a bliss full event.Meditation before going to SleepMost of us do not getup in the morning with full vigour and freshness even after sleeping 6 to 8 hours; this is so because we do not enter into sleep without resolving our physical mental and emotional tensions. The sleep of a meditator has a different quality. From the Beta state (waking state) he gradually enters into deeper states (Delta state) leaving out all the tensions. And since between the Beta & Delta states he passes through the intense Alpha state (created consciously by relaxing the body & mind) the quality of relaxation experienced even during ordinary sleep is also because of the naturally produced intense Alpha waves. Meditation before entering into sleep helps us to dive in to the depths of sleep and we can come out refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning.

Your World

One day a seven year old boy was home alone with his father and was pestering his dad to play with him. His dad was watching a ball game and didn't want to be disturbed. Finally his father went to his den and came to the boy with a map of the world. He said "ok son I'm going to rip this map up into small pieces. I want you to tape it back together with all the countries in the right place. When you've finished with it we'll go outside and play."The father knew this would take his son at least two or three hours and even then he couldn't possibly get it all correct. He leaned back and returned to watching the ballgame. Within ten minutes the little boy appeared to his father with the map perfectly taped together with all the countries correctly arranged. The boy's father was stunned and said "how did you do this so quickly?" the boy turned the map over and said "there was a picture of a man on the other side dad, and when I put the man together correctly the world just seemed to take care of itself."
Do what you can to be a better person today and put yourself together right and your outer world will be right as well
Always remember " Good Deed, Good Thought,Good Words"

Eight Gifts

Below are eight gifts that don't cost a cent to give.
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...But you must REALLY listen.No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response.Just listening.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back andhandholds.Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for familyand friends.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...Funny pictures. Share articles, funny stories and funnygreetings. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet.A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, andmay even change a life.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a superjob" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.Helping elderly cross the road can be nice.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...There are times when we want nothing better than to be leftalone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift ofsolitude to others.
8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word tosomeone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.
~Author Unknown~

The Unconcerned Widow

An old man and woman hate each other, but remain married for years. During their shouting fights, the old man constantly warns his wife, "If I die first, I will dig my way up and out of the grave to come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!"One day, the man abruptly dies. After the burial, the wife goes straight to the local bar and begins to party. Her friends ask if she isn't worried about her husband digging himself out of the grave.The wife smiles, "Let the old bugger dig. I had him buried upside down!"

Friday, September 11, 2009

The Tamato Story

A Jobless man applied for the position of 'office boy' at Microsoft. The HR manager interviewed him then watched him cleaning the floor as a test.'You are employed' he said. Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start. The man replied 'But I don't have a computer, neither an email'. 'I'm sorry', said the HR manager. If you don't have an email, that means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist, cannot have the job.' The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a 10Kg tomato crate. He then sold the tomatoes in a door to door round. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the operation three times, and returned home with $60.The man realized that he can survive by this way, and started to go everyday earlier, and return late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled everyday. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles.5 years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US ... He started to plan his family's future, and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded the broker asked him his email. The man replied,'I don't have an email.' The broker answered curiously, 'You don't have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an e mail?!!' The man thought for a while and replied, 'Yes, I'd be an office boy at Microsoft!' Moral of the story
Moral 1 Internet is not the solution to your life.Moral
2 If you don't have Internet, and work hard, you can be a millionaire.Moral
3 If you received this message by email, you are closer to being a office boy/girl, than a millionaire. .........

The Vet Bill

A man rushes his limp dog to the veterinarian. The doctor pronounces the dog dead. The agitated man demands a second opinion.The vet goes into the back room and comes out with a cat. The cat sniffs the body and meows. The vet says, "I'm sorry, but the cat thinks that your dog is dead, too."The man is still unwilling to accept that his dog is dead.The vet brings in a black Labrador. The lab sniffs the body and barks. The vet says, "I'm sorry, but the lab thinks your dog is dead, too."The man finally resigns to the diagnosis and asks how much he owes. The vet answers, "$650.""$650 to tell me my dog is dead?" exclaims the man.

"Well," the vet replies, "I would only have charged you $50 for my initial diagnosis.

The additional $600 is for the cat scan and lab tests."

The Vet Bill

A man rushes his limp dog to the veterinarian. The doctor pronounces the dog dead. The agitated man demands a second opinion.The vet goes into the back room and comes out with a cat. The cat sniffs the body and meows. The vet says, "I'm sorry, but the cat thinks that your dog is dead, too."The man is still unwilling to accept that his dog is dead.The vet brings in a black Labrador. The lab sniffs the body and barks. The vet says, "I'm sorry, but the lab thinks your dog is dead, too."The man finally resigns to the diagnosis and asks how much he owes. The vet answers, "$650.""$650 to tell me my dog is dead?" exclaims the man.
"Well," the vet replies, "I would only have charged you $50 for my initial diagnosis.
The additional $600 is for the cat scan and lab tests."

Thursday, September 10, 2009

A mother was having a hard time

A Mother was having a hard time getting her son to go to schoolin the morning."Nobody in school likes me," he complained."The teachers don't like me, the kids don't like me, thesuperintendent wants to transfer me, the bus drivers hate me,the school board wants me to drop out, and the custodians haveit in for me. I just don't want to go to school.""But, John, you have to go to school," said his mother sternly."You're healthy, you have a lot to learn, you have something tooffer others, you are a leader.
And besides, you're 40 years old and YOU ARE THE PRINCIPAL."

11 PEOPLE .......ON A ROPE

Eleven people were hanging on a rope, under a helicopter.10 men and 1 woman.
The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one had to leave,Because otherwise they were all going to fall.They weren't able to choose that person, until the woman gave a very touching speech.She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope, because, as a woman, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids or for men in general, and was used to always making sacrifices with little in return. As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping . . . . . . .SEND THIS MAIL TO AN INTELLIGENT WOMAN, SOTHAT SHE HAS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT TODAY
AND TO MEN WHO CAN TAKE A JOKE AND HAVE A GOOD LAUGH

Blonde Paints a Porch

A blonde canvassed a wealthy neighborhood looking for odd jobs. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had anything for her to do.
"Well, you can paint my porch. How much will you charge?"
"How about $50?"
The man agreed and told her the paint was in the garage. A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money.
"You're finished already?" he asked.
"Yes," the blonde answered, "and I had paint left over, so I gave it two coats." Impressed, the man reached in his pocket for the $50.
"And by the way," the blonde added, "that's not a Porch, it's a Ferrari."

Saturday, September 5, 2009

FRUITS AND HUMAN BODY

CARROTS --- EYES
SLICE a carrot and it looks just like an eye, right down to the pattern of the iris. Its a clear clue to the importance this everyday veg has for vision. Carrots get their orange colour from a plant chemical called betacarotene, which reduces the risk of developing cataracts. The chemical also protects against macular degeneration an age-related sight problem that affects one in four over-65s. It is the most common cause of blindness in Britain. But popping a betacarotene pill doesnt have the same effect, say scientists at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore

WALNUT ----- BRAIN
THE gnarled folds of a walnut mimic the appearance of a human brain - and provide a clue to the benefits. Walnuts are the only nuts which contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. They may also help head off dementia. An American study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzheimers disease. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found walnuts reversed some signs of brain ageing in rats. Dr James Joseph, who headed the study, said walnuts also appear to enhance signalling within the brain and encourage new messaging links between brain cells.

TOMATO ----- HEART
A TOMATO is red and usually has four chambers, just like our heart. Tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene, a plant chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease and several cancers. The Womens Health Study ” an American research programme which tracks the health of 40,000 women ” found women with the highest blood levels of lycopene had 30 per cent less heart disease than women who had very little lycopene. Lab experiments have also shown that lycopene helps counter the effect of unhealthy LDL cholesterol. One Canadian study, published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine, said there was Å“convincing vidence that lycopene prevented coronary heart disease.

GRAPES ------ LUNGS
OUR lungs are made up of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny bunches of tissue called alveoli. These structures, which resemble bunches of grapes, allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. One reason that very premature babies struggle to survive is that these alveoli do not begin to form until week 23 or 24 of pregnancy. A diet high in fresh fruit, such as grapes, has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appears to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy.

CHEESE ------ BONES
A nice ˜holey cheese, like Emmenthal, is not just good for your bones, it even resembles their internal structure. And like most cheeses, it is a rich source of calcium, a vital ingredient for strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Together with another mineral called phosphate, it provides the main strength in bones but also helps to ˜power muscles. Getting enough calcium in the diet during childhood is crucial for strong bones. A study at Columbia University in New York showed teens who increased calcium intake from 800mg a day to 1200mg equal to an extra two slices of cheddar - boosted their bone density by six per cent.

GINGER ------- STOMACH
Root ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets, often looks just like the stomach. So its interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness. But the benefits could go much further.Tests on mice at the University of Minnesota found injecting the chemical that gives ginger its flavour slowed down the growth rate of bowel tumours.

BANANA -----(SMILE) DEPRESSION
Cheer yourself up and put a smile on your face by eating a banana. The popular fruit contains a protein called tryptophan. Once it has been digested, tryptophan then gets converted in a chemical neurotransmitter called serotonin. This is one of the most important mood-regulating chemicals in the brain and most anti-depressant drugs work by adjusting levels of serotonin production. Higher levels are associated with better moods.

MUSHROOM -------- EAR
Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles the shape of the human ear. And guess what? Adding it to your cooking could actually improve your hearing. Thats because mushrooms are one of the few foods in our diet that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.

BROCCOLI ------ CANCER
Close-up, the tiny green tips on a broccoli head look like hundreds of cancer cells. Now scientists know this disease-busting veg can play a crucial role in preventing the disease. Last year, a team of researchers at the US National Cancer Institute found just a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 per cent. In Britain, prostate cancer kills one man every hour.

7 Laughs for The Day.

#1 After school one day, a young first-grade boy was sitting at thekitchen table, eating his afternoon snack, when he blurted out,"Mom, the teacher was asking me today if I have any brothers or sisters who will be coming to school."The boy's mother replied, "That's nice of her to take such an interest, dear. What did she say when you told her you are theonly child?"
She just said, "Thank goodness!"

#2 All you really need to know about Government and Bureaucracy:
** Pythagorean theorem: ............................. 24 words.
** Lord's prayer: ................................... 66 words.
** Archimedes' Principle: ........................... 67 words.
** 10 Commandments: ................................. 179 words.
** Gettysburg address: .............................. 286 words.
** Declaration of Independence: ................... 1,300 words.
US Government regulations on the sale of cabbage: 26,911 words.

#3 FBI agents conducted a raid of a psychiatric hospital in SanDiego that was under investigation for medical insurance fraud.After hours of reviewing thousands of medical records, the dozens of agents had worked up quite an appetite.The agent in charge of the investigation called a nearby pizzaparlor with delivery service to order a quick dinner for his colleagues.
The following telephone conversation took place and was recorded by the FBI because they were taping all conversations at the hospital.
Agent: I'd like to order 19 large pizzas and 3 cases of soda.
Pizza Man: And where would you like them delivered?
Agent: We're over at the psychiatric hospital.
Pizza Man: The psychiatric hospital?
Agent: That's right. I'm an FBI agent.
Pizza Man: You're an FBI agent?
Agent: That's correct. Just about everybody here is.
Pizza Man: And you're at the psychiatric hospital?
Agent: That's correct. And make sure you don't go through the front doors. We have them locked. You'll have to go around tothe back service entrance to deliver the pizzas.
Pizza Man: And you say you're all FBI agents there?
Agent: That's right. How soon can you have them here?
Pizza Man: Everyone at the psychiatric hospital is an FBI agent?
Agent: That's right. We've been here all day and we're starving.
Pizza Man: How are you going to pay for all of this?
Agent: We've collected a pool of cash.
Pizza Man: And you're all FBI agents?
Agent: Yes.
Pizza Man: With guns?
Agent: That's right.
Now, can you remember to bring the pizzasand sodas to the service entrance in the rear?
We have thefront doors locked.
Pizza Man: You must be crazy!
*Click*

#4 This fellow is looking to buy a saw to cut down some trees in his back yard. He goes to a chain saw shop and asks about various chain saws.The dealer tells him, "Look, I have a lot of models, but why don't you save yourself a lot of time and aggravation and get the top-of-the-line model. This chain saw will cut a hundred cords of wood for you in one day."So, the man takes the chain saw home and begins working on the trees. After cutting for several hours and only cutting two cords, he decides to quit. He thinks there is something wrong with the chain saw. "How can I cut for hours and only cut two cords?" the man asks himself. "I will begin first thing in the morning and cut all day," the man tells himself.So, the next morning the man gets up at 4 am in the morning and cuts and cuts, and cuts till nightfall, and still he only manages to cut five cords.The man is convinced this is a bad saw. "The dealer told me itwould cut one hundred cords of wood in a day, no problem.I will take this saw back to the dealer," the man says to himself.The very next day the man brings the saw back to the dealer and explains the problem. The dealer, baffled by the man's claim,removes the chain saw from the case. The dealer says, "Hmm, it looks fine."Then the dealer starts the chain saw, to which the man responds,"What's that noise?

#5 Three engineers and three accountants are traveling by train to a conference.At the station, the three accountants each buy tickets and watch as the three engineers buy only a single ticket."How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks an accountant. "Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer.They all board the train. The accountants take their respective seats but all three engineers cram into a restroom and close the door behind them.Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says,"Ticket, please."The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand.The conductor takes it and moves on.The accountants saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea.So after the conference, the accountants decide to copy the engineers on the return trip and save some money (being cleverwith money, and all that). When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip.To their astonishment, the engineers don't buy a ticket at all."How are you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed accountant."Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer.When they board the train the three accountants cram into a restroom and the three engineers cram into another one nearby.The train departs.Shortly afterward, one of the engineers leaves his restroom andwalks over to the restroom where the accountants are hiding.He knocks on the door and says, "Ticket, please."

# 6On break from college, this guy goes to visit his grandmother and he brings a friend with him.While he's talking to his grandmother, his friend starts chomping away at the bowl of peanuts on the coffee table, and finishes them off.As they're leaving, his friend says to his grandmother,
"I'm sorry that I ate all of your peanuts Granny.
"Granny replies,
"That's Ok, I'm glad you enjoyed them sonny...since I lost my dentures I can only suck the chocolate off 'em!"

#7***NOT LAUGHING CAN HURT YOU***
A man tried to keep from laughing when a woman released a"gasser" during a eulogy at a funeral. He held his breath which caused him to pass out...fall off his chair...and bang his head on the floor. Ambulance attendants interrupted the solemn ceremony as they rushed in to whisk the man to the hospital.

Health Benefits of Laughter

A continuously expanding body of medical research now confirms that laughter is a powerful medicine in alleviating the impact that stressful events have on our lives and in actually preventing accidents and reversing disease.Laughter is a happy and pleasant experience.It temporarily diverts our attention and dissipates feelings of fear, isolation, anger, and physical pain. Laughter can be the doorway to purging harmful emotions and resolving mental tension.It is a form of therapy that encourages us to release the painful emotions of anger, fear, and boredom.Laughter enables the processing of information in a new way.New perceptions can lead to different and healthier solutions.William Fry, M.D., psychiatrist and professor emeritus at Stanford University, documented physiological changes from laughter similar to intense aerobic exercise. He stated that..."One hundred laughs is equal to ten minutes of aerobic exercise."Laughter can also help the immune system. Research at theDepartment of Clinical Immunology at Loma Linda University School of Medicine has demonstrated that the experience of laughter lowers the level of certain stress hormones and stimulates the immune systems by increasing the number of activated T cells and activated T helper cells.In addition, mirthful laughter enhances the activity of natural killer cells that play a crucial role in preventing disease.
To create more smiles and laughter, try any or all ofthese humor strategies:
1) Cultivate a playful attitude.
2) Find humor in daily life.
3) Learn to belly laugh and tell jokes.
4) Learn to laugh at yourself.
5) Hang out with people who are fun to be with, who make you laugh.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Weakness = More Powerful

A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?""This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt,The referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened." No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue." Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match.Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?""You won for two reasons," the sensei answered."First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second,the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
Moral of the story- Sometimes we feel that we have certain weaknesses and we blame God, for the circumstances and our self for it, but we never know that our weakness can become our strength one day. Each of us is special and important in this world, so never think you have any weakness, never think of pride or pain, just live your life to its fullest and extract the best out of it!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Importance of having Breakfast

Breakfast can help prevent strokes, heart attack and sudden death. Advice onnot to skip breakfast! Tips for healthy living..For those who always skipbreakfast, you should start kicking that habit now!! You've heard many times that "Breakfast is the most important meal of theday." Now, recent research confirms that one of the worst practices you candevelop may be avoiding breakfast. Why? Because the frequency of heart attack, sudden death, and stroke peaksbetween 6:00a.m. And noon, with the highest incidence being between 8.00a.m. And 10:00a.m.What mechanism within the body could account for thissignificant jump in sudden death in the early morning hours? :-( We may have an answer . Platelet, tiny elements in the blood that keep us from bleeding to Death ifwe get a cut, can clump together inside our arteries due to cholesterol orlaque buildup in the artery lining. It is in the morning hours thatplatelets become the most activated and tend to form these internal bloodclots at the greatest frequency. However, eating even a very light breakfast prevents the morning plateletactivation that is associated with heart attacks and strokes .:-) Studies performed at Memorial University in St.Johns , Newfoundland foundthat eating a light, very low-fat breakfast was critical in modifying themorning platelet activation. Subjects in the study consumed either low-fator fat-free yogurt, orange juice, fruit, and a source of protein coming fromyogurt or fat-free milk. So if you skip breakfast, it's important that you change this practiceimmediately in light of this research.Develop a simple plan to eat cereal,such as oatmeal or Bran Flakes, along with six ounces of grape juice ororange juice, and perhaps a piece of fruit . This simple plan will keep your platelets from sticking together, keep Bloodclots from forming, and perhaps head off a potential heart attack or stroke.So never ever skip breakfast :-)