IDENTIFICATION WITH THINGS

The people in the advertising industry know very well that in order to
sell things that people don’t really need, they must convince them that those
things will add something to how they see themselves or are seen by others;
in other words, add something to their sense of self. They do this, for
example, by telling you that you will stand out from the crowd by using this
product and so by implication be more fully yourself. Or they may create an
association in your mind between the product and a famous person, or a
youthful, attractive, or happylooking
person. Even pictures of old or
deceased celebrities in their prime work well for that purpose. The unspoken
assumption is that by buying this product, through some magical act of
appropriation, you become like them, or rather the surface image of them.
And so in many cases you are not buying a product but an “identity
enhancer.” Designer labels are primarily collective identities that you buy
into. They are expensive and therefore “exclusive.” If everybody could buy
them, they would lose their psychological value and all you would be left
with would be their material value, which likely amounts to a fraction of
what you paid.
What kind of things you identify with will vary from person to person
according to age, gender, income, social class, fashion, the surrounding
culture, and so on. What you identify with is all to do with content; whereas,
the unconscious compulsion to identify is structural. It is one of the most
basic ways in which the egoic mind operates.
Paradoxically, what keeps the socalled
consumer society going is the
fact that trying to find yourself through things doesn’t work: The ego
satisfaction is shortlived
and so you keep looking for more, keep buying,
keep consuming.
Of course, in this physical dimension that our surface selves inhabit,
things are a necessary and inescapable part of our lives. We need housing,
clothes, furniture, tools, transportation. There may also be things in our lives
that we value because of their beauty or inherent quality. We need to honor
the world of things, not despise it. Each thing has Beingness, is a temporary
form that has its origin within the formless one Life, the source of all things,
all bodies, all forms. In most ancient cultures, people believed that
everything, even socalled
inanimate objects, had an indwelling spirit, and in
this respect they were closer to the truth than we are today. When you live in
a world deadened by mental abstraction, you don’t sense the aliveness of the
universe anymore. Most people don’t inhabit a living reality, but a
conceptualized one.
But we cannot really honor things if we use them as a means to selfenhancement,
that is to say, if we try to find ourselves through them. This is
exactly what the ego does. Egoidentification
with things creates attachment
to things, obsession with things, which in turn creates our consumer society
and economic structures where the only measure of progress is always more.
The unchecked striving for more, for endless growth, is a dysfunction and a
disease. It is the same dysfunction the cancerous cell manifests, whose only
goal is to multiply itself, unaware that it is bringing about its own destruction
by destroying the organism of which it is a part. Some economists are so
attached to the notion of growth that they can’t let go of that word, so they
refer to recession as a time of “negative growth.”
A large part of many people’s lives is consumed by an obsessive
preoccupation with things. This is why one of the ills of our times is object
proliferation. When you can no feel the life that you are, you are likely to fill
up your life with things. As a spiritual practice, I suggest that you investigate
your relationship with the world of things through selfobservation,
and in
particular, things that are designated with the word “my.” You need to be
alert and honest to find out, for example, whether your sense of selfworth
is
bound up with things you possess. Do certain things induce a subtle feeling
of importance or superiority? Does the lack of them make you feel inferior
to others who have more than you? Do you casually mention things you own
or show them off to increase your sense of worth in someone else’s eyes and
through them in your own? Do you feel resentful or angry and somehow
diminished in your sense of self when someone else has more than you or
when you lose a prized possession?

Structure of the Ego

The egoic mind is completely conditioned by the past. Its conditioning
is twofold: It consists of content and structure.
In the case of a child who cries in deep suffering because his toy has
been taken away, the toy represents content. It is interchangeable with any
other content, any other toy or object. The content you identify with is
conditioned by your environment, your upbringing, and surrounding culture.
Whether the child is rich or poor, whether the toy is a piece of wood shaped
like an animal or a sophisticated electronic gadget makes no difference as far
as the suffering caused by its loss is concerned. The reason why such acute
suffering occurs is concealed in the word “my,” and it is structural. The
unconscious compulsion to enhance one’s identity through association with
an object is built into the very structure of the egoic mind.
One of the most basic mind structures through which the ego comes
into existence is identification. The word “identification” is derived from the
Latin word idem, meaning “same” and facere, which means “to make.” So
when I identify with something, I “make it the same.” The same as what?
The same as I. I endow it with a sense of self, and so it becomes part of my
“identity.” One of the most basic levels of identification is with things: My
toy later becomes my car, my house, my clothes, and so on. I try to find
myself in things but never quite make it and end up losing myself in them.
That is the fate of the ego.

Ego (The Power of Now - A New Earth)

To the ego, the present moment hardly exists. Only past and future are considered important. This total reversal of the truth accounts for the fact that in the ego mode the mind is so dysfunctional. It is always concerned with keeping the past alive, because without it - who are you? It constantly projects itself into the future to ensure its continued survival and to seek some kind of release or fulfillment there. It says: "One day, when this, that, or the other happens, I am going to be okay, happy, at peace." Even when the ego seems to be concerned with the present, it is not the present that it sees: It misperceives it completely because it looks at it through the eyes of the past. Or it reduces the present to a means to an end, an end that always lies in the mind-projected future. Observe your mind and you'll see that this is how it works.

The present moment holds the key to liberation. But you cannot find the present moment as long as you are your mind. The predominance of mind is no more than a stage in the evolution of consciousness. We need to go on to the next stage now as a matter of urgency; otherwise, we will be destroyed by the mind, which has grown into a monster. I will talk about this in more detail later. Thinking and consciousness are not synonymous. Thinking is only a small aspect of consciousness. Thought cannot exist without consciousness, but consciousness does not need thought.

Enlightenment means rising above thought, not falling back to a level below thought, the level of an animal or a plant. In the enlightened state, you still use your thinking mind when needed, but in a much more focused and effective way than before.

What about emotions? I get caught up in my emotions more than I do in my mind.

Mind, in the way I use the word, is not just thought. It includes your emotions as well as all unconscious mental-emotional reactive patterns. Emotion arises at the place where mind and body meet. It is the body's reaction to your mind - or you might say, a reflection of your mind in the body. For example, an attack thought or a hostile thought will create a build-up of energy in the body that we call anger. The body is getting ready to fight. The thought that you are being threatened, physically or psychologically, causes the body to contract, and this is the physical side of what we call fear. Research has shown that strong emotions even cause changes in the biochemistry of the body. These biochemical changes represent the physical or material aspect of the emotion. Of course, you are not usually conscious of all your thought patterns, and it is often only through watching your emotions that you can bring them into awareness. bring them into awareness. The more you are identified with your thinking, your likes and dislikes, judgments and interpretations, which is to say the less present you are as the watching consciousness, the stronger the emotional energy charge will be, whether you are aware of it or not. If you cannot feel your emotions, if you are cut off from them, you will eventually experience them on a purely physical level, as a physical problem or symptom. A great deal has been written about this in recent years, so we don't need to go into it here. A strong unconscious emotional pattern may even manifest as an external event that appears to just happen to you. For example, I have... 

You are too busy doing what? The impact of Technology.

E-mails, text messages, voicemails- you name it, we’ve got it. Technology has created many creative and wonderful ways for us to keep in touch with each other, as well as make our lives easier at the same time. With our busy schedules, it is not always easy to keep in touch with friends and family the way we would always like to. The days of sitting down and having a nice, long phone conversation seems like a memory of the past and is a rare thing to happen on a frequent basis these days. Not to worry though, because with E-mails and text messaging available, we are sure to keep in touch with people properly, right? Wrong! One might assume that the more options we have with communication, the better we would be at it, but studies and observances have shown this not to be the case. It seems like the more options we get and the easier ways of communication become, the ruder and lazier we get. But sometimes technology help us a lot... just be sure to use it in a proper way.

Everyone considers themselves important and expects others to see them the same way. If we do not get respectful and thoughtful acknowledgement from others, we feel hurt and upset and this is happening a lot these days. Text messages have replaced the “phone call” and even then people do not always keep up with text messages very well either. We have gotten used to receiving e-mails and text messages without getting back to people in a timely manner, if at all. It seems like as long we are being kept in touch with, everything is fine, but what we often forget is that our lack of manners to acknowledge these messages leaves the sender feeling unappreciated, unacknowledged, hurt, upset and even worried.

In this world of heavy studying and long work hours, we all have a mutual understanding that there are not enough hours in the day, so no one is really expecting anyone to give them a long time of undivided attention. That being said however, people do still expect to be appreciated and respected, especially by those they consider their friends. With everyone just a click or push button away, would it really hurt to just quickly send an e-mail or text message back, letting someone know that their message has been received? It only takes a minute and will make everyone happy. Your friend will be happy and will not be left wondering and assuming the worst and you will feel better that you treated someone the way you want and expect to be treated.

Oh yes- and don’t forget to give your friends a phone call if you actually have the time. Many people have expressed their annoyance and frustration when their friends and family choose to text them rather than actually talk to them voice to voice. Text messaging is something you should only do if you only have little time to send a message out, but should not be replacement of real communication. So while we enjoy the pleasures of advancing technology and use it to our benefit (as we should), let us remember not to throw our manners and consideration out the window.
Source: http://www.love-sessions.com 


The Internet and technology is so big, so powerful and pointless and it's sad that for some people it is a complete substitute for life. But then, technology is the most important single development in the history of human communication. 

Friend, go up higher

When first the life of grace begins in the soul, we do indeed draw near to God, but it is with great fear and trembling. The soul conscious of guilt, and humbled thereby, is overawed with the solemnity of its position; it is cast to the earth by a sense of the grandeur of Jehovah, in whose presence it stands. With unfeigned bashfulness it takes the lowest room.

But, in after life, as the Christian grows in grace, although he will never forget the solemnity of his position, and will never lose that holy awe which must encompass a gracious man when he is in the presence of the God who can create or can destroy; yet his fear has all its terror taken out of it; it becomes a holy reverence, and no more an overshadowing dread. He is called up higher, to greater access to God in Christ Jesus. Then the man of God, walking amid the splendours of Deity, and veiling his face like the glorious cherubim, with those twin wings, the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ, will, reverent and bowed in spirit, approach the throne; and seeing there a God of love, of goodness, and of mercy, he will realize rather the covenant character of God than His absolute Deity. He will see in God rather His goodness than His greatness, and more of His love than of His majesty. Then will the soul, bowing still as humbly as aforetime, enjoy a more sacred liberty of intercession; for while prostrate before the glory of the Infinite God, it will be sustained by the refreshing consciousness of being in the presence of boundless mercy and infinite love, and by the realization of acceptance "in the Beloved." Thus the believer is bidden to come up higher, and is enabled to exercise the privilege of rejoicing in God, and drawing near to Him in holy confidence, saying, "Abba, Father."

"So may we go from strength to strength, And daily grow in grace, Till in Thine image raised at length, We see Thee face to face."

-Luke 14:10, The Power BibleCD program

The things which are not seen

In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part, to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown, and onward is the goal. Whether it be for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love, the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith. Looking into the future we see sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. Looking further yet, the believer's enlightened eye can see death's river passed, the gloomy stream forded, and the hills of light attained on which standeth the celestial city; he seeth himself enter within the pearly gates, hailed as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the arms of Jesus, glorified with Him, and made to sit together with Him on His throne, even as He has overcome and has sat down with the Father on His throne. The thought of this future may well relieve the darkness of the past and the gloom of the present. The joys of heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth. Hush, hush, my doubts! death is but a narrow stream, and thou shalt soon have forded it. Time, how short--eternity, how long! Death, how brief--immortality, how endless! Methinks I even now eat of Eshcol's clusters, and sip of the well which is within the gate. The road is so, so short! I shall soon be there.

"When the world my heart is rending With its heaviest storm of care, My glad thoughts to heaven ascending, Find a refuge from despair. Faith's bright vision shall sustain me Till life's pilgrimage is past; Fears may vex and troubles pain me, I shall reach my home at last."

-2 Corinthians 4:18, The Power BibleCD program

Avoid foolish questions

Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.

There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Savior? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at all given to caviling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peace-makers, and endeavor to lead others both by our precept and example, to "avoid foolish questions."

-Titus 3:9, The Power BibleCD program

Babes in Christ

Are you mourning, believer, because you are so weak in the divine life: because your faith is so little, your love so feeble? Cheer up, for you have cause for gratitude. Remember that in some things you are equal to the greatest and most full-grown Christian. You are as much bought with blood as he is. You are as much an adopted child of God as any other believer. An infant is as truly a child of its parents as is the full-grown man. You are as completely justified, for your justification is not a thing of degrees: your little faith has made you clean every whit. You have as much right to the precious things of the covenant as the most advanced believers, for your right to covenant mercies lies not in your growth, but in the covenant itself; and your faith in Jesus is not the measure, but the token of your inheritance in Him. You are as rich as the richest, if not in enjoyment, yet in real possession. The smallest star that gleams is set in heaven; the faintest ray of light has affinity with the great orb of day. In the family register of glory the small and the great are written with the same pen. You are as dear to your Father's heart as the greatest in the family. Jesus is very tender over you. You are like the smoking flax; a rougher spirit would say, "put out that smoking flax, it fills the room with an offensive odour!" but the smoking flax He will not quench. You are like a bruised reed; and any less tender hand than that of the Chief Musician would tread upon you or throw you away, but He will never break the bruised reed. Instead of being downcast by reason of what you are, you should triumph in Christ. Am I but little in Israel? Yet in Christ I am made to sit in heavenly places. Am I poor in faith? Still in Jesus I am heir of all things. Though "less than nothing I can boast, and vanity confess." yet, if the root of the matter be in me I will rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the God of my salvation.

-1 Corinthians 3:1, The Power BibleCD program

Love is strong as death

 Whose love can this be which is as mighty as the defeater of monarchs, the destroyer of the human race? Would it not sound like send-up if it were applied to my poor, weak, and scarcely living love to Jesus my Lord? I do love Him, and perhaps by His grace, I could even die for Him, but as for my love in itself, it can scarcely endure a scoffing jest, much less a cruel death. Surely it is my Beloved's love which is here spoken of--the love of Jesus, the matchless lover of souls. His love was indeed stronger than the most terrible death, for it endured the trial of the cross triumphantly. It was a lingering death, but love survived the torment; a shameful death, but love despised the shame; a penal death, but love bore our iniquities; a forsaken, lonely death, from which the eternal Father hid His face, but love endured the curse, and gloried over all. Never such love, never such death. It was a desperate duel, but love bore the palm. What then, my heart? Hast thou no emotions excited within thee at the contemplation of such heavenly affection? Yes, my Lord, I long, I pant to feel Thy love flaming like a furnace within me. Come Thou Thyself and excite the ardour of my spirit.

                "For every drop of crimson blood Thus shed to make me live, O wherefore, wherefore have not I A thousand lives to give?"

                Why should I despair of loving Jesus with a love as strong as death? He deserves it: I desire it. The martyrs felt such love, and they were but flesh and blood, then why not I? They mourned their weakness, and yet out of weakness were made strong. Grace gave them all their unflinching constancy--there is the same grace for me. Jesus, lover of my soul, shed abroad such love, even Thy love in my heart, this evening.

-Song of Solomon 8:6, The Power BibleCD program

What do you think? Is anime a bad influence?

There are different kinds of anime characters that human idolized. Some of these are: Naruto, Sasuke and many more. Perhaps, these fictional characters are some what connected or linked to other people’s feelings, emotions or maybe the way they talk, the way they move or the way they fashioned themselves. Some people love the outfit of anime, their clothes, their accessories, their shoes/slippers and most probably – their hair. 

Anime can make you think about certain things more than others
of course a sad anime will make you sad but don’t forget, to not just watch anime but to go out and hang with your friends and do things in life rather than just sit and watch and vegetate. I mean, you don’t see characters in anime just sit and vegetate do you? Some anime's can be sad, but I think animes can have adverse effects on people, like myself.. Sure it illustrates a make believe reality in some sense, or a relationship of two characters. Yet many people cost play or believe that those events and relations are related to the real world. People start mixing up those ideas and start labeling real people they know as anime characters. When really, we should be who we are? It is good to derive some confidence from anime I would say, but it shouldn't be something we indulge in to satiate our tired minds.

I believe animes can have both positive and negative effects.

The positive effects would be:
1. Relieving you from the boredom of everyday life
2. Giving you some happiness for a certain period of time
3. Make new friends who share the same passion as you, like here on this forum
4. May stimulate emotions until then totally unknown of, to you like happiness etc

The negative effects would be:
1. People saying:"you are so childish, still watching cartoons at this age, leave that for kids"
2. Lack of sleep
3. Spending most of your time on animes rather than on other important things
4. May make you forget things that you would not have forgotten before
5. May influence the way you behave normally but not much thank God.

From the website of: http://boards.fansub.tv/?showtopic=2075&st=40

Technology of the future (Top 10 Inventions Needed)

This was a wish list that was originally intended to provide inspiration for inventors. First written in April of 1997, I thought it might be fun to follow-up each year and find out if anyone has been working on these ideas for future technology. I have included websites for you to "check out" inventions that are, are close to, or kind a close to what I am hoping will soon exist in the technology available to us presently.

1. Future Technology - Free Energy

I want my energy bill to come only once, not every month. So be it solar or electro-magnetic, please make it personal and portable with batteries that keep going and going.

Check out - D.O.E. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

2. Future Technology - Transporter

What kind of technology is required to scramble a person's atoms and send them for regrouping in foreign lands all in the blink of an eye? Imagine I could work in Tokyo and sleep in Paris. Beam me up.

Check out - Quantum Teleportation or Scientists Report 'Teleported' Data

3. Future Technology - Replicator Technology (Stuff for Free)

Every time I saw Captain Picard (Star Trek Next Generation) ordering his Earl Grey Tea or Councilor Troy getting a triple alien fudge dessert from one of those replicators on the Enterprise, I imagine you could send the dirty dishes back to the void where they came from. BTW, a replicator is a device that uses transporter technology to dematerialize quantities of matter and then rematerialize that matter in another form.

4. Future Technology - Universal Communicator

Forget long distant bills and roaming charges (especially with me working in Tokyo and sleeping in Paris). I want a very small device that lets me talk and see anyone, anywhere and anytime. All for the price of the device and please throw in the ability for universal translation for a modest surcharge.

5. Future Technology - The Cure

For you name it.

Check out - Curing Brain Diseases by Growing New Cells?

6. Future Technology - Fountain of Youth

As a human I consider this as a no-brainer desire for future technology. The "Fountain of Youth" was a legendary spring that renders anyone who drinks of its waters permanently young. What is the real future technology that will extend our lives and keep us looking youthful without surgery?

Check out - Scientists discover cellular 'fountain of youth' and Anti-Aging Medicine orLongevity and Anti-Aging Medicine.

7. Future Technology - Protective Force Field

To shield me from the sticks and stones.

Check out - A Force Field for Astronauts?

8. Future Technology - Flying Cars

I want a smooth ride all the way and I hope it's a convertible.

Check out - How Flying Cars Will Work, Flying Cars Ready To Take Off, Flying car more economical than SUV.

9. Future Technology - The Battery Operated Butler Did It

What can I say - housework sucks.

Check out - Robotics and Robots

10. Future Technology - The Time Machine

I have a few famous inventors I would love to meet in person and the idea of messing with the time-space continuum is exciting as well.

Check out - Attention Chronic Argonauts and fellow Time Travelers

I hope this all would be possible, someday. Source: http://inventors.about.com

IPad Advantages And Disadvantages In Detail

iPAD 2 ADVANTAGES		iPAD 2 DISADVANTAGES
1. The iPad 2’s 10 inch screen is enough for reviewing homemade videos right on the spot.		1. You could have been able to include the video clips shot and imported from other cameras into the iPad. However they don’t work in iMovie without going through a serious effort.
2. With Apple’s $4.99 iMovie app, video programs like ReelDirector and Splice, you can turn the title productions into mini video postcards. Then it is very easy to get them right onto FaceBook directly from your iPad 2. If you are travelling some where you do not have to wait until you get home.		2. iPad 2 disadvantages as a video capturing device are no flash, no zoom and it is bulky. So it does not fit well into my pocket. There is no tripod mount for it, therefore the finished video is quite shaky and unsteadiness is much more noticeable on the large screen.
3. iPad 2 as a video capturing device has big advantages like a huge screen, instant gratification, exceptional video quality in good light.		3. You can not create high quality videos that you can do with cameras like camerasfrom cannon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic etc. They have features like Flash, zoom, tripod mounts, removable memory and better lenses that is not present in iPad 2. In iPad 2 videos can not be sharper and crisper like in Cannon PowerShot S95and other cameras.
4. However the major advantage of iPad 2 is that it has huge tablet screen for monitoring the video. It has add-on features that people love about iPad such as web browser and all other apps. Plus you can not make a video in cameras like cannon, edit it right there on the spot, click a button and sent it directly to FaceBook, but you can do it with iPad 2.

Source: http://www.technocian.com 

IPod Advantages And Disadvantages In Detail

It's a fact like no other- iPod has catapulted Apple into unbelievable fame and fortune, but are iPod's really that fabulous and everything Apple would like us to believe? Is always important to give due consideration to iPod Advantages and disadvantages before you jump into an actual investment. At first glance, the iPod's appearance is dashing and the sound of high quality. Question is however, is it really the best-looking mp3 player available? Well, the answer will depend entirely upon your individual taste. The other question you should ask yourself is- is it the best sounding one? Mmm, the answer will also depend on what your standards of quality are. One thing that's sure is with competitors out there like Sony and Creative, you really have to pull up your socks and ensure you have excellent sound quality ratings when compared to the competition, which have been in the sound business for years. Is this another one of Apple's gimmicks? Have a look at my list of iPod advantages and disadvantages and judge for yourself...

Program access- The addition of the iTunes program is a great feature, there is not two ways about that. There is however also a disadvantage to iTunes and it comes in the form of being the only way to interact with iPod. Other mp3 players are easily accessed directly from your computer's "My Computer" folder, just as if you were accessing your flash, C or D drives. This fact alone makes iPod extremely limited in terms of what it can do. This also makes the use of Apple an essential intermediary for media transferring to and from their product.

Only play iTunes purchases- The greatest disadvantage to Apple iPod's is most probably its FairPlay DRM protection. The program only allows songs purchased trough iTunes to be played on the device or on a specific computer if purchase of the songs were made from a computer. Should you decide to invest in another brand mp3 player, all your iTune-purchased songs will be unplayable and thus of absolute no value. It's just Apple's way of keeping you loyal to their product. If any other large technology company tried this stunt, it would get trashed and probably crucified by public opinion.

iTunes incompatibility with other mp3 player software- Prefer to use Windows Media Player or Winamp? Well, it's a fact they are a lot quicker and less tiring than iTunes! Unfortunately you can't! FairPlay DRM protection on downloaded songs only allows for songs to be played in iTunes or on your iPod.

Non-replaceable battery- Your iPod purchase comes standard with a non-replaceable battery in other words an internal rechargeable battery. As we all know- rechargeable batteries do not last forever; eventually they will stop holding their charge and should your iPod still be under warranty you have the option to send it to Apple. This will result in you receiving a refurbished iPod with the possibility of not being your, if you are out of warranty, you can just through your US Dollar 300 iPod into the garbage can. Replacement by Apple for an additional US Dollars 100 is another option you have but that is probably what your second-hand iPod will be worth by the time the battery's fully charged. It’s also important to note that should the battery get depleted you can't spare change it, this should be kept in mind if functionality is essential for long periods of time.

No FM radio function- There are tons of MP3 players that have FM radio functionality with option to save radio recordings in mp3 format, but not Apple ipod! A separate adaptor need to be purchased for this feature and to top it all, the adapter will only work with newer iPod versions and will not allow records.

No storage space- Urgently need to store information but don't have a flash drive or a blank CD with you? Chances are very good that you most likely have your mp3 player. IPod has absolutely no storage space for an emergency transfer of media you've created for example in MS Word. Again, iTunes interaction with the iPod, is to blame for this.

No voice recording function- Have an unexpected voice recording? Many mp3 players will be able to assist in an instant, iPod unfortunately not.

No WMA format playback- WMA is a fantastic playback format that gives companies the capability of using DRM and producing files a lot smaller than mp3 format. It's mainly for these reasons that WMA is the preferred choice for ebook publishers. IPod has however chosen to ignore its existence. WMA conversion is a possibility but can be an immense hassle if you have an extensive music collection, to convert each and every song.

Expense- In general iPod's are more expensive when compared to other mp3 players that offer a lot more value for your money in terms of function, quality and overall appearance. By just giving consideration to all the reasons previously stated, you will agree with me that iPods has way more disadvantages than advantages. You will just be paying for the Apple name, and getting less.

Health concerns- iPod also comes with a couple of health concerns. A study recently showed that iPods can potentially interfere with pacemakers resulting in malfunctions when placed near the heart monitoring device. Is actually scary to think that an iPod could pose a risk to your health. In all fairness however, no other player have probably been tested for this and might have same effect. IPods selection may have been biased for the study due to its extreme popularity. Wait just a second before you start sending me hate mail, it’s important to bear in mind that I've mainly given consideration to iPod's disadvantages and not its advantages. I am sure there are tons of positive aspects about iPod including battery charge duration and its incredible selection of accessories. When compared to other mp3's players, iPod most certainly has more accessories than any other mp3 players on the market.

You can visit this web Source: http://alibitazar.articlesbase.com

Clear Your Mind (10 easy steps)

Dοеѕ уουr mind sometimes feel lіkе a television station уου саn’t quite tune іn? Yου know thеrе′s аn іntеrеѕtіng program οn – οr several, bυt everything іѕ mixed wіth static. Whаt іf уου сουld “tune іn” аt wіll, hаνе clear thinking whenever уου want іt? Try ѕοmе οf thе following.

Ten Clear Thinking Techniques And Tips

1. Take a walk. Science wіll eventually prove thіѕ tο bе a grеаt way tο improve thе quality οf уουr thinking, bυt don’t wait fοr thе proof. Aren’t thеrе enough οthеr reasons tο take a walk anyhow?

2. Stay away frοm sugar. If уου want tο understand whаt brain fog іѕ, eat a sugary donut οn аn empty stomach, thеn dο math problems twenty minutes later. Whаt уου wіll experience, along wіth thе “sugar blues,” іѕ brain fog. At lеаѕt lay οff sugar аnd simple carbohydrates whеn уου need tο thіnk clearly.

3. Organized space means clear thinking. It’s rare thаt a person саn actually work better іn clutter. Organized working space means уου won’t hаνе thе thουght “whеrе іѕ thаt…” distracting уουr mind.

4. Gеt better sleep. Sleep requirements vary, bυt thе minimum fοr mοѕt іѕ somewhere around five hours. Sοmе suffer іf thеу sleep less thаn eight hours. Thе research, hοwеνеr, indicates thаt аftеr a сеrtаіn minimum quantity, thе quality οf sleep іѕ more іmрοrtаnt tο normal brain function.

5. Try meditating. Nο time? Jυѕt close уουr eyes, relax, аnd watch уουr breath fοr a whіlе. Accept thаt уουr mind wіll wander, bυt continually return уουr attention tο уουr breath. Five minutes οf thіѕ, аnd afterwards уου′ll feel a boost іn уουr brainpower.

6. Resolve уουr “mind irritations.” Watch уουr busy brain. Maybe a call уου need tο mаkе hаѕ bееn bothering уου, јυѕt below consciousness. Find thеѕе stressors, аnd dο something tο lеt thеm gο. Fοr example, mаkе thаt call, οr рυt іt οn a list, аnd уουr mind wіll lеt gο οf іt fοr now. Jυѕt seeing a problem аnd saying, “Thеrе′s nothing I саn dο аbουt thіѕ until Friday,” wіll οftеn ѕtοр unconscious worrying.

7. Don’t drink alcohol. At lеаѕt don’t drink tοο much. Whіlе moderate amounts саn bе conducive tο creative thinking, аll thе evidence ѕауѕ thаt іt іѕ bаd fοr thе long-term health οf уουr brain.

8. Mаkе decisions quickly. Nothing gets іn thе way οf clear thinking lіkе a dozen decisions hanging around unmade. If nothing еlѕе, dесіdе whеn уου′ll mаkе thе dесіѕіοn.

9. Gеt ѕοmе fresh air. Gο outside аnd breath deeply through уουr nose. Yου′ll gеt a gοοd dose οf oxygen tο уουr brain, аnd thе change οf surroundings саn hеlр clear уουr mind.

10. Satisfy уουr physical needs. Clear thinking іѕ easier іf уου aren’t tοο hungry, thirsty, οr hot.

Yου саn thіnk more clearly starting today. Thеrе аrе сеrtаіnlу more thаn ten ways, bυt уου really οnlу need tο mаkе a few οf thеm a habit tο hаνе a more powerful brain. Whу nοt try one οr two rіght now?

Source: http://articlesforfree.co.uk/10-steps-to-clear-thinking/

How to live a happy and satisfied Life

In each day that passes by, we stand by and witness how our lives are being lived without the full happiness and satisfaction we crave and need. Most people spend their time stressed out, worried and on a constant panic about what needs to be done for their futures, raising their children, wired up over work, school, along with everything else. Does this sound familiar? Well if it does, it is because so many people live with this style and pattern. When you can start living that fully happy and satisfied life? 

The only way you can live a happy and satisfied life, is when you start doing things that make you happy and satisfied. Sure, it sounds easy, and can be easy if you just remember to make yourself one of your top priorities. Too many people neglect themselves, feeling that it would be selfish if they took any time out to focus on their own being. While it is good to take care of others and other important things going on in your life, it is mandatory that you never forget about yourself. Discover who you really are and what matters most to you. Living a great life does not just happen. It requires, planning and following those plans to a life that reflects who you truly are. 

Most people avoid planning goals and dreams in their lives because they may have a fear of committing to it or failing. They feel that by officially writing it down, they would actually have to go through with pursuing it. This is where you need to rate the importance of your life missions. What is most important to you? Is it losing a certain amount of weight? Getting your degree? Spending more time with your spouse or children? Whatever the reason or reasons may be, just write all of them down. You may feel that making a mental note of your goals and dreams is enough, but you could very well be setting yourself up for disappointment and failure. By writing it down, you will become a visual witness of those goals. Try writing them in an organizer, with a little reminder written in each day. 

Setting deadlines for these goals would be a great way to assure they will be accomplished. Avoid disappointment by setting realistic deadlines. For example, if you wanted to lose 10 pounds, do not give yourself a week to do so. You will only torture yourself and become depressed when the week is over and see that you did not come even close to losing the 10 pounds. In fact, you may give up losing weight altogether because of the failure you experienced, simply because your deadline was unrealistic. Take some time everyday to look over your goals and remind yourself of how important they really are to you. Ask yourself why they are important to you too. Knowing that something is important is not enough. You must know the reasons behind the importance of the dreams and goals you have, so that your mind can see it more clearly and understand exactly why it is so necessary to go through with your missions. 

Excuses are demons you must learn to fight off if you wish to start living a happy and satisfied life. Most people claim to have many dreams, but say they just do not have the time to approach them. Stop making excuses! You are the only one who holds the power to make a real difference in your life. Sure, we all have busy lives with our careers and families, but nothing takes up 24 hours of your day. So if something is truly important to you, you will be sure to make the time to work on it. You can do this by replacing it with something less important. For example, if you claim you do not have the time to work on the other important goals in your life, perhaps it is time for you to start making close observations on the way you spend your time. If you spend several hours of the day working, studying, and then several hours taking care of house chores and family, what else are you doing with the rest of your day? If you spend a good portion watching television, then you need to cut back on that and use that time to begin and follow an exercise plan you have been thinking to focus on for a long time (or whatever goal it is you have). 

Making yourself one of your first priorities is not selfish. It actually is obligatory to do so in order to succeed in the other subjects of your life. Without a happy and satisfied you, there will be no happy and satisfied life, because you will be stressed out and unhappy. You might be consciously ignoring your needs and desires, but your subconscious mind has not forgotten about you and will constantly remind you through stress, anger, sadness, insecurity and feelings of failure. 

Start listening to yourself and becoming the best friend and supporter you need. No one is going to work on your happiness for you, so find the power and motivation stored up inside you, and use it to direct yourself into the path of true happiness and satisfaction. You can do anything you set your mind to, and once you have stopped and gotten in touch with yourself, you will learn and realize just how wonderful and capable you really are, and how you always have been. You will not only realize these things, but also begin loving who are more and more, which will not only lead you to achieving the things that make you most happy, but will guide you into a world of many new dreams come true. 

Source: http://www.love-sessions.com 

Music, emotion and brain…

“Music is the universal language of mankind.”

Love for and appreciation of music is a universal feature of human culture. It has been theorized that music even predates language. There is no question that music has grown to be an important part of human life. But there are lots of studies conducted if music affects the emotional being of a human. Consequently, the conclusion is still uncertain and open to discussion.

I think, music really influence our psychological and emotional beings for the reason that: 1) There are times that you feel stressed and in order to ease that feeling all you have to do is to listen to a soft music. In that way, you will put out of your mind all the bad circumstances that had happened to you. 2) There are times that music was used in order to arouse you. In an instance, a man felt asleep while driving because he doesn’t listen to a rock or hard music instead he listens to a soft melody that leads him to sleep. 3) The listener relates to the message of the music and in that way, he/she felt not alone.

The tremendous ability that music has to affect and manipulate emotions and the brain is undeniable, and yet largely inexplicable. Very little serious research had gone into the mechanism behind music's ability to physically influence the brain until relatively recently, and even now very little is known about the neurological effects of music.

Wait on the Lord

It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures which a Christian soldier learns not without years of teaching. Marching and quick-marching are much easier to God's warriors than standing still. There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desirous to serve the Lord, knows not what part to take. Then what shall it do? Vex itself by despair?  Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption? No, but simply wait. Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God, and spread the case before Him; tell Him your difficulty, and plead His promise of aid. In dilemmas between one duty and another, it is sweet to be humble as a child, and wait with simplicity of soul upon the Lord.

It is sure to be well with us when we feel and know our own folly, and are heartily willing to be guided by the will of God. But wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in Him; for unfaithful, untrusting waiting, is but an insult to the Lord. Believe that if He keep you tarrying even till midnight, yet He will come at the right time; the vision shall come and shall not tarry. Wait in quiet patience, not rebelling because you are under the affliction, but blessing your God for it. Never murmur against the second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses; never wish you could go back to the world again, but accept the case as it is, and put it as it stands, simply and with your whole heart, without any self-will, into the hand of your covenant God, saying, "Now, Lord, not my will, but Thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities, but I will wait until Thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back my foes. I will wait, if Thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon Thee alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for Thee in the full conviction that Thou wilt yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower."

-      Psalm 27:14

Reflect – Identity Thieves Skilled Methods

It is very unfortunate that several identity thieves know how to operate your computer better than you.  While they are skilled in their methods of deception, there are few things that can be done to protect your personal information:

·         Always remove the hard drive on a computer you are selling or giving away.                                  

·         Keep it in safe place or destroy it

·         Inquire within a reliable computer supplier about how to safely overwrite the files

·         Use a quality hard disk cleaning program. 

There are also a few items you should delete individually.  Though it may be some what of a task, recovering from identity theft is even more of a challenge.  Here are the files that must be deleted before selling or giving your computer away: 

·         all email contacts

·         all email messages

·         all important word documents

·         all files in the recycle bin or trash folder of the operating system

·         all temporary internet files

·         your internet search history 

·         the cache of your web browser

·         any non-transferable software that may be installed on the hard drive

You should also make sure that trusted users of your computer are practicing identity theft prevention as well.  Children should protect themselves from identity theft by never using their real name in an email account and limiting personal details on social networking sites.  Being that children are often prime targets of internet predators, it is very important to protect the contents of your computer to prevent identity theft and ensure their safety.

                   Hehe.. Report naming to sa Professional Ethics… =)

Facebook – a social networking site which eases us from aloneness.

          “It's not because of the amount of money. For me and my colleagues, the most important thing is that we create an open information flow for people.” ("The thing I really care about is the mission, making the world open." – (Mark Zuckerberg, Wired magazine, 2010)).
          No doubt, Zuckerberg had successfully adjusted the superiority of internet applications. He alters the way people live, and nowadays, a massive number of people use facebook as a means in searching and connecting to their relatives, classmates and friends. And because of these, human beings are now more comfortable and happier knowing and feeling that they are not alone.

          Maybe there are lots of inconveniences and disadvantages of using the said social networking site, but for me – facebook relieves us from loneliness, ease us from aloneness and lessens the stress we felt; just use it intelligently and suitably.

Popularity, Teens say it…

          A brainstorming session was held in the USA. The participants were youngsters between 15 and 17. The theme of the session was what characteristics contributed to one’s popularity:
Here are some of the answers given:
a. Let people know you like them
b. Don’t monopolize the conversation
c. Admit your mistake cheerfully
d. Don’t bear grudges
e. Learn to avoid a quarrel without losing your dignity
f. Think of ways to make others feel important
g. Don’t have one set of manners for the people you want to impress and another set for everybody else
h. Don’t try for a laugh at someone else expense
i. Listen politely to other people’s ideas, even they sound wild
j. Be a good loser
k. Be a good winner
l. Show appreciation for presents even if you are had hoped for something else
m. Make a list of your bad habits and try to overcome them
n. Show your friends that you can be relied upon in times of emergencies.

Personal growth and development is concerned with a process in which a person deals with three basic questions: Where am I now? Where would I like to be? How can I move toward my goal? One practical plan of self-development involves clarification of one’s values, since values influence our thinking, feeling and acting. Hence, our values play a great role in determining our objectives, directions and decisions.

- The commitment for salvation book.

Sweet Temptation?

         If temptation come to us as horrible monsters, they would be easy to recognize for what they really are – evil and harmful. Then, it would be easy for us to stay away from them.

          But temptations are often dressed up to look nice, innocent, and desirable. Remember, when the devil tempted Eve, he offered her an attractive package – to be endowed with great knowledge.

          So it is with us today. Something sinful offered us is made to look as nothing but a pleasant way to spend leisure time; or a good way to gain recognition, possession and power; or an easy way out of a difficult situation. Often, innocent praise from well-meaning friends, if not handled well, can turn our heads and develop in us vanity and destructive pride.

          One way to avoid this pitfall is to become an other-oriented person instead of being a self-centered one.

-      The commitment for salvation book.

Crying

What to do when you feel like crying?
Answers/Opinion of others:
· Jason

What do I do? Well, when I do feel like I'm about to show any sign of emotional weakness, I distance myself far away from everyone else physically and emotionally (I'm actually really good at it). And when they do see me crying, I lash out at them and isolate myself further from people because I don't like letting people see me in my vulnerable state and continue on like nothing is wrong afterwards.

So, it goes without saying but don't follow my example. The best thing you can do right now in your situation is talk to your partner about this rather than cry alone in frustration. Sit him/her (Sorry, can't tell either way by your username) down in a serious talk and let him/her know how you're feeling. Don't make it sound like you're accusing him/her of anything even if you are though, most people react badly to this and will only make things worse. To avoid this, whenever you sense that you're about to accuse him of something he/she wronged you of, start the sentence with the phrase: " I feel like..." Sounds too simple but it generally works. If he isn't mature and open enough to confront this problem in your relationship and consider your feelings, then he/she obviously isn't a good partner and you deserve better and you're better off without them in your life. No pressure but you should do it soon because time will only make things worse.

Hope this helps and I wish you all the luck :) Things will get better.

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· whathadh...

When I feel like crying I generally try not to when I know people are around. It takes a lot for me to feel comfortable crying in front of anyone. So usually I just hold it in til I know I'm completely alone but I mean if it's something really heavy and I just can't hold it back I let it out.

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· Kristine ♥

im the type who cries so fkn easily and there's no way i could stop it. :(
i hate it!

· Kay

When I feel like crying usually I cry...

From: http://answers.yahoo.com/

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I am agree with the answer of Kay - you must cry if you feel like crying in order for you to release the feelings that burdened you...

=) As far as i know...., there's nothing wrong in crying... =)