11 Miraculous Ways Magnesium Heals Your Mind & Body

Merry meet and hello to all. I came across this article and found it a good read. Below is the article and the link I found it on. Enjoy and feel free to let me know what you think about the article. Love n light to all ~ Luna
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11 Miraculous Ways Magnesium Heals Your Mind & Body ~ By Marcus Julian Felicetti
(Article link: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5473/11-Miraculous-Ways-Magnesium-Heals-Your-Mind-Body.html)

I could easily write a whole book on Magnesium and its very powerful healing properties. Indeed, many books have been dedicated to the subject, and I encourage everyone to read them. As a yoga therapist that has worked for many years using yoga postures and natural remedies to heal, Magnesium is always the first supplement I suggest. In a moment, you'll understand why.

If you think that the amount of Magnesium you obtain from your food is sufficient without supplementation, then I would say thinking is for people who don't know. Be sure by having it tested. And when you do have it tested, aim to have optimum levels of Magnesium, not just meeting the minimum. Remember that even organic soils are depleted of minerals. And non-organic farming has virtually no nutrients in it. Furthermore, there are many ways in which Magnesium is lost from the body, e.g. alcohol, coffee, black tea, grains, soy, most pharmaceutical drugs, calcium supplements. Regular supplementation is a reliable way to boost your magnesium levels. For more information on what kinds of magnesium supplements are well absorbed and utilized, see my website. (I assume this is Marcus's website where the article was originally posted).

Benefits of Magnesium:

1. Better sleep - The sleep regulating hormone melatonin is disturbed when Magnesium is deficient. Furthermore, Magnesium brings balance and controls stress hormones. Stress and tension are often reasons why people suffer from insomnia in the first place.

2. Relaxes the nervous system - Serotonin, which relaxes the nervous system and elevates mood, is dependent on Magnesium.

3. Bigger, stronger muscles - Magnesium allows the body to produce more Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), which is a major contributor to the growth and strength of muscles. Furthermore, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the cell's energy store, and is created with help from Magnesium.

4. Better flexibility - Magnesium loosens tight muscles. Without Magnesium, muscles do not relax properly and cramps occur. Magnesium is important for flexibility, because low Magnesium results in a buildup of lactic acid, causing pain and tightness.

5. Bone integrity and strength - Magnesium helps to fix calcium properly. It may blow some people's mind that the calcium supplements they're taking are not only useless, but are actually contributing to osteoporosis! There are actually about eighteen essential nutrients that contribute to bone health; Magnesium is definitely one of the most essential, because it stimulates a particular hormone called calcitonin. And, it also suppresses a hormone called parathyroid that breaks down bone.

6. Remineralizes teeth - Magnesium deficiency causes an unhealthy balance of phosphorous and calcium in saliva, which damages teeth.

7. Alkalizes the body - Magnesium helps return the body’s pH balance. Magnesium reduces lactic acid, which is partly responsible for post-exercise pain (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).

8. Hydrates - Magnesium is a necessary electrolyte essential for proper hydration.

9. Helps to relieve constipation - Magnesium can be used to cleanse the bowels of toxins.

10. Enzyme function - Enzymes are protein molecules that stimulate every chemical reaction in the body. Magnesium is required to make hundreds of these enzymes work and assists with thousands of others.

11. Diabetes - Magnesium enhances insulin secretion, which facilitates sugar metabolism. Without Magnesium, glucose is not able to transfer into cells. Glucose and insulin build up in the blood, causing various types of tissue damage, including the nerves in the eyes.

There are many other benefits of Magnesium: It helps prevent stroke, heart disease, period pain, and more. You can check out my website for further information on Magnesium and how exactly to increase magnesium levels effectively.

What's up with water and lemon? Fad or real?

Why You Should Drink Warm Water & Lemon ~ By Ashley Pitman
(Web Link: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4769/Why-You-Should-Drink-Warm-Water-Lemon.html)

The way you start each day is incredibly important. Whether you're a mom, a coach, a writer, a small business owner or a yoga teacher, what you do first thing in the morning matters. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, choices that you make regarding your daily routine either build up resistance to disease or tear it down. Ayurveda invites us to get a jump-start on the day by focusing on morning rituals that work to align the body with nature's rhythms, balance the doshas and foster self-esteem alongside self-discipline.

Your mind may say you have to check emails, take the dog out, get the kids out the door, that you can't be late for work or that you just don't have enough time to cultivate your own morning rituals. But, if you can only make time for one ritual that will improve your health, let it be this.....Start the day out with a mug of warm water and the juice of half a lemon. It's so simple and the benefits are just too good to ignore.

Warm water with lemon:

1. Boosts you're immune system

Lemons are high in Vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C is great for fighting colds and potassium stimulates brain and nerve function and helps control blood pressure.

2. Balances pH

Lemons are an incredibly alkaline food, believe it or not. Yes, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they're alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized). As you wellness warriors know, an alkaline body is really the key to good health.

3. Helps with weight loss

Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster. And, my experience is that when I start the day off right, it's easier to make the best choices for myself the rest of the day.

4. Aids digestion

The warm water serves to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and peristalsis—the waves of muscle contractions within the intestinal walls that keep things moving. Lemons and limes are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract.

5. Acts as a gentle, natural diuretic

Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.

6. Clears skin

The vitamin C helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well.

7. Hydrates the lymph system

This cup of goodness helps start the day on a hydrated note, which helps prevent dehydration (obviously) and adrenal fatigue. When your body is dehydrated, or deeply dehydrated (adrenal fatigue) it can't perform all of it's proper functions, which leads to toxic buildup, stress, constipation, and the list goes on. Your adrenals happen to be two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys, and along with your thyroid, create energy. They also secrete important hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone secreted by your adrenals that regulates water levels and the concentration of minerals, like sodium, in your body, helping you stay hydrated. Your adrenals are also responsible for regulating your stress response. So, the bottom line is that you really don't want to mess with a deep state of dehydration!

Adopting just this one practice of drinking a cup of warm water with lemon in the morning for a month can radically alter your experience of the day. Don't be surprised if you begin to view mornings in a new light.
Like I said, the recipe is really simple—a cup of warm (not hot) water and the juice from half a lemon.

In the comments below, tell me which one of these benefits is going to get you to try this morning ritual. Or, if you're already a lemon water junkie, what specific benefits have you noticed?

7 Reasons to love apple cider

7 Reasons to Love Apple Cider Vinegar ~ By Jess Ainscough

I was first introduced to apple cider vinegar (ACV for short) several years ago after reading in a magazine that Fergie (Black Eyed Peas, not Duchess of York) takes a couple of teaspoons each day to assist weight loss. A body like Fergie by drinking apple cider vinegar? That is one bandwagon I was quick to jump on. While I’m still waiting for Fergie-like abs, I have been reaping the many other health benefits associated with including a little ACV in my diet. ACV has been touted for its many medicinal properties for eons and it really is a cure-all remedy. (Keep in mind that neither I nor Jess Ainscough is a doctor so if you are taking any type of medication, stay in touch with your physican and their orders/instructions).

These are just a few benefits of apple cider vinegar …

1. Detoxification

Being rich in natural minerals, vitamins and enzymes makes apple cider vinegar a great addition to any detox. The unique acids in apple cider vinegar can bind to toxins and help the body eliminate them more effectively. Apple cider vinegar can also help to stimulate circulation and aid detoxification in the liver. In ancient cultures ACV was often used to purify the blood. Another way apple cider vinegar aids detoxification is by breaking up mucus throughout the body and cleansing the lymph nodes to allow for better lymph circulation. A healthy lymphatic system can remove toxins from the cells in the body while improving immune system response.

2. To promote weight loss

Apple cider vinegar may aid in weight loss by stabilising the blood sugar for a longer period and helping to control the appetite. Try taking 1-2 teaspoons in water before each meal. This little trick may also help with diabetes. Don’t just rely on ACV to help you trim down though. It won’t work if your diet is rubbish. ACV should be an accompaniment to a healthy, balanced diet.

3. To help with digestion

Aiding digestion is possibly one of apple cider vinegar’s biggest claims to fame. It can help with common indigestion and gastrointestinal discomfort caused by certain foods and it is said to clear up chronic acid reflux when taken religiously with each meal.

4. To alleviate skin problems

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a topical astringent for acne prone skin, and some even report that taking ACV orally every day has helped clear their skin. Add a cup of apple cider vinegar and a cup of Epsom salts to a hot bath to draw toxins out through the skin and help jumpstart the cleansing process. This can also help relieve joint pain as well as skin conditions like eczema and acne.

5. To get rid of warts

Try this for a home wart removal remedy: Soak a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and attach it to the wart site with a band-aid. Leave overnight. Repeat each night until the wart disappears.

6. Helps ward off sickness

Apple cider vinegar devotees claim that this miracle elixir is one of the main reasons they are able to ward of common illnesses. This can most likely be chalked up to ACV's unique blend of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It also possesses antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.

7. For soft and shiny hair

Acetic acid, the main ingredient in ACV, will remove build up from styling products and conditioners and strengthen the hair shaft, leaving you with soft, shiny strands. It will also balance hair's pH level, kill bacteria, and is a cure for dandruff.

Dilute 1/3 cup ACV in 4 cups of water and pour over your hair after shampooing. Leave it in for a few seconds before rinse your hair using cold water to seal the hair shaft and create more shine. Because vinegar is acidic, using the rinse daily is not advised. And no, your hair won’t stink like vinegar – the smell will go away after your hair dries.

How to take it orally…

Add 1-3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm or cool water before each meal. You can also add it to hot water with a little honey and drink it as a tea. Apple cider vinegar is also great as a salad dressing when mixed with flaxseed oil and honey.

It’s important to buy an apple cider vinegar that is organic and unfiltered so that all of its nutritional value is in tact. The Bragg’s brand is great. The hazy looking stuff that settles to the bottom is called “the mother” and it is said to be the most nutritious part of the apple cider vinegar for its therapeutic benefits.

To read article on web: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3598/7-Reasons-to-Love-Apple-Cider-Vinegar.html

Tarot question special - running now!

Got questions? Need some guidance with a situation? Are you worried about something? Well, if so, here is your chance to have some of those questions answered and to find some peace.

I'm running a special on tarot questions....meaning that each question you have will be answered discreetly, confidentially and within a few hours time. Only $6.00 per question. But hurry, this is only a limited time special.

Interested? Use section for Tarot reading or 3 & 5 questions and fill in your questions. I will answer you promptly. Paypal is the only method of payment I will accept and you will be invoiced for payment. Click here to get your questions in now before the special expires.

                                                      Where does your path lead?

Blessed Balsamic Moon to all!

Happy & Blessed Balsamic Moon to all. (September 12-14) This is the Wishing Moon and a great time to put wishes out there in the air. It is also called and known as the Witches Moon - a time to bring to mind those who need healing. Feelings invoke healing - meaning the deeper we feel, the deeper we heal.... This 'Wishing Moon' with Venus trine Uranus is an opportunity to invoke true love, world peace and creative prosperity. The deeper we feel, the more Moon magic we invoke for the new lunar cycle. This Balsamic Moon is most powerful as it comes before the 7th New Moon of the zodiacal year (when the world is created anew). Shadows before the New Moon can be cleared through deep breathing with paying close attention to the light of the crown. This is the time to invoke the new creation.


~Love and light to all.

Interactive gravestones link to online tales of life.

Imagine visiting a cemetary and seeing QR codes on the gravestone/tombstone? In an instant, you can read some snippets of this person's character, life work or just view a tidbit of what they were like and who they were. Crazy thinking? Not really. 'Keeping the memory alive' is going to have a whole new meaning to it now. Check out the following article below because it's happening:


LONDON (Reuters) - Summing up the life of a dearly departed relative with just a terse description etched in stone may become a thing of the past with the introduction of interactive codes on gravestones. One funeral company in the southern English town of Poole is offering to add quick response (QR) codes to headstones which will link smartphones to online memorials illustrated with pictures, videos and contributions from family and friends.

Chester Pearce funeral directors said QR barcodes enable visitors to learn a lot more about the person buried beneath gravestones than the age, dates of birth and death and the odd biblical passage or literary quote usually written on them. "It's about keeping people's memories alive in different ways," managing director Stephen Nimmo told Reuters. "When you lose somebody, whether it be suddenly or ongoing, you can really struggle with things. Talking about them is very important, keeping their memory going is very important and this is just an add-on to that."

QR codes, a barcode that can be scanned with smartphones or QR scanners, allow users to pull up information on the internet and are frequently used in advertising and marketing campaigns. "It's a new technology, it's something that there will be people who like it, there will be people who don't and that's the same in everything that we do," Nimmo said. He said he has seen demand growing for QR codes as they catch the imagination of the public.

Chester Pearce charge about 300 pounds ($477) to create a code that can also be placed on gravestones, benches, trees or plaques and is linked to a page on their QR Memories website.

Gill Tuttiet, 53, was one of the first customers in Poole to use the technology for her late husband Timothy.
"Tim was quite outward-going and game for anything. I think this is the way forward and Tim would have wanted that, and it's making a process that's hard possibly easier," Tuttiet said.

The website linked to the code shows a profile of the departed, pictures, videos and tributes from family and friends. Close friends and family given a password are also able to add personal messages of their own. "We've all got a story to tell," Nimmo said.

To read the article on the web, click the link below: http://news.yahoo.com/interactive-gravestones-online-tales-life-133458195.html

Things your car is trying to tell you

In all seriousness, your vehicle is more than just a well oiled machine. It holds your life (and others lives) in it's clutches. As with many things in life, if you take care of your vehicle, it will take care of you. If you put it off, ignore certain signs or simply mistreat the vehicle, well....don't be surprised when something happens because it will happen and when you least expect it. Vehicles have a way of communicating and are often trying to tell you something important. To protect your bank balance, your vehicle, and your own body, here is a vehicle-to-human translation guide.


1. A slapping noise that increases tempo with vehicle speed

This is the sound of a tire dying. Its tread is separating from the carcass of the tire. As the tread leaves the tires, it may turn into a giant steel-reinforced Weed Eater. It can cause massive damage to the vehicle’s bodywork as it leaves the tire. So if you hear it, don’t keep driving.

2. The smell of pancake syrup

A sweet scent coming from the vents in your car speaks of the heater coil and if the scent is coming from the engine bay, it probably means the vehicle’s cooling system is having problems. The smell and (we’re told) sweet taste of most automotive antifreeze/coolant comes from its ethelyne glycol, which is very harmful to animals. The source of the leak could be anything from an old, cracked or ruptured radiator hose to a water pump on its last legs. Ignore this smell and you could wind up stranded miles from help with an overheated engine. If you find an green, orange, or yellow puddle under the car, the issue is beyond looking the other way.

3. Puddles in your parking place

A puddle under your car can mean anything from “it’s really humid today” to “you cross-threaded the oil-drain plug and I’m bleeding to death.” When you see fluid under your car, take note of its color and location under the car. Rub a bit between your fingers and smell it. Most often it’ll be water coming from the air-conditioning condenser. If it’s clear and oily, it’s probably power steering fuid, check for leaks around the pump or power steering rack. If it’s darker, slippery, and you’ve recently had your oil changed, it could be a puddle of clean oil resulting from the fact that the mechanic damaged the oil drain plug or improperly installed the oil filter.

4. Other kinds of puddles

Reddish-brown fluid and a lightly oily feel is your automatic transmission telling you that a line running to the trans cooler could have been punctured or the transmission has a seal going bad. If the ATF fluid also has a burnt smell, that transmission probably need an overhaul. If you find an oily fluid on the inside sidewall of a tire, that’s probably leaking brake fluid. Lost brake fluid means a likelihood of air in the brake lines and almost zero braking power, so get it checked out ASAP. If there’s a very dark, heavy, sticky oil under your truck’s rear axle, the seals in your differential could be letting go.

5. Squealing like a pig

A high-pitched whining or squealing that comes from the engine bay and matches engine speed is often an accessory belt in its death throes. Back in the day, we could limp to a service station with a broken water-pump belt or the separate alternator belt. Today’s belts turn myriad devices including power steering, water pump, air conditioning compressor, and alternator. A broken belt will likely leave the car DRT (dead right there).

If you’re greeted with a high-pitch squeal when you tap the brake lightly while at speed, what you’ve got is brake pads or shoes at the end of their life. The squeal comes from a tab of metal built into the pad that becomes exposed as material wears away. If the noise changes or goes away, head to the mechanic today.

6. Grinding noise #1

If you’ve continued ignoring the squealing brakes and they go silent, the next noise you’ll hear from them is a powerful grinding. The last of the pad has ground away and the metal backing plate is now clamping directly onto the brake disc. Braking effectiveness is greatly reduced and the car is now dangerous. Not only that, but your repair bill is going up, too, since the discs will have to be replaced as well.

7. Grinding noise #2

If you hear a grinding, clicking, or rumbling noise during a tight turn in the parking lot, it’s likely a failing constant-velocity joint on a front-wheel-drive car. A CV joint allows the front wheels to both receive power and turn. Ignore this long enough and you’ll have a one-wheel-drive car at best, and likely a paperweight car unless it’s fitted with a limited slip differential.

Other grinding noises could also be anything from a pebble lodged between the brake pad and the rotor to a failing alternator to bearings going dead. Grinding noises are always bad—ignore them at the expense of your pocketbook.

To read article on the website, click on the link below: http://autos.yahoo.com/news/7-things-your-car-is-trying-to-tell-you-.html

Hummingbirds

I have had numerous inquiries about hummingbirds and what information that I can pass on to those who are interested in having them visit their garden landscape.

I am totally a hummingbird lover. What is important to know is that you may not see any the first year that you put out a feeder for them. So you must have patience. When I first moved into my house, I bought a hummingbird feeder. The first year, I would make the liquid they need to feed on, but I didn't see one hummingbird. (Or at least I didn't think I had any visitors). The water level will go down in a feeder, but that is due to the evaporation.

The second year, I had visitors. How exciting that was!

I live on the east coast so I tend to put the hummingbird feeder out in May and take it down in September. Hummingbirds are not from the U.S. so they will tend to go back to where they do come from in the cold weather which equals to a long flight ahead of them.

Feeding instructions: You can buy the dry mix for them and just use according to directions on the box or you can make it yourself. It's pretty easy. The key is one part sugar to four parts water - meaning, if you use one cup of sugar, then be sure to use four cups water. If you use 1/2 cup sugar, then use two cups water. I do tend to heat the water so the sugar is sure to melt and dissolve. Then I let it cool down completely before I put into the bird feeder. I do not fill the feeder up completely, only about half way. Since I do live on the east coast, I get high temperatures plus humidity, which tends to make the feeder water go bad quickly. I use an empty plastic container and make a good amount of food for them. I fill the feeder up half way and refridgerate the rest to use at a later time. In hot temps, I change the water every other day for them. They will come by and feed all hours of the day, meaning morning - noon - and evening. So when I change the feeder, I will change it at night when I am certain there will be no more coming to feed. Then by morning, when they start coming by, the water temperature is perfect and it's fresh.

Mildew will tend to grow in a hummingbird feeder. So be on the lookout for it and expect it to happen. I have found that the best way to clean a feeder is to rinse it out, then let it dry. Once dry, I will pour some raw (uncooked) rice into it. Use about 1/4 uncooked rice. I will put my hand over the spout and shake the feeder up and down and side to side. The dry rice is non abrasive and it's texture will tend to loosen and get the mildew off the inside of the feeder. (It doesn't matter if it's white rice or brown and if you do not have rice, you can try sand or even coarse sea salt. Just be sure to really rinse the feeder out good before you add the liquid food to it again. Salt and sand is not good for hummingbirds).

***Always use sugar. Do not use splenda, sweet n low or any other type of sugar substitute. Hummingbirds need pure sugar. ***

Interesting facts about what your mouth says about you.

Here is a little tidbit of information about your personality - what your mouth shows the world. Seriously, if you think about it, your lips are one of your most expressive aspects and features about you. Your mouth advertises and tells much about you besides just showing the world your bright expressive smile. It can tell people if you are generous, emotional, outspoken.

Ready? Let's explore!

Full lips: If you have full lips (like Angelina Jolie), it tells that you are a caretaker. A full lipped mouth suggests that you are very giving and it also tells of high estrogen levels, which testifies to your feminine, nuturing nature. However, it also speaks of your selflessness-meaning that you tend to sacrifice your own needs way too often and will feel guilty if you have to decline or say no to something. What's important to remember is that you were not put on this earth to make everyone happy so do things that also tend to make you happy. People will get over it if you tell them no once in a while. Do not become too predictable and have others depend on you too much. You have a life too so be sure to live it.

Heart shaped lips: If you have a heart shaped mouth (like Taylor Swift), it tells of your 'people skills.' If you are uncertain if you have a heart shaped mouth look for this aspect-there will be a discernible and very noticable dip in your upper lip. It will look like a bow that you would shoot an arrow from. This tells the world that you don't need 'magic' arrows to hit or make your mark. Due to your people skills, you make friends and aquaintances everywhere you go. As a result of this, you have a pretty huge network of support who is ready to jump in and pitch in to help you succeed in everything you do or try.

Wide lips: If you have wide lips (like Julia Roberts), it tells that you are a friend magnet. You tend to be friendly and you are not a 'loner.' You enjoy getting together with friends or people in general. You just love and adore the connection you have with them - whether it be in person, on the phone or even on a social network like Facebook/Twitter. You love to chat. The funny thing is that you tend to not talk about yourself or your day, but rather would check on how others are doing. You tend to be eloquent to a certain degree and are quite empathetic which helps you to give good, clear and understandable advice.

Thin lips: If you have thin lips (like Princess/Dutchess Kate Middleton), it tells that you thrive on freedom. You totally value your 'alone' time and must have room to pursue your own individual passions. When it comes to the romance dept, you thrive when your partner understands and gives you the space you need and crave. On a professional level, you have no problem taking charge or being in charge, especially when it comes to your own projects. You are a 'get it done' person and people can and could learn a lot by observing and watching you. Besides, if the job needs to be done right the first time, it's better to let you lead.

Upward turning lips: If you have lips that turn up slightly at the corners (like Katie Holmes - the ex Mrs. Tom Cruise), it tells of your confidence. It also shows that you are blessed with a subtle smile that lifts and radiates your whole face. It shows that you have the confidence to power through obstacles and get precisely what you want in life, more so then not, because it mirrors the optimist within....meaning you won't take no for an answer.

Pets – A real lifesaver....

A majority of households have animals (pets). Everyday they meet and greet us. They interact with us and spoil us with tons of love and attention. They are amazing creatures with feelings and they bring out the best in us.
Animals are not just adorable to look at and to spend time with, but they can be so funny and entertaining. They have their own energy, their own fears, their own quirks and their own characteristics. Being around the pets that we love has amazing health benefits for us. Our pets can chase away our blue moods, help to keep us calm, can sense seizures......our pets are just amazing in and of themselves.

Lets talk about the power of our pets and the way they affect us and what blessings they really are to help brighten our lives.

Cats

Did you know that cats can help strengthen your bones? I know that sounds a bit far-fetched, but it is true. Cats purr. This sound frequency that emanates from a cat when it purrs, is proven to increase bone density.

Cats tend to have fewer bone fractures than dogs and they have fewer hip problems and arthritis. Scientists suspect the same frequency can help strengthen the bones of other species besides just humans. It's been proven with chickens and rabbits in two separate studies.

People who have young babies assume that having a pet around, especially a cat, can lead to childhood asthma. According to a study done by Columbia University, researchers report that by age 5, children raised with a cat are much less likely to develop asthma than those in pet free homes or even those that have dogs. Making antibodies to cats at a young age appears to protect against wheezing and other respiratory symptoms throughout life. Other studies have shown a reduced risk of allergies, even non-feline related ones like pollen, in kids with cats in their homes.

A small study has shown that 30% of ex-smokers cite their pet as a main reason for quitting.

Another benefit of living with a cat in your home is that it lowers your risk of heart disease, even more than taking cholesterol medication. The University of Minnesota conducted a study and tracked 5000 people for 10 years and this study concluded that having a cat lowers the risk of heart disease by 30% and slashes your odds of having a heart attack by a whopping 40% compared to people without any pets - dogs or cats - in the house. Researcher theorized that petting a cat, and listening to its calming purr lower stress levels so effectively that it helps stop heart problems from developing.

Dogs

Now lets talk about the benefits of having a dog in your household. Dog owners tend to be in better shape because they have to walk an average of 30 min. a day at least five days a week. In fact, studies have concurred that dog owners walk an average of 66% more than their dogless  counterparts and dog owners walk 24% faster. According to an Australian study, children who had a dog in their household were less likely to be overweight or obese. And a second study showed that dog owners need fewer doctor visit than those who live without a dog in their household.

A survey conducted by Texas A&M researchers showed that 70% of families surveyed, reported feeling happier and less stressed after getting a dog. Scientists at the State University of New York at Albany found couples become closer, more connected and more loving towards each other after bringing a dog into the home. Petting a dog triggers a rush of cuddle hormones that heightens feelings of trust and closeness. 

Did you know that dog can help your child's reading and math skills? Studies have found that children who practice reading out loud to their dog, improve their skills 20%, then those who read to other children or adults. Other studies conducted have found having a dog reduced math anxiety as well as symptoms of ADHD. A slew of other research studies reveal that kids with dogs are more confident, set higher goals for themselves, participate in more extra curricular activities and are even more agreeable about doing chores and homework.

I'm not saying that by having it pet in your house things are going to be hunky-dory, but there are definite benefits to having a pet in your home. I, personally, can not imagine not having my furball babies. They create an atmosphere that I love being part of and I am very comfortable, relaxed and quite entertained by my crazy girls. At one time, I had what many would consider a petting zoo. However, at this present time, I have a rabbit and a cat. Both of my girls are considered 'special needs or defective' by many due to their disabilities, but I love them to pieces and wouldn't trade them for anything in this earth realm. We are very happy in this household together and all who enter it, fall in love with my girls. They are just so precious to me.

I hope this article gives you something to think about. The article came from a Woman's Magizine and I just added to it with my thoughts. There is no author shown, otherwise I would give credit where it is due.
Brightest blessings to all.



Old wives tails-fact or fiction?

Should you swim with a full stomach? Let scrapes air out? Tinkle on a jellyfish sting? There once may have been some wisdom behind the advice (although probably not with the jellyfish sting), but many summer suggestions are outdated. With the lowdown from top experts, find out which warm-weather beliefs are based on real common sense—and which are complete nonsense.....So, lets see what are myths and what are actually helpful.

1. Put butter on a sunburn?

Truth beknownst, while butter’s an accessible cool salve for a hot burn from cooking, you’re better off saving your stick for your buns. “Butter is just moisturizer with no specific burn-healing properties,” says Margaret E. Parsons, MD, an associate clinical professor in the dermatology department at the University of California, Davis. A better home cure? “Cool ice-milk compresses (crushed ice and milk on towels) are soothing,” she says. “The coolness is anti-inflammatory and the milk is mild and not acidic so it won’t irritate skin.” Ibuprofen, another anti-inflammatory, can also be helpful taken with water. “Then, a day or two after the burn’s cooled down, keep the skin well moisturized to help it heal,” explains Dr. Parsons. While you could use butter at this point, why waste food? Stick with petroleum jelly. But if your sunburn blisters or swells, see a doctor for topical steroid creams or oral steroids, suggests Dr. Parsons.

2. The ocean's salty water will heal wounds quicker..

Even though your doctor may use saline, you shouldn’t rinse scrapes and cuts in the sea. “What we use is carefully made, pure water with salt content, like what the body produces,” explains Sandra Fryhofer, MD, a past president of the American College of Physicians and a clinical associate professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Saltwater from the ocean can actually irritate a wound and contain infection-causing bacteria. Instead, Dr. Fryhofer recommends cleaning scrapes and cuts with “clear, clean water—tap is fine for most wounds—and mild soap.”


3. Does getting a base tan prevent sunburns?
So this isn’t a complete lie: “There are some skin types that burn less once they have some tan,” says Dr. Parsons. But don’t go there: “It’s a false sense of security because the damage from tanning is done whether you burn or not.” That’s because UV rays from the sun and tanning beds alter skin cells’ DNA, potentially causing skin cancer, according to the AAD.

4. Does urinating on a jellyfish sting really help?


Despite what friends may have you believe, all this does is leave a stink. As for what you should do if you’re stung, Dr. Fryhofer recommends splashing seawater and grab a handful of wet sand to wash the affected area to remove any remaining jellyfish parts—there may be tentacles or venom sacs left behind. Avoid fresh water and rubbing a towel on the area, since they can cause the tentacles to release more venom. You use a credit card to brush off remaining parts. Then, if you can get your hands on vinegar, wash the area with it for at least 30 seconds to neutralize the sting. A paste of seawater with baking soda is also helpful, so consider stashing baking soda in your beach bag for your next trip. Last, soak the area in hot water to relieve pain. You can also apply soothing calamine lotion if it’s available, but don’t use a pressure bandage. Most stings don’t require a hospital visit, says Dr. Fryhofer, but if you have a lot of stings or experience difficulty breathing, nausea, dizziness or fever, seek care as soon as possible.


5. Don't swim after eating....
The old wives’ tale said right after you eat, your muscles don’t work as well because your body is busy breaking down food, explains Dr. Fryhofer. “That doesn’t happen, but it makes sense that after eating a lot, you’re not going to be as comfortable exercising.” So whether you swim laps after nibbling on a sandwich is up to you.
6. Why are some people more susceptable to mosquitos and being bitten?
 
There’s some evidence that some people are more susceptible to mosquito bites,” reveals Dr. Fryhofer, but it’s not necessarily because their blood tastes better. So who’s more likely to get bitten? People with type O blood seem more susceptible to mosquito landings because they emit an odor that mosquitoes like, says Dr. Fryhofer.


To ward off those blood-suckers, wear long sleeves and long pants when outside and use DEET-containing repellent. Just avoid spraying it on glasses and watch faces and in your eyes. Follow package directions closely, and wash your hands after use and wash off your skin before bed, unless you’ll still be exposed to mosquitoes. If you’ve had adverse reactions to DEET, spray Picaridin-containing repellent or wear permethrin-treated clothing you can buy in sporting goods stores. Before going on vacation, wear the special clothing to check if your skin is sensitive to the repellent, recommends Dr. Fryhofer.

To read the article on the web, click the link below:
http://health.yahoo.net/articles/womens-health/photos/9-summer-health-myths-debunked#10

UTI problems? Outsmart bladder infections by trying these suggestions.

Many women suffer from bladder infections and UTI problems. As a result, more women are taking antibiotics and are having more visits to the doctor. For some women, it could be as easy as changing toilet paper from scented to unscented. For other women, it just seems to be a way of life. For those of you who are sick and tired of being sick and tired with these UTIs, here are a few preventative remedies worth trying:

Try probiotics. Some women who take one or two probiotic capsules daily are up to 80% less likely to develop urinary tract infections. These good bacteria strengthen your immune system by helping it destroy infection causing bacteria, before it can attach to the bladder's lining.

Try adding more garlic to your diet. Bacteria, such as E. coli are top triggers a bladder infection. Ground beef can sometimes contain E. coli. By adding garlic to your ground beef, it reduces the E. coli danger by almost 90%. Garlic is also a good immune strengthener, so by adding more of it to your diet or even taking the capsules, you can give your health and your body a seriously good boost.

I'm not sure if you know this or not but bacteria that tends to set up shop in the bladder, loves acidic environments. Making less urine will lower the risk of infection, but we really have no control over that. However, by taking vitamin C you can help to lower the acidity within. Doctors and scientists recommend taking buffered vitamin C daily, in divided doses.

White wine is known to kill bacteria that can cause UTIs. The blend of alcohol and sulfur dioxide in white wine kills troublemaking E. coli, according to lab studies. The dose that was used in the study was four ounces daily. However, there are cases where alcohol can make UTI bacteria grow faster.  Know yourself, know your body and use discretion wisely.

Don't forget the powerful antioxidantsand useful benefit of cranberry or blueberry juices. By drinking 8 ounces of pure unsweetened cranberry juice daily, you can cut your UTI risk by 60%. Don't like cranberry juice, well try drinking blueberry juice instead. Blueberry juice is a great substitute for those of you who do not like cranberry juice. Blueberries are in the same family – meaning same berry family - as cranberries.
And according to researchers, blueberries work just as well as cranberries.

Here is to preventative measures and to finding and maintaining good health for us all.

Smart ideas to banish worries

In my line of work, I deal with people every day on a daily basis. Everybody is dealing with some type of situation or some type of stress and here are a few ideas to help banish it.

1. Activate anti-worry genes with coffee - okay, we all know that drinking coffee can give us the jitters, however, its aroma has a different effect on us. Next time you are feeling anxiety, go take a deep long whiff of coffee. According to South Korean researchers, a report they worked on stated the unique genes are turned on by smelling coffee, allowing us to supercharge our production of stress fighting antioxidants.

2. Kick your angst by knitting - by doing a mere 20 min. of manual activity, which requires fine motor control, such as knitting, crocheting or even scrap booking, can help you reach a meditative state that lowers your flow of stress hormone's. And best of all, the effects can last up to three hours.

3. Boost your cheerful side with junk food - as it turns out, an occasional diet busting treat can zap stress. According to some new research from Australia, the report found that eating foods high in fat and sugar helps reduce anxiety level and increases your calmness.

4. Feel happier by saying two words - did you know that just by saying 'thank you' and expressing gratitude has been proven to relax your body and mind, which increases feelings of optimism by 15 percent, while significantly reducing worries.

So the next time you are feeling stressed or anxiety comes creeping in, why not try one of the above ideas? Here's to your health, blessed be to all!

Sweet ways to better health

We all know that aromatherapy can help brighten our moods. However, did you know that there are certain foods that can also help brighten your mood? Foods are a very powerful thing. Not only do they nourish our body with nutritious ingredients like vitamins and antioxidants, but also has amazing health benefits.

Fight fogginess with maple syrup. Yes, that is what I said. Start your day with a breakfast that includes this sweet toper. It's an excellent source of manganese, which is a mineral now study proven to keep you clear headed and energized for a few hours. Most Americans don't get enough of this source in their diets. So keep this in mind the next time you feel a little foggy because it may be just what you need to get through the slump.

The power of the vanilla - a slew of studies prove that vanilla is a potent stress buster. One of the studies that was undertaken had a group of patients undergoing CAT scans. Many of these patients were a little panicky. However, once they breathed in a little bit of vanilla, it produced instant calming affects. Vanilla extract can keep your skin vibrant. By adding 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract to your bath, which is rich in the antioxidant, vanillin, and can target skin damaging radicals that leads to signs of aging.

Maintain healthy bones with molasses. Studies show women are more likely to develop osteoporosis then men. Luckily, research proves you can dramatically cut your risk of the disease just by enjoying more of this thick dark syrup. Molasses is loaded with calcium, a mineral vital for building bone mass, and magnesium, a nutrient that accelerates your body's calcium absorption. Molasses is also rich in copper, a mineral shown to help usher bad LDL cholesterol from the body and raise the level of the good HDL kind - say the researchers.

Soothe arthritis pain with cinnamon.  If you are struggling with joint pain, find fast and long-term relief by adding more of this spice to your diet. Researchers discovered that people suffering from osteo and rheumatoid arthritis had significantly less pain when they enjoyed as little as 1 teaspoon of cinnamon daily. This spice contains a unique compound proven to inhibit the body's production of nitric acid, which is a top culprit behind joint inflammation. Another benefit of cinnamon, is that this spice is loaded with an antibacterial agent that destroys germs that cause bad breath.

Use sugar to heal cuts and scrapes. Do you have a minor cut or scrape? The perfect remedy is as close as your sugar bowl. According to a University in the UK, they found that pouring granulated sugar over a wound reduces the pain and cuts heal quicker. Sugar kills bacteria by absorbing the moisture it needs to live. Plus, it contains an anti-inflammatory so it helps lessen pain.

Honey is another proven home remedy that is great for burns and cuts. Yes, honey is extremely sticky, but it is a fantastic healing ingredient. Honey also has amazing benefits for the body. By putting some in your tea, adding it on food, mixing it in a glass of water, or taking a teaspoon of it, you increase your body's healing power.

The powers of cocoa. Danish scientists just discovered that you can quickly relieve sweet cravings simply by sniffing and smelling cocoa. A study revealed that a group full of women were asked to breathe in the rich aroma for just a few seconds... Then the women were asked how they felt. Most of the women reported feeling just as satisfied as those who actually ate a 1 ounce piece of dark chocolate.The scent of cocoa tricks the body to suppress production of the hunger hormone while it activates the same feel good emotions that are stimulated when eating chocolate. So, if you happen to be a binge eater, or someone who eats when stressed, try smelling and inhaling cocoa to break you of that habit.

Couples sleeping in separate beds-good thing or bad thing?

It’s now officially a substantial trend: a study by the National Sleep Foundation found that 25 percent of couples sleep in separate rooms. That’s one in four couples! Many who choose to sleep separately are reluctant to discuss it, but for most people, the decision to sleep in separate beds is a practical decision. It seems that sleep is elusive when you bed down with a partner who snores, tosses relentlessly, traipses to the restroom repeatedly, hogs the covers or is drenched in sweat each night.


One partner often retreats to a guest room, kid’s bed or the family room sofa while hoping that people won’t assume the worst about their relationship. By 2015, The National Association of Home Builders says that it expects 60 percent of custom-built homes to include dual master bedrooms for this exact reason. “It’s important for couples facing these issues to try their best to avoid being influenced by negative social stigma and [others’] judgment around sleeping apart and be as creative and innovative in finding solutions that work for them,” says Manhattan psychologist Dr. Joseph Cilona. And while sleeping in separate beds may solve some issues, it’s not always a perfect solution. Sleeping separately may mean you’re both getting better rest, but will it chip away at the romance or take a toll on overall intimacy? Some folks think that sleeping apart robs a marriage/relationship of its special connection.

Here’s how couples can combat living as roomies and keep close, cozy and connected even if they sleep in different beds:


1. Stay touchy-feely with each other. Even when couples don’t hold each other all night long, a lot of touching goes on while you’re falling asleep. Touch enhances the sense of intimacy and it also has a measurable biological effect: it stimulates the production of oxytocin, the hormone that deepens human bonding.

Separate-bed solution: “Make a real effort to stay touchy-feely during the day. Don’t just walk by each other; stop for a casual kiss or a loving pat. Hold hands on the couch and cuddle while you watch TV in the evening before bed,” suggests Beverly Hills psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman, author of Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets (Cogito Media Group, 2010). “Couples need to make an extra effort if they sleep apart to consciously make up for the loss of loving touch. It’s not only important for holding onto the romance — touch is vital to emotional and physical health.”

2. Engage in pillow talk. You may have lots of focused conversations about your kids, the car, work and the dog, but there’s also intimacy in the kind of pillow talk couples engage in as they relax before falling asleep. Good marriages thrive on these private, unplanned conversations that may vanish when you start sleeping separately.

Separate-bed solution: Try to fall asleep together in the same bed with the understanding that if one partner disrupts the other’s sleep, that person will slip off to a different room during the night. The one who wakes up first can join the other for pillow chat in the morning. Lieberman suggests taking your pillow talk “to go” — while snuggling on a porch, in front of a fire, in the garden or in any cozy corner of the home — with candles, soft music, strawberries and whipped cream before retreating to separate sleeping arrangements.

3. Plan your romps between the sheets together. If you’re not snoozing together, you might end up having less sex. But psychologists say that many couples’ sex lives are enhanced by sleeping in separate rooms — in fact, it can even lead to greater desire for a partner or more frequent sexual encounters.


Separate-bed solution: “Instead of the ‘familiarity breeds contempt’ effect that sleeping together can bring — along with morning breath and bed head — you can present yourself at your most appetizing best,” says Lieberman. Women should forego their flannel pajamas for sexy lingerie instead. Light candles, take a bath or shower together, and invite your partner “over” to the bed he or she doesn’t usually sleep in. Create a “love nest” atmosphere and be spontaneous about where you will make love that night before you go to sleep.

4. Find other ways to sustain your emotional connection. It’s easy for any couple to get caught up in the daily grind and take each other for granted. If you’re not sharing a bed nightly, it may be even easier to miss each other’s cues for connecting emotionally.

Separate-bed solution: “Look for ways to be able to lie down together, even if it’s not sleeping with each other every night. Just some quiet time [spent] holding each other can help deepen your relationship,” says Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, psychologist and author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness (Morgan James, 2009). Look for other ways to connect outside the bedroom, such as having at least one date night each week, engaging in a hobby or fun activity together — not just paying bills and doing household chores. Make breakfast dates (and keep them fresh) by planning a picnic on the floor, for example; other ideas could include eating on the porch or enjoying breakfast in bed together. “You shouldn’t sleep and eat separately — or it’s a recipe for disaster and divorce,” says Lieberman.

This article was written by Jennifer Nelson. To read the article from it's source, click below on the link:
http://yahoo.match.com/cp.aspx?cpp=/cppp/yahoo/article.html&articleid=12529&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=1364544

Friday the 13th special!

Today only - take 13% off all orders of $5.00 or more at lunasgiftsntreasures.com or the virtual store on skycladdreams.com. Any order $100.00 or more (shipping and tax not included in total) will get a FREE $10.00 gift card for future orders.

Brightest blessings to all!  (A portion of all orders will and is donated to charities, so make a difference by helping me to give back while you get something enjoyable).

Running a SPECIAL on Tarot/Rune readings

I am running an 'On the WHIM' special today. It's only good for today (July 12), come midnight-the offer expires and prices go back up. Be sure to check out the special by visiting: http://www.skycladdreams.com/Tarotinfo.htm

Retrograding Planets you should be aware of.

Retrograding Planets: Uranus, Mercury and Pluto

When planets go retrograde, it appears that are moving backwards. What the planets usually represent in our everyday routines and how they are situated in our houses/ birth charts has a lot to do with how we think and feel. Planets have associations and duties, however, when a planet goes retrograde, it seems that their associations and duties are just the complete opposite of what they stand for.

URANUS

Uranus goes retrograde on July 13 and will be for about six/seven months and revels in suddenness and delights in last minute plan changes....like complete reversals and shock effects. He is the head of the Dept of One Never Knows-meaning you will and can even surprise yourself with the things you say and do. You may like order in your life, however where personal freedom is concerned-rules are made to be broken regardless of the consequences. If you feel confined or in a rut, Uranus is the planet to set you free. He is similar to a computer wizard-involved in mass communication and is bold enough to help you seek a solution to a problem and see it in a whole new light. However, when he is retrograding-all this goes out the window and the complete opposite happens. Be prepared to feel in a rut, to have your personal freedom disappear and to feel caged in or to have a situation hang around for a while and you to give yourself a headache on how to make it go away, find a solution or make it right.

So if you're feeling stuck in a present circumstance, well, hope for a transit to happen so you won't be stuck for long-however 'temporary people' often enter your life or people whose only purpose is to jolt you out of whatever you were missing and appear to provide exactly what you were sorely missing.

MERCURY

Yep, it's that time again where planet Mercury goes retrograde on July 14. What this means it that it appears that the planet is moving backward. The good news is Mercury is only retrograde until August 8th - only 25 days. So what does this mean? Pretty much means to expect the unexpected. This is a time where Electronic Devices may not work properly, may break, or may malfunction. (Cell phones, cars, machines, appliances, computers, etc). Letter, bills, any communication with people may seem strained, delayed or misinterpreted. Mercury is also a trickster and you'll be amazed over some of the cleverly disguised errors that will happen - like losing something in your car or it falls behind something, and even bills, letters or orders can be sent to wrong addresses. People may be in tense moods and you may find yourself desiring/wanting more solitude. You may experience problems/delays in travel or trips and with meetings and appointments. This is a time where communication and schedules can be compromised. This is not a good time to sign contracts or make big purchases such as a car or appliance, hence things tend to break down or not function properly. People from your past may resurface and memories or past regrets may come from out of nowhere to haunt you.

What to do during this time: Think about your past and how you feel about your current circumstances. Consider if you are happy in your current situation? If not, think of ways to change it. This is a time to rethink, reflect, research, revise and renew. (Keep the RE in mind for the next few weeks). In regards to relationships and partnership matters, our thinking is turned inward. Re-evaluating a partnership and communication style within that relationship is wonderful use of this reflection period.

What not to do during this time: Not a good time for big purchases such as a home, car or electronics. These types of things/items will generally encounter major problems. Don't sign important contracts or paperwork. Try not to get upset over set backs. Expect them so when they happen, you're prepared. Keep cell phone charged, keep a can of fix a flat in the trunk, and don't panic if you leave the directions/invitation with the address on it at home, etc.

For more information on Mercury and the info that you should know about Pluto, please visit my website using the link below:
http://www.skycladdreams.com/retrograding_planets.htm

25 Ways to master your iPhone

What's the only thing better than 25 ways to master your iPhone...... 25 more.


In case you missed our first round-up of 25 assorted iPhone tricks, be sure to read these simple ways you can get more out of your smartphone investment.

In the first post we covered everything from how to dry out a wet iPhone and fixing those dang "autocorrect" issues to using the phone cord to take a picture (and why) and making your own ringtone without having to pay your carrier.

And now we've got another 25 awesome things to try with your iPhone many of which you weren't aware of. And hey, if you have any tips of your own to share, be sure to leave them in the Comments section at the bottom — so you can get credit where it's due.

Here we go:

Turn iBooks into audio books: Like most smartphones, the iPhone has a number of accessibility options. One feature is called VoiceOver and it can read aloud any text on the screen. While designed primarily for the seeing impaired, anyone can take advantage of this feature if they want to turn an e-book into an audiobook. Now you can listen while commuting to and from work, while closing your eyes in bed or when jogging down the street. To activate it, go to Settings, then General, followed by Accessibility. Finally, swipe to change VoiceOver from Off to On. You'll also be able to tweak settings, such as the speed of voice reading to you. She sounds like the voice of Siri, by the way.

Quick access a draft email: You probably know you can start an email and save it as a draft to finish or review at a later time -- if not, when you're typing an email, tap Cancel and then select Save Draft — but here's a super quick way to access your message draft when you're ready to continue working on it: Open up the Mail app, touch and hold the Compose button (the icon of the small pencil in the square) and after a second or two it'll automatically take you to your last saved message draft. Neat, huh? Otherwise, you need to open Mail, select the email account, select Drafts and then find the message.

Send multiple photos at the same time: To send multiple photos to the same contact (say, in an email or iMessage), open the Photos app and then tap on an album, such as Camera Roll. Now tap the Select icon in the top right of your iPhone screen. Now you can tap to choose any photo you'd like to send to someone. Once you've selected the desired pics, tap Share in the bottom right of the screen and you'll have three options: Email, Message or Print.

Tell Siri the entire email: iPhone 4S owners probably go through a lengthy back-and-forth with Siri just to compose an email. Most people say the person's name and then, when prompted, the subject line, and finally, the body of the email. But did you know you can do it all in one fell swoop? For example, hold down the home button and say "Remind my wife about the party and say don't forget to pick up a bottle of red wine tonight." Siri will know who your spouse is (or will ask you once) and place that in the To: field, and because you said "about" the party, Siri knows you want that in the Subject (Re:) field. You also said "and say," which places words you said after that into the body of the email. This will all save you time.

Close open apps to save battery life: Make sure apps you're no longer using are not open and draining the battery. Do this by double-tapping the Home button and you'll see all the recently used apps running in the background along the bottom of your phone -- such as a GPS app you no longer need because you've reached your destination. Press and hold an icon and they'll all jiggle, which means you can tap the X to close the open apps at the bottom of your iPhone.

Tweet from any app: If you scour comments and message boards on the web you'll find iPhone users who complain the integrated Twitter support isn't working for them. Chances are it's because they didn't know they had to sign in first — but it's only required once. Go to Settings on your iPhone, select Twitter (look for the little white bird on a blue background) and enter your Twitter handle (or email) and password. Now, you can tweet directly from apps like Safari, Photos, Camera, Maps and YouTube. Also remember that you can start typing a friend's Twitter handle and the iPhone will autocomplete the rest.

Undo the Bluetooth "ignore" command: If you've ever paired Bluetooth products with your iPhone then you're likely aware you can also choose to "Ignore This Device." There are different reasons why you'd want to do this, but sometimes you tap this option accidentally or you might change your mind after the fact. Now you won't see the wireless gadget you want to pair with. What to do? To have it show up on the list again, simply turn off your iPhone by pressing and holding the power button (on top of the phone) for a few seconds and then swipe to shut down. When you boot back up again you'll see the Bluetooth device you previously ignored.

Siri can handle Facebook, Twitter: The iO6 update will add native Facebook and Twitter support this fall, but until then, you can still use your voice to tweet or update your status. It involves setting up these popular social networking services to work with text messaging. For Facebook, text the word "hello" to 32665 (which spells FBOOK on a traditional keypad). You'll get an automated reply on your phone with a link to click to finish the setup. Finally, add the short code to your address book and rename it "Facebook." Now you can tell Siri "Text Facebook," followed by your status update. It's the same process for Twitter, as you'll want to enable mobile updates by sending a short code to Twitter. Then you'll add the short code to your Contacts, name it "Twitter" and then instruct Siri to send a message there. To get going, text the word "start" to 40404 (U.S.) or 21212 (Canada).

Lock the screen orientation: Does it drive you nuts to have the iPhone screen flip around when you rotate the phone? You can prevent this from happening if you have no desire to swap between portrait and landscape view. Simply choose the orientation you prefer by tilting the device and then double-click the Home button. This will bring up the multitasking interface at the bottom of the iPhone. Now swipe from left to right and you'll see a "portrait orientation lock" icon at the very left of this string of apps (it has a circular arrow on the icon). Tap it once to lock your orientation and you'll see a padlock appear. Turn it off by tapping it again.

Add PDFs to iBooks: You don't need to spend money on apps that let you read Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format) files. Instead, if you get a PDF as an attachment in an email, or see one on a website in Safari (or another iPhone browser), simply press and hold the PDF icon or link and you'll see an option appear called "Open in iBooks." Select this and you'll be able to read the PDF in the iBooks app. In fact, all your PDFs will now be stored here. Simply tap the word Books in the iBooks app (top, center of screen) and now select PDFs to see them all on the virtual bookshelf. You can delete them from this screen, too, if desired.

Master the keyboard: In the first 25 Awesome iPhone Tricks post we cover how to add your own shortcuts and quickly accept or refuse autocorrect suggestions. But here's a few other keyboard related tips: tap the space bar twice and the iPhone will add a period and capitalize the next word; quickly capitalize a word by pressing on the Shift (arrow) button and dragging your finger to the first letter of the word; to enter a number or symbol quickly, touch and hold, then select the key you want (lifting your finger returns you to the alphabet keyboard); and touch and hold a letter to reveal a list of special characters, such as à, á, â, ä, æ, ã and å, when you press and hold on "a." Hey, now you can type "Mötley Crüe" properly.

Siri is a verbal calculator, too: You might know Siri on iPhone 4S can give you facts and definitions on-demand but "she" can also solve math problems for you, too (this is where students, off for the summer say "so NOW you tell me"). Just give Siri a verbal task, be it addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, equations or fractions — and you'll see (not hear) the answer on the screen. Better yet, this is very handy when figuring out tip at a restaurant. For example, say you're out with three friends and the bill comes to $300. You can ask Siri something like "What's a 20 percent tip on $300, for four people?" and Siri will tell you everyone owes $15.

Swipe to delete messages: This one is pretty simple, but you'd be surprised how many people do it the longer way: to delete an unwanted email, text message or voicemail without opening them, just swipe across the message from right to left when you see it in list view and tap the red Delete button. Instead, many iPhone users waste time by opening up each and every message and tapping the small trash can at the bottom of the screen. On a related note, you can delete unwanted emails in bulk rather than deleting one at a time: In your Inbox, simply click the Edit button and check off the emails you want to delete with your finger and then choose Delete.

Tap to focus the camera: Those who regularly use the iPhone as a camera might know this simple trick: When you're snapping photos or shooting video on your iPhone — and seeing the subject on your screen as you line up the shot -- tap the screen where you want to iPhone to focus and it'll adjust the exposure and white balance automatically for that area. For example, you might want your friend's face in perfect focus or might opt for a more artsy shot of the sushi they're holding in their chopsticks by focusing the camera on the food. You get the idea.

Manage your camera time: Here's another tip when using the camera. Unless you're running out of room, never delete unwanted photos from your iPhone when you're out. Why? You really don't know what the photo looks like until you see it much bigger on a computer monitor (it may be better than you think and/or fixable with software). Plus, spending time deleting photos on your smartphone right after you took them means you might miss an awesome shot because you're not paying attention. And finally, deleting photos and videos off your iPhone unnecessarily drains the battery.

Add folders to the dock: Since iOS 4, you've been able to create a folder to store many similar apps on your home screen — this helps you better group your programs and find them easier. (Just press and hold an app until they squiggle, then drag and drop it onto another app). But did you know you could also create folders and add them to your dock at the bottom of the iPhone? Once you've got your folders created — and you can create or edit the name for the folder by pressing and holding the icon — simply drag it to the bottom of the iPhone screen for easy access. You can only have four icons at a time, so you might gave to move one there to your homescreen to make room.

Hold your iPhone like a camera: If you don`t like take a photo on your iPhone by pressing the virtual shutter button on the screen — after all, it's not the most comfortable and could cause the iPhone to shake when you snap the picture — then remember you can now take a photo by pressing the volume button on the side of your iPhone, which will be on top — in the same place as a shutter button on a regular camera!

Preview that picture: On a related note, if you want to preview the photo you just took, just drag your finger from left to right in the Camera app for a preview. Most people will tap the icon in the lower-left of the screen and open up the photos manually. If you haven't taken any photos or videos lately, swipe from left to right in the Camera app will start to show your Camera Roll, from newest to oldest, as you continue to swipe along.

Easily control your music: When you're listening to music on your iPhone and using the earbuds that shipped with them, you might be aware you can press once on the small controller in the middle of the headphone cord to pause the music, and press again to play. But did you know you could quickly double tap to skip to the next song and triple-tap to listen to the previous song? Also, iPhone 4S users can use Siri to play music, such as saying "Play Jay Z" or "Play other music like this" or "Play playlist workout mix."

Quickly add a calendar entry: You might've noticed when reading an email in the Mail app it'll automatically underline anything related to date and time. For example, you're typing to your buddy something like "Don't forget we're hooking up for drinks on Friday afternoon." iPhone will detect this is a date or time and will convert it to a link -- your friend will see "on Friday afternoon" underlined and in blue — and they could tap the link to add the event to their calendar.

Sync it all: Computer? What computer? You need not connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac every again if you activate the iCloud service. Automatically back-up your iPhone information to iCloud by going to Settings, iCloud and finally Storage and Back-Up. Also, be sure to select what gets synched over Wi-Fi (or if you prefer, 3G, too, though be aware of data costs). You can choose to sync Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Bookmarks, Notes, Photos and more. You get 5GB of free storage through iCloud, but can pay for more if you like. Also, while here, activate "Find My iPhone" so you can track your phone if missing or stolen (see here).

Enable restrictions: Whether it's on your iPhone or your child's iPod touch or iPad, you can block inappropriate content from your kids (such as music with explicit lyrics), prevent them from buying apps (or in-app purchases) and block YouTube, Safari, FaceTime and more. To enable restrictions — and then customize what they're able to access -- go to Settings, General, Restrictions and tap "Enable Restrictions." You will first be promoted to select a 4-digit passcode before choosing which content and apps can be accessed.

Delete your memory-hogging apps: Beginning with the iOS 5 update, you can see how much space your apps are taking up on your iPhone and delete them from your device — even a bunch at once. To do this, tap Settings, followed by General and finally, Usage. From here you'll see a list of all your apps and their file size. If you see that Max Payne game is 1.3 Gigabytes and you don't play it anymore, tap to delete it. You can always reinstall it later of via iCloud, App Store or your computer.

Save battery by turning off "pushed" data: Another way to prolong battery performance is to off push notifications in email, instant messaging and other applications that constantly ping a server to push real-time notifications to your smartphone. That is, if you don't need to know this kind of information right away. In Settings, select the option that says Mail, Contacts and Calendars, tap "Fetch New Data" and change it from Push to Every 30 Minutes, Hourly or Manually.

Turn on the "Emoji" (emotions) keyboard: Ever notice how some of your friends have cute little emoticons in their emails or text messages. You know, like a little yellow face with hearts for eyes, teddy bears, Christmas trees, and so on? By default, your iPhone doesn't give you access to these emotions and other graphics — but it is stored on your phone and ready when you are. To enable the Emoji keyboard, go to Settings, then General and finally Keyboard. Once inside, tap International Keyboards and "add" new keyboard. Select "Emoji." Now, when typing an email or text, tap the globe key near the space bar for these new options. Tap it again to return back to English.

To view article on the web, click the link below:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/blogs/digital-crave/25-more-awesome-iphone-tips-tricks-202159530.html

The secret to a happy and lasting relationship.

Article by Julie Hanks, LCSW, for Sharecare


Empathy: The secret sauce to a happy marriage/relationship

Are you empathetic? Is your partner? It might be the secret to a happier marriage. According to a recent study from Harvard University, being able to accurately read a partner's emotions--and believing that your partner is trying to understand your emotions--is related to couple relationship satisfaction.

This study highlights certain gender differences that echo dynamics I've seen in my clinical practice and in my 23-year marriage:

1. Women are more satisfied in their relationship if their partner accurately empathized with negative emotions.

2. Men were more satisfied when they could read their partner's positive emotions accurately.

3. Women's ability to read their partner's negative emotions was positively linked to both men's and women's relationship satisfaction.
The authors suggested that for men, being able to understand and be empathetic to their partner's negative emotions may feel threatening to the relationship, but women don't seem to find negative emotions threatening. Findings suggest that effort, not just accuracy, positively impacts relationships.

Developing Empathy
If your relationship is distressed or if you simply want to make a good relationship better, here are some ways to work on your empathy skills.

Listen for emotional messages
The emotional message isn't the same as the words that your partner is saying. Your partner may be criticizing you for not spending enough time together, but the emotional message may actually be, "I miss you and I'm afraid I'm not important to you."

Push the pause button on your own emotions
When your partner is expressing something critical, it's easy to respond defensively. Before reacting, take a deep breath and try to slow down your own emotional response so you can hear the emotion behind the criticism.

Reflect back your partner's emotional plea
Instead of coming back defensively with, "What are you talking about? We just went on a walk yesterday, and we went to dinner last weekend!" respond to your partner's emotional plea by saying something like, "You really miss me and want to spend more time together. Thanks for letting me know. I love you."

Even if you read the emotional message inaccurately, your effort to understand your partner's emotions will pay off!

Babies in dog/cat families may be healthier

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Dogs are no longer just man's best friend: The furry family members may also protect infants against breathing problems and infections, a new study suggests.Researchers found that Finnish babies who lived with a dog or - to a lesser extent - a cat spent fewer weeks with ear infections, coughs or running noses. They were also less likely to need antibiotics than infants in pet-free homes.

Dr. Eija Bergroth from Kuopio University Hospital in Finland and colleagues said one possible explanation for that finding is that dirt and allergens brought in by animals are good for babies' immune systems. The researchers studied 397 infants who were born at their hospital between September 2002 and May 2005 for their first year.

Parents filled out weekly diaries starting when the child was nine weeks old, recording information on babies' health as well as their contact with cats and dogs. Based on those diaries and a year-end questionnaire, the researchers determined that 35 percent of the children spent the majority of their first year with a pet dog and 24 percent in a home with a cat. Despite only a third of families owning dogs and fewer owning cats, the majority of babies had at least some contact with a dog at their house during the study period and more than one-third were exposed to a cat. Before their first birthday, 285 of the babies had at least one fever, 157 had an ear infection, 335 had a cough, 128 wheezed, 384 got stuffy or runny noses and 189 needed to take antibiotics at some point, parents reported.
The researchers found that contact with dogs, more than cats, was tied to fewer weeks of sickness for babies.

For example, infants with no dog contact at home were healthy for 65 percent of parents' weekly diary reports. That compared to between 72 and 76 percent for those who had a dog at home. Babies in dog-owning families were also 44 percent less likely to get inner ear infections and 29 percent less likely to need antibiotics.

The researchers said infants who spent more than zero but less than six hours per day at home with a dog were the least likely to get sick. "A possible explanation for this interesting finding might be that the amount of dirt brought inside the home by dogs could be higher in these families because (the dog) spent more time outdoors," the researchers wrote Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

Bergroth told Reuters Health in an email that the dirt and germs a dog brings into the house may cause a child's immune system to mature faster, which makes it better at defending against the viruses and bacteria that cause respiratory problems. That theory is commonly referred to as the "hygiene hypothesis."

In many ways, (the study is) saying, if you're exposed to a natural environment… your immune system recognizes that you don't fight the normal allergens, said Dr. T. Bernard Kinane, the chief of the pediatric pulmonary unit at MassGeneral Hospital for Children in Boston. Kinane, who was not involved with the new study, told Reuters Health not all research agrees that exposure to dogs and cats helps protect against kids' breathing problems. But he said there is an overall trend in that direction.

The researchers also can't rule out the possibility that people who own dogs are less likely to get sick for another reason, and not due to protection offered by pets, Bergroth noted.

To view article on the web, please click link below:
http://news.yahoo.com/babies-dog-owning-families-may-healthier-041915748.html
By Andrew M. Seaman Reuters – 16 hrs ago..

Malware may knock thousands off the internet July 9th

Article written by:  Lolita c. Baldor, Associated Press (Associated Press writer Charmaine Noronha in Toronto contributed to this report)
 
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Despite repeated alerts, tens of thousands of Americans may still lose their Internet service Monday unless they do a quick check of their computers for malware that could have taken over their machines more than a year ago. The warnings about the Internet problem have been splashed across Facebook and Google. Internet service providers have sent notices, and the FBI set up a special website. According to the FBI, the number of computers that probably are infected is more than 277,000 worldwide, down from about 360,000 in April. About 64,000 still-infected computers are probably in the United States.

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority said about 25,000 of the computers initially affected by the malware were in Canada, but now only about 7,000 machines remain infected there, according to Canadian Internet Registration Authority spokesman Mark Buell. He said his organization, together with Public Safety Canada and the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission, has developed an online site where computer users can check their computers for the malware.


People whose computers are still infected Monday will lose their ability to go online, and they will have to call their service providers for help deleting the malware and reconnecting to the Internet.

The problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of more than 570,000 infected computers around the world. When the FBI went in to take down the hackers late last year, agents realized that if they turned off the malicious servers being used to control the computers, all the victims would lose their Internet service. In a highly unusual move, the FBI set up a safety net. They brought in a private company to install two clean Internet servers to take over for the malicious servers so that people would not suddenly lose their Internet. And while it was the first time they'd done something like that, FBI officials acknowledged that it may not be the last, since authorities are taking on more of these types of investigations. The temporary Internet system they set up, however, will be shut down at 12:01 a.m. EDT Monday, July 9.

Most victims don't even know their computers have been infected, although the malicious software probably has slowed their online surfing and disabled their antivirus software, making their machines more vulnerable to other problems. But popular social networking sites and Internet providers have gotten more involved, reaching out to computer users to warn of the problem.

According to Tom Grasso, an FBI supervisory special agent, many Internet providers are ready for the problem and have plans to try to help their customers. Some, such as Comcast, already have reached out. The company sent out notices and posted information on its website. Because the company can tell whether there is a problem with a customer's Internet server, Comcast sent an email, letter or Internet notice to customers whose computers appeared to be affected.


Grasso said other Internet providers may come up with technical solutions that they will put in place Monday that will either correct the problem or provide information to customers when they call to say their Internet isn't working. If the Internet providers correct the server problem, the Internet will work, but the malware will remain on victims' computers and could pose future problems. In addition to individual computer owners, about 50 Fortune 500 companies are still infected, Grasso said.

Both Facebook and Google created their own warning messages that showed up if someone using either site appeared to have an infected computer. Facebook users would get a message that says, "Your computer or network might be infected," along with a link that users can click for more information. Google users got a similar message, displayed at the top of a Google search results page. It also provides information on correcting the problem.

To check whether a computer is infected, users can visit a website run by the group brought in by the FBI: http://www.dcwg.org .  The site includes links to respected commercial sites that will run a quick check on the computer, and it also lays out detailed instructions if users want to actually check the computer themselves.

Online help and assistance:

To check and clean computers: http://www.dcwg.org/
Canadian websites: http://www.dns-ok.ca/
Comcast Warning: http://forums.comcast.com/t5/Security-and-Anti-Virus/DNS-Changer-Bot-FAQ/td-p/1215341
Google: http://googleonlinesecurity.blogspot.com/2012/05/notifying-users-affected-by-dnschanger.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-security/notifying-dnschanger-victims/10150833689760766



**To view article from original posting on Associated Press-click link below:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/malware-may-knock-thousands-off-063924736.html


..

Mayo Clinic Aspirin Study by Dr. Virend Somers-it can save lives.

Subject: Mayo Clinic on Aspirin


Dr. Virend Somers, is a Cardiologist from the Mayo Clinic, who is lead author of the report in the July 29, 2008 issue of the Journal of the AmericanCollege of Cardiology.

Most heart attacks occur in the day, generally between 6 A.M. and noon. Having one during the night, when the heart should be most at rest, means that something unusual happened. Somers and
his colleagues have been working for a decade to show that sleep apnea is to blame.

1. If you take an aspirin or a baby aspirin once a day, take it at night. The reason: Aspirin has a 24-hour "half-life"; therefore, if most heart attacks happen in the wee hours of the morning, the Aspirin would be strongest in your system.

2. FYI, Aspirin lasts a really long time in your medicine chest - for years. (When it gets old, it smells like vinegar).
Bayer is making crystal aspirin to dissolve instantly on the tongue. They work much faster than the tablets. Why keep Aspirin by your bedside? It's about Heart Attacks - There are other symptoms of a heart attack, besides the pain on the left arm. One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating; however, these symptoms may also occur less frequently.

Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack.

The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep. If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water.

Afterwards: - Call 911.
- Phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by.
- Say "heart attack!"
- Say that you have taken 2 Aspirins
- Take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and DO NOT LIE DOWN!

A Cardiologist has stated that if each person after receiving this e-mail, sends it to 10 people, probably one life could be saved! I have already shared this information. What about you? Do forward this message. It may save lives!

Possible bee sting antidote

***Keep in mind that not all pennies are copper…on the inside. But the outside is copper, so it should still work, that is assuming that it works at all. Since this was passed on to me, and it could possibly work-I figured I'd pass it on just in case. So if you should try this, please leave a comment and let us know-one way or another-if it helped or did absolutely nadda (nothing).***


____________________________________________________________________________________
It just might be wise to carry a penny in your pocket while working in the yard.......... BEE STINGS !

A couple of weeks ago, I was told a story of someone being stung by both a bee and hornet while working in the garden. Their arm swelled up, so they went to the doctor. The clinic gave them a cream to use and an antihistamine. The next day, the swelling was progressively worse. So off to the regular doctor who stated the arm was infected and needed an antibiotic. The doctor stated, "The next time you get stung, put a penny on it for 15 minutes." The dr said that the copper in the penny will counteract the sting/bite. Just be sure the stinger is out.

Not long after that, a friend was out cutting her lawn when she was stung. I told her about the penny trick and she taped a penny to her skin and sulked for a while. The next morning she could only barely see the spot where the hornet had stung her. No redness, no swelling...could barely even tell where she had been stung. (She is also not allergic to stings).
___________________________________________________________________________________
Once again, I'm not sure if this is genuine and will work, but I figure if it does, then wow-how great is that?

A man's reference guide.

Here is everything a man needs to know about women. It's tried and true....a perfect reference tool and guide for every man. Whether gay or straight, it still fits.

A graduation to remember

Subject: Texas A & M Commencement
Land Of The Free...Because Of The Brave

This is a story about one Texas A&M Commencement Address (meaning to the graduating students) - The students gave a standing ovation; the faculty were deathly silent!

Neal Boortz is a Texan, a lawyer, a Texas Aggie (Texas A&M) graduate, and now a nationally syndicated talk show host from Atlanta. His commencement address to the graduates of a recent Texas A&M class is far different from what either the students or the faculty expected.

Whether you agree or disagree, his views are certainly thought provoking. Take a pondering...

_____________________________________________________________________________

"I am honored by the invitation to address you on this august occasion. It's about time. Be warned, however, that I am not here to impress you; you'll have enough smoke blown up your bloomers today. And you can bet your tassels I'm not here to impress the faculty and administration. You may not like much of what I have to say, and that's fine. You will remember it though Especially after about 10 years out there in the real world. This, it goes without saying, does not apply to those of you who will seek your careers and your fortunes as government employees.

This gowned gaggle behind me is your faculty. You've heard the old saying that those who can - do. Those who can't - teach. That sounds deliciously insensitive. But there is often raw truth in insensitivity, just as you often find feel-good falsehoods and lies in compassion. Say good-bye to your faculty because now you are getting ready to go out there and do. These folks behind me are going to stay right here and teach.

By the way, just because you are leaving this place with a diploma doesn't mean the learning is over. When an FAA flight examiner handed me my private pilot's license many years ago, he said, "Here, this is your ticket to learn." The same can be said for your diploma. Believe me, the learning has just begun.

Now, I realize that most of you consider yourselves Liberals. In fact, you are probably very proud of your liberal views. You care so much. You feel so much. You want to help so much. After all, you're a compassionate and caring person, aren't you now? Well, isn't that just so extraordinarily special. Now, at this age, is as good a time as any to be a liberal; as good a time as any to know absolutely everything. You have plenty of time, starting tomorrow, for the truth to set in.

Over the next few years, as you begin to feel the cold breath of reality down your neck, things are going to start changing pretty fast... including your own assessment of just how much you really know. To here are the first assignments for your initial class in reality: Pay attention to the news, read newspapers, and listen to the words and phrases that proud Liberals use to promote their causes. Then, compare the words of the left to the words and phrases you hear from those evil, heartless, greedy conservatives. From the Left you will hear "I feel." From the Right you will hear "I think." From the Liberals you will hear references to groups -- The Blacks, the Poor, the Rich, the Disadvantaged, the Less Fortunate. From the Right you will hear references to individuals. On the Left you hear talk of group rights; on the Right, individual rights. That about sums it up, really: Liberals feel. Liberals care. They are pack animals whose identity is tied up in group dynamics. Conservatives think -- and, setting aside the theocracy crowd, their identity is centered on the individual. Liberals feel that their favored groups have enforceable rights to the property and services of productive individuals. Conservatives, I among them I might add, think that individuals have the right to protect their lives and their property from the plunder of the masses.

In college you developed a group mentality, but if you look closely at your diplomas you will see that they have your individual names on them. Not the name of your school mascot, or of your fraternity or sorority, but your name. Your group identity is going away Your recognition and appreciation of your individual identity starts now.

If, by the time you reach the age of 30, you do not consider yourself to be a conservative, rush right back here as quickly as you can and apply for a faculty position. These people will welcome you with open arms. They will welcome you, that is, so long as you haven't developed an individual identity. Once again you will have to be willing to sign on to the group mentality you embraced during the past four years.

Something is going to happen soon that is going to really open your eyes. You're going to actually get a full time job! You're also going to get a lifelong work partner. This partner isn't going to help you do your job. This partner is just going to sit back and wait for payday. This partner doesn't want to share in your effort, but in your earnings. Your new lifelong partner is actually an agent; an agent representing a strange and diverse group of people; an agent for every teenager with an illegitimate child; an agent for a research scientist who wanted to make some cash answering the age-old question of why monkeys grind their teeth. An agent for some poor demented hippie who considers herself to be a meaningful and talented artist, but who just can't manage to sell any of her artwork on the open market.

Your new partner is an agent for every person with limited, if any, job skills, but who wanted a job at City Hall. An agent for tin-horn dictators in fancy military uniforms grasping for American foreign aid. An agent for multi-million dollar companies who want someone else to pay for their overseas advertising. An agent for everybody who wants to use the unimaginable power of this agent's for their personal enrichment and benefit.

That agent is our wonderful, caring, compassionate, oppressive government. Believe me, you will be awed by the unimaginable power this agent has. Power that you do not have. A power that no individual has, or will have. This agent has the legal power to use force, deadly force to accomplish its goals. You have no choice here. Your new friend is just going to walk up to you, introduce itself rather gruffly, hand you a few forms to fill out, and move right on in. Say hello to your own personal one ton gorilla. It will sleep anywhere it wants to.

Now, let me tell you, this agent is not cheap. As you become successful it will seize about 40% of everything you earn. And no, I'm sorry, there just isn't any way you can fire this agent of plunder, and you can't decrease its share of your income. That power rests with him, not you.

So, here I am saying negative things to you about government. Well, be clear on this: It is not wrong to distrust government. It is not wrong to fear government. In certain cases it is not even wrong to despise government for government is inherently evil. Yes, a necessary evil, but dangerous nonetheless, somewhat like a drug. Just as a drug that in the proper dosage can save your life, an overdose of government can be fatal.

Now let's address a few things that have been crammed into your minds at this university. There are some ideas you need to expunge as soon as possible. These ideas may work well in academic environment, but they fail miserably out there in the real world.

First is that favorite buzz word of the media and academia: Diversity! You have been taught that the real value of any group of people - be it a social group, an employee group, a management group, whatever - is based on diversity. This is a favored liberal ideal because diversity is based not on an individuals abilities or character, but on a person's identity and status as a member of a group. Yes, it's that liberal group identity thing again. Within the great diversity movement group identification - be it racial, gender based, or some other minority status - means more than the individuals integrity, character or other qualifications.

Brace yourself. You are about to move from this academic atmosphere where diversity rules, to a workplace and a culture where individual achievement and excellence actually count. No matter what your professors have taught you over the last four years, you are about to learn that diversity is absolutely no replacement for excellence, ability, and individual hard work. From this day on every single time you hear the word "diversity" you can rest assured that there is someone close by who is determined to rob you of every vestige of individuality you possess.

We also need to address this thing you seem to have about "rights." We have witnessed an obscene explosion of so-called "rights" in the last few decades, usually emanating from college campuses.
You know the mantra: You have the right to a job. The right to a place to live. The right to a living wage. The right to health care. The right to an education. You probably even have your own pet right - the right to a Beemer for instance, or the right to have someone else provide for that child you plan on downloading in a year or so.

Forget it. Forget those rights! I'll tell you what your rights are. You have a right to live free, and to the results of 60% -75% of your labor. I'll also tell you have no right to any portion of the life or labor of another.

You may, for instance, think that you have a right to health care. After all, President Obama said so, didn't he? But you cannot receive health-care unless some doctor or health practitioner surrenders some of his time - his life - to you. He may be willing to do this for compensation, but that's his choice. You have no "right" to his time or property. You have no right to his or any other person's life or to any portion thereof.

You may also think you have some "right" to a job; a job with a living wage, whatever that is. Do you mean to tell me that you have a right to force your services on another person, and then the right to demand that this person compensate you with their money? Sorry, forget it. I am sure you would scream if some urban outdoors men (that would be "homeless person" for those of you who don't want to give these less fortunate people a romantic and adventurous title) came to you and demanded his job and your money. The people who have been telling you about all the rights you have are simply exercising one of theirs - the right to be imbeciles. Their being imbeciles didn't cost anyone else either property or time. It's their right, and they exercise it brilliantly. By the way, did you catch my use of the phrase "less fortunate" a bit ago when I was talking about the urban outdoors men? That phrase is a favorite of the Left. Think about it, and you'll understand why. To imply that one person is homeless, destitute, dirty, drunk, spaced out on drugs, unemployable, and generally miserable because he is "less fortunate" is to imply that a successful person - one with a job, a home and a future - is in that position because he or she was "fortunate." The dictionary says that fortunate means "having derived good from an unexpected place." There is nothing unexpected about deriving good from hard work. There is also nothing unexpected about deriving misery from choosing drugs, alcohol, and the street.

If the Liberal Left can create the common perception that success and failure are simple matters of "fortune" or "luck," then it is easy to promote and justify their various income redistribution schemes. After all, we are just evening out the odds a little bit. This "success equals luck" idea the liberals like to push is seen everywhere. Former Democratic presidential candidate Richard Gephardt refers to high-achievers as "people who have won life's lottery." He wants you to believe they are making the big bucks because they are lucky. It's not luck, my friends. It's choice. One of the greatest lessons I ever learned was in a book by Og Mandino, entitled, "The Greatest Secret in the World." The lesson? Very simple: "Use wisely your power of choice."

That bum sitting on a heating grate, smelling like a wharf rat? He's there by choice. He is there because of the sum total of the choices he has made in his life. This truism is absolutely the hardest thing for some people to accept, especially those who consider themselves to be victims of something or other - victims of discrimination, bad luck, the system, capitalism, whatever. After all, nobody really wants to accept the blame for his or her position in life. Not when it is so much easier to point and say, "Look! He did this to me!" than it is to look into a mirror and say, "You S. O. B.! You did this to me!" The key to accepting responsibility for your life is to accept the fact that your choices, every one of them, are leading you inexorably to either success or failure, however you define those terms.

Some of the choices are obvious: Whether or not to stay in school. Whether or not to get pregnant. Whether or not to hit the bottle. Whether or not to keep this job you hate until you get another better-paying job. Whether or not to save some of your money, or saddle yourself with huge payments for that new car.

Some of the choices are seemingly insignificant: Whom to go to the movies with. Whose car to ride home in. Whether to watch the tube tonight, or read a book on investing. But, and you can be sure of this, each choice counts. Each choice is a building block - some large, some small. But each one is a part of the structure of your life. If you make the right choices, or if you make more right choices than wrong ones, something absolutely terrible may happen to you. Something unthinkable. You, my friend, could become one of the hated, the evil, the ugly, the feared, the filthy, the successful, the rich.
The rich basically serve two purposes in this country. First, they provide the investments, the investment capital, and the brains for the formation of new businesses. Businesses that hire people. Businesses that send millions of paychecks home each week to the un-rich. Second, the rich are a wonderful object of ridicule, distrust, and hatred. Few things are more valuable to a politician than the envy most Americans feel for the evil rich.

Envy is a powerful emotion. Even more powerful than the emotional minefield that surrounded Bill Clinton when he reviewed his last batch of White House interns. Politicians use envy to get votes and power. And they keep that power by promising the envious that the envied will be punished: "The rich will pay their fair share of taxes if I have anything to do with it." The truth is that the top 10% of income earners in this country pays almost 50% of all income taxes collected. I shudder to think what these job producers would be paying if our tax system were any more "fair."

You have heard, no doubt, that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Interestingly enough, our government's own numbers show that many of the poor actually get richer, and that quite a few of the rich actually get poorer. But for the rich who do actually get richer, and the poor who remain poor there's an explanation -- a reason. The rich, you see, keep doing the things that make them rich;
while the poor keep doing the things that make them poor.

Speaking of the poor, during your adult life you are going to hear an endless string of politicians bemoaning the plight of the poor. So, you need to know that under our government's definition of "poor" you can have a $5 million net worth, a $300,000 home and a new $90,000 Mercedes, all completely paid for. You can also have a maid, cook, and valet, and a million in your checking account, and you can still be officially defined by our government as "living in poverty." Now there's something you haven't seen on the evening news. How does the government pull this one off? Very simple, really. To determine whether or not some poor soul is "living in poverty," the government measures one thing -- just one thing. Income. It doesn't matter one bit how much you have, how much you own, how many cars you drive or how big they are, whether or not your pool is heated, whether you winter in Aspen and spend the summers in the Bahamas, or how much is in your savings account. It only matters how much income you claim in that particular year. This means that if you take a one-year leave of absence from your high-paying job and decide to live off the money in your savings and checking accounts while you write the next great American novel, the government says you are living in poverty."

This isn't exactly what you had in mind when you heard these gloomy statistics, is it? Do you need more convincing? Try this. The government's own statistics show that people who are said to be "living in poverty" spend more than $1.50 for each dollar of income they claim. Something is a bit fishy here. Just remember all this the next time Charles Gibson tells you about some hideous new poverty statistics. Why has the government concocted this phony poverty scam? Because the government needs an excuse to grow and to expand its social Welfare programs, which translates into an expansion of its power. If the government can convince you, in all your compassion, that the number of "poor" is increasing, it will have all the excuse it needs to sway an electorate suffering from the advanced stages of Obsessive-Compulsive Compassion Disorder.

I'm about to be stoned by the faculty here. They've already changed their minds about that honorary degree I was going to get. That's OK, though. I still have my PhD. in Insensitivity from the Neal Boortz Institute for Insensitivity Training. I learned that, in short, sensitivity sucks. It's a trap. Think about it - the truth knows no sensitivity. Life can be insensitive. Wallow too much in sensitivity and you'll be unable to deal with life, or the truth, so get over it. Now, before the dean has me shackled and hauled off, I have a few random thoughts.

* You need to register to vote, unless you are on welfare. If you are living off the efforts of others, please do us the favor of sitting down and shutting up until you are on your own again.

* When you do vote, your votes for the House and the Senate are more important than your vote for President. The House controls the purse strings, so concentrate your awareness there.

* Liars cannot be trusted, even when the liar is the President of the country. If someone can't deal honestly with you, send them packing.

* Don't bow to the temptation to use the government as an instrument of plunder. If it is wrong for you to take money from someone else who earned it -- to take their money by force for your own needs -- then it is certainly just as wrong for you to demand that the government step forward and do this dirty work for you.

* Don't look in other people's pockets. You have no business there. What they earn is theirs. What you earn is yours. Keep it that way. Nobody owes you anything, except to respect your privacy and your rights, and leave you the hell alone.

* Speaking of earning, the revered 40-hour workweek is for losers. Forty hours should be considered the minimum, not the maximum. You don't see highly successful people clocking out of the office every afternoon at five. The losers are the ones caught up in that afternoon rush hour. The winners drive home in the dark.

* Free speech is meant to protect unpopular speech. Popular speech, by definition, needs no protection.

* Finally (and aren't you glad to hear that word), as Og Mandino wrote:
1. Proclaim your rarity. Each of you is a rare and unique human being.
2. Use wisely your power of choice.
3. Go the extra mile, drive home in the dark.

Oh, and put off buying a television set as long as you can. Now, if you have any idea at all what's good for you, you will get out of here and never come back. Class dismissed."