#you must make your next decisions mindfully

[joshuadunshua]

Hey there 25 year old queer folks.

You’re not a queer elder. You’re a queer adult. But you do have elders. They’re all around you! I recommend seeking them out! It sounds like you probably don’t know of very many, but I can assure you. You’re not a queer elder. At this point in time, it’s beginning to seriously erase the living people with lived experiences from the picture, and these are the elder queers we seriously need to listen to and learn from. Not only do their contributions go unheard, but we’re also sending a message to others and to them that they don’t even exist, that they all died. We cannot allow our queer elders to fade into nonexistence. It will kill us and it will kill them if we refuse to acknowledge and refuse to hear and learn from them.

Stop positioning yourself as a queer elder. Please. And go listen to the actual queer elders. We have so so many.

[theatresweetheart]

For the bad thing happens bingo prompts: broken wrist and analogical? could you make it g/t too, somehow?

Student Struggles

Summary: He knew it was illogical and ridiculous to make such an emotionally biased decision. Yet, Logan did it anyway.

Warnings: Broken limb (non graphic), humans treated as lesser, main character referred to as an “it” (non malicious), fear.

Pairings: Platonic Analogical 

Characters: Logan, Virgil

Word Count: 3463 words

                                        ——————————

It was a precarious predicament.

It certainly wasn’t everyday he tried to sneak out of his university’s anthropology lab harbouring an injured and terrified human in his pocket.

As one of the more respected senior’s of his class, most of the professors that were still there hardly paid Logan another look as he left the lab for the evening.

Still, that didn’t change the fact that he was nervous. Smuggling a human out of the lab without a professor’s explicit permission was an offence punishable by suspension. The suspension itself wouldn’t last much longer than a couple days, but it would leave a bad mark on his crystal clean school record. It would change the reputation he had with his professors—all of which he had so carefully tailored right from his first year in the program.

In fact, most of them greeted him warmly. Asking about his classes earlier, wishing him a good weekend and giving a teasing reminder to study for the upcoming midterms. None of these conversations lasted longer than a few minutes and normally, Logan would have been glad to speak with them. But as of that moment, the longer he was stuck there standing with them, the larger the chance was of him being found out. He knew his professors were very well trained in spotting things that seemed off—an example would be students sitting in the very back row, the furthest away from the lecturer and still getting called out for not paying enough attention.

Long story short, if Logan got caught he was risking his entire future in this field.

A part of him still questioned if this whole thing was even worth the risk. Humans got hurt all the time in his practicum; especially when other students weren’t being careful enough. It happened, so why was this one any different?

Why was the human that had looked up at him with wide frightened eyes any different than the others?

Still, whether or not it was worth the risk, Logan was too far into it now to backtrack. Retracing his steps back to the lab may be considered suspicious, so it was all or nothing whether he wanted it to be or not. Besides, he was also positive that the doors would be locked anyhow, so backpedaling would be pointless. Not that he didn’t have a key to get back in if he truly needed to.

Logan ducked around another professor expertly and he went unnoticed, as the professor in question seemed to be engaged in a particularly interesting conversation.

Or so he thought.

Just as he was about to push the door to the building open, he heard the man bidding his quick farewells for the night before easily catching up with the student.

“Logan,” his professor greeted him with a grin, pushing the other door open before Logan had the chance to escape.

“Dr. Coleman,” he replied after a moment, shouldering his book bag a little more securely.

“You seem to be in quite the rush,” Dr. Coleman said, pulling his coat closer as the cool autumn air swept in through the doors. “Mind if I join you to the parking lot?”

As if he had a choice. Logan only gave a nod.

The squirming in his pocket started up again, this time with more vigor. Slightly paranoid that the little motions would show through the soft fabric, Logan make the quick decision to fully wrap his hand around the human—keeping it still and silent. While that stopped the slight movement from the outside, he could still feel the terrified motions pushing helplessly against his fingertips. Trying fruitlessly to budge his fingers. Of course, to no avail.

While he did feel bad about physically restraining it when it was so obviously in distress, Logan really couldn’t risk being found out this far into the endeavor.

He only hoped the little thing’s heart wouldn’t stop entirely.

However, during the entire ordeal he kept his features mindfully neutral, careful to keep from alerting Dr. Coleman of his current plight.

Dr. Coleman didn’t say anything for a long moment, his eyes flickered over the student and Logan pretended not to notice. Acting off would only make the professor suspicious. Something he really did not need right now.

The professor only hummed softly before turning his attention forward, toward the cars sitting silently under the streetlights illuminating the parking lot in a warm yellow glow. Logan must have spent more time in the lab than he had meant to, if twilight was already falling.

“Busy night tonight, I assume?” Dr. Coleman finally broke the silence and Logan only shrugged nonchalantly.

“You could say that,” he relented. While it technically wasn’t untrue, it wouldn’t be school work like the professor would assume.

Dr. Coleman snickered, reaching into his pocket to draw out his car keys. He clicked the buttons and his car’s headlights flashed in response. “Getting some studying done?”

In a way.

Logan forced himself to relax a little, knowing that the professor had no idea of his little stowaway. “Certainly. Can never be too over prepared for an exam.”

“True,” Dr. Coleman stuck his hands into his pockets. Logan felt relief wash over him when the professor reached his own vehicle. This was the very type of interaction he had been trying so hard to avoid. “This is why you’re one of my favourite students, Logan.”

The praise was nice, but really not what he needed right now. “I appreciate that, Dr. Coleman. But I really do have to get going, as pleasant as this conversation has been.”

As stinted as it had been too, it seemed. Usually, talking with Dr. Coleman didn’t take that much energy. He had engaged the professor in many heated debates over his four years of study. And he would be glad to engage in those types of conversations once more! Just as soon as the human was no longer on his person and in range of being confiscated, only to be placed right back into the same area where it had gotten hurt in the first place.

Whether or not this whole thing was the correct course of action, Logan was sick of witnessing humans getting injured and then being disposed of as if their injuries made them completely useless.

If given the proper treatment and time to heal, they would have a far less percentage of humans succumbing to their injuries or illnesses.

It was unfortunate that so many of his peers thought of the small creatures as disposable. While, no, it was not difficult for professionals to retrieve more right out of their lives on earth, it didn’t make the practice any less morbid or underhanded. Anthropology students should be learning how to assist humans in healing and recovering, not tossing them the minute they were no longer “perfect” in their eyes.

“Fair enough,” Dr. Coleman said, stepping back and placing a hand on the door handle of his car. “I won’t keep you from your studies any longer. Have a good night and take care of yourself. Don’t you be pulling all-nighters, understand?”

“I understand,” Logan repeated back as if on instinct. It wouldn’t stop him from doing it, but it was…nice, he supposed, to know that the professor cared.

It wasn’t like he didn’t have friends that wouldn’t check up on him, he did, but it was different when it was someone that was higher status than you were. Held more sway over what happened in the department. Dr. Coleman was the dean of the anthropology department and he had a lot of power.

The professor nodded his head with a grin, before pulling open his car and stepping in.

Logan let out a breath and turned on his heel. Quickening his pace to his own vehicle, he fished in his bag for his keys. He found them after a moment of struggling one-handed and unlocked his car. He slid inside just as Dr. Coleman’s headlights flashed over him and the professor pulled out of the parking lot, disappearing over the hill leading down to the highway.

Letting his head rest back against the seat’s headrest, he finally released the human from the confines of his hand. Using his now freed one, he ran them through his hair before pulling his glasses off.

What was he even doing?

So what if there was a cruel practice going on at the school underneath everyone’s noses? Just because he was privy to it didn’t mean he had to do anything about it. He was just one person. Logan had friends that were very much human rights activists and into studies and politics concerning the creatures, but none of their campaigns had really gotten the traction necessary to make a true difference. It was a difficult field of study to be in when there were people opposing everything you did.

While Logan always made sure his interactions with the creatures were careful and calculated, a part of him wished he could say the same thing for his classmates.

You would think, at a senior level of study, students would be taking it more seriously. Many of them did, but many of them still used this advantage to handle the humans they dealt with rough and carelessly. To which, the creature would get injured and would then be gone by next morning.

The human currently stuck within the confines of his pocket had been one of the unlucky ones. Injured thanks to a student who had been working in the lab outside of class just a few feet away from Logan—who had conducting his own experiments—they’d dropped the human from a dangerous height on accident, causing the little one to cry out.

His classmate had panicked immediately, obviously unsure of what to do or where to go from there. They’d even gone as far as to check over at Logan to gauge if he’d seen anything and snitch. The student had then gathered the human up as if nothing had happened. They’d packed their papers, shoved it all into their backpack and then deposited the human right back into the large glass terrarium in the middle of the lab, just waiting for someone else to find the injured creature in the morning and get rid of it.

Logan didn’t even have any connection to the human currently struggling to right itself in the soft fabric. Hadn’t conducted any studies with it, observed it or anything else of the such. He’d only heard the helpless cry and decided he wasn’t going to let it suffer in its own agony all night.

The move was illogical and he knew that. Yet, he was still risking absolutely everything for this one little human. His future career was banking on the hope he never got found out.

Logan slipped his glasses back on before sliding the keys into the ignition.

“The amount of trouble you could get me in is unbelievable,” he mused after a moment, unsure if he was talking to the human or not. Either way, the only reaction he got for his efforts was more struggling. So, pulling the gear shift out of park, he made his way back home.

—

“Oh, would you stop fighting me for five seconds,” the student groused, quickly managing to corral the human between his hands again without fully touching him. “If I wanted to hurt you, don’t you think I would have done that by now? Or perhaps, better yet, just left you back in the lab’s terrarium for someone else to find?”

The human only twitched away from his hands, just as he had been doing for the past fifteen minutes. Logan really didn’t want to have to pin him down to get the fidgety creature to be still, but he was quickly running out of options and patience.

“I don’t want to restrain you,” Logan’s voice finally seemed to get the human’s flickering attention. However, now the human’s eyes were locked solely on him, with an uncanny ability to follow his every miniature movement with unwavering attention. It was, all things considered, slightly disturbing to be watched so intensely with such obvious fright and distrust. “But I will if you force my hand.”

The human’s face contorted in an expression that resembled a sneer, before he tucked his injured wrist closer to his chest.

Logan pulled his hands back to himself, watching quietly as the human flinched further into himself. It was very much obvious the little one was touch shy and Logan really wanted to refrain from handling him as much as possible– lest he frighten the human so bad his little heart stopped altogether. “You must understand that leaving your wrist like that will only do you more harm than good. I can assist you in starting your healing progress.”

The human seemed open enough to the idea and Logan carefully extended his fingertips forward, a blatant show of nonaggression and allowing the creature to come to him in its own time. Giving the human the slightest semblance of control may make this entire interaction even the tiniest bit easier on them both.

Its eyes flickered uneasily from its wrist back to Logan’s outstretched hand. It twisted to look over its shoulders, as if searching out an escape route. It hadn’t worked before and Logan knew trying to escape wouldn’t work again. His reaction time was much faster than the human’s, so it wouldn’t make it very far anyhow.

The human in question turned back to Logan, almost as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. For him to act like any other careless student that was ready to mishandle him. The human’s wrist was thin as it was, but now that it was injured (and Logan speculated, broken), it was even more vulnerable than before. Giving up a vulnerable piece of you was a frightening thing and Logan could hardly imagine looking at it from any other perspective but his own. Though, he could safely assume that he, himself, would not be very fond of this situation either if their positions had happened to be switched.

Truthfully, there would be nothing about the human’s life Logan would enjoy. Depending on whether or not he came straight from the earth’s surface and nicked directly from his own life, or if he had been born into a breeding facility.

In all reality, he understood the hesitance in letting him assist. If the human had been handled as recklessly as Logan theorized he had, coming face to face with someone that wouldn’t mishandle him purposefully would be unknown, suspicious and daunting new territory.

“I’m not going to ask you to trust me,” he said finally, the human’s eyes flickered up to meet his own. Surprise lingered in those colourful eyes. “I know you’re frightened and that’s alright. It may be hard to believe, but I really can help you. Only if you’ll allow me, of course. Though, I do think you and I both know that sleeping on that hurt wrist of yours would be uncomfortable at least.”

The human’s good hand clenched, showing Logan the inner battle the little one was facing.

Wanting to ease a little more of it’s stress, he quietly urged; “I will not hurt you, you have my word.”

A moment passed and the human hesitantly stepped forward, his wrist extended enough for Logan to start bandaging.

—

“Why’d you do it?”

The sudden voice very nearly startled Logan out of his thoughts. Virgil had been sitting so quietly next to him, that he’d almost forgotten the human was even there in the first place.

When Logan’s attention fell down to said human, Virgil wasn’t looking at him. He was instead focused intently on his wrist, carefully wrapped in bandages and hanging in a makeshift sling, the best either of them could have done. Logan had almost no experience bandaging such a small subject, so getting it done and in a place where he was satisfied with it was difficult. And Virgil had been working one-handed, so getting the sling to hold properly had been a fight all in itself.

Though, the question was what really nabbed Logan’s attention. “Do what?”

Virgil gave him a look—Logan was getting very familiar with Virgil’s looks and they all usually meant something different—which was a mix between annoyance and genuine confusion, as if Logan really didn’t understand what he meant; which was untrue “Smuggled me out of the lab,” he clarified a moment later, his fingers trailing over the white piece of fabric wrapped around his arm and shoulder again. “You didn’t have to do it, we both know that. I just want to know why you did.”

That was the true question, wasn’t it?

An inquiry that had been on Logan’s mind since that night’s ordeal.

In all honesty, Logan wasn’t entirely sure what had metaphorically possessed him in that particular moment. And while he wanted to be able to give Virgil a straight answer, he didn’t have one.

Logan sat back in his chair, hands resting idly in his lap. The silence was thoughtful, if a bit awkward. As far as they had come in their acquaintanceship (maybe even going as far as saying tentative friendship), there were still pauses that felt tense and heavy. Virgil had certainly come a long way from the first time they had met and Logan was grateful for it, since he was no longer having one-sided conversations.

There were, of course, some topics that Virgil was still too sensitive about to really learn anything, but they were getting there. Logan really hoped that he would eventually get to learn more about what it was like for the human, and be able to go off of that firsthand information to do something. However, until then building his trust was Logan’s priority.

“I don’t exactly have an answer for you,” Logan said after a moment’s pause of brief deliberation. He knew that giving Virgil solid answers was more preferable, since it would ease his anxiety. But this topic was one where Logan, regrettably, didn’t have any solid answers to give.

“Oh.” There was that dejected slump of Virgil’s shoulders, a position Logan was also very familiar with when dealing with him. Disappointment was clear in Virgil’s tone, but he made no move to push for further answers.

Logan felt as though he had let him down somehow. Which was certainly not something he would let stand. He took a long moment, carefully mulling over and debating his next words. “I suppose I did what I did because I couldn’t stand the way they were treating you anymore.” Now that seemed to have drawn Virgil’s attention right back up to him, though he had a brow quirked in question. So, Logan continued. “I know we didn’t have a working relationship prior to my thoughtless, albeit successful, actions. Though, I do feel… better, knowing that you’re safe here.”

Going from whatever kind of relationship they had established here now, Logan couldn’t bear the idea of someone else getting their hands on Virgil. Especially if they meant him any harm. While he could be mean and sharp, there was that anxious and unsure side to him, which proved that a lot of his bark was worse than his bite.

It also did give him peace of mind that Virgil was safe in his care. No more mishandling, no more purposeful injuries and no more testing with stuff that shouldn’t be anywhere near a human.

Virgil’s nose scrunched. “That makes no sense.”

“I suppose it doesn’t,�� Logan relented, the ghost of a smile gracing his features. He leaned forwards once more, returning to his laptop to type again. “Though, I’m sure it’s nice for you to know your arm will heal properly.”

Virgil shrugged his good shoulder, leaning back on his hand and looking up toward the student. “Still hurts,” he mused.

Logan hummed. “I’d be surprised if it didn’t.”

The two fell back into a more comfortable quiet. It was broken periodically by soft conversation, but it was mostly filled by the sound of Logan’s keyboard click clacking.

“…thanks,” Virgil eventually said, gently enough that Logan had almost entirely missed it. He paused his typing and his eyes flickered over Virgil’s form, whom of which was tucked comfortably into his hoodie, his eyes looking anywhere other than Logan. “For doing it, I mean. Even though you didn’t have to.”

Logan didn’t force Virgil to meet his eyes, as that would only put unnecessary stress on him. “You’re welcome,” he replied, “I find that your company is quite pleasant.”

While the consequences of his actions were still a very real threat, Logan couldn’t find it in himself to regret his decision.

                                        ——————————

[sparetimeimagines]

Think of Me | Todoroki Shoto

Series

Part 1

Tags; Slow burn series, Fluff, Soft!Boy Shoto, Prohero!Shoto

Masterlist

He didn’t know your name... but my god he wanted to. He watched you everyday as you walked by his patrol region.

At first it started as an accident. You had this glow to you that caught his attention.

The way you looked so at peace with life... how you took only one step at a time, it was mesmerizing.

It was from the second time he saw you, he made it his mission to learn your name. That’s all he wanted, just to learn your name.

Of course he wasn’t actually going to talk to you. No, who was he to speak to someone so perfect, so blemish free.

But the way he thought of you, it was dangerous.

He’d be finishing up with a villain, letting the police handle them, and this random thought would pop up in his head.

I wonder what she would think of me right now...

This no named girl he’d pass everyday, someone he wasn’t sure even knew he existed was worthy of an opinion of him.

He had to learn your name.

That’s it. Set in stone. That was his next mission.

The next morning, on his daytime patrol, he looked for you.

And he looked for you.

And he looked for you.

However, you never showed

Of course. The one day he decided he finally had the guts to talk to you, to learn your name, you’re no where to be seen.

His day is ruined. Complete rubbish. His confidence is shattered and he figures maybe you’re just a pretty face that got away.

But no. He can’t think like that. He can’t be distracted by some girl he never had a chance with.

A week passes and still, you’re no where to be seen. He’s lost all hope by now, and decides it’s best he moves on.

He’s thinking of moving his patrol to a different area. After all, one of the main reasons he continues to patrol this area is because he wants to see you. He wants to see your pretty face and wonder if your name is just as pretty. But maybe you’re more of a distraction for him, and maybe that would be the best idea.

Yes. Tomorrow he will patrol somewhere else.

He’s mindfully weaving through pedestrians, knowing a large number of them fear him just like his dreadful father. Avoiding them walking, he cuts a corner sharply, bumping into an unsuspecting victim. She didn’t have enough time to react to him knocking her to the ground, however he did, grasping her waist at the last second.

“Are you ok?” He asks setting her down, his calloused hands barely touching her soft skin as he lets her gain her balance.

She probably thinks he’s a monster. She’s probably going to complain to his agency. Now he’s going to have no choice but to relocate.

However... she catches him by surprise. Her soft finger tips slide from his forearm down his wrists. The most gentle touch he’s felt, and it’s meant for him.

“I’m so sorry. I’m running late and I didn’t see you.” Her cheeks flush below her large doe eyes peering into his. “You! You’re...”

“I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone. I’m so sorry.” Shoto begins to apologize profusely not making eyecontact through his proper bow.

“What? No!” You hold his chest up to straighten him out. “You’re Shoto.”

His body freezes by now, waiting for the next reaction since he can’t predict what will happen next. Of course she’s going to run a hate club or something. This will be the end of his career. He knows it.

“I’m a huge fan.”

But that - that stops him. He’s stunned, hit harder than any villain ever struck him.

He looks up bashfully through his red and white hair to look you in the eyes.

It’s you. The girl he’s been admiring for the last month. It’s you, and you’re talking to him. This can’t be real. Nonetheless, you admire him? This is insane. Some cruel joke...

“A- A fan?” He choke miserably at hiding his insecurities.

You counter him with a nod and fold your arms in interest.

“I think you’re amazing.” You blush and he’s mirroring you.

“T-thank you.”

He’s burrowing into himself, his whole mission being thrown down the drain.

“I’m sorry, I must be bothering you.” You bow in apologies and stops you this time.

This isn’t real right?

“No. You just caught me by surprise is all.”

The pro hero looks into your eyes and immediately feels the heat on his cheeks.

“You’re much more handsome in person.” Immediately you clasp a hand over your mouth, gaining a smile from Shoto.

“You’re very kind.”

“I mean it.” You look at the watch in your wrist and your eyes grow large. “I’m so late. I’m so sorry.” You reach in your bag and pull out a business card, handing it to him. “I’d love to learn more about you, if you’re interested.”

With that you leave him in awe, running to catch the next train.

She probably just wants an interview for some magazine. Of course...

He looks down at your card, reading “Yn, Graphic Design.”

“Yn...” he hums out loud watching where you once stood.

This pounding in his chest is overwhelming and all he can think about is how you called HIM handsome and how YOU were blushing because of him.

He flips the card in his hand once more.

Mission completed... now how do I call her?

She’ll probably regret this decision when she realizes what she had done.

Well, there’s only one way for him to know.

He’s gonna call you.

[thepacificprince]

Finest Five Reasons to Invest in Real Estate Today

When it comes to real estate, the topic of the day is the downturn in the market, the number of people losing the homes, and how much this is going to hurt the market. In the seventeen years I have been in the real estate business, I had witnessed every fluctuation the market has to offer. While it is true that numerous property owners are enduring trying times, rarely does an identical happen to knowledgeable real estate investors. There are those individuals who be emotionally unattached and invest wisely in real estate. Therefore, they live a very comfortable, if not lavish, lifestyle. Purchasing real estate, especially during a downturn, can widen an investor's opportunities and bring about lucrative returns. This is a truth. For anybody who is thinking about becoming a real estate investor or have already made the decision to start out, the following information is priceless. Wanting to secure a comfortable personal future, most of us go to work every day hoping to build an important nest egg. Since, it is common knowledge that real estate traders have the capacity to not only build a nest egg as well as create a fortune, why aren't more people joining typically the ranks of real estate multimillionaires? Why aren't there further people fighting for a seat on the real estate bandwagon? Most certainly, the truth behind real estate investing is that it is a business therefore, must be treated like one for it to prosper. The same as any other promising venture, investing in real estate requires a well-defined perception, a strategic plan, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Keep in mind the overwhelming evidence revealing success, only a microscopic message of the population is willing to take the risk, do the and follow through. The rest simply watch and call the of us doing the work "Lucky". When I began my career on real estate, I didn't have a plan. 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Safe Investment When we use a timeline to review the real estate market to other investments, such as the stock game, it is easy to see that real estate continues to increase in value gradually without any serious instability. Although, there is currently a home crisis in various parts across the country, every indicator points out the fact that what we are actually experiencing is a readjustment of highly overpriced real estate prices. Just as prices may be dropping, in time the can undoubtedly increase. In contrast, the stock market has put buyers through a dizzying rollercoaster ride made up of swift highs as well as abrupt lows throughout history. Regardless of what type of market our company is in, it is clear that an investment in real estate claims a profit over time. 2 . No Cash Necessary Just for beginning real estate investors, sometimes the only investment they can produce is their time. For every real estate investor, finding a worthwhile deal is as good as striking oil. There are plenty of experienced investors with money in their pockets itching to buy a sheet of discounted property. Wholesalers often utilize this method. Therefore , for anybody who is new to the game, consider finding a deal, tying it " up " and connecting with an investor who can take it off your hands... for just a price, of course. 3. Almost Anyone Can Do It Real estate will be such a lucrative field that it opens doors to tons of amateur investors everyday. There are how-to books and tutorials at every turn teaching would-be investors a myriad of solutions to make huge profits in the real estate market. While it is true who overnight success is practically unheard of, anybody with the heart and soul, mind and determination can make it big in real estate. Typically the keys are to continue learning and to monitor market problems. 4. Leveraging Power While novice investors can turn an easy profit by wholesaling their deals, Buy-and-Hold investors can produce a profit by borrowing against (leveraging) their properties. Normally, lenders will allow holders of owner-occupied property to receive up to ninety-five percent of their property's value and up for you to eighty-percent of nonowner occupied units. This means that you can sometimes purchase property with a minimal out-of-pocket investment or develop financing that will allow you to pull cash out of your property's collateral to use for future ventures. 5. Tax Breaks The usual 1031 exchange and depreciation are just two of them. The usa government has set up multiple tax breaks favoring properties investors. Owning real estate with the goal of making a turn a profit allows you to deduct interest payments, repairs, and vacancies within other expenses when preparing your tax return. It is important to realize that purchasing real estate makes economic sense; it should not possibly be purchased solely for the tax benefits. Ultimately, owning a realty business is the way to achieve financial freedom regardless of market conditions. Whether you quit your job and dive ideal in or you work at it in your spare time, you can take it happen. Worthwhile benefits are waiting faithfully for those taking.

[whump-my-dear-watson]

Whumptober day no.14, 16, 17 +20

Pinned down, tear-stained, stay with me, Trembling

Character: Clark Kent

Fandom: Smallville

Word Count: 1,880

Summary: Clark is pinned by a boulder that is infused with Kryptonite, unable to move it off of him and being continually weakened, Clark faces the longest day of his life. 

A/N: this takes place around the earlier seasons of Smallville, idek, and boy howdy I sure did combine a lot of prompts for this one lol, also there’s a ton of perspective switches because I love so many dynamics of caretakers with Clark, and I couldn’t choose...

Pete’s truck sputtered and spit with black smoke, giving out with one last spurt. Pete sighed as he did his best to steer off the road as to not block any other cars, with a shudder the truck halted. Peter looked around. What could he do now? 

Before Pete was even able to make a decision on what he should do, the ever familiar blur of Clark came streaking towards him.

“Need a hand?” Clark asked with his typical face-wide grin. 

“Yeah, she gave out again. Think you can push it down the hill, or should I call a truck?”

Clark’s hands were already on the bumper of the truck, “I got this.”

Pete took a step back as Clark started to push the truck over the little hill before the road started to plateau. 

Good thing Clark came when he did, it was starting to get dark and the rock side of the road towered high, hiding them from view. 

They had gotten over twenty feet before Clark stopped.

“You okay?” Pete asked.

Clark twisted his head towards the side of the road. “Do you hear that?”

“What? No.”

“It's like a rumbling, it doesn't sound good…” Clark studied the wall of rock beside them, with the squint that Pete could recognize as using his x-ray vision. 

“Everything okay?” Pete could barely get out before Clark let go of the truck and turned to him.

“Watch out!” Clark screamed, tackling into him, throwing Pete out of the way just as a giant boulder broke out and landed with a heavy thud.  

“Clark? Are you okay?” Pete asked, standing up.

Clark's voice came from under the newly made to pile. “I'm good. Maybe,” he added much softer.

“Can't you lift it?" Pete asked, observing the large Boulder pinning Clark down.

Clark groaned with effort, "I- I don't know, it's not," Clark pushed against the rock again. "It's not working!" his voice broke, "my powers, they're not working!" 

Pete's head spun, how were Clark's powers suddenly not working? 

"It's okay, I'll help." 

Pete looked at his phone, no signal. He wouldn't be able to call for help. Pocketing his phone Pete went to stand by Clark, what was visible of him at least. His head, shoulders, and his right arm could move freely, everything else trapped. 

"Okay, let's get you out of this."

Pete braced his hands against the rock, pushing with all of his might he attempted to free him, but all the time he spent working out and at football, it didn't matter. The boulder didn't move an inch.

Clark started to be visibly distressed, Pete sat next to him, at his eye level. He wasn't looking good. That's when Pete noticed, "Clark, Clark, you're bleeding!" 

He did his best not to freak out or to freak Clark out, but in all their years of friendship, never once has he seen him bleed. He was supposed to be indestructible, right?

Clark's worried eyes found Pete's. "What's happening to me?" He asked, but Pete had no real answer.

After a while Pete started to notice Clark’s skin, it was a weird green tint, Pete had seen that before.

"Clark, doesn't the meteor rock make you lose your powers and become weak and all that?"

Clark got out a nod. "You think?"

"Yeah," Pete nodded. "This boulder is meteor rock."

They sat like that for a while, every so often Pete would get an idea, leveraging a big branch against the boulder, or digging Clark out, nothing would work. 

Pete didn’t leave Clark’s side, his worry growing more tense every second. Clark’s breathing became more erratic and his pain more audible. 

The evening sun was setting on them, the trees covering them from night. 

Pete wondered if anyone would ever find them if his truck was working he could drive for help, but he couldn’t do that, and he didn’t dare leave Clark alone anyway. 

It must have been an hour before they heard anything, a low rumble of an engine, the headlights of an oncoming car shown on the accident. 

Pete ran to get their help but froze in his tracks when he saw who the driver was. 

“Lex?” 

Lex Luthor stepped out of his car, rushing towards Pete. 

“What happened? Are you alright?” he asked, concern etched on his face as he observed the abandoned truck and pile of rocks scattered on the road.

“Uh, not exactly. My truck broke down and then...there must have been an earthquake or something because the rocks got loose,” Pete walked Lex over to the side where Clark lay, a heavy layer of sweat mixed with blood covering him.

“Oh my god, Clark?” Are you okay?” he asked squatting down to his eye level.

Clark’s distant gaze drifted over him, “Hmmm,”

“We can’t lift it. I tried everything and I can’t get a hold of anybody, no service.”

Lex nodded and tossed his own personal cell to Pete, “This should work, you should call the Kent’s.” 

Pete dialed Johnathan, no answer. He left a quick voicemail just out of Clark and Lex’s earshot, “Clark’s in trouble, his powers aren’t working, I think we need help.” Pete spared another worried glance at his friend before filling him in on their location. 

“Went to voicemail.” Pete informed Lex approaching the two of them.

“Well, let’s hope he checks that soon. In the meantime let’s get an ambulance up here, and, I don’t know the procedure, but a really big truck too? We have to get Clark out from there.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I know, it’s just- it wasn’t supposed to be him… It was supposed to be me, Clark saw the rocks starting to fall and pushed me out of the way, it was supposed to be me,” he repeated. 

Lex came up to Pete and looked him straight in the eyes, “You can’t control what Clark does, it wasn’t your fault. You know Clark, he’s always the first to jump to save somebody.”

Pete nodded, but still feeling the overwhelming sense of guilt mixed with regrets. 

Clark’s face was drained of all life, the meteor rock not helping the tint. Lex returned to Clark’s side, trying to think of something to say to encourage the kid. “You’re doing good Clark, help’s coming shortly. You’re getting out of this.”

Clark swallowed and nodded, hardly able to hear Lex over his rapid heartbeat. He never knew so much pain existed, without his skin like steel- he was open quite literally to a world of pain. Lex was unable to hide his concern, it was obvious Clark’s mental state was deteriorating, and he looked sick, like really sick. Then again the boulder was bigger than a truck, part of Lex wondered how Clark was even still alive, but he knew that as with everything surrounding Clark, there was a mystery, but quite frankly the mystery of Clark Kent was the furthest thing from Lex’s mind, only worry for his friend remained. 

It wasn’t long before Pete emerged with Johnathan at his heels. He rushed to his son, unable to form any words. 

“Dad?” Clark asked in between deep breaths, a calming trick Lex had shown him, it wasn’t helping much at the moment. 

Johnathan smiled through his own pain of seeing his kid trapped, “I’m here.” 

Clark began to break down, it had been hours since he’d been powerless against the meteor rock laced boulder that was crushing him. With his loose arm, Clark tried to cover his tear-stained face, it was all too much. “It hurts, worse than anything I’ve ever felt,” he choked out a sob.

“I know son. I’m sorry.” Johnathan squeezed his eyes shut and took Clark’s hand in his, Clark leaned into the warm pressure. 

“You’re gonna be okay.” 

“I can’t move- Dad, I- I can’t move,” Clark’s shoulders trembled with fear, his mind racing, he would die here. Killed by a rock. Was that all that was meant for him?

“Hey, hey, I’m here.” Johnathan repeated until Clark’s breathing started to stabilize. 

Johnathan did his best to comfort Clark as they awaited the emergency responders, everyone at the accident had tried to lift the boulder, but they were no match. They would just have to wait for a truck. As Johnathan lay holding his son he thought back to when he first found Clark, he was all alone. He wasn’t now. He would never be alone again, not if Johnathan had anything to say about it. He’s so young- he had so much life left to live. 

“Hey! I think help’s here!” Pete shouted overlooking the hill.

Johnathan smiled down at his son, “Do you hear that? We’re gonna get you out, Clark. You’re gonna be just fine.”

Clark didn’t respond which made Lex and Johnathan’s stomach drop. “Come on Clark, stay with me,” Johnathan said trying to control his own breathing. 

Lex took a step back, he couldn’t watch his friend die. He had seen so much in his life, so much pain, his own mother, he couldn’t are to witness another person he loved die in front of him. 

It didn’t take long for the equipment to be set up to get Clark out, with all the people working and now the trucks, the boulder was moved. 

Clark hissed in pain from the movement, now fully aware of what was happening. Relieved from the pressure and contact with the rock Clark’s mindfully focused on the toll that such long exposure to the meteor rock had taken on him, normally it didn’t even take minutes after separating with it for him to start to heal, but Clark continued to feel worse than ever before. 

His head lolled in place as they loaded him onto a stretcher, Johnathan staying by his side. Pete and Lex stood dazed in place before Lex offered to take Pete to the hospital to see Clark later.  Lex flagged down Johnathan before the ambulance took off, “Mr. Kent! I want you to know that you don’t have to worry about medical bills, Clark will get the best care that is offered. “

“You really don’t have to do that,”

“I insist.”

Johnathan nodded, appreciative of Lex’s offer, but now terrified about what the Doctor could find out about Clark, but he was still human now, so Johnathan hoped that he would stay that way until they would leave the hospital. 

Pete apologized to Clark for the millionth time, but Clark just continued to tell him that it wasn’t needed. 

“We need to get you to the hospital now Mr. Kent,” one of the paramedics told Clark, Pete took a step back to make room for Clark’s father to join his son. Johnathan nodded a thanks to him before loading in.

Clark was already starting to look marginally better, no longer on death’s door at least. “Thanks, Dad.” he smiled. “For being there,” 

“Always son,” Johnathan kept his hand comforting on Clark’s shoulder, never would he have thought that he would have to witness his son so close to death, that was one of the perks of having an indestructible alien son, no danger. But that was never Clark’s style, and Johnathan had to accept that. 

“Next time you need a ride, call me.”

[lowcarbnutrients]

How to Design Your Ideal Diet

Choosing a diet regimen for on your own can be enjoyable, yet also overwhelming. There more than 100 various nutritional theories out there today, as well as it can be hard for us to choose which one is the excellent diet plan for us and our families.

Last year when I started culinary nourishment college, my initial project was to develop my very own written food ideology. Since I had my own wellness training practice for 5 years, I currently had a fairly strong understanding of my food philosophy or where I stood when it pertains to food. But I desired to dig much deeper and also actually discover what that suggested for me as well as my family.

Finding My Ideal Diet

Over the training course of my recovery journey, my food philosophy has actually evolved. I struggled with weight problems, high cholesterol, allergic reactions, autoimmune disease and regular illnesses. In the start, I was concentrated on dropping weight and also sensation better - having more energy.

I eliminated very processed as well as packaged foods having high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils and also preservatives. In the 1980's and also 1990's, I ate a whole lot of fat-free and health foods. I promptly tossed those foods out and changed them with full-fat versions. I started including even more vegetables as well.

As I began to reduce weight as well as obtain more power, I discovered myself in the kitchen extra and also started to enjoy the procedure of cooking and also creating brand-new recipes for my family. Quickly, I began seeing farmer's markets and also started finding out about neighborhood farming techniques. I made brand-new buddies with farmers and also manufacturers and also truly began to comprehend the intricacies of sustainable farming methods. This is when I actually began to move my idea system. I developed connections with farmers, market suppliers, beekeepers, herbalists, kombucha manufacturers, as well as generate farmers. These new relationships strengthened my understanding of our food economy, just how the federal government is so associated with our food and also how we absolutely can produce change with our getting behaviors. Supporting these folks came to be a lifestyle. I recognized my food, the individuals that grew it as well as exactly how it was being processed.

Currently, all of my meat, eggs, raw honey, herbal medicinal teas and also create originated from local ranches. I do supplement some fruit, veggies and snack foods from a neighborhood grocery shop though. These connections allowed my youngsters to have a better understanding of where our food comes from. These see the delighted cows, skip about with the piglets, and chase after chickens on the ranch near our residence. It produces an enjoyable, family outing.

Why is this important to do? I personally feel as a society we have actually relocated so much past a connection with our food. We're consuming supper at the drive-thru, snacks that come in plans and boxes rather than whole foods and also we turn a blind eye to the wrongs of traditional animal feeding operations.

Some might believe that I may be or must be a vegetarian provided what I recognize, however my body hungers for meat - not a lot, but some. So, I select to source locally-raised, pastured animals fed their natural diet of grass (and bugs for the chickens). I believe that everyone is different as well as we each have specific organic dietary needs. We must each establish a suitable diet that works for our individual bodies. Nonetheless, I do think that every person might gain from consuming entire, unrefined foods, small amounts of grass-fed meats if essential, natural fruit and vegetables and assistance local farming while doing so.

How To Design Your Ideal Diet

With every one of the nutritional concepts to choose from, do not really feel urged to pick one and proclaim to the globe how you eat. That's your business and also no one else's. You can determine if you really feel good eating meat or fish or if a vegan diet regimen is ideal for you. Or, maybe you intend to mix it up, like I do, and eat vegetarian one day and also fish the next - I call that the "flexitarian diet regimen."

But just how do we actually place this into method? Right here are some points to think about when you start to create your optimal diet.

1. Establish your own Food Philosophy

This important initial step overviews your choice making when it involves food. Here's mine:

My Personal Food Philosophy: Consume S. L. O. W.( Lasting. Regional. Organic. Wild.) My motto for the last 5 years has actually been to pick foods that are sourced ethically as well as sustainably. I attempt to choose regional whenever I can and also sustain my farmer close friends that live nearby. I choose Organic as long as feasible to avoid the "refined" things as well as often go "Wild" - for instance, I will certainly forage for wild herbs and also plants as well as pick wild over farmed seafood. And also, it's simply a suggestion to "consume gradually," or mindfully, which is terrific for digestion.

In addition to what I have actually reviewed above, a few of things you might intend to consider in your ideology are:

What you like to eat

Where your food comes from

What you 'd want a person to prepare you for dinner

How you make food decisions at the supermarket or market

What's your dream meal?

2. Consider what is locally available

We all enjoy avocados and bananas, however, for a number of us worldwide these foods aren't local. I'm not claiming you need to never ever consume them - nonetheless, it's vital to likewise consider what foods are plentiful in your location, as well as likewise what's in period. Neighborhood foods contain even more nutrients than those that were chosen weeks back and delivered throughout the country.

In an excellent world, your perfect diet plan would concentrate on what you have accessibility to. This allows us to support regional organisations and farms, minimize our environmental influence and consume food that is best - which is mosting likely to be wonderful for our health!

3. What are your activity levels?

Consider exactly how active you are. If you're educating on a daily basis, your nutrient demands are mosting likely to be greater than a person that has a desk task and isn't working out numerous times a week. On days when you're a lot more energetic, you might need a lot more healthy protein to fuel your muscular tissues as well as on days when you're operating at a desk you might require to eat a simpler dish like a salad with a healthy fat to keep your brain operating ideally. You may require extra protein, water and electrolytes if you're exercising consistently.

4. What is your health situation?

If you're suffering from an autoimmune illness, an inflammatory problem or fighting an illness, your diet plan will certainly require to reflect these problems. Those with autoimmune condition need to stay clear of inflammatory foods, like gluten, dairy products, sugar as well as possibly nightshades (you can grab a total Anti-Inflammatory Diet plan + Way Of Life Guide right here).

Conversely, if you have a household history of disease and also wish to stop disease, you need a diet regimen high in superfoods, anti-oxidants, fermented foods and plant-rich meals.

5. Market Factors (age, gender, etc.)

Typically, males need more healthy protein as well as facility carbohydrates than women. They also have various micronutrient requirements. Ladies and also men need particular nutrients at each stage of life, so take into account where you remain in life and also what your micronutrient requirements are at this time around and as you age.

Children will additionally require diverse nutrients at various phases of development to guarantee their mind and bodies prepare to grow and learn.

6. Your Lifestyle

One of the biggest aspects is just how your ideal diet regimen will certainly fit in with your way of living. If you're balancing a permanent career, domesticity, spiritual or school functions and pastimes that keep you hectic night and day, then you need to identify how to carry over your food viewpoint into your lifestyle.

Perhaps you don't appreciate food preparation or don't have much time to invest in the cooking area. You might need to study very easy supper hacks, begin a cooking cooperative or locate food shipment companies that align with your food choices to assist you meet your goals. You might have to shift your priorities to straighten with your new way of life. For instance, if I recognize I have an active week in advance, I meal strategy, shop and also batch prep a few dishes on the weekend break when I have a lot more time.

7. Dietary Preferences

You'll also wish to consider in your allergic reactions, sensitivities as well as general foods that you do not like. Some people do well on carbs as well as others do not. Take down just how you feel and start to make the link between food, your mood and also power levels after you eat.

8. The Research

Nutrition research is among those locations that will certainly never ever, ever before be settled. We're discovering more and also a lot more about nourishment scientific research each day. But you need to take care where that science is originating from and that is paying for the studies. Many medical professionals make use of "prejudice" to make their factors - meaning they will cherry-pick analytical information to prove their point. You'll find thousands of researches stating that veganism is ideal or Paleo is the method to go, or everybody needs to be consuming a raw food diet plan. Research your diet plan extensively from various sources to obtain an all-around factor of view.

9. Trial and Error

Don' t be terrified to make mistakes along the method. I once tried to eat raw foods for a week as well as had such stomach troubles that I was miserable. Be open to attempting new foods as well as diet plans, yet keep in mind to be in tune with your body and just how you feel.

Choosing a suitable diet plan is an evolving procedure, yet it's a pleasurable one too. Remember, if your perfect diet isn't sustainable - implying something you can do for the remainder of your life - after that it will not function for you. Attempt to create a plan or method of consuming that benefits your body as well as your lifestyle.

[meditativeyoga]

Call of the Wild: Practicing Yoga Outside

Imagine your hands supported by the soft loam under a grove of evergreen, your feet resting delicately against a tough tree, as you savor the strength as well as elegance of an exterior Handstand. After that, ouch! Your finger presses into a sharp pebble you hadn't seen.

Practicing in the outdoors is electrifying, yet it usually presents its reasonable share of obstacles: changeable weather condition, pests, irregular surface. 'When you're outdoors, the surface can be unsafe, or it can be relocating if you get on sand, however that's the real life,' says Twee Merrigan, a Prana Flow Yoga exercise teacher who is based in New York City however spends lots of weeks of the year practicing outside in remote and exotic settings. 'It isn't always a perfect timber flooring with scent as well as an instructor. Outside the yoga exercise workshop, if a difficulty comes up, just what are you going to do? Go crazy? Rather than waiting for a person to inform you just what to do, you figure it out for yourself,' she says.

Which is why an outdoor method could be a source for nurturing your creative thinking and strength.' We were in India, and ants were creeping all over my floor covering and feet,' remembers Merrigan. 'I decided to value them, focus enough to tip around them, change my practice a little for them. If they're red ants, OK, you might intend to removal your mat. Generally you can simply allow them be. They'll crawl off, and also you'll be OK.'

Adopting an attitude of interest is the initial step to delighting in a technique out of doors. Gillian Kapteyn Comstock, a yoga teacher that leads yoga-in-nature workshops at the Metta Planet Institute in Lincoln, Vermont, suggests exploring your environment with all five of your detects. 'Experience soft turf or cozy sand underfoot,' says Comstock, that wrote the outside asana instructions featured right here. 'Really feel the texture of a stone with your hands in Fifty percent Downward-Facing Dog Posture, or the rough tree bark against an extended arm in Triangular Pose.'

Then, aim to allow go of your suggestions regarding exactly what your yoga method must look or really feel like, as well as see just what you encounter. 'Provide yourself permission to relocate from area to detect to find the all-natural props you require,' Comstock suggests. 'Consider nature as a yoga companion, as well as instantly an universe of props opens.'

Observe the natural world: the odor of the air, the feeling of the wind, the sound of the birds, the moving darkness, as well as your ever-changing feelings of enthusiasm, happiness, pride, vulnerability, toughness, exhaustion-- whatever arises. Notification your reaction to it all.

Finally, allow yourself be spontaneous and also have a good time. 'I'll make a decision to go for a walk on the beach, as well as-- I can't assist myself-- the stroll becomes a 45-minute method of free-flowing vinyasa yoga exercise,' Merrigan claims. 'Yoga in the outdoors is doing what's calling you. Anytime I'm in an open field, I enter into arm harmonizing poses. The yoga exercise does not even have actually to be advanced positions. I could be in Fifty percent Lotus with a mudra. Or doing a Planet salute, by laying on my tummy on the turf. Or burglarize chanting or pranayama. There's no set program-- just breathing and also seeing exactly what influences you today.'

Instruction by Gillian Kapteyn Comstock

Rock Solid: Standing Poses

From go to toe, standing presents such as Utthita Trikonasana (Triangular Pose), Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose), Utkatasana (Chair Pose), and also Tadasana (Hill Pose) empower you to be present as well as taken part in the world, positioned for whatever calls. Regardless of where you are in nature, the ground is possibly irregular and also the weather is changeable. On top of these disturbances, the common workshop props that keep you balanced and aligned are missing. The challenge below is to remain in the pose mindfully in transforming conditions.

Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

Stand with your feet hip-distance apart as well as parallel. Spread your toes, and exhale as you ground the 4 corners of each foot, feeling your weight weigh down into the planet. Inhale as well as attract energy up your legs by raising the quadriceps. After your following inhalation, retain the breath briefly as you delicately squeeze your perineum as well as involve your core. Exhale and attract your tailbone down slightly as you lift up out of your waistline. Inhale once again as well as allow the chest to open and the collarbones to widen. Allow the breath climb up through the neck with a gentle lift, devoid of tension. Exhale and roll your shoulders back and also down. For this variant of Tadasana, you'll inhale as well as bring the arms expenses, hands shoulder-width apart as well as encountering each other.

Find a factor in the landscape at eye degree and also continuously stare there while you utilize your outer vision to notice the light, ground, clouds, and whatever else remains in your environment. Take it all in with a soft, inclusive sight. Next off, imagine every little thing that can't be seen with the eyes right now. You may pick up points that you could not have initially discovered. Concentrate on your inner landscape, checking the body for sensations.

To come out of the position, breathe out and lower the arms to a T, time out, and release them to your sides. Loosen up, shut your eyes, check inwardly, and also observe the impacts of the practice. Open your eyes, and also simply witness your experience.

Catch the Wind: Balancing Poses

Lift up into in Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose), Garudasana (Eagle Posture), Bakasana (Crow Posture), or Vrksasana (Tree Pose) outside amongst birds, swaying branches, as well as collapsing waves, and also you'll soon discover all of the activities that could interrupt your concentration and also trigger you to befall of a pose. How do you stable on your own when you're bordered by a lot movement? Rooting down right into the earth and also maintaining a consistent stare definitely aids. However it's your breath that will finest steady the mind and assist you increase high. 'By purposely breathing, an entire world of awareness begins to open,' Comstock claims. 'Yogic breathing develops area for paying attention to the noises of nature as well as noticing experiences.'

Through Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath), you could call forth the audio of the wind, the really component that lends the sense of flight to stabilizing presents. The audio of air removaling via the back of the throat may likewise assist you concentrate and also stay present. A constant mind, after all, urges solidity as well as balance in the body. So to prepare for a balancing present, practice Ujjayi by acquiring the back of your throat a little. Picture you're misting a restroom mirror with your breath, and also blurt a soft 'ha' sound that begins in your mouth and comes through your nostrils. When your breath begins to seem like wind in the trees or ocean waves, you've got it. You're all set for takeoff.

Vrksasana (Tree Pose)

Begin in Hill Posture. Highly ground the right foot and also develop consistent Ujjayi breath. Focus your drishti (gaze). With recognition, inhale, flex your left knee, and position the sole of your left foot, toes aiming down, on the inner right thigh. In the start, the foot can rest anywhere you can most quickly discover your balance. Exhale as well as transform the left knee out to ensure that it is in the same plane as the front body. On an inhalation, bring the hands to Anjali Mudra (Salutation Seal) at the heart center. After 5 breaths, exhale as you bring the hands with hands together down the midline and launch the foot. Repeat beyond. Relax and shut your eyes for a moment. When you open your eyes, let your understanding include the lots of things in nature that equilibrium-- a bird's nest, stacked rocks-- and just observe.

Down Play: Inversions

Whether you're on sand, a verdant knoll, or a harsh forest flooring, the ground makes sure to be a much cry from a workshop's level wood floors. Even the walls, floor coverings, and also props on which you often depend for several inversions are significantly absent. I've located the finest-- as well as many fun-- thing to do in these scenarios is to advise myself to not be so serious regarding my method and rather seize the day to have fun with the slanted ground and try out utilizing large rocks as well as trees for props. Did you ever before transform cartwheels on the beach or do headstands on the lawn as a child? It's the technique of playful ingenuity that makes inversions like Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand), Salamba Sarvangasana (Sustained Shoulderstand), Setu Banda Sarvangasana (Bridge Posture), as well as Adho Mukha Svanasana( Downward-Facing Canine Pose) feasible outside.

Most inversions take the body right into adventurous settings. Before starting, think about safety. If you roll, are there any difficult or sharp objects you might fall onto? Dedicate to paying attention to your body with the utmost gentleness. Allow your mind loosen up and also tune in to your childlike nature. Is there a tree to sustain you as a wall surface would, a soft spot in a field for your head, a rock to lay your back body over, or a sandy dune to push right into? Make a present up and add improvisational play to your technique. Perhaps you'll find on your own kicking up right into Handstand on a sandy dune or letting your feet lean against a tree trunk in Headstand. The fun of the practice is being as creative as nature.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Pet dog Pose)

Of all the inversions, this present is possibly the most convenient one to happily produce structural variations and also alterations to in nature. Try it on a sloping beach, stand on a dropped log, or put hands and also feet on stones and stumps. The excellence of the position is not in the timeless placement, yet instead it remains in the vibrant play of the core with the prolonged limbs. Discover exactly what attracts you in the landscape.

Begin in Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend). On an inhalation, reach out and walk your hands onward until the four edges of each foot and also hand are available in contact with the ground, stone, incline, or tree you have actually selected as a prop, purposely adapting the classic placements of the hands shoulder-width apart and parallel as well as the feet hip-distance apart as well as parallel. Exhale and also spread your fingers as well as toes equally, which will certainly assist support the posture.

When you really feel grounded, breathe in as you press the buttocks up, and breathe out as you prolong the arms and legs. Continuouslying breathe deeply, alternating rocking the left and also right heels. Play with the inhalations and exhalations as you allow the head to drop down between the arms, and attract up the quadriceps. The changing and changing of your body's have fun with the earth depend upon your capacity to take a breath consciously. Breath by breath, make the micromovements that maintain you connected to your internal sensations.

Lengthen the arms and lift out of the shoulders while remaining to push the heels down. Take a breath deep into the abdominal area, and afterwards exhale, raising the stubborn belly delicately. Really feel the dynamic resistance of the hands and also heels pushing down, while at the same time rising with the buttocks. When you've finished your play, exhale and walk your restore to a standing onward bend. Relax there for a moment, breathe in, and unfurl on your own vertebra by vertebra back to standing. Rest and witness the globe appropriate side up again.

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Posture)

Begin with your legs expanded in Dandasana (Staff Posture). For this variation, maintain the left leg directly and also active and the left foot bent. Inhale, flex the best knee, as well as breathe out, putting the best foot outside of the left knee. Maintain the right knee aimed straight up as well as the best foot pressed securely into the ground. On an exhalation, rest the right palm on the ground following to the appropriate hip. Inhale and hook the left elbow on the exterior of the ideal knee.

To strengthen the twist, breathe in completely, lift the spine, as well as exhale as you push the left elbow joint into the knee as well as turn. Let the twist originate in the stomach as you take a breath. Hold the present for 5 breaths and listen to the currents of energy removaling via your body. Exhale as you relax the pose, then spin in the other instructions briefly as a counterpose. Time out in Team Pose, and also notice if there is a rise in flow of power. Repeat on the various other side.

Balasana (Child's Pose)

Begin by stooping on your hands and knees, with your knees hip-distance apart and also parallel, as well as your huge toes touching. Inhale and also gaze gently at the earth before you. Exhale, as well as expand back so that the butts touch or move down towards the heels, the upper body rests in between the upper legs, as well as the forehead sinks right into the planet. Bring your arms along your sides as well as expand them out behind the butts. Turn the hands up. Inhale and extend your spinal column by expanding your neck forward, then exhale and get to the tailbone backwards. Enable gravity to draw the weight of the upper body down, and feel your back widening and also increasing. Breathe deeply and also gradually for 5 to 10 breaths or even more, completely releasing as well as relaxing on the earth.

Outdoors, that suggests you'll be sinking into sand, lawn, stone, or even mud. You might have branches on your t shirt or sand in your hair, but the moments of really feeling the silent resonance of the planet will undoubtedly make up for it. Pick a place that really feels inviting, and also loosen up right into any of these poses.

When exercising forward flexes in nature, attempt transforming your face downward as well as close your eyes. Visualize that you could see into the layers of stone as well as dirt. Allow your senses to soften, and allow the darkness behind your eyelids load your consciousness. There's no place to go, absolutely nothing to do. Just be. Preferably, the meditation will certainly take you down into pure area as well as empty the mind. Much more essential, this deep listening to the earth is a means for you to commune with nature.

Nature's Spin: Twists

Twists are almost everywhere in nature: a creeping plant wrapped around a tree, a river whirlpool, a snail's covering. In yoga exercise asana, spins such as Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose), Bharadvajasana (Bharadvaja's Twist), Jathara Parivartanasana (Revolved Abdominal area Present), and also Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangular Posture) crinkle you in closer to your. In enhancement to renewing the spine, they are thought to stimulate the indoor body organs of the body by raising blood flow there.

Many spins are done while you're seatsed or pushing the ground for a number of still minutes. Throughout this time around, the mind could roam to the damp yard under your base, the scratchy branch pleasing your leg, or the sun in your eyes. Keep in mind to take a breath as well as shut your eyes as you turn so that the rich experiences outside as well as inside have an opportunity to blend into your awareness.

[thehappymessproject]

81/100 - Giving ourselves focus and love by choosing one word for the year

This is very exciting for me to write about : I’ve never really done it. 

A little bit more than five years ago, I just had discovered the incredible work of Dr. Brene Brown on vulnerability and courage, and it simply blew my mind. I felt like I was reading about one of the most important things I could ever educate myself on. 

The books and her TED talks already had changed my daily life in subtle touches, but I wanted more. I also knew I needed more. I was afraid to forget about it in the next few months and hated the thought. So, I took some time to reflect, and over a couple of weeks, came to a big decision (especially for me who used to be commitment phobic in so many ways).

I would spend a year learning courage.

It became one of the most exciting years of my life. For me, learning how to be brave was essentially about saying yes to a lot of things I would have usually say no to out of fear, and no to a lot of things that would bring me comfort in the moment, but preventing me to do things that really mattered to me in the long run. 

I tried out a lot of activities I had never tried, but felt curious about like climbing, sewing, baking pastries... 

I paid a lot of attention to those moments where I would feel afraid, ashamed or uncomfortable, and pushed myself to be brave in my way of dealing with them. 

Choosing to tell a friend that I was feeling hurt and set a boundary rather than silencing myself in hope it doesn’t happen anymore. 

When really down, channelling more energy to do anything that would bring myself self-loving comfort rather numbing comfort. 

Breaking off relationships that felt depleting to me.

It was a tiring year, sure. But it was also one of the most empowering ones. Each time I would choose the brave path instead of the comfortable one, I would feel stronger and more centred. Embodying the experience of bravery, training those courage muscles. 

I realised at the end of the year, when I was feeling really sad about seeing what I called my brave year coming to a year, that I didn’t want to give it up, but I also didn’t want to repeat it as is either. I also noticed that overall, being brave for me had a lot to do with exploring my creativity. 

So I decided to make the next year my creative year. I had so much fun! 

I started taking way more photos, tried to learn guitar and piano for a while, spent a few months sewing like a crazy person, I wrote more that year than in the decade before, and towards the third trimester of my year devoted to creativity, started to paint with watercolours and do the lettering you can now see on my artsy Instagram account. 

Both activities were those bringing me the most joy while allowing me to let my guard down : when painting, I was less attacked by the voices in my head trying to bring me down and discourage me. (ah, the joy of defence mechanisms bullying us...) I was finding more easily ways to bypass them than in any other setting. 

I noticed that creating (and doing anything that mattered to me in my life) was only possible for me when I would take good care of myself. When I would commit to loving myself everyday by showing up. But self-care was so hard for me... 

So... Yeah you guessed it, I took my practice to a new ground by declaring the following year my self-care year. 

I had just discovered the existence of the Find what feels good channel on Youtube a few weeks before, I had ended my creative year with The artist’s way, a 8 weeks program using Julia Cameron’s wonderful book to discover or recover our inner artist, which had taught me how to journal in a way that would connect myself to my heart better than ever. And I had dabbled for a few years on and off with meditation. I had all the tools lying before me already. 

As often when we live an intentional life, the Universe (or call it luck if you’re more comfortable) was helping in subtle ways that can only be noticed when we pay attention to the opportunities we are presented with, and allow ourselves to take them. 

So I did just that. I finally found the courage to take better care of myself and making it a priority. That year was full of softness and whole heartedness. It felt like discovering the essence of who I was. 

Since I was struggling with commitment (still), I focused on one self-loving activity at the time. A few weeks mostly meditating. A few weeks mostly doing yoga. A few weeks getting back to journaling. I thought I could choose which activity I would keep, but realised they all were giving me so much, and yet so differently that I wanted to keep them all. 

I would still create more and more, and take my work as a psychologist to another level, and was struggling to make everything fit in my daily time. Now that I knew better what kind of life I wanted, I felt stuck at making it work as a whole.

So I dedicated last year to finding Balance. I loved it so much. It was like deepening everything I had built in the previous three years. The courage, the creative energy and the love. 

It taught me how to be more flexible and finding way to make things stick, one step at a time, one day at a time and to honour my pace. I set up a few challenges to help on the way. Strengthened my morning routine that felt easier and more necessary than an evening one (currently working on that). 

I explored how my love for art, psychology and writing could be intertwined. It felt like coming home to myself. 

This “year” actually took a little bit more time. I used to choose my word of the year at the end of summer. But last September, I felt stuck. I had just moved to the other side of the globe (another marvellous consequence of all that personal inner journey), felt completely thrown out of balance and quite depleted. 

Then, a few weeks ago, after a few months finding my footing back, it was suddenly obvious. What I struggled with and had to practice the most lately was letting go : finding ways to trust myself, my intuition and the process. I’d say in short : trusting the universe and finding the flow. 

So this year will be my year of flow.

I started by deciding that my practice could now fit better at the beginning of the year rather the school year, the end of the year being a perfect time to reflect and gather our bearings, taking stock. 

When I’m down, finding flow is about giving myself the time and space necessary to heal, letting go of the shoulds and musts. 

When I’m really happy, it’s more about finding pace, not over doing it. 

It is already teaching me how to let go of things, people and spaces that were really important at a time, but became depleting over time. I have never ever felt as free and can’t wait to see more of what this year is going to teach me. 

Choosing one word to devote every year to has with no doubt changed my whole life from the inside out. Like a soothing lighthouse in the dark, it gives me a focus point to always rely on. 

I am never feeling like time passed by without my awareness anymore, being intentional makes time pass more slowly and mindfully. It is helping me to remind myself over and over what is important, and what gets in the way and distract me. It is teaching me more about myself than I ever felt possible. It is allowing me to create the life I really want. 

If reading that essay inspired you to find your own word, I would love nothing more than to know which one you chose and maybe why f you would feel comfortable sharing. 

Here are a few questions that can help to start : What are you feeling like you lack of? What would your ideal 2019 be devoted to? What is preventing you from living your best life right now?

Write your answers down and any word that come up too : it will help you a lot to make it real, tangible. The right one for you will spark something in your body when you write it or if you start making art around it. Let yourself feel it, and trust it. Your heart knows.

See you soon,  Love,  L. 

[hydnellumania]

Hi!! Can I have a reading into what I can look forward to in my love life next? Thank you so much ! - AJ.♑💓

Ps. I'm single!! (I do have my eye on someone/talking to someone but we haven't been on any dates yet)

I will do my best to give you my interpretation, however, I will always advise that you look and see if these cards mean anything to you specifically, and keep them in mind as you have your next relationship as you may come to realize what they truly mean.

That being said, here's what I gather from this.

Page of Cups reversed: Not a very fortunate card to have in a reading like this. Don't take it as fact, but take it as a caution sign and a sign to try and better yourself before jumping into a relationship or to be wary that who you are looking to get into a relationship with may have issues involving emotional maturity, vulnerability, and insecurity. It might apply to you, your future partner, or something that develops in the relationship.

Three of Swords: I'm going to be blunt here love, this is not something I'd like to see in any relationship reading. And trust me, I've seen it in readings like that for myself. This is a card representing grief, hurt, and heartbreak. It may warn you of someone who's potentially abusive or maybe even of finding yourself to be a toxic partner. However, I think it might also mean that you and this person are going to help each other through emotional release or through sorrow before being able to have a thriving relationship.

The Lovers: Whether good or bad, you can be sure to look forward to a lot of passion and meaningful connection. This card represents pure, unadulterated vulnerability and honesty with a partner. And reflecting on the page of cups reversed when considering this, leads me to believe that that specific part is what you need to focus on the most. To avoid turbulence, you must be 100% yourself and 100% sure your partner is doing the same, otherwise it just won't work out.

Five of pentacles reversed: This card represents an end to difficult times. The person in the picture was searching for help and finally entered the chapel. It's a good omen that as long as you're diligent, you'll be able to make things work and not toxic. If you feel as though you're unfulfilled, this card implores you to really analyze your situation, and to focus on what you do have and if what you don't have it's truly more important than that.

King of Swords: I think the king here is the archetype you'll be looking forward to embodying after growing emotionally. He represents clarity, insightfulness, authority, and respect, being able to see the truth and make decisions mindfully. Or maybe, this archetype represents the person you're going after. Either way, keep him in mind when you're facing troubles, and channel him when trying to solve them.

All in all, this reading was mostly very linear. I hope that even if you didn't hear what you wanted, you heard what you needed. I hope that this reading was accurate and that it'll help you in your endeavors. Have a good night love, and I'd appreciate any feedback you have.

[perfectdocument]

Value Of Voter ID Card !!

Citizen ID : Why Is It Important To Have One?

India is the biggest vote based framework on the planet. Since the time the advanced Indian country state appeared on fifteenth of August 1947, free and reasonable races have been directed in the country at ordinary stretches according to the standards set somewhere near the Constitution of India, appointive laws and framework. The Election Commission of India has been vested with the forces of regulating, coordinating and controlling the whole interaction of decisions.

There are a large number of qualified electors who determine the destiny of their chiefs from the few of gatherings in the country. They pick the perfect individual to serve the country as their chief. It is the duty of the citizens to get out of their homes on the democratic day and decision in favor of the individual they have confidence in. The vote ought to be projected without thinking about the position and race of the competitor. The lone factor that should be considered is the work the competitor has done in the past for the voting demographic.

To ensure that there are no phony votes during the political decision and to keep away from other constituent misbehaviors, the Election Commission of India has made it obligatory for the electors to have a Voter ID card so they are qualified for casting a ballot in each political race. You can't cast a ballot even in the Panchayat races without a Voter ID card. Morally, every elector should cast a ballot to ensure that the individual who is serving the country is picked by the greater part. The picked individual is answerable for the advancement of the country and if a citizen doesn't cast a ballot mindfully during the decisions, the nation will in the long run endure.

There is a ton one should think about the Voter ID card. The way toward applying for a Voter ID card is straightforward however it has various advances and requires various records to demonstrate the qualification of the elector to be given a Voter ID card. Realize each progression included. We will examine the cycle exhaustively in this article.

WHAT IS A VOTER ID CARD?

A Voter ID card is a proof of character gave to each resident of India who is qualified to cast a ballot. The Voter ID card is otherwise called the Electors Photo Identity Card or the EPIC card. The political decision card or Voter ID card is given to every one of the qualified electors by the power that deals with the races in India - the Election Commission of India.

The motivation behind why it is given to the qualified citizens of India is to keep away from deceitful democratic and for electors to coordinate with the electing roll of the country. A Voter ID card is only an ID confirmation that should be introduced at the time the individual activities his/her entitlement to cast a ballot.

HOW TO APPLY FOR YOUR VOTER CARD?

There are three different ways to apply for a Voter ID card - on the web, disconnected, and the semi-online strategy.

THE ONLINE WAY:

• You should visit the site of EC.

• Click on the connection – 'Public Voter Services Portal'.

• A new page will open that will offer alternatives to apply for another Voter ID card or make changes to a current.

• Click on 'Apply online for the enrollment of another Voter ID card'.

• You will then, at that point see the Form 6 that you should fill. This is the very structure that you will get in a printed copy in the event that you visit a political decision office to enlist as an elector.

• Fill up the Form 6.

• Click 'Submit'.

• Upload vital archives.

• You will get a reference number toward the finish of the cycle.

THE OFFLINE WAY:

• Visit the political race office.

• Get the Form 6.

• Fill the structure. Ensure you enter all subtleties effectively and cross check whenever you are finished.

• Attach the essential reports.

• Submit the structure at the counter for new enlistments.

THE SEMI-ONLINE WAY:

• Open the Election commission site.

• Download Form 6.

• Print out the structure and round out every one of the necessary subtleties accurately.

• Attach the important archives.

• Go to the EO to store the structure. You can likewise send the application structure by means of post.

WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE VOTER ID CARD?

You need to have these records to get a Voter ID card:

• Two identification size photos

• ID verification that can be a PAN card, understudy ID card, bank passbook and so on

• Address verification that can be a phone bill, enrolled lease deed, bank passbook, Aadhaar card and so forth

WHAT IS THE ELIGIBILITY FOR A VOTER ID CARD?

The measures are:

• Age should be over 18 years.

• You ought not be intellectually unsteady or monetarily bankrupt.

WHAT ARE THE USES OF THE VOTER ID CARD?

The Voter ID card has the accompanying employments:

• You can utilize the Voter ID card as an ID verification while applying for Aadhaar card, ledger, and so forth

• It is an affirmation of your way of life as an elector and permits you to cast a ballot in your voting public.

• Your qualifications like your photo, fingerprints, signature, and so forth, go about as an extra assurance.

• A Voter ID card helps in checking counterfeit votes.

HOW TO TRACK YOUR VOTER ID APPLICATION STATUS IN AN ONLINE WAY?

On the off chance that you wish to follow the situation with your Voter ID card on the web, follow the means recorded underneath:

• Open the site of the specific state's Chief Electoral Officer.

• Click on 'Know the Status of Your Application for the Enrolment'.

• Enter the affirmation receipt number given to you at the hour of use to know the status.

Then again, apply on NVSP (National Voters' Service Portal) and snap on 'Search your Name in the electing roll' to follow your application twoly:

• Write the application/EPIC number, state number and submit.

Or on the other hand,

• Mention subtleties like name, DOB, Gender, Father's name, District body electorate, state to get the status.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO REGISTER FOR A VOTER ID?

To get enrolled for a Voter ID card, you can follow the interaction of utilization as referenced previously. Get the Form 6 and top off the equivalent effectively. Submit it on the web or at the EO. Do connect the vital records alongside the structure. After the confirmation, you will get your Voter ID soon by post.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A VOTER ID CARD ONLINE?

This interaction is as per the following:

• Open http://www.nvsp.in/.

• Open Form 6 given in 'Structures for the enrollment in e-roll'.

• Click on 'Apply online for enrollment of new citizen'.

• Select your State/Assembly/Constituency.

• Enter subtleties like name, DOB, relative names, sexual orientation, address, and so forth

• Attach reports like the photograph, ID and address confirmation, and affirmation subtleties.

• Save and submit.

• Note your reference number.

Consider the possibility that YOU DON'T RECEIVE YOUR VOTER ID CARD.

• Click on http://www.nvsp.in/Forms/Forms/trackstatus.

• Mention your reference number.

• Click 'On target the Status' to know your application status.

You can likewise visit the EO to know the situation with your Voter ID card application.

HOW TO VERIFY A VOTER ID CARD?

To confirm your Voter ID card:

• Visit the authority site of the CEO of your state.

• Click on the gave interface.

• Mention the important subtleties.

• Check if your name shows up in the constituent roll.

You can likewise visit EC office with your application number for check.

HOW TO MAKE CORRECTIONS ON THE VOTER ID CARD?

On the off chance that any detail in your card isn't right, you should:

• Download/Fill Form 8.

• Mention the amendments that are to be made.

• Submit with fundamental archives on the web or to ERO of your electorate.

WHAT ARE THE FIELDS INCLUDED IN VOTER ID CARD?

• Serial number

• Hologram sticker

• Name

• Parent's Name

• Age

• Gender

• Photograph

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VOTER ID CARD?

The Voter ID card is quite possibly the most impressive archives that you can have in India as a resident. There are a few employments of this separated from being a record to permit casting a ballot. You can utilize it's anything but a character card and address verification. It is acknowledged by banks, air terminals, telecom organizations and numerous different establishments as confirmation of your personality.

The Voter ID card is helpful in the accompanying manners:

• It permits you to make choice: One of the essential motivations to have a Voter ID card is that it permits you to practice your Right to Vote. In the event that you need to make your choice in any of the decisions, it is compulsory to have a Voter ID card. Just on the off chance that you have a legitimate Voter ID card on you and if your name is in the electing rundown of your body electorate are you permitted to cast a ballot.

• Serves as a character evidence: Other than permitting you to cast a ballot in the decisions, the Voter ID card likewise fills in as a significant personality confirmation. You can utilize the Voter ID card as a type of character verification while enrolling for another phone association, purchasing protection, booking travel tickets, opening a financial balance, enlisting for a gas association, and so on

• Helps you get enlisted in the discretionary show: One of the significant employments of the Voter ID card is that you can have your name enrolled in the appointive rundown of a state which isn't your house state. This is required when you move starting with one state then onto the next and would then need to get your name remembered for the discretionary rundown of your new space of home.

REASONS WHY YOU MUST VOTE

Casting a ballot is the main part of a vote based system. India being the greatest popular government on the planet gives the option to cast a ballot to each resident of the country. It guarantees that the delegates of individuals who are serving the country are the individuals who have been trusted by most of the residents and are accepted to be adequate to do the duty of taking the country ahead all around.

The democratic interaction is completed at different stages. From little level races like Panchayat to the public level, as a resident, each qualified Indian has an option to cast a ballot in each political decision according to the laws.

Any individual who is 18 years or more paying little mind to age and sex can cast a ballot in India. You should have your name selected the citizen's rundown of the space you live in with the goal that you can cast a ballot. The Voter ID card is the character confirmation of the citizen and it's anything but a location evidence too. Just the individuals who are me

[evolutioncounseling]

At the end of most Vinyasa classes you find yourself lying still in Dead Man’s pose for a few minutes before being asked to turn onto your right side. You lay there in the fetal position, usually in a pool of your own sweat if it was hot yoga, and then come up to a seated position in order to bow, recognizing yourself and the others in the room. Then you go on about your day. Like everything in yoga this experience is increasingly useful to you as you bring the psychological components into conscious awareness and struggle with them. Thinking about the life cycle of a yoga session can help you enjoy your life more. You will find yourself mindfully focused in the present during your practice and also outside of it. Yoga practitioners know that whether the spheres of experience under observation are comparatively large or comparatively small they are all governed by the same principles. What can be applied to the small can be applied to the big, and vice versa. In this way the spiritual revelations in the microcosm of your yoga practice can be used to understand the spiritual revelations of the universe. Next time you are in the fetal pose at the end of your yoga sequence think about the glory that in this moment you are being reborn and can shape your attitude towards yourself and your life any way you choose. Regardless of where you are in your life cycle, you will one day have to confront real death, symbolized by the end of the session where you are laying flat on your back in Dead Man’s. Think about how expectant you were at the start of class, not yet having begun your asanas and still with the full hour in front of you. How quickly it flew by! Time is relative. Viewed through the lens of the aeons, what is the difference between a one hour yoga session and a hundred year life? They are both tiny specks and seemingly inconsequential units. But time is made up of an infinite series of present moments, and without the present there could be no past and no future. It stands to reason that your present moment is just as significant as every other present moment since it supports and holds up the past while making way for the future. Your present can be infinitely more significant when you choose to inhabit it fully. Considering the yoga sequence as a cycle of birth, growth, death, and rebirth will help you recognize the moment you do have right now as precious. Everything that has gone before you up to this point, including the last hour of asanas, is now in the past and can never be altered. It is set in stone. The present is yours though to do with as you please and the future is still pregnant with possibility. It’s a special gift we have been given to be symbolically reborn countless times during our lives rather than being physically born just once, going through nature’s mandated sequence of birth, growth, life, death, and rebirth. Of course we are bound to natural laws and must face biological death too. This conversation is saying spiritually pretty much the equivalent of what Gestalt psychologists mean when they refer to the needs satisfaction cycle. In order to feel whole we must complete the areas of our lives that are left hanging. This gives us the ability to open up fully to the next stimulus from our environment that draws us forward. Without the ability to complete the cycle and withdraw we could never fully commit to whatever came next. Our energy and thoughts would be in two places, or multiple places as is so common for us in the modern world. The yoga session lets you become aware of completing a miniature life cycle. You will view your full life cycle in a different light after a few times of mindfully completing the process. You might be surprised by some of your dawning realizations that have been staring you in the face but were ignored or only half thought out. We are constantly making decisions for how we want to live our lives, whether actively or passively. Time is not unceasing for any of us, even though it often feels that way. Just like every yoga practice invariably comes to a close, every life must one day come to an end. But next time you rise from the fetal position, let yourself feel gratitude that your larger journey is not completed yet and that you still have time to become the fullest possible version of who you know you are.

[perfectirishgifts]

How Coronavirus Transformed Meditation From A Management Fad Into An Essential Business Tool

New Post has been published on https://perfectirishgifts.com/how-coronavirus-transformed-meditation-from-a-management-fad-into-an-essential-business-tool/

How Coronavirus Transformed Meditation From A Management Fad Into An Essential Business Tool

Mindfulness came of age in 2020. In the grueling, fearful months of this global pandemic, organizations had an epiphany: support for employee wellbeing is a must-have, not just a nice to have. The need for increased focus and resilience, especially by managers, has been obvious. The meditation app Headspace reports more than a 500% increase in companies seeking mental health assistance for their workforce. Medical prescriptions for digital therapy apps have increased by 6,500%. Before Covid-19, it was predicted the mindfulness industry would grow to be worth $2billion a year. This figure is now likely to be far larger. 

Amid Coronavirus, mindfulness has metamorphosed. It began as a hyper-trendy Silicon Valley fad in the early part of the century. It’s now an essential leadership development tool for stressed-out managers in companies from De Moines to Düsseldorf.

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention on purpose to the present moment, non-judgmentally. One way to develop this skill is through daily meditation practice. There are over 1,000 meditation apps, with Calm, Headspace, and Meditopia topping the global charts. However, you don’t need to invest in an app to benefit, just establish some simple everyday habits. 

From Buddhism to Boardroom

Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhist meditation. Since it came to prominence in the Swinging Sixties, it’s gradually been shorn of spiritual connections. It’s now viewed as a scientifically-proven route for gaining a mental edge in a frazzled business world. As well as the frothy hype served up by lifestyle gurus such as Gwyneth Paltrow, it has some seriously impressive adherents. Google provides its employees with a mindfulness class – Search Inside Yourself – which has a six-month waitlist. Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has revealed regular meditation is how he stays focussed on crunch points. Ray Dalio, the founder of the world’s largest hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, says it’s had more impact on his success than anything else. Even the seriously non-tree hugging U.S. Marines have achieved remarkable results. After eight weeks of meditating for just 15 minutes a day, soldiers were far better at dealing with anxiety and stress. They could stay calm in the thick of battle.

Mind-wandering is the human brain’s default mode of operation. Harvard University researchers revealed most people spend a remarkable 47% of their time thinking about something other than what they’re doing. What’s more, this mind-wandering makes people unhappy. When working from home it’s even easier to get distracted. Regular meditation is shown to improve your ability to focus and make better decisions, especially in stressful situations. The psychological term for “paying attention on purpose” is meta-awareness: the ability to “think about thinking”. Meta-awareness makes it possible to observe thoughts that are always chuntering away. Without any scrutiny, this mental chatter affects your mood without you consciously registering the corrosive impact.

Mindfulness came of age in 2020

Making Mindfulness Part of Your Day

Here are a few tips we’ve shared with the hundreds of senior executives who have sampled mindfulness in my leadership programs at London Business School and elsewhere. First, choose a time and relatively quiet space that suits you. My daily habit is to set a 10-minute timer on my smartphone in the morning and then simply focus on my breathing and observe my thoughts. Of course, you can invest in a book or an app for a little more guidance, but it is not strictly necessary. Regular meditation trains your brain. In time, it literally alters its physical structure through the process of neuroplasticity. As researchers like to say, “neurons that fire together, wire together”. Meditation training has the same relationship to mindful clarity as jogging has to cardiovascular fitness.

With a regular meditation routine established, you can begin to bring mindfulness into the rest of your day.  Michael Chaskalson, a pioneer in the application of mindfulness to leadership and the workplace, said: “Periodically, during the day, consciously move away from the thinking part of your mind. Instead, switch on the direct experiencing part of your mind. During exercise pay attention to your body; while eating, pay attention to your food; talking, pay close attention to the person and that experience.” As you build your “mindfulness muscles”, meta-awareness begins to pop up when you need it most: in an important meeting, making a big presentation or asking for a raise. It’s just as valuable for appreciating the small gifts each day offers: chatting with a friend, taking a walk, or taking your first bite out of a donut.

Another practical method is to simply pause for a breath and a moment of awareness. I call this “The Doorknob Technique”. As the name suggests, this can be used the moment you place your hand on a physical door arriving at a meeting. More lately, it may be your finger on a mouse clicking into a Zoom meeting. When working from home, it’s especially helpful to make a more conscious transition from work mode to being with family or friends.

Life’s challenges – client wins, client losses, the weather, sickness, irritating people – mean we’re buffeted by a storm of unwanted knee-jerk emotions. Mindfulness allows you to better choose your response to life’s ups and downs. I think of this as The Leadership Gap: the precious moment between what happens, and how you respond. Mindfulness unlocks the potential of this magic instant. It allows you to pause, to defer judgment, and to think: “how can I respond imaginatively to this situation to get the best result?”

In the late 1970s, if you’d casually remarked to someone you were going to leave the office and run through the streets, your colleagues would have thought you were eccentric, to say the least. But, as we’ve become more enlightened about the benefits of physical health, jogging is now completely normal. Most people regularly train their body, some even run marathons. We’re now seeing a similar shift in our attitude to training the brain. When leaders are more mindful they consciously make better decisions. Next time something rocks your day, don’t snatch at your first knee-jerk response. Pause mindfully, to make a more creative choice.

From Leadership Strategy in Perfectirishgifts

[alesio3jphln]

Plan The Best Keyword Strategies With BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a popular e-commerce platform that helps companies to produce and design e-stores easily. The effective features and options assist companies in following their clients in a great way. Along side offering such a fantastic digital service, BigCommerce also includes SEO strategies which means that your company are certain to get the maximum exposure. Having an online store on BigCommerce makes it possible to in many ways. BigCommerce experts learn how to make your web store user-friendly and reachable. As long as SEO is concerned, keywords come first before other parameters. Optimization strategies count on searched words. It really is nothing but making your site more relevant to your users. But, these simple things need to be carefully handled to introduce more people to your business. Research your keywords first and then plan a strategy that will be effective for your requirements. Generate content, products, and services that your particular individuals are trying to find. You are helped by it determine the intent of your consumers and that boosts the revenue of the company. BigCommerce SEO experts use their professional knowledge to find the word phrases out that are suited to you. How to decide which keywords are best? Adding the words that are right your on line pages means they are understandable by search engines along with your consumers. It attracts more consumers and helps in enhancing the ranking. BigCommerce guides you for making the right plan. Its SEO strategies are great, but they need a professional to obtain this working job done. Optimizers are usually using two forms of keywords - short-tail and long-tail words. While short tail ones have a higher competition, long tail ones are specific and also have a higher conversion rate. Identify your users to find the best phrases. There are three kinds of visitors using search engines - browsers, researchers, and buyers. Browsers: They are a visitor that is general having any specific goal to search. They want to get details about their interests and so they use short tail words more. Researchers: Researchers are utilizing the search engines to obtain information, especially reviews and feedbacks products that are regarding. They research your facts before generally making the purchase. Buyers: For the e-commerce owner store, nothing is important more than buyers. BigCommerce includes the words that are buyer-specific that they will find products easily. The search from buyers is specific and includes all their queries. Frame keywords based on the variety of searchers and enhance the visibility of one's store. BigCommerce SEO experts understand every detail of optimizations much better than others. They aim at promoting an e-store in the best ways that are possible. They never make the common mistakes that down the ranks. Long-tail keywords are essential for the optimization strategy, but too broad word phrases usually do not bring any profitable lead to your website. The selected words that have high-competition should be targeted carefully. It is best in order to avoid them unless they truly are essential to your sites. SEO experts understand the optimization process creatively and luxuriate in pages that are designing your store. Keyword ideas that work with your business are difficult to get out. Optimizers invest some time practice different strategies to know which searched words are best for a small business. If for example the existing plan falls short to have the best result, make simple adjustments to the words to fix the issue. Use words that completely describe your product and services. You can even read consumers' reviews of this product that is same yours to find out which words define your company well. Think the buyer's perspective and choose the long-tail words to generate more traffic. Searching the words that are right not tough, though. It is possible to take help from Google as well as other free tools for this. Use social media marketing and forum sites to have the idea which are the best words for your needs. Content is actually a deciding factor when it comes down to your ranking. Use targeted words strategically making it user-friendly. BigCommerce SEO includes some essential details so that your e-store dominates others. Meta data is an important thing for your web pages. Utilize the selected words in an manner that is easy allow the browser know your perspective. For the sector that is e-commerce unique product description adds values to your optimization strategies. BigCommerce is such an platform that is e-commerce enables you to design stores easily. You certainly do not need expert's knowledge to get started with. But, optimization is a thing that is complex you need to hire BigCommerce SEO professionals because of this job.

BigCommerce

Besides, the graphics to be utilized should also be mindfully used while tailoring the trade show or exhibition booth. Keep a check on an excessive amount of empty space or irrelevant utilities: the majority of the times, it is seen that spacious platforms useful for exhibition stalls are either left empty or full of not-so-relevant utilities. For instance, the furniture that is cluttered bulky inventory may leave negative effect on the visitors. Most of all, this might even overshadow the vibrantly designed and built trade show stand. Thus, the area of trade show stall must be ideally used while the certain part of the platform could be evaluated as well. It shall offer the best link between bespoke exhibit solutions for business promotion. Lastly, the trade that is above-stated booth design ideas behave as major areas of customization of exhibit solutions. All facets for the design and construction of trade show or exhibition stand must be checked prior to your implementation of the concept. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments running on Disqus. Online shopping is increasing every and this means that the competition between businesses is also on the rise year. To get an advantage running a business, e-commerce companies will have to adopt certain strategies for increasing traffic with their eCommerce sites and conversion that is increasing. People are spending more and more time on the web which is understandable that companies are taking this chance to market their products or services by meeting their clients that are prospective. Digital Marketing is making use of all forms of digital media and digital platforms to market your product, brand, or business. We see an upward trend in people going online to get information when it comes to real estate, like everything else. What Exactly Is SEO And Exactly Why Can It Be Essential For Your Company? For people interested in answers to why SEO is important for your needs, especially if you are interested in incorporating SEO for your business, this informative article explores why SEO services are essential, and talks about what a company that claims to end up being the best SEO company should offer to their clients. Modern consumers are more often willing to spend their cash on the Internet and it is done by them with pleasure. You might find your clients that are new the world wide web. Enough time of traditional marketing has passed. Most people got tired of paper leaflets and trust that is don’t marketing tool anymore. Online marketing offers you new techniques to tell the entire world about your brand or service. You will find vast amounts of brainy people inhabiting the earth Earth. All of them have their unique minds working in a tremendously peculiar manner. By every passing second, these old minds are replaced by the new ones as one generation of men and women dies together with next one got its spot. The current situation that is pandemic impacted individuals and businesses all across the entire world in lots of other ways. As increasingly more businesses are struggling to keep afloat, measures are now being taken up to spend less and make the absolute most regarding the situation. Advanced promotion has established its power due to the fact main method of showcasing and having the message out about a brandname as well as its items. An ever-increasing number of organizations are inclining towards LinkedIn as their showcasing foundation of decision with that being the situation. Since customers are receiving bored with the traditional modes and ways of advertisements, a forward thinking way always saves the afternoon. Copyright 2005-2020 - ArticleCube, All rights reserved. Utilization of our service is protected by our Privacy Policy and regards to Service.

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There have been a lot of advancements into the available designs of hearing aids and non-implantable artificial hearing technology has grown in leaps and bounds in an effort to increase the total well being of those coping with a hearing impairment! As the reputation for hearing aids span everything from acoustic, carbon and vacuum eras to now, digital hearing aids have grown to be probably one of the most popular options to compensate for hearing loss. Continue reading to learn why! Digital hearing aids are a cry that is far the earlier analog hearing aids that have been widely used! Them were bulky, unsightly devices that are uncomfortably placed behind the individual’s ears and would often emit painful feedback every time you were close to someone else! Thankfully with the advancements in the hearing industry, hearing aid professionals were able to analyses the issues faced by users and learn more about the workings of the inner ear to significantly improve the available designs to elevate the level of hearing services through the development of digital hearing aids when you look back at the designs of hearing aids available earlier, you’ll find that most of. The technology of these devices only allowed basic amplification of sounds which resulted in a lot of background noise that meant it was still hard for users to have conversations and understand what others were saying clearly while the previous analog hearing aids were an advancement from its predecessors. To prevent the feedback-causing headaches and overall discomfort, a lot of suffering from a hearing loss still opted to prevent wearing a hearing aid, even as it just didn’t solve their problem though they needed one! Digital hearing aids brought the best advancement to the field of non-implantable artificial hearing technology and was the breakthrough that most those struggling with a hearing loss were dreaming about! Using advanced technology, digital hearing aids could now reduce background noise by processing incoming sounds effectively and amplifying sounds correctly to ensure that users will be in a position to have conversations with other people without experiencing any discomfort! Digital hearing aids also offer more customization together with process of being fitted for one always starts with a hearing that is comprehensive that is conducted by a hearing professional to recognize your unique hearing requirements. Once this has been done, your hearing professional will help you choose a certain digital hearing aid that may suit your unique requirements - for example, if you’re into the corporate world an In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aid could be the most suitable choice as it is very discrete!

Once you have chosen the best digital hearing aid for your unique hearing impairment, your hearing aid will need to be fine-tuned by a specialist who can carry out more complex hearing tests and customize it using digital software to identify just the pitches you can’t hear and amplify those sounds in an attempt to avoid feedback and minimize painful headaches that have been common in analog hearing aids! Most digital hearing aids could be charged and don’t need you to change batteries frequently - a standard problem that hearing aid users faced within the past that has been a genuine struggle for those with dexterity issues once the batteries were so small! Not only do digital hearing aid have better, more long-lasting batteries, but they are rechargeable and certainly will be just charged overnight and never having to be changed - such a facile, affordable and alternative that is quick replacing batteries in hearing aids! In order to avoid having any faults along with your hearing aid, make sure to always purchase your hearing aids from a vendor that is reputable stocks premium quality brands such as for example Oticon and Starkey! Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. How exactly to Improve Digestion Naturally At Home? just how long does it decide to try perform some digestion? The digestion period differs from person to person, just as it changes between women and men. The transit that is average through the large intestine or colon is approximately 40 hours, with a significant difference between men and women. In men, it requires 33 hours and 47 in the full case of females. Acupressure is a technique applied in most countries that are asian also known as acupressure. Whenever your girlfriend, daughter, sister or mother talk about their cancer, you suffer too automatically! However, yourself, the right words are often missing if you haven't experienced the many facets of cancer. At times, everyone finds it troublesome catching some quality sleep. Most probably one identified as having cancer, and cancer that is undergoing would find it almost impossible falling asleep. Organ donation is a job that is great. There have some points which we must know to be interested to donate our organ. Foot corns are hard tissues or hard layers of the skin that occur on the soles of this feet because of the skin's reaction against pressure and friction. Foot corn might or may well not cause pain. Normally, uric acid dissolves in our blood and passes through our kidneys but sometimes, when an excessive amount of uric acid production occurs within our body and kidneys become not able to excrete the uric acid properly, then your level of the the crystals increases into the blood, needle-like urate crystals are formed in the joint which results in inflammation, swelling and pain, this disorder is recognized as Gout. You need to stay away from all the common mistakes involving your humidifier if you want to reduce your symptoms from allergies caused by dry air or suffering from scratchy throats or clogged nasal passages and even eczema. Always follow the instructions and recommendations from the manufacturer for maintaining and using your unit. Tendonitis is a inflammation that is tendon can develop in almost any tendon of one's body. The reason for its development varies in line with the chronilogical age of the patient. In addition, you will find general causes, common for any age bracket. Copyright 2005-2020 - ArticleCube, All rights reserved. Usage of our service is protected by our Privacy Policy and regards to Service.

BigCommerce Holdings (BIGC) promises to raise $100 million in an IPO of its Series 1 common stock, in accordance with an registration statement that is s-1. The firm provides online retail stores with a built-in e-commerce software platform. BIGC has grown markedly and it is well positioned to benefit from the continued transition of businesses to online revenue generation. I’ll provide an update as soon as we learn more about the IPO from management. Austin, Texas-based BigCommerce was founded to produce e-commerce software delivered as a SaaS platform for trusted online retailers. BIGC has provided its software to 60,000 online retailers in 120 countries worldwide. Management is led by president, CEO and Chairman Mr. Brent Bellm, that has been with all the firm since June 2015 and was previously president and COO of HomeAway, a vacation rental online marketplace. The firm is rolling out a robust partner program for both Agency partners and Technology partners. BigCommerce has received at the very least $225 million from investors including Revolution Growth, General Catalyst Group, GGV Capital and SoftBank. The firm originally launched with a focus in the SMB market, with a self-serve website-based service. Since that time, the firm has transitioned to a much wider approach, expanding its focus to add larger enterprises. Sales & Marketing expenses as a portion of total revenue have already been uneven as revenues have increased. The Sales & Marketing efficiency rate, thought as how many dollars of additional new revenue are generated by each dollar of Sales & Marketing spend, rose to 0.5x in the most reporting period that is recent. A figure of greater than 100% is recognized as good since it means the firm is generating increasing revenue (negative net churn) from the same cohort of customers in the long run. The main drivers for this expected growth are a growth in e-commerce capabilities to help enterprises in automating core business functions while increasing the leverage firms have as consumers increasingly adopt online shopping for goods and services. Also, firms that utilize APIs (Application Programming Interface) enable companies to hire low code solutions to quickly modernize their existing systems. We intend to use the remainder for the proceeds that are net this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, including sales and marketing, research and development, general and administrative matters, and capital expenditures. Management’s presentation for the ongoing company roadshow can be obtained. Listed bookrunners regarding the IPO are Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Jefferies, KeyBanc Capital Markets, Canaccord Genuity, Needham & Company, Raymond James, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. BigCommerce is seeking to go public to cover its Series F dividend off, an odd use for a tech company IPO proceeds. The firm’s financials indicate the business is revenue that is growing but has produced uneven operating and net results. Cash used in operations continues to be high. Sales & Marketing expenses have fluctuated as revenues have increased, but its Sales & Marketing efficiency rate has improved most recently. The marketplace window of opportunity for providing a SaaS e-commerce solution is large and prone to grow at an important rate into the coming years, so that the company enjoys a industry growth dynamic that is robust. That growth potential shall no doubt be assisted further by the Covid19 pandemic and its particular effects on businesses wanting to produce a lot more of their revenue from digital sources. Morgan Stanley is the lead left underwriter and IPOs led by the firm during the last period that is 12-month generated a typical return of 73.2% since their IPO. That is a performance that is top-tier all major underwriters during the period. BigCommerce is well positioned to take advantage of the continued shift toward online commerce. I look forward to learning additional information in regards to the IPO’s pricing and valuation assumptions. Expected IPO Pricing Date: To be announced. I have no position in any stocks mentioned as of the article date, no plans to initiate any positions within the next 48 hours, and no continuing method of trading with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. IPO stocks can be quite volatile into the days soon after an IPO.

[drivelikeaminister]

What’s Right, What’s Hard...

Back in June the head of CrossFit, an international fitness community, made racist and mean remarks in response to a letter asking for a public response to the murder of George Flloyd or the Black Lives Matter movement.  Here’s the response and the original letter.  When the CEO’s response was shared, it was met with anger.  Affiliates started leaving CrossFit (over 1,000 disaffiliations), sponsors - including Reebok - started pulling their support.  At that point the CEO of CrossFit retired (but initially kept ownership) and made a (arguably insincere) apology, but to some it was too little, too late.

Personally, I have been working out regularly at CrossFit gyms for over 10 years and coaching for over 2.  I enjoy the exercise, the community, the support and the challenge.  If you look back among past posts you can find many about gym communities and lessons learned while working out or coaching.  CrossFit has been instrumental in my life for the past decade, for my physical and mental health and as an outlet for my ministry of helping others reach their best potential.

My story is not altogether unique, many people have very strong feelings about CrossFit.  Hence, why the brand has been so lucrative and is widely recognizable.  CrossFit is a global phenomenon which has touched many people’s lives.  And now those people must decide whether the controversy around social justice and racism makes any difference in their commitment or feelings toward CrossFit.

Before the pandemic I was coaching with a local university’s CrossFit program.  Although the university and all fitness programs are on hold, the coaches have kept in touch and recently met concerning reopening and our status as an affiliate.  In the university setting both the decisions about reopening and remaining/disaffiliating are made outside of the coaches, but we could still share thoughts and give input.

We discussed the pros and cons of keeping the name “CrossFit”.  There is a brand recognition, which has both positive and negative associations.  “CrossFit” means something to people, and at a university with many different fitness programs, it is useful to have a distinguishable identity.  The university is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.  And our fitness community is committed to be a welcoming and safe space.  So do we keep the affiliation and name, or do we drop it?

The conversation went back and forth with much open discussion and what we decided was that the “easy route” was not the best way.  The “easy” path here would have been to drop the name “CrossFit” and then be done with the issue of racism - which isn’t really doing anything at all.  Gyms across the nation have been letting go of their affiliation with CrossFit, but it is harder to see what else they are doing.  Letting go of a name and institution which has insensitive or racist leadership is a good first step.  But the next steps have to be looking at ones own culture with a critical eye to see where racism exists, either individual or institutional.

At the coaches meeting we talked about what our next steps would be.  As a gym we are on a delayed time-frame since we remain closed due to the pandemic and are not offering any programming.  We talked about how - whether the university decides to remain “CrossFit” or not - we as coaches and leaders needed to be overtly anti-racist and open to criticism and feedback about our fitness community.  Specific actions might mean having specific trainings, outside consultants, different class formats or scheduling.  We are remaining open and mindfully committing to take the harder, better path of self-reflection and love.

The "right" path isn't always the easy one.  What are some places in your life when you were given a choice of responses?  Was the best decision always the easy one?  Take the more loving route, whether it is the more difficult one or not.  Don’t let the easy way be your default.

[bookid19]

Essentialism By Greg Mckeown

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less By Greg Mckeown 

  THE WISDOM OF LIFE CONSISTS IN THE ELIMINATION OF NON-ESSENTIALS. —Lin Yutang

The book mainly discusses how one could be stretched thin by trying to achieve lots of things in all different directions and never achieving a satisfying result in any of them because he’s always busy doing everything but the cumulative result in each task on its own is considerably small. 

Essentialism as a concept is mainly captured in the three German words: Weniger aber besser. The English translation is: Less but better. The book suggests that for one to be able to achieve essentialism they could ask themselves: “Am I investing in the right activities?” Let me reflect on that, I’ve a very curious person by nature so I like to read and know about all the topics there is to know about and sometimes I never reach anything by the end, of course it’s not a total waste of time I’m pretty sure of that but maybe if I planned and prioritised the topics i’m interested in instead of randomly googling whichever topic that comes to mind, I might actually digest and connect the readings in a certain topic better because let’s be honest if you keep reading about everything all the time your head just doesn’t get the time to digest the information, that’s one of the reasons I’ve created this journal, to help me read more mindfully and reflect on the ideas I’m reading. Essentialism according to the author isn’t about doing less for the sake of doing less but it is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution because the world is full of opportunities and activities that can’t be achieved in one life time but how do you decide which ones to invest in? The book suggests that our inability to choose what’s actually valuable and important to us is due to the huge number of choices that is presented to us in our daily lives like when you go to star bucks and you have to make a million choices to get a simple coffee, and therefore we’re overwhelmed by the number of choices we have to make on daily basis, there’s a psychological term for it: Decision Fatigue, The more choices we are forced to make, the more the quality of our decisions deteriorates. Not only has the number of decisions we have to make increased exponentially in the past few decades but also the social pressure has overwhelmingly increased, we’re more connected now than ever and such connection has influenced our decision making greatly. For example you can be browsing the internet and you find opinions regarding what you should be studying or what you should be focusing on, which industry is booming and you must invest it, etc. The information overload can be distracting but that’s not the only issue, we now have to face “Opinion overload” The Author suggests that we’ve lost all the sense in the prioritization because just want to do it all and know it all due to the high expectations and the huge number of decisions available in the era we live in. 

An interesting piece of etymology that’s mentioned in the book regarding priorities is that word priority came into the English language in the 1400s. It was singular. It meant the very first or prior thing. It stayed singular for the next five hundred years. Only in the 1900s did we pluralise the term and we sarted making priorities instead of one thing on top of the list we started cramming too many things with no sense of irony at all.

“When we don’t purposefully and deliberately choose where to focus our energies and time, other people— our bosses, our colleagues, our clients, and even our families— will choose for us, and before long we’ll have lost sight of everything that is meaningful and important. We can either make our choices deliberately or allow other people’s agendas to control our lives.”

Mckeown, Greg. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less). Crown Publishing Group.

One of the most important takeaways from the first few chapters is that If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.

The author suggests that you look at your life as if it were your closet, if you don’t make a conscious effort to organize it, it will become cluttered and stuffed with clothes that your rarely wear or never wear at all but how do we approach such situation? how do we de-clutter the closet? We don’t want to keep clothes that we don’t wear but we also don’t want to accidentally get rid of good clothes we wanted to keep. So how do we make the decision? The book suggests that you ask yourself simple questions: “Do I love this?” “Do I wear this?” but if in doubt you must ask yourself: “If I didn’t already own this, how much would I spend to buy it?” This approach usually does the trick. 

Of course our lives are not as static as a closet and therefore that book discusses some situations to help us learn how to choose which activities and tasks to keep and which ones to eliminate in order to get done the most important tasks with the highest potential. It was a nice and interesting read, I didn’t feel bored at all, it was very informative yet light.

So my recommendation is that you should read this book if you always feel overwhelmed and stressed because there’s so much to do and you don’t feel fulfilled with the outcome, But if you feel like your life is organized and you’re not stretched in a million different directions the don’t bother.

[theseadagiodays]

April 13, 2020

Interstices

Definition: an intervening time or space

Synonym: Aperture - an opening or gap

Gap - a space or pause between two things

Pause - a suspension of movement or activity

Space - a continuous area or expanse which is free and available

Whether our rhythms have slowed or accelerated in this moment, we all currently sit at an interstices.  A place in time between what came before and what comes next.  An uncomfortable spot for most of us, because humans habitually seek certainty.  But this time is also an opening, an opportunity where we can be free to explore new ways of being.  A time to suspend old habits, and invite shifts in perspective.  In some schools of Buddishm, they have a term for such in-between times.  “Bardo is an intermediate, transitional, or liminal state between death andrebirth.  A state of great potential for liberation, since transcendental insight may arise with the direct experience of reality” Wikipedia

But most of us resist making space in our schedules because it gives too much room to look at the bold truth of our lives.  Like the clear expanse of a mirror, this time is revealing much that we need to remember, but also much that we don’t want to see.  The decreased GHG’s from limited transport have clarified our skies and caused animals to rapidly return where humans had previously dominated.  The gardens we’d neglected are being tenderly tilled.  And the friends we’d forgotten for decades are reaching out to reminisce.  But the work that does not feed our souls, or the incessant self-deprecating thoughts, or the spouse who irritates us (speaking generally of course), or the wallpaper we regret having bought, all glare us in the face daily and force us to reflect on our real priorities and desires.  However, all at once, this can be too much for us to take in.

I remember a Vancouver talk, on my birthday in 1998, where the Tibetan monk, Chogyam Trungpa said it amazed him “how much North Americans busied their lives so as not to know themselves”.    If this is true, it strikes me that in order to assuage our fears about looking at the skeletons in our own empty closets, perhaps we can try to look at space entirely differently.

In music, space or silence can be incredibly potent.  Violinist, Isaac Stern describes music itself as “that little bit between each note—the silences which give the music form.”  One of my favorite composers, Arvo Part is a master of silence.  The pauses in many of his halting melodies require the listener to become an active participant - to fill the space with their own interpretations,  just as we can do during this time.   His Psalom for strings is a mesmerizing example of such writing.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Ssbik_dmY

Visual artists have also created substantive beauty from negative space. The images below play with absence and presence, illustrating that our perception can entirely shape what we choose to see.  Similarly, if we can stretch our understanding of what is currently missing from our lives to recognize the space this allows for other things to present themselves, it may fortify our patience and acceptance with the way things are.

But if none of this brings solace during challenging times, and we still need to cling to hope, we can remember that, invariably, after rest always comes activity.  Bamboo is a prime example of this, as noted in this proverb about the slow but mighty grower, “the first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, the third year it leaps.”

So, if we emerge from COVID anything like North America emerged from the 1918 flu epidemic, maybe we can finally look forward to an era where flapper dresses come back.  I know that I’d personally find the next Roaring Twenties a welcomed resurgence.  

April 14, 2020

Finding Stillness in Uncertainty

For hours last Tuesday, in a persistent drizzle and strong wind, I wandered my neighborhood aimlessly with a broken umbrella, mourning the shut restaurants, scared faces, and unhugged friends I hadn’t seen in weeks.

But today, the air is still and warm, and the scent of pregnant magnolias saturate my senses while I bathe in birdsong.  

Photo by my friend Cheryl’s 12-year-old son, Noah

Such is the mercurial nature of life in this pandemic.  Still, as best I can, I try to walk my talk.  Be the master of my own attitude.  Contribute where I can.  Live mindfully and gratefully.  But some days this is much harder than others.  However lately, Vancouver’s unseasonable summer weather has made this infinitely easier.  As someone who suffers from seasonal effective disorder, and who’s had a love/hate affair with my rainy though lush city, it makes me realize how important it is to find conditions condusive for optimal living. With the improved weather and a large park right behind my home, I am enticed to greet each morning with a slow, present-minded walk.  A moving meditation.  

I have also been grateful for the opportunity to lead weekly guided meditations for my husband’s work team.  His colleagues are front-line workers of a different sort.  They run our local transit system which is still critically needed by those who must continue to work in public settings, or who do not have the privilege of their own vehicle.  But with covid-fear and enforced social distancing measures, Translink is losing $3 million a day in ridership fees.  So, they are under enormous stress to adjust their service plans, make difficult decisions about lay-offs, and continue to try and plan for a very uncertain future.   However, it heartens me to know that people who find themselves even more work-burdened during this crisis still recognize the need to slow down, even for brief moments, in order to be more productive later. So, I thought I’d share a recording of one of these sessions, which people can follow at home.  It is less than 15 minutes long, just short enough to carve out of any day but still possible to dramatically alter your nervous system.

https://youtu.be/x2fjRvBB6x0

And finally, this poem by Martha Postelwaite speaks to the gifts stillness can bring.

Do not try to save the whole world or do anything grandiose. Instead, create a clearing in the dense forest of your life and wait there patiently, until the song that is your life falls into your own cupped hands and you recognize and greet it. Only then will you know how to give yourself to this world so worth of rescue.                       -   Martha Postlewaite

April 15, 2020

Timely Artists’ Responses

I am normally a minimal social media user.  However, ironically, my Facebook and Instagram feeds have been my saving grace during this period.  This is probably helped by the fact that, over the years, rather than racing to accumulate friends, I have mostly only followed those people in my life who I trust to direct me to moments of grace and beauty.   Consequently, many of the links in this blog have come from my own community of thoughtful, kindness-oriented, arts-minded friends and family to whom I’m hugely grateful.

Some of my friends are the actual creators of these daily doses of inspiration.  Like my Toronto-based buddy, Lorne Bridgman (https://lornebridgman.com), whose in-demand work has graced the covers of En Route (Air Canada’s in-flight magazine), Monocle, and Travel & Leisure.  (A coup for us, since way back in 1997, we were probably the only people who ever landed him as a wedding photographer). Fittingly, his stirring nighttime images of abandoned playgrounds during the pandemic tell a very powerful story.

I have been keeping my own mental ledger of these “never before corona” scenes (like our yellow-taped playgrounds) which I observe every day.  The most striking of these I captured with my iphone just yesterday.  These four beachcombers appear to be metred-out models of social distancing with their perfectly proportioned pose.

Artists the world round are similarly documenting this time through a variety of expressive mediums.  Below, are a few of the most creative that I’ve discovered so far.

The New York Times delivers again, with 17 Artists Capture a Surreal NY from their Windows

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/16/nyregion/coronavirus-nyc-illustrators-window.html?action=click&module=Editors%20Picks&pgtype=Homepage

Katherine Lam, Queens, NY

Or this Beijing-based British map artist, who instead of his elaborate filligried-illustrations of sprawling urban areas, now maps what’s between his four walls.

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/gareth-fuller-maps-coronavirus-quarantine/index.html

Globally, graphic designers have also used their talents to advocate, provoke, or amuse: https://www.dezeen.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-covid-19-graphic-design-illustration/?fbclid=IwAR3bUYBwSkCtlj_yhlDkvUtGOFBDBJGMYXiDl3do74Gqm4JdHbkxTET48H8

Oliver Jeffers, beloved Irish children’s author and illustrator

And for 80’s kids like me, this new release, No Time to Love Like Now, from an old fave, REM’s Michael Stype, sends a sparsely-layered musical message from his home studio that feels highly appropriate for the times:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=MYgpEcXf2S4&feature=emb_logo

Finally, as I’ve stretched my social-media muscles, I confess that I’ve even ventured to Twitter and Tik Tok at times.  Most of us over-30 have probably been oblivious to the phenomena of social-media influencers, like the 15-year-old "reigning queen of TikTok", Charli D’Amelio, whose whether-you-like-it-or-not, down-to-earth appeal and smooth moves have charmed 48 million followers! But, as vacuous as many of her make-up tutorials have been, she is now using her reach for good with her originally choreographed Distance Dance which, for everyone who posts their own #distancedance video, will trigger Proctor & Gamble to donate to one of a variety of non-profits feeding those most vulnerable and hit hard by the virus.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS6913bBVek

April 16, 2020

Home Cooking

I truly believe that we all have an “inner artist” if we just find ways to tap it.  But it saddens me to hear how quickly many people say they have “no talent”.  Creativity is not magic.  It’s what humans have harnessed since time immorial to survive, adapt, and thrive.  Creativity also increases exponentially when there are constraints on our resources. The elegance of a haiku is a pure example of this.  Limited to just 5, 7, & 5 syllables per line, this simple container lends itself to essential and beautiful nuggets of expression accessible to all.  Here’s a timely one from the #quarantinehaikus project that I mentioned earlier:

I’m in quarantine But all my ideas are not. This month, they happen.

Similarly, another creative pursuit that has most given humans a window into their own creativity is the culinary arts.  Sure, for some their adventures as gourmands consist of little more than ramen, canned tuna, a boiled egg and Dijon mustard for a pantry version of Julia Child’s Salad Nicoise.  But quarantined living is certainly inspiring more imagination in the kitchen than usual. Though this expression may be overused, “necessity is the mother of invention” has perhaps never been more universally true.  However, if you’re trying to limit your grocery trips to once per week, and your mind happens to draw a blank when you open your cupboard, here are dozens of recipes that you can try with what you might likely already have on hand:

https://cooking.nytimes.com/topics/self-quarantine-recipes

My own constant culinary muse is my great friend, Belkis, whose Instagram page, Epicurious Travelista (below) is a visual and delectable treat.  Most of her images include recipes.  And while they might look elaborate, and sometimes indeed they are (this is a woman unafraid of churning her own butter, or making her own tortillas from scratch), her resourceful Honduran roots influence many exquisite meals that she makes from only a few simple ingredients.  So, for those wanting to spread their chef’s wings a bit wider, you can check out her page here:

https://www.instagram.com/epicurious_travelista/

April 15, 2020

Zoom Masters

Of course, Zoom has been the victor and the enemy in this digitally-dependent time, both allowing multi-generational families to share seders, while at the same time stealing private details from citizens.  But one can not deny that the extent to which people have exploited this format for good has been inspiring.  I’m biased towards the musical collaborations that the format has spawned.  But don’t be fooled.  This technology, designed for one-speaker-at-a-time, does not render performances like the one below, easily.  Each frame has to be recorded separately (with consistent click tracks, to keep everyone in time), and then carefully edited together in post-production. These are highly stylized efforts. And this one takes it to another level with its choreographic complexity.  So, while I wish everyone to have a weekend where they can Get Down, Stay Down, here’s a treat to enjoy:

https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/8/21213608/coronavirus-zoom-music-video-thao-and-the-get-down-stay-down?fbclid=IwAR3PIGg8lcGMLgQrJGISDcjrRbcy3eQG2XI-sqbc-BOGs5f8s5PNRPf54H4