Most companies collect a large amount of data from their business operations. To keep track of that information, a business and would need to use a wide range of software programs , such as Excel, Access and different database applications for various departments throughout their organization. Using multiple software programs makes it difficult to retrieve information in a timely manner and to perform analysis of the data.
The term Business Intelligence (BI) represents the tools and systems that play a key role in the strategic planning process of the corporation. These systems allow a company to gather, store, access and analyze corporate data to aid in decision-making. Generally these systems will illustrate business intelligence in the areas of customer profiling, customer support, market research, market segmentation, product profitability, statistical analysis, and inventory and distribution analysis to name a few.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
What is Buddhism?
What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of life. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path — a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood.
Because Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator god, some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense. The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible. Thus Buddhism addresses itself to all people irrespective of race, nationality, or gender. It teaches practical methods (such as meditation) which enable people to realise and utilise its teachings in order to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for their lives and to develop the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion.
There are around 350 million Buddhists and a growing number of them are Westerners. They follow many different forms of Buddhism, but all traditions are characterised by non-violence, lack of dogma, tolerance of differences, and, usually, by the practice of meditation .
Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of life. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path — a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood.
Because Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator god, some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense. The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible. Thus Buddhism addresses itself to all people irrespective of race, nationality, or gender. It teaches practical methods (such as meditation) which enable people to realise and utilise its teachings in order to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for their lives and to develop the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion.
There are around 350 million Buddhists and a growing number of them are Westerners. They follow many different forms of Buddhism, but all traditions are characterised by non-violence, lack of dogma, tolerance of differences, and, usually, by the practice of meditation .
what is bull market ?
Definition
A prolonged period in which investment prices rise faster than their historical average. Bull markets can happen as a result of an economic recovery, an economic boom, or investor psychology. The longest and most famous bull market is the one that began in the early 1990s in which the U.S. equity markets grew at their fastest pace ever. opposite of bear market.
Related Terms
growth fund
Related Research Articles from the InvestorGuide.com University
Fraud and Dispute Resolution
Find out about the different types of investment fraud and how to prevent it from happening. Learn how to deal with responding to fraud and dispute resolution if it does happen to you.
Investment Clubs
Learn how investing as a group can be more beneficial than investing by yourself. Find out how to find an investment club, or how to start one if there are none available.
Buying and Selling
Learn the best time to buy or sell an investment. Also suggests templates for investment analysis and transaction records.
A prolonged period in which investment prices rise faster than their historical average. Bull markets can happen as a result of an economic recovery, an economic boom, or investor psychology. The longest and most famous bull market is the one that began in the early 1990s in which the U.S. equity markets grew at their fastest pace ever. opposite of bear market.
Related Terms
growth fund
Related Research Articles from the InvestorGuide.com University
Fraud and Dispute Resolution
Find out about the different types of investment fraud and how to prevent it from happening. Learn how to deal with responding to fraud and dispute resolution if it does happen to you.
Investment Clubs
Learn how investing as a group can be more beneficial than investing by yourself. Find out how to find an investment club, or how to start one if there are none available.
Buying and Selling
Learn the best time to buy or sell an investment. Also suggests templates for investment analysis and transaction records.
What Is Bear Market ?
Definition
A prolonged period in which investment prices fall, accompanied by widespread pessimism. If the period of falling stock prices is short and immediately follows a period of rising stock prices, it is instead called a correction. Bear markets usually occur when the economy is in a recession and unemployment is high, or when inflation is rising quickly. The most famous bear market in U.S. history was the Great Depression of the 1930s. The term "bear" has been used in a financial context since at least the early 18th century. While its origins are unclear, the term may have originated from traders who sold bear skins with the expectations that prices would fall in the future. opposite of bull market.
Related Terms
bear trap
Related Research Articles from the InvestorGuide.com University
Inflation and Interest Rates
Discover how inflation works and the affect it can have on the market. Also, learn about interest rates, what causes them to rise or drop, and why you should care.
Introduction to the Economy
Learn how the economy can be influenced by the US government through fiscal and monetary policy. Understand the importance of a global economy and why individuals should make a portion of their investments overseas.
Economic Indicators
Find out about some of the most researched pieces of news in the world. Topics include Gross Domestic Product, Consumer Price Index, the Producer Price Index, Employment Indicators, the Retail Sales Index, the National Association of Purchasing Management Index, the Consumer Confidence Index, and more.
A prolonged period in which investment prices fall, accompanied by widespread pessimism. If the period of falling stock prices is short and immediately follows a period of rising stock prices, it is instead called a correction. Bear markets usually occur when the economy is in a recession and unemployment is high, or when inflation is rising quickly. The most famous bear market in U.S. history was the Great Depression of the 1930s. The term "bear" has been used in a financial context since at least the early 18th century. While its origins are unclear, the term may have originated from traders who sold bear skins with the expectations that prices would fall in the future. opposite of bull market.
Related Terms
bear trap
Related Research Articles from the InvestorGuide.com University
Inflation and Interest Rates
Discover how inflation works and the affect it can have on the market. Also, learn about interest rates, what causes them to rise or drop, and why you should care.
Introduction to the Economy
Learn how the economy can be influenced by the US government through fiscal and monetary policy. Understand the importance of a global economy and why individuals should make a portion of their investments overseas.
Economic Indicators
Find out about some of the most researched pieces of news in the world. Topics include Gross Domestic Product, Consumer Price Index, the Producer Price Index, Employment Indicators, the Retail Sales Index, the National Association of Purchasing Management Index, the Consumer Confidence Index, and more.
What is Bankruptcy?
What is Bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy is an option that often has to be considered when an individual cannot pay their debts as they fall due. A first time bankrupt with debts will generally receive their discharge one year after the date of the bankruptcy order (there is the possibility that in some cases the bankruptcy discharge period will be less than one year).
Although bankruptcy has a bad stigma and is publicly advertised, it should always be considered when dealing with individual insolvency cases.
Please note that if your are ever faced with the prospect of bankruptcy you should look at alternatives as soon as possible such as the Individual Voluntary Arrangement procedure (IVA).
Bankruptcy is one way of dealing with debts you cannot pay. The bankruptcy proceedings:-
1. free you from overwhelming debts so you can make a fresh start, subject to some restrictions
2. make sure your assets are shared out fairly among your creditors.
Anyone can go bankrupt, including individual members of a partnership. There are different insolvency procedures for dealing with companies and for partnerships themselves.
How are you made bankrupt?
An individual can be made bankrupt either in one of three ways.
* Voluntarily - By the debtor themselves.
* Involuntarily - By the creditor owed money (£750 Minimum).
* The supervisor or anyone bound by an IVA
A bankruptcy order can still be made even if you refuse to acknowledge the proceedings or refuse to agree to them. You should therefore co-operate fully once the bankruptcy proceedings have begun. If you dispute the creditor’s claim, you should try and reach a settlement before the bankruptcy petition is due to be heard. Trying to do so after the bankruptcy order is made is both difficult and expensive.
What are the implications of bankruptcy?
* You lose control of your assets.
* You cannot obtain credit for over £250 without the permission from the lender.
* You cannot act as a company director.
* You cannot take any part in the promotion, formation or management of a limited company (LTD) without the permission of the court.
* You cannot trade in any business under any other name unless you inform all persons concerned of the bankruptcy.
* You may not practice as a Charted Accountant / Lawyer.
* You may not act as a Justice of the peace (JP).
* You may not become an member of parliament.
* You may not become a member of the local authority.
* Your credit is affected for many years after the annulment.
* You may be publicly examined in court.
What are the advantages of bankruptcy?
* For the person involved, bankruptcy provides relative peace of mind and possible automatic discharge after one year (or less in some cases).
* For the creditors, bankruptcy allows a full investigation of the debtor's affairs to be carried out.
Bankruptcy is an option that often has to be considered when an individual cannot pay their debts as they fall due. A first time bankrupt with debts will generally receive their discharge one year after the date of the bankruptcy order (there is the possibility that in some cases the bankruptcy discharge period will be less than one year).
Although bankruptcy has a bad stigma and is publicly advertised, it should always be considered when dealing with individual insolvency cases.
Please note that if your are ever faced with the prospect of bankruptcy you should look at alternatives as soon as possible such as the Individual Voluntary Arrangement procedure (IVA).
Bankruptcy is one way of dealing with debts you cannot pay. The bankruptcy proceedings:-
1. free you from overwhelming debts so you can make a fresh start, subject to some restrictions
2. make sure your assets are shared out fairly among your creditors.
Anyone can go bankrupt, including individual members of a partnership. There are different insolvency procedures for dealing with companies and for partnerships themselves.
How are you made bankrupt?
An individual can be made bankrupt either in one of three ways.
* Voluntarily - By the debtor themselves.
* Involuntarily - By the creditor owed money (£750 Minimum).
* The supervisor or anyone bound by an IVA
A bankruptcy order can still be made even if you refuse to acknowledge the proceedings or refuse to agree to them. You should therefore co-operate fully once the bankruptcy proceedings have begun. If you dispute the creditor’s claim, you should try and reach a settlement before the bankruptcy petition is due to be heard. Trying to do so after the bankruptcy order is made is both difficult and expensive.
What are the implications of bankruptcy?
* You lose control of your assets.
* You cannot obtain credit for over £250 without the permission from the lender.
* You cannot act as a company director.
* You cannot take any part in the promotion, formation or management of a limited company (LTD) without the permission of the court.
* You cannot trade in any business under any other name unless you inform all persons concerned of the bankruptcy.
* You may not practice as a Charted Accountant / Lawyer.
* You may not act as a Justice of the peace (JP).
* You may not become an member of parliament.
* You may not become a member of the local authority.
* Your credit is affected for many years after the annulment.
* You may be publicly examined in court.
What are the advantages of bankruptcy?
* For the person involved, bankruptcy provides relative peace of mind and possible automatic discharge after one year (or less in some cases).
* For the creditors, bankruptcy allows a full investigation of the debtor's affairs to be carried out.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Both numbers are important.
Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. The good news is that it can be treated and controlled.
High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Some people may not find out they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. When high blood pressure is not found and treated, it can cause:
* The heart to get larger, which may lead to heart failure.
* Small bulges (aneurysms (AN-u-risms)) to form in blood vessels. Common locations are the main artery from the heart (aorta); arteries in the brain, legs, and intestines; and the artery leading to the spleen.
* Blood vessels in the kidney to narrow, which may cause kidney failure.
* Arteries throughout the body to "harden" faster, especially those in the heart, brain, kidneys, and legs. This can cause a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or amputation of part of the leg.
* Blood vessels in the eyes to burst or bleed, which may cause vision changes and can result in blindness.
What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats (about 60–70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic (sis-TOL-ik) pressure. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the diastolic (di-a-STOL-ik) pressure.
Blood pressure is always given as these two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures. Both are important. Usually they are written one above or before the other, such as 120/80 mmHg (measured in millimeters of mercury, a unit for measuring pressure). When the two measurements are written down, the systolic pressure is the first or top number, and the diastolic pressure is the second or bottom number (for example, 120/80). If your blood pressure is 120/80, you say that it is "120 over 80."
Blood pressure changes during the day. It is lowest as you sleep and rises when you get up. It also can rise when you are excited, nervous, or active.
Still, for most of your waking hours, your blood pressure stays pretty much the same when you are sitting or standing still. That level should be lower than 120/80 mmHg. When the level stays high, 140/90 mmHg or higher, you have high blood pressure. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater.
What Is Normal Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. In general, lower is better. However, very low blood pressure can sometimes be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a doctor.
Doctors classify blood pressures under 140/90 mmHg as either normal or prehypertension.
* Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg.
* Prehypertension is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the prehypertension range. If your blood pressure is in the prehypertension range, it is more likely that you will end up with high blood pressure unless you take action to prevent it.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure. Both numbers are important. If one or both numbers are usually high, you have high blood pressure.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure and have repeated readings in the normal range, you still have high blood pressure.
There are two levels of high blood pressure: stage 1 and stage 2 (see the chart below).
Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults (in mmHg, millimeters of
mercury)a
Category Systolic (top number) Diastolic (bottom number)
Normal Less than 120 Less than 80
Prehypertension 120–139 80–89
High blood pressure
Stage 1 140–159 90–99
Stage 2 160 or higher 100 or higher
a For adults 18 and older who are not on medicine for high blood pressure; are not having a short-term serious illness; and do not have other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease.
Note: When systolic and diastolic blood pressures fall into different categories, the higher category should be used to classify blood pressure level. For example, 160/80 mmHg would be stage 2 high blood pressure.
There is an exception to the above definition of high blood pressure. A blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Both numbers are important.
Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. The good news is that it can be treated and controlled.
High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Some people may not find out they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. When high blood pressure is not found and treated, it can cause:
* The heart to get larger, which may lead to heart failure.
* Small bulges (aneurysms (AN-u-risms)) to form in blood vessels. Common locations are the main artery from the heart (aorta); arteries in the brain, legs, and intestines; and the artery leading to the spleen.
* Blood vessels in the kidney to narrow, which may cause kidney failure.
* Arteries throughout the body to "harden" faster, especially those in the heart, brain, kidneys, and legs. This can cause a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or amputation of part of the leg.
* Blood vessels in the eyes to burst or bleed, which may cause vision changes and can result in blindness.
What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats (about 60–70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic (sis-TOL-ik) pressure. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the diastolic (di-a-STOL-ik) pressure.
Blood pressure is always given as these two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures. Both are important. Usually they are written one above or before the other, such as 120/80 mmHg (measured in millimeters of mercury, a unit for measuring pressure). When the two measurements are written down, the systolic pressure is the first or top number, and the diastolic pressure is the second or bottom number (for example, 120/80). If your blood pressure is 120/80, you say that it is "120 over 80."
Blood pressure changes during the day. It is lowest as you sleep and rises when you get up. It also can rise when you are excited, nervous, or active.
Still, for most of your waking hours, your blood pressure stays pretty much the same when you are sitting or standing still. That level should be lower than 120/80 mmHg. When the level stays high, 140/90 mmHg or higher, you have high blood pressure. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater.
What Is Normal Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. In general, lower is better. However, very low blood pressure can sometimes be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a doctor.
Doctors classify blood pressures under 140/90 mmHg as either normal or prehypertension.
* Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg.
* Prehypertension is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the prehypertension range. If your blood pressure is in the prehypertension range, it is more likely that you will end up with high blood pressure unless you take action to prevent it.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure. Both numbers are important. If one or both numbers are usually high, you have high blood pressure.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure and have repeated readings in the normal range, you still have high blood pressure.
There are two levels of high blood pressure: stage 1 and stage 2 (see the chart below).
Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults (in mmHg, millimeters of
mercury)a
Category Systolic (top number) Diastolic (bottom number)
Normal Less than 120 Less than 80
Prehypertension 120–139 80–89
High blood pressure
Stage 1 140–159 90–99
Stage 2 160 or higher 100 or higher
a For adults 18 and older who are not on medicine for high blood pressure; are not having a short-term serious illness; and do not have other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease.
Note: When systolic and diastolic blood pressures fall into different categories, the higher category should be used to classify blood pressure level. For example, 160/80 mmHg would be stage 2 high blood pressure.
There is an exception to the above definition of high blood pressure. A blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
What is Abuse?
What is Abuse?
1. Types of Abuse
2. Cycle of Abuse
3. Are You a Victim of Abuse?
4. Domestic Violence
5. Safety Plan
Abuse is an attempt to control the behaviour of another person. It is a misuse of power which uses the bonds of intimacy, trust and dependency to make the victim vulnerable.
The Types of Abuse include…
Physical:
hitting, punching, beating, slapping, pulling hair, use of weapons, mutilation, burning, biting, murder
Sexual:
any forced sexual contact ranging from unwanted touching to rape, harassment
Verbal:
threats, insults, name-calling, unjust blaming and accusing, swearing, shouting
Psychological/Emotional:
withholding love, sympathy or understanding, inadequate physical or emotional care, isolation, intimidation, extreme jealousy, destroying property, threatening to commit suicide
Financial:
stealing, withholding money and/or denying access to employment opportunities, preventing access to household financial information
Spiritual:
belittling a person’s spiritual beliefs or preventing them from attending the church, synagogue or temple of their choice
The United Nations (Commission on the Status of Women, 1993) defines violence against women as:
"…any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or private life."
One out of every four Canadian women will suffer some type of abuse during her lifetime and every year, one in 10 Canadian women is physically battered by her partner. Domestic violence and abuse occurs in all socio-economic groups and cultural/religious backgrounds and it affects women of all ages.
Domestic assault is a crime.
The Cycle of Abuse
Domestic violence (also called wife abuse, family violence and partner assault) is rarely a one-time occurrence. It usually takes place as part of a cycle that includes the following phases…
Tension-building stage:
Insults and other verbal attacks; minor abusive situations; victim tries to be compliant, "walks on eggshells," and feels helpless; atmosphere becomes increasingly more oppressive.
Violent episode:
Built-up tensions erupt into incidents ranging from severe verbal/emotional abuse to physical/sexual assault and can last from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the relationship. It is during this time that a woman is most likely to be seriously injured or killed by her partner.
Honeymoon stage:
Following a violent episode the abuser is usually contrite and attentive; the victim once again recognizes the person she first fell in love with and may be inclined to believe his promises to change.
Unless there is some form of intervention, the cycle usually repeats itself with the violent episodes escalating in frequency and intensity.
Are You – or is Someone you Know – a Victim of Abuse?
• In your relationship, have you ever experienced verbal abuse, including put-downs or threats?
Yes No
• Have you suffered physical violence such as hitting, pushing, pulling hair, forced sexual contact?
Yes No
• Has your partner threatened to leave if you don’t do as he asks?
Yes No
• Does your partner try to isolate you from family and friends?
Yes No
• Is your partner bossy; does he try to control who you see and what you do?
Yes No
• Does your partner use guilt trips to get his own way?
Yes No
• Do you have to explain your whereabouts?
Yes No
• Does your partner have a bad temper and a history of violence? Does he brag about mistreating others?
Yes No
• Does your partner blame you when he treats you bad?
Yes No
• Does your partner have a history of bad relationships?
Yes No
• Does he believe that men should be in control of his partner and family?
Yes No
• Does your partner treat you "like dirt" or humiliate you in front of friends and family?
Yes No
• Are you afraid of your partner? Do you worry about how he will react to what you say or do?
Yes No
• Does he abuse alcohol or drugs?
Yes No
• Have your friends or family warned you about him or told you they were worried about your safety?
Yes No
If you answered "Yes" to any of the above questions, your relationship may be abusive. Don’t ignore or minimize these warning signs. Get help. You can call Nova Vita’s 24-hour Crisis Line at (519) 752-HELP.
Domestic Violence – Myths and Reality
Myth:
Wife assault doesn’t happen that frequently and in most cases, the incidents are blown out of proportion.
Reality:
In a study conducted by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, one in five Canadian men living with a woman admitted to using violence against her. Accurate statistics are difficult to attain since domestic abuse remains a largely under-reported crime – the police are called in just 25 percent of incidents.
Myth:
Domestic abuse mainly affects the young and poor.
Reality:
Abuse is a widespread problem and occurs in all racial, ethnic, social, economic and age groups.
Myth:
Women often do things to provoke their partners.
Reality:
Domestic violence is rooted in the perpetrator’s desire for power and control. Victims report a wide range of "reasons" for the outbursts, many as minor as "buttering the toast the wrong way." Abusive partners may avoid taking responsibility for their actions by blaming the victim: "She made me do it."
Myth:
Alcohol and drugs are leading causes of domestic assault.
Reality:
Alcohol or illegal drugs are often factors in domestic violence incidents and their use can make it easier for a person to be abusive. Perpetrators may blame their violent behaviour on alcohol, thus avoiding responsibility for their actions. The true cause of domestic assault, however, is the desire to have control over another person.
Myth:
Perpetrators of domestic assault are mentally ill.
Reality:
Batterers are generally not violent outside the home or with other people they interact with – such as their friends, colleagues and bosses. Mentally ill people would not be able to practice such selective violence.
Myth:
Men are just as likely to be the victims of domestic assault as women.
Reality:
More than 92 percent of charges involving domestic assault in Ontario are laid against men. In the majority of cases involving women as perpetrators, charges are due to acts of self defense or are counter-charges laid by abusive partners. Women suffer more frequent and extreme incidents of violence than men and are more likely to sustain serious or life-threatening injuries.
Nova Vita Women’s Services does not condone violence and abuse by or against men or women. By providing services to men, women and children, we seek to promote respectful, healthy relationships among all members of the family.
The Safety Plan
Women who are at risk of violence by their partners are strongly advised to develop a personalized safety plan as a first step in protecting themselves and their children. The following will help you create your plan – if you need more help, call Nova Vita Women’s Services at (519) 752-HELP.
• Know the quickest route out of your home. Practice escaping that way.
• Know the quickest route out of your workplace. Practice escaping that way.
• Know the route to shelters, police stations, hospitals, fire stations and public places/stores opened 24 hours a day
• Pack a bag and have it ready. Keep it somewhere where it is hidden but easy to grab.
• Tell your neighbours about the abuse and ask them to call the police if they hear a disturbance.
• Have a code word to use with your children, family and friends. They will know to call the police and get you help.
•Teach your children how to reach help (e.g dialing 911, going to a neighbour) in an emergency situation.
• Use your instincts.
• Plan in advance where you would go in an emergency and how to get there. Take the following with you: identification, health records, money, bank/credit cards, keys, medication, legal papers, important phone numbers, jewelry/photos/sentimental items, a few items of clothing and favourite toys/blankets.
You have the right to protect yourself and your children.
1. Types of Abuse
2. Cycle of Abuse
3. Are You a Victim of Abuse?
4. Domestic Violence
5. Safety Plan
Abuse is an attempt to control the behaviour of another person. It is a misuse of power which uses the bonds of intimacy, trust and dependency to make the victim vulnerable.
The Types of Abuse include…
Physical:
hitting, punching, beating, slapping, pulling hair, use of weapons, mutilation, burning, biting, murder
Sexual:
any forced sexual contact ranging from unwanted touching to rape, harassment
Verbal:
threats, insults, name-calling, unjust blaming and accusing, swearing, shouting
Psychological/Emotional:
withholding love, sympathy or understanding, inadequate physical or emotional care, isolation, intimidation, extreme jealousy, destroying property, threatening to commit suicide
Financial:
stealing, withholding money and/or denying access to employment opportunities, preventing access to household financial information
Spiritual:
belittling a person’s spiritual beliefs or preventing them from attending the church, synagogue or temple of their choice
The United Nations (Commission on the Status of Women, 1993) defines violence against women as:
"…any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or private life."
One out of every four Canadian women will suffer some type of abuse during her lifetime and every year, one in 10 Canadian women is physically battered by her partner. Domestic violence and abuse occurs in all socio-economic groups and cultural/religious backgrounds and it affects women of all ages.
Domestic assault is a crime.
The Cycle of Abuse
Domestic violence (also called wife abuse, family violence and partner assault) is rarely a one-time occurrence. It usually takes place as part of a cycle that includes the following phases…
Tension-building stage:
Insults and other verbal attacks; minor abusive situations; victim tries to be compliant, "walks on eggshells," and feels helpless; atmosphere becomes increasingly more oppressive.
Violent episode:
Built-up tensions erupt into incidents ranging from severe verbal/emotional abuse to physical/sexual assault and can last from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the relationship. It is during this time that a woman is most likely to be seriously injured or killed by her partner.
Honeymoon stage:
Following a violent episode the abuser is usually contrite and attentive; the victim once again recognizes the person she first fell in love with and may be inclined to believe his promises to change.
Unless there is some form of intervention, the cycle usually repeats itself with the violent episodes escalating in frequency and intensity.
Are You – or is Someone you Know – a Victim of Abuse?
• In your relationship, have you ever experienced verbal abuse, including put-downs or threats?
Yes No
• Have you suffered physical violence such as hitting, pushing, pulling hair, forced sexual contact?
Yes No
• Has your partner threatened to leave if you don’t do as he asks?
Yes No
• Does your partner try to isolate you from family and friends?
Yes No
• Is your partner bossy; does he try to control who you see and what you do?
Yes No
• Does your partner use guilt trips to get his own way?
Yes No
• Do you have to explain your whereabouts?
Yes No
• Does your partner have a bad temper and a history of violence? Does he brag about mistreating others?
Yes No
• Does your partner blame you when he treats you bad?
Yes No
• Does your partner have a history of bad relationships?
Yes No
• Does he believe that men should be in control of his partner and family?
Yes No
• Does your partner treat you "like dirt" or humiliate you in front of friends and family?
Yes No
• Are you afraid of your partner? Do you worry about how he will react to what you say or do?
Yes No
• Does he abuse alcohol or drugs?
Yes No
• Have your friends or family warned you about him or told you they were worried about your safety?
Yes No
If you answered "Yes" to any of the above questions, your relationship may be abusive. Don’t ignore or minimize these warning signs. Get help. You can call Nova Vita’s 24-hour Crisis Line at (519) 752-HELP.
Domestic Violence – Myths and Reality
Myth:
Wife assault doesn’t happen that frequently and in most cases, the incidents are blown out of proportion.
Reality:
In a study conducted by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, one in five Canadian men living with a woman admitted to using violence against her. Accurate statistics are difficult to attain since domestic abuse remains a largely under-reported crime – the police are called in just 25 percent of incidents.
Myth:
Domestic abuse mainly affects the young and poor.
Reality:
Abuse is a widespread problem and occurs in all racial, ethnic, social, economic and age groups.
Myth:
Women often do things to provoke their partners.
Reality:
Domestic violence is rooted in the perpetrator’s desire for power and control. Victims report a wide range of "reasons" for the outbursts, many as minor as "buttering the toast the wrong way." Abusive partners may avoid taking responsibility for their actions by blaming the victim: "She made me do it."
Myth:
Alcohol and drugs are leading causes of domestic assault.
Reality:
Alcohol or illegal drugs are often factors in domestic violence incidents and their use can make it easier for a person to be abusive. Perpetrators may blame their violent behaviour on alcohol, thus avoiding responsibility for their actions. The true cause of domestic assault, however, is the desire to have control over another person.
Myth:
Perpetrators of domestic assault are mentally ill.
Reality:
Batterers are generally not violent outside the home or with other people they interact with – such as their friends, colleagues and bosses. Mentally ill people would not be able to practice such selective violence.
Myth:
Men are just as likely to be the victims of domestic assault as women.
Reality:
More than 92 percent of charges involving domestic assault in Ontario are laid against men. In the majority of cases involving women as perpetrators, charges are due to acts of self defense or are counter-charges laid by abusive partners. Women suffer more frequent and extreme incidents of violence than men and are more likely to sustain serious or life-threatening injuries.
Nova Vita Women’s Services does not condone violence and abuse by or against men or women. By providing services to men, women and children, we seek to promote respectful, healthy relationships among all members of the family.
The Safety Plan
Women who are at risk of violence by their partners are strongly advised to develop a personalized safety plan as a first step in protecting themselves and their children. The following will help you create your plan – if you need more help, call Nova Vita Women’s Services at (519) 752-HELP.
• Know the quickest route out of your home. Practice escaping that way.
• Know the quickest route out of your workplace. Practice escaping that way.
• Know the route to shelters, police stations, hospitals, fire stations and public places/stores opened 24 hours a day
• Pack a bag and have it ready. Keep it somewhere where it is hidden but easy to grab.
• Tell your neighbours about the abuse and ask them to call the police if they hear a disturbance.
• Have a code word to use with your children, family and friends. They will know to call the police and get you help.
•Teach your children how to reach help (e.g dialing 911, going to a neighbour) in an emergency situation.
• Use your instincts.
• Plan in advance where you would go in an emergency and how to get there. Take the following with you: identification, health records, money, bank/credit cards, keys, medication, legal papers, important phone numbers, jewelry/photos/sentimental items, a few items of clothing and favourite toys/blankets.
You have the right to protect yourself and your children.
What is Cyanide?
It's easy to assume that the word 'cyanide' is always synonymous with a deadly poison. Chemically speaking, however, cyanide describes a triple bond between carbon and nitrogen atoms. This carbon-nitrogen combination can be combined with metals or other elements to form any number of cyanide compounds or salts, such as potassium cyanide, sodium cyanide or hydrogen cyanide. Cyanide is also found naturally in sugars, cassava roots, large fruit pits and tobacco leaves.
Different cyanide salts are used to process film, remove gold from ore, electroplate or clean metals, and make paper or plastic. In gas form, hydrogen cyanide is used to fumigate warehouses and the cargo areas of ships. Cyanide compounds can be stored in liquid, solid or gas form. The infamous 'suicide pills' used by spies were often derived from prussic acid, a form of hydrogen cyanide.
Perhaps the most insidious use of cyanide occurred during World War II. Charged with the gruesome task of exterminating large groups of Jewish captives, German concentration camp directors ordered canisters of hydrogen cyanide, sold under the brand name Zyklon B. Victims were ordered into air-tight chambers, ostensibly for showers, and the hydrogen cyanide gas would be introduced through the ventilation system. There have also been claims that former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein used hydrogen cyanide gas to kill thousands of Kurds during an uprising in the late 1980s.
Because cyanide, especially hydrogen cyanide, is produced naturally, it is very difficult for humans to avoid exposure completely. Cyanide is not considered to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) however, and hydrogen cyanide evaporates quickly from groundwater. Long-term exposure to smoke, as in forest fires or cigarettes, is considered dangerous, since hydrogen cyanide gas is a natural by-product of smoke production. Liquid cyanide products such as insecticides and industrial cleaners can cause localized rashes and blister on exposed skin.
Hydrogen cyanide gas causes death and sickness by preventing normal oxygen absorption by blood cells. As the cyanide ions block the oxygen in the blood, the heart and brain suffer major damage. If the concentration of hydrogen cyanide gas is heavy enough, death will occur within minutes of exposure. Victims of cyanide poisoning can be treated at a hospital if transported in time. Lower level exposure to cyanide can cause dizziness, rapid heart rate, overall weakness and breathing difficulties. Evacuation to a source of fresh air is usually the first response, followed by decontamination and oxygen treatments.
Different cyanide salts are used to process film, remove gold from ore, electroplate or clean metals, and make paper or plastic. In gas form, hydrogen cyanide is used to fumigate warehouses and the cargo areas of ships. Cyanide compounds can be stored in liquid, solid or gas form. The infamous 'suicide pills' used by spies were often derived from prussic acid, a form of hydrogen cyanide.
Perhaps the most insidious use of cyanide occurred during World War II. Charged with the gruesome task of exterminating large groups of Jewish captives, German concentration camp directors ordered canisters of hydrogen cyanide, sold under the brand name Zyklon B. Victims were ordered into air-tight chambers, ostensibly for showers, and the hydrogen cyanide gas would be introduced through the ventilation system. There have also been claims that former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein used hydrogen cyanide gas to kill thousands of Kurds during an uprising in the late 1980s.
Because cyanide, especially hydrogen cyanide, is produced naturally, it is very difficult for humans to avoid exposure completely. Cyanide is not considered to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) however, and hydrogen cyanide evaporates quickly from groundwater. Long-term exposure to smoke, as in forest fires or cigarettes, is considered dangerous, since hydrogen cyanide gas is a natural by-product of smoke production. Liquid cyanide products such as insecticides and industrial cleaners can cause localized rashes and blister on exposed skin.
Hydrogen cyanide gas causes death and sickness by preventing normal oxygen absorption by blood cells. As the cyanide ions block the oxygen in the blood, the heart and brain suffer major damage. If the concentration of hydrogen cyanide gas is heavy enough, death will occur within minutes of exposure. Victims of cyanide poisoning can be treated at a hospital if transported in time. Lower level exposure to cyanide can cause dizziness, rapid heart rate, overall weakness and breathing difficulties. Evacuation to a source of fresh air is usually the first response, followed by decontamination and oxygen treatments.
What is Astral Projection?
Astral projection or astral travel refers to the purported experience of a person's conscious awareness leaving the physical body to observe the world from an independent and objective point of view. This is also referred to as an out-of-body experience (OBE).
Mainstream science dismisses astral projection out of hand as being impossible according to the laws of physics as they are currently understood. It is relegated instead to flights of imagination, dreams, or hallucinations.
A surprising number of people —- about 14% of the population according to many studies -- have experienced astral projection or OBEs. Sometimes it occurs in moments of crisis. A common example involves near-fatal accidents where the subject later reports floating above the body near the ceiling in the hospital, watching on as an objective observer, taking in the actions and conversations of the medical personnel working 'below' them. People who have recovered in such instances have reported watching their doctors pronounce them dead, or calling for specific life-saving techniques later recounted and verified by those present. When astral projection occurs under these circumstances it is referred to as a near-death-experience (NDE).
Aside from times of crisis, astral projection can take place when meditating, in trance, resting or while sleeping. Rather than hover over his or her body, the subject might travel great distances, such as to other states or countries where loved ones are located. Sometimes information or details gleaned while astral projecting is said to have been later verified by the subject whose physical body could not have perceived the information directly.
Edgar Cayce was widely believed to conduct medical diagnosis of needy victims from all corners of the world -- all while in a trance on his couch at home. Many journalists, scientists and doctors of Cayce's day investigated him expecting to uncover a clever fraud, but instead came away convinced of his talents albeit mystified as to any possible scientific explanation.
In 1970 the CIA working with the Department of Defense reportedly began their own then-undercover research program into astral projection. They called it remote viewing and were interested in it as a possible means to surreptitiously obtain information from enemies and engage in psychic warfare. The name of the remote viewing program was originally SCANATE (standing for Scan by Coordinate). According to those involved in the project, Russell Targ and Harold Puthoff headed up the research team at Stanford Research Institute. The organization that began as SCANATE became PSI TECH in 1989, and moved into the private sector but continues to be run by former military members who were involved with it when it was still under the auspices of the DOD. In November 1991 the Associated Press reported PSI TECH was engaged by the UN to help find possible biological weapons in Iraq.
Internationally celebrated psychologist Charles T. Tart differentiates between science and scientism when it comes to work regarding altered states of consciousness and astral projection. He believes parapsychology, including astral travel, is dismissed because an attitude of dogmatic scientism preempts scientific study, creating instead a presupposition that the experience cannot be real because it violates known laws of physics. Dr. Tart believes scientific methodology should be applied rather than give way to prejudicial attitudes.
Tart has spent 40 years studying various states of consciousness, from dream state, to hypnosis, to parapsychology and astral projection. He has looked at over 100 years of parapsychology research on psi phenomenon including astral travel and OBEs. His findings lead him to conclude that consciousness does, at times, behave in ways unexplainable by our current understanding of the laws of physics. And though many experiences can be dismissed as imagination, dream or hallucination, he claims there is a large body of empirical evidence that goes beyond all known explanations.
To further study astral projection, clairvoyance, telekinesis and precognition, Tart founded TASTE (The Archives of Scientist's Transcendent Experiences), where scientists can report personal OBEs or psi experiences in an environment conducive to furthering understanding of the human mind. The contributions are posted with anonymity out of deference to the scientists who participate, but part of the process of submission involves verification of identity. These online archives are available for anyone to read.
While science looks for understanding of phenomenon among recognized laws of nature, human experience may at times run inconveniently ahead of science. For those who claim psi experiences like astral projection, clairvoyance, telekinesis and precognition, scientific explanation does not appear to be a prerequisite. For those who dismiss them out of hand, scientific proof will always be a prerequisite. As science and technology advance, perhaps the nether regions of psi experience will become clearer to both sides.
Mainstream science dismisses astral projection out of hand as being impossible according to the laws of physics as they are currently understood. It is relegated instead to flights of imagination, dreams, or hallucinations.
A surprising number of people —- about 14% of the population according to many studies -- have experienced astral projection or OBEs. Sometimes it occurs in moments of crisis. A common example involves near-fatal accidents where the subject later reports floating above the body near the ceiling in the hospital, watching on as an objective observer, taking in the actions and conversations of the medical personnel working 'below' them. People who have recovered in such instances have reported watching their doctors pronounce them dead, or calling for specific life-saving techniques later recounted and verified by those present. When astral projection occurs under these circumstances it is referred to as a near-death-experience (NDE).
Aside from times of crisis, astral projection can take place when meditating, in trance, resting or while sleeping. Rather than hover over his or her body, the subject might travel great distances, such as to other states or countries where loved ones are located. Sometimes information or details gleaned while astral projecting is said to have been later verified by the subject whose physical body could not have perceived the information directly.
Edgar Cayce was widely believed to conduct medical diagnosis of needy victims from all corners of the world -- all while in a trance on his couch at home. Many journalists, scientists and doctors of Cayce's day investigated him expecting to uncover a clever fraud, but instead came away convinced of his talents albeit mystified as to any possible scientific explanation.
In 1970 the CIA working with the Department of Defense reportedly began their own then-undercover research program into astral projection. They called it remote viewing and were interested in it as a possible means to surreptitiously obtain information from enemies and engage in psychic warfare. The name of the remote viewing program was originally SCANATE (standing for Scan by Coordinate). According to those involved in the project, Russell Targ and Harold Puthoff headed up the research team at Stanford Research Institute. The organization that began as SCANATE became PSI TECH in 1989, and moved into the private sector but continues to be run by former military members who were involved with it when it was still under the auspices of the DOD. In November 1991 the Associated Press reported PSI TECH was engaged by the UN to help find possible biological weapons in Iraq.
Internationally celebrated psychologist Charles T. Tart differentiates between science and scientism when it comes to work regarding altered states of consciousness and astral projection. He believes parapsychology, including astral travel, is dismissed because an attitude of dogmatic scientism preempts scientific study, creating instead a presupposition that the experience cannot be real because it violates known laws of physics. Dr. Tart believes scientific methodology should be applied rather than give way to prejudicial attitudes.
Tart has spent 40 years studying various states of consciousness, from dream state, to hypnosis, to parapsychology and astral projection. He has looked at over 100 years of parapsychology research on psi phenomenon including astral travel and OBEs. His findings lead him to conclude that consciousness does, at times, behave in ways unexplainable by our current understanding of the laws of physics. And though many experiences can be dismissed as imagination, dream or hallucination, he claims there is a large body of empirical evidence that goes beyond all known explanations.
To further study astral projection, clairvoyance, telekinesis and precognition, Tart founded TASTE (The Archives of Scientist's Transcendent Experiences), where scientists can report personal OBEs or psi experiences in an environment conducive to furthering understanding of the human mind. The contributions are posted with anonymity out of deference to the scientists who participate, but part of the process of submission involves verification of identity. These online archives are available for anyone to read.
While science looks for understanding of phenomenon among recognized laws of nature, human experience may at times run inconveniently ahead of science. For those who claim psi experiences like astral projection, clairvoyance, telekinesis and precognition, scientific explanation does not appear to be a prerequisite. For those who dismiss them out of hand, scientific proof will always be a prerequisite. As science and technology advance, perhaps the nether regions of psi experience will become clearer to both sides.
What is astragalus?
What is astragalus?
Astragalus is an herb that has many possible benefits, including fighting infection and the common cold, to benefiting cancer and AIDS patients!
Astragalus has been used in China for hundreds of years. Known there, since about A.D. 100, as “huang qi,” meaning “yellow leader,” it is taken from the root of the plant. There are more than 2,000 varieties of astragalus in the world. One type is native to Northern China, and it has been widely tested.
The plant is allowed to mature for four to seven years and the root is harvested in early spring. Astragalus contains many ingredients, including amino acids, polysaccharides, triterpene glycosides, flavonoids, isoflavones, saponins and trace minerals.
*****
Traditional Chinese medicine has used astragalus for such problems as weakness, edema, respiratory infections, diabetes, night sweats, diarrhea, heart disease and high blood pressure. Medical journals suggest the herb may stimulate the immune system and the body’s ability to resist and combat various diseases. Astragalus may also inhibit the spread and growth of cancer cells.
In the United States, astragalus has been the subject of much study in recent years. Studies at the University of Houston have shown astragalus may help improve immunity function in cancer patients, by increasing T-cell counts. Other testing, including research by the National Cancer Institute, continues to explore further possible medical benefits of astragalus, including the treatment of AIDS.
*****
Possible benefits of astragalus:
1. May improve the immune system of cancer patients and others.
2. May help with disease resistance.
3. May help normalize blood pressure.
4. May help the body fight against bacterial and viral infections.
5. May help hasten recovery from the common cold.
6. May help improve symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients.
7. May help improve appetite and digestion.
8. May help to generally strengthen the body.
9. May help in the treatment of respiratory infections.
10. May have a diuretic effect.
11. May increase energy.
12. May help regulate blood sugar levels.
13. May prolong life.
14. May be helpful to patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Astragalus has no known harmful side-effects.
*****
Astragalus is an exciting and potentially promising herb. Further research may prove astragalus to be invaluable in the medical treatment of a variety of conditions and illnesses.
It is always recommended that one consult a physician before self-treating a medical condition.
*****
Astragalus is one of Nature’s special gifts!
Astragalus is an herb that has many possible benefits, including fighting infection and the common cold, to benefiting cancer and AIDS patients!
Astragalus has been used in China for hundreds of years. Known there, since about A.D. 100, as “huang qi,” meaning “yellow leader,” it is taken from the root of the plant. There are more than 2,000 varieties of astragalus in the world. One type is native to Northern China, and it has been widely tested.
The plant is allowed to mature for four to seven years and the root is harvested in early spring. Astragalus contains many ingredients, including amino acids, polysaccharides, triterpene glycosides, flavonoids, isoflavones, saponins and trace minerals.
*****
Traditional Chinese medicine has used astragalus for such problems as weakness, edema, respiratory infections, diabetes, night sweats, diarrhea, heart disease and high blood pressure. Medical journals suggest the herb may stimulate the immune system and the body’s ability to resist and combat various diseases. Astragalus may also inhibit the spread and growth of cancer cells.
In the United States, astragalus has been the subject of much study in recent years. Studies at the University of Houston have shown astragalus may help improve immunity function in cancer patients, by increasing T-cell counts. Other testing, including research by the National Cancer Institute, continues to explore further possible medical benefits of astragalus, including the treatment of AIDS.
*****
Possible benefits of astragalus:
1. May improve the immune system of cancer patients and others.
2. May help with disease resistance.
3. May help normalize blood pressure.
4. May help the body fight against bacterial and viral infections.
5. May help hasten recovery from the common cold.
6. May help improve symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients.
7. May help improve appetite and digestion.
8. May help to generally strengthen the body.
9. May help in the treatment of respiratory infections.
10. May have a diuretic effect.
11. May increase energy.
12. May help regulate blood sugar levels.
13. May prolong life.
14. May be helpful to patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Astragalus has no known harmful side-effects.
*****
Astragalus is an exciting and potentially promising herb. Further research may prove astragalus to be invaluable in the medical treatment of a variety of conditions and illnesses.
It is always recommended that one consult a physician before self-treating a medical condition.
*****
Astragalus is one of Nature’s special gifts!
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a condition of the human eye which causes either blurred vision or a sense that each eye is seeing objects slightly differently. Sometimes astigmatism can be detected by an individual if he covers one eye to look at an object, and then changes to cover the other eye. By switching back and forth between covering each eye while looking at the single object or in one direction, it will become apparent with astigmatism that the object seems to move, as though each eye is seeing it in a slightly different location.
Astigmatism is not a vision problem, but a structural problem with the eye. The human eye is usually shaped in a sphere, like a ball, but with astigmatism, the cornea of the eye is curved instead into an oval shape, more like a football. When the eye is not curved properly, or has uneven curves like a football, light will not travel in and out of the eye normally. Astigmatism causes light to bounce unevenly off the flat and steep curves of the oval shaped eye, thus allowing light to more than one point in the eye. This impairs focusing ability, causing blurred vision.
There are several ophthalmological tests to determine the presence and level of astigmatism. A keratometer and a corneal topographer measure the curvature of the cornea. An autorefractor can give an estimate of the eye's ability to focus light properly. Most ophthalmologists and optometrists are able to detect even slight cases of astigmatism with just a simple eye exam.
Glasses or contact lenses can be presecribed to treat astigmatism, but they generally do not correct the condition. Often, two different lenses will help the eyes focus together, thus offsetting the uneven focusing caused by astigmatism. Astigmatism, however, can be corrected with surgery. Lasik and astigmatic keratotomy are two commonly used surgeries for astigmatism. The object of surgery is to reshape the cornea of the eye and make it more spherical.
Astigmatism is quite common, with thirty percent of the population having some level of cornea curvature. Often, mild astigmatism goes largely unnoticed, but severe astigmatism may cause, in addition to blurred vision, headaches, squinting and fatigue. Most people with astigmatism are born with it, but the awareness of it increases with age.
Astigmatism is not a vision problem, but a structural problem with the eye. The human eye is usually shaped in a sphere, like a ball, but with astigmatism, the cornea of the eye is curved instead into an oval shape, more like a football. When the eye is not curved properly, or has uneven curves like a football, light will not travel in and out of the eye normally. Astigmatism causes light to bounce unevenly off the flat and steep curves of the oval shaped eye, thus allowing light to more than one point in the eye. This impairs focusing ability, causing blurred vision.
There are several ophthalmological tests to determine the presence and level of astigmatism. A keratometer and a corneal topographer measure the curvature of the cornea. An autorefractor can give an estimate of the eye's ability to focus light properly. Most ophthalmologists and optometrists are able to detect even slight cases of astigmatism with just a simple eye exam.
Glasses or contact lenses can be presecribed to treat astigmatism, but they generally do not correct the condition. Often, two different lenses will help the eyes focus together, thus offsetting the uneven focusing caused by astigmatism. Astigmatism, however, can be corrected with surgery. Lasik and astigmatic keratotomy are two commonly used surgeries for astigmatism. The object of surgery is to reshape the cornea of the eye and make it more spherical.
Astigmatism is quite common, with thirty percent of the population having some level of cornea curvature. Often, mild astigmatism goes largely unnoticed, but severe astigmatism may cause, in addition to blurred vision, headaches, squinting and fatigue. Most people with astigmatism are born with it, but the awareness of it increases with age.
What is Astrophysics?
Astrophysics is a branch of astronomy that analyzes the properties and interactions of cosmological objects based on known physical law. The term is slightly misleading, as anyone who goes into astronomy nowadays must be proficient in physics. It can be said that the field of astrophysics is very similar to the fields of astronomy and cosmology.
Astrophysics can be broken down into observational and theoretical astrophysics. There is no such thing as experimental astrophysics because the scales and objects being observed are far too large or far away to experiment on with modern technology. Because light takes time to travel to us on Earth, the most distant regions of the universe are actually windows into the ancient universe, when the universe was far denser and more energetic. Because astrophysics sometimes deals with theories of the early, compact universe, it can overlap strongly with particle physics, which provides predictions of how matter would behave in the ancient universe.
Astrophysicists are known for studying such phenomena as black holes, galaxies, superclusters, neutron stars, quasars, the Big Bang, dark matter and energy, cosmic strings, stellar evolution, the cosmic microwave background radiation, and many others. The cosmos is a good arena for studying pure physics because on such large scales, the particular type of element making up objects becomes less significant, and more general variables such as mass and velocity take primacy. Sometimes astrophysics is called "the study of the very large and the very small."
Astrophysicists have contributed many important insights to our understanding of the universe we live in. They have predicted the likely age of the universe, the size of the observable universe, how long our sun will last before it exhausts its nuclear fuel, the commonness of black holes and other exotic celestial bodies, what the universe looked like billions of years ago, the average temperature of interstellar or intergalactic space, the shapes of galaxies, and the way that matter is distributed across the observable universe. Astrophysics is a useful branch of science that always continues to evolve and produce fascinating new insights into the structure of our universe.
Astrophysics can be broken down into observational and theoretical astrophysics. There is no such thing as experimental astrophysics because the scales and objects being observed are far too large or far away to experiment on with modern technology. Because light takes time to travel to us on Earth, the most distant regions of the universe are actually windows into the ancient universe, when the universe was far denser and more energetic. Because astrophysics sometimes deals with theories of the early, compact universe, it can overlap strongly with particle physics, which provides predictions of how matter would behave in the ancient universe.
Astrophysicists are known for studying such phenomena as black holes, galaxies, superclusters, neutron stars, quasars, the Big Bang, dark matter and energy, cosmic strings, stellar evolution, the cosmic microwave background radiation, and many others. The cosmos is a good arena for studying pure physics because on such large scales, the particular type of element making up objects becomes less significant, and more general variables such as mass and velocity take primacy. Sometimes astrophysics is called "the study of the very large and the very small."
Astrophysicists have contributed many important insights to our understanding of the universe we live in. They have predicted the likely age of the universe, the size of the observable universe, how long our sun will last before it exhausts its nuclear fuel, the commonness of black holes and other exotic celestial bodies, what the universe looked like billions of years ago, the average temperature of interstellar or intergalactic space, the shapes of galaxies, and the way that matter is distributed across the observable universe. Astrophysics is a useful branch of science that always continues to evolve and produce fascinating new insights into the structure of our universe.
What is asthma?
1.0 What is asthma?
1.0.1 What is chronic asthmatic bronchitis?
1.0.2 What is status asthmaticus?
1.0.3 What is anaphylactic shock?
1.0.4 What is COPD?
1.0.5 What is emphysema?
1.0.6 What is bronchitis?
1.0.7 What is pneumonia?
1.0.8 What is cystic fibrosis?
1.0 What is asthma?
Asthma is best described by its technical name: Reversible Obstructive Airway Disease (ROAD). In other words, asthma is a condition in which the airways of the lungs become either narrowed or completely blocked, impeding normal breathing. However, in asthma, this obstruction of the lungs is reversible, either spontaneously or with medication.
Quickly reviewing the structure of the lung: air reaches the lung by passing through the windpipe (trachea), which divides into two large tubes (bronchi), one for each lung. Each bronchi further divides into many little tubes (bronchioles), which eventually lead to tiny air sacs (alveoli), in which oxygen from the air is transferred to the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide from the bloodstream is transferred to the air. Asthma involves only the airways (bronchi and bronchioles), and not the air sacs. The airways are cleaned by trapping stray particles in a thin layer of mucus which covers the surface of the airways. This mucus is produced by glands inside the lung, and is constantly being renewed. The mucus is then either coughed up or swept up to the windpipe (trachea) by cilia, tiny hairs on the lining of the airways. Once the mucus reaches the throat, it can again be coughed up or, alternatively, swallowed.
Although everyone's airways have the potential for constricting in response to allergens or irritants, the asthmatic's airways are oversensitive, or hyperreactive. In response to stimuli, the airways may become obstructed by one of the following:
* constriction of the muscles surrounding the airway;
* inflammation and swelling of the airway; or
* increased mucus production which clogs the airway.
Once the airways have become obstructed, it takes more effort to force air through them, so that breathing becomes laboured. This forcing of air through constricted airways can make a whistling or rattling sound, called wheezing. Irritation of the airways by excessive mucus may also provoke coughing.
Because exhaling through the obstructed airways is difficult, too much stale air remains in the lungs after each breath. This decreases the amount of fresh air which can be taken in with each new breath, so not only is there less oxygen available for the whole body, but more importantly, the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the lungs causes the blood supply to become acidic. This acidity in the blood may rise to toxic levels if the asthma remains untreated.
1.0.1 What is chronic asthmatic bronchitis?
f Chronic asthmatic bronchitis is the condition in which the airways in the lungs are obstructed due to both persistent asthma and chronic bronchitis (see sections 1.0 and 1.0.6). People with this disease generally also have a persistent cough which brings up mucus. Chronic asthmatic bronchitis which also involves emphysema is usually classified under the more general category of COPD.
1.0.2 What is status asthmaticus?
Status asthmaticus is defined as a severe asthma attack that fails to respond to routine treatment, such as inhaled bronchodilators, injected epinephrine (adrenalin), or intravenous theophylline.
1.0.3 What is anaphylactic shock?
Anaphylactic shock is defined as a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction throughout the entire body. It occurs when an allergen, instead of provoking a localized reaction, enters the bloodstream and circulates through the entire body, causing a systemic reaction. (There may also be an intrinsic trigger, as some cases of exercise-induced anaphylaxis have been reported.)
The symptoms of anaphylactic shock begin with a rapid heartrate, flushing, swelling of the throat, nausea, coughing, and chest tightness. Severe wheezing (asthma), cramping, and a rapid drop in blood pressure follow, which may lead to cardiac arrest. Hives and vomiting are also common features. The treatment for anaphylaxis is intravenous epinephrine (adrenalin), with antihistamines and steroids also being used in selected cases. Aminophylline may also be given for pronounced asthmatic reactions that do not respond to epinephrine.
1.0.4 What is COPD?
COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as either COAD, for chronic obstructive airway disease, or COLD, for chronic obstructive lung disease. COPD is a disease in which the airways are obstructed due to a combination of asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. The 1987 Merck Manual notes that "the term COPD was introduced because these conditions often coexist, and it may be difficult in an individual case to decide which is the major one producing the obstruction."
[Maintainer's note: the entries for COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, and cystic fibrosis have been included because of common confusion between the various diseases which can affect the lungs.]
1.0.5 What is emphysema?
Emphysema is the disease in which the air sacs themselves, rather than the airways, are either damaged or destroyed. This is an irreversible condition, leading to poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air in the lungs and the bloodstream.
1.0.6 What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the large airways inside the lungs. (Bronchiolitis is the inflammation of the bronchioles, the small airways.) This inflammation often leads to increased mucus production in the airways.
Bronchitis is generally caused either by a virus or by exposure to irritants such as dust, fumes, or cigarette smoke. If caused by a virus, the bronchitis will likely be only temporary. In the case of prolonged exposure to irritants, particularly cigarette smoking, if there is permanent damage to the bronchi, bronchitis may become chronic.
1.0.7 What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue. In adults, it is generally caused by bacterial infections, though viruses, fungi, and protozoa may also be culprits. The latter microorganisms have become very common as causes of pneumonia in immunosuppressed persons, such as those with HIV infection. However, for those with chronic illnesses, especially cardiac or respiratory diseases, or those at increased risk for pneumonia, there is a pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination available as a preventive measure for the most common of these bacterial infections, streptococcus pneumoniae. In children, pneumonia is most commonly caused by viruses.
1.0.8 What is cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is a disease in which excessive amounts of unusually thick mucus are produced throughout the body. Because this mucus production also occurs in the lungs, people with cystic fibrosis are extraordinarily prone to bacterial infections which result in progressive lung damage. Cystic fibrosis can be diagnosed by a "sweat test" as people with cystic fibrosis have elevated chloride levels in their perspiration. This condition often resembles asthma in children.
1.0.1 What is chronic asthmatic bronchitis?
1.0.2 What is status asthmaticus?
1.0.3 What is anaphylactic shock?
1.0.4 What is COPD?
1.0.5 What is emphysema?
1.0.6 What is bronchitis?
1.0.7 What is pneumonia?
1.0.8 What is cystic fibrosis?
1.0 What is asthma?
Asthma is best described by its technical name: Reversible Obstructive Airway Disease (ROAD). In other words, asthma is a condition in which the airways of the lungs become either narrowed or completely blocked, impeding normal breathing. However, in asthma, this obstruction of the lungs is reversible, either spontaneously or with medication.
Quickly reviewing the structure of the lung: air reaches the lung by passing through the windpipe (trachea), which divides into two large tubes (bronchi), one for each lung. Each bronchi further divides into many little tubes (bronchioles), which eventually lead to tiny air sacs (alveoli), in which oxygen from the air is transferred to the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide from the bloodstream is transferred to the air. Asthma involves only the airways (bronchi and bronchioles), and not the air sacs. The airways are cleaned by trapping stray particles in a thin layer of mucus which covers the surface of the airways. This mucus is produced by glands inside the lung, and is constantly being renewed. The mucus is then either coughed up or swept up to the windpipe (trachea) by cilia, tiny hairs on the lining of the airways. Once the mucus reaches the throat, it can again be coughed up or, alternatively, swallowed.
Although everyone's airways have the potential for constricting in response to allergens or irritants, the asthmatic's airways are oversensitive, or hyperreactive. In response to stimuli, the airways may become obstructed by one of the following:
* constriction of the muscles surrounding the airway;
* inflammation and swelling of the airway; or
* increased mucus production which clogs the airway.
Once the airways have become obstructed, it takes more effort to force air through them, so that breathing becomes laboured. This forcing of air through constricted airways can make a whistling or rattling sound, called wheezing. Irritation of the airways by excessive mucus may also provoke coughing.
Because exhaling through the obstructed airways is difficult, too much stale air remains in the lungs after each breath. This decreases the amount of fresh air which can be taken in with each new breath, so not only is there less oxygen available for the whole body, but more importantly, the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the lungs causes the blood supply to become acidic. This acidity in the blood may rise to toxic levels if the asthma remains untreated.
1.0.1 What is chronic asthmatic bronchitis?
f Chronic asthmatic bronchitis is the condition in which the airways in the lungs are obstructed due to both persistent asthma and chronic bronchitis (see sections 1.0 and 1.0.6). People with this disease generally also have a persistent cough which brings up mucus. Chronic asthmatic bronchitis which also involves emphysema is usually classified under the more general category of COPD.
1.0.2 What is status asthmaticus?
Status asthmaticus is defined as a severe asthma attack that fails to respond to routine treatment, such as inhaled bronchodilators, injected epinephrine (adrenalin), or intravenous theophylline.
1.0.3 What is anaphylactic shock?
Anaphylactic shock is defined as a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction throughout the entire body. It occurs when an allergen, instead of provoking a localized reaction, enters the bloodstream and circulates through the entire body, causing a systemic reaction. (There may also be an intrinsic trigger, as some cases of exercise-induced anaphylaxis have been reported.)
The symptoms of anaphylactic shock begin with a rapid heartrate, flushing, swelling of the throat, nausea, coughing, and chest tightness. Severe wheezing (asthma), cramping, and a rapid drop in blood pressure follow, which may lead to cardiac arrest. Hives and vomiting are also common features. The treatment for anaphylaxis is intravenous epinephrine (adrenalin), with antihistamines and steroids also being used in selected cases. Aminophylline may also be given for pronounced asthmatic reactions that do not respond to epinephrine.
1.0.4 What is COPD?
COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as either COAD, for chronic obstructive airway disease, or COLD, for chronic obstructive lung disease. COPD is a disease in which the airways are obstructed due to a combination of asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. The 1987 Merck Manual notes that "the term COPD was introduced because these conditions often coexist, and it may be difficult in an individual case to decide which is the major one producing the obstruction."
[Maintainer's note: the entries for COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, and cystic fibrosis have been included because of common confusion between the various diseases which can affect the lungs.]
1.0.5 What is emphysema?
Emphysema is the disease in which the air sacs themselves, rather than the airways, are either damaged or destroyed. This is an irreversible condition, leading to poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air in the lungs and the bloodstream.
1.0.6 What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the large airways inside the lungs. (Bronchiolitis is the inflammation of the bronchioles, the small airways.) This inflammation often leads to increased mucus production in the airways.
Bronchitis is generally caused either by a virus or by exposure to irritants such as dust, fumes, or cigarette smoke. If caused by a virus, the bronchitis will likely be only temporary. In the case of prolonged exposure to irritants, particularly cigarette smoking, if there is permanent damage to the bronchi, bronchitis may become chronic.
1.0.7 What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue. In adults, it is generally caused by bacterial infections, though viruses, fungi, and protozoa may also be culprits. The latter microorganisms have become very common as causes of pneumonia in immunosuppressed persons, such as those with HIV infection. However, for those with chronic illnesses, especially cardiac or respiratory diseases, or those at increased risk for pneumonia, there is a pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination available as a preventive measure for the most common of these bacterial infections, streptococcus pneumoniae. In children, pneumonia is most commonly caused by viruses.
1.0.8 What is cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is a disease in which excessive amounts of unusually thick mucus are produced throughout the body. Because this mucus production also occurs in the lungs, people with cystic fibrosis are extraordinarily prone to bacterial infections which result in progressive lung damage. Cystic fibrosis can be diagnosed by a "sweat test" as people with cystic fibrosis have elevated chloride levels in their perspiration. This condition often resembles asthma in children.
What is Lent?
What is Lent?
Another View of What Lent Means
By definition, the season of Lent is the time of preparation for Holy Week, leading up to Easter. For many, it is a time to give up something like candy or smoking. It may be a time for more frequent Mass attendance for others. The following is a brief reflection leading up to what may be a better view of Lent for some.
Lent owes much of its spirit to the forty days Jesus spent in the desert preparing for his ministry. We say he was tempted there, but a more accurate translation may be "tested." The Jewish view of the desert was an abode of demons, especially that part of the desert where winds would howl around tall, rough stone. It must have been terrifying at night: dark, looming shapes, unearthly wailing of wind, and nothing else. In this place, Jesus was offered the opportunity to be the wrong kind of messiah. He rejected each possibility.
When the Hebrews were led from Egypt to the Promised Land, they refused to go in because they did not trust God's promise. God led them into the desert for forty years, until they learned the trust they lacked. During this time, all the ones that had refused to cross the Jordan died. In this way, God's people were purified.
In Noah's day, forty days of flooding washed away the evil that had infected the world. This was not a permanent solution, just as Lent is not, unless we make it so.
In the Church, we often speak of entering Seasons as though they were countries or Ages of Man. For the Easter Season, we "wipe our feet," in a sense, before entering. But even this does not fully describe the spirit of Lent.
When Jesus entered the desert, he left behind all the expectations of others, all the hopes, all the illusions. It was just Jesus and the Father, in the Holy Spirit. But in solitude, demons come. No role is more dangerous than the reformer. There were at least three wrong ways to be the Messiah, and Jesus rejected them all. The defeat of Satan during this testing hinted at the final defeat of evil through the Cross and Resurrection.
We are people of illusions. We think we understand God, we think we know ourselves and those around us. We plan our lives and are shocked when these plans fall through. We impose our wills on God or even say we know His plans. Jesus did not have such illusions, but we have illusions about Jesus. In the desert, Jesus had no illusions of his own to face and destroy: he was tested for our sake, so we would know who he was not. He did not come to bribe us with earthly bread, or astonish us with feats of invulnerability. He did not seek world domination or command an army. He simply did the will of the Father.
In Lent, we abstain from meat on Fridays, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Many people perform acts of penance or mortification, such as giving up sweets, TV and the like. What is the connection to the desert?
The desert experience is about deprivation. Most of the world experiences it involuntarily. For many people, however, deprivation is a great evil, and to be avoided at all costs. In deprivation, we discover that we are not all-powerful. We are slaves to our bellies, to the opinions of others, to pleasure. We cannot bear pain, so we take a pill. We cannot bear growing old, so we dye our hair. Like Darth Vader in Star Wars, we replace our humanity with technology until there is little of our selves left. Doing without can strip away some of the illusions and give us a glimpse of truth.
During Lent, we have the opportunity to hear voices that are usually lost in the din of pleasure and meaningless talk. We can enter into a private desert even in the midst of the world and face our own demons. We can tear down false idols only to be heartbroken at finding others behind them. If we are brave, we can run through this desert trying to find the real God amid the gods.
Thomas Merton writes about a kind of "dread." It is the nagging sense that we have missed something important or that we have somehow been untrue to ourselves. It may feel like a crisis of faith, as though we doubted God. In reality, we doubt the false images of God that we ourselves have created. We doubt the bold pronouncements we make about our independence or open-mindedness. This "dread" is heightened by the fact that the God beyond our imaginings is so close to us, although we know Him not. Thoughts cross our minds about this, but we push them away. Perhaps as you read this you are thinking, "I'm not that clueless. I have faith. I know God personally." Think again.
During Lent, we use abstinence from meat and acts of penance as metaphors. In a very small way, they model the rejection of illusions about what we need, who we are, and who God is. In this life, we try to make some progress in discarding our "disordered attachments." At death, we will no longer have a choice. We cannot enter Heaven burdened with a thousand foolish attachments. As our bodies lie rotting, there will be no more illusions about the worth of attractiveness. As others claim our possessions, they will finally have their proper value to us. When we stand in judgment before God, we will have no illusions about our sanctity or goodness. All will be laid bare, and there will be no more hypocrisy, lies, or illusions. It is far better to begin discarding our foolish attachments in this life, and Lent is a good time to begin this work. The best time to start, however, is always now.
To end this reflection with Hope, we must remember that through all of this, God is with us. He may not offer comfort now, but He promises no trial beyond our ability to succeed. He offers us no truth we cannot accept if we become as children. When Jesus had finally driven off the devil, angels came to wait on him. When, through Jesus, we have rejected illusion and self-deception, we can be sure of continued graces from God. These are not the rewards of virtue but those gifts which are available only to real people.
Another View of What Lent Means
By definition, the season of Lent is the time of preparation for Holy Week, leading up to Easter. For many, it is a time to give up something like candy or smoking. It may be a time for more frequent Mass attendance for others. The following is a brief reflection leading up to what may be a better view of Lent for some.
Lent owes much of its spirit to the forty days Jesus spent in the desert preparing for his ministry. We say he was tempted there, but a more accurate translation may be "tested." The Jewish view of the desert was an abode of demons, especially that part of the desert where winds would howl around tall, rough stone. It must have been terrifying at night: dark, looming shapes, unearthly wailing of wind, and nothing else. In this place, Jesus was offered the opportunity to be the wrong kind of messiah. He rejected each possibility.
When the Hebrews were led from Egypt to the Promised Land, they refused to go in because they did not trust God's promise. God led them into the desert for forty years, until they learned the trust they lacked. During this time, all the ones that had refused to cross the Jordan died. In this way, God's people were purified.
In Noah's day, forty days of flooding washed away the evil that had infected the world. This was not a permanent solution, just as Lent is not, unless we make it so.
In the Church, we often speak of entering Seasons as though they were countries or Ages of Man. For the Easter Season, we "wipe our feet," in a sense, before entering. But even this does not fully describe the spirit of Lent.
When Jesus entered the desert, he left behind all the expectations of others, all the hopes, all the illusions. It was just Jesus and the Father, in the Holy Spirit. But in solitude, demons come. No role is more dangerous than the reformer. There were at least three wrong ways to be the Messiah, and Jesus rejected them all. The defeat of Satan during this testing hinted at the final defeat of evil through the Cross and Resurrection.
We are people of illusions. We think we understand God, we think we know ourselves and those around us. We plan our lives and are shocked when these plans fall through. We impose our wills on God or even say we know His plans. Jesus did not have such illusions, but we have illusions about Jesus. In the desert, Jesus had no illusions of his own to face and destroy: he was tested for our sake, so we would know who he was not. He did not come to bribe us with earthly bread, or astonish us with feats of invulnerability. He did not seek world domination or command an army. He simply did the will of the Father.
In Lent, we abstain from meat on Fridays, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Many people perform acts of penance or mortification, such as giving up sweets, TV and the like. What is the connection to the desert?
The desert experience is about deprivation. Most of the world experiences it involuntarily. For many people, however, deprivation is a great evil, and to be avoided at all costs. In deprivation, we discover that we are not all-powerful. We are slaves to our bellies, to the opinions of others, to pleasure. We cannot bear pain, so we take a pill. We cannot bear growing old, so we dye our hair. Like Darth Vader in Star Wars, we replace our humanity with technology until there is little of our selves left. Doing without can strip away some of the illusions and give us a glimpse of truth.
During Lent, we have the opportunity to hear voices that are usually lost in the din of pleasure and meaningless talk. We can enter into a private desert even in the midst of the world and face our own demons. We can tear down false idols only to be heartbroken at finding others behind them. If we are brave, we can run through this desert trying to find the real God amid the gods.
Thomas Merton writes about a kind of "dread." It is the nagging sense that we have missed something important or that we have somehow been untrue to ourselves. It may feel like a crisis of faith, as though we doubted God. In reality, we doubt the false images of God that we ourselves have created. We doubt the bold pronouncements we make about our independence or open-mindedness. This "dread" is heightened by the fact that the God beyond our imaginings is so close to us, although we know Him not. Thoughts cross our minds about this, but we push them away. Perhaps as you read this you are thinking, "I'm not that clueless. I have faith. I know God personally." Think again.
During Lent, we use abstinence from meat and acts of penance as metaphors. In a very small way, they model the rejection of illusions about what we need, who we are, and who God is. In this life, we try to make some progress in discarding our "disordered attachments." At death, we will no longer have a choice. We cannot enter Heaven burdened with a thousand foolish attachments. As our bodies lie rotting, there will be no more illusions about the worth of attractiveness. As others claim our possessions, they will finally have their proper value to us. When we stand in judgment before God, we will have no illusions about our sanctity or goodness. All will be laid bare, and there will be no more hypocrisy, lies, or illusions. It is far better to begin discarding our foolish attachments in this life, and Lent is a good time to begin this work. The best time to start, however, is always now.
To end this reflection with Hope, we must remember that through all of this, God is with us. He may not offer comfort now, but He promises no trial beyond our ability to succeed. He offers us no truth we cannot accept if we become as children. When Jesus had finally driven off the devil, angels came to wait on him. When, through Jesus, we have rejected illusion and self-deception, we can be sure of continued graces from God. These are not the rewards of virtue but those gifts which are available only to real people.
What is PHP ?
Self-referentially short for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, an open source, server-side, HTML embedded scripting language used to create dynamic Web pages.
In an HTML document, PHP script (similar syntax to that of Perl or C ) is enclosed within special PHP tags. Because PHP is embedded within tags, the author can jump between HTML and PHP (similar to ASP and Cold Fusion) instead of having to rely on heavy amounts of code to output HTML. And, because PHP is executed on the server, the client cannot view the PHP code.
PHP can perform any task that any CGI program can do, but its strength lies in its compatibility with many types of databases. Also, PHP can talk across networks using IMAP, SNMP, NNTP, POP3, or HTTP.
PHP was created sometime in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf. During mid 1997, PHP development entered the hands of other contributors. Two of them, Zeev Suraski and Andi Gutmans, rewrote the parser from scratch to create PHP version 3 (PHP3).
In an HTML document, PHP script (similar syntax to that of Perl or C ) is enclosed within special PHP tags. Because PHP is embedded within tags, the author can jump between HTML and PHP (similar to ASP and Cold Fusion) instead of having to rely on heavy amounts of code to output HTML. And, because PHP is executed on the server, the client cannot view the PHP code.
PHP can perform any task that any CGI program can do, but its strength lies in its compatibility with many types of databases. Also, PHP can talk across networks using IMAP, SNMP, NNTP, POP3, or HTTP.
PHP was created sometime in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf. During mid 1997, PHP development entered the hands of other contributors. Two of them, Zeev Suraski and Andi Gutmans, rewrote the parser from scratch to create PHP version 3 (PHP3).
what is Global warming?
Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in recent decades.
The Earth's average near-surface atmospheric temperature rose 0.6 ± 0.2 °Celsius (1.1 ± 0.4 °Fahrenheit) in the 20th century. The prevailing scientific opinion on climate change is that "most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities"[1].
The increased amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the primary causes of the human-induced component of warming[2]. They are released by the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing and agriculture, etc. and lead to an increase in the greenhouse effect. The first speculation that a greenhouse effect might occur was by the Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius in 1897, although it did not become a topic of popular debate until some 90 years later. [3]
The measure of the response to increased GHGs, and other anthropogenic and natural climate forcings, is climate sensitivity. It is found by observational [4] and model studies. This sensitivity is usually expressed in terms of the temperature response expected from a doubling of CO2 in the atmosphere. The current literature estimates sensitivity in the range 1.5–4.5 °C (2.7–8.1 °F). Models referenced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) project that global temperatures might increase between 1.4 and 5.8 °C (2.5 to 10.5 °F) between 1990 and 2100. The uncertainty in this range results from both the difficulty of estimating the volume of future greenhouse gas emissions and uncertainty about climate sensitivity.
An increase in global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, including a rising sea level and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. These changes may increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, and tornados. Other consequences include higher or lower agricultural yields, glacial retreat, reduced summer stream flows, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors. Warming is expected to affect the number and magnitude of these events; however, it is difficult to connect particular events to global warming. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming (and sea level rise due to thermal expansion) is expected to continue past then, since CO2 has an estimated atmospheric lifetime of 50 to 200 years. [5]. Only a small minority of climate scientists discount the role that humanity's actions have played in recent warming. However, the uncertainty is more significant regarding how much climate change should be expected in the future, and there is a hotly contested political and public debate over what, if anything, should be done to reduce or reverse future warming, and how to deal with the predicted consequences.
The Earth's average near-surface atmospheric temperature rose 0.6 ± 0.2 °Celsius (1.1 ± 0.4 °Fahrenheit) in the 20th century. The prevailing scientific opinion on climate change is that "most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities"[1].
The increased amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the primary causes of the human-induced component of warming[2]. They are released by the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing and agriculture, etc. and lead to an increase in the greenhouse effect. The first speculation that a greenhouse effect might occur was by the Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius in 1897, although it did not become a topic of popular debate until some 90 years later. [3]
The measure of the response to increased GHGs, and other anthropogenic and natural climate forcings, is climate sensitivity. It is found by observational [4] and model studies. This sensitivity is usually expressed in terms of the temperature response expected from a doubling of CO2 in the atmosphere. The current literature estimates sensitivity in the range 1.5–4.5 °C (2.7–8.1 °F). Models referenced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) project that global temperatures might increase between 1.4 and 5.8 °C (2.5 to 10.5 °F) between 1990 and 2100. The uncertainty in this range results from both the difficulty of estimating the volume of future greenhouse gas emissions and uncertainty about climate sensitivity.
An increase in global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, including a rising sea level and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. These changes may increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, and tornados. Other consequences include higher or lower agricultural yields, glacial retreat, reduced summer stream flows, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors. Warming is expected to affect the number and magnitude of these events; however, it is difficult to connect particular events to global warming. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming (and sea level rise due to thermal expansion) is expected to continue past then, since CO2 has an estimated atmospheric lifetime of 50 to 200 years. [5]. Only a small minority of climate scientists discount the role that humanity's actions have played in recent warming. However, the uncertainty is more significant regarding how much climate change should be expected in the future, and there is a hotly contested political and public debate over what, if anything, should be done to reduce or reverse future warming, and how to deal with the predicted consequences.
what is spyware?
(n.) Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet; however, it should be noted that the majority of shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.
Spyware is similar to a Trojan horse in that users unwittingly install the product when they install something else. A common way to become a victim of spyware is to download certain peer-to-peer file swapping products that are available today.
Aside from the questions of ethics and privacy, spyware steals from the user by using the computer's memory resources and also by eating bandwidth as it sends information back to the spyware's home base via the user's Internet connection. Because spyware is using memory and system resources, the applications running in the background can lead to system crashes or general system instability.
Because spyware exists as independent executable programs, they have the ability to monitor keystrokes, scan files on the hard drive, snoop other applications, such as chat programs or word processors, install other spyware programs, read cookies, change the default home page on the Web browser, consistently relaying this information back to the spyware author who will either use it for advertising/marketing purposes or sell the information to another party.
Licensing agreements that accompany software downloads sometimes warn the user that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested software, but the licensing agreements may not always be read completely because the notice of a spyware installation is often couched in obtuse, hard-to-read legal disclaimers.
Spyware is similar to a Trojan horse in that users unwittingly install the product when they install something else. A common way to become a victim of spyware is to download certain peer-to-peer file swapping products that are available today.
Aside from the questions of ethics and privacy, spyware steals from the user by using the computer's memory resources and also by eating bandwidth as it sends information back to the spyware's home base via the user's Internet connection. Because spyware is using memory and system resources, the applications running in the background can lead to system crashes or general system instability.
Because spyware exists as independent executable programs, they have the ability to monitor keystrokes, scan files on the hard drive, snoop other applications, such as chat programs or word processors, install other spyware programs, read cookies, change the default home page on the Web browser, consistently relaying this information back to the spyware author who will either use it for advertising/marketing purposes or sell the information to another party.
Licensing agreements that accompany software downloads sometimes warn the user that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested software, but the licensing agreements may not always be read completely because the notice of a spyware installation is often couched in obtuse, hard-to-read legal disclaimers.
What is Love?
Simple Definitions of love:
* A strong positive emotion of regard and affection.
* Any object of warm affection or devotion.
* Having a great affection or liking for.
* A deep feeling of sexual desire and attraction.
* To be enamored with.
We all know that love cannot be explained with a few simple words. Read on to find how others use words to define what love means to them. (more…)
Is It Love Or Lust?
* Love is loyal.
* Love is wanting the best for the other person.
* Love is compromising and working things out in a way that you both can win.
* Love is finding common ground.
* Love is trying to come together in a way that makes the world a better place.
* Love is selfless.
* Love is caring about the other person’s emotional needs and feelings.
What Lust is…
* Lust is self-gratification.
* Lust can be obsessive.
* Lust is usually tied to sexual gratification.
* Lust is selfish.
* Lust doesn’t consider the other persons wants and needs.
* Lust doesn’t care about how the other person’s day went.
* When someone’s in lust they aren’t interested in meeting family or friends.
* Lust is wanting something to the point that you don’t care who gets hurt.
* Lust manipulates, destroys and controls.
* Lust often involves raging.
* People who lusts may think they are in love, but the fire burns out quickly when they get the person or thing they lust for.
* Lust doesn’t last, but love can.
So Ladies, you want to find Mr. Right and settle down, so let’s get to work! First of all it is important to take a mental inventory of yourself. Are you happy with yourself and with your life? What about your job situation? Are you satisfied with your career and making a difference in the world? How is your self-esteem, do you value yourself? Have you let go of any past baggage that might keep you from moving on from a past relationship? Are you looking in the right places for the right kind of men? (more…)
* A strong positive emotion of regard and affection.
* Any object of warm affection or devotion.
* Having a great affection or liking for.
* A deep feeling of sexual desire and attraction.
* To be enamored with.
We all know that love cannot be explained with a few simple words. Read on to find how others use words to define what love means to them. (more…)
Is It Love Or Lust?
* Love is loyal.
* Love is wanting the best for the other person.
* Love is compromising and working things out in a way that you both can win.
* Love is finding common ground.
* Love is trying to come together in a way that makes the world a better place.
* Love is selfless.
* Love is caring about the other person’s emotional needs and feelings.
What Lust is…
* Lust is self-gratification.
* Lust can be obsessive.
* Lust is usually tied to sexual gratification.
* Lust is selfish.
* Lust doesn’t consider the other persons wants and needs.
* Lust doesn’t care about how the other person’s day went.
* When someone’s in lust they aren’t interested in meeting family or friends.
* Lust is wanting something to the point that you don’t care who gets hurt.
* Lust manipulates, destroys and controls.
* Lust often involves raging.
* People who lusts may think they are in love, but the fire burns out quickly when they get the person or thing they lust for.
* Lust doesn’t last, but love can.
So Ladies, you want to find Mr. Right and settle down, so let’s get to work! First of all it is important to take a mental inventory of yourself. Are you happy with yourself and with your life? What about your job situation? Are you satisfied with your career and making a difference in the world? How is your self-esteem, do you value yourself? Have you let go of any past baggage that might keep you from moving on from a past relationship? Are you looking in the right places for the right kind of men? (more…)
What is an IP address?
Every device connected to the public Internet is assigned a unique number known as an Internet Protocol (IP) address.IP addresses consist of four numbers separated by periods (also called a 'dotted-quad') and look something like 127.0.0.1.
Since these numbers are usually assigned to internet service providers within region-based blocks, an IP address can often be used to identify the region or country from which a computer is connecting to the Internet. An IP address can sometimes be used to show the user's general location.
Because the numbers may be tedious to deal with, an IP address may also be assigned to a Host name, which is sometimes easier to remember. Hostnames may be looked up to find IP addresses, and vice-versa. At one time ISPs issued one IP address to each user. These are called static IP addresses. Because there is a limited number of IP addresses and with increased usage of the internet ISPs now issue IP addresses in a dynamic fashion out of a pool of IP addresses (Using DHCP). These are referred to as dynamic IP addresses. This also limits the ability of the user to host websites, mail servers, ftp servers, etc. In addition to users connecting to the internet, with virtual hosting, a single machine can act like multiple machines (with multiple domain names and IP addresses).
Knowing your IP address can allow you (and others you tell) to access services running on your machine such as online games, servers (FTP, web, mail), and remote access utilities (PCAnywhere, GoToMyPC, MS Remote Desktop).
Since these numbers are usually assigned to internet service providers within region-based blocks, an IP address can often be used to identify the region or country from which a computer is connecting to the Internet. An IP address can sometimes be used to show the user's general location.
Because the numbers may be tedious to deal with, an IP address may also be assigned to a Host name, which is sometimes easier to remember. Hostnames may be looked up to find IP addresses, and vice-versa. At one time ISPs issued one IP address to each user. These are called static IP addresses. Because there is a limited number of IP addresses and with increased usage of the internet ISPs now issue IP addresses in a dynamic fashion out of a pool of IP addresses (Using DHCP). These are referred to as dynamic IP addresses. This also limits the ability of the user to host websites, mail servers, ftp servers, etc. In addition to users connecting to the internet, with virtual hosting, a single machine can act like multiple machines (with multiple domain names and IP addresses).
Knowing your IP address can allow you (and others you tell) to access services running on your machine such as online games, servers (FTP, web, mail), and remote access utilities (PCAnywhere, GoToMyPC, MS Remote Desktop).
What is SAP?
SAP
DEFINITION - What is SAP?
SAP, started in 1972 by five former IBM employees in Mannheim, Germany, states that it is the world's largest inter-enterprise software company and the world's fourth-largest independent software supplier, overall. The original SAP idea was to provide customers with the ability to interact with a common corporate database for a comprehensive range of applications. Gradually, the applications have been assembled and today many corporations, including IBM and Microsoft, are using SAP products to run their own businesses.
SAP applications, built around their latest R/3 system, provide the capability to manage financial, asset, and cost accounting, production operations and materials, personnel, plants, and archived documents. The R/3 system runs on a number of platforms including Windows 2000 and uses the client/server model. The latest version of R/3 includes a comprehensive Internet-enabled package.
SAP has recently recast its product offerings under a comprehensive Web interface, called mySAP.com, and added new e-business applications, including customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM).
In early 2001, SAP, a publicly traded company, had 21,500 employees in over 50 countries, and more than 30,000 installations. SAP is turning its attention to small- and-medium sized businesses. A recent R/3 version was provided for IBM's AS/400 platform.
CONTRIBUTORS: Tom Payne, Cecil Roets, and David Schlanderer
DEFINITION - What is SAP?
SAP, started in 1972 by five former IBM employees in Mannheim, Germany, states that it is the world's largest inter-enterprise software company and the world's fourth-largest independent software supplier, overall. The original SAP idea was to provide customers with the ability to interact with a common corporate database for a comprehensive range of applications. Gradually, the applications have been assembled and today many corporations, including IBM and Microsoft, are using SAP products to run their own businesses.
SAP applications, built around their latest R/3 system, provide the capability to manage financial, asset, and cost accounting, production operations and materials, personnel, plants, and archived documents. The R/3 system runs on a number of platforms including Windows 2000 and uses the client/server model. The latest version of R/3 includes a comprehensive Internet-enabled package.
SAP has recently recast its product offerings under a comprehensive Web interface, called mySAP.com, and added new e-business applications, including customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM).
In early 2001, SAP, a publicly traded company, had 21,500 employees in over 50 countries, and more than 30,000 installations. SAP is turning its attention to small- and-medium sized businesses. A recent R/3 version was provided for IBM's AS/400 platform.
CONTRIBUTORS: Tom Payne, Cecil Roets, and David Schlanderer
What's a blog?
What's a blog?
A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.
Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.
In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so your visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email you. Or not.
A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.
Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.
In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so your visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email you. Or not.
What Is Bluetooth?
What Is Bluetooth?
What is Bluetooth whatis called blue tooth cable replacement technology Well it isn't some strange form of tooth decay as you might initially imagine. Bluetooth is the name of a new technology that is now becoming commercially available. It promises to change significantly the way we use machines.
Bluetooth
1 Take a look around
Look around you at the moment, you have your keyboard connected to the computer, as well as a printer, mouse, monitor and so on. What (literally) joins all of these together?, they are connected by cables. Cables have become the bane of many offices, homes etc. Most of us have experienced the 'joys' of trying to figure out what cable goes where, and getting tangled up in the details. Bluetooth essentially aims to fix this, it is a cable-replacement technology
2 How?
Conceived initially by Ericsson, before being adopted by a myriad of other companies, Bluetooth is a standard for a small , cheap radio chip to be plugged into computers, printers, mobile phones, etc.A Bluetooth chip is designed to replace cables by taking the information normally carried by the cable, and transmitting it at a special frequency to a receiver Bluetooth chip, which will then give the information received to the computer, phone whatever.
3 How about ?
That was the original idea, but the originators of the original idea soon realised that a lot more was possible. If you can transmit information between a computer and a printer, why not transmit data from a mobile phone to a printer, or even a printer to a printer?. The projected low cost of a Bluetooth chip (~$5), and its low power consumption, means you could literally place one anywhere.
4 Ideas, ideas...
With this viewpoint interest in Bluetooth is soaring, lots of ideas are constantly emerging, some practical and feasible e.g.: Bluetooth chips in freight containers to identify cargo when a lorry drives into a storage depot, or a headset that communicates with a mobile phone in your pocket, or even in the other room, other ideas not so feasible: Refrigerator communicating with your Bluetooth-enabled computer, informing it that food supply is low, and to inform the retailer over the internet.
5 The future, this website
Whatever the ideas, Bluetooth is set to take off. To be honest it's going to be forced down the consumers necks, whether they want it or not, as too many companies have invested in it. This website is generally geared towards the technical issues surrounding Bluetooth, and its implementation in real life. But free feel to have a look around anyway, and see why this technology will have such a big impact on our lives. If you're a complete beginner & you want to know more go to the other pages on the website: the Tutorial has a reasonably in-depth guide to Bluetooth (can be quite technical in parts though), our members-only Download** page has some more general introductions to Bluetooth to download. Also check out the Resource Center, Articles, Glossary & Knowledge Base to further enhance your Bluetooth education. There are also related Resource Centers on IEEE 802.11 WiFi Wireless LANs, HomeRF, GPS, SyncML, ZigBee and other mobile and wireless technologies. Enjoy!
** Note that although many sections of this web site are freely available, some require a free membership and others are available only to paid members.
6 Looking after your teeth
By the way if, you're wondering where the Bluetooth name originally came from, it named after a Danish Viking and King, Harald Bl�tand (translated as Bluetooth in English), who lived in the latter part of the 10th century. Harald Bl�tand united and controlled Denmark and Norway (hence the inspiration on the name: uniting devices through Bluetooth). He got his name from his very dark hair which was unusual for Vikings, Bl�tand means dark complexion. However a more popular, (but less likely reason), was that Old Harald had a inclination towards eating Blueberries , so much so his teeth became stained with the colour, leaving Harald with a rather unique set of molars. And you thought your teeth were bad...
What is Bluetooth whatis called blue tooth cable replacement technology Well it isn't some strange form of tooth decay as you might initially imagine. Bluetooth is the name of a new technology that is now becoming commercially available. It promises to change significantly the way we use machines.
Bluetooth
1 Take a look around
Look around you at the moment, you have your keyboard connected to the computer, as well as a printer, mouse, monitor and so on. What (literally) joins all of these together?, they are connected by cables. Cables have become the bane of many offices, homes etc. Most of us have experienced the 'joys' of trying to figure out what cable goes where, and getting tangled up in the details. Bluetooth essentially aims to fix this, it is a cable-replacement technology
2 How?
Conceived initially by Ericsson, before being adopted by a myriad of other companies, Bluetooth is a standard for a small , cheap radio chip to be plugged into computers, printers, mobile phones, etc.A Bluetooth chip is designed to replace cables by taking the information normally carried by the cable, and transmitting it at a special frequency to a receiver Bluetooth chip, which will then give the information received to the computer, phone whatever.
3 How about ?
That was the original idea, but the originators of the original idea soon realised that a lot more was possible. If you can transmit information between a computer and a printer, why not transmit data from a mobile phone to a printer, or even a printer to a printer?. The projected low cost of a Bluetooth chip (~$5), and its low power consumption, means you could literally place one anywhere.
4 Ideas, ideas...
With this viewpoint interest in Bluetooth is soaring, lots of ideas are constantly emerging, some practical and feasible e.g.: Bluetooth chips in freight containers to identify cargo when a lorry drives into a storage depot, or a headset that communicates with a mobile phone in your pocket, or even in the other room, other ideas not so feasible: Refrigerator communicating with your Bluetooth-enabled computer, informing it that food supply is low, and to inform the retailer over the internet.
5 The future, this website
Whatever the ideas, Bluetooth is set to take off. To be honest it's going to be forced down the consumers necks, whether they want it or not, as too many companies have invested in it. This website is generally geared towards the technical issues surrounding Bluetooth, and its implementation in real life. But free feel to have a look around anyway, and see why this technology will have such a big impact on our lives. If you're a complete beginner & you want to know more go to the other pages on the website: the Tutorial has a reasonably in-depth guide to Bluetooth (can be quite technical in parts though), our members-only Download** page has some more general introductions to Bluetooth to download. Also check out the Resource Center, Articles, Glossary & Knowledge Base to further enhance your Bluetooth education. There are also related Resource Centers on IEEE 802.11 WiFi Wireless LANs, HomeRF, GPS, SyncML, ZigBee and other mobile and wireless technologies. Enjoy!
** Note that although many sections of this web site are freely available, some require a free membership and others are available only to paid members.
6 Looking after your teeth
By the way if, you're wondering where the Bluetooth name originally came from, it named after a Danish Viking and King, Harald Bl�tand (translated as Bluetooth in English), who lived in the latter part of the 10th century. Harald Bl�tand united and controlled Denmark and Norway (hence the inspiration on the name: uniting devices through Bluetooth). He got his name from his very dark hair which was unusual for Vikings, Bl�tand means dark complexion. However a more popular, (but less likely reason), was that Old Harald had a inclination towards eating Blueberries , so much so his teeth became stained with the colour, leaving Harald with a rather unique set of molars. And you thought your teeth were bad...
How to Use Your Mind Power to Get What You Want in Your Life
Every human being is made up of two parts: an outer part which is usually referred to as the body, and an inner part which is usually referred to as the soul. Alternative words are often used to refer to the body and the soul. The body is sometimes referred to as the material part, the physical substance, or the matter, and the soul as the spiritual part, the spirit, the mind, the intelligence, the intellect, the energy.
For the purpose of this course, all these terms are considered to be equivalent to one another. If every human being is made up of a body and a soul, how do human beings interact or communicate with one another?
In order to give an accurate answer to this fundamental question it's important to establish a clear distinction between the physical world and the spiritual world. In the same way that human beings are made up of a physical part and a spiritual part the world we live in is also made up of two parts: the physical world and the spiritual world. These two worlds are sometimes referred to as the physical layer and the spiritual layer.
Human beings can interact or communicate with other human beings in the physical world as well as in the spiritual world. On the physical world, the interaction or communication between two human beings occurs through their respective bodies, one body interacting with the other. Examples of such interactions include shaking hands, making eye contacts, using body language, speaking, touching, making phone calls, sending letters, text or email messages, etc.
On the spiritual world, human beings can only interact with one another through their respective souls, one soul interacting with another one human beings cannot access the spiritual world through their bodies. The only way they can communicate on the spiritual level is through their respective souls.
We all know how to interact with others in the material world. We do it every day when we speak to our neighbors or to our colleagues at the work place, when we send letters, emails or text messages to our friends or relatives, when we smile to someone, etc. But when it comes to interacting in the spiritual world, most people are at a loss. They just don't know how to do it because they have not been properly trained to do so.
Knowing how to interact with other people on the spiritual world is of the utmost importance if we want to influence other people and get them to do what we want. Let's say for the purpose of illustration that you want to get a promotion at the work place. The way most people would go about it is to work hard in the hope that their employer will notice their hard work and ultimately reward them with a promotion. By working hard at the work place they have chosen to influence their boss in the physical world. I say in the physical world because the work place is a material thing and therefore a part of the physical world. However experience teaches us that hard work does not necessary guarantee a promotion. It's just not enough to work hard in the physical world in order to be successful. A better way would be to act at the same time in the spiritual world by influencing your boss into getting you the promotion you are looking for.
The only way to influence him/ her at the spiritual level is to get your soul (your spiritual part) to interact with his/her soul (his/her spiritual part) and put his/her soul under your control. Communicating at both the spiritual level and the material level is the most effective way to get what you want from other people.
Spiritual Advisor Web Site: www.customagick.com">http://www.customagick.com.
For the purpose of this course, all these terms are considered to be equivalent to one another. If every human being is made up of a body and a soul, how do human beings interact or communicate with one another?
In order to give an accurate answer to this fundamental question it's important to establish a clear distinction between the physical world and the spiritual world. In the same way that human beings are made up of a physical part and a spiritual part the world we live in is also made up of two parts: the physical world and the spiritual world. These two worlds are sometimes referred to as the physical layer and the spiritual layer.
Human beings can interact or communicate with other human beings in the physical world as well as in the spiritual world. On the physical world, the interaction or communication between two human beings occurs through their respective bodies, one body interacting with the other. Examples of such interactions include shaking hands, making eye contacts, using body language, speaking, touching, making phone calls, sending letters, text or email messages, etc.
On the spiritual world, human beings can only interact with one another through their respective souls, one soul interacting with another one human beings cannot access the spiritual world through their bodies. The only way they can communicate on the spiritual level is through their respective souls.
We all know how to interact with others in the material world. We do it every day when we speak to our neighbors or to our colleagues at the work place, when we send letters, emails or text messages to our friends or relatives, when we smile to someone, etc. But when it comes to interacting in the spiritual world, most people are at a loss. They just don't know how to do it because they have not been properly trained to do so.
Knowing how to interact with other people on the spiritual world is of the utmost importance if we want to influence other people and get them to do what we want. Let's say for the purpose of illustration that you want to get a promotion at the work place. The way most people would go about it is to work hard in the hope that their employer will notice their hard work and ultimately reward them with a promotion. By working hard at the work place they have chosen to influence their boss in the physical world. I say in the physical world because the work place is a material thing and therefore a part of the physical world. However experience teaches us that hard work does not necessary guarantee a promotion. It's just not enough to work hard in the physical world in order to be successful. A better way would be to act at the same time in the spiritual world by influencing your boss into getting you the promotion you are looking for.
The only way to influence him/ her at the spiritual level is to get your soul (your spiritual part) to interact with his/her soul (his/her spiritual part) and put his/her soul under your control. Communicating at both the spiritual level and the material level is the most effective way to get what you want from other people.
Spiritual Advisor Web Site: www.customagick.com">http://www.customagick.com.
5 Ways To Use Mind Power To Maximise Your Potential
Why do patients who are given placebo pills report that they feel well? These pills have no healing capabilities. They get well purely because the power to heal came from their beliefs.
They were told that these pills contained the disease-fighting ingredients that would effectively cure them - and they believed it. The belief embedded within their subconscious became real.
So can you see how powerful your mind is? You can do anything that your mind can conceive, as long as you have the belief and will power to back it up.
You mind is indeed a powerful creation. It has the fantastic ability to transmute your desires into their physical counterparts. So how can you use it to achieve your dreams?
1. Believe That “You Can”
The mind is like a computer. If you input garbage – negative thoughts, beliefs that are dis-empowering - it will send out similar messages that prevent you from achieving your potential.
A famous person once said, "Whenever you think you can or you can't, you're right." If you think you are poor, you are; unless you properly condition your thoughts to the positive mindset.
It's hard to think rich if your environment is not conducive to such way of thinking. But the imagination is a powerful tool. Use it to achieve your goals. Visualize your house to be a mansion, your old car to be a limousine, or whatever it is you want to attain.
2. Nurture Your Mind
Spend some time everyday reading good books, listening to good music. Expose your mind to influences that make you grow.
3. Spend Some Time In Reflection
Whether it’s a few minutes a day or a few hours, take a “time out” to reflect on your day. Take steps to calm the turmoil within your mind and you’ll be more effective in your work and daily life.
4. Live As If You Are The Person You Want To Be
One of the most effective ways is to use the "as if" principle. Live as if you are already in possession of whatever you long to have.
So what do you want to be? You want to be a lawyer, doctor, athlete, or newscaster? Think, act, and feel like one. You'll be much closer to your goal if you're constantly intact with your objective.
5. Actualize Your Purpose
It's not enough that you act like one, but you have to actually ACT. Do what needs to be done.
Don’t get so lost in your fantasy dream world that you forget to take action. Let your visions encourage and motivate you to actualize your purpose.
There is absolutely no limit with what the mind can achieve. But you have to combine belief, will power, and action with a positive frame of mind in order to arrive at your intended destination.
_______________________________________________
They were told that these pills contained the disease-fighting ingredients that would effectively cure them - and they believed it. The belief embedded within their subconscious became real.
So can you see how powerful your mind is? You can do anything that your mind can conceive, as long as you have the belief and will power to back it up.
You mind is indeed a powerful creation. It has the fantastic ability to transmute your desires into their physical counterparts. So how can you use it to achieve your dreams?
1. Believe That “You Can”
The mind is like a computer. If you input garbage – negative thoughts, beliefs that are dis-empowering - it will send out similar messages that prevent you from achieving your potential.
A famous person once said, "Whenever you think you can or you can't, you're right." If you think you are poor, you are; unless you properly condition your thoughts to the positive mindset.
It's hard to think rich if your environment is not conducive to such way of thinking. But the imagination is a powerful tool. Use it to achieve your goals. Visualize your house to be a mansion, your old car to be a limousine, or whatever it is you want to attain.
2. Nurture Your Mind
Spend some time everyday reading good books, listening to good music. Expose your mind to influences that make you grow.
3. Spend Some Time In Reflection
Whether it’s a few minutes a day or a few hours, take a “time out” to reflect on your day. Take steps to calm the turmoil within your mind and you’ll be more effective in your work and daily life.
4. Live As If You Are The Person You Want To Be
One of the most effective ways is to use the "as if" principle. Live as if you are already in possession of whatever you long to have.
So what do you want to be? You want to be a lawyer, doctor, athlete, or newscaster? Think, act, and feel like one. You'll be much closer to your goal if you're constantly intact with your objective.
5. Actualize Your Purpose
It's not enough that you act like one, but you have to actually ACT. Do what needs to be done.
Don’t get so lost in your fantasy dream world that you forget to take action. Let your visions encourage and motivate you to actualize your purpose.
There is absolutely no limit with what the mind can achieve. But you have to combine belief, will power, and action with a positive frame of mind in order to arrive at your intended destination.
_______________________________________________
7 Summer Survival Tips
7 Summer Survival Tips
Will Your Business Survive Summer Break?
Summer is approaching and soon the children will be out of school. Is your schedule ready?
Some of you may know from past years, when the kids are out for the summer your "quiet time" during school hours is no more. Here are some tips to keep the school age children busy while you keep up with your business:
1. Plan family days
Take a day each week to spend the entire day with your kids. Make it a weekly event. Do things such as go out for ice cream, going to the zoo, etc. Try to plan it for in the middle of the week.
2. Set aside nights and weekends
In addition to your weekly outings with the kids, make sure you set aside your evenings and weekends to focus on them.
3. Hire Local Neighborhood Kids
Is there a responsible child in your neighborhood? Hire them to take your children to the pool, the park, or other areas in the neighborhood. Preteens are always looking for a way to make some extra money, or someone to pay for their day at the pool.
4. Have crafts and movies lined up
Avoid the "I'm bored" comments by having several activities set aside for children to do for at least 2 hours, giving you enough time to finish a project or two.
5. Take breaks outside
Since the weather is nice, children will be begging to go out. Make sure you take a break daily to go out for even just an hour. Remind them when it's time to go back inside they will be able to go out again when you are finished working.
6. Trade Babysitting
Talk to other mothers in your community and trade babysitting. Remember the first tip? Take someone else's kids on your family day out, and ask if they will watch your children on another day.
7. Hire Babysitters
When all else fails and you need to get major work done, send them to daycare once a week. Don't feel guilty - it's only one day! Your kids need a break from you too sometimes, and the chance to play with other children.
Good luck surviving the summer, and don't forget to enjoy it yourself!
Will Your Business Survive Summer Break?
Summer is approaching and soon the children will be out of school. Is your schedule ready?
Some of you may know from past years, when the kids are out for the summer your "quiet time" during school hours is no more. Here are some tips to keep the school age children busy while you keep up with your business:
1. Plan family days
Take a day each week to spend the entire day with your kids. Make it a weekly event. Do things such as go out for ice cream, going to the zoo, etc. Try to plan it for in the middle of the week.
2. Set aside nights and weekends
In addition to your weekly outings with the kids, make sure you set aside your evenings and weekends to focus on them.
3. Hire Local Neighborhood Kids
Is there a responsible child in your neighborhood? Hire them to take your children to the pool, the park, or other areas in the neighborhood. Preteens are always looking for a way to make some extra money, or someone to pay for their day at the pool.
4. Have crafts and movies lined up
Avoid the "I'm bored" comments by having several activities set aside for children to do for at least 2 hours, giving you enough time to finish a project or two.
5. Take breaks outside
Since the weather is nice, children will be begging to go out. Make sure you take a break daily to go out for even just an hour. Remind them when it's time to go back inside they will be able to go out again when you are finished working.
6. Trade Babysitting
Talk to other mothers in your community and trade babysitting. Remember the first tip? Take someone else's kids on your family day out, and ask if they will watch your children on another day.
7. Hire Babysitters
When all else fails and you need to get major work done, send them to daycare once a week. Don't feel guilty - it's only one day! Your kids need a break from you too sometimes, and the chance to play with other children.
Good luck surviving the summer, and don't forget to enjoy it yourself!
How To Get Rid of a Bad Habit
How To Get Rid of a Bad Habit
habits,change,smokng,drinking
Habits die hard it is said .Habits are a result of programmed mental activity. This applies to both good and bad habits. If you try and analyse your habits you will find that some of your habits are good some are bad and some are neutral or in other words harmless.
How to get rid of a bad habit
Some habits are formed over a period of time. We know they are bad and may be harmful. Like the habit of smoking. All smokers know that smoking is a bad habit and can affect your health but still it is not easy to give up smoking.
Steps to kick off a bad habit
If you want to get rid of a habit you have to be firm with yourself. These are the steps which can help you.
Decide on one habit which you want to change.
Find out the reasons for getting into it.
If the habit is like smoking and drinking than read as much as you can on the bad effects.
Keep a record of how much and when you drink or smoke.
Set a target to reduce the frequency.
The target should be a realistic one. Do not plan to get rid of a habit in a day.
Keep focused.
Imagine the end result.
Imaging plays a important role in this. If you have a positive mental picture about yourself it will surely become a reality one day. A positive attitude and self discipline will help a lot.
habits,change,smokng,drinking
Habits die hard it is said .Habits are a result of programmed mental activity. This applies to both good and bad habits. If you try and analyse your habits you will find that some of your habits are good some are bad and some are neutral or in other words harmless.
How to get rid of a bad habit
Some habits are formed over a period of time. We know they are bad and may be harmful. Like the habit of smoking. All smokers know that smoking is a bad habit and can affect your health but still it is not easy to give up smoking.
Steps to kick off a bad habit
If you want to get rid of a habit you have to be firm with yourself. These are the steps which can help you.
Decide on one habit which you want to change.
Find out the reasons for getting into it.
If the habit is like smoking and drinking than read as much as you can on the bad effects.
Keep a record of how much and when you drink or smoke.
Set a target to reduce the frequency.
The target should be a realistic one. Do not plan to get rid of a habit in a day.
Keep focused.
Imagine the end result.
Imaging plays a important role in this. If you have a positive mental picture about yourself it will surely become a reality one day. A positive attitude and self discipline will help a lot.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness
To forgive
"Should I forgive him"? This is a question I have heard over and over again. Some people will say, "You don't understand what he did to me". While others will asked questions like, "He raped me when I was a child and shattered my life.Should I still forgive him"? "He killed my parents before my very presence. Should I forgive him"? "She disappointed me and married someone else. Should I forgive her"? "I caught her in bed with my best friend in our matrimonial home. Should I forgive her"? And so on. I have also asked similar question in time past. My answer to this question,"Should I forgive him"?, is "YES"! Bear with me a little.I will explain to you the reason why I said yes.
But first of all,what does it mean,to forgive? I am glad you asked that question. To forgive means to overlook a fault or debt. It also means, to be no longer angry with someone over an offense committed against you.
Several time we claim to have forgiven people,but in the actual fact, we have not. I've discovered that at times we don't know how hurt we are and how unforgiven we are until something happens again. I was discussing with a lady sometime ago. I told her that God said that I should ask her to forgive her husband,no matter what he has done to her. She told me that she has forgiven him long ago. She said that she has nothing against him.But recently,she visited him and there was something he did to provoke her. She said that was when she discovered how much she hates him and how much pain she still feels about what he did to her. She said that she now realize that she has not yet truly forgiven him.
Forgiveness is one of the hardest thing to do on earth. But I've also discovered that it is one of the greatest remedy for our malady. I know that a lot of us have been hurt, betrayed, deceived, cheated, abused, disappointed by some people at one time or the other. Some of such offense happened even when we were children. And over the years we have harbored anger,bitterness,hatred and unforgiveness in our heart without knowing it. Somehow our lives might have been affected without our knowledge. It has been scientifically proven that some organs of our bodies are emotionally induced. This is to say that there are some organs in our bodies that are influenced by our emotions. A woman who has unforgiveness and bitterness in her heart can have difficulty in getting pregnant. Unforgiveness can affect a person psychologically and emotionally. It can cause you to withdraw from people. And even make you to develop phobia. Unforgiveness can also be the primary cause of some diseases and illnesses. Spiritually, a persons spiritual growth can be affected by unforgiveness.
God told me some time ago that there are some people who are looking for miracles, healing and deliverance without success because of unforgiveness. He said that they can't have what they are looking for until they are willing to forgive wholeheartedly. Unless we release the people we have taken captive and locked up in the prison of our heart, there are some miracles,healing,breakthroughs that we can never receive.
The first step in bringing about healing to a wounded and hurting heart is forgiveness.
There are some of us who are badly hurting as a result of what somebody did to us several years ago. But the recommended remedy for such malady is forgiveness. Job only got blessed in Job 42:10, after he had forgiven and prayed for his friends. Also in Matthew 6:14, the bible says that "For if ye forgive men their trespasses,your heavenly father will also forgive you". You can see that forgiveness is a divine command.
See my friend, the fact that you are asked to forgive those who have hurt you is primarily for your own good. If you truly love yourself, you will forgive those who have offended you, so that you can enjoy freedom. But as long as you keep people in the prison of your heart, you also make yourself a prisoner. Unforgiveness is a very good breeding ground for hatred,bitterness,revenge,anger etc. An unfogiving person will always hurt. And a hurting person will also want to hurt other people. I beg you to forgive people for your own sake.
After all, "To err is human,but to forgive is divine".
Published: 2006-07-11
Author: andrew eli
To forgive
"Should I forgive him"? This is a question I have heard over and over again. Some people will say, "You don't understand what he did to me". While others will asked questions like, "He raped me when I was a child and shattered my life.Should I still forgive him"? "He killed my parents before my very presence. Should I forgive him"? "She disappointed me and married someone else. Should I forgive her"? "I caught her in bed with my best friend in our matrimonial home. Should I forgive her"? And so on. I have also asked similar question in time past. My answer to this question,"Should I forgive him"?, is "YES"! Bear with me a little.I will explain to you the reason why I said yes.
But first of all,what does it mean,to forgive? I am glad you asked that question. To forgive means to overlook a fault or debt. It also means, to be no longer angry with someone over an offense committed against you.
Several time we claim to have forgiven people,but in the actual fact, we have not. I've discovered that at times we don't know how hurt we are and how unforgiven we are until something happens again. I was discussing with a lady sometime ago. I told her that God said that I should ask her to forgive her husband,no matter what he has done to her. She told me that she has forgiven him long ago. She said that she has nothing against him.But recently,she visited him and there was something he did to provoke her. She said that was when she discovered how much she hates him and how much pain she still feels about what he did to her. She said that she now realize that she has not yet truly forgiven him.
Forgiveness is one of the hardest thing to do on earth. But I've also discovered that it is one of the greatest remedy for our malady. I know that a lot of us have been hurt, betrayed, deceived, cheated, abused, disappointed by some people at one time or the other. Some of such offense happened even when we were children. And over the years we have harbored anger,bitterness,hatred and unforgiveness in our heart without knowing it. Somehow our lives might have been affected without our knowledge. It has been scientifically proven that some organs of our bodies are emotionally induced. This is to say that there are some organs in our bodies that are influenced by our emotions. A woman who has unforgiveness and bitterness in her heart can have difficulty in getting pregnant. Unforgiveness can affect a person psychologically and emotionally. It can cause you to withdraw from people. And even make you to develop phobia. Unforgiveness can also be the primary cause of some diseases and illnesses. Spiritually, a persons spiritual growth can be affected by unforgiveness.
God told me some time ago that there are some people who are looking for miracles, healing and deliverance without success because of unforgiveness. He said that they can't have what they are looking for until they are willing to forgive wholeheartedly. Unless we release the people we have taken captive and locked up in the prison of our heart, there are some miracles,healing,breakthroughs that we can never receive.
The first step in bringing about healing to a wounded and hurting heart is forgiveness.
There are some of us who are badly hurting as a result of what somebody did to us several years ago. But the recommended remedy for such malady is forgiveness. Job only got blessed in Job 42:10, after he had forgiven and prayed for his friends. Also in Matthew 6:14, the bible says that "For if ye forgive men their trespasses,your heavenly father will also forgive you". You can see that forgiveness is a divine command.
See my friend, the fact that you are asked to forgive those who have hurt you is primarily for your own good. If you truly love yourself, you will forgive those who have offended you, so that you can enjoy freedom. But as long as you keep people in the prison of your heart, you also make yourself a prisoner. Unforgiveness is a very good breeding ground for hatred,bitterness,revenge,anger etc. An unfogiving person will always hurt. And a hurting person will also want to hurt other people. I beg you to forgive people for your own sake.
After all, "To err is human,but to forgive is divine".
Published: 2006-07-11
Author: andrew eli
Spin Your Wheels to SUCCESS!
Have you ever gotten caught on a slippery road and felt the wheels under you spinning and going nowhere?
Well, you don't really need to be in a car to know what I'm talking about because this scene has been played out metaphorically many times as well.
It's the feeling of not getting to your destination and it's an unpleasant result... Spinning your wheels is being out of control and getting nowhere while trying to get somewhere.
And when you apply this to reaching success it's not only frustrating, but it can also crush your spirit to move on and upward.
But let me tell you a secret of success that is in every revolution of a spinning wheel. This is something that is difficult to see while you are trying to navigate toward success.
It's like a thick fog or night blindness and it wants to throw you off course so you lose your way. It's a false/positive state of mind that wants to lead you down the wrong road to failure where you may easily think it's time to give up. After all it's quite easy to stop the engine and park it...
BUT... wait a minute... What if all the while your wheels were turning you were moving toward success little by little and didn't realize it? What if you were moving in revolutions that didn't feel like you were moving at all but you really were?...
And what if you didn't stop your wheels from spinning BUT kept them going in that same very direction you set out on?... Well this is the road to success, my friend, and YOU are on it...
At first being on the road to success may feel like you are going nowhere... This is where the weak give up and move to something else many times repeating the scenario over and over never getting anywhere.
They just think they are spinning their wheels and give up way too early. But if you have a goal you want to accomplish... something you really feel strong and dedicated about - don't yield to the false/positive feelings of failure.
Why? Because the feelings of failure WILL come greet you... That you can be sure of. But pay no mind to failure because it's not a reality unless you accept it. Many times it's only the fear of failure - so just ignore it.
These feelings are just part of the journey leading to your success. However, if you keep on driving toward your goal without taking your eyes off of the road, but stay put even when things look, feel and taste like a losing battle... Your reward for riding through the storm is SUCCESS.
And yes it's been there the whole time... but this destination does not come easy to those that give up.
Remember this...
When it looks like nothing is happening... look again, give it time and even more time... Then when you have stayed the course your journey requires... that's when success is right around the corner.
Therefore, one of the real secrets of success is when it doesn't seem like success... it can still very much be you are on a successful journey leading right to it.
So don't cut yourself off and just spin your wheels... Spin Your Wheels To SUCCESS!
This article was posted at iReprint.info on 2005-12-15. Webmasters and publishers are free to reprint this article as long as the resource box and all the links remain intact.
Well, you don't really need to be in a car to know what I'm talking about because this scene has been played out metaphorically many times as well.
It's the feeling of not getting to your destination and it's an unpleasant result... Spinning your wheels is being out of control and getting nowhere while trying to get somewhere.
And when you apply this to reaching success it's not only frustrating, but it can also crush your spirit to move on and upward.
But let me tell you a secret of success that is in every revolution of a spinning wheel. This is something that is difficult to see while you are trying to navigate toward success.
It's like a thick fog or night blindness and it wants to throw you off course so you lose your way. It's a false/positive state of mind that wants to lead you down the wrong road to failure where you may easily think it's time to give up. After all it's quite easy to stop the engine and park it...
BUT... wait a minute... What if all the while your wheels were turning you were moving toward success little by little and didn't realize it? What if you were moving in revolutions that didn't feel like you were moving at all but you really were?...
And what if you didn't stop your wheels from spinning BUT kept them going in that same very direction you set out on?... Well this is the road to success, my friend, and YOU are on it...
At first being on the road to success may feel like you are going nowhere... This is where the weak give up and move to something else many times repeating the scenario over and over never getting anywhere.
They just think they are spinning their wheels and give up way too early. But if you have a goal you want to accomplish... something you really feel strong and dedicated about - don't yield to the false/positive feelings of failure.
Why? Because the feelings of failure WILL come greet you... That you can be sure of. But pay no mind to failure because it's not a reality unless you accept it. Many times it's only the fear of failure - so just ignore it.
These feelings are just part of the journey leading to your success. However, if you keep on driving toward your goal without taking your eyes off of the road, but stay put even when things look, feel and taste like a losing battle... Your reward for riding through the storm is SUCCESS.
And yes it's been there the whole time... but this destination does not come easy to those that give up.
Remember this...
When it looks like nothing is happening... look again, give it time and even more time... Then when you have stayed the course your journey requires... that's when success is right around the corner.
Therefore, one of the real secrets of success is when it doesn't seem like success... it can still very much be you are on a successful journey leading right to it.
So don't cut yourself off and just spin your wheels... Spin Your Wheels To SUCCESS!
This article was posted at iReprint.info on 2005-12-15. Webmasters and publishers are free to reprint this article as long as the resource box and all the links remain intact.
How To Boost Your Internet Connection Speed
How To Boost Your Internet Connection Speed
Life without surfing the Web is as unthinkable as life without the telephone. No matter what you're doing in any given day, whether it be shopping, checking the weather, or catching up on the events around the world, we all have a tendency to go online to get the scoop on these matters.
Whether you're thinking about starting your first Internet connection or you want to get the most out of your existing connection, knowing how to accomplish this can boost that connection and make your web surfing much more enjoyable.
If your starting out for the first time, you must find an ISP or Internet Service Provider in your area that serves as a middleman between your PC and the Internet.
Once you have found yourself a reliable ISP, you have two choices of Internet connections. The slower of the two is the Dial-Up connection but its also the cheapest. If you can afford to pay a higher monthly fee, a broadband connection is the way to go.
Whichever connection you have or start first, it can probably run faster with a little optimization. In order to improve your current Internet connection, it would be to your advantage to know your current connection speed.
Check this by running a Speed Test at such sites as PC Pit Stop at www.pcpitstop.com and if you're running a broadband connection, try Broadband Speed at www.bandwidthspeedtest.com and another is Broadband Reports at www.broadbandreports.com/stest.
You can go to such search engines as Google or MSN and perform a search for let's say, "Internet Speed Test" and you will have a ton of software allowing you to test your Internet connection and many are free.
The Broadband Speed Test site allow you to test up to three times a month free. After that you can purchase a subscription and test up to 1, 000 tests for $60. 00. You can also purchase just 100 speed tests for just $12. 00
Run a few speed tests to objectively test the connection and its best to run tests at different hours of the day. These test sites report their values in different formats.
In the evening Internet traffic is much higher and you want to know how fast your connection is during this time. With this data written down and safely put away, you should want to find out how fast your modem is at other times, especially in the mornings.
This values may be reported in 1kb or 1 kilobyte or 1MB which is 1 megabytes. Look at the site's reporting values and take careful, detailed notes of each connection speed test.
To optimize either connection you will need to tweak Windows Settings and install optimization software. If you have a Dial-Up connection and use Windows 98 or Me, click Start, Settings, and click Control Panel. Then right click the Modems icon.
Now click Properties, and choose the General tab. Use the Maximum Speed Drop-Down menu to select 115200. If this setting causes your Modem to no longer connect, change it to 57600.
Windows XP users should click Start, Control Panel and switch to classic view. Double-click the Phone And Modem options and choose the Modem tab.
Change the maximum settings port speed to 115200 and if the Modem responds poorly or not at all, change the speed to 57600.
Broadband users should consider using a tweak utility such as TCP Optimizer at www.speedguide.net/downloads. php and after downloading the software, you run it and make a backup of your current settings.
Save the backup, and follow the instructions in the software to optimize your broadband speed. Don't forget to click apply changes and click Yes if the software ask you to re-boot the computer.
And now you're on the home stretcth. Your computer should run faster now. If the new settings cause trouble, return to the program and restore your back up settings. If you failed to make a backup, restore Windows default settings.
Life without surfing the Web is as unthinkable as life without the telephone. No matter what you're doing in any given day, whether it be shopping, checking the weather, or catching up on the events around the world, we all have a tendency to go online to get the scoop on these matters.
Whether you're thinking about starting your first Internet connection or you want to get the most out of your existing connection, knowing how to accomplish this can boost that connection and make your web surfing much more enjoyable.
If your starting out for the first time, you must find an ISP or Internet Service Provider in your area that serves as a middleman between your PC and the Internet.
Once you have found yourself a reliable ISP, you have two choices of Internet connections. The slower of the two is the Dial-Up connection but its also the cheapest. If you can afford to pay a higher monthly fee, a broadband connection is the way to go.
Whichever connection you have or start first, it can probably run faster with a little optimization. In order to improve your current Internet connection, it would be to your advantage to know your current connection speed.
Check this by running a Speed Test at such sites as PC Pit Stop at www.pcpitstop.com and if you're running a broadband connection, try Broadband Speed at www.bandwidthspeedtest.com and another is Broadband Reports at www.broadbandreports.com/stest.
You can go to such search engines as Google or MSN and perform a search for let's say, "Internet Speed Test" and you will have a ton of software allowing you to test your Internet connection and many are free.
The Broadband Speed Test site allow you to test up to three times a month free. After that you can purchase a subscription and test up to 1, 000 tests for $60. 00. You can also purchase just 100 speed tests for just $12. 00
Run a few speed tests to objectively test the connection and its best to run tests at different hours of the day. These test sites report their values in different formats.
In the evening Internet traffic is much higher and you want to know how fast your connection is during this time. With this data written down and safely put away, you should want to find out how fast your modem is at other times, especially in the mornings.
This values may be reported in 1kb or 1 kilobyte or 1MB which is 1 megabytes. Look at the site's reporting values and take careful, detailed notes of each connection speed test.
To optimize either connection you will need to tweak Windows Settings and install optimization software. If you have a Dial-Up connection and use Windows 98 or Me, click Start, Settings, and click Control Panel. Then right click the Modems icon.
Now click Properties, and choose the General tab. Use the Maximum Speed Drop-Down menu to select 115200. If this setting causes your Modem to no longer connect, change it to 57600.
Windows XP users should click Start, Control Panel and switch to classic view. Double-click the Phone And Modem options and choose the Modem tab.
Change the maximum settings port speed to 115200 and if the Modem responds poorly or not at all, change the speed to 57600.
Broadband users should consider using a tweak utility such as TCP Optimizer at www.speedguide.net/downloads. php and after downloading the software, you run it and make a backup of your current settings.
Save the backup, and follow the instructions in the software to optimize your broadband speed. Don't forget to click apply changes and click Yes if the software ask you to re-boot the computer.
And now you're on the home stretcth. Your computer should run faster now. If the new settings cause trouble, return to the program and restore your back up settings. If you failed to make a backup, restore Windows default settings.
How To Best Use Conference Call
How To Best Use Conference Call
Sometimes when we hear the words conference call, we think of just a three way conversation between family members or just a few business associates. But now conference calls are being used much more than they were many years ago.Gone is the apprehension which was felt when learning of a forthcoming conference call. It is now a routine occurence.
Modern electronic advances have now made conference calls much easier to place not only by just acquaintances or business directors but also by the general public. The reason for the upsurge in conference calls is that it has become much cheaper than it used to be many years ago and conference calls have turned out to be very easy to access. Conference calls are now a recognized and poweful engine for sales and marketing efforts and campaigns.
One of the most effective use of conference calls is on the occasion when a complex product requiring the acquisition of new information is needed to be imparted to multiple people scattered in many areas. When this happens questions can be directed to the lead people and answered immediately. Conference calls are conducted in real time and thus detailed demonstrations and explanations can be resolved immediately.
Conference calls are now substantially enhanced by the use of the internet and on line systems. Basically conference calls are computer driven therefore a custom made program can be downloaded to all the participants and each once can view the details of the presentations on his or her screen. The software used in this type of conference calls allows voice communications between all participants thus clarifying difficult concepts.
When a conference calls is made as a sales call it is much more effective than the old fashioned impromptu visit to a potential client. With a conference call the presenter can instantly see who in the company he or she is targeted shows interest in the product and who is hostile. This is a tremendous advantage when the time comes to close the sale since thanks to the conference call most the ground work has been done.In additon if the presenter of the product has his or her own managers on the line as well, it can be determined which one has the most rapport with the client to be and which ones best follow the guide lines eastablished by the lead person.
One of the fall-out of the popularity of conference calls is that many consumer products have been manufactured at reasonable prices which in turn has increased everyone's familiarity with the concept of conference calls. Of course many new companies have been formed as specialists in providing conference calls and they offer full turn key operations and complete service back-ups.
Conference calls can also be used for social interactions among groups of people sharing a common affinity. During the conference calls people can virtually roam aroung the electronic meeting place and communicate with different people of similar interests.
Sometimes when we hear the words conference call, we think of just a three way conversation between family members or just a few business associates. But now conference calls are being used much more than they were many years ago.Gone is the apprehension which was felt when learning of a forthcoming conference call. It is now a routine occurence.
Modern electronic advances have now made conference calls much easier to place not only by just acquaintances or business directors but also by the general public. The reason for the upsurge in conference calls is that it has become much cheaper than it used to be many years ago and conference calls have turned out to be very easy to access. Conference calls are now a recognized and poweful engine for sales and marketing efforts and campaigns.
One of the most effective use of conference calls is on the occasion when a complex product requiring the acquisition of new information is needed to be imparted to multiple people scattered in many areas. When this happens questions can be directed to the lead people and answered immediately. Conference calls are conducted in real time and thus detailed demonstrations and explanations can be resolved immediately.
Conference calls are now substantially enhanced by the use of the internet and on line systems. Basically conference calls are computer driven therefore a custom made program can be downloaded to all the participants and each once can view the details of the presentations on his or her screen. The software used in this type of conference calls allows voice communications between all participants thus clarifying difficult concepts.
When a conference calls is made as a sales call it is much more effective than the old fashioned impromptu visit to a potential client. With a conference call the presenter can instantly see who in the company he or she is targeted shows interest in the product and who is hostile. This is a tremendous advantage when the time comes to close the sale since thanks to the conference call most the ground work has been done.In additon if the presenter of the product has his or her own managers on the line as well, it can be determined which one has the most rapport with the client to be and which ones best follow the guide lines eastablished by the lead person.
One of the fall-out of the popularity of conference calls is that many consumer products have been manufactured at reasonable prices which in turn has increased everyone's familiarity with the concept of conference calls. Of course many new companies have been formed as specialists in providing conference calls and they offer full turn key operations and complete service back-ups.
Conference calls can also be used for social interactions among groups of people sharing a common affinity. During the conference calls people can virtually roam aroung the electronic meeting place and communicate with different people of similar interests.
Some Simple Tantric Yoga Exercises to Improve General Health and Sexual Abilities
Some Simple Tantric Yoga Exercises to Improve General Health and Sexual Abilities
A healthy pelvic area is of great importance for the general well-being. The same is true about a healthy respiratory tract and breathing apparatus. Here are presented three poses and three breathing exercises that have the following effects when done together in a series:
-They stimulate the physiological functions of the genital and anal area.
-They correct muscle weakness and anatomical problems of the anal and genital region.
-They increase the sexual drive and abilities.
-They produce a stimulating response that spreads upwards along the spine and revitalizes the whole body.
-They stimulate the physiological functions of the respiratory tract and help against infections in the airways.
-The exercises are very good to start each day with, or to do before going to bed in the night.
POSE 1
Stand on your hands and knees upon the floor. Kneel backward so that your buttocks go backward and down towards your feet and stretch your arms foreword. Breathe out and then take a deep breathe in, filling your lungs totally with air. Hold your breath with the air inside. Squeeze your anal muscles and pull your anal opening as deeply inward as you can. However do not strain when squeezing. This exercise shall not be exhausting. Relax your anal muscles completely again. Repeat the squeezing and relaxing 3-5 times, but not so long that you go out of oxygen in your body. Empty your lungs. Rise up on your hands and knees again. Relax a while in this position and then you can repeat the exercise if you wish.
POSE 2
Lie on your back upon a carpet on the floor with your arms along your sides and relax. Breathe out. Then breathe inn deeply while relaxing all the muscles you do not need for the breathing. Then breathe out. When breathing out, squeeze your anal muscles and pull your anal opening as deeply inward as you can. However do not strain when squeezing. This exercise shall not be exhausting. After having breathed out, relax your anal muscles again. Repeat the breathing in and breathing out while squeezing 3-8 times, but not some much that you get exhausted. Then relax again.
POSE 3
Lie on your back upon a carpet on the floor. Breathe out completely. Swing your arms in an arch over your head and down to the floor over your head so that your whole body is stretched from top to toe. When swinging your arms, take a deep breath filling your lungs totally with air. Hold your breath with the air inside. Squeeze your anal muscles and pull your anal opening as deeply inward as you can. However do not strain when squeezing. This exercise shall not be exhausting. Relax your anal muscles completely again. Repeat the squeezing and relaxing 3-5 times. Swing your arms back at the same time as you empty your lungs. Relax some while and then you can repeat the exercise if you wish.
BREATHING EXERCISE 1
Sit upon a pillow on the floor with your legs crossed and the back straight. Empty your lungs completely. Breath in counting to 4. When breathing in, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves out. Then fill further by using your chest muscles. And then complete the filling by using the muscles around your shoulders. Hold your breath counting to 16. Then breath out counting to 8. When breathing out, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves in. Then empty further by using your chest muscles. And then complete emptying by using the muscles around your shoulders.
BREATHING EXERCISE 2
Sit upon a pillow on the floor with your legs crossed and your back straight. Take 10 rapid deep breathes in and out after another, but not so rapid that you get strained or breath incompletely. When breathing in, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves out. Then fill further by using your chest muscles. And then complete the filling by using the muscles around your shoulders. When breathing out, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves in. Then empty further by using your chest muscles. And then complete emptying by using the muscles around your shoulders. After the last in-breath , hold your breath with your lungs filled counting to 10. Then breath out.
BREATHING EXERCISE 3
Sit upon a pillow on the floor with your legs crossed and your back straight. Empty your lungs completely. Close your left nostril with the fingers of one of your hands. Breath in through your right nostril counting to 4. When breathing in, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves out. Then fill further by using your chest muscles and then complete the filling by using the muscles around your shoulders. Hold your breath counting to 16. Then close your right nostril with your fingers. Then breath out through your left nostril counting to 8. When breathing out, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves in. Then empty further by using your chest muscles. And then complete emptying by using the muscles around your shoulders. When you have breathed out, repeat the exercise, but this time begin by closing your right nostril first.
RELAXING AT THE END OF THE SERIES
When the series is done, then lie down upon a carpet on the floor and relax for 2-5 minutes. This relaxation will increase the effects of the exercises and make you recover if the exercises have made you tired. Concentrate upon relaxing your legs first, then your lover body, then your upper body, then your arms and shoulders, and at last your head and face. When the whole body is relaxed, try not to think about anything, and relax your whole body even further. Then lie some time in this relaxed state without thinking about anything.
Article Source: www.articledigger.com
About The Author
Knut Holt is an internet consultant and marketer focusing on health items. FOR natural medicines against fibromyalgia, acne, eczema, rosacea scars, wrinkles, other skin problems and natural help against over-weight, hypertension, heart disease, hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, depression and other common health problems, PLEASE VISIT his website: http://www.abicana.com/shop2.htm
A healthy pelvic area is of great importance for the general well-being. The same is true about a healthy respiratory tract and breathing apparatus. Here are presented three poses and three breathing exercises that have the following effects when done together in a series:
-They stimulate the physiological functions of the genital and anal area.
-They correct muscle weakness and anatomical problems of the anal and genital region.
-They increase the sexual drive and abilities.
-They produce a stimulating response that spreads upwards along the spine and revitalizes the whole body.
-They stimulate the physiological functions of the respiratory tract and help against infections in the airways.
-The exercises are very good to start each day with, or to do before going to bed in the night.
POSE 1
Stand on your hands and knees upon the floor. Kneel backward so that your buttocks go backward and down towards your feet and stretch your arms foreword. Breathe out and then take a deep breathe in, filling your lungs totally with air. Hold your breath with the air inside. Squeeze your anal muscles and pull your anal opening as deeply inward as you can. However do not strain when squeezing. This exercise shall not be exhausting. Relax your anal muscles completely again. Repeat the squeezing and relaxing 3-5 times, but not so long that you go out of oxygen in your body. Empty your lungs. Rise up on your hands and knees again. Relax a while in this position and then you can repeat the exercise if you wish.
POSE 2
Lie on your back upon a carpet on the floor with your arms along your sides and relax. Breathe out. Then breathe inn deeply while relaxing all the muscles you do not need for the breathing. Then breathe out. When breathing out, squeeze your anal muscles and pull your anal opening as deeply inward as you can. However do not strain when squeezing. This exercise shall not be exhausting. After having breathed out, relax your anal muscles again. Repeat the breathing in and breathing out while squeezing 3-8 times, but not some much that you get exhausted. Then relax again.
POSE 3
Lie on your back upon a carpet on the floor. Breathe out completely. Swing your arms in an arch over your head and down to the floor over your head so that your whole body is stretched from top to toe. When swinging your arms, take a deep breath filling your lungs totally with air. Hold your breath with the air inside. Squeeze your anal muscles and pull your anal opening as deeply inward as you can. However do not strain when squeezing. This exercise shall not be exhausting. Relax your anal muscles completely again. Repeat the squeezing and relaxing 3-5 times. Swing your arms back at the same time as you empty your lungs. Relax some while and then you can repeat the exercise if you wish.
BREATHING EXERCISE 1
Sit upon a pillow on the floor with your legs crossed and the back straight. Empty your lungs completely. Breath in counting to 4. When breathing in, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves out. Then fill further by using your chest muscles. And then complete the filling by using the muscles around your shoulders. Hold your breath counting to 16. Then breath out counting to 8. When breathing out, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves in. Then empty further by using your chest muscles. And then complete emptying by using the muscles around your shoulders.
BREATHING EXERCISE 2
Sit upon a pillow on the floor with your legs crossed and your back straight. Take 10 rapid deep breathes in and out after another, but not so rapid that you get strained or breath incompletely. When breathing in, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves out. Then fill further by using your chest muscles. And then complete the filling by using the muscles around your shoulders. When breathing out, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves in. Then empty further by using your chest muscles. And then complete emptying by using the muscles around your shoulders. After the last in-breath , hold your breath with your lungs filled counting to 10. Then breath out.
BREATHING EXERCISE 3
Sit upon a pillow on the floor with your legs crossed and your back straight. Empty your lungs completely. Close your left nostril with the fingers of one of your hands. Breath in through your right nostril counting to 4. When breathing in, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves out. Then fill further by using your chest muscles and then complete the filling by using the muscles around your shoulders. Hold your breath counting to 16. Then close your right nostril with your fingers. Then breath out through your left nostril counting to 8. When breathing out, try to do it in three stages that proceed smoothly into each other: Use first your diaphragm so that your stomach moves in. Then empty further by using your chest muscles. And then complete emptying by using the muscles around your shoulders. When you have breathed out, repeat the exercise, but this time begin by closing your right nostril first.
RELAXING AT THE END OF THE SERIES
When the series is done, then lie down upon a carpet on the floor and relax for 2-5 minutes. This relaxation will increase the effects of the exercises and make you recover if the exercises have made you tired. Concentrate upon relaxing your legs first, then your lover body, then your upper body, then your arms and shoulders, and at last your head and face. When the whole body is relaxed, try not to think about anything, and relax your whole body even further. Then lie some time in this relaxed state without thinking about anything.
Article Source: www.articledigger.com
About The Author
Knut Holt is an internet consultant and marketer focusing on health items. FOR natural medicines against fibromyalgia, acne, eczema, rosacea scars, wrinkles, other skin problems and natural help against over-weight, hypertension, heart disease, hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, depression and other common health problems, PLEASE VISIT his website: http://www.abicana.com/shop2.htm
ANTI VIRUS-Understand Web Browser Hijacking And How To Correct It
If you are an Internet junkie and surf nearly 24 hours a day, it may be to your benefit to understand how Web Browser hijacking works and what you can be to prevent it as well as get rid of this nagging problem should you experience it.
The web contain sites that will override your browser's homepage setting and then replace it with their own. You can correct this by opening Internet Options in Control Panel and under Home Page, click either use blank or you specify a site of your choice.
But correcting a hijacked home page is much easier than correcting a hijacked Web Browser itself. This happens when your Web Browser is taken over by software with you having little and sometimes no control over its actions.
This happens when you are hit by such browser hijacking programs as CWS or CoolWebSearch. This software appeared in 2003 and is now one of the most invasive browser hijackers. You know you have been struck when you experience the following actions in your browser.
There is a noticeable decrease in overall PC performance. User's homepages are Smartsearch or other hijacked files and attempts to remove these are blocked. Suddenly there appears a new toolbar in your browser You are bombarded with porn ads and porn is now being bookmarked in your favorites. Your Internet Explorer browser quickly slows to a crawl. All web searches are redirected to other sites, in nearly all cases they will be porn. You will have little and sometimes no control over your web browser. Watch the files you download.
These programs may sometime arrive via a download. If this happens, you need to pay attention to where you are on the Internet and avoid these locations. Try to avoid downloading free screensavers for example.
Free screensavers or screensaver samples are often loaded with spyware, adware, and who knows what other insidious files that lurks within. If you do perform such download do a good virus, spyware scan.
What would be the remedy to get rid of this nightmare. You would not want porn pop-ups appearing on your PC when little Mary or David is nearby.
First go to http://www.helptogo.com and click on the link for a program named Hijackthis. Having this or other hijack removal files on disk will be your first line of defense.
And try to download CoolWebShredder to see if it will remove the program. However, even this may not work. http://www.softpedia.com is where you can learn more and download this program.
If CoolWebShredder don't work, you will have to do a complete reformat of your hard drive followed by a clean installation of Windows XP.
If you're computer is working fine now, take the time to backup your critical files. If you have to perform a clean installation of Windows XP, you will lose programs you installed.
Web Hijacking is growing and fast becoming a real pain in the "you know what" and removing them are becoming more and more a big headache.
You can also go to Google and do a search for the term "web browser hijackers" and find other files you can get to be ready you should run into this annoyance.
Download the file and copy it on a cdrom or floppy disk, depending on the file size. Make two copies of the file and store it a safe place should you need it.
When you visit a site, you may be watched by what is known as a Web bug. This is a tiny graphic which sends information to another computer. It will have your IP and web site address and other data about you. As you spend time on the Internet, stop and take time to learn as much as possible about these Web Bugs. This bugs may transmit your web site and email address, for example to the web bug's main computer.
But being in the know ahead of time can save you lots of downtime using the Internet. Have that backup handy, and prepare an XP Recovery Kit and place in a safe and very secure place.
The web contain sites that will override your browser's homepage setting and then replace it with their own. You can correct this by opening Internet Options in Control Panel and under Home Page, click either use blank or you specify a site of your choice.
But correcting a hijacked home page is much easier than correcting a hijacked Web Browser itself. This happens when your Web Browser is taken over by software with you having little and sometimes no control over its actions.
This happens when you are hit by such browser hijacking programs as CWS or CoolWebSearch. This software appeared in 2003 and is now one of the most invasive browser hijackers. You know you have been struck when you experience the following actions in your browser.
There is a noticeable decrease in overall PC performance. User's homepages are Smartsearch or other hijacked files and attempts to remove these are blocked. Suddenly there appears a new toolbar in your browser You are bombarded with porn ads and porn is now being bookmarked in your favorites. Your Internet Explorer browser quickly slows to a crawl. All web searches are redirected to other sites, in nearly all cases they will be porn. You will have little and sometimes no control over your web browser. Watch the files you download.
These programs may sometime arrive via a download. If this happens, you need to pay attention to where you are on the Internet and avoid these locations. Try to avoid downloading free screensavers for example.
Free screensavers or screensaver samples are often loaded with spyware, adware, and who knows what other insidious files that lurks within. If you do perform such download do a good virus, spyware scan.
What would be the remedy to get rid of this nightmare. You would not want porn pop-ups appearing on your PC when little Mary or David is nearby.
First go to http://www.helptogo.com and click on the link for a program named Hijackthis. Having this or other hijack removal files on disk will be your first line of defense.
And try to download CoolWebShredder to see if it will remove the program. However, even this may not work. http://www.softpedia.com is where you can learn more and download this program.
If CoolWebShredder don't work, you will have to do a complete reformat of your hard drive followed by a clean installation of Windows XP.
If you're computer is working fine now, take the time to backup your critical files. If you have to perform a clean installation of Windows XP, you will lose programs you installed.
Web Hijacking is growing and fast becoming a real pain in the "you know what" and removing them are becoming more and more a big headache.
You can also go to Google and do a search for the term "web browser hijackers" and find other files you can get to be ready you should run into this annoyance.
Download the file and copy it on a cdrom or floppy disk, depending on the file size. Make two copies of the file and store it a safe place should you need it.
When you visit a site, you may be watched by what is known as a Web bug. This is a tiny graphic which sends information to another computer. It will have your IP and web site address and other data about you. As you spend time on the Internet, stop and take time to learn as much as possible about these Web Bugs. This bugs may transmit your web site and email address, for example to the web bug's main computer.
But being in the know ahead of time can save you lots of downtime using the Internet. Have that backup handy, and prepare an XP Recovery Kit and place in a safe and very secure place.
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