Life's A Journey

Life’s A Journey



The journey we travel in life

We have trials to help us come to the light.

The ups and downs makes us strong

If you pray it gets easier as you go along.



This journey that I am on

Sometimes it has been crooked, and seemed very long

Sometimes it was exciting and fun

Other times like a sad, sad song.



Many times I was bumped in the road

And often I felt like I was carrying a heavy load.

Some played big roles in my life, yet was lost

There has been joy and pain, laughter and sorrow

Memories of yesterday and thoughts of tomorrow



For all those who have thoughts that it’s impossible to fix

Do not be afraid at all and take the risks.

It is not when you failed to achieve what you crave

It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Do not live your life by saying success is impossible to reach

The quickest way to a journey that is wonderful

Is to always believe in yourself, without being doubtful



To end this simple poem of mine

I hope you all would put this in your mind

That In every step we make in the way

God is always with me and you in everyday.







Homework of my sister with her proud brother :D

Prophecy and World History

Prophecy and World History

Today the signs of the times tell us that we are standing on the threshold of grave and controversial events. It seems that the entire world is in an uproar. Before our eyes, the prophecy of Jesus in reference to the events just before His second coming are being fulfilled: “And you will hear wars and rumors of wars… For nation will rise against nation… And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matt. 24:6-8). The present and future are of great interest for all mankind. More and more people realize that something great and decisive is about to take place; that the world is on the brink of an overwhelming crisis. The daily news is filled with catastrophes and violence of every kind. Jesus himself has enabled a prophecy that during the time of the end there would be “… on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity…” and “Men’s heart failing them from fear and the exception of those things which are coming on the earth…” (Luke 21:25-26).

THE AMAZING PROPHECY OF THE GREAT WORLD EMPIRES
In the Bible, especially in the books of Daniel and in Revelation many events both historical and present-day are clearly prophesized. A careful study of these books helps us to see God’s purpose in the history of nations. It helps us to understand the true meaning and purpose of life and the plan of salvation for mankind through God’s Son Jesus Christ.
Over 2600 years ago, the Prophet Daniel foretold the rise of the great world empires, namely Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and what is known in the present-day as Europe. In a dream, Daniel saw a great image whose body parts symbolized the exact sequence of those world empires: “This image’s head was of fine gold, it chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron partly of clay” (Dan. 2:32-33).

Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise…” (Dan. 7:17), as “… the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea” (Dan. 7:2). Rev. 17:15 explains that “water” represents “peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues”, while “winds” symbolize wars (Jeremiah 4:11-16). The four winds of heaven, which strove upon the great sea, represent the terrible conquests by which those kingdoms came to power.

BABYLON

Dan. 7:4 the first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings.
The head of gold and the lion (a popular Symbol of Babylon) represent the Babylonian World Empire (608-538 BC). The eagle’s wings describe the speedy conquests by Nebuchadnezzar.
MEDO-PERSIA

Dan. 7:5 The second was like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth.
In the year 538 BC. The dual empire of the Medes and Persians was established. The three ribs in the bear’s mouth represent the conquered countries of Lydia, Babylon and Egypt. The Persians were stronger than the Medes and remained in power longer (Note: it raised up itself on one side).
GREECE

Dan. 7:6 Another was like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird.
The very rapid victories (represent by the four wings) under Alexander the Great made Greece the World Power (331 BC). After Alexander’s death the Empire was divided into 4 parts by his four generals: Thrace, Syria, Macedonia, and Egypt (Note the four heads).
THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Dan. 7:7 The fourth beast was dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces… and it had ten horns.
In the year 168 BC, the Romans established the fourth World Empire. Because of the severity and intolerance with which they subdued other nations, this Empire was known as “The Iron Kingdom” (Note the iron legs of the image and the teeth of the beast).
EUROPE

Dan 7:24 The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom.
Because of mass migration (351-476 AD), the Roman Empire was broken up into 10 smaller European kingdoms (Note the 10 horns and 10 toes). The divided thriving horns and the not cleaving together even as the mixing of iron with the clay of the 10 toes represents impossibility of a lasting United Europe.

Hoping this research will sooner come further not threatening anything on doctrines but rather unite the ecumenical goal of Christianity.
I hope the pope can read this. :)

The Message

THE 3 ANGELS MESSAGE
FIRST - “Fear GOD and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Rev. 14:6-7).
The first angel’s message urges us to consider that the judgment is taking place now in heaven, because the present time, namely after 1798 and before the return of Christ, coincides with the period in which the judgment is taking place.
Furthermore, mankind is being called upon to worship God, the Creator of heaven and earth. Yet despite this call, many people still believe in the unproven theory of evolution. God lets man know that the beauty and the amazing order and laws of nature were created by Him and did not “evolve” by accident (see Romans 1:20-21).

He reminds man that He is the dispenser of all gifts and He deserves our love and worship. True love and worship mean keeping his law. (Ten Commandments as recorded in Exodus 20:1-17) “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments” and “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (1 John 5:3; Proverbs 28:9). To give glory to God means to reflect His character in our own. God’s character is revealed to man in His law.

GOD’S SEAL
The four of the Ten Commandment points directly to God as the creator: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11). This commandment is the only one of the ten giving the name, the title, and the territory of Him by whose authority the law was given. Thus it contains “God’s Seal”.
The Sabbath was made for mankind in all ages because it was instated at Creation (Genesis 2:1-3). This day is to remind us again and again to think on our Creator with thanksgiving and reverence.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”. The observance of the Sabbath is a sign of loyalty toward the true God. “Moreover I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them”. (Ezekiel 20:20; Isaiah 56:2; Exodus 31:13-17). Since the beginning of the world the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, has always been kept holy. Jesus Himself explains the immutability of the Ten Commandments: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one title will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18).



SECOND – “BABYLON IS FALLEN, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Rev. 14:8).
The term “Babylon” is derived from “Babel” and signifies confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate the various forms of false or apostate religion.
In revelation 17:4-6, Babylon is represented as a harlot. In the Bible, a wicked woman is a figure of an apostate church (Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:35). This harlot of revelation 17 is “arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness … And on her forehead a name was written: Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots”. Says the prophet: “I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus”. Babylon is further declared to be “that great city (sitting on seven hills, verse 9) which reigns over the kings of the earth” (Rev. 17:18).

MYSTERIOUS BABYLON
The power described here is none other than papal Rome, the city of seven hills. Purple and scarlet are the representative colors of the cardinals and bishops. God, precious stones and pearls vividly picture the immense wealth of the papacy. Of no other power could it have been adequately stated that she was “drunk with the blood of the saints” as of this church, which persecuted the followers of Christ in such a gruesome manner (see pages 1 and 2). The great sin of which Babylon is guilty is that “the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication”. The stunning cup which she offers to the world represents false teachings, such as the mass, the immortality if the soul, eternal hellfire, the adoration of the Virgin Mary and Sunday sacredness. These and the other entirely unbiblical teachings she offers to the world and the churches, with their destructive influence.
The present warning, “Babylon is fallen”, applies to all religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. It cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. Babylon is said to be “the mother of harlots”.
Her daughters symbolize churches that cling to her doctrines (for example, Sunday sacredness) and follow her example. Therefore, the term Babylon (confusion) may be appropriately applied to these churches. Despite the spiritual darkness and the separation from God, which exists in theses churches, the majority of the true followers of Christ are still in their community. All children of God who are still found in Babylon will take to heart the call of the angel “Babylon is fallen” and “Come out of her, my people”, and will finally leave the apostate churches.
THIRD – “IF ANYONE WORSHIPS the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God…” (Rev. 14:9-10).
In order to understand this message, we must decode the symbols being used.



THE BEAST
The beast here mentioned is described earlier in Revelation 13:1-10 as “like a leopard”. A comparison between this “beast” and the “little horn” in Daniel 7 shows clearly that we are here dealing with the same power, namely, the papacy. Just like the “little horn”, the “beast” also represents a blaspheming power (Rev. 13:6) which persecutes the Christians (Rev. 13:7) and evolves out of pagan Rome (Rev. 13:2), ruling for 1260 years (Rev. 13:5). After this time period she was to be relieved of her power by a “deadly wound” (Rev. 13:3-10). But this “deadly wound” was to be healed (Rev. 13:3). This healing of the papacy began in the year of 1929 with the signing of the Lateran treaties. At that time the Vatican received the property, generous financial support, and all diplomatic rights of a sovereign State. Through their international diplomacy and financial power the Vatican has again gained considerable power and influence on a worldwide scope. The “deadly wound” is being healed. Before we consider the “image of the beast” and his “mark”, we must consider another “beast power” described in Revelation 13.
THE SECOND BEAST
The prophet”…saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb…” (Rev. 13:11). While the previous beast came out of the “sea” of “nations and tongues” (Rev. 17:15), this beast was “coming up out of the earth”. Instead of overthrowing other powers to establish itself, the nation represented here must arise and grow up gradually and peacefully. It could not, then, arise among the crowded and struggling nationalities of Europe. It must be sought in the western continent. Only one nation was rising into power at the time of the papacy’s loss of supremacy in 1798 – this prophecy points out directly to the United States of America!
The lamb like horns indicated youth, innocence, and gentleness, fitly representing the original character of the USA. Civil and religious liberty (the two “horns”) were the foundation of this nation. The European Christians who were persecuted by the papacy, fled by the thousand to the “New World”, America. This was the birth of the USA. But the beast with “lamb like horns” spoke like a dragon”. “And he exercises all the authority of the first beast (papacy) in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast… telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast…” (Rev. 13:11-14). The lamb-like horns and dragon voice of the symbol point to a striking contrasts between the professions and the practice of the nation this represented. The “speaking” of the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities. By such action it will contradict those liberal and peaceful principles which it has put forth as the foundation of its policy. The prediction that it will speak “like a dragon” and exercise “all the authority of the first beast” plainly foretells a development of the spirit of intolerance and persecution (Rev. 12:13-17) that was manifested by the first beast (papacy). The statement that the beast with the two horns “causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast” indicates that the authority of this nation (USA) is to be exercised in enforcing obedience, which will give homage to the papacy.
Today we observe how the USA and the Vatican are working more closely together in order to make their influence more prominent.



THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST
When the early church departing from the simplicity of the gospel and accepted pagan rites and customs, she became corrupted and lost the Spirit and power of God. In order to control the consciences of the people, she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the state and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of heresy. In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends. It was apostasy that led the early church to seek the aid of the civil government, and this prepared the way for the development of the papacy, the “beast”. Said Paul: “There” shall “come a falling away, …and that man of sin be revealed…” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

In the same way will the obvious apostasy in the protestant churches of today clear the way to prepare for the image to the beast. During the past decades the ecumenical efforts of the protestant churches have increased to the extent that “unity for any price” is being biblical truth. In October 1999, by signing the “Joint Declaration” with the Vatican, the Lutheran world Federation declared the Reformation null and void. The papacy and ecumenical movement is therefore nothing else than the great spiritual apostasy prophesied by Paul in 2 Thessalonians. When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrines as are held by them in common, influence the state to enforce their decrees and sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed and “image” if the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon those who refuse to cooperate will be the inevitable result. The image to the beast, consequently, represents apostate Protestantism that seeks the support of the state to enforce their doctrines.

A UNIQUE WORLD POWER

THE PROPHET then saw another power rising in Europe: “I was considering the horns, and there was another little horn coming up among them.” (Dan. 7:8). This power has the following Identification Marks:
1. IT COMES UP AMONG THE 10 HORNS (Dan. 7:8)
The papacy (508 AD) was that “little horn”, which came up among the 10 Germanic tribes.
2. IT UPROOTS THREE HORNS (Dan. 7:8)
The Heruli, the Vandals and the Ostrogoths resisted the power of this “little horn” and were “plucked out by the roots”-in other words, completely destroyed.
3. IT IS DIFFERENT THAN THE PREVIOUS HORNS (Dan. 7:24) The papacy was different. It consisted of a union between Church and State, where the Church was the dominating power.
4. IT IS STRONGER THAN THE OTHER HORNS (Dan. 7:20) In fact, the papacy grew to a world power within a very short time. During “The Dark Ages,” people were forced to accept the Catholic faith (Crusades). Over centuries, even kings and emperors of Europe were forced to humbly submit to the decisions of the papacy.
5. IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS AND SPEAKS BLASPHEMY (Dan. 7:25) “He shall even rise against the Prince of princes” (Dan. 8:25). He is “the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). All three scriptures describe the same power that claims to be Christian, yet possessed an antichristian mind. The following quote shows in truth to what degree the papacy blasphemes God: “On this earth we are holding the place of Almighty God” (Encyc., Pope Leo XIII, 6-20-1894). To address the pope as “Holy Father” is blasphemy. Jesus himself warns in Matthew 23:9 “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for one is your father, He who is in heaven.” Despite those clear words in the Bible many popes have through the centuries claimed infallibility, which God alone possesses (Rev. 15:4), and even the claimed ability to forgive sins, which belongs to God only (Luke 5:21).
6. IT PERSECUTES THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH (Dan. 7:25) The Crusades, the proceedings against the heretics, the torture-chambers of the Inquisition, and the burning of the heretics are a known and dark chapter of the papacy. The historian W.H. Lecky writes: “That the church of Rome shed more innocent blood than any other institution, which ever existed on this earth, will be questioned by no one that has an adequate knowledge of history… It is impossible to arrive at an accurate account of her victims (approximately 50 Million), and it is certain that no imagination is capable of comprehending their sufferings.” (Rationalism in Europe, Vol. 2)
7. IT INTENDS TO CHANGE TIMES AND LAW (Dan. 7:25) The papal system actually presumed to change the law of God. It removed the second commandment from the Catholic catechism. The second commandment prohibits the worship of images. The fourth commandment of God, which commands us to keep holy the Biblical Sabbath (Saturday), was changed to Sunday-keeping, a practice that originated in the pagan Sun worship. Instead of the seventh day Sabbath according to God’s fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 56:2-7), Sunday was introduced, which is unbiblical rest day.
8 IT REIGNS A TIME AND TIMES AND HALF A TIME (Dan. 7:25) In the biblical measurement of time, the word “time” represents one year of 360 days. Accordingly, we find that 3 ½ times = 3 ½ years = 1260 days. A prophetic day stands for a literal year (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34). Therefore, the “little horn” will rule for 1260 years. This time period began with the decree of Justinian (the Church of Rome was given the ecclesiastical power by the state) and also with the final destruction of the East Gothic Empire in the year of 538 AD. It ended in 1798 with the capture of Pope Pius VI and the declaration of Rome to be a republic by the French military under Napoleon.

Mystery

Trivia

Strange how it worked out this way.

Even if you are not religious, please read this.



What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?

A: Psalm 117



What is the longest chapter in the Bible?

A: Psalm 119



Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?

A: Psalm 118



Facts: There are 594 Chapters before Psalm 118.

There are 594 Chapters after Psalm 118.

Add these numbers up and you get 1188.



What is the center verse in the Bible?



Does this verse say something significant about the perfect will for our lives?



Psalm 118:8

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."

Accept who you are and what you are. That is a First Pace in finding way through your Happiness

In his glory and love declare. Life is not just unfair, discover more to settle the score. ^^,

Lovingly Yours

Love others as you love yourself is considered by many to be one of the world’s greatest teachings. There are several good reasons for this. One reason has been hidden from common awareness and understanding. In fact, in some places and times this reason even has been banned from being taught or even discussed.

This reason is that the teaching, love others as you love yourself, can be seen as speaking of a democratic (anti-authoritarian) system where everybody gets to be a winner and no one need be a loser. It works this way. If I love others and not myself I am the loser. If I love myself and not others, others go unloved and are the likely losers. If I love neither myself nor others we are all the less for that. Only if I love you and also myself do we have an ‘I win, you win, nobody loses’ outcome.

Let’s look at the word ‘AS’. In English it is a very small, short word. In many languages ‘AS’ is a larger word and commands more attention. Here the word ‘AS’ can be seen relating to several things. ‘I love you as I love me’ can mean I love you at the same time I love me. It also can mean I love you and me to the same degree. It may mean I love you in the same manner or ways I love myself; in this understanding of the great teaching we both get to do healthfully well. This understanding also suggests a system by which we both can grow stronger and become better for the world we live in. The word ‘AS’, therefore, points to a lot of important meaning in the teaching to loving others as you love yourself.

What about sacrificial love you may ask? Let me suggest sacrifice is good in emergencies but not so much otherwise. If we have enough time it’s best to figure out how to love self as we love another so no one need be the loser. Think of it this way. If I cut off my right arm for you it makes our next hug poor. Better that I keep both of my arms, exercise them and then for both you and me hugs, and a lot more, will be far better. Unfortunately there is a fair amount of needless self-sacrifice in the world. This is partly because self-sacrifice has been taught as a ‘high holy virtue’. It’s true that sometimes it is, and that kind of sacrifice sometimes represents great loving and important, helpful action but not always. Some people tend to be self-sacrificing about almost everything and much of that is just not healthy nor is it needed. Then there are those who pretend to be self-sacrificing martyrs so as to obtain ‘higher holiness kudos’ and/or guilt leverage for manipulating others.

It is a bit complicated to love others while at the same time loving yourself. Consider these ramifications. If you are loving others approximately to the same degree you are loving yourself, and in more or less the same manner, you are keeping things balanced and probably indicating to others you are deserving of good treatment. Know that if you treat yourself sacrificially or in other ways treat yourself poorly you may be teaching others that it’s OK to sacrifice you and treat you poorly. Not only that, you may be unknowingly influencing them to treat nearly everybody that way. You also could be an influence for others learning to needlessly and harmfully sacrifice themselves. When we love others as we love ourselves we model for others an ‘I win, you win’, approach to human interaction and love relationships. Acting to love others while modeling healthy self-love can help others, especially children, learn self-care, self-esteem and self-confidence while influencing them to act in ways that are good for others. It also helps children learn to respect their parents because the parents are modeling self-respect which is a part of healthy self-love. Thus, it is that this seemingly simple teaching has a great many components to contemplate.

It may help to know a little history of this teaching or concept. Around 3000 years ago, or so, a Hebrew wisdom-master taught the revolutionary idea “love your neighbor as you love yourself”. The question was asked who is my neighbor? The answer evolved to be – Everyone! It is now understood that anyone you have anything to do with and anyone you may have some effect upon, no matter how remote or small, is your neighbor. This understanding leads to the concept ‘our village is our planet, and our neighbors are the life forms that live with us on it’. In the future, who knows, it may even reach out to include our solar system and far beyond.

About 2000 years ago the man called Jesus (in English) took this teaching and made it one of only two Commandments he ever pronounced. These two commandments, according to many theologians, are what Christianity is founded upon. In effect ‘love others as you love yourself’ is one half of the constitutional law of Christianity.

Sadly the ‘as you love yourself’ part mostly either has been ignored, purposefully avoided, downplayed, or given a de-powering interpretation. It often also has been replaced by teachings like ‘put yourself last’ and ‘all self-love is selfish and evil’. From a psychotherapist’s point of view these anti-self-love teachings have been disastrous for the mental health of many. Put yourself last and see self-love as evil promotes the development of low self esteem, low self-confidence, taking poor or bad care of yourself and becoming in character weak, subservient, submissive, and vulnerable to users and abusers. Furthermore, these anti-self-love teachings influence us toward feeling guilty for honest and accurate pride in doing things well and in our own intrinsic worth; they actually are counter teachings to “as you love yourself”.

You may ask how did this come to be? Some think that authoritarian religionists under the influence of monarchists and royalists promoted the de-emphasizing of the ‘as you love yourself’ part of this second great Commandment. Probably because it was seen that the ‘love yourself’ concept points to self strengthening and, thus, to dangerous, independent, self-directed living which, when carried far enough, can result in anti-monarchy democracy. That could threatened the social advantages and control of both the religious and royal masters of pre-democratic times. With these corruptions the teaching became something like ‘be good to others but not to yourself’ because that is the devil’s way which is sinful, selfish, uppity and against God’ unless, of course, you are high born or called to high religious orders. Still today among some who have and want authoritarian power the ‘as you love yourself’ idea is seen as a threat to be de-emphasized or ignored. On a personal level today many still suffer from the concept that their okayness is granted by others (parents, a man, a woman, what others think of them, etc.) instead of by their own evaluation of their intrinsic value, accomplishments, character, etc.

With that background in mind some questions are in order. How will you deal with the idea of loving others while at the same time, and to the same degree, and in the same manner you work to love yourself ? Are you willing to do some work to healthfully love yourself so that you can healthfully love others better? If you have strong anti love of yourself programs in your head what will you do about those? If when acting to healthfully love yourself and be good to yourself you feel conflict, guilt, shame or any other bad feeling who might you go to for help? What can you actually do to balance loving others better and more as you also healthfully love yourself better and more? How might you go about studying new, different and better ways to love others and new, different and better ways to love yourself?

As always– grow and go with love

Time is Gold

Some people just can’t get what others mean when they say ‘ TIME is GOLD’. Well, actually it has a lot of meanings depending on the person who said it. Right now, it means to me like getting the most fun moments out of your time. I do not want spending it just to get stressed especially at leisure although I believe everything has some stressful moments attached to them. But still, you can pick events that aren’t that stressful and time consuming. You never know when your time is so better spend it wisely. Always try to enjoy your moments while you still can. I’m telling this because some can’t do things anymore the way they want to. When one gets crippled, he obviously can’t spend time traveling or playing or working the way normal people do them. Right?

For some reasons, I’m just being rational here because no matter how I explain this thing to other people, they don’t get me. They don’t get me because what matters to them is just about being productive in their day and to be productive one has to be busy doing something. This idea of being productive of one’s day isn’t working for me. It’s just not the way I look at being productive about my time. Whenever I accomplished a bunch of things and afterwards I get headache or worries, then its not at all a productive day for me. Well, it could be for the one to whom I worked for but definitely not for me.

So, if I would give out a conclusion about productivity and about time being gold, I would say ‘Time is indeed gold so we have to be as productive and as accomplished as we can be. And we are only productive when we have done things with enjoyment before and after we’ve done them.’ Therefore, I don’t consider it productive when you become burned out after accomplishing a thing.

Beginnings are scary, endings are sad
and the in-between? Well, it counts the most and should be the best part.
So don't dwell on the beginning or devote yourself on aiming for a happy ending, because the best part of the story might be missed.
Bottom Line:
Enjoy while you're still in the middle. We can't change how it began. Moreover, we can't predict how it will end.

Happiness in the Sun

Sunshine and Happiness

The sun is the original source and foundation of life on this planet. Its rays bring to us many and varied blessings. Besides supplying us with heat and energy, the sun is also a healing power. It heals sick­ness by destroying harmful bacteria which breed in filth and putre­faction.

With the aid of the sunrays leaves of plants transform carbon dioxide of the air into chlorophyll, sugar, and other carbon com­pounds of which all parts of the plant are composed. To animals the sunrays supply directly Vitamin D which performs in the body the task of uniting the two vital elements, calcium and phosphorus, in the process of building bones. The sun promotes normal growth in plants as well as in animals. Children raised completely, or even partially, without sunshine develop rickets, anemia, and a number of other similar deficiency diseases.

Primitive man spent most of his life outdoors in the sun. Modern man, on the other hand, has shut himself indoors for the largest part of his time. He has darkened his rooms with curtains, blinds, and drapes and hid himself in huge skyscrapers, basements and fac­tories with the result of becoming anemic, suffering from underdevelopment, soft bones and weak nerves.

Some people may argue that we still get a sufficient amount of converted sunshine from the foods we eat. Indeed plants do contain all known vitamins; they obtain them from the sun and later con­vey them to those who consume them. Raw green vegetables, egg yolks, and the livers of animals contain large amounts of Vitamin D. Oddly enough, the richest source of this vitamin is found in cod liver oil, the oil extracted from a fish which never sees the sun. This is understandable because the codfish derives Vitamin D from its food — the sea plants floating on the ocean which receive this vita­min directly from the sunrays. Surely we could get enough Vitamin D from the right kind of foods, but the drawback is that the average person nowadays uses a very small amount of natural foods, and what vitamin D is obtained from our modern foods is not sufficient for our needs without the main source of it — the sun itself.

To grow normally and retain good health we, as well as our children, must cultivate the habit of taking advantage of the sun’s presence whenever possible. Spread your curtains wide and open up your windows to admit plenty of sunshine into your rooms — the glass of the windows prevents the healing ultraviolet rays from getting through. Whenever possible spend your time outdoors; wear shorts and let the sun bathe every part of your body.

People whose skin has not been accustomed to the sun should use caution and not get sunburned, as that is both painful and un­healthy. Get your body used to the sunrays starting gradually with ten to fifteen minutes of exposure on the first day of sunbathing, and increasing that daily by five minutes until a good tan is ob­tained. The most beneficial sunrays are those of the early morning sun. This has been proved by exposing some plants to the morning sun, others to that of the afternoon. It was found that the former grew better than the latter ones. Try to get a daily outdoor sunbath throughout the year; indoors — through an open window wherever it is not possible to be outside.

A good ultraviolet lamp is very helpful when the sun is not out, in cold weather, or in the cold seasons of the year. In selecting an ultraviolet lamp, do not take any of those equipped with ordinary electric bulbs of glass. The light of the lamp should be either entirely in the open or enclosed in quartz. Ordinary glass does not permit the ultraviolet rays to go through, so by using lamps made of such glass you will be only wasting your time and money.

Vitamin D which is sent to us by the sun is absorbed by our skin and then gradually conveyed by the blood from the skin to the inner organs and all the cells of our body. Since this is a process which takes time it is advisable not to wash the skin with soap and hot water immediately after a sunbath or an ultraviolet lamp treat­ment. A lapse of several hours should be allowed before taking a bath where soap and hot water are used.

Lack of space does not permit us to go into details of all the ailments relieved by direct or artificial sunlight. These benefits are well known to almost everyone as sun treatments have been used for many generations with good results. However, instead of over­coming disease by means of any kind of treatments, sunlight in­cluded, is it not better to prevent it by the same means if possible?

Store up vital energy and build a strong healthy body by exposing yourself daily to the great promoter of life — the sun.
Sunshine means health; it is also synonymous with happiness. Get your share of it. It is entirely free. =)

How to sleep well

How to Sleep Well

Eight hours a day, or exactly one-third of our lives, we spend in bed sleeping. This fact alone is a convincing indication of the great importance of sleep. Indeed, sleep is more important than food. Experiments on animals have shown that while it is possible to do without food for as long as sixty days and more, one cannot survive longer than five to six days without sleep. During the hours of sleep the important work of body growth and the repair of worn tissues is performed. Also important is the fact that while we sleep our brain and nerves relax and recuperate so that they are in a better shape to direct our actions during the next day’s waking hours.

In sleeping, as in other respects, modern man has strayed away from nature. The best hours of sleep are those between sundown and midnight and the best waking hours are those from sunrise till darkness. Modern man as a rule goes to sleep at late hours and gets up after sunrise. He substitutes for the best hours of sleep the poorest, and, as a result, pays with his health for this trans­gression.

The generally accepted average of eight hours a day is about the proper requirement of time for sleeping. High-strung in­dividuals, infants, and old people — all require more sleep than the easygoing, the young and the middle aged. The quality of sleep is also very important. Good sound sleep of short duration will refresh you much better than a longer period of restless inter­rupted sleep. It is easy to know when you have had enough sleep by a refreshed feeling in the morning instead of dullness and tired­ness which comes from the lack of sleep. In addition to the night sleep a short nap in the afternoon, say ten to fifteen minutes, especially after lunch, is very beneficial and should be managed by everyone. If you watch animals you will notice that they usually curl up and take a nap after their midday meal.

Since you spend one third of your life in bed you must see to it that you sleep in perfect comfort. Your bedroom should be the quietest room in the house, well ventilated and darkened. Your bed should have a good mattress, preferably one with an inner-spring. The mattress should not be too soft because sleeping on soft beds makes your muscles sag and causes curvature of the spine. It is advisable to put a full-length five-ply board between the spring and the mattress. This makes the sleeping surface levelly horizontal, and prevents sagging in the center of the bed. It is also advisable to use lightweight covering, preferably woolen blan­kets, or, better yet, an electric one. Heavy covering interferes with skin breathing, impedes digestion, and causes restlessness.

It is definitely a more restful and healthful practice for married couples to sleep in separate beds. However, since there are other matters involved, and most couples prefer a double bed, the so-called “Hollywood” bed proves to be the most comfortable one for a restful sleep. It is a double bed having two separate mattresses placed side by side. In sleeping on such separate mattresses there is less chance of one person disturbing the other while changing posi­tions, which often happens whether asleep or awake.

Snoring is a source of great annoyance and loss of sleep and health not only for a bedfellow but also for others in the family who sleep in adjacent rooms. Many a divorce has had its initial cause in the snoring of one of the marital partners. It is hardly a thing you can get yourself accustomed to when your sleep is inter­rupted and the noise continues until you are completely exhausted. Too much starchy and other acid-forming foods, overeating, espe­cially at the last meal of the day, sinus and bronchial troubles — these may be responsible for habitual snoring. Sleeping on your back with your mouth open often causes snoring. Care should be taken to correct this habit if one does not want to become a nuisance to his loved ones. To correct it the proper thing to do is to take up a regime of rational living and natural foods.

The best sleeping position is the one on the right side because while you are in it the work of the heart, lungs, and the stomach is unimpeded since they are on the top of other inner organs in this position. However, it is advisable to change your sleeping position a couple of times during the night. For the best sleep have a small thin soft pillow; better yet, no pillow at all. Sleeping on high pil­lows strains your neck and causes curvature of the spine. Higher pillows are useful only in cases of insomnia, headache, and asthma since they lessen the flow of blood to the head.

Many people are unable to fall asleep easily, they wake up and stay awake for a long time before falling asleep again. Children and, also, physical workers who are all active during the day will never experience any difficulty in sleeping. It is the inactive person, the light worker, the housewife, who suffer from light sleep. How­ever, the main sufferer is the one who takes all his worries and daily affairs to bed with him. Good sleep requires complete relaxa­tion of the brain as well as of the muscles. Try to solve all your problems and leave all your worries behind before you attempt to go to sleep.

When ready to fall asleep assume the most comfortable position for you, relax every muscle in your body, and then try to completely blank out your mind. To do the latter close your eyes concentrating them on the spot between your eyebrows, think of nothing, and listen to your own breathing. Do not have in mind that you want to fall asleep. The more anxious you are about that, the more strained you will become, and sleep will only evade you. Take the attitude that all you want is just to relax and be comfortable, and it won’t take long for you to find yourself in dreamland.

Other aids to sound sleep are: reading in bed, preferably of some relaxing literature for about ten minutes, no longer, just long enough to take your mind away from your surroundings; soft music on the radio with the lights dimmed or entirely out; a hot foot bath, especially on cold nights, to draw the blood away from your head — all these will help a lot.

Never use any drugs to induce sleep. These are highly injurious and do not accomplish the purpose of promoting restful sleep. They are all habit forming and require larger and larger doses to knock you out.

Avoid heavy meals before retiring. Even short snacks or drinks other than a glass of water will interfere with sound sleep. Take your last meal of the day at least four or five hours before you go to bed.

Spend the last couple of hours of the day in some quiet, peace­ful occupation — take a walk, read, listen to pleasant music, or watch a good unexciting picture on your television. Quarreling, too much talking, or any kind of excitement are not conducive to good sleep.

Remember that in order to sleep well you must be in complete physical and mental harmony with yourself and your surroundings.

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