Tips For Staying Calm and Cultivating Poise (Part 2)

One of the principal depressing emotions we have to curb to preserve our poise are anger. And under anger we must include the moderate degree of anger known as fret. What makes us fret? We all know the expression "Mad as a wet hen". Suppose you were asked what makes the hen mad, you probably would answer, "Why, because she is wet"; but for the real reason we must go further back - she is mad because she insists on being dry. If she could forego that insistence she would remain unruffled, wet as well as dry.

Similarly, I think I am mad because so-and-so has called me a liar, a coward, or a what-not. But the underlying cause of my anger is that I can't stand being called such names. If I took a notion to practice philosophy to the extent of seeing how much instead of how little I could stand, I might finally be wishing some one would try it on, to see if I couldn't remain cool under the provocation, and simply say to myself, "Never touched me." "Any one can stand what he likes; it takes the philosopher to stand what he doesn't like."

There is no sharp line of division between the legitimate airing of a grievance and going into a state of fret. Nor is it fretting quietly to go about the adjustment of the grievance. Fret means internal turmoil externalized, not by effective work, but by wailing and gnashing of teeth.

You can spot a fretter from the tone and pitch of his voice. This test is not infallible but as a rule you can spot a fretter by his voice. When someone frets, his vocal cords tighten and produces a high-pitched, disagreeable tone which merges into the whine of chronic discontent.

I heard such a high-pitched voice inquiring the waiter one morning at breakfast, "How many eggs are there in this bacon and eggs?" "I don't know, sir, I think two... that is the usual number." "Well, I wish you would go and see"; and the waiter did so, returning shortly to announce with beaming face, "There are three, sir; they generally put in two, but this time they put in three." But even this cheerful news produced no change in the expression or the voice of the fretter, who despondently observed, "I knew the proportions were wrong." If you ever find yourself getting into this state of mind try the experiment of saying to yourself, " Don't pitch your voice so high!"

I once knew a man who was so obsessed with dust. If you inquired about his health, he would answer, " Pretty bad, thank you, and the dust is something awful!" If you admired a picture, he would say, "The composition may be good, but the frame is the kind that catches the dust." If you mentioned the Arctic regions, he would wish himself there to be out of the dust. When we finally had a fall of snow that covered the dust, I expected to find him beaming, but no - with the same tried expression and the same high-pitched voice he said the dust would be as bad as ever in a little while.

It is surprising how many things we can't stand if we cultivate our "can't-standability." The degree of anger known as getting mad may be dismissed with an appeal to our vanity, thus: Consider the very angry woman. How unbecoming it is - how it lacks in dignity! Why, she is almost black in the face because her emotion interferes with her circulation, and causes a stasis of venous blood in the superficial vessels of her countenance! If she could look in the glass now, and if she knew enough physiology to realize that controlling the emotions also controls the circulation, she would wish never to be angry again.

It is worth while for us to profit by this observation; and if it chances that we are the object of her wrath, we shall do well to curb the natural reflex which will make our face as black as hers, and we shall maintain the role of spectator, disinterested and unaffected.

When real improvement has taken place in these directions there is not only a change in the manner of thinking, but a noticeable change of personality, which includes control of the body likewise. Indeed, to control the body or mind alone is to manage only one horse of a team.

We Need to Do More Research on Mathematical Foam Modeling on the Molecular Level

Foam is such a simple thing to produce; it is common in nature and intriguing in molecular make-up, consisting of 95% or more of air. This means it is very lightweight and thus, it has unique advantages for making strong and super low weight material. In fact, NASA came up with a very strong type of foam, they call it; NASA Foam. Its properties make it both robust and nearly weightless in consistency. Low density, high strength, well you can understand all the happy engineers and material scientists.

Recently, this topic came up at the online think tank and it is our believe that along with grapheme coatings and carbon nano-tubes, with should be heavily invested in research and development in material foam science. Using, frequency wave manipulations, temperature, exotic materials and mathematical foam modeling at the molecular level, foam may prove to be just what we need to lighten up our aircraft, boats and vehicles, perhaps even private space craft.

Why is this important? Simple, less weight means less fuel expended, more cargo, greater range and smaller power plants; and that means better efficiency in all we do. But why stop there with transportation items. There are huge applications for military, infrastructures, alternative energy schemes, home building, and even our schools.

Stronger material, that are lighter have so many advantages for us. Lighter homes mean less robust foundations, less steel inside of concrete, better walls, bridges, aircraft wings, space craft, satellites, space stations. And what about automobiles, the lighter the less fuel they take; just imagine the possibilities.

Cancer Is a Team Sport

Physically, cancer is a lonely road to travel.

Only you and your body go through the blood work, biopsies, and scans... Oh, and the chemotherapy, radiation, and recovery. And oh yeah, the hair falling out, skin complexion issues, and weird tastes in your mouth...

Not to mention fun things like constipation and infertility...

The good news is that there are thousands of people working around the clock to make the physical aspects of the cancer journey less intrusive and painful than ever before. By no means did I enjoy my biopsy, chemo, or days of recovery when I went through 8 months of treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, but my oncologist and team of nurses were on call 24/7 to help make my journey as comfortable as possible.

And I love them for it...

Big time.

While there have been too-many-to-count advances in the physical treatment of cancer, I found there is a lot of progress to be made in how we approach cancer from a mental perspective. I say "we" because unlike the solitude of sitting in a PET scan tube, you, your caregiver, and closest support network have the opportunity to create an environment where all energy and focus are concentrated on healing and beating cancer.

It sounds like an easy task, but believe me when I say that when you and your support network are all of the sudden forced to face death square in the eyes and reexamine life, all bets are off in terms of predictable behavior.

With the benefit of hindsight, I've found 3 themes to practice with your support network in order to create a lower stress environment from which to mount your battle against The Big C:

3.) Don't Hold Grudges

I've written about this before in a concept I like to call: The Score Sheet. When word of your diagnosis spreads through your relatives, friends, coworkers or classmates you will receive a ton of support from everyone whether it's a "you are in my prayers" or a "what can I do to help?" As the time tics on and you enter treatment you are going to notice that the people you expected to be there for you are nowhere to be found and the people you haven't spoke to in months are pulling through more than you ever would have expected.

While it will be tempting to keep score of who's brought you dinner versus who hasn't, I strongly encourage you to put down your pencil and rip up your score sheet. The fact of the matter is that some people are more nurturing by nature and can process extreme life events while others need more time to adjust. By understanding this concept you will be able to allocate the energy it would have taken to maintain your score sheet (think resentment) and allocate it toward getting proper rest and healing your body.

2.) Get Present

It is completely natural to think about the future and all the "what ifs?" that come along with it while proceeding through life. When someone is diagnosed with cancer these thoughts are accelerated and mainly focused around death.

Not fun, but true.

Prior to my cancer diagnosis I was very fond of saying "I can't wait until (insert event here)." One of the most incredible lessons cancer taught me was that there are so many amazing things happening in this very moment that I would be foolish to sacrifice them to get to a future I drummed up in my head.

By staying present and enjoying each day, you will remove your thoughts about life and death and come to appreciate the environment you live in, the people you encounter, and the beauty of the life that was in front of you all along.

1.) Be Honest and Open

While honesty may not always feel comfortable around a cancer diagnosis in terms of expressing how the fighter or supporter are dealing with the situation, it is infinitely more productive than keeping it to yourself, stuffing it inside, and not addressing it. Airing your feelings may create a sense of vulnerability, but it is in this moment that both the fighter and supporter learn how each other are feeling in dealing with cancer and can come to common ground on how to move forward.

I am not a big weight lifter, but I do understand that when you work out by lifting weights you lightly tear the muscle fibers. As you recover, your muscles grow back stronger which gives the ability to lift more weight in the future from a sturdier foundation.

Honesty does the same thing to your confidence as lifting weights does to your muscles.

So grab a couple of dumbbells of honesty and get Lifting...

Global Warming: The Cosmic Microwave

Global warming is the heating up of the earth's temperatures. This has been studied in great detail during recent times and scientists are trying to find ways to slow down or stop global warming.

The main issue with global warming is how off balance it will throw the world. With the temperatures steadily getting hotter and hotter it can start to melt the icecaps and let harmful UV rays from the sun in. These effects will cause massive damage to the earth and the way we live life.

Before you get scared of all this you should know there are solutions. The first solution comes in the form of fossil fuels. We use gasoline and diesel to power our cars, boats, planes, trains and most any moving vehicle we have. The problem comes when the fossil fuel is being burned and the exhaust hits the atmosphere effectively destroying it. This also applies to homes, businesses, and anything that requires electricity.

The best way to fight these negative effects is by using alternative fuel sources. By using these alternative fuels we are helping fight the effects of global warming while still proving the power we need.

If global warming isn't stopped it could lead to some disastrous problems we will face in the world. Imagine having to wear sun block just to get your mail or for a quick run to the grocery store.

Not all of the problems associated with global warming are caused by us. Volcanoes are also helping to cause this warming effect on the earth. However, we cannot prevent a volcano from erupting. What we need to do is take action against the little things that humans personally cause to create global warming. If everyone takes small steps it will help us all make a big leap in preventing global warming in the future.

Putting a Stop to Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff Injuries

The acromioclavicular joint (AC Joint or Rotator Cuff) of the shoulder facilitates the largest range of motion of any joint in the body. It is comprised of muscles, ligaments and tendons that work in harmony to coordinate movement in both the scapulae (shoulder blade) and arm. When functioning optimally, the rotator cuff allows an extremely wide range of motion, accounting for more than 1600 different positions, providing function for multiple activities, from work to recreation. When the rotator cuff is injured, the associated pain and dysfunction can completely disable a person's ability to perform normal activities.

A variety of injuries can occur that result in symptoms ranging from a general ache to dehabilitating pain and dysfunction of the shoulder joint. The most acute form of injury usually results from direct force trauma that occurs from impact on the shoulder joint. This can occur from a car accident, football tackle or fall, and generally results in at least one or more ligaments being detached as well as tendons being torn.

Another from of serious shoulder injury occurs from a muscle imbalance resulting from repetitive overuse. Unidirectional (one way) movement patterns cause the muscles that are controlling the movement direction to become stronger, larger and shorter than the opposing muscle groups, resulting in imbalanced muscles and therefore an imbalanced joint. Most often, the muscle imbalance results from excessive over utilization of the anterior (front) portion of the shoulder, resulting in the humerus riding forward in the joint capsule, which in turn, causes Impingement Syndrome or Thoracic Outlet Syndrome to occur. Although there are a number of shoulder injuries, these two are very common and are associated with overuse.

Impingement syndrome occurs from the anterior shoulder muscles pinching the supraspinatus muscle, resulting in severe pain when trying to reach above the hard or across the body towards the opposite shoulder. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome results from compression of the Brachial Plexus, the main branch consisting of the Radial, Median and Ulnar nerves, which control feeling and function of the entire extremity. Symptoms usually consist of the entire hand falling asleep when the hands are out in front of the body at chest level or above the head, as raising the arms causes increased pressure on the anterior shoulder/ upper pectoral region where the Brachial Plexus lies.

With this in mind, many physicians and therapists recommend exercises to strengthen the musculature in and around the shoulder joint in order to eliminate or prevent muscle imbalances, while simultaneously increasing overall shoulder strength and joint integrity. When properly devised, an exercise regimen can build strength and provide flexibility for both muscles and tendons. This in turn prevents undue stress and strain on the acromioclavicular joint and its ligaments and tendons.

Rotator cuff exercises provide a safe, easy way to both prevent and rehabilitate shoulder injuries. Creating more strength and integrity in the shoulder joint than is going to be used by a particular activity can greatly protect the area from injury. If the joint is made to withstand 400lbs of pressure and it is only asked to use 300 lbs, it is going to be less prone to injury as it is stronger than the force that it is being subjected to. This is such an important key in preventing injuries. Prepare the body for the activity; do not perform the activity in order to prepare the body for that activity. And if an injury does occur and rehabilitation is necessary, it is again important to realize that the injured muscles will never regain their original strength unless specifically isolated and subjected to resistance training to bring them up to pre-injury levels and beyond. Research suggests that within as little as 4-6 weeks, performing a regular strengthening routine using free weights, resistance bands and/or flextend, most patients report substantial improvement.

Remember to always consult your primary care physician about an injury that may have occurred so that you receive a correct diagnosis.

Challenge Yourself on a Mountain Bike

It is rather easy to watch a mountain biker perform and then criticize his performance but to take up the challenge is another thing. I believe that instead of sitting on the bench in the arena or on a couch in front of your TV set is actually a waste of time when there are so many challenging trails around waiting to be tried.

Most of the parks offer a wide range of trails with varying difficulty levels for a person to try out his mettle. Don't aim low to attain your maximum expertise level but keep on improving till you find all the courses a piece of cake within your vicinity.

Then look farther around and away for more challenges. You will find even more challenging trails in other biking parks, but don't stop, keep going further and further.

If you have the talent and the desire for more adrenaline rush, go out in the wilderness and test your skills in the wild. There is no dearth of mountains for a mountain bike expert who wishes to challenge his own skills.

The only thing to remember is that you can challenge yourself more and more only if you are alive and well. What I mean is that never overlook your safety while undertaking a challenge. Remember that when you overlook your safety and fail to take necessary precautions and calculate risks involved in a particular event the cost can be much higher than expected.

The best way to improve your skills is to pick an opponent and compete. This way you can judge your improvement against an individual and have intermediate goals for yourself as you go on improving your mountain bike skills.

I hope my advice has been useful and you will benefit from it as you proceed in attaining excellence in your hobby.

Wallace Wattles - The Science of Getting Rich

The book, The Science of Getting Rich, is based upon a theory that I was aware of but had never seen in print before; "One is All and that All is One; that Substance manifests itself as the seemingly many elements of the material world." Did you get that? You might have to read it a few times. That statement is indicative of what you will find on each page. This book is not one that you just flip through; it's one that contains morsels of wisdom in each paragraph.

The author, Wallace Wattles, spent his entire life utilizing the principles outlined in this book and I became aware while reading the pages, that whoever wrote the words had experienced and understood the knowledge that was given.

I'd like to share a few of my favorite morsels from the book:

"Everything you see on Earth is made from one Original Substance, out of which all things proceed. New forms are constantly being made and older ones are dissolving; but all are shapes assumed by One Thing."

"The nearer we live to the Source of wealth, the more wealth we will receive."

I took this all to mean that the closer I am to the Source of my being, then the closer I will come to the life that I am desiring. In the King James version of the Bible it states, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

So, when a person seeks to know that Source, that invisible Divine Substance, that Divine Beingness that is all-knowing, then one might understand that there is just a thin veil between the infinite world and the finite world that they desire to manifest.

There is another point that Wattles makes in this book that hit home with me, "To think in terms of competition throws you into the illusionary 'finite" world of limitation, thus thinking that, "there is not enough to go around."

In network marketing and life in general, we can sometimes be so competitive in our thoughts that it can get in the way of Divine flow. We think, "Oh, I need to do this before they do" or "I need to reach a certain level before they do". When in reality, as Wattles states," the creative world, is infinite, unlimited, and filled with invisible (to the naked eye, but not to the open mind) Formless Stuff. You can serve God and humanity in no more effective way than by getting rich - that is, if you get rich by the creative method and not by the competitive one."

Just like the popular Law of Attraction, there is a science to getting rich and Wallace explains it in the book in such a believable way that after reading it all the way through, one realizes that it's all right there within our reach, we just need to 'know' that it's there and reach through the veil of illusion.