FACTS ABOUT "ORGASMS"

1. In a 2001 study from the Queen's University in Belfast, Ireland, men who had sex to the point of orgasm three times a week cut their risk of heart attack or stroke in half.

2. Research suggests that orgasms can lower the rate of prostate cancer and reduce the risk of certain sex-organ-related diseases.

3. The main difference in how men and women orgasm is that men reach a point where they can't hold back from an orgasm. On the other hand, women can lose an orgasm even as it's happening.

4. All kinds of age-defying events happen as three hormones (beta endorphin, prolactin and oxytocin) spill out of the brain during orgasm to promote happiness, diminish pain and increase relaxation.

5. During their sex studies, Masters and Johnson found that both men and women burn 7 to 25 calories per orgasm.

6. Orgasms can cause headaches. Most orgasmic headaches are not serious. However, a severe headache during orgasm can signal a serious medical problem such as a brain aneurysm or tumor, and should be checked by a doctor.

7. Scientists have found that the chemicals and pheromones in male sweat increase sexual desire in women.

8. Regular, healthy sex can make you look younger. A long-term study of 3,500 people in Scotland found that regular sex may shave roughly 4 to 7 years off your physical appearance. In addition to greater confidence and self-esteem, sex increases the body's production of human growth hormone, which improves muscle tone.

9. For men and women, morning seems to be the best time for orgasm. Testosterone levels are higher, blood flow is greater and you have more energy.

10. Many men feel sleepy after an orgasm because the body relaxes, blood pressure lowers, and muscles let go of tension.

11. Many people find that the more they focus on having an orgasm, the more difficult it is to have one. It's more important to focus on the overall pleasure of sexual activity. Even without an orgasm, sex still feels good.

12. It's normal for women to have abdominal cramps after orgasm. During an orgasm the uterus contracts. In some women, this can cause cramping for up to an hour.

13. Men can fake orgasms too. Men with delayed ejaculation have trouble with orgasm, either taking longer to reach it, reaching it only through masturbation or being unable to reach it at all. To avoid embarrassment they might fake orgasm.

14. Stress is the number one reason for low sexual desire for most couples. Too much stress saps away a person's libido by affecting hormones and mood, and by interfering with the quality time that helps a couple stay connected.

15. The majority of women have an orgasm more easily with direct stimulation to the clitoris.

16. During orgasm, the muscles in a woman's pelvis, anus, uterus and vagina contract, causing a throbbing feeling. Muscles throughout the rest of the body, often in the face, legs and back, also begin to contract.

17. It's possible to have an orgasm just thinking about sex. You can have an "energy orgasm" by using your imagination, muscle tension and breath.

18. For a woman, having an orgasm increases her chances of getting pregnant. This is sometimes true. In some cases, women who orgasm between 1 minute before and 45 minutes after their partner's ejaculation have a higher tendency to retain sperm compared to those who don't have an orgasm.

19. It is not safe to orgasm while pregnant if you are at risk for pre-term labor or are in late-term pregnancy. Because orgasms trigger pelvic contractions and the release of oxytocin (the hormone that induces labor contractions), there's a possibility that orgasms may start labor in women at risk for pre-term labor or in women who are in late-term pregnancy. However, in most cases, having sex and orgasming while pregnant is perfectly safe.

20. The intensity of an orgasm may vary from person to person, but people usually realize that they're having an orgasm.

HOW CAN NIGERIA BECOME BETTER?

THE FARTHER AWAY "UPWARDS" FROM 50 A LEADER IS, THE LESSER THEY HAVE TO OFFER; THE FARTHER AWAY "DOWNWARDS" FROM 50 A LEADER IS, THE MORE THEY HAVE TO OFFER.

This is a motion I am proposing for a positive turn of events in Nigeria. Those who really realize the sore suffered as a nation and who really want positive change in the aspect of leadership and consequent positive development will perceive the subtle truth of the matter on ground.
The country called Nigeria is not lacking in intellectual and creative abilities, it does not lack skills, it does not lack resources (human and natural). We however, lack the bold resolve to properly harness our abilities and blessings into meaningful good.
Right through history, we have witnessed how "high and mighty" (who are usually the old class) have been controlling the affairs of the country. If for good, I will not say, but we know well how it feels. The country has been managed as though it could withstand tremendous pressure and with such cruelty that it becomes clear, an overall good is not sought after.
Misappropriation news is no longer new to us... We now know that public offices are avenues for making quick "personal" riches.
As a kid, you are told, "you are the leaders of tomorrow". At a point, one begins to wonder where the boundaries of "tomorrow" lies. Same faces still at the helm of our affairs which have never appreciated.
The latest we hear is falling standards in everything with the sprouting generation being blamed. What would you think is the cause 'naturally'? I think you only get what you are given, and these standards were handed to us by the 50 and above.
As a young and buoyant youth, your dream and struggle should be for a better functional society. The task is in your hands. Grab it...
Let us think.

ALAGOA N. J.

Why Nigeria needs a National eHealth Policy

By Chioma Obinna
Mr. Job Agbo, not (real name) recently visited his doctor with chronic kneel pain. The condition was not severe enough to require a visit to the emergency department, but it kept him awake all night and interfered with his daily activities. He was given a hand-written referral to review previous films and treat according to recommendation in the report”
He took his hand-written referral and booked for an “urgent kneel procedure” with the radiology staff of the hospital and came few days after for the procedure. But no one could trace his previous films or reports. Efforts to contact his doctor proved abortive as he was said to have gone on vacation.
Job was unable to have the procedure done because no one knew the details of his current clinical problem and there was no referral to perform any sort of repeat x-ray or CT scan to determine the type of treatment that will alleviate his symptoms.
Many patients are faced with similar problem in Nigeria today. Advancement in medicine have shown that Electronic Health, eHealth, would have made a significant difference to this real life situation. With eHealth, the doctor would have been able to submit the request electronically and the Radiology reception staff would be able to retrieve Mr. Job’s electronic health record instantaneously, including the previous reports.

*Surgeons

Instead of spending the whole day at the health facility, an estimated 20 minutes would have been enough for the required procedure. Findings have shown that availability of electronic health and mobile health services plays a major role in the delivery of public health services around the world.
In Nigeria today, cases of negligence in the course of healthcare service provision in most hospitals abounds. Medical tourism has become the order of the day. Reports have it that no fewer than N78 billion are spent by Nigerians annually on medical tourism. While countries like India earn about $260 million from medical tourism.
No thanks to the fact that most Nigerians have lost confidence in the country’s healthcare system. The situation is so bad that many Nigerians travel to countries like India and Ghana even for common illnesses like malaria. Unconfirmed reports revealed that no fewer than 3000 Nigerians travel to India annually for various medical reasons.
eHealth benefits
To strengthen the country’s health system as well as make the country a medical tourism destination of choice, Health Watchers say paying more attention to e-health and telemedicine by developing a national eHealth Strategy will ensure that Nigerians get the right treatment and the right medication in the right place and time.
The story of Job aptly describes the difference eHealth will make to patients and providers. The World Health Organisation, WHO, has identified eHealth as a veritable tool to deliver health information for health professionals and health consumers, through the Internet and telecommunications as well as using Information Technology, IT, to improve public health services through education and training of health workers.
Health analysts are of the view that eHealth has not only helped health economists focus on a host of inexpensive clinical applications such as tele-neonatology, tele-paediatrics, it has become an essential tool to administer healthcare needs in developed nations.
Absence of National eHealth policy
In the views of a Senior Strategic Advisor, International Development Research Centre/Nigeria Evidence-Base Health Systems Strengthening Initiative, Dr. Muhammed Lecky, there have been worldwide recognition and interest in eHealth as an enabler of national health systems.
According to Lecky, although Nigerian Government has sought to pay more attention to this important emerging field, every attempt to achieve coherence in the form of an articulated policy framework regarding telemedicine and eHealth in Nigeria had hitherto proven abortive.
This may not be unconnected with the absence of a national e-health strategy to facilitate a systematic, coherent and sustainable implementation of telemedicine and eHealth in the country. With some medical institutions in the country embracing eHealth, the absence of the national e-health policy has made the development of eHealth and integration into the nation’s healthcare delivery system difficult.
Experts are of the view that telemedicine and eHealth should be integrated into the curriculum of medical/health training institutions in the country, they believe that the Federal Government should promote advocacy to get the three tiers of government involved in the development of eHealth strategy, with active participation of all major stakeholders — private sector academia/universities, NGOs in health, development partners, professional bodies and associations, etc.
At the 17th International Conference on Telemedicine and eHealth (ISfTeH), organised by Society for Telemedicine and eHealth in Nigeria (SfTeHIN), the National Representative member of ISfTeH, in Abuja recently, Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, former Minister of Health, admitted that the implementation of eHealth in the country has been largely piecemeal and uncoordinated as existing pilots were rarely scaled-up.”
Lambo who regretted the absence of a comprehensive national eHealth strategy, identified lack of policy and an eHealth legislative framework, power problems, lack of political will, absence of a robust ICT infrastructure, poor funding of the health sector as major challenges.
“eHealth would provide efficient and cost effective healthcare services for people in remote areas through early diagnostics, logistics and supplies as well as help individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Beneficiaries of eHealth include patients, healthcare professionals and providers, government bodies, policymakers, healthcare educators and students.”
He explained that the National Health Policy and the National Strategic Health Development Plan Framework (2009 – 2015), developed by the Federal Ministry of Health were key documents upon which any work towards developing the eHealth policy should be based upon.
Lambo explained that developing a national eHealth Strategy involves a multi stakeholder participatory approach and a credible strategy development process, by which the eHealth strategy would be aligned to the strategic priorities of the health sector.
Action
“The Federal Ministry of Health should facilitate a coherent and sustainable implementation of eHealth in Nigeria, get every level of government involved and provide enabling environment for implementation with a national eHealth steering committee.
Available information have shown that until 1999, ICT use in Nigeria was next to nothing until development of ICT policies for the telecommunications sector in 2000 and the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to formulate a National Policy for ICT in Nigeria in 2003.
With the adoption of District Health Information System (DHIS) as a national tool for reporting aggregate data from the lowest to the highest levels, the need for a comprehensive situational analysis as a precondition for the development of a comprehensive national eHealth strategy cannot be overemphasised.
President, SfTeHIN, Mr. Olajide Adebola said: “A comprehensive situational analysis of the implementation of telemedicine and eHealth initiatives should be undertaken to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the current efforts. The eHealth strategy should address local needs and should involve locally driven solutions.”
He called for the upgrade of the National Telemedicine Programme to a national eHealth programme with secretariat under the ICT Department in the Federal Ministry of Health. “A National eHealth Committee should be constituted, possibly under the purview of the National Council on Health with membership drawn from all major stakeholder groups.
and this body should be charged with the responsibility of providing policy advice to the government on telemedicine and eHealth matters.
He added that the programme should be strengthened and adequately utilised, and similar desks established at the various State Ministries of Health.

Source: Vanguard News

NEW CLUE: GREEN TEA AND CANCER PREVENTION [PART 2- BREAST CANCER]

Green Tea & Breast Cancer

Researchers  reported that an extract from green tea, Polyphenon E, may help inhibit breast cancer by affecting substances called growth factors. Growth factors are involved in the signals that tell breast cancer to grow.

In earlier research, Katherine Crew, MD, assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, had assigned 40 women already treated for breast cancer to take 400, 600, or 800 milligrams of the extract or to take a placebo twice daily for six months.

That was a study to examine any toxic effects of the extract. For the current study, she evaluated blood and urine samples from 34 of the women to see how the extract might work as a cancer fighter.
"We wanted to better understand the biological effects," she says.
"After two months of Polyphenon E, there was a reduction in hepatocyte growth factor," she says. This is one of the growth factors that affect breast cancer cell growth, spread, and invasion. That reduction declined and was not different from the placebo group at four months, however.
It's still too early to recommend green tea extract as a way to prevent breast cancer, Crew says.

Green Tea & Breast Cancer: Perspective

The new research on green tea and breast cancer adds to growing evidence of its benefits, according to Joanne Mortimer, MD, director of the Women's Cancer Program at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center.
"There really does seem to be something there," she says. The new study provides a potential explanation for why green tea may help, she says.
So should women drink green tea with an eye to prevention of breast cancer?
"I don't think we are quite ready to make that leap," Mortimer says. "But it is pretty interesting."
These findings were presented at a medical conference. They should be considered preliminary as they have not yet undergone the "peer review" process, in which outside experts scrutinize the data prior to publication in a medical journal.

Source: WebMD

NEW CLUE: GREEN TEA AND CANCER PREVENTION [PART 1- PROSTATE CANCER]

  Green tea and its extracts have long been studied for health benefits, including cancer prevention.

Now, researchers have new clues about how it may work to help prevent or slow the growth of prostate and breast cancers.

Researchers presented the new findings at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting on cancer prevention on Oct. 18, 2012  (Anaheim, Calif.)

Green Tea and Prostate Cancer

Men with prostate cancer who drank green tea had less prostate tissue inflammation, linked to cancer growth, and other changes than those who didn't drink it, says Susanne M. Henning, PhD, RD, adjunct professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.
''We were able to show the green tea polyphenols (antioxidants) reached the prostate tissue and they did modify inflammation of the prostate," she says. Polyphenols are antioxidants that protect against cell damage.
Henning's team assigned 79 men with prostate cancer scheduled to undergo surgery to drink either six cups of brewed green tea or water daily. They did so for three to eight weeks, depending on when their surgery was scheduled.
Before and after the study, Henning obtained urine and blood samples. She collected samples of prostate tissue after the surgery.
She reported on the 67 men who finished the study. Levels of prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, were lower after the study in those who drank green teas. Higher levels of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland, may reflect prostate cancer.
An indicator of inflammation, called nuclear factor-kappaB, was also reduced in those who drank green tea compared to those who didn't, Henning found. Inflammation is linked to cancer growth.
"We were not able to inhibit tumor growth," she says. But the study length may not have been long enough to show that; a longer-term study is needed, she says.
The National Institutes of Health funded the study.

Green Tea & Prostate Cancer: Implications

Prostate cancer is typically a slow-growing cancer, Henning says. That makes it an ideal cancer to try diet interventions to slow it even more.
"Green tea is high in polyphenols and it's convenient," she says.
Other research has found that green tea may slow prostate cancer. An Italian study found that men who had a precursor to prostate cancer and drank green tea were less likely to get prostate cancer, Henning says.
Now, Henning is studying whether adding quercetin, an antioxidant found in apples and onions, to the green tea will ramp up its cancer-fighting ability.
Sumanta Pal, MD, assistant professor of medical oncology at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, Calif., reviewed the study findings for WebMD.
"Studies such as this are critical to confirm or support a plausible explanation for how green tea may work," he says. More study is needed, however, before making any diet recommendations.
 These findings were presented at a medical conference. They should be considered preliminary as they have not yet undergone the "peer review" process, in which outside experts scrutinize the data prior to publication in a medical journal.

Source: WebMD

GENERIC "LIPITOR" RECALL

Nov. 26, 2012 -- Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc., a major maker of generic Lipitor, has issued a massive recall of the cholesterol-cutting tablets, which may be contaminated with tiny glass shards.
The recall covers 41 lots of atorvastatin, the generic version of Lipitor. Each lot contains thousands of pills.
The recall includes 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg dosages. It does not include 80 mg atorvastatin tablets.
No injuries have been reported from the "small glass particles approximately less than 1 millimeter in size."
Ranbaxy says it is "proactively recalling the drug product lots out of an abundance of caution, and in keeping the safety of our customers in mind."
Ranbaxy, an Indian firm, is owned by Japan's Daiichi Sankyo Co. According to The Wall Street Journal, Ranbaxy's generic Lipitor makes up 44% of the U.S. market for atorvastatin, including generic and name-brand products.
Earlier this year, Ranbaxy entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department preventing the company from selling various generic drugs on the U.S. market until it addresses manufacturing and quality-control flaws at several plants. Those plants did not make the generic Lipitor now being recalled.
The FDA is working with other atorvastatin makers to prevent a shortage of the popular cholesterol-lowering pills.
"The FDA is currently working with the other manufacturers to address any potential shortage as a result of the ongoing recall. We are monitoring the situation," FDA spokeswoman Sarah Clark-Lynn says in an email.
A list of the recalled products, including lot and NDC numbers, is posted on the Ranbaxy web site.

Source:WebMD

SMOKERS HAVE PALER AND WRINKLED SKIN.

If the fact that smoking cigarette is burning a big hole in your health, happiness, and pocket doesn’t move you, maybe the fact that it’s also ruining your looks will. Though cigarettes are outright bad, starting with bad breath and finishing with such serious conditions as cancer and emphysema, one major factor generally ignored is that nicotine ages the skin prematurely. It is easy to pick out a regular smoker in a crowd not just by the stench of stale cigarettes but simply by skin quality as well. Smokers have pale, ashen skin and ten times more wrinkles than non-smokers. According to experts, the constant exposure to lit cigarettes and being surrounded by the toxic smoke can bring early onset of wrinkles. Negative impact of smoking on skin It has been proven that tobacco smoke is second only to sun exposure as the leading cause of skin damage. Cigarettes contain toxins such as carbon monoxide and tar that have an adverse impact on the body. Hence, the brain diverts the vitamins away from the skin to counter the problem. In addition, smoking interferes with the absorption of Vitamin C and A, which provide skin protection on a regular basis. Also, tobacco smoke produces free radicals that steal electrons from skin cells and damage them. Nicotine is a diuretic. This means that it absorbs liquids from the body and causes dehydration. Smoking also decreases the capillary blood flow to the surface of the skin, depriving it of the much needed oxygen and nutrients. As a result, skin becomes dry, thin, and has pale appearance. Smoking is known to reduce the amount of collagen and elastin in the skin. These proteins help to keep skin tight, soft, and elastic. Moreover, the pursing of lips and squinting to keep out smoke create unsightly face wrinkles around the mouth and eyes over time. Also, smokers develop more hollowed cheeks from many years of dragging on cigarettes. Although, it is quite impossible to bring skin to the pre-smoking condition, the damage caused to the skin can be arrested if you quit because the skin will start to repair itself. Other hazards of smoking Besides causing wrinkles, smoking cigarettes can cause yellow eyes and teeth and bad breath. On a more serious note it can lead to all kinds of health problems, including emphysema, lung cancer, bronchitis, pneumonia and many other illnesses. Male smokers have a higher risk of a low sperm count and erectile dysfunction, while female smokers may have a harder time getting pregnant. Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to experience ectopic pregnancies which can be fatal for both mom and baby. Other risks of smoking during pregnancy include lower birth weight and birth defects. Women who smoke during pregnancy are also more likely to deliver prematurely or miscarry. Source: Cigarettes smoking

IS YOUR WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENT SAFE?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued consumer warnings for several weight loss supplements.

These products include Japan Hokkaido Slimming Weight Loss Pills, Beautiful Slim Body and Best Share Green Coffee: Brazilian Slimming Coffee.

All of the supplements contained the same substance, sibutramine. Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant drug that was withdrawn from the market in 2010. Thus, these products are considered unapproved drugs.

Sibutramine can raise blood pressure and heart rate, causing potential complications in individuals with heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke. Sibutramine may also interact adversely with prescription drugs.

The FDA advises consumers in possession of Japan Hokkaido Slimming Weight Loss Pills, Beautiful Slim Body or Best Share Green Coffee: Brazilian Slimming Coffee to discard them immediately and report any side effects to their healthcare provider

HEART DISEASE & DIABETES

 HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES

Heart disease is common in people with diabetes. Data from the National Diabetes Fact Sheet show that in 2004 heart disease was noted on 68% of diabetes-related death certificates in people 65 and older. Stroke was noted on 16% of the diabetes-related death certificates in people 65 and older. In general, the risks of heart disease death and stroke is 2-4 times higher in people with diabetes.

While all people with diabetes have an increased chance of developing heart disease, the condition is more common in those with type 2 diabetes.

Recommended Related to Diabetes

Can You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes can't be cured, but it can be reversed by eating right and exercising regularly. Do what Karen Parrish, 53, did: Take control of your disease rather than letting your disease control you. Parrish received her diagnosis of type 2 diabetes with little surprise. Both sides of her family have a history of the disease, and she knew the consequences of ignoring it. Still, Parrish, didn't fully commit to the lifestyle changes necessary to get her diabetes under control. "Knowing what...

Read the Can You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes? article > >

The Framingham Study was one of the first pieces of evidence to show that people with diabetes are more vulnerable to heart disease than those people who did not have diabetes. The Framingham Study looked at generations of people, including those with diabetes, to try to determine the health risk factors for developing heart disease. It showed that multiple health factors -- including diabetes -- could increase the possibility of developing heart disease. Aside from diabetes, other health problems associated with heart disease include high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol levels, and a family history of early heart disease.
The more health risks factors a person has for heart disease, the higher the chances that they will develop heart disease and even die from it. Just like anyone else, people with diabetes have an increased risk of dying from heart disease if they have more health risk factors. However, the probability of dying from heart disease is dramatically higher in a person with diabetes. So, while a person with one health risk factor, such as high blood pressure, may have a certain chance of dying from heart disease, a person with diabetes has double or even quadruple the risk of dying.
For example, one medical study found that people with diabetes who had no other health risk factors for heart disease were 5 times more likely to die of heart disease than those without. Another medical study showed that people with diabetes, no matter the number of other heart disease risk factors, were as likely to have a heart attack as someone without diabetes who has already had a heart attack.
Heart disease experts recommend that all people with diabetes have their heart disease risk factors treated as aggressively as people who have already had heart attacks.


Source: WebMD

Botox – The 'Celebrity' Drug

 

'Youth is fair,a graceful stag
Leaping playing in the park;
Age is grey,a toothless hag
Stumbling in the dark'.

These four lines reflect the glory of youth and the dismal emotions that are attached to growing old. While most humans romanticize youth, they shrink from the thought of greying hair, sagging flesh and brittle bones, which are identified as the infirmities of old age.

With the changing trends, the concept of ageing gracefully by enhancing one’s inner beauty has caught on. Nevertheless there is a frantic search for the fountain of youth, especially among the celebrities and the aspiring 'also-rans', who are climbing the social ladder. Their challenge lies, not in the increasing years but, in efficiently hiding its symptoms. To them, Botox is 'God –sent'.

'Always remember that true beauty comes from within — from within bottles, jars, compacts, and tubes'- Peter's Almanac.

Botox has for the last few years been the injection that has restored the beauty of many celebrities and now is the most common cosmetic surgery procedure in the world. Celebrities such as Celine Dion, Cher, Madonna, Sharon Stone and Sylvester Stallone are rumoured to have had the benefit of the Botox needle.

The reason Botox has become so popular is due to the simplicity of the procedure.It does not require hospital admission, there are no surgical scars, no anesthesia and the results are visible in a few days. As one plastic surgeon puts it-'With Botox, the beauty is more than skin deep.'

Botox is the trade name for Botulinum Toxin A, a type of neurotoxin that is secreted by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. Since 1989,it has been used to treat several medical conditions like the 'uncontrolled blinking' or Blepharospasm and 'cross eyes' or Strabismus. During one such treatment, the doctors chanced upon the fact that Botox was capable of temporarily erasing frown lines and 'crow's feet' that formed around the eyes.

Botox functions by arresting the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, that is essential for muscular contractions. If there is no muscle contraction, there can be no wrinkling. But it was only in the year 2002 that the FDA approved of Botox for cosmetic purposes.

Although Botox has gained popularity for its cosmetic usage, it is being employed by several specialists to treat an array of medical conditions that involve muscular contractions or spasms, such as the Dystonias of various organs. It is being considered for various other disorders as well, like Fibromyalgia or the 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome', but the FDA is yet to approve of it.

The effects of Botox are not long- lasting and they tend to wear away within 3-4 months. It is therefore essential to repeat the treatment periodically. This raises the potential of Botox as an addiction-inducing substance that a user might become heavily dependant on, in order to 'feel good'.

Moderation, as they say, holds the key. After all, as Voltaire said, 'Beauty pleases the eyes only, sweetness of disposition charms the soul'.

Source-Medindia

Read more: Botox – The 'Celebrity' Drug | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/Botox-The-Celebrity-Drug-15709-1.htm#ixzz27PaKrV7b

ELECTRICAL ENERGY OF BRAIN CELLS

 MORE ELECTRICAL IMPULSES ARE GENERATED BY A SINGLE HUMAN BRAIN CELL IN ONE DAY THAN BY ALL THE TELEPHONES IN THE WORLD

 

 

 

Although not a "brain scan" as the term is usually used, the EEG, or electroencephalograph, deserves mention as one of the first -- and still very useful -- ways of non-invasively observing human brain activity. An EEG is a recording of electrical signals from the brain made by hooking up electrodes to the subject's scalp. These electrodes pick up electric signals naturally produced by the brain and send them to galvanometers (instruments that detect and measure small electric currents) that are in turn hooked up to pens, under which graph paper moves continuously. The pens trace the signals onto the graph paper. Although it was known as early as the nineteenth century that living brains have electrical activity, an Austrian psychiatrist named Hans Berger was the first to record this activity in humans, in the late 1920s.

EEGs allow researchers to follow electrical impulses across the surface of the brain and observe changes over split seconds of time. An EEG can show what state a person is in -- asleep, awake, anaesthetized -- because the characteristic patterns of current differ for each of these states. One important use of EEGs has been to show how long it takes the brain to process various stimuli. A major drawback of EEGs, however, is that they cannot show us the structures and anatomy of the brain or really tell us which specific regions of the brain do what.

CHARACTER ENHANCEMENT

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.

MICHELLE OBAMA DEFENDS HER HUSBAND

First lady Michelle Obama offered a personal perspective on why her husband should be re-elected, telling the Democratic convention that the same values she fell in love with guide him each day in the White House.



"In the end, for Barack, these issues aren't political -- they're personal," Mrs. Obama said in the final speech of the opening night. "Barack knows the American Dream because he's lived it, and he wants everyone, everyone in this country to have the same opportunity."



Former President Bill Clinton headlines Wednesday night with a speech formally nominating President Barack Obama, and Obama concludes the convention with his acceptance speech on Thursday.

Source: CNN

HAPPINESS LINKED WITH A GENE THAT COMES IN LONG AND SHORT VERSIONS

Your overall happiness may depend in part on whether you drew the long or short version of a gene, say researchers...

In work that gives cranky teenagers another reason to blame their parents for all life's woes, researchers have uncovered a genetic link to happiness.
The study of more than 2,500 Americans revealed two variants of a gene that influenced how satisfied – or dissatisfied – people were with their lot.
Those born with two long versions of the gene (one is passed down from each parent) were more likely to declare themselves "very satisfied" with life than those who inherited two short versions.
The study marks a tentative step towards explaining the mystery of why some people seem naturally happier than others.
"This gives us more insight into the biological mechanisms that influence life satisfaction," said Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
"If you're feeling down, your neurological circuitry could be partially responsible. By that I don't mean to say that one can hold biology responsible for a depression, but a better understanding of one's unique genetic make-up combined with willpower could help in surmounting a psychological dip."
A greater understanding of happiness genes might in future allow would-be parents to create a child who will be more satisfied with their life.
Happiness is only partly influenced by genetic makeup. Studies in twins suggest that genes account for roughly a third to a half of the variation in happiness between people. It is not yet known how many genes affect how cheerful we are.
De Neve looked at the genetic makeup of 2,574 people selected to be representative of the general population, whose medical histories were recorded for the US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Among the records were answers to a question participants were asked in their early 20s about life satisfaction.
In response to the question, "How satisfied are you with your life as a whole", they answered either "very satisfied", "satisfied", "neither satisfied or dissatisfied", "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied".
Writing in the Journal of Human Genetics, De Neve describes how roughly 40% said they were "very satisfied" with life, and among these, 35.4% had two long variants of the gene and only 19.1% had two short versions. Of those who were "dissatisfied" with life, 20% had two long variants of the gene, while 26.2% had two short versions. That indicates a slight over-representation of the long variants in happier people.
The gene, known as 5-HTT, is involved with the transport of serotonin, a feelgood chemical, in the brain. The longer variant leads to more efficient release and recycling of the neurotransmitter.
De Neve calculated that, everything else being equal, having one long version of the gene increased the number of people claiming to be "very satisfied" with life by around 8.5%. Having two long versions raised the number by 17.3%.
In unpublished work, De Neve and other researchers have since replicated the result in a separate group of people.
De Neve urged caution over the result, however, and emphasised that inheriting two short versions of the gene did not condemn a person to a life of misery any more than two long versions would make someone impervious to sadness.
"This gene has an important influence, but you cannot say it causes happiness. Happiness is hugely complex and your experiences throughout the course of your life will remain the dominant force on that," he said.
A 2009 study by Elaine Fox at the University of Essex suggested that people who carried long versions of the 5-HTT gene had a greater tendency to focus on the positives in life. The "bright side" version of the gene might bolster people's resilience to stressful events, and protect against anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.
Ed Diener, a psychologist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and author of the 2008 book, Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth, said: "We are just beginning to understand the actual genetics of happiness, and how genes might influence brain hormones and other physiology that influence our well-being.
"This exciting work offers insights that one day may help us counter disorders such as depression. Parents one day might have the choice of whether to choose genes that will create a child who is more satisfied with his or her life."

This article was corrected on 11 May. The original text stated that, of those who were dissatisfied with life, 26.2% had long variants of the gene instead of 20%.
• This article was amended on 12 May 2011. The original paragraph: '"If you're feeling down, you can say it's your biology telling you life is less rosy than it is," he added.' has been clarified at the request of the individual.

Source: The Guardian

THALIDOMIDE MANUFACTURER GIVES APOLOGY

A German manufacturer of a drug that caused thousands of babies to be born with disabilities about five decades ago is apologizing for the first time.

The drug, thalidomide, caused babies to be born with shorter arms and legs after their mothers took it during pregnancy in the 1950s and 1960s.

It was marketed to women to counter morning sickness, according to the Thalidomide Trust, a UK body set up in the 1970s to help those affected.

In addition to the disabilities, some children whose mothers took the drug suffered heart problems, damaged hearing or eyesight , and in some cases, brain damage.

The drug was pulled from sale in 1961 after doctors linked it to birth defects

Source: CNN

HANDLING HYPERTENSION, BEFORE IT HANDLES YOU

Is your blood pressure creeping up? ... Not quite in the high blood pressure range, but not normal, either?
That's prehypertension. And though it's not high blood pressure -- yet -- it may not be as harmless as you thought.
Here's what you need to know about prehypertension, and why you need to nip it in the bud.
First, the numbers:

• Normal blood pressure is below 120/80.
• Prehypertension is blood pressure that ranges from 120-139 for the top number or 80-89 for the bottom number.
• High blood pressure (hypertension) is 140 or higher for the top number, or 90 or higher for the bottom number, or you are taking a blood pressure medication.

The top number is your systolic pressure, which is the force of blood against your arteries as your heart beats. The bottom number is diastolic pressure, which is the pressure on your arteries when your heart relaxes between beats.

Stroke Risk

Having prehypertension may make you more likely to have a stroke, especially in people younger than 65, a recent study shows.
"If you have prehypertension, and you're under 65, it really matters," says researcher and neurosciences professor Bruce Ovbiagele, MD, of the University of California, San Diego. "Most people who get to 65 already have hypertension."
Ovbiagele's team also found that stroke was more likely for people at the upper end of the prehypertensive range. But even if your blood pressure is not that high, it's wise to take action if your blood pressure is heading in the wrong direction.
"No matter what you consider your break point, any increase in blood pressure is generally a bad thing," says Richard Stein, MD, who directs the exercise, nutrition, and cardiovascular program at New York University's Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.
"It's causing the heart muscle to beat against a higher pressure, so [the heart] is becoming thicker," Stein says, adding that high blood pressure is also stressful for the kidneys.

Stealth Threat

Prehypertension, like hypertension, doesn't show signs or symptoms. Many people don't know they have it, and doctors often overlook it.
How do you know if you have it? The only way to know is to check your blood pressure. In otherwise healthy people, elevated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure on two separate occasions -- taken two or three days apart -- is enough to be diagnosed with high blood pressure. You can take your blood pressure at home with a blood pressure monitor, or use the machine at your local pharmacy or grocery store, if it has one.
If it's consistently within the prehypertension range, tell your doctor so that you can get it under control before it becomes hypertension.

Taking Charge of Your Blood Pressure

The good news is, you can slow the progression to hypertension. Here's what experts recommend:

• Eat healthfully. Consider following the DASH diet, which focuses on eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and less saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol. It also restricts sodium, which can raise blood pressure, and emphasizes foods rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium, minerals that help lower blood pressure.
• Watch the salt. Although a recent study showed that lowering your salt intake may raise cholesterol and triglycerides, most experts still recommend cutting back on salt. Be on the lookout for sodium in canned, prepared, and processed foods. Avoid sprinkling too much salt on foods. The American Heart Association recommends limiting your intake to 1,500 mg a day.
• Move more. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity every day, most days of the week.
• Get to a healthy weight. Extra pounds make prehypertension more likely. Physical activity and healthy eating can help you shed extra weight.
• Limit alcohol. Try to drink no more than two drinks a day if you're a man or no more than one if you're a woman. If you don't drink, don't start.
• Curb stress. It's unclear whether chronic stress, by itself, can raise your blood pressure in the long run. But it can make you more likely to overeat and to skip exercise, Stein says. So try to change your circumstances, or at least how you deal with them, by practicing stress reduction techniques such as meditation.
• Check your blood pressure. If you can, buy a home monitor, and take your blood pressure twice day: once in the morning and once at night, Stein says. "One very high reading is concerning, but one alone isn't enough," he says. "You want to see how it changes over time."

Source: WebMD

LACTOSE: HOW MUCH CAN YOU TAKE?

If your doctor has just broken the news that you’re lactose-intolerant, don’t jump to the conclusion that you’ll never be able to savor another bite of ice cream again.
At first, many people fear that they’ll have to give up all dairy products. But with some experimentation, most people with lactose intolerance discover that they can eat small amounts of dairy without triggering distressing symptoms, such as bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea or nausea.

Who Gets Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance occurs when the body doesn’t make enough of the enzyme lactase, which digests lactose, the sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Infants produce high levels of lactase in order to digest milk. After weaning, though, lactase levels decrease, meaning that eventually, as people age, many can no longer digest as much lactose.

Although lactose intolerance is viewed as a disorder, about 75% of all people around the globe have some degree of lactase deficiency. Lactose intolerance is much more common among Asians, Hispanics and blacks than in people of Northwest European descent.
Lactose intolerance is actually a misleading term, says Yuri A. Saito-Loftus, MD, MPH, an assistant professor in the Mayo Clinic’s division of gastroenterology and hepatology.
“The majority of the world population is lactose intolerant. It’s actually the people who are lactose tolerant that are the minority group.”

Find Out How Much You Can Eat

If you’re not sure which foods you can handle, or how much, start experimenting with one dairy food and see how much you can eat without prompting symptoms, Sandquist says. For example, start out by drinking a half-cup of dairy milk and see how well you tolerate it. If milk doesn’t agree with you, try other dairy products that have less lactose. For example, an ounce of American, Swiss, cheddar, or Parmesan cheese has 1 to 2 grams of lactose, compared to 10-12 grams in one cup of milk, she says.
Typically, any discomfort from lactose intolerance arises 30 minutes to two hours after a person eats milk or dairy products. If a food triggers symptoms, you can still try to cut back on amounts to see if you can handle a smaller portion. You can also try a variety of lactose-free dairy options or find a substitute non-dairy product.
Although some people keep a mental tally of foods or amounts to avoid, others might gain better understanding by jotting down notes. “A diary is extremely helpful because then they can log what symptoms they have, what they’ve eaten,” Sandquist says. “They can look back and see if there’s a pattern.”
To reduce symptoms, also try eating dairy products with other foods to slow digestion. “I think that makes a huge difference,” Saito-Loftus says. “If you eat [lactose] with other foods, it mixes and it empties out of your stomach at a slower rate. It’s not like eating ice cream and suddenly, you have all this lactose coming out all at once. If you eat dairy with meat or rice or other such things, it gets mixed in and diluted. It’s easier for your body to tolerate in that context.”


More reading: http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/how-much-lactose?src=RSS_PUBLIC

RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS

ONE IS HAPPY ONCE HE KNOWS THE NECESSARY INGREDIENTS OF HAPPINESS: SIMPLE TASTES, A CERTAIN DEGREE OF COURAGE, SELF DENIAL TO A POINT, LOVE OF WORK, AND ABOVE ALL, A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.

WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT "LOVE"?

 

 

Love was for Jesus probably the most vital ingredient in the way people should live. He said the two most important commands in the Hebrew scriptures were the one that said love God and the one that said love people.
This love, of course, is not to be confused with “lurve”. For Jesus, love was nothing much to do with feelings, but all to do with how you treat people. Neither was it a case of just being generally vaguely well-disposed to the human race. It meant actively doing for others what you would want if you were in their shoes. And more, it meant repaying evil with good.
Jesus made it clear that for himself love meant dying for the good of the world.
For Jesus love was not so much a nice feeling as a hard and often painful way of life…
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone hits you on the cheek, offer them the other cheek. If someone takes your cloak, don’t stop him taking your tunic. Give to everyone who begs, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. After all, if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them” (Luke 6:27-32).

Do the Blind Literally "See" in Their Dreams?

A Critique of a Recent Claim That They Do

 

Abstract

This article provides a critique of a recent inaccurate claim that the congenitally blind literally "see" in their dreams, which flies in the face of findings that were established in 3 careful previous studies. It first shows how this claim arose through a blurring of the distinction between actual seeing through the visual system and imagery that preserves spatial and metric properties without specific reliance on the visual system. It then discusses the 3 mistaken reasons for this blurring. This correction is important beyond the specific issue of seeing in dreams because the original findings lend important support for a cognitive theory of dreaming by showing that the imagery necessary for dreaming develops between ages 4 and 7.

READ MORE: DREAM RESEARCH

EMBODIED COGNITION

Cognition is embodied when it is deeply dependent upon features of the physical body of an agent, that is, when aspects of the agent's body beyond the brain play a significant causal or physically constitutive role in cognitive processing.
In general, dominant views in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science have considered the body as peripheral to understanding the nature of mind and cognition. Proponents of embodied cognitive science view this as a serious mistake. Sometimes the nature of the dependence of cognition on the body is quite unexpected, and suggests new ways of conceptualizing and exploring the mechanics of cognitive processing.
Embodied cognitive science encompasses a loose-knit family of research programs in the cognitive sciences that often share a commitment to critiquing and even replacing traditional approaches to cognition and cognitive processing. Empirical research on embodied cognition has exploded in the past 10 years. As the bibliography for this article attests, the various bodies of work that will be discussed represent a serious alternative to the investigation of cognitive phenomena.
Relatively recent work on the embodiment of cognition provides much food for thought for empirically-informed philosophers of mind. This is in part because of the rich range of phenomena that embodied cognitive science has studied. But it is also in part because those phenomena are often thought to challenge dominant views of the mind, such as the computational and representational theories of mind, at the heart of traditional cognitive science. And they have sometimes been taken to undermine standard positions in the philosophy of mind, such as the idea that the mind is identical to, or even realized in, the brain.

Source (read more): STANDFORD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PHILOSOPHY

WAKING UP TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING CAN INCREASE A PERSON'S RISK OF HEART ATTACK & STROKE...

Late to bed and rising early ups heart risk

 Are you among those who get up early but go to bed very late? Beware, your sleeping habit may be a “ticking time bomb” for your health and it could lead to heart attack and stroke, scientists claim.

Going to bed late but waking up early because of hectic work schedule has become a trend for many, but scientist said having such a habit means inviting serious health hazards. Researchers at the University of Warwick Medical School in the UK found those who could not afford to sleep for at least six hours a day are more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke. 

“The trend for late nights and early mornings is actually a ticking time bomb for our health so you need to act now to reduce your risk of developing these life-threatening conditions,” said Francesco Cappuccio who led the study. “There is an expectation in today's society to fit more into our lives. But in doing so, we are significantly increasing the risk of suffering a stroke or developing cardiovascular disease resulting in, for example, heart attacks,” Cappuccio was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. 

For their study, Cappuccio and colleagues looked at the sleeping habits of 475,000 participants from 15 previous studies across eight countries. It was found that those who slept for less than six hours were 48 per cent more likely to develop or die from heart disease and 15 per cent more likely to develop or die from a stroke. According to them, not having enough sleep decreases the levels of leptin in our blood, which means we do not feel as satisfied after eating. 

Experts recommend adults get at least six or seven hours' shuteye a night to stay healthy.

(Source: TNN)

Jimmy Henchman Admitted Involvement in 1994 Tupac Shooting

The rap exec reportedly confessed to his role in the Quad Studio robbery shooting.

After years of denying allegations that he was responsible for the 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur that detonated a long and deadly bi-coastal feud, Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond reportedly reversed himself, admitting involvement in the shooting while in custody for federal drug trafficking charges.

The admission has come to light via a transcript of the drug trial that was obtained by the Village Voice. In it, prosecutors say Rosemond previously admitted to them that he was involved in the Tupac shooting in an effort to negotiate reduced sentencing.

Rosemond's confession was not to be used against him in the trial, but became a topic of discussion when his defense lawyer attempted to paint him as a victim of a smear campaign. After he emphatically denounced a 2008 article in the Los Angeles Times that implicated Henchman in the shooting as "utterly false," the prosecutor approached the bench with an objection.

"If [Rosemond's attorney] is going to argue that this was a fabricated article, it's the government's position that we can put in the defendant's own admission about that particular shooting," the prosecutor said. "In saying it is not true, when in fact it is true, the government should be able to rebut that argument that he's making, [and introduce] that the defendant actually admitted to this 1994 shooting."

Last year, Dexter Isaac, a former friend of Rosemond who was serving an unrelated sentence, came forward to admit that he was the one hired by the hip hop mogul to rob Tupac at gunpoint. Isaac said Rosemond paid him $2,500 for the incident, which ended with Tupac shot five times.

As the statute of limitations on a robbery in New York expired 11 years ago, it would have been impossible for Rosemond or Isaac to be charged with Shakur's assault.

Rosemond is currently awaiting sentencing after having been found guilty in the drug trial. Last weekend, he was formally indicted for a separate charge that he ordered the fatal shooting of 50 Cent associate Lowell "Lodi Mack" Fletcher in 2009.

Source: BET News

Knowledge

 

There is a common phrase we have all heard - "knowledge is power".
This word challenges us to become actively involved in our ongoing
education. We cannot be truly powerful people through complacency.
It is becoming increasingly important for us as individuals and as a
society to put more focus on being aware. When we willingly
accept "the norm" without questioning we lose our sense of identity;
we lose power in this world to make a difference.

Behind every established norm is a great deal of history, tradition,
and core values. We are so often taught to not question tradition, to
accept other people's methods and values as our own without seeking
the deeper meaning. The act of questioning and seeking understanding
is a beautiful process - it causes us to open up to more of our
potential. We are inspired to find innovative new methods from which
to operate, and we find new and higher standards to hold ourselves up
to. In this process of expansion new values can be adapted -
ones more in line with current times.

It can be easy to settle in and allow our routines to take over our
lives. It is human to believe that things are "fine" as they are, and
that may be the case many times, but "fine" and "Ok" don't fuel our
passion for living. We are inspired and drawn to create and achieve
greatness - and the key to this standard of living is knowledge. Our
individual lives and our societies always benefit from a persistent
dedication to expansion through education.

Today's Exercise:

Try something new. Look at the world through the eyes of others,
view an alternative media outlet, or read a book or magazine -
something different than what you would normally select. You can do
this with other aspects too, just do something different from your
usual routine, or make a conscious effort to learn how to do
something new or in a new way. Open yourself up to a different
experience and reflect on the meaning of it and what you learned at
the end of the day.

Beyoncé Reveals Meaning Behind Blue Ivy’s Unique Name 

 

A poem could have served as inspiration for her daughter's name.

 

Ever since word got out that Beyoncé and Jay-Z named their first child Blue Ivy people have been speculating about the meaning behind their daughter's name. Some thought it was just a reference to Jay's favorite color, but Bey just shared a poem that could have served as the inspiration for the baby's first name.

"The world is blue at its edges and in its depths. This blue is the light that got lost. Light at the blue end of the spectrum does not travel that whole distance from the sun to us. It disperses among the molecules of air, it scatters in the water. Water is colorless, shallow water appears to be the color of whatever lies underneath it, but deep water is full of this scattered light, the purer the water the deeper the blue."

The inspirational passage, from Rebecca Solnit's Field Guide to Getting Lost, was posted on Beyoncé's Tumblr blog this morning. What do you think of the poem?

 SOURCE: READ MORE ON BET WEBSITE

Listening:

 

This word is a powerful reminder that the act of listening involves more than just merely hearing words. Listening is not the same as hearing, and requires the use of more than just the ears. To listen effectively we must engage with others on a heart level. Truly listening involves all the senses. It requires some degree of emotional/mental investment. Often we become so caught up in defending our own position, we disconnect from others before truly listening to what they have to say.

Today, we live in a society of the short attention span, with everything geared towards brief "sound bites" of information. The result is that many have stopped knowing how to truly "listen" to others: body, mind, and soul. It is not so much what is said and heard, as to how we relate and react to the information.

The act of listening empowers and inspires others. It gives them a sense of belonging and understanding. It is the first step on a path to peace and harmonious relationships. Problems remain unsolved when people stop listening.


Today's Exercise:

Reflect on a time where you felt someone close to you was not listening or understanding where you came from. What actions on their part led you to believe that you were not truly being heard?
Think of a time in your life where someone felt you did not hear him or her? Could you have done something different to better connect with this person? When you listen to others, do you make eye contact? Do you work to really empathize with them and try to conceptualize where they are coming from? In what ways can we work
to become better listeners?

FORGIVENESS

Noble task of forgiving

Remember that in forgiving we release ourselves from the shackles of anger, bitterness, and disappointment. In this life we will encounter those who will do unkind things, but it is we as individuals who have the power to choose how this will affect us. Remember that not one of us has ever gone through life without hurting someone. Liberate yourself from the restraint of holding a grudge or clinging to past hurts.

THERE'S ALWAYS AN OPPONENT AND A VICTIM. THE TRICK IS TO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE THE LATTER, SO YOU CAN BECOME THE FORMER....

REAL DIFFICULTIES CAN BE OVERCOME, IT'S ONLY THE IMAGINARY ONES THAT ARE UNCONQUERABLE...

What does that mean?
It’s all in your mind, at least that’s what today’s quote is saying to me. If you think you can’t, you never will. If you can’t imagine doing it, you won’t. If your mind is set against the possibility of it, then it is impossible. If you think you cannot overcome it, it will truly be unconquerable.

It has been said that if you argue for your limits, you will get them. If you focus on what you can’t do, you’ll never even try. Instead, the quote urges us to focus on overcoming the real difficulties that will test our resolve, as they are conquerable.

Why is focus important?  
What we focus on is what we will tend to get more of. If we focus on what is bad in our lives, we will get (or at least we will perceive that we get) more of the bad things. Those who see life as raining goodness on them will see (or perceive that they see) even more of the good things.

If we focus on the imaginary difficulties that are preventing us from getting what we want, it will be very difficult (if not impossible, as the quote implies) to get what you want. Instead, if we focus on the actual difficulties that truly in the way of us getting what we want, it is possible to work our way past them and get what we want.

Put another way, if we focus on the possible, we can get results. If we focus on the impossible, we get excuses. At the end of the day, which would you rather have, results or excuses. No matter what you say or do, you will have one or the other, so choose wisely.

Where can I apply this in my life?
What is holding you back? Is there something in your life that you want, but you are afraid start to working on? Think about that for a moment. Grab some paper and write down at least three things that would fall into that category. For each, also write down what your focus is, what you are afraid of, why you are not able to move forward.

Now think of a few things you amazed you when you were able to do them. Spend a few moment thinking about some of them, and then write them down on the same paper on which you just wrote the other ones. Next to each of these, write down what you remember being focused on as you accomplished them.

Read more: http://philosiblog.com/2012/02/17/real-difficulties-can-be-overcome-it-is-only-the-imaginary-ones-that-are-unconquerable/

FREEDOM

Freedom allows us to live our lives without self-imposed limitations.
When we refuse to release life-draining forces like anger or feeling victimized, we remain in prisons of our own making. When we tell ourselves "I can't" or "I'm not", we restrict our ability to grow and
reach our fullest potential. When we act from a need to please others,or when we do what seems more societally acceptable, rather than following our own destiny, we destroy the freedom we have to be
who we are. There must be balance between "being practical" and being true to ourselves. How can living a life that isn't fulfilling be practical?

Freedom happens only in surrender. It doesn't exist in the moments where we struggle or work against the flow of life. It isn't found in living life to please others. It is the combination of faith in our
larger plan and the courage to try new things. Everyone has the power of freedom, but many don't discover or fully realize it. Every choice we face allows the opportunity for freedom. We can choose to act or not act, to embrace change or remain stationary.

Today's Exercise:

Focus on freedom and what it means to you. Ask
yourself "What do I need to feel more free?" Do you feel controlled by your life's circumstances, or do you feel empowered to be yourself despite them? In what ways to you limit or restrict yourself? What
can you do today to help release restrictions in your life?