http://www.articlearmies.com Articles posted by Theresa Twogood. en-us Copyright (c) 2005 ArticleTime.com http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Religion/just-what-if--what-then.html Just what if everything we knew about the universe and the world around us was completely wrong, what then? Just what if God wanted our faith to be unparalleled, radically unequaled and unable to be proven or disproved by so-called modern scientific evidence, what then? Just what if we paused for a moment and asked the question that is on all of our minds, ‘why does science feel it necessary to disprove faith? Faith doesn’t wish to disprove science, what then? Just what if science was able to prove the religious leaning view of some sort of ‘connectivity’ between humans? In other words, we humans are more connected to each other than we are separate, what then? Just what if we were so bold and unscientific as to offer our reason and proof of the truth of ‘connectivity’ by illuminating the fact that whenever humans attempt to hurt another, they most times end up hurting themselves more, what then? Just what if we all were granted a ‘God’s view’ or a ‘moment of clarity’ and we all came to the understanding that everything we do and/or will do while in this life was just a series of trials and tests to mold and prepare us for the next world, what then? Just what if for a moment God stopped time and revealed Himself plainly to us and said, ‘I don’t care if you continue to blame Me for all of this mess. You may continue if you wish, however, understand that it won’t help get you to where you want to be’. If so, what then? Just what if we could ask God just one question that He would answer plainly to us; could God answer it easily by saying, you didn’t receive because you didn’t ask or you didn’t ask right’, if so what then? Just what if all the small details didn’t matter one way or the other to God; what if He only wanted us to acknowledge Him and to ask of Him, ‘fatherly assistance’ for whatever we were currently experiencing, what then? Just what if God reminded us to maintain the fragile balance of prayer for ourselves and prayers for others. God wants us praying more for others in need than for ourselves? Why? Because He already knows what we need and has already promised to provide for us. However, this doesn’t mean that we should not pray for ourselves, simply pray more for others. If we did, what then? Just what if it became known to us, that by doubting the meanings and promises of God, it was considered as affront to calling our parents liars, to their face, what then? Just what if in the blink of an eye, it became common knowledge that the reason some people disbelieve God and His rules is because their doubt becomes a pass or an excuse to do as they wish. What then? Just what if we discovered that our disbelief, skepticism and irreverent thoughts on prayer, as well as our doubting of God, was found to actually block the flow of essential miracles and ‘Godly intervention’ for us and the entire world, what then? Just what if we spent a whole lifetime wanting more and more to ad nauseam, as well as ‘needing’ things to be, just a certain way before we could begin doing what God wanted us to do, what then? Just what if there was an abundance of gratuitous pain and suffering, all around us? What if we didn’t stop to pray about it or even take a moment to console another? What if we didn’t because we were more focused on convincing God that we needed a ‘second home’ at the lake for weekends or for some other ‘more’, what then? Just what if we all were too busy counting the things we didn’t have in relation to others rather than thanking God for all the blessings He has already granted unto us, what then? Just what if all that happens to us and to the world around us, is nothing more than a big game of Divine hide and go seek with sets of tests and trials to mold and prepare us for what is to comes next? What then? Just what if we were to completely apperceive that God has a calculated process to bring all things around to the way He wants and we needn’t worry about the process because that just isn’t our job, then what? Just what if we were to understand that our God is the kind of God that gave us all the rules and when we didn’t follow the rules He sent His Son to pay the penalty for our rule breaking, what then? Just what if we conscientiously made the decision to stop listening to the philosophy and ‘modern science’ of this world and focused more on God’s words, meanings and promises, what then? Just what if one day we found it easy to all say, ‘not my will, but your will be done Lord,’ and truly meant it, what then? Just what if all at once mankind would come to remember that it is how we forgive another as to how God is to forgive us, what then? Just what if I was so emboldened as to purposely catechize life from diametrical and diverging ‘what ifs’? No need to ever be offended by the results or by ‘it’; for ‘it’ is the subjunctive mood I am sporting that leads to such revealing, what then’s? http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/big-picture-progressive-exposure.html Well it has happened again this year, just when we thought we were in the clear and had made it through the cold and flu season unscathed, we get hit with a nasty one. There are a lot of us that got caught this year according to Doctors. The truly amazing thing is that Doctor’s have said that this bug is not only nasty but an intelligent little bug. This bug waited until our flu shots were least effective, come the end of winter, the beginning of spring, you know like right now! Thankfully it wasn't as bad as it could have been but it was nasty enough for me just the same. During my days of being down and out I had the time to think and was reminded of a few astonishing insights and I decided to share them with you. Most, if not all, adults know the reason for colds and flu's in God’s great big plan. Most of us just forget why from time to time and are in need of reminding. When we are down and out, feeling as terrible and despicable as possible we have the time to ponder things. Thankfully, we do ponder and don’t only do the dopey things like reminding our spouses of which hymns we want at our funeral. While pondering a moment of bright shining truth comes piercing into our sick rooms and helps us to remember why these things happen. In God's merciful and all knowing ways, He makes us stronger and healthier through the reverse or complete opposite of what we humans would do if we could or if we were in command of things. This mercifulness that God uses is called, progressive exposure, a little exposure at a time so our immune systems can figure a way to combat the new neighbor. In recent years, Doctors have discovered a way of telling which patients are 'germ-a-phoebes' like me. We 'germ-a-phoebes' are the ones always picking up every little germ and bug that comes to town. See the problem is that we 'germ-a-phoebes' wash our hands and environments with antibacterial soaps as well as other sanitizers a million times a day. In our human minds it makes sense to attempt to avoid germs and viruses by doing whatever to avoid any exposure. However, in God's plan it is just the opposite. Through small and regular exposures we build up immunities to most bugs and viruses until we aren’t bothered by them and are ready for new bigger ones. Does this mean we should all become slobs and never wash our hands, I don't think so and I hope not because I still have a ton of antibacterial soap left in the cabinet! However, we need to understand that over doing things with the sanitizers and antibacterial soaps actually end up hurting us more than helping. We need small amounts of exposure or progressive exposure over time to viruses and various bugs to remain over all healthy and strong. Because God is all knowing and all seeing and exists out of our time and space it is easy for Him to see how a planned progressive exposure over a period of time, rather than complete avoidance will better prepare us for the really big bugs that come along. I can only imagine that it is a bit easier to start at the end or to see the end and then to look back in retrospect in order to truly understand all this. We however, the sick down and out ones, can't always see it as a benefit and can't imagine a worst bug or a worst way of feeling than the present. This reminds me of when parents of olden days used to purposely exposure their children to other children with chickenpoxes because it was known and believed to be better to have chickenpox’s as a child rather then shingles as an adult. Now freeze frame for a moment and ask the child suffering with chickenpoxes if this makes any sense to them and they would unsurprisingly say, no way! Then tell them that their loving parent arranged for them to receive this sickness, purposely and deliberately, because they love them, again the child wouldn't understand or even agree to the 'loving bit' because of such actions. It only make sense in the over all 'big picture' of things and not in the ‘heat of the moment’! So as I was pondering and remembering these points I wanted to share with you, I started to wonder what else or what other things makes sense and are for our good in the big picture of things? What things while in the heat of the moment don’t make sense or convey God's love for us? Then it hit me, problem and troubles of everyday life fall into the very same category. Everyone's problems are the worst to them and nobody else's could even come close to theirs! When we were teenagers, we had teenagers’ problems and they were as big and nasty as they could possibly be. We some how and in some way worked through them and moved on to more adult problems to solve when they came around. If we as adults would remember back to our teenage years and the problems of then, most of us would sarcastically say, 'if only my problems would be that simple today... I'd be happy'! Right? I know I've said that before myself. Yes, it may be true in one way; however, it isn't correct in the big picture of things. We need childhood problems to be able to handle teenage problems. We needed teenaged problems to be equipped to handle adult problems and so on and so on until old age ending with our earthly death. I even know a few grandparents who would say the 'if that was all I had to deal with...'statement in comparison to typical parenting troubles and/or problems. Again, its progressive exposure and not avoidance or dealing with all of it at one time that leads to solutions for our betterment in the ‘big picture’ of things. I think we Christians could also use our understanding of progressive exposure to explain the age old question and statement; “prove to me that there is a God and secondly, prove His love for me”! With an understanding of progressive exposure we can give another ‘real’ insightfulness to the question. It could go something like this. “It only makes sense to someone not in the heat of the moment to prescribe a viable plan of attack of progressive exposure to make one stronger by affording our bodies the opportunity to develop immunities. Only someone not affected by the problems of the moment can understand and see a path through troubles and problems as a way to make one strong enough and understanding enough for what is to come. Only God could have designed things to work in this way. He isn’t bound by time and space and therefore can see the end and look back to the beginning in retrospect to see the proper course of action. If it were left up to us humans, we while in the heat of the moment, would rather run and hide rather than except a small amount of suffering in order to prevent serious or long lasting and more severe suffering. Without God and His mercy we humans would run around avoiding everything until we were struck by some infantile virus or by an elementary problem of right and wrong and either and/or both would end up killing us! Only God designs things to work in the opposite of what we humans would do. Lastly, while we are fighting the fight of the moment, whether problems or bugs, we need to thank God for His boundless mercy and love of not throwing it all at us at one time. We humans if we are completely honest would have to admit, it's a truly viable plan of attack that only makes sense in the big picture of things. Thank God for His mercy and ability to work His miracles of the ‘big picture’ into each and every one of our 'heat of the moments' for our own good. What better way is there to explain ‘love’ than to show a fore-thought of progressive exposure for ones betterment? http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Family/the-parable-of-the-two-teams.html In the parable of 'The Two Teams' as in any sporting competition today there must be at least two players if not two teams. In order to be able to distinguish any two teams we usually implore the use of two different colored jerseys. So in our parable we also have two teams. One team is referred to as the home team with its distinguishing color being black. Our other team is referred to as the visitors and their distinguishing color is white. For the case of argument and because we all enjoy easy to understand analogies or stories, we will refer to our two teams as the dark team and the light team. As our story goes, the dark team looks to be a very powerful team. Many would say that the dark team is truly frightening because of how big and powerful they appear to be, as well as because they are so cocky acting all the time. The light team on the other hand appears to be a bunch of very happy and good natured people. The light team isn't as large as the dark team in appearance, and appears to allow just about anyone to join their team. Because of this fact the light team looks mismatched to say the least. On the other hand, the light team seems to support each other and truly cares about everyone on their team. From the best player to the 'not as good' player the light team values them all, just the same. Now critics of the light team declare that their 'valuing of all' must be fake and just a clever attempt to cover up some wrong doing. These accusations don't seem to bother the light team either way. Unfortunately though, the light team hasn't won any of their recent contests and the critics claim that it supports and proves the truth of their accusations. The light team is in a no-win situation, with the critics and so accepts the insults of being 'big losers', graciously. The dark team on the other hand has won a lot of the recent contests and seems virtually unbeatable. The dark team struts around shouting and grunting loudly to show how tough they are and to intimidate others. Many have heard from the mouths of the dark team just how much money they have and how little everyone else has. They call themselves successful, and claim to have 'made it’. In our parable, our two teams have fans or supporters just as any other team usually have. The only difference between the supporters of our teams and the average supporter is that the supporters of our two teams appear to be exactly, as if 'carbon copies' of the team they support. With this difference we have the night-and-day difference of the two team’s supporters. The supporters of the dark team are rude, crude and completely obnoxious. These supporters greatly favor all things dark, gloomy and gruesome. As if this wasn't enough they implore anything shocking and demented in an attempt to intimidate. The light team's supporters are good-natured, gracious and usually well groomed. As you can see, the differences are truly polarized. This polarization continues into the game our two teams play. The game is intricate and very complex on the one hand; yet on the other hand it has easy to understand objectives, that once fully understood, are not so complex or difficult. However, because the game has an over all complex theme, the dark team along with their supporters, attempt to always 'cloud the issues' and reverse the objectives in hopes of throwing the light team into total confusion and dismay. This forces the light team's coaches to spend most of their time explaining and re-explaining the simple objectives of the game, in an attempt to help re-focus the light team as to, what is truly important. With all the polarization and differences happening in our parable, remember that rarely does someone, not know which team a supporter, supports. Yes, of course, there are and will continue to be exceptions to the rule. However, when trying to understand the 'big picture', rarely do we ever want to consider the exceptions. Taking notice of another's actions and method of dress will usually point one in the right direction and solve most conflicts of interests. After years of expanding the limits of acceptable behavior and mode of dress, the dark team and their supporters have recruited more youngsters. The dark team and their supporters can be heard claiming that they and their supporters have 'way more fun'. They don't want to be a 'goody-two-shoes' or a square prude like the light team and their supporters. However, these accusations will not move a single light team or any of their supporters to expand their limits of propriety. Their collective rebuttal is 'prudence not prudish'. By now, most people, I am certain, have come to understand my parable and have begun to make the connections that the dark team and their supporters represent Satan, the world and everything evil. The light team is Jesus, the Eternal Father, The Holy Spirit and all Christians. In the parable, the game that the two teams play has also been called, 'The Game of Life'. Complicated but not truly hard to know what's truly important. So what else then can be gleaned from our parable? One of the biggest points I had hoped you get out of the parable is that as wrong as it would be for a light team supporter to wear the 'colors' of the dark team in our parable; the same applies to the 'real' world with regards to a Denver Bronco's fan wearing a Los Angeles Raiders jersey, it just isn't done! That's silly you say! Yes, it is and when you think about it for a moment and allow it to sink in, then connect the dots and see that it is as dopey for a Christian to dress up as a devil or demon for Halloween! It just shouldn't be done. Secondly, just as it would be dumb to say that in our parable the dark team and its supporters really don't exist! Of course they do and of course there is a real Satan and a lot of satanic supporters loafing around looking for people to mess with! When someone claims they don't exist they love it! That way they can 'fly under the radar', so to speak! Don't go blaming every little thing that goes wrong on them because it makes you look foolish. Just knowing that they exist and are present most places is enough for any of us to worry about. Thirdly, I had hoped you would see the reason behind not allowing the dark team or its supporter to ever intimidate or frighten you! They have absolutely no power over you as a Christian-truly! Let them say what they may. Allow them to come up with fake controversies and trumped up stories based on misunderstandings. Additionally as a Christian tell everyone you know and help to get the word out, that Christianity is about what Jesus did for us and nothing to do with how holy we are or will ever be! Of course there will be Christians that do wrongs! Unfortunately, as humans it's just our way. If you understand that ‘they’ are out there just waiting for you to do something to make Christianity or the Church look bad-please don't do it! Hopefully being mindful of this will help us in not giving the other side any more ammunition. Lastly, we must remind ourselves daily that the fight is over, the battle has been won. We are on the winning teams’ side! Jesus beat the devil, death and hell! Yes there is sin and those bad guys are still around, it just means they are angry and looking for just about anyone to share their defeat and a spot in hell with them! Soon their time will be up and Jesus will reign as King everlastingly. God Bless you and yours and have a safe 'trick or treat night' with the kiddies, and remember that 'All Hollows Eve' is the night before our holy day of All Saints Day! Don’t forget to celebrate All Saints Day and/or Reformation Day and then have some more candy from the pillow case! http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/how-is-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-addadhd-diagnosed.html Assessing whether a certain individual is suffering from Attention Deficit with HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER or not is far harder than it appears to laymen like ourselves. This is because, not only does it’s symptoms largely overlap those of hyperthyroidism etc. they are also largely exhibited by ‘normal’ human beings some time or the other every single day. Therefore the first important step towards diagnosing the disease is to consult a trained health care provider regarding it. Things only seem scary when we are treading over 'new ground', so to speak. Take small but deliberate steps and a positive end will begin to appear on the horizion. Given that the defining factors of ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER is still quite musty and vague diagnosing the problem is difficult since nothing is strictly within or outside the peripheries of the disease. And although various organizations like The American Pediatrics Clinical Practice for instance, have tried to provide certain guidelines in order to recognize the disease most are still quite unsure regarding the reliability of such methods. Of course doctors have in the past tried MRI (or magnetic resonance imagery) to analyze their patient’s brains in order to detect any possible signs of ADD/ADHD, but most medical practitioners do not recommend this any more. Thus diagnosis is now primarily based on the reports of those close to the patient, who see, talk, work or live with him/her everyday and have thereby come to know the patients habits closely. A number of people suffering from ADHD also realize their problem with time, especially as they grow older and consult doctors regarding it. The guideline provided by the American Academy of pediatrics requires medical personnel to look into the child’s behavior in more than one place before reaching a conclusion regarding whether or not the child is suffering from ADD. Thus the doctor is expected to consult various ‘witnesses’ regarding the behavior of his patient in say his school, his home, at the playground, at his Grandma’s place etc. and thereby ensure that his diagnosis is not based on the child’s behavior at a certain specific place. This is to know for sure that the problem in hand is intrinsic and is consistent everywhere and not specifically due to some factors at a particular place. The guideline also requires the physician to use an “explicit criteria for the diagnosis using the DS-IV-TR”. When approaching a doctor for cure therefore make sure that he/she follows these directions set by the Academy closely before diagnosing the problem. Remember a problem such as ADD/ADHD might not be as difficult to cure as is to diagnose, in fact proper diagnosis might be the first step towards a satisfactory cure. One doesn't need a black cloud of doom and gloom over their or their families head. Start slow and with the professionals that you feel comfortable with. Doing something, even something small, it is still SOMETHING! ADHD is an underestimated disease which is seen in varying degrees amongst many youngsters around us and while we may choose to ignore it and deny it’s presence it’s a plague which will follow your little one right till he shuts his eyes for good. Therefore recognize your child’s disease today and take him to a doctor for the right diagnosis and a proper cure. For more general information and a good place to start visit OLIN'S e-bookstore. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Religion/the-secret-and-divine-will.html You have by now had your e-mail box bombarded and overflowing with information and offers of literature for sale on,'The Secret'. If you watch afternoon televison you have seen wealthy celebrities taunt claims about 'The Secret'. I must say for the record that I have no animosity towards any one selling any information of any kind including 'The Secret'and/or to any of the so-called 'guru's' or 'life coaches'. I am not a unsatisfied customer. I am not a person with an axe to grind. I don't wish anyone anything less than the very best! I did not purchase any of 'The Secrets' literature and/or video's and I haven't read all that is available on the subject. However, the understanding I have is that we humans have a choice of two very different methods to receiving the things we wish for, choose either'The Secrets' way or the will of God (Divine Will). 'The Secret' and it's promoters would want you to believe that Divine will and positive thinking within the realm of the laws of attraction are all one big topic. I want you to see that there is not one but rather two very different issues at hand here and they need to remain separate rather than mixed and confused into one of the same for the sake of a few sales. This conflict of issues isn't and shouldn't be an argument of whether we should or should not have dreams and aspirations. No, it is good and essential for man to have hope and wishes,the difference comes in, in how they are either achieved or granted. 'The secret', it's leaders, along with all the life-coaches would instruct you in their way of thinking of how to wish for something and then they would want you to believe that you then receive it. Now as to their claims of 'wisdom of the ages', I must say I don't see it at all. All I see is 'positive thinking' rolled up with a different but attractive wrapper. However, they explain in much greater details about the 'law of attraction',as some sort of secret wisdom and a vehicle to achieved wishes. On the otherhand, or the other path, we have God's will for us His children. The will of the Divine isn't always known or completely understood by us at any moment. The Divine will doesn't rely on us in any way, it never has and never will. We don't receive more or less good things from God based on our understandings! We children of God, Christians, are taught that we should always end every wish and hope with the phrase,"not my will but rather Your will be done Father". Jesus,the Son of God, instructed us and demonstrated this proper way to ask the Father and it is always to be within the ' not my will but Your will be done Father' framework. Christians believe firmly in a good heavenly Father who created the universe and all things. We also believe that He wishes only good and wonderful things for his children. Therefore we make our wishes known to Him but only within the proper framework. We believe God's will to be the ultimate good for us and His creation so we patiently wait for His good will to be done in our lives, when He wishes and on His timeline. Many times, many of us have had wishes, that we wanted (we thought we needed) so badly that we literally begged God to grant; however,He did not and when we look back in retrospect a few years down the road, we are more than glad and truly thankful that God didn't grant that plead. Many times our wishes are fleeting and momentary. Thankfully, Gods understands this and understands how we think and He takes this all into account with what would be best not only for the wisher but also for the rest of His creation. The other concept of receiving whatever one wish for,'The Secret',is interesting and even very seductive, but not very promising though because it leaves out Divine Will and wishes within the proper framework. Worst yet, is that it mix one's wishes and the Divine will into one force and put's our wishes and desires above the Divine's. However,one must understand that because 'The Secret's' promoters truly believe themselves to be spiritual, not religious, that they therefore, are not at odds with Divine Will. 'The Secrets' promoters mix Divine will with what they refer to as the 'Laws of nature'. However, the laws of nature are not at odds with or combined with the Divine will. Rather the Divine will uses the laws as a means of fulfilling Divine will. I'm sure you know the difference and can now see the difference or two paths I refer to. No matter how small or insignificant the shift in the systematics or how clever the marketing can be, the real difference comes in, of who's will be ultimately done! An additional point is that I would of thought that the most secret of secret information of the ages, positively thinking within the boundries of natural law, would have sold for a bit more than $49.95(but only for a limited time)! I didn't realize it was first for sale, not to mention for so cheap of an introductory price! Forgive me for being sarcastic however, I fear that 'The Secret', no matter how noble it's intentions and no matter how clever it's marketing, it is flawed and nothing more than hype and sales gimmick about a shortcut or an alternative path around Divine will. No matter how fancy you make the opening flash introduction webpage and no matter how much you mix things up - hype is hype! Sales are sales! I am in the information for sale business also. I don't take issue with someone attempting to make a living. I don't have an issue with 'The Secrets' offer; I have issue with the fact it seems to me that a lot of people are going to be tricked into believing 'The Secrets' story of some ancient manuscript of secrets of secrets, banned by the Church, passed down through the centuries,and now is on sale for only $49.95 or there abouts! A wrong and/or flawed idea or point is always wrong regardless of how clever the marketing and/or how low the introductory price. If after all I have said on the subject, you still find yourself wondering what the day will be like when you finally open and discover 'The Secrets' darkest most secret of secrets, wisdom of the ages, and a quick shortcut around Divine will to receiving whatever you wish for, I must say stop! You need to believe and understand that you already have everything given to you by God that you need to make your life the way you wish. Begin doing and God will always supply whatever you are in need of. Remember, you are a child of a loving heavenly Father who created the entire universe with all that it has to offer along with the Divine's wishes for only the best of the best for you. Why would anyone want to shortcut this? What really floors me is that there are those who would say that they do not under any condition believe in a God or a Higher Power, however they do believe in 'The Secret' and it's ancient secret wisdom of the ages, once banned by the Church and past down through the ages by secret groups! Don't allow the fact that there are unknown tips and tricks for every subject and topic and every profession to fool you. A master builder has their set of tips and insider information just as the President of any major international company. However, these tips and inside information could hardly pass as 'ancient words of wisdom' or 'The Secret of Ages'! Keeping that point in mind and keeping the two methods separate will not lead you down the path of money spent looking for something that really isn't there or for an elusive secret.The biggest secret of all time is that there are no secrets. You already have all that is needed to achieve what you would like in this world PLUS a loving heavenly Father who wishes only the best for you now and for all ways. Begin doing at once and be thankful! http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Self-Help/create-the-tomorrow-of-your-dreams-today.html What have you been reading lately? Have you read anything good or anything at all? Have you noticed how the so-called ‘major players’ or more famous of people are always reading such and such and therefore they have been thinking about such and such? Why is it that these people quickly become the center of attention at any event or social gathering? When was the last time you read a book/e-book? Are you a ‘wide reader’? Do you even know what a ‘wide reader’ is? It is true that in any gathering, you can tell who the ‘wide readers’ are. They can’t help but to stand out and to be noticed. ‘Wide readers’ usually think and speak very well. They win the admiration, respect, and good opinion of others, quickly. It is also true that ‘wide readers’ are like magnets at social events in that the entire room seems to start and end around these ‘wide readers’. What makes their topic of conversation any better than yours or anyone else’s for that matter? It all comes down to, reading, not what but how. These general observations can be attributed to the fact that the act of reading truly opens and expands the mind. In fact, many people consider it as one of the more satisfying of pleasures for humans, for it involves the physical as well as mental activities. Whereas reading involves both the physical as well as mental; however, reading remains primarily a mental activity. We read with our mind and use our imagination to paint the setting of the detective thriller we are reading. We use our mind to imagine the pain that the main character experiences as the story unfolds. We bring into play the different arguments and ideas brought up by the author in that self-help book you are holding. To read effectively, reading requires that one develop a wider vocabulary. The greater the need for a wider vocabulary, the greater the need for extensive reading. They can't help but to go hand-in-hand. It is also true that a skillful reader will have a wider recognition vocabulary. She may not know exactly what every word means, however, she will have a good, general idea, of the over all meaning of the sentence or paragraph. Reading makes one alert and curious about new words and leads to an over all better, or wider vocabulary. Other readers develop the ‘dictionary habit’. Every time they come across a strange word, they try to figure out what it could possibly mean by the context. If they cannot do this, they refer to the dictionary. Many a good e-books have or will have a connection to a dictionary, thesaurus, and even proper pronunciation all at the click of the button. This is why e-books are becoming so much more favored over print books, especially with students. However, the point remains, a ‘lookup’ of any shape or form becomes necessary at times and good readers take the time to ‘look up’. Because they do, they tend to have greater or wider vocabularies and because they do, people are more apt to listen. Likewise, reading develops intellectual curiosity by exposing one to a variety of materials. You learn to read by reading books of increasing difficulty and variety. As in other forms of activity, you learn by actually doing. Reading trains you to have an active and open mind. Merely grasping the writer’s idea is not enough. You must make a positive response to what you just read. Be an active, not a passive, reader. Develop the habit of drawing your own conclusions, the habit of active thinking, of agreeing or disagreeing with the author. Keep your mind open; understand and weigh the ideas that you read. A practical part of active reading is the drawing of conclusions as well as understanding another’s point of view, even if you totally disagreed with him or her. Allow me to share four basic rules for effective reading and an over all better comprehension: 1) Try to read more and more. The more time you make for reading the more you will find extra or bonus time. Remember the saying that practice makes perfect. Practicing in the correct way makes perfect as well as to help it to become easier and more enjoyable with time. Do not think of reading as drudgery; but rather think of it as a pleasurable moment for self-discovery. 2) Develop the habit of reading for main ideas. Look for the subject and predicate. Do not waste time on small details or little words. Practice, active speed reading techniques. 3) Learn to read with focus and concentration. Think of what you are reading. Do not let your attention wander somewhere else. Good readers read with understanding. Good reader will have an idea where the author may be leading them. Mental challenges blossom and bloom and become a game of 'out-smart-the characters' and reader. 4) Learn to budget your time. Experiment with your reading time. Try purposely to read faster. Give yourself a time limit on specific material that you read. Play a simple game of, ‘I’ve got to read to page number X in the next X amount of time’. With practice you will find that you are reading larger and larger blocks of material in less over all time. Therefore the time allowed for reading, may at times become rare due to work and family needs; one will find that the amount of material read, remains about the same or grows slightly due to increased reading speed and reading habits. Reading is a stimulating mental activity. It truly expands your reality and capability. You have so much more to gain in discovering the joys of reading. Therefore, if you wish to expand your mind, develop a wider vocabulary as well as an increased intellectual curiosity, while being able to read more in less time and even be able to quickly understand any 'situation at hand' through a better budgeting of the time at hand. Or you wish to be like a magnet in that others consider you interesting and a 'major player', all you need to do is pick up that new book or e-book and begin to read. If on the other hand you wish for nothing more than a cozy, safe place to snuggle up to in the middle of a fearsome sand storm, or are in great need of that overdue vacation, you too need to simply pick up that book or e-book and read. Therefore, go ahead; grab a book/e-book right now and begin creating the tomorrow of your dreams, today. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Motivational/most-would-agree-and-say-thats-a-shame-wouldnt-you.html What do YOU really want in life? Or, what do YOU want out of life? The one's that don't understand the difference are what some would refer to as losers in the 'game of life'. Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? Most people don’t discover what they truly want in and out of life until it’s time to for them to die! Most would agree and say; that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? Most people spend the very best years of their lives watching television or doing things they dislike all together. An author described humanity by saying, “Most people die at twenty and are buried at eighty.” If you are one of these living zombies, most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? What do YOU really want in life? What is it that YOU will look back over and have pride in? The one's that don't understand the difference are what some would refer to as losers in the 'game of life'. Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? Some people struggle in answering such a question. When asked what they want or what their goals in life are, many are unsure and confused. They dillydally in their indecision, hardly giving any thought about what they want in life. People without definite goals are letting time pass them by and are letting their true happiness be put on hold! Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? If you are undecided about what you want out of life, do not worry; do not lose your composure. There are many ways of discovering your true purpose in life. To discover what YOU want in life, try looking deep into your heart. Oftentimes, people are ruled by logic. People live by what they think they SHOULD be or by what OTHERS would like for them to be. This discovery process is the perfect time to listen to your own heart. What your heart desires comes from the whispers of your 'authentic' or 'Real self'. Your authentic self is the ‘real you’. The you, you may not be yet, but do not despair, you will get there if you listen to your heart and do not lose hope. If you would only understand, that God has a purpose for you to fulfill. Only YOU can do the job, are you then ready or do you need more time for indecision? The thing you enjoy the most is probably 'IT'. When time stands still and nothing else even matters, that’s how it will feel once you have found 'IT'. The one's that never experience that feeling of accomplishment are what some refer to as losers in the 'game of life'. Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? Listen to your heart to be able to hear your authentic self. What your heart says usually feels right. What your heart desires is what you usually love to do and this represents your passion. Anything done with passion is like child's play, where the task is accomplished without hesitation or effort. You pour out your very best and feel no pressure or resistance. No dead-lines or time tables! There are those who would remind you that only loser's in the game of life are rushed and running out of time! Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? You will totally enjoy doing things that are your passion. Setbacks, difficulties, and obstacles will make it more challenging for you, but should not deter you from pursuing your goals. God only allows these things to entertain you and to re-enforce what is true. Naturally, there may be barriers that may prevent you from reaching your goal, but your heart’s desire will find ways to overcome these barriers so that you may ultimately get everything you want in life and be able to laugh at the dopey obstacles you overcame. Remember this: God supports people who are pursuing their passion and those who are pursuing their destiny. He is patient and ever watchful. He believes you will get there when the time is right. If only you had as much faith in yourself, the time would go by more quickly until the real passion in your life would boil up and introduce itself! However, if you never meet, some would say it's the way things go for losers in the 'game of life'. Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? However, this does not mean that you don’t use your head. People are born with both the mind and heart. Your duty is to live your best life and be in harmony with your mind and heart. The poet Rumi wisely said, “Live completely in the head and you cannot feel the breath and rhythm of life. Live completely in the heart and you may find yourself acting like a love-struck fool with poor judgment and discipline. It’s all a matter of fine balance - the head and heart must forge a lifetime partnership if one wants to live a beautiful life”. A life full of passion and joy is what God wants you to have! To not obtain it would be the fate of the ones who lost at the 'game of life'. Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? Listen to your instinct-It was God who put it into you for a reason. Part of human nature is the mysterious and spontaneous reaction to and about things. Often times, these are called instincts. Your ‘real self’ drives your self communication and guides you via your instincts. Instincts are those gentle nudges that urge you to act and follow a certain path. Your role then, is to listen attentively. God, and all he wants for you, is waiting just around the corner-you may be able to reach it now, if only you would try again! It is liken to the childhood game of hide-and-go-seek! If only you weren't so frazzled you would see the humor in this all! God does and he is smiling, just around the corner. There is a reason 'they' refer to all this as the 'game of life'! The one's that give up are what some would call losers in the 'game of life'! Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? Often times, we listen to what others say and allow them to run our lives. Parents often do this to their children. “We come from a family of doctors, so my son must also be a doctor.” How often do we hear this from parents who have good intentions for their children? Parents unconsciously block the true expression of their child’s real self and calling. Friends and critics will discourage you and point out the multitude of impossibilities of your dream ever coming true. Before heeding their advice, evaluate the accomplishments of the critics. Did they achieve their dreams? Do they dream big at all? When the prize is within reach, the cost becomes much less important. This will then be my mantra! God has a plan and I’m in it! Everything I do with ease, everything I enjoy, and what is at the very depths of me, is what I am to do and what God is waiting for me to understand. The one's who say 'the cost is still too high’, haven't been close enough to the prize and are destined to end up losers in the 'game of life'. Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? Remember, it is your destiny that is in line, not your friends. It doesn’t mean, though, that you will not listen to what other people say. Hear them out just the same. Why? Because it is all part of the game silly! But the final decision should be and will be, yours. Those that allow others to permanently side track them are what some would call the loser's in the game of life. Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you? There is only one thing to remember: Every person, to live truly and greatly, must define how he wants to live and what his brightest aspects of life will look like. Listen to your instincts and follow your heart’s desire. You will never go wrong. God is waiting for you just around the next corner. Don’t despair while you are this close to the prize! The cost is never ‘too much’ when you are trying to attain ALL that God has waiting for you! You are a part of ‘the’ big picture and therefore you are valuable not only to you and your loved ones, but also to God and His big picture! Reach just a bit further and it is there waiting for you to grasp and control it, it is the real you, standing there just around the corner with God, and grinning ear to ear! The one's that don't put in the extra effort are the ones that lose out of all God's grace and rewards and end up as loser's in the 'game of life'. Most would agree and say; “that’s a shame”, wouldn't you?