The Golden Ratio and FENG SHUI

Photo  by fdecomite 

Since Feng Shui deals with balance, it is not far off to discuss the matters about the Golden Ratio. The Golden ratio is one of the precepts that govern Feng Shui. This ratio is numerically described as 1.62. The Fibonacci numbers that we know today are also directly linked to the Golden Ratio. When you divide a certain term in a Fibonacci sequence with the number prior to it, you will find that it approaches the value of the Golden Ratio.

Beauty Equals Symmetry

The beauty of objects may be measured by its closeness to the golden ratio. The symmetry of objects is the attribute that tells if a thing is beautiful or not, for the most part. People naturally love the balance of elements, and for the chi to flow, the Golden Ratio must apply.

The Golden Ratio in History

The Golden Ratio is manifested in various works of art that have been lauded by the world as masterpieces. The genius in Da Vinci lies in the symmetry of his works that reflect the Golden Ratio. The drawing of the Vitruvian Man is a classic example of a man who had the ratio of 1.62 all over his body and was considered as a picture of perfection.

The Golden Ratio in Famous Places

Famous places such as the pyramids of Egypt also employ the Golden Ratio. The half of the bottom layer of the pyramids of Egypt is also a factor of 1.62.

The Golden Ratio of Plants

Even plants have distinct characteristics of Golden Ratio. They establish a Fibonacci sequence in the number of leaves. Even the eyes of a pineapple follow this golden ratio. Much of the things that are viewed as beautiful by the naked eye establish the factor that possesses the Golden Ratio in one way or another. The Fibonacci sequence can be more or less seen in the beauty of nature. Even human DNA has factors that are assimilative of the Golden Ratio.

The Golden Ratio of Facial Features

If the ratio of your nose to your chin to the horizontal space between your nose and one side of your cheek is more or less the same as the Golden Ratio, you will find that the face is judged as attractive. In some experimental studies done by scientists, where they showed pictures of women to infants, the ones which had an impact were the more symmetric faces.

Applying the Golden Ratio in Your Office Space

In your office space, it is quite easy to apply the Golden Ratio for establishing balance and good Feng Shui. Just make sure that the rectangular objects in your office follow the 1.62 golden ratio. You don’t need a ruler to measure it on the dot. Just by looking at relative sizes between objects that practice the Golden Ratio will already suffice for giving good balance and Feng Shui to your office space.

Applying the Golden Ratio in Your Home

The Golden Ration may be a bit trickier to apply at home than in your office. You might have to apply the ratio to different furniture in your home. Or, if at all possible, the actual room space must at least have the Golden Ratio in it if your furnishings are round or not viable for the Golden Ratio.

Good Feng Shui is actually possible if you already have the Golden Ratio in your home or office.

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The 6 External Pathogens: Finding New Flows in CHINESE MEDICINE

Photo  by wallygrom 

The idea of pathology in Chinese medicine is what determines the need for a change in energy flow.  If you are looking into finding better alternatives for your health, looking at possibilities for external pathology and how it relates to your Qi is one of the places to begin.  By doing this, you will have the ability to gain back your health through holistic means.

The external pathogens are one of the ways in which your energy flow can be affected.  There are six general pathogens that are examined when looking at external pathogens.  When these are flowing correctly, they allow the body to be balanced and have energy.  However, sometimes the external pathogens can stop their flow.

The characteristics of external pathogens are named after the weather patterns in the earth.  This is because all Chinese medicine takes environmental and universal laws and applies it to each individual.  These are divided into wind, heat, cold, summer heat, damp and dryness.  When one who is practicing Chinese medicine is able to define one of these in the body as not being aligned correctly than they can begin to move back the Qi to normal.

The external pathogens begin with the wind.  When looking at the human body, this is directly linked to the lungs and the air passageways.  When the ‘Wind Qi’ is off in a person, there will be coughing and often times aches in specific joints.  Because there is not a steady movement of air, passageways and other areas are unable to remain clear.

If you are looking at temperature, such as heat, cold or summer heat, you can simply look at how warm or cold your body temperature is.  If there is not a steady flow in specific areas, you can determine that your Qi in those areas is off.  If there is severe heat in one area, such as from a temperature, then this is where the flow of energy is, significant in the relation to summer heat.

The last two external pathogens are the damp or dryness that is related to Qi.  If there is dampness, you can expect that the Qi in that area is not flowing correctly.  Dampness is known for blocking Qi from its proper flow.  Dryness, the absence of moisture, is significant because it decreases flexibility.  This is because dryness is brittle and is known for taking off bits and pieces.

These various external pathogens all can tell what parts of a person’s energy are blocked.  By understanding the ‘symptoms’ that are taking place externally you can begin to change the flow of energy throughout your body.

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CELTIC REIKI, Drawing Energy from Nature

Energy flows from the hands of a practitioner towards the person being healed. This is how reiki healing is conducted. Using the life force energy that is present in and all around us to heal and re-establish balance in one’s being is one of the basic beliefs of Reiki.

And taking this life force energy a little further, practitioners have entered into realizations and developed several reiki techniques to promote healing faster. One of which is a version called Celtic Reiki.

Celtic Reiki utilizes the energy flows present on Earth and specific plants.  Practitioners of this reiki use not only the universal “life force” energy present in all things but also the specific energy found in nature to heal those who need healing.

This Reiki system comes from the religious beliefs of early Celts. To the early Celts, trees are important aspects of their religion believing that trees have their own spirits. They gave the trees such high regards that they even patterned their writing system based on the trees.

The Celts’ Ogham, which is the ancient writing of Celtic people, uses symbols or letters that are cut as a series of notches and symbolizes different kinds of trees. Each letter represents a different kind of tree, specifically chosen for qualities that can be linked to spiritual concepts.

Some of the trees that are represented in the Celtic alphabet include the silver fir, birch, hawthorn, heather, ash, oak, willow, alder, yew, grove, ivy, hazel, and honeysuckle. Practitioners of Celtic Reiki use the symbols from the Ogham.  This Reiki also follows the Celtic philosophy of bravery, honor, integrity, valor, and reverence.

But even though Celtic reiki draws influences from ancient Celtic religion, the practice itself is not a religious one.  But rather it is a therapy that aims to treat the mind, body, and spirit. It is not connected to any religion and as such can be passed down to everybody regardless of age, race, gender, and culture.

Celtic Reiki was created by Martyn Pentecost. It was developed further Julie Norman. Practitioners of this reiki see this technique as a beautiful and earthy form. Having foundations on earth energy, this reiki has to channel the energy vibrations from the earth, specific plants, trees and the ocean through the root chakra as opposed to the crown chakra that is where conventional reiki channels the energy.

The techniques developed by Pentecost between 1998 and 2000 are used for therapy and goal creations. Combining the concept of the original Reiki and the various Celtic beliefs and rituals, the Celtic reiki techniques were created to handle day to day activities like tackling issues of prosperity, finance, work, and building relationships.

People who are interested in plants, trees, and tree and plant legend or lore, are often drawn to the Celtic reiki belief. Men, in particular, are drawn closer to the Celtic reiki because it seems that this reiki has more masculine types of energy. But in reality, Celtic Reiki is regarded as an equal among the other kinds of reikis.

The Celtic Reiki treatment usually lasts for an hour and involves placing the hands in strategic locations and in specific sequences that will elicit a deep state of relaxation.

A student achieving attunement means having been open to the tree and plant energies, the ethics of stuff, the various Celtic symbols, hand placements, moon phases, and the various aspects of soul journeying, retrieval, and realization.

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ASTROLOGY, How Old is it?

Photo   by Remko van Dokkum 

The practice of astrology is mainly based on the premise that the stars, planets, sun, moon, and the earth are all inter-related. Connected together as part of the great cosmic plan. The earth and the planetary bodies influencing each other in varying degrees.

Astrologists believe that everything that happens to everybody in the universe is in some way due to this influence between them. Consequently, the destiny of nations, races, and individuals on this planet earth cannot escape the influence of these cosmic forces.

From long before the days of the mighty Egyptian civilization, the stars and planets have been observed, and it was noted when certain aspects of the planets, sun, and stars coincided with certain conditions occurring on earth. So discovering the laws which produce the systematic, cyclical changes affecting mankind in general, and individuals in particular.

Using the knowledge gained over countless years the practice of astrology was formulated. And it's rules and teachings used to guide people in their daily lives so that they would live in harmony with this great cosmic plan.

So in those very early days astrology, and it may well have been called something else then, was both science and religion, inextricably entwined. The science had to be there in order to measure accurately the movements of the planets and stars. The natural wonder and mystery of the heavenly bodies easily leading to them being held in reverence and awe, becoming objects of worship, and there is the religion.

In fact, the most ancient symbol of God is a star, and the earliest form of religion was star worship. Proving the importance of stars, planets, and constellations from the very earliest times when the man was just becoming sentient.

In the legends and traditions of all peoples are enshrined the story of a great cataclysmic event, wiping out all but a chosen few of all races on the planet at that time, bringing to an end the first period of human existence (Christianity calls it the flood) during which the constellations were regarded as the mansions of God. This was the time when the teachings of astrology were formulated, taught, and practiced.

When astrology was first introduced amongst the eastern nations, the knowledge and science appealed strongly to the highly developed mysticism there and spread rapidly through the adjacent nations via the Egyptian and Babylonian priests and Persian Magi.

From the writings of the Greek writer Philostratus, we know that astrology was known and practiced in Greece twelve hundred years before the birth of Christ.

So it is well proven that astrology has existed for uncountable centuries, the birth of Christ being prophesied by an Egyptian priest called Chechepetresonbu almost two thousand years before the event, ("The ideal ruler for whose advent he longs --- he brings cooling to the flames. It is said that he is the shepherd of all men. There is no evil in his heart... Where is he today? Behold, his might is not seen.") There is no reason to think that it will not endure for uncountable more centuries.

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Brief Idea About Piles (HEMORRHOIDS)

What is piles?

  

Dilatation of radicles of rectal veins within the anal canal is called piles.The medical term for piles is hemorrhoids.Compared to arteries veins are weak due to thin walls and hence any backpressure in the veins can make them tortuous.There are three rectal veins namely superior, middle and inferior rectal veins.Any obstructions or increase of pressure in these veins can predispose piles.

Depending on the situation there are two types of piles.

1) External piles:-

This type of piles is seen outside the anal opening and is covered by skin.It is black or brown in color.This type of piles is very painful due to rich nerve supply in this area.

2) Internal piles:-

It is inside the anal canal and internal to the anal orifice.It is covered by mucous membrane and is red or purple in color.These piles are painless.

Sometimes internal and external piles occur in the same individual.

Factors responsible for piles:--

1) This is a familial disease.

2) Piles is seen only in animals maintain an erect posture. This is due to congestion in the rectal veins due to the effect of gravity.

3) It is common in individuals having chronic constipation.Those who have a habit of visiting the toilet due to frequent urge for stool may develop piles in future.

4) Piles is common in those who take excess of chicken, prawns, spicy food ect.Those who take vegetables and fibrous food are rarely affected.

5) Some ladies get piles during pregnancy due to compression of rectal veins by the uterus.

6) Cancerous lesions in the rectum can obstruct blood flow and result in piles.

Signs and symptoms of piles:--

1) Pain:-

Pain is common in external piles which will be worse while straining at stool.

2) Bleeding:-

Bleeding comes in splashes while pressing for stool.Bleeding may be profuse in some cases.

3) Protruding mass:-

In external piles the swelling can be felt around the anal orifice.In case of internal piles initially it can not be felt.When the disease progresses the piles protrude during stool and will go inside automatically.When the condition becomes worse the protruded piles will not go back in to the anus.

4) In some cases there will be discharge of mucus with itching around the anal orifice. 

Complications of piles:--

1,Infection: The infection can spread to deep veins resulting in septicaemia.

2,Fibrosis: Here the piles become fibrosed with hardening of anal orifice.

3,Thrombosis: Here the blood inside the piles will form clots and can obstruct blood flow.

4,Gangrene: Here the tissues in the piles and nearby skin die due to lack of blood supply.

5,Suppuration: When the piles suppurate it can produce abscess with discharge of pus. 

Treatment of piles:--

Initially, it is treated on the basis of symptoms.Constipation should be treated.If there is anemia iron should be given.Homoeopathic medicines can give good results. If medicinal treatment is not giving any result the following can be tried.

1) The thrombosed external pile is excised under local anaesthesia.

2) Sclerosant injection therapy can reduce the size of piles.

3) Rubber band ligation around the neck of piles is useful in some cases.

4) Cryosurgery is very effective.

5) Anal dilatation can reduce constipation and pain.

6) Haemorrhoidectomy is the surgical removal of piles.

How to prevent piles?

1) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

2) Take fibrous food.

3) Avoid excess intake of meat, prawns, crabs ect.

4) Keep a regular timing for food.

6) Drink sufficient quantity of water.

7) Keep a regularity in bowel habits.

8) Take treatment for constipation.

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The most MYTHICAL CREATURES – A Myth or a Mystery

Ye Old Tales:

Brick relief depicting a pair of mythical creatures
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is believed that the tallest and powerful giants like the Albion were the first people who were said to be tall, but they extricated due to the arrival of the Brutus. The Giants were people who were taller than the normal human beings by one foot. But this isn’t a big deal, as there are strange mythical creatures in the history of the globe which needs to be rediscovered. Some facts that are revealed are that the Afnac of the Wales were so huge that they created the floods by merely swinging their beaver tails. The gigantic Jinshin Mushi was the reason for the production of Earthquake and the pan-gu were the creators of the world. The scientist has got a different perspective for this and treated as a myth, but still, this personification has helped the people to understand the world better. Even the missing Russian spacecraft is said to have to be eaten away by the Galactic Ghoul. The Banshee began to get low interest as the religious believe changed and hence were considered as a mere ancient deity.

The Bones of the Earth:

Many of the mythical creatures or specimens have gone against the law of science. For example, the dragon which is like a beast and weighs a heavy body mass will not be able to fly. But comparatively, the ostrich which is small to the dragon can fly, this is the thing which we know as of now, but the historical evidence state a different story. They have evidence that the huge mythical creature sprang upon while its skeleton was discovered. Many of the mountains were seen with the long skeletal structures of fish, so it is stated that the long fish would have flown over to the mountains. The Archaeologists as of now speculate saying that the body of the sea creatures would have sunk inside the seabed and that over a period of time these seabeds would have washed away and grew to become a mountain. The Skeletons found in the Archaeopteryx state that the dinosaurs had wings. The skull of the rhino was said to be the Cyclops. Some mythical creatures like the Basilosaurus and Neanderthals were apparently extinct, however, they are assumed to be surviving as the Bigfoot and Tsiatko respectively.

Some Mutated Species:

Few of the mutated species unexplored say that the dogs were seen with 6 legs that traveled in the mountains. Even the human beings were not made a perfect creature by the God, as the babies of the west were born with some deformity.

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ARTHRITIS - Home remedies for Arthritis

It refers to inflammation of joints. It is one of a number of diseases commonly called rheumatism. Arthritis arises from many causes and it is treated in many different ways.

Arthritis has been classified as follows: -

    * Arthritis caused by infection.
    * Arthritis resulting from rheumatic fever.
    * Rheumatoid arthritis.
    * Degenerative arthritis.
    * Arthritis due to joint injuries.
    * Arthritis caused by gout.

Arthritis originating from the nervous system. Rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis caused by rheumatic fever are classified as collagen disease. 

Rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis are the two most common types. Millions of men and women are afflicted with them. But good medical treatment begun early and continued faithfully can often do much to alleviate the pain, crippling and disability.

Home Remedies for Arthritis Pain from Magical Health on Vimeo.

Rheumatoid arthritis

It is a disease not of the joints but of the whole body, i.e. the connective tissues. This tissue reacts sensitively to substances in the body. Stress and worry make it worse. During rainy season and winter months, pains in the joints become most severe.

Rheumatoid arthritis may appear suddenly or gradually. Fatigue, loss of weight, and poor weight can be early signs. Sometimes it may cause an acute fever and pain, swelling and disability in many joints. Any joint can be involved including those of the spine, but the hands and feet are most commonly affected. There may be vague or fleeting pains in early stages; it may rise in the morning and at the end of the day.

Women appear to be afflicted more than men. Children too can be afflicted. Rheumatoid arthritis usually strikes at early ages unlike other types of arthritis. It appears during winter months. Americans are chronic sufferers from this disease.

Fresh raw fruit and vegetable juices offer an excellent treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. It is believed that garlic, musumbi, orange, carrot and beet juice consumed in plenty may give the early cure.

Signs and symptoms of Arthritis

* Severe pain in the affected joints.
* Muscles, ligaments and cartilage become inflamed.
* Movement of the joint becomes extremely painful, especially in cold, windy and damp weather.

Home Remedies for Arthritis

* Drinking water kept overnight in a copper container accumulates traces of copper, which is said to strengthen the muscular system. A copper ring or bracelet is worn for the same reason.
* Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis.
* Taking alfalfa tea twice a day makes a good cure.
* Lime has also been found beneficial as a home remedy for arthritis. The citric acid found in lime is a solvent of uric acid which is the primary cause of some types of arthritis. The juice of one lime, diluted with water, may be taken once a day, preferably first thing in the morning.
* Exercise the afflicted joints in tub full of hot water.

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WIND POWER as a Viable Solution to Meeting ALTERNATIVE ENERGY Needs

Although it is much less expensive to initially get hooked into the local electric company's grid than it is to set up and hook into wind turbines, in the long run, one saves money by utilizing the wind for one's energy needs—while also becoming more independent. Not receiving an electric bill while enjoying the advantages of the modern electrically-driven lifestyle is a wondrous feeling.

Electric bills and fuel bills are rising steadily—but the cost of wind turbine energy is zero, and the cost of installing and hooking up a turbine is steadily coming down as demand rises and more commercial success is realized by various companies producing the turbines and researching technologies to make them ever more efficient. In addition, people are moving away from the traditional electric grids and the fossil fuels for personal reasons including desire for greater independence, the desire to live remotely or rurally without having to “go primitive”, political concerns such as fears of terrorist strikes on oil fields or power grids, or concerns about the environment. 

Again, this motivation to get away from the traditional energy sources is the same one that causes people to seek the power of the wind for their energy, giving more business opportunities to profit from wind turbine production and maintenance, which drives their costs down for the consumers. In nearly thirty states at the time of this writing, homeowners who remain on the grid but who still choose to use wind energy (or other alternative forms) are eligible for rebates or tax breaks from the state governments that end up paying for as much as 50% of their total “green” energy systems' costs. In addition, there are 35 states at the time of this writing where these homeowners are allowed to sell their excess energy back to the power company under what is called “net metering laws”. The rates that they are being paid by the local power companies for this energy are standard retail rates—in other words, the homeowners are actually profiting from their own energy production.


Maker Workshop - Wind Power Generator on MAKE: television from Make: on Vimeo.

Some federal lawmakers are pushing to get the federal government to mandate these tax breaks and other wind power incentives in all 50 states. Japan and Germany already have national incentive programs in place. However, “A lot of this is handled regionally by state law. There wouldn't really be a role for the federal government,” the Energy Department's Craig Stevens says. And as might be imagined, there are power companies who feel that it's unfair that they should have to pay retail rates to private individuals. “We should [only have to] pay you the wholesale rate for ... your electricity,” according to Bruce Bowen, Pacific Gas & Electric's director of regulatory policy. However, the companies seem to be more worried about losing short-term profits than about the benefits, especially in the long run, of the increased use of wind turbines or wind farms. Head of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies of California V. John White points out, “It's quality power that strengthens the grid.”

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Does ALOE VERA Work For ACNE?

The healing potential of aloe vera has been known since times immemorial. Aloe exerts unmistakably soothing effects on the skin. Using aloe vera has rapidly become one of the best natural means to get relief from acne without having to visit the doctor.

Aloe vera is known to speed up the healing process, help relieve the pain, redness, and inflammation associated with acne outbreaks. Aloe vera also has antibacterial properties that help speed up the process of clearing up of the acne and also prevent infection from continuing. However, it is important to realize that it is never wise to use aloe vera to treat deeper lesions or severely infected lesions as the healing process is slower in these instances. And it is not wise to apply any topical preparations in these instances without medical recommendation. It is in these cases that Aloe vera capsules come in handy as they are taken orally and are not applied directly to the skin. It would always be wise to use an oral preparation of aloe vera for its systemic benefits beyond superficial effects.

Aloe vera is often available as a spray, liquid, gel, lotion, cream or capsule. These preparations can be availed without a doctor's prescription. Before buying an aloe preparation make sure that the ingredients contain the highest potency of aloe and are free from additives. Make sure that you do not accidentally get the creams, lotions or sprays into the eyes.

One more precaution to take when using a topical preparation of aloe is to test whether you are allergic to it. Just apply a small amount of the preparation to a small area of the skin and wait for 5-10 minutes. If there is no reaction then you are not allergic. If you develop any redness or itch then you might be allergic to the product (not necessarily the aloe but could be any of the additives). Wash off with warm water and then seek a medical opinion.

The bottom-line is that Aloe vera works wonderfully well for acne lesions and is an effective home remedy for acne sufferers. Oral Aloe vera is an attractive alternative to fight acne outbreaks and also prevent recurrences plus taking aloe orally offers a multitude of systemic benefits.

Learn how aloe vera is beneficial to your health by visiting http://miraclesofnature.weebly.com and find out how you can get genuine aloe vera supplements.  Article Directory: EzineArticles

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BUDDHISM MEDITATION and the Search for Life’s Meaning

"Gathering the Light" from the Taoist book The Secret of the Golden Flower
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today's world, with all its excitements, its adventures, and its discoveries, is moving in a very fast pace. This can be very thrilling and fun-filled for the modern man, but this can also be exhausting to the soul. That is exactly the reason why many people try to find comfort and solitude amidst the changes taking place in their environment. And, it is also because of this that meditation is becoming popular among many.

Meditation can be defined in different ways, but this is really a broad concept that no measure of words can totally unveil its real sense. Meditation is best understood when experienced and felt rather than when explained. And although this cannot be measured by words, maybe you will be able to grasp it more easily in the light of its purpose. 

Why do people meditate? The prevailing reason is the search for inner peace, the peace of the soul. Peace, in this world of changes and in this race of life, is becoming more and more elusive. In the search for things and possessions, many live a life of materialism, always looking forward into the future and seldom looking within them to monitor the state of their inner self. And once they have finally decided to venture within, they find the various pieces of themselves in disarray. This is when meditation is often resorted to. Others meditate to contemplate the things around them, to look into the realities of their life, and to find the meaning of the world to which they belong.

The popularity of meditation varies among races, cultures, and religions. It may also be seen differently according to various people. Buddhism, a popular religion and philosophy that originated in Asia, places a great emphasis on Buddhism meditation as a way of discovering life's meaning. To the Buddhists, meditation is associated with enlightenment. 

Buddhists recognize the presence of sufferings in the world. But then, recognition is nothing without any intention to alleviate and free mankind from this plague. This is therefore the ultimate purpose of Buddhism meditation – to free man from pain and agony. 

To be able to do this, one must know what causes pain and suffering. This is basically brought about by man's endless desires and expectations from the world, from the people around him, and from life itself. Expectation usually breeds despair, and this is what man must conquer. He must stop expecting from the world.

To meditate is to be enlightened, to see things in the light of reality. Life is not a bed of roses; it is an ever-changing sphere. To live life fully and to enjoy the freedom of living, one must control his cravings and desires. Only when this is achieved will man be able to know that life is not actually as complicated as he has come to believe. 

Meditation, at its best, is a great tool to help you find inner peace, and to preserve it, no matter how frustrating the outside world can be. Given the right motivation and the right purpose, this activity is one that will keep you focused on the truth that you need to know about life to keep you living healthy and satisfied.

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Christmas Season Versus Holiday Season

Christmas - Photo: Pexels

In the United States, the month of December is the Christmas Season, not the Holiday Season. To the best of my knowledge, there is only one holiday in December recognized by our government. December 25 was made a legal holiday in order to celebrate the birth of Christ. There are no other legal holidays during the month of December. 

Chanukah, Hannukah, or Hanukah is a celebration and, some say, a Jewish Holiday but it is not a legal holiday. Kwanza is a celebration and not a legal holiday. Christmas Eve is not a day and New Year's Eve is not a day. We don't call the month of May, the Holiday Season, even though that's when Memorial Day is celebrated. On Martin Luther King Day we don't have holiday parades, we have Martin Luther King Day parades. We don't say happy holiday on the Fourth Of July, we say Happy Independence day or Happy Fourth Of July. Why then, do some people insist that we say happy holiday and holiday season when we are celebrating Christmas? 

I'll tell you why. It is because the organized religion of atheism (Yes atheism, is an organized religion, it is a religion of non-belief.) is waging war against Christianity as the first battle in a war against all other religions. If they can defeat Christianity in this country of Christians, then they can defeat all religions that believe in a God or higher power. 

I am a Christian. I don't, however, know for sure, if Christ is the son of God or if he was a teacher or what. I do know, that I believe in the teachings ascribed to him. I do know, that even though we are humans and therefore can not and do not always follow all of those teachings, that if we all tried to live by those teachings of love and kindness, the whole world would be a better place. I also know that I want Christ to be the Son of God because then it would mean that God did and does care about us and that there may very well be a Heaven. 

I disagree with the director of special projects for the American Family Association when he says, "Christmas is not a holiday" and that calling Christmas a holiday "devalues our nation's most holy day." Christmas is a holiday. In fact, I consider Christmas and the Fourth Of July to be this country's two most important and happiest holidays. The Fourth Of July celebrates the birth of our nation and Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ. Workers are given Christmas Day off with pay, school children are given several days off for Christmas vacation. Offices hold Christmas parties. Families get together, listen to Christmas music, stuff themselves with food and give each other gifts. Marines collect "Toys For Tots". The Salvation Army puts out its kettles and collects money which is used to help needy people all year long. Many family members who have been feuding all year round get together and forgive each other. Christmas is a holiday of love and forgiveness. 

Christmas is a holiday that everyone, not just Christians, should celebrate. Almost no one denies that Christ did exist at one time. The controversy is, whether or not he is the son of God. Putting that controversy aside, Christ preached or taught "peace on earth and goodwill towards men". If people bemoan the fact that John Lennon died because he was a fighter for peace, how can they not celebrate the fact that Christ was born? Christ was arguably the original teacher of peace, forgiveness, and goodness. He lived and died to promote peace. He not only promoted peace, he lived peace. He not only taught forgiveness, he lived forgiveness. Christ set an example that has lived for over two thousand years. If Martin Luther King can have a holiday if Presidents, Veterans, labor, and others can have their own holidays, why shouldn't Christ have a holiday? 

A note to other religions: You should support Christmas. If you allow the atheists to kill off Christmas, it could be your religion that they go after next. There is a war being fought today. I'm not talking about the war in Iraq. I'm talking about the war against religion being brought by atheists and certain hard-line fanatics on the far left. Right now, they are winning the war because religious groups are not fighting back in a cohesive manner. If religious groups don't help each other, someday they will all cease to exist and the United States will become another Soviet Union. Taking away our right to participate in religion and to celebrate our religion is a first step in taking away our other freedoms. 

One of the main reasons that the United States was able to become so great is that, contrary to what the atheists and some others tell you, we are not a secular country. Our whole method of government and our laws come in large part from our forefather's religious beliefs. 

It may not seem so, but I am not against all atheists. They have a right to believe in non-belief and I support that right. I am just against the activists that are trying to force their non-beliefs down my throat. I am willing to leave them alone if they are willing to leave me and mine alone. The problem is that they won't leave us alone. They don't want to allow us to believe as we wish. They want us to believe as they do. They don't believe in Christmas so they want to take Christmas away from us.

One final note to all you major retailers who want to sell me gifts for me to give as Christmas presents, if you won't acknowledge the Christmas Season in your advertising and in your stores, then don't expect me to shop in your stores. If you insist on saying holiday season and happy holidays instead of Christmas Season and Merry Christmas, then I will insist on not dealing with you. For the time being, at least, you are free to do as you wish and I'm free to do as I wish. My wish is to boycott you, not only during the Christmas Season but for a long time to come. Heck, I'm still boycotting everything French and I've been boycotting Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine since the Vietnam War.

David G. Hallstrom, Sr.

The Do’s and Don’t of ACUPUNCTURE

Photo  by psyberartist 

There are things that patients have to be aware of before, during and after surgery. The same goes for those who undergo acupuncture because, in order to enhance the value of the treatment, there are some do’s and don’ts that patients have to follow.

First, you should not eat a large meal before or after treatment.

You should also avoid over-exercising, engaging in a sexual activity or consume alcoholic beverages 6 hours before and after treatment.

Since the acupuncture session will last from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how often you have to go to the clinic, you better fix your schedule so you have time to rest.

Chances are, you were consulting with a doctor prior to your visit to the acupuncturist. If there are any prescription medicines given, don’t forget to take them.

You will not feel any improvement after just one or two visits with the acupuncturist. Just the same, you should write this down so you can go back to the acupuncturist on your next visit and tell him or her how you felt during the previous session. Such feedback will let the specialist know what needs to be modified in the future to help you with your problem.

The acupuncturist might give you some herbs to take as part of your treatment. Since you don’t know if taking them will have any side effects with the medication you are taking, you should first consult with your doctor if it is safe to consume both.

Women who are pregnant are also advised not to undergo acupuncture treatment. However, they can engage in that once the baby is born.

How well the acupuncture treatment will go depends also on a specialist who will be performing it. You have to take into account their years of experience and skill so they are able to make the correct diagnosis, finding the acupoints in the body, the angle at which the needles will be inserted and the techniques they know as there are different types of acupuncture.

This brings us to ask ourselves how to find a skilled acupuncturist. For this to work, we have to do ask our doctor if they can refer anyone. It wouldn’t hurt to also do some research online. After all, there are about 3,000 acupuncturists all across the country so it won’t be that hard to find one.

Before you decide to have a session with them, talk to the acupuncturist to know their credentials. This will also give you the opportunity to find out how much do they charge as this can be from $45 to more than $100 per session.

You can probably ask for the name and contact number of a previous client so you can ask this person how everything went. Remember, if it doesn’t work out for you, don’t be afraid to find someone else who can do a better job.

The most important thing to do during the session is to relax. If you feel an itch or something, tell the acupuncturist. The same goes if you are nervous or experience a burning sensation so the specialist will take out the needles.

Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of acupuncture, you should ask yourself if this form of treatment is right for you. If conventional medication doesn’t work, it wouldn’t hurt to see how things turn out.

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The Philosophy of SAMURAI SWORDS

Traditional Samurai swords and fittings (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Decorating your 21st-century interior in a Japanese manner has become very popular. The Japanese artifacts, like the samurai swords, are proof of great taste not only because of their eye-catching colors and shapes but because they hold a lot of meaning. They represent moral values like patience, discipline, honor, loyalty, and determination. The modern world has forgotten some very important codes, but their symbols still exist as a reminder in the Japanese works of art that distinguish some homes or offices.

The samurai swords, for example, are very used objects of decoration. People who appreciate martial arts or the Japanese lifestyle often hang them on walls. Owning samurai swords means you appreciate Japanese history and the virtues that this object stood for in an antique society. For those of you with a good idea of buying samurai swords here are some hints about these beautiful and meaningful objects and their philosophy. Knowing how they are made and their value will make them more treasured decorating objects.

The value of the samurai swords comes not only from their handcrafting but also from the fact that they are a symbol of the worrier. The samurai swords define power, duty, responsibility, self-defense, and ethics. The samurai swords were weapons used by a class of people who cherished their freedom above all and defended it with great skill. The samurai swords were used in hand to hand combat which was a very demanding perhaps the most, form of combat. Having to fight with a sharp weapon required the skill of body and mind, abilities, reflexes and technique. Only through a lot of practice, exercise and patience one could become able to handle the samurai swords in order to protect the code of honor.

The Samurai (knights-retainers) were also called Bushi (warriors) and their most treasured weapons were the samurai swords. They considered the swords a part of themselves and sometimes believed the swords were the soul of their worriers. They gave their samurai swords names and awarded them medals. Some samurai worriers even died trying to retrieve their treasured samurai swords for their Shogun (the most powerful samurai worrier for a period). Bushido means Way of the Warrior and the heart of the Bushido philosophy, which lead their beliefs and conduct, is freedom from fear. This meant they had no fear of dying. They were able to use their peace of mind to give themselves the power to serve their master faithfully to the death. Therefore, duty and loyalty were a great part of their philosophy. Their way of life ranked them at the top of the social hierarchy in Japan for hundreds of years until the 19th century. 

Artisans of ancient time put a lot of thought into the creation of samurai swords. They had to create weapons that were not too heavy to handle, nor too rigid to break off. They discovered sharp samurai swords, used against an armor, broke and that samurai sword made of soft steel were flexible and light. So, they considered the most appropriate weight for samurai swords would have been around 2-3 pounds. However, to create such samurai swords would have meant a lot of work. 

There were many methods used to handcraft samurai swords. Some used the repeated and tiring process of heating and folding of steel. The blades had to be polished afterward carefully and the smiths engraved their signature on their work of art. The samurai swords were proof of great handcrafting skills, which meant that the person who created them possessed some unique virtues. Like for any art object, to create samurai swords meant to put soul in your creation, to invest patience and will together with intelligence to obtain the best results possible. A lot of artists worked on their detailed ornaments of the hilt, on their handle bindings and sheaths and the results were samurai swords worth being worn by worriers. 

These virtues have been forgotten as the modern society no longer cares, respects or praise the military man as much as in the past. The samurai was (and still are) highly appreciated figures of history. The samurai swords were priceless and were identified with the worrier class. Made from the heat and pounding of skilled smiths, the samurai swords brought honor and the spirit of the true worrier to those who carried them. Because of this, many modern people buy samurai swords as a reminder of that time and those values. Samurai swords decorate today's homes, as symbols, for those who know what true beauty means virtue and honor.

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