*******

Got my first writing assignment!

How to Let Go and Forgive

Isa sa mga pinaka mahirap gawin ng isang tao ay magpatawad without any hesitations and hard feelings...

How to Let Go and Forgive

Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter.

We’ve all been hurt by another person at some time or another — we were treated badly, trust was broken, hearts were hurt.

And while this pain is normal, sometimes that pain lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over, and have a hard time letting go.

This causes problems. It not only causes us to be unhappy, but can strain or ruin relationships, distract us from work and family and other important things, make us reluctant to open up to new things and people. We get trapped in a cycle of anger and hurt, and miss out on the beauty of life as it happens.

We need to learn to let go. We need to be able to forgive, so we can move on and be happy.

This is something I learned the hard way — after years of holding onto anger at a loved one that stemmed from my childhood and teen-age years, I finally let go of this anger (about 8 years ago or so). I forgave, and not only has it improved my relationship with this loved one tremendously, it has also helped me to be happier.

Forgiveness can change your life.

Forgiveness does not mean you erase the past, or forget what has happened. It doesn’t even mean the other person will change his behavior — you cannot control that. All it means is that you are letting go of the anger and pain, and moving on to a better place.

It’s not easy. But you can learn to do it.

If you’re holding onto pain, reliving it, and can’t let go and forgive, read on for some things I’ve learned.

1. Commit to letting go. You aren’t going to do it in a second or maybe not even in a day. It can take time to get over something. So commit to changing, because you recognize that the pain is hurting you.

2. Think about the pros and cons. What problems does this pain cause you? Does it affect your relationship with this person? With others? Does it affect work or family? Does it stop you from pursuing your dreams, or becoming a better person? Does it cause you unhappiness? Think of all these problems, and realize you need to change. Then think of the benefits of forgiveness — how it will make you happier, free you from the past and the pain, improve things with your relationships and life in general.

3. Realize you have a choice. You cannot control the actions of others, and shouldn’t try. But you can control not only your actions, but your thoughts. You can stop reliving the hurt, and can choose to move on. You have this power. You just need to learn how to exercise it.

4. Empathize. Try this: put yourself in that person’s shoes. Try to understand why the person did what he did. Start from the assumption that the person isn’t a bad person, but just did something wrong. What could he have been thinking, what could have happened to him in the past to make him do what he did? What could he have felt as he did it, and what did he feel afterward? How does he feel now? You aren’t saying what he did is right, but are instead trying to understand and empathize.

5. Understand your responsibility. Try to figure out how you could have been partially responsible for what happened. What could you have done to prevent it, and how can you prevent it from happening next time? This isn’t to say you’re taking all the blame, or taking responsibility away from the other person, but to realize that we are not victims but participants in life.

6. Focus on the present. Now that you’ve reflected on the past, realize that the past is over. It isn’t happening anymore, except in your mind. And that causes problems — unhappiness and stress. Instead, bring your focus back to the present moment. What are you doing now? What joy can you find in what is happening right now? Find the joy in life now, as it happens, and stop reliving the past. Btw, you will inevitably start thinking about the past, but just acknowledge that, and gently bring yourself back to the present moment.

7. Allow peace to enter your life. As you focus on the present, try focusing on your breathing. Imagine each breath going out is the pain and the past, being released from your body and mind. And imagine each breath coming in is peace, entering you and filling you up. Release the pain and the past. Let peace enter your life. And go forward, thinking no longer of the past, but of peace and the present.

8. Feel compassion. Finally, forgive the person and realize that in forgiveness, you are allowing yourself to be happy and move on. Feel empathy for the person and wish happiness on them. Let love for them, and life in general, grow in your heart. It may take time, but if you’re stuck on this point, repeat some of the ones above until you can get here.

SOURCE: 

http://zenhabits.net/how-to-let-go-and-forgive/

'Addiction by Prescription' by Joan E. Gadsby

Addiction by Prescription

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach for another is to risk involvement.

To expose your ideas, your dreams,

before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.

To live is to risk dying.

To believe is to risk despair.

To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken, because the

greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

The people who risk nothing, do nothing,

have nothing, are nothing.

They may avoid suffering and sorrow,

but they cannot learn, feel, change,

grow, love, live.

Chained by their attitudes they are slaves;

they have forfeited their freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.

willing willie & korea Violinst E.J.Park 2011.3.30

willing willie & korea Violinst E.J.Park 2011.3.30

Live Animals Being Sold as Keyrings in China

So awful...
Got this from a net recently


Live Animals Being Sold as Keyrings in China

Photo: Li Bo


Keyring ornaments are perhaps the most useless item you'll ever carry in your pocket or stuff in your purse -- but now, thanks to an increasingly popular item being sold in China, it can easily be the cruelest, too. For the price you might expect to pay for some kitschy trinket, Chinese street vendors are selling live animals, permanently sealed in a small plastic pouch where they can survive for a short while as someone's conversation piece. Apparently, these unimaginably inhumane keyrings are actually quite popular -- and worst of all, it's totally legal.

According to The Global Times, these keyring accessories containing live animals are widely available and sold publicly in subway stations and on sidewalks. Potential buyers (read as animal-abusers) have the choice between a living Brazil turtle or two small kingfish, sealed in an airtight package along with some colored water. One vendor claimed that the trapped creatures "can live for months inside there" because the water contains "nutrients," though veterinarians have already disputed this claim.
"I'll hang it in my office, it looks nice and brings good luck, " said one customer who purchased the turtle.

 As the cruel trinkets continue to gain in popularity, thankfully so to have the voices of animal rights supporters in opposition to the inhumane treatment of the animals they contain. "To put a living thing inside a sealed and confined space for profit is immoral and pure animal abuse," Qin Xiaona, director of the NGO Capital Animal Welfare Association, told the Global Times.
Even some right-thinking passersby are trying to do their part in saving the animals' lives where they can. "I bought one to free it. It looks so miserable," said one woman, unnamed by the Times.
Despite the fact that the selling of animals as keyring ornaments is a clear-cut case of animal cruelty, it is actually entirely within the law. Chinese law prohibits the sale of wild animals -- a designation which evidently does not apply to the Brazil turtles and kingfish being sold.




For the time being, in lieu of legislation which may or may not come to pass outlawing the sale of living creatures as objects of amusement, Xiaona suggests people use their better sense to squelch the trade. "If nobody buys it, the market will die," she says.
Sadly, it is likely that so too will the animals which have already been sealed in their colorful, transparent tombs -- gasping for the final breath of air they've been packaged with, as they peer out to a world in which their lives are considered essentially worthless. And in such a dark hour, it's hard not to believe our very humanity awaits a similar fate.

SOURCE:


http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/03/live-animals-being-sold-as-keyrings-in-china.php

haaayyy

akala ko tuluyan ng nadekwat ang bag ko!!!

About Perfume

Taken from: 

http://www.ehow.com/about_4564007_perfume.html 

Perfume is a mixture of ingredients used to alter body odor. Its popularity has grown through the years to the point that most young women will wear it at least once in their lifetime. Also, celebrities and clothing designers often add it to their brand name because of its lucrative sales. Basically, perfume is a product that has passed the test of time.

1. History of

   • The origins of perfume can be traced back almost 4,000 years. Its name derives from the Latin term "per fumum" meaning "through smoke." The inventor of perfume is unknown. Archaeologists, however, did uncover the earliest perfume factory in Pyrgos, Cyprus. It was filled with mixing bowls, funnels, distilling stills and perfume bottles.

   Evolution

   • In ancient days, perfume was not created with flowers. It was actually concocted with herbs, spices, myrtle, resin and other non-floral items. These ingredients were largely attributed to convenience and religious rituals. Yet, as time passed, perfume's function did as well and it became and item used largely to alter body odor. The Hungarians tapped into this idea and created the first modern perfume in 1370. It was made from scented oils with a floral based and a blended alcohol solution. By the 18th century, the French expanded on this idea and experimented with more aromatic plants. Then, they further popularized the use of perfume to Westerners.

   Features

   • Today, a majority of perfumes are created with essential oils and alcohol. The smells range from musk to sweetened flowers. Perfume is packaged in a variety of ways that usually involves a glass vial or bottle with a small open area or spray pump. The names of perfumes also vary and usually have to do with a marketed idea such as "Desire" or "Poison."

   Effects

   • Perfume effects people in different ways. For some individuals, it is an aphrodisiac that arouses sexuality. However, for others, it is an allergen that causes sneezing and other "negative" physical reactions. Unfortunately, most people don't know which category they fall into until they encounter it (perfume).

   Benefits

   • People who believe in aromatherapy often debate the benefits of perfume. Aromatherapy is the concept that different smells affect a person's mood. Studies do exist to support this theory. Yet, the basic benefit of perfume that everyone enjoys is the fact it can alter body odor. It allows individuals the luxury of smelling the way they want to.

Read more: About Perfume | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4564007_perfume.html#ixzz1HKhOhz00