Becoming an Interior Decorator or Interior Designer

Most often people confuse interior designing with interior decorating, there's a fine thin line between both these professions. A person who's an interior decorator could be a designer too and vice versa, however, there's a difference we should know to understand who do we want to become.

Before we learn about the differences in detail, let us understand the core personality characteristics that both these profession demands. So how would you be able to know if you're a good fit for either of these professions? or even if you would want to pursue it as a side-job and hobby.

Know Yourself

You need to carefully observe your preferences and ask yourself, can you change something very obsolete in an absolutely new piece of artwork? Do you like learning more about design, decor, art and such creative topics. If you feel like you have a knack for designing/decorating and you're interested too then that's really all you need to get started.

Upgrading our knowledge in whatever field we pursue is the most important factor of success. You might not even be sure of your skills because you've not yet dived in to the field. That's fine, don't be scared. You can only become a great artist when you know your purpose and most of the times that's enough to drive you all the way to becoming a best in your own field.

So you've figured out you're interested but not sure if it's interior designing or decorating. No problem. As a rule of thumb, interior designers deal with the basics to start with, for example they will give shape to ceilings, walls and will cater to every layout aspect of the job. Whereas, a decorator will start to work beyond the layout. He will use the provided layout and overhaul the look and feel of the room.

Pinpoint Your Niche

With increasing competition, professionals prefer to narrow down their niches. For example, an interior decorator may want to deal in only bedroom interior decoration. So now is the right time you should learn more about a specific kind of design/decor that you're most interested in and specialize in that particular niche. Generally speaking, you will be way more successful by choosing to focus at very specific niche.

Overhaul Your Skills

You must start reading design magazines. You may also want to attend construction and design expos, all of this can help you to keep improving your skills. There's a difference between choosing a narrow niche and still learning more about it to be able to adapt to many different design styles. You do not want to be limited to your own personal taste, otherwise it would be monotonous. Coming up with new ideas is the key.

If you're having a hard time finding a full-time job of an interior designer/decorator then you're always better off to start freelancing. You can start learning about different ways of presentation and make sure to form a firm impression with your customers. If you're creative, it won't take much time for you to get yourself noticed in the industry.

  Bedrooms Decor brings you a variety of fresh bedroom design inspiration along with numerous valuable guides about how to design and decor your rooms. We publish daily, Here's  how to interior design your room.


 By Adnan Muzzaffar


Article Source: Becoming an Interior Decorator or Interior Designer

HR Pros' Biggest Gripes About Training (And Our Survival Tips)

At times, we all find ourselves wishing leadership development was more like computer programming.

We'd love it if employees could retain every bit of information we went to great lengths to prepare and use it at the appropriate times. We'd like to see our training produce predictable, measurable outcomes every time-outcomes that would impact our organization's bottom line. We want every dollar we invest to produce four in return.

Unfortunately, people have a tendency to be unpredictable. They forget things. They fail to show up to our training. They flat-out lose interest. We hear you!

We asked our clients to share their biggest concerns about training and development. Here are the top issues keeping them up at night (and our advice for overcoming them.)

"I have no way to measure the success of our training and development programs."

It can be more difficult to show the direct impact of leadership development on a company's bottom line, but that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't measure results.

In fact, as executives review budgets with greater scrutiny, talent managers and other HR professionals need to be proactive about proving their worth.

First, here are some of the most important metrics to track:

- Year-over-year percent increase in participation
- Pre- and post-training assessments. Get baseline measurements of aspiring leaders' skills using self-assessments, simulations and situational judgment tests. Ask aspiring leaders to take the tests again a few months after completing training.
- Number of participants promoted within one year of participating in an accelerated leadership development program
- Average cost of recruiting/onboarding a new leader multiplied by the number of internal promotions in the past year (total cost saved by investing in leadership development)

While it helps to have hard data, qualitative measurements are equally important.

Here are a few steps your organization can take to ensure you're tracking them:

- Collect feedback from managers, peers and direct reports. Ask for input on whether they have seen your aspiring leaders improve in key areas.
- Evaluate leadership execution. Ensure leaders set goals for executing key initiatives at the beginning of the year and evaluate their progress throughout the year.
- Examine employee engagement. Leadership development is important for recruitment and retention, but it can also have a substantial impact on employee engagement. Conducting annual employee engagement surveys (and comparing results before and after implementing new training initiatives) can help you assess the impact.

"I can't convince my senior leadership team to approve my budget for current programs, much less new ones."

Many executives acknowledge the importance of leadership development initiatives, but they are often the last programs to be approved and the first to be cut when an organization tightens its budget. In our own survey of more than 900 executives, 46 percent said they did not have a program in place to fill key management positions, and 35 percent had no training programs specifically for leaders.

We all know this is a mistake, but we have to build our case. Here are a few statistics to help you get started:

- Companies with top-tier leadership teams out-perform others by nearly 19 percent, according to the Corporate Leadership Council
- Forty-six percent of leaders fail to meet objectives in new roles, according to CEB Talent Management
- The cost of replacing an employee in a mid-level position can be as much as 150 percent of that employee's salary; for executives, it can be as high as 400 percent

"Some of our best performers crash and burn when we promote them to leadership roles."

This is a common problem among organizations everywhere. Much of the criteria they use to promote employees-such as seniority and personality-turn out to be poor predictors of actual leadership potential. This causes them to invest significant time and money into the wrong employees.
You can combat this problem by using data-driven assessments to identify high-potential employees rather than relying on subjective factors.

Behavioral interviews, 360 feedback surveys, situational judgment tests and leadership questionnaires are far more effective at predicting leadership potential.

What Are Your Biggest Gripes About Training and Development?

We know how tough your job can be, and we're listening. Tell us what's keeping you up at night in the comments below. We plan to keep the conversation going with a series of posts over the next few months. We'll also introduce a new guide soon that will offer more detailed recommendations to help you train smarter, not harder. Need help now?

Learn more about how our leadership development programs can help you train smarter while reducing time and costs. Explore our program guide. http://www.onpointconsultingllc.com/identifying-and-developing-leaders


 By Richard Lepsinger


Article Source: HR Pros' Biggest Gripes About Training (And Our Survival Tips)

Choosing the Right Software for Your Non-Profit Organisation - The Necessary Guide

First things first - Managing all the donors efficiently can be quite a headache for charities of all sizes.

Reason - Charities usually think that their customers are their beneficiaries, which is also true to some extent. The truth lies in the fact that for the purpose of fundraising, the customer is the person on the other end of the phone/letter and without them, no charity could survive.

Choosing a system or software that's right for your charity isn't as simple as you think it is. Software for charities and churches cannot be a 'one size fits all' approach. Though the fundamentals maybe the same (e.g. event management, attendance management, fund management, etc.) but large and small organizations will have different considerations.

Mentioned below are some of the different things that you should consider depending on the size of the charity as well as the needs that you expect the software to fulfill.

For Large Charities and Churches

Software Implementation May Not Cheap for Large Charities - Large charities and non-profit organizations must understand that no matter what they're required to pay a certain sum of money for the implementation of an appropriate software for the management work. You may not be required to pay a large amount, but it will definitely not be cheap. Remember you're paying for the services that you avail.

Consider Software That Is Multi-Functional - There will be a number of things that you'll need to be managed, but this shouldn't mean that you purchase a number of software. Consider the idea of choosing the one that can perform a number of necessary functions - this will not only save your money but also your time choosing the one that's perfect for you.

Choose A Reputed Store - If you're buying charity management software for the first time, chances are that you'll have to do a lot of research before you can finally pick on the one that's perfect for your needs. However, sometimes it happens that despite research you tend to go wrong when buying the software. Choose a reputed store online or offline and once you're convinced with their software and services, go ahead and make the purchase.

For Small Charities and Churches

Bespoke Software? Really Not! Too many small charities think they do or are told they do. First, look at all the great 'off the shelf' fundraising/membership packages available and even the CRM systems - they almost certainly can do all (or most) of what you need. Since you're now functioning on a slightly lower level and going a way up might take some time, it is okay even if you drop the idea of choosing bespoke software.

Free Software Doesn't Mean Zero Cost - Getting a free software initially doesn't mean zero cost. You will be expected to spend where necessary, especially if your free software doesn't provide you the features of effective fund management.

Choose The Perfect Store - Choosing an absolute software for event management, charity management and even attendance management is important for small charities just as much it is for the big ones. Take reviews of various stores online and offline and only when you're satisfied should to initiate the purchase.

These three points each small and large charities act as a necessary guide for choosing the right charity and church management software. You can follow these simple steps and pick the best software for your non-profit organization.


 By Stephen Hendy

Article Source: Choosing the Right Software for Your Non-Profit Organisation - The Necessary Guide

How Men and Women Use Power and Influence In the Workplace

Within cross-functional teams of people representing different departments, positions and even cultures, a leader's success often depends on his or her ability to gain the cooperation and support of others. Research by our colleagues has shown some influencing styles vary across cultures, but we wanted to know if gender differences might also play a role in using power and influence in the workplace.

To answer this question, a study was conducted using a 360 degree feedback questionnaire to gather data on the influencing styles of 223 leaders (116 men and 107 women) across organizations and industries.

While we found some significant differences, we also found some surprising similarities.

Here's a summary of what we found and how your leaders can use them to maximize their influence.

Differences Between Genders

Of the four most effective influence tactics - reasoning, inspiring, consulting and collaborating - men and women use reasoning and collaborating to the same extent.

These findings might be somewhat surprising if you believe the stereotype that men lead with a more task-oriented focus and women with a more interpersonal approach. For those particular tactics, both men and women tend to do it the same.

There are, however, some significant differences regarding the two other core tactics - inspiring and consulting. Women tend to use inspiring more frequently than men, especially with colleagues and direct reports. Women also use consulting more frequently than men with bosses and with their direct reports.

Here are some other important findings from our research:

- Women use apprising (explaining how carrying out a request or supporting a proposal will benefit the other person or advance their career) significantly more with direct reports compared to men.
- Men use apprising- helping someone understand the benefit to them personally - more than women when influencing their bosses
- Men could benefit from using consulting more often with their direct reports, especially when they have authority to make a change but need others to help them implement it. However, women may be using this influencing style too often with their bosses.
- Women use recognizing (using praise or flattery) significantly more than men when influencing their colleagues and direct reports
- Women use legitimizing (establishing the legitimacy of a request and verifying they have the authority to make it) significantly more than men when influencing colleagues. This may indicate they are more likely to feel their authority is being challenged.

Tips for Maximizing Influence

Most of the gender differences involve influence attempts with colleagues and with direct reports. Men and women seem to approach bosses in a similar manner; yet their approach to colleagues and direct reports are a bit different. Some of the gender differences were consistent with gender stereotypes. Women tend to use some of the softer, more personal tactics like inspiring, consulting, apprising and recognizing more than men.

However, some of the findings are less consistent with the stereotypes. Both men and women use collaborating to the same extent and they both use consulting to the same extent with colleagues. We also found men and women use pressure to the same degree. Overall, we found that there were more similarities than differences between male and female leaders when it comes to gaining support and gaining commitment.

Your leaders can use the following tips to maximize their influence.

1. Don't consider gender. The gender of the influencer and person being influenced has no effect on whether influencing attempts are successful. To be successful, the influencer must know the person he or she is trying to influence. What are his or her needs? What is he or she looking for? What does he or she see as benefits? What are his or her values?

2. Don't rely on reasoning. Though it's the most popular tactic, reasoning doesn't work in every situation. Reasoning works best when used with other influencing tactics. If you're going to use reasoning, be sure to talk about the benefits of what you're pitching, not just the facts.

3. Build a solid the foundation. The trust and relationship you have with the person you're influencing play a vital role in how successful you are. However, many influencers fail to take time to build trust within teams Having this relationship in place ahead of time helps you build credibility with the person so you don't have to rely on a single influencing tactic.

Just like other skills and characteristics of effective leaders, the ability to influence others can be learned and improved upon with training. To help your leaders strengthen their skills in this area, start by making them more aware of the styles they use most often. This interactive guide covers the 11 most common influencing styles, which ones are most effective and how and when to use them. You'll also find tips and tricks your leaders can use to maximize their ability to gain commitment to their ideas and proposals.

http://www.onpointconsultingllc.com/how-to-better-influence-people-guide?hsCtaTracking=7a5e177e-6f2a-4a6c-9ba0-1a10749657db%7Cecd82c72-f744-45f4-824b4fd6d01d9d3e&__hstc=156446820.8cf9e961a99877abce5c08667ff2c692.1485811288223.1487004618534.1487009593686.16&__hssc=156446820.1.1487009593686&__hsfp=4216843862


 By Richard Lepsinger


Article Source: How Men and Women Use Power and Influence In the Workplace

The 5 Stages to Start Evidence-Based Leadership

The implementation of evidence-based leadership is iterative. It's too profound a shift to happen in one go. And it will never happen if we wait to thoroughly research our current state, detail a change management plan, save enough budget to resource it all, and delay until the time is just right and the planets have lined up.

Starting at the top is the quickest and easiest way to get rolling on the journey of high performance, because employees follow what leaders do. It's too risky for them to do otherwise. Even if leaders say over and over again 'Start measuring what matters!', nothing will change if they aren't doing it themselves.

Even when it starts from the top, the implementation of evidence-based practice across the organisation will follow iterations. It's not going to happen in one fell swoop. With each iteration, it gets easier and smoother. And changes stick better.

So don't feel overwhelmed by the adoption of evidence-based leadership. Simply focus on the first iteration. Move through the stages, monitor how it works, and see how that informs your next iteration.

There are five stages in the first iteration of implementing evidence-based management across the organisation.

Stage 1: Decide to be evidence-based leaders.
It's worth having this conversation with your leadership team. And this is a conversation for the whole leadership team, not just part of it.
It's worth exploring the leadership habits of Direction, Evidence and Execution, and the organisational habits of Decision, Action and Learning. What do they mean to you? How do you see them practised? Where is there the opportunity to practise them more deliberately?

Stage 2: Create a measurable corporate strategy.
Goals are often immeasurable because of weasel words, an action-orientation, and multi-focused complexity. So goals should be reworded to make their true meaning much more apparent to everyone. This automatically makes them easier to measure. So choose quantitative measures from the evidence that most convinces you of each goal being achieved. And now you have a direction that's easy to communicate, easy to understand, and easy to monitor. It's easy to take seriously!

Stage 3: Cascade the strategy.
Emailing the strategic plan to everyone, or rolling out a series of presentations about it, isn't going to get the level of buy-in that's necessary to fully execute it. People need to be engaged in a discussion about the strategic plan, they need to ponder it, to ask questions, to challenge it, to explore how they contribute to it. Then they can make it their own. This needs communication that is:  two-way, like a dialogue, unstructured to allow for exploration, and flexible so people can join in on their own terms.

Stage 4: Let the cascade flow naturally.
There's a risk with adopting a new approach to cascading strategy and creating a performance culture. It's to do too much too soon. Starting small with this stage is important to avoid overwhelming people, and burning them out. So start cascading your evidence-based strategy in small bites. One way is to allow teams to pilot-test the new approach to setting goals and measures. Then later they will have more confidence to implement it fully.

Stage 5: Reflect and learn for the next iteration.
Did you close your performance gaps? What was the return on the investment in doing that? What did you learn about the dynamics driving performance in your processes and systems? What did you learn from failed attempts to close the performance gaps? What did you learn about yourselves? What is the next most important thing to focus on, to close your performance gaps further? These are the questions to ask at this point. Then tweak your approach for another iteration.

Will you start?
Mastery of something as complex as leading an organisation to true high performance doesn't happen quickly. It's hard, it's challenging, and it's a long road. But we need you on that road.

DISCUSSION:
What have you seen work well to instil evidence-based leadership in an organisation?

Stacey Barr is a specialist in organisational performance measurement and creator of PuMP, the refreshingly practical, step-by-step performance measurement methodology designed to overcome people's biggest struggles with KPIs and measures. Learn about the bad habits that cause these struggles, and how to stop them, by taking Stacey's free online course "The 10 Secrets to KPI Success" at http://www.staceybarr.com/the10secretstokpisuccess.


 By Stacey Barr


Article Source: The 5 Stages to Start Evidence-Based Leadership

4 Natural Ways To Treat External Hemorrhoids

There are two types of hemorrhoids, internal and external. External hemorrhoids typically appear as small tender lumps located around the rectum area.

External hemorrhoids tend to be a lot more painful than internal stage one hemorrhoids. However, there are many ways to treat external hemorrhoids. Listed below are four natural treatments for external hemorrhoids.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a natural astringent which comes from a plant called Hamamelis Virginiana.

Witch hazel is a common ingredient found in many over the counter hemorrhoid treatments.

It contains antiseptic, astringent and inflammatory properties which make it an excellent treatment for external hemorrhoids.

When used on hemorrhoids, witch hazel will help to ease the pain, clean the area, reduce the swelling and stop the bleeding.

It can be applied directly to the affected area using a cotton ball or a clean soft cloth.

Witch hazel can be used several times daily to keep the swelling and irritation to a minimum. It is also suggested that witch hazel be used after each bowel movement.

Butcher's Broom

Butcher's Broom is natural remedy that is derived from a plant called Ruscus Aculeatus.

Butcher's broom works to improve circulation, constrict capillaries, keep blood from pooling, alleviate constipation and reduce swelling.

All of these properties make it an ideal treatment for hemorrhoids.

To treat hemorrhoids, Butcher's Broom can be used directly or the hemorrhoid or taken in capsule form.

When taken orally, it is recommended that you take between 150 to 300 mg two to three times daily for the treatment of hemorrhoids.

Before taking Butcher's Broom, you should consult with your doctor to be sure it will not interfere with any other medications you are currently taking.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is packed with vitamins, mineral and amino acids. It has been used for thousands of years to treat many ailments from digestion to various skin conditions.

Aloe Vera possesses astringent, antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

It is an effective treatment for hemorrhoids because it rejuvenates and heals tissue, shrinks swelling, reduces pain and soothes and calms the area.

The most effective and purest form of Aloe comes directly from the plant.

To use for external hemorrhoids, cut the leaf to expose the gel, then extract the gel and apply directly to the hemorrhoid.

Aloe Vera also comes in drink form and can be taken to help heal the body and improve digestion.

Triphala

Triphala is an ayurvedic herb that is a combination of three fruits. It is a natural antioxidant that promotes digestion, keeps the bowels regular and helps to heal and repair tissue and cells in the body.

Since Triphala works to improve digestion and keep bowels regular, it can help reduce the likely hood of hemorrhoids reoccurring.

Triphala is available in tea, capsule, tablet or liquid form. For correct dosage amounts you should follow the recommendations on the label.

When suffering with hemorrhoids, these four natural remedies will work to help get your situation under control.

In addition to these natural treatments for hemorrhoids, you can also use other home remedies such as warm sitz baths, fiber supplements and applying ice to the area.

If these treatments are not providing any relief from your condition within a week or two you should contact your physician for additional treatment options.

To learn more about treating external hemorrhoids and to get a free copy of our report The Truth About Hemorrhoids visit http://getridofhemorrhoidsfast.com


 By Katie James


Article Source: 4 Natural Ways To Treat External Hemorrhoids

Why Root Canal Therapy Is the Best Option for You

Oral hygiene is the number one thing that everyone should be all about. You will notice that when you know your oral hygiene is on point, you will tend to exude some confidence as you go by. You are probably wondering how that confidence can come along. Have you ever been in a situation whereby you know your breath is horrible? Such are the moments that you will want to keep to yourself.

Losing your tooth is not something that most of us would like to go through. Most often, you would rather go for a process that seeks to restore your tooth without actually losing it. Teeth specialists or rather dentists exist to make life easier for you. You need not go through the pain of having to live without one of your teeth. Root canal would do the trick for you.

You may be wondering what root canal therapy is. This is simply a procedure done to a tooth in a situation where a nerve within the tooth has become infected. This will normally come along with so much pain and stress that it may affect how you go about your day to day activities. In as much as the pain may be horrifying, you would rather have a root canal therapy than having the tooth removed.

A root canal therapy should not be an uncomfortable procedure. All you need to do is get the right personnel to work on you and you will be good to go. You may be wondering how the procedure is like. Below is a slight insight on just how the root canal therapy goes like.

� The dentist will first of all carry out a local anesthesia on you. This is basically to numb your mouth, the area on which the procedure will be carried out.

� The dentist will then drill a hole in the tooth with the problem.

� Removal of the pulp then follows.

� The opening will then be sealed once the cleaning is done.

The procedure only takes a day to get through which after which you may need to go for a checkup just to make sure the wound heals well through cleaning. It is important that you get experienced personnel to carry out the root canal therapy on you. This is the surest way to ensure the procedure goes on well.

In conclusion, taking good care of your teeth should always be in your mind. In case you find yourself in a position whereby you may need the help of a dentist, be sure to find the best around you. Consider affordability and the experience gained by the dentist over the years while you are at it. It will take you a long way.

To learn more about general oral hygiene, please visit North Vancouver Dentist


 By William Jam Smith

Article Source: Why Root Canal Therapy Is the Best Option for You

Magnetic Jewelry: Therapeutic or Fabrication? You Decide

Magnet Therapy is an age-old practice of many civilizations and was mentioned in the ancient writings of many cultures. It is now undergoing a popular revival; this is in large part due to the development of modern magnetic rare-earth minerals and is also due to the increasing use of magnet materials in the field of sports medicine.

Magnetic Therapy has become a popular alternative treatment method for many conditions, especially in regards to relieving pain and encouraging the healing of injuries. Magnetic therapy is well accepted in Japan, China, India, Australia and Germany. There is growing interest from other countries including Great Britain, Holland, Canada and the United States.

It is thought that magnetic jewelry works in two ways. The first is that the magnetism of the jewelry increases the conductivity of the blood, in particular by increasing the quantity of ions. The newly ionized blood then circulates throughout the body improving oxygenation to the cell tissues, contributing to the efficiency of blood flow. The quality and efficiency of the blood flow around the body has a major impact on our general health, fitness and vitality. The second way the magnetic therapy works is that magnets are said to create an electrical current, which induces nerve stimulation in the body, nudging the body to release its own natural painkillers.

Bear in mind that people who wear electrical or electronic medical devices (e.g. a pacemaker, insulin pump, etc) or any type of metal implant should not wear this type of magnet jewelry.

Having a herniated disc in my neck, I deal with much pain and stiffness in the fall when the weather gets colder or if the atmospheric pressure changes. I've done a bit of research on magnetic jewelry and its boasting of pain therapy. I've come up with many conflicting articles but mostly articles showing that there is no scientific proof that magnet therapy works. But, anyone with neck or back pain will tell you that they will try anything to alleviate the pain and I'm no exception. I wanted to see for myself, knowing that the worst that would happen is that I would have a nice necklace to wear.

I decided to see about this magnet therapy for myself, so I did a bunch of research on the different type of magnetic jewelry out there. I'll be honest, I purchased the Accents Kingdom Women's Magnetic Hematite Necklace first because it was inexpensive, had four stars, and the reviews were good. One review even claimed it took away headaches, so as a person who periodically gets migraines, I was sold. This necklace had approximately 600 Gauss for each magnet.

In that first month of wearing the necklace, I found a little bit of relief. This necklace clearly did not take away the pain in my neck but to me, a little bit of relief is better than no relief. This brought me to wondering that since this necklace helped a bit, maybe a magnetic necklace with higher Gauss Magnets would help more. On that note, I ended up researching jewelry with stronger magnets and found just what I was looking for.

My next experimental purchase was the Titanium 4 Element Magnetic Therapy Necklace. This necklace has 3000 Gauss Magnets and states it increases your overall energy level. It boasted powerful magnets that help with headache relief, improvement in blood circulation, and a more restful sleep. Again, I cannot honestly say in this article that the necklace took my pain completely away, but I can tell you that it did sooth the amount of pain and decreased the stiffness considerably in my neck. I will also mention that I did get enough relief to make having them worth it. I now have 4 of them all with different looks.

Do you have experience with Magnet Therapy? I'd love to hear what experiences others have had!

Reiki is an amazing tool for your mind, body, & spirit. Nicole Lawler will show you how. Get FREE information on the many benefits of Reiki and other holistic healing modalities along with other pain management products! Http://LifeHealingEnergy.com


 By Nicole Lawler

Article Source: Magnetic Jewelry: Therapeutic or Fabrication? You Decide

Boundaries: Is Having Open Borders A Good Idea?

If one wanted travel to another country, there is a strong chance that they would need to have a passport. In addition to this, they may also find that they need to get a visa.

This could be something that doesn't bother them, and they are then not going to have the need to think about whether the world should be this way. One might simply want to get everything sorted so that they can go to where they need to go.

Part of Life

There is a strong chance that this is something they have always had to do, and so there is going to be no reason for it to stand out. If they were to have moments when they think about how differently their life would be if they could just go wherever they wanted to go, it is not going to go any further.

It could be the same as if one was to think about how different their life would be if they could fly or teleport to other places. This will be something that won't have a big effect on their life.

Another Outlook

On the other hand, this might be something that one has spent a certain amount of time thinking about. One may see that their life would be easier if they didn't need to have a passport and a visa to travel the world.

But at the same time, they might believe that there are a number of reasons as to why the world is this way. What they have to go through to go to another country is then going to be worth it in the long run.

The other Side

If one can't relate to this, they may believe that this is something that needs to change. As far as they are concerned, they should be allowed to go where they want to go on this planet.

And as this can't take place, it shows that they are not a free human being; instead, people out there are trying to control them. Along with this, one could also spend a lot of time thinking about the people who live in other countries who are not allowed to leave.

The Ideal

Therefore, if it was down to them, they would be able to go wherever they wanted to, and the people around them would be able to do the same thing. After all, one is a citizen of the world, and they could believe that no one has the right to tell them where they can or can't go.

Through having this outlook, one may look into what they can do to make their dream a reality. What this could cause them to do is to get into politics, and there is likely to be a party that wants the same thing as they do.

Support

The other political parties can then be seen as being stuck in the past, and it could be hard for them to comprehend why don't want to have open borders. Through throwing their weight behind a party, they will probably come across other people who have the same outlook.

But even if they didn't go this far, they could still be surrounded by people who want what they do. It is then not going to be as if they will be all by themselves, and this will give them the strength to keep going.

One Side

When someone wants open borders, it can show that believe that there is nothing good about having closed borders. Or, if there is anything good about it, the good is outweighed by the bad.

Thus, there is going to be no reason for the world to stay as it is; the right thing will be for the world to be one big country. This will then allow their dream to become a reality, and it could be seen as something that will end a lot of the suffering in the world.

Another Angle

One approach would be to look into what might happen if this was to become a reality. Naturally, there are going to be good things that would come out of it, and there would be things that are not so good.

Yet as one as one is talking about something that they haven't experienced, it can be hard for them to truly understand what it would be like. In the same way that one can believe that their life will be perfect when they meet 'the one'; it can stop them from being able to have a balanced outlook.

Back To Reality

With this is mind, one can gain a better understanding of what open borders would be like if they were to imagine what it would be like if they didn't have boundaries. The reason for this is that the borders around a country are generally there to protect the country.

When it comes to their personal life, having boundaries allow them to define what they do and don't let into their life, and they allow them to feel safe enough to be themselves, amongst other things. What this means is that if one doesn't have boundaries, it would be the same as having open borders.

Exposed

Now, clearly there are going to be people out there who wouldn't take advantage of them, even if though they didn't have boundaries. The world is made up of all types of people after all.

Just as If one didn't have a fence around their house and they didn't lock their door at night, it doesn't mean that everyone who walks past their house will walk on their garden or walk into heir house. However, there are going to be people out there who would take advantage of them, and these people will be only too happy to walk all over their garden and to go into their house and take whatever they can.

Conclusion

If one was to believe that everyone has good intentions and that no one out there wants to take advantage of them or to steal anything from their house, it would show that they are incredibly naive. And through being this way, they would probably be used to being walked over and their house may have been burgled a few times.

What this shows is that while certain things can sound good in theory, it doesn't mean that they are good in practice. When boundaries are not in place, a number of problems are going to arise.

Prolific writer, author, and coach, Oliver JR Cooper, hails from England. His insightful commentary and analysis covers all aspects of human transformation, including love, partnership, self-love, and inner awareness. With over one thousand two hundred in-depth articles highlighting human psychology and behaviour, Oliver offers hope along with his sound advice. His current projects include 'A Dialogue With The Heart' and 'Communication Made Easy'.

To find out more go to - http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk/

Feel free to join the Facebook Group -
   https://www.facebook.com/OliverJRCooper


 By Oliver JR Cooper


Article Source: Boundaries: Is Having Open Borders A Good Idea?

Healthy Living - Don't Take Your Health For Granted

I am going to assume you live a busy life and it is difficult to find a chance to do anything not immediately necessary. It is unlikely this assumption is wrong since most adults are occupied with work, friends, and family, or other daily matters. If you are like most, it is hard for you to find time to do anything new, never mind exercise.

What you may not know, however, is regularly working out is not just a beneficial activity: it is an essential one. Physical activity is widely neglected despite its importance, which regrettably comes at a steep cost. Don't make this mistake.

Finding time to exercise can be difficult, but you need to be honest with yourself. Are you truly so occupied you can't squeeze in a few weekly workouts, or are you making excuses? Going for a workout is not the most enjoyable way to spend an hour of your precious free time, but it is also not as bad as it may seem. Rarely will you ever regret a workout, not to mention there is a surge of endorphins to boost your mood after you are done with your routine? Especially if you do cardio, which is an excellent way to burn fat and strengthen your heart.

Whether you know it or not, you can find the time to exercise, even if you are the busiest you have ever been. Waking up an hour or so earlier three to four times a week may be all you need. Or, cut down your television and internet time by an hour in the evenings for some necessary physical activity. As previously mentioned, whether you realize it or not, you must include physical activity in your life if you are to maintain your health and well-being.

Don't take your health for granted. Crippling diseases like Type 2 diabetes and the complications it brings are extremely likely in the "right" circumstances. A combination of physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet are enough for most people to develop high blood sugar levels and become overweight, which is the core recipe for one of the most debilitating diseases known to man.

Finding time to exercise can mean the difference between a healthy life and an ill one filled with regret, worry, and pain. You would desire to be healthy, even if your will to exercise isn't wholehearted yet. You cannot know what may happen, but prevention is never unwise.

Take action now while you can to establish a buffer against common health problems, so they never become an issue in your life.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

For nearly 25 years, Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of    available information but in yourself.


 By Beverleigh H Piepers


Article Source: Healthy Living - Don't Take Your Health For Granted

Type 2 Diabetes - Dental Problems Affecting People With Diabetes

According to the Journal of Dental Practice, February 2017, seeing the dentist twice a year is important for more than oral care. It can indicate the possible presence of Type 2 diabetes. Scientists at the University of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, and several other research institutions in Brazil compared 116 Type 2 diabetic dental participants with 134 nondiabetic dental participants. Oral problems were seen more often in the people who had a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

The problems most often are seen were...



pseudomembranous candidiasis,

lichen planus,

lingual varices,

xerostomia (dry mouth), and

inflamed implants.

The researchers concluded oral lesions should be diagnosed as soon as possible in those with Type 2 diabetes for two reasons. Dental problems can lead to out-of-control blood sugar levels, and dental problems can allow microorganisms to enter and form infections. The researchers go on to recommend dental treatment should be carried out as soon as possible.

Pseudomembranous candidiasis is a fungal infection which forms white plaques in the mouth. The fungal species Candida can be found in the mouth of healthy people but can cause infection in patients with compromised immune systems. Diabetic patients are susceptible to infection because high and unstable blood sugar levels impair the immune system.

Lichen planus takes place in the mouth and on the skin. In the mouth, it appears as tiny, lace-like white patches or redness and swelling. They can peel, and sores can cause burning pain. It has been suggested lichen planus could be due to the hepatitis C virus. When a metal filling is involved switching to nonmetal can be curative.

Xerostomia is oral dryness caused by lack of saliva. Anyone with the condition is susceptible to infections because they do not make enough saliva to keep their mouth clean. Signs and symptoms include...



a sensation of dryness,

stringy saliva,

having difficulty with swallowing or speaking,

bad breath,

tooth decay,

gum disease, and

a change in the sense of taste.

Implants can become inflamed when bacteria grow around them, just as it can around natural teeth. Keeping blood sugar levels under control help to prevent bacteria from growing. Bacteria grow when saliva provides it with energy in the form of sugar. As the bacteria grow and multiply, the compromised immune system is unable to fight the infection.

When the above dental problems are diagnosed, especially in people at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, then blood sugar levels need to be measured. Factors putting people at risk include...



being overweight or obese,

smoking or air pollution,

a family history,

a history of Gestational diabetes or having had a baby weighing 9 pounds or over,

poor nutrition,

age at least 45 years,

African, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian or Pacific Islander heritage,

having high blood pressure, and

leading a sedentary lifestyle.


Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

For nearly 25 years, Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of    available information but in yourself.


 By Beverleigh H Piepers


Article Source: Type 2 Diabetes - Dental Problems Affecting People With Diabetes

Creating Models Out of Ordinary People: Who Are Scouts and How Do You Get Scouted?

A lot of people start doubting or questioning themselves when a scouter approaches them whether modeling might actually work for them. We talk a little bit about the work of scouters and offer some tips on how to get scouted.

Scouting performance equates directly to the industry performance
Modeling is a diverse industry ranging from kid to senior talents. All different types of sizes, heights and looks are sought after. There isn't a fixed requirement (other than fashion or supermodel ranges) that a potential model needs to fit in most cases. The lack of fixed standard means scouters have to go both by experience and instinct in most cases.

Tyra Banks, for example, was rejected by six agencies before she got her first job, and faced many challenges in her path. Imagine if a very beautiful person lacks the confidence and initial push; they might not even think about being a model. That is why scouters are ever so important! They identify a talent and give them encouragement to pursue a line of work they may not even have considered. How well the modeling industry performs is directly dependent on the way a scouter lures new talent.

Scouting is a tiring job and one that requires good knowledge of the industry
With great power, comes great responsibility appropriately applies to scouters. Clients and the overall industry expect the best candidate and many fresh faces all the time. Scouters need to be strongly knowledgeable in this field and sign the aspirant, who will perform up to expectations. They also have to be good at marketing their own agency well enough to convince models of their potential opportunities and growth. This process can be mean researching on key hot spots such as concerts, events, and central urban areas, fashion shows, where there will be higher chances of spotting good talents. They can literally be on their 2 feet all day in search of a star, with maximum uncertainty. Even thinking about it can make one tired; imagine the scouters who have to be at their best on a daily basis.

How to get scouted?
Thankfully these days we have good social media and online advantages. All you need to do is to apply to the agencies you like with the information on their website. You have the ability to do thorough research and choose the agency which suits you the best. However another thing you can do is to go down to fashion shows and festivals and gain exposure to various different kind of people influential in the fashion industry and you may even catch the eye of a scouter. You can also have an attractive profile on platforms such as Instagram. With the use of appropriate hashtags and getting a good number of followers and keeping loyal fans, you are bound to be noticed by modeling agencies.

Hope you attain a clearer picture on modeling after this, and next time a 'scouter' approaches you, you know what their importance is to modeling.

Grab a name card and give them your attention if you aspire to be a Singapore model yourself! Reach out the right agency such as Create Talents and Models to guide you through to achieve your aims and dreams.


 By Rachel Evan


Article Source: Creating Models Out of Ordinary People: Who Are Scouts and How Do You Get Scouted?

What Is Being Photogenic, and Does It Influence Your Chances in Modeling?

We delve into this phenomenon in this article and give some tips to being more photogenic, and this is also why modeling agencies tend to choose models regardless of whether they're "good-looking" or not.

Being Photogenic
Being photogenic means having a camera-friendly face. The camera has its downsides; it may not capture a model's thoughts, feelings, and personality. It captures only the still physical aspect and the features of different facial parts such as angular Jawline, and edges of the nose are all easily captured and become more highlighted in the photograph. Although in real life the human eye doesn't focus on these aspects in singularity and also determines the beauty of someone through the way they move and carry their body.

There is no surefire way to determine if someone will look good in photos which are also another reason why modeling agencies conduct test shoots and create the best composite cards to analyze if a model looks good on photograph.

How to develop yourself to become more photogenic?
If you weren't naturally born with photogenic qualities there are still many ways you can improve in your photo look. First is definitely to practice and find the angle or facial position that suits your look the most. You might have to spend some time in front of the mirror looking weird (But, trust me, it will pay off). If you stick to that angle, nine out ten times, your photo is going to come out with you looking your best.

You would also have to work on your smile and give a natural and genuine full smile. One trick is to positively think of someone or something you love. However, don't over show all your teeth or laugh as it may come off as fake. Keep it real, keep it moderated. Another effective trick is to not directly into the camera lens, look away or on top of the lens. This prevents the red-eye effect.

An important point for the ladies is to keep makeup at a necessary thickness. Too much is very easily observed by viewers. Especially with most popular photo-sharing applications such as Instagram and Facebook having the zooming effect can mean that such oversights are more readily seen.

Photoshop and its usefulness in photography and modeling
Beauty retouching is a concept that you may hear. It is often used to smoothen out the rough details and significantly improve the glamour. In truth many of the top celebrities and stars we see on Television or magazines are as such because of Photoshop or its other partner software applications. It may be deemed an illusion or deception, but it indeed a reality that is altering the entertainment industry and the culture of photo sharing in the world today.

However having known the benefits of Photoshop use it with a tad bit of wisdom. It is quite humiliating when you get caught Photoshopping your image, and if you haven't done the editing properly. On top of that, never use Photoshop when submitting your photos to a modeling agency. The person viewing your photo submissions is highly likely to be a Photoshop expert themselves.

All in all, some models are born photogenic; others can find many ways to develop it. Start practicing, learning the relevant skills, and get your hands on the best makeup and editing tools. You too can be a star!

Being photogenic can be very useful especially for Print models that can naturally shine in photo shoots and make it easier for Photographers and modeling agencies to work with.
So if you ever get approached by a Create Talents and Models scouter, consider yourself quite to be that lucky you have met the criteria for the look we want, and go ahead, give Modeling a shot!


 By Rachel Evan


Article Source: What Is Being Photogenic, and Does It Influence Your Chances in Modeling?

Important Terms That Every Model Should Be Familiar With

Any aspiring model has a need or responsibility to know and be familiar with the day-to-day terms and Jargons of the industry.

Agency
This refers to the model agency you have signed up for. Modeling agencies are responsible for their model's safety, overall job experience, payment and every other aspect of their job.

Bookers
They are also known as model managers and are the main point of contact for models and clients. Bookers have an important responsibility of acquiring clients, selecting the right models and rate of payment for each job. They also have to inform relevant models of job opportunities and every other relevant detail.

Casting Call
Casting calls are different from agency interviews, and specific to clients and the jobs you are applying for as a model. Agency interviews ask general questions and want to find out more about you as person and to see what type of modeling job would suit you best as a model. Casting call met out specific requirements requested by clients, such as specific age, ethnicity, gender that potential clients are expecting.

Client
Client refers to the person or organization that seeks a modeling agency to hire models for their specific project or job need. In general there are 2 categories, commercial and fashion clients. Commercial projects, such as television commercials or print advertisements need people of various types and most models are eligible for these jobs. Another is fashion, whereby clients are usually from editorials, runway modeling etcetera.

Comp card
Short for composite card is a business card for models that is given to clients as well. It contains headshots on the front, and body shots on the back of the card usually. It also contains a model's vital statistics.

Close-up shot
Another term for headshot or portrait photo where the model's neck and face are focused upon in the photo (can sometimes include shoulders). Facial features and emotional expressions thus take high importance in these shots.

Portfolio
Contains comp card, test shoots, other project photos and all the important details and information about a model. If a client is interested in a model, a portfolio of that model is presented to the client for their consideration.

Scouters
Sometimes known as a Scouting agent, is the person who is responsible for finding and attracting new and potential models into the agency. They go to city centers and other high profile events such as beach parties to seek for talent, and offer them opportunities to join the agency. Scouters are trained to be aware of the industry needs and are required to be professional in their engagement with the public.

Vital Statistics
These are important numbers that indicate what category of modeling you will belong to. This helps narrow down and place you in jobs that suit your body type. The 3 numbers that consist of your vital stats are the bust, waist and hip size.

With the above important terms, we hope that you will be able to use this knowledge effectively to communicate better as a model.

There are many terms nevertheless, but the above mentioned are necessary for any Singapore model to know. Reach out the right agency such as Create Talents and Models to guide you through to achieve your aims and dreams.


 By Rachel Evan


Article Source: Important Terms That Every Model Should Be Familiar With

I Want to Be a Model, But Where Do I Start?

If you only have a gut feeling about becoming a model and you aren't very sure, the question becomes, where do I start? Don't worry; you aren't alone in thinking as such. Many of the best models in the world, even up to the ranks of popular Victoria's Secret runway models, started with as much uncertainty as you. We reveal some of the important steps to take on how to start getting model job.

Find out what type of modeling fits you
Everyone has the potential to be a model, but not everyone can be a fashion model. You have to find out what modeling type your body sizes and dimensions will fit in best. If you are tall (above 165cm) you may be suited for fashion runways and editorials, but if you are short (below 160cm) commercial and print modeling will suit you better. There are ambiguous cases, such as model Kate Moss, where shorter models can become a good runway model. However, such cases are rarer and at least for a start, you will have to be realistic and recognize categories that your looks fit in suitably.

Choosing the agency that develops your style
Different agencies have different specializations. Some agencies accept and groom all types of models, some others stick to one. You now have to do your homework and make a list of agencies and the different types of model jobs they offer. Are you willing to try a variety of modeling job types or you want to focus on a specific area of modeling? Choose the agency appropriate to your ability and interests.

While checking your preferred agency, watch out for other important information that assures the agency is genuine and has a good reputation. Narrow down your options to a select the important few agencies that are best for you.

Applying into the agency
Any excellent agency will have frequent casting calls and readily book interview appointments for aspiring models. Search their social media and websites for information on upcoming casting calls and if you fit the female model requirements immediately apply for it. You can also apply through their website or call them directly and book an appointment. Calling is the most recommended way as you can clear your doubts easily and be more aware of what the agency expects from you.

Take a few Snapshots and a Proper resume
Some basic documents an agency expects at the start are your resume and a few basic snapshots of your face and body. You don't have to spend a lot of money on your photos; a few simple smartphone photos will see you through. The agency itself will be taking professional shots for your portfolio, and your photos are just for them to have a rough sense of how you look on camera. Your resume should show that you are more than a pretty face, who is committed and talented. This impresses the agency and improves your chances of getting accepted.

Now all you need is your patience to wait out for the agency to respond. If your looks satisfy the agency they won't ignore your application and give you a response in a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes if they have too many models they might ask you to apply at a later date. Note down all their responses and keep following up with them.

Even top models like Tyra Banks had to face multiple rejections before their first chance. Be patient and opportunities will come your way. Principally, don't let fear or being shy prevent you from trying. We wish you all the best in your modeling career.

What you have to do is keep trying for the model jobs Singapore that is available and keep a look out for the agencies that you want to get into. Follow these tips and advice, and keep on the active lookout for credible agencies such as Create Talents and Models for more details.


 By Rachel Evan


Article Source: I Want to Be a Model, But Where Do I Start?

A Guide to the Canon Eos 1300D Rebel T6 Dial Modes

If you've used the Canon 1300D Rebel T6 at all you will know that the Dial Mode on the top Right is really very important because that's the dial that tells the camera the type of picture you want to take and also, in some cases, the circumstances in which you're taking the picture. This means that the camera can help you take the pictures that you want, without you needing the expert knowledge to set the aperture and shutter speed yourself.

In other words, you can concentrate on the composition and content of the picture and leave the camera to sort out the technical aspects. However the Canon 1300D also allows you partial or full control of the settings, so that you can make these decisions when you feel confident enough. The four options at the top of the dial - M, AV, TV, and P are called the creative or manual modes and the reason they are called the creative modes is because you can actually change many of the settings in the camera so that you can become more creative with your photography and actually have some real impact on the type of picture you want to take. These modes allow you to control the aperture - useful for controlling the depth of field, or the shutter speed - ideal for introducing movement blur into a shot, or freezing the subject in an action picture. Full Manual control (M) allows you to change all the settings and so give you complete control over the exposure of the shot to suit your taste.



The Modes which are from the green square down are called the Basic Modes or the Preset Modes and that's because these modes actually tell the camera the sort of picture you want to take and control the exposure settings for you. So, you may want to take a portrait or a sports picture or even a night-time picture and by choosing these modes the you tell the camera to change the settings accordingly so that you get the best exposure in those circumstances.

For example the Portrait Mode here will enhance skin tones and also reduce the depth of field which is very good for portraiture as it makes the subject stand out from the background.

The Sports Mode will allow you to take action shots by increasing the shutter speed so that you don't get any blur. it will also trigger continuous shutter so that you can shoot 3 frames per second.

And the Food Option enhances colors and slows down the shutter speed so that you get a wider and deeper depth of field. It also switches off the built in flash so that you don't get glare from the plate.



So you can see, that the Dial Mode really controls the camera, which means it is very important to understand the options you can choose from. Other settings in the camera are very dependent on the Dial Mode choice. For example you can see all the options in the menu tabs if you have the Dial Mode set to Manual. However if you are on a Basic Mode, you will only have access to a few of them.

Jeremy Bayston has worked in the photography industry for over twenty five years. Watch more Canon 1300D reviews here, or see his videos about the Canon 1300D Dial Modes here


 By Jeremy Bayston


Article Source: A Guide to the Canon Eos 1300D Rebel T6 Dial Modes

Marvelous Musical Pillars in Hindu Temples

If you have time you can find hundreds of wonderful sculptures in all major Hindu temples in India.

One among those wonders is Musical Pillars.

Enter through North gate of Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple. On your left you will find marvelous Musical Pillars. Since all the visitors abused the pillars with granites and hammers, the pillar has been protected by fence.

What is a musical pillar? Around a bigger central column are clustered smaller shafts; each having different thickness and differently fluted, produces different notes when struck with a hard substance like a pebble or hammer or with rubber head.

Sha, Ri, Ka, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sha are the basic seven notes in Karnatic Music. These note could be produced in these wonderful pillars.

A team headed by Dr Kameswaran,an ENT specialist in1983 made a thorough analysis on them at Madurai Meenakshi Temple, South India.

Computer analysis of the sounds produced by the musical pillars shows that the principles of vibration of bodies have been applied in the construction of these pillars. The length and diameter of the pillars have been cleverly varied to obtain different musical sounds. Several musical pillars have been carved in the same stone each producing different sounds. This has been achieved by varying the length, diameter and shape of the musical pillars. A geological analysis of the musical pillars reveal that the rock is a common variety found in what is known as the Archaean formations (oldest formation) of South India. This particular rock is fairly abundant near Hospet. It is a rock rich in Silica. Alumina, Potash and Soda are the other important constituents. Iron content is not high. Ultrasonic instruments were used by the team for rock sampling.

There is an excellent article written by Dr T. Marimuthu in 1994 about these pillars. He has made a thorough research on the pillars and has given full wonderful details.

According to him, these are not found in earlier Chola, Pandya, Chera built temples. The pillars are appearing from the period of Vijayanagar empire.

The pillars are found in very many temples and each temple has its own mode of design and construction of musical pillars.

A remarkable and thinnest pillar of diameter 4 cm and length 1.6 metre is found in Thanumalaya Perumal Temple at Suchindram near Cape Comorin.

These pillars are found in many temples including Alwarthirunagari Temple, Thirunelveli Nellaiappar temple in Southern Part of India.

It is a pleasure to see these pillars and hear the music produced by them. Recently Musicians, Scientists, Engineers, Sculpturers are all evincing keen interest in musical pillars. According to their profession they are giving wonderful new information which makes us feel proud about these standing monuments for artistic, architectural, scientific, engineering, technical and technological talent of our ancient artisans.

Nagarajan has written more than 3000 articles in Tamil in 18 magazines and published 52 books. He is revealing Eastern Secret Wisdom through T.V. Programmes, magazine articles, seminars, courses. He has covered various subjects in his wide range of articles which include Mantras, Yantras, Yoga, Meditation, Astrology, Astronomy, Space Science, Science and Spirituality, Hollywood cinema, Women's progress, Aura, Significance of Colors, Reincarnation, Divine Geometry, Power of Prayer etc. As an ardent seeker of Truth, he has collected scientific experiments on mantras, mind, Auto suggestion etc. He has written many articles on para psychology also. His email: snagarajans@gmail.com.



 By Santhanam Nagarajan


Article Source: Marvelous Musical Pillars in Hindu Temples

How Red Dwarf Stars Deprive Their Baby Planets of Oxygen

Are we alone? The quest to find the Holy Grail of life beyond Earth is certainly one of humanity's greatest endeavors--and the answer to this profound question could change forever how we view ourselves, and how we perceive our own true place in the cosmic scheme of things. The search for life on other worlds begins in habitable zones--the "Goldilocks" region surrounding stars where the conditions are not too hot, not too cold, but just right for water to exist in its life-sustaining liquid phase--because life as we know it can only exist in the presence of liquid water. In February 2017, an interdisciplinary team of NASA scientists announced that they want to expand just how habitable zones are defined by taking into consideration the impact of stellar activity, which can pose a great danger to an alien world's atmosphere, resulting in oxygen loss. NASA research indicates that habitable zones surrounding small, relatively cool red dwarf stars--the most common type of star in our Milky Way Galaxy--might not be able to support life because of frequent eruptions that hurl enormous storms of stellar material out into space from active, young red dwarf parent-stars.

"If we want to find an exoplanet that can develop and sustain life, we must figure out which stars make the best parents. We're coming closer to understanding what kind of parent stars we need," commented Dr. Vladimir Airapetian in a February 8, 2017 NASA Press Release. Dr. Airapetian is lead author of the paper describing the research, and a solar scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

In order to determine a given star's habitable zone, astronomers have traditionally considered the amount of light and heat the parent-star emits. Stars that are more massive than our own manufacture more light and heat than our Sun. Therefore, the habitable zone belonging to more massive stars must be farther out from the star. Stars that are comparatively small and cool sport habitable zones that are relatively close-in.

The bad news is that, along with heat and visible light, stars hurl out X-ray and ultraviolet radiation. The situation gets even worse because stars also produce eruptions in the form of flares and coronal mass ejections--collectively termed space weather.

One potential effect of this radiation is atmospheric erosion on a vulnerable exoplanet, in orbit around its parent-star. This happens because high-energy particles drag atmospheric molecules--such as hydrogen and oxygen--out into space. Hydrogen and oxygen are the two components that create water. Dr. Airapetian and his team's new model for habitable zones takes this highly destructive effect into consideration.

Stellar Mysteries
Stars do not come in only one size. There are big stars, little stars, and stars of mid-size. The hunt for habitable planets frequently targets small, cool red dwarfs--the most numerous true stars in the Cosmos. These little stars, that shine with a light that is red, are relatively amenable to the detection of orbiting small planets that are about the same size as our Earth.

Unfortunately, for astronomers on the hunt for habitable worlds, "Red dwarfs are also prone to more frequent and powerful stellar eruptions than the Sun. To assess the habitability of planets around these stars, we need to understand how these various effects balance out," explained Dr. William Danchi in the February 8, 2017 NASA Press Release. Dr. Danchi is a Goddard astronomer and co-author of the research paper.

Therefore, the exoplanet-offspring of a red dwarf star is unfortunate because it has to survive an extreme space environment--in addition to other stresses like tidal locking. Our much more fortunate Earth, in orbit around a Star that is small--but nonetheless more massive than a red dwarf-- is well-protected from violent solar eruptions and bad space weather by its magnetic field, which essentially behaves much like the shields of the Starship Enterprise of Star Trek. Our own planet's magnetic field serves the important function of deflecting approaching, potentially destructive, violent storms of energy. Earth is also protected by its distance from the fiery Sun because it orbits it at a comfortable 93,000,000 miles!

The habitable zone of a red dwarf is much closer to its parent-star than Earth's more comfortably distant orbit around our Sun, The unfortunate exoplanet offspring of a red dwarf is doomed to endure much more powerful--and therefore destructive--space weather storming out from its merciless, red-hued stellar parent.

There is yet another important habitability factor--the star's age. The team of NASA scientists determine a star's age based on observations they have collected from NASA's planet-hunting Kepler Space Telescope. Every day active young stars emit superflares, powerful flares, and eruptions that are at least 10 times stronger than those emitted by our Sun. This is in dramatic contrast to the red dwarfs' more mature counterparts that resemble our middle-aged Sun today. For stars like our Sun, similar superflares only occur about once every century. Our Star is about 4.56 billion years old, and it has another 5 billion years to go before it must bid its final farewell to the Universe. Stars of our Sun's mass "live" for about 10 billion years--which is why our Sun is considered to be in stellar midlife.

"When we look at young red dwarfs in our Galaxy we see they're much less luminous than our Sun today. By the classical definition, the habitable zone around red dwarfs must be 10 to 20 times closer-in than Earth is to the Sun. Now we know these red dwarf stars generate a lot of X-ray and extreme ultraviolet emissions at the habitable zones of exoplanets through frequent flares and stellar storms," Dr. Airapetian noted in the February 8, 2017 NASA Press Release.

Superflares result in atmospheric erosion when high-energy X-ray and extreme ultraviolet emissions rip molecules apart into their constituent atoms--and then ionize an unfortunate planet's atmospheric gases. During ionization, radiation blasts against the atoms, and knocks off their clouds of electrons. Because electrons are considerably lighter than the freshly formed ions, they are able to escape to freedom from gravity's merciless pull much more easily--and then go screaming out into interstellar space.

As is the case in some human relationships, opposites attract. Therefore as more and more negatively charged electrons are produced, they form a very powerful charge separation that attracts positively charged ions out of the atmosphere in a process termed ion escape.

"We know oxygen ion escape happens on Earth at a smaller scale since the Sun exhibits only a fraction of the activity of younger stars. To see how this effect scales when you get more high-energy input like you'd see from young stars, we developed a model," explained Dr. Alex Glocer in the February 8, 2017 NASA Press Release. Dr. Glocer is a Goddard astrophysicist and co-author of the paper.

The model calculates the oxygen escape on planets circling red dwarfs, assuming they do not compensate with volcanic activity or the bombardment of rampaging, migrating comets. A number of previous atmospheric erosion models suggested that hydrogen is the most vulnerable to ion escape because it is the lightest atomic element. Because hydrogen is so light, it readily escapes into the space between stars--leaving behind an exoplanet atmosphere richly endowed with heavier atomic elements such as oxygen and nitrogen.

Small, Cool, Red, And Very Plentiful
The Universe is literally filled with red dwarf stars. Astronomers categorize a red dwarf as any true star that is less than 50% the mass of our Sun--down to about 7.5% solar-mass. Red dwarfs cannot be less massive than 0.075 times solar-mass. This is because at that low mass they would be too small to sustain nuclear fusion reactions in their cores--and they would become sad stellar failures. Failed stars, that are termed brown dwarfs, never managed to attain the mass necessary for igniting their nuclear-fusing stellar furnaces.

Everything that a red dwarf star does, it does slowly. Because they are a mere fraction of the mass of our Sun, red dwarfs churn out as little as 1/10,000th the energy of our Star. Basically, this means that they burn their supply of nuclear-fusing hydrogen fuel at a much slower rate than that of a larger star similar to our Sun. The largest known red dwarf shines with only 10% of the luminosity of our Sun.

Our large spiral Milky Way Galaxy sparkles with the stellar fires of at least 100 billion stars--and most of these stars are red dwarfs. There are about 100 red dwarf systems situated within 25 light-years of our planet. These very cool stars are extremely faint, and because they send forth such a relatively small amount of radiation, they can dance around in the space between stars quite secretively--well-hidden within our Milky Way, successfully eluding the peering, prying eyes of curious astronomers.

Red dwarfs are extremely common. Estimates of their abundance range from 70% of all the stars contained by a spiral galaxy to more than 90% of all the stars dancing around within an elliptical--football-shaped--galaxy. Because these very small reddish stars emit only a very weak energy output, they are never visible to the unaided eyes of Earthly observers. The closest red dwarf to our Sun is Proxima Centauri, and it is the sparkling member of a triple system of companion stars. Proxima Centauri--which is also our Star's nearest stellar neighbor--is much too faint to be viewed from our planet without the aid of a telescope. The closest solitary red dwarf to our Sun is Barnard's star.

Recently, red dwarf stars have become the target of astrobiologists and astronomers on the hunt of possible life dwelling on the exoplanets belonging to these little stars. A red dwarf possesses the relatively puny mass of only one-tenth to one-half that of our own Star, and determining precisely their characteristics may help scientists calculate the frequency of extraterrestrial life and intelligence.

The planets belonging to the family of a red dwarf star hug their stellar parent very closely. Because of this, these unfortunate planets suffer from powerful tidal heating. Of course, this tidal heating serves as a major impediment to the evolution of fragile living tidbits within these systems. Other tidal effects also render the formation and evolution of life in such planetary systems extremely difficult. This is because there are extreme temperature variations that occur because one side of the habitable zone red dwarf exoplanet is permanently locked facing the star, while the other side is permanently locked away from the star. In addition, there are non-tidal impediments to the formation and evolution of delicate living tidbits on red dwarf worlds, such as small circumstellar habitable zones that are caused from puny light output. Other non-tidal impediments include extreme stellar variation, as well as spectral energy distributions that are shifted to the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum relative to our own Star.

However, "good things come in small packages". Red Dwarf stars can "live" for trillions of years because of their extremely slow rate of nuclear fusion. In addition, larger stars, like our Sun, contain a core that is encircled by a radiative zone, that is in turn surrounded by a convective zone. Energy can only pass from the core through the radiative zone as a result of emission and absorption by particles within the zone. One lone photon (particle of light) can take over 100,000 years to make this incredibly long journey. Outside of the radiative zone is the star's convective zone. In this stellar convective zone, pillars of searing-hot plasma carry the intense heat from the radiative zone up to the seething surface of the star.

But little red dwarfs do not have a radiative zone. This basically means that, for the red dwarf, the convective zone descends right down to the star's core and carries away the heat. This also mixes up the hydrogen fuel and carries away the helium that has been fused as a by-product of the nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms. Most stars perish at the tragic point when they use up their necessary supply of hydrogen fuel in their searing-hot cores. In contrast, little--and comparatively cool--red dwarfs keep their supply of hydrogen fuel mixed up, and they will only meet their inevitable demise when--at long last--they have managed to use it all up to the very last dribble.

Because of this extremely efficient use of hydrogen fuel, red dwarfs, containing a mere 10% solar-mass, can "live" for 10 trillion years. Because our Universe is "only" about 13.8 billion years of age, it is generally thought that no red dwarf has had time enough to die since the Big Bang. Stars like our Sun can only survive for 10 to 12 billion years, by comparison.

How Red Dwarf Stars Deprive Their Baby Planets Of Oxygen
When the team of NASA scientists took superflares into account, in their new model, they found that the violent storms that characterize young, active red dwarf stars can produce sufficient high-energy radiation to enable the escape of even oxygen and nitrogen--which are building blocks for the essential molecules that make life possible.

"The more X-ray and extreme ultraviolet energy there is, the more electrons are generated and the stronger the ion escape becomes. This effect is very sensitive to the amount of energy the star emits, which means it must play a strong role in determining what is and is not a habitable planet," Dr. Glocer continued to explain in the February 8, 2017 NASA Press Release.

The new model, when considering oxygen escape alone, estimates that a young red dwarf could cause an unfortunate close-in exoplanet to become uninhabitable within approximately a few tens to a hundred million years. The loss of both atmospheric hydrogen and oxygen would greatly reduce--and actually eliminate--the tragic planet's supply of life-sustaining water long before tender living tidbits had a chance to emerge and evolve.

"The results of this work could have profound implications for the atmospheric chemistry of these worlds. The team's conclusions will impact our ongoing studies of missions and would search for signs of life in the chemical composition of those atmospheres," explained Dr. Shawn Domagal-Goldman in the February 8, 2017 NASA Press Release. Dr. Domagal-Goldman is a Goddard space scientist not involved with the new research.

Modeling the rate of oxygen loss is the first step in the NASA team's endeavors to expand the classical definition of habitability into what they term space-weather-affected habitable zones. When exoplanets are in orbit around a parent-star that luckily has a mild space weather environment, the classical definition works very well. However, when the parent-star shows violent X-ray and extreme ultraviolet levels that exceed seven to 10 times the average emissions from our own Star, then the new definition applies--because the classical definition cannot work for those more turbulent space weather environments. In the future, the team plans that their work will include modeling nitrogen escape. Nitrogen escape may be comparable to oxygen escape because nitrogen is only just a bit lighter than oxygen.

The new habitability zone model has important implications for the recently discovered exoplanet in orbit around Proxima Centauri. Dr. Airapetian and his colleagues applied their new model to the Earth-sized exoplanet that orbits it, named Proxima Centauri b. Proxima Centauri b is 20 times closer to its parent-star than Earth is to our Sun.

Considering the age of the parent-star, as well as the exoplanet's close-in orbit to it, the NASA scientists think that Proxima b is badly battered with terrible storms of X-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation pouring out from superflares occurring approximately every 10 million years. Furthermore, intense magnetic activity and stellar wind--the perpetual outpouring of charged particles from a star--serve to worsen the already deadly space weather conditions.

Dr. Airapetian continued to explain that "We have pessimistic results for planets around young red dwarfs in this study, but we also have a better understanding of which stars have good prospects for habitability. As we learn more about what we need from a host star, it seems more and more that our Sun is just one of those perfect parent-stars, to have supported life on Earth."

Judith E. Braffman-Miller is a writer and astronomer whose articles have been published since 1981 in various magazines, newspapers, and journals. Although she has written on a variety of topics, she particularly loves writing about astronomy, because it gives her the opportunity to communicate to others the many wonders of her field. Her first book, "Wisps, Ashes, and Smoke," will be published soon.


 By Judith E Braffman-Miller


Article Source: How Red Dwarf Stars Deprive Their Baby Planets of Oxygen

Information On Different CDL Endorsements

Before you go through and complete your CDL test and are issued your license, it's important to know as much about the process and know everything that is offered to you first. Getting your CDL opens the doors to the truck driving industry to you, but there are also other doors that get neglected, which could prove to be a career-boosting road that you would have driven past if you didn't know all about the CDL's various endorsements and how to get them.

CDL Endorsements Available

While it will depend on which state you live in, there are CDL endorsements that you will always see listed, including:



Hazardous Materials

School Bus & Passenger

Doubles & Triples

Tankers

Air Brakes

Receiving CDL Endorsements

The process is not too different form receiving the actual CDL test, in that you need to take a written test, pass a background check, and, for Hazardous Materials Endorsement, you will be subject to an inspection of your truck by the government to prevent it from being used as a potential weapon or terrorist operation.

The HAZMAT clearance must be renewed every two years, along with the background check, but it typically goes much quicker during the subsequent updates. For all other endorsements, though, there is no retesting or renewal process necessary, not any truck inspection.

Why should you get CDL Endorsements?

Besides the endorsements that you know you will be using, the question remains whether or not it is worth the time and the money to be endorse for all the other clearances. If you ask any experienced truck driver, they will tell you that you are better off getting them all done at the same time because it will be much less likely that you will ever want to go back and get them, unless you have a sure-thing waiting for you once you pass the endorsement test.

If you want to, you can skip the HAZMAT endorsement, as that one takes the longest to complete, but all the others are done by a short test, a small fee, and no other commitments.

Never say "Never"!

The motto for CDL endorsements should be "you never know." As in, you don't know if sometime in the future you'll ever find yourself needing that job driving a tour bus around, hauling sensitive materials around for a pretty penny, or whatever the case may be. It's better to have that stamp on your license, than to be handicapped for no reason during a time of need. You can't say for sure that you'll be driving a truck for the rest of your life, right? So, the minor inconvenience of passing all the endorsements will be more than worth the effort if it helps your transition from one career to another or allows you to do something that is both economically convenient and personally convenient, like driving a shuttle bus around a nice private community, where the passengers tip well and the sights are heavenly.

For more information, check out careercrawlers.com. If you are looking for specific endorsements like hazmat, then visit our website.


 By Riz Ullah


Article Source: Information On Different CDL Endorsements

How Should You Interpret "All Is Vanity" In Ecclesiastes?

Christians and others who appreciate the Bible are often challenged by attempts to contextualize the book of Ecclesiastes. Where other parts of the Old Testament focus on glorifying and pleasing God, this uniquely charming book repeatedly returns to the refrain that, "everything is meaningless." There are, of course, many different translations of the Bible, and readers of the King James Version or English Standard Version may have seen this phrase translated as, "all is vanity."

Which Translation is Correct?

Anyone who has struggled with translation understands that words in different languages often have slightly different meanings. When converting texts from ancient languages like Biblical Greek into modern English, there are additional challenges. In the case of this particular text, Biblical scholars have sometimes chosen words that seem very different from "vanity" and "meaningless." Some versions draw a comparison to vapor and breath. Instead of calling life meaningless, those scholars think a more apt phrase would be "chasing after [or shepherding] the wind." Certainly more poetic, this windy version may also be closer to the intent of the original author(s).

Who is the Author?

Many books of the Old Testament are a patchwork of combined work from many different historical sources. In this case, some pastors and laymen believe the simplest explanation, which is that Solomon was responsible for writing Ecclesiastes. In one verse, the narrator says, "I was King of Israel," which is significant because Solomon was King until he died. Those who choose to believe that Solomon was the author, however, say that the writer used the past tense because he was looking back over his life. A majority of professional Biblical scholars tend to find that the text suggests at least three different perspectives are included.

The book itself opens by quoting a "Qoheleth" character who can be described as a preacher or teacher. In fact, the Greek word for teacher is "Ekklesiastou," which ultimately gives this book its name. A natural reading would also suggest that a third party or skeptical voice also adds its perspective later, though this can be interpreted as an artistic choice made by a single writer. Christians who believe in divine inspiration may be less concerned with the question of exactly how many humans were involved in penning the original text. Many believers would rather focus on the intended meaning of these potentially confusing verses.

Can the Bible Endorse Meaninglessness?

It's no surprise that the Old Testament would tell readers not to waste their time accumulating wealth or fame. We are all accustomed to hearing pastors warn about the dangers of secular culture and focusing on pleasure or possessions. The writer of Ecclesiastes goes much further than the typical pastor. He appears to say that working too hard and being morally pure can also be described as vanity (or a waste of time). Students, writers, and editors also sympathize with the teacher when he says, "Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body." In the end, most critics find that the unifying idea is moderation. We don't need to live as Puritans or the Amish-it is also important to enjoy life. Carefully reading Ecclesiastes is the best way to learn more about interpreting the tricky phrase about vanity.

To learn more about their options for a vanity, readers should visit http://www.fabriziokitchenandbath.com/vanity-gallery/.


 By Aaliyah Arthur


Article Source: How Should You Interpret "All Is Vanity" In Ecclesiastes?

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