Video Marketing: Look Into The Future


By Amit Thaker

It is 2017 and the world has become digital. Video marketing has slowly but surely turned out to be the go-to medium for promoting a brand. Social networking platforms are dominating the market as far as video-sharing is concerned. Consumers are becoming more and more keen to educate themselves about a product before purchasing it or learning about a service. A well-crafted video goes a long way in giving potential customers the specifics they require before they take the next step.

There are several trends observed in video marketing that can surely help in shaping the future.

DIY (Do It Yourself) Videos

Of late, YouTube has become the go-to place to promote how-to videos. People love to learn a new skill or become independent. An interesting make-up tutorial or a carpentry workshop will go long way in making folks self-reliant. A great marketing video developed by a Product Video Company for a particular brand can also double up as a training content.

Welcome to the World of VR

Virtual reality (VR) as a concept is already a big thing in the gaming universe. This technology requires a virtual reality headset and produces visuals, sounds as well as other sensations that artificially reproduce a user's actual presence in the imaginary setting. It is only a matter of time when VR will be used as a marketing platform to promote a brand.

Innovative Techniques

When it comes to developing quality videos, it is important to consider all options. Some of the creative ones like drones or time-lapse videos have slowly become popular techniques in video production. If you wish to stand out from the crowd and attempt to impress the audience then using unconventional methods can do the trick.

Live Video

This trend is already emerging as a winner in several social media platforms especially Facebook Live. With live streaming videos, users can be part of the action as it happens. The brand engagement is immediate and viewers can give their feedback immediately via comments.

Strong Storytelling

An emotionally powerful story can always tug at your heartstrings. So a marketing video that has strong storytelling with a crisp video & audio can work wonders. An appealing background music can help viewers connect with the video. A good [http://www.buzzcreatix.com/services/explainer-video-production-company/]Explainer Video Production Company should be able to develop an engaging video that leaves a lasting impression in the minds of viewers. An impactful video ought to evoke the right emotions or stir your senses in the correct way. All of this can lead to the video being in your minds all the time, thus increasing brand awareness and ultimately growth in sales.

All businesses, big, medium or small, have started the realize the significance of video marketing and how it can help organizations greatly. This marketing platform has shown that it is an effective tool to craft brand awareness, create a positive brand image and ultimately increase sales for your product/service. With technology developing at a lightning speed, the future of video marketing looks bright.

Amit Thaker is not only the Founder of Buzz Creatix but also a vivid writer. Leading his creative agency which also has a reputation of being one of the leading corporate video productions in Mumbai, he has varied expertise spanning across domains. Gaining a Bachelor of Arts in Film-making at London College of Communications, he has accrued a wealth of experience in corporate and explainer video making catering to several top corporate across industries.

Why Are Investors Turning Significantly Towards Solar Energy?


By Zena Winn

It is frequently heard about the anxiety of going green and developing an alternative source of energy not only to conserve it but also to fight against Global Warming. Galloping world prices have also been responsible for increasing the attention on finding renewable sources of energy.
Petrol prices have increased remarkably in the past few years and are expected to rise further and non-economical renewable resources are expected to become economical. Yet many of which are still underdeveloped due to its exorbitant prices.

Solar energy is one of the most extrusive alternative sources of energy. Numerous countries across the globe are toying with the idea of its development. Unfortunately, the share of solar energy in an overall sector is merely 0.1%. According to a survey, solar power has recorded a growth of up to 22% in the tenure of last 10 years, while 35% of its growth has been recorded in last 5 years alone.

With spectacular growth of this, there have been rising expectations that are replicating tremendous high valuations in the investment market. Investing in solar energy is one of the hottest trends these days as it is prospering and one of the best performing industries today. According to a solar research group:
• Installation of solar photovoltaic rose approximately around 62% in previous years.
• The demand for solar has grown up to 30% annually for the last 15 years.
• Prices for solar has fallen annually 4% over the last 15 years.

Outspread and awareness about solar energy led many people in adapting solar resources. More buyers means more demand which in return increases the profit of solar energy corporations. Form an investor's point of view, investing in such energy guarantees higher returns and following other factors:

With a lack of equity in the marketplace and subsequent rise in commodity prices, the financial markets have become an even more volatile place to invest money. There is no doubt that huge profits can be made in commodity or any other sector, but the risks are far higher. Established investors will be hearing a lot more about solar energy as an investment vehicle in the coming years. Investing in solar businesses is becoming quite economical and has an attractive income stream. The backup of banking institution and support from government is making it a secured investment. Most importantly this also gives investors peace of mind for contributing towards the global need for energy independence from oil and a long-term security.

For more refer: http://ziglerfinancial.com/

A Comprehensive Guide for Making the Perfect Selection of Rakhis


By Sonali Pathak

Raksha Bandhan, the festival that is meant to celebrate the magical bond of love between brothers and sisters. Everything, from the little fights to the little sacrifices to everything is incredible in this relationship.

On this day, sisters tie the knot of love on the wrist of their brother considering it a token of their serene love. In India, a brother is considered as the protecting shield of every sister's life. Sisters too have the most affectionate feeling of love for their brothers.

This comprehensive guide will perfectly help making selection for the best Rakhi. Find here the description about different types of Rakhis for making a perfect move...

1. Designer Rakhi
The best thing is to choose Rakhi for brother as per his choice. If your brother is that kind of fashion freak then this can be the best choice to make. The ease now days is that there are a number of online stores from where you can shop online and make the celebration a grand one.

2. Silver Rakhi
Do you know that why a silver Rakhi can be a best option for a person who loves brightness in life? Because, its one of the most beautiful choices for the occasion, the silver and shining color studded stones, embellished with beads will surely make your brother feel special.

3. Lumba Rakhi
If your brother is married you cannot forget your sister-in-law who is the better half of your brother. You can buy a beautiful Lumba Rakhi that will beautifully embellish the wrist of your brothers.

4. Bracelet Rakhi
A bracelet Rakhi is a Raksha thread that is in the shape of a bracelet and is perfect for someone who is fashionable and loves to be in tune with the recent trends. Your brother can tie this type of Rakhi even after the festival is over.

5. Kids Rakhi
Kids Rakhi is for your little brother! Different varieties of Kids Rakhi are available in the market including, Superman Rakhi, Doremon Rakhi and many more. Kids Rakhi are available in different cartoon shapes.

6. Zardosi Rakhi
A Rakhi with Zardosi design on to it is Zardosi Rakhi and it the best option for your brother if you have seen him loving such kind of work. Showcase your innermost feeling of love with a set of beautiful Zardosi Rakhi your brother will love it.

7. Rudraksha Rakhi
If your brother is someone who is inclined towards spirituality then a Rudraksha Rakhi would be a perfect thing to choose. A Rudraksha Rakhi is made from a thread beaded with the powerful Rudraksha that has more of healing power.

8. Mauli Rakhi
A Mauli Rakhi is made with a mauli thread embellished with beautifully colorful beads and stones. A Mauli thread is also considered as a pious thing in the Indian culture and so you can choose it to add on to more positivity into celebration.

9. Handcrafted Rakhi
A handcrafted Rakhi will always be a great choice for those who love the touch of originality in their lives more than the artificial things. Handcrafted Rakhis are designed by professions who are adept in doing handcrafted work.

10. Stone Studded Beaded Rakhis
They will look amazingly beautiful tied on the wrist of your brother! These types of Rakhis are designed with a thread wonderfully decorated with stones and beads so as to make to look shiny and bright.

This Raksha Bandhan celebration guide will help you to choose the best Rakhi for brother online and will make the celebration a delightful one. The advantage of having been born in the modern times where technology has made everything easier you can comfortably sit at your home and showcase your love to your brother.

This article has been written by a verified author, Sonali Pathak. She has been in the business of writing from last three year. The best thing about reading every piece of her writing is that it has a kind of personal touch that makes it look authentic. You will always find the answer to your question by reading through her content on different areas like gifting, relocation, Rakhi online, Send rakhi to India,   Rakhi to USA and alike. For more info -   https://www.rakhi.in/

Top 15 Rakhi Gift Ideas for Brothers That Will Certainly Amplify the Magic of Celebration


By Sonali Pathak

Nothing can be a better way of expressing your heart to someone you love than finding a beautiful gift. To help you out, I am presenting some wonderful Rakhi gift ideas that will surely strengthen the bond between brothers and sisters. Let's explore here...

1. Apparels

Every sister truly loves watching silently that pretty smile on her brother's face and a gift can always bring that magic. One of the best rakhi gift options that you can choose to present along with Rakhi would be his favorite apparel. Trendy stylish T-shirt or a shirt would perfectly do!

2. Rakhi with Sweets

We all know that sweets are one of the must have things for all occasions and when it's Raksha Bandhan nothing can be a better idea than a tang of some delicious sweets. There are a number of online websites where one can find a combo of beautiful Rakhi with sweets very conveniently. So, be mindful to get the best for your brother.

3. Rakhi gift hampers

A Rakhi hamper would include everything from sweets to rakhi to dry fruits to that amazing rakhi and everything. Choose that fascinating and inclusive Rakhi hamper to impress your brother and that will be one of the best Rakhi gift ideas for brothers.

4. Spiritual Gifts

If you have a big brother who loves to listen to the spiritual talks and having that kind of surrounding around than a spiritual gift along with a beautiful Rakhi would be the best option.

5. Rakhi with Dry Fruits

If you have seen your brother having a great love for healthy food than a gift combo of Rakhi with dry fruits would absolutely be an apt one for Raksha Bandhan.

6. A Classy Watch

Watches are definitely an attractive gift for any occasion and when it's Raksha Bandhan you can always gift your brother a classy watch. You can take a whiff of his likings by looking at his collection of watches.

7. Motorcycle Accessories

When you are looking out for something unique and something special for gifting on Raksha Bandhan then choosing a `set of motorcycle accessories would be a great idea. These motorcycle accessories would include Stretchable Belt, gloves, Mesh, Body Cover, Mirror Blind and various other items.

8. Rakhi with Chocolates

Is your brother a great chocolate lover? Raksha Bandhan is the perfect time when you can delight him with his favorite chocolates. Find the prettiest Rakhi for brother and couple it with some yummy chocolates and he will love that for sure.

9. A Personalized Rakhi gift for brother

By gifting a personalized gift, you can always bring that palpable sense of love and affection. You can easily find a number of such gifts online. A personalized coffee mug or a personalized cushion would be one of the great Rakhi gift ideas for brother

10. Smart Phone

Yes, off course it's quite an expensive one but if your budget allows you for the same, gifting a smartphone on Raksha Bandhan would definitely make it worth. But, you need to do a rigorous research before proceeding further.

11. Kids Train

If you have a little brother you must know that he does not needs much, just a small toy would make him more than happy. Most kids love to play with kids train and so you can always choose to gift a kids train along with a kids Rakhi to bring that innocent smile on little one's face.

12. Set of Books

One of the best Rakhi gifts for your book lover brother is a set of books of his favorite writer. For that you will need to search through his book shelf and that will let you understand your brother's choice of books. Choose a beautiful Rakhi and couple it with a set of books and he will love it.

13. Personalized Wall Clock

A wall clock is something that will always be in front of your brother's eyes and will keep reminding him of his sister's love. And, get it personalized with a picture of you two, engraved onto it and your brother will love the idea.

14. Rakhi with a Flower Bouquet

The magical smell of flowers can win the heart of anyone and when it's Raksha Bandhan you can always plan to gift a bouquet of flowers along with a designer Rakhi. Choose some lovely flowers for bouquet and that will definitely spread the fragrance of love in your relationship.

15. A chic and Stylish Wallet

Do you know that using a gifted wallet is considered lucky for males? And, if you want to summon luck into your brothers' life than choosing a chic and stylish wallet for Raksha Bandhan would be a great idea.

So, these are some really bankable Rakhi gift ideas for brothers that are sure to bring that extraordinarily magical charm in the occasion. We must not forget to put in that extra flavor of love into it and that moment will become the most memorable moment of your life.

This article has been written by a verified author, Sonali Pathak. She has been in the business of writing from last three year. The best thing about reading every piece of her writing is that it has a kind of personal touch that makes it look authentic. You will always find the answer to your question by reading through her content on different areas like gifting, relocation, online    Rakhi gifts shopping and alike. For more, visit here    https://www.rakhibazaar.com/

How to Make Raksha Bandhan a Way of Blending More Love in Your Relationship


By Sonali Pathak

Raksha Bandhan is such a wonderful day that celebrates the beautiful bond that brothers and sisters share. On this wonderful day every sister wants to find the best way so as to showcase the purity of her love to her brother.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated all over in India and particularly by the people of Hindu faith. But nowadays, people belonging to other religion celebrate this auspicious festival with utmost faith and reverence. The day starts with a fresh and positive air and sister's tie Rakhi thread on their brothers' wrists and brother give their sisters Rakhi return gifts and promise to protect their sisters for rest of their lives.

There are a plenty of ways by which you can make the celebration even more merrymaking and wonderful. You rare carry out your Rakhi shopping online conveniently and save a lot of your time for planning other things for a delightful Raksha Bandhan celebration.

Here are some of the ways to make it a day to remember and a way to bring more and more love in the relationship...

1. Buy Rakhi Online
The first thing that comes in mind when it's about Raksha Bandhan celebration is how to find the best Rakhi thread. The most perfect these days is to buy Rakhi online from online stores as you can find the best designs in an assortment of varieties.

2. Plan for a day out
Planning a day out is always one of the best ideas to make an occasion a perfect one! After the Aarti and Rakhi tying ceremony is over, you can plan to go out with your brothers, sisters and cousins. This way you can together have some fun!

3. Find the Perfect Rakhi gift for Brother
In addition to tying Raksha thread on your brother wrist, it will be a great idea to give him some special Rakhi gifts. The most apt way is to go for Rakhi shopping online and order the best gift for your brother.

4. Buy a meaningful Rakhi return gift for sisters
Its' the duty of every brother, to get the best Rakhi return gift for the gem of his life, that is for his sisters. The choice in this regards must be made according to the likings of your sister.

5. Decorate the Puja Thali Perfectly
Offering Aarti to brothers is one of the most pious moments of the occasion and decorating the Puja thali beautifully is one the most significant aspects of Raksha Bandhan celebration.

6. Play a couple of Raksha Bandhan songs
And, a couple of some emotional Rakhi songs playing in the background will add more poignancy in the surrounding. It will elevate the spirit of elevating the brother sister bond to a higher level.

7. Cook Delicious Food
Food is always one of the most important parts of any celebration and it is always great to cook on your own for those you love. Find out what are the favorite food of your brother and make sure to learn to cook them. This one can be a complementary Rakhi gift for brother.

8. Plan a family get together
It's always great to sit together, crack jokes and have fun! Raksha Bandhan is one such occasion when you can plan a family get together inviting everyone who could conveniently join.

These are just some of the ways in which you can bring more and more love into Raksha Bandhan celebration. This is the perfect day to make the occasion a way of bringing in more and more love into your relationship. So, never miss this day and showcase your inner feeling of love and affection. There are also a number of e-stores that makes online Rakhi delivery in any part of the world, easy and convenient.

This article has been written by a verified author, Sonali Pathak. She has been in the business of writing from last three year. The best thing about reading every piece of her writing is that it has a kind of personal touch that makes it look authentic. You will always find the answer to your question by reading through her content on different areas like gifting, relocation,    online Rakhi shopping and alike.

Protecting Your Energy - Friend or Faux?


By Chris Atley

I'm looking forward to the long weekend! We have lots of baseball, parties and down time planned! I hope you have some fun stuff going on too. Life's too short to be so serious right?!

Before I sign off for the weekend, I wanted to share something interesting that seems to keep popping-up. It's the topic around protecting one's energy. I remember being taught years ago when I was just getting into all of this "spiritual stuff" to protect my energy from other people. To imagine a ball of white light around me so that no one's negative energy could penetrate in and so I could stay surrounded by white light. Read on to learn why this actually caused a lot of anxiety and what's really behind protecting your energy anyway.

Protecting oneself was taught not only by spiritual healers, but also business coaches particularly around sponsoring events. We came into contact with a lot of people. Some not always so nice.

I went to a lot of trouble, and I mean a lot of trouble, trying to get this "right". I used to imagine the thickest of glass surrounding me in a ginormous bubble. I mean this stuff was 10 feet thick. It was bullet proof, blade proof, you name it, the best on the market!!!

I would imagine people's negative energy like tiny pebbles bouncing off of the glass, all the while surrounding myself inside the glass with the whitest, most loving, sparkly energy I could dream up.

This process took about 20 minutes at least, and if I'm being completely honest caused a lot of anxiety. Anxiety around if I was doing it right, or heaven forbid if I forgot to do it! Then I felt completely screwed.

It was one more ritual to add to the collection of my OCD habits. My old rituals of habits like having to check if doors were locked, were replaced with these new "spiritual" ones in disguise, conning me into thinking I no longer had any symptoms. Sneaky.

AND it never worked. Shit still showed up. People were still mean and I still took offense.

Hmm...

Let's try a different perspective on, even if just for a minute.

If we believe we are a soul, a spirit, at the highest level, that we truly are eternal beings and that we are all connected as one, then what is a body?

I'm going to go "Course in Miracles" for a minute here.

The Course in Miracles says that the world we see is a projection of our minds, our consciousness. We are the dreamer of our own dream. Doesn't it make sense then that the body is a part of that dream? If we truly think about the body as being a part of the projection then we can start to let go of this tight grip we have around it. We can stop trying to "protect the projection" as my best friend and I like to call it. It doesn't mean we need to get all whoo whoo and crazy, but it does help to put things into perspective and for me has been the ultimate way to LET GO. Let go of the thoughts and stories we have so nicely convinced ourselves of, that keep us so attached to the projection - which is basically a whole lot of drama. Drama in relationships and how we think the world needs to work. Stuck in fear and control. I get sucked in all of the time and so do you. It's a constant wake-up call.

Here's what my take is in terms of protecting our energy. Protecting our energy is all about the body and it's one more way for us to stay separate and disconnected from one another. At our highest level, we are connected and we long for that sense of connection, love and belonging every day.

So what exactly are we protecting ourselves from?

Heavy thoughts. The reality is that we all have an ego and can slip into lack and fear based thinking. Even the most enlightened.

When we feel the need to "protect our energy" it really just means that we don't want to take on someone's "negative" energy. Meaning we in-turn don't want to think and feel negatively. It has nothing to do with our body and putting some type of energy around it.

If we are speaking at an event and felt the need to protect ourselves, it's because we don't feel safe deep down. It's therefore not a coincidence that we would then attract someone who does something thus enforcing the need to protect ourselves. We need to tackle the thoughts and feelings around feeling "unsafe" instead.

This is about controlling our own thoughts and emotions.

When we encounter someone "negative" we can easily choose to not let it affect us.

It's a choice.

We can choose to see it clearly - that they are hurting for some reason - to not take it personally - this is the huge part - and send them good thoughts and LET IT GO. Knowing we are safe, and we are loved and when we come form this pace, those "unsafe" and "negative" people show-up less and less. Why? Because we're no longer projecting it.

Why Do Some People Hoard Things?


By Oliver JR Cooper

Whole TV series have been made about people who are unable to let go of anything, with some of these people finding it hard to get out of their own house. In this case, they will have an incredible amount of stuff in their house.

And the fact that TV programs have been created around this topic shows how common it is for people to hoard things. But while some people live in houses where they find it hard to move, there are going to be others who haven't gone this far.

Stuff Everywhere

Even so, they might live in a house that is full of pictures and ornaments, with their not being a plain wall in sight. When I have watched parts of these programs or been into houses where there is a lot of stuff, I've often wondered how anyone could live in this way.

I find that it is a bit overwhelming to be somewhere that is full of so much stuff, and when every wall is covered, I have found it hard to think clearly. What is going on around me ends up filling my mind.

The Whole Idea

However, what came to mind was that if someone doesn't want to think and they want to be distracted from themselves, this is going to be the perfect environment to live in. Their mind will end up being distracted by what is going on around them.

Their stuff is then there to keep what is going on within them at bay, and this is no different to what takes place when someone has a drinking problem, for instance. It's a bit like how a cork will stop the liquid in a bottle from coming out.

Holding On

Therefore, the more stuff they have around them the better; if they started to get rid of their stuff, they might soon come into contact with parts of themselves that they haven't come into contact with for many, many years. If they were to let go one thing, or a number of things, they could feel as though they are losing a part of themselves.

In reality, they will probably have been reminded of a time in their life when they experienced loss, and the grief that they experienced during this time will have been brought to the surface. But as they are unable to realise what has taken place, they will believe that letting go of something physical is what has caused them to experience pain - when it will have simply triggered what was already there.

Trying To Fill a Hole

Deep down they can feel empty and the stuff that they surround themselves with will allow them to feel whole. Thus, the last thing they will want to do is to face this pain, and this is then why they will come up with all kinds of reasons as to why they need it.

One thing they may say is that "they might need it in the future" and this is something that can be hard to deny. What this can also show is a lack of trust in the universe, as they are holding on out of the fear that what they need won't be provided for them when they need it.

Final Thoughts

I would say that holding onto things we don't need is a great way to stop ourselves from being able to grow emotionally and being able to move forward in life. The stuff that we own can either aid us or it can hold us back.

Teacher, 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 seven hundred in-depth articles highlighting human psychology and behaviour, Oliver offers hope along with his sound advice.

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

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

Brainstorm: Then Stop & Take A Break


By Kathleen Boucher

Do you have a ridiculous deadline to meet, a tight budget to tally,or a seemingly impossible problem to solve? Are you known as the person who "pulls a rabbit out of your hat" and magically comes up with ideas that no one else has thought of?

People who are creative problem-solvers often brainstorm projects and then give their mind a rest.

They go for a walk, engage in a game of tennis, swim, read a book or watch a beautiful sunset. Meanwhile, their brain is working behind the scene. Sounds simple.

You've heard of sleeping on the problem!? You go to sleep asking your subconscious mind to furnish an answer. Put a pad of paper and pen on your bedside table. If you wake during the night write down ideas that come to mind. Many people do this regularly. Why not you?

Years ago I read a story about a young chemist who was given the task of developing a new type of paint for cars. Prior to this, many people had tried and failed. The company neglected to tell him this! They simply said that they needed it by a certain date. He went to sleep and imagined that the ingredients of the paint were poured into a giant funnel with the word "Answer" beneath it. During the night he precisely wrote down the formula for the paint. His superiors were astounded! How did he do it? Firstly, he never considered that failure was an option. He had possibility thinking and he believed in the power of his mind.

Your mind is just as powerful. Believe that there is a solution. Follow the process.

Here are a few suggestions to help you.

1. Do some research and find out if anyone else has ever had to solve a similar problem. How did they come up with answers?

2. Brainstorm as many ideas as you can. Write them down.

3. Meditate and see yourself reaching your goal.

4. Ask your subconscious mind as you go to sleep to give you the answer. Jot it down on a pad, or work backwards. Imagine the problem solved and ask your mind how you did it!

5. Take a break. The answer may pop into your head when you are relaxing and you'll exclaim, "Why I didn't think of that! It is so simple!"

Celebrate the process and know that there is a solution, an answer to many obstacles.

Kathleen Boucher, CEO of Great Kids & Me, http://www.greatkidsandme.com, Show your kids how to solve problems and you'll give them a skill that they'll use throughout their life. Believe, brainstorm, rest, retrieve and celebrate your results.

Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do


By Oliver JR Cooper

During my early years when I was being hit, put down and neglected, I didn't know what was going on. The people who had brought me into the world were not behaving in a way that showed me I could trust them; they were behaving in a way that showed me I couldn't trust them.

This was not something that went through my mind at this stage of my life, of course; nonetheless, deep down I knew that this was the case. There was not a lot that I could do though; I was a depended child after all.

A Mask

I ended up turning into someone who did what they could to please others, with this being a way for me to protect myself. If I didn't behave in this way, the chances of be being harmed in some way were high.

Still, doing what I could to please my family didn't always work; at times, it was as though my very existence was a problem. What this also meant was that I lost touch with my true needs and feelings.

One First Step

The years went by, but even though I didn't have a strong connection with myself, what I did have was a strong curiosity and the hunger to understand myself. I felt lost and I wanted to find out what was going on, why I was experiencing life as I was.

So, when I started to read my first self-help book in 2003, it was as though I was receiving something that I had been craving for many, many years. Once I had finished this book, I wanted to know more.

The Damage had been done

Many years had passed since I was hit and the verbal abuse had settled down, but it didn't really matter. What had taken place in the past had caused me to create a false-self and to carry a lot of pain within me.

Reading this book was then the first step of a journey that would allow me to get in touch with my true-self and to work through the pain that was within me. What it also did was give me a new way of looking at life and myself.

A Different Outlook

When one of my parents behaved in a way that was abusive, the words 'forgive them for they know not what they do' would often come to mind. This was a saying that I had heard a number of years before and it didn't really mean anything.

Yet, due to my own growth and development, it was something that had a big effect on me. This is not to say that their behaviour no longer affected me, as there were times when it did; when it didn't, I could see that they were not aware of what they were doing and this stopped me from getting caught up in what had happened.

An Inner Change

When I was caught up in my own pain and unable to step back from what was taking place, I ended up being consumed by anger and hate. Rising above their behaviour and seeing the bigger picture was then replaced with the desire to experience revenge.

It was then as though I was fighting fire with fire, and this caused me to behave in an unconscious manner. After I had settled down, I would often think about how I had behaved and how I would try to behave differently next time.

Final Thoughts

From what I can tell, this saying has its roots in Christianity, but this is not something that really matters to me. I believe that this is a powerful saying, so I couldn't care less where it comes from.

I'm not religious, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to disregard something just because it has come from a religion. You may find that this saying helps you rise above behaviour that is harmful or destructive, stopping you from being drawn in by it and losing your presence.

Teacher, 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 seven hundred in-depth articles highlighting human psychology and behaviour, Oliver offers hope along with his sound advice.

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

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

The Twilight Zone


By Dr. Tim G Williams

In an age of the unexpected where at a moments notice lives are upended, twisted and forever changed could it be that for many have already entered the Twilight Zone? Could it also be that we have reached the Outer Limits of insanity by our governments failure to set in motion policies that would negate all the violence in our public schools? As sobering as the times of today are we should remember a time in the distant past long before all the mayhem we see today. This is when Rod Sterling's began each episode of the Twilight Zone with "You unlock this door with a key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension. A dimension of sound. A dimension of sight. A dimension of mind. You are moving in a land of shadow and substance of things and ideas. You have just crossed over into the twilight zone." Little did he realize that today we have the whole world in turmoil, governmental reactions that have only compounded the anxiety of millions, and now whole societies are swept up in currents of unrest and tension. It just could be that millions are now feeling like they have literally crossed over into the "Twilight Zone."

When we take a closer look at the state of our nation there remains an undercurrent of financial and economic distress that is like the iceberg that sunk the Titanic. On the surface as our media keeps reminding everyone how robust our economy is, but underneath the surface lies a behemoth of an economic disaster poised to rip apart the very fabric of the nation. With the recent responses to the latest school shootings in Texas, the ranting's of Trump, the crisis in the Mid-East, the failed chance to ease diplomatic channels with North Korea and the continuing economic decline for millions of Americans has made us feel like we have crossed over into the Twilight Zone." In so many other countries that are trying to cope with the harsh realities of today most of humanity is affected in some adverse way or another. Whether we choose to accept it or not the reality facing not only in the United States but in so many other countries around the world are precariously close to sliding into an abyss of economic and social upheaval.

Those Wizards of political expediency in Washington still can't grasp the real imminent dangers facing the U.S. today. When we have had policies that were supposed to ease and eventually eliminate the financial crisis back in 2008 our financial guru's in congress instead acted with full intention treated the general public like the financial crisis was their fault. Today, the vast disparity of wealth continues to widen leaving the United States so unbalanced the economic decay that has already begun will only become much worse.

We see it everyday, from the over 30,000 job losses from Toy's R US to more layoffs in not only retail but in so many other industries including the family farms have continued to mount despite what the media and the Trump Administration keep asserting. Policy after policy have done nothing to negate violence in our schools, have done nothing to raise the standard of living for all those who are underemployed or unemployed, and have done nothing to make not only the United States a more stable and secure nation but in fact have only made matters all across the globe much worse.

From the false bravado coming from President Trump and an Administration so combative whether in trade policies to military provocation whether in the Mid-East or North Korea it just could be we have set in motion a riptide whose under currents have already caused millions to believe they too have entered the Twilight Zone. When we have had a complete lack of ideas and substance coming from our elected officials in their lame attempt to solve crisis after crisis has only brought this nation closer to the fate of the Titanic.

The vast gap between the majority of impoverished and few wealthiest individuals, the current policies of trade and commerce, and all of the other governmental mandates have constituted the largest domino effect in economic retardation in our nations history. It is no wonder that for so many impoverished are actually crossing over into another dimension, void of substance of ideas. Ideas that would actually ease the suffering of so many. A world now filled with very little chance of escaping the harsh reality of a betrayal of a government that was supposed to protect and secure a promise of a better future for everyone.

With mid-term elections forthcoming the evidence of real change is hyped up in all the false pretenses spouted by every political candidate.They say one thing but history has proved that the prospect of real authentic change is nowhere to be found. Only accusations amid rhetoric about using different variations of the same policies that for years accumulated in the largest fraudulent business practices, and failed governmental policies that brought about the greatest escalation in global turmoil since before World War II. This is what is currently being discussed and offered by our same government and failed financial institutions. What is not happening is a real authentic discussion using the lessons that history has taught us in outlying the strategies that has worked in past situations to use in incorporating solutions for solving today's crisis.

Until a discussion and implementation of relevant policies that deal directly with ending the enormous influx of millions of people being forced into "crossing over into the Twilight Zone" the more people will suffer this same fate. A new reality of impoverished populations will systematically sweep across the globe rendering nations defenseless against the onslaught of policies that continually undermine the economic and social core of nations.

7 Words That Lead to Deeper Meditation (and a Happier Life)


By William T Batten

There's a secret mantra, exchanged in dark halls, old monasteries and the quiet corners of the internet. This simple set of words isn't magic but it might as well be. Saying them to yourself transforms your mental state for the better.

If you're in meditation, this short sentence will take you even deeper inside.

Or if you're just walking around, it releases emotions and thoughts.

Write this mantra down and practice it. This exercise is one of the best upgrades to your mind.

Are you ready?

If your monkey mind won't stop chattering, then the mantra is:

"It seems that this body is thinking."

If you are blocked by an emotion, then your words of power are:

"It seems that this body feels angry/sad/tired/whatever."

These may sound simple. That's because they are simple and incredibly sophisticated. Any trained hypnotists or experienced meditators can spot the techniques immediately. For everyone else, let me break it down.

The first two words break any judgement. This is not the time for analysis or criticism. It softens what comes next by allowing it to be true or false.

After all, you're only describing what it seems like.

"It's cold outside" is a definitive statement. It's clear and without flexibility. Maybe it's not cold outside, in which case you'd be wrong.

And if you don't like the cold, that's a judgement. If you do like the cold, that's still a judgement.

Whereas "it seems as though it's cold outside" cannot be true or false. It's an honest description of what's going through your mind. It softens the statement, which softens any judgements within it.

This is important for what comes next.

Talking about "this body" is a classic dissociation technique. A common piece of sloppy thinking is when people say "I am angry" or "I am happy". This language sets up your identity. I am human, I am Australian and I am happy. That last bit is a different species to the other two.

No emotion is who you are. Your feelings are chemical reactions that you experience. They exist inside you and are part of your reality, but they are not who you are.

You feel emotions but you aren't them.

Identifying too closely with thoughts or feelings only gives them power. They make excellent servants and terrible masters.

The final part of the mantra labels what's happening. By this time, that experience has been stripped of judgement and dissociated. Adding a label gives your mind some way of identifying it.

I mentioned that these two mantras (and their infinite variations) take practice. The skill is not in the words themselves but in the mindset that would think them. Be the sort of person who naturally dissociates from their problems. Free yourself from your own judgements. If you do, you'll find your problems decide to leave you alone.

If you were to stop here and master this attitude, your life would become better that you can imagine. Having said that, there are deeper wells in the mental arts. If you care to go spelunking and realise your true potential, learn the skills that will get you there:

   https://guided-thought.com/downloads/unlock-vault-self-hypnosis/

Questions to Ask Your Sitefinity Development Partner Before Finalizing


By Om Namdev

Choosing a perfect CMS development company for your website isn't just going with the company that can offer you the cheapest solution for your business. When you think about it, selecting the right Sitefinity CMS partner is actually about entrusting them with your entire business. Studies have revealed that any mistake in selection may result in a huge loss in the long run through missed business opportunities and a loss of both time and money. With increased cloud applications being developed and daily activities and operations becoming more and more automated, it is very important to choose service providers who can offer the best solutions for your business.

Here we have discussed a few important questions that you should ask your Sitefinity service providers:

You must be aware that Sitefinity is a fully featured enterprise CMS that is user friendly and scalable. With the right implementation partner, you can have a high performing and rich website.

In which CMS is your team specialized in?

A CMS platform is ever changing and robust and it takes quite a few projects to master the functionalities. So, before choosing your Sitefinity partner, ask them the platforms they have worked on and if their team focuses on Sitefinity and have expertise in it or not.

How many years of experience do you have?

Any software service provider working on Sitefinity recently, will not be aware of the challenges that they face while developing Sitefinity CMS websites. It is important that the developers have experience with the versions of the CMS and have gained huge experience from performing numerous Sitefinity upgrades.

Do you have any experience in integrating third party tools with Sitefinity?

While planning to develop a website based on Sitefinity, you should consider that your development partner should have knowledge in integrating a wide variety of third party tools and systems like CRM software, product databases, maps, data feeds and more. While the third party tools have some existing connectors for Sitefinity CMS, it is also important that your development partner has the ability to write custom integrations.

Are all your processes compliant with GDPR regulations?

Data security, privacy, accessibility is of crucial importance and so many laws and regulations are introduced to address these concerns. The GDPR is being introduced to safe guard the data protection rights of the customers and it is crucial that your partner has experience in assisting your business with compliance.

What is your QA process?

It is very important that while developing your Sitefinity website, your development partner has an in-house team for a formal quality assurance process. Testing should not be the sole responsibility of the developer. A professional team having experience should continue with the testing part while the development is going on.

How do you plan for a project before the coding starts?

Before developing a project, there are some considerations that are specific to CMS implementation and that should be taken care of even before the development process begins. You should know that your service provider creates a blueprint regarding the project before the coding starts to ensure smooth functioning of the project.

Do you have any file backup and recovery system?

Your Sitefinity development partner should maintain a transparent process so as to instill confidence and manage the code and deployment effectively. Find out if they will offer you file backup and any recovery process while developing the project. They should also have a check list while deploying the codes in order to reduce potential downtime.

Do you support a mobile strategy?

Since more and more people are using their mobiles to download application or purchase products and services without even visiting the site, it is very important that your Sitefinity development partner has the skills to develop mobile optimized websites in a hassle free manner. Whether it is about creating an app from various mobile devices or creating a responsive design, an experience company will do it all for you.

There are many CMS platforms available in the market, but none offers such rich features as Sitefinity does. So, if you have planned to invest in Sitefinity, then choose a professional and experienced    Sitefinity CMS development company that can meet your consumer requirements without any hassles.

Animation Background Layout


By SA Azad

A background artist is involved in the process of animation. He is the one who establishes the style, colour and mood of scene, as characterised by the writer, artistic director, or client in the story. The work of artists is very creative and this creativity can be seen in motion pictures, television, video games and other forms of media.

In animation, the line drawing of the background for a scene is a background layout. It is not the finished background painted in color but just a sketch.

Background layouts are drawn from storyboards which define the action and perspective in the scene. The difference between a storyboard artist and a background artist is that a storyboard artist draws backgrounds in a rough, simplified style, but on the other hand background layout artists take them to the next level by defining the detail and perspective. The line work is just a part of the finished background.

A background designer has to visualize new locations when they are called for in a script and has to consider the action of the characters as well as the mood of the scene. These design drawings are given to the storyboard artists to show them what a place looks like. A lot of creativity is involved into making places that are made believable to the people in the world of the characters.

Backgrounds must support the narrative of the story, most importantly. Designers take into account things like the personal style of characters or the imaginary neighborhoods. Artists draw places that have history, like showing what has happened previously in a location, even if it never happened they design it to make it look like some event happened in that particular place. The artists can also show the history of a place long before the characters even existed.

A background designer has to do two things:

to design backgrounds for new scenery, and

to draw/paint those backgrounds for the final animation.

Some studios hire background artists who entirely paint the final backgrounds. And sometimes background painters also fill the role of a designer where they create new locations with some help from the art director. All background painters & designers follow a unique style based on the animation.

Each cartoon has its own unique style and the background designer needs to create places that can be real and that mixes into the cartoon's artistic style.

There isn't much of a difference between jobs for background painters, background artists, and background designers.

Background Artist Job

Many background artists use traditional methods such as painting or drawing to create backgrounds.

Artists may use digital media such as Adobe Photoshop to produce desired backgrounds for the story.

A background artist needs details and in order to do that he communicates with the artistic director, director, editor or writers from time to time in order to establish idea of what the desired background should be like.

They may involve painting primarily background keys or the establishing shot for more definition.

Has to seek final approval for background images.

A background artist has to work within tight deadlines and budgetary controls.

For more details visit-   https://animationcourse-in-chandigarh.blogspot.in/#

Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Digestive Problems?


By Haley Robbins

Hormone imbalance due to perimenopause comes with a long list of physical and emotional ailments. Some more embarrassing than others.

If you're dealing with constipation, diarrhea, bloating and excessive belching, you may be wondering: "Can hormone imbalance cause digestive problems?"

The answer is, yes. Fluctuating hormones due to perimenopause can absolutely cause digestive issues.

Take belching, for example.

Many perimenopausal women experience increased discomfort after eating. They may even experience an allergic reaction to certain foods and have difficulty breathing after. Other times, eating comes with excessive amounts of gas and belching.

And I when I say belching, I mean lots.

So much so that it can be hard to control. All that belching can make dinners out with friends embarrassing to say the least...

So what do you do?

Well, one option is to stop going out to dinner with friends all together. Just avoid the situation entirely and save yourself the embarrassment.

But that's not what I would recommend. We need our friends and community to stay healthy and sane after all. Many functional medicine practitioners actually prescribe social contact to their ailing patients because they understand the benefits it provides. This need for family and friends becomes more crucial than ever during a woman's perimenopause years.

A better solution to your digestive woes would be to get your diet and your hormones back on track. You may even want to do an elimination diet to see if you have any food sensitivities contributing to your digestive issues.

You would be surprised by how small changes to your diet can create lasting transformation in your health. The same quality foods that you put in your body will work double time to not only aid your digestion but to also to help stabilize fluctuating hormones during your perimenopause years.

So what kinds of food are good for your hormones and your stomach?

A good hormone boosting diet is not as complicated as you might think. A whole food, plant-based diet, rich in nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables is a good start.

But you don't have to settle for eating salads all day long. Healthy fats like butter, eggs, ghee, coconut, avocado, olive and flax seed oils are all great for your health. You can even indulge in rich, yummy nuts and nut butters.

Meats and fish are also OK as long as they are organic and not filled with antibiotics and synthetic hormones. Try to eat some protein, plant-based or otherwise, at every meal.

So what foods should you avoid?

Almost anything packaged in a box. Sugar is your enemy, as is processed foods in general. Cheap refined carbs wreak havoc on your hormones so steer clear of those as well.

Sure, convenience foods make life easier but you pay a price with your health.

Eating a whole food diet may feel like more work in the beginning, but you quickly get used to it. And the pay off of lasting, vibrant health and reduced digestive problems make the little bit of effort, well worth it.

In my eBook, "Feel Like YOU Again", I reveal the most common food allergens and how to find out if you have a sensitivity. Plus, I let you know how to naturally balance out your hormones and reduce perimenopause symptoms.

Visit my website, http://haleyrobbins.com, to get your free first chapter today.

What Causes Hot Flashes After Eating?


By Haley Robbins

Hot flashes are the worst.

They can come at any time, when you least expect it. For some women, they're so bad that they tend to avoid going out altogether.

But for others, eating brings them on. And not just certain foods. Pretty much any and every kind, from each food group can cause some sort of hot flash reaction.

Mealtimes turn into a new form of torture.

These women pretty much have to put themselves on a starvation diet. Certainly eating out in social settings becomes off-limits. But even meals at home become something to dread on a daily basis.

(And let me tell you, if you're trying to drop a few pounds, starvation is NOT the way to go. Whatever weight you lose will only come back eventually, double-fold. Diets of deprivation never work.)

So how do you go back to eating without the torture of hot flashes? And what causes hot flashes after eating?

As a woman's estrogen level declines during perimenopause, her internal thermostat gets disrupted. Certain foods, like spicy food, alcohol and coffee, dilate blood vessels and stimulate nerve endings bringing on hot flashes. Dramatic blood sugar levels spikes after a sugary snack could also cause flushes.

Not everyone will react the same way to all foods. But there are certain foods that are more likely to bring on hot flashes than others. To ease symptoms, you'll want to avoid the following foods:

� Alcohol

� Caffeine (coffee, in particular)

� Excess Sugar

� Refined Carbohydrates

� Spicy Foods

� Meat (especially red meat)

� Dairy Products

Easing flushes is not as hard as you might think. It's really a matter of eating the right foods and taking the right supplements to balance out your hormones.

In addition to avoiding the above mentioned foods you'll want to add lots of fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains to your diet. The phytoestrogens found in fermented soy are also great for easing hot flashes, as are flax seeds.

During your perimenopause years, your estrogen levels begin to drop. In an ideal world, that decline is gradual and symptoms are manageable. Sure you may experience some hot flashes as a result of waning estrogen levels, but they are nothing you can't handle.

Unfortunately, that's just not the case for many of us. The symptoms we experience during our perimenopause years can be numerous and quite severe. Some women spend those years before menopause in agony as their hormones plummet and fluctuate drastically.

Why is this the case?

A combination of factors really. Women nowadays are exposed to more toxins and more stress than ever before. These toxins, or xenohormones as they are called, have a negative impact on our hormones as does stress. Those two factors plus a poor diet can do a real number on our estrogen and our progesterone levels.

The good news is that by changing your diet, reducing exposure to hormone disrupting toxins and managing your stress you can experience fewer perimenopause symptoms. Even certain supplements can have a positive impact and help ease your worst hot flashes.

In my eBook, "Feel Like YOU Again," I give you common sense, effective ways to balance out your hormones so you can reduce severe perimenopause symptoms. I also tell you which foods boost and which deplete healthy hormone levels.

Go to my website, http://haleyrobbins.com, to get your free first chapter today.

Customized Travel Adapters - The Ideal Corporate Gifts


By Vinod Vullikanti

Most professionals, executives, business owners, office workers, e.t.c, have embarked on travel from one country to another for business transactions, meetings, seminars, workshops, and other business-related functions at one time or the other. As they embark on their different journeys from country to country, their phones, laptops and other electronic gadgets are always with them to keep in contact with business partners and get up-to-date with work.

Phones, laptops are also essential gadgets are a must-pack when embarking on business journeys. There is nothing more frightening than seeing your phone or laptop with a low battery and about to go off when you have important business phone calls to make, you want to navigate your destination with Google Map or have other very important things that you need to do with your phone. This is why a Travel Adapter is a must use when you want to embark on a journey.

What is a Travel Adapter

A travel Adapter is not an electrical converter; it is a connector that allows electrical devices of different plug shapes to be used in different countries. It simply connects different plug shapes to the wall outlet of different countries. This means that with this, you can plug in electrical devices with different plug shapes into the wall outlet of another country.

Different countries and regions have different wall outlets and plug types, which is why a travel adapter is recommended to take along with you whenever you are embarking on a journey to another country. Some of them also have USB Ports where you can charge your phones, tablets and some other USB enabled devices.

Why Travel Adapters are Ideal Corporate Gifts

Company owners, business owners, executives, and other professionals travel most times from one country to another. They need to charge and plug in their different electronic devices and because of this reason, they are ideal corporate gifts that companies and businesses can give out as gift items.

Travel adapters come in different shapes and colors, hence it is best you get the ones that have plug sockets that are compatible with your different electronic devices. Different countries and continents have different plug types such as A, B, C, D, and so on. For example, America has plug type A, Canada has plug type A, European countries have plug type C.

Customized Travel Adapters

Adapters can be customized to suit your needs and make it look different from the other adapters around. This is to give it a unique look and to personalize it for your personal use and satisfaction.

Assuming you have two phones and two tablets that you need to charge at the same time, there are customizable adapters that perfectly suit your need. These are adapters that allow you to simultaneously charge your two phones, two tablets, and other electronic devices at the same time. Charging all your devices at the same time may reduce the distribution of electrical power to each device which will prolong the charging time.

Benefits of using Customized Travel Adapters

1. To charge your phones while traveling - Allows you to charge your phones while traveling regardless of the country you are traveling to. You do not need to worry about whether the wall outlet in the country you are traveling to will be compatible with the country you are coming from. With a customized travel adapter, you can charge your different phones all at the same time thereby saving time.

2. To charge your Laptop while traveling - Allow you to charge your laptop in any country you may be traveling to. A laptop is one of the most important belongings a business man or an executive will be traveling with because he needs to always be up-to-date with work. So using a customized travel adapter will give you an assurance that you will not have to lose track of work due to low battery of your laptop.

3. To charge your Tablets - Apart from charging your phones and laptop, you can as well charge your tablets too. There are many outlets where you can plug in your tablets along with your phones and laptop.

4. To power Electric Shavers - As a businessman going on a business trip that will take weeks, an electric shaver is one personal belonging you shouldn't forget to take with you. This is where a customized travel adapter is of great importance because you will need to power your electric shaver or charge it when needed. Regardless of the country, you are travelling to, a customized travel adapter is what you should take along with you to enable you power or charge your electric shaver.

5. To charge Digital Cameras - As a tourist going on a vacation or a businessman going to a business seminar, a digital camera is what you should take along with you to capture every moment. You also need a customized travel adapter to enable you to charge or power your digital camera when needed. With a travel adapter you can charge your digital camera in any of the countries you will be traveling to.

Things to take note of

A Travel Adapter is not a converter or a transformer, hence there are two important things that you need to take note of when traveling to other countries so you don't end up destroying your phones and other devices. These two important things you should take note of include;

1. Current - The two major standards for electric current are Direct current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC). Some countries use DC while some other countries use AC, hence you need to check that your devices are compatible with the electrical current of the countries you will be visiting so as to avoid any damage.

2. Voltage - There are several different standards of electric voltage for different countries. The most common are USA voltage standard of 110/120V and European countries of 220/240V. So check which voltage your devices are compatible with so as to avoid damaging your devices. Customized Travel Adaptor is one of the most useful and popular corporate gifts

WICKED RIVER - Jenny Milchman


By Ray Palen

For years there has been a resurgence in the mystery/thriller world that I call the Nordic Noir invasion. That movement has been led by terrific writers like Stieg Larsson, Jo Nesbo, Camilla Lackberg, etc... Meanwhile, back stateside, there has been a lesser known but just as powerful new sub-genre in the mystery/thriller world I refer to as Adirondack Noir.

The Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York are majestic, mysterious, beautiful and full of history and stories. Several authors have set their stories in this area, which can be just as stark and desolate as those novels based in the Nordic region of Europe. One of the authors at the forefront of the Adirondack Noir movement is Jenny Milchman. She lives in the gorgeous Hudson Valley region of New York just North of NYC and has set her novels a little bit further north in the Adirondacks.

WICKED RIVER is Milchman's finest work to date --- and that is saying something! It is a dark, complex fever-dream of a novel that you just cannot shake or wake up from. There is an air of mystery around the entire novel and the characters are each so complicated it is difficult to ever get a good grip on exactly what is going on or driving them. It's best to just sit back and go along for the ride.

The action begins at the wedding of Natalie and Doug Larson. They are a well-to-do, NYC couple who have chosen the Adirondacks not only for their wedding ceremony but also their honeymoon. Just prior to the wedding, Doug and two members of his bridal party are seen having a heated discussion with two strangers who seemingly arrived out of nowhere to confront them. This is witnessed not only by Natalie but also her niece, Mia. Throughout the novel, Milchman switches between Doug, Natalie and Mia for different points of view. This verbal altercation is strange yet quite meaningful to the plot and the horrors that are to come.

After the ceremony, Doug and Natalie begin their honeymoon amidst the six million acre park that makes up the Adirondack Mountain range. They have chosen to start off their new life together in adventurous fashion by going on an 'off road' adventure that will include canoeing, camping out and foraging for themselves out in the open wilderness. There are checkpoints they are required to make or go to in case of trouble. What happens next is completely unexpected (and I will not reveal all here lest I spoil it for other readers). Let's just leave it that Doug and Natalie find themselves far off-track and injured. They are also not alone. WICKED RIVER opened with a scene that depicted a female hiker being abducted by a strange figure. It is this very same figure, who we later know is named Kurt, that comes upon Doug and Natalie. At first it seems like Kurt is their savior as he helps nurse them both back to health and provides them with food and shelter.

However, Kurt is the Adirondacks version of the boogey-man. A man who has been living off the grid for so long that he has lost almost any semblance of humanity and is beyond dangerous. Kurt has created his own little world in which only he gets to decide who lives or dies in it. Those who are not marked for death he gets obsessive about --- and there may be no means to escape. Now, he has focused his attention on Doug and Natalie. Any weird feelings that had already started in the young relationship between the newlyweds are quickly put aside as they will need all their wits about them to overcome Kurt. It is sort of like DELIVERANCE meets the HUNGER GAMES as there are many pitfalls in Kurt's Adirondack Kingdom and he is the sole games master.

Doug and Natalie figure out fairly quickly that Kurt is an unstable figure they need to get far away from. They know this long before they realize that the jerky they are eating is NOT venison. There is a scene where they come upon Kurt's 'smokehouse' that was straight out of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. The novel comes with a reader's guide of questions as well as an insightful Q&A with Jenny Milchman. What I found most amusing is that she does not consider herself a writer of thrillers. She has a point, because WICKED RIVER is so well written and full of great characters and stunning plot twists that only a master writer could have created it --- thereby labeling her a thriller writer comes across as diminishing this accomplishment. WICKED RIVER is an amazing, hard to describe novel that borders on literary horror and will definitely haunt your dreams and serve as a cautionary tale for anyone seeking the adventure of an off road visit to the Adirondacks!

Reasons That Can Stop a Man From Committing Suicide


By Esbon Mwema

It is an understatement to say that life is hard nowadays especially with the continually depleted resources and the population is increasing than never before. A significant number of people are finding it hard to cope, and new emerging levels of stress and depressions have increased worldwide. It is a struggle to get by for most people, and only the strong in the will are living it out. However, some people get depressed and opt to end their dear lives untimely. There are estimates that over a million people commit suicide annually. Biting poverty, strained relationships, massive debts and drug abuse are the leading causes. Many of us at times reach a point we feel that it is too much, but we find more compelling reasons to still move on despite the setbacks. Here are some of the ideas that make men re-think their lives over and hesitate to give it up;

A Pending Job Interview

The issue of remaining jobless for months or even years after completing school is a heartache to many. The numerous tours to various companies, institutions without success is a stressful thing. Life gets unbearable when a man losses a job, through which he provides for his family when his family goes without food or other basic life necessities, it is awful. He leaves in the morning full of hopes that he will secure a job through his numerous searches. Sometimes he gets home to the hungry but hopeful stares of his children and when he out gives his last dime. He finds no pleasure to live anymore and desires to die. To commit suicide and escape the misery of seeing his family suffer, but one thing makes a man stop and think an again before he lets, that pending interview for a job he has relentlessly applied to gives him the hope to wait, and to wait, he does. Next time someone knocks at your office looking for the job or asks for one, just be kind enough to reply positively. They may never qualify for the position but if you put some hope in them, it will take them to the next stop and who knows it may be their big day.

A Promising Smile From the Woman Long Admired

Living a lonely life is very difficult, and it sometimes causes depression to people. The pain of losing a loved one hits very hard on some men, and sometimes the pain is unbearable. But there are some men too who are lonely because they have no one in their lives. Probably there is that girl they have got an eye on but are sort of shy to talk to them and express themselves. It goes on for a time, and it gets into their nerves and self-pity and eventually hatred. But then one day they meet this girl of their dreams, and she promisingly smiles at them in a greeting of sincere acknowledgment, and this suddenly changes a man's life. Though he thought of himself worthless and of little value, this rekindles hope in him, and he finds a whole new reason to live. Every time you great someone with a live, broad smile, it can bring life to change impact to someone.

Encouragement From a Stranger

We, at some point in life, met people we don't know that left us encouraged and brought about a smile in our somehow uncomfortable situations. Out there as we go about our daily businesses we come across so many people and some are going through bitter phrases of life and its hidden in a way that only themselves know. There is something that gives one hope, and an anticipation of good things ahead and that is an encouragement. When we meet people out there going about their ways we should not miss that precious opportunity to congratulate them for the things they are doing even if it's for themselves, it brings out a sense of worthiness in them. Some may be feeling down and empty, but that, ' keep it up,' 'you are doing good,' may be the battery that pushes one.

A Lovely Family, Marriage or Relationship

Having a beautiful family is one big dream to most of the people and those with already nice ones do everything possible to have it that way. A lovely marriage or a relationship is also one of the coveted treasures of this life and those without doing their best to have, while those who have them work hard to maintain them. When a man has a beautiful family, a good wife, and some adorable kids and he loves them, he will do everything within his reach to live for them. No matter how hard life is, no matter the size of his challenges or problems, he will still press on. Every time he would think of giving in to the voice of giving up, the thought of his wife left alone weeping widow, or his adorable children crying as orphans make him live on, no matter what.

A Mother's Love

It is with no doubt that most men are closer to their mothers than their fathers especially while growing up. The mother's love has a unique touch to many men in their young lives, and it thrives in them even in their adulthood, reminding them again and again. When a man thinks of his mother's love, the amount of sacrifice they made to make them happy and comfortable, the pain they endured so they could make them smile all makes a man look back and think of the pain unto their mothers and even fathers, should they end their lives. The anguish of the premature loss they would undergo would stop any man from taking their own lives. Let's love our children all the way as they grow; it is a treasure.

A Gloating Enemy or a Belittling Friend

No man loves to lose any kind battle to anyone. May it be a fight, a competition or a match. However, certain things in life are of higher value, and any man would never want to lose, and if they did, would want to live to fight another day. If a man ever won the heart of a woman who admired by many others, he would never want to leave this life lest prize would be taken away by his competitors. If a man had a friend or a neighbor who thought him useless and good for nothing, he would do anything to prove them otherwise, and committing suicide is one of them.

How to Make Dreams Come True


By Pat B Freeman

PURPOSEFUL PLANNING MAKE DREAMS POSSIBLE

When we dream, often we're asleep. At least that's how we think of dreams. But there is also another way to dream -- exploring ideas in your imagination while you're awake. When I'm asleep and dreaming, I can go anywhere and can do anything. I can do the impossible. But when I wake up, I awake to my imagination. I can imagine the dream being possible as I look around me. If my vision is big enough, I can see it becoming possible on a national or global level. As we open our minds to desires, hopes, and dreams -- and what we would like to do with our lives now and in the future, we can envision so many things. You may want to do something that someone else will think is impossible.

When I want to do something, I will not pursue it without being intentional. When you have a plan, you intend to achieve your goal. There will be no need to fantasize about it anymore. No more imagining what could be possible, doing nothing, and leaving the dream stagnated in your mind. Purposeful planning makes dreams possible.

THERE ARE ACTION STEPS FOR EVERY DREAM

Do you want to make your dream a reality? Then you need an action plan. Build your dream career. Build your dream business. Build your dream life. Write your dream book. You can live your dreams awake! Prepare to do it now and always, with intentional and purposeful planning. Whatever the goal, no matter how big or small, get started by outlining your action steps in writing, whether you want to lose weight, buy a new house, get a better paying job, pay off a few bills, start a new act, or whatever it is. Get going with proven action steps that will put you on the right path to your dream. It's time to dig in. Get started by asking yourself these three simple questions.

What is my dream?

By when do I want to make the dream reality?

What can I do now to get started?

GET STARTED & STAY THE COURSE

Unfortunately, everyone with a vision doesn't act on it. In many cases, if we do act, we move on it without the advantage of taking the time to create doable and realistic action steps to navigate the twists, turns, hills, and valleys along the path. To start, keep it simple and doable. Whatever you do, don't get discouraged and discard the idea. If you value it, it's worth pursuing and staying the course.

PAT B. FREEMAN is a John Maxwell certified speaker and coach with more than twenty years as a community college administrator. She is the founder/CEO of Pat B. Freeman LLC, offering inspirational business speaking and women's empowerment coaching - with an entrepreneurial focus. Pat is a serial entrepreneur, author, blogger, and podcaster. To learn more about Pat's services, products, and tools, please visit http://www.patbfreeman.com. You'll be inspired for action by her new book, Get Your Mind 'Write': 7 Steps to Breakthrough Confidence for Aspiring Authors, available on Amazon:   https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07C885LBV

Do Video Games Damage Our Brains?


By Bargau E Raul

If you play video games frequently, your brain changes - the more of the so-called grey mass is present in the hippocampus of the brain, the healthier the thought organ is. The less of them are present, the higher the risk of developing a brain disease.

The computer game League of Legends is a phenomenon:

The computer game "League of Legends" is a phenomenon: around 100 million people worldwide play it, regularly "LoL", as it is said among connoisseurs. The game, in which normally two teams with five members each compete against each other. The rules are complex, and winning against other players requires strategic thinking.

Research confirms many a positive effect:

The study published in mid-November 2017 of the University of York in England in Plos One magazine. Whether the players became smarter through the hours in front of the screen or whether it simply helps smarter players in the league can't be answered, says psychologist Alexander Wade:

We bet on the latter.

Computer games are a common pastime for the young people of today. Research on the effects of computer gambling is also flourishing and producing hundreds of studies every year. After all, they want to know how brain and behavior are influenced by this mass phenomenon.

Contrary to popular belief, the results usually lead to computer games improving the brain functions involved. It is quite clear that many games do not improve the entire IQ, but do improve individual brain functions.

Only later did scientists show the positive effects of gambling. Those who play regularly for an hour are better at quickly understanding situations, generating new knowledge and classifying what they have learned into categories.

The reason for this is an increased activity in the hippocampus, an area that is important for learning and may be trained through    computer games. But through excessive playing, an average of fourteen hours per week, the so-called grey brain substance suffers in the gamers - reduced in places. This is in the orbital frontal cortex, which belongs to the frontal lobe responsible for higher tasks. The more excessive her game was, the greater the loss.

Only, what does that mean? The volume of the grey matter in which the nerve cells of the cortex sit varies greatly over the course of life and depends on a number of factors - it is difficult to say whether a change is good or bad.

One thing is certain: If you spend a lot of time on the screen, you don't have enough time for other things. The neuroscientist Daphne Bavelier from the University of Geneva compares computer games with red wine:

It's a pity in large quantities. He may even have enjoyed moderate health benefits.

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Which Fabric Is Better, Silk or Cotton?


By Bruce Thomsan

When you go about choosing a dress or any fabric to adorn your space, what do you look for? Is it just the design and visual appeal that you fall for? Indeed not. The choice depends on numerous factors including look, warmth, durability etc.

Especially for furnishings, the material or the fabric has a great impact on the overall result that is how it will complement your space and your comfort levels with the choice. While many of us get carried away by just the visual appeal, it is wise to keep the fabric as the major consideration.

Some time ago the use of silk for furnishing was lesser known but its benefits have made people venture into the domain and prefer it over other options. Eri silk manufacturers across India are involved in the production of pure silk furnishings that offer versatility, functionality, and appeal.

Even when we say fabric, there are a lot of aspects to be considered. Here are some key differences that set the two main fabrics (silk and cotton) apart:

Presence of allergy-causing agents:

Silk doesn't attract dust mites at is hence hypoallergenic. Its moisture-wicking capabilities also keep the bacteria at bay. On the other hand, cotton offers a breeding ground for bacteria owing to its high moisture absorption. If the possibility of allergies bothers you, you must choose silk. There are various silk fabrics available that are ideal for furnishings. Out of these Assam, Eri silk has superior moisture wicking properties.

Durability and care:

While the charm and delicate appeal that silk exudes, says otherwise, it is a highly durable material that exhibits exceptional strength. Even with low maintenance, it is more likely to retain its strength and sheen than cotton. It also requires less frequent washing as compared to cotton making it easy to maintain and long-lived too.

The Splurge

If you go by the upfront costs, silk fabrics cost higher and your furnishings will be on the costly end if compared to the cost of cotton furnishings. However, if you consider life, maintenance, and other factors, silk works out to be the reasonable alternative that is more durable than cotton and hence replaced less frequently.

Insulation

No one wants to sweat in summers and shiver in winters. Contrary to the common perception that silk is warm, the truth actually is that it is warm in winters and cool in summers. That makes silk a win-win with its superior insulation properties as compared to silk. You can close your eyes and choose silk irrespective of your local climate.

Environment friendliness:

Cotton cultivation and extraction has a major footprint on the environment whereas peaceful extraction and weaving of silk is absolutely pro-nature. Assam Eri silk is known to be the fabric of peace as it is extracted in a way that the silkworms stay safe too.

While both silk and cotton are popular fabrics, silk is a clear better choice when it comes to furnishings. This is because it is pleasant to touch and feel and stands the test of time. It also gives a royal charm to your spaces and thus a perfect choice for furnishings.

Men's Shoulder Bags By Comparison


By Pat McMurray

Part One: The English Gentle man

Edward Marks is a seasoned English gent, a true survivor of his tradition. He retired from the British army after forty years of dedicated service where he achieved the proud status of Sargent Major. Now in retirement he resides peacefully with his memories in a small village on the edge of the downs. Today, Mark is carefully planning a hike across the downs and laid out on his single bed a suitable collection of clothes. He will be wearing a Harris Tweed Jacket and cap, Flannel Check Shirt, Olive Green Moleskin Trousers and hiking boots, perfectly suited a walk in the country side. Before leaving the house there is one more very important thing to address, selecting a suitable shoulder bag to carry his requisites. This inanimate object is a faithful companion and without it Mark would feel great loss and discomfort. He reaches out and removes a green canvas bag with leather straps from his collection hanging from wooden pegs in the entry hall to his home.

Now the bag is ready to perform its vital function. Mark gives his choice bag a little shake and inspects the inside for any remnants of last use. He places the bag on the kitchen table in front of a selection of objects, all of which will sustain him on his days outing; ham cheese and tomato sandwich, wrapped in wax paper, one orange, wrapped in an old kerchief, a leather pouch containing Old Holbourn tobacco and papers, flask of piping hot tea, sketch pad and drawing pencils and finally a spare hanky.

He is now fully prepared to step out into a perfect spring day. Slinging the bag over his left shoulder he feels great comfort and satisfaction, there is an odd kind of security one gets from the shoulder bag. And, even odder is the attachment to it, though tattered and torn it may be and long past a use by day. The old faithful bag will lie next to similarly tattered sneakers and many failed attempts have been made to discard them, an impossible task.

Part Two: The New York Stock Broker

In complete contrast to the tranquil nature of Edwards Marks peaceful surrounding in the English Countryside, across the Atlantic Ocean Marcus Steiner, a young positively aggressive stock broker is in a similar mode of daily preparation. Markus graduated from Harvard with first degree honours in finance and economics. His very life feeds on success; his whole existence is driven by adrenaline. He is on a career path consulting in the share trading market. It's a cut throat industry and only the tough survive. He rises very early in the city that never sleeps.

After a protein rich breakfast has been fully consumed he performs his ritual Yoga exercises and religiously chants a few self-motivating scripts to prepare him for battle on the stock room floor.

Marcus is now standing beside and laid out before him are collections of clothing, he carefully selects the most appropriate to reflect his powerful intentions of the day. A finely tailored blue Marino Wool suit, crisp Egyptian cotton shirt, red and blue striped handmade silk tie, dark brown leather shoes with matching belt. Now it's time to select that all important companion    men's bags to house electronic communication devices, pens, business cards, latest financial review, wallet, pens and dark glasses. He slings the bag over his shoulder with a great air of confidence and steps out onto the crowded streets. Marcus is capably ready to take on the finance world he thrives on, enclosed in his leather bag all the things that reflect his intentions and critical information at hand to demonstrate his skills.

Conclusion

Two individuals at the opposite end of a scale and from vastly different cultural influences have something in common. They both rely heavily on a similar companion (the shoulder bag) though its contents vary, it performs the same function. The bag originally born out of function has now become a fashion accessory in an ever growing demand. You will see men of all ages carrying them by hand, dangling from shoulders or clinging to their backs. Do you have a favourite companion bag?

This article draws on the functional aspects of men's shoulder bags. There are an abundance of choices that range in material composition, size and cost. We wish you well on your search for that faithful companion men's shoulder bag.

How to Conduct an Impactful Media Interview


By Cynthia Lockrey

The news release has been issued to the media and now they are calling asking for an interview. Do you pick up the phone and start talking? No. Take a few minutes to read this article and learn some techniques to make sure your media interview is impactful.

Preparation is the key to a successful media interview. Think about it this way - would you step on the stage and give a presentation to thousands of people without preparing your thoughts and fine tuning your message? Hopefully not. You would spend some time reviewing your notes, checking out your appearance and making sure you remember your key points. Think about your media interview as a presentation to a large group of people. Even if you can't see them, hundreds or even thousands (possibly millions) of people will read the article, listen to the interview or watch the clip.

Okay let's get started with some basic ways to prepare.

1. Write down your three key messages. When you are done your interview, what are the three key points you want the reporter, and audience, to remember?

2. Formulate your interview around these key points. When asked questions that are "off message" go back to these points. Use them to transition out of sticky questions. Example - while that's a good question, I want to stress what's important to remember is... insert key message.

3. Determine what media outlet you are talking to and the average length of audio or video clips or story length for print. If it's radio and the interview's for a short news story, keep your interview short as they will likely only use a 10-30 second clip. If it's television or video, you might get 60 seconds of you speaking in the story.

4. Tailor your message to meet the needs of the audience of the media outlet. Is this a local news outlet? National? Is the audience your peers or the general public? Each media interview should be unique, tailored to meet the needs of the specific audience, versus repeating the same information the same way in 10 different media interviews.

5. Take stock of your appearance. Solid colours are best for video interviews. No crazy patterns or logos (unless it's your own company's logo). For women - no clunky jewellery or exposed cleavage. And for men - button up your shirt and empty your pockets so you aren't tempted to jingle your keys.

6. Don't ramble. Stick to your three key points. This way when your comments are edited, what appears in the story will be on topic.

7. Thank the reporter. Too few people take the time to say thank you.

Once the story is live, review the coverage to see how well you delivered your message and identify how you can improve for future interviews.

To learn more about how to improve your communications skills visit http://www.howtocommunications.com

Harvest Is Over - Better Get the Ladder


By Larry Galler

When business is good and customers are eager to buy, it sure is a great time. Business seems bountiful and everlasting. You're hot. The phone is ringing, orders come through a cornucopia of the internet, customers stand in line... easy pickings... like harvest time in an orchard and all you have to do is just walk over to a tree and pluck another apple... one customer after another... you feel that you are a business genius. Here's some advice from someone who has been there: better enjoy it while it lasts.

Because, after a while, the orchard is picked over. Sometimes there is a drought. Insects or disease or a frost attacks the crop. Customers now are standing in line somewhere else for the next shiny thing. The market swings in other directions away from you. The easy pickings are long gone. Customers have dwindled. You are no longer a genius, what oh what to do? Wringing your hands doesn't help.

In the orchard, some starve because they can't get to the harder-to-reach fruit, even standing on your tippy-toes, sigh, and give up; survivors build ladders to climb higher. In business, some give up and close shop. Those who have the resources and the gumption to survive evolve by changing product, marketing harder and smarter, perhaps even changing their business model. They change their offerings and bring out new, improved colors or sizes or capacities or groupings. They take groups of products or services into and put them into different combinations or bundles with new pricing.

Survivors have a way of going after an increasingly more elusive harvest. They have larger crops in good times when the picking is easy and can sustain themselves when there is a drought or other calamities. Whether the tool of survival is a ladder, a marketing plan, a customer retention plan, customer service training, sowing, fertilizing, weeding, pruning, and harvesting... it all needs to get done year after year.

Increase your reach now, plan your evolution when business is good, before the drought, before customers defect for the latest fashion, before the next shiny thing comes and replaces you in the marketplace, before something else gains favor. Always be aware of events that arise and affect your market and circumstances beyond your control. Keep your eyes and ears tuned to the changes happening around you and your business. Do that and you will survive and prosper in good times and bad.

Question or comment to Larry:  larry@larrygaller.com

Larry Galler coaches and consults with high-performance executives, professionals, and small businesses since 1993. He is the writer of the long-running (every Sunday since November 2001) business column, "Front Lines with Larry Galler". For a free coaching session, email Larry for an appointment -  Larry@larrygaller.com. Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.larrygaller.com.

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