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Our spiritual growth has brought us to a point where we know we are creating our reality as we go along. Let us use this spirituality information to think up a reality that serves us and all of humanity.

This article is called “Thinking Up A New Reality”‘ so we are going to shake up our thinking here a bit. We are going to change the way we are thinking and think different thoughts. Let’s get in the same league as Albert Einstein and make him proud. What the heck, let’s make ourselves proud. All it takes is a thought of pride. Is that a different thought than you have been thinking?

Forward, onward, don’t look back because that is what your ego wants you to do. The ego rules your past, the sacred self rules the present moment.

Whenever I think about the ego, I always come up with this visualization of a person who is trying to make a decision and there is a miniature version of that person on one shoulder dressed up as the devil and a miniature version of the person on the other shoulder dressed up as an angel.

The little devil image is pushing the person to do what he knows is not in his best interest, while the little angel image is reminding the person what the more altruistic choice would be. The way we have structured our society has allowed us to “cheer on” the little devil. We basically scoff at the goodie two-shoes angel figure and side with the character giving us bad advice.

When we make a decision that does not serve us we usually say that “the devil made me do it” and just laugh it away as something that we had no choice over. But wait a minute. That’s not being very honest with ourselves. We did have choice. Remember the “angel” figure on the other shoulder? We could have listened to this voice just as easily as we listened to the “little devil” voice. It’s all a matter of choice.

What is it that makes us choose to give the “little devil,” the ego, more say in the affairs of our lives than the valid perspective of the “little angel,” our sacred self?

Think about that. Remember, we are thinking up a new reality.

Does it serve us to listen to the ego? In my experience of life it rarely serves me. Sometimes, in the short-term, I will see some benefits come my way that seem to fulfill an immediate need, but when that short-term need is fulfilled the ego wants more. Then, as time goes by, the short-term gratification that came from satisfying my ego is replaced by a realization that my long-term intentions and desires were subverted by the short-term gain. One step forward, two steps back.

Wait a minute. Didn’t we just say that we’re not going to look back? Let’s keep moving forward. One step at a time in the present moment of now.

So where does this ego belong on the spectrum of our belief system? We have revealed to ourselves that there are two paradigms of belief that are available to us. One paradigm says that we are separate from each other, separate from all the physical things that make up the universe and separate from God. The other paradigm says that we are one with all people, one with everything that exists and one with God.

All of our ego-based choices are designed to make us think we are separate beings who have to fend for ourselves because “it’s a jungle out there” and the best way to take care of yourself is to believe in the law of “the survival of the fittest.”

Remember, we are here in the realm of the physical universe for a purpose. Our mission is to experience life in all of its different perspectives in order for God to know, through our experiences, all that she knows of as concepts. That is the purpose of our existence.

Let us begin the process of creating the “experience” of “thinking up a new reality.”

Richard Blackstone is an award winning author and international speaker on Love, Vera Wang Handbags & Creation. Journey into discovery of Self by reading this FREE report; “The 3 Simple Immutable Laws of the Universe” at: http://www.NutsandBoltsSpirituality.com

Rather than detesting the body that you were born with and praying that you could just transform into a goddess with a body to match, you can just try to work with what you already and accentuate your better features as you downplay the features that are not-so-great using these swimwear tips.

Tops

For tops, you could never go wrong with halter tops. Halter tops are flattering for all kinds of body shapes, as they could provide wonderful support or just a little lift. For those with fuller and larger cup sizes, you could try halters designed with a wide band on the bottom. Triangle halter tops would work best for women with smaller cup sizes. If you have a larger cup size but still want to sport a triangle halter top, then you could try to look for one that has an underwire. This is because the underwires could provide support needed by your breast so that would not fall out on the bottom portion of the swimsuit. A bra-style top with an underwire would be great for those women who have larger cup sizes and narrow shoulders. If you plan to wear a tankini, it would be best to opt for a longer top with v-neck line.

Bottoms

For bottoms, it would be advisable to go for bottoms that could be tied on the sides. Whether the ties are chunky or stringy, they would be great as you would be able to easily adjust the strings so that they would not be cutting into your sides. Bottoms that are Brazilian-cut would be good in making your behind look smaller, but keep in mind that these kinds of bottom could ride up rather easily. If you are looking into getting boy shorts to cover up something, they might just accentuate whatever you are trying to conceal. Probably a better alternative would be a skirted bottom, as they could offer a better cover-up than boy shorts.

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Dogs. They are our pets, our best friends, and the one set of ears that will never pretend to ignore us. Due to the fact that they are such great companions, it is clear why owners always want the best for their furry friends. After all, they do resemble a human being, thus it is reasonable to feed them the healthiest foods and purchase a plethora of unused toys. While top notch pet food is available in every store, it can be perplexing to try and find the healthiest product. With so many factors taken into consideration, the percentages and ingredients become mind boggling. So how does one pick dog food out of the thousands of brands?

The first thing a pet owner should know is that affordable brands don’t always mean that it is better. As we all know, dogs are like humans and they need their nutrition. Most dog food brands make sure that ingredients include meats, proteins, and fibers. However, there are those that focus on affordability rather than nourishment, which is why many animals begin to face problems. In order for your pet to have a healthy diet, you must find a food brand that incorporates protein, such as steak, chicken, or another type of meat. Additionally, these types of food should also have vitamins and minerals in them. Though dogs are much different than human beings - they still require nutrients that keep them healthy and feeling great. If you are hesitant on a certain brand, chances are there may be a problem. It is recommended that you either consult the company itself, or perhaps find a book on healthy dog food. These resources will easily help you eliminate the brands that are more concerned with money.

Are you still unsure of what you’re feeding your dog? Many pet owners simply run to their veterinarians, hoping that they will have a speedy answer. Fortunately, they can recommend many different brands - one which will hopefully be affordable and still beneficial for your dog. Although some people feel that professionals will just try to steer them in the “expensive” direction - perhaps food that is sold in their office, this is not necessarily true. A vast majority of veterinarians are concerned and want to make sure your dog is in top shape.

Luckily, there are other alternatives to healthy dog food, if you are just not pleased with the products. Recently, pet owners are beginning to take matters into their own hands. Since resources are booming, people can now cook their own dog food. That’s right - no more instantaneous Designer Handbags Online to the pet store. Since dogs love meat and vegetables, it is easy to find them a balanced diet. Many people are actually adding chicken to their dog’s kibble or attempting to make beef cookies and dog food stew. Astonishingly, there are many health food websites catered to dog food, which will tell you exactly what to add to your dog’s meal and which recipes are popular. Given that we treat our animals as if they were our human companions, it is no surprise that we are now feeding them the same way.

Pascal Erdmann is ths owner of PetThoughts, a large pet community and Natures Products Ltd, distributing Noni juice and other alternative health products. Websites: http://www.petthoughts.com and http://www.noninz.com

As we pass the third anniversary of the tsunami tragedy that struck South East Asia on 26th Dec 2004, it seems like a good time to look back and recount a few personal experiences from people in Phuket, Thailand. These are not big stories in the overall scale of the event, they are just a few individual accounts from people who were there when the waves struck.

Mark, Bar Owner

Mark ran a bar in one of the side streets just off Bangla Road in Patong. On the morning the tsunami struck, he had just opened his shutters. He had one waitress helping and they were starting to get ready for business when he heard a strange roaring noise. A few seconds later, there were shouts and screams.

Mildly curious, but not too concerned, Mark looked down the street and saw people running up Bangla Road. Then he was amazed to see water come around the corner. Even then, he was not too concerned. It was just a slow steady flow. He told his waitress to stay inside the bar and they watched the water flow passed. Incredibly, the steady flow kept coming and quickly became a torrent of debris-strewn water that was swirling into the bar. Mark and his waitress suddenly realised they were in trouble and had to jump up onto the bar.

The building was quickly filling up with a swirling deluge of water and debris. For the first time, Mark realised their lives were in danger. The water level was coming up fast and trying to swim through that water full of chairs, tables and all kind of other hard objects would be suicidal. You have to see the power with which the water was slamming objects into the walls to realise how hopeless this situation was.

Then, like a scene from some implausible action movie, a jet-ski floated into the bar with the keys in the ignition. The wave had picked it up from the beach and swept it up Soi Bangla and into Mark’s bar like a lifeline. Mark jumped on the jet-ski and started the engine. His waitress jumped on the back and they revved out of the bar and down the street, crunching through all kind of floating debris as they went. They turned up Bangla Road and rode the now easing torrent James Bond like to Rat-U-Thit Road where the waters had reached.

As soon as Mark jumped off the jet-ski, there was a man begging to take it. He had lost a friend at the beach and was desperate to get down there to find him. Mark gave him the jet-ski. Of course, nobody knew there was a second and third wave still to come. Mark does not know if the man found his friend or made it back.

Nick, Phi Phi Islands

Nick and his friend were staying on the Phi Phi Islands. They had found a room above a grocery shop in Ton Sai Bay. On Boxing Day morning, they were woken up by a loud roaring noise and then the sound of objects battering into the side of the building. They looked out across their balcony and saw the amazing sight of a flood of water rolling right across the sandy isthmus, right underneath them and out across the other side of the bay. Amongst the floodwaters, they could see people swept away.

When the waters finally passed by, they made their way downstairs. The shop had survived the hit reasonably well and the shop owner was still inside surveying the damage. Nick and his friend were a little dazed by what had just happened and offered to help the shop owner clear the mess. It seemed like the decent thing to do. Somehow, the shop owner knew the danger had not passed. He said they should make their way down the beach and up the hill to higher ground.

As they walked along the beach, many other people joined them. There were also many others not heading for higher ground. Nick and his friend did not see the second wave hit. They had been making their way up the hill for maybe fifteen minutes when they heard the roar of the wave striking. They had already found a spot to settle down with many other survivors when they heard the roar of the third wave. They settled down with all the other confused and stunned survivors for a long stay.

There was one guy there, a Scotsman, who seemed to have a firmer grip on the situation than most others. He spoke with Nick and his friend. He reasoned that if these waves had struck Phi Phi then they had probably struck everywhere else in the region too. It might be days before help arrived. He said they needed to go back down the hill to get water, food, medicine and insect repellent.

The Scotsman led a group of five, including Nick and his friend, back down the hill. They met a nightmare scene of destruction. The island was devastated and littered with corpses. They found a shop that although smashed, was still standing. They rummaged around the piles of stock inside until they found all the essentials they could carry. They took them back up the hill and distributed them among the survivors. They realised it was not enough so they made a second trip down the hill. By the time that round trip was completed, it was Designer Handbags Online afternoon but they had enough essentials for everyone. They made a third trip but this time all they got was beer. This they did not distribute among the other survivors. This was for themselves.

They all spent the night on the hill before people started making their way down in the morning. The relief ferries arrived mid morning.

Mike, Rawai

Mike is a Canadian who stays in Phuket 6-months a year. He was one of the few people in Phuket who actually noticed the earthquake. He was having a coffee on his balcony when he noticed the plant pot next to him vibrating. He had experienced mild tremors before in the United States and was convinced what he had noticed was a minor earthquake. He soon forgot about it. He was meeting friends for breakfast in Rawai.

They met at their usual restaurant across the road from Rawai Beach. Everything was normal until one of his friends pointed out how far the sea had receded. Rawai is a shallow bay and it is common to see the rocky seabed when the tide is out but this morning it was as if the water had vanished. The friends curiously discussed this strange phenomenon and pointed it out to the restaurant owner. He was concerned, something seemed wrong. That was when Mike remembered the earthquake tremor he had felt earlier that morning.

Without really knowing exactly why he was so concerned, the restaurant owner decided to lead his guests out the back of the restaurant to the fields behind. A few minutes later as they calmly walked up a gentle hill, they heard the wave strike the beach.

The islands off Rawai Beach took a lot of the power out of the tsunami and the waves only made it a hundred meters or so inland. Still they claimed victims in Rawai.

Paul, Patong

Paul was still a little dazed from his Christmas Day celebrations in the bars of Patong the night before. He was heading down to the beach for a morning walk to shake off his hangover. He was only a hundred meters from the beach when he heard that strange roaring sound so many people remember. Still it was a few more seconds before he saw the water running up the road towards him. Confused by this strange sight, he wasted a few precious seconds taking in the scene. Then he realised the water was going to keep coming. He turned and ran.

The water was already around his ankles. He ran as fast as he could but the water was going faster. It was quickly around his knees and then it took him off his feet. The swell was sweeping him along and with unbelievable force. Ahead was a brick wall and the wave was going to smash him straight into it. Paul thought he was a gonna but as the leading edge of the wave hit the wall, the force knocked the wall down the Paul was swept through the gap. He found himself in a cemetery hanging on to a headstone with water and debris swirling around him.

He clung on for dear life. When the waters began to recede, he could feel the suction pulling him back towards the sea. When the waters were finally gone Paul picked himself up, bruised and battered, he walked back to his apartment. His hangover was gone.

Conclusion

We will never know the exact death toll from the Boxing Day tsunami. Somewhere around a quarter of a million people lost their lives. It is one of the biggest natural disasters in recorded history. The stories above cannot begin to capture the full scale of the disaster. They are just a few personal accounts to give some insight into the experiences of people caught up in that life-changing day.

The author has lived in Phuket, Thailand for seven years. If you want to read more about the colourful island of Phuket then visit Phuket Articles and Travel Guide where you will find more articles and visitor information.

I often have the privilege to talk with young women experiencing an unanticipated pregnancy. Their emotions, thoughts and fears can be varied, intense and distressing. It is important that they feel safe and comfortable enough to explore their inner experience and feelings. It is especially important to learn about the aspect of their pregnancy that is most upsetting. This varies from woman to woman. For example, it is not uncommon to hear from a woman that when she told her boyfriend about the pregnancy, he became upset and offered to pay for an abortion saying that he was not ready to be a father and that a baby would interfere with his goals and plans for the future. Another common source of distress is being afraid to tell her parents about the pregnancy. Others might worry that not only would she suffer the wrath of her parents, but she would also endure cruel gossip from friends, peers and the community. A woman in a situation like this may feel quite distressed thinking that a baby would interfere with going to college and achieving her career goals. The prospect of being a single parent may be frightening. I often hear women explain that because they are afraid and feel alone, they are surprised that in their distress they are considering abortion, thinking it may be the best solution to their crisis, which is what they frequently consider their unanticipated pregnancy.

To reduce her sense of distress it can be useful to discuss her fears. Perhaps fears of losing the respect of her parents and family, forfeiting her college scholarship, and not having the freedom of others her age. It is important for a woman experiencing an unanticipated pregnancy to be able to talk about her situation, her thoughts and her feelings. Because she probably feels scared and alone, she needs a safe place to tell her story and articulate her sense of distress. Most women are greatly relieved to tell their story out loud to another person. In helping someone else understand what she is thinking and feeling, it is typical that she will better understand herself.

It is useful to explore how although the pregnancy can feel like a crisis, it is taking up just part of her life. . . not her whole life. I often recommend that women think about what would be different if when she went to bed tonight and a miracle took away the problems the pregnancy caused. For example, a woman might talk about how much she wanted to go to college and retain the respect of her family and friends. Thinking about the impact of this “miracle” might help her identify what she needs as support and resources.

When a woman is reluctant to tell her parents about the pregnancy, it can be productive to think and talk more about her growing up years. When asked if she had ever been in trouble before, often times I will Cardew China Dinnerware the hint of a smile with the relief of remembering that her parents were supportive when she pushed the limits or had some difficulties previously. It can be helpful to recognize that the reaction of parents may not differ significantly from the woman’s own reaction upon learning she was pregnant, and may be fueled largely by shock and fear. In fact, the history of a woman’s relationship with her parents may even help her predict that the origins of their angry response would be from their love and care for her. Many parents have a deep longing to protect their children and may be distressed that she is going through such a difficult time.

Because tunnel vision is characteristic of those in a crisis mode, it is important to gain a broader perspective. I often suggest that after taking ten slow and deep breaths, she get a pad of paper and list her options: perhaps carrying the baby to term, adoption, raising the child herself, and abortion. It can be useful to think about what the implications of each decision might look like six months from now, a year from now, five years from now and ten years from now. This “time line” exercise is a helpful way to gain some distance from the crisis of the moment. Of course, this is an important and major life decision with implications touching the lives of others and reaching far beyond the sense of urgency of the moment. Better perspective helps in recognizing the importance of making a well thought out and informed decision rather than making an impulsive decision with unanticipated, negative long-range effects. It is important for a woman experiencing an unanticipated pregnancy to identify her resources, which might include access to medical care, good health, strength, energy, courage, insight, friends and caring parents. Hope and confidence increase and distress is reduced when she recognizes that resources can help her cope with the difficulties involved in peer group pressure, delaying college, or feeling bad about disappointing her parents. With increased confidence and more hope she can begin to focus more on getting the support she needs and work towards solutions that feel good to her.

Although she may have never thought she would seek an abortion, a woman will often acknowledge that she felt bad about initially considering making that choice. Nonetheless, in her distress it may have been difficult to see any other option. In most cases, it is useful to be able to talk about her situation in a safe and nonjudgmental atmosphere. She feels encouraged as she gains a better sense of what she needs to deal with her crisis in a way that is consistent with her values. It is always heartening to partner together to devise a plan to build support, strengthen resources and see a woman feel more confident about her ability to cope with the difficulties involved in her unanticipated pregnancy.

Catherine is a Licensed Psychologist and the Clinical Director of Midwest Center for Personal and Family Development, in St. Paul. She has offered training workshops for Total Lifecare Center Volunteers for many years. Total Life Care Center is an organization that offers pregnancy counseling, free pregnancy tests, ultrasound services and pre-natal clinics.

She received her BA from St. Thomas, and then went on to receive a Master of Business Administration from St. Thomas as well. She worked in the Personnel field for five years before returning to school to earn a Master of Arts in Psychology from St. Mary’s.

She enjoys working with adolescents, adults and couples helping them heal from past hurts, deal with depression or anxiety, or work their way through difficult life circumstances.

She speaks to groups about such topics as marriage enrichment, parenting issues, stress management, and provides counseling skills training.

She is a wife and mother of three teenage children.

Are you one of the million women who would avoid buying a new swimsuit because you don’t know which appeals better to your figure? There are no excuses, you don’t have to give up on your search for the summer’s most distinctive piece of clothing, it is available in different styles made to help you balance and accentuate your figure.

You first have to evaluate well your body, be objective and observe your proportions so you can choose a suit that stands out your best attributes, or hides your non-favorite ones. Also, as a complement there are numerous alternatives like pareos, sarongs, palazzos and skirts that help you to hide what you don’t want to show. To make your life easier, we offer you some tips for this difficult but much needed scouting:

Type of body: Guitar - For these voluptuous figures that show a balance between top and bottom, a good option is a print two piece bathing suit, or a V-Neck one piece is also favorable. You should avoid suits with strings in the hips since they attract attention to this area, and can make it seem wider. The so-called trikini is also a good choice since it stands out both breasts and hips while showing off the waist. If you are petite, you can also use solid colors and high cuts in the bottom part. If you like prints, vertical lines can elongate your silhouette.

Type of body: Slim - This figure goes very well with any printed suit that adds volume to the body. Vertical lines should be avoided. Drapes and applications are favorable, as well as padded tops and hooks or laces at the sides to augment proportion in both parts.

Type of body: Wide Hips - To balance hips with the rest of the body, printed tops are the best option and should be used with solid bottoms. Dark colors minimize, visually de size of the hips. One piece suits are the favorites for this figure, especially when they stand out the breasts.

Type of body: Voluminous Breasts - To have more breasts than hips does not mean you have to hide yourself. V-tops and halters are the best alternatives to bring support and show off your best attribute. On the contrary, prints, ruffles and light colors should only be used in the bottom part of the bathing suit.

Other tips:

- Always use lined bathing suites, especially if they are beige or white.

- Take care for your suit, whenever you get out of the water, dry well so it does not deteriorate. Always wash your suit with a detergent for delicates.

- If your skin is white, use earth tones, blue and pink. For tan skin, bright colors like yellow and white are preferred.

- For the heavier girls, a tankini is the latest trend in the market. If you prefer a one piece suit, try a Hull China Dinnerware one and avoid prints, especially if they are too big.

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