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YOUR BODY: Express vs Suppress
An episode of Meditate Awake
By Meditate Awake
Created to help you unlock deeper meaning & stronger connection in daily life through meditation, insight, and action
Listen in your favorite app
Available on 11 platforms
DE-STRESS: Your Mantra
Let's talk about the power of words. Repeating statements to yourself that reflect things you want to achieve, feel or be, is proven to be effective when it comes to making those things happen. And if you feel stressed out or worried, or regularly struggle with intense anxiety, repetitive statements could help to turn things around. Create a statement that you can use in any stressful situation. Keep it simple — for example, your statement might be "I am calm even when the world around me is not" or "I am good at working steadily in the middle of a whirlwind". And then use your statement. Repeat it when you start to feel stressed. Do this regularly, and it will become more and more powerful. Your subconscious mind will integrate this statement into its understanding of life and the world. And you will begin to be what you say.
April 25, 2019
BODY: Taking Responsibility
What motivates you to get fit, lose weight, stay fit, gain muscle — or whatever your body goals are right now? Hugh Jackson said "There comes a certain point in life when you have to stop blaming other people for how you feel or the misfortunes in your life. You can't go through life obsessing about what might have been." And this is so important when it comes to health and fitness. You can take responsibility for your body and make the decision to stop obsessing about what might have been. Because instead of imagining how different life would have turned out if you'd had the body you wanted, you can train and reshape and refocus your physical energy. No one else is stopping you.
April 25, 2019
CAREER: Staying in a job you hate
Directing your energy towards the career and the work lifestyle you really want is crucial to achieving those dreams. And the Law of Attraction reminds us that directing our energy towards the right things also means turning our energy away from the wrong things. Staying in a job you hate because of uncertainty about what you'll do next will hold you back. A job that doesn't give you energy and motivation does the opposite — it drains the energy out of you and leaves you feeling apathetic, tired and stuck. And the sense of urgency created by leaving a bad job when you don't know what you're going to do next could be the motivator you need to spark new energy. New energy that you can direct whole heartedly towards your genuine passion.
April 25, 2019
MIND: Key to Big Thinkers
Do you see yourself as a big thinker? Michael Port writes that we assign the role of thinking big to certain people in our lives, but not many of us apply that role to ourselves. Allowing judgemental voices to tell us what could go wrong or why something won't work means that we start to internalize that negative voice. Instead, Port argues that we need to get comfortable with discomfort and become the big thinker in our lives. We need to surround ourselves with brave and supportive voices, not cautionary ones — and we need to get comfortable with taking risks and learning lessons through trial, error and success.
April 13, 2019
CONNECTION: Dance In the Rain
When psychologists talk about the elements that create a happy and enduring romantic relationship, there are a few things that come up again and again. Having positive thoughts about your partner, sharing good memories, and enjoying new experiences together are all important ingredients of a loving, understanding and caring partnership. Embracing every magic moment that presents itself to you will take your relationship into a new realm. If a couple goes out and dances in the rain instead of closing the curtains and switching on the TV they will create a night to remember together forever. And those memories form part of the foundation that can carry a couple through the tough times.
April 13, 2019
SLEEP: Why Men Get Less Than Women
Biomedical and social research has repeatedly found that men sleep less than women. Scientists suggest various reasons for this — from differences in work, social expectations, and physiological makeup. But why is it important to know about this? Because getting enough sleep is essential for good health and productivity. Sociologist Robert Meadows suggests that women may make more time for sleep and carve out moments in their day to nap, or preserve evening time for early nights. Whereas men "understand sleep as an unfortunate necessity", because it takes up time that they'd rather be using for something else. Meadows also notes that behaviors involved in preserving sleep might go against men's desire to prove their masculinity and strength — for example, getting an early night or taking a nap are sometimes seen as childish or weak. In reality, not making time for sleep decreases productivity, mental resilience and physical strength.
April 13, 2019
CONNECTION: Boys to Men (not the group)
Boys crave emotional closeness with their friends. But by mid to late adolescence they turn away from that platonic intimacy. Why? Because that's what they're taught to believe is required of them in order to become men. Developmental psychologist Niobe Way discovered this shift in the behavior of young men, and urges us to recognize that what we see as 'human nature' is actually just cultural bias and conditioning. In other words, we don't have to disconnect from human connection in order to be real men. That's just what society tells us. Way also points out that late adolescence, that point at which most men stop seeking emotional intimacy with friends, is the age when rates of suicide and violence increase significantly. We need to start teaching boys that they don't have to be alone in order to be men.
April 13, 2019
PRACTICE: Try This Exercise of "Noticing"!
How aware are you? Have you noticed what's going on around you right now? The simple act of noticing is a powerfully meditative practice that you can use to enter the present moment. Any time. Take a closer look around. What do you see? Look up and look down. Focus on detail. Become aware of the way objects connect with each other; the way that one color touches the next. Notice money on the ground. Threads hanging from fabric. The texture of the sidewalk. The lines in the skin of your hands. There is no goal. No great discovery to seek in this moment. Allow yourself to be here and notice. Existing is enough — and how acutely can you exist? How vibrantly? How real can this world become?
March 30, 2019
DE-STRESS: Listen Before Making a Decision!
Stress can affect your ability to make decisions. In 2017, a study found that stressful experiences influence human decision making in ways that are far more complex than previously thought. Stress can create an internal bias towards habit, and against risk taking. So if you're struggling with a big decision in your life but you've recently experienced significant stress, it might be a good idea to give yourself time to recover from that stress before you take the plunge one way or the other. Making important decisions during a time of stress might hold you back — because you're more likely to choose the safe and familiar option, rather than the one that feels risky or intimidating. Focus on you first. And then choose your path.
March 30, 2019
BODY: Break Your Comfort Zone
The human body is capable of incredible things. We're equipped with something unique: the drive and mental power to achieve physical feats far beyond the things we need to do to survive. Take Ross Edgley; the first man to circumnavigate Great Britain in water. Swimming. With nothing but sheer strength, determination, and a wetsuit. Edgley's 157 day swim left him shattered, with a rotting tongue and 37 jellyfish stings. Why did he do it? To push himself to his limits, and to inspire other people to get out of their comfort zone. He said "find something that you didn't think you were capable of and prove yourself wrong." Although not all of us will swim 1,791 miles in cold and hostile water, getting out there and changing your perception of what you can and can't do might just change your life.
March 30, 2019
CAREER: Build a Door
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." These wise words from comedian Milton Berle hold within them an important lesson for anyone seeking to build a career that fulfills them. The perfect opportunity for you might not exist yet — and there's no need to be afraid of going out there and making it. If there's a wall in front of you, take a moment. Do you want to get past it? Is there something for you behind that wall? If so, figure out how to step into the space on the other side. Like all things in life, building doors takes practice. But you will only learn by doing.
March 30, 2019
MIND: Is Personal Development Selfish?
Rick Hanson, author of Buddha's Brain, said "Nurturing your own development isn't selfish. It's actually a great gift to other people." This is such a profound statement in a world where we are constantly under pressure to be busy doing everything other than taking care of ourselves. If you feel a sense of guilt for focusing on your development and expanding your experience of life, it's time to stop. Integrating practices into your life to open up your consciousness and awaken to the full potential of your experience is not selfish. It is good for everyone around you. You will be in a position to help — to really help. You will be calmer and more at ease within yourself. You will be more empathetic, more aware, and better and communicating and connecting with others. This work is not selfish.
March 30, 2019
SLEEP: Full Moon Effect
The full moon might have an impact on your sleep. Nope, it's not just a myth! Several studies have found that people sleep, on average, 20 minutes less than usual on full moon nights, and take five minutes longer to fall asleep. But intriguingly, less sleep during a full moon doesn't necessarily mean worse sleep. In fact, we experience an average of 30 minutes more REM sleep on these moon bright nights. REM, or Rapid Eye Movement, is the sleep stage in which dreams take place — the deep sleep state that is vital for learning processes, memory, and stable moods.
March 30, 2019
PRACTICE: Fight or Flight
Find three minutes today to stand outside and look up at the sky. Set a timer on your phone with an alert so that you don't have to look down for the entire three minutes. You could do this first thing in the morning after you wake up — just go outside and look up. You could do it in the middle of the day, or after work, or late in the evening when the sky is dark. Look without expecting to find anything. Without needing to find anything. Look at the sky for the sake of looking at it. Uninterrupted exposure to elements of the natural environment have an incredibly powerful effect on your state of mind. Doing this can even slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and calm the fight-or-flight response of your nervous system.
March 30, 2019
STRESS RELIEF: Foods and Moods
Turning to sugar in moments of stress is something that lots of us do. The pleasurable experience of eating some sweet, delicious treat makes us feel as though we're taking care of ourselves in a way. It takes our attention and temporarily puts our stress at bay. But studies point out that sugar is not a helpful antidote to those tough moments in the day. Feeling stressed can actually be a trigger for binging on comfort foods which causes a spike — and then a drop — in blood sugar levels. This crash causes irritability, nervousness and anxiety which leads to even more stress. In contrast, lean protein, healthy fats, green vegetables whole grains keep blood sugar and insulin levels steady, which in turn supports steady energy and mood.
March 25, 2019
BODY: Affects of Negative Male Body Image
Today, while everyone's talking about love and romance and sex, let's talk about…sex. Last year, a team of psychologists in the Netherlands highlighted a common issue faced by men when it comes to sex. They found that men who had a negative perception of their own body and were self-conscious about certain parts of their physicality experienced sexual dissatisfaction. A likely reason for this is that men who are self-conscious during sex find it hard to focus and lose themselves in the experience. They're distracted, worrying what their partner thinks or overwhelmed by feelings of not being attractive enough, or not being good enough. The researchers conclusion was that improving male body image would also improve their sexual satisfaction — making it a more enjoyable and liberating experience.
March 25, 2019
CAREER: What is Success?
The definition of success: 'the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.' So success doesn't really mean having a big house, an expensive car, or even being respected as an expert in your field. Those things could be your version of success, of course — but the point is that success is not just one thing. Success is the accomplishment of your aims. Your purpose. Which means that success is available to you every day — no matter what you're aiming for. Experts in career coaching recommend setting both short-term and long-term goals to motivate you and create regular successes in your working life and in your personal life. Why? Because a regular experience of success, no matter how seemingly insignificant, means you're less likely to feel disillusioned and give up on your ultimate purpose.
March 25, 2019
CAREER: Power of "No"
They say "choose a job you'll love and you'll never have to work a day in your life." But…that's not exactly true. Actually, the lived reality of many people who choose to follow their dreams is…no boundaries between work and personal life. An inability to switch off and relax. Working more hours each week that most people are even awake. And so on — leading to exhaustion and even burnout. If you're following your dreams and building a career based on genuine passion, that's amazing. But remember that loving your job doesn't mean it's healthy to work all the time. So work on these things, too: balance. Downtime. Rest. Meditation. Self awareness. And work on saying no on those occasions when saying yes might just tip you over the edge.
March 22, 2019
CONNECTION: The Modern Man
A new study published in the journal Men and Masculinities says that young heterosexual men get more emotional satisfaction and fulfillment from their close friendships with other men than they get from relationships with girlfriends. As society's taboo on close male friendships begins to lift, men are enjoying more open and supportive relationships with their peers. This kind of friendship is what we call a 'bromance' - the kind of friendship where usual man-to-man boundaries don't exist, and men feel free to share secrets and openly appreciate each other. The study surveyed second year college students and found that participants felt less judged by male friends than by girlfriends, and less pressure to be conventionally 'manly'.
March 16, 2019
SLEEP: TV and Your Dreams
YOUR SLEEP Do you dream in color? According to self-reporting studies, around 12% of people dream only in black and white. As dreams are so difficult to measure, it's hard for researchers to figure exactly why that might be. But a study published in 2008 found that almost no people under the age of 25 reported black and white dreams. This led scientists to suggest that the cause could be connected to the older generation's exposure to black and white TV. And in fact, going back to the 1940s, three quarters of Americans of all ages said they rarely or never saw any color in their dreams. Which strengthens the theory that what we watch on TV has a direct impact on what we see in our minds when we're asleep.
March 16, 2019
PRACTICE: Short Guided Meditation
Imagine: you are sitting on a boat, alone, in the middle of a vast lake. It's evening; darkness is falling around you. You are completely safe. And completely peaceful. You notice the way your breath travels through your lungs as you sit still. You feel the gentle movement of water beneath you — slow, unhurried, soothing. Clarity overcomes you. You are on the world. Floating on a body of water on an incredible planet. Everything you need is around you. The gentle changing of light as day gives way to night. A soft breeze; the sight of trees resting firm at the water's edge, some distance away. Above you, the moon faintly glimmers into sight. You are connected to the planet and connected to the beat of your heart. You are here: right now.
March 16, 2019
STRESS RELIEF: How Moments Matter
Stress has a habit of piling up. Something that would usually only be a little bit stressful becomes incredibly stressful when you're already stressed. And the more stressed you get, the harder it is to engage with those activities — like exercise and socializing — that lower stress hormones. But psychologist Barbara Fredrickson shares good news: brief bursts of happiness, laughter, contentment and gratitude can build up our resilience to stress. That means that little things like having a quick coffee with an old friend, listening to a favorite comedian or having a moment of appreciation — all things that are quick and easy to do every day — can have lasting benefits. In other words, those little things you include in your day that give you a sense of immediate happiness are not frivolous. They are worthwhile. They could protect your mental health for years to come.
March 13, 2019
BODY: Okinawa's Advantage
The Okinawa islands in Japan has the longest living population in the world. Unsurprisingly, researchers around the globe are interested in this - so why are people from Okinawa more likely to live to 100 than anyone else? It's got a lot to do with diet. The average person's diet in Okinawa is high in whole grains and vegetables, and relatively high in fish and soy proteins as well as seaweed. Not only that, but the most commonly used vegetables in the region are high in flavonoids, vitamin E and carotenoids. This balance provides the human body with excellent nourishment and immune support - so Okinawa has a low rate of a wide range of diseases that are common elsewhere in the world, including heart disease, cancer and arteriosclerosis.
March 13, 2019
YOUR MINDSET: Why Not to Avoid Criticism
Norman Vincent Peale said "the trouble with most of us is that we'd rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism." Isn't that true? If we have the choice to listen to someone who thinks we're completely perfect and only says positive things about us, or someone who can see our limitations and isn't afraid to tell us where we're letting ourselves down…well, most of us would rather hear the good stuff. But criticism could be the greatest gift anyone could give us. It highlights those things about ourselves or our work that we might not be able to see — or might not be willing to acknowledge. It tells us how we could do better. Which means that changing our perspective on criticism so that we can welcome it, rather than hide from it, will allow us to grow in ways we couldn't have imagined on our own.
March 9, 2019
YOUR MINDSET: Find Out Yours - Growth vs Fixed
Mindset researchers Nussbaum and Dweck wanted to find out what kind of feedback people seek after a struggle. They set up a study in which they asked participants to take a difficult test — and then they told the participants that they'd done badly. Immediately afterwards, everyone was offered a choice: they could either look at the tests of people who had done worse than them, or look at the tests of people who had done better. You might remember that we've talked about the growth mindset and the fixed mindset before; and the results of this study were clear. People with a fixed mindset asked to see the tests of people who had done worse, and those with a growth mindset wanted to look at the tests of those who had done better. So a fixed mindset motivates you to seek consolation and validation; but a growth mindset makes you want to learn.
March 9, 2019
HUMAN CONNECTION: The Vagus Nerve
Have you heard of the vagus nerve? And did you know that it plays an important role in our ability to connect with other people? The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the human body's autonomic nervous system. We've known for a long time that it influences the function of the body's vital organs. But in recent years, intriguing new research has shown that this nerve also has an impact on human connection. In a report published in the journal Psychological Science, researchers explain that the physiological activation of the vagus nerve is associated with compassion. Even a brief touch from another person can interact with the nerve to trigger a positive, compassionate response. So the way you interact on a physical level with those close to you can change the emotional relationship you have with one another. It's all about touch.
March 8, 2019
YOUR SLEEP: The Best Type
In 2015, a group of sleep researchers conducted a study on 62 healthy men and women. The participants were randomly subjected to three different experimental conditions: being forced to wake up during the night; going to bed late; and uninterrupted sleep. The results show that an interrupted night's sleep is worse than a short night's sleep. The study's lead researcher, Patrick Finan Ph.D. explains that disrupted sleep prevents you from progressing through the sleep stages. That means if you wake up at intervals during the night you don't get enough deep, slow-wave sleep — the kind that makes you feel rested and restored. So setting the conditions for peaceful and uninterrupted sleep is actually more important than trying to go to bed early and sleeping longer hours.
March 8, 2019
MEDITATION PRACTICE: Power of Pause
Yoga Master T.K.V. Desikachar said "Whenever you are in doubt, it is best to pause. Few things are so pressing that they cannot wait for a moment of breath." Today, notice doubt. Don't be scared of it. Indecision holds potential for change — because if you don't already know what to do, you can learn. Become consciously aware of those moments when you experience a sense of doubt; whether you're doubtful about something big, or just not sure which sandwich you want for lunch. And when you notice doubt, pause. Don't rush to get beyond it. Allow it to exist and focus your awareness on it. A brief pause a few steady breaths are often all you need in order to access the deeper wisdom within. You might discover answers you'd never considered before.
March 8, 2019
STRESS RELIEF: The Reason To Be Ridiculous
When was the last time you did something…ridiculous? Studies show that humor and laughter have an instantaneous impact on stress levels. And this can lead to long term improvements in mental and physical health. In the 1960s, a man named Norman Cousins even used laughter and humor to self-treat a degenerative disease — he had been given a prognosis of only a few months to live, but by using positive emotions to create positive physiological responses he lived for another 25 years. The lesson here is simply not to take yourself too seriously. Go out, be weird, and laugh. Fill your life with brilliant strangeness and do those things that you think you're too old to do. We've convinced ourselves that growing up means being sensible. But…why?
March 3, 2019
YOUR BODY: Why To Avoid Uncertainty
Think about the characteristics of the people you know who have achieved — and continue to maintain — their fitness goals. Take Simeon Panda. He's a global fitness professional and entrepreneur who has turned his passion for training into a lifestyle and a career. The thing that draws people to him and the thing that allow him to train with such dedication are the same: positivity and motivation. He approaches everything he does with the certainty that he can do it. And so he does it. You can use this for your own journey with fitness. If you know you can succeed and create the physique and health that you strive for, you can. That's not to say that everyone has their own physical limitations and unique anatomy — but the only thing stopping you from training your body is you.
March 2, 2019
YOUR CAREER: How RISK Can Work For You
Ray Dalio, a successful investor named the richest person in Connecticut in 2018, points out that we often think a risk is…well, riskier, than it really is. Instead of being the actual risk that holds us back, he says it's the limitations we place on ourselves that confine us most tightly. People with a high risk tolerance usually discover that the chances they're taking are less precarious than they first thought. In other words, people who are willing to take the risk are rewarded by the realization that the hardest part was taking that first leap. Career success is so closely related with mindset that simply altering your understanding of what risk is can make all the difference to your trajectory through life. Do not limit yourself with fear.
March 2, 2019
It's easier to keep promises to other people than it is to keep promises to yourself. Why? Partly because when you promise something to someone else, they hold you accountable. Your sense of commitment overrides procrastination, laziness and personal insecurity. You have to do the thing because you said you'd do the thing. You can make this kind of accountability mindset work in a way that helps you keep your promises to yourself. Did you decide this would be the month that you'd workout every day? Promised yourself you'd write that book or launch that website? Create a sense of accountability by writing your promises down and telling other people about them. And don't tell that sweet friend who you know will let you off the hook — tell your brother or sister or that friend with extremely high expectations of you. The person you know will call you out on your excuses.
March 2, 2019
YOUR BODY: A Message For MEN
Male bodies in the mainstream media are…confusing. Our bodies are less sexualized and less criticized than female bodies, and yet still sexualized and criticized a lot. And at the same time there are less messages out there encouraging us to love our bodies — to appreciate them for what they are, and not to buy into false perceptions of how we should and shouldn't look. Does it go against your masculine instincts to appreciate and love your body? Do you have a tendency to push and punish and force? That's fine, to a degree. But if you can bring it into balance and appreciate as much as you push; love as much as you challenge and train; and accept that your body will change with the seasons, with external stressors and influences; then those hours of pushing will be for personal improvement and not personal punishment.
March 2, 2019
MESITATION PRACTICE: Floating Feet
Yesterday we touched on taking care of yourself to stop short term stressors leading to poor health in the long term. So today we're giving you a simple meditation exercise for stress relief that you can integrate into almost any moment in the day. Sit down on a chair. Shift your weight into your seat bones and feel grounded and heavy and solid. Allow your feet to become lighter and lighter — until they float up away from the ground. Hold here and notice the way your muscles contract and shift and pull to keep your feet away from the ground. And then shift the weight forwards and let your feet float to touch the ground again. Notice the connection between feet and floor — how it feels. How the muscles change. And repeat as many times as you wish. This can be a really subtle practice to play with, even when there are other people around — taking the feet an inch off the ground is as effective as lifting them higher.
March 2, 2019
YOUR SLEEP: The Scientific Reason Not To Go To Bed Early
You've probably heard someone say "never go to bed angry". And it's very good advice. When we're in the midst of a conflict, our bodies are flooded with hormones — in particular, the stress hormone cortisol. If you go to bed without reducing your cortisol levels your sleep will suffer and you'll wake up in the morning feeling stressed and tired. It won't be a restful night's sleep! To balance cortisol production you need a healthy dose of oxytocin — the powerful love hormone that strengthens human relationships and makes us feel safe and content. Oxytocin is released when you have a loving interaction with another person or when you feel comfortable and relaxed. So resolve the conflict, give your partner a hug, or do something that gets you into a loving state of mind. You'll sleep well and function much better tomorrow!
February 25, 2019
MEDITATION PRACTICE: Water Method
Find a body of water. Any body of water. If there's a river, a lake or the ocean nearby, perfect. If not? Find a pond. A stream. A puddle. Or fill up a glass and place it on your desk. Take a few deep breaths. And then softly focus your gaze on the surface of the water. Hold your gaze there and notice every detail. The texture of the water; the movement of it, whether you're witnessing huge waves or the faintest of ripples. Notice. Focus. This is all you need to do. Water is a cooling, calming element. There is something about it that our minds cannot resist — a realness, a kind of honesty. It has the power to alter our perspective in a matter of moments.
February 22, 2019
YOUR CAREER: Mentor Magic
Have you ever met someone who you wished could be your mentor? One of those people who stands out as an expert in your field or an inspiration for the lifestyle you want. Imagine if you could benefit from their wisdom — learn from the mistakes they've made along the way, and move towards your career goals with their support. Ask them. They might say no, sure — but they might not. Think of it this way; if someone asked you to be their mentor, how would you feel? Probably at least a little bit honored. And faced with someone who thinks a lot of you, there's a good chance you'd want to prove them right by offering any insight you could. Your dream mentor will likely feel the same way. So take the leap, reach out, and ask.
February 22, 2019
STRESS RELIEF: Woodcarving Wisdom
Woodwork is known as a method of stress relief. Speak to any carpenter or weekend woodcarver and they'll tell you that it's just as much about the process as the product. Losing yourself in a project, focusing on natural materials and creating shapes and joins is a way to connect with nature and with yourself. There's something primal about it — holding, turning, changing wood. Making something out of nothing. The scent of cut wood and sawdust. The weight of tools in hand. Plus it's been proven that learning a new skill helps to balance a stressful life; it gets you out of your head and lets you be a beginner again. So this is our recommendation, today: book yourself onto a woodworking course or pick up some materials and experiment on your own. It'll make you feel much better than sitting down to stream a new season of something, again.
February 22, 2019
YOUR MINDSET: Resolution Reset
It's a new day. Does it feel like it? The start of the year is always rich with potential and intention. We make resolutions, decisions, and commit to letting go of old habits. We're going to get fit this year. We're going to learn more; read more; drink less; love the people in our lives better. And then a couple of weeks pass. And we crash. The high of getting through the last year and partying our way into the new one has gone. Faced with tight wallets post-holidays and the realization that 2019 isn't all that different from 2018, we hit the January blues. But 2019 can be different. Open your eyes to your own power. Understand that you have a choice in every moment; the choice to sleepwalk from one minute to the next or to step into consciousness and act from present moment awareness. Start now.
February 17, 2019
HUMAN CONNECTION: Assumed Understanding
The words "I understand" are used frequently in intimate relationships. But it's worth considering whether you really do understand before you tell your partner that you do. Instead of saying "I understand", try this: repeat back what the other person has told you, in your own words, and then ask them if you've got it right. Accept that you have not understood them unless they feel that you have. And it works both ways. If you don't feel that you've been understood, you can gently say "I don't think you understand me — can you tell me what you think I'm saying?" Cultivating open communication and the freedom for each person to speak until they know they've been heard will maintain curiosity, humility and love within your relationship.
February 17, 2019
YOUR BODY: Men and Yoga
Let's talk about yoga. We get it — you look at the people walking into a yoga class in the gym or at that studio down the road, and they're all women. You see images of yoga poses all over the Internet — and they're all women. If you feel intimated by the yoga class setting because you think you'll be the only guy, you're not alone. But yoga is a powerful physical and mental practice. It holds an opportunity to train, strengthen and open the body; to prevent injury and promote longevity. And it could be your key to learning how to regulate emotions and gain a deeper understanding of yourself. Thing is, when you go to a yoga class no one but the teacher cares that you're there. That's a good thing: everyone is focused on their own practice, and you can focus on yours.
February 17, 2019
YOUR SLEEP: Smells for Sleep
Have you ever used essential oils? These highly concentrated plant oils aren't overwhelmingly popular among the majority of men — but they're worth your attention. If you're suffering from sleep deprivation, certain essential oils can be incorporated into your evening to promote deep and peaceful rest that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and energized. Studies show that essential oils are effective for promoting good quality sleep. Smells bypass the brain processes that other senses require and travel directly to the brain's limbic system, making them powerful tools for accessing emotions and peaceful mental states in an intentional way. You can use oils like lavender and Ylang Ylang in burners or under your pillow to slow down your mind and body. Drift into deep sleep with ease. Source [included for reference only; need not be included in social media posts]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24720812
February 17, 2019
MEDITATION PRACTICE: The Tree Key
Did you ever climb trees when you were a kid? Remember that feeling of strength and adrenaline rushing as you climbed higher and higher. Hands reaching, legs pushing, the texture of rough bark against your skin and then rich scent of green and wood and nature. And then you'd find that perfect spot — the place to stop. The branch with the curve that seemed to ask you to sit still and lean back and take in the height and the view and the moment. Remember? And as you sat there your mind would settle. The closeness of the natural world would calm your mind. The steady solid presence of that ancient tree would support you and for a few moments, nothing else mattered in the world. That was meditation. As a kid, you were doing what we're trying so hard to do now that we're grown up. So do that again; climb a tree. Why not?
February 17, 2019
STRESS RELIEF: The Reading Remedy
Did you know that reading a book can physically relax your body? It's been proven to lower your heart rate and ease muscle tension, and a study at the University of Sussex in 2009 found that reading can reduce stress by as much as 68%. And we need that kind of stress relief. We're living lives of endless demands and zero downtime which will have long-term implications for our health. Make reading a part of your daily routine. Maybe you have 30 minutes in the morning or 30 minutes before you go to bed when you could sit down with a novel or a non-fiction book and absorb some knowledge while your stress levels simmer down. And you know, reading makes you more interesting too, so…win win!
February 17, 2019
YOUR BODY: More Than a Vessel
Your body is your temple. We've all heard it. But does it really mean anything? It's easy to see the body as nothing more than a vessel for life — to be used and abused. But ancient wisdom from a number of traditions tells us that the body is more than that. It is a part of our experience of life; it informs the way we move and behave in the world, and in turn the things we do change the way our body moves and works. Respect the body and it can teach us more than we might think. It is our connection with all physicality. The place in which we feel sensations and the keeper of our experience. It is much more important than the way it looks and if we listen, the body's knowledge and intuition runs deep.
February 17, 2019
YOUR CAREER: Energy of Habit
In a well known Zen story, a horse came galloping at high speed down the road — as if the rider had somewhere very important to go. Another man standing at the side of the road shouted out "Where are you going?" and the man on the horse answered, "I don't know! Ask the horse!" The horse symbolizes the energy of habit, carrying us along without us really knowing where we're going, or why. But all of that running is for nothing if we don't have any intention or control. Sound familiar? Then take the reigns. Pay attention to the habitual behavior that carries you along without conscious direction. And make the decision to take charge and direct your energy towards what you really want.
February 17, 2019
YOUR MINDSET: Comparing Yourself
Clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson says you shouldn't compare yourself to other people. Instead, "compare yourself to who you were yesterday." Instead of trying to defeat others, try to defeat your former self — become better than him/her. And Peterson suggests that you should constantly be trying to do that. Perpetually working to be a better man/woman than the one you were yesterday, and last week, and last year. There's no end point. There's no finished 'you'. By understanding that this is lifelong work you can become the person you want to be — and then become the person you want to be after that, too.
February 17, 2019
HUMAN CONNECTION: Fact About Eye Contact
Eye contact. Do you make it? And how often? And for how long? Looking into someone's eyes is a powerful way to connect quickly and deeply. In fact, Eye Gazing is used as a relational therapy because it allows us to have a profound experience of connection which satisfies our physiological need to be seen and understood. Lots of us don't make enough eye contact. We make a little and then look away; we divert our gaze to our hands or our phones or something over there on the wall. But what would happen if you held your gaze? How might you, and the person opposite you, feel? And would it change the content of your conversations? Almost definitely. It can be really hard to make and keep eye contact. And for some people it feels almost impossible. But work on it — you will not regret it.
February 17, 2019
YOUR SLEEP: Find Answers in Dreams
"Nothing happens unless first we dream." Carl Sandburg may have been talking about dreams in an aspirational sense but this is true of your actual during-the-night-while-you're-asleep dreams too. Nothing happens unless we dream — or at least, unless we have time to dream. Sleep is crucial for our physical and mental health but it's also incredibly important for our ability to generate ideas, follow up on them, and stay motivated. Not only that, but dreams actually give us an opportunity to see things from a different perspective. That thing that's been weighing on your mind for days suddenly presents itself in some fantastical formation while you're asleep and suddenly you understand it, or can see through it, or you realise that it's not so heavy after all. Relax and look forward to those hours of rest. You never know what you might discover!
February 10, 2019
MEDITATION PRACTICE: Floating Feet
Yesterday we touched on taking care of yourself to stop short term stressors leading to poor health in the long term. So today we're giving you a simple meditation exercise for stress relief that you can integrate into almost any moment in the day. Sit down on a chair. Shift your weight into your seat bones and feel grounded and heavy and solid. Allow your feet to become lighter and lighter — until they float up away from the ground. Hold here and notice the way your muscles contract and shift and pull to keep your feet away from the ground. And then shift the weight forwards and let your feet float to touch the ground again. Notice the connection between feet and floor — how it feels. How the muscles change. And repeat as many times as you wish. This can be a really subtle practice to play with, even when there are other people around — taking the feet an inch off the ground is as effective as lifting them higher.
February 10, 2019
STRESS RELIEF: Tip for Avoiding Long Term Stress
What's the difference between a short-term problem and long-term stress? Challenges, failures and losses don't have to lead to poor mental, physical and emotional health. But they often do. When we don't take care of ourselves during times of immediate stress, that stress can build — and before we know it we're suffering from real conditions that have come about as a result of exposure to extended stress. But what does it mean to take care of yourself? Unfortunately there's no one-size-fits-all answer. But give yourself time to breathe and think. Get outside and walk or run. Talk — seriously. Talk. And listen to those voices in your head that tell you "I need a break!" or "I need a little help to get through this one."
February 10, 2019
YOUR BODY: A Man's World
Male bodies in the mainstream media are…confusing. Our bodies are less sexualized and less criticized than female bodies, and yet still sexualized and criticized a lot. And at the same time there are less messages out there encouraging us to love our bodies — to appreciate them for what they are, and not to buy into false perceptions of how we should and shouldn't look. Does it go against your masculine instincts to appreciate and love your body? Do you have a tendency to push and punish and force? That's fine, to a degree. But if you can bring it into balance and appreciate as much as you push; love as much as you challenge and train; and accept that your body will change with the seasons, with external stressors and influences; then those hours of pushing will be for personal improvement and not personal punishment.
February 10, 2019
Do you aspire to a creative career? Three words: Hone Your Craft. The people who can help you make a good living out of your passion will be interested in working with you if that passion is blindingly visible to them — and your skill is unmissable, too. So take the time. Put the work in. Dedicate every minute you can to getting better at what you do, and learning everything you can about your work and its history and intricacies, and developing yourself. Boundaries are important, of course. But an intense period of immersion into your craft will drive you forwards and set you apart from the crowd. You'll learn exponentially and set yourself on the path to creating the career you want; the one that allows you to spend the rest of your life exploring the thing that inspires you the most. What can you do to hone your craft today?
February 7, 2019
YOUR MINDSET: How to Increase Good Opportunities
When you have a new idea — or when someone suggests an idea to you — look at how it could work before you think about why it might not work. Lots of us are programmed to look at the negatives first; to be cynical about new ideas and reject them with the assumption that they're doomed to failure. But what if they're not? Practice focusing on why an idea is good before you start exploring why it might be bad. Approach it with an attitude of curiosity and see how you could make it work. What would you need to do? What would you need to change? Who could you get to help? Not all ideas will lead to success, but having an open mind will lead to more and more good opportunities.
February 3, 2019
HUMAN CONNECTION:Is polarity is affecting your love life?
Love and sex are intertwined, but they don't always go together. The difference between love and sex lies in acceptance. Genuine love is complete acceptance of another person. Sex — particularly the deeper attraction — is about polarity; the masculine and the feminine coming together in a powerful way. This polarity is something to respect and protect. Masculinity and femininity, when they interact with respect and love — with acceptance — can change the world. Masculine energy cannot be complete without feminine energy, and vice versa. But together they are balanced. When those two energies come together in a relationship, each person can become who they really are. Instead of fighting to fulfill every role in life, each person can develop in the areas they're drawn to and trust, unconditionally, that the other half of their partnership will take responsibility for their part in the whole.
January 29, 2019
NEED SLEEP? Read This!
Struggling to sleep? You could be deficient in magnesium. This essential mineral helps you to fall asleep, as well improving the quality of sleep. It aids the function of a number of other physical processes too, and it known to lower blood pressure and lift low moods. Magnesium is an ingredient in lots of the foods we eat every day, and it's one of the most common minerals on the planet — and yet many of us don't have enough of it in our bodies. Try picking up a magnesium supplement to top up your levels. It balances melatonin levels and supports the nervous system in settling down so that you feel relaxed and sleepy before you drift off.
January 23, 2019
MEDITATION PRACTICE: Texture & Smooth
No time to meditate today? Not true! Do this right now to incorporate a moment of meditative work into your day: Place the palm of your hands again a textured surface. It could be a tree, the fabric of your chair or clothing, a wall, or any other surface available to you. If possible, close your eyes — but if you're doing this practice with other people around, it's fine to keep them open. In that case just allow your vision to soften and become slightly hazy. Focus your awareness on the sensations you feel in the palm of the hand. The connection between the hand and that surface, and the different elements of texture that you can identify. Become aware of the landscape of the texture beneath the hand. And keep this focus for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, take the hand away from that surface and rest it on something with a smoother texture, like your desk or even the back of your phone. Notice the change in sensation. And then take one deep breath and carry on with your day.
January 23, 2019
HUMAN CONNECTION: Relationship Key
In a good relationship you don't have to feel restricted. You don't have to feel as though you're sacrificing your freedom in order to be with that person. In fact, it's the opposite. The support of a loving and trusting relationship makes you free. It gives you the space to pursue your dreams and to seek meaning in life with the knowledge that this person — this amazing, beautiful, strong, nurturing and inspiring person — is there to back you up. When you are invested in the happiness of your partner, and they are invested in your happiness, something kind of incredible happens. You don't feel insecure and neither does she. You don't feel scared and you don't feel limited, and neither does she. You feel as though nothing is beyond your reach and…life is good.
January 23, 2019
YOUR BODY: What's Spiritual Connection Matter?
In the words of the Terminator himself, "training gives us an outlet for suppressed energies created by stress and thus tones the spirit just as exercise conditions the body." What Arnie is getting at is that our spiritual health is improved through exercise just as our physical health is. When you don't move your body your energy gets stuck. You feel slow, static and low. And training your body moves that energy so that you are lifted and revitalized. A number of ancient traditions also suggest that a fundamental truth of spiritual progression is that the body must be trained along with the mind — and whether you're listening to movie heroes or spiritual gurus, this wisdom should not be ignored.
January 13, 2019
PURPOSE & MEANING: Don't Miss Your Community
As social creatures, humans crave — and thrive within — community. But many of us don't think about this in relation to our careers. Actually, considering the kind of community that would give you the most motivation, support and inspiration and then figuring out how to create that for your self can have a huge impact on your success. It could be that the community you need is within a company, or it could be broader than that. For example, a community of people who are connected because they share a trade or skillset, or an online community of freelancers who offer one another their advice, conversation and mentorship. Whether you work alone or within an organization you can enter into, or build from scratch, a community of likeminded professionals who will lift you up on the tough days and celebrate your victories with you. It's good for your mindset, your development, and for networking opportunities.
January 9, 2019
MINDSET: Avoid This Esteem Killer
Admitting when you've made a mistake is important. And saying sorry when you've hurt someone is crucial for healthy and loving relationships. But apologizing when you haven't done anything wrong, or saying sorry just to make yourself more likable, can have a negative impact on your self esteem. Do you say "I'm sorry to bother you, but…" when you're asking for help? Do you include get-out statements in your requests, such as saying "Don't worry if you're too busy, but…" or do you use body language that makes you smaller or places you outside of the centre of focus? Practice asking for things without using any apologetic language or behavior. It might feel uncomfortable to start with. But persevere and you'll experience a shift in the confidence and respect you feel and receive.
January 9, 2019
HUMAN CONNECTION: "Properties Perspective" Explained
Philosopher Baruch Spinoza suggested that we should look at each other's characteristics and perceived faults "not in the light of vices of human nature, but as properties…" — with all of those properties being part of the human organism as a whole. He argued that all actions have a cause which can be discovered if you look for it. Thinking of people in this way can help us to be a little bit more understanding when their actions don't live up to our expectations! Make your first steps into this new year with compassion and curiosity. The next 365 days are waiting to be filled with love, open communication and deep connection. This is the perfect time to let go of how you think your relationships should be, and embrace the potential of what they could become. Welcome, 2019!
January 4, 2019
SLEEP: Is Your Foundation Solid?
Sleep may not be at the forefront of your thoughts on the eve of the new year — but how about making 2019 your Year of Better Sleep? Actually, it's an all around life hack. If you commit to improving the quality and duration of your sleep throughout the year, any other resolutions you want to stick to will become easier. Why? Because sleep makes you more productive, more resilient, and increases your chances of making good decisions. The effects of even mild sleep deprivation cannot be underestimated, but lots of us place the blame on other aspects of our lifestyle before we consider whether the hours we spend (or don't spend) asleep might be responsible for some of our day to day problems. So — happy new year and happy snoozing!
January 2, 2019
MEDITATION FACT: What Does Harvard Say?
Do you struggle with tense personal relationships, or find yourself getting frustrated frequently at work? If conflict and irritation is the norm for you, it's worth considering that other people might not be to blame. You don't have to be impatient and irritable. Research from Harvard University shows that a regular meditation practice — even for just a few minutes a day — can make you behave more kindly towards other people. This is because meditation heightens your sense of compassion and empathy; it becomes easier for you to put yourself in someone else's shoes and realize that they're not trying to annoy you. And the more you meditate, the more likely you'll be Teflon to negativity. The result for you? You'll feel better about yourself and you'll connect better with other people. Source: https://news.northeastern.edu/2013/04/02/enlightening-research-shows-meditation-boosts-compassion/
January 2, 2019
STRESS RELIEF: #1 Anecdote That Works!
STRESS RELIEF: Feeling stressed? A lot? Every day? Every hour, even? Don't worry — you're not alone. But you don't have to feel this way. A simple solution for stress which works in the short term but can actually have long term positive implications for the levels of stress hormones in your body is: laughter! Head to YouTube and watch some standup — if no comedian springs to mind, we recommend Judah Friedlander or Dave Chapelle. Or download comedy podcasts to your phone and listen on your way to work. Studies show that laughter reduces stress, promotes good health and even helps to manage physical pain. It stimulates the production of chemicals in your brain which make you feel happier; and by laughing at least twice a day, even when you're not feeling great, you can use these chemicals to counter the effects of stress hormones in your body. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2762283/
January 1, 2019
YOUR BODY: Short vs Long Term
YOUR BODY: It's easy to think about health and fitness in terms of right now. In terms of how our bodies look, how attractive we are, and how much weight we can lift. But what about the long term? Thinking about your body in the future is less popular because…well, who wants to think about their bodies in 40 or 50 years time?! But actually, focusing on sustainable and long term health can motivate you to create habits which will stay with you for the rest of your life. Is the food you're eating now really giving you the fuel you need to function well long term? Are you focusing on a short, intense period of working out or dieting to achieve a short term goal — or do you want to build a diet and exercise regime that will make you feel and look good for years to come?
December 31, 2018
YOUR CAREER: This Principle Pays Back
YOUR CAREER: Billionaire entrepreneur Charlie Munger says that the "safest way to try and get what you want is to try and deserve what you want." What does that mean? In essence, it means you need to give before you receive; be generous, share what you can with the world, and in doing so you'll win the trust and respect of the people you come into contact with. And that will come back to you. Those people you helped will be happy to help you when they can, and they'll think of you when opportunities arise that they know you'd be perfect for. Whether you call it karma, the law of attraction, reaping what you sow or just common sense — it doesn't matter. Help where you can and you get back as much, if not more than you give. Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/26/charlie-mungers-says-he-achieved-success-by-living-by-this-rule.html
December 31, 2018
YOUR MINDSET: Why Clarity is Important
YOUR MINDSET: What does clarity mean to you? Clarity is important in a short term, micro sense and in a long term, macro sense. In this moment right now, conscious awareness helps you to see things as they are. It cuts through delusions and illusions and gives you the space to recognize what's working and what isn't. And in the long term, clarity allows you to see what you're aiming for, what you want to achieve, and develop a solid plan for getting there. Being clear about what you want means that you can take purposeful steps into the future. So get clear! Use the tools available to you, including meditation and writing, to identify what's most important to you and plan your route to success in all areas of life.
December 26, 2018
HUMAN CONNECTION: Power of Love
Happy Holidays from Meditate.Awake! What is this time of year really about, if not love? Forget about the daily grind today. Relinquish responsibility for the pressures in your life, whatever they may be. And love the people you're with. This can be easier said than done — lots of us struggle as we reunite with rarely-seen relatives today and negotiate undercurrents of tension. But whether you are spending the day with people you get with easily, or whether you're dealing with more difficult relationships; love them. Love the people you're with. Drop the conditions and just love them. Know that you can disagree with them and still love them. You can be the one who steps up and sees beyond past conflict and stress. You might find that you feel some of that love being directed right back at you.
December 26, 2018
YOUR SLEEP: What You Need to Know About Your Sleep Cycles
You've probably heard that there are different stages of sleep — but do you know what those stages are and why each one of them is important? The five stages are build one on another starting with light sleep; then deeper sleep, when eye movement reduces and the brain waves slow down; then even deeper delta sleep; then continued deep delta sleep; and finally, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. All of these stages make up a complete sleep cycle which usually takes between 90-120 minutes to complete. Good quality uninterrupted sleep is vital because each stage plays a unique part in restoring the body's energy and promoting healing processes. A good night's sleep typical include 4-5 complete cycles! Get to know your sleep cycles and give your body the time it needs to rest.
December 26, 2018
MEDITATION PRACTICE: Affects on the Brain
Studies which use brain imaging to look at what happens to the brain while meditating have shown that meditation can actually change the brain physically in a number of different ways. One such change is an increase in tissue in the brain region that regulates impulse control and concentration. Seriously. The part of your brain that helps you focus and make good, considered decisions gets bigger when you meditate. That gives a whole new meaning to personal growth, doesn't it? Meditation doesn't just help you grow on an emotional level, it expands important brain areas physically too. If you struggle to commit to a meditation practice, there's some concrete motivation straight from the research labs of neuroscientists! Source: https://www.pnas.org/content/107/35/15649
December 26, 2018
STRESS RELIEF: How to Break Through Your Comfort Zome
Sometimes, to get out of a stressed, anxious headspace, the best thing to do is something completely out of your comfort zone. Think of it like this: our stress is relative. People who are financially secure, for example, might be more likely to worry about the details when people on the poverty line might be worried about how they'll put the next meal on the table. This isn't meant to minimize the validity of your stress, but just to point out that the things that get to us are relative to our overall security, health, and comfort in life. So if you're struggling with stress, do something that scares you. Gain perspective by going beyond your current level of comfort. You might have experienced this kind of perspective before; for example, traveling in a country where you don't speak the language, and realizing that getting by at home in your own language is actually very simple in comparison.
December 26, 2018
YOUR BODY: Is Food Important?
A vast number of men try to exercise their way to fitness, thinking that by training hard they can override the importance of healthy eating. This was the preferred method of Kevin Curry — now a men's nutrition guru — before he realized that it just wasn't possible to get the body he wanted without changing what he ate. "Our bodies are built in the kitchen," he says, and "sculpted in the gym". And if you avoid eating well because you think it won't taste as good…you couldn't be more wrong. By educating yourself on food, just as Curry did, you can enter into a whole new world of eating in which you can become healthy and fit and eat tasty, nourishing food — instead of tasty almost-but-not-quite-food devoid of nutritional value. Source: https://fitmencook.com/about-fit-men-cook/
December 26, 2018
YOUR MINDSET: Use this Concentration Technique!
MINDSET: For those moments when you need to regain your focus and mental clarity quickly, use this practice — inspired by a traditional Indian technique called Trataka. You'll need a flame; it could be a match, a lighter, or a candle. Light the flame and then place it down or hold it at arms length in front of you. Focus your eyes on the flame. Don't look away, and don't blink. Keep your gaze on the flame until your eyes are watering and you really have to close them. And then when you close your eyes spend a few moments noticing the colors and shapes that you see in the darkness behind the eyelids. As well as improving concentration this technique is thought to help keep your eyes healthy, and it has a calming effect on an overstimulated mind.
December 26, 2018
YOUR SLEEP: Why to Avoid Common Disruptors
In today's world there are many things affecting our sleep, hear some of them and why it's important to avoid them!
December 26, 2018
MEDITATION PRACTICE: How Attachment Holds You Back
In this episode you'll hear the effect of attachments and a practical way that you can harness more gratitude through simple awareness!
December 26, 2018
STRESS RELIEF: Practical & Effective Tip
In this episode you will hear how the power of choice can break you out of that stressful and repetitive loop. Try it the next time you're in a stress loop!
December 26, 2018
YOUR BODY: Express vs Suppress
Hear how expressing your natural emotion and inclinations differ from suppressing them and how finding outlets can be positive things in your life!
December 26, 2018
STRESS RELIEF! Hold On vs. Move On :)
Move on instead of holding on. When we're stressed out we hold on tight to everything we can. We create more and more tension in our minds and bodies — it builds, and builds, and on and on; and we get wound up so tight that we can't see anything clearly. So instead of holding on, move on. Take a deep breath and make the conscious decision to let go of physical tension. The body relaxes. The chest opens and expands. Take another deep breath and make the conscious decision to let go of mental tension. Moving on is very different from giving up. By deciding not to hold on to your stresses and struggles you move yourself into a more flexible state of mind and from there, you can assess the challenges you face with calm and clarity.
December 26, 2018
CAREER: The Shame Effect
Shame is one of those things that can be underlying our limits. So whether we seek to have a better career, make more money, or find a deeper purpose that serves humanity - hear how shame can play it's part to hold you back!
December 26, 2018
MENTAL CLARITY: Affect of Quiet
Often times the understanding we seek can come in different ways. Hear how "quiet" can be the gateway to a deeper understanding!
December 26, 2018
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS: Affect of Waiting
Often we wait for things to change before we make decisions that will improve our relationships with others. Here are the effect of waiting and what you can do to bring about what you want most!
December 26, 2018
SLEEP: Food Tip
The foods we eat I have a direct effect on our sleep and I sleep influences the food to eat. What do you need to know to feel better in your daily life!
December 26, 2018
MEDITATION PRACTICE: How to Integrate
You were meditation practice is yours. Trying to fit yourself into somebody else's habits and routines may not always work, that's why you will benefit from finding the meditation practice that works for you. Meditating in the morning is often beneficial so see what time, what style and what way meditation can help support your life!
December 26, 2018
STRESS RELIEF: How laughter helps
It's easy to get absorbed in our lives and focus so much attention to our thoughts, this is one way that you can snap yourself out of it and come back to the present moment with laughter.
December 26, 2018
CAREER: Is this holding you back?
In this episode hear how failure can be used as an asset and fear can be used as fuel for your future!
December 20, 2018
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS: Insight for you
In this episode you'll learn how mindfulness can arm you with certain "superpowers" that allow you to have more for filling and loving connections with those about you!
December 20, 2018
SLEEP: How To Lucid Dream (Tip)
In this episode you get a very practical tip on how to start being aware that you're dreaming and experience seeing the benefits of lucid dreaming for yourself. Try it tonight!
December 20, 2018
MEDITATION INSIGHT: What it is... and isn't.
In this episode you'll learn what meditation is and is not, and pick up a practical way to apply it in every day life!
December 20, 2018
MENTAL CLARITY: Your Insight for Success
For mental clarity and the ability to focus, you'll learn why less is more!
December 20, 2018
PHYSICAL HEALTH: What's Food For You?
Asking yourself a few simple questions can really help with your relationship with food, which will have many benefits to your overall!
December 20, 2018
STRESS RELIEF: Practical Tip
How being around others can actually help you reduce stress!
December 20, 2018
PHYSICAL HEALTH: What To Eat
The right foods go a long way to feeling healthy. How to figure out the foods that are right for you.
December 17, 2018
CAREER: Two Tips For Success
What Creativity and Risk have to do with your success.
December 13, 2018
MENTAL CLARITY: A practical tip to improve your clarity in everyday life
I was walking down the street and was practicing a technique I use quite often to soften my perspective and increase my awareness, so I thought I'd record it for you. Please forgive the background noise as I wanted to capture it in the moment, and at the moment I was walking through Santa Monica :)
December 9, 2018
Some easy ways to reduce your stress and get back in life.
December 5, 2018
Relationships: crack codependency and bring curiosity into disagreements to free yourself.
Taking a step back and asking the right questions can stop a bad situation from getting worse and set yourself up for healthier conversations with your partner.
December 5, 2018
SLEEP: What You Need To Know
Being aware of this aspect of sleep can greatly improve your performance and quality of life. Enjoy!
December 2, 2018
This simple daily practice will help you focus and achieve better mental clarity so YOU can unlock your life and tap into deep purpose and connection.
December 2, 2018
Sleep Better and Wake Up Easier With These 2 Tips!
Sleep is such an important part of a balanced & awake life. Here i touch on two things you can do today to help you unplug and fall asleep faster as well as wake up easier in the morning. Try it today!
November 28, 2018
Feeling stressed?? This quick exercise will get you back on track.
We all get knocked off center sometimes. This is a quick and effective way to reset. Find a place where you have 2-3 minutes to not be bothered and give it a shot... what do you have to lose besides stress??
November 27, 2018
Unlock Your Career With This Tip
Today's clip combines insight and action to help you unlock your career with deeper purpose.
November 26, 2018
This is key to your physical health.
Balance is important to help your body stay fit and healthy!
November 24, 2018
ACTION: Change Your Reality in 5 Min!
Gratitude in action. Notice what happens when gratitude fills your awareness in just 5 minutes!
November 22, 2018
This Secret Unlocks Success!
Malcolm Gladwell writes that "Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good." To get where you want to go in life you have to start practicing now. Today. If you save your dedication and focus for when you are successful, you'll never be successful. Listen to hear more!
November 21, 2018
How Living Awake Works for YOU
Often times I say "Bring meditation to life" and this story illustrates just how that looks like in life. Meditation is the foundation, one side of a triangle, with the other to sides being "insight" and "action".
November 18, 2018
One Of The Greatest Challenges Men Face
In this episode I talk about the challenges and opportunity for emotional growth and the effect it has on mental health and personal relationships.
November 12, 2018
What you need to know about awake living!
Today's message explains what awake living is and offers some insight to help you relax and reframe your experience to approach life more fully.
November 10, 2018
Negative thoughts? Listen to this!
Do you get swept up in negative make believe you create for yourself? We all have some version of hypnotic thinking that takes us away.
October 18, 2018
Meditation is more than this
Why to look at meditation as more than an escape from daily life.
September 9, 2018
This is the Key to Happiness
Sorry for the Santa Monica background noise, but I was feeling inspired by the moon!
August 23, 2018
Why I created Meditate Awake
Why Meditate Awake was created and the Network of Awakening Minds
August 20, 2018
What you need to know about Peripheral awareness
I tell you how peripheral awareness opens up your practice and share an old saying that transcends time!
July 7, 2018
3 Freedom Tips on July 4th
In honor of Independence Day, I offer 3 easy tips to make your day more free.
July 4, 2018
What is Awake Living?
The blueprint for awake living.
May 15, 2018
Tip for the Negativity Trap
Something to remember in this world full of messages, not all of them positive. Keep this in mind and you'll be free!
April 30, 2018
Is assuming holding you back?
April 27, 2018
Feel stressed? Try this!
A quick tip to try when you're feeling stressed!
April 19, 2018
How Not Complaining Will Change Everything
In as little as 20 days you can turn from negative to positive, it's simple but not easy. But the impact on your inner life will be worth it.
April 4, 2018
The #1 secret to your success
Negativity can be destructive to success. Hear how to be free and rise to the top!
March 26, 2018
Top tip to unwind
Learn these tips to prevent sleepless nights and recharge your batteries night and day
March 8, 2018
How to cure negativity
In this episode I share with you a little bit about my past and how meditation has helped me dissolve negativity.
February 8, 2018
Creating space creates balance
In this episode I share what's happening in my life and how creating space gives me the balance I need to have a productive day.
February 7, 2018
Nighttime sleep helper
Listen to this to help get to sleep or just relax after a long day
February 2, 2018
How Being Boring Benefits You
in this episode I share how telling the boring daily things of your life will connect you to your friends and open up a new relationship with how you communicate.
January 27, 2018
Success consciousness debunked
Success consciousness debunked
January 24, 2018
Power of emotional detachment
In this episode I talk about the secret of emotional detachment and why it holds the key to freedom in your life.
January 24, 2018
Power of a positive mindset
After listening to this episode you'll understand the power of a positive mindset and how to apply it to your life to get more out of every situation.
January 24, 2018
Successful people habits for u
In this episode I share the habits of successful people and their morning routine that you can do to bring success in your own life.
January 24, 2018
12 Tips to overcome laziness
Here I share 12 tips to overcome laziness, feel free to use one or all of them. It's really helped me - even in the creation of meditate awake. I know it will help you, give it a try!
January 23, 2018
Simple but not always easy, I share with you four things that I did that help me be Teflon for today.
January 22, 2018
20 Minutes Changes Everything
20 minute mornings change everything
January 20, 2018
HOW TO MEDITATE: keeping focus
In this episode I answer the question of how to keep focus and attention when meditating, what that means, and some practical tips to save you from drifting during your meditation.
January 14, 2018
HOW TO MEDITATE: Breathing
Have you ever wondered how to breathe during meditation? Well, take a listen and find out more.
January 11, 2018
TIME SAVER: Top Passages
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January 4, 2018
January 3, 2018
In this episode Erik shares how and why to create a point of reference so you don't miss out on what's happening now.
January 3, 2018
Happy NYE, thanks for 2017!
Have a safe and fun New Year
December 31, 2017
December 29, 2017
5 Reasons Goal Setting Is Important
December 30, 2017
H.A.L.T. For The Holidays
Hungry Angry Lonely Tired... four filters to scan your experience and get calibrated during the your day. Get the extra support you need when you're around family, friends, or coworkers by supporting yourself with the H.A.L.T. test.
December 22, 2017
Holiday Season Serenity Tip
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December 21, 2017
Watch for these 5 hindrances
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December 20, 2017
Should I meditate before bed?
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6 To-Do's For Every Meditator
The 6 Things To Do Before Meditating • The 6 Things To Do Before Meditating • The 6 Things To Do Before Meditating
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5 Meditation Myths Busted 4 U
5 Meditation Myths Busted For You • 5 Meditation Myths Busted For You • 5 Meditation Myths Busted For You
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text: Back to News 2014 US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup to Kick Off Summer of Competition April 14, 2014 05:46 PM Click image above to see Presidents Cup Promo Video US Youth Soccer is pleased to announce the summer schedule for the 2014 US Youth Soccer Regional and National Presidents Cup competitions. Boys and Girls teams in the Under-13 through Under-17 age groups will compete in their respective regional events across the nation, to earn a way to the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup, July 10-13 at the MESA Soccer Complex in Greenville S.C. The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is designed for teams seeking additional challenges to play for a national title against teams of similar abilities. The cup provides a progressive, competitive experience to teams that might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in a series of unique experiences highlighting competition, camaraderie and community from the state to regional to national levels of US Youth Soccer. Learn more about the 2014 US Youth Soccer Regional and National Presidents Cup events below: US Youth Soccer Region I (East) Presidents Cup Slippery Rock, Pa. | May 24-26, 2014 Slippery Rock University / Dicks Sportsplex / North Boundary Park US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Presidents Cup Overland Park, Kan. | June 12-15, 2014 Overland Park Soccer Complex US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Presidents Cup Decatur, Ala. | June 12-15, 2014 Jack Allen Complex / Spirit of America Fields US Youth Soccer Region IV (West) Presidents Cup Morgan Hill, Calif. | June 11-15, 2014 Morgan Hill Sports Complex US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup Greenville, S.C. | July 10-13, 2014 MESA Soccer Complex For more information on the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org/PresidentsCup. Note: The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is a separate series of events from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Commission Announces Meeting Scheduled for:
TIME AND DATE: April 30, 2008 – 9:30 a.m.
PLACE: 800 North Capitol Street, N.W.
First Floor Hearing Room
Washington, D.C.
STATUS: Part of the Meeting will be held in Open Session and the remainder of the meeting will be held in Closed Session
Open Session:
1. FMC Meetings Processes/Procedures
2. 2007 Annual Employee Survey
3. OIG Semiannual Report to the Congress covering the period October 1, 2007 – March 31, 2008
4. Docket No. 06-05 - Verucci Motorcycles LLC v. Senator International Ocean LLC
Closed Session:
1. Internal Administrative Practices and Personnel Matters
2. Direction to Staff Regarding Budget Hearing Committee Requests
3. FMC Agreement No. 201178 – Los Angeles/Long Beach Port /Terminal Operator Administration and Implementation Agreement
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Karen V. Gregory
    Assistant Secretary
      (202) 523 5725
This site is an official U.S. Government Website


text:
XBMC (formerly "Xbox Media Center") is a free, open source (GPL) multimedia player that originally ran on the first-generation XBox, (not the newer Xbox 360), and now runs on computers running Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, and iOS. XBMC can be used to play/view the most popular video, audio, and picture formats, and many more lesser-known formats, including:
- Video - DVD-Video, VCD/SVCD, MPEG-1/2/4, DivX, XviD, Matroska
- Audio - MP3, AAC.
- Picture - JPG, GIF, PNG.
These can all be played directly from a CD/DVD, or from the hard-drive. XBMC can also play multimedia from a computer over a local network (LAN), or play media streams directly from the Internet. For more information, see the XBMC FAQ.
- 1 Installation
- 2 Configuration
- 3 Troubleshooting
- 4 Resources
The stable version of XBMC is available in the community repo:
# pacman -Syu xbmc
The SVN (testing) version of XBMC can be downloaded from the AUR (XBMC-git), e.g. using yaourt:
# yaourt -Syua xbmc-git
Autostarting at Boot
To use XBMC on HTPC you may want to start XBMC automatically on boot. There are a different ways to accomplish this.
Setting up a service user for XBMC
To add a new user named xbmc and set a login password for it:
# useradd -m -U -G audio,video,storage,optical,power -s /bin/bash xbmc # passwd xbmc
To use an existing user make sure you add your user (or whatever user will run xmbc on your system) to at least groups audio, video, and storage.
# for x in audio video storage; do sudo gpasswd -a $USER $x; done
Starting XBMC through initscripts
First install D-Bus and add it to your DAEMONS Array if you have not already:
(... dbus ...)
Next, you'll probably want to get ConsoleKit up and running, if you have not already, and add the following line to your
exec ck-launch-session xbmc-standalone
Using the above method, xbmc should run every time you start your X server, so auto-starting at boot can be configured just like a Display Manager, with one important difference. If you choose to use the
/etc/inittab method, you can skip loading a display manager altogether and autologin XBMC by default. To do this, change your default runlevel to 5 in
/etc/inittab as usual:
## Only one of the following two lines can be uncommented! # Boot to console #id:3:initdefault: # Boot to X11 id:5:initdefault:
Note the comment (#) in front of
id:3:initdefault: and not
id:5:initdefault. Then, comment out all the default display manager lines at the end of the file:
# Example lines for starting a login manager #x:5:respawn:/usr/bin/xdm -nodaemon #x:5:respawn:/usr/sbin/gdm -nodaemon #x:5:respawn:/usr/bin/kdm -nodaemon #x:5:respawn:/usr/bin/slim >/dev/null 2>&1
Finally, add this line (toward the end of the file, near where the lines you just commented are):
x:5:wait:login -f <YOUR_XBMC_USERNAME> </dev/tty7 &>/dev/tty7
Starting XBMC through systemd
If your system is setup for systemd you can also start XBMC outside any session using xinit. To install xinit:
# pacman -S xorg-xinit
Now you have to create a new service file.
[Unit] Description = Starts instance of XBMC using xinit After = remote-fs.target [Service] User = xbmc Type = simple ExecStart = /usr/bin/xinit /usr/bin/xbmc-standalone -- :0 [Install] WantedBy = multi-user.target
To activate this service at boot:
# systemctl enable xbmc.service
If you want to use the power functions through XBMC make sure to set up a polkit rule like described here.
Using a Remote
As XBMC is geared toward being a remote-controlled media center, if your computer has an IR receiver, you will probably want to set up a remote using LIRC. Once you are sure your remote is working properly (tested with
$ irw), add lircd to your DAEMONS Array and you'll be ready to create an Lircmap.xml file for it.
Using your favorite text editor, you'll need to go in and create an XML file at
~/.xbmc/userdata/Lircmap.xml (note the capital 'L'). Lircmap.xml format is as follows:
<lircmap> <remote device="devicename"> <XBMC_button>LIRC_button</XBMC_button> ... </remote> </lircmap>
- Device Name is whatever LIRC calls your remote. This is set using the Name directive in lircd.conf and can be viewed by running
$ irwand pressing a few buttons on the remote. IRW will report the name of the button pressed and the name of the remote will appear on the end of the line.
- XBMC_button is the name of the button as defined in keymap.xml.
- LIRC_button is the name as defined in
lircd.conf. If you automatically generated your lircd.conf using
# irrecord, these are the names you selected for your button then. Refer back to LIRC for more information.
- You may want to check out the very thorough Lircmap.xml page over at the XBMC Wiki for more help and information on this subject.
Fullscreen mode stretches XBMC accross multiple displays
If you have got a multi-monitor setup and don't want XBMC to stretch accross all screens, you can restrict the fullscreen mode to one display, by setting the environment variable SDL_VIDEO_FULLSCREEN_HEAD to the number of the desired target display. For example if you want XBMC to show up on display 0 you can add the following line to your Bashrc:
Shutdown-Suspend-Hibernate does not work
If you have problems with shutdown, suspend or hibernate within XBMC make sure your user is in the wheel group and also that the upower package is installed.
In case XBMC was configured to be started outside any session, you need to explicitely give the appropriate rights by creating a polkit rule. Create a new policy rule with the following contents (assuming xbmc as user running xbmc):
polkit.addRule(function(action, subject) { if (( (action.id.indexOf("org.freedesktop.udisks.") == 0) || (action.id.indexOf("org.freedesktop.upower.")== 0) || (action.id.indexOf("org.freedesktop.consolekit.")== 0) ) && subject.user=="xbmc") { return polkit.Result.YES; } });
ConsoleKit Issues with Automatic Login via /etc/inittab
ConsoleKit is known to have problems registering a session as both local and active when logging in directly via the
/etc/inittab method described above. If you would like to be able to shutdown and reboot your machine directly from XBMC while logging in via
/etc/inittab, perform the autologin via mingetty (note: this method requires mingetty and upower to be installed). There are two steps involved:
- 1. Comment out the line
x:5:wait:login -f <YOUR_XBMC_USERNAME> </dev/tty7 &>/dev/tty7from above and, in the consoles section of
/etc/inittab, append the following:
c7:2345:wait:/sbin/mingetty --autologin <YOUR_XBMC_USERNAME> tty7 linux
- 2. Then, in your XBMC user's
~/.bash_profile, include the following (in place of the
.bash_profileline indicated above) (source: Arch forums):
[[ $(tty) = "/dev/tty7" ]] && exec xinit ~/.xinitrc -- /usr/bin/X -nolisten tcp vt08 &>/dev/null
- XBMC Wiki: An excellent resource with much information about Arch Linux specifically (upon which the original version of this article was largely based).


text:
Snowy Pathway
Posted on by Chris Erskine
Published by Chris Erskine
My name is Chris Erskine and I am an visual artist. My studio practice includes painting, murals, short films, and sound art. This website (Fat Cats - Starving Dogs) is dedicated to all my non-abstract work. Please visit chriserskine.ca to see my abstract paintings. You can also follow me on Instagram: erskineartist or on twitter: erskinec. Thanks for dropping by. Chris View all posts by Chris Erskine


text:
Brute 23 wrote:I did the tailgate deal one time but with a bumper pull. I was driving up the ramps and it came off the hitch. The trailer jumped up and popped the tailgate right below the handle. I had no choice but the back down so it put a nice gouge down to the bumper.
The funny thing is it made a distinct mark. Now that I look for it there are quite a few tailgates on the road with the same mark.
It's like the marks a jack-knifed trailer leaves on the bumper!


text:
Hedge funds' combined holdings in gold futures (COMEX:GCZ13) increased to the most bullish since January on mounting concern that conflict in the Middle East will boost crude-oil prices (NYMEX:CLV13), slowing economic growth and stoking inflation.
The net-long position rose 3.6% to 101,396 futures and options in the week ended Sept. 3, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission data show. Long wagers gained 0.6% and short bets contracted 8.6%, the fourth consecutive drop and the longest retreat in a year. Combined net-long holdings across 18 U.S.-traded commodities fell 0.3% as investors got less bullish on copper.
Gold prices that are poised for the first annual drop since 2000 rebounded 18% since reaching a 34-month low in June. President Barack Obama, seeking Congressional approval for an attack on Syria, said Sept. 6 there is a "growing recognition" the world must act on allegations the government used chemical weapons against its own people. The Middle East produces 33% of the world's oil and some investors buy bullion as a hedge against accelerating inflation.
"Whenever you have period of unrest, war, or investor fear, people go to gold," said Dan Denbow, a fund manager at the $1.2 billion USAA Precious Metals & Minerals Fund in San Antonio. "The longer-term focus that gold is not dead and there are reasons for owning it is why you're seeing bullish bets continue to grow in the space."
Traders Split
Futures slipped 0.7% to $1,386.50 an ounce last week, the first drop since Aug. 2. Thirteen analysts surveyed by Bloomberg expected prices to rise this week, with the same number bearish and five neutral. Bullion for December delivery was little changed at $1,385.90 today.
The Standard & Poor's GSCI Spot Index of 24 commodities climbed 1.1% last week, the second consecutive gain. The MSCI All-Country World Index of equities rose 2.1%. The Bloomberg Dollar Index, a gauge against 10 major trading partners, slid 0.3%, and the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Bond Index lost 0.7%.
Gold climbed 13% since the end of June, heading for the biggest quarterly advance since 2007. Obama said he'll make a more detailed case for action in Syria in an address to the nation this week after failing to gain a unified message of support following a meeting of the Group of 20 nations in Russia last week. Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country will assist Syria.
Copyright 2014 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


text:
Cotton farmers and the agencies and industries that support them have three to four years to come up with new products, techniques or a combination of currently available strategies to manage nematodes before they lose Temik, a mainstay for crop protection for some 40 years.
Resistant cultivars may be the best option but currently less than a handful of varieties with only moderate resistance are available and putting resistance into a variety with the yield and quality traits growers demand will not be easy.
In the meantime, those varieties moderately resistant to root knot nematodes may be a better option than some believe.
"They may be more beneficial than some folks have given them credit for," said USDA-ARS nematologist Richard Davis, Tifton, Ga., during a panel discussion at the recent Beltwide Cotton Conferences in Atlanta.
"Moderately resistant varieties will not be the sole solution to replacing Temik," he said, "but may be part of a program."
The advantage can be significant, said Terry Wheeler, Texas AgriLife research pathologist at Lubbock.
"Partial resistant cultivars have enormous advantages," she said, "and may add as much as a 500-pound-per-acre yield advantage in heavily infested fields."
Wheeler and other panelists cited ST 5458, Phy 376, ST 4288 and DPL 174 as moderately resistant to the Southern root knot nematode.
"Resistance has several advantages," Davis said. "It's not an additional expense and has no effects on the environment. Resistance offers season-long control and is more consistent than other treatment methods. Plant resistance also limits nematode reproduction."
A highly resistant cultivar is defined as one that reduces nematode reproduction below 10 percent in susceptible stands. Moderately resistant cultivars lower reproduction but not below 10 percent.
Davis said a resistant variety, Auburn 623, was released to breeders in 1970. "But we still do not have highly resistant cultivars. We've made progress but resistance is a multi-gene trait; that's why it's hard to breed nematode resistance."
Several possibilities are in development, including Acala NemX, which Davis said is "unproven if it has different resistance genes from Auburn 623."
LONREN-1 and LONREN-2, two reniform resistant breeding lines, were released by USDA in 2007. "It takes time to get resistance into lines with acceptable yield and quality traits," Davis said. "But we know the tools are there. Within two years we will have other resistant genes."
Resistance will not be the end-all for nematode management, however. "We do see limitations for resistance," Davis said. "Resistance is species specific and other nematodes might emerge as problems. Also, as we move away from nematicides we may encourage other nematodes to emerge."
He said moderate resistance and a combination of chemistry and other practices may help limit population spikes. Cultural controls also may play a role.
He said continuous selection pressure could cause nematodes to break resistance.
Gene mapping and sequencing
In the future, Davis expects to see refinements in nematode resistance breeding techniques with improved gene mapping and gene sequencing. "We will develop more and better genetic markers and new sources of resistance, especially to root knot nematodes."
Scott Monfort, University of Arkansas, said until better tools come along nematode management will include a combination of practices. "We have to bring ideas and tools together," he said.
Top of that list of tools will be sampling. "That's the most important thing," he said. "We have to identify the species and the population density. Then we can make management decisions."
Resistance and rotation will play key roles. "And we have to learn the limitations of available chemistry. We have to bridge the gaps among the tools available. Field identification will be a key. Research and Extension recommendations will blend with historical data to develop precision agriculture techniques."
Mapping will be important, Monfort said, to assess damage, identify multiple species and to determine where to apply chemicals. "We need to assess thresholds across soil types and learn how to manage multiple nematode species. We need better laboratory extrapolation, increase breeding efforts and (learn to use) a combination of nematicides."
Growers, industry, and universities have to buy in to make the programs work, he said. "Growers may need to become more aggressive with nematode control. We need to understand that nematodes may not be the only problem in a field. We should use a holistic approach that considers water, fertility, weeds, tillage practices and rotation.
"But all that will be lost if we don't sample. It's not that expensive and is essential for precision agriculture. We have to know where the population is. We don't predict, we sample to make sure."
Monfort said growers must fix other problems as they manage nematodes. "Yield monitors and mapping will help. But we have to determine if maps reflect only a nematode problem.
"Biological controls may help but we will need to use them with other products. They will not replace Temik."


text:
Wow! Talk about an Excedrin headache — the news that each U.S. household's share of the national debt is now at $516,348. Oh, and that's in addition to the average household's personal debt of $112,043.
Go ahead, take several Excedrins.
An analysis by Dennis Cauchon in the newspaper USA Today showed, when adjusting for all the government's accounting subterfuges, our fiscally profligate Uncle Sammy piled up a $1.3 trillion loss last year. That boosted the total government liability to $59.1 trillion, of which your pro rata share is half a mill-plus.
Of that, Cauchon notes, a whopping 85 percent represents unfunded promises for Social Security, Medicare, and other federal retirement programs.
And those costs are escalating, which means you'll be on the hook for even more.
To pay off all this debt would require "immediate and permanent" massive increases in federal taxes, or massive cuts in those program benefits, or a combination thereof.
More Excedrin?
David Walker, who is U.S. Comptroller General —the country's top accountant — and head of the Government Accounting Office, has for some time been urging people to "wake up before it's too late" and insist that the government start getting its financial house in order.
On a "fiscal wakeup tour" around the country, he's told everyone who'll listen that "we're expecting our grandchildren to pay for this, and that's absolutely outrageous."
If the "fiscal cancer" isn't treated, Walker says, "it could have catastrophic consequences for our country."
If a private company posted such a dismal financial record, he says," it would be on the front page of every newspaper in the country." But because it's the government, and because it has been spending far more than it takes in for so long, it's just another ho-hum story.
The USA Today article notes that the federal government doesn't follow modern accounting practices required of corporations and state/local governments, under which expenses are counted immediately when a transaction occurs, even if payment will be made later. Thus, promises for Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlement programs aren't reflected when the government reports its financial condition.
(Compared to that Mt. Everest of debt, farm program expenditures that so offend urbanites and anti-ag groups are a mere speck on the ledger.)
The Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Board wants to require the government to use accounting rules similar to those of corporations, but the White House and the Congressional Budget Office are opposed.
By 2040, David Walker says, "based on reasonable assumptions, the U.S. government may be doing nothing more than making payments on its massive debt."
This fiscal house of cards is further camouflaged by the massive amount of our debt now in the hands of foreigners — some 80 percent of 3- to 10-year U.S. Treasury notes, the highest level since the 19th century.
If China, Japan, and other countries that are helping to finance our deficit spending should decide to start putting their money elsewhere, Walker says, it could send interest rates skyward "and have a domino effect on the economy."
A couple of belts of scotch to go with your Excedrin?
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