March 20th, 2008 cate
Spring has sprung sort of and the weather is warming up. Well, it’s supposed to be warming up in most parts of the world and that means it’s time to think about flea control for your beloved pets.
Since most flea collars use very strong chemicals, keep your little cutie safe and use an herbal, natural flea collar as an alternative. That way, neither you or your animal family member needs to be touching dangerous substances. Your little guy will be free of fleas and everyone will be happy about that! Take a look at the cat flea collars here
and the dog flea collars here.
These collars repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, gnats and biting flies using natural, safe essential oils.
Posted in aroma therapy, general, health, herbal medicine, kindness, news, online self help, pets, safe products | No Comments »
March 11th, 2008 cate
From AP:
PALENQUE, Mexico (AP) — North American Indians assembled in the shadow of ancient Mayan pyramids Monday discussed how their tradition wisdom could help save the planet, and were told that even indigenous cultures have struggled with environmental abuse.
More than 200 leaders from 71 American Indian nations in Mexico, the United States and Canada came together in this Mexican jungle to find indigenous solutions to pollution and ecological problems threatening the planet.
“Our Mother Earth is being polluted at an alarming rate, and our elders say that she is dying,” said Raymond Sensmeier, a Tlingit leader from Yakutat, Alaska. “The way the weather is around the world … a cleansing is needed.”
The conference began with a pre-dawn ceremony that included fire, copal incense, chants in Lacandon Maya and blasts from a conch shell.
Speakers reminded attendees that even Indian cultures have battled with environmental abuse and pointed to theories that deforestation contributed to the collapse of the Maya who built the temples at Palenque.
“As we stand here, very near Palenque, I am mindful that some scholars have suggested that environmental stressors contributed to the decline of the Mayan civilization,” said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator Elin Miller. “The planet-wide stress on the environment today means that collaborative efforts … are not just good things. They may well be essential for our survival.”
But, as Bill Erasmus, a representative of the indigenous people of Canada’s Northwest Territories noted, “part of our role is to wake up the world. It is very obvious to us all that the climate is changing.”
Mexico’s environment secretary, Juan Elvira Quesada, said the gathering is meant “to present the teachings of the original peoples of North America.”
“In this way, the indigenous communities can become the natural guides to restoring balance and harmony in the world,” he said.
The lessons they have to teach are simple – based on reviving Indian notions about ownership, use, compensation and respect.
“I sometimes talk to scientists,” said Sensmeier, “and they compartmentalize things, put things in boxes and disconnect them, and doing so promotes disharmony and imbalance.”
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January 20th, 2008 cate
You heard me. Of course some of you might vehemently disagree with me that “mindfulness” can occur in business – it’s just that… that isn’t happening where you work. If that’s the case, I’m very sorry to hear that, but have hope. Mindfulness in Business is very possible and in fact, can make that business even more successful. If you apply these at work, you’ll undoubtedly see an enormous positive result. I swear. But it would be best if everyone gets in on the action. What can everyone do? Here are some mindfulness tips for the office:
1. Be present – I don’t just mean be there in attendance, I mean make yourself fully present in a mindful way. A “present” state of mind will mean that you are focused on the now. You are committed to the present moment and that means that when you’re interacting with people, you are more absorbed in what they are saying right now. You need to be present to be a good manager or employee. You give meaning and purpose to those around you. In business, if you are “present” you will usually get what you need. If you aren’t present, you miss your task or you miss what someone is saying – and those things could be very important.
2. Give full attention to your activities – This is also a state of mindfulness. Concentrating on tasks gives meaning to that task. It helps you get your task done in an efficient way because you are focused on it, even on the smallest task – This activity requires very focused attention and when you are mindful of your concentration to your work, you cannot be more efficient with your task. This ends up with the best work you can offer.
3. Make sure your state of mind is optimal before entering a meeting – This point is very important. How can you assess your state of mind? Before your meeting, go to a quiet place so you can determine your state of mind. You need to be aware of what is happening and how you feel; you need to be in a state of mind where your emotions are calm and positive. You should be in a positive state but if you’re not, try to divert your negative feelings and thoughts aside by focusing your thoughts on happy, wonderful things. Words are powerful, so say to yourself, “I am calm, positive and will have an efficient, productive meeting.”
4. Be aware of your relationships with colleagues – Say, for instance, you are a manager and you don’t get along with your employee. Figure out why, and try to change it to a more positive relationship. Once you can see possibilities of problematic issues between the two of you, you can go from there. If you are mindful, you will realize the weaknesses, the conflicts and the differences in personalities. These things shouldn’t prevent you from having a decent relationship. When you are mindful and fully aware of all aspects involved in employee/manager relationships, you can work it out so that you have the relationship that is necessary to have an efficient and happy office environment. Listen to your colleagues and employees and be in the present. Give them value and value what they have to offer. Try to understand where they’re coming from. The results of this behavior will astound you.
5. Laugh – Try not to take yourself so seriously. Have fun when you can. While laughing and goofing around may not be appropriate for some circumstances, at the right moments, it’s the best thing an office can have for morale.
6. Know Yourself – Knowing yourself helps you to make the right choices about how you respond to people and situations.
Posted in articles, business, general, hope, inspiration, kindness, mind, online self help, people, personal development, personal growth, recommendations and favorites, setting goals, success stories | 1 Comment »
January 12th, 2008 cate
People seeking to improve themselves tend to be voracious book readers so from time to time, I will have some relevant book recommendations. I hope you will be happy to include it in your library. Here’s today’s:
Mind Training, The Great Collection (Library of Tibetan Classics) is an English adaptation of the first anthology of techniques for cultivating altruistic thoughts and coping with the inevitable challenges of everyday life. Presenting 44 of the original texts — including seminal works such as “Leveling out All Preconceptions” and “Eight Verses on Training the Mind” — Mind Training combines eloquent translations and historical commentaries to demonstrate how anyone can learn to exude love, compassion, and perseverance.
Click here for more information
Posted in books, faith and spirituality, general, hope, inspiration, kindness, mind, online self help, personal development, personal growth, recommendations and favorites, self improvement, setting goals, spirit | No Comments »
