Sunday, March 9, 2008 

Be the Change You Wish To See

This quote from Gandhi is usually invoked to silence the complainer. You know, if you cant put up, shut up.

Recently, I received the full quote, Be the change you wish to see in the world, at the bottom of an email from my Wednesday night yoga instructor, Tracy. Each time we begin and end a class, we sit in silence and think about our relationship to the natural world and the other creatures in it. Its a good centering activity for remembering our mutual interdependence and our responsibility for shepherding the good in life.

Having this intention during each class helps me to work on the different poses with more concentration and success. And, I leave most classes humbled by my struggle with the physical practice and also the notion that there is so much more I could do to improve life for myself and others.

But then Im quickly back in my usual day to day, regularly noting all of the things that are amiss in the worldour dependence on oil, global warming, corrupt politicians, inequity in health care deliveryand not doing much of anything about it all. Except grouse and complain.

Noticing What Needs Attention
most days, I take my dogs for a circular four mile walk near our home. We begin and end on dirt roads, but the middle of our walk is along a relatively quiet paved road that connects Hillsboro and Washington, NH. It is a residential area, abutting woods and for the most part very pleasant.

However, months ago, out on my own on a slightly rainy day when I left the dogs at home, I counted over sixty bottles and cans, assorted plastic containers, and other stray articles along the route. The counting was simply an exercise to pass the time and a curiosity to me that this tranquil area could be so heavily trashed when so lightly trafficked. Angry that others could be so insensitive and selfish, I promised myself that I would get back out there within the week to clean up what I had noticed. I did not.

With three leashed pups in tow on subsequent walks, I let myself off the hook for picking anything up. It would be nearly impossible to carry a big trash bag while busy tending my charges. Besides, I would pick up stray plastic six-pack holders, so that a bird wouldnt get its neck caught. And Id also snare pieces of broken glass in the road so another dog or walker wouldnt get cut. I was doing something. But each day I took that walk, I felt a tug of guilt over my failure to follow through on cleaning up the wake of castaways now buried beneath taller grass.

Vindication by Taking Responsibility
There is much in the world that seems outside of our control. By myself, I cant change a culture where so many drivers consider their personal automobile space more important than the natural world. Alone, I cant end teenage drinking. Without everyone agreeing to use fewer disposable products, I cant stop roadside deposits of refuse.

We often complain on a general level that the world is going to pot, but we know to make any more noise would call attention to the fact we havent done much toward fixing the things that need attention. Thats a sneaky, contributing source to apathy. How can we stop intense consumerism, blind disregard for the safety of others or make other accountable for their actions in any meaningful, if we fail to take responsibility for what we see?

I can shake my fist and scream, Dont be such a pig! Because its not my trash, and I obviously care about the natural world. But where does that get me? Once I see what needs to be done, its up to me alone to follow up in any way that I can. If I take action, then I can claim positive contribution and be more at peace knowing that I did make a difference. And then I really can raise a hornets nest of complaint, and urge others to do as I have.

Moving from Complaint to Action
So much of what is out of whack is within our control, if we break what seems large and overwhelming down into smaller tasks or projects. Or simply take responsibility for doing our small part.

It took me twice as long to walk that four-mile loop, when I finally stopped to pick up all the trash Id been noticing for months. My haul was substantial: 60 aluminum cans, 10 whole or broken bottles, 20+ assorted plastic and paper containers, and an ugly pile of other tangible evidence that I noticed and did something about it.

Picking up trash along the side of the road may not seem like much. But every day I take that walk, I enjoy my surroundings that much more knowing that Ive chosen to be an active steward to keep it clean. If I find a new can or bottle in the days ahead, it will be only one I need to pick up to preserve what is beautiful and shared by all.

Where is Your Next Move?
We can choose to buy and consume differently. We can tutor those who need help. We can teach others what we know how to do. We can give our time and money to causes that respond to our sorrow or outrage, and our sense of what the right thing is to create change. through our actionsboth large and small, we can be the change we want to see in the world.

Each of us notices what needs attention as we move through our days. We really do know what we can do make a difference.

Complacency is easy. What will you do?

2007 Andrea R. Williams

Andrea Williams, personal and small business success coach, is the creator of the Fearless, Fabulous Project, a 12-week, step-by-step discovery and rejuvenation process to help you gain clarity and commitment about what is most important to you. If you're ready to pump your life with more fun & fulfillment, check out Andrea's coaching programs and resources now at http://www.FearlessFabulousLife.com and sign up for Fearless, Fabulous female, her free ezine on personal reinvention at midlife.

Gaiam Advanced Yoga Dvd

 

Booting to a Linux Desktop and Opening a Terminal - Linux Training Online - Linux Concepts & Terms

To learn linux concepts and get linux training that you can understand, you need to understand linux terms - the linux "lingo".

Articles with names ending in "linux Concepts & Terms", have been created to help you learn linux "geek-speak" (terms) - and this will help you learn how to use Linux!

Booting Linux to a Linux Desktop

As a new Linux user, the easiest way to work with linux is by booting to a linux desktop. A linux desktop provides an easy method of running linux software programs, by double-clicking on icons or using menus on the desktop.

A linux desktop also allows you to easily open a terminal emulation window to run linux commands.

Using a linux Terminal (Terminal Emulation Window)

A terminal emulation window is also referred to as a "linux terminal", "linux console" or just "terminal" or "console".

linux Tips: When you are new to linux, use a version of linux that has a desktop installed and that boots to the linux desktop. Many linux servers are set up to simply boot to a linux console Login: prompt - and not a linux desktop.
To run linux administration commands, you need to work as the root user. However, for security reasons, you should never log in to a linux desktop as the root user.

Working as the Root User to Do linux system Administration Tasks

To work as the root user from a linux desktop: log in to the desktop as a regular user, open a terminal emulation window and run the su command, with the - (dash) option.

Now imagine watching a linux video tutorial that shows you how to: log in to a linux desktop, open a terminal emulation window on the desktop to run linux commands - and explains why you use these different methods of getting to the linux command line prompt.

You can watch a friendly, easy, step-by-step, presentation that shows you all you need to know - explaining all the linux concepts and terms along the way - easy linux training all the way!

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Xbox 360 Bundles - Is It Worth Buying A Bundle

Is buying an Xbox bundle such a onerous task that you've been converted into a bundle of nerves? Has the constant stream of information obfuscated matters for you? If the inhibited frenzy for the Xbox 360 bundles has been replaced by a lingering doubt regarding their true worth, then you better read on. It's high time that you're no longer misled by the delusive manifestations of the apparent reality.

True bundle of joy for all

The best part about the Xbox 360 bundles is that there's something for all. Take a look at the several variations and choose the one that fits you perfectly:

* Core bundle: For all those who take pride in their gaming capabilities as well as those that are still learning the ropes, so to speak, this bundle is perfect. It comprises the Xbox 360 console, wired controller, composite A/V cable and Xbox Live silver membership. The incredible Xbox Live gold 30-day trial is also part of this bundle. The accessories include an extra wired controller, memory unit and a one year product replacement plan. Games like Dead or Alive 4, call of duty 2 among others, can be yours forever with this bundle.

* silver bundle: $800 is all that you need to shell out in order to ensure that your gaming talent is not nipped in the bud. The silver bundle with the gaming console, wireless controller, HD and standard AV cable, 20GB hard drive, headset, Ethernet cable and universal media remote will ensure than you step in to the next level of gaming in style. The Xbox Live silver membership, in addition to the Xbox Live gold 30-day trial, is part of this bundle. The rechargeable battery, play and charge kit, extra wireless controller as well as one year product replacement plan make this bundle all the more hard to resist. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, among others, will ensure that your gaming potential does not fade in to oblivion.

* gold bundle: They say all that glitters is not gold, but this one certainly does not conform to such stereotypes. It may seem very much akin to the silver bundle in terms of the package and the accessories, but the Xbox Live 12-month card is a virtual goldmine for those who get a high out of online multiplayer games. The $900 that you pay for games like Kameo and Perfect Dark Collectors Edition, among others, is really worth it.

* ultimate bundle: If you're a hard core gamer that is looking for gaming nirvana, then your search ends with this bundle. On the face of it, it may seem in the same mould as the gold bundle, but the similarity is only with the console, the package and the accessories. There are 11 power-packed games like GUN, Quake, Kameo and Condemned to choose from. You are sure to be condemned if you miss madden nfl and other games that revel in the unconventional.

Xbox 360 bundles offer a veritable mosaic of exiting games. You better get you head examined if you're still wondering whether it's worth buying a bundle.

Indian Yoga Meditation Music

 

90+ Shooters - This Golf Article Is For You!

The advice I give in this article is aimed specifically at golfers that score over 90 for 18 holes of golf. But if you score under 90 for 18 holes you'll still find the advice I give you here valuable....so keep reading.

What you need to work on to score better is the following and this list is from the highest priority to the lowest

1. Putting

2. Chipping

3. pitching

4. Bunker Shots

5. Driving

6. irons

7. Fairway woods

You should work on improving your putting first because if you normally have 38 putts per round and you improve by 5 putts per round you've just knocked 5 shots off your score. This same philosophy applies to chipping and pitching. The more you can improve those two aspects of your game the better you'll score. And finally, you must get really good at bunker shots.

Now when you're practicing putting you should mainly work on distance control. So practice longer putts first and then leave the shorter putts till last. But don't practice your putting for too long. Just get some good feel for distance and then go and practice your chipping and pitching.

And when practicing your chipping you should concentrate on landing the ball where you want and then assessing how far it's going to roll to the hole. Then select a club that will be the most efficient at getting the golf ball close. Then when you practice your pitching you should mix up the distances you practice from so that you get a good feel for distance control. But experiment. Make practice fun. Play some games. And this applies to bunker shots as well.

Play some bunker shots out of unusual lies. For example, play a shot that's plugged, play another shot where you have to stand out of the bunker but the ball is in the bunker. Just have some fun. Even try a "Seve" and get out your 3-iron and try to get the ball out of the bunker with that. This will force you to use your imagination.

If you just worked on these four areas of your game consistently then your score will drop. It has to. Because it's been scientifically proven that shots inside 100 yards make up about 70% of golf. So therefore it makes sense to work on that part of the game the most.

Unfortunately most golfers work on their game the reverse of what I'm saying, and I suppose that's why there is so many "DRIVING RANGES" around! So remember this 70% practice rule when you next go out to practice and if you spend all of your practice time hitting long shots and you're not improving, then don't say I didn't warn you!

professional golfer Nick Bayley has found just one golf swing fault that could be stopping you from ball striking consistency and success. But now you can take a simple 2 minute golf swing test to see if you have this swing fault or not. Go here to take The golf Swing Test now: http://www.yourgolfswingtest.com

Hot Yoga And New York City

 

Signs of a Leaky Basement

Some signs of a leaky basement are very obvious and others are not so obvious. Of course the most obvious sign of water leaking is water everywhere or pools of water on the floor! You might also actually hear the water dripping or staring at big ugly brown stains spreading across your walls. Sometimes you can even smell the water particularly if it is tainted by sewage or tainted by pesticides. Sometimes leaky water also has the heavy musky smell of fresh soil as often water leaking through a bad basement foundation will also be carrying a lot of silt with it.

There are also lots of other clues that you have a leaky basement. One sign of a leaky basement that is often just interpreted as aging or fading is the presence of efflorescence. Efflorescence is a deposit of a thin white film on your wall. It is the residue left by water that contains minerals and other effluvia from the soil.

Dampness is of course a big sign that you have a leaky basement but you should also look for other signs such as rusting nails or metal fixtures, rotting wood near the floor level, rusted metal feet on appliances, lifted floor tiles and peeling paint. All of these signs are not necessarily indicative of big disaster however it is possibly an indication that your home is suffering some kind of leakage during a rainy or wet season.

Sometimes the leaky basement is not due to some sort of vulnerability in your basement foundation. Sometimes it is caused by breaks in your water supply lines or pipes. Even a small seam or crack in a pipe can cause a big pool of water to form on your basement floor. Yet another big culprit is sinks and toilets that constantly drip as the result of a loose joint or loose pipe. Often this type of water collects beneath a cupboard in which the actual plumbing works are concealed.

There is almost always a little bit of leakage around the places where pipes enter the home. This is because of condensation on the pipes forming dew. To prevent this type of water leaking into your house (and first make sure that it is not the pipe itself that is leaking or your efforts will be futile) you can patch it with a waterproof concrete patch. Keep in mind that this will not prevent the water from forming from behind the walls. The only thing that might prevent that is the installation of a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers can be an important tool in your battle against basement moisture and molds but not if the moisture is actually due to water seepage as opposed to water condensation.

There is a very easy way to determine if water on your basement walls is due to condensation or seepage. Simply tape a piece of aluminum foil to your basement wall. After a few days inspect its surfaces. If there is moisture on the inside surface that was touching the wall then you are dealing with a leak. If moisture forms on the aluminum foil side that is facing out from the wall then the problem is condensation and can easily be dealt with by a dehumidifier.

The good news is that condensation is a lot easier to manage than leaking water. Although it is persistent the excess humidity is manageable. Exposure to sunlight and wind can help dry out a basement that is dripping with condensation. It is also a good idea to keep basement windows closed if you live in a climate that is overly humid or that has a heavy rainy season.

Learn the causes of a wet basement and how to avoid them at Waterproof a Basement.

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