Five Interesting Answers to Life's Most Common Questions

Life is all about questions and experiences - nothing more. So don't obsess too much on collecting any other possessions because they will not remain relevant for long. What you need to do is orient yourself to answers that will add more sense to your life and lead you to more important queries. Only then can you really assure yourself of a happy and satisfying life. To get you started on this quest, here are a few questions and answers that will make your life more meaningful.

1. Can love last a lifetime? It may seem like a silly question that warrants a fairy tale answer, but there have actually been studies made to test the sustainability of such an emotion. The answer is, without proper maintenance, no. Romantic love is associated with chemical changes in the brain and its effects often only last for 12 to 18 months. After that, people are left to cope with their own devices. Unless they are able to re-stimulate the same chemical reaction, they are bound to suffer a fall out.

2. When do you know what you are supposed to do with your life? This used to just be solely an angst-ridden adolescent's question. But now, even people way past their adulthood are seeking resolutions. The answer is any moment. There is no exact calling that a person must adhere to for the rest of his or her life because he or she changes as the years go by. New preferences arise. New passions develop. Old ones may die out. So there's nothing to be ashamed about having changed your career option 10 times within the span of 20 to 30 years. Besides, a job is just something you do. It doesn't define your whole existence. So it makes sense that you are always questioning where you go and how you go about life at every turn.

3. Can a half-empty individual transform his or her self into someone half-full? Meaning, can a pessimistic person be optimistic? The answer all depends on training. Since it is a behavioural and cognitive based trait, there is a chance that transformation can occur as far as point of view and reaction is concerned. But that is only possible if the person subjects him or herself intently to a program. We are learning species. And as much as a dog can be reprogrammed to stop doing unhealthy habits, so can humans.

4. Can money buy happiness? The answer is obvious - NO - and it's all because happiness isn't for sale. It is an experience that is neither influenced by nor instigated directly by cash. Money may be able to buy things that could bring you comfort, security, and excitement. But they don't add up to happiness. To further support this claim, just think about the moments that bring you genuine peace and satisfaction from a place of darkness. They don't involve money now, do they?

5. When is it okay to tell a secret? If it's yours to tell, then it's fine. If it isn't, they you are going to break basic social etiquette.

If you'd like to read more answers to common questions, you could visit websites that cater specifically these information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7186047

Brain Exercises To Strengthen Your Mind and Body

Brain exercises are very effective to keep your mind sharp even as you age. It creates a reservoir of intelligence. So, whenever you need it, you can use it. There are lots of methods and steps that you can follow so you could keep your mind intellectually fit. Just like our body that needs exercise so that you can make your muscles strong and healthy, our mind also works that way. We need to do various exercises to make sure that it is in its perfect state. It can also be compared to a knife. The latter does not cut anything if it has not been sharpened. It needs to be sharp in order for it to be used properly. The idea of the brain function works that way too.

The very first basic thing that is necessary to our everyday living is food. There are certain foods that can enhance the brain. And when the brain is exercised it provides proper disposition of our mind and body. The food does not only provide power boost to our mind but as well as gives energy and support to our health. You can also read anything that would interest your senses. If you are fond of reading, then it is a very good thing. You have got the advantage because your brain has been consistently being used. It is working as you read through the paragraphs in a book. You learn new words, which are added to your vocabulary.

Free your mind. If you have been stressed out the whole day because of what happened in school, at work or with your personal relationships, then control your mind not to entertain any negative thoughts. Meditating and controlling your mental capability is one way of exercising your brain. If you are into games, you could select games that will give you a chance to think or to analyze. It should be a game that will not only entertain you but will motivate your brain to process. Try solving mathematical problems. Analyzing the problem will make your mind process the answer. Start a conversation. Talking to someone can also exercise your brain as you would allow your system to process receiving and sending certain information to the person you are talking to.

Go out and take a refreshing early morning walk through your nearby park. In this way, you can be connected with nature thus giving your brain a time to relax from all different types of stresses and pressures. Eat breakfast as it provides the energy that you need to start the day. Create new designs or redesign. Multitasking is one effective method that can be employed for your brain to be optimized. When you are watching a television during the commercial break, you may solve a crossword puzzle or draw something.

Listen to classical music. It has been discovered by the experts in the field of brain power that classical music is the best music to be used as a tool to enhance the power of the brain. Play various games online that will make your mind work like word games and chess. These are just few of the brain exercises that you can try.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7191771

Learning About Acts of Courage

Various Acts of Courage have been seen done by various people and all these acts are often recognized by the firms that look into these matters.

What are the courageous acts?

People sometimes get stuck in various problems and they seek the help of other people to bring them out of the problem. In such cases there are people who voluntarily help others. There are cases like meeting with an accident or something. The acts that bring out the courage include the ones in which the helping person risks his life to help others.

There have been instances when people need help while they are in a stream of water where they cannot swim. In such cases the helper may also sink but still the person gives his or her best to help the needed one. Other Acts of Courage may be saving someone from being kidnapped or from thieves, risking their own life in the process. All these acts are recognized by various firms and also by the government on a yearly basis. These cases are also an example to the society where the atmosphere is changing with a high pace and people are getting busier as the days progress. These acts bring out the best in the nature of the helper. People often do not help for the fear of risking their own life but, this is not the case. A person must help the other selflessly because, ultimately all the deeds are rewarded somewhere or the other.

Courageous acts lead to Achievements:

The achievements that a person makes in the society are termed as Social Achievements and all these achievements are something that one must boast about. All these achievements are achieved by hard work and also working selflessly. A person may be rewarded for this in some or the other form. The acts mentioned above are also part of achievements by individuals.

There are various government organizations that look into all these matters and on the annual basis there are various rewards that are given. It is a moment to feel proud of for the person who is being rewarded. There are various things that one must always keep in mind while doing such acts and the basic is that the person must not do anything for the purpose of being rewarded, instead he or she must do it for the purpose of being a helping hand to the needy ones. The best part about these Social Achievements is that they are rewarded on a platform that is cheered by many and not just a small platform so as to promote the good thinking in the mind of everyone.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7186087

What Confidence Is and Is Not

Maybe you, like many, confuse confidence with competence. And that's understandable because you're advised to enhance your skills, knowledge, and expertise, and presto: The confident you will emerge and flourish. Well, in a way. You would feel confident about what you know and can do, but would you absolutely feel overall confidence as an individual? Not necessarily. Competence does not guarantee confidence. Confidence based on competence alone can be shaken the moment something goes off-kilter or you enter unfamiliar "territory".

When confidence is low, we don't feel and really aren't fully present in whatever moment we find ourselves in. When confidence is low, our thoughts are wrapped up in anxiety, usually with garbage from the past and fears about the future vying for equal time. And amid that thought chaos, we're busy thinking or worrying about what we'll say or do rather than listening to what's being said or observing what's going on, and responding appropriately for us and according to what's happening right then.

If you're someone who feels you lack confidence or could use more, or know someone who feels this way, notice that when doing something interesting, engaging, or relaxing, confidence isn't a concern. So when is it an issue? Any time there's concern about what others will think about you.

Augusten Burroughs wrote: "Unscripted, unedited, and wholly authentic people are almost universally admired, especially if they have flaws, are not afraid to make live, red-blooded mistakes, and rather than trying are busy simply being." Isn't it interesting that people with these traits are admired and seen as confident when these traits are the very ones we're discouraged from or even punished for demonstrating? Burroughs also said that when you desire more confidence, what you really desire is to control what others think about you. Let's look at one reason low confidence may be an issue for so many.

Low confidence may have its origin from one "technique" parents and other authority figures use with children to get them to behave a particular way: They use shame instead of validation or guidance. Validation or guidance may take time and energy, or be a totally unfamiliar process for them, having been shamed themselves as children. Shame is a high-speed road to confidence issues. Even if the words "You should be ashamed" weren't used, that message was implicit in whatever criticism was (or is) given. And, those shamed as children grow into adults who mimic this technique, as well.

Shame becomes like a garment worn into adulthood, one that covers or shrouds the authentic self who, as Burroughs stated, makes mistakes and keeps going, unimpeded by the opinions of others. Self-esteem or confidence issues stem from feeling some level of shame about being you, seeded by someone else's disappointment or disapproval expressed to you. More often than not, their disappointment or disapproval was way more about them and their issues than about you. "What will people think about ME if you do that (don't do that, look like that, etc.)?!" is often, but not solely, motivation for shaming rather than guiding. Ingrained feelings of shame lead people and their lives, but not in the direction they desire.

Shame causes you to believe you can't do certain things or shouldn't attempt them because "somebody" (other than you) may or will disapprove or be disappointed, especially if your attempt doesn't have "perfect" results. Perfectionism blocks your ability to be creative and authentic. It denies your right to be uniquely you, to make mistakes and grow from them, to feel more fearless about discovery and exploration of who you are and what you can make of your life.

Are you beginning to connect how fear of being you, possibly or probably seeded by being taught shame, could affect your confidence and self-esteem? If you don't trust your self, what can you trust? Confidence isn't about always knowing the answer or doing the exact right thing, it's about knowing you'll seek and find an answer and are willing to learn and live who you are and came here to be.

Low confidence-confidence being that deep, true connection with your authentic self-is why many procedures and processes like plastic surgery, weight loss, and makeovers don't always create the lasting feeling inside that the person hoped for. In fact, a study showed that the people who do feel good about themselves and continue to do so after such changes felt good about themselves before the change. They were also a very small percentage of those who underwent such changes.

It seems then that many of the externals we change or seek to are attempts to arrive at one thing: To feel good about being ourselves. We mistakenly think part of what will create that feeling for us is to do whatever it takes to make others approve of us. We chase our own tails with this one. If we feel good about ourselves, there will be people who enjoy or appreciate us for who we are. Maybe not everyone will feel that way about us, but getting everyone's approval is a waste of energy and is unrealistic. It also puts us last instead of first, where we need to be if we're to live our best life.

It's time to acknowledge there is and ever will be only one of you. Stephen Greliet wrote something that may be familiar to you: "I shall not pass this way again... " Whether you believe in reincarnation or you don't, who you are in this lifetime will never happen again. It may take time to take root, but remind yourself of this unique-you fact each day and as often as needed.

Confidence isn't a show, despite that we've believed it is. It isn't about being competent, though competence can lead to satisfaction within us. Confidence is about being at home with yourself and your right to your place in the world. It's about being present with your self, being in the moment, and doing what's appropriate and fulfilling for you and your process of self-discovery, rather than focused predominantly or only on the opinions of others. Ask yourself what feels right and true for you. Apply this question to topics, areas, and moments of your life, and do this at a steady, gradual pace. Discover and embrace how much there is to appreciate about you and life. It's a good practice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7189342