Since Day ONE of the creation, blokes like you and I searched for that elusive reason to life.

“Why are we here?”

“What is our purpose?”

“Does the world follow some rhyme or reason?”

And check out the great books and authors that elaborated on the idea: Summa Theologica, The Egyptian Book of the Dead, The ‘Quoran, The Bible, Jean Paul Sarte, Socrates, Paulo Cohello, Donald Trump.

Okay, I arbitarily inserted up that last name.

But seriously. You never realized you were in the company of such eminence! Give yourself a pat on the back, Mr. Philosopher.

Stop, and consider how, after all that rheotoric, prose, and giddy exhortation, few of these dissertations truly arrived at some enlightening, jaw dropping Meaning of Life that literally gave you the golden answer to your personal existence. (people still keep searching!) (more…)

Cortisol apparently arises from stress and this helpful blog entry gave a clue on avoiding this deadly chemical. Here’s a snippet:

The key to escape cortisol though… is to change your voice… run from negative people… go for a walk… or find some tangible way to be good to you until cortisol stops surging in your brain and positive tone returns. What do you think?

Link to the whole article is here:
Cortisol

To this I’d like to add one special technique I use to minimize stress.

And that’s to stop the inner voice that whispers “There’s Something Wrong Here” when something does go wrong (well, according to your standards)

Okay. It’s traffic. What happens? You grumble, cuss and think “Something’s wrong here”

Your girlfriend is silent. She’s giving the cold shoulder and you think “Something’s wrong here”

Such thinking builds up stress fast. Deathly fast.

Find peace by simply accepting things at face value. And saying “everything’s ok. I can manage!”

Tense? Suffering incurable insomnia that a mound of Melatonin can’t cure? I used to sure your pain, you see, Im an obsessive compulsive. Thoughts ricochet my head even even past midnight. That racket prevents me from sleeping.

But I found the solution!

Let’s vanquish that Red-Eyed demon with an unstoppable 4-step approach that guarantees you sleep- in 30 seconds.

First, RELAX YOUR BODY. Lie flat on your back. Don’t curl. Imagine you’re floating on water. Allow the heaviness and undulation to wash over you.

Second, RELAX YOUR FACE. Be aware of your forehead. Your jaws. Release the tension in your teeth and lips. Allow them to touch.

Third, RELAX YOUR EYES. Lightly ease your eyes shut and have a sense of peace cascade over your eyelids. Float on a blank, unemotional sense of total detachment. And now the vital part…. (more…)

Something lurks in us that demands fulfillment.

It is an inner desire to achieve our best possible self, to go through life at our finest level! You I and everyone nurses an inner drive to personal greatness- to grasp that star of Akabar. Since this is a subliminal desire, it does not often fully surface in our everyday consciousness. Folks don’t even quickly understand that they even have it.

Nonetheless, our subconscious drive to greatness rests below the annals of our minds. And magically, our subconscious, being goal seeking, exerts effort to fulfill it.

Still, thousands fail to act to better themselves so that they can achieve superior greatness that can easily be theirs. They settle for mediocrity- or even yield completely. This unleashes an inner conflict between what they are and the greatness which their souls lust for in their lives. (more…)

During the last week of June 2007, I found myself on the third pew from the front at the Archbishop’s Cathedral. It was the installation of a few new officers of the church.

The weather hung oppressively. My perspiration beaded and pretty soon, I danced in and out of delightful trance. Sigh. The Archibishop wasn’t exactly known for his dynamic style of delivery. My grandmother could regale me with far more engaging tales of filthy politics and lurid romance.

As my head hung in prayerful drowsiness, my gaze fell upon my open palms resting on my lap. Hmmm….. Funny how the furrows and lines resembled the three quarters profile of the Archbishop. There was the glistening pate… the recessive chin… and even the sloping bushy brows.

Like at a rorshach test, I actually saw a full three dimension image of the gesticulating Prelate at the pulpit!

So, while still in half-trance, I literally began throwing mental darts at the glistening pate on my palm. (Geez- what a bored individual can do. )

Thunk thunk thunk. My hertical imagery flowed so immersively, that every palpable hit sent shivers and heat flowing from my palm.

Take that bald pate…!! thunk thunk thunk

God forgive me. I was playing dart board with a mental image of the Archbishop!

I stopped and looked up guiltily- half expecting Angel Michael ready to strike me down.

Lo and behold- the Prelate had stopped speaking. He scratched his head furiously, like ethereal fire ants swarmed his holy crown.

A full ten seconds of scratching, then he resumed speaking.

Wha….?

Was there a connection??

No… it can’t be.

Scientific method states that a theory can be tested properly if results can be replicated. So I did what any self-respecting scientist would do. I ran the experiment a second time.

Relaxed myself.

Calmed down.

Zone out (quite rushing through the phases here).

Then image creation. Yep… called back that rorshach image and…

thunk thunk thunk

Looked up. Okay. No scratching.

Slow down, Joe. Slow down. You were rushing it. Act nonchalanant. Detach from desired result.

Again- thunk thunk thunk

and for good measure- another volley - thunk thunk thunk That palms/forehead was now itching like mad.

Look up.

EUREKA!! I whispered in half-shout. The Prelate scratched his noggin like a man possessed. His cap nearly fell. Unfortunately a beautful lass shushed me from the right.

Looks like energy does follow thought, and the law of attraction does exist if you’re detached enough from your desired outcome.

I walked out of that Cathedral feeling the Sword of Angel Michael poised dangerously over my neck.

Joey P.

Imagine for a moment that it’s Monday. The alarm clock rings at six. It’s like a thunderclap cutting through the haze of yesterday’s white whine and three hours worth of Friend’s rerun.

So you get up… and accidentally bang your knee on the bedpost. Dark murderous thoughts fire across your neurons as you amble to the bathroom where you stub your toe.

Bam. Suddenly everything and everyone is public enemy number one.

You snarl at the wife handing you eggs.

You froth at Junior offering you coffee.

And you kick the fat hairy walking sofa licking your hand.

The rest of the day obviously spiralled for the worst- in fact you almost get fired for biting off the boss’ head.

That’s the Law of Attraction working against you. What you think and feel attracts the same. The Law of Attraction is simply the manifestation of your mind in the real world.

Let’s do a little experiment.

Hold out your arms and ask a friend to push it down as you think of something great- like when you snagged a promotion or enjoyed a night of steamy sex. He’d have difficulty pushing.

Now repeat the same while thinking about debts, bills, war or your in-laws.

He should push it down very easily. What gives?

Your mind transforms your body. Simple as that. What you think and feel empowers or weakens you.

Do you want to go around the world lugging a bunch of energy-sapping emotions? Or do you want to dominate your environment?

Here are five amazing tips I’ve implemented to explode the power of attraction in my life:

1) Always ask yourself “What Great Things Can I accomplish today” upon getting up. This sets the tone of your day and primes you attract positive opportunities.

2) Always be grateful for the things you took for granted. Like simply that you’re breathing. Say “Thank you, Im still breathing! Im luckier than that bloke under the tombstone.” Gratitude naturally and easily conditions you for affuence and attracts more empowered men and women into your life.

3) Something bad happen? Shrug it off and flick it from your jacket like lint. This action rapidly kicks any negative thoughts that may attract bad things into your day.

4) Hang out only with positive people. Like attracts like. Remember that.

5) And finally… treat people the way the expect to be treated. They will reciprocate and hold you in high regard. Build your social network on the right foot and expect to fly to the top of your aspirations. Attract the right people, support them and they will attract for you the right conditions for success!

Most memory training techniques involve exercises to improve linking objects to certain items or using numbering systems to stay on top of being forgetful. However, oftentimes the only thing that is needed to keep your mind on track is to get organized and to stay that way! Below are a few good tips that will help you:

Use a filing system effectively: Take the time to think through your filing system. Figure out what organization will work best for you - client files versus project files, color coding, and so on. Once you’ve worked out your system, make sure to use it. File all pertinent information in the appropriate file (not a desk pile). It’s also helpful to attach blank sheets of paper to the inside right back flap of file folders. Then, you can take notes on relevant conversations, memos, and meetings right where you need them. And make sure you put your files away in an organized fashion.

Use a task list for projects: Overwhelmed by a complex project? Think through the project concretely, step by step. Then, make a list for all these steps, or tasks, to help you get them done. Here’s another suggestion: Keep your task list stapled to the inside front cover of your project file. That way you can refer to the task list whenever you work on that project.

Avoid paper piles: Are you surrounded by a sea of papers at work? Is your dining-room table so covered with mail that you’re not even sure it’s still there? There are generally two things that happen to information buried in a paper pile - either it is forgotten or it can’t be found when you need it. Paper piles are like the plague - they should be avoided at all costs. When you get a piece of paper, you should do one of three things: file it, write the information down elsewhere (such as in your scheduler) and toss it, or simply toss it.

Avoid constantly putting information on sticky notes and other small pieces of paper: If you need to write something down, put it on your Master Plan or on your to-do list. While it’s okay to use a reminder such as a sticky note every once in a while, using such notes all the time will make them less noticeable and—as a result—less useful.

Organize your day according to your energy level: Most of us are at our best in the morning. Therefore, set aside time in the morning to work on projects that require your full focus and ability. Schedule less important meetings and other tasks for later in the day.

This ancient Chinese herb is an extract made from the leaf of the Ginkgo tree. It is the most well-documented plant extract used to support brain function - there are more than 1,000 studies of Ginkgo Biloba from all over the world. The consensus is that Ginkgo does help many people improve a variety of brain functions. It has been shown to minimize age-related memory problems (affecting learning, short-term memory, and recall), concentration problems, and absentmindedness. It may also help ease dizziness and vertigo, which often accompany forgetfulness, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). A 1995 study found that high doses of Ginkgo helped Alzheimer’s patients as well. Another very rigorous study published in 1997 in the Journal of the American Medical Association duplicated these results: Patients who took Ginkgo for one month enjoyed improved memory and attention span; this improvement was even more noticeable when patients took the herb for three months. However, many experts believe its more significant contribution may be as a preventer of cognitive decline than as a treatment. Ginkgo is very popular in Germany and France, where more than 10 million prescriptions are written every year; in the United States it is available without a prescription.

Ginkgo seems to accomplish its many miracles in several ways. In the first place, it increases the circulation of blood to the brain, which improves the supply of oxygen, nutrients, and glucose. This enables neurons to create the energy and other chemical reactions you need to think and remember. It also boosts circulation to the inner ear, thus explaining its power to help heal tinnitus and dizziness, a malfunction of the nerves in the ear. In the second place, Ginkgo protects against free-radical damage and reduces inflammation. This further improves circulation by keeping your cardiovascular system in shape, and also protects the nerve cells themselves.

It is recommended that you take an extract standardized to 24 percent flavoneglycosides and 6 percent terpenelactones, or capsules of the dried herb. For prevention take 40 mg of standardized extract, or 120 mg of capsules daily, in divided doses. You may take up to three times this dose if you have mild to moderate symptoms. Some people notice an improvement within two to three weeks of beginning treatment, but, in most cases, you need to take Ginkgo for at least three months before you enjoy the full benefits.

Gingko biloba is essentially devoid of any serious side effects. Some people have reported mild headaches for a day or two when starting the herb, and some people have reported mild stomach upset. Do not take Ginkgo if you are on a blood-thinning medication, including aspirin or ibuprofen, because Ginkgo can add to the blood-thinning effect. For the same reason, avoid taking Ginkgo for two weeks prior to any surgery, including oral surgery.

Memory systems date back to antiquity. In the ancient world, a trained memory was of vital importance. There were no handy note-taking devices, and it was memory techniques and systems that enabled bards and storytellers to remember their stories, poems, and songs. Early Greek and Roman orators delivered lengthy speeches with unfailing accuracy because they learned the speeches, thought for thought, by applying memory systems.

What they did, basically, was associate each thought of a speech to a part of their own homes. These were called “loci,” or “places.” The opening thought of a speech would, perhaps, be associated to the front door, the second thought to the foyer, the third to a piece of furniture in the foyer, and so on. When the orator wanted to remember his speech, thought for thought, he actually took a mental tour through his own home. Thinking of the front door reminded him of the first thought of his speech. The second “place,” the foyer, reminded him of the next thought; and so on to the end of the speech. It is from this “place” or “loci” memory technique that we get the time-worn phrase “in the first place.”

Although Simonides (circa 500 b.c.) is known as the father of the art of trained memory, scraps of parchment dating back a thousand years or so before Simonides state that memory techniques were an essential part of the orator’s equipment. Cicero wrote that the memories of the lawyers and orators of his time were aided by systems and training and in De oratore he described how he himself applied memory systems.

It’s important to realize that oratory was an important career during those early days. “We should never have realized how great is the power of a trained memory,” wrote the philosopher Quintilian, “nor how divine it is, but for the fact that it is memory which has brought oratory to its present position of glory.”

The ancients also knew that memory training could help the thinking process itself. From a fragment dated about 400 b.c. we learn that “A great and beautiful invention is memory, always useful both for learning and for life.” And Aristotle, after praising memory systems, said that “these habits too will make a man readier in reasoning.”

If Simonides was the inventor of the art of trained memory, and Cicero its greatest early teacher, St. Thomas Aquinas was to become its patron saint, instrumental in making the art of trained memory a devotional and ethical art.

During the Middle Ages, monks and philosophers were virtually the only people who knew about and applied trained-memory techniques. The systems, whose use was mostly limited to religion, were basic to some religions. For example, memory systems were used to memorize Virtues and Vices, and some priests and philosophers taught that memory systems showed “how to reach Heaven and avoid Hell.”

Using memory tools are extremely useful. Below are 2 reasons why:

1. Memory tools get us to pay attention to things we need to remember. Using a memory tool, just like using any technique to boost your brainpower, will focus your attention more actively on information you need to remember. Why? When we work with information, we pay closer attention to it. (more…)