Tips Guides

Why?

Many people ask “Why” in the aftermath of any tragedy. An appropriate question…but, unfortunately, there are no very good answers.

There are, however, are few considerations for all of us to examine.

We have become a violent culture and this violence has occurred very subtly. Via movies and TV shows, through the internet, computer and videogames, and of course through the media’s “live” coverage of wars. I don’t believe a day goes by in our culture without a major emphasis on violence.

Does this explain why a tragedy happens? No, not entirely, but if we do not do change our values about violence we will likely see more and more of these occurrences, as we have already witnessed too many similar scenarios.

What is this attraction we have with violence? Why do we turn to it so easily and readily? And why have we become so numb to it?

I have only one answer: We use it as a way to escape. Yes, as odd as it sounds, we use violence as a coping mechanism for life.

When you watch intensely violent scenes there are a number of chemical reactions that occur in your body. These neurotransmitter and hormonal reactions inside you all mix together to create an internal “cocktail” that actually gets you high very similar to the ways drugs would get someone high.

The difference, however, is that you never ingested anything and because all this violence is so common place, you may think of it as being “normal” and therefore not even notice that you shifted your mood.

Most people are not even aware that subjecting themselves to violence is actually creating an altered state of consciousness.

Simply put, subjecting ourselves to violence changes the way we feel and this change allows us to escape from life temporarily. This is NO different than what a drug addict does. ALL addiction is driven by the desire to NOT feel.

As weird and far-out as it may sound, we are becoming addicted to violence.

What is even more alarming is that so many young children have so much access to all this violence.

What are we telling our children about violence and life?

What are we teaching them about coping with life and feelings?

What seeds are we planting for future generations?

I have family in Sweden and when I have been there I have noticed they have far less violence on their television shows. Interestingly enough they also have amazingly low murder and assault rates. I have to believe there is some correlation there.

Again, I am not saying that this explains what happens when tragedies occur, but I am saying we need to wake up and adjust our values around violence.

If we do not make changes and we allow all this violence to continue to grow as part of our cultural “pastime” we will surely reap some very negative consequences in the future.

This all starts with you and me.

Will you refuse to watch TV shows that are violent?

Will you contact the sponsors of these shows and boycott their products if they continue to sponsor violence?

Will you refuse to purchase video games that are violent?

Will you refuse to go to movies which have violence as their primary theme?

Will you request that all the major networks and newspapers decrease the amount of emphasis put on violence?

If you don’t do this, who will?

Will you instead surround yourself with games, shows and media which embrace life and stimulates thinking and creativity?

Will you practice mediation and other “peaceful” activities to calm yourself?

Will you commit to be more in touch with how you feel so you will be less likely to go on “auto-pilot” and disconnect from your feelings unconsciously?

The choice is ours to make…what will you choose?

Ken Donaldson has been offering counseling, coaching, and educational programs since 1987. His programs are focused on empowering people to have more successful lives, businesses and relationships. Claim your FREE Relationship Success Special Report at Marry YourSelf First!. Ken is the author of Marry YourSelf First! Saying “I DO” to a Life of Passion, Power and Purpose.

Here are some verses to consider, then you decide.

Isa 45:7

7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.

NKJV

Ex 4:11-12

11 So the LORD said to him,”Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?”

NKJV

Lev 14:33-34

34 “When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give you as a possession, and I put the leprous plague in a house in the land of your possession…”

NKJV

Deut 32:39

39 Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal;

NKJV

1 Sam 2:6-7

6 “The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. 7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.”

NKJV

Lam 3:31-38

31 For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32 Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men. 34 To crush under one’s feet All the prisoners of the earth,

35 To turn aside the justice due a man Before the face of the Most High, 36 Or subvert a man in his cause, The Lord does not approve. 37 Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, When the Lord has not commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That woe and well-being proceed?

NKJV

Eccl 7:14

14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.

NKJV

Job 1:21

The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;

NKJV

Why Would God Cause Disasters?

Well, if you came to the same conclusion as I did then the next question is, Why does God cause Disasters? The writer of Hebrews gives us the answer.

Heb 12:5-11

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,

Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives.”

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

NKJV

The NIV puts verse 7 this way: Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. So the hardships of this world are the things which we struggle against and by struggling we grow.

If we had nothing to struggle against, then how would we ever grow. Why would a basketball team ever want to get better if they don’t have another basketball team with which to struggle against? How could you measure how good a basketball team is unless they have another team with which to compare?

Therefore, consider the hardships of this life as the measuring stick with which to measure your confidence in your Creator.

Jeanne Guyon, in her book Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ, says that we should treat everything that happens to us as if it comes from God. Maybe we should treat it that way because that is the way it is!

Don’t forget Paul’s wonderful words on suffering. Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Jesus answer’s the question, “Why does God allow suffering in the world?” In John 9:3, Jesus says that the man was born blind so that the power of God may be demonstrated in his life.

So when a disaster happens in your life, your job is to ask the question, “How do I demonstrate the power of God in this situation?” His Spirit is demonstrated through Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

May God bless you even in times of trouble.

That is why God Causes Disasters.

Douglas Michaels is committed to help people develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He does so by Bible Study, prayer, fellowship, and witnessing in word and deed. More like this at McMinistries, Uninc.

As we all know the health risks from obesity are numerous. It always seems as if the latest study contradicts earlier ones and it’s hard to know what to believe. But, over the last few decades, a wide array of independent studies has tended to confirm some conclusions about the relationship between excess body fat and associated health risks.

What most seem to agree on is that anyone who is considerably overweight is at higher risk for a number of potential health problems. These include various forms of heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes, colon cancer, liver damage, gallstones and others. As you can see the health risks from obesity are many and very serious.

How can you tell if your obese or seriously overweight?

There’s no ideal weight for any given individual, though there are various factors that provide a healthy range. One measurement that is a good starting point is BMI (Body Mass Index). To calculate it, just divide your weight (in kg) by your height (in m) squared. The following table is a rough classification:

Under 18.5 = Underweight
Between 18.5 and 24.99 = Normal Weight
Between 25 and 29.99 = Overweight
Between 30 and 34.99 = Obese (Class 1)
Between 35 and 39.99 = Obese (Class 2)
40 and above = Extreme Obesity

If you are on the lower end of the BMI scale, health risks are no more (or at most only moderately higher) than for anyone. Genetic and other environmental factors will outweigh any body fat or weight issues. But for those nearer the higher range, there is strong evidence that health risks are higher.

Other health risks from obesity include, abdominal obesity (having large fat deposits around the stomach and abdomen) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance syndrome. For women, a waist circumference of 35 inches or more (40+ in men) is an indicator of abdominal obesity. Among other conditions, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and high cholesterol are all common factors associated with that condition.

There is also narrowing of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, which contributes to the possibility of a clot which can cause a stroke. Excessive body fat is one factor in producing that condition. At the same time, it plays a part in increased blood pressure (hypertension).

If you have rapid weight gain, from 10-20 lbs for the average person, this will increase the odds of developing Type 2 diabetes. Genetic factors are fundamental, but weight gain plays a role, according to most studies. The risk is double that of an individual who has not had a weight gain, when other factors are held constant.

Another health risk is Liver disease, apart from that associated with excessive alcohol consumption, can be caused by insulin resistance. That resistance is much more likely among those who are obese. There are many studies which have correlated BMI with the degree of liver damage. The higher the BMI, the greater the odds of liver trouble.

Then there are gallstones which are more likely to form in those who are obese, and may be correlated with a rapid rise in BMI. Sleep apnea (interruption of breathing during sleep) is another condition commonly linked to obesity.

To conclude, though no single study is definitive, and there are many genetic and other environmental elements, excessive body fat is a substantial factor in health issues. Being overweight and the health risks from obesity is not merely an issue of acceptable appearance, it’s a health risk.

Learn about a revolutionary new diet system and eating program that will make you lose weight WITHOUT restricting your diet to low fat or low carb foods, rather eating the right calories. The health risks from obesity are many. Stay on a healthy diet.

The modern world is work focused and employment based. We spend the majority of our waking hours at the workplace and this has its own benefits and problems. One of the most common of these problems is workplace stress. This is a chronic ailment caused by conditions that negatively affect your performance and overall well-being. It can also affect an individuals’ psychological and physical health, as well as organization’s effectiveness. Workplace stress is affecting a whole spectrum of the population ranging from doctors to plumbers

Workplace stress is now recognized globally as a condition that can affect all categories of workers, in all types of jobs. Stress is a source of tension and frustration that may arise through a number of interrelated influences on behavior, including the individual, group, organizational and environmental factors. This usually leads to loss of concentration, sleeplessness, and it can also increase the risk for illness, back problems, accidents, and lost time. Workplace stress is now one of the most prevalent reasons for lost working days, which hinders the progress of the organization as well as the individual.

There are various reasons for workplace stress and one of them is management. This usually happens when managers behave in an authoritarian way, offer no constructive support or advice to the work force or deny promotional opportunities to the deserving members of the company. This is when employees become frustrated or cynical towards the organization. Another reason for workplace stress is overbearing or jealous work colleagues. Office gossip can be harmless fun if kept within reason but if it is constantly directed towards one particular person then it can be quite damaging and lead to a lot of workplace stress for the person concerned.

There are steps that organizations can take to prevent or minimize the effects of workplace stress, so that they have more contented and happier employees. Some of the ways to achieve this is to make sure that your workforce have a voice and are heard, they are aware of their importance to the organization and are seen as unique and exceptional. Some of the policies that can help towards this are to include flexi-time, working from home, stress coaching, on the job support, keeping jobs open during sick leave, provision of quiet rooms, exercise provision, training initiatives and social activities.

Workplace stress can also be caused because of the work place atmosphere, for instance noisy, dirty, messy areas can all contribute towards job stress. It is therefore a good idea to keep the work areas clean and tidy to have a healthy, relaxed and stress free working environment.

Employees can also contribute towards minimizing and preventing workplace stress. Worker s should refrain from harassment or bullying. They should not tease, insult or even threaten others due to their sex, religion or race. Under no circumstances should they spread malicious gossip in order to destroy another’s good name.

By working together, employees and management can minimize and prevent a lot of workplace stress. Organizations should always be looking for ways that lead to a workforce that is happy, healthy and therefore more productive.

Nim Aulakh is a writer and webmaster. Find out more about the causes of workplace stress and how to deal with it. There are so many easy ways to prevent job stress. One easy way is by having aromatherapy stress relief

When you think about reality television, chances are that there are some shows that really appeal to you and other shows that you really just can not stand. This is true for most people when they think about reality television and it is true for them because of the fact that different reality television shows look at different parts of the human condition.

Different parts of that condition tend to hold special or otherwise significant meaning for different people and that is exactly why reality television is such a varied landscape. If you are interested in discovering which reality television shows match your body and mind, here are some ways for you to figure that out.

Try to find a common theme

The first thing that you should do when going down the road of this quest is try to find a common theme linking all of these reality television shows together. Make a list of the reality television shows that you like and make a list of the ones that you don’t like. Once you’ve completed both lists, you should have a very good idea from the list of the types of reality TV shows that you like and the types that you hate. Overall, the common theme that you found within the reality TV shows will allow you to determine if future shows that come out are shows that you might enjoy.

Try to find a pleasing format

Just as a different theme of reality television might appeal to you, a particular show format might be what attracts you to the shows in the first place. Consider reality television in the format of a countdown elimination, a one episode per team instance or any other format that reality television producers might come up with and see if the lists of shows that you like and dislike fall into these formats. For most people, the answer is probably going to be somewhere in the middle since formats and themes don’t usually go together, but at the same time you might be able to discover something about yourself through making this type of investigation happen.

Talk to your friends

Talking to your friends is perhaps a thought that had crossed your mind, but if you are like most people then chances are pretty good that you dismissed that thought altogether. This is because while friendship is sometimes predicated on having similar interests, the interests that we do not share are the ones we tend to be most defensive about and for that reason discussing reality television with your friends might be a risky move in your mind. At the same time however, the reactions that you get from your friends and the way in which you deal with those reactions will tell you a lot about your own tastes in this area, which is why talking to your friends about reality television is a very good idea.

Read Online Reviews

The final thing that you’ll want to do in an attempt to figure out which reality shows match your body and mind is to read reviews of those shows online. Online reviews differ from newspaper and magazine reviews in the sense that they are more frequently written from a personal style rather than a professional one and that makes it a lot easier for you to identify with reviews that really speak to you.

Oftentimes it is the case that the words you find hard to express find expression through others and that is exactly why reading online reviews is an excellent idea to pursue. Do this along with the other suggestions and you should definitely be able to find your answer.

HNE Castings is the industry’s leading producer of reality TV castings talent.

If you have ever been curious in regards to what appears as camera housing situated in public places, you may be amazed that a variety of them are part of the Homeland Security camera system network.

Not all of these cameras, and not in all cities and towns are part of it, yet an ever increasing number of cameras that are in existence in the majority of cities are joining forces with different government agencies in their ongoing fight against domestic terrorism.

There have been numerous cities that have installed cameras to maintain close surveillance on big public assemblies, for instance the White House as well as around various national memorials and monuments to help identify difficulties with crowds.

The capability to have these cameras networked together into a much bigger, national type of network is giving the Homeland Security Camera System the ability to grow through the use of extra cameras from communities all around the country.

For people who don’t comprehend that this is possible, think for a moment of the internet’s availability to access your personal computer from anyplace on the planet by simply signing onto a computer and then going to a website on the network.

Begin at your home network, if there is more than one computer that is connected to internet access by way of a hub, you have the capability of get access to anything on one computer from any other computer, if in fact you have the right authorization.

If for example you have cameras that are connected to a network at your office, then access the work computer from your house, you can then bring up images connected to your work computer from your house. This is a similar system that the Homeland system utilizes to add additional cameras and resources onto their existing systems.

Surveillance System Rapidly Growing In Size

Because the infrastructure is already in place in many of the larger communities, it is actually a simply task for the Homeland Security camera computer to connect to the city camera computer and get access to the images of that computer.

Certainly, you have to have permission that is granted by the community for the Homeland system to take the images from the computer. Safeguards are also put in place to stop the homeland computer from getting any type of control over a communities camera system.

The majority of Homeland Security cameras that are being utilized are not just static types of cameras. There are numerous types that are equipped with accessibility through remote means so that they can pan, zoom and tilt to more effectively monitor people or events that are within viewing range to assist in fighting the possible threat of either domestic or global terrorism.

While there are people that are not comfortable with knowing that the local and federal government can hook into any community that they want with a camera system and snatch up images from anywhere, the majority of people realize the significance of having a constant vigil for the purpose of national security.

Listen to Corbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of security. If you would like to learn more go to Security Camera Software advice and at Hidden Security Cameras tips.