No Body Likes Me - The Dreaded Thought Nobody Wants to Have

A lot of us went thru lonely times as children, with the feeling that we were friendless, and that "nobody likes me". Unfortunately, there are those who never seem to lose this feeling.

Sometimes, people grow up in abusive homes, or homes that lack proper balance of love and discipline, and enter the big world as an adult with complexes and self esteem problems. Although I am not addressing this subject, this is definitely a needy group of people who can benefit by reaching outside of their isolated world for help.

But when this isn't the case for you, you may need to look inward to figure out why you have few friends. Ask yourself these questions:

Do I seem to have arguments with most people when engaged in a conversation?

Do I regularly find myself thinking, "I have a problem with that person because of _____________."?

Do I look at my own life, notice areas that I could improve on, but always excuse myself by saying things like, "Well, that's just the way I am.", or "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."?

When I talk to people, do I focus on the negative most of the time?

When I give compliments, are they half-hearted, and do I almost have to force myself to say them?

Do I say whatever comes to mind, no matter if it is hurtful or offensive?

Do most conversations revolve around me?

Do I say things to try to always get my way?

Do people always have to call me if we are going to talk?

Am I envious of others' accomplishments, wealth, talents, abilities, beauty, wardrobe, car, or other material things?

Do I feel that everyone is better off than I am, and that they have been given a better life?

Am I physical towards people, such as jokingly punching their arm or slapping them on the back?

Do I argue with people in front of others?

Do I argue with people until they see things my way?

Do I know how to say "I'm sorry." when I am wrong?

Do I harbor grudges for years?

Do I bring up people's past mistakes regularly?

Do you dominate most conversations?

Do you always know everyone else's business?

Do you have a habit of fibbing, exaggerating, or know that you have a problem with habitually lying?

If you are able to answer yes to even one of these questions, there is hope for your situation! When you are able to answer yes to more than one of these questions, you will hopefully start to see that you need to do some soul searching, and admit that the problem is.....you.

If you cannot see that you need improvement in your own life, look again at the questions above, and ask yourself how much you enjoy being around others with these traits. Do you like to be with someone who always has a chip on their shoulder, brings up your past mistakes over and over again, doesn't let you have your own opinion, and regularly says whatever pops into his/her mind, even though it is very hurtful?

Natural Remedies For Age Spots - How the 'Experts' Are Getting the Job Done

Age spots (also know as liver spots) can be an incredibly daunting problem, for those who have them I'm certain you know what I mean. Not only do they remind you that your body isn't what it used to be, but they draw attention to you, and not the kind of attention that you want drawn to you as you get older. It's that feeling that you get when you know someone is staring at your hands instead of your eyes that kills me. That is why it's time you took a closer look at how experts these days are getting rid of these eye sores. After all, isn't it time someone looked at your eyes again? That's why natural remedies for age spots are becoming so prevalent.

How Easy it is to Cure Age Spots

When most people wake up, they spend an average of twenty to thirty minutes getting ready for their day, give or take. Usually this includes the normal, brushing your teeth, combing your hair, washing your face. Imagine if you could fight liver spots using a natural product, without adding more than just a couple of minutes on to this routine? With xtendlife Women's Age-Defense Active Day Cream, you can do just that. One cream, two minutes, seven times a week with this natural age spot remedy and you could see a dramatic improvement in your overall skin appearance and it's completely natural, and best of all, you can reduce the appearance of age spots.

Natural Remedies and How they Work

How does it work? Well, it's simple. At least, it's simple for you. The scientists at xtendlife have worked hard to come up with the perfect formula that is effortless for you. We all know that liver spots can get worse in the sun, so you would think that SPF protection is helpful, right? The truth is that even in an all natural age spot fighter like this, SPF is more harmful than helpful.

SPF is a synthetic material, which basically means, it's not natural. The contents are cheap, and practical for the market, but the bottom line is that they simply do not help; especially when trying to take an all natural approach to remedy the problem. There have even been studies that have proven SPF can be dangerous due to carcinogenic materials being absorbed in the bloodstream. That is why xtendlife works hard to provide options that help lighten liver spots, without using SPF protection. Although it can be a bit controversial, in the long run you're a lot better off using this natural age spot remedy then you would be with something synthetic.

Killing Two Birds with One Stone

Another age old problem that's many are combating is developing wrinkles. It seems the two go hand in hand. Most people who are worried about wrinkles are worried about age spots too, and if you're like me I hate buying two or three different creams to solve sign of aging issues. With xtendlife Women's Age-Defense Active Day Cream, you can fight wrinkles, boost collagen, and fight age spots all in one cream, just think, two more minutes to your routine and you're on your way to a happy and healthier you, and best of all, it's an all natural remedy! So you can enjoy the benefits of looking and feeling great, without damaging side effects.

If you're tired of searching for Natural Remedies For Age Spots, that really works, today's your chance to end the frustration of trial and error buying. The link below provides a short video so you can really see why not all Anti Aging Products are created equally. You'll see exactly which ingredients are proven in clinical trials to firm, hydrate, tighten facial skin and lighten the appearance of liver spots and other signs of aging.

A Way to Productive Aging

Most people do not experience productive aging because of their wrong perception of retirement. Most of us only see it as a time for leisure and a very long vacation. Aging is just a gradual decrease of our bodily functions, not their termination.

Here are some guidelines to a productive aging:

1. Carefully plan ahead

This includes carefully planning your retirement as well as yourself. Planning ahead for these things will result to productive aging and less stress later on. A well-planned individual always gets the exact same results that he has envisioned. Imagine what would you want for your retirement and plan for it ahead of time.

2. Discover what makes you tick

Retirement is supposed to be the time when we can finally do what we love doing if we did not get a chance for it when we were still working. The leisure part will only last for a few months. Consider it as your gift to yourself after decades of hard work. If you want a productive aging, find a way to monetize your passion. This way, you can overcome your boredom and have a steady income as well.

3. Have the desire to remain productive

As a career person, quitting your career for good will result to a lot of issues later on especially since you have been productive all your life and that suddenly ended. As a retiree, don't distinguish the fire that keeps your desire to remain productive. Going for a productive aging almost eliminates all the possible problems that a retiree will face during the last quarter of his or her life.

Anti Aging Skin Care Guide - The Facts About Anti Aging Treatments

If a person reads an anti aging skin care guide on the internet, and decides that they should try it out, they might be making a big mistake. Even though it might seem a convincing method, it has its demerits.

Every anti aging skin care guide available on the internet is trying to market one product or the other. This is the case with various products as well. Most guides are designed to convince you to purchase the anti aging treatment or product. The primary reason why those articles are there is that they have been sponsored by big business who is trying to attract new customers.

It is always recommended to conduct proper research on any skin care guide before following it up. One should be aware of the various constituents of the product and what effects they can cause to your skin. The wrong chemicals can cause big problems to your skin.

Various researches have proved that certain chemicals employed in such cosmetics can cause problems such as hormonal imbalances and other health related issues. It is quite simple to understand the hidden marketing strategy in these articles.

If the guide was really interested in taking good care of your skin, it would definitely contain information of all natural treatments available. It is a common knowledge that natural ingredients can go a long way in producing the desired effects rather than any chemical constituents.

An ideal anti aging skin care treatment should provide information on all natural ingredients which promises a healthy skin which stays that way for a long time. They also contain antioxidants which can combine with natural oil to produce sparkling results.

Therefore it becomes very easy to identify a legitimate anti aging skin care guide which is really intended to protect your skin. All you need to check if it provides any information on the natural products that you can try to improve the quality of your skin.

How to Stay Young

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down..

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it.. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
 
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!
 

Worry about nothing, pray about everything!!! 

Stages of Life

Public Speaking - 10 Ways to Transition to Your Next Idea

We talk a lot about organizing our content, main points, opening and closing, but we rarely talk about how to get from one segment to the next.

How do you handle the spaces in between your points, stories, examples, and exercises? These are your transitions.

It's as important to plan your transitions as it is to plan the rest of your presentation. Clear transitions help the audience stay focused (and awake) and process your material. They're like links in a chain that keep your presentation cohesive and organized.

Here are ten ways to transition from one idea to the next.

1. Repeat and recap the main point you just covered.

2. Use humor or tell a joke that closes your previous point.

3. Show a slide or give a handout that gets the audience thinking about your next segment.

4. Ask a question that previews the next segment and write the answers on a flip chart.

5. Ask a question that gets the audience to respond to or summarize their learning from the last segment and write the answers on a flip chart.

6. Have the audience stand up and stretch.

7. Share a quote or story that summarizes your previous point or leads to the next one.

8. Use a logical chronology of points, or numbered points, so that transitions are clear (your talk goes from biggest to smallest, longest to shortest, outside to inside, general to specific, 1960 to 1980, etc.).

9. Pause or take a drink of water before moving to the next point.

10. Physically move to a different part of the room or stage.

Incorporate clear transitions into your presentation and your audience will never be confused about what comes next or how you're going to get there!

Excellent Public Speaking Skills

Humor is a tool to that can be used to create interest and connection with your audience when giving a presentation. There are various ways that you can introduce humor into a speech. You may be able to successfully include a funny story or some humorous public speaking quotes in your talk to make your audience laugh and warm to you. But before you decide on this approach, make sure that it relates to what you are going to talk about, and that it really is funny. Test the idea on other people ahead of time and see if they laugh.

Humor is often a great way to break the ice when you introduce your talk. It could be a personal anecdote, or a simple (tasteful) joke. Otherwise you might find a humorous quote that you can use at the end of your speech that will leave the audience with smiles on their faces, feeling warm and fuzzy, and positive about you.

Both the introduction and conclusion of any speech is important, so either way you will need to be sure that what you say is appropriate to the occasion. And if you use humor elsewhere, do so to help make a point, not just to make people laugh.

Sense of humor is a very personal thing; not everybody will necessarily laugh at every joke or funny line. But if what you have said has some meaning, it doesn't really matter. For this very reason, it is also not a good idea to try and prompt your audience into laughter by stating that you are about to tell a funny story or a joke. Pause before the punch line and then pause (and smile) to give them a chance to laugh. But if they don't, move on to the rest of your speech without dwelling on the fact that they didn't respond.

Before you decide to try using humorous quotes or funny stories, you need to find something that is relevant. Well chosen, short quotes are usually effective, but very short stories or quick anecdotes can always work quite well. If you are using a visual screen, cartoons and drawings can also be effective. Long, drawn-out stories, however funny, should generally be resisted. Likewise, stay away from "blue" humor -- keep it clean.

If you do, or plan to do, quite a lot of public speaking, keep a constant lookout for humorous quotes and stories that you may be able to use at a later date. You will find them in books, magazines, on the Internet and in everyday life. Remember that speeches are always easier to make if they are relevant to you -- the speaker. It is no different when it comes to humor. If you can use a story about something funny that happened to you, or quote something funny that you have said or have heard, then do so. You may find you'll remember it better than something you merely read somewhere, and it will resonate more personally when you deliver it.

10 Dirty Places You Forgot to Clean

You may think that your house is immaculate because you mop three times a week, vacuum almost daily and take the trash out promptly when it is full.

 

But, there are places that you probably don't think to clean. Here are the top ten places that you should clean regularly that you probably don't.

1. Your remote control.

If your remote control is white, you probably know when it is time to clean it. Unfortunately, most remote controls are black, so it is going to have to be really dirty for you to notice it. To clean your remote, take a damp (not wet) cloth clean around the buttons. What is great about this job is that you can watch TV while doing it.

 

2. Your keyboard.

Your fingers are always touching the keyboard, so it is something that you want to keep clean (especially if you eat at your computer). There are special cleaners for electronics, and one that is suitable for your keyboard should always be used. If you have a lot of dirt and crumbs in between the keys, you can use a can of high pressure air or a flat paint brush to get them out.

3. The coffee pot.

You probably clean the glass pot every day, but how often do you clean up above? To give your coffee pot an easy clean, dump a cup of white vinegar into the pot add some water and turn it on. You are going to get all of that hard water build up out of your machine and your coffee is going to taste better. Just remember to clean the machine after your vinegar rinse.

4. Your washing machine (and dryer).

You wash your clothes in the washing machine and they are clean in the dryer, so you may not think that it needs it, but you are going to definitely need to clean out this. To clean out the washer, run a hot water cycle with a cup of bleach added. This will kill all of the bacteria and germs that are living in there. To clean your dryer, you just have to extract all of the lint that is hiding in there. Also be sure to clean the hose that leads out of your house to get the lint out.

5. Under (and behind) your refrigerator.

Just because you can't see it doesn't mean that it isn't dirty.

6. Under the couch cushions.

You might find a couple of cents in change, so do this often and watch the money add up.

7. The dog's dish.

You probably add food and water every day, but you should be washing out Fido's dish after every meal. This will keep bacteria away and keep Fido healthier. You'll thank me when your dog goes and gives your toddler a big, wet kiss.

8. The legs of your kitchen chairs.

If you are like me, your feet are always on the rails of the kitchen chairs. Wiping them down once in a while is going to take all of the dirt off of them.

9. The tracks of your windows.

You can use your vacuum to clean up all of the dead flies and suck up dirt and dust. After getting all of the big stuff a hot rag with soapy water will get them sparkling.

10. Underneath your potted plants.

If you ever move your plants you are probably going to notice that they really discolor the area that is under them. By wiping it down frequently, you can move your plants wherever you want.

Are there any other secret places that you clean? Do you already have any or all of these places on your to-clean list?

Nasal congestion

Nasal congestion is more bothersome in newborns, as they are actually nasal breathers from the early neonatal period to about 2 months of age or so. Here’s how you can ease breathing problems due to blocked nasal passage.





Symptoms and Causes
Some typical symptoms to be on the lookout for include:
• Difficulty with feeding
• Crying or becoming agitated
• Nasal discharge
• Noisy nasal breathing
• Possibility of fever
• Greater comfort when sitting upright
• Snoring
• Snorting
• Sneezing
• Coughing

The causes for nasal congestion can vary. Viral infections such as cold are common among children, and infants are susceptible as well. Acid reflux is another cause. Sinusitis/adenoiditis (secondary bacterial infection) is possible if the nasal discharge is discoloured and has been present for more than two weeks straight. Allergies may be another culprit - especially if the child is over the age of 2.
 
How long congestion lasts depends on the cause. If it’s a typical virus, the symptoms can last for three to seven days. However, because children are susceptible to viral infections, there may appear to be short intervals between sickness and wellness, as children may have as many as 10 to 12 viral/cold infections per year.

When should parents be concerned? If a newborn’s breathing is laboured with congestion, if it persists more than six weeks or if a baby under 3 months of age has fever associated with it.
Here are some practical tips on how to handle a young child’s nasal congestion/secretions during a cold:

1. Make sure there is adequate humidity in the child’s room.

2. Ensure that the child is drinking enough. The ill child will probably drink less per feed than usual, but will drink more frequently.

3. Try to help clear the secretions in the nose. Salt water drops are helpful but only if used properly. Put in the salt water drops, and a minute or two later use a nasal pump to help suck out and clear the secretions.

4. When sleeping prop the head of the bed up a little. This will keep the drainage from running back into the throat which will cause coughing and gagging.

5. If your child is not showing signs of dehydration or difficulty breathing, then it is unlikely that a trip to the doctor is going to result in anything other than picking up another illness, unnecessary and painful tests, or needless and potentially dangerous medications.

6. If despite these measures your child is having difficulty feeding or is having trouble breathing then a call to your doctor is warranted. It is also advised to call your doctor if the nasal congestion lasts longer than 7 days.

The important thing to remember is that most of the time, nasal congestion causes nothing more than a little aggravation for the baby as well as the parents. Make sure that the baby is not:

• Feverish
• Unable to sleep
• Having any respiratory distress (breathing fast with flaring of the nostrils or deep, rapid retractions of the chest muscles with breathing) These are symptoms that require immediate attention by the physician.

Does one need medicines if the child has nasal congestion?
 
False. Most kids with nasal congestion will either have a cold (virus) or allergies. A cold is when your child has a viral infection in the nose. The body quickly fights this infection off with its own defence system. The most important part of this defense is sending more blood to the nose, which causes swelling and congestion in the nose. This process is helpful and essential. Interfering with this protective process will just make it more difficult for your child to get well.

7 Dont's - Even 7 Dangerous

10 Principles for Peace of Mind..

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked.

 
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God.. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

2. Forgive And Forget:

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,20Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yours lf in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.

4. Do Not Be Jealous:

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment:

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control... If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

8. Meditate Regularly:

Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:

An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile . Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God's name.

10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:

Do not waste time in protracted wondering " Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over spilt milk?

Thinking about Women – a little differently

SWO to celebrate ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence’ Campaign 2009 with youth of Pakistan

These are testing times for women in Pakistan. The country ranks 106th out of 137 on the Gender-related Development Index and 66th out of 75 on the Gender Empowerment Measurement Index. Despite religious, constitutional and legal rights, women’s position in the society is weak.

With each passing day, conditions are getting miserable as women are subjected to more extreme forms of violence and exclusion. Incidents of honour killing, rape, fire and acid burning, domestic violence, dowry-abuse, trafficking, under-age marriage and trade of young girls among tribes for dispute settlement are gruesome and frequent. Women in rural and poor communities are more vulnerable to violence and crime, committed most often by their own family members, in the name of law, religion, customs and tradition. It is sad that incidents of physical and psychological torture upon women are increasing but grossly under-reported in the media or other public reporting systems.

Women’s access to education, employment, health, property and justice had been severely restricted for years. Now the rise in extremism has taken its toll as opportunities for socio-political interaction; education, health and freedom of expression and mobility have reduced sharply in large parts of the country. Pakistan has one of the lowest rates for girl-child survival, maternal safety, literacy and employment among women because of prolonged discrimination and injustice.

For many women early marriage, even at the age of 12 results in unreported / underreported domestic violence, high levels of maternal mortality, morbidity and incidences of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI’s) including HIV & AIDS. Low levels of education and illiteracy, especially among women (37%), are also factors for increased incidence of STIs and HIV & AIDS. To top it all, involvement of men in highlighting these issues remains low, and is therefore a contributory factor to the deteriorating situation regarding gender equality, empowerment and violence against women (VAW) in Pakistan.

Signs of hope

Despite tough opposition, women’s rights campaigners have done exemplary work over the years to raise the issue of VAW. Due to their consistent mobilization and advocacy, many social norms and attitudes are changed. Successive governments had been under pressure to amend or even repeal laws that are discriminatory against women, because of the struggle put forwarded by these groups. It is easier for women to seek justice and gather support from rights campaigners than before. The media is playing an equally important role of highlighting VAW issues in a positive manner, thus creating awareness and courage in members of the society.

SWO initiatives

Keeping up with the spirit, Sunshine Welfare Organization (SWO), a group of committed young activists from Karachi and Islamabad, is trying to address the situation with fresh approaches. ‘We think the situation is alarming and requires a sustained but aggressive effort’ says Shahzad Iqbal, the founder of the Organization. “Violence against women must be stopped immediately. We are committed to challenge all discriminatory laws, attitudes and practices that are making women’s lives difficult”.

SWO has been advocating for women’s rights for several years. Now it is taking the effort to another level. From 25th November 2009, SWO is planning to initiate a series of activities to mobilize youth at an unprecedented scale, with the help of inter-personal as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) tools.

“We are engaging communities of youth, both boys and girls, through dialogues and other means of expressions to celebrate the UN’s ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence’ campaign” Shahzad says.

The Organization intends to organize dialogues, walks, poster-making competitions, walks along with email and sms-based information dissemination campaign to audiences across the country. The activities would primarily ensure women’s participation as well as invite the government, media, civil society and business sectors to collaborate in this noble cause.

‘Our goal is to strengthen the voices that are demanding better living conditions for women across the world and in the country’ said Shahzad Iqbal. ‘We hope that the objectives for these activities are in unison with many other groups and individuals and we are looking forward to join hands with them’.

‘We are trying to move people’ says Shazad. ‘We want them to understand the connection between VAW and different health-hazards that the women are facing including HIV and AIDS.’

SWO activities are innovative, yet participatory on several counts. ‘Our activities would mobilize men and male youth (future men) by enhancing their awareness about VAW situation, its types, impacts and means of eradication including understanding of their roles. We would also build capacities of a group of representative men from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) which are not currently focusing /working upon women’s rights. It will sensitize them against VAW issues and initiate a change process in their organizations’ policies and functioning’. says Shahzad.

Through its training component SWO seeks to fill the void of interaction between gender specialists and those who are routinely blamed as perpetrators of subtle but routinely practiced forms of violence against women like private transporters, shop keepers, lower-level public servants including clerks, messengers and guards posted at public/private offices etc. It would invite representative organizations from such areas of public interaction and raise their consciousness about how women are being subjected to gender-related violence in daily occurrence; and how they can protect women from harassment and fears by changing their attitudes and practices.

But it will not be just talk. There will be colours too. SWO intends to provide creative means of expression to young boys and girls, aged 13 to 16 years, in Karachi and Rawalpindi or Islamabad to illustrate the situation of VAW in the society. ‘Through poster competitions, we would try to understand how growing minds are looking at things. It would be another kind of expression that involves more intense feelings and appeal’.

The Organization has developed special messages and materials for this year’s campaign. These would be sent out to thousands of people to mobilize them and invite them to join the movement. ‘There is no better time to raise the issue of VAW in the society. We have lost many precious lives due to inaction and apathy. Those lives should have been saved’ says Shahzad Iqbal. ‘But all is not lost. We know, our people have the strength to move mountains. It’s just a question of reaching out to them. And we are reaching out. We are certain; it is going to turn out good.’

10 Reasons Why I Love America

10. I love how people treat me with respect in America. Sir this and sir that. I'm 33 but I look like I'm fifty so when I walk into a store, service people practically get down on their knees and beg me to share my old man's wealth. I can live with that.

9. I love how this is such a big country but when I travel around everyone speaks a fairly standardized kind of English. Sure there's the famous Southern drawl, but from what I understand the influx of Yankees into the sunbelt is slowly killing off Southern culture and diction. Sweet!

8. I love how young this country is. I don't have to study what happened two thousand years before Christ to fit in around here. Federalist Papers, the cotton gin, "Let's go Yan-kees! Let's go!" and I'm golden.

7. I love how I can dress all informal in America. I don't even own a freaking tie! And if someone gets married or dies, screw them. I'm an American. I'm wearing my duck cufflinks and my "sports blazer," whatever the hell that is.

6. I love how American women smell. Whether they're native or immigrant, small or elephantine, everyone smells like the height of freshness even in the summertime. I can respect that.

5. I love how cute and powerless the American intelligentsia is. Keeps it honest.

4. I love how Americans can be so innocent abroad. On the rare occasion the dollar rebounds they can still act pissy with the waiter, but when I see a middle-aged couple in some freaky country these days it's like, "H-h-h-h-help us, mister. We've just been r-r-r-r-robbed and s-s-s-s-stabbed." And I just wipe their blood off with my sports blazer and say, "Dere, dere, li'l chile, no cry you."

3. I love how every tiny thing I do in America they give me money. Little musings, overused anecdotes, mindless gum flapping. Anything I do-money. I don't know what I'm getting for this article but I'll bet ya it's gonna be a lot of money. And money means I can indulge in my passions and pursuits and contribute to this nation's idea of itself. Or as the youth like to say, "Whatever."

2. I love how most Americans believe some supernatural higher power is going to lift them up into paradise once they expire, but at the same time they work ninety hours a week to invent new technologies that make my earthly life long and comfortable, although, come to think of it, largely static and meaningless.

1. Four p.m. cheeseburgers with extra onions and tepid American sex on a day when the stock market's closed. I love it.

LPG Gas Cylinders Expiry

"Have U ever heard about LPG gas cylinder's expiry date....!!

Expired Cylinders are not safe for use and may cause accidents. In this regard please be cautious at the time of accepting any LPG cylinder from the Vendor.

Here is how we can check the expiry of LPG cylinders:
On one of three side stems of the cylinder, the expiry date is coded alpha numerically as follows A or B or C or D and some two digit number following this e.g. D06.

The alphabets stand for quarters -
1. A for March (First Qtr),
2. B for June (Second Qtr),
3. C for Sept (Third Qtr), &
4. D for December (Fourth Qtr).

The digits stand for the year till it is valid. Hence D06 would mean December qtr of 2006.
 

Please Return Back the Cylinder that you get with a Expiry Date, they are prone to Leak and other Hazardous accidents...



The second example with D13 allows the cylinder to be in use until Dec 2013.

What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

Chronic muscle pain, muscle spasms or tightness, and leg cramps
Moderate or severe fatigue and decreased energy
Insomnia or waking up feeling just as tired as when you went to sleep
Stiffness upon waking or after staying in one position for too long
Difficulty remembering, concentrating, and performing simple mental tasks
Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and constipation alternating with diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome)
Tension or migraine headaches
Jaw and facial tenderness
Sensitivity to one or more of the following: odors, noise, bright lights, medications, certain foods, and cold
Feeling anxious or depressed
Numbness or tingling in the face, arms, hands, legs, or feet
Increase in urinary urgency or frequency (irritable bladder)
Reduced tolerance for exercise and muscle pain after exercise
A feeling of swelling (without actual swelling) in the hands and feet
Painful menstrual periods
Dizziness
Fibromyalgia symptoms may intensify depending on the time of day -- morning, late afternoon, and evening tend to be the worst times, while 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tends to be the best time. They may also get worse with fatigue, tension, inactivity, changes in the weather, cold or drafty conditions, overexertion, hormonal fluctuations (such as just before your period or during menopause), stress, depression, or other emotional factors.

Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia: 

What's Normal, What's Not....?
Everyone experiences pain occasionally, whether it’s a headache, muscle stiffness, or an upset stomach. Some people, such as migraine sufferers or those with irritable bowel syndrome, have to deal with pain and discomfort on a more frequent basis. And then there are people with fibromyalgia—a chronic pain disorder whose often debilitating symptoms overlap with many other diseases.

Now that three drugs have been approved to treat fibromyalgia, you may be hearing a lot about this condition. And if you’ve experienced unexplained pain recently, it’s easy to wonder whether you might even suffer from it. (Between 80% and 90% of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women.) Diagnosis can be tricky, but experts say that with the right information, it is possible to find the true cause of your pain—whether it’s fibro or something else—and get the treatment you need.

So where do your aches, pains, and everyday health woes fit in? Here’s our guide to what’s normal and what’s not, and when you should see your doctor.

Headaches

Headaches can be caused by any number of factors, and, rarely, they can be an indicator of a more serious health condition. More often, headaches are temporary and not dangerous, and can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication or by addressing an underlying issue—dehydration or sinus problems, for example.

People with fibromyalgia, however, can suffer from constant tension or migraine headaches. The key word is constant—meaning daily—headaches, combined with other fibromyalgia symptoms: Even having repetitive on-and-off headaches, say 10 a year, could just mean that you suffer from chronic headaches and should consult a neurologist to find effective treatment.

Memory problems

An inability to concentrate and difficulties with memory can be linked to sleep deprivation, attention disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, or just simply being overworked and overstressed.

People with fibromyalgia often experience these problems as well, known to doctors and patients as “fibro fog”, in addition to chronic pain and discomfort. Research has shown that fibromyalgia is associated with a decrease in “gray matter” tissue in areas of the brain that are involved in memory and cognition.




All-over pain

The number-one symptom of fibromyalgia is persistent pain all over your body in your muscles and joints for an extended period of time. "[If a patient says,] 'I hurt all over,'" says rheumatologist Daniel Clauw, MD, director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan, "that’s a big blinking neon light that it’s fibro." Rebecca, who has lived with fibromyalgia for more than three decades, says it feels "like a bruise that covers your entire body."

Other conditions, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can initially cause a feeling of widespread pain. “If it’s just in the joints, that person really should see a rheumatologist or someone who specializes in rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders to make sure they don’t have arthritis,” says Dr. Clauw. Chronic pain that is exclusively in the muscles, on the other hand, can sometimes be polymyalgia rheumatica. But any pain that persists for years in both the muscles and the joints, Clauw explains, is most likely fibro.

Upset stomach

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is characterized by stomach cramping, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation, is a common symptom of fibromyalgia. But many people have the condition on its own.

IBS can be triggered by stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, or even antibiotics, and it can be treated with diet and lifestyle changes and with medication. If you have chronic abdominal discomfort with diarrhea or constipation accompanied by the pain described in the previous slide, it’s worth asking your doctor if you might be suffering from fibromyalgia.

Bladder pain

Experts are increasingly recognizing the role that chronic bladder pain may play in fibromyalgia. “It’s a new focus [in pain research],” says Dr. Clauw. “It’s basically the irritable bowel syndrome of the bladder.” Symptoms include pain in the bladder or pelvic region accompanied by feeling the need to urinate frequently.

If these symptoms are short-lived, the most likely culprit is an easily treated bladder or urinary tract infection. Or, if the only symptom is the urge to urinate, the condition is called overactive bladder syndrome.

When combined with all-over chronic pain, bladder pain may be a component of fibromyalgia. Though currently called interstitial cystitis, Dr. Clauw says the name is rapidly changing to “painful bladder syndrome,” which more accurately describes it.

Insomnia

More than 40 million Americans have difficulty sleeping, but only an estimated 5 million people live with fibromyalgia—which means there are plenty of reasons why you may not be getting a good night’s sleep.

If you suffer from serious fatigue that limits your daily activities, accompanied by difficulties with concentration and memory, and chronic pain, you have the three most significant symptoms of fibromyalgia. “These three group together,” says Dr. Clauw. “If you have all three, it’s likely you have fibro.” Still, he cautions that the type of pain you have is the single most important predictor of whether you have fibromyalgia.

Putting it all together

With so many symptoms to choose from, it can seem easy to assume that if you experience one, you may be suffering from fibromyalgia. But Dr. Clauw emphasizes that for each of these symptoms, the question to ask is: “What company does it keep?”

With the exception of chronic, multifocal pain, almost all the other symptoms listed here are not a sign of fibromyalgia on their own. It’s when you put them all together that it counts—and that's when your doctor may be able to make a diagnosis and recommend medication and treatment options. Clauw recommends seeking help when symptoms become bad enough that they are impairing function; he warns that doctors may be dismissive of mild fatigue, pain, or memory problems, for instance. And he says your primary care doctor is "the best place to go."

The benefits of Coconut

Ideas behind saving your heart from heart attack.

Qn: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart? 

Ans: 

 
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil 
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime 
3. Quit smoking 
4. Control weight 
5. Control blood pressure and sugar 

Qn: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart? 

Ans: No 

Qn: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person  
gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?  

Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups. 

Qn: Are heart diseases hereditary?  

Ans: Yes  

Qn: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress? 

Ans: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life. 

Qn: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart? 

Ans: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints  

Qn: You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you to do so? 

Ans: Mother Theresa , who was my patient 

Qn: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases? 

Ans: Extremely rare 

Qn: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age 
(I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age? 

Ans: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood. 

Qn: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart ? 

Ans: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused. 

Qn: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines? 

Ans: Control diet, walk and eat walnut. 

Qn: Can yoga prevent heart ailments? 

Ans: Yoga helps. 

Qn: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?  

Ans: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil. 

Qn: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive? 

Ans: All oils are bad . 

Qn: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?  

Ans: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo. 

Qn: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack? 

Ans: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour. 

Qn: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble? 

Ans: Extremely difficult without ECG. 

Qn: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious heart problems. 

Ans: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, s edentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans. 

Qn: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy? 

Ans: Yes. 

Qn: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true? 

Ans : Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child 

Qn: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions would you recommend? 

Ans : When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock. 

Qn: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short / long term)? 

Ans : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe. 

Qn: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks? 

Ans : No. 

Qn: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease? 

Ans : No. 

Qn: How would you define junk food? 

Ans : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds , samosas, and even masala dosas. 

Qn: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension? 

Ans : No. 

Qn: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)? 

Ans : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up. 

Qn: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems? 

Ans : No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity. 

Qn: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?  

Ans : Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot. 

Qn: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar? 

Ans: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics. 

Qn: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation? 

Ans : Diet, exercise, drugs on time , Control cholesterol, BP, weight. 

Qn: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?  

Ans : No. 

Qn: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?  

Ans : There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles. 

Qn: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks? 

Ans : No. 

Qn: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women? 

Ans : Nature protects women till the age of 45. 

Qn: How can one keep the heart in a good condition? 

Ans : Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for health checkups if you are past the age of 30 (once in six months recommended)