tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84980815717481287582024-02-21T01:48:29.460-08:00Discreet Pinoy Bi-Gay TambayanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-17166203127077511982011-03-26T21:13:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:14:27.010-07:00Revolutionary Practical Flirting Tips for Discreet and Closeted Homosexual and Bisexual Men this 2011!Okay, I admit it. I still maintain an account at <a href="http://www.planetromeo.com/">Planet Romeo</a> though I'm really not an active user there. Rather, I'm basically just a <i>passive lurke</i>r. Want me to expound on it a bit? Ummm, when I'm online, I basically do nothing most of the time but just wait and check my inbox and visitors list every now and then to see who sent me a message and look for any "interesting personalities" who checked my profile out. At most, PR is just one of the inactive tabs in my Chrome multi-tab browser. Good thing, I apparently succeeded in making a pretty decent and sensible profile so far, since guys who try to make connections are mostly the decent and sensible ones most of the time. Hmmmm, are you curious what my account name is? Come closer, i'll whisper it to your ear. hehe. Research research... Promise, I'll date you for a week if you find out. ;-P <wink wink=""><br /><br />Anyway, the reason for this post is an interesting profile statement/write-up I saw in one of my PR profile visitors. I thought it might be worth sharing. Since it was stated in his profile that he just copied it as well from another user, source unknown, I thought it wouldn't be bad to share it here, as well. In fact, I thought it should be a MUST-SHARE since discreet yuppies will really find it useful. You might wanna apply these tips! hehe. So without much further adieu, here it is, copied verbatim....<br /><br /></wink><br /><blockquote><font color="#FF0000"><br /><i>lets just be spontaneous... :)<br /><br /><br />TRY TO READ THIS...<br /><br />HELP SPREAD THIS OUT (*from a friend)<br /><br />Ever wonder if that cute, hunky, simple, tall guy with you in a public jeepney, inside the MRT or LRT is a bi or gay?<br /><br />Are you tired of the old fasion way of just staring in the eye of one another but not really getting any clear anwers to whom youre having eye contact with until it was too late and you just say,, "sayang!! ang cute pa nmn nya!!" and you just watch this person as you both part ways and then there is still this "nakaw tingin" but you are just too afraid to approach, not knowing that the guy was also interested in you?<br /><br />Well its about time to do something about it!! this flirt signs can be done in public with no hassels AT ALL. no fear of having all the non-third sexes figure out it was actually a flirtatious act..<br /><br />Help me spread out this new kewl stuff to all your networks, may it be friendster or what have you that have access to all other concerned and involved ones..<br /><br />so lets get started.. lets say, you are in any public means of tranportation, say MRT, LRT, JEEP, FX or even in a private car. and you came across with this hot-looking guy that you cant even sense if he is bi, gay or straight, and you are interested with this person and so is the person is to you.. this is why we all need this to silently communicated and flirt...here is the flirt signs 101.<br /><br />HOLD YOUR NOSE with one hand like wiping out oil shows your interest to a person.<br /><br />HOLD YOUR CHIN as if checking all the unshaved beard shows you are interested back to the person.<br /><br />PINCHING your left ear with one hand means you wanna know if the person is bi or gay.<br /><br />if you are BI, you just need to LICK OR WET YOUR LIPS while looking at the person.<br /><br />if you are GAY, you will need to WIPE YOUR EYES like you are wiping out eye dirts.<br /><br />TOUCH YOUR HEAD, if you wanna know if the person is TOP or bottom, the same thing should be done if you are TOP.<br /><br />REACH YOUR POCKET (your behind pocket) as if you're reaching for your wallet if you are a bottom.<br /><br /><br />Now lets say you both understood each other but you didnt know whether the person wants to meet or wait outside of where you both are,, Just RUB YOUR HANDS TOGETHER as if you just put some alcogel on them means lets meet outside. then if the person rubs his hands together too, thats it!! you just caught a big fish out of a small pond.. hahaha</i></font></blockquote><br />So there you go. What do you think? Pretty clever huh.. So any comments? Violent reactions?Additional tips? Feedbacks are most welcome! :-)<br /><br />Now why not go and try them out. Who knows, these are really already practiced by many -that I do not know though. Actually, I think that if all discreet guys know about this, whoaaa it can revolutionized Gay/Bi flirting like never before! Oh my... (please don't get me wrong here, im not advocating massive flirtations) So, why not give it a try and be surprised with amazing results! hehe.<br /><br /><i>PS... But please don't forget to come back here and share your experience... :-)</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-697421894443094042010-11-23T06:28:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:27.014-07:00Unintentional Promiscuity<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US">What? Untintentional promiscuity? Is there such???</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US">I tell you there is! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 12px;">J</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US">Wikipedia defines promiscuity as sex with relatively many partners. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US">Now, indulging in promiscuous acts involves conscious decision and active effort. In short, there is intent to engage in such activity. I call this as intentional promiscuity. So then if there is such a thing as intentional promiscuity, there must also be an unintentional promiscuity.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US">Intentionally promiscuous men are those who are in the habit of having sex with random men just for the purpose of satisfying their sexual needs. When you go to gay dating sites, they are typically the ones with very suggestive headlines, steamy pictures, and sexually inviting write ups. So here, we see that the intention is to have sex, for the reason of satisfying sexual needs.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US">On the other hand, unintentionally promiscuous men usually do not actually claim or see themselves as promiscuous. I personally coin the term “unintentional promiscuity” to refer to such situation of homosexual and bisexual men having a series of multiple sexual partners, but without the original intention of being such. Unintentionally promiscuous men would often maintain that sex was not really their primary intention; it just happened. Sounds ridiculous? Probably not. Why? How come?</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US">Somehow, there is some truth to that. Unintentional promiscuity can happen to anyone. Particularly among discreet gay and bi men, there is that universal longing for someone to fill that empty spot within. This longing for love and affection is strong and enduring. It is felt as a need to have someone special. However, finding a decent, “perfect” male partner/lover to fulfill that emotional need is difficult. Finding the perfect guy is quite impossible. This is particularly true to choosy ones who set high and stiff standards on who and how their partner should be. This leads them into attempts at finding and establish a worthwhile relationship with a nice guy that comes along, which more oftenly involves sex. However, more often than not, things fail and the cycle continues again. Guy after another guy… trying, looking, hoping… wishing the best guy to fulfill that longing for someone special to complete and fill that empty spot within would come. And before long, the number of guys stacks up. So does that now becomes a case of promiscuity? Yes, definitely. Done intentionally? Apparently not.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US">So is this difference significant? Does this difference sets one a better state than the other? Would a red-colored shirt look different from a white shirt that fell on a basin of red dye? You decide. :)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-46109217123513897322010-11-23T06:09:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:27.016-07:00A Thin Line<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"> One thing that seems peculiar among homosexual and bisexual men is the thin boundary that separates pure platonic friendship and romantic-sexual relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many discreet homosexuals, it is not uncommon to have “friends with benefit” and “fuck buddies” as they are called. They claim that sex between friends does not necessarily involve emotion. It is but having a “release” of pent up sexual urges with someone familiar rather than hooking up with a stranger on a “one night stand” basis. This set up further gives the benefit of security, safety, and confidentiality, etc. without having to worry about sexually transmitted diseases, risk of pregnancy, and compatibility, among other issues associated with random sex. It can be expected that sex with a random stranger for the sake of having sex is nothing but a pure physical interaction meant to satisfy the cravings for sexual pleasure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I personally doubt if periodic sex with a “friend” does not really involve emotions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Among many, what happens is either romance occurs first followed by a bloom of friendship or vice versa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On one hand, through the initial sexual attraction and sexual encounter a friendship can be born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, an existing friendship may pave the way to the benefits of mutually enjoying sexual pleasures. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So why does romantic friendship exist? Most probably, this occurs due to the fact that since bisexual and homosexual men are sexually attracted to their fellow men, a male friend can be at times become a potential object of sexual desire, given the right and favorable circumstance. And since men are generally primarily sexually-motivated, sexual interactions can occur easily. However, to be fair enough, whether this desire consummates to the sexual act is still subject to one’s self-control, discipline, and personal values.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Differing opinions exist regarding this matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some say it is okay as long as you don’t get hurt or hurt anyone in the process as sex is a basic human need and needs to be enjoyed, while others say it is but a sign of moral looseness and sexual depravity. Others also maintain that having a regular “FUBU” friend is a better alternative to being promiscuous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whichever the case maybe, clearly, there is but a thin line that separates pure friendship and romantic friendship, particularly among male homosexuals and bisexuals. Is this good or bad? Is sex between friends okay? You be the judge. It’s totally up to you to decide, depending on your perspectives, beliefs, and philosophies in life.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-55064498576141197682010-11-18T04:36:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:27.021-07:00Just a thought about love and painI have come to a conclusion that one of the most compelling emotions humans, particularly discreet gay men, harbor is the longing for someone to love and be loved in return. This can motivate and push them to do just about anything to have this emotional need fulfilled even to the point of getting hurt. Why?<br /><br />Nothing compares to the blissful feeling of being so much in love despite how equally severe the pain that may come with it. However, how worse the pain might be, love is patient, love is kind, love forgives and forgets, and love accepts... unconditionally. Occurrences of painful experiences, fights, and misunderstandings can be expected every now and then. But what is important at the end of the day, you find each other wrapped in each other's arms, to mend and heal, to build and grow, and give each other reassurance, comfort, and security that banish all the pain away. Then wake up each morning with renewed spirit and vigor to face life together no matter what.<br /><br />Being in love is wonderful. After all, to love and to be loved is still the greatest human experience! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-57447757843117786542010-07-24T21:32:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:14:27.024-07:00Finding a beautiful gem that you come to treasure but only to lose it afterwards feels much worse than before you found it.<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">They say:</div><br /> It is better to try and fail at something than not having tried at all.<br /><br /> It is better to gamble and lose than to just sit, dream, and do nothing.<br /><br /> It is better to hope and be disappointed than to dwell on skepticisms, negativism, and inactivity.<br /> <br /> It is better to get your heart stabbed early on and heal than getting it broken into pieces later beyond mending.<br /> <br /> It is better to love and get hurt than not loving at all.<br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I say: </div> <br /> Finding a beautiful gem that you come to treasure but only lose it afterwards feels much worse than before you found it.<br /><br /><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">However these random thoughts and statements might seem, they may be correct or not, related or not, they may make sense or not, you can not really deny the fact that when you lose someone, IT HURTS! It never fails to.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope I am making sense. Am I? or is it only because I have just lost a gem?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-23152589806412889392010-04-18T03:54:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:14:27.027-07:00All good-looking men are... GAY?!<div><br /></div>A conversation with a very candid friend led to very lively discussion about homosexuality. A number of his statements surprised me especially when he said, "Before, all good-looking men are straight unless proven otherwise. Now, all good-looking men are gay unless proven otherwise." Woooo, what a statement!<br /><br />Quite an unfair statement, isn't it? But if indeed what he said was accurate enough, oh my.... what an epidemic!!!<br /><br />After giving it some thought, my small mind led me to think that perhaps there's some truth to what he said. Good looking guys are at a greater risk of being exposed and oriented into homosexuality (bisexuality, initially) considering their "market value" and the attractive force it creates onto other guys who are already gay or bisexual. I think it would be logical to assume that more often than not good looking guys do get the most attention and eventually the highest chances of encountering m2m experiences. Would you agree?<br /><br />Sexual orientation, for me, is a "learned" aspect of human sexuality. Of course, we cannot discount genetics. However, genetics can only do so much and studies show that gene function gets modified or altered in response to the influence of the environment. Therefore, what shapes a man's psychological being is, for the most part, played by all the myriad of the learning experiences he encountered from early childhood up to adulthood, ranging from the minutest, most insignificant ones to the most profound. Since it is learned, sexual orientation is "fluid" in that it CAN change over a person's lifetime. In a joint statement with other major American medical organizations, the American Psychiatric Association says that "different people realize at different points in their lives that they are heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual"<br /><br />So building on the above statements, can most, if not all, good-looking guys be actually gay unless proven otherwise? I'll leave it to you to decide. <wink></wink><br /><div><br /></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On a side note:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> The most powerful conditioning factor that encourages a person to engage in certain acts and behavior again and again and again is... PLEASURE. So better be careful what kind of pleasures you constantly indulge yourself into... for it might be subtly and subconsciously "shaping" you.</span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-28708965394238356752010-04-01T20:38:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:14:27.035-07:00Latest Poll Results: 1.) What would you do on your first date? 2.) Why would you would you join a gay social network site?Guys, here are the results of the latest polls for the month of March 2010.<br /><br />1. On your first date, you would rather...<br /><br /><ul><ul><li>Kiss (20% of voters)</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: blue;">Hold hands (33%)</span></span></li><li>Pa-virgin effect (26%)</li><li>Go "all the the way" (1%)</li><li>All of the above (13%)</li></ul></ul><br /><br /><br />2. Why would you join a gay social network site? (eg. g4m, manhunt, manjam, etc.)<br /><br /><ul><ul><li>To have sex! Kelangan pa bang i-memorize ya!? (15%)</li><li>To find a good friend. Iba pa rin yung may kaibigang nakakaintindi sayo. (0%)</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: blue;">Just taking my chances on finding "Mr. Right" (53%)</span></span></li><li>Man, I love showing my hot body pics. (15%)</li><li>My curiousity is killling me (15%)</li></ul></ul><br /><br /><ul><li><b><u>What can you say about the result?</u></b></li><li><b><u>Do you agree with it?</u></b></li><li><b><u>What insights can you draw out of it?</u></b></li></ul><br /><b>Kindly leave your comments, opinions, and reactions in the comment box below</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><i>For your poll question suggestions, please send them to </i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6059535106322653462&postID=1581175991494825730" mailto:"discreetyuppies@yahoo.com=""><i>discreetyuppies@yahoo.com</i></a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6059535106322653462&postID=1581175991494825730" mailto:"discreetyuppies@yahoo.com=""><i><br /></i></a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6059535106322653462&postID=1581175991494825730" mailto:"discreetyuppies@yahoo.com=""><i><br /></i></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-38093693969172407882010-03-25T02:41:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:14:27.038-07:00Big Smile... haha.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I'm amazed these past few days, I get not less than a hundred visitors in my blog! Daily! Though, that can be very small compared to other established blogs. But for a newly-made blog like mine, happy na ako. haha. Sana tuloy tuloy na.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Guys, I have incorporated a </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">"Monster Radio FM"</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> stream. Hope you like it. Pretty cool actually. I use it myself to listen to cool music when I'm online. I'll be adding more radio stations very soon. So Stay tuned. If you haven't bookmarked this blog, you better do it! :)</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I urge you to join the interactive </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Discreet Yuppies™ Forum</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">. You can either access it by clicking the Forum link found at the right side of the page, or go directly to the embedded format found at the bottom of the page. Say whatever you wanna say, reply to the questions, give your reaction to others' opinions or give your own two cents, or start your own topic. Feel free to do as you please. Just maintain mutual respect with each other. So, don't hold yourself back and speak your mind and heart out. We need to get the ball rolling! :) If you have difficulty using the forum, just let me know. </span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Now if you have anything to share (and I literally mean ANYTHING under the sun.haha) please do so. FYI, one of the primary reasons why I created this blog is for everybody to share their stories, experiences, thoughts, etc. for everyone to read, benefit and learn from (also to derive inspiration or even entertainment from). </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Only with your help can this blog thrive and grow! </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /><br />Finally, don't hesitate to give me </span> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">constructive feedbacks or comments on how the site can be improved.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> Tell me about any features you want to be added or removed. It is really my goal to make this blog in a way that it primarily "serves" YOU. :)</span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I look forward to hear from you...<br /><br />That's all for now. </span> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Please help promote the site</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">. God bless!</span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 25px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-85141237311940464412010-03-23T23:41:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:14:27.041-07:00A Must-have Gadget This 2010!!!Guys, you gotta have this gadget! It definitely can save you from trouble! When I saw this vid, I can hardly wait to post it here. So here it is... =)<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/97ejk5NOrR8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/97ejk5NOrR8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="100%" height="380"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-12916694035421926002010-03-17T14:31:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:14:27.044-07:00Changing Habits: The Core of Self-Improvement<div style="text-align: justify;">Habits can either be good or bad. They can either work for you or against you. They can either make your life easy or difficult. Depending on the kind of habitual behaviors you are forming, you are either preparing yourself for a life of defeat or or a life of victory.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Habits of good grooming, good health practices, excellence, thoroughness, honesty, punctuality, diligence in studying or at work are but a few examples of the good ones. On the other hand, habits of procrastination, tardiness, lying, gossiping, excessive masturbation, smoking among so many others are the ones that are on the opposite side, which obviously have deleterious effects and consequences.<br /><br />Do you find yourself hooked on a certain habitual behavior? Do you desire to change? Lets take a closer view at the true nature of habits and discover practical steps that you may take towards your desired change. Read on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><b> </b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What are habits?</span></b></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Habits</span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> are </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">learned, not instinctive</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">routines of behavior</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> that occur </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">automatically </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">and are </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">repeated regularly</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, sometimes even without requiring thinking or intention. </span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The person may not be paying attention to or be conscious or aware of the behavior. However, when the behavior is brought to the person's attention, they may be able to control it.</span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span lang="EN-PH"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Habits are easily learned but difficult to unlearn.</span></span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Bad habits are more easily formed and learned than good ones.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How are habits formed?</span></b></div></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Key to establishing a habit is </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">repetition of the act.</span></b></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The tendency of human behavior is to repeat or re-indulge in an act that gives oneself pleasure. It may be in the form of physical, emotional, and social pleasures. However, it is important to note that not all that are pleasurable is expedient.</span></li></ul><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How do habits affect you?</span></b></div></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Established habits lay the foundation of your character. </span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Good habits positively influence your life in general, in as much as bad habits do the exact opposite</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: auto;">Habits can be powerful enough to virtually enslave a person into a state of powerlessness. Hence, with habits, you can either be a slave to a good or to a bad "master."</div></li></ul><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><b></b><br /><b><div style="text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Can established habits be changed or improved?</span></b></span></div></b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As said earlier, habits are learned. So as long as you have the capacity to learn (which means, as long as you are living), you can change your habits. Although, it would be much difficult to unlearn the already established ones, replacing them with new ones will eventually weaken their power in time. So there is always hope at self-improvement as long you have the willpower and a strong desire to change.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What are the stages of HABIT CHANGE?</span></b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Habit formation and establishment occurs in a stepwise manner. Basically it starts with a the initial act or thought that becomes repeated over and over through time, eventually becoming automatic in the long run. In a similar manner, changing habits also occur in a stepwise fashion. We can call it the five stages of Habit Change. Look carefully at what occurs in each stage as you may be unaware of what is going on.</span></div></div><div><b></b><br /><b></b><br /><b><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Precontemplation Stage</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You have at least one of the desctructive and self-defeating behaviours you need to change.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">b.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You don’t admit you have a problem</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">c.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You see unhealthy habits in others but not on yourself</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">d.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You don’t want to change yourself</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">e.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You think others are to blame for your habits or difficulties</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">f.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Others might be conscious of your behavior. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(parents complaining of your staying up late at night, losing weight; teachers tell you your grades are a bit low; friend tells you you have no time, you are changing; employers might be complaining of your performance)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">g.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There is </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">denial</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">resistance</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> to change</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">h.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you stay in this stage, you are stuck, and you’ll surely be defeated.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">i.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You need to be more conscious of your own self by doing a self-assessment.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Contemplation Stage</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You acknowledge you have a problem, and you want to get unstucked.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">b.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You begin to think seriously about solving your problem.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">c.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You try understand its causes and you begin to investigate your options.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">d.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You make definite plans to take action immediately or within the next few months.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">e. </span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In this stage, you might be stuck for months or years if you don’t proceed to the next stage. Why? You know you need to change, and you intend to... someday.. just as soon as.. after... when the rush is over... </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You know your desire to change and you know where you're going (destination) but you are not quite ready to go.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Giving up something you have come treasure is a hard thing to do.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">f.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here, you fear you’ll fail. It’s hard to change. You say to yourself, "I can’t possibly change. " So you keep searching for an easier, more dramatic, or more complete solution to your problem.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">g.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Failure is guaranteed if you don't move on to the next stage.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Preparation Stage</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here you make plans and you prepare for the BIG change. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">b.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You greatly reduce your success probability if you suddenly wake up one morning, then say “This is the day” and dive headfirst into a change without realistically and specifically planning how you will make the change happen.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">c.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, here you need to develop a detailed plan of action and you may announce your intention publicly. You may tell others, your friends, parents, colleagues, etc. They can help and support you in the process.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">d.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Your awareness might be high and you may have already begun small behavioural changes.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">e.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Important:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Before moving ahead with your plan (the next stage, which is ACTION), you need to know exactly HOW you will keep your awareness and commitment high throughout the struggles of the next stages. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(Ask others to remind you. Post some notes/reminders.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Action Stage</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As Nike's slogan says "JUST DO IT!" then should you. And do it now!</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">b.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This action stage requires the most commitment and energy. It’s where you actually execute your plan.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">c.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here, you receive the most recognition and support during this stage, because others can see that you’re working at it.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">d.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You follow the plan you have made in stage 3, make revisions of your plan, and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“keep on keeping on”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> even if its inconvenient or difficult.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">e.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">CAUTION:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Action at this point doesn't necessarily mean that lasting change has been made. Action is an essential part of the process, but failure to MAINTAIN the new behaviour you are doing can SABOTAGE the progress you’ve made so far.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">5.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Maintenance</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This stage is a long, ongoing process.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">b.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is the most difficult. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(e.g. maintaining a diet for losing weight, sustaining punctuality, etc.)</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">c.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here, you to need to be at constant vigilance and cautious in your dealings with those temptations that can draw you back into the old, destructive pattern.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">d.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You need hard work to consolidate the gains you've made during the first four stages and to PREVENT RELAPSE. DON’T SLIP BACK!!!</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">e.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Celebrate achieving your goals. Treat yourself! But don’t relax and tell yourself, “Whew! I’m glad It’s over!” because it is not.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">f.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Develop a menu of mental and behavioral coping strategies that will take you through the times when your feet begin to slip. Keep in mind:</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The more addictive the habit was, the MORE FIERCE the battle would be</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In times of stress and problems or conflicts, people are most likely to slip.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Once you slip, you can fall back to previous stages or worse, right back to the start and begin the process all over again! Sayang and hard work mo...</span></span></span></div></div></b></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Change is possible. Don’t give up! If you have set backs, don’t stay there. Pick yourself up, dust off, and try again. This time,with a revised and better plan. As I said earlier, so as long as you have the capacity to learn, which means as long as you are alive, you can scrap those bad habits off your system and begin to replace them with good ones. There is always hope at self-improvement as long you have the willpower and a strong desire to change. Persistence is the key.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-91689473372810388272010-03-17T08:49:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:14:27.054-07:00The Value of TimeTime doesn't wait. Can the world and the rest of the universe freeze for a moment? Woe unto the procrastinators and the sluggish.<br /><br />Time wasted, is time lost forever. Who can undo time? Can you go back to the past and make amendments?<br /><br />Time is money. Each tick of the clock counts. Productivity is greatest when things are done in a timely manner.<br /><br />Time is gold. It is the most precious "commodity" one can have. Opportunities lost seldom come back.<br /><br />Time is either a friend or an enemy. It can either work for you or against you.<br /><br />So manage your time wisely. Live each day as if it were your last. Live life to the fullest. Make the most of your time. Each second counts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-41293572513878853852010-03-13T19:06:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:27.059-07:00Start of the Beginning: "I don't know if love could win over lust and urge"<span></span><em>This article is an original</em> <strong>Discreet Yuppies™</strong><em> reader contribution<br />Author: </em><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>Erratico</strong></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /><br /><br />I want to do things that are forbidden. I want try stuffs that might curse me and crucify me as a sinner. I want to break the rules and go beyond the traditions and norms. I want to be bad. I want to be free.<br /><br />For years, I've been trying to live like a normal guy. But I'm not normal. I'm different. And being different is really hard. I'm bisexual. Someone that is breaking and living his life with two sides. I don't know how it started. I never thought that this would be hard as I grew older. But then, how I wish I could simply ignore that other side of me and be normal and just be a real man.<br /><br />Before I thought that this was just a stage of identity crisis. But then at age of 25, I guess i can't fool myself with that lame excuse. I already accepted that I'm bisexual...that somehow I am attracted to guys. But what differentiates me from other common bisexuals is that I'm still trying not to do the "act".<br /><br />Yup, I still don't have sexual encounters with the same sex and either opposite sex. In short, I'm still a certified virgin. I'm an NGSB, which means No Girlfriend Since Birth. Well, it's been a mystery because during my younger days I courted a lot of girls. I just don't know why none of them prospered. Until, I discovered that I'm attracted to guys also. My first serious attraction was with my bestfriend. Suddenly, my like to him became lust. There was a time when because of this dilemma I decided to avoid him. For years, I tried not to see him. But then after so many years, when I thought that all the lust is gone, I tried to reconcile with the friendship but then it still there. Then, I came to the point that I realized that I'm not only attracted to him but to other guys also...that I'm bisexual.<br /><br />Now I'm bothererd where my life is heading to. I'm in the middle of the crossroad trying to choose what path I should take. I guess I just understand why I still don't have a girlfriend. Coz I'm afraid. I don't know if my masculinity could sustain their expectations. I don't know if love could win over lust and urge. What if fate plays on me and give me a temptation while I'm in a relationship? What if I totally become gay but in the end a girl of my dreams comes along? I'm afraid to choose coz I'm afraid to make mistakes. They said life is a gamble and to lose and win are the consequences. But the only goal is to be happy. And it's up to you to play your cards but in the end future can only tell what will be the outcome.<br /><br />I want to play life's game. I want to see what 's hiding besides that what ifs. I want to explore more about myself and know the real me. I might be do something that is beyond my normal cliche. I want to find the answer. And maybe, I'll be surprised what I'll find out, that afterall those dilemmas and confusions, I'm not really the person I thought I was.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-82468036361821462992010-03-11T23:44:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:27.067-07:00Improve Your Relationships<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Original article found at: </span></i><i><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1030882/improve_your_relationships.html?cat=41"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Associated Content</span></a></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>The best way to successful relationships is to understand yourself. If you enter into relationships expecting others to define you, your relationships are doomed before they start. However, how you define yourself is not necessarily how others see you. If you believe you are strong, but others perceive you as weak, look at how you are presenting yourself to the world. The more you get into the real you, that is truly understand your own attitudes and behaviors, the better your chances will be for real success. The goal is to have a realistic assessment of yourself because only then will you know what characteristics you are looking for in others.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do not pigeonhole yourself into relationships; have a sense of independence. Continue to seek out new experiences and friendships for opportunities to learn something new that will enhance the relationships; do not cling or feel threatened. Being together does not mean you are joined at the hip. If you are not allowed to have friends or seek new adventures, it may be a clue to sever ties. Life is about growing.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do not be afraid to listen to the views of others even if they are in opposition to your own thinking. It is through intellectual diversity that you learn and grow in your relationships. If you only make friends with those who think like you, sooner of later you will bore each other to death. Other points of view may assist in changing any unreal perceptions you have of yourself, and aid you in becoming the real you, engendering more fruitful and enduring relationships.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do not be afraid to adopt some of the attitudes and behaviors of others who you respect and admire. Determine what motivates their thinking, ascertain how they respond to different situations in their lives, and focus on their interpersonal skills. If you would like to know how you're progressing, seek out a third person whom you trust and test your new skills on him or her. Learn to appreciate constructive criticism.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do not criticize without offering alternative suggestions or proposals. Rather than say "You ought to," you might say, "Have you considered." Anytime you believe you need to criticize, stop and think about what you are about to say. How would you respond if you were the receiver? There is a ton of truth in the old adage "treat others as you want to be treated."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do not interrupt others during conversations and listen with all your senses. Do not pretend to listen while you are formulating a response. Your body language will give you away each time. Determine whether you're being asked for input or merely to listen. There is nothing more irritating than receiving unsolicited advice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do not try to change others to how you believe they should be; be yourself and allow them to be themselves. If you don't like how they act, there's another old adage that reeks with truth "there's a lid for every pot." Appreciate and accept or decline and reject: Honesty is always THE key component in successful relationships. Do not sacrifice your true self or force others to sacrifice themselves to hold on to relationships.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do not expect others to make or keep you happy as the source of true happiness comes from within. Always look for things that will bring you joy. Smile often and at times laugh out loud, for no reason other than being alive, until each becomes a habit. You will find that happiness will find you, no matter where you are, if you are always prepared for its arrival.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do express your love and appreciation at every opportunity. There can never be too much love. Leave love notes in books or around the house for your lover or send cards to friends for no reason other than you're happy they are in your life. Always remember, if you want a successful relationship, be a friend a truly great friend.</div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-13462849320366043092010-02-26T15:28:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:27.069-07:00Three Things That Only Feel Like Love But Are Far From It<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><b><i><u>Author: Francis K. Githinji<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> (an online dating expert)</span></u></i></b></span></span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px;">Shared by a reader of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.discreetyuppies.blogspot.com"><b>Discreet Yuppies™</b></a></span></span></i></span></span></div></div></div><br /><br />Love is a tricky emotion. There are some things that feel like love but they are much too superficial to be the real thing. Real love takes time and doesn’t happen over night. Here are three things that people often confuse for love.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b></b></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><b></b></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><b></b></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><b></b></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><b></b></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><b><a name='more'></a></b></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><b>Lust</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Lust is the feeling that is often mistaken for love at first sight. Lust is an intense and sudden attraction to somebody you hardly know. It is mistaken for love because the attraction is so strong.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Lust can feel like love because the feelings of attraction are strong and all-consuming. The emotions stirred up by lust can feel very real but they are based on a fantasy. To love somebody you must know them well but many people fall in lust while they are still strangers. What people in lust fall for is a fantasy of what might be and reality can get lost in the excitement.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Overwhelmed by physical attraction people in lust can’t keep their hands off of each other. They think about each other constantly and talk about one another all the time. Lust is a happy feeling brought on by passionate attraction. If you are inexperienced in matters of the heart it is very easy to mistake all that passion for love.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Lust differs from love like night differs from day. Lust happens in the early phase of a relationship when people don’t yet know each other. Lust is based on a fantasy, and the fantasy and reality don’t always mesh up. This is where lust runs out of steam.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Although physical attraction is definitely a key ingredient in any romantic relationship, love is more than just a physical longing. If a relationship is all about physical attraction it is based on lust. Really loving another person takes time and it can’t be based on physical attraction alone.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><b>Obsession</b></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Obsessions are often mistaken for love because people rationalize the crazy feelings they are having. They assume that it must be love if the other person is always on their mind. Obsession is similar to lust but it is much more misleading and destructive. While lust is often fleeting, fading as two people come to know each other better, obsession sticks around.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">The more time and effort invested in an unhealthy obsession the more intense the obsession can become. People in an obsessed state have a one track mind where the other person is concerned and they often lose touch with who they are as an individual. This loss of individuality creates a vicious circle of behavior where the obsessed person grows more and more dependant on the other person to bolster their sense of self.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Even unrequited love, love that is not returned, can become an overwhelming obsession. When one person believes they are in a relationship that doesn’t really exist, or when one person is more invested in an existing relationship than the other, the foundation for an obsession has been laid.</span><br /><br />Real love is nurturing and helps people grow but obsession is debilitating. If you feel like you have lost yourself, if you are always striving to please your partner without them doing the same for you, and if you find yourself making all decisions in your life based on the feelings and needs of the other person you could be dealing with obsession.<br /><br /><b> Rebounding</b><br /><br />A rebound is a relationship that starts up very quickly after another relationship has ended. Rebounds are rarely based on love but are really a way of alleviating the loneliness people feel when a relationship ends.<br />Rebounding can feel like love for the simple reason that the people involved want to be in love. They are used to the security of being in love and more than anything else they want to feel that security again. They convince themselves that they are in love when they are actually missing the safety and comfort of the relationship they left behind.<br /><br />If an old relationship keeps interfering with the progress of a new relationship it could mean that the relationship is a rebound. When somebody is on the rebound they are not entirely over their previous relationship. They may still be trying to work out unresolved issues from that relationship. Rebound relationships may feel like love but they are still impacted by unsettled feelings from the past.<span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-32968867149404641652010-02-25T01:50:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:27.072-07:00Body Building Tips to Make You FAT and hot! (Being FAT: The healthier way of life)<span class="apple-style-span">FAT men are sexy and attractive. They're hot! And if you want these aesthetic advantages, I say that you should rather be FAT, too! Plus, being FAT is living a healthier way of life. Could I probably be joking??? Definitely not. I am dead serious! </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">JJJ</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"> </span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><a name='more'></a></span><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">F</b></span><span class="apple-style-span">it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A</b>nd <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">T</b>oned men are beautiful pieces of sculpted work or art -- nice to touch, nice to hold, nice to behold… haha. I’m not trying to be pervy here, ok? In addition to that, studies show that physically fit men do not only look good, have better self-image and higher “market value” but generally they also live longer than the average guys. So if you haven’t hopped into the train of physical fitness and muscle training, you better do so. Not only for the aesthetic and self-image rewards, but for obvious health reasons.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="apple-style-span">Now here are some quick run-through of very basic but important information about body building. Most of you must have known these by heart. However for those who don’t and for those who need some memory refresher, I hope you will find the following tips and facts useful.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">FACTS AND TIPS ON STEADY, GRADUAL MUSCLE GROWTH<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Key concepts of weight training:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Challenge</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> your muscles so it will adapt by growing! Push them to their limits, but don’t go beyond. Your muscle <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">responds and adapts </b> to the challenge by growing in size.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Train with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">intensity.</b> Work out your muscle to exhaustion to give it adequate “challenge” and “stimulation.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">c.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Assist your muscles’ growth with proper nutrition and rest<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>i.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Nutrition supplies the muscles what it needs to grow. Eat healthy. Ensure protein in the diet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>ii.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Rest gives the muscles time to grow. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">d.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">WORK WITH YOUR BODY, NOT AGAINST YOUR BODY<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>i.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Your body is a wonderful machine. It knows what it needs, it tells you when its limits are reached, but it is not like “literal” machines made of metals because it can build and repair itself given the proper “tools,” training, and raw materials.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>ii.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Body building is about being conscious of your body’s dynamics.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>iii.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Be sensitive to your body’s needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Work out at least <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">three times per week. </b>Overtraining may lead to atrophy (shrinking) of muscles rather than muscle gain.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ideally, you should work out at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 hour work per session</b> (muscle training proper). Do not go below 30 minutes per session.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Do a direct stimulation of a muscle only <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">once per week</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">For every set of movement, keep your repetition at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8-12 reps/set. </b>It is recommended by weight training experts that you do not go below and beyond this, in order to achieve optimal results.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">If you find it very easy to accomplish this number of reps, you are using too light a weight. Increase the weight/resistance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">If you find it impossible to reach 8, decrease the weight or the resistance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The recommended number of movement sets per muscle groups vary:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">2-4 sets</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">small muscles</b> such as your biceps, triceps, abs, calves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">5-7 sets</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">large muscle</b> groups such as those on the thigh, chest, back.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Never train for more than 2 consecutive days.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ideally for beginners, train a certain muscle group <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">only once per week.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Train the weak body parts first.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Train with weights that you can easily lift. As said earlier, too light and too heavy weights/resistance won’t do much good in your training.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Male benchmark</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">. The following can serve as your gauge if you have trained adequately enough and have reached healthy, adequate muscle strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">1 set of 80 push ups<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">1 set of 20 chin ups<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">c.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">1 set of 20 1-leg squats<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">d.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">1 set of 40 dips<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">e.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">1 set of 20 pull ups.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Flip your program upside down every 3 weeks<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Large muscle groups first, and vice versa<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Small muscles last, or vice versa<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Nutrition Nutrition Nutrition<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">As said earlier to gain maximal muscle mass, you need to challenge and tire your muscle to stimulate it to grow. Since muscles are primarily made up of protein (of course along with >70% water, inasmuch as our entire body is) this muscle growth cannot take place optimally if we don’t supply our muscles with its building blocks for growth. Therefore, it is recommended that:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>i.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">You consume <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 gram protein/lb</b> body of body weight. So if you weigh 150 pounds, then you should at least consume 150 grams of protein in your diet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>ii.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Rather than 3 big meals per day, eat 6 small meals per day. It hastens optimal digestion and absorption, and likewise keeps your stomach volume smaller. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>iii.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">FYI: a single egg has about 7grams of protein </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(more or less in 50-50 proportion from egg white and egg yolk).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">It is ideal to consume protein food within 90-minutes post-exercise<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">REST<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The rest intervals between your training sessions are actually as important as the training periods themselves. Rest allows the muscle to repair and build itself up. This is the basis why it is recommended that you do not train your muscles for two consecutive days.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">FREE WEIGHTS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN MACHINES!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Machines make your muscles move in certain unnatural positions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Whereas, free weights not only allows natural muscle movements, but also gives an added advantage of training the body to maintain “stability” during the movements.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Movements during exercise should be SLOW, CONTROLLED, and STEADY. Don’t use momentum (speed) as this will defeat your objective of providing maximum resistance, challenge, and stimulation to the muscles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">3 best muscle building routines</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">. The more muscles are involved in a certain set, the better! So it follows, compound muscle movements are better than isolated exercises, although the latter is needed for targeted specific muscle growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Bench Press<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Deadlift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">c.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Squat<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Cardio burns fat</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">: Burn those ugly extra fat by doing short, intense cardio exercises!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Employ warm up and cool-down exercises.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span">I hope that these tips and facts on muscle training have been helpful! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Always remember, being FAT is healthy and being FAT is sexy! </b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-weight: normal;">JJ</span></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-47588956914320767632010-02-24T22:43:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:53.595-07:00The Pain of Letting Go<div class="MsoNoSpacing"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Warning: This is an extremely emotionally-heavy article, which you may find boring or even pathetic. Read at your own risk. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">J</span></span></i><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">It was an excruciating, agonizing Thursday night. The sudden, painful realization that I have actually fallen for a friend and the fact that there’s no more chance for us to be together came in such a big surprise when he told me that he is already in a relationship. What made the pain worse was the fact that it is with a guy that I myself had deliberately introduced a few days earlier. Right there and then, while I was reading his messages, I felt like a pail of ice cold water was poured down on me. A bitter mix of emotions of remorse, loss, self-blame, and overwhelming sadness. It felt like something struck my heart so deeply. I felt so weak and couldn’t react but just stared blankly at my computer screen in disbelief at the emotional anguish I suddenly felt. My finger could barely type a word! My mind was stunned by the overwhelming mix of emotions that are suddenly coming to the surface. Having not seen each other for the past two weeks has intensified my longing to finally see him over the weekend. However, in the height of my nostalgia, I was struck with news that left me hanging in the air emotionally devastated.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">We have known each other for just approximately two and a half months, yet the depth of the relationship felt like I’ve known him for years. It felt like he was the person, a special friend, that I have been longing for. What we have was an intimate friendship. And for the short times we were together we shared happy memories. He is a wonderful person and beautiful inside and out. I have come to value him so much that the news of him in a relationship broke my heart.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">Instead of a happy weekend which I was hoping for, it was a totally sad one. Personally, I have always boasted of my competent coping mechanisms. Having been through tough years of struggles over my sexuality issues alone along with many other personal problems I encountered along the way, I have learned to be self-contained when it comes to coping and troubleshooting. However that weekend, everything didn’t seem to work. I blamed myself, I was angry at myself, I pitied myself. It really felt so pathetic.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">I blamed myself for causing myself pain. It was obviously self-inflicted. In the first place, we were just friends. I shouldn’t have fallen for him. Secondly, I was the one who essentially paved the way for his “exit.” I was angry at myself for being so busy with things I do that I hadn’t had the time to scrutinize and assess where my emotion was heading. I was unaware (or maybe I just had it suppressed) of my growing feelings for him. Had I been conscious of it (or had I not suppressed it), I should have taken the necessary steps to ensure things will not go awry. I could have told him early on, work on it, and if things won't be favorable or impossible then I could have tapered down my feelings, perish it altogether over time, and keep the friendship, et cetera et cetera. And for failure to do such things, I pitied myself. I was so slow. I felt I was stupid. I felt loss.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">That fateful Thursday evening was one of the worst nights I’ve ever had. I couldn’t sleep. I can’t have peace of mind. I can’t comfort myself. I can’t help ruminating over so many things. I can’t stop lacrimating, I can’t help my heart! I felt so pathetic. I sent him a couple of quite emotional messages telling how I feel for him and how bad I am feeling at that moment given the turn of events. It wasn’t on asking him back since that would be unethical to do, but I just want to let him know what I feel and what I was going through that night. Somehow it helps to be able to vent out my burgeoning heavy emotions even through text messages. He responded but with few words. I can still remember how bluntly one of his messages struck me as it reads, “lilipas din yan, just like anything else.” I asked to see him over the weekend but he refused over reasons of important family events, telling me to wait till Monday of the succeeding week. There, I began to slowly feel the slightly cold air of change in his attitude. Friday came and I was still morbidly sullen and “grieving”. At noontime, my feelings got worse which convinced me I cannot wait for Monday. I have to see him the soonest possible time. I cannot be in that state of emotion. It was horrible. I need to talk to him. So, I asked to meet him that afternoon. At first he refused for the same reasons but at my pleadings, he finally agreed. I told him to at least allow me to do it my way. I need to help myself, and a talk with him is the only way i could think of at the moment. I cannot go on like that. I told him that I just need “closure” at least on myself if there's such a thing as that. It sounds ridiculous since in the first place, there never was “US.” But I made myself clear that it was just “closure on myself” of some sort. I asked if I could hug him for the last time, but I was turned down. We talked that afternoon. It went ok but the atmosphere was different. I could feel a significant change. I knew I am really losing him. I wasn’t even able to persuade him to stay a bit longer after the talk to accompany me on my “5pm brunch” since I hadn’t eaten breakfast and lunch. He assured me that things won’t change, the friendship stays as is, we’re still as good as before, and then bade me farewell. Headed home, I walked down the sidewalk alone, sad, and still in denial of what’s going on. I could not believe how fast the turn of events was. It dawned on me that I am really losing him.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">That afternoon was the last time I saw him in person. Our online conversations ceased altogether as well. It took me around 3 days to finally gather myself up again and accept the fact that he is already with someone and he is happy with him, and that adjustments had to be made and changes have to be expected. In the weeks that followed, feelings of nostalgia often visit me and I felt the similar sting of pain, though milder. I asked to see him a couple times, but he declined for some reasons. I tried to get things back to normal. I text him every once in a while (although he no longer initiated to send me one) for which I only get short, telegraphic 2-3 word replies. I wasn’t asking him to break ties with his present relationship and turn his affections towards me. What I only want is for things to be as before. He is a special friend to me, a confidant, an inspiration (i.e. he’s been through a lot in life and his life story inspires me), an adviser, a mentor, etc. But sadly, it appears he doesn’t want that anymore. So finally, after more than a month of seemingly futile attempts at reestablishing the scarred friendship, I have finally decided to stop. He hadn’t even greeted me on my birthday, which ultimately made me think I have to let him go as he has let go of me and I am no longer sure what’s left of the friendship.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">At some point, I realized that perhaps he was really looking for something which he had not found in me. I began to think that perhaps the reason for the existence of the friendship was merely stemming from whatever form of benefit it has provided. I am just sad that for the first time in my life, I had completely opened myself up and shared myself entirely with someone whom I thought would stay whatever happens. However, there are really things in life that are certain. Only true friends stay, no matter what. True friends accepts you for who and what you are. And true friends do not allow circumstances to dictate the outcome of the friendship but rather bend circumstances to maintain the friendship.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">If it is wrong to fall in love with a friend, then I regret to think that I made that big mistake. If it is a risk to get so close to someone whom you feel emotional connection with, then I think I obviously failed to pre-calculate my actions. If perhaps it is a crime to fall in love with a friend and tell him about it, then I guess I am guilty beyond reasonable doubt. However, if what greatly matters is timing, wherein telling a friend of the love you are feeling (at the height of his newfound relationship) could potentially scar the friendship and extinguish any flickering flame of interest that remains, then what a painful lesson to learn.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">Now I can only extrapolate how things might have actually turned out had I dealt with them the other way around, each after much careful thought. What if I kept my feelings to myself? What if I have not told him about it? What if I had not introduced him to someone? What if... what if? If only I could turn back time I should have done this and done that. If only I had been more careful I wouldn't have done this or done that. If only I was more conscious and aware of my emotions, if only I had been more articulate about my feelings, if only I had been more wise... if only... </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">However, life must go on. As he said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lilipas din yan, tulad ng lahat ng bagay”</i> (it shall pass, just like everything else), and so now it finally has. I admit that I miss his company, I miss the friendship, I miss him big time! But sadly, there is always time for everything. There’s a time to build and there’s a time to destroy, a time for pain and a time for joy. And as there is a time to say hello, there is also a time to say goodbye.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-68032247821381668742010-02-20T23:59:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:53.600-07:00The Superficiality of the M2M World and the Unfortunate Fate of the Aesthetically Challenged<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span">"Look at that beauty and the disaster she's with," was the sarcastic remark of a chef in a restaurant where Rob Schneider and his gorgeous girlfriend had a dinner date in the movie</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Animal</i></b></span><span class="apple-style-span">. Apparently, the chef cannot accept the disparity that a beautiful lady would date a seemingly unpresentable gentleman, whom he esteems to be much less than himself. Does this fictional set-up also apply to reality? Definitely yes! Go strolling in the malls or just observe the people around you and you will see a lot more of "apparent disparities" like this. You see pretty ladies with not-so-good-looking boyfriends, and vice versa. They seem to get along well and they are happy in the relationship. This gives us an idea that the relationship is built on more than just superficial physical attraction. If this is the case in the heterosexual realm, how similar or how different is it in the m2m world?<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span">Generally speaking, men are basically visual and sexually-motivated for the large part. They are internally wired and designed to be like that. They are keen on visual stimuli. On the other hand, women are rather more emotional than visual. They value emotional connection and affection more than physical traits, and they are more keen on tactile (touch) stimuli. In a heterosexual setting, this apparent difference between the male and female sexes works perfectly fine. Men (regardless of their looks) get attracted to beautiful women, court them, and do all they can to win their hearts. The women, on the other hand, even if the courting guy isn’t that good-looking, develop feelings through time as they feel valued and treated specially. The affection and attention they get from the guys along with the positive character traits the guys possess are enough to attract these women and make them fall for the guys. (This is also the mechanism why many women get fooled by men who are “expert” on this. Agree?). If heterosexual relationships work upon this principle, how similar or how different is it in the M2M set-up where mostly involved are visually-keen men?<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"> As said earlier, males are highly visual and sexual. The principal catalyst of attraction between men are the masculine physical attributes. When a homosexual/bisexual guy sees another guy, some or all of the following are what go on in his mind: Is he good looking? Are his eyes beautiful? Is he “macho”? Is he muscular? Is he slim? Is his skin smooth and fair? Is he neat? Does he dress nicely? Are his shoulders broad, is his hip tight? Are his butts beautiful? Is he sexy? So on and so forth. Given the nature of the male sex, this physical attraction can be strong enough that it may effectively or instantly catalyze a turn of events towards the formation of a romantic relationship or mere engagement in sexual encounters or casual sex. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span">The physical attraction that binds an m2m relationship (be it sexual or non-sexual) tends to be shallow and the relationship is prone to break up once the physical attraction wears out and another attractive guy comes into the scene. Generally speaking, only seldom do you see an m2m relationship that is genuinely founded on love and not on sexual or physical attraction. And usually, it is this minority of relationship that usually lasts, with the added components of trust, commitment, and fidelity.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span">These physical criteria that the m2m world uses can be unforgivingly harsh on the aesthetically challenged. We find these men usually discriminated upon for being physically unattractive. I can just imagine how bad they must have felt to be rejected at times, if not most of the time. I count myself fortunate enough to be endowed with acceptable physical traits. I can only empathize and sympathize with these unfortunate brothers of ours who may have several times in their lives have suffered emotional pains and low self-esteem. It is a sad truth and a frank reality that the m2m world operates largely upon superficial physical attraction, leaving the aesthetically challenged ones no choice but to resort to certain means of trade-off, compromise, or compensation just to experience the joys of having a relationship, among other m2m experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span">It is true that discrimination based on looks can be found in both the heterosexual and homosexual worlds, but it is likewise very true that it is more pronounced on the m2m world. Men will always be men, in as much as women shall always be women. The fact that men operates primarily on visual cues is something that cannot be changed unless there is a change in their male psyche, which would rather make them males no longer. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span">Hence, the m2m world is left with the challenge of going beyond the superficiality of physical-sexual attraction and be less discriminative of the aesthetically challenged. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span">How much willing are you to accept it?<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-16307101696248064982010-02-20T21:44:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:53.603-07:00The Ultimate Source of Unhappiness<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;">Many say that the true measure of success is happiness. Just how happy you are in certain aspects in your life truly speaks of how successful you are in those areas. There are many apparently successful individuals who tend to have all but are actually unhappy with their life. </div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;">What then makes one unhappy? Where does this unhappiness springs from?</div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;">In life we set expectations. We expect to get this, to have that; to achieve this, to accomplish that; to earn this, to get hold of that; to be able to do this, to be able to learn that; and the long list of expectations continues. We set goals and objectives and we expect to achieve and realize them in a set period of time. (Romantic relationships, in particular, can have a lot of expectations. Each one expects a certain degree of intimacy, attention, and time; a certain amount of material things; a certain level loyalty and honesty; and an indefinite amount of love.)</div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;">When things don’t go the way we want and expect it to, and circumstances do not favor our plans, goals and objectives, frustrations and disappointments come in. Life becomes gloomy and anergic. The zest to continue on disappears. Unhappiness becomes eminent. </div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;">Very clearly, we see that failed expectations ultimately give rise to a state of unhappiness.</div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;">If right now you find yourself unhappy, one way or another, think back and you will surely find a few or many unmet expectations in your life, be it the past or in the present. It could be work-related, relationship-related, love life, on family matters, career, studies, or on any other endeavors and aspects in your life, etc. Particularly, relationship-related ones may have affected you significantly. You proceed and ask, what’s went wrong?</div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;">Did you fail to voice out your expectations? Did you expect too much, more that what you deserve? Did you esteem yourself too high than what you actually are? Did you fail to set realistic and reasonable goals? Did your efforts accompany your goals and expectations? Did you work hard to attain them? Are you a discontent person? Aren’t you happy with less? Are you too hard on yourself? If majority of your answers to these questions are YES, then it would explain why you are unhappy. </div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;">If happiness is a choice, and unhappiness follows unmet expectations, then you can choose to be happy. Don’t expect too much, and you spare yourself from trouble. Lower your expectations and avoid frustrations. Work hard to realize your goals, however be realistic enough that these goals are within your capacity to reach. Be honest enough to set your expectations within reasonable levels. And finally, make known your expectations for people tend to rise up according to your expectations. Learn to be content, but don’t settle for mediocrity.</div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Life is too short. If you have been unhappy in the past or at the present, then do something to set things right. Choose to be happy. Set your expectations right. Happiness is within your reach! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">JJJ</span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-7408337771598431322010-02-15T19:23:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:53.606-07:00HIV-AIDS: How much do you know about it?<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Recently, we hear in the news a rise of HIV cases in the Philippines. Leading is Metro Manila, followed by Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao. Most of these reported cases were males. Authorities attribute this increase to the internet where finding of sex dates becomes easier, particularly among the homosexual and the bisexual population. Males having sex with other males is no longer a new thing in the country. So just in case, here are few salient fast facts about HIV:AIDS you might find useful.<br /><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What is HIV? What is AIDS?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the culprit virus responsible for causing the disease called AIDS. The virus specifically attacks the cells of the immune system of a person leaving his immunity down, consequently making him susceptible to acquire other diseases and other forms of infections. This is in form or tumors, cancers, bacterial, fungal, protozoal, and other viral infections. This immune system debilitation process may take years, ranging from <1 to 10 years or more, depending on the immune status of the person and the availability of treatments. By the time that HIV has severely disabled the immune system and diseases are coming in, the HIV-infected person is now said to have a full-blown AIDS. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It describes an acquired state of severely compromised immune system function with concomitant onslaught of a constellation of diseases (syndrome) that eventually results to the death of the affected individual.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">*note: When an individual turns out positive for HIV on blood test but does manifest the signs and symptoms of the disease, he is referred to as "HIV-positive" only and not an AIDS case... yet. Only when opportunistic diseases start to appear can an HIV-positive individual be said to have AIDS.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How can you get infected?</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">HIV is found in the blood and other body fluids of an HIV-positive individual. Hence, it follows that you may get the virus when you have a direct contact with the blood, mucous membrane <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(i.e. the membrane lining of all other surfaces of the body not covered by skin, such as the oral cavity, vagina, anal cavity, etc.)</span></i>, and bodily fluids of an HIV-positive person. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Body fluids that may contain HIV includes:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Blood (primarily)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Semen<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Vaginal fluid<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Preseminal fluid (aka precum)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Breast milk<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The transmission of the virus from the affected to the unaffected person occurs when the virus gains access to the into the body and into the living tissues of the unaffected individual. This can be brought about by direct injection of virus by contaminated sharp objects or when there is a break in the normal barriers of the body brought about by large and even microscopic tears in the skin or the mucous membrane lining. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Activities that predispose a person to acquiring the virus include:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">1.)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Anal, vaginal or oral sex</b> (arranged in decreasing order or chance or risk)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">2.)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Blood transfusion<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">3.)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Contaminated hypodermic needles and sharps<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">4.)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Tattoos, piercings<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">5.)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Intravenous drug use (among drug addicts)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">6.)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Exchange of blood between mother and baby during pregnancy<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">7.)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Childbirth<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">8.)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Breastfeeding<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">9.)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Other forms of exposure to one of the above body fluids.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How can you avoid getting infected?<br /></span></i></b>Ways to avoid getting the virus are very logical. Here are some pointers relevant to the m2m setting that you ought to keep in mind.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">On sex:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Do not take undue risk</u></b>. Casual sex with random strangers pose much much danger. You don't know their background, lifestyle, and activities.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Avoid unprotected sex </u></b><u>with anyone suspected or at high risk of having HIV</u>. Sex workers, multiple sexual partners, serial monogamous sexual relationships, drug addicts, those with multiple piercings and tattoes, etc. are among those at high risk for possibly harboring the virus.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>If casual sex is inevitable, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>practice safe sex at all times</u></b>. Use condoms at least.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Avoid or minimize kinky sexual activities</u></b> (or unduly rough sex) that may result to tears in the mucous membranes or cause injury and bleeding however mild it may be. The following are some practical facts about certain sexual practices (the rest not mentioned are for your mind to tinker upon):<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Anal sex is particularly implicated in HIV transmission. Rough unprotected ("un-condomed") anal sex causes tears in the anal cavity lining, predisposing to HIV transmission. Unlike the vagina, the anus is not designed to be exposed to repeated heavy friction. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Unprotected</u></b><u> </u><u>anal sex is a dangerous practice!</u><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">ü<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">TRIVIA: uncircumcised males have a greater chance of contracting HIV. The foreskin exposes the glans of the penis to added friction and hence, the higher chance of tears.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>The oral cavity is much more able to withstand tears, although this does not eliminate the probability of getting the virus. <u>Oral sex can be safer, but not at all that safe</u>. Moderation is the answer.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><u>Kissing is practically safe</u>, as long as there's no bleeding.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><u>Mutual masturbation may be considered the safest </u><u>of all sexual activities.<o:p></o:p></u></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Abstinence </u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>is still the best way</u></b> to avoid exposure. However for obvious reasons, this is quite impossible, unless you're a priest... a truly celibate priest. ;-)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">6.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Be faithful to your partner</u></b>. Only by doing so can you avoid or minimize the chance of getting the virus and passing it on to your partner.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">On body piercing and tattoos:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Ensure your safety</u></b>. Only have these procedures done by qualified, duly trained personnel.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Make sure your tattoo artist practice scrupulous disinfection</u></b> of the tattoo machine used, or whatever that is called. The same applies to piercings.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>It is best (or a must) to always use new "sharps" in the procedure.</u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">On hypodermic needle use:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Avoid getting pricked</u></b> by contaminated needles.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>If you're an intravenous drug user (i hope you're not), <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>don't share needles with others</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Is there a cure?</span></i></b><br /><br /><br />Unfortunately, there is still no cure for the AIDS. Drugs available only delays the progression of the disease. Attempts are made at developing vaccines. Intensive researches are still on-going.<br /><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My take home message for you…</span></b><br /><br />We only have one life. Moments of careless pleasures can ruin a lifetime of health and happiness. So, be "good" at most times. Be "safe" at all times. Enjoy life to the fullest, but enjoy life wisely. Cheers!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-72543505350856769022010-02-15T06:46:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:53.613-07:00The Sex Cement Effect: It's fate on Casual Sex<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Disclaimer: This article is quite biased against casual sex but is not intended to condemn such or intended to elicit hostile reactions... peace. :-)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You might be wondering what this article is all about. Well, I just thought how many guys in the m2m world must have probably found themselves disappointed and unhappy over and over again when they engage in what is suppose to be just a casual sex and eventually find themselves emotionally attached and wrecked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have thought of this when a good friend of mine (who came out to me, but unknown to him we're alike..wink*wink* ) tells me about his devastation in his series of failed m2m relationships. I found out that what usually happens is that those relationships all initially started with casual sex. Then if they click, they try to elevate the random encounter into a relationship. However, it doesn't last because sooner he will either feel the other guy growing cold or find out the other guy is secretly seeing another one. Well, having met those guys from a gay dating site, with headless steamy pics on their profiles, it can be expected why (I am not trying to generalize, ok?). So apparently, physical attraction and sexual object preceded the getting-to-know stage and bonding stage and has become the foundation of the relationship. Shouldn't it be ideally the other way around? Shouldn't it be that two people should get to know each other first before entering into a relationship? Shouldn't it be that sex only follows as the ultimate sign of the blooming relationship?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I came to think of sex as a some sort of a relationship cement. The sexual act is suppose to cement and fortify a relationship rather than serve as the initiator, nurturer, developer of it . Sex is designed to ultimately bring out deeper emotions that binds lovers together in a bond that further strengthens the established relationship. Sex opens up emotional avenues that remain closed in platonic relationships. Sex allows deeper emotional attachment that promotes cohesion between lovers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In casual sex, the integral emotional component of sex is removed. Sex becomes viewed to be just a plain activity to derive pleasures from. An exchange of body fluids. A means of release. A way to explore. Over time, sex loses it's special purpose and more often than not, it becomes a commonplace thing to do. The sex cement effect is lost. Hence, we see open relationships, multiple partners, polygamous behaviors, so on and so forth. End result? Short-lived, broken relationship.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you intend to enter into a relationship that lasts, a relationship that is founded on friendship, true love and not just plain superficial sexual and physical attraction, don't put sex at the top of your relationship start-up checklist. Don't make sex as the initial test to see whether the two of you shall click.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition, don't fall prey to a guy that feeds on sex. Don't play in his playground. Unless you are "skilled" and "experienced" enough in the game of casual sex, you might just end up emotionally wrecked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that sex is the most important aspect of a relationship. Definitely not. A good relationship is built on trust, acceptance, fidelity, open communication, and true love. However, sex is integral to a healthy relationship, particularly in the m2m set-up.</div><br />The bottom line?<br /><br />Sex is a special human experience, and it plays a special role in romantic relationships. Make it ordinary, and you make your life less happy. Take advantage of the sex cement effect. Use it wisely and carefully, and you will enjoy a rewarding, happy romantic relationship!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-55468526821955620752010-01-25T18:21:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:53.616-07:00Loneliness<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">If you are a truly discreet homosexual I am pretty sure that you would agree if I say that being one has its obvious pros and cons. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">Being discreet, you are spared from being labeled as "gay" by society and you get to enjoy a quiet, private life safe from all the negative connotations, prejudice, and discrimination associated with such label. However, sometimes being discreet also entails some degree or feelings of loneliness. You feel the need for someone, be it a friend or a lover, who can best understand your feelings, issues, and concerns in life. This is particularly true especially if you have a very limited circle of "similar" friends (if ever you have one) whom you can turn to for comfort and support. Yes, you have your regular "straight" friends but it's a different story, a different set up, a different scenario, and a different degree of emotional bond and "connection." Even if you have managed to gather enough strength to come out to them and even if they totally accept and embrace you for who and what you are, there really are times when you feel alone and empty. In Tagalog, "may kulanng.” There is that that vacuum inside that only a special person alone can fill.<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">Apparently, this is a universal experience among truly discreet homosexuals and bisexuals who are in the closet. Bouts of loneliness do come every now and then. The emotional need to have someone who understands and to relate with happens every once in a while. We find this need expressing in many forms like joining in internet gay dating sites in hopes of finding the right one, although the task can get especially daunting considering the sheer amount of screening and searching need to find the right person. Sometimes this loneliness gets channeled into casual sex and “one-night stands.” Others resort to keeping themselves busy with many things to divert the emotion. There can be no other worse feelings like loneliness. It’s frustrating, and it sucks! However, life is like a wheel. If today brings you sadness, there's always hope for happy tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you are feeling lonely right now, don’t despair. You are not alone. Cheer up! Sooner or later someone will come to drive that loneliness away. There’s always one for everybody. Just hang in there, he’s on his way! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">J</span></span></span></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-67114308511526694502010-01-21T01:53:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:53.623-07:00A Glance on Friendship<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The reason for this article being written was a recent event concerning a good friend of mine. Unknown to my blind heart, I didn't know I had fallen in love with him. Only did the painful realization come to the surface when I learned that he has recently entered into a relationship. What made the pain worse was when he told me that it is with the person I myself had introduced a couple of days earlier. Instantly, I felt a bitter mix of emotions of remorse, loss, self-pity, depression, anger, and severe nostalgia. I know it was my fault. Apparently, I committed the blunder of allowing our friendship to become romantic. Little did I know that I had already crossed its vague boundaries blindly without realizing the emotional impact it may have on me. And for that experience, here are some of my thoughts on friendship...</span></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">True friendship springs up when two souls find comfort and support in each other. It is built on trust, concern, self-disclosure, and open communication. It allows us to experience the happiness of being loved, understood, and accepted.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">Friendship is as good as long as boundaries are set clear and understood. Crossing the limits, maybe because they are ambiguous or implicit or perhaps because of a lack of discernment of either of the parties involved, may lead to undue misunderstanding, heartaches or scarred relationships.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">In particular, sexual relations between friends tend to alter the relationship, either by “taking it to the next level” or by severing it. For some, it is alright to have sexual relations as long as no deeper emotional strings are involved, giving birth to the term "friends with benefit." For some, friendship ends when sexual relation begins. Depending on the mind set, values, attitude, perceptions and beliefs of the persons involved, sexual relations between friends may either enhance or depreciate the friendship.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">On a positive note, a genuine platonic friendship grows and matures through time and lasts throughout the lifetime. It gives that rewarding experience and fulfillment that only genuine friends know. The depth of the relationship may come to the point that a friend becomes "closer than a brother." In many cases, a platonic friendship may also pave the way to a lasting, stable, romantic relationship. It just needs to be with the right person, at the right place, and at the right time.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">Friends share common background and goals, and these are what bind them together. From a discreet yuppie's point of view, friendship comes easy with another discreet yuppie who shares the same issues and concerns in life. The feeling of belongingness and "sameness" is a strong binding force that keeps them together. Circumstances may affect the course of a friendship, but a true friend won’t allow these circumstances to dictate the outcome of the relationship. True friends stay, false friends leave.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">At its best, friendship is a gift freely given to all. It is a blessing given to enrich our lives. It needs to be nurtured for it to grow and mature through time. It needs to be treasured. It needs to be loved. After all, our human experience is never complete and joyful without true friends who add colors and vibrant details in the tapestry we call life.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-6414404737264237062010-01-12T08:34:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:53.628-07:00Your Attitude Dictates Your Altitude<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">What differentiate successful yuppies from others are their professional careers. You see them as well-known physicians, high-paid lawyers, well-off business owners, well-respected company executives, bankers, managers, supervisors, educators, engineers, etc. What makes them successful?</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">From a book by James Dornan, I read a passage that says there is a little difference between people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is ATTITUDE. The big difference is, whether it is POSITIVE or NEGATIVE.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">Successful yuppies possess the attitude that allows them to always see things positively. Their positive attitude enables them to see opportunities in difficulties, solutions in problems, and challenges in obstacles. They often think big, beyond the limits posed by adversities. Their mind often dwells in what they can do rather what they cannot do. Their life is governed by optimism, persistence, determination, and achievements rather than doubts and failures.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">An old adage says, an optimist sees the doughnut while the pessimist sees the hole. It applies that how much good is derived out of life depends on the attitude one has. An optimist reaps successes and achievements while a pessimist focuses on faults, mistakes, and failures.<br /><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If life is a flight, only by having a positive attitude can you fly to greater heights.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-4858939798517704612010-01-05T05:13:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:14:53.633-07:00Are your muscles red or white?<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fFcVYqvpNgCwLIfeyYxN0ZLfrvqclFCIS282ohUYwT9AbBjz47u9f_ppQddB6Zv6VXG-dmZUEq1THgiQ4-vzXygOG_t2o7tMmTBMpLIEVj9ZlpFcBxKU4sir-l2ILkvP9T5lVTAjzoE/s1600-h/muscles1-742283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fFcVYqvpNgCwLIfeyYxN0ZLfrvqclFCIS282ohUYwT9AbBjz47u9f_ppQddB6Zv6VXG-dmZUEq1THgiQ4-vzXygOG_t2o7tMmTBMpLIEVj9ZlpFcBxKU4sir-l2ILkvP9T5lVTAjzoE/s320/muscles1-742283.jpg" /></a></div>We cannot deny the fact that well-built muscles really make us look good! They make us look virile, giving us that more “astig” masculine look. They are a symbol of strength and power that any passerby won’t fail to notice and appreciate. Some people even stare at muscular men as if they are eye candies, looking at them like some sort of gods! Anyway, before we set our imaginations loose and engage in muscle worship, let’s go back to the title question and try to answer it. So next time you stare at yourself in the mirror or look at other guys, you will have a little brain activity to do by asking what kind of fiber could be making up the muscles you're staring at. What kind of trainings does he do? What kind of training shall you do to attain this and that?</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">Muscles are essentially organs themselves. A bicep is one organ while the tricep is another organ. As organs are made up of cells, so are muscles made up of fibers. These fibers can either be of the red type or the white type, literally classified according to their color (although you cannot really see it on a skin-covered living person). The red muscles fibers are designed for power and strength, whereas the white muscles fibers are designed for endurance. The former is essentially stronger than the latter, while the latter essentially tires longer than the former. The former looks bulkier while the latter looks leaner. Isometric and weight lifting exercises basically builds the former while aerobic, cardio exercises generally builds the latter. In any given muscle, both types of fibers are present; However, either one may predominate when it is often called to action depending on the type of training and activities that muscle is trained to do.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">Muscular individuals vary in their built based on their training and hence, the predominant type of fibers that they most likely have. Of course, not to mention they also differ due to their fat mass and distribution, which is not covered in this article. Endurance athletes like cyclers, swimmers, and runners are trained for speed and endurance. They obvious have an abundance of the white fibers in their muscles. So physically, they look lean. On the other hand, body builders are trained for power and strength. So it follows that their muscles are primarily pumped up with the red fibers. Their bodies would have a heavier built. Martial arts fighters and boxers which require both power and endurance have a good proportion of the two fibers, depending on the kind of trainings they get, whether more on endurance, more on power, of an equal of both. So their muscular bodies are intermediate of the first two mentioned earlier.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">Now, you might ask, “Which is better, training to bulk my muscles up with the red fibers or with the white fibers?” It doesn’t really matter. What is most important is that your muscle training is best suited for the kind of activities you want to engage in, whether you require more strength or more endurance.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">Cheers to muscle-building! ;-)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498081571748128758.post-2140260701854035722010-01-05T03:58:00.000-08:002011-04-12T19:15:10.722-07:00Discreet Yuppies Skin Care Basics<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://losangeles.metromix.com/content_image/thumbnail/3x4/180/433602" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://losangeles.metromix.com/content_image/thumbnail/3x4/180/433602" /></a></div>If there is a single organ-system in our beautiful human body that receives the most attention and the greatest amount of monetary investment in terms of commercial products, it is the skin! It is no-brainer to ask why. If you want to look gorgeously handsome and attractive, you gotta take good care of your skin and maintain its natural beauty, especially the facial area. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">Now, I am not an expert at skin care. And most discreet yuppies really take good care of their skin well. So as a refresher, I would just like to enumerate some basic skin care tips and practices, some or all of which you might have already know of:</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Keep your skin clean. </b>The most basic that you can do to keep your skin healthy is to keep it clean. Dirt, oil, pollutant residues, germs, old dead skin and other materials in the environment can pile up on the skin surface. They can clog pores, cause acne, of infect pimples, and makes the skin look dull, old, and ugly. So it is a good practice to keep the skin clean for that ever fresh and young look.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">Use a mild facial cleanser for this purpose. As much as possible, don’t use soap as this tends to strip away the skin’s natural oils that protects it from harmful microorganism and prevents it from drying.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Keep your skin moisturized</b>. As what most dermatologists say, a skin that is dry is bound to itch and easily irritated. Dry skin looks dull and may even show scaling. Therefore, it is a wise practice to always keep the skin properly hydrated to keep its softness and youthful glow. An over the counter moisturizing facial cream would do the trick. Moisturize the skin in the morning and in the evening.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">c.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t strip your skin of it natural protection. </b>The skin is an excellent shield from many harmful elements in the environment. To mention a few, the melanin pigment it has helps shield out harmful UV rays from the sun while the fatty secretions it produces helps keep most harmful microorganisms away. The even possess its own self-sterilizing ability by its constant regular shedding, in addition to its fatty acid secretion, thus ridding itself of colonizing germs. As new skin is formed beneath, the old skin above is pushed, replaced and sloughed off.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">Too much cleansing by using harsh soap or by too much scrubbing and excessive exfoliation strips the skin of it natural protection making it prone to harm. Therefore, try to avoid these things. As to products, I personally recommend mild moisturizing soap like Dove White. It has both the benefits of being mild while at the same it moisturizes.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">d.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Protect your skin from UV rays. </b>Health-wise, we need the sun’s ultraviolet rays for our skin to manufacture Vit. D, which the body needs to keep our bones and teeth strong and healthy. However, too much of this invisible radiation can have deleterious effects on the skin. Aside from its skin-darkening effect, much UV exposure promotes skin aging making you look older, faster. Much worse, excessive sun exposure is a proven risk factor for developing skin cancer.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">To protect your skin, use facial moisturizers/lotions with sunscreen protection when you go outdoors so you can stay protected from the harmful effects of too much UV exposure. Don’t have a false sense of security when it is cloudy or when you are in a shady area since UV rays can penetrate through.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">If you are using skin exfoliants, then much more do you need to protect your skin.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">FYI: It is safe to bathe in the sun at certain hours, which is before 8-9 am and after 3-4 pm. During these hours, the amount of UV radiation is considered to be within healthy low levels.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">e.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exfoliate every once in a while</b>. The most superficial layer of the skin is composed of dead cells. Normally, it is regularly shed off and replaced by the newer skin beneath. To keep yourself looking young, it is good practice to exfoliate your skin every once in a while to get rid of the old and expose the newer, younger skin for a younger, fresher look. One author even claims that proper skin exfoliation may rewind your looks by 15 years! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> You may visit your dermatologist for this purpose or you may use over the counter exfoliant soaps, solutions, or creams. However, do so with care. It is always best to consult your doctor. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">Hydroquinone / tretinoin-containing exfoliant products tend to cause skin darkening upon sun exposure. I personally use glycolic acid soap as an exfoliant.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">Don’t exfoliate too much as this does more damage than good. And never forget to use a sunscreen protection while you are exfoliating.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">f.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Essential Health Habits<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>i.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eat healthy foods. </b>This is an over-all health-maintenance practice that should be done not only to keep the skin in its best condition but the entire body as well. More vegetables, fruits, legumes, and other plant products, moderate lean meat, and less sweets and fatty, oily food stuff. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>ii.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drink plenty of fluids. </b>Our body is more than 70% water. Hence to keep it in tiptop shape, you got to meet it daily fluids requirement of at least 6-8 glasses of water per day. Minimize intake of other forms of fluids like carbonated drinks, coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, etc. PLAIN WATER IS BEST.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>iii.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Adequate rest. </b>Sleep at least 6-8 hours per day. The body repairs itself during sleep. Don’t deprive your body of its rejuvenation time.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>iv.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exercise. </b>Engage in 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 3-4x/week. Dude, it’s time to get that body up, flex some muscles, and breathe fresh air!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">With a skin that is well taken care of, the next head-turner discreet yuppie could be YOU! </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">Naks… <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0