i have moved on and God walked me through.

To recap and to really just want to refresh your memory, just for the heck of it yeah, (at least to those who may have found me online and those who have been following me all this time) that I joined the Benedictine Monastery of Christ in the Desert in Abiquiu NM, USA so I became monk in year 2002, took my Simple Vows in year 2003, and then completed my monastic formation in Simple Vows three years later.

Helper's calm

Lawrence says:-You already know that regular exercise and a balanced diet keep you in shape. Studies now show what God's Word has been telling us for centuries, that opening your heart to others has emotional and physical benefits.

It's called "helper's calm," a feeling of well-being that relieves headaches and other stres related disorders and also enhances self esteem. The highs, warnth, and increased energy that arise during social contract with others may result from the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain-reducing chemicals.

That may be why those who are involved in helping others are unusually physically healthy and emotionallu secure. You don't have to be Mother Teresa to qualify, however. Even small acts of generosity and caring for family, friends, and community are expressions of love. How can you nourish your soul and thus good health? By paying attention to all the little opportunities you're given to help others, and act on them.

Meditate through prayer

Lawrence says: Prayer meditation can be a very powerful tool in achieving a relaxed mind. Prayer meditation, unlike the name suggests, does not have to be religious at all. It could be practiced by anyone. No matter what religion you belong to or practice, you can achieve the fruits of prayer meditation yourself just by immersing in it. No doubt religion could help you in focusing your thoughts while praying, but this does not have to be a pre-requisite.

Prayer meditation can be practiced within the confines of your own home or any other place without distractions. The method to be followed is to say a prayer that declares yourself being one with the universe, invoking power to flow into your body to heal yourself.

pleasant color management

Gbex says: Colour is something which makes the furniture items more appealing and attractive. Color organization relies on the space structure, deliberation on the purpose and function of the furniture. It is wise and judicious to reflect the age, personality and lifestyle of the people living in it and to enhance comfort, relaxation and spirit depend strongly on the pleasant color management. Cool color type of furniture such as pink, grey, white and natural shades will suit bright room while warm color type of furniture such as red, red violet, yellow, black and orange is suitable for a dull room.

Snow boarding safety

Gbex says:-When you are snow boarding safety is of paramount importance. Everyone can still enjoy themselves, but they should take precautions when they do.

What I recommend is that people should take a mobile phone with them when they go snow boarding, and also bring a replacement SIM card. Why is that? Because if you do not get a signal out on the slopes then you will double your chances of getting one, if you have a phone that uses a different operator. A replacement battery is also a great idea, but only for emergencies!

Home safety

Lawrence says:-We take a lot of things for granted while living in our homes. Open doors, using toilets, climbing stairs etc. all of this comes to us automatically. But what we do not realize is that these very tasks seem daunting to elderly people. The rate of injuries caused to the elderly while getting around the house or using the toilet is very high. They fall on slippery floors in the bathroom, their fingers are caught in swinging doors and they cannot open doorknobs because of arthritis. Replace the doorknobs with levers, as these are easy to open even if the person has arthritis. Floors should be made slip-resistant. Use nonskid mats under rugs.Use faucets with a single control for hot and cold water. Installing a hand-held shower will help someone whose movements are limited.

A gift or present

Gbex says: A gift or a present is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return. Although gift-giving might involve an expectation of reciprocity, a gift is meant to be free. In many human societies, the act of mutually exchanging money, goods, etc. may contribute to social cohesion.

Economists have elaborated the economics of gift-giving into the notion of a gift economy. By extension the term gift can refer to anything that makes the other happier or less sad, especially as a favor, including forgiveness and kindness.

Morning sickness

Ellen Says: Morning sickness, also called nausea gravidarum, nausea, vomiting of pregnancy (emesis gravidarum or NVP), or pregnancy sickness is a condition that affects more than half of all pregnant women, as well as some women who use hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy.

Usually, it is present in the early hours of the morning and reduces as the day progresses. The nausea can be mild or induce actual vomiting. In extreme cases, vomiting may be severe enough to cause dehydration, weight loss, alkalosis and hypokalemia. This extreme condition is known as hyperemesis gravidarum and occurs in about 1% of all pregnancies. Nausea and vomiting can be one of the first signs of pregnancy and usually begins around the 6th week of pregnancy (week 6 starting on the day the last period started). It can occur at any time of the day, and for most women it seems to stop around the 12th week of pregnancy.

Invite Teens to Talk and Open Up

Ellen Says: I would recommend such insights from an article written by Kelly Pfeiffer which is entitled: "Being a Good Listener While Parenting Teenagers", to be a great and very insightful article that will clear up the minds of everyone, teenagers and parents as well. Kelly says, "How many parents can say they are good listeners, especially when parenting teenagers? Parents complain that teens won’t talk, won’t open up and that teenagers seem to enjoy keeping secrets from parents. It is part of typical teen behavior for teens to pull away and want to have a separate life from parents. But another factor could also be at play when it comes to parenting teenagers. Are parents good listeners?", kelly is indeed an authority when it comes to such issue on teenagers.

Furthermore, Kelly says, "It’s easier to talk than to listen, Agree? We are constantly telling that our kids won’t talk to us. In almost every case, the problem is not that the kids don’t want to talk. The problem is that the we as parents don’t want to listen."

Also, Kelly says "Parenting teenagers means making sure teens are prepared for the adult world. Out of love, many parents want to prevent teens from making mistakes, make sure that teens are caught up on homework projects and warn teens about the dangers they may encounter. In short, well-meaning parents give lots of advice to teens through lectures and nagging but have a tough time being good listeners. Why would teens talk and open up if they know they are going to get a negative response from parents?"... such an eye opener right?

Finally, Kelly says, "Listening without interrupting or giving advice is especially difficult for many parents. But try it and believe me, it really work for us."

For more info about the article, please visit Kelly and be enlightened from this site:
http://parentingteens.suite101.com/article.cfm/parenting_teenagers_being_a_good_listener

An open letter

Ellen Says: When I found out that my Li'l boy Rallione is potentially Gifted with SPD. All I want to do is to keep the reality from relatives, friends and other people around us. But somehow Rallione grew up as a smart and caring li'l boy, which made me decide to share with you my life with my boy as we walk in the different phases of life.

When he was born, he cries all the time. The doctor thought it was colic, or digestive problems, so those issues were treated... But as a mom knowing your child something still didn't seem right, he always wanted to be in his diaper and wanted a hug most of the time.

I did some research until I finally read an article about the SPD with the title "ADHD Impostor". Learning about the SPD felt like a light bulb had gone on and finally I understood why my son was struggling and why we were so frustrated with his behaviour at times.

Taking a break

Lawrence says: Getting away from the day to day routine can allow people to clear their heads and once they are back in the work environment motivation is typically greater. Having a few days to sit back without the hassles of dead lines or project completion can open up ideas to new methods and processes of getting the jobs done. Many times people might notice something in their work process they wouldn't recognize since they are so blind to it in their lists of tasks.

Vacation is also a great motivator for the self-employed to realize one of the major benefits of their career in the first place and that is not having to answer to a boss or company that isn't theirs. Being able to pick up and go is a grand reminder for why the hard ships of running your own business were embraced in the first place. Rewarding yourself with time away can stimulate productivity, be great for your mental health, and motivate yourself to do even greater things with future projects.

Doing nothing is really something

Gbex says:-- People nowadays work more than ever, all due to the easy nature of modern technology. It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to take some real time off. Sure, it means something to be efficient and productive, but we all have to draw a line somewhere. After all, we are not robots.

I know people that even when they are on vacation, they still carry around their laptop and cell phone, and are never truly disconnected from their work. You see, real time off means that it’s time to focus on yourself. A few weeks ago, I went up north to a cottage with a friend and for the whole day, I did not turn on my cell phone or checked emails. That’s one of my most important rules for vacation time, whether I leave 1 week or 1 day. I disconnect myself completely from work and every day life. So imagine, with very little vacation time we already have compared with the rest of the world, we still pollute this very little time with such things that do not belong on a vacation. Do yourself a favor and next time you take some time off, do not use your phone or a computer. Only then can you truly take full advantage of your time off.

Time off is what it is….time to switch “off” everything. Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we are not robots. Sure, technology is nice. We can check emails on our cell phones regardless of where we are. We can work 24/7 via the Internet. But, it doesn’t mean that we have to. Make it a habit to include time away from work, bills, and all that stress within your own life, and watch how it will positively affect your level of happiness & success

Earlier is better

Ellen Says: The benefits of teaching your children about money early on are both immediate and long term. In the short term, they may develop strong saving habits, learn how to make smart purchases, begin to understand the true meaning of "investment," and perhaps even learn why they can't immediately get everything they want. In the long term, you can help them avoid accumulating debt. And by teaching the value of saving for the future, you can help them plan for financial security.

As you think about how, what, and when to teach your children, consider letting them direct you by using their natural inquisitiveness. (But remember, it's never too late to start teaching -- even adults can be taught the basics of personal finance.)

Importance of good school

Gbex says:When I started thinking about why education is so important, I remembered my school years, the grounding years of anyone’s education. I went down memory lane to remember all my teachers, my school subjects, the study and the play! I never really hated school. But I have seen many who hate going to school; I have had some friends who did not like the idea of studying in classrooms. Many of you must have unwillingly entered your school gates....

But all of us know this dislike never lasts long. We soon start loving school espcially like the International School London and it is when it is time to leave school that we are in tears .... What is school life all about? It is all about laying the foundation of our education. It is a place to understand why education is so important and how important it is! It is an institution, where we learn to read and write. School transforms kids into literate individuals. It is where we get our basics cleared and at the point of leaving school, we are all set to soar high in life, enter the new world in pursuit of our dreams.

The first thing that strikes me about education is knowledge gain. Education gives us the knowledge of the world around us. It develops in us a perspective of looking at life. It helps us build opinions and have points of view on everything in life.

keeping a family together

Ellen Says: I can remember being a child and everyday we would have dinner with my grandparents. It was a rewarding experience and one I will carry with me forever. Now that I am adult I look at my own kids and ask myself 'what did I do wrong?' When video games or television has replaced family time you know there is a problem. So now I had to ask myself 'what can I do to draw my family together'.

Let me say it has not been easy. At first it felt as if I was pulling teeth. My kids dreaded family night. It usually ended with a some argument and me giving up only to try again later on. Than I come to realize it is not what you do together that is important. What is important is being together and spending them together.

Learning about option trading

Gbex says: I heard about the so called option trading to a friend. I must admit that I do not understand what is really all about. I came to realise through asking him and doing a little research regarding that matter that it is a way to success.

Option trading is probably one of the least understood forms of investment that however can offer a wealth of possibilities for those who get involved into it. No wonder, option trading is becoming more and more popular among individual traders, professionals and institutional investors as it may be extremely rewarding provided that the decisions are well-elaborated and grounded on research. Like all investments, option trading carries a certain element of risk. Raise cash safely and immediately.

Despite what I've learned I know I still need to look for tutorial regarding this matter. I understand that option trading involves risk, especially if I don't know whatI am doing. Because of this, many people suggest I steer clear of options and forget their existence.

On the other hand, being ignorant of any type of investment places me in a weak position. Perhaps the speculative nature of options doesn't fit my style. No problem - then don't speculate in options. But, before I decide not to invest in options, I should understand them. Not learning how options function is as dangerous as jumping right in: without knowing about options you would not only forfeit having another item in my investing toolbox but also lose insight into the workings of some of the world's largest corporations.

Importance of Father's Day

Lawrence says: @Ellen... Father's Day festival is considered extremely important as it help acknowledge the contribution of fathers to individual families and to societies as large. Besides observance of Father's Day provide children an opportunity to express love and respect for their fathers. The sentiment goes a long way in strengthening father-child relationship and consequently in the emotional development of a child.

Significance of Father's Day Festival

Ellen Says: Father's Day festival give us the opportunity to express thanks to our Daddy for all their unconditional love and affection. Observance of Father's Day makes fathers feel that their contributions are acknowledged in the society and also by their children. They feel proud of themselves !

Besides by celebrating Father's Day, children come closer to their father. For, most often children take love of their parents for granted. Celebration of Father's Day makes them ponder for a while on the important role their father play in their life. This helps them appreciate the selfless care and protection provided by their father and hence they come emotionally closer to their dad.

Children must therefore take full opportunity of the day and express their gratitude for fathers with all their heart. The best way to do so is to do small things that daddy appreciates and by saying I love you Dad!

Be sensitive to what your partner likes

Ellen Says: @Lawrence... While touch is a key part of a healthy relationship, it’s important to take some time to find out what your partner really likes. Unwanted touching or inappropriate overtures can make the other person tense up and retreat—exactly what you don’t want.

Keeping intimacy alive

Lawrence says: Touch is a fundamental part of human existence. Studies on infants have shown the importance of regular, loving touch and holding on brain development. These benefits do not end in childhood. Life without physical contact with others is a lonely life indeed.

Studies have shown that affectionate touch actually boosts the body’s levels of oxytocin, a hormone that influences bonding and attachment. In a committed relationship between two adult partners, physical intercourse is often a cornerstone of the relationship. However, intercourse should not be the only method of physical intimacy in a relationship. Regular, affectionate touch­—holding hands, hugging, or kissing—is equally important.