Time for another link share! Here are some links I've come across in the past few weeks that really struck me as interesting. It's hard to narrow it down, because I find a lot of good sites, but I'm trying not to double up too much on the same hosts.
Homemade Disinfecting Wipes - The handiness of quick cleaning wipes in a more environmentally friendly aspect. Making your own takes little time, and will even save you money!
Are your germs pink, or blue? - Gender stereotyping beyond the normal realm. Kids only take on the limitations that we give them, so placing them in a box even in terms of illness is quite sad.
Hidden BPA... On money? - Is there anywhere this pervasive and hurtful chemical can't end up?
Boiling Frogs - An appropriate analogy. Frogs will not jump away or fight or do anything if they are boiled softly and slowly. Isn't that what we're doing to the earth? New look on climate change.
If you enjoyed these pages, please leave them a comment, I'm sure they would appreciate to hear your feedback! As always, I enjoy receiving your feedback as well. Webpage statistics are one thing, but real people responding is something completely different.
Got any links you think I'd find interesting, or that you'd like me to share? Let me know.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Working out with a partner
Getting physical exercise is known to be good for your health. Keeps your blood pumping and increases fitness. It also releases endorphins, which create the happy and satisfied feeling that you get after exercising or eating something like chocolate.
Now, if you want to further increase your endorphin levels, as well as reinforce an interpersonal bond, try exercising with a friend or partner. Working out with your partner, especially, has a healing and bonding effect on your relationship. Not to mention the one-on-one time the two of you will have, and the common ground you will both share.
This past week, M and I have started cooperative exercising. We take turns leading the exercises, and mix it up. It’s a lot of fun! I show her a few yoga poses, and we both get a great stretch and release. We toss weighed balls back and forth to work out our arms and shoulders. We did sit-ups, and tandem squats with interlaced arms.
This may sound incredibly dull, and if I were doing it on my own, it certainly would have been. But with M, there’s an added challenge, as well as company. She is right there with me, and so we work out together.
Not only did I manage to actually work out (an accomplishment for me!) but I actually enjoyed it, and look forward to the next time we will be doing it again.
Because of the release of endorphins during exercise, the two of you will have synchronized chemical reactions where your endorphins will both create the feeling of happiness as well as evaporate stress. These feelings will create a more open relationship and you will likely find yourself drawn nearer to your partner once more.
Now, if you are exercising with a friend, similar reactions will happen. You will feel a closer bond with the friend, and you will begin wanting to spend more time with them. If you are already in a relationship, I would recommend mixing up your exercise partner to avoid any undue stress or accusations that may occur, particularly if your partner is known for being jealous.
Exercising with a friend will create a more open friendship as well, which will lead to a deeper connection between the two of you, and you will feel more able to open up to them. It is always good to have a friend you can talk to about anything, and regular exercise with this friend will create simple opportunities to begin a conversation.
Working out with a friend will also give you time for yourself to spend time with someone aside from your partner, which is very good as many people have difficulty doing activities without their partners.
Instead of just drilling away in the gym, or in front of the workout video, invite someone to join you. Reconnect in a way you could never have previously imagined. Relish in the openness of your newly rediscovered relationship.
Do you work out alone? Consider inviting your friend or significant other to join you. What sort of coupled or partnered exercises do you like best? Share your preferences, and learn something new!
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Looking forward to 2011 – Goal #2
For now, I will be creating only two goals for the new year, with smaller goals popping up periodically.
My second goal for 2011 will be:
Make one small change per month towards a greener or simpler lifestyle.
This will be easy enough to track, and I will definitely be making updates at least once per month. I will be working on deciding which changes to make as the times progresses.
For January, my small change will be:
Spend less than 200$ on eating out/entertainment that is fallen back on for laziness sake.
M and I, as bad as it is, tend to fall back on eating out when we’ve had long days, and it usually isn’t particularly healthy food we choose either. Vacations will be different, not that I foresee making a ton of those in the next few months, but they are no excuse to go all out.
We also have a tendency to buy movies and video games that attract our eyes, despite having more than enough to watch/play that haven’t even been touched yet.
Small changes are the easiest to make, and they also provide the doorway towards larger jumps. Moving towards a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle is a long-term goal for me, and each step will take me closer to that ideal lifestyle I’m looking for.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
My second goal for 2011 will be:
Make one small change per month towards a greener or simpler lifestyle.
This will be easy enough to track, and I will definitely be making updates at least once per month. I will be working on deciding which changes to make as the times progresses.
For January, my small change will be:
Spend less than 200$ on eating out/entertainment that is fallen back on for laziness sake.
M and I, as bad as it is, tend to fall back on eating out when we’ve had long days, and it usually isn’t particularly healthy food we choose either. Vacations will be different, not that I foresee making a ton of those in the next few months, but they are no excuse to go all out.
We also have a tendency to buy movies and video games that attract our eyes, despite having more than enough to watch/play that haven’t even been touched yet.
Small changes are the easiest to make, and they also provide the doorway towards larger jumps. Moving towards a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle is a long-term goal for me, and each step will take me closer to that ideal lifestyle I’m looking for.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Looking forward to 2011 – Goal #1
This year, I’m going to try and create resolutions (or goals) that can be followed up on and reported on. I will be checking in at least once per month (probably around the beginning of each month) with an update.
This year, my first goal will be:
Write at least 1000 words, 5 days per week.
This is relevant to my writing dreams, and will hopefully push me towards expanding my skills and abilities in the writing field.
Seeing as I write each article in Microsoft Word (or whichever word processor is handy on the computer), it will be very easy to keep track of the number of words I write. By the end of the week, my tally of words should be over 5000.
I believe this is a realistic and attainable goal, but it will also be a challenge in terms of finding time to write as well as inspiration. I will not be confining myself to any particular subject for the writing, so long as the words are written.
I am not permitting myself to ‘word buffer’ or repeat words over and over again unless they are relevant to the subject I’m writing about. I plan on writing 100% original content, no matter what I write.
These 1000 words per day will not include any freelancing jobs that I pick up, they will be fully on my own personal time.
Starting January 1st, I will be putting this goal forward and working towards it each day.
Those who read this blog will have the pleasure of reading a very large portion of what I write, but if you are interested in any of the creative writing I will be doing or any non-blog relevant writing, drop by my other site or send me an e-mail.
I look forward to pursuing my writing further this year than ever before.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
This year, my first goal will be:
Write at least 1000 words, 5 days per week.
This is relevant to my writing dreams, and will hopefully push me towards expanding my skills and abilities in the writing field.
Seeing as I write each article in Microsoft Word (or whichever word processor is handy on the computer), it will be very easy to keep track of the number of words I write. By the end of the week, my tally of words should be over 5000.
I believe this is a realistic and attainable goal, but it will also be a challenge in terms of finding time to write as well as inspiration. I will not be confining myself to any particular subject for the writing, so long as the words are written.
I am not permitting myself to ‘word buffer’ or repeat words over and over again unless they are relevant to the subject I’m writing about. I plan on writing 100% original content, no matter what I write.
These 1000 words per day will not include any freelancing jobs that I pick up, they will be fully on my own personal time.
Starting January 1st, I will be putting this goal forward and working towards it each day.
Those who read this blog will have the pleasure of reading a very large portion of what I write, but if you are interested in any of the creative writing I will be doing or any non-blog relevant writing, drop by my other site or send me an e-mail.
I look forward to pursuing my writing further this year than ever before.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Looking forward to 2011 - Making resolutions
Each year, countless people make resolutions that are both non-concrete and immeasurable. A resolution is simply a goal, and to make a goal that will be followed through on, you need certain things.
Goals need to be S.M.A.R.T. By S.M.A.R.T. I mean the following:
Specific – The goal needs specifics determined, so ask the 5 W’s. Who, what, when, where, why, and how. (Example: General goal “Lose weight” Specific goal “Lose five pounds per week” or “Reach 140 pounds”) Particular importance lies on the “Why” because if you have no concrete reason, or purpose to the goal, then you will be less likely to stick to it. Find the why, and then determine the rest.
Measurable – The goal needs to be able to be tracked. Pick certain traits regarding your goal that will aid in assessing your progress. (Example: BMI or measurements for weight loss, physical abilities for fitness, etc)
Attainable – The goal has to be something that is possible to attain. A goal that says “I will not hurt anyone” is unattainable, it is impossible to avoid hurt as it happens sometimes without us being aware. A better example would be “I’m going to help three people each day without expecting anything in return”
Realistic – By realistic the goal has to be both possible to attain, and you also have to be willing to attain it. Self-destruction is one of the top ways that people stop reaching for goals. It is generally easier to attain higher goals, because you will know that there is more work involved and you will find yourself thinking success because of the challenge.
Timely – A goal needs to have a timeframe. If you want to lose weight, saying “Lose 10 pounds” is not finite, you could be giving yourself years to complete this. Instead, think “Lose 10 pounds by June 1” or “Write first draft of novel by March 1” etc. Give yourself a due date, and stick to it.
With these qualities, you become that much closer to success, because your goal will be something real, something that you have put a lot of thought into and prepared yourself for the steps.
Now, let start making goals!
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Goals need to be S.M.A.R.T. By S.M.A.R.T. I mean the following:
Specific – The goal needs specifics determined, so ask the 5 W’s. Who, what, when, where, why, and how. (Example: General goal “Lose weight” Specific goal “Lose five pounds per week” or “Reach 140 pounds”) Particular importance lies on the “Why” because if you have no concrete reason, or purpose to the goal, then you will be less likely to stick to it. Find the why, and then determine the rest.
Measurable – The goal needs to be able to be tracked. Pick certain traits regarding your goal that will aid in assessing your progress. (Example: BMI or measurements for weight loss, physical abilities for fitness, etc)
Attainable – The goal has to be something that is possible to attain. A goal that says “I will not hurt anyone” is unattainable, it is impossible to avoid hurt as it happens sometimes without us being aware. A better example would be “I’m going to help three people each day without expecting anything in return”
Realistic – By realistic the goal has to be both possible to attain, and you also have to be willing to attain it. Self-destruction is one of the top ways that people stop reaching for goals. It is generally easier to attain higher goals, because you will know that there is more work involved and you will find yourself thinking success because of the challenge.
Timely – A goal needs to have a timeframe. If you want to lose weight, saying “Lose 10 pounds” is not finite, you could be giving yourself years to complete this. Instead, think “Lose 10 pounds by June 1” or “Write first draft of novel by March 1” etc. Give yourself a due date, and stick to it.
With these qualities, you become that much closer to success, because your goal will be something real, something that you have put a lot of thought into and prepared yourself for the steps.
Now, let start making goals!
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
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