What are friends? Friends are people that you think are your friends. But they're really your enemies, with secret indentities and disguises, to hide they're true colors. So just when you think you're close enough to be brothers, they wanna come back and cut your throat when you ain't lookin."
- Eminem
"Friendship is delicate as a glass, once broken it can be fixed but there will always be cracks"
"It takes a long time to grow an old friend."
- John Leonard
"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival."
- C. S. Lewis
"Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel; But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new-hatch'd, unfledg'd comrade."
- William Shakespeare
"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me."
- Henry Ford
"No soul is desolate as long as there is a human being for whom it can feel trust and reverence."
- George Eliot
This is by far the best:
"To the world you are someone, but to someone you are the world."
Yesterday, my rhinitis was at its peak again and all I did was sneeze, sneeze and sneeze. There were even blood coming out from my nose. That was an indication of having an inflamed nasal passages. Until I went to bed that night, my rhinitis was still ripping me off. I couldn't breath well.
This morning, I thought my rhinitis was gone. But, I was wrong! After I took a bath and change clothes for work, it attacked again. My nose was all stuffy again. Achuu!!! Achuu!!! The sneezes were forceful, loud and irritating ones. How can I focus in my work when I am feeling like this, I thought.
So, I decided to be absent from work and headed in an ENT (Ears, Nose & Throat) clinic. Thank God the ENT doctor was there. After consultation, he prescribe some medicines for my rhinitis 1) A 10ml Azer (Azelastine HCl)nasal spay that costs 645 pesos and 2) six 10 mg tablets of Alnix (Cetirizine Dihydrochloride)which costs 24 pesos each.
Oh geez, these medicines are really expensive, I said to myself. But, it's for my own benefit anyway. This is the reason why I am writing this blog. My goal is to articulate my worries. There's nothing I can do with this allergy. No way of stopping it.
Find out why.
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I was browsing EzineArticles.com and I found this article about overcoming allergic rhinitis and it's written by Arnold Cafe. I'll post the entire article below.
Persons afflicted with certain hypersensitivity reaction due to changing weather, air pollution, pet's fur and to a particular allergen are suffering from Allergic Rhinitis. It is an inflammation of the membranes of the nose, it is characterized by sneezing, nasal itching, congestion and rhinorrhea or "runny nose". Tearing and redness of the eyes, feeling of fullness in the ears, headache and drowsiness are also common. Physically, patients are noted to have dark circles around their eyes due to nasal congestion and dilatation of the nasal vessels. Nasal discharge is thin and watery, opposite to the thick and purulent discharge of sinusitis. Allergic Rhinitis is different from the common colds since the former is caused by an allergen while the latter is caused by a virus.
In children, boys are more prone than girls but it is noted to prevail equally during adulthood to both genders. The presence of certain allergens in the environment can trigger the occurrence of Allergic Rhinitis and being identified for the following:
a) Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis - This is caused by seasonal specific pollen and outdoor molds which are very difficult to avoid since they are airborne.
b) Perennial Allergic Rhinitis - This is caused by allergens that are present all year round. House dust mites, pets, cockroaches and rodents are the causes of this type.
c) Sporadic or Intermittent Allergic Rhinitis - Characterized by brief encounters of the disease which is caused by allergen to which the patient is not usually exposed to. Say, a person who is not used to have pets and may eventually experience sneezing, tearing once he comes near to it.
d) Occupational Allergic Rhinitis is seen in patients who are exposed to allergen in the workplace irregardless of this type is seasonal, perennial or sporadic depending on the specific allergen that triggers the attack, as long as it occurs to patient's workplace.
One has to undergo diagnostic tests to confirm if the patient is indeed suffering from allergic rhinitis. The most widely used is allergy skin testing. This is done by introducing a drop of the extract of the suspected allergen into the epidermis of the patient's skin. Sensitivity to the allergen is then determined by measuring the size of the wheal and flare produced. Nasal smear may also recommended and is done by getting samples of nasal secretions using a special probe. The sample is then examined under a microscopic for presence of a blood component called eosinophils which are commonly observed in allergy patients.
Medications called antihistamines are widely available in the market and prove to be helpful in alleviating the discomforts associated with the disease. However, doctors advise patients who are on antihistamines to refrain from performing activities which may pose danger to their lives, since there is a possibility that the adverse reaction will be experienced. Nasal steroid sprays also prove to be effective in alleviating symptoms associated with Allergic Rhinitis. Decongestants are prescribed to relieve nasal congestion and fullness of the ear. They are more commonly used in combination with antihistamines.
Immunotherapy or desensitization is a treatment prescribed to make the patient get used to the particular allergen that triggers his attacks. Success rate is high but can be observed only after 6-12 months. Moreover, severe allergic reactions are possible since the specific allergic stimuli are regularly re-introduced to the patient's system. Thus, this made of treatment is recommended to those with severe disease, after weighing the benefits and the risks. ***** ***** ******
I found another well-written article by Janice Kumar. If you want to read it, click here
Conclusion:
Reading the articles and watching informative videos in youtube about rhinitis can be therapeutic. Rhinitis is a part of me now and can never be cured. No matter what, I'll stay as a gentleman with a weak immune system and a sensitive nose.
This is probably the biggest mistake some writers, myself included, are having when they write. They have no control.
To be honest, when you lack control in writing, you get lost- don't know what to say and don't know the reasons why you need to say it. For this reason, you need to control your writing approach. Don't just write whatever is in your mind but write what you think is right.
If you control what is in your mind, you can think of what should be the next sentence you should be writing about. When you're doing this, it's like you're making an outline.
You know, writing is like a tennis game. You need to hit the ball swiftly in order to volley it. The harder you hit the ball, the stronger the intensity and if you are consistently hitting it hard, the bigger chances of bringing home the bacon, right?
That's the world of writing, you need to hit every word, every sentence, every paragraph you need to write. You need to know where are you going to. You need to decide when to turn left, go to the right or make a detour. Sounds hard? I know it's hard but no matter what you say, writing is really difficult even to those who do it all the time.
I'm not a journalist and I might not a great writer like John Grisham. I'm a graduate of psychology but I love writing. Writing is my life. It's the only way to wash out the frustrations and sorrows buried inside me. In fact, learning how to write is also like analyzing the deep walls of human behavior. When I was hired as a content writer in an outsourcing company, I realize one important lesson and this is not a lesson I can just do but a lesson I must do, that is- in writing, you must learn how to properly articulate the what, why, when, where, who, where and how of your content.
The writing approach should not drag your readers into the peak of confusion but make sure you are giving them the support they need. If you think you can't relate to the subject matter but you are forced to write something about it then expect that you are totally screwed.
Honestly, in cases like this, I also don't know what what to do. However, what I did is I read three to four articles related to the subject matter, try to make an outline and forced myself how I can put myself inside it. After writing the content, I edit, edit and edit it. If the output is still not perfect then what I can do? Nothing is perfect in this world, hehe.
But seriously, that's the use of control in writing. Once you really figure out how you can control your ideas for your piece, expect something nice in return.
You need to constantly remember that in writing, you need to think what strategy to use, control what's inside your mind and keep rolling the ball.
After reading an article in Ezine entitled "If Your Considering Making Love to a Gemini Woman" by Jared Wadel, I have realized that gemini people tends to be attractive, simple but very changeable.
"Love and sex belong together in the eyes of a Gemini."
Oh geez, this is a shocking statement about Gemini women. I don't know if it's true but as I see it, it can be true. Gemini women are fun to be with and if they are attracted to you, they will say it. But beware: They are easily bored because they don't want to stick in one subject area. Believe me, it's true. I have a gemini friend and she's acting that way.
In fact, "Gemini's fondness for ridicule can annoy regal Leo, though, and Leo will probably demand more adoration than Gemini is willing to give. Socially, each tries to upstage the other, but they have a lot of fun together doing it."
I am a Leo and talking with my gemini friend seems complicated. You know, there are several moment of ups and downs existing between us but we are still friends and will surely remain as friends till we grow old.
"Gemini men like mirrors, I am sorry to divulge in it but it's true. They do take time on their appearance and he will take time standing their making sure that he looks good!"
My best friend is a Gemini, too. This is a different person from that Gemini female friend I'm referring to above. Now, I know why he's behaving that way. If Gemini men want mirrors, it reveals that they want to seek for reassurance.
Before I wrap up this article, let me say that Gemini is a unique. I want them at my side and I was lucky to have them as my friends.
For the past few days, I've been busy posting articles on how to gain weight and I'm aware that some of my readers can't relate to it. For this reason, I've decided to post another entry this time and I want everyone can relate to it.
How about if we talk about love?
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What is love? How will you know if you are falling in love with someone? Are there any signs and symptoms of falling in love? Why do we fall in love?
There's no need for you to doubt that love seems complicated. It's hard to understand and you can't directly explain the mysteries behind it.
Many people believe you should not look for love but let love find you. Some says love is about time. Once the right time comes, love will just be right there like a thief in the night.
In that case, whether you're a poet, a shrink, a teacher, a computer programmer or whoever you are, you can say something fruitful about love. I know it's cheesy but it's probably the most cheesiest thing here on earth everyone wants to have.
Last night, I was reading this July 1980 edition of Reader's Digest and I found this interesting article about pathology of love written by Stanley L. Englebardt.
"Falling in love resembles what social scientists call imprinting." This statement is according to John Money. He is a professor of medical psychology at John Hopkins Medical School. To him, everyone has this innate element of love buried inside our soul. ".... There already exist within each of us certain standards that reflect our family life, background and, in some cases, ethnic or racial heritage. "
That means, "when you encounter a particular type of perceptual stimulus- someone who fits these preconceive notions of what you need in a wife or husband- there's a good chance you'll fall in love."
In Money's book entitled Love and Love Sickness: The Science of Sex, Gender Difference and Pair Bonding, he wrote "Falling in love is the experience of establishing a pair bond."
From what I understand, Money is trying to tell us that once you fall in love, the experience can be dramatic. Love is a process, you can either experience it unexpectedly (love at first sight) or the whole process is simply slow and gradual.
Money believed that if you are falling in love, "you are not falling in love with a person per se but with an idealized, subjective image that often diverges from the impression the loved ones makes on other people."
This is the reason why you tagged love as blind. Love can be blind but when it is excessive, it can also lead to frustration, hate and violence.
"Under the pressure of inevitable disillusionment, a pair-bond that results from blind love is bound to weaken..." Money commented.
Love has psychological and physiological components and in order to fight the weaknessess enveloping it, you need to understand that the top-secret to a successful relationship is complimentary pair-bonding.
"It's irrelevant whether the partners are replicas or polar opposites in temperament, interests, achievements or whatever, what counts is that they fulfill each other's projected image."
In fact, romantic love is at its peak during the two to three years of relationship that's why; each one of us must learn how to adjust the level of our expectations as the relationship blooms further.
Expectations can ruin relationship and adds up to your frustrations. The higher the level of your expectations are, the bigger chances of having depression.
Drinking protein shakes is one way of gaining weight. As a hardgainer, you need to increase your protein intake to boost up your energy levels, especially after working out. All you need is protein powder, ice cubes and the ripe fruit of your choice.
Then just mix these all ingredients in your blender and you're done. This is just the delicious way to get healthy and buff.
Before I say peace out, just a quick reminder that you need to drink your protein shake everyday.
Read this article I've copy and paste from Vince DelMonte site. If you are an ectomorph, it's now time to start a brand new version of you and obtain that muscular body you deserve.
Before reading, let Vince DelMonte explain to you what it really takes to gain weight. Watch the video...
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1. Double It Up
One of the most practical steps you can take is to double whatever you are currently eating in the kitchen right now. If you are eating one chicken breast per meal, then cook up two. If you are only eating two slices of bread, then make it four. If you are eating one handful of nuts, then make it two. If you are using only two scoops of protein powder, then make it four.
Most likely you are only a few dozen meals short of filling out your underdeveloped body parts and attracting the attention of that sexy girl at your gym. I assume you are already in the kitchen and have the food out. So would you agree, you really have no good excuse not to shovel down a greater percentage of calories by doubling it up?
2. Live Your Life Around Food
Sure, you know that you must eat every 2-3 hours, but how well do you execute? Set your clock on a countdown timer to go off every 2 and ½ hours so that you reinforce the habit of eating literally not a second late for each meal! Don't turn off the damn beeper until you start chowing down.
Ensure you are eating your first meal within 15-30 minutes of waking up - absolutely no later. This first meal of the day should always consist of REAL food to flood your body with quality nutrients. I question anybody’s commitment to gaining weight if they are too lazy to wake up 15 minutes earlier to eat a real meal.
Lastly, don’t be surprised if you are not gaining weight if you do not find yourself spending more time preparing food, more time eating food and more time cleaning your kitchen. You should notice you are spending more time in the grocery store and you should also notice a larger grocery bill each week!
3. Use BIG Eating Equipment
If you want to bulk, then you have to eat like Hulk. Do you think Hulk eats out of a small plate, or a small bowel, or a small cup? If you are aiming to get big and huge, you are going to require large amounts of food, most likely close to double of what you are currently eating.
So get BIG eating equipment! Get a BIG cup, get a BIG bowel, and get a BIG plate. Surround yourself with BIG. Most of the time hard gainers are nothing more than “under eaters.” If you struggle to complete a meal, then a bigger serving on a bigger plate will look small!
4. Never Train Hungry
How many times have you woken up, whipped up a protein shake and than headed off to the gym? Or maybe you had a long afternoon and missed a few meals and then attempted a weight training workout after work?
I thought this was common sense to avoid, until a few of my skinny clients confessed that they were showing up for their workouts having only eaten a piece of fruit and some crackers within the entire day!
After dropping the 45-pound plate on my foot out of shock, they reassured me: they were not hungry. I sometimes screamed back, “Yeah, that’s because your metabolism is in starvation mode and shut right down, you skinny pencil neck!”
I understand that training in the morning is the only time for some, however, I recommend to aim for a minimum of at least three solid meals in your system prior to training. Or eat the biggest meal of your day immediately after your AM workout. Would you take your car out on a long trip with a half empty fuel tank? Not unless you wanted the car to die and you push it the rest of the way. So why would you take your body through a grueling training session on an empty stomach?
5. Eat Nutrient Dense Foods
Focus on caloric-rich foods that are loaded with nutrients. Avoid foods with empty calories, which means there is little or no nutrient value in the calories you are eating. Why would you consume a 500-calorie plus meal that is loaded with fat and sugar which does nothing but make you feel sluggish and soft? Instead, eat a high caloric meal loaded with slow releasing carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Here are some of the best choices:
Extras (high calorie cheat food) – Ice cream, raisins, dried fruit and trail mix.
6. Drink A Carb And Protein Drink While You Workout
How hard is to sip on a calorie-rich drink during your weight training sessions? Simply mix up a 2:1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein with one liter of water and you instantly have a few extra hundred calories per day. Now have an extra workout drink before your workout and extra workout drink after your workout and that's easily an extra one pound per week. Only use this technique if you are weight training at a very high intensity.
7. Live the motto, “Never Stop Eating”
Did I hear you say, “But I'll throw up if I eat all day?” Maybe... Is it necessary? Of course not. But this is a part of pushing your body’s threshold. Don't worry, you will get used to it and your body will require more food as you gain more muscle on your body and your metabolism increases. Just think that if you are not eating, then you are not growing, and if you are not growing then you are staying the same. Is that what you want?
Conclusion
There you have it and as I promised, learning how to gain weight fast is quite simple. Executing is a whole different story. It will really come down to how truly committed you are to defeating your skinny genetics and gaining the muscular body you deserve!
Here is my promise to you. You have the ability to gain at least another ten pounds of solid weight in the next four weeks by simply applying the advice above. If you are truly committed to your goals of gaining muscle weight and no longer being known as underweight, then I believe you will rise to the challenge and take action! Are you with me?
Do you feel good about yourself? Do you feel confident? Do you feel shy? Are you tired of being a skinny? Do you want to gain weight?
Psychologically speaking, gaining weight can help boost your self-esteem. If you are skinny and don't feel good about yourself all the time then that's an indication of having a poor self-esteem.
What is self-esteem? Self-esteem is respect you give to yourself. It refers to your feelings and opinion on how you will evaluate yourself. The main problem here is, what's the relationship of having a healthy self-esteem to gaining weight?
Studies show that having a good physique can elevate the level of your self-esteem. Forget those old days that say the real beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This may be true but in many cases, looking good is essential to make you feel good, right?
As a matter of fact, there are many reasons why you are having a poor self-esteem. If you regularly feel shy when talking to people as if they are gonna laugh at you because you are skinny, evidently, your self-esteem is shattered.
I know how it feels and being skinny sucks! You don't feel confident. You always feel paranoid. You regularly think you are in the center of gossips. There are also times that you just want to kick the mirror in front of you.
But, the world doesn't stop there. As an ectomorph, you can always have a choice to be happy. Truth is, one effective way to make yourself happy is to increase the level of your self-esteem.
Increasing your self-esteem is a lifetime process like gaining weight. When you gain weight, there's a huge possibility that you will feel confident about yourself. And, once you feel confident about yourself, embarrassment melts away!
The Solution
If you think you have a poor self-esteem, you need to start to gain weight and be one of the hottest guy or gal in town. You need to find a mentor who will teach you the exact information on how you can gain weight.
Find yourself a mentor who you think can tell you the exact information on how you can gain weight without the use of drugs, pills or anything that can only exacerbate the situation.
These days, you can find hundreds of fitness mentors online but make sure you select the very best among the rest. Once you find one then begin rolling the ball. It's really hard at first but no matter what, always remind yourself that you alone will earn the good benefits in the long run.
These good benefits include having a healthy self-esteem and having an attractive physique. When you have these two assets, what's more in the world can you ask for?
Gaining weight and having a good self-esteem must go hand-in-hand. No matter how skinny you are, you deserve to look good and feel good inside and out.
Consistency- this is the number one top-secret tip to gain weight. As an ectomorph, there's a lot of issues you need to overcome. In some ways, you tend to feel you're like an idiot who is simply existing in a world of uncertainty. Your low self-esteem is killing you. You want to become the most fascinating person next door but how would you do it?
Like I said, it's about consistency. What this "consistency" really means? That's simple. It simply means you need to eat the right food, live healthy and exercise regularly.
These days, you can find several "how-to" articles in the net teaching you how to gain weight. The truth behind these "how-to" articles is not all them are true. Truth is, some of them are only trying to dupe you. These articles are written just to give you the short-term satisfaction and after that, whoa! you're screwed.
Be glad that there's Vince DelMonte, the fitness online mentor, who will give the exact and fearless information on how you can just gain weight. To him, gaining weight is a lifetime decision. If you really want it, you need to do it- no excuses! In fact, gaining weight means you need to lift weights and start living a healthy life. Forget the booze and ignore the cigarette.
I know it's hard and exhausting but it's for your own benefit anyway.
********* ********** ******** So, you want to gain weight and start building muscles? Watch this 3:08 video and Vince DelMonte teach you the six simple steps on how you can build muscles.
Vince DelMonte: "It has nothing to do with changing the program you are currently using. Just apply these tips to whatever workout you have next on your schedule."
In this video, "People living with disability talk about how they exercise and how it improves their lives."
Exercise and disability: Physical activity is within your reach
Perhaps you have a physical disability. Or maybe you have a chronic condition that limits your mobility. You're adjusting to your disability - but your doctor recommends you get more active.
Take the recommendation to heart. Exercise can help you manage your weight, maintain your independence and improve your quality of life. Here's help exploring your options.
Start slowly Check with your doctor before you begin to exercise. Once you have your doctor's OK, start slowly. Begin with gentle activities, such as stretching. Gradually increase the length and intensity of your workouts. Stop exercising if you experience pain, discomfort, nausea, dizziness or shortness of breath. Get creative Walking through your neighborhood or wheeling yourself in your wheelchair counts as exercise. But you have plenty of other options, too. For many activities, minor modifications - such as slowing down the pace, using modified equipment or playing in a wheelchair - are all that's needed.
Strength training Strength training can make it easier to complete everyday tasks, which can help you maintain your independence. If you have trouble using your hands, consider wrist cuffs that secure free weights to your hands. If you have involuntary movements of your arms or legs, you may want to use strength training machines for enhanced stability when you exercise. Many cable-based strength training machines can be used from a wheelchair.
You can even build muscle strength without special equipment. Soup cans, water bottles, resistance tubing or your own body weight may work just as well as free weights or strength training machines.
If you have a condition that directly affects your muscles - such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis - your doctor may recommend specific strength training exercises or modifications to your technique.
On the road Handcycles have three wheels. You pedal and steer the handcycle using only your upper body.
If you can't ride a traditional bicycle because of paralysis or amputation, try handcycling. Handcycles have three wheels. You pedal and steer the handcycle using only your upper body. With a recumbent handcycle, your torso reclines and your legs are out in front of you. With an upright handcycle, you sit just as you would in a wheelchair. As with any type of bicycle, remember to wear a helmet when you ride.
In the water A special seat can be mounted to a wakeboard, allowing you to ride behind a boat. Side skis help keep you upright on the water.
If you need to go easy on your joints, try swimming or water aerobics. If you're feeling adventurous, check into a custom-made canoe or raft seat with padding to protect the buttocks and legs. Riding behind a boat on a specially designed wakeboard may be another option. You sit on a special seat mounted to the wakeboard, and side skis help keep you upright on the water.
On the slopes Many alternative skis are available, including three tracking, monoskis, biskis and sit skis.
If you prefer winter sports, consider skiing. If you have one leg, downhill skiing may be possible with three tracking - one downhill ski and two outriggers for balance. The outriggers are adapted forearm crutches with ski tips mounted on the bottom.
A monoski or biski may work, too. A monoski has a molded seat attached to a single ski. You use hand-held outriggers for balance. A biski consists of a rigid seat mounted to two shorter, wider skis. Outriggers add even greater stability. Another option may be a cross-country sit ski. Sitting in a molded seat, you push yourself along the trail using ski poles with tips that dig into the snow.
Other sports Beyond the basics, keep an open mind. Maybe you could play volleyball with a larger, softer ball or in a seated position with a lower net. Tennis can be played from a wheelchair. Golf, too. Try a modified club, gripping aid or teeing device. You can use larger balls or shorten the distance to the hole as well. Yoga poses can be adjusted to meet your needs. You might find local wheelchair teams for soccer, basketball, floor hockey, bowling or other sports.
Keep it fun Whether you go it alone or team up with friends, loved ones or others with disabilities, enjoy yourself when you exercise. The reward? Better health and an improved quality of life.
