Split (1)

train · 14.7k rows

url stringlengths 40 557	source stringclasses 1 value	title stringlengths 1 169	sub_title stringlengths 1 141 ⌀	author stringlengths 1 50	author_url stringlengths 22 50	post_id stringlengths 9 12	image stringlengths 51 65 ⌀	reading_time stringclasses 49 values	created_at stringdate 2014-12-17 09:47:56 2025-08-25 10:32:50	published_at stringdate 1970-01-01 00:00:00 2025-08-25 10:35:37	modified_at stringdate 2015-04-12 08:19:16 2025-08-25 12:10:15	comments_count int64 0 232	total_claps int64 0 22.3k	language stringclasses 1 value	tags stringlengths 3 115	raw_content stringlengths 21 303k	content stringlengths 13 270k ⌀	uniq_id stringlengths 36 36	scraped_at stringdate 2025-08-25 15:56:59 2025-08-25 18:01:58
https://medium.com/@swisseyecarepllc/120416-51a5dab20f9e	medium.com	120416	6/33 RIP	hyon_yi	https://medium.com/@swisseyecarepllc	51a5dab20f9e	https://miro.medium.com/…kkWEKqrgdFg.jpeg	1 min	2016-12-05T14:26:51.650000	2016-12-05T14:47:39.122000	2017-12-03T01:18:27.079000	0	0	en	Love,Christianity,Death,Life,Hope	<section> <h3>6/33 RIP</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/1*OaHUWijQasrkkWEKqrgdFg.jpeg" width="1600" height="1000" loading="lazy" /> <p>Good morning Dallas, and World. My heart breaks to say that our dear dear Uncle Sang has passed this Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1230am. Although my encounters with him were so few, I knew his heart was great and faith strong. I saw and felt what he did through all the people around Him, you could see it in their respect for his teaching, the silence as he speaks. His humor was always so surprisingly refeshing. I join the celebrations in Heaven, as another son has returned home. I am sure life is good, as it continues for him in heaven with a restored and healed body. He can laugh, run, dance, do all these things in heaven without pangs of pain- when his physical body here on earth kept him from doing so. Maybe this is God’s answer, to give him freedom from pain and bodily suffering. That even in his death there is a teaching to be had, for all of us who knew him and even to those we encounter.</p> <p>In remembrance, to Him and for others- I continue this journey of 33 days.</p> <p>God is good.<em> always</em>.</p> </section>	120416 6/33 RIP Good morning Dallas, and World. My heart breaks to say that our dear dear Uncle Sang has passed this Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1230am. Although my encounters with him were so few, I knew his heart was great and faith strong. I saw and felt what he did through all the people around Him, you could see it in their respect for his teaching, the silence as he speaks. His humor was always so surprisingly refeshing. I join the celebrations in Heaven, as another son has returned home. I am sure life is good, as it continues for him in heaven with a restored and healed body. He can laugh, run, dance, do all these things in heaven without pangs of pain- when his physical body here on earth kept him from doing so. Maybe this is God’s answer, to give him freedom from pain and bodily suffering. That even in his death there is a teaching to be had, for all of us who knew him and even to those we encounter. In remembrance, to Him and for others- I continue this journey of 33 days. God is good. always.	36d6a2af-0799-5195-8834-7cc9bf16a74a	25/08/2025 18:00:31
https://medium.com/noc-beijing/the-sweet-spot-for-virtual-reality-noc-beijing-7275acaacb79	medium.com	The sweet spot for Virtual Reality & NOC Beijing	Ni hao! If you dug this post up, I’m sure you’ve been looking everywhere for all the information about NOC in Beijing, or Beijing in…	NUS YEAN	https://medium.com/@NUS.yean	7275acaacb79	https://miro.medium.com/…K-INBB-xcyVQ.png	6 min	2018-04-04T02:42:35.562000	2018-04-04T04:11:40.347000	2018-04-04T18:30:10.752000	0	2	en	Virtual Reality,Startup,Mixed Reality,China,Education	<section> <p>Ni hao! If you dug this post up, I’m sure you’ve been looking everywhere for all the information about NOC in Beijing, or Beijing in general. Well in this article, I’m going to be sharing something a little bit different from what you have been used to hearing and reading. Yeaa there has always been the “wanting to be independent”, “China is the next superpower”, “I wanna go on exchange” and all…. but one of the main reason for coming to China for NOC was because of Virtual Reality (VR).</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1878/1fVFDtYXT7HK-INBB-xcyVQ.png" width="1878" height="1056" loading="lazy" /> <p>Basically, VR is about you putting on a headset and being transported to another world, ANY world. Most of you would have seen/tried it as consumers but few would have thought about how you can actually make money from this. From hardware to applications, here’s a quick intro to the VR businesses and opportunities: <a href="https://www.cnet.com/special-reports/vr101/">https://www.cnet.com/special-reports/vr101/</a> Would be good if you take a quick look (5–10mins read) for some background.</p> <p>Okay next up is my profile, how I came to work on VR and what I got out of my one year VR project back in Singapore because that one year had somehow become indispensable knowledge, that aided my internship in Beijing.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1878/1gDQ0dzUB3-M0lMNJ5vy35Q.png" width="1878" height="1056" loading="lazy" /> <p>Name: Bryan Wong Major/ Year: Mechanical Engineering/ 3 Likes (in China): 饺子 (dumplings), vinegar and chilli Dislikes (in China): Squatting toilets</p> <p>So my first VR project was one I took with Design Centric Program (DCP) in NUS. DCP is an engine program which is basically like TR4049 (an entrepreneurship module that every NOC newbie must take), but with new projects introduced every semester as we repeat the cycle of trying to make a business out of an engineering innovation. And last year I chose to work on the project “Virtual Reality in hand gestures (?)” I forgot the initial name since we changed it in the end but it was on VR and facilitated by an experienced VR industry expert who later converted to our full time prof.</p> <p></p> <p>“HandsOn Fire” was the punny name of our final product. As you can see, technical aspect was quite shabby but we had a pretty solid case. The idea, in summary, was that first responders to fires are often civilians, not firefighters. Yet, civilians’ trainings are unrealistic and out of context as they often train, with/without real fire, outside of their workplace at a regional SCDF headquarter. As a result, people are often lost when a real fire happens at their workplace. But then you can’t really do much cause you can’t possibly start a fire in the building and have them rehearse…. OR CAN YOU?? This is where VR comes in. This is where it shines.</p> <p>We tried several methods to scan the environment and replicate it virtually. We put the fire at their desk, in their rooms, in their building and have them carry out the emergency procedures, step by step, exactly as they would if it happened for real. All these without having to start an actual fire, no time wasted gathering and moving people, manpower needed as trainers and so on. Of course, there were many problems too as you can imagine. But you could, for the first time, rehearse a fire drill in your burning office realistically without actually lighting it up.</p> <p>1) High immersiveness that convinces me I am there 2) High interactivity that convinces me I exist there 3) There in a world where nothing is impossible</p> <p>I wanted to talk about my DCP project because I wanted to show how these 3 core features have been brought out. 1 year working on this, I understand these as the basic form of VR. If an application, be it for training/game/art etc, can effectively and appropriately draw out these 3 characteristics for its use, it would be a great VR app in my opinion.</p> <p>So with it being the next big thing (multi-BILLION market and rising exponentially) and China being one of the biggest players for VR, your boy set off to Beijing for 6 months last December. And this finally brings me to my NOC internship.</p> <p></p> <p>Seems pretty cool right? Over here at 巧克互动 (KuQuABC), our flagship product is a VR English education course designed for local Chinese kids. The idea is pretty straight forward; use VR to provide a better environment for kids to learn English. Sounds great. I mean at the top of your head you’d probably go:</p> <p>“mmm ya VR, cool novel effects that attract kids, games, get their attention, get them to enjoy, they speak up, practice their English while having fun, bibbidi bobbidi boo”</p> <p>But when you go deeper you see exactly how complex it is. Now I can’t say too much about what the company is currently doing but we can start breaking down the stuffs from what is publicly available.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1750/1*JgouHsHi45kBT-OVOnCRWA.png" width="1750" height="400" loading="lazy" /> <p>The market for children’s English learning is huge, HUGE. The amount of money you spend on your kid’s education have become the new indicator for social standing. There are literally hundreds of these English training institutions so it’s extremely competitive. Generally, I think we are heading in the right direction to break in. The most popular training centres now are like VIPKid where they source for caucasian teachers overseas, connect them to a local Chinese kid, one on one, webcam and teach with presentation slides. Using VR for English education is definitely something new and could potentially be extremely effective. But to ensure a competitive edge over its competitors, all 3 components of KuQuABC must be studied carefully AND tightly in relation to one another.</p> <p><strong>Chinese kids </strong> The characteristic of a general Chinese kid taking English as second language (ESL) is that they’re better at vocabulary and memorising than applying. Schools focuses heavily on sentence structure; whether its past perfect tense or present tense or plural, which honestly people who speak English don’t even remember. There isn’t much talking and the freedom to express freely. They get by everyday without having to use it, there is no platform for them to practice it daily. The company is well aware of this so the main aims have always been to get them to speak up and enjoy learning so they will want to return.</p> <p><strong>English education </strong>Caucasians are highly regarded in this area (you can easily figure out why). So the company’s working with Bill Mayes, a high profile English educator here who has published books used in schools, to do up the English content. So you’d think we have the content figured out.</p> <p><strong>Virtual Reality </strong> This is the sticky part of the whole idea. Because it is a relatively new tech (at least to the general public) and most of the company’s ranks come from traditional classroom educator background, there has been a poor link between what VR can do and the other 2 in the equation. How might we knead and morph the form of VR to apply it to this specific case, with these circumstances and characteristics? How might we fit it into that sweet spot in this whole mess? Answering this has basically been, in the macro scope, what I’ve been helping with in the company.</p> <p>From my understanding, I have broken the essence of VR down into 3 main features. There may be others or these 3 features might not matter at all. But I hope I have provided you with enough info to give it some thought for yourself. Some of the big questions you can ask yourself are</p> <p>· How do you get the kids to want to speak up in the VR simulation?</p> <p>· Can you teach the language solely in VR?</p> <p>· What is the best way to learn a language now? Can we try to replicate or make it even better than that?</p> <p>· What are the pros and cons of this idea compared to traditional classroom teaching?</p> <p>· You can use controllers too and how do they come into play?</p> <p>· How to balance the fun and the learning?</p> <p>And so on………..</p> <p>While its potential is near limitless, without a deep understanding of its capabilities, we would only create a mediocre product. It is this fitting and matching that continues to make the whole application of VR interesting for me. Before I go back to SG, I hope I can perfect this equation for them. Until then, there is still much to learn! Thank you for reading and I hope you got something out of this!!</p> </section>	The sweet spot for Virtual Reality & NOC Beijing Ni hao! If you dug this post up, I’m sure you’ve been looking everywhere for all the information about NOC in Beijing, or Beijing in general. Well in this article, I’m going to be sharing something a little bit different from what you have been used to hearing and reading. Yeaa there has always been the “wanting to be independent”, “China is the next superpower”, “I wanna go on exchange” and all…. but one of the main reason for coming to China for NOC was because of Virtual Reality (VR). (me in Wakanda) Basically, VR is about you putting on a headset and being transported to another world, ANY world. Most of you would have seen/tried it as consumers but few would have thought about how you can actually make money from this. From hardware to applications, here’s a quick intro to the VR businesses and opportunities: https://www.cnet.com/special-reports/vr101/ Would be good if you take a quick look (5–10mins read) for some background. Okay next up is my profile, how I came to work on VR and what I got out of my one year VR project back in Singapore because that one year had somehow become indispensable knowledge, that aided my internship in Beijing. jk me actually in office, Beijing, lunch time, when nobody looking Name: Bryan Wong Major/ Year: Mechanical Engineering/ 3 Likes (in China): 饺子 (dumplings), vinegar and chilli Dislikes (in China): Squatting toilets So my first VR project was one I took with Design Centric Program (DCP) in NUS. DCP is an engine program which is basically like TR4049 (an entrepreneurship module that every NOC newbie must take), but with new projects introduced every semester as we repeat the cycle of trying to make a business out of an engineering innovation. And last year I chose to work on the project “Virtual Reality in hand gestures (?)” I forgot the initial name since we changed it in the end but it was on VR and facilitated by an experienced VR industry expert who later converted to our full time prof. “HandsOn Fire” was the punny name of our final product. As you can see, technical aspect was quite shabby but we had a pretty solid case. The idea, in summary, was that first responders to fires are often civilians, not firefighters. Yet, civilians’ trainings are unrealistic and out of context as they often train, with/without real fire, outside of their workplace at a regional SCDF headquarter. As a result, people are often lost when a real fire happens at their workplace. But then you can’t really do much cause you can’t possibly start a fire in the building and have them rehearse…. OR CAN YOU?? This is where VR comes in. This is where it shines. We tried several methods to scan the environment and replicate it virtually. We put the fire at their desk, in their rooms, in their building and have them carry out the emergency procedures, step by step, exactly as they would if it happened for real. All these without having to start an actual fire, no time wasted gathering and moving people, manpower needed as trainers and so on. Of course, there were many problems too as you can imagine. But you could, for the first time, rehearse a fire drill in your burning office realistically without actually lighting it up. 1) High immersiveness that convinces me I am there 2) High interactivity that convinces me I exist there 3) There in a world where nothing is impossible I wanted to talk about my DCP project because I wanted to show how these 3 core features have been brought out. 1 year working on this, I understand these as the basic form of VR. If an application, be it for training/game/art etc, can effectively and appropriately draw out these 3 characteristics for its use, it would be a great VR app in my opinion. So with it being the next big thing (multi-BILLION market and rising exponentially) and China being one of the biggest players for VR, your boy set off to Beijing for 6 months last December. And this finally brings me to my NOC internship. Seems pretty cool right? Over here at 巧克互动 (KuQuABC), our flagship product is a VR English education course designed for local Chinese kids. The idea is pretty straight forward; use VR to provide a better environment for kids to learn English. Sounds great. I mean at the top of your head you’d probably go: “mmm ya VR, cool novel effects that attract kids, games, get their attention, get them to enjoy, they speak up, practice their English while having fun, bibbidi bobbidi boo” But when you go deeper you see exactly how complex it is. Now I can’t say too much about what the company is currently doing but we can start breaking down the stuffs from what is publicly available. Having an actual teacher in this equation is still debatable The market for children’s English learning is huge, HUGE. The amount of money you spend on your kid’s education have become the new indicator for social standing. There are literally hundreds of these English training institutions so it’s extremely competitive. Generally, I think we are heading in the right direction to break in. The most popular training centres now are like VIPKid where they source for caucasian teachers overseas, connect them to a local Chinese kid, one on one, webcam and teach with presentation slides. Using VR for English education is definitely something new and could potentially be extremely effective. But to ensure a competitive edge over its competitors, all 3 components of KuQuABC must be studied carefully AND tightly in relation to one another. Chinese kids The characteristic of a general Chinese kid taking English as second language (ESL) is that they’re better at vocabulary and memorising than applying. Schools focuses heavily on sentence structure; whether its past perfect tense or present tense or plural, which honestly people who speak English don’t even remember. There isn’t much talking and the freedom to express freely. They get by everyday without having to use it, there is no platform for them to practice it daily. The company is well aware of this so the main aims have always been to get them to speak up and enjoy learning so they will want to return. English education Caucasians are highly regarded in this area (you can easily figure out why). So the company’s working with Bill Mayes, a high profile English educator here who has published books used in schools, to do up the English content. So you’d think we have the content figured out. Virtual Reality This is the sticky part of the whole idea. Because it is a relatively new tech (at least to the general public) and most of the company’s ranks come from traditional classroom educator background, there has been a poor link between what VR can do and the other 2 in the equation. How might we knead and morph the form of VR to apply it to this specific case, with these circumstances and characteristics? How might we fit it into that sweet spot in this whole mess? Answering this has basically been, in the macro scope, what I’ve been helping with in the company. From my understanding, I have broken the essence of VR down into 3 main features. There may be others or these 3 features might not matter at all. But I hope I have provided you with enough info to give it some thought for yourself. Some of the big questions you can ask yourself are · How do you get the kids to want to speak up in the VR simulation? · Can you teach the language solely in VR? · What is the best way to learn a language now? Can we try to replicate or make it even better than that? · What are the pros and cons of this idea compared to traditional classroom teaching? · You can use controllers too and how do they come into play? · How to balance the fun and the learning? And so on……….. While its potential is near limitless, without a deep understanding of its capabilities, we would only create a mediocre product. It is this fitting and matching that continues to make the whole application of VR interesting for me. Before I go back to SG, I hope I can perfect this equation for them. Until then, there is still much to learn! Thank you for reading and I hope you got something out of this!!	7366df48-4f4e-53b9-b576-491e35cd1f60	25/08/2025 18:00:31
https://medium.com/@latashiawalder5/floor-covering-carpeting-and-also-rugs-you-required-by-chris-lontok-b1ae07c95ca8	medium.com	Floor covering, Carpeting And also Rugs You Required By Chris Lontok	For common and luxurious properties, marble floor tiles have actually been actually the favored selection for flooring, contrarily top and…	Latashia Walder	https://medium.com/@latashiawalder5	b1ae07c95ca8	null	6 min	2017-05-13T12:41:45.158000	2017-05-13T12:42:28.550000	2017-05-13T12:42:29.255000	0	0	en	Interior Design	<section> <p>For common and luxurious properties, marble floor tiles have actually been actually the favored selection for flooring, contrarily top and also other property treatments. Marble flooring ceramic tiles are penetrable and can conveniently be actually tarnished through spills off food, resting flowerpots, steel household furniture legs, oil, ink, water damage, and so on The majority of people would like to make certain that they possess sophisticated and trendy kitchen area, so they prefer to use marble tiles for their kitchen area. Whether the cement floor is actually inside, in the cellar or even in the garage, that is actually absorptive and also must be actually closed to avoid staining. Kardean flooring is a remedy that provides you the appearance from hardwood, stone or even various other floor components yet that will definitely not warp, potato chip or be had an effect on by heat and also moisture as the natural products may. Having actually seen to it that the area is actually established; apply a level from sticky along with your marked trowel and design the marble ceramic tiles baseding on your concept. Unbox the flooring and leave behind to being in the room - this will stay away from the slabs or even ceramic tiles extending or even contracting after they have actually been put. Boosted Home Market value: Marble presents a sophisticated, elite appeal that interest home customers. Every customer may customize sound hardwood floor with the favored shade of tarnish. Travertine tile calls for exclusive cleaning items that are certainly not typically available at any type of frequent grocery store but could be discovered at a tile flooring firm. As motion or even reduction of one aspect of a floor can place anxiety on the adjoining location, loose rocks or even tiles must be rebedded and also skipping ones changed along with a coordinating component, complying with the advice of your assessing designer or land surveyor. Be sure that the design from stair railing as well as flooring for staircases, enhance one another. In case you beloved this information and also you wish to be given more details with regards to yellow pages online australia - <a href="http://zdrowietwoje2.pl/titan-gel/">this link</a> - kindly check out our own page. You are actually now, simply a hit or a telephone call out, from experiencing Nu-Life's special marble flooring cleansing and brightening service, making it achievable for you to finally and proudly, show off your gorgeous, enjoyed floor to all your friends, household and/or organisation coworkers. So, as you could see, this is one of the best choices you must pack your living room along with a beautiful and also ageless design created along with the very best components around, position this light near that sofa or over your table as well as you are going to make your living or dining-room area merely stone! Our team may deliver the flooring back to life with our refurbishment method that brightens the flooring as well as cleanses eliminating plain locations as well as discolorations while washing the cement collections and also finally securing the flooring. Occasional sanding and also resurfacing along with careful cleaning sufficients to always keep a narrow plank floor appearing its own finest. To get even more information on placing marble floor tiles in a step by step strategy examination out You can easily learn and also check out off video clip tutorials. Go to at to recognize even more regarding Slate Floor Tiles as well as Marble Distributors along with Stone Floor Floor tiles. For anyone that really loves to keep their working and also staying quarters well-maintained, there are a handful of options that can easily come close to marble floor covering in relations to hypoallergenic residential or commercial properties. If one of your marble ceramic tiles fracture gradually, you only need to have the single tile out as well as the flooring under it to support it well. Setting up Cincinnati hard wood flooring is unbelievably unclean as well as opportunity consuming. Normally this is actually a 3 step process that begins with grinding the area of the marble floor along with a course grit abrasive pad. If the sizes are actually not done properly, then there could possibly additionally be actually misalignment of the a variety of floor tiles, which could possibly come to be much visible at the junction from the wall structure as well as the flooring. This is why lots of folks take pleasure in slate, as the high front-end cost is actually made up for by the cost savings from not having to substitute the flooring. If you notice historical structures like fts, royal residences as well as outdated structures, you could often come upon sandstone as one from the better component for generating wonderful and alluring floor patterns. With the higher price of solid hardwood floors, lots of residents are moving their emphasis to crafted timber. Costs of marble tiles rely on exactly what form of marble floor tiles you want to make use of including its own design. Coming from a well-loved residential the home of the biggest business areas, our team from pro as well as dedicated artisans are the experts you require for your marble floor cleansing demands in London. Once pressurised and driven via the earths crusting in structural action, our company find onyx, travertine, marble, slate, limestone, sandstone, marble and also numerous others. Make use of safety handwear covers, and shatterproof glass along with partnering with any sort of chemical-based grout cleaner. Warm, warm days and long refreshing beverages taken pleasure in around a reduced, operated iron dining table in the middle of a large, well-ventilated room along with a white marble flooring. This tool is actually made use of to reduce 1/2 inch or even larger floor tiles like wall structure tiles, hearth firesides in Melbourne etc You can be guaranteed that Beaver Floorcare are going to provide you expert as well as effective stone flooring restoration services, call us today for a study as well as no responsibility estimate. Bear in mind likewise that the worth of your home will certainly additionally increase along with the addition of this particular form of floor covering. Ceramic, vinyl fabric, variety, as well as hardened floor tiles are actually the different alternatives one of floor tile flooring. Where a carpet must be ripped up completely and a hard wood floor can not be changed without a pro, a ceramic tile can be separated, eliminated as well as switched out with a little elbow grease. Nevertheless, this carries out certainly not matter whether marble is actually for floorings, wall surfaces, kitchen countertops or even building. Making use of a marble flooring ceramic tile at home takes several of the unique aesthetic elegance as well as sensible usage to household and also business ventures, as well as offering a boosted worth to residential properties when the moment pertains to sell their homes. Marble has to possess the pores left open and also polishing shuts those pores which eventually can result in the veins in the rock to fracture creating just what is phoned spalling. Marbled pillars, sculptures, marble staircases as well as water plane medallion likewise match the marble fireplace as well as produce the aura distinguished. The marble floor tile ought to be actually secured using a neutral pH breathable sealant after <a href="http://Hararonline.com/?s=installment">installment</a>. Unlike marble, a tiler will definitely invest a lot less opportunity putting in a marble effect floor rather than a marble flooring. The initial conveniences is actually that the lumber floor covering Houston has a lot more resilience in comparison to the various other materials used for flooring. Stone tiles happen fitted with a standard bullnose edge and also a polished appearance. The mixture of the Flooring as well as the Environment-friendly Glue provides the floor setting up a much greater STC rating as well as much higher IIC (Effect Isolation Coefficient) numbers. Best of all rubber flooring ceramic tiles have actually been actually created along with Do It Yourself aficionados in mind, so you do not require a level in flooring setting or a CV including years from experienced adventure to make well-laid floors. A furniture drove along the floor without treatment can easily create marks that may never visit. Also, eliminate indoor wallboard 12 ins above the maximum flooding water elevation and remove any sort of water-soaked protection to give drying out of the floor border and wall structure dental caries. Because of this affordable they are a wonderful different to the more pricey wall surface as well as flooring fountains. The only disadvantage of using marble floor tiles is actually that they may be rather expensive. Our artisans are going to delicately clean, re-finish as well as polish your marble floors or even job surface areas, eliminating outdated discolorations and scratches restoring your treasured marble to a lovely, make over appeal.</p> </section>	Floor covering, Carpeting And also Rugs You Required By Chris Lontok For common and luxurious properties, marble floor tiles have actually been actually the favored selection for flooring, contrarily top and also other property treatments. Marble flooring ceramic tiles are penetrable and can conveniently be actually tarnished through spills off food, resting flowerpots, steel household furniture legs, oil, ink, water damage, and so on The majority of people would like to make certain that they possess sophisticated and trendy kitchen area, so they prefer to use marble tiles for their kitchen area. Whether the cement floor is actually inside, in the cellar or even in the garage, that is actually absorptive and also must be actually closed to avoid staining. Kardean flooring is a remedy that provides you the appearance from hardwood, stone or even various other floor components yet that will definitely not warp, potato chip or be had an effect on by heat and also moisture as the natural products may. Having actually seen to it that the area is actually established; apply a level from sticky along with your marked trowel and design the marble ceramic tiles baseding on your concept. Unbox the flooring and leave behind to being in the room - this will stay away from the slabs or even ceramic tiles extending or even contracting after they have actually been put. Boosted Home Market value: Marble presents a sophisticated, elite appeal that interest home customers. Every customer may customize sound hardwood floor with the favored shade of tarnish. Travertine tile calls for exclusive cleaning items that are certainly not typically available at any type of frequent grocery store but could be discovered at a tile flooring firm. As motion or even reduction of one aspect of a floor can place anxiety on the adjoining location, loose rocks or even tiles must be rebedded and also skipping ones changed along with a coordinating component, complying with the advice of your assessing designer or land surveyor. Be sure that the design from stair railing as well as flooring for staircases, enhance one another. In case you beloved this information and also you wish to be given more details with regards to yellow pages online australia - this link - kindly check out our own page. You are actually now, simply a hit or a telephone call out, from experiencing Nu-Life's special marble flooring cleansing and brightening service, making it achievable for you to finally and proudly, show off your gorgeous, enjoyed floor to all your friends, household and/or organisation coworkers. So, as you could see, this is one of the best choices you must pack your living room along with a beautiful and also ageless design created along with the very best components around, position this light near that sofa or over your table as well as you are going to make your living or dining-room area merely stone! Our team may deliver the flooring back to life with our refurbishment method that brightens the flooring as well as cleanses eliminating plain locations as well as discolorations while washing the cement collections and also finally securing the flooring. Occasional sanding and also resurfacing along with careful cleaning sufficients to always keep a narrow plank floor appearing its own finest. To get even more information on placing marble floor tiles in a step by step strategy examination out You can easily learn and also check out off video clip tutorials. Go to at to recognize even more regarding Slate Floor Tiles as well as Marble Distributors along with Stone Floor Floor tiles. For anyone that really loves to keep their working and also staying quarters well-maintained, there are a handful of options that can easily come close to marble floor covering in relations to hypoallergenic residential or commercial properties. If one of your marble ceramic tiles fracture gradually, you only need to have the single tile out as well as the flooring under it to support it well. Setting up Cincinnati hard wood flooring is unbelievably unclean as well as opportunity consuming. Normally this is actually a 3 step process that begins with grinding the area of the marble floor along with a course grit abrasive pad. If the sizes are actually not done properly, then there could possibly additionally be actually misalignment of the a variety of floor tiles, which could possibly come to be much visible at the junction from the wall structure as well as the flooring. This is why lots of folks take pleasure in slate, as the high front-end cost is actually made up for by the cost savings from not having to substitute the flooring. If you notice historical structures like fts, royal residences as well as outdated structures, you could often come upon sandstone as one from the better component for generating wonderful and alluring floor patterns. With the higher price of solid hardwood floors, lots of residents are moving their emphasis to crafted timber. Costs of marble tiles rely on exactly what form of marble floor tiles you want to make use of including its own design. Coming from a well-loved residential the home of the biggest business areas, our team from pro as well as dedicated artisans are the experts you require for your marble floor cleansing demands in London. Once pressurised and driven via the earths crusting in structural action, our company find onyx, travertine, marble, slate, limestone, sandstone, marble and also numerous others. Make use of safety handwear covers, and shatterproof glass along with partnering with any sort of chemical-based grout cleaner. Warm, warm days and long refreshing beverages taken pleasure in around a reduced, operated iron dining table in the middle of a large, well-ventilated room along with a white marble flooring. This tool is actually made use of to reduce 1/2 inch or even larger floor tiles like wall structure tiles, hearth firesides in Melbourne etc You can be guaranteed that Beaver Floorcare are going to provide you expert as well as effective stone flooring restoration services, call us today for a study as well as no responsibility estimate. Bear in mind likewise that the worth of your home will certainly additionally increase along with the addition of this particular form of floor covering. Ceramic, vinyl fabric, variety, as well as hardened floor tiles are actually the different alternatives one of floor tile flooring. Where a carpet must be ripped up completely and a hard wood floor can not be changed without a pro, a ceramic tile can be separated, eliminated as well as switched out with a little elbow grease. Nevertheless, this carries out certainly not matter whether marble is actually for floorings, wall surfaces, kitchen countertops or even building. Making use of a marble flooring ceramic tile at home takes several of the unique aesthetic elegance as well as sensible usage to household and also business ventures, as well as offering a boosted worth to residential properties when the moment pertains to sell their homes. Marble has to possess the pores left open and also polishing shuts those pores which eventually can result in the veins in the rock to fracture creating just what is phoned spalling. Marbled pillars, sculptures, marble staircases as well as water plane medallion likewise match the marble fireplace as well as produce the aura distinguished. The marble floor tile ought to be actually secured using a neutral pH breathable sealant after installment. Unlike marble, a tiler will definitely invest a lot less opportunity putting in a marble effect floor rather than a marble flooring. The initial conveniences is actually that the lumber floor covering Houston has a lot more resilience in comparison to the various other materials used for flooring. Stone tiles happen fitted with a standard bullnose edge and also a polished appearance. The mixture of the Flooring as well as the Environment-friendly Glue provides the floor setting up a much greater STC rating as well as much higher IIC (Effect Isolation Coefficient) numbers. Best of all rubber flooring ceramic tiles have actually been actually created along with Do It Yourself aficionados in mind, so you do not require a level in flooring setting or a CV including years from experienced adventure to make well-laid floors. A furniture drove along the floor without treatment can easily create marks that may never visit. Also, eliminate indoor wallboard 12 ins above the maximum flooding water elevation and remove any sort of water-soaked protection to give drying out of the floor border and wall structure dental caries. Because of this affordable they are a wonderful different to the more pricey wall surface as well as flooring fountains. The only disadvantage of using marble floor tiles is actually that they may be rather expensive. Our artisans are going to delicately clean, re-finish as well as polish your marble floors or even job surface areas, eliminating outdated discolorations and scratches restoring your treasured marble to a lovely, make over appeal.	a6abf897-dd54-5c6e-a4eb-e0f0c14abb4b	25/08/2025 18:00:31
https://medium.com/@seeingsolareclipse/what-to-remember-while-seeing-solar-eclipse-2017-in-america-ec48cfb18ee0	medium.com	What to Remember While Seeing Solar Eclipse 2017 in America?	A solar eclipse is one of nature’s surprising gifts and it is something worth observing. A solar eclipse is something not frequent. It is a…	solareclipseaugust21	https://medium.com/@seeingsolareclipse	ec48cfb18ee0	https://miro.medium.com/…uW9tQbVZ3Kg.jpeg	2 min	2017-06-12T07:19:25.194000	2017-06-12T07:21:53.538000	2018-05-08T04:41:57.861000	0	0	en	Astronomy,Solareclipse	<section> <p>A solar eclipse is one of nature’s surprising gifts and it is something worth observing. A solar eclipse is something not frequent. It is a condition when the moon comes in the path of Sun and the Earth and blocks the sun rays for an hour or three to reach out to the Earth.</p> <p>Again this year on 21st August 2017, people of the USA are going to get an awesome opportunity to witness the total solar eclipse. Since this is once in a life opportunity, so you must stay prepared before you look at the path solar eclipse 2017.</p> <p>However, to aid people in watching the <a href="https://solar-eclipse-august-21-2017.com/">solar eclipse 2017</a> in the perfect manner, you need to keep a tap on the following tips –</p> <p><strong>1. Make a list of the places where you can see the Solar Eclipse</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3543/1hjojaAHsmYeuW9tQbVZ3Kg.jpeg" width="3543" height="3489" loading="lazy" /> <p>Well, we know that the day of the eclipse is on 21st August 2017, there will be some places which were considered as the top place to witness the eclipse. And in such an instance it is important to make a checklist of those places where you can view the eclipse in the best possible manner. For example, Lincoln Beach of Oregon is one of the prime locations of the solar eclipse 2017. Get all the details here in this website <a href="https://www.solar-eclipse-august-21-2017.com/">https://www.solar-eclipse-august-21-2017.com/</a></p> <p><strong>2. It is important to stay aware of the timing</strong></p> <p>If you do not know the timing of the solar eclipse perfectly, then you will miss a chance to see something great. Time keeps on varying from one place to another. If you are planning to move to a place that will help, you to get a good view of the solar eclipse and then you need to know the commencing of the solar eclipse at that particular place. You must make sure that you reach the place on time so that you do not miss the solar eclipse by any chance.</p> <p><strong>3. You need to know the weather conditions from beforehand</strong></p> <p>One of the most important things that you need to know to watch the solar eclipse is clarity in the sky, if the sky is not clear then you are not going to enjoy the solar eclipse as it will not be visible properly. With the full overcast situation, it becomes difficult to view the path of totality.</p> <p><strong>4. Stay safe with precautions</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/800/1F0fgNEa4IslXH8esOR7V7w.jpeg" width="800" height="600" loading="lazy" /> <p>If you intend to watch the solar eclipse 2017 then you need to check out some of the safety rules. Saving your eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays is important during the solar eclipse. It is important to note down that you should not see the eclipse with your naked eyes. You need to have your glasses on to avoid damages to your eyes. Remember for watching solar eclipses, you need to have certain gadgets and one such thing is the goggles.</p> <p>Now, you have got to know about the places where you can see the <a href="https://solar-eclipse-august-21-2017.com/blog/path-of-totality-great-american-solar-eclipse-21st-aug-2017/">Solar Eclipse 2017</a>. So, plan accordingly so that you do miss this awesome opportunity!</p> </section>	What to Remember While Seeing Solar Eclipse 2017 in America? A solar eclipse is one of nature’s surprising gifts and it is something worth observing. A solar eclipse is something not frequent. It is a condition when the moon comes in the path of Sun and the Earth and blocks the sun rays for an hour or three to reach out to the Earth. Again this year on 21st August 2017, people of the USA are going to get an awesome opportunity to witness the total solar eclipse. Since this is once in a life opportunity, so you must stay prepared before you look at the path solar eclipse 2017. However, to aid people in watching the solar eclipse 2017 in the perfect manner, you need to keep a tap on the following tips – 1. Make a list of the places where you can see the Solar Eclipse Well, we know that the day of the eclipse is on 21st August 2017, there will be some places which were considered as the top place to witness the eclipse. And in such an instance it is important to make a checklist of those places where you can view the eclipse in the best possible manner. For example, Lincoln Beach of Oregon is one of the prime locations of the solar eclipse 2017. Get all the details here in this website https://www.solar-eclipse-august-21-2017.com/ 2. It is important to stay aware of the timing If you do not know the timing of the solar eclipse perfectly, then you will miss a chance to see something great. Time keeps on varying from one place to another. If you are planning to move to a place that will help, you to get a good view of the solar eclipse and then you need to know the commencing of the solar eclipse at that particular place. You must make sure that you reach the place on time so that you do not miss the solar eclipse by any chance. 3. You need to know the weather conditions from beforehand One of the most important things that you need to know to watch the solar eclipse is clarity in the sky, if the sky is not clear then you are not going to enjoy the solar eclipse as it will not be visible properly. With the full overcast situation, it becomes difficult to view the path of totality. 4. Stay safe with precautions If you intend to watch the solar eclipse 2017 then you need to check out some of the safety rules. Saving your eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays is important during the solar eclipse. It is important to note down that you should not see the eclipse with your naked eyes. You need to have your glasses on to avoid damages to your eyes. Remember for watching solar eclipses, you need to have certain gadgets and one such thing is the goggles. Now, you have got to know about the places where you can see the Solar Eclipse 2017. So, plan accordingly so that you do miss this awesome opportunity!	ab32436e-590f-57cd-afef-3e68ff05d997	25/08/2025 18:00:31
https://medium.com/@gil22jr/i-will-share-my-beliefs-and-my-interpretation-of-god-creation-and-how-we-should-live-96d87a7d0afd	medium.com	I will share my beliefs and my interpretation of God, creation, and how we should live.	I want to first focus on the Trinity. God is the creator of all things. He created our bodies from the earth using his likness as a…	Gilbert Acosta	https://medium.com/@gil22jr	96d87a7d0afd	null	1 min	2017-09-02T00:25:25.915000	2017-09-02T00:29:53.465000	2017-09-02T00:29:54.204000	0	0	en	Christianity,Religion,Religion And Spirituality,God,Creation	<section> <p>I want to first focus on the Trinity. God is the creator of all things. He created our bodies from the earth using his likness as a template. He decided to not just give us life as other animals but to allow us free will. He gave us the ability to reason and go against our instincts. In order to do this he gave us a piece of himself. Then he made us curators of this new world. As we grew and multiplied we lost our way. We have the ability to shape this world and we did so with a vain eye. Instead of creating for the good of all God’s creation (which I will now call enlightenment) we create to enrich ourselves (which I will now call sin). That was not our Creator’s intention. So in a effort to understand why his creation continues to fall into this trap of sin, God decided he needed to experience first hand his creation experiences on this Earth. He then came down to us in human form. Started as a baby and grew to adulthood. He studied his creation and realized that free will lead to both sin and enlightenment. So he decided to teach and show us that sin will only lead to pain and suffering. In his final moments here on Earth a decision was made that the creatation shall no longer make sacrifices to the creator. He will sacrifice his human form as the final one for all those before and for all those in the future. There is God then God in human form. The Holy Spirit I define as the breath of Life that God gave us. This is the basis of my interpretation of God.</p> </section>	I will share my beliefs and my interpretation of God, creation, and how we should live. I want to first focus on the Trinity. God is the creator of all things. He created our bodies from the earth using his likness as a template. He decided to not just give us life as other animals but to allow us free will. He gave us the ability to reason and go against our instincts. In order to do this he gave us a piece of himself. Then he made us curators of this new world. As we grew and multiplied we lost our way. We have the ability to shape this world and we did so with a vain eye. Instead of creating for the good of all God’s creation (which I will now call enlightenment) we create to enrich ourselves (which I will now call sin). That was not our Creator’s intention. So in a effort to understand why his creation continues to fall into this trap of sin, God decided he needed to experience first hand his creation experiences on this Earth. He then came down to us in human form. Started as a baby and grew to adulthood. He studied his creation and realized that free will lead to both sin and enlightenment. So he decided to teach and show us that sin will only lead to pain and suffering. In his final moments here on Earth a decision was made that the creatation shall no longer make sacrifices to the creator. He will sacrifice his human form as the final one for all those before and for all those in the future. There is God then God in human form. The Holy Spirit I define as the breath of Life that God gave us. This is the basis of my interpretation of God.	d31b5398-9497-541a-b835-581cddbb5723	25/08/2025 18:00:31
https://medium.com/@imbesatkhan/how-to-beat-your-caffeine-addiction-68aad5165ce9	medium.com	How To Beat Your Caffeine Addiction?	A comprehensive guide to getting rid of your caffeine addiction in a few days	Imbesat	https://medium.com/@imbesatkhan	68aad5165ce9	https://miro.medium.com/…[email protected]	2 min	2022-11-26T14:08:27.543000	2022-11-26T14:32:18.336000	2022-11-26T14:34:17.174000	0	0	en	Health,Caffeine,Mindfulness,Food,Healthcare	<section> <p><em><strong>A comprehensive guide to getting rid of your caffeine addiction in a </em>few days</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1065/1*[email protected]" width="1065" height="616" loading="lazy" /> <p>That steaming hot cup of coffee early in the morning is sometimes the only incentive that gets you out of bed every day. When you see the long day ahead and obligations that need to be fulfilled you can’t help but kick start your day with a dose of caffeine!</p> <p>But did you know that caffeine is the most used psychoactive drug in the world? Its various harmful effects on human health include insomnia, caffeine dependency, restlessness, anxiety, dehydration, fast heart rates, and headaches. Caffeine also causes <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691502000947">decreased bone mass</a> and more chances of fracture in bones.</p> <p>Following are some tips that you can keep in mind if you want to get rid of your caffeine addiction:</p> <p><strong>Slowly minimize your caffeine consumption</strong></p> <p>Abruptly stopping your caffeine consumption, especially when you are addicted to it, may cause you to depend even more on it. So it’s always advisable not to do the cold turkey method. Instead try <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871620301897">‘The Weaning Method’ </a>in which you gradually decrease your consumption, such as lessening the dose to 10–30 mg every three days until you reach your desired goal.</p> <p><strong>Drink plenty of water:</strong></p> <p>Caffeine levels in your blood peak about 1 hour after consuming it and after 6 hours, half of it is still in your body. It takes up to 10 hours to completely clear it from your bloodstream. So, it’s advisable to drink lots of water if you regularly have caffeine.</p> <p><strong>Analyze your caffeine habits</strong></p> <p>It’s very crucial to be observant of what you’re consuming daily if you want to beat your caffeine addiction. This is because there are a lot of everyday-use products that contain caffeine, such as chocolates, coffee-flavoured ice creams, protein drinks, hot chocolate, and water-flavour enhancers.</p> <p><strong>Try Decaf</strong></p> <p>Decaf is basically a coffee that has its taste retained due to the presence of coffee beans. However, most of the caffeine is stripped from it through a scientific process. The benefit of Decaf is that it retains the antioxidants of coffee, but less caffeine causes lesser anxiety and improves sleep, which has a lot of health benefits.</p> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></p> <p>Caffeine can be helpful to get that energy boost in the morning. However, it also causes problems such as insomnia and headaches. Therefore, it’s important to be careful about what you are putting in your body.</p> <p>So by drinking lots of water, switching to decaf, doing a caffeine audit, and gradually minimizing your caffeine addiction, you can decrease the amount of caffeine in a day.</p> <p>Otherwise, there’s no issue in having a cup of tea/coffee once a day while gossiping with your friends because honestly, those are the most enjoyable moments.</p> <p>These tips will aid you in overcoming your caffeine addiction, without completely cutting it out of your life. So, remember to enjoy but also stay mindful!</p> </section>	How To Beat Your Caffeine Addiction? A comprehensive guide to getting rid of your caffeine addiction in a few days That steaming hot cup of coffee early in the morning is sometimes the only incentive that gets you out of bed every day. When you see the long day ahead and obligations that need to be fulfilled you can’t help but kick start your day with a dose of caffeine! But did you know that caffeine is the most used psychoactive drug in the world? Its various harmful effects on human health include insomnia, caffeine dependency, restlessness, anxiety, dehydration, fast heart rates, and headaches. Caffeine also causes decreased bone mass and more chances of fracture in bones. Following are some tips that you can keep in mind if you want to get rid of your caffeine addiction: Slowly minimize your caffeine consumption Abruptly stopping your caffeine consumption, especially when you are addicted to it, may cause you to depend even more on it. So it’s always advisable not to do the cold turkey method. Instead try ‘The Weaning Method’ in which you gradually decrease your consumption, such as lessening the dose to 10–30 mg every three days until you reach your desired goal. Drink plenty of water: Caffeine levels in your blood peak about 1 hour after consuming it and after 6 hours, half of it is still in your body. It takes up to 10 hours to completely clear it from your bloodstream. So, it’s advisable to drink lots of water if you regularly have caffeine. Analyze your caffeine habits It’s very crucial to be observant of what you’re consuming daily if you want to beat your caffeine addiction. This is because there are a lot of everyday-use products that contain caffeine, such as chocolates, coffee-flavoured ice creams, protein drinks, hot chocolate, and water-flavour enhancers. Try Decaf Decaf is basically a coffee that has its taste retained due to the presence of coffee beans. However, most of the caffeine is stripped from it through a scientific process. The benefit of Decaf is that it retains the antioxidants of coffee, but less caffeine causes lesser anxiety and improves sleep, which has a lot of health benefits. Final Thoughts Caffeine can be helpful to get that energy boost in the morning. However, it also causes problems such as insomnia and headaches. Therefore, it’s important to be careful about what you are putting in your body. So by drinking lots of water, switching to decaf, doing a caffeine audit, and gradually minimizing your caffeine addiction, you can decrease the amount of caffeine in a day. Otherwise, there’s no issue in having a cup of tea/coffee once a day while gossiping with your friends because honestly, those are the most enjoyable moments. These tips will aid you in overcoming your caffeine addiction, without completely cutting it out of your life. So, remember to enjoy but also stay mindful!	b4ec2438-a1f1-5cbc-a637-3e53dbf52f10	25/08/2025 18:00:32
https://sharmaakriti802.medium.com/ecommerce-guide-mobile-user-experience-whizzystack-4e41e6e52fc0	medium.com	eCommerce Guide — Mobile User Experience — Whizzystack	With more people than ever buying online a key differentiator for your eCommerce business is to ensure super-low friction and consistently…	Akriti Sharma	https://medium.com/@sharmaakriti802	4e41e6e52fc0	https://miro.medium.com/…0jx2FA8hB34H.jpg	8 min	2023-03-20T11:28:53.682000	2022-10-10T08:05:44.912000	2023-03-20T11:34:21.619000	0	0	en	Ecommerce,Webdesign And Development,Digital,SEO,Marketing	<section> <h1>With more people than ever buying online a key differentiator for your eCommerce business is to ensure super-low friction and consistently outstanding UX at every touchpoint in shopping journeys.</h1> <p>Because of the pandemic, eCommerce growth has accelerated to unprecedented levels, meaning that more people than ever are shopping online. And inevitably, more people are shopping using their mobile phones. Therefore, making mobile UX intuitive and super-low friction must be a priority for eCommerce businesses.</p> <p>ONS data¹ show that UK internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales have grown significantly:</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1536/0qVOj0jx2FA8hB34H.jpg" width="1536" height="997" loading="lazy" /> <ul> <li>19% in February 2020</li> <li>Peaking at the January 2021 lockdown with 37%</li> <li>Plateauing at 26% in September 2021</li> </ul> <p>The challenge for eCommerce is not only to offer consumers outstanding UX, but to do so at all touchpoints in their shopping journeys-especially on mobile.</p> <h2>Omnichannel Shopping</h2> <p>67% of online shopping in the UK is done on mobile. 2</p> <p>Creating consistent, seamless user journeys can be complex. The rise of omnichannel shopping means that UX designers must consider not only website navigation but the whole user experience across more touchpoints than ever before, as omnichannel experiences become the default expectation for consumers. For example:</p> <p>It used to be that if a consumer wanted to buy a product they would go to an online store on their desktop or laptop, browse, perhaps compare a few online stores, and then make the purchase from one of them.</p> <p>Now, if a consumer wants to purchase, say, a new laptop, they might initially research online using their mobile phone, beginning with a Google search, then look at YouTube videos about the best laptops to buy, read some UGC, related blogs and articles etc.</p> <p>The consumer might then use a computer at home to visit a laptop brand’s website and maybe have a live chat with a representative. This might lead to an email exchange. The consumer may then visit a brick-and-mortar store to experience the product in the real world-to touch the laptop and feel the key action.</p> <p>And then, having perhaps narrowed their list down to two or three products, they might take a day or two for consideration, with the purchase finally made from a third-party online store offering the best price.</p> <p>This one-of-many scenario shows the complexity of a typical omnichannel shopping journey, from research to purchase. Given the number of routes a consumer can take on that journey, creating intuitive, consistent UX is a challenge that retailers must rise to for end-to-end consumer engagement, on desktop and laptop, in-store, and crucially on mobile.</p> <p>67% of online shopping in the UK is done using mobile. 3</p> <h2>Mobile UX Design</h2> <p>Mobile UX differs from desktop/laptop in several important ways. Perhaps the most obvious are screen size and user interface (UI).</p> <p>Screen size is an important factor in UX design. Having a significantly smaller screen to interface with means that what works for desktop/laptop fails drastically on mobile. The smaller screen size requires a different approach as page layout needs to be designed for 6 or 7-inch screen space, which is about halved once the on-screen keyboard opens.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1536/0cjc2AHNdOhgCtPnz.jpg" width="1536" height="997" loading="lazy" /> <p>A mobile page shrinks down to about half the size of a typical business card. That provides a significant challenge for mobile UX designers.</p> <p>Add to that mobile tap and swipe UI, as opposed to point and click, and changing screen orientation, and mobile UX takes on its own dimension, quite separate from desktop/laptop.</p> <p>47% of UK consumers are put off from purchases by poor mobile UX design. 4</p> <p>Other mobile UX elements are important too, such as which UIs to use, menu design, keeping the cognitive load low, using haptics and on-screen feedback, clear and simple signposting, and the list goes on.</p> <p>There are also mobile UX features that we don’t see on desktops/laptops that can offer businesses greater opportunities to engage consumers and enhance UX. They include tap-to-call phone numbers, store location and directions, social media interaction, digital wallets, QR codes etc.</p> <p>But perhaps the most valuable UIs for engaging consumers are a mobile camera and microphone.</p> <h2>Reverse Image Search</h2> <p>Reverse image search is where a consumer has an image of a product, either from a website, social media or a photo taken on their mobile phone, and then uses that image to go shopping for the item pictured.</p> <p>This type of eCommerce search enables consumers to find products quickly, even if they don’t know the correct name of the product. For example, a person might see a bag that they really like, but don’t know the bag type or brand.</p> <p>To find out where to buy the bag all they have to do is take a picture of it on their mobile and perform a reverse image search for product information and purchase options.</p> <p>The reverse image search AI will scour online stores to find matches for the source image, enabling the consumer to find products quickly that would in a series of text searches take a lot longer and would be higher friction.</p> <p>Using high-quality, well-tagged, original images in your online store will help your products stand out from competitors, so they are less likely to get lost in a sea of stock images when consumers perform a reverse image search.</p> <h2>Augmented Reality</h2> <p>Augmented reality (AR) in eCommerce is a technology that enables consumers to combine their physical surroundings with digital content, using their mobile phones. The digital content could be images, animations, or video, all creating a combined physical/digital world experienced through a mobile screen.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1536/05uO07nkYFSwO7068.jpg" width="1536" height="997" loading="lazy" /> <p>Some products are easier to sell online than others. Items that traditionally need to be tried on, such as clothes or glasses, items that will be used in a particular context, such as furniture, and high-ticket items can pose a challenge for online sales.</p> <p>This is where AR enables consumers to better visualise how a product will look, either worn or in a given situation, to help them make a more informed buying decision, resulting in higher conversions, happier customers, and fewer returns.</p> <p>Here are some examples of eCommerce businesses that use AR to help consumers choose the right product and to nudge them towards conversion:</p> <p>Ikea was a pioneer of AR with its Place app, to help people see what furniture items would look like in a situation.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1536/0SWc_eHSJ3PVEZkrt.jpg" width="1536" height="997" loading="lazy" /> <p>Dulux uses AR to help consumers visualise how paint colours will look on their walls, so they can see on their mobile screen what the finished job will look like. The <a href="https://www.dulux.co.uk/en/articles/dulux-visualizer-app">Dulux Visualiser</a> app enables consumers to see how more than 1,200 paint colours will look in context with a real-life room. This solves the problem of trying to visualise how a tiny square colour sample will look over an entire wall.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1536/0kXFNiFPJTZbzLYGs.jpg" width="1536" height="997" loading="lazy" /> <p>There are other AR apps available that improve UX. For example, L’Oréal’s ModiFace enables customers to ‘try on’ makeup products and compare hair colours. Where ModiFace is available L’Oréal has seen a three-fold increase in conversion rates. 5</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1536/0YxutyThK5FY0xjFA.jpg" width="1536" height="997" loading="lazy" /> <p>AR empowers consumers to make more informed purchasing choices. It also helps engage them with more relevant and valuable shopping experiences. Consumers that can interact on a deeper level with the products that interest them will be more likely to trust your brand and business compared to competitors that don’t offer that level of engagement.</p> <p>61% of consumers said they prefer stores with AR over those without it. 6</p> <h2>Voice Search</h2> <p>One of the drawbacks of mobile phones is the tiny onscreen keyboard. Some people are fine using it, but many find it more difficult to type with compared to a desktop/laptop, taking longer to type and making more typos.</p> <p>It takes time to perform a text search. Consider the difference in time between typing a search phrase on a tiny keyboard to just saying the phrase out loud. That’s why voice search on mobile is popular.</p> <p>In addition, UX is greatly improved by voice search as it’s much more conversational. With a text search, consumers are likely to type in a few keywords, such as product name and perhaps a location. Voice search natural language processing (NLP) gives the interface a much more natural feel, with longer search phrases used-as though speaking to another person.</p> <p>The positive mobile UX benefits here are clear, but there is an added benefit for businesses too. Longer-tail keyword phrases give you the opportunity to hone SEO for greater online store and product findability.</p> <p>Given that conversion rates are often lower for mobile commerce than for desktop/laptop, leveraging voice search for mobile makes business sense.</p> <p>Mobile traffic conversion rates are around 2.25%, with desktop conversions around 4.8%. 7</p> <h2>Final Thought</h2> <p>Creating consistently outstanding mobile UX is vital for eCommerce success, for improving customer acquisition, <a href="https://whizzystack.co/conversion-rate-optimization/">conversion rates</a> and customer retention.</p> <p>Companies that focus on UX holistically, offering the same level of <a href="https://whizzystack.co/user-experience/">UX</a> across all touch-points so that their customers experience a single, unified shopping experience on any device, online or in-store, and on social media, will better meet customer expectations, increasing customer loyalty and brand equity.</p> <p>Providing omnichannel experiences and implementing new technologies will for most eCommerce businesses present significant operational and budgeting challenges, and because of this will be part of long-term strategy, if on the radar at all.</p> <p>One thing that can be done relatively easily towards these goals is to ensure that your mobile UX is consistent and engaging, offering intuitive, super-low friction shopping journeys across all devices.</p> <p>Is your eCommerce giving consumers outstanding shopping experiences? If you would like to know more about mobile UX design or would like advice on how to optimise mobile UX, then get in touch today for a chat with our <a href="https://whizzystack.co/lets-talk/">expert team</a>.</p> <h3>References:</h3> <p><a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/timeseries/j4mc/drsi">1https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/timeseries/j4mc/drsi</a></p> <p><a href="https://dontdisappoint.me.uk/resources/finance/mobile-commerce-statistics-uk/">2https://dontdisappoint.me.uk/resources/finance/mobile-commerce-statistics-uk/</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/5888/mobile-commerce-in-the-uk/#dossierKeyfigures">3https://www.statista.com/topics/5888/mobile-commerce-in-the-uk/#dossierKeyfigures</a></p> <p><a href="https://dontdisappoint.me.uk/resources/finance/mobile-commerce-statistics-uk/">4https://dontdisappoint.me.uk/resources/finance/mobile-commerce-statistics-uk/</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.thedrum.com/news/2019/07/02/conversion-rates-triple-when-l-or-al-uses-ar-tech-showcase-product">5https://www.thedrum.com/news/2019/07/02/conversion-rates-triple-when-l-or-al-uses-ar-tech-showcase-product</a></p> <p><a href="https://thinkmobiles.com/blog/augmented-reality-retail/">6https://thinkmobiles.com/blog/augmented-reality-retail/</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.salecycle.com/blog/strategies/mobile-conversion-rates-lower-desktop/">7https://www.salecycle.com/blog/strategies/mobile-conversion-rates-lower-desktop/</a></p> <p><em><strong>As a reputed Software Solutions Developer we have expertise in providing dedicated remote and outsourced technical resources for software services at very nominal cost. Besides experts in Digital Marketing We also build web solutions, mobile apps and work on system integration, performance enhancement, cloud migrations and big data analytics. Don’t hesitate to <a href="http</em>s://whiz</strong>zystack.co/lets-talk/">Get in touch with us!</a></p> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://whizzystack.co/2022/10/10/</em>ecommerce-agency-guide-mobile-user/">https://whizzystack.co</a> on October 10, 2022.</p> </section>	eCommerce Guide — Mobile User Experience — Whizzystack With more people than ever buying online a key differentiator for your eCommerce business is to ensure super-low friction and consistently outstanding UX at every touchpoint in shopping journeys. Because of the pandemic, eCommerce growth has accelerated to unprecedented levels, meaning that more people than ever are shopping online. And inevitably, more people are shopping using their mobile phones. Therefore, making mobile UX intuitive and super-low friction must be a priority for eCommerce businesses. ONS data¹ show that UK internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales have grown significantly: 19% in February 2020 Peaking at the January 2021 lockdown with 37% Plateauing at 26% in September 2021 The challenge for eCommerce is not only to offer consumers outstanding UX, but to do so at all touchpoints in their shopping journeys-especially on mobile. Omnichannel Shopping 67% of online shopping in the UK is done on mobile. 2 Creating consistent, seamless user journeys can be complex. The rise of omnichannel shopping means that UX designers must consider not only website navigation but the whole user experience across more touchpoints than ever before, as omnichannel experiences become the default expectation for consumers. For example: It used to be that if a consumer wanted to buy a product they would go to an online store on their desktop or laptop, browse, perhaps compare a few online stores, and then make the purchase from one of them. Now, if a consumer wants to purchase, say, a new laptop, they might initially research online using their mobile phone, beginning with a Google search, then look at YouTube videos about the best laptops to buy, read some UGC, related blogs and articles etc. The consumer might then use a computer at home to visit a laptop brand’s website and maybe have a live chat with a representative. This might lead to an email exchange. The consumer may then visit a brick-and-mortar store to experience the product in the real world-to touch the laptop and feel the key action. And then, having perhaps narrowed their list down to two or three products, they might take a day or two for consideration, with the purchase finally made from a third-party online store offering the best price. This one-of-many scenario shows the complexity of a typical omnichannel shopping journey, from research to purchase. Given the number of routes a consumer can take on that journey, creating intuitive, consistent UX is a challenge that retailers must rise to for end-to-end consumer engagement, on desktop and laptop, in-store, and crucially on mobile. 67% of online shopping in the UK is done using mobile. 3 Mobile UX Design Mobile UX differs from desktop/laptop in several important ways. Perhaps the most obvious are screen size and user interface (UI). Screen size is an important factor in UX design. Having a significantly smaller screen to interface with means that what works for desktop/laptop fails drastically on mobile. The smaller screen size requires a different approach as page layout needs to be designed for 6 or 7-inch screen space, which is about halved once the on-screen keyboard opens. A mobile page shrinks down to about half the size of a typical business card. That provides a significant challenge for mobile UX designers. Add to that mobile tap and swipe UI, as opposed to point and click, and changing screen orientation, and mobile UX takes on its own dimension, quite separate from desktop/laptop. 47% of UK consumers are put off from purchases by poor mobile UX design. 4 Other mobile UX elements are important too, such as which UIs to use, menu design, keeping the cognitive load low, using haptics and on-screen feedback, clear and simple signposting, and the list goes on. There are also mobile UX features that we don’t see on desktops/laptops that can offer businesses greater opportunities to engage consumers and enhance UX. They include tap-to-call phone numbers, store location and directions, social media interaction, digital wallets, QR codes etc. But perhaps the most valuable UIs for engaging consumers are a mobile camera and microphone. Reverse Image Search Reverse image search is where a consumer has an image of a product, either from a website, social media or a photo taken on their mobile phone, and then uses that image to go shopping for the item pictured. This type of eCommerce search enables consumers to find products quickly, even if they don’t know the correct name of the product. For example, a person might see a bag that they really like, but don’t know the bag type or brand. To find out where to buy the bag all they have to do is take a picture of it on their mobile and perform a reverse image search for product information and purchase options. The reverse image search AI will scour online stores to find matches for the source image, enabling the consumer to find products quickly that would in a series of text searches take a lot longer and would be higher friction. Using high-quality, well-tagged, original images in your online store will help your products stand out from competitors, so they are less likely to get lost in a sea of stock images when consumers perform a reverse image search. Augmented Reality Augmented reality (AR) in eCommerce is a technology that enables consumers to combine their physical surroundings with digital content, using their mobile phones. The digital content could be images, animations, or video, all creating a combined physical/digital world experienced through a mobile screen. Some products are easier to sell online than others. Items that traditionally need to be tried on, such as clothes or glasses, items that will be used in a particular context, such as furniture, and high-ticket items can pose a challenge for online sales. This is where AR enables consumers to better visualise how a product will look, either worn or in a given situation, to help them make a more informed buying decision, resulting in higher conversions, happier customers, and fewer returns. Here are some examples of eCommerce businesses that use AR to help consumers choose the right product and to nudge them towards conversion: Ikea was a pioneer of AR with its Place app, to help people see what furniture items would look like in a situation. Dulux uses AR to help consumers visualise how paint colours will look on their walls, so they can see on their mobile screen what the finished job will look like. The Dulux Visualiser app enables consumers to see how more than 1,200 paint colours will look in context with a real-life room. This solves the problem of trying to visualise how a tiny square colour sample will look over an entire wall. There are other AR apps available that improve UX. For example, L’Oréal’s ModiFace enables customers to ‘try on’ makeup products and compare hair colours. Where ModiFace is available L’Oréal has seen a three-fold increase in conversion rates. 5 AR empowers consumers to make more informed purchasing choices. It also helps engage them with more relevant and valuable shopping experiences. Consumers that can interact on a deeper level with the products that interest them will be more likely to trust your brand and business compared to competitors that don’t offer that level of engagement. 61% of consumers said they prefer stores with AR over those without it. 6 Voice Search One of the drawbacks of mobile phones is the tiny onscreen keyboard. Some people are fine using it, but many find it more difficult to type with compared to a desktop/laptop, taking longer to type and making more typos. It takes time to perform a text search. Consider the difference in time between typing a search phrase on a tiny keyboard to just saying the phrase out loud. That’s why voice search on mobile is popular. In addition, UX is greatly improved by voice search as it’s much more conversational. With a text search, consumers are likely to type in a few keywords, such as product name and perhaps a location. Voice search natural language processing (NLP) gives the interface a much more natural feel, with longer search phrases used-as though speaking to another person. The positive mobile UX benefits here are clear, but there is an added benefit for businesses too. Longer-tail keyword phrases give you the opportunity to hone SEO for greater online store and product findability. Given that conversion rates are often lower for mobile commerce than for desktop/laptop, leveraging voice search for mobile makes business sense. Mobile traffic conversion rates are around 2.25%, with desktop conversions around 4.8%. 7 Final Thought Creating consistently outstanding mobile UX is vital for eCommerce success, for improving customer acquisition, conversion rates and customer retention. Companies that focus on UX holistically, offering the same level of UX across all touch-points so that their customers experience a single, unified shopping experience on any device, online or in-store, and on social media, will better meet customer expectations, increasing customer loyalty and brand equity. Providing omnichannel experiences and implementing new technologies will for most eCommerce businesses present significant operational and budgeting challenges, and because of this will be part of long-term strategy, if on the radar at all. One thing that can be done relatively easily towards these goals is to ensure that your mobile UX is consistent and engaging, offering intuitive, super-low friction shopping journeys across all devices. Is your eCommerce giving consumers outstanding shopping experiences? If you would like to know more about mobile UX design or would like advice on how to optimise mobile UX, then get in touch today for a chat with our expert team. References: 1https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/timeseries/j4mc/drsi 2https://dontdisappoint.me.uk/resources/finance/mobile-commerce-statistics-uk/ 3https://www.statista.com/topics/5888/mobile-commerce-in-the-uk/#dossierKeyfigures 4https://dontdisappoint.me.uk/resources/finance/mobile-commerce-statistics-uk/ 5https://www.thedrum.com/news/2019/07/02/conversion-rates-triple-when-l-or-al-uses-ar-tech-showcase-product 6https://thinkmobiles.com/blog/augmented-reality-retail/ 7https://www.salecycle.com/blog/strategies/mobile-conversion-rates-lower-desktop/ As a reputed Software Solutions Developer we have expertise in providing dedicated remote and outsourced technical resources for software services at very nominal cost. Besides experts in Digital Marketing We also build web solutions, mobile apps and work on system integration, performance enhancement, cloud migrations and big data analytics. Don’t hesitate to Get in touch with us! Originally published at https://whizzystack.co on October 10, 2022.	32df0e42-57ed-57b7-a605-c85ce39d2830	25/08/2025 18:00:32
https://sarahganly1.medium.com/fun-and-easy-easter-bunny-cake-7fe2f5b33029	medium.com	Fun and Easy Easter Bunny Cake	Make your holiday delicious!	Sarah Ganly	https://medium.com/@sarahganly1	7fe2f5b33029	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*aFqazD7WPZR19z5N	1 min	2019-09-03T02:19:42.970000	2019-09-03T02:20:59.965000	2022-03-30T20:33:08.632000	0	0	en	Food,Recipe,Easter Recipe,Bunny Cake,Dessert	<section> <p>Make your holiday delicious!</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2560/0*aFqazD7WPZR19z5N" width="2560" height="1920" loading="lazy" /> <p>It is fun and easy to make an Easter bunny cake. This project is so fun and easy that it is perfect for sharing with children. All you need is some basic ingredients, a little imagination, and a sweet tooth.</p> <p>First you will need cake mix and all of the ingredients that are required to make enough cake to fill to medium round cake pans; you can use what ever flavor cake you like, but carrot cake is always fun for Easter. Next you will need white frosting; you can use vanilla, cream cheese, or butter cream it doesn’t matter. A bag of coconut, red food coloring, assorted candy such as jelly beans and or gum drops, and licorice. A handful of green Easter basket grass and a 20 inch piece of card board or platter add a festive touch to the presentation of this cake.</p> <p>Now bake the cake according to the directions on the package in two medium round cake pans. Once the cakes have cooled place one of the cake rounds at the middle and bottom of the cardboard. Then cut the other cake in half right down the middle. Next place the halves sticking out of the top of the circle like ears. Now ice the entire cake. Mix some of the red dye with the icing and full in the inside shape of the ears with it. Next use the candy to create a face The licorice works as excellent whiskers, and the jelly beans are a great nose. After all of the candy is in place sprinkle coconut over the cake and press it lightly into the frosting.</p> <p>The final touch is to place the grass round the cake, and sprinkle with some of the jelly beans and gum drops. This will give the cake a very Festive Easter look. This cake is fun and easy and should be enjoyed every year.</p> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://sarahganly.blo</em>gspot.com/2014/07/fun-and-easy-easter-bunny-cake.html">http://sarahganly.blogspot.com</a>.</p> </section>	Fun and Easy Easter Bunny Cake Make your holiday delicious! Photo by Waranya Mooldee on Unsplash It is fun and easy to make an Easter bunny cake. This project is so fun and easy that it is perfect for sharing with children. All you need is some basic ingredients, a little imagination, and a sweet tooth. First you will need cake mix and all of the ingredients that are required to make enough cake to fill to medium round cake pans; you can use what ever flavor cake you like, but carrot cake is always fun for Easter. Next you will need white frosting; you can use vanilla, cream cheese, or butter cream it doesn’t matter. A bag of coconut, red food coloring, assorted candy such as jelly beans and or gum drops, and licorice. A handful of green Easter basket grass and a 20 inch piece of card board or platter add a festive touch to the presentation of this cake. Now bake the cake according to the directions on the package in two medium round cake pans. Once the cakes have cooled place one of the cake rounds at the middle and bottom of the cardboard. Then cut the other cake in half right down the middle. Next place the halves sticking out of the top of the circle like ears. Now ice the entire cake. Mix some of the red dye with the icing and full in the inside shape of the ears with it. Next use the candy to create a face The licorice works as excellent whiskers, and the jelly beans are a great nose. After all of the candy is in place sprinkle coconut over the cake and press it lightly into the frosting. The final touch is to place the grass round the cake, and sprinkle with some of the jelly beans and gum drops. This will give the cake a very Festive Easter look. This cake is fun and easy and should be enjoyed every year. Originally published at http://sarahganly.blogspot.com.	0290da94-d81a-599c-ac03-8a4c48e5a72f	25/08/2025 18:00:32
https://medium.com/@sikes92/i-have-dreams-of-you-covered-in-a-darkness-swimming-in-a-sea-of-bleach-1ddd77c154c7	medium.com	I have dreams of you covered in a darkness, swimming in a sea of bleach.	Something like the phantom, came and took my love away.	Jessica S	https://medium.com/@sikes92	1ddd77c154c7	null	0 min	2017-11-26T17:33:55.954000	2017-11-26T17:46:47.929000	2018-05-29T05:37:35.593000	0	229	en	Poetry,Photography,Patience	<section> <p>Something like the phantom, came and took my love away.</p> <p>And the angels promised me, another day, cloaked in gold. Surrounded by rose</p> <p>And love took that away</p> <p>And it comes back with the light of day.</p> <p>For when the night covers itself over my soul, I’m dancing in anything but gold</p> <p>I’m dancing in the cold.</p> <p>And my toes are blue</p> <p>And I’m the Bird in the cage but I’m looking at you.</p> <p>And we don’t fly, we never take off</p> <p>But risk; how do you fly when a phantom, stole that too.</p> <p>Risk, darkness knows of this.</p> </section>	I have dreams of you covered in a darkness, swimming in a sea of bleach. Your face clean, but my head dances with thoughts of darkness. A Black Sea Something like the phantom, came and took my love away. And the angels promised me, another day, cloaked in gold. Surrounded by rose And love took that away And it comes back with the light of day. For when the night covers itself over my soul, I’m dancing in anything but gold I’m dancing in the cold. And my toes are blue And I’m the Bird in the cage but I’m looking at you. And we don’t fly, we never take off But risk; how do you fly when a phantom, stole that too. Risk, darkness knows of this.	dbdb3b4a-056b-5d7a-a03f-dcd0bc9f3589	25/08/2025 18:00:33
https://medium.com/@charityfabby/dont-k-ll-the-reader-59a50440a481	medium.com	Don't K!ll the reader?	null	Charity Fabian Affang	https://medium.com/@charityfabby	59a50440a481	null	2 min	2025-01-30T08:58:54.065000	2025-01-30T08:59:59.169000	2025-01-30T09:29:04.524000	0	0	en	This Happened To Me,Books,Life,Writing,Creativity	<section> <p>As is the usual process, everyone had their past questions (textbook), right in front of them.</p> <p>A few minutes later, the school's principal walked into class and immediately ordered, that we should all write an essay, of 450 words.</p> <p>We did and when the time was up, we all submitted in excitement, getting ready to move to something else.</p> <p>But something happened!</p> <p>In a class with quite a number, the principal decided to read the essays out, so he point out mistakes and encourage good writing.</p> <p>The disappointment on some of the faces of the students were so visible and you could feel the classroom get tense</p> <p>It wasn't like there was going to be some punishment or anything but the fear of being humiliated for not writing, a perfect essay was enough to humble everyone.</p> <p>If you ask me, that was the real drill!</p> <p>So the exercise started. I wouldn't bore you with the lengthy story but I'll highlight something.</p> <p>The principal picked the first sheet of paper, sat on the chair in front of the class with his legs, crossed over the other.</p> <p>He started reading, as there was pin-drop silence!</p> <p>We all noticed that the man kept reading without a stop. It was more like he was the new Lil Wayne and that made some students giggle to themselves.</p> <p>After some minutes, he stopped and looked up, sternly!</p> <p>His gaze was enough to warn the students who had their white teeth flashed at him, to closeup and get serious.</p> <p>Then, the tension returned!</p> <p>Why wouldn't it?</p> <p>The school's principal was just reading (literally rapping) and then, his face suddenly looks like he had seen a ghost.</p> <p>"Who wrote this? Do you want to kill me?", his voice thundered.</p> <p>We didn't understand what he meant. It wasn't like the essay was about the death of anyone, and definitely, it wasn't about his death either.</p> <p>So, what was wrong?</p> <p>"I ask again, do you want to kill me?", he repeated.</p> <p>When there was no response, he stood to his feet, placed the sheet of paper on the desk and wrote something on the board.</p> <p>"The Importance of Punctuation Marks!", was boldly written on the board.</p> <p>Then, he turned to the class with his stern, grim look, gradually turning into a faint smile.</p> <p>Perhaps, he knew that we were still lost and quite guilty for doing something wrong, even if we didn't know exactly.</p> <p>"Any writing done without punctuation marks, is targeted at killing the reader ", he explained softly.</p> <p>"Your reader is your audience and you shouldn't make them lose their lives while enjoying your work", he continued.</p> <p>"Use the 'FULL-STOPS', 'EXCLAMATION MARKS', 'COMMAS, QUESTION TAGS', 'ELLIPSIS' in your writing and use them properly", he said</p> <p>"Give me an opportunity to break, stop and catch my breath while reading. I was rapping the words because there was no indication in your writing that I had to stop", he ended.</p> <p>That imprinted a message in my mind, forever.</p> <p>No matter how short-timed I am, I'll never start writing if I don't get my tool box of punctuation marks with me.</p> <p>I do that because I don’t want to have my readers suffer from a shortness of breath, while reading my work.</p> <p>So, I ask you, Do you want to k!ll your readers or do you think they deserve a break while reading?</p> <p>Yours in Writing, Pen-Queen Affang.</p> <p>#PenQueen #penqueentips #writeright #writersbreakfast #writingcommunity #pennation #writerscircle #thoughtfulwriting</p> </section>	In my second year, in secondary school, while myself and my classmates were all preparing for the WAEC/NECO examinations, we had a mental drill during one of the classes. As is the usual process, everyone had their past questions (textbook), right in front of them. A few minutes later, the school's principal walked into class and immediately ordered, that we should all write an essay, of 450 words. We did and when the time was up, we all submitted in excitement, getting ready to move to something else. But something happened! In a class with quite a number, the principal decided to read the essays out, so he point out mistakes and encourage good writing. The disappointment on some of the faces of the students were so visible and you could feel the classroom get tense It wasn't like there was going to be some punishment or anything but the fear of being humiliated for not writing, a perfect essay was enough to humble everyone. If you ask me, that was the real drill! So the exercise started. I wouldn't bore you with the lengthy story but I'll highlight something. The principal picked the first sheet of paper, sat on the chair in front of the class with his legs, crossed over the other. He started reading, as there was pin-drop silence! We all noticed that the man kept reading without a stop. It was more like he was the new Lil Wayne and that made some students giggle to themselves. After some minutes, he stopped and looked up, sternly! His gaze was enough to warn the students who had their white teeth flashed at him, to closeup and get serious. Then, the tension returned! Why wouldn't it? The school's principal was just reading (literally rapping) and then, his face suddenly looks like he had seen a ghost. "Who wrote this? Do you want to kill me?", his voice thundered. We didn't understand what he meant. It wasn't like the essay was about the death of anyone, and definitely, it wasn't about his death either. So, what was wrong? "I ask again, do you want to kill me?", he repeated. When there was no response, he stood to his feet, placed the sheet of paper on the desk and wrote something on the board. "The Importance of Punctuation Marks!", was boldly written on the board. Then, he turned to the class with his stern, grim look, gradually turning into a faint smile. Perhaps, he knew that we were still lost and quite guilty for doing something wrong, even if we didn't know exactly. "Any writing done without punctuation marks, is targeted at killing the reader ", he explained softly. "Your reader is your audience and you shouldn't make them lose their lives while enjoying your work", he continued. "Use the 'FULL-STOPS', 'EXCLAMATION MARKS', 'COMMAS, QUESTION TAGS', 'ELLIPSIS' in your writing and use them properly", he said "Give me an opportunity to break, stop and catch my breath while reading. I was rapping the words because there was no indication in your writing that I had to stop", he ended. That imprinted a message in my mind, forever. No matter how short-timed I am, I'll never start writing if I don't get my tool box of punctuation marks with me. I do that because I don’t want to have my readers suffer from a shortness of breath, while reading my work. So, I ask you, Do you want to k!ll your readers or do you think they deserve a break while reading? Yours in Writing, Pen-Queen Affang. #PenQueen #penqueentips #writeright #writersbreakfast #writingcommunity #pennation #writerscircle #thoughtfulwriting	7ee2c25a-90cc-51a5-a303-e8f4907583e2	25/08/2025 18:00:33
https://medium.com/the-story-hall/codes-d03b83fb2df6	medium.com	Codes	Sapling #29	Kirstin Vanlierde	https://medium.com/@kirstinvanlierde	d03b83fb2df6	https://miro.medium.com/…II2s4V5LT4w.jpeg	1 min	2018-04-01T07:18:51.145000	2018-04-01T07:22:14.842000	2018-04-04T17:05:45.802000	3	136	en	Sapling,Photography,Collaboration,Decisions,Change	<section> <h3>Sapling #29</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1714/15Z9mxT8ISJcII2s4V5LT4w.jpeg" width="1714" height="1714" loading="lazy" /> <p>Some rooms were made to be entered by you. There is no need for it to happen instantly, however, and often it won’t even work that way. The doors don’t just yield and open.</p> <p>Sometimes a door can be a presence taken so much for granted that you don’t even notice it’s there. You have to walk past it often enough to eventually grow curious. Sometimes you want to go in from the start, very much even, but it turns out to be locked. Every once in a while a door only becomes visible for those who, against all odds, keep believing it is there. Codes will only allow themselves to be read by those ready to break them.</p> <p>Sometimes you know you will go in the moment you see it. Even if you don’t really want to, or you find yourself shuddering or staring at the silent keyhole for as long as you can, searching for answers and guarantees. For beyond every door is a world, the beginning of one thing and the end of another. You never know what you will find. You never know what you will leave behind until it is no longer there.</p> <p>Only, some rooms were made to be entered by you. For the code has shown itself, and the light in your back urges you on. The grains in the woodwork are calling you by your name.</p> <p>You step inside. You breathe new air. And gently, with the softest click, the door to the past closes itself behind you.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/960/18wWA0DoW42yXiuyAR1QXow.jpeg" width="960" height="960" loading="lazy" /> <p><em>The SAPLING series is a joint project with artist and illustrator <a href="http://jurgenwalschot.blogspot.be/">Jurgen Walschot</a>. Saplings are creative sprouts. I wil</em>l write to the images, he will draw to the words.</p> </section>	Codes Sapling #29 © Jurgen Walschot Some rooms were made to be entered by you. There is no need for it to happen instantly, however, and often it won’t even work that way. The doors don’t just yield and open. Sometimes a door can be a presence taken so much for granted that you don’t even notice it’s there. You have to walk past it often enough to eventually grow curious. Sometimes you want to go in from the start, very much even, but it turns out to be locked. Every once in a while a door only becomes visible for those who, against all odds, keep believing it is there. Codes will only allow themselves to be read by those ready to break them. Sometimes you know you will go in the moment you see it. Even if you don’t really want to, or you find yourself shuddering or staring at the silent keyhole for as long as you can, searching for answers and guarantees. For beyond every door is a world, the beginning of one thing and the end of another. You never know what you will find. You never know what you will leave behind until it is no longer there. Only, some rooms were made to be entered by you. For the code has shown itself, and the light in your back urges you on. The grains in the woodwork are calling you by your name. You step inside. You breathe new air. And gently, with the softest click, the door to the past closes itself behind you. © Jurgen Walschot The SAPLING series is a joint project with artist and illustrator Jurgen Walschot. Saplings are creative sprouts. I will write to the images, he will draw to the words.	780d3bd0-11d9-5212-9205-1b250c2ec82b	25/08/2025 18:00:33
https://chrisreid-58527.medium.com/gift-rap-5-2-18-9d35230ac3d9	medium.com	GIFT RAP 5/2/18	No Quarter	Chris Reid	https://medium.com/@chrisreid-58527	9d35230ac3d9	https://miro.medium.com/…MXw_-pnd2TA.jpeg	1 min	2018-05-02T11:43:54.789000	2018-05-02T11:48:40.977000	2018-05-02T11:48:42.019000	0	0	en	Gift Rap,Hip Hop,Poetry,Inspiration,Depression	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*MkvAUd3TNOOMXw_-pnd2TA.jpeg" width="1280" height="853" loading="lazy" /> <p>No Quarter</p> <p>Discouragement and frustration threatens to take me over,</p> <p>Could use some luck but I don’t believe in no four leaf clovers!</p> <p>Sometimes it feels when I’m claiming God I’m only a poser,</p> <p>I gotta wonder when all these clouds are gonna pass over?</p> <p>Even a warrior’s wounded in fights from time to time,</p> <p>Everyone goes through a valley, I guess this time it’s mine!</p> <p>Stay on my grind and then rally, that’s how my strength’s defined,</p> <p>I’m nowhere close to finale, gold is being refined!</p> <p>Go through the fire, desire determines purity,</p> <p>But in my ire, I wallow in my obscurity!</p> <p>Is this reality or is it insecurity?</p> <p>My lack of faith is the proof of my immaturity!</p> <p>But I’ll keep marching, my orders are, just keep moving forward,</p> <p>With every step and rejection know that I’m getting closer!</p> <p>Blazing a trail as I hack and I sweat, I’m an explorer,</p> <p>My fight’s not over so I’ll continue, giving no quarter!</p> <p>By: Christopher Louis Reid</p> </section>	GIFT RAP 5/2/18 No Quarter Discouragement and frustration threatens to take me over, Could use some luck but I don’t believe in no four leaf clovers! Sometimes it feels when I’m claiming God I’m only a poser, I gotta wonder when all these clouds are gonna pass over? Even a warrior’s wounded in fights from time to time, Everyone goes through a valley, I guess this time it’s mine! Stay on my grind and then rally, that’s how my strength’s defined, I’m nowhere close to finale, gold is being refined! Go through the fire, desire determines purity, But in my ire, I wallow in my obscurity! Is this reality or is it insecurity? My lack of faith is the proof of my immaturity! But I’ll keep marching, my orders are, just keep moving forward, With every step and rejection know that I’m getting closer! Blazing a trail as I hack and I sweat, I’m an explorer, My fight’s not over so I’ll continue, giving no quarter! By: Christopher Louis Reid	1c38975e-caad-562c-8898-fde2ffe163ab	25/08/2025 18:00:33
https://medium.com/@sarveshnarkar2d104/first-summer-internship-with-hasura-413d7b8d98d6	medium.com	First Summer Internship With Hasura	TASK 1.1) 3 Screen App Idea	Sarvesh Narkar	https://medium.com/@sarveshnarkar2d104	413d7b8d98d6	null	1 min	2017-06-11T17:49:25.510000	2017-06-12T16:18:26.413000	2018-04-10T13:56:03.388000	0	1	en	Health,Fitness,Diet,Food,Body	<section> <p><strong>TASK 1.1) 3 Screen App Idea</strong></p> <p>Hello readers!! This blog series will cover the entire journey (a very long and a memorable journey of 2 months)of me and my partner Sayali Jawre, of our ‘First Summer Internship with Hasura’ (it is that important to be included in quotes :D). So lets get started with this very interesting and a wonderful journey(Pretty excited myself!!!).</p> <p>Being an Engineering student it is a must for every student to have at-least one internship under his/her belt so as to have an upper edge over other aspiring students. I got to know about ‘The Introduction to Modern Application Development’ aka ‘IMAD’ course from a close friend. Being an enthusiastic programmer, I took up the course and did it quite well. Then within a short span of time after the result being announced, there came an email reading ‘You have been tentatively selected for an internship at Hasura this summer’. I was delighted with this news and was very eager to start the internship which needed the interns to create a 3 Screen App.</p> <p>I personally wanted to create an app that has a social issue related to it but also has to be interesting to me so that I can give my best to create it. After a lot of Brain-Storming with my partner for this internship Ms Sayali Anant Jawre, we got a very interesting idea. As nowadays people often end up eating a lot and don’t know the amount of calories they are putting on, we thought it would be great if we create an app that helps people manage their diet. All they have to do is enter their current weight and as per their bodily makeup(height and weight) we will provide them a goal weight and the daily calorie intake. With this app, people will know how well are they approaching their goal weight or are drifting away from it.</p> <p>The next phase is about designing a prototype which will be covered in the next blog.Till then Ciao!!!</p> </section>	First Summer Internship With Hasura TASK 1.1) 3 Screen App Idea Hello readers!! This blog series will cover the entire journey (a very long and a memorable journey of 2 months)of me and my partner Sayali Jawre, of our ‘First Summer Internship with Hasura’ (it is that important to be included in quotes :D). So lets get started with this very interesting and a wonderful journey(Pretty excited myself!!!). Being an Engineering student it is a must for every student to have at-least one internship under his/her belt so as to have an upper edge over other aspiring students. I got to know about ‘The Introduction to Modern Application Development’ aka ‘IMAD’ course from a close friend. Being an enthusiastic programmer, I took up the course and did it quite well. Then within a short span of time after the result being announced, there came an email reading ‘You have been tentatively selected for an internship at Hasura this summer’. I was delighted with this news and was very eager to start the internship which needed the interns to create a 3 Screen App. I personally wanted to create an app that has a social issue related to it but also has to be interesting to me so that I can give my best to create it. After a lot of Brain-Storming with my partner for this internship Ms Sayali Anant Jawre, we got a very interesting idea. As nowadays people often end up eating a lot and don’t know the amount of calories they are putting on, we thought it would be great if we create an app that helps people manage their diet. All they have to do is enter their current weight and as per their bodily makeup(height and weight) we will provide them a goal weight and the daily calorie intake. With this app, people will know how well are they approaching their goal weight or are drifting away from it. The next phase is about designing a prototype which will be covered in the next blog.Till then Ciao!!!	a1ba3a70-dd9e-53d2-90a3-88a06e4c36d6	25/08/2025 18:00:33
https://zenturioncopy.medium.com/4-life-lessons-i-learnt-from-photography-5be6682d12c0	medium.com	4 Life Lessons I learnt From Photography.	Discover how Light & Shadow can make improve your emotional mindset.	Angel Jurado	https://medium.com/@zenturioncopy	5be6682d12c0	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*5wKgc5UKSqu-Rfhf	6 min	2020-10-01T08:20:09.302000	2020-10-01T10:11:21.843000	2021-12-16T02:14:11.725000	1	25	en	Psychology,Self Improvement,Mental Health,Photography,Mindfulness	<section> <h3>Discover how Light & Shadow can make improve your emotional mindset.</h3> <p>In photography and in almost <strong>countless aspects of life</strong>, both shadows and lights play a crucial role in understanding a scene, a person or certain aspect of our life.</p> <p>It would be contradictory or even impossible to talk about the shadows in an image without a light that shapes and illuminates a subject and its surroundings. Same thing happen in our emotional and spiritual world.</p> <h3>How? Let’s explore together.</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/7360/1Kts8TQzig4Fjpz-di2l2SQ.jpeg" width="7360" height="4912" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Why is my emphasis more crucial in the shadow than in the brightness or halftones? </strong>A quick clarification for each one and the role it plays as a whole:</p> <p><strong>Brightness:</strong> It defines the edges of a figure and favours the visualization of a rounded area or on the contrary more tight and pointed.</p> <p><strong>Halftones:</strong> They are the basis of the image, as in a cake would be the dough on which to put the other layers and ornaments on top. In general, halftones will contain the most information in the photograph.</p> <p><strong>Shadows:</strong> The only thing we have left is therefore the dark area of the photograph, the tones that will be intertwined with the brightness and the light to contour a figure, to adjust and in a more or less marked way define the tone that acquires the image.</p> <p>From my point of view, the shadows are above the other two components, will contribute to the composition as the “unintended” shaping factor of the image.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1645/1wt9iXWZcBi3HeYvfs-IV1Q.jpeg" width="1645" height="334" loading="lazy" /> <p>As Darth Vader said in Star Wars</p> <p>Don’t underestimate the power of the Dark Side.</p> <p>We must understand this as an intangible aspect of photography, since it would be the light source responsible for generating that shadow. Ensured this, the position in which the shadow is generated, the information it contains <em>(even if it does not contain any, will continue to provide information and content. Something impossible just with the brightness for example)</em> will provide everything necessary to move from a completely soft photograph, relaxed until something dramatic, hard or even disturbing as the horror films tend to use every time they can.</p> <p>I have decided to select 5 examples that illustrate in a very precise way the different uses and intentions that this tool has and the evolution that it can suppose in our photography:</p> <h1>1.- Be careful with the details.</h1> <p>As we can see almost every detail in the facial features has been lost but regardless, given the exposure and detail of the eye we have achieved a focus point with enough content and attention.</p> <p>Our human brain works and manage details differently extolling every detail that we create relevant and gives enough information to generate concepts or understanding about certain facts.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/750/0fqQclwqNVUHpiBYA" width="750" height="750" loading="lazy" /> <p>This idea happens all the time around us, and certainly we can feel related if we think about how many times we decide to take action with just a bit of information.</p> <p>However, we need to be cautious with this balance. Making strong decisions without enough information might be as detrimental as not making any move because there’s still some strings undone.</p> <p>Remember: There is always room for improvisation and exploration but the wider you are able to see the whole picture, the easier is to take chances and make the right moves.</p> <h2>2.- Be aware of the real intentions behind your actions.</h2> <p>Without losing the portrait theme, although this time in full body, we can see how the game of the lines creates an illusion of intimacy and elegance.</p> <p>On this occasion we have lost the detail in the upper portion of the face but at the same time, it seems to work in a very efficient way generating a powerful feeling between the uncertain and abstract.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2059/05wKgc5UKSqu-Rfhf" width="2059" height="1372" loading="lazy" /> <p>As an extension of the first point, this time we have much more information apparently, but we lack a key point in the composition. The upper face.</p> <p>If we extrapolate this to our daily life we can manage to decipher a situation that is common and is the lack of understating about the intentions.</p> <p>External or internal sometimes the absence of comprehension about <em>What and Why</em> we do things can mask real problems behind those actions.</p> <p><strong>Why this happens?</strong></p> <p>In many cases we tend to conform with just enough details and create a whole idea by ourselves. In part, we have evolved that way as an evolutionary trait, but the complexity of these behaviours is not yet adapted to a modern socialized era where abstract concepts and idealizations take place.</p> <p>This is the point where our understanding bifurcates into our instinctive reaction and rational brain causing a little bit of a problem generating an honest response.</p> <p><strong>Remember: </strong>Once you have control over the big picture, make sure you are able to understand the little details and more important, the reality that happens within you.</p> <p>Knowing your true reasons without getting lost in the hollow details will make your life path easier to walk on.</p> <h2>3.- Less is sometimes much much MUCH more.</h2> <p>Minimalist photography is also intimately linked with how you see life and the way you can take advantage of the situation.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1800/0x9RlXwWTIZ4lk9V2" width="1800" height="1200" loading="lazy" /> <p>In this example we can see that with three simple elements (a chair, spotlight rig and a worn wooden floor). We can create an atmosphere full of intrigue and questions. Whose chair is that? What’s behind the darkness? Is it a place for interviews? Why is the floor that worn out?. Will it be a stage? And so on we could continue to countless questions that would be a treasure for the mind to discover.</p> <p>Same in life, when we have just few elements at our disposal a whole new world seems to unfold in front of us. We need to become more creative, more insightful and come with new ideas to link those scarce elements to generate a solution to our needs.</p> <p>Furthermore, the fewer things you have to deal with, emotionally or physically, the less amount of worries you have to carry with you. This might seem not a big deal when you add slowly a piece of gear to your equipment or a new paradigm to your inner self but when you start taking account on how many things are not needed…it becomes a big wedge in your life.</p> <p>Remember: The less you carry, the further and lighter you can go. It doesn’t mean to become austere and deprive yourself of a comfortable light but becoming defining what your external and internal life really needs.</p> <p><em>Simplicity involves unburdening your life, and living more lightly with fewer distractions that interfere with a high quality life, as defined uniquely by each individual.”</em> <strong>-Linda Breen Pierce</strong>, <strong>1947.</strong></p> <h2>4.- Explore your light even if it’s dark outside.</h2> <p>In our next photography example I’m presenting you architecture.</p> <p>When we want to consider this concept in relation to photography and architecture, we generally have to take a look in a different particular way.</p> <p>Urban or street photography is subject to more chaotic and “uncontrolled” rhythms than you could find in a professional assembled studio.</p> <p>Perhaps that is what captivates people and make them fall in love with the charming sense of unexpected scenes and results.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1000/0URv-7Q4jsVsFBi7b" width="1000" height="1500" loading="lazy" /> <p>When “reading” a snapshot, human brain is much more capable of joining the dots and fill the information when it comes to shady-dark areas.</p> <p>In photography, we often say and praise</p> <p>“you need to protect whites or highlights in your artwork”.</p> <p>As you can see, much of the information has been dragged into the underexposed area of the spectrum but having a subject and a strip of light that shapes the environment, it is very easy to interpret the direction, the subject and the scenario inside the frame.</p> <p>When we start implementing this visions things start becoming a little bit more interesting and at the same time we seem to gain focus.</p> <p>Having a broader vision or attention without any focus point make us quite fragile and almost stray. Don’t take it on bad terms, what I want you to understand here is that walking changing your direction every 5 seconds and reaching your desired destination is pure coincidence.</p> <p><strong>Remember:</strong> If despite the dark emotions, the difficulties around you and the <em><strong>“everything seems to be aga</em>inst me” </strong>mindset, you focus on your goal on a steady working method and acknowledging your progression, I can assure you that your life journey will be much more fulfilling and fruitful.</p> <p><a href="https://www.azquotes.com/quote/667673?ref=shadow">We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.</a></p> <p><strong><a href="https</strong>://www.azquotes.com/author/37842-Gautama_Buddha">Gautama Buddha</a></p> </section>	4 Life Lessons I learnt From Photography. Discover how Light & Shadow can make improve your emotional mindset. In photography and in almost countless aspects of life, both shadows and lights play a crucial role in understanding a scene, a person or certain aspect of our life. It would be contradictory or even impossible to talk about the shadows in an image without a light that shapes and illuminates a subject and its surroundings. Same thing happen in our emotional and spiritual world. How? Let’s explore together. Why is my emphasis more crucial in the shadow than in the brightness or halftones? A quick clarification for each one and the role it plays as a whole: Brightness: It defines the edges of a figure and favours the visualization of a rounded area or on the contrary more tight and pointed. Halftones: They are the basis of the image, as in a cake would be the dough on which to put the other layers and ornaments on top. In general, halftones will contain the most information in the photograph. Shadows: The only thing we have left is therefore the dark area of the photograph, the tones that will be intertwined with the brightness and the light to contour a figure, to adjust and in a more or less marked way define the tone that acquires the image. From my point of view, the shadows are above the other two components, will contribute to the composition as the “unintended” shaping factor of the image. As Darth Vader said in Star Wars Don’t underestimate the power of the Dark Side. We must understand this as an intangible aspect of photography, since it would be the light source responsible for generating that shadow. Ensured this, the position in which the shadow is generated, the information it contains (even if it does not contain any, will continue to provide information and content. Something impossible just with the brightness for example) will provide everything necessary to move from a completely soft photograph, relaxed until something dramatic, hard or even disturbing as the horror films tend to use every time they can. I have decided to select 5 examples that illustrate in a very precise way the different uses and intentions that this tool has and the evolution that it can suppose in our photography: 1.- Be careful with the details. As we can see almost every detail in the facial features has been lost but regardless, given the exposure and detail of the eye we have achieved a focus point with enough content and attention. Our human brain works and manage details differently extolling every detail that we create relevant and gives enough information to generate concepts or understanding about certain facts. This idea happens all the time around us, and certainly we can feel related if we think about how many times we decide to take action with just a bit of information. However, we need to be cautious with this balance. Making strong decisions without enough information might be as detrimental as not making any move because there’s still some strings undone. Remember: There is always room for improvisation and exploration but the wider you are able to see the whole picture, the easier is to take chances and make the right moves. 2.- Be aware of the real intentions behind your actions. Without losing the portrait theme, although this time in full body, we can see how the game of the lines creates an illusion of intimacy and elegance. On this occasion we have lost the detail in the upper portion of the face but at the same time, it seems to work in a very efficient way generating a powerful feeling between the uncertain and abstract. As an extension of the first point, this time we have much more information apparently, but we lack a key point in the composition. The upper face. If we extrapolate this to our daily life we can manage to decipher a situation that is common and is the lack of understating about the intentions. External or internal sometimes the absence of comprehension about What and Why we do things can mask real problems behind those actions. Why this happens? In many cases we tend to conform with just enough details and create a whole idea by ourselves. In part, we have evolved that way as an evolutionary trait, but the complexity of these behaviours is not yet adapted to a modern socialized era where abstract concepts and idealizations take place. This is the point where our understanding bifurcates into our instinctive reaction and rational brain causing a little bit of a problem generating an honest response. Remember: Once you have control over the big picture, make sure you are able to understand the little details and more important, the reality that happens within you. Knowing your true reasons without getting lost in the hollow details will make your life path easier to walk on. 3.- Less is sometimes much much MUCH more. Minimalist photography is also intimately linked with how you see life and the way you can take advantage of the situation. In this example we can see that with three simple elements (a chair, spotlight rig and a worn wooden floor). We can create an atmosphere full of intrigue and questions. Whose chair is that? What’s behind the darkness? Is it a place for interviews? Why is the floor that worn out?. Will it be a stage? And so on we could continue to countless questions that would be a treasure for the mind to discover. Same in life, when we have just few elements at our disposal a whole new world seems to unfold in front of us. We need to become more creative, more insightful and come with new ideas to link those scarce elements to generate a solution to our needs. Furthermore, the fewer things you have to deal with, emotionally or physically, the less amount of worries you have to carry with you. This might seem not a big deal when you add slowly a piece of gear to your equipment or a new paradigm to your inner self but when you start taking account on how many things are not needed…it becomes a big wedge in your life. Remember: The less you carry, the further and lighter you can go. It doesn’t mean to become austere and deprive yourself of a comfortable light but becoming defining what your external and internal life really needs. Simplicity involves unburdening your life, and living more lightly with fewer distractions that interfere with a high quality life, as defined uniquely by each individual.” -Linda Breen Pierce, 1947. 4.- Explore your light even if it’s dark outside. In our next photography example I’m presenting you architecture. When we want to consider this concept in relation to photography and architecture, we generally have to take a look in a different particular way. Urban or street photography is subject to more chaotic and “uncontrolled” rhythms than you could find in a professional assembled studio. Perhaps that is what captivates people and make them fall in love with the charming sense of unexpected scenes and results. When “reading” a snapshot, human brain is much more capable of joining the dots and fill the information when it comes to shady-dark areas. In photography, we often say and praise “you need to protect whites or highlights in your artwork”. As you can see, much of the information has been dragged into the underexposed area of the spectrum but having a subject and a strip of light that shapes the environment, it is very easy to interpret the direction, the subject and the scenario inside the frame. When we start implementing this visions things start becoming a little bit more interesting and at the same time we seem to gain focus. Having a broader vision or attention without any focus point make us quite fragile and almost stray. Don’t take it on bad terms, what I want you to understand here is that walking changing your direction every 5 seconds and reaching your desired destination is pure coincidence. Remember: If despite the dark emotions, the difficulties around you and the “everything seems to be against me” mindset, you focus on your goal on a steady working method and acknowledging your progression, I can assure you that your life journey will be much more fulfilling and fruitful. We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. Gautama Buddha	ee32714e-2356-5a8c-b95b-8d99698fe4d8	25/08/2025 18:00:34
https://medium.com/@AugmentReality/whats-augmented-reality-doing-in-the-classroom-infographic-284ec6260c7a	medium.com	What’s Augmented Reality Doing in the Classroom? (Infographic)	Augment EDU is improving the way that students learn.	Augment	https://medium.com/@AugmentReality	284ec6260c7a	https://miro.medium.com/…_SukGBgJsaoP.png	1 min	2016-05-24T14:22:57.989000	2016-05-20T13:12:26	2018-03-14T23:27:25.811000	0	23	en	Augmented Reality,Education,Virtual Reality	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/670/020Y7_SukGBgJsaoP.png" width="670" height="390" loading="lazy" /> <p><em>Augment EDU is improving the way that students learn.</em></p> <p>Augmented reality is a great, effective portal for students to better understand concepts that are hard to interpret in 2D. And while augmented reality is still considered to be in its early stages, Augment has always been active in the classroom, hosting over 9,000 student-created 3D models on our platform.</p> <p>We’ve found that 3D visualization is a core competency for STEM professions and Augment is helping to give students a new avenue to develop this skill. Understanding new concepts can be tough but there’s a noticeable improvement in the learning curve for forward thinking classrooms who have used this technology to help their students progress.</p> <p>Below is a closer look at Augment EDU and our educational impact!</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/800/0Nt1IOdnXxW88u1B0.png" width="800" height="2000" loading="lazy" /> <p>Visit <a href="http://www.augment.com/education">www.augment.com/education</a> to apply for a FREE education license through Augment!</p> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://www.augment.com/</em>blog/infographic-glance-at-augment-edu/">www.augment.com</a> on May 20, 2016.</p> </section>	What’s Augmented Reality Doing in the Classroom? (Infographic) Augment EDU is improving the way that students learn. Augmented reality is a great, effective portal for students to better understand concepts that are hard to interpret in 2D. And while augmented reality is still considered to be in its early stages, Augment has always been active in the classroom, hosting over 9,000 student-created 3D models on our platform. We’ve found that 3D visualization is a core competency for STEM professions and Augment is helping to give students a new avenue to develop this skill. Understanding new concepts can be tough but there’s a noticeable improvement in the learning curve for forward thinking classrooms who have used this technology to help their students progress. Below is a closer look at Augment EDU and our educational impact! Visit www.augment.com/education to apply for a FREE education license through Augment! Originally published at www.augment.com on May 20, 2016.	3d4639ba-f5dd-5844-a99f-17c8c9fdf56c	25/08/2025 18:00:34
https://medium.com/the-coffeelicious/32-things-ive-learned-in-32-years-e986f2a12bbd	medium.com	32 Things I’ve Learned in 32 Years	A List of Both Practical and Useless Advice	Stella J. McKenna	https://medium.com/@writingsolo	e986f2a12bbd	https://miro.medium.com/…LJDttP24kLQ.jpeg	4 min	2016-04-12T20:52:58.117000	2017-09-01T20:01:06.022000	2018-06-10T15:29:00.301000	18	1,458	en	Food,Life Lessons,Humor,Advice,Life Hacking	<section> <h3>A List of Both Practical and Useless Advice</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5472/1hUsQqJ2jLcwLJDttP24kLQ.jpeg" width="5472" height="3648" loading="lazy" /> <p>My birthday frequently falls within, or serves as a bookend to, Labor Day Weekend, the traditional last-hurrah of summer. Amidst the finale of season-end barbecues, dwindling sunny beach days, and fading summer flings, I typically prefer my birthday to fly quietly under the radar. No parties, or singing, or surprises, please. No overly-sugared supermarket bakery cake thrust upon me at the office, thanks. I’d much rather hang out with maybe one or two people I kind of like being around (or maybe even no one at all!), and eat tacos and ice cream. I’d rather not put too much emphasis on celebrating the fact that another year has passed and yet I feel woefully, inadequately, the same.</p> <p>Well…mostly the same. But maybe a <em>tiny bit </em>better than before. A modicum of improvement over past versions of me. Which is obviously far more desirable than being worse off. So, I guess maybe I’m doing okay at life. And that deserves an ice cream cone, indeed.</p> <p><strong>I don’t know. That’s enough introspection for now. Next week, I’ll be turning 32 years old. Here are some things I’ve learned:</strong></p> <p>The best method for hard-boiling eggs is this: Put eggs in a pot with cold water. Bring to a boil. Immediately turn the heat off and let the eggs sit, covered, in the pot for 9 to 11 minutes, depending on desired level of yolk-doneness. Rinse eggs under cold water. Peel. Slice in half. Top with salt, pepper, and a squirt of spicy mustard if you’re feeling spicy (which you should be). Eat.</p> <p>Righty tighty, lefty loosey.</p> <p>Buy generic, store-brand pharmaceuticals.</p> <p>Buy name brand coffee.</p> <p>Buy lube that is silicone-based, not water-based. Once you go silicone you’ll never go back.</p> <p>There is no need to separate your white clothes from colored clothes when washing. Mix that shit all together. Wash on cold. You’re golden.</p> <p>The best hangover cure is ibuprofen and bacon.</p> <p>“Beer before liquor, never been sicker” is not only fun to say, it’s also true. Although it’s probably best to avoid beer entirely. Liquor gets you drunk faster and doesn’t make you bloated. Bonus(!): when you’re a woman ordering a whiskey neat at a bar, your cool factor instantly multiplies.</p> <p>Con<strong>serv</strong>ation and con<strong>vers</strong>ation are the same word if you just switch the s and the v.</p> <p>You know those pickle wedges that come with sandwiches at restaurants? Yeah, don’t eat those pickles.</p> <p>Bill Pullman is the president in <em>Independence Day</em>. Bill Paxton is the guy in <em>Twister</em>.</p> <p>Flossing your teeth is bullshit.</p> <p>It doesn’t matter if your socks don’t match. Nobody important is ever going to see your goddamn socks.</p> <p>Don’t lie to your therapist. If you are lying to your therapist, save yourself the money and stop going.</p> <p>Wal-Mart is where happiness goes to die.</p> <p>Always always always make good eye contact.</p> <p>When your mom says she’ll be at your house at 11 AM, she’ll really be there at 10 AM. When your sister says she’ll be at your house at 11 AM, she’ll really be there at 1 PM.</p> <p>Some of the best things in life often leave you feeling simultaneously satisfied and full of remorse, i.e. having sex with hot jerks, alcohol, cheesecake, having kids*.</p> <p>When you’re petting a cat and it’s purring all nicely and then it slowly opens its eyes and you can see that crazy cat look of death beginning to form, stop petting and back away from the cat. Pronto.</p> <p>Paul from <em>The Wonder Years</em> did not really grow up to be Marilyn Manson.</p> <p>If you’re feeling sick and Google your symptoms, you’ll discover you have lupus!</p> <p>Fat-free sour cream is incredibly hit or miss. When in doubt, get the full-fat sour cream.</p> <p>When you see a red-haired freckled child, rub his/her head while holding your breath. All of your wildest dreams will come true.</p> <p>You can get at least a week out of your post-shower towel without washing it. At <em>least</em> a week. After all, you’re clean by that point.</p> <p>Make sure your refrigerator is full of food when your mom comes over so she thinks you’re an adult.</p> <p>Christopher Columbus, Andrew Jackson, Bill Cosby, and Jared the Subway Guy were/are actually all giant assholes.</p> <p>“That’s interesting” is a polite way to say “I don’t care”.</p> <p>Taste as you cook. If the dish seems to be missing something, it’s one or more of the following: salt, acid, fat.</p> <p>The number of people in the world who enjoy listening to other people recount their dreams from last night is exactly zero.</p> <p>Apple cider vinegar works miracles on the skin. Miracles, I tell you!</p> <p>Always check for toilet paper first.</p> <p>Sometimes saying less is saying more. Other times, open your mouth and say absolutely everything.</p> <p>Okay, that’s all, folks. Hopefully I learn at least one more thing this year. I think that’s a totally doable goal. Here’s to 32 🎉</p> <p> Speaking of lube, a male friend once spoke this wise statement, and I personally concur: “A real gentleman always has lube.” Remember that. Also, don’t use silicone with certain sex toys. Do your research and be responsible.</p> <p>** This last one is an assumption, but I’m confident it’s true.</p> <p><strong>Two years ago, I wrote about how I celebrated my 30th birthday by drinking too much crappy whiskey. Lesson learned:</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://writingcooperative.c</strong>om/thirty-years-i-ve-been-on-this-planet-45dbc3ae08ab">Thirty Years I’ve Been On This Planet <em>But I’m Still Not an Adult</em>writingcooper</a>ative.com</p> </section>	32 Things I’ve Learned in 32 Years A List of Both Practical and Useless Advice image source: unsplash My birthday frequently falls within, or serves as a bookend to, Labor Day Weekend, the traditional last-hurrah of summer. Amidst the finale of season-end barbecues, dwindling sunny beach days, and fading summer flings, I typically prefer my birthday to fly quietly under the radar. No parties, or singing, or surprises, please. No overly-sugared supermarket bakery cake thrust upon me at the office, thanks. I’d much rather hang out with maybe one or two people I kind of like being around (or maybe even no one at all!), and eat tacos and ice cream. I’d rather not put too much emphasis on celebrating the fact that another year has passed and yet I feel woefully, inadequately, the same. Well…mostly the same. But maybe a tiny bit better than before. A modicum of improvement over past versions of me. Which is obviously far more desirable than being worse off. So, I guess maybe I’m doing okay at life. And that deserves an ice cream cone, indeed. I don’t know. That’s enough introspection for now. Next week, I’ll be turning 32 years old. Here are some things I’ve learned: The best method for hard-boiling eggs is this: Put eggs in a pot with cold water. Bring to a boil. Immediately turn the heat off and let the eggs sit, covered, in the pot for 9 to 11 minutes, depending on desired level of yolk-doneness. Rinse eggs under cold water. Peel. Slice in half. Top with salt, pepper, and a squirt of spicy mustard if you’re feeling spicy (which you should be). Eat. Righty tighty, lefty loosey. Buy generic, store-brand pharmaceuticals. Buy name brand coffee. Buy lube* that is silicone-based, not water-based. Once you go silicone you’ll never go back. There is no need to separate your white clothes from colored clothes when washing. Mix that shit all together. Wash on cold. You’re golden. The best hangover cure is ibuprofen and bacon. “Beer before liquor, never been sicker” is not only fun to say, it’s also true. Although it’s probably best to avoid beer entirely. Liquor gets you drunk faster and doesn’t make you bloated. Bonus(!): when you’re a woman ordering a whiskey neat at a bar, your cool factor instantly multiplies. Conservation and conversation are the same word if you just switch the s and the v. You know those pickle wedges that come with sandwiches at restaurants? Yeah, don’t eat those pickles. Bill Pullman is the president in Independence Day. Bill Paxton is the guy in Twister. Flossing your teeth is bullshit. It doesn’t matter if your socks don’t match. Nobody important is ever going to see your goddamn socks. Don’t lie to your therapist. If you are lying to your therapist, save yourself the money and stop going. Wal-Mart is where happiness goes to die. Always always always make good eye contact. When your mom says she’ll be at your house at 11 AM, she’ll really be there at 10 AM. When your sister says she’ll be at your house at 11 AM, she’ll really be there at 1 PM. Some of the best things in life often leave you feeling simultaneously satisfied and full of remorse, i.e. having sex with hot jerks, alcohol, cheesecake, having kids*. When you’re petting a cat and it’s purring all nicely and then it slowly opens its eyes and you can see that crazy cat look of death beginning to form, stop petting and back away from the cat. Pronto. Paul from The Wonder Years did not really grow up to be Marilyn Manson. If you’re feeling sick and Google your symptoms, you’ll discover you have lupus! Fat-free sour cream is incredibly hit or miss. When in doubt, get the full-fat sour cream. When you see a red-haired freckled child, rub his/her head while holding your breath. All of your wildest dreams will come true. You can get at least a week out of your post-shower towel without washing it. At least a week. After all, you’re clean by that point. Make sure your refrigerator is full of food when your mom comes over so she thinks you’re an adult. Christopher Columbus, Andrew Jackson, Bill Cosby, and Jared the Subway Guy were/are actually all giant assholes. “That’s interesting” is a polite way to say “I don’t care”. Taste as you cook. If the dish seems to be missing something, it’s one or more of the following: salt, acid, fat. The number of people in the world who enjoy listening to other people recount their dreams from last night is exactly zero. Apple cider vinegar works miracles on the skin. Miracles, I tell you! Always check for toilet paper first. Sometimes saying less is saying more. Other times, open your mouth and say absolutely everything. Okay, that’s all, folks. Hopefully I learn at least one more thing this year. I think that’s a totally doable goal. Here’s to 32 🎉 Speaking of lube, a male friend once spoke this wise statement, and I personally concur: “A real gentleman always has lube.” Remember that. Also, don’t use silicone with certain sex toys. Do your research and be responsible. ** This last one is an assumption, but I’m confident it’s true. Two years ago, I wrote about how I celebrated my 30th birthday by drinking too much crappy whiskey. Lesson learned: Thirty Years I’ve Been On This Planet But I’m Still Not an Adultwritingcooperative.com	96ba2a82-0bed-5154-a19a-178b5aa98688	25/08/2025 18:00:34
https://syedrizvi27.medium.com/money-d00095623882	medium.com	Money!	Money	Syed Rizvi	https://medium.com/@syedrizvi27	d00095623882	https://miro.medium.com/…_bPZNN1NN2w.jpeg	1 min	2024-11-22T21:31:20.968000	2024-11-22T21:33:13.328000	2024-12-01T00:55:59.310000	5	121	en	Medium,Money	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/1*A8Fbrn0KOB5_bPZNN1NN2w.jpeg" width="1600" height="898" loading="lazy" /> <p>Money is a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value. It enables trade, commerce, and economic development.</p> <p><strong>Types of Money:</strong></p> <p>1. Fiat Currency: Issued by the government, decentralized; for example, USD, EUR. 2. Commodity-Based Currency: Tied to a physical commodity-for example, the gold standard. 3. Digital Currency: Electronic, decentralized-for example, Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies. 4. Representative Money: Standing in lieu of a commodity-for example, gold certificates.</p> <p><strong>Functions of Money:</strong></p> <p>1. Medium of Exchange: Facilitates trade and commerce 2. Unit of Account: Keeps prices and values uniform 3. Store of Value: Saves and invests 4. Standard of Deferred Payment: Hinges on credits and loans</p> <p><strong>History of Money:</strong></p> <p>1. Bartering (ancient times) 2. Commodity-Based Currencies (ancient civilizations) 3. Coins (in ancient Greece and Rome) 4. Paper Money (China, 1000 AD) 5. Fiat Currency (in the 20th century) 6. Digital Currencies (in the 21st century)</p> <p><strong>Money Management:</strong></p> <p>1. Budgeting: Keep track of income and expenses 2. Saving: Save for later purposes 3. Investments: Wealth generated over a period of time 4. Credit Management: Borrowing and repayment responsibly</p> <p><strong>Interesting Facts:</strong></p> <p>1. First credit card was launched in the year 1950. 2. Largest denomination of the US dollar is $100,000. 3. The first-ever cryptocurrency, Bitcoin was invented in 2009 4. The most valuable currency globally has been the Kuwaiti Dinar.</p> </section>	Money! Money is a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value. It enables trade, commerce, and economic development. Types of Money: 1. Fiat Currency: Issued by the government, decentralized; for example, USD, EUR. 2. Commodity-Based Currency: Tied to a physical commodity-for example, the gold standard. 3. Digital Currency: Electronic, decentralized-for example, Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies. 4. Representative Money: Standing in lieu of a commodity-for example, gold certificates. Functions of Money: 1. Medium of Exchange: Facilitates trade and commerce 2. Unit of Account: Keeps prices and values uniform 3. Store of Value: Saves and invests 4. Standard of Deferred Payment: Hinges on credits and loans History of Money: 1. Bartering (ancient times) 2. Commodity-Based Currencies (ancient civilizations) 3. Coins (in ancient Greece and Rome) 4. Paper Money (China, 1000 AD) 5. Fiat Currency (in the 20th century) 6. Digital Currencies (in the 21st century) Money Management: 1. Budgeting: Keep track of income and expenses 2. Saving: Save for later purposes 3. Investments: Wealth generated over a period of time 4. Credit Management: Borrowing and repayment responsibly Interesting Facts: 1. First credit card was launched in the year 1950. 2. Largest denomination of the US dollar is $100,000. 3. The first-ever cryptocurrency, Bitcoin was invented in 2009 4. The most valuable currency globally has been the Kuwaiti Dinar.	7d39a7cf-e189-5ca4-a90b-cdf272aa47dc	25/08/2025 18:00:35
https://j-s-perkins.medium.com/about-damn-time-de0f1d3d0164	medium.com	About Damn Time	Why Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer is deserving, overdue, and important.	James Perkins	https://medium.com/@j-s-perkins	de0f1d3d0164	https://miro.medium.com/…HonONHl-9RA.jpeg	7 min	2018-04-18T07:14:54.493000	2018-04-18T08:01:04.278000	2022-03-30T21:09:55.504000	1	91	en	Music,Hip Hop,Politics,Kendrick Lamar,Art	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3648/1*RRnKaX-SntMHonONHl-9RA.jpeg" width="3648" height="5472" loading="lazy" /> <p>I never thought I would get emotional about someone winning a Pulitzer Prize (unless, in some twisted alternate universe, I was the one receiving it), yet this morning, upon reading the news that Kendrick Lamar had received the Pulitzer Prize for Music, I felt elated. It’s hard to logically explain my reaction to something so far removed from myself. A part of my joy sparks from my specific position as a person who partakes in two different worlds — those of hip-hop and literature — on a regular basis. These two worlds had collided, one recognizing the other. Hip-hop, something that is so commonly written off and disparaged as vulgar, crass, violent, and problematic, though I’m not arguing that it isn’t any of those things, was being recognized as <strong>art.</strong> More specifically, Kendrick Lamar, whose work I’ve long adored, was being recognized as the poet, musician, and artist that I had always felt he was.</p> <p>When I came to Medium a few weeks ago, I came with a few ideas in mind for longer pieces that I would like to write in the future. The one that I had mentally worked on the most was an idea for a piece on Lamar’s album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” which I esteem as a masterpiece, pure and simple. It is a work that inspires me every time I listen to it, and I honestly feel that not enough has been said or written about it. I was waiting for the right time and right specific ideas to come for me to write that piece, and I still am. But today, I have reason to write about Kendrick, about “DAMN.,” about his importance to society, and about his value as an artist. And that is something that brings me great joy.</p> <p>It’s a little ironic that “DAMN.” is the album to be awarded a Pulitzer and that it’s the album I’m here writing about. Of his last three major works, the other two being “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City” and “To Pimp a Butterfly,” it’s probably my least favorite and the least lyrically dense and musically ambitious. I’m not taking anything away from “DAMN.” — it is a fantastic album, but there’s no denying that its predecessors are both incredible as well. The level of depth and variation in these albums speaks to Lamar’s talent as an artist. “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City” dealt with Kendrick’s experiences as a young teen growing up in Compton with sounds of the street, stories of parties, robberies and shootings; “To Pimp a Butterfly” went wider in scope, hitting on themes of race relations in America, the Black experience, and capitalism, to name just a few. It was more ambitious, too, musically, moving away from conventional hip-hop and using more jazz and soul influences to shape the sound of the album. “DAMN.,” in some ways, could be seen as the perfect reaction album to the 2016 election. Catharsis oozes from the sadness, anger, and frustration at the state of the country that saturate the album. Lamar is clearly angry and depressed and mentions Trump and Fox News by name a few times, but never makes them the overt focus of his music as some of his contemporaries do. After all, Trump and the “alt-right” movement thrive off of opposition; strong reactions are exactly what have reinforced them to become as strong as they are. The album’s sound is completely different from his previous works, working more with the sparse, stripped-down, and rough tones of trap music.</p> <p>But there is so much more here than just reaction to the political climate of America. Like his last two albums, religion plays a significant role in “DAMN.,” as do sex and money. Kendrick is constantly warring with temptation, with different ideas of self, and represents many different perspectives on these things through his use of <strong>polyphony</strong>. Lamar has always done this — changing his voice to occupy different voices or points of view. It’s highly effective, allowing him to explore various viewpoints and avoid being pigeonholed. The Kendrick we see in his song “LUST,” with a dark, almost trance-like voice, is much different from the one we see on “LOVE,” which features a crooning, devoted-to-his-woman kind of Kendrick. These two songs are a clear example of how Lamar can explore different sides of themes, especially ones that can be problematic, without assigning one or the other to his own persona. In other words, he’s able to explore moral issues without making explicit moral statements; he’s just inhabiting a voice from his conception of reality. Whether he’s speaking from different voices present in society or exploring a theory of multiplicity of selves, the bottom line is that his music, when looked at holistically, is complex, varied, and important.</p> <p>Nowhere else do we see such a clear yet challenging presentation of such a wide variety of topics. Kendrick’s voice is important to our present society because of how clearly he speaks about the reality of being Black in America — a reality that so many people seek to ignore or discredit. While hip-hop is normally associated with an illusion, the glamour of being a rich rap star, with women, money, alcohol, and drugs raining from the sky, Kendrick Lamar takes it upon himself to establish his own sound and present a differing voice in society that is real and accessible. His work is contrapuntal in its ability to take illusions and myths eschewed by society and hold them up to the light of his own, harsh reality. “DAMN.” is an album that very much deals with counterpoint, with four of the tracks being stacked in opposite pairs: “PRIDE” and “HUMBLE,” “LUST” and “LOVE.” Each of these pairs is complex and must be carefully contemplated, since Kendrick never gives us a track that can be taken at face value.</p> <p>The way in which Kendrick views himself is also extraordinarily complex and rife with meaning. Just within “DAMN.”, Kendrick is vicious, laid back, supremely confident, fighting his own demons, intoxicated with the allures of the world, disillusioned. He’s anxious that nobody is praying for him, when everyone is asking him to pray for them. He worries about being judged and fears becoming a modern-day Job who will be tested by God. He’s elated over his accomplishments, he’s reflective on life in America and on Earth. No rapper to date has introduced such a multiplicity of self-perception and identity.</p> <p></p> <p>His music is undeniably and brilliantly complex, too. “DAMN.” starts with “BLOOD,” which tells an allegorical anecdote, a story that begins again at the very end of the final track, denoting that there is a possible meaning in the album’s continuity. I laughed when I read a Reddit user’s theory that the album should also be listened to backwards for further insight into its meaning (like that one theory that “The Shining” was meant to be watched forward and backward)… And then Kendrick released the Collector’s Edition of “DAMN.,” which, in fact, features all of the tracks in reverse order.</p> <p>There is meaning in the progression from song to song, but each song itself is deeply nuanced. Look at the contradictory ways he talks about being Black, about stereotypes, human nature, etc. in “DNA,” his references to God (Yahweh), being cursed both as a Black man and as a public figure in “YAH,” the critique of our materialist society that hip-hop often epitomizes in “LOYALTY,” the masterful evocation of the experience of depression in “FEEL,” the layered storytelling in his signature slippery, lucid style in both “FEAR” and “DUCKWORTH” — all the while making music that is compelling and dynamic, crafting beats that are unique and that change halfway through the song, being vulnerable and honest about his anxiety and depression, and asserting his dominance at the top of the rap game.</p> <p>Michael Ondaatje once said, “If Van Gogh was our nineteenth-century artist-saint, James Baldwin is our twentieth-century one.” Kendrick Lamar, if you ask me, is our twenty-first-century artist-saint. In a manner similar to Baldwin, he’s complex, he refuses to be put into a box or stereotypes, he speaks loud and clear about his vision of America, and he is a voice that everyone needs to hear today. In 2016, his album “To Pimp a Butterfly” was nominated for several Grammys, including Album of the Year. It lost this latter award to Taylor Swift’s “1989.” This year, “DAMN.” lost Album of the Year to “24K Magic.” In a sense — and I understand that this is going to sound rather snobbish — Kendrick’s works transcend the award of Album of the Year. It isn’t that he doesn’t deserve this highest honor given by the music industry, but rather, it’s the other way around. When his song “Alright” became the anthem of the Black Lives Matter movement, often likened to a modern-day “We Shall Overcome,” there was no going back. While he has continued to be a popular rapper who tops the charts, he became, in that moment, something much more.</p> <p>Yes, this award is overdue and it does very little to push Kendrick further into the upper echelons of rap: he’s already so far ahead of his contemporaries (and predecessors, for that matter.) But what this award does do is legitimize Kendrick Lamar’s music as a valuable voice, something that can actually be learned from. Recognizing that voices in hip-hop can speak to real issues with poignancy and that these voices contribute to something larger than the music industry is a big deal. In a rapidly polarizing world that seeks to exclude and discredit other points of view, we need the inclusivity that this choice of award displays. We need developed and passionate voices, like the ones present in Lamar’s music, to understand, to critique, to tell us of realities that we may be removed from. We need Kendrick Lamar and we need to take him seriously.</p> <p>So, it behooves all of us to go back and listen closely to “DAMN.” Listen closely to Kendrick as you would a great social critic or writer, because that’s what he is. Listen closely to his music as you would closely read a great work of art, because that’s what it is. Listen and then listen again, look up the lyrics and annotations (genius.com will really help out on understanding references he’s making), and think about why this work was deserving of a Pulitzer Prize. Take him as he is, with his merits along with his flaws. “DAMN.” is an album that wants us to understand the feeling of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” but it’s also a project that is at times loud and raw, at others resigned and spacey. Given our present circumstances, we all feel this way, which is what makes “DAMN.” so damn relatable for various groups, settings, and feelings. Lamar has stated that making albums is a “spiritual process” for him, and I believe that consuming art can be, when the art is of the highest quality, a spiritual experience. Kendrick challenges us to experience emotions, lyrics, and stories present in his work and we to connect hip-hop on a deeper level — a level that can only be described as spiritual.</p> </section>	About Damn Time Photo courtesy of Unsplash (Mohammed Lammah) I never thought I would get emotional about someone winning a Pulitzer Prize (unless, in some twisted alternate universe, I was the one receiving it), yet this morning, upon reading the news that Kendrick Lamar had received the Pulitzer Prize for Music, I felt elated. It’s hard to logically explain my reaction to something so far removed from myself. A part of my joy sparks from my specific position as a person who partakes in two different worlds — those of hip-hop and literature — on a regular basis. These two worlds had collided, one recognizing the other. Hip-hop, something that is so commonly written off and disparaged as vulgar, crass, violent, and problematic, though I’m not arguing that it isn’t any of those things, was being recognized as art. More specifically, Kendrick Lamar, whose work I’ve long adored, was being recognized as the poet, musician, and artist that I had always felt he was. When I came to Medium a few weeks ago, I came with a few ideas in mind for longer pieces that I would like to write in the future. The one that I had mentally worked on the most was an idea for a piece on Lamar’s album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” which I esteem as a masterpiece, pure and simple. It is a work that inspires me every time I listen to it, and I honestly feel that not enough has been said or written about it. I was waiting for the right time and right specific ideas to come for me to write that piece, and I still am. But today, I have reason to write about Kendrick, about “DAMN.,” about his importance to society, and about his value as an artist. And that is something that brings me great joy. It’s a little ironic that “DAMN.” is the album to be awarded a Pulitzer and that it’s the album I’m here writing about. Of his last three major works, the other two being “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City” and “To Pimp a Butterfly,” it’s probably my least favorite and the least lyrically dense and musically ambitious. I’m not taking anything away from “DAMN.” — it is a fantastic album, but there’s no denying that its predecessors are both incredible as well. The level of depth and variation in these albums speaks to Lamar’s talent as an artist. “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City” dealt with Kendrick’s experiences as a young teen growing up in Compton with sounds of the street, stories of parties, robberies and shootings; “To Pimp a Butterfly” went wider in scope, hitting on themes of race relations in America, the Black experience, and capitalism, to name just a few. It was more ambitious, too, musically, moving away from conventional hip-hop and using more jazz and soul influences to shape the sound of the album. “DAMN.,” in some ways, could be seen as the perfect reaction album to the 2016 election. Catharsis oozes from the sadness, anger, and frustration at the state of the country that saturate the album. Lamar is clearly angry and depressed and mentions Trump and Fox News by name a few times, but never makes them the overt focus of his music as some of his contemporaries do. After all, Trump and the “alt-right” movement thrive off of opposition; strong reactions are exactly what have reinforced them to become as strong as they are. The album’s sound is completely different from his previous works, working more with the sparse, stripped-down, and rough tones of trap music. But there is so much more here than just reaction to the political climate of America. Like his last two albums, religion plays a significant role in “DAMN.,” as do sex and money. Kendrick is constantly warring with temptation, with different ideas of self, and represents many different perspectives on these things through his use of polyphony. Lamar has always done this — changing his voice to occupy different voices or points of view. It’s highly effective, allowing him to explore various viewpoints and avoid being pigeonholed. The Kendrick we see in his song “LUST,” with a dark, almost trance-like voice, is much different from the one we see on “LOVE,” which features a crooning, devoted-to-his-woman kind of Kendrick. These two songs are a clear example of how Lamar can explore different sides of themes, especially ones that can be problematic, without assigning one or the other to his own persona. In other words, he’s able to explore moral issues without making explicit moral statements; he’s just inhabiting a voice from his conception of reality. Whether he’s speaking from different voices present in society or exploring a theory of multiplicity of selves, the bottom line is that his music, when looked at holistically, is complex, varied, and important. Nowhere else do we see such a clear yet challenging presentation of such a wide variety of topics. Kendrick’s voice is important to our present society because of how clearly he speaks about the reality of being Black in America — a reality that so many people seek to ignore or discredit. While hip-hop is normally associated with an illusion, the glamour of being a rich rap star, with women, money, alcohol, and drugs raining from the sky, Kendrick Lamar takes it upon himself to establish his own sound and present a differing voice in society that is real and accessible. His work is contrapuntal in its ability to take illusions and myths eschewed by society and hold them up to the light of his own, harsh reality. “DAMN.” is an album that very much deals with counterpoint, with four of the tracks being stacked in opposite pairs: “PRIDE” and “HUMBLE,” “LUST” and “LOVE.” Each of these pairs is complex and must be carefully contemplated, since Kendrick never gives us a track that can be taken at face value. The way in which Kendrick views himself is also extraordinarily complex and rife with meaning. Just within “DAMN.”, Kendrick is vicious, laid back, supremely confident, fighting his own demons, intoxicated with the allures of the world, disillusioned. He’s anxious that nobody is praying for him, when everyone is asking him to pray for them. He worries about being judged and fears becoming a modern-day Job who will be tested by God. He’s elated over his accomplishments, he’s reflective on life in America and on Earth. No rapper to date has introduced such a multiplicity of self-perception and identity. His music is undeniably and brilliantly complex, too. “DAMN.” starts with “BLOOD,” which tells an allegorical anecdote, a story that begins again at the very end of the final track, denoting that there is a possible meaning in the album’s continuity. I laughed when I read a Reddit user’s theory that the album should also be listened to backwards for further insight into its meaning (like that one theory that “The Shining” was meant to be watched forward and backward)… And then Kendrick released the Collector’s Edition of “DAMN.,” which, in fact, features all of the tracks in reverse order. There is meaning in the progression from song to song, but each song itself is deeply nuanced. Look at the contradictory ways he talks about being Black, about stereotypes, human nature, etc. in “DNA,” his references to God (Yahweh), being cursed both as a Black man and as a public figure in “YAH,” the critique of our materialist society that hip-hop often epitomizes in “LOYALTY,” the masterful evocation of the experience of depression in “FEEL,” the layered storytelling in his signature slippery, lucid style in both “FEAR” and “DUCKWORTH” — all the while making music that is compelling and dynamic, crafting beats that are unique and that change halfway through the song, being vulnerable and honest about his anxiety and depression, and asserting his dominance at the top of the rap game. Michael Ondaatje once said, “If Van Gogh was our nineteenth-century artist-saint, James Baldwin is our twentieth-century one.” Kendrick Lamar, if you ask me, is our twenty-first-century artist-saint. In a manner similar to Baldwin, he’s complex, he refuses to be put into a box or stereotypes, he speaks loud and clear about his vision of America, and he is a voice that everyone needs to hear today. In 2016, his album “To Pimp a Butterfly” was nominated for several Grammys, including Album of the Year. It lost this latter award to Taylor Swift’s “1989.” This year, “DAMN.” lost Album of the Year to “24K Magic.” In a sense — and I understand that this is going to sound rather snobbish — Kendrick’s works transcend the award of Album of the Year. It isn’t that he doesn’t deserve this highest honor given by the music industry, but rather, it’s the other way around. When his song “Alright” became the anthem of the Black Lives Matter movement, often likened to a modern-day “We Shall Overcome,” there was no going back. While he has continued to be a popular rapper who tops the charts, he became, in that moment, something much more. Yes, this award is overdue and it does very little to push Kendrick further into the upper echelons of rap: he’s already so far ahead of his contemporaries (and predecessors, for that matter.) But what this award does do is legitimize Kendrick Lamar’s music as a valuable voice, something that can actually be learned from. Recognizing that voices in hip-hop can speak to real issues with poignancy and that these voices contribute to something larger than the music industry is a big deal. In a rapidly polarizing world that seeks to exclude and discredit other points of view, we need the inclusivity that this choice of award displays. We need developed and passionate voices, like the ones present in Lamar’s music, to understand, to critique, to tell us of realities that we may be removed from. We need Kendrick Lamar and we need to take him seriously. So, it behooves all of us to go back and listen closely to “DAMN.” Listen closely to Kendrick as you would a great social critic or writer, because that’s what he is. Listen closely to his music as you would closely read a great work of art, because that’s what it is. Listen and then listen again, look up the lyrics and annotations (genius.com will really help out on understanding references he’s making), and think about why this work was deserving of a Pulitzer Prize. Take him as he is, with his merits along with his flaws. “DAMN.” is an album that wants us to understand the feeling of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” but it’s also a project that is at times loud and raw, at others resigned and spacey. Given our present circumstances, we all feel this way, which is what makes “DAMN.” so damn relatable for various groups, settings, and feelings. Lamar has stated that making albums is a “spiritual process” for him, and I believe that consuming art can be, when the art is of the highest quality, a spiritual experience. Kendrick challenges us to experience emotions, lyrics, and stories present in his work and we to connect hip-hop on a deeper level — a level that can only be described as spiritual.	979fc603-bc37-5219-9f81-2b1b776ed8ce	25/08/2025 18:00:35
https://medium.com/@tiatariqca/business-and-its-types-a-beginners-guide-tia-tariq-e04e5465f273	medium.com	Business and Its Types: A Beginner’s Guide \| Tia Tariq	In today’s fast-paced world, the term “business” is everywhere, but what does it really entail? Simply put, a business is any organization…	Tia Tariq	https://medium.com/@tiatariqca	e04e5465f273	https://miro.medium.com/…RYDvFq2VY2g.jpeg	3 min	2024-02-13T05:59:48.163000	2024-02-13T06:03:05.184000	2024-02-13T06:03:08.828000	0	1	en	Tiatariq,Business,Entrepreneurship,Creative	<section> <p>In today’s fast-paced world, the term “business” is everywhere, but what does it really entail? Simply put, a business is any organization or entity involved in commercial, industrial, or professional activities with the goal of making a profit. Whether it’s a tiny startup or a global giant, businesses are essential to our economy and way of life. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down the fundamentals of business and take a closer look at its four common types, all while considering the insights of renowned entrepreneur Tia Tariq.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/6000/1*bTP-TheKP9TRYDvFq2VY2g.jpeg" width="6000" height="4004" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>What is business?</strong></p> <p>At its core, a business involves the exchange of goods or services for monetary value. Whether it’s selling handmade crafts online or providing consulting services to clients, businesses exist to meet the needs and desires of consumers while generating revenue for their owners. From local mom-and-pop shops to global conglomerates, businesses come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own set of goals, strategies, and challenges.</p> <p>Now, let’s dive into the four common types of businesses:</p> <p><strong>Sole Proprietorship:</strong> Imagine you’re passionate about baking and decide to start selling homemade cookies from your kitchen. Congratulations! You’ve just become a sole proprietor! In a sole proprietorship, a single individual owns and operates the business, assuming full responsibility for its profits, losses, debts, and liabilities. This type of business structure is simple and easy to set up, making it ideal for freelancers, consultants, and small-scale entrepreneurs like yourself. However, it also means that you bear all the risks and liabilities associated with the business.</p> <p>As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, consider the experiences of successful business owners like <strong><a href="</strong>https://www.crunchbase.com/person/tia-tariq-86b5">Tia Tariq</a>. While starting as a sole proprietorship may seem humble, it lays the groundwork for potential growth and success in the future. By taking on full responsibility for your venture, you have the freedom to make decisions and shape your business according to your vision and values. Remember, every successful entrepreneur, including Tia Tariq, started small and built their empire one step at a time. So, embrace the journey, learn from challenges, and seize opportunities to turn your baking passion into a thriving business venture.</p> <p><strong>Partnership:</strong> Now, let’s say your baking business takes off, and you decide to team up with your friend who’s a talented pastry chef. Together, you form a partnership, pooling your resources, skills, and expertise to grow the business. In a partnership, two or more individuals share ownership and management responsibilities, as well as the profits and losses generated by the business. Partnerships can take various forms, including general partnerships where all partners have equal rights and obligations, or limited partnerships where some partners have limited liability. While partnerships offer the advantage of shared resources and expertise, they also require clear communication, trust, and a formal partnership agreement to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.</p> <p><strong>Corporation:</strong> As your baking business continues to expand, you decide to take it to the next level by incorporating it. Congratulations! You’re now the proud owner of a corporation! Unlike sole proprietorships and partnerships, a corporation is a separate legal entity distinct from its owners, known as shareholders. This means that shareholders enjoy limited liability, meaning their personal assets are protected from the company’s debts and liabilities. A board of directors, chosen by the shareholders to manage the business’s operations, is in charge of corporations. While incorporating offers benefits such as access to capital markets, perpetual existence, and tax advantages, it also entails greater regulatory compliance, administrative complexity, and costs.</p> <p><strong>Limited Liability Company (LLC):</strong> Finally, let’s explore the newest kid on the block: the Limited Liability Company, or LLC. Combining the best features of partnerships and corporations, an LLC offers the flexibility of a partnership with the limited liability protection of a corporation. In an LLC, owners are known as members, and they enjoy limited liability similar to shareholders in a corporation. Additionally, LLCs offer pass-through taxation, meaning profits and losses are reported on the members’ personal tax returns, avoiding double taxation. LLCs are popular among small businesses, startups, and professional service providers due to their simplicity, flexibility, and tax advantages.</p> <p><strong>In conclusion</strong>, business comes in various shapes and forms, each with its own set of advantages, disadvantages, and considerations. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a partnership duo, a corporate titan, or an LLC enthusiast, understanding the different types of <strong><a href="h</strong>ttps://about.me/tiatariq">businesses</a> is essential for making informed decisions and achieving your entrepreneurial goals. So, whether you’re baking cookies in your kitchen or launching the next big tech startup, remember that Tia Tariq’s entrepreneurial journey can inspire and guide you on your path to success.</p> </section>	Business and Its Types: A Beginner’s Guide \| Tia Tariq In today’s fast-paced world, the term “business” is everywhere, but what does it really entail? Simply put, a business is any organization or entity involved in commercial, industrial, or professional activities with the goal of making a profit. Whether it’s a tiny startup or a global giant, businesses are essential to our economy and way of life. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down the fundamentals of business and take a closer look at its four common types, all while considering the insights of renowned entrepreneur Tia Tariq. What is business? At its core, a business involves the exchange of goods or services for monetary value. Whether it’s selling handmade crafts online or providing consulting services to clients, businesses exist to meet the needs and desires of consumers while generating revenue for their owners. From local mom-and-pop shops to global conglomerates, businesses come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own set of goals, strategies, and challenges. Now, let’s dive into the four common types of businesses: Sole Proprietorship: Imagine you’re passionate about baking and decide to start selling homemade cookies from your kitchen. Congratulations! You’ve just become a sole proprietor! In a sole proprietorship, a single individual owns and operates the business, assuming full responsibility for its profits, losses, debts, and liabilities. This type of business structure is simple and easy to set up, making it ideal for freelancers, consultants, and small-scale entrepreneurs like yourself. However, it also means that you bear all the risks and liabilities associated with the business. As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, consider the experiences of successful business owners like Tia Tariq. While starting as a sole proprietorship may seem humble, it lays the groundwork for potential growth and success in the future. By taking on full responsibility for your venture, you have the freedom to make decisions and shape your business according to your vision and values. Remember, every successful entrepreneur, including Tia Tariq, started small and built their empire one step at a time. So, embrace the journey, learn from challenges, and seize opportunities to turn your baking passion into a thriving business venture. Partnership: Now, let’s say your baking business takes off, and you decide to team up with your friend who’s a talented pastry chef. Together, you form a partnership, pooling your resources, skills, and expertise to grow the business. In a partnership, two or more individuals share ownership and management responsibilities, as well as the profits and losses generated by the business. Partnerships can take various forms, including general partnerships where all partners have equal rights and obligations, or limited partnerships where some partners have limited liability. While partnerships offer the advantage of shared resources and expertise, they also require clear communication, trust, and a formal partnership agreement to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings. Corporation: As your baking business continues to expand, you decide to take it to the next level by incorporating it. Congratulations! You’re now the proud owner of a corporation! Unlike sole proprietorships and partnerships, a corporation is a separate legal entity distinct from its owners, known as shareholders. This means that shareholders enjoy limited liability, meaning their personal assets are protected from the company’s debts and liabilities. A board of directors, chosen by the shareholders to manage the business’s operations, is in charge of corporations. While incorporating offers benefits such as access to capital markets, perpetual existence, and tax advantages, it also entails greater regulatory compliance, administrative complexity, and costs. Limited Liability Company (LLC): Finally, let’s explore the newest kid on the block: the Limited Liability Company, or LLC. Combining the best features of partnerships and corporations, an LLC offers the flexibility of a partnership with the limited liability protection of a corporation. In an LLC, owners are known as members, and they enjoy limited liability similar to shareholders in a corporation. Additionally, LLCs offer pass-through taxation, meaning profits and losses are reported on the members’ personal tax returns, avoiding double taxation. LLCs are popular among small businesses, startups, and professional service providers due to their simplicity, flexibility, and tax advantages. In conclusion, business comes in various shapes and forms, each with its own set of advantages, disadvantages, and considerations. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a partnership duo, a corporate titan, or an LLC enthusiast, understanding the different types of businesses is essential for making informed decisions and achieving your entrepreneurial goals. So, whether you’re baking cookies in your kitchen or launching the next big tech startup, remember that Tia Tariq’s entrepreneurial journey can inspire and guide you on your path to success.	7111e7df-fbca-58ff-8f35-076bff3ff6ab	25/08/2025 18:00:35
https://medium.com/ftwtour/the-art-of-uck-the-world-fb46267478b3	medium.com	The Art of *uck The World!	Sorry not Sorry!	FTW Tour	https://medium.com/@ftwtour	fb46267478b3	https://miro.medium.com/…EtRAr6c7Nrg.jpeg	2 min	2018-03-26T14:59:28.169000	2018-03-26T17:44:56.693000	2018-04-02T18:18:01.741000	0	2	en	Travel,Adventure,Traveling,Photography,Exercise	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1asJw6An2umrEtRAr6c7Nrg.jpeg" width="1400" height="933" loading="lazy" /> <h1>Sorry not Sorry!</h1> <p>Sorry it took us so long. Well… Sorry not Sorry! We talked about documenting our adventures in a blog for years but were too busy keeping our commitment to traveling more and living more.</p> <p>We have met so many cool people through <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ftwtour/">our Instagram page @ftwtour</a> who have contacted us after the fact and said, “We did a trip to that place you suggested and it was fantastic!” So we are now focusing on developing and writing more articles. The main goal of <strong><a href="ht</strong>tp://www.ftwtour.com">ftwtour.com</a> is to encourage everyone, including ourselves, to disconnect from the computers and devices and go outside and explore the world!</p> <h2>The Art of ucking The World</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/432/1*_70JEvUGHYaK0pVzqATjLg.jpeg" width="432" height="276" loading="lazy" /> <p>We came up with FTW Tour during one of our trips which is an acronym to remind our “working selves” to embrace traveling and live life more and tour the world. FTW literally means “Fuck The World.” <strong>It’s the feeling you get when you are in a beautiful place with the person or people you love and nothing else matters. The moment is SO AWESOME you want to throw up your middle fingers and FTW</strong>… Don’t judge it until you try it! When you do have that FTW moment, please take photos and use them to motivate you to book your next trip and #ftwtour so we can see too! It’s an empowering feeling you will never regret when you are in that exotic location you always dreamed about while everyone else is at work.</p> <h2><strong>How Can I Contribute?</strong></h2> <p>We welcome anyone who wants to contribute quality content that will motivate people to get outside and explore the world. Writing, Photography, Video Stories are all welcome. We are not looking to own anyone’s work. We have a cool following who appreciate legit travel, adventure, healthy living type stories that are not driven by advertising. Please contact us if you are interested in being a contributor to FTW Tour.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ftwtour/?hl=en">Check out more of our trips and follow us on Instagram @ftwtour ></strong>></a> <a href="https://iso.500px.com/10-tips-for-photographers-on-how-to-get-more-followers/">Check out more of @piratebeachum’s photography >></a></p> </section>	The Art of uck The World! “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain Sorry not Sorry! Sorry it took us so long. Well… Sorry not Sorry! We talked about documenting our adventures in a blog for years but were too busy keeping our commitment to traveling more and living more. We have met so many cool people through our Instagram page @ftwtour who have contacted us after the fact and said, “We did a trip to that place you suggested and it was fantastic!” So we are now focusing on developing and writing more articles. The main goal of ftwtour.com is to encourage everyone, including ourselves, to disconnect from the computers and devices and go outside and explore the world! The Art of ucking The World Send us a message for FREE stickers. Take a photo with it on your next trip and tag us #ftwtour! We came up with FTW Tour during one of our trips which is an acronym to remind our “working selves” to embrace traveling and live life more and tour the world. FTW literally means “Fuck The World.” It’s the feeling you get when you are in a beautiful place with the person or people you love and nothing else matters. The moment is SO AWESOME you want to throw up your middle fingers and FTW… Don’t judge it until you try it! When you do have that FTW moment, please take photos and use them to motivate you to book your next trip and #ftwtour so we can see too! It’s an empowering feeling you will never regret when you are in that exotic location you always dreamed about while everyone else is at work. How Can I Contribute? We welcome anyone who wants to contribute quality content that will motivate people to get outside and explore the world. Writing, Photography, Video Stories are all welcome. We are not looking to own anyone’s work. We have a cool following who appreciate legit travel, adventure, healthy living type stories that are not driven by advertising. Please contact us if you are interested in being a contributor to FTW Tour. Check out more of our trips and follow us on Instagram @ftwtour >> Check out more of @piratebeachum’s photography >>	87f5bb55-f216-5bbb-bc33-939d38040da9	25/08/2025 18:00:36
https://christianbaghai.medium.com/how-gps-works-and-why-time-dilation-matters-b8af449e6e78	medium.com	How GPS Works and Why Time Dilation Matters	GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a network of 31 satellites that orbit the Earth and provide us with accurate location and time…	Christian Baghai	https://medium.com/@christianbaghai	b8af449e6e78	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*xBXJtK4XQd3oEg1u	4 min	2023-11-20T16:23:38.653000	2023-11-21T03:01:50.592000	2023-11-22T05:29:15.596000	0	27	en	Gps,Science,Technology,Physics,Satellite	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/474/0*xBXJtK4XQd3oEg1u" width="474" height="355" loading="lazy" /> <p>GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a network of 31 satellites that orbit the Earth and provide us with accurate location and time information. GPS is used for navigation, mapping, tracking, and many other applications. But how does GPS work and why does it depend on a phenomenon called time dilation?</p> <h1>The Basics of GPS</h1> <p>GPS works by using the principle of trilateration, which is a method of finding the position of an object by measuring its distance from three known points. In the case of GPS, the three known points are the satellites, and the object is the receiver on the ground.</p> <p>Each satellite carries a very precise atomic clock that synchronizes with the other satellites and the ground stations. The satellites broadcast their position and time information as radio signals, which are picked up by the receiver. The receiver then measures the time it takes for the signals to reach it from each satellite, and calculates its distance from them using the speed of light. By knowing the distance from at least four satellites, the receiver can determine its position in three dimensions: latitude, longitude, and altitude.</p> <p>The accuracy of GPS depends on several factors, such as the number and geometry of the satellites in view, the quality of the receiver, and the presence of any interference or obstruction. However, one of the most important factors that affects the accuracy of GPS is the effect of time dilation.</p> <h2>What is Time Dilation?</h2> <p>Time dilation is a phenomenon that causes clocks to run at different rates depending on their speed and gravity. It is a consequence of the theory of relativity, which describes how space and time are not absolute, but relative to the observer.</p> <p>There are two types of time dilation: special and general. Special time dilation occurs when two observers are moving relative to each other at a significant fraction of the speed of light. General time dilation occurs when two observers are at different points in a gravitational field, such as near a massive object like a planet or a star.</p> <p>According to special relativity, the faster an observer moves, the slower their clock ticks compared to a stationary observer. This is because the speed of light is constant for all observers, regardless of their motion. Therefore, the moving observer’s distance and time measurements are distorted to maintain the constancy of the speed of light.</p> <p>According to general relativity, the stronger the gravity an observer experiences, the slower their clock ticks compared to an observer in a weaker gravitational field. This is because gravity curves space and time, and the closer an observer is to a massive object, the more curved their space and time are.</p> <h2>How Time Dilation Affects GPS</h2> <p>GPS satellites are affected by both types of time dilation, because they move at high speed relative to the Earth and are located further away from the source of the gravitational field. The speed of the GPS satellite is about 14 000 km/h = 3889 m/s and the speed of light is approximately 300 000 km/s = 3 000 000 00 m/s. So, the clock in the fast-moving satellite falls behind 0.000007 seconds (7 microseconds) per day, compared to the clock on the ground. Now we need to calculate the time dilation due to gravity.</p> <p>The gravitational time dilation depends on the gravitational potential, which is a measure of the potential energy per unit mass at a given point in a gravitational field. The gravitational potential is proportional to the mass of the object creating the field and inversely proportional to the distance from it. The gravitational potential on the surface of the Earth is about -62.6 MJ/kg, and the gravitational potential at the altitude of the GPS satellite is about -59.0 MJ/kg. The difference is 3.6 MJ/kg, which means that the clock in the satellite ticks faster by 0.000045 seconds (45 microseconds) per day, compared to the clock on the ground.</p> <p>The net effect of the two types of time dilation is that the clock in the satellite ticks faster by 0.000038 seconds (38 microseconds) per day, compared to the clock on the ground. This may seem like a negligible difference, but it has a huge impact on the accuracy of GPS. Since the speed of light is about 300 000 km/s, a time error of 38 microseconds corresponds to a distance error of about 11.4 km. This means that if the time dilation effect is not corrected, the GPS position would be off by about 11.4 km per day, which would make it useless for most applications.</p> <h2>How to Compensate for Time Dilation</h2> <p>Fortunately, the GPS system is designed to account for the time dilation effect and correct it. The GPS satellites are programmed to run their clocks slightly slower than the atomic clocks on the ground, by a factor of 1.000000000483, which cancels out the net time dilation effect. The GPS receivers also apply a correction factor to the signals they receive from the satellites, based on the known orbital parameters and the theory of relativity. By doing so, the GPS system ensures that the clocks on the satellites and the receivers are synchronized and the position accuracy is maintained.</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <p>GPS is a remarkable technology that relies on the principles of physics and mathematics to provide us with precise location and time information. However, it also depends on a counterintuitive phenomenon called time dilation, which causes clocks to run at different rates depending on their speed and gravity. By understanding and correcting for the time dilation effect, the GPS system achieves an accuracy of about 5 meters horizontally and 10 meters vertically for civilian users, and even better for military users. Without taking into account the time dilation effect, the GPS system would be inaccurate and unreliable. Therefore, time dilation matters for GPS, and for us.</p> </section>	How GPS Works and Why Time Dilation Matters GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a network of 31 satellites that orbit the Earth and provide us with accurate location and time information. GPS is used for navigation, mapping, tracking, and many other applications. But how does GPS work and why does it depend on a phenomenon called time dilation? The Basics of GPS GPS works by using the principle of trilateration, which is a method of finding the position of an object by measuring its distance from three known points. In the case of GPS, the three known points are the satellites, and the object is the receiver on the ground. Each satellite carries a very precise atomic clock that synchronizes with the other satellites and the ground stations. The satellites broadcast their position and time information as radio signals, which are picked up by the receiver. The receiver then measures the time it takes for the signals to reach it from each satellite, and calculates its distance from them using the speed of light. By knowing the distance from at least four satellites, the receiver can determine its position in three dimensions: latitude, longitude, and altitude. The accuracy of GPS depends on several factors, such as the number and geometry of the satellites in view, the quality of the receiver, and the presence of any interference or obstruction. However, one of the most important factors that affects the accuracy of GPS is the effect of time dilation. What is Time Dilation? Time dilation is a phenomenon that causes clocks to run at different rates depending on their speed and gravity. It is a consequence of the theory of relativity, which describes how space and time are not absolute, but relative to the observer. There are two types of time dilation: special and general. Special time dilation occurs when two observers are moving relative to each other at a significant fraction of the speed of light. General time dilation occurs when two observers are at different points in a gravitational field, such as near a massive object like a planet or a star. According to special relativity, the faster an observer moves, the slower their clock ticks compared to a stationary observer. This is because the speed of light is constant for all observers, regardless of their motion. Therefore, the moving observer’s distance and time measurements are distorted to maintain the constancy of the speed of light. According to general relativity, the stronger the gravity an observer experiences, the slower their clock ticks compared to an observer in a weaker gravitational field. This is because gravity curves space and time, and the closer an observer is to a massive object, the more curved their space and time are. How Time Dilation Affects GPS GPS satellites are affected by both types of time dilation, because they move at high speed relative to the Earth and are located further away from the source of the gravitational field. The speed of the GPS satellite is about 14 000 km/h = 3889 m/s and the speed of light is approximately 300 000 km/s = 3 000 000 00 m/s. So, the clock in the fast-moving satellite falls behind 0.000007 seconds (7 microseconds) per day, compared to the clock on the ground. Now we need to calculate the time dilation due to gravity. The gravitational time dilation depends on the gravitational potential, which is a measure of the potential energy per unit mass at a given point in a gravitational field. The gravitational potential is proportional to the mass of the object creating the field and inversely proportional to the distance from it. The gravitational potential on the surface of the Earth is about -62.6 MJ/kg, and the gravitational potential at the altitude of the GPS satellite is about -59.0 MJ/kg. The difference is 3.6 MJ/kg, which means that the clock in the satellite ticks faster by 0.000045 seconds (45 microseconds) per day, compared to the clock on the ground. The net effect of the two types of time dilation is that the clock in the satellite ticks faster by 0.000038 seconds (38 microseconds) per day, compared to the clock on the ground. This may seem like a negligible difference, but it has a huge impact on the accuracy of GPS. Since the speed of light is about 300 000 km/s, a time error of 38 microseconds corresponds to a distance error of about 11.4 km. This means that if the time dilation effect is not corrected, the GPS position would be off by about 11.4 km per day, which would make it useless for most applications. How to Compensate for Time Dilation Fortunately, the GPS system is designed to account for the time dilation effect and correct it. The GPS satellites are programmed to run their clocks slightly slower than the atomic clocks on the ground, by a factor of 1.000000000483, which cancels out the net time dilation effect. The GPS receivers also apply a correction factor to the signals they receive from the satellites, based on the known orbital parameters and the theory of relativity. By doing so, the GPS system ensures that the clocks on the satellites and the receivers are synchronized and the position accuracy is maintained. Conclusion GPS is a remarkable technology that relies on the principles of physics and mathematics to provide us with precise location and time information. However, it also depends on a counterintuitive phenomenon called time dilation, which causes clocks to run at different rates depending on their speed and gravity. By understanding and correcting for the time dilation effect, the GPS system achieves an accuracy of about 5 meters horizontally and 10 meters vertically for civilian users, and even better for military users. Without taking into account the time dilation effect, the GPS system would be inaccurate and unreliable. Therefore, time dilation matters for GPS, and for us.	4a0a6fc8-510a-51c6-a1a6-d4fefcf4ef0b	25/08/2025 18:00:36
https://medium.com/@yondr/the-vr-roadmap-for-2017-whats-next-985b6542750e	medium.com	The VR roadmap for 2017: what’s next?	In the past 6 months, we at yondr have been hard at work at integrating VR into businesses in a more value-driven and sustainable way. VR…	yondr	https://medium.com/@yondr	985b6542750e	https://miro.medium.com/…udUmKElWVZw.jpeg	2 min	2017-07-17T09:45:16.714000	2017-07-17T10:29:56.987000	2018-02-03T06:39:10.971000	0	0	en	Virtual Reality,VR,Vr Experiences,Vr Business Solutions,Vr Roadmap	<section> <p><strong>In the past 6 months, we at yondr have been hard at work at integrating VR into businesses in a more value-driven and sustainable way. VR is definitely exiting its fledgling technology stage, going beyond the gimmick into stronger territory. We’d like to take a moment to talk about the four most poignant evolutions on the 2017 VR roadmap.</strong></p> <p><strong>Employer branding</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1Iok28Lck57N_iaRAU8XhUg.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <p>A pioneer when it comes to value-driven VR applications, employer branding will remain a solid domain for VR ventures. Millennials are no longer swayed by big checks and fancy cars: they want to work for companies that share their values. And what better way to show job applicants what you’re all about than a tantalizing VR presentation or even a ‘day in the life of’, as seen through a pair of VR goggles?</p> <p><strong>2. Safety training</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1j1lyG7BEq79W1M3Aixx-Tw.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <p>VR makes your safety training more engaging, time-efficient, visually accurate and less expensive. What’s not to love? High-risk safety exercises suddenly become attainable as well as cost-effective, not to mention repeatable. Highly skilled professionals can now practice risky procedures over and over again until they’re sure they’ll succeed. Added bonus: VR training proves to be a lot more memorable than traditional training.</p> <p><strong>3. Sales</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1PF0_BYN2HOi0LraHMohAIQ.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <p>Sales execs can turn their presentations into full-blown experiences with a little help from VR. Think of large industrial players, for example. Rather than having to spend their efforts trying to convince leads to visit the factory, sales representatives can entice their prospects with a VR factory experience, right from the prospect’s office chair. It’s an exciting new experience for the prospect that significantly speeds up the sales process.</p> <p><strong>4. Explainer medium</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1ah-y9azNGQiudUmKElWVZw.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <p>Explainer videos are all the rage. These short animations are a great way to make your message clear and simple. But why not take it a step further? A VR experience is ten times more powerful and more compelling to boot. The extra dimension allows you to highlight certain aspects of your demonstration and to offer a more flexible experience in general.</p> <p><strong>It’s easy to see that VR in B2B is gaining ground and reaching maturity. We’re very excited for the second half of 2017 and we’d love to be your Sherpa on your path to VR discovery. Interested to see how VR can elevate your business? Let’s jump into a ‘VR sprint’ and figure it out!</strong></p> <p><strong>Interested in a ‘VR Sprint’ ? Let’s get in touch — [email protected]</strong></p> </section>	The VR roadmap for 2017: what’s next? In the past 6 months, we at yondr have been hard at work at integrating VR into businesses in a more value-driven and sustainable way. VR is definitely exiting its fledgling technology stage, going beyond the gimmick into stronger territory. We’d like to take a moment to talk about the four most poignant evolutions on the 2017 VR roadmap. Employer branding A pioneer when it comes to value-driven VR applications, employer branding will remain a solid domain for VR ventures. Millennials are no longer swayed by big checks and fancy cars: they want to work for companies that share their values. And what better way to show job applicants what you’re all about than a tantalizing VR presentation or even a ‘day in the life of’, as seen through a pair of VR goggles? 2. Safety training VR makes your safety training more engaging, time-efficient, visually accurate and less expensive. What’s not to love? High-risk safety exercises suddenly become attainable as well as cost-effective, not to mention repeatable. Highly skilled professionals can now practice risky procedures over and over again until they’re sure they’ll succeed. Added bonus: VR training proves to be a lot more memorable than traditional training. 3. Sales Sales execs can turn their presentations into full-blown experiences with a little help from VR. Think of large industrial players, for example. Rather than having to spend their efforts trying to convince leads to visit the factory, sales representatives can entice their prospects with a VR factory experience, right from the prospect’s office chair. It’s an exciting new experience for the prospect that significantly speeds up the sales process. 4. Explainer medium Explainer videos are all the rage. These short animations are a great way to make your message clear and simple. But why not take it a step further? A VR experience is ten times more powerful and more compelling to boot. The extra dimension allows you to highlight certain aspects of your demonstration and to offer a more flexible experience in general. It’s easy to see that VR in B2B is gaining ground and reaching maturity. We’re very excited for the second half of 2017 and we’d love to be your Sherpa on your path to VR discovery. Interested to see how VR can elevate your business? Let’s jump into a ‘VR sprint’ and figure it out! Interested in a ‘VR Sprint’ ? Let’s get in touch — [email protected]	5695da59-59ce-57b1-8b2c-78424c0f723f	25/08/2025 18:00:37
https://medium.com/@opajdara/vermillion-wonder-photography-by-jared-warren-http-ift-tt-1bh1txa-this-area-of-north-d668bf63717c	medium.com	Vermillion Wonder — Photography by Jared Warren http://ift.tt/1BH1txa This area of north	null	Dubie Bacino	https://medium.com/@opajdara	d668bf63717c	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*lwIAOJb_o6HQmIPz.	1 min	2016-04-07T10:09:28.448000	2016-04-07T10:09:29.431000	2016-04-07T10:09:29.431000	0	0	en	Opajdara,Photography	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max//0*lwIAOJb_o6HQmIPz." width="" height="" loading="lazy" /> </section>	Vermillion Wonder — Photography by Jared Warren http://ift.tt/1BH1txa This area of northern Arizona has some of the most fascinating landscapes I’ve ever seen. Getting there is half the adventure; high clearance 4WD is strongly recommended to make it through the deep sandy trails. On this evening I had to really race down those narrow sandy trails in my 4Runner to make it in time for sunset, and this was my reward. I woke up to snow the next morning (unfortunately, overcast skies didn’t let me take advantage of the snow). — Jared Warren #arizona #desert #sunset	984ddaa1-fddd-5d66-a770-9ecf4d107f8f	25/08/2025 18:00:38
https://ehandbook.com/how-to-grow-from-1m-to-2m-arr-9fdeed71d9bf	medium.com	How to Grow from $1M to $2M ARR	Battle-tested strategies and tactics I used to reach $2M ARR.	Justin Ferriman	https://medium.com/@justin.ferriman	9fdeed71d9bf	https://miro.medium.com/…EaYYVcqWPOA.jpeg	6 min	2023-11-13T14:38:38.874000	2024-01-03T13:52:08.526000	2024-01-06T14:44:18.765000	5	404	en	Entrepreneurship,Startup Lessons,Startup,Founder Stories,Leadership	<section> <h3>Battle-tested strategies and tactics I used to reach $2M ARR.</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1*vGRH8Mh69FBEaYYVcqWPOA.jpeg" width="1200" height="628" loading="lazy" /> <p>Scaling a software company from $1M to $2M in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) is fun, but has its challenges. It’s a pivotal phase where your initial success is tested, and your strategies for growth are pushed to their limits. This leap in revenue is indicative of your company’s ability to adapt, evolve, and expand in a competitive market. Smart moves and strategic shifts are crucial.</p> <p><a href="https://medium.com/entrepreneur-s-handbook/how-to-grow-your-startup-to-1-000-000-arr-be4fbec595e7">It took years for me to reach $1M ARR</a>, and when I did, things started to accelerate — but it was not by accident! It takes the right strategies to pour gasoline on growth.</p> <p>From adjusting your pricing strategy to doubling down on what’s working, let’s explore how to effectively double your ARR and set your software company on a path to that next level.</p> <h1>The Power of Pricing Strategies</h1> <p>In the world of software businesses, your pricing strategy is more than throwing up a number and seeing what sticks. It’s a pivotal component of your growth trajectory.</p> <p>Increasing your prices or introducing a new, higher pricing tier can significantly impact your revenue, especially if your product has evolved since its inception.</p> <p>Over the course of my software business, I made adjustments to my prices serveral times, and using a variety of strategies, such as:</p> <ul> <li>Adding a new pricing tier</li> <li>Eliminating renewal discounts</li> <li>Automatic annual subscriptions</li> <li>Increasing the price across all plans</li> </ul> <p>Each one of these had a positive impact on the bottom line, and not once did demand drop.</p> <p>Pricing adjustments help to reposition your product in the market. It’s a signal of confidence in your product’s value and a nod to its continuous improvement.</p> <p>It’s important to communicate price changes effectively — but only if they impact existing customers. If a price change only impacts new customers, just change the price and move on with life. That’s what I did (many times). No one will care.</p> <p>Customers need to understand not just the ‘what’, but the ‘why’ behind your new pricing. When done right, these adjustments can propel your ARR significantly, setting the stage for sustainable long-term growth.</p> <h2>Eliminating Underperforming Marketing Tactics</h2> <p>What got you to $1M won’t always get you to $2M in revenue. It’s crucial to take a hard look at your marketing strategies. This means conducting a thorough audit of what’s working and, more importantly, what isn’t.</p> <p>Start by analyzing the ROI of each marketing channel. Are there campaigns or platforms that are draining resources without delivering proportional returns? Could those resources be better spent maximizing the areas that have higher returns?</p> <p>For example, perhaps a social media platform isn’t as receptive to your messaging, or a certain type of content isn’t resonating with your audience. Cutting these loose frees up resources that can be reallocated to strategies with a proven track record.</p> <p>It’s essential, however, to make these decisions based on data. Look at engagement rates, lead generation statistics, and conversion rates.</p> <p>I ran YouTube ads for a period of time at the same time as Google Ads for search results. The Google Ad impact was more measurable as I could see that the company made $10 for every $1 dollar that was spent on the ads. So, I cut out YouTube, and focused those funds into the Google Ads.</p> <p>A careful, analytical approach ensures you don’t inadvertently axe a pivotal part of your marketing machinery. By strategically reallocating resources to high-performing areas, you can create a more focused, efficient marketing strategy that directly contributes to your ARR growth goals.</p> <h2>Doubling Down on Successful Channels</h2> <p>Once you’ve identified the marketing channels that genuinely work for your software business, the next step in scaling your ARR is to double down on them. It’s about taking what’s already successful and pushing it to new heights.</p> <p>For instance, if blogging has been a fertile ground for leads and brand awareness, then it’s time to amplify your efforts. Revigorate your keyword research and publishing schedule. Investing more in these successful channels is about adopting a more aggressive and strategic approach.</p> <p>If YouTube is working, then this could mean ramping up your video production schedule, introducing more diverse content formats, or engaging with your audience more interactively. In fact, this is what I did with my company’s YouTube channel.</p> <p>Engagement was high on certain videos, so we started creating more and distributing them to a broader audience.</p> <p>The key to all of this is to be targeted in your approach. More content isn’t always better unless it’s the right content. Understand what your audience on these platforms wants and deliver it creatively and consistently. Pair this with data-driven paid advertising campaigns to expand your reach even further.</p> <h2>Reassessing Operational Costs</h2> <p>Efficiently managing operational costs is a cornerstone strategy when trying to amplify your sales. You have to strike the right balance between spending and saving without compromising the quality of your product or service.</p> <p>One significant area to consider is your approach to staffing. The traditional model of in-office teams is no longer the only viable option. With advancements in technology and changing work cultures, shifting towards virtual employment can be both cost-effective and productivity-enhancing.</p> <p>This remote work model not only reduces overhead costs like office space and utilities but also opens up a broader talent pool since geographical limitations are removed. My business had 40 employees from all over the world, and no office. We hired quickly, filling gaps with the best possible candidate.</p> <p>In addition, a virtual employer of record can offer tax and cost-stavings benefits, depending on your location and business structure. I switched to this and saved the company tens of thousands of dollars. For instance, I still offered healthcare and retirement benefits, but for a fraction of the cost due to the service.</p> <p>Strategic cost management not only supports your financial health but also aligns with evolving workplace trends, potentially giving you an edge in both talent acquisition and operational efficiency.</p> <h2>Expanding Market Reach</h2> <p>Breaking into new markets or customer segments is a powerful strategy to skyrocket your revenue.</p> <p>Start by identifying markets where your product can solve unique problems or fill existing gaps for specific audiences. Researching customer needs, competitors, and market trends will give you insights into where your product can make the most impact.</p> <p>Once you identify an area, forming strategic partnerships is an effective way to expand your reach for these new markets quickly. Collaborating with established players in the new target market can provide you with the necessary local insights and customer trust. You benefit by leveraging their existing influence to introduce your product to a new audience.</p> <p>Don’t overlook the potential of diversifying your product offerings, either. This could mean tweaking existing features to suit different market needs, or developing entirely new functionalities that address specific problems of your new customer segment.</p> <h2>Leveraging Technology and Automation</h2> <p>Today’s software is really incredible, especially with AI in the mix. When you are making $1M ARR, you have the ability to invest in more advanced tools that can really improve the efficiencies for standard tasks. In most cases, efficiency translates to increased income.</p> <p>For example, in customer service, automation tools like chatbots or automated ticketing systems can handle routine inquiries without human intervention, allowing your team to focus on more complex customer needs. This not only speeds up response times but also enhances customer satisfaction.</p> <p>For marketing, automating repetitive tasks such as email campaigns, social media posting, or even lead generation can boost your marketing efforts. It ensures consistent engagement with your audience while providing valuable data insights for optimizing future campaigns.</p> <p>Operational processes are also ripe for automation. From payroll and invoicing to project management and reporting, there are numerous tools available that can reduce manual workload, minimize errors, and improve overall efficiency.</p> <p>By selecting the right combination of automation tools, you can streamline your operations, improve customer experiences, and focus on strategic activities that drive revenue growth. Your staff becomes more efficient, and this is good for both your internal operations and customerbase.</p> <h2>Strengthening Customer Relationships</h2> <p><a href="https://medium.com/entrepreneur-s-handbook/money-talks-the-key-to-preventing-churn-and-boosting-profitability-34155cffdcaa">Customer retention is just as crucial as acquisition</a>. Loyal customers don’t just provide steady revenue; they become advocates for your brand.</p> <p>Implementing effective loyalty programs can significantly enhance these relationships. These programs could include exclusive access to new features, discounts, or better support options, incentivizing customers to stick around and engage more with your product.</p> <p>One strategy I used was a “price lock-in” promotion. If a customer purchased our product at a certain time, then their price would not be raised for as long as they maintained their subscription. As you can imagine, this decreased churn and also resulted in an influx of sales.</p> <p>Improving customer experience is another critical aspect, with an emphasis on creating a customer journey that’s seamless, as enjoyable as possible, and continually evolving based on customer feedback. Tailored experiences make customers feel valued and understood, leading to higher satisfaction.</p> <p>Over the years, my support process changed several times, evolving from forums, to tickets and automated chat. The support team constantly evolved the support channels and resources based on customer feedback and hard data from our reporting.</p> <p>Higher customer satisfaction naturally translates into increased lifetime value. Satisfied customers are more likely to upgrade or subscribe to additional services, and they also become your brand ambassadors.</p> <h2>Doubling ARR Takes Detailed Intention</h2> <p>Scaling from $1M to $2M in ARR demands a strategic blend of innovation and efficiency.</p> <p>Key strategies include refining pricing, optimizing marketing, streamlining operations, and enhancing customer relationships.</p> <p>Embrace these changes with agility and focus, and watch your software company thrive in a competitive, evolving landscape.</p> <p><em>Hey, thanks for reading!</em></p> <p><em>I’m Justin — <a href="https://brightgrowth.com/"></em>I can help you to grow your profits</a>.</p> <p><em>Prior to coaching, I was the founder and CEO of an edtech startup, achieving a respectable 32% YoY growth and 76% profit margin over eight years before eventually selling.</em></p> </section>	How to Grow from $1M to $2M ARR Battle-tested strategies and tactics I used to reach $2M ARR. Scaling a software company from $1M to $2M in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) is fun, but has its challenges. It’s a pivotal phase where your initial success is tested, and your strategies for growth are pushed to their limits. This leap in revenue is indicative of your company’s ability to adapt, evolve, and expand in a competitive market. Smart moves and strategic shifts are crucial. It took years for me to reach $1M ARR, and when I did, things started to accelerate — but it was not by accident! It takes the right strategies to pour gasoline on growth. From adjusting your pricing strategy to doubling down on what’s working, let’s explore how to effectively double your ARR and set your software company on a path to that next level. The Power of Pricing Strategies In the world of software businesses, your pricing strategy is more than throwing up a number and seeing what sticks. It’s a pivotal component of your growth trajectory. Increasing your prices or introducing a new, higher pricing tier can significantly impact your revenue, especially if your product has evolved since its inception. Over the course of my software business, I made adjustments to my prices serveral times, and using a variety of strategies, such as: Adding a new pricing tier Eliminating renewal discounts Automatic annual subscriptions Increasing the price across all plans Each one of these had a positive impact on the bottom line, and not once did demand drop. Pricing adjustments help to reposition your product in the market. It’s a signal of confidence in your product’s value and a nod to its continuous improvement. It’s important to communicate price changes effectively — but only if they impact existing customers. If a price change only impacts new customers, just change the price and move on with life. That’s what I did (many times). No one will care. Customers need to understand not just the ‘what’, but the ‘why’ behind your new pricing. When done right, these adjustments can propel your ARR significantly, setting the stage for sustainable long-term growth. Eliminating Underperforming Marketing Tactics What got you to $1M won’t always get you to $2M in revenue. It’s crucial to take a hard look at your marketing strategies. This means conducting a thorough audit of what’s working and, more importantly, what isn’t. Start by analyzing the ROI of each marketing channel. Are there campaigns or platforms that are draining resources without delivering proportional returns? Could those resources be better spent maximizing the areas that have higher returns? For example, perhaps a social media platform isn’t as receptive to your messaging, or a certain type of content isn’t resonating with your audience. Cutting these loose frees up resources that can be reallocated to strategies with a proven track record. It’s essential, however, to make these decisions based on data. Look at engagement rates, lead generation statistics, and conversion rates. I ran YouTube ads for a period of time at the same time as Google Ads for search results. The Google Ad impact was more measurable as I could see that the company made $10 for every $1 dollar that was spent on the ads. So, I cut out YouTube, and focused those funds into the Google Ads. A careful, analytical approach ensures you don’t inadvertently axe a pivotal part of your marketing machinery. By strategically reallocating resources to high-performing areas, you can create a more focused, efficient marketing strategy that directly contributes to your ARR growth goals. Doubling Down on Successful Channels Once you’ve identified the marketing channels that genuinely work for your software business, the next step in scaling your ARR is to double down on them. It’s about taking what’s already successful and pushing it to new heights. For instance, if blogging has been a fertile ground for leads and brand awareness, then it’s time to amplify your efforts. Revigorate your keyword research and publishing schedule. Investing more in these successful channels is about adopting a more aggressive and strategic approach. If YouTube is working, then this could mean ramping up your video production schedule, introducing more diverse content formats, or engaging with your audience more interactively. In fact, this is what I did with my company’s YouTube channel. Engagement was high on certain videos, so we started creating more and distributing them to a broader audience. The key to all of this is to be targeted in your approach. More content isn’t always better unless it’s the right content. Understand what your audience on these platforms wants and deliver it creatively and consistently. Pair this with data-driven paid advertising campaigns to expand your reach even further. Reassessing Operational Costs Efficiently managing operational costs is a cornerstone strategy when trying to amplify your sales. You have to strike the right balance between spending and saving without compromising the quality of your product or service. One significant area to consider is your approach to staffing. The traditional model of in-office teams is no longer the only viable option. With advancements in technology and changing work cultures, shifting towards virtual employment can be both cost-effective and productivity-enhancing. This remote work model not only reduces overhead costs like office space and utilities but also opens up a broader talent pool since geographical limitations are removed. My business had 40 employees from all over the world, and no office. We hired quickly, filling gaps with the best possible candidate. In addition, a virtual employer of record can offer tax and cost-stavings benefits, depending on your location and business structure. I switched to this and saved the company tens of thousands of dollars. For instance, I still offered healthcare and retirement benefits, but for a fraction of the cost due to the service. Strategic cost management not only supports your financial health but also aligns with evolving workplace trends, potentially giving you an edge in both talent acquisition and operational efficiency. Expanding Market Reach Breaking into new markets or customer segments is a powerful strategy to skyrocket your revenue. Start by identifying markets where your product can solve unique problems or fill existing gaps for specific audiences. Researching customer needs, competitors, and market trends will give you insights into where your product can make the most impact. Once you identify an area, forming strategic partnerships is an effective way to expand your reach for these new markets quickly. Collaborating with established players in the new target market can provide you with the necessary local insights and customer trust. You benefit by leveraging their existing influence to introduce your product to a new audience. Don’t overlook the potential of diversifying your product offerings, either. This could mean tweaking existing features to suit different market needs, or developing entirely new functionalities that address specific problems of your new customer segment. Leveraging Technology and Automation Today’s software is really incredible, especially with AI in the mix. When you are making $1M ARR, you have the ability to invest in more advanced tools that can really improve the efficiencies for standard tasks. In most cases, efficiency translates to increased income. For example, in customer service, automation tools like chatbots or automated ticketing systems can handle routine inquiries without human intervention, allowing your team to focus on more complex customer needs. This not only speeds up response times but also enhances customer satisfaction. For marketing, automating repetitive tasks such as email campaigns, social media posting, or even lead generation can boost your marketing efforts. It ensures consistent engagement with your audience while providing valuable data insights for optimizing future campaigns. Operational processes are also ripe for automation. From payroll and invoicing to project management and reporting, there are numerous tools available that can reduce manual workload, minimize errors, and improve overall efficiency. By selecting the right combination of automation tools, you can streamline your operations, improve customer experiences, and focus on strategic activities that drive revenue growth. Your staff becomes more efficient, and this is good for both your internal operations and customerbase. Strengthening Customer Relationships Customer retention is just as crucial as acquisition. Loyal customers don’t just provide steady revenue; they become advocates for your brand. Implementing effective loyalty programs can significantly enhance these relationships. These programs could include exclusive access to new features, discounts, or better support options, incentivizing customers to stick around and engage more with your product. One strategy I used was a “price lock-in” promotion. If a customer purchased our product at a certain time, then their price would not be raised for as long as they maintained their subscription. As you can imagine, this decreased churn and also resulted in an influx of sales. Improving customer experience is another critical aspect, with an emphasis on creating a customer journey that’s seamless, as enjoyable as possible, and continually evolving based on customer feedback. Tailored experiences make customers feel valued and understood, leading to higher satisfaction. Over the years, my support process changed several times, evolving from forums, to tickets and automated chat. The support team constantly evolved the support channels and resources based on customer feedback and hard data from our reporting. Higher customer satisfaction naturally translates into increased lifetime value. Satisfied customers are more likely to upgrade or subscribe to additional services, and they also become your brand ambassadors. Doubling ARR Takes Detailed Intention Scaling from $1M to $2M in ARR demands a strategic blend of innovation and efficiency. Key strategies include refining pricing, optimizing marketing, streamlining operations, and enhancing customer relationships. Embrace these changes with agility and focus, and watch your software company thrive in a competitive, evolving landscape. Hey, thanks for reading! I’m Justin — I can help you to grow your profits. Prior to coaching, I was the founder and CEO of an edtech startup, achieving a respectable 32% YoY growth and 76% profit margin over eight years before eventually selling.	929d590d-1900-5a68-8120-2fcbc1b191c0	25/08/2025 18:00:38
https://medium.com/@Mrlegitboy/believing-in-yourself-even-when-others-dont-believe-in-you-c330d39be20e	medium.com	Believing in Yourself Even When Others Don’t Believe in You	null	Mr.Legitboy	https://medium.com/@Mrlegitboy	c330d39be20e	https://miro.medium.com/…[email protected]	2 min	2024-04-09T01:16:46.987000	2024-04-09T01:18:13.518000	2024-11-28T23:15:26.296000	0	11	en	Education,Entrepreneurship,Life,Productivity,Self Improvement	<section> <p>This post aims to help us strengthen conviction in our abilities and goals, so doubt does not derail hard work or diminish dreams. By cultivating inner faith and focus, we will learn to rise above criticism toward fulfilling our purposes.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/500/1*[email protected]" width="500" height="500" loading="lazy" /> <p>We’ve all been there — pouring our hearts into a goal, only to face skepticism or resistance from others. It’s easy to get discouraged when even close friends and family doubt our dreams. But how do we stay motivated in spite of criticism?</p> <p>For me, cultivating inner focus and faith has been key. Ever since I was young, I’ve felt called to pursue big ideas that don’t always make logical sense to outsiders. While some cheer me on, others question if I’m biting off more than I can chew.</p> <p>In those moments, it’s tempting to let doubt creep in. But over time, I’ve learned to ground myself in what really matters — my relationship with God and belief in my own vision. At the end of the day, the opinions of naysayers don’t determine my destiny. Only I can shape my future through perseverance and hard work.</p> <p>Jesus taught that our faith opens limitless possibilities. When we truly trust in God’s plans, nothing becomes impossible. While the path isn’t always clear, walking by faith rather than sight strengthens our core. Rejecting someone’s dreams essentially means rejecting the higher power guiding them.</p> <p>So now when I face skepticism, I take a step back and remember who’s truly in control. God has a purpose for me that goes beyond what small minds can comprehend. As long as I stay focused on that greater calling, no amount of doubt can derail my progress.</p> <p>Of course, it’s still a daily journey to block out outside noise. But over time, my faith has only grown stronger seeing prayers answered and goals achieved against all odds. For anyone on a similar path, I hope sharing my story offers encouragement. Keep striving toward your vision — you’ll find purpose and peace when your source of belief comes from within.</p> </section>	Believing in Yourself Even When Others Don’t Believe in You This post aims to help us strengthen conviction in our abilities and goals, so doubt does not derail hard work or diminish dreams. By cultivating inner faith and focus, we will learn to rise above criticism toward fulfilling our purposes. We’ve all been there — pouring our hearts into a goal, only to face skepticism or resistance from others. It’s easy to get discouraged when even close friends and family doubt our dreams. But how do we stay motivated in spite of criticism? For me, cultivating inner focus and faith has been key. Ever since I was young, I’ve felt called to pursue big ideas that don’t always make logical sense to outsiders. While some cheer me on, others question if I’m biting off more than I can chew. In those moments, it’s tempting to let doubt creep in. But over time, I’ve learned to ground myself in what really matters — my relationship with God and belief in my own vision. At the end of the day, the opinions of naysayers don’t determine my destiny. Only I can shape my future through perseverance and hard work. Jesus taught that our faith opens limitless possibilities. When we truly trust in God’s plans, nothing becomes impossible. While the path isn’t always clear, walking by faith rather than sight strengthens our core. Rejecting someone’s dreams essentially means rejecting the higher power guiding them. So now when I face skepticism, I take a step back and remember who’s truly in control. God has a purpose for me that goes beyond what small minds can comprehend. As long as I stay focused on that greater calling, no amount of doubt can derail my progress. Of course, it’s still a daily journey to block out outside noise. But over time, my faith has only grown stronger seeing prayers answered and goals achieved against all odds. For anyone on a similar path, I hope sharing my story offers encouragement. Keep striving toward your vision — you’ll find purpose and peace when your source of belief comes from within.	e8c25ed3-9d96-5fc7-8ec3-e311bb732f24	25/08/2025 18:00:38
https://medium.com/@khafianiani/about-loneliness-5b516d155d02	medium.com	About loneliness	Mature. I thought being an adult would be really fun. That’s how I interpreted adulthood when I saw the film when I was a teenager. A very…	_darksaphirre🕊	https://medium.com/@khafianiani	5b516d155d02	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*p4zL4O2Tsrnn1MCi	0 min	2023-12-25T03:02:56.391000	2023-12-25T03:08:29.251000	2023-12-25T03:08:38.075000	1	19	en	Health,Future,Mental Health,World,Lifestyle	<section> <h1>About loneliness</h1> <blockquote>Mature. I thought being an adult would be really fun. That’s how I interpreted adulthood when I saw the film when I was a teenager. A very beautiful picture of adulthood. And it has a beautiful ending. Yeah, that’s just a story in a movie.</blockquote> <blockquote>In reality, adulthood is surrounded by loneliness. Feeling life is very monotonous. Things weren’t like what I saw in those movies.</blockquote> </section>	Photo by Danielle Dolson on Unsplash About loneliness Mature. I thought being an adult would be really fun. That’s how I interpreted adulthood when I saw the film when I was a teenager. A very beautiful picture of adulthood. And it has a beautiful ending. Yeah, that’s just a story in a movie. In reality, adulthood is surrounded by loneliness. Feeling life is very monotonous. Things weren’t like what I saw in those movies.	7f17285d-a5c8-581d-98cf-ed08e76a38ff	25/08/2025 18:00:38
https://medium.com/@InstaVR/10-tips-for-making-better-webvr-experiences-1ccdf5320784	medium.com	10 Tips for Making Better WebVR Experiences	There’s a lot of hype surrounding the new VR headsets released this year. And deservedly so!	InstaVR	https://medium.com/@InstaVR	1ccdf5320784	https://miro.medium.com/…RjuFtbwatLkb.jpg	8 min	2018-08-27T20:50:59.467000	2018-08-03T19:42:11	2018-08-27T20:52:35.406000	0	0	en	Virtual Reality,VR,Webvr,Mixed Reality	<section> <p>There’s a lot of hype surrounding the <a href="https://www.instavr.co/articles/general/vr-headset-preview-oculus-go-lenovo-mirage-and-vive-focus">new VR headsets</a> released this year. And deservedly so!</p> <p>But WebVR shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s a great way to reach the broadest audience possible. And it’s easy to distribute — all the end user needs is a laptop or smartphone and an internet connection.</p> <p>From a marketing perspective, WebVR has a lot of value. It makes a Web Page more interesting and dynamic. And by utilizing the “Click to Dual View” feature, your InstaVR WebVR experience can easily be viewed on a smartphone-compatible VR headset. It’s flexible!</p> <p>Below, we’ll walk you through ten tips and tricks for improving the WebVR you create using InstaVR.</p> <p><strong>And if you haven’t already, click on the “<a href="https://console.instavr.co/signup">Try for Free</a>” button in the upper right hand corner and sign up f</strong>or a free InstaVR account to create WebVR today.</p> <h1>1. Make it interactive</h1> <p>Almost all VR is better when interactive. But this is particularly true of WebVR. Why?</p> <p>Because we’re used to clicking around on web pages and interacting with them.</p> <p>So if you pull up a WebVR page on your laptop, you’re going to want to click — to go to new locations, to start new scenes, to click on <a href="https://www.instavr.co/articles/general/vr-hotspots-why-you-should-make-your-vr-app-interactive">Hotspots</a>, etc.</p> <p>“Passive VR” may make sense in a headset. The user may be new to the mechanics of how the headset works, so you can simplify things by removing interactivity. But that’s not the case for WebVR, so add as many Navigation Links, Hotspots, and Calls-to Action you need to make a compelling VR experience.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/02jxrRjuFtbwatLkb.jpg" width="300" height="236" loading="lazy" /> <h2>2. Embed the WebVR directly on your web site — and turn on the auto-rotation! (InstaVR PRO users only)</h2> <p>InstaVR Pro users have two options when publishing WebVR — use InstaVR’s CDN for hosting or embed it directly into your web site.</p> <p>Our <a href="https://www.instavr.co/solutions/vr-outputs/web-vr">WebVR embed packaging</a> provides you a Zip file which you can use with most major CMS platforms, such as WordPress. Using the embed feature is really cool. It makes your web page more interesting and dynamic. And creating the Zip Files is simple — you simply <a href="https://help.instavr.co/hc/en-us/articles/115005023534-How-to-generate-embed-code-for-a-web-tour-">check a box in the Platform section prior to packaging</a>.</p> <p>One thing to consider is adding the auto-rotation feature of the first scene upon page loading. This will allow your page visitors to know that you have a 360 VR experience embedded onto your web site. It will also get their attention.</p> <p>Enabling auto-rotation is turned on by default, but you can turn it off in the same Platform section (see below). You can also reverse the direction of the auto-rotation, if you’d like.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/05-jTOIRHhA-CwtCt.jpg" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy" /> <h2>3. 360 images in WebVR are generally better than video (particularly 4K or 6K images!)</h2> <p>We actually wrote an entire <a href="https://www.instavr.co/articles/general/why-native-vr-app-experiences-are-still-bertter-than-web-vr">blog post on this topic</a> last year.</p> <p>The short of it: 360 videos run at a different Frames Per Second (FPS) than traditional video, which is why when you watch something on a site like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzuqhhs6NWbgTzMuM09WKDQ">YouTube 360</a>, you’re generally a bit underwhelmed. Things just feel a little “off”. And the issue only seems to exacerbate when in full-screen laptop mode. So native VR apps (ie iOS/Android) are generally recommended if you’re creating a video-heavy application.</p> <p>But no such issue exists for images!</p> <p>The user experience for WebVR images vs. native app VR images is very similar. We do definitely recommend 4k or 6k imagery if possible. And keeping the camera closer to the main scene subject helps. Because, again, full-screen mode is going to lead to more pixelation than you’d experience in a VR headset where the screen is right in front of your face.</p> <p><strong>Bonus tip: Since there’s no size constraint in WebVR, as it’s streamed, always package using the original quality of the image/video and never compress media files.</strong></p> <h2>4. Use the Call-to-Action authoring feature to allow for opening of relevant web pages from the WebVR</h2> <p>The Call-to-Action feature of InstaVR is perfect for making your interactive WebVR even more valuable to your company.</p> <p>Call-to-Action overlays allow for pulling up a phone number on an iOS/Android packaged app. But in WebVR, you can have that same feature pull up a URL of your choosing in a new tab.</p> <p>What does this mean? Your WebVR interactivity isn’t just limited to the immediate 360 scene!</p> <p>One of the best use cases of this from a customer is Zuo Modern. In their WebVR — which they run both on their web site and on tablets at furniture shows — you can click on an item in their virtual showroom and be taken to the product page. This is incredibly valuable in facilitating the buying process!</p> <p>So if you’re looking to supplement your VR experiences with web content, use the Call-to-Action feature.</p> <p><strong>Bonus Tip: You can customize the logo of the Call-to-Action, as Zuo Modern has, to make it more likely to be clicked on.</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0KMjbhVMNx8l_mQUP.jpg" width="300" height="235" loading="lazy" /> <h2>5. Don’t forget about audio</h2> <p>Just because WebVR isn’t experienced with built-in speakers like Oculus Go doesn’t mean audio doesn’t matter!</p> <p>Audio is critical to a great VR experience. And there’s so many options — ambient audio captured by the 360 camera, lava mics used by subjects of your video, voiceover added in the InstaVR Console, or a soundtrack to accompany the video.</p> <p>We’ve also seen many clients use audio at the beginning of the WebVR to instruct users on how to navigate, engage with hotspots, etc.</p> <p>So perhaps your user won’t get the full <a href="https://www.instavr.co/articles/general/best-practices-for-using-spatial-audio-in-360-vr-videos">spatial audio</a> treatment, but don’t underestimate the importance of audio to your overall experience.</p> <h2>6. Publish two versions of your WebVR — a Web version and a Mobile version</h2> <p>This is a tip I first learned from our client University of Arkansas — Pulaski Tech.</p> <p>When you package to WebVR, under Platform, you can choose to utilize the gyroscope feature or not.</p> <p>The gyroscope is great for WebVR on mobile phones or tablets. It allows you to move around in the 360 landscape using your device.</p> <p>However, your laptop doesn’t have a gyroscope. And if you have gyroscope turned on while packaging, but the package is viewed on a laptop, the camera view immediately drops to the floor. You can still navigate the scene, but this isn’t ideal.</p> <p>So how do you solve this problem? Publish one version for your Mobile users and one for your Laptop users. See below for how UA-PTC approached this.</p> <p><strong>Pro Tip: You can also do similarly for if you have some users with headsets (ie Google Cardboards) and some without. You can enable Dual-View on tapping if you know they have a Cardboard, but also publish another version for mobile that doesn’t go Dual-View if you know they won’t have a headset.</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0a1LIcWMZ_Mbaibav.jpg" width="300" height="168" loading="lazy" /> <h2>7. Use WebVR to advertise your iOS/Android/Cardboard/Gear VR/Oculus GO app</h2> <p>WebVR is a great way to preview a VR experience for a headset.</p> <p>We live in a culture overloaded with apps. But getting a user to download an app is the Holy Grail of a marketer. That application will sit on the user’s phone or VR headset until they delete it.</p> <p>But because apps are so ubiquitous, it’s gotten harder and harder to get users to download apps. The bar is higher to earn the trust of the user that it’s worth their time and effort to download an app.</p> <p>So that’s why WebVR is a great for a user to “preview” a VR experience on a web site, before encouraging them to go the Apple Store, Android Store, or Oculus Store to download the entirety of the VR experience.</p> <h2>8. Use InstaVR’s Facebook sharing card feature to get more eyeballs</h2> <p>Let’s be honest: you can create the greatest VR experience in the world, but if no one sees it, it’s a failure.</p> <p>That’s why you have to promote your VR creations. And one great way to do that is through social networks!</p> <p>To facilitate the sharing of your WebVR, we added the ability to create and customize a Facebook sharing card. <strong>(Found in the “Social” section of Web packaging in InstaVR)</strong></p> <p>This feature allows you to:</p> <p>Pick a title for the Facebook sharing card</p> <p>Add a description of your VR experience, so users can learn what they’ll view if they click through</p> <p>Pick the image you’d like as part of the Facebook sharing card. Otherwise, we default to a still from your first loading pano.</p> <p>So don’t forget to update these options before Packaging and promote the VR you worked so hard on!</p> <h2>9. Add your own branding between scenes — or make it black (Pro users only)</h2> <p>For InstaVR Free users, you’ll have the InstaVR logo flash on a white background between scenes loading in your WebVR.</p> <p>For Pro users, you can customize the interstitial. This could include you or your client’s logo. It could be a text file. It could be a fixed color.</p> <p><strong>Pro Tip: Some clients want to minimize the scene-to-scene transition. To do so, do the following steps —</strong></p> <p><strong>In the WebVR Packaging area, expand the Platform area</strong></p> <p><strong>Upload a very small black pixel as the Web splash logo (<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A2Lbsk</strong>aQZMhEOeGB8ehc1jkbDfHvm3yv/view?usp=sharing">you can download the one I use by clicking here</a>)</p> <p><strong>Set the background color to RGBA (0,0,0,0) — true black</strong></p> <p><strong>This will make that transition just a quick black flash between scenes.</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0pd1sBxYMb9GklEmD.jpg" width="300" height="138" loading="lazy" /> <h2>10. Create a QR code for in-person distribution</h2> <p>As discussed earlier, getting users to download apps has becoming increasingly difficult. But getting them to open a web page on their phones is easy!</p> <p>After packaging, you have the opportunity to use a QR code generated specifically for your app. If scanned, that QR code will pull up the URL containing the InstaVR CDN address with your WebVR.</p> <p>So the next time you have a conference or sales meeting or company event — make WebVR distribution easy. Don’t read of the long & complicated URL. Just hand out a printout of the QR code you’ve generated in InstaVR, and their mobile device will pull up your WebVR on their phone!</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0kAX_pqJBwqZelp_o.jpg" width="300" height="215" loading="lazy" /> <h2>Client Examples</h2> <p><strong>Amiens Cathedral Tour (from the UK Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport):</strong> <a href="https://cdn.instavr.co/html/l7nnKtJAQo9wBgXRQkzN_app.html">https://cdn.instavr.co/html/l7nnKtJAQo9wBgXRQkzN_app.html</a></p> <p><strong>1772 Gaspee Affair Prototype (from Brown University + Adam Blumenthal):</strong> <a href="https://cdn.instavr.co/html/OW8DHnaUgg0zPHsyI9Hm.html?bust=atcepqsjwbd">https://cdn.instavr.co/html/OW8DHnaUgg0zPHsyI9Hm.html?bust=atcepqsjwbd</a></p> <p><strong>Hello Kitty Puroland VR Tour (from Sanrio):</strong> <a href="https://www.puroland.jp/webvr/">https://www.puroland.jp/webvr/</a></p> <p><strong>Zuo Modern 360 Experience:</strong> <a href="https://cdn.instavr.co/html/KGsvGN2AomEZjtT4ioxA_app.html?bust=k04klk7u88j">https://cdn.instavr.co/html/KGsvGN2AomEZjtT4ioxA_app.html?bust=k04klk7u88j</a></p> <p><strong>UA-PTC Virtual 360 Tour (from University of Arkansas — Pulaski Technical College):</strong> <a href="https://www.uaptc.edu/vr">https://www.uaptc.edu/vr</a></p> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://www.instavr.co/ar</em>ticles/general/10-tips-for-making-better-webvr-experiences">www.instavr.co</a> on August 3, 2018.</p> </section>	10 Tips for Making Better WebVR Experiences There’s a lot of hype surrounding the new VR headsets released this year. And deservedly so! But WebVR shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s a great way to reach the broadest audience possible. And it’s easy to distribute — all the end user needs is a laptop or smartphone and an internet connection. From a marketing perspective, WebVR has a lot of value. It makes a Web Page more interesting and dynamic. And by utilizing the “Click to Dual View” feature, your InstaVR WebVR experience can easily be viewed on a smartphone-compatible VR headset. It’s flexible! Below, we’ll walk you through ten tips and tricks for improving the WebVR you create using InstaVR. And if you haven’t already, click on the “Try for Free” button in the upper right hand corner and sign up for a free InstaVR account to create WebVR today. 1. Make it interactive Almost all VR is better when interactive. But this is particularly true of WebVR. Why? Because we’re used to clicking around on web pages and interacting with them. So if you pull up a WebVR page on your laptop, you’re going to want to click — to go to new locations, to start new scenes, to click on Hotspots, etc. “Passive VR” may make sense in a headset. The user may be new to the mechanics of how the headset works, so you can simplify things by removing interactivity. But that’s not the case for WebVR, so add as many Navigation Links, Hotspots, and Calls-to Action you need to make a compelling VR experience. 2. Embed the WebVR directly on your web site — and turn on the auto-rotation! (InstaVR PRO users only) InstaVR Pro users have two options when publishing WebVR — use InstaVR’s CDN for hosting or embed it directly into your web site. Our WebVR embed packaging provides you a Zip file which you can use with most major CMS platforms, such as WordPress. Using the embed feature is really cool. It makes your web page more interesting and dynamic. And creating the Zip Files is simple — you simply check a box in the Platform section prior to packaging. One thing to consider is adding the auto-rotation feature of the first scene upon page loading. This will allow your page visitors to know that you have a 360 VR experience embedded onto your web site. It will also get their attention. Enabling auto-rotation is turned on by default, but you can turn it off in the same Platform section (see below). You can also reverse the direction of the auto-rotation, if you’d like. 3. 360 images in WebVR are generally better than video (particularly 4K or 6K images!) We actually wrote an entire blog post on this topic last year. The short of it: 360 videos run at a different Frames Per Second (FPS) than traditional video, which is why when you watch something on a site like YouTube 360, you’re generally a bit underwhelmed. Things just feel a little “off”. And the issue only seems to exacerbate when in full-screen laptop mode. So native VR apps (ie iOS/Android) are generally recommended if you’re creating a video-heavy application. But no such issue exists for images! The user experience for WebVR images vs. native app VR images is very similar. We do definitely recommend 4k or 6k imagery if possible. And keeping the camera closer to the main scene subject helps. Because, again, full-screen mode is going to lead to more pixelation than you’d experience in a VR headset where the screen is right in front of your face. Bonus tip: Since there’s no size constraint in WebVR, as it’s streamed, always package using the original quality of the image/video and never compress media files. 4. Use the Call-to-Action authoring feature to allow for opening of relevant web pages from the WebVR The Call-to-Action feature of InstaVR is perfect for making your interactive WebVR even more valuable to your company. Call-to-Action overlays allow for pulling up a phone number on an iOS/Android packaged app. But in WebVR, you can have that same feature pull up a URL of your choosing in a new tab. What does this mean? Your WebVR interactivity isn’t just limited to the immediate 360 scene! One of the best use cases of this from a customer is Zuo Modern. In their WebVR — which they run both on their web site and on tablets at furniture shows — you can click on an item in their virtual showroom and be taken to the product page. This is incredibly valuable in facilitating the buying process! So if you’re looking to supplement your VR experiences with web content, use the Call-to-Action feature. Bonus Tip: You can customize the logo of the Call-to-Action, as Zuo Modern has, to make it more likely to be clicked on. 5. Don’t forget about audio Just because WebVR isn’t experienced with built-in speakers like Oculus Go doesn’t mean audio doesn’t matter! Audio is critical to a great VR experience. And there’s so many options — ambient audio captured by the 360 camera, lava mics used by subjects of your video, voiceover added in the InstaVR Console, or a soundtrack to accompany the video. We’ve also seen many clients use audio at the beginning of the WebVR to instruct users on how to navigate, engage with hotspots, etc. So perhaps your user won’t get the full spatial audio treatment, but don’t underestimate the importance of audio to your overall experience. 6. Publish two versions of your WebVR — a Web version and a Mobile version This is a tip I first learned from our client University of Arkansas — Pulaski Tech. When you package to WebVR, under Platform, you can choose to utilize the gyroscope feature or not. The gyroscope is great for WebVR on mobile phones or tablets. It allows you to move around in the 360 landscape using your device. However, your laptop doesn’t have a gyroscope. And if you have gyroscope turned on while packaging, but the package is viewed on a laptop, the camera view immediately drops to the floor. You can still navigate the scene, but this isn’t ideal. So how do you solve this problem? Publish one version for your Mobile users and one for your Laptop users. See below for how UA-PTC approached this. Pro Tip: You can also do similarly for if you have some users with headsets (ie Google Cardboards) and some without. You can enable Dual-View on tapping if you know they have a Cardboard, but also publish another version for mobile that doesn’t go Dual-View if you know they won’t have a headset. 7. Use WebVR to advertise your iOS/Android/Cardboard/Gear VR/Oculus GO app WebVR is a great way to preview a VR experience for a headset. We live in a culture overloaded with apps. But getting a user to download an app is the Holy Grail of a marketer. That application will sit on the user’s phone or VR headset until they delete it. But because apps are so ubiquitous, it’s gotten harder and harder to get users to download apps. The bar is higher to earn the trust of the user that it’s worth their time and effort to download an app. So that’s why WebVR is a great for a user to “preview” a VR experience on a web site, before encouraging them to go the Apple Store, Android Store, or Oculus Store to download the entirety of the VR experience. 8. Use InstaVR’s Facebook sharing card feature to get more eyeballs Let’s be honest: you can create the greatest VR experience in the world, but if no one sees it, it’s a failure. That’s why you have to promote your VR creations. And one great way to do that is through social networks! To facilitate the sharing of your WebVR, we added the ability to create and customize a Facebook sharing card. (Found in the “Social” section of Web packaging in InstaVR) This feature allows you to: Pick a title for the Facebook sharing card Add a description of your VR experience, so users can learn what they’ll view if they click through Pick the image you’d like as part of the Facebook sharing card. Otherwise, we default to a still from your first loading pano. So don’t forget to update these options before Packaging and promote the VR you worked so hard on! 9. Add your own branding between scenes — or make it black (Pro users only) For InstaVR Free users, you’ll have the InstaVR logo flash on a white background between scenes loading in your WebVR. For Pro users, you can customize the interstitial. This could include you or your client’s logo. It could be a text file. It could be a fixed color. Pro Tip: Some clients want to minimize the scene-to-scene transition. To do so, do the following steps — In the WebVR Packaging area, expand the Platform area Upload a very small black pixel as the Web splash logo (you can download the one I use by clicking here) Set the background color to RGBA (0,0,0,0) — true black This will make that transition just a quick black flash between scenes. 10. Create a QR code for in-person distribution As discussed earlier, getting users to download apps has becoming increasingly difficult. But getting them to open a web page on their phones is easy! After packaging, you have the opportunity to use a QR code generated specifically for your app. If scanned, that QR code will pull up the URL containing the InstaVR CDN address with your WebVR. So the next time you have a conference or sales meeting or company event — make WebVR distribution easy. Don’t read of the long & complicated URL. Just hand out a printout of the QR code you’ve generated in InstaVR, and their mobile device will pull up your WebVR on their phone! Client Examples Amiens Cathedral Tour (from the UK Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport): https://cdn.instavr.co/html/l7nnKtJAQo9wBgXRQkzN_app.html 1772 Gaspee Affair Prototype (from Brown University + Adam Blumenthal): https://cdn.instavr.co/html/OW8DHnaUgg0zPHsyI9Hm.html?bust=atcepqsjwbd Hello Kitty Puroland VR Tour (from Sanrio): https://www.puroland.jp/webvr/ Zuo Modern 360 Experience: https://cdn.instavr.co/html/KGsvGN2AomEZjtT4ioxA_app.html?bust=k04klk7u88j UA-PTC Virtual 360 Tour (from University of Arkansas — Pulaski Technical College): https://www.uaptc.edu/vr Originally published at www.instavr.co on August 3, 2018.	816017c8-1735-5807-a59a-196728e074d1	25/08/2025 18:00:38
https://michaelmgphotographygoltz.medium.com/everything-is-connected-2110106fe2d2	medium.com	Everything is connected…	David Hawkins, MD, Ph.D., Power vs Force, pg 160:	Michael Goltz	https://medium.com/@michaelmgphotographygoltz	2110106fe2d2	https://miro.medium.com/…YZjApv0fyDA.jpeg	1 min	2017-04-12T10:45:58.850000	2017-04-12T10:53:25.511000	2017-12-03T08:47:01.514000	0	1	en	Photography,Art,Personal Development	<section> <p>David Hawkins, MD, Ph.D., Power vs Force, pg 160:</p> <p>“What science has realized is what mystics have claimed throughout the centuries: that the universe is indeed coherent, unified, and organized around unifying patterns.”</p> <p>Everything is connected. If something is holding you back from the greatness that you seek to achieve in your art, look within and find what needs fixed. It might not be easy. As a matter of personal experience, it probably won’t be easy. But it WILL be worth it. Even a small change for the positive in your attitudes and actions will reap huge rewards in your art.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3110/1*lK-e0ZMXg_1YZjApv0fyDA.jpeg" width="3110" height="3887" loading="lazy" /> <p>Self portrait, April 2015, shortly after I broke through the mental block which had been holding me back from drawing faces for close to 30 years.</p> </section>	Everything is connected… David Hawkins, MD, Ph.D., Power vs Force, pg 160: “What science has realized is what mystics have claimed throughout the centuries: that the universe is indeed coherent, unified, and organized around unifying patterns.” Everything is connected. If something is holding you back from the greatness that you seek to achieve in your art, look within and find what needs fixed. It might not be easy. As a matter of personal experience, it probably won’t be easy. But it WILL be worth it. Even a small change for the positive in your attitudes and actions will reap huge rewards in your art. Self portrait, April 2015, shortly after I broke through the mental block which had been holding me back from drawing faces for close to 30 years.	c775675c-2959-5a90-bb0f-abd3cd1e59f5	25/08/2025 18:00:39
https://medium.com/yahweh-elyon-yeshuas-teachings/tndl-revelation-12-13-the-heaven-the-constellations-tell-of-the-coming-of-the-true-hebrew-f1d6cdb8a23f	medium.com	TNDL: “REVELATION 12&13: THE HEAVEN (THE CONSTELLATIONS) TELL OF THE COMING OF THE TRUE HEBREW…	King James Version (KJV) 12 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and…	J. K. Woods	https://medium.com/@jkwoods	f1d6cdb8a23f	null	4 min	2018-11-11T19:16:39.079000	2018-11-11T21:00:34.647000	2018-11-11T21:00:35.111000	0	0	en	Christianity	<section> <p>King James Version (KJV) 12 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 13 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.</p> </section>	TNDL: “REVELATION 12&13: THE HEAVEN (THE CONSTELLATIONS) TELL OF THE COMING OF THE TRUE HEBREW MESSIAH IN HIS FIRST COMING AND ALSO OF HIS SECOND COMING!” King James Version (KJV) 12 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 13 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.	dfa898b2-0505-5630-99c6-694a729f4abf	25/08/2025 18:00:39
https://medium.com/@AlejanMeet/where-to-buy-http-www-supplentforhealthylifestyle-org-test-troxin-canada-f448b31a2926	medium.com	Where to Buy@>> http://www.supplentforhealthylifestyle.org/test-troxin-canada/	Test Troxin A sedentary lifestyle contributes a large number of erectile dysfunction challenges. It is a huge problem and cannot only…	Alejan Meet	https://medium.com/@AlejanMeet	f448b31a2926	null	1 min	2018-07-27T10:26:45.741000	2018-07-27T10:27:40.256000	2018-07-27T10:27:40.572000	0	0	en	Photography	<section> <p><strong><a href="ht</strong>tp://www.supplentforhealthylifestyle.org/test-troxin-canada/">Test Troxin</a> A sedentary lifestyle contributes a large number of erectile dysfunction challenges. It is a huge problem and cannot only affect your relationship but can also have a serious impact on your self-esteem. Good foods to eat in this group are brown rice, oats and whole wheat as they are all complex carbohydrates and are a source of energy for your body.</p> <p>Erectile dysfunction (E.D.) is a common enough symptom these days. Men want to know if this is possible for them, too. These are some of the foods that increase sperm count.</p> <p>For the body to function correctly, it needs all the correct nutrients. The essence of this work out involves pouncing up then crouching down with a weight load to muscle up your legs and then your chest and upper body. The big problem is this — there are a whopping 240 calories per 14oz bottle.</p> <p>Raw oysters, for instance, are remarkable aphrodisiacs. Ask your partner to do these exercises together with you. There are a couple different recommended exercises for the PC muscle. One of my favorite ways to eat fresh papaya is to cube it and then sprinkle it with a little Red Devil sauce.</p> <p>Official Website :- <a href="http://www.supplentforhealthylifestyle.org/test-troxin-canada/">http://www.supplentforhealthylifestyle.org/test-troxin-canada/</a></p> <p><a href="https://penzu.com/public/2fb4410c">https://penzu.com/public/2fb4410c</a> <a href="https://alejanmeet.yolasite.com/">https://alejanmeet.yolasite.com/</a> <a href="https://alejanmeet.tumblr.com/">https://alejanmeet.tumblr.com/</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alejanmeet/">https://www.instagram.com/alejanmeet/</a> <a href="https://alejanmeet.wordpress.com/2018/07/27/test-troxin/">https://alejanmeet.wordpress.com/2018/07/27/test-troxin/</a> <a href="https://alejanmeet.page.tl/Test-Troxin--k1-CANADA-k2--d--Where-to-Buy-Test-Troxin-Male-Enhancement-Cost-%26-Scam-f-.htm">https://alejanmeet.page.tl/Test-Troxin--k1-CANADA-k2--d--Where-to-Buy-Test-Troxin-Male-Enhancement-Cost-%26-Scam-f-.htm</a> <a href="https://www.sportsblog.com/alejanmeet/test-troxin-canada-where-to-buy-test-troxin-male-enhancement-cost-scam/">https://www.sportsblog.com/alejanmeet/test-troxin-canada-where-to-buy-test-troxin-male-enhancement-cost-scam/</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6AXjOhOTRc&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6AXjOhOTRc&feature=youtu.be</a> <a href="https://animoto.com/play/PwZ5xxTW6B8MPLIytqEyYQ">https://animoto.com/play/PwZ5xxTW6B8MPLIytqEyYQ</a> <a href="https://vimeo.com/281940690">https://vimeo.com/281940690</a> <a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6qd688">https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6qd688</a></p> </section>	Where to Buy@>> http://www.supplentforhealthylifestyle.org/test-troxin-canada/ Test Troxin A sedentary lifestyle contributes a large number of erectile dysfunction challenges. It is a huge problem and cannot only affect your relationship but can also have a serious impact on your self-esteem. Good foods to eat in this group are brown rice, oats and whole wheat as they are all complex carbohydrates and are a source of energy for your body. Erectile dysfunction (E.D.) is a common enough symptom these days. Men want to know if this is possible for them, too. These are some of the foods that increase sperm count. For the body to function correctly, it needs all the correct nutrients. The essence of this work out involves pouncing up then crouching down with a weight load to muscle up your legs and then your chest and upper body. The big problem is this — there are a whopping 240 calories per 14oz bottle. Raw oysters, for instance, are remarkable aphrodisiacs. Ask your partner to do these exercises together with you. There are a couple different recommended exercises for the PC muscle. One of my favorite ways to eat fresh papaya is to cube it and then sprinkle it with a little Red Devil sauce. Official Website :- http://www.supplentforhealthylifestyle.org/test-troxin-canada/ https://penzu.com/public/2fb4410c https://alejanmeet.yolasite.com/ https://alejanmeet.tumblr.com/ https://www.instagram.com/alejanmeet/ https://alejanmeet.wordpress.com/2018/07/27/test-troxin/ https://alejanmeet.page.tl/Test-Troxin--k1-CANADA-k2--d--Where-to-Buy-Test-Troxin-Male-Enhancement-Cost-%26-Scam-f-.htm https://www.sportsblog.com/alejanmeet/test-troxin-canada-where-to-buy-test-troxin-male-enhancement-cost-scam/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6AXjOhOTRc&feature=youtu.be https://animoto.com/play/PwZ5xxTW6B8MPLIytqEyYQ https://vimeo.com/281940690 https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6qd688	93856a5e-2e16-53c8-a0e2-ad11bb200c23	25/08/2025 18:00:39
https://dominiquedol.medium.com/dominique-dol-photographer-serie-a-photography-a-4-ee6d08ff6cba	medium.com	Dominique Dol \| Photographer \| Series A \| Photography A 4	Dominique Dol \| Photographer \| Series A \| Photography A 4 \| Dominique Dol Website : http://dominiquedol.online.fr	Dominique Dol	https://medium.com/@dominiquedol	ee6d08ff6cba	null	0 min	2016-12-18T12:17:54.854000	2016-12-20T08:49:58.072000	2020-05-09T14:16:52.025000	0	0	en	Photography,Art,Artist,Culture,Black And White	<section> <p><strong><a href="http://dominiquedol.online.fr/en_works_realisations_photography_photos_0A_A_04_photograph</strong>er_dominiquedol.html">Dominique Dol \| Art \| Photographer \| Official \| Photograph - Photography \| Black And White \| Fine… <em>Dominique Dol \| Art \| Artist \| Photographer \| Official \| Photograph - Photography \| Fine Art \| Black And White \| Black…</em>dominiquedol.</a>online.fr</p> <p><a href="http://dominiquedol.online.fr/en_works_realisations_photography_photos_0A_A_04_photographer_dominiquedol.html">Dominique Dol \| Photographer \| Series A \| Photography A 4 </a>\| <a href="http://dominiquedol.online.fr">Dominique Dol Website</a> : <a href="http://dominiquedol.online.fr">http://dominiquedol.online.fr</a></p> </section>	Dominique Dol \| Photographer \| Series A \| Photography A 4 Dominique Dol \| Art \| Photographer \| Official \| Photograph - Photography \| Black And White \| Fine… Dominique Dol \| Art \| Artist \| Photographer \| Official \| Photograph - Photography \| Fine Art \| Black And White \| Black…dominiquedol.online.fr Dominique Dol \| Photographer \| Series A \| Photography A 4 \| Dominique Dol Website : http://dominiquedol.online.fr	4306aae7-c341-55f9-8eea-ada9eb4ab22f	25/08/2025 18:00:40
https://medium.com/@HermesAstrology/vesta-in-gemini-how-the-placement-in-each-house-influences-you-9043f547a8f2	medium.com	Vesta in Gemini: How the Placement in each House Influences You	In astrology, Vesta is one of the major asteroids that is often considered when interpreting a birth chart. Vesta is associated with the…	Hermes Astrology	https://medium.com/@HermesAstrology	9043f547a8f2	https://miro.medium.com/…Eovyc6rTCH_U.png	4 min	2023-12-04T06:21:29.249000	2023-12-04T06:22:36.801000	2024-05-25T12:13:34.847000	0	1	en	Astrology	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/0BuKpEovyc6rTCH_U.png" width="640" height="640" loading="lazy" /> <p>In astrology, Vesta is one of the major asteroids that is often considered when interpreting a birth chart. Vesta is associated with the Roman goddess of the hearth and home, and its astrological symbolism often revolves around themes of devotion, focus, and service.</p> <p>Here are some key points associated with Vesta in astrology:</p> <p>Devotion and Commitment: Vesta is linked to the concept of dedication and commitment. Its placement in a birth chart can indicate where an individual is likely to focus their energy and make sacrifices for a greater cause.</p> <h1>For a limited time, you can receive a free copy of ‘The Astrologer’s Guide: Mastering Birth Chart Interpretation’ by subscribing to our newsletter. Get your free book here: <a href="https://hermesastrology.substack.com/p/your-free-book">https://hermesastrology.substack.com/p/your-free-book</a>.</h1> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/770/0xBTfuJ0H5EEiTdRr.png" width="770" height="1232" loading="lazy" /> <p>Service and Work: Vesta is also associated with the idea of service, especially in the context of work or a vocation. It can provide insights into the type of work or service that an individual may find fulfilling.</p> <p>Independence: There’s an independent and self-sufficient quality associated with Vesta. People with a strong Vesta influence may find a sense of purpose and fulfillment in activities that allow them to work independently or focus on personal goals.</p> <p>Sacred Space: In mythology, Vesta was the guardian of the sacred flame. Astrologically, this can be interpreted as a symbol of the inner flame or the core essence within an individual. The placement of Vesta may indicate the areas of life where one needs to maintain a “sacred space” for personal reflection and inner focus.</p> <p>Sexuality and Purity: In some interpretations, Vesta is associated with issues of purity and chastity. It may symbolize a person’s approach to their own sexuality or the emphasis they place on maintaining a sense of purity in certain areas of life.</p> <h2>Learn More about Hermes <a href="https://hermesastrology.substack.com/p/readings">Astrology Professional Readings</a></h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/700/0*DllzElP1uVV_uBl2.png" width="700" height="623" loading="lazy" /> <p>When Vesta is located in Gemini in an astrological birth chart, the combination of the asteroid’s qualities with the characteristics of the zodiac sign Gemini introduces a dynamic blend of focus, dedication, and sacredness in the realms of communication, intellect, and versatility. Gemini is associated with curiosity, adaptability, and a keen interest in information, and when combined with Vesta, it suggests that an individual’s commitment and sense of devotion are strongly influenced by the mental realm and the pursuit of knowledge.</p> <p>Individuals with Vesta in Gemini may find their sense of purpose and dedication through activities that involve communication, learning, and intellectual exploration. The sacred flame of Vesta in Gemini is fueled by a thirst for information, adaptability, and the ability to connect with others through diverse forms of expression.</p> <p>The placement of Vesta in Gemini within the houses of the birth chart refines the expression of this combination. Here is an exploration of Vesta in Gemini through the houses:</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 1st House: Personal identity and self-expression are intertwined with a dedication to intellectual pursuits and versatile communication. These individuals may find a sense of sacredness in expressing themselves through a variety of means and adapting to different situations.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 2nd House: The focus on values, possessions, and resources is accentuated by a dedication to diverse forms of information and knowledge. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in acquiring information and using it to enhance their material well-being.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 3rd House: Communication and learning become the central focus. These individuals may dedicate themselves to intellectual pursuits, writing, or teaching, finding a sense of sacredness in the exchange of ideas and information.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 4th House: Home and family are highlighted with a dedication to creating a communicative and intellectually stimulating home environment. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in family discussions, shared knowledge, and a mentally engaging home life.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 5th House: Creative self-expression and matters of the heart are emphasized with a dedication to diverse and intellectually stimulating forms of creativity. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in expressing themselves through various creative outlets.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 6th House: The focus on work, service, and health is influenced by a dedication to versatile and intellectual pursuits. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in work that involves communication, problem-solving, and adaptability.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 7th House: Relationships and partnerships become the central area of focus. Individuals may dedicate themselves to intellectually engaging and communicative partnerships, finding a sense of sacredness in the exchange of ideas within relationships.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 8th House: Matters of transformation, shared resources, and intimacy are highlighted. Individuals may dedicate themselves to exploring the depths of information and shared knowledge, finding a sense of sacredness in transformative intellectual experiences.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 9th House: The focus is on philosophy, higher education, and exploration. Individuals may dedicate themselves to diverse and intellectually stimulating forms of spiritual exploration, finding a sense of sacredness in the pursuit of knowledge.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 10th House: Career and public reputation become the center of focus. Individuals may dedicate themselves to careers that involve communication, information exchange, and versatility, finding a sense of sacredness in their public roles.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 11th House: Social networks, groups, and aspirations are emphasized with a dedication to diverse and intellectually engaging social connections. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in their participation in various social circles.</p> <p>Vesta in Gemini in the 12th House: Matters of spirituality, solitude, and the unconscious are highlighted with a dedication to exploring intellectual and communicative aspects of spirituality. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in quiet contemplation and intellectual solitude.</p> </section>	Vesta in Gemini: How the Placement in each House Influences You In astrology, Vesta is one of the major asteroids that is often considered when interpreting a birth chart. Vesta is associated with the Roman goddess of the hearth and home, and its astrological symbolism often revolves around themes of devotion, focus, and service. Here are some key points associated with Vesta in astrology: Devotion and Commitment: Vesta is linked to the concept of dedication and commitment. Its placement in a birth chart can indicate where an individual is likely to focus their energy and make sacrifices for a greater cause. For a limited time, you can receive a free copy of ‘The Astrologer’s Guide: Mastering Birth Chart Interpretation’ by subscribing to our newsletter. Get your free book here: https://hermesastrology.substack.com/p/your-free-book. Service and Work: Vesta is also associated with the idea of service, especially in the context of work or a vocation. It can provide insights into the type of work or service that an individual may find fulfilling. Independence: There’s an independent and self-sufficient quality associated with Vesta. People with a strong Vesta influence may find a sense of purpose and fulfillment in activities that allow them to work independently or focus on personal goals. Sacred Space: In mythology, Vesta was the guardian of the sacred flame. Astrologically, this can be interpreted as a symbol of the inner flame or the core essence within an individual. The placement of Vesta may indicate the areas of life where one needs to maintain a “sacred space” for personal reflection and inner focus. Sexuality and Purity: In some interpretations, Vesta is associated with issues of purity and chastity. It may symbolize a person’s approach to their own sexuality or the emphasis they place on maintaining a sense of purity in certain areas of life. Learn More about Hermes Astrology Professional Readings When Vesta is located in Gemini in an astrological birth chart, the combination of the asteroid’s qualities with the characteristics of the zodiac sign Gemini introduces a dynamic blend of focus, dedication, and sacredness in the realms of communication, intellect, and versatility. Gemini is associated with curiosity, adaptability, and a keen interest in information, and when combined with Vesta, it suggests that an individual’s commitment and sense of devotion are strongly influenced by the mental realm and the pursuit of knowledge. Individuals with Vesta in Gemini may find their sense of purpose and dedication through activities that involve communication, learning, and intellectual exploration. The sacred flame of Vesta in Gemini is fueled by a thirst for information, adaptability, and the ability to connect with others through diverse forms of expression. The placement of Vesta in Gemini within the houses of the birth chart refines the expression of this combination. Here is an exploration of Vesta in Gemini through the houses: Vesta in Gemini in the 1st House: Personal identity and self-expression are intertwined with a dedication to intellectual pursuits and versatile communication. These individuals may find a sense of sacredness in expressing themselves through a variety of means and adapting to different situations. Vesta in Gemini in the 2nd House: The focus on values, possessions, and resources is accentuated by a dedication to diverse forms of information and knowledge. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in acquiring information and using it to enhance their material well-being. Vesta in Gemini in the 3rd House: Communication and learning become the central focus. These individuals may dedicate themselves to intellectual pursuits, writing, or teaching, finding a sense of sacredness in the exchange of ideas and information. Vesta in Gemini in the 4th House: Home and family are highlighted with a dedication to creating a communicative and intellectually stimulating home environment. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in family discussions, shared knowledge, and a mentally engaging home life. Vesta in Gemini in the 5th House: Creative self-expression and matters of the heart are emphasized with a dedication to diverse and intellectually stimulating forms of creativity. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in expressing themselves through various creative outlets. Vesta in Gemini in the 6th House: The focus on work, service, and health is influenced by a dedication to versatile and intellectual pursuits. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in work that involves communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Vesta in Gemini in the 7th House: Relationships and partnerships become the central area of focus. Individuals may dedicate themselves to intellectually engaging and communicative partnerships, finding a sense of sacredness in the exchange of ideas within relationships. Vesta in Gemini in the 8th House: Matters of transformation, shared resources, and intimacy are highlighted. Individuals may dedicate themselves to exploring the depths of information and shared knowledge, finding a sense of sacredness in transformative intellectual experiences. Vesta in Gemini in the 9th House: The focus is on philosophy, higher education, and exploration. Individuals may dedicate themselves to diverse and intellectually stimulating forms of spiritual exploration, finding a sense of sacredness in the pursuit of knowledge. Vesta in Gemini in the 10th House: Career and public reputation become the center of focus. Individuals may dedicate themselves to careers that involve communication, information exchange, and versatility, finding a sense of sacredness in their public roles. Vesta in Gemini in the 11th House: Social networks, groups, and aspirations are emphasized with a dedication to diverse and intellectually engaging social connections. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in their participation in various social circles. Vesta in Gemini in the 12th House: Matters of spirituality, solitude, and the unconscious are highlighted with a dedication to exploring intellectual and communicative aspects of spirituality. Individuals may find a sense of sacredness in quiet contemplation and intellectual solitude.	256e6a25-7aad-5d87-9670-aefa7df0b36d	25/08/2025 18:00:40
https://braand2425.medium.com/i-overcome-depression-and-discovered-a-life-of-purpose-7b5a939b084	medium.com	I Overcome Depression and Discovered a Life of Purpose	Life’s challenges can sometimes leave us feeling hopeless and lost, but within every struggle lies the potential for growth and…	Brooklyn shakespeare	https://medium.com/@braand2425	7b5a939b084	https://miro.medium.com/…VwOJ3DpSkrA.jpeg	2 min	2023-05-24T17:26:38.967000	2023-05-24T17:43:32.343000	2023-06-03T13:35:56.884000	2	54	en	Mental Health,Self Help,Christianity,Spirituality,Depression	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/720/1*kyQwQxT-RxYVwOJ3DpSkrA.jpeg" width="720" height="1280" loading="lazy" /> <p>Life’s challenges can sometimes leave us feeling hopeless and lost, but within every struggle lies the potential for growth and transformation. This is a story of my personal journey through the depths of depression to the radiant light of self-discovery. It is a testament to the power of seeking help, setting goals, and making positive changes that can breathe new life into our existence.</p> <p>The first step in my path to self-improvement was acknowledging that I needed help. Therapy became my guiding light, providing a safe space to unravel my emotions and learn effective coping strategies. It wasn’t an easy journey, but the insights gained and tools acquired were instrumental in breaking free from the chains of depression and anxiety.</p> <p>Through therapy, I delved deep into my past traumas, shining a light on the shadows that had haunted my present. By confronting and healing these wounds, I regained control of my life and discovered a renewed sense of purpose. Setting goals, both short-term and long-term, became the roadmap to my transformation. Suddenly, I had direction and clarity — I knew exactly what I wanted from life.</p> <p>But personal growth goes beyond therapy and goal-setting. I recognized the power of our surroundings and the company we keep. I made a conscious choice to surround myself with positive influences, bidding farewell to toxic relationships and negative environments. The support and encouragement from newfound friends became an anchor that lifted me higher.</p> <p>In the midst of my journey, I stumbled upon something unexpected: religion. It became a source of hope and meaning, infusing my life with a sense of purpose. With this newfound perspective, I approached challenges with resilience, finding strength even in the most difficult moments.</p> <p>A transformation wouldn’t be complete without a focus on physical well-being. I embraced a healthy lifestyle, nurturing my body through nourishing food choices and regular exercise. These habits not only boosted my energy levels but also enhanced my self-confidence and improved my overall sleep quality.</p> <p>Today, I stand tall as a testament to the power of personal growth and self-improvement. Each day brings its own challenges, but I now face them with an unwavering belief in my own strength. It’s never too late to embark on a journey of transformation and discover your true purpose. Seek help, set goals, and embrace new perspectives — let the power of change guide you to a life of fulfillment and joy.</p> <p>Feeling supportive? check out my other articles or maybe buy me a coffee?</p> <h3><a href="https://ko-fi.com/brooklyns">https://ko-fi.com/brooklyns</a></h3> <p><strong><a href="https://braand2425.medium.com/life-transformation-</strong>how-to-change-your-life-for-the-better-a08a4c60500f">Life Transformation: How to Change Your Life for the Better <em>Photo by Guns on Unsplash</em>braand2425.m</a>edium.com</p> <p><strong><a href="https://braand2425.me</strong>dium.com/social-media-and-mental-health-c9353fc73906">Social Media and Mental Health <em>Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash</em>braand2425.m</a>edium.com</p> <p><strong><a href="https://braand2425.medium.com/stop</strong>-dont-do-anything-today-just-breath-ad9f3c70aec9">Stop… Don’t Do Anything Today. Just Breath. <em>Mommy Diaries: stress and Self-neglect</em>braand2425.m</a>edium.com</p> </section>	I Overcome Depression and Discovered a Life of Purpose Photo by Brooklyn Shakespeare Life’s challenges can sometimes leave us feeling hopeless and lost, but within every struggle lies the potential for growth and transformation. This is a story of my personal journey through the depths of depression to the radiant light of self-discovery. It is a testament to the power of seeking help, setting goals, and making positive changes that can breathe new life into our existence. The first step in my path to self-improvement was acknowledging that I needed help. Therapy became my guiding light, providing a safe space to unravel my emotions and learn effective coping strategies. It wasn’t an easy journey, but the insights gained and tools acquired were instrumental in breaking free from the chains of depression and anxiety. Through therapy, I delved deep into my past traumas, shining a light on the shadows that had haunted my present. By confronting and healing these wounds, I regained control of my life and discovered a renewed sense of purpose. Setting goals, both short-term and long-term, became the roadmap to my transformation. Suddenly, I had direction and clarity — I knew exactly what I wanted from life. But personal growth goes beyond therapy and goal-setting. I recognized the power of our surroundings and the company we keep. I made a conscious choice to surround myself with positive influences, bidding farewell to toxic relationships and negative environments. The support and encouragement from newfound friends became an anchor that lifted me higher. In the midst of my journey, I stumbled upon something unexpected: religion. It became a source of hope and meaning, infusing my life with a sense of purpose. With this newfound perspective, I approached challenges with resilience, finding strength even in the most difficult moments. A transformation wouldn’t be complete without a focus on physical well-being. I embraced a healthy lifestyle, nurturing my body through nourishing food choices and regular exercise. These habits not only boosted my energy levels but also enhanced my self-confidence and improved my overall sleep quality. Today, I stand tall as a testament to the power of personal growth and self-improvement. Each day brings its own challenges, but I now face them with an unwavering belief in my own strength. It’s never too late to embark on a journey of transformation and discover your true purpose. Seek help, set goals, and embrace new perspectives — let the power of change guide you to a life of fulfillment and joy. Feeling supportive? check out my other articles or maybe buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/brooklyns Life Transformation: How to Change Your Life for the Better Photo by Guns on Unsplashbraand2425.medium.com Social Media and Mental Health Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplashbraand2425.medium.com Stop… Don’t Do Anything Today. Just Breath. Mommy Diaries: stress and Self-neglectbraand2425.medium.com	dfefe253-4327-5b90-bd8c-f7738e1e5d5b	25/08/2025 18:00:40
https://nikitasa.medium.com/matar-kachori-%EF%B8%8F-7e07c19ed9a7	medium.com	Matar Kachori ❤️	Peas kachori	Nikitasa Mishra	https://medium.com/@nikitasa	7e07c19ed9a7	https://miro.medium.com/…zDn3AZwfvww.jpeg	4 min	2023-11-17T10:15:59.719000	2023-11-17T10:28:47.408000	2023-11-17T10:38:34.662000	0	0	en	Food,Creativity,Deep Learning,Lifestyle,Writing	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/6000/0L78WKrkj2dPdSASQ" width="6000" height="4000" loading="lazy" /> <p>Matar, or new green peas, are the focal point of these flaky pan fried snacks or kachoris. Kachoris can have a wide range of fillings. These specific ones are regularly made when green peas are in season during winter and spring. The filling is gently flavored; you would rather not cover the flavor of the green peas, simply improve it. It makes an extraordinary extra bite and is however scrumptious as cool pizza seems to be the following day.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5184/0BOQYP7Qkc6EtmWJV" width="5184" height="3456" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Fixings</strong> <strong>Mixture:</strong></p> <p>1 1/2 cups regular baking flour, in addition to something else for tidying, if necessary</p> <p>Fit salt</p> <p>3 tablespoons ghee (explained margarine) or vegetable oil. Filling:</p> <p>2 cups green peas, thawed out and very much depleted.</p> <p>2 tablespoons ghee (explained spread) or vegetable oil.</p> <p>1 teaspoon cumin seeds.</p> <p>1 to 2 Thai green chiles or 1/2 to 1 serrano pepper, finely hacked.</p> <p>One 2-inch piece stripped ginger, finely cleaved or pounded (around 1 1/2 teaspoons).</p> <p>1/4 teaspoon asafoetida, discretionary.</p> <p>1/2 teaspoon sugar.</p> <p>1/4 teaspoon turmeric.</p> <p>1/4 teaspoon red chile powder, in addition to more whenever wanted.</p> <p>1/4 teaspoon ground coriander.</p> <p>1/4 teaspoon crude mango powder, in addition to more whenever wanted, or squeeze of 1/2 lemon.</p> <p>A spot of garam masala.</p> <p>Genuine salt.</p> <p>2 tablespoons chickpea flour (besan).</p> <p>Vegetable oil, for broiling.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/6000/0Fd4G_qiUKMSrWBAi" width="6000" height="4000" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Bearings</strong> Unique gear: a profound searing thermometer; a kitchen scale, discretionary For the batter: Consolidate the flour with 1 1/4 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl and blend well. Add the ghee and blend in with your fingers until the batter looks brittle. Add super cold water, beginning with 1/4 cup then adding 1 tablespoon at a time, until a delicate however solid mixture structures. Work the batter until it’s uniformly consolidated (don’t over manipulate), 2 to 3 minutes. Cover with cling wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes. For the filling: Coarsely squash the peas in a food processor.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/1FsLgRof0QyXlUGfm8ZiiuA.jpeg" width="640" height="480" loading="lazy" /> <p>Heat the ghee in a medium skillet over medium-high intensity. Add the cumin seeds and let sizzle until marginally hazier, around 30 seconds. Add the green chiles, ginger and asafoetida, if utilizing, and cook, mixing frequently, until the crude fragrance of the ginger scatters, 30 to 45 seconds. Add the squashed peas and sugar and cook until the blend dries out somewhat, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the turmeric, red chile powder, coriander, crude mango powder, garam masala and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and cook until the flavors are toasted and the crude smell disperses, around 2 minutes. Add the chickpea flour and cook until toasted, around 3 minutes. Change salt to taste, crude mango powder for extra tang and red chile powder for flavor. Move to a bowl to cool.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/661/1kEMGHFMlFCFJz2ez-nbTyA.jpeg" width="661" height="464" loading="lazy" /> <p>To gather and sear: Empty vegetable oil into an enormous Dutch stove or wide weighty lined pot to a profundity of around 3 inches. Heat over medium intensity until a profound searing thermometer embedded in the oil registers 340 degrees F. While the oil is warming, partition the batter into 10 balls. A kitchen scale isn’t required yet is useful in partitioning. Partition the green pea blend into 10 tight balls. Level the batter balls with your hand or a folding pin into 3-to 3 1/2-inch adjusts. Attempt to keep the edges more slender. Dust the work surface gently with flour assuming the mixture starts to stick. Place a smoothed mixture round in the center of your hand and make a bowl. Put a green pea ball in the middle. Crease the mixture edges over the stuffing, creasing them really, and seal firmly. Smooth the ball with the center of your hand or a moving pin to around 3 crawls in width; cover with a clammy fabric. Rehash with the excess batter and green pea balls and keep them covered with a soggy fabric.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/537/10VEzMgrUpQ9zDn3AZwfvww.jpeg" width="537" height="571" loading="lazy" /> <p>Twofold check that the temperature of the oil is 340 degrees F. Delicately slip in 3 to 5 patties and broil, moving them around periodically so they cook uniformly and flipping them most of the way, until brilliant brown and fresh, around 4 minutes on each side. Try not to pack the pot; you want to permit sufficient room for the kachoris to puff up while searing. Utilizing utensils or an opened spoon, move to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to deplete. Rehash with the leftover patties. The kachoris can be presented with any chutney, for example, cilantro-mint chutney, tamarind chutney or cilantro-pea chutney. Save extra kachoris in an impermeable box after they have come to room temperature; any other way, they will become saturated.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4843/0-mtl7KFPzauXDFj-" width="4843" height="3229" loading="lazy" /> <p><em>Cook's Note Ghee or explained margarine gives the outside layer a decent flaky surface (as you get from fat or shortening). On the off chance that involving vegetable oil for the mixture, add 1/4 teaspoon baking soft drink to the flour. To thaw out frozen green peas, absorb them bubbling water briefly and channel them.</em></p> <p><strong>Enjoy 😋</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/627/1buZIRezcQ1PFeHwEI4scdg.jpeg" width="627" height="489" loading="lazy" /> </section>	Matar Kachori Photo by Prchi Palwe on Unsplash Matar, or new green peas, are the focal point of these flaky pan fried snacks or kachoris. Kachoris can have a wide range of fillings. These specific ones are regularly made when green peas are in season during winter and spring. The filling is gently flavored; you would rather not cover the flavor of the green peas, simply improve it. It makes an extraordinary extra bite and is however scrumptious as cool pizza seems to be the following day. Photo by Ravi Sharma on Unsplash Fixings Mixture: 1 1/2 cups regular baking flour, in addition to something else for tidying, if necessary Fit salt 3 tablespoons ghee (explained margarine) or vegetable oil. Filling: 2 cups green peas, thawed out and very much depleted. 2 tablespoons ghee (explained spread) or vegetable oil. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds. 1 to 2 Thai green chiles or 1/2 to 1 serrano pepper, finely hacked. One 2-inch piece stripped ginger, finely cleaved or pounded (around 1 1/2 teaspoons). 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida, discretionary. 1/2 teaspoon sugar. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric. 1/4 teaspoon red chile powder, in addition to more whenever wanted. 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander. 1/4 teaspoon crude mango powder, in addition to more whenever wanted, or squeeze of 1/2 lemon. A spot of garam masala. Genuine salt. 2 tablespoons chickpea flour (besan). Vegetable oil, for broiling. Photo by Prchi Palwe on Unsplash Bearings Unique gear: a profound searing thermometer; a kitchen scale, discretionary For the batter: Consolidate the flour with 1 1/4 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl and blend well. Add the ghee and blend in with your fingers until the batter looks brittle. Add super cold water, beginning with 1/4 cup then adding 1 tablespoon at a time, until a delicate however solid mixture structures. Work the batter until it’s uniformly consolidated (don’t over manipulate), 2 to 3 minutes. Cover with cling wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes. For the filling: Coarsely squash the peas in a food processor. Heat the ghee in a medium skillet over medium-high intensity. Add the cumin seeds and let sizzle until marginally hazier, around 30 seconds. Add the green chiles, ginger and asafoetida, if utilizing, and cook, mixing frequently, until the crude fragrance of the ginger scatters, 30 to 45 seconds. Add the squashed peas and sugar and cook until the blend dries out somewhat, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the turmeric, red chile powder, coriander, crude mango powder, garam masala and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and cook until the flavors are toasted and the crude smell disperses, around 2 minutes. Add the chickpea flour and cook until toasted, around 3 minutes. Change salt to taste, crude mango powder for extra tang and red chile powder for flavor. Move to a bowl to cool. To gather and sear: Empty vegetable oil into an enormous Dutch stove or wide weighty lined pot to a profundity of around 3 inches. Heat over medium intensity until a profound searing thermometer embedded in the oil registers 340 degrees F. While the oil is warming, partition the batter into 10 balls. A kitchen scale isn’t required yet is useful in partitioning. Partition the green pea blend into 10 tight balls. Level the batter balls with your hand or a folding pin into 3-to 3 1/2-inch adjusts. Attempt to keep the edges more slender. Dust the work surface gently with flour assuming the mixture starts to stick. Place a smoothed mixture round in the center of your hand and make a bowl. Put a green pea ball in the middle. Crease the mixture edges over the stuffing, creasing them really, and seal firmly. Smooth the ball with the center of your hand or a moving pin to around 3 crawls in width; cover with a clammy fabric. Rehash with the excess batter and green pea balls and keep them covered with a soggy fabric. Twofold check that the temperature of the oil is 340 degrees F. Delicately slip in 3 to 5 patties and broil, moving them around periodically so they cook uniformly and flipping them most of the way, until brilliant brown and fresh, around 4 minutes on each side. Try not to pack the pot; you want to permit sufficient room for the kachoris to puff up while searing. Utilizing utensils or an opened spoon, move to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to deplete. Rehash with the leftover patties. The kachoris can be presented with any chutney, for example, cilantro-mint chutney, tamarind chutney or cilantro-pea chutney. Save extra kachoris in an impermeable box after they have come to room temperature; any other way, they will become saturated. Photo by Anirudh on Unsplash Cook's Note Ghee or explained margarine gives the outside layer a decent flaky surface (as you get from fat or shortening). On the off chance that involving vegetable oil for the mixture, add 1/4 teaspoon baking soft drink to the flour. To thaw out frozen green peas, absorb them bubbling water briefly and channel them. Enjoy 😋	e77cf652-b6f8-52f9-ae34-9c9c74099ef6	25/08/2025 18:00:40
https://medium.com/environment-america/major-league-baseballs-environmental-pitch-392183ddb257	medium.com	Major League Baseball’s environmental pitch	Teams are stepping up to the plate on green action, but they lack a game-changing approach	Josh Chetwynd	https://medium.com/@josh-chetwynd	392183ddb257	https://miro.medium.com/…t_KGRWl4Pe3t.jpg	4 min	2019-03-05T18:47:12.211000	2019-03-05T19:54:16.125000	2021-12-08T19:16:49.435000	0	20	en	Baseball,Sports,Environmental Issues,Renewable Energy,Activism	<section> <h3><em>Teams are stepping up to the plate on green action, but they lack a game-changing approach</em></h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2100/0Pozkt_KGRWl4Pe3t.jpg" width="2100" height="1575" loading="lazy" /> <p>Here’s a secret that may be a little too well kept: For years, Major League Baseball clubs have gone to bat for the environment.</p> <p>In January, the New York Yankees <a href="https://apnews.com/66a91a015eb64568b0c6e0952a7d241d">announced</a> they would be the first team in any U.S. professional sport to add a full-time environmental science adviser. Allen Hershkowitz , a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council for 26 years, will focus on energy use, waste management, water conservation and sustainability in food services.</p> <p>While the Yankees are going further than their competition on that front, they aren’t the only big-league team taking green issues seriously.</p> <p>In 2007, the Cleveland Indians installed solar panels at what is now called Progressive Field. Since then, they’ve instituted a<a href="https://www.mlb.com/indians/community/our-tribe-is-green"> broad range of programs</a>, from recycling to using wind energy. In the National League, the San Francisco Giants have been a leader. Along with implementing solar power in 2007, the organization <a href="https://www.mlb.com/giants/ballpark/green-initiatives">boasts projects</a> in water conservation, sustainable concessions (it features an on-site garden at the team’s newly named Oracle Park) and a program that diverts as much as 95 percent of its waste annually from landfills to recycling and composting. In 2018, the San Diego Padres built Major League Baseball’s <a href="https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/petco-park-to-install-new-solar-power-system/c-264815502">biggest solar power system</a>. The 336,520-watt setup is larger than all the other big-league stadiums’ solar efforts combined.</p> <p>Every MLB team has committed to some form of environmental action. For example, beginning with the Seattle Mariners in 2015, 18 teams have shifted to using LED lighting, which cuts energy use dramatically. Elsewhere, 12 Major League ballparks now operate their own gardens or farms to deliver more sustainable stadium eats. In 2018, eight teams were using solar power.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1r-QG0UXBPjf5ciano0bOjg.png" width="1280" height="853" loading="lazy" /> <p>“The last 10 years, it’s grown from what it started as — a few clubs — to what it is today, where all 30 teams are participating in some fashion,” MLB’s Senior Director of Ballpark Operations and Sustainability Paul Hanlon <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/mlbs-green-ballpark-initiatives-show-growth/c-303703508">told MLB.com</a> last month.</p> <p>With more than 69 million spectators attending games last year, these tangible conservation efforts do make a difference in reducing carbon footprints. Of course, more could be done across the board. Take the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. The club has <a href="https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark/green-initiatives">green programming in place</a>, but would make a far greater impact by embracing <a href="https://environmentmassachusetts.org/news/mae/%E2%80%9Csox-go-green%E2%80%9D-campaign-asks-red-sox-commit-100-percent-renewable-energy">pleas from Environment Massachusetts</a> and others to transition to 100 percent renewable energy.</p> <p>That’s not to say people shouldn’t cheer the positive. But there’s a problem: MLB and its teams haven’t hit a home run in communicating what they’re doing.</p> <p>As someone who previously worked for Major League Baseball and later represented professional players, I wasn’t aware of all these initiatives. If you do a little research, it’s pretty easy to find information on this work. But if a person with a little insider knowledge didn’t know what was going on, how can the league and teams effectively serve as a beacon for improving environmental practices elsewhere?</p> <p>Athletes and sports teams have certainly cast light on vital issues in the past. Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 <a href="http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Robinson_Jackie.html">played a seminal role</a> in the civil rights movement. Boxer Muhammad Ali’s pacifist stance during the Vietnam War was <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/02/19/1968-project-muhammad-ali-vietnam-war/334759002/">a big boost</a> to the anti-war movement. Billie Jean King’s 1973 tennis victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/king-vs-riggs-battle-of-the-sexes-led-to-significant_us_59ad5b58e4b0c50640cd60c3">significantly impacted</a> the national dialogue on gender equality.</p> <p>The United Nations believes sports figures, teams and leagues can play a similar role for the environment. In December, the U.N. <a href="https://unfccc.int/news/sports-launch-climate-action-framework-at-cop24">established</a> a <a href="https://unfccc.int/climate-action/sectoral-engagement/sports-for-climate-action">Sports for Climate Action</a> framework with the hope of “using sports as a unifying tool to federate and create solidarity among global citizens for climate action.”</p> <p>Beyond that, along with MLB, other sports organizations including the <a href="https://www.environmentalleader.com/2018/06/177081/">National Football League</a> and the <a href="https://www.nhl.com/info/nhl-green">National Hockey League</a> have made green commitments.</p> <p>And yet, the environmental movement hasn’t experienced a Jackie Robinson moment. There are a few potential explanations for this puzzling situation:</p> <ul> <li>While leagues and teams are walking the walk to various degrees, they could do better at talking the talk. Sustainability is not a messaging cornerstone. That lack of self-promotion limits their influence on public discourse.</li> <li>Bolder action is necessary. Teams may be on the right path, but a comprehensive commitment to 100 percent renewable energy and other important environmental enterprises would surely help clubs amplify attention for their worthwhile programs. Going big grabs attention.</li> <li>In the past, cultural change via sports was often led by individual athletes and not teams. Former MLB manager Dusty Baker has thrown himself into <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-12-11/baseball-legend-dusty-baker-reinvents-himself-with-solar-venture">the solar power business</a>, and Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter, who describes himself as a <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/baseballs-wannabe-environmentalist-thrives-fastball-doesnt-gas-174545029.html">“wannabe environmentalist”</a>, is <a href="https://twitter.com/strikeoutwaste">campaigning to eliminate plastic waste</a>. Green causes could not only use more star power, they could also benefit from athletes who are willing to bravely step out for the environment like <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2018/10/16/a-cry-freedom-black-power-salute-that-rocked-world-years-ago/?utm_term=.1f18b6f82ff2">John Carlos and Tommy Smith did for civil rights when they raised black gloves</a> on the medal winners’ podium at the 1968 Olympics.</li> </ul> <p></p> <p>Some combination of all three factors has likely blunted the value of these environmental endeavors. As a result, action is required. Teams need to both increase and better highlight their environmental activities and message. And while soccer megastar Cristiano Ronaldo has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3952/asia/2013/06/27/4076021/cristiano-ronaldo-becomes-ambassador-for-mangrove-care-forum">shown some support</a> for green causes, a greater number of high-profile athletes must make the environment a priority. If all of that happens, it will be a win-win for everyone.</p> </section>	Major League Baseball’s environmental pitch Teams are stepping up to the plate on green action, but they lack a game-changing approach In step with MLB’s green efforts, the New York Yankees recently hired a full-time environmental science adviser to address numerous environmental issues. Here’s a secret that may be a little too well kept: For years, Major League Baseball clubs have gone to bat for the environment. In January, the New York Yankees announced they would be the first team in any U.S. professional sport to add a full-time environmental science adviser. Allen Hershkowitz , a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council for 26 years, will focus on energy use, waste management, water conservation and sustainability in food services. While the Yankees are going further than their competition on that front, they aren’t the only big-league team taking green issues seriously. In 2007, the Cleveland Indians installed solar panels at what is now called Progressive Field. Since then, they’ve instituted a broad range of programs, from recycling to using wind energy. In the National League, the San Francisco Giants have been a leader. Along with implementing solar power in 2007, the organization boasts projects in water conservation, sustainable concessions (it features an on-site garden at the team’s newly named Oracle Park) and a program that diverts as much as 95 percent of its waste annually from landfills to recycling and composting. In 2018, the San Diego Padres built Major League Baseball’s biggest solar power system. The 336,520-watt setup is larger than all the other big-league stadiums’ solar efforts combined. Every MLB team has committed to some form of environmental action. For example, beginning with the Seattle Mariners in 2015, 18 teams have shifted to using LED lighting, which cuts energy use dramatically. Elsewhere, 12 Major League ballparks now operate their own gardens or farms to deliver more sustainable stadium eats. In 2018, eight teams were using solar power. Eight Major League teams use solar panels, including the San Diego Padres, which installed a system in 2018 that features 716 solar modules. “The last 10 years, it’s grown from what it started as — a few clubs — to what it is today, where all 30 teams are participating in some fashion,” MLB’s Senior Director of Ballpark Operations and Sustainability Paul Hanlon told MLB.com last month. With more than 69 million spectators attending games last year, these tangible conservation efforts do make a difference in reducing carbon footprints. Of course, more could be done across the board. Take the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. The club has green programming in place, but would make a far greater impact by embracing pleas from Environment Massachusetts and others to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. That’s not to say people shouldn’t cheer the positive. But there’s a problem: MLB and its teams haven’t hit a home run in communicating what they’re doing. As someone who previously worked for Major League Baseball and later represented professional players, I wasn’t aware of all these initiatives. If you do a little research, it’s pretty easy to find information on this work. But if a person with a little insider knowledge didn’t know what was going on, how can the league and teams effectively serve as a beacon for improving environmental practices elsewhere? Athletes and sports teams have certainly cast light on vital issues in the past. Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 played a seminal role in the civil rights movement. Boxer Muhammad Ali’s pacifist stance during the Vietnam War was a big boost to the anti-war movement. Billie Jean King’s 1973 tennis victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” significantly impacted the national dialogue on gender equality. The United Nations believes sports figures, teams and leagues can play a similar role for the environment. In December, the U.N. established a Sports for Climate Action framework with the hope of “using sports as a unifying tool to federate and create solidarity among global citizens for climate action.” Beyond that, along with MLB, other sports organizations including the National Football League and the National Hockey League have made green commitments. And yet, the environmental movement hasn’t experienced a Jackie Robinson moment. There are a few potential explanations for this puzzling situation: While leagues and teams are walking the walk to various degrees, they could do better at talking the talk. Sustainability is not a messaging cornerstone. That lack of self-promotion limits their influence on public discourse. Bolder action is necessary. Teams may be on the right path, but a comprehensive commitment to 100 percent renewable energy and other important environmental enterprises would surely help clubs amplify attention for their worthwhile programs. Going big grabs attention. In the past, cultural change via sports was often led by individual athletes and not teams. Former MLB manager Dusty Baker has thrown himself into the solar power business, and Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter, who describes himself as a “wannabe environmentalist”, is campaigning to eliminate plastic waste. Green causes could not only use more star power, they could also benefit from athletes who are willing to bravely step out for the environment like John Carlos and Tommy Smith did for civil rights when they raised black gloves on the medal winners’ podium at the 1968 Olympics. Some combination of all three factors has likely blunted the value of these environmental endeavors. As a result, action is required. Teams need to both increase and better highlight their environmental activities and message. And while soccer megastar Cristiano Ronaldo has shown some support for green causes, a greater number of high-profile athletes must make the environment a priority. If all of that happens, it will be a win-win for everyone.	330fc598-997b-50fe-ba44-528be2494f04	25/08/2025 18:00:41
https://medium.com/@dothangsyourway/we-have-something-special-b8328786b563	medium.com	We Have Something Special	My last post ‘’The Garden Of Life’’ I discuss why it is so important to be hearers and doers of God. I simply explained the truth about our…	DoThangsYourWay	https://medium.com/@dothangsyourway	b8328786b563	null	1 min	2017-05-08T04:01:30.052000	2017-05-08T04:03:13.680000	2018-03-04T11:14:48.992000	0	1	en	Christianity,Jesus,Life Lessons,Lifestyle,Christian Living	<section> <p>My last post ‘’The Garden Of Life’’ I discuss why it is so important to be hearers and doers of God. I simply explained the truth about our generation and how unfocused and distracted we can be from our creator. In this post I am going to explain more to why the mind has to change for him in order for results to be shown. Many of you who are reading may be saying, why is she talking about God, whats the deal? Well, all the time I say I am going to express what I really love, why it matter, and how it can help others.</p> <p>To begin, I heard this quote by Joyce Meyer stating ‘’Positive minds produces positive lives.’’ Immediately my mind began to think about God’s workmanship and freedom that sets us free. Many people, including myself forget his grace that he pours out to us and may feel guilty when we allow our minds and the ways of this world walk our footsteps of life for us. We will complain all the time about not being completely free in life, but little do we know we have freedom. The question is Do We Want True Freedom In Life?</p> <p>I believe we can achieve freedom if we stop and pay attention to the conditions of our minds and hearts to examine our first aid kit who enables the areas of peace, fulfillment and full of faith. Now, I am not making this a fairy tale because its a life long working progress. I am just being completely honest!</p> <p>‘’We Have Something Special’’ His name is Jesus Christ. Think of Jesus as a vital necessity. Just like a heartbeat vital, or a blood pressure vital is needed, HE IS TOO! So, before beginning your day go to Jesus and let your request be made known to him to guide your path to freedom because ‘’We Have Something Special.’’</p> </section>	We Have Something Special My last post ‘’The Garden Of Life’’ I discuss why it is so important to be hearers and doers of God. I simply explained the truth about our generation and how unfocused and distracted we can be from our creator. In this post I am going to explain more to why the mind has to change for him in order for results to be shown. Many of you who are reading may be saying, why is she talking about God, whats the deal? Well, all the time I say I am going to express what I really love, why it matter, and how it can help others. To begin, I heard this quote by Joyce Meyer stating ‘’Positive minds produces positive lives.’’ Immediately my mind began to think about God’s workmanship and freedom that sets us free. Many people, including myself forget his grace that he pours out to us and may feel guilty when we allow our minds and the ways of this world walk our footsteps of life for us. We will complain all the time about not being completely free in life, but little do we know we have freedom. The question is Do We Want True Freedom In Life? I believe we can achieve freedom if we stop and pay attention to the conditions of our minds and hearts to examine our first aid kit who enables the areas of peace, fulfillment and full of faith. Now, I am not making this a fairy tale because its a life long working progress. I am just being completely honest! ‘’We Have Something Special’’ His name is Jesus Christ. Think of Jesus as a vital necessity. Just like a heartbeat vital, or a blood pressure vital is needed, HE IS TOO! So, before beginning your day go to Jesus and let your request be made known to him to guide your path to freedom because ‘’We Have Something Special.’’	9960c0ab-3b42-5ccd-a7c1-a1f7b98766d7	25/08/2025 18:00:41
https://wadeyoder.medium.com/holiday-food-hangovers-744cd7408817	medium.com	Holiday Food Hangovers	Many of us are probably looking forward to a BIG Thanksgiving feast (or several) and some good family time, but how many of us feel like…	Wade Yoder	https://medium.com/@wadeyoder	744cd7408817	https://miro.medium.com/…9PA15Z1O9bw.jpeg	2 min	2023-11-18T12:08:50.029000	2023-11-19T11:32:13.479000	2023-11-20T05:11:54.614000	0	4	en	Thanksgiving,Food,Diabetes,Weight Loss Tips,Lifestyle Change	<section> <p>Many of us are probably looking forward to a BIG Thanksgiving feast (or several) and some good family time, but how many of us feel like sleeping instead of visiting once we get through eating?</p> <p>We often hear it blamed on the tryptophan in the turkey and how it induces sleepiness, but it’s a whole lot more about how much we ate. Turkey actually has less tryptophan in it then chicken does, and we don’t often hear someone blaming chicken for causing sleepiness.</p> <p>When we eat a lot of heavy foods, two things usually happen.</p> <p><strong>1.</strong> Spikes in our blood sugar levels and then the subsequent crashes.</p> <p><strong>2.</strong> A diversion of energy sent to our digestive tract (this can be a real energy drain).</p> <p><strong>Sugar spikes:</strong> when we have a lot of sugar or foods that are breaking down into sugar, our body pours insulin into our bloodstream to transport the sugars, and this insulin will continue to look for sugar in the blood until it is convinced that there is no more sugar left to transport, (this is what causes the crash).</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2121/1*_XIoKQ3Jeqf9PA15Z1O9bw.jpeg" width="2121" height="1414" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Diversion of energy:</strong> we burn a lot of energy when we digest food, this is especially so when we eat a lot of heavy food and gives some really good logic to the siesta (after lunch nap). Imagine your gut being a distribution warehouse and everything else being a complex network of highways and railways to transport nutrients to their respective destinations and the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system being a state-of-the-art waste processing and elimination system. The digestive and elimination processes take a lot of energy, and this energy demand grows in lock step with the amount and types of food we eat.</p> <p>Most of us want to loosen up on our diet around the holidays, but dread the stuffed, tired feeling, here are a few simple things we can do to avoid this, and still eat as much as we want to.</p> <p><strong>Avoiding food hangovers:</strong></p> <p>1. Avoid sugary foods when eating a high fat and high starch meal. 2. Skip a meal before the big one and the one after. 3. Increase activity before the meal and within 60–90 minutes after the meal, (this is when blood sugar peaks) 4. Soluble fiber such as BeneFiber or Metamucil helps coat food and slows down absorption, (mixing and drinking some with a meal slows down the sugars and has a cholesterol lowering effect with high fat meals). 5. Eat some raw vegetables along with the heavy stuff; it helps move big sticky globs along through the digestive tract.</p> <p>Doing some intense activity just before a meal activates GLUT4 receptors, which helps our body, suck up energy into muscle throughout our body and lowers the need for so much insulin production from our pancreas. This also helps us avoid pumping up our fat cells with a lot of extra calories from our food. Note: doing these things also can help a diabetic person lower their need for insulin.</p> <p><strong>Example exercises:</strong> anything that can get a lot of muscles working like bodyweight squats, air jumps, pushups and jumping jacks, or a full body workout using resistance training, will fire up these GLUT4 receptors, burn off extra calories and will help you feel so much better. Doing the above will definitely jump start your calorie furnace!</p> <p>I hope you and your family have a really happy Thanksgiving with plenty of delicious calories!!!</p> </section>	Holiday Food Hangovers Many of us are probably looking forward to a BIG Thanksgiving feast (or several) and some good family time, but how many of us feel like sleeping instead of visiting once we get through eating? We often hear it blamed on the tryptophan in the turkey and how it induces sleepiness, but it’s a whole lot more about how much we ate. Turkey actually has less tryptophan in it then chicken does, and we don’t often hear someone blaming chicken for causing sleepiness. When we eat a lot of heavy foods, two things usually happen. 1. Spikes in our blood sugar levels and then the subsequent crashes. 2. A diversion of energy sent to our digestive tract (this can be a real energy drain). Sugar spikes: when we have a lot of sugar or foods that are breaking down into sugar, our body pours insulin into our bloodstream to transport the sugars, and this insulin will continue to look for sugar in the blood until it is convinced that there is no more sugar left to transport, (this is what causes the crash). Diversion of energy: we burn a lot of energy when we digest food, this is especially so when we eat a lot of heavy food and gives some really good logic to the siesta (after lunch nap). Imagine your gut being a distribution warehouse and everything else being a complex network of highways and railways to transport nutrients to their respective destinations and the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system being a state-of-the-art waste processing and elimination system. The digestive and elimination processes take a lot of energy, and this energy demand grows in lock step with the amount and types of food we eat. Most of us want to loosen up on our diet around the holidays, but dread the stuffed, tired feeling, here are a few simple things we can do to avoid this, and still eat as much as we want to. Avoiding food hangovers: 1. Avoid sugary foods when eating a high fat and high starch meal. 2. Skip a meal before the big one and the one after. 3. Increase activity before the meal and within 60–90 minutes after the meal, (this is when blood sugar peaks) 4. Soluble fiber such as BeneFiber or Metamucil helps coat food and slows down absorption, (mixing and drinking some with a meal slows down the sugars and has a cholesterol lowering effect with high fat meals). 5. Eat some raw vegetables along with the heavy stuff; it helps move big sticky globs along through the digestive tract. Doing some intense activity just before a meal activates GLUT4 receptors, which helps our body, suck up energy into muscle throughout our body and lowers the need for so much insulin production from our pancreas. This also helps us avoid pumping up our fat cells with a lot of extra calories from our food. Note: doing these things also can help a diabetic person lower their need for insulin. Example exercises: anything that can get a lot of muscles working like bodyweight squats, air jumps, pushups and jumping jacks, or a full body workout using resistance training, will fire up these GLUT4 receptors, burn off extra calories and will help you feel so much better. Doing the above will definitely jump start your calorie furnace! I hope you and your family have a really happy Thanksgiving with plenty of delicious calories!!!	1b4afbcf-92d4-52e7-b532-f401123393bb	25/08/2025 18:00:41
https://marketahead.medium.com/tesla-model-3-hong-kong-taxi-design-d5d40f24fd30	medium.com	Tesla Model 3 Hong Kong Taxi — Design	How a Tesla Model 3 might look like as an red iconic Hong Kong Taxi while keeping some of its original elements.	Market Ahead	https://medium.com/@marketahead	d5d40f24fd30	https://miro.medium.com/…M2EN2WSQ9uNQ.png	2 min	2019-01-10T09:41:23.595000	2019-03-04T14:56:19.822000	2022-12-23T03:32:23.519000	0	2	en	Hong Kong,Tesla,Model 3,Taxi,Electric Car	<section> <p><strong>Update — Tesla Model 3 Hong Kong Taxi is now part of a Limited Edition (50) NFT Collection: </strong><a href="https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0x495f947276749ce646f68ac8c248420045cb7b5e/14266657330255331418046894367200785156291259128849581432630215060353722613810">https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0x495f947276749ce646f68ac8c248420045cb7b5e/14266657330255331418046894367200785156291259128849581432630215060353722613810</a></p> <p>While traveling in Hong Kong, I was amazed at the number of Teslas zooming around on the island amidst a sea of red HK Taxis. If you’ve ever been to Central on the Island side you’ll know what I mean by the sheer concentration of Teslaaas (guess <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=tesla%20how%20many%20hong%20kong&src=typd">I’m not the only one</a>)! I actually call it out every time I see one on the road :)</p> <p>This got me thinking how awesome it’d be if the <a href="https://www.emsd.gov.hk/en/gas_safety/lpg_vehicle_scheme/">current LPG</a>, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Taxis (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefied_petroleum_gas">WTF is that?</a>) were not only replaced by EVs but the Tesla Model 3 (now $35k and more affordable). To appease my imagination, I collaborated with Adrian at <a href="https://www.fiverr.com/design4anyone">Design4Anyone</a> to see how a Tesla Model 3 might look like as an iconic HK Taxi. Here is the final render we came up with…</p> <p>Enjoy!</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4961/10dudD3SMe4M2EN2WSQ9uNQ.png" width="4961" height="2790" loading="lazy" /> <p>For those curious, here are the brainstorming notes and photos we started with. All rights reserved their respective owners.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1426/1597MTL2Z-QcqhmvTYFA_tA.jpeg" width="1426" height="1069" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1242/1bYQrQ4p4s_EtxbilKWhCRQ.png" width="1242" height="1012" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/17pY_kY9mH72Xo8glNq71Fw.png" width="3840" height="2160" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1*9gYJ564wf7qxn3aWJIwfvA.jpeg" width="3840" height="2160" loading="lazy" /> </section>	Tesla Model 3 Hong Kong Taxi — Design Update — Tesla Model 3 Hong Kong Taxi is now part of a Limited Edition (50) NFT Collection: https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0x495f947276749ce646f68ac8c248420045cb7b5e/14266657330255331418046894367200785156291259128849581432630215060353722613810 While traveling in Hong Kong, I was amazed at the number of Teslas zooming around on the island amidst a sea of red HK Taxis. If you’ve ever been to Central on the Island side you’ll know what I mean by the sheer concentration of Teslaaas (guess I’m not the only one)! I actually call it out every time I see one on the road :) This got me thinking how awesome it’d be if the current LPG, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Taxis (WTF is that?) were not only replaced by EVs but the Tesla Model 3 (now $35k and more affordable). To appease my imagination, I collaborated with Adrian at Design4Anyone to see how a Tesla Model 3 might look like as an iconic HK Taxi. Here is the final render we came up with… Enjoy! For those curious, here are the brainstorming notes and photos we started with. All rights reserved their respective owners.	53d16174-d5dd-5456-9388-08778462b173	25/08/2025 18:00:42
https://medium.com/@jamesever/profiles-and-people-mo-gawdat-the-happiness-expert-435d5bdd0733	medium.com	Profiles and People: Mo Gawdat — the Happiness Expert	A programmable equation for plotting out a feeling	Jamesever	https://medium.com/@jamesever	435d5bdd0733	https://miro.medium.com/…TttZlLhLTTQ.jpeg	3 min	2023-07-15T13:39:47.452000	2023-07-15T13:44:29.988000	2023-07-15T13:44:36.412000	0	0	en	Love,Relationships,Christianity,Life,Coding	<section> <p>A programmable equation for plotting out a feeling</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3000/1*9e2HyTS_N8GTttZlLhLTTQ.jpeg" width="3000" height="2000" loading="lazy" /> <p>✍🏾 “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”</p> <p>honor — kabowd</p> <p>Rarely kabod {kaw-bode’}; from kabad; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness — glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).</p> <p>humility — anavah</p> <p>From anav; condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency) — gentleness, humility, meekness.</p> <p>Blackjack lost his Wall Street happiness in a bottle, and when his daughter Jackie walked down the aisle to join hands in marriage to John F. Kennedy, the step-father attended for whatever reason — a shunned invitation or just too loaded for a wedding celebration.</p> <p>Algorithms for finding happiness often fill modern smart screens of nerdy people. Yesterday, I leaned in to listen to the Mo Gawdat version for better living.</p> <p>“Your brain does what you tell it to do.”</p> <p>The interviewer had found the equation rather simple — reframe thinking when encountering something, and take responsibility for your feelings.</p> <p>‘“X thing that happened has p!$$ed me off!” [should be changed to] “I’ve p!$$ed myself off because of that thing.”’</p> <p>The comment section voiced widespread disapproval of that way of thinking. They pointed to external reasons for problems instead of resorting to the verbal gymnastics of flipping words around for a quick solution.</p> <p>Whenever a call came to troubleshoot communications in the military, the first step always started the same — loop back to your facility first before going outside, especially in stormy weather. Looking back, I must have applied that lesson to my next career move without ever trying.</p> <p>In important meetings, those critical listening skills often confirmed information just to make sure I got it right — checking within myself when things seemed off just to make certain. I skirted around a few problems by looking inside first for solutions, unlike that movie.</p> <p>“What we have here is a failure to communicate.”</p> <p>This morning’s reading lauds the meek who seek quiet before speaking — those souls who know pride comes before a fall. They learned that wisdom from a better algorithm for happy — life experiences.</p> <p>Mo Gawdat, the happiness expert, touts a programmable equation for plotting out a feeling.</p> <p>“happiness = events > expectations”</p> <p>Test run through — weddings and marriage.</p> <p>Source: KJV Chapter 15: Verse 33</p> <p>“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”</p> <p>Source: John ‘Blackjack’ Bouvier</p> <p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vernou_Bouvier_III">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vernou_Bouvier_III</a></p> <p>Source: “Mo Gawdat — The Happiness Expert”</p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/csA9YhzYvmk">https://youtu.be/csA9YhzYvmk</a></p> <p>Source: Mo Gawdat</p> <p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Gawdat">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Gawdat</a></p> <p>Photo by Pixabay@Pexels</p> <p>✍🏾 “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”</p> <p>honor — kabowd</p> <p>Rarely kabod {kaw-bode’}; from kabad; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness — glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).</p> <p>humility — anavah</p> <p>From anav; condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency) — gentleness, humility, meekness.</p> <p>Blackjack lost his Wall Street happiness in a bottle, and when his daughter Jackie walked down the aisle to join hands in marriage to John F. Kennedy, the step-father attended for whatever reason — a shunned invitation or just too loaded for a wedding celebration.</p> <p>Algorithms for finding happiness often fill modern smart screens of nerdy people. Yesterday, I leaned in to listen to the Mo Gawdat version for better living.</p> <p>“Your brain does what you tell it to do.”</p> <p>The interviewer had found the equation rather simple — reframe thinking when encountering something, and take responsibility for your feelings.</p> <p>‘“X thing that happened has p!$$ed me off!” [should be changed to] “I’ve p!$$ed myself off because of that thing.”’</p> <p>The comment section voiced widespread disapproval of that way of thinking. They pointed to external reasons for problems instead of resorting to the verbal gymnastics of flipping words around for a quick solution.</p> <p>Whenever a call came to troubleshoot communications in the military, the first step always started the same — loop back to your facility first before going outside, especially in stormy weather. Looking back, I must have applied that lesson to my next career move without ever trying.</p> <p>In important meetings, those critical listening skills often confirmed information just to make sure I got it right — checking within myself when things seemed off just to make certain. I skirted around a few problems by looking inside first for solutions, unlike that movie.</p> <p>“What we have here is a failure to communicate.”</p> <p>This morning’s reading lauds the meek who seek quiet before speaking — those souls who know pride comes before a fall. They learned that wisdom from a better algorithm for happy — life experiences.</p> <p>Mo Gawdat, the happiness expert, touts a programmable equation for plotting out a feeling.</p> <p>“happiness = events > expectations”</p> <p>Test run through — weddings and marriage.</p> <p>Source: KJV Chapter 15: Verse 33</p> <p>“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”</p> <p>Source: John ‘Blackjack’ Bouvier</p> <p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vernou_Bouvier_III">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vernou_Bouvier_III</a></p> <p>Source: “Mo Gawdat — The Happiness Expert”</p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/csA9YhzYvmk">https://youtu.be/csA9YhzYvmk</a></p> <p>Source: Mo Gawdat</p> <p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Gawdat">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Gawdat</a></p> </section>	Profiles and People: Mo Gawdat — the Happiness Expert A programmable equation for plotting out a feeling Photo by Pixabay@Pexels ✍🏾 “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” honor — kabowd Rarely kabod {kaw-bode’}; from kabad; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness — glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able). humility — anavah From anav; condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency) — gentleness, humility, meekness. Blackjack lost his Wall Street happiness in a bottle, and when his daughter Jackie walked down the aisle to join hands in marriage to John F. Kennedy, the step-father attended for whatever reason — a shunned invitation or just too loaded for a wedding celebration. Algorithms for finding happiness often fill modern smart screens of nerdy people. Yesterday, I leaned in to listen to the Mo Gawdat version for better living. “Your brain does what you tell it to do.” The interviewer had found the equation rather simple — reframe thinking when encountering something, and take responsibility for your feelings. ‘“X thing that happened has p!$$ed me off!” [should be changed to] “I’ve p!$$ed myself off because of that thing.”’ The comment section voiced widespread disapproval of that way of thinking. They pointed to external reasons for problems instead of resorting to the verbal gymnastics of flipping words around for a quick solution. Whenever a call came to troubleshoot communications in the military, the first step always started the same — loop back to your facility first before going outside, especially in stormy weather. Looking back, I must have applied that lesson to my next career move without ever trying. In important meetings, those critical listening skills often confirmed information just to make sure I got it right — checking within myself when things seemed off just to make certain. I skirted around a few problems by looking inside first for solutions, unlike that movie. “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” This morning’s reading lauds the meek who seek quiet before speaking — those souls who know pride comes before a fall. They learned that wisdom from a better algorithm for happy — life experiences. Mo Gawdat, the happiness expert, touts a programmable equation for plotting out a feeling. “happiness = events > expectations” Test run through — weddings and marriage. Source: KJV Chapter 15: Verse 33 “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Source: John ‘Blackjack’ Bouvier https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vernou_Bouvier_III Source: “Mo Gawdat — The Happiness Expert” https://youtu.be/csA9YhzYvmk Source: Mo Gawdat https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Gawdat Photo by Pixabay@Pexels ✍🏾 “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” honor — kabowd Rarely kabod {kaw-bode’}; from kabad; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness — glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able). humility — anavah From anav; condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency) — gentleness, humility, meekness. Blackjack lost his Wall Street happiness in a bottle, and when his daughter Jackie walked down the aisle to join hands in marriage to John F. Kennedy, the step-father attended for whatever reason — a shunned invitation or just too loaded for a wedding celebration. Algorithms for finding happiness often fill modern smart screens of nerdy people. Yesterday, I leaned in to listen to the Mo Gawdat version for better living. “Your brain does what you tell it to do.” The interviewer had found the equation rather simple — reframe thinking when encountering something, and take responsibility for your feelings. ‘“X thing that happened has p!$$ed me off!” [should be changed to] “I’ve p!$$ed myself off because of that thing.”’ The comment section voiced widespread disapproval of that way of thinking. They pointed to external reasons for problems instead of resorting to the verbal gymnastics of flipping words around for a quick solution. Whenever a call came to troubleshoot communications in the military, the first step always started the same — loop back to your facility first before going outside, especially in stormy weather. Looking back, I must have applied that lesson to my next career move without ever trying. In important meetings, those critical listening skills often confirmed information just to make sure I got it right — checking within myself when things seemed off just to make certain. I skirted around a few problems by looking inside first for solutions, unlike that movie. “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” This morning’s reading lauds the meek who seek quiet before speaking — those souls who know pride comes before a fall. They learned that wisdom from a better algorithm for happy — life experiences. Mo Gawdat, the happiness expert, touts a programmable equation for plotting out a feeling. “happiness = events > expectations” Test run through — weddings and marriage. Source: KJV Chapter 15: Verse 33 “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Source: John ‘Blackjack’ Bouvier https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vernou_Bouvier_III Source: “Mo Gawdat — The Happiness Expert” https://youtu.be/csA9YhzYvmk Source: Mo Gawdat https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Gawdat	7749df64-7e7c-56a4-8185-600f1ac7fb17	25/08/2025 18:00:42
https://medium.com/@Treniq/whether-it-is-fish-and-chips-or-the-fine-breakfast-tea-nothing-says-english-like-a-stunning-7fecff5b949b	medium.com	Style Your Home All So English with Treniq	Stay Design Inspired	Treniq	https://medium.com/@Treniq	7fecff5b949b	https://miro.medium.com/…NmB9RJCge0g.jpeg	3 min	2017-01-05T08:27:53.490000	2017-01-04T12:02:17	2017-05-09T07:28:59.983000	0	1	en	Interior Design,Design,English,Furniture Design	<section> <p>Whether it is fish and chips or the fine breakfast tea, nothing says English like a stunning country cottage! If you want to bring a truly English flavour to your interiors you are at the right place! In this little glimpse of an age old style, we will take you through some of the most exceptional details towards getting it right!</p> <p><em><strong>Who should consider thi</em>s style?</strong></p> <p>Adding a filter of style to any space takes a lot of research and thought before finding the one that is perfect for you. To accent your home with an English style, is a rather smart idea, as it is a very livable design. You can add antique elements into it whilst bringing in a tint of yourself. It can be adapted into apartments, villas, penthouses and even studio homes. When considering this style, ask yourself the following questions:</p> <p>Do you like prints and are you ready to incorporate them into your households?</p> <p>Do you like your walls to have a lot of elements including wallpapers, frames and wall hangings?</p> <p>Do you like using blends of English colours?</p> <p>If you are have replied “Yes” to above questions and are excited about the thought of these in your space, then the English style is one hundred percent your next home makeover idea!</p> <p><em><strong></em>Top Tips</strong></p> <p><strong>Colour ’em English!</strong></p> <p>The colours that you use will define the style of your interiors. Mild blues, Lavender, duck egg blue, lily yellows, watery greens and many more famous colour selections are waiting to spike up your walls. Go ahead and explore what works for you!</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1000/1Xulh-z2pQNeNmB9RJCge0g.jpeg" width="1000" height="660" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Make sure you match!</strong></p> <p>It is most crucial to match your pieces. Pay attention to details in this case. When we say matching we mean, complementing each object to let it all come together as one! And yes, your cutlery and tableware must feel the English theme too!</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1000/1nzjK9_FwpvwiohYat0KUQQ.jpeg" width="1000" height="660" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Decorate those walls!</strong></p> <p>Go bold! Use exquisite frames, elegant wallpapers, patterned elements and unique clocks.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1000/1rdIuTSew0wdh07yeQOWsFQ.jpeg" width="1000" height="660" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Treniq’s Pick for the ultimate English style!</strong></p> <p>Cultivate your own sense of timeless sophistication using our most personalised feature where you can create your own mood board whilst easily sharing it with your friends, colleagues and designers for opinions and reviews.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/290/16gn7MH1uEQYR9oTlSzbSdQ.jpeg" width="290" height="290" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/290/1nfRwQebuPLRayP4kCLBcLQ.jpeg" width="290" height="290" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/290/1ZLeh0C3bPudxauHXClAZhw.jpeg" width="290" height="290" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/290/1l0YBCOn0a8a1PPBBK7vbqQ.jpeg" width="290" height="290" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>About Treniq</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.treniq.com/">Treniq</a> is an international B2B network for sourcing luxury interior products at trade price. We enable professional buyers like interior designers, stylists, architects, and property developers to source <a href="http://www.treniq.com/t/product-categories/furniture">furniture</a>, <a href="http://www.treniq.com/t/product-categories/lighting">lighting</a>, <a href="http://www.treniq.com/t/product-categories/decor">décor</a> & <a href="http://www.treniq.com/t/product-categories/lifestyle/kitchen">kitchen</a> directly from sellers. Take advantage of the <a href="https://www.treniq.com/">Treniq</a>team and experience effortless sourcing of interior products at your personalised trade price, saving you time <em>and</em> money. <a href="https://www.treniq.com/signup">Create your free trade account today</a>! For more information, contact us at <strong><a href="http://mailto:</strong>[email protected]/">[email protected]</a>.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/768/1cQonNMN20eyzNmy1M_0hsQ.jpeg" width="768" height="240" loading="lazy" /> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://blog.treniq.com/sty</em>le-home-english-with-treniq/">blog.treniq.com</a> on January 4, 2017.</p> </section>	Style Your Home All So English with Treniq \| Stay Design Inspired Whether it is fish and chips or the fine breakfast tea, nothing says English like a stunning country cottage! If you want to bring a truly English flavour to your interiors you are at the right place! In this little glimpse of an age old style, we will take you through some of the most exceptional details towards getting it right! Who should consider this style? Adding a filter of style to any space takes a lot of research and thought before finding the one that is perfect for you. To accent your home with an English style, is a rather smart idea, as it is a very livable design. You can add antique elements into it whilst bringing in a tint of yourself. It can be adapted into apartments, villas, penthouses and even studio homes. When considering this style, ask yourself the following questions: Do you like prints and are you ready to incorporate them into your households? Do you like your walls to have a lot of elements including wallpapers, frames and wall hangings? Do you like using blends of English colours? If you are have replied “Yes” to above questions and are excited about the thought of these in your space, then the English style is one hundred percent your next home makeover idea! Top Tips Colour ’em English! The colours that you use will define the style of your interiors. Mild blues, Lavender, duck egg blue, lily yellows, watery greens and many more famous colour selections are waiting to spike up your walls. Go ahead and explore what works for you! Make sure you match! It is most crucial to match your pieces. Pay attention to details in this case. When we say matching we mean, complementing each object to let it all come together as one! And yes, your cutlery and tableware must feel the English theme too! Decorate those walls! Go bold! Use exquisite frames, elegant wallpapers, patterned elements and unique clocks. Treniq’s Pick for the ultimate English style! Cultivate your own sense of timeless sophistication using our most personalised feature where you can create your own mood board whilst easily sharing it with your friends, colleagues and designers for opinions and reviews. Daisy Floral Squash \| Limon Classic Wood Chair \| Decorative Crafts Louis XV Mahaogany Centre Table \| English Georgian America Gustav Bed \| Gustavian About Treniq Treniq is an international B2B network for sourcing luxury interior products at trade price. We enable professional buyers like interior designers, stylists, architects, and property developers to source furniture, lighting, décor & kitchen directly from sellers. Take advantage of the Treniqteam and experience effortless sourcing of interior products at your personalised trade price, saving you time and money. Create your free trade account today! For more information, contact us at [email protected]. CLICK HERE Originally published at blog.treniq.com on January 4, 2017.	84efb1bc-0995-5821-855e-635953735b48	25/08/2025 18:00:42
https://medium.com/mr-plan-publication/medium-goals-2025-edition-14157d9f488c	medium.com	Medium Goals: 2025 Edition	A Newbie’s Goal List for 2025	Ally	https://medium.com/@allywrites	14157d9f488c	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*gdLGELl13d1hnkde	4 min	2024-12-29T11:19:33.064000	2024-12-30T09:39:03.315000	2025-04-01T04:22:12.467000	38	368	en	Writing,Poetry,Medium,Self Improvement,Storytelling	<section> <h3>A Newbie’s Goal List for 2025</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4857/0*gdLGELl13d1hnkde" width="4857" height="3320" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/mr-plan-</strong>publication/medium-goals-2025-edition-14157d9f488c?sk=e4a557bad5c5cd5447cf36ebabfa8b99">Not a member? Read it for free here!</a></p> <p>I’m a late bloomer on Medium. I started <strong>actively</strong> posting only in December . Yes, the very last month of the year when everyone’s busy debating their Spotify Wrapped or dodging awkward family dinners. Before that, my Medium account was like an empty space, just a bio and a couple of sympathy claps.</p> <p>Then came <a href="#">Amel S.</a> and his post,<a href="https://medium.com/never-stop-writing/my-medium-goals-for-2025-334cb0c72006"> [My Medium Goals for 2025]</a>. It hit me hard, a mix of motivation and a touch of existential worry. Suddenly, I found myself thinking, “Wait, people set goals for Medium? And achieve them? What is this madness?”</p> <p><a href="#">Amel S.</a> if you’re reading this, thank you for pushing me into the chaos. Your post was like a motivational shove off a cliff, and now I’m free-falling with the rest of the Medium maniacs. You deserve a cookie, a medal, or at least a permanent spot on my gratitude list.</p> <p>Despite starting my Medium journey with a heavy dose of skepticism (and mild panic), I somehow managed to rack up some wins in just a month:</p> <p>Let me brag (I mean, share):</p> <p><strong>680 followers</strong>: Practically a small army. Not enough to overthrow a kingdom, but enough to feel a little smug. <strong>37 published stories</strong>: That’s enough words to fill a novella — or cover my walls in a motivational word cloud. Half thrilling and mildly alarming. <strong>Almost $85 earned</strong>: Look, it’s not “quit-your-day-job” or Jeff Bezos money, but it’s enough to buy an overpriced latte and a bag of chips.</p> <p>It’s honestly Not bad for someone who didn’t even know the Medium Partner Program (MPP) existed until December. If I had known earlier, who knows? I might’ve already hit my first million (claps , people, claps, not dollars).</p> <p>But let’s talk about the real challenge ahead:</p> <p>2025. A fresh year, a blank slate, and a whole lot of my overly ambitious goals that might make you laugh — or raise an eyebrow. Feel free to borrow, steal, or roll your eyes at them. Either way, they’re here to keep me accountable (and slightly terrified).</p> <p>The Medium Resolutions</p> <p>1. <strong>Hit 2k followers</strong>. Because 700 is cute, but 2,000? That’s Beyonce-level energy. Imagine people holding onto my every word or at least scrolling it before hitting clap. The thought alone is enough to keep me awake at night (but in a good way).</p> <p>2. <strong>Get at least 100 email subscribers</strong>. 33 is a start, but I’d love to see it grow into a community of engaged readers who connect with my words. It’s not about numbers for me; it’s about building a meaningful connection.</p> <p>3. <strong>Publish 200+ stories.</strong> <em>Translation</em>: I’m ready to give up my social life, my peace of mind, and perhaps even my wrists just to turn into a true content creator. My goal is to immerse myself in Medium and really push my keyboard to its limits.</p> <p>4. <strong>Earn $100 per month</strong> Making just under $100 a month, I guess you could call me a ‘professional-ish’ writer enough then to fuel my coffee addiction and justify the existential crises that come with each word on my bloggg!!!.</p> <p>5. <strong>Turn atleast some of my Followers into Friends</strong>. Frankly, writing can be lonely, and even my plants are starting to give me odd looks during the late-night brainstorming. Besides, who would not want a dizzying squad of fellow writers to celebrate with or bitch about the medium algorithm?</p> <p>6.<strong> Be an editor for a publication</strong>. Why? Because nothing says “I’ve made it” like an unnecessarily fancy title. One of those things you throw into your bio just for the flex.</p> <p>7.<strong> Start my own publication</strong>. Sure, I would probably lose sleep worrying about deadlines, logistics, and convincing people to join, but hey, I thrive on that chaos. Plus, having my publication sounds like the perfect blend of thrilL and HORROR.</p> <p>8. <strong>Avoid suspension</strong>. This one’s tricky. I’ve already been suspended once (for two whole minutes, but still!). Medium’s policies are like an ex unpredictable, temperamental, and ready to ghost you without warning. I plan to stay in their good graces, but knowing me, this goal might be a little… ambitious.[P.S plugging in my blog for those extra views ,do check it out]</p> <p><strong><a href="https://allywrites.medium.com/suspended-panicked-and-back-on</strong>line-my-monday-night-medium-meltdown-6f08a18fe42d">Suspended, Panicked, and Back Online: My Monday Night Medium Meltdown <em>Five Minutes of Suspension, A Lifetime of Panic </em>allywrites.m</a>edium.com</p> <p>9. <strong>Write for the Joy Not the Stats </strong> Because if writing starts to feel like a chore, what’s the point? I want to keep the spark alive -the late-night inspiration, the accidental oversharing, and the joy of seeing my words resonate with strangers on the internet.</p> <p>Will I achieve all of this? Maybe. Will I cry into my coffee when I don’t? Absolutely. But that’s the beauty of this journey — Medium is like a rollercoaster, and I’m here for every terrifying twist, exhilarating drop, and occasional suspension scare.</p> <p>So here’s to 2025: A year of big dreams, bold stories, and (hopefully) fewer meltdowns. Whether you’re chasing similar goals or just trying to survive the writing grind, let’s do it together. Cheers to the journey — may our clap buttons never break and our drafts folder never run dry.</p> <p>P.S. I write because I love it. At the end of the day, these are just metrics — they’re not my whole purpose for being here…</p> <p>Now, go write your goals, share them with the world, and let’s crush this year like the overachievers we secretly are.</p> <p>P.S :I’m so stuck, guys—can’t decide between “Beyond the Lines” or “Writer Inbetween” for my publication title. Both feel so me, but I can’t pick! If you’ve got any suggestions or thoughts, hit me up—I need all the help I can get.</p> <p>Love, Ally</p> </section>	Medium Goals: 2025 Edition A Newbie’s Goal List for 2025 Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash Not a member? Read it for free here! I’m a late bloomer on Medium. I started actively posting only in December . Yes, the very last month of the year when everyone’s busy debating their Spotify Wrapped or dodging awkward family dinners. Before that, my Medium account was like an empty space, just a bio and a couple of sympathy claps. Then came Amel S. and his post, [My Medium Goals for 2025]. It hit me hard, a mix of motivation and a touch of existential worry. Suddenly, I found myself thinking, “Wait, people set goals for Medium? And achieve them? What is this madness?” Amel S. if you’re reading this, thank you for pushing me into the chaos. Your post was like a motivational shove off a cliff, and now I’m free-falling with the rest of the Medium maniacs. You deserve a cookie, a medal, or at least a permanent spot on my gratitude list. Despite starting my Medium journey with a heavy dose of skepticism (and mild panic), I somehow managed to rack up some wins in just a month: Let me brag (I mean, share): 680 followers: Practically a small army. Not enough to overthrow a kingdom, but enough to feel a little smug. 37 published stories: That’s enough words to fill a novella — or cover my walls in a motivational word cloud. Half thrilling and mildly alarming. Almost $85 earned: Look, it’s not “quit-your-day-job” or Jeff Bezos money, but it’s enough to buy an overpriced latte and a bag of chips. It’s honestly Not bad for someone who didn’t even know the Medium Partner Program (MPP) existed until December. If I had known earlier, who knows? I might’ve already hit my first million (claps , people, claps, not dollars). But let’s talk about the real challenge ahead: 2025. A fresh year, a blank slate, and a whole lot of my overly ambitious goals that might make you laugh — or raise an eyebrow. Feel free to borrow, steal, or roll your eyes at them. Either way, they’re here to keep me accountable (and slightly terrified). The Medium Resolutions 1. Hit 2k followers. Because 700 is cute, but 2,000? That’s Beyonce-level energy. Imagine people holding onto my every word or at least scrolling it before hitting clap. The thought alone is enough to keep me awake at night (but in a good way). 2. Get at least 100 email subscribers. 33 is a start, but I’d love to see it grow into a community of engaged readers who connect with my words. It’s not about numbers for me; it’s about building a meaningful connection. 3. Publish 200+ stories. Translation: I’m ready to give up my social life, my peace of mind, and perhaps even my wrists just to turn into a true content creator. My goal is to immerse myself in Medium and really push my keyboard to its limits. 4. Earn $100 per month Making just under $100 a month, I guess you could call me a ‘professional-ish’ writer enough then to fuel my coffee addiction and justify the existential crises that come with each word on my bloggg!!!. 5. Turn atleast some of my Followers into Friends. Frankly, writing can be lonely, and even my plants are starting to give me odd looks during the late-night brainstorming. Besides, who would not want a dizzying squad of fellow writers to celebrate with or bitch about the medium algorithm? 6. Be an editor for a publication. Why? Because nothing says “I’ve made it” like an unnecessarily fancy title. One of those things you throw into your bio just for the flex. 7. Start my own publication. Sure, I would probably lose sleep worrying about deadlines, logistics, and convincing people to join, but hey, I thrive on that chaos. Plus, having my publication sounds like the perfect blend of thrilL and HORROR. 8. Avoid suspension. This one’s tricky. I’ve already been suspended once (for two whole minutes, but still!). Medium’s policies are like an ex unpredictable, temperamental, and ready to ghost you without warning. I plan to stay in their good graces, but knowing me, this goal might be a little… ambitious.[P.S plugging in my blog for those extra views ,do check it out] Suspended, Panicked, and Back Online: My Monday Night Medium Meltdown Five Minutes of Suspension, A Lifetime of Panic allywrites.medium.com 9. Write for the Joy Not the Stats Because if writing starts to feel like a chore, what’s the point? I want to keep the spark alive -the late-night inspiration, the accidental oversharing, and the joy of seeing my words resonate with strangers on the internet. Will I achieve all of this? Maybe. Will I cry into my coffee when I don’t? Absolutely. But that’s the beauty of this journey — Medium is like a rollercoaster, and I’m here for every terrifying twist, exhilarating drop, and occasional suspension scare. So here’s to 2025: A year of big dreams, bold stories, and (hopefully) fewer meltdowns. Whether you’re chasing similar goals or just trying to survive the writing grind, let’s do it together. Cheers to the journey — may our clap buttons never break and our drafts folder never run dry. P.S. I write because I love it. At the end of the day, these are just metrics — they’re not my whole purpose for being here… Now, go write your goals, share them with the world, and let’s crush this year like the overachievers we secretly are. P.S :I’m so stuck, guys—can’t decide between “Beyond the Lines” or “Writer Inbetween” for my publication title. Both feel so me, but I can’t pick! If you’ve got any suggestions or thoughts, hit me up—I need all the help I can get. Love, Ally	b880ae25-4853-59ff-a533-437d9148875b	25/08/2025 18:00:42
https://medium.com/ustwo-games/some-thoughts-on-occulus-connect-2-6ff1dace13b9	medium.com	Some Thoughts on Occulus Connect 2	Ken, Dan and I spent last week in LA attending Oculus’s VR developer conference to show off our new VR game Land’s End. Despite our jet…	ustwo games	https://medium.com/@ustwogames	6ff1dace13b9	https://miro.medium.com/…P57vTylw3Y2g.png	4 min	2015-10-15T17:06:01.477000	2015-10-19T14:02:28.593000	2018-06-17T10:28:10.406000	0	38	en	Virtual Reality,Oculus Rift,Video Games	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4310/1YrQmesVkzSP57vTylw3Y2g.png" width="4310" height="2100" loading="lazy" /> <p>Ken, Dan and I spent last week in LA attending Oculus’s VR developer conference to show off our new VR game <em>Land’s End</em>. Despite our jet lag, we managed to see some pretty exciting stuff, so I thought I’d sum up the best parts of Oculus Connect 2 as we saw it.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1912/1cQMNBltJwnmS-ayFaKoqSg.png" width="1912" height="800" loading="lazy" /> <h1>Gear VR</h1> <p>We’ve spent the last 18 months getting to grips with VR ourselves, and the product of our hard work, <em>Land’s End</em>, is nearly ready for release, exclusively for Samsung’s Gear VR. In the main keynote Samsung announced the new Gear VR with a price of $99. We were very happy to see <em>Land’s End</em> opening the list of games in the announcement, showing on a huge screen on the same stage as the Oscars are held.</p> <p>We think that mobile VR isn’t getting as much love as it deserves so it was great to be able to show <em>Land’s End</em> to so many VR developers and get such good responses. People said “I didn’t know you could do that with mobile VR”, “best experience I’ve played in VR”, “I could stay in there for hours”.</p> <p>We’re really happy to be showing how great Gear VR actually can be, and how in many ways it can actually provide a better experience than full-on desktop VR. Being able to pull devices out of our bags and show people <em>Land’s End</em> wherever we were — in queues, on video shoots, at the airport — was amazing, and the freedom of having no wires was an eye-opener for people used to other headsets.</p> <p></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/109R-QYJY_sviuPvVG8aJ3A.jpeg" width="1024" height="576" loading="lazy" /> <h2>Social VR is great</h2> <p>Oculus has built several demos to show off different aspects of their tech. In Toybox you use their Touch hand controllers to build towers of blocks, fire a slingshot at vases or juggle bouncy balls. They are great fun to use but it will take practice for them to feel natural.</p> <p>The really impressive part of Toybox is not the virtual hands or the physics but the fact that you’re not alone in there. In Toybox you can see the virtual hands and head of another real human person (in this case an Oculus employee who walks you through the demo). You end up passing blocks back and forth, playing table tennis and eventually duking it out with ray guns.</p> <p></p> <p>Even though I knew my partner was in a different room, I kept thinking I was going to hit him by mistake as I flailed around. The sense of his presence was very real — you can tell that he is seeing the same things you are and your subconscious picks up on the subtle body language of his hands and head. It’s amazing how much the addition of non-verbal communication (gestures, pointing) and reading physical intentions adds to a shared virtual experience. We’re very excited to see how developers use this whole new communication channel.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1240/1kcrTIuI61Nt2WW7V13K9zg.jpeg" width="1240" height="826" loading="lazy" /> <h2>Hand controllers are getting there</h2> <p>Oculus showed off a bunch of different demos for their Touch hand controllers. Oculus’ aim is to deliver ‘hand presence’ where the player begins to forget they are holding controllers and just starts to use their virtual hands naturally. Our impression was that they have great potential but they are still fiddly to use at first.</p> <p>Maybe that’s why our favourite Touch demo was Epic’s <em><a href="htt</em>ps://www.unrealengine.com/blog/introducing-bullet-train-new-vr-experience">Bullet Train</a>, in which you teleport around picking up various guns and firing them in slow motion into various faceless future-soldier enemies. Incredibly childish, but also incredibly fun to pull all those poses from the movies, cocking your shotgun Arnie-style before picking bullets out of the air and throwing them back. The controllers are natural fits for pistol grips and because you didn’t have to do much other than point guns and pull triggers, we spent more time enjoying the experience and less time worrying about how to control our thumbs.</p> <p></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4896/1*GThPhL3aHZqs2t9FmfGRnQ.jpeg" width="4896" height="3264" loading="lazy" /> <h2><strong>Exciting times</strong></h2> <p>Overall Oculus Connect 2 felt very different to last year. We are moving away from sheer amazement at the novelty of VR and beginning to figure out what kind of applications are actually good (worth buying a device and donning a headset for) once the novelty has worn off. We met so many amazing people at the conference, it’s incredible to see such a concentration of talent, dedication and excitement all in one place.</p> <p>VR is really hard to get right, and developers are mostly still blindly groping around for what will seem obvious with hindsight, but we think visions of the future are starting to shine through. The next year is going to be very interesting!</p> <p>Peter Pashley, Technical Director at ustwo games</p> </section>	Some Thoughts on Occulus Connect 2 Ken, Dan and I spent last week in LA attending Oculus’s VR developer conference to show off our new VR game Land’s End. Despite our jet lag, we managed to see some pretty exciting stuff, so I thought I’d sum up the best parts of Oculus Connect 2 as we saw it. Gear VR We’ve spent the last 18 months getting to grips with VR ourselves, and the product of our hard work, Land’s End, is nearly ready for release, exclusively for Samsung’s Gear VR. In the main keynote Samsung announced the new Gear VR with a price of $99. We were very happy to see Land’s End opening the list of games in the announcement, showing on a huge screen on the same stage as the Oscars are held. We think that mobile VR isn’t getting as much love as it deserves so it was great to be able to show Land’s End to so many VR developers and get such good responses. People said “I didn’t know you could do that with mobile VR”, “best experience I’ve played in VR”, “I could stay in there for hours”. We’re really happy to be showing how great Gear VR actually can be, and how in many ways it can actually provide a better experience than full-on desktop VR. Being able to pull devices out of our bags and show people Land’s End wherever we were — in queues, on video shoots, at the airport — was amazing, and the freedom of having no wires was an eye-opener for people used to other headsets. Social VR is great Oculus has built several demos to show off different aspects of their tech. In Toybox you use their Touch hand controllers to build towers of blocks, fire a slingshot at vases or juggle bouncy balls. They are great fun to use but it will take practice for them to feel natural. The really impressive part of Toybox is not the virtual hands or the physics but the fact that you’re not alone in there. In Toybox you can see the virtual hands and head of another real human person (in this case an Oculus employee who walks you through the demo). You end up passing blocks back and forth, playing table tennis and eventually duking it out with ray guns. Even though I knew my partner was in a different room, I kept thinking I was going to hit him by mistake as I flailed around. The sense of his presence was very real — you can tell that he is seeing the same things you are and your subconscious picks up on the subtle body language of his hands and head. It’s amazing how much the addition of non-verbal communication (gestures, pointing) and reading physical intentions adds to a shared virtual experience. We’re very excited to see how developers use this whole new communication channel. Hand controllers are getting there Oculus showed off a bunch of different demos for their Touch hand controllers. Oculus’ aim is to deliver ‘hand presence’ where the player begins to forget they are holding controllers and just starts to use their virtual hands naturally. Our impression was that they have great potential but they are still fiddly to use at first. Maybe that’s why our favourite Touch demo was Epic’s Bullet Train, in which you teleport around picking up various guns and firing them in slow motion into various faceless future-soldier enemies. Incredibly childish, but also incredibly fun to pull all those poses from the movies, cocking your shotgun Arnie-style before picking bullets out of the air and throwing them back. The controllers are natural fits for pistol grips and because you didn’t have to do much other than point guns and pull triggers, we spent more time enjoying the experience and less time worrying about how to control our thumbs. Exciting times Overall Oculus Connect 2 felt very different to last year. We are moving away from sheer amazement at the novelty of VR and beginning to figure out what kind of applications are actually good (worth buying a device and donning a headset for) once the novelty has worn off. We met so many amazing people at the conference, it’s incredible to see such a concentration of talent, dedication and excitement all in one place. VR is really hard to get right, and developers are mostly still blindly groping around for what will seem obvious with hindsight, but we think visions of the future are starting to shine through. The next year is going to be very interesting! Peter Pashley, Technical Director at ustwo games	199940f3-edd9-501a-aacc-f0ea979cb64b	25/08/2025 18:00:43
https://medium.com/@edlago/precious-game-gems-interview-with-turbo-button-3728ad319131	medium.com	Precious Game Gems: Interview with Turbo Button	One of my missions with this blog is to promote the talented developers behind this precious game gems that we enjoy. This week we are…	Ed Lago	https://medium.com/@edlago	3728ad319131	https://miro.medium.com/…THItLRB1B31A.png	4 min	2017-09-11T20:27:02.898000	2017-09-15T16:27:23.124000	2018-05-20T19:55:12.377000	0	52	en	Virtual Reality,Turbo Button,Gearvr,Daydream,Game Development	<section> <p>One of my missions with this blog is to promote the talented developers behind this precious game gems that we enjoy. This week we are going to start with the guys from Turbo Button, the developers that made the incredible Along Together for Google Daydream.</p> <p>Let’s learn a bit about this team and some of their tricks for developing amazing experiences for VR.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5491/1-Dze87aDafIH69NKvKvNTA.png" width="5491" height="6602" loading="lazy" /> <h1><strong>Hey Nic, can you introduce yourself for us? Why do you develop games for VR and who is Turbo Button?</strong></h1> <p><em>My name is Nic Vasconcellos. Holden Link and I founded Turbo Button in 2015 with the goal of creating VR games that are silly and accessible for a wide audience. Before starting Turbo Button, Holden was working on some VR games as hobby projects and then, somehow, roped me in as well! We both had a lot of fun showing people our silly little jam projects and found that we were enjoying creating VR content more than anything else we had done before.</em></p> <p><em>There was a certain excitement that came along with getting to explore new territory and make up the rules as we went. When we eventually started Turbo Button, there was no doubt in our minds that we wanted to focus 100% on VR.</em></p> <h2><strong>Can you tell a little bit about the process behind Along Together? How the idea turned into a full VR game?</strong></h2> <p><em>We started the idea for Along Together with a simple concept: you (the player) and another character go on an adventure and solve puzzles. We wanted players to feel like they were actually working with another character to overcome challenges in the game rather than just being a passive observer leading the character around the world. From the very beginning, the other character was a kid and the idea of you being their imaginary friend quickly followed and really fit in well with the game’s planned gameplay mechanics.</em></p> <h2><strong>What challenges did you faced while coming from Floor Plan (designed in that time for Gear VR) and going for Along Together on Google Daydream?</strong></h2> <p><em>One of our biggest challenges was designing controller interactions that felt simple and intuitive enough for people to understand quickly, but also supported the multitude of mechanics we had planned for gameplay. We went through a few control scheme iterations (some of which I detail <a href="https://medium.com/@tbutt/building-interactions-for-3dof-vr-controllers-70437d45119a">here</a>) to really hone in on making our gameplay interactions shine wit</em>h Daydream’s 3DOF controller. It took a lot of trial and error, but it was all worth it in the end!</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3008/1PEDaWtSHJ-THItLRB1B31A.png" width="3008" height="2000" loading="lazy" /> <h2><strong>What is your top 3 games on VR so far? The one’s you always remember as a great experiences or you always like to come back for another session?</strong></h2> <p><em>My top 3 VR games so far (in no particular order):</em></p> <p><em>Budget Cuts, while it only exists in demo form, was one of the first VR games that I actively wanted to come back to. Their teleport mechanic kind of blew my mind the first time I tried it. Watching other people play the game from the outside, I was like “that looks totally confusing”, but once you’re in headset, it’s incredibly intuitive and fun!</em></p> <p><em>I really love puzzle/adventure games, so I Expect You to Die hits a lot of great notes for me. Really clever puzzle design plus some humor makes for a great experience in my book! I also think that game does a great job in doing a lot with a little. Most of the scenarios take place in confined spaces, but they’re all packed with enough detail that keeps me curious and constantly looking around for new things to use for puzzle solving.</em></p> <p><em>Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes also has a special place in my heart for taking something inherently antisocial (essentially blindfolding yourself), and turning it into a fun party game. It’s one of the few ways, if not the only way, you can invite your friends over to play VR right now, so I greatly look forward to more games like this in the future!</em></p> <h2><strong>Can you share some tips for other developers about how to survive while developing games for VR?</strong></h2> <p><em>Everyone I’ve talked to seems to have a different approach to supporting themselves while kicking off a career in VR. Luckily, VR is gaining in popularity, and more and more companies are starting to realize its potential as a platform, but they don’t always know how to get their foot in the door. Those kinds of companies present excellent opportunities for devs to do contract work. It’s a great way for devs to gain experience, exposure, and make some money to fund other projects.</em></p> <p><em>I’d also suggest keeping ideas and teams as lean as possible when getting started. If you’re honest with yourself about your abilities and work with those constraints, you might not make the next open-world Zelda, but you’ll create something smaller and polished for a platform with pretty good visibility at the moment.</em></p> <h2><strong>What’s next for Turbo Button after Along Together?</strong></h2> <p>Lately, we’ve been focusing on updating Floor Plan (our previous VR game) and bringing it to more platforms like Steam and Oculus Touch as Floor Plan: Hands-On Edition. We’re in the early stages of some new VR stuff too, but we’ll have more to share about that in the future!</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1944/1*Vg0sRJ1VWrVx7dVNO3OcbA.jpeg" width="1944" height="2592" loading="lazy" /> <p>Thanks Nic and everyone else at Turbo Button team for sparing their time to answer these questions. I hope you enjoyed this interview and stay tuned for more articles like this in the future.</p> <blockquote><em>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are mine and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Archiact.</em></blockquote> </section>	Precious Game Gems: Interview with Turbo Button One of my missions with this blog is to promote the talented developers behind this precious game gems that we enjoy. This week we are going to start with the guys from Turbo Button, the developers that made the incredible Along Together for Google Daydream. Let’s learn a bit about this team and some of their tricks for developing amazing experiences for VR. Turbo Button Logo Hey Nic, can you introduce yourself for us? Why do you develop games for VR and who is Turbo Button? My name is Nic Vasconcellos. Holden Link and I founded Turbo Button in 2015 with the goal of creating VR games that are silly and accessible for a wide audience. Before starting Turbo Button, Holden was working on some VR games as hobby projects and then, somehow, roped me in as well! We both had a lot of fun showing people our silly little jam projects and found that we were enjoying creating VR content more than anything else we had done before. There was a certain excitement that came along with getting to explore new territory and make up the rules as we went. When we eventually started Turbo Button, there was no doubt in our minds that we wanted to focus 100% on VR. Can you tell a little bit about the process behind Along Together? How the idea turned into a full VR game? We started the idea for Along Together with a simple concept: you (the player) and another character go on an adventure and solve puzzles. We wanted players to feel like they were actually working with another character to overcome challenges in the game rather than just being a passive observer leading the character around the world. From the very beginning, the other character was a kid and the idea of you being their imaginary friend quickly followed and really fit in well with the game’s planned gameplay mechanics. What challenges did you faced while coming from Floor Plan (designed in that time for Gear VR) and going for Along Together on Google Daydream? One of our biggest challenges was designing controller interactions that felt simple and intuitive enough for people to understand quickly, but also supported the multitude of mechanics we had planned for gameplay. We went through a few control scheme iterations (some of which I detail here) to really hone in on making our gameplay interactions shine with Daydream’s 3DOF controller. It took a lot of trial and error, but it was all worth it in the end! Nic and Holden at E3 2015 What is your top 3 games on VR so far? The one’s you always remember as a great experiences or you always like to come back for another session? My top 3 VR games so far (in no particular order): Budget Cuts, while it only exists in demo form, was one of the first VR games that I actively wanted to come back to. Their teleport mechanic kind of blew my mind the first time I tried it. Watching other people play the game from the outside, I was like “that looks totally confusing”, but once you’re in headset, it’s incredibly intuitive and fun! I really love puzzle/adventure games, so I Expect You to Die hits a lot of great notes for me. Really clever puzzle design plus some humor makes for a great experience in my book! I also think that game does a great job in doing a lot with a little. Most of the scenarios take place in confined spaces, but they’re all packed with enough detail that keeps me curious and constantly looking around for new things to use for puzzle solving. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes also has a special place in my heart for taking something inherently antisocial (essentially blindfolding yourself), and turning it into a fun party game. It’s one of the few ways, if not the only way, you can invite your friends over to play VR right now, so I greatly look forward to more games like this in the future! Can you share some tips for other developers about how to survive while developing games for VR? Everyone I’ve talked to seems to have a different approach to supporting themselves while kicking off a career in VR. Luckily, VR is gaining in popularity, and more and more companies are starting to realize its potential as a platform, but they don’t always know how to get their foot in the door. Those kinds of companies present excellent opportunities for devs to do contract work. It’s a great way for devs to gain experience, exposure, and make some money to fund other projects. I’d also suggest keeping ideas and teams as lean as possible when getting started. If you’re honest with yourself about your abilities and work with those constraints, you might not make the next open-world Zelda, but you’ll create something smaller and polished for a platform with pretty good visibility at the moment. What’s next for Turbo Button after Along Together? Lately, we’ve been focusing on updating Floor Plan (our previous VR game) and bringing it to more platforms like Steam and Oculus Touch as Floor Plan: Hands-On Edition. We’re in the early stages of some new VR stuff too, but we’ll have more to share about that in the future! Me and the Turbo Button team at E3 2017 Thanks Nic and everyone else at Turbo Button team for sparing their time to answer these questions. I hope you enjoyed this interview and stay tuned for more articles like this in the future. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are mine and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Archiact.	204717f0-2f27-505e-becc-23b6c6cfd788	25/08/2025 18:00:44
https://medium.com/@sephotobooths77/importance-of-a-photo-booth-in-every-occasion-3a622a26db9	medium.com	Importance of a Photo Booth in Every Occasion	Be it a corporate social affair or a wedding or a private gathering, we enlist an expert picture taker to catch a portion of the best…	sephoto booths	https://medium.com/@sephotobooths77	3a622a26db9	null	4 min	2018-06-18T08:52:11.431000	2018-06-18T08:54:14.651000	2018-06-18T08:54:15.595000	0	0	en	Photography	<section> <p>Be it a corporate social affair or a wedding or a private gathering, we enlist an expert picture taker to catch a portion of the best minutes for descendants. Be that as it may, we see an adjustment in this pattern. The new pattern is introducing a photograph stall at occasions. Furthermore, individuals want to enlist a photograph stall over expert picture takers for some reasons.</p> <p>To employ a decent picture taker you should spend a great deal of cash. Leverage of having a photograph stall is that regardless of whether you have a tight spending plan, you will have the capacity to tap the photographs of each visitor. Regardless of whether it’s an excellent formal capacity like an item dispatch or a little private party only for entertainment only, it is totally basic that you get a photograph <strong><a href="https://sephotobooths.com.au/">Up</strong>scale photo booth services Brisbane, QLD</a></p> <p><strong>Stall rental to get every last one of those splendid pictures.</strong></p> <p>How about we bring a look into a portion of alternate advantages of contracting a photograph stall for your next occasion.</p> <p><strong>Make everybody feel unique</strong></p> <p>Most occasions are fragmented without a couple of good photographs. Be it a corporate occasion or a wedding, guests will acknowledge in the event that you can give every one of them a photograph token of the occasion, and a photograph stall will make it conceivable. You can make every last individual who went to your occasion feel unique. For instance, in a wedding, guests will be appreciative for having their photograph brought inside a corner with different sorts of collaborators to keep running with the point of the event.</p> <p><strong>An open door for the visitors to blend and blend</strong></p> <p>On the off chance that you are sorting out a vast social affair, not every person going to the occasion will know each other. It will carry that fun component into the occasion. It will give your visitors not just a chance to mess around with the general population they know however will likewise allow them to communicate with outsiders at the gathering. In addition, it allows everyone to have their photo taken at the occasion either with the visitors or has or both. <strong><a href="https://sephotobooths.com.a</strong>u/">Brisbane Photo Booth Rental services</a></p> <p><strong>Fix the weariness</strong></p> <p>At a wedding we ordinarily observe the lady of the hour and the prep occupied with getting shot by an expert picture taker while every one of their visitors will sit exhausted sitting tight for their swing to click snaps with the couple. When you have a photograph corner your visitors will be in a fun mode even before the beginning of the real occasion. They can have a ton of fun while you are caught up with getting shot by an expert cameraman.</p> <p><strong>Add to the diversion estimation of the occasion</strong></p> <p>Photograph stalls accompany energizing props, which are fundamental on the off chance that you need your visitors to get amped up for your occasion. When you enlist a photograph stall ensure they have counterfeit mustaches, quill wigs, and curiously large caps, eyeglasses, picture outlines, and so on. Such props will urge even bashful visitors to experiment with and act senseless. It will add to the amusement estimation of the occasion and your occasion will be all the rage for a considerable length of time or years to come.</p> <p><strong>Quality photographs to keep</strong></p> <p>This is the period of selfish, yet they can’t beat the nature of pictures caught through a DSLR. Presently, there is a general misinterpretation that photos clicked at photograph stalls offer sub-standard photographs, which isn’t at all obvious. There are such a significant number of photograph corner organizations which offer extraordinary quality administrations at modest rates. They will guarantee you get brilliant pictures on top notch paper. That way you will get the best photography encounter. Not just that. By procuring it you can bless your visitors an awesome keepsake. The high caliber of photographs printed at a photograph stall is not the slightest bit second rate compared to the photos clicked by an expert picture taker.</p> <p><strong>An opportunity to give your occasion greater reputation</strong></p> <p>To review the best minutes at an occasion you require great quality pictures. That is the principle motivation behind why we take pictures at any occasion. By enlisting a photograph corner you will have the capacity to allow each guest to leave the occasion with a particular picture, and your occasion will be carved in their memory until the end of time. Your visitors may even share the photos taken at your occasion on person to person communication locales and an ever increasing number of individuals will get the chance to see your occasion. That way your occasion will get greater attention and could likewise makes customized photos conceivable at of all shapes and sizes occasions.</p> <p><strong>Spare each and every shot</strong></p> <p>Most photograph stalls will print pictures in a matter of seconds so there is no requirement for the visitors to sit tight for their photos. Another favorable position of enlisting is that you can likewise spare each and every shot into a plate and not a solitary shot will go squander. Also, you will have the capacity to share the photographs as you wish. On the off chance that you ask for the rental organization, they will even give you video preview introduction of all the photographs.</p> <p>So consider every one of these advantages and contract a photograph stall next time you design an occasion. Since once you do, there is no thinking back; you will love every single minute. <strong><a href="https://sephotobooths.com.au/">H</strong>ire Photo Booth for Weddings in Brisbane</a></p> </section>	Importance of a Photo Booth in Every Occasion Be it a corporate social affair or a wedding or a private gathering, we enlist an expert picture taker to catch a portion of the best minutes for descendants. Be that as it may, we see an adjustment in this pattern. The new pattern is introducing a photograph stall at occasions. Furthermore, individuals want to enlist a photograph stall over expert picture takers for some reasons. To employ a decent picture taker you should spend a great deal of cash. Leverage of having a photograph stall is that regardless of whether you have a tight spending plan, you will have the capacity to tap the photographs of each visitor. Regardless of whether it’s an excellent formal capacity like an item dispatch or a little private party only for entertainment only, it is totally basic that you get a photograph Upscale photo booth services Brisbane, QLD Stall rental to get every last one of those splendid pictures. How about we bring a look into a portion of alternate advantages of contracting a photograph stall for your next occasion. Make everybody feel unique Most occasions are fragmented without a couple of good photographs. Be it a corporate occasion or a wedding, guests will acknowledge in the event that you can give every one of them a photograph token of the occasion, and a photograph stall will make it conceivable. You can make every last individual who went to your occasion feel unique. For instance, in a wedding, guests will be appreciative for having their photograph brought inside a corner with different sorts of collaborators to keep running with the point of the event. An open door for the visitors to blend and blend On the off chance that you are sorting out a vast social affair, not every person going to the occasion will know each other. It will carry that fun component into the occasion. It will give your visitors not just a chance to mess around with the general population they know however will likewise allow them to communicate with outsiders at the gathering. In addition, it allows everyone to have their photo taken at the occasion either with the visitors or has or both. Brisbane Photo Booth Rental services Fix the weariness At a wedding we ordinarily observe the lady of the hour and the prep occupied with getting shot by an expert picture taker while every one of their visitors will sit exhausted sitting tight for their swing to click snaps with the couple. When you have a photograph corner your visitors will be in a fun mode even before the beginning of the real occasion. They can have a ton of fun while you are caught up with getting shot by an expert cameraman. Add to the diversion estimation of the occasion Photograph stalls accompany energizing props, which are fundamental on the off chance that you need your visitors to get amped up for your occasion. When you enlist a photograph stall ensure they have counterfeit mustaches, quill wigs, and curiously large caps, eyeglasses, picture outlines, and so on. Such props will urge even bashful visitors to experiment with and act senseless. It will add to the amusement estimation of the occasion and your occasion will be all the rage for a considerable length of time or years to come. Quality photographs to keep This is the period of selfish, yet they can’t beat the nature of pictures caught through a DSLR. Presently, there is a general misinterpretation that photos clicked at photograph stalls offer sub-standard photographs, which isn’t at all obvious. There are such a significant number of photograph corner organizations which offer extraordinary quality administrations at modest rates. They will guarantee you get brilliant pictures on top notch paper. That way you will get the best photography encounter. Not just that. By procuring it you can bless your visitors an awesome keepsake. The high caliber of photographs printed at a photograph stall is not the slightest bit second rate compared to the photos clicked by an expert picture taker. An opportunity to give your occasion greater reputation To review the best minutes at an occasion you require great quality pictures. That is the principle motivation behind why we take pictures at any occasion. By enlisting a photograph corner you will have the capacity to allow each guest to leave the occasion with a particular picture, and your occasion will be carved in their memory until the end of time. Your visitors may even share the photos taken at your occasion on person to person communication locales and an ever increasing number of individuals will get the chance to see your occasion. That way your occasion will get greater attention and could likewise makes customized photos conceivable at of all shapes and sizes occasions. Spare each and every shot Most photograph stalls will print pictures in a matter of seconds so there is no requirement for the visitors to sit tight for their photos. Another favorable position of enlisting is that you can likewise spare each and every shot into a plate and not a solitary shot will go squander. Also, you will have the capacity to share the photographs as you wish. On the off chance that you ask for the rental organization, they will even give you video preview introduction of all the photographs. So consider every one of these advantages and contract a photograph stall next time you design an occasion. Since once you do, there is no thinking back; you will love every single minute. Hire Photo Booth for Weddings in Brisbane	e7a528c5-0b9c-5aae-98d9-b3b0f86373a9	25/08/2025 18:00:44
https://medium.com/the-long-road/a-rugged-road-bc068fb8f15	medium.com	A Rugged Road	I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. — 2 Timothy 4:7	Max Wilkinson	https://medium.com/@built.raptor.tough	bc068fb8f15	https://miro.medium.com/…6BAcQZ5o5cg.jpeg	2 min	2020-04-03T12:53:47.876000	2020-04-04T11:01:00.840000	2021-12-14T02:41:16.783000	0	0	en	Christianity,Faith,Bible,Devotional	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*ywOIwOatnXe6BAcQZ5o5cg.jpeg" width="1280" height="853" loading="lazy" /> <p>I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. — 2 Timothy 4:7</p> <p>The Baja 1000 is an extreme endurance race through the Mexican desert. It is the longest non-stop point-to-point race in the world. Competitors battle with rugged terrain, untamed wilderness, and unpredictable weather as they drive through mountains, ravines, and beaches. Pouring rain, thick fog, blinding dust storms, night conditions, and even wild cows are just some of the hazards along the way. And because it is the desert, there are no signs telling you where to go. Typically, only half of the competitors even finish the race.</p> <p>Ford has competed in the Baja 1000 numerous times over the past 50 years. From our win in 1969 with the original Bronco, to the current Raptor taking third place in 2016, we have learned a few things about what it takes to succeed in the brutal conditions of the Baja 1000. Like any competition, it takes preparation, patience, discipline, and teamwork to succeed. But in something as treacherous as the Baja 1000, all of that only matters for as long as you can keep your truck running. Which means covering it in armor is crucial.</p> <p>The apostle Paul teaches a similar lesson when it comes to life. He tells us that life is a daily battle against the schemes of the devil. We are going to face obstacles, we are going to take some hits along the way, and we are not always going to know the exact route to the finish line. But in order to finish strong, we need to withstand these blows and keep moving forward. Therefore, he urges us to put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand. So that day by day, through God’s strength, we can <em>fight the good fight</em> and <em>finish the race</em>.</p> <h1>The Armor of God</h1> <p>For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. — Ephesians 6:13–18</p> <p>Like the desert terrain of Baja California, life is a rugged road. I encourage you to take a moment today to reflect on what obstacles you are currently facing in life. What is something that you could start doing today to put on the armor of God?</p> </section>	A Rugged Road I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. — 2 Timothy 4:7 The Baja 1000 is an extreme endurance race through the Mexican desert. It is the longest non-stop point-to-point race in the world. Competitors battle with rugged terrain, untamed wilderness, and unpredictable weather as they drive through mountains, ravines, and beaches. Pouring rain, thick fog, blinding dust storms, night conditions, and even wild cows are just some of the hazards along the way. And because it is the desert, there are no signs telling you where to go. Typically, only half of the competitors even finish the race. Ford has competed in the Baja 1000 numerous times over the past 50 years. From our win in 1969 with the original Bronco, to the current Raptor taking third place in 2016, we have learned a few things about what it takes to succeed in the brutal conditions of the Baja 1000. Like any competition, it takes preparation, patience, discipline, and teamwork to succeed. But in something as treacherous as the Baja 1000, all of that only matters for as long as you can keep your truck running. Which means covering it in armor is crucial. The apostle Paul teaches a similar lesson when it comes to life. He tells us that life is a daily battle against the schemes of the devil. We are going to face obstacles, we are going to take some hits along the way, and we are not always going to know the exact route to the finish line. But in order to finish strong, we need to withstand these blows and keep moving forward. Therefore, he urges us to put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand. So that day by day, through God’s strength, we can fight the good fight and finish the race. The Armor of God For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. — Ephesians 6:13–18 Like the desert terrain of Baja California, life is a rugged road. I encourage you to take a moment today to reflect on what obstacles you are currently facing in life. What is something that you could start doing today to put on the armor of God?	da713eca-0d49-59dc-a331-cf7ceaa64d69	25/08/2025 18:00:44
https://medium.com/@notionbykate/22f-aspiring-entrepreneur-ive-been-in-the-game-for-a-few-years-but-nothing-really-seemed-to-work-6152e0edadd3	medium.com	22F aspiring Entrepreneur — I’ve been in the game for a few years but nothing really seemed to work.	Then I made a database that help early startup Founders market their product and offered it for FREE on Gumroad and made some money…	Kate Miller	https://medium.com/@notionbykate	6152e0edadd3	https://miro.medium.com/…QrUTETT1qIQ.jpeg	1 min	2023-12-08T14:05:12.100000	2023-12-08T14:06:34.705000	2023-12-08T14:06:43.443000	0	51	en	Entrepreneurship,Solopreneur,SaaS	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/750/1*DrUyJ9NxUaEQrUTETT1qIQ.jpeg" width="750" height="405" loading="lazy" /> <p>22F aspiring Entrepreneur — I’ve been in the game for a few years but nothing really seemed to work. I consistently hit brick walls, and made a total of 0 dollars.</p> <p>Then I made a database that help early startup Founders market their product and offered it for FREE on Gumroad and made some money through donations.</p> <p>500+ Places to Promote Your Startup: <a href="https://datanerd.gumroad.com/l/jbpoy">https://datanerd.gumroad.com/l/jbpoy</a>?</p> <p>I also had an upsell where I helped them by submitting their startup to to all those directories and that’s how I ended up with that figure.</p> <p>Submit Your Saas Startup to [500+ places to promote your startup]</p> <p><a href="https://datanerd.gumroad.com/l/wwylp">https://datanerd.gumroad.com/l/wwylp</a></p> <p>Much Love, Kate</p> </section>	Just made my first internet dollar? 22F aspiring Entrepreneur — I’ve been in the game for a few years but nothing really seemed to work. I consistently hit brick walls, and made a total of 0 dollars. Then I made a database that help early startup Founders market their product and offered it for FREE on Gumroad and made some money through donations. 500+ Places to Promote Your Startup: https://datanerd.gumroad.com/l/jbpoy? I also had an upsell where I helped them by submitting their startup to to all those directories and that’s how I ended up with that figure. Submit Your Saas Startup to [500+ places to promote your startup] https://datanerd.gumroad.com/l/wwylp Much Love, Kate	ee57b5de-5a17-5c11-9e4a-eab310e21917	25/08/2025 18:00:45
https://medium.com/@Brahmadathamayareghurajan/an-amazing-evening-munchie-5ba7ea16efb1	medium.com	An amazing evening munchie!	Chicken pakora and sauce.	Brahmadatha Maya Reghurajan	https://medium.com/@Brahmadathamayareghurajan	5ba7ea16efb1	https://miro.medium.com/…yThBHikgVLQ.jpeg	2 min	2020-03-28T10:11:45.033000	2020-03-28T15:27:44.021000	2021-12-14T00:31:21.984000	1	9	en	Food,Chicken,Chicken Pakora,Evening Snack,Indian	<section> <h3>Chicken pakora and sauce.</h3> <p>I remember the first time I tried my luck with making Chicken pakora for my best friend who lived in a hostel, actually being pity for his poor food habits. Trust me, that was the best that I could do being a random visitor at my kitchen and guess what! It turned out to be the best pakora/pakoda.</p> <p>I remember him telling about the chicken pakora which filled his tiny tummy that day, eventually made him skip the dinner(I’d rather take credit for my cooking skills and the pakora that sufficed my friend’s tummy for the rest of the day).</p> <p>From that day, I trademark myself as the master-chef Chicken pakora expert. Here is a glimpse of my Chicken pakora recipe-</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1080/1OeDZEK0aocGUVTbL9dchjA.jpeg" width="1080" height="1920" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>All you need is</strong> :</p> <p>250g Chicken</p> <p>1 medium onion</p> <p>Gram flour (1/2 bowl)</p> <p>Rice flour (3/4 bowl)</p> <p>Chilli powder(1 tbsps)</p> <p>Coriander powder (1 tbsps)</p> <p>Turmeric powder(1/2 tbsp)</p> <p>Ginger-garlic paste</p> <p>Garam masala</p> <p>Egg</p> <p>Oil</p> <p>Salt</p> <p>1 cup of water</p> <p>Curry leaves and coriander leaves.</p> <p>1 green chilly</p> <p>Yogurt(if needed)</p> <p><strong>Take a look at how I prepared</strong>-</p> <p>Chop the chicken to tiny strips, so that it gets properly cooked. Marinate the chicken with turmeric powder, chilly powder, coriander powder, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, yoghurt and salt(never forget this, it will be a sheer waste of time and energy if you miss a tiny pinch of it). Click a picture and send it to your friends- Phase 1.</p> <p>Keep the onion, coriander leaves, green chilly and curry leaves properly cut and ready to mix with the Phase 1.</p> <p>Add one tiny bowl of gram flour and half bowl of rice flour to the mixed lot, along with half cup water and 2–3 tbsp of egg white( Egg helps the mixture to bind together and often prevents the drying up of the flour if I’m not wrong).</p> <p>The mixture now should be a thorough blend of all of it, with a consistency similar to that of dough for a crispy pakora. Photo session Phase 2 right here.</p> <p><strong>In the making</strong>-</p> <p>Get a Kadai and add oil enough to dip the whole piece of chicken. Keep the right deep-frying temperature for the oil to properly heat up. Gently add the pieces and regulate the flame. Fry the chicken till it turns golden-brown and crisp.</p> <p>Yippee! Chicken pakora is ready!</p> <p>Decorate and serve the crispy chicken pakora with your favourite sauce(Of course, click a picture).</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3000/14wctgPDEXHsyThBHikgVLQ.jpeg" width="3000" height="4000" loading="lazy" /> <p>There is always a sense of satisfaction in surprising people with good homemade food and seeing them enjoy it with a wide smile on their face :) (especially if you have the tag of being the sloth around the house).</p> </section>	An amazing evening munchie! Chicken pakora and sauce. I remember the first time I tried my luck with making Chicken pakora for my best friend who lived in a hostel, actually being pity for his poor food habits. Trust me, that was the best that I could do being a random visitor at my kitchen and guess what! It turned out to be the best pakora/pakoda. I remember him telling about the chicken pakora which filled his tiny tummy that day, eventually made him skip the dinner(I’d rather take credit for my cooking skills and the pakora that sufficed my friend’s tummy for the rest of the day). From that day, I trademark myself as the master-chef Chicken pakora expert. Here is a glimpse of my Chicken pakora recipe- All you need is : 250g Chicken 1 medium onion Gram flour (1/2 bowl) Rice flour (3/4 bowl) Chilli powder(1 tbsps) Coriander powder (1 tbsps) Turmeric powder(1/2 tbsp) Ginger-garlic paste Garam masala Egg Oil Salt 1 cup of water Curry leaves and coriander leaves. 1 green chilly Yogurt(if needed) Take a look at how I prepared- Chop the chicken to tiny strips, so that it gets properly cooked. Marinate the chicken with turmeric powder, chilly powder, coriander powder, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, yoghurt and salt(never forget this, it will be a sheer waste of time and energy if you miss a tiny pinch of it). Click a picture and send it to your friends- Phase 1. Keep the onion, coriander leaves, green chilly and curry leaves properly cut and ready to mix with the Phase 1. Add one tiny bowl of gram flour and half bowl of rice flour to the mixed lot, along with half cup water and 2–3 tbsp of egg white( Egg helps the mixture to bind together and often prevents the drying up of the flour if I’m not wrong). The mixture now should be a thorough blend of all of it, with a consistency similar to that of dough for a crispy pakora. Photo session Phase 2 right here. In the making- Get a Kadai and add oil enough to dip the whole piece of chicken. Keep the right deep-frying temperature for the oil to properly heat up. Gently add the pieces and regulate the flame. Fry the chicken till it turns golden-brown and crisp. Yippee! Chicken pakora is ready! Decorate and serve the crispy chicken pakora with your favourite sauce(Of course, click a picture). Here is mine :D There is always a sense of satisfaction in surprising people with good homemade food and seeing them enjoy it with a wide smile on their face :) (especially if you have the tag of being the sloth around the house).	ae5f09c5-2a79-521d-b855-dbd26d83bee0	25/08/2025 18:00:45
https://haptic.al/could-ai-compromise-better-than-humans-ff970921bd5d	medium.com	Could AI compromise better than humans?	Facebook Google + tweet email comment machines trained to cooperate by researchers are outperforming humans	Haptical	https://medium.com/@haptical	ff970921bd5d	https://miro.medium.com/…0YmJF9DhAsoA.png	3 min	2018-01-20T15:29:49.345000	2018-01-20T15:41:28.212000	2018-04-21T08:09:07.342000	0	5	en	Virtual Reality,Artificial Intelligence,Technology,Innovation,Research	<section> <h3><em>Facebook Google + tweet email comment machines trained to cooperate by researchers are outperforming humans</em></h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1440/1*nQQ5U3WjyC0YmJF9DhAsoA.png" width="1440" height="900" loading="lazy" /> <p>Computers can play a pretty mean round of chess and keep up with the best of their human counterparts in other zero-sum games. But teaching them to cooperate and compromise instead of compete?</p> <p>With help from a new algorithm created by BYU computer science professors Jacob Crandall and Michael Goodrich, along with colleagues at MIT and other international universities, machine compromise and cooperation appears not just possible, but at times even more effective than among humans.</p> <p>“The end goal is that we understand the mathematics behind cooperation with people and what attributes artificial intelligence needs to develop social skills,” said Crandall, whose study was recently published in <em>Nature Communications</em>. “AI needs to be able to respond to us and articulate what it’s doing. It has to be able to interact with other people.”</p> <p>For the study, researchers programmed machines with an algorithm called S# and ran them through a variety of two-player games to see how well they would cooperate in certain relationships. The team tested machine-machine, human-machine and human-human interactions. In most instances, machines programmed with S# outperformed humans in finding compromises that benefit both parties.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://haptic.al/virtual-augmented-reality-b</strong>ooks-2016-64b614ac8582">15+ books to help you design amazing VR/AR experiences <em>Read these books for a better understanding of virtual and augmented reality design dynamics</em></a>haptic.al</p> <p>“Two humans, if they were honest with each other and loyal, would have done as well as two machines,” Crandall said. “As it is, about half of the humans lied at some point. So essentially, this particular algorithm is learning that moral characteristics are good. It’s programmed to not lie, and it also learns to maintain cooperation once it emerges.”</p> <p>Researchers further fortified the machines’ ability to cooperate by programming them with a range of “cheap talk” phrases. In tests, if human participants cooperated with the machine, the machine might respond with a “Sweet. We are getting rich!” or “I accept your last proposal.” If the participants tried to betray the machine or back out of a deal with them, they might be met with a trash-talking “Curse you!”, “You will pay for that!” or even an “In your face!”</p> <p>Regardless of the game or pairing, cheap talk doubled the amount of cooperation. And when machines used cheap talk, their human counterparts were often unable to tell whether they were playing a human or machine.</p> <p>The research findings, Crandall hopes, could have long-term implications for human relationships.</p> <p>“In society, relationships break down all the time,” he said. “People that were friends for years all of a sudden become enemies. Because the machine is often actually better at reaching these compromises than we are, it can potentially teach us how to do this better.”</p> <p><strong><a href="https://haptic.al/non-fiction-virtual-augmented-reality-books</strong>-7b1e7abf4017">20+ nonfiction virtual and augmented reality books to expand your mind <em>The best books to feed your curiosity on virtuality</em></a>haptic.al</p> <h3>READ MORE ON HAPTICAL</h3> <p><strong><a href="https://haptic.al/computer-scientists-enable-users-to-contro</strong>l-robots-in-virtual-reality-11b1abfd170d">Computer scientists enable users to control robots in virtual reality <em>Users can step into the robot’s metal skin and get a first-person view of the environment, or can walk around the robot…</em></a>haptic.al</p> <p><strong><a href="https://haptic.al/how-virtual-reality-is-changin</strong>g-the-car-buying-experience-d71553f3aa7c">How virtual reality is changing the car-buying experience <em>Your weekly guide to Virtuality — Newsletter #92</em></a>haptic.al</p> <p><strong><a href="https://haptic.al/the-future-of-healt</strong>h-care-is-a-virtual-reality-b6d194c28665">The future of health care is a virtual reality <em>Exclusive report bringing you the latest breakthroughs on how virtual and augmented reality technologies change the…</em></a>haptic.al</p> <p><strong><a href="https://haptic.al/sign-up-today-get-access-to-exclusive-reports-on-</strong>all-things-virtual-reality-e8a20519310f">Sign up today! Get access to exclusive reports on all things virtual reality <em>Discover how virtual, augmented and mixed reality can change education, entertainment, health care and more…</em></a>haptic.al</p> <p><strong><a href="https://haptic.al/the-university-of-washington-launches-a-</strong>new-ar-vr-research-center-8f761b54f05c">The University of Washington launches a new AR / VR research center <em>The $6 million UW Reality Lab will focus on developing next-generation technologies and educating an industry…</em></a>haptic.al</p> <p><strong><a href="https://haptic.al/augmented-reality-pr</strong>epares-for-long-term-growth-7c97a7a5fc71">Augmented reality prepares for long-term growth <em>Gaming will be the dominant AR/VR use case for consumers, says International Data Corporation (IDC)</em></a>haptic.al</p> <p><strong><a href="https://haptic.al/virtual-reality-is-used-to-manage</strong>-pain-at-pediatric-hospital-156b32954c77">Virtual reality is used to manage pain at pediatric hospital <em>Study finds virtual reality is effective in reducing pain during certain medical procedures</em></a>haptic.al</p> <h3><a href="https://haptic.al/sign-up-today-get-access-to-exclusive-reports-on-all-things-virtual-reality-e8a20519310f">Sign up to our exclusive reports today</a>! Discover how Virtual and Augmented Reality are transforming your business.</h3> <h3>Follow us on <a href="https://haptic.al">Medium</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thehaptical">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/thehaptical">Twitter</a> to stay on top of the latest VR/AR trends.</h3> <p><em>Disclaimer: We publish affiliate links. If you purchase a product by using these links we may receive a small commission to support our service. We are an independent publisher committed to bring the latest trends, products and services on Virtual and Augmented Reality.</em></p> </section>	Could AI compromise better than humans? Facebook Google + tweet email comment machines trained to cooperate by researchers are outperforming humans Computers can play a pretty mean round of chess and keep up with the best of their human counterparts in other zero-sum games. But teaching them to cooperate and compromise instead of compete? With help from a new algorithm created by BYU computer science professors Jacob Crandall and Michael Goodrich, along with colleagues at MIT and other international universities, machine compromise and cooperation appears not just possible, but at times even more effective than among humans. “The end goal is that we understand the mathematics behind cooperation with people and what attributes artificial intelligence needs to develop social skills,” said Crandall, whose study was recently published in Nature Communications. “AI needs to be able to respond to us and articulate what it’s doing. It has to be able to interact with other people.” For the study, researchers programmed machines with an algorithm called S# and ran them through a variety of two-player games to see how well they would cooperate in certain relationships. The team tested machine-machine, human-machine and human-human interactions. In most instances, machines programmed with S# outperformed humans in finding compromises that benefit both parties. 15+ books to help you design amazing VR/AR experiences Read these books for a better understanding of virtual and augmented reality design dynamicshaptic.al “Two humans, if they were honest with each other and loyal, would have done as well as two machines,” Crandall said. “As it is, about half of the humans lied at some point. So essentially, this particular algorithm is learning that moral characteristics are good. It’s programmed to not lie, and it also learns to maintain cooperation once it emerges.” Researchers further fortified the machines’ ability to cooperate by programming them with a range of “cheap talk” phrases. In tests, if human participants cooperated with the machine, the machine might respond with a “Sweet. We are getting rich!” or “I accept your last proposal.” If the participants tried to betray the machine or back out of a deal with them, they might be met with a trash-talking “Curse you!”, “You will pay for that!” or even an “In your face!” Regardless of the game or pairing, cheap talk doubled the amount of cooperation. And when machines used cheap talk, their human counterparts were often unable to tell whether they were playing a human or machine. The research findings, Crandall hopes, could have long-term implications for human relationships. “In society, relationships break down all the time,” he said. “People that were friends for years all of a sudden become enemies. Because the machine is often actually better at reaching these compromises than we are, it can potentially teach us how to do this better.” 20+ nonfiction virtual and augmented reality books to expand your mind The best books to feed your curiosity on virtualityhaptic.al READ MORE ON HAPTICAL Computer scientists enable users to control robots in virtual reality Users can step into the robot’s metal skin and get a first-person view of the environment, or can walk around the robot…haptic.al How virtual reality is changing the car-buying experience Your weekly guide to Virtuality — Newsletter #92haptic.al The future of health care is a virtual reality Exclusive report bringing you the latest breakthroughs on how virtual and augmented reality technologies change the…haptic.al Sign up today! Get access to exclusive reports on all things virtual reality Discover how virtual, augmented and mixed reality can change education, entertainment, health care and more…haptic.al The University of Washington launches a new AR / VR research center The $6 million UW Reality Lab will focus on developing next-generation technologies and educating an industry…haptic.al Augmented reality prepares for long-term growth Gaming will be the dominant AR/VR use case for consumers, says International Data Corporation (IDC)haptic.al Virtual reality is used to manage pain at pediatric hospital Study finds virtual reality is effective in reducing pain during certain medical procedureshaptic.al Sign up to our exclusive reports today! Discover how Virtual and Augmented Reality are transforming your business. Follow us on Medium, Facebook and Twitter to stay on top of the latest VR/AR trends. Disclaimer: We publish affiliate links. If you purchase a product by using these links we may receive a small commission to support our service. We are an independent publisher committed to bring the latest trends, products and services on Virtual and Augmented Reality.	2b06176c-e7ea-5347-84ca-77c51b5a85bd	25/08/2025 18:00:45
https://iifdfashion.medium.com/fashion-designing-degrees-are-a-popular-trend-b51b452f2488	medium.com	Fashion Designing Degrees Are a Popular Trend	The prominence of TV programs like Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model has added considerably more excitement to the design…	iifdfashion	https://medium.com/@iifdfashion	b51b452f2488	null	3 min	2017-06-30T10:46:04.033000	2017-06-30T10:46:57.577000	2018-04-10T23:23:45.889000	0	0	en	Fashion,Course,Designing,Interior Design,Textile	<section> <p>The prominence of TV programs like Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model has added considerably more excitement to the design business, and many individuals are thinking about whether a mold profession is appropriate for them.</p> <p>A design profession may be a solid match for you in the event that you have the correct mix of innovativeness and business sharpness. The form business isn’t construct just in light of making representations of wonderful garments, which is the reason many individuals are amazed at the diligent work that goes into getting a degree in either mold outline or design marketing. In all actuality, you can’t simply be a fashioner. You additionally must be an awesome specialist, which is the reason four-year Bachelor’s degrees are ending up noticeably progressively looked for after in the mold business.</p> <p>A Bachelor’s degree in either Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising covers an extensive variety of abilities that can be utilized as a part of the business whether you wind up outlining attire, sorting out form appears, organizing occasions or dealing with your own particular chain of retail locations. The top to bottom instruction you’ll get will incorporate hands-on courses and also entry level positions and classroom work educated by industry experts and teachers in controls, for example, bookkeeping and business. As a form creator, you can’t succeed today on immaculate virtuoso. In the event that you can’t address the substances of cost and reasonableness, another person will surpass you. Join The Best <strong><a href="http://iifd.in">Fas</strong>hion Designing institutes</a> in Chandigarh. IIFD is most popular Fashion Design Institutes in India which offering professional training in <strong><a href="http://iifd.i</strong>n">Fashion Design Courses</a> in Chandigarh. Enroll With IIFD!!</p> <p>Regular coursework will incorporate an assortment of intriguing subjects, including the historical backdrop of mold and how form impacts society. You will pick up a comprehension of textures, materials and ornamentation, and also cutting, sewing and example making. You will likewise increase important presentation to the developing field of PC helped outline (CAD). Design promoting and deals, bookkeeping, business administration, business innovation and bookkeeping are additionally examined. Shopper conduct is engaged after, giving you significant knowledge into how to speak to your potential customers.</p> <p>There are really two well known Bachelor’s degrees accessible for those inspired by the design business. In the event that you procure a degree in Fashion Design, you’ll be set up to work in any outline house. You can work your way up from the slicing floor to turning into a plan aide. What’s more, in the long run, you will be an architect in your own privilege. You may likewise organize and arrange mold appears or turn into an occasions organizer for design houses and retail chains.</p> <p>With a degree in Fashion Merchandising, your concentrate will be more on the retail and advertising side of the business. You can turn into a purchaser for a retail location or private mark form house, flying out the world over to watch design appears and picking which lines they will convey in the coming year. Different choices incorporate turning into the promoting facilitator in a specific store, outlining the show of stock further bolstering its best good fortune. Window dressers are likewise popular in expansive urban communities, where top of the line retail chains vie for the title of “best dressed window”.</p> <p>Either kind of form degree sets you up for the universe of retail administration. On the off chance that your fantasy is to deal with your own particular form store, you can’t turn out badly with a degree in mold outline or design promoting. Both degrees give you an incredible review of the business and a comprehension of everything from which materials function admirably together to how to deal with creation and stocking costs. In the event that you believe that you have the set out toward business and the heart for plan that it takes for accomplishment in the design world, getting a Fashion Degree is your best initial step.</p> </section>	Fashion Designing Degrees Are a Popular Trend The prominence of TV programs like Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model has added considerably more excitement to the design business, and many individuals are thinking about whether a mold profession is appropriate for them. A design profession may be a solid match for you in the event that you have the correct mix of innovativeness and business sharpness. The form business isn’t construct just in light of making representations of wonderful garments, which is the reason many individuals are amazed at the diligent work that goes into getting a degree in either mold outline or design marketing. In all actuality, you can’t simply be a fashioner. You additionally must be an awesome specialist, which is the reason four-year Bachelor’s degrees are ending up noticeably progressively looked for after in the mold business. A Bachelor’s degree in either Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising covers an extensive variety of abilities that can be utilized as a part of the business whether you wind up outlining attire, sorting out form appears, organizing occasions or dealing with your own particular chain of retail locations. The top to bottom instruction you’ll get will incorporate hands-on courses and also entry level positions and classroom work educated by industry experts and teachers in controls, for example, bookkeeping and business. As a form creator, you can’t succeed today on immaculate virtuoso. In the event that you can’t address the substances of cost and reasonableness, another person will surpass you. Join The Best Fashion Designing institutes in Chandigarh. IIFD is most popular Fashion Design Institutes in India which offering professional training in Fashion Design Courses in Chandigarh. Enroll With IIFD!! Regular coursework will incorporate an assortment of intriguing subjects, including the historical backdrop of mold and how form impacts society. You will pick up a comprehension of textures, materials and ornamentation, and also cutting, sewing and example making. You will likewise increase important presentation to the developing field of PC helped outline (CAD). Design promoting and deals, bookkeeping, business administration, business innovation and bookkeeping are additionally examined. Shopper conduct is engaged after, giving you significant knowledge into how to speak to your potential customers. There are really two well known Bachelor’s degrees accessible for those inspired by the design business. In the event that you procure a degree in Fashion Design, you’ll be set up to work in any outline house. You can work your way up from the slicing floor to turning into a plan aide. What’s more, in the long run, you will be an architect in your own privilege. You may likewise organize and arrange mold appears or turn into an occasions organizer for design houses and retail chains. With a degree in Fashion Merchandising, your concentrate will be more on the retail and advertising side of the business. You can turn into a purchaser for a retail location or private mark form house, flying out the world over to watch design appears and picking which lines they will convey in the coming year. Different choices incorporate turning into the promoting facilitator in a specific store, outlining the show of stock further bolstering its best good fortune. Window dressers are likewise popular in expansive urban communities, where top of the line retail chains vie for the title of “best dressed window”. Either kind of form degree sets you up for the universe of retail administration. On the off chance that your fantasy is to deal with your own particular form store, you can’t turn out badly with a degree in mold outline or design promoting. Both degrees give you an incredible review of the business and a comprehension of everything from which materials function admirably together to how to deal with creation and stocking costs. In the event that you believe that you have the set out toward business and the heart for plan that it takes for accomplishment in the design world, getting a Fashion Degree is your best initial step.	6811cdf2-4510-5165-bbcb-a05a2ea10d8c	25/08/2025 18:00:45
https://medium.com/@reggiejotham/faith-seed-be-blessed-6dea1834ce3e	medium.com	Faith Seed: Be Blessed	As you begin another week, the LORD wants you to know that He has you on his blessing schedule. It does not matter your present status…	Finding Faith Ministries	https://medium.com/@reggiejotham	6dea1834ce3e	https://miro.medium.com/…emdV-_ZP9xEg.png	1 min	2018-10-08T06:20:20.048000	2018-10-08T06:21:22.961000	2018-10-08T06:21:22.961000	0	0	en	Christianity	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1080/1*QRmVD1her4emdV-_ZP9xEg.png" width="1080" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <p>As you begin another week, the LORD wants you to know that He has you on his blessing schedule. It does not matter your present status. Prepare for a bigger blessing. Just as the rains water the ground, so shall the blessings of the Almighty water your life with freshness and just as it rains into the sea, so shall Jehovah add on to your abundance. The God who is bigger than what people think and say is more than able to confirm His word in your life. Believe the Word of Jehovah and hang on it with your everything because God cannot lie. You will not be the first person since creation to see God a liar. Look beyond your doubts and see the Hand of Jehovah changing things.</p> <p>#RecieveRain</p> </section>	Faith Seed: Be Blessed As you begin another week, the LORD wants you to know that He has you on his blessing schedule. It does not matter your present status. Prepare for a bigger blessing. Just as the rains water the ground, so shall the blessings of the Almighty water your life with freshness and just as it rains into the sea, so shall Jehovah add on to your abundance. The God who is bigger than what people think and say is more than able to confirm His word in your life. Believe the Word of Jehovah and hang on it with your everything because God cannot lie. You will not be the first person since creation to see God a liar. Look beyond your doubts and see the Hand of Jehovah changing things. #RecieveRain	8d346265-85d0-5b25-a143-29cf2ff5c34c	25/08/2025 18:00:46
https://medium.com/@evancrosby/prayer-467c345fcf14	medium.com	Prayer	A poem about faith, stumbling, and finding your way back with faith.	Evan Crosby	https://medium.com/@evancrosby	467c345fcf14	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*vp4cLZz_22bT1mwr	1 min	2022-01-02T15:27:17.770000	2022-01-02T15:36:32.254000	2022-01-08T02:16:20.366000	0	2	en	Christianity,Christian,Faith,Christian Living,Faith and Life	<section> <h3>A poem about faith, stumbling, and finding your way back with faith.</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5472/0*vp4cLZz_22bT1mwr" width="5472" height="3648" loading="lazy" /> <p>This poem was written by (my uncle) Wendell Crosby back in 1962 when he was just 19. I found it last summer after he passed away.</p> <p><em>I searched up into the starry skies</em></p> <p><em>And tried to find where paradise lies.</em></p> <p><em>Is it that feeling deep inside of me</em></p> <p><em>That makes me forever believe in thee?</em></p> <p><em>At first the impression was great</em></p> <p><em>I knew I’d see that eternal gate.</em></p> <p><em>But then I slipped and fell</em></p> <p><em>And out of darkness, seemed a fiery hell.</em></p> <p><em>But for assurance divine I crave</em></p> <p><em>That after death, I leave the grave.</em></p> <p><em>To a place bright, with water clear</em></p> <p><em>To heaven where men, know not fear.</em></p> <p><em>I long to walk the golden street</em></p> <p><em>To kneel at the blessed one’s feet.</em></p> <p><em>Life wasted and often times astray</em></p> <p><em>Your mercy and forgiveness, I pray.</em></p> </section>	Prayer A poem about faith, stumbling, and finding your way back with faith. Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash This poem was written by (my uncle) Wendell Crosby back in 1962 when he was just 19. I found it last summer after he passed away. I searched up into the starry skies And tried to find where paradise lies. Is it that feeling deep inside of me That makes me forever believe in thee? At first the impression was great I knew I’d see that eternal gate. But then I slipped and fell And out of darkness, seemed a fiery hell. But for assurance divine I crave That after death, I leave the grave. To a place bright, with water clear To heaven where men, know not fear. I long to walk the golden street To kneel at the blessed one’s feet. Life wasted and often times astray Your mercy and forgiveness, I pray.	fb1ee037-bb9f-5d52-9a17-3c9702693edc	25/08/2025 18:00:46
https://medium.com/@void0000/the-passenger-takes-the-train-28ef6f71c21b	medium.com	The Passenger Takes the Train	Sleep is a tease, a lover I can never quite grasp. She lures me with promises of rest, only to abandon me when the hour strikes midnight.	Void	https://medium.com/@void0000	28ef6f71c21b	https://miro.medium.com/…q-ud8ktAeyg.jpeg	4 min	2025-01-05T23:56:15.818000	2025-01-06T01:32:29.365000	2025-01-06T02:30:40.706000	0	0	en	This Happened To Me,Life,Coding,Writing,Journal	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1*sEUoePVdiicq-ud8ktAeyg.jpeg" width="1024" height="1024" loading="lazy" /> <h1>The Dark Passenger’s Visit</h1> <p>Sleep is a tease, a lover I can never quite grasp. She lures me with promises of rest, only to abandon me when the hour strikes midnight. Tonight was no different. The dark passenger entered uninvited, wrapping me in his cold, familiar embrace. His touch isn’t gentle — it’s invasive, probing the deepest corners of my mind where desires and demons intertwine. Shackled to his will, I lay there, suffocating in a prison of my own making.</p> <p>Time loses meaning when you’re trapped like this. Midnight becomes a blur, the minutes stretching into hours. By 5:00 a.m., I was a hollow shell, drained by the relentless whispers of my inner tormentor. The train I was supposed to catch? Still delayed. Twelve hours late, like a cruel joke played by fate. Yet the real delay wasn’t external — it was internal, a delay in finding freedom from this nightly bondage.</p> <h2>Brief Escape into Dexter’s World</h2> <p>By dawn, I needed a distraction — a break from the endless cycle of torment. Dexter Season 05, Episode 08 became my chosen escape. There’s something oddly comforting about watching a man who dances with darkness yet maintains a facade of control. Dexter’s world is one where blood and desire mingle, a seductive dance of chaos masked by a veneer of normalcy.</p> <p>The episode was gripping, every scene laced with tension that clung to my skin like a lover’s lingering scent. Without giving too much away, let’s just say it explored the line between control and surrender, a line I know all too well. Watching Dexter navigate his urges made me reflect on my own battles. He has a code — a set of rules to keep his dark cravings in check. Me? I’m just raw chaos, a man without a code, teetering on the edge.</p> <p>For a brief moment, the dark passenger was silenced, lulled by the fiction on my screen. But when the episode ended, reality came rushing back. Exhaustion finally overpowered me, dragging me into a restless sleep.</p> <h2>Panic Sets In</h2> <p>I woke up abruptly at 9:00 a.m., the train now scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Panic coursed through me like an electric current, jolting me out of bed. Less than 90 minutes to get ready, pack, and leave. The dark passenger was gone, replaced by anxiety — a cruel mistress with razor-sharp claws.</p> <p>Adrenaline surged as I hastily packed my remaining things. My tech gadgets went in first, a priority that revealed more about me than I cared to admit. There’s something sensual about handling them — sleek, cold, and unyielding, much like the world I inhabit. Within minutes, I was out the door, racing against time.</p> <p>At the station, the train finally arrived at 11:00 a.m., a full 15 hours late. Standing on that platform, surrounded by strangers yet feeling utterly alone, I realized something: we’re all just passengers, waiting for a ride that may never arrive on time.</p> <h2>A Struggle to Focus</h2> <p>Once on board, I tried to immerse myself in something productive — JavaScript. The screen glowed in front of me, the code lines inviting me to lose myself in logic and structure. I tackled array destructuring and object destructuring, concepts that once seemed elusive. But focus was fleeting. The dark passenger might have left, but his whispers lingered, taunting me, pulling my thoughts into darker realms.</p> <p>After a while, I gave up. The screen blurred, the symbols losing meaning. Frustrated and defeated, I closed my laptop and leaned back. Sleep came again, this time deeper, darker. Three, maybe four hours of oblivion. When I woke, the landscape outside was a blur of gray — a fitting reflection of my inner world.</p> <h2>Arrival and Routine</h2> <p>By 8:00 p.m., I finally reached my destination. Relief washed over me, muted by the weight of fatigue. Routine took over — drop the bags, eat dinner, pretend everything is fine. But beneath the surface, nothing was fine. Every action felt mechanical, devoid of meaning. Dinner was tasteless, consumed out of necessity rather than desire.</p> <p>As I sat there, letting the monotony of routine wash over me, I knew the real fight was yet to come. Midnight was approaching, and with it, the inevitable return of the dark passenger. He thrives in silence, in moments when the mind is vulnerable and the body weary.</p> <h2>The Next Battle</h2> <p>The clock ticked closer to midnight, each second a countdown to confrontation. I could feel him lurking in the shadows, sharpening his tools, preparing for another night of torment. He thrives on vulnerability, preys on moments of weakness.</p> <p>But tonight, I had a plan. Sleep. That’s my weapon against him. If I can surrender to sleep before he takes hold, perhaps I can win this round. Whether or not I succeed doesn’t matter. The battle itself is the point.</p> <p>Tonight, I intend to survive. The dark passenger may return, but he won’t find me unprepared.</p> <h2>End Of Day 5</h2> <p>Today was chaos cloaked in routine, a day where control slipped through my fingers like sand. The dark passenger came and went, but he will return — he always does. For now, I cling to these fleeting moments of quiet, knowing they are temporary.</p> <p>Will I sleep tonight, or will I find myself once again staring into the abyss, wrestling with shadows no one else can see? Only time will tell. Until then, I hold the line, knowing that survival is the only victory worth seeking.</p> </section>	The Passenger Takes the Train The Dark Passenger’s Visit Sleep is a tease, a lover I can never quite grasp. She lures me with promises of rest, only to abandon me when the hour strikes midnight. Tonight was no different. The dark passenger entered uninvited, wrapping me in his cold, familiar embrace. His touch isn’t gentle — it’s invasive, probing the deepest corners of my mind where desires and demons intertwine. Shackled to his will, I lay there, suffocating in a prison of my own making. Time loses meaning when you’re trapped like this. Midnight becomes a blur, the minutes stretching into hours. By 5:00 a.m., I was a hollow shell, drained by the relentless whispers of my inner tormentor. The train I was supposed to catch? Still delayed. Twelve hours late, like a cruel joke played by fate. Yet the real delay wasn’t external — it was internal, a delay in finding freedom from this nightly bondage. Brief Escape into Dexter’s World By dawn, I needed a distraction — a break from the endless cycle of torment. Dexter Season 05, Episode 08 became my chosen escape. There’s something oddly comforting about watching a man who dances with darkness yet maintains a facade of control. Dexter’s world is one where blood and desire mingle, a seductive dance of chaos masked by a veneer of normalcy. The episode was gripping, every scene laced with tension that clung to my skin like a lover’s lingering scent. Without giving too much away, let’s just say it explored the line between control and surrender, a line I know all too well. Watching Dexter navigate his urges made me reflect on my own battles. He has a code — a set of rules to keep his dark cravings in check. Me? I’m just raw chaos, a man without a code, teetering on the edge. For a brief moment, the dark passenger was silenced, lulled by the fiction on my screen. But when the episode ended, reality came rushing back. Exhaustion finally overpowered me, dragging me into a restless sleep. Panic Sets In I woke up abruptly at 9:00 a.m., the train now scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Panic coursed through me like an electric current, jolting me out of bed. Less than 90 minutes to get ready, pack, and leave. The dark passenger was gone, replaced by anxiety — a cruel mistress with razor-sharp claws. Adrenaline surged as I hastily packed my remaining things. My tech gadgets went in first, a priority that revealed more about me than I cared to admit. There’s something sensual about handling them — sleek, cold, and unyielding, much like the world I inhabit. Within minutes, I was out the door, racing against time. At the station, the train finally arrived at 11:00 a.m., a full 15 hours late. Standing on that platform, surrounded by strangers yet feeling utterly alone, I realized something: we’re all just passengers, waiting for a ride that may never arrive on time. A Struggle to Focus Once on board, I tried to immerse myself in something productive — JavaScript. The screen glowed in front of me, the code lines inviting me to lose myself in logic and structure. I tackled array destructuring and object destructuring, concepts that once seemed elusive. But focus was fleeting. The dark passenger might have left, but his whispers lingered, taunting me, pulling my thoughts into darker realms. After a while, I gave up. The screen blurred, the symbols losing meaning. Frustrated and defeated, I closed my laptop and leaned back. Sleep came again, this time deeper, darker. Three, maybe four hours of oblivion. When I woke, the landscape outside was a blur of gray — a fitting reflection of my inner world. Arrival and Routine By 8:00 p.m., I finally reached my destination. Relief washed over me, muted by the weight of fatigue. Routine took over — drop the bags, eat dinner, pretend everything is fine. But beneath the surface, nothing was fine. Every action felt mechanical, devoid of meaning. Dinner was tasteless, consumed out of necessity rather than desire. As I sat there, letting the monotony of routine wash over me, I knew the real fight was yet to come. Midnight was approaching, and with it, the inevitable return of the dark passenger. He thrives in silence, in moments when the mind is vulnerable and the body weary. The Next Battle The clock ticked closer to midnight, each second a countdown to confrontation. I could feel him lurking in the shadows, sharpening his tools, preparing for another night of torment. He thrives on vulnerability, preys on moments of weakness. But tonight, I had a plan. Sleep. That’s my weapon against him. If I can surrender to sleep before he takes hold, perhaps I can win this round. Whether or not I succeed doesn’t matter. The battle itself is the point. Tonight, I intend to survive. The dark passenger may return, but he won’t find me unprepared. End Of Day 5 Today was chaos cloaked in routine, a day where control slipped through my fingers like sand. The dark passenger came and went, but he will return — he always does. For now, I cling to these fleeting moments of quiet, knowing they are temporary. Will I sleep tonight, or will I find myself once again staring into the abyss, wrestling with shadows no one else can see? Only time will tell. Until then, I hold the line, knowing that survival is the only victory worth seeking.	9bdadd20-c644-5ab7-ae65-313a463abe2c	25/08/2025 18:00:46
https://medium.com/write-a-catalyst/what-is-it-this-time-m-d-um-392e169f85d9	medium.com	What Is It This Time, M£d¡um?	This is the longest delay yet.	Sompa Mensah	https://medium.com/@sompamensah	392e169f85d9	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*sz5ayXHMDG43gq9m	2 min	2024-11-12T10:47:44.144000	2024-11-12T11:32:41.293000	2025-02-24T06:30:11.784000	27	973	en	This Happened To Me,Money,Communication,Writing,Making Money Online	<section> <h3>This is the longest delay yet.</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4240/0sz5ayXHMDG43gq9m" width="4240" height="2203" loading="lazy" /> <p>Something is wrong somewhere.</p> <p>Do I know what exactly is wrong? No.</p> <p>Do I know when it started and how long it is going to last? Nope.</p> <p>Do I know if it’s a big deal or not much of a problem? Nah.</p> <p>But what I do know is that something is wrong somewhere because the earnings from last month have still not been sent.</p> <p>Today is the 12th of November. Not a good look in my opinion.</p> <p>As it stands now, I’m not sure if others have received theirs. I read a comment by one writer that said she had received the confirmation e-mail. She’s the only one I’ve seen so far.</p> <p>If you’ve also got the mail, do let me know in the responses.</p> <p>A few months back, earnings from the previous month were sent latest by the 8th of the next month. So yes, there were times that they were even sent out much earlier.</p> <p>Recently, we got to know that it had been extended to the 10th.</p> <p>For me, it was unexpected but it was communicated which was fine by me.</p> <p>Yet here we sit today, 2 days after the given date (depending on where you are) and still nothing.</p> <p>You could say that the 10th fell on a weekend and that’s probably why things have delayed, but I believe Friday would have been the best day for the earnings to be sent out.</p> <p>But hey, it did not happen on Friday and now it’s Tuesday.</p> <p>I wonder when it is going to happen now.</p> <p>It’s quite likely that shortly after publishing this story, the emails will start falling into our inboxes. If that’s how things turn out, yay! If not, then we might have a bigger problem.</p> <p>Whatever the case, I hope the issue is sorted pretty quickly.</p> <p>Are you also missing the email confirming that your earnings have been sent?</p> <p>Feel free to let me know in the responses.</p> <p><em><strong>Update</strong>: The earnings are on the way now. I just got the mail. You can check your inbox for </em>confirmation too.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5760/0-St3L4cHdGSdaIkH" width="5760" height="3840" loading="lazy" /> <h3>Thank you for reading to the end!</h3> <p><em>Check out my new publication — <a href="https://</em>medium.com/cataloging-africa">Cataloging Africa</a></p> <p><em>Are you passionate about your growth and self-improvement?</em></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://medium.</strong>com/@sompamensah">Follow me via this link</a>.</li> <li><strong><a href="https://medium.com/@sompamensah/subscribe">Subscr</strong>ibe here</a> to get an email whenever I publish a story.</li> </ul> </section>	What Is It This Time, M£d¡um? This is the longest delay yet. Photo by Ryan Snaadt on Unsplash Something is wrong somewhere. Do I know what exactly is wrong? No. Do I know when it started and how long it is going to last? Nope. Do I know if it’s a big deal or not much of a problem? Nah. But what I do know is that something is wrong somewhere because the earnings from last month have still not been sent. Today is the 12th of November. Not a good look in my opinion. As it stands now, I’m not sure if others have received theirs. I read a comment by one writer that said she had received the confirmation e-mail. She’s the only one I’ve seen so far. If you’ve also got the mail, do let me know in the responses. A few months back, earnings from the previous month were sent latest by the 8th of the next month. So yes, there were times that they were even sent out much earlier. Recently, we got to know that it had been extended to the 10th. For me, it was unexpected but it was communicated which was fine by me. Yet here we sit today, 2 days after the given date (depending on where you are) and still nothing. You could say that the 10th fell on a weekend and that’s probably why things have delayed, but I believe Friday would have been the best day for the earnings to be sent out. But hey, it did not happen on Friday and now it’s Tuesday. I wonder when it is going to happen now. It’s quite likely that shortly after publishing this story, the emails will start falling into our inboxes. If that’s how things turn out, yay! If not, then we might have a bigger problem. Whatever the case, I hope the issue is sorted pretty quickly. Are you also missing the email confirming that your earnings have been sent? Feel free to let me know in the responses. Update: The earnings are on the way now. I just got the mail. You can check your inbox for confirmation too. Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash Thank you for reading to the end! Check out my new publication — Cataloging Africa Are you passionate about your growth and self-improvement? Follow me via this link. Subscribe here to get an email whenever I publish a story.	33db9cb9-5a49-59b6-9e10-04707d78cc58	25/08/2025 18:00:47
https://devintheraven32.medium.com/start-with-the-toast-ed9e7341d4e1	medium.com	Start With The Toast	Your alarm goes off and it’s 7am. You shut your eyes for “just a few more seconds”, only to wake up and now it’s 7:30am. Like a sprinter…	Devin Mehra	https://medium.com/@devintheraven32	ed9e7341d4e1	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*dHqjmpy-0chdbXFT	4 min	2020-10-07T23:18:24.192000	2020-09-16T02:05:37	2024-01-01T17:47:13.849000	0	0	en	Productivity,Food,Life Lessons,Life,Self Improvement	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/0*dHqjmpy-0chdbXFT" width="1024" height="682" loading="lazy" /> <p>Your alarm goes off and it’s 7am. You shut your eyes for “just a few more seconds”, only to wake up and now it’s 7:30am. Like a sprinter at the sound of a gun, you dash to the kitchen to cook up the fastest breakfast of your life. You toss the eggs on the pan to cook, fetch a bowl of Cheerios, and slice a piece of bread.</p> <p>In just five minutes you cooked three eggs, made a bowl of cereal, and…..oh wait.</p> <p>You forgot to pop the bread in the toaster before preparing the rest of your meal.</p> <p>Gosh darn it.</p> <p>Now, either, you skip the toast and end up hangry by 10am, or you bite the bullet and make yourself later than you already are.</p> <p>Starvation or tardiness. Your options are either bad or bad.</p> <h1>First Things First</h1> <p>Ground breaking news-when you’re cooking breakfast begin by toasting the bread first. In the time it would have taken the bread to transform to toast, you could have prepared the rest of your meal. What culinary expertise! Chef Gordon Ramsay please step aside.</p> <p>The act of popping the toast in first is a wonderful analogy for life. Think of the toast as the task that will take the longest to complete. Usually when we’re given a list of items to address, we tend to put off what will take the longest and start with the shorter tasks.</p> <p>We need to rewire our minds to stop thinking “what can I get done quickly?” and instead start thinking “what will take the longest that I can take one step towards completing now?”</p> <p>Why are we wired to think in this nonproductive way? There are two answers to this question, both of which play off each other.</p> <h2>One-Thing-at-a-Time Fallacy</h2> <p>We’ve been taught multitasking is a bad idea, and by all means in many contexts that’s great advice. Don’t text and drive. Don’t watch TV while listening to your spouse complain. Don’t stuff your face with food while lecturing your child.</p> <p>The problem is we take this statement too far, to the point we begin functioning in a linear format. In this linear way of thinking you tackle the first task, see it through until its completion, and only then move on to the next task. This doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, and it shouldn’t to you either.</p> <p>Imagine you want to grow an oak tree with acorns. You wouldn’t plant the seed and stand around for 20 years until it’s fully grown, acorns and all. In the time between planting the seed and enjoying its acorns, you could watch every Oscar nominated movie, travel to every country on the globe, and become internet famous (whatever that entails).</p> <p>The key point to remember is <strong>multi-tasking works when one of the tasks can be automated</strong>. Once the seed is planted, we let mother nature go to work. Considering we live in the age of technology, there are boundless opportunities for automation. Where we fall short is starting with something non-automated, only to realize we should have started first by “planting the seed” for what could have been automated.</p> <p>Start by toasting the bread. The act of toasting is automated, so all we have to do is pop the bread in. While the oven works its magic, you can handle the other necessary steps to prepare your breakfast.</p> <h2>Fight the Gratification</h2> <p>In his book <em>Atomic Habits</em>, the author James Clear explains we’re more likely to do something when there’s a reward at the end. Upon the completion of a task, the simple act of crossing out, checking off, or deleting the task sparks the feeling of gratification.</p> <p>If gratification is what you seek, you’re more likely to start with the shorter tasks and put off the longer term tasks. This is the reason why you take out the trash, call your siblings, and do the dishes, when in reality you should have started your expense report.</p> <p>Completing short tasks is fools gold. Though you receive gratification for getting things done, in the process you’ve put off the expense report, which is your most important task of the day.</p> <p>The hard part about starting the long term task is you’re not going to receive the gratification of marking it as complete. Starting an expense report, planting a seed, or popping toast in the oven don’t provide the same gratification as pouring a glass of milk. Unlike pouring a glass of milk, there are multiple steps to our longer term tasks, and therefore gratification isn’t as eminent.</p> <p><strong>Your goal is to be productive, not to create a false sense of accomplishment</strong>. The blissfulness of accomplishment will turn into regret for not addressing the more complex tasks.</p> <h2>Ordering Tasks Strategically</h2> <p>When planning your days, ensure you are thoughtful about the order in which each task is addressed. Keep in mind the two keys previously discussed.</p> <p>The first key is to not fall for the one-thing-at-a-time fallacy. It’s possible to start one task, complete a different task, and then return to the original task. Therefore plant the seed, and while you wait, complete your other tasks.</p> <p>Secondly don’t fall victim the allure of gratification. If you simply want to check boxes, you risk blinding yourself from the more complex and important tasks.</p> <p>Next time you’re rushing through your breakfast prep, pop the toast in first. While the bread is toasting, attend to the cereal and eggs. Nothing is sweeter than having prepared the rest of your meal at the exact moment you hear the “ding” sound of the toaster oven. That’s real gratification.</p> <p><strong>Enjoy this post? Subscribe to my <a href="https://mailchi.mp/9f4b3a410509/10freekeypoints">emotional intelligence newslett</strong>er</a> and receive my FREE emotional intelligence cheat sheet!</p> </section>	One-Thing-at-a-Time-Fallacy Your alarm goes off and it’s 7am. You shut your eyes for “just a few more seconds”, only to wake up and now it’s 7:30am. Like a sprinter at the sound of a gun, you dash to the kitchen to cook up the fastest breakfast of your life. You toss the eggs on the pan to cook, fetch a bowl of Cheerios, and slice a piece of bread. In just five minutes you cooked three eggs, made a bowl of cereal, and…..oh wait. You forgot to pop the bread in the toaster before preparing the rest of your meal. Gosh darn it. Now, either, you skip the toast and end up hangry by 10am, or you bite the bullet and make yourself later than you already are. Starvation or tardiness. Your options are either bad or bad. First Things First Ground breaking news-when you’re cooking breakfast begin by toasting the bread first. In the time it would have taken the bread to transform to toast, you could have prepared the rest of your meal. What culinary expertise! Chef Gordon Ramsay please step aside. The act of popping the toast in first is a wonderful analogy for life. Think of the toast as the task that will take the longest to complete. Usually when we’re given a list of items to address, we tend to put off what will take the longest and start with the shorter tasks. We need to rewire our minds to stop thinking “what can I get done quickly?” and instead start thinking “what will take the longest that I can take one step towards completing now?” Why are we wired to think in this nonproductive way? There are two answers to this question, both of which play off each other. One-Thing-at-a-Time Fallacy We’ve been taught multitasking is a bad idea, and by all means in many contexts that’s great advice. Don’t text and drive. Don’t watch TV while listening to your spouse complain. Don’t stuff your face with food while lecturing your child. The problem is we take this statement too far, to the point we begin functioning in a linear format. In this linear way of thinking you tackle the first task, see it through until its completion, and only then move on to the next task. This doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, and it shouldn’t to you either. Imagine you want to grow an oak tree with acorns. You wouldn’t plant the seed and stand around for 20 years until it’s fully grown, acorns and all. In the time between planting the seed and enjoying its acorns, you could watch every Oscar nominated movie, travel to every country on the globe, and become internet famous (whatever that entails). The key point to remember is multi-tasking works when one of the tasks can be automated. Once the seed is planted, we let mother nature go to work. Considering we live in the age of technology, there are boundless opportunities for automation. Where we fall short is starting with something non-automated, only to realize we should have started first by “planting the seed” for what could have been automated. Start by toasting the bread. The act of toasting is automated, so all we have to do is pop the bread in. While the oven works its magic, you can handle the other necessary steps to prepare your breakfast. Fight the Gratification In his book Atomic Habits, the author James Clear explains we’re more likely to do something when there’s a reward at the end. Upon the completion of a task, the simple act of crossing out, checking off, or deleting the task sparks the feeling of gratification. If gratification is what you seek, you’re more likely to start with the shorter tasks and put off the longer term tasks. This is the reason why you take out the trash, call your siblings, and do the dishes, when in reality you should have started your expense report. Completing short tasks is fools gold. Though you receive gratification for getting things done, in the process you’ve put off the expense report, which is your most important task of the day. The hard part about starting the long term task is you’re not going to receive the gratification of marking it as complete. Starting an expense report, planting a seed, or popping toast in the oven don’t provide the same gratification as pouring a glass of milk. Unlike pouring a glass of milk, there are multiple steps to our longer term tasks, and therefore gratification isn’t as eminent. Your goal is to be productive, not to create a false sense of accomplishment. The blissfulness of accomplishment will turn into regret for not addressing the more complex tasks. Ordering Tasks Strategically When planning your days, ensure you are thoughtful about the order in which each task is addressed. Keep in mind the two keys previously discussed. The first key is to not fall for the one-thing-at-a-time fallacy. It’s possible to start one task, complete a different task, and then return to the original task. Therefore plant the seed, and while you wait, complete your other tasks. Secondly don’t fall victim the allure of gratification. If you simply want to check boxes, you risk blinding yourself from the more complex and important tasks. Next time you’re rushing through your breakfast prep, pop the toast in first. While the bread is toasting, attend to the cereal and eggs. Nothing is sweeter than having prepared the rest of your meal at the exact moment you hear the “ding” sound of the toaster oven. That’s real gratification. Enjoy this post? Subscribe to my emotional intelligence newsletter and receive my FREE emotional intelligence cheat sheet!	8dd59cda-73c4-5c0a-904b-ef46730552cf	25/08/2025 18:00:47
https://medium.com/@bbhlabs/imagination-rekindled-6a83220dbce3	medium.com	Imagination, rekindled	The future of storytelling is about feeling like a child, writes Kendra Salvatore, Strategy Director at BBH New York	BBH Labs	https://medium.com/@bbhlabs	6a83220dbce3	https://miro.medium.com/…ImzC3X4IuNg.jpeg	4 min	2016-10-19T16:21:47.346000	2016-10-18T00:00:00	2018-01-15T09:36:20.733000	0	9	en	Virtual Reality,Storytelling,Fost16,Sesame Street	<section> <h3>The future of storytelling is about feeling like a child, writes <a href="http://twitter.com/kendrasalva">Kendra Salvatore</a>, Strategy Director at BBH New York</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3872/1*IKhNVN0o4wrImzC3X4IuNg.jpeg" width="3872" height="2592" loading="lazy" /> <p>A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of attending <a href="https://futureofstorytelling.org/about#overview">The Future of Storytelling</a> summit, and hearing from the passionate community of people from the worlds of media, technology, and communications who are exploring how storytelling is evolving in the digital age.</p> <p>I will not summarize all of the great thinking thought and feelings felt. <a href="https://futureofstorytelling.org/">Go to the website</a> and watch the videos from the expertly curated speakers, dig into all of their enlightening perspectives, look up their incredible projects — some links are provided below.</p> <p>What I’d like to delve into is only one particular feeling I picked up across attendees and speakers; <em><strong>the future of storytelling is about feeling like</em> a child.</strong></p> <p>Here are some powerful ways that the speakers encouraged a sense of pure, childlike emotion, perhaps unbeknownst to them, that we can learn from:</p> <p><strong>Follow our ideals</strong></p> <p><a href="https://futureofstorytelling.org/speaker/leland-melvin-nicole-stott">Two astronauts</a> (of the 533 who have ever been to space) spoke about their ‘orbital moments’, what it feels like to be in space. When you see the earth from afar, there is first pure awe. Then, there is revelation — that we are fragile, we are one and we are capable of anything. These astronauts see an idyllic version of the world and are re-energized to create it when their feet are back on the ground. We discussed that besides astronauts, the champions of unwavering utopian sense of the world are children. They believe in hope, in peace, that they can be whatever they want to be. We can find opportunity for this positivity and optimism in our storytelling and apply it more often, especially when things feel most dystopian and complex. A documentary in progress, <em>Constellation</em> aims to spread this mentality to the world.</p> <p><strong>Preserve curiosity</strong></p> <p>When children ask questions of adults, there is an important exchange that happens — a kid finds courage to explore an original idea and they’re rewarded by a personal answer that is memorable and meaningful.</p> <p>Pretty soon, some important adults we can ask questions to are going to die. Specifically, <a href="https://futureofstorytelling.org/project/new-dimensions-in-testimony">Holocaust survivors</a>. Inspired by the need to maintain this childlike curiosity and learning around the Holocaust <a href="https://sfi.usc.edu/research/initiatives/new-dimensions">a few important organizations</a> have used emerging technology to record many hours of footage with survivors. Language processing and display technologies allow a 3D virtual holocaust survivor to process and <a href="https://youtu.be/Tfrw3pK1jQc">answer original questions in real time.</a></p> <p><strong>Harness the power of live experience</strong></p> <p><a href="https://futureofstorytelling.org/video/jeffrey-seller-setting-the-stage-the-power-of-live-art">Jeffery Seller</a>, producer of Hamilton, Avenue Q, Rent and In the Heights led an intimate round table about the emotional exchange that happens through live musical performance. A live performance is a real time exchange of creative energy between people. He spoke of being most impacted by this feeling in childhood and following that feeling to where he is now. A sweet moment in the conversation occurred when a YouTube star confessed that she couldn’t draw a live audience in the traditional staged way that Mr. Seller is devoted to, so she turned to Google Hangouts and, <em>voilà</em>, over time millions saw her sing live. Whether traditional or modern in method, they both admitted the emotional exchange created in live performance is needed today more than ever, in a world where a lot of our creativity is mediated instead of spontaneously heard and felt.</p> <p><strong>Champion physicality</strong></p> <p>The O.G. puppeteers on Sesame Street are of the most dedicated to their craft of any storyteller today. They connect with millions of children with their hands held high, inside puppets mouths and bodies, where slight movements of the wrist or finger convey entire worlds of emotion and connection with children viewing at home. These incredible artists have been provoking children’s imaginations for about 30 years. We all tried it. It’s hard to bring life to felt and glue (albeit very cute felt and glue). <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2xfpYieaJU&feature=youtu.be">These physical nuances</a>, that rock children’s worlds, should not be underestimated. Sometimes smallest physical gestures can be the most powerful means for communication, even when broadcast to millions.</p> <p><strong>Embrace uncertainty</strong></p> <p><a href="https://futureofstorytelling.org/video/beau-lotto-understanding-perception-how-we-experience-the-meaning-we-create">Neuroscientist Beau Lotto</a> reminded us that as human beings, we hate uncertainty — we hate to not know. This is because primitively, to not know was to die — and therefore today, uncertainty still creates stress.</p> <p>He suggests that the solution to uncertainty is <em>play</em> because play is where uncertainty is celebrated. A child is the best example of embracing this way of being, uncertainty is inherent and play is practiced with abandon.</p> <p>Sometimes in our industry, we do things we already know are going to be great. To this, Lotto would say, ‘who cares’. In this vein, maybe the true creative visionaries will be we who shed our pretense for childlike uncertainty and play. Through this, truly innovative, inspiring storytelling can take place.</p> <p><strong>Seek newness</strong></p> <p>One of the most powerful uses of virtual reality is to give people transportative experiences they have never had before. <a href="https://futureofstorytelling.org/project/home-vr-spacewalk">Being in space</a>. Learning dance in Cuba. New experiences in turn can provoke feelings we have never felt before. In correlation with research I’ve done on VR, the closest feeling to being in a VR world is the feeling of being a child: where experiences are new and wonderful, feelings are surprising and pure, and you discover them for yourself (unlike filmic storytelling that leads you where it wants you to go). If we use VR in the right ways to tell stories, we can return to this kind of pure emotion and experience that our modern adult, civilized lives are so good at stomping out.</p> <p>I left with a renewed commitment to telling stories from the heart and the gut. A dedication to simplicity in our communication. It is our job and responsibility to identify and amplify the aspirational feelings that being a child so perfectly exemplifies. We have the best of the physical and digital world to do this, to champion these feelings more than ever, in a world where we may need them more than ever.</p> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://bbh-labs.com/imag</em>ination-rekindled/">bbh-labs.com</a> on October 18, 2016.</p> </section>	Imagination, rekindled The future of storytelling is about feeling like a child, writes Kendra Salvatore, Strategy Director at BBH New York A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of attending The Future of Storytelling summit, and hearing from the passionate community of people from the worlds of media, technology, and communications who are exploring how storytelling is evolving in the digital age. I will not summarize all of the great thinking thought and feelings felt. Go to the website and watch the videos from the expertly curated speakers, dig into all of their enlightening perspectives, look up their incredible projects — some links are provided below. What I’d like to delve into is only one particular feeling I picked up across attendees and speakers; the future of storytelling is about feeling like a child. Here are some powerful ways that the speakers encouraged a sense of pure, childlike emotion, perhaps unbeknownst to them, that we can learn from: Follow our ideals Two astronauts (of the 533 who have ever been to space) spoke about their ‘orbital moments’, what it feels like to be in space. When you see the earth from afar, there is first pure awe. Then, there is revelation — that we are fragile, we are one and we are capable of anything. These astronauts see an idyllic version of the world and are re-energized to create it when their feet are back on the ground. We discussed that besides astronauts, the champions of unwavering utopian sense of the world are children. They believe in hope, in peace, that they can be whatever they want to be. We can find opportunity for this positivity and optimism in our storytelling and apply it more often, especially when things feel most dystopian and complex. A documentary in progress, Constellation aims to spread this mentality to the world. Preserve curiosity When children ask questions of adults, there is an important exchange that happens — a kid finds courage to explore an original idea and they’re rewarded by a personal answer that is memorable and meaningful. Pretty soon, some important adults we can ask questions to are going to die. Specifically, Holocaust survivors. Inspired by the need to maintain this childlike curiosity and learning around the Holocaust a few important organizations have used emerging technology to record many hours of footage with survivors. Language processing and display technologies allow a 3D virtual holocaust survivor to process and answer original questions in real time. Harness the power of live experience Jeffery Seller, producer of Hamilton, Avenue Q, Rent and In the Heights led an intimate round table about the emotional exchange that happens through live musical performance. A live performance is a real time exchange of creative energy between people. He spoke of being most impacted by this feeling in childhood and following that feeling to where he is now. A sweet moment in the conversation occurred when a YouTube star confessed that she couldn’t draw a live audience in the traditional staged way that Mr. Seller is devoted to, so she turned to Google Hangouts and, voilà, over time millions saw her sing live. Whether traditional or modern in method, they both admitted the emotional exchange created in live performance is needed today more than ever, in a world where a lot of our creativity is mediated instead of spontaneously heard and felt. Champion physicality The O.G. puppeteers on Sesame Street are of the most dedicated to their craft of any storyteller today. They connect with millions of children with their hands held high, inside puppets mouths and bodies, where slight movements of the wrist or finger convey entire worlds of emotion and connection with children viewing at home. These incredible artists have been provoking children’s imaginations for about 30 years. We all tried it. It’s hard to bring life to felt and glue (albeit very cute felt and glue). These physical nuances, that rock children’s worlds, should not be underestimated. Sometimes smallest physical gestures can be the most powerful means for communication, even when broadcast to millions. Embrace uncertainty Neuroscientist Beau Lotto reminded us that as human beings, we hate uncertainty — we hate to not know. This is because primitively, to not know was to die — and therefore today, uncertainty still creates stress. He suggests that the solution to uncertainty is play because play is where uncertainty is celebrated. A child is the best example of embracing this way of being, uncertainty is inherent and play is practiced with abandon. Sometimes in our industry, we do things we already know are going to be great. To this, Lotto would say, ‘who cares’. In this vein, maybe the true creative visionaries will be we who shed our pretense for childlike uncertainty and play. Through this, truly innovative, inspiring storytelling can take place. Seek newness One of the most powerful uses of virtual reality is to give people transportative experiences they have never had before. Being in space. Learning dance in Cuba. New experiences in turn can provoke feelings we have never felt before. In correlation with research I’ve done on VR, the closest feeling to being in a VR world is the feeling of being a child: where experiences are new and wonderful, feelings are surprising and pure, and you discover them for yourself (unlike filmic storytelling that leads you where it wants you to go). If we use VR in the right ways to tell stories, we can return to this kind of pure emotion and experience that our modern adult, civilized lives are so good at stomping out. I left with a renewed commitment to telling stories from the heart and the gut. A dedication to simplicity in our communication. It is our job and responsibility to identify and amplify the aspirational feelings that being a child so perfectly exemplifies. We have the best of the physical and digital world to do this, to champion these feelings more than ever, in a world where we may need them more than ever. Originally published at bbh-labs.com on October 18, 2016.	6b4d8a15-0a12-51f2-917f-2ff62f79f8c6	25/08/2025 18:00:47
https://medium.com/thenewstand/treats-for-halloween-and-beyond-124187e8a6fb	medium.com	Treats For Halloween (and Beyond)	We’ve gotten through tricks just in time for treats	Kyla Bills	https://medium.com/@kyla_b	124187e8a6fb	https://miro.medium.com/…QiUUhtTuUq2A.png	2 min	2018-10-26T14:08:43.764000	2018-10-29T02:01:01.681000	2018-10-29T21:27:59.632000	0	0	en	Photography,Hi5	<section> <h1>Treats For Halloween (and Beyond)</h1> <h3>We’ve gotten through tricks just in time for treats</h3> <p>As a quick reminder, here’s how Hi5 and Points Work!</p> <p>You already know that you get one point for every dollar you spend at the stores. Well, if you buy any of this week’s Hi5 products you’ll get <strong>5x points</strong> for every dollar you spend. That’s <strong>5x the points</strong>!</p> <p>And you know what’s really awesome?</p> <p><strong>When you reach 300 Points we turn those points into $10 to spend any way you like at any of the New Stand stores</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1nqYeuB9oZoAzMPZQV_SGhA.png" width="1200" height="1200" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Thumbs Up! UK Animal Speakers</strong></p> <p>These cute portable animal-shaped Bluetooth speakers are man’s best friend. They’re pocket-sized portable and have a powerful sound. And, if you’re feeling like you need to capture a moment, the power button doubles as a shutter remote for taking selfies.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1uU22eQw9UECB7ciYFHVRXw.png" width="1200" height="1200" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Izola 5oz Flask</strong></p> <p>Sometimes you need a treat to stay… personal. This is the perfect flask for sneaking a little something into anywhere. Plus, the gold color and circular shape makes it almost feel like a vintage timepiece — you’ll never have to worry about keeping it classy.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/17WY69EaHq5Lk_63xG5wrdA.png" width="1200" height="1200" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 I-Type Camera</strong></p> <p>Merge the classic with the contemporary and grab a Polaroid camera. Old school photos with some new school helpers: a long battery life, a more powerful flash, and newly improved Viewfinder. This one works straight out of the box so alls you need to do is grab some film…</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1S3u_Min9bda5C2y2GT9jjQ.png" width="1200" height="1200" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Polaroid Originals I-Type Film</strong></p> <p>If you’re going to get a camera, you need to grab some film.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1OMsDdOEe4Bv84WROVKv9bg.png" width="1200" height="1200" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>EastPak Sling Pack Bag</strong></p> <p>If you’re on a bit of an excursion this is the perfect bag to bring with you. More efficient than a backpack but still hands-free, it’s just the right size to carry a couple treats on Halloween night.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/500/1uF92fb1YTOh_OJ8jmnpqgA.png" width="500" height="321" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/400/1WcPbkC2E8UDdWIUArc-zbQ.png" width="400" height="141" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/400/1q6Qv9jQDz7BziSNmAg50rg.png" width="400" height="131" loading="lazy" /> </section>	Treats For Halloween (and Beyond) We’ve gotten through tricks just in time for treats As a quick reminder, here’s how Hi5 and Points Work! You already know that you get one point for every dollar you spend at the stores. Well, if you buy any of this week’s Hi5 products you’ll get 5x points for every dollar you spend. That’s 5x the points! And you know what’s really awesome? When you reach 300 Points we turn those points into $10 to spend any way you like at any of the New Stand stores Thumbs Up! UK Animal Speakers These cute portable animal-shaped Bluetooth speakers are man’s best friend. They’re pocket-sized portable and have a powerful sound. And, if you’re feeling like you need to capture a moment, the power button doubles as a shutter remote for taking selfies. Izola 5oz Flask Sometimes you need a treat to stay… personal. This is the perfect flask for sneaking a little something into anywhere. Plus, the gold color and circular shape makes it almost feel like a vintage timepiece — you’ll never have to worry about keeping it classy. Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 I-Type Camera Merge the classic with the contemporary and grab a Polaroid camera. Old school photos with some new school helpers: a long battery life, a more powerful flash, and newly improved Viewfinder. This one works straight out of the box so alls you need to do is grab some film… Polaroid Originals I-Type Film If you’re going to get a camera, you need to grab some film. EastPak Sling Pack Bag If you’re on a bit of an excursion this is the perfect bag to bring with you. More efficient than a backpack but still hands-free, it’s just the right size to carry a couple treats on Halloween night.	bb2d3429-38a9-5b72-8ba0-9d0ee0278587	25/08/2025 18:00:48
https://medium.com/@daily_bible_verses/proverbs-16-6-daily-bible-verse-444d1bd481b7	medium.com	Proverbs 16:6 — Daily Bible Verse	Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. (KJV)	Bible SMS	https://medium.com/@daily_bible_verses	444d1bd481b7	null	0 min	2018-04-16T05:09:50.344000	2018-04-16T05:10:15.968000	2018-04-16T05:10:16.839000	0	0	en	Christianity,Bible,Quotes,Motivation,Inspiration	<section> <p><strong>Proverbs 16:6</strong> By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. (KJV)</p> <p><strong>Hash Tags: </strong>#Gospel #Inspired #Bible #FamousQuotes #PicOfTheDay</p> <p>For daily devotional bible verses, signup at <strong><a href="http://w</strong>ww.bible-sms.com/">www.bible-sms.com</a> to receive free bible verses delivered as a text message (SMS) directly to your cell phone. Bible SMS encourages you to continue your daily journey with Jesus Christ by reading the Holy Bible.</p> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://ww</em>w.bible-sms.com/bible-texts/bible-verse-of-the-day.php?verse=Proverbs%2016:6&dt=04.15.2018.10.09">www.bible-sms.com</a>.</p> </section>	Proverbs 16:6 — Daily Bible Verse Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. (KJV) Hash Tags: #Gospel #Inspired #Bible #FamousQuotes #PicOfTheDay For daily devotional bible verses, signup at www.bible-sms.com to receive free bible verses delivered as a text message (SMS) directly to your cell phone. Bible SMS encourages you to continue your daily journey with Jesus Christ by reading the Holy Bible. Originally published at www.bible-sms.com.	b4175000-0d5b-5a48-915c-591539bac542	25/08/2025 18:00:48
https://medium.com/@hikeexperts/mtbatur-hike-https-t-co-7j5flnxajs-via-https-t-co-gdrs9ri3hg-d682141f3aa0	medium.com	MtBatur Hike https://t.co/7j5FLnxAjS via https://t.co/GdRs9rI3hg	null	The Hiking Guy	https://medium.com/@hikeexperts	d682141f3aa0	null	1 min	2017-03-10T13:05:50.141000	2017-03-10T13:05:50.928000	2017-03-10T13:05:50.928000	0	0	en	Hiking	<section> <p></p> <p><a href="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js">//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a> from Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/thehikeexperts">https://twitter.com/thehikeexperts</a></p> <p>March 10, 2017 at 06:51AM via <a href="http://thehikingguy.com/">thehikingguy.com</a></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/112/0is7a5scm1m8ncPkK." width="112" height="16" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1/0-PAXFKJkqk6A70up." width="1" height="1" loading="lazy" /> <p><em>Originally published on <a href="</em>https://hikeexperts.wordpress.com/2017/03/10/mtbatur-hike-httpst-co7j5flnxajs-via-httpst-cogdrs9ri3hg/">Wordpress</a></p> </section>	//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js from Twitter https://twitter.com/thehikeexperts March 10, 2017 at 06:51AM via thehikingguy.com Originally published on Wordpress	ab8e19df-d658-57a5-9311-8d867f9aeeb9	25/08/2025 18:00:48
https://medium.com/@shanellecunningham84/laura-shimili-laura-shimili-mears-photography-27173bfe1eee	medium.com	Laura Shimili — Laura Shimili Mears Photography	#SWMamasThatCan is all about mums supporting mums. It’s about celebrating and showcasing amazing #SWLondon mamas and their independent…	Shanelle Cunningham	https://medium.com/@shanellecunningham84	27173bfe1eee	https://miro.medium.com/…vzZTwwafUHA.jpeg	4 min	2019-01-07T16:18:16.102000	2019-01-08T11:28:30.062000	2021-12-07T05:32:33.633000	0	1	en	Photography,Entrepreneur,Mum,Business	<section> <p>#SWMamasThatCan is all about mums supporting mums. It’s about celebrating and showcasing amazing #SWLondon mamas and their independent businesses as well as the amazing and talented ladies they are.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/1Br6CcujcJc1vzZTwwafUHA.jpeg" width="2000" height="1429" loading="lazy" /> <h1><em>What inspired you to start your own business?</em></h1> <p><em>It all started when I was a student in Paris many years ago in 2001 when I bought my first camera. It was a film camera, although digital had just started and I would spend all of my hard earned money from working in restaurants, developing rolls of films. Then I lost my camera, (it was actually stolen) and I just left it all to the side (the trauma was real). I finished my studies in economics and philosophy of economics and went back to Albania, my home country and worked in a few different places, in a bank and for the government.</em></p> <p><em>Then I met my husband who came to work in Albania from Qatar but is originally from Devon, South West England. He decided to go abroad as a young civil engineer looking for opportunities and agreed to go on a project to build Albania’s most challenging motorway that meanders through a chain of mountains in the north of the country close to the border with Kosovo.</em></p> <p><em>So after being together, we got married and then decided to live in London. When we had our first son, we decided to buy a camera to capture all the important milestones and that rekindled my passion for photography. I went on to different courses and started to use my camera in manual mode and started being mindful about light.</em></p> <h2><em>What challenges / hurdles have you faced?</em></h2> <p><em>The main challenge has been to make the transition from doing photography as a hobby to setting up as a business and doing it professionally. Making that jump from a different career built over 14 years to starting something from scratch was the biggest fear.</em></p> <p><em>But the way some events happened and my last employed job ended, did make it easier for me to take a “leap of faith” and go for it.</em></p> <p><em>I set-up Laura Shimili Mears Photography in September 2017 and so it has been just over a year and a bit and I love it and am keen to continue further.</em></p> <p><em>The next challenge will be to make it sustainable and build a plan strong enough for the second year of business so that I can invest and grow further.</em></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3500/1-k-GUiohniMwSIRrdY9zkA.jpeg" width="3500" height="2333" loading="lazy" /> <h2><em>What do you like best about your job?</em></h2> <p><em>I love the fact that I work for myself and I put my energies and ideas to work for my own activity. I also love that I am around for my children</em> <em>I also love that I am around for my children, Edward who is 7 and Elliot who is 4 who only started reception this year. I don’t miss school plays or other events and I get to know my local area.</em></p> <p><em>Meeting new families and individuals for family or business shoots is also exciting and fills me with a buzz.</em></p> <h2><em>Tell me a Mama That Can story…</em></h2> <p><em>Well that’s a hard one as I can’t think of just one, my family and my children are my biggest achievement (as we know it’s hard work). Also making the jump and following a long term dream has got to be one. And passing my driving test in London!</em></p> <h2><em>Top 3 tips for other SW Mamas That Can</em></h2> <p><em>I love the area of South West London in particular Tooting, Wandsworth and Clapham. It is such a fertile ground for the food and drinks industry but also social entrepreneurs and creative businesses. I love Wandsworth Oasis, Little Village and Tooting Market.</em></p> <p><em>3 tips from me to another SW Mama that can:</em></p> <p><em>I have enjoyed connecting with others and learning from every person I meet.</em></p> <p><em>It takes time to build something from scratch and although I have had my moments of frustration, I have learnt to be patient and find clarity in my own thoughts.</em></p> <p><em>Actually making a start was critical, as without the first step I couldn’t have taken the other steps. It’s not going to be perfect from the start but it will only get better.</em></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3000/14PL2JXkhAk4Ej1l8gVCP6Q.jpeg" width="3000" height="2000" loading="lazy" /> <h2><em>Do you have any Real Mama Moments to Share?</em></h2> <p><em>Yes, plenty. Many everyday frustrations as well as laughter with my boys. But one that will stay with me was a morning in September when I actually walked to school to drop off my eldest only to realise half-way through, that it was the wrong day. It was a day earlier from the actual school day. He was all dressed up and ready to go but we came back home and went to Battersea park for a lovely day out instead (and to cut our loses).</em></p> <h2><em>Any upcoming events?</em></h2> <p><em>I have a few causes that are very dear to my heart and this year 2019, I want to make more efforts to support them and spread the word.</em></p> <p><em>I am planning a “photography party” on 20th February to raise funds for “A cup of Uji” feeding underprivileged children in Kenya with a daily drink of porridge. Also to support Samara’s Aid Appeal who help millions of displaced people across the Middle East.</em></p> <p><em>It will be an opportunity to meet and socialise and also to have a portrait taken on the day against a donation. More details will follow.</em></p> <h2><em>Favourite item / product?</em></h2> <p><em>I love listening to music and I love “Alexa” especially while I do my photography edits.</em></p> <h2><em>Who else would you like to see celebrated on SWMamasThatCan?</em></h2> <p><em>I know many other fabulous mamas in SW that have started wonderful things and would love to see Sophia Parker, founder of Little Village.</em></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1mNllcSRGd6UJYylfOcyXmQ.jpeg" width="1200" height="799" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Follow Laura Shimili Mear Photography</strong></p> <p><strong><a href</strong>="https://shimilimears.com/">Website</a></p> <p><strong><a href=</strong>"https://www.facebook.com/lauraphotographylondon/">Facebook</a></p> <p><strong><a href="</strong>https://www.instagram.com/lauraphotographylondon/">Instagram</a></p> <p><em>Twitter: Laura Shimili</em></p> <h3>If you are a #SWMamaThatCan and would like to feature in our campaign, please do get in touch at [email protected] or via our social media accounts.</h3> </section>	Laura Shimili — Laura Shimili Mears Photography #SWMamasThatCan is all about mums supporting mums. It’s about celebrating and showcasing amazing #SWLondon mamas and their independent businesses as well as the amazing and talented ladies they are. What inspired you to start your own business? It all started when I was a student in Paris many years ago in 2001 when I bought my first camera. It was a film camera, although digital had just started and I would spend all of my hard earned money from working in restaurants, developing rolls of films. Then I lost my camera, (it was actually stolen) and I just left it all to the side (the trauma was real). I finished my studies in economics and philosophy of economics and went back to Albania, my home country and worked in a few different places, in a bank and for the government. Then I met my husband who came to work in Albania from Qatar but is originally from Devon, South West England. He decided to go abroad as a young civil engineer looking for opportunities and agreed to go on a project to build Albania’s most challenging motorway that meanders through a chain of mountains in the north of the country close to the border with Kosovo. So after being together, we got married and then decided to live in London. When we had our first son, we decided to buy a camera to capture all the important milestones and that rekindled my passion for photography. I went on to different courses and started to use my camera in manual mode and started being mindful about light. What challenges / hurdles have you faced? The main challenge has been to make the transition from doing photography as a hobby to setting up as a business and doing it professionally. Making that jump from a different career built over 14 years to starting something from scratch was the biggest fear. But the way some events happened and my last employed job ended, did make it easier for me to take a “leap of faith” and go for it. I set-up Laura Shimili Mears Photography in September 2017 and so it has been just over a year and a bit and I love it and am keen to continue further. The next challenge will be to make it sustainable and build a plan strong enough for the second year of business so that I can invest and grow further. What do you like best about your job? I love the fact that I work for myself and I put my energies and ideas to work for my own activity. I also love that I am around for my children I also love that I am around for my children, Edward who is 7 and Elliot who is 4 who only started reception this year. I don’t miss school plays or other events and I get to know my local area. Meeting new families and individuals for family or business shoots is also exciting and fills me with a buzz. Tell me a Mama That Can story… Well that’s a hard one as I can’t think of just one, my family and my children are my biggest achievement (as we know it’s hard work). Also making the jump and following a long term dream has got to be one. And passing my driving test in London! Top 3 tips for other SW Mamas That Can I love the area of South West London in particular Tooting, Wandsworth and Clapham. It is such a fertile ground for the food and drinks industry but also social entrepreneurs and creative businesses. I love Wandsworth Oasis, Little Village and Tooting Market. 3 tips from me to another SW Mama that can: I have enjoyed connecting with others and learning from every person I meet. It takes time to build something from scratch and although I have had my moments of frustration, I have learnt to be patient and find clarity in my own thoughts. Actually making a start was critical, as without the first step I couldn’t have taken the other steps. It’s not going to be perfect from the start but it will only get better. Do you have any Real Mama Moments to Share? Yes, plenty. Many everyday frustrations as well as laughter with my boys. But one that will stay with me was a morning in September when I actually walked to school to drop off my eldest only to realise half-way through, that it was the wrong day. It was a day earlier from the actual school day. He was all dressed up and ready to go but we came back home and went to Battersea park for a lovely day out instead (and to cut our loses). Any upcoming events? I have a few causes that are very dear to my heart and this year 2019, I want to make more efforts to support them and spread the word. I am planning a “photography party” on 20th February to raise funds for “A cup of Uji” feeding underprivileged children in Kenya with a daily drink of porridge. Also to support Samara’s Aid Appeal who help millions of displaced people across the Middle East. It will be an opportunity to meet and socialise and also to have a portrait taken on the day against a donation. More details will follow. Favourite item / product? I love listening to music and I love “Alexa” especially while I do my photography edits. Who else would you like to see celebrated on SWMamasThatCan? I know many other fabulous mamas in SW that have started wonderful things and would love to see Sophia Parker, founder of Little Village. Follow Laura Shimili Mear Photography Website Facebook Instagram Twitter: Laura Shimili If you are a #SWMamaThatCan and would like to feature in our campaign, please do get in touch at [email protected] or via our social media accounts.	5f670ed3-8619-5347-864d-05ce4511a135	25/08/2025 18:00:48
https://medium.com/@andrewguthrie/the-feast-of-christ-the-king-b8e214e00f44	medium.com	The Feast of Christ the King	The following is an excerpt from a sermon preached on November 20th, 2016 at Lynchwood Christian Church in Portland, OR. You can listen to…	Andrew Guthrie	https://medium.com/@andrewguthrie	b8e214e00f44	null	5 min	2016-11-22T20:26:14.501000	2016-11-22T21:31:07.794000	2016-11-22T21:34:14.671000	0	0	en	Christianity,Jesus	<section> <p><em>The following is an excerpt from a sermon preached on November 20th, 2016 at <a href="http://lynchwoodpdx.com">Lynchwood Christian Church</a> in Portland, OR. You can listen t</em>o an audio version of the sermon <a href="http://www.lynchwoodpdx.com/listen-to-a-sermon-2/">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Luke 23:33–43</strong> 23:33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 23:35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 23:36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 23:37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 23:38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 23:39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 23:40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation 23:41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 23:42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 23:43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”</p> <p>The Feast of Christ the King is celebrated on the final Sunday in ordinary time, the season which follows Pentecost Sunday. It is an odd day in the Church calendar in part because of the reading which is chosen fits better in Lent than it does right now. But this is the gospel reading we get for today.</p> <p>Jesus is king. You can hear lots of people utter phrases that speak this truth in this weeks reading. Of course, they are mocking Jesus:</p> <p>“He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”</p> <p>“If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”</p> <p>There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”</p> <p>Even one of the criminals at his side gets in on the game: “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” Today, we know how the story end. But this week, we’re not going to read the Easter story. This week, we don’t get the happy ending. This week we get the King, Christ the King, promising to bring us into his kingdom…hanging on a cross.</p> <p>He’s gracious to the end, promising forgiveness even to those who do not understand the evil they are doing. He converses with others, offering forgiveness to the criminals. He is everything we want Jesus to be…</p> <p>And he is still dying on a cross. What kind of king dies on a cross? Kingship means power. It means the ability to be able to set the rules for others. In pre-modern societies that had monarchies, it was the kings who made the rules. This was part of the power of the age of revolutions. In places like France, the United States, and Haiti, revolutions sought to create a new kind of government based not on the sovereignty of Kings but on the will of the people.</p> <p>Before the revolutions of the enlightenment era, kings set the rules. That was the power of kings. Indeed, when David becomes king of Israel, he is appointed. No one votes on David as king. God talks to the prophet Samuel, and the prophet Samuel follows God’s will and makes David king. Kingship means power. It means that other people to follow what you say. It means that the social order defers to you. It is power.</p> <p>Kingship means having power. It’s why the guards mock Jesus. What kind of a king dies on a cross? One who doesn’t have the right kind of power. If he had the right kind of power, he’d be able to come down off the cross.</p> <p>The power of Jesus is a different kind of power. If we profess God’s kingdom, if we desire it, then we need to also consider the Kingship of Jesus. It is not a power over others. It is quick to forgive, even those who are guilty. It does not resist evil with evil; it does not return violence with violence. It does not lord over others its’ rightness. It is not arrogant. It is mocked as powerlessness. It looks and feels and sounds an awful lot like it is being defeated by the other powers of the world. And it has been dragged through the mud, beaten, and left for dead.</p> <p>This is the Kingship of Christ. This is power according to the Gospel. Often we as Christians skip past this event. We don’t mean to…we keep a cross at the center of everything, after all. But we are quick to skip to Easter Sunday. Jesus does rise and he (powerfully) conquers the greatest evil- death. But that’s one of the things that makes reading this story today so interesting. Because we’re not going to get to Easter right away this time. Instead, all we get is the cross.</p> <p>There is a kingdom, but it only comes after earthly power is repudiated. When it is shown for what it really is: violence. For Jesus, the innocent man, the Christ, the Chosen one, is hung on a Cross by the powers of his day. Those who are gathered mock Jesus because this is public spectacle. They want everyone who can see what is happening to know what happens when you challenge those in control. They want the followers of Jesus, and of whatever other Self-Proclaimed Messiah’s may still be out there to know what power looks like.</p> <p>Let’s remember today which “King” we profess to follow. Let us remember what power we profess. Because the language of King is used so much here, we may think this is about someone else’s power. But it’s not. It’s about our power to shape our communities and our world. Power in our world is no longer derived by the Kingship, but rather from the people. It may not always feel like it, but it’s what we profess when we say we are American. The power to rule in our country comes from from us.</p> <p>What kind of power will it be? The kind that mocks and tortures and suppresses and justifies violence? The kind that crucifies the innocent? Or the kind that is forgiving, celebrates weakness, seeks reconciliation, professes a kingdom where the last shall be first and the first shall be last, whose power is not in violence or control, but in forgiveness and love and in weakness?</p> <p>We have to make the decision to be about that kingdom, and that kingship. Because it is not intuitive. When we see the kind of weakness that happened on Calvary, when Jesus was nailed to the cross, we do not call it power in our world. It promises no security nor safety. In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “When Christ calls a person, he bids them come and die.” For to follow the Kingship of Christ is risky. It can be dangerous. But it is the call to follow a kingdom that calls into question all other kingdoms. It reveals the violence that is carried out in the world. And it resists that violence, not through it own violence, but through grace, and love, and forgiveness.</p> <p>This is the Kingdom of Jesus. Our King. It is up to us, as followers, to rebuke the violence of the world, and to instead choose the power of Christ the King.</p> </section>	The Feast of Christ the King The following is an excerpt from a sermon preached on November 20th, 2016 at Lynchwood Christian Church in Portland, OR. You can listen to an audio version of the sermon here. Luke 23:33–43 23:33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 23:35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 23:36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 23:37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 23:38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 23:39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 23:40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation 23:41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 23:42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 23:43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” The Feast of Christ the King is celebrated on the final Sunday in ordinary time, the season which follows Pentecost Sunday. It is an odd day in the Church calendar in part because of the reading which is chosen fits better in Lent than it does right now. But this is the gospel reading we get for today. Jesus is king. You can hear lots of people utter phrases that speak this truth in this weeks reading. Of course, they are mocking Jesus: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” Even one of the criminals at his side gets in on the game: “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” Today, we know how the story end. But this week, we’re not going to read the Easter story. This week, we don’t get the happy ending. This week we get the King, Christ the King, promising to bring us into his kingdom…hanging on a cross. He’s gracious to the end, promising forgiveness even to those who do not understand the evil they are doing. He converses with others, offering forgiveness to the criminals. He is everything we want Jesus to be… And he is still dying on a cross. What kind of king dies on a cross? Kingship means power. It means the ability to be able to set the rules for others. In pre-modern societies that had monarchies, it was the kings who made the rules. This was part of the power of the age of revolutions. In places like France, the United States, and Haiti, revolutions sought to create a new kind of government based not on the sovereignty of Kings but on the will of the people. Before the revolutions of the enlightenment era, kings set the rules. That was the power of kings. Indeed, when David becomes king of Israel, he is appointed. No one votes on David as king. God talks to the prophet Samuel, and the prophet Samuel follows God’s will and makes David king. Kingship means power. It means that other people to follow what you say. It means that the social order defers to you. It is power. Kingship means having power. It’s why the guards mock Jesus. What kind of a king dies on a cross? One who doesn’t have the right kind of power. If he had the right kind of power, he’d be able to come down off the cross. The power of Jesus is a different kind of power. If we profess God’s kingdom, if we desire it, then we need to also consider the Kingship of Jesus. It is not a power over others. It is quick to forgive, even those who are guilty. It does not resist evil with evil; it does not return violence with violence. It does not lord over others its’ rightness. It is not arrogant. It is mocked as powerlessness. It looks and feels and sounds an awful lot like it is being defeated by the other powers of the world. And it has been dragged through the mud, beaten, and left for dead. This is the Kingship of Christ. This is power according to the Gospel. Often we as Christians skip past this event. We don’t mean to…we keep a cross at the center of everything, after all. But we are quick to skip to Easter Sunday. Jesus does rise and he (powerfully) conquers the greatest evil- death. But that’s one of the things that makes reading this story today so interesting. Because we’re not going to get to Easter right away this time. Instead, all we get is the cross. There is a kingdom, but it only comes after earthly power is repudiated. When it is shown for what it really is: violence. For Jesus, the innocent man, the Christ, the Chosen one, is hung on a Cross by the powers of his day. Those who are gathered mock Jesus because this is public spectacle. They want everyone who can see what is happening to know what happens when you challenge those in control. They want the followers of Jesus, and of whatever other Self-Proclaimed Messiah’s may still be out there to know what power looks like. Let’s remember today which “King” we profess to follow. Let us remember what power we profess. Because the language of King is used so much here, we may think this is about someone else’s power. But it’s not. It’s about our power to shape our communities and our world. Power in our world is no longer derived by the Kingship, but rather from the people. It may not always feel like it, but it’s what we profess when we say we are American. The power to rule in our country comes from from us. What kind of power will it be? The kind that mocks and tortures and suppresses and justifies violence? The kind that crucifies the innocent? Or the kind that is forgiving, celebrates weakness, seeks reconciliation, professes a kingdom where the last shall be first and the first shall be last, whose power is not in violence or control, but in forgiveness and love and in weakness? We have to make the decision to be about that kingdom, and that kingship. Because it is not intuitive. When we see the kind of weakness that happened on Calvary, when Jesus was nailed to the cross, we do not call it power in our world. It promises no security nor safety. In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “When Christ calls a person, he bids them come and die.” For to follow the Kingship of Christ is risky. It can be dangerous. But it is the call to follow a kingdom that calls into question all other kingdoms. It reveals the violence that is carried out in the world. And it resists that violence, not through it own violence, but through grace, and love, and forgiveness. This is the Kingdom of Jesus. Our King. It is up to us, as followers, to rebuke the violence of the world, and to instead choose the power of Christ the King.	4d1af2ef-9bbd-5000-b2c7-87a865a7d3b4	25/08/2025 18:00:48
https://medium.com/@mateideyr/matthew-5-38-42-3d11567aa919	medium.com	Matthew 5:38–42	DISCLAIMER: My Bible study posts are merely my thoughts upon reading the passage, and thus may be subject to misinterpretation because I am…	Erin Pressel	https://medium.com/@mateideyr	3d11567aa919	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*3hEsDzsC3H-zd74D	2 min	2023-03-17T18:48:59.086000	2023-03-17T18:48:47.248000	2023-03-17T18:50:58.205000	1	50	en	Christianity,Christian Living,Bible Study,Love Your Enemies,Retaliation	<section> <p><em><strong>DISCLAIMER</strong>: My Bible study posts are merely my thoughts upon reading the passage, and thus may be subject to misinterpretation because I am only using the English translation of the Scriptures. I do not claim absolute authority on interpreting the Bible’s meaning. I do, however, presume upon the reader having a basic knowledge of the Bible. The purpose of these posts is to stimulate deeper though</em>t and discussion.</p> <p><em><strong>“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” — Matthew 5:3</em>8–42 NIV</strong></p> <p>This is difficult to accept. We want the world to be fair; we want what is “rightfully” ours, and if it’s taken, we want vengeance. But here it says, do not resist evil! Rather, give what you have to that person! It’s better for you to lose than to prolong evil by retaliating.</p> <p>But if you give him your tunic and cloak and you go with him an extra mile, are you not encouraging him in his evil? Can intense kindness stop evil? It depends how strongly you believe the Proverb that says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” Someone who is blinded by fury may not even see your quiet lack of resistance. But later, he may look back and wonder, and he may think about the Source of supernatural kindness. When his soul comes into the picture, can whatever he took from you be more important?</p> <p>Standing on your morals and refusing to fight back <strong>-</strong>to the point of inviting further harm to yourself<strong>-</strong>is transformative to your oppressor. Countless Christians and martyrs showed this through their lives, and people were changed by witnessing it. To defend others is our honor, but “defend yourself” shouldn’t be part of your vocabulary. You must train your heart and mind to be impenetrable to outside attack and to protect themselves from themselves, but your body is under God’s protection. Spiritual protection is more important than physical protection.</p> <p>If someone accuses you, it doesn’t seem to matter whether you are guilty or not; going to court is long and tedious for everyone. It’s best to try to make things right however you can, as quickly as possible, even at your own expense. Go above and beyond when showing kindness, no matter what situation you find yourself in.</p> <p>If someone asks you for something, you’re not always sure how it will be used, or if it will be returned. But showing generosity is very admirable to God, and it’s not up to you to judge how they might use your gift; it’s up to you to serve Him by giving. What they do with it will reflect on their character, but likewise, your willingness to give will reflect on yours. It’s up to a Christian to reflect Christ well.</p> <p><em>A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. — Proverbs 15:1 NIV</em></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/365/0*3hEsDzsC3H-zd74D" width="365" height="355" loading="lazy" /> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://fingerprintparables.wordpress.com/2023/03/</em>17/matthew-538-42/">http://fingerprintparables.wordpress.com</a> on March 17, 2023.</p> </section>	Matthew 5:38–42 DISCLAIMER: My Bible study posts are merely my thoughts upon reading the passage, and thus may be subject to misinterpretation because I am only using the English translation of the Scriptures. I do not claim absolute authority on interpreting the Bible’s meaning. I do, however, presume upon the reader having a basic knowledge of the Bible. The purpose of these posts is to stimulate deeper thought and discussion. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” — Matthew 5:38–42 NIV This is difficult to accept. We want the world to be fair; we want what is “rightfully” ours, and if it’s taken, we want vengeance. But here it says, do not resist evil! Rather, give what you have to that person! It’s better for you to lose than to prolong evil by retaliating. But if you give him your tunic and cloak and you go with him an extra mile, are you not encouraging him in his evil? Can intense kindness stop evil? It depends how strongly you believe the Proverb that says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” Someone who is blinded by fury may not even see your quiet lack of resistance. But later, he may look back and wonder, and he may think about the Source of supernatural kindness. When his soul comes into the picture, can whatever he took from you be more important? Standing on your morals and refusing to fight back -to the point of inviting further harm to yourself-is transformative to your oppressor. Countless Christians and martyrs showed this through their lives, and people were changed by witnessing it. To defend others is our honor, but “defend yourself” shouldn’t be part of your vocabulary. You must train your heart and mind to be impenetrable to outside attack and to protect themselves from themselves, but your body is under God’s protection. Spiritual protection is more important than physical protection. If someone accuses you, it doesn’t seem to matter whether you are guilty or not; going to court is long and tedious for everyone. It’s best to try to make things right however you can, as quickly as possible, even at your own expense. Go above and beyond when showing kindness, no matter what situation you find yourself in. If someone asks you for something, you’re not always sure how it will be used, or if it will be returned. But showing generosity is very admirable to God, and it’s not up to you to judge how they might use your gift; it’s up to you to serve Him by giving. What they do with it will reflect on their character, but likewise, your willingness to give will reflect on yours. It’s up to a Christian to reflect Christ well. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. — Proverbs 15:1 NIV Originally published at http://fingerprintparables.wordpress.com on March 17, 2023.	a4268e3b-4b2d-5555-ada4-46a0ce4b783b	25/08/2025 18:00:49
https://medium.com/@strateji/what-is-your-companies-mission-1e55d009497b	medium.com	What is your company’s mission?	I know a camera company which focuses on destroying memories. But shouldn’t they have a mission like; focusing on memories…	the Researcher	https://medium.com/@strateji	1e55d009497b	null	1 min	2017-02-07T07:13:08.025000	2017-02-07T07:18:36.876000	2018-01-20T02:50:07.979000	0	4	en	Photography,Life,Strategy,Mission,Manifesto	<section> <p>I know a camera company which focuses on destroying memories. But shouldn’t they have a mission like; focusing on memories…</p> <p>Most of the companies / brands forget their reason for existance on the way. And when they loose their mission and passion they start to do horrible things. At that point there is most probably no return for a sane company anymore.</p> <p>Read the story below, and reflect it to your company or maybe yourself. Are you following your mission, your manifesto, or are you<strong> as lost as Vivitar?</strong></p> <p><strong>A camera brand which doesn’t focus on keeping memories, but destroying memories! a Vivitar story</strong></p> <p>I have a whole album which I took with my Vivitar 3000 camera back in 1997. Files are in .svi format. I kept the photo files in my computer, however I cannot open them now. I asked Vivitar for some help — a software to open these pictures, a solution. Do you know what they said; “Unfortunately because the camera was manufactured so long ago we do no have any information on this camera anymore.” I trusted Vivitar for my memories and took my pictures with a Vivitar. Maybe, you are saying I shouldn’t have trusted Vivitar, maybe your customers from today should also not trust for Vivitar for memories, because in 20 years, they might also not keep their old beloved memories. Maybe their parents pictures which they lost meanwhile will disappear, thanks to a company who doesn’t keep, but destroys memories. And Vivitar, thank you for your thoughtful message.</p> <p><em>Originally published on RadicalMarketer: <a href="http://radicalmarketer.com/what-is-your-companys</em>-mission/">http://radicalmarketer.com/what-is-your-companys-mission/</a></p> </section>	What is your company’s mission? I know a camera company which focuses on destroying memories. But shouldn’t they have a mission like; focusing on memories… Most of the companies / brands forget their reason for existance on the way. And when they loose their mission and passion they start to do horrible things. At that point there is most probably no return for a sane company anymore. Read the story below, and reflect it to your company or maybe yourself. Are you following your mission, your manifesto, or are you as lost as Vivitar? A camera brand which doesn’t focus on keeping memories, but destroying memories! a Vivitar story I have a whole album which I took with my Vivitar 3000 camera back in 1997. Files are in .svi format. I kept the photo files in my computer, however I cannot open them now. I asked Vivitar for some help — a software to open these pictures, a solution. Do you know what they said; “Unfortunately because the camera was manufactured so long ago we do no have any information on this camera anymore.” I trusted Vivitar for my memories and took my pictures with a Vivitar. Maybe, you are saying I shouldn’t have trusted Vivitar, maybe your customers from today should also not trust for Vivitar for memories, because in 20 years, they might also not keep their old beloved memories. Maybe their parents pictures which they lost meanwhile will disappear, thanks to a company who doesn’t keep, but destroys memories. And Vivitar, thank you for your thoughtful message. Originally published on RadicalMarketer: http://radicalmarketer.com/what-is-your-companys-mission/	6ff7f08c-5ca1-575d-9831-3729d5cbfd45	25/08/2025 18:00:49
https://medium.com/@Mixsieaudiobook/what-is-your-purpose-prt-2-4c05d7150ab6	medium.com	WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE Prt 2	Hi Hi,	MixsieAudiobook	https://medium.com/@Mixsieaudiobook	4c05d7150ab6	https://miro.medium.com/…9jCZ-7rUvDg.jpeg	2 min	2016-12-18T15:42:28.499000	2016-12-18T15:51:54.202000	2018-03-20T21:13:31.010000	0	0	en	Christianity,Humor,Achievers,Godlover,Purpose	<section> <p>Hi Hi,</p> <p>Happy Sunday to you. I hope its Sunday where you are… LOL. To continue in my celebration of ladies I have met, who are doing exploits in their Purpose. I’d like to introduce to you another beautiful and talented young lady I know.</p> <p>I also met her at this particular Academy I spoke about in my last post. She’s hard working, intelligent and a blessing to this generation. Most times I see a post about what she’s doing, I can’t but imagine her running for a political post in the nearest future, just because I am amazed at how She has found her purpose and has gone all out to live it, thereby affecting many young ladies around her.</p> <p>Lets take a look at her profile and the tremendous job she’s doing. To top it all up, She’s a lover of God and I love that about her. Please meet Akinsaya Abimbola of Bimbo and Friends Initiative.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/853/1*Z--P3ciUFrz9jCZ-7rUvDg.jpeg" width="853" height="1280" loading="lazy" /> <p>Abimbola Akinsanya is a graduate of English From the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University,a Yali network member and certified on air personality. Abimbola in 2013 founded the bimboandfriends initiative an initiative of lend a hand for the development of Africa.</p> <p>Lend a hand for the development of Africa focuses on teenagers in local communities with the aim to properly inform,educate and empower them thereby show casing the greatness in them to the world. The initiative is blessed with amazing volunteers and has been able to reach out to teenagers in Lagos and Osun state preaching the message of love through her actions.</p> <p>In 2016,Abimbola was awarded with a leadership recognition award and the Ngo was nominated at the Oya awards for most outstanding Ngo . Through the educational support scheme three kids who were dropouts have been enrolled in schools. Abimbola is a Christ lover and unashamedly talks about Jesus and how hos love and grace has shaped her life. Abimbola loves to read,listen to good music and spend time with friends. Abimbola multitask as a speaker,writer,event host and social entrepreneur.</p> </section>	WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE Prt 2 Hi Hi, Happy Sunday to you. I hope its Sunday where you are… LOL. To continue in my celebration of ladies I have met, who are doing exploits in their Purpose. I’d like to introduce to you another beautiful and talented young lady I know. I also met her at this particular Academy I spoke about in my last post. She’s hard working, intelligent and a blessing to this generation. Most times I see a post about what she’s doing, I can’t but imagine her running for a political post in the nearest future, just because I am amazed at how She has found her purpose and has gone all out to live it, thereby affecting many young ladies around her. Lets take a look at her profile and the tremendous job she’s doing. To top it all up, She’s a lover of God and I love that about her. Please meet Akinsaya Abimbola of Bimbo and Friends Initiative. Abimbola Akinsanya is a graduate of English From the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University,a Yali network member and certified on air personality. Abimbola in 2013 founded the bimboandfriends initiative an initiative of lend a hand for the development of Africa. Lend a hand for the development of Africa focuses on teenagers in local communities with the aim to properly inform,educate and empower them thereby show casing the greatness in them to the world. The initiative is blessed with amazing volunteers and has been able to reach out to teenagers in Lagos and Osun state preaching the message of love through her actions. In 2016,Abimbola was awarded with a leadership recognition award and the Ngo was nominated at the Oya awards for most outstanding Ngo . Through the educational support scheme three kids who were dropouts have been enrolled in schools. Abimbola is a Christ lover and unashamedly talks about Jesus and how hos love and grace has shaped her life. Abimbola loves to read,listen to good music and spend time with friends. Abimbola multitask as a speaker,writer,event host and social entrepreneur.	9631c420-9f32-5f71-a735-c2b6323a70fc	25/08/2025 18:00:50
https://darksideofdesire.medium.com/a-whole-new-world-mmf-30s-40s-threesome-11d9b96d47b9	medium.com	A whole new world [mmf 30s-40s] [threesome]	null	Dark side of desire	https://medium.com/@darksideofdesire	11d9b96d47b9	null	5 min	2023-11-08T09:40:12.173000	2023-11-08T09:57:53.214000	2023-11-08T11:54:03.159000	0	102	en	Erotica,Erotic,Erotic Fantasy	<section> <p>What a great evening, I had never seen live music before and the lads had definitely picked the right evening to go, it was busy enough for a great atmosphere but not so crowded to be a nightmare leaving - straight out of the venue into the nearest bar for some food and drinks.</p> <p>The bar was quiet much like the concert and after eating i decided to head back to the hotel despite the lads attempts to convince me to stay out and get smashed I didn’t need a hangover or any trouble neither of which could be avoided with these guys. I walked back on a real high from a great time and a clear starry night led my way to the hotel foyer as i hummed the evenings best songs.</p> <p>The receptionist smiled as I passed her on my way to the room humming and singing merrily .</p> <p>The door to my room was ajar, oh shit had i left it open or was I being robbed? I opened it slowly and could hear rummaging - a spike of adrenaline rushed through my body as I froze, the cold sensation heightened my senses and i could hear moans now as i approached the bedroom. Opening the door i realised 2 things, firstly that i was stood watching a stunning redhead have her pussy eaten and secondly that this wasn’t my room.</p> <p>Neither of them had seen me until I attempted to step back out of the room and my elbow hit the wall, the male hadn’t noticed but the redhead opened her eyes for a moment still moaning and looked me straight in the eyes, her hands gently squeezing her breasts as his tongue continues to tease her. Her eyes looked shocked for a split second and then opened wide as her hand signaled come here.</p> <p>Her partner raised his head and I panicked at what the response might be, but before he could turn and look she pushed his head back between her thighs and whispered don’t stop baby I’ll take care of this.</p> <p>Her eyebrows raised and her fingers beckoned me again then tapped the bed managing to get the words come here out between moans as her back slowly arched, this was the closest I’d ever come to a threesome and I quickly stepped back out of the door - not to leave but to close the main door as I did not want anything to ruin this moment.</p> <p>As I walked back though the bedroom door I half expected the room to be empty - the pure fantasy my imagination had invented over before it had really started.</p> <p>It was not a fantasy it was really happening and the redhead was as excited as I was when I walked back through the door.</p> <p>I was staring into her eyes but my peripheral vision was waiting for the male to react as I walked towards her bedside. She moaned and nibbled her bottom lip ,I could feel my cock begining to swell and with every step I took closer my heart began to race. She was reaching for me and as soon as I was close enough she grabbed the waist of my jeans and pulled me closer cupping my swollen bulge in her hands before unbuttoning them and exposing my cock.</p> <p>I’m stood there throbbing anticipating her touch but her fingers walk down her hips and then running through his hair gently pulling his head back, I can see his fingers sliding inside her as his tongue brushes the hood of her clit and he can see me stood beside her my erect cock hanging in the air. I can’t read his reaction very well but I can feel her warm breath against my frenulum before her tongue runs along the length of my shaft.</p> <p>The throb making my dick jump landing against her lips before she wraps them around the tip, her whimpers of pleasure on my cock making me moan and close my eyes. I can hear his fingers inside her and how wet she is, as I open my eyes I see her pushing up off the bed still trying to suck my cock but her body is not coordinated as well at it was. She screams fuck me, I tap my chest asking "me?" she mumbles something like "you him both I don’t care just fuck me" He looks at me shaking his head pushing her legs further apart and kneeling between them exposing his massive hard cock. I felt my own cock tingle whilst I watched him guide his tip between her lips as they wrapped around him making her back arch again.</p> <p>He grabbed her hips And pulled her down the bed and to the base of his cock, his hips grinding into hers making her gasp. She frantically reached for my cock squeezing it uncontrollably as she cried out.</p> <p>"Gently" I told her sternly " like this" I heard him say as he took my cock in his palm My hips pulled back in shock retracting my cock but the tip was now sat between his finger tips as his thumb massaged the precum before it could drip</p> <p>I look at her she is staring at my cock in his hand with a look I've never seen before " don't stop" she begged "that's so hot" You're going to make me cum. Her hips pushing back against him as her finger nails dig into the bed I'm actually relieved they are not around my shaft.</p> <p>My hands redundant I move her hair from her face as her head rocks back in pleasure and with the other I begin to pull back on her pussy lips Watching her begin to cum on his swollen cock, his hand matching his rhythm on the head of my cock with that of his own in her pussy - my knees begin to shake as my entire body tingles.</p> <p>She is panting managing single bursts of "fuck" or "yes" and then " lets... Cum... Together"</p> <p>Her hand wraps around my wrist pulling my hand from her clit down around the base of his shaft and begins to stroke him using my hand I can feel it twitch and his balls tensing "yes don’t stop" she cries opening her mouth towards my pulsing cock our moans filling the air in unison She cums first squirming and squirting covering my wrist and forearm with her warm creamy juices.</p> <p>He guides the tip of my cock into her mouth as they both milk my orgasm from me, her tongue cupping under my tip as her lips suck and his hand jerking the shaft into her</p> <p>"fuck yes" I moan , my body tensing for as long as I can before exploding into her mouth watching her swallowing and sucking perfectly made all the better by the sensation in my hand of his cum flowing through his pulsing cock into her soaked pussy. He releases my shaft and grabs her hips with both hands Every twitch of their bodies making the base of his cock throb again in my hand.</p> <p>Her mouth sliding around my tip, cum dripping onto her tongue before she callapses into the bed, he callapses on top of her and I fall to my knees trying to get my breath back and figure out what the fuck just happened.</p> <p><em>I had fantasised about a threesome before but it had never been anything like that and do you know what It couldn’t of been any better.</em></p> </section>	A whole new world [mmf 30s-40s] [eroticstory] [threesome] What a great evening, I had never seen live music before and the lads had definitely picked the right evening to go, it was busy enough for a great atmosphere but not so crowded to be a nightmare leaving - straight out of the venue into the nearest bar for some food and drinks. The bar was quiet much like the concert and after eating i decided to head back to the hotel despite the lads attempts to convince me to stay out and get smashed I didn’t need a hangover or any trouble neither of which could be avoided with these guys. I walked back on a real high from a great time and a clear starry night led my way to the hotel foyer as i hummed the evenings best songs. The receptionist smiled as I passed her on my way to the room humming and singing merrily . The door to my room was ajar, oh shit had i left it open or was I being robbed? I opened it slowly and could hear rummaging - a spike of adrenaline rushed through my body as I froze, the cold sensation heightened my senses and i could hear moans now as i approached the bedroom. Opening the door i realised 2 things, firstly that i was stood watching a stunning redhead have her pussy eaten and secondly that this wasn’t my room. Neither of them had seen me until I attempted to step back out of the room and my elbow hit the wall, the male hadn’t noticed but the redhead opened her eyes for a moment still moaning and looked me straight in the eyes, her hands gently squeezing her breasts as his tongue continues to tease her. Her eyes looked shocked for a split second and then opened wide as her hand signaled come here. Her partner raised his head and I panicked at what the response might be, but before he could turn and look she pushed his head back between her thighs and whispered don’t stop baby I’ll take care of this. Her eyebrows raised and her fingers beckoned me again then tapped the bed managing to get the words come here out between moans as her back slowly arched, this was the closest I’d ever come to a threesome and I quickly stepped back out of the door - not to leave but to close the main door as I did not want anything to ruin this moment. As I walked back though the bedroom door I half expected the room to be empty - the pure fantasy my imagination had invented over before it had really started. It was not a fantasy it was really happening and the redhead was as excited as I was when I walked back through the door. I was staring into her eyes but my peripheral vision was waiting for the male to react as I walked towards her bedside. She moaned and nibbled her bottom lip ,I could feel my cock begining to swell and with every step I took closer my heart began to race. She was reaching for me and as soon as I was close enough she grabbed the waist of my jeans and pulled me closer cupping my swollen bulge in her hands before unbuttoning them and exposing my cock. I’m stood there throbbing anticipating her touch but her fingers walk down her hips and then running through his hair gently pulling his head back, I can see his fingers sliding inside her as his tongue brushes the hood of her clit and he can see me stood beside her my erect cock hanging in the air. I can’t read his reaction very well but I can feel her warm breath against my frenulum before her tongue runs along the length of my shaft. The throb making my dick jump landing against her lips before she wraps them around the tip, her whimpers of pleasure on my cock making me moan and close my eyes. I can hear his fingers inside her and how wet she is, as I open my eyes I see her pushing up off the bed still trying to suck my cock but her body is not coordinated as well at it was. She screams fuck me, I tap my chest asking "me?" she mumbles something like "you him both I don’t care just fuck me" He looks at me shaking his head pushing her legs further apart and kneeling between them exposing his massive hard cock. I felt my own cock tingle whilst I watched him guide his tip between her lips as they wrapped around him making her back arch again. He grabbed her hips And pulled her down the bed and to the base of his cock, his hips grinding into hers making her gasp. She frantically reached for my cock squeezing it uncontrollably as she cried out. "Gently" I told her sternly " like this" I heard him say as he took my cock in his palm My hips pulled back in shock retracting my cock but the tip was now sat between his finger tips as his thumb massaged the precum before it could drip I look at her she is staring at my cock in his hand with a look I've never seen before " don't stop" she begged "that's so hot" You're going to make me cum. Her hips pushing back against him as her finger nails dig into the bed I'm actually relieved they are not around my shaft. My hands redundant I move her hair from her face as her head rocks back in pleasure and with the other I begin to pull back on her pussy lips Watching her begin to cum on his swollen cock, his hand matching his rhythm on the head of my cock with that of his own in her pussy - my knees begin to shake as my entire body tingles. She is panting managing single bursts of "fuck" or "yes" and then " lets... Cum... Together" Her hand wraps around my wrist pulling my hand from her clit down around the base of his shaft and begins to stroke him using my hand I can feel it twitch and his balls tensing "yes don’t stop" she cries opening her mouth towards my pulsing cock our moans filling the air in unison She cums first squirming and squirting covering my wrist and forearm with her warm creamy juices. He guides the tip of my cock into her mouth as they both milk my orgasm from me, her tongue cupping under my tip as her lips suck and his hand jerking the shaft into her "fuck yes" I moan , my body tensing for as long as I can before exploding into her mouth watching her swallowing and sucking perfectly made all the better by the sensation in my hand of his cum flowing through his pulsing cock into her soaked pussy. He releases my shaft and grabs her hips with both hands Every twitch of their bodies making the base of his cock throb again in my hand. Her mouth sliding around my tip, cum dripping onto her tongue before she callapses into the bed, he callapses on top of her and I fall to my knees trying to get my breath back and figure out what the fuck just happened. I had fantasised about a threesome before but it had never been anything like that and do you know what It couldn’t of been any better.	42975104-cc46-596e-a3f3-ce0fd8e28d0f	25/08/2025 18:00:50
https://medium.com/the-haddonfield-sun/nonprofit-is-creating-a-community-b4c37cc2f4f7	medium.com	Nonprofit is creating a community	Bilingual Families of SJ strives to immerse preschool-aged children in language learning, cultural understanding	Kristen Dowd	https://medium.com/@KristenDowd	b4c37cc2f4f7	https://miro.medium.com/…Sfs0hdmDpnA.jpeg	5 min	2017-02-10T18:21:52.371000	2017-02-10T18:39:29.354000	2018-03-28T21:57:43.411000	0	0	en	Language,Education,Spanish,Nonprofit,New Jersey	<section> <h3>Bilingual Families of SJ strives to immerse preschool-aged children in language learning, cultural understanding</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4608/1hCBywUHQFYXSfs0hdmDpnA.jpeg" width="4608" height="3072" loading="lazy" /> <p>There is a new community of learners in Haddonfield.</p> <p>Now in its second year and first as a nonprofit, Bilingual Families of SJ is providing children and their parents an opportunity to learn Spanish in a weekly immersion program. The goal, however, goes beyond acquiring a second language.</p> <p>“It’s about community. It’s about cultural understanding. It’s about language learning,” Bilingual Families vice president Dana Pilla said. “We really believe in our mission, which is not to just teach language, but to teach culture. We want everyone in South Jersey to feel there is a place for them to go to either interact with other like-minded Spanish speaking families or interact with other families who also value language learning and cultural understanding.”</p> <p>Bilingual Families grew from a need the nonprofit’s president Diana Swidler saw in the South Jersey area. The Haddonfield resident, who is a native of Spain, started offering free Spanish lessons after the birth of her first daughter, and she saw a strong interest from the start.</p> <p>“After a year, I had met enough families to understand there was a real need in the community for this service. So we started giving classes at our homes and at different libraries,” Swidler said. “In April 2016, around 22 bilingual families from many different countries founded Bilingual Families of SJ.”</p> <p>Pilla, a Spanish teacher at Haddonfield Middle School, was pulled into the fold when Swidler read she was named New Jersey’s Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year. Officers Julie Schneider and Laura Thummel round out the group’s leadership.</p> <p>The organization became a nonprofit in time for its 2016 fall semester in order to provide affordable classes with high standards to more children. The nonprofit charges $11 a class ($160 for the semester), which helps cover its costs and hire certified teachers to lead the classes, which are held at Haddonfield Middle School.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1106/1JZiYxkSdn26jrkchocyDZQ.jpeg" width="1106" height="1512" loading="lazy" /> <p>The classes, divided into native speakers and non-native speakers, are taught by immersion, meaning 95 percent of instruction is given in Spanish, and are fun, interactive and fast, with teachers jumping from one activity to the next in order to engage the short attention spans of the young students, ages 0 to 5. The semester-long program integrates a curriculum with a strong progression, following the state standards for world language.</p> <p>“We really try to push the kids forward with their proficiency as much as we can,” Pilla, of Cherry Hill, said. “A goal of mine is to have best practice in the classroom. We’re not just going to throw together lessons; we’re going to do best practice. What makes kids learn the best?”</p> <p>One of those best practices was hiring certified teacher Erika McCool. The Moorestown native, currently a long-term substitute in the Haddonfield School District, taught at an immersion school while living in Oregon, where she double-majored in elementary education and Spanish at the University of Oregon before going on to earn her master’s degree in teaching curriculum.</p> <p>This is McCool’s second semester teaching with Bilingual Families, where she leads the non-native speakers class. She is a strong believer in the immersion program.</p> <p>“The kids love it as long as you keep it fast-paced,” McCool said. “It creates more authentic learning for them as well.”</p> <p>Swidler likened immersion learning to the following example.</p> <p>“In an adult brain, you see an apple and you think, ‘It is an apple,’ and then you translate into Spanish, ‘Es una manzana.’ Young brains can immediately relate the picture with the new sound in Spanish,” Swidler said. “That is the amazing and innate ability of a young brain. This ability is being wasted if children don’t start a foreign language at a very young age.”</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3356/1bfUpLfULUGcGcI-1wMVuhw.jpeg" width="3356" height="2664" loading="lazy" /> <p>It is not only the children being immersed in the language. Pilla pointed out the parents, who attend the classes with their kids, are immersed as well.</p> <p>“The parents are getting immersed along with their child. As you’re teaching the children, the parents are learning, and then in turn the parents can be the model at the home,” Pilla said.</p> <p>So, why Spanish?</p> <p>“Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States and the third most spoken worldwide,” Swidler said. “Therefore, being able to speak Spanish opens the door to more and better professional opportunities here and abroad. Not only that, learning Spanish gives you access to a wide array of amazing cultures.”</p> <p>Many of the students help to bring these cultures into the Bilingual Families classrooms, too. Participating families hail from countries around the world — Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Chile and Norway among them.</p> <p>And even though Bilingual Families teaches Spanish, Swidler points out that learning any second language brings children numerous benefits.</p> <p>“Children become more tolerant, more emotionally intelligent. They get better social skills and they get a better global understanding,” Swidler said. “Finally, according to very reputable scientific sources, children that master in more than one language face higher brain processing demands that lead to an increase in brain activity.”</p> <p>This increase, Swidler explained, improves the brain’s “executive function,” the system responsible for problem solving, planning, flexible switching, focusing, multi-tasking, etc.</p> <p>The benefits, Swidler said, don’t stop there. Early exposure to different languages also influences neural processing later in life, even after the language is no longer used. And recent studies indicate speaking more than one language can reduce the impact of mental diseases as people age.</p> <p>Working as a semester program — and not drop-in classes — is important in building a community of learners, Pilla said. The group also hosts special events, like a party at the end of the spring semester and a gathering at Christmas, to further this sense of community. The activities also give the non-native speakers a chance to see native speakers in action.</p> <p>“I feel like it really makes the children feel like what they’re doing is for a purpose,” Pilla said.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4220/1hTvBpSrm8vYD5vmpWxmihw.jpeg" width="4220" height="2792" loading="lazy" /> <p>Swidler is hoping to grow Bilingual Families. Right now the group is considering adding a class just for babies this September, and there may be camps this summer. They would love to see communities grow for other languages, too, and provide a service on their website to connect with other bilingual families.</p> <p>The nonprofit’s leaders are proud of what they’re building.</p> <p>“We want children to learn the language to apply it to their lives, to their careers. We want to show this idea of cultural understanding and integration,” Pilla said. “So it’s important for us that children are exposed at a young age. It spurs them forward. It’s like the pathway of becoming proficient in a foreign language.”</p> <p>To learn more about Bilingual Families, visit <a href="http://www.bilingualfamiliesofsj.org">www.bilingualfamiliesofsj.org</a> or email [email protected].</p> </section>	Nonprofit is creating a community Bilingual Families of SJ strives to immerse preschool-aged children in language learning, cultural understanding Bilingual Families of South Jersey founder Diana Swidler leads an alphabet activity during the native speakers Spanish class of Bilingual Families of South Jersey on Feb. 4. There is a new community of learners in Haddonfield. Now in its second year and first as a nonprofit, Bilingual Families of SJ is providing children and their parents an opportunity to learn Spanish in a weekly immersion program. The goal, however, goes beyond acquiring a second language. “It’s about community. It’s about cultural understanding. It’s about language learning,” Bilingual Families vice president Dana Pilla said. “We really believe in our mission, which is not to just teach language, but to teach culture. We want everyone in South Jersey to feel there is a place for them to go to either interact with other like-minded Spanish speaking families or interact with other families who also value language learning and cultural understanding.” Bilingual Families grew from a need the nonprofit’s president Diana Swidler saw in the South Jersey area. The Haddonfield resident, who is a native of Spain, started offering free Spanish lessons after the birth of her first daughter, and she saw a strong interest from the start. “After a year, I had met enough families to understand there was a real need in the community for this service. So we started giving classes at our homes and at different libraries,” Swidler said. “In April 2016, around 22 bilingual families from many different countries founded Bilingual Families of SJ.” Pilla, a Spanish teacher at Haddonfield Middle School, was pulled into the fold when Swidler read she was named New Jersey’s Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year. Officers Julie Schneider and Laura Thummel round out the group’s leadership. The organization became a nonprofit in time for its 2016 fall semester in order to provide affordable classes with high standards to more children. The nonprofit charges $11 a class ($160 for the semester), which helps cover its costs and hire certified teachers to lead the classes, which are held at Haddonfield Middle School. TOP: Desmond Anderson, 4, with his dad Matt, announces his name during a game of ¿Cómo te llamas? at the Bilingual Families of SJ Spanish class on Feb. 4. ABOVE: Albert Chung, 3, cheerfully shares his name while sitting with parents Rachel and Andrew. The classes, divided into native speakers and non-native speakers, are taught by immersion, meaning 95 percent of instruction is given in Spanish, and are fun, interactive and fast, with teachers jumping from one activity to the next in order to engage the short attention spans of the young students, ages 0 to 5. The semester-long program integrates a curriculum with a strong progression, following the state standards for world language. “We really try to push the kids forward with their proficiency as much as we can,” Pilla, of Cherry Hill, said. “A goal of mine is to have best practice in the classroom. We’re not just going to throw together lessons; we’re going to do best practice. What makes kids learn the best?” One of those best practices was hiring certified teacher Erika McCool. The Moorestown native, currently a long-term substitute in the Haddonfield School District, taught at an immersion school while living in Oregon, where she double-majored in elementary education and Spanish at the University of Oregon before going on to earn her master’s degree in teaching curriculum. This is McCool’s second semester teaching with Bilingual Families, where she leads the non-native speakers class. She is a strong believer in the immersion program. “The kids love it as long as you keep it fast-paced,” McCool said. “It creates more authentic learning for them as well.” Swidler likened immersion learning to the following example. “In an adult brain, you see an apple and you think, ‘It is an apple,’ and then you translate into Spanish, ‘Es una manzana.’ Young brains can immediately relate the picture with the new sound in Spanish,” Swidler said. “That is the amazing and innate ability of a young brain. This ability is being wasted if children don’t start a foreign language at a very young age.” Salvador Martinez counts along with his 2-year-old son Luca during the native speaker class of Bilingual Families of SJ. It is not only the children being immersed in the language. Pilla pointed out the parents, who attend the classes with their kids, are immersed as well. “The parents are getting immersed along with their child. As you’re teaching the children, the parents are learning, and then in turn the parents can be the model at the home,” Pilla said. So, why Spanish? “Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States and the third most spoken worldwide,” Swidler said. “Therefore, being able to speak Spanish opens the door to more and better professional opportunities here and abroad. Not only that, learning Spanish gives you access to a wide array of amazing cultures.” Many of the students help to bring these cultures into the Bilingual Families classrooms, too. Participating families hail from countries around the world — Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Chile and Norway among them. And even though Bilingual Families teaches Spanish, Swidler points out that learning any second language brings children numerous benefits. “Children become more tolerant, more emotionally intelligent. They get better social skills and they get a better global understanding,” Swidler said. “Finally, according to very reputable scientific sources, children that master in more than one language face higher brain processing demands that lead to an increase in brain activity.” This increase, Swidler explained, improves the brain’s “executive function,” the system responsible for problem solving, planning, flexible switching, focusing, multi-tasking, etc. The benefits, Swidler said, don’t stop there. Early exposure to different languages also influences neural processing later in life, even after the language is no longer used. And recent studies indicate speaking more than one language can reduce the impact of mental diseases as people age. Working as a semester program — and not drop-in classes — is important in building a community of learners, Pilla said. The group also hosts special events, like a party at the end of the spring semester and a gathering at Christmas, to further this sense of community. The activities also give the non-native speakers a chance to see native speakers in action. “I feel like it really makes the children feel like what they’re doing is for a purpose,” Pilla said. Erika McCool leads the non-native speakers Bilingual Families of South Jersey class on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Haddonfield Middle School. The nonprofit hosted two free classes for interested parents and children at the start of its new semester. Swidler is hoping to grow Bilingual Families. Right now the group is considering adding a class just for babies this September, and there may be camps this summer. They would love to see communities grow for other languages, too, and provide a service on their website to connect with other bilingual families. The nonprofit’s leaders are proud of what they’re building. “We want children to learn the language to apply it to their lives, to their careers. We want to show this idea of cultural understanding and integration,” Pilla said. “So it’s important for us that children are exposed at a young age. It spurs them forward. It’s like the pathway of becoming proficient in a foreign language.” To learn more about Bilingual Families, visit www.bilingualfamiliesofsj.org or email [email protected].	e20ffa40-e062-5df0-8c61-b7725ce0233b	25/08/2025 18:00:50
https://matcoker.medium.com/difference-between-jesus-and-self-help-gurus-42302b12834d	medium.com	Difference Between Jesus and Self-Help Gurus	With Jesus, it’s never clear, is it?	Mat	https://medium.com/@matcoker	42302b12834d	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*30X3y0YLIo64lBvS	0 min	2020-03-03T03:50:35.468000	2020-03-03T03:53:31.080000	2021-12-13T16:43:44.928000	0	0	en	Jesus,Christianity,Self Improvement,Self Help,Personal Development	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4000/0*30X3y0YLIo64lBvS" width="4000" height="2250" loading="lazy" /> <p>With Jesus, it’s never clear, is it?</p> <p><em>That’s</em> the difference.</p> <p>The gurus have all the answers.</p> <p>But Jesus is the <em>way</em>.</p> </section>	Difference Between Jesus and Self-Help Gurus Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash With Jesus, it’s never clear, is it? That’s the difference. The gurus have all the answers. But Jesus is the way.	0a93d966-1bab-5af1-a0a6-bf8a9fd37439	25/08/2025 18:00:50
https://medium.com/@jedi58/wandering-the-world-part-33-b6e985380ef2	medium.com	Wandering the World Part 33	Morocco	David Paul	https://medium.com/@jedi58	b6e985380ef2	https://miro.medium.com/…vIt6KgKQKPQ.jpeg	25 min	2017-11-01T18:18:02.706000	2018-03-26T11:57:25.614000	2018-03-26T11:57:26.546000	0	0	en	Travel,Morocco,Maroc,Trekking,Hiking	<section> <h1>Morocco</h1> <p>Ten years of travel were almost at and end. It had seen me visiting the seven continents, and experiencing many things. From scuba diving in subterranean caves to soaring over a city on a paraglider. Yet each trip has felt a little more relaxed than the one before.</p> <p>In the beginning I started off by visiting an Arabic-speaking country knowing nothing of what to expect — I couldn’t speak the language, and I couldn’t read the road names. It hadn’t gone entirely to plan, but I learnt a lot about travelling.</p> <p>In that time I’ve met a lot of people, and one of those is Howard who runs an adventure travel company. One of the places he takes groups to is the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It felt like in returning to an Arabic-speaking country I had come full circle.</p> <p>Morocco would be something similar to Egypt, or so I thought; but this time my planning would be better. Before going I loaded my phone up with offline maps, and made sure I had a list of sights and their addresses.</p> <p>I couldn’t take a suitcase with me as it’d be carried by a mule; so I bought an adventure travel pack, then filled it with everything I needed in vacuum bags and dry bags. The mule would likely have river crossings so I’d need to keep everything dry.</p> <p>Within days of booking this trip, the Department of Homeland Security in the US announced a travel ban on electronic devices in aircraft cabins. On the American list of affected airports was Morocco. It was rumoured that the UK would be following suit.</p> <p>If the ban affected the UK it would mean I could only take my camera if it went in the aircraft hold. Travel insurance doesn’t cover valuables in these circumstances, and the risk of damage or theft is greatly increased. Days passed by and after nervously waiting it was confirmed that the UK would be implementing a ban, but would not include Morocco. My camera would be safe.</p> <p>As it’d be a trip with lots of hiking, and off the back of some big races, I decided I’d start the trip in comfort. I drove there, used the valet parking outside the terminal building entrance, and after security went to the British Airways lounge to relax and have lunch. It was a very nice experience and one I haven’t really had during my years travelling.</p> <p>The flight itself wasn’t that different to flying economy though as they use the same seats, but keep the middle ones empty. I took this time to read the inflight magazine that featured an article on hiking through the Toubkal National Park in the Atlas Mountains. <em>What an amazing coincidence! </em>It didn’t really help me to prepare though.</p> <p>Over an hour after landing in Marrakesh I’d gone through immigration, collected my hiking backpack, and changed a little currency. Once the others arrived, Howard introduced me to John and Deb.</p> <p>For this night we stayed in Marrakesh, and went out for pizza. Our adventure was about to begin.</p> <p>Our first day of hiking would be from Imlil, a place described as being the Moroccan Kathmandu, to the remote Tizi Oussem. Having no idea what to expect I thought I’d be running from one place to the next — it’d be a few miles and we’d be done by lunchtime. Even after all these years of travelling I get things wrong — these trails were not as easy I thought they might be. At least one in our group was injured so couldn’t run; and I didn’t want to leave them behind. This needed to be a group experience.</p> <p>We drove to Imlil and met up with the support team that had been hired: a guide, a chef, and a muleteer. They’d accompany us on our hike across the High Atlas Mountains over the next few days — they’d show us the way, transport our bags, and cook our food when we reached each gîte.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/12RI3Gq7oIdoMEOEd2QEw0g.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>Hassan, our guide, led us to the rooftop of his home for Berber tea whilst Lessem and Mohammad loaded our heaviest packs onto the back of two mules along with food and cooking equipment. Berber tea, known locally as Berber whisky, is a green tea made from mint leaves and copious amounts of sugar. When it’s served, it’s poured and returned to the teapot three times to give the tea some air before it is consumed.</p> <p>The taste is distinctive, and is one I tried to avoid as the week went on. It was too sweet for me; but the teeth of many Berbers suggests they love it. Berbers are a people spread out across northern Africa, with a name derived from the Egyptian for outlander.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1ijidPf_3RBn52sVpc4zbvA.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>It was a relatively steep climb over nearly five miles of terrain to reach the peak of Tizi h’Mzik. The sun beat down on us with little shade for shelter. At this altitude there’s a real danger of sunburn — something I really struggled to avoid. The summit was cooler due to the strong winds blowing across the valley, but the danger was still there.</p> <p>For the descent into the valley I ran ahead with Hassan, passing cyclists that had braved the trails. With my heavy camera backpack it meant I couldn’t run as quickly as I normally would, and it meant I couldn’t stop as quickly either — something I discovered when I ran into a bush where the path wound tightly. I was more cautious after that, and walked whenever I felt I needed to.</p> <p>In Tizi Oussem I was led into the gîte— back home I might have believed it to be derelict, but here it was one of their better buildings. It was open plan and open to the air, allowing dust to be blown across the floor. <em>So this is why we needed sleeping bags</em>, I thought to myself. It wasn’t though — there were proper rooms below us.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1r6lE6obyAnLJpYaWF6mM2A.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" loading="lazy" /> <p>Two of the rooms had mats spread across the floor which is what we’d be putting sleeping bags on. Another room was used as a communal room which is where we’d socialise, and eat. The last of the rooms was the kitchen where Mohammad was preparing salad for lunch.</p> <p>Following lunch, we were introduced to another Berber tradition — the hammam. The tradition itself is from all over Africa, but in Morocco it evolved further during the Roman occupation. Here it was a ramshackle hut split into an antechamber for undressing, and a room with a heated floor — the rooms being separated by polythene hanging from the roof.</p> <p>The floor was being heated by a log fire underneath the building — this made the floor mostly too warm to stand on, but was warming a cauldron of water in the middle. The tradition of hammam is that you don’t pollute the water in the cauldron — you take what you need and mix it with cold water in another small container.</p> <p>Maybe it sounds primitive and difficult to use, but was the only way we’d be able to wash off the dirt from the trails.</p> <p>Before the sun had set we headed out into the village to look around, and for the others to give out stationary and sweets to the children there. We didn’t get far before a villager invited us into his home for some tea.</p> <p>Feeling we should accept his hospitality, we followed him home to their kitchen, one unlike any you’d see in England. It was a stone hut detached from where they lived, with branches from nearby juniper trees as a roof. Opposite the entrance was an alcove and chimney where a log fire was heating a pot. We crowded in, and sat wherever we could whilst our host moved a small table into the room between us.</p> <p>His family brought us homemade bread and walnuts, accompanied by a pot of coffee. Whilst we ate and drank they told us about about an abscess and asked for more hydrocortisone cream.</p> <p>The local language is a Berber dialect rather than Arabic or French so translations were being handled via Hassan who would translate into French and where possible, English. Hassan had learnt French in school, but his English came entirely from speaking to tourists. Sure I’ve learnt bits and pieces of languages on my travels — it’s only natural; but to pick up a language to the degree Hassan had? Impressive!</p> <p>We didn’t have any of the cream, but John offered them some aspirin. It just meant we needed to lead him back to the gîte in the dark using nothing but our phones to light the way.</p> <p>That night we tried our first proper Moroccan dish — tajine. This dish is named after the conical earthenware pot it is served in, and the ingredients can differ depending upon what is available. Ours was a beef served steaming with potato, carrots, olives, tomatoes, and courgette. I guess it’s a little like great tasting stew; especially the ones we had later with couscous.</p> <p>Having my fill of food, I climbed into my sleeping bag for the first time of this trip, and drifted off into the quiet abyss of sleep.</p> <p>It came as a surprise to have slept better in my sleeping bag than I had done in Marrakesh. This was despite the morning call to prayer from the nearby mosque at the crack of dawn.</p> <p>Once we’d had breakfast and I’d solved the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle of repacking my pack, we were on the trails heading to Tizgui. To go up, we first had to go down into the valley where a small stream was flowing. On the other side we began our climb, passing goats along the way. It was good to know there was at least some animal life here.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1dnnBa6gn_UHPNU27yi_gjw.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" loading="lazy" /> <p>At the summit we took a break for a snack just as we had on our way to Tizi Oussem. The winds were stronger than ever there; it was little wonder it was considered too unsafe to climb Mount Toubkal.</p> <p>For this descent I didn’t run — the ground was too loose for me to want to risk it. I did wonder if I was just looking for excuses to take it easy but in doing so I could enjoy the blues, greens, and reds of this valley. <em>It may be tiring, but it’s not all bad!</em></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1uDNNyDn2bBFvIt6KgKQKPQ.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>We crossed the stream a number of times until we encountered buildings. This village was very different to the previous — it felt bigger and more prosperous though apparently appearances were deceiving. Here we saw children playing football in an open square, and adults either working or sitting around the few basic stores they had.</p> <p>This gîte seemed nicer than the last; here they had a terrace where we could sit out in the open air until night fell.</p> <p>Another day, another hike. After covering ten miles to reach Tizgui, we had many more miles to cover before we’d reach Tiziane for our next overnight stay. This time there were two calls to prayer — one before the sun had even risen, so I was awake long before we needed to be moving.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/683/1Kkqzg4S5sYaHhiAuu82Exw.jpeg" width="683" height="1024" loading="lazy" /> <p>The trail out of the village took us passed a football pitch on the dusty red ground where its outline was marked with rocks. Trees had been cut down and tied together to make goalposts at either end — the people here are certainly good at working with what little they’ve got. This being on the side of the mountain, I did feel sorry for anyone having to fetch the ball.</p> <p>The red shades of the first mountain pass reminded me of Arizona and Utah. It’s strange that even when your travels are spaced out across years you can still find places blurring from one to the other. It’s like seeing the world as a single place.</p> <p>When we reached the second pass, the mules left us to take a route that would be easier for them. The route we were taking would go through a third pass with a descent along a dried-up river bed. The problem for the mules was that high flood defences had been built that the mules could not easily navigate.</p> <p>It started with loose stones that would shift underfoot, so I found myself alternating between looking at the green-blue mountainside and the ground. This ground eventually changed into green mounds of sheep droppings that shifted as my feet sank into them. It wasn’t pleasant, but it’s one of those things you have to just deal with and move on.</p> <p>Down in the dried-up riverbed there were slopes to climb for each dam crossing — one of which was difficult enough for Hassan to be helping us cross it. This took more effort, but the strong sun beating down was draining me more.</p> <p>To protect my arms I had to wear my hoodie, but in doing so I was severely overheating and getting through my water supply faster. Eventually we climbed away from the riverbed, and continued along a road to Tiziane.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/683/1-K5j6cX10U4I4ZMWmsD6BA.jpeg" width="683" height="1024" loading="lazy" /> <p>This gîte, located over a stable, felt a little ‘rougher around the edges’ than the ones before. Although this one was being lived in by the owner, not all of the facilities were quite in working order. The shower there was a ceramic hole in an outbuilding which you could sit in, and then a leaking knee-high tap could be used for washing. A drainage problem meant it couldn’t be turned on for long — though the hot water kept cutting out anyway.</p> <p>We were led from the gîte to the neighbouring village of Tizi Zougouart where Deb and John once again handed out stationary to the children. This time though they were surrounded, each one tugging and pleading for more and more like a scene from Oliver Twist.</p> <p>Hassan had seen enough. He took charge, and continued our tour of the village whilst the children followed him like some strange version of the pied piper.</p> <p>On our way back to Tiziane the army of children surrounded Deb one last time even though she had nothing left to give. She tried to move out of their way, but fell to the ground. It was fortunate she hadn’t been injured.</p> <p>Back at the gîte we found a French couple had arrived who had been in Morocco for a while and were now hiking similar paths to us. They lived in the same village in France that John and Deb visit, so they had something in common to talk about whilst waiting for food.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1oThmT5poPxYN7Qcr6BciBg.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" loading="lazy" /> <p>The dormitories in this gîte had ill-fitting windows, which did little to block out the cold night.</p> <p>It was now the anniversary of the Green March, a day in 1975 when 350,000 unarmed Moroccans had marched on the Spanish Saharan region of Sakiya Lhmra. It was a protest against the Spanish government, and was accompanied by demands to decolonise the area so it could be under Moroccan control. In the years since, the area remains disputed, and is now known as Western Sahara. It’s a border that is inadvisable for tourists to approach.</p> <p>Our hiking for the day would be far from it — we were going to Imsker. This trek started off with a descent down to the river, and then a climb on road surface to a radio tower. It was a big difference after the trails we’d hiked across so far, but it wasn’t exactly tarmac.</p> <p>It was easier, but by the time we reached the top we’d slowed enough for the mules to catch-up with us. For the descent we followed them down with the sun now at its strongest. I kept my hoodie and cap on to try and protect myself the best I could. Despite my best efforts I was already burnt.</p> <p>Whenever the mules strayed from the path they were hit with a stick. It can’t be an easy life for beasts of burden like this. I liked to think that one of them was named ‘Bill’ after the pony in The Lord of the Rings. It makes you appreciate what the long walks must have been like for those fictional characters.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1bPlFj8Gb0jH2mem_Y0mWQQ.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>Eventually we reached Imi Oughlad and a cold drink. This wasn’t our final stop though — we had one last climb ahead of us. We continued along the riverbed which was a putrid combination of rotten apples, donkey droppings, and water.</p> <p>This final climb, although short and not that steep either, felt like the hardest one we’d done. The heat was making it difficult to concentrate, and I found myself staring at my feet instead of taking in my surroundings.</p> <p>Reaching the top was a relief. Somehow I found the energy from there to run the remaining way to Imsker. It was a slow pace to start with, but once we hit the road I decided to run as fast as I dared to with my camera in my hand.</p> <p>One more night and we’d be in the comfort of the Kasbah du Toubkal — a unique mountain lodge recognised by National Geographic.</p> <p>Mountain life meant that other than when we’d passed through Imli Oughlad we hadn’t really seen any vehicles or heard any traffic in days. This made it strange to wake to the sound of passing vehicles.</p> <p>Following our farewells to the muleteer and chef, our trek started by following the road through the village under the shelter of trees, and up into the mountains. To pass the time we started playing games where we picked a subject and then had to name things from it for every letter of the alphabet.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1YROeBhPKy_z_dbsw9zr7Kw.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>We passed through another village with a newly built school, though it hadn’t yet been finished as it had no sanitation. Apparently the 45th President of the United States had funded the construction of this school, but the money had been siphoned away before completion.</p> <p>We stopped in the next village for Berber tea, not that I wanted any more of it. At least we were in the shade. When leaving this village we passed villagers washing their clothes in a stream that led to the base of our last peak. The path zig-zagged up the side to a height of over 2,000 metres above sea level. The biggest surprise was not just seeing a shop, but also a road leading back down. Our last climb was over.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1w0qimsHMWubAOMcmRygx6g.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>Instead of following the road all the way, we took shortcuts until we reached the gatehouse for the kasbah. Here we had the comfort of the Garden House for staying in — an unexpected upgrade as Howard knew the owner. All the food here was included, and we could eat whenever we wanted to. Even the hammam here was nicer, and included as part of the price.</p> <p>Being in a place like this makes you appreciate how well we live, and how little the Berbers in the mountains have. There wasn’t much I could do, but I donated my running shoes to our guide — his own were falling apart.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1T8O-QMhsKEV1LfRvvzTclA.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>Our last full day as a group started with a four mile hike up another mountain. This one took us passed what looked like a damaged crater of an explosive volcanic eruption. It seemed this was an old stratovolcano known as Jbel Sirwa.</p> <p>Further along this path was another village: Aroumd. We shopped in their co-operative market, and for the last time drank Berber tea. This was at best only a mile from the Kasbah following a waterfall and a watercourse.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1weSayipEvHtUpyzX5-YjNw.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>We awoke in the kasbah for the last time, and one taxi ride later was back in the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh. Howard led us through Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square in the Medina of Marrakesh, and told us about the famous orange sellers there. They’ve been known to start fights with each other if one thinks they’ve caught your eye and then you buy from another.</p> <p>Adjacent to the square are the souqs — a name which comes from the Hebrew word for marketplace. Everywhere you look there are shops selling similar goods — a little reminiscent of Kathmandu, but far cleaner.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1ss7C0HVNbyN9RQA8XMbKSw.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>As we entered, we witnessed a fight being broken up. It was difficult to tell what had happened, but it seemed one of them was soon walking a few steps in front of us. I hadn’t noticed until the other one caught back up and wrestled the other one to the ground in front of us — slapping each other as they went down.</p> <p>I stepped back a pace, and watched in surprise at the scene unfolding in front of me. Onlookers got involved and started pulling them away each other. All we could gather was that one of them may have been a shoplifter.</p> <p>We left this crowd behind us, and exited the souqs into an open square with stalls sending caged animals and other goods. Of all the markets in all the towns in all the world, we just so happened to walk through the one the French couple we’d met in Tizgui were looking around. They too were now into their last days of travel.</p> <p>Overlooking this market square was the terrace of a cafe. I could see across the rooftops of the souqs, and beyond. There were so many adobe buildings with satellites, and beyond them I could see the towers of mosques.</p> <p>From the cafe I left on my own with the intention of meeting up with the group one last time before their trip to the airport. I started with the Koutoubia Mosque, but non-Muslims are not allowed inside. I photographed the exterior instead, and continued walking until I reached Bab Agnaou — an ornate gate.</p> <p>Next to this gateway there’s a sign that helps with directions to other tourist attractions. I’d already made a plan of what I’d try and see, so headed in search of the Saadian tombs.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/683/1ELnx6enOTnRw440SuRJbfA.jpeg" width="683" height="1024" loading="lazy" /> <p>By 1672 the Saadian dynasty had come to an end, and in this time hundreds had been buried in tombs. Moulay Ismail wanted no sign of this dynasty to remain. He destroyed the palace, and sealed the entrances to the tombs so they could only be accessed via the Kasbah Mosque. Hundreds of years passed and the tombs were forgotten about; that is until the French General Hubert Lyautey rediscovered them in 1917.</p> <p>For what is there to see, the entrance fee was massively underpriced —in the UK this sort of sight would have been five to ten times more expensive to look around. Inside, the best of the rooms to see is one with twelve highly decorative pillars amongst the tombs.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1WbdvWCietA6Nd9pEVmyYsA.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>Having more time available after this, I went in search of more Saadian history — the El Badi Palace. I found myself walking down random alleyways filled with locals, and mopeds hurtling through them. Eventually these winding passages opened out into a large square, and there was the entrance.</p> <p>I didn’t have the time to read all the information signs in the palace. I was on a mission to see what could have easily taken a few hours in just thirty minutes. There was so much variety in the architecture to see — indications of many rooms with different purposes.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/167HY5zFHkocTa9Sbp1py4g.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>Finding my way back the Jemaa el-Fnaa was easy — though I was hassled by many shop owners along the way. I’d made it back in time to say goodbye to the others, and to explore some of the food stalls that were beginning to open up. Since our earlier visit, it had now attracted a number of acts as well — such as snake charmers. Photography in the square must be done with caution — if someone catches you then they’ll expect to be paid for it.</p> <p>Dusk was approaching, and I still needed to find the hotel I’d be staying at. Having both my adventure travel pack, and my camera backpack now seemed less of a good idea. They were too heavy for how far I needed to walk. In hindsight a taxi would have been a good idea — but I wanted to know the route.</p> <p>As the last light left the sky I reached the hotel near the Opera House and train station. Tomorrow I would be on my way to Rabat for the first full day by myself.</p> <p>Taking the train in Morocco isn’t too difficult, though I’m always cautious about making sure I’m on the right train. I’m just the same when I’m in England. The train I took was one which was divided into compartments so can be relatively quiet.</p> <p>For most of the journey we passed nothing but barren landscape until we reached Casablanca. Litter lined the sides of the railway. It looked very different to Marrakech. It looked newer, and more European. That is until you get to the sea where it’s more industrialised. I’d made the right decision not to stop there.</p> <p>Five hours after setting off, I arrived in Rabat. It’s obvious that Rabat is as different to Marrakech, as Marrakech is to Imlil. Marrakech has character in the old buildings and winding souqs of the medina; Rabat feels like a western city. There is a tram system, and busy roads — it could easily be a large city in France.</p> <p>I navigated my way through the medina to the riad I’d be staying at. This medina seemed cleaner, and newer. There were some that were wearing a red fez as well — the first time I’d seen this in Morocco. The riad itself seemed ancient.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1qn5MHcxo8EowcvV9gZ0hVg.jpeg" width="1024" height="683" loading="lazy" /> <p>The room I stayed in had large doors, as high as two or three people and could only be locked with large bolts and a padlock. The rooms conjured an image of Arabian majesty — I could picture that hundreds of years ago someone would be relaxing on cushions here, smoking a hookah pipe.</p> <p>I dropped my bags off, and headed back out into the city. The roads were busy, and the sights seemed more difficult to find. I thought it was possible to visit the royal palace grounds, but never found an entrance I was allowed through. This did however take me close to Chellah.</p> <p>Chellah, from a distance, looks like a castle. It started life as a small settlement called Sala, but the Roman Empire transformed it. When the city fell into ruin, Muslim Arabs took control and built a mosque; of which on the minaret still stands.</p> <p>Inside there was another link between the places I’d visited — the grave of Abu al-Hassan; a Moroccan sultan of the Marinid dynasty who ruled before the Saadiens. He had died in the High Atlas Mountains after being exiled, but was buried here.</p> <p>I walked from there to Hassan Tower — the remnant minaret of a mosque that was never completed. It had been intended to be the largest in the Muslim world, but now its a tourist attraction located next to the mausoleum of Mohammed V. The mosque had been a commission of Sultan Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, the same sultan that converted Chellah into a necropolis, and had started reconstruction of the Kasbah of the Udayas.</p> <p>The entire site is surrounded by walls with ceremonial guards on horseback at each entrance. The tower was closed, but tourists were allowed to enter the mausoleum. On each side is a ceremonial guard, and a queue of people.</p> <p>Inside the mausoleum you can look down from the balcony to see the tomb of Mohammed V below. He’s not the only one buried there — his son Prince Abdallah was buried there in 1983, and his other son King Hassan II was buried there in 1999.</p> <p>I left as the sun was setting, deciding on a five kilometre walk to get some pizza. It felt even more western in that part of the city, and the sunset gave me photographic opportunities I hadn’t expected.</p> <p>After breakfast served on the terrace of the riad, I was on my way to the Kasbah of the Udayas. I was surprised how easy it was to find without needing a map to get out of the medina.</p> <p>Just inside the entranceway was where I encountered the first of what are known as faux guides. He was hanging around at the entrance and started talking to me, as soon as I realised where the conversation was going I told him, “I don’t need a guide” and walked off.</p> <p>I started with the gardens, though they weren’t really worth the time. I started to realise I had three hours here, and wouldn’t need anywhere near all of it. I started walking slowly and started to explore some of the alleyways — some painted white and blue, and some white and red. I’d never seen use of colour like this anywhere I’d been before.</p> <p>As I passed a shop being set-up I encountered another faux guide.</p> <p>“I live here, let me show you around”</p> <p>“I’m good, thanks”</p> <p>“Do you know the area?”</p> <p>I looked down at the map I had in my hands, and looked back as I walked away, “yes”.</p> <p>“No you don’t!” he shouted after me.</p> <p>Sure I might not know personally, but my map knew the area pretty well I’d say. I’d got so much time to spare I wanted to walk down every alleyway in case there was anything to see, but knowing that many of them would be dead-ends. Even a dead-end could lead to something worth photographing.</p> <p>The north-eastern most part of the kasbah is an open courtyard, with a view across the Bou Regreg river to Salé. I’d got time to cross the bridge over there if I wanted to, but didn’t know of anything worth seeing. It felt the time would be better spent exploring the older buildings in Rabat.</p> <p>A path wound away from the courtyard, and along the coast passed a beach and a cemetery, and eventually on to a lighthouse. After going as far as I could, I returned back to the kasbah and walked south along the river instead.</p> <p>I’d not been walking long when I started to hear a number of gulls approaching. This noise got louder and louder, and I wondered what was happening. I spotted an old man that was wheeling something along, and all of these birds were flocking towards him. The cacophony of noise was loud, and the sky filled with wings. It was like watching Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’.</p> <p>I ran out of places to go eventually, so returned to the kasbah to sit in the garden. No matter where I sat, I found myself surrounded by stray cats — a very common sight in Morocco. When I left I found the large gates of the kasbah had been opened to reveal an art gallery inside. Before this I’d had no idea there was actually something on the other side — my research had indicated it was just another entrance.</p> <p>Collecting my luggage on the way, I made my way to the train station. There I sat on my travel pack whilst waiting for the train. I heard an announcement mentioning the train number I was taking, and then “vingt-cinq minues”. If I’d understood correctly, it meant the trail had been delayed by twenty-five minutes. I’d already wasted two hours in the train station, with more time ahead of me. I’d really overestimated how much time I’d need in Rabat.</p> <p>It was dark when I arrived back at the hotel in Marrakesh, though it’d be a while before I could sleep. On my way in I’d seen football on the television, and now a massive amount of noise was coming from outside. I looked out from one of the public balconies and could see people chanting in the streets blocking traffic, and mopeds circling the junction and blowing horns.</p> <p>Morocco had beaten Ivory Coast, getting them into theWorld Cup. Here the celebrations were peaceful, but in Brussels the Moroccan residents there had caused a riot that made it onto BBC News. These celebrations continued on until the early hours of the morning.</p> <p>There were two places left for me to see before heading home. I managed to find my way from the hotel to Jemaa el-Fna with ease; but needed to use my map to find Bahia Palace.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/0eT_x1GbTZnicUDnt.jpg" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy" /> <p>The style of this palace was incredibly different to El Badi — it was built in the 1860s by Grand Vizier Si Moussa using the best craftsmen that Morocco had to offer. It’s a palace of traditional zouaq roofs, and carved stucco coated walls combined with mosaic tiles.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/0mcUnxjxIFjXcN4sU.jpg" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy" /> <p>On my way out I decided to use some time to explore the Mellah — the old Jewish neighbourhood. The alleyways there differ greatly from the medina as here the buildings are residential. Every alley I walked down, it seemed people thought I was lost. It was however an insight into how people live in Marrakesh.</p> <p>My next stop, via the meandering alleyways, was a theological college known as Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa. It was founded in the fourteenth century, and remained open until 1960 when it had lost too many students to a college in Fez. What’s interesting about this place is the architecture.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/0U596cDd9LowknbMN.jpg" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy" /> <p>The courtyard is an amazing example of Arabic style, though its popularity makes it difficult to photograph due to the constant flow of tourists. I waited for quite some time, but never had the opportunity to take an ‘empty’ photograph.</p> <p>Having given up, I made my way to the Jewish cemetery through what I’d been told were the rougher parts of the city. Every few minutes I’d have someone tell me, “the main square is that way” — pointing back in the direction I’d come from, or calls of “there’s nothing here”. To me there was. This was a shortcut, with some shade, and potential photographic opportunities.</p> <p>I’d read that this cemetery is possible to look around, and usually requires giving the guard a tip; but in this case it was a fixed amount of ten dirhams. Most of the graves are bright white mounds of plaster, though there were also some that were the colour of sand, and were crumbling.</p> <p>The damaged ones allowed you to see how these graves were constructed — a rectangular arrangement of bricks with a layer of plaster rounding them off to create a slight dome. It looked like the entrance fee was being used to help restore the remainder.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/0XJJ_3xqBFo08IOfr.jpg" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy" /> <p>The time had come to begin my journey home. When I got to Jemaa el-Fna I was clipped from behind by a cyclist, but wasn’t injured, nor was the cyclist affected. From there I continued on to the hotel to collect my bags, and book a taxi.</p> <p>The airport required me to prove I didn’t have a drone packed, just as I’d needed to upon arrival. They also checked boarding cards and passports with such frequency it seemed almost like an obsession.</p> <p>The flight home was pleasant, with much of it spent talking to one of the airline attendants about how after fifty miles of hiking in the High Atlas Mountains my ten years of travel had now come to an end.</p> <p>I got to use a lot of what I’d learned from previous trips whilst also learning new lessons along the way. It proves that even after ten years and seven continents, the learning and the experiences don’t end.</p> <p>Seeing all these places brought new perspective about the world, and the people in it. There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’, there is just one world which we all live in, where we’re all driven by different things but have the same basic needs.</p> <p>Maybe things didn’t always go to plan on these trips, but it was always an experience I wouldn’t change. Now whenever I’m asked, “how was your holiday?” I reply with, “it wasn’t a holiday, it was an adventure.”</p> </section>	Wandering the World Part 33 Morocco Ten years of travel were almost at and end. It had seen me visiting the seven continents, and experiencing many things. From scuba diving in subterranean caves to soaring over a city on a paraglider. Yet each trip has felt a little more relaxed than the one before. In the beginning I started off by visiting an Arabic-speaking country knowing nothing of what to expect — I couldn’t speak the language, and I couldn’t read the road names. It hadn’t gone entirely to plan, but I learnt a lot about travelling. In that time I’ve met a lot of people, and one of those is Howard who runs an adventure travel company. One of the places he takes groups to is the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It felt like in returning to an Arabic-speaking country I had come full circle. Morocco would be something similar to Egypt, or so I thought; but this time my planning would be better. Before going I loaded my phone up with offline maps, and made sure I had a list of sights and their addresses. I couldn’t take a suitcase with me as it’d be carried by a mule; so I bought an adventure travel pack, then filled it with everything I needed in vacuum bags and dry bags. The mule would likely have river crossings so I’d need to keep everything dry. Within days of booking this trip, the Department of Homeland Security in the US announced a travel ban on electronic devices in aircraft cabins. On the American list of affected airports was Morocco. It was rumoured that the UK would be following suit. If the ban affected the UK it would mean I could only take my camera if it went in the aircraft hold. Travel insurance doesn’t cover valuables in these circumstances, and the risk of damage or theft is greatly increased. Days passed by and after nervously waiting it was confirmed that the UK would be implementing a ban, but would not include Morocco. My camera would be safe. As it’d be a trip with lots of hiking, and off the back of some big races, I decided I’d start the trip in comfort. I drove there, used the valet parking outside the terminal building entrance, and after security went to the British Airways lounge to relax and have lunch. It was a very nice experience and one I haven’t really had during my years travelling. The flight itself wasn’t that different to flying economy though as they use the same seats, but keep the middle ones empty. I took this time to read the inflight magazine that featured an article on hiking through the Toubkal National Park in the Atlas Mountains. What an amazing coincidence! It didn’t really help me to prepare though. Over an hour after landing in Marrakesh I’d gone through immigration, collected my hiking backpack, and changed a little currency. Once the others arrived, Howard introduced me to John and Deb. For this night we stayed in Marrakesh, and went out for pizza. Our adventure was about to begin. Our first day of hiking would be from Imlil, a place described as being the Moroccan Kathmandu, to the remote Tizi Oussem. Having no idea what to expect I thought I’d be running from one place to the next — it’d be a few miles and we’d be done by lunchtime. Even after all these years of travelling I get things wrong — these trails were not as easy I thought they might be. At least one in our group was injured so couldn’t run; and I didn’t want to leave them behind. This needed to be a group experience. We drove to Imlil and met up with the support team that had been hired: a guide, a chef, and a muleteer. They’d accompany us on our hike across the High Atlas Mountains over the next few days — they’d show us the way, transport our bags, and cook our food when we reached each gîte. Stopping for Berber tea Hassan, our guide, led us to the rooftop of his home for Berber tea whilst Lessem and Mohammad loaded our heaviest packs onto the back of two mules along with food and cooking equipment. Berber tea, known locally as Berber whisky, is a green tea made from mint leaves and copious amounts of sugar. When it’s served, it’s poured and returned to the teapot three times to give the tea some air before it is consumed. The taste is distinctive, and is one I tried to avoid as the week went on. It was too sweet for me; but the teeth of many Berbers suggests they love it. Berbers are a people spread out across northern Africa, with a name derived from the Egyptian for outlander. It was a relatively steep climb over nearly five miles of terrain to reach the peak of Tizi h’Mzik. The sun beat down on us with little shade for shelter. At this altitude there’s a real danger of sunburn — something I really struggled to avoid. The summit was cooler due to the strong winds blowing across the valley, but the danger was still there. For the descent into the valley I ran ahead with Hassan, passing cyclists that had braved the trails. With my heavy camera backpack it meant I couldn’t run as quickly as I normally would, and it meant I couldn’t stop as quickly either — something I discovered when I ran into a bush where the path wound tightly. I was more cautious after that, and walked whenever I felt I needed to. In Tizi Oussem I was led into the gîte— back home I might have believed it to be derelict, but here it was one of their better buildings. It was open plan and open to the air, allowing dust to be blown across the floor. So this is why we needed sleeping bags, I thought to myself. It wasn’t though — there were proper rooms below us. Sleeping quarters in the gîte Two of the rooms had mats spread across the floor which is what we’d be putting sleeping bags on. Another room was used as a communal room which is where we’d socialise, and eat. The last of the rooms was the kitchen where Mohammad was preparing salad for lunch. Following lunch, we were introduced to another Berber tradition — the hammam. The tradition itself is from all over Africa, but in Morocco it evolved further during the Roman occupation. Here it was a ramshackle hut split into an antechamber for undressing, and a room with a heated floor — the rooms being separated by polythene hanging from the roof. The floor was being heated by a log fire underneath the building — this made the floor mostly too warm to stand on, but was warming a cauldron of water in the middle. The tradition of hammam is that you don’t pollute the water in the cauldron — you take what you need and mix it with cold water in another small container. Maybe it sounds primitive and difficult to use, but was the only way we’d be able to wash off the dirt from the trails. Before the sun had set we headed out into the village to look around, and for the others to give out stationary and sweets to the children there. We didn’t get far before a villager invited us into his home for some tea. Feeling we should accept his hospitality, we followed him home to their kitchen, one unlike any you’d see in England. It was a stone hut detached from where they lived, with branches from nearby juniper trees as a roof. Opposite the entrance was an alcove and chimney where a log fire was heating a pot. We crowded in, and sat wherever we could whilst our host moved a small table into the room between us. His family brought us homemade bread and walnuts, accompanied by a pot of coffee. Whilst we ate and drank they told us about about an abscess and asked for more hydrocortisone cream. The local language is a Berber dialect rather than Arabic or French so translations were being handled via Hassan who would translate into French and where possible, English. Hassan had learnt French in school, but his English came entirely from speaking to tourists. Sure I’ve learnt bits and pieces of languages on my travels — it’s only natural; but to pick up a language to the degree Hassan had? Impressive! We didn’t have any of the cream, but John offered them some aspirin. It just meant we needed to lead him back to the gîte in the dark using nothing but our phones to light the way. That night we tried our first proper Moroccan dish — tajine. This dish is named after the conical earthenware pot it is served in, and the ingredients can differ depending upon what is available. Ours was a beef served steaming with potato, carrots, olives, tomatoes, and courgette. I guess it’s a little like great tasting stew; especially the ones we had later with couscous. Having my fill of food, I climbed into my sleeping bag for the first time of this trip, and drifted off into the quiet abyss of sleep. It came as a surprise to have slept better in my sleeping bag than I had done in Marrakesh. This was despite the morning call to prayer from the nearby mosque at the crack of dawn. Once we’d had breakfast and I’d solved the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle of repacking my pack, we were on the trails heading to Tizgui. To go up, we first had to go down into the valley where a small stream was flowing. On the other side we began our climb, passing goats along the way. It was good to know there was at least some animal life here. At the summit we took a break for a snack just as we had on our way to Tizi Oussem. The winds were stronger than ever there; it was little wonder it was considered too unsafe to climb Mount Toubkal. For this descent I didn’t run — the ground was too loose for me to want to risk it. I did wonder if I was just looking for excuses to take it easy but in doing so I could enjoy the blues, greens, and reds of this valley. It may be tiring, but it’s not all bad! We crossed the stream a number of times until we encountered buildings. This village was very different to the previous — it felt bigger and more prosperous though apparently appearances were deceiving. Here we saw children playing football in an open square, and adults either working or sitting around the few basic stores they had. This gîte seemed nicer than the last; here they had a terrace where we could sit out in the open air until night fell. Another day, another hike. After covering ten miles to reach Tizgui, we had many more miles to cover before we’d reach Tiziane for our next overnight stay. This time there were two calls to prayer — one before the sun had even risen, so I was awake long before we needed to be moving. The trail out of the village took us passed a football pitch on the dusty red ground where its outline was marked with rocks. Trees had been cut down and tied together to make goalposts at either end — the people here are certainly good at working with what little they’ve got. This being on the side of the mountain, I did feel sorry for anyone having to fetch the ball. The red shades of the first mountain pass reminded me of Arizona and Utah. It’s strange that even when your travels are spaced out across years you can still find places blurring from one to the other. It’s like seeing the world as a single place. When we reached the second pass, the mules left us to take a route that would be easier for them. The route we were taking would go through a third pass with a descent along a dried-up river bed. The problem for the mules was that high flood defences had been built that the mules could not easily navigate. It started with loose stones that would shift underfoot, so I found myself alternating between looking at the green-blue mountainside and the ground. This ground eventually changed into green mounds of sheep droppings that shifted as my feet sank into them. It wasn’t pleasant, but it’s one of those things you have to just deal with and move on. Down in the dried-up riverbed there were slopes to climb for each dam crossing — one of which was difficult enough for Hassan to be helping us cross it. This took more effort, but the strong sun beating down was draining me more. To protect my arms I had to wear my hoodie, but in doing so I was severely overheating and getting through my water supply faster. Eventually we climbed away from the riverbed, and continued along a road to Tiziane. This gîte, located over a stable, felt a little ‘rougher around the edges’ than the ones before. Although this one was being lived in by the owner, not all of the facilities were quite in working order. The shower there was a ceramic hole in an outbuilding which you could sit in, and then a leaking knee-high tap could be used for washing. A drainage problem meant it couldn’t be turned on for long — though the hot water kept cutting out anyway. We were led from the gîte to the neighbouring village of Tizi Zougouart where Deb and John once again handed out stationary to the children. This time though they were surrounded, each one tugging and pleading for more and more like a scene from Oliver Twist. Hassan had seen enough. He took charge, and continued our tour of the village whilst the children followed him like some strange version of the pied piper. On our way back to Tiziane the army of children surrounded Deb one last time even though she had nothing left to give. She tried to move out of their way, but fell to the ground. It was fortunate she hadn’t been injured. Back at the gîte we found a French couple had arrived who had been in Morocco for a while and were now hiking similar paths to us. They lived in the same village in France that John and Deb visit, so they had something in common to talk about whilst waiting for food. The dormitories in this gîte had ill-fitting windows, which did little to block out the cold night. It was now the anniversary of the Green March, a day in 1975 when 350,000 unarmed Moroccans had marched on the Spanish Saharan region of Sakiya Lhmra. It was a protest against the Spanish government, and was accompanied by demands to decolonise the area so it could be under Moroccan control. In the years since, the area remains disputed, and is now known as Western Sahara. It’s a border that is inadvisable for tourists to approach. Our hiking for the day would be far from it — we were going to Imsker. This trek started off with a descent down to the river, and then a climb on road surface to a radio tower. It was a big difference after the trails we’d hiked across so far, but it wasn’t exactly tarmac. It was easier, but by the time we reached the top we’d slowed enough for the mules to catch-up with us. For the descent we followed them down with the sun now at its strongest. I kept my hoodie and cap on to try and protect myself the best I could. Despite my best efforts I was already burnt. Whenever the mules strayed from the path they were hit with a stick. It can’t be an easy life for beasts of burden like this. I liked to think that one of them was named ‘Bill’ after the pony in The Lord of the Rings. It makes you appreciate what the long walks must have been like for those fictional characters. Eventually we reached Imi Oughlad and a cold drink. This wasn’t our final stop though — we had one last climb ahead of us. We continued along the riverbed which was a putrid combination of rotten apples, donkey droppings, and water. This final climb, although short and not that steep either, felt like the hardest one we’d done. The heat was making it difficult to concentrate, and I found myself staring at my feet instead of taking in my surroundings. Reaching the top was a relief. Somehow I found the energy from there to run the remaining way to Imsker. It was a slow pace to start with, but once we hit the road I decided to run as fast as I dared to with my camera in my hand. One more night and we’d be in the comfort of the Kasbah du Toubkal — a unique mountain lodge recognised by National Geographic. Mountain life meant that other than when we’d passed through Imli Oughlad we hadn’t really seen any vehicles or heard any traffic in days. This made it strange to wake to the sound of passing vehicles. Following our farewells to the muleteer and chef, our trek started by following the road through the village under the shelter of trees, and up into the mountains. To pass the time we started playing games where we picked a subject and then had to name things from it for every letter of the alphabet. We passed through another village with a newly built school, though it hadn’t yet been finished as it had no sanitation. Apparently the 45th President of the United States had funded the construction of this school, but the money had been siphoned away before completion. We stopped in the next village for Berber tea, not that I wanted any more of it. At least we were in the shade. When leaving this village we passed villagers washing their clothes in a stream that led to the base of our last peak. The path zig-zagged up the side to a height of over 2,000 metres above sea level. The biggest surprise was not just seeing a shop, but also a road leading back down. Our last climb was over. Instead of following the road all the way, we took shortcuts until we reached the gatehouse for the kasbah. Here we had the comfort of the Garden House for staying in — an unexpected upgrade as Howard knew the owner. All the food here was included, and we could eat whenever we wanted to. Even the hammam here was nicer, and included as part of the price. Being in a place like this makes you appreciate how well we live, and how little the Berbers in the mountains have. There wasn’t much I could do, but I donated my running shoes to our guide — his own were falling apart. Our last full day as a group started with a four mile hike up another mountain. This one took us passed what looked like a damaged crater of an explosive volcanic eruption. It seemed this was an old stratovolcano known as Jbel Sirwa. Further along this path was another village: Aroumd. We shopped in their co-operative market, and for the last time drank Berber tea. This was at best only a mile from the Kasbah following a waterfall and a watercourse. We awoke in the kasbah for the last time, and one taxi ride later was back in the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh. Howard led us through Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square in the Medina of Marrakesh, and told us about the famous orange sellers there. They’ve been known to start fights with each other if one thinks they’ve caught your eye and then you buy from another. Adjacent to the square are the souqs — a name which comes from the Hebrew word for marketplace. Everywhere you look there are shops selling similar goods — a little reminiscent of Kathmandu, but far cleaner. As we entered, we witnessed a fight being broken up. It was difficult to tell what had happened, but it seemed one of them was soon walking a few steps in front of us. I hadn’t noticed until the other one caught back up and wrestled the other one to the ground in front of us — slapping each other as they went down. I stepped back a pace, and watched in surprise at the scene unfolding in front of me. Onlookers got involved and started pulling them away each other. All we could gather was that one of them may have been a shoplifter. We left this crowd behind us, and exited the souqs into an open square with stalls sending caged animals and other goods. Of all the markets in all the towns in all the world, we just so happened to walk through the one the French couple we’d met in Tizgui were looking around. They too were now into their last days of travel. Overlooking this market square was the terrace of a cafe. I could see across the rooftops of the souqs, and beyond. There were so many adobe buildings with satellites, and beyond them I could see the towers of mosques. From the cafe I left on my own with the intention of meeting up with the group one last time before their trip to the airport. I started with the Koutoubia Mosque, but non-Muslims are not allowed inside. I photographed the exterior instead, and continued walking until I reached Bab Agnaou — an ornate gate. Next to this gateway there’s a sign that helps with directions to other tourist attractions. I’d already made a plan of what I’d try and see, so headed in search of the Saadian tombs. By 1672 the Saadian dynasty had come to an end, and in this time hundreds had been buried in tombs. Moulay Ismail wanted no sign of this dynasty to remain. He destroyed the palace, and sealed the entrances to the tombs so they could only be accessed via the Kasbah Mosque. Hundreds of years passed and the tombs were forgotten about; that is until the French General Hubert Lyautey rediscovered them in 1917. For what is there to see, the entrance fee was massively underpriced —in the UK this sort of sight would have been five to ten times more expensive to look around. Inside, the best of the rooms to see is one with twelve highly decorative pillars amongst the tombs. Having more time available after this, I went in search of more Saadian history — the El Badi Palace. I found myself walking down random alleyways filled with locals, and mopeds hurtling through them. Eventually these winding passages opened out into a large square, and there was the entrance. I didn’t have the time to read all the information signs in the palace. I was on a mission to see what could have easily taken a few hours in just thirty minutes. There was so much variety in the architecture to see — indications of many rooms with different purposes. Finding my way back the Jemaa el-Fnaa was easy — though I was hassled by many shop owners along the way. I’d made it back in time to say goodbye to the others, and to explore some of the food stalls that were beginning to open up. Since our earlier visit, it had now attracted a number of acts as well — such as snake charmers. Photography in the square must be done with caution — if someone catches you then they’ll expect to be paid for it. Dusk was approaching, and I still needed to find the hotel I’d be staying at. Having both my adventure travel pack, and my camera backpack now seemed less of a good idea. They were too heavy for how far I needed to walk. In hindsight a taxi would have been a good idea — but I wanted to know the route. As the last light left the sky I reached the hotel near the Opera House and train station. Tomorrow I would be on my way to Rabat for the first full day by myself. Taking the train in Morocco isn’t too difficult, though I’m always cautious about making sure I’m on the right train. I’m just the same when I’m in England. The train I took was one which was divided into compartments so can be relatively quiet. For most of the journey we passed nothing but barren landscape until we reached Casablanca. Litter lined the sides of the railway. It looked very different to Marrakech. It looked newer, and more European. That is until you get to the sea where it’s more industrialised. I’d made the right decision not to stop there. Five hours after setting off, I arrived in Rabat. It’s obvious that Rabat is as different to Marrakech, as Marrakech is to Imlil. Marrakech has character in the old buildings and winding souqs of the medina; Rabat feels like a western city. There is a tram system, and busy roads — it could easily be a large city in France. I navigated my way through the medina to the riad I’d be staying at. This medina seemed cleaner, and newer. There were some that were wearing a red fez as well — the first time I’d seen this in Morocco. The riad itself seemed ancient. The room I stayed in had large doors, as high as two or three people and could only be locked with large bolts and a padlock. The rooms conjured an image of Arabian majesty — I could picture that hundreds of years ago someone would be relaxing on cushions here, smoking a hookah pipe. I dropped my bags off, and headed back out into the city. The roads were busy, and the sights seemed more difficult to find. I thought it was possible to visit the royal palace grounds, but never found an entrance I was allowed through. This did however take me close to Chellah. Chellah, from a distance, looks like a castle. It started life as a small settlement called Sala, but the Roman Empire transformed it. When the city fell into ruin, Muslim Arabs took control and built a mosque; of which on the minaret still stands. Inside there was another link between the places I’d visited — the grave of Abu al-Hassan; a Moroccan sultan of the Marinid dynasty who ruled before the Saadiens. He had died in the High Atlas Mountains after being exiled, but was buried here. I walked from there to Hassan Tower — the remnant minaret of a mosque that was never completed. It had been intended to be the largest in the Muslim world, but now its a tourist attraction located next to the mausoleum of Mohammed V. The mosque had been a commission of Sultan Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, the same sultan that converted Chellah into a necropolis, and had started reconstruction of the Kasbah of the Udayas. The entire site is surrounded by walls with ceremonial guards on horseback at each entrance. The tower was closed, but tourists were allowed to enter the mausoleum. On each side is a ceremonial guard, and a queue of people. Inside the mausoleum you can look down from the balcony to see the tomb of Mohammed V below. He’s not the only one buried there — his son Prince Abdallah was buried there in 1983, and his other son King Hassan II was buried there in 1999. I left as the sun was setting, deciding on a five kilometre walk to get some pizza. It felt even more western in that part of the city, and the sunset gave me photographic opportunities I hadn’t expected. After breakfast served on the terrace of the riad, I was on my way to the Kasbah of the Udayas. I was surprised how easy it was to find without needing a map to get out of the medina. Just inside the entranceway was where I encountered the first of what are known as faux guides. He was hanging around at the entrance and started talking to me, as soon as I realised where the conversation was going I told him, “I don’t need a guide” and walked off. I started with the gardens, though they weren’t really worth the time. I started to realise I had three hours here, and wouldn’t need anywhere near all of it. I started walking slowly and started to explore some of the alleyways — some painted white and blue, and some white and red. I’d never seen use of colour like this anywhere I’d been before. As I passed a shop being set-up I encountered another faux guide. “I live here, let me show you around” “I’m good, thanks” “Do you know the area?” I looked down at the map I had in my hands, and looked back as I walked away, “yes”. “No you don’t!” he shouted after me. Sure I might not know personally, but my map knew the area pretty well I’d say. I’d got so much time to spare I wanted to walk down every alleyway in case there was anything to see, but knowing that many of them would be dead-ends. Even a dead-end could lead to something worth photographing. The north-eastern most part of the kasbah is an open courtyard, with a view across the Bou Regreg river to Salé. I’d got time to cross the bridge over there if I wanted to, but didn’t know of anything worth seeing. It felt the time would be better spent exploring the older buildings in Rabat. A path wound away from the courtyard, and along the coast passed a beach and a cemetery, and eventually on to a lighthouse. After going as far as I could, I returned back to the kasbah and walked south along the river instead. I’d not been walking long when I started to hear a number of gulls approaching. This noise got louder and louder, and I wondered what was happening. I spotted an old man that was wheeling something along, and all of these birds were flocking towards him. The cacophony of noise was loud, and the sky filled with wings. It was like watching Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’. I ran out of places to go eventually, so returned to the kasbah to sit in the garden. No matter where I sat, I found myself surrounded by stray cats — a very common sight in Morocco. When I left I found the large gates of the kasbah had been opened to reveal an art gallery inside. Before this I’d had no idea there was actually something on the other side — my research had indicated it was just another entrance. Collecting my luggage on the way, I made my way to the train station. There I sat on my travel pack whilst waiting for the train. I heard an announcement mentioning the train number I was taking, and then “vingt-cinq minues”. If I’d understood correctly, it meant the trail had been delayed by twenty-five minutes. I’d already wasted two hours in the train station, with more time ahead of me. I’d really overestimated how much time I’d need in Rabat. It was dark when I arrived back at the hotel in Marrakesh, though it’d be a while before I could sleep. On my way in I’d seen football on the television, and now a massive amount of noise was coming from outside. I looked out from one of the public balconies and could see people chanting in the streets blocking traffic, and mopeds circling the junction and blowing horns. Morocco had beaten Ivory Coast, getting them into theWorld Cup. Here the celebrations were peaceful, but in Brussels the Moroccan residents there had caused a riot that made it onto BBC News. These celebrations continued on until the early hours of the morning. There were two places left for me to see before heading home. I managed to find my way from the hotel to Jemaa el-Fna with ease; but needed to use my map to find Bahia Palace. The style of this palace was incredibly different to El Badi — it was built in the 1860s by Grand Vizier Si Moussa using the best craftsmen that Morocco had to offer. It’s a palace of traditional zouaq roofs, and carved stucco coated walls combined with mosaic tiles. On my way out I decided to use some time to explore the Mellah — the old Jewish neighbourhood. The alleyways there differ greatly from the medina as here the buildings are residential. Every alley I walked down, it seemed people thought I was lost. It was however an insight into how people live in Marrakesh. My next stop, via the meandering alleyways, was a theological college known as Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa. It was founded in the fourteenth century, and remained open until 1960 when it had lost too many students to a college in Fez. What’s interesting about this place is the architecture. The courtyard is an amazing example of Arabic style, though its popularity makes it difficult to photograph due to the constant flow of tourists. I waited for quite some time, but never had the opportunity to take an ‘empty’ photograph. Having given up, I made my way to the Jewish cemetery through what I’d been told were the rougher parts of the city. Every few minutes I’d have someone tell me, “the main square is that way” — pointing back in the direction I’d come from, or calls of “there’s nothing here”. To me there was. This was a shortcut, with some shade, and potential photographic opportunities. I’d read that this cemetery is possible to look around, and usually requires giving the guard a tip; but in this case it was a fixed amount of ten dirhams. Most of the graves are bright white mounds of plaster, though there were also some that were the colour of sand, and were crumbling. The damaged ones allowed you to see how these graves were constructed — a rectangular arrangement of bricks with a layer of plaster rounding them off to create a slight dome. It looked like the entrance fee was being used to help restore the remainder. The time had come to begin my journey home. When I got to Jemaa el-Fna I was clipped from behind by a cyclist, but wasn’t injured, nor was the cyclist affected. From there I continued on to the hotel to collect my bags, and book a taxi. The airport required me to prove I didn’t have a drone packed, just as I’d needed to upon arrival. They also checked boarding cards and passports with such frequency it seemed almost like an obsession. The flight home was pleasant, with much of it spent talking to one of the airline attendants about how after fifty miles of hiking in the High Atlas Mountains my ten years of travel had now come to an end. I got to use a lot of what I’d learned from previous trips whilst also learning new lessons along the way. It proves that even after ten years and seven continents, the learning and the experiences don’t end. Seeing all these places brought new perspective about the world, and the people in it. There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’, there is just one world which we all live in, where we’re all driven by different things but have the same basic needs. Maybe things didn’t always go to plan on these trips, but it was always an experience I wouldn’t change. Now whenever I’m asked, “how was your holiday?” I reply with, “it wasn’t a holiday, it was an adventure.”	ebfb55a4-441d-5625-8e9b-f1ab98c78265	25/08/2025 18:00:50
https://medium.com/ground-state-curiosity/a-visual-guide-to-the-uncertainty-principle-67e8e3509b63	medium.com	A Visual Guide to the Uncertainty Principle	The Heisenberg uncertainly principle captures the experimental and theoretical phenomena that you can’t ever really have full information…	Colton Kawamura	https://medium.com/@groundstatecuriosity	67e8e3509b63	https://miro.medium.com/…OwiJtt3R6ayw.gif	2 min	2020-12-22T05:23:33.662000	2020-12-22T05:30:08.041000	2022-03-30T21:18:36.430000	0	0	en	Physics,Mathematics,Education,Science,Computer Science	<section> <p>The Heisenberg uncertainly principle captures the experimental and theoretical phenomena that you can’t ever really have full information about both a particle’s position and momentum at the same time. To increase certainty in one, you must give up certainty in the other. Quantitatively, it is described as follows,</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/240/1YPJw3K6IU23ES-xRONdL2w.png" width="240" height="134" loading="lazy" /> <p>A dive into Fourier analysis can explain this much more analytically, but for now, let’s stick to these animations.</p> <h1>Where is the Wave and What’s its Momentum?</h1> <p>In the image below: ask yourself <em>Where is the wave?</em></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/874/1EdhbL8edniOwiJtt3R6ayw.gif" width="874" height="662" loading="lazy" /> <p>You can probably tell with some certainty that the wave is where that hump moving to the right is. Now ask yourself this question <em>What is the wavelength</em>? This question is a little hard to answer since the wavelength is the distance between repeating parts of a wave. But what if we had a longer pulse of a wave?</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/874/1Xm911g2wyR3xg3EHVquAcw.gif" width="874" height="662" loading="lazy" /> <p>Here, the wavelength is much easier to determine since the wave repeats itself. But what happened to the position of the wave? It’s smeared across the length of the pulse — it’s more uncertain. We just traded certainty of the wavelength for the uncertainty of its position.</p> <h2>Momentum Links to Other Information</h2> <p>So what does this have to do with momentum? On quantum scales, particle’s wave-like behavior dominates. Physicist de Broglie linked particle and wave characteristics together with the constant, called Plank’s constant:</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1608/1obm_QQr5okXpzkZiI7qHwQ.png" width="1608" height="158" loading="lazy" /> <h2>The Big Picture</h2> <p>What does this mean for our everyday lives? One of the many examples includes solid-state hard drives, which takes advantage of the phenomena the uncertainty principle models. A fluctuating position of a particle can enable it to move through a barrier that it classically couldn’t. This allows electrons to be stored in space without the use of a capacitor, which allows for the non-volatile flash memory we have in most modern electronics.</p> <p><em>All images were produced by me and are free to use however you’d like, but some credit would be nice. </em><a href="https://github.com/GroundStateCuriosity/images_and_gifs">Code is found here.</a></p> </section>	A Visual Guide to the Uncertainty Principle The Heisenberg uncertainly principle captures the experimental and theoretical phenomena that you can’t ever really have full information about both a particle’s position and momentum at the same time. To increase certainty in one, you must give up certainty in the other. Quantitatively, it is described as follows, A dive into Fourier analysis can explain this much more analytically, but for now, let’s stick to these animations. Where is the Wave and What’s its Momentum? In the image below: ask yourself Where is the wave? You can probably tell with some certainty that the wave is where that hump moving to the right is. Now ask yourself this question What is the wavelength? This question is a little hard to answer since the wavelength is the distance between repeating parts of a wave. But what if we had a longer pulse of a wave? Here, the wavelength is much easier to determine since the wave repeats itself. But what happened to the position of the wave? It’s smeared across the length of the pulse — it’s more uncertain. We just traded certainty of the wavelength for the uncertainty of its position. Momentum Links to Other Information So what does this have to do with momentum? On quantum scales, particle’s wave-like behavior dominates. Physicist de Broglie linked particle and wave characteristics together with the constant, called Plank’s constant: The Big Picture What does this mean for our everyday lives? One of the many examples includes solid-state hard drives, which takes advantage of the phenomena the uncertainty principle models. A fluctuating position of a particle can enable it to move through a barrier that it classically couldn’t. This allows electrons to be stored in space without the use of a capacitor, which allows for the non-volatile flash memory we have in most modern electronics. All images were produced by me and are free to use however you’d like, but some credit would be nice. Code is found here.	d867b718-7ac9-5a7b-9614-6af7869d2680	25/08/2025 18:00:51
https://medium.com/@elenadunn/get-free-frame-wall-mockups-for-your-creative-projects-e8a03f4547f3	medium.com	Get Free Frame Wall Mockups for Your Creative Projects	Are you looking for high-quality frame wall mockups to showcase your design work? Mockups are a powerful tool for designers to present…	Elenadunn	https://medium.com/@elenadunn	e8a03f4547f3	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*nBPyA-dFvmbGTZwA	3 min	2025-08-24T15:45:46.233000	2025-04-12T00:56:41.866000	2025-08-24T16:29:41.415000	0	0	en	Culture,Travel Tips,Travel,Travel Writing,Food	<section> <p><strong>Are you looking for high-quality frame wall mockups to showcase your design work? </strong>Mockups are a powerful tool for designers to present their ideas in a realistic setting without the need for physical prototypes. Whether you’re designing posters, artwork, or other creative pieces, a well-designed mockup can make a huge difference in how your project is perceived. In this article, we’ll delve into the benefits of using frame wall mockups, how to Get them for free, and why they can be an ultimate asset in your design process.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/466/0*nBPyA-dFvmbGTZwA" width="466" height="580" loading="lazy" /> <h1>What is a Frame Wall Mockup?</h1> <p>Frame wall mockups are digital templates designed to simulate the look of artwork, posters, or photographs displayed on a wall. These mockups allow designers to visualize their creations in a real-world environment, making them an indispensable tool for presentations and portfolios. By using a frame wall mockup, you can see how your designs will look in different interior settings, whether it’s a modern living room or a chic office.</p> <h2>Why You Should Use Frame Wall Mockups</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Realistic presentation:</strong> Frame wall mockups create a visual representation of your design in a true-to-life environment.</li> <li><strong>Convenient and time-saving:</strong> Instead of setting up physical displays, you can showcase your designs digitally.</li> <li><strong>Perfect for client presentations:</strong> Mockups give clients a clear idea of how their final product will look.</li> <li><strong>Easy to use:</strong> Most mockups come with smart object layers, making customization simple and fast.</li> </ul> <h2>How to Get Free Frame Wall Mockups</h2> <p>Geting free frame wall mockups has never been easier. There are several websites offering a wide variety of high-quality, free templates. You can find mockups in different styles and formats, such as PSD files that are ready to be customized with your designs. To get started, simply click on the <strong><a href="https://yeldesigns.blo</strong>gspot.com/mockups/s/frame%20wall%20mockup%20free">free frame wall mockup Get link</a> to access an extensive collection of mockups that are ready for use in your next project.</p> <h2>Types of Frame Wall Mockups You Can Find</h2> <p>There are several different types of frame wall mockups available, catering to various creative needs. Below are some of the most popular styles:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Minimalist Wall Mockups:</strong> Clean, modern settings with simple white walls are perfect for minimalist designs.</li> <li><strong>Interior Design Mockups:</strong> Mockups that simulate real home or office environments with framed artworks on the walls.</li> <li><strong>Gallery Wall Mockups:</strong> These mockups display multiple frames on a wall, ideal for showcasing collections of artwork.</li> <li><strong>Textured Wall Mockups:</strong> These mockups feature textured or painted walls, adding more depth and character to your presentations.</li> </ul> <h2>Best Practices for Using Frame Wall Mockups</h2> <p>When working with frame wall mockups, it’s essential to follow some best practices to ensure your designs look professional and polished:</p> <p><strong>Choose the right mockup:</strong> Select a frame wall mockup that aligns with the mood or theme of your design.</p> <p><strong>Use high-quality images:</strong> Always work with high-resolution images to avoid pixelation or blurriness in the final mockup.</p> <p><strong>Keep proportions consistent:</strong> Make sure your design fits correctly within the frame, maintaining the original aspect ratio.</p> <p><strong>Customize the environment:</strong> Many mockups allow you to alter the background, lighting, or other elements, so tailor the scene to fit your design.</p> <h2>Where to Get More Frame Wall Mockups</h2> <p>While the <strong><a href="https://yeldesigns.blo</strong>gspot.com/mockups/s/frame%20wall%20mockup%20free">free frame wall mockup Get link</a> provides a vast collection of mockups, you can always explore more sources for even greater options. Keep an eye out for free offers and premium mockups to enhance your design portfolio. Mockup websites frequently update their libraries with fresh templates, so you will always find something new and exciting for your creative projects.</p> <p>“Mockups are not just for showing off designs; they’re an essential tool for presenting ideas in the most realistic way possible.”</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <p>Incorporating frame wall mockups into your design process can significantly improve how your creations are presented. Whether you’re designing for clients, building your portfolio, or simply exploring new ideas, these mockups offer a realistic preview of your work. By Geting free frame wall mockups, you can save time, enhance your creative workflow, and bring your designs to life in the most impactful way. Don’t forget to visit the <strong><a href=</strong>"https://yeldesigns.blogspot.com/mockups/s/frame%20wall%20mockup%20free">Get link</a> to get started!</p> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://drccbjo.wordpress.com/2025/04/</em>12/get-free-frame-wall-mockups-for-your-creative-projects/">http://drccbjo.wordpress.com</a> on April 12, 2025.</p> </section>	Get Free Frame Wall Mockups for Your Creative Projects Are you looking for high-quality frame wall mockups to showcase your design work? Mockups are a powerful tool for designers to present their ideas in a realistic setting without the need for physical prototypes. Whether you’re designing posters, artwork, or other creative pieces, a well-designed mockup can make a huge difference in how your project is perceived. In this article, we’ll delve into the benefits of using frame wall mockups, how to Get them for free, and why they can be an ultimate asset in your design process. What is a Frame Wall Mockup? Frame wall mockups are digital templates designed to simulate the look of artwork, posters, or photographs displayed on a wall. These mockups allow designers to visualize their creations in a real-world environment, making them an indispensable tool for presentations and portfolios. By using a frame wall mockup, you can see how your designs will look in different interior settings, whether it’s a modern living room or a chic office. Why You Should Use Frame Wall Mockups Realistic presentation: Frame wall mockups create a visual representation of your design in a true-to-life environment. Convenient and time-saving: Instead of setting up physical displays, you can showcase your designs digitally. Perfect for client presentations: Mockups give clients a clear idea of how their final product will look. Easy to use: Most mockups come with smart object layers, making customization simple and fast. How to Get Free Frame Wall Mockups Geting free frame wall mockups has never been easier. There are several websites offering a wide variety of high-quality, free templates. You can find mockups in different styles and formats, such as PSD files that are ready to be customized with your designs. To get started, simply click on the free frame wall mockup Get link to access an extensive collection of mockups that are ready for use in your next project. Types of Frame Wall Mockups You Can Find There are several different types of frame wall mockups available, catering to various creative needs. Below are some of the most popular styles: Minimalist Wall Mockups: Clean, modern settings with simple white walls are perfect for minimalist designs. Interior Design Mockups: Mockups that simulate real home or office environments with framed artworks on the walls. Gallery Wall Mockups: These mockups display multiple frames on a wall, ideal for showcasing collections of artwork. Textured Wall Mockups: These mockups feature textured or painted walls, adding more depth and character to your presentations. Best Practices for Using Frame Wall Mockups When working with frame wall mockups, it’s essential to follow some best practices to ensure your designs look professional and polished: Choose the right mockup: Select a frame wall mockup that aligns with the mood or theme of your design. Use high-quality images: Always work with high-resolution images to avoid pixelation or blurriness in the final mockup. Keep proportions consistent: Make sure your design fits correctly within the frame, maintaining the original aspect ratio. Customize the environment: Many mockups allow you to alter the background, lighting, or other elements, so tailor the scene to fit your design. Where to Get More Frame Wall Mockups While the free frame wall mockup Get link provides a vast collection of mockups, you can always explore more sources for even greater options. Keep an eye out for free offers and premium mockups to enhance your design portfolio. Mockup websites frequently update their libraries with fresh templates, so you will always find something new and exciting for your creative projects. “Mockups are not just for showing off designs; they’re an essential tool for presenting ideas in the most realistic way possible.” Conclusion Incorporating frame wall mockups into your design process can significantly improve how your creations are presented. Whether you’re designing for clients, building your portfolio, or simply exploring new ideas, these mockups offer a realistic preview of your work. By Geting free frame wall mockups, you can save time, enhance your creative workflow, and bring your designs to life in the most impactful way. Don’t forget to visit the Get link to get started! Originally published at http://drccbjo.wordpress.com on April 12, 2025.	db13c8f0-a533-5a60-9a50-d187fcc19269	25/08/2025 18:00:51
https://medium.com/@gina.lomas/the-difference-we-make-story-of-ely-90c2dc50da8b	medium.com	Harvesting Hope: How Cargill Is Helping Farmers and Students in Indonesia	The U.S. agriculture giant is joining forces with World Food Program USA to support homegrown school meals.	Gina Lomas	https://medium.com/@gina.lomas	90c2dc50da8b	https://miro.medium.com/…D-d2zeLl0rw.jpeg	3 min	2017-12-19T05:01:30.030000	2017-12-19T05:09:43.146000	2018-04-11T01:03:38.026000	0	0	en	Food,Education,Wfp,Humanitarian,Partnerships	<section> <h3>The U.S. agriculture giant is joining forces with World Food Program USA to support homegrown school meals.</h3> <p>Every morning at 5 a.m., 12-year-old Ely wakes to the sound of roosters crowing outside her bedroom window in the Gunung Sari Village in Indonesia. It’s time to get ready for school. Gunung Sari Village is a remote community far from the district’s capital. In order to reach the classroom on time, Ely must begin her half-mile trek at dawn on her bicycle.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1600/1o78dIBi41QAD-d2zeLl0rw.jpeg" width="1600" height="1200" loading="lazy" /> <p>Before the World Food Programme (WFP) launched its school meals program in her school, Ely often made that trip on an empty stomach. Her father, Safata, used to work for a shoe factory before losing his job two years ago. Now he struggles to put food on the table as a day laborer at the local farming plantation.</p> <blockquote><em>“I’m not earning much. I will get about IDR 700,000 each month if I work every day in the plantation,” Safata tells us. That works out to be less than $2 per day — which isn’t enough to feed himself, his wife and three children.</em></blockquote> <blockquote><em>“I’m really happy that Ely and other students in her school receive the school meals. Many of the students at Gunung Sari Primary School II come from low-income families.”</em></blockquote> <p>These school meals don’t just nourish hungry children like Ely. Thanks to support from Cargill, these school meals are homegrown, which means smallholder farmers in Indonesia are providing fresh, locally produced crops to source these school meals. This approach creates a sustainable supply chain and a reliable market.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/0xKPBApB2ynHgwWDK.jpg" width="1024" height="768" loading="lazy" /> <p>Through the school meals program, a grassroots women’s association is involved in overseeing the purchase, delivery and cooking of meals. More than 800 students like Ely in four rural schools in Banten, East Java and NTT provinces benefit from Cargill’s support.</p> <blockquote><em>“The teachers always give us delicious breakfast at school,” Ely said. “My favorite meal is vegetable porridge with chicken. But I also like vegetable noodles with chicken.”</em></blockquote> <p>The project is part of a three-year, three-country partnership between Cargill, WFP USA and WFP to build sustainable supply chains for school meals in Kenya, Indonesia and Honduras. The partnership offers technical assistance and support for smallholder farmers — including training and tools, such as hybrid seeds and fertilizer — to improve the quality and quantity of their harvests. This approach not only provides the right nutrition for children in need, it also helps improve agricultural productivity and earning potential for farmers.</p> <blockquote>I don’t have to study with an empty stomach anymore.</blockquote> <p>Approximately one in three children in Indonesia is stunted as a result of chronic malnutrition. Undernourishment in school-age children may impact their ability to concentrate and succeed in the classroom. Undernourished children are more likely to fall sick and be absent from school.</p> <blockquote><em>“Ever since I started eating healthy breakfast at school, I don’t have to study with an empty stomach anymore,” Ely said. “Studying with an empty stomach used to make me very sleepy in class.”</em></blockquote> <p>Since 2012, WFP has provided school meals to the most vulnerable students in Indonesia, expanding its initial pilot to feed 100,000 students across 11 districts. The program has already resulted in more diverse diets and higher attendance rates in participating schools. Dropout rates, meanwhile, are three times lower than schools that don’t receive support from WFP or Cargill.</p> <p>You can help feed a hungry child. <a href="https://insight.wfp.org/r/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww1.wfp.org%2Fdonate-now">Donate now</a>.</p> <p>Find out more about WFP’s <a href="https://insight.wfp.org/r/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww1.wfp.org%2Fschool-meals">school meals on wfp.org</a></p> </section>	Harvesting Hope: How Cargill Is Helping Farmers and Students in Indonesia The U.S. agriculture giant is joining forces with World Food Program USA to support homegrown school meals. Every morning at 5 a.m., 12-year-old Ely wakes to the sound of roosters crowing outside her bedroom window in the Gunung Sari Village in Indonesia. It’s time to get ready for school. Gunung Sari Village is a remote community far from the district’s capital. In order to reach the classroom on time, Ely must begin her half-mile trek at dawn on her bicycle. To get to school on time, Ely must begin her half-mile trek at dawn every day on her bicycle. Photo: Yayasan Cempaka/Nurhasan Before the World Food Programme (WFP) launched its school meals program in her school, Ely often made that trip on an empty stomach. Her father, Safata, used to work for a shoe factory before losing his job two years ago. Now he struggles to put food on the table as a day laborer at the local farming plantation. “I’m not earning much. I will get about IDR 700,000 each month if I work every day in the plantation,” Safata tells us. That works out to be less than $2 per day — which isn’t enough to feed himself, his wife and three children. “I’m really happy that Ely and other students in her school receive the school meals. Many of the students at Gunung Sari Primary School II come from low-income families.” These school meals don’t just nourish hungry children like Ely. Thanks to support from Cargill, these school meals are homegrown, which means smallholder farmers in Indonesia are providing fresh, locally produced crops to source these school meals. This approach creates a sustainable supply chain and a reliable market. Learning session in one of the classes of Gunung Sari Primary School II. Photo: Yayasan Cempaka/Nurhasan Through the school meals program, a grassroots women’s association is involved in overseeing the purchase, delivery and cooking of meals. More than 800 students like Ely in four rural schools in Banten, East Java and NTT provinces benefit from Cargill’s support. “The teachers always give us delicious breakfast at school,” Ely said. “My favorite meal is vegetable porridge with chicken. But I also like vegetable noodles with chicken.” The project is part of a three-year, three-country partnership between Cargill, WFP USA and WFP to build sustainable supply chains for school meals in Kenya, Indonesia and Honduras. The partnership offers technical assistance and support for smallholder farmers — including training and tools, such as hybrid seeds and fertilizer — to improve the quality and quantity of their harvests. This approach not only provides the right nutrition for children in need, it also helps improve agricultural productivity and earning potential for farmers. I don’t have to study with an empty stomach anymore. Approximately one in three children in Indonesia is stunted as a result of chronic malnutrition. Undernourishment in school-age children may impact their ability to concentrate and succeed in the classroom. Undernourished children are more likely to fall sick and be absent from school. “Ever since I started eating healthy breakfast at school, I don’t have to study with an empty stomach anymore,” Ely said. “Studying with an empty stomach used to make me very sleepy in class.” Since 2012, WFP has provided school meals to the most vulnerable students in Indonesia, expanding its initial pilot to feed 100,000 students across 11 districts. The program has already resulted in more diverse diets and higher attendance rates in participating schools. Dropout rates, meanwhile, are three times lower than schools that don’t receive support from WFP or Cargill. You can help feed a hungry child. Donate now. Find out more about WFP’s school meals on wfp.org	96baeaac-3e4e-5cf4-9a26-ec2feacb85a6	25/08/2025 18:00:51
https://michaelmgphotographygoltz.medium.com/kristal-the-wall-3119894f88e3	medium.com	Kristal, The Wall	Photos from my recent shoot with Kristal Kathleen, based on the Pink Floyd Album “The Wall”. We are both very big fans of Pink Floyd and…	Michael Goltz	https://medium.com/@michaelmgphotographygoltz	3119894f88e3	https://miro.medium.com/…3DqBKK74h1A.jpeg	1 min	2017-08-24T15:05:30.400000	2017-08-24T15:11:06.167000	2018-03-17T00:34:13.488000	0	0	en	Music,Photography,Pink Floyd,Portrait Photography,Photographer	<section> <p>Photos from my recent shoot with Kristal Kathleen, based on the Pink Floyd Album “The Wall”. We are both very big fans of Pink Floyd and thus were very excited to do the shoot.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3461/1v6Ss0cOuy4d3DqBKK74h1A.jpeg" width="3461" height="4845" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3668/1kDW07BvnGSQyf_8M80Wc7g.jpeg" width="3668" height="2620" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2620/1q0t3T6qzLdOXYjq2ByC1uQ.jpeg" width="2620" height="3668" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3668/1ssqq50d5Tr0RwUhkRkqJbw.jpeg" width="3668" height="2620" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4088/1Z2mA47tm63efU-cHmZy2qA.jpeg" width="4088" height="3343" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2620/1S5deVr4KW6RHPRTEgLxJ4w.jpeg" width="2620" height="3668" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2620/1*AgDTdJ0qETdKDxvq5bgtvQ.jpeg" width="2620" height="3668" loading="lazy" /> </section>	Kristal, The Wall Photos from my recent shoot with Kristal Kathleen, based on the Pink Floyd Album “The Wall”. We are both very big fans of Pink Floyd and thus were very excited to do the shoot.	cc73d0bf-a216-5706-830d-55567604ecc1	25/08/2025 18:00:52
https://jadabdala.medium.com/christmas-cocain-287ce30f3756	medium.com	Christmas cocain	(an extract from my book “Adonis kicked out from yoga” which will be soon published in english)	Jad Abdallah	https://medium.com/@jadabdala	287ce30f3756	null	1 min	2017-02-18T13:00:42.811000	2017-02-18T13:02:58.583000	2018-04-12T10:45:50.667000	0	0	en	Satire,Fiction,Authors,Drug Rehab,Christianity	<section> <p>(an extract from my book “Adonis kicked out from yoga” which will be soon published in english)</p> <p>Gustave sniffed cocaine regularly. The rehab center tried to help him and cure him but he always went back. People there even started calling him Gus. On Christmas eve in 2005, the center had the idea that Gustave should be celebrating this sacred moment with his loved ones. Everyone seemed happy that Gustave had found the right path again. However, right after dinner when the prayers were about to start, Gustave quickly rose to his feet with his glass of whiskey (with two ice cubes) in his hand, and he headed towards the Christmas tree. He carefully picked up the snowflakes that decorated the nativity scene and sniffed them. He repeated his gesture a second time and then a third time under his guests’ shocked eyes. Instead of the usual flour or powder that Christian families normally use for decoration, there were there around one hundred grams of cocaine scattered around the Christmas tree and even among the little sheep, the three wise men and baby Jesus</p> </section>	Christmas cocain (an extract from my book “Adonis kicked out from yoga” which will be soon published in english) Gustave sniffed cocaine regularly. The rehab center tried to help him and cure him but he always went back. People there even started calling him Gus. On Christmas eve in 2005, the center had the idea that Gustave should be celebrating this sacred moment with his loved ones. Everyone seemed happy that Gustave had found the right path again. However, right after dinner when the prayers were about to start, Gustave quickly rose to his feet with his glass of whiskey (with two ice cubes) in his hand, and he headed towards the Christmas tree. He carefully picked up the snowflakes that decorated the nativity scene and sniffed them. He repeated his gesture a second time and then a third time under his guests’ shocked eyes. Instead of the usual flour or powder that Christian families normally use for decoration, there were there around one hundred grams of cocaine scattered around the Christmas tree and even among the little sheep, the three wise men and baby Jesus	6386a940-7aa1-5770-b37f-9b33d1ba7eb8	25/08/2025 18:00:52
https://hise-gibson.medium.com/the-carrot-or-the-stick-organizational-leadership-in-and-beyond-covid-19-c407a801b74	medium.com	The Carrot or the Stick?: Organizational Leadership in and Beyond COVID-19	By: Hise Gibson and Nadege Benoit	Hise Gibson	https://medium.com/@hise-gibson	c407a801b74	https://miro.medium.com/…Zs-zeb0Lkpg.jpeg	5 min	2021-01-04T22:38:36.906000	2021-01-11T10:19:39.621000	2021-12-26T23:40:58.908000	0	108	en	Leadership,Leadership Development,Covid-19,Organizational Change,Innovation	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/400/1*ZidRSLW216bZs-zeb0Lkpg.jpeg" width="400" height="400" loading="lazy" /> <p>By: Hise Gibson and Nadege Benoit</p> <p>As COVID-19 continues to disrupt the traditional work environment, organizations and leaders <a href="https://blog.cabreraresearch.org/the-new-normal">face a new challenge</a>: keeping the workforce motivated. With the massive introduction of remote work, team members have the agency to find a new job with a better leader if leaders do not meaningfully engage team members.</p> <p>Early in the work from home movement, many corporations and organizations reported high productivity and increased employee happiness. However, as the quarantine months have dragged on, the novelty has worn off, employees are now balancing homeschooling, fears of lays offs, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/piercing-fog-zoom-carin-isabel-knoop/">Zoom fatigue</a>. To incentivize employees to meet specific requirements, many corporations are requiring employees to self-report their productivity. Others, like Amazon, have taken to firing employees for not adhering to strict social distancing measures. The tech industry has taken a different approach by extending its <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/06/facebook-will-allow-employees-to-work-remotely-until-july-2021.html">remote work policy until 2021</a>. What is the right approach to leading in a global pandemic? Is it better to lead with <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/carrot-and-stick-motivation">a carrot or with a stick</a>?</p> <p>The metaphor of the <em><strong>carrot or t</em>he stick</strong> references a <a href="https://www.knowledgehut.com/tutorials/project-management/motivation-theories">motivation theory </a>that uses rewards and punishments to enforce behavior and induce compliance. The metaphor of the carrot refers to using incentives and rewards to motivate and lead. For example, when leaders provide a clear purpose that nurtures intrinsic motivation. Conversely, the stick method uses punishment to encourage people and elicit compliance. The carrot method may not always be how leaders find themselves leading. It is often easy to use rewards to motivate employees. However, leaders may resort to other methods once incentives run out or no longer seem useful.</p> <p>Managers and executives seem to use threats of lay-offs and firing employees more often in the virtual environment as a method to enforce compliance in the new work environment. The drawback of using this method is that employees fear losing jobs if productivity degrades and anxious over what the future may look like if forced to return to the office. Furthermore, employees may not be as productive as they report but instead reporting higher numbers out of fear.</p> <p>Using a stick method of motivating employees, organizations risk creating a work environment that uses fear to induce compliance and eliminates psychological safety. <a href="https://hbr.org/podcast/2019/01/creating-psychological-safety-in-the-workplace">Psychological safety </a>is not only crucial for communication, but according to the<strong> </strong><a href="https://hbr.org/2017/08/high-performing-teams-need-psychological-safety-heres-how-to-create-it">Harvard Business Review</a><strong>,</strong> it also allows for risk-taking, creativity, and trust in the workplace. These types of behaviors tend to increase solutions and collaboration in work teams. Increasing psychological safety also increases confidence in the workplace, establishing cohesive teams that buy-in to organizational values and missions. A positive work climate is crucial to innovation and begins by establishing constructive perceptions around group dynamics. Managerial leadership styles directly influence positive work climates. Research corroborates that managers and executives who are <strong>self-aware create collaborative environments and </strong><a href="https://hbr.org/2019/08/the-key-to-happy-customers-happy-employees">happy employees </a>committed to the organization’s mission. Ultimately, suppose organizations want to create buy-in for the task and purpose. In that case, they must demonstrate a balance between the carrot and stick, oscillating between having empathy for employees and still maintaining a productive work environment.</p> <p>In this COVID environment, leaders are forced to increase the frequency of engagement with team members. It is easier to know how teams are doing beyond their work-life because of technology advances. However, it is easier to pick up on nonverbal cues in the physical world than in the greenscreen background world of video meetings. Techniques to combat this will vary based on the level of responsibility of the leader within the organization. Mid-level managers might need far more leeway than senior leaders based on leaders’ knowledge, skill, and attributes.</p> <p><strong>How Can Managers and Leaders Balance?</strong></p> <p>Striking a balance between punishments and rewards is difficult, considering the COVID-19 environment. Leaders can leverage the Army’s operational process as a framework to enable success. This framework consists of consistent initial planning, preparing, and executing while continuously assessing the entire process. Another way is as follows.</p> <p><strong>Plan (and review)</strong></p> <p>First, organizations need to review their current policies and priorities about how initiatives are managed. Early during the pandemic, many organizations shifted their work to virtual platforms without assessing how to transpose results. Despite the convenience of Zoom and Microsoft Teams, not all work is easily transferable. Not reviewing policies and organizational priorities led to many experiencing Zoom fatigue from hours of screen time that may have been unnecessary. Reviewing work policies and prioritizing work to be done in a virtual platform can help organizations managers lead in a not overbearing or too relaxed a manner.</p> <p><strong>Prepare (and balance)</strong></p> <p>Second, managers and leaders, particularly middle managers, need to be cautious of what is being over-emphasized to employees. Constant threats of punishments such as lay-offs and benefit cuts induce stress, reduce productivity, and probably wear off if the threats do not come to be. Conversely, endless rewards in an organization can also lead to trouble. Employees may become too complacent and expect rewards for marginal performance. Both rewards and punishments need to be used in a manner that motivates employees. Too much of either creates diminishing returns.</p> <p><strong>Execute (and monitor)</strong></p> <p>Finally, organizations must create a feedback system that allows them to assess their progress. Implementing punishments or rewards can help motivate employees, but only if the input is present to adjust as required. Feedback enables communication at all echelons of an organization, and it reinforces psychological safety. As mentioned earlier, when employees feel like their opinion matters, it enhances trust and innovation.</p> <p><strong>Assess (continuosly)</strong></p> <p>Leaders who understand how and what motivates employees shows that the organization understands its employees. It also demonstrates empathy in a very challenging time. Finally, and most importantly, it creates buy-in and trust that leaders care about their employees. According to <em>Fortune </em>magazine, the top 100 “best companies to work for” all have in common that employees trust their managers, coincidentally these companies also outperform the annual returns of the S&P 500. Trust and buy-in are not only crucial to motivating employees but are also financially lucrative.</p> <p>Although 2020 is over, the COVID-19 pandemic is still disrupting the workforce causing the work from home environment to continue for the foreseeable future. Managers and leaders across all levels must appraise how they are managing tools to motivate employees behind their screens.</p> <p><strong>Dr. Hise O. Gibson</strong> is an Academy Professor of Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated with a B.S. in Operations Research from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a Doctorate of Business Administration in Technology and Operations Management from Harvard Business School. His expertise is the intersection of operational effectiveness and human capital development to enable more effective ways to maximize the integration of Technology, People, and Processes throughout an organization.</p> <p><strong>Nadege Benoit</strong> is an Army Adjutant General Officer and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. She currently serves as a Leader Developer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and is a graduate of the Army’s Eisenhower Leader Development Program and holds a master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.</p> </section>	The Carrot or the Stick?: Organizational Leadership in and Beyond COVID-19 By: Hise Gibson and Nadege Benoit As COVID-19 continues to disrupt the traditional work environment, organizations and leaders face a new challenge: keeping the workforce motivated. With the massive introduction of remote work, team members have the agency to find a new job with a better leader if leaders do not meaningfully engage team members. Early in the work from home movement, many corporations and organizations reported high productivity and increased employee happiness. However, as the quarantine months have dragged on, the novelty has worn off, employees are now balancing homeschooling, fears of lays offs, and Zoom fatigue. To incentivize employees to meet specific requirements, many corporations are requiring employees to self-report their productivity. Others, like Amazon, have taken to firing employees for not adhering to strict social distancing measures. The tech industry has taken a different approach by extending its remote work policy until 2021. What is the right approach to leading in a global pandemic? Is it better to lead with a carrot or with a stick? The metaphor of the carrot or the stick references a motivation theory that uses rewards and punishments to enforce behavior and induce compliance. The metaphor of the carrot refers to using incentives and rewards to motivate and lead. For example, when leaders provide a clear purpose that nurtures intrinsic motivation. Conversely, the stick method uses punishment to encourage people and elicit compliance. The carrot method may not always be how leaders find themselves leading. It is often easy to use rewards to motivate employees. However, leaders may resort to other methods once incentives run out or no longer seem useful. Managers and executives seem to use threats of lay-offs and firing employees more often in the virtual environment as a method to enforce compliance in the new work environment. The drawback of using this method is that employees fear losing jobs if productivity degrades and anxious over what the future may look like if forced to return to the office. Furthermore, employees may not be as productive as they report but instead reporting higher numbers out of fear. Using a stick method of motivating employees, organizations risk creating a work environment that uses fear to induce compliance and eliminates psychological safety. Psychological safety is not only crucial for communication, but according to the Harvard Business Review, it also allows for risk-taking, creativity, and trust in the workplace. These types of behaviors tend to increase solutions and collaboration in work teams. Increasing psychological safety also increases confidence in the workplace, establishing cohesive teams that buy-in to organizational values and missions. A positive work climate is crucial to innovation and begins by establishing constructive perceptions around group dynamics. Managerial leadership styles directly influence positive work climates. Research corroborates that managers and executives who are self-aware create collaborative environments and happy employees committed to the organization’s mission. Ultimately, suppose organizations want to create buy-in for the task and purpose. In that case, they must demonstrate a balance between the carrot and stick, oscillating between having empathy for employees and still maintaining a productive work environment. In this COVID environment, leaders are forced to increase the frequency of engagement with team members. It is easier to know how teams are doing beyond their work-life because of technology advances. However, it is easier to pick up on nonverbal cues in the physical world than in the greenscreen background world of video meetings. Techniques to combat this will vary based on the level of responsibility of the leader within the organization. Mid-level managers might need far more leeway than senior leaders based on leaders’ knowledge, skill, and attributes. How Can Managers and Leaders Balance? Striking a balance between punishments and rewards is difficult, considering the COVID-19 environment. Leaders can leverage the Army’s operational process as a framework to enable success. This framework consists of consistent initial planning, preparing, and executing while continuously assessing the entire process. Another way is as follows. Plan (and review) First, organizations need to review their current policies and priorities about how initiatives are managed. Early during the pandemic, many organizations shifted their work to virtual platforms without assessing how to transpose results. Despite the convenience of Zoom and Microsoft Teams, not all work is easily transferable. Not reviewing policies and organizational priorities led to many experiencing Zoom fatigue from hours of screen time that may have been unnecessary. Reviewing work policies and prioritizing work to be done in a virtual platform can help organizations managers lead in a not overbearing or too relaxed a manner. Prepare (and balance) Second, managers and leaders, particularly middle managers, need to be cautious of what is being over-emphasized to employees. Constant threats of punishments such as lay-offs and benefit cuts induce stress, reduce productivity, and probably wear off if the threats do not come to be. Conversely, endless rewards in an organization can also lead to trouble. Employees may become too complacent and expect rewards for marginal performance. Both rewards and punishments need to be used in a manner that motivates employees. Too much of either creates diminishing returns. Execute (and monitor) Finally, organizations must create a feedback system that allows them to assess their progress. Implementing punishments or rewards can help motivate employees, but only if the input is present to adjust as required. Feedback enables communication at all echelons of an organization, and it reinforces psychological safety. As mentioned earlier, when employees feel like their opinion matters, it enhances trust and innovation. Assess (continuosly) Leaders who understand how and what motivates employees shows that the organization understands its employees. It also demonstrates empathy in a very challenging time. Finally, and most importantly, it creates buy-in and trust that leaders care about their employees. According to Fortune magazine, the top 100 “best companies to work for” all have in common that employees trust their managers, coincidentally these companies also outperform the annual returns of the S&P 500. Trust and buy-in are not only crucial to motivating employees but are also financially lucrative. Although 2020 is over, the COVID-19 pandemic is still disrupting the workforce causing the work from home environment to continue for the foreseeable future. Managers and leaders across all levels must appraise how they are managing tools to motivate employees behind their screens. Dr. Hise O. Gibson is an Academy Professor of Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated with a B.S. in Operations Research from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a Doctorate of Business Administration in Technology and Operations Management from Harvard Business School. His expertise is the intersection of operational effectiveness and human capital development to enable more effective ways to maximize the integration of Technology, People, and Processes throughout an organization. Nadege Benoit is an Army Adjutant General Officer and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. She currently serves as a Leader Developer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and is a graduate of the Army’s Eisenhower Leader Development Program and holds a master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.	2aaccff9-12b4-5219-8ed7-72c59e538cb4	25/08/2025 18:00:52
https://outofbroken.medium.com/a-happily-ever-after-life-e6a11b5939ee	medium.com	A Happily Ever After Life	Sharing part of my story on living an unshakable, happily ever after life	Amy Marie	https://medium.com/@outofbroken	e6a11b5939ee	https://miro.medium.com/…gu9tduG63Lva.png	3 min	2017-08-08T03:35:48.111000	2017-08-08T03:37:40.582000	2018-01-21T16:54:19.833000	0	0	en	Christianity,Love,Blogger,Self Improvement,Faith	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/300/0*Skqugu9tduG63Lva.png" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy" /> <p>“Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are, in order that <strong>the things that cannot be shaken may remain</strong>. Therefore, <strong>let us be grateful</strong> for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:26–29</p> <p>As I read this passage this morning, it immediately resonated with my shaken up life this past year. It’s been a year of breaking, a long year of continued loss. Loss of part of my heart, loss of perceived youth, loss of all financial resources, loss of health, loss of relationships, loss of belongings, loss of place, and loss of identity.</p> <p>I remember in my early 30’s throwing myself into my career with abandon as the sudden need to be more and have more took over. If you do not have the career, the furnished house, the outward success, then what are you worth?</p> <p>However, after this year of stripping, after selling most of my belongings, and driving half across the country with the remainder of what I had left, stuffed into the last thing I owed worth anything, my white, dented up, Civic, and driving into the unknown, I should have felt overwhelmed with the most fear and sadness, but I strangely felt the most peace and joy. Left behind was my need to be anything or have anything. Left behind was a need to prove my value or create an identity based on what I do for a living or the stuff that I own. Remaining in it’s place, was only the unshakable things. My unshakable salvation. My worth, my value, my identity in a God whose love I could never be separated from. This unshakable love had somehow been buried under my own sin and striving throughout the last decade of struggle and vanity.</p> <p>This heart transformation wasn’t the result of a tap of a magical wand as I drove off into my penniless sunset. It was out of being broken throughout the year, that I began to wake up every day and sit down with a pen and paper and my bible. I read and I wrote truth. I started writing the things I was thankful for, and I prayed. Nothing emotionally charged or worthy of any fanfare. But in that consistency, more and more God continued to remove the grief, the fear, the daily darkness, and replace it with a new ability to see the good things, the work he was doing, even in the midst of the hard things. He began to work peace and joy in my heart, wholeness in the midst of brokenness.</p> <p>It’s strange when you actually see the growth. Most often times God is working on us and we don’t see how we’ve changed until we look back years later on who we were. I can’t help but laugh at myself as I walk around, not as that irritable, moody person that my family often tiptoed around, but instead, full of energy and light. Somehow having even acquired an affection for the big and slobbery dogs! As I pet and feed my parent’s grumpy cat who is all but shaved except for it’s puffy fur ball head and tail, I smile and think, I may have been mostly an ugly stepsister, but through this shaken life, I’ve woken up a Cinderella. God’s Word does heal, it does transform, and you don’t need to wait for the happily ever after to experience it today.</p> <p><em>“Eucharisteo (thanksgiving) always precedes the miracle.” — </em>Ann Voskamp</p> </section>	A Happily Ever After Life “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are, in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:26–29 As I read this passage this morning, it immediately resonated with my shaken up life this past year. It’s been a year of breaking, a long year of continued loss. Loss of part of my heart, loss of perceived youth, loss of all financial resources, loss of health, loss of relationships, loss of belongings, loss of place, and loss of identity. I remember in my early 30’s throwing myself into my career with abandon as the sudden need to be more and have more took over. If you do not have the career, the furnished house, the outward success, then what are you worth? However, after this year of stripping, after selling most of my belongings, and driving half across the country with the remainder of what I had left, stuffed into the last thing I owed worth anything, my white, dented up, Civic, and driving into the unknown, I should have felt overwhelmed with the most fear and sadness, but I strangely felt the most peace and joy. Left behind was my need to be anything or have anything. Left behind was a need to prove my value or create an identity based on what I do for a living or the stuff that I own. Remaining in it’s place, was only the unshakable things. My unshakable salvation. My worth, my value, my identity in a God whose love I could never be separated from. This unshakable love had somehow been buried under my own sin and striving throughout the last decade of struggle and vanity. This heart transformation wasn’t the result of a tap of a magical wand as I drove off into my penniless sunset. It was out of being broken throughout the year, that I began to wake up every day and sit down with a pen and paper and my bible. I read and I wrote truth. I started writing the things I was thankful for, and I prayed. Nothing emotionally charged or worthy of any fanfare. But in that consistency, more and more God continued to remove the grief, the fear, the daily darkness, and replace it with a new ability to see the good things, the work he was doing, even in the midst of the hard things. He began to work peace and joy in my heart, wholeness in the midst of brokenness. It’s strange when you actually see the growth. Most often times God is working on us and we don’t see how we’ve changed until we look back years later on who we were. I can’t help but laugh at myself as I walk around, not as that irritable, moody person that my family often tiptoed around, but instead, full of energy and light. Somehow having even acquired an affection for the big and slobbery dogs! As I pet and feed my parent’s grumpy cat who is all but shaved except for it’s puffy fur ball head and tail, I smile and think, I may have been mostly an ugly stepsister, but through this shaken life, I’ve woken up a Cinderella. God’s Word does heal, it does transform, and you don’t need to wait for the happily ever after to experience it today. “Eucharisteo (thanksgiving) always precedes the miracle.” — Ann Voskamp	3fe6a572-233b-5a7d-82a0-b914343e25b5	25/08/2025 18:00:52
https://adishaswot.medium.com/the-paradox-of-substance-and-sharpness-ec1551c73657	medium.com	The Paradox of Substance and Sharpness	They say a mentor’s words resonate through time. Mine warned: “Sharpness without substance is effortless.” Indeed, some short-lived artists…	Addy Shaswot	https://medium.com/@adishaswot	ec1551c73657	https://miro.medium.com/…sbjvL8025-Q.jpeg	1 min	2024-03-26T05:17:54.460000	2024-03-26T05:20:11.949000	2024-11-29T17:41:47.329000	0	0	en	Entrepreneurship,CEO,Mindset	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*ILkMi6pyxhXsbjvL8025-Q.jpeg" width="1280" height="719" loading="lazy" /> <p>They say a mentor’s words resonate through time. Mine warned: “Sharpness without substance is effortless.” Indeed, some short-lived artists tend to display their biggest art but lacks all the details in it, their “ charisma “ a mere cloak for the emptiness.</p> <p>Curiously, knowledge itself can be a double-edged sword. The more we learn, the vaster the unknown becomes, echoing the ache of an empty well. Perhaps this explains the quiet hum of true accomplishment. Unlike empty vessels, it doesn’t need to shout.</p> <p>Think of the celebrated CEOs, all flash, and no cash. Or founders eclipsed by their own carefully crafted images, their companies’ mere footnotes in their personal narratives. The whispers of impact but roars of self-promotions.</p> <p>But why? Can’t brilliance and depth coexist with outward success? Or are those with the most to say often saying the least?</p> <p>Perhaps the answer lies in focus. True substance demands introspection, a journey inward rather than outward. It’s the craftsman meticulously honing their craft, the scholar lost in the pursuit of knowledge, all leaving the noise to those who crave it most.</p> <p>So, the next time I am dazzled by the shine, I will remember: the most profound melodies often come from the quietest instruments. Seeking the substance, not the spectacle. It’s supposed to be there, waiting to be discovered, in the whispers, not the shouts.</p> </section>	The Paradox of Substance and Sharpness They say a mentor’s words resonate through time. Mine warned: “Sharpness without substance is effortless.” Indeed, some short-lived artists tend to display their biggest art but lacks all the details in it, their “ charisma “ a mere cloak for the emptiness. Curiously, knowledge itself can be a double-edged sword. The more we learn, the vaster the unknown becomes, echoing the ache of an empty well. Perhaps this explains the quiet hum of true accomplishment. Unlike empty vessels, it doesn’t need to shout. Think of the celebrated CEOs, all flash, and no cash. Or founders eclipsed by their own carefully crafted images, their companies’ mere footnotes in their personal narratives. The whispers of impact but roars of self-promotions. But why? Can’t brilliance and depth coexist with outward success? Or are those with the most to say often saying the least? Perhaps the answer lies in focus. True substance demands introspection, a journey inward rather than outward. It’s the craftsman meticulously honing their craft, the scholar lost in the pursuit of knowledge, all leaving the noise to those who crave it most. So, the next time I am dazzled by the shine, I will remember: the most profound melodies often come from the quietest instruments. Seeking the substance, not the spectacle. It’s supposed to be there, waiting to be discovered, in the whispers, not the shouts.	bb781634-d2df-5349-9e6a-9cee181c5183	25/08/2025 18:00:52
https://medium.com/@dariamot264/14-pictures-that-illustrate-the-magic-of-winter-in-romania-a848019a05b6	medium.com	14 pictures that illustrate the magic of winter in Romania	In winter Romania turns into a wonderful surprise — sparkly streets, children playing in the snow and beautiful natural landscapes.	True Romania Tours	https://medium.com/@dariamot264	a848019a05b6	https://miro.medium.com/…H_oMeZ20vcw.jpeg	3 min	2018-02-26T13:47:00.893000	2018-02-23T19:09:21	2018-02-26T14:01:14.985000	0	0	en	Travel,Winter,Photography,Photo Essay	<section> <p><strong>In winter Romania turns into a wonderful surprise — sparkly streets, children playing in the snow and beautiful natural landscapes.</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1mIeM2jbEUZf_Xbpc27qSbQ.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <p>This wonderful season is not only a time of celebration (find out <a href="http://true-romania.tours/christmas-romania-whats-great/">here</a> what’s so great about Christmas in Romania), but also a joy for the eyes — the grounds are covered in thick blankets of snow, icicles hang from the windows of the houses and snowy storms dress everything in white.</p> <p>If you are the type of person who’d rather stay in the cozy warmth of your living room than out in the “fresh” winter air, we’ll let you take in the beautiful winter scenery through our eyes :)</p> <p>Here are our chosen 14 pictures that illustrate the magic of winter in Romania:</p> <h1>A forest of conifers dusted in snow in the region of Bucovina</h1> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1921HR1heWNlD124HLrjJ9g.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <h2>Mocanita, the last fully functional narrow-gauge steam train in Europe</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1EAbBsV9MXfdH_oMeZ20vcw.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <h2>“Brown winter” in a lost corner of Romania</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1fSAxhomtTq7lm1ZOpOGQgw.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <h2>The massive fortified church of Biertan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1gh8DvzikN-v4VnUmLRGH_w.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <h2>Amazing scenery that makes up for working even in freezing temperatures</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1KOLQey0nn_fv_UiWfcXHmg.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <h2>Romanian shepherd, which occupies a special place in the history and culture of the country</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/10qSJZ_cPnav0v1dkwGNUEQ.jpeg" width="1920" height="1440" loading="lazy" /> <h2>A snowy landscape of the mountains surrounding Brasov and Rasnov Fortress perched on the rocky hills</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/188VBDQ2Dx9vhLQJ7dBu0Aw.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <h2>Brown bears at the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, the only place where they can be seen during winter, as it is the time when they usually hibernate</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1G9Tc5ocVGzzf-xpdQdNy4w.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <h2>Restaurant of the Ice Hotel, Romania’s one-of-a-kind accommodation built every year using ice blokes taken from a nearby frozen lake</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1ZoxOxADt15gZMyLMVqexPg.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <h2>The magic of shadows</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1qxZ9LJeKl2fiEsmyFXEK0A.jpeg" width="1920" height="1184" loading="lazy" /> <h2>The Christmas Market in Sibiu, renowned everywhere in the country for its unrivaled festive atmosphere</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/16yBYjpVr1dEF6-pSK2tthQ.jpeg" width="1920" height="1440" loading="lazy" /> <h2><a href="http://true-romania.tours/one-last-transylvanian-saxon-customs-still-alive/">Fuga Lolelor</a>, an old Transylvanian Saxon custom that is meant to drive away the bad spirits of winter</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1eR8s_S73TCDRmqtITWWDPQ.jpeg" width="1920" height="1440" loading="lazy" /> <h2>When the sun is shining over the Carpathians</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1sBjp89ZRspbZSJRP5nNq2A.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <h2>In Romania the snowdrop symbolizes the coming of spring</h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*mpSo_hZ7QCDIxQ3SECQpxQ.jpeg" width="1920" height="1080" loading="lazy" /> <p>We hope you gained 14 more reasons to visit Romania in winter!</p> <p>Which of these pictures is your favorite? Leave us a comment below!</p> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="http://true-romania.tours/14-pi</em>ctures-illustrate-magic-winter-romania/">true-romania.tours</a> on February 23, 2018.</p> </section>	14 pictures that illustrate the magic of winter in Romania In winter Romania turns into a wonderful surprise — sparkly streets, children playing in the snow and beautiful natural landscapes. This wonderful season is not only a time of celebration (find out here what’s so great about Christmas in Romania), but also a joy for the eyes — the grounds are covered in thick blankets of snow, icicles hang from the windows of the houses and snowy storms dress everything in white. If you are the type of person who’d rather stay in the cozy warmth of your living room than out in the “fresh” winter air, we’ll let you take in the beautiful winter scenery through our eyes :) Here are our chosen 14 pictures that illustrate the magic of winter in Romania: A forest of conifers dusted in snow in the region of Bucovina Mocanita, the last fully functional narrow-gauge steam train in Europe “Brown winter” in a lost corner of Romania The massive fortified church of Biertan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Amazing scenery that makes up for working even in freezing temperatures Romanian shepherd, which occupies a special place in the history and culture of the country A snowy landscape of the mountains surrounding Brasov and Rasnov Fortress perched on the rocky hills Brown bears at the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, the only place where they can be seen during winter, as it is the time when they usually hibernate Restaurant of the Ice Hotel, Romania’s one-of-a-kind accommodation built every year using ice blokes taken from a nearby frozen lake The magic of shadows The Christmas Market in Sibiu, renowned everywhere in the country for its unrivaled festive atmosphere Fuga Lolelor, an old Transylvanian Saxon custom that is meant to drive away the bad spirits of winter When the sun is shining over the Carpathians In Romania the snowdrop symbolizes the coming of spring We hope you gained 14 more reasons to visit Romania in winter! Which of these pictures is your favorite? Leave us a comment below! Originally published at true-romania.tours on February 23, 2018.	e91a12b5-5731-5f64-b6b5-b662fed51603	25/08/2025 18:00:53
https://medium.com/everyday-exclusive/10teen-reasons-why-switching-to-a-vegan-diet-will-improve-your-confidence-ae0d87edd322	medium.com	10teen Reasons Why Switching to a Vegan Diet WILL Improve Your Confidence	As Written by A Lifelong Omnivore	Adrienne E. Cooper	https://medium.com/@adrienneec	ae0d87edd322	https://miro.medium.com/…sHhAT94V4zA.jpeg	4 min	2017-04-19T21:24:01.248000	2017-04-20T02:30:19.112000	2018-04-30T09:27:18.374000	0	0	en	Vegan,Food,Confidence,Diet,Lists	<section> <p>As Written by A Lifelong Omnivore</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/400/1*Uy1FM7lZzgEsHhAT94V4zA.jpeg" width="400" height="604" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Deprivation=Hallucination. </strong>Giving up meat is easy, but giving up ALL things animal?! Now, there’s a challenge. And when you have so many more obstacles to keep yourself nourished, you sometimes won’t be. And when you deprive your brain of key nutrients it is very likely you will begin to think that those around you suddenly find you more interesting. Your friends may very well be asleep, but all you’ll see is laughter and applause when you tell them all about the time you challenged a demo person at Whole Foods who didn’t realize honey wasn’t vegan.</p> <p><strong>You were lactose intolerant the whole time! </strong>You gave up meat 10 years ago, and you never really cared much for seafood anyway. So, when your doctor suggested that you try giving up dairy, you figured you’d just go full on vegan cuz it sounds cooler. Turns out, doc was right! No more date nights ruined by your toilet time! It’s much easier to enjoy a night out, when you’re not concerned about shitting your pants. And having to explain that you’re a lactose-intolerant vegetarian just isn’t sexy.</p> <p><strong>Being in control is so hot right now.</strong> Making the choice to limit your diet, shows to the world that you cannot be controlled by outside forces. You’re not jut following a trend you’re in control! When you take this attitude to the dinner table, you’ll be bowled over by your own confidence. You’re like the Prince of England! You rule (not really).</p> <p><strong>You’ll have the moral high ground.</strong> There are plenty of things that you can do to contribute to the betterment of society at large, but when you donate money to a charity, adopt a child, run for local office, start a non-profit or whatever it’s much more difficult to bring it up every time you go to eat food. As a vegan, you have not just the right — but the responsibility to remind everyone around you, just how morally superior you are. Plus — it doesn’t matter what your reasons for going vegan are, but now that you do it, you can feel confident in knowing that you’re better than everyone else.</p> <p><strong>You’ll probably lose weight.</strong> Not definitely, cuz every body is different — and eliminating animal products doesn’t cut out sugar. BUT, most vegans do lose weight, and we all know that being skinny — like being white or male, gives you an automatic confidence boost. See: privilege. (Unless you get “too skinny” in which case you should probably become a model, otherwise people will criticize you for that as well)</p> <p><strong>You’ll be smarter.</strong> Now, this one may seem like a jump, but think about it — you’re going to have to read more! You may not realize this now, but there are animal products in SO many foods — and not just like whatever gummy candies your friends told you about in middle school (unless that was just a 90’s thing). But, did you know that there are vegan wines?! Basically, in order to be a good vegan you’ll have to get real good at reading labels and doing your research, so you’ll HAVE to get smarter. I mean, can you imagine how awful it would be if you were caught putting honey in your tea by a fellow vegan?! #savethebees</p> <p><strong>Moby.</strong> That is one confident bald man. If veganism can give him confidence, then it has to work for you.</p> <p><strong>Automatic conversation starter. </strong>Whether you’re on a first date, going home for Thanksgiving, or just riding on the subway, once you share the news of your new diet people will have questions for you. Sometimes those questions will be things like: “why didn’t you tell us before we cooked this whole hog for you?” But most of the time, it’ll be more concerned with your new perspective on life, and “why on God’s green earth would you stop eating chocolate?” And those give you a platform to really share all of the amazing characteristics we’ve already discussed. And because it’ll come up so often, unless you live in a place like New York or LA where everyone’s already a vegan, you’ll get so good at sharing your worldview. And when you’re a good storyteller, you can’t hide from your own confidence.</p> <p><strong>You’ll be closer to God.</strong> Think about it — Jesus, Buddha, Mohamed…they all made sacrifices. They didn’t partake in things that the regular folks love. Sex, pork, being mean. So, if you’re sacrificing the natural human urges to suck on some bacon or lick a stick of butter, then you will feel closer to God. And if you’re not at all religious, then you will feel even cooler, because you can attribute your holiness to you, yourself and you. Boom.</p> <p><strong>Poop.</strong> In the beginning of your new lifestyle, you may find it takes some time to adjust your body to all of the new veggies and beans and protein replacements. But, once you’ve gotten used to all those greens and beans your poops will be so clean. And it’s just so much easier to love yourself, when you don’t hate your skidmarks.</p> <p><strong>teen.</strong> As in, you’ll feel like a teenager all over again!</p> </section>	10teen Reasons Why Switching to a Vegan Diet WILL Improve Your Confidence As Written by A Lifelong Omnivore Not a vegan. Sad. Deprivation=Hallucination. Giving up meat is easy, but giving up ALL things animal?! Now, there’s a challenge. And when you have so many more obstacles to keep yourself nourished, you sometimes won’t be. And when you deprive your brain of key nutrients it is very likely you will begin to think that those around you suddenly find you more interesting. Your friends may very well be asleep, but all you’ll see is laughter and applause when you tell them all about the time you challenged a demo person at Whole Foods who didn’t realize honey wasn’t vegan. You were lactose intolerant the whole time! You gave up meat 10 years ago, and you never really cared much for seafood anyway. So, when your doctor suggested that you try giving up dairy, you figured you’d just go full on vegan cuz it sounds cooler. Turns out, doc was right! No more date nights ruined by your toilet time! It’s much easier to enjoy a night out, when you’re not concerned about shitting your pants. And having to explain that you’re a lactose-intolerant vegetarian just isn’t sexy. Being in control is so hot right now. Making the choice to limit your diet, shows to the world that you cannot be controlled by outside forces. You’re not jut following a trend you’re in control! When you take this attitude to the dinner table, you’ll be bowled over by your own confidence. You’re like the Prince of England! You rule (not really). You’ll have the moral high ground. There are plenty of things that you can do to contribute to the betterment of society at large, but when you donate money to a charity, adopt a child, run for local office, start a non-profit or whatever it’s much more difficult to bring it up every time you go to eat food. As a vegan, you have not just the right — but the responsibility to remind everyone around you, just how morally superior you are. Plus — it doesn’t matter what your reasons for going vegan are, but now that you do it, you can feel confident in knowing that you’re better than everyone else. You’ll probably lose weight. Not definitely, cuz every body is different — and eliminating animal products doesn’t cut out sugar. BUT, most vegans do lose weight, and we all know that being skinny — like being white or male, gives you an automatic confidence boost. See: privilege. (Unless you get “too skinny” in which case you should probably become a model, otherwise people will criticize you for that as well) You’ll be smarter. Now, this one may seem like a jump, but think about it — you’re going to have to read more! You may not realize this now, but there are animal products in SO many foods — and not just like whatever gummy candies your friends told you about in middle school (unless that was just a 90’s thing). But, did you know that there are vegan wines?! Basically, in order to be a good vegan you’ll have to get real good at reading labels and doing your research, so you’ll HAVE to get smarter. I mean, can you imagine how awful it would be if you were caught putting honey in your tea by a fellow vegan?! #savethebees Moby. That is one confident bald man. If veganism can give him confidence, then it has to work for you. Automatic conversation starter. Whether you’re on a first date, going home for Thanksgiving, or just riding on the subway, once you share the news of your new diet people will have questions for you. Sometimes those questions will be things like: “why didn’t you tell us before we cooked this whole hog for you?” But most of the time, it’ll be more concerned with your new perspective on life, and “why on God’s green earth would you stop eating chocolate?” And those give you a platform to really share all of the amazing characteristics we’ve already discussed. And because it’ll come up so often, unless you live in a place like New York or LA where everyone’s already a vegan, you’ll get so good at sharing your worldview. And when you’re a good storyteller, you can’t hide from your own confidence. You’ll be closer to God. Think about it — Jesus, Buddha, Mohamed…they all made sacrifices. They didn’t partake in things that the regular folks love. Sex, pork, being mean. So, if you’re sacrificing the natural human urges to suck on some bacon or lick a stick of butter, then you will feel closer to God. And if you’re not at all religious, then you will feel even cooler, because you can attribute your holiness to you, yourself and you. Boom. Poop. In the beginning of your new lifestyle, you may find it takes some time to adjust your body to all of the new veggies and beans and protein replacements. But, once you’ve gotten used to all those greens and beans your poops will be so clean. And it’s just so much easier to love yourself, when you don’t hate your skidmarks. teen. As in, you’ll feel like a teenager all over again!	ccf118e1-0efc-5f48-851b-b3b38f975307	25/08/2025 18:00:53
https://nainsypatel488.medium.com/when-my-best-friend-told-me-a-lie-09d5e9ef7f5a	medium.com	When my best friend told me a Lie	When Trust is Broken: My Experience with a Friend's Deception	Nainsy Patel	https://medium.com/@nainsypatel488	09d5e9ef7f5a	https://miro.medium.com/…Lj8283bTeKA.jpeg	3 min	2024-12-06T02:55:58.080000	2024-12-06T03:20:44.321000	2024-12-06T04:27:42.498000	9	513	en	This Happened To Me,Self Improvement,Life,Mental Health,Relationships	<section> <p><strong>"When Trust is Broken: My Experience with a Friend’s Deception"</strong></p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1280/1*bFHcy9Js00BLj8283bTeKA.jpeg" width="1280" height="1280" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>I</strong> still vividly remember the day my father and I went to enroll in my graduation program. During enrollment time, we saw another two girls who were also there for enrollment. Then,</p> <p>my father asked them, "Hello! Where are you from, beta?"</p> <p>The girls answered, "I’m from Noida."</p> <p>Father asked their name, and they replied, "I’m Aria and she is Sneha."</p> <p>In this way, the conversation continued. Amazingly, Aria and I had the same subjects. Then, we roamed together in the university.</p> <p>Now, the days came when my offline classes started. It was our first day, and I had no friends there. I went to class. After completing the class, when I was leaving the department gallery,</p> <p>I heard a voice from behind - "Hey Nainsy, Stop!"</p> <p>I looked back and saw it was Aria. Then, we met and went together until our roads diverged for our rooms.</p> <p>Now, in this way, we used to meet regularly during class time, and our friendship and bonding grew deeper. Days passed, and our hostel allotment letters came. I got selected for the government hostel. Then, I shifted to that hostel. It was the first day of my hostel, and I was inside my room. Meanwhile, I heard a voice asking my roommate, "Who has shifted into your room?"</p> <p>My roommate replied, "Her name is Nainsy; she is very introverted."</p> <p>Then, that girl said, "Oh Nainsy! Actually, I know her. Let me see inside your room."</p> <p>Then, she came into my room and said, "Oh Nainsy, what a coincidence! We met in class, and now we're going to live in the same hostel. Even our rooms are face-to-face. We will enjoy that!"</p> <p>I simply replied, "Yes."</p> <p>In this way, we used to go to the department, market, and mess together. Days passed, and our group of five friends formed. We studied, enjoyed ourselves when free from study, and discussed various topics.</p> <p>Now, the days came when our exams approached. We were all preparing notes. Aria and I made notes almost together, but not entirely. Meanwhile, I got a question that was important for the exam, but I couldn't find the answer. Then, I asked Aria, "Aria, do you have the answer to this question?"</p> <p>She replied, "No dear, as I said earlier, I'm not getting the answer to that question."</p> <p>I got hurt so much. You know why? Because she told me a lie; she had the answer to that question. I had seen the answer in her notes when I was in her room during breakfast. But she told me a lie. Even she told me a lie on another occasion, but I don't want to share that.</p> <p>This experience taught me a valuable lesson about trust and friendship. It's essential to surround yourself with people who are genuine and honest. A true friend will always be transparent and supportive.</p> <p>As I reflect on this experience, I realize that friendships can be complex and multifaceted. People can hurt us, but it's how we respond that matters. We can choose to hold onto the pain or use it as an opportunity to grow and learn.</p> <p>I've come to understand that trust is a delicate thing. Once broken, it can be challenging to repair. But it's not impossible. With effort and commitment from both parties, trust can be rebuilt.</p> <p>So, I ask you, dear readers:</p> <p>What do you do when someone you trust betrays you? Do you give them another chance, or do you walk away? What are some essential qualities you look for in a true friend?</p> <p>Share your thoughts in the comments below! 💬</p> </section>	When my best friend told me a Lie "When Trust is Broken: My Experience with a Friend’s Deception" Created by Author using CGPT I still vividly remember the day my father and I went to enroll in my graduation program. During enrollment time, we saw another two girls who were also there for enrollment. Then, my father asked them, "Hello! Where are you from, beta?" The girls answered, "I’m from Noida." Father asked their name, and they replied, "I’m Aria and she is Sneha." In this way, the conversation continued. Amazingly, Aria and I had the same subjects. Then, we roamed together in the university. Now, the days came when my offline classes started. It was our first day, and I had no friends there. I went to class. After completing the class, when I was leaving the department gallery, I heard a voice from behind - "Hey Nainsy, Stop!" I looked back and saw it was Aria. Then, we met and went together until our roads diverged for our rooms. Now, in this way, we used to meet regularly during class time, and our friendship and bonding grew deeper. Days passed, and our hostel allotment letters came. I got selected for the government hostel. Then, I shifted to that hostel. It was the first day of my hostel, and I was inside my room. Meanwhile, I heard a voice asking my roommate, "Who has shifted into your room?" My roommate replied, "Her name is Nainsy; she is very introverted." Then, that girl said, "Oh Nainsy! Actually, I know her. Let me see inside your room." Then, she came into my room and said, "Oh Nainsy, what a coincidence! We met in class, and now we're going to live in the same hostel. Even our rooms are face-to-face. We will enjoy that!" I simply replied, "Yes." In this way, we used to go to the department, market, and mess together. Days passed, and our group of five friends formed. We studied, enjoyed ourselves when free from study, and discussed various topics. Now, the days came when our exams approached. We were all preparing notes. Aria and I made notes almost together, but not entirely. Meanwhile, I got a question that was important for the exam, but I couldn't find the answer. Then, I asked Aria, "Aria, do you have the answer to this question?" She replied, "No dear, as I said earlier, I'm not getting the answer to that question." I got hurt so much. You know why? Because she told me a lie; she had the answer to that question. I had seen the answer in her notes when I was in her room during breakfast. But she told me a lie. Even she told me a lie on another occasion, but I don't want to share that. This experience taught me a valuable lesson about trust and friendship. It's essential to surround yourself with people who are genuine and honest. A true friend will always be transparent and supportive. As I reflect on this experience, I realize that friendships can be complex and multifaceted. People can hurt us, but it's how we respond that matters. We can choose to hold onto the pain or use it as an opportunity to grow and learn. I've come to understand that trust is a delicate thing. Once broken, it can be challenging to repair. But it's not impossible. With effort and commitment from both parties, trust can be rebuilt. So, I ask you, dear readers: What do you do when someone you trust betrays you? Do you give them another chance, or do you walk away? What are some essential qualities you look for in a true friend? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 💬	a2fa2414-fa76-576a-9a67-624fa8f9f7a7	25/08/2025 18:00:53
https://medium.com/@siierraelii/making-the-most-of-free-bible-gospel-tracts-10d0907ea24	medium.com	Making The Most Of Free Bible Gospel Tracts	The gospel of Jesus Christ as they say offers peace and creates soothing effect in mind. However, for all those who are not aware of what…	Sierra Elii	https://medium.com/@siierraelii	10d0907ea24	null	2 min	2018-03-07T05:08:25.893000	2018-03-07T05:08:48.779000	2018-03-07T05:08:49.488000	0	0	en	Christianity	<section> <p>The gospel of Jesus Christ as they say offers peace and creates soothing effect in mind. However, for all those who are not aware of what the gospel is it is a form of literature that contains the rendition of God and the Holy Spirit. For all those sinners who need to confess the ill deeds and spreading goodness among human beings the gospel is the most reliable source of message. The gospel tract in print and other forms are now widely accepted by people and the images are liked from the core of the heart. There are different ways in which humans can come close to the existence of the eternal and the distribution of the tracts is one of them. The best thing about this text is that it can be taken regardless of any place to which you want to travel.</p> <p><strong>Making it easy:</strong></p> <p>The message of god often remains unclear to a lot of people and many of them are not able to decipher what is mentioned in the Bible but <a href="http://www.gospeltracts.org/">with Free Bible Gospel Tracts it becomes easy to make out</a> how God wants to be one with the people of the earth. Not only is the presentation cogent but the tract will never compel people to believe something or cause more pain to people who are already in distress. You need to dive deep into the inner pages to find out whether the rendition of Bible is just right as it can help you get things that are better. You can look for different kinds of tracts that are available online and try to get the best.</p> <p><strong>Passing out the message:</strong></p> <p>With these texts you need not make much effort rather pass out the message of truth to people with ease. Any one can hand over the tract to another whether it is a small child or a person working in the office as most of them are simple to read and easy to understand and no matter how far you travel or to any nation in which a different language is spoken by people you will be able to get your hands on the truth without a speck of doubt. When it comes to Free Bible Gospel Tracts you can try to look for the options that are available online and anything you buy must suit people according to the age. If you are keen to pass the message of the eternal to common man here is a way to do the best.</p> <p><strong>Finding a way:</strong></p> <p>If you are trying to find a way to people’s heart and homes with the message of the Bible, you can do it easily with these texts and fortunately it is the easiest mode. You can leave it at nay home you visit and surprisingly you will find that people have read the tract and this is what makes it popular. Whether the sinner needs to repent or the people who want peace need to get the much wanted salvation it is the tract which needs to be chosen.</p> <p><strong>Stating the truth:</strong></p> <p>It is important to state the truth and this is what makes the tract easy to decipher. None of the tracts engage in useless arguments or compulsion rather they intend to state the truth is an easy manner. Sinners will repent and the good ones will stick to the message.</p> </section>	Making The Most Of Free Bible Gospel Tracts The gospel of Jesus Christ as they say offers peace and creates soothing effect in mind. However, for all those who are not aware of what the gospel is it is a form of literature that contains the rendition of God and the Holy Spirit. For all those sinners who need to confess the ill deeds and spreading goodness among human beings the gospel is the most reliable source of message. The gospel tract in print and other forms are now widely accepted by people and the images are liked from the core of the heart. There are different ways in which humans can come close to the existence of the eternal and the distribution of the tracts is one of them. The best thing about this text is that it can be taken regardless of any place to which you want to travel. Making it easy: The message of god often remains unclear to a lot of people and many of them are not able to decipher what is mentioned in the Bible but with Free Bible Gospel Tracts it becomes easy to make out how God wants to be one with the people of the earth. Not only is the presentation cogent but the tract will never compel people to believe something or cause more pain to people who are already in distress. You need to dive deep into the inner pages to find out whether the rendition of Bible is just right as it can help you get things that are better. You can look for different kinds of tracts that are available online and try to get the best. Passing out the message: With these texts you need not make much effort rather pass out the message of truth to people with ease. Any one can hand over the tract to another whether it is a small child or a person working in the office as most of them are simple to read and easy to understand and no matter how far you travel or to any nation in which a different language is spoken by people you will be able to get your hands on the truth without a speck of doubt. When it comes to Free Bible Gospel Tracts you can try to look for the options that are available online and anything you buy must suit people according to the age. If you are keen to pass the message of the eternal to common man here is a way to do the best. Finding a way: If you are trying to find a way to people’s heart and homes with the message of the Bible, you can do it easily with these texts and fortunately it is the easiest mode. You can leave it at nay home you visit and surprisingly you will find that people have read the tract and this is what makes it popular. Whether the sinner needs to repent or the people who want peace need to get the much wanted salvation it is the tract which needs to be chosen. Stating the truth: It is important to state the truth and this is what makes the tract easy to decipher. None of the tracts engage in useless arguments or compulsion rather they intend to state the truth is an easy manner. Sinners will repent and the good ones will stick to the message.	7fc9a172-d14b-53af-b12f-1896daeb56f6	25/08/2025 18:00:54
https://medium.com/speaking-bipolar/sign-sealed-delivered-youre-gone-99fca5705e1d	medium.com	Sign, Sealed, & Delivered, You're Gone!	What’s it like to lose both your sanity and your freedom at the same time,legally?	Eugene A. Nell	https://medium.com/@EugeneNell	99fca5705e1d	https://miro.medium.com/…WTmbvnKWtbg.jpeg	8 min	2025-01-15T18:04:30.930000	2025-01-28T21:26:36.805000	2025-03-05T15:28:40.108000	1	69	en	Speaking Bipolar,Mental Health,Storytelling,Medium,Invisible Illness	<section> <h1>Sign, Sealed, Delivered;You’re Gone</h1> <h3>Just before they locked him away…...</h3> <p>___ By <strong>Eugene A. Nell</strong></p> <p>*Please read parts <a href="https://medium.com/speaking-bipolar/the-first-six-hours-268f5847a6d5">I</a> and <a href="https://medium.com/speaking-bipolar/the-other-side-of-the-door-f80d4117752f">II</a> first for full context.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/612/1_EznWT8d5xPP49kLYR53HQ.jpeg" width="612" height="272" loading="lazy" /> <h3>Trying to wind things down…</h3> <p>He began by washing his hands before he chopped up a few garlic cloves.</p> <p>He boiled a few eggs right before opening a bag of ramen noodles.</p> <p>The digital clock on the wall above his tv read <strong>6:43 PM </strong>in big, blue broken numbers.</p> <p>He needed to eat.</p> <p>He hadn’t eaten anything over the last two days.</p> <p>In the past, during any one of his previous bouts with either hypomania or mania, his hunger instantly suppressed.</p> <p>“It just happens that way…”</p> <p>This morning was no different. He couldn’t remember what hunger felt like.</p> <p>There were too many other things happening around him.</p> <p>The water he drank this morning & this afternoon was only a utility to help him swallow pills.</p> <p>He decided that if he could eat and watch television, eventually his mind would surrender to the fatigue he now felt creeping in both his arms and legs. As he stood over his cutting board in the kitchen, he poured the hot noodles over a bowl of the fresh cut garlic and onions, and then he thought he heard a faint voice coming from behind the living room door.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1000/1Cy7bPSffryHwpcoLMHQMWw.jpeg" width="1000" height="1000" loading="lazy" /> <h3>For your own good</h3> <p>He made his way to the living room; nearly running in black socks.</p> <p>As he edged closer to the door, again, there seem to be muted thumps on his door; followed by a faint, jumbled voice coming from behind it.</p> <p>Then he heard the tail-end line clearly:</p> <p>…f<strong>rom the Lucas County Sheriff’s Department.”</strong> He felt his heart jump a couple beats off sync…..</p> <p><strong>Why in the hell were they here? The peak of my breakdown was hours ago. They’re late to the party...”</strong></p> <p>He approached the door and with a quick <em>slide and click, and pull, </em>he opened the door and there stood a tall, brown-haired sheriff’s deputy.</p> <p>His slim stature and squared-away cut crew cut hair style implied that he was younger; maybe a year or two removed from the academy?</p> <p>Indeed, Lucas County Sheriff’s Deputy Velasco was so tall that he had to tilt his head downward to speak:</p> <p>“Hello, I’m Deputy Velasco from the Sheri-…?”</p> <p>{<em><strong>He’s quickly interrupted by the voice from the other side of the door mid-s</em>entence}</strong></p> <p>“I’m…and I’m OK. This morning I experienced a bad episode of my bipolar disorder. It happens.”</p> <p>“Well, you seem to be OK now, but your therapist already signed off on an emergency detention order. We have to take you into custody to transport you to the hospital emergency room for an evaluation of your mental wellbeing.”</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/768/1Bo_KPCSQqmmYDldUOfqH-w.jpeg" width="768" height="1024" loading="lazy" /> <h3>‘It.’</h3> <p>He scratched his neck as walked out of his apartment toward the deputy Velasco standing in the hallway.</p> <p>Velasco: “I have to place handcuffs on you even though I don't feel like you’re violent or a flight risk…It’s just a mandated safety procedure.”</p> <p>“Ok.”</p> <p>He turned around and place his wrists behind his back, crossed right over left, in an X position.</p> <p>And at that precise moment, <em><st</em>rong>It </strong>hit<em> </em>him. <em><s</em>trong>It </strong>being a good strong dose of reality as to the current set of circumstances he found himself in.</p> <p>All he wanted was to do was watch the Led Zeppelin documentary, eat some ramen with veggies and shrimp, and eventually retire to bed.</p> <p>“This changes everything…” he thought to himself.</p> <p>The written order Velasco was referring to was in fact, initiated by the same therapist whose phone calls he completely ignored all morning.</p> <p>That same therapist who he sent an erratic email earlier this morning.</p> <p>“I should have answered the phone.”</p> <p>Yeah. He should have.</p> <h3>**Read Licensed Mental Health Counselor John Peterson’s E.D.O written explanation and a look at the types of involuntary/voluntary commitments in Indiana, <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e7Oi3rMMHTxGyortd5As-xS7aSuYKl-lLvCtewTdX7k/edit?usp=drivesdk">here</a></h3> <h3>Just two guys talkin’ about anything…</h3> <p>He was one man in a room, pacing in his own clothes and not the medical gown the staff suggested he should wear.</p> <p>Telling them:</p> <p>“I don’t need to change clothes to undergo a mental evaluation…that’s like using a hammer to install a light bulb...”</p> <p>He kept pacing back and forth.</p> <p>His self agency taken away, he couldn’t leave the room even if he wanted to.</p> <p>Right or wrong, he somehow felt violated.</p> <p>The sheriff’s deputy, Velasco, seemed sincere on the ride from his apartment to the emergency room.</p> <p>He was only doing his job, after all.</p> <p>As they drove to the hospital, they conversed over a wide range of topics.</p> <p>While he sat in the backseat, wearing handcuffs, they talked as if they were two guys seated comfortably in a den somewhere, talking casually about anything.</p> <p>The handcuffs and that black steel barrier grate that separated the front seat from the back seemed to be regarded by both parties as mere procedural formalities.</p> <p>They began identifying the waning popularity of the city mall and how they’re used to be huge water fountains inside that folks threw change in for good luck.</p> <p>They both reminisced about the big slide that stood for decades. It was the main attraction in the city park before it was removed some time ago.</p> <p>A reminder that both <em>time </em>and <em>change </em>remain constant, whether we’re mentally stable or otherwise.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/645/13mo945VU2lszHk7kofr8fQ.jpeg" width="645" height="645" loading="lazy" /> <h3><strong>“I’m mostly not a head-case, just this morning.”</strong></h3> <p>Deep down as he paced in that examination room he was stewing; just trying not to let things get too far out of hand and surface for all to see.</p> <p>The worst part about the current predicament he found himself, was that he did not know if he was going back home or to the behavioral health facility.</p> <p>Hell, he had no idea as to how long this so-called <em>well-being examination</em> was going to take.</p> <p>The <em><strong>not-</em>knowing</strong> began to eat away at his thoughts<em>.</em></p> <p>It always did.</p> <p>His anxiety level raised, he began ruminating.</p> <p>The deluge of random thoughts he experienced earlier were back again, running rampant behind his eyes as he continued to pace back and forth in that small room.</p> <p>This was a hell of a situation.</p> <p>He needed to prove that he was at his behavioral baseline level. Loosely defined as a level where he’s not perceived as a danger to himself or society.</p> <p>He needed to prove that he wasn’t a headcase and that his earlier actions were nothing more than an acute response to a lack of sleep.</p> <p><em><strong>Lack </em>of sleep</strong> has a guaranteed adverse effect on those with Bipolar Disorder (It’s like adding a can of gas to a smoldering fire…)</p> <p>He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder several years before this visit; there has to be documentation of this fact somewhere in his medical records.</p> <p>“This was nothing more than an episode that happened hours ago.”</p> <p>He had to convince a psychiatrist via video link that the email he had previously sent to his therapist this morning didn’t apply to now.</p> <p>He looked directly into the camera and admitted that he had been extremely manic this morning because he didn’t sleep so well the night prior.</p> <p>He pled his case, but the video linked psychiatrist wasn’t at all convinced.</p> <p>Recommending:</p> <p>“It might be best for you to stay at behavior health facility for a day or two. Just enough time for a well-being reset-you may not have to stay for the full 72 hours as long as you stabilize. I don’t feel like your owning up to how serious the message you sent earlier to your therapist was. It worries me. I just feel like you’re still very agitated.”</p> <p>Then there’s an awkward silence as he was attempting to fully digest what the psychologist had just said.</p> <p>This all felt surreal, and he was doing his level best to maintain his frustration and not do anything to antagonize the situation any further.</p> <p>“Agitated?”</p> <p>Being held against my will when I know I’m back at my behavioral baseline. I sent that email hours ago. It’s now evening.</p> <p>He then stares directly into the external video link camera and offers:</p> <p>“Agitated?”</p> <p>“You bet your ass I’m agitated...”</p> <p>And with those last six words, his fate was now sealed.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1*CnupZgbQaLCWTmbvnKWtbg.jpeg" width="1200" height="675" loading="lazy" /> <h3>Fight, flight, or submission?</h3> <p>Perhaps his initial goal was to prove to the emergency room staff that he wasn’t an immediate danger to himself or anyone else, but after 3 hours of pacing in that muted blue room, being repeatedly prodded by staff for vital readings, insurance paperwork, and permission to draw his blood…</p> <p>He snaps….</p> <p>Resulting in:</p> <p>1. Knuckle prints on the back metal wall of the room</p> <p>2. A show of force. A phalanx of 6 security guards wearing grey hospital staff shirts standing in the hallway directly across his room.</p> <p>There he stood, on the threshold of where the hallway meets his room; peering at each person in the security detail standing fifteen feet across from him. None of them speak.</p> <p>He isn’t threatening enough for them to bridge the gap and take him down.</p> <p>They stare at him and he stares back.</p> <p>All the nursing banter and digital beeps from various machines that you’d expect to hear in any emergency room anywhere was indeed happening in that unit currently, but all staff and security within twenty-five feet of his room were oblivious to any of it.</p> <p>Ten pairs of eyes glued or periodically checking on him.</p> <p>Would he now make an attempt to dash toward one of the red lit up exit signs…?</p> <p>No.</p> <p>He knew at this point that his antics had bought him a one-way ticket to the <em>giggle house</em>.</p> <p>There was no doubt.</p> <p>He just wanted to get there and get the hell out of that room.</p> <p>Finally, he gives in and cooperates with the staff, allowing them to administer blood draws and complete his vitals.</p> <h3>I’m asking…</h3> <p>A pair of local police officers made their way down the hallway perpendicular to his room.</p> <p>Before they both walked out of his sight, he flags down one of them with a distressed wave to come into the room.</p> <p>One of the officers, Alvarez, agreed to come into the room while the other stood watch in the doorway.</p> <p>He pled his case and the officer listened intently.</p> <p>Both officers quickly understood that all he wanted to do was get the mental health facility.</p> <p>It had been a long day and having someone there to listen and not poke or prod, just listen meant the world to him.</p> <blockquote>They both agreed to give him a ride to the facility since the County Sherriff’s department couldn’t do it for another three hours.</blockquote> <blockquote>He thought to himself:</blockquote> <p>Another 3 hours in that room?</p> <p>Another 3 hours of hospital security phalanx right outside this door…..</p> <p>No thanks !</p> <p>“Please cuff me and take me to the facility, I asking.” They obliged without incident; they were downright cordial.</p> <p>They took him through a series of discreet hallways ending up in an underground tunnel</p> <p>Both officers were respectful.</p> <p>He appreciated that respect, but his stoicism was false.</p> <p>Underneath it all, he was still fuming.</p> <h3><strong>“Just keep your shit together.”</strong></h3> <p>With each mile that fell behind them, an intense agitation grew inside him. It began in his stomach at the hospital, and now it was moving to his arms and legs. He could mask it behind a smile and not speak; but a summary of the all the day’s events thus far would come to a head soon.</p> <p>It was inevitable.</p> <p>He’d been down this road before.</p> <p>He was aware that these officers were on his side as long as he didn’t lose his shit.</p> <p>“What time is it, please?”</p> <p>{As if he had somewhere else to be…}</p> <p>Officer Alvarez responds over his right shoulder through the backseat security grate:</p> <p>“It’s 8:42.”</p> </section>	TWELVE HOURS OF RAPID CYCLE BIPOLAR. PART III Sign, Sealed, Delivered;You’re Gone Just before they locked him away…... ___ By Eugene A. Nell *Please read parts I and II first for full context.* Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder. Image from purchased from Shutterstock.https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-vector/head-icon-middle-sun-concept-ideas-2138353181 Trying to wind things down… He began by washing his hands before he chopped up a few garlic cloves. He boiled a few eggs right before opening a bag of ramen noodles. The digital clock on the wall above his tv read 6:43 PM in big, blue broken numbers. He needed to eat. He hadn’t eaten anything over the last two days. In the past, during any one of his previous bouts with either hypomania or mania, his hunger instantly suppressed. “It just happens that way…” This morning was no different. He couldn’t remember what hunger felt like. There were too many other things happening around him. The water he drank this morning & this afternoon was only a utility to help him swallow pills. He decided that if he could eat and watch television, eventually his mind would surrender to the fatigue he now felt creeping in both his arms and legs. As he stood over his cutting board in the kitchen, he poured the hot noodles over a bowl of the fresh cut garlic and onions, and then he thought he heard a faint voice coming from behind the living room door. For most folks Bipolar Disorder treatment continues for life. Image royalty-free from Shutterstockhttps://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/mental-disorder-bipolar-space-text-2291089729 For your own good He made his way to the living room; nearly running in black socks. As he edged closer to the door, again, there seem to be muted thumps on his door; followed by a faint, jumbled voice coming from behind it. Then he heard the tail-end line clearly: …from the Lucas County Sheriff’s Department.” He felt his heart jump a couple beats off sync….. Why in the hell were they here? The peak of my breakdown was hours ago. They’re late to the party...” He approached the door and with a quick slide and click, and pull, he opened the door and there stood a tall, brown-haired sheriff’s deputy. His slim stature and squared-away cut crew cut hair style implied that he was younger; maybe a year or two removed from the academy? Indeed, Lucas County Sheriff’s Deputy Velasco was so tall that he had to tilt his head downward to speak: “Hello, I’m Deputy Velasco from the Sheri-…?” {He’s quickly interrupted by the voice from the other side of the door mid-sentence} “I’m…and I’m OK. This morning I experienced a bad episode of my bipolar disorder. It happens.” “Well, you seem to be OK now, but your therapist already signed off on an emergency detention order. We have to take you into custody to transport you to the hospital emergency room for an evaluation of your mental wellbeing.” Indiana's Emergency Detention Order application. Obtained from https://blanker.org/docs/form-52744-application-emergency-detention-mentally-ill-and-dangerously-or-gravely-disabled ‘It.’ He scratched his neck as walked out of his apartment toward the deputy Velasco standing in the hallway. Velasco: “I have to place handcuffs on you even though I don't feel like you’re violent or a flight risk…It’s just a mandated safety procedure.” “Ok.” He turned around and place his wrists behind his back, crossed right over left, in an X position. And at that precise moment, It hit him. It being a good strong dose of reality as to the current set of circumstances he found himself in. All he wanted was to do was watch the Led Zeppelin documentary, eat some ramen with veggies and shrimp, and eventually retire to bed. “This changes everything…” he thought to himself. The written order Velasco was referring to was in fact, initiated by the same therapist whose phone calls he completely ignored all morning. That same therapist who he sent an erratic email earlier this morning. “I should have answered the phone.” Yeah. He should have. ***Read Licensed Mental Health Counselor John Peterson’s E.D.O written explanation and a look at the types of involuntary/voluntary commitments in Indiana, here Just two guys talkin’ about anything… He was one man in a room, pacing in his own clothes and not the medical gown the staff suggested he should wear. Telling them: “I don’t need to change clothes to undergo a mental evaluation…that’s like using a hammer to install a light bulb...” He kept pacing back and forth. His self agency taken away, he couldn’t leave the room even if he wanted to. Right or wrong, he somehow felt violated. The sheriff’s deputy, Velasco, seemed sincere on the ride from his apartment to the emergency room. He was only doing his job, after all. As they drove to the hospital, they conversed over a wide range of topics. While he sat in the backseat, wearing handcuffs, they talked as if they were two guys seated comfortably in a den somewhere, talking casually about anything. The handcuffs and that black steel barrier grate that separated the front seat from the back seemed to be regarded by both parties as mere procedural formalities. They began identifying the waning popularity of the city mall and how they’re used to be huge water fountains inside that folks threw change in for good luck. They both reminisced about the big slide that stood for decades. It was the main attraction in the city park before it was removed some time ago. A reminder that both time and change remain constant, whether we’re mentally stable or otherwise. Before someone can be admitted to a behavioral facility, they must first be evaluated, generally at a local hospital emergency room. Image from royalty free https://intake.wellworthadvisors.com/blog/7-things-i-learned-in-the-er “I’m mostly not a head-case, just this morning.” Deep down as he paced in that examination room he was stewing; just trying not to let things get too far out of hand and surface for all to see. The worst part about the current predicament he found himself, was that he did not know if he was going back home or to the behavioral health facility. Hell, he had no idea as to how long this so-called well-being examination was going to take. The not-knowing began to eat away at his thoughts. It always did. His anxiety level raised, he began ruminating. The deluge of random thoughts he experienced earlier were back again, running rampant behind his eyes as he continued to pace back and forth in that small room. This was a hell of a situation. He needed to prove that he was at his behavioral baseline level. Loosely defined as a level where he’s not perceived as a danger to himself or society. He needed to prove that he wasn’t a headcase and that his earlier actions were nothing more than an acute response to a lack of sleep. Lack of sleep has a guaranteed adverse effect on those with Bipolar Disorder (It’s like adding a can of gas to a smoldering fire…) He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder several years before this visit; there has to be documentation of this fact somewhere in his medical records. “This was nothing more than an episode that happened hours ago.” He had to convince a psychiatrist via video link that the email he had previously sent to his therapist this morning didn’t apply to now. He looked directly into the camera and admitted that he had been extremely manic this morning because he didn’t sleep so well the night prior. He pled his case, but the video linked psychiatrist wasn’t at all convinced. Recommending: “It might be best for you to stay at behavior health facility for a day or two. Just enough time for a well-being reset-you may not have to stay for the full 72 hours as long as you stabilize. I don’t feel like your owning up to how serious the message you sent earlier to your therapist was. It worries me. I just feel like you’re still very agitated.” Then there’s an awkward silence as he was attempting to fully digest what the psychologist had just said. This all felt surreal, and he was doing his level best to maintain his frustration and not do anything to antagonize the situation any further. “Agitated?” Being held against my will when I know I’m back at my behavioral baseline. I sent that email hours ago. It’s now evening. He then stares directly into the external video link camera and offers: “Agitated?” “You bet your ass I’m agitated...” And with those last six words, his fate was now sealed. In some states and municipalities there's an effort to bolster law enforcement's mental health crisis training. Image is royalty-free from https://namiswwa.org/most-us-police-are-heavily-unprepared-to-handle-crises-with-the-mentally-ill/ Fight, flight, or submission? Perhaps his initial goal was to prove to the emergency room staff that he wasn’t an immediate danger to himself or anyone else, but after 3 hours of pacing in that muted blue room, being repeatedly prodded by staff for vital readings, insurance paperwork, and permission to draw his blood… He snaps…. Resulting in: 1. Knuckle prints on the back metal wall of the room 2. A show of force. A phalanx of 6 security guards wearing grey hospital staff shirts standing in the hallway directly across his room. There he stood, on the threshold of where the hallway meets his room; peering at each person in the security detail standing fifteen feet across from him. None of them speak. He isn’t threatening enough for them to bridge the gap and take him down. They stare at him and he stares back. All the nursing banter and digital beeps from various machines that you’d expect to hear in any emergency room anywhere was indeed happening in that unit currently, but all staff and security within twenty-five feet of his room were oblivious to any of it. Ten pairs of eyes glued or periodically checking on him. Would he now make an attempt to dash toward one of the red lit up exit signs…? No. He knew at this point that his antics had bought him a one-way ticket to the giggle house. There was no doubt. He just wanted to get there and get the hell out of that room. Finally, he gives in and cooperates with the staff, allowing them to administer blood draws and complete his vitals. I’m asking… A pair of local police officers made their way down the hallway perpendicular to his room. Before they both walked out of his sight, he flags down one of them with a distressed wave to come into the room. One of the officers, Alvarez, agreed to come into the room while the other stood watch in the doorway. He pled his case and the officer listened intently. Both officers quickly understood that all he wanted to do was get the mental health facility. It had been a long day and having someone there to listen and not poke or prod, just listen meant the world to him. They both agreed to give him a ride to the facility since the County Sherriff’s department couldn’t do it for another three hours. He thought to himself: Another 3 hours in that room? Another 3 hours of hospital security phalanx right outside this door….. No thanks ! “Please cuff me and take me to the facility, I asking.” They obliged without incident; they were downright cordial. They took him through a series of discreet hallways ending up in an underground tunnel Both officers were respectful. He appreciated that respect, but his stoicism was false. Underneath it all, he was still fuming. “Just keep your shit together.” With each mile that fell behind them, an intense agitation grew inside him. It began in his stomach at the hospital, and now it was moving to his arms and legs. He could mask it behind a smile and not speak; but a summary of the all the day’s events thus far would come to a head soon. It was inevitable. He’d been down this road before. He was aware that these officers were on his side as long as he didn’t lose his shit. “What time is it, please?” {As if he had somewhere else to be…} Officer Alvarez responds over his right shoulder through the backseat security grate: “It’s 8:42.”	879d4a41-1821-580e-9f6c-bc1d0e7ca033	25/08/2025 18:00:54
https://medium.com/catholicism-for-the-modern-world/psalm-81-cont-8bb23c3be631	medium.com	Psalm 81 cont.	“I hear a voice I had not known; ‘I relieved you of your burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I…	John Kingston	https://medium.com/@JohnKingston	8bb23c3be631	https://miro.medium.com/…6BqKT4mD0tA.jpeg	4 min	2022-07-18T15:27:40.999000	2022-07-18T16:02:42.336000	2022-07-19T00:56:30.046000	0	0	en	Christianity	<section> <p>“I hear a voice I had not known; ‘I relieved you of your burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.’”</p> <p>Do you have sorrow? Perhaps the weight of your own sin is too much for you to bear, you think to yourself, ‘I am so sinful, a Holy God could never love or forgive me.’ This simply is untrue! It is a whisper of the devil, trying to discourage you from your spiritual walk. The evil one desires that all our focus should be upon ourselves, that none of our thoughts should be upon the Lord, but merely self-centered. This, in turn, transforms into worrying, which denies the Lord, and shows a lack of trust in His Holy Plan. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”</p> <p>The Lord will never let us, His beloved children, be overcome by the machinations of the devil, and surely, the only way we are overcome by the evil one, is if we allow ourselves to be. The devil cannot overcome the Lord, and “The Lord is my refuge, a very present help in times of trouble.” For him to overcome us, while we are in the Lord, would be for the Lord to bow to the devil, something that we know will never happen. The devil has already been convicted, his sentence is sure, and therefore holds no power over us. The best that he can do is whisper his deceits in our ears, trying to get us to flee from the Lord of Hosts, the King of Creation, and to run to him.</p> <p>His pathetic desires to get us to abandon the Lord would be comedic, if they were so dangerous. For surely, if we step off the path of the Lord, following our own wicked desires, it can end nowhere but misery for us. We all know that we have stepped off the path at one point or another, for “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” and this burden can be weighty. The devil would desire that we focus on the weight and severity of our own sin, rather that the relief we can receive from the Lord of Hosts. This burden, the burden of guilt that we bear for our sin, will surely crush us if we do not get rid of it. For if you look back upon all the sins that you have committed, the weight of them, knowing how the Lord abhors every aspect of every sin, would surely crush us. We cannot bear the thought of our own disobedience, even if it came at a time when we were not walking according to the light.</p> <p>No, we must, must pass these burdens on to the Lord. Be rid of them, beloved, for the Lord of Hosts will wash them away through the blood of His Son. “I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” “I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions and remembers your sins no more.” “He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.” “Then He adds: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’” Do you see that your sins are no more? We do not have to be purged of our sins, there are no more remaining venial sins for which we must pay the price. The Lord Jesus has taken them, every one of them, and washed them away through the shedding of His blood. To suggest that there is something we can do to take away our own sins, that there is some way we should be punished for our wrongdoing (Purgatory), is to deny the perfection of the sacrifice of Christ.</p> <p>Our sins have been washed away, completely, totally; the Lord “remembers them no more.” We have nothing more to pay, for Christ has paid it all. So relieve yourself of this weighty burden, beloved. Bear it no more, for “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” The Greek word for “healed” here means ‘Healing, particularly as supernatural and bringing attention to the Lord Himself as the Great Physician.’ And it is the same word that was used when Christ healed the ten lepers. Now, to suggest that we are not healed completely and totally, as the lepers were, of our sins, would be to deny the perfection of both Christ’s sacrifice and His efficacy as the Great Physician.</p> <p>The Lord remembers our sins no more. How awesome is that! How wonderful is the mercy of the Lord, that we can offend Him in such a gross manner, time and time again, but He still remembers our sins no more. Now, naturally, we must never take this for granted, for “no one knows the day or the hour” of Christ’s return, and surely we must purge ourselves of wrongdoing. We cannot go on sinning and assume that the Lord will forgive us, for He could return at the very moment we are caught in the bowels of a grievous sin. “No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning.” It should be as distasteful to us as poison, for that is exactly what it is: spiritual poison. It kills the soul, and ends up destroying both body and soul in hell.</p> <p>Therefore, beloved, cast aside your sins, lay your burdens upon the Lord, and trust in His promise to save to the very end! Do not look to the left or to the right, but focus solely upon the Lord. If your eye does not stray from the light of hope, then surely your flesh will be forced to follow along. “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.” Trust in the Lord, “lean not on your own understanding,” and be strong.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.getrevue</strong>.co/profile/john_kngston">Daily with a Holy God - Revue <em>Christian Writer, Puritan. I will write most every day expressing my thoughts on the daily John Knox lectionary…</em>www.ge</a>trevue.co</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1920/1*cL5YzEvytic6BqKT4mD0tA.jpeg" width="1920" height="1280" loading="lazy" /> </section>	Psalm 81 cont. “I hear a voice I had not known; ‘I relieved you of your burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.’” Do you have sorrow? Perhaps the weight of your own sin is too much for you to bear, you think to yourself, ‘I am so sinful, a Holy God could never love or forgive me.’ This simply is untrue! It is a whisper of the devil, trying to discourage you from your spiritual walk. The evil one desires that all our focus should be upon ourselves, that none of our thoughts should be upon the Lord, but merely self-centered. This, in turn, transforms into worrying, which denies the Lord, and shows a lack of trust in His Holy Plan. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” The Lord will never let us, His beloved children, be overcome by the machinations of the devil, and surely, the only way we are overcome by the evil one, is if we allow ourselves to be. The devil cannot overcome the Lord, and “The Lord is my refuge, a very present help in times of trouble.” For him to overcome us, while we are in the Lord, would be for the Lord to bow to the devil, something that we know will never happen. The devil has already been convicted, his sentence is sure, and therefore holds no power over us. The best that he can do is whisper his deceits in our ears, trying to get us to flee from the Lord of Hosts, the King of Creation, and to run to him. His pathetic desires to get us to abandon the Lord would be comedic, if they were so dangerous. For surely, if we step off the path of the Lord, following our own wicked desires, it can end nowhere but misery for us. We all know that we have stepped off the path at one point or another, for “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” and this burden can be weighty. The devil would desire that we focus on the weight and severity of our own sin, rather that the relief we can receive from the Lord of Hosts. This burden, the burden of guilt that we bear for our sin, will surely crush us if we do not get rid of it. For if you look back upon all the sins that you have committed, the weight of them, knowing how the Lord abhors every aspect of every sin, would surely crush us. We cannot bear the thought of our own disobedience, even if it came at a time when we were not walking according to the light. No, we must, must pass these burdens on to the Lord. Be rid of them, beloved, for the Lord of Hosts will wash them away through the blood of His Son. “I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” “I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions and remembers your sins no more.” “He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.” “Then He adds: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’” Do you see that your sins are no more? We do not have to be purged of our sins, there are no more remaining venial sins for which we must pay the price. The Lord Jesus has taken them, every one of them, and washed them away through the shedding of His blood. To suggest that there is something we can do to take away our own sins, that there is some way we should be punished for our wrongdoing (Purgatory), is to deny the perfection of the sacrifice of Christ. Our sins have been washed away, completely, totally; the Lord “remembers them no more.” We have nothing more to pay, for Christ has paid it all. So relieve yourself of this weighty burden, beloved. Bear it no more, for “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” The Greek word for “healed” here means ‘Healing, particularly as supernatural and bringing attention to the Lord Himself as the Great Physician.’ And it is the same word that was used when Christ healed the ten lepers. Now, to suggest that we are not healed completely and totally, as the lepers were, of our sins, would be to deny the perfection of both Christ’s sacrifice and His efficacy as the Great Physician. The Lord remembers our sins no more. How awesome is that! How wonderful is the mercy of the Lord, that we can offend Him in such a gross manner, time and time again, but He still remembers our sins no more. Now, naturally, we must never take this for granted, for “no one knows the day or the hour” of Christ’s return, and surely we must purge ourselves of wrongdoing. We cannot go on sinning and assume that the Lord will forgive us, for He could return at the very moment we are caught in the bowels of a grievous sin. “No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning.” It should be as distasteful to us as poison, for that is exactly what it is: spiritual poison. It kills the soul, and ends up destroying both body and soul in hell. Therefore, beloved, cast aside your sins, lay your burdens upon the Lord, and trust in His promise to save to the very end! Do not look to the left or to the right, but focus solely upon the Lord. If your eye does not stray from the light of hope, then surely your flesh will be forced to follow along. “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.” Trust in the Lord, “lean not on your own understanding,” and be strong. Daily with a Holy God - Revue Christian Writer, Puritan. I will write most every day expressing my thoughts on the daily John Knox lectionary…www.getrevue.co	86b02945-5e49-506c-b4cb-65de836802aa	25/08/2025 18:00:54
https://jonahshulman2000.medium.com/sushi-or-not-where-were-headed-e857f09af3ea	medium.com	Sushi or not: Where we’re headed	By 2030, the global community could lose 9.9 trillion dollars. Coastal cities and countries would face economic loss in both agriculture…	Jonah Shulman	https://medium.com/@jonahshulman2000	e857f09af3ea	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*2JScDaSblXYbpjie	9 min	2020-08-21T19:06:54.671000	2020-08-21T19:16:39.123000	2021-12-15T15:45:16.191000	0	0	en	Climate Change,Research,Food,Japan,United States	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5000/02JScDaSblXYbpjie" width="5000" height="5000" loading="lazy" /> <p>By 2030, the global community could lose 9.9 trillion dollars. Coastal cities and countries would face economic loss in both agriculture and tourism. 17% of all globally consumed protein would face a threat, the likes of which “not seen since the Antarctic palms of the Eocene, some 50 million years ago.” This could only mean one thing: my sushi intake would plummet, which is more than I would like. I like my sushi made of the highest quality caught-in-the-wild fish, the most nutritious seaweed, and crafted by the most skilled chefs to deliver my futomaki giant sushi rolls. The thing is, when the global economy loses its 9.9 trillion dollars worth of assets, I’m going to lose my tasty Maki sushi, my Nigiri sushi, my nori, and my sashimi, not to mention my giant sushi rolls. So, in the interest of preserving some damn good food, and a “holy shit” ton of money, I’m going to tell you how the future of sushi will be determined by the health of coral reefs around the globe.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4000/0RdR4ECLyoKIKmdM8" width="4000" height="3000" loading="lazy" /> <p>Before we get to the sushi, I’ve got to explain what coral reefs are, and what they do, if anything at all. As stated by Elizabeth Kolbert, author of <em>The Sixth Extinction, </em>corals are colonies of individual units, referred to as polyps. “On a reef, billions of polyps belonging to as many as a hundred different species are all devoting themselves to this same basic task.” that task is assembling one of the world’s most diverse and valuable ecosystems. You might think that the expanse of coral reefs would displace hundreds of species, as they invade the underwater territory, fragmenting the stability of fish, snapper, and lobster. To make a case in point, when humans construct vast cities, cropland, and suburbs, we diminish wildlife habitat. This, by consequence, threatens their populations, the ability to migrate, and the biodiversity of a species. The following universal rule applies for any habitat fragment: recolonization is so difficult, that in many cases it is simply impossible.</p> <p>By this train of thought, corals would be the last thing I want to reside in the same oceans as my precious Katsuo and Hamachi (skipjack tuna and yellowtail fish). The thing is, that’s where Coral reefs differ from anthromes. “Instead of displacing other creatures, corals support them. Thousands — perhaps millions — of species have evolved to rely on coral reefs, either directly for protection or food, or indirectly, to prey on those species that come seeking protection or food.” That includes the tuna in my sashimi.</p> <p>The United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, the Caribbean, and the Philippines are just a few countries with coastal reefs and a few that share in its economic value. This also means that they are a few that share in the risk of losing a high valued asset. Might I remind you that globally, seafood accounts for nearly a fifth of animal protein consumed by humans, which makes coastal cities the primary recipient of marine benefits and damages. How exposed are the reefs, you might ask. Reefs are highly vulnerable to two common phenomena: Ocean Acidification and rising ocean temperatures.</p> <p>Ocean Acidification is a chemical reaction on a massive scale between water and carbon dioxide. When Carbon dioxide is absorbed and dissolves into seawater, hydrogen ions generate and acidify the world’s oceans. Acidity is measured on a pH scale, and it is crucial to keep the pH level of the sea steady. For example, to own and operate an aquarium, whether that be a fish tank or a pond, you must train in regulating acidity in your tank with an “aquarium water test kit.” Without this kit, all your fish would die from the acidic change. “Because it’s so important, we humans put a lot of energy into making sure that the pH of our blood is constant,” But some of these lower organisms, they don’t have the physiology to do that. They’ve just got to tolerate what’s happening outside, and so they get pushed beyond their limits.”</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2592/056krJeazUoZFEV_u" width="2592" height="3888" loading="lazy" /> <p>A rise in acidity also means a drop in critical nutrients for organisms, along with the saturation of carbonate ions for key bodies within our reefs, which make up the trillions worth around the world. Without carbonate, seaweed, and any living thing with a shell or bones will suffer from nutrient and physical deficiencies, leading to lower quality food, and a market that faces the decay of the source of its wealth. “Acidification may affect such basic processes as metabolism, enzyme activity, and protein function. Because it will change the makeup of microbial communities, it will alter the availability of key nutrients, like iron and nitrogen.” That means every living thing in our oceans is endangered, including the fish we need for sushi.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2265/0HfXVRURQSorHPnMN" width="2265" height="4027" loading="lazy" /> <p>The other byproduct of our carbon emissions is the literal warming of the oceans. Already, fish schools have migrated out to ocean waters, reducing the worth of coral reefs, with “Mackerel so far from their continental home that fishermen chasing them are no longer bound by the rules set by the E.U.” This excess heat, absorbed from the emissions of our industrial economy, creates heat waves that strip reefs of up to 90% of the energy they need to survive. This occurrence, known as coral bleaching, has killed half of the great barrier reef, and 20% of reefs worldwide have succumbed to become a new layer in the ocean known as “a twilight zone.” “We don’t understand what a loss of biodiversity truly means, for pharmaceuticals, ecologically, and in so many other ways.”</p> <p>“To the oceans, as to the human liver, rate matters.” Today, pH is at an average of 8.1, but the climb in carbon emission trends will undoubtedly mean a climb in acidity and marine death. “A decline of .1 means that the oceans are now thirty percent more acidic than they were in 1800.” The oceans absorb more than a fourth of our emissions each year, which does not bode well for life within it. “According to the World Resources Institute, by 2030, ocean warming and acidification will threaten 90% of all reefs.” We are about to lose a substantial amount of global coral forever. With that loss, reef fish will die, then the fish that depend on them, and all the way up the food chain. A scarcity of fish will mean an escalation of food prices, and by consequence, expensive sushi I will not be able to afford. Sushi aside, we need the ocean to regulate surface temperatures and absorb carbon so that we can breathe. “If what was happening to the reefs was happening somewhere we could all see, we’d be having a different collective reaction.” The bottom line is, “Thousands — perhaps millions — of species have evolved to rely on coral reefs, either directly for protection or food, or indirectly, to prey on those species that come seeking protection or food.” When these species lose their habitat, and waters like the Mediterranean develop dead zones of 7.8 pH, the marine ecosystem as a whole becomes threatened. That is not good when it is predicted to become “the first major ecosystem in the modern era to become ecologically extinct.”If coastal seas like the Mediterranean have experienced drops in biodiversity and nourished sea life due to ocean acidification, how do you think the coastal bays in Japan are doing?</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2270/0U6NNX4TQfWrnYSzD" width="2270" height="4032" loading="lazy" /> <p>Sushi rolls commonly consist of rice, vegetables, seaweed, and fish. By 2030, half of those ingredients could be in jeopardy, given our current emission trends. If we do not change our “business as usual” track, then our sushi will verifiably worsen, as we hunt unhealthy fish while the population of fish drops. Today, the change of the supply of fish overtime is presently changing the notion of seafood from a commonality to a cuisine reserved for a special occasion. “Yellow croaker, a fish that used to be one of the most plentiful in Hong Kong, has become so expensive that wild-caught yellow croaker is really difficult to have on the dinner table even in a restaurant.” The Nippon Foundation Nereus program has determined that to the seafood industry as a whole, “Squid, shad, tuna, ark clams, shrimp, and salmon are all in trouble.” That just so happens to be most of the sushi menu.</p> <p>If you thought the oceanic danger stopped at fish and coral species, think again. Five years ago, the Tokyo bay experienced a steady disappearance of seaweed. Sentiments among the local fishermen can be summarized as “Tough, and people are giving up.” The decline in nori production has unexpectedly led to rising prices, threatening a crucial piece of Japanese cuisine. “The most widely cultivated species originated in the north of Japan and its growing season does not start until the water temperature drops to 23°C (73 F).” Global warming has lowered the frequency of ocean temperature drops, hence increasing the difficulty of cultivating nori. As a result, multimillion-dollar seaweed drying lines drop in value since they are only used during the spring. To my dismay, this aligns with the trend of rising acidity in our coastal waters that Kolbert recorded way back in 2014.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3454/0PcwKVvW6xsH5TL5W" width="3454" height="5183" loading="lazy" /> <p>It is easy to respond to these allegations with quick, oversimplified solutions, one of them being: move farming to colder waters. That’s not an option for the seaweed industry and all the restaurants and imports that depend on them. “Only shallow, sheltered bays are suitable for growing <em>nori</em> in the stormy winter months, and there are few of those north of Tokyo.” Japan’s food-obsessed culture is resorting to imports in nori from Korea to fend off the ultimate indignity: nori-less sushi, wrapped in plastic. Another solution could be to expand fish farming, either with high demand, or government subsidies. Unfortunately, the cost of entering “fish culture” can be high compared to other agricultural commodities. “The start-up costs are often too high, and experience is needed to consistently produce a profitable harvest.” Assuming the land and water requirements are there, generating fish, keeping their accessible nutrients sustainable, and regularly cleaning the water tanks to prevent changes in pH, the introduction of deadly pathogens such as mercury, and filtering out their poop becomes costly. Farm-raised Salmon, yellowtail, and Bluefin Tuna are now unsustainable sources of fish protein, due to density and feed issues. Besides, wouldn’t it be better, practically and ethically, to focus on what can and is being done to save marine life rather than to speculate about a future of substandard sushi?</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3845/0*V095Yka43ABWhuPS" width="3845" height="5760" loading="lazy" /> <p>The good news is, possible solutions may lie in creativity. “There may be new inventions of new sushi using new fish that may become available.” Some sushi chefs are changing to ecologically conscious options, picking species like rockfish, striped bass, and king salmon. Another solution is to use something called Surimi: a composite of an untasty fish called Pollock, and artificial crab, thoughtfully and artisanally known as “Krab.” So, are we, along with the rest of the world, going to lose sushi? Yes. The sushi of today will likely be replaced with an inferior variant. However, are we going to lose sushi, technically? Yes, because there is no way in hell that I envision myself willingly consuming fake food. The industry will adapt to survive, whether that means using different fish or removing seaweed from the recipe. However, the worth, value, and caliber of coral reefs and their oceanic inhabitants will not. So maybe, just maybe, for the sake of appetizing sushi, let’s save our oceans.</p> <p>Sources:</p> <p>The Sixth extinction — Elizabeth Kolbert</p> <p>The End of Ice — Dahr Jamail</p> <p>The Uninhabitable Earth — David Wallace-Wells</p> <p>Vice — <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/gvdpem/sushi-as-we-know-it-will-be-wiped-out-by-2050">https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/gvdpem/sushi-as-we-know-it-will-be-wiped-out-by-2050</a></p> <p>La Times-</p> <p><a href="https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-fo-sustainable-seafood-michael-cimarusti-20170526-htmlstory.html">https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-fo-sustainable-seafood-michael-cimarusti-20170526-htmlstory.html</a></p> <p>Financial times-</p> <p><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/6dec4d16-e5c1-11e9-9743-db5a370481bc">https://www.ft.com/content/6dec4d16-e5c1-11e9-9743-db5a370481bc</a></p> <p>Langston University-</p> <p><a href="https://www.langston.edu/fish-farming-me">https://www.langston.edu/fish-farming-me</a></p> <p>Colorado State University-</p> <p><a href="https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/wild-caught-vs-farm-raised-seafood/">https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/wild-caught-vs-farm-raised-seafood/</a></p> </section>	Sushi or not: Where we’re headed Photo by Alessandro Bellone on Unsplash By 2030, the global community could lose 9.9 trillion dollars. Coastal cities and countries would face economic loss in both agriculture and tourism. 17% of all globally consumed protein would face a threat, the likes of which “not seen since the Antarctic palms of the Eocene, some 50 million years ago.” This could only mean one thing: my sushi intake would plummet, which is more than I would like. I like my sushi made of the highest quality caught-in-the-wild fish, the most nutritious seaweed, and crafted by the most skilled chefs to deliver my futomaki giant sushi rolls. The thing is, when the global economy loses its 9.9 trillion dollars worth of assets, I’m going to lose my tasty Maki sushi, my Nigiri sushi, my nori, and my sashimi, not to mention my giant sushi rolls. So, in the interest of preserving some damn good food, and a “holy shit” ton of money, I’m going to tell you how the future of sushi will be determined by the health of coral reefs around the globe. Photo by Olga Tsai on Unsplash Before we get to the sushi, I’ve got to explain what coral reefs are, and what they do, if anything at all. As stated by Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth Extinction, corals are colonies of individual units, referred to as polyps. “On a reef, billions of polyps belonging to as many as a hundred different species are all devoting themselves to this same basic task.” that task is assembling one of the world’s most diverse and valuable ecosystems. You might think that the expanse of coral reefs would displace hundreds of species, as they invade the underwater territory, fragmenting the stability of fish, snapper, and lobster. To make a case in point, when humans construct vast cities, cropland, and suburbs, we diminish wildlife habitat. This, by consequence, threatens their populations, the ability to migrate, and the biodiversity of a species. The following universal rule applies for any habitat fragment: recolonization is so difficult, that in many cases it is simply impossible. By this train of thought, corals would be the last thing I want to reside in the same oceans as my precious Katsuo and Hamachi (skipjack tuna and yellowtail fish). The thing is, that’s where Coral reefs differ from anthromes. “Instead of displacing other creatures, corals support them. Thousands — perhaps millions — of species have evolved to rely on coral reefs, either directly for protection or food, or indirectly, to prey on those species that come seeking protection or food.” That includes the tuna in my sashimi. The United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, the Caribbean, and the Philippines are just a few countries with coastal reefs and a few that share in its economic value. This also means that they are a few that share in the risk of losing a high valued asset. Might I remind you that globally, seafood accounts for nearly a fifth of animal protein consumed by humans, which makes coastal cities the primary recipient of marine benefits and damages. How exposed are the reefs, you might ask. Reefs are highly vulnerable to two common phenomena: Ocean Acidification and rising ocean temperatures. Ocean Acidification is a chemical reaction on a massive scale between water and carbon dioxide. When Carbon dioxide is absorbed and dissolves into seawater, hydrogen ions generate and acidify the world’s oceans. Acidity is measured on a pH scale, and it is crucial to keep the pH level of the sea steady. For example, to own and operate an aquarium, whether that be a fish tank or a pond, you must train in regulating acidity in your tank with an “aquarium water test kit.” Without this kit, all your fish would die from the acidic change. “Because it’s so important, we humans put a lot of energy into making sure that the pH of our blood is constant,” But some of these lower organisms, they don’t have the physiology to do that. They’ve just got to tolerate what’s happening outside, and so they get pushed beyond their limits.” Photo by Zach Lezniewicz on Unsplash A rise in acidity also means a drop in critical nutrients for organisms, along with the saturation of carbonate ions for key bodies within our reefs, which make up the trillions worth around the world. Without carbonate, seaweed, and any living thing with a shell or bones will suffer from nutrient and physical deficiencies, leading to lower quality food, and a market that faces the decay of the source of its wealth. “Acidification may affect such basic processes as metabolism, enzyme activity, and protein function. Because it will change the makeup of microbial communities, it will alter the availability of key nutrients, like iron and nitrogen.” That means every living thing in our oceans is endangered, including the fish we need for sushi. Photo by Miha Rekar on Unsplash The other byproduct of our carbon emissions is the literal warming of the oceans. Already, fish schools have migrated out to ocean waters, reducing the worth of coral reefs, with “Mackerel so far from their continental home that fishermen chasing them are no longer bound by the rules set by the E.U.” This excess heat, absorbed from the emissions of our industrial economy, creates heat waves that strip reefs of up to 90% of the energy they need to survive. This occurrence, known as coral bleaching, has killed half of the great barrier reef, and 20% of reefs worldwide have succumbed to become a new layer in the ocean known as “a twilight zone.” “We don’t understand what a loss of biodiversity truly means, for pharmaceuticals, ecologically, and in so many other ways.” “To the oceans, as to the human liver, rate matters.” Today, pH is at an average of 8.1, but the climb in carbon emission trends will undoubtedly mean a climb in acidity and marine death. “A decline of .1 means that the oceans are now thirty percent more acidic than they were in 1800.” The oceans absorb more than a fourth of our emissions each year, which does not bode well for life within it. “According to the World Resources Institute, by 2030, ocean warming and acidification will threaten 90% of all reefs.” We are about to lose a substantial amount of global coral forever. With that loss, reef fish will die, then the fish that depend on them, and all the way up the food chain. A scarcity of fish will mean an escalation of food prices, and by consequence, expensive sushi I will not be able to afford. Sushi aside, we need the ocean to regulate surface temperatures and absorb carbon so that we can breathe. “If what was happening to the reefs was happening somewhere we could all see, we’d be having a different collective reaction.” The bottom line is, “Thousands — perhaps millions — of species have evolved to rely on coral reefs, either directly for protection or food, or indirectly, to prey on those species that come seeking protection or food.” When these species lose their habitat, and waters like the Mediterranean develop dead zones of 7.8 pH, the marine ecosystem as a whole becomes threatened. That is not good when it is predicted to become “the first major ecosystem in the modern era to become ecologically extinct.”If coastal seas like the Mediterranean have experienced drops in biodiversity and nourished sea life due to ocean acidification, how do you think the coastal bays in Japan are doing? Photo by Derek Duran on Unsplash Sushi rolls commonly consist of rice, vegetables, seaweed, and fish. By 2030, half of those ingredients could be in jeopardy, given our current emission trends. If we do not change our “business as usual” track, then our sushi will verifiably worsen, as we hunt unhealthy fish while the population of fish drops. Today, the change of the supply of fish overtime is presently changing the notion of seafood from a commonality to a cuisine reserved for a special occasion. “Yellow croaker, a fish that used to be one of the most plentiful in Hong Kong, has become so expensive that wild-caught yellow croaker is really difficult to have on the dinner table even in a restaurant.” The Nippon Foundation Nereus program has determined that to the seafood industry as a whole, “Squid, shad, tuna, ark clams, shrimp, and salmon are all in trouble.” That just so happens to be most of the sushi menu. If you thought the oceanic danger stopped at fish and coral species, think again. Five years ago, the Tokyo bay experienced a steady disappearance of seaweed. Sentiments among the local fishermen can be summarized as “Tough, and people are giving up.” The decline in nori production has unexpectedly led to rising prices, threatening a crucial piece of Japanese cuisine. “The most widely cultivated species originated in the north of Japan and its growing season does not start until the water temperature drops to 23°C (73 F).” Global warming has lowered the frequency of ocean temperature drops, hence increasing the difficulty of cultivating nori. As a result, multimillion-dollar seaweed drying lines drop in value since they are only used during the spring. To my dismay, this aligns with the trend of rising acidity in our coastal waters that Kolbert recorded way back in 2014. Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash It is easy to respond to these allegations with quick, oversimplified solutions, one of them being: move farming to colder waters. That’s not an option for the seaweed industry and all the restaurants and imports that depend on them. “Only shallow, sheltered bays are suitable for growing nori in the stormy winter months, and there are few of those north of Tokyo.” Japan’s food-obsessed culture is resorting to imports in nori from Korea to fend off the ultimate indignity: nori-less sushi, wrapped in plastic. Another solution could be to expand fish farming, either with high demand, or government subsidies. Unfortunately, the cost of entering “fish culture” can be high compared to other agricultural commodities. “The start-up costs are often too high, and experience is needed to consistently produce a profitable harvest.” Assuming the land and water requirements are there, generating fish, keeping their accessible nutrients sustainable, and regularly cleaning the water tanks to prevent changes in pH, the introduction of deadly pathogens such as mercury, and filtering out their poop becomes costly. Farm-raised Salmon, yellowtail, and Bluefin Tuna are now unsustainable sources of fish protein, due to density and feed issues. Besides, wouldn’t it be better, practically and ethically, to focus on what can and is being done to save marine life rather than to speculate about a future of substandard sushi? Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash The good news is, possible solutions may lie in creativity. “There may be new inventions of new sushi using new fish that may become available.” Some sushi chefs are changing to ecologically conscious options, picking species like rockfish, striped bass, and king salmon. Another solution is to use something called Surimi: a composite of an untasty fish called Pollock, and artificial crab, thoughtfully and artisanally known as “Krab.” So, are we, along with the rest of the world, going to lose sushi? Yes. The sushi of today will likely be replaced with an inferior variant. However, are we going to lose sushi, technically? Yes, because there is no way in hell that I envision myself willingly consuming fake food. The industry will adapt to survive, whether that means using different fish or removing seaweed from the recipe. However, the worth, value, and caliber of coral reefs and their oceanic inhabitants will not. So maybe, just maybe, for the sake of appetizing sushi, let’s save our oceans. Sources: The Sixth extinction — Elizabeth Kolbert The End of Ice — Dahr Jamail The Uninhabitable Earth — David Wallace-Wells Vice — https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/gvdpem/sushi-as-we-know-it-will-be-wiped-out-by-2050 La Times- https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-fo-sustainable-seafood-michael-cimarusti-20170526-htmlstory.html Financial times- https://www.ft.com/content/6dec4d16-e5c1-11e9-9743-db5a370481bc Langston University- https://www.langston.edu/fish-farming-me Colorado State University- https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/wild-caught-vs-farm-raised-seafood/	4eaaed4f-5578-52fe-81f0-4f13905c5620	25/08/2025 18:00:55
https://medium.com/@ask.bloggerpie/why-to-visit-dhaka-bangladesh-6964c9ba1bc9	medium.com	Why to Visit Dhaka, Bangladesh?	Hey welcome to another travel content, today we’re going to talk about Dhaka, capital city of Asian country Bangladesh, I will show you…	BloggerPie.Com	https://medium.com/@ask.bloggerpie	6964c9ba1bc9	https://miro.medium.com/…jv7Sysne6Xw.jpeg	2 min	2017-12-19T19:26:58.544000	2017-12-19T19:34:38.872000	2017-12-19T19:34:39.693000	0	0	en	Bangladesh,Dhaka,Photography	<section> <p>Hey welcome to another travel content, today we’re going to talk about Dhaka, capital city of Asian country Bangladesh, I will show you some reasons that’s why you should Visit Dhaka.</p> <p>I think, Dhaka is one of the best cities in Asia for tourists to visit.</p> <p>Here is reasons.</p> <p>You’re never alone here. Believe me, lots of people will escort you to do anything. You will never find such helpful people like Dhaka in the world. I can bet you that, except Pakistan and India, there is not such people in the world.</p> <p>Food is great and awesome taste. I was just crazy, it’s little bit bad for stomach but I think, as a traveler or tourist, anyone can eat those foods.</p> <p>Awesome lifestyle with cheap spending. It’s really cheap to live in Dhaka. A whole family can spend a month with 200 USD only, can you believe that? I know, some people will say I’m just kidding with them. But believe me, that’s true.</p> <p>Beautiful girls are here in Dhaka. The environment is not the US or any other American or European country. You just can’t go out and do flirt with a Dhaka girl. That could make you trouble.</p> <p>I’m going to share some <strong><a href="http://w</strong>ww.quotepoints.com/2017/12/dhaka-city-photos-images.html">Dhaka city photos</a> here in with this post. I’m damn sure that you will love all these and love to visit this awesome city.</p> <p>Love Yaaa, Dhaka.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/500/1oc2BciTmEXWjv7Sysne6Xw.jpeg" width="500" height="360" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/13JWNcXVxcdIGaD5otAdm5g.jpeg" width="1024" height="466" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/500/1j_k-QZSjFTE9AC4Ud30Zhw.jpeg" width="500" height="375" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/640/1jG0u40SON-U7Ah3pT_hw3w.jpeg" width="640" height="480" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/611/1ZhV8w0NxZNI8wa97-aj2qg.jpeg" width="611" height="356" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1180/1Hc6YZ7Z3_IrPo2l0QOQc8w.jpeg" width="1180" height="781" loading="lazy" /> </section>	Why to Visit Dhaka, Bangladesh? Hey welcome to another travel content, today we’re going to talk about Dhaka, capital city of Asian country Bangladesh, I will show you some reasons that’s why you should Visit Dhaka. I think, Dhaka is one of the best cities in Asia for tourists to visit. Here is reasons. You’re never alone here. Believe me, lots of people will escort you to do anything. You will never find such helpful people like Dhaka in the world. I can bet you that, except Pakistan and India, there is not such people in the world. Food is great and awesome taste. I was just crazy, it’s little bit bad for stomach but I think, as a traveler or tourist, anyone can eat those foods. Awesome lifestyle with cheap spending. It’s really cheap to live in Dhaka. A whole family can spend a month with 200 USD only, can you believe that? I know, some people will say I’m just kidding with them. But believe me, that’s true. Beautiful girls are here in Dhaka. The environment is not the US or any other American or European country. You just can’t go out and do flirt with a Dhaka girl. That could make you trouble. I’m going to share some Dhaka city photos here in with this post. I’m damn sure that you will love all these and love to visit this awesome city. Love Yaaa, Dhaka.	0a8b88bc-7c5f-56de-bd4e-393efb5319df	25/08/2025 18:00:55
https://medium.com/@annabella.mordino/basement-pizza-wings-a2c45e52f66e	medium.com	Basement, Pizza, Wings	I feel like some people take family for granted. Not just your immediate family, but your aunts, uncles, cousins, or whoever it is, I feel…	Annabella Mordino	https://medium.com/@annabella.mordino	a2c45e52f66e	null	3 min	2017-09-21T15:02:27.458000	2017-09-21T15:04:25.981000	2017-09-21T15:04:26.804000	0	0	en	Family,Food,Italian,Pizza	<section> <p>I feel like some people take family for granted. Not just your immediate family, but your aunts, uncles, cousins, or whoever it is, I feel as if people don’t appreciate their family enough. I myself, never have. Growing up in the picture perfect town of Mason, with the stereotypical jocks and ‘nerds’ rule the grounds, I’ve learned to appreciate my family greatly, because they’ve always been there for me. My whole life I’ve lived six and a half hours away from my nearest non-immediate family. It’s a dreaded, long-ish drive that we can’t make all the time, whether it’s the cost of gas, or my dad can’t get off work enough. It’s not easy to plan a trip to visit my family up there in Buffalo, New York. But i’m not here to just talk about not taking your family for granted or how difficult it seems to visit my family, I’ve got something else in store.</p> <p>When my family does make it up to Buffalo for the holidays or a long weekend, the main thing, the most important thing, that brings us together, as if we’ve never drifted apart, as if we’ve always been together, is food. Sweet, salty, you name it. Delicious food. You may have already known by my name, but if not, i’m italian. A third generation italian or something close to that. Food is a major importance to italians, and even more so my family in particular. And because of this, whenever we visit our family in Buffalo, the night we arrive, even if it’s one o’clock in the morning, as we walk in the door the smell of grease and hot sauce fills our noses. Pizza and Wings. I can’t tell you where my family always buys the pizza and wings, but it’s our arriving meal. It’s simple. It’s good. It’s what brings us together, as one, big, happy family.</p> <p>Bags are dropped, shoes are thrown and coats are off as soon as we walk in the door, because it’s dinner time. Hugs are given, smiles are flashed and for once, the family is happy together. We all file into the kitchen, that’s big until you put 15 people in it, but before we create a buffet line to collect your food, something more important comes. Not only are we italian, but we’re catholic, and that has always been important to my family, but even more so my Nana, aka my dad’s mom. We’ll all stop, holding hands or resting on each other’s shoulders, and say the word of grace. We do this every time, but God forbid I actually learn the words to grace. But words are said, and tears are shed, but in our family, the prayer is not over yet. Ever since my Papa died in 2013, our family needed something to bring him into the prayer still. I can still remember how sad the funeral was, how everyone’s heart ached, but we were still able to laugh at the priest’s accent from who knows where. Because of this, this small detail that somehow affected our prayers everyday, we finish off grace by yelling, “Ye God!”, something that now makes everyone smile! Everyone’s hungry, as the same smell of pizza and wings fills the air, and it’s time to eat.</p> <p>Like I said before, food is the biggest thing that brings our family together during this time, but not only the food itself, but the atmosphere while we eat it. Ever since the grandchildren were born, all twelve of them, we’ve just naturally sat in the basement. Every. Single. Meal. The cold, barely finished, old carpeted basement. Sounds appetizing doesn’t it? But somehow, I think this basement has brought all my cousins and I together. From our younger days of playing behind the bar playing bartenders, rearranging the fold-up chairs to play airplane, sending the weakest cousin down the pitch black horrific part of the basement or the random dance party calls at twelve o’clock at night. And as the time comes for the oldest cousins to go to college, the traditions stay, and no one sits in their seats, as if they’re just running late for the meal. All of this starts with a simple sit-down dinner.</p> <p>Everything that happens revolving around the pizza, wings, or the basement brings my family together. Because of this, we keep our family standing, and trust me, it could easily fall without this. It’s crazy how something so simple can bring so many people together.</p> </section>	Basement, Pizza, Wings I feel like some people take family for granted. Not just your immediate family, but your aunts, uncles, cousins, or whoever it is, I feel as if people don’t appreciate their family enough. I myself, never have. Growing up in the picture perfect town of Mason, with the stereotypical jocks and ‘nerds’ rule the grounds, I’ve learned to appreciate my family greatly, because they’ve always been there for me. My whole life I’ve lived six and a half hours away from my nearest non-immediate family. It’s a dreaded, long-ish drive that we can’t make all the time, whether it’s the cost of gas, or my dad can’t get off work enough. It’s not easy to plan a trip to visit my family up there in Buffalo, New York. But i’m not here to just talk about not taking your family for granted or how difficult it seems to visit my family, I’ve got something else in store. When my family does make it up to Buffalo for the holidays or a long weekend, the main thing, the most important thing, that brings us together, as if we’ve never drifted apart, as if we’ve always been together, is food. Sweet, salty, you name it. Delicious food. You may have already known by my name, but if not, i’m italian. A third generation italian or something close to that. Food is a major importance to italians, and even more so my family in particular. And because of this, whenever we visit our family in Buffalo, the night we arrive, even if it’s one o’clock in the morning, as we walk in the door the smell of grease and hot sauce fills our noses. Pizza and Wings. I can’t tell you where my family always buys the pizza and wings, but it’s our arriving meal. It’s simple. It’s good. It’s what brings us together, as one, big, happy family. Bags are dropped, shoes are thrown and coats are off as soon as we walk in the door, because it’s dinner time. Hugs are given, smiles are flashed and for once, the family is happy together. We all file into the kitchen, that’s big until you put 15 people in it, but before we create a buffet line to collect your food, something more important comes. Not only are we italian, but we’re catholic, and that has always been important to my family, but even more so my Nana, aka my dad’s mom. We’ll all stop, holding hands or resting on each other’s shoulders, and say the word of grace. We do this every time, but God forbid I actually learn the words to grace. But words are said, and tears are shed, but in our family, the prayer is not over yet. Ever since my Papa died in 2013, our family needed something to bring him into the prayer still. I can still remember how sad the funeral was, how everyone’s heart ached, but we were still able to laugh at the priest’s accent from who knows where. Because of this, this small detail that somehow affected our prayers everyday, we finish off grace by yelling, “Ye God!”, something that now makes everyone smile! Everyone’s hungry, as the same smell of pizza and wings fills the air, and it’s time to eat. Like I said before, food is the biggest thing that brings our family together during this time, but not only the food itself, but the atmosphere while we eat it. Ever since the grandchildren were born, all twelve of them, we’ve just naturally sat in the basement. Every. Single. Meal. The cold, barely finished, old carpeted basement. Sounds appetizing doesn’t it? But somehow, I think this basement has brought all my cousins and I together. From our younger days of playing behind the bar playing bartenders, rearranging the fold-up chairs to play airplane, sending the weakest cousin down the pitch black horrific part of the basement or the random dance party calls at twelve o’clock at night. And as the time comes for the oldest cousins to go to college, the traditions stay, and no one sits in their seats, as if they’re just running late for the meal. All of this starts with a simple sit-down dinner. Everything that happens revolving around the pizza, wings, or the basement brings my family together. Because of this, we keep our family standing, and trust me, it could easily fall without this. It’s crazy how something so simple can bring so many people together.	73264bb5-2706-568b-bb7e-491c72043a55	25/08/2025 18:00:55
https://medium.com/@becca.wyant/yes-and-3d3361bd00d9	medium.com	Yes, and…	It can be hard to navigate the creative world. I am constantly getting lost in it, and more often than not, I find myself asking for…	Becca Wyant	https://medium.com/@becca.wyant	3d3361bd00d9	https://miro.medium.com/…vzeJr6R9rSg.jpeg	7 min	2020-03-02T20:05:16.082000	2020-03-23T17:20:51.569000	2021-12-13T22:26:34.958000	0	37	en	Creativity,Photography,Self Improvement,Creative Process,Writing	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3600/1a4Tcp4pjb36vzeJr6R9rSg.jpeg" width="3600" height="2404" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>It can be hard to navigate the creative world.</strong> I am constantly getting lost in it, and more often than not, I find myself asking for directions. To always know where to take the next step is merely impossible. And I don’t think anyone truly has the map that holds the right paths, or even the correct landmarks.</p> <p>Figuring out how our creative minds roam, what we want to do, what we’re actually good at, what work brings us joy, how to make money doing so, <em>and</em> how to do it in a professional setting? That can be challenging, to say the least. A lot of those pieces can feel immensely different from one another.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1534/1sGOqEBgWrCJpYFF8yGeeaQ.jpeg" width="1534" height="1110" loading="lazy" /> <p>How I went from a little girl with dreams of being a star on the big stage–to becoming a creative director and photographer–is a bizarre journey with quite the Frankenstein road map.</p> <p>I went from singer, to actress, playwright, videographer, graphic designer, photographer, to creative director. I bounced between side projects, personal projects, questionable experiments, brainstorming, conferences, and then finally, necessary and scary career-driven moves.</p> <p>I made a lot of mistakes. Made a fool of myself plenty of times.</p> <p>And it took me awhile to realize my value, my voice, what I believed in, best practices to organize and share my work, and the right way to fuel my creative process.</p> <p>There are endless actions you take that can help you get to where you ultimately want to go. I want to share <strong>three areas of focus</strong> that I have found to be extremely helpful in my personal and professional creative development, as well as in improving team innovation and communication.</p> <p><strong>First (and possibly an on-going) thing to do to help decipher what’s right for you and how best to grow: a lot of saying yes.</strong></p> <p>But specifically, it’s being thoughtful in your yeses, and realizing that you’re saying <em><str</em>ong>more</strong> than just agreeing to something. You’re not becoming a “yes man,” but rather saying <em>“yes, and…”</em></p> <p>Much like in improv theater, <em>‘yes, and…’</em> means to accept an idea or direction, and then breathe more life into the story. It’s saying <em>yes, and</em> asking yourself how you can make it epic. <em>Yes, and</em> this might be a risky move, but I’m going to try. <em>Yes, and</em> I might screw up. <em>Yes, and</em> I will learn.</p> <p>It’s saying yes to new things you don’t know how to do yet. This should push you to ask why. <em>Challenge ideas. Challenge ideas with what and how you create.</em> It’s a simple exercise that’s necessary in building a conversation and relationships, and can be translated in any role.</p> <p>Disclaimer: There’s a lot of failing with <em>‘yes, and</em>….’ I know that sounds uninviting. But failing is so essential.</p> <p><strong>And the best way to turn this into something that will make you stronger, is through the second area of focus: a lot of sharing and feedback</strong>.</p> <p>A lot of it. I can’t stress enough how important sharing and feedback is to this process. Even when you feel like you don’t need it, feedback can help shape your concepts into clear and meaningful pieces.</p> <p>I won’t lie, it can be brutal sometimes. It can feel like someone’s tearing apart something you love. But <em>creating great art and design is not meant to be easy</em>, and it’s important to remember that getting insight–that’s outside of the walls of your brain–doesn’t mean it’ll change something from being yours. <strong>If you are honest with people when you’re sharing, then they will do the same, </strong>and that will only help you emphasize and articulate your vision better.</p> <p>Even with my role, I’d ask coworkers for their thoughts–inside and out of the creative team–to see how they were interpreting my designs. Seeing if people saw what I saw or if I was illustrating a whole other message.</p> <p>Everyone thinks differently. We know this. Design, color, composition, images, words–these all trigger different pieces of our hearts and minds. The more you ask for thoughts and why colleagues came to particular conclusions, the more you hear other peoples’ <em>‘yes, and’s</em>, the more you will gain. And, the more you’ll be able to expand your creative way of thinking and create impactful work.</p> <p>I’ve learned a lot about myself by carrying this mindset with me and approaching opportunities this way. I consider it a filtering process that’s given me courage to identify areas that I’m most passionate about, and areas I’m not.</p> <p>Six years ago when I started working at FINIS Inc., a swimwear and training equipment company, I was brought on as just a little print graphic designer, fairly fresh out of college.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1648/1wkrEv5fYY0dZsR5z1p87rA.png" width="1648" height="1086" loading="lazy" /> <p>With no in-house photographer and desperate need for new imagery on a regular basis, I jumped on the opportunity to give it a go. I had done some swimming/sports photography work during my time at the University of the Pacific, where I swam competitively and studied graphic design. I imagined it couldn’t be much different than how I’d take pictures of my friends on the pool deck.</p> <p>But then I picked up the underwater housing unit, and realized that this task involved going below the surface to capture a lot of these moments. I remember staring at this equipment thinking, “Whelp, I have no idea how to use this. Gosh, I really hope I don’t break anything.” I so badly wanted to prove myself and show them something amazing.</p> <p>I definitely did not. Everything I captured turned out blurry and off. And yes, I did end up breaking that camera a couple of months after taking it on.</p> <p><em>(Behind the scenes video of a FINIS photo shoot)</em></p> <p>But I was honest with what I knew, what I was trying to learn, and I shared my images constantly to get insight from my colleagues and improve my work. It took me a bit to get the hang of it, but I asked them to take a chance on me and told them they wouldn’t regret it. And eventually, I learned how to properly prep, structure, and run a shoot. I gained knowledge in giving direction, framing product shots, and communicating with professional athletes to best capture their stories. It wasn’t long before I took charge of our company’s photography. Challenging myself to master this area improved our imagery and overall helped shape the look and feel of the FINIS brand into one that got people talking.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/9000/1W29FckOZQNwpXsxxANM-Cw.jpeg" width="9000" height="6000" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3140/1h1BQUXeDTA5VbswkkMJEoA.jpeg" width="3140" height="2010" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/9000/1Qe7tFXtuNow4iMrSNWIq3A.jpeg" width="9000" height="6000" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3600/1QEPnIKe4I_VsS14-MpltMw.jpeg" width="3600" height="2400" loading="lazy" /> <p>We began saying a lot of, “<em>Yes, </em>our brand looks awesome–people are seeing that.” But we were stuck on the ‘<em>and</em> how do we share what we’ve created, so when people are showcasing FINIS, they’re working with our best visuals?’</p> <p>There comes a point after you’ve <em>‘yes and’ed, </em>created, shared, and gathered feedback, that <em><strong>you have to shar</em>e again.</strong> Because when all the hard work is done, it’s time to give the final presentation and deliverables.</p> <p><strong>So, third: having a professional and clean way to share final work is so important.</strong></p> <p>And I feel like this final step often doesn’t get the love that it needs. Because truthfully, you could have monumental work and a stellar brand, but if you don’t have an easy way to distribute high-quality assets, things can fall short. That’s why <a href="https://brandfolder.com/home">Brandfolder</a> became a part of our family. Their platform changed the game for us and brought all these steps I’ve outlined <strong>full-circle</strong>.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3599/1Eyz7r1Ic5fEVxygIv8LfOg.jpeg" width="3599" height="3599" loading="lazy" /> <p>They made it so we could deliver with confidence, knowing that what people received properly reflected our work and our brand. Having an easy and efficient brand management platform–that upheld the quality of our work–made sharing and feedback loops happen more frequently, and it helped fine-tune our team’s efficiency.</p> <p>It gave us power to say <em>yes</em> to more creation, saved us time on finding ways to distribute project assets, and kept everyone unified in what the FINIS brand was putting out to the world.</p> <p>And when people see and use a space like this–filled with killer creative assets that are clean, organized, and easily accessible–the feedback you get in return will make you realize that tools like these turn your brand from good to great. It helped me expand my horizons with how we shared, gathered insight, and continued to improve.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3600/1slqO7sRWPAlGbfHgmbfYTA.jpeg" width="3600" height="2414" loading="lazy" /> <p>In the end, whatever it is that I may say, your mentor may advise, your role model may do, or social media may claim is trending–none of that will hold significance for you until you make it so. There are many influential channels that surround us everyday, and there are many different creative fields you can step into.</p> <p>‘<em>Yes, and’</em> still takes me on a continuous and adventurous path, one that’s currently feeding into my explorations in photography and design. Feedback and sharing still help me perfect my craft and define the right tools to use to shine best.</p> <p>I encourage all the creatives out there to keep curious minds. Continue to wander around this mad world. Say <em>“yes, and…”</em> And I’m excited to see what you’ll find.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3600/1kOis1CskQ-2w6Jbjvg6DOQ.jpeg" width="3600" height="2405" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1800/1F3A5nSoTwnEy_3866aqkAw.jpeg" width="1800" height="1202" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1080/1csbsvz44DbZlkW41fvvYxw.jpeg" width="1080" height="718" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1830/1cnphiIv7yDsXk5TG95a4Ug.jpeg" width="1830" height="2661" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1987/1-Dog5BhX2jL9iCgopX2nXQ.jpeg" width="1987" height="3600" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/9000/1ABWxckldmtSzNy4ywYObLQ.jpeg" width="9000" height="6000" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3600/1nwGfgAmMyzIMaLiZ3QrohA.jpeg" width="3600" height="2405" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/9000/1xmzZpLTLyPk0I7Ua9gmmlA.jpeg" width="9000" height="6000" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5472/1WMv8UWTnpnEvEGf8JAz9Ug.jpeg" width="5472" height="3648" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5616/1rgM0c6Tg4bdrwbj00roIDg.jpeg" width="5616" height="3744" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5760/17YB52ntMYQcfKf4qmtgbcw.jpeg" width="5760" height="3840" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/5616/1*uz9et_IxkF5YbzqStVKljg.jpeg" width="5616" height="3744" loading="lazy" /> </section>	Yes, and… Olivia Smoliga \| Photo by Becca Wyant It can be hard to navigate the creative world. I am constantly getting lost in it, and more often than not, I find myself asking for directions. To always know where to take the next step is merely impossible. And I don’t think anyone truly has the map that holds the right paths, or even the correct landmarks. Figuring out how our creative minds roam, what we want to do, what we’re actually good at, what work brings us joy, how to make money doing so, and how to do it in a professional setting? That can be challenging, to say the least. A lot of those pieces can feel immensely different from one another. (Behind the scenes shot of Becca Wyant at a photo shoot) How I went from a little girl with dreams of being a star on the big stage–to becoming a creative director and photographer–is a bizarre journey with quite the Frankenstein road map. I went from singer, to actress, playwright, videographer, graphic designer, photographer, to creative director. I bounced between side projects, personal projects, questionable experiments, brainstorming, conferences, and then finally, necessary and scary career-driven moves. I made a lot of mistakes. Made a fool of myself plenty of times. And it took me awhile to realize my value, my voice, what I believed in, best practices to organize and share my work, and the right way to fuel my creative process. There are endless actions you take that can help you get to where you ultimately want to go. I want to share three areas of focus that I have found to be extremely helpful in my personal and professional creative development, as well as in improving team innovation and communication. First (and possibly an on-going) thing to do to help decipher what’s right for you and how best to grow: a lot of saying yes. But specifically, it’s being thoughtful in your yeses, and realizing that you’re saying more than just agreeing to something. You’re not becoming a “yes man,” but rather saying “yes, and…” Much like in improv theater, ‘yes, and…’ means to accept an idea or direction, and then breathe more life into the story. It’s saying yes, and asking yourself how you can make it epic. Yes, and this might be a risky move, but I’m going to try. Yes, and I might screw up. Yes, and I will learn. It’s saying yes to new things you don’t know how to do yet. This should push you to ask why. Challenge ideas. Challenge ideas with what and how you create. It’s a simple exercise that’s necessary in building a conversation and relationships, and can be translated in any role. Disclaimer: There’s a lot of failing with ‘yes, and….’ I know that sounds uninviting. But failing is so essential. And the best way to turn this into something that will make you stronger, is through the second area of focus: a lot of sharing and feedback. A lot of it. I can’t stress enough how important sharing and feedback is to this process. Even when you feel like you don’t need it, feedback can help shape your concepts into clear and meaningful pieces. I won’t lie, it can be brutal sometimes. It can feel like someone’s tearing apart something you love. But creating great art and design is not meant to be easy, and it’s important to remember that getting insight–that’s outside of the walls of your brain–doesn’t mean it’ll change something from being yours. If you are honest with people when you’re sharing, then they will do the same, and that will only help you emphasize and articulate your vision better. Even with my role, I’d ask coworkers for their thoughts–inside and out of the creative team–to see how they were interpreting my designs. Seeing if people saw what I saw or if I was illustrating a whole other message. Everyone thinks differently. We know this. Design, color, composition, images, words–these all trigger different pieces of our hearts and minds. The more you ask for thoughts and why colleagues came to particular conclusions, the more you hear other peoples’ ‘yes, and’s, the more you will gain. And, the more you’ll be able to expand your creative way of thinking and create impactful work. I’ve learned a lot about myself by carrying this mindset with me and approaching opportunities this way. I consider it a filtering process that’s given me courage to identify areas that I’m most passionate about, and areas I’m not. Six years ago when I started working at FINIS Inc., a swimwear and training equipment company, I was brought on as just a little print graphic designer, fairly fresh out of college. 2012 University of the Pacific Swim Team \| Photography by Becca Wyant With no in-house photographer and desperate need for new imagery on a regular basis, I jumped on the opportunity to give it a go. I had done some swimming/sports photography work during my time at the University of the Pacific, where I swam competitively and studied graphic design. I imagined it couldn’t be much different than how I’d take pictures of my friends on the pool deck. But then I picked up the underwater housing unit, and realized that this task involved going below the surface to capture a lot of these moments. I remember staring at this equipment thinking, “Whelp, I have no idea how to use this. Gosh, I really hope I don’t break anything.” I so badly wanted to prove myself and show them something amazing. I definitely did not. Everything I captured turned out blurry and off. And yes, I did end up breaking that camera a couple of months after taking it on. (Behind the scenes video of a FINIS photo shoot) But I was honest with what I knew, what I was trying to learn, and I shared my images constantly to get insight from my colleagues and improve my work. It took me a bit to get the hang of it, but I asked them to take a chance on me and told them they wouldn’t regret it. And eventually, I learned how to properly prep, structure, and run a shoot. I gained knowledge in giving direction, framing product shots, and communicating with professional athletes to best capture their stories. It wasn’t long before I took charge of our company’s photography. Challenging myself to master this area improved our imagery and overall helped shape the look and feel of the FINIS brand into one that got people talking. Lia Neal \| Photography by Becca Wyant We began saying a lot of, “Yes, our brand looks awesome–people are seeing that.” But we were stuck on the ‘and how do we share what we’ve created, so when people are showcasing FINIS, they’re working with our best visuals?’ There comes a point after you’ve ‘yes and’ed, created, shared, and gathered feedback, that you have to share again. Because when all the hard work is done, it’s time to give the final presentation and deliverables. So, third: having a professional and clean way to share final work is so important. And I feel like this final step often doesn’t get the love that it needs. Because truthfully, you could have monumental work and a stellar brand, but if you don’t have an easy way to distribute high-quality assets, things can fall short. That’s why Brandfolder became a part of our family. Their platform changed the game for us and brought all these steps I’ve outlined full-circle. 2019–2020 Product Catalog \| Photography & Design by Becca Wyant They made it so we could deliver with confidence, knowing that what people received properly reflected our work and our brand. Having an easy and efficient brand management platform–that upheld the quality of our work–made sharing and feedback loops happen more frequently, and it helped fine-tune our team’s efficiency. It gave us power to say yes to more creation, saved us time on finding ways to distribute project assets, and kept everyone unified in what the FINIS brand was putting out to the world. And when people see and use a space like this–filled with killer creative assets that are clean, organized, and easily accessible–the feedback you get in return will make you realize that tools like these turn your brand from good to great. It helped me expand my horizons with how we shared, gathered insight, and continued to improve. In the end, whatever it is that I may say, your mentor may advise, your role model may do, or social media may claim is trending–none of that will hold significance for you until you make it so. There are many influential channels that surround us everyday, and there are many different creative fields you can step into. ‘Yes, and’ still takes me on a continuous and adventurous path, one that’s currently feeding into my explorations in photography and design. Feedback and sharing still help me perfect my craft and define the right tools to use to shine best. I encourage all the creatives out there to keep curious minds. Continue to wander around this mad world. Say “yes, and…” And I’m excited to see what you’ll find. Photography by Becca Wyant Anthony Ervin \| Photography by Becca Wyant	03843486-d773-5d6e-9887-d2e2d6a9272c	25/08/2025 18:00:55
https://medium.com/@HermesAstrology/types-of-clairvoyance-87ff823645dc	medium.com	Types of Clairvoyance: Exploring Clear Sight Beyond the Present	Clairvoyance, often referred to as the “sixth sense” or “clear seeing,” is the alleged ability to perceive information beyond the ordinary…	Hermes Astrology	https://medium.com/@HermesAstrology	87ff823645dc	https://miro.medium.com/…yRsVkuIrRDw.jpeg	4 min	2023-12-31T02:15:45.138000	2023-12-31T02:21:55.623000	2025-08-25T10:29:36.032000	0	2	en	Astrology,Psychic,Shamanism	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/1vpwSDjvKgNfyRsVkuIrRDw.jpeg" width="1024" height="1024" loading="lazy" /> <p>Clairvoyance, often referred to as the “sixth sense” or “clear seeing,” is the alleged ability to perceive information beyond the ordinary human senses. Those who possess clairvoyant abilities are believed to have heightened intuitive or psychic perception, allowing them to receive information about events, people, or places beyond the scope of the physical senses. There are several types of clairvoyance, each with its unique characteristics and focus.</p> <p><strong>Classic Clairvoyance:</strong> Classic clairvoyance involves the ability to “see” events or information beyond the present moment. Individuals with classic clairvoyance may receive vivid mental images or visions that provide insights into the past, present, or future. These visions can be symbolic or direct, and practitioners often use their intuitive abilities to interpret the images.</p> <p><strong>Spatial Clairvoyance:</strong> Spatial clairvoyance is centered around perceiving information about locations or places that are not physically present. Practitioners may describe details about distant or unseen locations, providing accurate information about people, surroundings, or events occurring in those places.</p> <p><strong>Psychometric Clairvoyance:</strong> Psychometric clairvoyance involves gaining information about an object or person by touching it. Practitioners may hold an object or touch a person and receive impressions, visions, or emotions related to the object’s history or the individual’s experiences. This type of clairvoyance is often associated with heightened sensitivity to energy imprints.</p> <p><strong>Aura Reading:</strong> Clairvoyants specializing in aura reading focus on perceiving the energy fields or auras surrounding individuals. Auras are believed to reflect a person’s emotional, mental, and physical states. Practitioners may see colors, shapes, or patterns within the aura, providing insights into the subject’s well-being or emotional state.</p> <p><strong>Remote Viewing:</strong> Remote viewing is a form of clairvoyance where individuals claim to perceive information about distant or unseen targets. This practice gained attention during various government-sponsored psychic research programs. Remote viewers often use their mental faculties to describe details about locations or events beyond their physical proximity.</p> <p><strong>Dream Clairvoyance:</strong> Some individuals experience clairvoyant insights through dreams. Dream clairvoyance involves receiving psychic information or premonitions during the dream state. These visions may be symbolic or straightforward, offering glimpses into future events or providing guidance on present situations.</p> <p><strong>Medical Clairvoyance:</strong> Medical clairvoyance focuses on perceiving information related to a person’s health. Practitioners may claim to see energy blockages, imbalances, or other factors affecting an individual’s well-being. This type of clairvoyance is sometimes used in alternative healing practices.</p> <p><strong>Channeling:</strong> Channeling involves a clairvoyant or medium acting as a conduit for communication with entities from other realms. This can include spirits, angels, or higher-dimensional beings. The clairvoyant may receive messages, visions, or guidance from these entities and convey them to others.</p> <p><strong>Symbolic Clairvoyance:</strong> Symbolic clairvoyance involves interpreting symbolic images or messages that may not have a direct, literal meaning. Practitioners may receive impressions in the form of symbols, colors, or metaphors, requiring intuitive interpretation to discern their significance.</p> <p><strong>Precognition:</strong> Precognition is the ability to perceive or predict future events before they occur. Clairvoyants with precognitive abilities may receive visions or insights about upcoming situations, allowing them to provide forewarnings or guidance.</p> <p><strong>Time-Window Clairvoyance:</strong> Time-window clairvoyance involves perceiving specific time frames or windows of opportunity in the future. Practitioners claim the ability to see auspicious or challenging periods, enabling them to offer guidance on the optimal timing for decision-making or taking specific actions.</p> <p><strong>Photographic Clairvoyance:</strong> Photographic clairvoyance refers to the ability to receive detailed mental images with photographic precision. Practitioners may describe scenes, people, or objects in great detail, akin to looking at a photograph. This form of clairvoyance is often associated with heightened visual acuity in the mind’s eye.</p> <p><strong>Elemental Clairvoyance:</strong> Elemental clairvoyance involves perceiving information related to the natural elements — earth, air, fire, and water. Practitioners may claim to see elemental energies, spirits, or symbolic representations associated with these elements, providing insights into a person’s connection with nature or the surrounding environment.</p> <p><strong>Animal Clairvoyance:</strong> Some clairvoyants specialize in perceiving information related to animals. This may include insights into an animal’s behavior, emotions, or messages from animal spirits. Practitioners with animal clairvoyance may claim to understand the energetic connections between humans and animals.</p> <p><strong>Numerical Clairvoyance:</strong> Numerical clairvoyance involves perceiving information through numbers. Practitioners may receive visions or insights where numbers play a significant role, providing guidance or predictions related to dates, events, or personal attributes associated with specific numbers.</p> <p><strong>Color Clairvoyance:</strong> Color clairvoyance focuses on perceiving information through the interpretation of colors. Practitioners may see auras, energy fields, or symbolic colors that convey emotional states, spiritual insights, or information about a person’s overall well-being.</p> <p><strong>Dimensional Clairvoyance:</strong> Dimensional clairvoyance involves perceiving information from dimensions beyond the physical realm. Practitioners may claim to access insights from higher dimensions, parallel realities, or alternate planes of existence. This form of clairvoyance is often associated with spiritual evolution and multidimensional awareness.</p> <p><strong>Object Linking:</strong> Object linking is a form of clairvoyance where practitioners claim to receive information by holding or being in close proximity to an object associated with a person or event. This can include personal belongings, photographs, or significant items that serve as a link to the energetic imprints of the subject.</p> <p><strong>Chakra Clairvoyance:</strong> Chakra clairvoyance involves perceiving and interpreting the energy flow within a person’s chakra system. Practitioners may claim to see blockages, imbalances, or the vibrational state of each chakra, providing insights into an individual’s emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.</p> <p><strong>Sound Clairvoyance:</strong> Sound clairvoyance centers around perceiving psychic information through auditory means. Practitioners may claim to hear voices, sounds, or messages from the spirit world, providing insights or guidance through the interpretation of the received auditory impressions.</p> <h1>For a limited time, you can receive a FREE copy of ‘Spiritual Gifts Unveiled: A Guide to Understanding and Applying Your Abilities’ by subscribing to our newsletter. Get your FREE book here:</h1> <h2><a href="https://secretsigns.substack.com/p/spiritual-gifts-unveiled-free-ebook">https://secretsigns.substack.com/p/spiritual-gifts-unveiled-free-ebook</a></h2> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/700/0K0BTKalJxrmFcZ8M.jpeg" width="700" height="1120" loading="lazy" /> </section>	Types of Clairvoyance: Exploring Clear Sight Beyond the Present Clairvoyance, often referred to as the “sixth sense” or “clear seeing,” is the alleged ability to perceive information beyond the ordinary human senses. Those who possess clairvoyant abilities are believed to have heightened intuitive or psychic perception, allowing them to receive information about events, people, or places beyond the scope of the physical senses. There are several types of clairvoyance, each with its unique characteristics and focus. Classic Clairvoyance: Classic clairvoyance involves the ability to “see” events or information beyond the present moment. Individuals with classic clairvoyance may receive vivid mental images or visions that provide insights into the past, present, or future. These visions can be symbolic or direct, and practitioners often use their intuitive abilities to interpret the images. Spatial Clairvoyance: Spatial clairvoyance is centered around perceiving information about locations or places that are not physically present. Practitioners may describe details about distant or unseen locations, providing accurate information about people, surroundings, or events occurring in those places. Psychometric Clairvoyance: Psychometric clairvoyance involves gaining information about an object or person by touching it. Practitioners may hold an object or touch a person and receive impressions, visions, or emotions related to the object’s history or the individual’s experiences. This type of clairvoyance is often associated with heightened sensitivity to energy imprints. Aura Reading: Clairvoyants specializing in aura reading focus on perceiving the energy fields or auras surrounding individuals. Auras are believed to reflect a person’s emotional, mental, and physical states. Practitioners may see colors, shapes, or patterns within the aura, providing insights into the subject’s well-being or emotional state. Remote Viewing: Remote viewing is a form of clairvoyance where individuals claim to perceive information about distant or unseen targets. This practice gained attention during various government-sponsored psychic research programs. Remote viewers often use their mental faculties to describe details about locations or events beyond their physical proximity. Dream Clairvoyance: Some individuals experience clairvoyant insights through dreams. Dream clairvoyance involves receiving psychic information or premonitions during the dream state. These visions may be symbolic or straightforward, offering glimpses into future events or providing guidance on present situations. Medical Clairvoyance: Medical clairvoyance focuses on perceiving information related to a person’s health. Practitioners may claim to see energy blockages, imbalances, or other factors affecting an individual’s well-being. This type of clairvoyance is sometimes used in alternative healing practices. Channeling: Channeling involves a clairvoyant or medium acting as a conduit for communication with entities from other realms. This can include spirits, angels, or higher-dimensional beings. The clairvoyant may receive messages, visions, or guidance from these entities and convey them to others. Symbolic Clairvoyance: Symbolic clairvoyance involves interpreting symbolic images or messages that may not have a direct, literal meaning. Practitioners may receive impressions in the form of symbols, colors, or metaphors, requiring intuitive interpretation to discern their significance. Precognition: Precognition is the ability to perceive or predict future events before they occur. Clairvoyants with precognitive abilities may receive visions or insights about upcoming situations, allowing them to provide forewarnings or guidance. Time-Window Clairvoyance: Time-window clairvoyance involves perceiving specific time frames or windows of opportunity in the future. Practitioners claim the ability to see auspicious or challenging periods, enabling them to offer guidance on the optimal timing for decision-making or taking specific actions. Photographic Clairvoyance: Photographic clairvoyance refers to the ability to receive detailed mental images with photographic precision. Practitioners may describe scenes, people, or objects in great detail, akin to looking at a photograph. This form of clairvoyance is often associated with heightened visual acuity in the mind’s eye. Elemental Clairvoyance: Elemental clairvoyance involves perceiving information related to the natural elements — earth, air, fire, and water. Practitioners may claim to see elemental energies, spirits, or symbolic representations associated with these elements, providing insights into a person’s connection with nature or the surrounding environment. Animal Clairvoyance: Some clairvoyants specialize in perceiving information related to animals. This may include insights into an animal’s behavior, emotions, or messages from animal spirits. Practitioners with animal clairvoyance may claim to understand the energetic connections between humans and animals. Numerical Clairvoyance: Numerical clairvoyance involves perceiving information through numbers. Practitioners may receive visions or insights where numbers play a significant role, providing guidance or predictions related to dates, events, or personal attributes associated with specific numbers. Color Clairvoyance: Color clairvoyance focuses on perceiving information through the interpretation of colors. Practitioners may see auras, energy fields, or symbolic colors that convey emotional states, spiritual insights, or information about a person’s overall well-being. Dimensional Clairvoyance: Dimensional clairvoyance involves perceiving information from dimensions beyond the physical realm. Practitioners may claim to access insights from higher dimensions, parallel realities, or alternate planes of existence. This form of clairvoyance is often associated with spiritual evolution and multidimensional awareness. Object Linking: Object linking is a form of clairvoyance where practitioners claim to receive information by holding or being in close proximity to an object associated with a person or event. This can include personal belongings, photographs, or significant items that serve as a link to the energetic imprints of the subject. Chakra Clairvoyance: Chakra clairvoyance involves perceiving and interpreting the energy flow within a person’s chakra system. Practitioners may claim to see blockages, imbalances, or the vibrational state of each chakra, providing insights into an individual’s emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Sound Clairvoyance: Sound clairvoyance centers around perceiving psychic information through auditory means. Practitioners may claim to hear voices, sounds, or messages from the spirit world, providing insights or guidance through the interpretation of the received auditory impressions. For a limited time, you can receive a FREE copy of ‘Spiritual Gifts Unveiled: A Guide to Understanding and Applying Your Abilities’ by subscribing to our newsletter. Get your FREE book here: https://secretsigns.substack.com/p/spiritual-gifts-unveiled-free-ebook	9709f666-bd9a-578f-823c-949e78bbc4be	25/08/2025 18:00:55
https://medium.com/@B_REWSTER/6-warning-signs-of-unhealthy-insecure-and-dangerous-leadership-2d7619c219c3	medium.com	6 Warning Signs Of Unhealthy, Insecure and Dangerous Leadership	Have you ever had one of those days when multiple messages seem to tell you the same thing? I mean, like, you hear one thing, then a few…	Stephen Brewster	https://medium.com/@B_REWSTER	2d7619c219c3	https://miro.medium.com/…oXXTrg8s8Lg.jpeg	4 min	2018-09-10T21:37:03.674000	2018-09-10T21:38:11.454000	2018-09-10T21:38:11.454000	0	2	en	Leadership,Church Leadership,Church,Christianity,Creative	<section> <h1>6 Warning Signs Of Unhealthy, Insecure and Dangerous Leadership</h1> <p>Have you ever had one of those days when multiple messages seem to tell you the same thing? I mean, like, you hear one thing, then a few hours later another thing, and it is almost like the two isolated incidents are not isolated at all! That happened to me last week.</p> <p>I saw an article written by Stephen Altrogge about abusive spiritual leaders. As you know, I am sort of a case study for this topic at this point. Later that day, I was listening to an interview with Jeff Weiner, the CEO of LinkedIn about how to lead with compassion. It was a total clash of the two worlds. It so impacted me I thought I would share both sides with you over the next two posts.</p> <p>First, church - I agree with what Altrogee contends are the six warning signs of a “spiritually abusive leader” but wanted to credit his findings and share a little commentary of my one after each. The goal of this post is to help us create more clarity and safe places for leaders to thrive.</p> <p><strong>A Weak Leader Surrounds Himself With “Yes” People</strong></p> <p>If you serve someone who can’t be questioned, you have reached the lid of that manager’s leadership. Anytime a leader is afraid to have someone question methods we are in trouble. Methods should be challenged daily to make sure we are doing our best work. It forces us to slow down and explore what we are doing. Great leaders hire other great leaders to specialize in areas that grow what we are doing. Challengers sharpen everyone around them if they challenge healthily. A room full of yes’s is a room destined to shrink.</p> <p><strong>2. Insecure leaders Isolate Critics</strong></p> <p>Insecurity thrives in isolation. Leaders who allow their insecurity to drive them will isolate anyone they can’t control. Not only will the isolate them, but they will also work feverishly to discredit their opposers with anyone who will listen. Remember that if someone talks TO you about others, they will speak to others about you. Pay attention to what you hear because it could quickly be what others are hearing about you. In my experience, the most isolated leaders are the former people closest to the leader. Sadly, they got close enough and formed a relationship they felt would allow them to be honest, only to be isolated so the insecurity can continue to live.</p> <p><strong>3. Unhealthy Leaders Demand Loyalty</strong></p> <p>Paul Scanlon says: Loyalty has to be earned not demanded. I could not agree more. Great leaders look to build loyalty by SERVING not by requiring. Anytime someone expects you to be loyal; it is not loyalty, it is slavery. If a leader has not given you a reason to be loyal, why do you owe that to them? It makes no sense. On-demand loyalty is manipulation. The wounded or insecure leader will point to challenging as divisiveness and thus turn diversity into a luxury they can’t afford. They don’t have the ability, strength, or leadership I.Q. to lead through anyone who is not “for them”. The minute you notice that the only people that are ever right are the “for them” people, you are in a toxic situation. Loyalty, like trust, should ALWAYS be earned and the earning starts with the leader.</p> <p><strong>4. Abusers Refuse Accountability</strong></p> <p>Accountability is VITAL to the health of an organization, a leader, their family, and the churches or teams they lead. You can’t have “accountability” made up of people who can be controlled or are undereducated at how and what you do as an organization. It is unhealthy when there is just enough truth or admission to appear honest, yet still not provide the entire truth. Accountability fails when those responsible for it are far enough away never to have the pulse of situations and only hear one side of most stories.</p> <p>Real accountability requires a commitment from the leader for openness, honesty, challenge, and consequences. The warning signs are when metrics for accountability are withheld. If leaders in the organization cannot monitor what is happening and are not trusted to lead, they can’t be considered accountable. Responsibility without accountability is a road to failure for everyone involved. As followers, we also have a responsibility to have conversations with leadership when we see things that appear wrong. You will know, depending on how this was received, if there is accountability in your organization.</p> <p><strong>5. Their Personality Is Inconsistent</strong></p> <p>Woo is a gift perception is not. If everything is about look and there is no substance behind it, likely you are dealing with a personality problem. When the actions of people don’t match their words, in church or out, we have a problem. Remember that saying your mom told you — Actions speak louder than words — it’s true. Be real even if your real is scary. The worst thing to do as a leader is not to be authentic to who God made you; you can’t act one way and perform another — ever.</p> <p><strong>6. Never Believe Anything Is Wrong</strong></p> <p>Jim Collins diagnosis this symptom in his book, Good to Great, as sticking your head in the sand. A leader who refuses to identify areas to grow in their leadership, or in the organization, has insulated themselves so deeply into a self-protective ecosystem that they will never be able to adjust until it is too late. Sadly, at that point, the number of people hurt is a significant number. No organization is always up and right; there is still room to grow and develop. When we are aware of this, the great leaders become vigilant about uncovering what is wrong because there is always something to improve!</p> <p>I hope as you read this you understand that I LOVE the local church and the amazing people that God has chosen to steward this tool. This post is not an accusatory post. I want us to be healthy and sustain, and thrive and change the world. God is gifting us the ability to do this and the honor of being on the front lines of hope and life change. Let’s not allow ourselves to take that for granted.</p> <p>I love you and what you are doing. Keep growing! Our next post will explore what a “compassionate leader” looks like and their posture around leadership.</p> </section>	6 Warning Signs Of Unhealthy, Insecure and Dangerous Leadership Have you ever had one of those days when multiple messages seem to tell you the same thing? I mean, like, you hear one thing, then a few hours later another thing, and it is almost like the two isolated incidents are not isolated at all! That happened to me last week. I saw an article written by Stephen Altrogge about abusive spiritual leaders. As you know, I am sort of a case study for this topic at this point. Later that day, I was listening to an interview with Jeff Weiner, the CEO of LinkedIn about how to lead with compassion. It was a total clash of the two worlds. It so impacted me I thought I would share both sides with you over the next two posts. First, church - I agree with what Altrogee contends are the six warning signs of a “spiritually abusive leader” but wanted to credit his findings and share a little commentary of my one after each. The goal of this post is to help us create more clarity and safe places for leaders to thrive. A Weak Leader Surrounds Himself With “Yes” People If you serve someone who can’t be questioned, you have reached the lid of that manager’s leadership. Anytime a leader is afraid to have someone question methods we are in trouble. Methods should be challenged daily to make sure we are doing our best work. It forces us to slow down and explore what we are doing. Great leaders hire other great leaders to specialize in areas that grow what we are doing. Challengers sharpen everyone around them if they challenge healthily. A room full of yes’s is a room destined to shrink. 2. Insecure leaders Isolate Critics Insecurity thrives in isolation. Leaders who allow their insecurity to drive them will isolate anyone they can’t control. Not only will the isolate them, but they will also work feverishly to discredit their opposers with anyone who will listen. Remember that if someone talks TO you about others, they will speak to others about you. Pay attention to what you hear because it could quickly be what others are hearing about you. In my experience, the most isolated leaders are the former people closest to the leader. Sadly, they got close enough and formed a relationship they felt would allow them to be honest, only to be isolated so the insecurity can continue to live. 3. Unhealthy Leaders Demand Loyalty Paul Scanlon says: Loyalty has to be earned not demanded. I could not agree more. Great leaders look to build loyalty by SERVING not by requiring. Anytime someone expects you to be loyal; it is not loyalty, it is slavery. If a leader has not given you a reason to be loyal, why do you owe that to them? It makes no sense. On-demand loyalty is manipulation. The wounded or insecure leader will point to challenging as divisiveness and thus turn diversity into a luxury they can’t afford. They don’t have the ability, strength, or leadership I.Q. to lead through anyone who is not “for them”. The minute you notice that the only people that are ever right are the “for them” people, you are in a toxic situation. Loyalty, like trust, should ALWAYS be earned and the earning starts with the leader. 4. Abusers Refuse Accountability Accountability is VITAL to the health of an organization, a leader, their family, and the churches or teams they lead. You can’t have “accountability” made up of people who can be controlled or are undereducated at how and what you do as an organization. It is unhealthy when there is just enough truth or admission to appear honest, yet still not provide the entire truth. Accountability fails when those responsible for it are far enough away never to have the pulse of situations and only hear one side of most stories. Real accountability requires a commitment from the leader for openness, honesty, challenge, and consequences. The warning signs are when metrics for accountability are withheld. If leaders in the organization cannot monitor what is happening and are not trusted to lead, they can’t be considered accountable. Responsibility without accountability is a road to failure for everyone involved. As followers, we also have a responsibility to have conversations with leadership when we see things that appear wrong. You will know, depending on how this was received, if there is accountability in your organization. 5. Their Personality Is Inconsistent Woo is a gift perception is not. If everything is about look and there is no substance behind it, likely you are dealing with a personality problem. When the actions of people don’t match their words, in church or out, we have a problem. Remember that saying your mom told you — Actions speak louder than words — it’s true. Be real even if your real is scary. The worst thing to do as a leader is not to be authentic to who God made you; you can’t act one way and perform another — ever. 6. Never Believe Anything Is Wrong Jim Collins diagnosis this symptom in his book, Good to Great, as sticking your head in the sand. A leader who refuses to identify areas to grow in their leadership, or in the organization, has insulated themselves so deeply into a self-protective ecosystem that they will never be able to adjust until it is too late. Sadly, at that point, the number of people hurt is a significant number. No organization is always up and right; there is still room to grow and develop. When we are aware of this, the great leaders become vigilant about uncovering what is wrong because there is always something to improve! I hope as you read this you understand that I LOVE the local church and the amazing people that God has chosen to steward this tool. This post is not an accusatory post. I want us to be healthy and sustain, and thrive and change the world. God is gifting us the ability to do this and the honor of being on the front lines of hope and life change. Let’s not allow ourselves to take that for granted. I love you and what you are doing. Keep growing! Our next post will explore what a “compassionate leader” looks like and their posture around leadership.	d65290a5-a2bf-5d4d-b635-df988fb6ed7a	25/08/2025 18:00:56
https://medium.com/the-bad-food-blog/the-bad-food-blog-ep-2-10th-october-2019-97bb5e954ddc	medium.com	The Bad Food Blog Ep.2 –10th October 2019	What’s up clappers, after a brief hiatus due to lack of food to report on, I’m back with some things I ate today. Since I slept at an…	Isaac Young	https://medium.com/@isaacy2012_foodblog	97bb5e954ddc	https://miro.medium.com/…1g4vlm4v4Hg.jpeg	1 min	2019-10-10T10:23:35.045000	2019-10-10T10:36:45.854000	2021-12-12T05:41:07.817000	0	49	en	Food	<section> <p>What’s up clappers, after a brief hiatus due to lack of food to report on, I’m back with some things I ate today. Since I slept at an ungodly 4AM last ‘night’, I only properly woke up at about 2PM today, meaning I ate a total of two meals today.</p> <h3>Brunch</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3024/1PACe8EsNSNChMerYyZSEtw.jpeg" width="3024" height="3024" loading="lazy" /> <p>For brunch, I had a chicken quarter from New World, Uncle Bens Golden Vegetable Rice, frozen corn, and two accidentally scrambled fried eggs. It was nice, but overwhelmingly yellow. I couldn’t find any frozen peas.</p> <h3>Dinner</h3> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2878/17vy6EA0Zj-_1g4vlm4v4Hg.jpeg" width="2878" height="2878" loading="lazy" /> <p>For dinner, my mum made me some Chicken Chow Mane but with prawn instead of chicken. It was good.</p> <h3>Snacks</h3> <ul> <li>Whittakers Dark Cacao x2 pieces</li> <li>Hot Chocolate</li> <li>Mixed Nuts (approx. 30g)</li> <li>Arnott’s Scotch Finger</li> <li>Kapiti Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (125cm³)</li> <li>Grain-waves (about 25)</li> </ul> <h3>Conclusion</h3> <p>I can’t help but feel I don’t get anywhere near enough fat in my diet, since everything I’ve eaten today is almost totally carbohydrates. However, I ate more today than I usually eat, so thats good. Thanks for reading.</p> </section>	The Bad Food Blog Ep.3 — 10th October 2019 What’s up clappers, after a brief hiatus due to lack of food to report on, I’m back with some things I ate today. Since I slept at an ungodly 4AM last ‘night’, I only properly woke up at about 2PM today, meaning I ate a total of two meals today. Brunch Someone for the love of god teach me how to fry an egg. For brunch, I had a chicken quarter from New World, Uncle Bens Golden Vegetable Rice, frozen corn, and two accidentally scrambled fried eggs. It was nice, but overwhelmingly yellow. I couldn’t find any frozen peas. Dinner Thanks, Mum. For dinner, my mum made me some Chicken Chow Mane but with prawn instead of chicken. It was good. Snacks Whittakers Dark Cacao x2 pieces Hot Chocolate Mixed Nuts (approx. 30g) Arnott’s Scotch Finger Kapiti Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (125cm³) Grain-waves (about 25) Conclusion I can’t help but feel I don’t get anywhere near enough fat in my diet, since everything I’ve eaten today is almost totally carbohydrates. However, I ate more today than I usually eat, so thats good. Thanks for reading.	dd955915-f625-518e-b087-a580a043de18	25/08/2025 18:00:56
https://medium.com/@muradyanashot14/yellow-bus-84c3494c4a6a	medium.com	Yellow Bus app	https://www.behance.net/gallery/52935463/Yellow-Bus-Concept-App	Ashot Muradyan	https://medium.com/@muradyanashot14	84c3494c4a6a	https://miro.medium.com/…9P3BmrcteVw.jpeg	1 min	2018-02-20T09:53:35.035000	2018-02-20T10:02:55.442000	2018-02-20T10:21:50.779000	0	0	en	UI,UI Design,Ui Ux Design,Interaction Design,Illustration	<section> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1ZJyC5meAIGLCCrLzfOCUIw.gif" width="1400" height="766" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1RKhDhykn6_rn9mtto2noyA.gif" width="1400" height="316" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1f1BoZR0yZdd9P3BmrcteVw.jpeg" width="3840" height="1846" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1feYOHDrNsIhSlUV8mS70ag.gif" width="1400" height="130" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1GhwDmJqLQi80N0QH7VvizQ.jpeg" width="3840" height="5109" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1YzQX2y1fxlgphEeH-SCWgA.gif" width="1400" height="336" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3840/1LVMTo3m9MbmfPNipkaPbqw.jpeg" width="3840" height="2691" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1dlnfa9BEcdkCeBk9-lsiGQ.gif" width="1400" height="237" loading="lazy" /> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*k9h-IL-3NHR4Tj9gnAYd2w.gif" width="1400" height="392" loading="lazy" /> <p><a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/52935463/Yellow-Bus-Concept-App">https://www.behance.net/gallery/52935463/Yellow-Bus-Concept-App</a></p> </section>	Yellow Bus app https://www.behance.net/gallery/52935463/Yellow-Bus-Concept-App https://www.behance.net/gallery/52935463/Yellow-Bus-Concept-App	8039bc13-785f-5f14-8d7f-9e7ea0246f74	25/08/2025 18:00:56
https://medium.com/vagabond-voices/a-walk-through-summers-end-aa83144ab73b	medium.com	A Walk through Summer’s End	My own response to the Footfall prompt — in photos.	Trisha Traughber	https://medium.com/@trishatraughber	aa83144ab73b	https://miro.medium.com/…923UPo8qiiA.jpeg	2 min	2020-08-29T12:18:38.582000	2020-08-30T11:29:22.282000	2022-07-25T14:45:18.766000	3	599	en	France,Travel,Hiking,Photography,Vagabond Voices	<section> <h3>My own response to the Footfall prompt — in photos.</h3> <p>Sometimes you have to forget about everything except your connection to the Earth.</p> <p>Here is what that looks like in Nevache, France….and the valley, mountains, and river that rise around it. Just two hours on the road from home. It’s funny how sometimes you don’t have to go too far to find yourself.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2592/1ObnrUR-bIaP923UPo8qiiA.jpeg" width="2592" height="1944" loading="lazy" /> <p>There is something about the trees here — Larchwood. The soft, fragrant needles turn golden and drop off in the fall. This time of year, they’re still reaching their whispy green fingers to the sky…</p> <p>Even though I love this land of water, rain, snow, glaciers…I never forget the desert I grew up in. And sometimes, I find it again on the trail…</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2592/19VsCjmmn6-6Y8ABgKFK-PQ.jpeg" width="2592" height="1944" loading="lazy" /> <p>Why am I constantly surprised by when a mountain lake pops out from behind the crests? I’ve been hiking toward it all day, peeking at the map, staring down signposts. Still, I’m unprepared.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2592/1DWZqVALDscHGqDb9mfjHzQ.jpeg" width="2592" height="1944" loading="lazy" /> <p>I can’t help but spend some time in the rocks left behind by the people who piled up what the mountain cast off for their shelter.</p> <p>Who were they? What was it like to live here? Did they stay through the winter? It’s high and cold here — this is the last place the fireweed hasn’t gone to seed yet…</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2592/150hXHDpYC4jfaf36RNhyRg.jpeg" width="2592" height="1944" loading="lazy" /> <p>When you finally throw off your shoes and pull out your dusty toes — after the trek over rock, dirt, and fall-brown grass, there is still this softest patch of green.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2592/1*Yjp2JAnULdyWVOoEHq4pNw.jpeg" width="2592" height="1944" loading="lazy" /> <p><em>Thanks for joining me on this walk through the valley. Thank you also to <a href="#">Mary McGrath</a> for inspiring me to get back in touch w</em>ith photography.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/vagabond-voice</strong>s/using-photos-to-enhance-your-travel-pieces-c1da0fa5a63">Using photos to enhance your travel pieces <em>You will lose your audience with boring photos</em>m</a>edium.com</p> <p><em>What does your footfall look like these days? Bring us your story. Here’s a prompt in case you missed it:</em></p> <p><strong><a href=</strong>"https://medium.com/vagabond-voices/footfall-dab6f0bf9381">Footfall <em>Poetry, a writing prompt…and a living prompt too.</em>m</a>edium.com</p> </section>	A Walk through Summer’s End My own response to the Footfall prompt — in photos. Sometimes you have to forget about everything except your connection to the Earth. Here is what that looks like in Nevache, France….and the valley, mountains, and river that rise around it. Just two hours on the road from home. It’s funny how sometimes you don’t have to go too far to find yourself. Larchwood: La vallée de la Clarée There is something about the trees here — Larchwood. The soft, fragrant needles turn golden and drop off in the fall. This time of year, they’re still reaching their whispy green fingers to the sky… Even though I love this land of water, rain, snow, glaciers…I never forget the desert I grew up in. And sometimes, I find it again on the trail… Why am I constantly surprised by when a mountain lake pops out from behind the crests? I’ve been hiking toward it all day, peeking at the map, staring down signposts. Still, I’m unprepared. Lac Laramon I can’t help but spend some time in the rocks left behind by the people who piled up what the mountain cast off for their shelter. Who were they? What was it like to live here? Did they stay through the winter? It’s high and cold here — this is the last place the fireweed hasn’t gone to seed yet… Rocks from an old building and fireweed near Lac du Serpent When you finally throw off your shoes and pull out your dusty toes — after the trek over rock, dirt, and fall-brown grass, there is still this softest patch of green. Thanks for joining me on this walk through the valley. Thank you also to Mary McGrath for inspiring me to get back in touch with photography. Using photos to enhance your travel pieces You will lose your audience with boring photosmedium.com What does your footfall look like these days? Bring us your story. Here’s a prompt in case you missed it: Footfall Poetry, a writing prompt…and a living prompt too.medium.com	2bc1e0ed-3edb-5a92-8223-2f72cc13c7c8	25/08/2025 18:00:57
https://jrrlefteris6.medium.com/football-3-0-the-beautiful-game-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence-b9ea7e894f8a	medium.com	Football 3.0: The beautiful game in the age of Artificial Intelligence	Football 1.0 remained pure and humane, Football 2.0 could be considered what the sport looks like today, with major technological…	Lefteris	https://medium.com/@jrrlefteris6	b9ea7e894f8a	https://miro.medium.com/…OcwjrbAUJZQ.jpeg	5 min	2023-01-21T00:57:04.593000	2023-02-13T01:00:10.412000	2023-02-14T04:16:06.080000	1	13	en	AI,Football,Artificial Intelligence,Šport,Technology	<section> <p><em>Football 1.0</em> remained pure and humane, <em>Football 2.0</em> could be considered what the sport looks like today, with major technological innovations fitting into it. But how will the beautiful game look like as our AI systems become more intelligent and applicable to the world of football?</p> <p>At the time of <a href="https://huggingface.co/spaces/stabilityai/stable-diffusion/discussions/8907">Stable Diffusion</a> and ChatGPT, the beautiful game has not remained apathetic to the current significant technological advancements. Technology and Artificial Intelligence have not kept their hand away from the king of sports. New innovations attempt to contribute to the fairness and beauty of the game, albeit the greatest facelifting of football might still be on hold.</p> <p>It’s already been more than a month since we witnessed the greatest world cup final, and one of the greatest stories in football history being artistically and breathtakingly completed. And as controversial as the whole Qatar scenery might have been, people’s love for the game could not be restrained. While the celebrations in Rosario, Santa Fe wane, it’s worth shooting a glance at the technology that was utilized at the tournament, and in general, how our scientific breakthroughs find their way into the world of football.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1152/1o0yrAtZy4etOcwjrbAUJZQ.jpeg" width="1152" height="896" loading="lazy" /> <h1>World Cup 2022</h1> <h3><em><a href="https://www.fifa.com/tec</em>hnical/media-releases/semi-automated-offside-technology-to-be-used-at-fifa-world-cup-2022-tm">Semi-automated offside technology</a></h3> <p>Except for the retractable roof, the Al Bayt stadium at Al Khor, Qatar, on 20 November 2022 when it hosted the first game of the tournament, also maintained twelve cameras mounted underneath its roof. Those dedicated tracking cameras were used to provide real-time data to support the decisions of the officials. Utilizing state-of-the-art computer vision methods, the cameras could track the ball and 29 data points of the body of each player 50 times per second, a technique widely known as <a href="https://medium.com/beyondminds/an-overview-of-human-pose-estimation-with-deep-learning-d49eb656739b">Human Pose Estimation</a>. Additionally, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor was placed inside the <em>Al Rihla</em> (the name of the ball — means ‘the journey’ in Arabic). This sensor, positioned in the center of the ball, could send ball data to the video operation room 500 times per second, leaving no margin for error in detecting the precise kick point. The entire system was capable of communicating automated offside alerts, and in combination with 3D animations allowed for improved and fairly quick decisions.</p> <p></p> <h3><a href="https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2022/12/13/Technology/FIFA-world-cup-qatar-venues-digital-twin-microsoft-johnson-controls-intaleq">Stadiums’ Digital Twins</a></h3> <p>The stadiums in Qatar were also equipped with myriads of sensors that were used to facilitate the control of the temperature (and not only). The venues also featured solar-power cooling systems, and in a combination with approximately 40,000 IoT devices, accommodated centralized management of multiple essential operations such as climate control and security. Impressively, the whole infrastructure is evidence of our engineering and scientific capabilities and the ingenuity to work in the intersection of disciplines. The digital twin technology is a creation emergent from the collaboration of multiple scientific areas: Internet of Things (IoT), Software Engineering, Cloud Computing, Computer Vision, and certainly I miss a few.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.fifa.com/technical/football-technology/football-technologies-and-innovations-at-the-fifa-world-cup-2022/fifa-player-app">FIFA Player App</a></h3> <p>Similarly to our smartwatches providing us with daily activity reports, tracking our steps and our evening runs, a Player App developed by FIFA granted the players the luxury of individual football data metrics. The explosion of data and its availability made it possible for <em>physical performance metrics</em> and <em>enhanced football intelligence metrics</em> generated through an array of developed algorithms and artificial intelligence models.</p> <h2>Besides Qatar</h2> <p>Of course, world-class AI research could not dismiss the vast amounts of data and the potential of <a href="https://www.deepmind.com/blog/advancing-sports-analytics-through-ai-research">sports analytics</a>. Deepmind acknowledged that a <a href="https://www.jair.org/index.php/jair/article/view/12505">reciprocal dialogue between AI and football</a> should be established, as it can be significantly beneficial for both football and AI research. Combining video understanding, statistical learning, and game theory, they envision a radically transformed game — and other sports could also follow.</p> <p>Technology and AI sought and found applicability to a number of different processes and operations in the world of football. Smart portable AI cameras are capable of recording, streaming, and analyzing football matches (<a href="https://www.veo.co/">Veo</a>), while Scouters can make informed decisions about players’ analyzed performances with the use of AI-powered Scouting platforms (<a href="https://aiscout.io/">AIScout</a>).</p> <h2>Football 3.0</h2> <p>The title of this article is inspired by Max Tegmark’s work: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_3.0">Life 3.0</a>. The famous cosmologist discusses various implications and potential futures for humanity, as well as multiple scenarios that our societies could face in the age of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.</p> <p>Similarly, while <em>Football 1.0</em> remained true to its origins and purity, <em>Football 2.0</em> could be considered what the sport looks like today: Goal-line technologies, VARs, sports analytics, intelligent scouting, etc. The beautiful game has already faced a transformation. And while the scientific world promises and prepares for Artificial General Intelligence — or human-level intelligence —, the world of football must be ready to welcome new technologies without taking away the humanness and emotion that define the game.</p> <p>“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina, lifts the World Cup in triumph. The emotion on his face, the roar of the crowd, all a testament to this historic moment. Years of hard work, sacrifices, and unwavering determination have led to this. Messi, a true legend of the sport, has once again proven why he is the best. The World Cup is his and the world is in awe. This is a moment that will live forever in the annals of football history.”</p> <p>Yes, I’ve asked ChatGPT to generate a commentary in the style of Peter Drury. If you are familiar with his iconic and poetic style, you could admit that this is not too far from it. And that’s already here. Text-to-speech technology is also here. What if in the near future, we witness football events being live commentated by an AI technology?</p> <p>We’ve already created systems that can replicate or reproduce the style of Van Gogh in generated images and videos. What if we create systems capable of capturing and reproducing the style of individual players? What if our simulations become not only realistic and indistinguishable from the real world, but also learn to produce and <a href="https://www.mancity.com/club/partners/cisco/the-connected-scarf">track the fans’ emotions</a>? What if large models trained on vast amounts of data, learn to identify the key moments that amplify the spectators’ emotions and reproduce that on photorealistic <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTON7odbW0o">humanoid football simulations</a>? Okay, this may sound too extreme and possibly undesired.</p> <p>But maybe we are not far off using technology to provide us with the ground truth decisions regarding a football match’s refereeing. Maybe the whistles could be handed to systems powered by AI, which are much more reliable than human eyes. Advancing the semi-automated offside technology, enhancing it with more cameras, and training computer vision models to make real-time decisions based on the rules of the game, might reduce some of the controversies, increase the fairness of the game, and even eliminate any wasted time on difficult events. Our algorithms and models along with the availability of data can potentially lead to world-class and even near-perfect (if not perfect) refereeing. And if replacing human referees with intelligent systems means that human error is substantially reduced while decisions are not delayed, we would be naive not to admit that we will be okay if we don’t hear the boos of fans towards poor (or maybe not) referees’ decisions.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/3773/0jGOJEMQ3iLl6I88f" width="3773" height="2515" loading="lazy" /> <p>Ultimately, it’s about the beautiful game. Unquestionably, employing artificial intelligence for its flourishing encloses some dangers. And we should identify and address those while we attempt to transform the sport. Most importantly, we should keep it intact from automations that can potentially dehumanize or negatively impact the fans' or players’ experiences. Arguably, though, new technologies and AI are capable of elevating the sport and contributing to its beauty.</p> </section>	Football 3.0: The beautiful game in the age of Artificial Intelligence Football 1.0 remained pure and humane, Football 2.0 could be considered what the sport looks like today, with major technological innovations fitting into it. But how will the beautiful game look like as our AI systems become more intelligent and applicable to the world of football? At the time of Stable Diffusion and ChatGPT, the beautiful game has not remained apathetic to the current significant technological advancements. Technology and Artificial Intelligence have not kept their hand away from the king of sports. New innovations attempt to contribute to the fairness and beauty of the game, albeit the greatest facelifting of football might still be on hold. It’s already been more than a month since we witnessed the greatest world cup final, and one of the greatest stories in football history being artistically and breathtakingly completed. And as controversial as the whole Qatar scenery might have been, people’s love for the game could not be restrained. While the celebrations in Rosario, Santa Fe wane, it’s worth shooting a glance at the technology that was utilized at the tournament, and in general, how our scientific breakthroughs find their way into the world of football. “Lionel Messi as a robot lifting the world cup with Argentina shirt, hyperrealistic” (Stable Diffusion) World Cup 2022 Semi-automated offside technology Except for the retractable roof, the Al Bayt stadium at Al Khor, Qatar, on 20 November 2022 when it hosted the first game of the tournament, also maintained twelve cameras mounted underneath its roof. Those dedicated tracking cameras were used to provide real-time data to support the decisions of the officials. Utilizing state-of-the-art computer vision methods, the cameras could track the ball and 29 data points of the body of each player 50 times per second, a technique widely known as Human Pose Estimation. Additionally, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor was placed inside the Al Rihla (the name of the ball — means ‘the journey’ in Arabic). This sensor, positioned in the center of the ball, could send ball data to the video operation room 500 times per second, leaving no margin for error in detecting the precise kick point. The entire system was capable of communicating automated offside alerts, and in combination with 3D animations allowed for improved and fairly quick decisions. Stadiums’ Digital Twins The stadiums in Qatar were also equipped with myriads of sensors that were used to facilitate the control of the temperature (and not only). The venues also featured solar-power cooling systems, and in a combination with approximately 40,000 IoT devices, accommodated centralized management of multiple essential operations such as climate control and security. Impressively, the whole infrastructure is evidence of our engineering and scientific capabilities and the ingenuity to work in the intersection of disciplines. The digital twin technology is a creation emergent from the collaboration of multiple scientific areas: Internet of Things (IoT), Software Engineering, Cloud Computing, Computer Vision, and certainly I miss a few. FIFA Player App Similarly to our smartwatches providing us with daily activity reports, tracking our steps and our evening runs, a Player App developed by FIFA granted the players the luxury of individual football data metrics. The explosion of data and its availability made it possible for physical performance metrics and enhanced football intelligence metrics generated through an array of developed algorithms and artificial intelligence models. Besides Qatar Of course, world-class AI research could not dismiss the vast amounts of data and the potential of sports analytics. Deepmind acknowledged that a reciprocal dialogue between AI and football should be established, as it can be significantly beneficial for both football and AI research. Combining video understanding, statistical learning, and game theory, they envision a radically transformed game — and other sports could also follow. Technology and AI sought and found applicability to a number of different processes and operations in the world of football. Smart portable AI cameras are capable of recording, streaming, and analyzing football matches (Veo), while Scouters can make informed decisions about players’ analyzed performances with the use of AI-powered Scouting platforms (AIScout). Football 3.0 The title of this article is inspired by Max Tegmark’s work: Life 3.0. The famous cosmologist discusses various implications and potential futures for humanity, as well as multiple scenarios that our societies could face in the age of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. Similarly, while Football 1.0 remained true to its origins and purity, Football 2.0 could be considered what the sport looks like today: Goal-line technologies, VARs, sports analytics, intelligent scouting, etc. The beautiful game has already faced a transformation. And while the scientific world promises and prepares for Artificial General Intelligence — or human-level intelligence —, the world of football must be ready to welcome new technologies without taking away the humanness and emotion that define the game. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina, lifts the World Cup in triumph. The emotion on his face, the roar of the crowd, all a testament to this historic moment. Years of hard work, sacrifices, and unwavering determination have led to this. Messi, a true legend of the sport, has once again proven why he is the best. The World Cup is his and the world is in awe. This is a moment that will live forever in the annals of football history.” Yes, I’ve asked ChatGPT to generate a commentary in the style of Peter Drury. If you are familiar with his iconic and poetic style, you could admit that this is not too far from it. And that’s already here. Text-to-speech technology is also here. What if in the near future, we witness football events being live commentated by an AI technology? We’ve already created systems that can replicate or reproduce the style of Van Gogh in generated images and videos. What if we create systems capable of capturing and reproducing the style of individual players? What if our simulations become not only realistic and indistinguishable from the real world, but also learn to produce and track the fans’ emotions? What if large models trained on vast amounts of data, learn to identify the key moments that amplify the spectators’ emotions and reproduce that on photorealistic humanoid football simulations? Okay, this may sound too extreme and possibly undesired. But maybe we are not far off using technology to provide us with the ground truth decisions regarding a football match’s refereeing. Maybe the whistles could be handed to systems powered by AI, which are much more reliable than human eyes. Advancing the semi-automated offside technology, enhancing it with more cameras, and training computer vision models to make real-time decisions based on the rules of the game, might reduce some of the controversies, increase the fairness of the game, and even eliminate any wasted time on difficult events. Our algorithms and models along with the availability of data can potentially lead to world-class and even near-perfect (if not perfect) refereeing. And if replacing human referees with intelligent systems means that human error is substantially reduced while decisions are not delayed, we would be naive not to admit that we will be okay if we don’t hear the boos of fans towards poor (or maybe not) referees’ decisions. Photo by Makarios Tang on Unsplash Ultimately, it’s about the beautiful game. Unquestionably, employing artificial intelligence for its flourishing encloses some dangers. And we should identify and address those while we attempt to transform the sport. Most importantly, we should keep it intact from automations that can potentially dehumanize or negatively impact the fans' or players’ experiences. Arguably, though, new technologies and AI are capable of elevating the sport and contributing to its beauty.	fbb62cbc-d241-544b-900c-bbb1771299ca	25/08/2025 18:00:57
https://medium.com/lehigh-mobile-storytelling/the-storytelling-of-sara-tasker-718a89977c01	medium.com	The Storytelling of Sara Tasker	In 2013, Sara Tasker went on maternity leave from the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) to await the birth of her daughter…	Andrew-Isaacson	https://medium.com/@aji222	718a89977c01	https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/0*niMQxktmvx-BDtA-	2 min	2020-05-27T00:19:17.966000	2020-05-29T02:31:47.310000	2021-12-14T16:28:17.015000	0	0	en	Instagram,Photography,Inspiration,Empowerment,Blog	<section> <p><strong><a href="https://</strong>www.instagram.com/me_and_orla/">Login * Instagram <em>Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing…</em>www.inst</a>agram.com</p> <p>In 2013, Sara Tasker went on maternity leave from the United Kingdom National Health Service to await the birth of her daughter. During that time, Instagram and photography changed her life, and she became an instant worldwide sensation.</p> <p>The start of her photography career began just before her daughter Orla was born. She then decided to start a 365 photo-a-day-project on Instagram and her followers drastically increased from 90 to 35,000 by April. She currently has 222,000 followers, and the platform has become the basis of her journalism career.</p> <p>She is now a full-time photographer and writer and lives in Yorkshire, England, with Orla and her husband, Rory. Tasker’s intention is to tell her thousands of Instagram followers stories about simple moments of appreciation, family, food and peace. She has a blog called <a href="https://meandorla.co.uk/about-2/">“Me and Orla,”</a> where she shares tips about iPhone photography, the photo editing process and Instagram. Tasker said on her blog that she’s passionate about helping other women find their online voice and understands the challenges it brings. She came out with a book in 2018 called “<a href="https://meandorla.co.uk/hashtagauthentic/">Hashtag Authentic</a>,” and said that this publication is beyond her comfort zone.</p> <p>“It’s about being seen,” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Boe7m4SHOF5/">Tasker</a> said in an Instagram post. “It’s about being a woman on the front of a book not as a model, not even as a size 8, but as a skilled & experienced voice on her subject, who isn’t writing for the people who want her to be anything else.”</p> <p>Tasker is an award-winning photographer who has traveled throughout England and Europe to share her work with everyone. Her <a href="https://meandorla.co.uk/press/">work</a> has been featured in the biggest publications in the world.</p> <p>I admire Tasker for the mood and creativity that she expresses in her photographs and the love that she shows for her daughter Orla. She doesn’t care about what her critics have to say and wants to inspire everyone to step out of their comfort zone.</p> <p>Even during this pandemic, she has been able to post pictures of her surrounding to keep all of us entertained. Tasker has the perfect lightning and angles for her still-life photographs and makes every photograph look like art. Her Instagram videos are flawless and there is no movement when she is recording, especially the video when it is snowing.</p> <p>What makes her photographs powerful are the fades and unsaturation that appear. They all have a mix of tight shots, medium shots and wide shots and contains well-composed imagery. Everyday she shoots and tells her story with a purpose and I believe it’s the colors of her photographs that draws the audience in. Tasker’s Instagram captions include empowering messages of hope and stories about her home life.</p> <p>Going forward, I plan on emulating Tasker’s work by using natural light to my advantage and ensure I get the best angles for every shot. She has motivated me to take pictures with a purpose and share a story for my caption whenever I enable Instagram for my photos.</p> <p>The biggest takeaway from this week is that Instagram can be utilized as a platform for anyone that wants to share their story through pictures. Tasker is someone who embodies the idea of becoming a global phenomenon, just by taking clean photographs and providing captions that will motivate us.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1638/0*niMQxktmvx-BDtA-" width="1638" height="2048" loading="lazy" /> </section>	The Storytelling of Sara Tasker Login * Instagram Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing…www.instagram.com In 2013, Sara Tasker went on maternity leave from the United Kingdom National Health Service to await the birth of her daughter. During that time, Instagram and photography changed her life, and she became an instant worldwide sensation. The start of her photography career began just before her daughter Orla was born. She then decided to start a 365 photo-a-day-project on Instagram and her followers drastically increased from 90 to 35,000 by April. She currently has 222,000 followers, and the platform has become the basis of her journalism career. She is now a full-time photographer and writer and lives in Yorkshire, England, with Orla and her husband, Rory. Tasker’s intention is to tell her thousands of Instagram followers stories about simple moments of appreciation, family, food and peace. She has a blog called “Me and Orla,” where she shares tips about iPhone photography, the photo editing process and Instagram. Tasker said on her blog that she’s passionate about helping other women find their online voice and understands the challenges it brings. She came out with a book in 2018 called “Hashtag Authentic,” and said that this publication is beyond her comfort zone. “It’s about being seen,” Tasker said in an Instagram post. “It’s about being a woman on the front of a book not as a model, not even as a size 8, but as a skilled & experienced voice on her subject, who isn’t writing for the people who want her to be anything else.” Tasker is an award-winning photographer who has traveled throughout England and Europe to share her work with everyone. Her work has been featured in the biggest publications in the world. I admire Tasker for the mood and creativity that she expresses in her photographs and the love that she shows for her daughter Orla. She doesn’t care about what her critics have to say and wants to inspire everyone to step out of their comfort zone. Even during this pandemic, she has been able to post pictures of her surrounding to keep all of us entertained. Tasker has the perfect lightning and angles for her still-life photographs and makes every photograph look like art. Her Instagram videos are flawless and there is no movement when she is recording, especially the video when it is snowing. What makes her photographs powerful are the fades and unsaturation that appear. They all have a mix of tight shots, medium shots and wide shots and contains well-composed imagery. Everyday she shoots and tells her story with a purpose and I believe it’s the colors of her photographs that draws the audience in. Tasker’s Instagram captions include empowering messages of hope and stories about her home life. Going forward, I plan on emulating Tasker’s work by using natural light to my advantage and ensure I get the best angles for every shot. She has motivated me to take pictures with a purpose and share a story for my caption whenever I enable Instagram for my photos. The biggest takeaway from this week is that Instagram can be utilized as a platform for anyone that wants to share their story through pictures. Tasker is someone who embodies the idea of becoming a global phenomenon, just by taking clean photographs and providing captions that will motivate us. Photo by Conor Luddy on Unsplash	abfdb6fb-64a0-566c-a416-b01e7beb4335	25/08/2025 18:00:57
https://medium.com/starts-with-a-bang/mostly-mute-monday-dark-matter-s-secrets-revealed-by-colliding-galaxy-clusters-6e7d2db8ea9a	medium.com	Mostly Mute Monday: Dark Matter’s Secrets Revealed By Colliding Galaxy Clusters	When two of the largest cosmic structures crash together, the effects show up everywhere. Everywhere, that is, but the dark matter.	Ethan Siegel	https://medium.com/@startswithabang	6e7d2db8ea9a	https://miro.medium.com/…6dBnUWPDQCg.jpeg	2 min	2015-11-30T00:26:12.367000	2015-11-30T15:24:21.517000	2018-04-15T22:02:54.871000	2	11	en	Astronomy,Science,Dark Matter	<section> <h1>Mostly Mute Monday: Dark Matter’s Secrets Revealed By Colliding Galaxy Clusters</h1> <h3>When two of the largest cosmic structures crash together, the effects show up everywhere. Everywhere, that is, but the dark matter.</h3> <p><em>“It may be that ultimately the search for dark matter will turn out to be the most expensive and largest null result experiment since the Michelson-Morley experiment, which failed to detect the ether.” -</em>John Moffat</p> <p>In the 1930s, we noticed individual galaxies within clusters moved too quickly to be explained by their starlight’s gravity.</p> <p>In the 1970s, we noticed that galaxies rotated inconsistently with stars and gas accounting for all their mass.</p> <p>And in 2005, we noticed this.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1S1SeBbJqd5uvgudgvnYJ5Q.jpeg" width="1200" height="867" loading="lazy" /> <p>When two galaxy clusters collide, the individual galaxies pass right through one another, like two rounds of bird shot fired from afar at one another.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1gndnn5ZpkfjbPhQugV4jug.jpeg" width="1200" height="1184" loading="lazy" /> <p>The non-luminous gas should heat up, emitting X-rays (shown in pink).</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1pXSXdrNPeWJoUPFTMJwD0A.jpeg" width="1200" height="1164" loading="lazy" /> <p>But dark matter, reconstructed from gravitational lensing data (in blue), ought to pass through unimpeded, without collisions or self-interactions.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/17ptHoi--rD5ADA5-hhcD2g.jpeg" width="1200" height="1200" loading="lazy" /> <p>Dark matter’s separation from normal matter indicates that the matter we’re used to — protons, neutrons & electrons — is <em>not</em> responsible for most of the mass of the Universe!</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1041/1kt9N1OHvt26A113Jko3PZw.jpeg" width="1041" height="1041" loading="lazy" /> <p>Instead, every colliding group of galaxies we observe shows this separation of total mass from the light-emitting gas.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1MJvnMl8w8MhaA4Tj3-sczA.jpeg" width="1200" height="566" loading="lazy" /> <p>This is true for the smallest groups, like the <a href="http://phys.org/news/2014-06-xmm-newton-reveals-cosmic-collision-bullet.html">Bullet Group</a>, SL2S J08544–0121,</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1W5-kbUYAu3SG0GU_ZgBeqA.jpeg" width="1200" height="1081" loading="lazy" /> <p>to the largest colliding cluster known, <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/chandra/multimedia/elgordo-2014.html">El Gordo</a>, ACT-CL J0102–4915.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1pw7CaP3Ay0xjDr_3CfEDXQ.jpeg" width="1200" height="727" loading="lazy" /> <p>Each has its own unique history, but all show the same thing: dark matter is real, it’s everywhere, and it’s mysteriously spectacular.</p> <p><em>Mostly Mute Monday tells the story of a single astronomical phenomenon or object in visuals, images, video and no more than 200 words.</em></p> <p><em>Leave <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2015/11/23/mostly-mute-monday-dark-matters-secrets-revealed-by-colliding-galaxy-clusters-syn</em>opsis/">your comments on our forum</a>, help <a href="https://www.patreon.com/startswithabang?ty=h">Starts With A Bang! deliver more rewards on Patreon</a>, and pre-order <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9814667161/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=9814667161&linkCode=as2&tag=httpmediumcom-20&linkId=MHSJJUKTBIGIIKD3">our first book, Beyond The Galaxy</a>, today!</p> </section>	NASA/ESA/STScI/CXC, D. Harvey (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland; University of Edinburgh, UK), R. Massey (Durham University, UK), T. Kitching (University College London, UK), and A. Taylor and E. Tittley (University of Edinburgh, UK. Mostly Mute Monday: Dark Matter’s Secrets Revealed By Colliding Galaxy Clusters When two of the largest cosmic structures crash together, the effects show up everywhere. Everywhere, that is, but the dark matter. “It may be that ultimately the search for dark matter will turn out to be the most expensive and largest null result experiment since the Michelson-Morley experiment, which failed to detect the ether.” -John Moffat In the 1930s, we noticed individual galaxies within clusters moved too quickly to be explained by their starlight’s gravity. In the 1970s, we noticed that galaxies rotated inconsistently with stars and gas accounting for all their mass. And in 2005, we noticed this. Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/M.Markevitch et al.; Lensing Map: NASA/STScI; ESO WFI; Magellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI; Magellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al., of the Bullet Cluster. When two galaxy clusters collide, the individual galaxies pass right through one another, like two rounds of bird shot fired from afar at one another. Image credit: NASA, ESA, CXC, M. Bradac (University of California, Santa Barbara), and S. Allen (Stanford University). The non-luminous gas should heat up, emitting X-rays (shown in pink). Image credit: X-ray (NASA/CXC/IfA/C. Ma et al.); Optical (NASA/STScI/IfA/C. Ma et al.). But dark matter, reconstructed from gravitational lensing data (in blue), ought to pass through unimpeded, without collisions or self-interactions. Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/ITA/INAF/J.Merten et al, Lensing: NASA/STScI; NAOJ/Subaru; ESO/VLT, Optical: NASA/STScI/R.Dupke. Dark matter’s separation from normal matter indicates that the matter we’re used to — protons, neutrons & electrons — is not responsible for most of the mass of the Universe! Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ of Hamburg/F. de Gasperin et al; Optical: SDSS; Radio: NRAO/VLA. Instead, every colliding group of galaxies we observe shows this separation of total mass from the light-emitting gas. Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/UCDavis/W.Dawson et al; Optical: NASA/STScI/UCDavis/W.Dawson et al. This is true for the smallest groups, like the Bullet Group, SL2S J08544–0121, Image credit: ESA / XMM-Newton / F. Gastaldello (INAF/IASF, Milano, Italy) / CFHTLS. to the largest colliding cluster known, El Gordo, ACT-CL J0102–4915. Image credit: NASA, ESA, J. Jee (Univ. of California, Davis), J. Hughes (Rutgers Univ.), F. Menanteau (Rutgers Univ. & Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), C. Sifon (Leiden Obs.), R. Mandelbum (Carnegie Mellon Univ.), L. Barrientos (Univ. Catolica de Chile), and K. Ng (Univ. of California, Davis). Each has its own unique history, but all show the same thing: dark matter is real, it’s everywhere, and it’s mysteriously spectacular. Mostly Mute Monday tells the story of a single astronomical phenomenon or object in visuals, images, video and no more than 200 words. Leave your comments on our forum, help Starts With A Bang! deliver more rewards on Patreon, and pre-order our first book, Beyond The Galaxy, today!	94cb13ba-f506-56f9-bc6f-0ee210a8b6e2	25/08/2025 18:00:58
https://pastormatthewbest.medium.com/prayer-for-march-26-53bf7e447f15	medium.com	Prayer for March 26	Prayer for March 26: Please pray with me. God of nature, speak to us. We go in search of you in all sorts of places, thinking that you are…	Pastor Matthew Best	https://medium.com/@pastormatthewbest	53bf7e447f15	null	0 min	2018-03-26T12:38:14.974000	2018-03-26T12:10:54	2018-03-26T12:38:24.346000	0	0	en	Christianity,Prayer	<section> <p>Prayer for March 26: Please pray with me. God of nature, speak to us. We go in search of you in all sorts of places, thinking that you are somewhere in remote places away from everyone else. You are there, but you are also in our midst in the chaos and pain of life. But how often do we miss those times? We thank you for the opportunities to break away to hear you clearly so that we can go back into our “normal.” You show up in our normal. Help us to see you and hear you. Amen.</p> <p><em>Originally published at <a href="https://pleasepraywith.me/2</em>018/03/26/prayer-for-march-26/">pleasepraywith.me</a> on March 26, 2018.</p> </section>	Prayer for March 26 Prayer for March 26: Please pray with me. God of nature, speak to us. We go in search of you in all sorts of places, thinking that you are somewhere in remote places away from everyone else. You are there, but you are also in our midst in the chaos and pain of life. But how often do we miss those times? We thank you for the opportunities to break away to hear you clearly so that we can go back into our “normal.” You show up in our normal. Help us to see you and hear you. Amen. Originally published at pleasepraywith.me on March 26, 2018.	1426fecc-fcbd-5b82-9ce8-83f8d94b938c	25/08/2025 18:00:58
https://danielrozaru2014.medium.com/headshot-photpgraphy-and-headshot-photographer-in-london-c8e2237b4d0e	medium.com	Headshot Photpgraphy And Headshot Photographer In London.	Headshot photography is an important part in the domain or genre of acting. Headshot photography is a distinguished method of photography…	Daniel Rozaru	https://medium.com/@danielrozaru2014	c8e2237b4d0e	null	1 min	2018-09-14T12:57:34.894000	2018-09-14T12:59:57.217000	2019-06-11T12:11:08.389000	0	0	en	Photography	<section> <p>Headshot photography is an important part in the domain or genre of acting. Headshot photography is a distinguished method of photography that generally observes its use for the purpose of acting.<strong> <a href="https://isaacperalphotography.com/p</strong>rofessional-headshots-london/">Professional headshot photographer in London</a> is famous for their skill and knowledge.</p> <p>Photography the term and as a concept is famous that dates back to yesteryears. Photography can be described as a document of memories. A document that can secretly reveal all your emotions and feelings.</p> <p>Headshot photography a famous kind of photography that we generally find is been used in particularly capturing a person’s face. The term headshot photography realistically defines a person’s appearance or debut in order to promote or publicize a brand and its image. This type of photography is generally used in film industry. Therefore, it is essential for an actor to find or locate a headshot photographer who is specialized in producing headshot as well as normal photography. It is a headshot photographer who very well understands how a fashion industry or a show business works and why there is a huge requirement of headshot photography and what is the utility of headshot photography. A headshot photographer is generally well trained to photograph a person specially an actor and understands how to showcase a person for a certain purpose or reason. Headshot photography is generally for the purpose of promotional pictures, brochures, hoardings. This type of photography is extremely important for models, actors for creating their identification or reputation. These headshots are generally captured in an artistic method in order to clearly define the facial appearance of a person. Headshot photography is also known as “looks”. <strong>Professional headshot photographer in London</strong> is famous for their skill and knowledge.</p> <p>If you are an actor or engaged in entertainment profession and trying to make a portfolio of yourself, then you must try for <strong><a href="https://isaacperalphotography.c</strong>om/professional-headshots-london/">professional actor photography in London</a> because it can definitely help you to get headshot photography at an affordable rate.</p> </section>	Headshot Photpgraphy And Headshot Photographer In London. Headshot photography is an important part in the domain or genre of acting. Headshot photography is a distinguished method of photography that generally observes its use for the purpose of acting. Professional headshot photographer in London is famous for their skill and knowledge. Photography the term and as a concept is famous that dates back to yesteryears. Photography can be described as a document of memories. A document that can secretly reveal all your emotions and feelings. Headshot photography a famous kind of photography that we generally find is been used in particularly capturing a person’s face. The term headshot photography realistically defines a person’s appearance or debut in order to promote or publicize a brand and its image. This type of photography is generally used in film industry. Therefore, it is essential for an actor to find or locate a headshot photographer who is specialized in producing headshot as well as normal photography. It is a headshot photographer who very well understands how a fashion industry or a show business works and why there is a huge requirement of headshot photography and what is the utility of headshot photography. A headshot photographer is generally well trained to photograph a person specially an actor and understands how to showcase a person for a certain purpose or reason. Headshot photography is generally for the purpose of promotional pictures, brochures, hoardings. This type of photography is extremely important for models, actors for creating their identification or reputation. These headshots are generally captured in an artistic method in order to clearly define the facial appearance of a person. Headshot photography is also known as “looks”. Professional headshot photographer in London is famous for their skill and knowledge. If you are an actor or engaged in entertainment profession and trying to make a portfolio of yourself, then you must try for professional actor photography in London because it can definitely help you to get headshot photography at an affordable rate.	12324485-bc33-512c-b93b-0b9cc6562a3f	25/08/2025 18:00:58
https://medium.com/dada-speak-visually/what-a-character-97c9a82c7968	medium.com	What A Character!	null	DADA.art	https://medium.com/@powerdada	97c9a82c7968	https://miro.medium.com/…2wDXgzmkezDB.jpg	1 min	2018-02-07T16:21:32.206000	2015-04-29T15:10:31	2018-02-07T20:07:15.742000	0	0	en	Character Design,Art,Artists,Illustration	<section> <p>Currently taking place in Berlin, is the <a href="http://berlin.pictoplasma.com/">11th Pictoplasma conference</a>, “the world’s leading and largest festival of contemporary character culture”. It is probably the most fun, cute and quirky conference on Earth.</p> <p>[caption id=”attachment_1714" align=”aligncenter” width=”416"]</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/416/05kja2wDXgzmkezDB.jpg" width="416" height="640" loading="lazy" /> <p>Carolina Cruz: Paper Monster.[/caption]</p> <p>[caption id=”attachment_1707" align=”aligncenter” width=”801"]</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/801/0WccN_2sCNC6UrEuJ.jpg" width="801" height="600" loading="lazy" /> <p>Art by Yomsnil[/caption]</p> <p>[caption id=”attachment_1712" align=”aligncenter” width=”259"]</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/259/010DAXfyqxCmzCdxd.jpg" width="259" height="226" loading="lazy" /> <p>Tado: Snow Shaman.[/caption]</p> <p>[caption id=”attachment_1708" align=”aligncenter” width=”576"]</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/576/0XZdwk3DE37JqVR9u.jpg" width="576" height="1024" loading="lazy" /> <p>Sticky Monster Lab[/caption]</p> <p>[caption id=”attachment_1711" align=”aligncenter” width=”569"]</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/569/0SBW-7CZpubtJSEy9.jpg" width="569" height="750" loading="lazy" /> <p>Nicolas Menard[/caption]</p> <p>[caption id=”attachment_1710" align=”aligncenter” width=”259"]</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/259/0k21w_6p2c12lu3X6.jpg" width="259" height="259" loading="lazy" /> <p>Lucas Zanotto[/caption]</p> <p>[caption id=”attachment_1715" align=”aligncenter” width=”630"]</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/795/0PPstVKcu6xkMPcIh.jpg" width="795" height="1024" loading="lazy" /> <p>Karina Posborg[/caption]</p> <p>[caption id=”attachment_1716" align=”aligncenter” width=”667"]</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/667/0aj3J2ajuxwxqQZGz.jpeg" width="667" height="1000" loading="lazy" /> <p>Garry Buckley: Reliquary.[/caption]</p> </section>	What A Character! Currently taking place in Berlin, is the 11th Pictoplasma conference, “the world’s leading and largest festival of contemporary character culture”. It is probably the most fun, cute and quirky conference on Earth. [caption id=”attachment_1714" align=”aligncenter” width=”416"] Carolina Cruz: Paper Monster.[/caption] [caption id=”attachment_1707" align=”aligncenter” width=”801"] Art by Yomsnil[/caption] [caption id=”attachment_1712" align=”aligncenter” width=”259"] Tado: Snow Shaman.[/caption] [caption id=”attachment_1708" align=”aligncenter” width=”576"] Sticky Monster Lab[/caption] [caption id=”attachment_1711" align=”aligncenter” width=”569"] Nicolas Menard[/caption] [caption id=”attachment_1710" align=”aligncenter” width=”259"] Lucas Zanotto[/caption] [caption id=”attachment_1715" align=”aligncenter” width=”630"] Karina Posborg[/caption] [caption id=”attachment_1716" align=”aligncenter” width=”667"] Garry Buckley: Reliquary.[/caption]	0616b6a5-74a9-53cb-a9fb-c13a84dce27d	25/08/2025 18:00:58
https://medium.com/@imarv/what-is-the-most-interesting-scientific-fact-8cb4a0c9f9db	medium.com	What is the most interesting scientific fact?	If the human eye was a digital camera it would have 576 megapixels.	Aryan Bajwa	https://medium.com/@imarv	8cb4a0c9f9db	null	1 min	2016-12-28T11:21:12.629000	2016-12-28T11:21:47.997000	2017-10-18T21:46:44.530000	0	2	en	Photography,Travel	<section> <ul> <li><strong>If the human eye was a digital camera it would have 576 megapixels.</strong></li> <li>Your <strong>eyebrows renew </strong>themselves every <strong>64 days.</strong></li> <li><strong>Indian housewives</strong> hold<strong> 11%</strong> of the World’s Gold. That is more than the reserves of the U.S., IMF, Switzerland and Germany put together.</li> <li>In 2015, Apple Inc. was worth more than Switzerland, Sweden or Nigeria.</li> <li>The world’s <strong>deepest postbox</strong> is in Susami Bay in Japan. It’s 10 metres underwater.<strong> (really dont understand why they need one there)</strong></li> <li>20% of the Earth’s oxygen is produced by the <strong>Amazon rainforest</strong>.</li> <li>Indonesia is the world’s largest island country, with more than <strong>13,000 islands.</strong></li> <li>The Longest Tunnel in the World is <strong>57 km long</strong> and goes from Switzerland to Italy underneath Alps. It took <strong>17 Years</strong> to Build.</li> <li>Chocolate can sicken and even kill DOGS</li> <li>The smell of chocolate increases theta Brain waves, which triggers relaxation.</li> <li>In 1994, a 75-pound bag of cocaine fell out of a plane and landed in the middle of a Florida crime watch meeting.</li> <li>A 13-year old boy in Florida was once arrested for excessive farting in school.</li> <li>During WW2, India produced the largest volunteer Army in world history: over 2.5 million men. At least 38 Indians received the Victoria Cross or the George Cross.</li> <li>Shakespeare’s daughter was illiterate.</li> <li>The Romans used to clean and whiten their teeth with urine. Apparently it works. Please don’t do it, though.</li> <li>There are around 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body. If you took them all out and laid them end to end, they’d stretch around the world more than twice. But, seriously, don’t do that either.</li> </ul> </section>	What is the most interesting scientific fact? If the human eye was a digital camera it would have 576 megapixels. Your eyebrows renew themselves every 64 days. Indian housewives hold 11% of the World’s Gold. That is more than the reserves of the U.S., IMF, Switzerland and Germany put together. In 2015, Apple Inc. was worth more than Switzerland, Sweden or Nigeria. The world’s deepest postbox is in Susami Bay in Japan. It’s 10 metres underwater. (really dont understand why they need one there) 20% of the Earth’s oxygen is produced by the Amazon rainforest. Indonesia is the world’s largest island country, with more than 13,000 islands. The Longest Tunnel in the World is 57 km long and goes from Switzerland to Italy underneath Alps. It took 17 Years to Build. Chocolate can sicken and even kill DOGS The smell of chocolate increases theta Brain waves, which triggers relaxation. In 1994, a 75-pound bag of cocaine fell out of a plane and landed in the middle of a Florida crime watch meeting. A 13-year old boy in Florida was once arrested for excessive farting in school. During WW2, India produced the largest volunteer Army in world history: over 2.5 million men. At least 38 Indians received the Victoria Cross or the George Cross. Shakespeare’s daughter was illiterate. The Romans used to clean and whiten their teeth with urine. Apparently it works. Please don’t do it, though. There are around 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body. If you took them all out and laid them end to end, they’d stretch around the world more than twice. But, seriously, don’t do that either.	c883e74a-5f6c-588e-b564-53286440646f	25/08/2025 18:00:59
https://medium.com/six-word-photo-story-challenge/red-dirt-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see-part-2-46b024625446	medium.com	Red Dirt, As Far as the Eye Can See — Part 2	February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hide & Seek”	Sandi Parsons	https://medium.com/@sandiparsons	46b024625446	https://miro.medium.com/…95u3KAcMamew.png	1 min	2022-02-12T06:29:03.031000	2022-02-24T18:58:51.672000	2022-02-26T02:50:58.783000	5	250	en	Shadows,Cloud,Six Word Photo Story,Monthly Challenge,Photography	<section> <h1><strong>Red Dirt, As Far as the Eye Can See</strong> — Part 2</h1> <h3>February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hide & Seek”</h3> <h3><strong>Everything has a shadow, even clouds.</strong></h3> <p>When sunshine hits a cloud, its rays disperse in all directions. Even though only some light reaches the ground, it still forms a shadow. We don’t notice this because they’re hard to spot from the ground.</p> <p>It’s easier to detect a cloud shadow when a cloud moves overhead. The light will darken slightly as the cloud passes.</p> <p>But from the air, the shadows from clouds are easy to spot.</p> <p>🔎🔎🔎🔎 Congratulations to pock<a href="#">ett dessert, wh</a>o ‘discovered’ both the cloud and its shadow in Red <a href="https://medium.com/six-word-photo-story-challenge/red-dirt-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see-part-1-a29be354ae46">Dirt, As Far as the Eye Can See — Part 1.</a></p> <p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/six-word-photo</strong>-story-challenge/red-dirt-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see-part-1-a29be354ae46">Red Dirt, As Far as the Eye Can See—Part 1 <em>February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hide & Seek”</em>m</a>edium.com</p> <p>Thanks for playing, <a href="#">Sandi</a> xx</p> <p><em>Sandi Parsons is an award-winning school librarian with over 20 years experience working in educational libraries. She lives with her favorite husband and two problem puppies. She dabbles in the art of photography.</em></p> <p><em>Join Medium today with <a href="https://sandiparsons.medium.com/membership">this referral</em> link</a> and access every Medium story you want to read.</p> <p><em>More Six Word Photo Stories from Sandi:</em></p> <p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/</strong>six-word-photo-story-challenge/my-favorite-way-to-past-time-6969d735ba">My Favorite Way to Pass Time <em>January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Self”</em>m</a>edium.com</p> </section>	Photo Credit: Sandi Parsons, manipulated in Canva Red Dirt, As Far as the Eye Can See — Part 2 February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hide & Seek” Everything has a shadow, even clouds. When sunshine hits a cloud, its rays disperse in all directions. Even though only some light reaches the ground, it still forms a shadow. We don’t notice this because they’re hard to spot from the ground. It’s easier to detect a cloud shadow when a cloud moves overhead. The light will darken slightly as the cloud passes. But from the air, the shadows from clouds are easy to spot. 🔎🔎🔎🔎 Congratulations to pockett dessert, who ‘discovered’ both the cloud and its shadow in Red Dirt, As Far as the Eye Can See — Part 1. Red Dirt, As Far as the Eye Can See—Part 1 February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hide & Seek”medium.com Thanks for playing, Sandi xx Sandi Parsons is an award-winning school librarian with over 20 years experience working in educational libraries. She lives with her favorite husband and two problem puppies. She dabbles in the art of photography. Join Medium today with this referral link and access every Medium story you want to read. More Six Word Photo Stories from Sandi: My Favorite Way to Pass Time January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Self”medium.com	315d07a9-d33b-57cd-91e9-d0034f55e99a	25/08/2025 18:00:59
https://medium.com/@meronmm/5-practical-ways-ai-can-assist-small-security-teams-d7d81ada8551	medium.com	5 Practical Ways AI Can Assist Small Security Teams	AI has the potential to transform small security teams, helping them work faster, prioritize risks more effectively, and automate…	Meron	https://medium.com/@meronmm	d7d81ada8551	https://miro.medium.com/…jhgIWkTCJrVA.png	5 min	2025-08-24T07:11:09.306000	2025-08-24T08:45:27.277000	2025-08-24T15:27:37.281000	0	0	en	AI,Cybersecurity,Startup,Small Teams,Autmation	<section> <p>AI has the potential to <strong>transform small security teams</strong>, helping them work faster, prioritize risks more effectively, and automate repetitive tasks. When applied thoughtfully, AI can become a force multiplier, enabling teams to achieve more with limited resources while maintaining strong security standards.</p> <p>That said, AI isn’t magic. To get real value safely, teams need <strong>human oversight, clear safeguards, and solid governance</strong>. Before diving in, it’s important to consider operational overhead, skill requirements, and legal or ethical implications. Below, we explore five practical AI workflows, complete with step-by-step guidance, security tips, and compliance considerations</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2816/1aHrdxHUr2TjhgIWkTCJrVA.png" width="2816" height="1536" loading="lazy" /> <h1>1. Slack Q&A Bot for Internal Security Knowledge</h1> <p><strong>Use Case:</strong> Developers often ask repetitive questions about security policies, approved libraries, or incident response playbooks. A Slack Q&A bot can provide <strong>instant answers using internal documentation</strong>, freeing security leads for higher-value tasks and reducing time spent on low-risk queries.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1248/1VnA-3uQ-MLHv8HdfvP-QHg.png" width="1248" height="848" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Workflow Example:</strong></p> <p><strong>Trigger:</strong> Slack → New message in #security-questions.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> Vector DB → Query sanitized corpus.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> LLM → Generate response.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> Optional human review → For sensitive/high-risk queries.</p> <p><strong>Output:</strong> Slack → Bot posts response.</p> <p><strong>Safeguards:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Human-in-the-loop:</strong> All high-risk answers reviewed by a security lead.</li> <li><strong>Data sanitization:</strong> Only approved documents; redact PII, credentials, or proprietary info.</li> <li><strong>Prompt injection prevention:</strong> Restrict bot responses to safe, read-only outputs.</li> <li><strong>AI Permission Scoping:</strong> Grant the AI read-only access exclusively to the policy folder.</li> </ul> <p>For a practical example, explore this n8n workflow template:<a href="https://n8n.io/workflows/2370-creating-a-ai-slack-bot-with-google-gemini/">https://n8n.io/workflows/2370-creating-a-ai-slack-bot-with-google-gemini/</a></p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Regularly review the Q&A logs to update the knowledge base — this ensures answers stay accurate as policies evolve.</p> <h2>2. Slack Watchdog for Insecure Discussion Patterns</h2> <p><strong>Use Case:</strong> Small teams often miss risky patterns in developer chats or PR comments, such as sharing credentials, discussing unvetted libraries, or insecure practices. A Slack watchdog can <strong>flag potential security issues early</strong>, creating a proactive awareness culture.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1248/1VnA-3uQ-MLHv8HdfvP-QHg.png" width="1248" height="848" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Workflow Example:</strong></p> <p><strong>Trigger:</strong> Slack → Messages from consented channels.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> LLM → Classify messages for risky patterns.</p> <p><strong>Output:</strong> Slack → Optional private educational tip or dashboard flag.</p> <p><strong>Safeguards:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Legal compliance:</strong> Only monitor channels with explicit consent; document in a <strong>User Acceptable Use Policy</strong>.</li> <li><strong>False positives:</strong> Flag messages for human review instead of posting automated advice.</li> <li><strong>Transparency:</strong> Notify team members that certain channels may be monitored.</li> </ul> <p>For a practical example, explore this n8n workflow template:<a href="https://n8n.io/workflows/2370-creating-a-ai-slack-bot-with-google-gemini/">https://n8n.io/workflows/2370-creating-a-ai-slack-bot-with-google-gemini/</a></p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Use anonymized historical data to train the AI model, improving accuracy while protecting privacy.</p> <h2>3. AI-Driven Vulnerability Management</h2> <p><strong>Use Case:</strong> Security teams often struggle with <strong>vulnerability prioritization</strong>, especially when dozens of CVEs hit production. AI can correlate CVE metadata with internal code context and risk scoring systems to suggest which vulnerabilities are <strong>critical vs. low impact</strong>, helping teams focus remediation efforts.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1592/1z1hwygX0bFcZueFQMqvK2g.png" width="1592" height="716" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Workflow Example:</strong></p> <p><strong>Trigger:</strong> Webhook/API → Existing SAST/DAST scanner (Snyk, Trivy, GitHub Dependabot).</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> Parse CVE, package, and severity.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> API → KEV + EPSS scoring.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> LLM → Correlate CVE metadata with internal repo context.</p> <p><strong>Output:</strong> Slack/Jira → Actionable summary with justification.</p> <p><strong>Safeguards:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Avoid sending raw proprietary code to LLM; use metadata only.</li> <li>Analysts must review risk scores and recommendations.</li> <li>Cross-validate AI output against trusted sources (CVE, EPSS, KEV).</li> </ul> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Focus AI analysis on <strong>production-critical assets</strong> first — this ensures limited team resources address the most impactful vulnerabilities.</p> <h2>4. Threat Intelligence Summarizer</h2> <p><strong>Use Case:</strong> Analysts spend hours digesting threat intelligence feeds, extracting IOCs, and translating them into detection rules. AI can <strong>summarize TTPs and propose draft rules</strong>, significantly reducing workload while allowing analysts to focus on validation and deployment.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/2256/1306AdV8LeoRQgRJ4rrr1eg.png" width="2256" height="712" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Workflow Example:</strong></p> <p><strong>Trigger:</strong> Threat intel feed → MISP/OpenCTI.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> Extract text from PDFs/HTML.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> LLM → Summarize TTPs, IOCs, and draft rules.</p> <p><strong>Output:</strong> Jira/Git → Approved draft rules.</p> <p><strong>Safeguards:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Verify AI-generated IOCs using trusted APIs (VirusTotal, AbuseIPDB).</li> <li>Analysts must validate all rules before deployment.</li> <li>Avoid sending sensitive logs to LLM; assume AI hallucination is possible.</li> </ul> <p>For a practical example, explore this n8n workflow template: <a href="https://n8n.io/workflows/7017-filter-cybersecurity-news-for-your-tech-stack-openai-pinecone-rag/">https://n8n.io/workflows/7017-filter-cybersecurity-news-for-your-tech-stack-openai-pinecone-rag/</a></p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Create a feedback loop: update the AI model with rules that were manually refined to improve future drafts.</p> <h2>5. MCP SIEM Natural-Language Query Assistant</h2> <p><strong>Use Case:</strong></p> <p>Writing SIEM queries is tedious, especially for junior analysts. AI can convert <strong>plain-language questions</strong> into SIEM queries, summarize results, and generate simple visualizations, <strong>speeding up detection and investigation</strong>.</p> <img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1682/13zXAgd7yrRThn7u8zb4XPw.png" width="1682" height="606" loading="lazy" /> <p><strong>Workflow Example:</strong></p> <p><strong>Trigger:</strong> Slack/Teams → Analyst submits request.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> LLM → Convert plain-language request to SIEM query syntax.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> MCP SIEM API → Execute query.</p> <p><strong>Action:</strong> LLM → Summarize results.</p> <p><strong>Output:</strong> Slack/Teams → Summary + optional visualization.</p> <p><strong>Safeguards:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Queries must be reviewed before execution.</li> <li>Use anonymized logs where possible.</li> <li>Rate-limit query execution to prevent resource-heavy or malformed queries from impacting production.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Keep a library of commonly asked queries and their plain-language equivalents -this accelerates AI-assisted query generation and reduces review time.</p> <h2>What to Do Next</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Evaluate your team’s priorities:</strong> Identify which of the five workflows will provide the <strong>most immediate operational benefit</strong>.</li> <li><strong>Plan your implementation:</strong> Start small, test AI outputs in controlled environments, and iterate.</li> <li><strong>Implement safeguards early:</strong> Human review, data sanitization, and governance must be baked in from day one.</li> <li><strong>Monitor and validate continuously:</strong> Track AI accuracy, audit logs, and adjust the workflows as policies or tools change.</li> <li><strong>Educate your team:</strong> Make sure all users understand AI limitations, risks, and their role in oversight.</li> </ul> <h2>AI Risks and Implementation Considerations</h2> <p>AI can provide significant efficiency gains, but it also comes with risks. <strong>Hallucinated outputs, biased recommendations, and inadvertent data leaks</strong> are real concerns. Teams must <strong>plan for human oversight, rigorous testing, and clear governance</strong> before adopting any of these workflows. Every AI implementation should include continuous monitoring, validation against authoritative sources, and periodic review to ensure security and compliance. These precautions are <strong>critical to safely realizing the benefits of AI in small security teams</strong>.</p> </section>	5 Practical Ways AI Can Assist Small Security Teams AI has the potential to transform small security teams, helping them work faster, prioritize risks more effectively, and automate repetitive tasks. When applied thoughtfully, AI can become a force multiplier, enabling teams to achieve more with limited resources while maintaining strong security standards. That said, AI isn’t magic. To get real value safely, teams need human oversight, clear safeguards, and solid governance. Before diving in, it’s important to consider operational overhead, skill requirements, and legal or ethical implications. Below, we explore five practical AI workflows, complete with step-by-step guidance, security tips, and compliance considerations 1. Slack Q&A Bot for Internal Security Knowledge Use Case: Developers often ask repetitive questions about security policies, approved libraries, or incident response playbooks. A Slack Q&A bot can provide instant answers using internal documentation, freeing security leads for higher-value tasks and reducing time spent on low-risk queries. Workflow Example: Trigger: Slack → New message in #security-questions. Action: Vector DB → Query sanitized corpus. Action: LLM → Generate response. Action: Optional human review → For sensitive/high-risk queries. Output: Slack → Bot posts response. Safeguards: Human-in-the-loop: All high-risk answers reviewed by a security lead. Data sanitization: Only approved documents; redact PII, credentials, or proprietary info. Prompt injection prevention: Restrict bot responses to safe, read-only outputs. AI Permission Scoping: Grant the AI read-only access exclusively to the policy folder. For a practical example, explore this n8n workflow template:https://n8n.io/workflows/2370-creating-a-ai-slack-bot-with-google-gemini/ Tip: Regularly review the Q&A logs to update the knowledge base — this ensures answers stay accurate as policies evolve. 2. Slack Watchdog for Insecure Discussion Patterns Use Case: Small teams often miss risky patterns in developer chats or PR comments, such as sharing credentials, discussing unvetted libraries, or insecure practices. A Slack watchdog can flag potential security issues early, creating a proactive awareness culture. Workflow Example: Trigger: Slack → Messages from consented channels. Action: LLM → Classify messages for risky patterns. Output: Slack → Optional private educational tip or dashboard flag. Safeguards: Legal compliance: Only monitor channels with explicit consent; document in a User Acceptable Use Policy. False positives: Flag messages for human review instead of posting automated advice. Transparency: Notify team members that certain channels may be monitored. For a practical example, explore this n8n workflow template:https://n8n.io/workflows/2370-creating-a-ai-slack-bot-with-google-gemini/ Tip: Use anonymized historical data to train the AI model, improving accuracy while protecting privacy. 3. AI-Driven Vulnerability Management Use Case: Security teams often struggle with vulnerability prioritization, especially when dozens of CVEs hit production. AI can correlate CVE metadata with internal code context and risk scoring systems to suggest which vulnerabilities are critical vs. low impact, helping teams focus remediation efforts. Workflow Example: Trigger: Webhook/API → Existing SAST/DAST scanner (Snyk, Trivy, GitHub Dependabot). Action: Parse CVE, package, and severity. Action: API → KEV + EPSS scoring. Action: LLM → Correlate CVE metadata with internal repo context. Output: Slack/Jira → Actionable summary with justification. Safeguards: Avoid sending raw proprietary code to LLM; use metadata only. Analysts must review risk scores and recommendations. Cross-validate AI output against trusted sources (CVE, EPSS, KEV). Tip: Focus AI analysis on production-critical assets first — this ensures limited team resources address the most impactful vulnerabilities. 4. Threat Intelligence Summarizer Use Case: Analysts spend hours digesting threat intelligence feeds, extracting IOCs, and translating them into detection rules. AI can summarize TTPs and propose draft rules, significantly reducing workload while allowing analysts to focus on validation and deployment. Workflow Example: Trigger: Threat intel feed → MISP/OpenCTI. Action: Extract text from PDFs/HTML. Action: LLM → Summarize TTPs, IOCs, and draft rules. Output: Jira/Git → Approved draft rules. Safeguards: Verify AI-generated IOCs using trusted APIs (VirusTotal, AbuseIPDB). Analysts must validate all rules before deployment. Avoid sending sensitive logs to LLM; assume AI hallucination is possible. For a practical example, explore this n8n workflow template: https://n8n.io/workflows/7017-filter-cybersecurity-news-for-your-tech-stack-openai-pinecone-rag/ Tip: Create a feedback loop: update the AI model with rules that were manually refined to improve future drafts. 5. MCP SIEM Natural-Language Query Assistant Use Case: Writing SIEM queries is tedious, especially for junior analysts. AI can convert plain-language questions into SIEM queries, summarize results, and generate simple visualizations, speeding up detection and investigation. Workflow Example: Trigger: Slack/Teams → Analyst submits request. Action: LLM → Convert plain-language request to SIEM query syntax. Action: MCP SIEM API → Execute query. Action: LLM → Summarize results. Output: Slack/Teams → Summary + optional visualization. Safeguards: Queries must be reviewed before execution. Use anonymized logs where possible. Rate-limit query execution to prevent resource-heavy or malformed queries from impacting production. Tip: Keep a library of commonly asked queries and their plain-language equivalents -this accelerates AI-assisted query generation and reduces review time. What to Do Next Evaluate your team’s priorities: Identify which of the five workflows will provide the most immediate operational benefit. Plan your implementation: Start small, test AI outputs in controlled environments, and iterate. Implement safeguards early: Human review, data sanitization, and governance must be baked in from day one. Monitor and validate continuously: Track AI accuracy, audit logs, and adjust the workflows as policies or tools change. Educate your team: Make sure all users understand AI limitations, risks, and their role in oversight. AI Risks and Implementation Considerations AI can provide significant efficiency gains, but it also comes with risks. Hallucinated outputs, biased recommendations, and inadvertent data leaks are real concerns. Teams must plan for human oversight, rigorous testing, and clear governance before adopting any of these workflows. Every AI implementation should include continuous monitoring, validation against authoritative sources, and periodic review to ensure security and compliance. These precautions are critical to safely realizing the benefits of AI in small security teams.	7d25187a-9c17-50ac-8d1a-a0f5f2be850c	25/08/2025 18:00:59
https://medium.com/@toddkuehn/traditions-7805f7974690	medium.com	Traditions	When I read chapter 7 of Mark, I am always struck by what Jesus has to say about the traditions of the elders that the Pharisees and…	Todd Kuehn	https://medium.com/@toddkuehn	7805f7974690	null	1 min	2017-01-10T15:06:28.234000	2017-01-10T15:35:32.132000	2017-11-27T11:45:22.113000	2	4	en	Christianity,Jesus	<section> <p>Tevye on tradition (Fiddler On The Roof)</p> <p>When I read chapter 7 of Mark, I am always struck by what Jesus has to say about the traditions of the elders that the Pharisees and scribes demanded that the people follow.</p> <p>I think this little clip from “Fiddler on the Roof” shows us that traditions start and sometimes people have no idea why they are doing them and what they mean in life. And the Pharisees of Jesus’ day had a lot of traditions that people followed and I wonder if they even knew where those traditions came from and what the reason was for following them.</p> <p>As Lutherans, we have a strong traditional background and follow a line of church traditions even to this day. I wonder if any of our traditions get in the way of what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ or do we get irritated when others don’t follow our traditions but still keep in line with what God’s Word has to say about faith and belief.</p> <p>There is a great danger when we judge people by the traditions that we have set in place. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with tradition and they do have a place and help us focus on certain aspects of our faith but do we snicker at others that don’t follow in our traditions? Does it matter if we stand while we pray or sit? Are those that make the sign of the cross on themselves during the invocation any better than those that don’t?</p> <p>I do love our rich Lutheran traditions but if they get in the way of true worship or get in the way of excluding others from being part of God’s family then we have to do away with them otherwise we are in danger of becoming tradition worshipers instead of God worshipers, something the Pharisees were guilty of a majority of the time, even to the point where they neglected taking care of their own parents because of silly traditional pledges.</p> <p>Just something to think about, God bless!</p> </section>	Traditions Tevye on tradition (Fiddler On The Roof) When I read chapter 7 of Mark, I am always struck by what Jesus has to say about the traditions of the elders that the Pharisees and scribes demanded that the people follow. I think this little clip from “Fiddler on the Roof” shows us that traditions start and sometimes people have no idea why they are doing them and what they mean in life. And the Pharisees of Jesus’ day had a lot of traditions that people followed and I wonder if they even knew where those traditions came from and what the reason was for following them. As Lutherans, we have a strong traditional background and follow a line of church traditions even to this day. I wonder if any of our traditions get in the way of what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ or do we get irritated when others don’t follow our traditions but still keep in line with what God’s Word has to say about faith and belief. There is a great danger when we judge people by the traditions that we have set in place. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with tradition and they do have a place and help us focus on certain aspects of our faith but do we snicker at others that don’t follow in our traditions? Does it matter if we stand while we pray or sit? Are those that make the sign of the cross on themselves during the invocation any better than those that don’t? I do love our rich Lutheran traditions but if they get in the way of true worship or get in the way of excluding others from being part of God’s family then we have to do away with them otherwise we are in danger of becoming tradition worshipers instead of God worshipers, something the Pharisees were guilty of a majority of the time, even to the point where they neglected taking care of their own parents because of silly traditional pledges. Just something to think about, God bless!	99b96884-c0e3-5c80-88c8-f7a88b2fa06f	25/08/2025 18:00:59

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.