corruption

is it not corruption to jump traffic signals? for the system to change, it has to start with the individual!

How are Dates processed?

Wet dates are delicious and nutritious also. But how are they processed? Are any animal products used during the process? This led to an internet search. Preliminary results are in the negative! Thank God! Or else a wonderful fruit would have become a no-no.

Acci-dent

Yesterday evening a rash driver bumped into my parked van and sped away. I had to claim insurance on it and forego the NCB. Even if he had paid a part of the repair bill I could have maintained a clean record with the insurers. Are people today more aware of how insurance could be mis-used?

Wireless Network

Setting up a wireless network with the new router was fun. Configuring the modem and router was a challenge, but there are good resources available on the Internet. Also positioning the router at the right place in our building to access the signal at all places required rewiring of telephone cables. Finally, happy that the whole thing is up and running.

Timbaktu Collective

Visited Timbaktu collective - www.timbaktu.org - on the 21st and 22nd of June with Rama and Sabitha. Great experience! Also visited Dinesh's Millet processing plant at Kadiri - www.earth360.in
Driving was a wonderful experience.

Kanakaabhisheka

Been to a Kanakaabhisheka in Mysore today. It is really a wonderful thing to happen to that couple.
Been running - 2 1/2 miles this morning.
In the function, there was talk of a particular spiritual guru being a transgender. What if? The gossip showed how intolerant our society is to so called 'Deviance'.

Today

Running - About 2 1/2 miles, later on 100 counts skipping, 2 counts 3 flights of staircase, 3 Suryanamaskars.
Elephants in Mysore! - We humans have snatched their homes.
Traffic Police (Corruption) - They selectively target vehicles and tow them away, in a No Parking Zone!
Ethics in Medical practise - an interesting edit in The New Indian Express - http://expressbuzz.com/opinion/editorials/drug-firms-should-not-exploit-indians-for-tests/282068.html

Role Models

Nicole Nenninger - www.nicolenenninger.com - In one of her recent newsletters has this to say about Role Models -
"Actively seeking inspiration allows us to focus on the more positive aspects of life.  Instead of focusing on what is wrong with our lives, take the time to
look for beauty, for positivity, and for bringing up more empowering feelings within you.  When you feel inspired by others or by other things, you evoke
a feeling of wanting better for yourself.  We are reminded that we are worth it, that there is something better out there that we can be, do, or have. 
Getting in touch with these powerful emotions can inspire us to action....If you look for the good in life, inevitably your whole world changes. 
You won't have to look for inspiration as much because you will be inspiring!"
Another resource on this - www.rolemodelinitiative.com

Running

After a break of about a week, restarted running this morning. 8 rounds on the track in the park, which makes it about 2 1/4 miles in half an hour. Later on 100 counts of Skipping, 2 rounds of 3 flights of staircase and 3 rounds of Suryanamaskar. Hope to maintain consistency this time around.

Intimacy in Couple Interactions

One of the ingredients of a 'Healthy Marital Relationship' -
There is increasing evidence that a good, healthy relationship is not simply
the absence of conflict (e.g., Campbell & Fruzzetti, 2004). Rather, a
healthy relationship for both partners includes constructive conflict and
high levels of intimacy (e.g., Fruzzetti, 1996). Clearly, the “benefits” or
“goodies” (reinforcers) in relationships are intimacy and closeness. We define “intimacy” as a pattern of interacting in which one person is able to
disclose accurately her or his thoughts, emotions, wants, and so on, and in
response to those disclosures, the other person expresses acceptance and
understanding through validation, which in turn leads to the experience of
closeness and of being understood and/or supported (see also Fruzzetti &
Jacobson, 1990). Of course, these behaviors are mutual and reciprocal.
Thus, intimacy behaviors include accurate self-disclosures plus those responses that demonstrate awareness of the partner, understanding of the
partner, and support of the partner. We call responses that communicate acceptance and understanding validating. Thus, the self-disclosure/validating response cycle describes the core of intimate interactions." - in Mindfulness and Acceptance, Ed by S. C. Hayes et al, 2004

CSA

CSA is another "grey" area in our society. Subject of much taboo, it scars the individual and makes it difficult for her to form and maintain satisfactory relationships. The "breach of trust" colours most of the future interactions. Do 'forgiving' and mindful approaches to the traumatic memories help?

Gender Identity

Individuals in our "traditional" society faced up with Gender identity issues are subject to "Gender Dysphoria". One website I found useful in this regard is www.genderpsychology.org

Reflective Iron-ons

Reflective Iron-ons to clothing while planning to run in the dark! It's amazing how this field has developed. From training to equipment there is a whole host of resources available.

My First Post

Hi,
From listening always to express oneself sometimes, from reading what others have written to publish in a small way is a leap in our lives. This was one another thing to make Life Full. Happy reading.....