Friday, August 25, 2017

Here are 7 things you don’t know you’re doing because you’re Highly Intelligent


Here are 7 things you don’t know you’re doing because you’re Highly Intelligent

Intelligence has always been a contested category because science has always tried to quantify it with stringent rules and regulations. Children who score well on their tests are considered to be more intelligent than their peers who score badly. People who “conform” to the rules and follow all the instructions are seen to be much wiser than those who follow their own creativity.

In this rigid construction of a definition of intelligence, where do you stand? Do you think you are intelligent? We present to you some qualities that signify that you too are intelligent amongst the A+ crowd. Forget what society has taught you about what is seen as brilliant. Try to invent and create your ideas in new ways which can be explosively intelligent.
Here are the seven qualities which are proven by science to be associated with intelligent people:

1. Being a night owl

According to a research, people who stay up till late are more intelligent than those who sleep early. If you are thinking that staying up till late will make you smarter, let me break your bubble by saying that this is not how it works. It only signifies that there is a correlation between higher intelligence and being a night owl.

Also, night owls are mentally more alert during the longer part of the day as compared to early birds.

2. Being an introvert

A lot has been said on how introverts are more intelligent than their extrovert counterparts. A study done by The Gifted Development Centre shows that sixty percent of gifted children are behaviorally introverts. Often people with high IQ’s are also introverts.

German Psychologist Hans Eysenck performed experiments on introverts and found that they have naturally high cortical arousal i. e. their ability to process information per second is higher than an average extrovert.
Must-Read: Highly Attractive And Intelligent People Possess These 6 Habits

3. You are funny!

If you can make others laugh, your IQ level is definitely much higher than most of the people. Since funny people are more witty and creative, their conversations are never dull which also contributes to their higher levels of intelligence. People with a sense of humor have also scored better on verbal intelligence exams.

4. You accept your limited knowledge

Smart people have no qualms in admitting that they don’t know something. They don’t pretend to know everything. They are quite comfortable in their limited knowledge and are open to learning new things thereby proving themselves to be more intelligent.

In fact people who are less intelligent like to overestimate their cognitive abilities. A study done by Justin Kruger and David Dunning proves that.

5. You are highly curious about things

People who depict signs of curiosity are actually more intelligent than others. Even Einstein himself said, “I have no special talents, I’m only passionately curious”.

6. You are an open-minded person

This ability allows you to comprehend the different viewpoints that you encounter in your life. You are willing to accept the existence of multiple opinions and are open to try new ideas.

According to researchers, people who are willing to see both sides of an argument tend to do better on intelligence tests. But this does not mean that an intelligent person will accept any idea put in front of them.

7. You show sensitivity to others

Intelligence does not mean that you get to be an ass. A truly intelligent person shows empathy and compassion to others. He/she is sensitive to other people’s experiences and will deal with them in a gentle manner. Emotional intelligence is also a significant form of intelligence which, sadly, not many people can attain.

Emotionally intelligent people like having conversations with new people, trying to understand their lives.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

It is possible to increase your serotonin levels naturally – here is how!

How to Increase Serotonin Levels Naturally

It is possible to increase your serotonin levels naturally – here is how!

Serotonin is an important brain chemical that helps to improve mood and stops feelings of depression and anxiety.
This is a molecule of willpower and its deficiency can lead to the inability to create and take actions for which a person feels depressed, easily upset or fail to control their impulses.

Some of the symptoms of lack of serotonin include depression, frequent need for naps, low self-esteem, obsession with trivia, irritability, shyness and panic attacks. There is also the likelihood that such persons have sleep problems because they do not have sufficient amounts of serotonin, which will be converted into melatonin, a substance that drives and enables a peaceful and restful sleep.

These symptoms can range from mild to very severe and they are usually treated with pharmaceutical drugs.

But there are natural ways to help yourself, and even prevent the need for treatment.

1. Spend some more time in the sunlight

Sunlight is the first factor and one of the most important helpers in maintaining serotonin levels in the body. It has three advantages over other forms of light. Sunlight has ultraviolet (UV) light and it is much lighter than the artificial light. Too much UV light can cause skin cancer, so many people avoid sunlight, but a certain amount of sunshine is necessary for general health.

UV light is important because it produces vitamin D, which, among other things, stimulates the production of serotonin.

2. Massage heals

Several studies have shown that massage can be very useful in raising the level of serotonin. One of them studied the effect of massage on the depressed pregnant women as a serious condition because the mother’s depression can affect baby’s activity of various neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Pregnant women are massaged twice a week over a period of four months. Their serotonin levels increased by 30%.

3. Move your body

Studies have shown that exercise increases the production of serotonin and its release. Especially useful are the aerobic exercises, such as running and cycling. Yoga is one of the activities which is greatly beneficial. It is interesting to note that if you exercise too much or you are forced to do the exercises, the neurochemical effect will not be the same. The reason probably lies in our ancient instincts.

There is a difference in how you run because you chase something or how you run when something is chasing you. When it comes to exercise, people often avoid it because they do not feel the will. This is caused by administration of low activity of serotonin.

4. Food can make us happy

The food is certainly one of the factors, but there are many myths associated with diet and serotonin. For example, it is believed that all foods rich in tryptophan automatically raise the level of serotonin, but this is wrong.
A large amount of turkey meat will not automatically increase the serotonin level. Banana will do it because it contains serotonin, which cannot cross the brain-blood barrier.

Complex carbohydrates are those that are absorbed into the body more slowly than simple, and they include legumes (such as peas and lentils), wholegrain bread and pasta, brown rice and starchy vegetables. These carbohydrates will be helpful. Simple carbohydrates such as white bread and rice, “normal” pasta, cakes, candies and other products of refined sugar are not your friends. Dark chocolate raises serotonin levels and it’s a great choice for a dessert.

5. Avoid caffeine

Caffeine reduces serotonin levels which probably explains why it suppresses hunger. Energy drinks contain large amounts of sugar that the body quickly processes but later leaves us feeling empty and tired.

6. Omega 3 fatty acids

Sufficient dose of omega-3 fatty acids will help because they affect the efficiency of serotonin in the brain. People with low levels of serotonin usually have low DHA, which is the acid that is part of the basic structure of the brain. It must be supplemented with food that is rich in omega-3 acids, such as fish, especially salmon, fish oils, nuts, seeds and oils obtained from them, particularly flaxseed.

7. Positive thinking

Finally, do not forget positive thoughts and memories of happy events. For people who have low levels of serotonin, this step may be the most challenging, but also participates in increasing serotonin and in the area of ​​the brain behind the prefrontal cortex, which controls attention. Remembering the events that were happy also has a double effect: serotonin levels directly increase and prevent reflection of negative events. A great help can be the conversations with old friends, photos or reading a diary.

If you focus on it and change your lifestyle, serotonin levels will definitely increase. And, in any case, sunlight, healthy food, massages and other mention details will be useful for your general well-being.
References:

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Sex on the Brain: The Evolutionary Link between Intelligence and Sex Drive


Sex on the Brain: The Evolutionary Link between Intelligence and Sex Drive

Sex on the Brain: The Evolutionary Link between Intelligence and Sex Drive
A couple of years ago I read a research study that I’ve honestly thought about on several occasions ever since. Not all research articles stick with me the way this one did, but there was something about this report that struck such a chord with me, that I kept it bouncing around in me head. I think the reasoning is self-explanatory: back in 2013 an online adult toy retailer, Lovehoney, correlated their sales with IQ by figuring out that students at the most prestigious universities in the UK spent the most money on sex toys.

The basic analysis was that people with higher IQ’s had higher sex drives.

Now, at first glance, this might sound like an excuse for someone who considers themselves to be intelligent to be horny. I think it goes much deeper than that. Although I do consider myself to be of slightly above average intelligence and might be slightly hornier than I should be, I think this study has implications deeper than their surface results. So, let’s dive into the cauldron that is sex drive and IQ:

IQ and Sex Drive

 

Okay, so LoveHoney, an online sex toy retailer, did a study of their sales based on where their customers went to school. Assuming that you have to be smart to get into some of the most elite colleges in the world, Lovehoney established that there was a “heightened interest in sex amongst students in the Russell Group of elite universities”, which includes Cambridge, Oxford, and Manchester universities.

When the results were published, people from these universities chimed in with their opinions. For instance, Alice Little, who studied at Cambridge pointed out: “It seems Oxbridge students know that sex and sex toys are the smartest way to relieve stress. Cambridge definitely has a work hard, play hard culture so it comes as no surprise Cambridge students spend the most to relieve the pressure of studying at a top university.

High-achievers aim for excellence in all areas of their life, so it makes sense that achieving sexual happiness is one of their goals.”

IQ and Sexual Frequency

What the results from Lovehoney didn’t show was that people with higher IQ’s have sex less often. With an actual partner, at least. The theory there is that although people with higher IQ’s may have higher sex drives, they have fewer sexual partners and wait longer to have sex. In an article posted in 2007 on Gene Expression.com, 80% of American males and 75% of American women have had sex by the age of 19.
Compared to 56% of Princeton students, 59% of Harvard students, and 51% of MIT students of the same age.

In fact, only 65% of MIT graduates report that they have ever had sex, period. Sociologist Rosemary Hopcroft says, “Intelligence is negatively associated with sex frequency. It’s a bit dismaying.” But why?

The Evolutionary Issue

Why should people be worried about the fact that being smart is correlated with a higher sex drive, but not with having more sex? In my opinion, as well as the opinion of a few experts, having a high sex drive is an evolutionary trait that is tied to high intelligence for a simple reason: smarter people need to breed more. It’s good for the species.

The problem is that smarter people are more concerned with achievements than they are with getting laid. Therefore, they are being outbred, thus weakening the species.

Friday, August 11, 2017

A psychologist explains the best way to rewire your brain to let go of negative thoughts You already know that positive thinking leads to a more fulfilling life.

A psychologist explains the best way to rewire your brain to let go of negative thoughts
You already know that positive thinking leads to a more fulfilling life.  

But how do you actually think positive when your mind is consistently stuck on the negative?And how can you do it naturally…without using medication or alcohol?Well…that’s exactly what Alison Ledgerwood talks about in this TEDx talk today.As a professional people watcher (social psychologist) Alison Ledgerwood always wondered why the human mind swayed to the negative.
 
 
You already know that positive thinking leads to a more fulfilling life.
That much is clear.
But how do you actually think positive when your mind is consistently stuck on the negative?
And how can you do it naturally…without using medication or alcohol?

Well…that’s exactly what Alison Ledgerwood talks about in this TEDx talk today.
As a professional people watcher (social psychologist) Alison Ledgerwood always wondered why the human mind swayed to the negative.

She even noticed it herself when she was publishing papers. When her paper got rejected, it still weighed on her mind, even after a different paper was accepted.

What’s going on here? Why does the failure seem to stick in our mind so much longer than a success?
Watch the brilliant talk below to find out why as well as the best strategy to deal with it:
For those of you who don’t have time to watch the talk, here is it in text:
We all know intuitively that there are different ways of thinking about things. The same glass, the saying goes, can be seen half full or half empty.

Much research has shown that depending on how you describe the glass to people, it changes how you feel about it.
But have you wondered what happens when you try to switch from thinking about it one way to thinking about it another way? Can we shift back and forth? Or do we get stuck on a particular label?
To investigate this question, Alison Ledgerwood conducted a few simple experiments.

One of the experiments involved telling participants about a new surgical procedure.
The first group of participants were told about the surgical procedure in terms of gains (70% success rate), while the other group were told in terms of losses (30% failure rate).
Unsurprisingly, the gains group liked the procedure a lot more.

However, after this the first group were then told that there is a 30% failure rate, and they immediately didn’t like it.
But when the second group were told that there is a 70% success rate, they still didn’t like the procedure. They were stuck in the initial lost frame.
According to Alison Ledgerwood , these studies show that our view of the world has a fundamental tendency to tilt towards the negative.

It’s pretty easy to go from good to bad but far harder to shift from bad to good.
We literally have to work harder to see the upside of things. It takes effort but you can train your mind to do this better.

There is research out of U.C Davis showing that just writing for a few minutes each day about things that you’re grateful for can dramatically boost your happiness and wellbeing.
We can also rehearse good news and share it with others. It’s no secret that a lot of us complain. It’s like we’re addicted to it, but when we’re talking to others we tend to forget about sharing the good things.
But that’s exactly what our mind needs to practice. It’s about intentionally reshaping the stories in our mind to be more positive.

In other words, start a gratitude journal and talk about your joys!

We also need to think about this from other people’s perspective. We need to be aware that the bad tends to stick. One mean comment can stick with somebody all day or all week. Somebody snaps at you and you snap back and you snap at the next guy too.

But what if the next time somebody snapped at you, you forgave them? What if the next time you had a really grumpy waitress, you left her an extra large tip? Who knows the ripple effect you can create with one small act of kindness
We can retrain our minds to be more positive, more forgiving, and more thankful for the beautiful opportunity that life is.

  She even noticed it herself when she was publishing papers. When her paper got rejected, it still weighed on her mind, even after a different paper was accepted. 
What’s going on here? Why does the failure seem to stick in our mind so much longer than a success?
Watch the brilliant talk below to find out why as well as the best strategy to deal with it:
For those of you who don’t have time to watch the talk, here is it in text:
We all know intuitively that there are different ways of thinking about things. The same glass, the saying goes, can be seen half full or half empty.

Much research has shown that depending on how you describe the glass to people, it changes how you feel about it.

But have you wondered what happens when you try to switch from thinking about it one way to thinking about it another way? Can we shift back and forth? Or do we get stuck on a particular label?
To investigate this question, Alison Ledgerwood conducted a few simple experiments.

One of the experiments involved telling participants about a new surgical procedure.

The first group of participants were told about the surgical procedure in terms of gains (70% success rate), while the other group were told in terms of losses (30% failure rate).
Unsurprisingly, the gains group liked the procedure a lot more.

However, after this the first group were then told that there is a 30% failure rate, and they immediately didn’t like it.
But when the second group were told that there is a 70% success rate, they still didn’t like the procedure. They were stuck in the initial lost frame.

According to Alison Ledgerwood , these studies show that our view of the world has a fundamental tendency to tilt towards the negative.

It’s pretty easy to go from good to bad but far harder to shift from bad to good.
We literally have to work harder to see the upside of things. It takes effort but you can train your mind to do this better.

There is research out of U.C Davis showing that just writing for a few minutes each day about things that you’re grateful for can dramatically boost your happiness and wellbeing.

We can also rehearse good news and share it with others. It’s no secret that a lot of us complain. It’s like we’re addicted to it, but when we’re talking to others we tend to forget about sharing the good things.
But that’s exactly what our mind needs to practice. It’s about intentionally reshaping the stories in our mind to be more positive.

In other words, start a gratitude journal and talk about your joys!
We also need to think about this from other people’s perspective. We need to be aware that the bad tends to stick. One mean comment can stick with somebody all day or all week. Somebody snaps at you and you snap back and you snap at the next guy too.

But what if the next time somebody snapped at you, you forgave them? What if the next time you had a really grumpy waitress, you left her an extra large tip? Who knows the ripple effect you can create with one small act of kindness
We can retrain our minds to be more positive, more forgiving, and more thankful for the beautiful opportunity that life is.

If you found this article resonates with you, then you may enjoy participating in an online salon titled Brazilian shaman explains why positive thinking is terrible advice on 23rd August, 2017. Salons are deeper explorations of issues raised on The Power of Ideas, Ideapod’s blog. This salon will be a conversation between Brazilian shaman Rudá Iandé and Ideapod CEO Justin BrownRegister now to confirm your place!

6 Cancer Causers at Home That You Should Get Rid of Immediately



Our homes may be hiding more danger than safety.  Indeed quite a lot of information has been shared about the infamous formaldehyde, nitrobenzene and methylene chloride – all carcinogens that can be found in everyday items such as rubber, plastic, dyes, perfumes, shampoos.

Candles
According to a study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 40 percent of candles on the market contain lead wires inside their wicks. Scented candles most commonly contain lead wicks. Fragrance oils soften the wax, so the manufacturers use lead to make the wicks firmer.
A candle with a lead-core wick releases five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pollution standards for outdoor air, says the CPSC. Exposure to high amounts of lead may contribute to hormone disruption, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and many other health problems.
If you want to keep your home softly lit and cozy without risking your health go for beeswax candles with cotton wicks. For more information on how to make your own beeswax candles read How to Make Beeswax Candles.

Art supplies
Certain art supplies like Epoxy and rubber cement glues, acrylic paints and solvents, and permanent markers contain chemicals linked to allergies, organ damage, and cancer.
Children are particularly vulnerable to toxins because of their higher metabolisms, and immature immune systems, so it pays to exercise extra care with the products they use. To find nontoxic and green alternatives to common art supplies, or recipes for making your own, read Are Art Supplies Toxic?

Air fresheners
Many air fresheners have carcinogens, volatile organic compounds and toxins such as phthalate esters in their formulas. A Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) study of 13 common household air fresheners found that most of the surveyed products contain chemicals that can aggravate asthma and affect reproductive development.

According to a 2008 study by Anne Steinemann of the University of Washington, all air-fresheners tested gave off chemicals regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, including carcinogens with no safe exposure level. None of these chemicals, however, were listed on  the product labels or Material Safety Data Sheets. As a replacement, try natural fragrances from essential oils.

Shampoos
Unlikely as it may sound, conventional shampoos have too many toxic ingredients. Funny as it may sound,  their effects are still being researched, and there is no scientific consensus  whether they cause cancer. But if you want to be on the safe side, you can use any of the myriad of handmade shampoo bars, offered on etsy, or you can start washing your hair with baking soda, just like I do.

Antiperspirants
Most conventional deodorants and antiperspirants contain several ingredients linked to virulent cancers. Since deodorants and antiperspirants are designed to stay on our bodies for hours, this allows the potential absorption of harmful chemicals through the skin. After I read this article on Green Living Ideas I completely stopped using antiperspirants but am yet to write an extensive post about that.
Shower curtains
Plastic shower curtains leach toxic chemicals not only into your shower or bath, but also into the environment, emitting harmful chemicals called volatile organic chemicals or VOCs.
Reducing your contact with any of these products, in addition to conventional cleaners, will surely make your home your castle.


Thursday, August 10, 2017

This article seems to have information that could kill cancer and more

Why Ketogenic Diet is the Healthiest Diet. It Kills Cancer, Treats Depression, Migraines, and Autism

Mounting research suggests nutritional ketosis is the answer to a long list of health problems, starting with obesity. A ketogenic diet (link is external) is one that shifts your body’s metabolic engine from burning carbohydrates to burning fats. A ketogenic diet requires that 50 to 70 percent of your food intake come from beneficial fats, such as coconut oil, grass-pastured butter, organic pastured eggs, avocado, and raw nuts such as pecans and macadamia nuts. The carbs are very very minimal so your body burns fat for energy. That means there is little sugar in your system blocking the body from utilizing fat in favor of burning sugar.


During this state, the body produces ketones, made from fats processed in the liver.
Ketogenic Diet: How to use Ketosis to Lose Weight, Increase Mental Focus, & Feel Truly Alive!
“The end goal of a properly maintained keto diet is to force your body into this metabolic state. We don’t do this through starvation of calories, but through starvation of carbohydrates. Our bodies are extremely adaptive to what you put into it – when you overload it with fats and take away carbohydrates, it will begin to burn ketones as the main energy source,” according to Ruled.me.


Health Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet 

Leads to Weight Loss

Cutting carbs is one of the simplest and most effective ways to lose weight. On a ketogenic diet, dietary carbohydrates are kept very low, protein is moderate and fat consumption is increased, gently encouraging our body to remember how to rely on fat as a primary fuel and to produce ketones from stored body fat.


Fights Cancer

Cancer cells love sugar! Sugar essentially feeds tumors and encourages cancer growth. This is why a diet that gets rid of sugar and other carbohydrates can be effective in preventing or fighting cancer. The regular cells found in our bodies are able to use fat for energy, but cancer cells cannot metabolically shift to use fat.
One review published in Redox Biology highlighted some of them, indicating promising results for colon, gastric, and prostate cancers. In this paper, Dr. Eugene Fine of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine hypothesizes that ketone bodies stop cancers by changing the availability of energy processes in cancer cells. A preliminary paper from Dr. Fine’s team was published and the summary of results states that “Preliminary data demonstrate that an insulin-inhibiting diet is safe and feasible in selected patients with advanced cancer. The extent of ketosis, but not calorie deficit or weight loss, correlated with stable disease or partial remission.”

Protects your brain

The low-carb, high-fat way of eating has also been linked to helping with other neurological disorders. Research published in Behavioral Pharmacology found ketogenic diets may be effective for minimizing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, Parkinson’s patients who followed a 4-to-1 ketogenic diet experienced, on average, a 43 percent improvement in their symptoms after one month.
Studies also support the benefits of a ketegonic diet for autism.  According to one article, “Autism shares some features with epilepsy, and many people with autism experience seizures related to the over-excitement of brain cells.” Research found that a majority of autistic children showed improvement after following a cyclical ketogenic diet for six months.
A quick note from our founder-
Over the past year, my friend Dave at PaleoHacks has been working on a secret cookbook with world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu chef Peter Servold.
Well, today this new this new incredible Paleo Cookbook is finally available to be shipped right to your door for FREE
That’s right — as a special launch promotion, we’re offering our brand new Paleo fat loss cookbook to you for free (Chef Pete lost 60 lbs using these recipes!) — All you have to do is just cover a small shipping cost (international shipping is a bit more).

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Lotus touts--


Lotus touts

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN
. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT.
Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE.
Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN.
Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone


“Vivamus-   Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.






Thursday, August 3, 2017

13 Signs You’ve Found a Gentleman


13 Signs You’ve Found a Gentleman

13 Signs You've Found a Gentleman
Unfortunately, chivalry seems to be going out of style. Truly, so are good manners and common courtesy. The gentleman is a dying breed. It is tragically difficult to find a man who is patient, considerate, and kind. They are so rare, in fact, that many women will mistake a man’s good manners for a sexual advance.

So – how do you identify a real gentleman?

Here are thirteen signs:

1. He tells the truth.

A gentleman is honest. You can trust him to be straight with you. Even when the truth does not put him in a flattering light, his sense of integrity is greater than his ego.

2. He does not eat until everyone has been served.

He will not act selfishly or impulsively. He is considerate. He is willing to wait patiently to ensure others are comfortable.

3. He stands up for others.

A true gentleman is not only kind, but brave. When he sees someone being abused – physically or verbally – he will confront the offender. He acts as a guardian to the welfare of others.

4. He keeps his sexual adventures between himself and his lady.

He would never humiliate her by sharing their private moments with his friends. He doesn’t need to. He respects himself, and he respects the woman he chooses to be intimate with.

5. He keeps his word.

He does not have to tell you that he is a man of his word. He shows you every day. If a gentleman promises to do something, you can confidently plan your day around it.

6. He pays attention.

When you are speaking to him, he is listening. He isn’t spacing out or checking his phone. He isn’t texting. He is certainly not tweeting.

7. He is kind to everyone.

Even if someone treats him rudely, he does not retaliate. A true gentleman will always choose the high road. He has nothing to gain by lowering his own behavioral standards.

8. He walks by the street when he is walking with you.

He feels more comfortable if his body is between yours and the road. This is a small gesture that often goes unnoticed. He is protective without being overbearing.

9. He is on time.

He respects your time. He is mature enough to stick to a schedule. He gets no pleasure out of making you wait around for him.

10. He offers up his jacket, his seat, his arm…

He is quick to identify the needs of others, and he strives to meet them immediately. He puts your comfort before his own.

11. He reaches for the check.

He offers to pay. If you insist on splitting it, he listens and respects your wishes. He does not make a big show of insisting to foot the bill.

12. He holds the door.

He is patient and attentive. He has good manners that he puts into practice daily.

13. He says “please” and “thank you”.

He excuses himself when he’s made a mistake. His politeness knows no bounds.
“Chivalry: It’s the little boy that kisses my hand, the young man who holds the door open for me, and the old man who tips his hat to me. None of it is a reflection of me, but a reflection of them,” wrote

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Six Habits of Highly Attractive People


Six Habits of Highly Attractive People

   Six Habits of Highly Attractive People  Everyone has met somebody who, physical appearance aside, is just truly, deeply appealing. Whether they are physically attractive or not, members of the opposite sex flock to them in droves, and though you’d like to be annoyed by that, you might actually have a bit of a crush on them yourself. You just want to get to know them better – and so does everyone else. Whether we are male or female, each of us likely spends hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars over the course of our lives in an effort to improve our physical appearance. We sweat at the gym, buy flattering clothes, shave, bathe, and style our hair in order to maintain our physical appeal – but how much time do we spend cultivating that curious internal magnetism that is actually the basis of most attraction?

Below are five simple habits that can increase your charisma, confidence, and sense of self.

1. Empower yourself!  The Law of Attraction dictates that we tend to arrive at the outcome which we most expect. Of course this principle does not always hold true – unfortunately for my toddler, who expected cookies for dinner – however, there is certainly something to it.


When we radiate a genuine confidence in our actions, others tend to believe in our goals as well. After all, if we don’t believe we deserve our desired outcome, why should the rest of the world? Focusing on reasons why we should reach our goal puts us in a more confident mindset, and genuine confidence is an infinitely attractive trait. It also helps us to perform at our best.
A teenager asking a girl to a school dance is much more likely to get a “yes” if he is smiling, standing tall, and cracking jokes than if he is staring at the floor and mumbling.

The message that the latter gives is that he doesn’t think she should want to go to the dance with him. This might, in turn, make her doubt her attraction to him in the first place. However, a wide smile and clever joke will make her feel comfortable, connected, and excited for the fun-filled evening ahead.

A good way to empower yourself before a big moment like this is to write down ten reasons why the person would want to say yes. Once you internalize these reasons, even if you are denied, you will feel that it is their loss and find it easier to move on from the rejection.

Even more effective than doing this before a big moment is to practice it in your daily life. By consciously noticing when you elicit a smile, or when your hair looks great, or when your speech was well received, you are training your brain to look for these positive traits in yourself and, in turn, to see yourself in a flattering light. When you see yourself as an appealing, clever, magnanimous person, others will too.

2. Take Time to Meditate.  Most people feel stressed and unsure of themselves when entering a new social situation. Although this is completely natural and understandable, it is far from the best mindset to be in when you want to give off a good impression. A simple trick to counteract this is to learn how to meditate.

Meditation has been shown to lower stress levels, and in particular the traits of anxiety, impulsiveness, and worry, all of which often lead to social blunders. It also strengthens your mental strength and focus, creativity, and memory, qualities which are crucial to good conversation and building relationships. Best of all, it only takes twenty minutes a day.  Science Proves The Power Of Meditation


3. Know Yourself, Be Yourself.  Personal congruence is the practice of aligning your thoughts, words, and actions. Congruence is the quality that causes a person to come off to others as authentic and self-assured.

Practicing congruence promotes self-confidence because you are acting with integrity, and because others are responding to you as you truly are rather than as you think they would like you to be. Being congruent is about embracing and expressing your true feelings.  Most people fail to be congruent because they do not want to show weakness.

However, I have found that some of my best friends are those who have known me at my worst, most unattractive moments. There’s something very endearing and relate-able about someone who is being vulnerable – even though they are not perfect. Genuine flaws are usually much more charming than a manufactured veneer of perfection.

4. You do you, honey!  Do things because you genuinely want to – not because you want to appear a certain way to others or to fit in. When you stop looking for validation from others, you free yourself up to pursue interests and hobbies that you may never have considered before – which will, in the end, make you a more well-rounded and interesting person. Your passion for the pursuits you have chosen will be attractive to others, because nothing is more appealing than someone who is genuinely having a good time.

Think of the last truly and universally likeable person you encountered – did he need you to like him? Of course not – because he liked himself. Take back control of your self-image by worrying less about what others think of you and more about who you really are and how much you are enjoying life. 10 Bad Habits to Avoid for Optimum Success


5. Listen Up!  Everyone loves to talk – but few have perfected the art of listening. As the wife of a very good listener, I can tell you from the outside what a profound impact it has on people. Most people, myself included, tend to talk too much because we are eager to make a connection. However, it’s in listening that you come to truly understand a person and what makes them tick.

Because he is a natural at this, my husband not only attracts people and makes them feel comfortable, but is also able to offer thoughtful insights regarding their problems, strengths, and motivations. Listening opens your mind, strengthens your sense of empathy, and develops your ability to connect. As someone who struggles to develop this skill, I cannot recommend it highly enough!

6. Shake It Off!  Everyone has felt the sting of rejection – even Taylor Swift. Unfortunately, if we dwell on these rejections and the reasons why others might not like us, we can train our brain to look for our flaws and blunders – creating the opposite of the effect discussed above in tip #1. The fact that not everyone will like us can be disheartening, or it can be tremendously freeing. Rejection, after all, is rarely about your defects.

More often, two people simply don’t mesh well, and you are both better off putting your time and energy into other relationships.  The funny thing about becoming a truly and deeply appealing person is that, if you have this quality, you likely don’t even care – because you love yourself regardless. Your most important and long-lasting relationship is the one that you have with yourself. Cultivate that, and the rest is sure to fall into place.


8 Brutally Honest Truths You Need To Hear If You Want To Get Your Shit Together

8 Brutally Honest Truths You Need To Hear If You Want To Get Your Shit Together



No matter how much we believe we have our “shit” together, life carries many harsh truths, and no matter how much we may wish to run away from them, it is only through accepting them that we can take full responsibility for our lives.

You may be aware of some of these already, but for the rest, I’m willing to be the blunt bastard that tells them to you. You may hate me today, but you’ll thank me tomorrow.

For the record, this isn’t meant to be a pessimistic rant about how tough life is. It’s meant to motivate you to take action armed with this knowledge.


Here are 8 brutally honest truths you need to hear if you want to get your shit together in both video and written form:

1. You’re Going to Regret How Much Time You Spend on Social Media

Social media is amazing, and I’m as addicted to it as you are. But social media is also making us all more disconnected than we’ve ever been before through the illusion of increased connection. Yes, we are able to communicate with thousands of people with ease, but with what depth?

Social media is robbing way too many of us of real connection and real life experiences. Rather than looking at the world as we walk somewhere or ride public transit, we regress to what the digital world has to offer.
If our addiction level stays the same, things could become really scary, and this doesn’t even take into account the potential repercussions of so much exposure to technology.

2. Your Reactions Are the Problem

Yes, shit happens. And quite often that shit really sucks to have to go through or deal with. But regardless of how challenging something is, it’s always our reaction to it that will dictate how much it is going to impact our lives.

You decide how much, and for how long, getting cut off on the highway is going to piss you off, and you decide how much someone’s poor opinion of you is going to make you shell up in insecurity. Let your natural reactions happen, but then consciously choose how long you want to let them impact everything else.

3. The Riskiest Thing You Can Do Is Avoid Risks

Whether or not you consider yourself a risk-seeker, there is nothing more risky than complacency. I’m not suggesting that you cannot get to a point where you are truly happy with your life and therefore simply want to sustain that lifestyle, but I’m suggesting that never taking any risks is about as dangerous as it gets.

Stop playing small if you know you want to play big, and stop telling yourself “this is good enough” if you know deep down you would love to do, create, and have so much more. The cost of taking that risk is your long-term happiness.

4. You Should Always Have Enough Money for What Matters

“I would love to attend that seminar or buy that course that can change my life, but money is too tight right now.” As true as that may be, you should always have more than enough to do the things that really matter.

The biggest obstacle is the way we instead spend it on the things that don’t. We don’t process buying a $7 premium coffee daily as an investment in nothing, but we do overthink and see spending a couple hundred dollars on something life-changing as too much. I’m not suggesting we start spending recklessly, or never treat ourselves, but rather that we do reassess how we currently spend our money.

5. People Are Going to Hate You No Matter What You Do

You can try and people please your entire life, but no matter what, some people are always going to dislike you. So rather than wasting your time trying to match what you think is the most acceptable, spend that time accepting exactly who you are.

6. Blaming Only Makes You Weaker

In the moment, to unjustly direct blame towards a circumstance or other person may seem relieving, but in the long term it really takes its toll. The less you take responsibility for your actions and decision making, the weaker you become mentally.

Taking responsibility may come with some immediate repercussions, but over time, it builds a life founded on honesty, and it strengthens your ability to tackle challenges when they do arise.

7. People Don’t Think of You as Much as You Think They Do

From our perspective, the whole world revolves around us, but there are 7 billion people who see it the same way. While we are not all inherently selfish or self-obsessed, we are all far more concerned with how we are perceived by others than how we perceive them.

So once again, embrace your true self and find peace in knowing that people are too concerned with themselves to give you as much as attention as you think they are.

8. Not Even the Perfect Relationship Is Going to Complete You

I have close friends whose long-term romantic relationships I not only admire, but also hope to one day experience. But even they, who seem to have found “the one,” recognize that true happiness comes from within and can never be filled in by another.

Relationships are an extension of our happiness and not the basis of it, so focus on strengthening the one with yourself and all of the others will follow accordingly.