Deep Horoscope

Would you really prefer it if you had no problems? Do you imagine you'd enjoy life more if everything was pure fun and smoothly easy? Here's an astrological perspective: People who have an over-abundance of positive aspects in their natal horoscopes often turn out to be lucky but lazy bums who never accomplish much. So I say, be thankful for the complications that are visiting you. I bet they will make a man out of you if you're a woman, or a woman out of you if you're a man. If you're white, they'll help you get blacker, and if you're black, they'll make you whiter. Catch my drift? As you do your best to solve the knotty riddle, you'll become better balanced and more versatile than folks who are rarely challenged.


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If you're reading this, you're probably not a Cambodian orphan who grew up as a slave in a brothel or a Sudanese man kidnapped by a militia and forced to do heavy labor 18 hours a day or one of the millions of other victims of human trafficking around the world. But you may be yoked and subjugated in a less literal way, perhaps to a debilitating drug or an abusive relationship or a job that brings out the worst in you or a fearful fantasy about the looming collapse of civilization's infrastructure.

The good news is that you have the power to escape your bondage. Maybe it'll help you muster the strength you need if I remind you that your freedom won't be anywhere near as difficult to achieve as that of the Pakistani boy tied to a carpet loom in a dark room around the clock or the Nigerian woman who's beaten daily as she toils in the sugar cane fields for no pay.

Try this: When you feel overwhelmed by the sadness of your problems or the addiction of your compulsions, put on your best clothes and clean toilets at a homeless shelter, or give foot massages to workers at a sewage disposal plant, or sing songs, sip champagne, and play card games with patients at a psychiatric hospital. Be ready to get hit upside the soul with exotic varieties of ecstasy, which such acts will unleash.
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Song of Solomon

ch 2
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.

ch 3
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.

ch 8
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.

Three Universal Needs

Several management theorists have identified three human universal needs. David Cooperrider believes that each person has the need to:

• Have a voice and be heard;

• Be viewed as essential to a group; and

• Be seen as unique and exceptional.

Universal needs

Connection
belonging/community/appreciation/intimacy/love/empathy/respect/support/to be seen, heard, and understood

Honesty
authenticity/integrity/trust

Peace
beauty/order/harmony/inspiration/communion

Play
humor/joy

Meaning
self-expression/discovery/growth/hope/challenge/purpose/learning/contribution/consciousness

Physical Well being
air/food/water/safety/shelter/sleep/rest/movement/exercise/sexual expression

Autonomy
choice/freedom/space/spontaneity/independence

-Unknown

What We Are Here For

A piece on Advocacy

we are here to listen
not to work miracles

we are here to help people discover what they are feeling
not to make the feelings go away

we are here to help people identify their options
not to decide for them what they should do

we are here to discuss steps with people
not to take the step with them

we are here to help people discover their own strength
not to rescue them and leave them still vulnerable

we are here to help people discover they can help themselves
not to take responsibility for them

we are here to help people learn to choose
not to make it unnecessary for them to make difficult choices

we are here to provide support for change

-adapted from NTAC on Family Violence

Decision Making

Take a breath, relax

Ask yourself:
Do I have enough info to make this decision?
What info am I missing?
Is this a decision I need to make right now or can I give myself some space to think it through?

Am I being rational and objective
If not: Step back, take a minute to recollect

Remember: Health and safety are top priority

We all make good and bad decisions
Take time to learn from your mistakes and be open to constructive criticism

Characteristics Held By Long Term Thrivers

Clear sense of why they are doing their work
Realistic goals/expectations of self and are self forgiving
Ability to let go of the illusion of control
Healthy sense of self: ability to laugh at self, knows strengths and weaknesses
Accepts others without hopes of changing them
Knows boundaries and can clearly state them, sets limits and can give an honest yes and no
Appreciates the reciprocity in the work they do
Has learned to let go and can forgive and forget. Has chronic spiritual Alzheimer
Has a sense of humor and lightness
Knows when lessons are learned or purpose is accomplished and can leave the work in a healthy manner
Knows what they need and can ask for it directly. Can graciously accept yes and no
Can detach from outcome
Respects co-workers, clients and self at very deep levels.

Heather Anderson

KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS

So, let's just say you're on I-5 cruising along in the left lane. You see a sign on your left that says 'KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS'. You look to your right and you're not passing anyone. Why don't you do me a favor and get over. Please.

Oh, and if you look to your right and there's a car right beside you and you're not going fast enough to pass them...you are so wrong, and you're upsetting me.

Basta!

The Four Noble Truths

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

Deep Thought

". . . This deed accomplished, life no longer suffers hopelessly under the terrible mutilations of ubiquitous disaster, battered by time, hideous throughout space; but with its horror visible still, its cries of anguish still tumultuous, it becomes penetrated by an all-suffusing, all-sustaining love, and a knowledge of its own unconquered power."

Joseph Campbell

Deep Thought

"Survival is the second law of life. The first is that we are all one."

Joseph Campbell

Privilege is still oppression

when someone is choosing who to give what to
when someone uses your baser fears to control you
when someone gives you possessions and instills a fear that they will be taken away by the 'other'

Deep Thought

Pain has a wonderful way of showing you how inefficient you are

Deep Thought

"all you need is a little occupational therapy, like making love" - pepe le pew

Revelation

I don't have a germ phobia. It's a hatred. A deep hatred felt with every blown nose, sore throat, sniffle, frantic trip to the bathroom, body ache... I hate being sick.

Deep Thought

You're not better than anyone else and no one is better than you. So chill

Deep Thought

"The two -- the hero and his ultimate god, the seeker and the found -- are thus understood as the outside and inside of a single, self-mirrored mystery, which is identical with the mystery of the manifest world. The great deed of the supreme hero is to come to the knowledge of this unity in multiplicity and then to make it known." Joseph Campbell

Rights and equal, affordable access

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

This means the government cannot stop me from doing these things.

I don't think that equal access is the same thing as a right.
Just because I have the right to free speech does not mean that others have to give me an outlet.
Meaning, I can't go to the NY Times and demand that they publish my piece due to my freedom of speech.

but I do think there are some things that everyone should have equal access to in order for the society to prosper
It's up to the society to realize this and cooperate with each other rather than be coerced into providing things.

Health Care BIll Confusion

Here's where I'm confused. Obama wants everyone to have health care.
So congress creates a bill mandating all citizens to have health care insurance. Even if they can't afford it. If they can't afford it, the govt. will subsidize it. If you don't get it you'll face a fine around $700.

Constitutional? Doesn't sound like it. How can the govt. make someone purchase something against their will?

Employers with more than 50 employees must provide health insurance or pay a fine of $2000 per worker each year if any worker receives federal subsidies to purchase health insurance.

So govt. will create a market exchange where people have to choose among unregulated private insurance companies that can and probably will charge ridiculous amounts. The only penalty is a 40% Excise tax on plans over $10,000 (individual) and $27,000 (family). Insurance companies that raise rates arbitrarily will not be allowed to sell policies in the new insurance marketplace.

So now the govt. looks like a bunch of suckers because they're going to be paying these bills by subsidising individuals and families with income between the 100 percent and 400 percent of poverty level.
Businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering up to 50% of employee premiums.

Congress told insurance companies that they can't deny anyone based on preexisting conditions. And they can't reject someone when they get sick.

This bill just appeases the market. Giving insurance companies more business.

The bill already Expands Medicaid to include 133 percent of federal poverty level which is $29,327 for a family of four. And Requires states to expand Medicaid to include childless adults starting in 2014.

Why didn't the govt. just open Medicaid/Medicare up to everyone who is not eligible for insurance from their employer? Or at least to everyone at 400% of the poverty level. Either way, the govt. is going to be paying for it.

Deep Thought

The best things in life aren't things
-multiple sources

Deep Thought

If we didn't have freedom of speech, how would we know who the assholes are?

National Initiative

Mike Gravel has a good idea

click on the title

Derailing for Dummies

Good site if you want to invalidate others who aren't aware that you don't care about them.

Click on the title

Deep Thought

"The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness."
— Joseph Conrad (Heart of Darkness)

Eat to Live

Someone once told me that they didn't live to eat, they ate to live.
Sounds good.
Eat to sustain a healthy body composition.
I say composition instead of weight because weight is pretty relative. Despite what the charts say, Ideal body weight is different for everyone. There's a calculator that says you should weigh 115 if you're 5'3". I know that when I was 120 pounds people were worried about me, thinking I lost too much weight.
I'm not a big fan of BMI either because it still doesn't account for the ratio of fat to lean body mass.
I used to say that these were a waste of time; but now, I figure these tools could be used to alert you to potential problems. I wouldn't weigh myself then go out and diet based on the numbers; but I would schedule an appointment with my doctor and a nutritionist. It also gives you cause to reevaluate your exercise program.

What's more important than weight is percent body fat.
General Body Fat Percentage Categories From American Council on Exercise:

Classification	Women (% fat)	Men (% fat)
Essential Fat	10-12%	2-4%
Athletes	14-20%	6-13%
Fitness	21-24%	14-17%
Acceptable	25-31%	18-25%
Obese	32% plus	25% plus

If my scale or BMI told me I was overweight or obese, I would test my body fat to verify.
One of the best tests is a DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry). Fancy x-ray machine that shows how much body fat you have and where it is. It takes about 20 minutes and 100 dollars (insurance may pay for it, it may not.).
The next is hydrostatic weighing that cost about half as much.

My point is that it's less about weight and more about health. It's more beneficial to eat in order to stay healthy rather than eat in order to lose weight.
Fact of the matter: when you just focus on losing weight, you're not just losing fat, you're potentially losing valuable muscle.

What does eating to stay healthy look like?
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, lean meats. Things that are rich in nutrients, low in calories, low in fat, rich in nutrients. Why nutrients twice? The whole point of eating is to fuel your body with the vitamins, minerals, fiber, unsaturated fats, and energy.

I do think body weight is important for figuring out how much you should eat.
Once you find out what your ideal body weight (I'm talking about your lean body mass), you should eat to sustain that weight.
Most scientist say that 0.8 grams of protein per pound daily is enough to sustain an athletic male. Most people only need 0.4 grams per pound.
Most active people need 2 to 3 grams of carbohydrates per pound daily.
0.45 grams of unsaturated fat per pound is also needed.
Regardless of weight, most people need 35 grams of fiber a day.

Translate that into calories. One gram of carbohydrate equals 4 calories, as does a gram of protein. A gram of fat, meanwhile, equals 9 calories, and the same amount of alcohol equals 7 calories

I've also heard about shopping the outer perimeter of the grocery store. This is where all the fresh foods are. Foods low in additives or preservatives. Usually, more processed foods lose their nutrients and are essentially worthless.
This reminds me that healthy eating includes a thorough sweep of your kitchen. Just get rid of all the crap so it doesn't tempt you.

I want to touch on something I hear frequently that actually angers me. "I don't eat fruit. Fruit makes you fat." Ugh. A pound of fat is 3500 calories. Let's think this out. How much fruit would you have to eat in order to gain 3500 calories? Secondly, fruits are nutrient dense foods; meaning the nutrients you get from the fruit offset the calories you get from it.
I am weary of canned or other packaged fruit, and fruit juices. They usually add ridiculous amounts of sugar to the fruit. 100% fruit juice is the way to go.

Schrödinger’s Rapist

Guest Blogger Starling: Schrödinger’s Rapist: or a guy’s guide to approaching strange women without being maced

Sad but true. One in six women have/will be assaulted at least once in their lifetimes. To one in six women, you (random guy) are a potential threat. This might seem unfair or illogical; but to a woman who has been assaulted, it's not about reason or fairness, it's about surviving.

Deep Thought

What's the real difference between a democrat and a republican?

Democrat is greek for 'full of shit'. Republican is latin for 'full of shit'.





Democrats have too much faith in the government
Republicans have too much faith in private industry


The real difference is the target audience
Democrats tell the lies that liberals want to hear
Republicans tell the lies conservatives want to hear

Politicians end up doing what economic leaders tell them to do.
Even if it is harming people

Deep Thought

Sometimes I catch myself feeling that perhaps the person I am is worth being
-Don't remember

Zen precepts

The Three Treasures

I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha

I take refuge in the Buddha
The incomparably honored one
I take refuge in the Dharma, honorable for its purity
I take refuge in the Sangha, honorable for its harmony

I have taken refuge in the Buddha
I have taken refuge in the Dharma
I have taken refuge in the Sangha

The Three Pure Precepts

1. Not Creating Evil
2. Practicing Good
3. Actualizing Good For Others

The Ten Grave Precepts

1. Affirm life; Do not kill
2. Be giving; Do not steal
3. Honor the body; Do not misuse sexuality
4. Manifest truth; Do not lie
5. Proceed clearly; Do not cloud the mind
6. See the perfection; Do not speak of others
   errors and faults
7. Realize self and other as one; Do not elevate the self and blame others
8. Give generously; Do not be withholding
9. Actualize harmony; Do not be angry
10. Experience the intimacy of things; Do not
    defile the Three Treasures

Receiving the Zen Precepts
3 Versions of the Zen Precepts
16 Practises of a Zen Peacemaker

Eightfold Path

Wisdom (Pañña)

1. Right understanding (samma ditthi)
2. Right thinking (samma sankappa)

Ethical Conduct (Sila)

3. Right speech (samma vaca)
4. Right action (samma kammanta)
5. Right livelihood (samma ajiva)

Concentration (Samadhi)

6. Right effort (samma vayama)
7. Right mindfulness (samma sati)
8. Right collectedness (samma samadhi)

The Eightfold Path

The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering

Living Meditation, Living Insight: Unity of the Noble 8-fold Path