Midpen Insight

How fine life would be if we all felt like a million dollars 24 hours a day,7 days a week! We would never, ever feelinglike we have woken up in a pit, full of self confidencelows, having the energy to just jump out of bed and meet theday with loads of enthusiasm and knowing that we are goingto get through the day without worries of any kind. The sunwill shine all day, with just enough breeze to keep ourbodies cool. Life is good, oh so good. NOT if you are a person imprisoned by low self confidence,it so is not. Low self confidence is a very nastycharacteristic to have inside us. It makes us feel weak. Itmakes us lose faith in our actions and dreams. It can evenstop us from going forward in our lives...

Every era in human history and every society in every civilization has had social issues to deal with and specific things which were unique to the time and in the present period in The United States of America there is no exception to that truth. Indeed with the advent of the Internet the dynamics of society and human interaction has changed vastly. Recently we have witnessed a paradigm shift with online social networks such as and self-expression thru the sharing of online videos, articles and digital pictures on some of the Internets most high-trafficked websites. All these changes, new technologies and human interaction choices are evolving at a faster rate than ever before and with it so to is...

Meditation presents an interesting paradox. It requires humility and acceptance, and yet it results in self-empowerment and increased confidence. Low self-esteem, which affects and can cripple many creative artists, leads us to believe that we're not worth much, and therefore our ideas (our songs) probably aren't either. This low self-esteem is a distant cousin to humility. Humility involves accepting ourselves for who we are, which includes our limitations. So, our goal is to humbly seek answers from within (meditation) and from above (prayer). Even more important is to accept the answers we receive. Accepting them, even if we don't like, or are surprised by what we hear, can enrich our lives with...

Few things are more important to a Central Asian than maintaining cultural traditions. Throughout the existence of the Soviet Union, they were forced to conform to a Russian mindset, lifestyle, and even language. Free from this tyranny, Central Asians now cherish the things they can call their own. On the flip side, they are turned off by anything that looks, smells, or acts foreign. In the eyes of these people, Christianity is an intrusive import from the West. According to the Director of one of the leading Central Asian Christian ministries, it is viewed as a boil, a festering sore, and causes division. After all, a persons religion is not determined by choice, but by the family into which he...

Koh Samui is the Thailand's third largest islands, situated in the Gulf of Thailand, roughly 40 kilometers north-east of Surat Thani town. This fantastic tropical island is also sometimes referred to as the Coconut Island, because of countless number of coconuts that it produces per month. Koh Samui is actually an Amphoe (district) of Surat Thani province. The amphoe of Koh Samui is further sub divided into Ang Thong, Li Pa Noi, Taling Ngam, Na Mueang, Ma Ret, Bo Phut, and Maenam. Each of them has their uniqueness and significance, and presents a diverse range of attractions. The prime draw of Koh Samui is unquestionably its long stretch of tall coconut lined white sandy beaches. Most popular among...

Over the centuries Christianity has grown immensely in popularity. I feel that why this has come to pass is because it is the only religious doctrine that is based solely on us praying in the name of Jesus to God to ask forgiveness for our sins, and forgiveness being granted by God. In John 14:5-6 (NKJV) Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." These two passages clearly instruct each of us to ask forgiveness of our sins in Jesus name. Our Father in Heaven knew that no matter how hard mankind tried, because of our imperfections, we would always...

An antique auction is an auction where the things sold are very old. Usually, antique auctions sell things that other collectors have offered or they sell antiques that people have left behind after they died. Whatever the reason, there are many great deals to be had at an antique auction. Antique auctions may be a little hard to find. You can check your local newspaper or call the local antique dealer. Either one of those sources should turn up an antique auction near you. The people that attend these auctions are antique dealers, private dealers as well as hobbyists who just like to buy things that catch their eye. You can even find antique auctions online. Sites like Ebay are perfect for finding...

Many people I've spoken to are uncertain what the Regency actually was. As a writer of Regency romance I'd like to give you a whimsical peek. Just for fun, of course. Would you like to join me as I take a look? Since I could never do justice to the period in a short article such as this, I'll be content with giving you word-pictures; Images that you must allow to pop into your mind as you read them. Think you can figuratively close your eyes? Good. Here we go! Jane Austen, Lord Byron King George III The Prince Regent Napoleon Bonaparte The Duke of Wellington Princess Caroline Princess Charlotte The War of 1812 The Battle of Waterloo Everyone and every thing I just named all have a common...

Picture an island nestling in the calm, azure blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand fringed by coral reefs with beaches of powder soft white sand framed by a backdrop of coconut trees, their fronds dancing in the gentle breeze. The palms stretch upward to the central uplands, thick with lush tropical vegetation. The coast and lower slopes are awash with coconut palms making Koh Samui the 'Coconut Capital of Thailand'. It is said the island sends 2,000.000 coconuts per month to Bangkok. This green vista is interspersed occasionally by black granite boulders. Some of these rock formations appear to defy gravity by hanging dramatically against the hillside. This tropical paradise is called Koh Samui. A...

Jumeirah also own the Emirates Towers hotel, the Jumeirah Beach hotel, the Madinat group of hotels which include Mina A Salam, Al Qasr & the Madinat Souk which houses the largest swimming pool in the Middle East and an amazing desert hotel, Bab Al Shams located in the desert with sand dunes rolling from its perimeters and making a fantastic landscape for the falcon shows and camel riding they have on offer. All Jumeirah hotels have amazing architecture and are worth a visit for this alone. This, together with their famous customer service values, makes them a great choice for visitors to Dubai. For a true taste of Arabia, visit the Madinat Souk, part of the Madinat and Mina A Salam complex located...

The Wiccan religion believes that all things in nature including ourselves are sacred and have magickal properties. The rituals and ceremonies in this religion focus on using objects from the earth such as stones, sticks, crystals and herbs. Some of these items are used in the altar and "charged" with positive energy believed to protect the person holding it or wearing it. Most jewelry used by followers of this religion are objects that promote healing and spiritual completeness. It can also be a symbol of of transformation and appreciation of the Wiccan beliefs and traditions. The pentagram in a circle is the most recognizable symbol in the Wicca culture and it symbolizes the integration of the...

I feel jealous of the dragon I hold my dragon drawings I want to breathe his power I want to yell sometimes I think maybe I will take me out of this boxbuild me backstart to find that spark. I want to go to partiesdress up like a jesterwear a mask of feathersbutterfly tattoostribal tattooslet the fire flowlet my dance fight for me. I am tiredof being tired I am slow to see ittoo latetoo badand the tinges of sadnessgolden cages I cannot opennever or ever. I wish I was a dragon I wish I was that strong I wish that I could yell my storiesmake them realfold up all the treesas beautiful as they arethey block my view I want to see a bigger story. I want to go to partiesscream out songswear nothing at...

Eating out is a regular part of modern day life. Indeed, with our hectic lifestyle, dining in restaurants is almost compulsory. Juggling between a busy work schedule, being a part time taxi service for your children and visiting friends there seems to be less and less time to be able to eat. So we naturally turn to eating out. Anything from a "sandwich to go" to a fast food snack right up to a full restaurant meal, maybe to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or just as a treat. Some restaurants mark healthier options on their menu, but they're still in the minority. So what do you do if you want to eat healthily but don't want to opt for yet another salad? 1. Read the Restaurant Menu Even if healthy...

Due to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. and Europe during the last years, the vast majority of the West's population has come to associate terrorism with Muslims. Western governments say such a view is false and have even engaged in a large propaganda campaign to inform the masses of the correct one. However, an analysis of history reveals something different. The Koran was written in the early seventh century by the followers of Mohammed, who meticulously annotated the words of the prophet. Although Mohammed saw Christianity and Judaism as predecessors of Islam, the fact is that since its creation Islam has preached violence. According to many theologians, about 5% of the Koran advocates peace and...

Located in the heart of Lhasa is the Jokhang Temple which is considered to be one of the most holy and sacred places of worship by the Tibetans. The temple has also been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. It covers an area of almost 6 acres and is known for the famous statue of Buddha that it houses. It also marks the advent of Buddhism in to Tibet. It was only after the temple was built that Buddhism grew to its present position in Tibet. The temple was built by the first King of Tibet Songtsem Gampo as premises for the Buddha statues that were bought by his Nepalese and Tang wives. The temple was built in 647 and had only eight shrines. But it has been extensively renovated many a times...

Those, who think that just by practicing a set of difficult physical exercises, they achieve a state of enlightment, are deeply mistaken. Working with the body is only the first step on the way to spiritual progress. When one controls the functions of one's organism, he prepares himself for the transformation of the soul. Ayurveda is connected to yoga. But, not that yoga, which seems to be a set of strange poses and exercises. In reality, yoga isn't just physical exercises, it requires spiritual progress. In Hindi, yoga means "connection", which directs our mind in the right direction and control our emotions. Those, who think that just by practicing a set of difficult physical exercises, they...

If I asked you to name one thing that everyone loves, to name one thing that you can buy as a gift for almost any person you know...what would you say? Tough questions, right? Wrong! You know that everyone loves chocolate, some people can't get enough of the most luscious treat in the world. So why not give chocolate as a wedding favor to the guests at your reception? Your guests will fall in love with your wedding reception when they sink their teeth into the chocolate bars and personalized candy treats that you leave for them. Chocolate releases natural endorphins that loosen everyone up and set the stage for an amazing, high energy wedding reception or any other event or celebration. With...

Dubai has become a showcase for fabulous food and service and many hotels and restaurants compete with each other to offer the best. As a consequence, some of the best hotels have famous Michelin rated chefs such as Gary Rhodes or Gordon Ramsey as patrons of their restaurants and are well worth a visit. Residents and 'in the know' visitors to Dubai take advantage of 'The Entertainer' book which offers great value at 185 AED and contains vouchers from some of the best restaurants in town. These vouchers enable you to 'buy one main meal, get one free' and most Dubai restaurants are happy to accept these at any time of the year. It's a good way to explore Dubai and get to know the many types of food...

Is The Secret really a secret? Not anymore! The movie, "The Secret" released in March of this year has taken the world by storm. Distributed by the internet using a viral marketing model, the film has been downloaded on computers across the globe. In November, two episodes of Larry King Live were devoted to "The Secret". So what is The Secret? The secret is a Universal Law known and practiced by secret societies of the rich and powerful for centuries. The "secret" is the Law of Attraction, which teaches that whatever thoughts we hold in our mind, repeat, and attach feeling to, we bring into our reality. It works like a physical magnet to bring into our experience exactly what we think about and to...

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines "secret" as: "1 a: kept from knowledge or view : hidden b: marked by the habit of discretion : closemouthed c: working with hidden aims or methods : undercover d: not acknowledged : unavowed e: conducted in secret 2: remote from human frequentation or notice : 3: revealed only to the initiated : esoteric 4: designed to elude observation or detection 5: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could endanger national security". As used in this article, secret means: revealed only to the initiated; kept from knowledge or view; and designed to elude observation or detection. The first secret- "revealed only to the initiated" relates to the...

Buddhism originated in the border lands between what is today India and Nepal some 2,500 years ago. Around the world there are over 300 million people that consider them self to be Buddhist. The word Buddha itself comes from the word "Budha" which means "to awaken". Awaken was just exactly what the Prince Siddhartha Goutama did at the age of 35 when he became the Buddha. Siddharta was born in a royal family in Lumbina, present day Nepal. It his told that he had a privileged and protected upbringing with all the luxuries one could imagine. In time Siddharta grew restless and developed an urge to see more of the world outside the walls of the palace. He finally went outside the palace with one of his...

If you live in a studio and think you can't use Feng Shui Principles to create your own small sanctuary, think again. The idea of Feng Shui is to promote peace and harmony in your surroundings and to implement changes to a positive flow of energy. There are simple and inexpensive things you can do to help you achieve this, even in a studio. I know many articles have been written about clutter, but particularly in small spaces, organizing is an absolute essential way to begin. You always need to clear out the old to allow room for the new but with limited space it is particularly important to keep clutter out. What exactly IS clutter? Simply defined, it is something you don't need, use or love...

You are your thoughts, All that arises, arises from our thoughts, We make the world with our thoughts. - Buddha. There is a Hindu story about a man, lost in a forest, who, late in the night, comes across an abandoned house. When he enters the one room building, he is sees a small cot highlighted by the light of the moon. As he lays down to rest, he notices in the dim light, a chair in the far corner and on the chair - a small coil - a snake. The stranger stays as quiet and motionless as possible. Several times he thought the snake was beginning to slither and hiss - his heart pumps faster and faster - he has trouble breathing. With the dawn, the owner of house returns and finds the stranger dead. He...

The phrase "feeding yourself" kind of follows Maslow's heirarchy, doesn't it? When you're broke, feeding yourself means finding enough food. Later, it might be more about choosing between caviar and truffles. After you get enough toys and truffles, you start to bump into those tricky "self-actualization" issues. Picture this- in Zen mythology there is a character who's figured it out. He was probably born into royalty, although nobody's really sure. He's achieved material success and turned his back on it. He lives in the hills, enjoys good wine, and gets a kick out of making fun of the serious monks. He's figured out that we already live in the garden, and he's making the most of it. Come to...

It's fun to make a scrapbook especially when you aim to cherish those keepsakes and memories from "baby's first" to "father's first" or maybe even "brother's last" or that summer vacation you've enjoyed with your family. But to make a scrapbook on your own needs some serious scrapbook supplies and some creative scrapbook layouts to be catchful to the eye of the reader or the viewer. Here are some things that you might need to know especially when it's the first time you make your own scrapbook. Finding the right scrapbook materials for your new project is the easiest part! Since scrapbooking is a hobby that has been around for some time now you can be sure that the materials are far less expensive...

I can't believe what the kids are watching today! I mean, I should be happy. By watching these shows they are learning about statistics, judgment and risk assessment. Is it some hip educational program? Nope. NASCAR? Nope. Poker! You can almost always turn to some station, ESPN2 or the likes, and watch a Poker tournament. If this is sports, then I am physically fit! Golf, which some compare to watching paint dry, looks absolutely riotous compared with Poker. Yet, you have to admit there is some drama (not too much, because the audience gets to see what everybody has in their hands) there as the tension builds when the players have to show their cards. I'm not saying we should truck on...

** Google Desktop Live ** Google's free desktop search utility made it out of the "beta" stage and users can now download a finished 1.0 version from for free. With improvements over the "beta" version released in 2004, the finished version not only allows you to search your own computer for Microsoft Office documents, emails, and instant messaging history, but now supports music, video, images, PDF files, and the Firefox and Netscape Web browsers. In their never-ending quest to make their name synonymous with "search," Google's Desktop Search utility makes a bold step towards dominating the desktop search market. Available for Windows XP and Windows 2000, Google's desktop search remains miles...

Yue Minjun's paintings offer a light-hearted approach to philosophical enquiry and contemplation of existence. Drawing connotations to the disparate images of the Laughing Buddha and the inane gap toothed grin of Alfred E. Newman, Yue's self-portraits have been describe by theorist Li Xianting as "a self-ironic response to the spiritual vacuum and folly of modern-day China. The Paintings, sculptures and installations of Yue Minjun always feature uniform laughing faces. And if these laughing faces are observed carefully, it will be noticed that these faces are the face of Yue Minjun. The acidic tones and commercialized vacuity of his works are used to underscore the insincerity of his figures' mirth...

Avendales is pleased to offer collectors and religious practitioners alike a line of exquisitely hand-carved Buddha statues. These Buddha statues are brought to you from village communities all over the countryside of Thailand. These statues are marketed in accordance with the principles and practices of Fair Trade, adding strict quality control and professional organization, using profits to help Thai artisans maintain their traditional skills. Theravada Buddhism has been the predominant religion in Thailand since early recorded history. For over 2500 years the people of Thailand have followed the peaceful and self-reflective teachings of the Buddha, or "Dharma", which evolved directly out of the...

Now that you have taken into account the fixed features of your home, as well as the context of your neighborhood, you are ready to begin considering your available color options for the exterior of your home. Poor color choice can make your house seem flat, dull, and featureless, and you don't want the colors you choose to overwhelm any aesthetic features of the architecture of your building. Light or Dark Colors? As a general rule, lighter colors typically brighten a house and make it appear more spacious, while darker colors can make the building seem smaller, but can also draw attention to the details of your home. Dark colors also absorb and hold more heat, so they may not be a wise choice in...

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According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest; whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish. All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second, and the pig last. The Chinese animal signs are a 12-year cycle used for...