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An Alternative to Politics: Agree to Disagree

To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical. ~Thomas Jefferson

In my last two posts, I asked 1). how Republicans, given their long record, are better than Democrats, and then 2). briefly explained why I consider Democrats to be completely delusional and destructive. I concluded with a proposal to solve our irreconcilable political differences:

“we should just agree to disagree. Don’t force your ideas on us through the government. Do what you want to yourselves, and leave the rest of us alone”

Opposing agendas cannot be forced on the same region at the same time, much as one cannot move in opposite directions simultaneously. When people compete via democracy to use the government to impose agendas on others, there will be some who are forced to live under an agenda they may largely or entirely oppose.

Our differences are irreconcilable and substantial- we’re talking about completely different rules for society, not a few small quibbles. And that’s why the only solution is agreeing to disagree. You do things your way, and I’ll do things my way. We’ll not try to force our agenda on each other. This is the civilized, moral way to deal with conflicts we cannot resolve.

Of course, this is not a solution in dealing with crime (e.g. theft). Force is required to deal with acts of aggression. But all other issues should be subject to agreeing to disagree when we can’t agree.

How can we begin doing this? Presently, most of us are trying to impose our agenda on others, through the government, on millions of people, rather than a more local area. Whenever a “national” agenda is legislated by the federal government, it’s being imposed on hundreds of millions of people over a vast area of millions of square miles.

Therefore, one way we can begin agreeing to disagree is to restore a federal system of government as the Constitution originally gave us. Issues that have been dealt with at the “national” level can go back to more local regions. Of course, we should not stop with our decentralization there. Further localization is surely desirable, right down to the individual level.

Take the New York “soda ban” for example. I believe this is extremely stupid policy, and a violation of the rights of anyone living there. I would advocate decentralization, allow individuals or restaurants to decide whether to ban sodas for themselves, i.e. repeal the soda ban. But look on the positive side; though it’s not much of one for New Yorkers: the soda ban is not being imposed on the rest of the state, let alone the whole country. So at least we have a partial case of agreeing to disagree.

Our differences are much greater than a soda ban. As I said, we envision completely different rules for society, because of our fundamentally different understandings of economics and individual rights. Ignoring this and attempting to bind everyone under centralized political control is a recipe for friction, irrationality, and mass injustice. Let’s work to take issues out of politics and deal with them between each other, agreeing to disagree when that isn’t possible.

Are you tired of being told about the things you must avoid doing to stay healthy? Do you get sick of hearing that most of life’s enjoyable indulgences are bad for you? If so, here’s some good news. Some things we thought were naughty turn out not to be so terrible after all – in moderation, of course.

For example, drinking alcohol can not only ease the symptoms of University of Sheffield The University of Sheffield is a research university, located in Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. Reputation

Sheffield was the Sunday Times University of the Year in 2001 and has consistently appeared as their top 20 institutions. .

Other so-called bad habits have surprising health benefits. Here is a selection… (1)Drinking booze We know heavy drinking causes liver damage, raises the level of fats linked to heart disease in your blood, and may increase your risk of breast cancer and other health problems.

But that doesn’t mean the odd drink is bad for you. In fact light drinking can stave off some of the very health problems that heavy boozing creates.

As well as the news that it can ease rheumatoid arthritis, we also know that moderate alcohol consumption – particularly of red wine – lowers the risk of heart attacks.

It appears to raise bad cholesterol bad cholesterol LDL-cholesterol Cardiovascular disease Cholesterol transported in the circulation by low-density lipoprotein, the elevation of which is directly related to the risk of CAD and cholesterol-related morbidity See LDL-cholesterol. Cf Good cholesterol. .

GET THE BENEFIT WITHOUT THE BAD: Enjoy a glass of red wine three or four times a week.

(2)Eating chocolate We’ve known for some time that dark chocolate contains iron and lots of antioxidants that are good for us, and last month it was also found to have health benefits for pregnant women.

Researchers at Yale University in the US found that expectant mums who nibbled chocolate three times a week halved their risk of colon cancer colon cancer, cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States.  and Alzheimer’s – and it may even lessen your chance of developing diabetes.

GET THE BENEFIT WITHOUT THE BAD: Stick to between one and three cups of coffee daily for your best chance to reap health benefits without the downsides.

(4)Chewing gum If you confine your gum chewing to sugar-free versions, your habit could help prevent overuse overuse Health care The common use of a particular intervention even when the benefits of the intervention don’t justify the potential harm or cost–eg, prescribing antibiotics for a probable viral URI. Cf Misuse, Underuse.  of chemicals used in house cleaning can increase the chance that children will develop asthma. This is because being exposed to everyday bacteria stimulates the developing immune system and helps prevent allergies developing. So a little dirt is good for us.

GET THE BENEFIT WITHOUT THE BAD: Keep your home clean and tidy – especially kitchen surfaces – but lay off the harsh antibacterial cleaning products.

(7)Stressing out You may battle against stress and too much, for a prolonged period, is linked to a number of health problems from increased risk of heart disease to depression.

However, there’s a bright side to a little bit of stress. Researchers at sacculus sacculus /sac·cu·lus/ (sak´u-lus) pl. sac´culi   [L.] saccule.

sacculus

pl. sacculi [L.] a saccule. , which responds to the beat in music.

This releases feel-good endorphins in the brain which make us feel happy and more relaxed.

GET THE BENEFIT WITHOUT THE BAD: Use your common sense and don’t listen to very loud music every day.

Enjoy going to concerts guilt-free, but be careful with earphones as they can encourage you to play music louder than you realise in a bid to drown out background noise. Buy a pair of noise-cancelling headphones so you’re not tempted to crank up the volume too high.

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.

- Martin Buber

There was a time when all we’d want from our travels was a sun-kissed tan. It’s still quite alright to want that, of course. But trust me, there will come a time when you’ll be wishing to embark upon a journey that takes you beyond the sunny beaches and the ski resorts.

The very fact that you’re looking up mystical places itself suggests that you’re yearning to go beyond your regular vanilla holidays. So, how about going the Robert Frost way and picking the road less traveled by?

This is exactly where the following list will come in handy. We’ve got you a hand-picked selection of destinations that embody the essence of Frost’s ‘road less traveled’. So, go ahead and indulge yourself…

Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury would have to be a much-favored destination for two reasons. First, if you happen to be a music aficionado, and if you’re not one, then you’ve got to be a Grail enthusiast. But even if you are neither, Glastonbury’s association with the Arthurian legend will lure you right here beside the Chalice Well, at the foot of the Tor.

The Chalice Well, with its reddish-hued water, is considered to be the location where Joseph of Arimathea placed the Chalice containing Jesus Christ’s blood. For the Pagans, the Chalice Well represents the divine feminine, and the Tor, a symbol of masculinity.

There is conclusive evidence suggesting that this well has been functional since the past 2000 years, and has even endured droughts. Believers consider the waters of the Chalice Well to have healing properties.

So, whether it is out of faith or curiosity, a visit to Glastonbury is a must for those who seek mystique through their travels.

Sedona

If Sedona had to be described in a word, it’s got to be ‘exhilarating’. Additionally, one also often hears the word ‘magical’ used in the context of Sedona. So, what is so special about this place that’s in the middle of the Arizonian desert?

To the seekers of spirituality, Sedona’s energy vortexes quite literally make it the Mecca of alternative healing. Sedona’s storied fame as a spiritual powerhouse is legendary among those who’ve experienced it. As for those who have not, have simply reveled in the calm serenity that envelops anyone who enters this area.

Vortices or vortexes are created anywhere, in a tornado, or a whirlpool, or any spiraling motion of liquid or energy that has a rotating center. Here in Sedona, however, the vortexes are powered not by air or water, but by spiritual energy. This is the kind of energy which is extremely conducive to meditation, spiritual healing, and prayer, since it interacts with you on a dimension that is beyond the realms of the physical.

Let me reiterate – coming to Sedona to find spiritual bliss requires a great deal of faith. But then, it wouldn’t be too wrong to say that one doesn’t casually decide to take a trip to Sedona. It is only when Sedona beckons that you begin to pack your bags…

Machu Picchu

It is interesting how humanity simply stumbled upon Machu Picchu, without ever knowing it existed in the actual. Now, as we continue to test the limits of our archeological expertise, Machu Picchu’s intrigue deepens further.

Despite being at a stone’s throw from Cusco, the ruling Spaniards in the medieval times never managed to discover it. No wonder, then, that Machu Picchu is called the Lost City of the Incas.

After it was discovered, scores of scholars have been trying to figure out the reason behind the existence of this city, but to no avail. Some proposed it to be a royal retreat, whereas others saw it as a flourishing settlement, whose abandonment was brought about by the Spanish conquest.

Whatever the truth may be, Machu Picchu as an architectural wonder, will leave you spellbound as you travel back into time to uncover its mysteries. Who knows what you may find!

Uluru/Ayers Rock

Uluru or Ayers Rock is a large sandstone rock in Central Australia, and is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Australia.

To understand its spiritual significance, we need to go several thousand years back in time, when the ancestral beings of the Aboriginal people inhabited the land. Uluru is seen as a towering monument of their ancestors’ creation, and therefore, holds immense spiritual importance in native lore.

To view this barren hulk of a rock that dominates the desert landscape, is certainly a treat for the eyes. While you may be allowed to climb it, doing so indicates disregard for local sentiments. For the Aboriginals of this region, Uluru’s spiritual significance does not allow them to climb it, but simply regard it as a means to attain a spiritual connect.

Mount Kailash

Exploring the mystique of Mount Kailash cannot begin without mentioning Tibet. Also known as the Land of the Snow, or the Roof of the World, Tibet has been a region shrouded in eternal mystery for the western world. Seekers of spiritual peace have been coming to Tibet to soak in its age-old wisdom since ages.

Here amidst the towering Himalayas stands the holy Mount Kailash, a spiritual site for followers of the world’s 3 oldest religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, along with the Bon religion as well. Despite being an ancient center of spiritual power, people actually visiting Mount Kailash are numbered.

It is believed that making a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash is somewhat a matter of fate; may it be the arduous terrain, or the equally arduous political scene here in Tibet. Each person arriving here comes with the purpose of circumambulating this mountain, and the religion you belong to charts your methodology (clockwise for Hindus and Buddhists, counterclockwise for Jains and Bonpos).

But even otherwise, you may just come here to soak in the energies that rejuvenate your spiritual being and bring you peace. You certainly don’t need a religion to tell you that.

Meteora

Those of you coming to Greece in search of a spiritual awakening will not head in the direction of Mykonos or Santorini, but come straight to Meteora, and understandably so.

Meteora, quite literally, means suspended in the air, and shares an etymological connection with meteorite. Meteora is home to a large complex of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, built on natural pillars made of sandstone. There is evidence of these caves being continuously inhabited since the Palaeolithic period. But it was in the 9th century that a group of hermit monks made these caves their residence, right here in these crevices, at a height of 550 meters from ground level.

The tranquil atmosphere of these caves provided the perfect setting for these reclusive monks, who came here in search of isolation. Meteora may be a tourist attraction today, but this doesn’t take away anything from its reputation of being a spiritual paradise.

Mount Sinai

It has been a matter of great speculation whether Mount Sinai as we know it, is actually the Mount Sinai of yore. Abrahamic religions believe Mount Sinai to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Irrespective of this being the real location, Mount Sinai in Egypt does have something to offer to those coming here in search of spiritual wisdom.

The St. Catherine monastery here, is supposedly the oldest functioning Christian monastery in the world. Also, the summit of Mount Sinai has a mosque and a Greek Orthodox chapel. But really now, have we been able to confine spiritual energy within man-made walls?

Hard to answer that. But here’s an alternative – follow the recommendation to climb the mountain on a moonlit night, and experience the sunrise on the summit of Mount Sinai the following morning. If that sight does not awaken your spiritual senses, little else will.

Great Barrier Reef

Is there a place of worship down here? Or a lost city on the lines of Alexandria? Or a little-known shipwreck?

No. No. And no. The reason why the Great Barrier Reef finds a place on this list is because of its mystique, and the fact that it offers us a glimpse into the so-called underworld. A world where we are powerless, despite our highly-developed brain and bipedal locomotion. Which brings to our notice how insignificant we are in the larger scheme of all things earthly. Does it make us feel small? It sure does. Along with this, it also teaches us to acknowledge that there are several things beyond our control. Also, when confronted by Mother Nature, our only reaction should be total surrender.

If a dive here does not lead to spiritual nirvana, try a trip to the summit of Mount Everest, or a lone journey on the Karakoram highway, or a trip to see the northern lights.

Jerusalem

A holy city torn apart by conflict, Jerusalem has been in the eye of the storm since the past 3000 years. Being the spiritual center for three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Jerusalem has attracted the devout from all over the world.

Today, Jerusalem stands tall amidst fears of it being ripped apart by the very people who come here seeking spiritual solace. Be it the Haram al-Sharif, or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, or even the Western Wall, you hear whispers of prayers, wanting Jerusalem to belong to them – exclusively.

History reverberates within the four quarters of this city. This is the place where Jesus Christ was crucified. This is where Solomon built his temple. This is also the site of Prophet Muhammad’s ascent to heaven.

Finding peace here may not be easy. For obvious reasons, the ones who run the show here do not welcome you with open arms; rather, they revel in their means to create bias. But, if you are successful in shutting off the mayhem around you, do try to take in the rich spiritual connect that Jerusalem holds. You are sure to strike gold.

We set out on a pilgrimage, or to a place of worship seeking spiritual enlightenment, and it may only leave us disillusioned, and hungry for more. But, it is funny how spiritual consciousness bumps into us at the most unlikeliest of places – at a busy traffic light, as we doodle at a dowdy work meeting… just about anywhere.

The pretty flowers of pansy have long been attractive to people. Famed as a love charm in Shakespeare’s day, it features in many old herbal books for its use in treating skin conditions, rheumatism and chest inflammations. Native to Europe, the pansy (Viola tricolour) has adapted well to the Americas. It’s easy to grow and self seeds enthusiastically, hence the colloquial name ‘Johnny Jump Up’.

The wild pansy has been cultivated into many colorful garden varieties. In the old ‘flower language’, white stood for loving thoughts, purple for memories and yellow for souvenirs. With all these colors, the pansy gave comfort to separated lovers, so it was called ‘heartsease’.

Pansy flowers were used, fresh or dried, to make a tea with a bitter taste. It was held to treat a range of disorders, especially weeping eczema and coughs. The flowers, and often the whole plant, are harvested in summer. The roots can be used externally, but are purgative, as are the seeds.

For skin disorders such as psoriasis, impetigo or acne, pansy was used as an ointment and tea to cleanse both inside and out. A couple of teaspoons of dried flowers added to a cup of hot water, steeped for a quarter of an hour, then strained and drunk several times a day was the old remedy. 

The problem skin would also be treated with an ointment or rinses. Pansy was especially useful for scalp conditions due to saponins, soap like compounds, found in the plant. These need to be extracted with a decoction; they won’t come out in the tea. Decoctions are made by simmering the plant in water for about twenty minutes. Then strain and add the liquid to your bath, or cool and rinse your hair after washing.

Some people suffer from ‘Nettle Rash’ or urtricaria, an annoying itchy rash. It’s often caused by allergies, but can flare up just by exposure to heat, cold or sunshine. The rash is short lived but recurrent, and one remedy used the healing properties of the pansy. Five grams each of dried pansy flowers, nettle leaves and calendula marigold petals were steeped in 750 ml (just over a pint) of hot water, strained and cooled. Drinking this infusion regularly for a week was said to be helpful in this condition.

You can store cooled infusions or decoctions in a clean glass jar in the fridge for up to a week. Label them and add the date you made them. Incidentally, all flowers cultivated or picked for healing purposes must be organically grown. Garden flowers must not have been exposed to chemicals and wild flowers

If you would like to know how to conceive a boy there are various pro-active steps you can take to maximize your chances of having a son.

Firstly, it is important to understand that many more couples than we realize would like to choose the gender of their children but only a small fraction of these actually do anything about it. However, there is evidence to suggest that some methods have a 95% success rate and are certainly worth considering. I guess that even if the outcome was not as you had hoped, you would feel that at least you had tried everything possible and would not feel as if you could have done more.

The best methods to help you learn how to conceive a boy are those which take a multifaceted approach rather than hoping that just one system, will help. For example, it is known that diet, timing of intercourse, the position of intercourse and the ph levels of the vagina all have an influence on which sex of child is conceived. It therefore makes complete sense to shun any methods which just concentrate on one aspect and also to avoid any which are not based on scientific facts, but hearsay and old wives tales!

One important element of natural gender selection is the behavior of sperm. Male sperm is much faster moving than its female counterpart. However, it is less robust and does not live as long. Using this knowledge to our advantage, if we have intercourse as near to the time of ovulation as possible, the fast male sperm are more likely to reach the egg first. Having intercourse a couple of days before ovulation makes the conception of a girl more likely as by the time the egg is released, the male sperm will have perished. To determine the timing of ovulation, an ovulation kit is extremely useful.

Other tips for having a son include having intercourse in positions which favor deep penetration, as the area around the cervix is more supportive of male sperm.

If you would like to see tried-and-tested methods which will help you to have your son, there is an excellent guide which is based on scientific rather than anecdotal principles. It includes dietary information and the exact gender clinic douche recipe which normally retails at $450. In addition, you can also subscribe to a completely free newsletter which gives hints and tips on natural gender selection.

Your cover letter for a job application is the first and foremost document that reaches your ‘to be employer’. Therefore, as a job seeker, it becomes necessary for you to pen down some of your essential information and give the employer an overview of what you are and what you exactly intend to do in the organization? One such important information to be mentioned correctly in the cover letter is the salary requirement.

Certainly, apart from educational qualifications, experience and knowledge, salary requirements of a candidate is the point, an employer looks for! Normally, salary requirements should not be written in the cover letter. However, it is always better to include it if the employers ask to do so and not mentioning it might lead to rejection of your job application, no matter how intelligent and qualified you are for the position!

Mentioning the exact salary requirements might be simple for experienced individuals. However, many young and first time job applicants are confronted with the dilemma as to how to put salary requirements in a cover letter! Here’s a response to that query.

Tips for Addressing Salary Requirements in a Cover Letter

As said earlier, mentioning sensible and proper salary requirements is very necessary, while posting a cover letter. The below discussed tips would help in this regard.

Determining your Salary RequirementOf course, money is such a thing, with which we would never be satisfied and we would like to quote a very high amount! However, this is the corporate world. Therefore think wisely and logically before quoting your salary requirement. At the outset, conduct a market research and know the current salary ranges for the position you’ve applied. If you have enough knowledge regarding the level of duties and responsibilities involved in it, then consider them as well, think about the size of the organization; whether it is a small-scale firm or a multinational? Think over your qualification and experience; whether your assets are worth your salary requirements or are you just quoting it blindly? Remember, your application might get rejected if the employer finds your salary requirements too high or unreasonable! So make sure, you think about all the above said things.

Putting it on the LetterNow, when you have decided your salary requirements, put it in the form of a range. Mention a specific range of your salary requirement, which is neither too high for the employer nor too low for yourself. Put something which apparently looks acceptable to both the parties. State your quote properly. Do not hesitate, if you think you are eligible for the post!

Be FlexibleThis is another point to be understood. Being too firm or adamant on your salary point, might disappoint the employer. He might be willing to recruit you, but if you stick to your point and if he finds it unreasonable, he’ll be helpless and might lose interest in your application. Therefore, to avoid such a situation, mention that the salary range is negotiable and you are ready to discuss it in the personal interview.

State your High Expectations from the OrganizationDisplay your trust in the organization. I know it is a bit early to show your trust in the company, as you haven’t even met your employer! But, your trust in the organization in this early stage would prove useful. Include statements that convey your high expectations from the employer and also that the salaries offered by the organization are fair and reasonable.

On reading all these tips, you must have become confident enough to quote the right salary requirements, considering all the aforementioned factors and also mentioning other essential details. But take a look at the sample letter given below, which quotes the salary requirements by considering all the above said tips.

Sample of a Cover Letter with Salary Requirement Your nameYour addressDateContact Details

Employer’s name/ Organization’s nameEmployer’s address

Dear (Employer’s name)

With reference to your advertisement, dated (mention the advertisement date), posted in (mention source’s name), I would like to apply for the post of (mention post name) in (mention organization’s name).

I hold a long experience of almost (mention the years/months of experience), in (mention the duties and responsibilities you’ve handled in the course of your experience). I have (mention your soft skills).

Apart from a being a reputed name in the global market, I have known (mention organization name) as a good pay master, offering fair salaries to its employees. So in response to your request, my salary requirements according to the job details provided by you are, (mention the salary range). However, the salary is negotiable and I am open to a discussion with you in this regard.

If I’m given a chance to work in the organization, I would utilize my potential to the fullest and contribute superlatively to the organization’s success and growth. Looking forward to your reply.

Yours Sincerely,Your signature(Your name)

With the tips discussed above and the sample letter provided, you could now do it yourself the next time. If you have a better idea over quoting your salary requirements, you can implement it in your cover letter. However, make sure that you consider everything, research properly and only then make a statement. Wishing you a great career!!!