10 Easy Ways to Become a Better Person

by Simon and Schuster AUTHORity, on Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:37am PST

Making a change in the world can be an easy part of your everyday life. Here are 10 ways you can make a difference. From Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life by Zoe Weil

1. Commit to the 3 I’s: Inquire, Introspect, live with Integrity. Expose yourself to information and ideas about most good (MOGO) living by talking to and learning from people from all walks of life -- especially people who are also trying to do the most good and the least harm; by reading widely and deeply; by visiting websites aimed at making a difference; and by viewing relevant films. You can find a list of regularly updated websites, books, magazines, and films in the resources section at HumaneEducation.org. Then introspect: identify your values, consider what is most important to you, assess your talents and interests, and seek out ways to put these together practically and productively. Finally, live with integrity. To the best of your ability, put your values into practice.

2. Work for change. Give some of your time, resources, and talents to create systemic change that benefits all. Choose the issues that most concern and compel you, get involved, and relish the joy that such generosity brings to yourself and others. If you can, make your career one that is MOGO.

3. Rethink, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle. As much as possible, rethink your use of products that are unnecessary, inhumane, produced through exploitive business practices, non-recyclable, over-packaged, toxic, and/or unsustainable. When you do make purchases, choose the most sustainable, efficient, humane, fairly traded, and healthy versions. Then reuse what you can, repair what is reparable, and recycle when you are through. And in the midst of these 4 Rs, consider what you could borrow instead of buy, and what you could share with friends and neighbors so that they can better rethink unnecessary products, too.

4. Eat for life. As much as possible, choose plant-based foods produced close to where you live, grown organically, and unprocessed. This will improve your health, the environment, the lives of animals, and the wellbeing of other people.

5. Reduce your ecological footprint. Drive less, carpool, walk, bike, car-share, and use public transportation more. If you need to own a car, choose one with the best fuel efficiency to meet your needs. Choose the most energy efficient and ecologically friendly options for homes, home repair, appliances, lighting, heating, and cooling. Choose your recreation and vacations with MOGO in mind as well: an ecotourism excursion over a cruise; cross-country skiing instead of downhill skiing; canoeing more often than motor boating.

6. Transform education. People need relevant information, tools for critical thinking, and motivation to lead meaningful lives that contribute to a better world. Whether you are a parent, student, teacher, elder, or concerned citizen, help make living sustainably and peacefully the very purpose of education at all levels by engaging in dialogue with lawmakers, educators, and school and university administrators.

7. Invest your money ethically. If you are going to rely on a mutual fund for retirement or college, choose a socially responsible investment fund. Ask for a portfolio and assess whether the company invests in the kinds of businesses you want to support. Seek out community banks and credit unions, and consider micro-lending and investment in social businesses as a means of using your money to help others.

8. Build community. Find others who share your desire to make MOGO choices by joining existing groups or creating your own group, and invite people to join you. You will enjoy the friendship and camaraderie, and help make a difference at the same time. Don’t forget the communities of which you are already a part. Get to know your neighbors, and work with them to make your neighborhood healthy, supportive, and safe.

9. Teach others. Share what you know with others and engage them in the challenge of living a MOGO life by using positive communication that does not judge or blame. Listen as often as you speak. Teaching and learning happen everywhere: one on one, in schools, in religious congregations, at camps, in families, in print and film, at learning centers, on social networking internet sites, at senior facilities, and so on. Model your message, and speak your truth in kind and inspiring ways wherever you are and with whomever you’re in contact.

10. Strive for balance. Set reasonable goals for yourself, and remember that the “most good, least harm” equation includes you. You are a role model for a MOGO life, so find the balance that lets you live joyfully, enthusiastically, and compassionately.

Learn how change starts with you with Zoe Weil's Most Good, Least Harm.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Zoe Weil, author of Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life (Copyright © 2009 by Zoe Weil), is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education. She created the first M.Ed degree and certificate programs in humane education in the United States. Zoe leads MOGO and humane education workshops throughout the Unite States and Canada. She lives in coastal Maine. Visit zoeweil.com for information on workshops and presentations.

Quoted: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/10-easy-ways-to-become-a-better-person-2441741/

11 Obvious Signs Of You Falling In Love

11 Obvious Signs Of You Falling In Love
Saturday, 23 May, 2009 Written By: LoB~

Have you ever feel that you are in love but worried that your senses might be playing prank on you? How sure are you about falling in love?
Could it be another self deceiving theory or just a passing monsoon rain? Rather than try to guess your feeling, why not look at these following signs to ascertain if you are indeed in love.
Falling in love consists merely in uncorking the imagination and bottling the common sense.”

Here are 11 signs that can tell you if you are really falling in love.

1. When you’re on the phone with them late at night and they hang up, but you already started missing them even it just a few minutes.
2. You read their SMS texts over and over again.
3. You walk really slowly when you’re with them and just hope the time could be paused at that moment.
4. You feel shy but comfortable whenever you’re with them.
5. Every time you think about them, your heart beats faster and faster.
6. You smile and immediately search for them when you hear their voices.
7. When you look at them, you can’t see the other people around them, all that is in your vision is him/her.
8. You start listening to slow songs, while thinking of them.
9. You think of them every single second and just hope they will just appear in front of you.
10. You get high just from smelling their scent.
11. You realize that you’re always smiling to yourself when you think about them.
    

It pretty easy for others to tell if you are in love, but for one to feel it, we have to sit down and observe ourself in detail. Falling in love is a great feeling and we should really enjoyed this wonderful process. What symptom do you show when you are in love?

Quoted: http://lovebirds.sg/2009/05/23/11-obvious-signs-of-you-falling-in-love/

What Women Says And What They Really Means

What Women Says And What They Really Means
Thursday, 25 June, 2009 Written By: LoB~

Sometimes or should I say most of the times, women don’t meant what they say. It could be really frustrating that we can’t grasp hold on what the women are thinking but at times it’s fun to study them.
Women are complex, perhaps the most in this world, but we do not need to be a psychic to read what they are thinking. Experience and a little bit of attentiveness in a relationship will assist us in exploring the truth communication between women.

"Women like silent men. They think they’re listening.”

Here are some of the things that they say but has a different meaning

What She Says: I like you, but I don’t want to ruin our friendship.
What She Means: I have zero interest in dating you. Not now, not ever, so don’t even bother asking again.

What She Says: Do we really have to go to that party tonight?
What She Means: I’d rather chew on nails than make conversation with your loser friends.

What She Says: Do I look fat in this?
What She Means: Please tell me you find me the most hottest and sexist woman in your life and my body is so great and slim that you can’t keep your eyes or hands off me.

What She Says: Do you think she’s pretty?
What She Means: Do you think she’s prettier than I am? And even if you do, don’t you dare say yes.

What She Says: Are you seeing anyone right now?
What She Means: How fast can you break up with your current girlfriend?

What She Says: Where do you see this going?
What She Means: Am I just a booty call or wife material?

What She Says: Are you wearing that?
What She Means: Please change immediately before someone sees you and I die of embarrassment.

What She Says: Where have you been?
What She Means: You’re f**king late and you better do some groveling. Now!

What She Says: Are you telling the truth?
What She Means: You’re lying, you cheating sack of sh*t. Spill it before I kill you!

What She Says: Oh, how do you know her?
What She Means: Did you sleep with that slut?

Enough said. There’ll be definitely more to the lines and may meant differently however it’s up to you how to handle them. If you just can’t win them, silence maybe the best solution. Good luck.

Quoted: http://lovebirds.sg/2009/06/25/what-women-says-and-what-they-really-means/

The Dissection Of Why Women Always Fall In Love With The Wrong Men

The Dissection Of Why Women Always Fall In Love With The Wrong Men Friday, 2 October, 2009 Written By: LoB~

Everyone told you he was the wrong guy for you, but you could not see it until after he dumped you. Is this what they called, love is blind? And has all flaws become beauty in the eyes of love? What is it that makes women fall in love with the wrong men?

Anyone could claim to be how strong they are when it comes to loves, but in actual facts, humans are very fragile and vulnerable to be hurt by loves. This is the way of life no matter who you are.
Love is not blind; it simply enables one to see things others fail to see.”

Here, we dissect the reasons why you might think Mr. Totally Wrong is the Right One for you.

Why Women Always Fall In Love With The Wrong Men

1. He says all the right things at the right time. It’s hard to think someone is a tug when they are telling you that you are pretty, and smart, and that they really like you. A smooth talker can make you believe that even your closest friends are wrong.
2. He does small things that make you think he cares. However, if you start to notice, these small gestures don’t really cost him very much.
3. He is a sex machine and can really fulfill you in bed. Yes, sometimes great sex is all it takes for a woman to keep a man that is not right for her.
4. He is handsome. You feel really good about being in the arm of a man who turns heads. Who does not want to have the hottest boyfriend around? But there is more to a relationship than looks.
5. You do not want to be the only single one in your group of friends. If everyone else is married or seeing someone, you don’t want to feel left out or be the third wheel.
6. Your friend set you up on a blind date, and now you feel like you owe it to them to keep dating him as you pity him too.
7. You are thirty (or some other magic age) and feel like it is time to settle down. Do not let age define you, and do not settle for someone just because you feel like you should be married.
8. You do not think anyone else is interested. Again, this is a very bad excuse for staying with someone. Do not let yourself fall for someone just because you do not think there is someone better out there.
9. Being with someone who is not quite right is better than being alone. Do not let yourself think this, you deserve to be with someone who makes you completely happy.
10. I can change him to be better! You really cannot change him even if you tried. Love someone as he is doesn’t mean that you have to accept all his abuse and flaws. If he is wrong for you, he is wrong for you. Move on before you find yourself so far into him that getting out simply becomes very difficult.

Love is a mysterious and especial thing. Words simply cannot define love and it always mean differently for all of us. Sometimes when we are so engrossed in love, it needs someone else to remind or instill some senses into us. After all, we can’t just fall in love blindly.

Quoted: http://lovebirds.sg/2009/10/02/the-dissection-of-why-women-always-fall-in-love-with-the-wrong-men/

7 Signs that Show Your Man is Only Lusting Over You

7 Signs that Show Your Man is Only Lusting Over You Thursday, 5 November, 2009 Written By: LoB~

Someone who make love to you does not need to love you. I mean get serious, ever heard of one night stand or just a depress sex tool? So if you think that because a man has made love to you, he will be caught up emotionally as you are, think again!
So if the man you now dating is telling you all the things he knows you want to hear so that he can get under your bush, then you have to beware. Here are seven signs that you can do to find out if he is in love with you or merely lusting after you

"True love never dies for it is lust that fades away. Love bonds for a lifetime but lust just pushes away.”

7 Signs That Show Your Man Want To Go Into You

1. He always calls you at the last minute to ask you out. If for some reason you don’t hear from him most of the week and he calls on Thursday night to ask you to hang out with him or just simply ask you to come over to his home, then you can conclude that he is not really in love with you, he just wants you for sex.
2. He forgets your birthdays. When you ask him to meet your friends and family members he finds creative ways to avoid those opportunities. If a man is in love with you, they will be very glad to meet your family members.
3. He never gives you any special gifts. Even if he does not have a lot of money in the bank, he should be able to afford one red rose or a pair of sterling silver earrings — something that shows you that he is thinking about you.
4. He only takes you to places where you will drink and hopefully get drunk so that he can take advantage of the fact that you may have drank more than your fare share.
5. He always wants to hang out with you at night and never during the day. If a guy is in love with you, it does not matter what time of day or night he hangs out with you.
6. When you are together he does not like to talk too much. His conversations with you are usually short and tend to always suggest sex or things along those lines.
7. When you go over to visit him, he has a tendency to take you to his bedroom. Sure, even a guy that is in love with you will want to talk you into going to his bedroom, but he will only suggest that if he senses that you are in the mood for lovemaking.
   

So if the guy you are dating now is showing any of these signs, you really want to think about what you want from him. If you just want to have a sex partner without the emotional commitment that love demands, then you can hang around the guy you have now. However, if love is what you are looking for, then you may want to put an end to the relationship now.

Quoted: http://lovebirds.sg/2009/11/05/7-signs-that-show-your-man-is-only-lusting-over-you/

10 Top Dating Myths Debunked!

10 Top Dating Myths Debunked!
Friday, 29 October, 2010 Written By: LoB~

Dating and the human brain offer such a complex array of idiosyncrasies that it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish truth from myth. Thankfully, we always have research to turn to when trying to solve the complex puzzle of the human brain. Let’s look at the top ten dating myths that have been (at least somewhat) debunked by science.
Most women labor under an unbelievable number of delusions as to why guys do what they do.

Myth 1: Bedroom Talk
There’s a lot of talk about lying in relationships, and many relationship experts claim that one of the best places to quietly discuss matters with a new lover is in the privacy of one’s bedroom. What research has found, however, is that the bedroom is actually where the greatest number of lies are told. If you want to find out what somebody is really thinking, studies show that talking around the breakfast table is the closest you’ll ever come to a truth serum.

Myth 2: Girls Are Crazy About Sensitive Men
There is a movement suggesting that what really drives women crazy is sensitive men. While women may believe that sensitive men are great, studies show that what initially catches their eye is rugged, masculine looks (square jaw, large nose, etc.) and a carefree attitude. The only time a sensitive guy (small chin, raised eyebrows, caring) might have the upper hand is when a woman is looking for a marriage partner – but too much sensitivity (being a pushover, indecisiveness) can count against him.

Myth 3: No Such Thing as Being Too Picky
If you don’t mind the possibility of keeping your own company for the duration of your life, then this may indeed be true. Otherwise, you are living in the popular myth that there is a perfect person out there for each of us. There is a very fine line between being picky and compromising the reality of your relationships. Popular research suggests that we can be perfectly happy with only 80 percent of our needs met.

Myth 4: Doesn’t Matter What They Say, I’m the Only One Who Knows
When we are newly in love or infatuation, our brains are usually so clouded with morphine-like chemicals that it’s hard to see any bad in the world, much less the bad in our new love. Usually, the people who can see the situation clearly are our friends and family, so while you may think you know better than they do, it is certainly at least worth listening to their concerns.

Myth 5: Living Together Irons Out the Wrinkles
It’s common belief that living together prior to marriage helps couples iron out the small wrinkles of joint living, but what research has found is that it actually increases your chances of divorce. Couples who choose to live together are, one, slightly hesitant about the union, and two, comfortable in the fact that if it doesn’t work out they can move on. This is the wrong mindset for a long and happy marriage.

Myth 6: Third Time’s the Charm
A lot of multiple-divorce couples like to chant “Third time’s the charm” when getting married for their third, and hopefully last, time. They feel comforted by this phrase, as does their partner in cahoots. The truth of the matter is, however, that a second marriage has a 60 to 67 percent chance of failure, while a third marriage has a dismal 73 to 75 percent chance. Don’t kid yourself.

Myth 7: Pickup Lines Never Work
Research shows that humorous and complimentary pickup lines work on some men and women if delivered with honesty, creativity and sincerity.

Myth 8: Impossible to Love Two People At Once
If an individual falls for two people who possess two very opposing, yet complimentary personalities, together they may add up to the ultimate partner. This is why it’s easier than some people think to fall in love with two people.

Myth 9: All Men are Cheaters
There is research out there stating that men are the bigger cheaters, and that it is also easy to find research pointing to men and women as cheating fairly equally, as well as evidence concluding that women are the bigger cheaters. If there is anything we can conclude from this, it’s that it is the person who cheats, and not the gender, so we should look at the individual and the signs they give (male or female) in order to decipher their potential as a mate.

Myth 10: Cold Shower
Some people believe that after a particularly heated date that ends without a bang, it’s a good idea to relieve any pent up, lingering sexual energy by taking a cold shower. What research has found, however, is cold showers actually stimulate the production of hormones and sexual desire, thereby producing the opposite effect of what one would hope.

So now these 10 top dating myths has been debunked. Are they any other dating myths that need debunking? Share with us here!

Quoted: http://lovebirds.sg/2010/10/29/10-top-dating-myths-debunked/

Persecution of the Righteous

When we think about trials and hardships, like Job's friends in the Bible, we think that is must have had to be a consequence of our sins. God is upset about the sins we are committing so He is punishing us. However, we see through Daniel's life that persecution is also a natural territory for the righteous. "Daniel's persecution did not come about due to his sin, but rather because of his righteous. He suffered because he was godly. When Daniel was found guilty under the law of the Medes and the Persians, the king was unable to save him. But God's hand was not hindered. Darius believed God would deliver Daniel; he assured him of God's protection as he went to the lion's den. God sent His angel and shut the lion's mouths. He also brought about the destruction of Daniel's enemies. The account of Daniel's deliverance was written to assure the saints of every age that God is able to deliver His people, even when men are unable to do so. What the king of the most powerful kingdom on earth could not do, God did. God knows how to deliver his own from judgment and how to deliver His enemies to judgment." When we are being persecuted the only way we can stand is to remain blameless and our God will do the rest. God is a just God and His justice not only rescues the righteous, but places a sentence that must be paid by the unrighteous. Be blameless in the eyes of our Lord, so that in days of great trial, we might be able to wait on our God, with confidence, to deliver us.

Living Life