What is Christmas?

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Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday, celebrated generally on December 25 by billions of people around the world. While the birth year of Jesus is estimated among modern historians to have been between 7 and 2 BC, the exact month and day of his birth are unknown. The date of Christmas may have initially been chosen to correspond with the day exactly nine months after early Christians believed Jesus to have been conceived, or with one or more ancient polytheistic festivals that occurred near southern solstice (i.e., the Roman winter solstice); a further solar connection has been suggested because of a biblical verse identifying Jesus as the "Sun of righteousness. Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in countries around the world, including many whose populations are mostly non-Christian. In some non-Christian countries, periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration (e.g. Hong Kong); in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday. Countries such as Japan, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorations, and Christmas trees. The exchanging of gifts is one of the core aspects of the modern Christmas celebration, making it the most profitable time of year for retailers and businesses throughout the world. Gift giving was common in the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, an ancient festival which took place in late December and may have influenced Christmas customs. On Christmas, people exchange gifts based on the tradition associated with St. Nicholas, and the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh which were given to the baby Jesus by the Magi. Christmas has at times been the subject of controversy and attacks from various sources. A Puritan-led controversy began during the English Interregnum, when England was ruled by a Puritan Parliament. Puritans sought to remove the remaining pagan elements of Christmas. During this brief period, the Puritan-led English Parliament banned the celebration of Christmas entirely, considering it "a popish festival with no biblical justification", and a time of wasteful and immoral behavior. In Colonial America, the Puritans outlawed celebration of Christmas in 1659

Countries in which Christmas is not a formal public holiday include;
Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (excepting Hong Kong and Macao), Comoros, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen. Christmas celebrations around the world can vary markedly in form, reflecting differing cultural and national traditions.

Doctors vs Lawyer vs Engineers

 
Engineers, doctors and lawyers are some of the highest paid professionals in the world.
While there is a general salary for lawyers, the pay for doctors and engineers varies greatly by specialty.

Salaries for Doctors

As a general rule, doctors earn some of the highest salaries in the world. Anesthesiologists are the top earners with an annual mean wage of US$232,800, while surgeons are in second place with US$230,540. Obstetricians and gynecologists make US$216,760, while oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the highest paid dental surgeons at US$216,440. When including other specialists, such as orthodontists, family and general practitioners, psychiatrists and prostodontists, doctors occupy almost half of the top twenty highest paid salaries. Podiatrists were the lowest-paid specialists, with an annual mean wage of $132,470.

Salaries for Engineers

At US$147,470, petroleum engineers are the highest paid engineers. Nuclear engineers earn US$107,140, while aerospace engineers are the third highest engineering specialists, earning US$104,810 annually. Computer hardware engineers make US$103,980, while chemical engineers earn US$102,270. The rest of the engineering specialists, such as marine engineers, electronics engineers, electrical engineers and biomedical engineers, earn less than US$100,000. The salaries for materials engineers, environmental engineers, mechanical engineers, civil engineers and industrial engineers are under US$90,000.

Salaries for Lawyers

Lawyers at US$130,880, they are paid less than most doctors, but more than all of the engineers – except petroleum engineers. Most researchers does not differentiate between types of lawyers, so this salary covers various specialties, such as prosecutors, defense attorneys, government counsels and corporate or in-house counsels. It also covers legal aid lawyers, environmental lawyers, tax lawyers, intellectual property lawyers, family lawyers, securities lawyers and litigation lawyers.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirement for doctors is a medical degree and three to eight years of residencies and internships, depending on the specialty area. Lawyers must complete three years of law school to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.). Engineers need a bachelor’s degree in their specialty area.

 

Job Outlook

Researchers projects a 24-percent increase in demand for physicians and surgeons through 2020, which is faster than the 14-percent average growth rate predicted for other occupations. However, the demand for lawyers is only projected to increase by 10 percent through 2020. The job outlook for engineers varies by specialty. Biomedical engineering is one of the fastest-growing jobs in the world with a 62-percent growth rate through 2020. Civil and petroleum engineering jobs will increase by 19 percent and 17 percent, respectively. On the other hand, nuclear engineers will only experience a 10-percent growth increase, while materials engineers, mechanical engineers and computer hardware engineers will only see a 9-percent increase. Chemical engineers, electrical engineers and electronics engineers can expect a 6-percent growth rate, while aerospace engineers will only see a 5-percent growth rate.

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Is marriage still important in todays society?

 
Many people are questioning the sanctity of marriage around the world. Many individuals are asking a simple question is marriage alive and well around the world?
Well it is clear that marriage is a powerful social institution throughout the world and a number of religions believe in marriage before sex so lets see what we have discovered from the list below.

1. The divorce rate worldwide has been going down for 30 years not up! People who promulgate a contrary notion are not giving you the real facts!
2. The marriage rate around the world has been going down. Yes, the marriage rates have been going down, but the truth is, there are really good reasons why this is so. The results of these actions are more stable and long-lasting marriages. People are waiting to get married later in life and when then are financially more stable both factors enhance the chances for having a successful marriage.
3. People around the world are getting smarter about marriage – they are marrying later in life, holding off on having children, and taking care of their educational needs first and foremost. Smart marriages do, in fact, get married later in life, they don’t have children (or get pregnant) before they get married, and they marry when they are ready.
4. Marriage is still very popular around the world. According to recent evidence we have seen, there have been at least 50 million marriages last year worldwide. Marriage is still very popular. Make no mistake about it. Those who would suggest differently are just plain wrong.
5. There are pervasive characteristics that define successful marriage around the world. In marriage, the simple things matter! Successful marriage is an accumulation of having done the simple things.
6. Let’s be clear – a marriage between two people who love each other – who dedicate their lives to each other for eternity – is still the “glue” that holds societies around the world together, whether it be in Jamaica or at other places in the world. Marriage is still the greatest contributor to “social order” around the world.
7. Marriage is alive and well around the world! Two people who love each other and are willing to make a life commitment to each other is still one of the most significant obligations and dedications known to man and woman. Marriage is important to world order. Those who discount this notion are most certainly out of the mainstream of “world thinking.”

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Effects of Cars on the Environment

Cars have a number of impacts on the environment and although persons are cognizant of this, we continue to buy more and more vehicles each year. Nobody wanna carpool anymore we all need our own and can you blame us? well cars do affect the environment in terms of air quality, greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, water quality, use of natural resources and noise.

Main effects are;

• noise
• use of resources
• water quality
• ozone depletion
• greenhouse gases
• air quality

NOISE

Vehicles affect the environment by creating noise:

• In urban environments, road traffic is the most important single source of community noise.
• Noise can cause or bring about disturbance to work, relaxation and sleep; mental stress; and in severe cases physical problems such as chronic exhaustion, high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Noise from motor vehicles increases with the size and speed of the vehicle. Vehicle and tyre design and vehicle maintenance also affect noise levels.

USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The manufacture, operation and maintenance of vehicles impacts the environment by using non-renewable resources such as:

• Metals
• Petroleum (for plastics and fuel)
• Other fossil fuels (e.g. coal for production of electricity).

This affects the environment as follows:

• Resources are finite, so we should use them wisely
• Producing these resources can cause damage, e.g. damage caused by the mining of resources
• Disposing of products at the end of their life can cause damage

Recycling of used car parts and materials is important as it reduces the one-way flow of resources (mining - use - disposal). It also reduces the volume of material going to landfill, which is wasteful of valuable space and which can cause soil and water pollution over time.

WATER QUALITY

Vehicles affect water quality because oil and particles get washed into creeks and rivers. In urban environments, run-off from roads goes into stormwater drains. These feed into creeks and rivers, which eventually meet the sea.

• Oil is a particularly harmful water pollutant. Even a small amount of oil can severely contaminate waterways. Oil can be toxic to aquatic life and smother plants and animals.
• Particles from the wear of tyres, brakes and other components get washed into the stormwater and pollute waterways.
• When it rains, air pollution from cars mixes with rainwater and falls to the ground, adding to water pollution.
• Detergents also contaminate waterways.

how can you reduce the impact of your vehicle on water quality?

• To avoid leaks and reduce wear, keep the vehicle well maintained and drive smoothly
• Dispose of used oil properly. 
• When you wash your car, try to do so on a grassed area or somewhere that the detergents won't be washed into the gutter. Only use enough detergent as is necessary and tip the remaining washing water into the sewer, not down the gutter.

OZONE DEPLETION

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), an ozone depleting substance that was once widely used in car air-conditioners are been replaced by hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrocarbons (HCs) which do not damage the ozone layer. They do, however, have a greenhouse effect. To avoid leaks of air-conditioning gases, keep units maintained and follow instructions in the owner's manual.
Ozone in the upper atmosphere protects life on earth by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun. UV radiation is linked to skin cancer, genetic damage and immune system suppression as well as reduced productivity in agricultural crops.

GREENHOUSE GASES

Cars produce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and climate change. The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Others include nitrous oxide and methane.
Greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, trapping some of the heat radiated from the Earth's surface. Increases in the amount of these gases, mainly through the burning of carbon-based fuels such as coal and oil, are increasing the average temperature of the Earth, affecting local climates including temperature and rainfall.

AIR QUALITY

Air pollution has negative health effects, especially for vulnerable people, including those with allergic and respiratory conditions, such as asthma, hay fever and sinusitis, and respiratory and lung conditions commonly associated with the elderly. Research suggests that certain air pollutants (e.g. benzene) are carcinogenic.
Air pollution is not uniform across a city, but varies with concentrations of industry, traffic conditions, land form and weather patterns. Even with increasing numbers of cars travelling longer distances, air pollution has been decreasing over time. This is due to a tightening of regulations affecting industry and vehicle emission standards. Emissions from motor vehicles are decreasing as newer cars with better emission controls replace older cars. Although a smoky exhaust indicates a polluting car, the reverse is not true. Many pollutants are not visible. Your car could be a big polluter and you would not see a thing. So it is important to keep your vehicle properly maintained.

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How to build Self Confidence

What is Self Confidence?
Simply put self confidence is believing in oneself or one's own abilities, personal judgment and power to tackle anything the world throws at us.

From the quietly confident doctor whose advice we rely on, to the charismatic confidence of an inspiring speaker, self-confident people have qualities that everyone admires. Self-confidence is extremely important in almost every aspect of our lives, yet so many people struggle to find it. Sadly, this can be a vicious circle: People who lack self-confidence can find it difficult to become successful. After all, most people are reluctant to deal with individuals that are easily nervous, fumbling, and overly apologetic.

Here is a list of ways to improve your self confidence.

1. Dress Sharp Although clothes don’t make the man, they certainly affect the way he feels about himself. No one is more conscious of your physical appearance than you are. When you don’t look good, it changes the way you carry yourself and interact with other people. Use this to your advantage by taking care of your personal appearance. In most cases, significant improvements can be made by bathing and shaving frequently, wearing clean clothes, and being cognizant of the latest styles. This doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot on clothes. One great rule to follow is “spend twice as much, buy half as much”. Rather than buying a bunch of cheap clothes, buy half as many select, high quality items. In long run this decreases spending because expensive clothes wear out less easily and stay in style longer than cheap clothes. Buying less also helps reduce the clutter in your closet.

2. Walk Faster One of the easiest ways to tell how a person feels about herself is to examine her walk. Is it slow? tired? painful? Or is it energetic and purposeful? People with confidence walk quickly. They have places to go, people to see, and important work to do. Even if you aren’t in a hurry, you can increase your self confidence by putting some pep in your step. Walking 25% faster will make to you look and feel more important.

 3. Good Posture Similarly, the way a person carries herself tells a story. People with slumped shoulders and lethargic movements display a lack of self confidence. They aren’t enthusiastic about what they’re doing and they don’t consider themselves important. By practicing good posture, you’ll automatically feel more confident. Stand up straight, keep your head up, and make eye contact. You’ll make a positive impression on others and instantly feel more alert and empowered.

 4. Personal Commercial One of the best ways to build confidence is listening to a motivational speech. Unfortunately, opportunities to listen to a great speaker are few and far between. You can fill this need by creating a personal commercial. Write a 30-60 second speech that highlights your strengths and goals. Then recite it in front of the mirror aloud (or inside your head if you prefer) whenever you need a confidence boost.

5. Gratitude When you focus too much on what you want, the mind creates reasons why you can’t have it. This leads you to dwell on your weaknesses. The best way to avoid this is consciously focusing on gratitude. Set aside time each day to mentally list everything you have to be grateful for. Recall your past successes, unique skills, loving relationships, and positive momentum. You’ll be amazed how much you have going for you and motivated to take that next step towards success.

6. Compliment other people When we think negatively about ourselves, we often project that feeling on to others in the form of insults and gossip. To break this cycle of negativity, get in the habit of praising other people. Refuse to engage in backstabbing gossip and make an effort to compliment those around you. In the process, you’ll become well liked and build self confidence. By looking for the best in others, you indirectly bring out the best in yourself.

7. Sit in the front row In schools, offices, and public assemblies around the world, people constantly strive to sit at the back of the room. Most people prefer the back because they’re afraid of being noticed. This reflects a lack of self confidence. By deciding to sit in the front row, you can get over this irrational fear and build your self confidence. You’ll also be more visible to the important people talking from the front of the room.

8. Speak up During group discussions many people never speak up because they’re afraid that people will judge them for saying something stupid. This fear isn’t really justified. Generally, people are much more accepting than we imagine. In fact most people are dealing with the exact same fears. By making an effort to speak up at least once in every group discussion, you’ll become a better public speaker, more confident in your own thoughts, and recognized as a leader by your peers.

 9. Work out Along the same lines as personal appearance, physical fitness has a huge effect on self confidence. If you’re out of shape, you’ll feel insecure, unattractive, and less energetic. By working out, you improve your physcial appearance, energize yourself, and accomplish something positive. Having the discipline to work out not only makes you feel better, it creates positive momentum that you can build on the rest of the day.

10. Focus on contribution Too often we get caught up in our own desires. We focus too much on ourselves and not enough on the needs of other people. If you stop thinking about yourself and concentrate on the contribution you’re making to the rest of the world, you won’t worry as much about you own flaws. This will increase self confidence and allow you to contribute with maximum efficiency. The more you contribute to the world the more you’ll be rewarded with personal success and recognition. Online Advertising & Marketing

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How to recover from a Job Loss

 
A sad part in any industry, in this economy is that sometimes, despite your hard work and effort, you get laid off. You lose your salaried job or your contract and all of a sudden you’re without a paycheck.
No industry in this day or time is stable, due to the upgrades and increase in technology. If you happen to be one of the newly (and unluckily) unemployed, here are a few ways to deal and to recast your misfortune as a new career opportunity.

Difficult as it may be to see, there is one silver lining to getting laid off: Everyone who just yesterday was a co-worker is now a networking contact. Almost everyone can sympathize with the newly laid-off, and your now-former colleagues will likely be as helpful as possible. If you can, don’t leave the office until you have co-workers’ contact information. The best way is to send a brief goodbye e-mail to anyone you’ve worked with. Keep it classy now is not the time to bad-mouth your boss or the company’s latest project. You want to leave people with the impression that you are grateful, capable, and mature. Leave gracefully, and you’ll leave with your reputation, your friends, and your networking contacts intact. Let’s say a big part of your job is designing PowerPoint presentations. Ask your supervisor if you can save a few as examples of your work. This will be invaluable in future interviews when a prospective employer wants to see a sample presentation you’ve assembled. But be smart: Don’t save anything that has sensitive, financial, or otherwise confidential information, and don’t take anything without explicit permission from your boss, or this could end up backfiring in a big way.

A layoff is an opportunity to re-assess: What parts of your old job did you like? What parts did you dislike? What kinds of skills do you want to develop further? Before you start looking for your next job, keep in mind that it’s OK to be a bit choosy. If you can reflect and process a bit on what you really want, you can more precisely target your informational interviews and applications for your next job.

It’s your first day without a job. So go to the gym. Learn how to cook. Pursue a hobby you’ve never had time for. This is a great opportunity to develop self-discipline as well as decompress a little. Being let go at a young age means you’ll be better prepared to deal with it later in life when you may have larger responsibilities, like kids. Plus, you can channel some of your free time into gaining new skills that will help beef up your resume. Want to move into a more technical position? Learn HTML. Shy in an industry full of big personalities? Take an acting or communications class. Use this time to grow both as a complete person and as a future employee. It’s easy to get discouraged while job hunting. Create smaller goals for yourself so you’ll feel some sense of accomplishment. For example, decide that you’ll contact three new people and apply to three jobs every day. The next time you’re feeling like there are “no jobs out there” or discouraged for “not trying hard enough,” you’ll see all the work you’ve done. Remind yourself that your hard work will eventually pay off.

Keep a list of anyone who talks to you or meets with you or points you in some direction. When you do land that next job, it’s crucial that you thank everyone who helped you along the way. Send an email to your contacts thanking them for all their help and let them know where you end up on your path. Getting laid off and ending up unemployed is one of the toughest things you can experience. The good news is that it can become an opportunity to redirect your career and clear your mind. With a little luck and a lot of patience, you will find another job and maybe something even better than you had before. Hold the faith and trust in God.
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The Value of Education

 
Here is a summary of the value of a good education.
Education is the best Investment, it is the single most effective means of reducing poverty and crime. 
Girls and boys who learn to read, write and count will provide a better future for their families and countries. With improved education, so many other areas are positively affected. In short, education has the power to make the world a better place.
Education is more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is one of the most important investments a country can make in its people and its future and is critical to reducing poverty and inequality:

• Education gives people critical skills and tools to help them better provide for themselves and their children
• Education helps people work better and can create opportunities for sustainable and viable economic growth now and into the future
• Education helps fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, reduces mother and child mortality and helps improve health
• Education encourages transparency, good governance, stability and helps fight against graft and corruption.

The impact of investment in education is profound: education results in raising income, improving health, promoting gender equality, mitigating climate change, and reducing poverty.

• Increase income

• reduces poverty

• boost economic growth

• makes people healthier

• save childrens lives

Alcohol vs Smoking

 
People tend to compare smoking and alcohol just to see which one causes more health risks, well it’s impossible to determine whether drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes is worse for one’s health because the ways they’re ingested and the effects they have on the body are highly variable. Many years ago, the risks of drinking and smoking were unknown. Fortunately, contemporary research has clearly defined the negative side effects of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking, so now it’s possible to know exactly what one is risking when lighting up or taking one too many shots. Before going further, it may be important to note that consuming alcohol does not necessarily cause harm. The same cannot be said of tobacco use.
Excessive alcohol consumption is known to cause many serious health problems, including the development of 60 major types of disease and approximately 2.5 million deaths per year, more than HIV or tuberculosis. The following list includes some of the ailments that have been directly linked to excessive alcohol consumption:

• Unintentional injuries due to impairment of psychomotor abilities, such as falls, drowning, and poisoning
• Intentional injuries including suicide and self-harm
• Weakened immune system, which increases susceptibility to the common cold and other viruses
• Cancers of the throat, mouth, liver, esophagus, breast, and colon
• Neuropsychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy and withdrawal-induced seizures

Alcohol is ranked globally as the third leading cause of disease and disability, after child malnutrition and unprotected sex. In fact, because alcohol is known to reduce inhibitions, individuals are more inclined to take risks while under the influence, including engaging in unsafe sex. Further, unprotected sex while under the influence may lead to a multitude of sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and HIV. Additionally, it’s important to know that all of these risks are exacerbated by the fact that alcohol is an addictive substance, which can increase exposure to these risks. The most critical factors with alcohol are how much is consumed (short and long-term) and the decisions a person makes after consuming.
Now with cigarettes it’s key to note that they are highly addictive. There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in the average cigarette. The purpose of some of these chemicals is to stimulate addiction, which increases the urge to smoke more frequently. There is also a genetic component that contributes to the addiction factor for most people. Put simply, there is no safe level of cigarette use.
Cigarette smoke inhalation is linked with many diseases and ailments that are also associated with alcohol consumption. Such diseases include:

• Cardiovascular diseases such as Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Cerebrovascular Disease, and Coronary Heart Disease
• Reproductive effects, such as reduced female fertility, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and fetal death
• Cancers of the bladder, cervix, esophagus, kidney, lungs, and mouth
• Cigarette smoking can also cause coughing, wheezing, lung function decline, and susceptibility to acute respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia

Cigarette smoking causes approximately six million preventable deaths per year (which includes nonsmokers who are exposed to smoke in their environments) tobacco kills up to half of its users. Overall both are dangerous and not everyone that smokes or abuse alcohol will have adverse health effects but the big problem is once you practice one or both the possibility of illness is high. So what is the solution????? QUIT BOTH because i am sure we can do without smoking and drinking.

Are Mermaids Real?

 
I have always heard about Mermaids...this long back hair, pretty skin, half human and half fish thing but no one has ever confirmed that they really exist. Just like santa claus and the tooth fairy i believe mermaids are fake or it has something to do with evil spirits. But lets go deeper into knowing what they are all about. 75% of the Earth is covered by water, it's little wonder that centuries ago, the oceans were believed to contain many mysterious creatures, including sea serpents and mermaids. Merfolk (mermaids and mermen) are of course only the marine version of the half-human, half-animal legends that have captured human imagination for ages (half-animals on land include werewolves, and half-avian creatures include harpies).
C.J.S. Thompson, a former curator at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, notes in his book "The Mystery and Lore of Monsters" that "Traditions concerning creatures half-human and half-fish in form have existed for thousands of years, and the Babylonian deity Era or Oannes, the Fish-god, is represented on seals and in sculpture, as being in this shape over 2,000 years B.C. He is usually depicted as having a bearded head with a crown and a body like a man, but from the waist downwards he has the shape of a fish covered with scales and a tail."
Greek mythology contains stories of the god Triton, the merman messenger of the sea, and several modern religions including Hinduism and Candomble (an Afro-Brazilian belief) still worship mermaid goddesses. In secular folklore, mermaids were often associated with bad luck and misfortune, luring errant sailors off course and even onto rocky shoals. In some legends from Scotland and Wales, however, mermaids befriended  and even married humans
There are many legends about mermaids, and even a few dozen historical claims of real mermaid sightings. Though mermaid discoveries are sadly rare in modern times, hundreds of years ago sailors and residents in coastal towns told of encountering the sea-maidens.
One story dating back to the 1600s claimed that a mermaid had entered Holland through a dike, and was injured in the process. She was taken to a nearby lake and soon nursed back to health. She eventually became a productive citizen, learning to speak Dutch and performing household chores. And perhaps most importantly for the time she also became a Roman Catholic.
Another mermaid encounter once offered as a true story is described in Edward Snow's "Incredible Mysteries and Legends of the Sea." A sea captain off the coast of Newfoundland described his 1614 encounter: "Captain John Smith saw a mermaid 'swimming about with all possible grace.' He pictured her as having large eyes, a finely shaped nose that was 'somewhat short,' and well-formed ears' that were rather too long. Smith goes on to say that 'her long green hair imparted to her an original character that was by no means unattractive.'" In fact, Smith was so taken with this lovely woman that he began "to experience the first effects of love" (take that as you will) as he gazed at her before his sudden (and surely profoundly disappointing) realization that she was a fish from the waist down.
This account combines common folkloric features of early mermaid reports, including a (presumably sober) respected sailor; a beautiful woman who like the mythological sirens who tortured brave Ulysses of Greek mythology is immediately enchanting; and the twist ending of suddenly realizing the truth.
By the 1800s, hoaxers churned out faked mermaids by the dozen to satisfy the public's interest in the creatures. The great showman P.T. Barnum was well aware of the public's interest in mermaids, and in the 1840s displayed the "Feejee Mermaid," which became one of his most popular attractions. Those paying 50 cents hoping to see a long-limbed, fish-tailed beauty comb her hair were surely disappointed; instead they saw a grotesque fake corpse a few feet long. It had the torso, head, and limbs of a monkey and the bottom part of a fish. To modern eyes, it was an obvious fake, but it fooled and intrigued many at the time.
Could there be a scientific basis for any of it? Some researchers believe that sightings of human-size ocean animals such as manatees and dugongs might have inspired merfolk legends. These animals have a flat, mermaid-like tail and two flippers that resemble stubby arms. They don't look exactly like a typical mermaid or merman, of course, but many sightings were from quite a distance away, and being mostly submerged in water and waves only parts of their bodies were visible. A glimpse of a head, arm, or tail just before it dives under the waves might have spawned at least some mermaid reports.
Modern mermaid reports are very rare, but they do occur; for example, news reports in 2009 claimed that a mermaid had been sighted off the coast of Israel, performing tricks at sunset for onlookers over the course of several months. Unfortunately, the reports vanished almost as quickly as they surfaced (and without further eyewitness sightings or photographs), leading many to suspect an optical illusion of the waves against the setting sun, or even a hoax to drum up tourism.
A recent TV movie called "Mermaids: The Body Found" renewed interest in mermaids. It presented the story of scientists finding proof of real mermaids in the oceans. It was fiction but presented in a fake-documentary format that seemed realistic. If the program fooled people, it's because it was intended to; as the show's website noted, the movie "paints a wildly convincing picture of the existence of mermaids, what they may look like, and why they’ve stayed hidden … until now." The show was so convincing that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, represented in the film, received enough inquiries following the TV special that they issued a statement in late June officially denying the existence of mermaids.
Though legends of half-human, half-fish seem archaic, mermaids are not merely dusty relics of bygone days. They are still a vibrant part of our culture and in their images can be found all around us in films, books, Disney movies, and even on Starbucks coffee cups.
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Ebay vs Amazon

 
These two companies are unique in their own way, but based on alexa report for traffic amazon is ranked higher but lets go deeper in comparing the two.
Back in the days eBay was the Champion of ecommerce, and for many kinds of goods, it was literally the only reasonable choice for online shoppers.
These days, things are different buyers have all the choice in the world. In particular, another Champion, Amazon.com has come on the scene to entice sellers, and there's now significant overlap in selection and pricing between the two marketplaces.
One way to decide whether to buy on one platform or on the other is simply by looking at price, but is there more to the picture than that? After all, the prices between the two often vary by just a few dollars; if there's a significant advantage to shopping one marketplace over the other, maybe price shouldn't be the final deciding factor.
The answer to this question is a matter of personal choice, but here are some common ways to make the decision.
Shop Amazon.com For
Amazon.com offers advantages to shoppers making frequent purchases of common items, or of items that must be returned. Think of shopping Amazon.com for:

• Comparison shopping. Amazon.com has a much cleaner, easier to use product catalog than eBay does (a trade-off related to the choice to give sellers less flexibility in how to list their items). This makes brand-vs-brand or product-vs-related-product comparison shopping on Amazon.com much easier. Throw in Amazon.com reviews and if you're shopping in product areas where the price differences are minimal, Amazon.com may be a no-brainer.
• When you think you'll be returning items. eBay's managed returns platform goes some way toward making up this difference, but the program is relatively new and uneven across the eBay marketplace, while all Amazon.com sellers have long been required to use the same, standardized returns process that's easy to use and relatively foolproof.
• You're buying commodity goods. With services like Amazon Prime (which offers free 2nd-day shipping on much of Amazon's catalog), Amazon subscriptions, and other similar perks, Amazon.com is a good place to go if you're basically looking to replace a trip to your local department store with a trip to an online store.

Shop eBay For
Given the buzz that Amazon.com has generated in recent years, some have been tempted to think that eBay has been outclassed. Not so there are definite cases in which eBay is the obvious choice. Think of shopping eBay for:

• When you're buying imported goods. eBay remains a much more global marketplace than Amazon.com, even today, and for imported goods that aren't normally available in your local market, eBay still reigns supreme, with better selection and more seller choice than is offered on Amazon.com.
• One-of-a-kind, boutique, and craft goods. Yes, there are sellers dealing in these kinds of goods on Amazon.com, but it's not nearly the fun bazaar that eBay is when it comes to non-mainstream products. You'll find anything at all on eBay, from an almost infinite variety of sellers. Serendipity (accidental discoveries when searching) often delivers fabulous and unique results. None of these things can be said in the same way for Amazon.com.
• Used goods, especially if valuable. Because Amazon sellers dealing in most kinds of products don't have much space to talk about or show photos of the actual item they're selling, buying used on Amazon.com can be a risky bet, particularly for complicated items (for example, those with lots of accessories that come standard) or condition-sensitive items (like gadgets, phones, or clothing). For these kinds of goods, eBay sellers' ability to provide extended descriptions of the actual item(s) in question and multiple photos illustrating any flaws makes eBay a much better bet.
• Antiques, collectibles, vintage items, and curios. The eBay marketplace continues to reign supreme for memorabilia and collectibles of all kinds. Amazon.com just isn't quite set up for this sort of thing, while eBay is ideal for it.

Complementary Marketplaces
At the end of the day, eBay and Amazon.com don't have to be mutually exclusive. In most cases, they're actually complementary. Amazon.com is a great choice for diapers, coffee, batteries, and new products that you might otherwise find in a retail store. For these kinds of goods, Amazon can save you both legwork and money.
eBay, on the other hand, is still unmatched for providing access to goods and deals that can't be had anywhere else a full selection of products from around the world, unique or vintage goods, used items at a significant discount over new, and so on.
Most of the savviest shoppers happily use both, and know when to choose each one.

The Queen of England Role

 
What purpose does the queen serve many might ask, can England function without a queen? Although the Queen is no longer responsible for governing the country, she carries out a number of important tasks on behalf of the nation.

Head of State

As Head of State, the Queen goes on official State visits abroad. She also invites other world leaders to come to the United Kingdom. During their visit, Heads of State usually stay at Buckingham Palace, or sometimes at Windsor Castle or Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. 

Head of the Armed Forces

The Queen is also the Head of the Armed Forces. She is the only person who can declare when the country is at war and when war is over, although she must take advice from her government first.

Head of the Church of England

The Queen is Head of the Church of England - a position that all British monarchs have held since it was founded by Henry VIII in the 1530s.

The Queen appoints archbishops and bishops on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The spiritual leader of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury. 

Government Duties

Every day 'red boxes' are delivered to the Queen's desk full of documents and reports from the government ministers and Commonwealth officials. They must all be read and, if necessary, signed by the Queen.

Represents the Nation

The Queen represents the nation at times of great celebration or sorrow. One example of this is Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph monument in Whitehall. The Queen lays a wreath there each year to honor the members of the armed forces who have died fighting for their country. 

Royal Garden Parties

At least three Royal Garden Parties are held at Buckingham Palace each year and about 8,000 guests attend each one.

Visits

Alongside her other duties the Queen spends a huge amount of time traveling around the country visiting hospitals, schools, factories and other places and organizations. 

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Best Brain Foods for Brain Function

 

There's no denying that as we age chronologically, our body ages right along with us. But research is showing that you can increase your chances of maintaining a healthy brain well into your old age if you add these "smart" foods to your daily eating regimen.

Blueberries. "Brainberries" researchers have found that blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Studies have also shown that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved learning capacity in humans. It is recommended that adding at least 1 cup of blueberries a day in any form  fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried will be beneficial to the brain.

Wild salmon. Deep-water fish, such as salmon, are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are essential for brain function,it is also recommended because of its "cleanliness" and the fact that it is in plentiful supply. Omega-3s also contain anti-inflammatory substances. Other oily fish that provide the benefits of omega-3s are sardines and herring. A 4-ounce serving, two to three times a week is recommended.

Nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E, the higher levels of vitamin E correspond with less cognitive decline as you get older. Add an ounce a day of walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, filberts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed, and unhydrogenated nut butters such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini. Raw or roasted doesn't matter, although if you're on a sodium-restricted diet, buy unsalted nuts.

Avocados. Avocados are almost as good as blueberries in promoting brain health, the avocado is a fatty fruit, but it's a monounsaturated fat, which contributes to healthy blood flow. "And healthy blood flow means a healthy brain,". Avocados also lower blood pressure, and as hypertension is a risk factor for the decline in cognitive abilities, a lower blood pressure should promote brain health. Avocados are high in calories, however, adding just 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado to one daily meal as a side dish is good.

Whole grains. Whole grains, such as oatmeal, whole-grain breads, and brown rice can reduce the risk for heart disease. "Every organ in the body is dependent on blood flow. If you promote cardiovascular health, you're promoting good flow to the organ system, which includes the brain." While wheat germ is not technically a whole grain, it has vitamin E and some omega-3s. 1/2 cup of whole-grain cereal, 1 slice of bread two-thee times day, or 2 tablespoons of wheat germ a day is recommended.

Beans. Beans are "under-recognized" and "economical,". They also stabilize glucose (blood sugar) levels. The brain is dependent on glucose for fuel, and since it can't store the glucose, it relies on a steady stream of energy which beans can provide. Any beans will do, but partial to lentils and black beans and recommends 1/2 cup every day.

Pomegranate juice. Pomegranate juice (you can eat the fruit itself but with its many tiny seeds, it's not nearly as convenient) offers potent antioxidant benefits, which protect the brain from the damage of free radicals. "Probably no part of the body is more sensitive to the damage from free radicals as the brain,"  because of their antioxidant properties -- "the more colorful the better,". Because pomegranate juice has added sugar (to counteract its natural tartness), you don't want to go overboard;approximately 2 ounces a day, diluted with spring water or seltzer is recommended.

Freshly brewed tea. Two to three cups a day of freshly brewed tea  hot or iced contains a modest amount of caffeine which, when used "judiciously," can boost brain power by enhancing memory, focus, and mood. Tea also has potent antioxidants, especially the class known as catechines, which promotes healthy blood flow. Bottled or powdered teas don't do the trick. "It has to be freshly brewed." Tea bags do count, however.

Dark chocolate. Let's end with the good stuff. Dark chocolate has powerful antioxidant properties, contains several natural stimulants, including caffeine, which enhance focus and concentration, and stimulates the production of endorphins, which helps improve mood. One-half ounce to 1 ounce a day will provide all the benefits you need. This is one "superfood" where more is not better. "You have to do this one in moderation,"

Cell Phones and Cancer Risk

 

• Cell phones emit radiofrequency energy, a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, which can be absorbed by tissues closest to where the phone is held.
• The amount of radiofrequency energy a cell phone user is exposed to depends on the technology of the phone, the distance between the phone’s antenna and the user, the extent and type of use, and the user’s distance from cell phone towers.
• Studies thus far have not shown a consistent link between cell phone use and cancers of the brain, nerves, or other tissues of the head or neck. More research is needed because cell phone technology and how people use cell phones have been changing rapidly. 

There are three main reasons why people are concerned that cell phones (also known as “wireless” or “mobile” telephones) might have the potential to cause certain types of cancer or other health problems:

• Cell phones emit radiofrequency energy (radio waves), a form of non-ionizing radiation. Tissues nearest to where the phone is held can absorb this energy.
• The number of cell phone users has increased rapidly. Globally, the number of cell phone subscriptions is estimated by the International Telecommunications Union to be 5 billion.
• Over time, the number of cell phone calls per day, the length of each call, and the amount of time people use cell phones have increased. Cell phone technology has also undergone substantial changes.

Radiofrequency energy is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation can be categorized into two types: ionizing (e.g., x-rays, radon, and cosmic rays) and non-ionizing (e.g., radiofrequency and extremely low-frequency or power frequency).
Exposure to ionizing radiation, such as from radiation therapy, is known to increase the risk of cancer. However, although many studies have examined the potential health effects of non-ionizing radiation from radar, microwave ovens, and other sources, there is currently no consistent evidence that non-ionizing radiation increases cancer risk.
The only known biological effect of radiofrequency energy is heating. The ability of microwave ovens to heat food is one example of this effect of radiofrequency energy. Radiofrequency exposure from cell phone use does cause heating; however, it is not sufficient to measurably increase body temperature.
A recent study showed that when people used a cell phone for 50 minutes, brain tissues on the same side of the head as the phone’s antenna metabolized more glucose than did tissues on the opposite side of the brain. The researchers noted that the results are preliminary, and possible health outcomes from this increase in glucose metabolism are still unknown.


Levels of radiofrequency exposure are indirectly estimated using information from interviews or questionnaires. These measures include the following:

• How “regularly” study participants use cell phones (the minimum number of calls per week or month)
• The age and the year when study participants first used a cell phone and the age and the year of last use (allows calculation of the duration of use and time since the start of use)
• The average number of cell phone calls per day, week, or month (frequency)
• The average length of a typical cell phone call
• The total hours of lifetime use, calculated from the length of typical call times, the frequency of use, and the duration of use

Although there have been some concerns that radiofrequency energy from cell phones held closely to the head may affect the brain and other tissues, to date there is no evidence from studies of cells, animals, or humans that radiofrequency energy can cause cancer.
It is generally accepted that damage to DNA is necessary for cancer to develop. However, radiofrequency energy, unlike ionizing radiation, does not cause DNA damage in cells, and it has not been found to cause cancer in animals or to enhance the cancer-causing effects of known chemical carcinogens in animals (3–5).
Researchers have carried out several types of epidemiologic studies to investigate the possibility of a relationship between cell phone use and the risk of malignant (cancerous) brain tumors, such as gliomas, as well as benign (noncancerous) tumors, such as acoustic neuromas (tumors in the cells of the nerve responsible for hearing), most meningiomas (tumors in the meninges, membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord), and parotid gland tumors (tumors in the salivary glands).
In one type of study, called a case-control study, cell phone use is compared between people with these types of tumors and people without them. In another type of study, called a cohort study, a large group of people is followed over time and the rate of these tumors in people who did and didn’t use cell phones is compared. Cancer incidence data can also be analyzed over time to see if the rates of cancer changed in large populations during the time that cell phone use increased dramatically. The results of these studies have generally not provided clear evidence of a relationship between cell phone use and cancer, but there have been some statistically significant findings in certain subgroups of people.

What do expert organizations conclude?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a component of the World Health Organization, has recently classified radiofrequency fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” based on limited evidence from human studies, limited evidence from studies of radiofrequency energy and cancer in rodents, and weak mechanistic evidence (from studies of genotoxicity, effects on immune system function, gene and protein expression, cell signaling, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, along with studies of the possible effects of radiofrequency energy on the blood-brain barrier).
The American Cancer Society (ACS) states that the IARC classification means that there could be some risk associated with cancer, but the evidence is not strong enough to be considered causal and needs to be investigated further. Individuals who are concerned about radiofrequency exposure can limit their exposure, including using an ear piece and limiting cell phone use, particularly among children.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) states that the weight of the current scientific evidence has not conclusively linked cell phone use with any adverse health problems, but more research is needed.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for regulating the safety of machines and devices that emit radiation (including cell phones), notes that studies reporting biological changes associated with radiofrequency energy have failed to be replicated and that the majority of human epidemiologic studies have failed to show a relationship between exposure to radiofrequency energy from cell phones and health problems.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that, although some studies have raised concerns about the possible risks of cell phone use, scientific research as a whole does not support a statistically significant association between cell phone use and health effects.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concludes that there is no scientific evidence that proves that wireless phone use can lead to cancer or to other health problems, including headaches, dizziness, or memory loss.

Is Realty TV important?

Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents unscripted situations and actual occurrences, and often features a previously-unknown cast. The genre often highlights personal drama and conflict to a much greater extent than other unscripted television such as documentary shows. In competition-based reality shows, a notable subset, there are other common elements such as one participant being eliminated per episode, a panel of judges, and the concept of immunity from elimination. The list of reality TV shows on our screens is endless. But do they contribute anything to our culture? Or are they mindless drivel that corrupt youngsters?

All the Yes points

1. Reality TV shows provide wonderful entertainment.
2. Reality TV shows allow ordinary individuals a chance of stardom.
3. Reality TV shows allow us to see the real personalities of celebrities.
   
   

   All the No points

   1. Reality TV shows make celebrities out of talentless individuals.
   2. Reality TV shows bring out the worse in people.
   3. Reality TV shows are just there to make money for their creators.
      A number of other points regarding reality shows exist but what do you think?

What colour was Jesus?

 
The race and appearance of Jesus have been discussed on a number of grounds since early Christianity, although the New Testament includes no description of the physical appearance of Jesus before his death and its narrative is generally indifferent to racial appearances.
Despite the lack of direct biblical or historical references, from the second century, various theories about the race of Jesus were advanced and debated. While many people have a fixed mental image of Jesus, drawn from his artistic depictions, these images often conform to stereotypes which are not grounded in any serious research on the historical Jesus, but are based on second or third hand interpretations of spurious sources.
By the 19th century theories that Jesus was non-semitic, and in particular Aryan, were developed. However, as in other cases of the assignment of race to biblical individuals, these claims have been mostly subjective, based on cultural stereotypes and societal trends rather than on scientific analysis.The New Testament includes no description of the physical appearance of Jesus before his death. Its narrative is generally indifferent to people's racial appearance or features.
The Synoptic Gospels include the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus, during which he was glorified with "his face shining as the sun." However, the Gospels do not provide details of Jesus' everyday appearance.
The Book of Revelation describes the features of a glorified Jesus (e.g. the head and hair as white, etc.) in a vision (1:13-16), but the vision refers to Jesus in heavenly form, after his death, not his appearance during his earthly life. Old Testament references about a coming Messiah (whom Christians believe to be Jesus) have been projected forward to form conjectures about the appearance of Jesus on theological, rather than historical, grounds; e.g. Isaiah 53:2 which refers to the scourged Messiah with "no beauty that we should desire him" and Psalm 45:2-3 which describes him as "fairer than the children of men", often interpreted as his physical description. Clarks' commentary accepts Lamentations 4:7 "whiter than milk" as referring to skin color. 1 Samuel 16:12 describes David, the ancestor of Jesus, as having "beautiful eyes" or "fair countenance. Despite the lack of direct biblical or historical references, from the second century onward various theories about the race of Jesus were advanced, e.g. by Justin Martyr, based on arguments on the genealogy of Jesus. These arguments have been debated for centuries. The second century anti-Christian philosopher Celsus wrote that Jesus was "ugly and small". The Church Fathers Saint Jerome and Saint Augustine of Hippo argued from a theological perspective that Jesus must have been ideally beautiful in face and body. For Augustine he was "beautiful as a child, beautiful on earth, beautiful in heaven". These theological arguments were further extended in the 13th century by Saint Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologiae based on his analysis of the Perfection of Christ, reasoning that Christ must have embodied every possible human perfection. 
In explaining the development of racial theories in the context of scripture, Colin Kidd, in his book The forging of races, argues that the assignment of race to biblical individuals has been a mostly subjective practice based on cultural stereotypes and societal trends rather than on scientific methods. Kidd reviews a number of theories about the race of Jesus, ranging from a white Aryan Jesus to a black African Jesus, illustrating that there is no general agreement among scholars on the race of Jesus
In his book Racializing Jesus, Shawn Kelley states that the assignment of a specific race to Jesus has been a cultural phenomenon emanating from the higher levels of intellectual circles within societies, and draws parallels between the seemingly different approaches within different settings. Cain Hope Felder has argued that New Testament passages such as Galatians 3:28 express a universalism that go beyond race. So in most cases its best to just focus on the importance of Jesus instead of his colour whether black or white he still serves the same purpose.

Tips for preventing bankruptcy?

 

Tips for Preventing Bankruptcy

When you are overwhelmed by your debt, filing for bankruptcy seems to be the only solution. While bankruptcy can help you get rid of most of your debts, it puts you in a position where you have to start building your financial life all over again. It can also make the process of financial rebuilding more difficult, because it affects your ability to gain credit and employment. Instead of giving up hope, you should take a look at some of the things you can do to avoid bankruptcy. There are many proven bankruptcy prevention methods that can help you get your financial life back on track again, but you need to be very patient and committed to make them work.
Avoid Debt
The need to file for bankruptcy occurs when you have more debt than you can pay off. As long as you continue to accumulate debts, you will draw closer and closer to bankruptcy. As such, you should try your best to avoid getting new loans. If you are in desperate need of money, you can sell off some minor assets to cover your expenses. If getting a loan is the only solution, it is advisable that you get an unsecured loan.
Start Saving
If your lifestyle is causing you to spend more money than you should, you should try to live within your means and start saving. One of the main causes of bankruptcy is credit card debts. Credit cards enable you to spend beyond your means, and you will find yourself facing debt problems if you do not control your spending. When you are experiencing financial difficulty, you should only purchase things that you need and try to take advantage of any opportunity to save money. Make a point to save a certain amount of money every month, and use that money to reduce your debts.
Create a Financial Plan
To make sure that you are on the right track to financial freedom, you need to have a financial plan. Your financial plan should include your monthly expenses and earnings, and the measures that you are going to take to reduce your debts. Even if the plan shows that you are unable to cover your expenses, it can be useful when you are negotiating with your creditors. It gives your creditors a clearer picture of your financial situation and the efforts that you are making to pay off your debts.
Talk to Your Creditors
Show your creditors your financial plan and try to convince them that you are doing whatever you can to clear your debts. Find out if they can reduce interest rates, payments, or fees to make it more possible for you to pay your debts. You should bear in mind that your creditors have much to lose if you decide to declare bankruptcy.
Consolidate Your Debts
If you have multiple debts with high interest rates, you should consider consolidating them. Debt consolidation allows you to get rid of all your debts by taking up one low-interest loan. By consolidating your debts, you can eliminate the hassle of dealing with several creditors, make only one simple payment every month, and pay lower interest.

How to cope with a Breakup/Divorce

 

It’s never ever easy when a relationship ends. Whatever the reason for the split and whether you wanted it or not the breakup of a relationship can turn your whole world upside down and trigger all sorts of painful and unsettling feelings. But there are plenty of things you can do to get through this difficult time and move on. You can even learn from the experience and grow into a stronger, wiser person.

 

Healing after a divorce or breakup

Why do breakups hurt so much, even when the relationship is no longer good? A divorce or breakup is painful because it represents the loss, not just of the relationship, but also of shared dreams and commitments. Romantic relationships begin on a high note of excitement and hope for the future. When these relationships fail, we experience profound disappointment, stress, and grief.
A breakup or divorce launches us into uncharted territory. Everything is disrupted: your routine and responsibilities, your home, your relationships with extended family and friends, and even your identity. A breakup brings uncertainty about the future. What will life be like without your partner? Will you find someone else? Will you end up alone? These unknowns often seem worse than an unhappy relationship.
Recovering from a breakup or divorce is difficult. However, it’s important to know (and to keep reminding yourself) that you can and will move on. But healing takes time, so be patient with yourself.

Coping with separation and divorce

• Recognize that it’s OK to have different feelings. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, exhausted, frustrated, and confused and these feelings can be intense. You also may feel anxious about the future. Accept that reactions like these will lessen over time. Even if the marriage was unhealthy, venturing into the unknown is frightening.
• Give yourself a break. Give yourself permission to feel and to function at a less than optimal level for a period of time. You may not be able to be quite as productive on the job or care for others in exactly the way you’re accustomed to for a little while. No one is superman or superwoman; take time to heal, regroup, and re-energize.
• Don’t go through this alone. Sharing your feelings with friends and family can help you get through this period. Consider joining a support group where you can talk to others in similar situations. Isolating yourself can raise your stress levels, reduce your concentration, and get in the way of your work, relationships, and overall health. Don’t be afraid to get outside help if you need it.

Allow yourself to grieve the loss of the relationship

Grief is a natural reaction to loss, and the breakup or divorce of a love relationship involves multiple losses:

• Loss of companionship and shared experiences (which may or may not have been consistently pleasurable)
• Loss of support, be it financial, intellectual, social, or emotional
• Loss of hopes, plans, and dreams (can be even more painful than practical losses)

Allowing yourself to feel the pain of these losses may be scary. You may fear that your emotions will be too intense to bear, or that you’ll be stuck in a dark place forever. Just remember that grieving is essential to the healing process. The pain of grief is precisely what helps you let go of the old relationship and move on. And no matter how strong your grief, it won’t last forever.

Tips for grieving after a breakup or divorce:

• Don’t fight your feelings – It’s normal to have lots of ups and downs, and feel many conflicting emotions, including anger, resentment, sadness, relief, fear, and confusion. It’s important to identify and acknowledge these feelings. While these emotions will often be painful, trying to suppress or ignore them will only prolong the grieving process.
• Talk about how you’re feeling – Even if it is difficult for you to talk about your feelings with other people, it is very important to find a way to do so when you are grieving. Knowing that others are aware of your feelings will make you feel less alone with your pain and will help you heal. Journaling can also be a helpful outlet for your feelings.
• Remember that moving on is the end goal – Expressing your feelings will liberate you in a way, but it is important not to dwell on the negative feelings or to over-analyze the situation. Getting stuck in hurtful feelings like blame, anger, and resentment will rob you of valuable energy and prevent you from healing and moving forward.
• Remind yourself that you still have a future – When you commit to another person, you create many hopes and dreams. It’s hard to let these dreams go. As you grieve the loss of the future you once envisioned, be encouraged by the fact that new hopes and dreams will eventually replace your old ones.
• Know the difference between a normal reaction to a breakup and depression – Grief can be paralyzing after a breakup, but after a while, the sadness begins to lift. Day by day, and little by little, you start moving on. However, if you don’t feel any forward momentum, you may be suffering from depression.

Reach out to others for support through the grieving process

Support from others is critical to healing after a breakup or divorce. You might feel like being alone, but isolating yourself will only make this time more difficult. Don’t try to get through this on your own.
Reach out to trusted friends and family members. People who have been through painful breakups or divorces can be especially helpful. They know what it is like and they can assure you that there is hope for healing and new relationships.

• Spend time with people who support, value, and energize you. As you consider who to reach out to, choose wisely. Surround yourself with people who are positive and who truly listen to you. It’s important that you feel free to be honest about what you’re going through, without worrying about being judged, criticized, or told what to do.
• Get outside help if you need it. If reaching out to others doesn’t come naturally, consider seeing a counselor or joining a support group. The most important thing is that you have at least one place where you feel comfortable opening up.
• Cultivate new friendships. If you feel like you have lost your social network along with the divorce or breakup, make an effort to meet new people. Join a networking group or special interest club, take a class, get involved in community activities, or volunteer at a school, place of worship, or other community organization.