How Incredible Optical Illiusions Works?

by ZenGirl // September 12, 2011 // Comments off

Corner House

I am amazed some of the images and paintings that people do, specially optical Illusion images and how our mind sees it. What is optical illusion and why it works on us? Simply putting that an optical illusion is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from objective reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain to give a perception that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source. Our mind is much powerful and many think what our eyes sees, mind processes but according to some experts, what we see is actually what our conscious mind has computed, while our subconscious mind sees the what is actually presented but we might be unaware of it.

Can you find them all?

What do you see in above image? a lion who is sitting or is it a hand print?

There are many famous artists are also popular illusionist, such as M. C. Escher, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Victor Vasarely, andPatrick Hughes , and many others. Here are some of the optical Illusions for your own viewing pleasure.

Vanishing Venice: Patrick Hughes

The above picture surface of Vanishing Venice is 3-dimensional, made of two pyramids protruding towards the viewer with the tops cut off: the bases of the pyramids are farthest away (flat against the wall). The two lighter rectangles which appear to be in the distance at the end of the buildings are the flat tops and thus the part of the image physically nearest to the viewer (see diagram below to see how image was constructed).How Vanishing Venice Image is constructed (see above)

Do you trees or woman’s face?

What you see is NOT what you get always!

Since ancient times, menkind have known that immediate perception is not a reading of physical reality.Vision is one of the most creative act that we are capable of doing as seeing is analyzing the world on our mind canvas. Our mind can work as artist and viewer. Our eyes process what what we know and if something appear out of ordinary, our eyes automatically ignored it more normal and acceptable outcome.

M. C Escher’s Reality (1953)

The German poet Novalis said that the eye is a ‘superficial’ organ. That is indeed partly true. Our eyes are external organ to what we the world is part of world, which pops in it as soon as we open our eyes!

Wall Painting

Ron Gonsalves: Acrobatic Engineering

Tree House: Looking up or down

Rob Gonsalves’ work is often categorized as surrealistic, it differs because the images are deliberately planned and result from conscious thought. He seems to injects a sense of magic into realistic scenes. As a result, the term “Magic Realism” describes his work accurately. His work is an attempt to represent human beings’ desire to believe the impossible, to be open to possibility. You can see more of his work here.

Sometimes, these optical illusions are fun, other times they might be used in advertising to influence us in to buying their product.

Rotating Moving Image: By Akiyshi

Some of the moving images can give a few people headache or dizziness, as I was surprised to learn while searching for answers on why it works. If you are getting spinning or headaches, you may want to stop looking at the images.

M. C Escher Like Image

Another M. C. Escher Like Image

Outdoor Sculpture By Victor Vararely

Victor Vasarely was a Hungarian French artist whose work is generally seen aligned with Op-art. His work entitled Zebra, created by Vasarely in the 1930s, is considered by some to be one of the earliest examples of Op-art. Above picture is displayed at at the church of Pálos in Pécs, where he was born.

Carpet Flooring

In this modern day, this carpet gives us an illusions of floor with ripple and hills. Can you imagine trying to dance on this floor? Forget dancing, walking alone might be challenging for a few of us.

Movement is Square (1961)

Above image of Movement is Square is one of few female op arts painter image by Bridget Riley. She is one of the foremost proponent of op art. “Optical art is a method of painting concerning the interaction between illusion and picture plane, between understanding and seeing.”Op art works are abstract, with many of the better known pieces made in only black and white. When the viewer looks at them, the impression is given of movement, hidden images, flashing and vibration, patterns, or alternatively, of swelling or warping.

What do you see here?

Can you find infant in this image?

Are they up or down? another Escher Like Image

How to make someone more taller, even when they are not?

Can you find hidden deer in this image?

Old couple looking at each other or folk singers singing and playing?

Summary:

Being aware of an possibility of impossible can open up your eyes to see tricks of mind. Images can be ambiguous and completion figures, impossible figures, hidden objects, illusions involving colors, geometric illusions, illusory moving patterns, verbal illusions and visual paradoxes. Hopefully, we can learn to be more aware of when we see to discover how we may perceive things, test of critical thinking by looking at seeming impossible things and improve our mental brain capacity and of course, most important part of it all is have fun while doing it all!

Image Source: Wikipedia, Blogspot site, WTV Zone

7 Ways To Motivate Learning In A Child (or An Adult)

by ZenGirl // August 15, 2011 // Comments off

Education does not have be boring for anyone, otherwise learning does not happen!

All of us learn new things when we are having fun, and schooling is no different. Many Indian and other parents start teaching kids at home way before preschool age. When I teach or share knowledge with younger kids, they are like sponge, they absorb everything and naturally curious about things. Somehow many kids and adults lose that natural curiosity as we grow older and we focus on getting scores or passing instead of learning.

There is also another issue with education that, not all kids will fits in regular standard curriculum levels. For example, some kids may be reading at 3rd grade level and 2nd grade science level when she is in 1st grade. How do you go about teaching that child in regular system without her getting bored? Homeschooling or Independent studies might be one option to let a child learn at her or his level.

I do not write much about homeschooling here, but Patty and other readers comment encouraged me to write about various topics in my life here. Even if you do not homeschool your kids, or have kids yourself yet, this post might help you motivate any child or even yourself to learn new things and keep you motivated.

7 Ways to Motivate Learning:

Here are 7 ways I have found to motivate learning in a child (or an adult). These tips are written with homeschooling child in mind, but I am sure it will be applicable to public or private school going child as well. While, my experience is teaching younger kids, I hope these tips will work for teenager’s education as well.

1. Do Not Compare:

Comparing your child with another child of same age might be tempting but it will not flourish the young mind. All kids and adults have unique talents and we all work at our own pace. It will not matter if 7 year friend’s child knows how to read piano music or 4 year old neighbor kids can ride bike without training wheel. Kids learn best when they are ready to learn. That is what Sadbury method or Jiddu Krishnamurthy methods have been working for many kids.

2. Competition Free Education:

We are always pitted against our peers to compete in many subjects since we are born. Schools and colleges are big examples for it with grades or being best student. There is no win win situation as there can be only ONE person who can be 1st, rest of kids may feel dejected. While healthy competition can bring out the best in some kids, in majority time, competition kills the enthusiasm, specially for someone who keeps being second best. Learning is a process and it should be treated as a result.

3. Memorization is not Real Learning:

Many educational system may encourages memorization and while kids seems intelligent, most kids forget what they memorized during summer break. Any memorization without real understanding will not take deep root of understanding, and hence will not remember what they have learned tomorrow. I am one of these prime example of it as I do not recall what I have learned in my engineering classes but I do recall what I truly understood things and had interest in it. If you have passion for something, you will retain the knowledge much longer.

4. Rewards for Simple Tasks are not needed:

Our current educational system is quick to punish and quick to give rewards for small achievement. Many experts think they are actually hindering the learning process and I agree. Giving Physical reward is different then showing encouragement to a child. When a child is shown a reward of food or new toy, learning is not goal but finishing the task to get a reward becomes the main goal and learning stop. Our mind is like a parachute, it works only when it is open. Child should learn something because there is an interest in it, not because of the reward.

5. Do not blame child for failing:

When a child has failed in learning new concept or old one, do not blame him or her. Do not even blame system. Try to find out the root cause of the failed issue. You may want to step back and take a break or see it from new perspective. Sometimes, child may have certain way to learning style that may be different from teacher’s teaching style. We all learn different way such as some learn better by visually seeing, some learn best for listening the step by step process and some of us learn best by actually trying our hands on it. Find out your child’s learning style. There might be some other issues or simple things that may make understanding the subject easier. Before you blame anyone, try to find the main cause and fix it and love and joy of learning will be back in the child.

6. Learning does not have to be expensive:

Many Asian Indian and other education minded parents spend fortune on kid’s private school, software, special tutoring programs and books. One does not have to spend lot of money for learning to happen. There are lot of free to cheap resources such as public library, PBS station, a few online websites and daily living can be part of learning.

For example, young kids can be taught colors when you fold your laundry, you can point out colors. Teaching shapes is easy as our own home or apartment have furniture, door, clock in various shape. Talking to grandparents or neighbor can make kids and us learn things from different time. My kids learn old mythical stories from his grandparents. Learning can happen anywhere, anytime. It is not confined to school or 9-3 time. There are many ways to finance your education if you are homeschooling or supplementing public school education.

7. Non Traditional Ways of Teaching and Learning:

My mom was a teacher and writer so she taught us at home, when we came from school and learning happened without us knowing that it was education. Learning happens when are having fun. For example, if your young child loves only cars, how can you teach math, history and science with it? It is possible, and it is called Unit Studies. In Car unit studies, you can learn history by learning and reading about early transportation such as first car, you can add cars or take away cars game to teach math. You can teach colors by different colors of cars. Science can be taught by if metal cars sinks and plastic car sinks or not for younger children. For older children, one can learn how car engine works to teach science or technology.

If you or your older child likes Harry Potter then there are Unit studies ideas for that also, such as here.

Keep Learning! and Keep it Fun!

Your Turn: How do you keep yourself or your child motivated to learn new things?

Image Source: Parenting Magazine

Easy Ways to Save Money For Everyday Expenses

by ZenGirl // April 2, 2011 // Comments off

Life has taught me many things. Last few months have been busy with various things going on in my life. Dust still has to settle, but we must keep trying to bring our life back in to balance slowly as possible. I wrote about 6 key area of balance for everyone’s life before. See Life Balance: 6 Key Area for Life Balance . They are;

Life Balance:

1. Family
2. Social
3. Knowledge/Learning
4. Finance
5. Health
6. Religious/Spiritual

Money is not certainly most important thing however, managing money right ways can bring much more peace in your life, compared to when spending is out of control. Let’s face it, sometimes we have no choice but to be in debt, such as health or hospitalization can be expensive, even when one has a health insurance. Losing a job, having kids and other unforeseen circumstances can bring many money woes.

There are two ways to have extra money:

1. Spend less then you earn: By staying in budget can be boring sometimes but it sure helps when you have a financial goal in mind such as paying off debt or saving for house.
2. Earn more : This is easier said then done though. Some people work at multiple part time jobs to increase income, some consultant work the same but charge more to earn more. Some people dabble in stock market and other income earning opportunities. Check out : Easy Ways to Earn More Money for more ideas.

Out of these 2 ways to have extra monies, easiest ways to save money is to cut down on your un-necessary expenses; and find ways to make more money. This post, I will share a few ways to save money and go green.

How to Save Money in Everyday Expenses:

Food/groceries:

1. Buy generic brand.
2. Limit pre-packaged and frozen meals. Making meal from scratch will be cheaper and lot healthier.
3. Use coupon when buying brand name product. Just do search for coupon for “item” and most likely you will find something. Sunday newspaper are good source for coupons.
4. Look for “almost” expired bakery goods to cheap bread.
5. Buy in season fruits/vegetables (when cheap and fresh) and cut and freeze of later use.
6. Buy most vegetables from ethnic store, as there it tends to be cheaper, buy Chinese noodles from Ranch 99, and Mexican items from Mexican stores to get best price.
7. Buy Can-food, when on sale, stock up.
8. Eat little bit before shopping to avoid impulse food buying.
9. Set our budget and make a list before shopping to stay focused on “need items”.
10. Use up what you have, instead of buying new food item.
11. Write down grocery list and go only once a week shopping.
12. Do comparison shop to see where items are cheaper to buy from there.
13. Buy in Bulk staple items that will not go bad with time such as lentil or rice.
14. Cook food from scratch as much possible.
15. Eat in season fruits and vegetables.
16. Eat Local and support you local farmer’s market.
17. Garden for veggies at home in your backyard or container gardening in apartment.

Eating out:

1. Do not eat out often. If you do, share a large entree with someone or eat 2 appetizers.
2. Avoid ordering alcoholic drinks whenever possible.
3. Order glass of water instead of sodas, which is healthier and cheaper.
4. You can still eat cheap without going through fast food, if you eat at local mom and pops and use coupons.
5. Eat out during Lunch time instead of dinner time, as generally same item is cheaper at Lunch time.
6. Join Frequent diner club for discounts and coupons in email.
7. Look for coupon in Sunday Newspaper, Pennysaver ads, online for deals.
8. Buy entertainment book for your local area. It will have not only coupon for eating out, but also for movies, rental car, kids entertainment and more. They generally cost, $10-$15 per year.
9. Try restaurants have free appetizers while you order to stretch your dollar further.
10. Eating near colleges campus is good idea as food tend to be cheaper with students in mind.
11. Some restaurants have birthday person eat free, or have dessert free.
12. Many have 2 for 1 deals and day when you can use them.
13. Many restaurants have “kids eat free” day, when adult is buying. Look at Kids eat free for more ideas.
14. Be vegetarian: Eating vegetarian meals are generally cheaper.
15. Be a mystery shopper, when you get to survey a local restaurant and get reimbursement for one meal.
16. Pick healthy choices such as broiled instead of fried. It will be healthy and bit cheaper as well.
17. Get takeout sometimes, instead of eating out, you can eat-in.
18. Sometimes just go for coffee and dessert instead of full meal.

Baby/Kid items:

1. Most of the advertised items are not needed to buy for baby. All new parent need is car seat and a few essential and lot of love and patience.
2. Little kids grow out of clothes fast, so use hand me down or gently used clothes for babies along with some new clothes.
3. Breastfeed. It is easier once you get started and lot cheaper even if you one buys breast pump. It is lot cheaper than formula for 1 year.
4. Use cloth diapers along with disposables ones for certain times. It is cheaper in long run and lot more environment friendly.
5. Use sling or baby carriers instead of stroller. You will be able to move fast in store without bulky stroller to move about. Have stroller for long hikes and walking.
6. Make baby food at home, simply by steaming the fruit or vegetable and puree it with little water. You can freeze in ice cube container and use as needed.
7. Many things you can do without, but being parent is very personal so make choices according to what you are comfortable with.

Household:

1. We try to see, if we can borrow, rent or go without an item before replacing it.
2. Try to see if you can repair item. If you can repair it yourself from many DIY type of sites and all you have to do is pay for the part.
3. Sometime repair is complex or if you do not have time to do it, call a few handy man and ask for free estimate before buying a new item.
4. If you know you must replace item, start saving up every month for it. It will make it easier on your budget.
5. We find some item/cleaning supply etc from dollar store, it is only $1 each. Everything in dollar store is not a bargain so value compare before you buy it.
5. Try to get multiple car insurance discounts and home insurance from one company to see if that save you bundle. Always comparison shop and call at least 3 companies to get best rates possible.
6. If you have company insurance choose one that works for you. If you are like us, self employed or unemployed, look for high deductible health insurance to get affordable rates for your family.
7. Buy what is minimum required for insurance when money is tight.
8. Forgo or put minimum on retirement fund when your debts are high or income is low.
9. Many creditors such as hospital can installment programs without interests, so ask for it.
10. Choose generic brand of medicines if you must have it as it can be lot cheaper.
11. Do pot luck instead of meeting friends in a restaurant for a meal.
12. Do board games gathering instead of going to play pool in a sport bar.
13. Do movie and dinner at home, instead of watching in theater.
14. Watch movie in DVD at home with subtitles and extra features at home, instead of when it comes out in theater.
15. Do staycation, meaning staying home and do local traveling.
16. If you go out, do couch surfing or stay at family or friends house for a few days (without burdening them).
17. Let go of cable and netflix subscriptions.
18. Same goes for newspaper, magazines and other subscription except what you really care about.
19. Go to museum on free or special discount days.
20. Buy some items used, such as dresser or sofa as long as it is good condition. Local craigslist has many great deals. Also look for free section for sometimes great bargain.
21. Do birthday party at home or at Park, no need for spending $1000 on one party, although we have done it in past.
22. Wear sweater before turning on heater. Open up windows and doors before starting an AC or fan.
23. Shut off lights in room you are not using to save electricity.
24. Use water as you need and turn it off between brushing. Take shower instead of bath to use less water.
25. Use special package deal to combine internet, phone and cellphone for better discount. Shop around for deals, call and ask for it.
26. Always check your bills (credit cards, medical, utility) for any errors and call them to correct it or understand it right away.
27. Keep tab on your checking account balance to not overspend.
28. Good idea to tally your check book every month to make sure everything is current.
29. Use local library for movies, CDs, books (fictional and non-fictional), kids books and entertainment. It is not free, we pay taxes for it so why not use it.
30. Use bike or walk to near by places to go to.
31. Fill up gas in morning according to experts.
32. Buy only what you “needs” and save for “wants” when you have extra monies.

I am sure there is more creative ways people save money when we are buying stuff as well. As long we save money in simple and small ways without feeling deprived, we will be encouraged to do it for loner time. Want to share yours?

Are You Stuck? 21 Ways to Feel UnStuck and Change Your Life

by ZenGirl // January 18, 2011 // Comments off

Have you ever felt stuck in life? No matter what you do, your life is not moving in right direction and it just feels stuck in a rut? Believe me I have been there often. You can read many self help books, find a career or life coach, but unless we are ready to make change within ourselves nothing will work out. Other books, coach can help only when we are ready to make change within ourselves.

I am going to share 100 simple and free ways to quickly change your life in from stuck to moving on right direction again. Only if you willing to take action on it, this free guide will change your life. It is okay to feel stuck or down, but we can pick ourselves again by doing simple and doable steps. Ready?

1. Do nothing for 5 minutes:; When you feel stuck or overwhelm, do not go in to productivity mode just yet. Recharge yourself first. Close your eyes, sit in Sun or drink your favorite cup of coffee, juice or tea. Leave worries on table for just five minutes, just try the best you can. Now you are ready for next steps.

2. No distractions: Shut off your cell phone, TV, and close your computer, emails. Tell everyone not to disturb for next 20-30 minutes. Go to quite place or room corner.

3. Sit down: Take a seat at table and chair and take a notebook, piece of paper and pen in front of you to note down ideas and issues.

4. Write down Issues: Write down whatever that is bothering you or making you feel stuck. Do not try to worry about solutions yet.

5. Write down Good things: Now that you have written things are are not good in your life or what is bothering you, next step is write down things are working for you and things that makes you happy. It could be kids, new bonus however small it is write it down in next page.

6. Write down on your passion, dreams: Do not worry about how crazy your dreams you may think they are, write it down in new page: all of your dreams, passions and what you envision your life would be if everything was going great for you and what you loved.

7. Just write: You have 30 minutes total to do this, so do not worry about grammar, your handwriting skills or copy writing skills. This list is for your eyes only, just write what you feel inside, without worrying about other things.

8. Leave writing and take a break: Generally it should take about 20-30 minutes to do this, if you need more or less time, that is okay too. After you write it all down, leave the list as it is. Do not make changes or correction. Take another 5 minutes break.

9. Read the list: Read the list to see what are your dreams, what is bothering you and what is good in your life right now. You will notice that there might be a connection between your dreams, passions and what is bothering you. How? You are probably not living life according to your passion or dream or way you envisioned your life.

10. Analyze the List: I would suggest that you analyze the list next day as too much of critical thinking can take a toll at once. Do it slow. Come back to that list again next day when you are relaxed. Do following;

11. Changing/updating: Is anything on list needs changing: adding or taking off? Do so, with light pencil, so you can still see the original writing.

12. Set realistic goals: What are realistic ways to achieve your dreams and what is bothering you? If you have one of the issue which might not be realistic then rethink. For example, you can only control what you can do not, if you want a raise by your boss, you can work hard, but you can not change your boss’s mind to give you raise.

13.Any Surprise?: Did anything on the list surprised you? Is your life is not as bad as you thought? or worse than you had imagined it?

14. Plan: What are steps to take to reach your realistic dreams? What are the issues that making you feel stuck and are there any ways to simplify it?

15. Asking help: Can you ask for help from someone you know? Can your hire someone if you had budget? Do you have time to do that certain thing?

16. Lifestyle Changes: What are the things that you are willing to compromise to getting over what is bothering you? For example, if it is debt/money issues, you may choose to let go cable tv, newspaper subscriptions, or eating out less because being debt free is more important to you.

17. Daily Plan: Make a daily plan to do a small tasks towards it to achieve a little towards your goal and make sure you hold your self accountable for it. Reference to your notes that you did it first exercise again to see your progress daily. Some days it may feel slow and other days you may achieve a lot.

18. Be Consistent: Most important thing do not lose hope, even when you do not see the result, keep doing your work and keep focus on your goal. Be consistent.

19. Review goals: Change and update your list in 6 months of time to see what was bothering you 6 months ago is no longer an issue. You may have new issues to deal with, life is like that.

20. Focus on final result: Keep focus on your final goals, which may consist of short term, mid term and long term goals.

21. Reality: You will noticed that you may have still issues once in a while again in life, but if you worked and planned well, these issues will be smaller and less and less from before.

Conclusion:

No matter how successful, rich or beautiful/handsome we might be, all of us goes through overwhelm and stuck feelings where nothing is going right in our life. We can choose to blame our destiny or do little things to change our life for better by focusing and making small changes. If I can do it, anyone of you can.

Other Resources to help you:

Finding Focus Books

Focus: Simplicity Manifesto in Age of Distraction

This book is written by simplicity and minimalist guru, I love: Leo Babauta. This book has a free and paid version with lot of goodies. I am not an affiliate with it, I simply think Leo is great at sharing his views on finding focus in age of so many distraction: In Leo’s own words: “It’s about finding the focus you need to create, to work on what’s important, to reflect, to find peace.”

Click here for Free version: Focus: Free Version

Click here to check out Premium version : Full Version Of Focus

Now Discover Your Strength

This book is one of the best selling book written by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton. This book describes 34 different types of strengths that a person may have. Based on measurement of these strengths. The book makes the interesting point that it is most effective trying to build on these strengths rather trying to identify and improve upon weaknesses.

Inspirational Videos About feeling stuck and finding Focus:

1. When life is pulling you down, watch this short video (5 minutes) to read these words, in addition to these 21 steps.

2. 20 Words to encourage you when you are feeling stuck:

Your Turn

How do you find focus in your life? What works for you?
Zengirl/Preeti Bhatt

Holiday wishes and Lessons Learned

by ZenGirl // December 21, 2010 // Comments off

Now that 2010 coming to end, many of us look back and reflect on past to see what they have learned and hopefully improve things going further. I wanted to quickly look at this year’s journey and see what I have achieved and learned, if anything at all.

I started writing on Happy Heart and Mind somewhere March 2010 and accomplished a few things I am happy about and I want to share my journey with you all, as that what makes blogging special. I am very happy and proud to release my first free ebook this year! I have learned a lot that blogging, kindergarten teaching and 2 kids (5 year and 1 year old) can leave you pretty tired! Luckily I blog about things I am passionate about and my readers are wonderfully supportive so I have made it so far till here. A few of Learning lessons I want to share:

Blogging Lessons

1. Blogging is fun, it is personal, it is educational and it can be social part of your life.

2. Blogging is not get rich vehicle, it takes time and patience.

3. Write about what you are passionate about and do not worry about traffic and comments.

4. You do not need twitter and Face Book to be successful blogger. Okay, I might be not successful but many others are such as Rachel from Small notebook who has over 13K subscriber.

5. More you will give, more you will receive. Do not be afraid to share talents of other blogger and commenter. Share good posts despite size of blog or number of subscribers they have.

6. Learning a little about technical stuff behind the blog helps a little.

7. Make it easier for your readers to find stuff. I am trying to improve this on this blog.

8. Provide value and enlightenment first, worry about making money later.

9. Take a break from blogging, tweeting or commenting occasionally to have balanced life.

10. Do not worry and get overwhelm about posting on schedule when tensed. Write when your creative juice is flowing.

Life lessons :

I have making mistakes and learning from it since I was born and this year was not different. Comparing my past and present makes me keep things real. Here are a few lessons;

1. Most important thing in my life has nothing to do with material things, they are people.

2. Zenguy did not have a project for long time this year and we were able to manage our quality of life without spending much.

3. I am really proud of my “No Spend Month Challenge” in July of this year, kids did not even know we were on Budget.

4. This year, I am becoming more assertive and going after what is important to by following my values.

5. I am letting go of my own fears and pushing my comfort zone to live a little better life and smile more often.

6. I am living my own version of being minimalism and I am okay with that.

7. I have realized I am for meaningful gift giving during holidays and I am against excess materialism that leads to debt for anyone.

8. Being romantic does not have to cost you a fortune.

9. Happy marriage is the best medicine for depression.

10. It is okay to screw productivity and have laid back life sometimes.

11. You can help unemployed friends and others without having to spend much money.

12. Eat healthy and drink healthy, your body is only one you got this life. Let’s take care of it.

13. Find a balance between important areas of your life. Slowing things down and watching less television has improved quality of my life along with those who are around me.

14. Improve your mind by reading great works, be it fiction, self help books, or blogs.

15. Try to find contentedness and happiness in everything, specially when things are down. There is always someone who has more than you but many who has less than you, keep things in perspective.

Your Turn: What are your life lessons from 2010? I would love to hear from you.

Have a great Holidays and New Year! Will see you in 2011, just around the corner!

Check out my new year post Starting 2011 with Trials and Errors, no resolutions.

Zengirl

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Little Break, Great Reads and Akismet: When Friend Turns Foe

by ZenGirl // November 22, 2010 // Comments off

I am taking a little break from blogging this week as it has been crazy few weeks and my mind can use some down time. I also wanted to leave you a some articles on life improvement to make our life little more enjoyable.

10 ways to help during bad economy

Creative ways to use up left over Halloween candies

How to have yourself Stress Free Thanksgiving

Akismet: When Friend turns Foe

Since I started blogging on WordPress, from March 2010, I learned a lot about plugins and blogging. One of the plugins I love, is Akismet. If you are blogging for sometimes then you know how it is helpful to keep spams away from your blog. I also wrote about it in my blog post 10 plugins to boost your blogging , a guest post at Virgin Blogger Notes.

I loved Akismet as it is free plugin that does a great job of keeping spam away from a blog, may be too great job. Lately, my comments to other blogs have been going in to SPAM folders or getting deleted by Akismet right away. I did not notice it at first and slowly it became evident that most blogs running akismet were blocking me as a spammer. Let me repeat: “I am not a spammer and never have been and do not plan to be one“. Akismet occasionally gets this “false negative” and it affects someone like me who is genuine commenter. I am working with Akismet folks but help from akismet is little and slow so far.

It seems I am not the only genuine commenter who has been affected by Akismet, there are many others who has been affected in past and current times; check out below for folks similar in my situation. If you get a chance read comments inside the articles too, as there are many who are stuck in Akismet hell for wrong reasons.

Using Akismet Wisely

Find out if you are block by akismet

Akismet Comment spam hell

Is akismet wrongly blocking your not spam blog comments?

Punished by Akismet, what do I do?

I thought it might be bad case of IP (new one after rebooting computer) or akismet. Problem seems to be Akismet as for now. I have since send contacted the bloggers to take my comments and rescue from SPAM folder. Many of my friends were kind enough to un-spam my comments but yet it is happening in same blogs again, it has been very frustrating to say the least.

According to Akismet, some blog owners has to un-spam comments a few times before it will make better and if someone by mistake marks my comments as spam the whole thing will start off again. Luckily, I comment on blogs whom I consider friends, but telling them again and again to un-spam me is not a right thing and I do not want to annoy anyone with my frequent requests. A few of my comments are getting deleted all together and you know what is the worse part? that my own comments on my own blog (when I am not logged in) are going in to Heart and Mind’s spam folder? My own blog, can you believe it? Only other person I know personally who has gone through is, Farnoosh from Prolific Living, Farnoosh gives me hope that this might be fixed sooner or later for me as it did with her.

So what is the solution? While I do not have all right answer but some idea so you as a blogger do not have to go through it. Here are some suggestions if you are a commenter or blogger. Read on to see if that might be helpful. What to do, if your comments are going in spam folder? I did checking and found these answers which might be useful to some of you, who are in similar position.

If you are the blog owner:

If you do not like the comment or commenter, just delete the comment. Be careful as who you consider as a spammer. Although I have read that what you do in your blog, should not affect that person on other blogs but based on my experience opposite is true.
Check your spam folder to check if there are any genuine comments to make sure and mark them as “not spam”.
Sometimes you may have to click “not spam”, twice before blogger can truly comment without falling in to your spam folder.

If you are the blogger:

Check your comments once in awhile to make sure, it is showing up on that blogs.
If you do not see your comment after sometimes, politely contact the blog owner to check his or her spam folder to make sure.
Get a gravatar to make yourself look more “real” and unlike “spammer”, based on a few experts. You can get gravatar for free at Gravatar.com .
If it still persists, you may want to contact Akismet, to let them know about this issue and get it corrected. I have not done it yet as I hope it solves it soon.

Your turn:

Has your comment has been considered as a spam before? What worked for you? I still do not have much knowledge as to why it happened and what to do to avoid it. I sure would like to know any tips any of you may have.

Meanwhile, check your spam folder to see if me or any other authentic comments are not showing up by mistakes in your spam folder!

I still love Akismet plugin but I will be more careful as in internet world, I still have lot to learn. I will be more careful mark someone as a spam, and when it doubt, just delete it instead of marking as a spam.

Have a great week!

101 changes: Change 8 – Stretch Your Comfort Zone

by ZenGirl // October 26, 2010 // Comments off

I am writing a series of 101 small changes that we can make to make the quality of our life better and build and lead a more happier life that is in tune with our heart and mind. These are small changes that I have made and am working on right now, so I know they are possible for anyone to do.

If you have not read previous posts, check out a few posts on the changes from the past:

101 changes: Change 4 – Plant something
101 changes: Change 5 – Smile when you wake up
101 changes: Change 6:: Read a book – Benefits of reading
101 changes: Change 7 – Watch less Television and Be more productive

What is Comfort Zone? According to Wikipedia, The comfort zone is a behavioral state within which a person operates in an anxiety free condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, without risk.

We all have our comfort zone, where we excel, where do things that we know perfectly. It gives us confidence, it boosts our ego. There is nothing wrong with it, but with time our comfort zone may start to grow smaller and smaller. Some of us are afraid to try out new things, new experience out of fear; fear of failing, fear of unknown. It keeps us from achieving our best. You may know the feeling? I know as I have been there before and I occasionally have to work on my out of boundary thinking to get me going. I want to share a small impromptu poem that I wrote about Comfort zone. Hope you like it.

My Comfort Zone: Poem by Zengirl

I once was happy in my small comfort zone cloud

Where I was happy and knew things inside out.

Where I had no fear of failing

as I kept doing things over and over almost got tiring

I felt master of routine but felt torn inside

I wanted to push the boundary to be outside

Try new things, new experience

Without anyone’s interference

As my Small comfort zone felt like jail

Instead of place of no-fail

I leaped and stretched my comfort zone

I left six figure job to be home

Be home with my family and kids chatter

Where success or money did not matter

If you are stuck in comfort zone

Where you are good at what you do

But feel stuck and unhappy a bit

Try Stretching a boundary bit

If you will be glad you did.

Take my word and just do it.

It will make your heart and mind more lit.

Some of the great quotes on Comfort Zone by Wise People

If you remain in your comfort zone you will not go any further.
-Catherine Pulsifer

Comfort zones are most often expanded through discomfort.
-Peter McWilliams

We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.
-Max DePree

A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
– Lao-Tzu

We shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present. -Thomas Edison

One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.
-Abraham Maslow

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.
-Seneca

A ship in a harbor is safe, but that’s not what a ship is built for.
-Unknown

Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.
-Brian Tracy

Comfort zones are most often expanded through discomfort.
-Peter McWilliams

A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.
-Denis Waitley

Every moment of one’s existence one is growing into more or retreating into less.
-Norman Mailer

Progress always involves risk; you can’t progress to second base and also keep your foot on first.
-Christie Mason

We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.
-Max DePree

If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness.
-Les Brown

10 ways to Stretch your Comfort Zone

Travel to new country and hang out where locals hang out.
Eat new ethnic food you have never tried before: For example, try Ethiopian Cuisine
Try Ballet Dancing, or watch a Ballet Dance performance
If you are a guy, watch a chick Flick like Pride and Prejudice
If you are girl, try changing a tire (Note to self: do it)
Volunteer at Food Pantry or Shelter
Try smiling even when you are having a bad day
Jump in Rain like kids, even when someone is watching
Try sitting alone in peace for 15 minutes doing nothing
Give your to-do list a off day! Do nothing day but enjoy.

Your turn: How do you stretch your comfort zone? Are you happy with one you have? Why?

What is the Personal Development Campfire?
This post is also my contribution to Comfortzone Campfire. Imagine all your favorite personal development bloggers gathered around a campfire. Campfires are great center pieces of relaxed and free flowing conversations. Think of all the wonderful conversations and the wealth of topics that might arise. That’s the idea behind the Personal Development Campfire. Your favorite bloggers all gathered together discussing a new topic every month. (Bloggers click here for details on participating in the Personal Development Campfire.)

3 entries so far… you’re next!

Eden Journal
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone (Video)
Heart and Mind: Comfort Zone

You are next…

Click here to enter

Image Source:

Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

101 changes: Change 1- Reduce Drinking Soda

101 changes: Change 2: Getting to email Zen

101 changes: Change 3: Slow down- Slow blogging movement

101 changes: Change 4 – Plant something

101 changes: Change 5 – Smile when you wake up

101 changes: Change 6:: Read a book – Benefits of reading

101 changes: Change 7 – Watch less Television and Be more productive

101 changes: Change 8 – Stretch your comfort zone

101 changes: Change 9: Drink to your health- Benefits of Drinking Tea

101 changes: Change 10: Bring out the artist in You AKA be creative

Feeling overwhelmed? 8 ways to find relief from it

by ZenGirl // October 6, 2010 // Comments off

“Sound character provides the power with which a person may ride the emergencies of life instead of being overwhelmed by them. Failure is… the highway to success.”
-Og Mandino

Do you ever tell yourself screaming in your mind, “Help, I am overwhelmed, there is not simply enough time for me to do it all”. Yes, I have been there lots of time, including right now. I have even wrote about in past : click here to read 7 ways to overcome overwhelm . It seems that we all have never ending tasks to do at home, career front, making money, keeping up social life (online and offline both), cleaning and keeping house related activities such as laundry, dishes, groceries and cooking and if you add kids in to mix and teaching them like I do, there are times that I feel so unlike “Zengirl” and become “scream-girl”, instead. 🙂 Not fun to feel that way or be around someone when they are overwhelmed beyond hope.

I have let lot of un-necessary tasks and to-do lists out of my life to help me feel relief from all these extra work, however there are some days where everything simply falls apart and we have to take up pieces and start again.

I know I am not alone in feeling this, there are many of us out there, who feel this way. Therefore, I thought of sharing a few ways that worked for me and let me know your ideas that has worked in your life to feel little breather again in our lives.

1. Get Enough Sleep

You might think what sleep has to do with overwhelm? a lot. I have found when I am sleep deprived or have not rested enough, I do not function well as a mom, wife, teacher or as a friend. In order for our body to function fully, we need to get enough sleep. Sleep is an essential part of functioning well during the day.

2. Make plans, list to-do things

I have noticed when I write things down it has a better effect on my productivity. I had taken Class by Franklin Covey and I use Franklin Covey planner , which has not only place for writing to do list, but also a reminder of our each role such as mother, teacher, friend, daughter and so on, so I can balance my all roles every week. Sometimes this planner reminds me to call, a friend whom I have not talked in months, or write a simple note to thank a relative. I feel good not only to do my day to day tasks but also fulfilling my parts in each roles that I play. Simply covering my all roles gives me also sense of control and feel good factor as these roles I play in life are important to me.

3. Eat unprocessed and healthy food

I have seen a catch 22 connection with overwhelm and my eating habits, perhaps you are like me too. When I am relaxed and happy, I tend to eat better and healthy food, the minute I get stressed my food choices becomes in to junk food category such as chips and cookies. We really are what we eat . I try to eat breakfast and drink my Chai tea in morning to get my day start off in good way, it always helps.

4. Say No

You can say “NO”, kindly. I have usually hard time saying “NO” to anyone but I have learned not to spread myself thin. I have let go of some the activities classes, some social gatherings and even being on twitter because there is only so much time and only me to go around. Your friends and family will understand. If they do not, they would not be “real” friends that you want in your life anyways.

5. Stop drinking alcohol or Soda

I know a friend who is social drinker, whenever he gets stressed he “drinks” a little to make him relax but in reality it makes him feel opposite. I never understood why they gave alcohol in an air plane, while drinking alcohol actually makes jet lag worse.

I was “wine snob” once, living close enough to Napa valley, but now we have given up all alcohol and given away all of our wine collection bottles and accessories years ago, we do not miss it. You do not need to give up alcohol or soda, but you can surely reduce it, it will help you with your moods. Sugar in Soda makes our body feel sluggish too, as I wrote about it Reduce drinking soda. Drink ice water instead.

6. Let go

Let go or postponed of some social aspects, some chance to advancement in career or money making or even some goals for time being, when you are pressed for time, or when you are caring for little kids, aging parents. You will reach your goals little later this way maybe but when you try to do too many things at once, it will not work and you will not be able to give your 100% to task.

7. Make time for what is important to you

No matter how busy you are, make sure you spend time with people and things that are important to you. If you have gone through finding your core value series, you will already know what is important to you in your life. When you stay connected with what you truly care for, you will be recharged and refresh in time of overwhelm.

8. Smile and be nice

Okay, so we all got loads of things to do and it is easy to let pressure come off at people around us, I know I have been there myself. But we do not have to let overwhelm get to us, we can still smile and be nice to people around us. It is easy to get stressed with life, if we let it.

“When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.”

Your turn: How do you stay relaxed when you are overwhelmed? What ideas or suggestions worked for you. Please share with us.

Preeti AKA Zengirl

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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