週四(3/1)1.禪與高空彈跳2. BBC 報導台灣衛生紙 “恐慌”

板橋區文化路一段421巷11弄1號 (陽光甜味咖啡館)

埔捷運站1號出口 旁邊7-11巷子進入20公尺 看到夏朵美髮左轉    PM 7:00-9:30

禪 與高空彈跳

How to Get Rid of Mental Stress with Zen Meditation

by: Junji Takano  pyroenergen

Stress Elicited by Bungee Jumping

Bungee jumping is a well-known thrill-seeking risky sports activity. Considering the risks that bungee jumpers are exposed, we tried to check and study their stress levels just before their jump. We recorded various data such as heart beat, breathing, and brain waves, while asking them about their worries in case accident happens.

For some groups, we requested them to do certain types of meditation like Yoga or Zen (Zazen). We tried to see if these sorts of meditations can help eradicate their anxiety and bring down their stress levels.

Bungee Jumping

When you have worries or problems, you stress level changes depending on the degree of your anxiety, as we have concluded based on the brain wave tests. We found out that when you are in a state of anxiety, an inner part of the brain reacts and either becomes less active or completely stops functioning. We think that this function may be the key to stop stress or reduce anxiety.

To prevent further increase of anxiety level in your brain, you really need to do some sort of trainings to reduce your stress buildup. The first thing that comes to our mind is something like that of Zazen (Zen Meditation).

Performing Zen Meditation to Calm your Mind and Reduce Your Stress

Zen meditation may be one of the best stress reduction techniques to calm your mind and reduce your stress. Yes, brain exercise of 15 minutes a day can be recommended for those who are facing such stressful situation.

As evidenced from our interviews conducted with people practicing Zen meditation, we learned that those who performed Zen meditation for more than 30 days were able to sleep way easily, as opposed to those who did not.

Zazen Meditation

Here's a Simple Meditation Technique You Can Try at Home

    Imagine yourself resting while looking at the beautiful running stream of water.

    Then, picture a fallen leaf passing through the creek downwards.

    Now, focus and visualize placing your problem and worry to this small leaf.

The concept of this meditation technique is that the leaf will carry your problem downwards until your eyes cannot reach it anymore.

Q:

How to get rid of mental stress?

Where your stress come from?

How to calm your mind and reduce your stress?

What do you think about Zen meditation?

Sharing your ideas or experiences about bungee jumping or some extreme sports?

What to do when you have worries or problems?

What is the difference between Zen practice and chi practice?

 

BBC 報導台灣衛生紙 “恐慌”

Taiwan toilet paper panic: why is island caught short? BBC

Taiwan retailers have seen a rush on toilet paper over the weekend, as word spread of an imminent sharp price rise.

Shoppers used social media to post pictures of empty shelves where the product would usually be.

Manufacturers have written to retailers warning that prices are set to rise by 10% to 30% next month, as extra costs are passed on to customers.

But some shoppers said they bulk-bought because of fears the product would run out, rather than over price worries.

Toilet paper

Wikipedia

Most modern toilet paper in the developed world is designed to decompose in septic tanks, whereas some other bathroom and facial tissues are not. Toilet paper comes in various plies or layers of thickness, from one-ply all the way up to six-ply, meaning that it is either a single sheet or multiple sheets placed back-to-back to make it thicker, stronger and more absorbent.

Joseph Gayetty is widely credited with being the inventor of modern commercially available toilet paper in the United States. Gayetty's paper, first introduced in 1857, was available as late as the 1920s. Gayetty's Medicated Paper was sold in packages of flat sheets, watermarked with the inventor's name. Original advertisements for the product used the tagline "The greatest necessity of the age! Gayetty's medicated paper for the water-closet."

Q:

What do you think about new reported that “Taiwan toilet paper panic”?

Do you think that there many rumors and hoaxes in social media?

Are you an impulsive buyer?

Is toilet paper creating problems for your plumbing?

What do you about the public toilets in Taiwan?

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週二(2/27)1.努力 不等於成功?2. 風水國運

板橋區文化路一段421巷11弄1號 (陽光甜味咖啡館)

埔捷運站1號出口 旁邊7-11巷子進入20公尺 看到夏朵美髮左轉    PM 7:00-9:30

努力 不等於成功?

This Is Why Hard Work Is Not Essential to Achieving Success

Karima Mariama-Arthur  lifehack

Because working smarter is more useful than working harder

Working hard may be a waste of time, especially if you’re not getting results. In fact, real estate mogul, Chris Leavitt, says that working smarter is a proactive strategy that sets pros apart. Very early in his career, he realized that time is a non-negotiable, non-renewable resource and people waste a lot of it. By working smarter, he discovered creative ways to achieve greater results without wasting time, compromising his integrity, or sacrificing the bottom-line.

Because you need support

Cultivating strong relationships is vital. No man is an island to himself, even when he wants to be. Serial entrepreneur, Richard Branson, says that success in business is all about making connections. And he would know. He’s made a lot of great ones. Without the support of others who can help you to successfully pull projects forward, it can be very difficult to reach deadlines, relieve stress and expand your reach.

Because happiness matters

Without happiness, it’s pretty difficult to develop the desire to achieve anything. Success, then, rests on your capacity to embrace happiness on a visceral level. Jim Rohn, considered America’s foremost business philosopher, taught strategies for improving our lives based on the principles of gratitude and happiness. He drew on guiding principles from the reality of his own life, which inspired others to embrace his insight on actuating personal development. He will always be remembered for his larger than life contributions to the industry.

Because success requires sacrifice

Everyone wants to achieve success, but few are willing to sacrifice what it takes to get it. American Olympian, Gabrielle Douglas, knows a lot about sacrifice. After all, she’s spent most of her life preparing for competitive gymnastics, a feat difficult for even the best of athletes. To be at her best, she needed to follow rigorous training regimens and an equally strict diet. She also spent a significant amount of time away from her family to train before participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Of course she’s had plenty of good days, but she’s also sacrificed a lot. Are you willing to sacrifice to get to the top?

Q:

In your opinion why hard work is not essential to achieving success?

Do you support this saying “working smarter is more useful than working harder”?

How to creative ways to achieve greater results?

Where to find the supporters if you need help?

Why cultivating strong relationships is vital?

Why happiness matters?

Why success requires sacrifice?

 

風水國運

2018 for world leaders: Feng shui masters predict claws out in Year of Dog

hongkongfp.com

As the Chinese zodiac switches into the Year of the Dog later this week, Hong Kong feng shui experts predict anything but a walk in the park for global leaders.

Born in another dog year, 1946, United States president Donald Trump faces a run of bad luck, according to soothsayers, as his zodiac animal clashes with 2018’s canine theme.

Feng shui — literally meaning “wind-water” – is influential in many parts of Asia, where people adjust their lives and carefully position items such as a cup of wine or pieces of crystal in offices and homes to maximise their luck and wealth.

The philosophy says that all events are dictated by the varying balances in the five elements that make up the universe: metal, wood, water, fire and earth.

Trump’s birth date makes him a “fire dog”, but 2018 is an “earth dog” year, a mismatch of elements.

The fire in Trump’s own birth chart will foment and affect his health, says feng shuimaster Thierry Chow, while his words — the fire element also represents speech — may bring about “real problems” and tangible consequences.

“The elements are too much fire and too much earth, so that’s going to be causing him imbalance in his fortune,” Chow told AFP.

Chow uses the “flying star” system to make her predictions based on constellation positions, foreseeing more tensions between the US and North Korea, which is afflicted by the most malevolent number five star.

She also warned of the risk of crossed wires between Trump and China on the thorny issues of trade and the economy.

“The seventh star is falling onto the east side — the star affects communication, it causes gossip and misunderstanding,” says Chow.

Feng shui runs through life in Hong Kong, with many people seeking advice from masters before making important life decisions, from picking a wedding date to choosing a new home.

Major companies also employ their own feng shui consultants to dictate interior designs and give investment advice.

Each year, brokerage firm CLSA comes out with its own Feng Shui Index, predicting what the next 12 months holds for the business world.

In 2018, it divined that the internet, utilities and technology sectors would perform with flying colours.

All are categorised as “fire-related” industries, and will do particularly well between May and July, feng shui experts said.

However, with the city’s bourse going through a rollercoaster of highs and lows, the brokerage masters advised a cool head to navigate the earth dog market.

“The dog represents duty and loyalty and is a sign of defence and protection,” it said in its public predictions.

“Entrepreneurs should stick with their most loyal clients, and investors are advised not to bite off more than they can chew.”

Q:

What do you think about the luck of Taiwan for the next year?

Do you know anything about Feng shui?

Do you believe in feng shui and Feng shui experts?

Do you believe in the Chinese zodiac or start signs?
How to gain good lucks?

How to get rid the bad lucks?

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周六(2/24)1幫人打氣 2.全球”清廉度” 下午4:00-6:00

板橋區文化路一段421巷11弄1號 (陽光甜味咖啡館)

新埔捷運站1號出口 旁邊7-11巷子進入20公尺 看到夏朵美髮

左轉       聚會時間下午4:00pm--6:00pm

幫人打氣

Simple And Creative Ways To Cheer Someone Up

Katherine Eion  lifehack.org

Give Hugs

It sounds so simple, it’s stupid. But hugging someone truly relieves stress and can make another feel a lot better. Hugging is a great stress reliever for both parties and is very helpful when there are no words. Research shows that oxytocin, a chemical that is a natural stress reliever, is released in the brain when hugging. A hug conveys loving care when mere words just won’t do.

Have a Chuckle

The old adage, “Laughter is the best medicine,” certainly applies here. Help your friend or loved one to a good laugh at the situation. After all, nothing, not even pain—to paraphrase Charlie Chaplin—lasts forever. Use puns, jokes, or sarcasm to help another crack a hearty smile. Laughing just makes a person feel better and a good laugh might help to put a new spin or perspective on the situation.

Make Them Dinner

Click the link above to find foods that relieve stress. Plus, there is an added bonus to sharing food with another person; it gives them a chance to relax and perhaps more comfortably share their problem. Budgets are understandably tight these days, so the meal need not be expensive. Breaking bread with someone can be very calming, soothing, and relaxing. It may also help get the person’s mind off their troubles.

Have a Movie Night

Gather some favorite snacks and share a movie. Click the link above for a list of movies that are sure to tickle the funny bone. If tears are in order, by all means grab a box of tissue and find a sad story. Sometimes, tears can be as cathartic as laughter. Or choose a movie, such as Steel Magnolias, that is a good mix of comedy and drama. Either way, a movie is a good way to help someone who is troubled take their mind off of the problem for a while.

Go Shopping

“Retail therapy” is sometimes disparaged. Give a quick lift by doing a little shopping. The spree need not be expensive. Set a budget and hit up secondhand, consignment, and thrift stores. Spend time together and purchase something that is entirely frivolous. If money is a problem, purchase and return the item later. Veer away from purchasing anything that is a “need.” This trip is all about a want, just remember to help your pal or loved one not to go overboard with spending.

Q:

What are the ways to cheer someone up?

Do you think that giving hugs is a good idea to cheer someone up?

What do you think this saying “laughter is the best medicine,”?

Have you ever made dinner to cheer someone up?

How to help get the person’s mind off their troubles?

Do you think have a movie night is a good idea to cheer someone up?

Can go shopping relieve depression?

 

全球”清廉度”

Corruption Perceptions Index 2017 shows high corruption burden in more than two-thirds of countries

Transparency International

An index released today by Transparency International, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, reveals some disturbing information – despite attempts to combat corruption around the world, the majority of countries are moving too slowly in their efforts. While stemming the tide against corruption takes time, in the last six years many countries have still made little to no progress. Even more alarming, further analysis of the index results indicates that countries with the lowest protections for press and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also tend to have the worst rates of corruption.

The index, which ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and businesspeople, uses a scale of zero to 100, where zero is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean. This year, the index found that more than two-thirds of countries score below 50, with an average score of 43.

Over the last six years, several countries significantly improved their CPI score, including Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and the United Kingdom, while several countries declined, including Syria, Yemen and Australia.

This year, New Zealand and Denmark rank highest with scores of 89 and 88 respectively. Syria, South Sudan and Somalia rank lowest with scores of 14, 12 and 9 respectively. The best performing region is Western Europe with an average score of 66. The worst performing regions are Sub-Saharan Africa (average score 32) and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (average score 34).

Every week a journalist is killed in a highly corrupt country

Analysis of the index results by Transparency International further examined the relationship between corruption levels, the protection of journalistic freedoms and engagement of civil society. It found that almost all journalists killed since 2012 were killed in corrupt countries.

“No activist or reporter should have to fear for their lives when speaking out against corruption,” said Patricia Moreira, managing director of Transparency International. “Given current crackdowns on both civil society and the media worldwide, we need to do more to protect those who speak up.”

The analysis, which incorporates data from the Committee to Protect Journalists, shows that in the last six years, more than 9 out of 10 journalists were killed in countries that score 45 or less on the Corruption Perceptions Index. This means that, on average, every week at least one journalist is killed in a country that is highly corrupt. In addition, one in five journalists that died were covering a story about corruption. Sadly, justice was never served in the majority of these cases.

Q:

What is your opinion about Corruption Perceptions Index 2017?

In your opinion, which countries tend to have the worst rates of corruption?

What is your viewpoint about this year, New Zealand and Denmark rank least corruption nations?

How to curb corruption if you were the president of your country?

“Taiwan is the 31 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries, according to the 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index report” What do you think of this report?

How punish public officers for embezzleme

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