The magic EMP-proof box Even though U.S. scientists have known about electromagnetic pulses for quite some time – and, in fact, intentionally created them in the late 1950s and early 1960s during the Cold War – it’s been more recently that EMPs have entered the conversation for ordinary Americans. There is rising concern that a rogue nation or terrorist organization could seriously disrupt our power grids by detonating a nuclear weapon high above the United States or setting off an e-bomb that could do much damage on a more local level. So isn’t it strange that a device with the capability of blocking or at least significantly reducing the effects of an EMP was invented prior to the Civil War? It may not be realistic to build a Faraday cage around a country, or even a neighborhood, for that matter. Have you ever used or tried to build a Faraday cage? Recommended Today EMP Survival Guide: Did you know that defense experts are warning that this “weird” device could wipe out 280,000,000 Americans?
Baby-Steps: Fixing Nine Common Problems One Step at a Time Source: literaryyard Mattie says that rather than sleeping in on Saturdays and wasting a good part of her day-off, she wants to get up early and go to the gym. The problem is that she has been saying this for months, and has yet to make it. Why? Despite her Friday-night resolve she wakes up and “doesn’t feel like it”–she’s too tired, she deserves to rest, the bed is too comfortable, etc. And so, the Saturday goes by, she feels a sting a guilt, and resolves the next week will be the week… In the 1991 movie What About Bob, Richard Dreyfus plays a psychiatrist who has written a book called Baby Steps, which Bill Murray’s character takes to heart and uses to help him step out of his neurotic life. There are usually two things that usually get in the way of our making the changes we need to make to solve and conquer our problems: One is setting goals that are too large, expectations that are too high that leave us feeling overwhelmed. This is what is likely happening for Mattie. Passivity
16 things I know are true but haven't quite learned yet There’s a difference between knowing something and living as if it were true. At the end of 2013, these truths are all lingering on that awkward threshold, for me anyway. 1) The sooner you do something, the more of your life you get to spend with that thing done — even though it takes less effort (or at least no more) than it will later. It’s the ultimate sure-thing investment and I pass it up all the time. 2) I never regret working out. 3) Whenever I’m playing with my phone I am only shortening my life. 4) Nothing makes me more productive and in-the-moment than a clean house. 5) Minute-for-minute, nothing I do is more rewarding than meditation. 6) Creative work is something that can be done at any time. 7) Acting the way you want to feel usually works. 8) Ninety-five per cent of my happiness comes from having a home, a functioning body and something to eat. 9) Our minds are geared to manage much less than we typically end up managing. Goodbye 2013, you were great. Photo by David Cain
Why Fear of Discomfort Might Be Ruining Your Life By Leo Babauta Think about the major problems in your life — from anxiety to lack of regular exercise to a bad diet to procrastination and more. Pretty much every one of these problems is caused by a fear of discomfort. Discomfort isn’t intense pain, but just the feeling you get when you’re out of your comfort zone. Eating vegetables for many people, for example, brings discomfort. And most people don’t like discomfort. The problem is that when you run from discomfort all the time, you are restricted to a small zone of comfort, and so you miss out on most of life. Amazingly, the simple act of being OK with discomfort can solve all these problems. This is a discovery I made a few years back, when I was trying to change my life. I started by trying to quit smoking, but I hated the feeling of having an urge to smoke and not actually smoking. I learned to sit and watch the discomfort. Then I watched this same process happen with running. How to Become Good at Discomfort Try it in small doses.
$300 underground greenhouse grows produce year-round, even in severe climates (NaturalNews) With staggering food prices and shortages looming, there's no better time to grow your own produce. Sadly, most greenhouses are expensive to build and impractical to heat during cold, wintery conditions. Thankfully, a solution is found with the Walipini. Developed for South American mountainous regions over twenty years ago, it allows edibles to be grown year-round - even in the most inhospitable weather. As an added bonus, it's also outrageously inexpensive to construct.Known as a pit or underground greenhouse, the Walipini utilizes the advantages of passive solar heating along with earth sheltering properties. The structure makes use of thermal mass energy, creating a highly efficient and cost effective method for heating the interior. "The Walipini, in simplest terms, is a rectangular hole in the ground 6' to 8' deep covered by plastic sheeting. The estimated building cost (using volunteer labor) for a 20 x 74 foot Walipini in La Paz, Peru is between $250 - $300.
The Ultimate Guide to Bulletproof Habits Table of Contents Part I: Why Do Habits? 1.1 Jane Was Suicidal 1.2 The Slight Edge Part II: The Habits Toolkit 2.1 Your Inner World: Mental Habits 2.1.1 Gratitude 2.1.2 Visualization 2.1.3 Mantras 21.4 Opposition Thinking 2.2 Habits for your Outer World 2.2.1 The Planning Habit 2.2.2 The Physical Habit 2.2.3 The Learning Habit 2.2.4 Habits to Refresh Yourself 2.2.5 The Anti-Habits Habit: The Unschedule 2.2.6 Don’t Forget to “Cycle Off” Habits 2.2.7 The Big Block of Cheese Day 2.2.8 Habits of Reflection 2.2.9 Bonus Section: Money Habits Part III: How to Install Habits 3.1 How to Start 3.2 My Template for an Exceptional Life 3.3 Final Words In three words, here is the secret to living at a level of success beyond your wildest dreams: Make your bed. The most direct, fulfilling route to greatness is not through grand strategy, clever maneuvers, inborn talent or the right connections; it’s the path of small, consistent and patient steps repeated again and again. Not inspired? Who told you it’s boring?
7 Smart Ways to Deal with Toxic People Don’t let toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and get them out of there. Surviving the ups, downs, and lightning storms of other people’s moodiness can be quite a challenge. It’s important, though, to remember that some moody, negative people may be going through a difficult stage in their lives. But there’s another type of moody, negative behavior: that of the toxic bully, who will use his or her mood swings to intimidate and manipulate. I’m a firm believer that toxic mood swings (like chain letter emails) should not be inflicted on one person by another, under any circumstances. 1. If you know someone who insists on destructively dictating the emotional atmosphere, then be clear: they are toxic. When you delete toxic people from your environment it becomes a lot easier to breathe. A healthy relationship is reciprocal; it should be give and take, but not in the sense that you’re always giving and they’re always taking. 2. 3. Stand up for yourself. 4. 5. 6. 7. Related
50+ Personal Productivity Blogs You've Never Heard of Before (and about a dozen you probably have) The personal productivity niche on the Web has grown by leaps and bounds since Lifehack launched only a few years ago. While a few sites dominate the rankings, there are lots and lots of lesser-known sites that are as good or even better than the “A-list” productivity blogs. Most of them are solo operations — the GTD newbie documenting his or her quest for greater control over their life, the coach or consultant sharing his or her knowledge with the world, the writer adding to his or her published work with notes, errata, and new findings. Their voice is personal, intimate even — and deserves to be heard. So here I present a collection of productivity blogs that are less well-known, by writers I think you should get to know better. Of course, the big names are here too — after all, I owe some of them a tremendous debt for helping me get a grip on my own life. Enjoy! 43 Folders: Merlin Mann started a lot of us on this journey, so now he has to pay. Read full content
Gregg Braden - The Deepest Truth of Our Existence - Interviewed by Nathan Crane Trauma and Co-Dependency - The Ranch Codependency is a dysfunctional relationship dynamic in which one person’s needs are secondary to another’s. Typically, codependency occurs when true intimacy does not. It is commonly developed in relationships with an addicted individual, but also develops in other relationships with people who are somehow emotionally unavailable. Relationships in which there is some type of traumatic bond, such as those involving physical, sexual or emotional abuse, can also create codependency in the victim. Relationship Dynamics The characteristics of codependency are behaviors that govern interactions, feelings about oneself and others and beliefs about oneself and others. Feelings of Codependency and Related Behaviors Individuals who use codependent behaviors have many chronic negative feelings. Many codependents are active to the point of chronic fatigue and exhaustion. Codependency as Trauma Codependency takes its toll in all areas of one’s life. Codependency and Self-sabotage Related In "Articles"
The Little Book of Procrastination Remedies | zen habits Post written by Leo Babauta. Procrastination is one of those topics that, it seems, I can’t write enough about. There isn’t a person among us who doesn’t procrastinate, and that’s a fact of life. It’s deep within us. If our current self can’t beat procrastination, why will our future self do it? I thought I should cover some of the best procrastination-beating strategies, in light of my recent book, focus. Here’s a quick guide. Why We Procrastinate Let’s take a quick look at what makes us procrastinate. 1. 2. 3. 4. Four Powerful Solutions Now that we know the problems, the solutions aren’t that hard to figure out. 1. 2. 3. 4. A Different Mindset Three other things that must be said about procrastination: 1. 2. 3. —Read more about focus and getting great things done in Leo’s book, focus.