tagged w/ Daily Mantra
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by Michelle
Is 2008 the year? You know, the one where you quit smoking, get fit, kick-start your career, or de-clutter your house? The dawn of the New Year is traditionally a time to set goals for the year ahead, but why should we bother with making resolutions?
"If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time"
- Author Unknown
Sitting down and working out what your goals are is a practice in self-exploration that will help you understand yourself better. Having specific, meaningful goals for yourself will also help you focus your energy on working towards those goals, and will help you make decisions in your life that foster the achievement of those goals rather than letting yourself be subject to the whims of others or the unpredictable winds of chance. Setting and completing achievable goals is also a good way to build self-confidence. Achieving things that are personally meaningful and important to you provides a boost to your self-esteem and improves your self-image.
Since part of the key to using goals as useful tools in your life is choosing personal, appropriate and achievable goals, how do we go about choosing them? Goal setting is a very future-oriented activity, which means that it is easy to find that there is a disconnect between your goals and your daily life. You may have a goal to quit smoking, but when you come back to the present moment after thinking about your future non-smoking self, your current identity as a smoker takes over again and urges you to have another cigarette.
According to motivational blogger Steve Pavlina, the key to setting goals that are realistic and meaningful to you in the present moment is to ask yourself how working towards this goal will change your current existence. The past and the future really only exist in our imagination, but the present moment is all we ever really have. When our goals improve the quality of our life in the present moment, it doesn't matter whether the goal is even achievable in our lifetime or not, because it is worth working towards for the benefits we gain right now. The goals of cleaning up our greenhouse gas emissions and living more simply may seem so huge they are unachievable, but when we can see tangible benefits in our lives from making small changes we are more motivated to keep working towards our goals.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Michelle
Is 2008 the year? You know, the one where you quit smoking, get fit,... more
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by Lael
Where do folks with screen names like "releaserina" and "misnomers" express their deepest desires, both light and dark? Well 43 of their wants are listed in order of priority on the website 43Things.com, and yours can be too!
For no more than a few minutes sign up time, you can join a large community of goal-setters, 78 members of which wish to "attain enlightenment." (Maybe they need to spend more time reading Daily Mantra?) By comparison, a full 27,584 wish to "lose weight." So, yes, the flesh does seem to be beating out the spirit on this network of goal setters by at least a small margin. But we won't be haters; people should want what they want. And, anyway, one thing that makes 43Things.com so fun and fascinating is the wide range of interests and values represented.
Since the site is as anonymous as its participants wish it to be, there is a nakedness to many of the desires listed as well. Anyone who has seen The Secret (4 members wish to "do" it) or in any way dabbled in The Law of Attraction (183 wish to "master" it) knows the importance of goal setting. 43things.com makes this process fun. Even folks who always feel stumped and blank when asked what they want will become inspired as they start poking around and reading through the many, many goals on view. Some of these are whimsical ("memorize an ironic poem of appropriate length so that the memorization can be used as a party trick, of course only at low-key, intellectualish parties"-13 people, "learn to whistle with my fingers"-42 people) and others deadly serious ("overcome cancer"-6 people, "accept that I have HIV"-1 person).
Virtual camaraderie abounds on 43things.com where participants cheer one another on, make themselves available to give advice regarding goals they've already reached, and write brief entries regarding their own progress or lack thereof on particular goals. So, if you are ready for a more focused year ahead, if you want to try something new, achieve something meaningful, or simply have more fun, check out the aspirations of your fellow websurfers on 43Things.com. Then take a moment to write out your own goals for 2008 and beyond. Whether you realize it or not, doing so and then revisiting, rereading and occasionally amending your list will make all the difference.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Lael
Where do folks with screen names like "releaserina" and... more
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What will the New Year have in store for Britney, Tomkat, Hilary and Oprah? Our California Psychics friends make some surprising celebrity predictions for 2008.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes will welcome a son this next year, but their marriage will begin to crumble by the end of next year, their separate careers being to blame.
- Persephone
Britney Spears will spend 3 months in rehab in order to regain custody of her children.
- Claudia
Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn resume their romance. It will last for about 6 months to a year, but they will once again part ways.
- Persephone
Oprah Winfrey will admit to her fans that she got carried away during the election and felt she cost Hillary and the Democrats the presidency by swinging her support toward other camps. Oprah's endorsement of Obama will help win him the Democratic nomination, but he will not be president.
- Althea
Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy will become engaged and almost married, but one of them will balk at the altar.
- Persephone
Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt will shoot a film about a woman from their past. There's lots of air combat in it.
- Lucrecia
Oprah Winfrey will adopt two children next year from either Cambodia or South Africa, both girls and both ranging in age from 1 year to 9 years old.
- Persephone
The shock of the year, a female with red or brown hair, a celebrity who was thought dead, will be found alive and well.
-Lucrecia
Two men of prominence who are friends shall pass during the same month.
- Carol
Britney Spears will give birth to a daughter, and there is a chance of reconciliation with Justin Timberlake late next year.
- PersephoneWhat will the New Year have in store for Britney, Tomkat, Hilary and Oprah? Our... more
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It's impossible to provide a definitive top 10 reading list, but these are the books, in no particular order, that inspired The Daily Mantra's writers over the past year....It's impossible to provide a definitive top 10 reading list, but these are the... more
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by Nicole
Shame on everyone who took part in the brawl at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. According to an AFP report, seven people were injured today (Thursday 27th December 2008) when a fight broke out between Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests at the church which is said to mark the site of Christ's birth. The fracas began after Greek Orthodox priests set up ladders, which encroached on space set aside for the Armenian priests, while attempting to clean up their part of the church. Palestinian police were called in to stop what the BBC called "pitched battles" which involved about 80 "holy" men wielding brooms.
How can any of those involved dare to call themselves followers of Christ and behave like this? Their behavior is especially shameful at such a place and time! I mean how hard is it to understand the meaning of "love thy neighbor" (Mark 12:33) and "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39). Both are concepts we expect Sunday school kids to understand, never mind grown men of the cloth. The priests on either side shouldn't be allowed to preach to anyone until they all make amends to the brothers they were so readily brawling with today.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Nicole
Shame on everyone who took part in the brawl at the Church of the Nativity... more
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by Malayna
An episode of The Sundance Channel's series Iconoclasts paired comedian Mike Myers with spiritual author Deepak Chopra. Actor Robert Redford, the visionary behind the Sundance Channel, explained the concept behind the series this way: "Iconoclasts can be a beautiful clashing - a collision of high profile types- that's stimulating and entertaining for audiences." Regarding this particular pairing he said, "Obviously there's admiration going both ways, and the connection between the two of them becomes straight out entertainment, because it's just different."
Myers and Deepak spent the day together in preparation for a symposium on comedy and spirituality that evening, held in a small theater in New York. "I don't think that a having a sense of spirituality and a sense of humor are mutually exclusive," Myers explains. "One of the things I love about Deepak is that he has a sense of humor about what he does."
Myers attributes his perspective to what he learned from his own "comedy guru," Del Close (who also worked with John Belushi, Bill Murray and Dan Akroyd), who connected comedy with the profound and profane. Myers explained it in this way, "Ha Ha and A-Ha are connected - they're related industries."
At the theater later that day, the discussion seemed surprisingly to circle around a central theme. "Lenny Bruce defined comedy as pain plus time; Bergson described comedy as the realization of one's own mortality," Myers begins. "The laughter is just an involuntary response of the recognition of your own mortality."
Chopra initially responded by explaining, "When your soul responds to the paradox of our existence, to the contradictions of our existence, to the fact that wherever there is joy there is suffering, when your soul recognizes this, it can do nothing except laugh." Later, Chopra returned to the theme of mortality. "We're all on death row and the only uncertainty is the method of execution and the length of reprieve." Myers followed this rather gloomy thought with a hearty "Goodnight!" Over the laughter Chopra continued, "Do you realize that I've been talking about the most morbid thing in existence...and you are laughing? Do you see that? Confronting our mortality makes us laugh."
Overall the pairing was refreshing, both because it elucidated how well-versed and educated Myers is, despite the silliness of his work; and how down-to-earth and light-hearted Chopra is, despite the seriousness of spirituality. Myers closed the show with the following quote: "Everything that I've read suggests that enlightenment is lightening up". We at the Daily Mantra wholeheartedly agree with that.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Malayna
An episode of The Sundance Channel's series Iconoclasts paired... more
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by Nicole
The Daily Mantra saw a preview of Tim Burton's masterful gothic re-working of Stephen Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd yesterday. While the 'priest pies' (see clip HERE) might put off our vegetarian readers, and the numerous cockroaches that died in the making of this movie may upset the PETA posse (well Mrs Lovett's kitchen is a dangerous place for any living thing to be), we have to say the ruby red blood fest is very entertaining, and strangely festive. Johnny Depp does pure evil disturbingly well, and handles the demon barber's vocal duties with aplomb, as does Helena Bonham Carter in the role of his pie-loving partner-in-crime. At least her baked goods have sustainably-farmed fillings, which on balance probably serve the environment better than the appetites of her hungry customers. Like the pies, the film is only for those with strong constitutions.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Nicole
The Daily Mantra saw a preview of Tim Burton's masterful gothic... more
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by Nicole
Short on time but still want to give something worthwhile? Why not give an insta-charity gift card from Tisbest.org. The cute and colorful cards are delivered by email, and start at just $10. You can also include a personal message with your gift card. What's great about TisBest is that the recipient chooses the ultimate destination for your donation (which also makes this a great gift for those you don't know well). The organization works with a slew of charities, from Action Against Hunger and the African Wildlife Foundation to UNICEF and the Young Women's Leadership Foundation.
All proceeds go to charity minus a $3.95 transaction fee (hence this is more economical for larger donations) and a 3% credit card processing fee, and 100% of the purchase price is tax deductible (which is important with tax season approaching). The gift card must be "spent" within three years of purchase, but at TisBest unlike Best Buy, all unredeemed funds go to charity rather than cooperate coffers, which is an important consideration since it's estimated that more than 10% of gift cards go unspent.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Nicole
Short on time but still want to give something worthwhile? Why not give an... more
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Music to inspire, create and make love to, these albums have been in heavy rotation in the Daily Mantra's life this year.
Music to inspire, create and make love to, these albums have been in heavy rotation in... more
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Comedian Ricky Gervais debates the merits of God vs. Santa with Anglican church leader Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in this BBC audiocast (click HERE to listen).
"I think his biggest mistake was giving me free will," says Gervais. "I think a lot of theologians would agree with you there," replies the Archbishop.
Round one to God.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraComedian Ricky Gervais debates the merits of God vs. Santa with Anglican church leader... more
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From the sublimely stupid to the completely dombass, these gifts will have you laughing and crying....From the sublimely stupid to the completely dombass, these gifts will have you... more
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by Nicole
The road to eco-hell is paved with good intentions. Future presidential hopeful Will Smith is following in Al Gore's footsteps, putting his green dollars where his mouth is. Well, actually, where his behind is to be more exact. It seems the gadget-loving actor has imported some high tech paperless toilets from Japan, which blast the user's bum with water and air, negating the need for a good old fashioned wipe.
"It's a gift from heaven, believe me. People think it's all about suction and that they're going to have their insides removed by this marvel of modern engineering - but it doesn't suck, it blows," said Smith to a reporter from The Daily Mail. "Not everyone can handle this thing emotionally, so I've made sure I also have a few normal toilets in my house."
Smith is obviously well intentioned where his bathroom habits are concerned, but I'm not sure I'd want to trust my intimates to his hi-tech air and water assault. Regardless, by the time these eco-latrines have been imported from Japan surely any environmental gain from the fact they're paperless has been negated by the carbon toll of their transport, and the energy consumed by their operation. And, since the prospect of using them is so unsettling, Smith was forced to install them alongside, rather than instead of, traditional ones to cater to those with nervous dispositions. So at this point you have to wonder whether Will and his WCs are ahead or behind in environmental terms.
Such a dilemma reminds me of the time a friend was remodeling a newly purchased condo. Before contracts on it could be exchanged, the three original, perfectly good toilets (two upstairs and one downstairs) had to be removed and replaced by low-flush toilets to comply with new codes brought in by well-meaning, conservation-conscious bureaucrats. However, the gauge for toilet waste pipes was standardized before the super-sizing of America, and this condo has been purchased by a rather substantial gentlemen, who produced rather substantial waste which the flow produced by "low flush" toilets couldn't begin to shift. To avoid constant blockages (imagine trying to propel a bowling ball up a straw with a trickle of water, and you'll get the picture), and to comply with the "low flush" laws, three special high tech vacuum models were installed. He'd now been through a total of nine toilets; And that was when the fun really started.
A few months, and many successful flushes, later, out of the blue my friend received a letter explaining that the vacuum super-toilets had been recalled since they had one fundamental flaw; they had a nasty habit of exploding. Worried about prospect of porcelain shards being propelled where the sun doesn't shine, my friend was again forced to weigh his, by now, very limited, options. Desperate measures were called for, since he now realized he risked life and limb (or bum and balls) each time he did a dump in one his apparently killer kharzies. At the suggestion of a Mexican plumber, three new "normal" toilets were smuggled north of the border. Of course, when the condo is eventually sold on, these contraband crappers will again have to be replaced.
And so, a simple homeowner, with larger than life human waste issues, put his life on the line, got caught up in a Mexican porcelain smuggling ring, and will have gone through a total of FIFTEEN toilets, all in the name of water conservation and the environment. Like I say, hell by good intentions.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Nicole
The road to eco-hell is paved with good intentions. Future presidential... more
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by Nicole
A British hotel chain is hoping to make amends to the ghosts of Christmas past by offering free hotel rooms to couples named Mary and Joseph this season. Married couples wanting to take up the offer must register online and provide proof of identity. Qualifying Marys and Josephs will be sent a voucher for a free room at any of Travelodge's 322 U.K. hotels, which can be redeemed for one night's accommodation between Christmas Eve and Twelfth Night.
According to a Travelodge press release, "the 'gift' of a free night's stay is to make up for the hotel industry not having any rooms left on Christmas Eve over 2000 years ago when the original 'Mary and Joseph' had to settle for the night in a stable." Mangers will be available upon request, and a complimentary parking spot will be provided for the modern day Marys & Josephs' donkeys. In addition, any shepherds and wise men in the party can get a discounted room from just £29 ($60) per night.
A spokesmen for Travelodge said, "The phrase no room at the inn is something that resonates with us in the hotel business. Therefore this year we have decided to evoke the true spirit of Christmas and invite Mary and Joseph as our guests."
One word of warning however, as the Daily Mantra reported earlier this year (see story), the hotel chain has been troubled by a plague of naked sleepwalkers, so any Mary and Josephs sleeping at Travelodge's inns this season should not suffer from a delicate disposition, or be easily shocked.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Nicole
A British hotel chain is hoping to make amends to the ghosts of Christmas... more
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Buy them for a friend or rent them for yourself, either way these DVDs are guaranteed to entertain, inform and enlighten.
An Inconvenient Truth
You can't argue with the Nobel committee's good taste.
Who Killed the Electric Car?
More joyously ironic to watch now Toyota has sold it's millionth hybrid, and GM has been forced to rejoin the green wagon.
The Secret
If Oprah's powers of attraction do the same for Obama as they did for this film, we'll see our first black president come 2008 (as long as all the votes are counted this time around).
The Fog of War
The point of history, is that you learn from the mistakes of the past. The problem is you need leaders who paid attention during their history lessons.
Sicko
Skip the first 10 minutes, which are too grim for words, and enjoy the pleasure and pain of the remainder of Moore's ode to national healthcare.
Idiocracy
A smart, frightening, funny, and frighteningly funny look at our coke-swilling, burger-munching, Fox "news" watching, dumbass leader-following future.
The Blue Planet - Seas of Life
When the BBC showed the first episode of this beautifully shot documentary series in the U.K. a nation was converted to the cause of ocean conservation overnight.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Don't Panic. Those looking for the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, need look no further.
Rome - The Complete First Season
All the intrigue of Dynasty but with togas instead of shoulder pads, and more sex (the Romans knew a thing or two about how to do decent sex scenes). A BBC/HBO gem that reminds us that great empires come and go.
Gattaca
The right to privacy is something worth fighting for. Watch it and you'll get the terrifying implications of what's happening now.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraBuy them for a friend or rent them for yourself, either way these DVDs are guaranteed... more
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Sometimes life is so predictable. As we prophesied in our story two days ago, our always good-for-a-giggle pal over at the Catholic League, Bill Donohue, has got all worked up about the prospect of popwreck Britney Spears playing Madonna (the mother of Jesus of Nazareth rather than David of Malawi) in a modern day nativity film called Sweet Baby Jesus.
"She is seriously miscast," fumed Donohue to New York's Daily News gossip rag. "She would be better suited to play the lead role in a flick called 'Monica' [as in Lewinsky]. If she did, the Catholic League would be delighted to send her a box of cigars!"
How very (Un)Christian of him!
Sometimes life is so predictable. As we prophesied in our story two days ago, our... more
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