22 Things you can do daily to improve your life

From http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2007/10/18/22-things-you-can-do-daily-to-improve-your-life/:

 

There is no such thing as instant improvement in life. Instead, you can only grow yourself. And as you know in agriculture, growth can only happen little by little over time. Bare eyes won't be able to see the growth of a tree daily, but over the years it will grow to a big tree.

Similarly, you grow yourself little by little everyday. The things that you do daily may seem small and insignificant, but overtime people will be surprised to learn how much you have growth in life.

Therefore, to improve your life, the focus should be on the small things you do daily. The key word here is daily. If you do not have the persistence to do these small things consistently, you won't be able to see the results over the long term.

So here I'd like to share 22 things you can do daily to improve your life. Of course, you may not be able to do them all at once. Just start with the ones that benefit you most. Or, if you have done many of them, consider doing the ones that you haven't done yet.

Here they are:

1. Be observant of what is going on around you. Open your eyes and ears. This way a lot of fresh ideas will come to you.
2. Take notes of every idea that comes to your mind. Never let any idea goes uncaptured.
3. Try to learn something from the people you meet. Find something you can learn in their words, their attitude, or even their mistakes.
4. Bring a book or magazine wherever you go. This way you can use any gap time for reading.
5. Allocate a minimum of 30 minutes to read a book.
6. Meditate. It improves your clarity which in turn improves your effectiveness.
7. Take time to reflect on your day. What have you done right? What have you done wrong? What can you do to improve yourself?
8. Drink water a lot.
9. Exercise.
10. Read a collection of quotes. I like to use Random Quotations.
11. Choose a quote of the day to ponder and apply. Preferably, it should come from your personal list of quotes which contains the quotes that resonate most with you.
12. Take notes of every expense you make. This is an effective way to keep your finance under control.
13. Do something for the first time. Either find something new you have never done before, or find a new way to do something (e.g. taking a different route to work). This is to increase your mental capacity.
14. Effectively read online articles.
15. Use timer to help you actually do what you need to do. Actually doing is the key to productivity.
16. Learn to use a tool, either to improve your skill with a familiar tool or to learn a new tool. A good start is to learn the keyboard shortcuts of the software you usually use.
17. Take time to review your life purpose and goals, preferably before doing the main activities of the day.
18. Rise early.
19. Listen to educational or motivational audio program when you are doing activities which do not need full concentration. Examples of such activities are exercising, driving, and queuing.
20. Be grateful for your day. Being grateful helps you develop a positive attitude toward life.
21. Read a random article from Wikipedia to expose you to new things you may never know before.
22. Have fun. Having fun helps you be passionate about life.

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Misc. Gadgets I like...

From Technabob Blog:

Very interesting items. I would like them all pretty please.

Except maybe the PS3 controller - I don't have one of those - yet.

ePillow: Remove iPad Before Pillow Fights

Posted: 11 Aug 2011 05:22 AM PDT

Cases will make your iPad only so comfortable, if you have use the device for hours a day, let's say on a plane or at home. This is where the ePillow comes in. It's going to make resting your iPad on your lap quite easier.

The ePillow provides a special resting place for your iPad, ensuring that it won't tip over. It kind of reminds me of those pillows that included a trays to allow people to use their laptops for long periods of time. The main difference is that the iPad is quite lighter. Anyway, maybe it will make your iPad easier to use for your kids.

The ePillow sells for $29.95(USD) on the Veyl Products website, and it's available in either brown or black. Or you could just stick your iPad on a normal pillow or cushion – like many of us already do – and be done with it!

 

[via Gizmodo via DVice]

 

 

Pago: Want to Make Waiters Obsolete? There's an App for That

Posted: 11 Aug 2011 05:26 AM PDT

A new company has developed an app that effectively turns your smartphone into a waiter, barista, basically anyone who takes your orders and processes your stuff. The company is called Pago Mobile, and their app is called Pago, which means "payment" in Spanish.

Pago Mobile works with establishments – coffee shops, restaurants, dry cleaners, you name it – to integrate the app into their point of sale system. So when you fire up Pago, you'll see a list of shops. You can then browse their offerings, order and pay even if you're not actually in the store, and without waiting for someone to notice that you've had your hand raised for 15 minutes, desperate for food, or that you've gone hoarse trying to get the bartender's attention at the club.

Here's an interview that TechCrunch did with Pago Mobile founder and CEO Leo Rocco. Skip to 4:10 if you want to see a demo of the app:

Check out Pago's website for more info and for download links to the iPhone, Android and Blackberry apps. A Windows 7 version is coming soon. As of now, Pago only has ties with establishments in Mountain View, California and Las Vegas – prime spots to attract attention and investors. Frankly I'm surprised it's taken this long for something like this to be invented, but on the other hand it can't be easy to earn the support of hundreds, if not thousands of businesses. Overall I think Pago's a really neat app and will make customer's lives easier. The question is, what will happen when everyone is using Pago?

[via TechCrunch]

Blue Sky I'm Watch Syncs with Your iPhone

Posted: 11 Aug 2011 05:30 AM PDT

Smart watches are the way of the future, and the design studio Blue Sky have come up with the touchscreen I'm Watch, that syncs with your smartphone via Bluetooth. It works with iPhones and Android devices. Status updates are directly fed into one of the screens of the watch.

The watch allows users to write text messages, email, tweet, check up on Facebook status updates, etc. You can even make and receive phone calls, thanks to the built-in speaker. The watch has a square 240 pixel face that measures 1.5″. The watch has 4GB of storage and 64MB of RAM.

It comes in two flavors, the I'm Color series in red, yellow, blue green, pink, black and white which will sell for €249 (~$354 USD), while the slightly more ridiculous I'm Jewel series comes in gold, pink gold, white gold, titanium, or encrusted with diamonds for €600 to €15,000 (~$853 to $21,325 USD). The I'm Watch is currently available for pre-order on their website.

[via TechCrunch via designboom]

Flexible PS3 Controller for Hours of Awkward Gaming

Posted: 11 Aug 2011 05:00 AM PDT

Finding the normal PS3 controller a little too rigid for your liking? Maybe you want something that has a bit of a bend to it. Something that combines the bending properties of binoculars with Sony's controller.

Well, instead of modding that favorite pair of binoculars and slapping on two halves of a DualShock, just buy this cheap looking controller. It even gives you some extra buttons in the center, though what they are for we have no clue. After playing Call Of Duty with this thing for about a week you'll be ready for the wonderful world of hand cramping and arthritis that is sure to follow.

I looked around and I'm not sure where you would buy it (at your own risk), however you can get it wholesale here for $21.00 (USD) if you buy 1-5 controllers, or here for about $13, or lower in quantity.

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Bike Guide Concept

From Technabob Blog:

I.WANT! Then I would go biking in a group and not worry about getting hit by a car.

I love to ride bikes just worried about the whole people not paying attention and killing me concept.

Paranoid much - YES!

Bike Guide Concept Is a Neat and Eco-Friendly Idea

Posted: 11 Aug 2011 04:40 AM PDT

All the cars lining up the streets don't make for a very pretty sight. The recent wave of erratic weather has also convinced me to start living a greener and more eco-friendly life, but you can't really take your bike or electric car with you while you're traveling – or can you?

Designers Kukil Han, Daehyun Kim, Bojoong Kim and Jihwan Yun came up with this really neat design that they call the Bike Guide Concept. Basically, visitors and tourists can rent out one of the bicycles to a pre-selected destination that the bus will take them to.

Once dropped off, you can bike away in the woods or in the trail that you've chosen before going back to the designated bus stop to go back home. Each bike would be equipped with an advanced navigation system to make sure that you don't get lost along the way.

Not only is it a unique and totally new way to discover a new city or place, but it's also eco-friendly because of the bike factor, and the single vehicle to transport riders. Make the bike guide bus a hybrid or electric car and the whole concept could be executed with no emissions.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via Yanko Design]

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

TRON Clothing

From Technobob blog:

I should have just fwded the whole thing - everything is so cool.

I love Disney and hello TRON is Disney - Love this cool mod of clothing.

 

Sexiest TRON Costume Ever

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 08:49 AM PDT

This TRON costume is everything that I ever hoped and dreamed for in any TRON movie and yet, so much more. Beautiful scantily clad women with luminescent clothing. Yes, more of this in TRON please!

Etsy seller ArtificeClothing offers up all kinds of sexy clothing, but it is the TRON inspired pieces like the one shown above that catch your eye. This sexy geek-wear glows when it gets about 10 minutes of bright light exposure. They recommend charging them for an hour under bright light and they are then good for about 12 hours.

This item is listed for $105.00 CAD ($109.73 USD), but don't expect to get the whole get-up for that price. That money just buys you the underbust corset. You'll have to complete this outfit by buying all of the pieces.

[via Etsy]

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Okami

From Technabob Blog:

OMG I saw this post and instantly knew my baby girl would fall in love. lol

Just.like.me.

<Squee>

Ultimate Amaterasu Cosplay: Ōkami Dog!

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 08:50 PM PDT

We've featured our share of cool video game costumes over the years, but cosplay for pets is a little less common. That doesn't mean that it's can't be just as awesome as human cosplay, like this animal costume inspired by Ōkami.

The guys over at Practical Evil dressed up Dante the Samoyed as the game's canine protagonist. Not only does he have the fiery shield and white wings, but he even has the facial markings of the game's dog (applied with dog-safe food coloring, of course.)

If you'd like to dress up your own pooch in the same Amaterasu get-up as Dante, head on over to Practical Evil for full details. Note that it probably won't look quite as good if your pup is a chihuahua or pekingese.

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Monday, August 8, 2011

Lowe's Build and Grow

https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/

 

Two to sign up for - this Sat and one in 2 weeks.

 

I've been taking my son and he loves it. It helps the kids follow directions. Although, I must say that when I try to help him I always screw it up. lol So apparently I can't follow directions. DUH.

 

Go take your grandkids or kiddo's. They will have a blast.

 

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Starbucks Treat Receipt

Jul 18, 2011
Starbucks Invites Customers to Take a Summer Afternoon Break

WHAT:    Starbucks Treat Receipt offers customers a refreshing afternoon break with their favorite Starbucks® cold beverage. From July 18 through September 5, 2011, customers who make a purchase in the morning can bring in their receipt after 2 p.m. and enjoy any Grande cold beverage (16 fl. oz) for just $2 (plus tax) at participating Starbucks stores* in the U.S. and Canada.

Customers can choose from an extensive selection of customizable, handcrafted cold beverage including delicious and refreshing iced coffee and iced tea beverages. For more information, visit www.starbucks.com.

WHEN:    Available starting July 18, 2011 through September 5, 2011

WHERE:     Participating Starbucks stores* in the U.S. and Canada (while supplies last)

ADDITONAL ASSETS AVAILABLE:
Images provided by Starbucks – go to news.starbucks.com to download.

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Seeker

SEEKER OF THE LOST

"For the Son of Man came to seek

and to save what was lost."

Luke 19:10

FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, I love all My "sheep" the same. But if you strayed outside the gate, do you know what I would do? I would make sure the other sheep were secure for the night, and I would come after you. I would leave no stone unturned, no bush unsearched until I found you, folded you in My arms, and carried you back home where you belong. There are lost sheep all around you. Will you help Me find them and love them, too?

A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
I have been that lost coin, and I have also been the one sheep out of one hundred You found wandering outside the fold. You didn't write me off, kick me out, or lock the gate. You are a seeker of the lost. I'm so glad You looked for me and found me. Thank You for bringing me into Your fold.

SIMPLE TRUTH

While 10 percent loss of customers won't make or break most businesses, God spares no expense in trying to recover even one lost customer.

Sent from my iMickey! 8(; - )
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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Love this app

Love this website/app

This reminds me of Stumbleupon. You pin the stuff you like.

Ads

I really like these Sweet N Low ads. I tend to clip and keep them. Adorable!

  

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Like

Beautiful tumblers! Ahhhhh!

Currently reading

Help secure the border

From Minutemen PAC: 

This shouldn't even surprise us. 

Gunrunner Investigation Reveals U.S. Cut Deal with Violent Mexican Cartel

Fellow Patriot, New light has been shed on just how 'committed' the Obama Administration is when it comes to securing our border... Rather than make serious headway in putting Americans to work constructing a border fence along the U.S.-Mexico border to combat both illegal immigration and drug-trafficking, U.S. federal agents cut a deal with the notoriously violent Sinaloa drug cartel as part of the failed 'Fast and Furious' gunrunning operation. According to the allegations made by Vicente Zambada-Niebla, a top ranking cartel boss and a close associate of Mexico's most wanted man, Joaquin "El Chapo," the deal was part of a 'divide and conquer' strategy where the U.S. helped finance and arm the Sinaloa cartel. The U.S. was to receive information that allowed the D.E.A. and F.B.I. to destroy and dismantle rival Mexican cartels while helping Zambada-Niebla and others evade Mexican authorities even though the U.S. government had indictments, extradition requests, and rewards for their apprehension. In response in court, the U.S. did not deny that Zambada-Niebla acted as an informant. Help MMPAC Demand a Secure Southern Border! Select HERE!   The Obama Administration and higher-ups in Washington desperately tried to keep the failed drug-running scandal hush-hush despite agents' pleas to end the destructive program immediately. And it only gets uglier for Attorney General Eric Holder and Obama himself as more incriminating evidence surfaces during the Congressional investigation proving their 'divide and conquer' strategy is only endangering Americans, wasting our resources. Earlier this year, U.S. Citizen and Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry died as a direct result of both Holder and Obama's arrogance and failure to listen to the American people as well as to simply secure the U.S.-Mexico border either by building a physical fence stretching the entire length or by deploying National Guard troops along its length. Help MMPAC Demand a Secure Southern Border! Select HERE!   We CANNOT stand by and let the arrogance in Washington kill more innocent individuals trying to protect our country because Obama prefers to pussy-foot around the issue of securing our southern border against the drug-, gun- and human-trafficking that fuels and empowers the violent Mexican cartels. Operation 'Fast and Furious' allowed countless automatic weapons to be sold to cartels (and consequently be lost en route) and it allowed tons of narcotics to cross the border and into our neighborhoods. But we will NOT ALLOW Washington to continue its backroom rendezvous with known leaders of violent cartels no matter what they hope to accomplish in doing so. Help MMPAC Demand a Secure Southern Border! Select HERE! Vicente Zambada-Niebla submitted his initial discovery request to the U.S. government on September 24, 2010, but unfortunately it was denied as not being 'relevant" just a few months before U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry died as a direct and unnecessary result of the failed gunrunning operation. Citizens, it's time to take back Washington from the failing and destructive leadership of Barack Hussein Obama and his political appointees like Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano who knowingly lies about the border situation and Attorney General Eric Holder who wheels and deals with cartel leadership. Will you help us? Select HERE to help Minuteman PAC secure our border and secure our country by electing real Patriots in 2012 who will support tough immigration laws, a secure border, and who will take back America from the 12 million illegal immigrants destroying our economy and our country.

Sent from my iMickey! 8(; - )
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Logo's

From SwissMiss blog:

Fauxgo (Fake Logo)

Fauxgo.com is a blog that archives fictional logos found in movies. Quite amusing!

(Thank you Tymn)

Sent from my iMickey! 8(; - )
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Grocery Bill savers

From Kim Komando

Cut grocery bills with these free sites 8/6/2011 Groceries are a big expense for most families. It also isn't an expense you can eliminate. Everyone has to eat. However, there are some ways to save money on groceries. A few stops on the Web can save you a bundle. Give these great sites a try. Coupons.com - The newspaper isn't the only place to find grocery coupons. Pay a visit to this site. It has dozens of coupons available daily. Enter your ZIP code to see local deals. Then select desired coupons to clip. You can select and print multiple coupons. Then take the coupons to the store and save. SmartSource.com - This is another great coupon site. Enter your ZIP code to find local grocery coupons. You can filter the results by product type and brand. You will need to install the free SmartSource Coupon Printer. It lets you print out your selected coupons. Then you're off to the store to save. Valpak.com - You can easily find dozens of daily deals at this site. Just enter your ZIP code to see deals near you. Then print out the ones you want and go. It isn't just food either. You can get deals on entertainment, health care, automatic repair and much more. You'll even get driving directions to the stores with the best deals. Redplum.com - It hosts coupons exclusively for name brand products. You can find coupons for groceries, restaurants and a variety of services. Just install the Coupon Printer, print out your coupons and head to the store. You can also look up local grocery store specials. And you'll find links to their weekly advertisements. Cost: Free System: Windows XP, Vista, 7; Mac OS X

Sent from my iMickey! 8(; - )
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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Lego Zoo Animals

From the Technabob blog:

 

AWESOMENESS!  I always love Lego's.

 

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Technabob Daily Update: Cool Gadgets, Games, Gizmos and Weird Science

• Life-Sized LEGO Animals at the Bronx Zoo: No Honey, that Tiger Won't Eat You!

Life-Sized LEGO Animals at the Bronx Zoo: No Honey, that Tiger Won't Eat You! Posted: 04 Aug 2011 05:09 AM PDT These amazing life-sized LEGO animals are part of the Great Summer Zoofari that's going on at the Bronx Zoo, until September 30. You'll find a bunch of different animals rendered in full size all from LEGO bricks, including penguins, giraffes, flamingos, and tigers. These sculptures must have taken massive amounts of time (and thousands of LEGO blocks) to construct. The aim of this is to show and bring to life the challenges that are faced by wildlife, due to habitat loss and other threats to their survival. Hopefully, in the future, this won't be the only way we'll be able to view these kinds of wild animals. The Bronx Zoo will host LEGO-building parties and other special events. If you're in the area, you should check it out. [Yahoo via DVice]

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Technabob Blog

From Technabob blog:

Cute items and interesting info, as always. 

Automatic Mini Donut Factory Brings Out the Homer in Us All Posted: 31 Jul 2011 04:00 AM PDT We really like donuts around here. My daughter has to have a pink donut with sprinkles several times a week, or she gets mad. My son likes the glazed and I generally eat any kind of donut you put in front of me. If you are a fan of donuts, this sweet Automatic Donut Factory will save you some trips to the donut shop – and you can pretend to be Gulliver and Homer Simpson at the same time. The donut batter goes in one side of the machine, and it automatically pours and cooks perfectly round, tiny donuts for you. The finished donuts drop out the back into a small bin. You can then take the donuts, frost them, and decorate as you see fit. The donut maker also has a see through window so your kids can watch the donuts cook all they want. Each batch of mix is able to make 30 mini donuts. It takes 90 seconds to make a batch and the thing uses hot oil to boil the donuts. The machine costs $179.99 (USD), but is available here for about $150.

BookBook iPhone Case Turns Your iPhone into a Book Posted: 31 Jul 2011 03:30 AM PDT I always liked the BookBook MacBook case, but the new iPhone case looks really nice as well. The neat thing about it is that it can double as a wallet (if you don't need to carry around too much stuff). It's hard to find anything that beats the aged book look. Twelvesouth, the company that pegs itself not only Apple-friendly, but Apple only, makes this and I have to say that it looks pretty swanky. I like how it can carry around a 3 or 4 credit cards too, meaning that you'll probably end up leaving your wallet at home. And if you have any concerns, the Twelvesouth guys assure us that they've performed rigorous testing, and putting your iPhone alongside your credit cards is perfectly safe, and will not erase them. The BookBook case is available exclusively for the iPhone 4, and is made from durable, distressed and stitched leather. It should be noted that there's no opening for the camera lens though, and you'll have to slide your iPhone up an inch or so when you want to snap a picture. The BookBook will cost you $59.99 (USD) which seems a bit much for an iPhone case. You can get it over atTwelvesouth website, along with a bunch of other stuff that looks pretty cool.

Chinese Man Brings Fake MacBook Air to Real Apple Store for Help, and Gets it! Posted: 30 Jul 2011 07:50 AM PDT I am not sure what to make of this story. Either this guy was too cheap to buy a real MacBook Air and just some major stones to take it into a real Apple Store to get help from the Genius Bar, or the guy really thinks he has a real MacBook Air, and thought he was under warranty. The Apple Genius, being the genius he is, immediately noted the machine was not a real MacBook Air. I would have expected him to stick his nose in the air and toss the man and his faux Mac to the curb. But that's not the case. The Apple Genius reportedly fixed the dude's real technical issue on the fake MacBook. The only proof of any of this is the photo you see here. Of course, there are fake Apple Stores in China though, so maybe he brought his fake MacBook to a fake Apple Store. This store appears to be real, what do you think? [via M.I.C. Gadget]

LEGO Dragon Actually Breathes Fire! Posted: 30 Jul 2011 05:30 AM PDT This is one of the cooler LEGO projects I have seen, and if you are really into heavy metal or Dungeons and Dragons this is the project you will want to try and recreate. Just don't burn your house down playing with the thing when you are done building. The project is a cool dragon with his rail wrapped around a little egg looking shape. The dragon was created by Aaron Amatnieks (akaakama1_lego) and is red and its wings have a nice flamejob. It looks so cool to begin with, but the best part to me though is that the dragon actually breathes fire out of his mouth. Click to View Embedded Video Clip The video about the thing doesn't actually show how the lighter is integrated. I am betting that the flame-spewing dragon uses one of the long lighters that you use for candles or starting a fireplace. It appears that a switch on the side of the grey egg triggers the flame. Honestly, I am not sure if that is an egg or if the dragon is supposed to be in the middle of tearing down a castle wall. Either way, it's the coolest cigarette lighter you'll see today. [flickr via Brothers-Brick]

Sent from my iMickey! 8(; - )
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