Chinese Proverbs

Nearly every society boasts of a high-quality collection of proverbs which denote life experiences along with the materialistic and intellectual depths of that culture. Humans are humans and by and large our understanding of the universe differs between every individual. Indisputably, each culture is one of a kind in a number of ways, and proverbs offer us a window to see the difference and the similarity between various cultures. Chinese proverbs could easily be termed as a living history as they unite the distant past with the present. They present a window through which Chinese people have traditionally and even presently view and understand their lives.

These proverbs are admired for their simplicity and wisdom, and the simple sheer number of them. You might derive a sense of gratification by going through this ancient heritage and will equally recognize the significance of these sayings. Chinese proverbs have the ability to take you back to the traditional Chinese way of life. With a 4,000-year record of civilization and culture, the Chinese have produced countless proverbs and you will find a proverb for almost any modern-day situation. In China, the well thought-out use of Chinese proverbs in writing is regarded as a symbol of higher learning and knowledge rather than a general knowledge of folklore or cliches.

A number of these proverbs and simply profound, having been crafted with the purpose of alleviating the sometimes unconventional thoughts and myths which permeated Chinese society at the time. These proverbs provide insight and tidbits of wisdom about Chinese society. Structurally, all proverbs can be further grouped into established phrases, proverbial sayings, admired sayings and two-part symbolic sayings. These are all incomparable to each other in the Chinese language, and are all vibrant with metaphors and layered meanings. Whilst most Chinese proverbs consist of only a few characters (words), when joined together they represent a tremendous amount of cultural depth, history and backstory.

An example of a Chinese proverb translated into English is: "A single ant may wipe out an entire dam, and be only afraid of standing still rather than to work slowly" which symbolizes at a surface level the power of every single individual in this universe. The proverb "Behind an able man, there are always other able men" signifies that being a leader will inspire others to follow. "Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without one" shows that man is a rational creature. "Better a good deed done close to home than a journey far away to burn incense" shows that people should be modest and stay away from pompous displays of fluff. "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness" sums up the Chinese Confucian philosophy to life - do something to alleviate your idleness, don't just complain about it.

Jackie Tan is a Feng Shui writer and enthusiast, and part of the team behind BeingBlissful.com

Types of Salt in the Market

If you pay some attention on the health issues today, there are many articles discussed about the effect of salt in our diet. In the market today, we can find it in many forms and each carries different contents depend on the application, flavor and place of origin. Some is claimed to be better than the other in terms of mineral contents and processes, so we need to know what we consume everyday and do we have better options?

Table salt
It is what we buy from the shops and consume in our food everyday. We use it for cooking most of the time because it is the cheapest and easily available. It contains mostly sodium chloride with additional of iodine. It is currently produced by evaporation of sea water or brine. Usually it is obtained from brine wells and making use of energy from sunlight. Other than cooking, it is also used in manufacturing of pulp and paper, produce soap and so on. Recently there are many health issue associate with it especially high blood pressure.

Kosher
It has a much larger grain size, and a more open granular structure. It is coarse-grained and free of additives that tend to cause pickling solutions to cloud.

Sea salt
It is believed to be better in taste and texture. It is also the coarse and unrefined sea salt that contains many minerals, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sulfate. It generally lacks high concentrations of iodine an element essential for human health, it is not necessarily a healthful substitute for regular iodized table salt

Black salt
It is usually found in Indian markets and sounds uncommon to people in other locations. The characteristic is that it is strong in flavor. The structure is unrefined, and it is actually pinkish gray and has a strong sulfuric flavor. In traditional medicine, it is considered as a cooling spice in Ayurvedic medicine.

Bamboo salt
It is roasted in bamboo and contains more types of minerals balance that is suitable for our body. It is originated from Korean traditional medicine practice. It is believed that it contains the benefit of salt, bamboo and yellow clay that mixed together during the burning process. In order to enhance the benefits, it is repeatedly roasted in bamboo for 3-9 times before it is good for consumption.

Rock salt
It is also called halite and it is inedible. It is the mineral form of Sodium Chloride (NaCl), typically is colorless to yellow, sometime may also in light blue, dark blue, and pink depending on the amount and type of impurities. The primary use is to make ice cream. It is also used to clear highway from icing during winter.

Understanding salt can help us a lot and it is the basic to our health, the reason is simple, because everybody needs it. Our body needs it to stay healthy and nutritionally balanced provided we take the correct type. We need more mineral balanced type of salt to maintain the proper function in our body and stay in good health.

by Steven Chai, a purchasing manager in metal scrap industry, affected by financial crisis and go into home business. He started up a new website for Bamboo Salt.

Grandparents As Primary Caregivers - Paradise Lost

The true definition of a grandparent is the parent of a child's parent. In today's society, more and more grandparents are stepping in as parents because their son or daughter is unwilling or unable to give their child proper care. While this situation may be better off for the well being of the child, both the grandparent and the child lose something in the process

Children can learn quite a lot from their grandparent if both parties are in their traditional roles. They can spend quality time together and form a deep and lasting bond because the grandparent is able to treat the grandchild as an equal. But this equation changes as the grandparent becomes the parent. He is now the authority figure in the child' s life and may even had to come out of retirement to provide for the child. As for spending quality time with the child, there is a good reason that as human beings we have our children when we are younger. The grandparent may not have the stamina to work and spend time with the child. The chance to form that special bond between the grandparent and the grand child has disappeared.

Psychologically speaking, returning to being a parent figure after so many years can also put extra stress on the grandparent. These older people do not have the patience or the tolerance to raise another child, and may be dealing with feelings of guilt because of the anger that they feel towards their own child for placing them in this position. The child may also be dealing with feelings of abandonment, which the grandparent is trying to cope with also. Basically, it is an emotional time bomb that could explode at any moment and the grandparent may not have the strength to defuse the situation. All these volatile feelings can also block the way to the grandparent and grandchild having a normal relationship.

If as a grandparent you find yourself in the position as parent to your grandchild, there are several things that you can do to make the situation as easy as possible. First, you should take care of your health. You have someone else depending on you now and you can't afford to end up sick or in the hospital.

You may also want to take some parenting courses at a local school or online. It may have been quite a few years since you were a parent and the issues faced by today's youth may have you at a loss. You can also check for support groups for grandparents in the role of parents. These other older adults may give you some insight into the child's feelings and reactions.

You may also want to consider counseling for both you and your grandchild. You are both dealing with a lot of strong emotions, you towards your child and your grandchild towards his parent. By going through therapy together, you may find that it will create a bond between you and your grandchild. It may also make him feel better to know that you are just as confused as he is.

Finally, you should see an attorney to discover how you can obtain any legal documentation that your grandchild may need as well as starting permanent custody arrangements.

Transforming from a grandparent to a parent is not an easy situation for any of the parties concerned. You should keep talking to your grandchild and show him that you love and support him while both of you are making the transition. After all, the two of you are in it together and you may be surprised to discover that you both make a pretty good team.

Find helpful and creative ideas for parents and grandparents while you shop our affordable kids furniture. For more information, visit this article on wooden toy boxes

Lighting a Charcoal BBQ Grill Fast and Easy

The best as well as the easiest way to light charcoal briquettes is by using a charcoal chimney starter. This is an aluminum cylinder with a wooden handle on the outside and a metal shelf on the inside that separates the cylinder into to sections. The top section is about 2/3 the length of the cylinder and the bottom section is 1/3 the length of the cylinder. There are round holes surrounding the bottom 1/3 of the cylinder as well as holes inside on the shelf that separates the two sections.

To use the charcoal chimney starter, you need 2 to 3 sheets of newspaper. Wad or roll the sheets together loosely into a long cylinder. I don't wrap it too tight so that air can circulate while it is burning. Curl the the sheets into a donut shape with a hole in the center. Fit the paper donut into the bottom of the chimney starter. Try to have a few stray pieces of paper sticking out of the holes. This makes it easier to light. If you want you can use paraffin cubes either bought in the store or made out of something like a cardboard egg crate you buy your eggs in.

Fill the top section of the cylinder with charcoal. I prefer to use briquettes in the chimney starter. Lump charcoal burns too quickly. Place the chimney starter on the floor or charcoal shelf of your bbq grill and light the newspaper through the holes on the bottom of the charcoal chimney starter. The charcoal lights fairly fast and should be ready in about 15 minutes. Lump charcoal is a lot faster to start but also burns out faster, so I don't use it in the chimney starter. The charcoal is ready when you see a coating of white ash over almost all of the charcoals.

When the coals are ready, carefully poor the coals into the grill and spread them evenly around the grill bed. Remember to safely place the very hot charcoal chimney starter away from pets and children so they don't get burned. Also, don't put the hot chimney starter on the grass because it can cause a fire.

A second method to light the charcoals is with paraffin cubes bought at a store or made at home with cardboard egg crates. Place a few paraffin cubes in the middle of your grill bed or charcoal grate. Then build a pyramid of charcoal briquettes over and around the paraffin cubes. Light the cube and when all the briquettes are evenly lit and covered with ash spread them evenly out around the grill bed.

I don't like or recommend starter fluid readily available in stores. These fluids can impart a taste to the charcoal that I don't like and I prefer a more natural non chemical way to start my fire.

A chimney starter holds about 90 to 100 briquettes. This should cover 2/3 of the area of a standard 22 1/2 inch standard charcoal kettle grill like the commonly used Webber kettle grill. It is important to use the right amount of briquettes so that you get an even heat. The charcoal briquettes should extend a minimum of 4 inches in every direction beyond whatever food you are cooking. This will allow an even heat and let your food cook evenly.

For more tips and great information to make your next barbecue memorable visit the bbq-expert.com We show you what to look for in your next bbq grill, how to light a charcoal bbq grill properly and everything in between.

Numbers in Feng Shui and the Fortunate Number 8

There has been so much discussion about feng shui with the Olympic Games in Beijing and in particular the symbolism and meaning of numbers. It was interesting to hear western broadcasters repeatedly refer to the fortunate number "8". So Let's talk about the number 8 in feng shui terms. Presently, we are in what is called a period 8 cycle.

Cycles in feng shui are 20 years in length and the period 8 cycle began in 2004. The number 8 is associated with the northeast mountain, the earth element and the life aspiration of knowledge. We are careful not to place a water feature in the northeastern area of the home or property during period 8 because the water element competes with the earth element and in feng shui we are seeking to harmonize the elements. The numbers 1 through 9 are associated with the compass directions and their corresponding elements (fire, wood, earth, metal and water) plus the center of the home.

Because we are in period 8, the numbers 9 and 1 also having increasing energy. One aspect of the feng shui assessment is to analyze the numbers in each area of the home and harmonize the elements associated with them. For example, let's say the bedroom has a 3/8 combination. 3 = wood and 8 = earth; wood controls earth. In this 3/8 combination, the 8 is in the wealth/ career position and can be interpreted as 3 wood controlling or dominating the 8 earth wealth/career energy in the bedroom. As a consultant I would recommend to my client to place a red accent (perhaps a red candle) in this area of the home. The red candle or red accent serves to burn up the 3 wood and add to the 8 earth alleviating the dominating cycle of the elements and releasing the wealth/career position of the 8 earth.

This is one feng shui factor I always address when I am on a consultation. What is the number combination based on? It is based on the home's year of construction and the compass direction. On my website there are step by step instructions on how to take a compass reading (see Feng Shui Compass Instructions ). These are considered the "permanent" numbers and are part of the home's energy matrix. If you are able to supply me with the compass reading according to the instructions given and the year of construction I will send you a Customized 1 Page Report recommending which elements will harmonize the number combinations in the 8 areas plus the center of your home. The cost is $10.00.

To summarize, the fortunate number 8 being highlighted in the mainstream media is associated with the present 20 year cycle, known in feng shui circles as Period 8. The northeast part of the home is where the mountain 8 resides and your feng shui placement should include objects of art and accents that are gold. The idea is that you are unlocking the gold from the mountain! It has been a challenging economic year for so many people, particularly in the housing market, but I have to say by giving attention to the feng shui basics you can add to your own stability and support. Many of the powerful things in life are subtle.

MaryAnn Russell is an expert in the field of environmental energy. For over a decade the focus of her research and practice has been on the feng shui factors that truly influence the quality of people's lives. "The focus of my practice is to make feng shui relevant, practical and useful so that people can gain the greatest possible benefit from their living spaces." MaryAnn is the author of The Feng Shui Factor Modern Homes Ancient Blueprint. ISBN: 978-1-4218-9965-7 - Available at 1stworldpublishing.com and Amazon.com

For more tips, video presentation, purchase book go to:
http://www.fengshuifactor.com
MaryAnn Russell
714.842.7728

Why You Shouldn't Hate Math

People hate math, at least that's what they're always telling me. Of course, being the way that I am, I have to make converts of everyone. I don't know what my passion is exactly, that drives me to convert the "math haters," but I simply cannot overcome the compulsion to do so. To me, there is not just beauty in mathematics but something else which is spiritual. It's as though God speaks to us through this strange and mysterious language. For this reason, I always approach the subject with a certain degree of humility and reverence, knowing that I can be both abased and exalted by its magnificence.

But why try to make math converts? Why not simply preach to the choir of that rare group of math lovers? Well firstly, the latter group is minuscule in comparison to the former, and secondly, there has always been something noble in trying to make a "believer" out of a "doubter." Moreover, I have this firm belief that our society advances or stands still according to the progress of its children. If the children of society are reared properly, then the future success of such a society is strongly enhanced. If the children are adulterated, ill-educated, and poorly motivated........well, then guess what? Do you really expect a brighter future for mankind? Hardly.

It is for this reason that I go around preaching the importance of mathematics, particularly the foundations of arithmetic. To this day, when I work with a student and see him or her struggling with the topic at hand-whether it be algebra, geometry, or even a higher branch such as calculus-I come to observe that invariably a weak foundation is the root cause of the struggle. In addition, the student's lack of confidence makes the fight even more challenging. The struggle having increased without remedy, the student eventually succumbs and adopts an "I hate math" attitude.

What is encouraging for such cases and certainly worth stressing is that all of mathematics hinges on the basics of arithmetic. It is unfortunate that much of a student's frustration in his studies later on is the result of poor mastery of arithmetic. For this reason I say, "Soundly drill this discipline into the minds of our children and the chances of success in higher mathematics is dramatically increased." A good analogy to make would be with sports and professional athletes. Expert athletes master the basics. The Tiger Woods of the world spent countless hours practicing the fundamentals of golf swinging. The ace pitchers of baseball worked on mastering the mechanics of certain pitches. In both cases, these athletes practiced endless rounds with a keen focus on both speed and accuracy. Even great coaches understand the importance of the fundamentals: this is why athletes spend countless hours in training camp going over the basic exercises and drills. This same concept applies to mathematics. Master the basics and the chances of success later on are increased dramatically.

Consequently, in mathematics, once the foundations are mastered, success comes in this discipline as easily as it does in others. Okay. Maybe not as easily, but certainly success will come nonetheless. And as mathematics is so powerful in helping us march forward as a society-indeed mathematics unfolds to us mysteries of the very universe itself-there really is no need to hate this most awesome subject, but rather love it.

See more at Math Ebook Online Bookstore

Joe is a prolific writer of self-help and educational material and an award-winning former teacher of both college and high school mathematics. Under the penname, JC Page, Joe authored Arithmetic Magic, the little classic on the ABC's of arithmetic. Joe is also author of the charming self-help ebook, Making a Good Impression Every Time: The Secret to Instant Popularity; the original collection of poetry, Poems for the Mathematically Insecure, and the short but highly effective fraction troubleshooter Fractions for the Faint of Heart. The diverse genre of his writings (novel, short story, essay, script, and poetry)-particularly in regard to its educational flavor- continues to captivate readers and to earn him recognition.

Joe propagates his teaching philosophy through his articles and books and is dedicated to helping educate children living in impoverished countries. Toward this end, he donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every ebook. For more information go to http://www.mathbyjoe.com

Finding Homes Using the Internet - Home Shopping

You can simply type the words real estate or homebuying into any search engine on the World Wide Web and you will come up with hundreds, maybe even thousands of websites that are extremely helpful and full of great information. Like the one you're on right now.

Finding homes with the internet, combined with a skilled real estate salesperson, provides you with the most effective technology available today. Most websites start out, having you select a state you would like to search in and then, select a city, with your price range.

By answering their questions, this narrows the search down to all of the homes available in the area. The internet has made home shopping very simple. Considering what you had to go through in the 1970s. You found a realtor or by looking in the yellow pages, sometimes you found a good realtor and if you are lucky, maybe you would find you a good home.

Most of the time, the first homes you would look at, were owned by the real estate professional you were working with.

There are however a couple of problems with using the internet to find your dream home. Some of the verbage used and photographs taken can create a wonderful illusion of a tropical paradise but the reality, it's a regular home in a decent neighborhood.

Some of these photos are taken by skilled photographers who take advantage of every angle and tend to give an illusion of grander. When you actually start driving around and looking at these homes, only then will you get a reality check, of what the home actually looks like. You'll get used to it.

After you've looked at a few of your future dream homes, you will get a better idea of what I'm talking about with these wonderful pictures and the extraordinary home descriptions like "Beautiful Three Bedroom House with an Ocean View." When reality it's a two-bedroom house with an extra closet for the third bedroom and the ocean is 45 miles away, but you can see it on a clear day if you actually climb to the top of the largest tree on the property.

Take your time when searching for your dream home and don't let any one push you into making a decision if you're not ready. If you find your real estate professional a little too aggressive or pushy, get out of your contract, if you've signed one and find another, more helpful real estate salesperson to help you with your home purchase.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Find other real estate tips and great advice, from another one of the Internet's best website creators.

What Happens To Nonbelieving