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Dirty looks, competition, catfights on the Bachelor…these can all be symptoms or representations of jealousy.
 
How would I define jealousy, you ask? Well, jealousy is basically when you want something you don’t or can’t have - a purse, shoes, even someone’s boyfriend. Whatever it is, when you’re jealous, you so badly desire this “object” that you may resort to desperate measures to get it…and that’s why jealousy doesn’t look pretty…

While jealousy can often make someone look cruel or hostile, it inevitably puts the jealous person into a position where they’re a victim of their own mentality. Take jealousy of models’ looks, for example: Without reminding themselves that a supermodel’s image on a magazine is airbrushed and fraud to “perfection,” many girls attempt to emulate that image, by creating eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa. In this case, the girl isn’t only being mean to other girls, if they insult other girls’ bodies to make themselves feel better. But, they’re being mean to themselves: self-destructive and vulnerable in their own minds and bodies.
 
While jealousy can motivate us to starve ourselves for beauty, expose ourselves for fame, or overexert ourselves for good grades, it is most noticeable, when it comes to girls’ attraction towards the opposite sex: men. Just look at soap operas or other situations in your friends’ lives: The girl will do anything to take the “love of her life” away from his girlfriend or wife, even if it means destroying or eliminating someone’s life! But, jealousy isn’t only worse, because the guy is really hot, or this infatuation or “love” towards the guy is so infinite that it can exceed any other source of jealousy or desire. But, it’s because since this jealousy is directed towards his girlfriend, we tend to develop all the characteristics of his girlfriend that make him attracted to her, so, one day, he could be attracted to us. This means that if his girlfriend is funny, beautiful, smart, and talented in a certain way - and in his eyes - then we would try to be just like that - and more!
 
Now, the thing is, though, if he really wanted him - if we really loved him - we would give him his space, and allow him to be happy with the one he really wants to be with. So, unless she was cheating on him or hurting him in some other way, it’d be best, if you just left him alone. Saying that, we often get caught up in this selfish emotion, called jealousy. That’s right; jealousy is a selfish emotion, because it’s about getting what “I” want, trying to get what “I” can’t have.
 
But, now, is jealousy really our faults? Are we jealous, because we’re selfish, or is it just natural for us to want something that seems impossible, forbidden - like the taken boyfriend? Is it really true that if we can’t have something, we want it more? And if we do, does curiosity kill the cat…does the curiosity truly kill us emotionally?
 
Well, jealousy does have its good side. It allows us to identify what we want, so, perhaps, it’s enough to motivate us to accomplish a positive goal - but only if it’s through positive, loving, honest means. If we’re jealous enough to notice we’re jealous, we know that we really want what we want for a reason, and then we’re more effective at controlling ourselves from over-aspiring what we “know” we want.
 
Furthermore, once we find out what we want, we have to think about why we want it. Do you want him, because you truly love him, or because you’re scared of being alone? So, if it’s hard or a one-in-a-million chance to specifically get what you want - like, ahem, Hannah Montana tickets - you can contemplate you want what you want, and try to fulfill that reason of why you want what you want in a healthier way, through a better object or material. So, if you’re scared of being alone, establish, extend, or strengthen your group of friends, by joining a club or extra-curricular activity. Surround yourselves with people who have similar interests, personalities, and issues, so even when you’re around many people, you don’t feel lost or alone in your own problems.
 
Last but not least, don’t feel guilty for being jealous. It shouldn’t imply you aren’t grateful for what you have. Jealousy also prominently derives from the pressure society exudes onto us: the pressure to fit in, be thin, be successful…whatever! The more pressure society puts on us, the more we want the pressure to stop, and the more we want to have what the society is pressuring us to have. You must realize that, and the impact jealousy is having on you. Explore the jealousy’s purpose, but don’t let it control you.

The Impacts of Being a Positive or Negative Person, and Where to Draw the Line

Take a perky cheerleader and an aspiring Goth to your table, then ask them this question: Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Chances are, the cheerleader will say it’s half-full, and the Goth will complain, er, say it’s half-empty. The truth is, that they’re both right. One half of the glass is full, and one half of the glass is empty. But, what does this prove? Well, depending on if you have a positive or negative attitude at the moment or in your life, you might only be able to see reality for its positive or negative aspects, rather than the big picture- rather than seeing the glass as both half-full AND half-empty.

Of course, every situation is different. Some circumstances are more severe than others, so it’d be hard to identify that one minor strength. However, either way, there is still such thing as being too negative or positive a person, even in that difficult conflict or in life. Allow me to explain the extreme prototype of a positive or negative individual.
 
Let’s start with the positive: the ultimate optimist. She’s graceful, caring, and sees the good in everyone. So, what’s the problem? She doesn’t get in anybody’s way, right? Well, maybe not directly, but she does get in the way of herself - in the way of her interpreting the negative in the situation and the person. While the optimist may fear realizing the bad - because she thinks it’ll make her unhappy - she has to know and do something about the bad, before it gets worse. She must recognize her mistakes or others’ manipulations, or else she can’t control any improvement.

Saying that, the ideal optimist is often viewed as naïve or passive, so they unintentionally present him or her self as targets for people who prefer to take charge, or take advantage. While optimistic, at the end of the day, even the optimistic person will somehow notice she is denying any feelings of ostracization and under appreciation. Also, while the positive person may be more pleasant to endure than the negative person, they can still become irritating, in the sense that they will refrain from saying anything specific, when you ask for constructive criticism. They don’t want to hurt your feelings or look at the negative, so they may try to defend you incessantly, instead of getting to the point. So, the optimist is, ironically, not helpfully cheerful and encouraging, when you’re in a crappy mood, and they’re singing “la la la” or cracking jokes, instead of giving you sufficient advice. The optimistic may be full of hope, but is hopeless, when it comes to asserting the boundaries.
 
Now, the negative person: the pessimist. They whine and cry about almost everything. The positive thing about the negative person, though, is since that everyone knows they will react in a not-so-subtle way, many cannot get past the pessimist. The pessimist has the most power. However, they can also have the least trust, whether it’s the trust she has for others, or the trust others may reciprocate, in return. Many are often intimidated by the negative person, so they feel less excited to rely on them. They know that the pessimist may insult and condescend, even throw a violent rampage. Saying that, even though the pessimist acts like a pro when it’s time to distinguish the flaws, ramifications, or any other negative aspects of a situation, he might pose as too much of a good thing, a threat to his confidence and self-esteem. All that negative energy can lead to depression and anger management issues; so not only do they put others down, but they put themselves down , too.
 
So, overall, try to be a combination of a positive or negative person. Every issue is unique, so it’s hard to engrave minimum or maximum levels of optimism or pessimism for every scenario. However, it doesn’t hurt to make a list of the pros and cons for a problem or individual, before you make important decisions. Write down the solutions from least to most drastic, so you can gradually and chronologically attempt various remedies, without surprising others involved in a too positive or negative way. Once we think and behave realistically, we can become contagious in inspiring other people to being realistic, too. This way, we can deal with a more realistic atmosphere of realistic people, and advance our journey into making the world a more realistic place.

The Discussion about Influence of Factors Over Our Identities 

You hear it, time and time again. We’re all different. Sure, we may be the same in how we’re all different, but we’re still all different. It would be impossible to measure or detect equality in all that exists, because more come to exist everyday: more babies, more creatures, etc. It would be impossible to keep track, but even minor details like our names set us apart from others, and make us different. So, overall, the point is that, we are different. But, of course, the question is why we are different, and what makes us the most different.
 
Well, some would say we’re just born different. While that is true to a certain extent - given the privitation of nature I analyzed above - it can also be argued that we cannot be the most different at the beginning of our lives (when we’re born), because we have had no or little time in life at that point to demonstrate our competence or destiny to be different. We cannot judge how different we can become, if we haven’t seen it yet, right? Also, the role of genetics comes into play here. Yes, science may have proved that a baby’s physical characteristics - such as eye and hair colour - can be determined by their parents’ physical characteristics, but there is no concrete evidence to suggest that parents can pass on personality aspects as well, since personality is not an animate, physical property you can measure or hold. I mean, what about homosexual people? Is there actually such thing as a “gay gene”? And even if there was, explain how some people become homosexual, without inheriting homosexuality from heterosexual family members. Furthermore, we cannot say our identities or behaviours can be completely explained by genetics or nature, because if they were, we would be exactly like our family.
 
However, while some may disagree with this notion about genetic or natural impact on our personalities, some may also consider that family could portray a big part in their offspring’s lives after they are born. Many social scientists believe that parents influence their children’s behaviour the most. Why? Well, usually, parents or guardians are the primary, most constant presence in a child’s life. The child typically sees the parental figures as soon as he or she is born in the hospital room, and almost everyday of their lives, when they are fed, their diapers are changed…and even when they start driving! Of course, when you see someone this much, you start to notice, memorize their actions, recognize their habits left and right. You may even start to emulate them, or somehow convince yourself to act the opposite. For example, a child who witnesses or experiences physical or verbal abuse in the home may start to become violent themselves, because that’s what their parents do - that’s what their parents show is acceptable, because they accept themselves doing it. Children understand that their parents are supposed to teach them right from wrong, and even if they don’t always listen, they will pick up their competence of behaving inappropriately, if their parents are. Their parents are their role models, and at such a young age, children have only gained so much experience to truly question if their parents are coming through on their morale. However, the counter occurs, when a child is not inspired, but traumatized by his or her parents’ - say again - verbal and physical abuse. Instead of following their parents’ footsteps, they might become so frightened by the abuse that they learn to be scared in any social situation with other people. Since they have seen their parents’ hostility - and they may have not seen other individuals to compare - they deduce that anyone, everyone is capable of abuse. So, these children live in fear, that if they talk or move, other people may react in a similar abusive matter.
 
Speaking of other people, on the contrast, some may support the idea that the environment or other individuals surrounding us may affect our behaviours the most. Once we acquaint ourselves with the outside world, we can access and respond to various faces, places…At certain points in our lives, some surroundings may impact us more than others. For example, as an adolescent, friends and the media become more important to us than family or religion, hypothetically speaking. At this point, peer pressure to fit in, and be popular, thin, and pretty wins out over family and religion in the superficial realm of high school’s cliques, queens, and geeks. So, as you can see, it really depends on how old you are and how much you are exposed to this surrounding that depicts how much this surrounding really makes you you.
 
So, in general, genetics, nature, parents, and the environment all can shape who you are today. In fact, anything - any experience - can shape who you are today. As a baby, you may not know or move much to start off with to even express who you are. But, as you grow, you - on the inside - grows as well, responding and learning to reciprocate to certain stimuli, certain situations. If your parents are consistently around, you may acquire and apply their methods of speech or coping to your own life. The “parents” in your inside world may dictate who you become in the outside world. But, of course, when you’re released into the outside world, you may understand enough to know what you want to do, apart from your parents, and become affected by what’s on the inside world, instead. But, no matter what affects you the most, never forget that you can always change for the better. Other people, places, and things can mold you, but you’re the only one who can control YOU.

Researchers in Melbourne have recently discovered in an experiment that when a specific enzyme, known as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), was eliminated, mice were able to consume the same quantity of food as other mice, but burn more calories, and, therefore, gain less weight.

However, drugs that also downplay this enzyme already exist, and are mostly implemented to reduce high blood pressure.
 
According to Howard Florey Institute’s Michael Mathai, "the drugs are out there, because they are used for hypertension.” Thereby, Mathai also claims you would probably have to get the correct dosage of hypertension medication, or establish a new type of drug of the same class, as a weight-loss pill.
 
I guess this could make sense, considering that you can develop high blood pressure or hypertension, by eating foods that make your blood sugar go up, and put more stress on your body. So, by eliminating the enzyme ACE that decreases this blood pressure, you are eliminating an enzyme that causes high blood pressure and probably makes you want to eat more, because of the stress the blood pressure reckons on your body. After all, stress and lack of emotional control lead an individual to search for a remedy to their conflicts, and being in a overwhelming mental state from high blood pressure, they would probably reach for unhealthy but sugar-laden and delicious foods that satisfy their cravings, and release their endorphins to temporarily make them “happier.”
 
Little do they know that eating sugary foods makes you more hyper and anxious, not to mention that these foods don’t even fill you up for a long period of time, because of their glycemic indexes, and the short period of time it requires for these sugary carbohydrates to digest and transform itself into fat. Therefore, you are never satisfied, and are constantly grabbing more sugar to fill you up, because sugar never really does fill you up, and it’s so addictive. So, reducing an enzyme that causes high blood pressure - or this stress that makes you want to eat more unhealthy, sugary foods - clearly reduces your desire to eat, and, of course, would lead to weight loss.
 
So, I think a drug with this enzyme could help you lose weight, but, again, as these researchers would say, it’s still a question, as to whether these drugs reducing the enzyme ACE would help not just mice, but humans, lose weight. Perhaps we could ask people who have taken drugs - that decrease this enzyme - for high blood pressure. You would probably be able to eat the same amount of food and still lose weight, but according to my analysis, you would also probably be less tempted to reach sugary foods and more susceptible to reaching healthier foods, because of the decrease in ACE. Of course, mice might just be luckier than us and be able to lose more weight, because they’re already so tiny and probably just naturally have a higher metabolism that wouldn’t need as dangerously high of a dosage. But, we’ll never know, unless we try - at a gradually healthy pace?

If you live in Toronto, Canada you know how crazy our weather can be. Our winters are usually bitter and our summers are hot and humid.  However, with all our complaining we are actually have one of the mildest climates in Canada. Lake Ontario actually moderates our weather patterns. Toronto is actually on the same latitude as Cannes on the Riviera. Toronto winters can feature cold snaps below -10 degree Celsius and can feel worse because of the wind chills. Snow can fall anywhere from November right into April. In fact, right now in Toronto we are experiencing falling snow and rain in early April.

The cold snaps in Toronto can be so bad that the city will send out an extreme cold weather alert!  In this case the city tries to get the homeless off the streets and into shelters. It also helps to advise people especially the elderly to stay in if they can, to avoid the freezing temps. However, there are some homeless that refuse to stay in shelters and would rather fight the elements. Summer can be brutal with high heat and humidity. Usually, the power grids are pushed to the maximum with everyone in the city cranking their air conditioning and fans trying to stay cool.

With the rain in Toronto, we sometimes get some wicked thunder storms and wind. In fact, wind gusts have been so bad at times that they can cause damage to trees, vehicles and buildings. The rain can be so heavy at times that is has caused flooding in the streets and in homes. When we are in our fall season the leaves start falling and it can be quite beautiful. There is a lot of sun but the nights are definitely chilly. Toronto usually gets the most rain and cool temperatures in spring. This is the time when you will need those warmer clothes and umbrellas.

However, many Torontonians’ look forward to spring, knowing summer is just around the corner! Torontonians definitely look forward to the summer season and enjoying being outside in the sun and entertaining friends and family.

Learn about the “fun” of breasts (as if you didn’t already know)!

In this article, I will aim to celebrate and discuss the beauty of breasts - of all different shapes and sizes!
 
First of all, I will explore why breasts are so important in our lives. Well, they make us women and resourceful mothers. The primary function of breasts are to grow during puberty, and supply us with milk for our infants, if we choose to breast-feed. In fact, recent studies support that breast milk assists in increasing a child’s IQ and overall brain stimulation.

But, breasts are also a landmark for attraction. Yes, breasts are sexy. They’re round, squishy, and fun to play with - not to mention that they make the softest pillows!
“Breasts are the perfect accessory,” boasts Jessica Simpson, thee Double-DD singing vixen, “because they go with every outfit.” She has a point - and with the perfect bra, you can push them up or hold them down, creating that sultry exhibitionist or subtle vamp effect: whichever works better for you and your outfit.
 
However, while breasts are sexy in general, to different people, only certain sizes, shapes, or forms are sexy - which brings us to the question: what are - and who has - the perfect breasts? Do they even exist? I believe that all breast sizes, shapes, and forms possess perfection in a certain aspect. Let’s start with cup sizes, shall we?
 
Well, breasts have two parts to their sizes: their width and fullness. Fullness is measured by letters A, B, C, D, DD, and on, while width can be anything from 30 to 46 inches (or more!) Some might say - the bigger, the better - while some may argue that a lot of breast is just, well, too much. Some prefer A or AA: small and modest breasts, not too much to pleasure or brag attention, but enough to feel that there’s something there. B I feel signals the most average or medium size of breasts: more adequate than the A, but still enough to work in a low-plunging neckline. With B, no one can say that your breasts are weighing you down. With C, it’s perfect, because it can still be average, but establish the sexy mainstream endowment the media drools over. C is above average, yet can still establish the tone and perkiness of firm breasts. With D and over, while no one can complain about the comfort from the other end, the women with this size of breasts start to feel the wrath from back pain, unwanted male stares or groping, and even droopiness. Hey! When they’re that big, they can only hold themselves up for so long, if, at all!
 
Then, there’s the shape of the breasts. Many like round and up, but others like soft and long, while some are cone-shaped and hard like a women in a wet t-shirt contest or Madonna’s get-up at a 1984 concert. Again, when it comes to form, big, perky, firm breasts seem most popular, which raises the question as to whether guys like fake or real breasts more. I agree with Colin Farrell, who says: “Fake breasts feel like rocks. Natural is far nicer.” Plus, why would you risk yourself through surgery, when you can learn to appreciate the ones your mama gave ya? Though, guys like the look of fake breasts, you can always emulate the same effect, by purchasing a push-up bra.
 
Speaking of bras and the exposure of cleavage, it’s also debateable, as to whether the push-up effect really is the sexiest. Well, the push-up bra rises thoughts of caressing and pushing breasts up, so it might turn on a man - or woman - most. However, bras that create the breast squeeze - where boobs are pressed together, with no space in between - contemplate ideas of unmentionable oral activity with breasts. And bras that minimize breasts leave more imagination, especially if they don’t show as much cleavage in a top. It makes guys that prefer classy and subtle styles appreciate that they can wonder more about what your breasts look like when they’re not (as) covered, while guys that favour bold and exhibitionistic styles like that they can assume how much more creative you can get with your breasts - in private!
 
So, all in all, there are plenty of advantages that come with having breasts, being a woman! So, don’t whine about what you don’t have; rock what you got! Indulge in the wonderfulness of breasts, and realize the one you’re with does the same!

When you acknowledge and accept this truth, your life is changed forever.

You have the right to perfect health, unbridled wealth, harmonious relationships, and beautiful daily experiences that make up a life worth living.

You are under no obligation to anybody to live in the state of lack, limitation, disease, debt or other undesirable states.

Regardless of what you've been taught by anyone, well-meaning or otherwise, absolute abundance in all areas of your life is possible.  It's possible because it's your birthright, and nobody has the right to take that away from you.

Nobody!

It's time to claim what's rightfully yours!

Go for it!

Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You
Welcome to Success!

A friendly message of consciousness from:
Claude La Vertu Media Collective www.claudelavertu.com