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Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the world today. It refers to long-term shifts in global temperature patterns and weather patterns that are caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. These activities release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing the planet to warm.

The consequences of climate change are widespread and far-reaching, including rising sea levels, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and impacts on food and water security. Climate change is a global problem that requires a coordinated international effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to more sustainable forms of energy production. It is crucial that we take action now to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and ensure a safe and sustainable future for all.

Here are 10 things you can do to help address climate change:

Reduce energy use

Decrease your energy consumption by turning off lights and electronics when they’re not in use, using energy-efficient appliances, and lowering your thermostat in the winter and raising it in the summer.

Switch to renewable energy

Consider switching to renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar power, for your home or business.

Use public transportation

Consider taking public transportation, walking, or biking instead of driving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle

Decrease waste by reducing the amount of products you consume, reusing items instead of buying new ones, and properly recycling what can be recycled.

Eat a plant-based diet

Eating a diet that’s rich in plant-based foods and low in animal products can reduce your carbon footprint and help address climate change.

Support climate-friendly policies

Advocate for policies that address climate change, such as investing in renewable energy and promoting energy efficiency.

Plant trees and support reforestation

Plant trees in your community, support reforestation efforts, and protect existing forests.

Educate others

Spread the word about the importance of addressing climate change and encourage others to take action.

Buy eco-friendly products

Choose products that are made from sustainable materials and have minimal environmental impact.

Support renewable energy development

Support the development of new renewable energy technologies and investments in clean energy infrastructure.

Remember, every little step counts, and by taking action on climate change, we can help protect our planet for future generations.

 

There are numerous books on manifestation strategies and ways to attract your desires into your life. After learning a lot about them and applying the principles bit by bit in my own life, this manifestation process can be simplified and narrowed down into 5 essential steps that you can use to consciously allow the things that you want in your life now.

And I’ll be sharing each of them with you in this article, in the order presented below. So let’s begin.

STEP #1

KNOWING WHO YOU REALLY ARE: You Are A Powerful Creator

The foundation for manifesting the life that you desire is first having the clear knowledge of who you are and what power you hold. More than knowing how the game of life is played, it is primarily about understanding the true nature of your being, the power that you have in creating your life, and the universal laws that govern this process of creation. It is important to know that:

(1) Everything in life is energy, including you. You are made out of pure positive energy, the same powerful energy that created this entire Universe. It is moving in you, through you, and around you at all times. We all have access to this powerful energy stream that is capable of creating anything imaginable in this world.

(2) You are a very powerful creator who directs this energy through the thoughts you think and emotions you feel on a daily basis. You are made in the image and likeness of this Universe, and because of this, you are already inherently powerful, unlimited, infinite, worthy, abundant, and grandly loved at your deepest core.

(3) You are the sole creator of your experience because you are the only thinker in your mind and the feeler of your own emotions. The process of creation always starts in you. You are at the cause, and the things in your life are the effects. The thoughts you continuously think, the beliefs and perspectives that you hold about yourself and about life, and the emotions coming from within you, all determine what you attract and make real in your outside world.

(4) Through the ever-consistent Universal law of attraction, life will always reflect back to you the dominant energies you’re sending out. You have the freedom to choose what energy you’re vibrating and therefore attracting, by choosing the kind of thoughts and emotions you habitually entertain. Your outside reality will always mirror your world within. You are the molder of your reality and the attractor of your circumstances.

Applying this first step will allow you to be a conscious thinker and deliberate controller of your daily thoughts and emotions. This requires taking care of the seeds that you allow to grow in your mind and prioritizing the way you feel in any moment. You will now consciously direct your thinking towards the things that you want to attract in your life and let go of those that do not resonate with who you know yourself to be.

STEP #2

TRUSTING YOURSELF AND THE POWERFUL LAWS: The Aligning Of Your Energy

The second step is trusting yourself and your creative power, and trusting this consistent and accurate law of the Universe that says “what you put out is what you will get back”. Applying the second step means letting go of doubts, judgments, noises and unnecessary conclusions that go in the opposite direction of what you want, such as thoughts of things not working out in your life or that you must probably be doing something wrong. This habit will just put your energy towards unwanted things and will block the way for your desires coming true for you.

Cultivating trust means being calm, keeping the faith, and being accepting of the present moment, knowing that things are always conspiring to bring you the best, and unseen forces of the Universe are working on your behalf. With trust, you are at peace and in harmony with situations and things as they occur, and you relinquish the need to judge them based on how they appear on the surface level. You know that the universal forces are at work and you are worthy of the good things coming. As a result, your energy will be in alignment with your desire, instead of moving in the opposite direction of doubt, fear and worry.

STEP #3

SURRENDERING THE SPECIFIC DETAILS AND TIMING: Letting Go Of Control

The third step of surrendering means knowing and trusting (step 1 & 2) that you have already asked for what you want and planted the seeds of your desires, and they are growing and sprouting at its own perfect pace. There is a letting go of control, and of the need for struggle or stronger effort to make them grow, because already inherent in your every desire is the power for its fulfillment. It’s already being done.

Only after knowing and trusting will you be able to surrender to the higher Universal power. Surrendering is knowing that there is a perfect season for everything, and trusting that as long as you are aligned with the vision of what you want, the harvest time is inevitable. You are able to let go of the specific details as to how, when, where and who. There is no insistence on a particular outcome or manner, not needing or demanding specific expectations, and remaining in the general state and knowing that it is for sure and coming.

This step of surrendering to the perfect timing of things will enable you to appreciate every step of the unfolding of your journey, and remove the impatience and the “should haves” because you recognize that everything is part of the success and learnings along your trail. This allows you to be light and easy as you let the Universe handle the details for its fulfillment.

STEP #4

ACTING, PREPARING AND GETTING READY: Being Available And Expecting

The fourth step is now making yourself available for the impulses and inspiration that will guide you towards the things you want, as you move in the general direction of your desires. Once you have surrendered the details, you are now in this open state of taking inspired baby steps to flow with the energy momentum, and to increase the anticipation for your desire.

Baby steps can include visualizations, scripting or imagining how it would feel like being already inside your desire. This can also include acting on the inspiration- perhaps to go to a certain place, talk to a certain person, join this particular organization, sign up for a certain event, and so on. You are continuously doing what feels good from where you are, while simultaneously letting go of attachment to specific outcomes. You are doing your best, and allowing the Universe to take care of the rest. You are in a place of general expectation of the coming of your desires. You do not know the specifics yet, but you definitely know that it is coming. This allows you to be pointed and flowing in the direction of what you want, and ready to be the receiver of the specific details of its unfolding. There will be no vibration of something missing or lacking in your life, because acting on the baby steps allow for the energy to be moving through you as you go along.

STEP #5

RECEIVING YOUR DESIRES: Feeling Appreciation For The Unfolding And Being Joyful Where You Are

The fifth and last step is being the Conscious Witness and Receiver of the wonderful unfolding of what you want, piece by piece and little by little in your life. This means being in a state of satisfaction and gratitude as each day unfolds, and being the joyful realizer of what you desire.

Receiving means continuously feeling good and letting your vibration remain in that frequency, as the things you asked for gently and easily flow into your experience. This is ultimately understanding that the way you feel now is creating the atmosphere of your future experiences. It is the present moment feeling that you’re attracting more of. Receiving your desires is deliberately and consciously tending to your inner world first, and then letting the world outside you reflect what you have inside.

If you would like to discover this 1 simple tool to easily and effortlessly clear out limiting beliefs that keep you from manifesting what you want, you can check out this special video presentation here: https://manifestingtools.com and see how aligning your energies can be easily done, starting in the next 24 hours.

Article by
Iona Kristina

Depression is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities. Depression can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, and it can have a significant impact on an individual’s daily life. Symptoms of depression can include changes in sleep patterns, decreased energy levels, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and thoughts of suicide. While the exact cause of depression is unknown, it is thought to be a result of a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. There are several reasons why writers may be more susceptible to depression. Here are a few:

Creative work can be emotionally demanding

Writing often requires writers to delve into their own emotions and experiences, which can be draining and lead to feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Additionally, the process of writing and facing rejection can be emotionally challenging and take a toll on a writer’s self-esteem.

Isolation

Writing can be a solitary pursuit, and many writers spend a lot of time alone. This isolation can contribute to feelings of loneliness and depression.

Uncertainty and financial insecurity

Writing is not a stable or secure career, and many writers struggle to make a living from their craft. This financial insecurity can contribute to feelings of stress and depression.

High standards

Many writers are perfectionists who hold themselves to extremely high standards. The pressure to create perfect work can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.

The unpredictability of success

The writing industry is unpredictable, and success is often out of a writer’s control. This lack of control can contribute to feelings of frustration and depression.

How to get rid of depression?

It’s important to note that not all writers experience depression, and it’s also not limited to writers alone. However, if you’re a writer experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s important to seek help. This can include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. There is no shame in seeking help, and it’s a brave step towards a better and healthier future. However, you can also try the following:

Practice self-care

Taking care of your physical and emotional needs is important for managing depression. This may include getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in physical activity.

Connect with others

Spending time with loved ones, joining a support group, or participating in social activities can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Challenge negative thoughts

Depression can lead to negative thinking patterns, and it’s important to challenge these thoughts. Try to focus on the positive aspects of your life and engage in activities that bring you joy.

Use stress-management techniques

Depression can be exacerbated by stress, so it’s important to find ways to manage stress in your life. This may include practising relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.

Practice gratitude

Focusing on the things you’re thankful for can help shift your perspective and improve your mood.

Writers play a vital role in shaping the world by providing a voice to diverse perspectives and ideas. Through their works, writers have the ability to challenge societal norms, spark change, and provide a new perspective on important issues. They have the power to educate, entertain, and inspire their readers, and their works often serve as a reflection of their time and place. By exploring the complexities of the human experience, writers help us understand ourselves and the world around us, fostering empathy, compassion, and understanding. The importance of writers in the world cannot be overstated, as they help us to see the world in new and meaningful ways, shaping our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.

A writer should understand how important he/she is in a community and should raise from all the odds to further continue writing.

In the publication of my previous article discussing “The right to be wrong”, a friend commented – “when I say be careful, I mean to stay safe because I care and I love you,” giving me the stimulus for today’s article.

Why, I wonder, do we say “be careful” to someone we love, instead of declaring “I love you!” Why do we choose to express our feelings indirectly instead of directly? Or does indirectness conceal a deeper and unseen truth?

Do we really need to warn an adult when they leave the house just to go to work? In other words, are we more interested in them than they are in themselves? Or does the “instructions manual” hide the opposite of what we think? Perhaps these instructions do not reflect the interest of the other human being, but the priority we give to ourselves. Come back safe and unhurt, not because you want to be with me, but because I want to be with you.

“What is the difference?” you might ask, ignoring that the devil is always hidden in little details. In reality – even if we do not acknowledge it – we reproduce behaviours we have experienced in our parental home. Where, in order to be loved, we had to “be careful” and avoid such behaviour that was not acceptable. “Be careful” so as to be loved! Otherwise, if you deviate, you force me to withdraw my love from you. Yet, this is not love at all. Let me remind you that the greatest crimes on the face of the earth have been committed and are still being committed in the name of love!

“I, who love you…” As if this statement alone works like an apology or an excuse for any kind of abuse.

Let us always keep in mind that love does not dominate, does not create commitments, does not need excuses, nor does it cause pain.

Love is supportive, substantial, and ever-present to the other’s needs. Love accepts others just as they are – imperfect! Love need not control or change anybody. On the contrary! Love is the oxygen of the soul, it revitalizes and nourishes.

Nevertheless, how will we manage to love anyone if we are unable to love ourselves first? To see and accept ourselves as we really are – imperfect?

In the journey of completion, the aid provided to us is the presence of other people. We like, accept, and love some of them and towards others, we develop the exact opposite feelings.

Unlike the former who reflect our good elements, the latter repels us precisely because they reflect our bad elements. Those elements that we would not like to have and which we unconsciously hide. Still, if we find the courage to “see” and then “accept” ourselves exactly as we are, then and only then, will we start to see others as they really are and not through our own distorting lenses. Only then will the process of acceptance and love begin. Because love without acceptance does not exist.

It is then and only then that our love is genuine, unconditional, free from boundaries, and based on trust, respect, devotion and forgiveness.

Humanity is not a race, it is a value.
And we have lost it in our blind
pursuit of success and prosperity.
Anand

In this age of falling moral standards and near-absolute absence of the sense of discrimination between good and evil, we find that the structures which imparted values to humanity have been erased out of existence, or distorted so that they stand only in form, while their essence is essentially lost. Let us look at religion. All the goodness that it preaches remains restricted to the holy pages, while what we see going on in society is utter lack of divinity even among the holiest of holy people. Religion has been reduced to a habit, a custom, a rite, and its spirit has been taken away. In the same way, the second structure which was supposed to maintain morality in the system was the teaching profession. It has been dropped from the list of ‘noble professions’. It is not a matter of choice with our youngsters. It is only a matter of employment, a dry attachment to a job from which we extract monthly salary to support the family. The systems which decide the content of teaching subjects want that there should be no literature in the syllabi, students should learn only how to write a letter, a quotation, and how to draft advertisements. The third structure that has fallen, absolutely, is the presence of the grand parents at home. Need I mention the broken family system, and the single-parent families where old people have been exiled from homes and quarantined old age homes? Who is there to teach the stories of Raja Harish Chander and Shakuntala, and even the Ramayana to the young minds? They have been replaced with the TV which has tumbled them into a world of consumerist culture, day and night telling them, eat this eat that, making them obese in body and mind too.

Man or a Perfect Manipulator

With all the moralizing structures gone with the wind, we are now in a helpless state, in which the modern generation is exposed to market values. It is commerce, success, wealth, power and fame that rule the minds of men. In fact, let us agree that in a society, what happens is decided by the government and these days, governments want smart men who look charming, and intelligent, and who can be masterminds. In other words, modern society needs manipulators, who have mastered the art of success, because ultimately, it is the success that matters in a competitive conglomerate to which our society has been reduced.

The culture of corruption that has made inroads into human society on a spectacular scale has increased the pace of humanity towards self-destruction. Philosophically, we appear to be at the end of the cycle of Kalyuga, and this being the last phase of the epoch, we can see signs of an imminent disaster waiting for us, when every value has been lost. Humanity is not a race, it is a value. And we have lost it in our pursuit of success and prosperity.

What do we require today?

We are opening universities, and colleges, and sending our kids abroad for education.
It is all a surcharged exercise to make money, and then, more money so that you can lead a life of comfort and luxury. I wonder if there is any other passion which works with our younger generations. I want to underline what makes India different from western cultures. India stands for a life which believes in God, in godliness, in religion, in scriptures like Ramayana and Mahabharata, in Guru Nanak, in Tulsi Das, in Rabindranath Tagore and in Mahatma Gandhi. There is no India if you drop even one person from your search. India never dwelt on BARE LIVING PRACTICES as we are now going to imbibe in our upcoming generations. Earning money or a job makes 20 per cent of a man’s life, the rest of it is leading a life in love, compassion, family, believing in goodness, working hard and praying.

And what we are now preaching is a lifestyle which is shorn of all values. Which has only money as the first and the last value. It is a destructive passion that we are teaching to our younger generations. How many old couples are now taking care of each other, because their kids have migrated to US or Canada? And how many when die, remain unattended by their sons at their funerals?

Man is not body, nor bones. Man is his emotions. His family. His love. His likes his dislikes.
His peace. His time. His vacant hours. His dreams. We deny all these things and force them to live on money and impractical dreams of a high life. If we remove our flesh from our bones, can we sustain ourselves? Where are emotions in our blood? In our flesh? Where are dreams in our minds? And visions in our eyes? We are much more than bare bones. No science can dissect us. Let these people who decide our fate know this fact.

THE COUNTER-BLAST

We, all those who wish well to this society, who want values to return to our younger generations, who want that we must rise above crass commercialism, and turn human again, need to join heads together. Certain things are clear. We cannot look for correction towards religion. Education has been destroyed by masters of commercialism. And family system has gone down the drain. Our worry is how to inculcate Humanism among our growing children, who are going to make our world tomorrow. How to bring them to realize that this society needs certain values of goodness, humanity, honesty and integrity. That wealth is not the last value. That fame, power are glittering illusions only.

We can do so if in each state, we have a University of Ethics, which should be beyond the pale of all religions, regions, and creeds. We need to teach literature and philosophy, and issue 6 month certificate courses in Moral Engineering and make them compulsory to pass Higher Secondary. No person who does not possess a degree can get into a job. A three year degree programme in Moral Engineering may give us Ethical Supervisors to be placed, one in ten schools in a cluster. In Universities too, we need to open Department of Ethics, and make the study compulsory in every department.

Let us take the cue from Shanti Niketan. That is a University with a different mindset. Let us in each state open a University of Ethics, so that the world knows we have taken the much needed U-turn. It will be India’s pioneering effort to push the world back from the brink of moral disaster.

Article by
Dr. JERNAIL SINGH ANAND

Dr. Jernail Singh Anand is an Honorary Member of the Association of Serbian Writers. He is Prof. Emeritus in Indian Literature at The European Institute of the Roma Studies and Research Belgrade. Dr Anand has authored more than 150 books in English poetry, fiction, non-fiction, spirituality and philosophy. He is credited with the theory of Biotext in critical theory. His work has been translated into more than twenty world languages. Author of 9 epics which are regarded as modern classics, Anand has organized 4 International Literary Conferences, latest of them, in Chandigarh. He was conferred Franz Kafka Laureateship 2022 and International Aco Karamanov Poetry Award 2022 (Mecedonia).

More about the author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jernail_Singh_Anand?

This year is the centenary of the Asia Minor catastrophe of 1922. It is a time of remembrance for those whose lives changed from one minute to the next through no fault of theirs. A time of remembrance by their descendants, who are now the third generation of those first
refugees that came from all parts of Asia Minor Turkey: from far away Cappadocia,from  Ionia, from Thrace, and the Black Sea area. A time of remembrance for the cruel and planned genocide of first the Armenians and then the Greek population by the Turkish armed forces and the chetes irregulars that took place between 1914 and 1923.

Over one and a half million Greek Orthodox natives were forced to leave their ancestral homes that had been the home of the Greeks from ancient times, go on forced marches where many died along the way and cross turbulent seas to reach safety. Such memories can never be forgotten, and they have been passed down from generation to generation as is the case of the first refugees that came to Anavyssos and made it their new home.

On Wednesday 10th August a church service was held followed by the unveiling ceremony of the monument to commemorate the first Greek refugees from Asia Minor who settled in what was at first an arid and inhospitable area. The service took place in the small, restored church, which had formerly been a house. When it was first built as a church, it was given the name Agioi Theodori (Greek: Άγιοι Θεόδωροι) by one of the first settlers who also covered most of the building costs. The other settlers helped by offering their labor and their knowledge. The bell was made by a well-known bell maker from one of the villages of Cappadocia.

Today, the church is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Greek: Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου), whose Name Day we celebrate on 15th August. It is referred to as the Summer Easter of the Greek Orthodox Church to show the importance of the day and the dedication that the Greek people have towards the Virgin Mary. A panigiri (open-air local celebration) is held after the church service to celebrate this important day with local food and music. It is a time of reunion for those that have left their place of birth and who return for this special occasion.

Besides the clergy, the Metropolitan of the area Nicholaos was present as well as the Mayor of Saronicos and other officials. The honorary guest was Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos, the former President of the Greek Republic, who unveiled the monument to the first refugee settlers of Anavyssos. On one side of the monument are the names of the first refugees that settled in Anavyssos and on the other is a tree with its deep roots symbolizing the anchoring of the refugees in their new homeland.

Their determination and tenacity helped them overcome all difficulties and brought new life to the area, developing it both culturally and economically. The location that had been chosen for them was the famous ancient Greek Dimo of Anaphlysto. It was the homeland of Cleisthenes (Greek: Κλεισθένης, c. 570- after 506 BC), the ancient Athenian lawgiver, who is credited with reforming the constitution of ancient Athens and setting it along democratic lines in 508 BC. This new homeland has also been described in the book ‘Serenity’ (Greek: Γαλήνη) by the well-known author Ilias Venezis, also a refugee and one of the first settlers in the area. It describes the journey of a group of Greek refugees from their homeland in Asia Minor who settled in the summer of 1923 in a desolate corner of the coast near Athens.

Today, a time span of a hundred years from the first generation of refugees to the third generation of their descendants has passed. The unveiling of the monument dedicated to these first settlers in their new homeland is the torch that will keep alight the memories so
that their forced departure from their ancestral homes and their struggle in their new homeland will always be remembered by the generations to come.

The Asia Minor Cultural Museum ‘Makis Agkoutoglou’ in Anavissos houses the history of the refugee settlers and visitors can read excerpts relating their experience as well as see artifacts and other documents of the area.

 

Despena Dalmaris
©Despena Dalmaris

 

“Be careful or you will fall!
Watch out or you will fail!
Look out or you’ll get hurt…!”

One phrase – “be careful” – is constantly ringing in our ears filling us with fear; removing all confidence in ourselves, putting us in tight
patterns from an early age, evidently for our own sake, questioning our abilities to cope with any difficulties or misfortunes that befall us. Restricting us within barriers prevents us from learning how fast we can run. Because that “be careful” made us land before we even took off! It also deprived us of the opportunity to learn the lessons that failure also has to offer. To acquire the ability to acknowledge the danger, failure, and risk. To get in touch with our skills and desires and consciously, or not, assume the cost of our decision.

Since nothing is achieved by “being careful” while everything is conquered by “acting”. The amount of effort we will put into achieving our goal, or the ease with which we will give up will prove whether the choice was ours or was forced upon us.

Perhaps you will whisper, “parents warn us against acting out of interest and love…” Neither interest nor love is involved in clipping
feathers. It only reflects their own problem. This mostly is the case of parents who do not see their children as separate entities, but as a continuation of themselves, obliged to fulfill their own repressed dreams; obliged to make them feel proud of their achievements.

Children, however, are not “circus animals”, to perform tricks and demonstrate talents they may not have, in order to receive applause
and awards. They are autonomous beings born carrying their special characteristics. And if parents want them to be glorified, they must
help them develop their own talents. They must teach them how to fly instead! They must show them trust, so they can believe in
themselves.

In a rapidly changing society, where many things and choices seem long outdated, as if they belonged to a previous century, the attempt to impose their own right on them, seems funny or even absurd. Isn’t it much better if parents helped them find their own “right”? Instead of clipping their wings, they had better stand by them not as authorities and bright omniscient, but as supporters whenever they are needed.

Anyway, love should never suffocate anybody. It should only help one to find and develop their inclinations. Children should be let alone free to learn that error is entailed in life, just like a failure. They should also be taught that one single failure should not be the cause
for despair or mourning. Neither should that fact discourage them because we are all imperfect beings and life is a path we have to
walk in order for us to reach completion. These beliefs are the real“wings” that good parents must craft for their children.

After all, there are several cases of so-called “losers” whose careers eventually turned into success stories. For the record, Edison failed 1001 times before inventing the light bulb. Famous author Stephen King was rejected thirty times before publishing his first book. And the founder of the KFC company had been discarded 1,009 times before he succeeded. What did the three of them have in common?
Faith in themselves!
And this is the best legacy that parents can ever leave to their children.

Nouli Tsagaraki
©Nouli Tsagaraki