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We all have our ‘down’ days when we just don’t have the motivation or energy to have a great workout. To make things worse, your gym plays the same song you heard one year ago when you first joined. Sounds familiar?

I’ve always believed in the power of music. Music is a very powerful tool that can change the state of our mind almost instantly. Think of the time when you heard an old song that would instantly bring you down memory lane. Or imagine a really dramatic scene in a movie like “Lord of the Rings” when Aragorn gives his amazing speech before his army goes into battle. Or imagine watching Rambo finally getting his revenge with the enemy - Now imagine those scenes without the background music - I guarantee you that it will not have the same power!

Listening to intense music before and during workouts can take your intensity level up a few notches and give you a much more productive and explosive workout. If you’ve even been to a Bodypump, Bodyjam, Body Combat or RPM class, notice how they use music to form the ’structure’ of the class, and they also change the songs often so that you don’t get sick of it. So, are you convinced now?

Of course, it is essential that you listen to music that works for you. Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” WILL NOT help you curl that 40lb dumbbell!

To help you get an idea, some of the songs that work for me are the following:
#Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

#Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone (Top Gun soundtrack)

#Bonnie Tyler - Holding out for a Hero (Short Circuit 2 soundtrack)

#Aaliyah - Try Again (Romeo Must Die soundtrack)

You can easily carry your favourite songs with you with a portable MP3 player. And since you’ll be using it for your workout, you’ll want one that can be strapped firmly onto your arm with an armband (the ones that hang around your neck and swing all over can be hazardous when you’re working with weights & machines).

With this being said - I’m actually off right now to the MidValley shopping centre to get myself a suitable MP3 player right now . Stay tuned people!

Josh Stone, also known as DM, is the author behind the site http://www.dailymuscle.com which offers the author’s personal views on real-life fitness, bodybuilding, sports nutrition, cardio, fat loss, training information, and on all things that surrounds fitness.

Contemporary world politics make it necessary for nations to integrate into international unions in the interest of their own national security and economy. In these international unions, which are usually based upon geographic location, such factors as natural resources, trading blocs, and even cultural values play an important role. Many neighboring countries combine their resources under the auspices of such organizations, create defensive alliances, and cooperate on a wide array of issues. The goal of such unions is to preserve peace, control the arms race, resolve disputes through diplomacy, promote socioeconomic development, and protect fundamental human rights and democracy. At the present time, NATO, the OSCE, the EU, NAFTA, OPEC, ASEAN, the G-8, the D-8, and APEC are the foremost international political, military, and economic unions.

These institutions are subject to organizational reforms because of new members or a widening of scope. All of these organizations, formed in the aftermath of the Second World War, have contributed to creating stability and order in the world and have played a major role in global socioeconomic development. Member nations protect their economic and military interests, and also acquire a stronger regional and international position. Even the developed world perceives the necessity of such partnerships. The creation of free trade zones, regional trade agreements, abolished customs controls, and even a common currency (as in the EU) safeguard the future of member states. Defensive pacts enable member states to reduce military expenditures and to divert those resources to cultural and educational fields.

A similar organization will provide considerable benefits to Muslim nations. For those that are desperate for technological as well as economic development, the foremost step toward stability is the creation of a central organization or, in other words, a unified Islamic world under the auspices of the Islamic Union.

Economic Development and Increasing Prosperity

Economic cooperation is necessary on two counts: stability and development. Muslim nations must bring stability and solidity to their economies. Developing industries and making the required investments is vital, as is the need for a comprehensive development plan and the simultaneous development of education, economy, culture, science, and technology. While various sectors are developed technologically, the labor force’s educational levels and standards must be raised accordingly. Society must be motivated to become more productive, and the resulting economic cooperation will play a major role in eradicating poverty, illiteracy, the unjust distribution of wealth, and other socioeconomic problems rampant in Muslim countries. This partnership can be formed only by the creation of free trade zones, customs unions, and common economic areas.

Most Muslim countries have geostrategic importance as well as rich natural resources (e.g., natural gas and crude oil). These resources and strategic opportunities, however, are not being used effectively. In the Islamic world, 86% of the population’s living standards fall below $2,000, 76% under $1,000, and 67% under $500 per year. When the Islamic world’s total resources are considered,(1) this is quite a paradox: Roughly half of the petrol consumed in the West is exported from the Islamic world, as is 40% of the world’s agricultural production.(2) Many economists and strategists freely admit that the world economy depends upon the Islamic world’s oil and gas exports, in particular those of the Persian Gulf.(3)

The Persian Gulf holds two-thirds of the planet’s discovered crude oil reserves. Data obtained from research concludes that Saudi Arabia alone holds 25.4% of the world’s oil reserves, or 262 billion barrels. A further 11% is found in Iraq, 9.6 % in the UAE, 9.2 % in Kuwait, 8.6 % in Iran, 13% in other OPEC member states. The rest is distributed across the remainder of the world.(4) Research commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy shows that between 2000 and 2020, oil exports from the area will increase by 125%.(5) This means that the world will continue to meet most of its energy needs by imports from the Gulf region. Moreover, the Middle East has 40% of the global natural gas reserves; 35 % of these reserves are in the Gulf region.(6) Algeria, Libya, and other North African countries have 3.7 % of the world’s reserves.

The Caucasus and Central Asia are also rich in oil, natural gas, and other natural resources. For instance, Kazakhstan has between 10-17.6 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, and its natural gas reserves are estimated at between 53 and 83 trillion cubic feet. Turkmenistan hasbetween 98 and 155 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, making it the fourth largest producer.(7) Some other Muslim countries have valuable mineral resources. For instance, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are two of the world’s leading gold producers. Turkey has one of the world’s richest boron reserves, only recently discovered to be very important, and Tajikistan has the world’s largest aluminum producing facilities.

These advantages will become more important in the twenty-first century, which some have already christened the “energy century.” Energy is an essential element of modern society in terms of the military, industry, urbanization, and transport. Given that economic activity and manufacturing depend primarily upon energy, nations will do their best to achieve control over these energy resources. The Islamic world is not using its resources effectively, for many of its members lack the infrastructure and technology to increase the production and use their natural resources to develop their industries. Therefore, the resources’ contributions to the country’s economy are limited to export earnings. These countries do not have the means to process their own crude oil, use it in their industrial complexes, or to develop their industries. Worse still, some Muslim nations do not even have the necessary means to explore and research their natural resources or to discover and extract them. Explorations undertaken by foreign companies reveal that other Muslim nations have oil and gas reserves, but they cannot benefit from their resources.

Naturally, the ineffective use of natural resources is not the Islamic world’s only economic problem. However, solving this problem can begin the process of solving many other problems. The economies of Muslim nations contain differences in structure and functioning. Some nations’ economies depend upon mineral resources, such as the members of OPEC, while other nations’ depend upon agriculture. These differences are also reflected, to some extent, in their social structures, such as the widely varying degrees of rural and urban populations. Developing complementary relationships and helping each other in their respective areas of expertise can turn these differences into a source of riches. All of this will be possible with the Islamic Union.

Joint ventures and project partnerships will be an important step in the right direction, for they will enable countries to benefit from one another’s experiences and the income earned from investment projects will benefit all of the participating countries. Such mutual financial support is compatible with Islamic morality, for helping the needy and having a sense of social responsibility are important characteristics that Muslims strive to acquire. Many verses in the Qur’an remind Muslims to watch over the needy.

Society’s internal cohesion must be extended to international relations. As international cooperation within a partnership cannot be one-sided, employment and income levels will rise in both countries. For example, one country will produce oil and another one will process it, and agriculturally dependent countries will be able to import the food they need from agriculturally developed countries. A manpower-poor country’s need will be met by another Islamic country, while rich countries will be able to invest in and help out a manpower-rich country that does not have enough jobs for its people. This will be to the benefit of both. Sharing know-how and experience will increase prosperity, and all Muslims will benefit from technological developments.

Joint ventures that realize the Islamic world’s unification of opportunities and means will enable Muslims to produce hi-tech products. The Islamic common market will enable Muslim-made products to be marketed in other Muslim countries without the hindrance of customs, quotas, and other cross-border obstacles. The marketplace will grow, the market share and exports of all Muslim nations will rise, industrialization will speed up, and economic development will bring progress in technology. The living standards and wealth of Muslim nations will increase, and their existing inequalities will disappear. Some free trade agreements are already in place between countries in the Gulf, the Pacific Rim, and North Africa. Trade agreements signed by Turkey are already operational in the Islamic world. Bilateral cooperation exists in some regions; however, their scope must be widened. Such cooperation will safeguard the rights and interests of all Muslim nations and lead to all of them becoming developed-a result from which all of them will derive a far greater benefit than if they do not cooperate with each other.

All of these can be realized only under a central authority’s leadership and coordination. Achieving this will be possible if Muslim nations adopt the Qur’an’s values and the Prophet’s (May God bless him and grant him peace) Sunnah, or, in other words, if they adopt Islamic culture. The Islamic Union must lead the way to this cultural awakening, as well as the resulting political and economic cooperation.

Mutual cooperation among Muslims, part of the Islamic code, must be adhered to by all Muslims, for God commands people to refrain from avarice and to guard the needy and support one another. In fact, destitute people have a due share of the believers’ wealth (Qur’an, 51:19). As the Qur’an proclaims:

Those of you possessing affluence and ample wealth should not make oaths that they will not give to their relatives, the very poor, and those who have migrated in the way of God. Rather, they should pardon and overlook. Would you not love God to forgive you? God is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur’an, 24:22)

He who has plenty should spend from his plenty, but he whose provision is restricted should spend from what God has given him. God does not demand from anyone more than He has given it. God will appoint ease after difficulty. (Qur’an, 65:7)

Our Lord also reveals that believers are one another’s guardians (Qur’an, 9:71). The word “guardian” conveys such meanings as friend, helper, mentor, and protector. It also expresses the importance of cooperation and solidarity between Muslim nations. The cooperation that will arise from this fraternal awareness between Muslim nations will bring prosperity and wealth to Muslims and eradicate poverty, an important problem of the Islamic world. Societies that follow the Qur’an’s values will not experience famine, destitution, and poverty. Muslims will develop their nations by following rational and long-term policies, establishing good relations with other nations and people, valuing trade and development, and learning from other cultures’ experiences. This was so in history and, God willing, under the Islamic Union’s leadership it will be so once again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, HARUN YAHYA
Born in Ankara in 1956, Adnan Oktar writes his books under the pen name of Harun Yahya. The works of Harun Yahya have been translated into 41 languages. To date, his books have been purchased by 8 million people, and an equal number have been provided free to readers by various newspapers and magazines. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites http://www.harunyahya.com

1.http://www.harunyahya.com/articles/32economic_development.php

There are many souls who are opening now to a deeper level of knowing and perceiving than generally occurs through the physical senses. Sometimes this knowing comes in the form of internal messages of a verbal kind. Sometimes it comes in the form of wordless insights about others, about oneself, about the future, or about any other meta-perception that exceeds ordinary knowledge. These insights are occurring in an accelerated way, now, due to the presence of greater light on the earth. This light, absorbed by both body and consciousness, advances the state of spiritual knowing and understanding, producing a wealth of new experiences depending upon what a soul is open to.

In the face of these greater openings, doubt can also arise concerning the validity of the new, and especially in the beginning, a fear of taking them seriously or of being wrong about them can occur. For some, there may also be a fear of knowing more or sensing more because of previous feelings of not trusting the self or of feeling the self to be unworthy.

All doubt arises from an absence of light of sufficient strength to create clarity and a sureness about what one is feeling and sensing. In the presence of light and while immersed in it, doubt is replaced by clear-thinking and clear-seeing and at least for the moment, it becomes possible to know what is true and what is not true. Yet for many, the experience of clarity is not constant, and so when the moment of greater clarity passes, the self returns to lower level personality concerns and starts worrying again that its perceptions and intuitions are not real.

Stabilizing light in one’s body and consciousness is of great importance when one is beset by doubt, since the constancy and continuity of a vibrational atmosphere in which one lives, breathes, and conducts all the activities of the day, seals out the forces creating doubt and allows the vibration of the mental and emotional bodies to remain relatively constant. While all doubt will only be removed when a sufficiently high vibration of light enters the picture, lower levels of doubt can be eliminated even now, and the psyche can become significantly less troubled by concerns of being wrong or misguided.

The problem of learning to see clearly applies not only to the phenomenon of developing extraordinary or intuitive perception, but also to the phenomenon of seeing oneself clearly and others clearly. Here, too, perception has often been governed by personality factors that have created emotional filtering and a skewed view of others. When insight occurs, this generally takes the form of seeing one’s own motivations and attitudes more clearly as well as seeing the other more clearly, and so there are greater opportunities now, in the presence of increased light, for the healing of relationships to take place.

Another area in which illuminated insight can have a healing effect is in the area of intuiting things about the future. One can have an inner perception of what is to come based entirely on an inner knowing, because the soul can communicate such knowledge to the conscious mind which may carry it with varying degrees of confidence. Though the future cannot be fully known because it is in a continual process of unfoldment, there are many primary currents related to planetary transformation which remain stable and can be seen, felt, and sensed, based on the increased infusion of soul-knowledge into the personal self.

Such soul-knowledge is always positive, because the outlook for the future that is transmitted from the soul does not contain fear but only hope, and because God’s plan for the earth is one of great promise and of the fulfillment of promises made in the beginning. However, where fearful elements are added to this perception, it is generally because the personal or smaller self is viewing the original intuitive perception from its own standpoint of observation, and is feeling unready to meet the future portrayed, or afraid of the changes that lie ahead.

The capacity for increased insight, today, occurs because of the accelerated movement between dimensions of consciousness. This brings knowings of the higher self or soul into the sphere of conscious mental activity in increasing amounts. This phenomenon, a gift of the time we are in, asks of those who are experiencing intuitive openings to seek an inner way of validating and becoming comfortable with these through stabilizing one’s awareness in the higher vibrations of light. In this way the higher elements of knowledge and intuition will continue to have clear access to the conscious self, and the conscious self will gain a greater measure of certainty about its new perceptions and insights.

Julie Redstone is a teacher, writer, and founder of Light Omega, a center for spiritual teaching and healing in Western Massachusetts. The purpose of Light Omega is to create an understanding of the sacred transition into light that the earth is presently going through and the changes this will bring to individual and planetary consciousness.

Key 1 - Circulation

Good circulation in your pool means much more than filtering water - it’s getting all of the water in the pool moving & through the filter.

Circulation is more than filter or pump turnover; its removing dead spots - you know those areas where algae always seems to grow or where dirt & debris always seems to accumulate. The better the water is circulating, the better the filtration, the cleaner the pool. In fact it typically takes more than FOUR turnovers to get all of the water completely filtered. The following chart shows how much of your pool water is typically filtered in a normal filter turnover. Turnovers are normally determined by “how much” water can go through the filter system - not what is actually filtered. One turnover can take anywhere from 3 hours to 8 hours depending on the pool’s size and the filter size & pump horsepower.

After 1 turnover - 42% is filtered, 52% is UN-filtered

After 2 turnovers - 84% is filtered, 16% in UN-filtered

After 3 turnovers - 95% is filtered, 5% is UN-filtered

After 4 turnovers - 98% is filtered, 2% is UN-filtered

Why does it take so much time & effort? Mainly, it’s due to dead spots. Dead spots are those areas of the pool where the water may not completely move or circulate. Dead spots are the “birthing grounds” for algae & bio-films resulting in green or cloudy water. These are the most common areas of would be dead spots:

* the bottom half of the pool especially in pools without main or bottom drains

* corners of rectangular pools

* the “exact” center of almost all round & most oval pools - especially aboveground pools

* behind ladders and / or stairs

* areas directly adjacent to pool skimmers & return fittings

* a combination of all of the above

Let’s briefly look at each of these areas & provide a cure to the dead spot.

The entire bottom half of the pool really is a neglected spot. Many pool-owners unfortunately like to see the water rippling across the top of the pool as the filter runs. They point the return jets or eyeballs “up” rather than down toward the bottom. When pointed up, only the top 1/3 or so of the pool is circulated. The bottom 2/3 remains relatively stagnant, especially the further down you go. The cure: readjust the returns down toward the bottom of the pool. This will help create better top to bottom flow of water. Another way is to hook up your vacuum & simply let it sit in the bottom of the pool for a full day, once each week.

Corners of rectangular pools are notorious for being dead spots. You can see where leaves & airborne debris are trapped. Go down along the pool walls from the corners & you’ll see that’s where algae gets its head start. The cure: be sure to thoroughly brush down the corner areas on a regular basis. Once or twice each week should be a minimum.

Round or oval pools, doesn’t mean you won’t have dead spots. Over the years we’ve seen round & oval pools having cloudy centers! Really, we have. The reason, the “circulating” water goes round & round and the center remains stagnant. Overtime, especially in pools that don’t get regular or minimal swimming, a column of water sets itself up - something very similar to a hurricane’s eye. Lot’s of activity around the eye, but the eye is peaceful & calm! The cure: be sure to direct the pool return fittings down toward the bottom & straight across. You’ll get better overall circulation.

The areas behind ladders & especially drop-in style stairs get little or no circulation. No bodies brushing against the pool surface. Algae & bacteria are allowed to grow without hindrance. The cure: Be sure to properly & thoroughly brush & vacuum those areas. Movable or removable stairs should be taken out of the pool periodically & the pool surfaces cleaned. This is where the weekly addition of a good algicide is important - more about that under the water chemistry heading. If you use a protective mat, remove & clean that as well. Perform this cleaning at least once in the middle of each swimming season.

The several inches around your pool’s skimmer & return fittings are great big dead spots. There may be lots of water activity around or near them, but directly adjacent…no. The cure: pay special attention to brush & vacuum these areas. Even brush, vacuum & clean the faceplates of these fittings.

All of the above! Dead spots are always in combination. Here are the best cures to poor pool circulation & dead spots. And most of the ideas won’t even cost you a penny!

* Use the pool. Swim, splash, play. Do laps. Invite some friends over to have some fun. Regular use of your pool is the single best thing you can do to give it better circulation.

* Brush & vacuum. It’s like brushing & flossing your teeth. You know you have to do it. Brushing the pool walls at least once a week (preferably twice) prevents algae & bio-films from setting roots and becoming a real headache in very little time. For some “uber-brushing” consider a Wall Whale brush. You’ll get up to 10 times the brushing force with the effort of one hand.

* Be sure to point those eyeballs & return jets DOWN. You don’t want to see ripples on top of the water. You want circulation throughout the pool. Consider installing a Circulator instead of the standard eyeball - can provide up to 1500% better circulation in your pool. Awesome new product.

* Run the filter a minimum of 8 hours daily. Every day. To save money & electricity, use a timer to turn the pump on & off and use multiple settings to spread out the time to catch some of those “off-peak” electrical hours.

http://www.parpools.com/5keys

Remember to follow the other 5 Keys to Pool Care. They’re just as important.

Every fisherman who has ever thrown his bait into the Gulf of Mexico likes to fish for Pompano. They’re the best tasting fish in the gulf, bar none. They’re also fairly easy to catch from June until the middle of December. Winter and spring months are only fair because they are scattered and generally smaller than the one’s caught in the summer and fall. The Pompano were running up and down the Gulf of Mexico this fine Fourth of July weekend. This is a fish that truly loves warmer water, with their preferred water temperature being between 82 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

Walking along the beach just after first light with the smell of the ocean and the spray from the surf leaving the taste of salt on your lips is an absolutely wonderful way to start the day. The sun, just peeking through the mist, will soon burn away any lingering wisps of fog remaining on the beach. Seabirds fighting over remnants of a mysterious sea object that has washed ashore, reminds me to protect the shrimp I had stored in a bucket next to my beach chair. A solitary pelican has just crept within 15 yards of me and is staring at the bait bucket as though he can see inside. He must have heard the shrimp moving around.

This beautiful morning I was fishing off the beautiful sugar white sand of Mexico Beach, just east of Port St. Jo and just down the road from Panama City, Florida. One of the few areas that is not overly populated, either by local fishermen or by tourists, it was a surprise to find myself relatively alone. Looking up and down the beach you could only see an occasional beach walker searching the sand to see what secrets the sea had washed ashore on the early morning tide.

Pompano are not fish eaters so the first thing you have to do when fishing is to secure your bait. Besides the shrimp I had already bought, I had to have sand fleas. They’re on any Pompano’s menu and they’re usually plentiful along most beaches. The easiest and cheapest way to obtain these them is to catch them yourself! They’re found at the waters edge as it recedes back into the sea. As the water rushes back from the beach, you’ll see small holes appear at the water’s edge. Those holes are where a sand flea is burrowing. Immediately dig down and you’ll find them.

For my sand flea hunting I simply use a sturdy bucket that I’ve drilled many holes in the bottom and sides. This allows the water to flush out of its container and leave the sand fleas on the bottom when I dig for them. There are several types of sand flea rakes you could buy, but making your own is more fun. I’ve even seen kids on the beach digging for them with a stiff toy beach bucket. Just use whatever is handy. After you catch a dozen or more, put them into your bait bucket with a little sand and water and you’re ready to start fishing. You can always catch more fleas when you run out of the ones you’ve already caught.

Pompano run in schools. Where you find one, you will usually find many, so remember that when you’re catching sand fleas. Pompano also eat shrimp with live ones being the better bait but dead ones will work if your bait shrimp is not alive.

I use a weight 5′ rod and a light reel with 8 to 10 lb test line. I use this because I know that most pompano are between 1 pound and 3 ½ pounds. I also keep a 7′ surf rod and surf reel with 15 lb test line in the other line holder just in case I hang a bigger fish.

The rig that has worked well for me starts with a barrel swivel on the end of my line. I’ll then tie a 3′ to 4′ foot of 30 lb leader to the swivel. After that comes the two 8″ lengths of leader on which I will tie 1/0 circle hooks. I’ll tie those about 12″ apart. After that, all that remains is tying a 2 ounce egg sinker to the bottom of the leader. Then all I have to so is bait my hooks and throw the rig as far out on the gulf as I can. That’s usually about 30 to 40 yards.

There are other more sophisticated and expensive ways to catch both pompano and sand fleas, but I choose to keep it simple and as cheap as I can. Vacations are costly enough without spending a lot of money on bait and the fish you will catch with them. Most of us, if we add up the cost of a fishing trip and divide that into the amount of fish we catch, would be much better off going to a good restaurant. I figure that counting the gas for the trip to the beach, lodging, food, bait and a few souvenirs, each fish I caught that day cost me approximately $438.00 each.

Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, holiday eating and leisure living.

Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at: http://www.bluemarlinbob.com

http://www.bobalexander.ws