When you say “um”, without realising it, people’s opinion of your intelligence shrinks slightly.

The theory behind this is that, according to popular opinion, smarter people think more. Therefore, a smart person is more likely to consider something before speaking. He or she will only speak when he or she has a reason to and has thought it out. It doesn’t require much thought – only a second or two – but that is the impression people have. Those who speak a lot and say “um” constantly are seen as speaking out of habit and not really thinking about what they are saying.

It might seem good to answer questions right away when they are asked, but studies show that people think more highly of you if you pause for a second or two before answering, even if your answer is exactly the same.

Pause more. Think before you speak, and avoid saying “um”. Even if you change nothing else, you will immediately appear smarter.

For more ways to sound smarter, have a look at How to be More Intelligent.

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          An offspring from the age of ten and below is where the brain is at its peak. The brain of a child is like a sponge it gathers all the information of their surroundings and is always caution. At this stage a parent or relative would want to do all the best things in order to help their children to evolve in the best and safest environmental and social class. As far as I’m concerned the best gift to present to a child an advanced toy or an electronic, such as a computer. A computer plays a crucial role in our lives and it also provides us with many benefits. Our life is becoming more and more advance each day, and the computer’s usage is increasing. This is where the role of computer comes in, it opens the mind of children and lets them explore and surf all around the internet and fill their minds with precious information and data which can be useful for their future.

            First of all a computer can be useful by using the internet. The internet can teach children and give more information about anything they are not sure of. They could also make new friends from all around the world which could help them by improving their communication skills, gain knowledge, and experience about things they would never learn in their everyday life. A computer also contains games which can be also handy to increase logical thinking. These games could also develop important qualities such as attention, patience, persistent, etc.  The most important benefit that computer skills provide is a career. These days most of paperwork, experiments, information, pictures, etc., are all located and done in a computer. Last of all a computer can also be used to finish school assignments and homework faster and more precise which would lead to higher grades and more credit.

            The year that I received my 10th birthday gift changed me a lot. My birthday was just around the corner and a present was already in mind, a computer. I never left my computer from the first day it was installed. I began to play every day and discover new things on the internet. At the age of 13 I knew how to hack into other computers and even create a game/program. Then I learned how to dismantle a computer and its components and then assemble it back. My mind became very knowledgeable, quick, and full of ideas. I am now able to write one thousand words in fifteen minutes which would help me a lot by finding a fair paying job. Ever since, my grades went a little higher and all my homework became less complicated.

In addition to those handy benefits, computer technology helps children to do their homework faster. They can type their data into the computer, easily check the grammar, correct mistakes and then print it out. Moreover, there are plenty different kinds of educational programs that can help children learn how to read, write, draw and even how to behave and speak a foreign language

            To sum up, I believe that children should learn how to use computer because this knowledge will help them in the future to be more self-confident and enterprising. Furthermore, computers can greatly improve and simplify their lives if children know how to use them.  

When humans first began to crawl about on our mother planet, back in those vague and foggy times when consciousness was just beginning to awaken, we fashioned an existence using brainpower. Better hunting tools meant more food and a longer life. The best toolmakers lived long enough to have more children, and so by shaping tools, we shaped our own evolution.

Our intellect grew and our foothold on Earth became firmer. We were creatures of knowledge and truth–we existed by the power of our own thought rather than by terrible teeth or superior strength.

Dirt and sand could be drawn in to represent objects, a very useful skill in planning. As we became more self-aware, our plans became more elaborate, and be started to use glyphs to represent more complex ideas.

Writing had begun.

Writing was useful only as a transient skill until the advent of paper. Now what was written was permanent. Suddenly, we were capable of storing a much larger amount of knowledge than our brains could alone. We augmented ourselves with books.

The printing press accelerated this process, and the availability of human knowledge resulted in a vast increase in the average level of intelligence amongst the populace.

We were actively improving our own intelligence.

After books and greater intelligence came electricity and the telegraph. The telegraph gave birth to the telephone, and suddenly the specialised information around the world was much more accessible. The world became a little smaller as knowledge accessibility increased yet again.

The computer and telecommunications together spawned the world wide web. This exponentially increased the space and availability for human knowledge, and we rushed to fill and use it.

We have hastily altered the education of our children as these developments made, so that they are better able to assimilate and use this information. Surely we are reaching our peak. Soon we will have infinite space for ever-increasing information, and unlimited access to it.

But we are limited. We hold ourselves back.

The average human lives about 80 years. In this time, there is only so much knowledge that can be used. Although we have made the process efficient, and will continue to improve it, we are still limited by this timeframe.

Many feats of understanding are made by singular geniuses with powers of perception unattainable by the common man. Our entire society is a collective wave, build upon the achievements of these few.

Even these rare marvels are reaching their limit. Even for these people, there is only so much that can be done in a lifetime.

The subtleties of the human consciousness do not lend themselves to immortality, to put it mildly. Perhaps one wiser than us could understand why, but in order for any of our number to realise this they would ironically have to live and learn for much longer than a mere 80 years.

We are slowing down. We have so much potential but are limited. A single human life consists of desparate and relentless learning, hoping to glimpse some meaning or make some new discovery before he falls helplessly into death’s maw. Our recent work is directed more and more towards refining existing technologies. We are reaching the limit of what we can do.

There is one way to escape this.

A single human mind may be doomed to live only a short while, but a collective mind works on a much greater scale. The human brain is made up of twenty billion neurons, all connected. If we can find a way to connect human minds in this way, even with only ten billion minds we can create a meta-mind.

Such a mind, like the human brain, would outlive its individual parts as they die and are replaced. It would be incomprehensively intelligent and wise, just as a brain is incomparatively greater than a single neuron. As long as humanity itself was not extinguished, the mind would be immortal.

Imagine it: on an individual level, instant access to the knowledge and feelings of any other person. A form of immortality would be attained, as the impression of a single mind would be left permanently in the others when it departs. Human conflict would naturally cease as a result, and all efforts wrongfully directed would change and our entire species would work towards a greater and more noble goal.

The mind would achieve what we cannot, and we would be a part of it in a way that cannot be truly explained in mere words.

Human knowledge has been expanding since our own dawn, and the world itself has been shrinking alongside it. We have been constantly improving ourselves through this. Now, as we approach a standstill, we must ask ourselves: are we satisfied with what we have for the rest of eternity? Or do we want to do what our very humanity proclaims we must: become something greater, something more, something better? Personal ecstasy, wisdom, and immortality, and a species-wide fulfilment of our potential?

We know not our purpose. We need to take the next step before we can be aware of it, and perhaps, in the far-distant future, refashion ourselves once more when we see what we truly must do.

But in order to see our purpose, we cannot stop. We must continue where the natural progression leads but is unable to finish.

Just as we changed our own fate when we chipped away at stones millions of years ago, so must we now direct ourselves forward to our divine purpose.

A final question we must pose: in creating a perfect mind, who is greater than us in a way that makes humans and ants seem to be at the same level in comparison, it would be wiser than the sum of all humans who have ever lived. It would be kinder, more comprehending, and more passionate. Is our divine purpose to create god?

1. Read something new every day. Even if it is just a few pages of a book that ultimately takes months to finish, you will get into the habit of continuously learning and therefore continuously improving. Try to read multiple genres for maximum impact. Reading a lot also improves your spelling and, depending on the standard of what you read, writing skills.

2. Go outside at least once a day. Spend at least a few minutes walking in the fresh air. This is a great habit for your mental health—we evolved to live outside, and studies have shown that not seeing green for too long slows down mental functions.

3. Compliment someone at least once every day. In the long run this will make you feel good about yourself as well, boost your self-esteem, and make those around you happier and like you more. For the really hard-core, compliment someone you dislike. You can do this by complimenting their actions rather than their personality. Even the most distasteful person will do good things evey once in a while. After all, even a broken clock is right twice a day.

4. Help someone at least once every day without asking for or expecting anything in return. Even if it is simply tidying up the kitchen before your parents get home, giving someone directions, or helping your little brother learn how to tie his shoes. You will become less lazy in the long run, which makes you more likely to earn more money when you are older. This also will make those around you happier and appreciate you more.

5. Grow something. It is very well to see on television or read in books about how things grow, but until you actually do it, there will be much that you cannot appreciate. It is just like riding a bike—some things need to be done to understand them, they cannot be learnt by hearing about them. Most of the food you eat was grown by someone, and by growing your own you are slightly better able to understand that.

6. Look after an animal. Not a completely domesticated one, but one with some wild instincts left. Studies have shown that spending time with animals makes people happier, and this will also help you appreciate the needs of animals better.

7. Travel somewhere new, even if it is just the next city. When you get there, do not stick to the places that you already have in your own city (McDonalds etc.) but take advantage of the new things that this place offers. There are too many people who go to foreign countries and benefit nothing real from them because they are too nervous to try new things.

8. Learn some of another language. This will help you understand English better, believe it or not. Knowing about sentence structure and declensions is very difficult to see in your own first language, but if you learn another you can compare them easily. If you learn enough, this will also help you understand how just by speaking a different language can affect the way people view the world.

9. Learn about your favourite things. Spend half an hour online learning all sorts of trivia about your favourite animal, food, place, etc. If you do this once a week, you will gain a huge amount of knowledge. This also makes it easier for you to talk to people, as most become very interested in random trivia that you can casually use in conversation.

10. Become scientifically literate. This means not only that you know how to read charts and graphs, but also that you can see logical flaws in arguments like “if I play my favourite numbers then I’m certain to win the lottery!” This is your biggest asset in decision making when you are older, and you can filter the majority of information from the media through this ability. You will realise that a lot of what you hear as ‘fact’ on television has very shaky foundations.

We can take another’s life as an example, but we must think hard before we follow them. Look at the virtues of others and ask yourself: “I have something valuable and worthwhile myself? How can I bring it out?” When you notice something bad in those around you, make a firm resolve: “Let me not nurture such vices”.

There is much hidden potential in each one of us. What should we do to make this blossom? When you activate yourself, you bring out all the strengths and talents that God has given you, all that is inherent in you, that is natural in you, something genuine and original.

Create your own identity. When you do this other people gravitate towards you. Activation leads to gravitation. Then you don’t imitate others. Instead others might want to be like you. We are used to paying more attention to the external world. We try to gain social approval by dressing ourselves in a certain manner.

We stand in front of the mirror and make sure that we are presentable before we leave the house. We trust the mirror implicitly. The mirror reflects our outward appearance, not our thoughts, feelings and relationships.

Does it reflect the love in your heart? You may go to your workplace dressed in your best clothes. When somebody provokes you there, you may retort in anger or sulk in silence. Either way your peace of mind is shattered. Now your beautiful dress does nothing to help you.

Only inner strength and equipoise can continue to keep you calm, cheerful and unruffled. For this you have to activate the divine core within, from which flows a perennial stream of peace and tranquillity.

Imitation cannot give you peace. So, watch your attitude, thoughts, words and desires. Be aware of the calmness in your inner core and try to retain it.

External beauty is temporary. Inner beauty is permanent and eternal. This is the beauty we need and this is what we gain when we activate ourselves. This is the beauty God recognises. So seek love, for you seek inner beauty. Direct your mind to a higher ideal.

When you see the divine beauty concealed in your own heart, you also see it in others. “Do not see, seek”. Don’t look merely at the external form, but also at the divinity within. Today when you see a beggar, you will give him alms.

You will not pat him on the back or shake his hand. If your child comes home, dirty from the playground and calls you “Mummy, Daddy …”, you hug him with love.

If a child in rags comes to you, you drive him away because you don’t love him. For the realised soul a beggar and a king are equally divine and beautiful because he has activated his inner core.

When you imitate you only see. When you activate you seek. The difference between “see” and “seek” is the “k”. That “k” is kindness or karuna.

When there is care, compassion and kindness, nothing else matters. So let us stop imitating. Let us evaluate ourselves and nurture the divine core within. Let us seek. Let us activate.

It begins with taking a deep look into the mirror. When you do so, your awakened conscience will reveal the truth of where you are in life. Do you see the areas in your life that require improvements?….or ….. Do you see the biases, jealousies and childish pettiness?….or….. Do you see all the things that keep you entrenched in boredom and inactivity? If you see any of these things, please know that all it takes is a conscious effort to be better. That effort begins with our life gift called  initiative. Yes, we are all receptors of that universal gift called initiative. Initiative is the enabler to a lifelong journey through improvements of unimaginable proportion. It is responsible for the sweetest happiness we experience everyday and yet seem to take for granted. Today, use that initiative to be a better human being…a better husband, wife, parent, teacher, friend and most of all a better you.

You can easily research the home loans. This is the first thing that should be done as you cannot start looking for a home before determining your price range. Often you may have to lower your expectations. Size, location and price are often the barrier between you and having the perfect home. During my novitiate in cleaning Melbourne I have seen many people that are willing to give everything so that their homes are like dream-sent, which makes it even more evident how much people value their homes.

When on a limited budget it is absolutely advisable to look for a place that offer those features that are absolutely demanded. In simple words, do not go for extras, get the basics but quality ones.

However, if you can afford a bit more you can have a list of more preferences. But no matter what is the case you should certainly investigate the neighbourhood you intend to move in. You may be well aware of the area as a whole but it is worth having a closer look at the vicinities. For example, when we were in Australia several summers ago, cleaning Melbourne took me in many houses and the whole experience taught me a lot.

Finally, when you have decided on exactly what to look for, during the walk troughs use a check list on which to note the details, whether you like them or not. After visiting several properties you will have a clear base for comparison. Of course, this can only make your choice easier.

A few years ago, I joined toastmasters because I knew I wasn’t good enough as a communicator. I used to stutter in front of a crowd. After being on stage I used to feel like I should have done better, then I would feel disappointed about myself. During my first speech in the toastmasters meeting, I really couldn’t construct my thoughts on stage clear. I was almost talking nonsense.

I used to feel the literal meaning of having mental block. Maybe it should have been called mental blank because during the moment I really felt like my mind went blank. Have you experience joining a speech contest Tagalog category where you speak English almost throughout the speech. I experienced that back in college. If Jose Rizal was there at the moment, he would have told me “you stink like a fish!” It was embarrassing. I felt like I was a dumb person for what I did. I knew I was better than that. During those times, I just didn’t know how to make use of my belief that I have potential.

I told myself that I don’t want to die having such belief and not making use of it. My hidden potential (as I strongly believed I have) would only be as valuable as a waste if I wouldn’t be able to unleash it and put it into practice. It would also just die in vain. And either I don’t want to die in vain holding the faith I didn’t make use of. Everyone has potentials. We just don’t have the same means to discovering them. Anything we have that we don’t utilize is useless or (in less harsh term) not an added value to us.

One perfect avenue to discover my true potential is through toastmasters club. For more than 2 years, I feel better about myself. More than becoming better in communication and leadership, I feel like I have become a more responsible person. Part of the commitments of the club is to help each other through encouragement. The club teaches me to be tactful. As a unique practice in toastmasters clubs, we point out areas of improvements from a person’s speech by evaluation. Giving an evaluation is exactly opposite to criticizing. It is not a way of telling what you did wrong but what could be done to make things better. It is not either a practice of giving false flattering comments. As a toastmaster myself, I know doing an evaluation needs loads of sincerity.

Now that I have personally experienced the benefit of being part of the club, I will continue to be a living proof of what toastmasters is all about. More than that, as a toastmaster I will try to help those who need my little help. It’s a pact!

Image via Wikipedia

Edita Morkvėnaitė

Always keep your health in mind! 

Whenever you do anything you should automatically be thinking about your health after doing it! Now don’t see this as something that will cause you not to do things that you want to do, but see it as a helpful guide of what’s good for your body and what’s bad… While sometimes bad things can’t be refrained from your body, you can put the work into making sure that you keep yourself healthy! Remember you only have one body in life, and if you look after your body well, it’ll look after you back! 

Image by lukehsu0327 via Flickr

3 Ways to truly maximise your life! 

Before we get into the details I’d like to say that almost everything is good in it’s own balance, so too much of ANYTHING can be quite damaging for your life! I also want to share with you this awesome video which can really help you if you listen to it carefully! 

1. Get moving! – Guess what!? Movement is life! So if daily you’re not moving with an immense smile on your face you can’t be living! Well at least you cannot be living very happily… Try this right now while you have time, grab some clothes, grab some trainers and go for a 10 minute run around the block. Now come back, and see how fantastic you feel for doing it! Of course you’ll be sweating like crazy if you don’t exercise much, however after 5 minutes you might even want to go for another run! 
2. Plan out where you wan to go in life! – By setting out where you want to go in life, you’re really giving yourself meaning to live! Now if you’re one of those people who unfortunately don’t take control of where they want to go, someone else will do it for you and you might not like where you end up! So daily always make sure you know with confidence where you want to go, by writing down a list of goals wit the date of their achievement! Without the date of their achievement, goals are actually just dreams or aspirations! 
3. Change what you think of yourself! – Now this is mentioned in one of this guy’s videos, but seriously by changing how you think of yourself you can achieve so much more! You personally at the moment (if you’re not a millionaire) think that it’s impossible for you to become one. However that’s only because of your your own self image! start today by changing your self image, and making so that you believe you can become a millionaire, and I can almost guarantee once you actually start believing you will succeed!  That’s the power of the human brain! 

Well thatnk you for reading my article today guys, and I really hope it heolped you a lot since I’m trying to improve my writing quality so you get more out of my articles! Please leave some feedback so that I can improve on what isn’t so great, and be happy about what is great about this piece of work here! Thank you!