Ebola: How Dangerous Has It Gotten? What Are Your Thoughts?

Ethical Question: What are your thoughts on bringing citizens back stateside who have Ebola?

Check out this article on Ebola - http://www.bu.edu/today/2014/battling-ebola-the-ethical-issues/

A Good Father Is Often a Three Letter Word

By William Peak

In the last year or so I have noticed my empathy trait awakening. Why this is happening, I haven't a clue. But I'll tell you this... it's taking watching movies to a whole new level.

The other night I saw one about a guy whose wife had recently died. As he was trying to adjust to not having her around, he soon realized, among other things, she had been the glue that kept his family together.

It wasn't that he loved his kids any less than she... he simply viewed his role in the family as the provider, thus spending most of his time and energy with his job. He felt this allowed his wife the time to stay home to nurture their four children. The perfect family scenario he thought. Well... maybe it wasn't so perfect after all.

He only wanted what all fathers want for their kids... the very best. So as they were growing up, he pushed them when he should have been guiding. The problem was he pushed in his direction... not theirs... a mistake I believe many of us dads make. And it seems his expectations were much higher than any of them could ever deliver.

As the story unfolds, he begins reaching out to his now grown kids who are scattered all over the country. As he contacts them, they each embellish their situations a bit leading him to believe they are much better off than they really were. His daughter... "a leading actress on Broadway" was actually struggling just to get a role. His son... "conductor of an accomplished orchestra" in fact played the tympani... and so on. After all, they didn't want to disappoint dear old dad.

With dad never keeping up with personal contact... as I said, he left that up to his wife... coupled with him living so far away, it was relatively simple for them to pull off their masquerades.

As he visits them one by one and finds out their real stories, he sadly realizes he doesn't even know his own kids. In fact, one of his sons whom he thought was a successful artist, was strung out on drugs and so depressed with the passing of his mother, he commits suicide. It's a pretty heavy story.

The movie finishes on an up note with dad reuniting his family and making things right.

As I mentioned earlier about my new found empathy trait, well... every scene was pulling emotions out of me I didn't realize I was storing. The truth is, I'm nothing like the father portrayed in the movie... at least, I hope not. Nevertheless, I could relate to the fact that no matter how hard we try to best raise our family, it's seen and felt from many different points of view which can manifest in unexpected ways.

As I watch my kids' lives play out... struggling at times as we all do, I sometimes find myself second guessing various decisions I made as a father... wondering if somehow I could have made things better for them.

I suppose that's nothing more than a father's Monday morning quarterbacking. But on the other hand... there would be nothing sadder than waking up alone one morning, realizing that while being so wrapped up in the role of a father, I totally missed out on being a dad.

Tomorrow I'm going to watch "Talladega Nights."

I am currently in my Early 60's and have been happily married to the same fine woman for 38 years. I have a doctorate in raising six children of which I have been practicing for the past 32 years. Correction: we have been practicing for the past 32 years. I tell you from experience, the process of raising six children teaches you more about life than all the books in any library that's been written on the subject. Thus, the inspiration for my writings. Come join the conversation @ http://www.dadswisdoms.com

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Being Happy Is A Life Style For Success

By Donna Devane

Being happy is more than just something always happening to feel good about, it's a choice. The happiness mindset is determined by giving meaning only to those situations that please and thrill. The world is full of movies to watch, drama is everywhere begging for attention. Rather than getting emotionally caught up in the unwanted experiences of life, make a choice to stay focused on happy.

Every situation is brought into form through choices of thought, emotional attachment and actions. Staying alert to the meaning being given in each situation allows a transition from fear and worry into acknowledgment and new focus. Let what is being observed point out what is desired. In the instance of lack of money realize, the abundance of money is there also, waiting to be focused on and brought into the present moment. Where any undesired situation exists the desired experience is there waiting to be embraced.

This is the mindset of happiness, always noticing the wanted or desired experience. What is passionately held as truth and reality continues, whereas, releasing the belief system of what is seen is all there is, allows the next experience to take shape. No battles take place between a movie and the watcher of the movie. The observer decides to engage emotionally or not, taking from the movie those ideas that match the personal filter/belief of the observer.

Once the filter or belief is recognized it is easy to take steps in a new direction of allowing different thoughts to be possible. As long as thoughts or beliefs are held as rigid dogma very little changes in experience. However, when one allows that there are other possibilities to be interacted with and the focus is kept on desired thoughts, feelings, actions and observations, a new reflection shows up to be interacted with.

Notice the situation that is presently being experienced, allow it to offer the other side of the coin, the desired experience. Where there is lack there is also abundance. Embrace the abundance even while the experience is lack. Just as the whole life of an oak tree is contained within the acorn, the whole experience desired is always contained in the thought or seed of the desire. Stay in the energy of that desire, happy, accepting, grateful and celebratory. This is the way of happiness that leads to success. Happiness mindset observes what is and the next what is all at the same time, knowing that the interaction of passion with the desired experience brings it into physical form. Happiness is the way of success.

Donna DeVane is author of several books on thriving and living a life that satisfies mind/body/soul. She also hosts several radio shows where she teaches these principles with real how to stories and examples. To find out more about Donna's work learn how to thrive in your own life visit her website. Http://www.DonnaDeVane.org

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How Do I Move On When My Heart Remains Stuck

By Jay Jhonson

I chose the title 'How Do I Move On' because I can't tell you the countless times I've personally searched that title, hoping beyond hopes I'd find the answer.

• What's 'EXPECTED' Of Us And How That 'Fits' Into Our Lives

You know when your emotions and feelings are adamant on remaining on the same path, never a different route? It can be an irritatingly frustrating thing to have to live with.

Expectations:

- School.

- Uni.

- Job.

- Marriage.

- House.

- Kids.

- Midlife Crisis; which can be in the form of cheating, doing outrageous things which isn't in line with the person's normal character, ditching the old routine/life for a new one or a whole number of other things that a person might do.

- Retirement.

- Coffin Shopping.

- Or something along those lines...

Reality: (mine)

- School.

- Relocating.

- School again.

- Loss.

- Hospital.

- Job.

- Slight rebellious phase.

- Love.

- Heartbreak.

- Humiliation.

- Limbo.

- Soul searching >?

*sigh* I used to think life would become easier. When I was little I used to shut my eyes so tightly wishing I'd grow up already and be able to do all the' fun things' that only 'big people' seemed to be allowed to do. Little did I know.

I experienced living without my folks from a young age at which time I also moved country, experienced being slightly mentally and physically abused by a guardian(though thank gosh not in a sexual way), failing school (and all the 'self' issues that came with it), handling loss, being temporarily physically challenged and having to grow up a little faster then I'd anticipated. (though how many of us have had that eh?!)

• The Epiphany

Now despite everything I've been through, nothing could have prepared me for falling in love and the intensities that come with it. Maggie, a fellow blogger posted an article on the different stages of heartbreak. By the end of reading and listening to it all, I was balling my eyes out like crazy. I just couldn't stop crying. It touched me to my core.

The song: Youth by Daughter, described Exactly how I feel. And you know what? I had NO CLUE THAT'S HOW I FELT! It wasn't until listening to it and hailstones were raining down my face as a I cried my eyes out did I realise something that I'd hidden so deep within myself that I actually forgot that it was there.

I started writing to help get things off my chest and not keep everything so bottled up inside as I've always done and genuinely try changing for the better. So yes, I write and advise both my readers and myself.

You know what I realised?

That I've been telling myself: Yeah, I'm 'OK'. I may not be perfect yet I'm doing fine, I really am. I'm waking up in the morning, eating, laughing, working and setting new goals etc.. so that Must mean I'm fine right?!

Guess what though? It's all Bullsh*t!

Why?!

Because I'm sharing the surface of what I'm feeling yet completely not only suppressing, but completely ignoring how I really feel way deep down inside my heart.

I Locked up the very core of my heart and swallowed the key (now that I think about it, I actually remember a time ago mentally thinking that I'm going to close and lock that part of my heart and never face or unlock it ever again. Even I had forgotten about that).

I know a lot of the positive enforcement steps, books and rules to a better life and really try to enforce it for myself. You know what though?I have 'Just' realised why I find them boring and why they all sound the same to me... it's because they lack the most essential ingredient to anything that can be considered a success. They lack: Heart.

And I'm reminded yet again why I started my blog in the 1st place. In the hope that I can add a little of that important ingredient into my daily life and impart it to my readers, too. Heart. So many things in life nowadays are void of the most important thing that we have a hard time living without as human beings.

I consciously know that I won't go far in life until I truly open up my heart. I constantly talk about truly opening up yet I didn't even realise that I hadn't been doing so myself, until I heard 'Youth' and the reality to how I'm really feeling deep down, came crashing down around me!

• Why Despite Everything, I ' Couldn't' And ' Wouldn't' Divulge My All

Would you like to know why I've been subconsciously denying my emotions and how I feel? Because somewhere inside me is terrified that I'll be 'Judged'. If 'Feelings' are involuntary then why do we feel so scared to 'Feel' them? Shouldn't they be part of us since they're out of our control? I doubt I'm the only one on earth who feels this way.

So yes. In a judgmental society I Do feel sh*t scared about displaying my (acceptable) inner thoughts and feelings.

I'll give you an example: The other day I was sitting in the living room of a best friends' house, chilling. We got up, went into the kitchen to make some popcorn then watch a movie and she goes; Jay, why don't you 'put yourself out there' and get a many already (something down those lines).

Now she'd always reiterate this every now & then and I'd smile and shrug, not really wishing to talk about it. Now whenever she'd say this, on the surface I'd try & act like I don't care whereas on the inside I'd be screaming: I WANT TO though I don't know how to! Part of me is still very much hung up on the man I love and who left! Though that's the case, I still want to learn to love again nor do I want to die alone! I wish for it so badly that not a day goes by that I don't wish for it!

Would I ever tell her that? Nope.

As we're in the kitchen:

- Her: You're still into that guy you loved.

- Me: (automatic reaction) NO! Not really..

- Her: *smirk* We've been friends for almost five years now and you've loved him since I met you.

- Me: (By now I interpret that; as her saying, seriously! Move the hell on already, in other words) *smile* silence (in my mind I'm wishing she knew what was going through my head right now)

Then that's the end of that (We're close enough for her to know not to press me on things I don't want to talk about which I'm doubly grateful for). That's what I mean by 'judgments' and 'expectations' whether intentional or unintentional.

I mean isn't that what's expected? To have moved on already? Isn't that part of the norm? Do (insert: *list of things) to move on and get over someone? And if you don't then there is something 'wrong' with you? and if I do them and I still don't move on then that's even worst and now I have 'she-has-unhealthy-attachments-to-people syndrome'?

Well what happens when it Doesn't turn out that way? Isn't it understandable if the person ends up 'closing off' in some way or another? I don't know about you, that's what's happened to me.

To be honest here, no one really wants to listen to someone go on&on about the same'ol thing. After all who'd want to continuously be around that kind of negative energy? Not many, which is completely reasonable.

• The Ugly Truth About How I Sometimes 'See Myself'

You see, I feel abnormal about how I feel. That my feelings haven't changed that much about the person who I ' shouldn't' still harbor feelings for.( Yes I know that we have the right to feel what we do and I love and adore every single bit of advice that I get on that. After all where would we be without reminders?)

It still doesn't change how I Do feel. Now just because I feel this way doesn't mean that I AM what I feel. I just feel it. I'm 'in the know' about just how extraordinary we are as people.

Losing my 'Love' and have him tell me that 'he wasn't good for me' (which is the 'it isn't you, it's me card which actually translates: it isn't me, it's you!) has me feeling like an utter & complete failure. Whenever I hear his name my heart feels like it continuously dies all over again and I get irregular yet consistent boots of dread and sadness at times yet just force myself to push it away and weather it out until it passes.I made a mistake that I can never take back. A mistake that I was aware was a 'mistake' at the time. I Do know that it needn't be why he left. The thing is that I genuinely believed I was 'OK' until i realised that the truth is that...

I Feel:

- Gross.

- Not/Never good enough.

- Disgusting.

- Stupid.

- Unappealing.

- Incapable.

- Untrustworthy.

- Unwanted.

- Rejected.

- Non-existent.

- Un-important.

- Unnecessary.

- And as though my 'Love' wasn't good enough nor worth it.

I was able to be replaced without even a backward glance and I don't know if he ever loved me. Or whether he'll even remember my existence. Sometimes I feel surprised that he even remembers my name. After all I was easy to discard. I know I shouldn't care, yet part of me all of me does.

• Acknowledging Is Better Then Suppressing Just How Effed Up I Feel

Feelings can't be controlled so I can't blame him or myself for anything. He didn't Do anything To me. Doing something To someone is literally physically beating someone, physically forcing them to do something or anything down those lines. Otherwise despite what we may feel, we're the ones entirely responsible for what goes on inside our bodies, minds, hearts & all. Sometimes it's just 'easier' having someone to 'blame'.

So how Can I blame him for anything? He wanted to be with his 'one' who was never me... and that's something I live with and hope I will get over some day.

I'm even a little grateful he left me. It would have been worst if I'd continued loving and remaining loyal to him when he didn't feel the same about me. This is better right?!

I can't shake the shame I feel about all this. It eats me up. I'm silently, internally struggling with this every day. Denying it doesn't eradicate its existence unfortunately, so there you have it.

I think that, that's why I don't like seeing lists on 'how to move on' and 'heal' etc... whenever I read them It's as though I've read them all. Also because they aren't for 'everyone'. I prefer 'options and ideas' instead of a 'set list' for any given thing. Each of us are individually different, that's why I love knowing that there's a separate technique for everyone.

Thanks for reading.

Oh yeah and about that title: I'm still searching...

I hope you enjoyed my article and it helped you. If you're a little fed up of stereotypes and would like to read a little substance, then; Check out my blog at http://www.jayjhonson.com

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What's Your Opinion?

Is it considered stealing to take pens from a bank? What about extra napkins from a fast-food restaurant?

What are you thoughts?

If something at a yard sale is far more valuable than the posted price, do I have to let the seller know?

The Road to Amazon's Bestseller List Is Paved With Fake Reviews

by Bertis Brenford

When shopping for products online, many turn to retail giant Amazon.com for recommendations, but the website's reputation as a trustworthy source has been tarnished recently. Readers of Forbes, The New York Times, Huffington Post or the Consumerist have read multiple reports on the dirty secrets Amazon harbors. With fake book reviews, paid product reviews and other nasty tricks used by unscrupulous vendors on the website, how can a consumer trust the online retailer?

According to Bing Liu, a computer science professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Amazon sellers are buying reviews because it is the cheapest way of marketing and it is very effective, since customers believe that they are reading authentic reviews.

Under the FTC's rules, when a reviewer benefits from posting a review in any way, they must clearly say so. This includes getting paid, being an owner or employee of the business and profiting from the sales generated by the review, getting free or discounted products for the review and more. That has gotten several companies in trouble so far, but for every company they catch in the act, there are many others who fly under the FTC's radar.

We ran an experiment to see what type of companies indulged the most in fake review writing on Amazon.com. Within the Health and Personal Care category only, we found dozens of vendors using deceitful practices, selling fake male enhancement pills, weightloss products, study aid supplements and more to unsuspecting consumers.

We bought several of these supposed health improvement products, each of which had hundreds if not thousands of positive reviews. Upon contacting Amazon to report over two dozen obvious fake reviews, complaints were ignored, and the fake reviews stayed on the website. What could be the reason?

It is not in Amazon's best interest to take down reviews that sell products, even if dubious in nature, because every sale brings much needed commissions. Wall Street made it all too clear recently that profit expectations for the retail giant remain sky high and the company knows that delivering on them will be increasingly hard. If keeping the share price high means deceiving the customer, be it.

The original king of Amazon fake reviews was VIP Deals, a now defunct company that found a surefire way of ranking products on top of the bestseller list. According to an article published in The New York Times titled "For $2 a Star, an Online Retailer Gets 5-Star Product Reviews," companies using VIP Deals' promotional services stooped as low as offering a refund to every single one of their customers in exchange for a 5* review. What is review tampering, if not that? They had amassed over 5,000 reviews for various products before the scheme came to an end after The New York Times article was published.

Recently a new disciple of VIP Deals appeared on Amazon. Ubervita, a company trying to break into the supplement industry using the same methods that VIP Deals used, has been offering customers full refunds in exchange for 5-star reviews. Ubervita has also posted hundreds of their own reviews from accounts that wrote exclusively abut Ubervita products. In a matter of months they have amassed over 1,700 reviews for their first product, W700 Thermogenic Hypermetabolizer, and they recently started getting hundreds of reviews for 4 of their other products too.

Ubervita has perfected the fake review scheme though, we found. Upon ordering their W700 fat burner, we received a bottle of mystery pills. There were no ingredients or instructions on the bottle other than to take the "proprietary blend" once a day. As expected, we saw no improvement after taking the product, except for the initial caffeine kick that wore off in four days. Three weeks after ordering the product, we received a postcard in the mail, asking for a review and promising a free bottle of UberSurge, in exchange. We were instructed to send an email to surge@ubervita.com to "collect our free bottle."

We emailed the company and their automatic response made it all too clear that a 5-star review was expected. They stated in bold, red letters that "If your experience was anything less than 5-star, PLEASE let us know how we can make it better. Merchants such as Amazon see 4 and 3 star reviews as the equivalent of a negative for us online." This is obviously not true, and a trick Ubervita used to get a portion of their 5-star reviews. As some commenters on the product's page stated, they would not have given W700 a 5-star rating if it weren't for the incentive, but most omitted that fact from their reviews.

Amazon's rules state that incentivized fake reviews are not allowed, and that if a reviewer receives compensation in exchange for reviews they must say so. Ubervita has several hundred reviews that do not state that they were offered free product explicitly in exchange for fake 5-star ratings. There are threads about Ubervita's suspiciously huge number of similar sounding 5-star reviews on Amazon and other websites. Yet, Amazon has done nothing to stop the inflow of 30 or more fake reviews a day for W700.

This begs the question: how can UberVita, a fly-by-night company with no history in the weightloss industry successfully fool consumers into buying a useless product under Amazon's nose, when online shoppers are reporting daily what is happening? Is Amazon purposely ignoring the issue to avoid hurting its own bottomline?

Perhaps one day the growing backlash over fake reviews will force Amazon to put customer satisfaction above profits obtained through questionable standards just to live up to analyst expectations on Wall Street. It may happen once the FTC fines a few more of Amazon's deceitful vendors for their marketing practices. No one knows when the next crackdown on the supplement industry will happen. Until then, Amazon customers beware; the online store does not seem to care about your well-being, only their own profits.

http://goarticles.com/article/The-Road-to-Amazon-s-Bestseller-List-Is-Paved-With-Fake-Reviews/9075733/