I have been in the Aviation Business for 42 years. In the early days of my career it was a pleasure to fly. One was treated like a customer and the airlines provided a very good service. The service provided was a major selling point as the prices were much the same.
Since the introduction of low cost carriers ( airlines) the standard of service has declined to a point of being next to nothing. Not only with the low cost carriers but also with the well established airlines.
You has to check yourself in on a machine or on online( their are no check in machines with some airlines.) Your bag is measured and weighed and if over weight you can,t board until you have paid your £30. You are herded onto the aircraft and you have to fight for your seat. There is no in-flight service as such. You must pay for everything including £1.80 for a bottle of water. The cabin staff are scruffy and have received very little training in customer service. If you talk during the safety briefing your are threatened with a return to the gate. As a passenger you are treated as an interruption to the cabin staff’s day.
The glamour has all gone.
How pleasantly surprised and fortunate I was to fly to Athens from London Gatwick on Olympic Air, the new Greek airline the Phoenix of Olympic Airways. Check in and I mean a real check in, was with a real person and you are given a seat number, for which I was asked for my preference.( I like an aisle seat as I can get stuff from my bag without disturbing anyone else). The Check was 3 hours before the flight, so no stress and you could shed your suitcase and relax. When I boarded the aircraft by seat number, incidentally the same as it used to be, I was surprised to see what I used to be known as an Air hostess. The air Hostess was wearing in a designer uniform, a dress with a jacket and made up to look glamourous and believe me the girls were very glamorous. I felt good even before I sat down. The Hostesses were well trained and gave an air of confidence.
The Aircraft was a brand new Airbus A320 with all the leg room I needed. No need to book and pay for extra legroom on this airline. The in-flight service was a service and consisted of 3 drinks rounds and a full meal service with wine if you wanted it. All included in the fare. What a change! One was even offered a sweet before take off. When was the last time you saw that?
The flight departed on time and during the flight you can use your phone in flight mode after takeoff. This is the only airline I have flown with this year to allow this.
I have only one issue to raise with this wonderful airline. There were no paper towels in the toilets only tissues.
The standard of service was second to none and both flights were of equal standard.
Well done Olympic Air, just like the old days. A pleasure to fly.
By the way I have made over 25 return journeys by air this year and these 2 flights were the best.

The enemies have flocked towards us. Enemies of all kinds. Schools and creeds, theories and philosophies, organizations and institutions, states and countries. They have all gathered to fight Islam and the Muslims. Some of them are incited by a hidden hatred and some by an old animosity.

The Twentieth Century has witnessed one of the fiercest blows inflicted upon our Ummah by our enemy: the collapse of the Khilafah. If only their conspiracy had stopped at the demise of Khilafah. But they went on to indoctrinate Muslims with strange, foreign ideas and concepts, in order to confuse our understanding of our Deen. Once we wake up and try to return to our original Deen, we will be confronted with an intellectual perplexity, in which evil and good is mixed. Hence, the truth will be ambiguous and we will go astray, and lose the true understanding of Islam.

We are in great need to follow the footsteps of our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.a.w.w.), his Companions and those who followed them with righteousness.

Al-Awza’ee was right when he said:

“Be patient and follow the Sunnah. Stick to what the Salaf said, say what they said, do not get involved in what they refrained .from and follow the way of the righteous ancestors then you will obtain what they achieved.”

- What is our Ultimate Goal?
- What is our Aqeedah?
- What is our Understanding?
- What is our Aim?
- What is our Methodology to achieve this aim?
- What is our Provision?
- To whom shall our Loyalty be?
- Who is our Enemy?

We do not need to mention that answers to these questions must be sprung from Islam alone. Islam as revealed by Allah (SWT) to His Messenger Muhammad as the Companions of the Prophet understood it and as our worthy ancestors taught us.

If we do what is right, it is only from Allah (SWT):
“Whatever good reaches you is from Allah,” [Surah An-Nisa (4), Ayah 79.]

All praise is to Him. If we do what is wrong, it is from ourselves:
“But whatever evil befalls you is from yourself,” [Surah An-Nisa (4), Ayah 79.]

Was salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.

Liman Turrah Prison

25 Jamadi ul-Awla 1404
27 February 1984

TO READ FULL TEXT, PLEASE DOWNLOAD BOOK IN PDF VERSION BY CLICKING ON LINK BELOW

In Pursuit of Allahs Pleasure

The enemies have flocked towards us. Enemies of all kinds. Schools and creeds, theories and philosophies, organizations and institutions, states and countries. They have all gathered to fight Islam and the Muslims. Some of them are incited by a hidden hatred and some by an old animosity.

The Twentieth Century has witnessed one of the fiercest blows inflicted upon our Ummah by our enemy: the collapse of the Khilafah. If only their conspiracy had stopped at the demise of Khilafah. But they went on to indoctrinate Muslims with strange, foreign ideas and concepts, in order to confuse our understanding of our Deen. Once we wake up and try to return to our original Deen, we will be confronted with an intellectual perplexity, in which evil and good is mixed. Hence, the truth will be ambiguous and we will go astray, and lose the true understanding of Islam.

We are in great need to follow the footsteps of our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.a.w.w.), his Companions and those who followed them with righteousness.

Al-Awza’ee was right when he said:

“Be patient and follow the Sunnah. Stick to what the Salaf said, say what they said, do not get involved in what they refrained .from and follow the way of the righteous ancestors then you will obtain what they achieved.”

- What is our Ultimate Goal?
- What is our Aqeedah?
- What is our Understanding?
- What is our Aim?
- What is our Methodology to achieve this aim?
- What is our Provision?
- To whom shall our Loyalty be?
- Who is our Enemy?

We do not need to mention that answers to these questions must be sprung from Islam alone. Islam as revealed by Allah (SWT) to His Messenger Muhammad as the Companions of the Prophet understood it and as our worthy ancestors taught us.

If we do what is right, it is only from Allah (SWT):
“Whatever good reaches you is from Allah,” [Surah An-Nisa (4), Ayah 79.]

All praise is to Him. If we do what is wrong, it is from ourselves:
“But whatever evil befalls you is from yourself,” [Surah An-Nisa (4), Ayah 79.]

Was salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.

Liman Turrah Prison

25 Jamadi ul-Awla 1404
27 February 1984

TO READ FULL TEXT, PLEASE DOWNLOAD BOOK IN PDF VERSION BY CLICKING ON LINK BELOW

In Pursuit of Allahs Pleasure

The enemies have flocked towards us. Enemies of all kinds. Schools and creeds, theories and philosophies, organizations and institutions, states and countries. They have all gathered to fight Islam and the Muslims. Some of them are incited by a hidden hatred and some by an old animosity.

The Twentieth Century has witnessed one of the fiercest blows inflicted upon our Ummah by our enemy: the collapse of the Khilafah. If only their conspiracy had stopped at the demise of Khilafah. But they went on to indoctrinate Muslims with strange, foreign ideas and concepts, in order to confuse our understanding of our Deen. Once we wake up and try to return to our original Deen, we will be confronted with an intellectual perplexity, in which evil and good is mixed. Hence, the truth will be ambiguous and we will go astray, and lose the true understanding of Islam.

We are in great need to follow the footsteps of our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.a.w.w.), his Companions and those who followed them with righteousness.

Al-Awza’ee was right when he said:

“Be patient and follow the Sunnah. Stick to what the Salaf said, say what they said, do not get involved in what they refrained .from and follow the way of the righteous ancestors then you will obtain what they achieved.”

- What is our Ultimate Goal?
- What is our Aqeedah?
- What is our Understanding?
- What is our Aim?
- What is our Methodology to achieve this aim?
- What is our Provision?
- To whom shall our Loyalty be?
- Who is our Enemy?

We do not need to mention that answers to these questions must be sprung from Islam alone. Islam as revealed by Allah (SWT) to His Messenger Muhammad as the Companions of the Prophet understood it and as our worthy ancestors taught us.

If we do what is right, it is only from Allah (SWT):
“Whatever good reaches you is from Allah,” [Surah An-Nisa (4), Ayah 79.]

All praise is to Him. If we do what is wrong, it is from ourselves:
“But whatever evil befalls you is from yourself,” [Surah An-Nisa (4), Ayah 79.]

Was salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.

Liman Turrah Prison

25 Jamadi ul-Awla 1404
27 February 1984

TO READ FULL TEXT, PLEASE DOWNLOAD BOOK IN PDF VERSION BY CLICKING ON LINK BELOW

In Pursuit of Allahs Pleasure

E’ finalmente on-line il numero zero del Magazine Hoverfly il modo più veloce per entrare nel mondo dell’executive helicopter service. Facilissimo da sfogliare attraverso le pagine virtuali e’ stato realizzato grazie al contributo e ai consigli della community Hoverfly su Facebook che ringraziamo di cuore.

I Dream of You
I am a dreamer and many times I have dreamed of you,
I have been intoxicated by the depths of your eyes,
I have caught my breath and sighed many sighs,
But I’ve yet to touch your smooth silky skin,
And thrill to breathless pleasure in,
Perfumed dawn after sunset shared,
With you, as a lover who cared,
And I dreamed on recklessly,
Dreaming of you alone with me.
My emotions are not tended like a flower garden,
But in riotous profusion lie scattered about my heart,
Hoping that someday you’ll play your part,
Like an actress upon some lighted stage,
We’ll surpass lovers from any age,
Dreams are but dreams and dawn will come,
And I’ll still be left without anyone,
I will hurry through the brightness of light,
Waiting impatiently for the cool of night,
Then I will dream of breasts and haunting eyes,
With long slim legs and silken thighs,
And I will dream on recklessly,
Dreaming of you alone with me.

Have you ever wondered what the angels in heaven do on Black Friday? Do they have any hedonistic tendencies like so many of us on the terrestrial plane? Do they shop?

The answer is yes!

It may seem like the words “spiritual” and “hedonism” are contradictory terms. The human species is often described as being hedonistic, that is, humans are pleasure seekers. While spiritual beings, like angels, forgo physical pleasure and live in eternal adoration of God and find their heart’s delight in receiving divine gifts.

But what is just starting to be understood by neuroscientists is that the heart occupies the cockpit of the mind. Our feelings focus the intellect upon a subject or object and arrange the contents of one’s memory according to what gives us delight and pleasure.  Nothing is purchased or owned by the mind unless it represents the yearning of the heart. This pleasure seeking process is not only subjective it is hierarchical.

Pleasure can be sought in physical things, creative things, intellectual things and spiritual things. These various pleasures are distinct from each other—meaning that we can all have our heart’s desire on different levels.

As I hinted above, angels also shop for things that will give the deepest delight to themselves and to others. These heavenly pleasures are God’s gifts of spiritual goodness and their accompanying truths.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

What do you seek?

http://www.innergardening.net

I'm really grateful for the extraordinary friends we have (Paige and I) met on this forum. I am speaking only a day, so to with Paige, because I try to learn more about his passion. I have a job that really does not do the photo, and keeps me on my toes. By the time I log on normally fall asleep reading the mail and should be read several times. They have all taught me a lot and I have much to learn. Mpix should by all the major people you meet on this forum Thanks for all the support and prayers of every proud. It's really a wonderful family.I please all have a safe and happy Thannksgiving.

Today they are in the United States, each one wants to be safe and happy Thanksgiving. If you are not here in the United States, I wish you a outstanding weekend full of creativity, grdine food and companionship. One of the things that are very grateful for all the outstanding people, talented and friendly that I've met this year in my blog. Have companions all the “old”. Thank you for inviting me to know everyone.
One of the traditions of my family for dinner after the blessing, you go around the table saying what we are grateful. First, my children must have the stupid things to be grateful. They grew up and got a taste of life, were grateful for small things. This year, when administered to me, I'm for the little things that my life so rich and grateful.

I wish all my readers a happy Thanksgiving and wish you a beautiful day to spend with your loved ones. I am grateful to you all for your support over the years. This site is a pleasure to write and make your comments and e-mail that is much better. Thank you for me upright. Have a amazing meal today!

Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason wants Christians to be “ambassadors for Christ”. What’s that?

Here is a dictionary definition of ambassador:

1. a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary).

2. a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.

3. a diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country’s mission to the United Nations or some other international organization.

4. an authorized messenger or representative. Abbreviation: Amb., amb.

Greg Koukl says that a good ambassador needs 3 things: knowledge, wisdom and character.

Greg writes:

I’ve heard it said that sometimes you will be the only living Bible that anyone can read. Well, that’s what it means to be an ambassador. You will speak for Christ. One way or another, for good or for ill, you will speak for Him if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. So we want to strengthen good representatives, and we know that takes emphasis in three areas.

One are to strengthen as an ambassador is knowledge. In other words, you’ve got to know a few things that your sovereign wants you to represent to the rest of the world. So you’ve got to have this knowledge base.

Secondly, you’ve got to communicate that knowledge in a way that is sensitive to the people that you’re sent to. You need to understand their way of thinking. You need to understand their language after a fashion. You must be diplomatic, tactical after a fashion. So there is a certain wisdom, the right use of knowledge, that’s necessary for you to be an effective ambassador.

A good ambassador, any ambassador, packages that knowledge and strategy in the manner of delivery in himself or herself. It’s all wrapped up in an individual, and if that individual is offensive, if that individual is a bad representative, it doesn’t matter that the knowledge and tactics are sound. If the individual is wrong then the message loses its force. This is why we emphasize not just knowledge, not just wisdom, but also character. You must package the entire message in you personally so that you can be an effective, accurate, and virtuous representative or ambassador for Jesus Christ.

I think that a good ambassador for Christ needs to be motivated, as well. A good ambassador is concerned when some people have false beliefs about God’s existence, character and purposes. An ambassador cannot stand by and do nothing while God’s reputation is diminished in public. It is this concern for God as a friend that drives people to study apologetics, as well as theology,science, history, etc. We want to know what God is like, what he’s done and how we can show these things to be true.

The mission of Christian ambassadors

Consider 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, especially verses 11 and 2:

¹¹Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

¹²We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

¹³If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

¹⁴For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

¹⁵And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

¹⁶So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

¹⁹that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

²⁰We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This passage about reconciling God and man is one of my favorites in the Bible.

God has chosen us to communicate on his behalf to people who don’t know him. An ambassador doesn’t treat God as a means to achieving happiness, security, health and wealth in this life. Nor is the ambassador’s job to let other people be happy without a relationship with the real God who is really there. The ambassador has a responsibility to explain God’s existence, character and purposes to those who are still ignorant of him. And that takes effort. God is not interested in making his human “pets” happy. He’s given us a task to accomplish – a task that may well consume a good deal of time, effort and money. A task that may diminish our happiness by making us different and unpopular.

Apologetics demonstrates your friendship with God

I often think about how to test others to see whether they are genuine Christians or not. This can be done for friendship or even when testing a prospective mate. A subjective “Christian” who invents their own view of God subjectively, using intuition and emotions, is not going to put themselves second for God and serve him as an ambassador. Instead, they’ll think that a relationship with God really means projecting their own desire for happiness onto God. “God” is there to make them feel happy, not to make demands on them.

And if a person doesn’t want a relationship with God as a real person, they won’t relate to you as a real person, either. If a person doesn’t think that God has purposes and feelings distinct from their own, they won’t think you have purposes and feelings distinct from their own. If a person thinks that God’s purpose is to make them happier, then they’ll think that your purpose is to make them happier. If a person is not willing to sacrifice their interests for God’s interests, they aren’t going to sacrifice their interests for your interests, either.

I choose your cock to fuck me and subjugate me.
Make me take the pain for your pleasure. Next time you see me, turn me over on my stomach, push down panties if I am wearing them, and fuck my ass. If you tell me not to wear panties, and I do, then you will have to punish me. Take them off, and stuff them in my mouth to keep me quiet. I will protest. I will beg you to fuck my pussy first, or at least make your dick wet with my mouth. But you will say no, and you will do what you want. I will tell you that it hurts and that you should stop. And since the safe word is banana, and I have not said it yet, you will keep going.

Cada vez que se escucha la palabra “verano”, todas las mujeres del mundo se miran al espejo y se dan cuentas que quieren bajar unos kilos para usar ese bikini que tan sexy hace verlas.

Todas empiezan a dejar las comidas muy condimentadas y grasientas, para cambiar a un estilo de vida más liviano, por lo demás se hacen unas fieles seguidoras de  todo lo que dice Light.

Para toda mujer que quiere bajar ese rollito que tanto molesta que más se hace notar cuando se utiliza poca ropa, por lo que el agua se hace su mejor amiga, aunque no es bueno irse a los extremos, ya que es bueno tomar cosas sanas, pero nos excesos nunca son buenos y también no hay que rellenar muchas veces la botella, dado que le salen unos hongos que puede que no se vean, pero que sí se están tomando.

No es bueno hacer esas dietas extremas o esporádicas, o sea las de la luna, la manzana, el arroz o la que sea, dado que puede que se obtenga bajar unos kilos, pero en dos semanas esos vuelven a tu cuerpo y acompañado de otros más, así si quieres hacer dieta, tienen que comer menos, en horas y evitar las grasas, y es fundamental no juntar la carne con fideos o arroz.

 Hacer ejercicio nunca esta demás, pero tampoco hay que esperar de que si se comienza a esta fecha a hacer deporte, para un mes más estarás en tu mejor momento, sino que es algo gradual no todo se hace en un minuto, pero si es posible, disminuir uno o dos kilos, pero si se desea llegar a números mayores se debió empezar antes la dieta.

Un miseláneo de fotografías del tema

What secrets lie just beneath your flesh?

My teeth, penetrating, drinking that body of yours

Your blood; my science

I would defile all that is mystic within you.

Read this simple article for your good health and well being. To download your copy click here.

The original link: Grace Gems

The gleanings of spiritual joys, are better than the vintage of the worldly joys.

(1.) Spiritual joys help to make us BETTER, worldly joys often make us worse. “I spoke unto you in your prosperity—but you said, I will not hear.” Jer 22:21. Pride and luxury are the two worms which are bred from worldly pleasures. Wine is the inflamer of lust. As Satan entered in the sop, so often in the cup. But spiritual joy makes one better; it is like cordial medicine, which, as physicians say, not only cheers the heart—but purges out the noxious humours. Just so, divine joy is cordial medicine, which not only comforts but purifies; it makes a Christian more holy; it causes an antipathy against sin; it infuses strength to live and suffer for Christ. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Some colors not only delight the eye—but strengthen the sight. Just so, the joys of God not only refresh the soul—but strengthen it.

(2.) Spiritual joys are INWARD, they are heart joys. “Your heart shall rejoice.” John 16:22. True joy is hidden within, worldly joy lies on the outside, like the dew which wets the leaf. We read of those who “rejoice in appearance,” in the Greek, in the face. 2 Cor 5:12. It goes no farther than the face, it is not within. “Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains.” Proverbs 14:13. Like a house which has a gilded frontispiece—but all the rooms within are hung in mourning. But spiritual joy lies most within. “Your heart shall rejoice.” Divine joy is like a spring of water which runs underground! Others can see the sufferings of a Christian—but they see not his joy. “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.” Prov 14:10. His joy is hidden manna—hidden from the eye of the world; he has joyful music which others cannot hear. The marrow lies within, the best joy is within the heart.

(3.) Spiritual joys are SWEETER than worldly joys. “Your love is sweeter than wine!” Song of Songs 1:2. Spiritual joys are a Christian’s festival; they are the golden pot and the sweet manna, they are so sweet, that they make everything else sweet! Spiritual joys sweeten health and estate, as sweet water poured on flowers makes them more fragrant and aromatic. Divine joys are so delicious and ravishing, that they put our mouth out of taste for earthly delights; just as he who has been drinking cordials tastes little sweetness in water. Paul had so tasted these divine joys, that his mouth was out of taste for worldly things; the world was crucified to him, it was like a dead thing, he could find no sweetness in it. Gal 6:14.

(4.) Spiritual joys are more PURE, they are not tempered with any bitter ingredients. A sinner’s joy is mixed with dregs, it is embittered with fear and guilt—he drinks wormwood wine. But spiritual joy is not muddied with guilt—but like a crystal stream, it runs pure. It is a rose without prickles; it is honey without wax.

(5.) Spiritual joys are SATISFYING joys. “Ask, that your joy may be full.” Worldly joys can no more fill the heart than a drop can fill an ocean; they may please the palate or imagination—but cannot satisfy the soul. “No matter how much we see—we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear—we are not content.” Ecclesiastes 1:8. But the joys of God satisfy. “Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19. There is as much difference between spiritual joys and earthly joys—as between a banquet which is eaten—and one which is painted on the wall!

(6.) Spiritual joys are STRONGER joys than worldly joys. “Strong consolation.” Heb 6:18. They are strong joys indeed, which can bear up a Christian’s heart in trials and afflictions. “Having received the word in much affliction, with joy.” These joys are roses which grow in winter! These joys can sweeten the bitter waters of Marah! He who has these joys, can gather grapes from thorns, and fetch honey out of the carcass of a lion! “As sorrowing—yet always rejoicing.” 2 Cor 6: 10. At the end of the rod—a Christian tastes honey!

(7.) Spiritual joys are UNWEARIED joys. Other joys, when in excess, often cause loathing; too much honey nauseates. One may be tired of pleasure, as well as labor. King Xerxes offered a reward to him who could find out a new pleasure! But the joys of God, though they satisfy—yet they never glut. A drop of joy is sweet—but the more of this wine the better! Such as drink of the joys of heaven—are never glutted. Their satiety is without loathing, because they still desire more of the joy with which they are satiated.

(8.) Spiritual joys are ABIDING joys. Worldly joys are soon gone. Such as crown themselves with rosebuds, and bathe in the perfumed waters of pleasure—may have joys which seem to be sweet—but they are swift. They are like meteors, which give a bright and sudden flash, and then disappear. But the joys which believers have are abiding; they are a blossom of eternity—a pledge of those rivers of pleasure which run at God’s right hand! “In Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures!” Psalm 16:11

Rolling into the holidays, we find a common societal theme of thankfulness, altruism, and pleasure. We give thanks and give gifts, and receive them as well. Many people drink, watch football, rest, etc. It’s surely a special time of year for many people.

This put me on a train of thought about a book I’d read recently, Sway: The Irresistable Pull of Irrational Behavior by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman.

I won’t get into the stress levels, suicide rates and expectations people have through the holidays, but instead focus on the dichotomy of how giving and receiving pleasure are in competition with each other, unlike, for example, the multi-tasking of walking, listening to your iPod, texting and chewing gum.

Brafman p. 141

“Unlike, say, the parts of the brain that control movement and speech, the pleasure center and the altruism center cannot both function at the same time: either one or the other is in control.”

This reminds me of something I’d heard several years back about relationships, that by 18 months in, one partner tends to become the care-taker/giver and the other one the receiver. At the time, I’d thought of that as symptom of people developing or falling into roles, something done more out of habit and balance than on a physiological level.

I digress. But Sway continues:

Brafman(s) p. 142

“We can approach a task either altruistically or from a self-interested perspective…it doesn’t take much to fuel the altruism center: all you need is the sense that you’re helping someone or making a positive impact.”

Hence our warm feelings of gift-giving. But…

Brafman(s) p. 144

“It turns out that when the pleasure and altruism centers go head to head, the pleasure center seems to have the ability to hijack the altruism center.”

And, what sort of dopamine-producing pleasure could cause such a stir in the brain? Why, monetary rewards, which for our purposes here, relating to the holidays, I will call, “Year End Bonuses.”

Brafman(s) p. 148

“Now, the problem isn’t with the rewards, per se. It’s only when you dangle the possibility of a reward ahead of time- creating a quid pro quo situation- that these destructive affects arise…The prospect of a reward excites the pleasure center even more than the attainment of the reward itself…It’s that anticipation factor that drives the addictive behavior and suppresses the altruism center.”

I can think of countless situations where this could manifest- from donating to your local NPR station and receiving gifts in return, to a boss dangling a holiday performance-based bonus to overachieving employees, to the Homer-Simpson-like Dad who bets his last paycheck of the year at the races under the guise of winning more for gifts.

This also explains the roller-coaster highs and lows I experience at year-end. If only Santa Claus were real, he’d be the stable one over the holidays, focusing only on altruism, and avoiding the hijacking high of dopamine and the low that follows.

Ah, the holidays. It truly is better to give than to receive.

(PALAT. ANT. BOOK V – 170)
Nothing is sweeter than Love; and every other joy
is second to it: even the honey I spit out of my mouth.
Thus Nossis says: and who didn’t love Kypris,
doesn’t know what sort of roses her flowers are.

(PALAT. ANT. BOOK VI – 275)
With pleasure Aphrodite received the lovable offering
of the small bonnet which wound the head of Samyta:
It’s really of exquisite workmanship and it gently smells of the nectar
with which the goddess sprinkles the handsome Adonis.

(PALAT. ANT. BOOK IX – 332)
Arrived in front of the temple we gaze at this statue of Aphrodite
embellished by a dress embroidered with gold.
Polyarchis offered it, having made out a large fortune
from the beauty of her own body.

(PALAT. ANT. BOOK IX – 605)
In the temple of the blonde Aphrodite Kallò dedicated this picture
painted with a portrait exactly alike her.
What a tidy attitude! And which grace pervades her!
Hail! Of all your life nothing could be blamed.

– More here.

We al have a lot to be thankful for this year. Yes, no doubt it has been a tough year for many of us. I am very thankful for my wonderful family and friends.

I am also very thankful for many of my cigar friends both at my local brick and mortar, Cordova Cigars and on Twitter and Facebook.

One in particular I would like to thank is Jose Blanco. I had the great fortune of corresponding with Don Jose and he is a great gentleman.

As many of you know I have been smoking cigars for 31 years now and while I have smoked some great cigars along the way they were few and far in between.  Don Jose patiently worked with me to help develop my palate and completely change my smoking experience.  I used to smoke 6 cheap cigars a day. I now smoke 1 or 2 great cigars a day.

The process started with a series of  questions. ” How long does it take you to smoke a Robusto?” “What cigars have you tried?”  “What do you think of this or that particular cigar?” And then the assignment.  “Go get 10 La Aurora 1495 Robustos, 2 in each wrapper. They come in Connecticut, Ecuador, Cameroon, Brazil and Crojo.” This was easier said then done but after some searching I found an online sample pack that fit the bill.

I was told to 1 each morning, and 1 in the afternoon,  in the order listed above and take notes so he could gauge my palate.  I guess what he wanted to see if my palate was “color blind”. I was then to send him my notes so we could see where I was at.  He also had some other brands for me to try.

Here are my notes for this tasting:

The Construction on all the cigars was perfect. and the taste much more complex than what I was smoking.

Day 1 Connecticut: smell at foot was sweet like swiss chocolate
Tangy Flavor with cookie dough notes
Subtle spices and mild pepper when exhaling through nose. Undertones were sweet.

Stopped at 1 1/2 inch left.

Day 2 Cameroon: Smell at foot was musky manure
Taste Sweeter less tangy than Connecticut. Wrapper oilier. Less pepper on nose.
Finish more pleasant than Connecticut.

Day 3 Ecuador: Sweet Manure Scent
Taste No tangy-nes Just mellow cinnamon taste. Bread taste.
Very good mix (for me) of wrapper leaf and blend. Very easy to smoke
Wrapper not as pretty as Connecticut but cigar tasted better to me.

Day 4 Brazil:Pre-light scent at foot Dates & raisins
Taste both Sweet and Salty at same time.
Stronger more Raw tasting than other 3.
Raw Rough Finish

Day 5 Corojo: scent meaty manure, smell sweeter at foot
Taste had sweetness on lips even before lit.
Taste hard to describe but it tasted like Indian incense smells. or sweet perfume on a woman’s neck. (see I still remember some things)
Around mid-point got a little strong for 1st cigar of the day. Had metal under tone and gave me the hiccups.
Beautiful room aroma.

Bottom line Don Jose told me that there was nothing wrong with my palate and that I should be patient that it takes time to develop.

His willingness to work with a total stranger was very humbling. His impact on my life is great.  If your ever within driving distance of one of his seminars I would highly recommend that you attend.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

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“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

At this moment I am pleasurably enveloped in an ivory colored satin quilt in my own room with a view, at my daughter, Hadley’s, house in Atlanta. Beau, the elegant, velvety, warm blooded, chocolate colored companion that is my dog, is curled around my legs. It is the beginning of Thanksgiving weekend and I am writing in bed, my very favorite place to write, and well, my favorite place, I think, in any house. Certainly I am surrounded by new landscape, about which Proust speaks, away from the Carolina Lowcountry and well, yes, Atlanta is admittedly one of the Great Aunts of the American South. In the spirit of the weekend, I feel renewed and I see again, with new eyes, today, that Proust is just right, oh so right, about what matters.

What a delightful American holiday this is, a day dedicated to gratitude and the splendid pleasures of the table. As I packed yesterday to travel, I tucked into the red leather traveling bag that this beauty loving daughter gave me, another gift from her, a copy of the original Proust Questionnaire, in Marcel Proust’s own handwriting, in French. She gave it to me, because every holiday season for years we’ve circulated a family questionnaire amongst the large and blended family that is mine. The questionnaire we make is usually twenty questions or so, like “If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be?” or, from the original, “What is your idea of happiness?” (Proust’s answer was ” To live in contact with those I love, with the beauties of nature, with a quantity of books and music, and to have, within easy distance, a French theatre – all of which would be mine exactly! – except having access to film now, instead of French Theatre).

Completing the questionnaire is a gift of connection, or listening to each other, the one element that somehow began to be missing as the holiday became so centered around gifts and shopping. Our own family questionnaire has taken a life of its own and now, each Thanksgiving, one family member begins and circulates the questionnaire beginning on Thanksgiving weekend, by email, even though I value those old paper compilations, especially the one my sister did in her own beautiful perfect and loose handwriting, so passionately detailed in the food category. When she died, all the foods she listed as her favorites – and her list ran around the page to fill up the back (it included Duke’s mayonnaise which those from the South will understand) were gathered and cooked and served by my son’s wife at the gathering of family and friends who came to my house after the funeral.

But ah, Proust! – whose passion, curiosity and genius inspires all lovers of the arts. Virginia Woolf, the legendary writer, identified the highly sensual nature of Proust’s prose as the Proustian effect, a rejuvenating energy, the intense pleasure that we find in great art. The root of the word “aesthetic” is to feel, to be alive; it is about art that so dazzles one’s spirit that it consoles: Joy, I think, is the word.

Included in that is to feel overwhelmed with gratitude. For the pleasures of love and food, for the pleasures of grown children who now create the feast, and the birthday celebrations and the blessings of grandchildren. Proust’s own words mark the refrigerator here in Hadley’s oh so sensual home. (It is a fridge magnet her mother gave her). “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

The two warm ham biscuits, on a gold rimmed porcelain plate, delivered to my bed as I write, by my amazingly beautiful and talented daughter, illustrates it all. Amen.

People consistently comment on my skin.  They remark that I have hardly any wrinkles and my skin is beautiful.  Thank you Peeps!  I suck in compliments like a sponge and absorb as much pleasure as possible from each and every one.  I highly recommend learning to receive a compliment, as it is a true gift to the giver.

That said, I have decided to divulge my “secrets” for beautiful skin.  With a background in cosmetology, yoga, herbalism and aromatherapy…not to mention a mother who had a penchant for vitamin supplementation, I now give you the full monty on how I do it.

10 pointers from a tantric yogini that will keep your face dewy, fresh and lovely all winter:

1.  Drink plenty of water daily and take your vitamins.

2.  Never use really hot water on your face, only warm or cool.  Your skin will retain its moisture better, and besides, hot water is just too harsh.

3.  Eat your MUFA’s…monounsaturated fatty acids…flax seeds, avocado, olive oil, dark chocolate, evening primrose oil, cod liver oil, nuts and seeds.  Nourish your skin from within and get healthier while you’re at it.

4.  Retinol is the only stuff that has been proven to make a difference in diminishing lines and wrinkles over the counter.  When you use it, be sure to use sunscreen as well to avoid burning this newly sensitive skin.  You can purchase a retinol cream for about twenty bucks at the drugstore without a prescription.

5.  Vitamin C is key for gorgeous skin.  Find a vitamin C serum or cream and use it to continue to help the old skin cells fall away to reveal the fresh new skin underneath.  You’ll be amazed after only a few weeks at how much fresher and vibrant your skin looks.

6.  Once in a while, warm up some sesame oil after you’ve cleansed you face and gently massage in upward circular motions.  Deeply moisturizing and detoxifying, and leaves your skin oh-so-soft.  Also a great detox.  Use the organic, untoasted sesame oil, or try virgin olive oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil if you want varied moisturizing and vitamin effects.

7.  Practice yoga.  Your circulation will benefit, your body will detox naturally, and the relaxation will unfurl your brows, causing less wrinkles.  Speaking of yoga, tantrikas know that a practice of self pleasure will keep your skin glowing and prolong your life.  Continue to work with the chi, folks.

8.  Do a weekly steam facial with herbs, a pot of boiled water, and a towel over your head.  Follow with a mask from the kitchen.  Avocado mashed with yogurt, or oatmeal or just mashed strawberries work well.   Eggs make great facial masks if you apply yolk first, let dry, and then whites over it and let dry.  My favorite one is honey with a drop of rose essential oil for intensive moisture.  Honey is a natural humectant and your skin will be softer than you can imagine afterwards.

9.  Sleeping Beauty was gorgeous cuz she slept so much.  Get yourself enough beauty rest, darlings.  Oh, and did I mention fresh air and sunshine?  That too.  Mother did know best.

10.  Last but definitely not least, try out some of my seriously gorgeous facial elixirs and bask in the exquisite sensory experience…essential oils are my secret to young skin.  Indulge in a special blend by me and put your best face forward!

People in recovery may be returning to a relationship or trying to rediscover the passion of earlier times. This article from Readers Digest may be of help.

You and your partner can rediscover intimacy and pleasure with these tips.…

Note: Cross posted from Recovery Is Sexy.com.

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“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Suggested Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 12:1-11

Many times in life, we can be so caught up with the gift that we forget the Giver. We live in a land of abundance. Most of us do not want for anything. Throughout this land, God’s blessing upon us is evident everyday and is seen in all things. God has allowed our land to be fruitful with provisions above and beyond our expectations. Our land provides us with beauty and wonders which enable us to take pleasure in enjoying our creation through exploring, traveling and vacationing. This gives us the ability to be refreshed mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

In His Word, God guarantees us that as we live in His land, it can be a land flowing with gifts of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, kindness, and self control. What a prosperous land that awaits all who are in Christ. It is promised to those who have accepted the gift of Jesus Christ.

I would encourage all of us as we start each new day to begin by acknowledging and walking in thanksgiving to the “Gift Giver.” May we never let the gift shadow the Giver. Be encouraged to know that every good gift is heaven sent.

Encouragement: Look Around And See The Many Gifts God Has Given

I encourage you to look around and see the many gifts God has placed in your life. I would like to take this opportunity to thank God for each one of you. Each person God places in our paths is a gift to us. May we never take any gift for granted.

Yesterday is history,
Tomorrow is a mystery,
Today is a gift,
that is why it is called the present. (Author Unknown)