Stay Informed
It is important to keep track of economic events by getting daily information from the media. Typically, a recession affects traditional industries such as travel, automobile and housing. But, certain new industries like alternative energy and online marketing get a boost. Make use of this boom in these industries and invest wisely. Also, be on the lookout for other economic opportunities which may arise by staying informed.

Tighten Your Financial Belt
To deal with the lean times, create a new budget to spot and reduce unnecessary expenses. Handle your debt intelligently and build up savings that can take care of your living expenses for at least a few months. Try various options to reduce your mortgage. Recession teaches us that there is more to life than materialistic splurging. So, try to lead a more simple and frugal life and save more for the rainy day.

Reduce Food Costs
Try to avoid eating out and pack a lunch from home. Eating out is more expensive especially at better restaurants where you can get quality food. If you try cutting costs by eating at fast food outlets, you may end up comprising your health. So, the wise and frugal option is to eat home-made meals as these are much less expensive and healthier too. Shop for groceries that are cheaper and healthier. As your tummy size reduces, you may be able to literally tighten your waist belt and boost your bank balance too.

Try to Get Another Job
Do not rely on just one income source in these uncertain times. Motivate yourself to work harder and for longer hours by taking up another job such as freelancing. The advantages are you can earn more money, build connections and have a backup job to rely on in case anything goes wrong. Search the Internet for suitable moonlighting opportunities. A second paycheck every month can help a lot to ease the strain of recession and shore up your finances.

To Sum Up
There is no need to mope about recession and blame the government, greedy corporates or outsourcing for your predicament. Instead, think like a winner and become more enterprising by using the freedom and opportunities provided by free-market capitalism. Take recession head on by acting wisely and frugally to boost your net worth. Ensure that you have a lot of fun too on the way.

You Cannot Change the Past
Don’t feel any regret about what has happened. Console yourself spiritually by affirming that everything happens for our best in God’s divine play. There is indeed a silver lining to be found in any dark cloud. So, instead of moping, try to analyze how the past bad events have changed you for the better. Life is the best teacher and even disillusionment can serve the purpose of making you more detached and spiritual.

Beware of Misplaced Nostalgia
Most people have the habit of glorifying the past, while putting down the present. They convince themselves that they were happier and the world was a better place in their imaginative heydays. This sort of wishful thinking serves no purpose. Rather, be realistic and try to make the most of the present, instead of re-living a glorified imaginative version of the past.

Nothing is Permanent
Impermanence and change are the only constants in life. God’s creations are changing subtly in ever so many ways even as we look at them. Therefore, if your glory days are long gone, simply accept the fact and move on. You may have been a star athlete or class hottie back in school. And, if you are a pot-bellied, middle-aged, harried parent today, don’t start wishing for a time machine to take you back to your glory days at school. Simply accept reality as it is and move on to other things.

Laugh It Out
The present is the best time to look at the brighter and funny side of things past and have a hearty laugh at them. Research reveals that optimistic people live longer and are happier than pessimists. Therefore, treat past bad events as just another episode in God’s divine comedy. Many spiritual masters aver that God created us to entertain and be entertained. So, enjoy His cosmic drama and try to look at the amusing aspects of past events.

Let It Go
Life is like a hard rope and if we cling too attachedly to it, we are bound to get hurt. Therefore, learn to let it all go in a detached manner. Forgive and forget your past enemies and their trespasses against you. Affirm to yourself that it is human to err, but divine to forgive. Therefore, be broad-minded and let the past go with a generous heart.

Laugh a Lot
Laughter is indeed the best medicine to life’s ailments. Look at the funny side of things and have a hearty laugh at your troubles especially those over which you have no control. Do not take anything too seriously or personally. You can join a laughter club in your area as research proves that laughter can reduce stress and increase immunity.

Mind Your Sleep
It is important not to sleep too little or too much. The quality of sleep matters too. Try yoga nidra (yogic sleep) to relax yourself and sleep like a baby. Also, exercise vigorously during the day so that your tired body falls asleep immediately on hitting the sack.

Exercise Regularly
A sedentary lifestyle is the culprit behind many ailments like diabetes, obesity etc. So, get cracking and hit the gym or yoga class to tone your body. Regular exercise can decrease your risk of contracting diseases and increase your lifespan.

Retire to the Countryside
Retired seniors can consider living in the pristine surroundings of the countryside. Research reveals that people living in the countryside have a higher lifespan compared to city dwellers. If you do not wish to make the move, you can consider living in an urban area that is close to green spaces where you can relax or exercise regularly.

Watch Your Weight
Overweight and obesity have become health scourges in the US and many other countries. Overeating can cause quicker ageing and raise the risk of heart ailments as well as cancers of the breast, ovaries, gall bladder, womb and colon. Do indulge in your favorite foods once in a while, but eat moderate portions.

Think Positive
Everybody faces troubles at some point because planet Earth is not utopia. During the dark times, console yourself that this too shall pass. Spiritual masters say everything happens for the best. Research reveals that positive thinkers live much longer than pessimists who are more vulnerable to ailments.

Don’t Smoke
This advice goes without saying simply because of the numerous documented health effects of smoking tobacco. If you are a smoker, quit immediately because the longer you smoke the more dangerous it is for your health. In fact, your health will start to improve as soon as you quit smoking and stay off it.

Learn to Relax
Physical and psychological stress are rampant in today’s world. To cope with it, learn some effective relaxation techniques like yoga, pranayama and meditation. Take some time off every day to practice these relaxation techniques. You can also try to listen to soothing music or read some spiritual books that can put your mind at rest and relax you. Relaxation lowers blood pressure and the risk of stress-related conditions like anxiety, depression, phobias etc.

Manage a Monthly Budget
Keep track of your monthly income and expenditures. Ensure that you spend well within your means and save a good proportion of your income. To save money, you need to spend only for need and not for the greed of obtaining glittery objects. Keeping track of your monthly budget will help you pinpoint the areas where you spend more and take necessary corrective action.

Reduce Unnecessary Expenses
First, you have to decide what is essential for you and what is frivolous. Before going out for shopping, make a list of essential items that you need. You can then eliminate spending on non-essential things. Focus on cutting down or eliminating expenses for entertainment, telephone bills, unused gym or club memberships etc. You will be surprised how much you are able to save by simply saying ‘no’ to frivolous stuff.

Be Careful with Credit Cards
Credit cards have become an essential financial management tool today. But, if you are an impulse spender who loves to splurge while shopping, it would be better if you avoid using credit cards. There is always the temptation to over-spend and you can then end up in a big financial hole after running up a huge bill. Plus, most credit card companies charge annual fees. Therefore, to save more money use only one card, and choose a company which does not charge an annual fee.

Save On Electricity
This can benefit the environment and your bank balance too. Always switch off electrical appliances when not in use. You can also buy appliances that are energy efficient.

Make Use of Public Transport
This is advisable especially if there is good public transport in your city. You don’t have to worry about driving through maddening traffic or getting caught in a gridlock or accident. You can chill out in the metro rail or bus listening to your iPod and relax all the way to and from work, instead of straining and sweating behind the driving wheel. Therefore, swallow false pride and make full use of public transport to save money on gas, vehicle maintenance, etc.

Try Second-hand Stuff
Again, it is false pride which is likely to prevent us from buying pre-used items. To save money, try to buy second-hand household items and appliances. These can be bought online and at consignment and thrift shops.

Summary
We need to remember that a simple and frugal lifestyle does not need plenty of money. Therefore, spend well within your means and try to save for the rainy day. Financial security is essential especially given the troubled economy. Therefore, maximize your savings to ensure a happy and trouble-free present and future.

Pros of Freelancing

You can Choose Your Work Timings and Schedule
You are not fettered by the monotonous 9 to 5 work schedule. You can work any time of the day or night. If you are simply not in the mood to do any work, you can relax with your iPod or TV and postpone doing your assignments. Thus, freelancing gives you unmatched flexibility of work scheduling.

You can Work from Anywhere
If you are a travel buff, freelancing is the best option for you. You can work from anywhere in the world thanks to the Internet. Even within your city, you can just get away from the four walls of your room and work from a cool coffee place that has Wi-Fi connectivity. Thus, freelancing gives you the opportunity to explore the world or at least the city you live in, even as you churn out your assignments.

You can Choose Your Work
Most often, we do not get the jobs we are really interested in. Even if we get our dream job, we may not get work assignments of our choice. But as a freelancer, you can select and do exactly the kind of work you are passionate about. For example, if you are keen on writing, you can become a freelance content writer for a Website or content management company and indulge your passion for creativity. Thus, freelancing gives you all the freedom in the world to express yourself and indulge in your passions.

You can Choose Your Income
A regular job comes with a fixed pay package about which you cannot do anything. But as a freelancer, you can entirely control how much you wish to earn. You can put in extra hours and effort to earn those few dollars more. And if you are happy with your income and savings, you can afford to take it easy and cruise comfortably doing only the amount of work that is necessary.

No Relationship Hassles
At a regular job, you would have to put up with a pushy boss, rude and gossipy colleagues etc. But, as a freelancer you are your own boss and have the opportunity to enjoy silence and solitude at home.

Cons of Freelancing

No Guaranteed Income
This is perhaps the main drawback of freelancing. You can never be sure you will get assignments all the time. Plus, you also have to be wary of shady companies that may not pay you at all. Therefore, you need to experiment a lot to select reliable companies that can give you regular assignments and pay you on time as well.

Inconsistent Income
You are assured of a fixed salary amount in a regular job. But as a freelancer, you will be exposed to the vicissitudes of variations in monthly income. Some months might be bad where you simply don’t get enough assignments to make a decent amount. Therefore, it is advised to build up a dependable bank balance, before you take up freelancing.

Finding Work is Entirely Up to You
As a freelancer, the onus is upon you to find stable and reliable clients. As mentioned earlier, you may end up getting short-changed if your client does not pay and simply refuses to answer any calls. This is a major drawback of freelancing which you have to be wary of. Therefore, we recommend that you start freelancing while doing a regular job and get some experience about it, before becoming a full-time freelancer.

No Perks, Bonus or Insurance
At a regular job, you can get perks, bonuses and even medical insurance. But as a freelancer, you will be deprived of all these. Extra money and insurance coverage do matter especially when you are younger. Therefore, continue your regular job till you build up a reliable nest egg and then you can take it easy and start freelancing later on in life.

More Time for Other Activities
As a freelancer, you can allot more time to do your favorite activities. You will have all the time in the world to paint, meditate, do yoga, learn to play a musical instrument or read philosophical and spiritual books. Thus, as a freelancer you are the master of your life and fortunes and you can ensure a healthy balance between work and fun.

How to Prepare a Resume

• Place personal information such as name, contact phone number and e-mail id right on top.
• Highlight your key skills, credentials and qualifications in bold to attract the reader’s attention.
• It is important to restrict the length of the resume to one or two pages. Do not write long passages which would only lull the reader to sleep.
• Ensure that your resume is error-free by proofreading it thoroughly and eliminating all typos and grammatical errors.
• Keep the tone neutral and refrain from using ‘I’ or ‘my’ in your resume.
• It is essential not to fudge any details in your resume. If you do fudge, you may be able to get the job. But, there is still the background check most employers do. When they catch you out, you will be unceremoniously evicted from the company and to add insult to injury you will end up with a permanent black mark on your track record.
• Do not use fancy fonts, but stick to normal ones like ‘Times New Roman’ or ‘Arial’. Ensure that you use the same font in the entire resume.
• Do not include your salary expectation in your resume.
• Do not use negative words or phrases in your resume.
• Print the resume on a laser printer and use a good quality A4 size paper.
• You can check out sample resumes on various websites and select the format that you like. If you can afford it, you can even employ paid professional services to craft an attractive resume.

Summary
You need to remember that your resume has only about 30 seconds to impress a prospective employer. Therefore, sell yourself well in your resume, but do not go over the top. Finally, to reiterate, do not include false information in your resume as this can only cause harm to your integrity and reputation.

Here’s the surprising catch – the differences between the two groups are not only evident during meditation (brain scans detect a better control pattern over the wandering mind), but even when the mind is allowed to freely wander.

Mind over Matter
Sounds intriguing, isn’t it? These interesting insights emanate from a study soon going to be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The new study studied two groups: meditation novices and dedicated, experienced meditators. Next, the operating mechanism of the “Default Mode Network” was compared – a recently discovered cluster of brain regions which is activated when our brains tend to be “offline.”

Judson Brewer, Yale University psychiatrist, says that meditation is “brain-training at work.” He led the study with a team of psychologists from Columbia University, University of Oregon and Yale University. He said that it actually makes sense as when you train for something, you do better.

Mental Control – Study Results
As per the recent study’s definition, mental control is mentioned as the ability to keep the two key nodes of the default mode network ‘inactive’ during mediation. These two key nodes are the medial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulated cortex, which is the brain’s “neutral” setting. These become activated when one does not engage in a task which needs more focused attention. These allow the mind to wander. These two regions were comparatively quieter in the 12 experienced meditators while meditating than the 12 meditation beginners.

Brewer also suggested that meditators can have more skilled approach to control their wandering thoughts and bring the wandering mind back “on task” – when compared with people who don’t meditate every day.

Meditation – Key to Good Health?
Now, you might be thinking how having a mental control over your daydreams can make you healthier? Here’s the fantastic discovery. A well-functioning default mode network – which lets you explore about yourself and your lives but does not obstruct your concentration when required – is important for mental health.

Well, those of us who love to be lost in our daydreaming adventures are more likely to fall prey to depression – either because depressed people tend to have poor concentration or we get caught in a cycle of reflection. In a recent study it was found that people whose minds tend to wander off task are often depressed. Also, those suffering from attention deficit disorder have a problem with mind-wandering.

Food for Your Thought
Brewer cites Vince Lombardi, the legendary football coach, who once famously said, “Practice doesn’t make perfect: perfect practice makes perfect.”

Brewer suggests that meditation is “perfect practice” in skills which make undistracted work a eventuality – the ability to identify the initial signs of mind-wandering, to detect and forgive the impulse, and then subsequently to draw your “chain of thoughts” back to the work at hand.

For the uninitiated, KONY 2012 is campaign to raise awareness and support for the arrest of Joseph Kony, the malicious African warlord. A video about the brutal rebel leader became viral one month back and boosted the international hunt for him.

On Thursday, a sequel to the earlier video was released, “KONY 2012 Part II.” The burning question of the hour is will it become famous like the original version? Part II is slickly crafted with inspiring shots of a young community mobilizing into action. Even though the voice of the Invisible Children’s co-founder, Jason Russell is missing in this video, it fetched as many hits as the first video.

The latest offering is a well-made documentary which addresses criticisms bombarded at the San Diego-based NGO since it gained overnight popularity and fame. Invisible Children’s CEO, Ben Keesey said that the sequel was made in two weeks. The motive behind the sequel was to answer the scathing remarks of the critics as well as people who wanted to know more about the campaign – a campaign which led a bipartisan group of 40 U.S. senators to support a resolution condemning Kony; a campaign which provoked the children around the country to ask their parents to ‘do their bit.’

Mr Keesey feels that the campaign resonates with the youth who are active members of a global community as they have friends around the world via social media. He said that their intention is to “create compelling stories to bring back what the point is – which is right now there are people living in fear of violence and being attacked by the LRA and we need to be reminded of that.”

Part II features several interviews with Africans who feel that the rebel issue is complex and needs a multipronged approach to put an end to Kony’s atrocities. Also, the link features various programs which Invisible Children supports – ranging from hanging pamphlets from branches for active LRA fighters to know how to come out of Kony’s grasp.

Well, here’s the deal – you discard the issue as yet another frivolous act to gain publicity and fame or be a part of a ‘credible’ act; a chance to stand up and be the voice of thousands of ‘voiceless!’

Pros of Being Self Employed

• The most obvious benefit is you are your own boss. There is no need to kowtow to anyone or follow their rules.
• You can work according to your convenience and comfort and be flexible about the place of work, number of working hours, schedule etc.
• You reap all the benefits of your hard work (unless you have a partner).
• There is unmatched freedom to work creatively, innovate and implement new ideas and do anything you please since you are in sole charge.
• You can implement all your ideals and goals without interference from anyone.
• You have full freedom to change obsolete and failed plans, and you do not have to take anyone’s permission for it.
• You can learn as you go along and develop new skills that can enable you to become successful on your own.
• You need not worry about the ‘glass ceiling’ that exists in many companies. You can reach as high as your abilities guide you.
• You have the option of working alone or selecting partners you know are competent and compatible. There is no need to worry about demanding bosses or unfriendly colleagues.
• In case you have a tiff with someone, you are at liberty to stop doing business with them.
• Since you are in charge, you need not worry about anyone above you in the hierarchy turning down your ideas and plans.
• You can chart out your career path according to your likes and abilities.

Cons of Being Self Employed

• The onus is solely on you to make decisions and choices. You cannot pass the buck to anyone else.
• You cannot depend on a regular paycheck especially if your business is not doing well.
• Only a self-motivated and disciplined person can succeed alone because there would be nobody to crack the whip or motivate you every day.
• You have to select an office location (home or a shop). If you choose a shop, there is the additional burden of the costs of rent, utilities etc.
• If you decide to work from home, you may be distracted by your family or environment.
• At the office, you can turn off at the end of the day and relax without any worries. But, a self employed person may face more stress and tension since they are solely in charge of their business and would be directly affected by any downturn or losses.
• If you work from home, you would have to clearly demarcate between your work and personal life. Basically, you need to ensure that your personal life does not come in the way of your daily work.
• Certain start-up businesses need cash to get going. These are more risky ventures as any losses means you are that much poorer as your founding money would be gone. It is therefore preferable to freelance from home and work for an established company as you would not have to worry about start-up cash, losses etc. You are assured of a regular paycheck depending on your productivity and the quality of your output.
• Self employed people do not have worker’s compensation and also have to pay for their insurance.

Great for the Body
Sports are great physical exercises and can improve your body image and posture. Physical activities such as stretching, jumping and running give your body a good workout. Ideally, sports should be taught at an early age to tone the body, strengthen muscles and bones, and increase endurance and stamina. Swimming especially is a recommended sport as it provides a full workout to the whole body.

Great for the Mind
Research reveals that playing sports can improve the Math skills of kids. They can improve their focus by playing sports like cricket, baseball, badminton and tennis that involve targeting and hitting. Competition, winning and losing are a part of sports and teach kids to treat success and failure alike. Children learn to play competitively, give their best and accept the outcome positively and with equanimity. Sports can also help you become cool and sporting.

Develops Social Skills
Participating in team sports can develop your social skills because you learn to collaborate, communicate and interact with people. Playing sports can also improve your delegating, planning and thinking skills. Participating and winning in sports can inspire confidence by breeding a sense of accomplishment.

Teaches Clever Thinking
Playing sports improves directed thinking. You learn to strategize, and devise novel ways to earn points, and score runs and goals. Thus, you can improve your presence of mind and learn to think on your toes. Research reveals that playing sports regularly helps children fare better in academics.

Can Make You Happy
Playing sports involves kicking the ball, bouncing, throwing, hitting and running around. All these activities release a happiness hormone called endorphins in the brain. Thus, playing sports is a great way to bust stress and sorrow, and create positive energy.

Economic and Social Benefits
If you are good enough to play at the national or international level, it opens new doors of opportunity for employment and career prospects. This is not restricted to sportsmen alone, because sports also open up avenues for physical therapists, sports doctors, cheerleaders and volunteers. Many cities have constructed sports venues for big events like the Olympics and have improved their image and revenues through sports tourism. These venues are later opened for the public so that they can use them to play sports, and improve and enjoy themselves.

Health Benefits
Play sports regularly to enjoy benefits like reduced health risks, optimum cholesterol and blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of hypertension, stress-related disorders, heart diseases and diabetes. Research reveals that sportsmen are able to deal with strain and stress better. They also have reduced risk of anxiety, depression and related psychological ailments.