20 Mental Barriers You Need To Let Go Of To Have An Awesome Life

Nov 18, 2015

You are in an imaginary hot air balloon. It’s just you and all of your belongings in the wicker basket. Something went wrong and you are losing altitude fast. You will hit the ground in less than ten minutes if you don’t come up with something quick. The only immediate solution is to get rid of excess weight and throw off at least half of your belongings. It’s that or hit the ground in ten. You look at the things and hesitate for a few seconds but then you do what you have to do and start throwing the things you have gathered half your life one by one. The cargo gets lighter, the descent slows down then you are floating up again back to altitude. You are relieved beyond comprehension.

This happens to all of us in less dramatic circumstances. We attach ourselves to things that we have accumulated over the years. Some of them might have some practical value. Others we just have attached ourselves sentimentally to over time. Some others are just clutter.

Our mental life follows the same fate. We carry with us a lot of things in our heads along the years – Our life story, emotional attachments, beliefs and other things which can linger in our minds for many years.

Some of them are useless ideas that drag us down considerably. Some are emotional debris from difficult moments in our past. Some are just beliefs which we have attached ourselves to for no apparent justifiable reason. Some others are just self-destructive habits and fears.

If you find yourself in the real life equivelant of the hot air balloon situation, here are 20 mental barriers you should let go:

1. Let go of attachments

According to Buddhist Philosophy, attachment is one of the roots of all suffering. I can’t agree more. We attach ourselves to all sorts of things even the most self-slapping stupid notions in the universe. Are you attached to something? How much are you attached? Is it keeping you back from something? Is it making you suffer? Look at it straight through – break the illusion. Know that every attachment can be detached.

2. Let go of guilt

Guilt has absolutely no function whatsoever. Think about it – what could guilt possibly resolve? It just holds you imprisoned to self-mortification and sorrow.

3. Let go of Negative thinking

Pessimistic thoughts and negative attitudes keep you locked in a dark aura that permeates in everything you do. It’s a dangerous line to follow. Know that thoughts influence the world around us. Enough said.

4. Let go of self-criticism

Many times we are our biggest pain in the neck. We criticize ourselves with the best of intentions but then go over the acceptable limit. Criticism then turns to disempowering messages. Let go of it and be kind and gentle to yourself.

5. Let go of prejudice

Prejudice keeps you bitter and resentful. It restricts your opportunities to connect meaningfully with others.

6. Let go of compulsive thinking

Do you keep on doing something just because you feel you have to do it without any apparent reason? It’s time to honestly reflect on its usefulness and its side-effects.

7. Let go of the need for others’ approval

We often tend to seek approval by others. This is an attention-seeking behaviour and one which threatens our self-confidence and authenticity.

8. Let go of limiting beliefs

Most of our limits are self-imposed. Life doesn’t have defined limits. Our beliefs do. Learn to identify those beliefs which narrow down your possibilities for action and let go of them.

9. Let go of grudges

Let me put it this way – grudges are bad for your heart. Keep them long enough or numerous enough and your health will eventually suffer. Research is showing the relationship between heart disease and emotions such as anger and grudges.

10. Let go of the “I’ll do it tomorrow” attitude

This is a delaying tactic of your subconscious saboteur trying to keep you from accomplishing important tasks. Try to be aware of it when you think it and consciously push yourself to do at least the first part of it. Naturally you will then continue the whole task because the hard part is only the beginning.

11. Let go of anxious thoughts

These are born out of our fear of the unknown and uncertainty about the future. The thought that something unpleasant may happen is only an unreal thought we have created ourselves. Ask yourself: “Is this thought based on real evidence?”

12. Let go of past heartbreaks

A heartbreak can take quite a long time to heal. Your heart is locked as your mind keeps on hovering over the same thought. The thing to realize is that in heartbreaks it is not the loss that make you suffer but the idea you create in your heads about that loss.

13. Let go of bad memories

Sometimes we remember unpleasant things that stir up some sad feelings in us. Bad memories make you relive those sad moments in the present. Keep them where they are – in the past.

14. Let go of useless things

We also attach ourselves to things of all sort. Sometimes we clutter our life with useless objects. Let go of them and simplify your working and living environment.

15. Let go of bad company

If there are people around you that are insincere, harbour envy, are highly pessimistic or disempowering, keep away from them.

16. Let go of the idea that you are a product of your past

One very common mistake we fall into is the belief that we are determined by our past experiences. This limits our view on future possibilities since we are stuck in believing that the future can only be more of the same as our past.

17. Let go of identifying yourself with your job/role

This is one of the risks of modern day life. Since roles are always becoming more specialized we think that we are part of our roles. This makes us lose perspective of our true nature.

18. Let go of counterproductive habits

These are the repetitive patterns of behavior that obstruct or distract you from constructive and productive behavior. They can be anything from watching too much TV and overeating to self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse.

19. Let go of taking things too personally

Very often we are disturbed emotionally because we interpret people’s words and actions from a very subjective perspective. When we take things personally we get irritated, hurt and disappointed. When you look at life from a more detached and objective point of view, we stay emotionally balanced and focused on our priorities.

20. Let go of the ticking clock

Time is one of our biggest sources of stress. Well, not time really but our perception of it. Sometimes we are enslaved by the concept of time even in our moments of leisure. This has devoured a lot of our genuine freedom and space. Learning to spend moments without the constant awareness of time can be liberating and finally productive.

The Article was written by Gilbert Ross for his blog, Soulhiker. You can find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Beirut Attacks: This Hero Sacrificed His Life To Save Hundreds From Isis Terrorists

Adam East

Nov 16, 2015

With most of the world’s attention fixed on the series of shocking attacks in Paris, many have overlooked the horrific events that unfolded in Beirut on Thursday…

At least 41 people were killed and 200 injured, many seriously, after two suicide bombers set off their explosive devices on a busy street in the Lebanese capital. But a hero has emerged from this tragedy and his actions could have saved countless lives…

UNILADs Beirut Attacks: This Hero Sacrificed His Life To Save Hundreds From Isis Terrorists image

Adel Termos was walking with his daughter when he heard the first blast. A bomb had been detonated and it was sheer carnage. As he noticed a second bomber set to detonate he made a split-second decision to attack the bomber.

This act of courage killed him, but he has been hailed as a hero after his sacrifice likely saved dozens, if not hundreds of lives. And the news of his daughter’s survival has today been celebrated by thousands.

A Beirut-based physician Elie Fares told PRI that “many families, hundreds of families probably owe their completeness to his sacrifice.”

Isis quickly took to social media to claim responsibility for the attack, but this is yet to be verified. Many have taken to Twitter to hail Termos as a hero and to remember his selfless act and other victims.

#LestWeForget #AdelTermos sacrificed himself tackling suicide bomber preparing to kill 100s in #Beirut pic.twitter.com/5FoXBaWJ7J v @faketual

— Saima Mohsin (@SaimaMohsin) November 15, 2015

RIP #adeltermos Hero of our times. RIP all innocents caught up in murderous #BeirutAttacks https://t.co/NmkOeGlASM pic.twitter.com/Tcxgyl2iOT

— malini mehra (@malinimehra) November 14, 2015

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Tammam Salam condemned the attacks as “unjustifiable” and called on his citizens to unite against “plans to create strife”.

The bombing is the deadliest in the capital since the end of Lebanon’s civil war in 1990.

The attacks in Paris and Beirut are only the latest in a wave of terrorism that has swept the globe in recent months.

Cat is so excited to see his owner, he nearly explodes with joy

Adam East

Nov 15, 2015

There is no better feeling in the world than coming home to someone who’s excited to see you.

Even if that someone is not a human. Even if it’s a miniature cat.

Imgur user DatSun280zxt shared this video of a cat, apparently responding to his owner’s return. While dogs have a reputation for enthusiasm, this little cat one-ups the entire species — in 30 seconds flat.

When the owner walks in, the cat tries to keep in cool. Within seconds, the cat drops his aloof demeanor and lets his true love shine. He jumps and hops his little heart out.

This is the face of love.

Make Detox Foot Pads at Home and Remove All the Dangerous Toxins from Your Body Overnight

Adam East

Nov 13, 2015

Detox foot pads were first used in Japan. It is about stick-on pads that need to be placed on the soles of the feet before going to bed. The next day when you remove the footpads, you will see that the dangerous toxins eliminated from the body have darkened the pads.

The foot pads are worn on feet because they help circulate blood and lymph into the torso. Our inactive lifestyle causes circulation to bog down around the ankles, lower legs and feet.

The positive results of using foot detox pads are less fatigue, joint pain, and fewer headaches.

Additionally, you can buy ready-made detox foot pads, or make your own at home.

These are the ingredients you will need:

▪ Onion

▪ Garlic

▪ Water

▪ Self-stick gauze pads

▪ Socks

Slice the garlic and onion till it is well chopped. Put it aside.

Pour water in a kettle and let it boil. Add the finely sliced garlic and onions in the boiling water. Then, let it boil for additional 10 minutes.

Next, let the water cool off for 20 minutes. Then, pour the mixture in the center of the self-stick gauze pads, only enough to get wet. If there is too much liquid in the pads, squeeze the excess out. Also, try not to wet the sticky part of the pads.

Patch the self-stick gauze pad on the soles of the feet, especially at the center part. Put on socks so the pad won’t fall off. Throw it the next morning.

Image by Emma: flickr.com

The funniest animal photos of 2015 revealed

Adam East

Nov 13, 2015

comedy-hamster_3497562b The above image of a wild hamster, cheeks filled with food, expression of quiet determination writ large across its furry brow, has been named the funniest animal photo of the year at the inaugural Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.

The hamster, or rather Julian Rad, the Austrian who captured it, beat hundreds of rivals to the top prize, earning himself a one-week holiday in Tanzania and a Nikon D750 camera in the process.

The funniest animals photos of 2015 revealed — This stag took second place Photo: William Richardson

Second and third place went to a pair of Britons: William Richardson, for his photo of an impeccably camouflaged stag in Richmond Park, and Oliver Dreike, for an image of a gorilla that swears it was just scratching its nose. Honest.

Given that the award is in its first year, the number of entries – more than 1,500 – was impressive, as has been its global reach, with those entries coming from as far afield as Iraq, Macedonia, Uruguay, Belize and Sri Lanka.

Images of animals looking foolish clearly hold a special place in everyone’s heart – regardless of nationality.

Among the judges were Hugh Dennis, the actor and comedian best known for his role in BBC’s Outnumbered, and Kate Humble, the broadcaster and regular contributer to Telegraph Travel, as well as several respected wildlife photographers, such as Will Burrard Lucas and Tom Sullam.

“It was a pleasure to judge the inaugural Comedy Wildlife Awards,” said Hugh Dennis.

He added: “The number and quality of the entries was fantastic. The finalists should be very proud of themselves, as should the animals they photographed, simply for looking so funny. Sadly there is no way of telling them.”

In addition to being extremely entertaining, the awards aim to raise awareness of the work of The Born Free Foundation, the conservation and animal rights charity.

For more on the awards, see comedywildlifephoto.com.

Australian Man With Rare Blood Type Saves Over 2 Million Babies By Donating More Than 1,000 Times In 60 Years

Adam East

Nov 9, 2015

That is quite literally the case for James Harrison, a 78-year-old from Australia’s central coast, who has saved 2 million Australian babies by donating his blood plasma.

In 1951, at 14 years old, Harrison had a chest operation during which one of his lungs was removed. After the surgery, his father told him that while on the operating table, Harrison had received 13 liters of blood from a total stranger, saving his life. He vowed to become a blood donor himself when he came of age.

Aged 18, Harrison began donating blood every few weeks and over the course of 60 years he has donated more than 1,000 times. But that’s not all.

Soon after he started donating, doctors discovered that Harrison’s plasma contains an antibody that stops babies dying from Rhesus disease, a potentially fatal form of severe anaemia where antibodies in a pregnant woman’s blood destroy her baby’s blood cells.

At the time, thousands of babies were dying each year in Australia from Rhesus disease. The newborns that survived sustained permanent brain damage because of the condition.

Dubbed the “man with the golden arm”, Harrison’s blood donations have allowed countless mothers to give birth to healthy babies.

But despite being a regular at donating, there is one thing that will never change.

“Never once have I watched the needle go in my arm,” he said. “I look at the ceiling or the nurses, maybe talk to them a bit, but never once have I watched… I can’t stand the sight of blood, and I can’t stand pain.”

Harrison’s plasma has also led to the development of a vaccine called Anti-D. As a matter of fact, every batch of Anti-D in Australia has come from Mr Harrison’s blood.

One mother who benefitted from Harrison’s donations is Joy Barnes, who works at the Red Cross Blood Bank in Sydney. Barnes had miscarried at four and five months before having treatment.

She’s known Harrison for more than 20 years but only recently told him of her story. “Without him I would never have been able to have a healthy baby,” she said.

In fact, Harrison’s blood is deemed so special that his arm is insured for one million Australian dollars.

Another mother he has helped is his own daughter, Tracey, whose son was delivered without complications thanks to her father.

She said she was proud of her father for continuing the cause, even after the death of his wife following 56 years of marriage. Harrison said: “I was back in hospital giving blood a week after Barbara passed away.”

“It was sad but life marches on and we have to continue doing what we do. She’s up there looking down, so I carry on,” he added.

Real heroes aren’t the ones that wear capes and fly. They’re the ones who spend their whole lives putting other people’s needs over their own. And James Harrison is one of them.

People Who Spend Money On Experiences Instead Of Things Are Much Happier

Adam East

Nov 9, 2015

When it’s payday and that direct deposit hits your account, you tend to swipe your card more in a day than your thumb swipes through Facebook, Instagram and Tinder combined.

The instant gratification that comes along with the hefty price tags on new clothes, trendy sneakers and expensive jewelry is satisfying enough to be considered an actual addiction.

But it’s crucial for us to remember the importance of investing in our life experiences even more so than splurging on the next big thing from our favorite designer; it’s true that money can’t buy you happiness.

In fact, it seems the happiest people in this world have found a way to distance themselves from shopping addictions and unnecessary spending.

Instead, those people put their money toward travel, experience and memories, and it certainly pays off.

If we all start to invest in our futures more than our sneakers, our lives will be more beautiful than anything money could buy.

Life is about memories, not diamonds.

Just think about it: At the end of your life, are you going to be reminiscing about the fact that you had an iPhone 6 Plus while everyone else was still using the 5, or are you going to recall golden memories you shared with the people who shaped who you’ve become?

A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology shows people who made expensive purchases on products rather than experiential investments often devalued a new item’s worth directly after buying it, according to the Huffington Post.

The researchers from San Francisco State University found people do, in fact, understand life is all about the memories we create, but we get so caught up in trends and demand that we cave and make purchases we’ll inevitably regret.

Before they even made the purchases, study participants said life experiences would be more beneficial than buying the latest and greatest items on their wish lists.

After buying whatever their heart temporarily desired, participants soon realized they would much rather have put that money toward an experience, which would have increased their happiness for a more sustained amount of time.

Focus on what makes you happy, not what makes you famous.

Research from Cornell University shows Millennials are tempted to make many of their purchases from society’s influence, which makes things like diamond watches and gold chains not only super expensive, but appealing and trendy as well.

We are just as much a product of our society as the shiny, expensive gifts and toys we exchange on a daily basis, if not more.

What sets us apart from our ancestors is that we are enveloped in the world of social media, and just about anything we buy is photographed for shameless self-promotion.

Dr. Thomas Gilovich is a psychology professor at Cornell Universitywho has been looking for a link between money and happiness.

He says,

We buy things to make us happy, and we succeed. But only for a while. New things are exciting to us at first, but then we adapt to them.

Gilovich makes a great point here.

I’m not saying you should never reward a couple of hard weeks at work with a new outfit and a night out, but our larger investments should go toward experiences that create lifelong memories rather than an item that will lose its “cool” factor within a few years (if it’s lucky).

Gilovich tells Fast Company,

Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods. You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.

Lose the price tag and explore the world around you.

The Next Web reports there are 79 million Millennials in the United States, three million more than the notorious Baby Boomer generation that is responsible for many of the jobs, industries and government programs at our disposal.

But industries are going to have to re-evaluate Gen-Y if they want to target us in their advertising. Most of us are starting to realize the priceless advantages of spending our hard-earned money on things like travel, education and creative activities.

Researchers say companies will need to adapt to this shift in mentality in order to compete and survive in this generation’s new world.

Ultimately, these are longer-term investments in our own individual happiness.

By spending more of our money on things that enhance our life — filling us with golden memories and unforgettable adventures — we aren’t just changing the industries that surround us, we’re shedding some much-needed positivity and light on the world.

Each day we’re convinced to buy things we don’t need, spend money we don’t have and purchase garbage that loses its value within a matter of weeks.

Generation-Y is one of the largest, most influential groups of society, and we have the unique ability to control the fate of our wallets and investments in life.

Why buy the latest phone when you can put that $400 toward a plane ticket to a country you’ve never been before?

People who constantly live with their future goals, investments and happiness at the forefront of their minds tend to live much happier lives than the rest of consumers swamped in products and bullsh*t.

It’s time to stop swiping the cards every time we get paid and start thinking about the memories we could be making with just a little bit of extra savings and a road map.

Listen to this organ in Croatia that uses the sea to make hauntingly beautiful music.

Adam East

Nov 8, 2015

In 2005, a Croatian architect designed a 230-foot-long organ that turns the rhythm of the waves into actual music.

Nope, not nonsensical bellows or chaotic tones. Real, actual, music.

Most of us have never seen, or heard, anything like it.

Imagine walking along the picturesque Adriatic Sea, treading lightly on a set of white stone steps as a cool breeze rolls past.

Carved into the steps are narrow channels that connect to 35 organ pipes, each tuned to different meticulously arranged musical chords.

As the waves lap against the steps, they push air through the pipes and out whistle-holes in the surface above, making a harmonious and completely random musical arrangement.

But you don’t see what’s happening below the surface. You close your eyes and all you hear is a song like you’ve never heard before, one completely unique to the movement of the sea at that exact moment.

Take a listen: Here’s what it sounded like at one particular moment, on one particular day. On any other day, it might sound completely different.

(Hit the orange button to hear it.)

The Sea Organ, or the Morske Orgulje, is an incredible feat of architecture designed to bring life back to one of the world’s oldest cities.

Zadar, a 3,000-year-old city on the coast of Croatia, was almost completely destroyed in World War II –– so many of its ancient landmarks lost forever. Years after a rebuilding that featured lots of plain, concrete structures, award-winning architect Nikola Bašić was brought in to bring some delight back to the coastline.

That’s when he came up with the idea.

No doubt he was inspired by the hydraulis — a nifty little instrument built by the ancient Greeks that used water to push air through tuned pipes — or even theWave Organ in San Francisco — a set of curved tubes built in the 1980s that amplify the gurgles and howls of the Pacific Ocean.

But the intricate design of the Sea Organ is what sets it apart and makes it truly something to marvel at.

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