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femmefatalevibe · 7 months

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Hello darling! I’ve tried several times to do time blocking and have my app calendar organised but it never works. I have adhd so it’s like I don’t know how to keep it up because I never found a method that it works for me. Can you share how you do it in case you do it? And some tips? I feel like it’ll help me to organise my life but I feel stuck every time I have to do it. Thank you <3

Hi love! Sharing my method below. Hope it's somewhat useful xx

To-Do List Planning:

Spend an hour or so on the weekend to list all of the important assignments/errands, etc. you need to complete during the week. Fill your calendar with your school/work/activity obligations first see an overview of how you will need to spend a considerable amount of time dedicated to each non-negotiable activity. Use this overview to help you map out the "free" time" you have and pre-schedule when you will do specific work projects, study for a particular exam, when you will run certain errands, engage in leisure activities, etc.

Before bed/dinner, use this weekly framework to finalize the next day – your agenda for the upcoming day. Determine the big 1-3 tasks you want to complete the following day and when throughout your day you will focus on these specific tasks. Giving yourself this pre-assigned schedule will eliminate decision fatigue and allow you to go into a more "autopilot" mode by completing the action you've already planned to take at any time of the day.

Important Date Reminders:

Utilize your Google Calendar and sync it to your iCloud (make sure it's private!) to allow you to write down any important dates available for viewing on your phone, computer, etc. at all times.

Create a color-coding system to organize your calendar (i.e. make any big projects due in blue, regular/smaller assignments to complete in red, important job reminders in yellow, errands tasks in green, family/friend obligations in purple, appointments in orange, etc.)

If you need to remember to submit certain paperwork, run an errand, etc., use your Reminders app to alert you at the time when you're able to complete this task before a deadline, going home, etc.

Use the location function or invite other participating members on a specific Google calendar event for any obligations where you need to be at a certain place at a specific time and/or are working on a group project, having a meeting, or need to be at a location with someone else.

I'm very into my "bookend" routines aka the rituals I do before I start my tasks for the day and how I wind down at night.

In the morning: Skincare, outfit, makeup, 2 big mugs of black coffee, reading articles & newsletters

In the evening: A long walk outside or a 15-30 minute YouTube workout/dance party session when the weather isn't optimal. Shower, skincare, get into sweats, make dinner, clean up around the house

To plan out my work week/days:

I use the 3-Month Productivity Planner by Intelligent Change (linked here). It's been my holy grail while building my business for the past 3-4 years. I also love having a physical "To-Do" list notepad next to me for tasks that come to mind or come up throughout the day that I want to organize/come back to later. (I always try to plan my week out on Sunday evenings and for the next day either before my evening routine or after dinner) I was gifted this one from The Daily Edited a few years ago and love it. Very much worth refilling the inserts.

For meetings: I use Google Calendar that's linked to my iCal. The notes section is essential for me.

For small tasks/bills/errands: I set scheduled Reminders for the day/time I need to pay a bill, write an email, schedule something for work or life, create a reminder for something I need to take before heading out to a meeting or appointment, something I need to buy at the pharmacy, etc.

As someone who in certain ways completely embodies the stereotypical "creative" type, my brain naturally goes in a million directions at once, so streamlining everything has become an important, deliberate habit and way of life for me. People think I'm naturally organized at this point in life, so I hope this system works for someone else out there too! x

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other-peoples-coats · 2 years

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this isn't for the ask game I'm just curious!! do you have any headcanons for the jedi temple and life there? like do masters and padawans room together or does every person get a separate room (i know canon says it's the last one but who cares haha), is the food in the cafeteria food or too bland, how's education organized, do they have grades and exams, stuff like that!!

ooh, so, I will confess that I kind of lean into whatever fits the story I'm telling? like, if I need it, masters and padawans room together (they 100% do in be that monster you been wanting, for instance, because....well. why miss a moment for baby-wan's life to be worse.), but if I was telling a story that it was relevant that they didn't, they...wouldn't. I don't really care what canon says, tbh, we follow the rule of 'narrativly useful' in this house. I do think that there's a bunch of 'weird' jedi only cultural dishes -- some of which were invented by the jedi, either through 'this is one of the very few places nautolan ingredients will run into tusken spices' sort of cultural cross over, or just from 'we are an order of incredibly athlectic people and need to cram 8000+ calories into every possible meal', and some of which are more 'everyone used to eat this 500 years ago, and we're the only people who still make it on the regular'. I also think that their cafeteria (look I want to call it a tuckshop so bad I need you all to know that I know it's literally just us and maybe the kiwis who call it that but: it's a tuckshop or a canteen if you're being fancy) serves kind of a few basic 'menus' of meals, as it were -- one for herbivores, one for carnivores, one for species like kel dor, etc. Education wise, I think it's pretty standardized up to near-ish padawan age, just because...well, you gotta learn the basics, right? after that I lean towards both 'your master teaches you Focus Specific Stuff like in an apprenticeship' -- so Obi-wan learns Diplomacy and also Lazer Sword Things To Death Fast, quinlan learns Spy Shit, etc -- and also a number of sort of graduated classes, like 'not pissing off politicians 101, 201, and 501', 'flying ships so you Don't Get Stranded' and 'so you're caught up in a ritual sacrifice: how to not die about that'.

I think any given padawan can technically take any class (given they meet the pre-recs; you're not going straight into 'advanced poison detection' if you haven't even passed 'not getting black out drunk after a night out'), but it's sort of like being in a physics degree and deciding to take one semester of, like, contract law. Weird, and your advisor might be like 'uh, please explain and justify this before I sign off on it'.

I do think they have exams, though they're more focused on demonstrating a depth of understanding, rather than 'have you learnt to answer question a with answer b'. If you fail, it's less a 'you suck' and more a 'ok, so lets work out where this didn't click', maybe with a 'hey, you're struggling with [topic] as a whole, maybe you should refocus?' where relevant -- like if you were fucking terrible at medicine, but were studying to be a healer.

uhh, what else... I think that the temple is never actually silent, as such. I think there's def points it's way more busy than others, but I think those points aren't necessarily all the points outsiders might expect. Like, 5-9 am is peak hour in the temple; you have all the diunal species getting breakfast, all the noctural ones getting dinner, everyone getting in from late missions or leaving on early ones. By contrast, 3-7 pm is about as quiet as the temple ever gets.

#coats chats #ask box stuff

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saffronveiled-dreams · 4 years

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Unbinding the Hair: In Defense of Magic in the Hellenic Polytheist Tradition

“Shall I write about things not to be spoken of?

divulge what ought not to be divulged?

shall I utter the unutterable?”

Julian, Oration 5, Hymn to the Mother of the Gods

To be a hellenic polytheist is to advocate for the glory of the Gods; reach your arms out to embrace their warmth and lower your head in respect of their unimaginable power. It is generally believed that if one has trust in the Theoi then one has all they need. Among my fellow polytheists who follow a strictly reconstructional, or even revivalist, religious structure it is common belief that it is up to the Gods to take our wants, needs and desires into favor; and any personal dabbling in fate, especially in the form of magic or witchcraft, is hubris - an insult to the Gods. Many of our official religious organizations (Hellenion, Neokoroi, and YSEE to name a few.) are openly against the use of magic in conjunction with traditional hellenismos.

If I am going to dismantle and combat this belief, it’s important for me to shed some light on the foundation for many HP Recons disdain for magic and explain its place in antiquity. In the major city-states of Greece, particularly Athens, witchcraft (specifically baneful magic was titled as such; curses, love spells, etc.) was outlawed and practitioners were persecuted. Not only was it feared, it was described as impiety and profane. If we are going to base our religion around the common state cultus of Athens then we should also note other religious requirements, perhaps about how we shouldn’t mention, or even utter the name of mighty Haides, also note that there are sources citing that Attic peoples did not worship Ares. Yet, interestingly, many of these formal Hellenismos organizations list their own ordained Priests and Priestesses, some of which are devoted to both Haides and Ares. Blasphemous! Unheard of in the old Greek way of life and faith!

...Or is it?

To have a religious practice that is only using sources from the common state cultus of major Greek cities is to turn a blind eye to the undeniable fact that one’s practice would be... rather sparse and open-ended without any of the seasoning that other minor city-state and mystery cult adds; particularly that relating to the natural world, various Theoi, the afterlife, and rites pertaining to such. Despite the fear of Haides’ name, there were temples erected in his honor. There were temples and festivals dedicated to Ares. Many examples of sacred symbols, rites and ways of devotion actually stem from preserved citations of religious behavior branching out from the common cult. I think it is also worthy to note that while much of Greece outlawed the practice of necromancy, it’s hard to ignore the relevance of the Necromanteion of Acheron; a temple for necromancy. Should we exclude these because they weren’t always honored by the major city’s common Priest?

Many of us understand that our religious praxis will not mirror that of our polytheist peers and it’s important to understand this rings true for the ancient people as well. Ancient household worship was not temple worship and temple worship was not private cult worship yet someone could indulge in all of these to fatten and enrich their praxis.

I mention this because the sources we have detailing ancient Greek magic and witchcraft (particularly that of the PGM) are written and passed down from initiates of various private cults - especially that of the mysteries. If we take a look at the initiation rituals explained in the papyri, we won’t see your typical temple worship however the nature of the spells has one believing it’s still a Greek commoner (a spell for a failing business, an unwanted relationship, unrequited love, the victim of thievery, a slave with abusive masters, etc.) It’s generally believed that magic was taught to these mystai from various Gods. A good example of this is in the rather simple spell PGM IV 1265-74 where a secret name of Aphrodite "that becomes known to no one quickly” is used. To me, this implies a rather strong and long-term relationship must be met with the Goddess before one can learn this spell. It’s also not uncommon to find myths detailing various “priests” of a God as a practitioner of magic (see Medea or Kirke, priestesses of Hekate.) It would be very hard for me to believe that the Theoi would teach their devotees impious behavior.

When we pick apart the complaint that magic is hubris, we find the idea that magic is actually someone trying to command, or even force, the hand of the Theoi. Ancient Greek magic was not only initiatory, it weaved animism throughout its formula. You can find this in the term “dynamis.” The Greek’s term for the magical consciousness within nature and the practitioner. If there is "dynamis," or magical power in everything around us then it is divine in some way. I believe that the dynamis of plants, rocks and water are specific daimons that connect back to the Gods through planetary correspondence. One cannot perform a spell if they don't work with the right daimons, or dynamis in question. You can also ruin the dynamis of the material you're working with or even simply not be granted its assistance. For instance, ritual harvesting of plants is very important and the Greeks would only use bronze blades to cut or dig (iron is said to kill or remove power from spirits or lesser daimons) and would do certain ritual acts (singing, using a specific hand, etc.) before pouring an offering to the ground where the plant was harvested. This was a thank you, a small act of worship. The forces within Greek magic, may they be plant daimons or Gods, are respected. They're feared. They're adored.

To me, this is far from hubris.

I also can’t look away and ignore some of the... magical inclination of certain Hellenic practices. Firstly, there are ancient home remedies such as having your daughter wear a small moon amulet to ward sickness, or placing basil on top of a door to bring in wealth to the home, maybe even sending your son to his exams with a necklace of rosemary. Some may consider this an old beginning to folk magic. However, a more commonly known practice for both antiquity and today would be the Kathiskos. The Kathiskos is a small jar containing olive oil, water and various food from ones home, made every Noumenia (first day of the lunar month) then dumped every Deipnon (last day of the lunar month) and dedicated to Zeus Ktesios. This jar, being stored away in the pantry, has apotropaic tendencies where it will protect one’s food supply. It’s almost hauntingly similar to a very popular spell jar practice that will evolve much later in 17th century Europe; the witch jar. Here, someone will create and bury a jar filled with various items to counteract witchcraft (specifically curses and love spells) and dismantle negative influence from entering their home.

I don’t find the kathiskos to be rather impious, however.

My last, but most important point, is that the Gods encourage us to practice arete; personal excellence. The Gods will assist us and offer their hand to enrich and bless our lives with good luck and prosperity, of course. But this hand is not extended to those who do not try for themselves. I’d like to mention an antique joke here that was used to teach against being lazy and expecting divine influence to fix every problem we may have;

There was a man traveling down the road with a wagon, yet it drifted off the path and became stuck into a sinking in the earth. The man reached his hands to the sky and shook them with dismay, crying out to Hermes. “O’ Gracious God, will you please help my wagon back onto the road?” There was no answer, the wagon did not budge. The man’s desperate prayers continued from that morning until sunset, where his cries stopped once he began to believe Hermes had abandoned him. It wasn’t until late that night in his sleep that the God appeared to him. Angry, the man asked “O’ Lord, why did you not remove my wagon from the hole?” to which Hermes replied, “I would have, if you pushed it!”

This also ties into the delphic maxim “the Gods help those who help themselves.” From the sources I’ve found claiming the mystics being taught magic through divine initiation as well as considering my own personal accounts, I’ve come to believe that magic is a tool for mortals to learn, practice and perfect in order to better their lives. To help themselves.

The Gods have weaved magic into our backyards, it is not hubris to go find it.

#hellenic polytheism #Hellenismos #hellenic magic #hellenic polythiest #hellenic reconstructionism #hellenic revivalism #greek gods #Magic #graeco-egyptian magic #traditional witchcraft #tradcraft #witchcraft #witchblr #pagan #paganism #witch #magician

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born2battle · 3 years

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My Final Innings as DDG NCC Directorate, Gujarat

We reached Ahmedabad in the beginning of Aug 2004, after my professionally enriching tenure in Army HQ. It was once again a privilege when we moved directly into a spacious Bungalow, designated as the “NCC House”, located within the Ahmedabad Cantonment. Next day, I was welcomed by an impressive Guard of Honour, presented by the NCC Cadets at HQ NCC Directorate office complex. Thereafter, I was introduced to all my Staff Officers & the Group Commanders. It was followed by briefings about the scope of various training activities and Camps, conducted as well as planned by all the Group HQ & Units, across the entire State of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Diu & Daman. NCC Units were located in all the Districts and functioned under their respective Group HQ, located at Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Vallabh Vidya Nagar ( near Anand ) and Rajkot. NCC coverage extended to 250 Colleges & 350 Schools. The total strength of Cadets was 53,000 which included both Senior Division ( College students) & Junior Division ( School students ). The Cadets were further grouped into Army/Naval/Air Wing.

In the very first week, I completed my familiarisation visits to all the Group HQ & the locations where Camps were already in progress. I availed this opportunity to meet all the training staff which was organised into three tiers ---- Officers from all the three Services, Associate NCC Officers ( ANOs ) from the Colleges & Schools & the Permanent Instructional Staff ( PI Staff ) comprising JCOs and NCOs from the three Services. These visits gave me an overview of the magnitude of the challenges for “Grooming Tomorrow’s Leaders”, in accordance with the vision of the NCC. I visualised the intricacies of planning and execution of this unique training of NCC Cadets, as per the structured syllabus. Training was to be conducted utilising the existing infrastructure and the authorisation of resources such as vehicles, clothing & equipment, the weapons & ammunition; specific for each of the three Wings of NCC. I was briefed about the system of funding various activities and the budgetary allocations by the Directorate General NCC ( DGNCC ) and the Govt of Gujarat. It entailed efficient financial management.

It was a pleasant surprise when I was among the dignitaries to be invited to a special function at Raj Bhawan on the occasion of the Independance Day. It was perhaps destined that during this function, I got the opportunity to have my first interaction with Shri Narendra Modi, the Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat. He congratulated my selection for shouldering this new responsibility and desired that the momentum of NCC must continue to be maintained, with a focus towards it’s motto ---- “Unity and Discipline”. He was nostalgic when he narrated his own experiences as a NCC Cadet in his younger days. He further expressed his views about the concept of compulsory NCC training. I was then introduced to Smt Anandiben Patel, the Honourable Education Minister, who assured all the requisite support for the NCC activities in Gujarat. Both these interactions triggered a thought of planning an adventure activity, which would motivate the NCC Cadets professionally. I conducted a brain storming session with my Group Commanders to suggest viable options. It took us about a week to finalise a proposal for a Vehicle Expedition upto Siachen Base Camp. This proposal was immediately sent both to the DGNCC & the Govt of Gujarat for approval. The Expedition was assigned the name ----- PURUSHARTH.

We began the preparations for this novel adventure on top priority. The selection of the Cadets and other participants was completed through a process of competition between several Cadets from the Senior Division of all the Groups. Simultaneously, M/s Reliance Industries & M/s Mahindra & Mahindra volunteered to assist the Expedition by providing two Scorpio & three Bolero vehicles respectively. Meanwhile, approval was received for launching the Expedition. Finally, the Team was announced consisting of Group Commander Ahmedabad Group, three officers including two ANOs, four JCOs / NCOs and five lashkars. In addition, two representatives from the TV Channel “Aaj Tak” expressed their desire to accompany for the media coverage. The entire Team was issued special clothing & equipment for utilising in high altitude terrain. We organised rigorous practice of long distance driving and endurance before the launch. The Expedition was flagged off from Ahmedabad by Shri Narendra Modi, the Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat on 26 Sep 2004. He specially expressed his gratitude about all the assistance provided by the NCC Cadets after the earthquake in Bhuj in Jan 2001.

The route for the Expedition was planned to cover approx 6000 kms in 17 days and the time plot was intimated to all the NCC Directorates enroute to facilitate logistic support. It was a different experience, with different challenges, in different environment during each phase of the arduous journey. The most challenging phases were the journey from Manali to Leh crossing the Rohtang Pass at 15,000 ft and the final leg from Leh to Siachen Base Camp across the famous Khardungla Pass at 18,300 ft. The Team witnessed a very impressive training demonstration at the Siachen Battle School, inspite of the adverse weather conditions and the effects of high altitude terrain. Personally, it was a trip down memory lane since I returned to this prestigious location for the third successive year.

We set course on our return journey to Leh where we had a night halt. Next day was spent in local sightseeing and visit to the famous Pangong Tso Lake. We then proceeded to Drass via Kargil. Briefing cum Presentation about the Kargil War was conducted at Drass, which refreshed the memories of all the valiant battles won by our Units & Formations in this Sector. Subsequent journey involved crossing the Zojila Pass at 12,000 ft before reaching Srinagar for a night halt. Next day we moved as a part of Army convoy to Jammu, crossing the famous Banihal Tunnel at 9,000 ft. It proved to be an equally fascinating journey. Thereafter, I returned to Ahmedabad by flight from Jammu. The Expedition continued the return journey through the plains of Punjab, the deserts of Rajasthan and skirted around the Little Rann of Kutch, encountering yet another set of diverse experiences. Finally, Team PURUSHARTH returned to Ahmedabad on 14 Oct 2004, to a rousing reception after successful accomplishment of their Mission. Incidentally, it coincided with the first day of the most popular festival in Gujarat --- the Navratri festival.

It was the appropriate festival when our children came over from Pune for spending their first vacation in the “NCC House”. We participated in the Navratri celebrations in Rajkot where we witnessed the customs and rituals followed in Saurashtra region. In Ahmedabad, we began our visits by paying respects at the historic Sabarmati Ashram. In the subsequent days, we visited Akshar Dham and Kankariya Lake. We visited the National Integration Camp at Anand and thereafter availed the opportunity to witness the processes adopted at AMUL, known for the White Revolution. Thereafter, we went to Vadodara and visited the magnificent Laxmi Vilas Palace built by Maharaja Gaekwad in 1890. Subsequently, we went to Kevadia and saw the impressive Sardar Sarovar Dam ,which is the second largest concrete dam in the world. As usual, at all these locations, shopping trips were followed up by tasting a variety of Gujarati cuisine. Subsequently, ANA went back to Pune from Vadodara itself, hoping to return whenever feasible.

On return to Ahmedabad, I focused my attention towards selection of the Contingent for participation in the Republic Day Camp ( RDC ) scheduled at Delhi in Jan every year. The RDC is the final competition between the Cadets of all the NCC Directorates. Competitions at the National level were held earlier separately for each Wing, during Thal Sainik Camp ( TSC ), Nau Sainik Camp ( NSC ) and Vayu Sainik Camp ( VSC ). In order to select the Cadets for the RDC, we conducted inter Group competitions for all the events such as Drill, Firing, Obstacle Course, Camp layout, Flag area, State Presentation & Cultural events. Consequently, the best performers were selected for each event and coached further by expert instructors. The Contingent left by a reserved compartment, in the direct train from Ahmedabad in the last week of Dec.

I went to Delhi in the first week of Jan 2005 and witnessed high standard of competitions between all the NCC Directorates. The Cadets for the Youth Exchange Programs ( YEP ) to foreign countries were also selected during the RDC. Four of our Cadets were selected as members of YEP to Russia, Singapore, Vietnam and Bangladesh. It was a lifetime achievement for 30 of our Cadets ( SD & SW ) who were selected in the main NCC Contingent for the march past on the Raj Path on 26 Jan. It was a journey down memory lane, when I witnessed once again the grand Republic Day Parade. The Prime Minister’s Rally for the NCC Cadets was conducted on the next day and was the culminating event of the RDC. We felt so proud since our Contingent secured overall Fifth position out of 16 NCC Directorates. The Contingent returned to Ahmedabad and was given the customary welcome at the Raj Bhawan. The Governor of Gujarat complimented all the Cadets and exhorted them to continue their pursuit of excellence.

In the next two months, the pace of NCC activities reduced since the Cadets got busy with their studies prior to the final exams. In this period, myself and all the Group Commanders evolved plans for improvement in the infrastructure for conduct of Camps and creation of training facilities such as firing ranges, obstacle courses and parade ground for each NCC Unit. The proposals were compiled and the requirement of funds projected both to the DGNCC and to the State Govt. I assigned the responsibility to each Group HQ for selection and training of the Contingents for national level competitions and Camps during the next Training Year. All the Group HQ were instructed to organise special SSB coaching capsules for the Cadets who were aspiring to join the Armed Forces. Each Group HQ was also assigned the task of conducting one major event at the national level ---- Trekking expedition/ Sailing expedition/ National Integration Camp/ Advance Leadership Camp. In addition, all the Units were directed to carry out the social activities in their area of jurisdiction. In this context, the assistance rendered by our Cadets in the monsoon season, for flood relief operations in Surat was indeed commendable.

Routine training of the Cadets of all the three Wings commenced in the Training Year 2005/06, after the additional enrollment of Cadets to fill up the vacancies created by the Cadets who had completed their NCC training. By now, the funds had been sanctioned and allotted for the new Projects as proposed and the works began at all the locations after the monsoon season. The Camps were organised as per the schedule to prepare the Contingents for TSC/NSC/VSC. Our next major event was the Narmada Sailing Expedition involving participation by 50 Cadets of the Naval Wing in mid Sep. I accompanied the Cadets during this exciting adventure, sailing down the Narmada river, from Garudeshwar to Bhadbhooth, using Whaler boats & Power boats. Another major event was the All India Trekking Expedition which was conducted at Sasan Gir. All the NCC Directorates were represented in this Camp, having a total strength of 1000 Cadets. The Cadets got a chance to visit Somnath Temple, revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. We also organised their visit to Gir Wild life Sanctuary.

Meanwhile, based on the experience of our Expedition to Siachen Base Camp in the previous year, we evolved a plan for yet another Vehicle Expedition this year, to another challenging destination --- Nathu La in Sikkim. Our proposal got instant approval and funding , both from the Govt of Gujarat and the DGNCC. The process of selection and training of the Team was repeated. It was a different Team for this adventure activity and consisted of the Group Commander of Ahmedabad Group along with 2 officers, 2 ANOs, 25 SD Cadets & 5 JCOs/ NCOs. The Expedition was planned for a duration of three weeks and was assigned the name ---- SWASTIK. The route was selected through six States and the NCC Directorates enroute provided necessary logistic support to facilitate our night halts and maintenance of our convoy consisting seven Scorpio vehicles. The Expedition was flagged off from Ahmedabad on 25 Oct 2005.

It was really time consuming and strenuous experience while negotiating certain stretches in MP and Bihar where road conditions had deteriorated. However, the journey on the roads in Sikkim was most comfortable, affording scenic views of the Teesta River and the mountainous landscape till Gangtok. As planned, we had a two day halt at Gangtok to enable acclimatisation before proceeding to Nathu La, located at an altitude of 14, 500 ft. It was an exciting feeling for the Cadets to witness the Chinese posts just across the LAC at Nathu La. We paid homage at the War Memorial and descended to Chhangu Lake, which was partially frozen. Thereafter, as per the local custom, we paid respects at the Harbhajan Baba Shrine before commencing our return journey to Gangtok. Next day, we left Gangtok before sunrise to visit the sacred Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim. It was a spiritual experience to observe the miracle that the Lake situated at 17,800 ft was not frozen.

We reached Gangtok late at night, fully exhausted but full of lovely memories. Next morning, we set course for Darjeeling for the night halt. Next morning, we were lucky to witness the majestic view of Kanchenjunga at sunrise due to clear visibility. Thereafter, I boarded the flight from Bagdogra and reached Ahmedabad via Kolkata. The Team began it’s return journey via Gaya -- Allahabad -- Gwalior -- Udaipur and finally reached Ahmedabad on 12 Nov 2005. They felt so proud with the grand welcome on completion of their Mission.

Meanwhile, selection and preparation for the RDC 2006 was in progress. I proceeded to Pune to avail part of Annual Leave and returned prior to departure of the Contingent for RDC. All the efforts put in systematically by the Team of Instructors & the enthusiastic Cadets paid dividends, since we improved our performance in the RDC by securing overall Third position among 16 NCC Directorates. This year 12 Cadets were selected for the Youth Exchange Programs. It was a matter of pride for the Contingent, to receive greater appreciation from the Governor of Gujarat, during the formal ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan on our return. In addition, we received special accolades from the Chief Minister & the Education Minister, who were always a source of motivation and inspiration for all the activities of the NCC.

In Feb, we conducted Advance Leadership Camp at Mehsana. It gave the Cadets an opportunity to visit the renowned Sun Temple at Modhera. The sanctum sanctorium is designed in a manner that on the days of the solar equinox, exactly at sunrise, the rays of the Sun light up the image of Surya. It was an amazing phenomenon. Another major activity was the National Integration Camp conducted at Jamnagar in Apr. We organised a visit to the Jamnagar Refinery. Meanwhile, our relatives came over from Aurangabad and we joined them for a visit at Dwarka & Bet Dwarka. Thereafter, we traveled on the beautiful coastal route via Porbandar --- Somnath --- Bhavnagar, before returning to Ahmedabad.

In the next Training Year 2006/07, we introduced several new activities in the Camps at the Unit / Group level. The emphasis was on Personality development of the Cadets by enhancing their communication skills, improving the standards of Drill & Firing and the performance in NCC Certificate Exams. The training of Cadets of Naval Wing & Air Wing was also intensified after allotment of additional resources. Attachment training for Senior Wing was also conducted with the Army Units in Bhuj, Jamnagar, Vadodara, Dhrangadhra & Ahmedabad. New enrollment was carried out in various Schools & Colleges, specially in Diu & Daman. We also stressed on improving standards of ship modelling, sailing , rowing, aero modelling & skeet shooting. As a result of these new initiatives, we could improve our performance in TSC/NSC/VSC and Mavlankar Shooting Competition. It also enabled refining the training for the ultimate Goal --- RDC 2007.

I went on Annual Leave to Pune in Oct/ Nov and we celebrated Diwali festival, together as a family after a long time. We returned by mid Nov, before the NCC Day, which is always scheduled on the fourth Sunday of Nov. On this occasion, Shri Narendra Modi, the Honourable Chief Minister accepted our invitation and graced us with his presence. The main highlight was the inauguration of the NCC Chowk at the entrance of Ahmedabad Group HQ. It was significant that two 25 Pounder Guns of World War vintage were displayed in the centre of the traffic island. Thereafter, the CM laid the foundation stone for creation of permanent Camping facility, within the premises of Ahmedabad Group HQ, which would facilitate conduct of the major NCC Camps in the future. The entire Project was funded by the Govt of Gujarat.

In mid Dec, I was fortunate to be selected for a special management Course at XLRI, Jamshedpur. It was structured for a duration of six months and was termed “General Management Program”, designed for the officers from the Defence Services, in order to facilitate their transition to the Corporate world. I attended this Course from mid Jan to end of Jun 2007. It was a real challenge for me to grasp the key aspects of all the management subjects at the macro level in such a short duration, from the expert Faculty members at the XLRI. Incidentally, on completion of just one month of the Course, I received intimation from the Army HQ which specified 30 Sep 2007 as the date of my retirement due to superannuation. Perhaps, it was destined in view of the steep pyramid structure, specially at the higher levels in the Army. It certainly evoked feelings of nostalgia since my innings as DDG NCC Directorate Gujarat would end within three months of conclusion of my Course. It would also signify the end of my memorable journey of four decades in the prestigious Uniform, while keeping the ‘Chetwode Motto’ as a guiding beacon throughout!!

On conclusion of the last Course in my long career, I returned to the “NCC House”, which was a real home coming. In the next three months, I reviewed the progress of all the Projects which had been sanctioned and visited all the Units and the Group HQ. I conveyed my appreciation for the standard of achievement in the wide spectrum of activities conducted by the NCC fraternity in Gujarat. The outstanding contribution by Group Captain Tahlan, Director & all the Group Commanders ( Col Anklesaria, Col Sanjay Kulkarni, Col Easow & Col Shirish Kulkarni ) deserve special praise. In the last week of Sep, I was honoured by a farewell by the Education Minister in her office in Gandhi Nagar. Thereafter, I had a meeting with Shri Narendra Modi, the Honorable Chief Minister and expressed my gratitude for his benevolence in supporting and encouraging all the activities in the NCC. The final function was the formal dining out party hosted by all the officers & families of the NCC fraternity in Gujarat. It was an emotional moment for both myself & Sanjivani, when I was chaired out for the last time, as the “Jolly good fellow”, while the Band played the magical tune --- Auld Lang Syne!! The grand farewell from my office was organised on 30 Sep 2007. At exactly mid-day, I took the final salute from the Guard of Honour presented by the NCC Cadets and was escorted till the “NCC House” in the traditional manner. I still cherish the memories of all the moments throughout my journey of four decades. However, 30 Sep 2007, will always remain a moment of transformation, since I became a ‘Veteran’ of the Indian Army!!!

#indian army #fauji way of life #Life in NCC

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cultxcult · 5 years

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What Every Female Should Know to Stay Healthy

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There are hundreds as well as thousands of write-ups, books, media sources as well as products readily available in the world that tell us ways to stay healthy. How many people have time to research, check out and also search this plethora of info? Better, how do we trust all the information offered around? This write-up has done all the benefit you. Obviously, not every idea or piece of life suggestions could be placed on these few web pages however the most important details is below. Maintain a duplicate as well as hand this out to all the women you understand, it is for each female individual ages 1-100.

From ages 1-10

Staying healthy and balanced and also starting healthy habits begins the minute we are born. What can we provide for those at these young as well as tender ages? Moms could start by breast-feeding. They can present healthy items at meal times when infants await solid food. Called for immunizations should be kept up to this day. From birth via young childhood, the intake of a chewable tablet computer vitamin supplement should become part of their everyday routine. Make certain to watch what components are in those children's multi vitamins you acquisition. Your doctor or family physician can advise you of the proper vitamin supplement required for your kid's specific body type and also physical problem. Beginning with healthy eating as well as way of living routines in young youth sets the stage for your child's healthiness right into center childhood years and also the adolescent years.

Ages 11-20

Good health is essential for young women. It is necessary to remember a few crucial features of this age. The young girl/woman will certainly be experiencing a growth surge, which may be accompanied by what is referred to as "expanding pains". Healthy and balanced routines will certainly ensure her full focus period and also sufficient power to participate in college tasks and also classroom learning. Her body is likewise preparing for the beginning of menstrual cycle. Puberty begins as well as the brain begins its process of sending messages to the hormone system and the reproductive organs begin to establish. Good nutrition together with a vitamin supplement will certainly additionally all set her body for superb reproductive wellness and also potential youngster bearing. Most importantly, by the age of 20 if she has created these couple of health and wellness habits, the girl is likely to carry those into her adult years.

Ages 20-39

If a women individual is developmentally on training course as well as is devoted to preserving optimum wellness, she should stay healthy and balanced right into her later years. These years of 20-39 are when women come to be busy with occupations and/or having children or beginning a household. Several experts concur that this is likewise a time when women will delay or overlook their own health and wellness in order to supply look after others. Bear in mind, you are not going to have the ability to give much help, treatment or aid for others if you on your own are ill, worn down or nutritionally lacking. Let's discuss exactly how women could prevent this trap as well as insure their very own health.

• Consume healthy and balanced foods. Staying clear of harmful fats as well as consuming raw fruits and vegetables go a long means in remaining nutritionally secure. • Enjoy your dieting behaviors. While there are lots of diet plan plans there, the easiest is usually extra effective. Seeing part dimension and the ingredients (fat, calories as well as sugar) in foods will certainly typically net the very best weight loss outcomes. It's important to note that losing or keeping your wanted weight means one thing, there needs to be more calories burned compared to exactly what has been eaten. This could be achieved with: • Workout. Whether you are a normal participant at the neighborhood fitness center or you exercise in your home, there are certain sorts of workout that will benefit you one of the most. One exercise regimen need to elevate your heart rate (cardiovascular health and wellness). Another should include free-weights or weight lifting in some type (bone wellness as well as conditioning). In addition, walking, dance and swimming could tone the body. Weight loss in extra pounds alone will make you pleased when you tip on the ranges yet a lot of females want that loose skin (abdominal area, underarms, and also thighs) to tighten up also. If you just can't find the moment to work out, try these tasks: • Park in the last open parking space away from the storefront and also walk. • In your home, order some huge juice bottles that have the indented areas for carrying or milk containers and do some curls. • Take the staircases as opposed to lifts in public locations • Take a walk via your community every night after dinner • Browse through your gynecologist every year for a PAP examination (more often if your doctor recommends or your last one came back with an uncommon result). PAP examinations are necessary to maintaining a healthy reproductive system. They are used to detect cervical cancer as well as infections among other things. • Do your personal self-breast examinations. • Make a visit at age 39 for your initial mammogram. • Take normal multi vitamins every day. Include various other supplements consisting of calcium, Fish Oil as well as Vitamin C. Do some research study on the kinds as well as quantities of vitamins and/or supplements you might be taking. I located vitanetonline.com to be really useful for this sort of information. Also, it has actually been located that women in these childbearing years are lacking in the amount of folic acid they require. Inadequate amounts of folic acid have actually been linked to abnormality of the brain in infants. These birth defects can be stayed clear of if a woman takes sufficient quantities of folic acid before she develops and during the early, very first trimester of maternity. • Not the very least of all, are these pointers to healthiness that a lot of informative resources rarely state. • Locate a spiritual path or link. These are very personal so I will not offer any type of ideas. Ladies have actually picked a faith, nature, prayer, rituals, a peaceful room and also several others to locate that location within self where they could be peaceful. • Maintain your mental health a concern. Speak with a specialist therapist if you need some assistance buy chinese teas or instructions. • Stay clear of unhealthy connections. If you are being abused in any type of manner by anyone, seek aid

While all these "suggestions" for the age 20-39 team will maintain a lady in optimum wellness, a lot of these should be executed and also proceeded into the later years also.

Ages 40-100

These are the years that lots of ladies claim that they become better. Some even declare that it is the very best time of life they ever experienced. The tips for the 20-39 age apply for ladies beyond 40; some exemptions would consist of the suggestions on folic acid intake, the amount of weight brought in the free-weight workout regimens, the limitations of exercise that could develop falls, mishaps or injuries and also the PAP tests. Routine PAP test exams typically discontinues around 80 years of age however ask your doctor first.

From ages 40-50 a lady can expect pre-menopausal symptoms. Again, the modifications that occur in any type of lady's life can never be evaluated a specific age. There are females that could never ever have any disrupting signs and symptoms of menopause. Various other women might begin menopause at age 40 others might be near 50. Some females could end up being post-menopausal at age 45 and others at age 52-55. No matter what the age of start or conclusion, menopause happens. Make certain to speak with your medical professional concerning remedies for the symptoms of menopause. There are hormonal agent substitute treatments (HRT) along with some all-natural supplements to ease menopause. Taking soy isoflavones, in capsule kind, have recently been pertained to by some women as practical in reducing their warm flashes.

While recognition of the relevance of calcium as well as its intake should be well established by age 15, lots of older women still don't discover it a concern. Weakening of bones (bone weakness) can start to occur as early as age 35. By the time you get into this age of 40+ and you haven't been taking care of your calcium requires, you might anticipate by age 60 to see the lead to your body. We have all seen the females with humps below their neck at the spinal column. We have seen the stooped strolls and heard of women in this age group having drops that damage their hips and also other bone structures. This is an outcome of weak bones. There are likewise genetic aspects that play right into whether or not we obtain weakening of bones. Take your calcium women.

In summation:

• Maintain working out but understand your limitations • Continue getting mammograms • Keep consuming healthy. If you like horticulture, that's light exercise and also you could consume healthy and balanced as well. • Remain socially active

Ladies are living much longer. We are living longer because the importance of diet plan, workout, vitamin and supplement consumption as well as other info has come to be conveniently readily available. However living longer is not necessarily a good thing if the QUALITY of our lives is not taken into consideration. If you follow these ideas and also commit on your own to making healthy and balanced way of living choices then all your years can be filled with happiness, peace as well as health.

#chinese #teas #tea #shop #pu #erth #buy

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blackmagicvoodoo · 5 years

Text

What Every Female Should Know to Stay Healthy

youtube

From ages 1-10

Ages 11-20

Ages 20-39

While all these "suggestions" for the age 20-39 team will maintain a lady in optimum wellness, a lot of these should be executed and also proceeded into the later years also.

Ages 40-100

In summation:

#chinese #teas #tea #shop #pu #erth #buy

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bourgeois-sea-blog · 5 years

Text

What Every Female Should Know to Stay Healthy

youtube

From ages 1-10

Ages 11-20

Ages 20-39

While all these "suggestions" for the age 20-39 team will maintain a lady in optimum wellness, a lot of these should be executed and also proceeded into the later years also.

Ages 40-100

In summation:

#chinese #teas #tea #shop #pu #erth #buy

0 notes

zipgrowth · 5 years

Text

Our Student-Led Conferences Were Falling Short. Here’s What We Changed.

“Focus on your mantra,” I told myself. “Breathe in and out, go to your zen place,” my inner voice whispered. I wasn’t practicing yoga or daily meditation. I was preparing for parent-teacher conferences.

After over a decade of teaching in the suburbs of Pittsburgh and encountering countless parents aggressively accuse me of dashing the dreams of their children by giving them a B, I had developed a preparation ritual that even a practiced yogi would envy.

As I sat in my new classroom at Intrinsic Schools in Chicago, awaiting the first family to arrive, I wasn’t sure how things would go. There was certainly a different culture around conferences at my new school, and apparently students were supposed to lead them, but out of habit, I did my breathing exercises and recited my mantra. I was ready for whatever came my way, but as I inhaled deeply and opened my eyes, I was greeted warmly by my advisee Rob and his excited parents.

Rob set up his power point slides independently as his parents made small talk with me. “They’re smiling now,” I thought, “but wait until they see his GPA.” He began his presentation, taking us slide by slide through his current grades, his NWEA scores and the goals he had for his future as a YouTuber, a gamer or an E Sports professional. His goals were lofty and somewhat unrealistic. Rob felt that because he liked playing video games and knew of a few young people who had become YouTube sensations, that it was simple to do and that he could become famous.

After Rob’s presentation, I shared some handouts compiled by our school leadership team detailing his promotion requirements and we discussed them together. Rob committed to studying more, attending office hours and managing his time better. I kept waiting for the fall out, but as the conference continued, I realized that my breathing techniques weren’t necessary. There was no aggression, only active listening—Rob’s parents were engaged in what he had to say. Though their rolling eyes and stern comments communicated disappointment, they did not use the conference time to ask questions. When he was finished, they glared at Rob, thanked me and left.

Rob’s wasn’t the only conference that went this way. Many of my students had unrealistic goals. One wanted to play professional football but had never played before—our school doesn’t even have a football team. While we want to encourage our students to reach for the stars, we’ve had to have some tough conversations with students about the reality of their goals, and we now recognize the detriment to waiting until sophomore or junior year to say something like: “You have never touched a football, how can you expect to be in the NFL in a few years?”

Though I didn’t need to practice deep breathing for Rob’s conference, I walked away from it disheartened because I knew that it didn’t accomplish exactly what a conference should. We looked at Rob’s not-so-stellar grades and we chatted about his goals, but our conversation was surface level and nebulous. We hadn’t tackled the elephant in the room: the fact that Rob’s goals might be unattainable. Rob had completed and presented his slides, but now what?

The Origins of the Student-Led Conference

At Intrinsic Schools, while conferences are still a time for parents and teachers to talk, the spotlight is on the student, who plays a key role in the conversation. In fact, these conferences even have a different name: student-led conferences (SLCs).

SLCs are not exclusive to Intrinsic Schools—a charter school in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago that serves a largely Latino population—but we have spent a significant amount of time honing and revising them to maximize their effectiveness as a tool to help students reach their potential.

We began SLCs in 2014, during the school’s second year in operation. They were intended to put students at the center of progress monitoring and designed to address typical conference topics like GPAs, exams and academic habits, but in a format that encouraged students to take active ownership in communicating their learning, goals and growth rather than be a passive observer. Our vision was for SLCs to prompt a series of ongoing conversations that followed each student year after year until graduation. We felt that this type of conference was core to the model of the school.

A central idea was that students should be in charge of presenting information during the conference. We knew they would need guidance, so we developed a Google Slides template to help. The idea was for students to complete the template during a daily advisory period in which a group of about 15 students gather with a faculty member who acts as a mentor, but it didn’t go smoothly. Advisory was 15 minutes on most days with a 30-minute period once a week. It was too short a time to squeeze it all in.

We learned some lessons that first semester. The slides were dense and at times confusing. Students required much more guidance than we anticipated, and it was challenging for one advisor to address the needs of so many students in such a short time. It was especially difficult to support struggling students like Rob, who needed additional scaffolding to develop articulate, realistic goals and to create a presentation that accurately reflected their progress.

Rob’s conference, back in 2015, was part of what I consider SLC 1.0—the first iteration of this conference model. What worked was that instead of bringing home a report card, Rob was able to visualize and discuss his progress and challenges. The SLC made things a bit more tangible. However, as the year went on, it became clear that it hadn’t made an impact on his academic behaviors. When we had his final conference toward the end of the year, it felt like lather-rinse-repeat: similar GPA, same goals and limited evidence of growth.

I wasn’t alone. Other teachers were voicing their opinions on the state of the SLCs. A few tweaks were made to streamline the slides. However, it was not until 2018, when we established our postsecondary team including academic counselors, administrators and advisors focused on how to support the postsecondary goals and aims of our students, that SLCs became a serious focus for revision.

Moving Toward Version 2.0

After extensive work by the postsecondary team, SLC 2.0 launched in 2018. We realized what a unique opportunity it is for a student to have an “audience” of people who care about them, are eager to listen and help them foster and achieve their goals. There were a few problems though. There was a lot to conquer in a short amount of time, the first iteration of slides and guides was too obtuse and we weren’t providing enough guidance for developing goals. We also had to face the reality that even though SLCs were happening year after year, an ongoing conversation following each student from 7th through 12th grade was not materializing.

Our first step was to streamline the information included in the student presentation template. Academics remained a key focus, but we now included specific GPA and SAT requirements for various colleges. Seeing specific numerical requirements for schools ranging from Chicago City Colleges to the most competitive universities across the country, we hoped would help students create goals that were more articulate and realistic. For example, Rob’s heart is set on attending the University of Illinois, and at his most recent SLC, we were able to set very specific goals for how to do this.

SLC 1.0 Presentation 2015, Credit: Intrinsic SchoolsSLC 2.0 Presentation 2018, Credit: Intrinsic Schools

Another change we made was to include space for students to reflect on experiences outside the classroom such as Networking Night, an event in which students met with professionals and talked 1:1 about their education and career paths, and grade level retreats in which students had the opportunity to bond with their peers and teachers through activities like ropes courses. We wanted students to showcase their strengths, interests and achievements beyond academics to ignite conversations that could help guide students towards postsecondary decisions that matched their talents and interests, as well as their academic abilities.

In every iteration, the SLC has provided students with opportunities to reflect on who they are in the classroom and who they are as growing individuals. Rob has always been an average student academically, known more for his classroom antics than his test scores, but this year has been different. He came to me a few months ago, right before the first SLC of his junior year and in a very sincere tone said how much he was looking forward to it. He said he realized it’s time to mature and that he planned to use the new SLC format to make some changes for himself. Rob’s teachers have also reported that they have noticed a difference in his level of engagement and maturity as well.

As I sat in my classroom on the day of Rob’s SLC this past October, I knew there was no need for a mantra or breathing exercise; I was just as excited for it as he was. While he still has clear areas for growth on his GPA and SAT scores to achieve his goals of University of Illinois, he loved talking about the people he spoke with during Networking Night.

There were less eye rolls from his parents and threats of video games being taken away, and more conversation and realistic planning about how we as a team could help Rob meet his goals. After three years, it finally felt like the SLC was accomplishing what it was intended to do. I hope that our school community continues to reflect on our process and revise the SLC so it’s the best it can be. I also hope to sport a University of Illinois sweatshirt in celebration of Rob at his final SLC next year.

Our Student-Led Conferences Were Falling Short. Here’s What We Changed. published first on https://medium.com/@GetNewDLBusiness

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