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Fatalism: Is Free Will an Illusion?

Fatalism: the belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable. by Michael Corthell The idea of positive fatalism I can best show by example, that is, after I explain a little bit about my view of it. It is a contrary and controversial explanation using the kind of thinking, which is not unlike the logic of one of my mentors, C. S. Lewis. I call this theory, 'apparent free will', which simply means: your will for self determination is seemingly real or true, but not necessarily so .  This is not a Calvinistic theory however and should not be confused with it. ''Whatever will be, will be The future's not ours to see Que será, será What will be, will be...'' — Que Sera, Sera The ageless and classic problem of free will is to fit in an element of freedom with fatalism and faith in a world of causes and effects, a world of events in a great causal chain. That is where  ''apparent free will'' comes in. (related: Calvin

How to Train Your Mind to Produce Positive Internal Dialogue

  ''To be either positive or negative-minded is a choice and the decision to turn on those positive thinking vibes could be the most important choice you ever make in your entire life.'' - Michael Corthell ____________________ The  National Science Foundation  reports our brain produces as many as 50,000 thoughts per day, with a majority being inner dialogue.  In fact, we talk to ourselves most of the time. And our self-talks have become one of the main factors that influenced our overall mindset, our actions, and ultimately, the results we get in life. Below is a brief overview of how to retrain your brain to think positively and limit the negative conversations we have with ourselves. For a more in-depth look see:  ''Self-Talk Creates Reality'' ______________________  ''Positive Self-Talk'' What is positive self-talk? Our internal dialogues, or “self-talk,” can shape our beliefs and influence our emotions and behavior, and provide assur

Vegan Foods: Plant Based Nutrition and Your Health

by Michael Corthell Being healthy takes much more than eating an apple a day (to keep the doctor away). It has been shown that having a healthy immune system requires a balanced diet, good daily rest, and living a positive lifestyle. Knowing that we need to eat the right foods is common sense but the devil, as always, is in the details. What foods are best for us? Some of our nutritional needs are specific to the individual, because of a unique make-up and lifestyle, but there are commonalities. Want to eat right for a healthy life? Get the book that will set you on the right path: How Not to Die by Michael Greger, M.D. The immune system protects us from illness and disease. We can do many things to keep our immune system at it's best. Drink plenty of water. Hydration is important to every system in the body, and the immune system relies heavily on water (as a vehicle) in both in the lymphatic system and blood vessels. Nutrition and exercise play a role in resistin

ESP: Is Clairvoyance Real?

by Michael Corthell The sixth sense is another term for extrasensory perception . Extrasensory perception (ESP) involves the reception of information not gained through the normal five senses. It is the faculty of perceiving information through telepathy or clairvoyance. Our sixth sense, our  creative intelligence  is our authentic self — the mind of our soul. It is the faculty of our true selves that communicates directly with God, who is often referred to as the Infinite Intelligence of the Universe. A fter you have acquired a positive mindset , you will then be prepared to accept, as a fact, statements that may otherwise seem to be quite insane. For these, for example: When your sixth sense is developed, you will be warned of danger so you can avoid it. You will also be shown opportunities in time to capitalize on them. In effect what comes to your aid, and to does your bidding, with the development of the sixth sense, is a 'higher you' who will allow yo

Developing Positive Ambition

Ambition is a strong desire to do, or to achieve something. Many people just 'think about it' and that desire then turns into just another fantasy. by Michael Corthell Ambition is not a dirty word, but it can be a 'good or bad' thing depending on who has this strong desire to achieve because it is personality based. If a person is good and has a positive attitude toward life and people, all will be well. If not, then negative results will ensue. ''Everyone endeavors as much as possible to make others love what he loves, and to hate what he hates''   —Benedict de Spinoza Ambition is a trait or disposition, and is often confused by many with aspiration which is goal setting or reaching for an objective. Ambition is persistent and pervasive, and a person can't alter this trait any more than he can alter any other character trait. A truly ambitious person, having achieved one goal, soon starts plan another and will strive toward it.

Wallowing in Worry? Take Action Because Action Changes Things

Inaction prolongs the distress of worry.  by Michael Corthell Have you woken up in the middle of the night worrying about a difficult situation? I think we all have. Many will pray, "God, please help me do something about this," but you can't sleep, the worry is overwhelming. You toss and turn, saying, "What should I do, what can I do?" But at the same time you know that worrying doesn't change the situation one bit and that you shouldn't worry. You may even remember a Bible verse or several of them. But still, the unsettled feelings continue to haunt you. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." — Philippians 4:6 For all of us, at some point in our lives, there were situations that were so overwhelming, so challenging, so distressing that we just couldn't help worrying about them. When we look back at the resolution of the problem

Nutrigenomics and the Power of a Plant-Based Diet

by Michael Corthell In this article, I present scientific evidence that may help you break through those excuses and get motivated to take action and get healthy. Eating right and exercising are at the top of the shortlist of things we all must do to gain and maintain optimal health. Common sense has told us to do this for centuries, but today we know much more about how food and exercise affect our total mind/body makeup through scientific research and evidence. ''Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.''    —Hippocrates Today we will look at how positive food choices can actually change our genetic make-up for the better, by looking at ' nutrigenomics '. Nutrigenomics is the scientific study of the interaction of nutrition and genes, especially with regard to the prevention or treatment of disease. These studies have and will continue to tell us what our common sense has told us forever, that good food helps grow and maintain a go

Now is the Time to Revive the Golden Rule

The second great commandment is Universal;  'Love your neighbor as you love yourself, and is prominent in all major religions and in other belief systems such as veganism.  by Michael Corthell The Golden Rule:   ''So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.'' —Matthew 7:12 Out in the ''world,'' there are strong arguments against the Golden Rule. Meaning that there are some exceptions and logical arguments against the Golden Rule, but only in some circumstances. It all falls to common sense. The fact of the matter is that, on a day-to-day basis, living your life by the Golden Rule will make you a better person, period. And will make those around you happier, and will make your community and the world a much better place.  More Let’s take a look at some simple pointers for living by the Golden Rule: Practice empathy. Make it a habit to try to place yourse

The Art of Patience

With love and patience, nothing is impossible.  by Michael Corthell   Our way of life, in the western, industrialized world at least, involves a lot of instant gratification or 'instant living', and that gives way to a whole lot of impatience. We expect fast service, fast food and fast everything. These great expectations lead to increased stress which in turn leads to poorer health and unhappy lives. What is the solution? Patience. ''Genius is eternal patience.'' —Michelangelo Saint Augustine said, ''patience is the companion to wisdom.'' Practicing, developing, and nurturing patience is a cornerstone to happiness, and living a more peaceful, well-rounded life. Don't listen to what pop culture says. “How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young?” —Paul Sweeney We live fast and sometimes die fast. Instant gratifi

The Benefits of a Global Resource-Based Economy

There is a growing belief that global prosperity can only be achieved if it is founded on the principles of a more sustainable, inclusive model of economic growth. by Michael Corthell The quality of life for all people on Earth will be raised and enhanced immeasurably when all people have access to the best products and services, education, healthcare, transportation, housing, and energy systems that our civilization can provide.  This commitment must come sooner, rather than later to save our environment and our race. We have the technology to begin implementing this new economy now. We only need the will to do so...    Global problems faced by mankind today are impacting individuals and nations rapidly. Climate change, famine, war, epidemics of deadly diseases, and environmental pollution contribute to the long list of global challenges we, as humans, need to promptly address before an eventual catastrophe swiftly becomes inevitable. By some estimates, we have less than ten year

Saving Ourselves and the World is in Our Own Hands

by Michael Corthell Resourceism is the belief or ideology that all of the Earth's resources are the common inheritance of all the world's people and should be shared equally for the benefit of all the Earth's inhabitants. Resourceism is the foundational belief of a resource-based economy . Climate change has always been a thing. Man-made climate change has not. Our industrial activities have radically altered Earth's biospheres and polluted the environment.  The Venus Project is an organization that proposes a feasible plan of action for social change, one that works towards a peaceful and sustainable global civilization. It outlines an alternative to strive toward where human rights are no longer paper proclamations but a way of life. The good news is we can reverse the damage and save the Earth, ourselves, and the millions of other species with whom we share our house. There is still time, that is if we are united in that effort.  There are two major belief systems

The Path to Peace: Veganism Plus Resource Based Economy

What kind of world will our children inherit?  by Michael Corthell The human race is and has been for over a generation, in the middle of a revolutionary paradigm shift in consciousness, one that will only change our entire global civilization for the better. Looking through history, it's very clear that the world has undergone many of these shifts.  A paradigm shift is a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions. For example, when Pythagoras proposed that the Earth was round instead of flat, the foundation of science and people's understanding of the world was completely changed. Similarly, when the Industrial Revolution took place there was a complete shift in manufacturing, lifestyle, and economics. A paradigm shift will literally shake a society, or an entire civilization to its core, by making it veer off its current path, and driving it toward a new one. Though it might appear the opposite in the corporate-controlled mainstream news, it appe