Saturday, May 19, 2012

Guide to Happiness Documentary Video - Montaigne on Self-Esteem

This six part series on philosophy is presented by popular British philosopher Alain de Botton, featuring six thinkers who have influenced history, and their ideas about the pursuit of the happy life. Episode 4: Montaigne on Self-Esteem looks at the problem of self-esteem from the perspective of Michel de Montaigne (16th Century), the French philosopher who singled out three main reasons for feeling bad about oneself - sexual inadequecy, failure to live up to social norms, and intellectual inferiority - and then offered practical solutions for overcoming them.

Monday, May 14, 2012

" You Raise Me Up" (video) - Celtic Woman "A New Journey"

Celtic Woman - A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, Ireland 2006 "You Raise Me Up" Singers: Hayley Westenra, Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, Lisa Kelly, Mairead Nesbitt

Thursday, May 10, 2012

"A Guide to Happiness" - Socrates on Self-Confidence (video 24 mins)

We tend to accept that people in authority must be right. It’s this assumption that Socrates wanted us to challenge by urging us to think logically about the nonsense they often come out with, rather than being struck dumb by their aura of importance and air of suave certainty. This six part series on philosophy is presented by popular British philosopher Alain de Botton, featuring six thinkers who have influenced history, and their ideas about the pursuit of the happy life. Socrates on Self-Confidence – Why do so many people go along with the crowd and fail to stand up for what they truly believe? Partly because they are too easily swayed by other people’s opinions and partly because they don’t know when to have confidence in their own. (24 minute video - philosophy)

Thursday, May 3, 2012

TAURUS Forecasts for 2012

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20

Symbol: The Bull

Element: Earth

Group: Emotional

Polarity: Negative

Favourable Colours: Pink, Yellow, Blue, Ochre

Chinese Counterpart: Snake

Ruling Planet: Venus

Quality: Fixed

House Ruled: Second

Opposite Sign: Scorpio

Associated Gems: Emerald or Agate

Sensitive Areas: Throat, Neck

Special Qualities: Dependable, Patient, Caring, Musical, Practical, Usually a strong body and high resistance to ill health, when sick – often recover quickly, talented cooks

Needs to develop: Ability to say what you are feeling and thinking, Flexibility

Likes: Gardening, cooking, working with hands, music, romance, a secluded home close to nature. Enjoying good food is also important. Surrounded and immersed in beauty and comfort

Dislikes: Sudden changes, complications, instability, synthetic fabrics.

Taurus Personality:

Strong, dependable, and stubborn, Taurus leads the way when it comes to reaping the rewards of hard work. Lovers of everything fine and beautiful, Taureans surround themselves with lovely objects, often with sentimental value. A sensual, tactile sign, touch is very important to the Taurean in every area of their life. They tend to be stable but leaning towards conservative, Taureans are among the most reliable of the zodiac, and are consistent, plodding along until they finally achieve their goals, but ensuring that they do things to the best of their ability. Often highly creative and enjoy making, or fixing, things with their own hands.

Forecasts 2012:

People under the sign of Taurus are often well-liked and possess unique and extraordinary characteristics. They are usually successful in their personal and professional undertakings due to their work ethic and amicable nature. Taureans are known for being smart, practical, influential and pragmatic. However, they need to manage their stubbornness, learning to use this trait as a tool for overcoming obstacles, helping them preservere when the going gets tough, and push through the barriers until they reach their objective. Taureans have a great will to succeed, and tend to be more creative, spontaneous, and free-spirited than other Earth signs, often drawn to careers or leisure pursuits within the arts.

After some breaks in your career in 2011, the Taurus Horoscope 2012 predicts good fortune and excellent career growth. You know what your strengths and possibilities are, so plan the year accordingly. You will be authentic in anything that you do. Put in your very best and you will get to see the result through unbelievable rewards.

You move into 2012 with Jupiter, planet of luck and expansion in your sign, putting you at the start of a brand new twelve year Jupiter cycle of expansion. The influence of Jupiter offers you a bigger perspective of life. While Jupiter asserts its influence from the 5th June 2011 to the 12th June 2012, this planet helps to create a positive foundation for the next decade and beyond. Jupiter will help you feel that you have what is necessary to strive in the direction of your dreams and also consider a few new aspirations to move towards. Having the planet of luck and expansion in your sign means that your life is expanding, so until Jupiter leaves in June, your life is all about expanding your reality and your experiences, making your life as big and bold as possible. On the 12th June Jupiter will return to your income sector, kicking off what is destined to be your luckiest and most expansive year for income growth in over a decade. Yet even before Jupiter returns to your income sector, the money gods will be smiling on you, with things starting to go your way and new doors opening from as early as the 4th April onwards.

2012 is also a defining professional year, cementing your career dreams and aspirations. You have until the 6th October to get things moving on the work front, putting in the effort and hard yards necessary to get professional dreams off the ground. 2012 is also a big year for your personal life with Mars, planet of passion spending an incredible eight months in your romantic sector, from November 2011 to July 2012. Saturn’s return to your relationship sector on 6th October will bring the element of fate and destiny into play, with the potential for some major new beginnings on the relationship front. From start to finish, 2012 is your year!

Use your multi-tasking act to the fullest. Some business deals will be signed towards the end of the year leading you to long-term and very successful business relations. Be prepared for huge amount of workload. Taureans will find 2012 will bring a range of fascinating learning experiences and along with some notable achievements and exciting changes.

Career and Finance

You have the potential to go far in your career this year. If you are a writer or involved in any artistic work, opportunities to achieve recognition will cross your path. The workload may be heavy; but keep calm and plan things before you start and the result will be satisfying. Towards the end of the year, you may be feeling ready to change job or aim for a new position within the same organization. Either way, it could be a fortunate step. Overseas opportunities are also likely in the last quarter of the year. Those in research work or academia can expect an offer of extra income or interesting new role. There will be a likelihood of overall growth in the Taurean’s professional field between September and December.

The first six months of 2012 are not ideal to increase expenditure and put extra demands on financial resources. New projects and establishing new businesses are likely to have a better outcome if begun in the second half of the year. From June onwards, life is more fortunate for Taureans, attracting more money and greater success. Solutions to problems and complications will be found in the second half of the year, leading to general improvements in life.

Taureans will find themselves managing their time more wisely this year. Dreams and goals will look like they will finally be accomplished, or at the very least, the pathway to achieving them is becoming clear.

Long term business deals will also be more favourable in the second part of the year.

Love

You will finding it easier to apply relaxation and calming techniques, and controlling your emotions seem to be mastered with less effort than in previous years. Romance is certainly on the cards for Taureans. Those who are in a relationship will aim to spend more quality time with their loved ones. A romantic trip is on the cards. You will find a way to keep greater balance between your romantic and personal identity. Those who are single can expect to finally, meet the person who they were hoping for. The emotional ground will be stabilized and you will find yourself handling emotional situations much more effectively. Your efforts to resolve differences in a relationship will not go in vain. You would find your intimate relationship benefits from your sensual side. This is a great time for Taureans who are in partnered relationships to spend private time together.

In the first half of 2012, Mars and Saturn may exert some pressure on matters of love and personal relationships; but through a focused, positive attitude the tricky external influences can be kept to a minimum, and compromise and negotiation can lead to happier outcomes.

Taureans are extremely loyal and passionate about the people in their lives, and beliefs they care about, and can be rather affectionate as well as fiercely loyal. These qualities serve the Bull well this year, with Taureans expressing their feelings, verbally, emotionally, and physically to those they love. They will be feeling the urge to make time to socialize with family and friends, and take a break from routines or situations that may have been slightly stressful. Taurus people should spare some time in 2012 for socialization and relationship building as it will pay off in feelings of greater fulfillment and opportunities to nurture long term, even lifelong, bonds.

Taurus has no trouble making new friends, and 2012 is no different, especially at the very end of the year when new relationships are likely to be formed. Although you normally get along with most people because of your wit, wisdom, and knowledge of a wide variety of interesting subjects, take care while engaging in one of your great debates as not to offend others.

For married Taureans, love life or personal relationships can be somewhat affected by Mars and Saturn, so try to avoid nit-picking or being too concerned about the little things.

For single Taureans, this year will provide many opportunities to connect with others and you will be exuding a vibe and attitude that will draw new friends into your life. By the end of 2012, many Taureans will be enjoying shared goals or important aspirations with a significant others.

Regardless of their industry or career, Taureans, if they use their time wisely, will be enjoying encouraging prospects and situations by the end of the year.

Health

Taureans, although usually brimming with health, need to be a little more careful not to overdue things, to avoid developing health issues, especially stomach upsets or cold and flu viruses. Towards the end of the year, Taurus people need to focus on self-nurturing, otherwise they will be likely to feel a little off-colour or lacking in energy. Listen to what your body is telling you and you can stop any illnesses before they start. Plenty of fresh air, nutritious food, and physical activity will keep your body in check, in preparation for a busy 2013.

But overall, a fabulous year for Taurean people, with success and love on the agenda!

Forecast courtesy of Moonslipper