Spirituality is a global, cultural (and sometimes religious) phenomenon. People have various beliefs concerning how best to receive and participate in it. Must one have a priest, minister, pope, or other intermediary, or can one have a direct, independent relationship to experience spiritual bliss and health?There is something for everyone in this list of Top Ten (10) Books to Read for Spiritual Health and Fitness in 2009. Some have sold millions of copies worldwide, while others are not as well-known because they are not mainstream or do not have a publish date as of this article publication. Whether their format is non-fiction or fiction, the following books are on this list because they challenge and inspire people to visit spiritual beliefs and behaviors in our challenging and remarkable world.1. The Bible (and related texts)There are so many translations or versions of the bible. Why limit yourself to just one version? The version with which most people are familiar is the King James book. Theologians know there are multiple texts available for the serious student of Judeo-Christian theology, some more controversial than others like the “Gnostic Gospels of Jesus.” Interested in women? There’s “Women in the Bible,” by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Become re-acquainted (or newly acquainted) and perhaps discover something new about your own spirituality in the process.2. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Spiritual Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams (Deepak Chopra)Deepak Chopra wrote “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” in 1994. They are a guide to living a healthy spiritual life from an eastern perspective that on the surface looks fairly easy to follow; putting them into practice in daily life takes significant attention and commitment. Each person who attempts to follow them will discover which are relatively easy and which are more difficult. Try living this one on a daily basis: ”In order to acquire anything in the physical universe, you have to relinquish your attachment to it” (The Law of Detachment).3. The Four Agreements A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (Don Miguel Ruiz)The author is Mexican and a master in the Toltec Wisdom spiritual tradition. He shares this wisdom for spiritual living in his book as four main principles. Just like in “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success,” some are more challenging than others. “Do not take anything personally,” is similar to the Law of Detachment in Chopra’s book. It’s interesting to learn how universal spiritual principles are despite the different cultures and geographical locations from which they are born. This guy is so open-minded; he even suggests that we regularly question what others, he, or we believe as the truth.4. The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous)The “Twelve and Twelve” as they are commonly known in anonymous program fellowships were created to help people recover from a variety of addiction diseases. They are used as spiritual medicine and treatment for self-change and healthy relationships with “God, ourselves, and others.” The principles are so powerful, it’s a shame they are not used more widely by others outside the program: surrender to what you can’t control in your life, gain hope that you can change with the help of a power greater than yourself, turn your will and life over to a loving, caring power, and these are just the foundation principles.5. The Alchemist:A Fable about Following Your Dream (Paulo Coelho)”The Alchemist” is a simple story about a boy on a journey to find a treasure. What occurs along the way in this fable is engaging, thought-provoking, and utterly enjoyable. By the end of the story, you’ll find that the boy isn’t the only one who reaps rewards and riches: miraculously, so do many readers.6. Chocolat (Joanne Harris)”Chocolat” invites you into the world of a small village in France, where the inhabitants lead lives that appear frozen and uneventful centered in the guidance of a priest. A woman and her little girl (“foreigners”) come to town. They set up a chocolate café. Somehow, the café owner knows each person’s chocolate preference, and what will suit them best in their lives. A battle begins between the priest and the woman for the soul of the town. “Chocolat” takes an honest look at the positive and negative potential affect of religious and spiritual extremes.7. Standing Naked in Rose Petals (Eleanora Amendolara)What’s most precious to most human beings? Is it to know and love your Creator, yourself, and others? “Standing Naked in Rose Petals” is the true story of a woman valued as an extraordinary human being, healer, and teacher by people whose lives she has touched. This book is an account of a gifted woman in search of her place in existence with her eyes, heart, mind, and soul becoming wide open. Email the author, join the mailing list, and be notified when the book is published. (Link to the book project: http://sacredcenter.net/book.html.8. What They Want You to Know: Messages from beyond the grave (Carter Shepard & Carolyn Cummings)For all you Fox Mulders out there . . . What does Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, or John Kennedy, Jr., think about United States politics today? When Leonardo DiVinci painted The Last Supper, who did he paint as the figure to the left of Jesus? Is it a male or female disciple? Read conversations with some VIP political, scientific, and arts personalities who are now in the spiritual realm, who want to share wisdom to help us lead loving, positive, spiritual lives. The authors have used their communication and channeling abilities to create this unique book, and hope readers will keep an open mind. It’s a fascinating read whatever your beliefs.9. Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small (Ted Andrews)”Animal Speak” is a comprehensive dictionary on the spiritual properties of mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles as believed and understood by Native Americans and other indigenous cultures. Have you ever felt heavily drawn to a particular animal, or wondered why a certain one tends to cross your path regularly or is in your dreams? This book identifies the particular characteristics and energies animals have to guide, inspire, or help people. Animals are crucial in many religious and spiritual traditions (e.g. Saint Francis in Christianity). Discover what it means to have Wolf or Raven medicine.10. Harold & the Purple Crayon, 50th Anniversary Edition, 2005 (Crockett Johnson)”Harold & the Purple Crayon is a story about a boy and his purple crayon. Originally published in 1955, it’s been read by millions of children worldwide for years. It’s a simple, and yet, profound book about imagination, manifestation and creation. There are eight books in the “Harold” series. Read up on the spiritual properties of color for more insight into the color purple.These are a few of the food for the spirit resources currently available in book stores and libraries, or scheduled for 2009 publication. Since the body and mind are connected to the spirit, reading these books will increase one’s fitness and wellness overall.
Top Ten (10) Books to Read For Spiritual Health and Fitness in 2009
Explore Many Types of Aerial Photography
Aerial photography and aerial videography are an important area of photography that is appreciated in the modern society. As we know aerial photography is widely used in topography surveying as well as for movies, geographic magazines, city functions and many more. Aerial photography including aerial videography are widely used in topographic surveying, movie making, business projects and magazines, city events and many more. The following paragraphs below will highlight different types of aerial photography and its usage.Also, it is important to note that aerial photography is a specialized area in photography for professionals who are looking for excitement and amazing images. To become an expert photographer you need to know the different types and methods of aerial photography and also need to be adventurous.1.Kite Aerial Photography (KAP)This method of photography involves flying of kites in combination with cameras to produce dramatic aerial photos. This method had been existence for a while, and its an inexpensive way of taking nice aerial photos. The disadvantage is kite aerial photography cannot be used under high wind rainy conditions.2.Balloon aerial photography (BAP)This is another method which utilizes balloons to take the cameras up into the high elevations. In contrast to kites, balloons will not be handicapped by the lack of wind, however high windy conditions will make it maneuverable difficult. The advantage is it is a low noise or low impact method which will not disturb the public. In many parts of the world this method is used and many people make use of this photographic method as it can allow you to get more absorbed with the environment and you have ample time to concentrate on good photos.3.Helicopter aerial photography or HAPThis is a method which involves a helicopter to capture aerial photos or video. The photographer can take photographs or vide of the landscape while inside the helicopter. The advantage of using a helicopter is that the flexibility of movements which give the photographer or the video taker an excellent maneuverability and excellent control resulting in dramatic and clear shots. The disadvantage is that helicopter produce noise which may be a nuisance to public. Thats why this method is considered high-impact shooting. However, this method is very popular among movie makers, because of easy maneuverability.4.Radio controlled aerial photography (RCAP):This method uses a remote controlled helicopter to take photographs or video of the surrounding environment. Its a very economical and effective method, which allows the user more responsibility and control over any given situation. Additionally, this is some what low impact method. Numerous aerial photographic companies (exist all over United States) which popularly use RCAP. Although this method is popular, the human factor is lacking, as such photographers who are looking for high involvement and excitement may not use this methodNow you have brief idea of aerial photography, if you need further information, there excellent online resources which will provide you valuable guidelines and opportunities. Start right now.
All in all, aerial photography is an important topic which not only gives excitement but also great pictures. If permits, do not forget to take a digital SLR camera on a flight, as aerial photography will certainly give enjoyment and fantastic rare photos on any terrain.
Invent A New Lifestyle
Creating the lifestyle you want means making choices. It’s about forming habits that will get you what you want. Nothing happens by accident, everything we do forms a habit. Some are good, some are bad, but we have created them. We are responsible!If you don’t like the habits you have formed then you need to change them. That is the only way to invent a new lifestyle.We don’t get what we want in life by wishing, we get what we want by doing, it’s as simple as that.How often do you hear someone say “I wish my life was different”? You have probably said it yourself on more than one occasion.What’s the problem with this? You’re not putting into action the right choices to get you what you want.We are all familiar with the saying ‘actions speak louder than words’.If you want to invent a new lifestyle you need to act, not talk!Ask yourself these questions:
What would I like my life to be like in 5 years time?
What will having that do for me?
What am I not doing that is stopping me from having what I want?
If things don’t change how will that affect me?
If I keep doing what I am doing now will things change by themselves?
Am I ready to do what it takes to invent my new lifestyle?
If you keep doing what you are doing now will anything change? If the reality is that nothing much has changed in the last 5 years, chances are nothing will change in the next 5 years either. UNLESS YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.You want this great lifestyle. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen???Why do people find it so hard to change? The answer – fear.Fear is what cripples us and stops us from so much in our lives. It’s an emotion that has formed a habit in our mind. Get rid of it!This is your life we are talking about. Your life your way. Don’t settle for second best.The only way you will invent a new lifestyle is take action. Replace those old habits with new ones. Put your creative imagination to work, you’ll be amazed at what you come up with.What is your ideal lifestyle? Are you living it now? If not why not…You won’t get what you want unless you go out and get it!