Ideas for Relieving Boredom

People always get bored but there are ways to keep active and focused. Try new authors, hobbies, volunteering or join an club to stay occupied and happy.

Boredom can have negative effects because of the way it takes away positive energy. People get bored for more than one reason and it gets worse as they remain in that drudgery. Lack of television or a partner or children are not reasons to be bored. Negative effects of boredom include overeating and a potential for laziness. Instead, good alternatives to boredom engage experimentation into trying new things. Explore the world of literature, music, cooking, games and gardening. Other ways to relieve boredom include joining groups and spending time with family and friends.

Explore & Enjoy Music

There are many genres of music such as classical, pop, indie, reggae, hip hop, jazz, soca and others. It is good to explore the different types of music in the world to develop an appreciation for the different cultural influences. Conduct research on Google.com and MySpace.com on the different types of music and visit YouTube to view artists and music videos from all over the world. Be sure to take time and dance also because dancing is good exercise and can surely lift the spirit.

Research and Read New Authors

Reading is always a good pastime. Conduct a search on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other book sites for new authors, their work and customer reviews. Visit the local library and lend the titles, purchase from a thrift shop at reduced cost or enter into a book exchange to save money.

Find New Recipes for Fun

While boredom can lead to overeating, anyone who is bored can explore new and healthy recipes that can be prepared in small servings or shared with family and friends to avoid overeating. The internet provides a wealth of recipes for all types of cooking, baking and for a variety of foods.

Make Contact with Family and Friends

It is important to maintain contain with family and friends. Visit the family, especially the elders. If family members are far away, call and text or save money by chatting via an instant messaging program. Setting aside special time to visit or interact with family and close friends can ease boredom.

Play More Fun Games

There are many games to choose from to ease boredom. At home, there are crosswords, Sudoku, word search, puzzles, board games and card games. As a weekend outing, visit a bingo game or a darts or domino tournament and participate. For persons who prefer more active games or who prefer to view than participate, there are always local youth and adult games of soccer, basketball, softball and other sports.

Gardening Relieves Boredom

Gardening provides either actual food or beautiful ornamentals. Whatever the choice, gardening is a very healthy hobby that can be started on a small scale with a container garden. The National Gardening Bureau in an article, "[Why Garden: The National Garden Bureau's Top Ten] (http://ngb.org/gardening/todays/article.cfm?ID=55)" provides its top reasons for gardening which include exercising, safe and healthy food production, earning money and especially meeting emotional needs and gaining spiritual connections. Gardening is good hobby to reduce boredom by occupying spare time in a healthy way.

Volunteering

One way to reduce drudgery while giving back to the community is to volunteer with non-profit organizations such as a Humane Society or Animal Shelter, Red Cross or a community mentoring

program for youth or senior citizens. Volunteering is also a way to hone interpersonal and team-building skills by interacting with others.

Join a Group

Check the local media for the different groups in the community. Regular congregation with persons of like origin, goals and interests helps to keep balance because the common factors keep the activities interesting. In the British Virgin Islands, there are many church groups, a poetry group and other non-profit organizations. Such groups often perform community service and this makes joining more worthwhile.

The activities not only relieve monotony but offer a good way to help others. Boredom can be alleviated once there are other interests that can be developed into hobbies or positive activities. It is important to keep the mind and body stimulated to maintain health and a positive mindset. Using the internet wisely, engaging in new activities and volunteering are just some of the ways that everyday boredom can be alleviated.

The Man Who Wanted Development vs The Man Who Wanted Wealth

Once upon a time, there was a man who lived in a little house on a big hill. He had very few neighbors and very few luxuries of life. He had two heads of cattle, five goats, five sheep and ten rabbits. He also had a vegetable garden and many fruit trees. He always preferred to have access to food rather than a big house. He felt that if he wanted to attract a good woman, he would impress her with his bountiful garden rather than a big empty house.

This man had a neighbor on the opposite hill who built a large home because he wanted a woman who would be attracted to his wealth. He wanted her to be able to fill his house with friends and children. If he could fill his five acres with just the house alone he would because a woman could fill the estate with people who could admire his wealth.

The two men could find women that suit their wishes - good woman who wants to build a family based on principles or a woman who is attracted to wealth. We can look at these two men as examples of the way our leaders envision the future in our country. Do we want leaders who will only want to attract wealthy investors but who do not seek to build a nation with proper infrastructure, environmental preservation and food security? Or do we want leaders who will think about the future?

Do you think that if a flood occurs in the valley, the neighbor will be able to survive if he has no food planted? What will he do if his water sources run out? Will the people he wanted to attract with his wealth be there to help him rebuild? What will the man with his little house do? Do you think he will manage?

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Why Supervisors and Employees Disagree

There are times when the managers and the staff will disagree. Salary, promotion and micro-management are some of the causes of the disagreements.

Managers and supervisors need to have healthy working relationships and clear communication with the employees so that work flows and on-the-job conflicts can be solved in a timely manner. However, despite how supervisors and staff may try, there will be times when they disagree. These parties disagree because of promotional opportunities, a breakdown in communication, salary, micromanagement and inappropriate behavior.

Promotion

Employees look forward to working in an organization that has room for growth and promotion.

According to Gregorio Billikopf, author of Labor Management in Agriculture from the College of Natural Resources of the University of California, Berkeley, "organizational movements, such as promotions, transfers, job rotations, demotions, and layoffs may alter workers' security, satisfaction and productivity". When an employee sees that others are pushed forward, while he is not promoted, he will be disheartened. The employee can get disgruntled and disagree not only with the supervisor but with the other employees. On the other hand, the manager can fall out with an employee who was promoted and is not delivering a high level of work as expected.

Performing the Duties of Others

Have you ever worked in an organization where the supervisor recognizes that you have special talents? If you have, you may have been stuck with tasks outside your job description. Sometimes the tasks are actually those of other employees who are somehow unable to perform. If the tasks are relevant to your position, then you can add same to your resume. However, employees can quickly get frustrated when other staff's work is set upon them just because they can excel at simple tasks like adding page numbers to a document or formatting a memo. When employees are singled out to perform tasks that others should be doing, it can lead to frustration.

Breakdown in Communication

 A breakdown in communication can be unclear communication or lack of communication. Unclear communication causes rifts between couples, with friends and certainly between employees and supervisors. According to the Jamaica Gleaner in a September 23, 2007 article, " Communication Likely to Affect Loyalty in the Workplace - JEF ", "a group of workers surveyed by the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) has identified communication at the workplace as the number one factor likely to influence their loyalty to their organizations". Communication breakdown can occur in the sharing of complaints and qualms, whether considered insignificant or major. It can also happen when tasks given out are vague. Both the employer and the employee have to ensure that communication is clear and definitive to avoid conflict.

Salary Issues

Salary, especially with the soaring oil and food prices, is very important to employees in all levels in an organization. Any action that affects an employee's take home pay, specifically a decrease, will be cause for disagreement with the supervisor. In some instances, an employee may have exceeded the allotted sick days or vacation leave for a year and has to take leave without pay. This instance may also fall under the unclear communication heading if the supervisor does not explain the company's policy and the country's labor laws.

Micro-management

There are some employees that need constant supervision. However, many staff members are capable of executing their tasks with little or no supervision. Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines micromanage as "to manage especially with excessive control or attention to details". Employees, especially those who are mid-level to senior staff members, may want to work independently on most projects. An example where micromanagement may lead to disagreement is where a senior worker is assigned a project and is implementing said task with a team of peers and subordinates. When the manager intercedes and gives new tasks or orders changes to the subordinates, then there is a strong chance that there will be a negative interaction between the project head and manager. Micromanagement in such a case also causes the subordinates to be confused and they may lose confidence in the project head.

Disrespectful or Inappropriate Behavior

There is no toleration for disrespectful or sexually suggestive behavior in the workplace. This is not only a cause for contention and can also bring litigation by the employee or the employer. Even if your supervisor swears, that is no indication that any employee should follow such behavior. Sexual advances are also not acceptable by either the management or the staff or across either level. 

There are several reasons why employees and supervisor disagree. While we hope to have a peaceful work environment, contention will occur. When disagreement becomes constant, then all sides need to meet on all issues, with a mediator if needed, to get the organization running optimally without

unnecessary disturbances.

Sources:

• Communication Likely to Affect Loyalty in the Workplace - JEF", Jamaica Gleaner, Published September 23, 2007 and accessed online May 3, 2011
• Miriam-Webster Dictionary, accessed online on May 3, 2011
• Billikopf, Gregorio. Labor Management in Agriculture (2nd Edition, 2003). College of Natural Resources of the University of California, Berkeley. Accessed online version on May 3, 2011.

POEM: I have

I've seen the mighty fallen
and I've seen the fallen rise
I have travelled to the hilltops
as I asked God to open my eyes

I've roared like a mountain lion
I've risen to the mighty call
I have lived in the naked nature
I've sat in trees majestically tall

I've prayed with the downtrodden
I've given them a helping hand
I've seen the struggles of ten thousand
I walked with them on the black sand

I want to be among the mighty
I love nature's open call
I wish for peace among the nations
for us to all stand strong and tall

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Nature - Trying to love it all

Nature is so beautiful. There are things in nature that scare us, however. I love the trees except for the posionous ones like the Machineel. I love butterflies but I can't stand cockroaches, scorpions, tarantulas and centipedes, which are all somewhat poisonous. I do like the oleander, the national flower of the British Virgin Islands, but it is also poisonous yet beautiful.

Nature has so many varying species - all somewhat related yet so different. Nature encompasses the land, sea and air along with us. Our role is to sustainably shepherd the environment so that it will replenish until God comes for his world.

I realize that the Food Chain, Water Cycle and other such theories show balance and replenishing. If I try to eradicate all the honey bees, then there will be havoc - no pollination and no honey. If I rid the world of lizards and geckos, we will be run over by flies and mosquitos, another insect that I do not like at all.

Life is nature and nature is balance. Enjoy the environment and try to take care of it. Manage your waste responsibly and appreciate Mother Earth.

Ribbon Bares Her Soul....

If I could turn back the hands of time, I would not. God has a perfect plan in place and in play so why would I want to mess with that. It makes no sense for me to wish that I had more, said more or did less. It's already happened. I can only strive to encourage those around me to do right and not to fall into the traps I fell into.

I may say that slavery should not have happened or any of the wars. I may have tried to stop the natural disasters or nuclear disasters. I may want to save the environment. However, it is in the Almighty Father's hands. I can only be the best steward and flock leader that I can be.

I have done many a wrong and will not pretend that I am perfect. I have fallen down and have gotten back up. I am crawling right now and am trying to get better. There is no reward in false pretense and trying to put on airs. That air will deflate and drop you. I will not steal to look good or drive a big car. I will not be hungry because of credit card debt for nonsensical things.

I have accepted that I can not turn back the hands of time. I can not change the past. I can look back and see my errors and try to be better today. I can inspire others with my story in the effort to keep them on the right path.

I am not the perfect role model and never will be. I'm just the abnormal thinker who will not try to change the past but who will forge ahead for a better tomorrow. It is God's will and is all in his hands.

'Words of Ribbon' has gone Bipolar!

Ribbon's got a lot of crazy thoughts in her head. I look at the rising crime, social problems and the injustice along with the natural disasters and try not to get to stressed. I still want to relax. I still want to poke fun at the lighter stuff. Afterall, stress will kill you - quickly too.

So there is an incident where someone was 'allegedly' caught smuggling drugs and a cellular phone to someone on lockdown. Ribbon started her crazy thinking and said to herself, 'hmmmm, don't bring me drugs or a phone, bring some rope, sleeping gas, a gas mask and a helicopter so I can get out of here'. I know I am so wrong to think that way but I guess I'm just to idle right now.

I look at all the would-be politicians. Some are calling names already. There's talk of who is 'damaged goods'. We are all damaged goods but if I guess it's all up to perception.

I look at more money going to the 'rest and relaxation' industry. However, I think we need to take care of the 'icky business' in the capital before we advertise for more visitors, unless we are going to hold the visitors on the sister islands.

There has much development in the capital and I think these new developments are part of the reason for the worsening 'icky business'. I have no Masters Degree or PHD like some people who can't write a sentence properly do, but common sense should prevail.

I will stop now before I get in hot or cold water.

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Six Reasons Why Landlords and Tenants Disagree or Fall Out

Landlords and tenants can live harmoniously. However, several factors, including maintenance and unreasonable behavior, can cause them to disagree.

Securing a safe and affordable place to live is sometimes difficult. Rent typically is the largest expense that families face. For persons who are landlords, rent is also a source of income. When the landlord and the tenant have a good and understanding relationship, small issues and problems can be resolved. However, there are times that the relationship can become tumultuous and either party may have to break the lease or seek legal advice. Some reasons that tenants and landlords may disagree include the payment of rent, premature breaking of the lease, the utility bills and constant maintenance issues. Unbearable behavior by either party may also cause problems with the landlord and tenant.

Payment of Rent

 Most landlords have a lease or they would orally state the terms for the rent payment. There is also a grace period for the payment to be made without penalties being incurred. The fastest way to get evicted from an apartment is to not pay the rent or consistently pay the rent late, that is, after the stated grace period. On the other hand, tenants have to be cautious of landlords who may ask for the rent early. They must also be wary of landlords who pretend to forget that the rent was paid. Always collect your receipts when payment is made since such unscrupulous persons may try to defraud a tenant.

Breaking the Lease

A lease is a contract, and breaking it prematurely can cause difficulty for both landlord and tenant. A

tenant who is evicted or asked to leave for any other reason has the task of finding another apartment within the same area, comfort and price. In some countries, this is very difficult. When a tenant breaks a lease prematurely, the landlord has the difficulty of getting the apartment ready and costs of re- dvertising it and screening new tenants. This means that the apartment sits empty, which means no income and a broken relationship between the landlord and tenant.

Payment of Utility Bills

In the British Virgin Islands, some landlords include the basic utilities of water and electricity in the rent. Some require tenants to pay the utility bills separately, but the bill remains in the landlord's name. In some cases, tenants are asked by landlords to register the utilities themselves, therefore making the payment. In any case, if a tenant forfeits on the utilities, this affects the landlord who will have to clear those bills if this tenant leaves without paying them. If the landlord is responsible for the bills and he or she is late with the payment, a tenant could find herself in the dark or without water or gas, which is reason for disagreement.

Constant Maintenance Mishaps

Lack of maintenance is definitely hard for a tenant to live peacefully with. It may be a broken faucet, a noisy toilet or a backed-up tub. It can get as bad as a broken window during the winter. If a landlord does not handle problems in a reasonable amount of time, the tenant will get frustrated and may be living in unsanitary and unsecure conditions for a long time.

Renovations

A landlord may opt to perform extreme renovations while the tenant is still living in the apartment. Extreme renovations include changing windows and doors that require larger frames and changing tubs and other bathroom fixtures. This not only inconveniences the tenant but puts them at risk for their health and security because there may be strange contractors in their home. I was living in an apartment, and the landlord conducted some major renovations while I was there. The result was a constantly messy and unsecure apartment and my eventual eviction for sharing my  concerns about the lack of professionalism by the contractors handling the renovations.

Unreasonable Behavior

A landlord and tenant may end their relationship when there is constant unreasonable behavior by either party. Excessive noise, incidences of domestic violence, sexual advances and gossip can be reasons for either party to come to contention. Landlords may enter their tenant's home without the tenant's consent or without the tenant being present in the cases where there may be flooding, fire or another plausible reason. However, landlords who enter their tenant's home just out of curiosity are invading their tenant's privacy. When tenants realize that their home is being searched, this is a sure source for contention with the landlord.

A tenant and landlord should have a good understanding and be able to solve problems in an efficient manner. However, there are times when they disagree because on non- payment of rent, renovations or unreasonable behavior by either party. It is hoped that such disagreements can be solved before the tenant is evicted or breaks the lease, or worse, either party heads to litigation. 

For those encouraged by the Royal Wedding: What to Consider When Asked to Be a Bridesmaid in a Wedding

Being a bridesmaid comes with certain responsibilities. A woman should think about how best she can contribute to the wedding even if it means declining.

Women who want to have a dream wedding always want a large bridal party which includes bridesmaids. Many women who are asked to be a bridesmaid see the request as an honor. On the other hand, other ladies see it as a burden. So what factors should women weigh when they are asked to be bridesmaids? While the wedding is all about the bride, bridesmaids do play an important role. Females should think about their relationship with the pending bride, the costs involved and their areas of specialty. They should also decide if their contribution to the wedding is best as a guest or instead as a facilitator.

 

Bridesmaids Have Tasks for the Wedding

A bride expects that her bridesmaids will work their hardest to make the wedding a success. They not only have to look the part by wearing the dress, hairstyle, makeup, shoes and accessories she chooses, they must be willing to execute other tasks. Bridesmaids may have to host the bridal shower and create the wedding favors as well as provide a support system for the bride.

Who is the Bride-to-be

Is the pending bride a family member, a best friend from high school, a college roomate or someone recently acquainted through Facebook? The tasks listed above can become overwhelming if the bride is late in planning the wedding. Ladies should agree to be bridesmaids because they love and value the bride and they want to make the wedding a memorable event by working hard.

How Much is Being a Bridesmaid Going to Cost

Being a bridesmaid can be costly if the dress, shoes, accessories and hairstyle have to be paid for from personal funds. These costs can sometimes run well over $200.00. A woman would have to look at her personal budget to decide if she can afford to pay for the bridesmaid items and still purchase a gift. Nancy Tessier in "The (High) Cost of Being a Bridesmaid" on the Favor Ideas website also notes that women "may need to get a sitter for the day" for their children because children are not necessarily invited. Having to contribute to the bridal shower will also be another expense to add to the list of costs.

Be a Bridesmaid, a Wedding Guest or a Nuptial Facilitator

Considering the requested tasks, the costs and the relationship with the bride, a lady can decline being a bridesmaid and instead attend the wedding as a guest while purchasing a nice gift. In addition, if the woman feels that her contribution would be more meaningful as an usher, booklet or invitation designer, cook, make-up artist or another facilitator, she should be open with the bride and offer her assistance.

When asked to be a bridesmaid in a wedding, a lady should carefully consider the tasks ahead and decide what contribution she is willing to make to the bride. Sometimes, it is better to sit as a guest or to facilitate the wedding party in other ways to make the wedding day a grand success. If she chooses to be a bridesmaid, she must be ready to work hard and late to keep the bride happy.

Is Your Difficulty So Hard That You Can't Overcome

Troubling times are around and before us. We are all facing difficulties. A lot of the difficulties have been caused by the people who are our leaders. Some of the difficulties we have caused for ourselves. There are also natural disasters that are a result of climate change - again our leaders and us not being good environmental stewards.

So with the difficulties, should we remain down-trodden, depressed, broke and broken? Humans are innovative. We are survivors. While everything may seem to fall apart, we can pray and take initiative to improve our situation. Our God is powerful and he gives us much guidance and insight to overcome our struggles. Think positive and do positive. We will feel down for the moment and for a time but whether you lost a loved one or you are broke, you must go on. You must seek a realistic resolution to your problems.

When I had $10,000 of credit card debt, I devised a plan and got it paid off while remaining in good standing with the company. I never paid a late fee and my APR was always under 10%. Of course, I switched that balance around between several companies to get the best APR and I paid more than the mininum balance. My debt also was for needed things so I had a method for my madness. Don't follow in my footsteps, I adapt and I try to survive in slim times. I stopped caring about who has this and that a long time ago.

If you are not compelled by my real life example, then look in your bible, read a newspaper or turn on the TV to hear about so many others who have risen from obstacles. What your facing is not worse than the average person around you. Think of the hungry children and those who have lost so many friends and loved ones in Japan and Haiti. Be real because only with God's guidance can you dig yourself our of your hole.

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