There are different superstitions associated with height in different cultures. For instance, in some cultures, being tall means that the person can reach out into the sky and touch the place where the deceased ancestors reside, while in other cultures being tall could mean that the person has the ability to bring rainfall in a drought.

In the ancient times, being tall was associated with gods. Therefore, if a person was tall, he or she could converse with gods and get any favor granted by the gods. So, a tall person was accorded special honor and place in society. He or she was a person who was considered to be close to gods and had the power to get anything they wanted.

If you see the Indonesian culture, the ancient kings were tall. Thus, even in present day Indonesia, a tall person is considered to be blessed. He or she is a person who is considered to have a lot of knowledge and wisdom and therefore, the tall person is respected a lot in Indonesia.

However, the same respect that is given in some cultures does not extend to all. In certain cultures being tall is considered to be unnatural. In some cultures, in the days gone by, a tall person was put to death as he or she was considered to be possessed by demonic spirits. This belief stemmed from the superstition that a person was tall because he or she was taken over by evil spirits who were preparing the person to take over the world.

Therefore, different cultures view a tall person differently depending on the beliefs and superstitions prevalent in a culture. However, no matter how tall or short a person is, he or she should not be treated differently. But this is easier said than done as cultural beliefs play a big role in the treatment of a person.

If you want to learn how to attract men, this contrarian advice could be just what you need to stand out from all the other women out there. Women are too often trying harder than they have to to get the attention of a man. Men like women who are effortlessly attractive. As thick as we can be, we can detect it when a woman isn’t being herself, just like you can for us. If you’re naturally aloof or cold, this may actually increase your chances of getting a man who will be interested in you. Don’t believe me? I’ll explain how this works below.

1. Rejection

Men can’t help but feel attracted to women who reject them. When men don’t get what they want, they want it more. Really, it’s with everyone in life, but when it comes to women, us guys feel more determined when a woman turns us down.

In a way, we interpret rejection as really meaning “try harder”. That’s why some men can be so persistent to the extent where the woman feels like he’s trying too hard or even worse, tries to stalk her. Anyway, just know that by being cold, you’re rejecting him and that’s making him try harder.

2. Standing Out

If you want attention from a man who gets a lot of female attention, by being cold, you stand out. Instead of going up to the man and being friendly, he’ll be scouting around for someone who isn’t flocking to him and trying to earn his love.

You can literally do nothing and have a man. Of course, if you really are cold and don’t want attention, the man will be able to sense this and won’t come near you, but if you are interested in him, it will work out.

3. Give It, Take It Away

This is how to really ramp up the coldness and make him more interested in you than ever before. If you give him something he wants, like a bit of warmth, he will feel like he’s earned it.

The key though is to not give it to him all the time. Make it hard to get and he’ll want it more than ever. You should be doing more taking away of what you’re giving instead of giving more endlessly.

If you want to learn how to attract men, being cold is great way to get a man’s attention and to get him chasing you instead of the other way around.

In my previous article, I looked at some of the advantages and disadvantages of being a selfish person. In this article I will be taking a look at the other side of the coin, the advantages and disadvantages of being a selfless person.

The Advantages Of Being A Selfless Person

The majority of the advantages you gain from being selfless are inner benefits. It feels really good when you can help people out who are in a bad situation. Sometimes the smallest action or caring word can make a big difference in someone’s life.

Another thing to consider is that by being selfless and helping others, you are building up good karma. For those that do not like the term karma, you can look at it as simple cause and effect. If you do a lot of good, you can expect it will be returned to you. That goes the same for evil, doing a lot of evil things will catch up to you sooner or later. You reap what you sow.

Perhaps one of the nicest advantages you can enjoy from being selfless is the chance to meet and associate with other selfless people. You generally will not find selfish people volunteering their time and helping people. It is much easier to have mutually beneficial and satisfying friendships, partnerships, and relationships with people that care about you and not just themselves.

The Disadvantages Of Being A Selfless Person

Unfortunately, being altruistic is not all puppies and rainbows. You will have to deal with selfish people that take advantage of your kindness. In some cases, helping a person one time will cause that person to expect you to do anything they want, whenever they want. When you inevitably have to tell them no, they become very angry.

Even people that are not selfish may try to monopolize your time and energy, sometimes unwittingly. They just might really enjoy your company and the good feelings you give them, so they want to be around you as much as possible. Usually a gentle, yet firm reminder that there are other people and obligations in your life will take care of this issue.

Another possible disadvantage can come from being so selfless that you ONLY think of others and neglect your own needs. You must remember to take care of yourself so that you can continue to help others.

The Bottom Line

In my mind, the advantages of being a selfless person considerably outweigh the disadvantages. As long as you remember to stand up for yourself and take care of yourself, becoming a more selfless person will help to make the world a better place.

Dating can be an extremely fragile and fiddly business. If you are too assertive or self-confident, you might send your dating partner running towards the other direction. If you’re too shy and reserved, you might put your partner into a long, deep slumber. While there are countless huge as well as minute details you have to consider in impressing your potential one, true love, there is only one thing you can do that that can cut short your budding relationship: Show up late on your first date. Whether you have a pretty good reason for your tardiness or being non-punctual is just your habitual nature, you will always need to find an excellent excuse that’ll keep your date cool in spite of the long hours of waiting.

So what could be some funny alibis you can use to lighten up the scene? Here are some of them.

1. Am I late? Really? I thought I was an hour early! (Nothing spells an honest mistake like this statement right here.)

2. You should have told me to be here on time! (In this fast-paced world, somebody’s got to remind you of punctuality, right?)

3. I was late because my dad was punishing my younger brother and he was using my shoes to beat him. (Well, what can we say? Shoes were really made both for walking AND beating, weren’t they? So, give your dating partner a break and accept that excuse!)

4. I was right on time to meet you when I saw a fire truck coming my way… And I just had to make sure that it wasn’t my house that was on fire, so I went back. (Because it is always better to be sure than sorry.)

5. It is all about oil prices. I drove slowly so as to get the best bang out of every penny I spent on gas. (This goes to show that you truly are a man of utmost value!)

6. It’s all the President’s fault. (After all, that is what we have been hearing for the last 10 years from people, whether it’s about real estate, cash, unemployment, bad economy or singles not being able to find dates. Poor Mr. President.)

7. I think you watch is too fast. Let me buy you a nice and slow watch so that we’re on the same time. (Compatibility is key in every relationship, and watches are no exception!)

8. My left turn signal was not working in my car so I had to make all the right turns to get here. (Lucky you, you ended up at the right place!)

9. I lost the way and was in doubt on how to get here. So I kept on taking the right turns. You know, when in doubt, take right because right is always right. (Needless to say, that’s tip might just be right in every respect since you arrived in the right place with the right person, just not the right time.)

10. Actually, in Australia, I am right on time. You, however, are too early for the date. (There’s no other way to crack someone up but by passing the blame.)

11. A cat crossed my path, and one cat crossing is not a good omen. So I had to wait for 2 hours until another cat came and evened it out. (Show your suspicious side and you might just mystify your date!)

12. I fell asleep in the shower. That usually happens when you take shower after weeks. (Ah, hygiene… Such a good way to start an unforgettable conversation!)

13. I was waiting for my hair gel to dry up. (Show your partner how much you’ve prepared for this date and you might just send him or her gushing and blushing.

14. I met all the red lights on my way here. Something went seriously wrong with the traffic system today. (Unfortunately, you were in the middle of it all. Let’s hope your date will give you a one big hug after all you’ve been through today!)

15. I arrived two hours back but couldn’t find free parking. So I went back home and came here running to save gas and parking fee. (Unless, there really is some truth to that statement and your questionable mental capacity, this statement could give your date one, hearty laugh.)

According to Franklin P. Jones, the trouble with being punctual is that nobody’s there to appreciate it. But keep in mind that if you are a true lady or a real gentleman, you shouldn’t be keeping your dating partner waiting. However, if the inevitable happens and you still end up late on your first date, you must cook up one wild excuse that will send your partner rolling in laughter rather than beating the living daylights out of you. After all, the dating game is all about creating good impressions and making him or her laugh can truly make up for your initial lapse.

Language is the house of Being. In its home man dwells. Those who think and those who create with words are the guardians of this home.” – Martin Heidegger, German philosopher, Letter on Humanism, 1947.

The philosopher Jose Ortega y Gasset once said that man had no nature, only history. While I respect this opinion, I think that man’s real human nature is language. Just as the lesser god Prometheus handed fire to man, a major God handed a major boon to mankind: language.

After years of pondering whatever Martin Heidegger meant by “Language is the House of Being,” it finally dawned on me (as I watched catatrophic news on TV) that Heidegger meant language is not only a construct, a shelter, an edifice, an abode, but the soul of humanity–container of infinity.

Through language we search heaven and earth; through language we accept or reject God; through language we accept or reject the absolutes that guide the human race.

And yes, it is only through language that we experience aesthetic bliss–and love. Although bliss and love are more akin to the emotional life, the viscera, the central nervous system, the body can only partially express bliss and love. Language is indispensable, or if not, then try to tell that to painters, poets, and writers.

Take Trollope (in History of Pendennis):”It is best to love wisely, no doubt; but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all.” And Trollope went on to fill library shelves with language and love.

We think and we feel by using words. Though words are more adept and adequate to thinking than to feeling, we still recognize that even our deepest emotions must be converted into words to express what we feel. When we immerse ourselves in a good book we feel with and for the characters: with Don Quijote and Sancho we experience the real meaning of friendship; with Anna Karenina and Aschenbach we feel the exquisite pangs of deeply tormented souls; with Remedios The Beauty we ascend to heaven.

Can we build science without language? Isn’t language the vessel of patterns, axioms, equations, paradigms, and formulas? Is wisdom achievable without language?

Even the most recalcitrant nihilist or atheist needs language to refute the existence of God; the same God that gave him the gift of language.

When humans master a language, they are never homeless. Even when their houses burn–as we watched the flames destroy thousands of houses in San Diego, California–their spirit, their humanity survives in the House of Being–Infinity.

As far as I know, almost everyone wants to become wealthy and successful. Being wealthy and successful allows you to lead a comfortable life, buy anything you want to buy, do whatever you want to do and many others. However, it also brings you some disadvantages. Below I will explain them in detail.

Advantages

There are countless advantages and I will introduce three major ones.

1. Wealth and success can guarantee you a high quality life. Many people are pursuing wealth and success because of this reason. Being wealthy means having a lot of money. So you will not worry about matters which are related to money. You can receive the best education, afford the best healthcare and buy anything you want. Besides, you will never worry about your work because you have enough money to feed yourself. In a word, you will be fully satisfied with your life and love your life.
2. Being wealthy and successful can make you more confident. If you are a successful man, you will find that many people respect you and then you will have a feeling of victory. This will make you much more confident and your confidence and aura will be embodied in your life and work. Moreover, your accomplishments can also give you confidence and satisfaction. Some accomplishments can not be easily achieved but you are able to achieve them. Then, you will receive appreciations from other people.
3. If you are wealthy and successful you may consider doing some charity work. There are many poor and helpless people around the world. Maybe you want to help them out before but do not have enough money, so when you are rich, you can achieve your desire. Doing some charity work can make you happy, contented and delighted.

Disadvantages

Being wealthy and successful does have some disadvantages.

1. It is hard to know whether your friends or partners are interested in your money or not. When you have gained wealth and success, many people are willing to make friends with you. So you will not know who your genuine friends are.
2. Perhaps you will be an open target for kidnap or blackmail. If you have much money, some lawless person may plan to kidnap you or your relatives to earn some money.

Although there are some disadvantages, being wealthy and successful is still an attractive thing. Everyone can gain wealth and success as long as he tries his best to work hard.

It can be so painful, and so disconcerting, when your stepson or stepdaughter starts being mean to you. It’s especially hard when things were going well, and you thought things were good. It’s tough not to react negatively – but you know if you do, things will start spiraling downward. Then not only will that relationship will be affected, but your relationship with your husband as well. Get a little space for yourself, and consider some of these possibilities that might help you get to the bottom of their mean behavior:

• Has there been a recent change in the family? If you’ve just moved in together, or gotten married recently (or if there’s a change on the other side of the family, with the ex), then you need to give your stepchild a little slack, and allow some time for them to adjust. We often expect too much of kids, thinking that if the change in life is good (by our standards, anyway) that they should “jump aboard”. They might even be testing you, to see how you react when their behavior is not perfect.

• Has he or she entered a new phase of life? Adolescents and teens are going through major internal adjustments and emotional upheaval. Don’t take personally what may simply be a reflection of their internal state of mind. Many a parent of a teenager has been taken aback when a monster seems to take over their little darling’s body. If you’re in the unfortunate position of just getting close to the child who is going through this difficult phase of life, strap on your seatbelt for what could be a long ride!

• Consider whether you’ve been asking too many questions, especially prying about what happens in the “other household”, or expecting your stepson or stepdaughter to share their innermost feelings with you. Realize that they may be highly sensitive to the slightest intimation of judgment against their other parent. Give him or her some space, and focus instead on listening to whatever is shared freely (even the smallest things).

• Any child who has gone through parents’ divorce has much to process regarding the breakup of their primary family. It ranks as one of the defining events of their lives, and it’s too much to expect that they can articulate what’s going on with them about it, or that they will be willing to share with you. And if there is conflict among their parents/stepparents, then you can assume that there’s a lot of turmoil inside them, which may very well come out in mean comments towards you, as the “disposable” parent.

• Take a look at the relationship between your stepchild and your spouse. It’s possible that your stepchild is not getting the closeness or attention that they feel they need, and you get to be the scapegoat. Rather than trying to be there all the time, you might find that your relationship with your stepchild (and your spouse!) is improved by giving the two of them some space to have their own time together. Then when you come back into the scene, you’re not seen as “in the way”. No matter how long you’re in the family picture, the parent/child relationship needs to be nurtured on its own as well.

• Be as friendly as you can, without being overbearing (maybe you’re falling into the trap that many stepparents do, trying to be the super stepparent). Prepare yourself emotionally before you see them, so that you can be relaxed and friendly, rather than being controlling or expecting of closeness. If they were mean to you last time, you may draw a clear line about expecting respectful behavior, but then let go of any grudges!

• Try encouragement. Write down at least one positive thing every day this week about your stepson or stepdaughter, and let them know what you appreciate about them – name the virtue or characteristic you appreciate, and describe the behavior you’ve seen. Notice the small positive interactions, and build on those.

You’ll have to connect with your stepchild on his or her terms, until enough trust is developed. It takes patience – the process of building a successful stepfamily takes a long time – years, in fact. And it takes maturity on your part. You’ll need to learn that fine balance between “holding the line” so that your stepchild doesn’t get away with rude behavior, and “letting it go” while you build a positive connection. Remember that they are watching to see if you will really be there for them and accept them for who they are, while at the same time requiring the respect that they want for themselves.

People who are genuinely cheerful can light up a room, they inspire others to achieve their goals and bring a feeling of happiness and well-being wherever they go. Being cheerful involves a positive perspective on life, a sense that things happen for a reason and that things will work out for the best.

Sometimes though if we have had several knocks or disappointments being cheerful can require a lot of effort. There may well be days when there feels to be very little to be cheerful about. But being cheerful can provide many benefits both to ourselves and to others.

Let’s focus on some of the benefits of being cheerful:

– It helps us feel better. When we make an effort to be more cheerful life becomes easier. We have more energy, motivation and our general well-being and outlook improves. We can then start to appreciate how much we drag our mood down when we are glum and miserable.

– The atmosphere improves. Have you ever been in a room where one person’s mood dominates the atmosphere? A miserable person can bring everyone down to their level. Similarly, a cheerful person can brighten a room and make everyone feel lighter and happier. Laughter and good humour can move people through difficult situations with a far better mindset and attitude.

– Others respond better. It is far easier to work with someone who is cheerful. The energy levels are better and things flow much better. Ideas, work, and communications are more comfortable and fluid in a cheerful atmosphere. Less effort is needed to motivate and produce results. Also people relax and are more confident to speak, volunteer and offer ideas and thoughts in a cheerful environment. It feels safer and less tense or judgemental.

– The perspective lifts. Mood and optimism can be helped by a cheerful perspective. Seeing the good in a situation, feeling more hopeful and positive can often be achieved simply by looking at it from another viewpoint. Being more cheerful introduces a better way of looking at things. Things are often not as bad as they seemed when looked at from a different perspective.

– It provides a respite from stress and tension. Laughter and being cheerful can reduce the symptoms of stress and provide a break from tiredness and lack of energy. Often in tense group situations introducing singing, movement and other positive activities can lighten the tension and help people feel better and more alert.

The truth is, even if we don’t feel cheerful acting in that way helps us improve our mood and general attitude. And before we know it, we’ve forgotten that we were feeling down and miserable. Acting cheerful quickly evolves into feeling that way.

Objectively if you were to look at the human race you could be convinced that there is something wrong with a species that seems to repel and reject nice people on a regular basis. I see countless evidence of ‘nice’ people being taken advantage of, walked over, ignored, rejected and criticized. However, when you look closely at these examples you invariably find these nice people are in fact engaging in passive behaviour and ignoring their own needs, wants and desires in order to please others. Hence why it’s easy to confuse being nice with being passive.

So, what is the difference between niceness and passivity?

Being a nice person goes hand in hand with considering the needs of others, being kind, being generous, helping and supporting those in need. However, when these qualities come at the expense of your own needs, wants and desires on a regular basis they translate into passive behaviour. The major problem with being passive under the guise of niceness is that it often translates into resentment and anger – in turn causing you to no longer want to be nice.

Being passive also tends to bring out the worst in others because people tend to assume that nice person will be more accommodating and be less likely to complain when things don’t go their way.

The reason many nice people avoid being assertive is they are driven by a need to please others. Thus, expressing conflicting views can be very frightening for a passively nice person, as it has the potential to upset others and result in negative consequences (eg rejection and criticism).

The most fascinating aspect of passive behaviour is that it ends up leading to the same negative outcomes originally feared. In others words, passively Nice people want to avoid being criticized, but through passive behavior are likely to end up being criticized anyway.

If you are a passively nice person it’s really important to make the distinction between being nice and passive and to challenge your underlying fears that drive you to behave in a passive manner. You can still be a nice person, but don’t allow your behaviour to be driven predominately by the needs and wants of others. This is particularly important when you commit to doing something with another nice person and are asked to do something at the same time by someone you are scared to say ‘no’ to. In this case, you’re likely to also choose the scary person and assume the nice person will be OK. Behaving in the exact manner you dislike in others.

Whilst there will always be times when it is necessary to put the needs of others in front of yours, during these times it’s important to ensure you are being respected and appreciated. For example, placing boundaries around how your children should speak to you (showing their appreciation through words like please and thank-you).

Further, whilst being ‘easy going’ might be an energy you aspire to have, don’t confuse it with being a pushover. It’s fine to agree to things if you really don’t mind, but if you’re happy, at least seek clarification and ask if there is any opportunity to alter things more to your liking.

Aspire to be a nice person, but try not to aspire to be passive.