Water flows through every cell in our bodies, supporting blood flow, toxin removal and production and transmission of important enzymes and hormones. If your body has too little water, these essential functions will be compromised and that can lead to serious chronic health conditions. Drinking good, clean pure water helps our bodies to perform at optimal levels and it sustains our health.

Luckily, we receive a couple of early signals if the water levels in our bodies are too low. The first is thirst. The second is the color of our urine. If you ignore the thirst signal, you may already be slightly dehydrated, so if you then notice that your urine is a dark yellow color you can be sure that you are dehydrated and must drink water soon. If you continue to ignore these simple signals, then the next batch of signals you receive will seem a little more severe, including fatigue, moodiness, hunger, aches and pains, and dry skin.

If you fail to recognize any of those symptoms by not bringing water to the rescue, then unfortunately the next batch of signals you may get are likely to be the result of damage caused by the breakdown of essential bodily functions. Symptoms of chronic dehydration include heartburn, constipation, anxiety, urinary tract infections, premature aging and high cholesterol.

Simply drinking water regularly throughout the day keeps all the essential functions working. You can avoid many ailments that may be treated with harsh pharmaceuticals that often produce their own list of undesired side effects. During warm summer months or periods of exercise, increase your consumption of water as your body eliminates a lot more water through perspiration to keep you cool – another benefit of staying hydrated.

Your blood is about ninety-two percent water. Maintaining the water levels in your blood supports efficient blood flow to organs and helps to prevent high blood pressure. This is also critical during times of sleep and times of stress when the body produces hormones to help keep the body strong and balanced. A well-hydrated body also regulates histamine production, which controls our immune system’s response to allergies and other elements. Over-production of histamines can create the symptoms of allergies such as stuffy nose, itchy eyes and sneezing.

Your body needs water to flush itself of toxins. Two systems are responsible for eliminating most of the toxins from your body. The first is your skin. If you are dehydrated, your skin holds toxins that would otherwise we eliminated and you may develop skin irritations. The second is your digestive system. Water helps to keep food moving through your digestive tract, which allows toxins and pathogenic microbes to be eliminated naturally. Constipation may contribute to other digestive disorders including bladder infections, ulcers, acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome.

Sometimes we misinterpret the thirsty signal and assume we are hungry instead, even though we may have consumed a meal just a short while ago. In a dehydrated state, your cells cry out for sustenance and your brain signals you to get more food. Keeping yourself hydrated will keep the cells well supplied with water and you can avoid inadvertently adding on extra pounds.

Drinks that are high in caffeine such as coffee and soda are not good choices for hydrating your body. They are natural diuretics, which serve to accelerate the dehydration process. Drinks high in sugar, such as soda, juice drinks and the new flavored water products, provide too much sugar to your system, which only creates other health and weight-gain issues. Drink plain, pure water often and throughout the day. Start the day with warm water and add a little juice squeezed from a lemon. Pay attention to the early signals, like thirst or hunger, when you should not be, and drink some water immediately to stay hydrated and keep your body performing at its best.

Quaking Aspen (Populus tremulus) grows fairly quick with adequate water to 18’X45′. Aspen do well in the clay soils but water is the key and they are very thirsty trees. Winter watering is crucial.

COMMON PROBLEMS:

Environmental:

Roots like to surface and sprout making it ideal for fields and open spaces where this won’t be an issue. Wood is weak and tends to break easily under wind or snow loads. Pruning can help but planting with maximum distance to targets such as paths, structures and streets is best. Because this tree actually reproduces though root sprouting it is ideal to let as many sprouts as possible grow and replace the older stems (trees) that will die.

Diseases:

Trunk cankers and leaf fungus (blights) are fairly common. Watering and fertilizing are the best deterrents. An anti-fungal or fungicide spray applied as the leaves begin to form in early spring will often reduce or eradicate leaf blights for the season.

PESTS:

Aphids

8.3%

Are often present but pose little threat to overall health. Oyster scale and polar borer are often a problem as a tree ages or if it is stressed. Oyster scale can be treated by scraping off or with a systemic insecticide. Poplar borer is difficult to treat.

CULTIVARS:

‘Pyramidalis’ Bolleana (white) poplar, A smaller more upright and narrow variety.

UPRIGHT EUROPEAN ASPEN

Growing quickly to 45’X15′ in a narrow columnar form this tree requires high soil moisture and regular watering. It does well in our clay soils and even in turf. It has flakey bark and yellow fall leaves.

HISTORY AND USE:

This tree is found throughout the Rocky Mountains and is a major attraction in the autumn as the foliage turns to a vibrant yellow. A very popular landscape choice with a bad rap for its tendency to have problems with pests and diseases. This is true but almost always due to cultural issues like insufficient watering practices.

Used in rustic furniture making.

World History is a long and complex topic. Though many accomplished authors such as Bill Bryson and H. G. Wells have attempted to condense history into a single book, very few have succeeded. There is just too much of it. Attempts to boil down the last 10,000 years have resulted in either superficial books with very little depth, or great textbook like tombs too inaccessible for the casual reader.

Happily, A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage succeeds where others have failed. Standage’s book does this by sacrificing the breadth of every possible topic for an impressive depth and focus. Instead of trying to sum up the complete history of man, this book spotlights a single topic, in this case beverages, and then takes the reader on a journey through time to see how his topic interweaves the past. Standage is a delightful writer, mixing his light hearted style with exceptional historical savvy not just on the topic of drinks, but throughout.

Despite my now positive opinion of this book, I have to confess that when I first picked up A History of the World in 6 Glasses, I did not expect to enjoy it. Not only am I skeptical of any book claiming to sum up the antiquity of man in 300 pages or less, but I myself do not drink any of the 6 beverages this book discusses. As such, learning the history of these drinks did not sound immediately appealing. However, what I quickly learned is that this book is not a history of 6 drinks, but rather just as the title states, a history of the world, told through the story of 6 drinks. As the book points out in the introduction, second only to air, liquid is the most vital substance to man’s survival. The availability of water and other drinking sources have “constrained and guided humankind’s progress” and “have continued to shape human history”. Throughout time, beverages have done more than quenched our thirst; they have been used as currencies, medicines, and in religious rites. They have served as symbols of wealth and power, as well as tools to appease the poor and downtrodden.

A History of the World in 6 Glasses is broken down into six sections, one for each drink, the first of which is beer. Man’s first civilizations where founded on surplus cereal production, much of which was brewed. Ancient day beers were high in vitamin B, a vitamin previously only obtained through meat. This allowed the population to focus their nutrition efforts more and more on cereals, effectively ushering in the transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers. Additionally, because early beers were boiled (to convert more starch into sugars), the beer was significantly safer to drink than water. This significant improvement in lifestyle “freed a small fraction of the population from the need to work in the fields, and made possible the emergence of specialist priest, administrators, scribes, and craftsmen.” Not only did beer nourish man’s first civilizations, but in many ways, made them entirely possible.

Wine, the next beverage in the book, played a major role in the flourishing Greek and Roman cultures. As wine did not originate from the Mediterranean, the Greek’s desire for this drink opened up vast seaborne trade, which spread their philosophy, politics, science and literature far and wide, and still underpins modern Western thought. A History of the World in 6 Glasses points out how these advancements originated and grew at formal Greek drinking parties, called symposia. The Romans, who absorbed much of Greek culture, continued the strong use of wine. As the book notes, if you trace the wine drinking areas of the world on a map, you will find you have traced the Roman empire at its height.

After a thousand years of hibernation, Western civilization was awakened by the rediscovery of ancient knowledge, long safeguarded in the Arab world. However, in an attempt to circumvent this Arab monopoly, European monarchs launched massive fleets into the sea. This age of exploration was greatly enhanced by the Arab knowledge of distillation, which made a whole new range of drinks possible. A History of the World in 6 Glasses describes how these condensed forms of alcohol (namely Brandy, Whiskey and Rum) were so popular, especially in the new American colonies, that “they played a key role in the establishment of the United States.”

The fourth beverage presented in this book is coffee. Because of its sharpening effect on the mind, coffee quickly became the drink of intellect and industry. Replacing taverns as the sophisticated meeting place, the coffeehouse “led to the establishment of scientific societies and financial institutions, the founding of newspapers, and provided fertile ground for revolutionary thought, particularly in France.” A History of the World in 6 Glasses goes on to recount the intricate effect coffeehouses had on Victorian culture, going so far as to dedicate an entire chapter to what the book calls “The Coffeehouse Internet”.

Even though the inception of tea date back many thousands of years, it didn’t take hold upon western culture until the mid-seventeenth century. Once established as England’s national drink, the importing of tea from first China and then India led to trade and industrialization on an unprecedented scale. A History of the World in 6 Glasses describes the immense power of the British East India Company, which “generated more revenue than the British government and ruled over far more people”, wielding more power than any other corporation in history. This imbalance of power had an enormous, far-reaching effect on British foreign policy, and ultimately contributed to the independence of the United States.

Like most of the drinks discussed in A History of the World in 6 Glasses, Coca-Cola was originally devised as a medical drink. More than any other product, Coca-Cola has stood as the symbol of America’s “vibrant consumer capitalism”. Rather than shrink at the challenge, Coca-Cola took full advantage of the challenging times it found itself in, gaining ground through the depression, and then traveling alongside our soldiers into WWII, becoming a global phenomenon. According to the book, Coca-Cola still accounts for “around 30 percent of all liquid consumption” today.

A History of the World in 6 Glasses makes it clear that the history of mankind is a history of our consumption. Whether we are drinking “liquid bread” in Mesopotamia, pondering revolution in a Coffeehouse in Paris, or throwing tea leafs into the ocean in Boston, these drinks have had a profound impact on who we are. As Standage says in the introduction to his book “They survive in our homes today as living reminders of bygone eras, fluid testaments to the forces that shaped the modern world. Uncover their origins, and you may never look at your favorite drink in quite the same way again.” I highly recommend this book to anyone thirsty for knowledge about the world around them… or even if they’re just thirsty for a good drink.

Banishing your food cravings is one of the fastest ways to lose weight. Cravings for fatty, sugary and such ‘great’ food are just parts of the brain associating these types of food with satisfaction so your mind naturally presents these options to you before any others. There are different types of cravings that you need to recognise and alter so that the excess weight can start to fall off.

Psychological Cravings

Sugar cravings are a common craving for most people, when carbohydrates such as sweets, chocolate, bread and sugar are eat your body turns them into blood sugar which if not burnt off is converted into fat and stored till later. Often the fat is not burnt off and then the weight piles on.

Cravings Related to Thirst

Your body naturally craves food and particular nutrients to remain chemically balanced. Cravings come normally when your body is actually thirsty, this is where people normally mistake hunger for food instead of having a drink. If you feel hungry drink some water, if the hunger doesn’t pass then you eat something small and healthy.

Emotional Cravings

There are three emotional cravings that your mind will link to you eating, these cravings often lead to weight excess weight gain.

1. Craving Comfort

When a craving comes and it’s for a ‘little something’ a ‘little treat’ this is normally an emotionally craving. What is the craving for? Is this craving linked to wanting to be relaxed, are you eating due to stress?

2. Craving Love

The famous saying is ‘the way to a mans heart is through his stomach’, food and love are linked throughout life. Do you choose chocolate to try and meet your needs for love? No amount of chocolate can make you feel loved, special or wanted its food. Rather than resorting to food look at the depth of your reasons, addressing painful things in life can change a lot of things not just your weight.

3. Craving Security

The basic needs for everyone are wanting all your problems to go away, the need to be taken care of, relieving stress, and avoiding fear. Often when were stressed we opt for snacks, if something happens we often tend to turn to food rather than facing the issue.

Your cravings may be emotional or physical, to satisfy your cravings take your mind off food and distract yourself. Grab a glass of juice or water and keep busy, watch a film, read a book, call a friend or go for a walk. If they are emotional address the issue, ask yourself if you really want to answer to the craving and potentially gain weight. Break the cycle, opt for a healthier option and remember where you want to go and don’t caught up in the moment.

There are two types of diabetes namely diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes insipidus is a rare metaboilc disorder in which the patient produces large quantities of urine and is constantly thirsty. It is due to a deficiency of the pituitary hormone vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone which regulates reabsorption of water in the kidneys. Treatment is by administration of vasopressin to the patient and cannot be treated by Cupping and Pure Salt therapy as the pituitary glands are located deep inside the brain.

Diabetes mellitus affects about 7% of the general population and can be divided into type 1 (insulin-dependent) and type 2 (non insulin-dependent). Type 1 accounts for about 10% while type 2 represent 90 % of all diabetes mellitus. Type 1 normally affect children and teenagers which have little or no ability to produce the hormone insulin and patients are entirely dependent on insulin injections for survival. The hormone insulin is produced by the pancreas and helps to regulate the blood sugar level when it exceeds the preset limit. It is thought that type 1 is caused by damage to the pancreas tissues that produce insulin due to misplaced attack of the pancreas by the patient’s own immune system (autoimmune attack). Cupping and Shin Gum Pure Salt therapy cannot treat type 1 because of permanent damage to the pancreas.

Type 2 being the most common diabetes was prevalent amongst patients in the middle and old age. However, in recent years the number of young people suffering from type 2 diabetes has increased. It can be found in young people in the twenties and thirties. Type 2 diabetes is due to inadequate production of insulin to meet the needs of the patient or the result of the body becoming resistant to the effects of insulin. The accumulation of sugar leads to its appearance the blood (hyperglycaemia) and then in the urine. Symptoms include thirst, excessive production of urine, aging and itching skin, loss of sensation, loss of teeth, blurring of vision, constant hunger, and lost of weight due to the use of body fats as an alternative source of energy to sugar. Risk factors include incidence in family members (genetics), obesity, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes during pregnancy and unhealthy eating habits (too much sugar, excessive carbohydrates, overeating).

Long term complications of type 2 diabetes include higher risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke attack (cerebro vascular accident), highest incidence of blindness due to damage of blood vessels supplying the optic nerve (diabetic retinopathy), highest cause of kidney failure requiring dialysis (diabetic nephropathy), thigh pain and progressive weakness of knee extension (diabetic amyotrophy), pain or numbness of the feet due to nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), amputation of legs due to gangrene, and impotence due to damage nerves of the penis (erectile dysfunction).

Type 2 diabetes can be treated with cupping of points 2, 3, 6 and 8 with only 30% success rate due to the fact that the pancreas are located deep inside the viscera behind the liver. However, a much higher success rate is achieved by applying Aggressive Cupping combine with Pure Salt therapy. For diabetes type 2 Pure Salt therapy comprise of daily one hour exercise, gradual reduction of food followed by fasting, daily pure salt half body bath, consumption of pure salt (preferably 200 hour pure salt or minimum 30-hr pure salt), stress reduction techniques and adopting a positive mental attitude to diabetes.

It’s important to know the gentlest modes of cleansing your body so that you can keep it clean on a regular basis and avoid any harmful consequences that arise from shocking your body with an abrupt change. I’m predisposed to hypoglycemia, a condition that keeps your blood sugar low, so fasting is out of the question for me. Every time I’ve tried, I become faint and my vision gets weird after a short time. I love using these methods of cleansing and I think you will, too.

Exfoliate and Soak

Your skin, your epidermis, is the largest organ of your body and has the same ability to store toxins as any other. According to one doctor, Dr. Hazel Parcells, 65% of body cleansing is done through this organ. To allow the toxins to leave your body through your pores, you have to slough off any dead skin and residual product that may be clogging them. Using a body scrub, such as a sugar scrub, or a loofah of your choosing are both effective ways of removing dead skin and residue from your body. Be sure to thoroughly exfoliate every inch to allow your body to do its job meeting you halfway in this effort to cleanse.

Before or after your exfoliation, you can create a detoxifying bathtub soak of baking soda and Epsom salt. Baking soda is responsible for alleviating exposure to contaminated foods, swollen glands, and any soreness related to the mouth. It can also aid in digestion and other forms of inflammation. The Epsom salt is beneficial to heart health and your circulatory system. It can lower your blood pressure and improve nerve function by regulating your electrolytes. It’s also very well known for relieving joint pain, muscle strain, and bruises. Epsom salt can assist the body in releasing harmful substances and drugs from the body, too.

Drink Plenty of H2O

Upon recent research, you should only drink as much H2O as you would when you are thirsty, but if you are going to do the aforementioned bathtub soak, you should drink fluids while you detox in that manner. You may feel tired or dehydrated during or after the soak, so be sure that someone is home and that you are not needing to be anywhere for some time. As far as daily water consumption goes, start intentionally hydrating throughout your day and find out how much you naturally drink when you are thirsty. Some recommend you drink half your weight in ounces. It is, no doubt, an important piece to your health puzzle because we are made up of 70% water and both our brain and heart is made up of 73%.

Green Tea, Infused Water

Green Tea detoxes your body with its antioxidants, the same way an infused water recipe would. The antioxidants are actually just supporting your body’s own ability to detox itself. The Green Tea antioxidant is called Polyphenols and they fight free radicals, cells in the body that need to be eradicated before causing damage. It also encourages other systems in the body to detox, but in this article, we’ll keep it simple. If you aren’t a fan of caffeine at the moment, a good alternative is a fruit infused water and there are a number of recipes with plenty of antioxidants on the web.

Small Diet Adjustments

Certain foods are harder to digest than others, and of course, every body is different in this regard. Everyone has their own tolerances and sometimes, allergies to certain food groups or ingredients. When you’re sick and not keeping food down, some will tell you to reduce your food intake to the B.R.A.T. Diet. B.R.A.T. Stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, some foods known for easier digestion and other benefits. For a broader sense of what your specific body is tolerant of, you can try doing an elimination diet. One I’ve done is called Low F.O.D.M.A.P. (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides, and Polyols) Diet. The acronym is named after some common carbohydrates known to be difficult to digest, so you begin with the lowest F.O.D.M.A.P. Scored foods and introduce harder to digest foods a little at a time to discover how your body reacts. You can also simply log your diet and how you feel after eating each meal and in the coming days, and you might make some surprising discoveries.

Guided Meditation

Your physical body and your emotional body are more interconnected than you’ll ever know, so part of your cleansing should involve mental cleansing, too. One passive way to cleanse your subconscious is by enjoying a guided meditation. Nature sounds and deep breathing to flood your cells with oxygen are also nice additions. You can find a wide variety of guided meditations with different focuses on YouTube. Try a different one every day or night and save the ones you like to a playlist dedicated to your mental cleanses.

Regular Journaling

Another way to dump your unwanted thoughts and feelings is to leave them on paper. Purchase a journal for this specific purpose and vow not to care what or how you write in it. If you run out of things to write about, you can look up ‘365 days of journal prompts’ on Google.

A Bright Day

Smiles

delight

all around,

brightening joy

brought to a sometimes dreary, dismal world.

Each of us needs to do what is needed

to spread good cheer

given us

today.

Smile.

(NOTE: This poem is written in the double tetractys format. A tetractys is the following syllable pattern:

1)

Violet Vision

The violet tinge of late sunset sends shadows

against the vine winding its way upward

as if to reach the vast array across the horizon.

While I cut flowers for the vase inside,

I wish I could take the sky’s vibrant hues

before they vanish and place them

somewhere more than a mental view,

some place where the vision could be mine

forever and ever, to be taken from storage

whenever I wished to behold, to enjoy.

But unless Mother Nature dips her brush

in the exact colors once more – unlikely,

the painting I now appreciate shall be

a vagrant thought long gone, a memory.

Flowers on the Wall

I sit staring

blindly

at the flowers climbing

up

the wall, grasping the bricks

with tensile tendrils of vibrant vines through a tenacity

never ending.

The splash of vivid violet contrasts

against the dull drab stone,

while green leaves

lighten the darkness of shadow

as the sun swings its path toward dusk.

Too soon the blooms will die in the dark

for my eyes will no longer view

once the light disappears for another spell of night

without flowers seen.

(NOTE: This poem is in the Pi poetry form. Sixteen lines are formed by a set number of words per line:

3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9, 2, 6, 5, 3, 5, 8, 9, 7, 9, and 3.)

Oklahoma Summer

Steamy breezes stir

Summer heat across the land –

Dry, thirsty, and parched.

(NOTE: The traditional haiku has three lines with the following syllables in each: 1st line, 5 syllables; 2nd line, 7 syllables; and 3rd line, 5 syllables. The subject matter is supposed to be about nature. Often a contradiction is found between the first and third line.)

Signs of Spring

Red and yellow splotches

scattered

throughout the lawn today

bring smiles

and yearnings for spring to hurry and stay.

Tulips brighten the last of winter.

(NOTE: This poem is written in the poetry form Archimedes’ Pi. The form has six lines with the following pattern of words per line:

Line 6 – 6 words

All the poetry is copyrighted by Vivian Gilbert Zabel, and when used, copied, or exported must include the copyright information.

The Ultimate WAR Online Tome of Knowledge Achievement pursuits guide tells you all the detailed information you need to be a head of other gamers. Specific and complete information are given in this article which could help your game into a new level.

The following are the sub types of Warhammer online tome of knowledge achievement pursuits guides:

A Delicate Art

The Greenskin debate and its art is not a simple matter rather a delicate one. Few arguments are usually settled as long as choppa ends the business talk. Available achievements under which is the delicate negotiations.

Ale Run

The thirsty dwarf will extend its path traveling towards the untold lengths for them to search for the so called good ale. Available achievements that comprise this sub type are ale: the thirst quencher and the ale bearer.

Cannonball

These Little men made cannonballs that could blow out the thickest skulls of any opponent, These are bludgeoning type of weapon that would throw off the fats track effect of gunpowder. These weapons may not be understood by the Greenskins unlike the dwarves who are very skillful in this art.

Come one and Come All

In here, it says comprehending the path of the mad prophet travels faster when compare with heading his destiny of words. Available achievements under this sub-type includes the wandering rock, making space, one for all, lesson learned, mucking green, and burdens and bunions.

Da Bigga ‘Un

Warhammer online tome of knowledge achievement pursuits guides finds it hard to determine the true and genuine heroes of the battle field along with the rampant entrance of the young and novice warriors who are very youthful enough to seek fame and fortune along Age of Reckoning World. Achievements that are listed under this are the Da, biggest Un and the bosses.

Dirty Dealings

Dwarfs and those with Oath Bearer ranks simply prefer to suggest dealings along with the manlings over the actual face up with the Greenskins. Nevertheless, the dwarfs are said to be running over on a decreased number of supplies. The following achievements are listed under this subtype: profiteering, foe of my enemy, and supply and demand.

Durak’s Journal

The Durak’s Rest is the ancient and classic burial ground mainly assigned for the Dwarfs way back several glorious days before the existence of the Empire. When the invasions of the lands started and been split up, some thought that the tomb of the Greenskins have been lost. The Durak’s journal is seen to be the sole remaining list or record of what seems to transpire during their fights.

Grebo’s Pile

It greatly talks with Greenskins pile size. The available achievement under which is the Oltrak Steelbarrel.

Greenskin Games

It is concerned with the games that players never tries to give it one shot.

Greenskin Humor

The humor of the Greenskins are said to be understandable. During their best moment they are a little bit mysterious and at times directed toward the downright profound. The main rule here is that they need to be almost violent and very disgusting along with their target.

Harsh Punishment

Player must be warned the justices set within the empire are mostly swift and harsh without the absence of the so called pitfalls.

Illiteracy

The Empire level of education is of wide array and offers various things. On the other hand, those characters that comprise the Griffon Orders and their forces are unable to even write their simple names.

Loyal Companion

It holds the splendid bond form within a man and also his dog. Available achievements under this are Bruno’s safe return, better off dead, and the loyal mastiff.

Ostland Corruption

This opens the trade for the businessmen to trade and open their gateway to war. Available achievements under this are cry in the night and purchased silence.

Random Sacrifice

The epic and the day long span sacrificial rituals giving a place for the epics which usually take months for the making. Ruinous powers entails a little of impulsiveness so that newly acquired things as well as interested informations.

Shameful Behavior

It calls for the existence of misbehavior that even the best people have.

Other subtypes of Warhammer online tome of knowledge achievement pursuits guides are signs of change, special character, squig training, squig’uns, stirring up trouble, subversion, the creator, the forge keepers, gateway to ultimate knowledge, the herald, the last upholder, and the teacher.

For many years I thought that the verse in the New Testament that is a quote of this one was wrong. It just did not line up with my understanding of grace. Then one day I was at a training course and the leader gave us all the true meaning of heaping coals on his head.

Proverbs 25:21-22

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.

Many people think that feeding your enemy or giving your enemy a drink this will really hurt him similar to if you had put hot coals on his head. This is a miss-understanding of scripture and it does not have the same meaning these days as we don’t live in the times when this was said.

In the time Solomon wrote this and it was quotes in the NT, there was a person in every village all night and tended a fire all night, making hot coals. This person each night early in the morning would load up all the coals into an urn and put it on his head and go from house to house and give each lady enough coals to start her fire.

So, when it talks about heaping coals of fire on his head, it is saying that by feeding your enemy and treating him with kindness, you might make him into a blessing for your community. One way is the soldiers that you have captured and fed, might go back to where they came from and talk them out of attacking you and your people again.

This verse also says if you treat your enemies with love, that the Father God will reward you for your efforts. God does not miss anything. Our Father in heaven looks at all that we do and He is not too busy to see every good thing that we do.

Networking is a term that didn’t exist (academically) until almost 40 years ago. It’s a word uttered in and around the business world every day, yet is unclear to most as to how it actually works. Still, it’s a fundamental tool to the success of any business.

By definition, the term networking is the development and maintenance of mutually valuable relationships. It’s not schmoozing; it’s not just handing out business cards, selling, marketing or small talk. Those activities are part of networking, but unfortunately, many people’s misunderstanding of the term causes them network ineffectively.

The following are The 7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers(TM), and they can stand in the in your way of developing mutually valuable relationships. So, next time you attend your Chamber or Association meeting, keep these ideas in mind so you can offer the most value to your fellow networkers.

Habit #1: Attitude

Much like the development of any skill, networking begins with attitude. Unfortunately, Highly Horrible Networkers have the wrong attitude. If you’ve ever attended a networking function before, perhaps you’ve encountered businesspeople who act in the following ways:

I have nothing against AOL, Hotmail or Yahoo. But if possible, always send and receive emails using the address of your organization’s website, i.e., scott@hellomynameisscott.com. If you must use free servers like MSN, SBC and the like, choose a simple username that doesn’t question your professionalism, i.e., jackgateman@yahoo.com.

Habit #4: Sit with the Wrong Company

I’ll never forget my first Chamber meeting. One afternoon I sat down with 6 other local businesspeople for our monthly networking lunch. Naturally, the first thing I did was look at everyone’s nametags. (Not only to learn their names but to examine the effectiveness of their nametags’ design and placement.)

But these were the nametags I saw: ADM Financial, ADM Financial, ADM Financial, ADM Financial, ADM Financial, ADM Financial, Scott. (Company name changed to protect the victims.)

Highly Horrible networkers not only attend meetings with their friends and/or coworkers, but they talk and sit with them the entire time! These are people with whom they’ve worked 5 days a week, 8 hours a day for the past 3 years! This is not a good technique to maximize your company’s visibility.

This habit creates an elitist, unfriendly attitude. And think how uncomfortable this makes the one or two people sitting at the table who don’t work for that company! It’s unfair to them because they’re unable to meet a diverse group of people with whom to develop mutually valuable relationships! Remember: If you’re sitting with YOUR company – you’re sitting with the WRONG company.

Habit #6: Small Talk is for Suckers

Highly Horrible Networkers forget about the small talk. It’s a waste of their time. They don’t ask or answer about “New and exciting things happening at work” or “How Thanksgiving was,” they simply jump right into (what they believe to be) the most important part of the discussion: selling 17 of their products before the salad arrives.

Has this ever happened to you? For example, has someone ever introduced themselves, breezed right through the conversation and flat out asked you for a referral?

Refer you? I don’t even know you!

Reciprocating self-disclosure is the most effective way to build rapport and ultimately develop trust. The people you want to do business with are those with whom you have built that rapport and trust. So, small talk is not for suckers. Debra Fine, author of The Fine Art of Small Talk put it best when she said: “Small talk is the biggest talk we do.”

Habit #7: Limitations

Finally, Highly Horrible Networkers believe there is only one specific time and place for networking. It’s called “A Room with A Sign Posted Outside That Says So.” In other words, they only network when someone forces them to. They don’t believe networking opportunities in places like elevators, busses, supermarkets or parks.

That’s it? A measly half hour for networking? Doesn’t give you much time, does it?

The truth about networking is that it can happen anytime, anywhere. There is a time and a place for networking – it’s called ANY time, and ANY place.