• No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
  • Money Goo Book
  • Fabulous ebooks
  • Debt
  • Fun
  • Growing Wealth
  • Health and Food
  • Help is Out There
  • House
  • Not Just About Money
  • Saving Money
  • Time
  • Travel

Boiled Down Money Goo

~ tips for propelling your financial future

Boiled Down Money Goo

Category Archives: Not Just About Money

Are You In Control of Your Brain?

22 Saturday Nov 2014

Posted by moneygooguru in Health and Food, Help is out there, Not Just About Money

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

brain control, causes of disease, changes in DNA, effect on brain, genetics, mind control, mind over matter, neuroplasticity, power of thinking, power of thoughts, social media, take thoughts captive

The power of the mind to heal the body and achieve great things, for eons known by man to be fact, has in recent times been ignorantly overlooked or, worse, intentionally swept under the rug. Why?

“Everything we do and say is first a thought.”  And that’s where many of the problems begin.

How Much Is Genetic?

Many diseases are caused or brought on by our negative thinking and resulting poor choices.  “Genes may create an environment within us in which a problem may grow, a predisposition, but they do not produce the problem; we produce it through our choices.”  Consider these findings:

  • “Research shows that DNA actually changes shape in response to our thoughts.”
  • “Research shows that 75 to 98 percent of mental, physical, and behavioral illness comes from one’s thought life.”
  • “Our genetic makeup fluctuates by the minute based on what we are thinking and choosing.”
  • “Research shows that 40 to 60 percent of heart disease patients suffer clinical depression and 30 to 50 percent of patients who suffer clinical depression are at risk for heart disease.”
  • “Our thinking and subsequent choices become the signal switches for our genes.”
  • “Other research shows that women who have suffered abuse were 60 percent more likely to have a child with autism.”
  • Our negative thinking and poor choices can genetically affect our children, predisposing them with similar tendencies.

social media starThere are other not-so-pleasant side effects from our thinking (or lack thereof).  “Greater social media use is associated with a higher body mass index, increased binge eating, a lower credit score, and higher levels of credit card debt for consumers with many close friends in their social network – all caused by a lack of self-control.”

We are as we think.  “What we say and do is based on what we have already built into our minds.”  If undealt with garbage from the past and present is built into our minds, then we are not likely healthy or happy.

The Brain’s Constant Dance

The brain is not static, but always changing as a result of input from our five senses, as well as the rehashing of good and bad “baggage” in our sub-consciences.  Our thoughts continuously rewire and physically change our brain.  “Neuroplasticity by definition means the brain is malleable and adaptable, changing moment by moment of every day.”

“Our thoughts, imagination, and choices can change the structure and function of our brains on every level: molecular, genetic, epigenetic, cellular, structural, neurochemical, and electromagnetic, and even subatomic.”

“It is very interesting that every cell in the body is connected to the heart, and the brain controls the heart and the mind controls the brain.  So whatever we are thinking about affects [or can affect] every cell in our body.”

The Flip Side

“The design of the brain allows us to capture and discipline chaotic thoughts.”  It is possible to “take every thought captive” and retrain our thinking to starve the negative thoughts and feed good ones.

“Our brain does not control us; we control our brain through our thinking and choosing.”Kitty Brain

“We can change the physical nature of our brain through our thinking and choosing.”

“As we consciously direct our thinking, we can wire out toxic patterns of thinking and replace them with healthy thoughts.”

Put Rubber To The Road

“We need to wire in positive thought networks that can fill us with the power to get us back on track.”  The process of changing our thinking is a conscious, disciplined one, and to be practiced daily.  “Through our thoughts, we can be our own brain surgeons as we make choices that change the circuits in our brains.  We are designed to do our own brain surgery.”

“Research has shown that mental practice – imagination, visualization, deep thought, and reflection – produces the same physical changes in the brain as would physically carrying out the same imagined processes.”  The same parts of the brain are activated by thinking about an act, as by the act itself.

“It’s your thinking that will actually change your brain.”

Daily practice of the five steps below will simultaneously break down toxic thoughts and build up healthy replacement memories.  Perform this process seven to ten minutes per day, for a least a 21 day cycle (this is considered to be the brain detox cycle).  Most times one cycle is enough to rewire toxic thought, but repeat the 21 day cycle as needed (the book referenced below recommends at least three total cycles in order for the change to become automatized).

  1. “Gather” – Be aware of incoming thoughts through the five senses, and from nonconscious memories and their attitudes, and associated feelings. This step brings thought into consciousness.
  2. “Focused Reflection” – Evaluate one of the harmful thoughts and its interconnections. The process includes body awareness, emotion regulation, and sense of self.  Think about solutions too, not just the problem.
  3. “Write” – Writing helps consolidate thoughts/memory, adds clarity to thinking, and helps you see areas needing work. Keep a thought journal.  Or try drawing a graphical representation or diagram of the central thought, with off-chutes and branches for each facet of that thought.  Aside from defining issues, identify ideas for solutions.
  4. “Revisit” – Work out solutions and ways to overcome. Evaluate where you have come from and where you are going.
  5. “Active Reach” – Take action. Teach yourself to get rid of the thought in some creative, active manner.  For example, every time you have that particular harmful thought, you could remind yourself of your solution, dwell on your chosen replacement thought, or repeat some other positive message to yourself.  Eventually your response to this toxic thought will become automatic.  Important: Repeat/practice this action step at least seven times throughout the day.

place to thinkFinal Thoughts

Seek these good things for your brain:  Introspection and thinking things through, letting your mind wander (but stay out of the gutter), sleeping, deep thinking, self-reflection, prayer, catching your thoughts and weeding out toxic ones, developing your mind intellectually, and trying to see the positive in things.

All quotes and the five step process paraphrased above are from the book, Switch On Your Brain, The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health, by Dr. Caroline Leaf.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Faces of a Lottery Winner

26 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by moneygooguru in Fun, Not Just About Money

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

distorted faces, faces of a winner, goofy faces, lottery winner, lottery winner faces

Have you ever wondered how giddy you might be if you won a big lottery? Would your composure just drift amuck like a young dude’s ego after cutting the cheese in math class with his wannabe girlfriend sitting in the desk behind? Oh, I thought so…and I bet your face would look more like these goobers and schmucks than you’d ever want to admit.  🙂

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

That Hated Little Pink Pig

16 Thursday Aug 2012

Posted by moneygooguru in Fun, Not Just About Money

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

annoying toy, broken toy, dr seuss, iritating toy, little piggy, pink pig, porky pig, singing pig, talking pig

Maybe “hate” is too strong of a word.  But annoying just doesn’t do it justice.  Either way, anyone who has ever had kids or been around kids probably has a personal experience with a toy that drove them crazy.

You know, that noisy, squeaky, repetitive, grate-on-your-nerves wonder toy that the TV glamorized, your child had to have, and now you are stuck listening to, with the stark reality of waiting for the blasted thing to break while secretly hoping you could drop kick it over the neighbor’s fence.

That being said, one of our “favorite” such toys was this little pink, fuzzy, cutesy, singing porky pig with motorized legs.  Our five year old daughter “won” the bloody thing at a Christmas white elephant gift exchange.  Sounds harmless enough, huh?  But if that’s all there was to it, I wouldn’t be writing this.  At its evil core was that song.

Granted, it sang a rather nice Christmas tune.  Or rather, normally it would be a nice Christmas tune.  And I have absolutely nothing against Christmas jingles.  But the song was recorded with the most aggravating cutesy voice and intertwined with the most grating pig snorts and grunts – which continued all the way through the song!  Aside from the fact that one could take offense at what may seem like a mockery of a Christmas song, the overall effect was just plain irritating no matter what the song might have been.

So our daughter quickly learned of our displeasure with this toy, though she continued to love it.  In fact, she seemed to take pleasure in bringing it out into our presence and pressing that little button on the pig’s ear to watch us squirm.  And that was its undoing.

On one such occasion my wife and I were in the kitchen cooking and our daughter was pestering us for something and didn’t like our answer.  So she promptly said “hmm” and went and got little piggy, placed it on the kitchen counter, pressed the start button on its ear, and walked away!

As soon as those oh-too-familiar harassing sounds began to pummel us, my wife swiftly reached over and nabbed it off of the counter and placed it high on top of our refrigerator.  The trouble is, that blasted pig’s legs were motoring about as it sang and pranced and within a few moments we both glanced up and saw piggy teetered towards the edge.

My wife and I looked quickly at each other and our eyes were saying “are you going to jump to catch it?”  I’m sure we both thought “naaaa” at the same time as we watched the little pink blob do a side roll off the front edge of the frig.  Like a swimmer’s diving nightmare, little pig landed squarely on its side on the tile floor with a slight snapping sound.  And all was a blessed quiet!

As my wife and I grinned at each other, our daughter, who had heard the thump and ran back into the room, burst into tears.  We had to turn our heads away to hide the uncontrollable snickering at this neat stroke of luck.

As Dr. Seuss asked many decades ago in his book The Cat In The Hat, “What would you do?”  Hey, accidents do happen after all.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

What Will Bad Information Cost You?

24 Sunday Jun 2012

Posted by moneygooguru in Help is out there, Not Just About Money

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bad information, experimental error, margin of error, measurement error, research bias, scientific uncertainty

This article was written primarily about the inaccuracies in scientific and other technical information, but it applies equally well to financial data as well.

What if I said that much, if not most, of the scientific or technical stuff you “know” is really based on faith that what you once read or heard is true?

I Say Tomato, You say Tamoto

Interpretations can differ over the very same observations and data. Regardless of the scientific, engineering or other technical field, the differences of opinion are often over controversial experimental and measurement errors, faulty assumptions and/or unrealistic estimates.

Every experiment and measurement has error. Most research also includes assumptions and estimates of unknown (and sometimes unverifiable) conditions. As a result, scientists, engineers and other expertss have to attempt to estimate and report the effects of these uncertainties on the final conclusions. So while a theory may be well supported by experimental repeatability, the associated data supporting the conclusions is only repeatable within some margin of error (which includes the experiment and measure errors, assumptions and estimates).

Margins of error are always open to debate, even though statistical methods may be used to try and make sense of the significance of the uncertainties. When there are differing opinions on popular theories it’s not always the scientific or technical methods that are questioned, but quite often the experimental and investigative uncertainties.

Spin That Record

Even with differing honest interpretations of data and the associated uncertainties, it’s still possible to spin the conclusions to support your own viewpoint. So now there is another added possibility – the agenda twist. Sounds like a dance…well, it is actually. After twenty two years of experience with technical writing in the engineering fields, I can attest to the fact that many not-so-great ideas can be made to appear well-supported by technical references, calculations and other records with nothing more that clever penmanship and data filtering. Is that good science or engineering? No! But it happens.

Depending on how much bias the researcher may or may not have, along with the significance of the assumptions and experimental errors themselves, the uncertainties in the final conclusions are either highlighted for all to see (if they are considered insignificant), or downplayed and put in an obscure appendix in the back of the report (or not even mentioned).

And when you add technical jargon into the mix of subjective data interpretation and gifted creative writing, you get an elite class of self-proclaimed experts that have created their own special language so that others will have difficulty challenging their ideas. The common laypeople are steamrolled by the sheer magnitude of technical details and intimidated by the apparent authenticity. This really happens, and on an unbelievable scale!

Let It Go Viral!

Opinions and misinformation have never before had the potential to reach such a wide audience as they do today with the internet. The old school methods of publishing, especially scientific or engineering data and reports, was that it had to meet industry standards for accuracy and peer reviews before it could be published. But today this step can be bypassed, and on a grand scale (though usually not by true scientists/engineers) thanks largely to the internet and, more recently, independent publishers and a variety of self-publishing methods.

As never before seen in the history of mankind, today anyone is able to self-publish an idea and immediately make it available to a very large world population via the internet, and have the potential for that piece of information to go “viral” (viewed by millions and millions of people in a short period of time). That can be a great thing! But misinformation abounds.

Whether mad scientist or phony philosopher or Joe-with-an-agenda, nothing precludes them from publishing material in the mainstream without any scrutiny over the content or bases for the conclusions. Sure, readers can disagree and negatively comment and otherwise attempt to discredit it, but that has no real effect and in fact can actually help increase popularity.

At its worst, data spinning gone viral is an excellent brainwashing technique. Joseph Goebbels (Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945) is credited with saying “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”

Pass the Aspirin Please

A lot of legitimate technical reports are intentionally written for the “technically minded,“ using discipline-specific terms and very technical information. Nothing wrong with that. But understand that such information is largely unverifiable by the layperson. To fully grasp what is truth and what may be creative writing requires an education beyond the average person. It also would requires pulling every string and reviewing technical details associated with usually many years of research in order to come to any kind of reasonable conclusion on our own.

The typical person cannot or will not go to this effort. Those that are not scientific or technical nerd types may be prone to taking much of the conclusions at face value without questioning the supporting data (shame on us!). After all, these are respected and well educated people telling us this stuff, right? Should us average Joes believe them?

What happens when an article written for the scientifically or technically minded is put on the internet? What if it goes viral and gets ten million views? Nothing necessarily wrong with that either. But I would highly doubt that this many website hits are due to ten million scientists or other “experts” reading the article. Nope, average Joes like you and me are seeing what all the fuss is about. And so then millions of us are probably not taking the time to verify all the references. Might this be dangerous if the article purposely contained misinformation?

Remember those cigarette ads that were supposedly not targeted at minors? Or, suppose an adult stands before a class of first graders, tells them that the earth is flat and gives twenty-five scientific sounding reasons why it should be accepted as fact. The kids will believe them.

Your Trust in the Truth or a Trick?

Believing something that is written or said is frequently more about the persuasiveness and popularity of the writer or speaker, and less about the ever elusive proof.

Most of what the average person knows and believes about scientific, engineering or other technical “truths” is, plain and simple, taken purely on faith because it’s usually impossible for the layperson to verify the details.

Even though most scientists and engineer types make every effect to present truthful, unbiased information based on observable and repeatable experiments or methods, all experiments and measurements contain error and most research also contains assumptions and estimates.

Scientific and other technical uncertainties are sometimes downplayed and the conclusions given more weight than they deserve because biases and intentional misinformation persist in academia and nearly every other institution. We humans always seem to insert our selfish agendas in everything we touch.

Don’t believe everything you read, or it will cost you. But whatever you do don’t stop reading, or that may cost you even more!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Free Entertainment

15 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by moneygooguru in Fun, Not Just About Money, saving money

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bike ride, free activities, free entertainment, hot air balloon, play at the park, swim, what you do for fun

Quite often we see folks buying all kinds of stuff to amuse themselves.  Yet those very things require a bunch of time and money to buy and maintain.

Lots of things are free.  You don’t have to spend much money (or in many cases, any money) for entertainment.

Here are some ideas:

  • Play at your local parks.
  • Take a walk on local trials or at the beach.
  • Ride bikes on local trails.
  • Swim at the local watering hole.
  • Watch free internet TV (like Hulu) using your Roku box.
  • Listen to free internet music (like on YouTube).
  • Attend local events (concerts in the park, hot air balloons).

What do you do for free or cheap entertainment?  Reply with your idea, and we’ll add it to this list.

The Walla Walla Balloon Stampede was totally free – even got a ride in a hot air balloon!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Cell Phone Radiation Sores?

15 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by moneygooguru in Health and Food, Not Just About Money

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cell phone, cell phone hazard, cell phone radiation, cell phone risk, radiation sore

Think it doesn’t happen? It does. Just keep carrying that cell phone around in your pocket week after week, month after month.

Now, this is not to be confused cell phone rash, caused by a suspected allergic reaction to the nickel on the surfaces of some cell phones.

No, we’re talking about a radiation-induced ugly sore (or multiple sores) on the skin near where the cell phone is kept (like in the front pocket of jeans), or worse. There could be other issues, even cancer. Research has indicated a multitude of potential physical problems associated with cell phone usage.  So just how much is your precious cell phone going to cost you?

This is a picture of one patient’s cell phone sore (on his right leg), taken May 2012. The sore developed in December 2010. Doctors tried treating it, unsuccessfully – not surprising since most doctors only attempt to treat symptoms with ointments and drugs “designed” for symptoms (or in reality, discovered to accidentally have side effects capable of treating certain symptoms, with many other harmful side effects that are glossed over).

The patient soon observed that this sore was in the exact location on the right leg where he keeps the cell phone in the front right pocket of his jeans – usually for about 16 hours a day, seven days a week. The patient also developed a few similar but smaller sores on his left leg (one high up, and the other near the knee).

Imagine this sore on the surface of your brain from constant yakking. It could happen…

As of May 2012 the patient reported stopping carrying the phone (or keeping it off if he does carry it). We’ll keep you posted as to when/if the sores go away.

Oh yea, and you’re being tracked by your cell phone too.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

It’s not always about Money

30 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by moneygooguru in Not Just About Money, Time

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

buy time, find more time, not about money, priorities, time management, workaholic

Don’t misunderstand this: There is nothing fundamentally wrong with making money or having money – lots of it. But there is a hazard associated with money that is worth assessing, in case we fall into a dangerous trap.

When the behavior that kept us broke and in debt is suddenly and radically changed like a wildfire to an intense desire to never be foolish with money again, which is a very sought-after transformation, we run the risk of going too far the other way if we’re not prepared.  Thinking we’re just being frugal, we can suddenly transition from careless to cheapskate, from an open hand to a stingy closed fist.  And we can spend all of our time working and seeking more money.

Read more about this key subject, and other ways to buy more time at Creating True Wealth.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Cost of Success

16 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by moneygooguru in Not Just About Money, Time

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

business men, business tycoon, celebrity, cost of success, movie star, public icon, rock star, successful people

You will find a common theme in the biographies of highly successful people. Whether they are thriving businessmen, musicians, or actors you will find an unusual degree of focus and dedication to the craft. Perhaps even an obsession. There is no need to get into the psychological reasons for this immense passion, but the obsession likely includes a strong sense of having to prove oneself.

There is something else that these “stars” have in common too. Being the best will require long, late hours continually – study, practice and more practice. Because of the extreme time commitment, many (not all) of these icons are unable to maintain healthy relationships at home. At some point a decision is made, whether conscious or unconscious, to continue pursuing the real love. As a result, marriages and other relationships with family suffer for it.

It is not physically possible to be the best at everything, as there simply is not enough time. Therefore to excel unusually high in one area will cost you in another, plain and simple. If you want to develop your own thriving business it will cost you. If you want to try to become a rock star it will cost you. If you want to make it on the silver screen, it will cost you.

The momentous feats will cost you time, money, sweat and tears, and maybe many relationships along the way. Shoot for the stars, yes. But make sure the target is worth the sacrifice. And while you’re heading there, strive for a balance between your “thing” and the other important things in life.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Walla Walla Wine Bottle Pendant Light

09 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by moneygooguru in Fun, Not Just About Money

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

hanging light, kitchen upgrade, lamp, pendant light, remodel, walla walla, wine bottle light, winery gifts

These elegant wine bottle pendant lights are handcrafted in Walla Walla, Washington from recycled regional winery bottles.  Safe and quality UL listed eletrical components.  Put the lights on a dimmer to set the mood!

For more pictures and details or to order these attractive, festive lights go to BottlePendantLight.com.

Walla Walla is a treasure for wine tasters.  Get all the information at Go Taste Wine.

Learn more about Walla Walla at NextStopTV.

—————–

Do you love to read?  Then try these provocative (but very appropriate) ebooks authored by some rising stars, http://bottlependantlight.com/free-ebooks/

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Nothing is Free

06 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by moneygooguru in Fun, Not Just About Money

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

daniel minteer, financial tips, free music, free song, guitarist, musician, nothing is free, recording artist, walla walla music

Well, some things really are free.  Don’t get me wrong, I like to make money as much as the next guy.  But sometimes it’s nice to just give stuff away.  Sharing all the topics in this blog about “getting it” with personal finances is rewarding.  Getting smarter with money has dramatically changed our lives.

But another lifetime love is music – playing, writing, and recording. Classic rock, guitar music. Some of it is showcased on my music website. And while I love the idea of selling my music on the internet (Amazon, iTunes, Tate Publishing and others), you are welcome to download (for free) any of the songs on my music website. No catch, frills or gimmick.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

Debt Fun Growing Wealth Health and Food Help is out there House No Good Deed Goes Unpunished Not Just About Money saving money Time Travel Uncategorized

We also like:

Walla Walla Wine Bottle Pendant Lights

Recent Posts

  • Why Pay Cash for a House?
  • Penny Spa
  • Ocean Front Property in Arizona
  • Tips for Buying A Rental Property
  • Buying A House As A Short Term Investment
  • Eighty Year Old Hiker Explores Mile High Caverns
  • Snack Warfare
  • Beatles Memorabilia Beaten Out of Me
  • Stay In It For The Long Haul
  • Are You In Control of Your Brain?
  • Money Prick 101 – The Big Rig
  • Money Prick 101 – The RV
  • Your Mind is Completely Trainable
  • Babylon’s Secret
  • Your Financial Success
  • Three Steps to Millionaire Status
  • Global Business Model
  • The Minefield of Tax Write Offs
  • Free eBooks Humor & SciFi
  • Two Free Kindle eBooks
  • Money Prick?
  • Too Big For His Breeches?
  • The Success Essentials by Daniel Murphy
  • The Old Young and Young Old
  • Nothing Like a Thrift Store

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Find us on Google+


Boiled Down Money Goo, tips for propelling yo - Blogged

Search on this site

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Boiled Down Money Goo
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Boiled Down Money Goo
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: