Mic Check

If you would all please turn to the church bulletin…

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:30:38 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Love those Church Ladies..

They’re Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters… These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

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The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’ The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.’

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Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t care much about you.

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Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help.

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Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

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For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

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Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

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A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What Is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice

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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.

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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM – prayer and medication to follow.

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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.

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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

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The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new campaign slogan last Sunday: ‘I Upped My Pledge – Up Yours.’

The Scorpion and the Fish (Part 1)

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:55:18 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

The Scorpion and the Fish

Once upon a time, there was a Scorpion and a Fish. They lived on land and in the ocean respectively. Not content with where they were, together they go on an adventure to get where they want to be…

One sunny day both were on the beach, the Scorpion on the sand dreaming of a life in the water and the Fish wondering what it would be like to be out of the water and on land. Both caught up in their respective daydreams, they slowly drifted closer and closer to one another. When the tide was at its highest, the Scorpion and the Fish were closest to each other. Unaware of the others presence, they continued their similarly opposite fantasies. Watching from a nearby rock was the Crab. The Crab was good friends with both the Scorpion and the Fish. The very wise and clever Crab’s crustacean lips slowly curved into a smile as its eight little legs scurried it toward its two friends.

The Fish, enjoying her time so close to land, ran her fins across the still warm, wet sand and sighed to herself. She wished with every scale on her body to be able to tread on the land that so many weird creatures called home. She wondered what it would be like to have legs and to be able to “sit” as she had witnessed her friend the Frog do after he grew his legs. She wondered if she would ever grow legs. But she already knew the answer. If her mother and father didn’t have legs, why would she? Her land induced depression clouded her thoughts as she ran another fin arcoss the sand. She wanted to blame the water for how she felt. She always felt imprisoned by water. A prison that not only moved her where it wanted her to go but was also what she relied on and needed to live. Her conflict between what she needed to survive and what she wanted to live tugged at her soul.

At the same time, not more than three feet away was the Scorpion, looking out towards the ocean. His thoughts mirrored that of the Fish’s but with an envy of a life in the sea. Scampering along the edge of his watery dreamworld, his thoughts drifted. He dreamed of how great it would be to swim around in the ocean. Being able to almost fly as he had seen his friend the Snake do countless times. The Scorpion was bored of land. He was sick of being stuck on the ground and wanted to move freely around. Up and down, to the left, to the right and in a circle. The Scorpion dreamed of all of the ways he would float around the the water before he caught himself drawing the shapes with his tail. The Scorpion envied the sharks and the swordfish. They never had to look for cover when it rained. They never had to shield themselves from the hot sun. And they never got blown away in the wind. They just spent their time carelessly flying around underwater without a care in the world. The Scorpion wanted that, he wanted to roam free in that wonderfully blue oceanic sky. But as he ran the facts through his head, he knew it to be impossible. As much as he loved the water, he loved breathing more and just stood there contemplating a life in a world he could never belong to.

The sun was setting beautifully on the beach’s sun glazed coastline as the Crab put its plan into action. The Crab scurried up to the Fish and said, “Hello my dear! Beautiful day isn’t it?” The Fish, startled at the Crab’s sudden appearance replied, “Oh, hi Crab. The day looks great but could have felt better….” the Fish trailed off still slightly saddened about her little mermaid dreams that would never come true. “Still wishing you could walk on land like me?” the Crab mercilessly sings as its eight legs dance a solo waltz around the beach. The Fish blows bubbles in an annoyed protest of the Crab’s mockery of her feelings. The Crab ended its dance with a question. “Come dance with me?” The Fish tilted her head quizzically, motioned one of her fins at her Caudal or tail fin, all without breaking her grim stare at the Crab. “Your lucky!” blurted out the Fish. “Your an alien on both planets and you don’t even need a ship.” The Crab scampered closer to the fish with a serious look on its face, pokes its eyes into the water and mutters, “I’m a jack of all trades but a master of none.” The Crab was known for that: answering a message, comforting a friend, calming a situation, comparing situations, or conveying a complex idea with one line. “You see,” the Crab continued as it pulled its face out of the water, “you swim beautifully in the water and move around so freely while I, am at the mercy of whatever current happens to grab me. And yes I can go onto land easily and walk around, but these eight legs make walking cumbersome as it does with swimming. So you see, while I am able to traverse into and out of water and land, I do neither very well. The stubborn Fish didn’t care and would give her right fin for the ability to “walk”, albeit clumsily, on land. This feeling was conveyed to the Crab through the Fish’s eyes. The Crab smiled and said, “How would you like to go out on land?” The Fish’s almost burned out eyes suddenly overloaded with excitement and intrigue. “Do tell…” the Fish responded as her heart made its way back down to earth. “Meet me here where the water ends and the land begins tomorrow right before the sun rises from the water.” The Fish quickly and sarcastically asked, “You mean here? Right before sunrise?” “Yea” the Crab answered with a tinge of disappointment in its voice. “Why does everything always have to be a big deal with you. You always act like your telling some super important story that……” the Fish whined as the ocean drowned her out and she swam away. The Crab could see the spark of excitement in the Fish’s eyes as her mouth complained. She can’t hide that, never could. “One down, one to go…” the Crab thought as it scuttled toward land.

Temple to the Barrel (Part 3)

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:01:10 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Rays flicker through the smoke from the lightening as it crackles outside. Again and again light illuminates the smoke-filled room as their eyes continue to lock in an unexpected stalemate. Her with both hands on her gun pointed firmly at his forehead. And him, with one hand on a shard of glass and the other firmly gripping a grenade with his index finger ready to yank the pin. He knows that the grenade will make her second guess popping him in the head. Even if she could get a clean shot, it would only take a fraction of a second for him to take her with him. Should she lose focus for a even a second, the glass will make her pay for it. His classic “sword and shield” strategy has never failed him. She tries to hide her surprise with an even colder stare and a tighter grip aimed at his temple. She contemplates taking a chance against his reaction time and giving him one to the head. Either that or shoot his hand off and run for it. She decides to stick with her plan and keep him talking until she can figure something out and pray that he makes a mistake. With the smoke still heavy around them, every flash of light highlighting the intensity in their eyes. Eagerly waiting for the other to be distracted only for a second, just long enough to make their move. They circle each other, only a meter apart, him trying to get closer and her the opposite. Both being careful not to move too fast and trigger a reaction. “Where is our son?” he asks coldly. “Safe for the time being” she responds, knowing that her knowledge is the only thing keeping him from rushing in and forcing her hand, “they are using him as leverage against me and if you take me out, they’ll have no more use for him.” His forehead wrinkles in the middle, “Let’s say that I believe you, why tell me now, other than to save your own life?” Without hesitation, “To save his.” His face shows nothing but complete focus on her, “You think we’re gonna work together to save him?” “If you love him as much as I do, you’ll do whatever it takes.” His teeth grit as he realizes that what she says is the truth. He couldn’t take a chance on calling her bluff and single-handedly dooming their son. He eased his grip on the glass and slowly backed away, still ready to flick it into her throat should he second-guess himself or her words. Her trigger finger eased only slightly knowing what he would do if he felt anything was out of place. “Whats the plan?” he asks as he sulks backwards toward a safe spot. “I was supposed to deliver you on a silver platter” she smirked, “and we can both see how well that’s going.” He lets a slight smile sneak out but doesn’t let it show in his voice, “true, but the only people who know what happened here are you and me.” She keeps her gun aimed squarely at where she guesses he is, “You’ve got a plan and I want to hear it.” He throws a rock against a barrel around his old position to watch her squirm. She instinctively aims in the rock’s direction fires. Before the empty casing even hit the ground she realized her mistake and prepared for his wrath. Before she could even frown, he was behind her. With a quick twist of her wrist, he had her disarmed. She felt a wet cloth hit her hand and then that hand slap over her nose and mouth. She tries to hold her breath but he gave her a quick blow to the abdomen, causing her to suck in a deep euthanizing breath. A devilish smile creeps across his face as he whispers in her ear, “We’ll talk when you wake up.” Her vision gets blurry as she loses consciousness, “If you wake up…….”

I’ma let you finish, but Bernie Mac had the best video of all time!

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:43:54 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Why Obama? Why?

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:17:07 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

What Winnie the Pooh is really like

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:04:31 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

I Have No Words…

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:38:05 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Missing Bike

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:09:47 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Therapy for Friday Morning

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:41:23 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

1.
At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don’t Disguise Your Voice!
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.
4.. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone has Gotten Over TheirCaffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
5. In the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ‘ For Marijuana.
6. Skip down the hall Rather Than Walk and see how many looks you get.
7.. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face. (I actually used this one yesterday)
8. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is ‘To go’.
9. Sing Along At The Opera.
10. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can’t Attend their Party Because You have a headache.
11. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream ‘ I Won! I Won!’
12. When Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the parking lot, yelling ‘Run For Your Lives! They’re Loose!’
13. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, ‘Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.’ </p>
And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity

14. PICK UP A BOX OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY, GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WhERE THE FI TTING ROOM IS.

There is at least One Person Who Will Try This

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:53:42 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

I’m Published!

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:49:48 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Yep, thats right people. My book, 2008: The Year In Review has been published! You can take a virtual read and/or get a deal on it if you grab one here.

OCBENJI.com Word of the Day 08/01/2009: Ride

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:38:22 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Women and Financial Planning

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:50:37 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a wife with which to share his fortune.

One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away. “I may look like just an ordinary man,” he said to her, but in just a few years, my father will die, and I’ll inherit $200 million.”

Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three days later, she became his stepmother.

Women are so much better at financial planning than men.

Ten Bullets to Shoot Procrastination With

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:49:52 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Karen Leland, author of the new book, Time Management In an Instant.

You know what you need to do. You know why you need to do it. You even know what steps you must take to get it done. But there’s one small problem: you can’t seem to get moving. It’s a common problem. Maybe it’s chronic procrastination or maybe you’re just so overwhelmed that you feel paralyzed. Either way, the task you must complete is just sitting there, gathering metaphorical (or perhaps literal) dust, and growing more ominous by the day.

A recently study by Dr. Piers Steel, a professor at the University of Calgary concluded that procrastination is on the rise. According to Steel’s research, in 1978 about 15 percent of the population were considered moderate procrastinators. Today that number is up to 60 percent, a four-fold increase. While procrastination is to some degree a natural phenomenon and can’t be completely eradicated, you can use the following ten strategies to to get in the habit of getting things done.

1. Take advantage of your power hours. Are you an early riser who tackles your morning to-do list with all the gusto of a bear eating honey? Perhaps you’re a night-owl and crank through your most pressing projects at 11:00 p.m.?

Either way, knowing and taking advantage of your natural energy patterns will help you steer clear of procrastination by using your power times to tackle the projects you find most challenging.

2. Focus for five minutes. The hardest part of overcoming procrastination is often just getting started. For a tedious task that you have been putting off try setting a timer for five-minutes and get to work. When the alarm sounds, if you feel like stopping – don’t be surprised if that first five minutes turns into 10, 15 and 20.

3. Create cues. Write down the item you need to do and place it somewhere where you can see it – your refrigerator door, car dashboard, calender, iphone, bathroom mirror. Posting prompts on items you are procrastinating about in a highly visible place, helps remind you to get them done.

4. Use the clout of your calendar: Do you have a task that has been lingering on your to-do list for days, weeks or even (gulp) months? If so, use the clout of your calendar to move from inertia to action. Open your planner or PDA and schedule a specific date and time period when you promise yourself that you will work on that item – and that item only.

5. Decide on the next action: One reason people procrastinate is they feel intimidated by the task as it is currently stated and can’t figure out what to do next. To overcome overwhelm, figure out the next smallest, easiest and most comfortable action you could take to move forward. By breaking down the bigger less defined item into smaller more specific chunks, you tell your mind “I can do this”!

6. Give yourself credit all along the way: The moment you take any action (no matter how small) – give yourself credit. Don’t wait until the entire to-do is complete before experiencing at least some degree of satisfaction and accomplishment.

7. Tackle the hard ones first: Almost everyone has more focus, energy and attention available at the beginning of their workday than at the end. When you have to do a hard task, get it out of the way and do it first thing in the morning. This way it won’t nag at you all day long.

8. Be decisive: Putting off a decision on what to do with that piece of paper won’t be any easier tomorrow than it is today. Train yourself to categorize every item that comes across your desk as something to do now, delegate, dump, or defer. Defer does not mean placing it back in the pile and pretending it does not exist. That is the pathway to procrastination. It means putting it in a dated tickler file, scheduling a time to do it, or moving it to a someday to-do list – where the guilt and stress of procrastination don’t apply.

9. Enlist encouragement. Tell a close friend what you’re going to accomplish by when and ask them to check in on your progress. Going public can create a self-imposed pressure to shun procrastination and perform. Having a buddy who can celebrate your successes, and help you maintain perspective when you procrastinate is invaluable.

10. Play let’s make a deal. To get yourself moving on a hard to do activity, try a bribe. Make a promise to yourself that when you stop procrastinating and take some action on the item, you get a reward. This can be a piece of chocolate, watching a favorite tv show, spending time with your family – anything that you value and will motivate you to get moving.

Karen leland is the bestselling author of the new book Time Management In an Instant: 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day. Feel free to excerpt any or all of this article but please give credit to Karen Leland and the book. You can read more at her blog, or order a copy of the book and receive a free bonus of The Essential Email online program.

Introducing Your Here To Smile!

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:08:50 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

So in the last few weeks, I’ve been working on a new project. I’m finally ready to present it!

Introducing Your Here To Smile!

Located at: http://www.yourheretosmile.com

What is it?

Its a website where you can come to see Smiles from around the world posted by people like yourself and our Smile Hunters! Our Smile Hunters are professional photographers from around the world who take pictures of your Smiles for the site. For the philosophy behind the site you can check out its “About” page. Basically, it a mission of goodwill to spread smiles around the world.

What can I do there?

View constantly updated pictures of Smiles
Submit your own Smiles (subject to moderation of course) to be added to the site
Rate and Comment on Smiles
View Random Smiles
Share Smile via facebook, myspace, etc.
Subscribe to the Smile Feed

Share Smiles?

The Smile Hunters are at various locations on the planet taking pictures of Smiles. Those Smiles will appear on the website where a person can then download their full resolution smile for printing or saving. All 100% free!

Why Pictures of Smiles?

Because Smiles are awesome and do alot of good. Smiles are like water or vitamin C, they are always good for you and you can never get enough.

Its been scientifically proven that smiling can release endorphins and can make you feel better. Smiling is one of those things you do because you are happy. Smiling is also contagious, so smiling at somebody or witnessing a smile can make somebody feel better because they will, in turn smile. So going to the site will brighten up your day.

Here are some more Smile Facts:

A smile is a universal expression of happiness and recognised as such by all cultures
A smile is the most frequently used facial expression It takes as few as five pairs of facial muscles and as many as all 53 to smile
Regardless of the precise number of muscles used, smiling causes far fewer muscles to contract and expand than frowning
Smiling releases endorphins and makes us feel better
Even faking a smile can lead to feeling happier
People are born with the ability to smile (They dont copy the expression, even babies who are born blind, smile)
Babies reserve special smiles (Duchenne smiles of joy and happiness) for their loved ones
A newborn shows a preference for a smiling face over a non-smiling face
Women smile more than men
Younger people smile more than older American males with high testosterone smile least of all
There are 18 different kinds of smile used in a variety of social situations
Human beings can differentiate between the felt (Duchenne) smile (of joy and happiness) and the social smile its in the eyes (literally)
A smiling person is judged to be more pleasant, attractive, sincere, sociable, and competent than a non-smiling person
A person who studies laughter is called a gelotologist

Smile facts from Raisingkids

Song Review: Black History Month

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:50:09 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

“Black History Month

Death from Above 1979 ft. Final Fantasy

Album: Romance Bloody Romance

I must say, I love this band. They finished up NIN’s final tour accompanied by Queens of the Stone Age. They seem to combine musical elements of each of the said bands with a certain uniqueness. Death from Above 1979 involves upbeats, frequent change-ups, punk rock and metal ambitions with a dance vibe. Black History Month possesses all of the characteristics listed above with bizarre vocals sung by a bizarre vocalist. Introduced by string instruments adding a classical element to ‘class up’ the song, the melody evolves into another upbeat intriguing combination of violins and strong percussions.

How Giving Changes Everything

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:40:14 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Article by Zen Habits contributor Jonathan Mead; follow him on twitter.

We often think that our success depends on focusing on ourselves. But this simply isn’t true.

Every successful person knows that you become successful because of how much value you give to others.

Yet, we often forget this.

It works the same way with our happiness, too. When I become overly focused on my goals and my feelings and my desires, I start to feel down. When I become focused on myself, it’s easy to think that everything is about me. But it’s not. And when I’m so focused on myself, I start to become easily offended by others. I think that others do things that I don’t like because of me, when they’re really just doing those things because of themselves.

See how easy it is to become depressed when you feel overly self-important?

That’s why it helps to turn your attention to others, and put your focus on giving, rather than receiving. You would think that by giving all the time, you will never receive. But the exact opposite is true; it’s because you give so much that you attract the desire for others to give back to you.

It’s crazy how this works:

The best way to be interesting is to be interested in others.
You gain more physical energy by burning energy when you exercise.
The way to be loved is to be lovable.
When you seek to understand, others are more likely to want to understand you back.
By helping others, they are more inclined to help you in return.

I think it’s interesting how we intuitively know these things, but somehow our ego gets in the way. Our self-importance makes us think that we need to receive to justify giving. This is the same part of you that seeks to be right instead of happy. Is it worth it?

I think it’s a much more empowering position to be the one that gives first. Otherwise, who knows how long it will take the other person to initiate, if it even happens at all. To wait for others to give is like waiting for someone to give you what you want. Why not just ask and find out what happens?

Giving yourself away.

When you can give without expecting anything in return, you have mastered the art of living.

Is it any wonder that the most successful people in the world are masters of giving? The most successful people are the ones that provide the most value to others.

So the question is: How can you give more of yourself away?

I think you’ll find, as I have, that you’re most fulfilled not when you’ve done something really cool, or when you’re doing something that excites you (not that those things aren’t important). You are most fulfilled when you’re serving others.

Here are some suggestions for small, but powerful ways you can give to those around you today:

Drop the expectations that you have for your partner and your family. Instead of expecting them to behave a certain way to you, see how you can show them how much they really mean to you.
Give away your attitude. This is really one of the most awesome ways you can give to others. Your attitude and positive energy has an amazing effect on those around you. Darkness, when approached with light, becomes illuminated. In the same way, low energy, when approached by higher energy, dissolves. Help dissolve others’ lower energy patterns by bringing your higher, positive energy to them.
Gift your intention. Whenever you encounter someone, say a silent blessing or send them a positive intention, instead of judging them.
Show your gratitude. Write a simple note or letter expressing to someone how much they mean to you and the reasons you love them. The impact this will have on the receiver is amazing.
Simply offer your help. If there’s nothing specific you can do for another person, simply let them know that if there is ever a way you can help, you would like them to let you know.

These things may seem small, but I think the world is changed by a profusion of micro ideas. Revolutions start with small actions.

So what I’d like to ask you now is, How can I help you? Let me know!

This article was written by Zen Habits contributor Jonathan Mead of Illuminated Mind. For more ways to give back, grab a copy of Reclaim Your Dreams.

9 Websites that I Couldn’t Live Without

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:06:49 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Ok so most people who are online for a certain amount of time usually frequent certain sites more than others. Just like your more likely to go certain restuarants more than others. And you keep coming back because they keep giving you the good stuff. Well here is my list of 9 Websites that I Couldn’t Live Without (not in any particular order other than how they came to mind) and why. I can almost guarantee that you will end up having a new site added to your daily rotation.

Facebook (www.facebook.com) – This one shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. I love poking people and writing random stuff on people’s walls. Then of course there is that whole getting in touch with people that I haven’t seen in a while or putting up some crazy status or picture. I even use it to promote this website (remember that you can login with your facebook account on the right side of the screen ). I spend most on my time on there doing what everybody else does, be nosy as hell about other people’s lives. Facebook usually stays open on whatever computer I’m on.
Google/Bing (www.google.com/www.bing.com) - I use both of my favorite search engines multiple times a day to look up anything. I used to be a google guy but I’m starting to love microsoft’s google clone alot and find myself using it as often or more than google.
Digg (www.digg.com) – When I’m curious about what people are generally doing online I stop at Digg, a constantly updating list of websites/pictures/videos and are all users submitted and voted on. One day I hope to end up on the front page and not have it crash my site.
Engadget (www.engadget.com) – I love this site because it keeps me updated with tech/geek news that I actually care about. The style of writing is also super with a masterful use of sarcasm.
Gizmodo (www.gizmodo.com) – Its like an evil clone of Engadget but for some reason I like it alot better. The sarcasm is there but there just isn’t the polish that and rep that comes with Engadget. If Engadget is the iPhone, then Gizmodo is the Palm Pre. Did I mention that I don’t like the iPhone all that much? Plus its alot funnier and more useful in my opinion. They usually run the same stories tech-wise and you could go to either to get the goods on some new techno gizmo coming out. The biggest difference that I love is the Gadget deals of the Day section.
White Hot Truth (www.whitehottruth.com) – I can honestly and truthfully say that the name of this site is self-explanatory. At times blunt, at other times soft, but every time it straight up truth. Whenever I’ve feeling low, uninspired, or just plain drained, I stop by and get a fill up. Its one of those great websites that needs a random section. I mean that you could print up every post Danielle’s written there, stack them up nice and neat, have a hurricane come through and blow the pages across a few states and each one that anybody finds will blow them away and make them believe in a higher power. Its a crazy example I know but truth nonetheless. Go there!
Zen Habits (www.zenhabits.net) – This site was originally the site I wanted to copy and for good reason. But alas, there is only one Zen Habits. Here you will find simple ways to keep simple things simple (see the theme here?). Magic is worked here on the daily and its filled with useful knowledge that is not only up-to-date but timelessly potent. Plus he makes all of his article available to use anywhere you want. Which is why I sometimes repost some here.
Text From Last Night (www.textsfromlastnight.com) – If there has ever been a more addictive site, please don’t show it to me cause I’m already hooked on this one waaaaay too much. The tagline from this site says it all “REMEMBER THAT TEXT THAT YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE SENT LAST NIGHT? WE DO”. Its basically a list of hilarious short text message conversations. What I’ve found with this site is that its either hit or miss, you’ll love it or hate it. Either way, its addictive. You have been warned!
5-Second Films (www.5secondfilms.com) – A great website that gets straight to the point in about 5 seconds. This site gives you a new 5 second film everyday. The videos themselves are hilarious and surprising, it only takes 5 seconds for you to get it. Its great for people like me who can read between the lines because their ADD doesn’t give them a chance to do otherwise.

OCBENJI.com Word of the Day 07/10/2009: Car

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:22:37 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Long Live the King

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:38:05 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

I just got finished watching the Michael Jackson Memorial Special and I must say that it was like nothing I had ever seen. But I shouldn’t be surprised seeing as how Michael Jackson wasn’t like anybody else. While they showed all the footage and pictures of him, I felt a tingle run down my spine. I was witnessing bits and pieces of the life of somebody very important. Not just somebody I tried to imitate dancing or made fun of for the sake of making fun of somebody. He was a genuinely special person who, after watching the footage of him, had a pure, hard-working heart. I feel remorseful for making fun of somebody who only had a positive impact on the lives of myself and countless others. Think Al Sharpton said it best when talking to MJ’s children, “There was nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with.” Only now after his passing can I now appreciate what he went through to do what he loved. I feel like a Judas who has sold Michael out for a cheap laugh here and there when it was me, 3 summers ago who danced almost everyday to his hits and dedicated that summer as the summer of MJ.

So I say to MJ, where ever you are, THANK YOU!!! Thank you for sharing yourself with us and bringing so much happiness to the world. Heeee! Heeee!

Obama’s First 167 Days in Pictures

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:07:01 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

Obama’s First 167 Days in Office

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Song Review: Sky is Falling by Blackalicious

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:57:18 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

“Sky is Falling”

Blackalicious

Album: Blazing Arrow

An intelligent combination of classic hip-hop melodies and controversial sociopolitical lyrics, “Sky is Falling” was created by the one and only Blackalicious, who very much encompasses the “gift of gab”. The rest of the album also possesses characteristics of intellectual rap music while maintaining underground hip-hop and rap beats similar to those of Mos Def along with lyrics that demonstrate what a real man is and what real rap music should be. Highly recommended for someone who wants to stimulate their minds while turning up the bass.

Fam Affair in the Photo Section!

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:43:51 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

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Top 10 Must-See Anime Series: #1 – Rurouni Kenshin

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:47:52 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.

And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Which Anime Series has The OCBENJI Blog (beta) chosen as its #1 Must See Anime Series? What could possibly knock the classic Dragonall Z off the top spot? Scroll Down and find out.

If you don’t know me very well then you might be surprised to learn that I’m an avid anime buff. And with anime gaining popularity in the U.S. (with peple who wouldn’t normally watch it) i’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 Must-See Anime Series for those of you looking to pop your anime cherry. Now while there are alot more (and better) ones out there, I decided to stick with the more popular and completed ones that you can actually buy in this country without having to look that hard.

1. Rurouni Kenshin

What Wikipedia Says:

The story of Rurouni Kenshin takes place during the early Meiji period in Japan. It tells the story of a peaceful wanderer named Himura Kenshin, formerly known as the assassin “Hitokiri Battosai“. After participating during the Bakumatsu war, Kenshin wanders the countryside of Japan offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed as an assassin. When arriving in Tokyo, he meets a young woman named Kamiya Kaoru, who was in the middle of a fight with a murderer who claims to be the Hitokiri Battosai from her swordmanship school. Kenshin decides to help her and defeats the fake Battosai. After discovering that Kenshin is the real Battosai, she offers him a place stay at her dojo as she notes Kenshin is a gentle person instead. Kenshin accepts and begins to establish lifelong relationships with many people such as Sagara Sanosuke, a former Sekihotai, Myojin Yahiko, an orphan from a samurai family, and a doctor named Takani Megumi. However, he also deals with his fair share of enemies, new and old, including his rival from the Bakumatsu Saito Hajime and the former leader from the Oniwabansho, Shinomori Aoshi.

Why it made the list:

The great Rurouni Kenshin, where do I begin? Lets start with the cast. You have the usual suspects here: the big strong guy who was an enemy then becomes a friend, the girl, the younger boy, the hero, and everybody else. Next is the setting: beautiful post revolution Japan. This series isn’t just a jack of trades genre-wise, its a master of all. It can play on your heart strings like an angel on a harp. It can make you laugh hard enough to make it hurt. At times it will make you put on your thinking hat just to figure out what just happened. Overall you will feel a sense of quality. But its more than the deep characters, each with their own reasons for doing what they do, more than the beautifully told story of redemption and atonement. There are so many words I could use to describe this series and they would all be good but only two words would do it justice, Tsuiokuhen and Seisouhen. Those are the names of the OVA’s that you must watch to finish this masterpiece of anime perfection.

OCBENJI One Line Review:

“If you don’t have tears running down your face or are at least tearing up by the end of the OVA’s, your just not human.”

Let Me Tell You a Secret!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:12:22 GMT

Originally published at The OCBENJI Blog (beta). Please leave any comments there.