Halloween Brings Out The Best In These Girls (18 Pics)
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You Are Not Your Thoughts, How To Stop Listening To Your Scumbag Brain
by Archaicfrost
I’m going to make reference to brain science, Buddhism, and meditation, so if that’s not your bag no worries. I am by no means an expert on any of these things, my interpretation of how these things relate has really helped me, and I hope others can get something out of it as well.
Behind the scenes
Your brain is a lazy asshole. Its only objective is to conserve as much energy as possible, and work on making sure things are going well in the short term. The very short term.
This is why it seems to make more sense to skip the gym, eat a box of cookies, sit on the couch, and watch TV or play video games, than do anything else. It’s easy, and you’re conserving energy. You’re not going to be winded and tired if you don’t go to the gym. Those cookies might not be healthy, but they sure are delicious – and they’re packed full of calories so you have some backup backup energy reserves stored up.
This isn’t your brain’s fault, it’s a matter of evolution. When it takes work to get your next meal, it makes sense to eat as much and do as little as possible.
The Problem
This carries over into every other facet of your life. Your brain is great at convincing you that what it wants is what YOU want.
“If you talk to that pretty girl, you might get rejected – isn’t it much easier to just not approach?”
“Wouldn’t you much rather sit at home than go out? It’s been a long week, you’re tired, it’s expensive to go out… this will be easy.”
Now you’re overweight, unhappy, socially stunted, and lonely. You could take responsibility for this, and totally turn things around, but it’s going to require a lot of work, a lot of time, and effort.
This is when your brain comes back and says “but you’re a great guy! It must be everyone else’s fault! They don’t give us a chance! They’re biased against us because of ______. Guess we’re going to be forever alone, but it’s not so bad, we have each other – and Steam and that gigantic tub of ice cream!”
GET OVER IT
I could say people just need to man up, get over themselves, go out more, and just grow up. Really, this is true, but it’s not very useful advice. Your brain is going to work against you at almost every step. How can you overcome this negative self-talk?
Perception
There’s a concept in Buddhism called “dependent arising.” The basic concepts around this are (1) everything is a result of cause and effect and (2) “self” only exists in dependence upon causes and conditions.
Both of these points are very valuable to us. The first point is pretty straight forward and helps emphasize one of the main beliefs held by our community – if you’re happy, then you’re doing it right; if not, then something needs to change.
The second point is more complicated, and can be difficult to understand. What is ‘self’? Is it your body? Is it your mind? Is it some combination of the two?
Well, it can’t be your body. You shed cells every second of every day, and every 7 years every cell in your body is different than it was 7 years ago. If you lost your arm in an accident, you’d still be YOU, right? Even your brain is made up of cells that are made up of elements that are made up of atoms made up of quarks made up of energy. Bits and pieces that could have been rabbits, or trees, or air, or stars, before they were repurposed into you.
What about your mind, then, your thoughts? Well, sometimes I change my mind about things – either I learn something new, or find out something wasn’t true, or my opinion simply changes over time. If I define who I am by beliefs that I hold, and those beliefs change, then I guess I’m not ME anymore? That doesn’t make any sense. We’re pretty complicated, but we’re never surpised when our thoughts or feelings change.
So if it can’t be the body, and it can’t be the mind, then what is our sense of self?
Thinking
Thoughts are a lot like carbon dioxide molecules – they’re around us all the time, they are necessary for life, and if there are too many they can incapacitate you.
There was a relevant quote in /r/meditation[1] the other day:
Suffering is caused by compulsive thinking. We get lost in thoughts, we identify with them; we “think” we are our thoughts. They are incessant and quite often negative, and they create anxiety, stress, and the problems of everyday life.
You can break your identification with compulsive thinking, however. You can increase awareness that you are not your thoughts. Consider your senses: your brain processes the inputs of the eyes, the ears, the nose, the tongue, and the skin. But, you don’t think that you are what you see, what you hear, what you smell, what you taste, or what you touch. View your thoughts the same way – your brain processes them, and you use those you need to solve problems and function in your daily life. But the thoughts you don’t need – those that are negative, limiting, critical, and destructive – you simply let float away.
Treat non-useful thoughts like undesirable smells: don’t dwell on them, don’t identify with them, don’t get attached to them, don’t get lost in them – simply let them float away.
This is where meditation can be a great ally in the war against thinking.
You sit, you live in the present, you acknowledge thoughts as they pop into your mind, then you let them go. This is easier said than done, and it takes practice, but that’s really all there is to it. In the activities post from earlier in the week a lot of people said that meditation didn’t stick, that it was boring, or even they did it for months but never had that “AHA!” moment where everything in their lives changed. OF COURSE NOT! If it’s boring, it’s because you’re thinking about what you could be doing, or would rather be doing, or you’re thinking that it’s boring. There is no “AHA!” moment in meditation – some days are better than others and you sit for a long time with only a handful of thoughts that pass immediately, other days your mind is racing a mile a minute and everything you can possibly think about is going to run through your head and it’s harder to let those thoughts go.
But once you do, you are living in the moment. You’re not worried about what’s going to happen later tonight, or if you’re going to say the right thing, or if that HB really likes you. You’re not judging yourself, you’re not even judging others. Better yet – you don’t even care, because you aren’t thinking about it. You are just existing, enjoying being alive. If you’ve ever opened a set, had a good time, then when you walked away went “whoa… how did I just pull that off?” you know what I’m talking about.
If you tend towards thinking way too much, like me, it can be terrifying at first. You almost feel like you weren’t there anymore, like you had an out of body experience. But the more it happens, the more you realize how liberating, how amazing, how wonderful it is – and you start to get to know the real you.
Self
And that’s the real you, that sense of self we’ve been trying to find – it’s everything and nothing all at once. That you isn’t scared or nervous – it’s your scumbag brain that makes you scared and nervous. You always say the right thing, because there is no wrong thing to say – it’s your scumbag brain that stops you before you speak, or makes you comb over every word after the fact trying to figure out where you screwed up.
You’re not too introverted, or too shy, or uninteresting, or boring, or ugly, or stupid; that’s all your scumbag brain. You just are.
Conclusion
Your brain doesn’t care about you. Whether you are happy, well adjusted, and enjoying life or depressed, emotionally damaged, and sitting at home alone every weekend, it makes no difference to your brain as long as it gets what it needs to survive. Excuses and negative thoughts are your brain’s way of controlling you, and it’s amazing how much power most of us give it.
Wanting to change is not enough, and it’s never a good time to start, you just have to start.
So the next time you say you’re going to start exercising, or eating better, or talking to women, or doing something that interests you, and you hear that little voice trying to convince you otherwise, ignore it and go about your life.
(via)
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The Dumping Grounds
One of the Antarctic’s deadliest predators tries to nurture and feed a National Geographic photographer
Ahh, the classic “Put a Dildo in the Waiter’s Tights” prank
Yesterday, a humble and gracious 22 yr old, who dropped out of college to work 2 jobs to support his single mom and family,wins $30.5M lotto. Some people deserve to win at life.
Best of the worst gameshow answers
Crazy Finnish guy makes an amazing jump, he has to be a nutcase
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A Generous Serving Of Awesome To Start Off Friday Properly!
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Karissa Deserves Your Full, Undivided Attention
Here’s a damn awesome gallery of pics of a Youtuber and all around smoke show named Karissa Pukas to help you enjoy the awesomeness of Friday. Check out the rest of her pictures here and check out her Youtube channel here
15 Astonishing Facts you won’t believe are true – Ned Hardy
The 25 Luckiest Shots Ever In Sports – Knowd
Takin’ a shot at some Bad Ideas for the Weekend (51 Photos) - The Brigade
The 10 Lamest Horror Villains of All Time – Heavy
100 Celebrity Wardrobe Malfunctions – Refined Guy
The Kardashian daughters are growing up nicely – Celeb Slam
10 Ways to Make the Presidential Debates More Exciting – College Humor
Pam Anderson is a Vegas Stripper of the Day – Drunken Stepfather
40 Things To Say Before You Die – Linkiest
Latest Weapon in Battle for New Frat Bros: Coed Boobs – The Smoking Jacket
Priscilla Caripan Brings Out Her Sexy Country Girl – G-Celeb
Maintain Eye Contact, Bet You Cant – Double Viking
Lingerie Friday Is Finally Here! – Bro My God
If You’re Into Cute Asian Promo Models – Uncoached
If Popular Movies and TV Shows of the ‘80s and ‘90s Were Made Today: A Gallery - Unreality Mag
Kate Bosworth is Even Skinnier Than Before – Yeeeah
Claudia is a mocha skinned maven – Regretful Morning
Hot 100: Gio Ott – DJ Mick
Victoria Silvstedt Bikini Pics From Miami Beach – Moe Jackson
Russian Car Speeds on Freeway Upside-Down – Ego TV
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The Reaction GIFs Have Entered The Building!
In elementary school when I was asked if I liked this girl
When I get home just as my favorite TV show starts
Whenever I Heard Someone Swear In 3rd Grade
When I get invited to do something I don’t want to do, but can’t think of an excuse.
When I get gas and stop right on the dollar
How I look to my wife if I actually put away the dishes
When the UPS truck stops in front of my house
Listening to a rich friend talk about their awesome vacation
When the clock hits 5pm on friday and I’m in the middle of work
When I realized I was on the wrong bus… on the way to a final exam
After a hard nights drinking
Sitting at the movie theater, when a group of middle-schoolers walks in
When someone says a really offensive joke that I think is hilarious…
How I imagine the Red Bull marketing team
Leaving work on a Friday
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Props To The Masterminds Behind These Damn Clever Advertisments
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A Few Pictures To Get You Amped Up For The Weekend
Friday coming home
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My Definition Of ‘Beautiful’ Can Be Best Described By Viewing These 28 Pictures
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The Dumping Grounds
Wes Welker Gets JACKED UP by Brandon Browner
The meaning of life in 49 seconds
Holy Crap! This guy has some moves on him!
Omar from “The Wire” is eating Caribbean food with Anthony Bourdain when a rival gang member shows up
TV Repair Prank
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25 Words That Don’t Exist In The English Language
1 Age-otori (Japanese): To look worse after a haircut
2 Arigata-meiwaku (Japanese): An act someone does for you that you didn’t want to have them do and tried to avoid having them do, but they went ahead anyway, determined to do you a favor, and then things went wrong and caused you a lot of trouble, yet in the end social conventions required you to express gratitude
3 Backpfeifengesicht (German): A face badly in need of a fist
4 Bakku-shan (Japanese): A beautiful girl… as long as she’s being viewed from behind
5 Desenrascanço (Portuguese): “to disentangle” yourself out of a bad situation (To MacGyver it)
6 Duende (Spanish): a climactic show of spirit in a performance or work of art, which might be fulfilled in flamenco dancing, or bull-fighting, etc.
7 Forelsket (Norwegian): The euphoria you experience when you are first falling in love
8 Gigil (pronounced Gheegle; Filipino): The urge to pinch or squeeze something that is unbearably cute
9 Guanxi (Mandarin): in traditional Chinese society, you would build up good guanxi by giving gifts to people, taking them to dinner, or doing them a favor, but you can also use up your gianxi by asking for a favor to be repaid
10 Ilunga (Tshiluba, Congo): A person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time
11 L’esprit de l’escalier (French): usually translated as “staircase wit,” is the act of thinking of a clever comeback when it is too late to deliver it
12 Litost (Czech): a state of torment created by the sudden sight of one’s own misery
13 Mamihlapinatapai (Yaghan): A look between two people that suggests an unspoken, shared desire
14 Manja (Malay): “to pamper”, it describes gooey, childlike and coquettish behavior by women designed to elicit sympathy or pampering by men. “His girlfriend is a damn manja. Hearing her speak can cause diabetes.”
15 Meraki (pronounced may-rah-kee; Greek): Doing something with soul, creativity, or love. It’s when you put something of yourself into what you’re doing
16 Nunchi (Korean): the subtle art of listening and gauging another’s mood. In Western culture, nunchi could be described as the concept of emotional intelligence. Knowing what to say or do, or what not to say or do, in a given situation. A socially clumsy person can be described as ‘nunchi eoptta’, meaning “absent of nunchi”
17 Pena ajena (Mexican Spanish): The embarrassment you feel watching someone else’s humiliation
18 Pochemuchka (Russian): a person who asks a lot of questions
19 Schadenfreude (German): the pleasure derived from someone else’s pain
20 Sgriob (Gaelic): The itchiness that overcomes the upper lip just before taking a sip of whisky
21 Taarradhin (Arabic): implies a happy solution for everyone, or “I win. You win.” It’s a way of reconciling without anyone losing face. Arabic has no word for “compromise,” in the sense of reaching an arrangement via struggle and disagreement
22 Tatemae and Honne (Japanese): What you pretend to believe and what you actually believe, respectively
23 Tingo (Pascuense language of Easter Island): to borrow objects one by one from a neighbor’s house until there is nothing left
24 Waldeinsamkeit (German): The feeling of being alone in the woods
25 Yoko meshi (Japanese): literally ‘a meal eaten sideways,’ referring to the peculiar stress induced by speaking a foreign language
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Zombie Movie You Should Watch Of The Day: Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
There’s not much use denying it… George A. Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” is one of the chosen few, absolute greatest horror films ever made and it’s fairly unimaginable that a powerful movie like this will ever come out again. Even more than its 1968 predecessor, the landmark known as “Night of the Living Dead”, this film contains literally everything to satisfy even the most demanding fan of horror cinema. The weird thing is that the gore in this movie isn’t unnecessary, it suits the purpose. In this sequel to the classic, the zombies have taken over the land and have spread to immense numbers. A group of people escape the carnage in a helicopter, and take refuge in a huge mall where they can live off the supplies inside for years. They have to fend off the zombies trying to get in, as well as a sadistic group of bikers who want to loot the place. Awesome film, lots of gory action and flesh-munching.
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
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A Nice Dose Of Motivation To Help You Conquer The Week
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Amanda Rae Michaels Eases Us Through Monday
Here’s a damn fine collection of pictures of a blazing hot Miami model named Amanda Rae Michaels to help you ease any pains brough about by Monday. Check out the rest of her pictures here and definitely follow her on Twitter here
15 Pictures That Will Put A Smile On Your Face – Ned Hardy
Kendall Jenner Is A Babe – Knowd
‘IRON MAN 3′ Sneak Preview Has Arrived! – Heavy
Friday Firepower: training with Dutch Snipers (39 Photos) – The Brigade
Gym Terminology for People Who Just Started Working Out – College Humor
American Apparel Hot Models of the Day – Drunken Stepfathers
9 Ridiculously Elaborate Haunted Houses – Refined Guy
Christina Aguilera says she doesn’t wear underwear – Celeb Slam
Victoria Justice’s Booty Is Lebron Approved – G-Celeb
The Ultimate Virgin Ninja – Double Viking
Playboy Birthdays: Sisters from Another Mother – The Smoking Jacket
The 10 Greatest Horror Film Villains Of All-Time – Linkiest
Most Ridiculous Fans of the NFL – Bro My God
Victoria Silvstedt in a Bikini in Miami – Yeeeah
12 Pics That Are Definitely From the 90′s – Uncoached
Behind the Scenes of Silence of the Lambs – Unreality Mag
Julri Waters brings in stacked Saturday – Regretful Morning
Overly Attached GF Proposes After 3 Weeks – Ego TV
Know What’s Sexy? Girls With Glasses – Knowd
jessica173 Has The Best OKCupid Profile… EVER!!!! – Super Booyah
Kristin Cavallari Hosts “Halloween Bing it On” Costume Challenge – Moe Jackson
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If You’re Still Unsure Of What To Be For Halloween, Get Inspired With These Costume Ideas (88 Pics)
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Geeks Unite! This Post Is For You!
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Anyone Else A Fan Of Calvin And Hobbes?
and the last Calvin And Hobbes…
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Girls In Yoga Pants Make Me Weak In The Knees (33 Pics)
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The Dumping Grounds
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Horror Movie You Need To Watch Of The Day: Phantasm
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White People Problems (16 GIFs)
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