Deep Breathing Exercises for Nicotine Withdrawal

Deep Breathing Exercises for Nicotine Withdrawal Addiction Nicotine Use Nicotine Withdrawal Print Deep Breathing for Nicotine Withdrawal By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial policy Terry Martin Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on January 21, 2020 Sanja Jelic, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD on January 21, 2020 More in Addiction Nicotine Use Nicotine Withdrawal After You Quit How to Quit Smoking Smoking-Related Diseases The Inside of Cigarettes Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Coping and Recovery From the discomforts of nicotine withdrawal to the thoughts of smoking that come up now and then as we move through the first year of smoking cessation, recovery from nicotine addiction is a process that can be difficult to maintain control over. Deep breathing is an invaluable tool that, when mastered, will help you shift gears when nicotine withdrawal makes you edgy. Think of deep breathing as a compass that will help you find your smoke-free way and relax you at the same time. Id like to introduce you to Leslie. In this article, Leslie shares the techniques she uses to control her breathing, along with the benefits that deep breathing has had for her personally. As of this writing, Leslie has 9 smoke-free months under her belt and is feeling stronger with every passing day. From Leslie: Breathing. Something so natural, so intrinsic and invaluable an activity, so...common. The average person takes 12 breaths per minute, but its barely something were aware of. With yoga having become as mainstream as sliced bread, we are now given tools to learn how to breathe more deeply, more to the core. If youre into yoga, that is. I always thought it was a romantic concept -- standing still and quiet, arms clasped together in reverence, salutations to the sun. So I bought a DVD on it set in a calming desert surrounded by gorgeous colors and set to exotic and peaceful music. MAN, was it hard! I know that yoga is a form of exercise that takes commitment and practice, but I could never quite wrap my head around it -- not to mention my body -- although I would love to try it again sometime. All attempts aside, one thing I found absolutely invaluable was being taught the awareness of breathing, of lifes sweet breath. Breathing properly is an absolutely crucial tool in the first days and weeks of smoking cessation. I recently read a forum members post describing how, in order to get the most nicotine out of a sickorette, we breathe more deeply than we do otherwise. This may explain in part some of the sense we get as smokers that we are relaxed when smoking. When we first quit, we tend to take far more shallow breaths, the opposite of what we should be doing in order to stay focused and calm. It is amazing how profoundly and immediately a deep breath will calm ones nerves. During the beginning of this process, I found Ians script (another reformed smoker) on how to breathe deeply. It was instrumental for the early times when I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin, so Id love to share it with you. This method works for so many situations: Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and breathe in through your nose. Keep breathing in until your lower stomach starts to rise. (This is also known as diaphragmatic breathing, and really helped me as an asthmatic). Then, put your lips together as if you are blowing up a balloon. Blow all the air out slowly in a controlled manner until it is all gone. Breathing out should take almost twice as long as breathing in. Now for the magic. When you have practiced this breathing technique and understand what to do, you will start to feel a change in your body. It is important that you take notice of thisâ€"the drop of the shoulders, the loosening of the face, and any other feelings you may have. When you have mastered this, each time you take a deep breath, you can say a word. It can be any word, such as RELAX, CALM, PEACE, QUIET, or anything else that has meaning for you. The word should be repeated over and over again in your mind as you breathe out. Very shortly, all you will have to do is say the word and your body and mind will instantly return to that calm state. You can do this anywhere and at any time and no one will even know you are doing anything differently. The control of breathing is important. The faster one breathes, the more oxygen is being taken from the brain and the more anxiety is felt. Control your breathing and you will release the brains own feel good chemicals called endorphins. With practice, you will be able to change your mood whenever you want. In a way, smoking is like a negative deep breathing exercise. You say the word cigarette and your body reacts by becoming tense and anxious. You light a cigarette, and by taking that first deep breath, you are doing exactly the same as taking a deep breath without a cigarette, though as a smoker, you attribute the change in feeling to the cigarette itself, which actually hasnt done anything. Note from Terry Martin: Much of the relaxation that we associate with smoking has to do with replenishing the dwindling level of  nicotine in the bloodstream. We think of it as smoking enjoyment or stress relief, but it in truth, the only relief we get from smoking is that of a junkie getting a  fix. Nicotine is an extremely addictive drug, and  we get edgy and uncomfortable when the nicotine level in our bodies dips below what were used to receiving. This next one is one of my very favorite exercises, and never fails to take the edge off of whatever stressful or tense day I may be having in life. Stand up. Right now, go on, you can do it (or if you cant, then sit up straight with both feet firmly planted on the ground). Lift your arms as high up as you can. Now close your eyes and think of something you love, something or someone that tickles your soul; a child, a puppy, a warm summer day in a wheat field. Now, breathe it in. Breathe in all of that sunlight and warmth and love and preciousness and feel it infuse your entire being and pool at your feet. Isnt it marvelous to breathe? Leslie How you choose to react to thoughts of smoking can either increase or decrease their power over you. The next time a smoking urge hits, try a little reverse psychology. Instead of tensing up for a struggle, relax and mentally lean into the craving. Let it wash over you while you focus on your breathing. The urge will run its course and pass. Practice makes perfect with this technique. Youll get the hang of it with time and will find it empowering.

Video Games in Pop-Culture. - 1510 Words

Video games in pop-culture. Video games and computer games (from here on both categories will be simply referred to as video games for simplicity) have entered the domain of pop culture fairly recently. Although the first video game was developed in 1958 by William Higginbotham, their popularity didn’t occur until the seventies with the appearance of Pac-man and Frogger in the arcades (Computer and Video Games). If the younger generation of video game consumers would take a look at what was out there when the video game boom begun they wouldn’t be able to understand what was so attractive (and addictive?) about Pac-man and Frogger? The truth is, video games from over three decades ago share the same basic principles with the games we have†¦show more content†¦While the living out these activities might be a bit complicated for a variety of reasons starting from time and ending with money, their virtual representation are readily available in a digital format. There are literally tons of v ideo games out there that simulate all sorts of sports, their popularity is especially high among Americans who idealize a fit, toned and healthy body image and an active lifestyle. Video games also burrow heavily from other forms of popular entertainment such as movies, cartoons, books, music, television game shows, commix etc. These genres sometimes attempt to do the same and burrow content from video games only to fail miserably every single time (Bloodrayne, Doom, Dungeons and Dragons). Perhaps, the reason why this happens is because video games in addition to mind blowing special effects and often great story lines and excellent voice-over/soundtrack also offer interactivity (active participation f the player). Refined of participation element video game-to-movie adaptations are like about as entertaining as a video game with no controller to manipulate the characters and the outcomes. This gives evidence that shows that although video games represent a humongous industry and h ave a great diversity of products, they are nothing without the social world. Whether we’re simulating a football game, controlling an army of monsters or flying on a magic carpet we’re doing nothing else but living out ourShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Video Games On Pop Culture1116 Words   |  5 Pages Around the middle of the 20th Century man cultures started to grow beyond what they previously were thanks to different mediums (such as television and music) helping to push boundaries; with this came the birth of pop culture. Considering pop culture is a shortened version of popular culture it’s clear that many of the things in pop culture would be short lived. The short lived trends and happenings are labeled as â€Å"fads†. Strangely enough, some fads are made to transform and actually become a mainstayRead MoreWhy Video Games Have Made A Shift Into Mainstream Pop Culture6550 Words   |  27 PagesThe term pop culture can be defined as ‘The c ulture of the people’ a culture that flourishes through social interaction and mass media that is most actively involved in by the public. Pop culture can cover a wide range of materials and as such should be looked at as a topic open to discussion, interpretation as to why it is popular and what makes it popular. Since pop culture includes an expansive spectrum of subjects I am going to be focusing on one of those and that is Video games. In this essayRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effect On Society1171 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is pop culture? Popular culture is defined in the dictionary as the culture based on tastes of ordinary people rather than an educated elite. Pop culture should be taught in schools. By teaching pop culture to students, it will help them know what’s going on in the world and helps them pay more attention in class. There are different types of pop culture such as, entertainment, music, video games, and sports. Teaching pop culture can benefit an y classroom. Pop culture began after the IndustrialRead MoreThe Influence of Pop Culture on our Teenagers1419 Words   |  6 Pagesyoung age, the minds of teenagers are easily influenced by pop culture. They are easily misguided by the portrayals in pop culture as well as the media. Both pup culture and media use this to their advantage to manipulate their young minds. Teenagers are notorious for mimicking violent activities as shown in video games. This violence transmits from videogames to the top story on the local news. Equally important, alcohol portrayals in pop culture are generally positive as they direct teenagers to participateRead MoreHow Video Games Changed Throughout History1373 Words   |  6 PagesFrom Fad to Phenomenon: How Video Games Changed Throughout History Around the middle of the 20th Century man cultures started to grow beyond what they previously were thanks to different mediums (such as television and music) helping to push boundaries; with this came the birth of pop culture. Considering pop culture is a shortened version of popular culture it’s clear that many of the things in pop culture would be short lived. The short lived trends and happenings are labeled as â€Å"fads†. StrangelyRead MoreHow Pop Culture Has Impacted The Smarts Of Our Country952 Words   |  4 PagesPop culture has been seen in the past to be a main ingredient in making our country’s I.Q. drop, or well, that the overall population is going to become dumber because of its rise. However, Malcolm Gladwell has felt differently, and decided to produce an article on how pop culture has effected the smarts of our country. In Malcolm Gladwell’s article â€Å"Brain Candy†, Gladwell effectively uses rhetorical appeals to prove his arg ument. Throughout Gladwell’s article he uses logical appeals to help proveRead MorePopular Culture is Not the Devil1056 Words   |  5 PagesPopular Culture Is Not The Devil Many people can agree that popular culture is invasive, but the opinions differ on how invasive it actually is and whether it is harmful or beneficial. In David Denby’s Buried Alive: Our Children and the Avalanche of Crud, he clearly states his opinion of popular culture and how it has invaded his home and the attitude of his children. The main source of popular culture according to Denby is the media, which has become â€Å"three-dimensional, inescapable, omnivorousRead MoreBrain Candy Essay614 Words   |  3 Pagesmind? Malcolm Gladwell proposes in his article, â€Å"Brain Candy,† that playing video games or watching television is just as important as reading a book. Gladwell is using rhetorical appeals to prove that in fact, video games are not dumbing down society. Pop culture is helping to improve test scores and knowledge. In â€Å"Brain Candy,† Malcolm Gladwell does affectively use rhetorical appeals to convince his audience that pop culture is making ou r society smarter. First, Gladwell effectively appeals to logosRead MoreGame for Boys or Girls1254 Words   |  6 PagesMovement’: Video Games as Gendered Play Space† convinced me that 13 years ago there was gender segregation in the digital world of video games on who the games where made for, girls or boys. From my 15 year of experience playing hundreds of video games I never thought of games being gender biased till now. To me girls didn’t play them because they were just not into video games and would rather play with dolls. Jenkins states that traditional culture in video games is not fixing gender bias games but ratherRead MoreSex Sells Video Games and Insecurity1135 Words   |  5 Pagessubconsciously wanted to be. The video game, Conkers Bad Fur Day was one video game out of many that had significantly influenced my self-esteem. As I continued to play more video games that had an emphasis on body image, the more I hated my own. Most female avatars in video games were Caucasian, tall, had a thin waist, and unrealistic sized breasts. I was 49, obese, and African American. The thought provoking idea of me not being the ideal woman of the video game had started to eat me up alive

Personal Growth Is The Most Important Factor Of My...

Personal growth is the most important factor of my development plan at my current stage in life. Due to the increased competitive nature of young up and comers I feel that I may be limited for opportunities and advancement. Creating an in-depth leadership development plan will assist me in building up on my leadership skills and abilities. Although this leadership development plan is only a guideline, the real learning process is an ongoing journey. It’s a mark of respect and fairness to include potential leaders in decisions that have a bearing on their work and perhaps in their lives (Axner). Before you can determine how to get somewhere you have to determine where it is that you would like to go. Within my journey of leadership, I believe my mission is to remember where I have been and where I will go, while maintaining positive relationships with family and friends. To build a reputation of being dedicated to every goal I choose to pursue while having successes in both my personal and professional life while having fun in my journey finding laughter, love, and happiness with each day. Both individuals and organizational leadership have common themes between the two. Individual leadership to me represents the personal qualities that I have picked up throughout my career in order to envision a plan, organize and motivate team members to achieve a goal. Whereas, organizational leadership is the ability to provide a similar experience, but on a larger scale and involvingShow MoreRelatedSelf Reflection Ppd Plan1486 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract The following report is a personal and professional development plan that shows a self reflection of me using the various tool (Belbin team role analysis, Career survey guide, MBA skills audit etc) discussed in the PPD sessions in the class room. 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The Marketing Audit and the Marketing Plan Systematically takes stock of an organisation’s marketing health and plans the direction and scope of marketing activities †¢ 2. Definition â€Å" the means by which a company can understand how it relates to the environment in which it operates... ..the means by which a company can identify it’s own strengths and weaknesses as they relate to opportunities and threats† The marketing plan serves as a roadmap that guides the context and scope ofRead MorePersonal Development Plan Essay1389 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿OL 125: Personal Development Plan – Final Project (Milestone Four) Student Name: Karel Sunjin Date: 06/21/2014 Section 1: So far, I have learned that the course I have taking to complete my education, is the right path me. I have also learned that I am a hard worker, and I have attainable goals to which if I remain dedicated I will attain. 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Night World Black Dawn Chapter 11 Free Essays

string(26) " hardly sagged or folded\." The bushes stirred again. Maggie’s searching fingers found only acorns and licorice fern, so she made a fist instead, sliding out from underneath Cady and holding herself ready. A form emerged from the underbrush. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Black Dawn Chapter 11 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Maggiestared so hard she saw gray dots but she couldn’ttell anything about it. There was a long, tense moment, and then a voice came to her. â€Å"I told you you’d never make it.† Maggie almost fainted with relief. At the same moment the moon came out frombehind a cloud. It shone down into the clearingand over the slender figure standing with a hand on one hip. The pale silvery light turned red hairalmost black, but the angular face and narrowed skeptical eyes were unmistakable. Not to mention the sour expression. Maggieletout along, shuddering breath. â€Å"Jeanne!† â€Å"You didn’t get very far, did you? The road’s justover there. What happened? Did she drop deadon you?† It wasamazinghow good that irritable, acerbicvoice sounded to Maggie. She laughed shakily. â€Å"No, Cady’s not dead. Bern’s dead-you know, the bigslave trader guy. But – â€Å" â€Å"You’re joking.† Jeanne’s voice sharpened with respect and she moved forward. `†You killed hunt’ â€Å"No. It waslook, I’ll explain later. First, can youhelp me get her to somewhere more protected? It’s really getting freezing out here, and she’s completely out.† Jeanne leaned down, looking at Arcadia. â€Å"I toldyou before I wasn’t going to help you if you gotin trouble.† â€Å"I know,† Maggie said. â€Å"Can you sort of pick herup from that side? If we both get an arm under her shouldersshemight be able to walk a little.† . `Bull,† Jeanne said shortly. â€Å"We’d better chaircarry her. Link hands and we can get her up.† Maggie clasped a cold, slender hand with calluses and a surprisingly firm grip. She heavedweight, and then they were carrying the unconscious girl. â€Å"You’re strong,† she grunted. â€Å"Yeah, well, that’s one of the side benefits ofbeing a slave. The road’s this way.† It was awkward, slow work, but Maggie wasstrong, too, and Jeanne seemed to be able to guide them around the worst of the underbrush. And it was so good just to be with another human being who was healthy and clear headed and didn’t want to kill her, that Maggie felt almost lighthearted. â€Å"What aboutP.J.? Is she okay?† â€Å"She’s fine. She’s in a place I know-it’s notmuch, but it’s shelter. That’s where we’re going.† â€Å"You took care of her,† Maggie said. She shook her head in the darkness and laughed. â€Å"What are you snickering about?† Jeanne paused and they spent a few minutes maneuvering arounda fallen log covered with spongy moss. â€Å"Nothing,† Maggie said. â€Å"It’s justyou’re prettynice, aren’t you? Underneath.† â€Å"I look out for myself first. That’s the rule aroundhere. And don’t you forget it,† Jeanne said in a threatening mutter. Then she cursed as her foot sank into a swampy bit of ground. â€Å"Okay,† Maggie said. But she could still feel awry and wondering smile tugging up the corner ofher mouth. Neither of them had much breath for talkingafter that. Maggie was in a sort of daze of tirednessthat wasn’t completely unpleasant. Her mindwandered. Delos†¦she had never met anyone so confus ing. Her entire body reacted just at the thought ofhim, with frustration and anger and a longing that she didn’t understand. It was a physical pang. But then everything was so confusing. Things had happened so fast since last night that she’d neverhad time to get her mental balance. Delos and the incredible thing that had happened between themwas only one part of the whole mess. He said he’d killed Miles†¦. But that couldn’t be true. Miles couldn’t be dead.And Delos wasn’t capable of anything like that†¦.Was he? She found that she didn’t want to think aboutthat. It was like a huge dark cloud that she didn’twant to enter. Wherever Jeanne was taking her, it was a long,cold trek. And a painful one. After about fifteenminutes Maggie’s arms began to feelasif they werebeing pulled out of the sockets, and a hot spot of pain flared at the back of her neck. Her sweat wasclammy running down her back and her feetwere numb. But she wouldn’t give up, and Jeanne didn’t either. Somehow they kept going. They had traveledfor maybe about forty-five minutes, with breaks,when Jeanne said, â€Å"Here it is.† A clearing opened in front of them, and moonlight shone on a crude little shack made of weathered wood. It leaned dangerously to one side andseveral boards were missing, but it had a ceilingand walls. It was shelter. To Maggie, it looked beautiful. â€Å"Runaway slaves built it,† Jeanne said breathlesslyas they took the last few steps to the cabin. â€Å"The Night People hunted them down, of course, but they didn’t find this place. All the slaves at the castle know about it.† Then she called in a slightlylouder tone, â€Å"It’s me! Open the door!† A long pause, and then there was the sound of awooden bolt sliding and the door opened. Maggiecould see the pale blob of a small face. P.J. Penob scot, with her red plaid baseballcap still on backwardand herslightbodytense,wasblinkingsleepy, frightened eyes. Then she focused and her face changed.†Maggie! You’re okay!† She flung herself at Maggie like a small javelin. â€Å"Ow-hey!† Maggie swayed and Cady’s limp bodydipped perilously. â€Å"I’m glad to see you, too,† Maggie said. To herown surprise, she found herself blinking back tears.†But I’ve got to put this girl down or I’m going todrop her.† â€Å"Back here,† Jeanne said. The back of the cabinwas piled with straw. She and Maggie eased Arcadia down onto it and then P.J. hugged Maggie again. â€Å"You got us out. We got away,† P.J. said, hersharp little chin digging into Maggie’s shoulder. Maggie squeezed her. â€Å"Wellwe all got us out,and Jeanne helped get you away. But I’m glad everybody made it.† â€Å"Is she†¦all right?† P.J. pulled back and lookeddown at Arcadia. â€Å"I don’t know.† Cady’s forehead felt hot underMaggie’s hand, and her breathing was regular butwith a rough, wheezy undertone Maggie didn’tlike. â€Å"Here’s a cover,† Jeanne said, dragging up a pieceof heavy, incredibly coarse material. It seemed asbig as a sail and so rigid it hardly sagged or folded. You read "Night World : Black Dawn Chapter 11" in category "Essay examples"†If we all get under it, we can keep warm.† They put Cady in the middle, Maggie and P.J. onone side of her and Jeanne on the other. The cover was more than big enough to spread over them. And the hay smelled nice. It was prickly, butMaggie’s long sleeves and jeans protected her. There was a strange comfort in P.J.’s slight bodycuddled up next to herlike a kitten, Maggiethought. And it was so blessedly good to not bemoving, to not be carrying anyone, but just to sit still and relax her sore muscles. â€Å"There was a little food stashed here,† Jeannesaid, digging under the hay and pulling out a smallpacket. â€Å"Dried meat strips and oatcakes with salalberries. We’d better save some for tomorrow,though.† Maggie tore into the dried meat hungrily. Itdidn’t taste like beef jerky; it was tougher and gam ier, but right at the moment it seemed delicious.She tried to get Cady to eat some, but it was nouse. Cady just turned her head away. She and Jeanne and P.J. finished the meal offwith a drink of water, and then they lay back onthe bed of hay. Maggie felt almost happy. The gnawing in her stomach was gone, her muscles were loosening up,and she could feel a warm heavinesssettlingoverher. â€Å"You were going†¦ to tell me about Bern †¦Ã¢â‚¬ Jeanne said from the other side of Cady. The wordstrailed off into a giant yawn. â€Å"Yeah.† Maggie’s brain was fuzzy and her eyeswouldn’t stay open. â€Å"Tomorrow †¦Ã¢â‚¬  And then, lying on a pile of hay in a tiny shack ina strange kingdom, with three girls who had been strangers to her before this afternoon and who nowseemed a little like sisters, she was fast asleep. Maggie woke up with her nose cold and her feettoo hot. Pale light was coming in all the cracks inthe boards of the cabin. For one instant she stared at the rough weathered-silver boards and the hayon the floor and wondered where she was. Thenshe remembered everything. â€Å"Cady.† She sat up and looked at the girl beside her. Cady didn’t look well. Her face had the waxyinner glow of somebody with a fever, and there were little tendrils of dark hair curled damply onher forehead. But at Maggie’s voice her eyelashes fluttered, then her eyes opened. â€Å"Maggie?† â€Å"How are you feeling? Want some water?† Shehelped Cady drink from the leather bag. â€Å"I’m all right. Thanks to you, I think. Youbrought me here, didn’t you?† Cady’s face turnedas if she were looking around the room with herwide, unfocused eyes. She spoke in short sentences, as if she were conserving her strength, but hervoice was more gentle than weak. â€Å"And Jeanne, too.Thank you both.† She must have heard us talkinglast night, Maggie thought. Jeanne was sitting up, straw in her red hair, her green eyes narrow and alert instantly. P.J.was stirring and making grumpy noises. â€Å"Morning,† Maggie said. â€Å"Is everybody okay?’ â€Å"Yeah,† P.J. said in a small, husky voice. Therewas a loud rumble from her stomach. â€Å"I guess I’mstill a little hungry,† she admitted. â€Å"There’re a couple oatcakes left,† Jeanne said.†And one strip of meat. We might as well finishit off.† They made Cady eat the meat, although she triedto refuse it. Then they divided the oatcakes solemnly into four parts and ate them, chewing dog gedly on dry, flaky mouthfuls. â€Å"We’re going to need more water, too,† Maggiesaid, after they’d each had a drink. The leather bagwas almost empty. â€Å"But I think the first thing is tofigure out what we’re going to do now. What our plan is.† â€Å"The first thing,† Jeanne said, â€Å"is to tell us whathappened to Bern.† â€Å"Oh.†Maggie blinked, but she could see whyJeanne would want to know. â€Å"Well, he’s definitely dead.† She sketched in what had happened aftershe and Cady had started running through thewoods. How Gavin and Bern had chased them andhad finally driven them into a corner on the boulder pile.How Bern hadclimbedup andchanged†¦ â€Å"He was a shapeshifter, you know,† she said. Jeanne nodded, unsurprised. â€Å"Bern means bear.They usually have names that mean what they are.But you’re saying you tried to fight thatguy off with a stick? You’re dumber than I thought.† Still,her green eyes were gleaming with something likewry admiration, and P.J. was listening with awe. â€Å"And then-there was this lightning,† Maggiesaid. â€Å"And it killed Bern and Gavin ran away.† Sherealized, even asshe said it, that she didn’t wantto tell everything that had happened with Delos.She didn’t think Jeanne would understand. So she left out the way their minds had linked when theytouched, and the way she’d seen his memories-and the fact that she’d dreamed about him beforeever coming to this valley. â€Å"Then I filled the water bag and we heard Sylviacoming and he went out to make sure she didn’tfind me or Cady,† she finished. She realized thatthey were all staring at her. Cady’s facewasthoughtful and serene as always, P.J. was scaredbut interested in the story-but Jeanne was rivetedwith disbelief and horror. â€Å"You’re saying Prince Delossaved your life? Withthe blue fire? You’re saying he didn’t turn you overto the hunting party?† She said it as if she were talking about Dracula. â€Å"It’s the truth.† Good thing I didn’t tell her aboutthe kiss, Maggie thought. â€Å"It’s impossible. Delos hates everybody. He’s themost dangerous of all of them.† â€Å"Yeah, that’s what he kept telling me.† Maggieshook her head. The way Jeanne was looking at hermade her uncomfortable,as if she were defendingsomeone unredeemably evil. â€Å"He also said at one point that he killed my brother,† she said slowly.†But I didn’t know whether to believeit†¦.† â€Å"Believe it.† Jeanne’s nostrils were flared and herlip curledasif she were looking at something disgusting. â€Å"He’s the head of this whole place and everything that goes on here. There’s nothing hewouldn’t do. I can’t believe he let you go.† She considered for a moment, then said grimly, â€Å"Unless he’s got something special in mind. Letting you go and then hunting you down later. It’s the kind ofthing he’d enjoy.† Maggie had a strange feeling of void in her stomach that had nothing to do with hunger. She triedto speak calmly. â€Å"I don’t think so. I think-he justdidn’t care if I got away.† â€Å"You’re fooling yourself. You don’t understandabout these people because you haven’t been here. None of youhave been here.† Jeanne looked at P.J.,who was watching with wide blue ‘eyes, and atCady, who was listening silently, her head slightlybowed. â€Å"The Night People are monsters.And theones here in the Dark Kingdom are the worst of all. Some of them have been alive for hundreds of years-some of them were here when Delos’sgrandfather founded the place. They’ve been holedup in this valley all that time †¦ and allthey do ishunt.It’s their only sport. It’s all they care about. It’s all they do.† Maggie’s skin was prickling. Part of her didn’twant to pursue this subject any further. But she had to know. â€Å"Last night I noticed something weird,† she said.†I was standing outside and listening, but I couldn’thear any animal sounds anywhere. None at all.† â€Å"They’ve wiped them out. Alltheanimalsin the wild are gone.† P.J.’s thin little hand clutched at Maggie’s armnervously. ‘But then what do they hunt?† â€Å"Animals they breed and release. I’ve been a slavehere for three years, and at first I only saw them breeding local animaLs-cougars and black bears wolverines and stuff. But in the last couple ofyears they’ve started bringing in exotics. Leopardstigers and things.† Maggie let out her breath and patted P.J.’s hand.`But not humans.† â€Å"Don’t make me laugh. Of course humans-butonly when they can get an excuse. The laws say the vampires can’t hunt slaves to death because they’retoo precious-pretty soon the food supply wouldbe gone. But if slaves get loose, they at least get to hunt them down and bring them back to the castle. And if a slave has to be executed, they do a death hunt.† â€Å"I see.† The void in Maggie’s stomach had become a yawning chasm. â€Å"But-2†² â€Å"If he let you go, it was so he could come backand hunt you,† Jeanne said flatly. â€Å"I’m telling you,he’s bad. It was three years ago that the old kingdied and Delos took over, okay? And it was threeyears ago that they started bringing new slaves in.Not just grabbing people off the mountain if theygot too close, but actuallygoing down and kidnapping girls off the streets. That’s why I’m here.That’swhy P.J.’s here.† Beside Maggie, P.J. shivered. Maggie put an armaround her and felt the slight body shaking againsthers. She gulped, her other hand clenching into afist. â€Å"Hey, kiddo. You’ve been really brave so far, sojust hang on, okay? Things are going to work out.† She could feel Jeanne’s sarcastic eyes on herfrom beyond Cady, daring her to explain exactly howthings were going to work out. She ignoredthem. â€Å"Was it the same for you, Cady?† she asked. Shewas glad to get off the subject of Delos, and shewas remembering the strange thing Cady had saidlast night. I was coming here for a reason†¦. â€Å"No. They got me on the mountain.† But the wayCady spoke alarmed Maggie. It was slowly and with obvious effort, the voice of someone who had touse all their strength just to concentrate. Maggie forgot all about Delos and the slave tradeand put a hand to Cady’s forehead. â€Å"Oh, God,† she said. â€Å"You’re burning up. You’re totally on fire.† Cady blinked slowly. â€Å"Yes-it’s the poison,† shesaid in a foggy voice. â€Å"They injected me with something when they caught me-but I had a bad reaction to it. My system can’t take it.† Adrenaline flicked through Maggie. â€Å"And you’regetting worse.† When Cady nodded reluctantly, shesaid, â€Å"Right. Then there’s no choice. We have to getto the castle because that’s where the healingwomen are, right? If anybody can help, they can, right?† â€Å"Wait a minute,† Jeanne said. â€Å"We can’t go downto the castle. We’d be walking right into their arms.And we can’t get out of the valley. I found the passbefore, but that was by accident. I couldn’t find itagain â€Å"I could,† Maggie said. When Jeanne stared at her, she said, â€Å"Never mind how. I just can. But going that way means climbing down a mountainon the other side and Cady can’t make it. And I don’t think she’ll make it if we leave her alone hereand go look for help.† Jeanne’s narrow green eyes were on her again,and Maggie knew what they were saying. So we’vegot to give up on her. It’s the only thing thatmakessense. But Maggie bulldozed on in determination. â€Å"Youcan take P.J. to thepass-I can tellyou howto get there-and Ill take Cady to the castle. How about that? If you can tell me how to get to it.† â€Å"Itstinks,†Jeanne said flatly. â€Å"Even if you make it to the castle with her hanging on you, you won’tknow how to get in. And if you doget in, you’ll be committing suicide-â€Å" She broke off, and everyone started. For an instant Maggie didn’t understand why-all she knewwas that she had a sudden feeling of alarm andalertness. Then she realized that Cady had turnedsuddenly toward the door. It was the quick, instinctive gesture of a cat who has heard something dangerous, and it triggered fear in the girls who werelearning to live by their own instincts. And now that Maggie sat frozen, she could hearit, too, faraway but distinct. The sound of peoplecalling, yelling back and forth. And another sound, one that she’d only heard in movies, but that sherecognized instantly. Hounds baying. â€Å"It’s them,† Jeanne whispered into the dead silence of the shack. â€Å"I told you. They’re hunting us.† â€Å"With dogs?†Maggie said, shock tingling throughher body. â€Å"It’s all over,† Jeanne said. â€Å"We’re dead.† How to cite Night World : Black Dawn Chapter 11, Essay examples

Why are you interested in Azusa Pacific University an Example by

Why are you interested in Azusa Pacific University? In this essay, an attempt will be made to justify my desire to take admission in Azusa Pacific University. Being a Christian and interested in Christian theology and other aspects of Christianity, I always wanted to enter into an educational institution which provides greater prominence to the teaching of Christianity. My friend informed me regarding this University and subsequent discussion with my other colleagues has proved that I would benefit by obtaining admission in Azusa Pacific University. By attending this Christian college, I can improve my knowledge concerning Christianity and this would strengthen my faith. Need essay sample on "Why are you interested in Azusa Pacific University?" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Our Customers Often Tell Us: I need to ask a good online coursework writing service for help. Essay writers recommend: Choose The Qualified Help In Writing Papers This is a private Christian University which is located in Azusa, California. It caters to the educational needs of those Americans who wish to learn the various aspects of Christianity such as origin and development of Christianity and Christian theology. Before becoming University in 1980s this college was differently called the Training School for Christian Workers, Pacific Bible College, and Azusa College. These names indicate the motto of the university that God is first. This implies that this college gives greatest importance to understanding the concept of God. This college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It is interesting to note that this college consists of more than 1000 faculty members which indicate that they would be able to give individual attention to the students who study in this college. Even today this educational institution can be considered as an important evangelical institution. The main aim of this college is to discuss the principal philosophy and tenets of Christianity. The famous personalities like actor Austin OBrien was the product of this university. (Wikipedia) The President of Azusa Pacific University has reaffirmed the faith in the God first motto. In fact, due to the adherence to this philosophy the University has been able to attract large number of the Christians and other people interested in learning the aspects concerning Christianity. Azusa Pacific University is guided by the values such as: Christ, transformational scholarship, life-giving community, and sacrificial service. It is important to note that Christ is the center of all the academic courses and programs initiated by this educational institution. It also educates the community concerning the ethical values that was preached and professed by Christ and many other scholars of Christianity. These values have inspired number of scholars to become the part of Azusa College and they have benefited by learning and teaching in this institution. However, this college also caters to the changing needs of the modern time by using the latest technology and by providing education in the latest developments in the field of Christianity. This has not only improved the students knowledge of Christianity but also this has also helped the students to become professionals. The students have been able to obtain employment in the prestigious institutions. This has proved the academic quality of this institution. Notable achievement of Azusa College is that it has been honored in the TIME magazine and US News & World Report. This shows that the achievements of this university have been noticed by the leading magazines and agencies. These details prove that the University is guided by the evangelical Christian world view and the teachers of this college have attempted to prove their commit ment to the Christian values. (apu.edu) The above details show that this is the best institution for the people who would like to study Christianity and the various aspects related to Christianity. By obtaining admission in this institution, I would like to improve my knowledge pertaining to the values propounded by Christianity. Bibliography Azusa Pacific University, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Message from the President, Azusa Pacific University

Speaking Engagements Your First Gig as an Author

Speaking Engagements Your First Gig as an Author Speaking Engagements: Your First Gig as an Author Once you’ve done the hard work of writing and publishing your book, it’s time to consider getting some speaking engagements so you can spread the word about your book’s messageand make even more cash from it.As an author, it’s highly possible you’ve convinced yourself that speaking in front of an audience simply isn’t for you- after all, you’re a writer, not a speaker†¦right?That’s not exactly true.While the walls of publishing are coming down, and there’s never been a better time to become a published author.but this means there’s an awful lot of competition out there.Were here to cover this information all about speaking engagements:What are speaking engagements?How do you get paid for speaking engagements?How to book yourself as a speaker10 ways to land your first speaking engagementsThe authors who are willing to put themselves out there- whether in the form of speaking gigs, media, or other in-person appe arances- have the best chance of standing out from the crowd and grabbing the attention of book buyers.NOTE: One of the best ways to land speaking gigs is to place yourself as an authority through writing a book. We teach just that and so much more in our VIP Self-Publishing Program. Learn more about it hereWhat area speaking engagements?Speaking engagements are when you speak in front of a group of people on a specific topic youre knowledgable about.Most people think of Ted Talks when they hear the term speaking engagement.However, not all speaking gigs have to be at the Ted Talk level in order to be considered a speaking engagement. Any scheduled speech you give (even unpaid) in front of a group of people is considered a speaking gig.How do you get paid to be a speaker?Not everyone can get paid to be a speaker upfront. If you want to be a paid speaker, you have to first hone the craft of speaking and then gain experience in the field.Some may get lucky enough to be booked as a pai d speaker upfront but usually, it can take time, experience, and a resume of speaking engagements in order to take home money for it.An easy way to expedite the process of becoming a paid speaker is to increase your authority by writing a book. Becoming a bestseller by self-publishing a book(something we here at Self-Publishing School teach) is even better. Its a surefire sign that you know what youre talking about and have credibility behind you.How do you book yourself as a speaker?Before you can reach the days of paying someone else to book your speaking gigs, you have to put in the work for yourself first.This means doing research and performing a lot of outreach in order to connect with those responsible for booking speakers at different events.Keep in mind that you may have to start small (and well touch on this below) before you can expect to book yourself at larger, paid speaking engagements.How to Land Your First Speaking Engagements as an AuthorWe’re not saying it c an’t be nerve-wracking to stand up in front of a crowd. That’s why we recommend starting small, saying â€Å"yes† to multiple opportunities, and getting lots of practice.This isn’t a one-and-done proposition if you truly want speaking to become an effective piece of your â€Å"professional author† repertoire.So, how exactly should you land that first speaking engagement? Read on for our ten tips, and you’ll soon be writing your notecards for your debut talk.#1 Start LocalConferences are a natural place for speakers of all levels to take the stage. However, don’t feel as though you have to limit yourself to formal settings to find speaking engagements.Any group where your desired audience gathers can provide a chance for you to speak.You could speak to students, to religious organizations, women’s groups, at your library, local business associations†¦the list is endless! Look around your own community and make a mental lis t of all the places where you might ask to speak.#2 Speak to Your NicheIf your book is geared toward a specific niche, explore related groups. For example, if your book is a memoir about overcoming an obstacle- such as domestic violence or cancer or another illness- you could speak to a support group.If your book is about productivity, then seek out entrepreneur groups or the chamber of commerce.If you’re a nurse, and you’ve written a book about health care, then hospitals are a natural place for you to speak. If your story relates to a specific sport, then hit up the closest sport teams.No audience or venue is too small or informal for your first â€Å"official† speech.#3 Find a Natural ConnectionWhile we do recommend starting small and local, look even closer: make sure the group you choose will actually be well-served by hearing your message.Look, there’s nothing worse than standing in front of a crowd that’s bored, or worse- hostile- because you’re wasting their time. There’s an easy way to warm up any crowd, and that’s to have something in common with them. You want your first speaking engagementto be closely related to your book and your book’s message.If your book is all about the stressful life of a lawyer, then you’re not going to want to speak to a group of airline pilots.For your first speaking gig, your goal is to find an audience that will benefit from your book’s message. Ideally, you want to find an audience you naturally connect with, because that connection will make you more relaxed and authentic, which will result in a better speech.#4 Build ExcitementIf you’re not quite ready to beat the bushes in order to grab your first speaking engagementimmediately, then consider building up some excitement first.We authors share a common goal: to get our target readers excited about our book’s message!How do you do that? The good news is the Internet makes bui lding a virtual audience fairly easy these days with consistent effort. You can establish a following of readers through your website, through online forums, via social media, and by writing blog posts, both your own and by writing guest posts for others.Use all of these types of content to build your audience with the goals of increasing book sales and finding your first speaking gig.#5 Hone Your SkillsThink of informal ways to practice your speaking abilities with the goal of scoring a â€Å"real† gig.You can produce videos on your book’s subject, join podcasts, and seek out online interviews to share your voice with the world, gain exposure, and get comfortable with your talking points.By showcasing your speaking talents, you open the door to an invitation to speak in a more structured setting- that even pays more. Plus, you get great practice speaking about your book’s message before you have to stand on a stage in person.#6 Attend a Writer’s Worksh opA great way to get the inside scoop is to meet other authors and pick their brains about their speaking process.How did they find speaking engagements? What are their best speaking tips? What fees do they charge? Meeting other writers gives you a broader network to use as resources on all topics that impact authors- not just the nitty-gritty of drafting books.#7 Speak at an Industry EventThese fact-based speaking engagements areperfect for non-fiction authors. Whether your industry is blogging, healthcare, law, plumbing, or real estate, it’s likely you can find a conference about it.The exact nature of the industry doesn’t have to mirror the topic of your book. Instead, you can focus your talk on skills that can help people in that industry.For example, if your book is about productivity, you can create a talk that’s focused on how your audience can adapt the productivity lessons found in your book to suit their particular industry.#8 Aim Low (at First)The f irst of your speaking engagements probably won’t be a Ted Talk, and that’s okay!The first time, in fact, you may have to volunteer your time to speak at a pretty tiny event. But as the saying goes, you have to walk before you can run. Just keep taking steps toward bigger and better events. With each new speaking gig, your resume will grow- along with your confidence!#9 Practice Makes PerfectWrite a speech today, and read it to yourself daily- before you even have speaking engagements lined up. You want to be able to handle a speaking engagement that’s the very next day if someone called you out of the blue.Once you’ve taken the time to put together your speech about your book, you’ll notice ways to refine it and improve on it day after day when you practice like youre speaking in public.What way when the times comes, you’ll be ready to shine.#10 Say YES!When you’re offered your first speaking engagements- take it!Even if it gives yo u butterflies or if it’s not the â€Å"perfect† fit for your brand, you need to be open to invitations when you’re just starting out. You’ll gain valuable experience, polish your skills, and get your book’s message out there to the public.All good things!Get started now on finding your first speaking gig. No matter the size of your audience, you’ll gain exposure for your message, while achieving the unparalleled life experience of speaking about your passion.Get Started TODAYLike what you read and want to learn more? We’re holding a FREE online workshop where Chandler is revealing the exact tactics and strategies he used to write and publish 6 bestselling books in a row†¦ and use them to build a 7-figure business in less than 2 years.Click here to save your spot now!

Word Choice Continuous vs. Continual - Proofeds Writing Tips

Word Choice Continuous vs. Continual - Proofeds Writing Tips Word Choice: Continuous vs. Continual Continuous and continual are sometimes used interchangeably, but these words are not actually synonyms. Confusion is understandable, though: both continuous and continual come from the verb continue, and both are adjectives related to duration. There is, however, a subtle difference in their usage. Read on to learn more. Continuous (Without Interruption) The word continuous is an adjective that describes something as ongoing and uninterrupted. It is usually used when referring to a duration of time: The continuous sound of our neighbor’s clog dancing drove us mad. Continuous can also describe an uninterrupted spatial span: The Maginot Line was a continuous stretch of concrete fortifications. Continuous is the more common of the two words were examining, so it is more likely you will need this in most situations. Continual (Repeatedly) The adjective continual means that something happens repeatedly at intervals, rather than as one long, uninterrupted event. It would be used in a sentence like this: Peter hated the continual storms that blighted his childhood on the plains. This sentence refers to storms that occurred frequently and repeatedly, but there wasn’t one continuous, ongoing storm that lasted the entire length of Peter’s childhood. Continuous or Continual? Knowing the difference between these adjectives means that you will be able to use them with confidence in your writing. The basic facts to remember are: Something which is continuous happens without interruption. Something which is continual recurs, but with breaks between occurrences. If you would like some more guidance and advice about academic writing, or would like to have your own work checked through for errors and formatting, get in touch with the professionals at Proofed today!