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When I first started going to 12 step meetings some 20+ years ago, I heard that I could redefine my God. I was assured that I was able to make him anything that I needed.

This was a great thing to learn because at that time in my life, the God of my childhood wasn’t very nice.

I will not allege that I was instructed about a punishing God. But, I will state what I was taught.

A large part of this ‘education’ included things concerning self esteem and self confidence.

So, when I found out that my God could be redefined, it was a huge relief. I was able to define my God as very Compassionate and that loved me no matter what. I listened to someone say that his God “knew what I was doing and loved me while I did it”.

I believe that a lot of us have been taught “to act as if God is watching, because he is”. And, if this was the case, I was in bad trouble as the result of some of the acts I had performed while growing up.

Now that I did not have to worry about being thrown into the “depths of Hell” for what I had done in my youth, I was able to begin living a good life.

So, if you have a God that is not Compassionate, the best thing for you to do is to sit down and create a “designer God”.

I do not intend to be flippant about this but you need to have a God that is loving if you are going to live a good life.

We do not want to be “looking over our shoulder” to make sure that our “punishing God” is not breathing down our neck.

Life is too short to be lived running from a God of our parents. It is time to define a God for you that is caring and loving.

I have heard it stated that our only trouble in life is our “sensed separation from God”. That separation is very easy to imagine if the God of your definition is punishing and mean.

If you want the see a unique view of how to be happy, visit Dave Owen’s site “I Choose Happiness”. You will find ways to be happy, one smile at a time.

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One day Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessing be on him) asked his dear companions whether they knew who a poor person really is. They all answered that a poor person is the one without any money or wealth. Then he told them as follows:

“Among my community the deprived person is the one who will appear on the Day of Judgment before Allah: Such a person had observed prayers; he had paid his compulsory alms; he had observed his compulsory fasting; But he would have ill-treated somebody, he would have falsely accused someone;

He would have taken someone else belongings with no authority; he would have assassinated someone; he would have struck somebody. All his rewards will be given to the people he offended. If his virtues have finished before his wicked deeds have finished, the errors and sins of the victims would be given to him and he would be thrown into Hell.”

Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessing be on him) has said the reality. Such a man is really broke. His state is like that trader who has goods worth one thousand rupees but he is a debtor for two thousand rupees. How can such a man be called affluent?

A spiritual man who offers certain prayers or performs certain forms of veneration but even after that commits some forms of malevolent activities, behaves rudely with the people, treats poor and the hopeless people cruelly, how can such a man be called honorable?

The Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessing be on him) has thus made this clear by quoting an instance. He said that the best moral character melts error like water and bad morals spoils man’s record as vinegar destroys honey.

As adherents of Islam we should therefore endeavor as much as possible to steer clear of hurting other people’s emotion whether through our utterances or actions. It is not enough struggling to do his duties to Allah in forms of prayers or giving necessary alms whereas neglecting his duties towards others or even depriving them of their rights.

Every equation must be balanced on the Day of Judgment. Every person will claim his right that has been taken away from him or her while on the Earth. The reward is either used to compensate or the sins of the victims are added to the culprit’s load.

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Being gay is still conversational in the world we live in today and its acceptance has ebbed and flowed through history. While people like to point backwards to the openness of homosexual culture in ancient Greece, that was over 2,000 years ago and the world has not rushed forward as a whole to embrace a gay lifestyle. While some areas are very welcoming, such as Canada which allows gays to get married there are varying degrees of acceptance in small pockets and arenas - like traveling the world in any number of gay tours.

In the United States, gay rights are debated across a variety of regions whose ideals shift radically based on culture and religion. Some cities are more gay friendly than others and some states, like Vermont, allow gay marriages that would not be recognized otherwise. Because America is a melting pot, the reaction to homosexuality runs the gamut, but it is still better than countries like Iran which punish gay lifestyles with death sentences.

Is it a choice? Are you born gay? These are the questions that the rest of the world struggles with and that a gay child does not concern themselves with. To be gay is to realize your difference very early one and carry that into puberty. Adolescence is already a time of struggle and reflection that for gay teens, includes having to choose between being in the closet and acting the part of a straight teen or coming out and dealing with reactions that can be either accepting or rejecting.

Coming to terms with sexuality and a place in the world means finding like minded individuals. Technology, thankfully, has stepped forward and given gays a voice and a community. Lesbian Gay and Transgendered (LGBT) groups have come forward to make gayness a safe and normal state of being that is supported and full of love.

Many straight adults never have to think twice about feeling accepted sexually and so it can be underestimated that for a gay person to be around other gay persons, it can be one of the most accepting and transformative experiences. Finding time to be around other gays and having a sense of community does not have to be the exclusive purview of gay clubs. Travel feeds the soul and traveling with other gay people on gay tours can open up the world.

Gay tours are fantastic travel opportunities that bring down any feeling of anxiety and create a travel itinerary that puts the emphasis on fun and experience, and not to whether where you are going it gay friendly or if you have to pretend to be straight. Gay tours can be something as simple as a cruise, or as elaborate as a trek through the Himalayas. You can experience every thing from spiritual enlightenment to a down and out party atmosphere - the choice is yours.

There are a variety and number of vacations that will have you surrounded by other gay people and couples. No matter your interests there are tours specific to your desires. Also, the extent in which tours are gay can vary according to your interests be it gays, lesbians, and their friends, gay families, just gay men, and only lesbian women.

Experience the world and let your true personality shine through without fear of being rejected. Gay vacations are a great way to relax and take a moment to be around so many other gay people, a luxury that straight people have every single day. The psychological benefits cannot be discounted.

Howie Holben pilots Spirit Journeys, a gay vacations organization that focuses on personal growth travel. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. There is more about Howie, his work and gay travel with a spiritual focus at Spirit Journeys website.

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Considered as potential market in recent issue for tourism, gay tourists are finding their way towards contributing revenue in the destination market. So the reason why gay travel to Switzerland will give you the hint of why is this such.

Switzerland, a country which may be so small in the map, is really considered as one of the most tourist hunt countries in part of Europe. It has various remarkable spots to choose from. A tourist can have great time wandering around for a holiday there. Without a doubt, no bunch of tourist could resist its stunning beauty. And that doesn’t exclude the number of gays having these special tours that are intended for gays alone. A bus can take them for departure Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Prague, Amsterdam and also Vienna. The prices would only take them $100.00 and up to $3,000.00 above.

They will of course vary on the kind of accommodation they would want. The mere fact that those particular buses for gay passengers, they are truly considered to be potential for market revenue, would you agree?

There are lots of great spots in Switzerland to visit. That glorious snow-capped Alps, those breath-taking mountainside villages and the pristine valleys are just one of the few. Plus the fact that they can travel with professional gay tour guides, it will surely give them that unforgettable travel observing cultures of Swiss.

Gays can already enjoy the journey without judgments with their lifestyles. They can familiarize themselves because they will be travelling with the same gender as them. Try to ask somebody who’s been to different gay travels and their story would be happy ones. Why not read about gay journeys in Switzerland and you will be given options where you will want to go. That tours are actually treated as gay-friendly.

Going back 1970, the subject has been to many debate because others doesn’t accept homosexuals. They are having law conflicts like for marriages and people; in general, don’t see them like normal individuals. But the law for anti-discriminatory justified them. And yet, it does not assure them that all people will look at them with respect. Rejection will be present at times, no one can avoid that. With these society norms, a doubtful image can still be thrown towards the gay population.

As such, they have opted for those gay vacations packages like that in Switzerland. Though this, gays can taste the word holiday rather than mere pronouncing it. What more could be nicer in a tour than being comfortable and to feel that you are safe with the same minded people like you do?

The result for their want of having their personal lives respected is this. It had offered them the freewill not to experience hardships of transferring from place to place. They will be guaranteeing their delight for what a vacation should be. Gay destinations to Switzerland won’t be a bad idea for a trip after all. In is in fact such a good idea to get away from your stresses sometimes.

Howie Holben operates Spirit Journeys, a gay travel organization that focuses on spiritual travel. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. You can learn more about Howie, his work and gay travels with a highlight on spirituality at Spirit Journeys website.

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Morocco is a country steeped in myths and legend and offers gay travel opportunities to experience a rich history and culture that continues to strongly influence daily life. Morocco offers visitors the chance to cross the desert atop a camel, sleep in a hotel made of sand and haggle with aggressive spice and rug traders in marketplaces that look and feel like they are from another time in history. In many towns and cities former homes have been transformed into guest lodgings, called riads, that often offer a more welcoming atmosphere for travelers on a gay vacation and provide the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and daily life of Morocco. While there is no visible scene in this conservative Muslim country, there are still abundant reasons for Morocco to be part of your gay travel plans, including ancient ruins and architecture, exceptional beaches, desert landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see and open air souks (markets) that wind through village streets offering exotic wares.

With splendid Muslim mosques, Roman ruins, street performers and snake charmers, a vacation to Morocco is a once in a lifetime experience full of sights, smells, colors and sounds. Travel to Morocco would simply not be complete without standing in awe of the distinct art deco architecture in Casablanca, climbing atop an ancient white wall in Tangier to take in the expansive ocean views and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, visiting the Dar Si Said Museum in Marrakech and exploring the diverse corridors of the Fes medina.

Jet set European and American composers, writers and socialites once flocked to Morocco in droves, making it a well-known, popular gay vacation destination; however, while Morocco was once a welcoming playground for gay vacations, a push by Muslim leaders to return to the stricter moral code of Islam has negatively influenced this once liberal vacation spot. While rarely enforced, same-sex conduct was criminalized in 1962 and travelers on a vacation to Morocco should keep in mind that it is a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in prison and fines.

In a 2009 statement, the Moroccan government asserted that homosexuality will not be tolerated and will be repressed, which means there may be an increase in enforcement and travelers should be particularly aware of their surroundings when in public. Laws and attitudes such as this are common in countries that are primarily Muslim and do not necessarily indicate that Morocco should be avoided when partaking in gay travel.

It does; however, indicate that awareness and discretion are advised wile on a Morocco vacation. To avoid possible issues, travelers may want to consider participating in a travel group vacation or planning their trip with the assistance of a gay tours company well-versed in planning vacations in Morocco.

Howie Holben, the author, is the owner of Spirit Journeys, a gay retreat organization that focuses on spiritual travel. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. You can learn more about Howie, his work and gay vacation destinations with a spiritual concentration at Spirit Journeys website.

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Gay retreats are for those who are prepared to recline into a transition of soul searching. A lot has happened and you need a place that will support your yearning to renew thyself. Healthier pathways for living can be observed on a billboard advertisement that offers you a glimpse into paradise. Every task demanded of you is fulfilled with urgency and efficiency - now you have to know that you deserve a retreat.

Discovering something new about your existence and the journey ahead requires an environment that will nourish you. It is more than okay to not know exactly what you require for a particular time in your life; but it is important to be open. There are a number of things to explore - life will give you what you need if you let it.

Getting down to the basics of what you need is a perfect starting point to map out your road to healing. Everyone should have an appetite for the unknown; and people have been finding a new introduction to life through the textures of food forever. Exciting the pallet wakes you up and gets the endorphins in motion. Exotic foods should be on your list of things to require of your retreat.

The presentation of the food you consume is just as important as what it will do for your body. A healing process should include an array of food that will be good for your soul. Having the option to study it and decide if or how you’ll receive it is a great exercise to slow you down. The best foods for this process are in the fresh category. The nutrients will be potent and add to your efforts of restoring balance.

Balance must be decided based on the specific needs of an individual. Restoring it takes an honest approach before a plan of restoration can be found. Knowing the difference between getting by on a few hours of sleep is vastly different from what you really need. You want to accomplished the day with efficiency and have enough energy for you later.

Your chemistry tells others about your lifestyle choices. Taking on too much may be appreciated by others; but your best contribution is being authentically present. The world will continue to turn without you but living your purpose makes you available for the experience. Spending some time getting connected with the planet will help you feel more alive.

The world has given birth to many places and things to nourish you into a preserved state. Mountains, exotic flowers and wildlife are in abundance for your pleasure. Getting to a place of stillness is the pathway to inner peace. Choosing your forum gets you on your way to establishing your beauty within. The more connected you are the more fulfilling your interactions with others will be.

Letting yourself go and learning how to play is the art of mastering your awareness. Your relationship to yourself, your loved ones and the world around you needs your undiluted attention. The efforts you place in these areas will prove to be your foundation for an enriched life. And, the place to address theses matters can be fulfilled through an array of gay men’s retreats.

Howie Holben is the force behind Spirit Journeys, a gay spiritual singles outift that focuses on conscious tours. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. Find more about Howie, his work and gay travel vacations with a spiritual focus at Spirit Journeys website.

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In January 1848, James Marshall was overseeing the building of a saw mill for his boss, when he saw an odd rock glinting in the upturned earth.

He was not sure whether it was gold or not and did not want to get people’s aspirations up. So Marshall tried to break the yellow rock with a hammer. It did not crack, but it did dent. just like gold would. The woman who was cooking meals for the saw mill construction crew, tried another test by boiling the rock in lye.

They boiled it all day, but it did not change colour. So, they passed the rock over to the mill’s owner, Mr. John Sutter, who also conducted a few tests. Eventually, everyone agreed that this rock was indeed gold.

It seems that the Sierra Nevada Mountains hid huge hordes of gold, but that over tens of thousands of years, erosion had loosened up gold nuggets and the mountain streams flushed them down to the bottom of the mountains. Sutter’s property was situated between two rivers and so was likely to generate great wealth.

Sutter had ideas to build an agricultural empire on his 39,000 acres of land, so he asked his employees to keep stum about the find. However, as is to be expected, word got out. Eventually news of the gold strike reached the small town of San Francisco.

There, a newspaper publisher shouted around the streets: “Gold from the American River!” and within three days of the news arriving, 400 of the 600 inhabitants had set out for Sutter’s land. It was a groundswell and by the end of the year, gold prospectors had traveled to California from as far afield as Mexico and Chile.

When word of the gold strike reached the east coast, President Polk confirmed the finding. It was December 1848 and ‘The Gold Rush’ became a national and even a worldwide phenomenon. The gold prospectors of 1849 and later years became known as forty-niners.

What has to be borne in mind is though, that most people, who came from Canada, Mexico and the eastern United States came by wagon train, as there were not locomotive! This meant a arduous trek of between six and nine months

Nevertheless, at least 32,000 people actually walked to California in 1849, and about 44,000 more got there in 1850. Others, such as South Americans, faced an arduous journey by sea. They suffered storms, shipwrecks, hunger and thirst, disease, and overcrowding and after all that, some still had to face mule rides through jungles and deserts! Still, in under a year, about 40,000 people arrived in San Francisco from abroad.

The new arrivals caused a dramatic change in California’s population, because in 1848, California had had about 100,000 residents, most of whom were Native Americans, but within two years, the state population more than doubled but the variety of backgrounds increased tens of fold.

Some people found gold and made a fortune in the Californian riverbeds, but most people did not become rich in the Gold Rush. When gold was found, the hoard was usually cleared quickly. James Marshall had little achievement as a miner, and he died impoverished. John Sutter, who had once owned 39,000 acres, left California in heavy debt after prospectors trampled his land.

In fact, it was simpler to make money selling shovels and other provisions to the miners. Most people lost everything they had, so they stayed to work the vast expanse called California or to set up businesses. By 1856, San Francisco had a very multi-ethnic population of over 50,000 people and California had become the most exhilarating state in the country.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with Celtic knot rings. If you have an interest in gold rings, please go to our website now at White Gold Claddagh Ring

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some people have asked me what motivated me for weight loss and I want to take the time in this video to answer it. Also I am sorry for the buzzing noise it is my lap top and if anyone knows how to get rid of it would love to know. And good luck to you all on your journeys of weight loss and health….

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Although there is not much of a gay scene throughout Mongolia, its beautiful landscapes and unique culture prove gay tours to this wonderful place can be special. Homosexual acts were declared legal in 2002, but naivete about homosexuality still persists and gay travel to Mongolia is a good idea for your next vacation.

Mongolia is sparsely populated, leaving plenty of room for the beautiful lakes, majestic mountains and flowing rivers for which the country is often known. Mongolia boasts a unique history as the Mongols and Genghis Khan once ruled powerfully, only for the country to later fall under Soviet grasps.

With beautiful landscapes and cultural experiences, Mongolia can be a popular destination for gay travelers despite its not being known for an open gay scene.

As you consider a trip to Mongolia, you will want to start your adventure in the capital of Ulaanbaatar. There is an international airport or you can take the train directly from Beijing for a unique overland experience. As Mongolia’s capital and largest city it is the perfect starting point for countrywide excursions.

While drawing up an itinerary in the capital, you can expect to pay roughly twenty American dollars per night in most guesthouses, where you will meet friendly staff offering assistance in planning.

From there, the options are plentiful. For shorter stays, consider a local home stay near Terelj National Park, just two hours from the capital and an easy ride to the Gobi Desert. You might also want to think about a trip to Genghis Khan’s ancient capital or adding a week to head north for spectacular lake, mountain and river excursions.

Longer stays are possible and can incorporate larger tours of the country as a whole, making the diversity of the nation more apparent.

Ulaanbaatar itself offers tourist sites to visitors. It maintains a vibrant culture and delicious yet cheap restaurants, including Mongol Shabu, which offers traditional menus. You can also visit the Natural History Museum or catch a performance by the esteemed Mongolian National Symphony Orchestra at The Culture Show.

While Mongolia may be an incredible, off the beaten path for gay vacations, homosexuality is not necessarily received well. There are few religious barriers to it; however, a general lack of gay context leaves a general sense of naivete on the subject.

While visiting the country independently and sorting out an itinerary on your own offers flexibility, there are also travel groups catering to LGBT travelers that provide structured trips.

Typically they served as a way to see the “best of” the country and highlights include the Gobi Desert, ancient capital of Kharakorum, local camel farms and the Terelj National Park. With various activities like horseback riding along the Mongolian Steppe and cultural activities like traditional Naadam festivals, they appeal to all types of travelers.

These groups often include visits with local LGBT groups and a look at the barely existent gay scene in country. Despite a small gay scene, the country offers beautiful landscapes and unique culture that make it an unforgettable excursion for gay destinations.

Howie Holben wrote this commentary about gay trips to Mongolia opinion. He is the the force behind Spirit Journeys, a gay men meditation business. Spirit Journeys presents spiritual gay traveling all over the planet.

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The unique geography of Chile allows visitors to explore volcanoes, ski or snowboard in the Andes, lounge on picturesque beaches and enjoy a night out in the gay district of Santiago all in one day. In short, Chile offers is a great place for gay vacations. Rich in varied landscapes and important landmarks, visitors to Chile can experience the statues of Easter Island, arid deserts, exceptional architecture and churches, the Mirador de Chepu Penguin Colony, the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia and the Elqui Valley in La Serena, which teems with legends of extraterrestrial activities, all in one trip.

The uniqueness of Chile’s natural, cultural and historic attractions provide the opportunity to plan a variety of gay trips including adventurous excursions trekking through breathtaking Patagonian landscapes and exploring ancient island cultures, ski or snowboard trips to world-famous Andes ski resorts like Valle Nevado, pilgrimages to visit churches and experience the deeply entrenched Catholic influences throughout the country, family beach vacations in Vina del Mar, wine-tasting tours, or trips centered around the bustling nightlife and rich culture and history of Chile’s capital, Santiago.

While Chile will certainly not soon be mistaken for a bastion of gay rights, the macho Chilean culture that is deeply influenced by the military and Catholicism is slowly becoming more welcoming to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The center of gay culture in Chile lies in Santiago, where folks on a Chilean gay vacation will find the most acceptance and the highest concentration of gay-owned and gay-friendly establishments. The Barrio Bellavista, a trendy neighborhood with quaint cafes, shops, eateries and clubs is home to the majority of Santiago’s gay clubs, bathhouses and hangouts. While you will not see rainbow flags hanging from balconies or couples holding hands walking down the street, you will see gay magazines displayed in newsstands and couples enjoying espresso at cosmopolitan sidewalk cafes.

The gay-owned Spanish restaurant, Capricho, is a popular first stop for a night out in Bellavista, often followed by drinks a one of the local gay bars and dancing into the early hours of the morning at one of Santiago’s gay clubs. Options for clubbing range from discos much like those found in most large cities to risqu clubs with live sex shows. It is common to begin a night out with dinner around 9 or 10pm, followed by a lively night of escapades that may not end until the sun is coming up. There are also several bathhouses ” often called saunas ” in Santiago, including a more upscale option catering to professionals. As in the U.S., HIV is a concern and precautions should be taken to ensure a safe, enjoyable gay vacation in Chile.

Santiago is conveniently situated in central Chile, making it an exceptional choice as a home base for gay adventure travel, allowing you to more fully explore all that Chile offers. Add to this the more welcoming atmosphere found in this city and it is easy to see why Santiago is a common choice for gay tours. Working with a travel agency that regularly organizes gay vacations to Chile is the best way to ensure that you and your partner, your family or your friends has a fun-filled, safe gay vacation to Chile.

The author of this about Chile post is Howie Holben. Howie caretakes Spirit Journeys, a gay mexico vacation firm. Spirit Journeys offers spiritual gay travel guide world wide.

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