Have you noticed that your plans seldom turn out the way you planned? Have you noticed that you feel more in "control" if you put a plan in place, even if it doesn't work out? Do you feel compelled to have your life, or at least, your days planned out? But what really happens to our cherished plans?
After I dropped my daughter off at school, I headed home planning to jump back into bed, catch up on a couple more hours of sleep, then get up and begin doing a tele-course outline. That was the plan.
Instead, as I approached a major intersection, I noticed two cars skewed onto the sidewalk billowing dust and smoke. An inner voice said "stop and help". I jumped out of my car running toward a teenage girl who had blood flowing from her forehead. The 16-year old boy who was driving was on his cell phone noticeably panicked raking his hands through his hair.
The girl was shaking like a wet cat. There was only one thing to do while waiting for the paramedics. Hug her and speak calmly. The young 15-year old on her way to the same High School I had just left, was supposed to be on the bus.
There I was standing in slippers, in my pajamas, hair completely wild and uncombed, teeth un-brushed and breath reeking of the night's sleep. Who gets dressed to drop their kid off a mile down the road when she plans on coming back home and jumping back into bed?
Does this sound familiar to you? You begin your day outlining exactly what you need to do--the tasks, the chores, the activities--only to find at the end of the day (week, month, year) that what you had planned did not unfold the way you had designed it. So what is the value of a plan, and how does that help us to listen and follow inner guidance?
Planning helps us to organize our thinking, prioritize our activities, and place our attention on those tasks that are most important and valuable to us. Yet, it seems that something else directs the actual unfolding of those plans, and yes, it may even rearrange the priorities a bit. Following the sensations of inner guidance, the distinct inner sensations that told me to stop, leads us to what is most important. It was more important that I help at the accident scene than to climb back into bed.
Here's the critical question. Can you have a plan, but not be attached to the plan, so that you can recognize and follow the inner sensations of guidance? In the next article, you'll learn how to have your plans and not be attached to them . . . and get it all done anyway!
The saltwater aquarium is not recommended for the beginner aquarist. It is however uncommon for beginner aquarists to even wish to start out with a saltwater aquarium instead of a freshwater aquarium. Setting up a basic saltwater aquarium is much more expensive than setting up a basic freshwater aquarium, and this means that it is typically the dedicated aquarist with years of freshwater experience that decides to spend the necessary money on a saltwater aquarium.
The film 'Finding Nemo' did however cause a saltwater boom, since a lot of people who saw the film wanted to keep a 'Nemo fish', i.e. a marine clownfish. Unfortunately, a lot of clownfishes ended up in the hands of unsuitable keepers that were not prepared to spend enough time, effort and money on their new pet. If you are a comparatively inexperienced aquarist, you can still become a highly successful saltwater aquarist if you are prepared to spend a lot of time and energy on learning how a saltwater aquarium really works.
Investing in suitable equipment and choosing some of the hardiest saltwater species will also greatly increase your chance of success. Do not hesitate to contact a saltwater aquarium club or a saltwater aquarium forum online and ask for advice and guidelines. Most saltwater aquarists are happy to share their knowledge with new aspiring saltwater aquarists.
One of the reasons why saltwater aquariums are more difficult to maintain than freshwater aquariums is that marine species tend to be much less tolerant to organic waste products and other forms of pollution. The enormous water mass that constitutes the ocean will rapidly dilute organic waste down to very low levels. Marine creatures are therefore not used to high levels of soluble waste and do not know how to cope. There are of course many freshwater species to be found that are also highly sensitive to organic waste and very difficult to keep in aquariums. Generally speaking, it is however much easier to find sturdy freshwater species since freshwater fish can live in small lakes and even puddles where the levels of organic waste can reach very high levels. Compared to marine species, these fishes will also typically be more suited to cope with all forms of change. In a smaller body of water, the temperature can for instance shift rapidly. Water hardiness and pH can also be affected by external factors. Trying to keep the environment in a freshwater aquarium as stable as possible is therefore good training if you plan on setting up a saltwater aquarium in the future.
The overall chemistry and ecology are also different in a saltwater aquarium, since the presence of salt affects chemical as well as biological processes. This is however not only a problem, it is also a possibility. You will for instance be able to use a protein skimmer in a saltwater aquarium; a very powerful form of filtration that will remove tiny organic waste particles before they begin to decompose.
Both Vanessa Wesley & Allen Jesson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Vanessa Wesley has sinced written about articles on various topics from self improvement and motivation. Vanessa Wesley, co-author of Your Essential Whisper, offers easy and effective ways to recognize, trust, and follow inner guidance so you can live a life with ease. As an expert on relieving stress, you'll find valuable tips each week at her free weekly o. Vanessa Wesley's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Allen Jesson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Engagement Rings, Shopping and Gift Ideas. Allen Jesson writes for several sites including , the UK's leading retailer of. Allen Jesson's top article generates over 301000 views. to your Favourites.