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The American Dream is the promise to have it all and enjoy it all. Today, many Americans believe that their odds of winning the lottery are better than attaining the American Dream.
Originally the American Dream concept was born out of lack and a genuine need for security shortly after the Great Depression and WW2. Because jobs were scarce, the greatest aspiration for most Americans was securing steady employment and owning their own home.
Today, the American Dream is more of a marketing concept, whereby Madison Avenue and government alike, have convinced people that they have to have a certain standard of living (such as a second home, a vacation in Europe, expensive jewelry and other ‘toys’) in order to be happy and fulfilled. Even the Christmas holiday has lost its original meaning and has become highly commercialized.

In other words, we’ve been brainwashed to believe that, ‘He with the most toys lives,’ rather than ‘He with the most joys lives.’ By taking on even higher amounts of personal debt, Americans are more stressed out and less optimistic and fulfilled than ever before despite their high standard of living. That’s because ‘toys’ (material goods), without purpose and a wholesome values system, only produce an artificial joy that is as fleeting as it is cruel.
The American Dream as we know it, is no longer something that is born out of need and lack but rather out of greed and desire. It does not represent the true spirit of America, which was based on perspiration, innovation, risk and reward with the focus on a wholesome values system, integrity, family, community and a strong work ethic.
From an Enron economy and huge government deficits, to our failing educational system and the break down of the family system (where kids are left home alone to grow up with their peers, gangs and TV), practically every facet of our lives is negatively effected by the pursuit of materialism, which is a by-product of the American Dream. In a materialistic-driven society where there is an obsession with fame and fortune and winning at all costs, the prevailing wisdom is to do what’s politically correct, rather than doing what’s in the best interest of the community. And when the intoxicating love of power overcomes the power of love, it’s easy to see why absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The concept of The American Dream (as we know it now) is not only a marketing concept but it is also used by politicians for getting votes and keeping constituents happy. The different political parties have their own agendas when it comes to helping certain members of society achieve the American Dream. The Democratic party on the one hand supports labor unions and union contracts that provide for big wage increases for the common worker so that they can achieve a piece of The American Dream.
Ironically, both political parties realize that because the pie is limited, making the American Dream a reality for all Americans is virtually impossible. As a matter of fact, most people are kept in perpetual debt their whole lives in order to maintain a standard of living consistent with the new ideal of the American Dream.
In order to make the American Dream possible for as many Americans to achieve, consumerism had to be created. The point of consumerism is to get people to spend more by going into debt. The problem is that there is a limitation on how far people can go into debt.
The solution to restoring our economy, our failing systems and our institutions, as well as our sanity, is through the spirit. We were meant and designed to live a life of meaning and purpose by recognizing the unity of life and living in harmony with universal laws that are characterized by integrity and the honoring of all living things.

Today, many Americans believe that their odds of winning the lottery are better than attaining the American Dream.
From an Enron economy and huge government deficits, to our failing educational system and the break down of the family system (where kids are left home alone to grow up with their peers, gangs and TV), practically every facet of our lives is negatively effected by the pursuit of materialism, which is a by-product of the American Dream. Ironically, both political parties realize that because the pie is limited, making the American Dream a reality for all Americans is virtually impossible. As a matter of fact, most people are kept in perpetual debt their whole lives in order to maintain a standard of living consistent with the new ideal of the American Dream. In order to make the American Dream possible for as many Americans to achieve, consumerism had to be created.

In relation to the national political scene, there is much unconsciousness that operates on all levels, and much manipulation that takes place by those who have a vested interest in shaping a particular outcome or in presenting things in a particular way. One of the arenas in which this shaping of consciousness takes place is within American presidential campaigns.

All of the involvement of media with national campaigns involves a high cost to candidates. It is also related to the need that candidates have to travel across the country and back many, many times, hosting events and attending others in order to interact with the public, especially in key electoral states. In this way, more and more is being asked of candidates in terms of making personal appearances, because the standard for what is possible during an election campaign has been raised in order to create greater positive publicity for those who choose to run.

What relates to consciousness is part of our spiritual life, as is what relates to the operation of light and darkness, and what relates to the vision we hold for the future.
More than a year before a presidential election, candidates begin to step into place to position themselves for the available political and financial support that is necessary in order to run a national campaign. Within presidential campaigns, the role of media has become as important as the content of a candidate’s message – a message which may come to affect the lives of an entire nation. It is also related to the need that candidates have to travel across the country and back many, many times, hosting events and attending others in order to interact with the public, especially in key electoral states. In this way, more and more is being asked of candidates in terms of making personal appearances, because the standard for what is possible during an election campaign has been raised in order to create greater positive publicity for those who choose to run.

Within presidential campaigns, the role of media has become as important as the content of a candidate’s message – a message which may come to affect the lives of an entire nation. In any campaign, there is the content of a candidate’s message, and there is the shape of that message.

It relies on communicating more about issues and less about personalities, and it also involves reducing media’s role in campaigns and therefore the amount of campaign spending. These changes would not allow each candidate to do all that is presently being done with respect to creating a public image. Instead, there would need to be more content-focused debates between candidates, and the public would need to reflect more, employing both reason and intuition, and to rely on appearance less, in order to be responsive to such discussions.

This is in contrast to the focus, today, which is often on the way in which things are said, or the personal quality of charm or likeability that a candidate possesses. And because they are at the center, a candidate in a presidential election must be presented to the public in as appealing a way as a movie star. This shift in focus is due to several factors – the first, and perhaps most important, being the complexity and multi-layered nature of most national issues today which do not allow for a clear-cut presentation of approaches or positions to problem solving; the second, the technological advances that have made media instantly accessible across the country so that literally nothing that a candidate does goes unnoticed.

The current article is the first part of a series on America’s spiritual history and soul-identity. A subject like “America’s Presidential Campaigns” that is so ‘of the world’ might be construed as relating only to political life, but that would be incorrect. What relates to consciousness is part of our spiritual life, as is what relates to the operation of light and darkness, and what relates to the vision we hold for the future.

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More than a year before a presidential election, candidates begin to step into place to position themselves for the available political and financial support that is necessary in order to run a national campaign. Over time, the influence of media has created a watchfulness and anticipation in relation to potential candidates that extends longer and longer into pre-campaign planning.

The reason that this system works so well is because the U-shaped mirrors collects the sun and attracts’s heat, which is then transferred onto the receiver. Because this system uses so many panels, it is mainly used for industrial solar power where acres of land can be donated to the Parabolic Trough. Because this system is so large that it allows the heat that it saves to be transferred days later.

Steam power was what was used from the beginning with solar power and is still what most systems depend on to service their production needs. Until then we will use the traditional methods of heating water, heating our homes and powering our electricity.

If you have ever seen a field with several mirrors pointing toward the sun you may be looking at a solar power system. These systems work to concentrate the sunlight to one area and use the heat to heat up the liquid that flows along the pipes.

When we see how much solar power is conserved using these U shaped mirrors we can also understand how much energy is lost. Using concentrating solar power systems are beneficial to the businesses that use them because they won’t have so much time down when the power fails. Industrial type of solar power can attract and trap a lot of heat from the sun during the day, especially using mirrors that will reflect the sunlight.

If you have ever seen a field with several mirrors pointing toward the sun you may be looking at a solar power system. Because this system uses so many panels, it is mainly used for industrial solar power where acres of land can be donated to the Parabolic Trough. Using concentrating solar power systems are beneficial to the businesses that use them because they won’t have so much time down when the power fails. Steam power was what was used from the beginning with solar power and is still what most systems depend on to service their production needs.

Solar power systems are not that difficult to create especially if you already have considerable knowledge about it. You can start with very simple solar power systems for your home like the solar generators. Solar power for homes is an excellent alternative to those who want to save on electricity and help save the earth.

People usually associate solar power with solar panels. Solar cookers – this is already a common way of using solar power. Solar generators – many homeowners are now utilizing solar generators for alternative power. Solar power systems are not that difficult to create especially if you already have a considerable knowledge about it. You can start with very simple solar power systems for your home like the solar generators.

By purchasing the DIY kits, you can create your own solar power system. There are also instructional materials available online that provide step by step instructions on how to create solar panels or cells.

Solar cookers – this is already a common way of using solar power. You can use the solar cooker to boil, bake, and roast. You will no longer need fuel, since you will be using only sunshine.
Solar thermal systems – this is an ambitious system but it’s simply an update of the oldest known consumer technology. In this system, you will need solar panels. Today, the thermal systems are more efficient and affordable.
Solar generators – many homeowners are now utilizing solar generators for alternative power. You can use the solar generators for your lighting system at home. By using solar generators, it would be possible to run some electrical appliances.

People usually associate solar power with solar panels. You see, solar panels are not the only source of power.

Don’t think twice and if you have the money to purchase the materials to make solar power systems, go for it. In the coming months, you will surely benefit from it.

Perhaps you’re already familiar with DIY solar power kits. The idea may sound inviting however a lot of people are scared to create their own solar power system.

Solar power is an alternative energy source with tremendous economic and environmental benefits. Here are the basics if you’re considering it for your home.

Sunning Your Home

Put simply, solar power works by converting free sunlight into usable energy. The beauty of solar power is, it is a free source of energy. Historically, the cost of capturing and maintaining solar power wasn’t cheap, but this has changed dramatically in the last ten years. With solar power, this means you can simply feed your system into the utility grid during the day and then use regular energy at night. With such savings, you can see why solar power is becoming more attractive.

Put simply, solar power works by converting free sunlight into usable energy. As the sunlight hits these cells, the energy “slices” off negatively charged ions. The inverter converts the energy into a usable power source.

Essentially, you are now allowed to “sell” power back to the utility companies at the same price they charge you. With solar power, this means you can simply feed your system into the utility grid during the day and then use regular energy at night. With such savings, you can see why solar power is becoming more attractive.

The beauty of solar power is, it is a free source of energy. Historically, the cost of capturing and maintaining solar power wasn’t cheap, but this has changed dramatically in the last ten years.

Because of laws passed by numerous states, going solar is also more attractive now. Homeowners can get a tax rebate for installing solar. More than half of the states now mandate a concept known as “net metering.”

The question isn’t whether you should use it when it comes to solar power. The real question is why you aren’t using it already!

The most popular magic trick is the Three Card Monte. You can find many magic tricks in magic shops; one of the most popular tricks that you find in stores is the card tricks.

Everyone always wonders how magicians perform all those fascinating, incredible magic tricks and illusions? Many magicians will work alone because they don’t want others distracting the audiences’ attention while performing the magic tricks. As long back as one might be able to remember there have been magicians and magic tricks.

If you want to pursue magic, you’ll want to learn some simple tricks. Remember, with a little practice and showmanship, you can learn to be the life of the party by performing simple magic tricks. You too can learn simple Magic Tricks and amaze your friends.

Just because most magic tricks are essentially the same doesn’t mean all magic shows are alike. Magic tricks are always a big hit, and with practice you will be able to amaze the people around you.

Magic tricks are the most popular form of magic entertainment. Magic tricks are based on scientific principles but people do not seem to connect magic and science. You can find many magic tricks in magic shops; one of the most popular tricks that you find in stores is the card tricks. Remember, with a little practice and showmanship, you can learn to be the life of the party by performing simple magic tricks. Just because most magic tricks are essentially the same doesn’t mean all magic shows are alike.

Magic tricks are the most popular form of magic entertainment. Magic tricks are based on scientific principles but people do not seem to connect magic and science. The best magic tricks are based on simple premises.

One of the most famous current-day street magicians is David Blaine, who performs a wide range of card tricks, disappearing acts, and even levitation on the street.

Sleight of hand tricks are used with a variety of objects, including cards, coins, balls, and other objects. Some magicians have even used live animals. A magician skilled in sleight of hand can perform magic almost anytime, anywhere.

Mentalists are another form of magicians who appear to read the minds of strangers. In front of live audiences, mentalists will recreate drawings done by audience members that are unseen to the magician, but visible to the audience.

Oftentimes, a magician will specialize in one or a few areas. Just as other entertainers often find a niche, so too do magicians.

Sleight of hand tricks are those that involve skilled hand movements where objects seem to disappear and appear in the hands of the performer. The observers try to guess and watch where the balls will appear, but the magician fools them every time!

Escape magic is just as it sounds. Escape magic is intriguing not only because of the amazing feat, but also because of the danger involved.

Practicing magicians are very selective about who they share their secrets with. People who work with magicians are often required to sign contracts stating they will not share the magician’s secrets with anyone else.

Some of the better known illusion tricks include those where a woman is sawed in half and levitation tricks. David Copperfield, a modern-day magician, has made such large objects as the Statue of Liberty and a jet airplane disappear in front of live audiences.

While no type of magic is particularly easy, some types are common for beginning magicians, such as learning sleight of hand tricks. Most magicians know a core base of tricks and then develop their particular repertoire from there.

What types of tricks do magicians perform? The following list is a basic overview of magic tricks that are commonly associated with the practice of magic.

Stage magicians offer an extensive range of tricks from sleight of hand to making large objects disappear or float. There are a number of present-day famous stage magicians, including Siegfried and Roy, David Copperfield, and Penn and Teller.

The audience is small, and the magician stands or sits in the middle, which adds to the allure– when people surround the magician, he or she has little room to “hide” anything. Additionally, when the audience is so close, one might assume the observers could easily see the magician’s tricks– but this isn’t the case!

People who work with magicians are often required to sign contracts stating they will not share the magician’s secrets with anyone else.

The audience is small, and the magician stands or sits in the middle, which adds to the allure– when people surround the magician, he or she has little room to “hide” anything. Additionally, when the audience is so close, one might assume the observers could easily see the magician’s tricks– but this isn’t the case!

A magician skilled in sleight of hand can perform magic almost anytime, anywhere.

How and where magicians perform varies a great deal. One of the most famous current-day street magicians is David Blaine, who performs a wide range of card tricks, disappearing acts, and even levitation on the street.

Most magicians first started doing magic tricks after receiving a small magic set, but unfortunately the typical magic set is usually made up totally of “self-working” tricks, with trick cards and boxes etc., none of which can be examined by the audience after the trick has been shown, and so there’s the problem and worry of having to hide your tricks as soon as you finish each one.

This really adds tremendously to the magic and of course, as most professional magicians will tell you, – “the simple effects are the ones that are usually the most stunning to the audience and in my experience, get the best response”.

Some of the best items to use to amaze your friends are coins, banknotes, pens, rope etc. and there are a few basic skills that are so easy to learn and will very quickly allow you to vanish and exchange coins and several small objects.

One of these basic skills is known as the “French Drop”, which is what all magicians use to vanish and exchange small items like coins, keys, balls etc. I would certainly recommend that one of the first things that you should practice, as a beginner, is just that (French Drop) and coupled with the simple Palming of a coin.

For a beginner this creates a problem, especially among classmates and friends, who are always desperate to examine the magical props and try to find out “how it’s done”.

That’s why I suggest learning some simple magic tricks with ordinary everyday objects that can often be borrowed and then freely handed out for examination. Ordinary everyday items like coins, pens, banknotes and such like, appear to be beyond any suspicion of trickery and doing magical things with them is so very effective and yet often very simple.

I’m often asked what the best way to start to learn how to do magic tricks would be, and although it can be different from person to person, I’m sure I can provide a few hints and tips that may help and probably more importantly, – what you should try to avoid.

I’m sure you’re well aware that most magic can be purchased from reputable magic suppliers and you’ll also know that the cost of most magical secrets is usually very high. (Often very expensive).

This can be really stunning for any lay audience, as they are so used to seeing magic tricks and illusions on TV and video, where fancy and often expensive props are used and also where camera tricks and clever editing are used to create a more exciting TV program.

This will allow you to carry out a nice magic routine with borrowed coins etc. and will leave you “Clean” at the end of the effects. When you are expected to do something magical, it will also get you out of difficulty.

I think the most important thing to do when just starting to dabble in magic, is to learn a few simple magic tricks that can be done without having to use any gimmicked apparatus or special props. I mean magic tricks that can be done using ordinary items that can often be borrowed and handed out for examination after the miracle has been performed.

How can you possibly learn how to do magic tricks without spending a great deal of money for these secrets and when most top magicians will just not explain how their magic tricks are done.

In today’s digital Internet world you can get some exciting and amazing magic for free if you just search for and visit the right magic websites. – So go ahead and look around and welcome to the wonderful world of magic.

This is magic that requires no props or fancy apparatus and there are now many great magical Websites where you can learn hosts of magic tricks for free.

I set up my own Magic Website with the sole purpose of passing on my experience and knowledge to help all those eager would-be magicians enjoy the sheer joy and pleasure of performing entertaining and magic others.

With the continuing craze about guitar playing, from rhythm and blues to rock – there is a huge demand for free guitar chords. When the strings of a guitar are played simultaneously, a guitar chord represents the collection of tones that is sounded. Cool guitarists have a way with guitar chords – they play it with style and ease.

Free Guitar Chords, Anyone?

Free guitar chords are illustrated in the customary musical notation and tablature, also known as tabs. With more self-taught guitarists on the rise, free guitar chords are also depicted in chord diagrams for easier reading.

Understanding guitar chord symbols

Free guitar chords often include symbols in the chord diagram layout. The vertical lines are the guitar strings, the horizontal lines are the frets.

If you look closely at the neck of your guitar, you will see thin strips running the full width of the neck. When there is an instruction in the free guitar chords to fret, you simply press down the string on the strip.

Other illustrations on a free guitar chords diagram are the curved line to indicate a barre. If there are numbers beneath some strings, you are asked to use the indicated finger number on the note.

Getting those free guitar chords

There is no end in sight for guitar chords, tips, and even free guitar newsletters. You can also sign up for guitar forums to get more ideas from other guitar players.

With the continuing craze about guitar playing, from rhythm and blues to rock – there is a huge demand for free guitar chords. There are guitar sites online offering free guitar chords, from classics to the latest pop songs. To make the most of your free guitar chords, get a guitar dictionary. Another tool you can use is a CD of guitar chords that may supplement the free guitar chords you have downloaded from websites. There is no end in sight for guitar chords, tips, and even free guitar newsletters.

To make the most of your free guitar chords, get a guitar dictionary. Another tool you can use is a CD of guitar chords that may supplement the free guitar chords you have downloaded from websites.

To make the learning process easier, there are sites that have video demonstrations explaining the function of each guitar part, the guitar chords, and techniques. The video demo makes it easier for self-taught players to understand the complexities of the guitar chords.

There are guitar sites online offering free guitar chords, from classics to the latest pop songs. Other sites simply cluster the free guitar chords according to the following ranks – beginner, advanced, and pro.

You can buy either a second hand guitar or a brand new one, depending on whichever you think will suit you best.

All websites providing online beginner guitar lessons start their teachings from this point. Along with knowing each part of the guitar, you also have to learn the functions of each individual part.

You can actually start taking beginner lessons once you have bought yourself a guitar. Beginner lessons are guitar classes taught to newcomers so they are familiar with the basics of the guitar and how to play it. The first thing you will be taught is not how to play the instrument, but what the different parts of the guitar are.

Basic Steps to Beginner Guitar Lessons

There is one school of thought that emphasizes the need to know guitar theory while taking beginner guitar lessons. The logic for this is simple: once you know the basic theory, it becomes easier to learn the chords. This is not a mandatory practice; in fact, many online guitar tutorials do away with the need for knowledge of guitar theory as a prerequisite for learning the chords and other complex things about the guitar.

Once you are through with these basics, the next thing that you learn in beginner guitar lessons is actually how to use the guitar. Beginner Guitar Lessons – The Importance of Guitar Theory

After learning about the strings, the next step is to learn the different ways you can play the guitar. How many postures can you think of, in which to play the guitar? While you can be imaginative and think up numerous postures, the basic postures are standing up, and sitting down!

After teaching you the different parts of the guitar and their functions, the next thing beginner guitar lessons teach you are the names of the different strings on the guitar. Did you know that all guitars do not necessarily have the standard six strings? There are guitars that have twelve strings too!

Basically, the need for guitar theory knowledge depends primarily on your level of interest in the instrument. If you are planning to take up playing the guitar full-time, it makes sense to know the theoretical aspects. If you are taking it up as just something you want to learn so you can play some of your favorite numbers, then it makes sense to just go ahead with the online tutorials alone and learn the different chords.

Now that you have a solid game plan, it’s time for you to get out there and start taking your own beginner guitar lessons!

Beginner lessons are guitar classes taught to newcomers so they are familiar with the basics of the guitar and how to play it. After teaching you the different parts of the guitar and their functions, the next thing beginner guitar lessons teach you are the names of the different strings on the guitar. Once you are through with these basics, the next thing that you learn in beginner guitar lessons is actually how to use the guitar. There is one school of thought that emphasizes the need to know guitar theory while taking beginner guitar lessons.