http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com Optimizing Everyday Life Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:45:43 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en In ancient China , Shaolin monks developed a fighting style based on the physical characteristics and iconic elements of the personality of the Tiger. They called this Tiger style Kung-Fu. Since a Tiger has very keen eyesight, the monks developed methods of exercising their eyes to improve thier ... http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/10/improve-your-eyesight-natrually-with-simple-shaolin-exercises/ One-hour meditation too much to handle? 20 minutes? 5 minutes got you beat? Here's a new approach to meditation with one very westernized quality about it. It's very fast. This method is less focused on meditation, but more about trying to sit peacefully and achieve a brief moment of clarity, or ... http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/09/one-second-meditation-practice-achieving-a-moment-of-clarity/ Everyone has something that they want to accomplish or get better at or do more often, and no matter how much we think about it, it just keeps slipping by.  Another opportunity to eat healthier or practice a certain piano piece, etc. is trumped by other priorities, other obligations. Accept that ... http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/06/how-to-prioritize-when-prioritizing-is-not-a-priority/ After far too many hours of putting up a mailbox with the "SpeedPost" this weekend, I have a few words for it. If you're not familiar with the speed post, it's basically a metal stake that has a receptacle for a 4x4 beam (mailbox, signpost etc.) The instructions tell you ... http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/06/the-unruly-mailbox-speedpost/ Image by nana untel via Flickr Do you stand for long periods of time hurting your lower back?  Many people like to stand up at their desks at work , but if you do, you've got to make sure you're doing it right. Here are ... http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/03/avoid-back-pain-when-standing-for-long-periods/ I woke up this morning and the words "Inspiration Age" were ringing in my head. Not sure why, but when I got to thinking about it, akin to the industrial revolution of the 18th & 19th centuries or the Space Age which began in the 50's, it does stand to ... http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/03/let-today-be-forever-known-as-the-inspiration-age/ Too many times I take out the 10am snack only to find that it has disappeared by 10:05 and I can't even place exactly what it tasted like..  This has happened to you, no doubt?  Here's a list of tips to help you slow down, enjoy, appreciate, and actually make ... http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/02/how-to-eat-your-snack-slowly-and-make-it-last/ You've had the "oh-man, I-don't-feel-like-I'm-doing-anything-meaningful-at-work-and-can't-bring-myself-to-stay-on-task-for-the-life-of-me" blues.  I know, so have I. No matter what your job is, it is most likely important that you have it, if not for the community or the planet, at least for the survival of you and your family.  So whether or not you actually find ... http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/02/stay-motivated-at-work/ Thankfully, gas isn't the price is was in '08, but it's on the rise and will undoubtedly spike fairly high again and again.  Oh yeah, and then there's the whole natural resources thing to think about...  And pollution..  So no matter how you look at it, using less gas is ... http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/02/save-on-gas-quick-tips/ Humans recognize the emotions of others better by observing the left side of the face rather than the right. http://www.MiniLifeHacks.com/2009/02/did-you-know-9-facial-emotions/