Things you do to relax!

Well, going unprepared doesn't have to be a bad thing. It can be good and fun. But, more important is how relaxed you are under the circumstances! I had some unprepared lessons too that went really well. But I didn't sleep that well the night before, so...

I know it causes stress with me so I better should have a good preparation. And I should be more relaxed in general. Not worry too much about it all.

SO recognisable!
Even knowing you'll probably do well, there's such (perceived) pressure nonetheless!
(I guess we just want/need things to be fully under control. I have lightened up over the years, but it can still be a bad stressor!)

Thanks for the encouragement!

Even though I know all of my struggles are normal beginner problems every starter goes through, I still think from time to time perhaps it's not for me. I don't want to give up of course, but I often wonder if I will ever get there in the end!!

Especially after today, it was a tough day and feel I didn't succeed. I'll write a little report tomorrow and focus on what did go well. But first: thursday afternoon has become my lazy afternoon, so... nothing.

I think watching TV helps me relax. The noise of a loud fan helps me relax too.

A loud fan like this or like this??

In both cases, the monotonous sound can be relaxing indeed.
When I was still in high school I did my home work at the kitchen table and the dish washer sound was just perfect.

That's because you have LOADS of fans D

Yeah, I love that film/documentary.

I agree, it is funny, but it's a double edged sword. As you said, they can be disturbing.

Many beliefs themselves are hilarious, yes, but the fact that people believe them -especially some of the more socially malign beliefs like extreme sexism born of religion- does not amuse me in the least and certainly isn't 'relaxing' to discuss! It's good to laugh at silly beliefs, ridicule is a great weapon against the absurd. But it's also good to genuinely decry the more harmful ones. And because even religious moderation teaches the virtue of faith and therefore toleration of belief, I find it a little hard to have a relaxing conversation with just about anyone of a religious persuasion.

Things I do to relax :-

Just not get involved in any religious conversation whatsoever.

You and me both mate! You and me both.

That's especially sound advice for a place like this forum since everyone here (to my knowledge) is very moderate in their religiosity. But I think that kind of philosophy only gets you so far. Particularly in political discourse, I would opt for a more aggressive approach; zero toleration of anything genuinely harmful. I would have a very hard time to keep a debate to tolerable and enjoyable levels if I were having a debate with al-Shabab!

So I agree with you for the most part, but there's a deeper and darker side to religion -faith- that shouldn't go unchallenged IMO.

How did you know I'm entering into the competitions!?

Who you been talkin' to?

Kelly Brook. Took ages to kick her out too Personally I think she just used you to get me in the sack, but hey, the things you have to do for England :shrug:

If only it was that simple. There's this thing called psychology though. Prior beliefs has a huge influence in what sources you use and how/whether information will be absorbed. As social animals we also tend to absorb beliefs from those around us, especially during our early years. These cognitive "deficiencies" doesn't just affect the nutcases, it's how all humans operate. If you think upbringing and environment loses all their effect on mental development merely because of increased availability of sources you're deceiving yourself.

It's easy to declare that anyone who disagrees with your views is either stupid or lazy. But it doesn't accomplish anything, it's the exact same behaviour that the nutcases have and there's nothing to learn from it. The hard way is trying to find out why people believe what they do, to try to incorporate some humility into your approach by acknowledging that you might have stuff to learn as well and trying to present valid arguments and evidence.

Peter