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Guiding Light: Margashirsha And Spiritual Growth – Free Press Journal

A few days ago we started the month of Margashirsha also known as Margashirsha in the south. This is a month that runs roughly from December 15 to January 15, give or take a day or two, depending upon the lunar calendar. It is dedicated to many spiritual practices. In a way, this is a reflection of nature. This is supposed to be the peak winter time, though one may argue that the South hardly experiences any winter.
That apart, nature is more dormant, but very pleasant. There is a chill in the mornings, and the grains are ripening in the fields now. Not much work happens in an agrarian society, so one spends the time differently.
Since in winter everything is slowing down, with the energy of plant life, concentrated in the roots and tubers, nature seems to be going within. Therefore, this seems to be a good time for spiritual and religious practices, and that’s exactly what is done in the southern part of the country.
The importance of this month is even highlighted in the Bhagavad Gita by Sri Krishna Himself, who says “Among the months, I am Margashirsha.” So, this becomes a time dedicated to more intense spiritual practices.
People get up earlier than usual, have a dip in the ponds, go to the temple, and do their sadhana. This is also roughly the time that coincides with the Makara, or the worship of Ayyappa in Kerala, where, again, the discipline is very monk-like — the devotees are supposed to live a very austere, monk-like lifestyle.
So overall, this is a time of sadhana, religious disciplines, prayer, meditation, and generally an intense effort in uplifting oneself spiritually. This is what the month of Margashirsha involves. Even in the Northern part of India, being an agrarian society, not much happens until the harvest season, which comes later. So, we make the most of this wonderful time in self-growth and religious discipline.
The writer is the founder of Aarsha Vidya Foundation. You can write to him at aarshavidyaf@gmail.com

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The Role of Sign-Up Bonuses in Social Casinos – Irving Weekly

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Sign-up bonuses are much more than freebies to the average casino player. Think about it. You will choose a casino with rewarding sign-up bonuses a thousand times before even thinking of one without. The same applies to social casinos. 
These casinos are well-known for free gaming opportunities. They are even more appealing because of their sign-up bonuses. These offers give players free gaming coins. Keep reading to discover why sign-up bonuses are crucial and how they work.  
A sign-up bonus sounds like a cool deal, right? They are great incentives designed especially to welcome new casino players. From the name, you can already tell such an offer is only valid when you join a social gaming site as a newbie. In some cases, the casino sign up bonus is also called a welcome bonus, especially in conventional online casinos. 
In social casinos, these bonuses fit perfectly with the free gaming model. They set up players for an exciting gaming experience with free opportunities to play their favorite casino games. However, the social casino sign-up bonus aligns with its free gaming model, allowing players to enjoy games without spending any amount. 
At Fortune Coins Casino, what you get as sign-up offers at such casinos are virtual coins – Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC). 
You’ll discover that the site’s sign-up bonus is up to a whopping 630,000 Gold Coins (GC) and 1,000 Fortune Coins (FC) just for creating an account. 
That’s more than enough coins to check out or play the site’s 1,000+ casino-style games. The best part? You have no reason to buy a Gold Coin package before claiming the bonus. It’s yours immediately, right after you sign up for an account. 
As mentioned above, you can get free GC and FC bonuses after joining Fortune Coins. Once you sign up, you are eligible for the promo, and no purchase is required. However, unlike other social casinos, the deal at Fortune Coins is split across various tasks. That means you don’t get all the coins as a lump sum. 
For instance, you’ll get 100,000 GC and 200 FC after registering an account. After phone number verification, you’ll get an extra 10,000 GC and 100 FC. You can also unlock 100,000 GC and 300 FC by activating email notifications for promotions. Check the operator’s bonus page for more information on how to get the remainder share of its welcome offer. 
These days, several sweepstake casinos have a welcome bonus. That’s because bonuses make the gaming experience better for players. They are more fun than sweepstakes or social casinos since they are free. But how do the sign-up bonuses in the average casino differ from what you’ll find on sweepstakes platforms?
First, all social casino bonuses are free, which applies to sign-up offers. Conversely, the welcome bonus at regular casinos requires a deposit to be activated. You can’t claim or use the bonus without meeting the minimum deposit requirement. 
Also, social casino sign-up offers are for sheer fun. Their winnings are paid in the virtual coins used to play, which hold no real-world value. Regular welcome deals are paid in cash, allowing players to engage in gaming for potential winnings. The closest to that in social casinos is to convert your SC to cash using the operator’s conversation ratio. 
After joining Fortune Coins, you can get the fun started with a sign-up bonus worth thousands of free coins. This is a stress-free way to get your bankroll filled to spin the reels or play the hottest social casino games with no risks.
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Livewell: choosing sustainable diets – WWF-UK

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Livewell is our approach to healthy, sustainable diets. With Livewell you won’t need to give up any food group. By focusing on plants – fruits, vegetables, pulses, and wholegrains – moderating your meat, dairy and eggs and eating fewer products high in fat, salt and sugar, you’re reducing your impact on climate and nature and improving your health. What’s good for you is good for the planet. That’s the Livewell way.
Diet shift is crucial to enable a nature-positive net zero transition in the UK. We’re facing a triple challenge: how to ensure food and nutrition security for all, while keeping global warming to 1.5°C and reversing nature loss. The food we eat and the input-intensive way it is produced is driving nature loss, polluting waterways, depleting soils and undermining food and nutrition security. 
The health of the planet is intimately connected with our own. We must dramatically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and our impact on the natural world. 
Adopting healthy, sustainable diets is vital to achieve this.
Research shows that diet shift is needed to deliver our climate and nature targets and unlock a transition to nature-friendly farming. In ‘Eating for net zero’, we show that achieving a healthy, sustainable diet is possible in the UK within current social norms and without costing more. But diets are not just a question of personal preferences. 
Our food choices are deeply influenced by what’s available, what we can afford, and how it’s marketed. Government and businesses have a vital role to play in enabling and encouraging a shift to healthy, sustainable diets, especially during today’s cost-of-living crisis. 
We need an urgent focus on healthy, sustainable diets between now and 2030 to support a nature-positive net zero transition in the UK.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott unveils new border security strategy – KWTX

EAGLE PASS, Texas (KTVT) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled a new border security strategy Thursday afternoon.
According to the Office of the Governor, the strategy will be aimed at deterring migrants from making the journey to illegally cross the border from Mexico to Texas.
During a press conference on Thursday, Abbott said billboards are up in Mexico warning migrants, one saying “Stop, if you cross the border illegally in Texas you will be jailed.” They are in several languages, Abbott said.
Abbott was joined by ranchers Kimberly and Martin Wall, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault CEO Rose Luna, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Freeman Martin, Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer and Texas Border Czar Mike Banks.
Abbott has previously accused the Biden administration of creating a “war zone” on the border by failing to enforce federal immigration law, and has defended Texas’ controversial actions to deter illegal crossings.
While the number of people crossing the border illegally into Texas over the last three years has dropped, there are still more than a million illegal border crossings in Texas every year, according to internal federal government figures obtained by CBS News.
© 2024 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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As lotto jackpot soars, Omaha counselor talks dangers of gambling addiction – WOWT

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Millions of people have the Mega Millions jackpot on their Christmas wish list. The current grand prize is $825 million — one of the largest jackpots in U.S. history.
They’re selling dreams at AB’s 66 convenience store in Omaha’s Dundee Neighborhood. Everyone who buys a Mega Millions ticket gets one.
For most, playing the lottery when the prizes swell is not a big deal. Just a fleeting moment of “what if?”
“If I won all that money I would definitely go on a really long vacation, all around the world” one customer said with a laugh.
“I’d find an investment lawyer and hide,” another said.
But for some people, the dream never ends, especially when there’s a chance to win so much money and the lines between fantasy and reality become fuzzy.
“I’ve actually worked with people who are just lottery gamblers,” said Gina Fricke.
Fricke works at Peace and Power Counseling, treating people addicted to gambling. She says betting a couple of dollars when the lotto jackpots jump up is okay, but only use disposable income.
“If it’s supposed to be money for their electric bill or their rent or their groceries, that’s not disposable income,” Fricke said.
After the lotto drawing is over, there are still other things to gamble on all around us. Casinos, sports, even keno.
“Statewide numbers of people with an addiction to gambling are increasing,” Fricke said. “More people are seeking services. So id I risk some money that I can’t afford and then I win, I am more likely to risk more in order to try to win that again.”
The Nebraska Gambler’s Assistance Program offers help for Nebraskans and their families who want to stop the wheels of addiction. Gina says the goal of the program is not to put the brakes on making a bet forever.
“That can be their goal, but it can also be that they want to reduce their gambling to what they believe would be a more manageable level financially for them.”
Like betting a couple of bucks when the lotto jackpot starts closing in on $1 billion.
The NGAP is free to all Nebraskans. Anyone who needs help should call the helpline at 1-833-238-6837. The program is funded by the state and includes proceeds form teh Nebraska Lottery.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.

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