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New Halo Wars 2 trailer – Halo Wars: Definitive Edition announced

Final Fantasy 15: Infinite Running Hack!

Rise of Iron Exotic Quests

There are four weapons that can currently be obtained through exoticquestlines: the Khvostov 7G-0X, the Year 3 Gjallarhorn, the Year 3 Thorn, and the Outbreak Prime.

WE FOUND A RIFLE

There are two ways to initiate this questline, which culminates in the acquisition of an exotic Khvostov auto-rifle.

1. Dismantle a Y1 Khvostov - It is not uncommon for nostalgic players to keep the first gun they ever acquired - though those willing to dismantle it will be rewarded with the Khvostov Schematic.

2. Search the Fallen Ketch - If Baby's First Rifle is no longer in your possession, fear not. You can obtain a Splicer Intel Relay and make your way to the Fallen Ketch ship in The Breach - defeat the enemies on board and claim the blueprint from a chest.

Once you've got your Khvostov schematics, pay a visit to Shiro in the Iron Temple to begin your search in earnest.

BEAUTY IN DESTRUCTION

This quest unlocks the Year 3 Gjallarhorn, which can be converted by some into an Iron Gjallarhorn.

After completing the main Rise of Iron story, you'll need to trigger anAnomaly activity in the Plaguelands to begin this questline. The activity will send you deep into Site 6, where you'll defeat a Devil Walker. Once theanomaly has been scanned, visit Lord Saladin in the Iron Temple to beginBeauty in Destruction.

Y3 THORN EXOTIC BOUNTY

To acquire the Year 3 Thorn, players must receive an Exotic Bounty for it. Unfortunately there's no way to forcibly trigger this bounty - though Shiro in the Iron Temple seems to be your best bet.

CHANNELING THE CORRUPTION

This questline rewards Guardians with the Outbreak Prime exotic pulse rifle, and can only be started by finding (and activating) all five monitors in the Wrath of the Machine Raid. Then, open the secret chest below Aksis's area at the end of the Raid to get begin the quest in earnest.

July's PlayStation Plus games include Furi, Saints Row & Paragon on PS4

Furi, Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell and a Paragon Starter Pack will all be available for free on PS4 as part of July's PlayStation Plus update, Sony has confirmed.

Meanwhile, on PS3, Plus subscribers will be able to download Fat Princess and Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, along with Prince of Persia: Revelations and Oershika: Tainted Bloodlines on PS Vita.

The Paragon Starter Pack includes instant access to the game's closed beta, plus Master Challenges for three heroes - Murdock, Rampage and Gadget - which Epic says includes "an immediate Challenger skin and a permanent Hero Level XP boost for all three Heroes".

All seven games will be available to download from next Tuesday, July 5.

Source: blog.eu.playstation.com, Epic Games

Press Play founders launch new studio Lightbulb Games

The founders of defunct Microsoft studio Press Play have opened a new development studio, Lightbulb Games.

The Copenhagen-based studio describes itself as a "small startup... with big ambitions", with its first game set to be a vehicle-creation game called Pioneers.

"Our vision is to create games we and someday our children will be proud of!" says Lightbulb. "We create games that you play with – not just play. Games that give players unrestricted tools and environments to create their versions of fun."

It continued: "Pioneers is a game about building complex machines out of simple blocks. With Pioneers we want to bring out the inventor in everybody and let them have an awesome time in a unique world of playfulness. We want make the construction game genre social on a new level."

PlayStation Plus subscriptions have almost doubled in the last 18 months

Paid subscriptions up from 10.9m in January 2015 to 20.8m.

By David Scammell

The number of PlayStation Plus subscribers has almost doubled within the last 18 months, Sony has revealed, climbing from 10.9m users in January 2015 to 20.8m.

The new figure was revealed during a presentation held by Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Andrew House yesterday, where the platform holder said that it had seen a "continuous growth" in paid PlayStation Plus subscribers, and a 51% increase in network sales in FY2015 (April 2015-March 2016) compared to the previous year.

In comparison, figures released by Microsoft in April put Xbox Live's monthly active users at 46 million, although that is expected to include both free and paid Xbox Live Gold users.

A key factor in PlayStation Plus' growth is likely due to its requirement to access multiplayer in PS4 titles, similar to that of Xbox Live. A PlayStation Plus membership is not required to access multiplayer in PS3 or PS Vita games.

An annual subscription to PlayStation Plus costs £39.99.

Source: Sony IR Day 2016

PS4 Slim to be released in addition to the PlayStation Neo - report

Sony analysts mention a PS4 Slim in the pipeline, separate to the already-confirmed PlayStation Neo.

Sony will release a PlayStation 4 Slim in addition to the previously-announced PlayStation Neo, according to a Tweet by a reporter for The Wall Street Journal.

The Slim edition of Sony’s flagship console is reportedly due to surface by the time the Tokyo Game Show rolls around in September. Note that analysts have said that this is in addition to the Neo, so it’s not simply another name for the upcoming PS4 revamp.

This is the first we’ve heard about a PS4 Slim, and Sony has yet to make any official announcement regarding a sleeker, more cost efficient version of its latest gaming platform.

PS4 Neo is real, but we're still no closer to finding out a release date

Sony announced the PlayStation Neo after months of rumors the week before E3, although the console itself wasn’t shown off at the Los Angeles event. However, it is expected we’ll get our first look at the new hardware at TGS.

Speaking to The Guardian, Andrew House, Group CEO and President of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), said that the Neo is not designed to replace the existing PS4, and that gamers can expect titles to run with increased visual fidelity on the new system.

“And perhaps we have an opportunity to move slightly away from just a static console that remains absolutely the same for a period of six, seven, eight years, and perhaps offer, in addition to the current PlayStation 4, something a little extra. Particularly - and I should stress this - in the area of graphical fidelity, and games that will essentially play an awful lot prettier," he said.

Elsewhere, Sony’s head of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, recently confirmed that the Neo was not powering any of the company’s demos, and that the device will not shorten the console's lifecycle.

Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice Stars An Empowered Party of Five

Given the Sonic The Hedgehog franchise’s rocky output these last two decades, it’s become all the easier to appreciate the few times when the series has been more than serviceable, whether it’s Sonic Generations or Sonic Colors. And the next game, Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice shows some promise in spite of the negative reception of the two prior games in this spin-off series.

The game’s subtitle is related to the polarity gameplay component, which is new to the series. Similar to critically acclaimed games like Outland and Ikaruga, specific areas of Fire and Ice can only be traversed by infusing Sonic with one of the two titular elements. It’s to either complement or counter an incoming obstacle, whether it’s to freeze a blob of water into a frozen platform or to conversely melt a similar cube to create a passage. All the while, you’re engaging in familiar Sonic traversal challenges and addressing those hurdles with his spin dash, rope swings, varying speeds, and an enemy-homing air dash attack.

And as with prior Sonic Booms, you’ll have access to the unique skills of his friends including Tails, Knuckles, and Sticks, all of whom are unlockable fairly early. New to this side series is Amy, who is adept with a hammer, useful against Fire and Ice’s many frozen barriers.

If you haven’t touched the prior Sonic Booms, consider it a blessing as you don’t need to have done so to play Fire and Ice. While acknowledging the shortcomings of, a Sega spokesperson was optimistic about Fire and Ice’s back to basics design working in conjunction with the new elemental mechanic. Expect each level to maintain a sense of focus while also presenting worthwhile opportunities for exploration.

Moreover, the special abilities of each supporting character create replay opportunities as their talents open parts of levels that Sonic can’t access. Adding to Fire and Ice’s replay potential is an endless runner minigame, which is unsurprising given Sega’s success with Sonic Dash on mobile. Another notable improvement to this latest Sonic Boom installment is the effort made to build a stronger connection to its TV counterpart.

Unlike the previous game, Fire and Ice is voiced by the program’s voice cast as they recite lines that are more in tune with the tone and spirit of the show. And while the evolving character designs of Sonic and his buddies has long since been a divisive topic, its of some comfort that the cast’s proportions will be more faithful to the Sonic Boom show.

gamespot

5 ‘No Excuses’ Tricks to Stick to Your Workouts

We’ve all had those days where we forget our sneakers, or just don’t get moving in time to squeeze in some cardio. But if you find yourself regularly skipping workouts for silly reasons (“I just washed my hair!”), it’s time to organize your life in a way that makes it easier to embrace exercise.

Contrary to popular belief, creating a seamless fitness habit isn’t just about willpower. “Most of getting to the gym comes down to preparation and habits,” says Mark Crabtree, ATC, founder of Ignite Fitness in Naperville, Illinois.

Streamlining your daily routine will help eliminate excuses that might derail you during moments of weakness. “You only have a limited supply of willpower on any given day,” says Christine Carter, Ph.D, sociologist and author of The Sweet Spot. “When something is a habit, you’re running on autopilot, so you don’t have to draw on those limited sources of self-control.”

These easy tricks will pinpoint what’s keeping you from getting fit — and help you learn how to get back on track with your routine.

No Excuses: 5 Ways to Stick to Your Workouts

1. You always forget to pack your gym bag.
“If you’re continuously forgetting something so necessary to your workout, each time it is like a little act of self-sabotage,” says Carter. For two weeks, put a Post-it on your sneakers saying, “Do you have all your gear?” Eventually you’ll automatically remember to check, even when your sneakers are sans reminder.

Another clever option is to get a gym bag with separate sections, so you can more easily see if you’re missing something vital. “Bags are individual to each person, but it can help to have one with compartments for your sweaty stuff, for your work clothes, for snacks and water, and for things like keys,” says Crabtree.

2. You’re too ravenous by the end of the day.“Solve this problem by preparing your meals for each week in one go,” says Carter. (Or, start with these 12brilliant meal prep ideas to free up your time.) Horrified by the thought of eating a turkey sandwich prepped three days before? Try to at least plan your menus, so you can stock up at the grocery store on Sunday.

Post-work trips to Whole Foods are a surefire way to foil your goal of going to the gym before dinner. One solution could be introducing a pre-workout snack into your routine to tide you over. Not only will it fuel you, but “that food becomes part of your mindset. When you eat it, you know a workout is coming soon,” says Crabtree. If they aren’t perishable, consider putting a week’s worth of snacks in to your gym bag so you don’t have to remember to do it each day.

3. You’re digging through the hamper in the morning.No, we’re not going to tell you to sleep in your gym clothes (just lay them out the night before). Because no matter how comfy those Nike leggings may be, you should designate them strictly for working out. “Don’t wear workout clothes to sleep or lounge around the house in,” says Crabtree. “When your brain ties those clothes only to exercise, it will start to get into the right frame of mind when you put them on.” Plus, there’s less of a chance of your gear being dirty when you need it, if you’re not living in it 24/7.

4. You stay up too late and skip morning workouts.Ah, the siren song of bypassing bedtime in favor of scrolling through your Instagram feed. Give yourself a hard deadline for when you’ll quit your screens for the day — and publicize it, says Carter. “Tell colleagues, friends and family that you won’t be texting, talking on the phone, or emailing after a certain time,” says Carter. That may sound extreme, but sleep is a key part of making gym time non-negotiable. “Most people would not skip a doctor’s appointment, a meeting with their lawyer, or a work meeting,” says Crabtree. “Treat your workout as if it carries the same importance — it’s a meeting scheduled with yourself.”

5. You get shut out of workout classes because you never register on time.Self-sabotage strikes again! “When you’re truly motivated to do something that requires a reservation, you’ll make it,” says Carter. Check out these workout motivation tips, then set at least one weekly calendar reminder to prompt your sign-ups (end date: never). It’s best if you can do all your registration at once, says Carter, but feel free to set multiple prompts if you need to. Even better, find a workout solution that gives you access any time of day (hello, DailyBurn 365!).

Weight Loss Tips from the Ladies of Georgetown Cupcake

Right about now, you're probably craving a cupcake. Just reading the name Georgetown Cupcakes practically has us salivating for one of those melt-in-your-mouth, adorably decorated sweets, perfectly topped off with a swirl of icing. Which makes us wonder: How exactly do owner-sisters Katherine Berman and Sophie LaMontagne—also the stars of TLC's DC Cupcakes—stay so slim? Turns out, it takes some work. Over the past year, after struggling with pregnancy weight gain (and sympathy weight gain), the two woman shed a combined 100 pounds. And they didn't even have to give up their famous cupcakes! We got the scoop straight from Berman and LaMontagne on how they lost the weight—and kept it off.
How It Happened
Berman: Ever since we were young, we’ve been extremely active and played a lot of sports—our weight was never a concern for us. Even when starting Georgetown Cupcake and being surrounded by fresh-baked cupcakes every day, we never struggled with our weight. However, when I got pregnant, things changed dramatically. During my pregnancy, I ate—a lot. Before I knew it, I had gained 60 pounds. My husband got a big kick out of the fact that I weighed more than he did. Like many other pregnant women, I did not feel like I was in my own body, and I found myself feeling emotionally overwhelmed by my weight gain. (How Much Pregnancy Weight Should You Really Gain?)
LaMontagne: Katherine and I spend all day, every day, together, and that definitely did not change during her pregnancy. Suffice it to say, being around a pregnant sister all day did not help my personal eating habits. Katherine was eating for two, but the problem was that I was eating as much as Katherine. After Katherine gave birth and started lamenting about her weight gain, I got on the scale for the first time in a long time and saw that I had gained 40 pounds. It was obvious how it happened, but I didn’t want to believe it. I suddenly found myself wondering how to get back to the “old me.”
How We Did It
Berman: After I gave birth, Sophie and I decided to become focused on getting our weight back on track—and we decided to do it together. However, “diet” was not a word that was in our vocabulary. Working in the food world, we love to eat, we love cupcakes and all things sweet, and we knew that we didn’t want to be miserable and give up all the things we love and replace them with diet foods and shakes. What’s the point of life if you can’t enjoy it? We wanted to lose the weight in a realistic way that was going to work for us.
LaMontagne: We decided that if we didn’t want to give up our favorite foods, we would find a way to burn the calories. And most importantly, we needed to burn the calories in a way that we knew that was doable for us, so we wouldn't give up after a couple of weeks. So, how did we do it? One simple thing: walking. We walked 6 miles a day. Five days a week. That’s it.
Berman: Some people might think, “Six miles? I can’t possibly do that!” and other people might think “Walking? That’s it?” The truth is, walking six miles a day is extremely doable—and yes, that’s it. We ate balanced diets of all of our favorite foods and desserts (including cupcakes) and we walked six miles a day—within nine months, I lost 60 pounds and Sophie lost 40 pounds! (And if you can master the 6-mile walk, then you can definitely accomplish these 10 Ways to Lose Weight Without Even Trying.)
Why It Worked
Berman: One of the main reasons that Sophie and I were able to do this was the fact that we did it together. Having a buddy who can be your support system through this journey makes a huge difference. When people who can be unhealthy influences surround you, it can make sticking to your routine so much more difficult. When you surround yourself with people who are in it with you, you can support and encourage each other and keep each other accountable. Try to find a friend or family member and do it together. (Not only will you lose weight, but you’ll also score major health perks! Here, 12 Ways Your Best Friend Boosts Your Health.)
LaMontagne: Try to approach it as a permanent lifestyle change—not a “crash diet” with a particular target date or special event in mind. Being active by walking six miles a day and eating sensibly is not a “crash diet”—it’s a conscious choice to lead a healthy lifestyle. And it doesn’t mean giving up all of your favorite foods. You can have your cupcake and eat it too!

Be Happy: Happy as You Want to Be

Happy as You Want to Be

Almost everyone have heard the hit single 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of being happy to everyone. Bobby Mcferiin's simple message surely made a lot of people by telling them not to worry.

Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is wonderful, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.

One of the better things ever said is - 'The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change', and in our life we have the power to make the necessary changes if we want to. Even if we find ourselves in an unbearable situation we can always find solace in the knowledge that it too would change.

Social networks or relationships are essential to happiness. People are different, accept people for who or what they are, avoid clashes, constant arguments, and let go of all kinds of resentments. If arguments seem unavoidable still try and make an effort to understand the situation and you might just get along with well with

Happiness is actually found in everyone, increasing it is a way to make a life more wonderful and also more healthy.

To be happy is relatively easy, just decide to be a happy person. Abraham Lincoln observed that most people for most of the time can choose how happy or stressed, how relaxed or troubled, how bright or dull their outlook to be. The choice is simple really, choose to be happy.

There are several ways by which you can do this.

Being grateful is a great attitude. We have so much to be thankful for. Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely, thank the cook for a wonderful dinner and thank the guy who cleans your windows. Also thank the mailman for bringing you your mails, thank the policeman for making your place safe and thank God for being alive.

News is stressful. Get less of it. Some people just can't start their day without their daily dose of news. Try and think about it, 99% of the news we hear or read is bad news. Starting the day with bad news does not seem to be a sensible thing to do.

A religious connection is also recommended. Being part of a religious group with its singing, sacraments, chanting, prayers and meditations foster inner peace.

Manage your time. Time is invaluable and too important to waste. Time management can be viewed as a list of rules that involves scheduling, setting goals, planning, creating lists of things to do and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.

Laugh and laugh heartily everyday. Heard a good joke? Tell your friends or family about it. As they also say -'Laughter is the best medicine'.

Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to people around you. They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Try not to keep pent up anger of frustrations, this is bad for your health. Instead find ways of expressing them in a way that will not cause more injury or hurt to anyone.

Working hard brings tremendous personal satisfaction. It gives a feeling of being competent in finishing our tasks. Accomplishments are necessary for all of us, they give us a sense of value. Work on things that you feel worthy of your time.

Learning is a joyful exercise. Try and learn something new everyday. Learning also makes us expand and broaden our horizons. And could also give us more opportunities in the future.

Run, jog, walk and do other things that your body was made for. Feel alive.

Avoid exposure to negative elements like loud noises, toxins and hazardous places.

These are the few simple things you can do everyday to be happy.

And always remember the quote from Abraham Lincoln, he says that, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Diet and your health

Diet and your health

In recent years, we have heard more and more about how our diet affect our health , especially in relation to the production of cancers. Research has shown that our diet contains an enormous variety of natural mutagens and carcinogens. It is also apparent that we are ingesting vastly greater qualities of these substances than was previously suspected. Perhaps this natural chemical product should be primary concern rather than the mutagenicity of industrial chemicals, food additives and pollutants in our environment. For example, in 1989 the United States had a big publicity –generated scare concerning the plant growth regulator Alar, which is used to delay ripening of apples so that they do not drop prematurely. Alar was said to be carcinogenic, but when put in perspective with chemicals in our daily diets , it does not to be so bad. For instance, the hydrazines in a helping of mushrooms are 60 times more carcinogenic than the Alar consumed in a glass of apple juice or 20 times greater than a daily peanut butter sandwich, which frequently contains aflatoxin B. Our diets contain literally millions of natural chemicals; intact it is not practical to test them all for carcinogenicity.

Animal tests and the and the Ames test have been used to evaluate cooked foods for their potential for inducing cancers; and it has been found that browed sugars or breads contains a variety of mutagens. In addition, caffeine and its close relative theobromine found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and some soft drinks may increase the risk of tumors by inhibiting DNA repair enzymes. Plants synthesize many carcinogenic or teratogenic chemicals as delense mechanism to ward off the animals that want to consume them. Examples of plants plant carcinogens include psoralen and its derivatives, which are widespread in plants and have been used as sunscreen in France; solanine and chaconine are teratogens and are found in greened potatoes. Other food that contains natural cicargens includes banana, basil, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, horseradish, mustard turnips, and black pepper. In addition, red wines are believed to be responsible for the high incidence of stomach cancers among the French people, although red wine also seems to decrease the incidence of coronary heart disease. It seems that nothing can be consumed that does not contain mutagen!

Another big problem with American diet is the consumption of excess quantities of fats. The average American consumes 40% of her/ his calories in the form of fat. Comparisons of cancer death rates in different national populations have provided important clues to the nutrational causes of cancer. Very different types of cancers appear in the United States than appear in Japan. In United States, colon, breast, and prostate cancer are most prevalent, whereas stomach cancers are in excess in Japan. When the amount of dietary fat intake is plotted against the number of death by breast cancer, the results are striking; the more fat in the diet, the more higher the rate of breast cancer. How might fat intake cause cancer? It may be caused by rancid fat because it represents a sizable percentage of the fat are very prone to oxidation, which produces a variety of carcinogenic compounds. Another likely explanation is that may carcinogens are soluble in fats and accumulate in the fat of the animals we eat.

Summary:
In recent years, we have heard more and more about how our diet affect our health , especially in relation to the production of cancers. Research has shown that our diet contains an enormous variety of natural mutagens and carcinogens. It is also apparent that we are ingesting vastly greater qualities of these substances than was previously suspected. Perhaps this natural chemical product should be primary concern rather than the mutagenicity of industrial chemicals, food additives and pollutants in our environment.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is an ancient hindu system of working with the human nervous system. Because it releases tension and endows one with renewed energy, far too many 20th century people, yoga teachers included, have come to look upon the venerable Indian physical science as solely an exercise for health and vitality of mind and body. It is that, but it is also much more. Hatha yoga practices are more spiritual than physical, more subtle than gross, more a means of understanding than an exotic way to relieve stress or limber up the body.

The sages who developed hatha yoga designed it as a way to gain conscious control of our life energies, a way to go within, to harmonize the external so the innermost Self could be encountered. To them, it was about states of consciousness, about living a divine life, and it was a preparation for meditation.

As you perform the asanas, concentrate on feeling the energies within the nerve currents. Sensitize yourself to knowing when the body has been in each position long enough to tune the nerve currents involved. Then shift smoothly into the next asana. It's like a dance, a deliberate, fluid dance. During all postures, inhale using the diaphragm, not the chest muscles. Do not stretch unduly or force the body. Relax into the poses. Don't worry if you can't perform them all perfectly. In time, you will find the body becoming more flexible and supple. Free the mind of thoughts and tensions. You will be more aware, more alive, more serene.

While there are many more complex hatha yoga routines, these twenty-four asanas provide a balanced system for daily use. For the simple purpose of quieting the mind in preparation for meditation, this is all you will ever need. For best results, hatha yoga should be taught personally by a qualified teacher. These instructions and drawings are meant only as a rudimentary aid. For more elaborate regimens, inquire at a recognized school specializing in hatha yoga.

The scene of hatha yoga has a spiritual purpose - to balance physical and physic energies in preparation for meditation. It is not only meant to make us young, beautiful or creative, but to aid us in quieting the mind, body and emotions that we may awaken enlightened consciousness & know the Self within.

Unleash your creative thinking

Creative Notions

People seem to have the misconception that only a select few are able to unleash a steady flow of creative genius. That is not true at all. The fact is, creativity is very much like a muscle that needs to be exercised in order to consistently give out great results. If you don't practice harnessing creative thinking, this skill will very much atrophy into inexistence. But keep working and this skill will soon come to you in a snap.

So how do you unleash your creative thinking? Well, the first thing is to become a human leech. No, we're not talking about just sucking the blood out of every living being available, we're saying that you should take in as much knowledge and learning you can find. Read everything available -- good and bad, and keep your mind open to the infinite possibilities of the universe. The more you know, the more you'll want to know, and the more your faculty of wonder will be exercised. Prepare to be amazed at little facts that add a bit of color into your life.

Focus on a creative activity everyday. Yes, it's an effort. Even doodling is a creative activity. Don't let anything hinder you. Mindlessness may be a creative activity, but for people who are just starting out to unleash a little bit of creative thinking in their lives, it is helpful and encouraging to have concrete evidence, that, "hey, what I'm doing is getting somewhere." So why don't you try it. Practice drawing for a couple of minutes each day. Bring out your old camera and start snapping photos like crazy. Keep a journal and make a point to write in it religiously. Another cool idea is to write by describing something with your five senses. Try to avoid vague adjectives like "marvelous," "amazing," and "delicious." Before you know it, you'll have built yourself a tiny portfolio, and you'll be amazed at the growth you've undertaken after amassing all those works of art. Who knows, you might actually take to liking those things you do everyday. Pretty soon those things will become a part of you and you'll be addicted to these creative exercises.

Think out of the box -- or don't. Sometimes, constraints are actually a good thing. Limitations discipline you to work within your means. It enables you to be more resourceful. Creative freedom is great, but limitations enforce discipline.

Try something new everyday and let your experiences broaden your perspective. Explore a new district in your neighborhood. Spend an afternoon in a museum to which you've never been before. Chat up someone on the bus. Open up to the people around you. As you thrust yourself out of your comfort zone more and more each day, your sense of adventure grows and so does your zest for life. Think about it. When was the last time you did something for the first time? If it's been a while, I tell you, you've been missing out on a whole lot of experiences that could've added to your growth, emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. Why don't you try bungee jumping today? Not only will you learn, but you will also have plenty of stories to share, enabling you to practice your storytelling skills and making you the life of the party.

Embrace insanity. No, not to the point of practically admitting yourself into the mental ward. As John Russell once said, "Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting." Exactly! Every creative thought was once deemed insanity by other "normal" people at one time or another. Luckily, that didn't stop the creative geniuses from standing by them. The thing is, sanity or being normal confines people to think... well, normally. Withink limits. Creativity is essentially breaking through barriers. Yes, this includes the bizzarre and the downright strange. I'm not saying that you yourself should develop a creative personality. That might go haywire. An example of a creative personality would be George Washington, who often rode into battle naked, or James Joyce, who wrote "Dubliners" with beetle juice for an intense fear of ink, or Albert Einstein, who thought his cat was a spy sent by his rival (or in thinking creatively in this case, the term could probably be "archnemesis.") It's important that your creativity doesn't get you detached from the real world completely.

I hope this article has inspired you to start thinking beyond your "limits." If you follow these steps pretty soon you'll be living a life full of interesting adventures. Unleashing your creative thinking will bring about a new zest for living life.