Article: In order to begin to solve an argument, you first need to understand what happened and develop some hypotheses about why it happened. This is crucial because you cannot solve a problem if you don’t know what the problem is! Having a plan is one way to approach the situation with a clear head to reduce more arguments.   Begin by looking at what happened from your perspective and thinking rationally about it. Use both your rational mind and your emotional mind, but try to look at the situation objectively. Let’s say you found out that your friend was talking negatively about you behind your back. Think about all of the specifics of the situation. How did you find out? What did the person say? How did you handle it? In order to analyze the issue, it can be helpful to identify what led to the issue and what happened afterwards. Identify the Antecedent (what happened before the conflict), Behavior (what you did) and Consequence (what happened as a result of the behavior). Let’s imagine that the conflict began by you finding out that your friend is talking behind your back (antecedent), and then you confronted your friend which turned into a verbal argument (behavior). Next, you and your friend stopped talking to each other for a week (consequence). Know that some arguments are okay; not all arguments are bad. It is okay to disagree with your friends sometimes, and argue or debate about a topic. It is how you go about arguing that is important; each person needs to be respectful and neither should be aggressive. Try to analyze your own behaviors and thoughts about the situation. Think about the possibility of looking at the situation differently and taking on another perspective. This can help you gain clarity about the conflict and understand how you can attempt to solve it. For example, you could commit to your friend that you will do something better the next time a similar situation occurs.   One way of doing things differently is thinking differently. For example, if someone told you your friends was talking negatively about you, is it possible that this isn’t true? Another way of doings things differently is changing your actions. If you confronted your friend about what you heard, can you identify a better way you could have approached the situation? Were you really mad when you tried to resolve the conflict? Did you say something you regret? Analyze how your friend responded to the argument. This can help you to gather your thoughts so that when you talk to your friend about the situation you can be specific about what you’d like her to change.   Gather some ideas about what hurt your feelings or made the situation more difficult for you. For example, perhaps your friend called you a bad name and cursed at you, and this made you feel sad and angry. Identify specifically what your friend could have done differently. For example, if your friend cursed at you, perhaps she could have lowered her voice, spoken calmly, and used words that were not hurtful or aggressive.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Admit what went wrong. Commit to change your actions. Plan to express what made you upset.
Article: Yoga is a great way to build and stretch muscles. It's a taxing exercise routine without the brunt force or trauma that can come with jogging or weight lifting. If you're not experienced with yoga, try to find a beginner class where an experienced teacher will help you work up slowly. Do this by putting your left foot several feet in front of your right foot. Place your right knee against the ground while keeping your left leg at a 90 degree angle. Slowly work your left leg out to the side while keeping your elbows as near the ground as possible. Keep your hips parallel while you do this pose. Slowly stretch your hamstrings and leg muscles until you can hold this pose properly. Try standing with your feet together and touching your toes to help limber your hamstrings. This will help your lower half be prepared to lunge forward. Lay on your back. Grab both feet with each hand and pull your knees toward your arm pits. Once you feel comfortably situated, rock from side to side, keeping your head on the floor. This will externally rotate your hips.   This pose relies a lot on balance. Start by laying on your back and getting used to balancing your weight to achieve the rocking motion without falling over. Once you can do this with ease you can gradually move your legs closer to your hands until you can pull your knees back toward your chest with ease. You can also have a friend help stretch your legs in the beginning while you're on your back. Sit on the floor with your spine as straight as possible. Stack the right leg on top of your left leg in a curled position in front of you, lining up your right ankle and left leg.   This can be a challenging pose for a novice. Begin by just sitting in a crossed legged position to see how this feels to your hips. You can gradually push your body from this position as much as you feel comfortable without straining. You can also use yoga blocks underneath the stacked leg if you find this stretch too difficult.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Attend a yoga class to build hip muscles. Try the lizard-lower lunge. Use the happy baby pose. Try the frog leg pose to stretch hip muscles.
Article: Actively demonstrate your love for your country by being part of its political process.  Continually strive for a better country for all!  There are a variety of ways to contribute your time, effort, and knowledge to the politics of your country.  Volunteer at a voting or polling area.  Take part in the voting process by helping others who may not be as versed in politics, or who may not understand specific ballot measures upon which they are voting. Be part of a phone bank.  Call several people with the script provided by your political party, or member running for office.  You’ll appreciate it when you reach someone who shares your appreciation for the political process.  Raise funds for your candidate’s campaign.  Whether it’s asking for large donations from big contributors, or hosting a fund-raising event, running for office takes a significant amount of money. Grow their national pride so they will have respect someday as a citizen.  This is the best way to set a positive example.  As children grow older, explain to them why you feel they should hold their country in high regard.   Remember that blind patriotism can be dangerous.  Encourage your children to use their minds. Look for a person who is a good role model and embodies the values your country holds dear.  Find one who will make you proud to be where you call home.  Seek out a hero who was instrumental in your country’s history and development.  Medal of Honor winners are a perfect role model.  Whether it’s the Victoria Cross of U.K. and Commonwealth countries, the Congressional Medal of Honor from the U.S., or the Order of Taegeuk Military Merit from South Korea, someone who is awarded the highest military honor has most likely sacrificed much for their country.  Great leaders responsible for sweeping reforms are great role models.  One such ruler, King Chulalongkorn of Siam, became the king and immediately attempted visionary reforms such as ending slavery, remodeling the judicial and financial systems, avoiding colonialism, and setting up the structure for current-day Thai citizenship.  Athletes are sometimes great national heroes.  For instance, during the buildup for WWII, Adolf Hitler planned to use the Olympics as a display of Aryan dominance.  U.S. track star Jesse Owens ruined those plans by capturing four gold medals in as many events. Nothing speaks more to the commitment for one’s nation than joining the military.  It is the ultimate act of willingness to sacrifice life for the liberty of countrymen.  It is so important that, in some countries, like South Korea, the mandatory conscription may even lead to pro-military voting habits as an adult.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Be an active citizen. Encourage children to love their country. Find a hero. Join the military.