Problem: Article: Yep, that's two separate words. There are several "you"s that exist simultaneously. Sort of like Freud's id, ego, and superego. There's the "you" that behaves, for starters. Then, there's a "you" that monitors that behavior (your highly evolved one, you). And then there's actually a part of you that can step outside and look at things from another perspective entirely -- it's this last one you need to get at to become indifferent. If that's a little confusing, let's put it this way: There's the you that just does and is. It's like the baby within you -- this is the first "you." You eat, you breathe, you do human things. You don't really question it. It's the you just reading right now. Then there's the "you" that is monitoring all this behavior, thinking, making sure it's socially acceptable, making sure you survive, etc. Ever thought to yourself, "My God, why did I eat 5 slices of pizza?!" That's the second you. This third "you" is a bit more elusive. It can look at your behavior and thoughts and come to highly-evolved, self-aware conclusions. This is the "you" we'll be targeting. This you doesn't really feel things or need things -- it just observes. It's indifferent. In order to target this third you, you need to think of life like a movie. That is, you need to be a little less invested in what's going on. Emotions don't really have a place -- or if they do, they only skim the surface and don't have any real repercussions. What kind of movie are you in right now? Who's in control? What's probably going to happen? If you get this thinking down, you'll start seeing patterns and thinking outside of the box -- less selfishly, more big picture. For example, right now you're sitting at home, eating a bowl of cereal, surfing wikiHow. What's your character feeling and why? How might that change in the coming days? Watching an emotion, seeing that it's there, is a lot different than feeling it. Whatever it is. Seriously. It is no big deal. In the grand scheme of things, few things are. Maybe the eventual collapse of the universe? That seems pretty huge. But that zit in the middle of your forehead? That comment Trang made that may or may not have been malicious? Nope and nope. Why should these tiny things get any reaction or emotion of out you? When nothing is a big deal, it's hard to be phased. However, it's hard to get happy too. Know that this is a give and take. In a recent study, those who believed that they had no purpose in life but didn't really care, are middle-of-the-road when it comes to happiness. So while you won't care that your stupid scum of a boyfriend dumped you, you also won't feel super ecstatic when you get that job promotion...because it's all no biggie. Being indifferent is about leaving our assumptions, our beliefs, our pride, our emotions and our vulnerabilities at the door. In order to do so, our minds have to be entirely open. Is some lunatic raving about how your sexual orientation/gender/denomination/race is all going to hell? Hmm. Interesting. Wonder why he thinks that? Any reaction on your part should be merely intrigued -- never offended, angry, or defensive. Staying rational and logical is a huge hurdle for many of us. When someone personally says something that attacks our belief system, we naturally want to speak up and put that person in their place. Can't do that! You have to keep an open mind and get unattached to your opinions on the matter. So this person thinks something different from you -- good for them! Whenever you're interacting with others, think of them as their characters. Think of their background and why it is they're saying what they're saying and doing what they're doing. And when it comes to their words, what do they actually mean? In other words, think of the process behind the content. When someone says, "Hey, ohmigosh, I really have something I want to tell you -- but I totally shouldn't," they're actually saying, "Please give me attention. I have some gossip and it would give me immense satisfaction if you begged for it." The process (what they actually mean to say) is still going on behind the content (what actually came out of their mouths). Seeing behaviors for the process makes it a lot easier to address what's actually going on (and to remove yourself from the situation at hand).
Summary: Get away from your self. Think of life like a movie. Know that it's no big deal. Open your mind. Think of the process behind the content.

Problem: Article: Caffeinated beverages (like coffee and soda) can irritate your bladder and increase your need to urinate more frequently. Alcoholic beverages (especially wine) can have the same effect. Avoiding these beverages can help you control your bladder. If you really enjoy coffee, try having just one cup first thing in the morning. Alternatively, you can make your own freshly ground coffee. If coffee grounds are stale or if the coffee sits in the pot for a long time, the drink may irritate your bladder. If you really enjoy alcohol, try limiting yourself to 1-2 drinks on 1-2 nights per week. Eliminating these beverages completely can have a positive effect on your bladder control and overall health. The nicotine in cigarettes has been shown to have a negative effect on bladder control. Furthermore, smoking has been linked to various forms of bladder cancer. Although it is very difficult, it can only benefit your health to quit smoking. Make a plan. Choose a method (such as using a patch/gum, taking medication, or going cold turkey). Seek support from friends and family. Work with your doctor. Frequent urination is sometimes linked to obesity. If you are overweight, it may increase your bladder control to start losing weight. As with any major lifestyle change, it is a good idea to collaborate with your doctor to come up with a workable weight-loss plan. Some guidelines include: Eat more fruits and veggies. Make these the center of your diet. Eat lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats. Drink lots of water. Get regular exercise. Work with your doctor. Your digestive system is just that: a system. Trouble in one area can exacerbate trouble in another. For instance, constipation can impede your bladder control, as your bowel will press down on your bladder, making it harder for your bladder to open. You can avoid constipation by: Drinking plenty of water. Consuming high-fiber foods (such as sweet potatoes, black beans, brown rice, flax seed, and prunes) and/or taking fiber supplements. Taking probiotics supplements and/or eating probiotic foods (such as yogurt, kombucha, or sauerkraut). Avoiding processed foods. Cutting back on caffeine.
Summary: Limit beverages that irritate the bladder. Quit smoking. Lose weight. Prevent constipation.

Problem: Article: Once your rat is eliminating in the box consistently, keep it clean. Like cats, rats may stop using a dirty litter box. Once a day, dump out the litter box and put down a fresh layer of bedding. Some rat cages are very large and have multiple levels. If your rat has this kind of cage, it's unlikely to go up or down stairs when it needs to use the bathroom. Therefore, keep a litter box on each level of the cage. If you started litter training your rat when it was a baby, it will eventually grow out of its box. A litter box needs to be big enough that your rat can comfortably fit inside. As your rat grows, swap out the litter box as needed.
Summary:
Maintain a clean litter box. Use multiple litter boxes for a cage with many levels. Change the litter box size as needed.