Don't bother looking for happiness it cannot be found. Looking for happiness implies that there's a location somewhere or someplace we can go to and find it. That is not true. Happiness is not a place, neither is it limited to an event or time. Unfortunately most of us begin defining happiness by filling in the blank as follows: happiness is _____. This false premise has disillusioned so many of us that we unwittingly perpetuate it to our own demise. Some of us thought we would find happiness in money and possessions, others in popularity or fame. Although we often see it in relationships seeing it is much different from seeking or finding it. Happiness is not contingent upon any external stimuli. However we can create favorable circumstances and conditions that happiness flourishes in. Seeking happiness in terms of "having it" is a better approach. Happiness is neither static nor can it be accumulated and stored. Even our happy memories must initiate emotions for us to feel and enjoy them. Many times we picture happiness in terms of seemingly happy scenes, but looks can be deceiving. Happiness has no particular look. Happiness should not be defined in terms of how it looks or feels but in terms of what it creates and does. Happiness as Gretchen Rubin describes it is a project. After recently losing happiness it was rediscovered waiting right where it had left it. So Happiness is never far away, but we have to work to gain it and fight to keep it.

HAPPINESS'S POEM


If happiness is what we seek
and it seems hard to find
the answer is not as we think
it is a state of mind.

Don't look for it in places
where it never can survive
its signs are on our faces
if we keep its love alive.

​Although it is invisible
we know that it is near 
there's nothing like the feeling
when our happiness appears.

To reach a state of happiness 
we may just have to pray
and once we reach our happy goal
we must fight to stay that way.
​ 
​

When couples are working on their marriage, the first question asked is why or what's wrong? Do we have to wait for things to go badly before addressing them. People work on their cars, houses or simply "work out" all the time even if nothing is wrong. Happiness must be maintained! Working on it all the time makes us happier according to the happiness scale and keeps things from going south. Happiness can best be created by influencing everyone we interact with to participate in it. We are always happiest ourselves when we are in the presence of others who are also happy. Happiness is an energy formed by both attitude and perspective. The exercise of happiness is as important as physical exercise for the body. As babies most of us started out in a happy and blissful state. Most of us agree that apart from fussing and crying babies are mostly happy and cheerful. They tend to stay that way until later on when the cares of life seemingly suck that happiness right out of them. Our natural state is one of happiness, just observe children. Happiness can be an elusive concept with multiple levels of being happy, happier or happiest. Happiness can come through organizing. Outer order can create inner calm. Just being able to manage the "stuff of life" provides a feeling of control even if it's just a feeling. Sometimes our state of happiness is enhanced from a sense of being in charge. The choice of happiness seems natural to babies and puppies but becomes more fleeting as we age. Once we discover that all we want out of life is to be happy, it is simply a matter of discovering what we need to do to actually makes ourselves happy. Happiness takes work. Happiness is not an emotion it is a "state of being" expressed by emotions. What is actually meant by "state of being" should be defined in terms of the difference between doing and being. Doing is performance and being is becoming. When we ask about careers; if it's an adult, the question is, what do you do? if it's a child, the question becomes what do you want to be?  Unfortunately, we often fail to associate "being" beyond occupational choices to expand its meaning to feelings. Surely most children if asked specifically what they would like to be would say they want to "be" happy.  Fortunately, happiness is such a big word that it can encompass the full range of meanings we give to it. Here are a few happiness helpers. These are actions and activities we can do that foster environments of happiness. Remember, although happiness has no fixed location, we can create favorable circumstances and conditions that happiness flourishes in. Sometimes all that happiness needs is a catalyst. A catalyst is an influential substance that increases a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change. Try the exercises and activities listed below they are catalyst. As silly as some of these suggestions might sound, they are physical, tangible and visible "actions of spirit" anyone can use to bring happiness to themselves and others around them.

Scratch that itch. Seriously, find an itch and scratch it.
The feeling of relief from scratching can be as soothing
and enjoyable as sex. Don't overdo it; but concentration 
on the sensation will create some level of elation.

Dance, that's right, just dance. Music isn't necessary
and any location will due. A partner isn't required.
It is the action and behavior of movement that invites
the feelings of happiness and summons the spirit of joy.

Sing that song. Sing it loud, sing it long and sing it clear.
Let the universe know and hear the voice of expression.
In the elevator, in the kitchen or in the shower; whenever
the opportunity arises take advantage and sing, sing, sing.

Set that sight. Select and focus on whats pleasant.
Make those eyes and imaginations see the picture perfect
things in life. Find a fairy tale and do " Disney" till dizzy.
​Take the mind to picturesque places of prominence.

Defy gravity. There is no greater natural feeling of elation
then subjecting ourselves to a weightless sensation.  As silly 
as this may sound it works by getting our feet off the ground.
Jumping, swinging, skating, sledding, sliding and riding all work.

Happiness is both a choice and a practice. Try to defy gravity. Flipping, floating and flying from off the ground, on the water, or through the air is really fun. Children love these type of physical activities, because next to tickling they are capable of producing happiness. Even those who are unable to do these activities can participate in them by watching others do them and joining within their minds. In the final analysis of life we know that there's got to be "something more" and that "something more" makes us "comfortable." When we discover exactly what that "something more" is, the answer will be to be happy.

As autodidacts we are advocates for educating ourselves. This does not mean that we can be totally self-taught, but it does indicate that we have the ability to self-learn. A self-made man is a misnomer. This classic phrase coined by Henry Clay in 1832 describes individuals whose success lay within the individuals themselves, not with outside conditions. However accurate or true this may seem, it is a myth. Virtually everyone and everything develops from the influences of both internal and external factors. These are also our teachers. There are a multitude of teachers beckoning us towards their classrooms. These teachers approach us in many forms but never force a lesson on us. Although they are eager to share their knowledge; if we want it, we must initiate actions that dictate that desire. As a species we are interdependent with all of the other creatures we coexist with. But as individuals we are in complete control of our destiny in respect to how we work in sync or out of sync with universal laws. There are no grand gestures that can rewrite history, but we can make amends and alter destiny at will. As a species we have evolved to the point where our abilities are analytical, adaptive and predictive. This fact in addition to the never-ending streams of data we create, makes it easier to sort, extract and develop it into substance. The substance of learning are the abilities that come with it. In school, we are "first taught" the lessons and then we take tests that determine how much of the lesson we really know and learned. In life, we are "tested first" and from that experience it is hoped that the lesson is learned.

The downside of educating ourselves is our choice of teachers. Most of us are "selectively biased." Our decisions regarding ourselves are generally made emotionally rather than rationally. The reality is that we don't actually get to choose all of our teachers, we can only choose to ignore their lessons. Some of the most prominent teachers like "the heavens, the firmament, day unto day and night unto night" are listed in Psalms 19 of the Bible. The way life teaches us is not necessarily the way we embrace and interpret it. We are all subject to the laws of the universe. When it comes to gravity, we either adhere to the scientific "principles of interaction" that are inherit with it or suffer the consequences. What about so many of the other equally critical laws like the laws of harmony, synchronization and interdependence? Whenever we work against these laws, we suffer the consequences whether we are aware of it or not. The major lessons, the most poignant and obvious examples, although apparent are not the best tutors. These are the lessons of personal experience that we learn the hard way. The easiest lessons are the ones faced artificially through observation and the experience of others.

In actuality life is always teaching us if we pay attention to it. If we learn it's language and principles, we can follow any lesson plan it has. The primary reason for seeking out teachers is because if left to ourselves, we would miss too many of the lessons. Without someone there pointing things out, we might find ourselves striving to hit the right mark while aiming at the wrong target. It is always a good practice to share our thoughts. Once our thoughts are spoken, shared or publicized they can be inspected, directed or rejected. Education and constant learning are the ways we keep our own thoughts in school. They must be consistently challenged and trained first before they can successfully teach us. Yes, our thoughts must be taught, trained and tried. Mistakes are expected and inevitable, they are one of the most familiar teachers to pay closest attention to. Among our best teachers are sickness, pain, experiences, lessons (in all forms) and mistakes. One examples of recent learning revealed the two stages of parenting. Yes, basically there are just two stages that parents face in terms of raising children. The first stage of parenting is primarily proactive, occurring from in front, that is ahead at the "firing line." The second stage of parenting occurs re-actively, from a point of observation behind the scenes or what might be regarded as the "sideline." Learning is continual and cumulative. Even if we are not involved in some formal education of sorts, we are still students in the school of life. The restraints placed upon equality have weakened and the bonds of oppression placed on "free expression" are losing their grip. This is what affirmative action is morphing into with its latest forms. "Affirmative action describes policies that support members of a disadvantaged group that have suffered past discrimination through education, employment, or housing." Today the playing field has changed due to the advancements of the information age. Traditionally, It was about accessibility to the field itself. However, the field has expanded beyond its original borders that expand its design, intention and purpose. TODAY EVERYONE WITH ACCESS TO THE INTERNET CAN REACH the field. The new focus should be on insuring equal access to the OPPORTUNIYIES in the field. All lessons, both old and new come from the playing field. The library of lessons resides there. The playing field is where the lessons originate, live, are taught and learned. Through the internet we all have equal access to information. False or true, good or bad the access is available. We are only referring to the playing field, not the referees, the rules, the teams, the players, the environment or the fans. Some of these things may not be balanced, but the field is open to all. The ability to see & solve situations make "innovators" the problem solvers of the future. This is becoming a job description that will take on multiple definitions across various applications. A new breed of "pilots or navigators," as mentioned in our 2020 Conditions, Convergence and Consciousness post, will become one of many new careers. Just as a lawyer's advice is his "stock in trade." So is an "innovators" insight his "stock in trade." At present no schools are offering a major to prepare candidates for this vast, changing and undefined field of work. Qualified applicants will have to see, define and create their own career paths. As we lose excuses, we simultaneously gain reasons and resources. This is the day and now is the time for finding what we seek, learning what we want, pursuing what we see while reaching for the stars.

Human beings by necessity are dependent upon one another. "You can't manage this all by yourself; no man is an island." This expression is a quotation from John Donne's Devotions (1624): “No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main.” This is the basis of all existence. We should realize that ALL THINGS at some level are connected and interdependent. ​The "principle of interdependence" is the key to the existence of nature's entire system. The best example we have of this are the cells in our human bodies. They connect with one another through mutual exchange for the benefit of the entire body. Every aspect in life has some component of interdependence. By applying interdependence to culture, boundaries created by biases crumble. When interdependence is applied to morals our interactions nurture our relationships. By applying interdependence to the indigent, we foster empathy. Even more importantly by applying interdependence to communication, understanding and enlightenment is shared. Interdependence works through the strengths of association. The "spirit of interdependence" removes the selfishness of the "Y" in your and highlights "our." The character of our consciousness is reflected in how we treat one another.

Acknowledging that life functions through interdependence is one thing. Knowing how to work interdependently is another matter. Our society, culture and consciousness is teaching us to live work and play competitively. Although it is socially and spiritually destructive, mankind continues to practice the art of "winning" and "beating" as if there is some virtue in dominating, controlling, or enslaving one another. Today is Friday the 13th. The superstitions surrounding the number thirteen is similar to our behaviors towards one another. Jesus, plus twelve disciples at the last supper makes thirteen, along with the fact that he was crucified on a Friday makes that myth. Do we really think Jesus was unlucky? Or is it more likely that through such a tragedy came our liberty. This is the same type of logic being applied to the belief that we can stand divided. We cannot consider ourselves to be standing united while we are falling divided.  Nothing in nature isolates itself from the rest of nature. Even a cactus needs water; just as the dust of the earth needs the wind to move it. Nature collides and divides as it combines its forces. By examining the process of mitosis, we learn that the primary reason the universe divides is to multiply. 

Anyone who believes that isolation trumps cooperation is sorely mistaken. When we understand interdependence, we will become comfortable with being intertwined while simultaneously maintaining our individual identities. If we are not intentional about being inclusive, we will continue to knowingly or unknowingly, willingly or unwillingly perpetuate schisms through our existing inequities and biases. We are all created equal but there is a distinct difference between equitable and equal considerations. Every situation is not equal, but all situations deserve equitable treatment. EVERYTHING is dependent upon something else in order for it exist. As harsh as it sounds winners can only define themselves through the losers they conquer or vanquish. In contrast to that all heroes are defined by the results of their acts of valor. Without consideration for the effect upon all other interrelated things our actions may be detrimental to our own well-being. When we operate in a manner that is unaware of the "principle of interdependence" we create imbalances that can range from chaotic to catastrophic. When we consider the relationships in all existence, interdependence is at work regardless of how we frame it. Co-dependencies are a foundation of science. Whether we examine the four major branches of sciences or consider expanding it into fifteen the evidence is irrefutable. No "one" thing can have purpose or function without affecting and interacting with something else. Even without believing in quantum entanglement everyone should get this! We are interconnected more than ever before. It is both futile and destructive to pursue independent and separatist agendas while the world is becoming more and more connected. The principle is simple! If all of our thinking, policies and practices are done in the light of the "principle of interdependence" we will make decisions equitable for all of life. If we fail to do so our ignorance, will be the demise imposed upon ourselves.

​LIFE IS GOOD
AND THAT'S A FACT
IT'S LIKE A PLAY
WITH MANY ACTS.

Life is as good as our mindset sees it. Life is as fun as our moods can make it. Life is as sweet as our tongue can taste it. Life is as shared as the friends who partake in it with us. Life is as short as the time we spend in it, and still the longest thing we'll ever do. Life is love and as such the goodness, fun, sweetness, sharing and shortness makes it wonderful!

Once upon a time there was a new species in need of a place to live. Throughout the universe there were few suitable planets that such a unique species could inhabit. However there was one available planet both habitable and large enough to sustain this species for thousands of years. This planet was so well suited for them that they quickly occupied it with free access to all of its amenities. It was quite nice at first. Even among the other inhabitants they found balance and mutual sustainability within a system that recycled everything in its circle of life. They shared the fruit of their knowledge and labor which provided sustenance and life to all. They mutually found a way to live together in harmony. As this new species advanced they began experiencing problems while dealing with "the reality of growing complexities." The more they advanced and interacted, the greater the collaboration they required. However, the complications of equitable and mutual growth require careful management. The objective should have been interdependence but the focus was on personal enrichment and competitive independence. The astonishing complexity of that world's delicate balancing act knitted and interwoven in mutual exchange for thousands of years was broken. The more the new species advanced and the quicker they progressed the more they disrupted planetary harmony. As a result more and more divisions grew. And with no unified approach the new species splintered into multiple factions. The new species failed to create a common system of governance so their sense of family, unity and any mutual concerns eroded. As individuality and superiority grew they began exploiting and mistreating one another. This had a domino effect on all of the other species which had lived in harmony among them. Even worse then that, they began to exploiting and gradually exhausting the natural resources of the only planet they had. As they formed into various clans they further separated themselves by beliefs, cultures, race and any differences they could find. To make things worse they erected barriers, walls and borders among themselves. The less they talked the more the new species  fought and battled among themselves. As subsequent leaders rose and fell from within the various sects vying for power alliances and unions were formed. This in turn created more division, dissension and conflicts that lead to efforts to build more weapons for more wars of all kinds. Every type of war imaginable like trade wars, border wars, drug wars, food wars and military wars became the norm. Never-the-less the new species continued on in spite of their self destructive practices and occupied most of the planet. They knew that they had reached a point where their fate was inextricably tied together and even coined a term like "M.A.D." meaning Mutually Assured Destruction. They are now beginning to realize that the only way their severed structure can sustain their instability is through entropy. Entropy is the general trend of the universe toward death and disorder. As far fetched as this may sound this is a true story and we are living it! The planet is earth and the new species is the human race.

The animals depicted by the idiom in the title of this post bear a striking resemblance to the posture our world now finds itself in. The 800 pound gorilla represents the power to act without regard. The evidence that there is a problem with power being abused, is as obvious as an elephant in the room. By rereading many of our former posts we've become aware that we were forewarned of the manifestations described in our current posts. Rather then the traditional "I told you so," Let's comprise new preventative strategies to combat the newly revealed threats and take some remedial action on the already acknowledged ones. Current conditions prove that there is a problem. Let's understand the principles at work and how advance from where we are. In a time of multiple challenges with simultaneous threats of war, political unrest, economic instability, religious divisions, social upheaval and technological change it seems that there are just to many issues to address. But these matters although important, are distractions that divert our attention from the 800 pound gorilla with the pet elephants in the room. "The violence that exists in the human heart is also manifest in the symptoms of illness that we see in the earth, the water, the air and in living things." That quote from Pope Francis alludes to global warming. This is the theme of this post. The soul of our existence rests in our universal respect and appreciation for every aspect of life. The power of change does not reside under the control of business or government. In reality most advancements and changes are driven by the interests and response of the proletariat. The power of change rests in the will of our consent through consciousness.

It is not too difficult understanding our response to global warming when we consider the way we have responded in the past. The self inflicted perils of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, slavery, violence and war are apparent. The evidence of the injustice, wrongness and  plain ole evil were obvious as they were occurring. The fact that such evidence became history proves that. There are still people who don't believe that the Holocaust (at least the one that Israel endured) ever happened despite all of the evidence to the contrary. We believe that it did happen just as the evidence suggests, but we were not there so we cannot prove it! We can deny anything that we choose to ignore evidence of. Many people form beliefs consistent with what they choose to ignore. To determine justice In a court of law we generally examine evidence, draw conclusions and make a judgement based on what we consider as p​roof. In civil law the burden of proof is established by the "preponderance of evidence." In criminal law the burden of proof is establish at a much higher standard, that is "beyond a reasonable doubt." Climate change, deforestation and the dismantling of environment protection laws are simultaneously undermining other efforts to change our current course. Let's face this one fact of truth that may not be evident. There is no definitive proof that we (mankind) are the main cause of global warming and climate change. We have evidence but not enough evidence to prove or convict. Climate change is a natural cyclical occurrence and it is nothing new. In fact it is only recently in the past 30 years or so that we even became aware of climate change. Prior to that we did not see it, test or measure for it. One of the most notable climate crisis's occurred with the ozone layer back in the 1980's, remember that! There was no definitive proof that our production and use of CFC's were polluting the atmosphere, however the evidence of an ever growing and expanding hole in our sky only detected by our scientist spurred us into action. Isn't it amazing that the accuracy in predicting weather, everything from hurricanes to deep freezes, has substantially improved but we doubt the forecast for global warming! It appears that only short term weather scientist have clout and know what they are talking about. We will evacuate whole cities and counties in light of weather predictions while ignoring predictions of global climate changes. We have sunk to the position of splitting hairs over the difference between evidence and proof. Although we cannot get a criminal conviction about climate change that is beyond a reasonable doubt, wouldn't it be wise to weigh the preponderance of evidence and err on the side of caution? Who cares what's causing it! Lets examine and address it, especially while it is in our power to do so. The fact is that mankind has progressed to the point that we are able to destroy ourselves simply through the weaponry we've developed and retain to fight wars. Mankind has always been in control of its own destiny. Now more so then ever we have the ability to shape the future into exactly what we want it to be. The way that the universe operates proves to us that we are interdependently yoke together. How much more evidence do we need. Exchange is the way of life! without exchange there is no life. Its easy to prove just stop breathing and exchanging O2 for CO2 and it will become evident. The idea that we can divide one interdependent world into multiple independent territories is outdated. There is only one race it is called the human race. There can only be one motive behind such behavior, and that is profit. Truly the love of money is the root of all evil. ​This is a part of the wake up call to all. There is nothing more important then our mutual existence. We have reached a point where we can no longer isolate our economies, cultures, countries, or climates. The United States is historically the largest producer of greenhouse gases and currently the second largest. The battles over the profits from the shared resources we sell to one another are increasingly being used as hostages and pawns to create divisions among us. We are all "beings" of equally endowed inalienable rights. We realize that any type of supremacy is terrorism against any other agency of life. Some readers may decide to believe that the conclusions drawn from the facts presented here are a bunch of conjectures drawn from a fanatical right or left wing mind set. We should realize that "confirmation bias" is the tendency to interpret evidence so that it confirms what we already believe and all biases like racism are defined by their results. It's not what it looks or acts like that matters most it's what it does in the end that defines it. There's plenty of evidence to suggest that the consciousness of the world is selfishly corrupt, lady Liberty has been blindfolded and we are on a downward spiral of dividing rather then unifying, but it seems to be increasingly difficult to Prove. Again nothing here is written in stone and as always in these posts we reserve the right to be wrong.

Prayer is a natural extension of our existence. Only prayer has a posture and a position that effects everything. The act itself is learned, practiced and perfected over time. The concept of prayer acknowledges our fragility, weaknesses, or needs. When helplessness finds its way into our circumstances prayer may be our last or only recourse. Prayer is spiritual and emotional; it is managed at a conscious level but operates across all dimensions of time and space. Prayer can function through the expression of emotions even if we cannot articulate our feelings verbally. Prayer can be part of a religious discipline or can become so routine that it requires very little discipline at all. Prayer​ is a special way of holding a thought. When multiple people hold the same thought in the same way the universe tends to respond. The main objective of prayer is to connect the visible tangible world to the invisible and seemingly mystical universe. Prayer does not ​require a belief in God, anybody can pray. Prayer is armament. In spiritual warfare prayer functions both offensively and defensively. Prayer is the vehicle that allows us to manifest the energy of spirit anywhere. Prayer takes everyday conversations into meditation where thought reaches another level of consideration. Unfortunately, today our eyes and ears are overwhelmed by a flood of images and conversations we process without refining them through the filter of prayer.

Prayer, although exercised individually has a communal dimension. Prayer is an activity of single or multiple participants. Like in many sports there will be some great individual examples and stand outs but it will always be the team victories that matter most. There are some preferred way to arrange our prayers but there is no specific prerequisite or format needed. Men, women and children have equal access and authority to pray or call for prayer. Whatever, whenever and however a person or a people begin praying matters not. Prayer is an actionable extension of hope that unlike wishing allows us to do something about our problems. The effectiveness or strength of a prayer can not be determined by conventional logic. There is no criteria of skill or longevity, numbers of participants or volume and duration with prayer. All prayers carry a cause, but all causes cannot be carried out through prayer.  It may be shortsighted to have just one person praying or leading a prayer. Prayer is a force of connection that integrates the energy of all who join in as opposed to just following along. The power of prayer comes through how it connects all things visible and invisible. Prayer connects consciousness to cause. Any prayer of "proper cause" can be strengthened through its communal component. Whether formal or informal, group prayer works better when conducted like an orchestra. As more and more people participate in a prayer of "proper cause,"  it reverberates, echos and amplifies in its purpose and effects.

It is our personal responsibility to practice prayer. Prayer is the practical way for the common man to conquer circumstances beyond our control. We get better at it the more we do it. Trial and error can teach us how effective our prayers are. We gauge the effectiveness of prayer by attaching it to universal principles. There is no one rule, method or way to pray. Many prayers are spontaneous and follow no formula. When a situation for instantaneous action is required we may not have the time to pray for HELP. Prayer is believed to be both qualitative and quantitative. The idea that prayer can be banked or stored in an account should appeal to most of us. Prayer is consciousness communicated through sent, shared, received and projected thought. It is an underrated skill inherit in the human species. Although our youthful imaginations may have had us praying superstitiously, we are now fully aware of where prayer is needed practically. It is just like riding a bike, we expect improvement with practice. Whether we "work prayer" casually or with intensity, the energy we exert exercising it affects whatever we apply it to. Before leaders, rulers, laws, politics or government, prayer created the collective consciousness for perspective, policy and punishment. It is the loss of our common cosmic connectivity that divides our sensibilities.

It is hard to believe that such a powerful force and specialized tool could be so underrated, underused and under-appreciated. Why has the use and purpose of prayer been so minimized today? The energy of a united cause properly applied has been known to alter history. The energy of prayer is the antidote to the energy of anxiety.  Prayer is an act whose action although invisible manifest effects that are usually tangible. Prayer is not simply saying something, pointing something out or complaining. Prayer specifically addresses issues. Prayer is the common mans method of effecting change without possessing political clout. Prayer is the way our consciousness projects spiritual policy. Consciousness is the power behind spiritual authority. It is the will of the people that sets the atmosphere of our existence. We are the consciousness of our culture, the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Our governments are simply the vehicles for enacting social policies, while policing is our method for enforcing them. When there is no other power available we posses the power of prayer. It is incumbent for us to pray something, then say something and afterwards expect life to portray the essence of our prayers. They say that prayer changes things, but the reality is that prayer influences people that change things. By understanding the power of connected humanity, our humble prayers will naturally gravitate towards the best interest of others. While simultaneously scrutinizing our own ways, we will experience peace among ourselves and healing in the earth as a whole. How about a little less complaining and a little more praying. Praying works as an act of faith as faith without some work or prayer is dead, it is work that creates the substance faith is made of.