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Is your marriage dying? Bring it back to life with these 10 life-lessons from nature.
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10 things you didnt know your marriage had in common with nature. - photo by Alex Phippen
Vibrant relationships are central to a happy life; and no one has a greater understanding of life than Mother Nature. She is the ultimate teacher. Much can be learned by following the same patterns that have allowed her relationships to stand the test of time.

Here are 10 lessons taught by Mother Nature that will bring life back into your dying relationship.

1. Growth is essential

Nothing in nature is stagnant. Things are always either getting stronger or weaker.

Take the time to talk to your partner about what is happening with your relationship. Is your love for one another growing or shrinking?

You may have to replant the seed that started your relationship if things start to wilt away.

2. Unforeseen challenges arise

Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides. These are just some of the regular formidable events that take place around the world. No geographical location is free of such challenges.

Likewise, no relationship isn't threatened by unforeseen challenges.

Disagreements, jealousy, misunderstandings and financial stress are some of the natural disasters that occur in relationships. However, hardships like these can actually bring you and your spouse closer together similar to how a nation unites after its people's way of life is turned upside down.

Ultimately, it's how you react to these unforeseen challenges that will either make or break the bond you have with your loved one.

3. Some things cant be controlled

A good relationship doesn't mean there is constant control over everything.

Take gardening, for example. You might plant something in the perfect topsoil, give it lots of water and ensure it has direct access to sunlight; yet, somehow it still dies.

Why is Mother Nature so cruel? This is a lesson meant to teach us that there are some things we can't control, no matter how hard we try.

4. Life goes on

When a tree falls down, the other trees around it don't stop growing to dwell on what just happened. Life goes on. The other trees continue to thrive.

The same should be true of your relationship. Don't stunt your spouse's or your growth by hanging on to faults and past mistakes. If you have to end a relationship, then do it with the knowledge that you can still thrive and find happiness afterward.

Move on and keep your eyes on the road. Don't continually look back in the rear-view mirror.

5. You can't have the low tide without the high tide

The ocean has both high and low tides throughout the day. Relationships are the same way. There are bad days, or even weeks, but there are also good ones too. This balance creates fluidity and allows a couple to learn flexibility as they patiently experience life's different emotions.

Understand that the love of your life is a living human being. They aren't always going to be in that high-tide state where everything makes sense. Avoid making waves; instead, focus on how you can cheer them up when the water gets choppy.

6. Change is the only constant

The four seasons bring significant changes to the environment. Sometimes we resent these changes because we have to start doing things differently.

But your relationship will die if you never do anything different when change occurs.

Focus on changing yourself before trying to change the one you love. Notice and provide encouragement to your spouse whenever they try to change for the better. Consider changing your perspective rather than obsessing over their behavior.

American philosopher and author, Wayne Dyer said, "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

7. Different things can live together in harmony

It's amazing how many different animal species can live together in the same habitat. This is possible because different organisms support one another in various ways. Though they share the same space, each organism has its own niche or role it plays in the ecosystem.

Similarly, in a healthy relationship, each person has his or her own specific roles.

Though two people in a relationship may be vastly different, they should have at least one thing in common: THEY BOTH LOVE EACH OTHER! This means they should show mutual support and not just exist together in the same habitat.

8. Instincts ensure survival

Instincts are those primal behaviors that seem pre-programmed into us. They keep us safe and warn us of danger. They also allows us to love and care for others.

Always trust your instincts. If a relationship doesn't feel right, then get out of it. You'll thank yourself later and you'll know you can always rely on your intuition.

9. The night is darkest before the dawn

Sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better. The night is always darkest before the sun rises, but the sun does always rise.

Don't give up. Keep breathing. Remember there can't be a sunrise without a night to proceed it.

10. The wind isnt seen or heard; it is felt

It's been said before that if you constantly have to tell someone you love them, then something is wrong. Love needs to be felt. It needs to be felt in the small, unobvious aspects of a relationship.

Pay attention the next time you're outside. The earth around us is full of flourishing connections. We can learn from Mother Nature and use her example to bring back life back into our relationships.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.