Real Happiness Comes From Within

June 21, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

If most people agree on anything it’s that they want to be happy. But many don’t know how to get to that state. 

GenuLines asks you to consider a road map that shows the starting point is VERY close to home!

Real Happiness Comes From Within

Life isn’t always a sip of the sweetest nectar. Often when we look around, everybody else seems to have a happier life.
 
Yet they may be thinking the same about us. So, how do you become happy?
 
egg shows happinessA good start is to love yourself.
 
To love yourself means to accept that you’re not a perfect being, but you are a valuable human being. You have as much worth as anyone else.
 
Genuine happiness also implies contentment and a certain level of peace. It’s not about always being ecstatic.
 
 
 
You’ll experience happiness when you feel good about your job. Or your family and friends.
 
Your looks, your living arrangement, your car, and your possessions.
 
Life teaches you about right and wrong, trying and failing, winning and losing. Failure is part of life, and it can be an important step on the way to success.
 
It should never stop you from being happy.
 
But what about the downtimes?
How can we be happy in the face of negative feelings?
 
Start by making an effort to improve the quality of your life and your surroundings. Better yet, help somebody else do that.
 
Whether it’s cleaning up your room, helping a friend, taking care of your sick dog, working out … they all can help you feel better.
 
Imagine life as a big scoreboard like the ones used in pro sports. Every time you take a step forward, you score points.
 
Wouldn’t it be nice to look at that board at the end of each game and think to yourself “Whew! Not bad. I’m glad I gave it a shot.”, instead of looking at a bunch of zeroes.
 
Genuine happiness isn’t about driving the hottest car. Or being employee of the year.
 
How do you become genuinely happy?
Everyone has their own definition of happiness. But you don’t have to be rich or even successful in worldly terms.
 
It’s about doing and making the best out of every situation. When you can laugh at your own mistakes yet be willing to try again you’re getting it.
 
When you learn to accept yourself and your faults, you pass ‘Happiness 101’. If you have trouble doing this, work on accepting others and their faults.
 
When you know how to accept others, you’ll likely get acceptance from them. Know how to love and expect more love to come your way.
 
JohnK 6-21-2021
 
Stick figure hears about hapinessOverheard: “Happiness is a state of activity”
                                 ~Aristotle
 
 
 
 
Article image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay 
 
disclaimer for happiness
 
 
 
 

Stop Focusing on Your Past Mistakes and Failures

June 14, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Reminiscing and thinking about the past can be a great exercise. It’s always good to have a healthy respect for things that have come and gone.

But you don’t want to live in the past, and GenuLines can help you adjust your view of days gone by.

Stop Focusing on Your Past Mistakes and Failures

They say that learning from history is how you best ensure a good future. That said, if you’re living in the past you’re doing more harm than good.
 
And if you’re replaying negative events in your mind it’s even worse.
 
It’s also a surefire way to temper your boldness. And it lessens your resolve when you face future challenges.
 
 
picture of past mistakes
 
So how do you stop doing that?
Learn to Value Your Mistakes
The first thing to do is to value your mistakes. Remember that mistakes teach you things.
 
They make you stronger and wiser. And they give your personal narratives a more interesting and more unique bent.
 
It’s not our successes that cause us to grow and develop but our mistakes. And each failure brings you one step closer to being the person you want to be.
 
Realize that your mistake has merit and value in itself. Then you can be a little more comfortable accepting it as part of your story.
Looking Forward
The next thing to do is to look forward and to remember that things are going to get better now. You’ve had your mistake, so how are you going to learn from that and use it to drive you in the future?
 
Don’t think about how your last relationship was a failure, Focus on how you’re going to make the next one a success.
Forgive Yourself
Many of us focus on our failures. We obsess over them because we’re frustrated with ourselves or we even feel guilty.
 
The key then is to stop aiming for perfection. Remember: you’re only human and mistakes are par for the course.
 
They’re acceptable and in fact, you can expect them. Know this and let your missteps go.
 
Ask yourself: would you beat someone else up if they had the same failure?
Learn to Let Go
Letting go in itself is something of an art form. If you’re an obsessive personality this is a skill that’s well worth learning.
 
You might consider seeing a cognitive-behavioral therapist. Besides learning to let go you’ll re-work your thoughts in a more positive way.
 
JohnK 6-14-2021

Stick figure hears about the pastOverheard: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past”                                ~William Faulkner

 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for the past
 

The Psychology Of Fear

June 7, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Fear is everyone’s companion at various times in life. We know how it feels but we don’t know much about how it works. 

Today GenuLines takes a look at fear and what makes it tick. 

The Psychology Of Fear

Fear is something we all have to deal with in some way at some time. It affects almost every part of the body from breathing to heart rate to muscle control.
 
man with fearBut what is fear? And how can it grip us the way it sometimes does?
 
Today we look at the psychology of fear. Why we feel it.
 
How it works. And what it does to our bodies when we experience it.
 
 
 
 
What is It?
Fear is a default survival tactic for all humans and animals. Fight or flight is pretty much embedded in each of us.
 
What kicks it into gear is the body experiencing fear as a danger (of any sort) approaches. We don’t face as many predators as our more animalistic ancestors did.
 
Yet we feel that something harmful is coming our way.

Decision Time

Fight or flight helps you decide whether the best and safest course of action is to fight the danger or flee from it.
 
But, there are different types of fear. As you well know, we aren’t only afraid of the serious dangers on our paths. The future or social situations are triggers too. They may not be life-threatening but they can provoke a similar fear-induced response.
 
Conditional Fears vs. Inerrant Fears
Inerrant fears are the fears you’re born with (danger, violence, small spaces, heights, etc.). Conditional fears are those you feel because of a bad experience and the fear of duplicating it.
 
Most fight-or-flight-triggering fears are inerrant fears. They involve fears of an approaching life-threatening danger. Conditional fears are more of our everyday fears. Fears of public speaking, relationship failure, the future, etc.
 
Effects On The Body
Fear triggers quite an interesting response in the body. It can spark a different reaction in each person.
 
And it can change with each fearful experience.
 
It can induce panic attacks, which are often different for each person. These usually feature breathing difficulties and shaking, that at times lead to fainting.
 
Your heart gets into the act, racing and making you feel antsy.
 
The Effects Are Many
Fear can affect almost every part of the body. It can keep us from reacting, paralyze us, cause us to make poor decisions, and more.
 
The following are ways that fear can affect our ability to function.
 
Decision Making
The first thing that fear can affect is our ability to make proper decisions. It can weaken the judgment which controls our decision-making abilities.
 
Our actions become defensive actions. These actions hinder your ability to assess options and make more informed decisions.
 
Outlook
Fear can be a big factor in changing your outlook. When the brain picks it up it starts to paint a negative picture. .
 
For instance, let’s say you’re at a Chevron gas station and a dog attacks you. You may start connecting Chevron stations or any gas station with the incident.
 
Panic
Our bodies’ panic reactions can disrupt body functions. Some people react to panic with paralysis and others with breathing problems.
 
Fear affects different people in different ways. Few of us stop to think about the psychology behind it.
 
With better understanding, you can work to overcome your fears. And you can use them to pump up your motivation.
 
JohnK 6-7-2021
 
Stick figure hears about fearOverheard: “Do one thing every day that scares you”
                        ~Eleanor Roosevelt
 
 
 
Article photo by samer daboul from Pexels
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for fear

Boost Your Motivation Skills In 5 Steps

May 31, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Motivation seems to work on its own schedule. One day you’ll have it and the next you won’t 

Consider connecting the motivation “dots” with this GenuLines list of motivation boosters. 

____________________

Boost Your Motivation Skills In 5 Steps

Hard times are mile markers on the road to a life of fulfillment and achievement. The toughest of these markers to deal with tends to be motivation.

Motivation booster

 

 

The following 5 helpful steps are in no particular order. They’re intended to boost your motivation and drive to reach your goals.

1. Know Your Why

When you set out toward your goal you have an ideas of why you’re doing it. But as you do the work you may start questioning this why.

And there WILL be days in which you feel less motivated than others. Keep the why in front of you so you can get up from your falls and keep pushing.

2. Know Your Direction

Extreme motivation can cause you to put your head down and work like a maniac. Sometimes this mindset helps you.

But you’ve goy to keep some sense of direction. Big goals rarely consist of point A and point B.

Instead, keep in mind a general outline of each step toward your destination. So yes, keeping your nose to the “grindstone” is good.

But looking up every now and then to adjust your direction helps, too.

3. Allow Small Victories

If you don’t enjoy small successes in pursuit of your target you’ll run out of gas before you get there. Enjoy your journey.

Take some time to reward yourself when you pass one of the (often many) small steps along the way.

4. You Versus You, Not You Versus Them

This step is especially important. Your goals are YOUR goals. Letting other people’s pursuits dictate what you strive for is a slippery slope.

If you want to make a comparisons make it to the person you were the day before.

5. Controlled Tunnel Vision

Consider this: your target goal likely involves only one facet of your life. And your life must not stop while you pursue it.

Your motivation and energy will focus on the biggest victory you’re after. This is true whether this goal is career, athletic or more personal,

In any case make sure you honor all facets of your life that will get you there. Balance is always key.

Don’t let the rest of your life fall to the wayside while you chase one dream!

JohnK 5-31-2021
chiforyourself.com

 

Stick figure hears about motivationOverheard: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily” 

                                           ~Zig Ziglar

 

 

 

disclaimer for motivation

 

Stick To Your Fitness Resolution

May 24, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Every New Year fitness is high on the list of resolutions. You tell yourself that you’re going to hit the gym with a vengeance.

But by midyear that resolution is a mere memory. If this sounds familiar let this GenuLines reminder get you back on track.

Stick To Your Fitness Resolution

runner aims for fitness
 
The majority of New Year’s resolutions fail. Getting fit is one of those frequent failures.
 
If you’ve ever spent much time in a gym, you know the routine. For the entire month of January, there’s often a line at every piece of equipment in the building.
 
The local fitness facility begins to resemble Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Yet the crowds thin out weeks later. .
 
 
 
 
 
Today we offer a few tips that can bring you closer to your fitness goals for the New Year.
 

Keep Things Simple

When you set out on a new fitness journey, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
 
What workout routine is best? What foods should you eat?
 
Fitness, as well as life in general, is best kept simple.
The best workout routine is the one you’ll stick to.  And your nutrition shouldn’t be rocket science.
 
You know what foods are good for you and what’s junk. The biggest factor in your fitness success is consistency.

Set Reasonable Goals

Advertising does a great job of making drastic body transformations seem like a snap. Even more comical are the timeframes reported by these ads.
 
How many times have you heard, “In just 15 minutes per day, 3 times per week, you’ll finally have those six-pack abs?”
 
This is all nonsense, as physical changes to your physique don’t work this way.
Fitness is about the long game.
 
While you WILL see progress, it doesn’t happen overnight.
 
So instead of going to the gym 7 days a week and eating nothing but celery, set goals that you can stick to. Start small.
 
Hold yourself accountable to 3 workouts per week. And avoiding your favorite late-night junk food.

Develop A Strong “Why”

As we’ve already discussed, fitness is about consistency. The incredible sense of motivation and enthusiasm you feel at the start WILL come and go.
 
If your only inspiration to work out is to “look better,” know there will be a lot of days in which that’s just not enough. Make your “why” unique to you.
 
Find it and use it to push through the hard days!
 
JohnK 5-24-2021
 
Stick figure hears about fitnessOverheard: Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.
                                        ~John F. Kennedy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for fitness

5 Reasons To Be Grateful For Struggle

May 17, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Life’s struggles usually don’t move us to feeling grateful that we have them. But GenuLines iinvites you to re-examine this idea.

You may be surprised at the results!

5 Reasons To Be Grateful For Struggle

Have you ever asked yourself why you always want more? You want to make yourself better.
 
Get that promotion. Earn more money.
 
man needs to be grateful
 
Win the lottery, a new car, a bigger house, another pet, to travel more often. It’s natural to pine for new things and to aim your sights higher.
 
But…
But there’s a problem here. We often take our eye off the ball.
 
And instead of living in the present, we become obsessed with the future. We figure everything will be better there.
 
But you can’t make everything better there without first putting in the work here.
The struggles that we face now do serve a purpose.
 
It isn’t something we enjoy or look forward to, but we may be able to find reasons to be grateful for those struggles.
 
Here’s why:
 
1. It Could Be Worse
This might not sound like a reason to be grateful for struggle, but… do you have the food you need to survive and a roof over your head? You have the basics down and while that isn’t everything, for right now it is.
 
Sometimes coming back to that thought is enough to remind you of your life achievements. You’re building the strength to handle what you’re facing now.
 
2. You Can See Through People
When you’re struggling, you learn who your real friends are. Friends can offer a great shoulder to lean on. But false friends can make their way into your life. They’re the first ones to run for the hills when things get tough.
 
3. You Rediscover Who You Are
You might wonder how this could be true, but it is. Think about the darkest days you’ve ever experienced. Now realize that you’re still here and you’re still standing. This speaks to your ability to be strong..
 
4. You Learn To Appreciate The Little Things
Sometimes we take these things for granted. Pause to savor your morning cup of coffee.
 
Carry this attitude with you through the day. Share your good energy with other people.
 
An act of kindness can change your day – and help others to change theirs.  
 
5. Struggle is Building You Up
It might feel like your struggles are trying to tear you down. But like working a muscle they’re building you back up.
 
It’s difficult to think of struggles as being a blessing. But the blessing comes from your response to those struggles.
 
What’s the most difficult type of struggle to cope with? One that you have no control over.
 
You learn to cope and when you know how to cope, you learn how to succeed.
 
 
 
JohnK 5-17-2021
 
stick man being gratefulOverheard: “If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
                             ~Meister Eckhart
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for being grateful

You CAN Reverse Brain Fog

May 10, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments
Brain fog leaves you feeling out of it. And you would really love to “snap out of it.”
 
Well, you can do something about it, and GenuLines has some points to jog your brain in that direction. 

man with brain fog

 

You CAN Reverse Brain Fog

We’ve all experienced mental fog. You feel like your brain is made of cloud puffs instead of brain matter. Its symptoms include:
 
• Difficulty concentrating
 
• Diminished memory
 
• Finding it hard to focus
 
• Poor communication skills
 
• Low motivation
 
• You’re easily distracted
 
Brain fog is a result of any type of imbalance in the control center of the brain. This control center is ,known as the hypothalamus.
 
This imbalance can be a result of inflammation. Or free radicals.
 
Or any type of stress brought on by several factors, such as:
 
• Multi-tasking
 
• Exhaustion
 
• Anxiety
 
• PTSD
 
• Imbalanced hormones
 
• Infections
 
• Not getting enough sun exposure
 
• Substance abuse
 
Mental fog is a natural result of our busy, nonstop lifestyles,. But it shouldn’t happen over and over.
 
If it does these simple changes can stop it from happening and repeating..
 

• Eat right

 
It’s amazing how much power our food has over us. Processed foods, foods high in saturated fats and gluten all have a negative effect on your brain.
 
In fact a study linked gluten sensitivity to low concentration and poor focus.
 
Also, not getting enough water into your system can lead to brain freeze.
 

• Take your vitamins

 
If your diet lacks antioxidants you can start looking for vitamins, such as D and B complex. Or minerals, such as calcium, zinc and magnesium.
 
Then look for supplements that work along with your diet. These will provide you with more of the nourishment you’re lacking.
 

• Get better sleep

 
We all sleep, but it’s the quality of our sleep that can either make us or break us. High quality sleep improves brain function on a whole.
 
While it’s ideal to get the full 8 hours each night, some people need only 6 for optimal effectiveness. Find what works best for you.
 
Then regulate your sleep. Set up a relaxing bedtime routine and a comfortable sleeping area.
 

• Work out

 
When you exercise, you send fresh, oxygenated blood to your entire body, mainly your brain. This boosts its cognitive functions and diminishes brain fog.
 
Studies have shown exercise can improve learning and study skills. Plus it can optimize concentration and memory skills.
 

• Find a hobby

 
Even in the busiest of weeks there are ways to work fun, relaxing activities into your schedule. The first step is to carve out some “me” time and stop thinking it’s selfish, as many of us do.
 
The second step is to find something you enjoy doing just to chill out. It could be meditating by yourself in a quiet room.
 
Or a class or club where you to meet new people. The final step is to decompress and enjoy.
 
Brain fog is completely reversible. You need to do the work and find out what works for you.
 
Each one of us is unique, so it may be a bit challenging at first to find that perfect fit. But you’ll be glad you put in the effort once you regain clarity and be able to perform at your best.
 
JohnK 5-10-2021
 
stick figure hears about brain fogOverheard: “Purple haze is in my brain/ Lately things don’t seem the same”
                        ~Jimi Hendrix
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for brain fog
 
 
 

4 Ways To Get Out Of Your Introvert Rut

May 3, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

You’re okay with being an introvert, until you’re not. It can put into a rut that leaves you feeling sort of stale. 

This list of suggestions from GenuLines is designed to ease you out of that rut.

4 Ways To Get Out Of Your Introvert Rut
Have you been feeling like you’re stuck in an introvert rut lately? Do you find yourself spending too much time on your own?
 
Could it be you do the same things over and over, or feel like you’re holding yourself back? There are a few things you can do if you’re stuck in an introvert rut.
 
Let’s get busy and figure them out!
 
introvert boy1) Step out but within your comfort zone
One of the best ways to get out of a rut is by pushing yourself to try new things. Now this can be a bit much for the VERY introverted.
 
 
 
 
 
Branch out and try new things in new places. You could hang out with a larger group of people, but do so within the confines of your comfort zone.
 
Go to your favorite coffee shop and order your favorite drink at their busiest time of day. Go to a party you wouldn’t normally attend, but hang in the corner with a close friend.
 
The key to this exercise is finding a balance; you want to push yourself, but not too far.
 
introvert girl2) Meet new people on your terms
Along the same lines, you want to meet new people within your comfort zone too. Spark up a conversation with a friendly person at your favorite store, restaurant, or bar.
 
 
 
 
This will help you meet someone that’s most likely like-minded. And you’ll do it without pushing yourself to the point of discomfort.
 
Push yourself to go somewhere where you might meet a new friend with whom you have common interests. This could make it easier for you to mix things up.
 
And you can get out of your rut without pushing yourself to the point of discomfort.
 
introvert boy3) Push yourself to take part in something new
Doing something entirely new to you can be a good way to break yourself out of your rut. But for a lot of introverts, this is highly uncomfortable.
 
 
 
 
It could even be anxiety-inducing. You have to push yourself to do something new that you’re comfortable with.
 
Are you more comfortable going out to a game night at a brewery or a book club that let you be in a smaller group? Then push yourself to do that.
 
If you’re more comfortable going to a larger party where you can hide in the crowd if you need to. then that needs to be the something new you try.
 
introvert girl4) Drive yourself to bust out of your shell
A great way to break out of an introverted rut is by pushing yourself to get out of your shell. This is another exercise that might prove to be very uncomfortable for introverts.
 
 
 
So it may not be for everyone.
 
Try branching out to new small groups where the attention has to be on you at some point. It could be a book club, creative writing group, local bridge game, or a small jam session among other things.
 
This will help you break out of your shell and push past this introversion and the rut you’re in.
 
Final thoughts
Getting out of an introvert rut can be tough. And the more introverted you are, the harder it becomes.
 
If you find the process too difficult, talk it over with a professional. You’ll get steered to more specific and custom exercises.
 
These will better help you get out of this rut without hurting yourself in any way.
 
JohnK 5-3-2021
 
stick figure man hears about introveertOverheard: “I was never less alone than when by myself”
                          ~Edward Gibbon
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for introverts

What To Do When You Don’t Get What You Really Want

April 26, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

You want it badly. But somehow it doesn’t show up. This happens to most of us, but GenuLines has some action steps for you if you’re struggling with this. 

What To Do When You Don’t Get What You Really Want

man who wantsIt sucks to know that life isn’t fair. But knowing this fact alone still doesn’t make us feel better when something that we really want seems to elude us.
 
Here are a couple of key things to consider when you don’t get what your heart desires.
 

Appreciate The Needs You DO Have

Being able to separate the things you need from those you want is extremely important in life. People worldwide go without even the most basic things many of us take for granted.
 
While it’s in no way wrong to pursue things other than the basic needs, try to avoid getting these things mixed up.
 
Think about each situation where you didn’t get something you wanted. Each of those is likely balanced by getting something you did want.
 
If you always got what you wanted do you think you’d be grateful?
 

Be Honest About Why You Didn’t Get It

When something doesn’t pan out it feels like a tragedy. But sometimes not getting something serves as a fork in the road.
 
It can point the way to something much better.
 
Whatever you’re feeling like you missed out on, give it a second look. You might realize that this failure could very well be for your benefit.
 
Even if it wasn’t a major disappointment the fact that you fell short can provide the motivation. you need to go after something even better!
 
banner to talk want
 
You Covered The Bases And Still Want It? Try Again!
So you slipped up but believe you still should have whatever avoided you. Regroup and try again!
 
Rest assured, most of the things worth having are not going to fall into your lap. If this were the case, they wouldn’t be nearly as fulfilling when we you get them.
 
If whatever you missed out on keeps bugging you it could be a sign that you’re meant to have it.
 
But not right now
If you’ve decided that it is, be ready to go after it! I could insert any number of motivational quotes such as “fall seven times, stand up eight.”
 
Or “fail forward.”
 
But the fact is, the life of a successful individual will include failures. How you deal with failure separates winning from living with self-pity and resentment.
 
Never allow yourself to give up in the pursuit of anything you believe to be yours.
 
JohnK 4-26-2021
 
Stick figure hears about wantOverheard: “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.”
                             ~Dale Carnegie
 
 
 
disclaimer for want
 
 
 

The Kaizen Method 101 (fixes video player link)

April 19, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

It’s called The Kaizen Method, and it could propel you toward positive change in your life. But like ancient Rome, those changes aren’t built in a day. 

It’s a gradual method, and GenuLines gives you this overview to get you on your way. 

The Kaizen Method 101

Your journey toward self-improvement or personal growth can be tough. A lot of it goesBoy learns kaizen methodhttps://dubb.com/v/woCeFc uphill and often includes many setbacks that leave you questioning your choice to start.

 
But there’s one path that gives you a gradual road to improvement. It’s called The Kaizen Method.
 
Rather than make it better RIGHT NOW, this approach adopts a more realistic strategy.
 
 
                               
 
 
 
Understanding the Kaizen Method
The Kaizen method focuses on continuous, incremental improvement rather than radical change. This leads to significant, long-term change.
 
Many people talk about Kaizen as being the “1 percent rule,”
You focus on doing one small thing every single day that will get you closer to your final outcome.
 
This method started as a business model to promote lean manufacturing. You may know it as “The Toyota Way,” because it became well known when that carmaker used it.
 
The idea was to ensure quality control and to revolutionize the auto industry in Japan.
 
The opposite of this approach could be called “radical innovation,”
A company or person using this style tries to make quick and drastic changes.
 
With the Kaizen method, you’re focusing on getting a little bit better than you were the day before. The power of this method is that these small, incremental changes build on each other.
 
Tiny changes in the beginning soon combine with other minor changes. The results are more significant, lasting effects.
 
Origins
The Kaizen Method started as a business model. But it also works for personal growth and development.
 
It gets you off the roller coaster of ups and downs usually associated with making changes in your life. Kaizen focuses on small steps you can do now, where you are, and with your current capabilities.
 
Change can be hard, and it comes through small steps taken every day. It comes through continuous improvement, not an overnight transformation.
 
The Kaizen method is a process, not a goal. It’s not something you achieve but rather something you commit to doing daily.
 
As an inspirational speaker once said, “Success isn’t owned, it’s rented. And rent is due every day.”
 
JohnK 4-19-2021
 
Stick figure hears about kaizenOverheard: “Let us cultivate our garden”
                           ~Voltaire
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for kaizen
 
 
 
 
 
 
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