Sitting on a rocker on the front porch of my older brother's house in Michigan, smoking a cigar, watching his dogs play (the size of which might cause you to confuse them with small horses) as the summer sun set over the tall pines, I was struck by something.

He has trained his dogs (as many folks have) to stay within bounds of the property using an invisible fence. This is a device that includes a collar for each dog and, when a dog strays past the invisible fence line, it is given a shock of electricity -- the purpose of which is to keep the dogs from running off, doing what they might want or to keep them out of trouble on the street. It is a control device so you can let them seem to roam free but really not allow it.

The interesting thing about these invisible fences for dogs is that, at some point, the dog has been so conditioned by the shock that you can actually take the collar off the dog and it won't ever venture past that imaginary fence line even though a shock isn't coming its way. It has now been drilled into the dog's very being that crossing that line will receive some punishment whether it is true in reality or not anymore.

So many of us have these invisible fences in our heads, trained in the past at some point (as far back as childhood, for some) through negative experiences, messages or even trauma. At the time, we might have developed them as a real protection from a fear or troubled situation, but so many of us now have the collars off and are free to roam in different ways. However, because this "training" earlier runs deep, we still believe it exists. We still believe we will be shocked if we do something that ventures past the invisible fence line.

Most of the fears and inabilities we bring to relationships come from some past shock or trauma and it hampers us in our desire to have a free and healthy interaction. We think if we love someone else we will get hurt or lose them, so we pull back and stay in an old pattern. Or we think the professional chance we might take to do something we love is bound for disaster or failure, so we keep doing what we always have done even though it is without much joy or fulfillment.

We repeat the pattern of past decisions and relationships because we are hampered by these invisible fences that we think are true, and we don't realize the collar fell off long ago (if it ever really existed, for some of us we were told things about the world and this became a verbal collar). It is only after we realize the myth of many of these control rules that we begin to venture out in new ways or try new dynamics in our interactions with others. And for each step when we are not "shocked" we realize what we have been missing and reestablish our own sense of freedom. Most people who operate as victims in their lives bear with great weight a collar which is attached to an invisible fence in their head.

The same is true for our politics and the interactions of many of our leaders within this country and around the globe. Many politicians won't venture to solve problems and compromise because they have bought into the myth of being shocked in elections. As one looks at the results in the past few years, the folks who have lost didn't lose because of bipartisanship, but because they became disconnected from their constituents. They lost not because they tried, but because they took voters for granted.

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Invisible Fences of Our Lives and Politics

MKEC BE 90 Regional Final XC Fences 7-10
Part of our XC course at our first regional final.

By: Meg Ratcliffe

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MKEC BE 90 Regional Final XC Fences 7-10 - Video

India has erected too many non-tariff walls, in the process pushing Bangladesh to explore the China market

On paper, India provides tariff-free access to almost all Bangladeshi products. That should make Bangladeshs giant neighbour its biggest market as well.

In reality, though, it seems Bangladeshi manufacturers and exporters are not comfortable penetrating the large market of their next-door neighbour. Rather, they are happier with China, tapping the benefits of the preferential trade arrangement offered by Asias biggest economy.

This is starkly reflected in the latest trade figures. For the first time ever, in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, Bangladeshs exports to China overtook its exports to India, that too by a huge margin.

At the same time, exports to India actually declined significantly. Official statistics, released by the Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), also show that Bangladeshs exports to China are growing at a much faster rate and increased fourfold within four years.

In contrast, after getting the duty-free access to the Indian market in November 2011, Bangladesh exports to India dropped in FY12 by 5 per cent from FY11. Exports surged by 15 per cent in FY13 and again declined by around 19 per cent in FY14.

The bilateral trade balance has always tilted heavily towards India, leading to the perception that India doesnt want Bangladeshi products to enter its big market. Over the last decade, Bangladesh, however, gradually increased its exports to India.

Responding to Bangladeshs longstanding demand, India announced tariff-free access for nearly all Bangladeshi products during the Saarc summit in the Maldives in November 2011, except a restricted list of 25, which includes alcoholic products.

The then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced reduction of the sensitive list of goods for South Asian Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to 25 from the earlier 480, providing zero duty market access for 99.7 per cent of goods from South Asian LDCs including Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives.

On the other hand, China has allowed tariff-free access to 4,888 products for the LDCs since 2010, which covered around 90 per cent of Bangladeshi exportable items.

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Lets mend fences with Bangladesh

2104 AQHA Select Equitation Over Fences
Karen Bruce and Out Of Vogue win gold in equitation over fences August 30 at the 2014 Adequan Select World Championship Show. Earlier in the week, Karen and "Denver" won hunter hack. Find out...

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2104 AQHA Select Equitation Over Fences - Video

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) August 30, 2014

QS Fencing, a renowned Fencing Company Surrey, has recently announced that it will now be offering security fencing solutions for commercial clients. These gates and fences are made from robust materials like steel and aluminum and are designed to keep trespassers and robbers out. Many commercial clients want to install fences and security gates that would protect their inventory and staff. As a result, QS Fencing has introduced a wide array of security fencing options in Surrey that would offer the best performance at a reasonable price.

While ornamental gates and fences work to increase the beauty of the property, the security fencing range is primarily designed to provide top-notch privacy and security to the commercial property being worked on. Previously, QS Fencing has been providing commercial fencing products, such as ornamental fence panels and gates in steel and aluminum. Other commercial products by the company include safety railings, bollards and barrier arms. The new range of security solutions revolve around products like security gates, commercial chain-link fences, privacy fencing, fence panels and electronic gates.

If you are looking for a commercial fence or a commercial security gate in Vancouver, QS Fencing offers quality commercial fencing and gate products at a great price, states a company representative. Whether you want to enhance the beauty of your commercial property by adding a fence, install a security gate, commercial fence, or install a privacy fence to protect your valuable staff or inventory; QS Fencing can help with any security fencing solution.

About the Company QS Fencing is a fencing company Vancouver, with a prime focus on quality and customer satisfaction. The company is licensed and insured and all their employees are WCB insured as well. They are also an accredited business on BBB Vancouver. To know more about QS Fencing, log on to the website at: http://www.qsfencing.ca.

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QS Fencing Now Offers Security Fencing Solutions for Commercial Clients

ARROWS - Fences feat. Macklemore Ryan Lewis - Auf Deutsch!
Lyrics/Songtext: http://alextv.de/alexibexi/?p=659 Facebook: http://fb.me/alextv Twitter: http://twitter.com/alextv G+: http://gplus.to/alexibexi ...

By: AlexiBexi

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ARROWS - Fences feat. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Auf Deutsch! - Video

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) August 29, 2014

Reflecting on their position as the superior provider of wrought iron products, Strictly Doors and Gates now offers ornamental iron fences in Las Vegas. The company plays a prominent role in manufacturing beautiful ornamental iron fences. With them, one will get fences which are suitable for all purposes. They cater to commercial as well as residential requirements of iron fences in Las Vegas. They hold a huge stock of ornamental iron fences and offers on demand customized designs. One can place their own design and specifications, and the company will deliver the customers exact wishes. Strictly Doors and Gates offers durable, eye catching, protective, and practical ornamental iron fences.

The company also offers durable and protective solar screen in Las Vegas. In addition to the solar screens, the company also offers rolling shutters, patio covers, plasma cutting designs and iron gates & doors.

Talking more about their products, one of the representatives from the company stated, Whether it is a question of the security of the home and family, or a commercial property, no one can deny the instrumental role of Doors and Gates. These items are the first to stop an intrusion. We, therefore, resort to strict quality measures to make sure that each of our products has a strong, sturdy and highly-resistant structure for complete safety. At the same time, doors and gates are also the first impressions of your home.

About Strictly Doors and Gates Strictly Doors and Gates is a small, family-owned business located in the Las Vegas Valley, dedicated to providing excellent customer service to both homeowners and management communities. Strictly Doors and Gates specialize in customized service. Whether a customer is looking for repairs or maintenance, Strictly Doors and Gates can keep their community looking and functioning its best. They have a mobile, on-call crew that can take care of any customer concerns, any time of day. No job is too small for Strictly Doors and Gates. With a mobile welding crew, they can repair customers iron on-site. Their professional estimators also assist customers in designing their new gates, fences, courtyard entries, security doors, window guards, patio covers or solar screens. For more information, please visit- http://strictlydoorsandgates.com

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Strictly Doors and Gates Now Offers Ornamental Iron Fence in Las Vagas

Two fences have been removed from the cross-country course at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in deference to the conditions.

Fence 20 (La Bolee Des Vignettes an apple cart, pictured below) and fence 23 (Le Hibou Du Lion, an owl hole,pictured top), have both been taken out of Pierre Michelets track. It is expected that the route will be altered and the distance and 11min 30sec optimum time shortened by these changes.

All the riders have mentioned the soft ground when asked about the course and combined with the long track, big fences and hilly terrain, it is expected to be a taxing test.

The weather has been dry and sunny today (Friday 29 August) at Haras du Pin, although some riders are concerned these conditions will actually leave the going more sticky and tiring.

I dont think sun at this stage will help itll do nothing but become tacky, said Oliver Townend this morning.

But Tina Cook said she thinks the terrain looks like it will drain well. I hope it rides well and the rain stays away, she said.

Paul Tapner said he was in favour of the changes: I thought the fitness requirement of the course was too much. If there are not so many tired horses finishing tomorrow that can only be a good thing and it wont really affect the competition.

End of day dressage update and more reaction to the course changes

Stay up to date with the latest news from Haras du Pin on HorseandHound.co.uk and dont miss our full eventing report in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 4 September

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Changes made to WEG cross-country course

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) August 29, 2014

Total Fence Inc. (http://www.TotalFenceInc.ca), the leader in residential, industrial, and commercial fence and deck installation in the Greater Toronto Area, is announcing its advice that all homeowners should consider changing their fences before the beginning of the winter season.

People dont realize how difficult it can be to install a fence during the winter months, says Tony Defeo, owner of Total Fence Inc. So many more factors come into play because of the cold weather conditions.

Defeo explains that the task can be difficult, even for professional fencing companies in Toronto, which is why Total Fence Inc. encourages homeowners to seriously consider replacing their old fence while the weather is still warm or cool.

If the ground is frozen, its likely the stake wont stick deep enough into the ground, he notes. Companies also have to be careful installing fences in the winter because of the ice and slippery conditions.

Defeo adds that installing a fence also has to be done in a dry environment, which means no slush. A different set of tools is also needed during the cold months for proper fence installation.

It just makes more sense and makes things a lot easier to install a fence right now, Defeo concludes. The warmer temperatures and dry climate make the ideal conditions for installing a fence in Toronto or across the GTA. If homeowners have the option, they should definitely replace their old fence now.

Total Fence Inc. is the leader in residential, industrial, and commercial fence and deck installation in the Greater Toronto Area. With the technical expertise and experience to handle jobs of any size, from small backyard decks to custom carpentry, pergolas, ornamental iron fences, acoustic sound barrier fencing, and industrial chain link enclosures, Total Fence Inc. provides residents of the GTA and surrounding areas a complete range of affordable fence installation and repair services to suit their personal tastes and needs. For more information on Total Fence Inc., visit the companys web site at http://www.TotalFenceInc.ca or contact Total Fence Inc. by e-mail at info(at)totalfenceinc(dot)ca or by calling (416) 239 5362.

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Total Fence Inc, the GTAs Leading Custom Fence and Deck Installer, Announces Homeowners Should Replace Old Fences ...

Published: Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 1:43 p.m.

A glimpse of life for an African-American family man struggling for justice and fair treatment in 1950s America comes through in Fences, an award-winning family drama that kicks off the new season at the Actors Warehouse on Friday.

Written by award-winning playwright August Wilson and directed by Carol Velasques Richardson, Fences explores the life and relationships of Troy Maxson, a complex 53-year-old husband and father who is embittered by the hardships, injustices and unfairness he has endured in his life.

Wilson writes with a sense of commitment to the African-American way of life, commitment to the African-American life and spirituality, Richardson said.

Wilson (1945-2005) is an acclaimed American playwright who wrote about the African-American experience. Fences, which is one of a series of three plays called The Pittsburgh Cycle, won a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. James Earl Jones originated Maxsons role when the play opened in 1987, earning him a Tony Award for best actor. A production of Fences featuring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis won three Tony Awards in 2010 for Best Revival of a Play, Best Actor and Best Actress.

Richardson said Fences, which is set in 1950s Pittsburgh, explores manhood, family and self-identity. Richardson said Maxson, played by Stan Richardson, is the voice of the play, while Rose, played by Rhonda Wilson, is the glue that keeps the family together.

Maxson has had a hard life. He escaped an abusive father, spent time in prison, found success in the Negro Baseball League and then was denied by racism the opportunity to achieve his dream of playing in the major leagues.

This is a timeless piece people will enjoy, Velasques Richardson said. They will recognize the language and the costume of people sitting in the yard together, telling stories, playing cards and dominoes. Wilson does a beautiful job of capturing the feeling of family and community.

Maxson is a very challenging role; a character who is fueled by his unfulfilled dream of playing baseball in the major leagues, and his feelings that the color barrier kept him out of baseball, Stan Richardson said.

He is a very complex character dealing with a lot of demons from his past, he said.

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Family drama Fences begins Aug. 29 at Actors Warehouse