LAW OF GARBAGE TRUCK

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly one can get back the focus on what's important.

One person learned it in the back of a Harare City taxi cab. Here's what happened. She hopped in a taxi and took off for Westgate. They were driving when all of a sudden a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of them. Her taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the other car's back end by just inches!

Here's what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at them.

Now, here's what blew her away. Her taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And, he was friendly. So, she said, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"

And this is when her taxi driver told her what she now calls, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well and move on. You'll be happy you did. This is guaranteed.

So this was it: The "Law of the Garbage Truck."

We should think as to how often do we let Garbage Trucks run right over us? And how often do we take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets?

We should immediately take a resolve that, "I'm not going to do it anymore."

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses.

Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

Keep smiling - it makes people wonder what you've been up to!!!!

THOUGHTS

In a day, when you don't come across any problems - You can be sure that you are travelling in a wrong path - Swami Vivekananda

3 sentences for getting success - a) Know more than others b) Work more than others c) Expect less than others - William Shakespeare

If you win, you need not explain .... but if you lose, you should not be there to explain - Adolph Hitler

Don't compare yourself with anyone in this world. If you do so, you are insulting yourself - Alen Strike

If we cannot love the person whom we see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see - Mother Teresa

No man is rich enough to buy his past - Oscar Wilde

If you want real peace, don't talk to your friends, talk with your enemies - Mother Teresa

Winning doesn't always mean being first, winning means you're doing better than you've done before - Bonnie Blair

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself - Leo Tolstoy

I will not say I failed 1000 times, I will say that I discovered there are 1000 ways that can cause failure - Thomas Alva Edison

Believing everybody is dangerous; believing nobody is very dangerous - Abraham Lincoln

Love your job, but never fall in love with your company, because you never know, when it stops loving you - APJ Abdul Kalam

If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means that they had never tried a new thing in their life - Einstein

Never break four things in your life - Trust, Promise, Relation & Heart because when they break, they don't make noise but it pains a lot - Charles

If you start judging people, you will be having no time to love them - Mother Teresa

LITTLE STORY

A little girl and her father were crossing a bridge.

The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, "Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river."

The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand."

"What's the difference?" asked the puzzled father.

"There's a big difference," replied the little girl.

"If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."

Moral

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond. So hold the hand of the person whom you love rather than expecting them to hold yours.

7 DANGERS AFTER EATING

The following are the seven dangerous actions after meals:

Don't smoke - Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).

Don't eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruits 1-2 hours after the meal or 1 hour before the meal.

Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.

Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted & blocked.

Don't bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric & infection in our intestine.

12 DIRTY HABITS

Chances are, if you’re not very successful at dealing with people, you haven’t had the chance to properly educate yourself.

Learning to deal with people is like learning to walk except it requires a lot more work!

Now imagine if your whole life you had been taught to walk backwards. Would this make your life much more difficult? Of course it would. Just like anything else, you need to learn exactly how to interact with people the proper way.

Here we go: here are the 12 dirty habits you should always avoid when interacting with people.

Dirty Habit #1 – Looking down at the floor when speaking to someone. You must learn to look at someone directly in their eyes when speaking to them. If you were taught that staring at people was impolite, you’re absolutely right. However, this does not mean you can’t look at someone in his or her eyes.
Dirty Habit #2 – Slouching when you’re standing or sitting down. Stand up straight. In our society being tall is a good thing. When you slouch you appear much shorter. Not only will standing straight make you look taller but it will also give you a confident look.
Dirty Habit #3 – Frowning and not smiling enough. No one likes to spend time with someone who’s in a bad mood. If you’re not feeling too great then try to keep your distance. People love to spend time with upbeat, optimistic people. Make an effort to smile, not frown.
Dirty Habit #4 – Avoiding strangers. Since the day you were born, your parents have taught you never to speak to strangers. Well, you’re a grown up now and things have changed. In order to develop exceptional people skills you need to be comfortable speaking to all types of people. You need to meet as many people as you can.
Dirty Habit #5 – Making a poor first impression. Did you know that people will judge almost everything about you just by your first impression? Make an initial effort to get along with the person you are meeting and you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble in the future.
Dirty Habit #6 – Not making an effort to speak well. In order to develop great people skills you need to become a great conversationalist. This doesn’t mean you need to speak a lot; this means you need to speak well. You need to articulate and choose your words wisely. Basically, you need to listen to what you’re saying and not just blabber on about whatever you feel like.
Dirty Habit #7 – Not being a good listener. Have you ever noticed how you tend to fall into a mind drift as soon as the other person begins to speak? Okay, well if you really don’t care about the person, then fine. But if you do, make an effort to listen and let the person speak. It will only help you further on in the conversation.
Dirty Habit #8 – Not staying in touch with your acquaintances. To make sure you have the best relationships with all of the people you know, you must stay in touch with them. You need to regularly check your contact list and remind them all that you still exist. I’m not saying to call them up twice a week but an occasional check up is always nice.
Dirty Habit #9 – Not being proactive. When there is not enough action and things are looking dull, it’s up to you to make a move. If you aren’t satisfied with the current situation don’t blame others, do something about it! Let’s face it: no one really cares if you’re unhappy, except maybe your mom ....
Dirty Habit #10 – Not enjoying your social life. If you want people to enjoy your company, you need to let them know that you’re a fun person to spend time with. If you’re a hard worker, then I congratulate you! However, you need to occasionally go out and be known for your excellent nights out! Go out and live your life to the fullest!
Dirty Habit #11 – Not facing your fears. Actually, this relates to all aspects of your life but in this context I’m talking about meeting new people, career promotions, etc. If you need to do something logical but your emotions are getting in the way, then you need to analyze the situation and use some common sense.
Dirty Habit #12 – Refusing to be open minded. There are all kinds of people out there. There are different religions, different races, different cultures and different languages. Learn to accept others for who they are not who you want them to be. Give them your full respect and work out your differences unless of course you aren’t receiving the respect you deserve.

GODS & DEMONS

A little boy asked his father: "Daddy, what is the difference between gods and demons?"

The father said to the little boy: "Son, I will organise a big banquet at our residence where I will invite both the gods and the demons. At the end of the banquet you will get your answer."

And the father sent out invitations to both the gods and the demons. On the appointed day, a most lavish banquet was organised and hundreds of gods and hundreds of demons arrived at the house.

The demons were an impatient lot, disorganised and noisy. They asked the host that they wanted VIP treatment, and therefore wanted to have their food served first to the demons and that the gods must eat last.

The host agreed to their request on one condition that the demons tie wooden planks to both hands when eating. The demons said that if the same condition was also applied to the gods as well then they had no objection to tying the wooden planks on both their hands when eating.

All the demons had wooden planks tied to both their hands and they immediately sat on the floor, seating one next to the other in one straight line. They were all very eager to be served with delicious food.

The first course of food arrived. It was the best smelling soup in a bowel with spoon. Now when the demons got spoons filled with the soup, they realised that they could not bent their hands to bring the spoons to their mouths. They tried to lift their hands over their heads and tilt the spoons with their mouths wide open. They got the soup falling in their eyes and all over the face and also on their expensive garments.

The demons got noisier, became angry and started swearing at the host. Some of the demons wanted to beat up the host. Some demons tried to restrain the other demons and they started fighting among themselves.

The demons agreed that it was totally useless for them to remain at this banquet as it was not possible to eat the food without bending their hands. It was impossible to eat the food without messing up their beautiful and expensive garments.

With angry words the demons left the banquet.

Now it was the turn of the gods to eat.

The gods were of a p0eaceful nature. They also sat in a line on the floor. Both their hands were also tied with wooden planks. When the first course of food was served, which was the delicious soup, the gods first recited the food prayer. The gods realised that they could not bend their hands, and therefore it was impossible to eat the soup.

Each of the gods thought: "Never mind if I cannot eat the soup, but let me be of help to my fellow brother who is seated next to me."

The gods turned towards each other and started feeding each other. They thus enjoyed the most delicious soup.

Then the next course of meal was served and they enjoyed that delicious meal. They went through five course meals and ate to their hearts content. They thanked the host, presented the host with gifts they had brought, and peacefully went back to their homes.

The son was observing all that happened. The father told him that a major difference between the gods and the demons was the difference in their attitude of 'Giving' and the attitude of 'Taking.' The demons thought only about their individual self-interest whereas the gods thought about selflessly serving others.

Moral

When you open your heart and give selflessly, you receive also much more then you give.

BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE

Our Birth is our Opening Balance!

Our Death is our Closing Balance!

Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities

Our Creative Ideas are our Assets

Heart is our Current Asset

Soul is our Fixed Asset

Brain is our Fixed Deposit

Thinking is our Current Account

Achievements are our Capital

Character & Morals are our Stock-in-Trade

Friends are our General Reserves

Values & Behavior are our Goodwill

Patience is our Interest Earned

Love is our Dividend

Children are our Bonus Issues

Education is Brands/Patents

Knowledge is our Investment

Experience is our Premium Account

The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately

The Goal is to get the Best Presented Accounts Award

Some very Good and Very bad things ....

The most destructive habit .... Worry

The greatest Joy .... Giving

The greatest loss .... Loss of Self-Respect

The most satisfying work .... Helping Others

The ugliest personality trait .... Selfishness

The most endangered species .... Dedicated Leaders

Our greatest natural resource .... Our Youth

The greatest "shot in the arm" .... Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome .... Fear

The most effective sleeping pill .... Peace of Mind

The most crippling failure disease .... Excuses

The most powerful force in life .... Love

The most dangerous pariah .... A Gossiper

The world's most incredible computer .... The Brain

The worst thing to be without .... Hope

The deadliest weapon .... The tongue

The two most power-filled words .... "I Can"

The greatest asset .... Faith

The most worthless emotion .... Self-Pity

The most beautiful attire .... SMILE!

The most prized possession .... Integrity

The most powerful channel of communication .... Prayer

The most contagious spirit .... Enthusiasm

The most important thing in life .... GOD!

TEARS

"There was a study done where a control group of 100 people were divided into two."

50 people watched a very funny, tears of laughter type movie. 50 watched a very sad and tears of compassion type movie.

At the end of the sessions, researchers collected the "happy tears" and the "sad tears" with eye droppers.

They found that "happy tears" are made up of brine .... salt water and not a great deal else. However the "sad tears" were found to contain the very same chemicals and enzymes that are found in tumors, ulcers and other such lumps and bumps and sicknesses through out the body.

This test concluded that the body, when crying in sadness etc. is literally flushing out all of the toxic chemicals that accumulate and are a part ofthe sadness/heartache experience.

Therefore if one holds back those tears, those toxic-waters will find somewhere else to deposit themselves .... and prolonged lack-of-crying-release will guarantee that the body will accumulate a huge amount of internal pollution and toxicity that should have been released through the tears .... is it any wonder that the eyes sting so much when we hold back our tears?

No wonder, men die earlier than women. Men hold on to their pride which leads them to early death!!!!

Moral

Cry your heart out when you are sad, lonely, alone, depressed etc. .... It is good for health!

JOURNEY OF LIFE

A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.

Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible. Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying.

Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."

The above story is similar with the journey of our Life.

We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.

One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.

Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time.

You have to decide how you want to balance your Life.

Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts.

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence.

So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature.

Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

WIVES

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.

He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighbouring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone." Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated. Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.

Moral

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish the Soul now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

HOSPITAL WINDOW

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window . The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Moral

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

A BANANA A DAY

Bananas

Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression

According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia

High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power

200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation

High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers

One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito Bites

Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves

Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight

Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found that pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking

Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress

Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes

According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%.

Temperature Control

Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure that their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Ulcers

The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Warts

Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say,

A banana a day keeps the doctor away!

DESTINY

The story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up.

The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took them to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way.

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend.

He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened.

"And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this."

"No," his friend replied, "This is good!"

"What do you mean, "This is good"? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?"

"If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you."

Moral

Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God is clear. If we love Him and live our lives according to His precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory and our benefit.

MANAGING EMOTIONS AT WORKPLACES

"Emotions must be managed the same way as time, equipment, funds and other resources," said Edward T. Reilly, president and CEO of American Management Association.

"Too often, uncontrolled emotions are the product of excessive stress. Left to grow, fiery emotions can actually fuel the feelings of stress, leading to further angry words and unproductive activity. We can't always control feelings of stress, but we should make an effort to control the disruptive emotions that they may trigger," Reilly said.

He offers the following advice:

Pay attention to your emotions

They cause you to focus on what is happening around you and they put you in touch with how you are responding to a particular situation. Don't ignore your emotions hoping the situation will go away. It won't.

Realize that emotions are a part of the workplace

Some emotions, in fact, are critical to business success. Enthusiasm, for example, can produce workers who are more productive. But employees who let their negative emotions run rampant can hurt themselves and the company.

Determine the source of your feelings

Is the anger or distrust caused by a bad experience in the past rather than something that is happening now? Could it be stress? Talk about feelings - yours and the other party's. Try to identify what triggers you, understand your responses and develop behaviours that allow you to be more objective.

Express your feelings in a non-confrontational manner

This can be done by using "I" messages, where you say, for instance, "I feel angry because ...." rather than, "You made me angry by ....". The first approach explains your feelings without accusing anyone else, while the second focuses blame on the opponent who is likely to become hostile or defensive in response.

Acknowledge the other party's feelings as legitimate

Although you may feel differently about the situation, your opponent's feelings are real, and denying their existence or validity is likely to intensify them. Allowing feelings to be expressed and recognized helps release those feelings so you and the other party can move on to deal with the issue in dispute.

Request a "time out"

This allows for regrouping emotionally and for reflection. Walk away from the situation. Removing yourself will enable the other party to regain control and also give you time to think about how you can best handle the emotional outburst. But set a reasonable time limit when both parties agree to reconvene.

Maintain a neutral body and voice

By keeping your body loose and your tone neutral, you are more likely to remain calm. You won't rile the other person, either.

Focus on the positives

Rather than asking what you don't like about the environment, ask people what they do like about their work? What should we keep on doing, what should we stop doing and what do we need to start doing? By setting the example of speaking about the positives first, others will feel valued for what goes right and can focus more easily on what may need to be changed.

Be non-judgmental

Listen actively without interruption to what your colleague, boss or customer has to say without determining whether it is right or wrong, good or bad. If you feel you have to defend your side, be honest and alert the other party that you disagree or he or she has offended you.

Turn off the heat

Don't let tensions reach the boiling point. Ask directly what is happening if you sense that something is going on. A major mistake in dealing with emotions is letting them grow to the degree that people are no longer talking to each other. Instead, they are screaming at each other or ignoring each other.

Treat everyone fairly

Set up and follow clear policies and procedures. Having rules in place minimizes emotional conflicts.

Offer help when it's needed

When a colleague has a difficult job before him or her and could use a hand, and you do nothing to help, he or she is likely to be annoyed. The stress of the task itself is made worse by the emotional feelings of abandonment.

Ask workers what's on their minds

Particularly what can be done to make the workplace a more positive environment? A meeting that addresses workplace problems serves as an outlet for employees to share their complaints and come up with solutions. Use your acceptance of what they say as a way to get employees to open up more.

7 DONT'S AFTER A MEAL

Don't Smoke

Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).

Don't Eat Fruits Immediately

Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore one should take fruits 1-2 hours after meal or 1 hour before meal.

Don't Drink Tea

Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid, this substance will cause the protein content in the food consumed to be hardened and thus difficult to digest.

Don't Loosen Your Belt

Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted & blocked.

Don't Bathe

Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body. Thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in the stomach.

Don't Walk About

People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food that is taken in.

Don't Sleep Immediately

The food taken in will not be able to digest properly. This will lead to gastric infection in the intestines.

BRICK

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar.

He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door!

He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic. "Please, Mister....please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop...." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair - bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Moral

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

7 DESTRUCTIVE HABITS

7 Destructive Habits of Incompetent People

1 - They Think, Say, & Do Negative Things

They see problems in every opportunity. They complain that the sun is too hot. They curse the rain for ruining their plans for the day. They blame the wind for ruining their hair. They think that everyone is against them. They see the problems but never the solutions. Every little bit of difficulty is exaggerated to the point of tragedy. They regard failures as catastrophes. They become discouraged easily instead of learning from their mistakes. They never seem to move forward because they're always afraid to come out of their comfort zones.

2 - They Act Before They Think

They move based on instinst or impulse. If they see something they like, they buy at once without any second thought. Then they see something better. They regret & curse for not able to take advantage of the bargain. Then they spend & spend again until nothing's left. They don't think about the future. What they're after is the pleasure they will experience at present. They don't think about the consequenses. Those who engage in unsafe sex, criminality, and the like are included in this group.

3 - They Talk Much More Than They Listen

They want to be the star of the show. So they always engage in talks that would make them heroes, even to the point of lying. Often times they are not aware that what they're saying is not sensible any more. When other people advise them, they close their ears because they're too proud to admit their mistakes. In their mind they're always correct. They reject suggestions because that will make them feel inferior.

4 - They Give Up Easily

Successful people treat failures as stepping stones to success. Incompetent ones call it quits upon recognizing the first signs of failure. At first, they may be excited to start an endeavor. But then they lose interest fairly quickly, especially when they encounter errors. Then they go & search for a new one. Same story & same results. Incompetent people don't have the persistence to go on and fulfill their dreams.

5 - They Try to Bring Others Down To Their Level

Incompetent people envy other successful individuals. Instead of working hard to be like them, these incompetent ones spread rumors and try every dirty trick to bring them down. They could've asked these successful ones nicely. But no, they're too proud. They don't want to ask advise. Moreover, they're too negative to accomplish anything.

6 - They Waste Their Time

They don't know what to do next. They may just be contented on eating, getting drunk, watching TV, or worse, staring at the blank wall with no thoughts whatsoever to improve their lives. It's perfectly fine to enjoy once in a while. But time should be managed efficiently in order to succeed. There should be a proper balance between work & pleasure.

7 - They Take the Easy Way Out

If there are two roads to choose from, incompetent people would choose the wider road with less rewards than the narrower road with much better rewards at the end. They don't want any suffering or hardship. They want a good life. What these people don't know is that what you reap is what you sow. Efforts & action will not go unnoticed. If only they would be willing to sacrifice a little, they would be much better off. Successful people made it through trials & error. They never give up. They are willing to do everything necessary to achieve what they aspire for in life.

MANAGEMENT LESSON

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.

At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.

The driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.

This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.

By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!"

The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, "And why not?"

With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."

Moral

Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one.

YOUNG & HEALTHY

Cleaning the face:

One should wash face 5-6 times a day. This helps in cleaning of the dirt accumulated on the face and gives freshness.

Protecting eyesight:

Fill your mouth with water, close the eyes and sprinkle water on them about 10-15 times. Gently rub the eyelids and give a tender massage to the eye balls. Staying up late in the night and sleeping after sunrise is harmful for the eyes.

Drinking a glass of water:

After this one should take a glass of water. This helps in the smooth passing of stool and urine. Make it a regular habit to drink 10-12 glasses of water everyday. Warm water is especially good for regulating eliminationand cleansing toxins from the physiology.

Cleaning teeth:

The twig of neem or babool should be used for cleaning the teeth.

Scraping the tongue:

Tongue should be scraped regularly otherwise it gives rise to foul smells. Scrapets made of copper, steel or plastic can be used.

Gargling: Til oil gargling is good for jaws, depth of voice and good taste for food. By doing this type of gargling, one never gets cracked lips, bad odour, sore throat and toothache.

Bathing:

Bath removes dirt, sweating and fatigue and brings freshness to the body. Before bath, Til oil massage is very beneficial for the skin and body.

Application of oil:

One who applies Til oil on his head regularly does not suffer from headache, baldness or graying of hair. It is also beneficial for application in nose and ears and makes the skin soft and smooth.

Exercise:

Physical exercise and Yoga Asans bring lightness to the body, ability to work, stability and stimulate the power of digestion.

Hair and nails: The dressing and cutting of hair, moustaches, beard and nails of hand and feet, add cleanliness and beauty to one's personality.

Food: Ayurveda recommends vegetarian foods which gives more nourishment to the body than the non-vegetarian foods. Simple food makes the body strong and discords diseases. Overeating may cause obesity and may invite diseases.

Night meals: Food should be taken 2-3 hours before going to bed. This will help in proper digestion of food.

KNOW YOUR VALUE

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a Rupee 500 note.

In the room of 200, he asked, 'Who would like this Rupee 500 note?'

Hands started going up.

He said, 'I am going to give this note to one of you but first let me do this.'

He proceeded to crumple the note up.

He then asked, 'Who still wants it?'

Still the hands were up in the air.

'Well,' he replied, 'What if I do this?' And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty.

'Now who still wants it?'

Still the hands went into the air.

'My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth Rupee 500/-. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special. Don't ever forget it! Never let yesterday's disappointments overshadow tomorrow's dreams.'

TRUST

Trust is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation. A telephone operator told me that one day she received a phone call. She answered, "Public Utilities Board." There was silence. She repeated,"PUB." There was still no answer. When she was going to cut off the line, she heard a lady's voice, "Oh, so this is PUB. Sorry, I got the number from my husband's pocket but I do not know whose number it is." Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just "Hello" instead of "PUB".

BE PATIENT

This is a true story which happened in the United States. A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment. When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital. Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands. When the boy woke up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, " Daddy, I'm sorry about your truck." Then he asked, "but when are my fingers going to grow back?" The father went home & committed suicide. Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or u wish to take revenge. Think first before u lose your patience with someone u love. Trucks can be repaired. Broken bones & hurt feelings often can't. Too often we fail to recognize the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge. People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever.

PERSONAL PERCEPTION

Different people have different perceptions. One man's meat could be another man's poison. A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home, a boy commented, "Very stupid. Why neither of them ride on the donkey?" Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, "The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?" Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey. Further on the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, "How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman." The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey. Then, they met a young man. He commented, "Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you." Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders. It seems to be the only choice left. Later, on a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river. You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future. Thus, do not be too bothered by others' words if our conscience is clear.

RIGHT SPEECH

There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that, "A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation." Many relationships break off because of wrong speech. When a couple is too close with each other, we always forget mutual respect and courtesy. We may say anything without considering if it would hurt the other party. A friend and her millionaire husband visited their construction site. A worker who wore a helmet saw her and shouted, "Hi, Emily! Remember me? We used to date in the secondary school." On the way home, her millionaire husband teased her, "Luckily you married me. Otherwise you will be the wife of a construction worker." She answered, "You should appreciate that you married me. Otherwise, he would have been the millionaire and not you." Frequently exchanging these remarks plants the seed for a bad relationship. It's like a broken egg - cannot be reversed.

NO OVERPOWERING

Many relationships fail because one party tries to overpower another, or demands too much. People in love tend to think that love will conquer all and their spouses will change the bad habits after marriage. Actually, this is not the case. There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that, "It is easier to reshape a mountain or a river than a person's character." It is not easy to change. Thus, having high expectation on changing the spouse character will cause disappointment and unpleasantness. It would be less painful to change ourselves and lower our expectations.

PERFECT RELATIONSHIPS

A person visited the government match maker for marriage, SDU, and requested, "I am looking for a spouse. Please help me to find a suitable one." The SDU officer said, "Your requirements, please." "Oh, good looking, polite, humorous, sporty, knowledgeable, good in singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour, if I don't go out. Telling me interesting stories when I need companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest." The officer listened carefully and replied, "I understand you need a television." There is a saying that a perfect match can only be found between a blind wife and a deaf husband, because the blind wife cannot see the faults of the husband and the deaf husband cannot hear the nagging of the wife. Many couples are blind and deaf at the courting stage and dream of perpetual perfect relationship. Unfortunately, when the excitement of love wears off, they wake up and discover that marriage is not a bed of roses. The nightmare begins.

NO POINTING FINGERS

A man asked his father-in-law, "Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me your secret?" The father-in-law answered in a smile, "Never criticize your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than you."We all look forward to being loved and respected. Many people are afraid of losing face. Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at. This is the start of a war. We should always remember that when we point one finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves. If we forgive the others, others will ignore our mistake too.

DON'T JUDGE BY CLOTHES

A woman in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly, without an appointment, into the Harvard University President's outer office. The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country hicks had no business at Harvard and probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge.

"We want to see The President," the man said softly.

"He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped.

"We'll wait," the woman replied.

For hours, the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away. They didn't and the secretary grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the President, even though it was a chore she always regretted.

"Maybe if you see them for a few minutes, they'll leave," she said to him. He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, but he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office.

The President, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple.

The woman explained, "We had a son who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed. My husband and I would like to erect a memorial, somewhere on campus, for him."

The President wasn't touched; he was surprised. "Madam," he said, gruffly,"we can't put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery."

"Oh, no," the woman explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard."

The President rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical buildings alone here at Harvard."

For a moment, the woman was silent. The President was pleased. Maybe he could get rid of them now.

The woman turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it costs to start a university? Why don't we just start our own?" Her husband nodded.

The President's face wilted in bewilderment.

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, travelling to Palo Alto, California, where they established the university that bears their name, Stanford University, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about. You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those whom they think can do nothing.

NO GOD OR KNOW GOD

An atheist Professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem Science has with God, The Almighty.

He asks one of his new Students to stand and ....

Prof: So you believe in God?

Student: Absolutely, Sir.

Prof: Is God good?

Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?

Student: Yes.

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?

Student is silent.

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fellow. Is God good?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?

Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.

The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, Sir, just the absence of it.

There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student: You're wrong again, Sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light .... But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is that your philosophical premise is flawed.

Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, Sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

The class is in uproar.

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

The class breaks out into laughter.

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, Sir. With all due respect, Sir, how do we then trust your lectures?

The room is silent.

The Professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it, Sir .... The link between man & God is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive ....

FOOD AS MEDICINE

HEADACHE? EAT FISH!

Eat plenty of fish - fish oil helps prevent headaches. So does ginger, which reduces inflammation and pain.

HAVE FEVER? EAT YOGHURT!

Eat lots of yoghurt before pollen season. Also eat honey from your area (local region) daily.

TO PREVENT STROKE? DRINK TEA!

Prevent build up of fatty deposits on artery walls with regular doses of tea. (Actually, tea suppresses appetite and keeps the pounds from invading .... Green tea is great for our immune system)!

INSOMNIA (CAN'T SLEEP)? USE HONEY!

Use honey as a tranquilliser and sedative.

ASTHMA? EAT ONIONS!

Eating onions helps ease constriction of bronchial tubes.

ARTHRITIS? EAT FISH!

Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines actually prevent arthritis. (Fish has omegaoils, good for our immune system)!

UPSET STOMACH? EAT BANANAS - GINGER!

Bananas will settle an upset stomach. Ginger will cure morning sickness and nausea.

BLADDER INFECTION? DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE!

High-acid cranberry juice controls harmful bacteria.

BONE PROBLEMS? EAT PINEAPPLE!

Bone fractures and osteoporosis can be prevented by the manganese in pineapple.

MEMORY PROBLEMS? EAT OYSTERS!

Oysters help improve mental functioning by supplying much-needed zinc.

COLDS? EAT GARLIC!

Clear up that stuffy head with garlic. (Remember, garlic lowers cholesterol, too)!

COUGHING? USE RED PEPPERS!

A substance similar to that found in the cough syrups is found in hot red pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper with caution - it can irritate the tummy.

LUNG CANCER? EAT DARK GREEN AND ORANGE AND VEGGIES!

A good antidote is beta carotene, a form of Vitamin A found in dark green and orange vegetables.

ULCERS? EAT CABBAGE ALSO!

Cabbage contains chemicals that help heal both gastric and duodenal ulcers.

DIARRHOEA? EAT APPLES!

Grate an apple with its skin, let it turn brown and eat it to cure this condition. (Bananas are also good for this ailment)!

CLOGGED ARTERIES? EAT AVOCADO!

Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? EAT CELERY AND OLIVE OIL!

Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure. Celery contains a chemical that lowers blood pressure too.

BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCE? EAT BROCCOLI AND PEANUTS!

The chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps regulate insulin and blood sugar.

SOME GOOD NUTRITIVE FRUITS

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E & fibre. It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhance the activity of Vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protects the body from cancer causing radicals. (Actually, any berry is good as they're high in anti-oxidants and they actually keep us young .... blueberries are the best and very versatile in the health field .... they get rid of all the free-radicals that invade our bodies)!

ORANGE: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2 - 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessen the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C & Potassium. (Watermelon also has natural substances [natural SPF sources] that keep our skin healthy, protecting our skin from the UV rays)!

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for Vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fibre which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, which is good for eyes. (Also good for gas and indigestion)!

TOMATOES: Tomatoes are very good as preventive measure for men. They keep prostrate problems from invading the bodies.

IMPORTANT TIPS

ANNIVERSARIES

Always celebrate! Whether it's the 1st or the 50th, each year together is a triumph.

APPRECIATION

Let each other know how much you appreciate each other. You may already know but hearing it from each other is always better.

BEST FRIENDS

Be best friends preferably before being boyfriend-girlfriend. Take time to know each other so the relationship will be a deep one. Tell each other about your crushes, dreams and problems. Make sure he/she is your best friend before getting engaged. The strong bond of friendship will help you both survive tough times.

BOND

Make it a point to spend time together often but leave room for each other. Also spend time alone without each other, so that at the end of the day you could both share your experiences. This way, you stay interesting with your partner.

COMPLIMENTS

Always compliment each other. This will prevent feelings of resentment & thinking that one is being taken for granted.

DATE

Keep doings things that you both enjoy, do them together. Make time & continue to date to keep the romance - look good, smell good to maintain physical attraction.

DIFFERENCES

Celebrate differences. Never force your ideologies down each other's throat. Give up trying to turn your partner into you. Accept differences, appreciate them.

FIGHTS

Fight with the aim to resolve the issue. Don't outdo each other. The longer you extend the fight, the more chances that you'll say something hurtful that you don't really mean. As mad as you were with your partner, he/she is still the person who laughs at your jokes & thinks you're hot. Hear each other out, don't dig up old issues. Choose your battles. Make sure the fight will be worth it & that something will change in the relationship as a result of the fight.

FLAWS

Know that the perfect person does not exist. Know that just as there are things that you love about him/her, there will be things that will make you go crazy. We are only human with our own flaws.

FUN

Have fun together! This means keeping the fun & spontaneity that was there in the early days. Allow yourselves to get silly. Being able to make each other laugh & see the lighter, crazier, absurd side is the best way to get through all the differences in personalities, adjustments in lifestyle & opposing viewpoints.

GOALS

Make sure you have similar goals. It would be difficult to keep your bond intact if your views are complete opposite.

GRUDGES

Quit tabulating grudges. Let it off. Discuss it, then trash it, don't recycle it.

KEEPING IT HOT

Keep it hot by travelling to different places together. A new setting will do wonders. Always have skin contact - be it holding hands, a massage or just plain leg rubbing.

HONESTY

Don't lie or hide things. The problem will only get bigger.

KNOW EACH OTHER

Learn each other's interest. It really keeps the conversation flowing!

HUG

A hug can be far better more intimate than a kiss.

IDENTITY

Don't lose your personality - that's why he/she fell in love with you. Have separate interest & activities to keep your individual & to be able to contribute more to the relationship. INDEPENDENCE

Having your own income means you're the boss in your life.

IN-LAWS

Make rooms for the in-laws.

INTENTIONS

Wish each other well. Don't wish each other worst.

ISSUES

Speak up about the awkward stuff now, like money & sex. The earlier, the better.

LISTEN

Listen, listen, listen. Hear each other out especially during arguments.

LOOK GOOD

Mind your appearance! Stay fit & healthy for each other.

LOVE

It all boils down to your love, chemistry & respect for each other.

MEMORIES

Remind each other of the old days. Do something that you used to do for each other before. It may even be corny but it made you two together. Experience new things together- from dining into a new restaurant to experiencing street food together to exploring to new places. It's the little surprises that make great memories.

MIND READING

No matter how long you've been together, do not think that you can read each other's mind. NEEDS

Be good to yourself, then be good to your partner. That's what love is all about. Think about your partner. Will it make him/her happy? Will she/he enjoy it? Consider each other's feelings. Be very attentive & sensitive to each other's needs, physically & emotionally, that way your partner learns to do the same for you. Never take your partner for granted.

PRIORITIES

If one says it's important, then it is! Prioritise each other among other things!

SPACE

Give each other space. Have your boy's night out. If you can't trust each other with this, then don't get married.

SORRY

Say sorry when you're wrong.

SURPRISES

No matter how long you've known each other, be open to surprises, both good or bad.

TEAMWORK

Think for two & always work as a team. Consult each other before making a decision because everything will always affect both of you. Strengthen couple power. In many ways, we have to decide based on what is best for the relationship in favour of our individual selves.

SUPPORT

Support each other's dream. Be willing to follow your passions, support your partner in his/her decisions & create new ones together. Two heads are better than one.

TALK

Tell each other's stories. Life goes by so fast & its easy to see how easily couple can grow apart. Whenever something funny, scary, exciting or juicy happened to you or to someone you know, tell each other about it & have your partner do the same. Keep each other in the loop of life.

HOW TO SAY "NO"

We say "yes" to others because we want to please them. But when eventually we can't continue, we let them down and we feel guilty. Both parties suffer. Recognize that a desire to please often prevents us from saying no.

Stick to your plan. If you have a written set of goals and strategies, this gives you a reason to stick to your course. ("Thanks, but I already have an investment plan, so you don't need to send me a newsletter about stocks.")

When someone persists, repeat your position, perhaps in a slightly different way. ("As I already said, our policy is to donate to charities that help children only.")

Make sure you understand exactly what is being asked of you before you respond. Perhaps the task is more time consuming than you thought. On the other hand, it may not take much effort at all.

Excel at just a few things, rather than being just average at many. Don't try to do everything.

You have a right to say no. Remember that others may take you for granted and even lose respect for you if you don't.

Be polite, but firm in saying no. You only build false hopes with wishy - washy responses. For instance, the phrase "I'll try to be there" in response to a party invitation is giving yourself an excuse to avoid a commitment. It doesn't do any one any favours.

When a superior asks you to do a new urgent task; Remind her that you are working on other projects that she has already identified as top priorities.

Ask for help in deciding where the new task should fall on the list of priorities.

Point out that you might be able to do everything, but not to the usual high standards that are expected.

Some experts recommend keeping your answer short. This way, you can say no without feeling the need for a lengthy justification. ("I'm sorry, I'm not available that night.") On the other hand, others say that giving a longer answer with reasons reinforces your credibility. Let the situation decide.

Provide suggestions or alternatives to the person who is asking. ("I can't do that task today, but how about next week," or "How about asking John instead?")

When in doubt, it's easier to say no now, then change your mind to a yes later, rather than the other way around.

Sometimes, saying no is simply unavoidable. Here are some techniques to use:

Tell the person you can agree to their request this time, but ask how the two of you might plan better for the next time.

Tell them yes, but remind them they owe you one. For example, they might cover you for a shift next time you need time off.

Tell them yes, but take control by saying you'll come back to them with a timetable. For instance, say, "I expect I'll be able to do that for you by the end of the week."

Put a tough condition on your agreement. "If it would only take an hour, I'd be able to help, but I can't give you more than that."

HONESTY IS STILL THE BEST POLICY

Once a general manager wanted to test his people who had come from all over the world, about their values in life.

He announced that in the seminar folder, there is a PVC pouch and in it there is a seed. When they return they must put it in a good soil in a pot and look after it very well.

He would hold a competition in the next year's seminar and that the best plants would be awarded suitably.

Everyone did what was told to him.

A year passed quickly.

The next year in a big hall, there were hundreds of pots and a great variety of plants - a great scene. Except one pot in which the soil was there and no plant! The owner was standing quietly and seemingly ashamed of himself!

The general manager called him on the stage. He asked him what happened and he told him the truth. He planted the seed which he was given – and did that was to be done - but nothing happened!

The general manager declared him the winner!

Everyone was shocked.

It was announced, "Gentlemen! The seeds I gave you were boiled seeds. You planted them and nothing happened! You acted smartly and used some other seeds.

This man was honest to his work and, therefore he did not cheat me or himself!"

BE HAPPY AT WORK

1) See happiness as the only option

It is a hard to digest fact that every one of us cannot get an employer of choice. So, we are bound to work on a pre-specified working conditions, thus we can choose to be happy at work. So, think positively about your work. Dwell on the aspects ofyour work you like. Avoid negative people and gossip. Find coworkers you like and enjoy and spend your time with them. Your choices at work largely define your experience. You can choose to be happy at work.

2) If you don't get the things you love, love the things you get

Each of us has got some talent, skills, which can be applied at the work place. Boring tasks can be made more interesting just by adding our creativity. This will make us love our job. There is always something that we enjoy and love doing everyday. If we do something we love every single day, our current job won't seem so bad, rather it would be made more interesting, which every other person, would loveto do.

3) Be your own mentor

No other person is interested in developing our personality. If we will remember this fact every second of our work, then it would be easier for us to work on ourself. Why to be dependent on others for nurturing our self? We can also do that. Only we are the person who would gain the most by developing our self professionally. Thus, we should take charge of our own growth; March to the music of your personally developed plan and goals. You have the most to gain from growing - and the most to lose, if you stand still. Life is of us only, so only we should be responsible for its growth and development.

4) Always keep eyes and ears open

" I have not been told that this is going to happen" - This is the most common complain people have. Take some time to think that why are we passive? Every one is busy doing their job, so why will they take the responsibility? The only person who is responsible for your knowledge and information is - YOU. Start working on that. While passing through each department, spend 5 minutes chatting about the daily activities, and the action plan. See the difference!!! You will be the most knowledgeable person of the organization. But don't forget, chatting for more than 5 minutes, can create a different picture! So, be alert in time management.

5) Give and receive feedback

"I never get any feedback from my Boss" - We are in a habit of making these types of complaints as well. But take some time to think that have you ever asked for that. In today's world, if you won't demand, you won't have. Many of us have also a thinking of receiving only positive feedback. We will have to change this too. Feedback means a measure of how you are doing on; so why scared of getting some negatives? Be ready to receive more negatives, and by nature be positive. The more negatives, you will get, the more hard you will work, and will increase your own skills. So, if you are getting only positives, be cautious: Is your boss really watching you??

6) Never say YES, when you are not sure

"You told me that this would be done by now, but you didn't keep your commitment! This is also a great cause of stress at work. So, again who is responsible for it? YOU. Yes and NO are the two small words, which need deep thinking and care. Many employees spend more time making excuses for failing to keep a commitment, and worrying about the consequences of not keeping a commitment, than they do performing the tasks promised. Create a system of organization and planning that enables you to assess your ability to complete a requested commitment. Don't volunteer if you don't have time. If your workload is exceeding your available time and energy, make a comprehensive plan to ask the boss for help and resources.

7) Eat positive, drink positive, think positive

Gossip, negative conversations, slang languages etc, are main causes of the negatives of life. If you want to be happy at work, you have the only option, i.e. to be positive, and even in dream to not think about any negative. No matter how positively you feel, negative people have a profound impact on your psyche. Avoid the negative people and negative thoughts.

8) Believe in elephant walk

When you will start implementing the above said ideas, it is guaranteed that you will hear a lot of taunts. But do not worry. These are the sign of your success. Let people speak whatever they like, you be like an Elephant. Make the way you like, walk the way you like.

9) Make Friends

Human being is always a social animal. Think for a while that how many friends you have at work place. Life will always be boring if no friends at work, because professionals always spend almost 12 hours of a day at the work place. Make some good friends. Never believe in numbers. Good friend can be only one, and that too is sufficient. No matter if he falls in workmen cadre or senior management cadre. Friend is a friend and that's all.

10) When all these fails, search another job

If all of these ideas aren't making you happy at work, it's time to reevaluate your employer, your job, or your entire career. You don't want to spend your life doing work you hate in an unfriendly work environment. Most work environments don't change all that much. But unhappy employees tend to grow even more disgruntled. You can secretly smile while you spend all of your non-work time job searching. It will only be a matter of time until you can quit your job - with a big smile.

LESSONS ON LIFE

There was a man who had four sons.

He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfilment of your fall.

Moral

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.