We all heard eating Sweets (Sugar) is bad to health. We might have heard this from our elders or teaching it to our toddlers.... Now the SIX biggest risks of consuming sugar in large quantities reveled...
1 Sugary Drinks May Increase Your Risk of Diabetes
Consuming sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soft drinks, fruit drinks, iced tea, and sports drinks, may increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. A recent study published in the journal Diabetes Care examined more than 310,000 patients and found that those who drank 1 to 2 servings of the sweet stuff a day were 26% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who drank it once a month or not at all.
The reason is twofold: Loading up on sugar-sweetened beverages tends to lead to weight gain, which is a risk factor for diabetes. Previous studies have found that those who toss back high-calorie drinks tend not to cut calories elsewhere from their meals. Second, sugar-loaded drinks deliver a quick rush of sugars to your body, which over time can lead to insulin resistance and inflammation.
2 Following a High-Glycemic Diet May Cause Acne
While dermatologists and other experts have debated whether greasy french fries and chocolate cause breakouts, some truth has been found that backs the old wives’ tale. In study’s researchers measured the effects of high- and low-glycemic diets on the skin of teenage boys. The glycemic index of a food defines how quickly it’s broken down into glucose by the body. High-glycemic foods, such as refined carbs, sugary drinks, and even certain fruits high in natural sugars, cause large spikes in blood sugar when eaten. Low-glycemic foods, such as whole grains, are broken down into sugars more slowly, so they do not cause spikes in blood sugar.
The researchers found that those who were on the low-glycemic diet experienced a 50% reduction in acne, while those who ate the high-glycemic diet experienced a 14% increase. Researchers speculate that insulin resistance—commonly associated with eating a high-glycemic diet—may fuel inflammation and the production of the acne-causing oil sebum.
3 A Diet Rich in Sugar Can Hurt Your Heart
Eating an excessive amount of fat isn’t the only thing that increases your risk of heart disease. Mounting evidence suggests that sugar plays a direct role on the health of your ticker. A study published in the Journal found that people who took in more than 17.5% of their calories from added sugars were 20 to 30% more likely to have high levels of triglycerides, a type of fat that’s found in your blood.
When you consume more sugar than you need for energy, the excess sugars form triglycerides, which are then stored in fat cells. The same study found that people who got 25% or more of their calories from added sugars were more than 3 times more likely to have low levels of HDL (the good cholesterol that helps prevent plaque buildup by carrying cholesterol from your arteries to your liver where it is then excreted) than those whose diets included less than 5% sugar. Both high triglycerides and low HDL levels contribute to atherosclerosis—the hardening of your arteries—a condition that increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.
The case against sugar is so compelling that, in 2009, the AHA released guidelines suggesting people limit intake. Women should eat less than 6 teaspoons a day; men are to keep their intake to 9 teaspoons.
4 Sugar Can Increase Your Chances of Depression.
Eating sugar and carbs can give you a temporary mood boost—it triggers your body to release the feel-good hormone serotonin—but overloading your system with sugar seems to have the reverse effect, says Teitelbaum. In fact, researchers found a correlation between sugar consumption and the annual rate of depression in six countries.
Moreover, research published found that people who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and ate a sugar-heavy diet were more likely to be hospitalized in a 2-year follow-up period. “Behavioral disorders, in general, are affected by massive swings in sugar,”. “When you eat a lot of sugar , your blood sugar levels shoot way up and then go way low. These fluctuations drive your metabolism and mood nuts.
5 High Blood Sugar Can Increase Your Risk of Yeast Infection
Yeast grows by feeding on sugar, so if you drink a 48-ounce Big Gulp every day, your body is going to be a fermentation tank. Yeast infections—both down there and in your mouth (also known as oral thrush)—are typically caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria Candida. These bacteria exist naturally in your body, but are usually held in check by your immune system. However, when your blood sugar is particularly high, the extra sugars in your saliva and urine provide a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria.
6 Sugar May Increase Your Risk of Cancer
The sugar-cancer connection is compelling and scary, pointing to in vitro studies that show cancer cells feed on sugar to fuel their growth and proliferation. Researchers call them ‘glucose guzzlers.’ While it’s not proven that sugar fuels cancer growth in the body, we do know that obesity—a likely effect of eating too much sugar—increases your risk of developing a number of cancers, and that both sugar and insulin fuel cancer-cell growth.
A number of studies indicate a strong relationship between sugar consumption and an increased risk of cancer. Researchers looked at more than 60,000 patients over 14 years and found that people who drank two or more soft drinks a week had an 87% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Researchers also found that diabetic women had a 39% increased risk of developing breast cancer over those with a fasting glucose level below 100 mg/dl. That is, women with the highest blood sugar levels were much more likely to have breast cancer than those with the lowest levels.
Do pass the information to your loved one's .... Live life to the fullest without pain... Take care
Cinnamon and Honey
DO You Know.....
Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing" When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.
Cinnamon and Honey
Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'very effective' medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.
Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:
HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.
ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.
BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder..
CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial andviral diseases.
INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old..
PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.
FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD BREATH:
First thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
You might want to share this information with a friend, kinfolks and loved ones. Everyone needs healthy help information
Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing" When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.
Cinnamon and Honey
Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'very effective' medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.
Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:
HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.
ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.
BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder..
CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial andviral diseases.
INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old..
PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.
FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD BREATH:
First thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
You might want to share this information with a friend, kinfolks and loved ones. Everyone needs healthy help information
You think You are observant...... Think again.
Do you know how our eyes can play tricks on us, whether we realize it or not. Our eyes aren't always as reliable as we think, and sometimes the consequences can be serious.
It has to do with the way our brains
process information.
It all comes down to the fact that, at any given time, our brains are bombarded by all kinds of sights, sounds and smells, many happening all at the same time, and it's impossible to consciously think about them all at once. So the brain is designed to filter out the information it thinks is unnecessary for the task at hand.
It all comes down to the fact that, at any given time, our brains are bombarded by all kinds of sights, sounds and smells, many happening all at the same time, and it's impossible to consciously think about them all at once. So the brain is designed to filter out the information it thinks is unnecessary for the task at hand.
But sometimes there's an
error in that filtering process.
It happens to all of us at one time
or another. Think it couldn't happen to
you? Don't be so sure.
It has to do with our
emotional brains that really, it turns out, run a lot more of our behavior than
we like to acknowledge. We're pretty irrational, there are many
ways our brains can play tricks on us.
First, we have them look at some photos. It's a test to see if they'll see what's truly in front of them, or will their brains trick them?
What do you think about this one? Take a good look at this picture. What do you see? Hmm.. immediately thought it was a woman's hip, but -- and just as soon as I thought that, my mind tried to see it as something else. It looks like she's coming out of the shower and she has, like, velvet pants that she's pulling on. So what are we really looking at?
It's a famous shoe ad. This is the Via Uno sandals. That's just two feet side by side. Those are the heels.
So why do we see something titillating when it's just part of a foot? it's because the brain is always on the lookout for something it can easily recognize.
So the way the brain works is that we have models in our brain of the way the world is , and then, as the data comes in, we force it to fit the model.
So why do we see something titillating when it's just part of a foot? it's because the brain is always on the lookout for something it can easily recognize.
So the way the brain works is that we have models in our brain of the way the world is , and then, as the data comes in, we force it to fit the model.
What do you see when you look at this? thought I was looking at maybe an man / Woman's Face. Do you know what it really is?
Grilled cheese sandwich . You can't help but not see the face. Because to see a face you only need three data points: the eyes, the nose and the mouth. And even a grilled cheese sandwich -- which, by the way, sold for $28,000 on eBay. It is now in a Las Vegas casino. You can go see it. I've seen it. It's under glass.
For instance, what if someone wanted to exploit our tendency to see patterns for religious purposes? What do you see in this image?
Grilled cheese sandwich . You can't help but not see the face. Because to see a face you only need three data points: the eyes, the nose and the mouth. And even a grilled cheese sandwich -- which, by the way, sold for $28,000 on eBay. It is now in a Las Vegas casino. You can go see it. I've seen it. It's under glass.
For instance, what if someone wanted to exploit our tendency to see patterns for religious purposes? What do you see in this image?
Did you see a distorted Mother Teresa . Atleast Once I point out that it looks like Mother Teresa , most of us sees it, too. It's a cinnamon bun . It's a cinnamon bun discovered by a Tennessee baker in 1996 , who has since put it on a T-shirt. You can get the T-shirt of it. And so it -- that -- but a lot of people flocked to his bakery shop. This was in the news. It was a big story for a while.
here are some of the other pictures which could be misleading by the brain
And if we're able to fool ourselves, it should be no surprise that others can fool us, too.
This is how con artists operate. That's how we get suckered into things. We're just talked into seeing the world in a different way. Go!
It has nothing to do with intelligence and smarts and education. It has to do with our emotional brains that really, it turns out, run a lot more of our behavior than we like to acknowledge. We're pretty irrational.
lets see how our brain can be so focused on one task, it will block out what's right in front of us.Watch the following Video.. There are four players dressed in white shirts and four in black shirts. count the number of passes of the four white-shirted team players, and you're going to count them out loud.
So how many did you count? 18. Twenty five? Twenty six? Yeah, okay, great.
we were so busy counting passes, most missed something right before their eyes.
Did anybody see anything unusual in the middle of this scene? So would it surprise you to learn that there was a gorilla who walked right across the middle, spun around and waved to you all?
It's inattentional blindness research. It's important research because what it shows is that our brains are finely tuned. When you're instructed to do so, to focus on one thing, you're likely then to miss something really obvious.
And what happens when you're so focused on texting or talking on the phone while you're driving? You miss the big picture.
And there are many ways you can miss the big picture. It's all about how our brains focus. Consider this: A driver crashes into a cyclist and swears they never saw, even though the cyclist was clearly visible. The driver's focus was on avoiding other cars; since she wasn't expecting to see a Cycle, brain blocked it out.
The take-home message from this kinda research is that we really need to be pretty skeptical and cautious about what we think is true because, often, we are deceived and even self-deceived by the way our belief systems work. So as we make our way through the world, observing what's around us…Remember our brains can be sending us wrong information.
So the next time you're positive about what you think you saw, take a moment to reconsider, what you think you see is not always what you get.
much of the research into the phenomenon of change blindness and inattentional blindness was developed by pyschologist, Daniel Simons. To learn more, here is a link to Simons' and Christopher Chabris' book: www.theinvisiblegorilla.com
Sucess is made by Bold Hearted
Every person in their life hit a situation " I lost a presious thing in
life" ............ " I lost ...." most people take their life forward
thinking of what they have lost in the past...
It' true and necessary to remember the path which we walked through the life, but dwelling on it will not bring it back....
Each and every person passes through a painful situation of losing something in life, it could be a person you love or a carrer path which you often dream of or even the life achievements you loose during the course.
When ever we come across such situations we keep on dwelling over them instead of moving forward and achieve great heights in life.
When You move forward considering whats left not thinking about what you have lost will make you inspiring and successful. One such success story I came across these days is about a successful emerging personality is "Alex Zanardi"
Alex Zanardi born in 1966 had a great life and successful career as Formula one racer.
He begun his career as a kart racer winning many major competitions till 1990. He had been a successful Formula one racing career from 1991 until year 2001
In the year 2001 at a most competitive race Alex met with an unfortunate and terrible accident which apparently looked like an end of the world to many who watched Alex.
Every thing which seem perfect till that day was shattered. In the accident he lost both his legs above the knee and barely survived after loosing three-quarters of his blood volume.
The Life before the accident was picture perfect which seem to come to an end until he return with renewed strength in heart and his new pair of Prosthetic legs just two years after the crash.
He competed in professional Touring car championships and then took up a career as a hand biking athlete. Winning a GOLD medal in para Olympics in London 2012 is his recent achievement.
Proving the life has more in store than whats been lost... Life doesn't come without failures ... Every one have their failures and losses.... Picking up from the point and moving FORWARD is LIFE....
Have a great life.. Face your challenges and Losses with Bold heart.
It' true and necessary to remember the path which we walked through the life, but dwelling on it will not bring it back....
Each and every person passes through a painful situation of losing something in life, it could be a person you love or a carrer path which you often dream of or even the life achievements you loose during the course.
When ever we come across such situations we keep on dwelling over them instead of moving forward and achieve great heights in life.
When You move forward considering whats left not thinking about what you have lost will make you inspiring and successful. One such success story I came across these days is about a successful emerging personality is "Alex Zanardi"
Alex Zanardi born in 1966 had a great life and successful career as Formula one racer.
He begun his career as a kart racer winning many major competitions till 1990. He had been a successful Formula one racing career from 1991 until year 2001
In the year 2001 at a most competitive race Alex met with an unfortunate and terrible accident which apparently looked like an end of the world to many who watched Alex.
Every thing which seem perfect till that day was shattered. In the accident he lost both his legs above the knee and barely survived after loosing three-quarters of his blood volume.
The Life before the accident was picture perfect which seem to come to an end until he return with renewed strength in heart and his new pair of Prosthetic legs just two years after the crash.
He competed in professional Touring car championships and then took up a career as a hand biking athlete. Winning a GOLD medal in para Olympics in London 2012 is his recent achievement.
Proving the life has more in store than whats been lost... Life doesn't come without failures ... Every one have their failures and losses.... Picking up from the point and moving FORWARD is LIFE....
Have a great life.. Face your challenges and Losses with Bold heart.
Choice....
Not liking the food you have daily????.....How about some pizza?
No??? Ok....... Pasta? No?? .. How about Taco? Not in taco mood today? ... ok.. Trying this Mexican Food? No again? No probs.. we have more choice.. Hmmmmmmm.. chinise??????? Burgersssssss???????? Ok.. lets try Indian.. J South Indian Food? Naaaaa??? North Indian? Junk food mood? ...
...
...
You can have any of these... or try out little from all... But.. They have No choice.. They just need some food to survive... Think of them next time you throw the cafeteria food saying, its not tasty!! Think of them next time you say ... Roti here is too hard to eat.. Please DO NOT WASTE food... Its not a Joke |
When you have some more spare time... check this link for more information on Food Scarcity Research Material
Religious ritual help feeding homeles and orphans
I found this rather educating editorial in a Local News paper....
Hair offered to gods by Indian women end up as 3,000 pounds extensions in UK...
Temple hair, which are offered by thousands of Indian women and men every day as a gift to Lord Venkateswara - the presiding deity, has already found its way to hundreds of British salons where it is sold in the form of real hair extensions costing up to 3,000 pounds a time.
The Hindu temple of Tirumala Venkateswara on the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh where, Hindu devotes offer their hair, is is also the starting place and principal provider for an astonishing industry, one that has seduced celebrities in Europe and America, and those rich enough to follow them. Temple officials argue that, unless they sell the hair, they would simply dispose of it. The profit from the hair collected at the temples, last year an estimated 70 million pounds, is spent on orphanages and hospitals.
The trade in human hair is booming. One leading manufacturer boasts that horde of celebrities, including Mischa Barton, Eva Longoria and Frankie Sandford of The Saturdays, have used its products. Fans of extensions, the appeal of human hair is obvious - it both looks and feels better than the synthetic additions made famous by stars such as Jordan and Britney Spears. Moreover, the quality of Indian hair, which is strong and has for the most part never been subjected to Western shampoos, is known to be unusually good. It is safe to say that the temple makes millions from the piles of thick black locks. Yet the women who once possessed the hair - many of them peasants - receive not a penny, donating their hair, instead, as a religious sacrifice.
The shaving ceremony and the sale of hair is not limited to this one holy site, but Tirumala Venkateswara attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims in a single day and is by far the dominant temple in the trade. There are 18 shaving halls, all of them vast, and so big are the crowds that women and young girls can wait in the queue for up to five hours. 650 barbers sit in lines on concrete floor, deftly tying up into ponytails the hair of women seated in front of them. Small children being carried by their mothers can be heard whimpering. They too are candidates for tonsuring - the shaving of the head as a sign of religious devotion. With a few expert sweeps of a razor, each head is shaved smooth and is then doused with water, washing away any blood caused by nicks from the razor.
The average woman's head yields about 10oz of hair, which is worth about 210 pounds Most of the women seemed stunned, their hands patting at a scalp that minutes before had been covered in glossylocks. Then in a flash they are ushered away and the next candidate sits down. Often, as they wait for their turn, the women's faces are impassive, their lips pressed shut, as though trying not to cry.
"For poor rural women, their hair is their only vanity. They have saved up to make a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Thousands have made an oath to their gods - they may have asked to be blessed with a child or for a good harvest," the Daily Mail quoted Mayoor Balsara, chief executive of India's largest exporter of human hair, Sona Devi Trading Company, as saying. "Should their wish be fulfilled, they offer their most precious possession as a sign of gratitude," Balsara said. It is not just rural women who offer their hair to Hindu gods. The trend has been customised for well-educated, professional women from cities too. Instead of submitting to a full tonsure, they can donate a mere three strands to the temple.
Baskets filled with hair are collected every six hours and stored in a vast warehouse where it is piled knee deep. The hair, strong and healthy, has never been dyed or subjected to anything more abrasive than coconut oil and herbal soap. Sometimes it has never been cut. The temple then auctions off the hair - even taking online bids - to exporters around the globe. Mayoor Balsara transports the hair in fibre sacks by truck to Bengaluru, 150 miles away. "We buy hair in metric tons.A ton represents 3,000 women," Balsara said.
Balsara buys about 50 tons a year and ships it round the world. India exports an estimated 2,000 tons a year. The best - or longest - hair will fetch at least 350 pounds per pound. In his factories the hair is washed by hand in giant baths. Then the hair is laboriously pulled through long beds of spikes by hand to smooth it before being tied into neat bundles of 200 strands each. The hair is then carefully packed into cardboard boxes and flown to Nepi in Italy where the pigment is removed, a process that sees the hair soaked in rows of small white baths for up to 20 days. Great Lengths International, a leading manufacturer, supplies 1,300 salons in Britain alone, selling its products as 'ethical hair extensions' - ethical because the source of the hair is known. After the bundles of hair have been coloured, polymer bonds, which mimic the molecular structure of real hair, are attached to them. The bonds will be used to fix the strands to the customer's head.
"'There are no official global statistics but it's fair to say that hair has become a commodity as precious as gold, diamonds or oil. Some top salons order up to 100,000 pounds worth of hair a year," Philip Sharp, UK managing director of Great Lengths, said. The company said that European hair is too thin in diameter for the process; Chinese hair, meanwhile, is too thick and rigid for use with European clients.
Hair offered to gods by Indian women end up as 3,000 pounds extensions in UK...
Temple hair, which are offered by thousands of Indian women and men every day as a gift to Lord Venkateswara - the presiding deity, has already found its way to hundreds of British salons where it is sold in the form of real hair extensions costing up to 3,000 pounds a time.
The Hindu temple of Tirumala Venkateswara on the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh where, Hindu devotes offer their hair, is is also the starting place and principal provider for an astonishing industry, one that has seduced celebrities in Europe and America, and those rich enough to follow them. Temple officials argue that, unless they sell the hair, they would simply dispose of it. The profit from the hair collected at the temples, last year an estimated 70 million pounds, is spent on orphanages and hospitals.
The trade in human hair is booming. One leading manufacturer boasts that horde of celebrities, including Mischa Barton, Eva Longoria and Frankie Sandford of The Saturdays, have used its products. Fans of extensions, the appeal of human hair is obvious - it both looks and feels better than the synthetic additions made famous by stars such as Jordan and Britney Spears. Moreover, the quality of Indian hair, which is strong and has for the most part never been subjected to Western shampoos, is known to be unusually good. It is safe to say that the temple makes millions from the piles of thick black locks. Yet the women who once possessed the hair - many of them peasants - receive not a penny, donating their hair, instead, as a religious sacrifice.
The shaving ceremony and the sale of hair is not limited to this one holy site, but Tirumala Venkateswara attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims in a single day and is by far the dominant temple in the trade. There are 18 shaving halls, all of them vast, and so big are the crowds that women and young girls can wait in the queue for up to five hours. 650 barbers sit in lines on concrete floor, deftly tying up into ponytails the hair of women seated in front of them. Small children being carried by their mothers can be heard whimpering. They too are candidates for tonsuring - the shaving of the head as a sign of religious devotion. With a few expert sweeps of a razor, each head is shaved smooth and is then doused with water, washing away any blood caused by nicks from the razor.
The average woman's head yields about 10oz of hair, which is worth about 210 pounds Most of the women seemed stunned, their hands patting at a scalp that minutes before had been covered in glossylocks. Then in a flash they are ushered away and the next candidate sits down. Often, as they wait for their turn, the women's faces are impassive, their lips pressed shut, as though trying not to cry.
"For poor rural women, their hair is their only vanity. They have saved up to make a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Thousands have made an oath to their gods - they may have asked to be blessed with a child or for a good harvest," the Daily Mail quoted Mayoor Balsara, chief executive of India's largest exporter of human hair, Sona Devi Trading Company, as saying. "Should their wish be fulfilled, they offer their most precious possession as a sign of gratitude," Balsara said. It is not just rural women who offer their hair to Hindu gods. The trend has been customised for well-educated, professional women from cities too. Instead of submitting to a full tonsure, they can donate a mere three strands to the temple.
Baskets filled with hair are collected every six hours and stored in a vast warehouse where it is piled knee deep. The hair, strong and healthy, has never been dyed or subjected to anything more abrasive than coconut oil and herbal soap. Sometimes it has never been cut. The temple then auctions off the hair - even taking online bids - to exporters around the globe. Mayoor Balsara transports the hair in fibre sacks by truck to Bengaluru, 150 miles away. "We buy hair in metric tons.A ton represents 3,000 women," Balsara said.
Balsara buys about 50 tons a year and ships it round the world. India exports an estimated 2,000 tons a year. The best - or longest - hair will fetch at least 350 pounds per pound. In his factories the hair is washed by hand in giant baths. Then the hair is laboriously pulled through long beds of spikes by hand to smooth it before being tied into neat bundles of 200 strands each. The hair is then carefully packed into cardboard boxes and flown to Nepi in Italy where the pigment is removed, a process that sees the hair soaked in rows of small white baths for up to 20 days. Great Lengths International, a leading manufacturer, supplies 1,300 salons in Britain alone, selling its products as 'ethical hair extensions' - ethical because the source of the hair is known. After the bundles of hair have been coloured, polymer bonds, which mimic the molecular structure of real hair, are attached to them. The bonds will be used to fix the strands to the customer's head.
"'There are no official global statistics but it's fair to say that hair has become a commodity as precious as gold, diamonds or oil. Some top salons order up to 100,000 pounds worth of hair a year," Philip Sharp, UK managing director of Great Lengths, said. The company said that European hair is too thin in diameter for the process; Chinese hair, meanwhile, is too thick and rigid for use with European clients.
Rights.... Duties... Responsibility.
Now-a-days we here the words
"This is my Fundamental Right"....
"Government is preventing us from our Fundamental Rights"
" Do not ask me to stop *^*&*, This is my fundamental right"
Now... Try asking ourselves "What exactly are our Fundamental Rights?"
..... let me be more clear....
As a citizen of India, residing in India.... "What exactly are our Fundamental Rights?"
Hmmm...... still thinking let me help you
We have SEVEN fundamental rights according to Indian constitution.
1) Right to equality, including equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, abolition of untouchability and abolition of titles.
2) Right to freedom which includes speech and expression, assembly, association or union or cooperatives, movement, residence, and right to practice any profession or occupation (some of these rights are subject to security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency or morality), right to life and liberty, right to education, protection in respect to conviction in offenses and protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
3) Right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labor, child labor and traffic in human beings.
4) Right to freedom of religion, including freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs, freedom from certain taxes and freedom from religious instructions in certain educational institutes.
5) Cultural and Educational rights preserving Right of any section of citizens to conserve their culture, language or script, and right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
6) Right to constitutional remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
7) Right to education which ensures that children up to the age of 14 get education. It can also be free of cost.
Woow... Beautiful draft of fundamental rights...... so before putting any more strain in understanding our Rights.... we also need to understand that we have some Duties to perform to exercise the right to "Fundamental Rights"
Do you agree..... These duties are also know as "Fundamental Duties".......
OK... I will help you with these too....
These are considered as the duties that must be and should be performed by every citizen of India.: -
SO as a citizen its our "Fundamental Responsibility" to perform "Fundamental Duties" before we cry out for "Fundamental Rights"
"This is my Fundamental Right"....
"Government is preventing us from our Fundamental Rights"
" Do not ask me to stop *^*&*, This is my fundamental right"
Now... Try asking ourselves "What exactly are our Fundamental Rights?"
..... let me be more clear....
As a citizen of India, residing in India.... "What exactly are our Fundamental Rights?"
Hmmm...... still thinking let me help you
We have SEVEN fundamental rights according to Indian constitution.
1) Right to equality, including equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, abolition of untouchability and abolition of titles.
2) Right to freedom which includes speech and expression, assembly, association or union or cooperatives, movement, residence, and right to practice any profession or occupation (some of these rights are subject to security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency or morality), right to life and liberty, right to education, protection in respect to conviction in offenses and protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
3) Right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labor, child labor and traffic in human beings.
4) Right to freedom of religion, including freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs, freedom from certain taxes and freedom from religious instructions in certain educational institutes.
5) Cultural and Educational rights preserving Right of any section of citizens to conserve their culture, language or script, and right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
6) Right to constitutional remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
7) Right to education which ensures that children up to the age of 14 get education. It can also be free of cost.
Woow... Beautiful draft of fundamental rights...... so before putting any more strain in understanding our Rights.... we also need to understand that we have some Duties to perform to exercise the right to "Fundamental Rights"
Do you agree..... These duties are also know as "Fundamental Duties".......
OK... I will help you with these too....
These are considered as the duties that must be and should be performed by every citizen of India.: -
- To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
- To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
- To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
- To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
- To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
- To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
- To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
- To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
- To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
- To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement.
SO as a citizen its our "Fundamental Responsibility" to perform "Fundamental Duties" before we cry out for "Fundamental Rights"
Simple way to give life....
A blood donation truly is a “gift of life” that a healthy individual can give to others in their community who are sick or injured. In one hour’s time, a person can donate one unit of blood that can be separated into four individual components that could help save multiple lives.
Blood transfusion is not necessarily used for persons involved in accidents. Some of the many occasions where blood transfusions might be necessary like Heart surgeries, during Delivery, Cancer treatments, Kid treatment.... and many more situations
Blood accounts for 8% of the human body weight. The average adult has a blood volume of roughly 5 liters. Human Blood is classified into four groups .. Group A, Group B, Group O and Group AB
each group is divided into +ve and -ve types
Group A:
People with blood group A have a deep-rooted strength that helps them stay calm in a crisis when everyone else is panicking. However, they tend to avoid confrontation and feel very uncomfortable around people. Type A's are shy and sometimes withdrawn. They seek harmony and are very polite, but feel that they never really fit in with others. A types are very responsible. If there is a job to be done, they prefer to take care of it themselves. These people crave success and are perfectionists. They are also very creative, and the most artistic of all the blood types, most likely because of their sensitivity.
In USA:
About 34 percent of the population has A-positive blood.
About 6 percent of the population has A-negative blood.
In INDIA:
About 22 percent of the population has A-positive blood.
About 1 percent of the population has A-negative blood.
Group B:
People with blood type B are the most practical of the blood groups. They are specialists in what they do. When they start a project, they spend extra time understanding and trying to follow directions than others might. When they are doing something, all of their attention is focused on it. They tend to stick to a goal and follow it through to the end, even if it seems impossible. They tend to be less than cooperative, as they like to follow their own rules and their own ideas. They are individualists. Type-B individuals pay attention to their thoughts a little more than their feelings, and therefore can sometimes seem cold and serious.
In USA:
About 9 percent of the population has B-positive blood.
About 2 percent of the population has B-negative blood.
In INDIA:
About 31 percent of the population has B-positive blood.
About 2 percent of the population has B-negative blood.
Group O:
People with blood type O are outgoing, energetic and social. They are the most flexible of the blood types. They easily start up projects but often have trouble following through because they give up easily. They are flighty and not too dependable. Type-O individuals always say what's on their mind. They value the opinion of others and like to be the center of attention. Also, people with O blood are extremely self-confident.
In USA:
About 38 percent of the population has O-positive blood.
About 7 percent of the population has O-negative blood.
In INDIA:
About 37 percent of the population has O-positive blood.
About 2 percent of the population has O-negative blood.
Group AB:
People with blood type AB are hard to categorize. They can have characteristics on both ends of the spectrum at the same time. For instance, they are both shy and outgoing. They easily switch from one opposite to another. AB people are trustworthy and responsible, but can't handle it when too much is asked of them. They don't mind doing favors or helping out, as long as it's on their own conditions. People with this blood type are interested in art and metaphysics.
Facts about type-AB donors:
In USA:
About 3 percent of the population has AB-positive blood.
About 1 percent of the population has AB-negative blood.
In INDIA:
About 6 percent of the population has AB-positive blood.
About 1 percent of the population has AB-negative blood.
In India we have many organizations and groups scheduling Blood donation drives.... some of which I know of where we can go forward to help or seek help.....
1: http://indianbloodbank.com/
2: http://www.bloodbanksindia.com/bloodbanks.aspx
3: http://www.bharatbloodbank.com/
In USA if you are interested to donate you can contact local Hospitals or regional blood centers. There is a certain criteria to meet to donate blood..
First and foremost for us if traveled to India, we are eligible to donate after 12 months.
More info could be found on http://www.giveblood.org/faqs
11 Years ago..
Recollecting the unforgettable day in American history, the day which changed the lifes globally. Many Americans remember the Tuesday, 11 years ago September 11, 2001 as horrific. Nearly 3,000 people died, many others were injured, and many had to run for their lives. Most Americans, however, experienced September 11 from a safe distance. Even for those (like me) who were not directly touched by death or injury, the trauma was significant.
I dont wanna talk about the group which caused the trouble but want to talk about the survivors and about the people who have lost their loved ones and the mostly about the place which is center of this event.
Ground Zero.... Not only symbolizes whats been lost but also represents what kind of difference can be made with love and compassion. On the anniversary of the 9/11 attack every year people gather around Ground zero and pay their respects to all who have lost their lives on the day. here are some Images I would love to share in remembrance....
Families mourn at ground zero for the lost loved ones.
Ever name of every person who has lost their life on the day have been engraved on the walls..
People taking part of their loved ones to home after 10 years...
Self confidence
A business executive was deep in debt and could see no way out.
Creditors were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment.
He sat on the park bench, head in hands, wondering if anything could
save his company from bankruptcy.
Suddenly an old man appeared before him. "I can see that something is troubling you," he said. After listening to the executive's woes, the old man said, "I believe I can help you."
He asked the man his name, wrote out a cheque, and pushed it into his
hand saying, "Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today,
and you can pay me back at that time." Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.
The business executive saw in his hand a cheque for $ 500,000, signed by
John D. Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world !
"I can erase my money worries in an instant !" he realized. But instead,
the executive decided to put the uncashed cheque in his safe. Just
knowing it was there might give him the strength to work out a way to
save his business, he thought.
With renewed optimism, he negotiated better deals and extended terms of
payment. He closed several big sales. Within a few months, he was out of
debt and making money once again.
Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the uncashed
cheque. At the agreed-upon time, the old man appeared. Just as
the executive was about to hand back the cheque and share his success
story, a nurse came running up and grabbed the old man.
"I'm so glad I caught him !" she cried. "I hope he hasn't been bothering
you. He's always escaping from the rest home and telling people he's
John D. Rockefeller.", and she led the old man away by the arm.
The astonished executive just stood there, stunned. All year long
he'd been wheeling and dealing, buying and selling, convinced he had
half a million dollars behind him.
Suddenly, he realized that it wasn't the money, real or imagined, that
had turned his life around. It was his new found self-confidence that
gave him the power to achieve anything he went after.
Moral of the story:
"Never ever let go your self-confidence". It creates the wonders !!!!!!
Creditors were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment.
He sat on the park bench, head in hands, wondering if anything could
save his company from bankruptcy.
Suddenly an old man appeared before him. "I can see that something is troubling you," he said. After listening to the executive's woes, the old man said, "I believe I can help you."
He asked the man his name, wrote out a cheque, and pushed it into his
hand saying, "Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today,
and you can pay me back at that time." Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.
The business executive saw in his hand a cheque for $ 500,000, signed by
John D. Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world !
"I can erase my money worries in an instant !" he realized. But instead,
the executive decided to put the uncashed cheque in his safe. Just
knowing it was there might give him the strength to work out a way to
save his business, he thought.
With renewed optimism, he negotiated better deals and extended terms of
payment. He closed several big sales. Within a few months, he was out of
debt and making money once again.
Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the uncashed
cheque. At the agreed-upon time, the old man appeared. Just as
the executive was about to hand back the cheque and share his success
story, a nurse came running up and grabbed the old man.
"I'm so glad I caught him !" she cried. "I hope he hasn't been bothering
you. He's always escaping from the rest home and telling people he's
John D. Rockefeller.", and she led the old man away by the arm.
The astonished executive just stood there, stunned. All year long
he'd been wheeling and dealing, buying and selling, convinced he had
half a million dollars behind him.
Suddenly, he realized that it wasn't the money, real or imagined, that
had turned his life around. It was his new found self-confidence that
gave him the power to achieve anything he went after.
Moral of the story:
"Never ever let go your self-confidence". It creates the wonders !!!!!!
India’s best preserved secret....
We were here at this Beautiful place almost 4 years ago.... the city called "Port Blair" capital city of Andaman Islands.
This chain of Indian islands is located in the eastern Bay of Bengal – quite far from the Indian mainland and closer to the coasts of southern Burma and Western Thailand.
Located in the Bay of Bengal and measuring 700 kms from North to South is a sprinkling of 572 alluring Islands of which only 36 are inhabited. Part of the Indian Sub- Continent and known as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
After years of isolation, the Government has in the past decade or so begun to allow environmentally conscious tourism in the Andamans. However the Nicobar Islands remain inaccessible and tourists (both Indians & Foreign nationals) are strictly not allowed to visit this group of Islands.
We arrived in Port Blair on a flight from Chennai. we were escorted to a beautiful & pleasant resort. Having arrived towards the end of the tourist season
and the beginning of the monsoon rains, we found a quiet tropical
paradise.
The highlight of the trip was snorkeling in the warm waters and discovering the coral reefs and tropical fish which are abundant here. Not surprisingly, this is a popular destination for divers. These islands have a rich flora and fauna, and is also the home to six indigenous tribes.
Many other places which I breifly remember that we visited are The Cellular Jail, Ross Island, Sippighat, Viper Island, Chidiya Tapu, Madhuban, Chatham Island & Sawmill, Mount Harriet, Havelock Island .... and many more... the week long trip was the most memorable of my life.
The administration is keen on protecting the islands’ biodiversity. Only some of the islands are open to visitors. Foreigners need a special permit which is valid only for certain islands and a maximum period of one month. The permit also clearly states that photographing tribal peoples is a criminal offense.
Being so far east from the Indian mainland but still observing Indian Standard Time, the days have their own rhythm: the sun goes down by 5pm and is up again at 4am the next morning. we also witnessed the onset of the monsoon rains with heavy showers happening mostly in the early mornings. We never thought to experience rain on a holiday and enjoy it, but after an exceptionally long and hot summer, the rain was more than welcome!
This chain of Indian islands is located in the eastern Bay of Bengal – quite far from the Indian mainland and closer to the coasts of southern Burma and Western Thailand.
Located in the Bay of Bengal and measuring 700 kms from North to South is a sprinkling of 572 alluring Islands of which only 36 are inhabited. Part of the Indian Sub- Continent and known as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
After years of isolation, the Government has in the past decade or so begun to allow environmentally conscious tourism in the Andamans. However the Nicobar Islands remain inaccessible and tourists (both Indians & Foreign nationals) are strictly not allowed to visit this group of Islands.
The highlight of the trip was snorkeling in the warm waters and discovering the coral reefs and tropical fish which are abundant here. Not surprisingly, this is a popular destination for divers. These islands have a rich flora and fauna, and is also the home to six indigenous tribes.
Our guide Raj (Actually he is our chauffeur, Guide and care taker) took us to the most breathtaking locations of the Islands along with the most historic locations on the islands. Its been a great enjoyable and memorable experience visiting the Islands.
Many other places which I breifly remember that we visited are The Cellular Jail, Ross Island, Sippighat, Viper Island, Chidiya Tapu, Madhuban, Chatham Island & Sawmill, Mount Harriet, Havelock Island .... and many more... the week long trip was the most memorable of my life.
Being so far east from the Indian mainland but still observing Indian Standard Time, the days have their own rhythm: the sun goes down by 5pm and is up again at 4am the next morning. we also witnessed the onset of the monsoon rains with heavy showers happening mostly in the early mornings. We never thought to experience rain on a holiday and enjoy it, but after an exceptionally long and hot summer, the rain was more than welcome!
Productivity is not Noise making.....
Sometimes we forget that the most productive people in an organization aren’t the ones who make the most noise. In fact, it’s often the quiet ones who out-produce everyone else. Here are some reasons I think this is so.
Being quiet strengthens focus. It's hard to focus on the task at hand when you yourself are making so much noise. The other team, who participated in the clamming wars, never took their eye off the prize. Our team, on the other hand, did a happy dance in the sand every time we hit pay dirt. In retrospect, this was probably valuable time wasted.
Being quiet calms others. Quiet people have the ability to calm those around them. For example, when everyone is stressing out because it looks like a team isn’t going to meet their deadlines, it’s usually the quiet people who are able to calm people down and carry them over the finish line.
Being quiet conveys confidence. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone when you are confident. You know you do a good job and you believe that eventually others will take notice.
Being quiet means you think before you speak. Quiet people are usually thoughtful thinkers. They think things through before making a statement. Something you probably wish many of your workers would do before taking up your valuable time.
Being quiet gives you the space to dig deep. Quiet people tend to delve into issues and ideas before moving on to new ones. Compare this to the surface people in your organization, who often move onto other matters without giving thought to the gold that may be sitting right below the surface.
The next time you evaluate team performance, be sure to give credit where credit is due. Remember that at the end of the day, it’s not about the noise one makes, but what one actually gets done
Lonely.... Or Alone........
Loneliness and aloneness are not the
same. Aloneness is a state of being, while loneliness is a state of
mind. We all know people who live alone and are perfectly happy. Yet,
the opposite is also true. There are people who, despite their families
and friends, have a gnawing feeling of loneliness that eats away at
them. They feel disconnected from the world and usually suffer in
silence.
Loneliness is both pervasive and unavoidable. Loneliness triggered by an event, care must be taken to immediately begin on the road to recovery, even if it takes a year or longer to heal completely. If we do not aggressively attack it, there is the danger of getting mired in chronic loneliness. It is at such a time that we sentence ourselves to solitary confinement.
Some of the many events that can trigger loneliness are: retirement, job loss, a career setback, death of a loved one, a sudden disability or serious illness, substance abuse, discrimination, estrangement, imprisonment, shyness, children leaving home, relocation, divorce or the end of a relationship, obesity, isolation, rejection caused by ones sexuality, mental or physical abuse, real or imagined rejection, homelessness, and the absence of spiritual, religious or life-affirming beliefs.
Loneliness-triggering events for children include, criticism, corporal punishment, sexual abuse, their parents divorce, not enough time spent with working parents, transfer to a new school, and schoolyard bullying. Even the rich, famous, and powerful can suffer from loneliness.
How should we respond when a loneliness-triggering event occurs in our lives? There are only two things we can do. We can allow the event to seize control over our lives, or we can remain in control. If we choose to succumb to loneliness and wallow in self-pity, our negative attitude will drive others away, isolating us, and thereby beginning the dangerous downward spiral that can lead to chronic loneliness. On the other hand, we can recognize that loneliness is a natural and inevitable experience that will defeat some and strengthen others. We can choose to join those who decide to overcome their suffering. Why not become a victor instead of a victim?
Overcoming loneliness
Here are some steps you can take to release yourself from the prison of loneliness.
Be your own best friend. Learn to like yourself. I dont mean that you should become egotistical, but just that you should feel good about yourself. Follow your conscience and you will be proud of yourself and happy to be in your own company. As Wayne Dyer wrote, "You cannot be lonely if you like the person you are alone with." Jean-Paul Sartre reversed the same idea when he wrote, "If you are lonely when you are alone, you are in bad company." So, if you are bad company, improve yourself until you are a pleasure to be around! If low self-esteem is holding you back, dont just whine, pick up a good book on the subject and apply its principles. If you are troubled by psychological pain you experienced in your childhood (criticism, rejection, ridicule, etc.), you can also learn how to heal your wounded child. There are many excellent books on the subject.
Help others. Loneliness drains ones energy. Lonely people may just sit around hoping to be noticed. Instead of focusing on themselves and experiencing their own pain, why dont they look outward and notice the pain of others? Think of all the lonely people in hospitals, for instance. Why stay at home and mope when we can visit hospital patients and relieve their loneliness? If we were to do so, wouldnt our loneliness disappear? Isnt it true that if we wish to have a friend, we must be a friend?
Accept responsibility. Stop blaming and start taking responsibility for the choices you make. Its time to make the right choices. You deserve to be happy. So, take the steps that will pull you out of the gutter of loneliness. Blame is self-defeating. Responsibility is self-actualizing. Live by the precept, "If it is to be, it is up to me."
Journaling. Need someone to talk to? Talk to yourself in a journal. Keeping a journal is cathartic. It will help purge yourself of negativity. Ask yourself questions and sit in silence until you get answers. Record the answers and apply them to your life. Example questions are: What would it be like not to be lonely? How would I act differently? What can I do to change my attitude and behavior? When will I accept responsibility for my own actions? When will I begin to take the steps I know I should take? What can I do now to begin overcoming my loneliness? Journaling is a valuable tool in regaining control over your life. There are several great books on the subject, look into it.
Join Groups. You can meet many people at social groups, clubs,
associations, volunteer groups, and adult education classes. While
there, dont look for friends, but look for opportunities to befriend
others; dont look for someone to heal your loneliness, but look for
chances to heal the loneliness of others. For it is in giving that we
receive.
Plan in advance. When you know in advance that you will be alone, prepare by renting a hilarious video, borrowing an inspiring biography from the library, or catching up on chores youve been meaning to do.
Focus on the positive. If you dont have any friends, look in the mirror, and what do you see? A smile or a frown? If we walk around with a chip on our shoulder, we drive people away. Conversely, if we are polite and friendly, we attract others to us. If you wish to attract birds, scatter bread crumbs, if you wish to attract friends, scatter seeds of love.
Exercise. Loneliness is a state of passivity. To erase it you need to be active. Get involved in an exercise program. Exercise will make you feel better by improving your health, lifting your spirits, and boosting your confidence. And while doing so, you may make new friends.
There are many other things you can do, such as getting a pet and cultivating hobbies. If you cannot lift yourself out of loneliness unassisted, seek the help of a professional or join a local self-help group.
Loneliness is both pervasive and unavoidable. Loneliness triggered by an event, care must be taken to immediately begin on the road to recovery, even if it takes a year or longer to heal completely. If we do not aggressively attack it, there is the danger of getting mired in chronic loneliness. It is at such a time that we sentence ourselves to solitary confinement.
Some of the many events that can trigger loneliness are: retirement, job loss, a career setback, death of a loved one, a sudden disability or serious illness, substance abuse, discrimination, estrangement, imprisonment, shyness, children leaving home, relocation, divorce or the end of a relationship, obesity, isolation, rejection caused by ones sexuality, mental or physical abuse, real or imagined rejection, homelessness, and the absence of spiritual, religious or life-affirming beliefs.
Loneliness-triggering events for children include, criticism, corporal punishment, sexual abuse, their parents divorce, not enough time spent with working parents, transfer to a new school, and schoolyard bullying. Even the rich, famous, and powerful can suffer from loneliness.
How should we respond when a loneliness-triggering event occurs in our lives? There are only two things we can do. We can allow the event to seize control over our lives, or we can remain in control. If we choose to succumb to loneliness and wallow in self-pity, our negative attitude will drive others away, isolating us, and thereby beginning the dangerous downward spiral that can lead to chronic loneliness. On the other hand, we can recognize that loneliness is a natural and inevitable experience that will defeat some and strengthen others. We can choose to join those who decide to overcome their suffering. Why not become a victor instead of a victim?
Overcoming loneliness
Here are some steps you can take to release yourself from the prison of loneliness.
Be your own best friend. Learn to like yourself. I dont mean that you should become egotistical, but just that you should feel good about yourself. Follow your conscience and you will be proud of yourself and happy to be in your own company. As Wayne Dyer wrote, "You cannot be lonely if you like the person you are alone with." Jean-Paul Sartre reversed the same idea when he wrote, "If you are lonely when you are alone, you are in bad company." So, if you are bad company, improve yourself until you are a pleasure to be around! If low self-esteem is holding you back, dont just whine, pick up a good book on the subject and apply its principles. If you are troubled by psychological pain you experienced in your childhood (criticism, rejection, ridicule, etc.), you can also learn how to heal your wounded child. There are many excellent books on the subject.
Help others. Loneliness drains ones energy. Lonely people may just sit around hoping to be noticed. Instead of focusing on themselves and experiencing their own pain, why dont they look outward and notice the pain of others? Think of all the lonely people in hospitals, for instance. Why stay at home and mope when we can visit hospital patients and relieve their loneliness? If we were to do so, wouldnt our loneliness disappear? Isnt it true that if we wish to have a friend, we must be a friend?
Accept responsibility. Stop blaming and start taking responsibility for the choices you make. Its time to make the right choices. You deserve to be happy. So, take the steps that will pull you out of the gutter of loneliness. Blame is self-defeating. Responsibility is self-actualizing. Live by the precept, "If it is to be, it is up to me."
Journaling. Need someone to talk to? Talk to yourself in a journal. Keeping a journal is cathartic. It will help purge yourself of negativity. Ask yourself questions and sit in silence until you get answers. Record the answers and apply them to your life. Example questions are: What would it be like not to be lonely? How would I act differently? What can I do to change my attitude and behavior? When will I accept responsibility for my own actions? When will I begin to take the steps I know I should take? What can I do now to begin overcoming my loneliness? Journaling is a valuable tool in regaining control over your life. There are several great books on the subject, look into it.
Plan in advance. When you know in advance that you will be alone, prepare by renting a hilarious video, borrowing an inspiring biography from the library, or catching up on chores youve been meaning to do.
Focus on the positive. If you dont have any friends, look in the mirror, and what do you see? A smile or a frown? If we walk around with a chip on our shoulder, we drive people away. Conversely, if we are polite and friendly, we attract others to us. If you wish to attract birds, scatter bread crumbs, if you wish to attract friends, scatter seeds of love.
Exercise. Loneliness is a state of passivity. To erase it you need to be active. Get involved in an exercise program. Exercise will make you feel better by improving your health, lifting your spirits, and boosting your confidence. And while doing so, you may make new friends.
There are many other things you can do, such as getting a pet and cultivating hobbies. If you cannot lift yourself out of loneliness unassisted, seek the help of a professional or join a local self-help group.
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