Perfect the Art of the Selfie

A part of 2014 resolution you can learn some tips of perfect the art of the selfie from celebrities for free.

Click here to view each celebrity's photo with a caption and a tip.

The Management Tip

From Harvad Business Review http://hbr.org/tip?date=122313

How to create magazines using Flipboard

Tips of how to create magazines using Flipboard; and how integrate various social media platforms such as Facebook,Twitter, Google plus, etc into it.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/life/ct-tribu-social-media-flipboard-magazines-20130926,0,2873190.story

Not hungry? Blame Instagram

Not hungry? Blame Instagram and other social media platforms because it killed your apatite by looking at multiple food photos. If you want to go on a diet, help your self by scrolling into more delicious food, but if you are not, read more about how to get over it.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/life/ct-tribu-social-media-instagram-tips-20131010,0,4685251.story

The Genius Of Raising Brilliant Kids: A Conversation With Jack Andraka's Parents

Read more about it here, also the article encluedes "30 Under 30" celebrities

If you aren't succesful, move on

If you aren't succesful, move on: "One of the main factors that discourage entrepreneurs from starting a business in the Gulf is the taboo of failure. Young men and women worry that if their project is not a success they will be forever labeled as failures rather than pioneers who tried their best. But the truth is that the taboo of failure does not only run in the young. It exists largely because it is not tolerated at the highest levels.

I always believe that each person should be encouraged to do their best. If they aren’t successful in a particular task, they should move on and keep the valuable lessons they gained from their experience.

In the Gulf it is no secret that many investment firms, real estate developers and banks have messed up. These companies over stretched their arms so far that they actually missed their targets and ended up in heavy debt. In some cases these firms had to resort to government bailouts - a term that was never used in the Gulf's dictionary.

So why are these institutions safeguarded from failure? Over 100 financial institutions have been allowed to fail in the US, including some of the most prominent ones, such as Lehman Brothers and Bear Sterns. In the UK, Northern Rock and HBOS are also examples. The same phenomenon can be seen all over the world but rarely in the Gulf.

We must keep in mind one rule of life that will never be changed: taking high risks to secure high returns also has a downside. No government in the world will be able to reverse that rule. When Gulf Bank in Kuwait took unnecessary risks by venturing into the derivatives and options markets - even though one board member who later became its chairman admitted that he had no idea what derivatives are - the bank failed miserably and had to be bailed out to the tune of KWD375 million. Rather than allow the bank to go under or be bought by another financial institution, the chairman stood down in favour of his brother, who, as a board member was witness to the risk taking.

In the UAE one government-owned developer is responsible for most of the owner’s debt and yet no changes have been made at the top. Also, banks across the Gulf have irresponsibly lent over US$10 billion to Maan Al Sanea’s Saad Group. This issue is so sensitive that a war of words broke up between the governors of the central banks of the Gulf via the Arabic media. Each one blamed the others for lack of supervision. Frankly, they are all responsible, but no one is willing to admit failure because this word does not exist in our dictionary.

In another case one Kuwaiti businessman committed suicide after allegations that he misappropriated several million dollars. Compare this with Bernard Madoff who is responsible for a $65 Billion fraud scheme and went about his life casually until his sentencing. In the Gulf you see, failure is taboo.

When a person is at the helm of a job, he may try his best and err. He should be replaced, but, ultimately, life goes on. There is no need to borrow billions of dollars to invest into bailing out failed individuals or the foreign firms they invested in to avoid labeling these investments as failures. After all, investment is a part of life; you can’t win all the battles. Bailing out these banks and investment institutions actually sends the wrong message in some instances. That message is: 'You can be irresponsible with the public’s money but the government will jump right in and save you.' The correct message should be: 'Try your best but if aren’t successful move on with life.'

Governments will never be able to secure jobs for all the region's youth in the public sector. Expanding the private sector and encouraging entrepreneurship are the only ways that we will be able to accommodate the aspiring youth of the region and secure the growth that we aspire to. In that process, failure is not uncommon. Not every new business that is started will be a success. By maintaining the taboo of failure, however, we are discouraging people from starting businesses, and that is the real failure of our societies.

How do we in the Gulf expect the young and hesitant entrepreneurs to take risks and start their own businesses when our governments frown upon failure?

*This article first appeared in Moneyworks magazine in the November issue.

"

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.

365 days

No man / woman is busy in this world all 365 days.

The sky is not going to fall down if you take few days LEAVE and meet your dear ones.

OFFICE WORK IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE and MONEY MAKING IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE.

Don't break the elastic!

Read to the end, you will laugh just picturing it happening.
I love the thoughts she lives by!!!
I didn't break the elastic...


Don't break the elastic!

Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.

And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting...'
Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day.....like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:
'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'

'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'

'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'

'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back....'


'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'


'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one..'

'I' ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.'

'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn..'


'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

A Simple thing called marriage

A simple message from my friends, I thought of sharing with you:

A Simple thing called marriage……

‘When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no one wants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50-60 percent, it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding Mr/Ms Right! If you ask most couples who are engaged why they’re getting married, they’ll say: ‘We’re in love.” this is the #1 mistake people make when they date.

Choosing a life partner should never be based on love (alone). Though this may sound not politically correct, there’s a profound truth here. Love (alone) is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: You can’t build a lifetime relationship on love alone. You need a lot more. Here are questions you must ask yourself if you’re serious about finding and keeping a life partner.

QUESTION #1:

Do we share a common life purpose? Why is this so important? Let me put it this way: If you’re married for 20 or 30 years, that’s a long time to live with someone. What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose. Two things can happen in a marriage. You can grow together, or you can grow apart. 50 percent of the people out there are growing apart. To make a marriage work, you need to know what you want out of life - bottomline - and marry someone who wants the same thing.

QUESTION #2:

Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person? This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship. Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust! i. e. trust that I won’t get ‘punished’ or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings. A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.

QUESTION #3:

Is he/she a mensch? A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person. How can you test? Here are some suggestions. i) Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis? ii) Are they serious about improving themselves? A teacher of mine defines a good person as ’someone who is always striving to be good and do the right thing’. ‘So, ask about your significant other: What do they do with their time? Is this person materialistic?’ Usually, a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character refinement. There are essentially two types of people in the world: People who are dedicated to personal growth and people who are dedicated to seeking comfort. Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing. You need to know that before walking down the aisle.

QUESTION #4:

How does he/she treat other people? The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give. By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure. Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up in themselves and self-absorbed? To measure this, think about the following: i) How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as waiters, bus boys, taxi drivers, etc? ii) How do they treat parents and siblings? Do they have gratitude and appreciation? Do they show respect? If they don’t have gratitude for the people who have given them everything, you cannot expect that they’ll have gratitude for you - who can’t do nearly as much for them! iii) Do they gossip and speak badly about others? Someone who gossips cannot be someone who loves others. You can be sure that someone who treats others poorly, will eventually treat you poorly as well.

QUESTION #5:

Is there anything I’m hoping to change about this person after we’re married? Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to ‘improve’ them after they’re married. As a colleague of mine puts it, ‘You can probably expect someone to change after marriage … for the worse!’ If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them. In conclusion, dating doesn’t have to be difficult and treacherous. The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart. It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating, to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues. Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don’t want to find yourself in trouble because you didn’t do your homework.

So here comes the most important question: HOW WILL I KNOW IF I’VE MET THE PERSON I SHOULD MARRY?

The choice of a marriage partner should not be based on ‘I get a warm, wonderful feeling whenever we’re together and I want to have that warm wonderful feeling forever, so let’s go get married’. Feelings, as we have discussed, have no logic on their own. They need to be acknowledged, of course, but they need considerable assistance from your brain. Marriage means choosing the person you will spend the rest of your life with. This, as you may have guessed, is a very long time to spend with one person. This person will live with you, eat meals with you, sleep with you and go on vacation with you. More important yet, this person will share your children. You need to choose wisely. The decision should not be made based on feelings alone. You need to ask yourself some tough questions.

The decisions have to be made on solid considerations.

· Will this person be a good partner?

· Is she/he mature enough to put her own selfish desires aside to look out for what is best for the family?

· Is he prepared to be a good provider?

· What is his track record?

· Is he responsible enough to get a good job and keep it?

· Will this person be a good parent?

Can you stand the thought of your children turning out exactly like this person?

They will, you know. Children spend a lot of time with their parents and consequently pick up many or most of their parents’ character traits. You had better like your spouse’s traits a lot because you will be seeing them again in your children.

If something were to happen to you, would you completely trust this person alone, with the task of raising and forming your children? This is not a pleasant thought, but it is an important consideration. Not everyone dies at a ripe old age with great grandchildren gathered around the bed. Sometimes a parent dies and leaves young children in the care of the other parent. If you feel that you would need to be around to correct or lessen this person’s influence on your children, then you are considering the wrong person.

Does this person share your faith in God/ Spiritualism?

God does not give us children so that we can mould them into the coolest, most popular people in school. Our job is to make them responsible, humble, spiritual and balanced human beings. To do that, we need to raise them believing in God and or being spiritual. It is tough to do that if only one parent believes or is spiritual. Saying ‘This is right and that is wrong, and I want you to ignore Mommy until you are thirty-five does not work. Small children ask about eight million questions in a single day. The answers to those questions go a long way toward forming the kind of adults they will become. Who will be answering those questions for your children?

Chemical Symbols On Plastic

Did you happen to notice a triangle symbol on the bottom of a plastic bottle with a number inside it?

Do you know what the number stands for?

THE NUMBER TELLS YOU THE CHEMICAL MAKE UP OF THE PLASTIC.....

1) Polyethylene terephalate (PET)

2) High density polyethylene (HDPE)

3) Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) or Plasticised polyvinyl chloride (PPVC)

4) Low density polyethylene LDPE

5) Polypropylene (PP)

6) Polystyrene (PS) or Expandable polystyrene (EPS)

7) Other, including nylon and acrylic

What you aren't told is that many of the plastics used are toxic and the chemicals used to create a plastic can leach out of the plastic and into the food / drink.

Think about it, how many times have you or a friend said

"I don't like this, it taste like the plastic bottle ..... "

THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE TASTING THE PLASTIC The WORST ONES are Nos: 3, 6, and 7 !!!

DO NOT USE THESE NUMBERS if stated at the bottom of the bottle) !!!

Check out this chart that breaks down the plastic, its uses and chemical makeup

(I find #7 a little scary)

http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_plascod3.html

AVOID re-using plastic bottles RIGHT AWAY!!!

Man Vs Cat

A man hated his wife's cat and he decided to get rid of it. He drove 20 blocks away from home and dropped the cat there The cat was already walking up the driveway when he approached his home.

The next day, he decided to drop the cat 40 blocks away but the same thing happened. He kept increasing the number of blocks but the cat kept coming home before him. At last he decided to drive a few miles away, turn right, then left,past the bridge, then right again and another right and so on until he reached what he thought was a perfect spot and dropped the cat there.

An hour later.... The man calls his wife at home and asked her, "Jenis the cat there?" "Yes, why do you ask?" answered the wife. Frustrated the man said, "Put that damn cat on the phone, I am lost and I need directions to reach home!!!"

Moral: “How much ever we dislike somebody, someday we will need their assistance. So never worry how many people dislike you... ”

A Quick Refresher - Other Sunnahs of High Importance

Other Sunnahs of High Importance of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]

• Using a miswaak is a great Sunnah of Rasulullah (S.a.w.) One who makes miswaak when making wuzu and thereafter performs salaah will receive 70 times more reward. It will also enable one to easily recite the kalima at the time of death.
• To take a Ghusl bath on a Friday.
• To apply atar (applies to men only).
• To show mercy to those that are younger than you.
• To respect your elders.
• It is sunnah to ponder over Allah Ta'ala and His Creation.
• For men to keep a beard that is one fist in length.
• To visit a Muslim when he is sick.
• To be good towards ones neighbour.
• To meet a Muslim with a cheerful face.
• To care for the poor and the needy.
• To keep good relations with all your relatives.
• To honour a guest even though he may not be of a very high position.
• To greet all Muslims by saying " Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu".
• To keep the gaze on the ground whilst walking...
• To speak softly and politely.
• To command people to do good.
• To forbid them from doing evil.
• To carry ones shoes in the left hand.
• To make wuzu at home before going to the Masjid.
• To enter the Masjid with the right foot.
• To leave the Masjid with the left foot.
• To recite some portion of the Quran Shareef daily.
• To be hospitable towards one's guest.
• To exchange gifts with one another.
• To make dua to Allah Ta'ala for the fulfillment of one's needs in what ever language one desires.
• To consult with one's parents, teachers or elders before doing any work.
• To respect one's parents.

A Quick Refresher - Sunnahs of the Home

Sunnahs of the Home of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]

• To recite the dua before entering the home..
• To greet those that are in the house with "Assalaamu Alaykum". Even though it may be your own house.
• To announce ones arrival by coughing, greeting, etc.

A Quick Refresher - Sunnahs of the Toilet

Sunnahs of the Toilet of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]

• Enter the toilet with your head covered.
• To enter the toilet with shoes.
• Recite the dua before entering the toilet.( i...e. Allahumma inni audhubika minal khubuthi wal khabaith )
• Enter with the left foot.
• To sit and urinate. One should never urinate whilst Standing.
• To leave the toilet with the right foot.
• To recite the dua after coming out of the toilet ( i.e. Ghufranaka )
• One should not face Qiblah or show his back towards the Qiblah.
• Do not speak in the toilet.
• Be very careful of the splashes of urine (being unmindful in this regard causes one to be punished in the grave).
• After relieving oneself, to cleanse oneself using water.
  

A Quick Refresher - Sunnahs when wearing clothes

Sunnahs when wearing clothes of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]

• Rasulullah (S.a.w.) loved white Clothing.
• When putting on any garment Rasulallah (S.a.w...) always began with the right limb.
• When removing any garment Rasullallah (S.a.w.) always removed the left limb first.
• Males must wear the pants above the ankles. Females should ensure that their lower garment covers their ankles.
• Males should wear a "topee" or turban. Females must wear scarves at all times.
• When wearing shoes, first wear the right shoe then the left.
• When removing them first remove the left and then The right.
  

A Quick Refresher - Sunnahs on Awakening

Sunnahs on Awakening of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]

• On awakening rub the face and the eyes with the palms of the hands in order to remove the effects of sleep.
• Thereafter recite the dua on awakening. ( i.e... Al hamdu lillahi alladhi ahyana baada ma amaytana wa ilaihinnushur )
• On awakening cleanse the mouth with a miswaak...
  

A Quick Refresher - Sunnahs of Sleeping

Sunnahs of Sleeping of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]

• To sleep in the state of Wudhu.
• To make the bed yourself.
• Dust the bed thrice before retiring to bed.
• One should change into some other clothes (e.g.pyjamas ) before going to sleep.
• It is Sunnah to sleep immediately after Isha Salaah.
• To apply surmah in both the eyes.
• To brush the teeth with a miswaak.
• To sleep on the right hand side.
• To sleep with the right palm under the right cheek.
• To keep the knees slightly bent when sleeping.
• To sleep on a bed or to sleep on the floor are both sunnah.
• To face Qiblah, if possible.
• To recite Surah Mulk, before sleeping.
• To recite Ayatul Kursi.
• To recite Surah Ikhlaas, Surah Falaq and Surah Naas before sleeping 3 times and thereafter blow over the entire body thrice.
• Recite Tasbeeh-e-Fathima before sleeping.( i.e. 33 X Subhan Allah 33 X Alhamdulillah and 34 X Allahu Akbar).
• To recite the dua before sleeping. ( i.e. Bi ismik allahumma amutu wa ahya )
• To wake up for Tahajjud Salaah.
  

A Quick Refresher - Sunnahs of drinking

Sunnahs of drinking of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]

• A Muslim should drink with the right hand. Shaytaan Drinks with the left hand.
• Sit and drink.
• Recite "Bismillah" before drinking.
• After drinking say "Alhamdullilah".
• Drink in 3 breaths removing the utensil from the mouth after each sip.
• Do not drink directly from the jug or bottle. One should pour the contents into a glass first and then drink.

A Quick Refresher - Sunnahs of Eating

Sunnahs of Eating of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]

• Sit while eating.
• Spread out a cloth on the floor first before eating..
• Wash both hands up to the wrists before eating.
• Recite "Bismillah wa'la barakatillah" aloud.
• Eat with the right hand.
• Eat from the side that is in front of you.
• If a morsel of food falls down, pick it up, clean it and eat it.
• Do not find or announce fault with the food.
• While eating, sit with either both knees on the ground or one knee raised or both knees raised.
• Clean the plate and other utensils thoroughly after eating.
• By doing this, the utensils make dua for one's forgiveness.
• Recite dua after eating. (Al hamdu lillahi ladhi atamana saqana wa jaalna minal musalamin)
• After meals wash both the hands.
• Eat with three fingers if possible.
• One should not eat very hot food.
• Do not blow on the food.
• After eating one should lick his fingers.