Ultimates

Above video is presented by Nick Vujicic. Watch till end to feel the meaning of this video.

Nicholas James Vujicic (born 4 December 1982) is a preacher, a motivational speaker and the Director of the non-profit organisation Life Without Limbs. Born without limbs due to the rare Tetra-amelia disorder, Vujicic had to live a life of difficulties and hardships throughout his childhood. However, he managed to get over these hardships and, at seventeen, started his own non-profit organization Life Without Limbs.

For last few days, I was wondering, thinking & meditating on one question : “What is the root cause of all problems that we suffer from?”.

I was encountered with the final answer as a part of self-realization that it is nothing but some kind of “FEAR”.

Fear of death, fear of failure, fear of lack of things, fear of relationships, fear of intimacy, fear of flying, fear of heights, fear of disease and thus fear of millions of things & emotions.

Now after realizing that the root cause to each and every problem is some kind of a fear, I am wondering and thinking now that what can be the solution to overcome it in a REAL way? I mean, enough of stressful self-help advises on this subject. They really don’t bring any real CHANGE. All what they can do is that they can provide us with some temporary motivation. But then again, the original situation arises.

So now, instead of focusing on such temporary solutions, I am asking myself to focus on some permanent solution. I am not sure, how long will I be able to focus on it or even to achieve the answer, but for sure there is some pinching curiosity going on, which tells me that “Damn it, enough is enough.”

I have heard and also believe that the self-introspection (some would call it spiritual journey) is a process where one should not look for the end-result or destination, rather enjoy the journey which teaches you something new, where you unlearn your old learnings as well where you relearn few things in a fresh manner, so I’m simply, without any mission or a destination, enjoying my self-talk. If I come across some concrete realization, I will surely share it with you.

In the meantime, if you have any thoughts, experience or some realization on this subject, you are welcome to share it with us.

Aparna received a call from a bank with which she has a credit card, offering her a ‘loan on credit card’. Yes, loan on credit card! She assumed it to be a cash withdrawal facility on the credit card. On further conversation with the phone banker, she realized that it is not the same as cash withdrawal on her card. So she decided to explore this loan option.

What is a loan on credit card?

Loan on credit card is similar to personal loans, but this is pre-approved, and it comes without the need for any documentation. Even though a personal loan is among the quickest options for obtaining a loan, some bit of documentation is still required and hence it may take a couple of days at least for it to come through. However, in case of a loan on credit card, there is no need for any documentation and hence it is the quickest source of unsecured finance.

Loan on credit cards is often mistaken for cash withdrawal on credit cards. The key difference is the interest rate charged – interest on loan on credit card will be similar to or a few notches higher than that of a personal loan while interest on cash withdrawals tend to be much higher and also the limit on cash withdrawal could be much lower than that of the eligible loan amount on the credit card.

This facility may be best suited when there is an immediate/urgent need for cash and you cash withdrawal limit is insufficient to satisfy your need. Cash withdrawal on credit card can satisfy your need at the spur of the moment but it comes with a high interest rate. Hence, it makes more economic sense to opt for loan on credit card vis a viz the cash withdrawal facility because the interest rate is lower and the loan disbursal is also quick because of no documentation needed. You will either receive a demand draft from the bank or a direct transfer to your bank account.

Features

1. Loan on credit card is akin to a personal loan with the advantage that there is no documentation involved as it is preapproved. So disbursal is quick.

2. Processing fee will be charged which would be a minimum of a particular sum or a percentage of the loan amount.

3. The repayment will be in monthly installments and there would be a prepayment facility too with a charge on prepayment. The EMIs will be billed to the credit card every month.

4. The loan can be for a maximum tenure of 24 months with slabs of 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.

5. The rate of interest will be dependent on the type of card i.e. gold, silver and platinum and the credit profile of the customer. So managing your credit score and your credit history is key as the rate of interest quoted will take into consideration those factors.

Can every person having a credit card get a loan on the credit card?

Credit card issuers provide this facility to individuals having a good credit repayment history and a high credit standing. If you have a good track record over the tenure for which you own the credit card, banks would provide you with this facility. In some cases, with improved income levels over the years a person could also upgrade his credit card from silver to gold for instance and increase his loan eligibility or request for a top up loan as well!

Banks such as HDFC Bank, Deutsche Bank and ICICI bank to name a few offer the loan on credit card facility and to check if you are eligible for the loan you need to call the customer care and get the details needed.

What is the quantum of loan provided?

The quantum of loan on the credit card is dependent on the credit limit on the card which in turn is dependent on your income, repayment history and credentials. The quantum of loan generally tends to be higher than the cash withdrawal limit.

To the extent of the loan taken, most banks will block the cash withdrawal limit. So if the loan taken exceeds the cash withdrawal limit, your card cannot be used to withdraw any cash till the time the loan amount falls below the cash withdrawal limit. Also banks can block the credit limit on the card to the extent of the outstanding loan amount.

Should you opt for a loan on credit card?

Loan on credit card is an unsecured loan and hence the rate of interest will be higher than any secured loan. If you’re looking for an unsecured loan, then it may make sense to find out from your credit card issuer, the rate of interest charged on the loan against the credit card and then compare the same against the interest charged on personal loans. If the rate differential is insignificant and your need for cash is urgent, loan on credit card can be explored. Bear in mind that your cash withdrawal facility on the card will be restricted and also many a times the credit card limit will also be curtailed to the extent of the outstanding loan amount. So your usage of the credit card will be constrained.

The first area that we look at is that of Personal Attributes. This is a blend of knowledge, expertise, and competencies, encapsulated in the approach, the behavior, of the leader. In organizations of all sizes and in all sectors, public and private, these characteristics are key to effective leadership. The essential personal attributes are as follows.

Behaving Ethically, by: learning about the ethical issues and concerns that impact on your business sector; adopting a balanced, open-minded approach to the ethical concerns of others; considering the ethical issues and implications of all personal actions and organizational activity; raising and discussing ethical issues before proposing or agreeing to decisions; resisting pressures from the organization or its partners to achieve objectives by unethical means.

Thinking Strategically, by: learning and understanding how the different functions, physical divisions, and layers, of the organization should work together: understanding the complexities of, and the changes happening in, the external environment, and considering how the organization can best respond the these; understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, and the opportunities and threats facing it; understanding how the strategic objectives are influenced by all the current and forecast influences that will impact on the organization; understanding that the operational objectives and targets must be in line with and support the strategic objectives of the organization; being aware of and responding to the behavior of current and potential competitors.

Supporting Corporate Goals, by: helping to create and communicate a vision which can be understood and supported by people at all levels; helping others to understand and contribute to the strategic goals; giving visible personal support to the strategic direction and specific goals set by the organization.

Communicating Effectively, by: being responsive to messages and signals from the internal and external environments; making effective use of communication channels from and to all levels within the organization; pro-actively encourage the exchange of information within the organization, and amongst suppliers, customers and partners; listening to others, including those with opposing views, carefully and thoughtfully; selecting personal communication styles that are appropriate to the different situations and audiences.

Gathering Information, by: establishing multiple channels and networks which generate a constant flow of information, from within and outside the organization; regularly and consistently gathering, analyzing, challenging, and using the information gathered.

Making Decisions, by: establishing a consistent approach to the analysis of information; drawing on personal experience and knowledge to identify current and potential problems; consider a range of solutions before selecting the final one; ensuring that the selected decision is feasible, achievable, and affordable; considering the impact of the decision on all stakeholders, at all levels, before approving implementation.

Developing Effective Teams, by: appreciating the contribution of others, at all levels in the organization; ensuring that individuals and teams are kept informed of plans, developments and issues that will affect them; ensuring that individual and team development schemes are given appropriate priority; providing personal support for the implementation and maintenance of development activities for individuals and teams at all levels.

Behaving Assertively, by: understanding and responding to personal roles and responsibilities; adopting a leading role in initiating action and decision making; taking personal responsibility for decisions and actions; being properly prepared for involvement in activities and events; being confident and professional in dealing with change and challenges; refusing unreasonable demands; defending and protecting individuals and teams from unfair or discriminatory actions; remaining professional in manner at all times.

Concentrating On Results, by: contributing to the establishment of an organizational culture that demands high standards and high levels of performance; focusing on objectives and planned outcomes, at all times; dealing with issues and problems when they arise; planning and scheduling personal work and the work of others in ways which make best use of available resources; delegating appropriately; giving personal attention to the critical issues and events.

Managing Yourself, by: reflecting regularly on personal performance and progress; pro-actively asking for feedback on personal performance; changing personal behavior in the light of feedback received; being responsible for your own personal development needs.

Presenting a Positive Image, by: adopting a leading role in initiating action and decision making; behaving in a professional manner at all times; being open-minded and responsive to the needs of others; visibly working towards personal and career development goals; adopting an ethical approach to all personal and organizational activity; being supportive to colleagues; demonstrating fairness and integrity at all times.

In Summary: these essential attributes are many, and difficult to maintain consistently, but they are the attributes needed by, and expected of, our business leaders. The size of the organization, the business sector, whether public or private, is of no consequence. The leaders of all organizations should be role models for others, be visible champions of high standards of professional and ethical behavior, be leaders who others in their organizations can be proud of, and be leaders that competitors are envious of. Not many of these characteristics are imbued in our leaders by default. They have to be learned, can be learned, and should then be continuously developed and enhanced. With these personal attributes in place, and being demonstrated in behavior and actions, business leaders will be more effective and more successful.
 

“Motivation will almost always beat mere talent.”  ~ Norman Augustine

I truly believe Augustine’s words are true and if you look at history you know it is true. There are many people in the world with amazing talents who realize only a small percentage of their potential. We all know people who live this truth.

We also know those epic stories, those modern-day legends surrounding the early failures of such supremely successful folks as Michael Jordan and Bill Gates. We can look a bit further back in time to Albert Einstein or even further back to Abraham Lincoln. What made each of these people so successful? Motivation.

We know this in our gut, but what can we do about it? How can we motivate ourselves? One of the most difficult aspects of achieving success is staying motivated over the long haul.

Motivation is not an accident or something that someone else can give you — you are the only one with the power to motivate you. Motivation cannot be an external force, it must come from within as the natural product of your desire to achieve something and your belief that you are capable to succeed at your goal.

Positive pleasure-oriented goals are much more powerful motivators than negative fear-based ones. Although each is successful separately, the right combination of both is the most powerful motivational force known to humankind.

Here are some tips and methods for motivating yourself:

~ Use a past defeat as a motivator. Remind yourself you have nowhere to go except up as you have already been at the bottom.

~ Give yourself the power of responsibility. Remind yourself the only thing stopping you is yourself.

~ Make a list of your achievements toward your long-term goal and remind yourself that intentions don’t count, only action’s.

~ Do it today. Remind yourself of someone you know who died suddenly and the fact that there is no guarantee that tomorrow will come.

~ Let success motivate you. Find a picture of what epitomizes success to you and then pull it out when you are in need of motivation.

Reflect and experiment until you find the right combination of motivators for your personality and your personal goals. I’ll leave you with this final motivating quote:

“What drives me? The thing that drives me most is the desire to find my limits–and extend them.” ~ Richard Marino

Now go push your own limits and succeed!

You’re bored. Tired of what you do. You’re not even close to where you hoped your business would be by now. You feel like you’re losing ground and don’t know how to get energized and ready for the next round.

It happens to nearly everyone. Even though we know it takes most people two to four years to get a business off the ground and making money, we somehow believe we will be the exception to the rule. Or we just forget how long two to four years actually is. It doesn’t help that every time we turn on the news, echoes of the declining economy ring in our ears.

Plenty of people are thriving, even in this economy, and you can, too. More important, you can regain your passion for what you do. Follow some of these suggestions to boost your flagging enthusiasm:

# Take the next step to becoming savvier about what’s going on in your field. Buy a subscription to that industry magazine you considered a luxury. Become a presenter or simply attend a conference you’ve always wanted to go to. You can always become more involved, whether it’s helping at a local event, writing articles for publication or lobbying for a cause your industry cares about.

# Sharpen your skills. You may be good at what you do. But someone else in your field knows more than you do, has more skills than you do or has that extra edge. Nothing chases away a slump faster than learning something new. Government agencies, businesses and schools all offer tons of e-learning opportunities at low cost. Look for training sessions at local universities or interest groups.

# Find a mentor. One of the best ways to insulate yourself against business failure is to find and work with a mentor, someone with business experience who can guide and assist you. One place to begin is findamentor.org, a free website with a database of mentors and apprentices–a safe community where people can find support for achieving their desires. Find the right people to give you advice at the right stages in your career, be it one person or 20. Nothing is better than having a go-to person with whom to discuss your business ideas and concerns.

# Grow your network. You know you need a professional network of people to help you open doors, get you in someone’s office or help you close a deal. But there are other advantages, too. When you find the right group of people and you click, it can be fun. Group events, socializing one-on-one and even commiserating about similar situations and feelings can remind you that you aren’t alone and that a new day is just around the corner.

# Dealing with naysayers. Most of us deal with some clients or customers we can’t seem to please, no matter what we do. Take their comments in stride and see if what they are saying is honest. If it is, take measures to improve your business. If it’s not, focus on the positive testimonials you have gotten. Remind yourself how many people you are helping. Keep a folder of those positive comments and revisit them often. Better yet, add those testimonials to your website. They’re great for attracting new clients and are a real mood booster when you’re having “one of those days.”

Technorati Tags: Reignite Your Passion

I like my cricket. Good, solid Test cricket that is. And not the hamburger version Mr. Modi let leash upon our senses over the last couple of years. This month, thankfully, has been good for Test cricket.

The brightest moment in this period has come from a genial Tamil man called Muttiah Muralitharan, albeit at the expense of Indian cricket. Playing in his last Test match against India, Murali (as he is fondly called) picked up eight wickets to reach the unbelievable figure of 800 Test wickets in his career.

And the 800th was picked up off the last ball of the match. It is a feat so gargantuan that I must concede is far beyond anything Sachin Tendulkar or Don Bradman achieved in their careers. It is a feat that will never be matched. Not in my lifetime for sure.

I wonder how sweet that feat must have tasted for Murali. It was his last Test match and it was against the team considered the best against spin. But also because Murali knew failure before any success.

Back in 1995, during the Boxing Day Test between Sri Lanka and Australia, Australian umpire Darrell Hair called Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing in front of a 50,000 strong crowd. Hair called Murali a total of seven times.

Murali was 23 then. And it began a saga of scrutiny beyond comparison in modern cricket. He was vilified by many, called a cheat by a few and never respected by a couple more. Never mind that the best experts had cleared his action, in tests that he went through willingly. His hounding was unparalleled in cricket. A lesser man would have crumbled.

To say that the year 1995 was the turning point in this man’s life is not an exaggeration. It was also the lowest of depths for a professional cricketer. But true champions show their mettle when it’s wanted of them. And show Murali did. He tried harder. He got better.

Before 1995, Murali had picked up 81 wickets in 23 Test matches. In the next 25 matches, he took 146 wickets. In the next 85 matches, he took 573 wickets. In all, he took 22 ten-wicket hauls and 67 five-wicket hauls. The best-ever figures.

Now tell me, how sweet must have 800 tasted after what happened in 1995? It is something entrepreneurs can really learn from. Just because your business failed, does not mean that you have failed. Just because your idea was ridiculed by one, does not mean that you are a joker. Just because you lost one customer, does not mean that you suck at sales.

Failure is the bedrock of every successful entrepreneur. We all understand that the fear of failure fuels an entrepreneur’s fire. But failure itself should also be the catalyst for doing it all over again, but better. It should be a reason for punching life back in the guts. A real entrepreneur must get at the game again. Ask me, I did. And I am better for it.

Technorati Tags: failure, step to success

New parents are full of concerns about what regular household activities may pose a threat or present problems for their newest family member. At some point the question about the best ways to wash baby clothing will arise. Parents typically ask whether there is a certain type off detergent that they should use, whether it is safe to wash baby clothes with the rest of the family’s clothing and what special steps should be taken with cloth diapers if they are being used.

Detergent

This is a valid concern. It is not atypical for certain detergents to irritate the skin of adults and older children, so it is certainly feasible that a baby’s tender and sensitive skin can be easily irritated by harsh detergents. There are several detergents on the market that are supposedly intended for baby’s clothing, but there is not much difference between them and other mild detergents. The best choice for parents to make in this area is to purchase mild detergent that is free from added colors and fragrances and wash the clothing in that. If the baby does develop a rash or seems to be experiencing skin discomfort of any kind, the first thing to do is consult the family pediatrician. The doctor may simply recommend that a different detergent be used, but will also be able to determine if there is a more serious problem.

Washing Baby Clothes with Family Clothes

Some parents feel that the baby’s clothing needs to be washed separately from that of the rest of the family. The rationale for this is that the other family members’ clothing could somehow taint or contaminate the baby’s. There is no reason to worry about this and it is perfectly safe to wash baby’s clothes and bedding along with everyone else’s. The exception to this rule is cloth diapers. If parents are using cloth diapers and washing them at home rather than using a diaper service, they must be washed apart from everything else.

Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers are fading into memory, replaced by the more convenient disposable brands that are on the market. For families that choose to use these, however, there are some special considerations. The most sanitary way to utilize reusable cloth diapers is to contract a diaper service. This will take away the hassle of washing the diapers at home and ensure that the replacement diapers are sterile. For families that choose to wash at home, the previous paragraph details that they should be kept separate from all other laundry. Storing the diapers until wash time must be done as sanitarily as possible. This means rinsing the cloth diaper in the toilet to remove solid wastes, then storing it in a pail until it is time to be washed. The pail should be covered to prevent odor and lined with a disposable or washable liner. The pail, lid, and liner should be cleaned whenever the diapers are and the soiled diapers should be washed at least twice weekly.

Technorati Tags: babyclothes

Who doesn’t get excited when a baby is on its way? Aside from their caring mothers, everyone in the family gets that certain thrill. Welcoming yet another being in this beautiful world comes with a certain joy. So how else can you celebrate a soon-to-be-child arrival? Have a blast with a baby shower party.

Planning a baby shower can be really fun. You can create your own party as you wish. You can either go traditional or put a little humor to your event. You can choose whatever theme you want. Unleash your creativity. The main goal is simply to have your baby shower unforgettable and fun for everyone.

To get you started, the tips below can absolutely help you with the steps of creating that perfect baby shower party for you.

Be prepared
Plan ahead of time. It is best to hold baby showers either on the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy.

Look for a perfect location.
You can opt to have your house or the backyard as your event area. If you have an extravagant budget you can scout for convenient party places which can hold your guests.

Set the right date and time
Be sure to check out your guests? availability, from there schedule where most of your expected guests can be free. Set a date that could easily fit to their other engagements.

Think of the perfect theme
There are hundreds of baby shower themes that you can choose from. Popular choices are teddies, cartoon themes, or balloons. The possibilities are endless.

Surprise her
To make the party more momentous, you can make a surprise baby shower for the guest of honor. Consult her close and relatives when preparing your guest list.

Impress with invitations
Send out invitations at least three weeks before the event. Match your invitations with the theme of the party itself with the theme of the party itself. Be sure that the invitations contain all vital information like date, time and sketched- up location. Be creative in designing your invitations.
 

Technorati Tags: babyshower

1. If you are right handed, you will tend to chew your food on your right side. If you are left handed, you will tend to chew your food on your left side.

2. If you stop getting thirsty, you need to drink more water. For when a human body is dehydrated, its thirst mechanism shuts off.

3. Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.

4. Your tongue is germ free only if it is pink. If it is white there is a thin film of bacteria on it.

5. The Mercedes-Benz motto is “Das Beste oder Nichts” meaning “the best or nothing”.

6. The Titanic was the first ship to use the SOS signal.

7. The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45 percent when a person looks at something pleasing.

8. The average person who stops smoking requires one hour less sleep a night.

9. Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.

10. The roar that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in the ear.

11. Dalmatians are born without spots.

12. Bats always turn left when exiting a cave.

13. The ‘v’ in the name of a court case does not stand for ‘versus’, but for ‘and’ (in civil proceedings) or ‘against’ (in criminal proceedings).

14. Men’s shirts have the buttons on the right, but women’s shirts have the buttons on the left.

15. The owl is the only bird to drop its upper eyelid to wink. All other birds raise their lower eyelids.

16. The reason honey is so easy to digest is that it’s already been digested by a bee.

17. Roosters cannot crow if they cannot extend their necks.

18. The color blue has a calming effect.It causes the brain to release calming hormones.

19. Every time you sneeze some of your brain cells die.

20. Your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart.

21. The verb “cleave” is the only English word with two synonyms which are antonyms of each other: adhere and separate.

22. When you blush, the lining of your stomach also turns red.

23. When hippos are upset, their sweat turns red.

24. The first Harley Davidson motorcycle was built in 1903, and used a tomato can for a carburetor.

25. The lion that roars in the MGM logo is named Volney.

26. Google is actually the common name for a number with a million zeros.

27. Switching letters is cal led spoonerism. For example, saying jag of Flapan, instead of flag of Japan.

28. It cost 7 million dollars to build the Titanic and 200 million to make a film about it.

29. The attachment of the human skin to muscles is what causes dimples.

30. There are 1,792 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

31. The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually the sound of nitrogen gas bubbles bursting.

32. Human hair and fingernails continue to grow after death.

33. It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body.

34. The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets.

35. Most soccer players run 7 miles in a game.

36. The only part of the body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air.

37. Every day 200 million couples make love, 400,000 babies are born, and 140,000 people die.

38. In most watch advertisements the time displayed on the watch is 10:10 because then the arms frame the brand of the watch (and make it look like it is smiling).

39. Colgate faced big obstacle marketing toothpaste in Spanish speaking countries. Colgate translates into the command “go hang yourself.”

40. The only 2 animals that can see behind itself without turning its head are the rabbit and the parrot.

41. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

42. The average person laughs 13 times a day.

43. Do you know the names of the three wise monkeys? They are:Mizar (See no evil), Mikazaru (Hear no evil), and Mazaru(Speak no evil)

44. Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

45. German Shepherds bite humans more than any other breed of dog.

46. Large kangaroos cover more than 30 feet with each jump.

47. Whip makes a cracking sound because its tip moves faster than the speed of sound.

48. Two animal rights protesters were protesting at the cruelty of sending pigs to a slaughterhouse in Bonn.Suddenly the pigs, all two thousand of them, escaped through a broken fence and stampeded, trampling the two hapless protesters to death.

49. If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural cause.

50. The human heart creates enough pressure while pumping to squirt blood 30 feet!!

Technorati Tags: 50 Interesting Facts