Think Before You Speak.........

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day, the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students...? "

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Test of Three?"

"That's correct," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say.

The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man replied, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness.

Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really..."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

So next time you hear a rumour about someone, think about what Socrates said.

Rumours can change slightly each time they're told, so they get more exaggerated over time. Please forward this mail to raise awareness. Thank you.

Garlic Cold Prevention and Remedy

Garlic (Allium sativum) is not only a culinary mainstay, but also an antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal tonic.

To help prevent or lessen the severity and symptoms of a cold, eat two cloves of raw garlic at the onset of symptoms.
Chopping or mashing garlic releases the herb's full potential as the active component, allicin, forms only on contact with air.

To make garlic oil, crush a few cloves into some olive oil. Let the oil sit for a few days at room temperature, and then strain.
If you use powders, tinctures or other commercial garlic products, choose those standardized for allicin content.

For a less-intense flavor, put garlic in applesauce or mix with honey.

To avoid garlic mouth, don't chew it and it won't stay on your breath.

Coffee Cup...Worth reading and Reflecting

Worth reading.............. and giving it a thought as well .........

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor.

Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to hot coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and were eying each others cups.

Now if life is coffee, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change. Some times, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it."

Don't let the cups drive you... Enjoy the coffee in stead

Thought for the Week

As I grow to understand life less and less,
I learn to love it more and more.

There are no classes in life for beginners: right away you are always asked to deal with what is most difficult.

One way to get the most out of life is
to look upon it as an adventure.

The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live.

Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think.

After the game,
the king and the pawn go into the same box

10 Paths to Self Discovery

Ten Steps to Loving Yourself.

Louise Hay's famous book, 'You Can Heal Your Life' has helped countless people on the path to self discovery, and ultimately loving themselves.
We humans are abundant in the excuses that we manufacture as to why we are unable to love ourselves.
This underlying core belief of not being worthy stops us from reaching the very thing we say we so desperately want. It doesn't have to be that way! You have a choice, and if you follow Louise's ten steps , you will reach the destination you have been yearning for all your life.

Remember, the secret is loving yourself , so here goes are you willing to change? If you are, here is what you do.

1. Put an end to all criticism —— it never achieves or changes anything. Acceptance of yourself is key, when you approve of yourself, positive changes will come in to your life.

2. Stop thinking scary thoughts —— If you find yourself doing that, change it to a mental image that brings you pleasure. Maybe thinking of your dog, a flower, food whatever brings you peace.

3. Be gentle , kind and patient —— Treat yourself as you would your best friend, in fact be your best friend! Be gentle with yourself, be kind to yourself, and be patient with yourself as you learn to change your thinking.

4. Be kind to your mind —— Gently change your thoughts, let go of the self hatred you are expressing with your thoughts. Don't judge or hate yourself for having those thoughts, quietly and gently change them.

5. Praise yourself —— Pat yourself on the back, criticism can only break your inner spirit. Praise will build it up, so praise yourself as much as you can.

6. Be supportive —— You support friends in need, do the same for yourself. If you need help ask for it, that is a sign of true strength. Allowing others to help you is self nurturing.

7. Love the negatives in your life —— Own it, acknowledge that you bought them into your life to fulfill a need. Thank them for the lessons they have bought, lovingly release them, and make room for the positive ones you are creating today.

8. Love and take care of your body —— Ensure that you look after your body, as well as you look after your car! So many of us would not miss the cars service, or think of putting the wrong fuel or oil into the engine, but don't give a second thought to what we fuel our bodies with. Cherish your body, and it will serve you well.

9. Look into the mirror —— Really look into your eyes often, and express the love you feel for yourself, say it out loud. I love you, I really love you!

10. Do it now —— Don't wait until the 'right' time to start loving yourself. The right time is now, not when you lose ten pounds, get a new job, or find a new partner. The time to start is now, all you need to do is the best you can.

Hey Friends,

Some one sent me this list of 100 things we could do in this year...so i am sharing it with you...happy reading

No matter how perfect you may think you are, the fact this there's always some small way you can improve upon yourself. Whether it's broadening your knowledge or reducing your impact on the earth, there are seemingly endless little things you can do to make a change for the better. Here, we'll discuss 100 of these steps, and how you can go about doing them.

Health

Good health is the foundation of a good life, so make these improvements, and they'll resonate out to the rest of your life.

1. Eat breakfast every morning: Eating breakfast is important for your health and mental power, supplying essential vitamins, minerals, and energy for your day.
2. Get a good night's rest: You just can't have a happy and productive life if you're tired all of the time, so get some quality shut eye.
3. Drink water: Step up your water intake to lose weight, feel better, and improve your skin.
4. Eat slowly: Slow down when you eat, and you'll find that you consume less while still feeling satisfied.
5. Cut down on junk food: Junk food has a nasty way of bringing your health down, so avoid it whenever possible, opting instead for healthy food like fresh fruits and vegetables.
6. Practice good dental hygiene: Researchers have found that dental hygiene is important for more than cosmetic reasons-it can help you chew food and even avoid heart disease.
7. Drink tea: Be sure to check out the powerhouse of benefits that tea can deliver, which includes improved memory and prevention of ills such as cavities, cancer, and heart disease.
8. Get some exercise: Whether you need to lose weight or not, exercise will have a positive effect on your overall health and quality of life.
9. Improve your energy: If you're feeling sluggish all day, chances are you're just not going to feel good about yourself. So take a few steps to boost your energy, and you'll be better in your daily life.
10. Intensify your workouts: Researchers have found that by doing more intense workouts, you can enjoy similar benefits that you would with a more relaxed workout for a longer period of time.
11. Enjoy fish a few times a week: Eat fish, and you'll get a serving of Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce heart disease.
12. Wear better shoes: Don't torture your toes with restrictive shoes all the time-limit the amount of time you spend in uncomfortable shoes.
13. Protect your skin: Stay out of the sun to avoid skin damage, or use sunblock to help.
14. Eat at home: It's easier and cheaper to prepare healthy foods on your own at home, and skillfully cooking a meal is sure to impress just about anyone.
15. Get tested for prediabetes: Diabetes is a disease that many Americans are susceptible to, and by discovering it early on you can prevent it or lessen its impact.
16. Take a daily walk: Get a little bit of movement and clear your mind with a walk every day.
17. Lose weight: One of the best things you can do for your health and overall quality of life is to shed a few pounds.

Social

Take these steps to change your social life for the better.

18. Join a book club: Get some social interaction while improving your knowledge with a book club.
19. Get out of the house: Believe it or not, the world just isn't going to come to you. You've got to get out of your "zone" for social interaction.
20. Volunteer: For a rewarding social experience, look into volunteer opportunities.
21. Ignore minor irritations: Whether it's some jerk in traffic, or incessant Facebook application requests, some things just aren't worth dealing with.
22. Start a blog: Spark an online discussion and network with new people through a blog..
23. Talk to strangers: Don't hesitate to spark a conversation with someone you don't know-you just might enjoy yourself, or even make a new friend.
24. Don't stereotype or label people: Avoid dismissing people based on factors you don't fully understand, and you may find that they have something to offer you.
25. Call old friends: You'd be surprised how many people would be overjoyed to hear from you, especially if it's been a while since you've seen them.
26. Go to church: Make new friends and get in touch with your spiritual side at church or temple.
27. Host a party: Spend some time with good friends and enjoy yourself at home by inviting others over for a party.
28. Enjoy a hobby: Having a regular, relaxing activity will bring you joy.
29. Join a club: Whether you're into board games or photography, there's a group out there for you.

Emotional

Improve your emotional life with these simple strategies.

30. Make an effort to be happy: Whether you actually feel happy or not, make it a point to attempt happiness. It will help you feel better, as well as others around you.
31. Consider religion: If you're not a spiritual person, consider becoming more involved with religion to improve your emotional well-being.
32. Stop taking things personally: Although it may seem to the contrary, know that not everyone is out to make your life harder.
33. Be optimistic: Put a positive spin on things and feel better about the future.
34. Know when to lose sleep: Sometimes, you have more important things to do than sleep, but they key is knowing when that should happen.
35. Step out of your comfort zone: Make it a point to step out of your comfort zone once in awhile. It's a great way to advance yourself.
36. Get rid of ill-fitting clothing: Clothes that don't fit right will just make you look bad and feel worse about yourself. If you love a piece, but it just doesn't look good, consider getting it tailored.
37. Spend time with a child: Look at the world through a child's eyes and get inspired. You'll learn to appreciate simple things and see life with excitement.
38. Pamper yourself: Take care of yourself, whether that means getting a pint of ice cream now and then, or just getting a spa treatment.
39. Celebrate your successes: When you've accomplished something great, take a moment to feel good about it!
40. Quit your technology addiction: Although you may love your BlackBerry, you'll feel a whole lot better if you just step away from the screen for a while.
41. Set goals: By setting goals, you'll give yourself something to strive for and look forward to.
42. Feel good about yourself: Make a decision to improve your self-confidence, and you'll feel better. Others will notice it, too.
43. Be thankful: Every now and then, take some time to acknowledge all of the good things you have in your life, big and small.
44. Cut yourself some slack: Avoid inventing your own impossible, stringent rules that you have to stick to-they'll only make you feel nervous and guilty.
45. Let go of the past: Don't hold grudges-let go, and you'll free up emotional space.
46. Don't be dramatic: Stop inflating small problems, or you'll make yourself more anxious than you need to be.
47. Express yourself: Let your emotions come out through art, writing, or other forms of expression.
48. Meditate: Take some time out every day to have an inner dialogue with yourself.

Financial

Make these changes to improve your life's financial outlook.

49. Pay off debt: Nothing will improve your finances better than simply getting rid of debt.
50. Build an emergency fund: Keep an emergency fund to save yourself from plummeting into the red when something pops up, and you'll be much more secure.
51. Track your spending: At some point in their lives, nearly everyone has wondered where all their money goes. Try this exercise to finally get to the bottom of it, and identify spots where your money could be better spent.
52. Be frugal: Embrace frugality in your life, and you'll save money while living more simply.
53. Make extra payments: Pay off mortgage and other large debts early, and you'll take a load off.
54. Diversify your income: Provide yourself with some financial security by finding multiple sources of income.
55. Save: The concept is simple-save money, and you'll have more financial power to do the things you'd like to do.
56. Eat at home more often: Eating out all the time may be fun, but preparing meals at home is a better financial strategy.
57. Invest: Investing is not only fun, it's an excellent way to make your money grow.
58. Set a goal: Give yourself a financial goal to achieve, whether it's saving for a particular item, or doubling your investments.
59. Save for retirement: Don't give your future self a huge mess to take care of-save now, and you'll enjoy it later.

Mental

Improve your mind by taking these simple steps.

60. Go back to school: Continuing your education does not have to be a complicated endeavor. Take an online class, or just a weekend seminar.
61. Read classic books: Improve your mind by finally picking up all those books you were supposed to read in school.
62. Plan: Always have a plan for your life, so you'll know what you're working toward..
63. Quit procrastinating: Resolve to get moving, and you'll find that you have much more time than you originally realized.
64. Get inspired by a book: Read a book that will help you spark positive changes in your life.
65. Learn from your mistakes: Don't let mistakes get you down. Instead, consider what you did wrong, and how you can avoid doing so again in the future.
66. Stop worrying: Let go of worry, and know that the future will come no matter what you do about it.
67. Learn to play a musical instrument: Pick up a guitar, or even a harp, to improve your mental capacity and have something fun to do.
68. Work to your own advantage: Improve upon what you can, and let the rest fall away.
69. Think slowly: Instead of jumping to conclusions, carefully calculate what a situation means. Doing so can help you save relationships that might be damaged by rash thinking
70. Participate in a debate: Have a rational discussion with someone of similar intellect to improve your knowledge.
71. Learn a new language: Broaden your horizons by learning how to speak a new language.
72. Visit Wikipedia: Spend some time on Wikipedia learning lots of interesting facts you've never realized before.

Habits

Make these changes in your daily life to improve upon yourself.

73. Quit smoking: It's the single most important thing you can do for your health, appearance, and energy. You'll smell better, too.
74. Wake up early: Be an early riser, and you'll find that you have more time to get things done.
75. Spend more time outside: Head outside to become more active and enjoy the world around you.
76. Be organized: Make things easier on yourself by living a more organized life.

At Work

You spend so much time at work, but probably don't often consider how you can improve upon this important facet of your life. Take these steps to make things just a little bit better.

77. Make friends with your coworkers: One of the easiest and most important things you can do to improve your career is to practice inner networking. Socialize with your coworkers, and they'll be more willing to help you when you need it.
78. Improve your writing skills: If you improve upon your writing skills, you'll instantly sound more intelligent and persuasive.
79. Collaborate: Don't go it alone-ask for help, and give help in return.
80. Keep your inbox empty: Reduce anxiety and simplify by clearing out your inbox as much as you can.
81. Leave work at the door: Don't bring work home with you, or you'll stress yourself out at home.
82. Join a professional association: Network with others in your field for fun and career advancement.
83. Ask for a raise: Simply asking for a raise you deserve is a no-brainer way to feel better about work and your paycheck.
84. Improve your resume: If you're not happy with your job, give your resume a facelift and consider seeking a new position.
85. Improve your system: If you've got a messy desk, or generally lead a disorganized work life, take charge by reorganizing.
86. Start your own business: One of the best ways to improve your career is to go into business for yourself.

In Your Community

Getting involved in your community is a great way to improve upon your life. Try these methods for getting out there.

87. Vote: Impact your community's future by participating in the election of officials.
88. Donate unused items: Instead of holding a garage sale, pass your old items on to people who need them-like books to schools, and clothing to shelters.
89. Support charitable endeavors: Whether it's with money or time, do what you can to help out charities in your community.
90. Be a coach: Offer to coach a youth sport, and you'll shape young lives while having fun.
91. Visit your local library: Take advantage of your community's library to both save money and broaden your mind.

In the Environment

An excellent way to improve upon yourself is to reduce the negative impact you have on the world. Take these steps to get greener and change your life for the better.

92. Work to reduce your carbon emissions: Find out about the many things you can do to help cut your carbon emissions, and then take action on them.
93. Improve your gas mileage: Drive more slowly and coast as much as you can to improve your gas mileage.
94. Turn off the lights: Cut your waste and energy bill by turning off your lights whenever you don't need them.
95. Get a reusable water bottle: Keep plastic water bottles out of our landfills by getting a container you can use over and over again.
96. Reduce your trash: Take steps to cut down on the waste you put in landfills.
97. Buy local and organic food: Support your health and local farmer by purchasing local, organic produce.
98. Adjust your thermostat: Let your heater and AC take a small break by adjusting your thermostat to reduce waste.
99. Stop using plastic bags: Quit using plastic bags, and you'll both reduce your impact and save animals.
100. Take shorter showers: Save a precious resource by reducing the amount of water you use in your daily shower.

The bottom lione is that drinking green tea daily is one of the best health habits you can adopt.

Studies have shown that regular consumption can improve the ratio between ?good? and ?bad? cholesterol, ease mild depression, help prevent diabetes and more.

Perhaps the greatest green tea benefit is the presence of polyphenol oxidase - an abundant supply of antioxidants. Antioxidants can be termed as the ?true elixir? of life.
The activity of antioxidants in tea is more than that in over 21 fruits and vegetables.

One of the most encouraging recent studies, published in the September 13, 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association, found that among 40,530 Japanese adults followed for 11 years, there was a 16 percent lower risk of death from all causes among those who drank more than 5 cups of green tea a day compared to those who drank less than one cup daily.