Wednesday, October 15, 2008

NARA'S NOTEPAD
VOLUME 4

OCTOBER 2008

NUMBER10
WORK PATIENTLY

MEMO FROM NARA


“What should I do?” is the question we all face everyday in our work or in our daily life. Some of us very well know what we should do in our work or in our home. But most of us are always put this question in our mind and find no proper answer. Still, in fact, they do something in the most unorganized and unwanted manner. Planning and scheduling our activities are essential to lead a successful life. Sometimes even such planning may get failed. So, one has to keep contingency plans. Those who do not know what to do should think of others who know what they do. They should observe and ask them how they spend their time more fruitfully and successfully. They should learn from others and make their decisions to decide what they should do?

There are many things to do in life. Those things will certainly bring happiness and good health. No tension. No stress. One of my friends used to say that instead of thinking “what to do,” it is better to get up and just to do something which may be of use to you or others. I feel that he is quite right. Wasting time on thinking what to do, either plan or just do something. I hope that you got the point. Then why you wait? Go and do something. Good luck!

SELF DISCIPLINE


Discipline is not everyone’s favorite word. But self discipline makes all the difference. Life is a trade off between instant pleasure and long term reward. Self discipline in little things (studying instead of TV) lead to a big thing.

The key to self discipline is not an iron-will. It is knowing why you want something. If you really know why you want to get out of debt, it’s easier to save. If you’re clear about why you want to improve your qualifications, it’s easier to study. When you’re self disciplined, you don’t need to get disciplined from anywhere else. As a result, you run your own life and people don’t tell you what to do.

When you don’t have self discipline, you get it from outside. People who can’t discipline themselves often slot into jobs where they take orders. People who have absolutely no self discipline get themselves locked up!
-
Andrew Mathews

VITAMINS


Vitamins are organic substances that we require in very small amounts for two purposes: to perform specific metabolic functions and to help manufacture components of body tissue (bone, hair, skin, nerves, and brain). Vitamins are necessary for life and health. They are essential nutrients because we derive them exclusively from our diet. The body cannot manufacture them. Because we need only very small amounts, they are usually measured in milligrams and micrograms.

Vitamins can be categorized according to their solubility. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed in fat and include vitamins A, D, E, and K. Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed in water and include vitamins C, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid, B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate, folacin, folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin or cyanocobalamin)

EXTEND RESPECT


A few interaction skills that make a big difference to a respectful atmosphere in your organization include not interrupting conversations, asking if the person has time to talk, and listening to ideas.
Remember not to be in such a know-it-all position or in such a hurry that you finish other people's sentences. Be sure to comment on their ideas to let them know you have really been listening, not just waiting for them to take a breath so you can jump in with your agenda.

HISTORY OF COFFEE


The coffee plant Coffea arabica is native to the highlands of Southern Ethiopia. According to a legend told in the Kaffa province from which the beverage take its name, its properties were discovered by a goat-herder named Kaldi towards the end of the first millennium. One day he noticed his animals becoming hyper active after eating the red berried from the wild palnt. He ate some himself and experienced a similar effect. A passing monk scolded Kaldi for eating “but was eventually persuaded to try some himself. He realized that the berries could help him and his brothers stay awake during prayer. Members of the Galla tribe of Southern Ethiopia are also known to have eaten coffee beans wrapped in fat to sustain them during hunting trips. The habit eventually spread to Turkey, where the practice of roasting the beans ahead of use was developed, and then to Italy via Venetian merchants.

THEY SAID...


Do not be desirous of having things done quickly.
Do not look at small advantages.
Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.
Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished. –
Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC)

Self-trust is the first secret of success. –
R.W.Emerson

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can. - Anonymous

BEST FOODS


Sweet Potatoes: Antioxidants, mainly beta-carotene, reduce cancer risk; also high in fibre.
Tomatoes: Full of lycopene, which is found to reduce cancer risk, particularly that of the prostrate.
Cabbage: High fiber content helps reduce cancer risk.
Spinach: High in beta-carotene and folic acid believed to reduce both cancer and heart disease risk.
Grapefruit, Oranges: High in vitamin C , an anti oxidant that helps combat cancer causing free radicals; also loaded with fiber.
Brown rice: Good source of trace minerals and fiber, another battler of cancer and heart disease.
Legume: High in folic acid, soluble fibre and compounds called saponin, which lower blood cholesterol levels; help reduce both cancer nad heart diseases.
Onion: Contains diallyl disulphide, a compound that fights cancer.
Garlic: It’s active chemical, allicin is believed to reduce clotting of blood platelets and risks of heart attack and strokes.
Walnuts and Almonds: Certain mainly monosaturated fat, which appears to help lower cholesterol levels and fight heart diseases. Also rich in vitamin E, fiber and selenium, and an antioxidant.
Tea, green or black: A good source of antiaging antioxidants.

JUST TO LAUGH...



Recently my girl friend, Karen, got a job at a local hardware store. “The owners don’t want us hanging out with our friend,” she said. “If you stop by, tell them you’re my brother.” On my visit, I walked to the customer service desk and asked the old
woman there, “Is Karen around?” When she looked at me quizzically, I added, “I’m her brother.” She smiled. “What a nice surprise. I’m Karen’s mother.”

NOBEL PRIZE 2008

Physiology or Medicine: French scientists, Luc Montagnier and Francoise Barre-Sinoussi discovered the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS that has killed millions of people since 1980 got the prize. Herald zur Hausen, Director of Cancer Research Center, shared half of the prize for the work that went against the current dogma as to the cause of cervical cancer. He set forth the oncogenic human papilloma virus (HPV) caused cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women.

Chemistry: Osamu Shimomura of Japan and Martin Chalfic and Roger Tsien of the US won the Nobel Chemistry Prize for a fluorescent protein (GFP) that has revolutionized research in medicine and biology, enabling scientists to get a visual fix on how organs function, on the spread of disease and the response of infected cells to treatment.

Physics: Makoto Kobayashi and Toshihide Masbawa, two Japanese won the Physics Prize along with Japanese-born-American Yoichiro Nambu for theoretical work in fundamental particles.

Literature: The French writer Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio, an author of new departures, poetic adventure and sensual ecstasy, explorer of humanity beyond and below the reigning civilization was awarded Nobel Prize for Literature.

Peace: Finland’s former president Martti Ahtisaari won the Nobel Peace Prize for a long career of peace making around the world from Namibia to Kosovo.


Economics: U.S. economist Paul Krugman, a prolific columnist and fierce critic of Washington's economic policies, Princeton University professor was awarded the prize for the formulated of a new trade analysis theory, which determines the effects of free trade and globalisation, as well as the driving forces behind worldwide urbanisation.

One of the highest forms of magnanimity is forgiveness!
Meet you next month – NOVEMBER, 2008

Prof. A. Narayanan, Ph. D., FISPP
# 19, Phase 5, Maharani Avenue, Vadavalli, Coimbatore – 641 041, Tamil Nadu
Telephone: 0422 – 2423017 Mobile: 98422 42301
E-mail: prof_narayanan_a@hotmail.com
arumugakannu@gmail.com
Visit my blogs: www.nara2007.blogspot.com (NARA’S NOTEPAD)
www.nara.tumblr.com (NARA’S DIGEST)
www.nara1.vox.com (NARA’S POSTCARDS)