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What you say and how you say it can greatly influence your relationships; this includes friends, life partner, and co-workers. A few simple words, depending on how they’re spoken, can lift someone up or crush them. There is power in words! How can you learn to get your point across, to be the best communicator possible, and be seen as a positive influence? Here are some things to keep in mind each time you’re having a conversation. Learn the Art of Listening Although you may want to talk and have the other person hear you, get into the habit of listening to the other person as well. Many times people block out what someone is saying because they’re so busy thinking about what they want to communicate. This not only leads to misunderstandings, but you’ll be seen as a person who isn’t sensitive to the needs of others and not very good at conversing. When the other person is done talking, paraphrase what they said to you so they know you heard them then offer your advice or input. Av...

When experts talk to people about goal setting, They are often surprised by their reactions. A lot of people say that they haven’t gotten around to setting life-time goals and identifying their values and coming up with specific, measurable bench marks, etc…   They also say that goal setting takes too much time and energy, and that it will require days and weeks of work and that once they have the goals they’ll start to feel bad if they don’t reach them.   Some of the time people tell that they do have goals, but when questioned about what they are, they come up with vague wants and “Gee, I hope I get some day” items that change with each paycheck. Sound familiar?   While life-time goal setting does require an initial investment of time and energy, the payoff is immediate and life changing. The good news, however, is that identifying and writing down even short term goals will give you the same benefits, and setting short term goals is a quick and effective way to devel...

If there is one constant in this world that no one has an advantage over another, is that we all have 24 hours per day; nothing more, nothing less. So how come some people seem just overwhelmed yet others breeze through each day without concern or worry? It’s all about how you manage your time and how you perceive its use. Here are some tips that helps us to allocate time each day. Law of control   Probably the most crucial point is to overcome the mentality that time is uncontrollable and start thinking that you have the ability to control, assess, and use time in any way you wish. This is what some call the “law of control”, or locus of control, where you believe that you have a hand in how time unravels. You must start believing that you can do something about it, and that you can better manage your time. Once you start thinking along these lines, everything else starts changing. You are just realizing what has been there all along, in that you CAN control time and make it wor...

Indian Rupee Font The Indian rupee is likely to get its own unique symbol soon, with the Union Cabinet set to approve the final design. With this, the rupee will join the elite league of global currencies like US dollar ($), British pound sterling, euro and Japanese yen, which have their unique symbols. Many version of the letter ‘R’ and the hindi (Devnagari script) version of the letter were sent out. Designs have been shortlisted to represent Indian culture and ethos. At the same time they are easy to write and comprehend. The one closest to be finalised is with the Devnagari letter ‘R’ with two slashes. The government has already shortlisted five entries after a pan-India open contest which was advertised by the finance ministry in February 2009. According to the terms of this contest, the winning design will become the property of the government of India and the winner will have to surrender the design copyright to in lieu of Rs 2.5 lakh. According to design experts, formula...

Lemon juice has more benefits that you’d ever imagine. Lemons have five per cent of citric acid, which gives it its unique taste. Rich in vitamin C, it also has vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, proteins and carbohydrates. Here are some benefits. Suffer from indigestion? Mix a few drops of lemon juice with warm water and sip on it. This is useful for treating nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, bloating and burping.   Since lemon is a natural antiseptic, it is great to cure skin problems. It clears your skin and also acts as an anti-ageing agent by eliminating wrinkles and blackheads.   Have a toothache? Apply fresh lemon juice where it hurts. If you have bleeding gums, applying lemon juice can curb the bleeding and stop bad breath.   A sore throat can be cured by gargling with lemon juice and water regularly.   Nimbu paani is high in potassium, which controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea and reduces stress. It also cures respirato...

75% of earth’s area is covered by water. Water is the major component of all living beings and it is the major constituent of human cells. Ayurveda considers water (aap or jala) as one of panchamahabhutas. ( Panchamahabhutas constitute human body). Water provides a good medium for most of the biological processes that happen in living beings. Dehydration or loss of water from body causes dry skin, lowered energy, muscle cramps, reduced alertness and affects vital organs. Potable water: Water which is not harmful to health and has all qualities to serve as drinking water is called as potable water. The potable water must be free from heavy metals, suspended particles and pathogens like bacteria. Benefits of cold and warm water. Cold water reduces intoxication of alcohol. It relieves fatigue, giddiness, vomiting sensation and quenches thirst. Hot water kindles hunger, helps in good digestion, sooths throat, cleanses bladder, and reduces hiccups. It eases symptoms of cold, cough, fev...

No matter how busy you are, it’s easy to take care of your eyes. Experts tell you how? Ever wondered about the several hours you spend with your eyes constantly riveted on your computer screens, laptops, cell-phones, television... all an inescapable part of our hectic daily lives, and the toll it takes on your eyes? What’s worse is that trapped in this fast pace, we have ready excuses of not finding the time to take care of them. But there are some easy everyday tips that you can follow for healthy eyes. Here’s what to do... REGULAR CHECK-UPS Visit your optician at least once in six months. Besides regular care, it will be easy to diagnose eye diseases at an early stage. WEAR UV PROTECTION Protect your eyes by investing in a pair of good sunglasses that shield them from the harmful rays of the sun. This will also prevent wrinkles and ageing of the delicate skin area around it. STOP SMOKING Smoking, even passively, plays a vital role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) an...

Many people are unhappy with something about themselves Do you love your body? Most people would say that they like their bodies, but do not like their nose, tummy, cellulite or arms. Almost everyone has some hang-up about their body. Yes, even the ‘flawless’ models staring happily at you from magazine covers fret about their body parts. The increase in the number of cosmetic surgeries, breast enhancements and nose jobs all but confirm this. The way you think about your body has a great bearing on how you look, and the message you send across to the world. If you feel good and confident, then that is how people perceive you, and the reverse is also true. Here are some practical tips for a better body image: STOP BEING HYPERCRITICAL   Don’t pick at your flaws all the time. Instead, learn to love yourself as a whole. Be more connected to your body. Take a walk and feel your body in motion. Appreciate how strong and dynamic your body is. BE REALISTIC Know what you can change and...

Stress is a major problem in the world, rapidly becoming an epidemic. Everyone handles stress differently. Some people thrive on it and seem to shake off the negative effects of stress. Other people suffer serious consequences such as headaches, illness and more. Over long period of times, stress will cause physical damage to your body. The following eight top tips will help you to live a more stress free life. 1) Take some exercise. Exercise is a great way to shake off the negative effects of stress, plus when you are fitter, stress has less of a negative effect on you. Even as little as 20 minutes of exercise a day will have a beneficial effect on your stress levels. Whether it is jogging, cycling, swimming, walking or anything else, it will have a positive effect on your life. 2) Takes some YOU time. With careers, lives and family, taking time out for yourself can be very difficult to get. Whether you have a relaxing bath, go for a walk or just sit in a comfy chair with a newsp...

Good communication is an important parenting skill. This page provides useful information and techniques for parents on how to communicate effectively with their children. Parenting can be more enjoyable when positive parent - child relationship is established. Whether you are parenting a toddler or a teenager, good communication is the key to building self-esteem as well a mutual respect. Basic Principles of Good Parent/Child Communication  Let the child know that you are interested and involved and that you will help when needed.  Turn off the television or put the newspaper down when your child wants to converse.  Avoid taking a telephone call when the child has something important to tell you.  Unless other people are specifically meant to be included, hold conversations in privacy. The best communication between you and the child will occur when others are not around.  Embarrassing the child or putting him on the spot in front of others will lead...

Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. Depression : According to a recent survey amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.   Blood Pressure : This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat high blood pressure. Constipation : High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxativ...

Recent trends suggest that people of this digital age are suffering from Computer Stress Syndrome (CSS)... Do you feel lost and disgusted as soon as something goes wrong with your computer or laptop? Or do you feel like throwing your slick new handset if it’s not functioning smoothly for a brief while? If yes, you are suffering from something called Computer Stress Syndrome (CSS). According to a recent study, more than ninety per cent of people depend so heavily on computers and other gadgets in their personal lives that the moment something goes wrong, they just panic. Facing continuous technical anxiety and challenge in setting up new computer products, keeping up with software upgrades and migrating to new applications; or dealing with malware infections and web threats, is creating unnecessary anguish and anxiety. That’s not surprising though. After all, modern technology, which has made our lives easier, is like a double-edged sword. It’s not a cakewalk to understand the lates...

Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl) CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. We recommend you purchase your CFL bulbs at 1000bulbs.com, they have great deals on both screw-in and plug-in light bulbs. Install a programmable thermostat Programmable thermostats will automatically lower the heat or air conditioning at night and raise them again in the morning. They can save you $100 a year on your energy bill. Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases Look for the Energy Star label on new ap...

Avocadoes have several regenerative properties.  Avocado oil offers you several skin benefits sans the added chemicals. It penetrates the skin more deeply than any other oil and has anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-wrinkle properties.   While avocado oil is great for any skin type, it is especially helpful for sensitive or troubled skin.  Research has shown that certain compounds in avocados are able to seek out pre-cancerous and cancerous cells and destroy them without harming healthy cells.   It has strong UV absorption properties and helps protect your skin by absorbing the harmful UV rays that are known to be dangerous for the skin.   It avoids bacteria growth by preventing pimples from forming on the surface of the skin. It also makes your skin glow and nourishes and repairs dehydrated, scarred or mature skin.   It accelerates the process of healing wounds and skin burns. Applying avocado to raw wounds helps them heal qui...

They don’t say health is wealth just like that. If you’re among those who take their health for granted, it’s time you change your outlook. In life, there are very few things that are as important as your health. So, look after it well. And these rules will help you do just that... EXERCISE If you aren’t a gym person, there are plenty of exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Try and get a couple of your friends together and workout in someone’s home a couple of times a week. If that’s not possible, then join an aerobics or kick-boxing class together. The motivation you receive from your friend will be an added bonus. Another task that you could do is walk. Walking for 30 minutes everyday has numerous benefits. DANCE It’s okay if you have two left feet. It’s fine if you look funny when you attempt to dance. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. There are innumerable dance classes all over the city that offer to teach you different styles. Not only will you lear...

Experts tell you how to get rid of hiccups   For most of us, hiccups are merely a random disturbance. Unfortunately, for several others hiccups can be so persistent that they can lead to fatigue, dehydration and insomnia. In either case, it is important to know what causes this seemingly annoying problem. Hiccups occur when there is an irritation of the nerves in the esophagus, stomach and the diaphragm. This aggravation causes the diaphragm (a muscle below your ribs that separates the chest and abdominal cavity) to contract in spasms. The sudden rush of air causes the esophagus to close, which eventually causes hiccups. Sometimes, eating too fast or swallowing too much air can also be the cause.   Here’s how you can get rid of the hiccups:    Take a teaspoon each of ginger juice, honey, lime juice and a pinch of pepper. Mix them together and lick a tiny bit from a spoon, off and on.   Hold your breath as long as possible, and let it go out. Repeat a few...