Seasonal Greetings! Part 3 (final)

Please let us all pray together for a better peaceful world for the upcoming New Year and thereafter....

I pray wishing you all the best for a proseperous,healthy and happy New Year .
May Allah /God bless you and your lovely families always.

Native American Prayer for Peace

O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds,
and to Mother Earth who provides for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect,
and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind.
Let us learn to share all the good things you provide for us on this Earth.

Muslim Prayer for Peace

In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.
Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations, that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other.
If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things.
And the servants of God, Most Gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say "PEACE."

Jewish Prayer for Peace

Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that we may walk the paths of the Most High.
And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares,
and our spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation—
neither shall they learn war any more.
And none shall be afraid,
for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.

Christian Prayer for Peace

Blessed are the Peacemakers,
for they shall be known as the Children of God.
But I say to you that hear, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you.
To those who strike you on the cheek, offer the other also,
and from those who take away your cloak,
do not withhold your coat as well.
Give to everyone who begs from you,
and of those who take away your goods, do not ask them again.
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Hindu Prayers for Peace

Oh God, lead us from the unreal to the Real.
Oh God, lead us from darkness to light.
Oh God, lead us from death to immortality.
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti unto all.

Oh Lord God almighty, may there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome, and may trees and plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent beings bring peace to us.
May thy Vedic Law propagate peace all through the world.
May all things be a source of peace to us.
And may thy peace itself, bestow peace on all,
and may that peace come to me also.

Native African Prayer for Peace

Almighty God, the Great Thumb we cannot evade to tie any knot;
the Roaring Thunder that splits mighty trees:
the all-seeing Lord up on high who sees even the footprints
of an antelope on a rockmass here on Earth.
You are the one who does not hesitate to respond to our call.
You are the cornerstone of peace.

Sikh Prayers for Peace

God adjudges us according to our deeds, not the coat that we wear:
that Truth is above everything, but higher still is truthful living.
Know that we attaineth God when we loveth,
and only that victory endures in consequence of which no one is defeated.

Know that we attain God when we love,
and only that victory endures in consequence of which no one is defeated.

Sufi Prayer for Peace

O Almighty Sun, whose light clears away all clouds,
We take refuge in you. Guide of all people, God of all deities, Lord of all angels,
We pray you to dispel the mists of illusion from the hearts of the nations
And lift their lives by your all-sufficient power,
Your ever shining light, your everlasting life,
Your heavenly joy and your perfect peace.

Zoroastrian Prayer for Peace

We pray to God to eradicate all the misery in the world:
that understanding triumph over ignorance,
that generosity triumph over indifference,
that trust triumph over contempt,
and that truth triumph over falsehood.

And last but not least Gandhi's Prayer for Peace....

Seasonal Greetings ! Part 2

Ten Commandments for a Long and Peaceful Life

1.Thou shalt not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.

2.Thou shalt not be fearful, for most of the things we fear never come to pass.

3.Thou shalt face each problem as it comes. You can handle only one at a time.

4.Thou shalt not cross bridges before you get to them, for no one yet has succeeded in accomplishing this.

5.Thou shalt not take problems to bed with you, for they make very poor bedfellows.

6.Thou shalt not borrow other people's problems. They can take better care of them than you can.

7.Thou shalt be a good listener, for only when you listen do you hear ideas different from your own. It's very hard to learn something new when you're talking.

8.Thou shalt not try to re-live yesterday for good or ill—it is gone. Concentrate on what is happening in your life today.

9.Thou shalt not become bogged down by frustration, for 50 percent of it is rooted in self-pity and will only interfere with positive actions.

10.Thou shalt count thy blessings, never overlooking the small ones—for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one.

Seasonal Greetings ! Part 1

To all my friends and relatives who celebrate Xmas , may you have a wonderful time with your families and dear ones.

Here is the first part of my greetings: tips in leading a lead better ,more meaningful and less stressful life
ie dont play God !

A Creed to Live By

*Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself to others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.


*Don't set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.


*Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless.


*Don't let life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live up all the days of your life.


*Don't give up when you still have something left to give,
Nothing is really over . . . till the moment you stop trying.


*Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect.
It is this fragile thread that binds us together.


*Don't be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances, that we learn to be brave.


*Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love;
the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly;
and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.


*Don't dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope;
to be without hope is to be without purpose.


*Don't run through life so fast
that you forget not only where you've been,
but where you are going.


*Life is not a race,
but a journey to be savored every step of the way.

New Year's Reslutions anyone ??

A long list is easy to jot down ,but its sticking to it that counts....




Have you always promised yourself that this year you'd make a difference?? I guess we all have at some time or other done so.But it doesnt take plain willpower to meet one's goals .......here are a few pointers to help us

Use These Ideas to Meet Your Goals
-- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer
1. Start Small
Quite possibly the biggest mistake people make is pushing the accelerator too soon. You can’t lose 20 pounds in a week. But you can lose one. Taking small bites and chewing slowly have as much to do with goal achievement as they do with your mom’s dinner table scolding.

2. Get It On Paper
Whether setting your first goals, tracking daily progress, or sharing your deepest thoughts with a journal, writing things down crystallizes your ideas, exposes underlying fears, and paints an accurate picture of real life.

3. Focus On Everyday Habits
The building blocks of a healthy lifestyle are forged in the smallest of actions you take every day and every week. Healthy choices can become as natural as brushing your teeth or locking the front door. Build one habit, one action at a time.

4. Always See Your Goal
Goals need attention. They need to be seen and heard and thought of often if they ever hope to come true. So surround yourself with as many reminders as possible.

5. Be Consistent
Imagine a plane taking off. In the beginning, a lot of energy is spent to simply get moving down the runway. But as speed and momentum take over, the plane is pulled forward and up into the sky, faster and further by the second. Consistent action, no matter how small, has more power than you ever imagined.

6. Never Stop Learning
A healthy lifestyle is a process—a journey more than a destination. You can always learn more about nutrition, fitness, and even yourself that can help you be just a little bit better tomorrow.

7. Come Out of Seclusion
Has anyone ever achieved anything of real value all alone? Probably not many. Most receive some form of help from other people. Support, information, a sense of shared experience, encouragement, advice, and a well-timed pep talk are all invaluable as you set off on your adventure.

8. Allow For Setbacks
Accept the fact right now that you will make mistakes, and that it can be a positive thing. We are usually harder on ourselves that we are on anyone else we know. Be your own #1 fan. That means being supportive (instead of critical) when you stumble, and enjoying your wins (rather than ignoring your accomplishments) when you succeed.

9. Trust Your Plan
You’ll have up weeks and down weeks, and frustrating weeks that make no sense at all. The tools and strategies you’re learning will help you build a plan that makes a healthier lifestyle almost inevitable. If you consistently make the right choices and build healthy habits, weight loss is literally just a matter of time.

10. Have Fun!!!
Who says getting healthy has to be a chore, a burden to be endured or suffered through? Probably a very unhappy person, that’s who. This is an exciting adventure of self-discovery and building a meaningful life. Enjoy the ride!

Happy Eid Al Adha!

To all my family, friends and peace loving Muslims in the world :

What Men Want in a Relationship

I have recently ben quite busy with matchmaking some of my acquaintances together and am truly enjoying the results.

I am by no means a perfect lady . I too have my days and insecurities. Nevertheless nothing beats getting people together, and seeing that sparkle.......

Hhmmm if only I knew then ,what I know now.But as the saying goes "cant cry over spilt milk ."

This read by :by Coach Rinatta Paries, is of great interest and help in wanting to understand what a man really is all about.

I have discovered a stark contrast between what each sex thinks
the opposite sex wants from them, and what the opposite sex
really does want.
What women think men want from them causes women to have resentment and anger toward men, and feel hopeless about ever developing a wonderful, warm, romantic partnership. What men think women want from them causes them much of the same feelings and frustration.
The sad part is that it does not have to be this way, if only we would realize that both men and women are human beings first and pretty much want the same thing. But, you don't have to take my word for this.
I asked a number of men and women who are actively involved in personal growth and development what they want from a partner in order to build a great relationship. You will find their answers unexpected. Discover what men said they want from women as contrasted with what women think men want. You'll also find tips for women to give men what they want, attract a great man, and create a wonderful relationship.

1. Men want honest, timely, loving communication.

Honest communication is top priority for men. They want a woman who answers questions honestly, and perhaps even volunteers information. They want a woman who confidently asks for her wants and needs to be met. They want a woman who can see the truth and tell it like it is while communicating with kindness. Men want a woman who can communicate without being too critical, who cares about preserving his and her dignity.
Women think men want them to be superficial, to keep quiet about their needs or wants, and never to ask for anything. Women think men believe them to be too needy and too sensitive, and that men simply want women to get over it. Some women believe they do not have the permission to tell it like it is, that they will be rejected for speaking up.

**A Tip for Women**
Great men want and need straightforward, courageous communication without anger or criticism. One way to attract a great man and build a satisfying relationship is to learn how to communicate your truth and needs effectively.

2. Men want self-sufficient, secure, confident women.

Men want a woman to choose them out of want rather than out of desperation -- either materially or emotionally. Men need to be wanted and needed by their partners, but they want their partners to have a separate identity. Men want a woman to be active and independent, to have her own friends and interests.
On the other hand, men treasure time spend with a loving partner.
Women think men don't want women to need them. Women think men do not need or appreciate time spent together as a couple. Women believe that showing a man he is needed will turn him off and
possibly make him run away.

**A Tip for Women**
Men want what women want -- a whole partner. One powerful way to attract a great man and build a vibrant relationship is to create a full, rewarding life for your own fulfillment.

3. Men want a manipulation-free relationship.

Men want no manipulation of any kind. They do not want to read their partner's mind or try to interpret signals. They do not want to be forced to move faster in a relationship than they are ready. They do not want to be manipulated into taking all the blame for things gone wrong. They do not want to be on the receiving end of game playing.
Women think men want little or no communication, and the only way to get needs met is through manipulation. Women think men either need or want to be reminded that the relationship needs to move forward. Women think men don't want or value praise and acknowledgement, and so tend to only verbalize criticism.

**A Tip for Women**
Men will not tolerate manipulation of any kind for any significant length of time. To attract a great man and build a wonderful relationship learn to ask without hesitation for what you want and need in every area of your life. Learn to be aware of his timing and his timeline. Learn how to acknowledge and bestow praise.

4. Men want growth, personal responsibility, and ownership.

Men want a partner who can laugh at herself and who has courage and strength. They want a woman who can see her part in relationship dynamics and own it. She has to be emotionally stable. Men want a woman who is developing herself personally, and who takes responsibility for her emotional experience.
Women think men only want to have a good time. Women think men have no interest in developing and growing a relationship or developing and growing themselves. Women think men want women who are super models, and that they never consider whether a
woman is emotionally mature, kind, supportive, or loving.

**A Tip for Women**
Men want women who are emotionally mature. Maturity does not mean lack of emotions. It does mean the ability to handle emotions responsibly. To attract a great man and build a long-term relationship, learn to take responsibility for your emotional experience and expression.

5. Men want fidelity and a commitment to the relationship.

Fidelity is an absolute must. In fact, men want a woman who does not have a "roaming eye" and who can wholeheartedly commit to the relationship. Many may define commitment as fidelity plus the willingness to work on the relationship -- even when the going gets tough.
Women think that all men want is sex, and that men will leave a relationship for the next prettier face. Women think men cannot be trusted to be faithful. Women believe men do not want to work on a relationship; that when the going gets tough, they run.

**A Tip for Women**
Here is great news for those women who are resigned to the myth that all men cheat: infidelity and "a roaming eye" are as distasteful to men as they are to women. Great men know how to build a wonderful relationship, and they know fidelity is the main ingredient.

6. Men want women who know how men need to be treated.

Many women treat men in ways that diminish their egos, making them feel inadequate. Men would rather have more praise, more acknowledgement of what they do right, more acknowledgment that they are great guys who are loved and appreciated.
Women think men do not need them, do not value their opinion, their support, their praise. Women also think men do not care about many things important to women, which is why they criticize. Criticism is a way to verbalize resentment.

**A Tip for Women**
Most men want acknowledgement and appreciation from women. Learning to acknowledge instead of making your partner wrong is one of the most powerful relationship survival tools available to you.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

To all who celebrate Thanksgiving :





I see trees of green........ red roses too
I see em bloom..... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue..... clouds of white
Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world.

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin......i love you.

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
Theyll learn much more.....than Ill never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world

(instrumental break)

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are there on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin...*spoken*(I ....love....you).

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
*spoken*(you know their gonna learn
A whole lot more than Ill never know)
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself .......what a wonderful world.


May the spirit of thanksgiving bring you peace love and happiness always.

A marriage made in heaven??? thats yet to be seen !

Have you ever wondered what makes some marriages thrive and other marriages fall apart. No one gets married thinking of divorce, but divorce happens everyday. What makes the difference? Why does love die and what can you do to make sure your marriage is a happy one?

No matter how much in love you are in the beginning, those euphoric feelings of new love cannot and will not last forever. This is reality, but that does not mean that because you are married that life has to be boring and stale.

Challenges to a Lasting Relationship
"Of all the misconceptions about love, the most powerful and pervasive is the belief that falling in love is love or at least one of the manifestations of love." -- M. SCOTT PECK

People who are married or in committed relationships are healthier, wealthier, and happier. So why do more than 60 percent of marriages end in divorce? Why has the national divorce rate climbed more than 200 percent in the last thirty years? And why are fewer people getting married today than ever before?

the answers to these questions are plentiful, but the main reason is simple. It’s easy to "fall" in love, but very few people know how to stay in love. Even though staying in love is our "smartest" choice all the way around! Recent studies on marriage prove it’s one of the major ingredients in life-long success for men and women. "It lengthens life, substantially boosts physical and emotional health, and raises income over that of single or divorced people or those who live together," reported an article in the New York Times. Marriage has also been found to boost happiness, reduce the degree of depression, and provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases.

So let’s wake up, make up, and turn this trend around! One of the most startling pieces of evidence that shows people are not in touch with what’s really going on in their partnerships is the fact that the majority of people who file for divorce say they didn’t think there was a relationship-threatening problem just six months prior to breaking up. Another shocker is that most couples wait six years or more to seek professional help when their relationship is in danger. By the time they do wake up and smell the coffee, it’s often too late.

Truly there is no reason to resign yourself to a bad relationship ? Whether you’re dating or married. Rather than changing partners and ending up this same predicament again, you can learn to have a fabulous relationship with the partner you already have! I strongly encourage you to make the relationship you have work, because there is a higher rate of divorce and adultery in second marriages.

Getting rid of your partner does not get rid of the problem, because half of the "problem" is yours. You can walk out on your marriage, but you can’t run away from yourself, no matter how hard you try! Rather than blaming each other, couples can learn how to work as a team and coach each other through the troubled times and power struggles. To do this, you must create a "safe" relationship so you can express your needs and fears and effectively resolve anger and conflict. More relationships break up because people don’t know how to validate each other (that frustration escalates to become anger) than for any other reason. This is truly a shame, because the skills for "fighting fair" are very easy to master with just a little practice and patience.

One of the biggest causes of unresolved anger between people is a lack of understanding. Men and women have different strengths and weaknesses, different ways of expressing ourselves, and different "childhood wounds" that we’re trying to heal. While it may seem like we’re from different planets we are actually very much alike when it comes to our need and desire for love and intimacy. We only behave differently in our quests for closeness. Stop doing what you think is "fair" or "right" and start doing what works! It’s not about "working harder" it’s about "working smarter".

the last tango........

Bien sûr, nous eûmes des orages
Vingt ans d`amour, c`est l`amour folle
Mille fois tu pris ton bagage
Mille fois je pris mon envol
Et chaque meuble se souvient
Dans cette chambre sans berceau
Des éclats des vieilles tempêtes
Plus rien ne ressemblait à rien
Tu avais perdu le goût de l`eau
Et moi celui de la conquête

Moi, je sais tous tes sortilèges
Tu sais tous mes envoûtements
Tu m`as gardé de pièges en pièges
Je t`ai perdue de temps en temps
Bien sûr tu pris quelques amants
Il fallait bien passer le temps
Il faut bien que le corps exulte
Finalement finalement
Il nous fallut bien du talent
Pour être vieux sans être adultes

Et plus le temps nous fait cortège
Et plus le temps nous fait tourment
Mais n`est-ce pas le pire piège
Que vivre en paix pour des amants
Bien sûr tu pleures un peu moins tôt
Je me déchire un peu plus tard
Nous protégeons moins nos mystères
On laisse moins faire le hasard
On se méfie du fil de l`eau
Mais c`est toujours la tendre guerre

Oh, mon amour...
Mon doux mon tendre mon merveilleux amour
De l`aube claire jusqu`à la fin du jour
Je t`aime encore tu sais je t`aime.

(One of my favourite songs of all times, from the mighty Jacques Brel. I thought of it whilst I watched you dance. The way only old couples know how to.
[For those who'd like to hear it, here it is www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1DpjXQUDsI])

Importance of Walking !

My friend emailed me this and I thought I'd post it for all to read.......

Walking can add minutes to your life.
This enables you at 85 years old
To spend an additional 5 months in a nursing
Home at $7000 per month.

My grandpa started walking
Five miles a day when he was 60..
Now he's 97 years old
And we don't know where he is.

I like long walks,
Especially when they are taken
By people who annoy me.

The only reason I would take up walking
Is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.

I have to walk early in the morning,
Before my brain figures out what I'm doing..
I joined a health club last year,
Spent about 400 bucks.
Haven't lost a pound.
Apparently you have to go there.



Every time I hear the dirty word
'exercise',
I wash my mouth out with chocolate.

I do have flabby thighs,
But fortunately my stomach covers them.

The advantage of exercising every day
Is so when you die, they'll say,
Well, she looks good doesn't she.'

If you are going to try cross-country skiing,
Start with a small country.

I know I got a lot of exercise
The last few years,......
Just getting over the hill.




We all get heavier as we get older,
Because there's a lot more information in our
heads.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

AND

Every time I start thinking too much
About how I look,
I just find a Happy Hour
And by the time I leave,
I look just fine.

You could run this over to your friends
But just e-mail it to them

Healing Power of Gossip

I'm TELLING everyone'' a friend of mine used to say when she had a particularly juicy piece of gossip to share. ''But remember, you didn't hear it from me.''

Most of us don't want to miss out on hearing the latest. But we also don't like to think of ourselves as gossips. Well, here's some tittle-tattle to put our minds at rest. Psychologists say gossip is good for us.

''Gossip is a way to keep track of social status and to manage alliances, ''says psychologist Frank McAndrew of Knox College in Illinois. ''It helps us know who we are and how we fit in.

''That sense of belonging is key to emotional health.

Of course, not all stories we share are benign. Experts distinguish between rumour (often unfounded and malicious) and gossip (mostly factual news). But while gossip may be true, it isn't always nice.

When the subject is someone higher than us on the social ladder we're most interested in the nasty stories—negative information could be useful in helping us move up a rung or two. When the gossip concerns someone we perceive as lower in status, good news makes us listen: that's because fortune could raise our rival above us in social rank.

Exchanging tales over the garden fence also helps a community of people establish moral boundaries.

We gossip when people go astray as a way of delineating what's right and wrong. ''We all have to learn the 'unwritten' rules of our society or social group, ''writes social anthropologist Kate Fox of the social Issues Research Center in Oxford.

''Critical gossip helps us to discover negotiate and transmit those rules.''

Gossip may also been compared to social grooming among primates which is known to stimulate the release of endorphins, relieving stress and boosting the immune system.

If that weren't enough, gossip may even be good for the soul. ''A saintly virtue, ''Canadian philosopher Ronald de Sousa once dubbed it.

Gossip allows us to exchange truths that might otherwise remain hidden, painting a truer picture of what it is to be human.

So what do you think ???

Hmmmmm to gossip or not to gossip that is the question …….

He never fails to impress me.......

Chalk drawings were done

by Julian Beever