7 Ways Nature is Dangerous to Humans

Green is the color of nature, and going green is the current trend. It is to change our lifestyle to protect our natural environment.  Nature is not necessarily friendly to humans. Here are 7 ways nature is fatal to us:

1.      Opium: It is extracted from the immature fruits of the poppy plant.  Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). The traditional method of obtaining the latex is to scratch ("score") the immature seed pods (fruits) by hand; the latex leaks out and dries to a sticky yellowish residue that is later scraped off.  Afghanistan is currently the world's largest opium producer. Afghan opium kills around 100,000 people annually.

2.      Morphine: It is made from opium. The first individual alkaloid, morphine, was isolated in 1804 from poppy.  Morphine is the most abundant alkaloid found in opium. It is generally 8 to 17 percent of the dry weight of opium. Morphine is a potentially highly addictive substance.

3.      Heroin: It is made from morphine. Numerous mechanical and chemical means are used to purify the final product.  As of 2004, roughly 87% of the world supply of opium and its derivatives, including heroin, was thought to be produced in Afghanistan. However, production in Mexico has risen six-fold from 2007 to 2011, changing that percentage and placing Mexico as the second-largest opium producer in the world.

4.      Cocaine: It is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant. Colombia is the world's leading producer of cocaine. Cocaine is a powerful nervous system stimulant. Its effects can last from 15–30 minutes to an hour, depending on the route of administration.

5.      Cannabis: It is also known as marijuana. It is made from the leaves and dried flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant.  Cannabis is a popular recreational drug around the world, only behind alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. 

6.      Caffeine: In humans, caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. It is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug, One of the world's primary sources of caffeine is the coffee "bean" (which is the seed of the coffee plant), from which coffee is brewed

7.   Nicotine: Nicotine is named after the tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum. Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants. According to the American Heart Association, nicotine addiction has historically been one of the hardest addictions to break.

Curse nature if you are addicted and your life is ruined.

Extracts from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotine

7 Negative Behaviors of Rich People

According to a news item, rich people are more likely to have a negative attitude.  It is noted in a seven-part study by psychologists at the University   of California Berkeley and the University of Toronto analyzing people’s behavior through a series of experiments.

1.       Self-interest: They are more likely to break rules. Drivers of expensive vehicles such as Mercedes, BMW, and Toyota's Prius hybrid were seen breaking the rules more often at four-way intersections than people who drove a Camry or Corolla. They were also more likely to cut off pedestrians trying to cross the street than drivers of cheaper cars.

2.       Unethical: They are more likely to tell lies. In another test using a game of dice, given the opportunity to win a $50 prizes, people who self-reported high social socioeconomic status were more likely to lie and say they had rolled higher numbers than they actually had. Even in people for whom $50 is a relatively small amount of money, cheating was three times as high.

3.       Less likely to tell the truth: In other studies, people with higher status were less likely, to tell the truth in a hypothetical job negotiation in which they were the employer trying to hire someone for a job they knew was soon to be eliminated.

4.       Less charitable: There is also a finding that rich people tend to give less to charity than poor people. 

5.       More greedy: When given a jar of candy that they were told was for children in a nearby lab – though they could take some if they wanted- the richest people took more candy than anyone else.

6.       Less concerned with other people: Rich people are more independent from others, have more resources, and are therefore less concerned with what others think of their actions than poorer people.

7.       Less connected:  According to Paul Piff of UC Berkeley, people with more money tend to look more positively on greed and rely less on family and friend networks for support in times of need, and this elevated status tend to disconnect them from society.

Learn from the mistakes of rich people.

Extracted from New Straits Times (February 29, 2012) – Rich more likely to cheat

7 Effective Ways to Delegate

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. ~Theodore Roosevelt

You know you can’t do everything by yourself. In order to work effectively, you have to delegate. Delegation is an effective way to display your leadership ability. However, when other people are doing the job, you are still responsible for the outcome. To get things done as expected through others, it is important to observe a few things: 

1.      The right person for the right job: Look for people who are enthusiastic and eager to learn new things. It is important to match the right job to the right person. The new job should be challenging enough to ignite the fire in the person doing the job.  

2.      Be clear about what to do: Get it right from the beginning, be very clear about the job scope. Define precisely the boundary of the job. Explain in no uncertain terms what needs to be done.

3.      Expected results and deadlines: The person doing the job must know what the expected results are and when the job is to be completed.

4.      Support: Allow the new person to do things his or her way, do not micromanage.  The main thing is to focus on the results. Let the new person develop his or her potential because they may be able to execute the job in a better way.

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. ~George S Patton

5.      Follow up: It is essential to follow up from time to time and check their performance. Do expect mistakes, but rectify as early as possible. Regular review is a way to tell the other person that you care about them.

6.      Get feedback: Find out about their response to the new assignment. Solicit ideas from them to get things done more efficiently and effectively.

7.      Provide feedback: It is vital to notify and show appreciation for a job executed correctly and done well. It is an excellent way to motivate them to work harder and promote their creativity. Delegation is an effective way to groom future leaders.

No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit. ~Andrew Carnegie

Are You Taking Advantages of Your Tax Deductions?

In Malaysia, the tax system offers individuals many tax deductions. Are you aware of it and are you taking advantage to reduce your tax burden?  Find out the deductions that you are entitled:

Relief

1.      Personal tax relief for self and dependent: RM9000

2.      Relief for spouse/alimony payments: It is limited to RM3000

3.      An additional relief  to a disabled taxpayer: RM6000

4.      Disable wife/ husband: RM3500

5.      Life support equipment for the taxpayer, a child, spouse or parent:  The maximum claimable  amount is RM5000

6.       Parents’ medical expenses: A maximum tax relief of up to RM5000 is given to the taxpayer.

7.      Books, journals, magazines and publications (excluding newspapers): Maximum amount  claimable is RM1000

8.      Treating serious diseases: The tax relief is up to a maximum of RM5000 for the taxpayer, spouse or child treating such illnesses like AIDS and cancer. Expenses for full medical examination of up to RM500 are included in this relief.

9.      Studies: There is a tax relief up to RM5000 for a taxpayer who takes up certain courses such as law accounting, Islamic finance and IT.

10.   A personal computer: An amount of up to RM3000 is claimable once every three years.

11.  Sports equipment: Purchase of sports equipment for certain sports activities is claimable up to RM300.

12.  Broadband services: The amount is limited to RM500 to any taxpayer who has a monthly broadband subscription.

13.  Net saving in SSPN (The National Education Savings Scheme): it is limited to RM3000 per year.

14.  Donations: This tax deduction cannot exceed 7% of the taxpayer’s aggregate income.

15.  Insurance premiums: Premiums paid for  education and medical  policies in the name of the taxpayer or for your spouse or child up to RM3000

16.  EPF (Employee Provident fund) and life insurance: A personal tax relief of up to RM6000 is claimable. In addition, you can claim up to RM1000 for payments into deferred annuity schemes.

17.  Child Relief for parents: A tax relief of RM1000 per unmarried child each year until he or she turns 18. For a child who is 18 and above pursuing full-time education locally or overseas, one parent may claim tax relief of RM4000. For an unmarried child who is over 18 and continuing full-time education at a secondary school entitles the taxpayer to an RM1000 relief. The tax relief for an unmarried and disabled child is at RM5000. Additional relief of RM4000 if your disabled child pursues a full-time tertiary education.

18.  Tax deduction for property owners: Residential property owners can claim tax deductions on interest paid on the mortgages. Only one property qualifies for this deduction, and the taxpayer must be a citizen and resident of the country. You will get a relief of up to RM10000 a year for three consecutive years, from the first year that interest is paid.     

Rebates

19.      Zakat (tithe payments for Muslim) or Fitrah: It is claimable up to the maximum of tax charged.

20.      A tax rebate of RM400 for a resident individual with chargeable income  less than RM35000 is given   

21.      As in No. 20 where husband or wife is not working, a tax rebate of RM400 is also given. 

Tax is subject to change from time to time. You can refer to https://e.hasil.gov.my/ for more information.

Top 30 All-Time Happiness Posts (Part 3)

21. 10 Effective Ways to Live a Peaceful, Simple, Happy, and Healthy life

The best things in life are nearest:  Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you.  Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Everyday life can be plain and without excitement, but it is the simplicity that you get to enjoy peace of mind and happiness in a healthy way of  life

22.  Be Active and Happy when You Retire

Retirement has been a discovery of beauty for me. I never had the time before to notice the beauty of my grandkids, my wife, the tree outside my very own front door. And, the beauty of time itself. ~Hartman Jule

Retirement is a time that you are able to do so much more than ever before. Time is by your side and it is up to you to live a full and active life and be happy. What can you do so that you can look forward to each new day eagerly and enthusiastically like a child? 


23. 10 Keys to Live a Balanced and Happy Life

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony. ~Thomas Merton 

A balanced life is an effective and productive way of life. You are able to strike a balance and take care of all the important things in life. These are the 10 keys to living a balanced life:

24. Be Free Be happy

It is a state of mind to be free and happy. It means your mind is 100% on the task at hand at work or totally having fun at play. How do you feel free and enjoy peace of mind?  Here are the tips:

25. Getting Things Done – 10 Advantages of Happy People

Getting things done means getting yourself organized for a day’s work by following the to-do list which you have prepared the day before. However, the execution of the tasks separates happy people from those who are less happy at work. Happy people do a better job than those who are not for the following reasons:

26. Be Happy Here and Now

You turn on the music and you decide to listen to some uplifting and happy songs.  Life operates the same way, you decide on the outset to be happy or gloomy. When your mind is focused on happiness you will find that you will react to all things positively. In other words, you look at the bright side of things. How can you be happy here and now?  Here are some suggestions:

 27. Promote Happiness Every Day

Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You don't find happiness, you make happiness. You choose happiness. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be, and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life over the long run.
David Leonhardt, The Happy Guy 

Daily life can be happy and enjoyable   Happiness is the by-product of what you do every day and what you make out of it. Do the following to get more happiness out of your daily life:


28. Instant Happiness in 10 Things You Do Every Day

You can be happy every day. Your happiness is within your reach. Change your thinking and your attitude and you will be happy. Let’s take a look at the 10 things:


29. Be Joyful Be Simple

There is a glass panel in my office. It is facing a green field, a river, and a blue sky. It is a feast for the eyes by just looking outside to relieve the tired eyes after gluing too long to the PC. It is also a joy to appreciate nature by looking at the passing boats in the river and the changing pattern of the clouds in the sky and not to mention the trees in the field. You can discover joy in your everyday life. The secret is in doing things that you find joyful and meaningful.


30. Don’t Worry Be Happy

Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which will never happen.  ~ James Russel Lowell

Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.  ~ Swedish Proverb

Worrying in itself can only zap your energy and make you stressed and pessimistic. Here are the things you can do to stop worrying and be happy.   

I am going nuts over nuts and dried fruits

I am a great lover of nuts and dried fruits and I eat every day. It is the healthiest snack food in the world.  During the last Chinese New Year, I was very happy to receive many cans of nuts and dried fruits from friends and relatives. Do you know Pistachio is an essential item during Chinese New Year?  It is auspicious to eat pistachio.   In Chinese, it is called 开心果 (kai xin guo)   or happiness fruit, because the shell is half-cracked or opened 开 (kai) and you can see the nut   or 心 (xin) heart inside.  Dried fruits are tasty and just as sweet if not sweeter than candy or chocolate.

Here is a list of nuts and dried fruits I enjoy tremendously:

·         Cashew nuts: Cashews are high in calories and rich in “heart-friendly” monounsaturated fatty acids. They are also rich in minerals and essential vitamins.

·         Almonds: Almonds are rich in vitamins and minerals that help build a healthy heart.

·         Pistachios:  Consumption of pistachios reduces the risk of heart disease.  

·         Walnuts:  Walnuts contain the highest level of antioxidants compared to other nuts.

·         Macadamia nuts: Macadamias are high energy food and contain no cholesterol. The natural oils in macadamias contain 78 per cent monounsaturated fats, the highest of any oil including olive oil.

·      Chestnuts: They are a good source of dietary fiber and minerals

·         Peanuts: They are rich in antioxidants and other chemicals that may provide health benefits.

·         Figs: Figs are good for the treatment of sexual weakness, constipation, indigestion, piles, diabetes, cough, bronchitis, and asthma.

·         Dates: They are an excellent source of energy and they improve the digestive system.

·         Prunes: They have the ability to relieve constipation, provide antioxidant protection, prevent premature ageing, promote cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of cancer and osteoporosis.

·         Raisins: They are a good source of energy, aid digestion, enhance mouth and bone health.

·         Apricots: They promote heart health and prevent several types of cancers.

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Are you nutty like me?

Are You Writing Effective Article Titles?

The Article title is a very important thing. I think it carries 50% of the importance in an article; the other 50% is your content. If your title does not stimulate and excite the readers to read your article, your valuable content is wasted.  The title is the first thing you write. The title is your question and the content is your answer.  You write with focus and relevancy with a title in view. Here is the checklist you can use to write powerful headlines:

1.       Is your article title relevant to your niche? (You do not talk about breaking news when you are writing about self-improvement, but you can cleverly relate a news item to your niche.) 

2.       Does the title answer the pressing question of readers? (happiness, money, employment)

3.       Does the title provide valuable information that readers are searching for? (getting a raise, reducing weight)

4.       Do you check with Google Keyword to find out how popular are the keywords?

5.       Does your title carry an emotional marketing value? (The title of this article scores 66.67% Emotional Marketing Value and it has an empathetic appeal )

6.       Is the title currently trending? (debt, crisis, unemployment)

7.       Do your titles include such words like “how” and “why”?  (How I made one million in 10 days) (Why your article titles suck)

8.        Is it a list headline? (10 easy and effective ways to a beautiful you)

9.       Is your article title threatening? (10 warning signs  that you have serious health problems)

10.   Does it help to simplify people’s lives? (1o ways to work less and get more done)

11.   Is there a name of a famous person in your title and also a very important and appealing word – “secret”? (10 secrets of Warren Buffett)

12.   Does your title talk about mistakes? (Do you make these mistakes in article writing?)

13.   Have you used the word “top” in your headline : (Top 10 bloggers in the world)

14.   Is your title short and sweet? (Are busy people effective? – it has 100% emotional marketing value with an intellectual appeal)

15.   Is your title relating to a news headline? (What can we learn from the downgrade of France‘s credit rating?)

What other provocative titles can you think of?