Proverbs 31OCT2008

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still - Chinese Proverb

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Do good, reap good; do evil, reap evil - Chinese Proverb

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A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials - Chinese Proverb

Proverbs 30OCT2008

A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark - Chinese Proverb

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A fool judges people by the presents they give him - Chinese Proverb

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A book is like a garden carried in the pocket - Chinese Proverb

Proverbs 29OCT2008

If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart - Arab Proverb

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A quarrel is like buttermilk, the more you stir it, the more sour it grows - Belgian Proverb

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A book holds a house of gold - Chinese Proverb

Proverbs 28OCT2008

Life is a promise, Fulfill it - Mother Teresa

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What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us - Ralph Waldo Emersen

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I am convinced that if the rate of change inside an organisation is less than the rate of change outside, the end is in sight - Jack Welch

Happy 23rd Birthday to Apai

FAIRUZ HAJI ABDUL AZIZ

HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY (23rd October 2008)

Ready For The WorldIn Hallfield School, Bayswater, London

A sister to look after you while in London now

The Hallfield School Days

Still in Hallfield SchoolUiTM Graduation 21st November 2007

At KLIA - London Bound (September 2008)

Proverbs 24OCT2008

It's passion probably more than anything else that separates the A's from the B's - Jack Welch

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This may be a networked world, but virtual trust is an illusion. Trust develops when we get to know each other. There is no substitute for spending time with people face to face - James M Kouzes & Barry Z Posner

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Trust men and they will be true to you. Trust them greatly and they will show themselves great - Ralph Waldo Emersen

Proverbs 23OCT2008

If you don't have goals, there is nothing to accomplish - Tiger Woods

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Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all - Helen Keller

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Golf is the easy part. The hard part is trying to balance your life - Tiger Woods

Proverbs 22OCT2008

If you are not now making the progress you'd like to make and are capable of making, it is simply because your goals are not clearly defined - Paul J Meyer

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It is fine to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true best - Elbert Hubbard

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If there is one thing that is clear from a century of leadership research it is this - leaders have a clear and often obsessive sense of what they want to achieve - Paul Evans

Proverbs 21OCT2008

If there is no transformation inside each of us, all the structural change in the world will have no impact on our institutions - Peter Block

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Character is the key to leadership. Research at Harvard University indicates that 85% of a leader's performance depends on personal character - Warren Bennis

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If you are not thinking all the time about making every person more valuable, you don't have a chance - Jack Welch

Proverbs 20OCT2008

The problems we face today cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them - Albert Einstein

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Winning companies win because they have good leaders who nurture the development of other leaders at all levels of the organisation - Noel Tichy

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I don't know leadership is. But I know when I see it - Dwight D Eisenhower

Thought 17OCT2008

THANKS ... AGAIN

A British family journeyed to Scotland for a summer vacation. The mother and father were looking forward to enjoying the beautiful Scottish countryside with their young son. But one day the son wandered off all by himself and got into trouble. As he walked through the woods, he came across an abandoned swimming hole, and as most boys his age do, he took off his clothes and jumped in. He was totally unprepared for what happened next. Before he had time to enjoy the pool of water, he was seized by a vicious attack of cramps. He began calling for help while fighting a losing battle with the cramps to stay afloat.
Luckily, it happened that in a nearby field a farm boy was working. When he heard the frantic cries for help, he brought the English boy to safety. The father whose son had been rescued was of course very grateful. The next day, he went to meet the youth who had saved his son's life. As the two talked, the Englishman asked the brave boy lad what he planned to do with his future. The boy answered, "Oh, I suppose I'll be a farmer like my father." The grateful father said, "Is there something else you'd rather do?" "Oh, yes!" answered the Scottish lad. "I've always wanted to be a doctor. But we are poor people and could never afford to pay for my education." "Never mind that," said the Englishman. "You shall have your heart's desire and study medicine. Make your plans, and I'll take care of the costs." So, the Scottish lad did indeed become a doctor.
There is some more. Some years later, in December of 1943, Winston Churchill became very ill with pneumonia while in North Africa. Word was sent to Sir Alexander Fleming, who had discovered the new wonder drug, penicillin, to come immediately. Flying in from England, Dr Fleming administered his new drug to the ailing prime minister. In doing so, he saved Churchill's life for the second time. For it was the boy Winston Churchill who Alexander Fleming had rescued from the swimming hole so many years before.
[From The Speakers Library of Business] - An extract from The Chicken Soup Series (Overcoming Obstacles) by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne and Marci Shimoff, Health Communications, Inc
Examine what is said, not him who speaks - Ancient Proverb

Thought 16OCT2008

GIVING FROM THE HEART
When I was a teenager, probably 13, my mother taught me a very valuable lesson I've never forgotten. We were grocery shopping in a small store one day when I noticed a family came into the store. It looked like a mother, her daughter and her granddaughter. They were clean but dressed in worn clothes and it was obvious they were less fortunate. They pushed a cart through the store, carefully selecting items, mostly generic and all necessary foods.

My mother and I finished our shopping and headed toward the clerk to pay. As we got there, the family was in front of us, with one person in between. As I watched the family place groceries on the conveyor belt, I heard the mother ask the clerk every so often to subtotal, as she only had so much to spend. This took a while and the person in front of me was getting noticeably impatient and even started mumbling things which I'm sure were overheard. When the store clerk did a final total, the woman did not have enough money so she began pointing to different food items to put back. My mother reached in her purse, pulled out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to the woman. The woman looked very surprised and said, "I can't take that!" My mother looked directly at the woman and quietly replied, "Yes, you most certainly can. Consider it a gift. There's nothing in that cart you don't really need, so please accept it." The woman then reached out and took the money, squeezing my mom's hand for just a moment and with tears running down her cheeks, said, "Thank you very much. No one's has ever done nothin' like this for me before."

I know I left the store with tears in my eyes and it is something I will cherish forever. You see, my parents raised six children and didn't have a whole lot of money themselves, although I can never remember wanting for anything. I'm very happy to say that I inherited her caring heart. I have given selflessly before and there is not a better feeling in the whole world!
Dee M Taylor - extracted from "A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul", Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Barry Spilchuk; Health Communications Inc, 1996

Good habits result from resisting temptation - American Proverb

Thought 15OCT2008

IF I KNEW
You know how you always hear people say, "If I knew then what I know now ..."? Have you ever wanted to say ... yeah ... well ... go on ... So here we go ...
I would listen more carefully to what my heart says. I would enjoy more ... worry less. I would know that school would end soon enough ... and work would ... well, never mind. I wouldn't worry so much about what other people were thinking. I would appreciate all my vitality and tight skin. I would play more, fret less. I would know that my beauty/handsomeness is in my love of life.
I would know how much my parents love me and I would believe that they are doing the best they can. I would enjoy the feeling of 'being in love' and not worry so much about how it works out. I would know that it probably won't ... but that something better will come along. I wouldn't be afraid of acting like a kid. I would be braver.
I would look for the good qualities in everyone and enjoy them for those. I would not hang out with people just because they're "popular". I would take dance lessons. I would enjoy my body just the way it is. I would trust my girlfriends. I would be a trustworthy girlfriend. I wouldn't trust my boyfriends. (Just kidding). I would enjoy kissing. Really enjoy it. I would be more appreciative and grateful, for sure.
Kimberly Kirberger - extracted from 'Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul', Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Kimberly Kirberger, Health Communications, Inc., 1997
If you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself - American Proverb

Thought 14OCT2008

A CHILD'S POINT OF VIEW
It no doubt goes without saying that children see the world a little differently than adults. Their innocence allows them to see life and accept events at face value. Their confusion with the actions and verbiage of adults provides endearing moments.
During the first day of kindergarten, the teacher was explaining the classroom rules to her new students. "Now, when you have to go to the restroom," she began, "please raise your hand."
Sally immediately raised her hand and asked, "How will that help?"
Extracted from 'Speaker's Sourcebook II' by Glen Van Ekeren, Prentice Hall, 1994

If you look back, you'll soon be going that way - American Proverb

Thought 13OCT2008

LONG LIVE
Want to live to be 100? The American Medical Association has looked into the reasons centenarians give for their long lives. It didn't come up with any sure answers - and even found conflicting life-styles among the respondents. The AMA does pass along these traits, though, as ones that most of the men and women seem to have in common : an easy-going disposition, a quick sense of humour and the desire to keep as busy as possible - physically and mentally.
Source Unknown - Extracted from 'Bits & Pieces', The Economic Press, Inc., Fairfield New Jersey - From the Library of Puan Hajah Zaihani Abdul Hamid

If you don't have a plan for yourself, you'll be a part of someone else's - American Proverb

Thought 10OCT2008

CRITICISM
Are you crushed when your boss criticizes something you've done? Don't be. The very fact that your boss has taken time to criticize indicates a regard for you and a desire to help. If you accept it in this light, you'll get some good out of it. Unfortunately, most criticism by supervisory management personnel is never expressed. Some executives feel that they are wasting their breath trying to change people who should know better. Other managers don't have the courage or sense of duty to speak up. They silently let people who make mistakes dig their own graves.
Extracted from Bits & Pieces, The Economics Press, Inc., Fairfield, New Jersey, USA - From the Library of Puan Hajah Zaihani Abdul Hamid

Each day provides its own gifts - American Proverb

Thought 09OCT2008

ON DREAMS
All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind wake in the day to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible.
T. E. Lawrence (1888 - 1935) Explorer and writer - Cited in BITS & PIECES

Dreams are wishes your heart makes - American Proverb

Thought 08OCT2008

TWO THINGS NOT TO WORRY ABOUT
In my life, I have found there are two things about which I should not worry. First, I shouldn't worry about the things I can't change. If I can't change them, worry is certainly most foolish and useless. Second, I shouldn't worry about the things I can change. If I can change them, then taking action will accomplish far more than wasting my energies in worry. Besides, it is my belief that 9 times out of 10, worrying about something does more danger than the thing itself. Give worry its rightful place - out of your life.
Source Unknown - Extracted from the "Chicken Soup Series", Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Aubery & Nancy Mitchell, R.N., Health Communications, Inc., 1996

Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way - American Proverb

Thought 07OCT2008

"WHATEVER YOU NEED"
I was working as a consultant in a beer company, helping the president and senior vice-presidents formulate and implement their new strategic vision. It was an enormous challenge. At the same time, my mother was in the final stages of cancer.

I worked during the day and drove 40 miles home to be with her every night. It was tiring and stressful, but it was what I wanted to do. My commitment was to continue to do excellent consulting during the day, even though my evenings were very hard. I didn't want to bother the president with my situation, yet I felt someone at the company needed to know what was going on. So I told the vice-president of Human Resources, asking him not to share the information with anyone. A few days later, the president called me into his office. I figured he wanted to talk to me about one of the many issues we were working on. When I entered he asked me to sit down. He faced me from across his large desk, looked me in the eyes and said, "I hear your mother is very ill."

I was totally caught by surprise and burst into tears. He just looked at me, let my crying subside, and then gently said a sentence I will never forget. "Whatever you need." That was it. His understanding and his willingness to both let me be in my pain and to offer me everything were qualities of compassion that I carry with me to this day.
Martin Rutte - extracted from 'Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work', Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Maida Rogerson, Martin Rutte & Tim Clauss, Health Communications, Inc., 1996.

Character is what you are in the dark - American Proverb

Thought 06OCT2008

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
I was home this weekend, "Mom-sitting." Mom was not feeling well and needed some help. Dad works part-time and with help from many friends and family, he helps Mom get around. This weekend, Dad told me the story behind one woman who helps. But first, you need to know a little about our house when I was growing up. My parents believed that as many of us as possible (there were eight of us kids) should get exposure to the world. Three of us were exchange students (Australia, Brazil and Holland). You'd think that this was their way of "unloading" us so as to lower the grocery bill. But, when we were gone, they'd invite other exchange students to stay with them (Australia, Holland and Japan). Mom's feeling was that it was easier to add a seventh or eighth kid in our house that it was to add a third or a fourth child in another family.

Nowadays, Mom doesn't entertain. She doesn't get around too well, so some of my brothers built a shower bath on the first floor. Every week, a nurse named Beth comes to help Mom with her bath. Dad recently told her how much she appreciated her coming and asked her as gently as he could why she was committed to helping Mom. Beth answered, "Oh, I guess you don't remember. I was your 'exchange' students from William Street when I was first born. You took me in as a newborn for four months when my mother was sick. It's great to be able to pay you back."
Mike Lynott - extracted from 'A cup of chicken soup for the soul', Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Barry Spilchuk, Health Communications, Inc., 1996

Arrogance is a kingdom without a crown - American Proverb