Author: Mush

Never Be Late Again!

Mush Productivity, Relationships , , ,

Someone recently asked me how I always manage to be on time. My response was, ‘It’s not how, it’s why’. Being on time is easy, if you really want to. Few reasons why being late is bad, whether it’s for business, personal, family or social commitments:

  1. It shows our lack of interest, commitment or passion. Why would anyone hire a person who is late for an interview? Or do business with someone who can’t keep the first commitment? How could a relationship be a priority if our appointments with our loved ones are the first to be compromised?
  2. It demonstrates lack of respect for other people’s time. How do you feel when you somehow manage to show up on time, and then have to wait for the other person?
  3. It sets the wrong example for our family, friends and co-workers – especially for people who look up to us e.g. our children, students or subordinates.

Now some tips on how to be on time:

  1. Give importance. Decide to be on time. Don’t participate in anything half-heartedly.
  2. Plan ahead. Be realistic about how long does it take to get ready and get there. Expect the traffic and other things to go wrong.
  3. Positive affirmations. Telling yourself, ‘I am always on time’ works better than ‘I am always late!’

“I never could have done what I have done without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one subject at a time.” (Charles Dickens)

[Photo of the clock tower in Cardiff]

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Power of Positive Affirmations

Mush Happiness, Motivation , ,

We all need to do this every day!

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Over 100 million homeless people!

Mush Happiness, Life, Motivation , , , ,

Over 100 million people are homeless throughout the world, the majority of them women and dependent children. Overall, at least 600 million people live in shelters that are life threatening or health threatening in developing world cities. Every day, some 50,000 people die as a result of poor shelter, polluted water and inadequate sanitation. Some 70 million women and children live in homes where smoke from cooking fires damages their health. There are over 23 million refugees worldwide, and 27 million internally displaced people- within their own countries.

Please remember this, the next time you feel like complaining for lack of space. Another reason to be grateful.

[Photo taken in Bangkok yesterday]

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We love you, Zain!

Mush Life , , , ,

Our dear friend Zain Naqi passed away this month, at the age of 22. We all remember him as an extra-ordinary young man who was very loving, friendly and always full of life. Zain used to spread cheer and laughter wherever he went. He was always ahead of the others in studies, sports and any other activities that he participated in. Zain always made his parents proud. Everyone dies, but not everyone lives. Zain lived every day of his life, which was rather short.

I have put together some photos and a video of Zain, though his smiling face will always live in our hearts. These were taken during 2002-2006 in Hong Kong. If you were fortunate to have known Zain, please leave your thoughts and prayers as comments.

“You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can remember him only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what he’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.” (By David Harkins – British poet and painter)

Be Grateful for Being You!

Mush Life, Motivation ,

This is supposed to be one of the chapters that was edited out of ‘The Secret’. Quite inspiring!

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10 Essentials of Life by Leo Buscaglia

Mush Happiness, Life ,

From Living, Loving and Learning by Leo Buscaglia:

  1. Right Knowledge, to supply you with the tools necessary for your voyage.
  2. Wisdom, to assure you that you are using the accumulated knowledge of the past in a manner that will best serve the discovery of your presence, your ‘now’.
  3. Compassion, to help you accept others whose ways may be different from yours, with gentleness and understanding, as you move with them or through them or around them on your own way.
  4. Harmony, to be able to accept the natural flow of life.
  5. Creativity, to help you to realize and recognize new alternatives and unchartered paths along the way.
  6. Strength, to stand up against fear and move forward in spite of uncertainty, without guarantee or payment.
  7. Peace, to keep you centered.
  8. Joy, to keep you songful, and laughing and dancing all along the way.
  9. Love, to be your continual guide towards the highest level of consciousness of which man is capable.
  10. Unity, which brings us back to where we started – the place where we are at one with ourselves and with all things.

To me, life is God’s gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to God. Make it a fantastic one.

What do you think is essential in life? Please share through your comments.

[Photo: Tree outside the Heathrow Airport, March 2010]

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6 Facts about Mediterranean Diet

Mush Health ,

[This is a guest post by Eva Alexander who blogs at Mediterranean Diet]

a) Most people say the Mediterranean diet is high in fat. Can people still lose or maintain weight on a Mediterranean diet?

While the Mediterranean diet is high in fat, it is high in the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated healthy fats, in contrast to diets rich in saturated fat. It is not the fat content that will determine weight loss on the Mediterranean diet. People who wish to eat the Mediterranean diet may experience other health benefits but still not lose weight if they do not lower their caloric intake.

b) What makes the Mediterranean diet different from the common American diet?

Americans consume high amounts of red meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy, while the Mediterranean includes very little. The diet also differs from the typical American diet through its dependence on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, olive oil, beans, breads, cereals, and potatoes.

c) Why people in the Mediterranean have lower heart disease?

Research has indicated that the foods in the Mediterranean diet play an important role in lowering heart disease. Research also indicates that the Mediterranean diet requires a more holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle than most other diets.

d) Does regular exercise has a place in the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle?

Exercise is a vital part of maintaining the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is based on the food choices and lifestyles of the region during the early Sixties and during that time period, physical activity was an important part of their culture. Daily hourly walks are encouraged, as are exercises for at least one hour a week that utilize the entire body. Continue reading →

Follow Your Passion: Roz Savage rowing across the Pacific!

Mush Motivation , , ,

Five years ago, Roz Savage quit her high-powered London job to become an ocean rower. She’s crossed the Atlantic solo, and just started the third leg of a Pacific solo row, the first for a woman. Why does she do it? Hear her reasons, both deeply personal and urgently activist. A very inspiring video about following your passion, finding your purpose, getting out of your comfort zone, challenges and achievements!

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Looking for a Cause?

Mush Contribution, Life , ,

Did you know that there are 41.2 million refugees and internally displaced people in the world? And 12 million stateless people living in limbo without citizenship rights? Recently, I had an opportunity to do a motivational session for a youth refugee group in Hong Kong. And I realized that people forced from their homes by conflict are among the world’s most vulnerable who all have individual stories of loss, heartache and survival.

Officially there are 6,500 refugees in Hong Kong. Most of them are asylum seekers who have suffered human rights abuses, persecution, torture or sexual violence! They usually come from South Asia (Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan) and Africa (Somalia, DR Congo, Eritrea, Burundi, Rwanda, Cameroon, Ivory Coast).

Ever since I have heard about these people and met some of them, it’s been almost impossible to complain about my small problems and challenges in life. The things that we take for granted – home, family, friends, job, food, clothes, education etc. – are daily struggles for these people. We are extremely blessed if we haven’t experienced war, famine, violence, displacement or other such calamities, and we should be very grateful!

If you are looking for a cause to support or an opportunity to contribute, you should consider Refugees International or Hong Kong Christian Action who are helping thousands of refugees with their basic needs.

Who is Making You Unhappy?

Mush Happiness, Life, Motivation

I faced a stressful situation today, and reminded myself: There’s only one person who is responsible for any stress in my life, and that’s me. And guess what, my stress vanished.

There’s only one person who is responsible for the quality of your life, happiness, health, relationships, motivation, job satisfaction, wealth and well being. And that’s you!

And the person who makes you unhappy, unhealthy, stressful, disappointed, frustrated, angry, lonely, lazy or poor is also you!

Who will you choose to be?

9 Secrets from the “Blue Zones” by Dan Buettner

Mush Health, Life , , , ,

National Geographic writer and explorer Dan Buettner studies the world’s longest-lived peoples, distilling their secrets into a single plan for health and long life. Dan and team study the world’s “Blue Zones,” communities whose elders live with vim and vigor to record-setting age. He shares the 9 common diet and lifestyle habits that keep them spry past age 100, and five out of these have nothing to do with diet or exercise! One of the best and most inspiring videos I have ever come across:

10 Inspiring Birthday Quotes

Mush Life, Motivation ,

  1. May you live all the days of your life. (Jonathan Swift)
  2. From our birthday, until we die, is but the winking of an eye. (William Butler Yeats)
  3. Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again. (Menachem Mendel)
  4. Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow. (Margaret Fuller)
  5. Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. (Chili Davis)
  6. To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am. (Bernard Baruch)
  7. When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it happened or not. (Mark Twain)
  8. If I’d known I was going to live this long (100 years), I’d have taken better care of myself. (Ubie Blake)
  9. Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you have got to start young. (Fred Astaire)
  10. And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that counts. It’s the life in your years. (Abraham Lincoln)

Which one do you like best? Please share your favorite quotes through comments.

Also see 10 more inspiring birthday quotes.

For more inspiration, check out my newest book: Dhinchak Life

How I lost 3 kg in 3 weeks!

Mush Health, Motivation , ,

I don’t believe in short-term weight loss programs. Even if you are successful in losing weight through a few weeks or months of a diet or exercise routine, you put it back on as soon you go back to your ‘normal’ lifestyle. That’s why it’s much better to make long-term lifestyle changes that you can live with, for example:

  • Eat more fruits and vegetables; cut unhealthy fats and sugars, reduce processed food; eat slowly and in small portions…
  • Make some exercise part of your routine, whether it’s walking, jogging, swimming or playing your favorite sports a few times every week…
  • Learn to sleep well; reduce stress; maintain good posture…
  • Know your ideal weight, considering your height and structure, and figure out the calories you can consume, considering the amount of exercise you can do. (Tough one!)

Having said all that, there are times when one needs to get rid of a few kilos quickly. I usually maintain my weight at 75 kg. But every once in a while, I find myself guilty of putting on an extra kilo or two. And for such occasions, I have figured out a diet that helps me lose one kilo per week, without starving or Continue reading →

5 Motivational Quotes!

Mush Motivation ,

Everyone needs motivation. Here’s a collection of five very motivational quotes to keep you going for the week:

  1. “The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart, this you will build your life by, and this you will become.” (James Allen – As a Man Thinketh)
  2. “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” (Helen Keller)
  3. “I do not have superior intelligence or faultless looks. I do not captivate a room or run a mile under six minutes. I only succeeded because I was still working after everyone else went to sleep.” (Greg Evans)
  4. “You got a dream, you gotta protect it. If people can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you, you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.” (Will Smith in the movie: Pursuit of Happyness)
  5. “The greatest achievement was at first, and for a time, nothing but a dream.” (Napoleon Hill)

Which one did you like best? Please also share your favorite motivational quotes through comments.

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11 Health Benefits of Fruits

Mush Health , ,
  1. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce risk of stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases.
  2. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce risk for type 2 diabetes.
  3. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may protect against certain cancers, such as mouth, stomach, and colon-rectum cancer.
  4. Eating fruits that are low in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake.
  5. Most fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium, and calories. None have cholesterol.
  6. Fruits are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid).
  7. Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Fruit sources of potassium include bananas, prunes and prune juice, dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and orange juice.
  8. Eating fruits and vegetables rich in potassium may reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and may help to decrease bone loss.
  9. Dietary fiber from fruits, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. Fiber is important for proper bowel function. It helps reduce constipation and diverticulosis. Fiber-containing foods such as fruits help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories. Whole or cut-up fruits are sources of dietary fiber; fruit juices contain little or no fiber.
  10. Vitamin C is important for growth and repair of all body tissues, helps heal cuts and wounds, and keeps teeth and gums healthy.
  11. Folate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women in their first trimester of pregnancy should consume adequate folate to reduce the risk of complications during during fetal development.

(As reported on MyPyramid.org of the USDA)

[Photo taken today during strawberry-picking at Lychee Valley in Hong Kong]

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Two Words That Can Hurt: ‘Never’ and ‘Always’

Mush Happiness, Life, Relationships , , ,

As in:

  • “You never listen to me!”
  • “You never come on time!”
  • “You never return my calls!”
  • “You always forget my birthday!”
  • “You are always on the phone/computer!”
  • “You always argue with me!”

You get the point? Such use of the words ‘never’ and ‘always’ exaggerate the reality and blow the situation out of proportion. It usually sparks an argument, or at best, affects the self-esteem of the other person. Next time you are tempted to use these words, try replacing them with ‘usually’ or ‘often’ if you really must use an adverb.

And what if you are at the receiving end of such criticism with one of these words?

  • Don’t take them seriously – you know it’s just an exaggeration.
  • Avoid the temptation to pick on these words and start a heated argument.
  • Simply ask: ‘Do you really mean it?’ or ‘You mean often, not always, right?
  • Don’t let it hurt you or ruin your day or affect your self-esteem – you are stronger than that!

The words always and never can also be used in very positive ways to enhance your communication, increase your commitment, and to motivate yourself and others. Please share your views through comments.

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Inspiring Quotes: Life, Enthusiasm and more…

Mush Life, Motivation , , ,

“We are in such a hurry to grow up, and then we long for our lost childhood. We make ourselves ill earning money, and then spend all our money on getting well again. We think so much about the future that we neglect the present, and thus experience neither the present nor the future. We live as if we were never going to die, and die as if we had never lived.” (Jaime Cohen)

“Lord, give us enthusiasm, because enthusiasm is what binds us to the heavens and to earth, to grown-ups, and to children; it is what tells us that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts. It is enthusiasm that reaffirms to us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally committed to what we are doing.” (Paulo Coelho)

“We see the evil in others because we know the evil in ourselves. We say the painful truth to others because we want to hide it from ourselves. We show our strength because, so that no one can see our frailty. That is why, whenever you judge your brother, be aware that it is you who is in the dock.” (Okakura Kakuzo)

[Photo from Mui Wo Ferry Pier, during a bike trip this morning]

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3 Life Lessons from Traveling

Mush Happiness, Life, Motivation , ,

This post was inspired during my recent 24-hour journey from Hamza’s place in Cardiff to my home in Hong Kong. Multiple connections combined with various modes of travel always result in exciting surprises. And then the movie, ‘Up in the Air’ provided some more impetus. Many frequent travelers learn a few ‘tricks of the trade’ and develop certain attitudes that help them deal with the stress of traveling and keep sane. And I believe some of these provide useful lessons for life:

  1. Travel light. It’s perhaps the most important advice on traveling. Packing a smaller bag requires planning, discipline and focus on the essentials. It saves time at check-in counters. It’s easier to unpack. Less clutter means better focus, and fewer chances of leaving something behind. You can also move on at short notice. Doesn’t that apply to life too? Whether it’s your desk/desktop, wallet/purse/bag, wardrobe or the house… fewer things mean less clutter, less time wasted on finding stuff, less energy on the maintenance. The same applies to having thousands of ‘friends’ on Facebook, receiving tons of junk mail, maintaining dozens of credit cards… the list goes on. Less is more; lighter the better; quality over quantity.
  2. Be prepared for surprises. You learn during traveling that everything is not in your control, and things don’t always go as planned. Flights can be delayed or cancelled; your special meal onboard is often mixed up; bags don’t always make the connection; hotels can be over-booked; Internet doesn’t always work… And it’s not because the world is conspiring against you and everyone is out to get you. You can accept these situations with calm or fight and argue and get upset. I often remind upset fellow passengers: There are usually three reasons for a flight to be delayed: there’s something wrong with the plane, or the pilot, or the weather. And I am glad they have found out while we are still on the ground. The same applies to life. Despite great intentions and excellent planning, things do go wrong. And we have to learn to distinguish between situations (that can’t be changed) and problems (that can be solved). Unfortunately, so many people waste so much of their time and energy fighting with situations.
  3. Enjoy the moment. Just like the unpleasant surprises, there are often unexpected pleasures in traveling. It can be the most beautiful sunrise over the horizon from your window seat, a divine local meal, an unforgettable encounter with a stranger, and other memorable unplanned experiences. At such moments, you don’t want to continue reading the book or checking your email on the iPhone or responding to an SMS. In an age when electronic communications enable us to be permanently connected to (and distracted by) the virtual world, there’s a thrill in throwing yourself into a single place, a single moment. When you travel, you get to embrace the privilege of witnessing life as it happens before your eyes. This attitude need not be confined to travel. For all the pleasures of the virtual world, there is no substitute for real-life conversations and connections with the people and places around you. Even at home, there’s good reason to unplug from the world and really connect with the people you love.

Do you have any interesting experiences from your travels? Or any tips for life? Please share through comments.

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Inspiration from Nana

Mush Happiness, Life, Motivation

Nana is the Urdu/Hindi word for maternal grandfather. Every time I go to Dubai, I visit my 97-year old nana who lives with my uncle. We have all envied his health and fitness levels for a long time. Until recently, he used to wake up before dawn for his morning prayers and rituals; he read newspapers and went for walks; he traveled on his own between Bhavnagar (India) and Dubai.

Every time, I would learn about a different part of his life – and each one more inspiring than the other e.g.

  • He never went to university, but was one of the most learned men of his time. He never stopped reading and learning. He could speak more than five languages.
  • He started his career selling metal at the age of 18. And when he retired at 50, he owned a huge metal business and few shops.
  • Soon after retirement, he started working with a few philanthropic organizations. He traveled across India and Africa for fund-raising and built hundreds of schools in poor neighborhoods.
  • He had four wives; he remarried after the deaths of each one, except the last one who died about ten years ago. My mom was born from the second wife.

I saw him last week, and he is not the same anymore, physically. He is now bed-ridden, but insists on walking to the bathroom. He can only take fluids, so he is getting weaker by the day. He can’t see properly, or hear or talk. And he doesn’t recognize anyone. He felt my face, arms and biceps. Then he smiled and made a gesture with a punched hand – meaning ‘you seem fit’. When I realized his mental alertness, I tried to say ‘let’s get up and go’ through my body language. He quickly responded through his hands and expressions which I interpreted as, ‘I am done with this life; I am too tired now; I am ready to go’.

I think people have two kinds of thoughts on their deathbeds: I wish I had done this and done that; if I could live my life again, I would  do this and that differently. Or I am glad I did this and that; if I could live my life again, I wouldn’t change a thing; I had the best life! And what we would be thinking on our deathbeds depends on how we live our lives today.

[Updated on 2nd April: Nana passed away today. May his soul rest in peace]

Happy Marriage Tip #46

Mush Happiness, Relationships ,

The post on 45 Tips for a Happy Marriage continues to be one of the most popular on this blog. Here’s #46 – actually an extension of ‘go on dates’…

We have another ritual that we call Friday Dates. Once in a month or two, we both take the afternoon off from whatever we are doing. We meet at our favorite soup/salad place for a long lunch. Then we usually go to a nearby reflexology place for an invigorating foot/shoulder treatment. The rest of the afternoon is either shopping or movie or just chilling out at a coffee shop.

Why Friday? There’s something about leaving important work behind in the office to meet that special someone. It’s a great start to a wonderful weekend. There’s no rush to go back home to kids – they are at work or in school. The long hours together encourages lot of talking. We share our dreams and goals, address important issues, and even resolve any differences. Try it out. It’s very different from the usual dinner dates, and is sure to strengthen the relationship.

[Photo of sunset from Cococabana beach on Lamma Island, Hong Kong]

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