BE CHILDLIKE   As we grow up, let us try not to lose the inherent intelligence bestowed on us by nature.

Austrian neurologist and psychologist, Sigmund Freud is best remembered as the father of psychoanalysis. Although, several theories he propounded are considered controversial by many, his impact on psychotherapy cannot be over emphasised.

What a distressing contrast there is between the radiant intelligence of the child and the feeble mentality of the average adult. - Sigmund Freud

In the above quote, Freud says that children are far more intelligent than adults. He says they are radiant because they are fearless. Their minds are gallant because they allow their imagination to run riot. They are vivid and boundary-less in their mental pursuits because they have not yet learnt about the "limitations", which are a construct of the adult mind. This is evident from his use of the word "feeble" when describing the intelligence of an average adult.

Freud is obviously quite unimpressed by the mind of the average adult, which is mostly fraught with constraints - real or imaginary.

Most adults do not allow their minds to expand to new horizons because venturing into unfamiliar territory is a scary proposition.

Weakness, then, is the hallmark of the average adult mind, according to Freud. Contrast this with a child, whose mind is not yet aware of the meaning of "limitation" and therefore simply explores all possibilities. It does not matter to the child whether it is in the realm of possibilities; he or she simply embarks upon new, exciting mental journeys.

Freud's use of the word "average" for adults also implies that he believes that there are some adults who are not average. These have retained their childlike courage and therefore manage to also retain their radiant intelligence.

Freud's belief that children are more intellectually radiant is reflected in that all-time favourite quip from Albert Einstein who strongly believed that "imagination is more powerful than knowledge".

Freud seems to be telling us to be as daring as a child in our intellectual pursuits - and this will lead us to discover a sparkle that's been missing in our lives.

(By: Manoj Khatri)

DON'T BE A DUCK. BE AN EAGLE

Harvey Mackay tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine.

Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey. He handed my friend a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.'

Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said: Wally's Mission Statement. To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.

This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf."

My friend said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink."

Wally smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice.'

Almost stuttering, Harvey said, 'I'll take a Diet Coke.'

Handing him his drink, Wally said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.'

As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.'

And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him.

Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

'Tell me, Wally,' my amazed friend asked the driver, 'have you always served customers like this?'

Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. 'No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called ‘You'll See It When You Believe It’. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.''That hit me right between the eyes,' said Wally. 'Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'

'I take it that has paid off for you,' Harvey said.

'It sure has,' Wally replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on m y cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.'

Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting.

Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.

How about us?

Smile and the whole world smiles with you.....The ball is in our hands!

A man reaps what he sows. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up...let us do good to all people.

(By: B Ray Chaudhary)

SOME NON-SECRETS TO HAPPINESS

The only way to happiness is to look within you. Remember that happiness is not constant. Some people think that if they're not feeling happy, something is wrong. The real truth is that happiness is usually found somewhere off the beaten path - between the fantasy overpass and the reality off-ramp.

Here are a few tools that may help you find your way (think of them as a Happiness GPS [global positioning system]):

1. Be Easily Amused. People who laugh and smile are happier - and usually live longer - than people who lack a sense of humour.

2. Don't Dwell On The Negative. If there's something wrong, accept it and move through it. Ruminating about how bad life is won't help, and can lead to depression. If you can't stop the thoughts, consult a professional.

3. Trust That Your Life Has Meaning. If it doesn't, or you can't find any at the moment, act as if you have it, until you stumble on what really floats your boat.

4. Do Something Nice For Yourself. It doesn't have to cost money or be a big deal. Sometimes just watching the sunset and letting the world go by can be very healing for the soul.

5. Always Have Something With You To Read. This way, you'll never be bored or waste time. When you read, you are both relaxing and learning.

6. Do Something For Someone, Without Expecting Anything In Return. Help an old lady get her shopping bags into the car. Help someone stuck for parking space. These may seem like insignificant little things, but think how you would feel if someone were similarly helpful to you or someone you love.

7. Depravation Is Depressing. Even if it means you have to spend an extra 20 minutes on the treadmill, eat that chocolate cake, if it can be the reason for your bliss.

8. Get Outside And Appreciate Your Environment. Sunlight and fresh air are now being touted as ways to prevent certain types of cancer. The healthiest thing you can do for yourself, emotionally and physically, is to simply take a walk.

9. Giving Love And Understanding Is The First Step In Receiving It. This is one of the oldest and wisest pieces of truth on earth. Giving away what you want, is a great way to get what you really need.

10. Always Have A Goal. Happiness comes from moving towards what you want, not from going away from it. Any time you achieve a dream, you need to replace it. Make sure you always have something to look forward to.

(By: Barton Goldsmith)

Value of Knowledge

In both the great EPICS of India, Ramayan and Mahabharata, war ends not with celebration of victory but with transmission of knowledge.

In the Ramayan, Ravan lies mortally wounded on the battlefield and the monkeys are celebrating their victory, when Ram turns to his brother, Lakshman, and says, "While Ravan was a brute, he was also a great scholar. Go to him quickly and request him to share whatever knowledge he can."

The obedient Lakshman rushes to Ravan's side and whispers in his ears, "Demon-king, all your life you have taken not given. Now the noble Ram gives you an opportunity to mend your ways. Share your vast wisdom. Do not let it die with you. For that you will be surely be blessed".

Ravan responds by simply turning away. An angry Lakshman goes back to Ram and says: "He is as arrogant as he always was, too proud to share anything." Ram looks at his brother and asks him softly, "Where did you stand while asking him for knowledge?" "Next to his head so that I hear what he had to say clearly." Ram smiles, places his bow on the ground and walks to where Ravan lies. Lakshman watches in astonishment as his brother kneels at Ravan's feet.

With palms joined, with extreme humility, Ram says, "Lord of Lanka, you abducted my wife, a terrible crime for which I have been forced to punish you. Now, you are no more my enemy. I see you now as you are known across the world, as the wise son of Rishi Vishrava. I bow to you and request you to share your wisdom with me. Please do that for if you die without doing so, all your wisdom will be lost forever to the world".

To Lakshman's surprise, Ravan opens his eyes and raises his arms to salute Ram, "If only I had more time as your teacher than as your enemy. Standing at my feet as a student should, unlike your rude younger brother, you are a worthy recipient of my knowledge. I have very little time so I cannot share much but let me tell you one important lesson I have learnt in my life. Things that are bad for you seduce you easily; you run towards them impatiently. But things are actually good for you fail to attract you; you shun them creatively, finding powerful excuses to justify your procrastination. That is why I was impatient to abduct Sita but avoided meeting you. This is the wisdom of my life, Ram, My last words. I give it to you." With these words, Ravan dies.

There's similar knowledge transmission after the Mahabharata war is over and the Kauravas are all dead. As the victorious Pandavas are about to assume control of Hastinapur, Krishna advises them to talk to Bhisma, their grand uncle, who lies mortally, wounded on the battlefield. As a result of a blessing, death would elude him for some time. "Make him talk until his last breath. Ask him questions. He has a lot to tell," says Krishna.

Sure enough, when prompted, the dying Bhisma spends hours discussing various topics: history, geography, politics, economics, management, war, ethics, morality, sex, astronomy, metaphysics and spirituality.

Bhisma's discourse is captured in the Shanti Parva (discussions of peace) and Anushasan Parva (discussions on discipline) that makes up a quarter of the Mahabharata. After listening to their grandsire, the Pandavas have a better understanding of the world, and this makes them better kings.

Both these stories draw attention to the value of knowledge. In triumph, it is easy to claim material possessions of the defeated, but it is not easy to claim their knowledge.

STAND OUT, MAKE A MARK

Some people are content just to be another face in the crowd. By assuming this attitude, they are saying, in effect, to the rest of the world, I’m just average; there’s nothing special about me. For those of us who would rather stand out from the crowd, there are some relatively easy ways but they do require a little bit of commitment on our part.

Follow the following tips to stand out from the crowd:

1. Take time to do the little things right.

The old saying goes that if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Well, that’s not necessarily true, as there are some easy things most people don’t do because they just don’t think those things are worthwhile. The next time you go to the grocery store, notice how many people actually take time to carry the carts back to the cart-return. You will probably notice that only a very few of them do. Others are saying to the world, I don’t have time to do things right or everyone else is doing it that way and I am no different.

The other example has to do with making proper turns while driving, including using your turn signal. Remember how you were taught in driving school? You are supposed to make sharp rights and wide lefts. These are just a couple of examples, but taking the time to do the little things right will make you stand out for the right reasons.

2. Find alternatives to profanity (bad language).

A person who relies on profanity in his speech comes off as ‘boorish’. There are plenty of ways to tell someone exactly what you think about them without being profane. Even a person who is not all that intelligent seems a lot smarter when he avoids the use of profanity. At a minimum, that person seems more high-class than people who just can’t stop themselves from using profanity.

3. Remember things that most other people commonly forget.

For example, 90% of US citizens can’t name the losing candidate in the last election. People are just so caught up in their own little worlds that they don’t bother to retain certain things that don’t directly affect them. You don’t need a photographic memory to memorise stuff. All you have to do is practise. Write things down. Repeat them to yourself. If you can commonly remember things that others have long forgotten, you’ll really stand out.

4. Live below your means.

This is probably the toughest item on my list to follow as our culture dictates that we mortgage ourselves to the hilt. We are taught to buy everything the banks and our credit cards will allow us to buy, whether we can afford it or not. However, we should strive to leave as big a gap as possible between our income and our bills. I know there are people out there who have large families and/or limited incomes and are struggling to make ends meet. I grew up in a very poor family. We lived in housing projects from the time I was six until the time I was 18. However, we were always able to pay our bills on time because my parents didn’t buy things they couldn’t afford. When I began my career, I didn’t make much, but I still always had some money to spare after paying my bills. If I couldn’t afford something, I didn’t buy it. There were even some things that I was able to afford but still didn’t buy because I wanted to have some money left for unexpected expenses. There is a lot of freedom that comes with living below one’s means. When everyone around you is struggling to make ends meet and you’re not, you really stand out.

5. Make decisions based on logic and reason instead of emotion and/or dogma.

Too many people react emotionally to situations, rather than thinking them out rationally. For example, many people will get upset if someone calls them a name or flashes a particular gesture at them, even though there’s no logical reason to get so agitated by such behaviour. It doesn’t make you a Stupid just because someone calls you one. However, many people react as if it does. Other people get caught in the dogma (belief) trap. They make up their minds first and then look at the facts and evidence later. Even when they do get around to the facts, they will seek only those which seem to support their views while disregarding or explaining away those which seem to support a contrary view. You’ve met people who are staunch supporters of one particular political party or the other, for example. To them, their party is always right and the other is always wrong, even though common sense tells us that one particular side of any issue is never right all the time. Reasonable people realise that the truth usually lies somewhere between the two extremes. Many times, I’ve come across rah-rah partisan sites in the web, which disregard the dictates of common sense in favour of the fact that their extreme side has cornered the market on all truth. By using logic and reason to make your decisions in an open-minded fashion, you give yourself a major advantage over much of the population.   (By: Terry Mitchell)

 MANAGE YOUR ENDLESS ENERGY SMARTLY

How you can tap into a massive source of vital energy inside your own body -- and how you can put this great force to work in your life by employing a simple, but powerful universal principle. Although this principle is rarely talked about in popular spiritual and self-help circles, it is widely used by some of the smartest people in the world: • Toyota uses it to power its hybrid cars • Entrepreneurs use it to create great wealth • NASA uses it to run the space shuttle • Architects use it when they design skyscrapers • Olympic athletes use it to win gold medals And although this principle is very powerful, it is also very easy to understand and use. You don't have to be an Olympic athlete or NASA scientist to put it to work in your life to immediately become more productive and have more fun. Here's how it works: The human body produces an amazing amount of energy. In fact, every one of your cells is a tiny power plant working around the clock, feeding energy to the entire system. Our body uses this energy to heat our blood, digest our food, pump our heart, power our brain, and much more. Engineers and scientists know that the easiest way to put more energy into a system is not to make more energy, but instead to waste less. This can be as simple as adding better insulation to a wall or as complex as recapturing the heat energy from the disk brakes in a car. We can apply this very same principle to our own lives. A huge amount of the energy our body generates currently gets wasted because we're not conscious of how it gets used. But, once we learn how to consciously conserve and direct our vital life force, a whole new world opens up to us. It's something like realizing you've been running your car engine 24 hours a day -- even though you're not using the car to go anywhere. Suddenly you see it's unnecessary, useless. And what happens the moment you stop wasting all that energy? It's like instant access to thousands of extra dollars that were going down the drain; you reduce wear and tear on your car, and help the environment to boot! So where is all of this extra energy being wasted in our lives? Where are we "leaving the motor running" so that we're always running out of "gas"? Everyone knows the answer to this question: STRESS! Stress drains our vital life forces, ruins our immune systems, keeps us on edge so that all our relationships are compromised, leaves us exhausted -- and worst of all, it destroys the possibility of our coming to know what we all want more than anything else in life: a mind at peace with itself, and a quietly contented heart. Think of how rich, vital, and creative your life would be if stress wasn't allowed to sneak in and steal away your energy every waking moment: • Your day would go smoothly, unblemished by minor irritations or major blowups • You would never get depressed over, critical of, or threatened by anything that happens • You couldn't mistake negative thoughts and feelings as "friends" in your time of need • Your relationships would reflect loving compassion instead of judgment and self-concern • You would be able to notice and enjoy the beauty around you

KNOW WHO YOU ARE? Hiding behind a sea of emotions will keep you from growing into the person you were meant to be. Our whole purpose on this earth is to love others with complete and true love. But before we can do that, we must love ourselves. So, how is your relationship with yourself ? It’s a good idea to ponder into the deep side of you and meditate upon the mysteries of who you are, or better yet, of whom you can become. Before we can have significant and lasting relationships with others, we need to understand the person we are now and the person we can become. Break free from your inhibitions and ask yourself, “Who am I?” “What is my purpose in life?” Answer with complete truth and honesty. Then live your life off that foundation. Base your life upon who you are. Break free from your doubts and fears and be happy loving who you are. Once you love who you are, you will be totally free to love others. If our purpose on this earth is to love others, we certainly cannot truly achieve that if we are hiding inside our insecurities and not really loving ourselves. Hiding behind a sea of emotions or a certain weakness will keep us from growing into the person we were meant to be. Being afraid to love others because of being hurt in the past also keeps us from trusting others enough to love. The first step in growing out from self is to understand what your purpose, goals, ideas, and dreams in life are. Believe it or not, some folks aren’t sure what their purpose and goals in life are and live in a depressed state of aimless wondering and disillusionment. But it doesn’t have to be like that! The focus here is to grow out from self by knowing first, who we are, and then working towards the substance of who we are. Who are you? What are you? Where are you going? Why are you going? Find it, seek it, acknowledge it, know it, and go after it with gusto! It’s like a caterpillar that eventually metamorphosises into a beautiful butterfly. All of God’s creations have the ability to turn into beautiful butterflies. But not all of God’s creations will become beautiful butterflies. Why is that? A caterpillar doesn’t allow itself to be free from self. Whether it is through weakness or fear, a caterpillar must break free from what is holding it back by realising it can become a butterfly. A butterfly is free from the restraints of self. A butterfly has grown out from self and now seeks to love others with all the love it has while a caterpillar is still seeking to be loved by others. Unfortunately, many caterpillars do not know they have the ability to become butterflies and so remain in their cocoon until they die. Come out of your cocoon and become the butterfly you were always meant to become. Learn to know who you are by having a truly honest relationship with yourself. Grow out of any negativity that may be wedged within your mental and spiritual capacities. Low self-worth, fear, mistrust, insecurities, sin, and unbelief will keep you from discovering the natural and true person you really are. But when you have enough belief in God then you know He will keep you safe from those feelings that plague you or that would keep you from growing into the butterfly you were meant to be. Fearful and insecure persons hide behind negative emotions and are enveloped within a particular weakness in their life. Unbelief is a weakness. Unbelief in the Creator is the biggest and most damaging weakness a person can carry upon their shoulders. For 15 years I lived in my weakness of unbelief, which prompted me to drink, which fueled my addiction to alcohol. After becoming sober, I wallowed in negative emotions for three more years. During those years, I didn’t know how to have a relationship with myself because my relationship was with the bottle. I was rebellious to my marriage and God. My low self-esteem kept me living in a cocoon bound by a web of deceit that kept me from growing into the beautiful butterfly I was meant to become. I was afraid to grow out from self and get to know God. Please learn from my mistakes. Get to know who you are, because that is what God wants for you. Come out of hiding, all you caterpillars, and become free butterflies! (By: Angie Watkins)

CAUSES OF OUR FAILURE I believe that all of us want happiness and success in life. However, very few can actually admit that they have got there. Many didn't know why they aren't successful, so few knew why, but didn't do anything about it. I have the privilege to come across a list of reasons why most people couldn't achieve happiness or success in life. As I read through, I too discovered that some of the reasons here have been standing in the way between success and me. As you go over the list now, check yourself by it, point by point, to find out how many of these causes-of-failure stand between you and success. 1. Lack of Purpose In Life Before I start taking my life seriously, I have no major purpose in life. All day long, I would either play games at home, or after work, chill out with my friends. There is no sense of responsibility to my family, no commitment at work and of cause, no purpose. Life was pretty much a routine - a routine that I hate - a routine that I want to get rid of. Many people I have come across are leading the life that I have led years ago. And gradually I discovered that lack of purpose in life (or anything else for that matter) is always and will always be at the top of the list of failure. 2. Lack of Ambition to Aim High People who are not happy at where they are and yet are unwilling to aim high above mediocre and pay the price of success, will never be happy. I have seen them, they will whine about their work, about their boss, about everything and anything under the sun. But they aren't willing to work on it, to find out how to get ahead of the pack. When told of what they could have done so that they could get out of the rug, they will come up will excuses for not able to do it. No success will ever befall on those who lack the ambition to aim high above the mediocrity. 3. Insufficient Education This is a handicap, which can be overcome with ease. How many times have you read or heard of successful people having little or no educational background? Experience has proven that the best-educated people are often those who are known as "self-made" or self-educated. In times like these, college degree alone is no longer sufficient to bring you to the top. Education consists, not so much of knowledge, but of knowledge effectively and persistently applied. We are paid, not merely for what we know, but more particularly for what we do with which we know. 4. Lack of Self-Discipline Self-discipline comes from self-control. This means you need to control all the negative qualities you believe you have. Self-control will be one of the hardest skills you will ever learn. However, if you do not conquer yourself, yourself will conquer you. 5. Ill Health No one can enjoy outstanding success without good health. Many causes of ill health are the result of poor self-control. Some of the examples that contribute to ill health are: · Overeating · Smoking · Drinking · Wrong habits of thought · Lack of proper physical exercise 6. Unfavorable Environmental Influence Most people who have tendency to commit crime acquire them as the result of bad environment and improper associates during childhood. 7. Procrastination Procrastination is the deferment or avoidance of an action or task and is often linked to perfection. Most people failed in life because they are waiting for the 'time to be right'. The thing is ‘the time will never be right’. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along. 8. Lack of Persistence There are many good 'starters', but very few finishers of everything they begin. They will begin something with high hopes and enthusiasm but loss that excitement when they are facing the first sign of defeat. But we ought to learn that nothing substitute the lack of persistence. And those who know this discovered that failure has no way in coping persistence. 9. Negative Personality There is no hope of success for a person who repels others through negative personality. Not many realize this; success is attained through the cooperation efforts of other people. A negative personality will not induce cooperation. Above are reasons that may have stopped you from achieving happiness, attaining success. Look through it and see if you have possessed any of them. If you have, ask yourself "what will you do to overcome them?"

GIVE YOUR MIND SOME REST Education teaches you how to use the mind and not how to stop it so that it can relax. Even when you are asleep it continues to work; the mind knows no sleep. However, it is possible to turn the mind off when it is not required. This is helpful in two ways: One, it will give you peace, silence, which you’ve never known before, and secondly, it re-acquaints you with yourself, which had not been possible till now, since the chattering mind had always kept you engaged. Learn how to say, “It is enough — now go to sleep. I am awake, don't be worried.” Use the mind only when it is needed; then it remains fresh, young and full of energy. This gives your words authority, truth, sincerity and meaning. The same words that you had been using before will now acquire more power and energy. What the world knows as charisma, is simply a mind which knows how to relax and let the energy collect. Such a mind need not give any evidence or any logic — just its own energy is enough. A mind that is working day and night is bound to become weak, dull, unimpressive, and dragging. At the most it would become utilitarian, just useful enough for you to go about your daily activities. It won’t have power to do anything more. Many people thus often lose their chance to become impressive by allowing their mind to get crowded and worked up. Give your mind the rest that it needs so desperately. This can be done simply, by becoming a witness to it. The mind then slowly learns to be silent and consequently powerful. Words then attain a richness, validity and quality that they’ve never had before. They’ll bypass the logical barriers and will touch the very core of the heart. (By: Amrit Sadhana)

WISE ANSWERS TO SOME MYTHS

1. Cell phones are dangerous to use in hospitals because they can interfere with medical equipment. Verdict: JURY'S OUT. There's a chance that a cell phone call in the wrong spot can cause ventilators, syringe pumps, or even pacemakers to pulse incorrectly, according to a 2007 Dutch study. The researchers tested modern cell phones, including PDAs that use wireless Internet signals. After placing the phones just a few centimeters from devices, researchers found that 43% of the phones caused electromagnetic interference with critical care equipment--and a third of those instances could be potentially life-threatening to patients. But these findings countered a Mayo Clinic study a year prior that found no instances of "clinically important" interference between cell phones and medical machines. In fact, Mayo researchers advised hospitals to revise or drop their cell phone bans. Bottom Line: Play it safe for now. Use a designated cell phone area at the hospital, which most now offer--or use a call as an excuse for a walk-and-talk outside for some fresh air and exercise. If you feel compelled to stay by a relative's side in the ER or recovery room, make sure to carry a good old-fashioned calling card to use at a pay phone. 2. It is safe to follow "the 5 second rule" for food dropped on the floor. Verdict: FICTION. It's probably not even safe to follow a 1-second rule: The transfer of bacteria from a contaminated surface to food is almost instantaneous--or, at the very least, quicker than your reflexes. In a recent study, Clemson University food scientist Paul Dawson, PhD, and students contaminated several surfaces (ceramic tile, wood flooring, and carpet) with Salmonella. They then dropped pieces of bologna and slices of bread on the surfaces for as little as 5 seconds and as long as 60 seconds. After just 5 seconds, both food types had already picked up as many as 1,800 bacteria (more bad bugs adhered to the moisture-rich bologna than the bread); after a full minute, it was up to 10 times that amount. Bottom Line: There are 76 million cases of food borne illness annually in the United States, according to the CDC--so unless you're the only family on the block that sterilizes their floors on an hourly basis, you should refrain from eating dropped food. "Let's not forget what comes into contact with floors--people bring animal feces on their shoes into their homes," Dawson says. And don't assume that countertops are clean. Dawson's team also found that the Salmonella actually survived as long as 4 weeks on the test surfaces. As the recent tomato-related illnesses nationwide showed, "raw fruits and vegetables are as frequently the perpetrators of Salmonella transfer as poultry," Dawson says. 3. Cracking your knuckles can cause arthritis. Verdict: FICTION. If you're suffering from osteoarthritis in your hands, it certainly has nothing to do with this nervous tic. One study at the former Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit compared 74 people (age 45 and older) who had been chronic knuckle crackers for decades with 226 who always left their hands alone; researchers found no difference in the incidence of osteoarthritis between the two groups. But there are reasons to stop this annoying habit: The same study found knuckle crackers to be far more likely to have weaker grip strength and greater hand swelling, both of which can limit dexterity. As for osteoarthritis, that's more likely due to genetics and increasing age. Bottom Line: Try turning your nervous energy into a less harmful habit that occupies your hands (such as doodling). If a different activity doesn't get you to stop, try putting a large rubber band around your wrist and every time you catch yourself cracking your knuckles, pull it back and let it snap as a reminder that your habit really can be harmful. Most important, get to the bottom of what's causing your nervousness in the first place--you may crack your knuckles more often at work than at home, for example--and address those sources directly. 4. Cola type soft drinks can damage your kidneys. Verdict: FACT. Despite their global popularity, there's nothing remotely healthy about cola beverages: Drinking 16 ounces or more daily (whether diet or regular) doubles your risk of chronic kidney disease, according to a recent NIH study of more than 900 people. The researchers already knew that consuming any type of soft drink--the average American adult guzzles 59 gallons' worth per year--is associated with several risk factors for kidney disease (hypertension, diabetes, and kidney stones), but the spike in the cola category was remarkable. Experts suspect that the ingredient phosphoric acid may be the culprit; it's been repeatedly linked to "urinary changes that promote kidney stones," say the study authors. Cola has an additional knock against it: Consumption is associated with significantly lower bone density in women, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, says a separate study. Bottom Line: If you're going to indulge in an occasional soda, go for Sprite, 7-Up, ginger ale, and the like--the NIH study found that non-cola drinks didn't have the same impact on the kidneys. But you'll be better off if you skip soda altogether, even the sugar-free varieties: Recent research showed an association between drinking diet soda and weight gain. 5. "Double dipping" spreads germs from one chip to another. Verdict: FACT. In a classic episode of Seinfeld, a partygoer accused George Costanza of spreading germs by "double-dipping"--swiping a chip into a bowl of dip, taking a bite, and then dipping the same chip again. Having settled the 5-second rule debate, Clemson University's Dawson decided to do the same recently with this alleged party faux pas. It turns out that George really was contaminating the other guests: Using Wheat Thins and various dips, Dawson found that a double-dip deposited thousands of saliva bacteria into the dip--and of those, 50 to 100 were later transferred through the dip to a clean cracker, presumably destined for another guest's mouth. Still unknown, however, is how long such bacteria can survive in the dip or if they can actually infect another dipper upon ingestion. Bottom Line: You'd better be pretty comfy with your party guests. "Eating from a dip after someone has dipped twice is basically the same as kissing that person," Dawson says. Be especially wary of thin dips; the study found that the lower the dip's viscosity, the higher the rate of germ transfer from a double dip. For example, a chip's second plunge into a cheese dip is less cause for concern than a watery salsa--thicker dips apparently don't allow errant bacteria to travel as far as thinner varieties. Finally, think twice about digging into any dip at the end of the night; remnants on the sides or bottom of a bowl are most likely a highly concentrated mash of germs, Dawson says, akin to the last sip in a can of soda. 6. Eating locally produced honey can ease seasonal allergies. Verdict: JURY'S OUT. The theory seems sound: Bees in your neighborhood feed on the same pollen that gives you itchy eyes and a runny nose. That pollen gets added to the hive's honey, and ingesting it helps you build a tolerance to those allergens--or so the thinking goes. But does this really work? "We don't know--there are no studies to support it, only testimonials," says Leonard Bielory, MD, director of the Asthma and Allergy Research Center at New Jersey Medical School. Of course, the same process could produce negative effects--bees may visit problem plants, such as poison ivy, and cause a rash in people ingesting the ivy-tainted honey. Yet anecdotal reports claim just the opposite: Some honey lovers insist that the sweetener has helped build immunity to such reactions. Bottom Line: Keep standard allergy remedies on hand, but feel free to enjoy local honey, too--it's a worthy replacement for other sweeteners and even has natural antibiotic properties.

(By: Ben Cramer)

BYPASS THE BYPASS SURGERY Dear friends, Just read the following medical history and action taken by me to avoid bypass surgery. If you follow the similar lifestyle you may also do so, irrespective of your health status and age. Medical History: Lt Col Harish Nagpal I was diagnosed ‘ECG abnormal’ on 01.05.2000 at M H Secundrabad during Annual Medical Examination by the cardiologist Lt Col K R M Rao, when I was 51 years of age. He advised me to get TMT (running ECG while doing some exercise) at Apollo Hosp, Secundrabad. This was done on 02.05.2000 by Dr Shiv Kumar, MD, DM and the result was ‘positive for exercise induced Ischemia (High Probability)’. I was advised by Dr Rao to go through Angiography test at Apollo, Secundrabad. Angiography was done by Dr Rao himself at Apollo, Secundrabad on 10 Aug 2000. Diagnosis: Coronary Artery Disease (old inferior infarct, triple vessel disease, normal LV function). The following blockages in cardio vessels were shown in the report: (a) LAD: Mid – 100% blocked almost 2 cms long. (b) LCX: Distal – 95% stenosis, OM2 – proximal 90% stenosis. (c) RCA: Dominant proximal - 70%. Mid – 90% stenosis. PD - 100% blocked at origin. (d) LV Angio: No MR. LMCA: normal. EF: 70%. I was advised to undergo Triple Vessels Bypass Surgery (CABG) at the earliest, and continue on medicines to prevent further damage to the heart, which may lead to severe heart attack, which may be cause of sudden death. I was advised by my close relatives to take other opinions from other specialists. I showed my reports to Dr C H Umeshchandra, MD, DM famous cardiologist in Hydrabad. Based on the video of angiography he also advised to undergo surgery at the earliest. I showed my reports to Dr (Col) B Kalra, MD, DM in Delhi. Based on the video of angiography he also advised to undergo surgery at the earliest. I showed my reports to Dr A Shrivstava, consultant cardiologist at Malhotra Heart Institute, now Metro Heart Hosp, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. He advised me to meet Dr Bimal Chhajer, MD, famous heart specialist at Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. I have shown my reports to Dr Bimal Chhajer, who, based on my reports, advised me to take medicines regularly and attend his three days camp with my spouse (costing about Rs 20000/-). Meanwhile I should continue on medicines. He was against any angioplasty or bypass surgery. His advice was to improve life style and remain healthy. I took his advice seriously and decided not to undergo any bypass surgery or attend his camp. Angioplasty was already ruled out in my case being triple vessel disease with lot of serious blockages. I asked him: how my heart is supplying blood and working normally as I was not having any angina pain, which is the major symptom of ischemia heart disease. He told me that God is not fool, he has provided us collateral arteries in the heart which become active when main arteries get blocked due to deposit of cholesterol etc. In my case these are active and meeting my blood requirement in spite of so many blockages, and therefore I am not having angina. He advised me to keep the blood pressure, lipid profile within ideal limits and have no stress. I took medicines advised by him and some homeopathy medicines and some Ayurvedic medicines for almost two years, till I retired from active service from the Army in end April 2002. After retirement I stopped all medicines in phased manner. Before retirement one more Angiography was done on 09.07.2001 at RR Hosp, Delhi Cantt by the cardiologist. His reports were: (a) LAD: 100% Mid. (b) LCX: 70% distal. OM2 – 70% at origin. (c) RCA: 60% vertical segment. (d) LV Angio: No MR / RWMA. EF: 65%. You can see some improvements. With these results I was again advised for bypass surgery. I again decided against the advice. My strategy to improve my lifestyle Being an army officer I tried to implement the lessons taken in the army: (a) If you want to win your enemy, know him well. Analyse his strengths and weaknesses (SWOT). (b) Explore all possible routes to overcome the enemy and than take the best course possible. (c) Know your strength and weaknesses. (d) Attack the enemy with full strength to destroy him forever. The first one was to know the enemy. In my case: to know about the functioning of the heart and why we have heart diseases. As heart does not function in isolation we have to know complete cardiovascular system. This system that looks after our blood supply and purification (with the help of respiratory system) also does not function in isolation. So we have to know our body anatomy and physiology. Therefore I started reading available material on the subject, starting with heart, which was my major concern at that time. I came to know: what are the risk factors for heart disease, which are the heart diseases – their symptoms, diagnosis and treatment and prevention. I also got lot of material on the net and studied it seriously. This has changed my total outlook towards life. To remain healthy physically and mentally we have to tackle following aspects: (a) To control the inputs to your body: food, water, air, thoughts etc. (b) To exercise your body and mind regularly. (c) To remain stress free all the time. (d) To improve your environment, which affect your life. (e) To improve your relationships with family members, friends and neighbors (emotional health). (f) To remain independent in most of your daily needs – physical, mental, emotional, social and economical; this will reduce stress level. (g) To cater for your future needs: to have security and therefore living tension free – physical, economical, emotional, social and spirituals. You may add some more aspects. · To meet the first requirement (control of input to the body), I have to study to know what to eat/drink, how to breathe properly, how to think positively etc and than implement the knowledge gained. · To meet the second requirement (to exercise body and mind regularly), I have to again gain information about how to exercise, when to exercise, how much to exercise etc. and after gaining the info to do what is best for me. · To meet the third requirement, I have to work in such a way that I am always stress free. The main cause of stress is to do what you don’t want. Again I have to study the causes of stress and how to overcome these. After gaining the knowledge implement what is best for me. · To meet the fourth requirement, I have to analyse the environment in which I have to live or work and if need be improve it so that it does not affect my health in any way. Environment may be physical, social, emotional etc. · To meet the fifth requirement, I have to be friendly with all my friends, relatives or people I meet causally so that they don’t become cause of stress, which is a major cause of heart problem. · To meet the sixth requirement, I should work in such a way that I have not to depend on any one for my daily needs, this gives lot of mental security and remove a major cause of stress. · To cater for the last requirement, I have to plan my future economy needs so that I have sufficient resources to meet my requirements adequately and I have not to work for money, which again leads to stress. No job is without tension. So, I have decided not to work for money, if possible. Now, I have achieved most of my objectives and living tension free, having adequate exercise, having control body inputs. I have control on my eats/drinks, thoughts and have Yoga exercises / Pranayam, sleep etc. I sleep at 11 pm and get up at 4 am daily without any holiday. I do regular yoga in Colony Park with 10 to 20 persons and teach them. It helps me to remain energetic throughout the day. All these have resulted better medical results: complete body tests were done in 2006 in R G Stone Hosp, N Delhi and results were very encouraging. The results were again checked up in 2008 and are good one. Dear friends, If you wish, you can also follow them or make your own strategy. If you need my help do write to me at harinag49@yahoo.co.in . Do become member of ART OF HEALTHY LIVING yahoo group moderated by me or similar groups and get ready material for improving your lifestyle. If you wish to become member of this group do click on the following link or write to me: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HARINAG49/