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/