Anyone Can Cook?
May 7, 2008 | 1 Comment
“Anyone can cook!”
That’s the tagline for the Disney animated film, Ratatouille. We never expected that a simple animated film could deliver such strong and inspirational messages. Here are a few of the amazing quotes from the film….
“Change is nature. The part we can influence. And it starts when we decide.”
“Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great.”
“If you focus on what you left behind, you will never be able to see what lies ahead.”
“the only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability”
If you’ve not watched the film, you must watch it. It’s not so much about cooking but it’s also about life….. It’s about making the impossible become possible. It’s about determination, confidence, pride, teamwork, principles, dignity, relationships and love… There’s much to learn from…. Cooking.
So we decided to have a “Cooking” section here. We want to share with you that cooking can be simple, fun and fuss-free. If you always have problems cooking for two or you have a small kitchen, check out the video we’ve made below. Witness how a meal is cooked just using a small portable gas stove, a small frying pan and a small pot.
Our meal for the week is “Pasta in 20 minutes”.
Recipe:
Any type of pasta (to be cooked in boiling water for 9 minutes or follow the instructions on the pack)
Pasta sauce
Capsicums
Asparagus (to be boiled)
Tomatoes
Fresh mushrooms
Prawns (marinated with salt & pepper)
Bacon (can be pan fried or toasted in oven. If you have an oven toaster, just wrap the bacon over capsicum, asparagus and tomatoes and put in the toaster for 10 min – of course, wrap it with aluminium foil)
Slice of cheese
Olive oil
Watch the video for the steps. Bon Appetit!
Stay tuned for our next cooking session!
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About the Cook:
C Hun who co-runs a wedding planning business is also dedicating his time to helping others discover the path of personal development. His passion to savour good food has also turned him into a chef wannabe. He hopes his contribution in www.personaldevelopment4all.com is able to help others discover their inner-self.
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Is this what life is all about?
April 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I came across this video sometime back and it actually got me thinking that majority of us actually goes through life like that. View this video and let us know if this is what you are going through now. Then ask yourself “Is this what life is all about?” or there is actually more to life than going to school, getting a degree, getting married, having a good job, climbing the corporate ladder, retiring, growing old….
About the Author:
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Suan Bee who is running a wedding planning business is at the same time dedicating herself to helping others discover the path of personal development which has made her realized her pursuit in life. She hopes her contribution in personaldevelopment4all.com is able to help others discover their purpose in life as well.
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Are Songs Bad For Our Well-Being?
April 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
On my way to office, I was humming a popular and catchy song (Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston) which I heard over the radio. Previously, I did not think much about the lyrics but while singing the song, I noticed that the song had very catchy tune that stays in your mind especially the chorus, but the lyrics is very negative.
I know this may cause a stir with die hard fans but take a look at the lyrics here.
Once you understand the lyrics, you can see that the singer has negative opinions on beautiful girls and rejection from beautiful girls will drive him suicidal.
I find many popular songs have negative lyrics and most of these songs, we know how to sing it as well!
Based on Law of Attraction, what we emphasize in our thoughts and actions, regardless whether it is positive or negative, will manifest into physical reality. So if we keep humming and singing such songs either vocally or in our minds, we are attracting such negative forces into our lives!
Take an example, during the hippie era in 1960s, many popular groups and singers were singing psychedelic songs and songs which promotes hippie culture. This helped to propagate the hippie culture around the world.
Nowadays we also have songs on sex, drugs and violence. However, these songs are getting more graphical compared to earlier times. They are also found in many of our popular songs with very catchy tunes. So, is the world getting more violent? Is drug use more prevalent?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against music or songs. Nor am I discussing the social impact of music or songs.
If we believe in Law of Attraction, then we should believe that negative things, regardless of what form it may take, is bad for our personal growth.
So, are modern popular songs bad for our well-being? You decide…
Choose To Be Happy
April 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I was going clearing my emails today after a very hectic few days and I came across this very interesting story….
A man of 92 years, short, very well-presented, who takes great care in his appearance, is moving into an old people’s home today. After waiting several hours in the retirement home lobby, he gently smiles as he is told that his room is ready. His wife of 70 has recently died, and he is obliged to leave his home.
As he slowly walks to the elevator, using his cane, the nurse describe his small room to him, including the sheet hung at the window which serves as a curtain.
“I like it very much”, he says, with the enthusiasm of an 8 year old boy who has just been given a new puppy.
“Sir, you haven’t even seen the room yet, hang on a moment, we are almost there. ”
“That has nothing to do with it “, he replies. ” It is already decided in my mind that I like my room. It is a decision I take every morning when I wake up.”
“Happiness is something I choose in advance. Whether or not I like the room does not depend on the furniture, or the decor – rather it depends on how I decide to see it. ”
“I can choose. I can spend my day in bed enumerating all the difficulties that I have with the parts of my body that no longer work very well, or I can get up and give thanks to heaven for those parts that are still in working order. ”
“Every day is a gift, and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on the new day, and all the happy memories that I have built up during my life. ”
“Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw in later life what you have deposited along the way.”
So as we go through our everyday paces, do remember these simple guidelines for happiness:-
1. Free your heart from hate.
2. Expect less.
3. Give more.
4. Live simple.
5. Free your mind from worry.
About the Author:
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Suan Bee who is running a wedding planning business is at the same time dedicating herself to helping others discover the path of personal development which has made her realized her pursuit in life. She hopes her contribution in personaldevelopment4all.com is able to help others discover their purpose in life as well.
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Sharpen Your Mind With Meditation
April 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Copyright © Gooi Mong Ling
Meditation is a discipline in which the mind is focused on an object of thought and awareness. It usually involves turning attention to a single point of reference. The word meditation comes from the Latin meditatio, which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning “contemplation” (Source: Wikipedia).
A lot of people tend to associate meditation with religion and/or monks. Meditation is actually something that everyone can learn and practise in their daily life, just like an exercise routine. It doesn’t have to be associated with religion. I have friends who used to associate meditation with Buddhism and thus were reluctant to learn about it because they thought that it will be in conflict with their religion. However, after knowing more about it they realise that meditation is actually a practise to train your mind to be more aware of what you are thinking. When we do physical exercise such as jogging, swimming and etc. we want our body to be healthy. When we do meditation, it is a form of exercise for our mind so that we can have a healthy mind that is calm, sharp and alert. A clear and focused mind is what all of us need to carry out our daily tasks efficiently and effectively.
Meditation also helps us understand our mind. We can learn how to change our mind from negative to positive, from unhappy to happy or from disturbed to peaceful. A lot of the stress we experience these days also comes from our mind. When we master meditation, we’ll be able to change our mind and be free from worries so that we can lead a more happy life.
As a beginner, one may be overwhelmed by all the information and misinformation out there regarding meditation. The important thing is to keep it simple and take action to start meditating! All you need is to set aside some time everyday to practise it. It can be as short as 10-15 mins or as long as 1 hour, depending on the time you have.
Find a place that is quiet because as a beginner, we will get distracted very easily if we are in a noisy place. Sit in a comfortable position. It can be with your legs crossed or any other position that you feel comfortable. You can also sit on the chair if you like. Just make sure your back is straight to prevent your mind from becoming sluggish and sleepy.
Gently close your eyes and turn your attention to your breathing. Breathe naturally through your nose. As you breathe in and out, notice that your stomach will go up and down as you inhale and exhale. Focus your attention on the upward and downward movement of your stomach as you breathe in and out. This is the point of your focus throughout, when you meditate.
Do pay full attention in noting the movement of your stomach so that you will not start thinking about other things. It is very common that your mind starts wandering off or thoughts start popping up in your mind after a short while. When this happens and you notice it, just return to your point of focus and start concentrating on the stomach movement again. Repeat this every time your mind wanders off. At first, you might feel that meditation makes your mind even busier because of those endless thoughts. But in reality, you are just becoming more aware of how busy your mind actually is. Those are in fact the countless thoughts that enter your mind everyday! Through practise, you will improve and notice that your mind wanders off less and you are able to focus more.
Keep an open mind about meditation and allow yourself time to feel the benefit of it. Try it out a few times and give it your full attention. Don’t give up after 1 or 2 tries. Meditation is also a personal thing, as such your experience is likely to be different from other people’s experience.
So what are you waiting for? Learn how to meditate and discover the magic of it.
About the Author:
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Mong Ling has experienced the power of personal development which has transformed her life, so now she is eager to share her experience with others so that everyone can live a more fulfilled life. For more information please visit PersonalDevelopment4All.com
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Note: You may re-print the article in its entirety which includes the author resource box.
Smile Your Way to Success
April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Copyright © Tan Suan Bee
It was one of those days when everything was not turning out right and I was getting very frustrated and angry at everything when suddenly a close friend said, “hey, just smile and everything will be alright”. And amazingly when I actually did stop to give a sheepish smile, I felt my very tensed muscles on my face easing up. And I actually felt better and more relax. I could think better as well.
So smile, it is an amazing tool… and it’s free!
A warm and sincere smile is able to send currents of joy to whoever you are targeting at. With a simple smile, you will be able to influence the people around you, from strangers to people close to you. All of your joy and happiness and every bit of your enthusiasm is reflected in your smile. When you smile, you are actually in control of your own emotional state. You can influence how happy you want to be at a particular moment. The act of smiling will trigger and release endorphins in the brain. And that release sends a wave of happiness through out your entire body.
Smiling builds your self-esteem. Practice smiling everyday in front of the mirror before you leave your house. You will realize that when you smile at yourself, you are building your self confidence. And when you practice the act of smiling first thing in the morning, you are actually starting your day right. Smile at your spouse when you get out of bed. Smile at your kids at the breakfast table. Smile at your neighbours when you walk out to your front door. Smile at the paper boy when he delivers your papers. Smile at your co-workers when you reach your office. Smile at your boss when he walks by you. Soon you will realize that every smile you make is building stronger relationships, whether it’s personal or business. And when others smile back at you, you will feel a sense of acceptance and achievement. The Law of Attraction actually applies to smiling. People who smile often usually attracts others who smile as well and these are the people who are easier to get along and work with as they are happier people. By smiling, you are attracting people that you can get along with to build business or personal relationships with a greater possibility of success.
About the Author:
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Suan Bee who is running a wedding planning business is at the same time dedicating herself to helping others discover the path of personal development which has made her realized her pursuit in life. She hopes her contribution in personaldevelopment4all.com is able to help others discover their purpose in life as well.
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Note: You may re-print the article in its entirety which includes the author resource box.
The Don’t Quit Poem
April 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
When life gets tough and you feel like you want to quit, don’t… Just play this video, The Don’t Quit Poem, to give yourself the needed inspiration to continue your journey…
Effective Self Motivation Techniques
March 22, 2008 | 1 Comment
Copyright © Gooi Mong Ling
Everyone goes through ups and downs in life. When we are faced with adversities in life, it is important to know how to keep ourselves motivated so that we do not give up easily during those trying times. Here are a few methods on how to motivate yourself.
1. Read inspirational books
Some people think that inspirational and motivational literatures are for losers only. This thinking is extremely wrong and is like “poison” to our mental well-being. By reading inspirational books, you will feel encouraged by the success stories which will give you the extra push to continue the journey towards your goal. You can also learn from the experiences of the writers which provide valuable insights to help you reach your target. Inspirational reading is like food for our mind because it helps improve our way of thinking so that we remain positive and have the right mindset to succeed in what we set out to do.
2. Make your goal visual
Whatever that you are striving for, your goals and aspirations, try to make it visual. It may be a beautiful house that you have always dreamed of staying or the holiday trip that you have been looking forward to. Cut out pictures of your dreams and post them at home or at you work place where you can easily see them. Whenever you feel disheartened or discouraged, look at the pictures so that you can be reminded of your goals and dreams. This will help you remain focus and on track to achieving them.
3. Write down your goals
People who write down things that they intend to do or their goals are more likely to accomplish them compared to those who just note them down in their head. This is because putting something down in writing makes it more powerful psychologically. Also, when you look at your written goals, it serves as a reminder for you to work hard to achieve them.
4. Reward yourself
This is also an important element in self motivation. Everyone likes to be rewarded and encouraged for a job well done. The reward may vary. Sometimes a simple pat on the shoulder and telling yourself “well done” or “good job” can give you enough encouragement to push yourself to the next level. This is important because most people do not give themselves encouragement. We have to realize that giving ourselves a pat on the back is as important as getting compliments from others. Certain times you may want to pamper yourself with some material rewards when a major task is successfully completed. Go ahead and celebrate because you deserve to be rewarded for all the hard work you have put in and the success that you have achieved. Always remember to give credit to yourself when credit is due.
5. Avoid negative people and environment
Negative people such as unhelpful, abusive or pessimistic people will only bring you down and lower your self-esteem. If you always mix with these people or are constantly in a negative environment, sooner or later you will end up being negative as well. It is important to surround yourself with people who are positive in nature or people with positive outlook in life. Their optimism will rub on to you and in no time, you will find yourself feeling happier, more positive and confident. When you are optimistic, you will be more focused in achieving your goals because you are able to clearly see what needs to be done in order to be successful. Always remember that positive natured people are good examples to emulate. If you find that the people you mix with or the environment you are in is negative, the most effective way is to change your friends or the environment. Even though this may sound drastic at the beginning, it is actually an effective long term solution.
6. Take action and be proactive
Sometimes you may find that you somehow lack the drive to work towards attaining your goal. In such instances, you just have to push yourself to take action and just do it! If you merely wait for things to happen, one thing is for sure, nothing will happen! So, force yourself to kick start the engine. Gradually the momentum will increase and before you realize it, you are almost at the finishing line! If your goal seems to be too big to handle, break it down into smaller and more attainable targets. That way the smaller targets will be less daunting and as you meet those targets, these interim results will boost your confidence level and soon you will realize that the goal is actually achievable.
About the Author:
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Mong Ling has experienced the power of personal development which has transformed her life, so now she is eager to share her experience with others so that everyone can live a more fulfilled life. For more information please visit PersonalDevelopment4All.com
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Note: You may re-print the article in its entirety which includes the author resource box.
Appreciating Real Assets In Life
March 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Copyright © Gooi Mong Ling
When we talk about “assets”, many people will think about cash, real estates, shares, cars etc. These are the typical tangible items that most of us today considered as assets. There are also a lot of seminars and courses available these days to teach us how to manage these assets which many would probably have attended. However, have you ever taken time to think about what your real assets are in life? In today’s busy and highly competitive society, we are often too engrossed in making more and more money that we have completely forgotten about the things that are most important to us, such as our health, our family, our happiness and contentment. These are actually the real assets in our lives!
Nowadays, we often see that a lot of the seemingly successful people do not have nor enjoy the real assets in their lives. No doubt, they drive big luxurious cars and live in houses that some people can only dream about living in. But what is the use of all these luxury in life when they suffer from poor health or may even be terminally ill? Some may be so caught up in chasing after financial success that they neglected their family and love ones. In the end, when they achieve their so called success, there is no longer a family for them to return to.
If you are a person who is always on the move to chase after financial successes, it is important for you to slow down and think through before you sacrifice your health, family or love ones to achieve these goals. To help you do so, there are a few things that you have to realize.
Firstly, you have to realize that only you can manage your own well-being because you are in full control of your thoughts, actions and feelings. Yes, no one else but you!
Secondly, it is important to understand that you have to let go of past failures in order to progress and improve. Otherwise, the past failures will haunt you because it will only make you suffer in vain. So always remember, “If you keep focusing on the past, you can’t see the future…”
Lastly, bear in mind that you may lose interest in life one day, if you concentrate too much on things that don’t really matter much. This is because one day you may just wake up and find that life becomes meaningless. Those things that matter most may no longer be with you…
Through it all, it is of utmost importance to know who you really are. This will enable you to look at yourself properly so that you know what are the things that can really make you feel happy and contented. This is not to say that money is not important because it is. But you have to ask yourself this important question. To what extent are you prepared to sacrifice to have more money?
You also need to examine yourself and ask are you going to allow stress from work to stop you from having joy in life? Often in real life, we don’t realize that in pursuing our work and career, we repeatedly neglect our body and subject ourselves to continuous stress… Another key question to ask yourself is will you continue to spend time doing something that will not significantly improve your way of life? We only have 24 hours in a day so manage your time wisely so that you allocate your time to do something fruitful.
All these questions will help you find out if you are indeed living a life that is worth living. Aim to live a meaningful life…
About the Author:
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Helping Everyone To Succeed In Life, Love and Finances
Personal Development For Home Based Business
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Note: You may re-print the article in its entirety which includes the author resource box.
