Another 5 Short Cuts to Happiness!

My Dearest Gang,

And you thought I'm done with this issue of how to be happy!

You thought wrong!

As they say, what goes round comes around. Let me share these tips with you and make this world a better place to live in. How wonderful life would be, to be surrounded by positive and cheerful friends who always have kind words for us no matter what.

What a dream!

Who knows with extra effort here, this dream might just come true. Fingers crossed!

Here you go...another 5 from Ellen Whyte.

PLAY GREAT TUNES

No one knows quite how or why it happens, but music reaches right into your body, affecting your pulse rate, blood pressure, nervous system, muscles and even the types of hormones secreted by the brain. And as our moods are affected by our brains and bodies, therapists advocate playing music to promote well-being, alleviate stress and pain, enhance memory, improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation.

So pick up an album with a happy sound and dance to the beat. Not only will the music cheer you up, the excercise will trigger your brain into producing endorphins, a natural feel-good chemical with a reputation for introducing good moods, killing pain, lowering sensitivity to stress and even solving fertility problems.

HELP OTHERS

Are you fed up with the rude, selfish way some people behave? Shocked when a stranger does you a kindness for no reason? The philosopher Confucius pointed out that the more we meditate upon good thoughts, the better our world and the world at large will be. It's not easy to be happy in an uncaring environment. Give yourself and others a better chance at happiness by making a difference. Do a good deed every day. Anything - from smiling as you hold a door open for a stranger struggling with her shopping, to cooking a meal for a sick friend - counts.

CHEER ON SUCCESS

Jealous of the girl who pioneered a new surgical technique? Discouraged because you haven't the resources to run your own business? Frustrated because you don't have the body of a supermodel? Don't let other people's achievements make you feel bad. The fact that others have achieved their dreams means you can too. Take a look at how your role models reached their goals, and use their experiences to leapfrog obstacles on your way to the top. Figuring how their success can benefit you is making you feel happier already!

TAKE UP PERCUSSION

Playing the drums cuts down on fatigue and depression, a recent study revealed. Just one drumming session a week for six weeks improved the mood of the overstressed hospital staff taking part in the study by a whopping 50 percent. Better still, drumming yielded positive effects for a year after. Get yourself a set of drums, gongs, cymbals, tambourines, bongos or whatever, and bang away your frustrations during a lunch or tea break!

BANISH DESTRUCTIVE CRITICS

It's your best friend's job to tell you when she thinks you're about to make a huge mistake, but hanging out with the people who get their jollies by running you down is detrimental to your happiness potential. Surround yourself with nurturing, supportive pals who love you despite your weaknesses. Create an atmosphere conducive to happiness by ditching anyone who doesn't cheer when you get a promotion, dragging yourself off to the gym or finally signing up for that art class. Oh, and don't forget to empower your nearest and dearest by reminding them frequently of their own strengths and successes!

Keep youthful by being happy, smile always,

Ruby Ahmad.




P/S:I love to play Pete Rivera numbers whenever I do my strength training. The music is absolutely, happily beat-y. Beautiful drum beats. Uplifting. All excitement!! Try it, you will love the effect. Euphoric! My favourite number is Turtle Ee's. Listen also to Mundo Latino, Latinica Witch and Opium Scumbagz. You'll be transported to another world and by the time you are done and come back to earth, you'll be all positively recharged. Worth a try...

Btw, I simply love Beyonce Knowles! Her songs and her great looks, are mesmerising. So she's here today, to make us happy.

Illustration of Pete Rivera for Adults Only: www.discogs.com/release/19214
Illustration of Beyonce Knowles: www.beyonce-knowles.com/

5 Short cuts to Happiness!

My Dearest Gang,

Life's too short to be miserable.

It is always so easy to tell ourselves that we must be happy to beat stress and therefore ailments. But how to be happy? Honestly it is easier said than done, most of us would lament.

But hey! Here's Ellen Whyte's offer on some tried-and-tested methods for giving yourself an instant happiness boost and improving your quality of life, which I read in a journal.

Let's see how we can apply these rules. Here goes:

FALL IN LOVE

Happy couples are healthier, live longer and rate themselves happier than average. Neuroscientists believe a hormone called oxytocin is responsible for that rush of excitement you get when you start a new relationship, as well as forging permanent ties between lovers and also building that oh-so-special mother and baby relationship. Apparently, the brain starts producing oxytocin during sexual activity. So, if you want a more fulfilling relationship, you know what to do!

GO FOR CLOSURE

Can't let go of an old relationship? Even the ones that have soured? Analysing what went wrong and learning from each experience is a good thing, but obsessing about the past stops you from enjoying the present and prevents you from building a happy future. Learn to let go. If past relationships have left you with unresolved issues that are interfering with your normal life, seek help of a qualified professional. Asking for help doesn't mean you're nuts-you're simply asking a professional to help prepare a clean path to happiness.

WATCH SITCOMS

Ever laughed so much that you felt as high as a kite? A recent study revealed that the participants gained greater immediate psychological benefits from watching the sitcom 'Friends' and listening to music than exercising. This may be because the brain starts producing those feel-good endorphins when you're laughing.

Also laughing makes you breathe deeply, which boosts oxygen levels in the blood and kicks your metabolism and immunity system into a higher gear. Plus, smiling will give you much attractive wrinkles than frowns later in life. No wonder happy people look and feel better! If 'Friends' doesn't make you laugh, watch cartons or plan an evening at home watching a marathon of your favourite comedies.

EAT ICE CREAM

A recent study by neuroscientists at the Institute of Psychiatry in London revealed that eating ice cream lights up the orbitofrontal cortex, the processing area of the brain area. This is the same brain area that spins into action when you hear you've won the lottery.

Before reaching for the spoon, consider this: Other experiments show that eating chocolate as well as spicy foods causes the brain to release serotonin, a brain chemical that produces feelings of pleasure.

We've always known it: A spicy curry is nice, but for sheer happiness, follow it up with a scoop of double chocolate mocha fudge ice cream!

ENJOY CHANGE

Change comes hand-in-hand with stress, which is unfortunate, considering we live in one of the fastest-changing societies the world has ever seen. Our brains are wired to resist change because when circumstances alter, unknown dangers creep in. It's a fact that moving house, changing jobs, working with new people and other upheavals all cause stress levels to increase, but how you react emotionally is your own decision. Always look for the bright side. Chuck out 'My new boss is a fiend' in favour of 'Learning from a new boss is good for my career'. You'll feel happier for it!

Be Happy Gang!

Ruby Ahmad.



Pix taken in London summer.

Do our bit!

My Dearest Gang,

One of the main pressing issues confronting us the past few weeks is of course the high level of fatalities on our roads.

We have been informed that our roads now can be considered a war zone in terms of deaths! I read a while ago that the road from the Baghdad Airport to the city is considered the most dangerous route in the world. We may, thank god, have been spared from suicide bombers but how about suicidal drivers?

Whilst the power-that-be think of alternative measures to combat this issue, I thought we should do our bit as well. Lets face it. This issue affects all of us.

My proposal is simple.

I am listing, as a start, five golden rules of safe driving. All of us should impart this to our children, our babies as it were, on a regular if not daily basis. What’s the harm of an indoctrination programme if it’s for a good cause? These rules may sound simple and almost obvious but try telling that to the accident victims and their families.

While we are at it, we can also inform Michael Schumacher alias ‘darling hubby’ these rules as well. After all, they seem to change to F1 mode once in the driving seat!

OK. Here are the first 5 rules.

1.0 Red lights mean STOP and stopping means the car is not moving! It does not mean we keep on moving because the other side has not made a move yet. There is no necessity for us to think when faced with this red light. Just STOP.

2.0 Amber means the light will turn red soon and it means we slow down. It does not mean we press the accelerator pedal harder to beat the red light! Simple? Judging by the current situation, it would appear this is not so.

3.0 Avoid asking the drivers around you to guess where you intend to go. Therefore, please give your signal and do so way in advance and not at the last minute.

4.0 A common excuse for driving excessively fast is the need to be punctual and to keep to our appointments. I find this excuse amusing given that we are forever saying being late is a Malaysian thing! So, how about doing something drastic like…..set off early! Ha ha ha.

5.0 Driving is not a mechanical exercise. It’s a thinking and planning exercise. Be alert on the road. Drive knowing the situation not of the driver in front of you but of at least five cars in front of you. Doing this avoids last minute braking. Less wear on the engine and on our mental state of mind!

There you go. Simple right. Now please pass these to your loved ones daily. Daily as in till it drives them crazy and they promise you they will follow it!

My next 5 golden rules will be on highway etiquette. And they thought women make the worst drivers! Ha ha ha.

Take care,

Ruby Ahmad.


Illustration from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light

Appeal for Pakistan Earthquake survivors.

My Dearest Gang,

I simply feel we have all been inundated with an incredible spate of tragic events of late, both man-made and natural calamities. Both types of calamities, have left the world, especially the ones directly affected, with untold sufferings and devastations. I know, all of us, time and again, feel this is truly numbing.

I also feel that all of us know the only way for us to be thankful is to empathise with what the survivors are faced with. But no matter what, we will not know the actual level of hardship. The hardship of not waking up to familiar surroundings is heart-wrenching. To wake up every morning, to mere dust and rubble around you (and knowing this will be the sight for a long time yet, is harmful to the psyche of the survivors). Not knowing when the next meal is coming your way. Not having clean clothes on your back. No water within sight. No warm blankets to keep you from the harmful cold winter day and night. Cries of babies missing on their last three feeds. Wouldn't one just slump with lost hope.

This is where we who have been spared, are tested. Don't for a moment think that we are not being challenged. We are!! Our challenge is to alleviate these sufferings faced by our brethrens to the best of our ability.

On this note, I forward a letter of plea from the medical group who have set up clinic in Pakistan to give help directly to the survivors. Please read, please empathise, please give.

Thank you.

Pleading for your sincere help,
Ruby.

Here you are:



TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Dear friends,

WINTER AID APPEAL FOR PAKISTAN/KASHMIR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

We at Global Peace Mission (GPM) Malaysia are working our level best to alleviate the sufferings caused both from natural disasters and man-made disasters from all around. Most of the victims are innocent civilians, especially elderly, women and children.

With recent disastrous earthquake in Pakistan and Kashmir, our team of doctors and relief workers are already in the mountains of Balakot very near to epicentre where 80% of the town were destroyed. Upon arrival on 15 October 2005, they immediately set up temporary clinic at the first stop where victims arrived after miles of walking across mountains. Some had to carry their injured loved ones to get medical treatment. The nearest village from GPM base camp is 10 kilometres away accessible only on foot as the road is either blocked by big rocks or damaged from cracks due to the earthquake.

Feedback from our volunteers on the ground is heart-rending. Winter is setting in where temperature in the mountains could reach as low as -15°C. How one can survive in this kind of cold weather without warm clothings is beyond imagination what more when one is homeless, hungry and possibly injured. Can we help to avoid a “second wave of death” threatening 3.3 million survivors if winter aid did not reach them in time?

Definitely cash donation is preferred as it would be much cheaper and practical to buy food and other items in Pakistan rather than having to arrange transportation to Pakistan. However, we do understand that sometimes, it is more convenient for some of us to donate in kind rather than cash.

GPM has taken initiative to launch Winter Aid Campaign for Pakistan and Kashmir earthquake victims on 29 October 2005 in cooperation with the Pakistan High Commision in Malaysia for transport arrangements. The occasion was reported in the Sunday Times and Mingguan Malaysia.

On this note, we plead for your kindness to give us assistance in collecting the much needed items:
1. Warm Clothings, Blankets, Winter Boots
2. Winter resistance Tents, Sleeping Bags
3. Infant Powder Milk + bottles and teats
4. Energy Biscuits and dry food

Your contribution might help save a life. Thank you for your kind support.

Yours sincerely,


SHARIFAH AMINAH AL-KHARED
Chairman for Winter Aid Campaign

Global Peace Mission (GPM) Malaysia
Anjung Rahmat
Batu 6 Jalan Gombak
53100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

Tel:+603-6188 8409 / 470 Faks: +603-6188 8470

Emel: gpmhq@yahoo.com

Illustration from www.pakcan.com/pakistan_earthquake

Garlic!

My Dearest Gang,

It has been a week and a bit that we have thoroughly enjoyed Raya, and Shawal is still on for a few more weeks. After our lovely Ramadhan where we took less food and we were on good conduct insy, surely we should carry on with these good deeds still. On the note of good conduct, I shall not try to be holier than thou (ha ha ha), I shall leave it with you to sort it out. But on the note of food intake, I shall indulge with you.

Now, to alleviate us from side effects of bingeing at all the lovely open houses, let me share with you this little food tip that I happened to stumble upon in a health magazine yesterday and thought it apt to be shared with my gang!

Here you are....

Garlic.

You either love it or hate it, but there's no doubting garlic is good for you.

It's a superfood for the heart and circulation. Garlic can help reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol. It makes the blood less sticky and likely to clot, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

And it helps to keep the arteries young by preserving their elasticity.

Garlic is a potent infection fighter, too. It has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Studies show it is effective against a range of stomach bugs including E. coli. It's also good to take if you have thrush.

For ear infections in children, crush a clove in olive oil. Strain the oil and dip a small piece of cotton wool gently in the ear to bring relief.

Of course, what puts many people off taking garlic is the smell on their breath. The term 'odourless' on garlic supplements is misleading. It actually refers to the fact that the supplement is coated so it does not smell.

Taking garlic supplements before a large meal is probably the best way to stop them repeating on you.

So there you go gang. All the goodness that one can get fron garlic supplements. Have a good Shawal and take good care of yourselves.

Lots of love,
Ruby.



Illustration from www.thegarlicstore.com/

My Dearest Gang,

I would like to wish all,

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri,

Maaf Zahir Batin.

With lots of Love,

Ruby Ahmad,
PR committee.


Photo at Canary Wharf, London, Autumn.

Celebrate Small Successes.

Hi there Gang,

This is such a festive time, so I shall not dwell on serious issues! What I shall do is share with you some findings from researches done, that I have read around from health and fitness magazines, to improve the quality of life that oftentimes we take for granted. When we do pay attention to these simple tips, I find a lot of times we extricate ourselves from the traps of daily uneffective routines and thus direct us to better paths to attain successes, take this from me, as I have tried to adopt some of these life's clues! Here they are:

1-Celebrate Small successes.

Working toward a degree or hoping to shed some pounds? Don't wait until you have the diploma in hand or can slip into a size 6 to celebrate. Commemorating small achievements along the way to a larger goal will help you stay motivated, according to Paul Levesque and Art McNeil in their book Dreamcrafting (Berret-Koehler,2003). Host a dinner with close friends at the end of each semester or when you drop a size.

2-Move Past Your Mistake.

Embarrassed when you spilled your drink during dinner? New research says you shouldn't be. The 'Spotlight effect'--imagining people are paying more attention to you than they actually are--can make your gaffe seem worse, says Kenneth Savitsky, Ph. D. Consider other things that might have been noticed, like your new hair-cut,
and you'll forget the blunder.

3-Why Griping Is Good For You.

Don't be shy about fighting for a cause that you believe in. Research has found that getting involved in activities like campaigns and association works can increase positive emotions, such as joy. Study author John Drury, PH. D., believes that solidarity and support produce feelings like confidence and a sense of belonging, which can boost immunity and pschological well-being.

Well gang, suffice that I share with you these few life's tips for now, especially when we are distracted with festivities!. I have plenty more and let's save them for later...ha ha ha! Can't wait? As they say, Celebrate Small Successes and we'll get there BIG!


'SELAMAT HARI RAYA, MAAF ZAHIR BATIN' to all.


All geared up for festivities,

Ruby Ahmad.


P/sPhoto taken at forum held by RMC OPA on 30th Sept 2005 at OPA Building. TKC OGA was invited as guests. This was a good inter-alumni interaction (as in life's clue no 3 above). Considered one of many small successes to be celebrated as well! (Click twice on photo for larger view).

From left: Lt Col (R) Azudin Fuad (Executive Sec), Dato Dahan (Vice President), Mai, Ruby Ahmad (PR), En Habibur Rahman (President), Puan Sri Akmar (Vice President), Lt Col. (R) Michael Tan (Honorary Sec 1), Noridah (Asst Hon Sec), Mariam, Mr Gajjan Singh.
More photos can be viewed at our other site, Tunku Kurshiah College's fotopage.