Its a New Year and well... its ought to be happy & prosperous. I have started the New Year by gazing at an amazing fireworks down the Jumeira beach skies. I hope, I wish, I pray that this new year may bring outstanding success, and may God give you all that you ever wished for. Thank you for taking your time to read my blogs. I have a few new albums that I have uploaded which may be of interest to you.

Well, what differentiates living human inhabitants of the earth from living organisms, I mean animals of this terra firma; humans constantly think and ask questions about themselves and about their surrounding, definitely animals are safe to live with because they bother about food and living. Well, I really do not wish to comment on the thinking power of men but I wish to talk about the way we express our thinking.

We can’t agree more on that fact that we certainly do live in a world of curious euphemisms. I wish to go beyond Religion, Terrorism or communism. I claim that we struggle to maintain euphemistic attitude at all times. Be it at personal level or at public ; we try to show that we are nice at all times, we are, no doubt leading our lives like a dream rather than confronting our conscious mind.  Actually speaking, who is bothered about war on terrorism? Who is concerned about Pakistan motives and/or US justification about freeing Iraqis? For a common man, be it an engineer or a doctor, 9-6 job is the highest priority.
 
How often you show the nerve to condemn your own leader’s decision? Most often than not, you end up covering your questions with a smile or you just ignore the fact that you felt like voicing your opinion. ‘Political Correctness’ might be the reason that stops you from asking your US boss about bush administration or how an average American feels about Iraq, sectarian violence, troops’ deaths, etc. We ‘Play safe’ by spending a quiet evening with jazz, beer & movies talk. In almost all the social gatherings, you can see that no one is actually bothered about international politics or war in Lebanon, they care about the property you bought, or the new car you are driving. So, my question - is euphemism only exists during troubled times?  Your struggles to get the best and be the nicest; takes over your original feelings; you end up admiring something artificial or untrue as ‘how nice’ and this happens at every instance esp. when you have to face a so called friend whom you dislike the most but you pretend to be the most overnice person.

 

How can we transfer people from surrealistic world to real world? Media, well, media just reports what happened where, very rarely we get to hear comments about what should have been done instead or why did you do something like that? If you watch an interview with any politician, you certainly get diabetic; only sugar-coated questions and seraphic replies.

 

Why do some people hate Islam? There are many Muslims whom we interact on a daily basis shows integrity and liking towards their nation. However, it is also true there are untold, unseen, unheard tensions in the minds of all non-Muslims. It is indeed very frightening to imagine our world being spilt into pieces based religion- when you look at our lives, how much of religion we practice on a daily-basis? An average Hindu prays once a day and believes strongly that his values & traditions are strictly restricted to himself and his family members. It is pretty scary view of sweeping everyone who is not a follower of Islam out of this planet earth. Islam is certainly growing faster than we thought. Whatever is the current situation, the euphemistic nutshell is what protecting us and we are proud about it@! The right time to burst this bubble, hummn, no one knows.

Last night, after eating 0% fat free brown rice, Chaya and I decided to do something nice; thought of watching one of the movies from our stockpile. I and chaya have always given importance animation & vitality; our admiration starts from the point when the film makers display the animation studio’s name. All that is natural in this world is beautiful, no doubt, at same time unnatural things bring unspoken happiness; may be coz our sub conscious mind admires fairy tale world than our own objective ways. We started watching ‘Finding Nemo’- very old animated movie but has all the emotional qualities that can stir your paternal, maternal instincts or love, whatever you want to call it - human emotions are so complicated but seems so nice and lovable when animals take on human’s role. Storyline is as simple as it could be – a small clown fish traveling from Coral regions to a dentist’s Aquarium in Sydney and finally getting back to school at corals with a great adventure experience & confidence. How wonderful it would have been that every man is allowed one such adventure and after that life turns to ‘Living Happily ever after’ – whims and fancies are never ending!

Coming back to Nemo- what I admire the most is the every ounce of the movie is made to look as natural as it could be. When you start seeing the movie you feel, its kid’s stuff; but later on , may be after three clips you realize you have painted similar world and you wish to be a part of it; someday and sometime before you travel to the place unknown.

Keeping one’s promise & risking its entire existence - that’s not human, though every man dreams of doing it but fails whenever he or she makes promise. Promises are made to be broken, where did this phrase come from, of course from us, who really don’t dare to keep the words that comes out to balance the situation or to console the emotions for the time being. Are we to be blamed for making promises and breaking them; well , as far as I think, this world is what we think it is. There is no such thing as black and white – all you have is a big ugly gray shade- some perceive it as rainbow and some as just blue. Never knew how thought provoking this movie can be- do we ever try to think on these lines? I always had an aquarium for myself at home- I even dream of having an entire coral set up in my living room, I wish to enjoy my scotch listening to coral reeves and seeing the colorful picture that can only be imagined. Have I changed after seeing this movie to not to have an aquarium? Definitely not, I know, Out of ‘Finding Nemo’ movie, fish’s brains work only for good water and food. They might experience little cramped but are we not confined, don’t we play by rules all the time. Are we not confined to our homes, this planet, earth.

Before talking about my new car, I want to take you through my vehicle hunting journey. I started looking for a used 4 wheel drive; here in Dubai it is very easy to buy a used car from the secondary markets. The used car market is growing fast and wide… this is not at all shocking… when you are getting nearly new vehicle for 25% cheaper rate, you would rather go for it than spend money on first hand vehicle.

People, who come here to UAE, will be for sure surprised to see luxury cars and SUVs sold at cheaper price compared to west or Asian market. They get even more excited when they see used cars at even lower prices. All vehicles at the secondary market look stunning and ready to be owned by someone classy and elegant.

There is huge market for Japanese models here. People blindly purchase Japanese cars based on the belief that only Japanese modeled cars resale value is high. The market tends to neglect German engineered vehicles, which was startling factor to me…

Generally, everyone buys a vehicle based on rumors and gossips. Some parameters are;

Buy only from the expatriate (80% of the population is expats), Buy only Japanese models (Korean or German engineered vehicles value is less), Buy from single owner lady driven car…etc… None of these tips come handy when you actually get into secondary market. The good vehicles are priced closely to the new ones. No maintenance records and no proof to ensure quality of a used car.

 

How do you know whether the car is imported or bought from a cold market? No records or no clues to prove that, full service statement is missing for almost all used cars at secondary markets. Manufacturers warranty doesn’t come along with the used car that is for sale. Finding any problems with the car is also impossible. Very well disguised pose will stop you from thinking from problems point of view.

 

There is no Government ‘Code of Conduct’ or Sale of Goods Act, which pertains particularly to Used Car Standards.  (Although of course there are Legal options for printed ‘Lies’ or deliberate fraud).  If buying ‘on price’ only and asked to sign a ‘no warranty’ or ‘as is where is’ disclaimer the purchaser waives all rights. Be careful when you are purchasing a second hand vehicle.

 

Also, after seeing the way high-powered vehicles are handled, I have decided not go for any second hand vehicles.

 

Author: Stephen Covey

Have you read this before?

Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). What is this principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.

How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; You can control how you react.

Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened.  What happens next will be determined by how you react.   You curse.  You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over.   She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table.

 

A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is " D".

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference?
Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.
Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic?   Do you lose your temper?   Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off)  Do you curse?   Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?

Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the  90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You
will lose nothing if you try it.

The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.
The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache.

We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.

It CAN change your life!!!!!!!