Human Weakness

Jumat, 04 Februari 2011

Would You Help Others Succeed Without Expectations?

I was at a singing recital last Saturday and got to witness some awesome singing. It was mostly solo singling with a piano accompaniment. The singing was truly dessert for the ears! I noticed that the pianist was also talented, however the center stage spotlight was for the singer. When the song ended everyone applauded, including the pianist. The pianist looked happy and her applause seemed genuine.

This small event, made me think about how we support and applaud others.
Sometimes, it’s equally rewarding to see that the effort you willingly put in to help someone, has built the foundation for that person to succeed.

If you read this blog with any regularity hopefully you know that I am a believer in helping others succeed by giving with no expectation of return.

All of us are “programmed” to expect something in return. It might be appreciation, reward or something in return, that would validate the help you give someone succeed. So helping someone without expectations doesn't come naturally. (Not even to me!)
Sure, there have been plenty of times where certain help goes unnoticed or taken advantage of.

There is nothing wrong in reciprocating a good deed or a favor. Indeed, we make a living and the economy is revolved around the supply and demand => "give and take". So I am not saying that you should do everything with nothing in return! It simply doesn’t work that way.

"When, and if, you do for me, I’ll do for you."
Is that the attitude you have? Are you one of those people who wait for others to go first?

I have found that the more I give and help, the more I receive. However, that’s not the reason for giving and helping others and I hope it’s not yours. Indeed,Good Deeds Get Rewarded (Even Here On Planet Earth!).

The best reason for giving and helping is the basic joy of making a difference in other people’s lives. To me, it feels good, to have helped someone and see them succeed.

Before you leave this post, I would like you to ask yourself, the following

What are the best ways for me to help, other people see success?
Do just that and help someone else be successful...

Kamis, 27 Januari 2011

Healthcare Professionals Volunteer Aid To Human Trafficking Victims

January 26, 2011 -(MMD Newswire) - Ida Lopez, the head of Tampa's branch of World Relief recently presented Gracia Bennish, President of United for Human Rights Florida (UHR), with a "Humanitarian Acknowledgement" for the generous community minded contributions of United Physicians for Human Rights Tampa Bay (UPHR).

UPHR Tampa Bay is a grassroots group of physicians, dentists, chiropractors and nutritionists who are contributing their professional services to assist human trafficking victims who have been rescued from their captors.

UPHR Tampa Bay is under the umbrella of United for Human Rights, a non-for-profit international organization. UHR actively works together with Youth for Human Rights (YHR) to increase public awareness about human rights as well as supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document approved unanimously by the United Nations in 1948. Additionally, UHR and YHR provide educators with free human rights educational materials, which includes the award-winning documentary film,

The Story of Human Rights. These materials are created in collaboration with the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International.

Gracia Bennish found that the non-for-profit organizations in the community who work with human trafficking and other human rights abuse cases have an urgent need for assistance with health care issues. Other sources are available, but not always on an immediate basis or they are not always able to meet specific needs. United Physicians for Human Rights was created to fulfill this need with the healthcare professionals donating their time free of charge.

This "Humanitarian Acknowledgement" was given to United Physicians for Human Rights in recognition of their generous contributions of time, supplies, expertise and support of human rights. Ms. Bennish was delighted with the acknowledgement. "It is our hope to expand this grassroots movement to service more nongovernmental organizations in the Tampa Bay area and beyond and to forward understanding about human rights".

Ms. Bennish and her colleagues work for UHR on a pro bono basis donating their time and efforts to further the goals outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information contact Gracia Bennish at 727-942-4668
Visit the website www.humanrights.com.

Sabtu, 22 Januari 2011

How to Find Good Books to Read

Gone are the days(well almost..) when people go directly to the library/book store and stare at several book shelves, wondering what good book to read/buy. This post is for people who want to do a bit of research online before going to a bookstore to find a good book to read (whether online or your neighborhood bookstore).

As part of my New Year post, I mentioned to, “read more books”. Rather than, just preaching, I made a commitment publicly, to list a several books I plan to read this year. Yes, my way of making my self-accountable. Anyways, one of my blog readers emailed me and asked how I came up with that list. So I thought answering that in a blog post.

Given below is the process I followed. It is pretty straight forward.

1. Select an area you want to read about

Obviously, you need to have some idea of what you want to read about. Are you looking to read fiction books? Latest detective stories perhaps? Do you want to get ahead in your career ? Any area you want to work on your communication skills? You get the idea; Write a few keywords.
Example from my reading list: A few areas I concentrated on was blogging, personal development, management, personal finance etc

2. Search an online bookstore or search engine for the keyword

Once you have a rough idea about what to read about, visit an online bookstore (I use amazon.com) and then search for the keyword. The search result will give you a list of books. Depending on the results, sort it by either bestselling, relevance etc

Example from my reading list: I searched for blogging, and ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income was listed as #1, by relevance.
Alternately, you can use the search engine directly.
Example from my reading list: I Googled for “best books on blogging”

Additional ideas,
• Pick another book by the authors you have enjoyed the most.
• Use Amazon suggestions or other recommendation tools.
o See what "Other people have purchased" section on the website.
o Look up a book you particularly enjoyed and browse through the suggested books for another book to pick to read next.

3. Use a search engine and read a few book reviews for one of the books

Now, you should have a list of books. There may be some titles that immediately catch your eye. If so copy the title, and paste it in a search engine and append book review. See what other people are saying about the book.

Example from my reading list: Search for “Problogger book reviews”
Additional ideas,
• I would read the amazon review
• Read a first few pages of the books, summary, table of content

Going through all this, made it very clear to me whether it was a book I would want to read, enjoy reading and whether I would benefit from the book.

As you would imagine this would take a fair about of time. I wanted to be fully in control of what I would read. Looking back at it now, I think it was time well spent. Don't waste your time (and money!) randomly selecting books, unless you like surprises!

How do you go about choosing books you want to read? I’d like to hear from you.