2006 Wind Down Of Enhance Life

Two more days to go, until we come to the end of yet another year, in our double-sided life. For me, 2006 has been a combination of challenge, excitement and constant change, resulting in many unforgettable experiences! Among which, one I value very highly is entering the world of blogging.

I startedEnhance Life on the 25th of September 2006 as an outlet to spread my incidental gleanings. To be quite honest, I didn’t begin with the end in mind. (I know, I violated ‘Practice what you peach’. Please pardon me on this one!)

Anyway, three months down the line and I am still posting! (May be not as regularly as I want to.)

With out further delay, let me introduce my nominees for the year 2006.
Most commented post - My Humble Christmas Request
Most linked post (source: Technorati)- Ways to make you feel good (when the going gets tough)
Most visited post (source: Google Analytics )- 7 Ways – How NOT to Annoy People
Favorite post - Who borrowed your time?
Debatable post - Are we blogging for attention ?
Blogging post -How to create a blog
Unorthodox post –Songs to Ponder
Humor post - Written by kids
Health post - Posture Matters
Book review post - Re-imagine
‘Such is Life’ post - 5 Reasons Why Letting Go Is So Difficult
Living simplified post - Best Practices In Naming And Managing Files
Nonsense post - The recipe of the ideal person
Seasonal post – So this is Christmas

Please leave a comment and make your vote heard!

I can’t part this year, with out sprinkling an attitude of gratitude.
So please accept by heartfelt ‘thank you’ going out especially to you. ‘Thank you’ for stopping by, ‘Thank you’ for featuring my posts in your blog, ‘Thank you’ for your comments, ‘Thank you’ to everyone who emailed me with words of encouragement, and if you have subscribed to Enhance Life, ‘Thank you’.

YOU have made my year of 2006 a lot more worthwhile. THANK YOU for letting me be a part of your lives.

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6 Things about me, you don’t already know

I have been tagged by Ms.Qand I am summoned to reveal 6 things about me, you don’t already know.
Ok. So here goes.

#1. When I was 12 years old, I slipped, fell and knocked my face on a chair, while playing with my dog, Casper. The fall chipped off parts of my teeth and had to be replaced with fillings!

#2. I can play five musical instruments (Organ, piano, guitar, clarinet and the recorder) with dignity intact! I didn’t count the trumpet and drums because I drive people nuts when I play them!

#3. My birthday is on the 2nd of Dec. Happy belated birthday to me! If you really want to know my age, you will have to tag me again!

#4. I can uplift my spirits by listening to music. My main preference, Michael Learns to Rock, Chicago and Brian Adams.

#5. My family consists of me, myself and I. In other words, I am the only child. (No, that does not mean I am spoilt. Grrrr)

#6. I hail from the techno junky industry. Jargon aside; I work for a software company. (Now you know why some of my posts are technology savvy!)

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My Humble Christmas Request

I know I am a total stranger to some of you. However, if you have browsed through my site and feel like giving me a Christmas present, (without spending any dollars!), there is a little something you can do for me.

It’s been around four months since I started Enhance Life and I really could use your assistance to spread the news of my blog. You can help me spread the news by favorite-ing me over at Technorati (Just click the link) or add a link to Enhance Life to your blog.
(If you want me also to link to your blog, just leave a comment and I will give the same Christmas present to you too. It’s a win-win situation!.)

Thanks a lot.

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So This is Christmas....

On my way to work today, I heard this song by John Lennon on the radio. I am half way down the day and I still find my self humming the tune.

“So this is Christmas, And what have you done?”
This question reminds me that within the next five days, I still have a lot more to do for Christmas!

Changing times, changing lives, creating memories…. “Another year over”, Oh yes, sometimes we all do wonder, how time does fly. It seemed like yesterday, I was celebrating this year’s New Year. Was it pleasant and rewarding? Do you have moments have taken your breath away?


“I hope you have fun, The near and the dear one, The old and the young”. To you and your family, I am wishing good cheer, good health, and fun family reunions.
“A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear”

Merry Christmas!

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Humor central:Written by kids

Its been far too long since my previous humor central post. Let me end that by presenting to you, What kids had to say! (Source: Email)

Q:HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10

Q:HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8

Q:WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8

Q:WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)

Q:On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that Usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10

Q:WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9

Q:WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7 (smart girl)

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8

Q:IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

Q:HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10

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5 Reasons Why "Letting Go" Is So Difficult

My earliest memory of "letting go" something takes me back to my toddler years. I was so used to the feeding bottle, and I couldn't understand why my parents insisted that I get used to a cup.

I am an adult now. (I sometimes have to convince my self this!) During the years that have gone by, I have had to "let go" of many things. I am sure that you too, must have had your share. It could be shifting houses, migrating to another country, changing jobs, relationship break-ups, the death of a loved one ..... The list goes on. The reality is that Change - is The Only Constant In Life. Life is such that sooner or later we have to "let go" something or someone we have become attached to.

If you asked someone for advice on a "let go" matter, you probably have got lectures. Something in the lines of "Take my advice, I don't use it anyway". "Leave", "get over it", "move one", "You will get used to it". Have you gotten any of that lately? I am sure they all mean well. However, these are the very things that you might not want to hear. Yes, it is easy for a by-stander to give advice. I, on the other hand believe in,Practice What You Peach.

Think of the last time you were in a "letting go" situation. Did you enjoy it ? Was the decision to "let go" easy? Of course, it depends on what (or whom) you let go of and how emotionally attached you were. Have you every wondered why it is so difficult? If "letting go" was part and parcel of life, then shouldn't it be a little more easy? Does it get easy with experience? Does it get better with age ? Perhaps not.

So why is "letting go" so difficult? In one sentence, I can say "we make it difficult" or rather, "our way of thinking makes it difficult". Now, for more elaborate reasons.

#1.Transition from known to Unknown
When your in your "comfortable zone" its comfortable! You like it. It is convenient, and you are used to it. It doesn't require additional risk.

#2.Fear
I believe that fear is due to the uncertainty. Uncertainty of the future. "How will I manage without him/her ?", "Will I be able to learn the new skills need for the new job?" Basically, fear of change and the adjustments that follow. The truth is, most people want to change. But they want results, without any effort.

#3."Why"
You keep wondering "why did this happen to me?". As I have mentioned in previous posts, I think only God has the answers to all “why” questions. In the meantime, you can ask a different question. “What did I learn?”

#4. Wait and See
You keep thinking, "I will hang around a bit and see", "May be things will be better”, “May the next financial year my boss will give me a raise". Sounds familiar? You might be trying to figure out what is the "right time" to let go.

#5. Guilt
"Is this the right thing to do?", "Will I hurt him/her by doing this?", "How will the company manage without me?"

Do you agree with me?

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Who Borrowed Your Time Today?

I was at a lecture last evening. In case you are wondering I am studying for my MSc. (A juggle of work and studies! Arhhhhh!)

We were given some homework the previous week and the lecturer asked how many actually completed it. The majority of the class said, "No, I didn’t complete". Yours truly included ! To our utter surprise he started asking "why" from every student. When the first culprit answered, "I didn’t have time" the lecturer asked, "Who borrowed your time?". At the time, everyone burst out laughing at the cynical statement. However, it got me thinking and here I am writing a post about it.

I am aware that there are many books and articles that offer many helpful advice on how to save time. This post though, is to highlight a different approach.

Who borrowed you time today? When your at home, it might be the television. When at work, it might be an annoying colleague. When your on the road it might be the traffic. Yes, there is a point I am trying to make. Here it is. Identifying the cause of time wasters. Once you are aware of the factors that drain you time, you might be able to take preventive measures to avoid or reduce it.

Now is the time. Who borrowed you time today? Start making the list and analyze more feasible solutions. Practice it for a few days, and let me know if it made a difference.

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Life is double-sided

Life is double-sided;
There’s a wrong side and a right side; A sad side and a happy side.
There’s a good side and a bad side; A black side and a bright side.

So if things seem dark to you, just change your thoughts about.
Life will look quite different if you turn it best side out.

Source: pravsworld

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Best Practices In Naming And Managing Files

Word documents, Excel documents, images files, presentation files ... the list goes on.
Have you ever had the feeling that you have spent too much time searching for what you wanted? Did you search for a file you just worked on last week, for far too long than you would have imagined?

Depending on your profession, managing files on a daily basis can be quite a hazard. Specially, if you don't have an organized way of storing files.

I recently exchanged my computer for a better one. I had to copy all files I needed from the old machine to the new. The transfer felt more like a house cleaning project! I am ashamed to say that there were many files with names such as test,temp,test1 etc. Needless to say that I had to open each of these files to find out the content.

So, I made a resolution to better organize the files/folders, in my computer hard drive. After all, if paper filing systems were kept efficiently in the yester years, the new age filing cabinet couldn't be so difficult. I figured it would require a little bit of organizing and self-discipline!

With that in mind, I made a list and I am sharing it with you. I hope you would benefit from it too. I've been practicing this list for the past 2 days and found it to be practical and efficient.

#1. Use abbreviations
I use abbreviations to group certain files. For example, If I write a post to for Enhance Life, I would save the document as "BLOG_". Likewise, I use an abbreviation that I recognize (and remember!) to group related documents.

#2. Use descriptive name
Yes, Obviously! Something I can read once, and relate to!

#3. Specify the date
There are a loads of documents that I come across which don't have a version. Rather than checking the date specifically I prefer an "at a glance view" of which document is latest. Also, keep a note that following a consistent date format is important too.

#4. Combine with underscore
Well, It doesn't really matter whether its a underscore or dash. Something to distinguish the abbreviations, name and the
date would do. Underscore works for me.

#5. Keep one copy only
When there are multiple files with the same name in different directories it can be a major hassle to figure out "which is what". Thus, I do my best to keep one copy of the file.

#6. Save temparary files on the desktop
This way I won't forget to delete the files, when the temporary lifespan is over!

#7. Use Sender name for email documents
There may be documents which are sent over the net for verification and modification. I choose to keep the sender name associated with the file.

Do these work for you? What are your current conventions for naming files?
Please leave a comment and let me know more tips.

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