Facts & Figures-30: ‘More on Numerology’

Actor Jim Carrey became obsessed with numerology while making The Number 23. He changed the name of his production company to JC23, citing, among other reasons, the earth’s 23-degree tilt, the 23 seconds it takes for blood circulate around the body, and his birth at 2:30 a.m. The movie DVD contains 23 chapters and was released on July 23, last year.

Courtesy: ‘The Week’, June 8, 2008 - Grateful thanks to ‘The Week’.

Environment-1: 'Spare the Trees'

Hyderabad: As the city grows, the greenery goes. The green cover is fast depleting, making way for spacious roads and concrete structures. Some of the trees are as old as the Qutub Shahi. Saddened, eco-conscious citizens have taken it up with the chief secretary.

They feel that the trees, instead of being cut down, can be transplanted elsewhere as it is being done in Mumbai and Pune. Thanks to the citizens’ movement, the first tree census in the city will begin on a road connecting Rajendranagar and Himayatsagar.

Courtesy: ‘The Week’, June 8, 2008 (Indiana) (Grateful thanks to 'The Week').

A Thought for Today :

The Law of Reversion to Type runs through all creation. If a man neglects himself for a few years, he will change into a worse and a lower man. If it is his body he neglects, he will deteriorate into a wild and bestial savage. If it is his mind, it will degenerate into imbecility and madness. If he neglects his conscience, it will run off into lawlessness and vice. Or, lastly, if it is his soul, it must inevitably atrophy, drop off in ruin and decay – Henry Drummond (Thanks to Vinod for the photo)

Random Thoughts-11: "On Punctuality"

Generally I am very punctual and hate to be late for any event. If I have to catch a train or a bus, I make sure that I am at the station or bus stop at least 15 minutes in advance. And I start shouting and become angry, if and when my people do not keep time and delay me. So I am labeled as a ‘tension-party’. In short, I am stickler for punctuality and expect others also to be so, wherein lies the rub.

So naturally I loved the article, “Punctuality, what?” by Sachidananda Murthy (‘Last Word’, The Week, April 20, 2008, which fell into my hands only today). If you have access to it, please don’t miss it; read it.

If you are nearing 60 like me and have a lot to do and many dreams to realize and “promises to keep” and “miles to go before you sleep”, you realize how precious time is. Time is life itself. So I could empathize with the first century BC Roman poet Virgil and lament, “but meanwhile it is flying, irretrievable time is flying”. (Thanks to Mr.Sachidananda Murthy for the quote).

Further, I enjoyed the lines, “The Indian Standard Time is often described as the Indian Stretchable Time, where the ordinary person gives way to the big man in a car flashing red light. In public functions, the audience invariably waits for the chief guest…”.

But Mr.Sachidananda Murthy, my experience on many occasions has been slightly different. I find nobody there - not the audience, not the chief guest and not even the organizers. They all seem to have a tacit understanding that if the invitation says 10 am, the function will not commence before 11 am. Only dumb bunnies like me go in advance and make a fool of themselves. When somebody goes to a 10 am function at 11 am, he is just keeping “Indian Punctuality” as the saying goes.

Nowadays, I have also learnt to be “an Indian”.

Thanks to Mr.Sachidananda Murthy (sachi@the-week.com) and The Week for the inspiration.

Letters-21: Grandma's Mission

The strangely endearing habit of Sarlaben Gandhi (‘Fruits of Plenty’, Reader’s Digest, August 2007) of going to a municipal hospital with bananas to distribute among the patients touched me deeply. Giving is indeed a divine quality, latent in every human heart. But it manifests in a few. To share whatever one has with others is a lesson that should be imparted to our children. – S.Lakshmi, via email, ‘Have Your Say’, Reader’s Digest, Nov.2007.

Grateful thanks to Ms.S.Lakshmi and Reader's Digest.

A Thought for Today :

I have learned to keep looking ahead. There are still so many good books to read, sunsets to see, friends to visit, and old dogs to take walks with. (An 86-year-old man)
Courtesy: 'Live and Learn and Pass it on' - Compiled by H.Jackson Brown Jr. - Published by BPB Publications, New Delhi
Grateful thanks to H.Jackson Brown Jr and BPB Publications and Jon Sullivan and Public-Domain-Photos.com for freely providing the photo.

How to Make Your Computer Say Everything You Type

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This article is about making your computer say everything that you type.

Steps

1. Open up Windows Narrator. You can do this by going to start, all programs, accessories, accessibility, Windows Narrator or Narrator.
   
2. Click on Narrator
   
3. Open up notepad. You can do this by going to run, type in notepad.
   
4. Type in what you want to say and the computer will say it.
   

Tips

• This has only been tried on Windows Vista. It's not known if it works in Windows XP.
  
• For vista type in what you want to say in notepad and highlight the words you typed.
  

Warnings

• DON'T MAKE YOUR COMPUTER SAY BAD WORDS
  

Things You'll Need

• Computer
  
• Mouse
  
• Keyboard
  
• Monitor
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Quickly Add Thousands of Points to a Tchart
  
• How to Become Computer Literate
  
• How to Have Computer Fun
  
• How to Make an Aperture Science Themed Ubuntu Computer
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Your Computer Say Everything You Type. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Control Your Subconscious Mind

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

The conscious mind is a remarkable thing, but there's a whole other level of awareness that, when tapped, can greatly expand your abilities.

Steps

1. Become aware of your subconscious.
   
2. Listen to the "little voice inside your head". What is it saying? When you talk to yourself, what do you say? What do you answer?
   
3. Practice "Stream of Consciousness" writing. Take 5-10 minutes, and write whatever comes immediately to mind, and just keep writing no matter how dull, strange, weird, or whatever it sounds. Although at first this will channel your conscious mind, it will bring up unconscious thoughts. Have patience; writing at first will be difficult but with practice becomes rather easy.
   
4. Learn to Meditate. There are many methods of meditation, but all deal with focusing the mind, quieting it, and allowing you to harness it.
   
5. Take an Art Class. The creative process in art of all types--drawing, photography, painting, clay, dance, and sculpture--all help tap into the subconscious. By taking seemingly disparate elements together, you may learn to use more of your mind to solve problems.
   
6. Learn about the Subconscious The more you learn about the human mind, the more you can use it to enhance your life. Take coursework in psychology. Read Joseph Campbell. Take a martial arts class. Pray and/or meditate.
   
7. To Harness the Subconscious:
   
8. Practice Positive Self-Talk: If you say to yourself, 'I can't do this, I'm going to fail', you will fail. However, if you say 'I can do this, I know I can', you're more likely to succeed. This process is known as "affirmation".
   
9. Visualize. This is one of the most significant keys to success. Actively picturing yourself achieving a goal will help you actually achieve it.
   
10. Study briefly just before bedtime. This is especially helpful for things that require memorization. If you review your periodic table, your Latin vocabulary list, or your football play book just before sleeping, your unconscious will likely process it throughout the night for you.
    
11. Pay attention to your dreams. Your deeper mind will sometimes try to sort out your life issues through dreams. If you pay attention to them, write them immediately down, and reflect on it, you may get insight to the problem at hand.
    
12. Listen to Your Intuition. Your intuition is a way your mind has of warning you to dangers or opportunities before your conscious mind has all the information. If you get an "uh-oh" feeling about a person or situation, listen. This is often a key step in avoiding tragedy.
    

Warnings

• Protect your Subconscious: Turn off the TV when you aren't watching it, and do not fall asleep in front of it. Your mind will absorb ideas that you need things you actually do not.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Reach Your Hardest Goals
  
• How to Be Yourself
  
• How to Meditate
  
• How to Meditate for Beginners
  
• How to Meditate on Breath
  
• How to Meditate for Self Realization
  
• How to Meditate to Get to Sleep
  
• How to Keep a Book Journal
  
• How to Create a Journal or Diary
  
• How to Interpret Your Dreams
  
• How to Remember Dreams
  
• How to Create a Bonsai Tree
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Control Your Subconscious Mind. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Find a Hobby

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Having a hobby helps to make you a more interesting person and gives you something fascinating to talk about with others. It can also help you to avoid feeling bored and often provides the opportunity to meet new people with similar interests. Learning something new is always good for keeping the mind alert and active, as is maintaining a long-term interest in something that enthralls you. This will also make your more of an interesting person than a person who is addicted to MySpace, watching TV, or doing other time wasting and unhealthy tasks, such as stuffing your gut.

Steps

1. Think of a hobby that might interest you. It might be an interest that you always wished you had time to explore, but never had the time or money required to pursue.
   
2. Collect things for a hobby. Look at the walls in your post office, and think about collecting stamps and what you might need to do to start and maintain a stamp collection. Think of other items you might like to collect, for example, coins, dolls or chocolate wrappers. You will need to consider how you will get your collectibles, where you will put them and whether you'll display them. And don't forget to think about swaps with friends!
   
3. Discover art for a hobby. Have you ever gone to a museum, looked at the paintings on the walls, and wondered if you could do the same thing? How about trying painting for yourself - in oils, acrylics or watercolors? Or maybe try drawing with charcoal or colored pencils. One particularly wonderful way to get involved in your community and make art at the same time is to participate in painting a mural. This will last for a long time and everyone in your community will see it and smile.
   
4. Enjoy sport as a hobby. Watch soccer, basketball, golf, athletics or tennis tournaments on television or at your local sports ground. Do you feel that a sport is something that you would love to learn? Think about what it would cost, and the time it would take to learn and play. Do you have the funds available for this type of hobby? Would you have the patience it would take to really learn to play or train for any of these sports? Would you rather play a team sport or an individual sport? Maybe there are friends or family members who already have equipment and uniforms you can have, as well as tips for how to begin your chosen sport. Ask them about their experiences and listen to their suggestions.
   
5. Take up an outdoor activity. Maybe you are an "outdoors" person, someone who would enjoy outdoor hobbies, such as fishing, hiking, flying model airplanes or kites in the park, water skiing, camping or cycling. Think about how much you like different kinds of weather (hot, cold, rain, sun, snow etc.) and getting close to nature. If this sounds like something you would really enjoy doing, then investigate how you could start learning one or more of these activities. Often these outdoors activities will have a club you can join, or you could get your friends together and try an outdoors activity as a group.
   
6. Take up an indoor activity. Maybe you are more of an "indoors person". Perhaps you'd enjoy knitting, sewing, doing puzzles and jigsaws, painting, making ceramics etc. Browse around a craft store and find various craft ideas and supplies. Ask friends and family if they have craft supplies and patterns that they're not using. Other places to look for ideas include games stores, toy stores, hobby stores, your local library or activity center and school.
   
7. Combine indoor and outdoor activities. Of course, there's nothing that says you can't be both an indoors and an outdoors person! Maybe in summer you love to cycle and in winter you love to make matchstick castles. Think about which seasons you would like to enjoy your hobby in.
   
8. Take up woodworking. Look through the Internet at various woodworking hobbies. Things such as toys, desk top items, furniture, games etc. are all ideas to make out of wood. If you have a work room in a garage, perhaps you would like to buy a project kit like a miniature doll house and build and decorate it all yourself. You might even enjoy making the miniature furniture yourself instead of buying it ready-made.
   
9. Consider miniatures. Miniature trains, racing cars, toy soldiers, gaming pieces etc. are an intriguing hobby that will include painting, construction work, craft and more. Making miniatures suits someone with an eye for detail and a lot of patience. This hobby can be as elaborate or as simple as you like; many of the best miniatures are made from things you find around the house and use your imagination to turn into something else.
   
10. Wait until you have researched the initial cost, and the long term expense and time needed before jumping into a hobby. Make sure you can afford it, and have the time to spare. As you begin, start small. For instance, you can do a lot of astronomy with the naked eye. If you have learned and continued with that, the next step should be purchasing a good set of binoculars. Invest in the fancy telescope only when you are sure you are committed.
    
11. Search the Internet or visit a local library or community center for more information. Look for information related to the hobby you are interested in. Find out if you would have to buy supplies via Internet, or if you have suppliers that live in your area. If there is something on the Internet that you want and you don't have a credit card, ask a parent or a friend to help you. Sometimes even a store owner is the person to ask, as they can order the supplies in for you using their own contacts.
    
12. Get started on your hobby! Once you have decided which hobby best suits you in every way and you have bought or borrowed the equipment, clothing, tools and anything else you need, it is time to get it happening. Expect to start slowly at first, while learning, so have patience. You might even find a club to join and meet others with similar interests. This is a great way to make friends and to exchange ideas.
    
13. Display your hobby or compete. Once you become very good at your chosen hobby, you might like to enter competitions to test your skills or to display your work. Think of sports competitions, fairs or shows for craft and artwork, club meetings for show-and-tell or perhaps even a school or college event is a good chance to show off your skills.
    

Tips

• Before you get involved starting your hobby, find a place to work on it, and to store it if it is done indoors. Even outdoors hobbies that need equipment will require storage space - hockey sticks, soccer balls, boots, bicycles, tents etc. all have to go somewhere when you're not using them!
  
• Make sure you hobby will not take away the time you need to spend with your family and friends. Involve them if you can and ask them to come and watch you play sport or to see your work on display.If you don't have much money at the start of your hobby, begin very small or find a hobby that doesn't cost anything. Borrow things from other people - often older people have tried a hobby and no longer care for it and they can give the items to you. Another way to make money is to sell the items that you have created in your hobby. This will work for hobbies such as craft, artwork and woodwork. It will have to be good quality though, so make sure you're good at it first.
  

Warnings

• Do not start a hobby that would be expensive to start and maintain if you have to use money budgeted for family expenses or a college fund for you or your children.
  
• Always get the best instructions on how to make things or do them. If it is sport, be very careful to warm up properly and do not attempt to do anything difficult unless you have had proper training. If it is making something, read the instructions carefully and be patient. If you are handling anything dangerous, either seek assistance from someone else like a parent, colleague or professional or follow the instructions exactly.
  
• Gambling is not a hobby, and it could become an obsession and cost you dearly in the long run.
  
• Don't get too hooked on the hobby or you might go broke and lose relationships with the ones you love.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Cash in on Your Hobbies
  
• How to Paint Miniatures
  
• How to Start a Fountain Pen Collection
  
• How to Collect Business Cards
  
• How to Be a Good Ventriloquist
  
• How to Fix a Coin Toss
  
• How to Knit a Scarf
  
• How to Have Willpower
  
• How to Build a Large Barbie House out of a Cabinet
  
• How to Collect Breyer Model Horses
  
• How to Overcome Boredom
  

Sources and Citations

• http://www.scrapbookingdirections.com
  
• http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home
  
• http://www.craftsfaironline.com/Supplies.html
  
• http://scrapbooking.com/
  
• http://www.stamplink.com/
  
• http://about.com/hobbies/
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Find a Hobby. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Send a Free Fax

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Don't want to pay to send a fax? Maybe you're just tired of that bulky machine. Here is how to send and receive faxes for free by email.

Steps

1. Get a fax number. You can get one for free at a number of web sites.
   
2. Visit an online service and type in the necessary information. It is best to check the number lists to make sure they are able to send to the area of your number.
   
3. To see if they can send to that area, go to their verification page. Once there, type in the whole number. This includes Country Code, Area Code, and number. (Ex. Oxford, England - 44 1865 xxxxxx)
   
4. When you are ready to send, go back to the Send Fax page and Type in the name of the recipient, their room number or name (optional), the fax number (properly formatted means country code, Area Code, then number without spaces. EX. 17571234), A subject (optional), and a valid email address for confirmation, then the message.
   
5. To send by email, you have to properly format the address to make sure the person gets it. Follow the instructions for the individual site.
   
6. You can use a subject when sending this way. After you finish typing the address, just type in the message and click send.
   

Tips

• There are a few different free receive fax programs. Make sure you know what you are getting before choosing one.
  
• It is a good idea to save the properly formatted email address in a buddy list or something else. That way, you can just click on that and change what you need changed.
  
• A properly formatted fax address will look like this: remote_printer.Joe_Shmoe/Room_433@12345678900.iddd.tcp.int
  
• The room number is for if you send a fax to a hotel or apartment building to be given to a certain room. You may want to put the subject as "Please deliver to..." to make sure they know to deliver it.
  

Warnings

• Do not send profane faxes. This is very rude and inconsiderate. Also, it is against the law.
  
• Follow rules for sending on the web site.
  

Things You'll Need

• A Fax Number (optional if you don't want to receive faxes)
  
• An Email address
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Save Time and Money on Faxing
  
• How to Improve Service Quality at Your Business
  
• How to Send a Fax Using Your Digital Camera or Camera Phone Using Scanr
  
• How to Send a Letter to Someone Important
  

Sources and Citations

• Send Fax Page
  
• Verify Coverage page
  
• fax send FAQ
  
• Setting up a Fax server instructions
  
• Wikipedia on Faxing
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Send a Free Fax. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

A Thought for Today :

If we did the things we are capable of,

we would astound ourselves - Thomas Alva Edison

Grateful thanks to Jon Sullivan and

Public-Domain-Photos.com

for freely providing the above photo.

How to Begin the Day

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Knowing how to wake up and begin a new day is important to make life more fun. For some tips and suggestions on how to go about doing this, please continue reading.

Steps

1. Greet the day.
   
2. Smile, and say "Good morning" to everyone you see.
   
3. Feel good about yourself and your qualities.
   
4. Say optimistic things about the day. By looking at yourself in the mirror and saying at least 10 good things about yourself, it will definitely improve your day.
   
5. Focus on your objectives for the day, and get them done as soon as possible.
   
6. Trust in your inner strength to solve any problem that day.
   
7. Remember this: "If life doesn't smile at you, tickle life 'till it laughs!"
   
8. Sing (or hum) any song with a positive message.
   
9. Eat breakfast. This is a healthy way to start the day and will help you throughout the day.
   
10. Exercise. It releases chemicals in the brain that make you feel better.
    

Tips

• Remember no day is the same.
  
• When your passing someone not so happy, smile at them and say "hi!" it can really cheer others up to make their day brighter.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Smile
  
• How to Have a Great Conversation
  
• How to Be Optimistic
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Begin the Day. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make Friends

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

There's a certain beauty in being a lone wolf (people with no friends). You have more time to do things you want to do, like talk to yourself, play solitaire, write poetry, or try to carry that couch into your new apartment all by yourself. If that's not your bag, though, there are literally billions of potential friends in the world. What's more, many of these people want to make friends just as much as you do. So just follow these steps to meet new people and form strong, lasting friendships.

Steps

1. Get out and meet people! If you want to make friends, you first need to meet people. No matter where you live, this should be fairly easy. Just in case you're stumped, here are just a few suggestions.
   
   • If you're in school or work and have a lot of co-workers and peers, you're surrounded by potential friends for a large portion of your day. A way to make a friend is to not be shy; go up to that person ask questions, like "what is your name?" "Are you on a team?" Act friendly and be honest and trustworthy.
     
   • Join a club with people of common interests. You don't necessarily have to have a lot of common interests with people in order to make friends with them--in fact, some of the most rewarding friendships are between two people who don't have much in common at all--but if you have something in common with people, it can make it a lot easier to talk to them and plan activities initially. Whatever your age and whatever your interests, there is a club or organization for you.
     
   • Join a team. Especially if you're in school, joining a sports team can be great way to make friends. A common misconception about this is that you have to be really good at playing a particular sport in order to make friends with others on the team, or if you're in elementary school just join a sport or do drama with your friend . As long as you enjoy the sport or other activities, try your best, and acknowledge that you're not a pro, your teammates will usually be more than happy to accept you for who you are.
     
   • Volunteer. Volunteering is a great way for people of all ages to meet others. By working together you build bonds with people, you could maybe even join girl scouts, or cub scouts because you'll be doing charity work and also making friends that way, the fact that you're devoting your time to something free of charge shows that you're compassionate and unselfish, two traits of good friends.
     
   • Get online. In general, the internet isn't a great place to make real friends, the kind who will be there for you when you really need them. Never use the internet to meet some one you now will consider your "best friend". You don't know this person and making them your best friend will not do anything good in your life. If you live in a really isolated place, the internet can also help you find other people around the world that share your interests.
     
   
   
2. Talk to people. You can join a club, go to school, or go to church, and you still won't make friends if you don't actually talk to people. By the same token, you don't have to be involved with an organization to talk to people, and any time you talk to someone, you have a chance at making a lasting friend. You can talk to anybody: the clerk at the video store, the person sitting next to you on the bus, or the person in front of you on the lunch line. Don't be picky. Most conversations will be a dead-end of sorts, in that you may never talk to that person again or you'll just remain acquaintances, but once in a while you'll actually make a friend.
   
   • Introduce yourself early in the conversation. Your name doesn't necessarily need to be the first thing out of your mouth, but if you're looking to make friends, knowing each other's names is a good start. Once you introduce yourself, the other person will typically do the same. Remember his or her name, and use it later in the conversation.
     
   • Make small talk. Friends can talk about just about anything, but you don't want to get too personal when you first meet someone. Just make good, inoffensive small talk at first.
     
   • Open up the opportunity for another meeting. When you meet someone whom you think might make a good friend, try to exchange contact information. This is especially important if you meet someone who you aren't otherwise likely to meet again. Seize the day!
     
   • If you've discovered that the person you're talking to has a common interest, ask him or her more about it and, if appropriate, whether they get together with others, in a club, for example, to pursue this interest. If so, this is a perfect opportunity to ask about joining them. If you have a club, band, church, etc. that you think they might enjoy take the opportunity to give them your number or email address and invite them to join you.
     
   • If you're new in town or at school and are just looking to meet people, don't be afraid to mention this. People are often excited about meeting new people, showing them around, and introducing them to their friends.
     
   
   
3. Be fun to be around. You don't have to be a superstar to be fun. You don't even have to do cartwheels. You do need to be positive and friendly, however, so that people feel good when they're around you. From the very first conversation you have with someone, you should use body language to convey that you are affable, non-threatening, and approachable. Smile frequently, laugh often, and make eye contact. In your words, be confident, but don't be cocky, condescending, or mean-spirited.
   
4. Be a good listener. Many people think that in order to be seen as "friend material" they have to appear very interesting. Far more important than this, however, is the ability to show that you're interested in others. Listen carefully to what people say, remember important details about them (their names, their likes and dislikes), ask questions about their interests, and just take the time to learn more about them. People love to talk about themselves, and the easiest way to be likeable is to listen. You don't want to be the guy or girl that always has a better story than anyone else or that changes the subject abruptly instead of continuing the flow of conversation. These people appear too wrapped up in themselves to be good friends.
   
5. Be reliable. The steps above are great for making acquaintances, but how do acquaintances become lifelong friends? One important trait of a good friend is reliability. When you say you'll do something, do it. Be someone that people know that they can count on.
   
6. Be trustworthy. One of the best things about having a friend is that you have someone to whom you can talk about anything, even secrets that you hide from the rest of the world. The key to being a good confidante is the ability to keep secrets, so it's no secret that you shouldn't tell other people things that were told to you in confidence. Before people even feel comfortable opening up to you, however, you need to build trust. Be honest about yourself and your beliefs, and don't gossip about others or spread rumors.
   
7. Be there. You've probably heard of fair-weather friends. They're the ones who are happy to be around you when things are going well, but are nowhere to be found when you really need them. Part of being a friend is being prepared to make sacrifices of your time and energy in order to help out your friends. If a friend needs help with an unpleasant chore, or if he or she just needs a shoulder to cry on, be there.
   
8. Be true to yourself. A good friend sometimes does things he or she doesn't want to do, such as helping a friend move or going to see a band that you don't really like, but you should never feel pressured to do something you think is wrong. Stay true to your convictions and beliefs, and if this causes you to lose some friends, you're better off without them. You'll also find that your integrity may help you win a lot of other friends, and if you just be yourself you'll make friends who like you for who you are.
   

Tips

• Accept everyone for who they are and never bring anyone down or try to change someone (especially if they've done nothing to hurt or offend you). This communicates insecurity. If you don't get along with someone, try avoidance instead of creating a rivalry.
  
• Always trust your gut feelings about people. If you feel someone (as nice as they may seem) is not the right person to make friends with, then move along.
  
• Don't be clingy or annoying. Over-obsessing over someone makes you seem weird and strange, not friendly.
  
• You never want to seem desperate. Don't chide acquaintances for failing to invite you to a party, for example; don't call someone over and over or stop by uninvited; and never overstay your welcome anywhere. In general, take friendship slowly, and don't try to become close to somebody right away. The move from acquaintance to friend can take a long time, and if you appear too clingy, potential friends may think you're too much work.
  
• Keep the lines of communication open. Lasting friendships don't just happen. They require work, especially if one friend moves away for an extended period or for good. Even if you don't get to see a friend, you should try to call or email him or her regularly just to check in and say "hi." With any luck, they'll do the same. It's easy to lose friends to distance, but it isn't necessary.
  
• It's easier to be yourself than to be someone who you are not because the only reason true friends want to be friends with you is because of your personality. But if you decide to act a certain way around people, nobody will know who you really are.
  

Warnings

• Don't try to change yourself in order to fit in to make new friends. If you have to change yourself to be with a group of people then they are not worth being friends with.
  
• Remember, never leave old friends because you like someone else more. This is a big, bad mistake. It's great to have different groups of friends, but if you abandon one group for another, you may soon find yourself without any friends at all.
  
• Don't be afraid to stand up for what is right. If one of your friends is doing something that you know is wrong, confront them. If you're a friend, you won't let them do the wrong thing.
  
• Be careful about getting together with people that you meet online. They might not be who they say they are.
  
• Don't try to buy friends by giving people gifts or money. While it's nice to give a friend a gift sometimes, if you go overboard it's creepy. A person who will "be your friend" because you buy him or her things probably just likes things, not you.
  
• It is good to identify your own aims and objectives in life so that genuine and honest firends with common interests [not flatterers or cheats] would come together as friends, even though casual contacts may continue to exist.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Become Social
  
• How to Create a Friendship in 60 Seconds
  
• How to Make Friends at a New School
  
• How to Have a Great Conversation
  
• How to Be Good Natured and Loving
  
• How to Get Over Being Left Out
  
• How to Look Approachable
  
• How to Make Friends Easily if You're a Teen
  
• How to Accept a Compliment
  
• How to Fix a Broken Friendship
  
• How to Be Busy
  
• How to Come up With Good Conversation Topics
  
• How to Think for Yourself
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Friends. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

A Thought for Today :

The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil - Cicero

Grateful thanks to Jon Sullivan and Public-Domain-Photos.com for freely providing the photo.

How to Organise an Event

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

How to manage an event, school program, corporate function, get-together, culturals, wedding. (More points, tips,(like time management, managing the show) will be coming up in next two weeks, keep checking and fine tuning this article)

Steps

Planning

1. Have a good team who knows how to do different things, from meeting people, preparing schedules and budgets, making agendas and invitations, printing various year books.
   
2. Have some volunteers, who have good influence (to call Important Person as Chief Guest), know where to get things done.
   
3. Prepare a Budget. All possible expenses, incomes, sponsors, contingent expenses.
   
4. Prepare a draft invitation. Focus here is to find the date, time, venues, chief guest, name of the event, tag-line for the event.
   
5. Prepare a draft schedule of the programs in the event.
   

Take Action

1. Fix the date, place (venue), Chief Guest, name of the Event and Tag Line. (See tips for Venue and Date.)
   
2. Get approval of your budget, schedule etc from your team members or any authorities.
   
3. Have a meeting for brain-storming and action plan.
   
4. Delegate work to different people and let an experienced person coordinate all activities. If the event is a mega-event, let different people coordinated different activities, under the supervision of one person. The team leader should be trusted by the team members.
   
5. Inform about your program in your website
   
6. Collect sponsors and other sources of money from delegates.
   
7. Market the event. Prepare brochure, release advertisement, inform the media, send mails, make phone calls, send sms, messages to e-groups, visit people etc to get delegates and sponsors.
   
8. Some time make sure all administrative works like accounting, correspondence etc goes on well and in time.
   
9. Take care of any creative works like finding name of the event, designing front cover for any year-book, brochures, etc.
   
10. Have a time line (with deadline) for each activity.
    
11. Make sure the team do not have any internal problems.
    
12. Get the event things like any games, medals, mementos, prizes, certificates ready
    
13. Make arrangement for Photos, videos etc.
    
14. Make arrangement for Water, Food, Caterers. Make sure restroom facility are available. Make sure any special arrangement for any people should be make. (Eg. Prayer Room, Beds, for physically challenged, For nursing mothers,)
    
15. Make arrangement for chairs, tables, backdrop, mics, speakers, computers, LCD projector, podium, table clothes, stationery's, directions, seating arrangements, name board of VIP, etc is ready.
    
16. Make transportation and travelling arrangement for participants and organizers. Prepare a itinerary for all outstation participates. Make a written schedule.
    
17. Make accommodations and pick-up and drop back facility.
    
18. Prepare the list with all relevant mobile, phone numbers, emails ids of team members. Also, make a similar contact list for VIP, and supplier of any goods or services.
    
19. Visit the venue with your team members, look around the place including parking, toilets, green rooms, contact person, arrangements, various entrances and exits, lifts. Look for nearby place where you can take photocopy, make phone calls, buy any things in case of emergency.
    
20. Give proper instructions to the team members on how to handle every situation.
    
21. Make sure you communicate with every one on how to reach the venue and the time.
    

Work to be done 24 hours to 36 hours before the event

1. Check whether all invitation has been sent. Otherwise, make phone calls to invite people.
   
2. Remind VIPs about the events.
   
3. Check whether all activities are going on schedule.
   
4. Re-check with the hotels for accommodations availability with hotels.
   
5. See the traveling schedule of outstation participants.
   
6. Go to the venue and check whether all things are ready.
   
7. Collect enough money/cash for the event expenses from concern persons.
   
8. Check whether participants kit is ready.
   
9. Prepare minute to minute agenda for important programs.
   
10. Make a checklist of the things to be taken to the venue.
    
11. Check whether enough people are there for the event, other make sure you get some more people to help you.
    

On the Day of Event

1. Arrive early to the venue with your team member. Check for the electric reading or any similar reading.
   
2. Make sure the organizers is wearing a distinct Badges or something similar
   
3. For any transportation, check the car reading and note down the time and the reading.
   
4. Put the Welcome Banners and other info in front of the building.
   
5. Make a beautiful reception and registration counter.
   
6. Inform the sponsors on where to put the stalls. (Make allocation of space earlier).
   
7. Keep the dais, mics speakers ready. Put on music for an informal event.
   
8. Make sure the host have the schedule and resume of the chief guest etc. ready. He/She should have the matter to be spoken typed and rehearsed. Make sure the host/anchor/Master of Ceremony know well about the program as well as the people who are organizing it.
   
9. Have a good time management.
   
10. Welcome the delegates and others.
    
11. Take care of their requirement, especially, outstations and chief guest.
    
12. Have a separate person to look after the needs of General Delegates (Non-VIPs) and for PR (Public Relations).
    
13. Give directions to those who need.
    
14. Take photos of all important things especially sponsors banners, your banner, entrance, receptions etc
    
15. Ensure all resources (food, water etc) are sufficient, otherwise work out your contingent plan.
    
16. Thank the delegates after the event.
    
17. Take the feedback from participants
    
18. Clean up the place, check the electric meter etc, remove the banners, tables, etc. Check up if you leave anything valuable, and then, leave the venue.
    

After the Event

1. Thanks the concern people like the sponsors, volunteers.
   
2. Finalize and settle the accounts.
   
3. Have a Thanks Giving party for those who helped.
   
4. Distribute the souvenir or any other publications to relevant people.
   
5. Deliver the receipts to the Sponsors and others.
   
6. Distribute the photos to those who require it (after developing the photos) and post the photos in your Event website.
   
7. Evaluate the feedback forms (or feedback from your website)
   
8. Have a post-review meeting to perform better next time.
   

Tips

Co-ordination

1. Before the event have person/committee -in-charge of
   
   • Sponsors
     
   • Local Participants
     
   • Outstation Participants
     
   • International Participants
     
   • Chief Guest, Speakers,
     
   • Accounts
     
   • Special Events, Host Show
     
   • Documentation, Correspondence
     
   • Designing, Printing, Collection of Articles and evaluation the same
     
   • Prizes, Mementos, Gifts, Banners, Certificates, Souvenirs
     
   • Transportation, Caterers, Venue Arrangement, Decorations, Backdrop, Parking
     
   • Media, PR, Marketing
     
   
   
2. On the Day of Event have person(s) in charge of
   
   • Overall Coordination
     
   • Local Participants
     
   • Outstation Participants
     
   • Pick up and down at Airport, Stations, Hotels,
     
   • Green Room
     
   • Food
     
   • On Stage Activities
     
   • Master of Ceremony
     
   • Special Events
     
   • Computer, LCD projector,
     
   • Photographer
     
   • Reception
     
   • Crowd Management and PR with Crowd
     
   • Parking Area
     
   • Security
     
   • Distribution of Various things (Gifts, Certificates to selected people as well as all the Participants)
     
   
   

Documents

1. List of Documents (etc) to be prepared
   
   • Budget
     
   • Event Schedule (Timing of each program in the Event)
     
   • Invitations
     
   • List of people to be invited
     
   • Action Plan
     
   • Time-line (Work completion schedule)
     
   • Accounts
     
   • Communication Letters
     
   • Work Register
     
   • Designing Brochures etc
     
   • Preparing various articles for Souvenir
     
   • Materials for Press Conference
     
   • Speech
     
   • Participants List
     
   • Comparing Notes (along with Resume of Speakers)
     
   • Agenda
     
   • Minute to Minute Schedule
     
   • List of Prize Winning
     
   • Work Allocation List
     
   • Networking List (Mobile numbers of organisers)
     
   • Checklist of Things to be Taken
     
   • Checklist of Work to be Done
     
   • Report of the Event (for media and others)
     
   • Final statements of Accounts
     
   
   

Venue

1. Factors to be considered while selecting a venue and negotiating the price
   
   • Capacity of the Hall (No. of Delegates --excluding floating delegates)
     
   • Provision for Food (if meals are served)
     
   • Provision for stalls, demo, Games, mini-conference etc
     
   • Flexibility (if case of informal event)
     
   • Timing (When does the event can start and end at the venue)
     
   • Lighting arrangement (in case for night events)
     
   • Air-conditioned or not
     
   • Required Equipment are provided (Mikes, Speakers, etc)
     
   • Furniture for dais (Tables, Chairs, Table Clothes)
     
   • Whether Music, Entertainment is allowed or not (for informal programs)
     
   • Power Backup
     
   • Accessibility -- whether the venue is center of city (Whether Delegates can arrive without any difficulty)
     
   • Penalty, in case of cancellation of venue
     
   • Provision for people with disability
     
   • Special Rooms for Organizers, Dressing up etc
     
   • Total Cost
     
   
   

Date

1. Factors to be considered while deciding the date
   
   • Whether the Chief Guest and other VIPs are available on the particular date(s)
     
   • Venue is free on a particular date(s)
     
   • Most of the Delegates do not have any other engagement on those date(s)
     
   • Holidays -- Whether the program should be held on weekdays, weekends or other holiday
     
   • Whether any major exams, strike, other special event is taking place in the city or around it
     
   • Time need to prepared for the event
     
   • Time required for the outstation delegates to make arrangement and come the event
     
   
   

Instructions

1. Some instructions for working in a team successfully
   
   • Do not criticize anyone, unless you have a suggestion or solution.
     
   • Do not sub-delegate the work and responsibilities given to you at any time.
     
   • Be punctual in all your work. If you are late, give prompt proper info to the person you report to.
     
   • Smile a lot. Have courtesy for everyone, in and out of your team.
     
   • When someone offer help (including money), respond immediately, and thank them sincerely.
     
   • When there is a problem, do not blame others neither put it on your head and create tension but try to solve it...
     
   • Do not panic/get tensed. A cool mind will produce better results at the right time.
     
   • If you borrow anything, take responsibility to return it at the said time.
     
   • Do not repeat any mistakes.
     
   • Planning is necessary. Planning ‘what to do’ (important things) is done in team meetings. Stick to it.
     
   • But planning in smaller groups ‘how to do’, ‘how it should be done’ etc., is also equally important.
     
   • Proper Implementation is critical for an idea, Plan to be successful till the last...
     
   • Be slow and steady. Do not make haste while communicating. It would only waste time.
     
   • Always have a good morale & positive attitude with everyone. Please do not beg to anyone.
     
   • Be responsible for your work.
     
   • Report back voluntarily to the person, who had given you the task, whether the task is successful or not. But at the said time.
     
   
   
2. Instructions (given to team members especially to first time volunteers or young people) for work to be done before the event.
   
   • Also, try to be in formals and behave professionally
     
   • Keep a scribing pad and a pen always besides/with you.
     
   • Be firm in what you speak. Maintain eye contact with everyone you see. Have self confidence.
     
   • Ensure the receipts are delivered on time
     
   • Keep proper/correct record of all things that you handle, including cheques, banners, bills, expenses etc.,
     
   • After the program, thank everyone, including individual sponsors and the participants
     
   
   
3. General Instructions to given for the Event.
   
   • One(Two) organizer(s) will be coordinating the Event for the day.
     
   • Co-operate with him/her. No announcements should be made without his/her knowledge.
     
   • Have Good formal & informal Interaction with the crowd (when ever possible)
     
   • Note Down all important details.
     
   • Follow the exact instructions given by the coordinator(s)
     
   • Be in full formals for the full day, especially at inauguration and valediction.
     
   • Be responsible for your work.
     
   • Do not sit with the audience or your friends in the hall. Lots of work will be pending...
     
   • Be ready to do any type of work…[Be it picking up papers on floor or sitting on the dais with the chief guest…]
     
   • Take initiative, walk around and find pending jobs that can be done by you, complete it on seeing it. Do not delegate to others…
     
   • Be very cheerful, especially when you are amongst the crowd.
     
   • Do not leave the counter/seat where you are seated/assigned.
     
   • Last but not the least, ENJOY THE SHOW.
     
   
   

Other Tips

• Decide which things should be outsourced and which work should be done by team member. Outsourcing depends on Budget, Time, Quality, Importance of job etc.
  
• Different work for organizing is like various functions. Budget and accounts is like Finance, informing the delegates and making them participate is like Marketing Job, Team Management is Like HR, transportation is like logistics, Event is like Operations, having good relations with media and others is like PR.
  

Warnings

• Be prepared for any situation. Sometimes, things go out of control. If you are a team member, so don't get angry when someone shout at you, (the person may be tensed). If you are a coordinator, do not get tense and be panic. Do things coolly
  

Things You'll Need

• A good and dedicated team members to do the job
  
• A core team for planning and taking important decisions
  
• A good network
  
• Smart Work
  
• Lots of Co-ordination
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Organise a Gig
  
• How to Plan a Super Event
  
• How to Organize a Bookshelf
  
• How to Organize Your Dresser
  
• How to Organize Your Home
  
• How to Organize a Walk/Run for Charity
  
• How to Write an Event Report
  
• How to Organize Receipts
  
• How to Get a Paper Route in Your Local Community
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Organise an Event. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

There is no right or wrong way to write a personal mission statement. Personal mission statement is a fancy way of saying "these are my goals, and the code of ethics I'm going to use to live my life" So long as its meaningful to you, then thats all that matters, after all, you're going to be living by it.

Steps

1. Intro- Traditionally a Mission statement is written to guide a person or persons on the path of life as to how they want to live. Its not so much what you want to accomplish, but how you want to live your life. Do you believe in Honesty, Justice, self- reliance? These are all questions you need to ask yourself when composing your personal Mission statement. What ethics and morals do you want to govern your life.
   
2. Make a list of what morals you hold to be good and true, and then examine your daily life, what morals are easy for you, which ones do you need to work on, and which ones do you want to have. Spend a few days reflecting over what you find, and then sit down to write.
   
3. From this list will come your statement. To start the pen rolling on paper, ask yourself...what is it that I want to promise myself. Do I want to promise to myself that I'll be a kinder person, a more truthful person, a spiritual person, and answer youself...To help you I'll include an example of one of my personal Mission statements in the tips section for you to read.
   

Tips

• Ideally, a personal mission statement will be 1 to 2 paragraphs long, however it can be as brief or as detailed as you want it to be. The only requirement is that your mission statement remind you of the person you want to be, what you want to do and of what values and principles you hold in regard.
  
• Mrscompton's personal mission statement: In order to fully live a life worthy of those who created me, I promise to uphold the Nine noble virtues which include: COURAGE - The bravery to do what is right at all times, TRUTH - The willingness to be honest and say what one knows to be true and right, HONOR - The feeling of inner value and worth from which one knows that one is noble of being, and the desire to show respect for this quality when it is found in the world, FIDELITY - The will to be loyal to one's Gods and Goddesses, to one's folk, and to one's self, DISCIPLINE - The willingness to be hard with one's self first, then if need be with others, HOSPITALITY - The willingness to share what one has with one's fellows, especially when they are far from home, INDUSTRIOUSNESS - The willingness to work hard--always striving for efficiency--as a joyous activity in itself, SELF-RELIANCE - The spirit of independence which is achieved not only for the individual but also for the family, clan, tribe, and nation, PERSEVERANCE - The spirit of stick-to-it-iveness that can always bring one back from defeat or failure--each time we fail we recognize failure for what it is and, if the purpose is true and good, we persevere until success is won. To listen to the wisdom of my elders and ancestors, to stetch my abilities, but understand and know my limitations, to grow as a person, both mentally, physically, and spiritually.
  

Warnings

• Try not to include what others want you to do or who they want you to be. Focus on what you want for yourself.
  
• Please Note: information of the Nine Noble Virtues was taken from the following link: http://www.angelfire.com/realm3/ninevirtues/
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Write a Letter
  
• How to Write a Persuasive Letter
  
• How to Write a Resignation Letter
  
• How to Write a Poem
  
• How to Write a Short Story
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Write a Personal Mission Statement. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Get Inspired to Write

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Need that inspiration to write? Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing again.

Steps

1. Never wait for an idea to strike you. This is usually a waste of time. Instead, try some fun writing exercises which keep your brain working, thinking, making connections, and so on.
   
2. Listen to people talk. In other words, eavesdrop. Listening in on a conversation you know nothing about can give you a great idea. You can make up ideas about what happened before, and what is going to happen.
   
3. Play Spark the Image. This is an easy game. To play, start off with any word or object of your choosing. Envision your object, and try to think of the first thing that pops into your head that associates with your object. Do the same for the next word/object that you think of. For example, you might run through the following: yellow -> duck -> goose -> Mother Goose -> rhymes -> poetry -> Edgar Alan Poe -> Alan, your cousin -> your other cousin -> your family -> family dinner -> childhood, and so on. Use this as a quick warm-up.
   
4. Freewrite! Pick a subject and keep writing about it for two minutes. Write as fast as you can and do not stop for anything, even punctuation, grammar, spelling, etc. Review your work as you're bound to find something! Even if you don't pick a subject first and start out with how boring your day was, you'll get yourself warmed up and writing, and you might just let your mind wander to something that turns out useful.
   
5. Make a "What if..." list. Give yourself a scenario of about ten different problems that you might run into. Try to write up to three pages, focusing on adding at least two of these situations into the piece.
   
6. Return to saved things! Read the story that you wrote in first grade about the time you lost your mitten. Read all the writings you saved. When you go back to it, you might find something inspiring.
   
7. Have an open-minded spirit! When you have an idea, try to stick with it. If it turns out it's worthless, as least you tried.
   
8. Play the "Name Their Story" game. This is also easy to do. Observe a stranger somewhere, such as at the mall or in a bus station and tell (imagine) his or her story using whatever clues you choose. It might be based on clothing, general demeanor, hair color, or the types books of the person is carrying under his or her arms. Whatever the outcome, it can spark some surprising observations and get your writing flowing. You can do this with an object, too. Find an item that attracts your attention and imagine where it might have been.
   
9. Think of issues that you feel are important. These are easier to write about because you will probably know more about them than other things.
   
10. Get outside. Go to the nearest park, and bring your notebook and pencil. Eavesdrop on others and observe persons' actions. Take notes. When you get home, write about what you say, using your notes.
    
11. Think of something you are passionate about.
    

Tips

• Most stories start with a good character - make a couple and put them together into the same story.
  
• Work on dialog, an area that most writers struggle with. It can often help your writing become much more realistic.
  
• Keep a voice recorder handy. Record your thoughts in the most possible words to best describe the tone or color of the idea. Later, listen to and revise your flow of your words to best express this tone/color, so that a third person would be able to comprehend it easily.
  
• Carry around a small pocket notebook to jot down ideas, characters, opening sentences, or anything at all that makes you think, "Hey, that's pretty cool!"
  
• To be a writer, you must be a reader first. Love reading!
  
• People watch! Go to an area that you're fond of (airport, mall, or just in school or work) and watch the people around you. Don't make judgments, but attempt to look into their past. This is very useful for character development.
  
• Keep a notebook or a few index cards handy. Your mind may be better at creativity and free associating when you're doing something else, like walking somewhere. Be ready to grab those ideas as they wander past.
  
• You can use your cellphone to make tiny notes, observations etc about people, places and objects if you are unable to carry a notebook with you.
  

Warnings

• Never plagiarize another person's writing. This can lead to legal issues and will also destroy your reputation as a writer of any caliber.
  
• Typing and/or writing can lead to Repetitive Stress Injuries [RSIs] or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [CTS].
  
• Too much writing can cause damage to fingers. Write in moderation.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Freewrite
  
• How to Brainstorm
  
• How to Write a Script
  
• How to Write Non Fiction
  
• How to Write a Speech
  
• How to Write a Children's Book
  
• How to Write a Poem
  
• How to Be a Good Writer
  
• How to Write Historical Fiction
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get Inspired to Write. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Brighten up Your Living Room

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

A drab living room can easily be transformed from drab to fab. Fresh paint, and a trip to a thrift shop for accessories, can help create a new looking room.

Steps

1. Paint your living room a different color! It's a major change, but it's a certain way to give new attention to an old, boring room. For a big living room you can paint all of the walls a color, but if you are living in a smaller house you can choose one wall to paint and keep the others white so the new color will not be so overpowering.
   
2. Buy cushions that are soft, silky or fluffy! Buy them so that they match the color scheme in your living room.
   
3. Purchase modern, cool vases and some flowers to go along with them.Purchase silk flowers that are realistic and match the vibe of the room. You can get these from most places, they don't need watering and they look nice.
   
4. Find some nice picture frames, fill them with family pictures or interesting pieces of modern art.
   
5. Purchase a small basket that looks nice and can sit somewhere in the room and hold magazines and newspapers to minimize the clutter.
   
6. Get some nice candles! You would be surprised how pretty that some [candles and candle holders are. Why do you need to buy boring, plain, simple candles? To add an extra touch of luxury, buy scented candles.
   
7. Finish with a stylish, modern lamp to really brighten up your living room!
   

Tips

• De-clutter it for an instant calm atmosphere!
  
• Pier 1 Imports is a great place for inspiration.
  
• Target and Wal-mart have very good picture frames
  
• Flea markets have interesting art that is usually very inexpensive
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Paint a Room
  
• How to Organize Your Room
  
• How to Redesign Your Room
  
• How to Clean a Living Room
  
• How to Make Shot Glass Candles
  
• How to Select a Lamp
  
• How to Make You Framed Artwork Hang Like an Asian Wall Scroll
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Brighten up Your Living Room. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Letters-20: "The Gujjars Agitation"

1. The Gujjar agitation has the potential to spread to neighbouring States. No matter how genuine their demands are their violent assertion should be condemned, not heed to by political parties. – Raunaq Rathore, Noida (U.P.)

2. The Gujjar agitation proves the emptiness of the government’s reservation policy based on the caste of citizens to bestow benefits on them. It will be in the long term interest of society if the government revises its policies in favour of the economically backward. – Ramamoorthy, Madurai.

3. It seems the Gujjars feel that peaceful agitations have no meaning. This is a dangerous trend. If their protests succeed, then it will be an incentive to other less-represented OBCs to agitate for inclusion in SCs/STs list. The government must deal firmly with the situation without giving in to violence. – N.Mohan, Chennai.

4. The Gujjars should understand that a mere inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list cannot help in their all-round development. The government should focus on the reasons of their backwardness – both educational and social. – Md.Tauseef Hussain, Aligarh (U.P.).
(Letters to the Editor column of The Hindu, May 28, 2008)

5. The Catch 22 situation Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje finds herself in because of the reckless promise on granting Scheduled Tribes status to the Gujjars (Editorial, May 27, 2008, The Hindu) should be an eye-opener to politicians making hard-to-implement electoral promises. It is time political parties stopped making such promises as rice at Rs.2 a kg, free colour TVs, loan waivers, separate statehood, and reservations of various kinds. – B.Harish, Mangalore.

6. Ms Raje should have anticipated a situation like this before making an electoral promise to the Gujjars. State-level riots may potentially lead a nationwide agitation soon.
(Letters to the Editor column of The Hindu, May 29, 2008)

7. What is the rationale behind the provision of reservation envisaged in the Constitution? It is to uplift the backward classes and finally place on equal footing various sections of society. Sadly, the Vasundhara Raje government t has failed to dissipate the indignation of the Gujjars. Nobody has the time to look into the real issues behind the Gujjar outburst. The matter is not about reservation for, if you reservation to one group, another is going to demand the same after a time. It is a pointer to the fact that even after 60 years of Independence, the government has failed to provide equal opportunities for all. – Neetu Baroota, Delhi.
(Letters to the Editor column of The Hindu, May 30, 2008)

8. The violent form that the agitation by Gujjars – for the inclusion of their community in the list of Scheduled Tribes – has assumed shows that the protestors have no faith in non-violence. People in at least three States have been affected. The violence on the streets of the national capital has established the resolve of the Gujjars to continue their agitation. It is time the Rajasthan government and the Centre took appropriate action to protect the common man who is unnecessarily put to trouble by such violence. Disturbance of normal life and vandalism by a section to achieve its ends will set a bad precedent. The tendency should be curbed at all costs. – J.Srinivasan, Dindigul.

9. As responsible citizens who vote in elections, we expect our governments to ensure that harmony prevails in society. In the Gujjars’ case, the Rajasthan government and the Centre are passing the buck. They cannot continue to remain mere spectators to get political mileage from the issue. The absence of effective governance in Rajasthan is affecting other parts of the country while bringing down the nation’s image in the eyes of the world. – Kapil Kumar Singh, New Delhi.

10. One wonders how many of those protesting for the inclusion of Gujjars in the STs list understand what reservation implies. Most of them, it appears, have been misguided into believing that their children will be rendered unemployed unless they get the status. The issue, unfortunately, has snowballed into a massive law and order problem in north India. Disruption of public services, loss of property, violence and death have been the only outcome of the agitation. It only reinforces the fact that education and awareness are the only means to attain a healthy and non-violent society. – Tanvi Raghuwanshi, Jaipur.

11. Now that the Gujjar agitation has started spilling over to northern India, the Centre should start negotiations with the Gujjars. The issue should be given top priority as the Gujjar community is spread across many northern States. – Salin Thomas, Kottayam

12. All political agitations, including the ongoing Gujjar protest, end up in destruction. This, increasingly, appears to be becoming the means of asserting power. Who pays for the damage caused? The taxpayer. – Air Commodore V.V.Nair (retd.), Manipal.
(Letters to the Editor column of The Hindu, May 31, 2008)
Grateful thanks to The Hindu and the individuals who have written the above letters.

A Thought for Today :

A purposeful life needs an axis or hinge to which it is firmly fixed and yet around which it can freely revolve. This axis or hinge has been, in my own case, a belief in the value of the human spirit and the virtue of human endeavour and achievement - Sir C.V.Raman

( Grateful thanks to Jon Sullivan and

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