masterwordsmith-unplugged

To me, the most beautiful woman to have ever lived on this planet is none other than Audrey Hepburn. Her elegance, beauty, character, voice, talent, humanitarian spirit, gentle nature, feminine character ahhh the list is far too long ...have always been an inspiration to me.

As a little girl, I was enthralled with her beauty and so was my mom. In an effort to groom me to have better posture for my ballet classes, my mom used to make me walk around the room with a book on my head. This dreaded exercise was made bearable only because I used to imagine I was Audrey Hepburn walking around in a movie set :-).

To know more about her background, career and achievements, please click this link. I would greatly encourage you to read it to be inspired by this wonderful lady that none can ever hope to compare!!! For as long as I can remember, she has been and will always be my one and only idol!! I am glad that the last nine years of her life were spent with her true love, Robert Wolders, a Dutch actor who was the widower of film star Merle Oberon. In 1989, after nine years with him, she called them the happiest years of her life. "Took me long enough", she said in an interview with Barbara Walters.

Wikipedia has really an excellent record of her early life. An excerpt from here:

She was a descendant of King Edward III of England^[6] and of Mary Queen of Scots' consort, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell,^[5] from whom Katharine Hepburn may also have descended.^[7] This also made her related to other notable distant cousins including Humphrey Bogart and Prince Rainier III of Monaco...

By 1944, Hepburn had become a proficient ballerina. She secretly danced for groups of people to collect money for the Dutch resistance. She later said, "The best audience I ever had made not a single sound at the end of my performances."^[13] After the Allied landing on D-Day, living conditions grew worse, and Arnhem was subsequently devastated by Allied artillery fire that was part of Operation Market Garden. During the Dutch famine that followed, over the winter of 1944, the Germans confiscated the Dutch people's limited food and fuel supply for themselves. People starved and froze to death in the streets. Hepburn and many others resorted to making flour out of tulip bulbs to bake cakes and biscuits.^[8][14]

Hepburn's uncle and her mother's cousin were shot in front of Hepburn for being part of the Resistance. Hepburn's half-brother Ian van Ufford spent time in a German labour camp. Suffering from malnutrition, Hepburn developed acute anemia, respiratory problems, and oedema.^[15] In 1991, Hepburn said "I have memories. More than once I was at the station seeing trainloads of Jews being transported, seeing all these faces over the top of the wagon. I remember, very sharply, one little boy standing with his parents on the platform, very pale, very blond, wearing a coat that was much too big for him, and he stepped on to the train. I was a child observing a child."

Hepburn also noted the similarities between herself and Anne Frank: "I was exactly the same age as Anne Frank. We were both ten when war broke out and fifteen when the war finished. I was given the book in Dutch, in galley form, in 1946 by a friend. I read it – and it destroyed me. It does this to many people when they first read it but I was not reading it as a book, as printed pages. This was my life. I didn't know what I was going to read. I've never been the same again, it affected me so deeply." "We saw reprisals. We saw young men put against the wall and shot and they'd close the street and then open it and you could pass by again. If you read the diary, I've marked one place where she says 'five hostages shot today'. That was the day my uncle was shot. And in this child's words I was reading about what was inside me and is still there. It was a catharsis for me. This child who was locked up in four walls had written a full report of everything I'd experienced and felt." These times were not all bad, and she was able to enjoy some of her childhood. Again drawing parallels to Anne Frank's life, Hepburn said "This spirit of survival is so strong in Anne Frank's words. One minute she says 'I'm so depressed'. The next she is longing to ride a bicycle. She is certainly a symbol of the child in very difficult circumstances, which is what I devote all my time to. She transcends her death."

One way in which Audrey Hepburn passed the time was by drawing. Some of her childhood artwork can be seen today.^[16] When the country was liberated, United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration trucks followed.^[17] Hepburn said in an interview she ate an entire can of condensed milk and then got sick from one of her first relief meals because she put too much sugar in her oatmeal.^[18] This experience is what led her to become involved in UNICEF later in life.

Read more over here.

For decades, my all-time favorite movie is Breakfast at Tiffany's (won two Oscars) where she co-starred with George Peppard(Click here for a slide show from that movie) and my favorite song is Moon River written by HenryMancini(1961 Academy Award winner for Best Original Song). Incidentally, that song was sung at my 25th wedding anniversary dinner by an old varsity mate :-) and I have yet to upload that video clip.

She will always be remembered, not only for her beauty and acting skills, but also for her fantastic work as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, a role she had from 1954 till her death. Please read this Wikipedia link to know more about her amazing legacy which stemmed from a genuine heart filled with compassion and love for dying, helpless children.

The following set of slides called Time Tested Beauty Tips have always been falsely attributed to Audrey Hepburn (even in the slides sorry) but was actually written by Sam Levenson for his grandchild. Before you watch that set of slides, please start the Youtube video for Audrey Hepburn's version of Moon River. Relax, sit back, be lulled by her husky sexy voice and timeless beauty (and such a romantic clip too with the gorgeous George Peppard!!!!) as you get mesmerised by the wise words of Sam Levenson. Have a wonderful day dear reader!! God bless you and yours!

Ever wonder how some people seem born with an inner confidence? Don't worry, experts say it can be cultivated

IT IS IDENTIFIED as the ultimate key to happiness, the door to success, the path to healthy relationships, the essential component of personal fulfillment, and the ingredient for eliminating toxic ones. What is this very important 'it' ? 'It ' is self-esteem. According to the National Council for Self-esteem in Sacramento, California, self-esteem is 'the feeling that you are worthy of happiness and capable of managing life's challenges.' For many, self-esteem is an elusive ingredient, Yet psychologists universally agree that it can be cultivated by anyone. Here are eight steps to greater self-esteem.


1) TAKE A PERSONAL INVENTORY

When Philadelphia psychiatrist and author, Donald L Nathanson counsels patients struggling with low self-esteem, he urges them to make an exhaustive list of their positives, large and small. Are you a hard worker? Are you a loyal friend? Can you operate a VCR?

Nathanson advises patients to consult the list as soon as something goes wrong- a missed promotion, a lost love, or any other emotional setback. '"That way you an isolate the event," he explains. "You can see it as a specific experience, not something that defines your whole life."

2) THINK OPTIMISTICALLY

Optimistic thinking is a sure-fire way of creating an upward cycle, moving from one success to another. Consider 14 year-old swimmer, Shane Gould. When a reporter at a swim meet in the United States asked her how she thought she would do, Shane replied: " I have a feeling there will be a world record set today." She went on to set two world records in the 100m and 200m freestyle events.

Later Gould was asked how she thought she would fare in the more gruelling 400m event. Smiling, Shane replied: " I get stronger with every race, and besides, my parents promised that they'd take me to Disneyland if I win, and we're leaving tomorrow!" She left for Disneyland with three world records.

3) MEET A CHALLENGE AND CONQUER IT

In 1970. former Olympic skier, Jimmie Heugahe was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). At the time, the standard medical wisdom was the MS patients should live non-physical lives. Huega reluctantly accepted the prescription of a quiet life. But after four inactive years, he felt worse. Fearing further physical and mental deterioration, Huega devised his own treatment plan, " one in which I, not the disease. took charge," he says. Huega began cycling and swimming. Within as few months he felt healthier than he had been in four years. Subsequent studies confirmed what Huega experienced: Rather than speeding up deterioration, exercise can strengthen and energise MS patients, physically and emotionally.

4) SET HIGHER GOALS

Give yourself the benefit of any doubt by telling yourself you can achieve more. "Strive to a higher position in life." says minister Robert H. Schuller in his book Self-love. "Why not ? You'll prove that you've got more on the ball than you thought... Through honest hard work and sincere dedication, you can rise higher on the social or economic scale than you are now."

5) LEARN SOMETHING NEW

The least fulfilled people are those who are not growing. Learning something new builds confidence because it forces you to push the boundaries, expanding the mind an spirit. "It's a mistake to think that once you're done with school you need never learn anything new," declares actress Sophia Loren.

"So if you find that you need glasses, get a little pain in your knee, notice a few brown spots on your hands, don't despair. There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love."

6) EXERCISE REGULARLY

Consistent moderate exercise not only controls weight, it strengthens the heart, lowers cholesterol, reduces stress and improves circulation. It also lifts the spirit considerably. Select a physical activity that you enjoy such as walking, jogging, cycling or swimming. Then do it faithfully at least three times a week.

7) DEMONSTRATE GOODWILL

Work to make the world around you a kinder place. You will feel good while improving the quality of life of other. "These days, we tend to forget acts of kindness toward others," observes Bruce A Baldwin, a psychologist from North Carolina. "Offer your seat on a bus to an elderly person, or wave another car through when you have the right of way. You'll feel an inner glow knowing that your small act has made a difference."

8) ACT HAPPY

The saying, "Fake it until you make it" has a great truth. A key step to greater self-esteem is simply to adopt the stance of being a confident person who is totally comfortable in life. Like an actor, you can grow into a role. This is advice offered by Wayne W. Dyer in his book Real Magic: Creating Miracles in Everyday Life.

"Act the part that you want to play. Go right out and without ever telling anyone else that you're really a quaking, shivering mass of jelly inside, just act confidently in a given situation where no one knows you. In that present moment of your life, you are the new, miraculous, self-confident person,"

As a 34-year old, Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin had been regarded as far too young a leader to assume such a prominent postition in the Penang government. Embroiled in many controversies, news of his resignation as announced by the various news portals and MSM this afternoon came as no surprise to me. The writing had been on the wall for the past few days as he had been swirling in a sea of controvesies. A look at the various headlines for the past few days can tell us that this had been in the pipeline for some time.

According to Malaysiakini:

Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has resigned as Penang Deputy Chief Minister (1), revealed Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

According to Lim, Mohammad Fairus’ resignation would take effect from April 8, but but would remain as Penanti state assemblyperson.

Lim said he accepted Mohammad Fairus’ resignation but declined to state the latter’s reasons for the resignation.

Mohammad Fairus’ resignation comes as no surprise as there had been intense speculations that he would quit due to under performance and purported graft involvement.

Baradan Kuppusamy gave a very good critique of the situation in The Star:

The Penang Government has to rein in the controversy surrounding its Deputy Chief Minister or let it fester and erode public confidence.

SOMETHING is not right with the continuing controversy surrounding Penang Deputy Chief Minister Fairus Khairuddin.

He has been caught in one unending controversy after another - from being incompetent to mismanagement and of late the more serious allegations of misuse of power - soon after becoming Deputy Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng takes pride in running a controversy-free ship built on his now famous CAT – competency, accountability and transparency – principles.

The problem is that Fairus, who is PKR’s Penanti assemblyman, sticks out like a sore thumb with the unending controversies dogging him.

He is said to be either sleeping on the job or simply not cut out for the huge responsibilities laid on his shoulders.

The latest round has it that Pakatan Rakyat supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who last October publicly blasted Fairus to pull up his socks, has given him the marching orders.

He is to vacate his job as Deputy Chief Minister but it is not clear whether he will also resign as assemblyman like what PKR’s V. Arumugam did in Bukit Selambau.

Lim denies that Fairus has resigned but speculates that “You never know what’s going to happen next.”

He refers queries on Fairus to Anwar who in turn is coy and unable to confirm or deny whether Fairus will be booted out soon.

Both say that Fairus is on leave which might be extended.

Such indecisiveness and ambiguous statements from the two leaders is a far cry from their stated vision to curb mismanagement, corruption and give the people the highest quality of leadership.

If Fairus does not measure up, it seems clear that one or both of the leaders have to give him the marching orders.

Lim should feel free to act because as chief minister he takes overall responsibility for the performance of his entire government. And Fairus, as his deputy, is an important and integral part of his government.

Anwar should also act decisive-ly because he is the undisputed head of the Pakatan coalition and Fairus is a member of his PKR party.

They dither probably out of fear that if pushed, Fairus might defect to the Barisan Nasional.

The problem with Fairus is that he is only 34 and probably too young for the job.

It is not easy to be an effective assemblyman – you have to manage your time, resources and discipline yourself to visit, hear, assuage and serve the voters.

You have to make your regular rounds come rain or shine and fly the party flag and be constantly visible to the constituents.

When Anwar blasted Fairus, the complaint was that he never visited the constituency. People complained that they hardly saw him. Being a Deputy Chief Minister is an even tougher job.

But the issue now is more serious after PKR Youth executive council member Amizudin Ahmat alleged that two senior state PKR leaders were involved with quarry operators in illegal activities.

The allegations ranged from failure to pay royalty to breach of state rules and regulations.

These allegations are now the subject of investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and by the state PKR amidst swirling rumours that Fairus has gone on leave.

This “neither here nor there” state of affairs is a serious a breach of the good governance that Lim in particular and the Pakatan in general had promised the people.

Their failure to act decisively is opening them to accusations that they fail to practise what they preach.

Not only was Fairus publicly pulled up by Anwar but was also progressively removed from several posts in the state PKR, as head of the Penang Football Association and on Feb 27 as head of the Islamic portfolio in the state, all indications that Fairus is on his way out.

Here then is a clear case for the Pakatan to stop dithering and act decisively and not let the controversy fester and affect public confidence.

According to The Malaysian Insider:

Fairus’s position as deputy chief minister had become untenable because he faces a mountain of allegations over suspected abuse of power.

Speculation about Fairus’s resignation had surfaced this week after an anonymous text message was circulated saying that he was instructed to quit by Anwar over allegations of abuse of power.

Fairus’s appointment as deputy chief minister has been a source of controversy and he has been told off by Anwar for not even visiting his constituency. He was also forced to quit as Penang Football Association president due to his lack of enthusiasm.

Speculation is also rife that he is one of two PKR leaders in Penang accused of corrupt dealings involving a quarry.

Lim said today Fairus’s effective resignation date will be April 8. The DCM will be on leave until then

by Keith Sonnenberg

The study of many subjects can be achieved through reading books. The coordination of mind and body can be achieved through athletics and sports. Compared to martial arts training, both of these pursuits have limitations, however. In this article, I will explain how an individual can learn coordination of mind and body and gain knowledge of how one's own body moves. In addition, movement can be made more efficient through training in Wing Tsun kung-fu! One's confidence can improve as well as the ability to concentrate. In addition, a good bit of basic geometry and basic physics is taught in the bargain, relative to the self defense of one's own body.

The beginner is shown the opening sequences of the basic Wing Tsun form called Siu Nim Tau. Siu Nim Tau has all the elements of Wing Tsun's movements contained within it. It's sheer subtlety and slow movement encourages the student to think simpley and to forget life's concerns. Concepts like "the shortest distance between two points," and "relaxing and breathing low in the abdomen" help in the pursuit of learning to quiet the mind and teach the concepts.

A class, by necessity, is taught in groups but students are guided individually. The principals of the Siu Nim Tau guide the student in future training.

Misconceptions about how to deal with force are addressed. People are different from one another. Some do not have the physical body strength of others. For this reason, superior strength is not dealt with head on. The opposite method from what we are ac- customed to is often used in a self defense encounter. A different mind set is required for this. This mindset is not "standard equip- ment" in today's world. This must be taught. This change in the mind set allows for a different outlook and the "permission" to look at things differently.

This kind of training takes a person out of the mundane world and into a world of principals, concepts and health-enhancing changes, both in the exercise it gives and the different kind of mental exercise it imparts.

For a person whose life is one of over-wrought emotions and confusing choices, Wing Tsun offers unimpeachable logic and intelligence. Wing Tsun is straight forward and unambiguous in its intent - to protect you from harm in an assault. Through this kind of training, one develops courage and self confidence, solutions through logic and a fitness regimen that supports the mental side.

Wing Tsun does not train one to be violent but, instead, train one to be peaceful. Violence arises out of fear and Wing Tsun reduces fear. Once the basics are under control, a student moves on the practice a drill called "chi sau." Chi sau is a superior mind - body exercise. It involves the contacting of two sets of arms, not in a random fashion like I have seen performed by some imitators but based on the arm positions learned earlier. In order to learn self confidense against a real attacker, it is important to face one's attacker. This training takes place in the secure confines of the traing facility and with a friendly partner. Each partner learns to use a subtle forward energy to "cling arms." In a rolling motion based on three of Wing Tsun's deflecting arm positions, the students learn to deflect, dissolve or evade an attacker's energy. After sufficient training in each level of chi sau, the student learns to put into practice what they have learned in a more realistic way. Chi sau principals are applied in a drill call "lat sau" which separates the combatants so a student gest to experience the different possible ranges that can occur in a real encounter. Highly accurate straight line strikes, punches and low kicks are used in the most efficient manner possible in mock fights. Applying Wing Tsun's concepts exemplified in its 3 forms and chi sau practice is the highest physical and mental test of skill. Competition does not exist in Wing Tsun except with onesself.

To reach the first of 12 student grades usually takes about 5 months. To reach the first full instructor lvel (Primary Level Technician)can take 5 years. Once a person experinces Wing Tsun's learning environment and its valuable life principals, the time it takes is not the most important thing anymore.


Author's Bio
Mr. Keith Sonnenberg has been teaching and studying martial arts for over 33 years. He began the practice and study of Wing Tsun in 1980 under the tutelage of the Grand Master, Professor Leung Ting. At this time, he became the first American student of the Grand Master and appears in his book, "Dynamic Wing Tsun Kung-Fu." Currently he teaches Wing Tsun at the Scottsdale Martial Arts Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Web site: www.wingtsunaz.com He can be reached at the e-mail address: sifusonnenberg@wingtsunaz.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the fourth post I am posting in my blog in Wing Chun. The articles are over here.

You often hear struggling athletes say that they have to "go back to basics." After years of repetition, it's easy to lose sight of the fundamentals they need to stay on top of their game. Often they need an outsider's perspective (i.e., a coach) to help them determine which fundamentals they've been neglecting.

Many couples fall into the same trap. There are many reasons why relationships lose their footing, but often couples who end up in trouble lose sight of certain relationship basics. And once those basics are forgotten, a formerly-solid relationship is at risk for spiraling out of control.

Let's take a brief look at some relationship basics. Some of these might sound familiar to you; to keep your relationship healthy, it's often not necessarily a matter of learning new things but holding onto tried-and-tested wisdom.

Relationship Basics: The 7 C's:

1. Commitment

“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.”
~Peter F. Drucker

Commitment is about hanging in there, through the good times and the bad. Commitment lets your partner know that you are serious about the relationship; it's the foundation that allows trust to develop and intimacy to flourish. Most importantly, commitment allows you to place the relationship above your own needs at times.

How do you show your partner that you're committed to the relationship?

2. Communication

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”
~Anthony Robbins

You don't have to become a chatterbox to effectively communicate. Simply check in with each other once in a while. Find out if the relationship is working for your partner by asking questions like: "How are things between us? Is there something you need from me that you're not getting?" When couples stop communicating, they become roommates instead of soulmates and might ultimately get their needs met elsewhere.

3. Compromise

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.
~Henry Boye

Relationships, even the very best of them, are complicated and often challenging. Couples who know how to get through the rough patches and still have fulfilling unions know how to compromise. A competitive, "I need to be right" attitude is the death knell to compromise. Practice give and take, and learn how to meet each other half way.

What's one step you can take to improve your ability to compromise?

4. Connection

“For a marriage or relationship to flourish, there must be intimacy. It takes an enormous amount of courage to say to your spouse, "This is me. I'm not proud of it -- in fact, I'm a little embarrassed by it -- but this is who I am."”
~Bill Hybel

When you show your partner that you are committed, and that you are working on becoming an effective communicator who is willing to compromise, the basis for a deep connection has already been set. Discover what makes your partner feel close to you and communicate what you need in order to feel close to him/her. Not all roads to connection are the same—become aware of and respect these differences.

5. Courage

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.”
~Anais Nin

To have a fulfilling relationship you must have the courage to contribute something. What do you need to bring to the relationship table? You have to bring yourself to the relationship. Intimate relationships involve risk and vulnerability, and often couples begin to hide emotionally from each other when the relationship doesn't proceed smoothly. This was evident with a couple I coached: The husband was somewhat subdued with his wife but was "the life of the party" with his friends and other couples. He stopped bringing his sense of humor and capacity for joy into his relationship with his wife after five years of marriage.

How do you contribute to your relationship?

6. Companionship

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive." ~Anäis Nin

Whenever I interview couples who've been together for some time and are content with their relationship, one thing continually stands out as important for these successful couples: They are great friends and they like each other. Frequently, couples forget to nurture this part of their relationship and the cost for this omission is substantial. Friends often have similar interests and engage in enjoyable activities together.

Do you and your partner make a conscious effort to play and have fun together?

7. Compassion

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
~Mark Twain

Compassion is the ability to listen deeply and show sympathy and understanding to your partner. Couples who practice compassion and kindness continuously feed love and send each other vital messages of caring. You would think that it's easy for couples to shower each other with compassion, but this isn't always the case. So often couples begin to take one another for granted and stop behaving in ways that demonstrate unsolicited kindness. As one husband recently said, "With all the stress I'm under, I don't have the luxury of always being compassionate…" The assumption that you need heaps of time or that you need to be in the "right place" in your life in order to show compassion to others is not only incorrect, it's a dangerous assumption. Make compassion a necessity in your relationship, not a luxury. Weave it into the small acts of your daily life and you won't even need to create extra time for it.

While there are other important elements that go into creating a healthy marriage or relationship, periodically re-visiting these seven basics will give your relationship the tune-up it needs to stay vibrant and strong for years to come. For added benefit, review these with your partner and see what your relationship strengths are and areas that might need some extra attention.

Author's Bio
Richard Nicastro, Ph.D. is a psychologist and relationship coach who is passionate about helping couples protect the sanctuary of their relationship. Rich and his wife founded LifeTalk Coaching, an internet-based coaching business that helps couples strengthen their relationships.