Wise Words for You

You have witnessed a man rob a bank, but then, he did something completely unusual and unexpected with the money. He donated it to an orphanage that was poor, run-down and lacking in proper food, care, water and amenities. The sum of money would be a great benefit to the orphanage, and the children’s lives would turn from poor to prosperous. Would you: a: Call the police and report the robber, even though they would likely take the money away from the orphanage, or b: Do nothing and leave the robber and the orphans alone?

You are a very skilled doctor with five dying patients, each of whom needs a different organ in order to live. Unfortunately, there are no organs available to perform any of the transplants. It just so happens that you have a sixth dying patient, suffering from a fatal illness, who will die sooner than the other five if not treated. If this sixth patient dies, you will be able to use his organs to save the five other patients. However, you have a medicine you can give to this sixth patient that will cure his illness and he won’t die. Would you: a: Wait for the patient to die and then harvest his organs or b: Save the patient even though the other patients won’t get organs. If you chose to administer the medicine, would you still do so even if the medicine will not cure the patient, but, instead, delay his death to some short term future date or time after the five patients will have died? Why?

Imagine you had a bank account that deposited $86,400 each morning. The account carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no cash balance, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every dollar each day! We all have such a bank. Its name is Time. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever time you have failed to use wisely. It carries over no balance from day to day. It allows no overdraft so you can’t borrow against yourself or use more time than you have. Each day, the account starts fresh. Each night, it destroys an unused time. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, it’s your loss and you can’t appeal to get it back. There is never any borrowing time. You can’t take a loan out on your time or against someone else’s. The time you have is the time you have and that is that. Time management is yours to decide how you spend th...

A popular speaker started off a seminar by holding up a $20 bill. A crowd of 200 had gathered to hear him speak. He asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?” 200 hands went up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He crumpled the bill up. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” All 200 hands were still raised. “Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?” Then he dropped the bill on the ground and stomped on it with his shoes. He picked it up, and showed it to the crowd. The bill was all crumpled and dirty. “Now who still wants it?” All the hands still went up. “My friends, I have just showed you a very important lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, life crumples us and grinds us into the dirt. We make bad decisions or deal with poor circumstances. We feel worthless. But no matter what has happened or w...

There once was a very wealthy and curious king. This king had a huge boulder placed in the middle of a road. Then he hid nearby to see if anyone would try to remove the gigantic rock from the road. The first people to pass by were some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers. Rather than moving it, they simply walked around it. A few loudly blamed the King for not maintaining the roads. Not one of them tried to move the boulder. Finally, a peasant came along. His arms were full of vegetables. When he got near the boulder, rather than simply walking around it as the others had, the peasant put down his load and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. It took a lot of effort but he finally succeeded. The peasant gathered up his load and was ready to go on his way when he say a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The peasant opened the purse. The purse was stuffed full of gold coins and a note from the king. The king’s note said the purse...

Succeeding in business is no easy feat. It’s too easy to let business knock you down. Instead of throwing in the towel when there is a business problem, pick yourself back up, buckle down, and get to work. The next few motivational stories prove that with a little hard work, any amount of business success is possible. Once, there was an older man, who was broke, living in a tiny house and owned a beat up car. He was living off of $99 social security checks. At 65 years of age, he decide things had to change. So he thought about what he had to offer. His friends raved about his chicken recipe. He decided that this was his best shot at making a change. He left Kentucky and travelled to different states to try to sell his recipe. He told restaurant owners that he had a mouthwatering chicken recipe. He offered the recipe to them for free, just asking for a small percentage on the items sold. Sounds like a good deal, right? Unfortunately, not to most of the restaurants. He he...

Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot. He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the boiled eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her he asked. “Daughter, what do you see?” “Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” she hastily r...

A contract to run Wales' rail service for the next 15 years has been awarded to two European firms, who will run it jointly. France's Keolis and Spanish-owned Amey's bid triumphed over a rival offer from Hong Kong's MTR commuter railways.  It will also drive forward the the south Wales Metro project, worth £5bn. The company said while the changes would not happen overnight Wales' railway "would be unrecognisable" in five years time. It already runs Greater Manchester Metrolink and London's Docklands Light Railway. But full details of KeolisAmey's plans for Wales will not be revealed until next month. This is to allow for the potential challenge to the process by the other bidder. An official announcement was made today (Wednesday 23rd May) after a bidding process which started with four companies. Arriva, the transport company which has run the Wales and Borders franchise for the last 15 years, pulled out of the running in December.   Keoli...

There are many words for which we have forgotten the meaning – love is one such word, and wealth is another. When we hear or use the word wealth today we immediately conjure images of huge cheques, large properties, five star holidays and the very best in everything. In fact it is this limited form of wealth, measured and defined essentially by money which blocks the realisation and manifestation of true wealth. Every human being is wealthy beyond imagination. But not in their bank accounts. Real wealth is completely intangible, invisible and deeply internal. Every human being is a unique individual spiritual entity. And as such, a source of the most precious energy in the universe. Love is the gold of the soul. We are each that gold at the core of our being. But few of us are aware of it, let alone consciously tapping it and expressing it. No one teaches us that love is what we are, that our purpose in life is to know it, and give it, and that when we do, all other energies, ...

Deep inside our consciousness is an oasis of peace. This is the molten core of the soul, but it is not hot, it is cool. Not passive, but a source of inner power to fuel our mind and intellect, so that we can create powerful thoughts and make accurate decisions. If you can learn to go to this centre, peace will be your companion, positivity your partner, and you will be able to chill out in one second, anywhere, anytime. Returning to the centre of your self is the journey of one second. It is the regular destination of clever souls. And it is the source of your power and peace.

Give birth to new possibilities through your ability to reach into the future and let go of the past.

Comparing yourself with others will leave you vulnerable on three counts: you’ll either feel inferior, superior or impressed. All three of these states are dangerous because they all disregard the underlying principle of our true connection with each other – mutual love and regard, based on independently generated self-esteem. To protect yourself from this vulnerability, make sure that your attention remains turned within, towards the spiritual experience of pure pride. Staying centred in your elevated self-respect will help you remain undisturbed by others around you.

We live in a time of ‘take, take, take’. Something for nothing; buy one get one free. The truth of the matter is that simply by giving I will receive all that I need. Giving is receiving. Today let me find a way to ‘give’ unconditionally and with love. Give a smile; give a word of appreciation; give a thought of good wishes; give your co-operation for a task. Make today a day of giving and tomorrow you will receive the fruits.

Rail services on the East Coast Main Line are being brought back under government control. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told Parliament that temporary state ownership would provide the smoothest transition to a new operator. The service is being renamed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) a brand last used in the 1940s. It is the third time in a just over a decade that the government has called a halt to the East Coast franchise. Mr Grayling told Parliament that after two months of analysis he had concluded that bringing the service back under the control of the Department of Transport was the best option. The aim was to use a period of state control to establish a new public-private partnership from 2020, he said. Mr Grayling said the new arrangements will not affect staff or passenger services. The London to Edinburgh line has been run by a joint venture between Stagecoach and Virgin, since 2015. The franchise was supposed to run until 2023, but at the end of last year...

Photograph from Shutterstock Once there was the dress; now there’s Yanny or Laurel. This  audio illusion , which went viral after first appearing on  Reddit , has the internet torn. After all, what kind of monster doesn’t hear  Yanny ? When  Verge Science  listened to it this morning, fighting broke out between the Yanny and Laurel factions.  (Ed. note: I briefly lost my mind, as I first heard Yanny, then heard Laurel for about two hours, and now hear Yanny again. Same device, same speakers. Please send help.) Obviously something was going on — so we called up some scientists to help us figure it out. According to  Lars Riecke , an assistant professor of audition and cognitive neuroscience at Maastricht University, it’s not actually an illusion. In fact, it’s an ambiguous figure, the auditory equivalent of two figures in profile that also form a vase, called  Rubin’s vase . “The input can be organized in two alternative ways,” he says....

Two heaped cups of patience One heartful of love Two handfuls of generosity One headful of understanding and a dash of humour Sprinkle with kindness, add plenty of faith and mix well. Spread over a period of a lifetime and serve to everyone you meet.

Do you worry about the future? The future is unknown, uncertain and unpredictable, so instead of worrying about it, start trusting life a little bit more. Trust that everything that happens, happens for your growth. Trust that life knows your potential and it will nurture you. Trust that life works for you and with you, no matter how things work out. Trust your future and this may help you to make the most of life as it happens.

As we grow in strength in our spiritual life, we give up the habit of worrying. It serves no purpose other than to make us feel tense and miserable. When I stop fretting about things that are beyond my control and focus instead on generating optimistic and kind thoughts, my life can begin to flow in ever more positive directions. Such a light and easy approach to life enables me to take everything in my stride.

Asperger’s Syndrome, or Asperger’s Disorder, is a genetic disorder and a mild form of autism. The primary effect of this disorder is that it affects the individual’s ability to perceive and process information all around them and react. Consequently, the people affected by Asperger’s Syndrome have difficulty with social interactions and nonverbal communications. However, not every individual shows the same physical manifestations of this disorder, hence why it is also known as “Spectrum Disorder”, because there are many different kinds of symptoms. In Ireland it is estimated that over 4,000 children under the age of 18 are diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and it is 7 times more common in boys than girls. What Are the Causes of Asperger’s Syndrome? Although no individual mutated gene has been identified as the particular cause of Asperger’s Syndrome, doctors and scientists alike believe that it is primarily a genetic disorder because most affected individuals were obser...

The problem nowadays is that love is interpreted on a gross level. Just as many people are attracted to the size and glitter of a fake diamond, so are they swayed by false, superficial love. There is no value in either. A real diamond is often quite small, but it is flawless. That is where its value lies. Real love is like a tiny diamond: it is not flashy and it is without a single flaw. Real love is one hundred percent pure. There is nothing artificial mixed into it. It is clean. There are no ulterior motives in real love.

We all know and remember a smiley person – someone whose heart seems to radiate through their teeth. And when they do, notice how it’s almost impossible not to smile back…unless you are feeling very, very grumpy! So if you don’t feel a smile coming on – why not do it anyway. Not only does it transform your inner chemical production and create ‘happy hormones’, but when people are on the end of your smile, they smile back (well most do). And if you really don’t genuinely feel like smiling at life, the universe and everybody – fake it until you make it! 

‘You’re being admitted to a mental health unit’ were words I struggled to comprehend. How can I be so high functioning in the legal profession and simultaneously require admission? One minute I was at work and the next minute I found myself at the local Emergency Department. I felt vulnerable as the ambulance took me to the unit, and then terrified as I stepped inside the unit and the doors locked behind me. The fear of the unknown consumed me. I felt like the tiniest fish in the biggest ocean. Everyone hears stories about psychiatric hospitals and I fell for them too. I imagined padded cells, straitjackets and a prison-like culture. I was mistaken – it couldn’t have been further from the truth. There were staff on hand to help and guide you, activities to keep you busy during the day and opportunities for relaxation. Having regular visits from  friends  and family meant the world to me; I realised how much they cared. Often it felt like Big Brother; being constant...

When we’re around people we’re comfortable with, all too often familiarity sets in. While familiarity has its place, too much familiarity can diminish respect. So: be more aware of familiarity turning into over-familiarity. maintain respect when you are around people you’re comfortable with.

As I've gotten older, it's become more apparent to me that talking about mental health in the Black and Asian communities is still very much a taboo topic and hardly ever spoken about. Over the last several years, I have made it my mission to break the stigma of mental health issues, especially in these communities. There are people from both communities that seek help to manage their mental health issues but are not visible. What scares me is that if we don't communicate with each other about mental health issues, we will ultimately pass down the stigma to our younger generation and they may not feel comfortable or confident to talk about the mental health issues they may be facing. As a professional actress I am faced with a lot of highs and lows on a regular basis and it can get extremely taxing on my mental wellbeing. Over the years, I have built a good support network and knowledge to seek help when needed. Both can make a real differen...

When speaking to others we usually speak from our head, or intellect. Words spoken from the head rarely touch the hearts of others. This means they don’t create any impact and are soon forgotten. The solution lies in touching the hearts of others when I speak. To do that, I need to speak with my heart as well as my head and fill my words with love.

I lived a dual life, a private one and a public one, with depression for many years. To the outside world I had a great life – a lovely family, successful career and healthy lifestyle. But inside I was battling almost every day to simply survive, thinking I didn’t deserve any of it. I lived with depression without ever accepting that or really acknowledging it. I suspected deep inside but always pushed it away, never really seeking help and being too scared to admit it. I constantly wore a mask. My acting could probably have won many awards.  I did my best to hide it and to function without showing the pain inside. I would hide in a meeting room crying, and then go out to hold a presentation without anyone knowing. I would often save the tears until cycling home, when no-one could see. I made excuses to not talk about it at home. This was odd really, as I used to encourage others to talk. As a senior leader at work I often spoke to my team ab...

‘Make’ your life. Don’t just live it. Make it beautiful, logical, enjoyable, remarkable. Be spectacular in your ways, not ordinary.

What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Here is what it isn't. It isn't 'feeling a bit blue' each month.  It isn't 'just cramps and stuff'.  It isn't 'getting a bit ratty'.  It isn't something we 'need to try a little harder' to overcome.  We've all had things like that said to us. Maybe from friends, or family, or professionals.  Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is estimated to affect 3-8% of women. It is a disorder of the endocrine system that causes serious mental health problems. We can feel severely depressed. We can be agonisingly anxious. We can feel uncontrollable rage. We can feel so exhausted that we crawl up the stairs at night. We can get intensely paranoid. We can experience misophonia, hallucinations, psychosis. We crawl to our periods, find (hopefully) some relief, only to have the whole array of symptoms start up again. Many women are not heard, no...