Law of The Seed!

Law of the Seed

Take a look at an apple tree. There might be five hundred apples on the tree and each apple has ten seeds. That's a lot of seeds! We might ask, "Why would you need so many seeds to grow just a few more apple trees?" Nature has something to teach us here.

IT'S TELLING US:

“Not all seeds grow. In life, most seeds never grow”.

So if you really want to make something happen, you had better try more than once."

THIS MIGHT MEAN:

You'll attend twenty interviews to get one job. You'll interview forty people to find one good employee.

And you might meet a hundred acquaintances just to find one special friend.

When we understand the "Law of the Seed", we don't get so disappointed.

We stop feeling like victims.

We learn how to deal with things that happen to us.

Laws of nature are not things to take personally.We just need to understand them - and work with them.

IN OTHER WORDS:

Successful people fail more often. But they plant more seeds.

When things are beyond your control, here's something that you must NOT DO so as to avoid misery in your life:

- You must not decide how you think the world SHOULD be.
- You must not make rules for how everyone SHOULD behave.
- Then, when the world doesn't obey your rules, you get angry!
- That's what miserable people do!

ON THE OTHER HAND, LET'S SAY YOU EXPECT THAT:

-Friends SHOULD return favours.

-People SHOULD appreciate you.
-Planes SHOULD arrive on time.

-Everyone SHOULD be honest.
-Your husband or best friend SHOULD remember your birthday.

These expectations may sound reasonable. But often, these things won'thappen!
So you end up frustrated and disappointed.

THERE'S A BETTER STRATEGY:

Demand less, and instead, have preferences!

For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself:

"I would prefer this, but if that happens, it’s OK too!"

This is really a change in mindset. It is a shift in attitude, and it gives you more peace of mind ...

You prefer that people are polite ... but when they are rude, it doesn't ruin your day.

You prefer sunshine ... but if it rains, it is ok too!

TO BECOME HAPPIER, WE EITHER NEED TO:

a) Change the world, or

b) Change our thinking.

It is easier to change our Thinking!

IN A NUTSHELL:

It is not the problem that is the issue, but rather it is your attitude attending to the problem that is the problem.

It's not what happens to you that determines your happiness; it's how you think about what happens to you!

H.N.

MURDER ON THE NILE!

Map of Diving Areas

Murder on the Nile!

By Hoda Nassef


Colonel Sameh Adel Mesharafa (Officer in the Egyptian Marine Guards & National Underwater Photographer Champion) was born in Egypt on 25th February 1959, and graduated from the Egyptian Police Academy in 1979. It is interesting to know his criteria included training in firearms, firefighting, diving, and all types of life-saving and crime prevention skills. He completed an intensive six-month diving course with the Marines in 1981 - diving both in fresh as well as salty water. This enabled him to choose his specialty as a first-rank officer in the Egyptian Marine Guards, with its headquarters situated in Garden City, Cairo. Then, to broaden his spheres, Col. Mesharafa achieved his Bachelors degree in Commerce from the Cairo University in 1985 and then took a computer course at the American University in Cairo. Now, he has his own diving center in Cairo (Scuba Fun Club, in Digla, Maadi) where his rates are the best in Egypt, as far as I know. The good thing about his diving courses (for foreign guests) is that the fees are equal to what the Egyptians pay, and his course is considered fifty per cent less expensive than other dive centers.

Sameh Mesharafa is a board member of the Egyptian Underwater Sports Federation, (sports and life-saving) which is affiliated to the Ministry of Youth, and recently also a member of the international board “Confederation Mondiale d’Activités Sportifs“ (CMAS) situated in Italy.

Mysterious Drowning in Hurghada

According to Mesharafa, smuggling via the Nile is nil. It occurs instead usually at ports or along the seacoasts. But Col. Mesharafa was sent to investigate the recent October 2002 drowning of three Diving Instructors in Hurghada. One (Polish Diving Instructor) managed to emerge, but his two colleagues, (also Polish and diving instructors) were probably held down by their heavy equipment (which included 7 air tanks) and sunk into a deep abyss beneath the normal diving limits. There bodies were never recovered. During that same week, Colonel Sameh Mesharafa made a round on all the diving centers in Hurghada to check out all the boats and diving equipment available and ensure their validity and safety.

Murder on the Nile!

According to Col. Mesharafa, murder usually occurs more in the Giza district, rather than in Cairo. Usually, the murder occurs elsewhere, but the body is dumped into the Nile. However, the main types of crime occur more in hiding the crime instrument into the Nile, such as concealing the clues or tracks of the criminal involved, by throwing the weapon into the Nile, rather than throwing the body of a victim. So, unsolved murder cases sometimes occur if the gun, knife or other weapon is embedded into the Nile River. Sometimes a whole safe deposit box could be thrown into the Nile, after stealing the inside contents, to hide the culprit’s fingerprints.

Suicides

As for suicides, I asked Mesharafa, “How many suicide cases per year? And, statistically, who are the likely suicide victims by drowning - males of females?” To my surprise, he said that suicides are plenty, and occur at a rate of at least one suicide attempt per month. Usually males! Kasr El-Nil Bridge is the infamous suicide launching pad, unlike previous years (in which Abu El-Eilla Bridge was formerly the guilty witness), and the most preferred bridge for suicides. He added that ironically, no one throws himself from the 6th of October Bridge, because it is too high, and they are ‘afraid to hurt themselves’! He laughed and said that women make the poor men jump to their wet graves! I contradicted, and said that it is probably due to the increasing unemployment rate. Besides, I think females are more prone to suicide by available means at home, such as poison, a razor blade, etc.!

Unwanted Hero

I asked Mesharafa if he ever won any medals for saving someone. And he said that once, when there was a German delegation from the Red Cross, and while he was with them in front of the Shepheard’s Hotel, he got a duty call announcing that a young lady just threw herself into the Nile. In two seconds, Colonel Mesharafa navigated pell-mell to the scene of the suicide attempt, with the German delegation in tow, and was just in time to catch her by her hair, and drag her up to safety. Then, he performed first aid mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and saved her life. Afterwards, he got a lot of press reviews and acclaims through the Red Cross, in Germany, who thanked him for his bravery. However, the ungrateful drowning woman said, “Why did you save me? I wanted to die!” He said that she is still alive, and to his knowledge, has not attempted another suicide.

Col. Mesharafa explained that most Police Guard boats patrol the Nile River, and some stay afloat underneath the bridges, specifically for suicide attempts! There are at least 400 police boats (small and big) along the Nile River. The other boats within the Red Sea area are military boats, belonging to the navy, and not police boats.

Marines’ Retirement Age

As for the retirement age from the Marines, Col. Mesharafa said they apply the normal retiring age (60 in Egypt), with the difference that from 45-up, a Marine Guard works in the supervisory capacity for the team, rather that dive and participate in diving. But, these Marines are trained to keep fit. For instance, in the hour I chatted with Colonel Sameh Mesharafa, I noticed his beautiful smile ‘TV toothpaste ad’ (touch wood!!) He doesn’t smoke. He doesn’t drink coffee. He is probably also a ‘health food’ nut, and probably orders only Diet Coke! (Col. Sameh Mesharafa, I suggest that you add one more course to your criteria: nutrition and health behaviour!)

Nile Pollution

To Colonel Sameh Mesharafa’s expert knowledge, the two worst Nile pollutants are the floating hotels’ dish and laundry detergents, and chemical waste discharged from factories, as well as all the restaurant boats. He reassured me that all harmful factories have closed down or have been lawfully relocated elsewhere, with the exception of one or two, in which they use special filters. However, he said that the filters are not adequate for pollution prevention, and added that these remaining factories will soon be shut down or relocated, as well.

Diving in Cairo!

You can learn how to dive in the city, before going to the beach resorts! Now, during his spare time, Col. Sameh Mesharafa gives diving lessons, right here in Cairo, and teaches diving at the Oasis Diving School in Maadi and other schools. I asked him how could a person learn to dive, in the center of the city away from the sea. He informed me that there are some diving centers in Cairo, and the beginners start with special training in swimming pools. In his diving center, the whole intensive course takes about 3 days: first, the students take five diving lessons in a swimming pool, then they go to Ein El-Sokhna for a one-day 15-meter dive, and finish their course at Sharm El-Sheikh for 15 to 20 meters dives. The successful divers are all given diving certificates, which enables them to dive anywhere in Egypt, and abroad. The certificate is graded in levels 1 to 3 ‘stars’, and one must earn at least a 2-star diving certificate in order to dive. (Fee of this course includes the certificate, and the transportation to Ein El-Sokhna, but understandably, divers have to pay their fares to and back from Sharm El-Sheikh.) As for the diving instructors themselves, they also have grades 1 to 3-star certificates, but their certificates differ from the divers’ certificate, and are much more difficult to achieve. At present, Colonel Mesharafa is a 3-star (highest ranking) diving instructor.

Dive Clubs in Egypt

Colonel Mesharafa stated that there are 650 to 750 dive clubs in all of Egypt, but only 5 in Cairo. As for the Red Sea area: in Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Taba, Nuweiba, 350, and Hurghada, Marsa Allam and Safaga, over 280 dive clubs.

Underwater Photography

I asked Mesharafa when had he developed his u/w diving talent. He answered that he was already a talented land (above water) photographer, so when he started diving, he loved the beauty he saw underneath, and decided to learn underwater photography. Only two years afterwards, he entered his first competition; the first international competition in Sharm El-Sheikh in 1986, with 70 international contestants. By the way, his favourite colour is turquoise, and he likes to listen to light music, singers Abdel-Halim Hafez, and Anoushka.

He also teaches underwater photographing, for professionals divers. I enquired if his students generally they take diving courses to learn how to dive, or to learn how to photograph. His answer was “yes”, to both. “There are some”, he stated, “who really want to learn underwater photography, but you have to be an extremely good diver to begin with.”

I asked if the sea creatures and fish look the same beneath the water, as when they are photographed, and he answered that if you don’t have a flashlight, and don’t already know the natural colours, then they look different. But once the spotlight or flash bulb depicts them, you see their natural colours. In short, they are the same as seen in photographs.

Photographing in the Nile is different. He tried it, but said that visibility ‘is zero’; after 5 meters the water is dense and murky due to the mud sedimentation. Also, the current is very strong; after three minutes in the water, you find yourself pulled two or three kilometers downstream.

The Red Sea water is different, he said, and the Nile River doesn’t have the same beautiful coloured specimens and sea creatures as in the Red Sea. “You must never dive alone”, he added. There has to be a minimum of two divers; one, the photographer, and the second, as a model (to be included in the photos and scenery) while at the same time to carry the spare flashlight and equipment.

Photography Competition Category:

To participate in international underwater photography competitions, you must produce three types of photos:
1. Wide Angle
2. Close-up
3. Marine Life (this may, or may not, include a diver in the scenery)

Each diver has to have at least four films available. Out of the four films, he will select only 6 photos in which to enter the competition. Then the panel of judges will evaluate his selection, along with all the other competitors.

Photography Competitions & Prizes

Sameh Mesharafa entered his first local competition in 1992. He participated in his first international competition in 1996 in Sharm El-Sheikh, which was one of the biggest underwater photography championships. There were about 80 competitors, from various countries, and it did not daunt him that he achieved 24th place for a “close-up” photo. He said that close-up photos are difficult, because there are no ‘zoom’ lenses underwater, therefore the photographers must really get close. At a later date, he achieved 11th place in a competition in Hurghada, which was organized by an Italian association. He won other prizes and reached second place in one and first prize in another. Now, he is the top ceded champion on a national level for underwater photography, and has won prizes consecutively for the past four years, starting in 1998, where he won second prize, for a “close-up” photo. In 1999, he was awarded three prizes for 3 photos: one “close-up”, and two “wide angle” photos. In 2000, he participated in an international championship in Safaga where his group represented Egypt, and the group won 9th place for the world cup, in which 70 countries participated. Col. Mesharafa attended also the the international competition, in December 2002, in Jordan, but we did not discuss the winners, or if he participated in the contests.

Best Underwater Photographers in Egypt.

“In your opinion, who are the best underwater photographers in Egypt?” I enquired. He named quite a few, but topped his list with: Saieed El-Sheemy, Tamer El-Ena, Ayman Taher, Rafel El-Ma’ary, Hossam Nassef, Hatem Sany-el-din and Hana’ Nessim . (Only one woman!)

Starting Age for Underwater Photography

Colonel Sameh Mesharafa said that you could start at any age to learn how to dive, but preferably not before fourteen. If you are already a good land photographer, he said, then you can also become a good underwater photographer. According to him, any person can enter any type of photography competition, and does not necessarily have to be a member of a Photography Federation. His should hand his request to the Ministry of Culture in Cairo, who will then advise the candidate on the procedures.

Equipment Needed

Col. Sameh Mesharafa explained that the first thing you need to buy, is the ‘mask’ (like goggles), the fins, and the “B.C.D.” contraption (which is like a jacket that connects to the air tank. When I said, “You mean ‘oxygen’ tank,” he answered, “No, just plain air.”) Of course you need to get the diving suit as well, and a ‘regulator’ (an extension which attaches to the air-tank), an ‘octopus’ (which is a spare regulator with a longer extension). You could by these items, and all other accessories at some of the diving centers in Cairo before leaving to the beaches, (including Mesharafa’s Scuba Fun diving center in Maadi).

Cameras for Beginners & Professionals

The best type of camera, for beginners, is the “Sea & Sea Motor Marine”, which is a reasonably affordable and lightweight camera (Japanese-make that comes with its flash). As for professional and intermediate photographers, Nikon’s specialized series for under water “Nikonos” (Nikonos III, V, RS). The latest model is Nikonos RS, consisting of two flashes and the lenses. It costs (now hold your breaths, ladies and gentlemen)…L.E.40,000 – (the price of a tiny chalet!) There are more expensive models, believe it or not. Needless to say, this is an extremely expensive hobby, so if you’re not very rich, then you have to be really great at underwater photography in order to sell your work somehow. The problem nowadays, say Mesharafa, is that most advertisers just sneak pictures from the internet, which costs them nothing. Thus, less work for the talented divers! And, less money. Also many normal land cameras can be used with watertight housings. Usually most shops don’t keep specialized underwater cameras at stock. However, I believe any authorized Nikon dealer can make a special order, or you could ask a traveling friend to buy it from abroad. You could buy your diving gear from Cairo, before going to the beach resorts, from many shops, and even at some large chain supermarkets, such as the Alfa Supermarket. Or, take a chance a buy directly from Sharm El-Sheikh. There are many shops there for diving gear, especially in Na’ama Bay.

First Steps in Diving

“What is the very first thing you must teach your divers?” I asked, to which he replied: “The first thing one must learn in diving is how to clean the ‘mask’. That is, when water seeps through the mask underwater, one must learn how to remove the water inside without deluging the mask, then how to put it back on dry. The second lesson is how to keep your balance and buoyancy underwater, while at the same time carry your camera and equipment.

Egypt’s Diving Areas

Egyptian diving areas stretch 2,250 kilometers from the Suez Canal in the North to the Yemen in the South, the Red Sea contains more than 1,000 species of fish and has over 2,000 kilometers of fringing reef, making it one of the most bio-diverse seas in the world. Extreme heat in this region results in a very rapid rate of evaporation that results in a high concentration of salt. This makes the Red Sea among the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. Sharm El Sheikh is situated right on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and marks the point where the Red Sea splits into the gulfs of Suez and Aqaba.

Sharks!

If you encounter a shark, don’t panic! If a shark comes near your body, look back at it! But, be wary if it is face to face, and will show you the narrowest part of its body; i.e. the face and both eyes. The best thing to do is to avoid putting yourself as a prey to the shark. Usually you do that by trying a fast escape, but violent movements and splashing about will create a low frequency in the water, which will attract the shark. It can swim 110 km per hour. If you can swim faster, then attempt the speedy getaway! But, the best thing is to try to swim out of the area very slowly, keeping your eyes focused on the shark. Stay calm and swim calmly. If it comes too near, push it away with any hard object, or even with your foot. This will discourage the attack.

Decompression Units

Decompression units are mandatory in all areas of diving. It could mean the difference between life and death. Also, getting the patient there in time is of vital importance. It’s no use having decompression units or hospital facilities, if there isn’t any speedy and efficient way to get there! A few years ago, there was only one Decompression Unit in Sinai (and three others belonging to the Navy). Now, according to Col. Mesharafa, there are at least 7 in Sharm El-Sheikh, about four in Hurghada. Remote Marsa Allam has the latest one, installed nearly four years ago. Dahab and Nuweiba have none, but plans for installing one soon, is in effect.

To conclude the interview, I asked Col. Sameh Mesharafa if he had a choice to do it all over again, and start from the beginning, what would he have chosen to be? He answered with his radiant smile: “I think I would prefer to be simply a diving instructor!”

H.N.

The Legend of Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Legend

More than 2,000 years ago in Rome, there was a Christian doctor named Valentine. According to legend, Valentine had special abilities that allowed him to cure many diseases. However, a Roman emperor named Claudius did not like Valentine's Christian beliefs. At that time, most Romans believed in different gods and goddesses. Claudius sent Valentine to prison where he was sentenced to death for his unpopular beliefs.

While he was imprisoned, Valentine became friends with the jailer's blind daughter, and he used his special abilities to cure her blindness. Valentine was killed on February 14, but before he died, he sent a special note to the girl and signed it "From Your Valentine." This note of friendship was the world's first Valentine message.

H.N.

"El-Rayess"

“El-Rayess”

By Hoda Nassef

Over 6 feet tall, with a waistline circumference of about the same in inches - (obese) - when entering a place he emanates an exuberant aura and confidence. But, despite his exuberance and jolly exterior, inside is a determined man made of steel. And, despite his very big and ample waistline, he’s as quick and light on his feet as a dancer! Sometimes he curses and shouts at his staff, other times he’s as calm as a purring kitten. Although the mess on his desk looks like Hurricane Katrina hit it, one can only remotely guess what goes on in the very orderly mind of Mr. Mohamed Ali Ibrahim.

However, when I met him again after many years, I noticed that the sparkle of laughter in his eyes was clouded with sadness; he had lost his best (and “only”) friend at the end of 2006. Although he has many friends, I felt compassion for him, as being a single child and losing both parents in his twenties, the recent loss of his dear friend (Mohamed Hamid Hassan, who was also a journalist and was more like a brother that he had longed for and never had) he felt truly alone, except for his wife and children.

Mohamed Ali Ibrahim (Ali) was born in Cairo on 23 November 1950, to Mr. Ibrahim and Mrs. Fatma. The two families merged their wealth by marriage in 1949, and raised Mohamed in the province of Beheira, his father’s home town. He moved back with his parents to Cairo where he continued and finished his education her only son when he turned four. His father worked as an Undersecretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs for three consecutive ministers. In 1972, he graduated from Al Alson at Ein Shams University and then obtained an MA in Mass Communications from the AUC in 1974. He has a longstanding wife of 25 years and two children he dotes on; a daughter who’s 22 and a son, 16.

The journalists amongst themselves call their editors-in-chief ‘el-Rayess’ (the Boss) so I interviewed one of the top Egyptian editors-in-chief to know more about him and learn what’s going on these days in Egyptian journalism…

Q. What traits or attributes did you inherit from your parents?
A. Generosity from my father and straightforwardness from my mother.

Q. Any reporters/journalists or writers, in the family?
A. No.

Q. Were you interested in writing or journalism as a child?
A. No. At first I wanted to become a doctor, but then I didn’t get the required grade, so I studied languages and my first job was in the offices of the presidential palaces (‘el-riyassa’) in Abdine in 1972 as a translator from Arabic to English and English to Arabic. It was then I discovered that I had talent in translating and I was quite good at writing. My love of writing grew from thereon. My peers in the Arabic translating department advised me to study a bit more Arabic in order to turn to journalism. I took their advice and also took the 2-year course of Mass Communications at the AUC. During that time, I started working at the MENA newspaper (Middle East News Agency).

Q. When did you start professionally as a full-fledged writer?
A. In 1976.

Q. Who are your favorite writers and journalists, then and now?
A. There are many types of writers; short stories, fiction, facts…? As an English novelist, in my opinion Thomas Hardy was the best. In Arabic, of course Naguib Mahfouz. As a playwright, Tewfik El-Hakim. Youssef Idris crowns them all for short stories.

Q. Who’s your favorite journalist nowadays?
A. Abdallah Kamal. He’s the editor-in-chief of the Rose El-Youssef magazine.

Q. Why is he your favorite?
A. Because he is ‘very informative’ and has a talent in turning at the very end of his narratives to the same point, but in a different style.

Q. Do you write all your articles by hand, despite your latest tech PC?
A. Yes, because previously I wrote for a long time in English, by hand. It comes faster to me that way. I know how to type a bit in English, but not in Arabic! So, I write my Arabic articles by hand too. I think I rather enjoy writing by hand.

Q. You used to write columns when you were at the Egyptian Gazette and write columns now. Could you clarify?
A. At the Gazette I used to write in the Gazette newspaper, El-Messa newspaper and Horreyati magazine. Now I have columns in the Gomhuria newspaper and Horreyati magazine.

Q. Like all Sagittarians, you’re an extrovert and love traveling. What countries have you been to, job-related and on your own?
A. I traveled to 71 countries all over the world. I paid for some of the trips that were not job-related. The countries I visited are almost from all the five continents. If you have place, I will give you a list!

Q. What’s your favorite country?
A. Ireland. I have fond memories there.

Q. As for your love of Ireland, how would you like Egypt to become another Ireland?
A. I don’t wish we become another Ireland. Egypt is unique. It is incomparable to any other country.

Q. As an Egyptian citizen, what’s your dream, hopes and aspiration for Egypt?
A. I wish it would become like India. It’s a very populous country…. (It’s the second most populous country in the world.) On the other hand, they are democratic and very progressive. They managed to overcome all their socio-economic problems.

Q. I see. India is also very advanced in technology…
A. Yes, they come second in exporting PC software, after USA. Also, they are very advanced in movie productions and are competing with Hollywood now. (Bollywood!)

Q. Who is or was your favorite Indian leader?
A. Indira Ghandi.

Q. Then what’s your passion for Oman that you mentioned so often in your Arabic articles?
A. I like Oman too. The people there are very generous and kind; a lot like the Egyptians. I worked there for two years. It’s a rich country and high in technology.

Q. You were editor-in-chief of the Egyptian Gazette from 1991 till July 2005. How were you appointed as editor-in-chief of the Egyptian Gazette?
A. As I was working in the Dar Al-Tahrir Publishing House writing for the El-Messa & Gomhuria newspapers, and have good English language background, when the editor-in-chief of the Egyptian Gazette Mohamed El-Ezaby retired, I was chosen and promoted to his post.

Q. Do you consider yourself lucky, or motivated?
A. Both!

Q. Ousting of editors and chairmen: the move came in July 2005 from at least two courts who issued orders stripping existing newspaper editors and chairmen of their posts for having worked past the mandatory retirement age of 65 for journalists. Is that correct? Was the motive political?
A. No political motive. Most of them were around 69 or over 70 years old. Retirement age for journalists is 65. (For the majority of other jobs in Egypt, retirement age is 60.)

Q. Did the President of the Shura Council (the nation’s Upper House of Parliament) Mr. Safwat El-Sherif, orchestrate this move? Why?
A. Mr. Safwat El-Sherif is the Head of the Higher Press Council. He is also the Head Speaker of the Shura Council and according to his job he is entitled to supervise all journalism in Egypt.

Q. He was formerly the Minister of Information for twenty-two years…
A. Yes, but even now as the Head Speaker for the Shura Council, one cannot say that the move was mainly from him; it was orchestrated by many other ‘bodies’.

Q. Was the move also due reportedly to ‘corruption’.
A. I know nothing about that.

Q. Can this happen again, with another pretext besides passing the age limit? Do you feel safe?
A. They (the government) can do whatever they want and at any time. What’s wrong with that? ‘Change’ is good! ‘Change’ is for the better.

Q. What do you think of the government during the last twenty years as in constitutional amendments, policy changes, press freedom, libel and/or prison threats to liberal journalists, etc.?
A. Our government is democratic and the Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif is educated and intelligent, so I think we are on the right track. As for freedom of the press, as I already mentioned we have more freedom than before, as long as one does not insult or libel.

Q. How many employees are there in the press and media?
A. In the Gomhuria establishment there are 4,500 employees including labourers, engineers, technicians, journalists, reporters, administrative and financial staff, and so forth. In all the newspapers of Egypt, there are more than 50,000 personnel. This includes the national newspapers, such as the Ahram, Akhbar, Gomhuria, ‘Rosa’ (Rose El-Youssef) and 6th October magazines, El-Mussawar, and so forth. There are writers with contracts and writers as journalists; we work as journalists and at the same time we can write! As for the Gomhuria newspaper, there are about 15 to 20 journalists or writers, with regular columns.

Q. What about the gossip in advertising, and how you take very high ‘incentives’?
A. They are not ‘incentives’ as you say; it’s called ‘commission’, and I never take any commission.

Q. Is it a general rule that the chairman, editor-in-chief, advertisers and the advertising department, take more ‘commission’ than the rest of the writers and employees?
A. Not in my establishment.

Q. I read that Dar El-Tahrir is indebted LE 375 million to Banque du Caire and the National Bank of Egypt.
A. Where did you get that number? The debt for the Dar El-Tahrir Publishing House (Gomhuria) is around LE 500 million, including debts to the banks you mentioned and other banks!

Q. L.E. 500 million?
A. Apart from the construction of the building, the companies within the complex are indebted as well: the company for advertising (‘El-Ealanat El-Masria’), the company for distribution & circulation (‘El-Tawzee’a El-Mutahida’), ‘The Eastern Company’, for printing and Dar El-Gomhuria (or El-Tahrir Publishing House) that combines all the publications, which amounts to about eight newspapers and magazines. By the way, there’s a LE. 7 billion pending debt for all the newspaper establishments in Egypt: Ahram, Akhbar, Akhbar El-Yom, Al-Gomhuria, Rose El-Youssef, Dar El-Hilal, Dar El-Maaref, El-Ta’awen, Dar El-Shaab – I think that about rounds them up.

Q. Yes, but it’s all really one, in the end. And despite the debts, when you took over you renovated your office very lavishly. I see that it is very, very posh indeed ... I like the new regal colour scheme; off-white, cream, beige, brick, crimson and gold, with the huge palatial crystal chandeliers highlighting your good taste. You pointed out some of Mr. Samir Ragab’s old navy blue leather furniture, which are sort of pushed under the stairs that leads to your private 9th floor office-bedroom. By the way, will the debts be dropped, or paid?
A. I don’t know.

Q. If you don’t know, then who does?
A. I’m not the government. This is according to what the Shura Council decides.

Q. Mr. Samir Ragab still writes his columns, but in July 2005 his job was divided for two people; yourself and the Dar El-Tahrir Publishing Chairman, Mr. Mohamed Abu El-Hadeed, who writes occasionally as well. However, you seem to be the decision-maker.
A. I’m the decision-maker only in publishing the newspaper, but not in financial matters.

Q. What was your salary at The Egyptian Gazette and now in the Gomhuria newspaper? I read some exaggerations about your salaries, as editors-in-chief. I read that you are paid a quarter of a million, or at the very least LE.10000 as a monthly salary. Is that correct? You mentioned the exact amount a few months ago…in your Arabic daily newspaper Al Gomhuria, but I forgot. Could you tickle my memory?
A. As editor-in-chief of the Egyptian Gazette I was paid a bit over LE. 2000. As for my salary now at the Gomhuria newspaper, I get paid less than LE. 4000 per month, including my articles, which is part of my job.

Q. There are current rumors about the privatization of all newspapers in Egypt. Does this elate or worry you? What’s the low-down on this rumour? They say that privatization is a solution to corruption. In fact, the anti-corruption campaign promoted this idea…before you took over, of course.
A. I’m not worried at all because I know there will be no privatization.

Q. You don’t want this to happen, though?
A. That’s not correct. I don’t mind if it would be for the good of the establishments, but if that means they will close down certain publications, or layoff personnel in the process just to save money, then I don’t want privatization.

Q. Journalist Galal Aref of the Akhbar El-Yom newspaper is now the new Chairman of the Press Syndicate (or ‘Head of the Journalists Union’) and was chosen over Ibrahim Nafie. Does he still write, and where?
A. Yes, he replaced Ibrahim Nafie and he writes also in the Akhbar El-Yom newspaper.

Q. Who chose Mr. Ramadan Abel-Kader, as your replacement in The Egyptian Gazette?
A. The Shura Council.

Q. What time and days do you go to your office?
A. I go around 10 o’clock, more or less, every day of the week except Fridays, unless there is an emergency meeting.

Q. Is this job stressful, and what price did you pay for it, if at all?
A. Yes, definitely stressful. My health pays the price! I used to walk, but I stopped walking. I used to exercise, swim and play tennis, and now I have no time for that. So, I will get afflicted with all types of diseases related to stress, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and so forth.

Q. Which you are inflicted with, as I read from your own words in your recent columns. You can still do all that, on Fridays?
A. I reserve Fridays for my family.

Q. You had an ‘open door’ policy at the Egyptian Gazette. Is it now difficult to meet you?
A. I’m still accessible and have the same ‘open door’ policy.

Q. Could you describe your first impression of President Hosni Mubarak? And, when did you meet? Did you have a tête-à-tête with him?
A. I was impressed by his personality, his simplicity, his directness and frankness. I met him once before the group of editors boarded his private plane on his European Tour last year, but we had no private tête-à-tête. My first conversation was published in all the newspapers in May 2006.

Q. I heard that the President’s son, Mr. Gamal Mubarak, will marry the beautiful Khadiga on the 4th of May, President Hosni Mubarak’s birthday. Are you invited?
A. I don’t know yet. Maybe all the editors-in-chief are. (All the editors-in-chief were not invited.)

Q. Could you describe the President’s private plane? Was it different?
A. The same, more or less, like any other plane, except that it is divided in two; one half for the ministers and another half for the press or editors-in-chief, TV media and the presidential staff.

Q. Special stewardesses?!
A. Like all other air-hostesses!

Q. Are you a ‘spokesperson’ for the government?
A. No.

Q. How far, free or effective has journalism reached since you started your career, and where do you think it is taking us?
A. We have more freedom of expression than before.

Q. And...how does the government reflect and affect in the end in the media and newspapers? Is there really 'freedom of the press'...or are we being brainwashed into believing that?
A. I don’t work in the media, so I will not talk about it; my field is journalism.

Q. After the President, who are the most fascinating people you have met or interviewed?
A. Quite a few, including (Chancellor) Dr. Helmut Kohl and Gerhard Schröder of Germany; Altal Bihari Vajpayee and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhuttu of India (God rest her soul in peace), and ousted Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Q. Who’s the most charismatic and most intelligent Leader of State, in your opinion?
A. The most charismatic and the most intelligent leader in the world, is President Hosni Mubarak.

Q. What about art...what celebrities did you personally interview, in or out of Egypt?
A. No one.

Q. Your organization makes at least two multi-million concerts or shows per year –who arranges them and chooses the performers, and do you take the revenues? Is it for charity, and is it worth it?
A. No, not for charity; mainly for publicity. Press establishments have a social role in society, apart from politics and news; and that’s one of Gomhuria’s policies. As for revenues, on the contrary, sometimes the Gomhuriya pays for these concerts. And, yes, I think it’s worth it.

Q. Who’s the highest-paid artist or performer?
A. I think it’s (singer) Amr Diab.

Q. But you didn’t have Amr Diab in your concerts. You had the drop-dead gorgeous, voluptuous entertainer (supposedly singer) Lebanese Haifa Wahby and I think also the adorable beautiful Lebanese singer (but whose voice is as good as her looks) Nancy Aagram. Do you know how much were they individually paid?
A. I don’t know really. The PR department handles this.

Q. What’s your favorite music and who are your favorite singers? Do you attend their shows?
A. I don’t listen to music, but I like songs. In English, I used to like crooners Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck and Frank Sinatra. In Arabic songs, I liked listening to Abdel-Halim Hafez and Shadia. Now, I prefer listening to songs by Assala and Angham, but I don’t attend their concerts.

Q. What sports do you like to watch and are you affiliated to any football team?
A. I like to watch tennis and football, and I’m ‘ahlawy’ - (National Football Team fan.) I used to play tennis 15 years ago and still swim in the summers when I go to the beach or pools in or around Cairo.

Q. Are you a sports/social club member?
A. After my family and I moved to Nasr City from Abbassia last year, we became members of Nasr City Club, Nasr City Ahly Club and Zohour Club – also in Nasr City.

Q. I read that you own some land somewhere. Is it a farm? Do you breed animals? Were any members of your family farmers and what do you cultivate there?
A. My wife’s family and I own jointly about 100 fedans in El-Beheira province.

Q. Favorite food?
A. Cheese, sea food, steak, salads and fruit.

Q. Far from work, who do you trust the most?
A. Life has taught me a very important lesson: trust no one. I don’t trust anybody.

Q. Who are your true friends?
A. Nobody. My only real friend died last year.

Q. Do you have any rivals at work, or enemies?
A. No, I don’t have any enemies. As for work, I have no rivals; I’m very strong!

Q. You are very self-confident. So, as the Gomhuria newspaper is considered the 3rd in line, after the Ahram and Akhbar newspapers respectively, what are you doing, if at all, to become the first?
A. Al Gomhuria was never the third in line; it is actually the first or second in sales and circulation. Since I took over, sales have increased a lot, which means there are more readers now and more revenues. That’s a good start. Maybe partly in thanks to my new writers along with the old; the sales department for the overall distribution in and out of Egypt; the public relations department for their promotional ideas and sales gimmicks (such as attaching free CDs to some of the weekly magazines) - along with organizing our Ramadan Iftars and the bi-annual concerts, and so forth.

Q. What are your personal fears? Joys?
A. I have no fears. My personal joy is to see my children happy.

Q. Nothing makes you cry?
A. Nothing.

Q. In your mind, what’s your worst and best traits?
A. I think that I’m sometimes a bit hot-tempered. My best…I think I’m kind.

Q. What’s your motto in life?
A. ‘Dedication is a short way to success.’

Q. You are very ambitious, so what are your future goals?
A. No, I’m not very ambitious. My goals in life: to have good health, happiness and career satisfaction. That’s very important to me.

Q. Do you think you got all what you wanted from life, or more than you expected?
A. I got more than I expected.

Q. There’s a rumour that you’re quite a ladies’ man and appreciate the beauty of a woman. What’s a beautiful woman, in your opinion?
A. I think a completely beautiful woman doesn’t exist! She has to combine all women in one! Like you! (Flatterer!) No woman is completely beautiful, or rather, each woman has her individual type of beauty; it varies from one to another.

Q. What about beauty in nature? What’s your favourite scenery?
A. I like sunsets.

Q. If you were not a journalist or writer, what would you have liked to have been?
A. A bone doctor. (orthopaedic surgeon)

Q. Finally, who would you have liked to have met, but didn’t get the chance to, and why?
A. Really? I was very keen on meeting King Hussein of Jordan. He was a man with strange and interesting paradoxes. I had thousands of questions I wanted to ask him, if we had ever met.

Q. As for women? Who would you like to meet, or have met?
A. Ava Gardner for her looks and Meryl Streep for her big brains. (Huh! How should HE know? Big something else in his imagination, probably!)

Q. What about comedians? Who makes you laugh?
A. Ahmed Rizk makes me laugh. And, Adel Imam.

Finally....I tossed at him:
Q. ‘Did you use your Jacuzzi?!’
He smiled and answered,
A. ‘No. I have a phobia of getting electrified in the water!’

So, it wasn’t a rumor! And, I caught him at ONE thing he feared! I had a tour of the place and asked to see the Jacuzzi. Phobia or not, I think he wouldn’t use it anyway; it somehow seemed too small for him…



Feb. 2007

H.N.

How HR Manage the Changing Management!

How Human Resources
...Manage the Changing Management

By Hoda Nassef

Human Resources has many roles to play as a strategic business partner. HR managers are often called upon to oversee the change initiatives designed to get other managers and employees side by side with an organization’s business goals.

Change management is one of the most difficult and the most important tasks facing Human Resources. The key is to pursue a step-by-step approach where small changes build on each other. Effective communication, consistency, and a positive attitude towards change provide a solid foundation for attaining organizational change.

When dealing with change, there should be consistency in:

§ words and behaviour,
§ compensation,
§ performance appraisals,
§ promotion policies,
§ subordinate actions, and
§ organization structures.

A consistent message tells employees what to expect, as well as what they need to do, to make the company successful. A positive attitude towards change can be created through experience, team building retreats, strategic planning sessions, focus groups, or interactive workshops with management.

Reasons for failure include:

§ Inconsistencies between management’s words and their actions;
§ No system to evaluate the change and what it is to accomplish;
§ No change in compensation, performance appraisal, information or organization systems;
§ Management by ‘best seller’;
§ Unrealistic time goals for change; and…
§ The assumption that training is all that is needed for change to take place.

Identifying opportunities for improvement:

§ Keep up to date with developments in your sector – make sure you get valid, relevant, reliable information from various sources on developments in materials, equipment, technology and processes.
§ Consider the importance of these developments to your organization – carry out a regular review of developments and analyze their significance to your organization.
§ Pass information on developments to the appropriate people – if you think it is important, make sure your colleagues, members of your team and senior managers, are aware of its significance.
§ Identify opportunities for improvements – use information on developments to identify opportunities in quality.
§ Monitor and evaluate your operations continuously – always look for areas where improvements can be made and take appropriate action.
§ Identify any obstacle to change – take appropriate measures to alleviate any problem that may prevent improvements being made.

Assessing the pros and cons of change:

1. Get complete and accurate information – make sure you have sufficient, reliable information on current and proposed services, as well as products and systems, to allow you to make a reliable assessment.
2. Compare the advantages and disadvantages – use qualitative and quantitative techniques to assess the pros and cons of current and proposed services, products and systems.
3. Assess the implications of introducing changes – changes may affect cash flow, working practices and conditions, health and safety, team morale, supply and distribution networks, and customer loyalty; anticipate and assess the likely effect of changes.
4. Take into account previous assessments of introducing change – look at how realistic previous assessments turned out to be and use these to modify your current assessment.
5. Present your recommendations to the appropriate people – make your recommendations to senior managers or specialists in a way that helps them make a decision and in time to allow the decision to be put into effect.
6. Amend your recommendations in the light of responses – make appropriate alterations to your recommendations on the bases of the responses you get from senior managers and specialists.

Planning change:

1. Provide clear and accurate information – let those affected know about the proposed change in time for them to prepare effectively.
2. Get people involved – give people the chance to comment on the proposed change and help in the planning.
3. Make the case for change – give a clear and convincing rationale for the change and support this with sound evidence.
4. Identify potential obstacles to change, and find effective ways of avoiding or overcoming these obstacles.
5. Develop a detailed plan, including:
- the rationale
- the aim and objectives of the change
- how it will be implemented
- who will be involved and their individual roles
- the resources required
- the time scale
- how the plan will be monitored
- how you will know that the change has been successful.

Negotiating and agreeing on the introduction of change:

1. Present plans on projected change – communicate the changes and the anticipated benefits for your organization and for individuals, to team members, colleagues, senior managers, and others, in order to gain their support.
2. Conduct negotiations in a spirit of goodwill – make sure you retain people’s support and find mutually acceptable ways of settling any disputes.
3. Make compromises where appropriate – it may be necessary to make compromises to accommodate other priorities, but make sure these compromises are consistent with your organization’s strategy, objectives and practices.
4. Reach an agreement in line with your organization’s strategy, and revise your implementation plans accordingly.
5. Keep records of negotiations and agreements – make sure your records are complete and accurate and that they are available for others to refer to if necessary.
6. Where you could not secure the changes you anticipated, tell those affected in a positive manner – sometimes you are disappointed in not being able to obtain the changes you wanted due to other organizational priorities; explain the reasons for this in a way which maintains people’s morale and motivation.
7. Encourage all relevant people to understand and participate in the changes – explain the changes and their effects to people, and gain their support.

Finally, implementing and evaluating changes:

1. Present details of implementation plans to all concerned – make sure that you brief everyone involved in or affected by the changes, and the possible impact on their area.
2. Encourage people to seek clarification – check on their understanding of their role and encourage them to ask questions.
3. Use resources in the most effective way – plan carefully so that you meet the new requirements as cost-effectively as possible.
4. Maintain quality of work – ensure that work is maintained to a satisfactory standard during the period of change.
5. Monitor the changes – check to see that the changes have been implemented according to plan and that they result in the improvements anticipated.
6. Modify implementation plans and activities in the light of experience – you may need to modify the way you implement changes to cope with unforeseen problems.
7. Evaluate the benefits of the changes – compare the new way of working with the old: are the benefits as expected?
8. Review the change process – review the whole process of identifying, assessing, negotiating, agreeing, implementing and evaluating change; note ways of doing it better next time and make appropriate recommendations to senior managers, colleagues and specialists.




H.N.

The Lost Land ... and People

The Lost Land ... (and people)


By Hoda Nassef

This is not a religious article depicting biblical or Islamic facts…but a recent history of the Nubians, whose lands were inundated and submerged by unnatural forces; i.e. the human hand.

This first happened in Nubia in 1933, when the Aswan Dam was elevated for the second time and all the villages of Nubia were submerged. At that time, the Egyptian government had allotted the relatively trivial sum of L.E. 750,000 as an indemnity to the Nubians for the 35,000 houses which were to be destroyed. Finally, the Nubians accepted the government’s offer with reluctance and started building just one year before their houses were submerged. No two houses were the same and each was more beautiful than the last; each village created its own character. Construction in the villages went ahead unimpeded. All were built at the same time because the Nubians, being remotely situated and living in isolated villages, had always depended on their own resources in building their houses. They had no contractors, engineers or architects, to help them.

The Nubians natural talent for aesthetical rural housing constructions inherited from their ancestors, became a study for masters in architecture, such as the renowned Architect Hassan Fathy and his followers. Fathy stated that the Nubians managed construction from scratch, mainly because they retained a roofing technique in mud brick, using vaults and domes, which had been passed down to them from their forefathers.

The earliest example of this technique was found by Garstang, in his excavations at Bayt Khalaf, in Minia. The buildings dated back to the 3rd dynasty. Later examples are the Necropolis of Giza and in the granaries of Ramesseum at Luxor, dating from the 6th and 19th dynasties respectively. In the Ptolemaic necropolis of Hermopolis at Tuna El-Gabal, such vaults were used to carry staircases, and in the early Christian period, there is a compound of 250 shrines, built in mud and roofed in vaults and domes – all in the same material. Most shrines built in this fashion at Bagawat in the Kharga Oasis around the 4th century, are still standing.

From the Islamic period, we have examples in which the same technique is applied in a most elaborate and sophisticated way, as the tombs found in the Fatimid Necropolis at Aswan, dating from the 10rh century.

Unfortunately, the Egyptian peasant abandoned this technique, except in Nubia, where it has prevailed. If it were not for this technique, which allowed Nubians to use mud brick for roofing their houses in 1934, it would have been impossible for them to rebuild so cheaply and in such a short time. Moreover, the Nubians’ roofing technique allowed them to display their artistic and architectural capabilities, in designing their houses.

Nubian vernacular (local traditional) architecture continued to be ignored by the rest of the world, until 1963 when the region was to be flooded for the third time. (The first was after the British built the original dam at Aswan in 1898, known then as the “khazan”. The second time was when the dam was elevated in 1933, and the third time was the construction of the High Dam itself in 1964.)

As the antiquities in Nubia were to be submerged, the world tried to save them, particularly the temple of Abu Simbel. The acting Minister of Culture, Dr. Tharwat Okasha, invited 20 artists and architects to visit the region before it disappeared. The Nile steamer “Dakka” was put at their disposal for that purpose, but the guests chose to visit the villages rather than the antiquities. Consequently, this visit was merely one of reconnaissance – too limited to make any proper record of Nubian vernacular architecture. It needed a more comprehensive survey in which measured drawings would be made of the architectural styles of the different regions of Nubia, namely the Kanuz, the Arab (Mahas) and the Nubi.

Architect Hassan Fathy was then commissioned by the Ministry of Culture to design the Higher Institute of Social Anthropology, which was to include an open-air museum and in which the architecture of the different regions of the country was to be represented. Nubia, he quoted, was given priority due to it being on the verge of disappearance. “We now had the opportunity of recording its architecture in a thorough and comprehensive way. But, this was all that was done officially to record Nubia’s peculiarly beautiful architecture,” he said.

Two of Hassan Fathy’s students and followers, literally followed ‘the master’ but without the allotted steamer. Instead, they took the journey (in 1963) without realizing that they were travelling the same way as the ancestors of the Nubians: a 300kms trek on foot from Aswan to Abu Simbel upstream, then they hand-built a raft which floated them downstream! In ancient Egyptian murals, boats sailing upstream from Abydos to Thebes, are shown to have sails, using the prevailing northerly winds. But boats going downstream from Thebes to Abydos, are depicted with oars and no sails, to show that they were going against the current. Together with Architect Hassan Fathy, the group comprised of only two social anthropologists and three architects. The big steamer could have accommodated 20 more passengers, if they wanted.

Dr. Omar El-Hakim was one of the students and followers. He said that the Nubian relocation should be an example for future rural redevelopment and settlement procedures, highlighting the significance of vernacular architecture in resettlement projects. “The people must be consulted about and included in the process of building their own environment.”

The ‘Nubian experience’ with its inherited techniques should continue to prevail, as it is an architectural style appropriate to Egypt’s habitat, environment and the needs of the communities they serve, as well as a less costly yet more realistic alternative to contracting for mass-produced housing with its expensive new technology.

Nubia is gone, for the progress of Egypt, but the Nubians still exist! They are scattered around Egypt, mainly neglected and living in slum areas. It is not their fault that their land was taken away from them. They deserve to earn a decent living, but the majority find jobs only as porters.

H.N.

Brain Power & Positive Thinking

12 Tips to Success:

BRAIN-POWER & POSITIVE THINKING


By Hoda Nassef


Basically, BRAIN POWER is achieving your goals by thinking positive and willing yourself to a better way of life.

The most precious gift God has given to all His creatures on earth, is the Brain. It is also the most complex, potent, and most neglected or wasted organ in the body.

As we grow older, many problems arise and affect our brains. These problems or maladies arise not from failure on the part of the brain, but from it being used the wrong way. Did you know that the older we get, the better our brains become? If we use our brain all time, and use it well, it actually improves with age! However, the brain is no different from the rest of the body; the more we train it, the stronger and fitter it gets. ‘Mental gymnastics’ are just as important as physical gymnastics.

The brain is the source of all our motives, actions, and ideas. It is the most complex organ in the human body, as well as the least known. Through prolonged study and experiment scientists have been able to map out the various parts of the brain with considerable accuracy. Certain areas are responsible for our sensory impressions, such as vision, hearing, taste, smell and touch. These are the “sensory” areas. The “motor” areas control our muscles in walking, resting, eating, speaking and working. The front part of the brain, just behind the forehead, is the “silent” area, i.e. where are located our general personality, our sense of justice, moral values, truth, honesty, good judgement, and other abstract characteristics. The cerebral cortex contains the cells that enable us to think, to reason, to draw sensible conclusions and to listen to the voice of conscience. Man is the only creature whose brain triples in size during the first year of life.

The cerebral cortex can be also subdivided into two hemispheres: the left and the right, with two different functions. The left cerebral hemisphere controls the right side of the body, and the right cerebral hemisphere controls the left side of the body. It is also said that the left side relates to intelligence, whereas the right side, to creativity. Therefore, the left hemisphere is engaged in logical thinking, evaluating, criticizing and analyzing work, with detail, while the right hemisphere works with intuitive, creative, three-dimensional aspects, and with whole concepts. We can come to the conclusion that the left side is the most important cerebral hemisphere for linguistics, analysts, mathematicians, for example, and the right side of the brain is most important for painters, designers, artists, salespersons, etc. By a stretch of the imagination, we can safely assume some of the related characteristics of the two cerebral hemispheres, as demonstrated in the following chart:

LEFT:
1. Controls the right side of the body.
2. Processes one piece of information at a time.
3. Visualizes and thinks in pictures.
4. Controls speech, grammar and word order.
5. Governs mathematical information.
6. Analyses, evaluates and criticizes.
7. Center for memory of words and numbers.
8. Controls common sense and intelligence.

RIGHT:
1. Controls the left side of the body.
2. Works with wholes, and not details.
3. Visualizes and thinks in pictures.
4. Governs movements and physical activity.
5. Governs drawing and painting.
6. Center for intuition, spontaneity, & feelings.
7. Center for memory of experiences, people, etc.
8. Controls creativity and intuition.

It is obvious that for some activities the left side of the brain is needed most, and for other activities, the right side of the brain. When the two hemispheres work together to contribute to a result, the brain is working at its best. Too often a person has one or the other side dominant. A balance is ideal. In the technique know as “brain storming”, both sides are used equally and result in balance – or genius.

Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci are two such examples of genius. They both had equal superbly balanced brains of right and left hemispheres. For example, Leonardo da Vinci was not only genius in art, but also able to invent machines and create graphic illustrations as well as mechanical formulae for his inventions.

Many of us have neglected the development of our “right brains”. Perhaps because during our early school years, talent was not developed in schools, or art classes and music lessons were considered a waste of time. Whether art would become a career in the future, or not, we did not realise then the use that could be made of our right brain all through our lives. By simply exercising some form of art in early childhood, it would have been a stimulus in itself for developing and expanding the use of the right side of the brain, affecting positively the rest of our lives.

If you are physically tired or going through some traumatic events in your life, your brain may receive some warnings signals, such as when you:

· Tire too easily
· Read too slowly
· Eat too much
· Get headaches
· Suffer gastric ulcers or asthma
· Lose control over emotions
· Forget appointments
· Lose concentration
· Make too many mistakes
· Decrease body immunity
· Become prone to illness
· Become physically sick

Many of these psychosomatic illnesses (such as asthma, gastric ulcers, and migraines) are due to stress. Stress may even instigate and cause all types of cancers. So, avoid stress. (Easier said than done!) You have to will yourself to get better. The expression is “to think positive”. You will soon lose the above symptoms, if you train your brain or learn how to use it better.

If we understand how the brain operates, we can improve our health, work, and life in general, in 12 different ways. With reference to Dr. Clifford R. Anderson’s book “Modern Ways to Health”, published by Southern Publishing Association, USA, and experts in their book “The Human Factor” published by the Scandinavian School of Service, the following are twelve tips to “Brain Power” and ‘positive thinking’ in achieving your ultimate goals. Perhaps your ultimate goals may differ from one person to another, but you can achieve anything, if you believe in yourself, think positive, and practice self-control. By proper use of “Brain Power”, you can:

1. Communicate better
2. Be more creative
3. Be fitter physically
4. Improve memory
5. Avoid fatigue and stress
6. Make better decisions
7. Gain an overall view of things
8. Be more relaxed
9. Develop willpower and self-discipline
10. Solve problems faster
11. Learn faster
12. Achieve goals and enjoy life.

It’s not too late! Both sides of the brain can still be developed. You can even think yourself into good health; you can stop smoking, lose weight, avoid migraines, and improve your physical and mental performance. “Brain Power” can also help you to improve in your job performance, or inspire you to change your whole career to suit your needs and dreams. It can be done. Habits can be changed. How? The problem is we tend to be unable to see the long-term pleasure of a slim figure, for example, because the view is obscured by the short-term pleasure of consuming an ice cream or a plate of “mah-shi”! Or, we avoid the short-term pain of physical exercise, or the ‘unbearable’ thought of a day without cigarettes!

The method of achieving a number of long-term goals is quite simple, but finding the self-discipline to tackle them is much harder. “Brain power” is one way to help yourself. But first, you must want to help yourself.

What is ‘Brain Power’? It is basically self-control. Meditation, yoga, or visualization (in subconscious or conscious ‘film replays’) is another method of “Brain Power”, to make long-term goals attainable. It is a self-governing technique, and its method of use is really very simple. All you have to do is imagine yourself (several times a day) starring in a film! You can visualize all the things and all the situations in the whole of your life that you would like to change, then ‘play’ it through (your subconscious film) as often as you need it. Subtly put, this is also self-hypnosis. Think in colours. Think in pictures. You are thus appealing to the right side of your brain, and so making a much more lasting impression. You can use “Brain Power” to:

1. Counteract stress – (make a ‘relaxation film’ for yourself)
2. Make physical changes – (lose weight, or improve your body fitness)
3. Imagine a better life – (your job, your career, home, house, sport, friends, associates)
4. Know yourself better – (discover subconscious things you may wish to develop or adapt)

If you decide to change something or reach a new goal with “Brain Power”, make sure you relax and visualize 2 or 3 times a day, for a period of time. First, apply some deep breathing and relaxation exercises. Start your first ‘film’ of the day when you are totally relaxed. Then, ‘play-back’ throughout the remainder of the day and as often as you like.

But don’t expect a miracle in two days! Give yourself a chance – give yourself time, keep visualizing, and it will work. You will notice that your behaviour will change. By positive thinking and determination, I guarantee that you will soon reap the benefits. Remember also to believe in yourself. Most important of all, whatever your religion is, have Faith in God.


H.N.

The Danger of 'Phenylpropanolamine' in Medicine.

IMPORTANT DRUG RECALL

By Hoda Nassef

I got this alert many times, via e-mail actually, throughout this year. Therefore I cannot say for sure if this is an 'new' drug recall or repetition of the 'old' alert. In any case, I am sure not many have read about it, and certainly not in Egypt, as perhaps....who knows...some pharmacies or doctors may still be distributing or selling these mecicaitons. Although most doctors and pharmacists should know about the drug recall even before it is sold in the market (pharmacies) perhaps some don't have a conscience, and will sell anything!

So, here it is again:

All drugs containing any ingredient or amount of PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled. They advised us to STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. Why? It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in brain) among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use of medication. Problems were not found in men, but the FDA recommended that everyone (even children) seek alternative medicine.

Here is an alphabetical list. The following medications contain the drug ingredients of phenylpropanolamine:

Acutrim Diet Gum

Appetite Suppressant

Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements

Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control

Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or orange)

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent

Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine

BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder

BC Sinus Cold Powder

Comtrex Flu Therapy &Fever Relief

Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules

Contac 12 Hour Caplets

Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus

Dexatrim Caffeine Free

Dexatrim Extended Duration

Dexatrim Gelcaps

Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free

Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets

Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels

Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir

Dimetapp Elixir

Dimetapp 24 Hour Liquid Gels

Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets

Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets

Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops

Permathene Mega-16

Robitussin CF

Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion

Triaminic DM Cough Relief

Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head

Triaminic Syrup Cold & Allergy

Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough

I just found out and called the 800# on the container for Triaminic and they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children:

Orange 3D Cold &Allergy Cherry (Pink)

3D Cold &Cough Berry

3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D

h.n.

Liver and Brain-Damaging Habits

Health Tips for the Brain and Liver

Compiled by Hoda Nassef

1) Some brain-damaging habits are:

1. No Breakfast People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

4. High Sugar consumption Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects. 8. Working your brain during illness Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts Thinking is the best way to train our brain; lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

(2) The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main causes.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food colouring , and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store. We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adapt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."

Because:

Evening at 9 -11 p.m: is the time for eliminating unnecessary / toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in a tense state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on her health.

Evening at 11 p.m - 1 a.m: is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep-sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3 a.m: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep-sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5 a.m: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7 a.m : detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9 a.m : absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30 am, for those who are sick.

Breakfast before 7:30 a.m is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10 a.m rather than no meal at all.

Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 a.m is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

H.N.