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Wednesday, 11 January 2012

The Art of Success

The Art of Succeeding is a beautiful thing.  It is as elegant as an equation in mathematics like Euler's identity; that is, e^(i*pi) +1 = 0. The way it is proven is also something to marvel at too, since it comes directly out of complex analysis. The ‘Art’ is as admirable as the fine literary piece ‘A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever’ by John Keats,
  
A thing of beauty is a joy forever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read:
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.
(An Extract)
.. comf 28.JPG
A proud Aubyn Green (right), is conferred with the Bachelor of Science degree during the institution's August 2011 Commencement Exercises from Interim President of Northern Caribbean University, Dr. Daniel Fider (left). Green studied at the university’s Montego Bay Campus and earned a 3.99 GPA to graduate as the university’s top scholar
So too is it comparable to Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, for the art of success lays itself bare to the persistent and perceptive mind. To taste the honey of success you must have a clear vision of your goal: know exactly what it is that you hope to achieve. Next, learn fully what has been attempted and achieved before. Study the anatomy of your outcomes or results in relation to the actions used to produce them. Once you know exactly which actions cause specific effects, then you can now determine what needs to be done to arrive at the results you want.
The ‘Art’ now requires more precision or as Keats may put it,
Nor do we merely feel these essences
For one short hour; no, even as the trees
That whisper round a temple become soon
Dear as the temple's self, so does the moon,
The passion poesy, glories infinite,
Haunt us till they become a cheering light
Unto our souls, and bound to us so fast
That, whether there be shine or gloom o'ercast,
They always must be with us, or we die.

Therefore, 'tis with full happiness that I
Will trace the story of Endymion.
The very music of the name has gone
Into my being, and each pleasant scene
Is growing fresh before me as the green
Of our own valleys: so I will begin
Now while I cannot hear the city's din;
Now while the early budders are just new,
And run in mazes of the youngest hue
About old forests; while the willow trails
Its delicate amber; and the dairy pails
Bring home increase of milk. And, as the year
Grows lush in juicy stalks, I'll smoothly steer
My little boat, for many quiet hours,
With streams that deepen freshly into bowers.
Many and many a verse I hope to write,
Before the daisies, vermeil rimmed and white,
Hide in deep herbage; and ere yet the bees
Hum about globes of clover and sweet peas,
I must be near the middle of my story.
(Second extract from Keats’ poem)

Now discover the elements and structure of the ‘mind’ that shaped your results.   Inspect the strategies or the absence of them that moulded the outcomes. Then calculate what needs to be done per minute, per hour, per day, per week, per month, per year.  Script the things by name that you will do along the way during the minutes, hours, days, and weeks to come. Squirrel away ‘packets of nuts’ long before they are needed. It is this staying ahead of the curve, creating products and services for the future that guarantees success. Avoid playing catch up; it’s a recipe for undue stress, last minute actions, and inevitable blunders and mistakes. Nonetheless, be alive to tactical shifts, moments of insight, and innovations.     
Plot the bar graphs of the success results you expect long before they are achieved. Do this for years to come (at least five years).
The ultimate element in the ‘Art of Success’ is a joyful commitment to the plans. Hard work, creativity, and high levels of motivation must be saturated with pure pleasure. Yes, a thing of beauty is a joy forever, for Keats’ writes:
Nor do we merely feel these essences
For one short hour; no, even as the trees
That whisper round a temple become soon
Dear as the temple's self, so does the moon,
The passion poesy, glories infinite,
Haunt us till they become a cheering light
Unto our souls, and bound to us so fast
That, whether there be shine or gloom o'ercast,
They always must be with us, or we die.

Therefore, 'tis with full happiness that I
Will trace the story of Endymion.
The very music of the name has gone
Into my being, and each pleasant scene
Is growing fresh before me as the green
Of our own valleys: so I will begin
Now while I cannot hear the city's din;
Now while the early budders are just new,
And run in mazes of the youngest hue
About old forests; while the willow trails
Its delicate amber; and the dairy pails
Bring home increase of milk. And, as the year
Grows lush in juicy stalks, I'll smoothly steer
My little boat, for many quiet hours,
With streams that deepen freshly into bowers.
Many and many a verse I hope to write,
Before the daisies, vermeil rimmed and white,
Hide in deep herbage; and ere yet the bees
Hum about globes of clover and sweet peas,
I must be near the middle of my story.
O may no wintry season, bare and hoary,
See it half finished: but let Autumn bold,
With universal tinge of sober gold,
Be all about me when I make an end!
And now at once, adventuresome, I send
My herald thought into a wilderness:
There let its trumpet blow, and quickly dress
My uncertain path with green, that I may speed
Easily onward, thorough flowers and weed.

Let Northern Caribbean University help you master the art of success!
Contact the Office of Admissions & Enrolment Management Tel. 1-876-963-7250/7400, Fax: 1-876-962-7500, email: admissions@ncu.edu.jm.  Click here to Apply online!

Make a NEWSTART at NCU

A prescription for a balanced education includes opportunities for achieving excellent health. Make a NEWSTART in your lifestyle and discover the difference a balanced education makes in your life at NCU.






Here are eight ingredients you will need for a healthier you: 
Proper Nutrition - POWER UP WITH HEALTY FOOD:   Base your diet on nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and beans. The essential nutrients are Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins & Minerals, Electrolytes and Water. Some organic elements have health effects- e.g. dietary fiber has beneficial effects. Eat mindfully, stop when you’re full.  The wiser you eat the better you’ll feel and look.
Regular Exercise - REAP THE REWARDS OF EXERCISE!  Optimal fitness in body and mind calls for at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.  If you can’t go out, exercise inside.  Walk in place, move rhythmically to music, or put on an exercise DVD.  Maintain motivation by exercising with friends, varying your routine, and rewarding yourself in healthy ways when you reach mini fitness goals.
Adequate Water- Drinking a healthy amount of water is vital to your wellness.
Benefits of drinking water:  weight loss, natural remedy for headache, younger look with healthier skin, better exercise, helps in digestion and constipation, less cramps and sprains, less likely to get sick, relieves fatigue, good mood, reduces the risk of cancer. After all, you’re 55%-78% water.
Sufficient Sunlight - The sun provides the energy for all living forms to exist.
Benefits of sunlight: gives you a healthy looking complexion, makes your skin smooth with an irresistible healthy glow, ultraviolet rays in sunshine act as a natural antiseptic, helps clear up different skin diseases such as acne, athletes foot, and eczema; stimulates your appetite and improves your digestion, elimination, and metabolism; enhances the immune system.
Steadfast Temperance - Temperance is self-control or moderate use of things good for our health, and abstinence from things that are harmful. We need temperance in nutrition, exercise, water use, sunlight, and sleep. We may use good things in excess: too much carrot juice may cause skin jaundice; also, too much water may cause water intoxication. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and addictive drugs.
Fresh Air - Fresh air out of doors improves one’s health and sense of well-being.  Fresh air cleans our lungs, provides oxygen for our cells and increased energy for action, greater clarity to the brain,  which needs twenty percent of our body’s oxygen to function. A clear brain facilitates clear thinking. Fresh air produces a healthy mind, clean lungs, and a calmer constitution.
Restorative Rest - WAKE UP REFRESHED!  Getting enough sleep helps you stay alert and energized, and lowers your risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression, as well as accidents.  Some non-medical paths to sweet dreams include having a set bedtime, limiting liquids after 6 p.m., keeping your bedroom cool, and taking a warm shower or relaxing in some other way before going to bed.
Trust in Divine Providence - TRUST IN GOD IS THE PLATFORM OF WELLNESS. Benefits of trust in God: Peace of mind (Isaiah 26:3), peace with God (Romans 5:1), forgiveness (Ephesians 2:8-9), God lives in you (Galatians 2:20), heir to His kingdom (Luke 12:32), born again into God’s own family (2 Corinthians 5:17), nothing can separate you from the love of Christ! (Romans 8:38-39) and you receive eternal life (1 John 5:11).

12 Resolutions for 2012



January is significant because it is the time when many people
 plan to turn to a new leaf in their lives. Although it is not
mandatory in this particular month, it represents the
‘official’ start point (a new year) to create a new and
improved you. You may think that you are at your ‘best’ now,
 but there is always room for improvement. Here
are twelve goals that you can pursue to upgrade yourself.

1. Talk to God more frequently
Psalm 145 verses 18-19 says “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.” There are many obstacles that litter the road called life; some seem unbearable. We should not forget that our burdens will be lifted once we talk to God; after all, He is our Father, Friend and Confidante rolled into one. Talk to Him anytime, whether you want to praise Him or lament your troubles. He is the greatest listener!
2. Advance yourself academically, periodically!
No matter how old or educated we are, we should never forget that learning is a lifelong process. Become a more rounded individual by learning skills such as cooking, computer science, and customer relations, or even learn a new language or how to play the piano. If you have CXC subjects already, then get an Associate degree; if you have that, you may need to pursue a Bachelor’s degree or higher still. You can take advantage of a number of short courses, workshops, seminars, certificates, diplomas and degrees offered at Northern Caribbean University.
3. Monitor your health
Now is the time for you to get in shape, not tomorrow, next week or somewhere in the future. Join a gym or find someone who exercises regularly and ask him or her to motivate you. Also, refrain from eating fast foods on a regular basis, instead include more fruits, vegetables and water in your diet. Sleep for 6-8 hours every night and avoid stressful situations as much as possible.
4. Become an ardent reader
According to lifedev.net there are many benefits to be gained from reading such as improved vocabulary, enhanced writing skills and improved memory. Practise to read some form of literature every day, whether it is the Bible, a blog, a magazine, a web article or a novel to improve the many aspects of your life.
5. Go on more outings
There are so many places to visit in your country such as nature parks, rivers, beaches, and historical sites. Go watch a movie or join in the fun at your church’s socials. Attend the football matches in your community. Unless you are under house arrest, you have no excuse.
6. Reach out to those you have not seen in awhile
Remember that nice woman with squinted eyes who supplied you with sweets when you were little? Or that teacher who showed interest in your performance at school and encouraged you even when you did poorly? What about that burly old man who, every now and then, would drop you off at school at no charge? Go visit them, they will be happy to see you.
7. More family time
Make time for your family members because you do not know how long you or they may live. Hug them more, give them a listening ear when they want to vent, enjoy meals together and affirm them when they have done well.
8. Outline new goals in your field of work
If you perform the same tasks every day for every year you will become bored. Take the initiative to outline the objectives that improve your organization. Gently nudge your boss and share your ideas with him or her.
9. Monitor your finances and save
The economic recession has hit us hard to say the least, but there is no excuse for us not to save a portion of our earnings. It does not matter if you have a low paying, temporary or holiday job. Also, be sure to make a budget every month. Organizing your expenditure will grant you peace of mind.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
10.Become more cognizant of world affairs
How many of us knew about Muammar Gaddafi before the Libyan Civil War? How many of us know that China is poised to become the next world power? Or, that the language with the most speakers in the world is Mandarin Chinese? There is so much catching up to do.
11.Pamper yourself
There is no one who has more inside knowledge about the stresses that you endure than you. No one feels your pain more than you do which is why you need to give yourself a treat more often. Get that pair of shoes or cologne you have always wanted. Eat out sometimes if you can. ‘Spoil’ yourself whenever possible.
12.Forgive and forget
Life is too short for you to hold grudges. It takes up too much energy to remind yourself not to speak to that person because he or she had hurt you in the past. Do yourself a favour –pray about it and ask God to help you to let go. The sooner you let go, the less chances you will have to develop hypertension, and if you already have it and you refuse to let go, you condition may worsen. Let go.
Life gets better and richer through kept resolutions. Have a great New Year and a wonderful life.