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The Middle East can live in peace!

C Boniface — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:52:00 GMT

ipples ashore were nearly none existent when I strolled into the chilly Mediterranean ocean, as calm water glided over my skin.

It was the day before my journey to England. Thinking how serene Israel had been, I wanted so much to stay in Tel Aviv. Seconds later the water reached my belly button height; still feeling the bite from peacefully cold water I submerged gracefully, while keeping my head above. After suffering mild earache from a blocked right ear a couple of days earlier my response was to avoid further complications. It had taken several hours to clear!

Low tides meant a tranquil swim would wake me up fully, without loads of caffeine, and at the same time give me an early morning workout, whilst giving me the opportunity to reflect over the past weeks of my Israeli trip. Blue skies filled the horizon over the distant ocean on earth’s edge. It had been fun; a time to relax. But on reflection I recalled the people I had met, their friendly temperament, and serious attitude towards life!

Israel is a wonderful country; yoffee - Its people love the land that they call their home. Israel is an independent country of open-minded thinkers who have greatly influenced the Middle East region, produced little into abundance, and kept peace by standing up for their rights. When one reflects on the misfortunes of war it makes it all seem surreal, but alas these lands have seen bloodshed for dispute over the ownership.

It’s a political standpoint which dates back thousands of years before Christ when the Jews rightfully were the first to settle in Israel. Then the Roman’s dominated, also the Crusaders in 1099, and then for hundreds of years the Ottoman Empire ruled up until the 20^th century when the British Mandate came into effect.

According to my research Islam, in other words Muslim followers started in or around 622 AD. Since then many Arabs have lived in and around Israel. So from what I can gather the original refugees rightfully are Jews as they were massacred and expelled. These facts can be verified in the links from this article. Many massacres were committed against Jews and I have verified some like the Hebron slaughter of 1929 before writing this blog!

On July 22, 1946, in retaliation for a harsh crackdown on Jewish defense fighters by the British, the smallest and most radical group of freedom fighters called Lehi and according to some the Etzel or Irgun groups bombed the King David hotel. This was radicalism, but as the British ignored a warning to evacuate the hotel, dismissing it as a joke many died. However, according to sources telephone warnings were sent, but not to the British authorities.

That isn’t to say that they didn’t come back, and it would appear many have come back over the years. When the British decided to leave Jerusalem in 1947 they wanted to divide the state of Palestine between Muslims and Jews, but from what I understand the Arabs were against it. Although they outnumbered Jews, Zionists wanted to bring back Israel to Jewish sovereignty.

Refugees arrived after the Second World War after losing their homes, the atrocities suffered from concentration camps and hardship, and in many cases believed Israel was the land that rightfully offered hope of reuniting them in their own kingdom. It was a small piece of land that thousands of years ago once belonged to them.

Fighting between the Jews and Arabs escalated and several Arab country sympathizers supported the Arab Palestinians. Jewish organization such as The Hagana was founded in 1920 to defend the Jewish community in Palestine against Arab violence. It fought like an underground resistance to gain control against British after the war to form the state of Israel.

In 1948 Israel finally had its independence when Ben Gurion became the first Prime Minister. Since then there has been many conflicts between the Palestinians that were not prepared to live peacefully together. It is currently believed that just over 20% of Israel’s population is made up of Arabs who have the same rights as any Jew in theory, but some say in practice it isn’t the case.

Nevertheless, on the last night before leaving it was spent dinning at Benny Hadayag, a bustling fish restaurant in the port of Tel Aviv. There at the next table were two Israeli Arabs dressed with Arabs veils. It just goes to show Arabs and Jews can live together. This is an overall account of my analysis and an attempt at painting a regional picture of Israel!

* All pictures were taken with a Nokia N73 mobile phone.

Start-up business reviewed - Israeli restaurant

C Boniface — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:12:00 GMT

ever known to refuse an invitation for dinner Nir Zook impressed me. An Israeli teenager, who started work in restaurants at just thirteen years old, worked his way up the ladder, and now the proud and successful owner and chef of Cordelia Restaurant, in Jaffa, Tel Aviv.

Set in the old city of Jaffa, in an alleyway through the middle of a classically historic Middle Eastern building, Cordelia boasted antique styled furniture dating as far back to perhaps the 17^th century. Stunning solid wooden tables, every one different not just by shape and size, but exotic finishing touches on both legs and tops. Fine crystal goblets and gold plated dinnerware were displayed on table surfaces, bouquets of flowers laid out around the room, and large pear drop chandeliers gave a warm reaction from the guests. Everyone was happy and smiling, while some laughed, and others appeared radiant in this highly recommended restaurant.

I personally felt like royalty, especially when the two waiters smiling, one male and one female came in black uniforms to take our order. Not certain what to take from the magnificent menu options we quickly decided that the ten course meal offered a complete selection of fine cuisine:

1 – Appetizer a petite array of fancy dressed biscuits

2 – Salmon flowers on swisschard & tartufu cream

3 – Truffles tortellini in yolk dough

4 – Whipped Salad

5 – Shrimp porcini

6 – Grey mullet in celery cream

7 – Smoked goose in port sauce

8 – Zook goat cheese with walnuts and honey

9 – Finely chopped melon fruit and figs cream

10 – Gormandize of finely assorted sweet delicacies

There were Russian guests, which isn’t surprising as many have immigrated to Israel since the end of the cold war. One refined gentleman, possibly a billionaire had three women sitting around the circular table by our side knocking back one vodka after another. They all drank it, but he must have consumed at least half a bottle during his meal. And then after lavish deserts and coffee, as a group they went on to finish it.

We sat by the enormous bell shaped windows that faced the bar across the alleyway. On the bar side, owned by Nir, as well, there was a wide patio between the pebbled driveway and the property that contained several high rise oblong and round tables surrounded by bar stalls. We couldn’t help notice two Asian gentlemen who were connected to the vodka guzzler, probably as chauffeur and personal bodyguards.

Our meals were incredible, and every course came at just right intervals. The portions were small, and I might have complained if the entrée arrived in a French restaurant, as I did once, but then the ten course meal we ate was superb cuisine. Each came with unique and tasty sauces fit for a king. They were cooked to perfection, and the atmosphere combined a distinguished classy ambient.

Nir, who had started the restaurant six years earlier, appeared to be early 30s. He told me he had worked a year in San Francisco, a further year in Paris, and most of his experience came from Herzliya, which is a city on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, to the north of Tel Aviv. He frequented culinary school also for a year. No panache restaurants were mentioned, and as his first entrepreneurship, I had to hand it to him he had done superbly well. He even owned a third restaurant business called Noa bistro on the same block behind Cordelia.

Now you might ask how I would have known the Russian was a billionaire; well I can’t prove it and I’m guessing based on a gut reaction, but when I noticed one of his personal assistants hanging by the side of an idling, top of the range, black Mercedes, and the other in the distance guarding the group walking toward the apex of the old port it added to my sentiment.

Lifestyle at its peak!

C Boniface — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:58:00 GMT

or most having a good lifestyle is a question of living life well - the perfect lifestyle we all aspire to, or is it? For others regardless of financial conditions they relax, unperturbed by stress, or emotional problems in this complicated world.

Some say it is distinguished by a successful career to afford the luxuries of life. Others stress easily, and never become settled to appreciate life, and often broke to live a life of suffering - some never have much choice because of where they live. There are endless reasons. In my case it is a question of searching for a concise balancing act, which includes control over my day to day circumstances! Money isn't the issue, but it helps; health and passion to live for are!

One thing that struck me as lifestyle is having choices in a demographic political system. None other than the UK’s election results demonstrated the people’s choice with David Cameron as the winner with 306 seats. It fell short of an overall majority by 19 seats, but that is another issue to be resolved. Where I stand at this moment in time is seeking reform. Change is the way forward, especially as the Labor government is responsible for the mess it has got the Brits into in the first place.

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat now has a certain power to play with England’s future, so that is breaking news in itself. Whatever the outcome; life goes on. Lifestyle is something we all have a choice over, so making the right decisions from an early point dictates the general direction we are heading. It doesn’t have to be like that though; lifestyle is obviously the way we live. We all have our lifestyles. The question is: are you happy with the lifestyle you lead?

I know when we are young and discovering our real identity it can be extremely exciting, the partying times with friends, clubbing, and binge drinking, that is until the next morning at least… But it can also be a time of fear, uncertainty of where one is heading, not sure about where one might end up. I used to be very confident as a young man, but there were times when uncertainty of reaching my objectives took the centre stage.

Whether you are passing a difficult period or not the objective of this blog is to suggest taking the time out on your own to appreciate the opportunities ahead, create that lifestyle you have always wanted, start or maintain an exercise regime, self develop, and meditate, while dedicating time to rest and to recuperate your energies. Write down on a piece of paper, a notebook, or dairy exactly what it is you want in your life. Make goals and plan towards reaching your objectives.

These should be some of the essential traits a successful person needs; well that is my view if you care to reciprocate then you are welcome!

How important is a holocaust survivor?

C Boniface — Tue, 04 May 2010 09:05:00 GMT

holocaust survivor in my midst! Shabbat evening Friday May 30^th 2010, my father-in-law, some family members, and Joseph Stevens, a 92 year old Polish Jew, survived World War II by outsmarting the Nazis: he posed as a Catholic by day and engaged in missions for the underground resistance movement by night.

On telling him I had read his book. He replied, “You are not the first one to read it!”

At first I felt estranged by his reaction, which got me thinking because it wasn’t the response I was anticipating. I was expecting a question like what did you think, or a simple thank you, or basic acknowledgement, but it seemed a strange response. Perhaps it was appropriate as later during our feast he caught my attention, and said he never intended to write the book, and definitely didn’t want to expose his children to certain things he had omitted from the book. Presumably sordid atrocities too painful to relate!

Joseph Stevens is a humble while decent man who radiates a beaming shine on his face, still has all his teeth, seems affectionate and caring, and grateful to live another day. His persona comes across as someone who has learned to cope with losing everything dear to him, his family, possessions, and environment stripped away by a devil. This is someone to be admired for the courage he has shown, the willingness to overcome obstacles, and the dynamic disposition to beat oppression. He is a man we can all learn from!

So what is the lesson here? Everything in life has a consequence. Everything can be going in the right direction, then all of a sudden the impossible occurs, and we find ourselves back to square one. Everyone has to deal with it, some better than others, so the right attitude is to learn how to overcome it and prosper. We have to try and try until we build strength to fight another day. This might seem obvious, but then why do so many people succumb to the negative force?

We learn from going without, and by not having we should become stronger and better people, so keep taking forward steps even when times are hard then eventually a method or answer will pop up and we pull through. It is human nature, so don’t be scared of it, but rather embrace it and carry on until a solution is found.

Fear can be turned into a positive emotion and ally to deal with issues on the basis of my comments above, so talk to yourself more frequently in times of need and bring out the true warrior spirit!

Joseph Steven’s book, ‘Good Morning’ , is a worthwhile read!

Social networking and its impact!

C Boniface — Sat, 01 May 2010 21:07:00 GMT

Today my blog is slightly different, so if you are into social networking and for business opportunities on Facebook, Twitter, or one of the other online networks read on.

Some social networkers create good meaningful relationships, or they just plain know it all and take people for granted, or don’t listen to anything anyone else says, or get offended or on the offensive if someone else makes a comment, however, clear it may be written. Some don't think they should respond to a direct comment for whatever reason - probably don't think it necessary. The English language defies many, as sentences can be interpreted in a number of ways. And by the way I realize my own personal circumstances though private, are far from perfect. Stretching into unchartered territory to claim my piece of the action as well as some of you guys is a go situation whether for fun or for future business relationships. I use social interaction for pleasure and growth as well!

Nine out of ten social networkers bounce from one comment to another due to time constraints and often misinterpret the real meaning of a sentence, or assume an understanding of what the writer might have been thinking. It can lead to confusion while affecting relationships to the extent that the majority of social networking gurus get accustomed to a certain type of chit chat when indeed the oddball fits into one of the categories in the previous paragraph. Recently I have come to the finale that it’s a reality that needs some clarification.

What happened to having a personality? Is it wrong to reword in an unexpected way to be creative, and seek open debate only to find others misinterpret and condemn, or don’t answer? Foreigners often have difficulty writing in English, so it stands to reason one would get confused. As an example I wrote, ‘does anyone have anything interesting to say on Twitter? Or is it just me?’ That’s right no one responded, or continued with a debate. A few minutes later I said, ‘I am about to take a nap for lack of intelligent conversation’, and even that didn’t spark a wink. Perhaps I really am a jerk! Facebook walls are full of agreeing, sucking up to, or yes remarks. Is there something wrong with having an honest negative opinion? People prefer positive responses to their posts. Can you blame them? It is a fact of life that people who agree are the ones we feel more comfortable around.

What really bugs me with social networking is so many people nowadays just promote, promote, promote like nobody’s business thinking that the more they promote will equal more business opportunities. I'm personally in a phase of experimentation to see if social networking for business really works, but I believe it's a balance thing - not 100% promotion. That might seem the readers’ choice, but the fact of the matter is those using Twitter for friendship purposes can get pretty fed up with repetitive undistinguishable links, but they don’t forget a face. It wouldn’t go amiss if there were fewer efforts made to secure hits on URL shortening, which in my opinion is a bit of a farce.

I don’t know if they are all the same, but the one I’m using showed over twenty hits every time a new tweet was up on my home page. They became obvious as soon as I went to manage mine. I checked my site analytics the following day and less than twenty total hits had been to my site, so it just goes to show it is part of the illusion. Perhaps though it is because it takes some 20 seconds to register a website when it is opened online. Someone will have to cite me on that idea. Those online marketers that suck on it sometimes end up chasing the white fairy, and I don't want it to be me!

I don’t want to offend although I probably will, but such naivety makes me realize there are plenty of scum bags who profit from uninformed people like you or me. So the obvious question is; am I wasting my time? Time is money or health depending on how you see it. You either love it or hate it and as it's the craze right now it makes sense to to try it!

Start-up business reviewed – honey distribution

C Boniface — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 08:23:00 GMT

oney distribution has occurred since way back to the beginning of trading when honey had been used to sweeten coffee. Well, maybe not quite that long, but there are references to honey in the Bible, and the ancient Aztecs and Romans traded in honey as well.

Honey is produced by bees that make it from nectar gathered from flowers to feed their young larvae. I’m no expert in honey production although cheese and honey on toast is delicious, and one snack worth trying. In countries like Brazil and the USA where bee farms provide excellent qualities of honey produce then for sure a consumer based market can be developed. Take Brazil as an example it has many village stores devoted to selling various kinds of honey like Comb Honey which comes direct from the hive honey-filled beeswax comb as stored naturally by the bees. Different kinds suit different palettes and for most people they are used to buying it at the local supermarket either in liquid form or crystallized.

Nowadays the new theme is green, save the planet, or sustainability with much emphasis on Mother Nature, preserve, and breed dying species. So it stands to reason that distributing honey could be a new trend worth investigating. It is creative in as much as in the eyes of the consumer it is health related and if a variety of brands are available could become a mega tendency for shop goers. Just think about some of those chain stores who specialize in body creams and lotions like the Body Shop that sprang from nowhere and now lines high streets around the globe.

Start a small store and get seen by passing traffic alluring self-conscious individuals, set-up a website and sell online, and before you know it demand has increased. Plus the added bargaining power with your suppliers for buying more volume means decreased costs i.e. more profit. You are on a role for the better. Before you know what is happening you are opening a second, and then a third store. All of a sudden you get the idea of opening a franchise and trade really takes off. Take it to the next level and suddenly everyone wants to get in on the action.

And I am not kidding. This is off the cuff creativity that will make someone thousands, if not millions. Take heed because fresh ideas like this are worth cultivating!

Stay tuned to more creative ideas and subscribe!

Start-up business reviewed – adult content franchise

C Boniface — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:46:00 GMT

veryone knows XXX sells! Do you doubt it? If that is the predicament you find yourself in read on. If you agree then today’s blog will make you seriously consider working it.

Today there are new multi-level-marketing websites like Allxclub that offers a small business opportunity to get paid and enjoy life. So what is it? The club is really saying there are unlimited videos-on-demand, adult dating services, chat, travel, strip poker, lingerie, shoes, and more for members who join up and pay a monthly fee of $39.95. They go on to say let the system do the selling for you, and that their system does 99% of the work, and you can create a sizeable six figure income with 6 ways to earn.

Like it? It could work, as anything is possible. A friend some time ago introduced me before it was launched in 2009. I am open-minded to analyze business opportunities, but as a married man firstly I’m not looking at the content they offer, so it would be difficult for me to become passionate. Therefore, it doesn’t appeal to me, and secondly like any business, time and effort need to be dedicated to make it work.

At the end of the day time is money, so it needs to sell itself and I for one just can’t see that happening. In actual fact, as a younger man before meeting my partner I used to love clubbing, meeting healthy women, and dating, and I wouldn’t say no if an opportunity arose that would give me a good time, but to actually pay for it was out of the question.

Before you start jumping to conclusions and criticizing me for not wanting to check out young sexy women, if you are single or unhappy with your relationship then it is understandable this kind of business might be appealing. Anyway, nowadays there is so much free stuff online who actually wants to pay?

Check out the site for yourself!

Funding your business options!

C Boniface — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:54:00 GMT

oday’s blog focuses on funding a start-up business venture. You may have sufficient capital to kick off a new business, but not always the case. Many small start-up enterprises rely on finding suitable capital venture investors.

Unfortunately, the reality is unless you have a truly brilliant idea, something unique and patented, then the probability is there are a couple of options open to consider if one cannot be found. One is to find a partner, or develop a joint venture with other like minded individuals who are prepared to invest, or borrow start-up capital from a bank or loan shark. I would certainly never recommend the latter option due to higher than average interest rates, and additional risk such as potential asset loses if repayment cannot be met.

My own background has taught me that wherever possible start up on a budget, stick to it, and create enough momentum to fund it from proceeds taken from sales revenue. This depends on the kind of business you are running, as many take time to develop, and ultimately sufficient reserves for overheads need to be met. Cash flow is critical in early stage development, so apart from project plans a concise business plan needs to be designed to meet deadlines. While a business plan prepares for future outcome it also enhances the project and can be used to stimulate investment capital.

Take a bank for example. Arrange an appointment to go and speak with the bank manager. How could he/she possibly think about supporting a new business venture if there is nothing to back it all up – that is why a concise business plan needs to be put together. It might take some time to produce, but it will take longer to get a loan if not done. That may seem obvious, but you would be amazed at how many small business start-ups fail due to not making one.

Start-up business reviewed – restaurant

C Boniface — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:41:00 GMT

ame out of Ruth’s Chris Steak House with my belly feeling as if it was about to explode. Bit of a stupid question, but have you ever felt that way before? There’s a pretty whopping chance, and no I’m not talking about Burger King even if the bill was whopping hefty on my recently stacked up wallet!

My heavens above what a tremendous meal - no wonder these guys have been in business for so long. My wife and I ate crabs cakes as an appetizer and entrees of ribeye and sirloin steak seared to perfection at 1800 degrees and topped with fresh butter so as to sizzle for ages after being served. It was all done incredibly to impeccable standards that you couldn’t make up even if you wanted to.

So what is the secret to maintaining its magnetism for 40 years, and becoming the world’s largest fine dining company? Could it be the best food ever? Is it a combination of management and what exactly? There are many questions to attribute to its success, and I bet it has had its ups and downs like any business. So what might make a restaurant venture successful? Well I will say this: a great recipe that friends and family absolutely love, the burning desire to become successful, and a passion about your cooking and wanting to please others. These three ingredients are a good way to start.

Oh, yes, and by the way the corporate run company of restaurants with 100 locations has not approached me to advertise. It stands to reason that something done so well gets the attention from satisfied customers and if a business creates so much satisfaction then there is plenty of potential for repeat business.

How to improve your physical performance – 5 of 5

C Boniface — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:17:00 GMT

reathing correctly is important and should not be shrugged to the side, as it is foremost to a better quality of life. We can control our emotions by breathing properly; it can also help us become more productive at work, while providing superior exercise schedules!

As mentioned in one of my previous blogs - the way we react to a situation is greatly enhanced by our emotional state. Better quality air can have direct influence on our wellbeing, such as the level of pollution, or the ground to sea level where we live, or the geographical area. We can’t necessarily control our home place because of circumstances or obligations to others, but we can do certain things to focus on breathing right to enhance life in general. For example I’ve been living in an air conditioned apartment since coming to Miami from England a year ago, and the temperature is stable, fresher, and cleaner. If I stay indoors for too long though I feel somewhat claustrophobic and need to escape.

Anthony Robbins Unlimited Power CD course taught me a breathing technique I’ve been using since the mid 90s. One way to control the quality of the experience is to inhale through the nose for the count of 5, hold count 4 times five reaching 20, and then exhale through the mouth for a count of 10. On the next breathe inhale for the count of 6, hold for 24, and exhale 12. Then inhale 7, hold 28, and exhale 14. Another way to explain this is inhale, hold four times as long as you inhale, and then exhale half as long as you hold in. Try it sitting down throughout the day or first thing in the morning, or last thing at night while lying in bed. This exercise opens up the lungs, and is excellent therapy to improve emotional balance.

Yesterday, I wouldn’t have been able to say what air is made up of, but after some online research I have discovered up to 79.2% of the atmosphere is made up from nitrogen, and only around 21 percent of the air we breathe is oxygen. I don’t know about you, but I always feel that I could do with some more oxygen. One source says over 75% of the air you breathe in is almost unusable to human. We inhale O₂ and then exhale CO₂ therefore breathing O₂in creates oxygenated blood flowing to the heart, and then de-oxygenated blood CO₂from the heart, so yes the quality of air we breathe has significant importance to the way we feel. This website shows the anatomy of breathing !

One last tip to finish my 5^th blog in the series is to drink plenty of water during the day.

How to improve your physical performance – 4 of 5

C Boniface — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:39:00 GMT

hen I turned 18 my naivety taught me a major lesson in life - physical activity rebuilds. After a serious motorcycle accident on my Yamaha RD250 and spending some six months recuperating my body was weak, and in need of rejuvenating.

Returning back to work I realized that to get my strength back it would be necessary to take action. I was lucky because I’ve persisted ever since; the benefits for sure outweigh the disadvantaged lifestyle that comes from inactivity. Apart from rebuilding my strength it has helped me focus my attention on specific goals. It has contributed to my continuing growth in so many areas. One such segment of my life is wellbeing!

As we get older our bodies deteriorate from constant bombardment from free radicals that roam around in the air. Take a piece of fruit like a banana that goes off within days; it stands to reason that as we age our bodies get weaker, muscle fatigue sets in, and consequently illness drives us downhill. Realizing this has taught me to make the effort to exercise almost every day. That is until I become ill; because like everyone my immune system also can’t cope with life’s stresses all the time. When I’m sick I rest to recuperate, but when restored to health go back to taking further care!

Obviously this isn’t a cure to aging, but what it does enact upon is enhancing the quality of my lifestyle. If you want to be in the best form of your life, to provide the energy to fuel ones ambitions, then you owe it to yourself to take a similar stance, and stride toward perfection.

My experience has taught me that although I cannot reverse the age process, indeed I can be in charge of it. In any case being healthy and able to control outcomes creates happiness!

What do I know about health and physical fitness?

How to improve your physical performance – 3 of 5

C Boniface — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:43:00 GMT

Blog 89

Eating more food, of the right ones, at the correct times will make you feel like it has added years on your lifespan. The question is this the right moment to get your body in the best shape of your life, improve performance, and benefit in so many areas?

This blog isn’t for any specific age category, and if one compares my notes in the previous blog you will realize I wrote to eat small portions, more regularly, at three hour intervals. Meal balance is important because the body digests at a certain rate, and therefore consuming portions in this way not only enhances utilization, but the metabolism accelerates, which means burning more calories. It also creates better distribution of the food groups, while vitamins and minerals are absorbed more efficiently.

My father warned me that if I became overweight it would be difficult to shed the pounds as I get older. Now I’m approaching 50 I realize that I’ve slowed down in as much as my body cannot support the vigorous exercise regime done for so many years. It has been more apparent with a gradual declination in performance as each year passes, and my body seems to be more prone to injury.

By eating the right carbohydrate foods you’ll find the body literally sheds weight – here are a few of those fat burning foods:

1. Quinoa

2. Rice bread

3. Sprouted grain breads

4. Sweet potatoes

5. Spelt

One of the usual problems with a diet is hunger. What I have found is that by controlling food intake and eating balanced meals at regular intervals it really does curb appetite. Eat 3 good sized portions 6 hours apart and smaller snacks three hours in between.

Who cares if there really were arms of mass destruction!

C Boniface — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:48:00 GMT

Blog 88

atched an interesting television program about Saddam Hussein last night, Iraq’s once long standing President. No wonder he was whipped to submission; he deserved it. But what I found mindboggling was just how evil this ruler really was to his people!

He would suppress them to fear and distrust to one another. How did he do it – actually quite simply by using pressure techniques that scarred the pants out of everyone? Before he became President he had already started a security business, and became an interrogator and torturer for the Baath Party, a socialist political group committed to Arab nationalism. His methods inspired trust. He was a man who got results. He would get people to spy on each other and report back to him via his secret police. He eventually worked his way up to become the President in 1979.
Another 24 years of terror were to follow. Anybody who even suggested reform was in trouble. People were scarred to talk in their own home for fear of a family member giving information away that could incite punishment. It was common to receive beatings publicized on television. Saddam Hussein would use it to curb others from contemplating up rise to threaten his position. He treated all who exchanged words even if they were to improve the political system - everyone was frightened. He was a tyrant many compared to Adolf Hitler or Stalin.

After the eight years war against Iran he had exhausted his finances, borrowed a total of eighty billion dollars to fund the war, and one such lender, Kuwait, who lent 14 billion was being accused of stealing Iraq's oil through slant drilling. Reagan’s administration even gave $40 billion to him. He set to war against Kuwait in 1990, which led to the beginning of the Persian Gulf War in January 1991. He lost ashamedly, but due to the United Nations decision to pull out maintained his ruthless regime in the region.

It was only after the 9/11 bombing he was pressurized by the West to stand down from his nuclear weapon activities, but due to not wanting to appear weak to his people he skipped denying close inspections. Most people are today aware that there was no arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, and many criticize Bush for ordering the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but what people don’t seem to realize is George Bush realized a dictator like Saddam Hussein should have been ousted immediately following the Gulf War.

George Bush may not have left government with a clean slate of economic spending, but he played an important role in representing world evolution. No one can deny it!

How to improve your physical performance – 2 of 5

C Boniface — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:13:00 GMT

Blog 87

Balance meals to feel healthier in general, to distribute energy, and speed up the metabolism. One way to cope is use balanced containers, so snacks can be taken when one becomes hungry. It makes sense if you have an active lifestyle.

Grabbing a bite to eat food regimes that are spread over 10 to 14 hours a day with little time for adequate meal intake are the worst nightmare where health is concerned. They may not affect weight increase that much for everyone, but ultimately the price can be high. It is a well known fact that fast food, commonly known as junk food has little in the way of nutritious value. That isn’t to say that fast food chains aren’t improving the content quality, but this kind of food should be moderated and not abused as in many cases is occurring. It’s quick and tasty, and cost effective, so no wonder workers pop out to a drive through to pick it up in a matter of minutes.

Eating the right balance of meals requires attention, and quite sincerely in requires planning, but preparation can be done the evening before to facilitate and save time the following morning. Calculate a balanced meal of about 35% protein, 55% carbohydrates, and 10% fats, and eat spread out in a balanced manner.

I personally have opted to eat every three hours. Smaller portions, but I try to eat whole foods as opposed to processed foods. It isn’t always easy to make the effort to do it, but it makes sense to avoid preservatives and high salt content for obvious reasons like raised blood pressure.

The good thing about eating this way is I never get hungry, and I have noticed a considerable energy boost. The coming up third blog in the series is about how to eat more food to feel fuller and better for it.

What do I know about health and physical fitness?

How to improve your physical performance – 1 of 5

C Boniface — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:05:00 GMT

Blog 86

As overall performance is an area I stride to perfect this 5 part series ought to give my readers a boost of renewed energy and confidence. It is the absolute route to inner strength and vigor that enables people to perform exceptionally!

Like everything there are several inhibitors that pop up from time to time. One such evil is bad eating habits such as eating large bars of chocolate, hence too much sugar. They may taste great and eaten occasionally do no harm in small quantities, but the problem is too much can make most people unproductive and consequently lead to obesity, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

This series covers briefly some unearthing realities:

1. Sleep – how to gain from it.

2. Balance meals – and feel healthier in general.

3. Eat more food – feel fuller and better for it.

4. Physical activity – what are the benefits.

5. Breathing – do it right.

Sleep is very important as it helps us recuperate and maintain productive habits. It might seem obvious but like everything there is room for improvement. I have found that by going to bed an hour in advance new vitality is discovered on awakening. Apart from this benefit I have noticed more energy and desire to start work. It has helped fuel my passion to write, answer pressing emails, and generally become more active early on to get those behind schedule jobs up to date. Try it yourself – it works.

However, if you don’t train or take physical exercise as a daily pursuit then it’s a combination thing. Some may say that they are restless on going to bed early, so make the effort to go for a brisk 10 minute walk, dance to your favorite music a few hours before or shower and stretch before going to bed. Ten minutes physical activity three times per day, or at least once is much better than not at all.

And at ten minutes a pop no one can make the excuse that they don’t have time for it. To gain maximum results add these extra activities to your time schedule, and feel an immediate enhanced performance!

What do I know about health and physical fitness?

Following your dreams!

C Boniface — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:11:00 GMT

Blog 85

When you’ve got an idea what do you do about it? Take action immediately! It is an unlikely scenario because although at that exact moment the great idea belongs to you the bottom line is things get in the way like commitments i.e. work, family, and relationships that take up too much of your time. Then there are the social events that equate to your entertainment and fun times!

The list goes on, but if you are truly ambitious you owe yourself much more than conforming to the everyday standards you have set in motion. So how do you make that seemingly giant leap? Well I’ll be blunt and say, it takes courage, change, and above all the desire to turn your life around. But whatever there is a risk factor, and perhaps that is why so many people turn a blind eye. So you need to reevaluate what the final outcome could be, and then focus your heart and soul on achieving the success you so much desire.

That is if you think you have what it takes. Unfortunately, and it’s a big if, so many people suffer from fear, don’t like rejection, and can’t be bothered to make all the effort necessary, and only then it’s all in vein; the project fails. And yes, it happens all the time. If you’ve got this far you are probably wondering if I’m trying to help, or completely put you off the idea of ever trying your luck at something which needs consistent effort and persistence! Well my friend, I’m not trying to sell you anything tangible. And for that very reason it is difficult to add up all the pros and cons.

My job is to pass my knowledge and experience on in a way to constructively help you work on your resources, find the qualities that will make you the warrior ready to destroy armies, and march forward into battle. This is a free service to contribute to those who need a push in the right direction.

Hold your head up and smile to yourself knowing that you are ready to take it to the next level. If you have any specific doubts let me know and I'll happily offer stimulus to help success.

Being confident yet knowledgeable of your future!

C Boniface — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:31:00 GMT

Blog 84

Think you’ve got all the answers? Well you may very well have. You see we are all more than we believe. That is the way I think about myself. Now some will say what an overconfident son of a gun, and others might wonder could it be true.

Let me assure you that it doesn’t matter about me, but it is fundamentally important that your self-esteem gives you the confidence to take leaps and bounds forward! No man arrives at the point of success by just thinking he knows it all. It takes time and effort to effectively live up to your aspirations and turn them into reality.

I personally realize no matter how much I brag to myself it makes little if no difference to the outcome. What guarantees steady growth is moving forward, inch by inch, day by day, taking small steps and learning from each experience? Yes, in a nutshell there is no hidden formula or secret. Providing knowledge is sort and a firm commitment is made then it is a matter of time and consistent persistence that will lead one to the right answers.

Of course, the tricky one is finding the right path. If you dig deep enough you will find what works for you isn’t an impossible task, so stop to take a sigh of relief. Take a gasp and gulp of air through your nose, hold it and fill your lungs. Moments later begin to gradually exhale through your mouth, and you will feel a sense of pride. For you are one great person destined to succeed.

It isn’t enough that I believe in you, for you need to believe in yourself. I don’t know about how you do it, but I classify myself as the almighty warrior going into battle. Life sometimes should be compared to the transition during and on a battle field.

How to refocus your energies!

C Boniface — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 10:47:00 GMT

Blog 83

I’ve had a week to contemplate about my life, as my wife for almost 25 years took a short vacation to her parents abroad, while I looked after the fort and cared for Goldy – our pet dog!

Have you reflected over your situation recently? Well let’s just say we need time for ourselves. Although it is easier said than done, it allows us to muster our thoughts and feel a sense of freedom. Not that I feel imprisoned or anything like that, but a certain amount of selfishness does no harm to anyone!

In a way I have been able to do things exactly the way I want without having to blend in, or alternatively when together she often is busy and I end up staying at home instead of doing things I would have liked to do. I’m not complaining, but surely you have some idea about what it is that makes us feel good. For example I went to see Green Zone with Matt Damon, a film my partner wouldn’t have had the same inclination to watch!

Change gives us the opportunity to reevaluate our circumstances and sometimes make radical changes that have a positive effect on our wellbeing. I know my time alone helped me look inside and take stock of my predicament.

As a final note to this short blog may I suggest you take advantage right now and do something for yourself that has merit!

10 ways to promote your product or service with a Start-up business – 10

C Boniface — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 12:56:00 GMT

Blog 82

With almost 30 years in marketing and sales I have come across many obstacles we can consider as bridges that need crossing. Some have not been traversed, but what I have found is the majority are possible.

The biggest factor is time, as time should be considered money in business. It is ones biggest asset, as it can be ones biggest flaw. Knowing when to move on is critical if one is to achieve the desired results. Whether one chooses Internet marketing or taking to the streets in search of prey has little bearing, but what needs to be considered is productivity. This subject is one of the most important issues to ongoing improvement. Yes they do take time to perfect and yes training needs to be part of your daily routine.

It can be compared to competing in a marathon. Several aspects need to be considered to reach your objective. In running this kind of distance there are several obstacles like fatigue setting in, injury, or dehydration. Different aspects like diet, shoes, health, stamina, and muscle tone play an important role. Foods rich in quality such as 25% protein, 65% carbohydrates, and 10% fat, vitamins and minerals, and supplements, plus plenty of the right fluids needs to be consumed.

In business you should dress smartly, be well groomed, and ready for business opportunities. Find a coach to follow, read, practice, and become proactive. There are many times when you will not have the inclination to go out, or pick up the phone to make your pitch; in fact hide from so much rejection. It is normal though, so don’t take it personally – it’s a part of the selling world.

Product knowledge is paramount, so when the opportunity presents itself you are ready to show your knowledge of the industry and what makes your product or service the right one for the prospect’s firm. As salesmen/women’s income is based on volume of sales and revenue achievement it makes sense to aim for the stars, as the sky is the limit!

Today is my final blog in this particular series, so I hope it has been of some use to you. Whether you are a start-up or not sales have massive influence in career terms, so happy hunting!

10 ways to promote your product or service with a Start-up business – 9

C Boniface — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:39:00 GMT

Blog 81

The marketing and sales strategy you have chosen affects the business sales flow, so deciding the best way to bring it to market often seems a challenge. Today’s blog is about face to face sales which is my favorite method to get results. However, there are many ways that work.

Before contemplating beginning a start-up business venture it is valid to understand:

1 – How to sell?

2 – What is the best way to market?

I’m not going to be able to transmit all this information in my short blog, but if you are serious which you must be for coming this far, then may I suggest you Google both terms above. There is so much information relating to these questions it would pay big time. Face to face to the younger generation may seem old fashioned with Internet and the online sales boom, but nevertheless it helps if you can arrange a meeting with the potential customer/client. Not only can it support a close, but it can offer several advantages such as body language, the use of intonation, and rapport building that often influences buyers.

Of course it can backfire and cost too much time, and on occasions the prospect likes to chat and take up too much of your valuable time to no avail - that is life. Nowadays though it is becoming increasingly difficult to make appointments with corporate employees, and even then virtually impossible to meet with the decision maker. Times are changing, as is competition on the rise, and companies are using smarter sales techniques, so preparation will most certainly be a key to get results.

Face to face meetings give you the opportunity to express yourself more effectively and efficiently as you are able to present using a laptop power point presentation and accurate demonstrations can be made. This is the sale that needs flip charts where examples can be drawn to win new clients. Face to face allows you to interact with an impending deal ready to seal it.

If you can work out a strategy to incorporate several sales techniques such as face to face, door to door, B to B, and B to C into your sales mix then advantages can be taken from each. The final blog talks about different methods to go to market.