so true!

Walk a Tightrope to Survive Office Politics

Do you often find yourself at a cross-road between two groups in office? When you enter into a conversation with your colleagues, most of the time it is either back-biting or finding faults with others. And by the end of it you just feel lost and unhappy. If this is what happens to you, then you are also a victim of office politics.

It is differing values, ideas and culture in interpersonal relationship which often breeds politics in office. The worst part is when it leads to a hostile environment and a feeling of enmity. But the ground truth is that office politics simply cannot be avoided. However, you can certainly navigate your way out of this maze with minimal side-effects. To do so, you need to:

Stay Neutral

Experts say the best way to deal with it is to stay neutral. Avoid close association with numerous camps which might be at work in the entire organizational matrix. Mix with all groups but be sure not to be labeled as a member of any camp.

No Gossips Please!

Apart from the fact that gossips consume a lot of your productive time, whatever information you might share then might be used against you in the future. Don't entertain talks which are often complaints. Being silent and listening to such gossip can be easily misinterpreted; get the message right across that you are not interested to talk on such issues. Talk about neutral issues like sports, weather, film, music or whatever interests you.

Be a Transparent Team Player

Whatever you do, be transparent as much as possible. Don't pass on someone else's work or ideas as your own and take credit for it. If you are a team leader, share credit in times of success and take responsibility in times where there is a crisis. This will help you to earn a lot of respect amongst peers and juniors. Treat all co-workers with respect, listen to them and value their contributions.

Don't Criticize Others

If you are not happy with the performance of your subordinates, make sure that you discuss it with the person in private or in an official manner meticulously. Avoid ticking off a person in public, as it might become a hot topic of gossip and you might become the center of a spicy and negative discussion.

Believe in yourself

If you are a target of gossip, believe in yourself and your abilities. Things will die down on their own. Talk to people who have a problem with you and have an open discussion. Avoid acting superior to colleagues who are on the same hierarchical level. Don't think of quitting; it's the same everywhere. Always remember: quit only when you want to, not because you have to.

an enchanting love story

I am very particular with films that I watch. And this one absolutely moved me to tears.



Beatrix Potter is a well-loved writer of children's books, most notably for THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT. This is her story.

Home-schooled eversince by her affluent parents, Beatrix Potter (Renee Zellweger)found herself still unmarried in her 30s and still living with her parents, which, at that time, was quite unacceptable. Yet it's actually not a problem for her. She's contented enough surrounded by her animal drawings and stories.

However, things changed when a publisher decided to run her first novel. She was assigned the newest member of the firm, their youngest brother, Mr. Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor). Being drawn to each other and having learned to love each other as the days go by, Norman proposed to Beatrix and she accepted.

At first, her parents disapproved of it. But they later proposed a wedding only after the summer, which according to them, would save both families of shame if ever their love subsides.

But while at Lake District for the summer vacation, Beatrix received a letter from Amelia (Emily Watson), Norman's brother, telling her of his serious illness. When Beatrix rushed to see him, she was too late. His funeral was held a day before Beatrix arrived in London.

This sad experience put a heavy toll on Beatrix. It affected her writings and her drawings as well. One day she decided to purchase Hill Top Farm, a property shown to her by her childhood friend William Heelis (Lloyd Owen), who is now a solicitor at Lake District. She moved out of her family's house. After all, she's rich enough to provide for herself since the royalty for her books comes on a regular basis already.

After eight years, Beatrix married William. A total of 4,000 acres of farmland is also under a preservation trust to this day, which is Beatrix Potter's legacy for the future generation.

This is an enchanting love story indeed. Period movies really appeal to me more, just like my taste in classic novels. And I could never imagine anyone who could portray Beatrix Potter better than Renee Zellweger.

***

Favorite quotes:

"You have a chance to be loved. Take it! And leave me happy knowing that the two people that I love are happy. That is the most thought you should ever have for me."

- Amelia Warne for Beatrix Potter

"I didn't want to be a silly woman marrying a man simply because he was acceptable, or rich enough to take care of me. But that does not mean that I'm never to be loved."

- Bearix Potter for her father Rupert

"Mother, the only thing true at my age is that at my age, every day matters."

Beatrix Potter for her mother Helen

still clueless

I still am clueless with some things that have happened and are currently happening with my life right now.

Don't get me wrong. I am aware of the fact that sometimes we need to be hurt just to be strong again; we need to stumble for us to eventually move on; and we need to experience things way beyond our grasp so in time we'll learn to trust ourselves again and face the world head high.

What I learned now is that I have only a handful of "trusted" friends. Forget Friendster and Multiply; most of them were just former classmates anyway. I guess I came to the realization that real friends won't talk behind your back of silly things, that though may not be true would hurt you after all.

I also try to erase the fear in my mind that next year I would have to work double time just to pay the bills. Yes, this is big deal for me! Mostly because I am sure that I am alone on this one.

And lastly, I know I should put an end on this never-ending daydreaming for a certain someone. The heck!

I am strong. I'm in control. And despite the fact that everything seem to be messy at present, in the end I am certain that things will go my way.

lessons learned lately

a lot of things have happened lately. however, i'm not in the mood to talk...not yet.



for now, i'd like to share the quotes i love from from Paulo Coelho's By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept:

"Life takes us by surprise and orders us to move towards the unknown – even when we don't want to and when we think we don't need to."

"The heart decides, and what it decides is all that really matters."

"You have to take risks (...) We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen."

"Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won't suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow.
But when that person looks back - and at some point everyone looks back - she will her heart saying, "What have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage: the certainty that you wasted your life."

"Yes, life teaches us many things (...) It taught me that we can learn, and it taught me that we can change (...) even when it seems impossible."

"Love is a trap. When it appears, we see only its light, not its shadows."

"The gods throw the dice, freeing love from its cage. And love can create or destroy - depending on the direction of the wind when it is set free.

"Love doesn't need to be discussed; it has its own voice and speaks for itself."

"If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible."

"Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering."

very touching!

from idol gives back, here's carrie underwood:



i really cried afer seeing this one.

and to think we thought america is a rich country, huh!