Friday, 27 May 2011
Through my eyes ...
See the world through my eyes.
It’s our world. It’s yours and it’s mine. It’s ours. It belongs to everyone.
We spend so much time and energy trying to own a piece of this world, but it’s only ours on loan. We are only here for a short time.
We’re just passing through on this journey called life.
When we die, we take nothing from this world, so nothing is ours to own.
Yet if we kill this world, we and future generations will have nowhere to call home.
The real beauty of this world costs nothing.
It’s free for all of us everywhere.
It doesn’t matter what colour your skin is. It doesn’t matter whether you’re tall or short. It doesn’t even matter what language you speak.
From London to Bahrain, from Paris to Baghdad, from Lisbon to Kathmandu and Tunisia to Tibet, we are one people under one sun, under one sky; living in this world.
We all cry the same way. We all suffer the same way and we all know what it feels like to fear something.
We are not different to one another.
In my world we can live in peace together and share this beautiful world, which is yours and mine.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Know your Consumer Rights!!!
Good afternoon Citizens of the world.
As I previously wrote, ignorance is definitely not bliss!
On the 27th March 2011, my very expensive 14 month old Apple Macbook Pro decided to take early retirement. Apple! The one gadget range I was told supposedly lasts a lifetime; just quit working; after 14 months!
Apparently, its ailment is it needs a new logic board, which, for all you PC users out there means it needs the equivalent of a Mother board.
Well, that was a blow to the Apple reputation as far as I am concerned. I'd only switched to Apple Mac because I'd heard nothing but wonderful things about it from a very good friend of mine, and I've never had much luck with computers in general.
So, the logic was make a greater investment for a better product that is more durable in the long run. How wrong could I be.
Here's my story so far and it comes with a warning for all Euriopean consumers. My warning is: "Know your consumer rights!" because as I wrote yesterday, ignorance definitely is not bliss; especially when it could potentially cost you a small fortune.
So, the laptop broke down on the 27th. On the 31st March 2011 it was handed over to the only authorised Apple Care centre in madeira. The person who kindly took the laptop in for repairing was quoted 498 Euros (including VAT.) At this time, I was in the United Kingdom, so I decided to give Apple (Ireland) a call and ask for confirmation of my date of purchase and issues regarding the guarantee.
The unhelpful person I spoke to informed me that without the serial number of my laptop, he could not answer any questions. But, he was very quick to say that my one year warranty would have expired and that it would be very expensive to replace the logic board.
Yesterday was the 13th April 2011 and I still have no laptop. It still hasn't been repaired. But, and here it gets interesting, I was having a conversation with a friend who informed me that all articles purchased within the European Union come under a 2 year Garantee and that I shouldn't be paying a penny for the laptop to be fixed; regardless of my Apple warranty having expired after 12 months.
So today, 14th April 2011, with another very good friend, I had the opportunity of speaking to the manager of the Consumer Rights Association in Funchal. Low and behold, and to my complete delight and amazement, it's true!
Any product purchased within the European Union has an automatic consumer protection warranty of 2 years, which means that if our beloved goods break down before the 24 months is up, we DO NOT PAY to have it repaired; regardless of whether the manufacturer only issues a 12 month guarantee!
This little snippet of information saved me a whopping 498€. Yet, nobody I'd "professionally" spoken to was willing to inform me of my rights.; especially Apple. I understand though that it is not within their best economical interest.
This is the "nutshell" version quoted online and it's available for all of us to know:
<<...a two year guarantee applies for the sale of all consumer goods everywhere in the EU (Directive 1999/44/EC). In some countries, this may be more, and some manufacturers also choose to offer a longer warranty period.>>
http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/move/64/en.pdf
I'd recommend anyone, anywhere in the world to check their rights as a consumer.
Going back to the Apple Care, I was stunned into silence today when I learned that Apple Ireland sent Madeira two, not one, but yes TWO faulty replacement logic baords! Hence the reason why my laptop hasn't been fixed. How is this possible? How can a company that is reputedly one of the best in the world send faulty parts to their Care centres?
So, here I am still computerless, a little better off because I won't have to pay for any repairs, a little richer in knowledge about my rights as a consumer ... and wait for it ... if Apple don't return my fixed laptop to me within 30 days, I will be entitled to a complete refund or a new computer. Roll on May the 2nd!
Be informed, be aware and be safe!
As I previously wrote, ignorance is definitely not bliss!
On the 27th March 2011, my very expensive 14 month old Apple Macbook Pro decided to take early retirement. Apple! The one gadget range I was told supposedly lasts a lifetime; just quit working; after 14 months!
Apparently, its ailment is it needs a new logic board, which, for all you PC users out there means it needs the equivalent of a Mother board.
Well, that was a blow to the Apple reputation as far as I am concerned. I'd only switched to Apple Mac because I'd heard nothing but wonderful things about it from a very good friend of mine, and I've never had much luck with computers in general.
So, the logic was make a greater investment for a better product that is more durable in the long run. How wrong could I be.
Here's my story so far and it comes with a warning for all Euriopean consumers. My warning is: "Know your consumer rights!" because as I wrote yesterday, ignorance definitely is not bliss; especially when it could potentially cost you a small fortune.
So, the laptop broke down on the 27th. On the 31st March 2011 it was handed over to the only authorised Apple Care centre in madeira. The person who kindly took the laptop in for repairing was quoted 498 Euros (including VAT.) At this time, I was in the United Kingdom, so I decided to give Apple (Ireland) a call and ask for confirmation of my date of purchase and issues regarding the guarantee.
The unhelpful person I spoke to informed me that without the serial number of my laptop, he could not answer any questions. But, he was very quick to say that my one year warranty would have expired and that it would be very expensive to replace the logic board.
Yesterday was the 13th April 2011 and I still have no laptop. It still hasn't been repaired. But, and here it gets interesting, I was having a conversation with a friend who informed me that all articles purchased within the European Union come under a 2 year Garantee and that I shouldn't be paying a penny for the laptop to be fixed; regardless of my Apple warranty having expired after 12 months.
So today, 14th April 2011, with another very good friend, I had the opportunity of speaking to the manager of the Consumer Rights Association in Funchal. Low and behold, and to my complete delight and amazement, it's true!
Any product purchased within the European Union has an automatic consumer protection warranty of 2 years, which means that if our beloved goods break down before the 24 months is up, we DO NOT PAY to have it repaired; regardless of whether the manufacturer only issues a 12 month guarantee!
This little snippet of information saved me a whopping 498€. Yet, nobody I'd "professionally" spoken to was willing to inform me of my rights.; especially Apple. I understand though that it is not within their best economical interest.
This is the "nutshell" version quoted online and it's available for all of us to know:
<<...a two year guarantee applies for the sale of all consumer goods everywhere in the EU (Directive 1999/44/EC). In some countries, this may be more, and some manufacturers also choose to offer a longer warranty period.>>
http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/move/64/en.pdf
I'd recommend anyone, anywhere in the world to check their rights as a consumer.
Going back to the Apple Care, I was stunned into silence today when I learned that Apple Ireland sent Madeira two, not one, but yes TWO faulty replacement logic baords! Hence the reason why my laptop hasn't been fixed. How is this possible? How can a company that is reputedly one of the best in the world send faulty parts to their Care centres?
So, here I am still computerless, a little better off because I won't have to pay for any repairs, a little richer in knowledge about my rights as a consumer ... and wait for it ... if Apple don't return my fixed laptop to me within 30 days, I will be entitled to a complete refund or a new computer. Roll on May the 2nd!
Be informed, be aware and be safe!
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Ignorance is not bliss!
Ignorance is an ugly thing. It's like a big black stain on a beautiful white gown. It's that permanent blackhead on the end of our nose that comes in many shapes and sizes and just keeps growing; the less we open our minds.
When I talk about ignorance, I'm not just talking about rudeness. I'm talking about all the negative qualities that impede us from being positively and potentially the best we can be; especially with regards to others.
In today's article, I'm talking about arrogance, inflexible mental attitudes, false beliefs and this innate desire we have to make others look wrong. In doing the latter, we are guilty of a sin far worse than trying to belittle someone, which we have a tendency to do to hide our own shortcomings, we are actually planting seeds that potentially make other people feel insecure about who they are, what they do and what they know.
Worst of all, we insist to the point of trying to convert someone to our way of thinking by resorting to quoting unreliable leads, misinterpreted information and speculative and/or somewhat dubious facts. We resort to any tactic possible in the name of attempting to show we have superior knowledge; even when we don't.
Worst of all, and ironically so, most of the time we are perfectly conscious of what we are doing. And, we all know it's not what we say but it's the way we say it. We could make the most outrageously absurd statement in the whole wide world, but if we said it with conviction, proper stance, confidence and good posture; nine times out of ten we'd probably get away with it.
Have you ever closely watched someone who wants to be right? Have you ever noticed how someone behaves when they know their back is up against the wall? Have you ever stopped to analyse your own behaviour when you want to win an argument or when you're feeling insecure about something and become a little more agressive than usual?
We've all done it at some point in our lives. It's a part of human nature; only some people eventually learn to control it and others never do.
If we are face to face with the offender of our intellect, we adopt a more authoritative position. We plant our feet firmly on the ground, stand tall, stick our chests out, and as if we were some kind of peacock, we start ruffling our feathers in preparation for the "blurt" about to exit our mouths.
Naturally, the other person takes the same stand right back at us and nothing is ever won. In fact, most of the time any discordance led down this path leads to arguments, bickering and in some cases physical violence.
If we are not face to face with the offender of our knowledge, then, in this day of the information super highway, we cltch at straws by sending emails full of links that could potentially back up our claims. Problem is, most of the time when we send an email along those lines, we ourselves might not have even read the articles we're quoting. We just copy/pasted them in a hurry to reach the "being right" finish line.
So, now, the situation begins to border on the ridiculous; especially if the perpertrator quotes the articles back at us in their favour. And, so this wonderful heated email argument flares up and so much good positive energy, and time, is wasted on finding and sending links backwards and forewards.
Of course, the best part about arguing online with someone is the delete button in the email inbox. Yet, as if drawn by some magnetic force our self centred ego and our desire to reach that "right" finish line won't allow us to just hit delete without first having a sneak preview of the email's contents.
Whatever happened to: "We agree to disagree"? Whatever became of: "Maybe I am wrong and I should look into it properly before I reply?" What does it matter who is right or wrong? Is there ever a true right or wrong? Most importantly, whatever happened to a little humility?
All of you out there who have ever eaten humble pie and learnt from it, I take a bow in your presence. I honour you, I really do. It takes a much bigger person to back down of any situation and admit their mistakes, faults or even lack of knowledge than it does for someone to fire back; when confronted. It also takes a much bigger person to remain silent when they know they are right.
It's easy to blab. We open our mouths and our thoughts come out. All we have to do is open our mouths and words come out. Most of the time, we have a tendency to say the first thing that comes into our mind. What's not so easy is to "control" the blab we vocally emit and use selective blabbing.
If someone undermines us or tries to belittle us, instinctively, in the heat of the moment, our first reaction is to lash right back; especially when we know we are right. But, what if we were to just remain silent? What if we didn't add fuel to the already stirring fire? What if we just turned our backs and walked away very politely without further engaging in the dispute?
Similarly, if we've allowed ourselves to enter into an argument with someone, what if we just learn to consciously recognise what we're doing and stop ourselves mid tracks. In Buddhism it is said that we need to be mindful or our thoughts, actions and words. I agree. The world doesn't collapse just because we're the ones to back down. Disaster doesn't strike if we walk away leaving another person thinking they are right; even when perhaps we know they're not. Yet, disaster will surely strike when two people enter a heated confrontation.
Being a bit more humble, and backing down, doesn't mean we're allowing people to walk all over us. It just means we avoid unnecessarily hurting someone else for the sake of our ego. We all learn our lessons in life. Some sooner, some later. It's not up to us to decide when someone will learn.
The Master appears when the student is ready.
All that remains to be seen is whether the student recognises the lessons in front of him or her.
When I talk about ignorance, I'm not just talking about rudeness. I'm talking about all the negative qualities that impede us from being positively and potentially the best we can be; especially with regards to others.
In today's article, I'm talking about arrogance, inflexible mental attitudes, false beliefs and this innate desire we have to make others look wrong. In doing the latter, we are guilty of a sin far worse than trying to belittle someone, which we have a tendency to do to hide our own shortcomings, we are actually planting seeds that potentially make other people feel insecure about who they are, what they do and what they know.
Worst of all, we insist to the point of trying to convert someone to our way of thinking by resorting to quoting unreliable leads, misinterpreted information and speculative and/or somewhat dubious facts. We resort to any tactic possible in the name of attempting to show we have superior knowledge; even when we don't.
Worst of all, and ironically so, most of the time we are perfectly conscious of what we are doing. And, we all know it's not what we say but it's the way we say it. We could make the most outrageously absurd statement in the whole wide world, but if we said it with conviction, proper stance, confidence and good posture; nine times out of ten we'd probably get away with it.
Have you ever closely watched someone who wants to be right? Have you ever noticed how someone behaves when they know their back is up against the wall? Have you ever stopped to analyse your own behaviour when you want to win an argument or when you're feeling insecure about something and become a little more agressive than usual?
We've all done it at some point in our lives. It's a part of human nature; only some people eventually learn to control it and others never do.
If we are face to face with the offender of our intellect, we adopt a more authoritative position. We plant our feet firmly on the ground, stand tall, stick our chests out, and as if we were some kind of peacock, we start ruffling our feathers in preparation for the "blurt" about to exit our mouths.
Naturally, the other person takes the same stand right back at us and nothing is ever won. In fact, most of the time any discordance led down this path leads to arguments, bickering and in some cases physical violence.
If we are not face to face with the offender of our knowledge, then, in this day of the information super highway, we cltch at straws by sending emails full of links that could potentially back up our claims. Problem is, most of the time when we send an email along those lines, we ourselves might not have even read the articles we're quoting. We just copy/pasted them in a hurry to reach the "being right" finish line.
So, now, the situation begins to border on the ridiculous; especially if the perpertrator quotes the articles back at us in their favour. And, so this wonderful heated email argument flares up and so much good positive energy, and time, is wasted on finding and sending links backwards and forewards.
Of course, the best part about arguing online with someone is the delete button in the email inbox. Yet, as if drawn by some magnetic force our self centred ego and our desire to reach that "right" finish line won't allow us to just hit delete without first having a sneak preview of the email's contents.
Whatever happened to: "We agree to disagree"? Whatever became of: "Maybe I am wrong and I should look into it properly before I reply?" What does it matter who is right or wrong? Is there ever a true right or wrong? Most importantly, whatever happened to a little humility?
All of you out there who have ever eaten humble pie and learnt from it, I take a bow in your presence. I honour you, I really do. It takes a much bigger person to back down of any situation and admit their mistakes, faults or even lack of knowledge than it does for someone to fire back; when confronted. It also takes a much bigger person to remain silent when they know they are right.
It's easy to blab. We open our mouths and our thoughts come out. All we have to do is open our mouths and words come out. Most of the time, we have a tendency to say the first thing that comes into our mind. What's not so easy is to "control" the blab we vocally emit and use selective blabbing.
If someone undermines us or tries to belittle us, instinctively, in the heat of the moment, our first reaction is to lash right back; especially when we know we are right. But, what if we were to just remain silent? What if we didn't add fuel to the already stirring fire? What if we just turned our backs and walked away very politely without further engaging in the dispute?
Similarly, if we've allowed ourselves to enter into an argument with someone, what if we just learn to consciously recognise what we're doing and stop ourselves mid tracks. In Buddhism it is said that we need to be mindful or our thoughts, actions and words. I agree. The world doesn't collapse just because we're the ones to back down. Disaster doesn't strike if we walk away leaving another person thinking they are right; even when perhaps we know they're not. Yet, disaster will surely strike when two people enter a heated confrontation.
Being a bit more humble, and backing down, doesn't mean we're allowing people to walk all over us. It just means we avoid unnecessarily hurting someone else for the sake of our ego. We all learn our lessons in life. Some sooner, some later. It's not up to us to decide when someone will learn.
The Master appears when the student is ready.
All that remains to be seen is whether the student recognises the lessons in front of him or her.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
SPA Breaks in Madeira
Dorisol Spa and Dorisol Hotels are doing it again ... by popular request!!!!
New Holiday Promotion valid until December.
- Long Weekend Spa Breaks, just 274€ per person (half board!)
- Week Long Spa Holiday Breaks - just 399€ per person (half board!)
Excluding Flights.
PLUS A Full Body Aroma Massage (or an Arabic Style Hammam) PLUS A Walker's Paradise (Luxury Foot Pamper) (or a Rose Quartz Body Clay Wrap) + TWO HALF hour sessions on our toning tables AND we'll give you a FREE Mini Facial. PLUS full use of our swimming pools, sauna, jacuzzi and gym!
PLUS if you feel up to it you can join in with our other hotel activities FREE!!!
Don't miss out!!!
Relax and let your senses be pampered on our Paradise Island.
Contact our Spa today: dorisolspa@dorisol.pt or dorisolspa@gmail.com
Or call us on: 00351 291 706600 Ext. 4325
New Holiday Promotion valid until December.
- Long Weekend Spa Breaks, just 274€ per person (half board!)
- Week Long Spa Holiday Breaks - just 399€ per person (half board!)
Excluding Flights.
PLUS A Full Body Aroma Massage (or an Arabic Style Hammam) PLUS A Walker's Paradise (Luxury Foot Pamper) (or a Rose Quartz Body Clay Wrap) + TWO HALF hour sessions on our toning tables AND we'll give you a FREE Mini Facial. PLUS full use of our swimming pools, sauna, jacuzzi and gym!
PLUS if you feel up to it you can join in with our other hotel activities FREE!!!
Don't miss out!!!
Relax and let your senses be pampered on our Paradise Island.
Contact our Spa today: dorisolspa@dorisol.pt or dorisolspa@gmail.com
Or call us on: 00351 291 706600 Ext. 4325
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Don't shout!
Often in life people shout at others for no apparent reason what so ever other than their own insecurities and frustrations. These could be anything from feelings of low self-esteem: “I’m not good enough”, “I’ll never make it” and so on; to a lack of a sense of personal and professional achievement and job satisfaction.
It can be particularly frustrating when both our professional and personal life are out of balance or when we feel others collide too much with our world.
I think we all take our frustrations out on someone near and dear to us at some point in life. We basically use someone else as an emotional punching bag. The sad thing is that most of the time, we don’t even know we’re doing it.
It’s only when we’re on the receiving end or when we take a step back and reflect on our behaviour, that we realise how it feels. By then the damage is done though.
Instead of getting to the point where we lash out at an innocent bystander in our life, we should analyse ourselves, what we think our shortcomings are and our behavioral responses.
First of all, we should learn to worry less about what people think about us. We don’t need to validate who we are in comparison to others. Everyone on this planet is an individual human being with a personality and character of their own. It's not always necessary to fit in. After all, if we were all the same there would be no diversity and, quite frankly, I think the world would be a boring place.
There are people in this world who are different, they don’t conform to social norm expectations and I believe they should remain different. Their differences are what separate them from generality and the masses. Also, there is no right or wrong way to be. The point of life is to be happy and that includes being comfortable with all our differences in comparison to others.
I’m also a great believer that people should worry less about what they call their
shortcomings and what they think they have, or do not have, to offer. As long as someone is alive, they certainly have something to offer. Perhaps, a shift in perspective is needed in order to appreciate one’s own qualities rather than one’s material possessions. This is where self-esteem and self-respect come into play.
Another fundamental issue to remember is that everything happens for a reason. So, whatever is happening in one’s life right now is there for a purpose. We just need to learn to see the purpose. We need to be able to appreciate the learning opportunity every challenge provides us with. We need to learn that lesson as quickly as possible and move on.
Most importantly, we need to learn to let go more. We need to let it all go; all the baggage and resentment from the past serves no purpose in our memories; except occupying good space that could be filled with positive change and an optimistic outlook towards the future. We need to keep moving forward with your eyes a little more open; our minds a little wiser and hearts filled with peace.
Nothing that we consider bad happens for a bad reason, but we need to see the positive side instead of persistently focusing on the negative aspects.
We need to forgive ourselves and others for whatever has gone before, and let go of the past. Built up guilt, anger, resentment and dare I say jealousy are all negative
qualities that hold us back in life. Generally, they spring from things we've done that we're not proud of or that we’re ashamed of. Instead of accepting them as an integrated part of who we are and regarding them as another opportunity to know and love ourselves; flaws included, we turn against ourselves.
We start a cycle of self-loathing and self-depreciation, which in turn, over a long period of time, turns into lack of self-esteem and lack of self-respect. We become our own worst enemy. We no longer have a good relationship with ourselves nor with others. Hence, from there on in, we begin to think that life is taking a downhill slide and that everything is going wrong. It’s not life though. It’s our attitude towards it.
Life and it’s journey are not consistent by nature. They are subject to change and many unstable factors. It may seem that it doesn’t always go the way we want it to, but the one thing we can do, is make it the way we want it to be. It takes determination, a series of choices, motivation, time, effort and the input and interconnection with others and the world around us.
So, before you shout at someone you hold dear. Stop yourself and analyse why you’re doing it. Is it really their fault or are you trying to compensate for something missing within yourself?
May you always have peace and love in your life. God Bless you all.
Venerina
It can be particularly frustrating when both our professional and personal life are out of balance or when we feel others collide too much with our world.
I think we all take our frustrations out on someone near and dear to us at some point in life. We basically use someone else as an emotional punching bag. The sad thing is that most of the time, we don’t even know we’re doing it.
It’s only when we’re on the receiving end or when we take a step back and reflect on our behaviour, that we realise how it feels. By then the damage is done though.
Instead of getting to the point where we lash out at an innocent bystander in our life, we should analyse ourselves, what we think our shortcomings are and our behavioral responses.
First of all, we should learn to worry less about what people think about us. We don’t need to validate who we are in comparison to others. Everyone on this planet is an individual human being with a personality and character of their own. It's not always necessary to fit in. After all, if we were all the same there would be no diversity and, quite frankly, I think the world would be a boring place.
There are people in this world who are different, they don’t conform to social norm expectations and I believe they should remain different. Their differences are what separate them from generality and the masses. Also, there is no right or wrong way to be. The point of life is to be happy and that includes being comfortable with all our differences in comparison to others.
I’m also a great believer that people should worry less about what they call their
shortcomings and what they think they have, or do not have, to offer. As long as someone is alive, they certainly have something to offer. Perhaps, a shift in perspective is needed in order to appreciate one’s own qualities rather than one’s material possessions. This is where self-esteem and self-respect come into play.
Another fundamental issue to remember is that everything happens for a reason. So, whatever is happening in one’s life right now is there for a purpose. We just need to learn to see the purpose. We need to be able to appreciate the learning opportunity every challenge provides us with. We need to learn that lesson as quickly as possible and move on.
Most importantly, we need to learn to let go more. We need to let it all go; all the baggage and resentment from the past serves no purpose in our memories; except occupying good space that could be filled with positive change and an optimistic outlook towards the future. We need to keep moving forward with your eyes a little more open; our minds a little wiser and hearts filled with peace.
Nothing that we consider bad happens for a bad reason, but we need to see the positive side instead of persistently focusing on the negative aspects.
We need to forgive ourselves and others for whatever has gone before, and let go of the past. Built up guilt, anger, resentment and dare I say jealousy are all negative
qualities that hold us back in life. Generally, they spring from things we've done that we're not proud of or that we’re ashamed of. Instead of accepting them as an integrated part of who we are and regarding them as another opportunity to know and love ourselves; flaws included, we turn against ourselves.
We start a cycle of self-loathing and self-depreciation, which in turn, over a long period of time, turns into lack of self-esteem and lack of self-respect. We become our own worst enemy. We no longer have a good relationship with ourselves nor with others. Hence, from there on in, we begin to think that life is taking a downhill slide and that everything is going wrong. It’s not life though. It’s our attitude towards it.
Life and it’s journey are not consistent by nature. They are subject to change and many unstable factors. It may seem that it doesn’t always go the way we want it to, but the one thing we can do, is make it the way we want it to be. It takes determination, a series of choices, motivation, time, effort and the input and interconnection with others and the world around us.
So, before you shout at someone you hold dear. Stop yourself and analyse why you’re doing it. Is it really their fault or are you trying to compensate for something missing within yourself?
May you always have peace and love in your life. God Bless you all.
Venerina
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