In the northwestern Indian district, Rajasthan has spread its feathers around the brilliant sand of the Great Indian Desert-the only and the main desert of the sub-mainland. This condition of India is encompassed by the pride mountain scope of Aravali which is one of the most seasoned mountain scopes of the world. Rajasthan is the home to some of the greatest warriors and rulers displays, its history through each of the other things like miniatures so as to visit the tourist places in Rajasthan. The wealthiest of rich Indian culture, custom and normal magnificence mixes to entrance the voyagers from all over the world.

This Indian state has been suitably named Rajasthan as it truly signifies “The Land of the Kings”. This state of India is rich ever, great designs, lovely scenes and windswept sand hills. On the off chance that you are on a Tour to Rajasthan, you get a chance to witness the magnificence of history. Engineering and particularly excellent royal residences at Rajasthan would positively take your heart. Go on an abandon safari or extravagances prepare ‘Royal residence on Wheels’ and you will feel like a King on an illustrious visit.

In Rajasthan a visit bundle covers all the vacationer goals. Rajasthan has tremendous tourism openings and Rajasthan tourism offers different visit bundles with heaps of variety. The royal residences of Jaipur, pools of Udaipur, and forsake posts of Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer are the real traveler goal of Rajasthan. In Rajasthan different old and surrendered castles and fortifications have been changed into legacy inns and assume an essential part to help the economy of the state.

Regardless of the way that a major part of the aggregate range is forsake, and despite the fact that there is minimal backwoods cover, Rajasthan has a rich and changed widely varied vegetation. Rajasthan has four natural life sanctuaries, these havens draw in gathering of species from all over to their transitory region that give loose survival. In the winter season, the entire untamed life echoes with delightful sounds and entrancing visuals against the sprawling glades of vegetation. Rajasthan is the protected place of the tigers amongst other Rajasthan destinations.

Rajasthan is a place where there are mystical dreams and with rich culture and legacy, Rajasthan is the mixing of excellent conventional urban areas. Each city of Rajasthan has an extraordinary culture and distinctive shading. Rajasthan’s Grand royal residences and unpleasant fortresses, staggering deserts, lush slopes and quiet lakes, clamoring towns and calm towns, mind boggling widely varied vegetation and obviously, the bright and lively individuals of Rajasthan shape a many-sided woven artwork of mystery, greatness and rusticity.

Today Rajasthan is an acclaimed visitor goal because of the mystique of expansive number of posts, castles and havelis in every city which were at one time the regal states. The nearby dialect of Rajasthan is “Rajasthani” and well-known axioms clarify that the dialect and the men’s turban changes each 24 km which adds to the tourist packages of Rajasthan. You can without much of a stretch vibe the change of disposition and beat of this traveler goal changes starting with one locale then onto the next district and from season to season.

Easily the most majestic mammal in the animal kingdom, the African lion has been considered the king of beasts since antiquity; the feline even holds a spot in the Holy Bible as a premier animal. Framed by a golden mane and harboring a ferocity and bravery unmatched by most other animals, the lion is also the only social cat – in the sense that its entire life revolves around the pride.

The other big cats, such as the leopard, jaguar and tiger, are definitely solitary animals and meet up infrequently to mate. In the case of the tiger, in particular, the self-established hunting boundaries of a male and female may overlap somewhat.

The boundaries of males NEVER overlap, because entering the territory of one male leads to a fight for dominance. The offending tiger isn’t merely encroaching on potential food; he is also encroaching on potential female mates – which is an absolute no-no in the animal kingdom. This is a constant theme among any of the animals – whether they’re carnivores or herbivores.

The Lion Pride

On the plains of Africa, a lions pride is usually comprised of a bevy of female lions – known as lionesses – many cubs, and several male lions. The females are almost always related, as it is rare for a pride to accept an alien as their own – although it does happen. There are sisters, mothers, daughters and the occasional grandmother as the female contingent. The males are usually brothers, with one dominant lion that is the only one who breeds with all the females.

The other male lions are there for protection against external threats, and even though they are relatively subordinate to the dominant male, they all eat first from the females’ kill. Usually, these males roam their established range, leaving marks and droppings to signal their territory to passing denizens of the plains. Sometimes, the brothers eventually leave the pride of their dominant sibling in search of their own feline harems.

Lion Cubs and the Lion Pride

Although the pride of African lions is very much a family, the beginnings of a new male’s rule can be as brutal as anything ever witnessed by man. After defeating or running off the former, usually aging king, a coalition (or single) male lion will then hunt down his offspring.

Upon finding them, a one-sided bloodbath commences, as the African lion mauls them all so that the females will once again come into estrus; his sole intent is to father his own exclusive line. The lionesses reluctantly watch this, unable to do anything about the familial carnage being wrought by the 500 lb. behemoth. Their father wasn’t strong enough to ward off the danger, and the circle of life must first resume with a harbinger of death.

Shortly afterwards, the dominant male African lion will mate with all the of-age females and truly claim the pride as his own, by bringing forth new life that all carry his genes. The cubs will be born, and the father lion will be playful and gruff with them; although the task of raising them and bringing them to teen age lies with the lionesses of the pride, all of whom serve as a collective motherhood.

One day, the male cub lions will come of age and leave the pride to find their own stables – after all, the of-age females are all his sisters. The lioness cubs will grow and almost always remain within the pride, as their mothers age and someday pass on. Their father and possibly uncles will pass on, too – although they are usually killed by young upstarts, who then begin the cycle all over again.

Below are some common animals used in activating sectors in Feng Shui. There is a long list of animals you can use, this is just a sampling of them.

Cow: The Chinese honor the cow because it pulls the plow used to prepare the fields from which they reap their harvest and it represents the season of Spring.

Crane. Symbolizes fidelity and longevity. Placed with a water feature in the North, it represents good fortune, wealth, wisdom and longevity for mother and father.

Dolphins: Considered magical creatures. They are said to help you to think more freely and creatively. You may place dolphins in your child’s room or in your office.

Dragon: The dragon is one of the four Celestial Animals in Feng Shui and is the animal of the East. They can be placed almost anywhere in your home, but I would at least have one in the East. The dragon is considered “All Powerful” and is said to bring about wealth, prosperity, power, protection, great success, good luck and abundance. If you have a dragon that is holding or protecting a round object, that is said to be the Pearl of Life and symbolizes wisdom and great achievement. They do not belong in bedrooms or bathrooms.

Eagle: A picture or figurine of an eagle in full flight is an excellent symbol of success, strength, power and authority. Always have an eagle flying or perched on a tree do not show one looking fierce and predatory. Best placed in your career sector or N corner of your desk or office

Elephant: Elephants are considered sacred creatures in Feng Shui and are probably best known for their symbolism of wisdom. They also symbolize good luck, fidelity, fertility, longevity and virility.

Fish: (Arowana, Money Carp). The Fish is a symbol of wisdom, faith, freedom, wholeness and purity. In Chinese, the Arowana is called “Kam Lung Yue”, which means Golden Dragon Fish. This name is synonymous with great wealth in abundance. Fish represent Yang energy which brings good fortune into your home or business. Fish also symbolizes freedom from restriction. The fish is often seen on the soles of the Buddha’s feet which represents the power of energy.

Fu Dogs: Fu Dogs are part lion and part dragon. They are used to protect your home or office from negative energies and to ward off evil or people with bad intentions form entering your home. The male represents domain of the world at large, and the female represents offspring and home These are intended to be placed on the ground and to flank your front door. Place the male with a ball under paw on left side of door as you face out. The Female with a lion cub under her paw should be on the right.

Horse: In a galloping stance, the horse represents nobility, fame & recognition and is also used for single people looking for a life partner. Do not display a raring horse directly in front of or behind you. The best location to place the horse is the living room and in the South sector of your home or desk. Do not display the horse in any of the bedrooms.

Iguana: The iguana symbolizes creativity, spontaneity and playfulness. It is a good item to place in your child’s Personal Development sector.

Lion: Symbolizes courage and bravery. It is considered as a guardian and protector of businesses and homes. A pair of lions with both their front feet on the ground can be placed on either side of the front entry way to your home or business for protection of wealth.

Love Birds: Because love birds form an attachment to their partners and are said to pine away when one dies or they are separated, they represent devotion, fidelity and romantic bliss. Best placed in the SW of home or bedroom. These are the Western Culture’s equivalent to the Chinese Mandarin Duck.

Lucky Cat: The lucky cat has a very powerful symbolism in bringing luck and good fortune into your home. They can be placed in your Good Luck Sector or in the SE corner of home or desk. The legend behind the Luck Cat is as follows: In the 17th century , there was a run down and poverty stricken temple in Tokyo. The temple’s priest was very poor, but he shared what little food he had with his pet, Tama. One day, a feudal lord was caught in a storm while hunting and he took refuge under a big tree near the temple. While he waited for the storm to pass, the man notice Tama, the priest’s cat, beckoning him to come inside the temple gate. The feudal lord followed the cat into the temple and instantly, a lightning bolt struck the place where the lord had been standing. Thus the cat saved his life. From then on, the Lucky Cat has been considered an incarnation of the Goddess of Mercy ( Kwan Yin ).

Mandarin Ducks: Like the love birds, mandarin ducks represent devotion, fidelity and romantic bliss and should be placed in the SW sector of your home or bedroom.

Money Frog: This is a mythical animal known as the “Chan Chu” and is said to appear every full moon near homes that will receive news of increased wealth and good fortune. Also called the “Three Legged Money Frog” it is usually placed right inside your front door facing INTO the home. The coin in it’s mount should be place with the four symbols up, not down. It can also be placed in your wealth sector and next to a cash register. They are never to be placed in a kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.

Panda Bear: This beautiful animal is one of the most endangered animals in existence. It is called Da xiong mao which means giant bear cat in China. The Panda is believed to have magical powers that can ward off natural disasters and evil spirits and is also a symbol of peace.

Peacock: The peacock is the western culture equivalent to the phoenix in China. Placed in the SW of your home or bedroom it is said to attract and enhance happy relationships and marriage.

Phoenix: The phoenix is imaginary creature of the ancient Chinese Feng Shui. The phoenix is usually red or crimson in color and symbolizes the luck of wish fulfillment. The South corner of your home or office can be activated by placing the phoenix there. The phoenix is said to bring opportunities, fame and recognition. When combined with its “soul mate”, the Dragon, put in SW to attract happy relationships and marriage.

Red Bird: This can be an image or a figurine/statue of any kind of bird, a parrot, cardinal, etc. Put in the South for protection.

Rooster: If you have a lot of petty office politics going on in the workplace, displaying a rooster in your office is said to counter this negative energy. The rooster is said to quell arguments, backstabbing and politicking. Also, pointing the beak of a rooster towards a beam or column in the home will deflect the negative chi they can bring.

Tiger: The tiger is considered the king of the wild animals. It is seen as a symbol for royalty, power and fearlessness. An image of the Tiger is believed to dissipate negative chi. The Tiger is very important in Feng Shui because its stripes represent the auspicious balance of Yin and Yang.

Turtles: The turtle symbolizes support, longevity, endurance, wealth, happy family, long generations, good luck and fortune. Because the turtle is one of the celestial animals, it is said to possess protective powers as well. Legend tells us that the turtle has in his body the secret of heaven and earth and the design on his shell shows the Lo Shu magic square which is the guide for life. Turtles can be placed anywhere, but you should really have at least one in the North sector of your home. They can be facing in different directions based on what they are made of. For example: place crystal turtles facing North, metal turtles facing West, wooden facing East or Southeast, ceramic facing Southwest or Northeast. The Dragon Headed Turtle is a powerful symbol of wealth, health, prosperity and protection and should be placed in the North or the Southeast.

Wild Geese: Because wild geese always fly in pairs, they are excellent to put in SW part of your home or bedroom to enhance your romantic relationship. Geese are messengers of good news and represent the married state.

The King of Beasts – through ages the lion has earned unparalleled respect from mankind for his strength, courage and nobility among all other animals. Named ‘Panthera Leo’, lion is the second largest cat with a weight ranging from 350-520 lbs and a body length from 2-2.8 metres for the males. The females are smaller with a weight and height range of 250-350 lbs and 1.4-1.9 metres respectively. Having a wide geographic distribution historically, lions currently reside in the wild only in Africa and India. Similarly two distinct subspecies are broadly recognized – the African and Asiatic Lion.

The oldest fossil record of Panthera Leo dates back 3.5 million years and was discovered in Tanzania. Lions had a huge range historically and were found in Europe and America as early as 10,000 years ago. The Eurasian Cave Lion, followed closely by the American Lion, was perhaps the largest cat to have existed. Both these great cats became extinct during the last ice age with the eradication of their prey animals. Widespread hunting also contributed to their downfall as lions disappeared from North Africa and major parts of Asia, limited today to Sub-Saharan Africa and Gir forest in India.

Lions usually have a uniform coloration, varying from golden to brown. Cubs frequently have spots on their coat that disappear as they age. Sometimes they persist and are visible on limbs and belly, that usually is whitish in color (particularly in lionesses). Male lions are the only cats to sport a mane, though male tigers frequently have mane-like hair surrounding their skull. However, mane in case of lions extends to their neck, shoulders and belly. The evolutionary origin of the mane is a subject of some controversy with some authorities maintaining that is an indication of sexual prowess and testosterone levels while others argue that its chief function is protection against other lions in fights. Both views appear to be true, however mane is frequently seen to be linked with environmental conditions. Captive lions in cooler climates of Europe and North America sport heavier manes whereas the lions of bushy Tsavo region in Kenya are maneless. Lions have the largest skull amongst all cats, with strong jaws and canines designed to suit their carnivorous lifestyle.

Lions have a social lifestyle unique from all other cats. They live in groups, called prides, that vary in number from 3-5 in case of Asiatic lions to up to 30-40 in African lions’ case. Group living offers them several advantages including cooperative hunting and protection for the cubs. A pride usually consists of 1-3 adult male lions and 10-20 lionesses and their cubs. Female lionesses usually stay in a pride for the entirety of their lives, wheres males are removed from the pride by the adults as they reach maturity, and must search and take over a pride of their own.

Lions are excellent hunters and are capable of taking down prey of any size owing to their specialized hunting skills. Females are the chief hunters and owing to their sleek yet immensely strong body structure are one of the most fearful hunters in all of animal kingdom. Usual approach is to circle the targeted prey and close in gradually. Couple of lionesses initiate the charge with the specific purpose of scaring and confusing the herd as they run straight towards the remaining members of the pride that stalk the prey’s exit routes. Death is usually by suffocation however, lions are fully capable of killing up to medium-sized animals by swats from their giant forepaws. In fact lionesses often specialize in killing even large prey like zebra by breaking their neck through shear momentum as they try to avulse it during their leap.

Contrary to popular belief, recent research shows that males partake in up to 50-60% of all hunts – particularly for big prey like the cape buffalo. However, the chief function of the big males is protection of the pride from outside threats. With a big mane, immensely strong forequarters and powerful jaws – lions are perhaps the best fighters amongst land mammals. The other predominant feature of the male lion is his bravery. Great hunters and historians maintain the lion as the king of beasts because of its great strength and courage. While the tiger slinks away through the forest, the lion stands his ground, at times showing incredible daring. There are few things more fearful than a hungry lion and at times his mere roar has caused many a hunters to fall from the machan to lion’s hungry jaws. Lion’s roar is in fact the loudest amongst all cats and on a clear day carries over several kilometers.

Lions usually prey on antelope, gazelle, zebra, wildebeest, warthog and buffalo. However lions have been known to prey on elephants and hippos in Botswana. There are accounts of black rhinoceros kills in Etosha national park by lions. At times lions, driven by disease, lack of prey or habitat encroachment by humans, turn to man-eating. Man-eating lions display supreme cunning and daring and are highly feared by African natives, considered demons and supernatural spirits. Apart from all his savagery, lion displays nobility too and unlike the leopard, rarely attacks humans unless driven by extreme hunger.

Lions mate several times in a year and females give birth to up to four or five cubs after a gestational period lasting nearly three and a half to four months. Cubs suckle from their mothers and other pride females up to six months and in case of males usually stay with the pride up to two years of age. Despite protection of the pride, up to 50% of lion cubs in the wild do not survive owing to starvation or occasional cannibalism by other lions. When nomadic male lions take over a pride from the resident males, after a bloody and often mortal battle, they kill their cubs. This serves not only to bring the lionesses in heat but also to ensure only their gene pool continues in the next generation. The average reign of a male lion over a pride is usually 3 years. He is in his peak condition from 4 years to 9 years of age, and his authority is absolute over the plains of Africa!

The Magic of Friendship is a delightful allegorical story about a gander that tells his juvenile son about a fierce tiger that incurs fear among all the animals in the Tadoba Forest. While the two prepare a time of celebration with other animals in the forest, they happen to fall upon a serendipitous object lesson. Incorporating themes of bullying and friendship amid the Indian culture, Kommuru’s recent book has great potential to connect with children internationally.

Rising children’s author Kommuru, has created a story that aptly reflects his promise to always write sensible stories with some moral to them. Additionally, Kommuru, in collaboration with graphic artist Ross, grabs the attention of young readers around the world from the get go by first introducing every child’s well-loved story characters: animals. Ross’s depictions deftly capture personalities that children can easily associate with in the bullying Babbar (a tiger), the lighthearted but fearful Hasmukh (a donkey), the prankish Ullu (an owl), the wise Captain (a gander), and the curious Chotu (his son).

Kommuru is a true storyteller. Written in third person, he opens his narrative with a conversation the Captain has with Chotu as they fly around, instead of over, the Tadoba Forest. Captain intends not only to point out “the undisputed king of Tadoba,” but also to tell how he survived Babbar’s mighty roar. Although young readers will quickly identify the father-child relationship between Captain and Chotu, and will be amused with Hasmukh’s and Ulle’s antics, they will be amused to find out that the Babbar has a soft side to his ferocious personality. While keeping his sentences short, Kommuru’s narrative flows constantly amid characters engaged in conversation, in playful bantering, and in various funny and serious action scenes.

Kommuru brings attention to the issue of bullying, and in particular the bully, without ever using those terms. The animals undoubtedly want to stay clear of Babbar. Compared to Ross’s warm and funny animals, designed with soft, rounded lines with muted colors, Babbar’s sharp, distinct lines and bold hues make him look mean. Yet it is the Captain who sees right through Babbar’s intimidating facade. He recognizes that even though Babbar can get anything he wants, the truth is that he is sad. Kommuru indirectly raises the awareness that bullies in reality are pretty miserable people. Overpowering others ultimately does not garner happiness. Kommuru balances his narrative by integrating an interesting and heart-warming turn of events when Babbar eventually builds a friendship with one of the least likely forest animals.

Committed to introducing Indian culture into children’s literature, Kommuru has set The Magic of Friendship in the heart India amid an imagined Tadoba Forest, which is not that farfetched from the real Tadoba National Park and Tiger Reserve near Maharashtra, India. Including other aspects of the country, such as the banyan tree – its national tree, and Kojagiri, an Indian term loosely related to a celebration, Kommuru’s story opens opportunities for children to learn and ask questions about another part of the world.

Closing with a great moral that children will easily be able to figure out, The Magic of Friendship, is not just a fascinating read. Wonderfully written with aptly complementing illustrations, it is also a welcomed addition to children’s literature.

One of the many wonderful experiences that visitors to India can enjoy is watching that most magnificent of animals, the Tiger. Travel through the vibrant grasslands or lush forests of the country’s wildlife reserves, and a Tiger sighting may be just around the next turn. Guides and visitors alike use their senses to detect animals in the wild – and the same is true of this beautiful big cat, whose highly developed senses makes them one of the most effective predators in the world. Here are some of the ways in which their adaptations allow them to thrive in their environment.

Vision

A vital adaptation for all big hunting cats is excellent vision. For the Tiger, travel at night or through dark, dense areas of forest is an important part of the animals’ hunting activity, and their eyesight is well suited to this. Like humans, they have binocular vision, meaning both eyes are used together to provide a wider field of view and good depth perception; their eyes are also large, allowing large pupils so that the eye receives more light even in low-lit conditions. Finally, their eyes contain a tapetum lucidum, a mirror-like layer behind the retina that reflects light inside the eye, enhancing night vision and making the eyes appear to glow when light is shone on them.

Hearing

As well as finely adapted eyesight, these animals need to be able to hear well. Their large external ears, or pinnae, are excellently adapted tools, each of which can be moved independently, allowing it to pinpoint sounds or listen to several sounds at once. Their sensitive hearing allows them to pick up high-frequency sounds made by rodents, allowing them to hunt extremely effectively.

Smell and Taste

For an individual Tiger, travel around the area of its habitat may be for many reasons: hunting, seeking a mate, establishing a range, or avoiding threats. Its enhanced sense of smell can help with all of these. The senses of smell and taste are connected in many species, but the Tiger has a specially developed sensory organ on the roof of its mouth that lets it ‘taste’ the air and build up a better awareness of its surroundings than it could by using its nose or mouth alone.

Touch

A final tool in this big cat’s arsenal of sensory hunting aids is its sense of touch, especially in one of nature’s most elegant sensory organs – the whiskers, or vibrissae. These long, deeply set hairs are most notably grouped above the lips, and with their hundreds of nerves form a super-sensitive grid that allows detection of objects or motion – down to the smallest movement of the air. Those who have seen a Tiger travel at night will have noticed its acute awareness of its surroundings – this is why.

India has a rich and diverse wildlife in the world as 8% of world’s biodiversity lies here. A callous reality of the fast-track development of the country lies in turning one’s back when it comes to biological species. It is tremendously exasperating that animal species are on the verge of extinction today. In India we may find 2546 species of fishes, 198 species of amphibians, 423 species of mammals and 408 species of reptiles. Some of the wild animals found in India include the royal bengal tiger, Asian elephant, leopard, Asian black bear, rhinoceros, hyena, Asiatic lion, wild dog, golden jackal and many more.

These beautiful animal species in India needs to be protected as their number may pelt down in coming years. For this a dedicated space is designed to nurture the growth of these magnificent animals. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries serves the above purpose. Protection, recreation and conservation of animals are a requisite that is rendered by national parks. And to safeguard animals, animal sanctuaries are maintained. These are managed by the government and rangers ensure that no harassment, poaching or hunting of the animals takes place.

Every year 22 May is celebrated as International Day for Biological Diversity. As India has a wide assortment of flora and fauna wildlife sanctuary and national parks in India has enthralled lot of tourists around world. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) there are 543 wildlife sanctuaries and India is home to more than 166 National parks. Wildlife hideaway is also called a Wildlife sanctuary. Category VI Protective Areas have 50 Tiger reserves that are under Project Tiger as Bengal Tigers are the most protective species from other species in India. Wildlife shelters such as the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is a natural habitat for tigers and elephants, Kaziranga National Park for rhinoceros and Govind Wildlife Sanctuary give a splendid glimpse of Snow Leopards.

National parks and wildlife shelters on the Indian land proffer great benefits. Since man is creating menace to wildlife in India the confined National parks and wildlife shelters keep animal species out of harm’s way. Not only animals but mountains, gorges, dunes etc are also disappearing due to development. Hence it also conserves landscapes. Tribes also dwell in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and it protects culture of indigenous people. These spaces offer a fantastic site of recreation and leisure to its visitors.

Animal Sanctuaries have dotted Indian landscape with affluent and vivid animal species and have created history on how soft lives are embraced and fostered in India.

Are you the kind of guy your officemates would call a real “professional,” and mean it?

We all want to be called professional at work for obvious reasons. We want to be the guy our officemates gravitate to for help, for advice, for conversation or just plain hanging out. We want our officemates to greet us “good morning,” with a special ring and a smile, be gifted a large bouquet on our birthday or other anniversaries. We want management to consult us for operational problems, give us special assignments, or the first on the list for promotion.

I am sure you are pricked with envy each time your office buddies refer to an associate as a real professional when he/she passes by and wish, deep inside, that you, too, will earn the same respect and admiration.

But you can. Being a professional is not a birth-right but bestowed upon those who deserve the title, albeit, unofficial. While there is something magical in being called “professional,” there is nothing magical about becoming one. A superb mansion didn’t come into being on its own but by slowly building it up from a bucket of concrete.

You can become one if you desire it so. Paulo Coelho said:

“When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person realize them.”

It does not require a genius to become a professional. No science, no math, no complicated calculations are needed. All you have to do is to sincerely take inventory of yourself and benchmark with those who are called real “pros.”

So let’s start by asking yourself these questions and see how you measure up:

1. What is my level of competence?

That you still have your job means you are competent enough..

But professionals are just not satisfactorily competent. Floyd Mayweather is a competent boxer. But he’s got to be well beyond that to earn the title “pound for pound king of boxing,” and Tiger Woods could not have won four Maters Tournaments if he is just competent. He must be a lot more than that.

A professional stands 10 feet taller in competence over the rest of the pack.

2. Am I reliable?

When a professional gives his/her word or makes a commitment, it is as good as done. They can be relied upon to accomplish any assigned task, or submit accurate reports on time.

Are you in that league now?

3. Do I listen to others?

Not just pretend to listen but really listen, understand what others are talking about, and provide feedback where necessary.

People are naturally hard of listening and will only do so to find an opening to butt in. To listen is to show respect of others.

4. Do I talk of people behind their backs?

This is the most common pastime of people who have nothing better to do in the office. Not just plain gossip, but potentially harm the character and career of others.

I had two associates in my former job who were forced to retire because of the incessant sniping by envious subordinates.

Professionals don’t engage in gutter language, or destroy other people to achieve their lofty ambitions. They are always upfront, and, on the contrary, are supportive, not destructive of others.

5. Do I have a positive attitude?

Do you know why professionals attract people? Because they are optimists. Nobody likes to be around people who are gloomy in their outlook.

I am sure you are turned off, too, of people who could never see the positive side of things; people who always have something negative to say of anything that goes on around them.

6. Am I focused in my job?

Do you snap at people because you had a row with your wife, or your children are not doing well in school?

Don’t let your personal problems get in the way of doing your job well. Put everything in its proper perspective. Nobody likes to deal with people who are moody and easily thrown off balance by things that have nothing to do with work.

7. Do I have integrity?

Integrity is the set of personal characteristics that justify trustworthiness and generate trust among the people you work with.

Integrity has four facets, e.g., accountability, competence, ethics and incorruptibility.

In all my years of working, I have had the sad experience of working with very competent people but could not be trusted in discharging the responsibilities entrusted to them

8. Am I supportive of others?

Professionals never fear threatened by competition because they know they can hold their own in any situation. Thus, they are very supportive of others’ aspirations. They are very helpful and supportive.

They are always willing to let go of an excellent-performing subordinates so they can carve their own destinies as well.

9. Am I enthusiastic?

Professionals are infectious in their enthusiasm. That is where they derive their charisma, their power to move and motivate people around them

10. Do I seek knowledge?

People considered professionals are never static in their skills and knowledge. They frequently update themselves in the latest developments, not only in their field of work, but in other areas as well.

This allows them to engage in conversations covering different areas of interests in life.

Honest self-assessment is probably one of the most difficult things to do, simply because of ego or our own biases about things. It may also entail making changes in the way we think and do things. And change is always a traumatic experience.

Oftentimes, however, we are pressed into doing it to find happiness and career satisfaction. The above is a good starting point. They may be difficult at first, but not impossible. With constant practice, they become a part of you. When that happens, you become what you have always wanted to be.

Now that the Tiger Woods affair is officially out of the bag and I’ve gotten over my initial shock disgust, it does shed light on some important issues of infidelity and monogamy that beg exploring further. Why did he do it, especially with such a perfect life and wife? The fact that he could cheat on a beautiful former model makes no woman safe, and raises questions from women like, “Well if he could cheat on HER, then men will cheat on anyone!” Well after taking a stab on the situation, I’ve broken down my analysis of the reasons why Tiger, and most men, cheat on their beautiful women, in hopes that you’ll take the learning lessons from them and contemplate yourself.

1. Self-Sabotage. It’s been seen time and time again with celebrities, from Britney Spears to Mel Gibson to Michael Jackson, and recognized even more clearly by relationship experts like myself – the pattern of sabotaging one area of your life when everything else is going successfully, even at it’s peak. Cheating is one of those things that is largely the manifestation of this self-sabotage, on the more successful the person is, and the more they have to lose, unfortunately, the more often we tend to see these types of behaviors show up.

2. Power & Success. The man’s level of success and power is the first major factor that’s at play here. The more powerful and successful the man is, the more attractive he is to women and the greater the abundance of women and options he has right at his fingertips. Add to that this continuous inflow of women and affection feeds their power and ego even further, so they literally become addicted to the attention and being completely faithful to just one woman simply deprives them of that.

3. Opportunity. Opportunity is everywhere for these men in power, beautiful women and sex is being constantly thrown in their face. They may even rationalize it by thinking, “If I say yes to only 1 out of every 500 women that pushes themselves on me…That’s pretty good!”

4. Boredom at home: The fact that these men have such an abundance of women and opportunities all the time, these women that they’re married to need to realize this and make sure they step up their level of excitement and variety at home. They need to be extra cautious not to fall into the trap of letting themselves get too comfortable and gaining weight, slipping into predictable routines, and neglecting the romance. Exhibit A: Jennifer Anniston vs. Angelina Jolie.

5. Challenge: Men often cheat to gain some of the excitement and challenge back that they lost since entering into a monogamous relationship. People often make the mistake of wrapping their whole worlds around their partner, expressing their love and commitment to them freely and as a result, diminishing any sense of challenge left for their partner. Even though a woman may be a celebrity and a beautiful one at that, she is still subject to this same crime and therefore prone to creating the same outcome with her man. If she loses herself in him and gives him no challenge at all, no matter how beautiful she is, he will still eventually wonder if he settled and be turned on by a woman who gives him more of a chase.

These are some of the most common reasons why men cheat, and why I personally feel like Tiger cheated, even with having such a wonderful life and beautiful wife by his side. Read em, learn from ’em…and Post your Comments and Thoughts!

First, let me say that Tiger Woods is my favorite golfer, perhaps not of all time but my current favorite golfer. I only watch golf on TV when Tiger is playing at least until this week at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitations golf tournament on the South Course of the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Until this week I couldn’t understand why anyone would watch a PGA event in which he wasn’t a competitor. This week was Tiger’s first, and maybe not last, example of mediocrity.

Of all the records Tiger has set, I can’t think of another that reflects his domination of the sport; going into this week’s tournament Tiger had won it 7 of the last 10 times he played. Sure I can. He has been the world’s number 1 golfer for 270 consecutive weeks, that’s nearly 6 years. During his 15 year professional career he has been the number 1 golfer for 611 weeks, that’s nearly 12 years! He is challenging Jack Nicklaus record of 18 major wins (Tiger 14), Sam Snead’s 82 career PGA wins (Tiger 71) and his Tiger Woods/Nike brand is renowned world wide. Only a year ago no one thought his career was in jeopardy, but after watching this past weekend I’m not so sure it isn’t the end of at least his dominance and maybe his career.

Because I love the game so much, watching Tiger on Thursday and Friday was grueling for me as it must have been for all of his supporters. I couldn’t watch on the week-end; it would have only ruined my taste for golf even more. I did open the PGAtour.com leaderboard occasionally hoping to see at least a glimpse of the old Tiger. It never happened. He finished in a tie for 78th place; only one player finished below him.

The game of golf is so much bigger than Tiger but at this time he is what has been making our game great. Others before him, Jones, Hagen, Hogen, Snead, Palmer and Nicklaus were the greats of their times. They were to golf what Tiger is now, not more but not less either. I had the privilege to watch Arnold Palmer up close and personal during his heyday in the early 60’s. Not only was Arnold a great golfer but he was one of us. He was personal, outgoing, kind, gentle and humble. I never heard anyone say anything negative about “The King”.

On my blog I have a survey which asks “TIGER HAS 14 MAJOR WINS. WILL TIGER: 1. Break Jack’s Record of 18 Majors, 2. Equal Jack’s Record of 18 Majors, 3. Win 3 More Majors, 4. Win 2 More Majors, 5. Win 1 More Major or 6. Become Just Another PGA Pro. After watching this week I could have asked the question 7. quit? I doubt it but I don’t believe Tiger will accept mediocrity if that is his future in golf. I believe and hope that he again takes some time off, maybe even a year or more and come back when he is really ready to be the old Tiger if that’s possible.

Loren…