Significantly In Plant And Wildlife Preservation? 6 Dec 2021, 5:59 am

 The news that wildlife is at risk seems upsetting... in the start but numbs eventually. It doesn't matter if it is the California condors, tigers, pandas, mountain gorillas, or the coral reefs.

Is worrying about them worth it? Certainly! If cute pandas vanished, we will feel sad, but we don't depend on them. Nevertheless, it is extremely crucial to care about humans rather than spending millions on animal preservation.

The cost of preserving wild and plant life is significant - Is it essential?

Actually, extinction is natural, and the ones we are aware of is the disappearance of dinosaurs 65 million years in the past. Nonetheless, species are vanishing faster than ever. It has increased a hundredfold across the last century. The humans are to be blamed. Fortunately, humans adore the natural world, and even wild animals are thought to be fascinating, majestic, and cute.

The aesthetic value of beautiful nature is worth it, so some prefer that it needs to be preserved just like paintings and architecture. However, some people don't connect with animals or plants, which are plain obscure, ugly, or smelly.

In Western countries, tigers are preserved because they look nice. In rural India, they are not welcome because tigers are a threat to their family. You can see that every person has their likes and dislikes, but there is a need for practical reason to conserve endangered wildlife.

Practical reasons to invest in wildlife preservation

Nature offers myriads of 'Ecosystem Services'

• The bio-prospecting process includes exploring nature to discover useful commercial products. New medicines can get discovered without trekking dangerous miles in the jungle with the dim hope of uncovering a miracle plant species.

• Besides, there is the issue of local people who are already familiar with the medicinal plant uses and don't like strangers trying to designate them.

• The other dilemma is what happens to those species, which are not useful. For example, the Mountain Gorillas blood is impossible to hold a therapeutic use for cancer.

• Fortunately, biologists revealed in 1990 that the plants and animals benefit humans by being there. They offer 'Ecosystem services', which we take for granted.

• The services can be direct or indirect. For example, green plants and sea plankton offer pure oxygen, which is a direct and obvious service. On the other hand, bumblebees are pollinating insects that help several crop plants to produce seeds, or they will not survive or give us food. Their services are subtle, so the decline of pollinating insects can be a concern.

Imagine if there were no plants on the earth, humans would need to engineer a chemical processing plant to produce oxygen and even water. If there was nothing to eat, then produce artificial food, which will be hard to digest.

Will you be able to create good microorganisms living in the gut artificially? Instead of, going through all the stress, it seems simple to allow the current wildlife to take care of it for us. The ecosystem services stretch is extraordinarily wide and gigantic when everything gets added.

Strong Ecotourism

• Preserving wildlife is not 'Nature for itself', but can be morally regarded to be 'Nature for people' due to the concept of ecosystem services. Even if you don't care for the wildlife it holds a strong value for the ecotourism sector.

• If you take a selective approach towards conservation like keeping things that attract tourists and leave the rest to go extinct.

• Nevertheless, for specific wildlife, there will be a need for a thick jungle full of trees, which cannot be ignored. It even means you will need to conserve other animals that will help to shape the plant community.

• For many people living near forests plan safari holidays and takes tourists to see the wildlife. These people benefit from the conservation of wildlife. Running tours pay better than farming. Ecotourism is a way, where nature compensates for itself.

Keeps ecosystem stable and resilient

• You cannot separate a couple of wildlife species from the wider network. If you wipe a single species there may not be an issue or it can trigger a domino effect that can change the whole ecosystem.

• Prediction is hard! You can find out if you allow the species to vanish only to find it is very late for reversing the situation. Conservation of the forest is not just saving the wild species, but it ensures regular water supply.

• We have experienced weather fluctuations. Too much rain means floods, and too less defines a drought. Both are life-threatening. The trees on hills ensure a reliable freshwater supply for people residing on lowlands. Forests need to be stable and resilient.

• According to ecologists, ecosystems with a wide range of plant and animal species are stable and strong. They are less susceptible to unexpected die-backs. For example, a small vague worm is not helpful to humans but possibly supports the ecosystem that provides valuable services.

Are There Any Real Benefits of Having Pets? 6 Dec 2021, 5:58 am

 Let's talk about the unexpected and surprising benefits of having pets in your life.

Did you know that there is a powerful bond between animals and humans?

One of the more beautiful and unifying aspects of humanity is witnessing the extraordinary lengths some animal lovers will go to for their animal companions.

Non animal lovers may not get it at all... yet.

So here's the thing: They enjoy a mutual, deep bond and connection that is hard to explain or define, but it doesn't make it any less real or tangible.

Many people have learned the benefits of having pets. And a pet of any kind, whether it's a cat, dog, horse, lizard, or bird who feels loved and secure, will bring great joy to their human.

While some pet owners go to extravagant lengths for their fur babies - throwing them elaborate weddings or birthday parties or dressing them up in awesome costumes - even the simple act of acknowledging their loyalty and love for you is a gift that will reap a lifetime of rewards.

Pets are a window to our soul.

One of the many benefits of having pets is when they show you who you really are. They do that by reflecting, mirroring and acting out aspects of your inner self. And when you pay attention to their messages they can help you become a better person.

This is the phenomenon I call The Human Animal BodyMind Connection and it's an extraordinary thing that once you understand it, it will change your life.

They have no capacity for spite or guile.

When you listen to them, what are they saying about how you're caring for yourself... and them?

They will innately reflect your sense of health and well-being. They are attuned to your energy - mind, body and emotions - and can send you messages about brewing problems long before others can perceive signs of trouble.

And, they can be a great comfort during times of stress, isolation or loneliness.

Health benefits of having pets

We've all heard clichés like, "Dogs are man's best friend."

But have you wondered why? I'll tell you my belief...

Dogs are loyal to a fault.

Animals find joy in the simplest, smallest things.

They have no need for excuses or pretense, they are only ever being themselves.

They go to sleep unencumbered by daily worries and wake up every morning with a clean slate, ready to take on the world with fresh eyes and spirits.

Their buoyancy, resilience, devotion, determination, and optimism are infectious.

Yet, many animals also have an innate sense when someone is in need of support. They don't always take on the worry... they simply reach out to comfort a person in pain.

Not every dog, cat, or horse will be a therapy animal who trains for care in a hospital, as a service animal or companion during times of crisis...

But you should know that your pet is picking up signals from you at all times.

Your horse will sense the tension in you and try to make sense of it, then decide how to help you with that.

Your dog will follow you around the house when they read negative energy trying to figure out what's wrong and how to help you.

You might think they're being a pest - especially when you're feeling agitated. Stop and receive the gift of their love for what it is, and have a conversation with them about what's bothering you. You'll feel better for it, and when you know how to talk with animals they'll be able to tell you what they think too.

Animals understand when things are going wrong, but they lack the power to fix them... or do they?

Countless studies have shown that there is healing power in having a cat purr on your lap, having a dog rest their head in your lap, having a horse remain still while you stroke their face.

Research has revealed that the bond between people and their pets increases fitness, lowers stress, and bring joy to their owners. Some of the many benefits of having pets are that people enjoy:

Decreased blood pressure

Decreased cholesterol levels

Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities

Decreased triglyceride levels

Decreased feelings of loneliness

Increased opportunities for socialization

( Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Pets won't let you withdraw, isolate, or cocoon all alone

It's very difficult to socialize in today's world... and that can magnify depression, anxiety, and a sense of isolation.

Your pet needs your care and attention during good times. They need to play games with you, go for walks with you, learn from you. And, during bad times they still need all those things, but can sense that things aren't right, when you're in pain.

When your dog becomes obsessed with bringing you a toy, or seems to be nagging you to go for a walk, listen to them.

Your cat might be circling your home office chair, pouncing on your computer, intent on distracting you... but really, they're probably telling you it's time to change your focus.

Great Leaders Are Continuous Learners 3 Dec 2021, 12:44 am

 How do you start your day on the right note? You have a choice. How do you handle a difficult situation? What can you do every day to learn from other leaders?

Imagine you were driving a new car on a chilly winter day. Life is grand... until a rusted out Suburban smashes into your rear end. This event happened to me, and once I realized that neither I nor the other driver were injured, I faced a choice; do I fly off the handle and scream at the young woman who decided to rear end me, or do I pause and treat her like a human being.

The young women was apologetic and mentioned that she had been sick and was on her way to take a make-up exam at the local college. I noticed her coat was unbutton and suggested she button her coat as it was quite cold out. I was not happy, but I chose to respond in a positive way!

The way your character is revealed is not when things are going your way; but when the unexpected or unpleasant happens.

The choice is yours! So, how will you handle a difficult situation?

Take a deep breath and calmly respond to the situation.

Begin with a positive happy attitude:

My mother-in -law, Pearl Neustein Berger, always had a positive happy attitude no matter what difficult problems she had to face. She was the 6th child of eight children born to Regina and Herman Neustein who came to America from the Austria Hungarian Empire, Lemberg.

When her husband died of Cancer, she was 41 years old and she had two children to support, ages 5 and 13. She had no education and no job. She decided to take matters into her own hands and found a job at a New York department store, where she stayed for a number of years.

She worked hard to provide for her children, instilling in them strong moral values. She taught them to study, work hard, and to help others. She understood the importance of attending religious services every week to help reinforce their character.

She worked hard to make sure both her children could go to college and graduate school. Shortly after my husband Allan and I were married, my husband had to register for his next semester of graduate school. He was taking evening classes as he had a full-time job during the day. He could not get off work to go to register for classes. I was working that day too.

His Mom, Pearl Berger, had the day off from work and said she would get him registered for school. She always had a positive happy attitude, and was one of the most caring and honorable people I have had the pleasure to know. She was five feet one inches tall and to me she was one of the tallest and strongest women I have known. Her caring attitude and commitment to her family, friends, others made her unforgettable.

What is the best way for you to begin your day? Start with a positive attitude and wear a smile!

The way you respond, and how willing you are to share credit for accomplishments, greatly impacts the people you lead.

Former Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant once said that the way to get people to play their hearts out on the football field was to take the blame when things go wrong and give... that's all it takes to get people to win football games... but to the outside world, Bear Bryant always took the heat.

"If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, then we did it. If anything goes real good, then you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win football games." - Coach Bear Bryant

Is this how the great leaders in your life behave? Is this an attitude you could adopt? It could unlock tremendous potential!

What are 3 ways to improve your leadership skills?

1. Start your day on the right note with a happy positive attitude and a smile.

2. When you have a difficult situation take a deep breath and calmly respond to the situation. As Coach Bear Bryant said, "be willing to take the heat when things go wrong. When things go well, share the credit. When an individual or the team do well, give them the credit."

3. Leaders read every day for 10 to 15 minutes learning from other leaders to help them solve their problems. Leaders are readers and learners constantly evolving, changing, and responding to problems and situations.