Henry David Thoreau's great quotations ..

I have selected some of the famous quotations from Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) which caught my attention and which have a profound impact on anyone who reads it. (images are courtesy quotefancy.com)

How to be happy at work ?

It was very interesting an eye catching to catch an article from Harvard Business Review  reported in 2019 which spoke of the important factors that helped one to be more happy at work. It was the result of research carried out by Rob Cross, Professor at Babson College. Click here

The author through the paper tries to highlight the important points that led to happiness at work.

1. Work in one or two non-work committees or activities, example is being member of some sports club or cultural group or some social organisations doing voluntary work.

2. Making time for non-work commitments or relationships, outside work broadens one's perspective - helps sustain mental and physical energy. I do some voluntary work every three months, donating blood etc, that keeps me energised throughout the year.

3. Spend more time on relationships that helps us or the family. Our professional relationships are beneficial for getting benefits or promotions etc, which can be short lived. On the other hand broadening personal relationships are much more long lived than professional relationships. 

4. Block time regularly for carrying out energising projects, breaks, vacation or relaxation. Writing blogs on interesting professionally topics for the benefit of my students, friends and relatives, to society and world at large gives me great satisfaction and happiness. 

5. Creating rules as to when to check mails / social media daily. Being disciplined at using time gainfully and productively helps in the long run. 

6. Shift from professional to personal space at the end of day. In other words it is as good as saying dont take work home. Practice good work-life balance.

Social connections play a central role in fostering sense of purpose and well being at the workplace. 

Most of the people do not have a goal or aim in life which often leads to a less productive life.  The HBR author Rob Cross writes,

“Playing defense [means] you are always reactive and living in fear. The only way to get out of it is to get clarity on who you are and what you want to do, and start forging a path and network that enable you to get there.”

It is people, not perfect job that leads to fulfilment in life.

We need to invest in relationships that will keep us happy throughout our professional life and even afterwards.

George..

How can end-of-use tyre disposal be made environmentally friendly ?

How many years more will it take for humanity to understand this predicament and act accordingly to find an innovative way to handle this threat facing humanity. Tyres cause so much atmospheric pollution if allowed to burn in the open, so controlled environment incineration is the only solution. But all the components inside the tyre, rubber, chemicals, filler materials etc which have got thermal content and can be beneficially routed as a fuel substitute is wasted on incineration.

Tyres are a menace everywhere and it is clear in Kuwait where millions of old tyres are waiting either to be recycled or disposed so that future generations do not suffer for this bad state of affairs. The reason is that tyres are not bio-degradable, even if you wait for 500 years it just breaks down into smaller non biodegradable particles, thats all.
At the time of manufacturing tyres, the rubber and chemical mixture has gone through so high temperature and pressure, that the resulting tyre molecule is no complex, that only high temperature and pressure can disturb it again, not the normal atmospheric temperature and pressure.

This tyre cemetery is even visible from space.

What is the most innovative way to check this environmental pollution ? How can we reduce the annual piling up of used rubber tyres across the world at different places. Can we use tyres to

Like old containers are being used to build sturdy houses or warehouses for industrial use can we use tyres productively ?

• build strong compound walls so that the bricks and mortar can be saved ?
• pave Industrial flooring
• pave footpath by the side of roads and highways
• passenger seat benches on sides of highways
• garden stools
• flower pots
  

Innovative way to dispose of old tyres will indeed be a blessing for mankid.

George