WWDC – iOS 15: Safari

The totally redesigned Safari coming with iOS 15 has a lot of cool things that will make it much easier to use across your iPhone, iPad and Macs. Apple shared two goals that were kept in mind with the new Safari

  1. Making controls easier to reach with one hand
  2. Putting content front and center

The very noticeable change is the new URL/search/tab bar at the bottom of Safari which makes it so much easier to access with one hand on the Pro devices. Having developed a few extensions for Safari, I am keen to see how these work now on the phone. But the interesting one for me is tab groups.

source: Apple

Chrome has tab groups which works very well. On iOS however, based on what we saw in the keynote, tab groups look and work a little differently, with labels in your tab bar and a side menu.

Tab groups sync across platforms as well, so you don’t have to worry about extensions or synchronizing stuff, and you can even share them with others. Sharing a tab group is pretty nice and I see myself using this feature a lot.

The new design may take some time to get used to, especially all the different swipes. But the redesign is much needed and useful!

The Four Re’s

Chasing our dreams and goals is never going to be an easy ride. We are bound to get exhausted, overwhelmed, frustrated and even have thoughts of giving up. When I go through this gamut of feelings, I know it is time to take a break to reset, readjust, refocus and restart.

Dale Carnegie used to tell a story about two woodsmen who spent the day chopping firewood. One of them took frequent breaks–every hour or so, he’d stop and take a break. The other worked all day chopping wood, only taking a single, long break to eat.

At the end of the day, the woodsmen who had taken the frequent breaks had chopped almost twice as much wood as the worker who didn’t rest. The obsessive woodsmen asked the one who took frequent breaks how he’d managed to be so much more productive.

The other woodsmen replied, “Didn’t you notice that every time I took a break, I sharpened my axe?”

Yes, we do need to take breaks to sharpen our axe!

This poem by Edgar Guest gives me enough motivation to keep going when the going gets tough

Don’t Quit
Edgar A. Guest

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit –
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about when he
Might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than it seems
To a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up when he
Might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And when you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seem worst,
You must not quit.

Of course it is also important to know that It’s ok to give up on your dreams. We are all meant to fly, it just takes time to earn our wings

WWDC – iOS 15: Focus

Of all the interesting stuff Apple discussed, the one that made me go “WOW” was Focus. It is something that I always wanted on my phone. Ever since we’ve been working from home for over a year now, it has been very challenging for me to disconnect, to have that clear separation between your work and personal life.

Some of the key points on this feature from yesterday’s keynote:

  • Filter notifications and apps based on what a user wants to focus on
  • Customers can create their custom focus or select a suggested Focus
  • Focus suggestions are based on users’ context, like their work hours or while they are winding down for bed
  • When Focus is set on one Apple device, it automatically applies to their other Apple devices. 
  • You can create Home Screen pages with apps and widgets that apply to the moment of focus to reduce temptation

I would have been happy with just notifications..but trust Apple to go two steps further with even allowing you to customise your home screen and widgets. And also syncing it across all your devices!

Can’t wait to get my hands on the beta to start playing around with Focus!

Which features are you looking forward to?

The Secret, The Mirror

This quote by Paulo Coelho reminds me of the Law of Attraction from “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. The book introduced many people to the concept that their thoughts may influence not only their actions but the experiences that they bring into their lives as well. So what does the law of attraction mean?

  • If you focus your attention on achieving a goal and believe not only that you can do it, but that you already have done it, you can achieve virtually any goal you set your mind to.
  • If you focus on what you don’t want, you are inadvertently drawing that into your life. For example, if you constantly ruminate on what is stressing you, you’ll actually draw more of those situations (and accompanying stressed feelings) into your life. Instead, the trick is to focus on what you do want in your life, and you’ll get more of that.
  • The Law of Attraction, the principle that you attract whatever you focus your energy on (good or bad), works with relationships, possessions, goals, and anything else you are able to focus on—even your own health.

If you see yourself as confident and believe that you can attain your goals, then others too will have faith in you. If you come across as hesitant and unsure, then others too will doubt. “The Mirror” is a lovely poem by Justin Farley that touched me deeply the first time I read it.

The Mirror
Justin Farley

The mirror stands tall and peers with endless eyes,
full of the power to change your course in life.
It’s skilled in planting and sowing your demise,
yet is always willing to inspire and energize.
It’s the instigator of failure’s reprise,
or makes goals and dreams actualized.
The mirror grants the viewer a new image with each sunrise,
but only reflects back what the mind supplies.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

The Devil’s Beatitudes

If the devil were to write his beatitudes, they would probably go something like this:

1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers.

2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked – I can use them.

3. Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church – they are my missionaries.

4. Blessed are the trouble makers – they shall be called my children.

5. Blessed are the complainers – I’m all ears to them.

6. Blessed are those who are bored with the minister’s mannerisms and mistakes – for they get nothing out of his sermons.

7. Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church – for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution.

8. Blessed are those who gossip – for they shall cause strife and divisions that please me.

9. Blessed are those who are easily offended – for they will soon get angry and quit.

10. Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God’s work – for they are my helpers.

11. Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister – for he shall be with me forever.

12. Blessed are you who, when you read this think it is about other people and not yourself – I’ve got you too!

Gifts, Talents

The first time I saw this quote on Pinterest, it was attributed to William Shakespeare. It didn’t seem like the thing he would have said. I looked up online and saw that the quote is often attributed to Shakespeare and Pablo Picasso. Although there is no evidence linking either of them to those words, other than a couple of enterprising Etsy shops! :)

There is much evidence that this words came from David Viscott, a psychiatrist and professor at UCLA. Here is the full quote

The purpose of life is to discover your gift
The work of life is to develop it
And the meaning of life is to give your gift away

David Viscott

We’ve all been blessed with amazing gifts and once we discover and develop our gifts, nothing compares to the joy and satisfaction you feel deep down in your heart by sharing your gifts with all around you.

Here is a lovely poem by Desley Finedon

God fashioned all your parts
before you were even born.
He wants you as you are;
for His purpose you were formed.

He made you in His likeness,
unlike the beasts and creatures.
He’s given you gifts and talents;
you are special in your features.

So discover all your talents;
work hard, try lots of things.
Watch for what you’re good at;
these are the gifts God brings.

It may be violin, guitar,
singing or in art,
writing stories, maths,
history, good at facts;
determined, a leader, kind,
thinker, user of your mind,
organiser, helper,
encourager of others.
Or is it sport, a ball or bat,
God has made you strong and good at?
Whatever kind of hat,
develop fully that.

But He gave you gifts to honour Him,
not puff you up or think you’re smart.
Nor should you covet someone else’s gifts
and hide your own: this hurts your heart.

To do your best is how He wants you.
This is the way to be fulfilled.
Do not complain you would be different;
this robs of joy and twists your skills.

God made you very special.
Thank Him for how you are.
Ask Him to use you to bless others
and you will shine just like a star.

24-Hour reset button

They say nature is the best teacher. Each morning we wake up to the rising sun and at dusk the sun sets. This happens every day, without fail. No matter what we’ve accomplished today, no matter how low we feel, the next day is a new beginning, a fresh start.

If our efforts at doing something different, something remarkable have failed today, or we have not been able to achieve what we set out to do, then we do have some time to rest today before we start afresh the next day. It could be something small that we’ve been trying like making your bed in the morning or just a thank you prayer at night.

When I Awake
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

Each day I awake I can lie in bed
Or I can get up and get ahead
A new day to achieve my dreams and goals
Or a day to relax and just take a stroll.

My attitude determines what each new day will bring
I can be thankful for all the little things
Or I can be full of dread and fear
And miss opportunities that are so dear.

Life is too short to waste our days
Get out of bed, be happy and say
A new day has been given to me
I bring to it the best I can be.

For all you Celine Dion fans like me, I am sure you will have recalled by now her song “A new day has come”. Although the context of the song is completely different, I am sure you’ll enjoy listening to it here :)

Don’t let other people control your mood!

We all have people and things in our lives that drive us up the wall! Don’t we? And this is something that will never change. However we are definitely in control of how we respond. Here are a few things that help me respond in a way that makes me less worked up!

No reaction

Most of the time our reactions to situations bothers us even more. Remaining silent is more often than not a better method of dealing with annoyances as opposed to speaking up.

There’s a reason why people don’t voice all their thoughts.

Most of us try to filter our thoughts in order to not make us say negative, naive or hurtful things. This filter normally keeps us cool, calm and well-informed. However, when we are bothered by something, we sometimes forget to use this filter.

Don’t exaggerate

We also tend to exaggerate things that bother us. For example, if a friend/colleague is late for a meeting, our self-talk is around “he/she is always late”. Or if your child/spouse drops something in the kitchen, “you are always breaking things!”

By blowing things out of proportion, we get bothered even more and often start believing the exaggerated version of things which isn’t really helpful.

Assuming the worst

Along with exaggeration, we also tend to assume the worst. There have been situations at work and home where we’ve gotten very upset with someone and then realising the other either wasn’t aware of what you assumed or had some other intention in mind. For example, when someone corrects us, we assume they want to put us down or insult us.

The question we can ask ourselves here is Why. If we are able to truly answer this question, we won’t be as bothered as before.

Reverse empathy

We’ve had situations where others have been very harsh with us, they’ve been rude and nasty. In the heat of moment, we get so worked up with what they’ve said to us. We need to understand that people don’t mean most of what they say when they are angry. Another thing that helps me is reverse empathy. Rather than putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, try to remember a time when you wore the same shoe.

For example if someone is frustrated and angry, go back to a time where you were the same. Why did I get so angry? What did others around me do or say?

When we go down this road, we start helping the other rather than getting worked up and aggravating the situation.

The bottom line is that we can’t let the behaviour of others steal our joy or stop us from being kind.  But if you do, it’s your choice.  Focus on being the best and happiest that you can be – that’s where your energy should go. 

Stop letting people who do so little for you control so much of your mind, feelings and emotions.

Will Smith

Please let me know in the comments below if you have any additional tips for not allowing other people’s emotions to affect you.

Ubuntu ~ There is no future without forgiveness

We’ve all been hurt by others with their words, actions and even inactions. We feel angry, bitter and at times even seek revenge. When these feelings are prolonged, they become imprisoning. As has often been said, the victim becomes twice a victim – a victim of the event and of an all-absorbing bitterness. And subsequently leads to renewing the cycle of hurt with yourself and those around you.

When you forgive, you in no way change the past – but you sure to change the future.

Bernard Meltzer

Every culture has a unique way of seeing forgiveness. In Hawaiian there is a term called “ho’oponopono” which loosely translated means ‘I am sorry, please forgive me, I love you’. In Sierra Leone people use “fambul tok” (literally, “family talk” in Krio, one of the local languages) to offer forgiveness. The word “ubuntu” in the Zulu language is more of a philosophy of forgiveness and reconciliation based on a shared humanity.

Credit: BBC/Getty Images

Ubuntu really blew my mind as it takes forgiveness to a whole new level. It is obviously very difficult to practice and embrace, especially when you are hurting. In a state of non-forgiveness, we close our hearts in order to protect ourselves from any more hurt or pain. In this state we’re cut off from feeling love, not only for the person who hurt us, but for ourselves as well. We cannot truly be the person we are called to be for all those around us.

Forgiveness is a recognition of our ubuntu nature, which is the truth of who we are. Ubuntu tells a story about humanity that allows us to see the bigger picture.

As I walked out the door toward my freedom I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind I would still be in prison.

Nelson Mandela

When I think of forgiveness and ubuntu, Nelson Mandela comes to mind. For him to forgive those who imprisoned him for 27 years, he had to know and believe something that most of the world has failed to grasp. He emerged from prison and stated: “As I walked out the door toward my freedom I knew that if I did not leave all the anger,
hatred and bitterness behind I would still be in prison.”

Here is Barack Obama talking about Ubuntu at Mandela’s memorial, a spirit that Nelson Mandela embodied

When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel.  Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.

Catherine Ponder

Dissolve the link and unleash your ubuntu nature! It’s not easy, but definitely not impossible!

Whoever has the Son, has it all

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art..

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas,

There was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands..

He said, ‘Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly… He often talked about you, and your love for art.’ The young man held out this package. ‘I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.’

The father

Opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. ‘Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.’

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. ‘We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?’

There was silence…

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, ‘We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.’

But the auctioneer persisted ‘Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?’
Another voice angrily. ‘We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!’

But still the auctioneer continued. ‘The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?’
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. ‘I’ll give $10 for the painting…’ Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

‘We have $10, who will bid $20?’
‘Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.’

The crowd was becoming angry They didn’t want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. ‘Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!’

A man sitting on the second row shouted, ‘Now let’s get on with the collection!’

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. ‘I’m sorry, the auction is over.’

‘What about the paintings?’

‘I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will… I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!’

God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the Cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: ‘The Son, the Son, who’ll take the Son?’

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything!

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE…THAT’S LOVE!