MONDAY 4th JANUARY 2016 06:18 GMT

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
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1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
4th January 2010
The official opening of the Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the tallest artificial structure in the world, standing at 829.8 m (2,722 ft).

Construction of Burj Khalifa began in 2004, with the exterior completed in 2009. The primary structure is reinforced concrete. The building opened in 2010, as part of the new development called Downtown Dubai. It is designed to be the centerpiece of large-scale, mixed-use development. The decision to build the building is reportedly based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition. The building was named in honor of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Abu Dhabi and the UAE government lent Dubai money to pay its debts. The building broke numerous height records, such as having the world's highest mosque.

Burj Khalifa was designed by Adrian Smith then of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), whose firm also designed the Willis Tower and the One World Trade Center. Hyder Consulting was chosen to be the supervising engineer with NORR Group Consultants International Limited chosen to supervise the architecture of the project. The design of Burj Khalifa is derived from patterning systems embodied in Islamic architecture, incorporating cultural and historical elements particular to the region such as the spiral minaret. The Y-shaped plan is designed for residential and hotel usage. A buttressed core structural system is used to support the height of the building, and the cladding system is designed to withstand Dubai's summer temperatures. A total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators are installed, with the elevators having a capacity of 12 to 14 people per cabin.

Critical reception to Burj Khalifa has been generally positive, and the building received many awards. However, the labour issues during construction have been controversial, since the building was built primarily by workers from South Asia and East Asia, who earned low wages and were reportedly housed in poor conditions.

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Housework
Meditation
Client prep and session
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 2,065 (no change)
Non-followed eliminated = 0
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Unfollowers eliminated = 0
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New Followers followed back = 0
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Spammers not followed back =0
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3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION

With Missus returning to work today, it feels like the "old routine" is back in full swing - no bad thing, because as nice as holidays are, the fixed rhythms of work are essential to wellbeing. If we didn't have to work, I would still impose some form of routine for that reason.

I have never started a year in such good shape mentally. I know what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and my mind is clear, quiet, grateful and intently focused, humble enough to accept all the vulnerabilities yet celebrating its robust nature. I intend to give no attention at all to things beyond the control of the character, but to be mindful, consciousness sitting on the shoulder of the character, watching the movie but in a very focused way.

I believe that things are changed simply by focusing on them - whatever you're focused on is going to be your experience. To focus on the right thing is therefore crucial to wellbeing. My focus has never been stronger! This year, all aspects of my being will be properly serviced and maintained and are going to unite and line up behind the goals on which I am focused, to make the maximum difference in the time available.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Are you focused? What on?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD

 Moon:

Weathertrack: 

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
Welcome to McTherapy™. May I take your disorder? :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
The Graham Norton Show - The "Hag Do"

8. TRIVIA
An estimated one third of male fish in British waters are changing sex due to pollution in human sewage.

9. ZEN WISDOM
You must not yoke yourself to nationality or to ethnicity. You must not think of yourself as powerless, or as “no more than a collection of matter.” You must not regard yourself as a slave to your genes. Fundamentally, all human beings have limitless and immense potential.