Categories
Travels

Bahrain still expanding and growing

It is amazing how things change so quickly, not only in the NLP sense with people, but countries too.

I used to travel to Shanghai, China to deliver courses practically every month, and was astonished as to the speed roads and bridges were built, how buildings sprang up, of grandiose designs. I would see a new building nearly every visit where once there was just waste ground the month before.

Bahrain, even at this time of the credit crunch is much the same.

New roads, lined with palm trees still wrapped in their protective covering. Shaded temporary structures tor the masses of Asian workers to keep out of the burning sun. Buildings growing from the reclaimed sea, there is construction everywhere.





New construction everywhere in Bahrain, and loads of new palm trees

The skyline will soon be like New York, with high rise offices, hotels and apartments. Some of these buildings are of strange designs and shapes, like the Bahrain World Trade Center, and they add to the modern character of this island. On the outskirts of the main area of Bahrain, vast housing estates are still being constructed, and the University is being expanded.

And yes there are the poorer areas, where I am told there is trouble brewing nearly every night, something I have not witnessed, but getting lost one night being driving home, I did feel somewhat intimidated as we drove through a village, with narrow streets and backstreet cafés packed with men just after prayer time.

I look forward to return in the future to see how much more the Kingdom of Bahrain has expanded, and I know there will be reminders in what I see everywhere of friends and times gone past, even in rare traffic less streets.


 
Even a road has reminders for me

Categories
Thoughts Travels

BBC Focus Magazine and the Bahrain World Trade Center

I enjoy learning new things, digging down (chunking down in NLP) to find new information about things I see, hear, feel, taste or smell, and I love reading the monthly magazine published by the BBC in the UK called FOCUS.

The FOCUS magazine gives articles on science, technology and the future, sometimes giving background information on programs the will or have been broadcast. I love it.

In the FOCUS issue 204, July 2009, there is the usual section called “MegaPixel“, perhaps six pages of high quality photographs, one photo per page, and with a small inset which explains the photo. They publish some amazing pictures, great enough to make you want to look deeply into the very depth of the image.

One photograph caught my eye straight away, it covered two pages. It was a building very close to where I have stayed whilst in Bahrain giving NLP, PhotoReading, Mind Maps and memory courses.

The building is the Bahrain World trade Center, located on the King Faisal Highway, being a twin fifty-storey building, of a very unusual design.

Between the two oddly shaped towers are three connecting bridges, each housing a 95 ft (30m) wind turbine, which the article said captures the wind’s energy blown in from the Persian Gulf. The electricity produced 11-15 per cent of the twin towers’ energy consumption.



The Bahrain World Trade Center
showing only two of the three wind turbines between the twin towers.


How do they know? Because ever since I have been going to Bahrain, and that has been many times, starting before the building was opened, I have never seen the blades of the turbines turning. Asking my colleagues, they said that they have never seen them turning either.

Even in the most informative and trusted publications, I have learned not to take what I see, hear, feel, smell or taste as the truth, even as I am reviewing the work of Richard Bandler, the Co-founder of NLP, are his stories true? But, if the stories have the desired effect, to make us think, to make changes, perhaps it is OK.

Do not believe everything you read.

Categories
Eating Out Thoughts

Champagne bubbles

Whilst in Bahrain, after finishing the Society of NLP Master Practitioner course, I was taken to the 5 star Banyan Tree Restaurant and spa for a wonderful lunch, actually and afternoon snack, and as we drunk glasses of champagne, a question arose. What makes the bubbles in a glass of champagne?



Champagne Bubbles

Now I know that bubbles in a glass of champagne is due to the carbonation of a white wine, by adding bubbles, either by the fermentation of the wine, and adding extra yeast and sugar after the first fermentation has stopped thus starting another, or that carbon dioxide is added to the white wine as it is bottled and corked.

Once the bottle is opened, say at a table, the trapped carbon dioxide is release slowly, or in the case of the winners of the F1 races, rather quickly.

Simple.

But why do the bubbles once the champagne has settled still come from the bottom of the glass?

Could it be that the weight of the champagne forces the bubbles out of the liquid? That would mean that the bubbles would be from the deepest part of the glass, but when looking at the glass above and below, that is not true. Also by tipping the glass so that there would be a lower part of the glass, the bubbles keep coming from the same place, in fact bubbles can be seen emanating from many parts of the glass.



Why don’t the champagne bubbles come from the deepest part of the glass?

Why are there many sources of bubbles? All emanating from their own unmoving source.

Is it because there is a flaw in the glass? Surely not every glass has a flaw?

I am confused. I need answers.

Please if you can answer, drop a comment below.

Categories
Rotary Club KOT

Rotary Club of Kingston upon Thames

It was back at the start of the 1980’s that I was invited to join the evening Rotary Club of Peterborough in the UK, at that time being the youngest member. It was an experience that would stay with me ever since, the friendship, the support, being able to in my small way, contribute to the community both locally and internationally.

My membership was short lived, as I had finished my task of computerising the toy manufacturer Peter Pan Playthings, and was offered the opportunity to work with Texas Instruments distributor in Saudi Arabia, as Software Manager, looking after customers who had purchased a TI computer, creating solutions to their individual needs. It was a job which would see me in Saudi Arabia for over five years.

Unfortunately, Rotary Club, and any such organisation was banned in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as was amateur radio (ham radio call sign G8YJQ) and other such hobbies or pastimes.

It was recently, that I became aware once again of Rotary, and in conversation with a member of the Kingston upon Thames Rotary Club, was invited to attend their meetings, and as time went on was invited to join once again.

Today was my induction into the Rotary Club at the Thursday lunch time meeting.

Although my work as a trainer, presenter, coach, takes me to many countries, being away from the UK, I am sure I can contribute to the club, to fellow Rotary members both in the Kingston Rotary Club and with members worldwide, including Malaysia.

A new chapter opens in my life, which I am looking forward to with eager anticipation.

Phillip Holt's Induction into Kingston Rotary Club wearing SHH

Wearing with pride the SHH and the Rotary Club Badges
after being inducted into the Rotary Club of Kingston upon Thames
by the Club President Peter Thompson

Oh, to Richard Bacon of the BBC‘s Radio Five Live late night show, and his Special Half Hour club (SHH), I can now wear with pride both badges.

Previous SHH Entries
Even more on the Special Half Hour Club of BBC Radio 5 Live
Special Half Hour, Radio 5 Live
More on the Special Half Hour badge of Radio Five Live
All Entries

Categories
NLP

All good things come to an end

Today I finished the Society of NLP Master Practitioner course here in Bahrain, and it is always sad to say goodbye to the participants, never knowing if we will meet in the future.

Although a small group, I found them particularly interesting participants, as there were so many personalities, so many dynamics playing their part, so many different needs to be covered.

I would thank those participants for their input and hard work they put into the course, because without them, I could not do my job.

It is now back to the UK, instead of Istanbul, as my next scheduled course was to be held there for Coaching, but although I had turned down other work, other trainings to be there, it was never confirmed, and I waited until Saturday to decide whether to take a chance and be in Istanbul or not, just in case the organisers had got people on the course. It seems not, as they have not contacted me.

It seems nobody loves me in Istanbul.

Oh well, Italy will be my next port of call, the seaside resort of Rimini. I must remember to pack my swimming trunks, as the sea will be really warm and full of bikinis.



A rather odd angled photograph of some of the participants from the
Society of NLP Master Practitioner course, in Bahrain June 2009

Categories
English Sayings Thoughts

Once bitten, twice shy

In English we have a saying or idiom, once bitten twice shy, which means that if someone is hurt or something has gone wrong, the next time the same or similar thing occurs we would be more careful.
 
Malcolm Gladwell, a writer of four good books, Blink, The Tipping Point, What the Dog Saw, and Outliners, refers to the subconscious, the automatic running of once bitten, twice shy, referring to a fire chief, who had sent his crew into a major fire which appeared to be in a room on a certain floor level. The fire chief then ordered his men to quickly leave the building, to stop fighting the fire. Shortly after exiting the building, the floor where the fire crew had been standing collapsed. The seat of the fire had been on the floor below.

How did the fire chief know to order his men to evacuate?

It was because of all the accumulated learnings, knowledge, of fighting other fires, the little signs, which at a conscious level were not noticeable, told his subconscious or intuition, that disaster was about to happen.

Another great person I ave had the great privilege to learn from is Dr Win Wenger and Project Renaissance.

In his work Win wenger teaches us to be aware of our Side Bands. To become aware of our own internal feelings, thoughts, ideas, by noticing the little signals that we give off, maybe a quick glance, a quick intake of breath, an indication of a hand movement, to stop and ask,

“what happened there, what did we notice, why did we do what we did?“


It is becoming aware of these signals, that we will become more aware of our own intuition, and we will see more, feel more, hear more, as we do with Phillip’s Sausage.

It was wonderful to get feedback from the participants of the Society of NLP Master Practitioner course I am running here in Bahrain. After returning from doing the Side Band exercise, they had had different experiences, each noticing more, bird songs, items in the hotel entrance that they had used many many times.

Notice your side bands, it could help in controlling your state, being aware of others states. Use your side bands in meetings, negotiations, work and especially relationships. I must use them myself more often. (see previous entry.)

But I still love my work.

Other English sayings.
Categories
Thoughts

It is the second time it has happened. Carpe Diem.

This is the second time this has happened to me, and it has meant I have had to look at life in a different way.

Whilst I was unhappy when this happened to me, I was inoculated as against the anger, rage, sadness of loosing such an old trusted friend, and I knew that if I stayed calm, the hands of my clock would still turn round, a solution would be found, and friends, people I know, would no doubt offer advice and perhaps support in my hour of need, or perhaps not.

There would be light at the end of the tunnel, if I waited, got on with life, and enjoyed the present day. Carpe Diem.

Whilst at college at the Staffordshire College of Commerce in the West Midlands of the UK many years ago, I came across the Latin saying, Carpe Diem, which means seize the day, or as I interpret it enjoy the present day, and whenever I can I try and remember to do that.

I spent over 35 years in the computer industry, being the computer expert, supporting customers who had purchased computers, designing the systems, writing the programs, installing the software, training the staff, for I worked for computer manufacturers, NCR, Sperry Univac, Texas Instruments. I was the expert, I have loads of knowledge and experience.

When my trusted computer broke down, a computer that had lasted me only 18 months, 18 months ago I was really upset. I found a solution around the problem keyboard by using a removable one, but that could only be temporary, so I purchased a replacement computer.

That has lasted 18 months and now that too has developed a fault on the keyboard, so although I have found a temporary solution, I had learned from my past experience and replaced it with another.

Having now needing to wear glasses for reading, when I replace my glasses I purchase two pairs at the same time. If anything happens, I have a backup. I could loose them, scratch them.

Two years ago, one of my pairs of glasses, broke, but I had the second pair, I was safe. But within weeks the second pair broke as well, in the same place, so I had to buy another two pair of glasses.

Two weeks ago, on of these replacement glasses the arm fell off. No problem, I have a second pair. Yesterday, the second pair of glasses had the same thing happen, the arm fell off.

Something told me this may happen before I left for the trip I am on now here in Bahrain, but I dismissed it.

Thankfully, on our way to find a sandwich last night, my host Philip Edwards took me to an optician to see if the glasses could be repaired, but no. We had a solution, off the shelf reading glasses, I can still see to read.

Carpe Diem.

Life is full of such incidents. 

Categories
NLP Travels

Even more on the Special Half Hour Club of BBC Radio 5 Live

Further to my previous entries of wearing the badge of the Special Half Hour (SHH), for the Richard Bacon program on BBC Radio 5 Live, I wore it with pride in Bahrain at an NLP Master Practitioner course I was giving.

Of course, I left the participants eager to know what was the Special Half Hour, but as in other countries, they will have to tune in to the internet to listen.

Bridadier Abdulla Saif Al.Naimi and Amira A. Rehami with Phillip Holt
Brigadier Abdulla Saif Al.Naimi and Amira A. Rehami with Phillip Holt wearing the SHH badge. Two participants from the Society of NLP Master Practitioner course, Bahrain, June 2009
Previous Entries
Rotary Club of Kingston upon Thames
Even more on the Special Half Hour Club of BBC Radio 5 Live 
Special Half Hour, Radio 5 Live
More on the Special Half Hour badge of Radio Five Live
Categories
Travels

A pair of eyes woke me at 4:14 am

It is now 7:41 am in the morning in Bahrain, 5:14 am in the UK, I just don’t want to know what time it is in other parts of the world, as I will start the NLP Master Practitioner course here at 9:00 am.

The flight from London yesterday was much the same as any other flight, but more on British Airways BA0125 later.

I will be staring in the home of Leila and Philip Edwards of the Make Over Experience, who are promoting my Society of NLP, PhotoReading and Mind Mapping courses and other courses in Bahrain.

My life style and travels mean that I have slept alone for many months, and I am used to having a bed, in which I sleep no more than ten consecutive nights, all to my self.

At 4:14 am in the morning, I became conscious and my eyes opened, and met with a wide pair of eyes staring back at me.

I did not panic, because they had love written into them, they had the look of friendship, longing, companionship in them.

I just said hello, and the owner of the eyes jumped onto the bed and snuggled up to me, and after a little cuddle and small talk, it was not long until we were both in a deep sleep.

Ah, heaven.



The Eyes

Categories
NLP Travels

Ironing done, suitcase packed, Bahrain next

It seems like a small break since being in Gaziantep, and a lot has happened, meetings, meals, work, lots of washing and ironing of shirts.

I am sure someone is wearing my shirts, and letting me wash and iron them. I can not be going through so many.

My suitcase is packed, ready for my next trip to Bahrain with The Make Over Experience.

It will be another early start to get to Heathrow, a six hour flight to arrive in Bahrain Saturday evening.

We will start the Society Of NLP’s Master Practitioner on Sunday morning, and I look forward to meeting many from the previous NLP Practitioner course. Perhaps I may meet some of other participants we have had on other courses.

Do I get a taxi, or leave even earlier to catch a bus and drag my suitcase all over Heathrow?

Oh well, bed calls, I will decide whilst cleaning my teeth.


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