The Banking System

Accounting for trillions in assets worldwide, the banking system is a crucial component of the global economy. While money-changing and money-lending may be as old as money, banking dates back to 15th century medieval Italy, and played a major role in the rise of the Italian city-states as world economic powers. Ever since, the health of an economy and the health of its banks have been interrelated; the global credit crisis, precipitated by the collapse of the subprime-fueled U.S. housing bubble, is only the most recent example.

Banks are just one part of the world of financial institutions, standing alongside investment banks, insurance companies, finance companies, investment managers and other companies that profit from the creation and flow of money. As financial intermediaries, banks stand between depositors who supply capital and borrowers who demand capital. Given how much commerce and individual wealth rests on healthy banks, banks are also among the most heavily regulated businesses in the world.

How to Focus

1. Witness your thoughts. No one can stop thinking entirely; it is impossible. If you start trying not to think, you only end up thinking about how to stop thinking! What you can do, however, is to withdraw from your thoughts and become more of an objective spectator.

2. Picture your mind as a blank canvas or a dark sky. Allow your thoughts to come and go, but resist the urge to follow each one. Your brain will eventually slow down and you will feel less pressured.

3. Count. If you find it difficult to let go of your thoughts, try counting slowly as you breathe. Watch your thoughts and try to resist following them. Turn your attention to the count as you breathe out.

4. Pay active attention. As you work and think, try to keep your attention on the task at hand. Be strict with yourself and each time your mind wanders, return it to the task. As you keep refocusing your attention, your “mind stillness” will improve.

5. Still your body. One sign of fragmented attention is fragmented movement. For example, when you are at the theatre, it is easy to tell if others around you are fully attentive to the performance. People who sniff and sigh, move their heads this away and that, and wiggle in their seats are having some difficulty concentrating. Rapt attention is usually accompanied by still body posture.

6. Find a comfortable position and don’t allow yourself to move. Concentrate on what you are doing or watching, drawing your attention away from physical distractions, and focus your thoughts on your task. After a while, you will notice that you fidget less and feel less physical discomfort. You are now channeled into mental exertion.

7. Interest your mind. Try to find interest in projects to help you concentrate. Taking up a new hobby can be a tremendous help. You should also try to find something interesting even in the dullest chore. If you are at a gathering, find someone and start a conversation. Be inquisitive and you might discover you have similar interests.

8. Open the mind. Just as strength, stamina and flexibility must be incorporated in your physical routine, the mind needs new and absorbing challenges to give it a change from its everyday journey. Notice something new on the same way home that you might not have noticed before. Buy a magazine on a subject you normally wouldn’t look at, read it, and open yourself to new possibilities.

5 causes of traffic jam in Jakarta

Jakarta, Indonesia's capital is well-known by its traffic jam. Every day Jakartans must face this problem, the problem that can't be solved (I guess). Government should take care about this problem. Traffic jam in Jakarta makes many other mistakes like stressed, tired, waste time, energy and also fuel for the vehicle. Even more, polution will be increased. Many Jakartans spend their time only in street, because of Traffic Jam.

And actually, have you ever thought what the causes are? Many causes make traffic jam in Jakarta be worse and worse. Such as:

1. Too Many Vehicles

This is the first problem in Jakarta. The frequency of vehicles in Jakarta is not in proportion to the area. More years more vehicles in Jakarta, especially motorcycle. Government should have to manage this huge frequency.

2. Indiscipline Drivers

Many drivers don't obey the traffic rules, like stop wherever they like, use low speed in wrong way, ignore the traffic light and many more. And even more the public transportations that feel as a king on the street. They take and get passengers down in wrong place.

3. Wrong Traffic Light

The fault I mean here is the length of time. Sometimes, the time length is too long. That's not suits with the frequency of vehicles. It causes the vehicles "piled up" and certainly traffic jam will be created.

4. Too Few Highway

Highway is very useful to reduce traffic jam. And may be highway in Jakarta is still few so can't handle all of the vehicles to avoid traffic jam.

5. Busway

At least bus way has taken some percents of road. The aim is right, to reduce vehicle using in Jakarta. But it's not so successful and finally just tighten the road.

I also don't know how can Jakarta be like this. Jakarta should be free from traffic jam because it's our capital. Government also must be serious solving this problem.