From Krabi With Love

We had a great opportunity to rest throughout last weekend on a company paid trip to Krabi Thailand. It was an amazing experience for me personally to be able to come together with the rest of the entire TEAM and to see the “other side” of the FAMILY members in within the ATCEN INTERNATIONAL GROUP.

It was a well deserve trip for most as we had put in a lot of effort in making this trip a reality, and this would not have been fulfilled without the hard work that has been put in throughout the years.

It gets me thinking for awhile as I reflect back to the entire Krabi trip on how fortunate we are to be able to go on an overseas sponsored trip while others are struggling during this time of economic uncertainty.

As I was strolling along the streets in Ao Nang, I have managed to capture the glimpse of Krabi “night life”. Indeed it was a humbling experience to be able to see how people would just do anything to survive and make a day living and how cheap people can be just for them to be able to make a few hundred bucks to survive the month…
How I wish that our country would not fall to the same norm….

Celebrate the Valentine’s Day with Your Team

Valentine’s Day is not only for couples & lovers, but it’s for all. We can celebrate it with our team as well. This is a special day and it becomes more interesting when you receive gifts and wishes from the people you love. Love is the most wonderful feeling in this world. Valentine's Day is a good day to let your team members know that you love and care about them. Make them feel special by sending cards or gifts to show your appreciation. Friends are those who will bring a smile to your face, and when you're sad, they’ll make your days bloom with lots of joy and happiness. It's time to let your team know how much you value their existence. You’re not alone if you have a team with you.

There are a lot of ways where you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with your teammates. You can have a small party where everybody’s given a task in preparing the party. For example, the task can be preparing the food, decorations, performance, etc. With everyone’s contribution, the team members will not only have fun but also become closer with each other. I’m very glad when I came to work this morning, there was a heart shape with a quote written on my table:

“A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success!” –SGC Team

It’s given by a team called Sports, Games & Celebration (SGC) Teams in my company. This team has made a lot of efforts in order to ensure we have fun in the team. I really appreciate what they’ve done for our team. To all SGC Teams: Daniel, Yati, Mindie, Chetz, Keng & Asri. I would like to thank all of you for the wonderful wish. To all ATCENians, happy Valentine’s Day. It’s great to know all of you. Thank you for all the sharing and thoughts you’ve given to me.

Legal Addiction

Don’t be surprised if you just attended our Drum Denizens session and you feel like buying your own *djembe. You’re not alone. Drumming can be addictive.

Drumming is said to promote the body’s own morphine-like painkillers which help in the control of pain. According to Dr. Michael Winkelman of Arizona State University in Tempe, he found that drumming can be a safe way to achieve altered states of consciousness without the use of drugs and their harmful side effects. This is probably why drum circle or community drumming appears to be gaining much acceptance at drug rehabilitation centers in the U.S.

Not only the beating of the djembe helps in reducing stress and inducing deep relaxation, the drum circle can act as another support group for those who want to overcome substance abuse like drug addiction or someone who just want to quit smoking.

So, if you want to reduce stress, overcome drug addiction, quit smoking and increase your immune system, contact us for the next session of Drum Denizens.

* A djembe (pronounced /ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/ JEM-bay) also known as djimbe, jenbe, jymbe, jembe, yembe, or jimbay, or sanbanyi in Susu; is a skin covered hand drum, shaped like a large goblet, and meant to be played with bare hands. According to the Bamana people in Mali, the name of the djembe comes directly from the saying "Anke dje, anke be" which literally translates to "everyone gather together", and defines the drum's purpose. "Dje" is the verb for "gather" in Bamanakan, and "be" translates as "everyone" in Bamanakan. (taken from Wikipedia)

The Magic of Drumming – Therapy

Drumming has been a form of therapy for thousands of years to create and maintain physical, mental, and spiritual health. It has been used by the shamans from the tribes in Africa to Mongolia and the Native Americans to the ancient Mayans of the Aztecs in the Amazons to promote healing and self-expression through rhythm.

Research to date has verified that the therapeutic effects of drumming indicate that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and reproduces feelings of wellbeing, a release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self.

These are the therapeutic Effects of Drumming:

1. Drumming reduces tension, anxiety and stress
2. Drumming helps control chronic pain
3. Drumming boosts the immune system
4. Drumming produces deeper self-awareness by inducing synchronous brain activity
5. Drumming accesses the entire brain
6. Drumming creates a sense of connectedness with self and others
7. Drumming helps us to experience being in resonance with the natural rhythms of life
8. Drumming places one in the present moment
9. Drumming provides a medium for individual self-realization
10. Drumming releases negative feelings, blockages, and emotional trauma.
11. Drumming excesses the inner creativity power and builds confidence.

Throughout the 14 years since I first learned to drum, I have always known that drumming had a magical effect on oneself especially me. It was always therapeutic for me whenever I play drums. It just allows me to let go. At first, I thought I was show boating to others in the beginning when I just play the rhythms or solos. As I let go, I become aware of the rhythm and play from my heart, everyone is entertained and when that happens I am at peace.