You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.....
Quiz #1:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five NBA trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss India contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one..
Quiz #2:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Easier, isn’t it?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They are the ones that care.
Remember: Most important things in your life are NOT THINGS!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Don't Quit !
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 every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure 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.
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far ;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
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 every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure 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.
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far ;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Choices and Dilemma: Yudhishtira and The Dog
After some time, Dhritharashtra and Vidura, Gandhari and Kunthi all retired to the forest for prayer and meditation.
Yudhishtira grew tired of ruling the kingdom and lost interest in worldly affairs. By this time, Krishna, Dhritharashtra and Vidura had all passed away. Yudhishtira gave Duryodhana's share of the kingdom to Yuyuthsu, son of Vidura, and his own share to Parikshith, son of Abhimanyu, and installed them on their thrones. Afterwards, he proceeded on the Great Journey, or 'Mahaprasthana' ' along with his brothers, to obtain spiritual peace. The Pandavas gave up all the worldly possessions, dressed themselves in fiber-cloth and bade farewell to the citizens. Though all the citizens returned, a dog followed them throughout their journey.
The Pandavas finally reached Mount Meru. As they climbed it, the dog faithfully followed them. On the way, all except Yudhishtira fell down and gave up their mortal bodies.
Though sorrowful and - alone, Yudhishtira went on with determination. The dog still followed him.
Devendra came in a heavenly chariot. He invited Yudhishtira to enter the chariot and go with him to Paradise.
Yudhishtira: My brothers lie dead here. I do not want Paradise without them.
Indira: Dharmaputhra, your brothers and Draupadi are not dead. They have given up their mortal bodies here. They have assumed divine bodies and are already there in Heaven. All the Kauravas and other heroes have reached Heaven. Do not be unhappy. Because you have earned very much more merit than all others, you have the privilege of entering Heaven just as you are, in your human body. Come now get into the chariot.
Yudhishtira: I cannot come. This dog you see has been following me from Hasthinavathi. And he has been so faithful to me. I do not want to leave him behind and come alone.
Indra: What are you saying? A dog's place in Hell, not Heaven.
Yudhishtira: Lord Devendra, I can never desert those who have trusted me and those who follow me. I do not want that Heaven which has no place for the dog that has trusted and followed me.
The dog was not other than Yamadharma himself, Yudhishtira's father. He appeared before Yudhishtira and said, "You are indeed a great man, a righteous man; your compassion for all living beings is exemplary. A dog has been as dear to you as your own brothers. Your conduct will remain a shining example to all men for all times. Now, you can mount the chariot without any hesitation."
Yudhishtira was now satisfied; he bowed down to Yamadharma and Indra, and mounted the chariot. He reached Heaven with Indra. He was glad to find his kith and kin in Heaven. He felt happy to join them in divine life.
Our Hindu Vedic Literature are complete guide to practical life. It provides "all that is needed to raise the consciousness of man to the highest possible level." Lets not forget them, let learn
Yudhishtira grew tired of ruling the kingdom and lost interest in worldly affairs. By this time, Krishna, Dhritharashtra and Vidura had all passed away. Yudhishtira gave Duryodhana's share of the kingdom to Yuyuthsu, son of Vidura, and his own share to Parikshith, son of Abhimanyu, and installed them on their thrones. Afterwards, he proceeded on the Great Journey, or 'Mahaprasthana' ' along with his brothers, to obtain spiritual peace. The Pandavas gave up all the worldly possessions, dressed themselves in fiber-cloth and bade farewell to the citizens. Though all the citizens returned, a dog followed them throughout their journey.
The Pandavas finally reached Mount Meru. As they climbed it, the dog faithfully followed them. On the way, all except Yudhishtira fell down and gave up their mortal bodies.
Though sorrowful and - alone, Yudhishtira went on with determination. The dog still followed him.
Devendra came in a heavenly chariot. He invited Yudhishtira to enter the chariot and go with him to Paradise.
Yudhishtira: My brothers lie dead here. I do not want Paradise without them.
Indira: Dharmaputhra, your brothers and Draupadi are not dead. They have given up their mortal bodies here. They have assumed divine bodies and are already there in Heaven. All the Kauravas and other heroes have reached Heaven. Do not be unhappy. Because you have earned very much more merit than all others, you have the privilege of entering Heaven just as you are, in your human body. Come now get into the chariot.
Yudhishtira: I cannot come. This dog you see has been following me from Hasthinavathi. And he has been so faithful to me. I do not want to leave him behind and come alone.
Indra: What are you saying? A dog's place in Hell, not Heaven.
Yudhishtira: Lord Devendra, I can never desert those who have trusted me and those who follow me. I do not want that Heaven which has no place for the dog that has trusted and followed me.
The dog was not other than Yamadharma himself, Yudhishtira's father. He appeared before Yudhishtira and said, "You are indeed a great man, a righteous man; your compassion for all living beings is exemplary. A dog has been as dear to you as your own brothers. Your conduct will remain a shining example to all men for all times. Now, you can mount the chariot without any hesitation."
Yudhishtira was now satisfied; he bowed down to Yamadharma and Indra, and mounted the chariot. He reached Heaven with Indra. He was glad to find his kith and kin in Heaven. He felt happy to join them in divine life.
Our Hindu Vedic Literature are complete guide to practical life. It provides "all that is needed to raise the consciousness of man to the highest possible level." Lets not forget them, let learn
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
5 'A's to keep you ahead of all
These 5 ‘A’s could make you Stay ahead of competition, people and their thoughts, so read carefully:
- Aspire: one should dream and yearn for great things in life.
- Aim: now one should sharply focus on the most important aspiration/s that will yield you maximum benefit.
- Acquire: after aiming, we should acquire competencies to reach our goal.
- Act: get after the aim as if your whole life depends on it- perform, perform, perform.
- Achieve: once you act with great pace, strong determination and great conviction, nothing, I repeat- nothing, can stop you from achieving glory.
The above 5 ‘A’s will definitely make you stay ahead.
Glass of Milk - Story of Human Kindness
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.
Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?"
You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."
He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.
Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.
He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won.
Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...
"Paid in full with one glass of milk"
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.
Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."
This is a true story of Dr. Howard Kelly (1858-1943) was a distinguished physician who was one of the four founding doctors of Johns Hopkins, the first medical research university in the U.S. and arguably one of the finest hospitals anywhere.
It is not his skills as a healer or accomplishments as a medical pioneer that concern us in this tale, though, but rather the account of a years-previous kindness repaid.
Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?"
You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."
He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.
Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.
He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won.
Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...
"Paid in full with one glass of milk"
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.
Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."
This is a true story of Dr. Howard Kelly (1858-1943) was a distinguished physician who was one of the four founding doctors of Johns Hopkins, the first medical research university in the U.S. and arguably one of the finest hospitals anywhere.
It is not his skills as a healer or accomplishments as a medical pioneer that concern us in this tale, though, but rather the account of a years-previous kindness repaid.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Mother of All Riddles - Part 3
As I mentioned earlier, these answers have guided the lives of Hindus for a thousand and more years. Let us study some of them. Let each of us become a Yudhishthira and face the questions exercising the best in us. Let these questions and the answers to these questions be the torchlights that lead us from darkness, give us peace and comfort at times of stress. Let these questions and answers be talked about, meditated and debated until each of us has had our fill, has satisfied our thirst for this ancient, eternal philosophy of the Hindus. May these questions and answers inspire our children to stand firm and stand tall as they begin to shape their lives in a new land.
Excerpts from The Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Section CCCXI
Continued from Part 2....
So the dialogue between Yaksha and Yudhishthira continued and he asked about hundred question. Yudhishthira answered all of the correctly and wisely, so at the end Yaksha asked:
"What is the greatest suprise?"
"People die everyday making us aware that men are mortal, yet we live, work, play, plan etc as if assuming we are immortal. Kimashcharyam Atahh Parahh? What is more surprising than that?"
To this Yaksha said: You have, O repressor of foes, truly answered all my questions. Tell us now who is truly a man, and what man truly possesses every kind of wealth?
Yudhishthira answered: The report of one’s good action reaches heaven and spreads over the earth. As long as that report lasts, so long is a person to whom the agreeable and the disagreeable, weal and woe, the past and the future, are the same, is said to possess every kind of wealth.
The Yaksha said: You have, O king, answered who is a man and what man possesses every kind of wealth. Therefore, let one only amongst your brothers, whom you may wish, get up with life!
Yuthishthira answered: Let this one that is of darkish hue, whose eyes are red, who is tall like a Sala tree, whose chest is broad and arms long, let this Nakula, O Yaksha, get up with life!
The Yaksha rejoined: This Bhimsena is dear unto you, and this Arjuna also is one upon whom all of you depend! Why, then, O king do you, wish a stepbrother to get up with his life! How can you, forsaking Bhima whose strength is equal to that of ten thousand elephants, wish Nkula to live? People said that this Bhima was dear to you. From what motive then do you wish a stepbrother to revive? Forsaking Arjuna, the might of whose arm is worshipped by all the sons of Pandu, why do you wish Nakula to revive?
Yudhishthira said: If virtue is sacrificed, he that sacrifices it is himself lost. So virtue also cherishes the cherisher. Therefore, taking care that virtue by being sacrificed may not sacrifice us, I never forsake virtue. Abstention from injury is the highest virtue, and is, I think, even higher than the highest object of attainment. I endeavour to practice that virtue. Therefore, let Nakula, O Yaksha, revive! Let men know that the king is always virtuous! I will never depart from my duty. Let Nakula, therefore, revive! My father had two wives, Kunti and Madri. Let both of them have children. This is what I wish. As Kunti is to me, so also is Madri. There is no difference between them in my eye. I desire to act equally towards my mothers. Therefore, let Nakula live.
The Yaksha said: Since abstention from injury is regarded by you as higher than both profit and pleasure, therefore, let all your brothers live!
Excerpts from The Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Section CCCXI
Continued from Part 2....
So the dialogue between Yaksha and Yudhishthira continued and he asked about hundred question. Yudhishthira answered all of the correctly and wisely, so at the end Yaksha asked:
"What is the greatest suprise?"
"People die everyday making us aware that men are mortal, yet we live, work, play, plan etc as if assuming we are immortal. Kimashcharyam Atahh Parahh? What is more surprising than that?"
To this Yaksha said: You have, O repressor of foes, truly answered all my questions. Tell us now who is truly a man, and what man truly possesses every kind of wealth?
Yudhishthira answered: The report of one’s good action reaches heaven and spreads over the earth. As long as that report lasts, so long is a person to whom the agreeable and the disagreeable, weal and woe, the past and the future, are the same, is said to possess every kind of wealth.
The Yaksha said: You have, O king, answered who is a man and what man possesses every kind of wealth. Therefore, let one only amongst your brothers, whom you may wish, get up with life!
Yuthishthira answered: Let this one that is of darkish hue, whose eyes are red, who is tall like a Sala tree, whose chest is broad and arms long, let this Nakula, O Yaksha, get up with life!
The Yaksha rejoined: This Bhimsena is dear unto you, and this Arjuna also is one upon whom all of you depend! Why, then, O king do you, wish a stepbrother to get up with his life! How can you, forsaking Bhima whose strength is equal to that of ten thousand elephants, wish Nkula to live? People said that this Bhima was dear to you. From what motive then do you wish a stepbrother to revive? Forsaking Arjuna, the might of whose arm is worshipped by all the sons of Pandu, why do you wish Nakula to revive?
Yudhishthira said: If virtue is sacrificed, he that sacrifices it is himself lost. So virtue also cherishes the cherisher. Therefore, taking care that virtue by being sacrificed may not sacrifice us, I never forsake virtue. Abstention from injury is the highest virtue, and is, I think, even higher than the highest object of attainment. I endeavour to practice that virtue. Therefore, let Nakula, O Yaksha, revive! Let men know that the king is always virtuous! I will never depart from my duty. Let Nakula, therefore, revive! My father had two wives, Kunti and Madri. Let both of them have children. This is what I wish. As Kunti is to me, so also is Madri. There is no difference between them in my eye. I desire to act equally towards my mothers. Therefore, let Nakula live.
The Yaksha said: Since abstention from injury is regarded by you as higher than both profit and pleasure, therefore, let all your brothers live!
The Mother of All Riddles - Part 2
Excerpts from The Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Section CCCXI
Continued from Part 1....
Explanation:
This group of questions stresses the need for and the role of friends and the need to be involved with others in a mutual, healthy, giving and receiving of support. The first three friendships referred to in this stanza are with other persons but the last category, the friend at the end of one's life, is one's own lifetime of giving.
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Explanation:
Summary:
Explanation:
The sun in all its phases, rising, setting or fixed in space, recalls the rising within us of the atma jyoti. The natural laws governing time and the heavenly bodies and the moral law, dharma, are equated here.
to be continued...
Continued from Part 1....
- What is weightier than earth? Mother
- What is taller than the sky? Father
- What is faster than the wind? Mind
- What is more numerous than grass? Thoughts
- We call this earth Mother Earth - Bhumi Mata We worship her as a mother. What can be more important? The mother who gave birth to us is more important. Our mother is verily our God.
- For us humans our parents who gave us life in this world are like gods, the highest, the most important beings. This is consistent with the Upanishadic pronouncement "Matr devo bhava, pitr devo bhava" (Mother and Father are like God).
- In an instant the mind can travel anywhere, everywhere and back again.
- What grows faster than grass? Thoughts grow faster. Waves and waves of thoughts arise in our minds constantly and move away. There is no end to it. They grow and grow and continue to grow with newer and newer layers of thoughts - faster than grass.
- We should respect our parents.
- We should keep our mind under control.
- We should trim our thoughts, weeding out unnecessary worries.
- Who is the friend of a traveler? Companion
- Who is the friend of a householder? Spouse
- Who is the friend of the sick? Doctor
- Who is the friend of the dying person? His charity
Explanation:
- A traveler's best friend is the companion traveler.
- A householder's true friend is his wife. A Hindu man takes a woman by the hand at the wedding ceremony and walks seven steps (sapta padi) with her around the fire as both pledge their eternal friendship to each other. He says: "With these seven steps you have become my life's companion. We are both friends. I shall never fail to be your friend. May you also never fail to be my friend . . . ." " This is the understanding, the promise, the commitment that binds a Hindu couple.
- For a sick person the most desirable friend is a doctor.
- For the dying person the charity done during a lifetime serves as a friend by providing a sense of fulfillment and preparation for the life to come.
This group of questions stresses the need for and the role of friends and the need to be involved with others in a mutual, healthy, giving and receiving of support. The first three friendships referred to in this stanza are with other persons but the last category, the friend at the end of one's life, is one's own lifetime of giving.
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- By renouncing what does one become loved? Pride
- By renouncing what is one free of sorrow? Anger
- By renouncing what does one become wealthy? Desire
- By renouncing what does one become happy? Greed
Explanation:
- The question focuses on the need to be loved, to be free of sorrow, and on happiness and wealth.
- The answers revolve around controlling the mind in such a way that we gradually rid ourselves of our enemies within: pride, anger, desire and greed.
- and 4. When one succeeds in giving up desire, there is little need for material possessions and one's sense of well-being (original meaning of wealth) increases. Wealth is viewed here in the context of what one may have in relation to one's desire.
- Every action/inaction is controlled by the mind. Therefore we should practice control of our minds.
- Renunciation is not mindless self-denial but a method of exerting control over ourselves.
- What treasure is the best? Skill
- What wealth is the best? Education
- What is the greatest gain? Health
- And the greatest happiness? Contentment
- To be skillful is to be fortunate and worthy of recognition.
- To be an educated person is to be a wealthy person.
- To be healthy is to possess the greatest gift.
- To be contented is to be happy
Summary:
- We should develop skills in areas which interest us most and continue to maintain those skills in order to excel.
- The emphasis in our studies should be acquisition of knowledge, especially the higher knowledge.
- A person who is not contented and is a slave to greed is a slave to everyone. A person who makes desire a slave rules the world.
- These questions and answers provide a practical guide to mental, social and physical well-being.
- What is a man's self? His progeny
- Who is his God-given friend? His wife
- What supports his life? Rain
- What is his principal duty? Charity
Explanation:
- A man's progeny represents the reflection and extension of his own self.
- His wife is his best friend, as discussed in an earlier.
- Man's most basic need for food can be met only by adequate rainfall for crops.
- Giving and sharing serve as the foundation upon which a person should base his or her life.
- These questions and answers focus attention on those areas immediate to the individual self: children, spouse, the element essential to sustain life and the concept of sharing.
- Is there a person who enjoys all pleasures of the senses, who is intelligent, is respected by all creatures and worshiped by the world, who breathes and yet is not alive?
- The person who fails to satisfy Gods, guests, servants, pitrs and his Atman, may breathe but is not alive.
- What makes the sun rise? Brahma
- Who moves around him? Gods
- What causes the sun to set? Dharma
- How is he held firm? Truth
- One sees the sun (aditya) as the natural wonder, the life-giving center of this world system and a principal creation of Brahma.
- Gods keep the Atman company, just as the planets, named after the Gods, circle the sun. When the self is realized through knowledge, that inner illumination leads to the man-God relationship which is the quest of Hinduism.
- The sun and the atma j yoti are firmly fixed in truth. The sun is held in space by physical laws of gravitation, energy and motion - by evident truths. The atma jyoti is sustained by eternal Truth, which exists beyond time.
- The end result of this knowledge is dharma or right conduct. Dharmic action performed under the guidelines of one's own faith is interpreted as the cause for the brilliance of the atma jyoti.
The sun in all its phases, rising, setting or fixed in space, recalls the rising within us of the atma jyoti. The natural laws governing time and the heavenly bodies and the moral law, dharma, are equated here.
to be continued...
The Mother of All Riddles - Part 1
I have never read anything so beautiful, so subtle, so deep with layers of significance as these questions and answers. Through Yudhishthira, Bhagawan Vyasa has distilled the entire philosophy of the Hindus into an enquiry comprising some one hundred questions. The questions cover a lot of ground and a wide range, jumping from one topic to another. This question and answer session lays a firm framework for the gems of wisdom that are to come later in the teachings of the Srimadbhagavadgita. These questions and their answers are as important, as relevant and as significant today as they were when Yudhishthira stood with palms folded, by the side of his dead brothers, and attempted to do his best in meeting the Yaksha's challenge.
Excerpts from The Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Section CCCXI
The sons of Pandu along with their wife Draupadi are nearing the end of their twelve-year exile in forests. They are due to begin the thirteenth and final year, which they are required to spend undiscovered.
One day wandering in forests, pandavs were very hungry, thirsty, tired, angry and frustrated. Yudhishthira instructed Nakula to climb a tree nearby to locate any sources of water in the vicinity so that they could quench their thirst. Nakula did so and informed Yudhishthira that there was indeed a cluster of trees not too far off and that he could hear the cries of water cranes. Yudhishthira suggested that Nakula go to the pond and fetch some water in a quiver.
Nakula, after walking a short distance, located a beautiful spot, a crystal clear lake, surrounded by trees, flowers and birds. Nakula was overjoyed. His first instinct was to enjoy a cool drink himself, as long as he was already there. So he descended to the waters edge and prepared to scoop up some refreshing water. As he was about to do so he heard a strong and clear voice of warning:
"Do not dare to touch that water, my dear child. You must first answer my questions. . ."
Nakula thought that he must be hearing things due to sheer fatigue and so he ignored the warning, drank the water and immediately fell dead.
When Nakula did not return within a reasonable time, Yudhishthira suggested that Sahadeva go and take a look at what was delaying him. Sahadeva arrived on the scene and was shocked to see Nakula lying as though asleep. Before doing anything, he thought he could quench his thirst. He heard the same warning, ignored it and, upon attempting to drink, also fell dead.
Now it was Arjuna's turn to determine what had happened. He proceeded with his Gandiva (bow) in his hand, suspecting some trouble. Upon arriving at the lake he was stunned to see his brothers lying as though dead. Again, he tried to quench his thirst and heard the same warning. But Arjuna did not ignore the warning. Instead he challenged the being to show himself and shot several arrows in the direction from which the voice came. He only received further and more stern warning. Arjuna challenged the voice by saying, "Stop me if you can," proceeded to drink the water and fell down dead. Some short time later, Bhima arrived and had the same fate.
Now Yudhishthira was clearly worried. Wondering about the possibilities of harm befalling his dear and powerful brothers, he decided to go in search of them. When he arrived at the lake, he could not believe the dreadful sight before him. All four brothers dead on the ground! He grieved for a while and then began to look around to determine the reason for these deaths. He said to himself:
There are no signs of violence on their bodies, no foot-prints anywhere. The killer must be a supernatural being.
He wondered if Duryodhana had had the pool poisoned. He ruled it out because the faces of the dead brothers looked calm and serene. Convincing himself that it must have been some supernatural being, he approached the water's edge to fetch some water to begin the last rites for his brothers. Then he heard a sudden voice: "I am the cause of your brothers' death. . . . You shall be the fifth victim if you do not answer my questions. . . ."
Yudhishthira asked, "Who are you? You must be strong to be able to put to death these powerful brothers of mine. Your feat is remarkable because neither gods, antigods, gandharvas nor rakshasas could stand up to my brothers. But What do you want? Noble one! Why are you here? Who are you?"
The voice replied: "I am a Yaksha, Yudhishthira. May you prosper." As he heard these words, Yudhishthira saw before his eyes a form developing. A massive tall body with grotesque eyes, burning like the fire of the sun, and a voice like thunder: "I warned your brothers. But they would not listen to me. So now they are dead. This pool belongs to me and unless you answer my questions you shall not even touch this water."
Yudhishthira replied, "Ask me and I will answer as best as I can..."
Thus begins Dharmaraja's attempt to answer the Yaksha's questions.
to be continued....
Excerpts from The Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Section CCCXI
The sons of Pandu along with their wife Draupadi are nearing the end of their twelve-year exile in forests. They are due to begin the thirteenth and final year, which they are required to spend undiscovered.
One day wandering in forests, pandavs were very hungry, thirsty, tired, angry and frustrated. Yudhishthira instructed Nakula to climb a tree nearby to locate any sources of water in the vicinity so that they could quench their thirst. Nakula did so and informed Yudhishthira that there was indeed a cluster of trees not too far off and that he could hear the cries of water cranes. Yudhishthira suggested that Nakula go to the pond and fetch some water in a quiver.
Nakula, after walking a short distance, located a beautiful spot, a crystal clear lake, surrounded by trees, flowers and birds. Nakula was overjoyed. His first instinct was to enjoy a cool drink himself, as long as he was already there. So he descended to the waters edge and prepared to scoop up some refreshing water. As he was about to do so he heard a strong and clear voice of warning:
"Do not dare to touch that water, my dear child. You must first answer my questions. . ."
Nakula thought that he must be hearing things due to sheer fatigue and so he ignored the warning, drank the water and immediately fell dead.
When Nakula did not return within a reasonable time, Yudhishthira suggested that Sahadeva go and take a look at what was delaying him. Sahadeva arrived on the scene and was shocked to see Nakula lying as though asleep. Before doing anything, he thought he could quench his thirst. He heard the same warning, ignored it and, upon attempting to drink, also fell dead.
Now it was Arjuna's turn to determine what had happened. He proceeded with his Gandiva (bow) in his hand, suspecting some trouble. Upon arriving at the lake he was stunned to see his brothers lying as though dead. Again, he tried to quench his thirst and heard the same warning. But Arjuna did not ignore the warning. Instead he challenged the being to show himself and shot several arrows in the direction from which the voice came. He only received further and more stern warning. Arjuna challenged the voice by saying, "Stop me if you can," proceeded to drink the water and fell down dead. Some short time later, Bhima arrived and had the same fate.
Now Yudhishthira was clearly worried. Wondering about the possibilities of harm befalling his dear and powerful brothers, he decided to go in search of them. When he arrived at the lake, he could not believe the dreadful sight before him. All four brothers dead on the ground! He grieved for a while and then began to look around to determine the reason for these deaths. He said to himself:
There are no signs of violence on their bodies, no foot-prints anywhere. The killer must be a supernatural being.
He wondered if Duryodhana had had the pool poisoned. He ruled it out because the faces of the dead brothers looked calm and serene. Convincing himself that it must have been some supernatural being, he approached the water's edge to fetch some water to begin the last rites for his brothers. Then he heard a sudden voice: "I am the cause of your brothers' death. . . . You shall be the fifth victim if you do not answer my questions. . . ."
Yudhishthira asked, "Who are you? You must be strong to be able to put to death these powerful brothers of mine. Your feat is remarkable because neither gods, antigods, gandharvas nor rakshasas could stand up to my brothers. But What do you want? Noble one! Why are you here? Who are you?"
The voice replied: "I am a Yaksha, Yudhishthira. May you prosper." As he heard these words, Yudhishthira saw before his eyes a form developing. A massive tall body with grotesque eyes, burning like the fire of the sun, and a voice like thunder: "I warned your brothers. But they would not listen to me. So now they are dead. This pool belongs to me and unless you answer my questions you shall not even touch this water."
Yudhishthira replied, "Ask me and I will answer as best as I can..."
Thus begins Dharmaraja's attempt to answer the Yaksha's questions.
to be continued....
Friday, January 25, 2008
Cure For Sorrow
There is an old Chinese tale about a woman whose only son died.
In her grief, she went to the holy man and said, "What prayers, what magical incantations do you have to bring my son back to life?"
Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her, "Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life." The woman went off at once in search of that magical mustard seed.
She came first to a splendid mansion, knocked at the door, and said, "I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this a place? It is very important to me."
They told her, "You've certainly come to the wrong place," and began to describe all the tragic things that recently had befallen them.
The woman said to herself, "Who is better able to help these poor, unfortunate people that I, who have had misfortune of my own?"
She stayed to comfort them, and then went on in search of a home that had never known sorrow. But wherever she turned, in hovels and in other places, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune.
She became so involved in ministering to other people's grief that ultimately she forgot about her quest for the magical mustard seed, never realizing that it had, in fact, driven the sorrow out of her life.
In her grief, she went to the holy man and said, "What prayers, what magical incantations do you have to bring my son back to life?"
Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her, "Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life." The woman went off at once in search of that magical mustard seed.
She came first to a splendid mansion, knocked at the door, and said, "I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this a place? It is very important to me."
They told her, "You've certainly come to the wrong place," and began to describe all the tragic things that recently had befallen them.
The woman said to herself, "Who is better able to help these poor, unfortunate people that I, who have had misfortune of my own?"
She stayed to comfort them, and then went on in search of a home that had never known sorrow. But wherever she turned, in hovels and in other places, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune.
She became so involved in ministering to other people's grief that ultimately she forgot about her quest for the magical mustard seed, never realizing that it had, in fact, driven the sorrow out of her life.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
जय भारत
National Emblem of India
The Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Emperor Ashoka the Great erected the capital atop a Ashoka Pillar to mark the spot where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha was founded. In the original, there are four lions, standing back to back, mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus. Carved out of a single block of polished sandstone, the capital is crowned by the Wheel of righteousness/justice (Dharmachakra).
It has four "Indian Lions", resting on a circular abacus. The fourth lion is on the rear and hence hidden from view. The emblem symbolizes a NATION that is "valiant in courage, strong of body, politic in council and a foe to fear. "The abacus is girded by four smaller animals - guardians of the four directions: the Lion of the north, the Elephant of the east, the Horse of the south and Bull of the west. The abacus rests on a nelumbo nucifera (Indian Lotus) in full bloom, exemplifying the fountainhead of life.
Indian Flag
A few days before India became independent on August 1947, flag with three colours, Saffron, White and Green with the Ashoka Chakra was selected.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who later became India's first Vice President, clarified the adopted flag and described its significance as follows:
“Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation or disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to their work. The white in the centre is light, the path of truth to guide our conduct. The green shows our relation to (the) soil, our relation to the plant life here, on which all other life depends. The "Ashoka Chakra" in the centre of the white is the wheel of the law of dharma. Truth or सत्य , धर्मं or virtue ought to be the controlling principle of those who work under this flag. Again, the wheel denotes motion. There is death in stagnation. There is life in movement. India should no more resist change, it must move and go forward. The wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change.”
A widely held unofficial interpretation is that the saffron stands for purity and spirituality, white for peace and truth, green for fertility and prosperity and the wheel for justice.
Ashoka Chakra
Usually inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script is the motto सत्यमेव जयते - Satyameva Jayate (English: "Truth Alone Triumphs"). This is a quote from Mundaka Upanishad, the concluding part of the sacred Hindu Vedas.
This is the famous original sandstone sculpted Lion Capital of Ashoka preserved at Sarnath Museum which was originally erected around 250 BCE atop an Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath. The wheel "Ashoka Chakra" from its base has been placed onto the center of the National Flag of India.
The Ashoka Chakra is a depiction of the Dharmachakra, the Wheel of Dharma (Sanskrit: Chakra means wheel). The wheel has 24 spokes. Chakra is a Sanskrit word which also means cycle or self repeating process.
According to Hindu belief, in each cycle the world has to pass through four phases from its starting till end of the world when the world will be recreated. The four phases are named as Satya Yuga सत्य युग (Golden Age), Treta Yuga त्रेता युग (Silver age), Dvapara Yuga द्वापर युग (Copper age) and Kali Yuga कली युग (Iron age or the age of the Wrath of God).
Satya Yuga meaning the Golden age when the human was in his happy times and then slowly the quality of human souls started declining. And finally when he reaches Kali Yuga, or the age of the Wrath of God, the world is recreated anew after mass destruction with wars and natural calamities.
The twenty four spokes in this chakra wheel represent twenty four virtues :- Love, Courage, Patience, Peacefulness, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control, Selflessness, Self Sacrifice, Truthfulness, Righteousness, Justice, Mercy, Graciousness, Humility, Empathy, Sympathy, Godly Knowledge, Godly Wisdom, Godly Moral, Reverential fear of God and Hope/Trust/Faith in the goodness of God.
According to school textbooks in context to the position of Ashoka Chakra on flag - the twenty four spokes signify the 24 hour progress of Nation.
The Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Emperor Ashoka the Great erected the capital atop a Ashoka Pillar to mark the spot where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha was founded. In the original, there are four lions, standing back to back, mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus. Carved out of a single block of polished sandstone, the capital is crowned by the Wheel of righteousness/justice (Dharmachakra).It has four "Indian Lions", resting on a circular abacus. The fourth lion is on the rear and hence hidden from view. The emblem symbolizes a NATION that is "valiant in courage, strong of body, politic in council and a foe to fear. "The abacus is girded by four smaller animals - guardians of the four directions: the Lion of the north, the Elephant of the east, the Horse of the south and Bull of the west. The abacus rests on a nelumbo nucifera (Indian Lotus) in full bloom, exemplifying the fountainhead of life.
Indian Flag
A few days before India became independent on August 1947, flag with three colours, Saffron, White and Green with the Ashoka Chakra was selected.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who later became India's first Vice President, clarified the adopted flag and described its significance as follows:
“Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation or disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to their work. The white in the centre is light, the path of truth to guide our conduct. The green shows our relation to (the) soil, our relation to the plant life here, on which all other life depends. The "Ashoka Chakra" in the centre of the white is the wheel of the law of dharma. Truth or सत्य , धर्मं or virtue ought to be the controlling principle of those who work under this flag. Again, the wheel denotes motion. There is death in stagnation. There is life in movement. India should no more resist change, it must move and go forward. The wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change.”
A widely held unofficial interpretation is that the saffron stands for purity and spirituality, white for peace and truth, green for fertility and prosperity and the wheel for justice.
Ashoka Chakra
Usually inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script is the motto सत्यमेव जयते - Satyameva Jayate (English: "Truth Alone Triumphs"). This is a quote from Mundaka Upanishad, the concluding part of the sacred Hindu Vedas.
This is the famous original sandstone sculpted Lion Capital of Ashoka preserved at Sarnath Museum which was originally erected around 250 BCE atop an Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath. The wheel "Ashoka Chakra" from its base has been placed onto the center of the National Flag of India.
The Ashoka Chakra is a depiction of the Dharmachakra, the Wheel of Dharma (Sanskrit: Chakra means wheel). The wheel has 24 spokes. Chakra is a Sanskrit word which also means cycle or self repeating process.
According to Hindu belief, in each cycle the world has to pass through four phases from its starting till end of the world when the world will be recreated. The four phases are named as Satya Yuga सत्य युग (Golden Age), Treta Yuga त्रेता युग (Silver age), Dvapara Yuga द्वापर युग (Copper age) and Kali Yuga कली युग (Iron age or the age of the Wrath of God).
Satya Yuga meaning the Golden age when the human was in his happy times and then slowly the quality of human souls started declining. And finally when he reaches Kali Yuga, or the age of the Wrath of God, the world is recreated anew after mass destruction with wars and natural calamities.
The twenty four spokes in this chakra wheel represent twenty four virtues :- Love, Courage, Patience, Peacefulness, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control, Selflessness, Self Sacrifice, Truthfulness, Righteousness, Justice, Mercy, Graciousness, Humility, Empathy, Sympathy, Godly Knowledge, Godly Wisdom, Godly Moral, Reverential fear of God and Hope/Trust/Faith in the goodness of God.
According to school textbooks in context to the position of Ashoka Chakra on flag - the twenty four spokes signify the 24 hour progress of Nation.
What will matter
Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no days, no hours or minutes. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.
Your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will all expire too. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Your gender, skin color, ethnicity will be irrelevant.
So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage and sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories of those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.
Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Choose to live a life that matters.
Remember:
** Everything that has a beginning has an end.. **
** The most important things in life are not "things". **
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bhagavad-Gita Saar (भगवद गीता सार) ...the ultimate essence of life
Whatever happened, it happened for good.
Whatever is happening, is happening for good.
Whatever that will happen, it will be for good.
What have you lost for which you cry?
What did you bring with you, which you have lost?
What did you produce, which has destroyed?
You did not bring anything when you were born.
Whatever you have, you have received from Him.
Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.
You came empty handed and you will go the same way.
Whatever is yours today was somebody else’s yesterday and will be somebody else’s tomorrow.
Change is the law of the universe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous.”
Albert Einstein
(1879 -1955)
To myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble, or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.
Isaac Newton
(1642-1727)
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.
Your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will all expire too. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Your gender, skin color, ethnicity will be irrelevant.
So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage and sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories of those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.
Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Choose to live a life that matters.
Remember:
** Everything that has a beginning has an end.. **
** The most important things in life are not "things". **
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bhagavad-Gita Saar (भगवद गीता सार) ...the ultimate essence of lifeWhatever happened, it happened for good.
Whatever is happening, is happening for good.
Whatever that will happen, it will be for good.
What have you lost for which you cry?
What did you bring with you, which you have lost?
What did you produce, which has destroyed?
You did not bring anything when you were born.
Whatever you have, you have received from Him.
Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.
You came empty handed and you will go the same way.
Whatever is yours today was somebody else’s yesterday and will be somebody else’s tomorrow.
Change is the law of the universe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous.”
Albert Einstein
(1879 -1955)
To myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble, or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.
Isaac Newton
(1642-1727)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Story of a Genius
Some time ago I received a call from a colleague who asked if I would be the referee on the grading of an examination question. He was about to give a student a zero for his answer to a physics question, while the student claimed he should receive a perfect score and would if the system were not set up against the student: The instructor and the student agreed to submit this to an impartial arbiter, and I was selected.
I went to my colleague's office and read the examination question: "Show how it is possible to determine the height of a tall building with the aid of a barometer." The student had answered: "Take a barometer to the top of the building, attach a long rope to it, lower the barometer to the street and then bring it up, measuring the length of the rope. The length of the rope is the height of the building."
I pointed out that the student really had a strong case for full credit since he had answered the question completely and correctly. On the other hand, if full credit was given, it could well contribute to a high grade for the student in his physics course. A high grade is supposed to certify competence in physics, but the answer did not confirm this. I suggested that the student have another try at answering the question I was not surprised that my colleague agreed, but I was surprised that the student did.
I gave the student six minutes to answer the question with the warning that the answer should show some knowledge of physics. At the end of five minutes, he had not written anything. I asked if he wished to give up, but he said no. He had many answers to this problem; he was just thinking of the best one. I excused myself for interrupting him and asked him to please go on. In the next minute he dashed off his answer which read: "Take the barometer to the top of the building and lean over the edge of the roof. Drop that barometer, timing its fall with a stopwatch. Then using the formula S = ½at², calculate the height of the building.
At this point I asked my colleague if he would give up. He conceded, and I gave the student almost full credit.
In leaving my colleague's office, I recalled that the student had said he had many other answers to the problem, so I asked him what they were. "Oh yes," said the student. "There are a great many ways of getting the height of a tall building with a barometer. For example, you could take the barometer out on a sunny day and measure the height of the barometer and the length of its shadow, and the length of the shadow of the building and by the use of a simple proportion, determine the height of the building."
"Fine," I asked. "And the others?"
"Yes," said the student. "There is a very basic measurement method that you will like. In this method you take the barometer and begin to walk up the stairs. As you climb the stairs, you mark off the length of the barometer along the wall. You then count the number of marks, and this will give you the height of the building in barometer units. A very direct method."
"Of course, if you want a more sophisticated method, you can tie the barometer to the end of a string, swing it as a pendulum, and determine the value of 'g' at the street level and at the top of the building. From the difference of the two values of `g' the height of the building can be calculated."
Finally, he concluded, there are many other ways of solving the problem. "Probably the best," he said, "is to take the barometer to the basement and knock on the superintendent's door. When the superintendent answers, you speak to him as follows: "Mr. Superintendent, here I have a fine barometer. If you tell me the height of this building, I will give you this barometer."
At this point I asked the student if he really did know the conventional answer to this question. He admitted that he did, said that he was fed up with high school and college instructors trying to teach him how to think, using the "scientific method," and to explore the deep inner logic of the subject in a pedantic way
I went to my colleague's office and read the examination question: "Show how it is possible to determine the height of a tall building with the aid of a barometer." The student had answered: "Take a barometer to the top of the building, attach a long rope to it, lower the barometer to the street and then bring it up, measuring the length of the rope. The length of the rope is the height of the building."
I pointed out that the student really had a strong case for full credit since he had answered the question completely and correctly. On the other hand, if full credit was given, it could well contribute to a high grade for the student in his physics course. A high grade is supposed to certify competence in physics, but the answer did not confirm this. I suggested that the student have another try at answering the question I was not surprised that my colleague agreed, but I was surprised that the student did.
I gave the student six minutes to answer the question with the warning that the answer should show some knowledge of physics. At the end of five minutes, he had not written anything. I asked if he wished to give up, but he said no. He had many answers to this problem; he was just thinking of the best one. I excused myself for interrupting him and asked him to please go on. In the next minute he dashed off his answer which read: "Take the barometer to the top of the building and lean over the edge of the roof. Drop that barometer, timing its fall with a stopwatch. Then using the formula S = ½at², calculate the height of the building.
At this point I asked my colleague if he would give up. He conceded, and I gave the student almost full credit.
In leaving my colleague's office, I recalled that the student had said he had many other answers to the problem, so I asked him what they were. "Oh yes," said the student. "There are a great many ways of getting the height of a tall building with a barometer. For example, you could take the barometer out on a sunny day and measure the height of the barometer and the length of its shadow, and the length of the shadow of the building and by the use of a simple proportion, determine the height of the building."
"Fine," I asked. "And the others?"
"Yes," said the student. "There is a very basic measurement method that you will like. In this method you take the barometer and begin to walk up the stairs. As you climb the stairs, you mark off the length of the barometer along the wall. You then count the number of marks, and this will give you the height of the building in barometer units. A very direct method."
"Of course, if you want a more sophisticated method, you can tie the barometer to the end of a string, swing it as a pendulum, and determine the value of 'g' at the street level and at the top of the building. From the difference of the two values of `g' the height of the building can be calculated."
Finally, he concluded, there are many other ways of solving the problem. "Probably the best," he said, "is to take the barometer to the basement and knock on the superintendent's door. When the superintendent answers, you speak to him as follows: "Mr. Superintendent, here I have a fine barometer. If you tell me the height of this building, I will give you this barometer."
At this point I asked the student if he really did know the conventional answer to this question. He admitted that he did, said that he was fed up with high school and college instructors trying to teach him how to think, using the "scientific method," and to explore the deep inner logic of the subject in a pedantic way
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Kiss in a Box!
The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.
Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy. He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside it?"
The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.
It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us as humans have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, friends, family or God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.
Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy. He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside it?"
The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.
It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us as humans have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, friends, family or God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Leadership — Some ethical challenges
Great leadership has a sustained impact on people
Leadership has increasingly become a perception game, increasingly influenced by how recent and newsy the images accompanying it are.
Leadership is like an iceberg. The media, analysts and the general public see only its tip, that which rises above the water. If this part looks shapely and interesting, they put it on a pedestal. Great leaders, on the other hand, go to work at the base of the iceberg – a cold, dark and uncomfortable place – chipping away at and blasting the foundation in an attempt to renew or modify the structural framework of the organisation. To outside observers it might well appear that nothing much is happening, but great leaders do what they have to without regard to appearances, because they genuinely believe that theirs is but one lap in a relay race. Outstanding leaders are anointed long after their work is done, not three months after they become CEOs.
True leadership is institutionalised, not personalised
Genuine leaders see their role as part of a larger process, not as the process itself. They get to run with the baton for a few laps of what is a long race.
Leadership is never proven; it is tested each day
CEOs lose their jobs for two broad clusters of reasons: governance and change. The governance cluster includes differences of opinion with assertive board members, botching up acquisitions, misjudging the line between self-confidence and arrogance, etc. The change cluster includes perceptions of the pace of change being too slow, not carrying people along, being too hard or too soft, and so on. What a bewildering array of reasons. I doubt whether there is anything called a 'proven' CEO in today's world. It seems that you have to prove yourself all over again – every day.
The public-life flaws of leaders affect moral purpose
All leaders are flawed, but the point to consider is whether their flaws are acceptable. Excellent leadership is the two-fold ability to lead people morally and effectively. But morality, though necessary, is not a sufficient condition. If a person is thought to be effective then the inevitable morality test comes into play. If the flaws are in public life, they can be debilitating. That isn't necessarily the case if these flaws are in a person's private life, but the morality barometer reads differently in different societies.
The greatest mistake leaders can make is to assume that results alone matter, that morality and goodness do not count. On the contrary, as amorality becomes more rampant, as the heart of darkness expands, the natural human instinct is a craving towards light. We need results and we need them desperately – but with goodness and moral purpose.
This article has been excerpt R. Gopalakrishnan, executive director, Tata Sons. The complete credit of this article goes to him.
In this summerised article he explores what it means to don the mantle of leadership, the responsibilities and pitfalls.
Leadership has increasingly become a perception game, increasingly influenced by how recent and newsy the images accompanying it are.
Leadership is like an iceberg. The media, analysts and the general public see only its tip, that which rises above the water. If this part looks shapely and interesting, they put it on a pedestal. Great leaders, on the other hand, go to work at the base of the iceberg – a cold, dark and uncomfortable place – chipping away at and blasting the foundation in an attempt to renew or modify the structural framework of the organisation. To outside observers it might well appear that nothing much is happening, but great leaders do what they have to without regard to appearances, because they genuinely believe that theirs is but one lap in a relay race. Outstanding leaders are anointed long after their work is done, not three months after they become CEOs.
True leadership is institutionalised, not personalised
Genuine leaders see their role as part of a larger process, not as the process itself. They get to run with the baton for a few laps of what is a long race.
Leadership is never proven; it is tested each day
CEOs lose their jobs for two broad clusters of reasons: governance and change. The governance cluster includes differences of opinion with assertive board members, botching up acquisitions, misjudging the line between self-confidence and arrogance, etc. The change cluster includes perceptions of the pace of change being too slow, not carrying people along, being too hard or too soft, and so on. What a bewildering array of reasons. I doubt whether there is anything called a 'proven' CEO in today's world. It seems that you have to prove yourself all over again – every day.
The public-life flaws of leaders affect moral purpose
All leaders are flawed, but the point to consider is whether their flaws are acceptable. Excellent leadership is the two-fold ability to lead people morally and effectively. But morality, though necessary, is not a sufficient condition. If a person is thought to be effective then the inevitable morality test comes into play. If the flaws are in public life, they can be debilitating. That isn't necessarily the case if these flaws are in a person's private life, but the morality barometer reads differently in different societies.
The greatest mistake leaders can make is to assume that results alone matter, that morality and goodness do not count. On the contrary, as amorality becomes more rampant, as the heart of darkness expands, the natural human instinct is a craving towards light. We need results and we need them desperately – but with goodness and moral purpose.
This article has been excerpt R. Gopalakrishnan, executive director, Tata Sons. The complete credit of this article goes to him.
In this summerised article he explores what it means to don the mantle of leadership, the responsibilities and pitfalls.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Patience
A man came out of his home to admire his new truck.
To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck.
The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment.
When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital. Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands.
When the boy woke up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, "Daddy, I'm sorry about your truck." Then he asked, "but when are my fingers going to grow back?"
The father went home & committed suicide.
Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or u wish to take revenge. Think first before u lose your patience with someone u love. Trucks can be repaired. Broken bones & hurt feelings often can't.
Too often we fail to recognise the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge.
People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever. Pause and ponder. Think before you act. Be patient. Forgive & forget. Love one and all.
To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck.
The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment.
When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital. Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands.
When the boy woke up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, "Daddy, I'm sorry about your truck." Then he asked, "but when are my fingers going to grow back?"
The father went home & committed suicide.
Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or u wish to take revenge. Think first before u lose your patience with someone u love. Trucks can be repaired. Broken bones & hurt feelings often can't.
Too often we fail to recognise the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge.
People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever. Pause and ponder. Think before you act. Be patient. Forgive & forget. Love one and all.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Eagles and Stroms
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come.
When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.
God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.
When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.
God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Hold my Hand
A little girl and her father were crossing a flimsy bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter: "Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river."
And the little girl said,"No, Dad. You hold my hand." "What's the difference?" asked the puzzled father.
"There is a big difference," replied the little girl. "Dad, if I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go."
"But, if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."
In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind but in its bond. So allow the Lord to hold on to you today and he will never let you go!
And the little girl said,"No, Dad. You hold my hand." "What's the difference?" asked the puzzled father.
"There is a big difference," replied the little girl. "Dad, if I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go."
"But, if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."
In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind but in its bond. So allow the Lord to hold on to you today and he will never let you go!
A noble deed
Once there was a poor Scottish farmer whose name was Fleming. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from nearby dog. He dropped his tools and ran to the dog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the boy from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you" said the nobleman. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me take your son and give him a good education. If he's anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of you." And that he did.
In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known through-out the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the Nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin.
This is not the end. The nobleman's son also made a great contribution to society. For the nobleman was non other than Lord Randolph Churchill. And his son’s name was Winston Churchill. Let us use all our talent, competence and energy for creating peace and happiness for the nation.”
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you" said the nobleman. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me take your son and give him a good education. If he's anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of you." And that he did.
In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known through-out the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the Nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin.
This is not the end. The nobleman's son also made a great contribution to society. For the nobleman was non other than Lord Randolph Churchill. And his son’s name was Winston Churchill. Let us use all our talent, competence and energy for creating peace and happiness for the nation.”
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Good Luck! Bad Luck! ... Who knows
There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbours sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?"
A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbours congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?"
Then, when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?"
Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg, they let him off. Now was that good luck or bad luck? Who knows?
Everything that seems on the surface to be an evil may be a good in disguise. And everything that seems good on the surface may really be an evil. So we are wise when we leave it to God to decide what good fortune is and what misfortune, and thank him that all things turn out for good with those who love him.
Lesson: Things are not always as they seems..
A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbours congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?"
Then, when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?"
Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg, they let him off. Now was that good luck or bad luck? Who knows?
Everything that seems on the surface to be an evil may be a good in disguise. And everything that seems good on the surface may really be an evil. So we are wise when we leave it to God to decide what good fortune is and what misfortune, and thank him that all things turn out for good with those who love him.
Lesson: Things are not always as they seems..
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Lessons from Geese
FACT 1 - As each Goose flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71 per cent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
LESSON - People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
FACT 2 - When a Goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
LESSON - If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
FACT 3 - When the lead Goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another Goose flies to the point position.
LESSON - It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with Geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
FACT 4 - The Geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
LESSON: Power of speech.
FACT 5 - When a Goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two Geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
LESSON: Stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Black Baloon Story
There was a man who made a living selling balloons at a fair. He had all colors of balloons, including red, yellow, blue, and green. Whenever business was slow, he would release a helium-filled balloon into the air and when the children saw it go up, they all wanted to buy one. They would come up to him, buy a balloon, and his sales would go up again.
He continued this process all day. One day, he felt someone tugging at his jacket. He turned around and saw a little boy who asked, "If you release a black balloon, would that also fly?" Moved by the boy's concern, the man replied with empathy, "Son, it is not the color of the balloon, it is what is inside that makes it go up."
The same thing applies to our lives. It is what is inside that count. The thing inside of us that makes us go up is our attitude.
William James of Harvard University said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind."
He continued this process all day. One day, he felt someone tugging at his jacket. He turned around and saw a little boy who asked, "If you release a black balloon, would that also fly?" Moved by the boy's concern, the man replied with empathy, "Son, it is not the color of the balloon, it is what is inside that makes it go up."
The same thing applies to our lives. It is what is inside that count. The thing inside of us that makes us go up is our attitude.
William James of Harvard University said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind."
Monday, January 14, 2008
Time Wasters
A turtle family decided to go on a picnic. Turtles, being naturally slow about things, took seven years to prepare for their outing. Finally the turtle family left home looking for a suitable place and in the second year of their journey found it. For six months they cleaned up the area, unpacked the picnic basket, and completed the arrangements. Then they discovered they had forgotten the salt. A picnic without salt would be a disaster, they all agreed. After a lengthy discussion, the youngest turtle was chosen to retrieve the salt from home. Although he was the fastest of the slow moving turtles, the little turtle whined, cried, and wobbled in his shell. He agreed to go on one condition: that no one would eat till he returned. The family consented and the little turtle left.
Three years passed- the little turtle had not returned. Five years... six years.. then in the seventh year of his absence, the oldest turtle could no longer contain his hunger. He announced that he was going to eat and began to unwrap a sandwich. At that point the little turtle suddenly popped out from behind a tree shouting, "SEE I knew you wouldn't wait. Now am not going to get the salt."
Friday, January 11, 2008
Easier Way = Tougher Way
Once there was a lark singing in the forest. The lark stopped the farmer and asked, "What do you have in the box and where are you going?" The farmer replied that he had worms and that he was going to the market to trade them for some feathers. The lark said, "I have many feathers. I will pluck one and give it to you and that will save me looking for worms." The farmer gave the worms to the lark and the lark plucked a feather and gave it in return.
The next day the same thing happened and the day after and on and on until a day came that the lark had no more feathers. Now it couldn't fly and hunt for worms. It started looking ugly and stopped singing and very soon it died.
Lesson: What the lark thought was an easy way to get food turned out to be the tougher way after all। Isn't the same thing true in our lives? Many times we look for the easier way, which really ends up being the tougher way.
The next day the same thing happened and the day after and on and on until a day came that the lark had no more feathers. Now it couldn't fly and hunt for worms. It started looking ugly and stopped singing and very soon it died.
Lesson: What the lark thought was an easy way to get food turned out to be the tougher way after all। Isn't the same thing true in our lives? Many times we look for the easier way, which really ends up being the tougher way.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Splashes of Life..
My grandfather took me to the fish pond on the farm when I was about seven, and he told me to throw a stone into the water. He told me to watch the circles created by the stone. Then he asked me to think of myself as that stone person.
"You may create lots of splashes in your life but the waves that come from those splashes will disturb the peace of all your fellow creatures," he said. "Remember that you are responsible for what you put in your circle and that circle will also touch many other circles. You will need to live in a way that allows the good that comes from your circle to send the peace of that goodness to others. The splash that comes from anger or jealousy will send those feelings to other circles. You are responsible for both."
That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world. We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict, hatred, doubt, or anger. We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether we speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or discord with all other circles of life.
Remember the eternal wisdom:
WHATEVER YOU FOCUS ON........... E X P A N D S. . .
A man's strength cannot always be judged by his strongest actions; in many instances he is judged by his weakness.
J. W. A. Henderson
"You may create lots of splashes in your life but the waves that come from those splashes will disturb the peace of all your fellow creatures," he said. "Remember that you are responsible for what you put in your circle and that circle will also touch many other circles. You will need to live in a way that allows the good that comes from your circle to send the peace of that goodness to others. The splash that comes from anger or jealousy will send those feelings to other circles. You are responsible for both."
That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world. We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict, hatred, doubt, or anger. We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether we speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or discord with all other circles of life.
Remember the eternal wisdom:
WHATEVER YOU FOCUS ON........... E X P A N D S. . .
A man's strength cannot always be judged by his strongest actions; in many instances he is judged by his weakness.
J. W. A. Henderson
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Growing Good Corn
There was a Nebraska farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon...
One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.
"How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.
"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."
He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves.
So it is in other dimensions. Those who choose to be at peace must help their neighbors to be at peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.
The lesson: If we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbors grow good corn
One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.
"How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.
"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."
He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves.
So it is in other dimensions. Those who choose to be at peace must help their neighbors to be at peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.
The lesson: If we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbors grow good corn
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Insect and Spider
Once upon a time lived a spider in a cornfield. A big spider with a beautiful nest goes around between corn stems. It becomes fat by eating all the insects that trapped on its web. It really loved to live on that cornfield and plans to stay there forever.
One day, the spider catch a tiny insect on its web, and when this spider going to eat it, the insect said, “If you let me go, I will tell you one important thing that will save your life”. That spider stops for a moment and listen carefully. “You better go from this cornfield,” said this tiny insect, “Harvest time already here!”
The spider smiles and says, ”What this harvest time you talk about? I think you just make up a story”. But the tiny insects says, “Oh no, its true. The owner of this field will come soon to reap. All the corn stalk will be cut off and the corn will be gathered. You will be killed by a giant machine if you stay here.”
The spider answers, “I do not believe in the harvest time or giant machine that will cut off the corn. How you may prove it?” The tiny insect continues, “Look at those corns. Look how those corns were planted in ordered lines. That proves that this field was designed by somebody brilliant”.
The spider laugh and said, “This field grown by its own and has no relationship with a creator. Corns always grow like that”. The insect explain more, “Oh no. This field owned by an owner who plants it, the harvest time will be here soon.” The spider grinned and said, “I do not believe”, and then it eat that insect.
Few days later, the spider was laughing remembered the tiny insect’s story. He thinks, “Harvest. What a stupid idea. I already here all my life and no body is disturbing me. I already here when the plants just half meter tall from the ground, and will be here for the rest of my life, because there is nothing will changed on this field. Life is beautiful, and I will make it that way.”
The next day was a beautiful day on the cornfield. The sky was bright and there’s no wind. That noon, when the spider walks, he suddenly realizes there was a thick dust move on his way. It hears the sound of giant machine and told itself, “What is happening?”
The stair of life is full with wood shavings, but you will never realize it before you slipped down.
One day, the spider catch a tiny insect on its web, and when this spider going to eat it, the insect said, “If you let me go, I will tell you one important thing that will save your life”. That spider stops for a moment and listen carefully. “You better go from this cornfield,” said this tiny insect, “Harvest time already here!”
The spider smiles and says, ”What this harvest time you talk about? I think you just make up a story”. But the tiny insects says, “Oh no, its true. The owner of this field will come soon to reap. All the corn stalk will be cut off and the corn will be gathered. You will be killed by a giant machine if you stay here.”
The spider answers, “I do not believe in the harvest time or giant machine that will cut off the corn. How you may prove it?” The tiny insect continues, “Look at those corns. Look how those corns were planted in ordered lines. That proves that this field was designed by somebody brilliant”.
The spider laugh and said, “This field grown by its own and has no relationship with a creator. Corns always grow like that”. The insect explain more, “Oh no. This field owned by an owner who plants it, the harvest time will be here soon.” The spider grinned and said, “I do not believe”, and then it eat that insect.
Few days later, the spider was laughing remembered the tiny insect’s story. He thinks, “Harvest. What a stupid idea. I already here all my life and no body is disturbing me. I already here when the plants just half meter tall from the ground, and will be here for the rest of my life, because there is nothing will changed on this field. Life is beautiful, and I will make it that way.”
The next day was a beautiful day on the cornfield. The sky was bright and there’s no wind. That noon, when the spider walks, he suddenly realizes there was a thick dust move on his way. It hears the sound of giant machine and told itself, “What is happening?”
The stair of life is full with wood shavings, but you will never realize it before you slipped down.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Source of Motivation
Story of two brothers.
One was a drug addict and a drunk who frequently beat up his family. The other one was a very successful businessman who was respected in society and had a wonderful family. Some people wanted to find out why two brothers from the same parents, brought up in the same environment, could be so different.
The first one was asked, "How come you do what you do? You are a drug addict, a drunk, and you beat your family. What motivates you?" He said, "My father." They asked, "What about your father?" The reply was, "My father was a drug addict, a drunk and he beat his family. What do you expect me to be? That is what I am."
They went to the brother who was doing everything right and asked him the same question. "How come you are doing everything right? What is your source of motivation?"
And guess what he said? "My father. When I was a little boy, I used to see my dad drunk and doing all the wrong things. I made up my mind that that is not what I wanted to be."
Both were deriving their strength and motivation from the same source, but one was using it positively and the other negatively.
Negative motivation brings the desire to take the easier way which ends up being the tougher way.
One was a drug addict and a drunk who frequently beat up his family. The other one was a very successful businessman who was respected in society and had a wonderful family. Some people wanted to find out why two brothers from the same parents, brought up in the same environment, could be so different.
The first one was asked, "How come you do what you do? You are a drug addict, a drunk, and you beat your family. What motivates you?" He said, "My father." They asked, "What about your father?" The reply was, "My father was a drug addict, a drunk and he beat his family. What do you expect me to be? That is what I am."
They went to the brother who was doing everything right and asked him the same question. "How come you are doing everything right? What is your source of motivation?"
And guess what he said? "My father. When I was a little boy, I used to see my dad drunk and doing all the wrong things. I made up my mind that that is not what I wanted to be."
Both were deriving their strength and motivation from the same source, but one was using it positively and the other negatively.
Negative motivation brings the desire to take the easier way which ends up being the tougher way.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Grow stonger everyday
Don't worry if you have problems! Which is easy to say until you are in the midst of a really big one, I know. But the only people I am aware of who don't have troubles are gathered in little neighborhoods. Most communities have at least one. We call them cemeteries.
If you're breathing, you have difficulties. It's the way of life. And believe it or not, most of your problems may actually be good for you! Let me explain.
Maybe you have seen the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef. On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful, a traveler observed. Why is this
The guide gave an interesting answer The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, and storms - surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces. Then he added this telling note that’s the way it is with every living organism.
That's how it is with people. Challenged and tested, we come alive! Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness.
So, you have problems - no problem! Just tell yourself, there I grow again!
Remember:
If GOD answers your prayers, HE is increasing your faith…
If he delays, HE is increasing your patience…
If HE does not answer, HE knows, you can handle it yourself.
If you're breathing, you have difficulties. It's the way of life. And believe it or not, most of your problems may actually be good for you! Let me explain.
Maybe you have seen the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef. On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful, a traveler observed. Why is this
The guide gave an interesting answer The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, and storms - surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces. Then he added this telling note that’s the way it is with every living organism.
That's how it is with people. Challenged and tested, we come alive! Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness.
So, you have problems - no problem! Just tell yourself, there I grow again!
Remember:
If GOD answers your prayers, HE is increasing your faith…
If he delays, HE is increasing your patience…
If HE does not answer, HE knows, you can handle it yourself.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Azim Premji on -- “Continuous Transformation”
I have found that people who succeed most in their careers are those who can constantly transform themselves. Transformation is not so much a process, as a deep-seated desire to change our environment and ourselves. Based on my own experience, I would like to share with you my thoughts on how to make continuous transformation possible. I hope you find them useful.
You have got to have a dream.
Dreams are very powerful internal motivators. Great achievements are created twice – First in the mind and then in a concrete form. The most exhilarating part of being young is the ability to dream. As one grows, one may realize that not all of them are achievable. However, never turn cynical. Aging is not adding on years. It is parting with one’s dreams. Use your experience to reshape your dreams and adapt them to changing reality but do not stop dreaming. I cannot think of a single transformation or achievement, individual or social that did not begin with a dream. Dreams not only help us in seeing things before they happen, but they also give us the passion and energy to make them happen.
Stay on course even if you stumble.
When everything seems to go wrong, either you can give up or you can let misfortune transform you into something stronger. The difference between great achievement and mediocrity is not extraordinary talent or intelligence, but perseverance. In fact, dreams and perseverance make a winning combination. In 1972, a chartered plane, carrying a Rugby team crashed in the Andes. After a weeklong futile search, the rescue team gave up thinking that all of them must be dead. The passengers after waiting for many days to be rescued decided to help themselves since apparently nobody else was going to do it. Two of them volunteered to cross the mountains by foot to reach the green valleys of Chile and bring back help. It was a walk of more than 50 miles. But they did it and came back to rescue their fellow passengers who managed to survive in the mountain 70 days after the crash. The core of heroism lies in the ability to walk that extra mile. As long as you can do that, you will never be defeated.
Do not be afraid to admit your ignorance.
While it is important to project what we are good at, we must be equally candid about areas we do not know enough about. The seeds of learning were sown by the great great philosopher Socrates who said “All I know is that I don’t know.” Today, knowledge is multiplying at such a rapid rate that it is impossible for anyone to know everything. But if we can develop an index system by which we at least know with whom or where the knowledge is available, we have achieved quite a bit! Moreover, there will still be areas, which we will be unable to tap. The important thing is not to hide behind a false front. People will respect you for your honesty, if not your wisdom.
Think about what you will take on next rather than about what you may be letting go.
Too many people are so enamored by the legacy of success in their current roles that they are afraid to look further. This can lead to inertia. If we linger too long on past success, we will miss out on the opportunities that lie ahead of us. We must learn to look at change as an exciting adventure rather than a disruption. New avenues for learning always lie just beyond the shade of our comfort zone.
Contribute in every situation.
The only way to keep learning is by contributing. You do not have to be the leader every time. When a formation of birds flies over long distances, each bird takes its turn in leading. This ensures that no bird gets too tired and yet the formation keeps moving at a certain pace. Every person is important. It doesn’t matter whether you play the violin, the flute or the drums; you are still part of the orchestra. Leadership is not about exercising power as much as it is about contributing. This will happen when you realize that leadership is not a privilege but a responsibility.
Pursue excellence in whatever you do.
Excellence cannot be forced through a process nor guaranteed by a certificate. It comes from an all-consuming passion to do one’s best. It needs an eye for the smallest of details. When differences become small, it’s the small things that make the difference.
While you must take your careers seriously, do not take yourself too seriously.
You have to laugh and find humour everyday. This will help you to keep issues in their perspective. Being cheerful is an attitude. Not only will it help you to reduce your own stress, but a positive attitude is contagious. It can do a lot to elevate the moods of people around you and recharge you to take one more shot at the problems facing you.
We must always know what we are really good at.
Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, we must focus on areas where our talents truly lie. A talent can be defined as that skill which we not only enjoy learning but which we can also learn rapidly. We need to work at honing our talent and smoothening the rough edges. But exceptional performance usually comes from doing what comes naturally to us.
Always welcome feedback even if it comes in the guise of criticism.
I remember the story of a boy who dreamt of becoming an artist but was frustrated because whenever he showed his painting, the teacher would look at it with a frown and find some fault with it. The student improved on his work continuously and he thought he would one day hear a word of appreciation from his teacher. But it never happened. Finally, in disgust, he bought a painting from an accomplished artist, touched it up with fresh paint and showed it to his teacher. To his amazement, the teacher smiled and said, “now this is really good work. Congratulations.” Feeling guilty, the student confessed that it was not really his painting. The teacher looked at him silently and then said, “Till now, I thought you wanted to paint a great picture. But I realize now that you do not want any more corrections, which means that the last painting you did was the best you will ever do. Remember you have set these limits to your talent, not me.” Criticism may actually be an expression of faith in us rather than a put down. We must learn to take it constructively because it will show us what more we can learn.
Always play to win. Winning is not about making the other person lose.
It is about stretching yourself to your own limits. Once so stretched, you will realize the true extent of your potential. Ultimately, transformation is about reaching and utilizing not only your potential but those of others who work with you.
You have got to have a dream.
Dreams are very powerful internal motivators. Great achievements are created twice – First in the mind and then in a concrete form. The most exhilarating part of being young is the ability to dream. As one grows, one may realize that not all of them are achievable. However, never turn cynical. Aging is not adding on years. It is parting with one’s dreams. Use your experience to reshape your dreams and adapt them to changing reality but do not stop dreaming. I cannot think of a single transformation or achievement, individual or social that did not begin with a dream. Dreams not only help us in seeing things before they happen, but they also give us the passion and energy to make them happen.
Stay on course even if you stumble.
When everything seems to go wrong, either you can give up or you can let misfortune transform you into something stronger. The difference between great achievement and mediocrity is not extraordinary talent or intelligence, but perseverance. In fact, dreams and perseverance make a winning combination. In 1972, a chartered plane, carrying a Rugby team crashed in the Andes. After a weeklong futile search, the rescue team gave up thinking that all of them must be dead. The passengers after waiting for many days to be rescued decided to help themselves since apparently nobody else was going to do it. Two of them volunteered to cross the mountains by foot to reach the green valleys of Chile and bring back help. It was a walk of more than 50 miles. But they did it and came back to rescue their fellow passengers who managed to survive in the mountain 70 days after the crash. The core of heroism lies in the ability to walk that extra mile. As long as you can do that, you will never be defeated.
Do not be afraid to admit your ignorance.
While it is important to project what we are good at, we must be equally candid about areas we do not know enough about. The seeds of learning were sown by the great great philosopher Socrates who said “All I know is that I don’t know.” Today, knowledge is multiplying at such a rapid rate that it is impossible for anyone to know everything. But if we can develop an index system by which we at least know with whom or where the knowledge is available, we have achieved quite a bit! Moreover, there will still be areas, which we will be unable to tap. The important thing is not to hide behind a false front. People will respect you for your honesty, if not your wisdom.
Think about what you will take on next rather than about what you may be letting go.
Too many people are so enamored by the legacy of success in their current roles that they are afraid to look further. This can lead to inertia. If we linger too long on past success, we will miss out on the opportunities that lie ahead of us. We must learn to look at change as an exciting adventure rather than a disruption. New avenues for learning always lie just beyond the shade of our comfort zone.
Contribute in every situation.
The only way to keep learning is by contributing. You do not have to be the leader every time. When a formation of birds flies over long distances, each bird takes its turn in leading. This ensures that no bird gets too tired and yet the formation keeps moving at a certain pace. Every person is important. It doesn’t matter whether you play the violin, the flute or the drums; you are still part of the orchestra. Leadership is not about exercising power as much as it is about contributing. This will happen when you realize that leadership is not a privilege but a responsibility.
Pursue excellence in whatever you do.
Excellence cannot be forced through a process nor guaranteed by a certificate. It comes from an all-consuming passion to do one’s best. It needs an eye for the smallest of details. When differences become small, it’s the small things that make the difference.
While you must take your careers seriously, do not take yourself too seriously.
You have to laugh and find humour everyday. This will help you to keep issues in their perspective. Being cheerful is an attitude. Not only will it help you to reduce your own stress, but a positive attitude is contagious. It can do a lot to elevate the moods of people around you and recharge you to take one more shot at the problems facing you.
We must always know what we are really good at.
Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, we must focus on areas where our talents truly lie. A talent can be defined as that skill which we not only enjoy learning but which we can also learn rapidly. We need to work at honing our talent and smoothening the rough edges. But exceptional performance usually comes from doing what comes naturally to us.
Always welcome feedback even if it comes in the guise of criticism.
I remember the story of a boy who dreamt of becoming an artist but was frustrated because whenever he showed his painting, the teacher would look at it with a frown and find some fault with it. The student improved on his work continuously and he thought he would one day hear a word of appreciation from his teacher. But it never happened. Finally, in disgust, he bought a painting from an accomplished artist, touched it up with fresh paint and showed it to his teacher. To his amazement, the teacher smiled and said, “now this is really good work. Congratulations.” Feeling guilty, the student confessed that it was not really his painting. The teacher looked at him silently and then said, “Till now, I thought you wanted to paint a great picture. But I realize now that you do not want any more corrections, which means that the last painting you did was the best you will ever do. Remember you have set these limits to your talent, not me.” Criticism may actually be an expression of faith in us rather than a put down. We must learn to take it constructively because it will show us what more we can learn.
Always play to win. Winning is not about making the other person lose.
It is about stretching yourself to your own limits. Once so stretched, you will realize the true extent of your potential. Ultimately, transformation is about reaching and utilizing not only your potential but those of others who work with you.
Azim Premji The Changing World
LESSON 1 “Be alert for the first signs of change.”
Change descends on every One equally; it is just that some realize it faster. Some changes are sudden but many others are gradual. While sudden changes get attention because they are dramatic, it is the gradual changes that are ignored till it is too late. You must have all heard of story of the frog in boiling water. If the temperature of the water is suddenly increased, the frog realizes it and jumps out of the water. But if the temperature is very slowly increased, one degree at a time, the frog does not realize it till it boils to death. You must develop your own early warning system, which warns you of changes and calls your attention to it. In the case of change, being forewarned is being forearmed.
LESSON 2 “Anticipate change even when things are going right."
"Most people wait for something to go wrong before they think of change. It is like going to the doctor for a check up only when you are seriously sick or thinking of maintaining your vehicle only when it breaks down. The biggest enemy of future success is past success. When you succeed, you feel that you must be doing something right for it to happen. But when the parameters for success change, doing the same things may or may not continue to lead to success. Guard against complacency all the time. Complacency makes you blind to the early signals from the environment that something is going wrong.
LESSON 3 “Always look at the opportunities that change represents.”
Change represents. ”Managing change has a lot to go with our own attitude towards it. It is proverbial half-full or half empty glass approach. For every problem that change represents, there is an opportunity lurking in disguise somewhere. It is up to you to spot it before someone else does.
LESSON 4 “Do not allow routines to become chains."
For many of us the routine. We have got accustomed to obstruct change. Routines represent our own zones of comfort. There is a sense of predictability about them. They have structured our time and even our thought in a certain way. While routines are useful, do not let them enslave you. Deliberately break out of them from time to time.
LESSON 5 “Realize that fear of the unknown is natural.”
With change comes a feeling of insecurity. Many people believe that brave people are not afflicted by this malady. The truth is different. Every one feels the fear of unknown. Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to manage fear without getting paralyzed. Feel the fear, but move on regardless.
LESSON 6 “Keep renewing yourself.”
This prepares you to anticipate change and be ready for it when it comes. Constantly ask yourself what new skills and competencies will be needed. Begin working on them before it becomes necessary and you will have a natural advantage. The greatest benefit of your education lies not only in what you have learnt, but in working how to learn. Formal education is the beginning of the journey of learning. Yet I do meet youngsters who feel that they have already learnt all there is to learn. You have to constantly learn about people and how to interact effectively with them. In the world of tomorrow, only those individuals and organizations will succeed who have mastered the art of rapid and on-going learning.
LESSON 7 “Surround yourself with people who reopen to change." open to change.”
If you are always in the company of cynics, you will soon find yourself becoming like them. A cynic knows all the reasons why something cannot be done. Instead, spend time with people who have a "can-do" approach. Choose your advisors and mentors correctly. Pessimism is contagious, but then so is enthusiasm. In fact, reasonable optimism can be an amazing force multiplier.
LESSON 8 “Play to win!”
I have said this many times in the past. Playing to win is not the same as cutting corners. When you play to win, you stretch yourself to your maximum and use all your potential. It also helps you to concentrate your energy on what you can influence instead of getting bogged down with the worry of what you cannot change. Do your best and leave the rest.
LESSON 9 Respect yourself. The world will reward you on your successes." on your successes.”
Success requires no explanation and failure permits none. But you need to respect yourself enough so that your self-confidence remains intact whether you succeed or fail. If you succeed 90 per cent of the time, you are doing fine. If you are succeeding all the time, you should ask yourself if you are taking enough risks. If you do not take enough risks, you may also be losing out on many opportunities. Think through but take the plunge. If some things do go wrong, learn from them. I came across this interesting story some time ago:
Story
“One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and begin to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that fell on his back, the donkey was doing some thing amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and totted off! Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick is too motto get bogged down by it. We can get out of the deepest wells by not stopping. And by never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!”
LESSON 10 “Never change: your core values.”
In spite of all the change around you, decide upon what you will never change: your core values. Take your time to decide what they are but once you do, do not compromise on them for any reason. Integrity is one such value.
LESSON 11 “We must remember that succeeding in a changing world is beyond just surviving.”
Changing world is beyond just surviving.” It is our responsibility to create and contribute something to the world that has given us so much. We must remember that many have contributed to our success, including our parents and others from our society. All of us have a responsibility to utilize our potential for making our nation a better place for others, who may not be as well endowed as us, or as fortunate in having the opportunities that we have got. Let us do our bit, because doing one good deed can have multiple benefits not only for us but also for many others. Let me end my talk with a small story I came across some time back, which illustrates this very well.
Remember:
Change is the only thing that will never change.
So better will never change.
So better adapt to it. "Adapt to it."
Change is Universal…
Change is Permanent….
Be ever willing to Change…..
Change alone leads you to success and happiness!!!
Change descends on every One equally; it is just that some realize it faster. Some changes are sudden but many others are gradual. While sudden changes get attention because they are dramatic, it is the gradual changes that are ignored till it is too late. You must have all heard of story of the frog in boiling water. If the temperature of the water is suddenly increased, the frog realizes it and jumps out of the water. But if the temperature is very slowly increased, one degree at a time, the frog does not realize it till it boils to death. You must develop your own early warning system, which warns you of changes and calls your attention to it. In the case of change, being forewarned is being forearmed.
LESSON 2 “Anticipate change even when things are going right."
"Most people wait for something to go wrong before they think of change. It is like going to the doctor for a check up only when you are seriously sick or thinking of maintaining your vehicle only when it breaks down. The biggest enemy of future success is past success. When you succeed, you feel that you must be doing something right for it to happen. But when the parameters for success change, doing the same things may or may not continue to lead to success. Guard against complacency all the time. Complacency makes you blind to the early signals from the environment that something is going wrong.
LESSON 3 “Always look at the opportunities that change represents.”
Change represents. ”Managing change has a lot to go with our own attitude towards it. It is proverbial half-full or half empty glass approach. For every problem that change represents, there is an opportunity lurking in disguise somewhere. It is up to you to spot it before someone else does.
LESSON 4 “Do not allow routines to become chains."
For many of us the routine. We have got accustomed to obstruct change. Routines represent our own zones of comfort. There is a sense of predictability about them. They have structured our time and even our thought in a certain way. While routines are useful, do not let them enslave you. Deliberately break out of them from time to time.
LESSON 5 “Realize that fear of the unknown is natural.”
With change comes a feeling of insecurity. Many people believe that brave people are not afflicted by this malady. The truth is different. Every one feels the fear of unknown. Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to manage fear without getting paralyzed. Feel the fear, but move on regardless.
LESSON 6 “Keep renewing yourself.”
This prepares you to anticipate change and be ready for it when it comes. Constantly ask yourself what new skills and competencies will be needed. Begin working on them before it becomes necessary and you will have a natural advantage. The greatest benefit of your education lies not only in what you have learnt, but in working how to learn. Formal education is the beginning of the journey of learning. Yet I do meet youngsters who feel that they have already learnt all there is to learn. You have to constantly learn about people and how to interact effectively with them. In the world of tomorrow, only those individuals and organizations will succeed who have mastered the art of rapid and on-going learning.
LESSON 7 “Surround yourself with people who reopen to change." open to change.”
If you are always in the company of cynics, you will soon find yourself becoming like them. A cynic knows all the reasons why something cannot be done. Instead, spend time with people who have a "can-do" approach. Choose your advisors and mentors correctly. Pessimism is contagious, but then so is enthusiasm. In fact, reasonable optimism can be an amazing force multiplier.
LESSON 8 “Play to win!”
I have said this many times in the past. Playing to win is not the same as cutting corners. When you play to win, you stretch yourself to your maximum and use all your potential. It also helps you to concentrate your energy on what you can influence instead of getting bogged down with the worry of what you cannot change. Do your best and leave the rest.
LESSON 9 Respect yourself. The world will reward you on your successes." on your successes.”
Success requires no explanation and failure permits none. But you need to respect yourself enough so that your self-confidence remains intact whether you succeed or fail. If you succeed 90 per cent of the time, you are doing fine. If you are succeeding all the time, you should ask yourself if you are taking enough risks. If you do not take enough risks, you may also be losing out on many opportunities. Think through but take the plunge. If some things do go wrong, learn from them. I came across this interesting story some time ago:
Story
“One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and begin to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that fell on his back, the donkey was doing some thing amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and totted off! Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick is too motto get bogged down by it. We can get out of the deepest wells by not stopping. And by never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!”
LESSON 10 “Never change: your core values.”
In spite of all the change around you, decide upon what you will never change: your core values. Take your time to decide what they are but once you do, do not compromise on them for any reason. Integrity is one such value.
LESSON 11 “We must remember that succeeding in a changing world is beyond just surviving.”
Changing world is beyond just surviving.” It is our responsibility to create and contribute something to the world that has given us so much. We must remember that many have contributed to our success, including our parents and others from our society. All of us have a responsibility to utilize our potential for making our nation a better place for others, who may not be as well endowed as us, or as fortunate in having the opportunities that we have got. Let us do our bit, because doing one good deed can have multiple benefits not only for us but also for many others. Let me end my talk with a small story I came across some time back, which illustrates this very well.
Remember:
Change is the only thing that will never change.
So better will never change.
So better adapt to it. "Adapt to it."
Change is Universal…
Change is Permanent….
Be ever willing to Change…..
Change alone leads you to success and happiness!!!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Holy Man
Word spread across the countryside about the wise Holy Man who lived in a small house atop the mountain. A man from the village decided to make the long and difficult journey to visit him. When he arrived at the house, he saw an old servant inside who greeted him at the door. "I would like to see the wise Holy Man," he said to the servant. The servant smiled and led him inside. As they walked through the house, the man from the village looked eagerly around the house, anticipating his encounter with the Holy Man. Before he knew it, he had been led to the back door and escorted outside. He stopped and turned to the servant, "But I want to see the Holy Man!"
"You already have," said the old man.
People's reactions to this story:
" This reminds me of Jesus. He was born a simple carpenter's son. It also reminded me of Martin Luther King believing that we are all human and worthy of respect."
"Anticipation of something may be greater than the thing itself. Anticipation of looks is always a mistake."
"You can't judge a book by its cover."
"This is too obvious to be a story. You don't have to think about the point and make it yours. It just hits you on the head."
"This is like the age-old story of Beauty and the Beast. Don't judge people until you get to know them. They may surprise you."
"If you feel love and respect for all people that you meet, you will receive inward peace."
"My Perspective: Everyone you may meet in life, even if they appear plain and insignificant... see each of them as a wise Holy Man. If you do this, then whatever problem you brought here today will be solved."
"You already have," said the old man.
People's reactions to this story:
" This reminds me of Jesus. He was born a simple carpenter's son. It also reminded me of Martin Luther King believing that we are all human and worthy of respect."
"Anticipation of something may be greater than the thing itself. Anticipation of looks is always a mistake."
"You can't judge a book by its cover."
"This is too obvious to be a story. You don't have to think about the point and make it yours. It just hits you on the head."
"This is like the age-old story of Beauty and the Beast. Don't judge people until you get to know them. They may surprise you."
"If you feel love and respect for all people that you meet, you will receive inward peace."
"My Perspective: Everyone you may meet in life, even if they appear plain and insignificant... see each of them as a wise Holy Man. If you do this, then whatever problem you brought here today will be solved."
Gift
There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.
One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.
Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.
Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"
"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"
One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.
Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.
Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"
"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"
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