Listen to everyone
Listen to those who love you and those who don't; to those who bore you; even to your enemies. It work a small miracle, and perhaps a great one.
Listen to what hasn't been said
Listen to what has been said, and especially to the unspoken - therein lie nuggets of truth and beauty.
Listen to your inner self
Learn to listen to the whispers of your heart and your soul; of what's right and what's not. You know so much more than you give yourself credit for.
Listen more than you speak
The less we speak, the more we listen. The more we listen , the more we learn.
Listen without interrupting
It takes courage to stand up and speak, and even more courage to sit down and listen.
Listen with absolute patience
Words don't come easily to everyone. Yet each person has something to say. So keep on listening and be rewarded with words of wisdom.
Listen with your hands
When you take note, you experience everything twice, and understand it a thousand times better.
Listen with your mind
Even after a conversation, it pays to think about it. Indeed listening without reflecting is like eating without digesting.
Listen with your eyes
There is a road from the eye to the heart and mind that does not go through the ears.
Listen with 100% attention
When you focus all your senses to the task of listening, you'll be able to pick up little nuances that can make all the difference.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Acres of Diamonds
One of the most interesting Americans who lived in the 19th century was a man by the name of Russell Herman Conwell. He was born in 1843 and lived until 1925. He was a lawyer for about fifteen years until he became a clergyman.
One day, a young man went to him and told him he wanted a college education but couldn't swing it financially. Dr. Conwell decided, at that moment, what his aim in life was, besides being a man of cloth - that is. He decided to build a university for unfortunate, but deserving, students. He did have a challenge, however. He would need a few million dollars to build the university. For Dr. Conwell, and anyone with real purpose in life, nothing could stand in the way of his goal.
Several years before this incident, Dr. Conwell was tremendously intrigued by a true story - with its ageless moral. The story was about a farmer who lived in Africa and through a visitor became tremendously excited about looking for diamonds. Diamonds were already discovered in abundance on the African continent and this farmer got so excited about the idea of millions of dollars worth of diamonds that he sold his farm to head out to the diamond line. He wandered all over the continent, as the years slipped by, constantly searching for diamonds, wealth, which he never found. Eventually he went completely broke and threw himself into a river and drowned.
Meanwhile, the new owner of his farm picked up an unusual looking rock about the size of a country egg and put it on his mantle as a sort of curiosity. A visitor stopped by and in viewing the rock practically went into terminal convulsions. He told the new owner of the farm that the funny looking rock on his mantle was about the biggest diamond that had ever been found. The new owner of the farm said, "Heck, the whole farm is covered with them" -
and sure enough it was.
The farm turned out to be the Kimberly Diamond Mine...the richest the world has ever known. The original farmer was literally standing on "Acres of Diamonds" until he sold his farm.
Dr. Conwell learned from the story of the farmer and continued to teach it's moral. Each of us is right in the middle of our own "Acre of Diamonds", if only we would realize it and develop the ground we are standing on before charging off in search of greener pastures. Dr. Conwell told this story many times and attracted enormous audiences. He told the story long enough to have raised the money to start the college for underprivileged deserving students. In fact, he raised nearly six million dollars and the university he founded, Temple University in Philadelphia, has at least ten degree-granting colleges and six other schools.
When Doctor Russell H. Conwell talked about each of us being right on our own "Acre of Diamonds", he meant it. This story does not get old...it will be true forever...
Opportunity does not just come along - it is there all the time - we just have to see it.
One day, a young man went to him and told him he wanted a college education but couldn't swing it financially. Dr. Conwell decided, at that moment, what his aim in life was, besides being a man of cloth - that is. He decided to build a university for unfortunate, but deserving, students. He did have a challenge, however. He would need a few million dollars to build the university. For Dr. Conwell, and anyone with real purpose in life, nothing could stand in the way of his goal.
Several years before this incident, Dr. Conwell was tremendously intrigued by a true story - with its ageless moral. The story was about a farmer who lived in Africa and through a visitor became tremendously excited about looking for diamonds. Diamonds were already discovered in abundance on the African continent and this farmer got so excited about the idea of millions of dollars worth of diamonds that he sold his farm to head out to the diamond line. He wandered all over the continent, as the years slipped by, constantly searching for diamonds, wealth, which he never found. Eventually he went completely broke and threw himself into a river and drowned.
Meanwhile, the new owner of his farm picked up an unusual looking rock about the size of a country egg and put it on his mantle as a sort of curiosity. A visitor stopped by and in viewing the rock practically went into terminal convulsions. He told the new owner of the farm that the funny looking rock on his mantle was about the biggest diamond that had ever been found. The new owner of the farm said, "Heck, the whole farm is covered with them" -
and sure enough it was.
The farm turned out to be the Kimberly Diamond Mine...the richest the world has ever known. The original farmer was literally standing on "Acres of Diamonds" until he sold his farm.
Dr. Conwell learned from the story of the farmer and continued to teach it's moral. Each of us is right in the middle of our own "Acre of Diamonds", if only we would realize it and develop the ground we are standing on before charging off in search of greener pastures. Dr. Conwell told this story many times and attracted enormous audiences. He told the story long enough to have raised the money to start the college for underprivileged deserving students. In fact, he raised nearly six million dollars and the university he founded, Temple University in Philadelphia, has at least ten degree-granting colleges and six other schools.
When Doctor Russell H. Conwell talked about each of us being right on our own "Acre of Diamonds", he meant it. This story does not get old...it will be true forever...
Opportunity does not just come along - it is there all the time - we just have to see it.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Gandhi's Shoe
Mohandas [Mahatma] Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), the great Indian statesman and spiritual leader is noted for his unusual humanity and selflessness, which this story epitomises. Gandhi was boarding a train one day with a number of companions and followers, when his shoe fell from his foot and disappeared in the gap between the train and platform. Unable to retrieve it, he took off his other shoe and threw it down by the first. Responding to the puzzlement of his fellow travellers, Gandhi explained that a poor person who finds a single shoe is no better off - what's really helpful is finding a pair.
Lesson: Selfless compassion, Generosity without strings
Lesson: Selfless compassion, Generosity without strings
Can You Sleep While the Wind Blows?
Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were Reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the Awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops. As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received A steady stream of refusals.
Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached The farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him. "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.
Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, Hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from Dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work. Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed Next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the Little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!" The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No Sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."
Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on The spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had Been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens Were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his Hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while The wind blew.
MORAL OF THE STORY.
When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, You have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the Wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he Had secured the farm against the storm. We secure ourselves against the storms of life by Grounding ourselves in the Word of God. We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.
so be Prepared...
Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached The farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him. "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.
Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, Hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from Dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work. Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed Next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the Little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!" The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No Sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."
Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on The spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had Been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens Were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his Hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while The wind blew.
MORAL OF THE STORY.
When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, You have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the Wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he Had secured the farm against the storm. We secure ourselves against the storms of life by Grounding ourselves in the Word of God. We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.
so be Prepared...
Pure Silver
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed
The woman was silent for a moment Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
We all need to know that God is watching over us.
Whatever we are going through, we'll be a better person in the end.
Be encouraged my friend.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed
The woman was silent for a moment Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
We all need to know that God is watching over us.
Whatever we are going through, we'll be a better person in the end.
Be encouraged my friend.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Believe while others ….
Believe while others are doubting.
Plan while others are playing.
Study while others are sleeping.
Decide while others are delaying.
Prepare while others are daydreaming.
Begin while others are procrastinating.
Work while others are wishing.
Save while others are wasting.
Listen while others are talking.
Smile while others are frowning.
Commend while others are criticizing.
Persist while others are quitting.
Moral: Believe in yourself...get up and start........
Plan while others are playing.
Study while others are sleeping.
Decide while others are delaying.
Prepare while others are daydreaming.
Begin while others are procrastinating.
Work while others are wishing.
Save while others are wasting.
Listen while others are talking.
Smile while others are frowning.
Commend while others are criticizing.
Persist while others are quitting.
Moral: Believe in yourself...get up and start........
Risks of life
Two seeds lay side by side in the fertile soil.
The first seed said, "I want to grow!
I want to send my roots
Deep into the soil beneath me,
And thrust my sprouts
Through the earth's crust above me ...
I want to unfurl my tender buds
Like banners to announce the arrival of spring ...
I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face
And the blessing of the morning dew on my petals!"
And so she grew...
The second seed said,
"I am afraid.
If I send my roots into the ground below,
I don't know what I will encounter in the dark.
If I push my way through the hard soil above me
I may damage my delicate sprouts ...
What if I let my buds open and
A snail tries to eat them?
And if I were to open my blossoms,
A small child may pull me from the ground.
No, it is much better for me
To wait until it is safe."
And so she waited...
A hen scratching around
In the early spring ground
For food found the waiting seed
And promptly ate it.
Moral of the Story:
Those of us who refuse to risk and grow.........Get swallowed up by life.
The first seed said, "I want to grow!
I want to send my roots
Deep into the soil beneath me,
And thrust my sprouts
Through the earth's crust above me ...
I want to unfurl my tender buds
Like banners to announce the arrival of spring ...
I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face
And the blessing of the morning dew on my petals!"
And so she grew...
The second seed said,
"I am afraid.
If I send my roots into the ground below,
I don't know what I will encounter in the dark.
If I push my way through the hard soil above me
I may damage my delicate sprouts ...
What if I let my buds open and
A snail tries to eat them?
And if I were to open my blossoms,
A small child may pull me from the ground.
No, it is much better for me
To wait until it is safe."
And so she waited...
A hen scratching around
In the early spring ground
For food found the waiting seed
And promptly ate it.
Moral of the Story:
Those of us who refuse to risk and grow.........Get swallowed up by life.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Parable of the Pencil
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. "There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."
"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."
"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."
"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."
"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."
"And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write." The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
LEARN FROM A PENCIL.
"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."
"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."
"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."
"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."
"And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write." The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
LEARN FROM A PENCIL.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Make a difference
A small boy was walking along a beach at low tide, where countless thousands of small sea creatures, having been washed up, were stranded and doomed to perish. A man watched as the boy picked up individual creatures and took them back into the water.
"I can see you're being very kind," said the watching man, "But there must be a million of them; it can't possibly make any difference."
Returning from the water's edge, the boy said, "It will for that one."
Moral: Making a difference, Compassion, Social responsibility
"I can see you're being very kind," said the watching man, "But there must be a million of them; it can't possibly make any difference."
Returning from the water's edge, the boy said, "It will for that one."
Moral: Making a difference, Compassion, Social responsibility
Standing on the sea-shore
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
Isaac Newton
Some Learnings..
I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it may be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles a rainy day and lost luggage.
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.....
..........and miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles a rainy day and lost luggage.
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.....
..........and miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Three types of people
According to Leonardo da Vinci, there are three classes of people:
1. Those who do not see.
2. Those who see when they are shown.
3. Those who see.
1. Those who do not see.
2. Those who see when they are shown.
3. Those who see.
Big rocks of life
One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, okay, time for a quiz, and he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth Mason jar and set it on the table in front of him.
He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, is this jar full?
Everyone in the class yelled, Yes.
The time management expert replied, Really!
He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.
He then asked the group once more, Is the jar full?
By this time the class was on to him. Probably not, one of them answered.
Good! He replied.
He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel.
Once more he asked the question, is this jar full?
No! The class shouted.
Once again he said, well.
Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim.
He looked at the class and asked, What is the point of this illustration
One eager beaver raised his hand and said, The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!
No, the speaker replied, that's not the point. The truth is, this illustration teaches us that if you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all.
What are the 'big rocks' in your life, time with your loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others Remember to put these 'big rocks' in first or you'll never get them in at all. So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question - What are the 'big rocks' in my life and then, put those in your jar first.
He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, is this jar full?
Everyone in the class yelled, Yes.
The time management expert replied, Really!
He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.
He then asked the group once more, Is the jar full?
By this time the class was on to him. Probably not, one of them answered.
Good! He replied.
He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel.
Once more he asked the question, is this jar full?
No! The class shouted.
Once again he said, well.
Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim.
He looked at the class and asked, What is the point of this illustration
One eager beaver raised his hand and said, The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!
No, the speaker replied, that's not the point. The truth is, this illustration teaches us that if you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all.
What are the 'big rocks' in your life, time with your loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others Remember to put these 'big rocks' in first or you'll never get them in at all. So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question - What are the 'big rocks' in my life and then, put those in your jar first.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The power of prayer
There once was a wise sage who wandered the countryside. One day, as he passed near a village, he was approached by a woman who told him of a sick child nearby. She pressed him to help this child.
So the sage came to the village, and a crowd gathered around him, for such a man was a rare sight. One woman brought the sick child to him, and he said a prayer over her.
"Do you really think your prayer will help her, when medicine has failed?" yelled a man from the crowd.
"You know nothing of such things! You are a stupid fool!" said the sage to the man.
The man became very angry with these words and his face grew hot and red. He was about to say something, or perhaps strike out, when the sage walked over to him and said: "If one word has such power as to make you so angry and hot, may not another have the power to heal?"
So the sage came to the village, and a crowd gathered around him, for such a man was a rare sight. One woman brought the sick child to him, and he said a prayer over her.
"Do you really think your prayer will help her, when medicine has failed?" yelled a man from the crowd.
"You know nothing of such things! You are a stupid fool!" said the sage to the man.
The man became very angry with these words and his face grew hot and red. He was about to say something, or perhaps strike out, when the sage walked over to him and said: "If one word has such power as to make you so angry and hot, may not another have the power to heal?"
Dreams
A dream is a seed
The seed of a tree
A tree full of life
And the things you can be
Your dreams are the windows
Through which you can see
A hint of your future
And the things you will be
Each night when you sleep
you are feeding the seed
The seed of the tree
Of who you will be...
Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire -you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away.
The seed of a tree
A tree full of life
And the things you can be
Your dreams are the windows
Through which you can see
A hint of your future
And the things you will be
Each night when you sleep
you are feeding the seed
The seed of the tree
Of who you will be...
Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire -you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away.
Monday, March 17, 2008
An Obstacle In Your Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.
Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.
After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse laying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many of us never understand.
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.
After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse laying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many of us never understand.
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Change your Strategy.
One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: "I am blind, please help".
A creative publicist was walking by him and stopped to observe he only had a few coins in his hat, he dropped a few more coins in his hat and without asking for his permission took the sign,turned it around, and wrote another announcement. He placed the sign by his feet and left. That afternoon the creative publicist returned by the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins. The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was him who had re-written his sign and he wanted to know what did he write on it?
The publicist responded: "Nothing that was not true, I just rewrote your sign differently". He smiled and went on his way.The blind man never knew but his new sign read : "TODAY IS SPRING AND I CANNOT SEE IT".
Change your strategy when something does not go your way and you'll see it will probably be for the best. Have faith that every change is best for our lives.
A creative publicist was walking by him and stopped to observe he only had a few coins in his hat, he dropped a few more coins in his hat and without asking for his permission took the sign,turned it around, and wrote another announcement. He placed the sign by his feet and left. That afternoon the creative publicist returned by the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins. The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was him who had re-written his sign and he wanted to know what did he write on it?
The publicist responded: "Nothing that was not true, I just rewrote your sign differently". He smiled and went on his way.The blind man never knew but his new sign read : "TODAY IS SPRING AND I CANNOT SEE IT".
Change your strategy when something does not go your way and you'll see it will probably be for the best. Have faith that every change is best for our lives.
Friday, March 14, 2008
The story of two monks
A senior monk and a junior monk had to travel together. As they were travelling, they had to cross a river. The river was flooded due to copious rains in
the catchment areas. As the monks were attempting to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross the river. The
young woman asked if the senior monk could help cross the river.
The senior monk carried this woman on his shoulder and crossed the river and let her on the other bank of the river. The junior monk was very upset, as the
monk hood demands that they not touch a woman. However, as monk hood also demanded that he pay respect to elders, he dared not to ask the senior monk to
explain his action.
They both were walking and senior monk noticed that his junior was suddenly silent and inquired "Is something the matter, you seem very upset?"
The junior monk replied, "As monks we are debarred from touching a woman, how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?".
The senior monk replied, "I left the woman a long time ago at the bank, however, you seem to be carrying her still."
the catchment areas. As the monks were attempting to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross the river. The
young woman asked if the senior monk could help cross the river.
The senior monk carried this woman on his shoulder and crossed the river and let her on the other bank of the river. The junior monk was very upset, as the
monk hood demands that they not touch a woman. However, as monk hood also demanded that he pay respect to elders, he dared not to ask the senior monk to
explain his action.
They both were walking and senior monk noticed that his junior was suddenly silent and inquired "Is something the matter, you seem very upset?"
The junior monk replied, "As monks we are debarred from touching a woman, how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?".
The senior monk replied, "I left the woman a long time ago at the bank, however, you seem to be carrying her still."
The duck on water
A couple of days back I had to take my son for boating.
As me, my wife and my son, sat in the boat, we saw a duck swimming effortlessly on water. It was so stable and serene, we couldn't but notice its serenity. I pointed to the duck and asked my son to look at the duck. He asked me how the duck was able to stay afloat. I explained to him how the duck paddles below the water, etc., As I was explaining I realised how much of effort is going on under the water to make the duck look so serene on top of the water.
Isn't it the case with almost all the successful people - the success that we so easily see, that gets portrayed in the media has come after a lot of paddling?
As me, my wife and my son, sat in the boat, we saw a duck swimming effortlessly on water. It was so stable and serene, we couldn't but notice its serenity. I pointed to the duck and asked my son to look at the duck. He asked me how the duck was able to stay afloat. I explained to him how the duck paddles below the water, etc., As I was explaining I realised how much of effort is going on under the water to make the duck look so serene on top of the water.
Isn't it the case with almost all the successful people - the success that we so easily see, that gets portrayed in the media has come after a lot of paddling?
What matter the most to you?
The Long Wait
A man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5 years old son waiting for him at the door.
"Daddy, may I ask you a question?" "Yeah, sure, what is it?" replied the man. "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?" "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?" the man said angrily. "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?" pleaded the little boy. "If you must know, I make $20 an hour." "Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down, looking up, he said, "Dad, may I please borrow $10?"
Angry Reaction
The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday and don't have time for this childish behavior."
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?
React Differently On Second Thought
After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10 and he really didn't ask for money very often.
The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.
"Are you asleep, son?" He asked. "No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy. "I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier" said the man. "It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $10 you asked for."
The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" He yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.
Angry Again
The man seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.
"Why do you want more money if you already have some?" the father grumbled. "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.
"Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.
Understand The Message From This Story
This is just a reminder to all of us who are working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent sometime with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $20 worth of your time with someone you love.
If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family and friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.
A man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5 years old son waiting for him at the door.
"Daddy, may I ask you a question?" "Yeah, sure, what is it?" replied the man. "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?" "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?" the man said angrily. "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?" pleaded the little boy. "If you must know, I make $20 an hour." "Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down, looking up, he said, "Dad, may I please borrow $10?"
Angry Reaction
The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday and don't have time for this childish behavior."
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?
React Differently On Second Thought
After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10 and he really didn't ask for money very often.
The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.
"Are you asleep, son?" He asked. "No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy. "I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier" said the man. "It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $10 you asked for."
The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" He yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.
Angry Again
The man seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.
"Why do you want more money if you already have some?" the father grumbled. "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.
"Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.
Understand The Message From This Story
This is just a reminder to all of us who are working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent sometime with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $20 worth of your time with someone you love.
If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family and friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Two brothers and the geese story
Two sons work for their father on the family's farm. The younger brother had for some years been given more responsibility and reward, and one day the older brother asks his father to explain why.
The father says, "First, go to the Kelly's farm and see if they have any geese for sale - we need to add to our stock."
The brother soon returns with the answer, "Yes they have five geese they can sell to us."
That father then says, "Good, please ask them the price."
The son returns with the answer, "The geese are £10 each."
The father says, "Good, now ask if they can deliver the geese tomorrow."
And duly the sone returns with the answer, "Yes, they can deliver the geese them tomorrow."
The father asks the older brother to wait and listen, and then calls to the younger brother in a nearby field, "Go to the Davidson's Farm and see if they have any geese for sale - we need to add to our stock."
The younger brother soon returns with the answer, "Yes, they have five geese for £10 each, or ten geese for £8 each; and they can deliver them tomorrow - I asked them to deliver the five unless they heard otherwise from us in the next hour. And I agreed that if we want the extra five geese we could buy them at £6 each."
The father turned to the older son, who nodded his head in appreciation - he now realized why his brother was given more responsibility and reward.
The father says, "First, go to the Kelly's farm and see if they have any geese for sale - we need to add to our stock."
The brother soon returns with the answer, "Yes they have five geese they can sell to us."
That father then says, "Good, please ask them the price."
The son returns with the answer, "The geese are £10 each."
The father says, "Good, now ask if they can deliver the geese tomorrow."
And duly the sone returns with the answer, "Yes, they can deliver the geese them tomorrow."
The father asks the older brother to wait and listen, and then calls to the younger brother in a nearby field, "Go to the Davidson's Farm and see if they have any geese for sale - we need to add to our stock."
The younger brother soon returns with the answer, "Yes, they have five geese for £10 each, or ten geese for £8 each; and they can deliver them tomorrow - I asked them to deliver the five unless they heard otherwise from us in the next hour. And I agreed that if we want the extra five geese we could buy them at £6 each."
The father turned to the older son, who nodded his head in appreciation - he now realized why his brother was given more responsibility and reward.
Set a Goal for yourself
There's a story about a dog that bragged about his running speed. One day he chased a rabbit, but failed to catch him. The other dogs ridiculed him. He answered: But remember, the rabbit was running for his life. He had a motive. I was just running for fun. If you're just working for fun or wages you'll never try as hard as if you're working for a deeper, longer goal.
More people fail through lack of purpose than from all other causes combined.
The truest shortcut to success is to set a Goal.
More people fail through lack of purpose than from all other causes combined.
The truest shortcut to success is to set a Goal.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I wish I could be...
There was once a stone cutter who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life. One day he passed a wealthy merchant's house. Through the open gateway, he saw many fine possessions and important visitors. "How powerful that merchant must be!" thought the stone cutter. He became very envious and wished that he could be like the merchant.
To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever imagined, but envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. Soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. "How powerful that official is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a high official!"
Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around. It was a hot summer day, so the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. "How powerful the sun is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the sun!"
Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on everything below. "How powerful that storm cloud is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a cloud!" Then he became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some great force, and realized that it was the wind. "How powerful it is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the wind!"
Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting trees, feared and hated by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it - a huge, towering rock. "How powerful that rock is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a rock!" Then he became the rock, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the hard surface, and felt himself being changed. "What could be more powerful than I, the rock?" he thought.
He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stone cutter.
Moral:- Don't underestimate yourself and be satisfied with what you are.
To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever imagined, but envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. Soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. "How powerful that official is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a high official!"
Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around. It was a hot summer day, so the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. "How powerful the sun is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the sun!"
Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on everything below. "How powerful that storm cloud is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a cloud!" Then he became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some great force, and realized that it was the wind. "How powerful it is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the wind!"
Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting trees, feared and hated by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it - a huge, towering rock. "How powerful that rock is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a rock!" Then he became the rock, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the hard surface, and felt himself being changed. "What could be more powerful than I, the rock?" he thought.
He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stone cutter.
Moral:- Don't underestimate yourself and be satisfied with what you are.
The Meaning Of Life
If you’ve never asked the question
Who or when or why or how
Give your mind that great suggestion
Go ahead and do it now
You will find when you consider
All the options that abound
There is still but one conclusion
Where peace of mind is found
It not in education
In religion of in books
In retirement funds and IRAs
Or how the market looks
It’s not in status or in style
How low in golf you score
It’s not the running of a mile
Or who you’re working for
It’s not the price you pay for things
It’s not the jewels and fancy rings
It’s not the checks and credit cards
Secured by all those guns and guards
It’s not the beauty of your face
It’s not a matter of your race
It’s not the muscle on your bones
Your classy looks or great skin tones
What matter most in life today
Is where you stand along the way
Not what you have, but what you are
How faith in God succeeds by far
God is the answer to the question
Of the who, when, why or how
And he gives the invitation
Trust in me and do it now
You’ll find God meets your deepest need
With His kind words your soul he’ll feed
He guide your steps and make things right
He’ll turn darkness into light.
Who or when or why or how
Give your mind that great suggestion
Go ahead and do it now
You will find when you consider
All the options that abound
There is still but one conclusion
Where peace of mind is found
It not in education
In religion of in books
In retirement funds and IRAs
Or how the market looks
It’s not in status or in style
How low in golf you score
It’s not the running of a mile
Or who you’re working for
It’s not the price you pay for things
It’s not the jewels and fancy rings
It’s not the checks and credit cards
Secured by all those guns and guards
It’s not the beauty of your face
It’s not a matter of your race
It’s not the muscle on your bones
Your classy looks or great skin tones
What matter most in life today
Is where you stand along the way
Not what you have, but what you are
How faith in God succeeds by far
God is the answer to the question
Of the who, when, why or how
And he gives the invitation
Trust in me and do it now
You’ll find God meets your deepest need
With His kind words your soul he’ll feed
He guide your steps and make things right
He’ll turn darkness into light.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Hut on fire?
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened—everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could you do this to me?” He cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” Asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:
Disadvantage can become your advantage...
Moral: Everything happens for good (we just do not have the vision to see it).
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened—everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could you do this to me?” He cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” Asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:
Disadvantage can become your advantage...
Moral: Everything happens for good (we just do not have the vision to see it).
Friday, March 07, 2008
My Dad Story of dumb animal called - human being
My Dad
When I was ....................................
4 years old: My daddy can do anything..
5 years old: My daddy knows a whole lot.
6 years old: My dad is smarter than your dad.
8 years old: My dad doesn't know exactly everything.
10 years old: In the olden days when my dad grew up, things were sure different.
12 years old: Oh, well, naturally Father doesn't know anything about that. He is too old to remember his childhood.
14 years old: Don't pay any attention to my father. He is too old-fashioned!
21 years old: Him? My Lord, he's hopelessly out-of-date.
25 years old: Dad knows a little bit about it, but then he should because he has been around so long.
30 years old: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he's had a lot of experience.
35 years old: I'm not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad.
40 years old: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise and had a world of experience.
50 years old: I'd give anything if Dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn't appreciate how smart he was.
I could have learned a lot from him.
When I was ....................................
4 years old: My daddy can do anything..
5 years old: My daddy knows a whole lot.
6 years old: My dad is smarter than your dad.
8 years old: My dad doesn't know exactly everything.
10 years old: In the olden days when my dad grew up, things were sure different.
12 years old: Oh, well, naturally Father doesn't know anything about that. He is too old to remember his childhood.
14 years old: Don't pay any attention to my father. He is too old-fashioned!
21 years old: Him? My Lord, he's hopelessly out-of-date.
25 years old: Dad knows a little bit about it, but then he should because he has been around so long.
30 years old: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he's had a lot of experience.
35 years old: I'm not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad.
40 years old: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise and had a world of experience.
50 years old: I'd give anything if Dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn't appreciate how smart he was.
I could have learned a lot from him.
What will matter: The Ant Story
One morning I wasted nearly an hour watching a tiny ant carry a huge feather cross my back terrace. Several times it was confronted by obstacles in its path and after a momentary pause it would make the necessary detour.
At one point the ant had to negotiate a crack in the concrete about 10mm wide. After brief contemplation the ant laid the feather over the crack, walked across it and picked up the feather on the other side then continued on its way. I was fascinated by the ingenuity of this ant, one of God's smallest creatures. It served to reinforce the miracle of creation. Here was a minute insect, lacking in size yet equipped with a brain to reason, explore, discover and overcome. But this ant, like the two-legged co-residents of this planet, also share human failings.
After some time the ant finally reached its destination - a flower bed at the end of the terrace and a small hole that was the entrance to its underground home. And it was here that the ant finally met its match. How could that large feather possibly fit down small hole
Of course it couldn't. so the ant, after all this trouble and exercising great ingenuity, overcoming problems all along the way, just abandoned the feather and went home.
The ant had not thought the problem through before it began its epic journey and in the end the feather was nothing more than a burden. Isn't life like that!
We worry about money or the lack of it, we worry about work, about where we live, about all sorts of things. These are all burdens - the things we pick up along life's path and lug them around the obstacles and over the crevasses that life will bring, only to find that at the destination they are useless and we can't take them with us...
People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace.
They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them.
The irony is that the only place they ever needed to search was within themselves.
THINK: the most important things in life are NOT things...
THINK: about the end...
Related Post:
What will Matter
At one point the ant had to negotiate a crack in the concrete about 10mm wide. After brief contemplation the ant laid the feather over the crack, walked across it and picked up the feather on the other side then continued on its way. I was fascinated by the ingenuity of this ant, one of God's smallest creatures. It served to reinforce the miracle of creation. Here was a minute insect, lacking in size yet equipped with a brain to reason, explore, discover and overcome. But this ant, like the two-legged co-residents of this planet, also share human failings.
After some time the ant finally reached its destination - a flower bed at the end of the terrace and a small hole that was the entrance to its underground home. And it was here that the ant finally met its match. How could that large feather possibly fit down small hole
Of course it couldn't. so the ant, after all this trouble and exercising great ingenuity, overcoming problems all along the way, just abandoned the feather and went home.
The ant had not thought the problem through before it began its epic journey and in the end the feather was nothing more than a burden. Isn't life like that!
We worry about money or the lack of it, we worry about work, about where we live, about all sorts of things. These are all burdens - the things we pick up along life's path and lug them around the obstacles and over the crevasses that life will bring, only to find that at the destination they are useless and we can't take them with us...
People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace.
They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them.
The irony is that the only place they ever needed to search was within themselves.
THINK: the most important things in life are NOT things...
THINK: about the end...
Related Post:
What will Matter
Thursday, March 06, 2008
A dozen rules to live a better life
Realize that true happiness lies within you.
Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.
Search for the seed of good in every adversity.
Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well through the entire darkest valley you must traverse. There is always a seed of good. Find it and prosper.
Guard your fragile life carefully.
Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces.
You will achieve grand dream, a day at a time, so set goals for each day
Set goals for each day that will take you, step by step, toward your rainbow. Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in twenty-four hours. Be patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your most important goal.
Welcome every morning with a smile.
Look on the new day as another special gift from your Lord, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.
Live this day as if it will be your last.
Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow Each day is a special gift from God, and while life may not always be fair, you must never allow the pains, hurdles, and handicaps of the moment to poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future.
Let your actions always speak for you.
Let your actions always speak for you, but be forever on guard against the terrible traps of false pride and conceit that can halt your progress. The next time you are tempted to boast, just place your fist in a full pail of water, and when you remove it, the hole remaining will give you a correct measure of your importance.
Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts.
Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. You have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint.
Always reward your long hours of labor and toil in the very best way, surrounded by your family.
Nurture their love carefully, remembering that your children need models, not critics, and your own progress will hasten when you constantly strive to present your best side to your children. And even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success.
Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long.
Mistakes are life's way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth. Shake off your blunders. How will you know your limits without an occasional failure? Never quit. Your turn will come.
Today, and every day deliver more than you are getting paid to do.
The victory of success will be half won when you learn the secret of putting out more than is expected in all that you do. Make yourself so valuable in your work that eventually you will become indispensable. Exercise your privilege to go the extra mile, and enjoy all the rewards you receive. You deserve them!
Count your blessings.
Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you... with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.
Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.
Search for the seed of good in every adversity.
Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well through the entire darkest valley you must traverse. There is always a seed of good. Find it and prosper.
Guard your fragile life carefully.
Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces.
You will achieve grand dream, a day at a time, so set goals for each day
Set goals for each day that will take you, step by step, toward your rainbow. Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in twenty-four hours. Be patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your most important goal.
Welcome every morning with a smile.
Look on the new day as another special gift from your Lord, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.
Live this day as if it will be your last.
Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow Each day is a special gift from God, and while life may not always be fair, you must never allow the pains, hurdles, and handicaps of the moment to poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future.
Let your actions always speak for you.
Let your actions always speak for you, but be forever on guard against the terrible traps of false pride and conceit that can halt your progress. The next time you are tempted to boast, just place your fist in a full pail of water, and when you remove it, the hole remaining will give you a correct measure of your importance.
Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts.
Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. You have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint.
Always reward your long hours of labor and toil in the very best way, surrounded by your family.
Nurture their love carefully, remembering that your children need models, not critics, and your own progress will hasten when you constantly strive to present your best side to your children. And even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success.
Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long.
Mistakes are life's way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth. Shake off your blunders. How will you know your limits without an occasional failure? Never quit. Your turn will come.
Today, and every day deliver more than you are getting paid to do.
The victory of success will be half won when you learn the secret of putting out more than is expected in all that you do. Make yourself so valuable in your work that eventually you will become indispensable. Exercise your privilege to go the extra mile, and enjoy all the rewards you receive. You deserve them!
Count your blessings.
Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you... with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Innovation & Team work wins the race
A hare and a tortoise live in India. They are good friends and like all good friends, sometimes have a dig at each other. One day, in a light mood the hare ridiculed the tortoise for his slow pace. The tortoise reacted by challenging the hare for a race between Delhi to Gurgaon. On the appointed day and time the two assemble at the starting line and start the race. The hare dashes off the start line like a flash. After crossing the midway mark , he feels that a short nap would do no harm. The short nap turned out to be a bit too long. Meanwhile the tortoise crosses the hare and reaches the destination. The hare wakes from the slumber, oblivious of the time, and dashes off towards the finish. To his dismay he finds the tortoise having a nap at the finish line.
The moral of the story is "Slow and steady wins the race."
The story does not end here.....
The hare goes home and soon understands that complacency and overconfidence were the reasons of his defeat. He vows not to repeat the mistake again. He then invites the tortoise for another race. The tortoise agrees to his friend’s request. They meet at the appointed day and time at the starting point. The race starts. This time the hare dashes off to the finishing line without taking a break and wins the race comfortably.
The moral of the story is "Fast and steady wins the race".
The story does not end here.....
The tortoise goes home and thinks hard. He was aware that the hare cannot be defeated in speed. He then ponders over his core competence. At last he finds a solution and invites the hare to another race. This time the course is changed. It is from Delhi to Airport. The hare agrees. At the appointed day and time the two meet at the start line and the race begins. The hare dashes off like a flash. Soon he arrives at the banks of river Yamuna and is overwhelmed by a sense of dejection as he did not know how to swim. The tortoise comes to the bank , looks at the hare with sympathy and coolly gets into the water. He swims to the other side goes to the airport and comes back.
The moral of the story is "Core competence wins the race."
But the story does not end here.....
Both the friends decide it was enough of racing against each other. Why not think hard and find a way by which they together could travel from Delhi to airport at the minimum possible time. At the end of a brain storming session they come out with a solution and decide to try out the next morning. At the appointed time they meet at the starting line. The tortoise sits on the back of the hare. The hare dashes off from Delhi to the banks of Yamuna. There the hare gets on the back of the tortoise and the tortoise swiftly crosses the river. On reaching the other side the tortoise again sits on the back of the hare. The hare runs as fast as he can to the airport. Thus they both reach airport in the fastest possible time.
The moral of the story is "Innovation and team work wins the race"
The moral of the story is "Slow and steady wins the race."
The story does not end here.....
The hare goes home and soon understands that complacency and overconfidence were the reasons of his defeat. He vows not to repeat the mistake again. He then invites the tortoise for another race. The tortoise agrees to his friend’s request. They meet at the appointed day and time at the starting point. The race starts. This time the hare dashes off to the finishing line without taking a break and wins the race comfortably.
The moral of the story is "Fast and steady wins the race".
The story does not end here.....
The tortoise goes home and thinks hard. He was aware that the hare cannot be defeated in speed. He then ponders over his core competence. At last he finds a solution and invites the hare to another race. This time the course is changed. It is from Delhi to Airport. The hare agrees. At the appointed day and time the two meet at the start line and the race begins. The hare dashes off like a flash. Soon he arrives at the banks of river Yamuna and is overwhelmed by a sense of dejection as he did not know how to swim. The tortoise comes to the bank , looks at the hare with sympathy and coolly gets into the water. He swims to the other side goes to the airport and comes back.
The moral of the story is "Core competence wins the race."
But the story does not end here.....
Both the friends decide it was enough of racing against each other. Why not think hard and find a way by which they together could travel from Delhi to airport at the minimum possible time. At the end of a brain storming session they come out with a solution and decide to try out the next morning. At the appointed time they meet at the starting line. The tortoise sits on the back of the hare. The hare dashes off from Delhi to the banks of Yamuna. There the hare gets on the back of the tortoise and the tortoise swiftly crosses the river. On reaching the other side the tortoise again sits on the back of the hare. The hare runs as fast as he can to the airport. Thus they both reach airport in the fastest possible time.
The moral of the story is "Innovation and team work wins the race"
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Remove Mind Blocks: Don't act like an elephant
Strange statement, isn't it?
But listen carefully because it can make the difference of success and failure in your business and private life.
So, let me explain...
You might know that in India elephants are used for manual labor. But what to do with them when they are not working? How to restrain them?
Their handlers came up with the idea to "program" them while they are still very young - by setting self-imposed limits into their thinking.
How does it work?
When the elephants are still small, weighing around 150 pounds, they get tied up with a very heavy rope. All day long, the elephants try to get rid of it, whine, tug at it and some of them even try to chew it. But they can't break free.
Finally, the elephants give up and the fight is over.
And now it's getting interesting...
From this moment on, they strongly believe that there is absolutely no chance to get rid of the rope. They accept the "fact" that the rope limits them.
And with this imprinted belief in place, their handlers are able to tie them with extremely small ropes!
And even as adults, weighing 8,000 pounds and more, they never attempt to break free because they "know" they have no chance at all!
As you can see, the elephant’s limits are not real, but exist only in their mind.
And also we are programmed with built-in-boundaries. They are also not real but exist only in our minds.
But with these imprinted belief systems, with these inner boundaries, we are unable...
- to live our lives to the fullest
- to be successful as we could be
- to set and reach higher goals
- to make 10 times more money as we do now
- to build a successful business
- to get the promotion and pay increase we always dreamed of
- to fulfill our true dreams and desires etc.
But it hasn't to stay this way. Our negative belief systems don't have to limit us for good.
If you *truly* want to become successful and are not kidding yourself, you *can* change your inner belief system, your attitude, and break your inner boundaries.
You *always* have the inner strength; the personal power to change everything in your life for the better. Just try!
So, never give up! Never act like an elephant!
But listen carefully because it can make the difference of success and failure in your business and private life.
So, let me explain...
You might know that in India elephants are used for manual labor. But what to do with them when they are not working? How to restrain them?
Their handlers came up with the idea to "program" them while they are still very young - by setting self-imposed limits into their thinking.
How does it work?
When the elephants are still small, weighing around 150 pounds, they get tied up with a very heavy rope. All day long, the elephants try to get rid of it, whine, tug at it and some of them even try to chew it. But they can't break free.
Finally, the elephants give up and the fight is over.
And now it's getting interesting...
From this moment on, they strongly believe that there is absolutely no chance to get rid of the rope. They accept the "fact" that the rope limits them.
And with this imprinted belief in place, their handlers are able to tie them with extremely small ropes!
And even as adults, weighing 8,000 pounds and more, they never attempt to break free because they "know" they have no chance at all!
As you can see, the elephant’s limits are not real, but exist only in their mind.
And also we are programmed with built-in-boundaries. They are also not real but exist only in our minds.
But with these imprinted belief systems, with these inner boundaries, we are unable...
- to live our lives to the fullest
- to be successful as we could be
- to set and reach higher goals
- to make 10 times more money as we do now
- to build a successful business
- to get the promotion and pay increase we always dreamed of
- to fulfill our true dreams and desires etc.
But it hasn't to stay this way. Our negative belief systems don't have to limit us for good.
If you *truly* want to become successful and are not kidding yourself, you *can* change your inner belief system, your attitude, and break your inner boundaries.
You *always* have the inner strength; the personal power to change everything in your life for the better. Just try!
So, never give up! Never act like an elephant!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Who you are: Carrot, Egg & Coffee?
A certain daughter complained to her father about her life and how things have been so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and she wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that just as one problem was solved another arose.
Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen, filled three pots with water and placed the fire on high. Soon the three pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the other he placed eggs, and in the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently wondered what he was trying to do. She had problems, and he was making this strange concoction. In half an hour he walked over to the oven and turned down the fire. He pulled the carrots out and placed them in the bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in the bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her he asked. "Darling what do you see,"
Smartly, she replied. "Carrots, eggs, and coffee."
He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Her face frowned from the strength of the coffee.
Humbly, she asked. "What does it mean Father?"
He explained. "Each of them faced the same adversity, 212 degrees of boiling water. However each reacted differently."
"The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after going through boiling water, it softened and became weak."
"The egg was fragile. A thin outer shell protected a liquid center. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened."
"The coffee beans are unique however. After they were in the boiling water, it became stronger and richer." "Which are you," he asked his daughter.
When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?
Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with the smallest amount of pain, adversity, heat you wilt and become soft with no strength?
Are you the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? A fluid spirit. But after a death, a breakup, a divorce, a layoff you became hardened and stiff. Your shell looks the same, but you are so bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart, internally.
Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean does not get its peak flavor and robust until it reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better. When things are there worst, you get better. When people talk the most, your praises increase. When the hour is the darkest, trials are their greatest, your worship elevates to another level.
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen, filled three pots with water and placed the fire on high. Soon the three pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the other he placed eggs, and in the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently wondered what he was trying to do. She had problems, and he was making this strange concoction. In half an hour he walked over to the oven and turned down the fire. He pulled the carrots out and placed them in the bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in the bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her he asked. "Darling what do you see,"
Smartly, she replied. "Carrots, eggs, and coffee."
He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Her face frowned from the strength of the coffee.
Humbly, she asked. "What does it mean Father?"
He explained. "Each of them faced the same adversity, 212 degrees of boiling water. However each reacted differently."
"The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after going through boiling water, it softened and became weak."
"The egg was fragile. A thin outer shell protected a liquid center. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened."
"The coffee beans are unique however. After they were in the boiling water, it became stronger and richer." "Which are you," he asked his daughter.
When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?
Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with the smallest amount of pain, adversity, heat you wilt and become soft with no strength?
Are you the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? A fluid spirit. But after a death, a breakup, a divorce, a layoff you became hardened and stiff. Your shell looks the same, but you are so bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart, internally.
Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean does not get its peak flavor and robust until it reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better. When things are there worst, you get better. When people talk the most, your praises increase. When the hour is the darkest, trials are their greatest, your worship elevates to another level.
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
God does exists (liitle girl and the teacher)
One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children. The teacher asked a little boy: Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. He doesn’t exist.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. The teacher agreed and the little girl asked the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss (getting tired of the questions by this time).
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she must not have one!
"FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT"
CORINTHIANS 4:7
You might like to read these:
Where is GOD?
GOD does exists!.. (man and barber story)
All other post under Tag GOD
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. He doesn’t exist.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. The teacher agreed and the little girl asked the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss (getting tired of the questions by this time).
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she must not have one!
"FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT"
CORINTHIANS 4:7
You might like to read these:
Where is GOD?
GOD does exists!.. (man and barber story)
All other post under Tag GOD
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Barber & The King
The barber was giving a haircut to the king and as usually all barbers do, entered into a conversation with his master. He told the King that he is so close to the King yet the king's minister is being paid a very much higher salary. Barber felt that to be rather unfair & wanted an explanation. King said "Ok, I will give you a task which I would normally give the minister, for you to perform so that I could judge" King told the barber "I understand that a ship has arrived in the harbor please brief me about it" Barber ran to the harbor and came back and told the King Yes, Sir. There is a Ship! King: When has it arrived? Barber again ran to the harbor and returned to tell that the ship has arrived 2 days ago. Barber had to run to the harbor several times to the harbor till the king got the required information such as from where the ship has come? What the ship has brought?, Who had come, What they would take back, when? At what Price etc, the Barber was extremely tired after making so many trips. At this stage the King called his minister in the presence of his barber and gave him the same task. Minister made just one trip , came back and gave a report which contained all the info. King had wanted to know.
King then told the barber "This should explain why the minister is paid a higher salary!!
King then told the barber "This should explain why the minister is paid a higher salary!!
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Failure is behind every success
All success stories are stories of great failures. The only difference is that every time they failed, they bounced back. This is called failing forward, rather than backward. You learn and move forward. Learn from your failure and keep going. Henry Ford forgot to put the reverse gear in the first car he made. Do you consider these people failures? They succeeded in spite of problems, not in the absence of them. But to the outside world, it appears as though they just got lucky.
In 1914, Thomas Edison, at age 67, lost his factory, which was worth a few million dollars, to fire. It had very little insurance. No longer a young man, Edison watched his lifetime effort go up in smoke and said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burnt up. Thank God we can start a new." In spite of disaster, Three weeks later, he invented the phonograph.
What an attitude!
In 1914, Thomas Edison, at age 67, lost his factory, which was worth a few million dollars, to fire. It had very little insurance. No longer a young man, Edison watched his lifetime effort go up in smoke and said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burnt up. Thank God we can start a new." In spite of disaster, Three weeks later, he invented the phonograph.
What an attitude!
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