Excerpt from the Speech given by Chetan Bhagat at Symbiosis.
Life is one of those races in nursery school where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same with life, where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die.
One thing about nurturing the spark - don't take life seriously. Life is not to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up? It's ok, bunk a few classes, goof up a few interviews, fall in love. We are people, not programmed devices.
"Don't be serious, be sincere." !
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Soul Curry: Amazing Read
(Soul Curry is a column where TOI invites readers to share their soul-stirring experiences)
Times Life reader Neha Srivastava logs in what she’s learnt in her 36 years of existence
1978
A glass of milk stared at me menacingly. How do I get rid of it with Mom standing right on top of my head? The sink was an old trick; my sister always knew if her glass was refilled; plants disclosed the secret… there was no saviour.
At 5, life taught me that there was no escaping milk and Mom.
1983
“I want that dress now,” I screamed. It was my best friend’s party and I wanted a new dress. There was an insanely sane expression on Mom’s face, till I stopped screaming as I realised I’d just bought a dress a month ago.
At 10, life had taught me that unreasonable demands were never fulfilled.
1988
“Don’t tell your Mom, I’m not telling mine either, that we are going for the movie after class. They will never allow us,” I whispered to my friend over the phone.
“No,” came the prompt reply, “I never hide anything from my Mom and I’m sure she will let me go.”
And so it was. Our parents not only allowed us to go but also gave us extra money.
At 15, life taught me that good company always makes you a better person and reasonable demands are always fulfilled.
1993
“This is my life, I will make my own career decision.” Dad just looked up from beneath his glasses and said, “Of course you will, but Economics hasn’t ever been very good to you and English always pulls your marks up.”
I took English Honours and topped the course. I was picked up by a top advertising agency.
At 20, life had taught me to respect experienced people.
1998
Plonk went my engagement ring in the dustbin… “What do you think of yourself? I told you to be on time, but you were busy in office.”
With a tilted smile, my fiancé fetched the ring out of the dustbin, took my hand and put it on again, “Sorry, I’m late, I work so that I can give us a secure future.”
Blush was all I could do.
At 25, life had taught me that I needed to be more mature and that only the lucky ones found true love.
2003
I twisted in pain. The tumour above my uterus had been operated and the stitches were still wet. I thought the pain would never go. My family stood beside me like a rock, attending to every need. My husband donated blood and assured me that the pain would go soon. At that time, I never believed him.
A month later, I was driving and had forgotten all the pain.
At 30, life had taught me that pain and joy come in cycles; God doesn’t deprive anyone of either, because they are part of your growing process.
2006
In the sixth month of pregnancy, my husband and I are busy looking at websites, books and magazines for each week’s development of the baby. We are consulting doctors and driving our siblings, friends and parents crazy with our anxiousness. Praying. Everything must go well.
2009
Praying. It is still three hours to go for my hubby to get back from Finland by the 4am flight, our three-year-old brat is sleeping peacefully. I realise that I’m still praying. For big and small things! For the safety of my family — a big thing, for a dream house — a small thing…
At 36, life taught me that God always listens to my prayers and also that I’m still learning the subject called life!
There are three main things that life has taught me:
One, that life teaches us a lesson every day.
Second, our family is our weakness and our strength.
Finally, God is there with us at every step. Just talk to Him.
-Neha Srivastava
Times Life reader Neha Srivastava logs in what she’s learnt in her 36 years of existence
1978
A glass of milk stared at me menacingly. How do I get rid of it with Mom standing right on top of my head? The sink was an old trick; my sister always knew if her glass was refilled; plants disclosed the secret… there was no saviour.
At 5, life taught me that there was no escaping milk and Mom.
1983
“I want that dress now,” I screamed. It was my best friend’s party and I wanted a new dress. There was an insanely sane expression on Mom’s face, till I stopped screaming as I realised I’d just bought a dress a month ago.
At 10, life had taught me that unreasonable demands were never fulfilled.
1988
“Don’t tell your Mom, I’m not telling mine either, that we are going for the movie after class. They will never allow us,” I whispered to my friend over the phone.
“No,” came the prompt reply, “I never hide anything from my Mom and I’m sure she will let me go.”
And so it was. Our parents not only allowed us to go but also gave us extra money.
At 15, life taught me that good company always makes you a better person and reasonable demands are always fulfilled.
1993
“This is my life, I will make my own career decision.” Dad just looked up from beneath his glasses and said, “Of course you will, but Economics hasn’t ever been very good to you and English always pulls your marks up.”
I took English Honours and topped the course. I was picked up by a top advertising agency.
At 20, life had taught me to respect experienced people.
1998
Plonk went my engagement ring in the dustbin… “What do you think of yourself? I told you to be on time, but you were busy in office.”
With a tilted smile, my fiancé fetched the ring out of the dustbin, took my hand and put it on again, “Sorry, I’m late, I work so that I can give us a secure future.”
Blush was all I could do.
At 25, life had taught me that I needed to be more mature and that only the lucky ones found true love.
2003
I twisted in pain. The tumour above my uterus had been operated and the stitches were still wet. I thought the pain would never go. My family stood beside me like a rock, attending to every need. My husband donated blood and assured me that the pain would go soon. At that time, I never believed him.
A month later, I was driving and had forgotten all the pain.
At 30, life had taught me that pain and joy come in cycles; God doesn’t deprive anyone of either, because they are part of your growing process.
2006
In the sixth month of pregnancy, my husband and I are busy looking at websites, books and magazines for each week’s development of the baby. We are consulting doctors and driving our siblings, friends and parents crazy with our anxiousness. Praying. Everything must go well.
2009
Praying. It is still three hours to go for my hubby to get back from Finland by the 4am flight, our three-year-old brat is sleeping peacefully. I realise that I’m still praying. For big and small things! For the safety of my family — a big thing, for a dream house — a small thing…
At 36, life taught me that God always listens to my prayers and also that I’m still learning the subject called life!
There are three main things that life has taught me:
One, that life teaches us a lesson every day.
Second, our family is our weakness and our strength.
Finally, God is there with us at every step. Just talk to Him.
-Neha Srivastava
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
A Wonderful thought
“When you truly care for someone, you don’t look for faults, you don’t look for answers, you don’t look for mistakes, instead you fight the mistakes, you accept the faults and you overlook the excuses”
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Ferns & Bamboo
One day, a small business owner decided he’d had enough. Enough of the unremitting workload, enough of the lack of response, enough of the crushing loneliness.
He went into the woods to have one last talk to God. “God,” he said. “Can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't quit?”
The answer took him by surprise. “Look around you,” it said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”
“Yes,” the man replied.
“When I planted the fern and the bamboo, I took very good care of them. I gave them both equal amounts of food and water. I gave them sunlight in spring and protected them from the storms in autumn. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant fronds soon covered the forest floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year, the fern grew even more splendidly than before but nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. Still I would not quit.”
“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But day by day the sprout grew. First a shoot, then a seedling, and finally a cane. Within six months, the bamboo cane had risen to a height of 100 feet. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”
“Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have been growing? Growing the roots that you need to produce your fruit. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will not quit on you.”
“Don’t compare yourself to others. All of my creations have different purposes, different journeys, and different timescales. The bamboo had a different purpose from the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come. You will rise high.”
If nothing seems like it is happening in your life, despite all the work you’re putting in, remember that you’re probably growing roots not fruit. Stick with it. One day not far from now, there’ll be a fantastic harvest.
He went into the woods to have one last talk to God. “God,” he said. “Can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't quit?”
The answer took him by surprise. “Look around you,” it said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”
“Yes,” the man replied.
“When I planted the fern and the bamboo, I took very good care of them. I gave them both equal amounts of food and water. I gave them sunlight in spring and protected them from the storms in autumn. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant fronds soon covered the forest floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year, the fern grew even more splendidly than before but nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. Still I would not quit.”
“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But day by day the sprout grew. First a shoot, then a seedling, and finally a cane. Within six months, the bamboo cane had risen to a height of 100 feet. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”
“Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have been growing? Growing the roots that you need to produce your fruit. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will not quit on you.”
“Don’t compare yourself to others. All of my creations have different purposes, different journeys, and different timescales. The bamboo had a different purpose from the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come. You will rise high.”
If nothing seems like it is happening in your life, despite all the work you’re putting in, remember that you’re probably growing roots not fruit. Stick with it. One day not far from now, there’ll be a fantastic harvest.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Buzzard, The Bat, and the Bumblebee
If you put a buzzard in a box six or eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of his ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten or twelve feet. Without space to run, as is his habit, he will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A Bumblebee if dropped into an open tumbler will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
Many times we need to look up and think differently to avoid being in a situation like the buzzard, the bat and the bee who struggle about with all their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there above them.
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A Bumblebee if dropped into an open tumbler will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
Many times we need to look up and think differently to avoid being in a situation like the buzzard, the bat and the bee who struggle about with all their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there above them.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Life is a Journey..
Decide to be happy today, to live with what is yours - your love, your friends, your job.If you can’t have what you like, maybe you can like what you have.
A beautiful thought
We love ourselves even after doing many mistakes. Then how can we hate others for their one mistake. Think before you hate someone or hate yourself.
If your eyes are positive you would like all the people in the world. But if your tongue is positive all the people in the world would like you..
If your eyes are positive you would like all the people in the world. But if your tongue is positive all the people in the world would like you..
Life...
Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain,
tear drops, laughter, pleasure and pain,
there may be dark clouds but one thing is true,
no cloud is so dark that, the sun can’t shine through.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Rhythm of Life...
In the rhythm of Life,
We sometime find ourselves out of tune,
But as long as there is God in our heart to provide the melody,
The music plays on and on and on......................
We sometime find ourselves out of tune,
But as long as there is God in our heart to provide the melody,
The music plays on and on and on......................
The burnt biscuit will just do fine !!!
There was a little boy whose mother would cook all the meals for the family every day. One evening after a long, hard day at work, she placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of the little boy and his Dad. The little boy wondered if his Dad noticed! Yet all his dad did was to reach for the biscuit, smile at his Mom and ask him how his day was at school. The little boy did not remember what he told him, but he did remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite. When he got up from the table that evening, he remembered that his mother apologized to his Dad for burning the biscuits and would never forget what he replied: “Honey, I love burned biscuits.”
Later that night, he went to his Dad and asked him if he really liked the biscuits burned. The father wrapped him in his arms and said, “Your Mummy put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides – a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone.”
Life is full of imperfect things…and imperfect people. We are not always the best at everything, but learning to accept each other’s faults – and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences – is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing and lasting relationship.
We need to learn to take the good, the bad and the ugly part of people who matters to us.
“Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket –keep it in your own.”
So please go for the biscuits anyway, the burnt one will do just fine.!..!..!..!
Later that night, he went to his Dad and asked him if he really liked the biscuits burned. The father wrapped him in his arms and said, “Your Mummy put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides – a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone.”
Life is full of imperfect things…and imperfect people. We are not always the best at everything, but learning to accept each other’s faults – and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences – is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing and lasting relationship.
We need to learn to take the good, the bad and the ugly part of people who matters to us.
“Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket –keep it in your own.”
So please go for the biscuits anyway, the burnt one will do just fine.!..!..!..!
ONE PARAGRAPH THAT EXPLAINS LIFE!
Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: 'Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease'?
To this Arthur Ashe replied:
'The world over -- 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, when I was holding a cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?'.
And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?'
Happiness keeps you Sweet
Trials keep you Strong
Sorrow keeps you Human
Failure keeps you humble
and Success keeps you glowing,
but only Faith & Attitude Keeps you going...
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Lessons in life are best learned through PAIN....
Sometimes we must be Hurt in order to Grow, Sometimes we must Fail in order to Know,
Sometimes we must Lose in order to Gain, Because some lessons in life are best learned through PAIN....
Sometimes we must Lose in order to Gain, Because some lessons in life are best learned through PAIN....
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Apple
A teacher teaching math to a five-year-old student asked him, "If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have? "Within a few seconds the student replied confidently, "Four!"
The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three). She was disappointed. "Maybe the child did not listen properly," she thought. She repeated, "My boy, listen carefully. If I give you one apple and one more apple and one more apple, how many apples will you have?"
The student had seen the disappointment on his teacher's face. He calculated again on his fingers. His search was for the correct answer and not for the one that will make his teacher happy. This time hesitatingly though, he replied, "Four…"
The disappointment stayed on the teacher's face. She remembered that this student liked strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn't like apples and that is making him loose focus. This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes she asked, "If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many you will have?"
Seeing the teacher happy, the boy calculated on his fingers again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher. She wanted her new approach to succeed. With a hesitating smile the student enquired, "Three?"
The teacher now had a victorious smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted to congratulate herself. But one last thing remained. Once again she asked him, "Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?"
Promptly the student answered, "Four!"
The teacher was aghast. "How my boy, how?" she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice. In a voice that was low and hesitating young student replied, "Because I already have one apple in my bag."
When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect, don't think they are wrong. There may be an angle that you have not understood at all. You will have to listen and understand, but never listen with a predetermined notion.
The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three). She was disappointed. "Maybe the child did not listen properly," she thought. She repeated, "My boy, listen carefully. If I give you one apple and one more apple and one more apple, how many apples will you have?"
The student had seen the disappointment on his teacher's face. He calculated again on his fingers. His search was for the correct answer and not for the one that will make his teacher happy. This time hesitatingly though, he replied, "Four…"
The disappointment stayed on the teacher's face. She remembered that this student liked strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn't like apples and that is making him loose focus. This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes she asked, "If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many you will have?"
Seeing the teacher happy, the boy calculated on his fingers again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher. She wanted her new approach to succeed. With a hesitating smile the student enquired, "Three?"
The teacher now had a victorious smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted to congratulate herself. But one last thing remained. Once again she asked him, "Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?"
Promptly the student answered, "Four!"
The teacher was aghast. "How my boy, how?" she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice. In a voice that was low and hesitating young student replied, "Because I already have one apple in my bag."
When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect, don't think they are wrong. There may be an angle that you have not understood at all. You will have to listen and understand, but never listen with a predetermined notion.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Another day
Another day, another day,
My Lord Supreme is far away.
Another day, my heart can be
The all giving breath of patience tree.
Another day, my life can feed
My soulful world with its crying need.
Another day, I own to hear
God's Voice of Light and feel Him near.
Another day, another day,
My tears shall win His blue gold Ray.
Another day, another day,
And then, no more my ignorance clay.
Another day, I'll be God's Love
Within, without, below, above.
Excerpt from “My Flute” by Sri Chinmoy
My Lord Supreme is far away.
Another day, my heart can be
The all giving breath of patience tree.
Another day, my life can feed
My soulful world with its crying need.
Another day, I own to hear
God's Voice of Light and feel Him near.
Another day, another day,
My tears shall win His blue gold Ray.
Another day, another day,
And then, no more my ignorance clay.
Another day, I'll be God's Love
Within, without, below, above.
Excerpt from “My Flute” by Sri Chinmoy
The mystery of pain
Pain has an element of blank;
It cannot recollect
When it began, or if there were
A day when it was not.
It has no future but itself,
Its infinite realms contain
Its past, enlightened to perceive
New periods of pain.
-Emily Dickinson
It cannot recollect
When it began, or if there were
A day when it was not.
It has no future but itself,
Its infinite realms contain
Its past, enlightened to perceive
New periods of pain.
-Emily Dickinson
Solitude
Little do men perceive what solitude is, and how far it extendeth.
For a crowd is not company, and faces are but a gallery of pictures,
and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love.
- Francis Bacon
For a crowd is not company, and faces are but a gallery of pictures,
and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love.
- Francis Bacon
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Success lies in being able to get up every time you fall
Baby giraffes never go to school. But they learn a very important lesson rather early in life. A lesson that all of us would do well to remember.
The birth of a baby giraffe is quite an earth-shaking event. The baby falls from its mother’s womb, some eight feet above the ground! It shrivels up and lies still, too weak to move.
The mother giraffe lovingly lowers her neck to smooch the baby giraffe. And then something incredible happens. She lifts her long leg and kicks the baby giraffe, sending it flying up in the air and tumbling down on the ground.
As the baby lies curled up, the mother kicks the baby again and again. She goes on kicking the baby until the baby giraffe, still trembling and tired, pushes its limbs and for the first time learns to stand on its feet. Happy to see the baby standing on its own feet, the mother giraffe comes over and gives it yet another kick. The baby giraffe falls one more time, but now quickly recovers and stands up.
Why does the mother giraffe do this? She knows that lions and leopards love giraffe meat. So unless the baby giraffe quickly learns to stand and run with the pack – it will have no chance of survival.
Most of us though are not quite as lucky as baby giraffes. No one teaches us to stand up every time we fall. When we fail, when we are down, we just give up. No one kicks us out of our comfort zone to remind us that to survive and succeed, we need to learn to get back on our feet.
If you study the lives of successful people though, you will see a recurring pattern. Were they always successful in all they did? No.
Did success come to them quick and easy? No.
The road to success is never an easy one. There are several obstacles, and you are bound to fall sooner or later. You will hit a road block, you will taste failure. But success lies in being able to get up every time you fall.
That is a critical life skill. And it is the habit of all successful people.
The birth of a baby giraffe is quite an earth-shaking event. The baby falls from its mother’s womb, some eight feet above the ground! It shrivels up and lies still, too weak to move.
The mother giraffe lovingly lowers her neck to smooch the baby giraffe. And then something incredible happens. She lifts her long leg and kicks the baby giraffe, sending it flying up in the air and tumbling down on the ground.
As the baby lies curled up, the mother kicks the baby again and again. She goes on kicking the baby until the baby giraffe, still trembling and tired, pushes its limbs and for the first time learns to stand on its feet. Happy to see the baby standing on its own feet, the mother giraffe comes over and gives it yet another kick. The baby giraffe falls one more time, but now quickly recovers and stands up.
Why does the mother giraffe do this? She knows that lions and leopards love giraffe meat. So unless the baby giraffe quickly learns to stand and run with the pack – it will have no chance of survival.
Most of us though are not quite as lucky as baby giraffes. No one teaches us to stand up every time we fall. When we fail, when we are down, we just give up. No one kicks us out of our comfort zone to remind us that to survive and succeed, we need to learn to get back on our feet.
If you study the lives of successful people though, you will see a recurring pattern. Were they always successful in all they did? No.
Did success come to them quick and easy? No.
The road to success is never an easy one. There are several obstacles, and you are bound to fall sooner or later. You will hit a road block, you will taste failure. But success lies in being able to get up every time you fall.
That is a critical life skill. And it is the habit of all successful people.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
When I asked God By Swami Vivekananda
When I Asked God for Strength
He Gave Me Difficult Situations to Face
When I Asked God for Brain & Brown
He Gave Me Puzzles in life to Solve
When I Asked God for Happiness
He Showed Me Some Unhappy People
When I Asked God for Wealth
He Showed Me How to Work Hard
When I Asked God for Favour
He Showed Me opportunities to Work Hard
When I Asked God for Peace
He Showed Me How to Help Others
God Gave Me Nothing I Wanted
He Gave Me Everything I Needed
- Swami Vivekananda
He Gave Me Difficult Situations to Face
When I Asked God for Brain & Brown
He Gave Me Puzzles in life to Solve
When I Asked God for Happiness
He Showed Me Some Unhappy People
When I Asked God for Wealth
He Showed Me How to Work Hard
When I Asked God for Favour
He Showed Me opportunities to Work Hard
When I Asked God for Peace
He Showed Me How to Help Others
God Gave Me Nothing I Wanted
He Gave Me Everything I Needed
- Swami Vivekananda
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Good Learning
One day a fisherman got up very early in the morning.
There was not enough sunlight to get into the sea.
He saw a pack of stones to pass time.
He started throwing the stone into the sea.
While having the last stone in the hand,
the sun came up then he saw that the stone was a diamond.
He felt for his misfortune of throwing all of them into the sea...
Moral of the story:
*********************
Do not get up early in the morning... ;-)
There was not enough sunlight to get into the sea.
He saw a pack of stones to pass time.
He started throwing the stone into the sea.
While having the last stone in the hand,
the sun came up then he saw that the stone was a diamond.
He felt for his misfortune of throwing all of them into the sea...
Moral of the story:
*********************
Do not get up early in the morning... ;-)
Achyutam Keshavam Bhajan
Achyutam Keshavam Krishna Damodaram,
Rama naraynam Janakivallabham,
(praising the Lord Krishna, with different names of Vishnu)
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan aate nahi
Bhakta Meera ke jaise bulate nahi,
(Who says God does not come? You don’t call Him with the devotion of Meera)
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan khaate nahi,
Ber Shabri ke jaise khilate nahi, … Achyutam …
(Who says God does not eat? You don’t feed him like how Shabari fed him)
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan Sote nahi,
Maa Yashoda ke jaise sulate nahin,
(Who says God does not sleep? You don’t make him sleep like how Mother Yashoda did)
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan naachte nahi,
Tum Gopi ke jaise nachaate nahin, Achyutam…
(Who says God does not dance? You don’t make him dance like how Gopis did)
Naam Japate chalo kaam karte chalo
Har samay Krishna ka dhyaan karte chalo
Yaad aayegi unko kabhi na kabhi
Krishan darshan to denge kabhi na kabhi …..Achyutam …
(Keep praising the Lord, continue working ... Remember Him all the time. Krishna will appear one day or the other)
Rama naraynam Janakivallabham,
(praising the Lord Krishna, with different names of Vishnu)
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan aate nahi
Bhakta Meera ke jaise bulate nahi,
(Who says God does not come? You don’t call Him with the devotion of Meera)
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan khaate nahi,
Ber Shabri ke jaise khilate nahi, … Achyutam …
(Who says God does not eat? You don’t feed him like how Shabari fed him)
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan Sote nahi,
Maa Yashoda ke jaise sulate nahin,
(Who says God does not sleep? You don’t make him sleep like how Mother Yashoda did)
Kaun kehta hai Bhagvan naachte nahi,
Tum Gopi ke jaise nachaate nahin, Achyutam…
(Who says God does not dance? You don’t make him dance like how Gopis did)
Naam Japate chalo kaam karte chalo
Har samay Krishna ka dhyaan karte chalo
Yaad aayegi unko kabhi na kabhi
Krishan darshan to denge kabhi na kabhi …..Achyutam …
(Keep praising the Lord, continue working ... Remember Him all the time. Krishna will appear one day or the other)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Drop of water
| If a drop of water falls on lake, If it falls on a rose, If it falls on a shell, The drop is the same, |  |
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Thought to ponder - 3
| Chehre ki hasi se har gam chupao, Bahut kuch bolo par kuch na batao... Khud na rutho kabhi, par sabko manao Ye Raz hai Zindagi ka, Bas Jite chale jao!!! |  |
Thought to ponder - 2
| Ek din Sagar ne Nadi se pucha: Kab tak milati rahogi mujhe meethe pani se ??? Nadi ne haskar kaha : Jab tak tujh me mithas na aa jaye tab tak !!! Thats "RELATIONSHIP…" ~~ |  |
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thought to Ponder - 1
| Jeevan me kamyab hone ke liye 3 factory lagao… (1) Dimag me Ice factory. (2) Zuban par Sugar factory. (3) Dil me Love factory. Phir life hogi satisfactory~!~!~! |  |
Monday, April 19, 2010
PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY
The Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students, ‘how much do you think this glass weighs?’
'50gms!' .... '100gms!' ......'125gms' ......the students answered.
'I really don't know unless I weigh it,' said the professor, 'but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?'
'Nothing' the students said.
'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.
'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.
'You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'
'Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!' ventured another student & all the students laughed.
Very good. ‘But during all this, could I do something differently to avoid the arm ache & the muscle stress?' The students were puzzled.
'Put the glass down!' said one of the students.
'Exactly!' said the professor.' Life's problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem OK. Think of them for a long time and they begin to cause ache. Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.
It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but EVEN MORE
IMPORTANT to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong and can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!'
Remember to PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!
'50gms!' .... '100gms!' ......'125gms' ......the students answered.
'I really don't know unless I weigh it,' said the professor, 'but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?'
'Nothing' the students said.
'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.
'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.
'You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'
'Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!' ventured another student & all the students laughed.
Very good. ‘But during all this, could I do something differently to avoid the arm ache & the muscle stress?' The students were puzzled.
'Put the glass down!' said one of the students.
'Exactly!' said the professor.' Life's problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem OK. Think of them for a long time and they begin to cause ache. Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.
It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but EVEN MORE
IMPORTANT to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong and can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!'
Remember to PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!
Change our Vision
There was a millionaire who was bothered by severe pain in his eyes. He consulted several physicians and a galaxy of medical experts, consumed heavy loads of drugs and hundreds of injections.
His pain persisted, in fact increased. At last a monk who was supposed to be an expert in treating such patients was called. The monk understood his problem and said that for some time he should only concentrate on green colours and not to let his eyes fall on any other colour.
The millionaire got together a group of painters and purchased barrels of green colour and directed that every object that his eye was likely to fall to be painted in green just as the monk had directed.
When the monk came to visit him after few days, the millionaire’s servants ran with buckets of green paint and poured on him since he was in a red dress.
Hearing this, the monk laughed and said “ if only you had purchased a pair of green spectacles, worth just a few rupees, you could have saved these walls and trees and pots and all other articles and also could have saved a large share of fortune.”
You cannot paint the world green. Let us change our vision and the world will appear accordingly.
His pain persisted, in fact increased. At last a monk who was supposed to be an expert in treating such patients was called. The monk understood his problem and said that for some time he should only concentrate on green colours and not to let his eyes fall on any other colour.
The millionaire got together a group of painters and purchased barrels of green colour and directed that every object that his eye was likely to fall to be painted in green just as the monk had directed.
When the monk came to visit him after few days, the millionaire’s servants ran with buckets of green paint and poured on him since he was in a red dress.
Hearing this, the monk laughed and said “ if only you had purchased a pair of green spectacles, worth just a few rupees, you could have saved these walls and trees and pots and all other articles and also could have saved a large share of fortune.”
You cannot paint the world green. Let us change our vision and the world will appear accordingly.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
An Important Lesson
During the second month in college, a professor gave a quiz to his students. A conscientious student breezed through the questions, until he read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the classroom?" He thought surely this was some kind of a joke.
The student had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would anyone know her name? He handed in his paper, leaving the last question blank.
Just before the class ended, the student asked if the last question would count toward the quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'." The student learned an important lesson... he also learned that the name of the cleaning woman was Dorothy.
The student had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would anyone know her name? He handed in his paper, leaving the last question blank.
Just before the class ended, the student asked if the last question would count toward the quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'." The student learned an important lesson... he also learned that the name of the cleaning woman was Dorothy.
Eagle
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 in ourselves. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow our will power to lift us above them.
We ourselves can enable 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 can weigh us down, it is how we handle them.
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 in ourselves. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow our will power to lift us above them.
We ourselves can enable 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 can weigh us down, it is how we handle them.
The Acorn Planter
In the 1930s a young traveler was exploring the French Alps. He came upon a vast stretch of barren land. It was desolate. It was forbidding. It was ugly. It was the kind of place you hurry away from.
Then, suddenly, the young traveler stopped dead in his tracks. In the middle of this vast wasteland was a bent-over old man. On his back was a sack of acorns. In his hand was a four-foot length of iron pipe.
The man was using the iron pipe to punch holes in the ground. Then from the sack he would take an acorn and put it in the hole. Later the old man told the traveler, "I've planted over 100,000 acorns. Perhaps only a tenth of them will grow." The old man's wife and son had died, and this was how he chose to spend his final years. "I want to do something useful for the future," he said.
Twenty-five years later the now-not-as-young traveler returned to the same desolate area. What he saw amazed him. He could not believe his own eyes. The land was covered with a beautiful forest two miles wide and five miles long. Birds were singing, animals were playing, and wild flowers perfumed the air.
The traveler stood there recalling the desolation that once was; a beautiful oak forest stood there now - all because someone cared.
Then, suddenly, the young traveler stopped dead in his tracks. In the middle of this vast wasteland was a bent-over old man. On his back was a sack of acorns. In his hand was a four-foot length of iron pipe.
The man was using the iron pipe to punch holes in the ground. Then from the sack he would take an acorn and put it in the hole. Later the old man told the traveler, "I've planted over 100,000 acorns. Perhaps only a tenth of them will grow." The old man's wife and son had died, and this was how he chose to spend his final years. "I want to do something useful for the future," he said.
Twenty-five years later the now-not-as-young traveler returned to the same desolate area. What he saw amazed him. He could not believe his own eyes. The land was covered with a beautiful forest two miles wide and five miles long. Birds were singing, animals were playing, and wild flowers perfumed the air.
The traveler stood there recalling the desolation that once was; a beautiful oak forest stood there now - all because someone cared.
Let Go
A little child was playing one day with a very valuable vase. He put his hand into it and could not withdraw it. His father too, tried his best, but all in vain. They were thinking of breaking the vase when the father said, "Now, my son, make one more try. Open your hand and hold your fingers out straight as you see me doing, and then pull."
To their astonishment the little fellow said, "O no, father. I couldn't put my fingers out like that, because if I did I would drop my penny."
Smile, if you will--but thousands of us are like that little boy, so busy holding on to the world's worthless penny that we cannot accept liberation.
It is important at times to drop that trifle …… let go or else we lose the larger things in life.
To their astonishment the little fellow said, "O no, father. I couldn't put my fingers out like that, because if I did I would drop my penny."
Smile, if you will--but thousands of us are like that little boy, so busy holding on to the world's worthless penny that we cannot accept liberation.
It is important at times to drop that trifle …… let go or else we lose the larger things in life.
Filling a sieve with water
Once a sage gave an assignment on creative thinking to his students. The sage gave them a sieve and asked them to fill it with water at the sea, nearby.
They were gone for a long time. Finally he went down to the beach to see what they were doing, and found them seated morosely around the sieve.
They scrambled to their feet when they saw him.
“You’ve set us an impossible task, sir,” said the oldest of the disciples. “It’s just not possible to fill a sieve with full of water.”
“Are you sure?” asked the sage, picking up the sieve. “Sometimes it helps to step back and view the problem from a different angle.”
He threw the sieve far out into the sea. It sank.
“There!” said the Teacher. “It’s full of water now.”
To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.
They were gone for a long time. Finally he went down to the beach to see what they were doing, and found them seated morosely around the sieve.
They scrambled to their feet when they saw him.
“You’ve set us an impossible task, sir,” said the oldest of the disciples. “It’s just not possible to fill a sieve with full of water.”
“Are you sure?” asked the sage, picking up the sieve. “Sometimes it helps to step back and view the problem from a different angle.”
He threw the sieve far out into the sea. It sank.
“There!” said the Teacher. “It’s full of water now.”
To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Knock the "t" Off the "Can't"
Your may know of people who always say, "You can't do that!" and they believed it. Now there are some more who often say, "It can't be done!" and their negativity affects the lives of others.
If you were to take a sheet of paper and categorize people you know into two columns: "Yes people," and "No People", you would perhaps be shocked to see the length of the "No People" list.
If our friends made such a list right now, under which heading would they write our name? Would they see us as enthusiastic, affirmative and optimistic? Or do they believe we see more problems than solutions?
It's time to knock the "t" off the "can't." Each one of us is only a decision away from responding with hope instead of fear, with encouragement instead of criticism, with belief instead of despair.
It's our choice!
If you were to take a sheet of paper and categorize people you know into two columns: "Yes people," and "No People", you would perhaps be shocked to see the length of the "No People" list.
If our friends made such a list right now, under which heading would they write our name? Would they see us as enthusiastic, affirmative and optimistic? Or do they believe we see more problems than solutions?
It's time to knock the "t" off the "can't." Each one of us is only a decision away from responding with hope instead of fear, with encouragement instead of criticism, with belief instead of despair.
It's our choice!
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