Keep your dream alive and follow it...

I have a friend named Monty Roberts who owns a horse ranch in San Ysidro. He has let me use his house to put on fund-raising events to raise money for youth at risk programs.



The last time I was there he introduced me by saying, “I want to tell you why I let Jack use my horse. It all goes back to a story about a young man who was the son of an itinerant horse trainer who would go from stable to stable, race track to race track, farm to farm and ranch to ranch, training horses. As a result, the boy’s high school career was continually interrupted. When he was a senior, he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up.



“That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch. He wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch, showing the location of all the buildings, the stables and the track. Then he drew a detailed floor plan for a 4,000-square-foot house that would sit on a 200-acre dream ranch.



“He put a great deal of his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that read, `See me after class.’



“The boy with the dream went to see the teacher after class and asked, `Why did I receive an F?’



“The teacher said, `This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You come from an itinerant family. You have no resources. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money. You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later you’ll have to pay large stud fees. There’s no way you could ever do it.’ Then the teacher added, `If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.’



“The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, `Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this. However, I think it is a very important decision for you.’ “Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same paper, making no changes at all.

 He stated, “You can keep the F and I’ll keep my dream.”
 Monty then turned to the assembled group and said, “I tell you this story because you are sitting in my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace.” He added, “The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same schoolteacher brought 30 kids to camp out on my ranch for a week.” When the teacher was leaving, he said, “Look, Monty, I can tell you this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer. During those years I stole a lot of kids’ dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up on yours.”


"Don’t let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what.Keep your Eyes on the Stars and hope in your heart."

Tips for Better Life

 1.Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
 2.Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
 3.Sleep for 7 hours.
 4.Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
 5.Play more games.
 6.Read more books than you did the previous year.
 7.Make time to practise meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
 8.Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
 9.Dream more while you are awake.
 10.Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
 11.Drink plenty of water.
 12.Try to make at least three people smile each day.
 13.Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
 14.Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
 15.Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
 16.Realise that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
 17.Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
 18.Smile and laugh more.
 19.Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
 20.Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
 21.You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
 22.Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
 23.Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don’t compare your partner with others.
 24.No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
 25.Forgive everyone for everything.
 26.What other people think of you is none of your business.
 27.GOD heals everything.
 28.However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
 29.Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
 30.Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
 31.Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
 32.The best is yet to come.
 33.No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
 34.Do the right thing!
 35.Call your family often.
 36.Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
 37.Each day give something good to others.
 38.Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
 39.When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
 40.Don’t be more calculative in your life for all things.

Goals in Life...

If you ask most people what is their one major objective in life, they would probably give you a vague answer, such as, "I want to be successful, be happy, make a good living," and that is it. They are all wishes and none of them are clear goals.

On the best sunny day, the most powerful magnifying glass will not light paper if you keep moving the glass. But if you focus and hold it, the paper will light up. That is the power of concentration.


A man was traveling and stopped at an intersection. He asked an elderly man, "Where does this road take me?" The elderly person asked, "Where do you want to go?" The man replied, "I don't know." The elderly person said, “Then take any road. What difference does it make?" How true. When we don't know where we are going, any road will take us there.

 Suppose you have all the football eleven players, enthusiastically ready to play the game, all charged up, and then someone took the goal post away. What would happen to the game? There is nothing left. How do you keep score? How do you know you have arrived?

Enthusiasm without direction is like wildfire and leads to frustration. Goals give a sense of direction. Would you sit in a train or a plane without knowing where it was going? The obvious answer is no. Then why do people go through life without having any goals?

The Goals however must be SMART:
1. Specific: For example, "I want to lose weight." This is wishful thinking. It becomes a goal when I pin myself down to "I will lose 10 pounds in 90 days."

2. Measurable: If we cannot measure it, we cannot accomplish it. Measurement is a way of monitoring our progress.

3. Achievable: Achievable means that it should be out of reach enough to be challenging but it should not be out of sight, otherwise it becomes disheartening.

4. Realistic: A person who wants to lose 50 pounds in~30 days is being unrealistic.
 5. Time-bound: There should be a starting date and a finishing date.

Set up SMART Goals for a successful future...

Six keys to success......

1. Attitude:
Bloom where you are planted. You have a choice to get back up after temporary set backs. Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference!


2. Direction:
If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. Write your short term goals down on paper. I have discovered and continue to discover that putting your dreams and goals down on paper lock in or focus your belief that they can be achieved--even if you have to take a course correction in achieving your goals. Success comes in cans, failure comes in can'ts.


3. Values:
Explore what is important to you. Maybe it is family, friends, your spirituality or working hard at any given task. I can assure you that your priorities will change as you grow older. Very important that you value yourself and treat yourself like the valuable gift from God that you are.
4. Interests:
Birds of a feather flock together. This is to say that if you are hanging around winners or others with a "can do" mind-set, you'll likely adapt to this same kind of thinking. Remember--"SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES!

5. Commitment:
Feelings may change, commitments do not. "Success is getting up one more time than you fall." I have often wanted to give up, and then I must think to myself about what the consequences of giving up will be. Generally, this is more than enough of a motivation to make us stick to the task at hand even if we don't feel like it. When the task is achieved, Whow!--IT FEELS GREAT!


6. Encouragement:
Be an encourager and comforter to friends that are feeling discouraged. I promise that you will not regret this as you will be encouraged by one, if not many, when you are feeling down. Encouragement and love are contagious qualities that can change the minds of the most stubborn and "hard-to-get-along-with" people you know. I have seen it happen over and over again.

The Keys can be remembered with the Keyword ADVICE.

Spend Time with your Family.....

Father was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better paying job. Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best money could buy.


Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely.

Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.

However, the family still did not get to see father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university.

Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

Father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough, it would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

As expected, Father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family.

Father did not wake up the next day.

What do women really want?

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, If after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.



The question was: What do women really want?


Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, And to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. but, since it was better than death, He accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.


He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: The princess,the priests, the wise men, and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer. But the price would be high as the witch was famous through out the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.


The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first. The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, The most noble of the Knights of the Round Table, And Arthur's closest friend! Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunch-backed and hideous, had only one tooth, Smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc.
 He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden, But Lancelot,having learnt of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life. And the reservation of the Round Table.


Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered. Arthur's question thus: "What a woman really wants?"


She said, "Is to be in charge of her own life."


Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth. And that Arthur's life would be spared.


And so it was. The neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom. And Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding. The honeymoon hour approached and, Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom.


But, what a sight awaited him.The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed.


The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened.The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, She would henceforth be her horrible and deformed self only half the time. And the beautiful maiden the other half.

"Which would you prefer? She asked him. "Beautiful during the day....or at night?"

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day he could have a beautiful woman to show off to his friends,But at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch! Or, Would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day?But by night a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous, intimate moments with?

What Lancelot chose, is given below:


BUT... make YOUR choice before you scroll down below... OKAY?


Noble Lancelot, knowing the answer the witch gave Arthur to his question, He said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself.


Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time. Because, he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.

Indian women are the most stressed out --- read more

Chetan Bhagats Article in TOI : Specially for Indian Women. Do Read it and share it with all the women in your life

Alright, this is not cool at all. A recent survey by Nielsen has revealed that Indian women are the most stressed out in the world: 87% of our women feel stressed out most of the time. This statistic alone has caused me to stress out. Even in workaholic America, only 53% women feel stressed.

 What are we doing to our women? I'm biased, but Indian women are the most beautiful in the world. As mothers, sisters, daughters, colleagues, wives and girlfriends - we love them. Can you imagine life without the ladies?
 For now, i want to give Indian women five suggestions to reduce their stress levels.

One, don't ever think you are without power. Give it back to that mother-in-law. Be who you are, not someone she wished you would be. She doesn't like you? That's her problem.


Two, if you are doing a good job at work and your boss doesn't value you - tell him that, or quit. Talented, hard-working people are much in demand.



Three, educate yourself, learn skills, network - figure out ways to be economically independent. So next time your husband tells you that you are not a good enough wife, mother or daughter-in-law, you can tell him to take a hike.



Four, do not ever feel stressed about having a dual responsibility of family and work. It is difficult, but not impossible. The trick is not to expect an A+ in every aspect of your life. You are not taking an exam, and you frankly can't score cent per cent (unless you are in SRCC, of course). It is okay if you don't make four dishes for lunch, one can fill their stomach with one. It is okay if you don't work until midnight and don't get a promotion. Nobody remembers their job designation on their dying day.



Five, most important, don't get competitive with other women. Someone will make a better scrapbook for her school project than you. Another will lose more weight with a better diet. Your neighbour may make a six-dabba tiffin for her husband, you don't - big deal. Do your best, but don't keep looking out for the report card, and definitely don't expect to top the class. There is no ideal woman in this world, and if you strive to become one, there will be only one thing you will achieve for certain - stress.



So breathe, chill, relax. Tell yourself you are beautiful, do your best and deserve a peaceful life. Anybody trying to take that away from you is making a mistake, not you. Your purpose of coming to this earth is not to please everyone. Your purpose is to offer what you have to the world, and have a good life in return. The next time this survey comes, i don't want to see Indian women on top of the list. I want them to be the happiest women in the world. Now smile, before your mother-in-law shouts at you for wasting your time reading the newspaper.



Cherish Womanhood.



To read more on the article click here

When things don't turn out the way they should, have faith....

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement.As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied... "Things aren't always what they seem".
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.


The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel "how could you have let this happen!? The first man had everything, yet you helped him," she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die."

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave her the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."


Sometimes this is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later.

Five Grains of Rice

A rich man has four sons. As he grows old, he decides to give his property to the son who would value the wealth he had earned. He calls his four sons and gives them each five grains of rice. He tells them that he shall ask for these grains at the end of 5 years & he would give his property to the son who would value these grains the most.

The first son throws away the grains. He decides to show his father some other grains when he would ask for them after 5 yrs, in anticipation that his father would not be able to see the difference between the two sets of grains.



The second son eats the grains. He too decides to show his father some other grains when he would ask for them after 5 yrs, in anticipation that his father would not be able to see the difference between the two sets of grains.

The third son preserves these grains in a silver box and keeps the silver box in the 'puja sthaan' at home, and offers prayers to the box while offering his prayers to God for 5 yrs.

The fourth son sows these grains and cultivates them in the backyard of his house. They grow into crops during the harvest season. He keeps re sowing the grains from these crops. In due course, he has a vast plot of land cultivated with rice.

As apparent from the above mentioned, at the end of 5 yrs, the father gives his property to his fourth son, as he was the most deserving among his four sons.


When you have anything little in your hands, look at opportunity to grow it. Don't feel sad if you have less money today, know that you have it and you can grow it.

A blog Post by Singapore's Youngest Millionaire

A blog Post by Singapore's Youngest Millionaire - Adam Khoo On Money

Some of you may already know that I travel around the region pretty frequently, having to visit and conduct seminars at my offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Suzhou (China). I am in the airport almost every other week so I get to bump into many people who have attended my seminars or have read my books.

Recently, someone came up to me on a plane to KL and looked rather shocked. He asked, 'How come a millionaire like you is traveling economy?' My reply was, 'That's why I am a millionaire. ‘He still looked pretty confused. This again confirms that greatest lie ever told about wealth

(Which I wrote about in my latest book 'Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires’). Many people have been brainwashed to think that millionaires have to wear Gucci, Hugo Boss, Rolex, and sit on first class in air travel. This is why so many people never become rich because the moment that earn more money, they think that it is only natural that they spend more, putting them back to square one.

The truth is that most self-made millionaires are frugal and only spend on what is necessary and of value. That is why they are able to accumulate and multiplies their wealth so much faster. Over the last 7 years, I have saved about 80% of my income while today I save only about 60% (Because I have my wife, mother in law, 2 maids, 2 kids, etc. to support). Still, it is way above most people who save 10% of their income (if they are lucky). I refuse to buy a first class ticket or to buy a $300 shirt because I think that it is a complete waste of money. However, I happily pay $1,300 to send my 2-year old daughter to Julia Gabriel Speech and Drama without thinking twice.

When I joined the YEO (Young Entrepreneur's Organization) a few years back (YEO is an exclusive club open to those who are under 40and make over $1m a Year in their own business) I discovered that those who were self-made thought like me. Many of them with net worth’s well over $5m, traveled economy class and some even drove Toyota's and Nissans (not Audis, Mercs, BMWs).

I noticed that it was only those who never had to work hard to build their own wealth (there were also a few ministers' and tycoons' sons in the club) who spent like there was no tomorrow. Somehow, when you did not have to build everything from scratch, you do not really value money. This is precisely the reason why a family's wealth (no matter how much) rarely lasts past the third generation. Thank God my rich dad (oh no! I sound like Kiyosaki) foresaw this terrible possibility and refused to give me a cent to start my business.

Then some people ask me, 'What is the point in making so much money if you don't enjoy it?' The thing is that I don't really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewelry or sitting first class. Even if buying something makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last. Material happiness never lasts, it just give you a quick fix. After a while you feel lousy again and have to buy the next thing which you think will make you happy. I always think that if you need material things to make you happy, then you live a pretty sad and unfulfilled life.

Instead, what makes ME happy is when I see my children laughing and playing and learning so fast. What makes me happy is when I see my companies and trainers reaching more and more people every year in so many more countries. What makes me really happy is when I read all the emails about how my books and seminars have touched and inspired someone's life. What makes me really happy is reading all your wonderful posts about how this BLOG is inspiring you. This happiness makes me feel really good for a long time, much more than what a Rolex would do for me.

I think the point I want to put across is that happiness must come from doing your life's work (be in teaching, building homes, designing, trading, winning tournaments etc.) and the money that comes is only a by-product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a life of meaninglessness....

To read the original post click here

Making New Friends isn't tough.

Well these little bits I got off a friendship card will certainly give you a few tips on making new friends

1. Don't worry about knowing people, just make yourself worth knowing.
2. Be friendly with the folks you know. If it weren't for them you would be a total stranger.
3. Friends are those who speak to you after others don't.
4. The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail and not his tongue.
5. The way to have friends is to be willing to lose some arguments.
6. Deal with other's faults as gently as if they were your own.
7. A friend is a person who can step on your toes without messing your shine.
8. You will never have a friend if you must have one without faults.
9. You can make more friends by being interested in them than trying to have them be interested in you.
10. A real friend is a person who, when you've made a fool of yourself, lets you forget it.
11. A friend is a person who listens attentively while you say nothing.
12. A friend is someone who thinks you're a good egg even though you're slightly cracked.
... and most important... A FRIEND IS A TREASURE!

24 Things To Remember in Life

Your presence is a present to the world.
You are unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You will make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Do not put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal and you prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem the heavier it gets.
Do not take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life’s treasure are people together.

Realize that it is never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have hearth and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a start.

And do not ever forget., for even a day how very special you are! 

Shared on text mails.

Funny thing about humility. Just when you think you've got it, you've lost it...

After the Temple Darshan at the Kapaleeswarar Koil at Mylapore we entered the "Giri Trading" stores and started searching for this Book on "Thatva Bodha"
 
We found many people buying various Books and CDs and from their smart walks and accumulation of CDs from Bhajans to Bombay Jaishree, sent a nice feeling in us, that we have come to the right place indeed.
 
I was looking for this Book while my wife started collecting Bharathiar's songs and MS's Music. I searched everywhere for this Book.
 
There was this Girl, standing next to the Cashier, sincerely watching all our movements -a dark complexioned Girl, should be from a nearby Village, might be 17 or 18, should not have crossed 8th Std., might be out of poverty she is here.. all my Journalist's brain unnecessarily calculated about this Gullible Girl..and tho' she was repeatedly watching me, I ignored her and started searching for "Thathva Bodha"

I saw many books from "Sandhya Vandanam" to Swami Vivekananda's "Chicago Speech" but having spent a good 40 minutes. I looked at her, she also looked at me curiously. I asked her, knowing fully well that such a girl cannot have any idea of anything, leave alone "Thathva Bodah"
 
"Sir, may I help you?" (in Tamil)
"Yes. I am looking for 'Thatva Bodha' "
"Sanskrit Text or English/Sanskrit?"

God..she knows.
"Sanskrit & English"
"Do you like to have the Publication from Chinmaya Mission or Indu Publications or by Ramakrishna Mutt?"
"I dont know..I just want to only Learn you see..I dont really know indeed"
"Do you read Tamil Sir?"
"Yes I am a Tamilian "
(thinking to myself how most of mylife time I like to act in most otherplaces that I am not)

"Then Sir, you can take this"..she ran to the shelf where I had searched for 30 minutes, removed the books in the front and came out with a Book in Tamil.
"This one in Tamil by N.Sivaraman by Indu Publications infact is simple and wonderfull. You have the Sanskrit Text too inside."

My God. Why did I under estimate such a Genius. Just because of my Arrogance that I am an NRI. Or Just because I presumed such a Black, dark complexioned, gullible girl, who would have come for this job out of absolute poverty, wouldn't have any idea of "Thatva Bodha"
 
I decided to change my attitude and realized that I am absolutely an 'Idiot' at this moment in front of this wonderful girl and submitted myself in all humility.
 
"Madam, I really don't have any idea of even who wrote 'Thatva Bodha' till yesterday. I just attended a lecture on this subject and was fascinated by the lecture and hence...."
"Did you attend Goda Venkateswara Sastri's lecture in Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan?"
"Oh God. How did you know?"
"He regularly takes classes on such subjects. In fact he is one of the best Sir, in the city on such subjects."
"You are interested in such subjects?"
"Yes Sir, I read a lot about Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna and Thathva Bodha incidentally is my favorite Subject"
"You mean to say you have read Thatva Bodha?"
"I have read this one by Sivaraman and once you read it you won't feel like keeping that book on the table at all."
"Why what is so great about this Book?"
"Sir,you must be joking that you don't know about 'Thatva Bodha'."
"Really I accept my ignorance."

My wife was watching from the corner, admiring all her CD collections.
"Sir,according to me if you read this it gives the entire Vedanthic Saramsam (essence) and to say it in-one-word you become a bit more humble in life, leaving Ahamkaram (egotism) once for all."

"Is it a fact that reading this simple book one would get so humble?"
"Of course one should  be involved totally into the text. Needs lot of conviction and devotion."
 
My wife joined the conversation and she felt this girl is indeed a very very talented intelligent girl, so she told me "Why don't you interview her for Washington Post. Why at all you should think of Paris Hilton?"
I also felt that I owe something to her. So I asked her whether she can spare sometime for an interview.

She politely refused saying "My boss is to give me permission. Besides many people are looking for guidance like you and hence I have to go."
"What is your name?"
"Kalaivani"
 
My wife's admiration for her devotion to duty and her total involvement in her work, made her go direct to the Boss "Sir,that girl Kalaivani."
"Yes very hard working Girl."
"This is my husband Viswanath."
"Nice meeting you Sir"
"He is the Senior Journalist in Washington Post."
The Boss stood up."Washington Post?"
"Yes Sir. I wd like to interview this girl. I am highly impressed with her ethics."
Boss called her. Time was 5:45 PM.
"Kalaivani, they have come all the way from USA, they would like to spend sometime with you. Can you?"
"Sir, there are so many customers waiting for some guidance. it is a rush time. If they can come again tomorrow."
"OK. I can come again tomorrow."
I again came next day morning leaving all my appointments with 'Times of India' just to see this girl. It was no rush hour. My wife and myself found out.
 
Kalaivani is from a nearby village near Arcot. She has 5 sisters. She is the eldest one. Her father was a drunkard and he died a few years ago caring for none of them. Her mother used to work as a helper in Masonry and passed away two years back, leaving all the 6 on the streets.
This girl who had completed her 9th std decided to search for a job and 'Giri Trading' came forward to help her out. She brought all her 5 sisters with her and with her meagre salary she is taking care of them. All the 5 sisters are going to a nearby Chennai Corporation School.
"Kalaivani. But when did you get this enthusiasm to learn about 'Thatva Bodha'?"
"Sir after joining here,I decided that the best way to be of help to the customers is to know the Subject first. I took small Books on Swami Vivekananda and started reading..I found the subject so fascinating..I decided to read other books in Tamil like Bagavad Gita and Viveka Choodamani. Thats how."
"What is your salary?"
"Rs 2500, Sir."
"Are you able to manage all your expenses with the 5 sisters?"
"Not at all Sir, but the Boss helps me a lot."
"What is your aim in Life?"
"I want all my sisters to get education. Then they would get easily employments is it not?"

"If I give monthly Rs 10,000 for meeting all your expenses, would that suffice?"
"It is indeed too much, but that also I would accept only through my Boss."
 
We took her to the Boss and told him that we would like to send Rs.10,000 every month so that all her sisters' education would be completed. 
The Boss said "She deserves it Sir. You can trust me - I will hand over the amount to her every month or alternately you can open an account in her name and start transferring to the account."
 
My friend John Paul, who is the Regional Manager of 'Times of India' had also come with me. He said "You have done a good thing."
My wife said "I pray that 'Karpagambal' helps Kalaivani to become an expert in 'Vedantha' and start giving lectures in USA. We can arrange for her lectures."
We left wonder struck! If we go into the interiors of India, how many more 'Jewels' like Kalaivani can be found!!        
I really became humbled.

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Reading this article reminded me of Albert Einstein saying, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know.

A beautiful letter from a DAD.................

Following is a letter to his son from a renown Hong Kong TV broadcaster cum Child Psychologist.


The words maybe applicable to all of us, whether young or old, children or parents.

I am writing this to you because of 3 reasons:
1. Life, fortune and mishaps are unpredictable, nobody knows how long he lives. Some words are better said early.

2. I am your father, and if I don't tell you these, no one else will.

3. What is written is my own personal experiences that perhaps could save you a lot of unnecessary heartaches.



Remember the following as you go through life:



1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you. No one has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and I. To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful, and ALSO you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for every move. When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really likes you. You have to be careful, don't hastily regard him as a real friend.

2. No one is indispensable, nothing in the world that you must possess. Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to go through life when people around you don't want you anymore, or when you lose what/who you love most.

3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would find that life is leaving you. The earlier you treasure your life, the better you enjoy life.

4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with time and with one's mood. If your so called loved one leaves you, be patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness. Don't over exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love, and don't over exaggerate the sadness of falling out of love.

5. A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that does not mean that you can be successful by not studying hard! Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life. One can go from rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags!

6. I do not expect you to financially support me when I am old, neither would I financially support your whole life. My responsibility as a supporter ends when you are grown up. After that, you decide whether you want to travel in a public transport or in your limousine, whether rich or poor.

7. You honour your words, but don't expect others to be so. You can be good to people, but don't expect people to be good to you. If you don't understand this, you would end up with unnecessary troubles.

8. I have bought lotteries for umpteen years, but I never strike any prize. That shows if you want to be rich, you have to work hard! There is no free lunch!

9. No matter how much time I have with you, let's treasure the time we have together. We do not know if we would meet again.





Your Dad.
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Attitude is Everything......

An excerpt from Attitude is Everything by Vicki Hitzges

Years ago, I was the public relations director for motivational guru, Zig Ziglar. At the time, he was arguably the best-known, most loved speaker in the world. When audience members heard Zig, they witnessed a man chockfull of energy, vitality and joy. Having worked closely with him and knowing him well, I can tell you that the Zig you saw on stage was the real Zig Ziglar. In fact, I can't remember ever seeing him when he was not happy and upbeat.

The Zig I knew was one carbonated guy.


Every time Zig answered his home phone, he picked up the receiver and said with gusto, "This is Jean Ziglar's happy husband!" And he meant it!



Awhile back one of Zig's closest friends and I were discussing Zig's aura of happiness. "Completely genuine," his friend said. "I have never seen him down." Then he added thoughtfully, but with love, "Hardly what you'd call normal."


"What's Zig's secret?" I asked.



"I think," he said, "it comes down to feeling grateful. Never met a guy more grateful than Zig. Period."



You'd think anyone that grateful must have had an easy life. But that's not so.


Zig started out poor. Dirt poor. His father died when he was six, leaving his mother to raise eleven children alone. The family was virtually penniless. Yet despite their poverty, Mrs. Ziglar instilled a strong work ethic in her children and raised them to believe that both she and God loved them. She also instructed her children to practice saying "please" and "thank you." Those lessons stuck. Her formula of work, love and faith made their difficult lives easier. Gratitude made their lives enjoyable.



Zig once told me, "When we neglect to require our children to say 'thank you' when someone gives them a gift or does something for them, we raise ungrateful children who are highly unlikely to be content. Without gratitude, happiness is rare. With gratitude, the odds for happiness go up dramatically."


Years ago, Zig created the popular phrase, "Have an attitude of gratitude." According to Zig, "The more you recognize and express gratitude for the things you have, the more things you will have to express gratitude for."

I know firsthand that giving thanks brings joy. Awhile back, I heard Oprah Winfrey urge viewers to keep a Gratitude Journal. It seemed pretty schmaltzy to me, so I didn't do it. But Oprah was a jackhammer. Day after day, week after week, she kept pounding on that idea. I'd catch her show here and there. Same thing: Keep a Gratitude Journal. A few months later, I was speaking to a government group and staying in a cruddy hotel. I was seated at the hotel's indoor restaurant by a swimming pool reeking with enough chlorine to purify the Love Canal. As I waited impatiently for my meal to arrive, I suddenly remembered Oprah's directive. What the heck? I had a pen and some scrap paper.

I listed my mother who spent time each day praying for me. I wrote down my father who deeply loves me. My kind, funny brother and his family. My job and the opportunity to travel and encourage people. Friends. Laughter. For the fact that I had a place to sleep that was safe. For a private bathroom. (You start listing - you begin to get thankful!) I quickly listed about 30 things and noticed that not only did I have a lot to be thankful for, but suddenly I was in a terrific mood!

Publisher Malcolm Margolin was grateful for something that's right outside our doors, but most of us have never taken the time to experience it. He wrote, "The next time it begins to rain... lie down on your belly, nestle your chin into the grass, and get a frog's-eye view of how raindrops fall... The sight of hundreds of blades of grass bowing down and popping back up like piano keys strikes me as one of the merriest sights in the world."

That might strike you as advice from a person with not nearly enough to do, but personally, I like it. If Margolin can feel joy in soggy clothes looking at wet grass, you and I can find all kinds of things for which we can give thanks!

Try it! Count your blessings. Jot them down. At least stop and think of as many things as you can that you're thankful for right now. It worked for Oprah, Zig, Margolin and me. Give it a shot. If you want to feel happy, try on an attitude of gratitude for a change in your mood, your outlook and you.

Confident presenters are excellent actors…!!!

Confident presenters are excellent actors…!!! 

I. Six ways of making effective presentation:

1. Maximize the first moment based on
    - What audience want
    - Tell the audience what you are going to tell

2. Involve Audience
    (We think 4 times faster than we speak)
    - Ask questions
    - Seeking Opinion & Suggestions

3. Use Visuals (Charts etc.)
    - Concise information
    - Only key points
    - Maintain the Pace  

4. Maintain Control over audience

5. Read the group
    - Stories, jokes, practical examples

6. Push for action
    - Ask to generate idea


II. Tackle anxiety with confidence:

•          Preparation – works like magic
•          Practice – jump into as many presentations as you can
•          Do yoga/ deep breathing – never hurts
•          Positive self-imaging – let’s be kind to ourselves

III. Other Points:

1. Structure : Keep It Simple and Straight (KISS)
2. Keep 25% buffer for audience
3. Conclusion should be definitive
4. Don't put too much of content, slides are to support you
5. Topic: keep it Straight, Simple and Relevant
6. Communication: Simple, Collaborative, be assertive
7. Audience size does not matter only methodology changes
8. Go easy on animation - pictures on every slide does not work, keep it in alternative slide or after every 2 slides.
9. Color choice
    - For the Dark Room: dark background & light text
    - For the Light Room: light background & dark text
    - Heading: choose color starting with 'B' (Brown, Black, Blue)

The woman in your life...

The woman in your life...very well expressed...

Tomorrow you may get a working woman, but you should marry with these facts as well.


A girl, who is as much educated as you are; Who is earning almost as much as you do;
One, who has dreams and aspirations just as you have because she is as human as you are;

One, who has never entered the kitchen in her life just like you or your sister haven't, as she was busy in studies and competing in a system that gives no special concession to girls for their culinary achievements;

One, who has lived and loved her parents & brothers & sisters, almost as much as you do for 20-25 years of her life;
One, who has bravely agreed to leave behind all that, her home, people who love her, to adopt your home, your family, your ways and even your family name;

One, who is somehow expected to be a master-chef from day #1, while you sleep oblivious to her predicament in her new circumstances, environment and that kitchen;
One, who is expected to make the tea, first thing in the morning and cook food at the end of the day, even if she is as tired as you are, maybe more, and yet never ever expected to complain; to be a cook, a mother, a wife, even if she doesn't want to; and is learning just like you are as to what you want from her;and is clumsy and sloppy at times and knows that you won't like it if she is too demanding, or if she learns faster than you;

One, who has her own set of friends, and that includes boys and even men at her workplace too, those, who she knows from school days and yet is willing to put all that on the back-burners to avoid your irrational jealousy, unnecessary competition and your inherent insecurities;

One, who can be late from work once in a while when deadlines, just like yours, are to be met;
One, who is doing her level best and wants to make this most important relationship in her entire life a grand success, if you just help her some and trust her;


One, who just wants one thing from you, as you are the only one she knows in your entire house - your unstinted support, your sensitivities and most importantly - your understanding, or love, if you may call it.

Free Travel to childhood :)

I commute to work these days by public transportation- the newly introduced Volvo bus services.

A pleasant commute to forget the worries of traffic jam, sweat and the crowd in this highly populated metro.Just sit and relax...........

Every day's experience is unique with some set of unique people who just fascinate me.

It was a Monday morning when I was traveling, a two year old boy dragged his mother pleading her to take him in Volvo.The mom nodded yes finally.

As they entered and sat the kid was overexcited....he had a sweet kiddies language. he was actually in heights of his dream all jumping to catch the air vent,looking at people and didn't want the bus to halt even for few minutes in stops...

He was ordering the driver asking him to start...He had smart answers to every question one would ask.almost everyone in the bus became a fan of him in those few minutes forgetting all their worries and tension....

I was also one among them recollecting all the mischievous activities I had done when traveling and how my Parents used to answer me and handle..........

 It was not a travel to office but a travel back to childhood....thanks to the kid for the free travel :)

Bossy Boss

Most working people face problems managing their boss.....
Pity your boss. The poor guy has to get up early to see who comes in late. - Jacob Braude
Here is a fun quiz that I read recently on net.It gives idea on know how well you gel, and know your boss.
Give yourself one point for each of the questions that appear real to your situation.

1. Do you go out of your way to avoid your boss?
2. Do you usually ask your boss's secretary what kind of mood he or she is in before stepping in to his or her office to ask a question?
3. Do you hesitate to offer your opinion because it isn't asked for or listened to anyway?
4. Do you rarely get a word of thanks no matter how hard you work?
5. Does your boss criticize you in public?
6. Is your boss "the Teflon man"?Does he slide away from decisions and action?
7. Do you have to ask for feedback in order to get it?
8. Do you only hear what's wrong when you do get feedback?
9. Does your boss frequently say, "Handle it," (without a word of explanation) and then disappear?
10. Does your boss play favorites?
11. Does your boss make jokes about your weaknesses?
12. Does your boss respond to your requests for career guidance by saying, "Just work hard and you won't have to worry about it"?
13. Does your boss allow numerous interruptions when you're trying to talk to him or her?
14. Does your boss hog the credit for your work?
15. Does your boss keep dumping additional work on you, in spite of your heavy workload, without making any attempt to help you prioritize?
16. Does your boss take every opportunity to enforce the rules in a rigid, black and white manner regardless of personal circumstances?
17. Does your boss use phrases such as, "Just do what you're told." "You're not paid to think."
18. Do people avoid applying for jobs in your area because your boss's reputation is lousy?
19. Has at least one person left your area in the past year because he or she couldn't tolerate your boss?
20. Do the people in your work unit spend at least ten minutes a week discussing the boss's behavior towards them?
21. Do people in your boss's area rarely get promoted?
22. Does your boss talk at you instead of with you?
23. Do you complain about your boss at least once every week to a friend or family member?
24. Does your boss "forget" to tell you about information the rest of your peers know?
25. Does your boss frequently cancel your meetings with him or her at the last minute because some "important" issue has come up?
26. Do you get a generic performance review without specific examples of what you did right or wrong?
27. Does your boss say one thing but mean another?
28. Does your boss ignore your complaints or fail to act on them?
29. Does your boss call meetings just to hear himself talk?
30. Do you rarely get an opportunity to try something new in spite of repeated requests?

Now, let’s check your score!
If your score is between 0 to 5, consider yourself lucky. If your score is between 6 to 10, chances are your boss is a good leader who is only human. In the press of daily events, no one will be a perfect manager all of the time.
If your score is between 11 to 20, your boss is probably difficult to work for. You will have to decide if it is worth putting up with it to get what you want. Many people tolerate difficult bosses because they are learning new things, are in a field they adore, or need the job. If these or other rational reasons don't exist, it might be wise to consider changing jobs. Your boss may block your advancement or make your life miserable - either way, your motivation could disappear or your performance could suffer.
If your score is more than 20, your mental and physical health are at stake. Put a resume together and put the word out to your friends and relatives that you're looking for a new job. Don't wait-unless you're a masochist.
If you circled numbers: 5,10,11,14,17 you could be in a very bad position. Bosses, who don't care about their employees, make cruel remarks, are selfish, threatened, or arrogant are particularly dangerous to work for. They can destroy your self-esteem and self-confidence to the point where you doubt yourself.