Ambition...!

“If you don’t want to be forgotten the moment you die,
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing…”
– Benjamin Franklin

The dictionary meaning of Ambition states – an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment. Wikipedia says Ambition is the desire for personal achievement. It provides the motivation and determination necessary to help give direction to life. Ambitious people seek to be the best at what they choose to do for attainment, power, or superiority. Ambition can also be defined as the object of this desire.

The last phrase in this description matters the most – object of the desire…!

How many of you dreamt to be a baker so that you can have all those chocolate cakes…
How many of you fancied growing as a coachman so that you can drive a horse…
How many of you adored Uniform guys like Police and Military for the respect and facilities…
How many of you visualized yourself as film stars for the glamour and money…
How many of you thought of Ship Captain as career since you were fond of voyage…
How many of decided to grow-up as sportsman for the name and fame and not the game…

I guess most of us had at least one of this or similar fantasy in the childhood. And I bet those kept changing, evolving with the time and the age showing more maturity and applicability ultimately summing up to making both end meets, having a home and peace at home, once a year holiday with dreams of retiring early and rich…! Am I even near to it or I got it completely wrong? I don’t think so!

Now if this is what you are going to comprehend as Ambition, I am extremely sorry. When I added Ambition to this list it had nothing to do with the florist you wanted to be or the Barber you envied for the wall-to-wall mirrors. You can refer to our SCI for this 100 Days series where you will notice universal and neutral concepts like Love, Brotherhood and Peace. Why am I trying to be so philosophical about an extremely material concept of Ambition? Well, if you have read the above paragraphs and questions thoroughly, you have the answer…!

As long as the Objects of Desires kept changing, you have never outgrown your childhood. The difference between them is more of a function and not the form. No seaman ever tries to start a voyage with an ambition of sinking but that doesn’t make it the expedition unless it discovers new shores and adds value to his endeavor by the way of which he would die in peace, fulfillment and contentment. Getting most of the fishes when you are fishing or making it the most profitable day in the stock market could be an ambition, I agree but it can never leave the person in lasting fulfillment.

So what should be the Ambition if not materialistic? I can never regard any material desire as Ambition as that would be like calling a centipede an anaconda! Whatever your mind and wants crave for you are going to get it anyway by hook or crook, but it will not do any good to anybody else than you. Therefore ambition is necessary, but good ambition only can give satisfaction, peace and happiness in life; otherwise, undesirable ambition can lead one only to madness and utter failure, which would be harmful to the healthy functioning of the society anywhere in the world whether it is in the realm of politics or science, religion or philosophy, business or economy and technology or industry.

Some ambition is essential for everyone to live well in life. Without ambition life will be boring, monotonous and uninteresting in the world. So, ambition is a necessity for survival, sustenance and success in the life of the world. May be ambition drives some mad, but it helps some to achieve success in their goals or rather ambition helps one achieve perfection in life. Therefore what kind of ambition is necessary is the thing one has to see depending upon one’s heredity and environment or nature and nurture to do best and beautiful things in the world rather than make it hell for everyone to live.

Whatever your ambition is it should be on the lines of – One Human World Ambition. This concept would be elaborated tomorrow in our last unit of the list – Approach. Stay tuned…!

APPLICATION

The third in the list – Application – when referred to a Human Being, encompasses his/her endeavor to apply all his attitude and aptitude towards own physical, mental and financial stability as well as contribution to the society for making the world a better place through noble and persistent initiatives. This will be achieved with the MAD (Making A Difference) philosophy as discussed in the prologue of this topic.

We would make a list of 21 Golden Rules that could be regarded as appropriate application of self.

1. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
2. Casually Smile and whole-heartedly laugh more.
3. Behave modestly. Earn Honestly. Share generously.
4. Do not kill the faith – of anybody or anything including self.
5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
6. Everyday do your share to make this world a better place.
7. Hold your head high and do not afraid of direct eye-contact
8. Have a noble and righteous purpose for all your deeds
9. Never compromising on grounds of helplessness, pressure, need or circumstances
10. Be dependable and true to everyone and everything
11. Be unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause
12. Just do it. Don't over do. Keep yourself specific and concise
13. Try to make at least three people smile each day
14. Whatever you do, work from heart towards excellence by adding value to the task
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
17. Take a 30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile
18. Do only the things that would not give you sleepless nights or restlessness.
19. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
20. Take a sound sleep for at least 7 hours.
21. Keep in touch. Your money won't take care of you when you are sick. Your companions will.

BE a professional who possess good character traits.
KNOW yourself. Unless you examine yourself, it’s useless to judge others
PROVIDE direction. Most of the people have the dimension but need the direction
IMPLEMENT strategies / methods. Concept, however good it may be, doesn’t help unless put in practice
MOTIVATE people around you. Intellectual stimuli works like an adrenal

And remember

o The six most important words: "I admit I made a mistake." - Author unknown
o The five most important words: "You did a good job."
o The four most important words: "What is your opinion."
o The three most important words: "If you please."
o The two most important words: "Thank you,"
o The one most important word: "We"
o The least important word: "I"

And don’t forget to watch this video –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4&feature=player_embedded

We will talk about Ambition tomorrow, Stay tuned…!

Aptitude...!

An aptitude is an innate, acquired or learned or developed component of a competency (the others being knowledge, understanding and attitude) to do a certain kind of work at a certain level. Aptitudes may be physical or mental.

The innate nature of aptitude is in contrast to achievement, which represents knowledge or ability that is gained.

Aptitude and intelligence quotient are related, and in some ways opposite, views of human mental ability. Whereas intelligence quotient sees intelligence as being a single measurable characteristic affecting all mental ability, aptitude refers to one of many different characteristics which can be independent of each other, such as aptitude for military flight or computer programming. This is more similar to the theory of multiple intelligences.

There is an imaginary story of a rabbit. The rabbit was enrolled in a rabbit school. Like all rabbits, it could hop very well but could not swim. At the end of the year, the rabbit got high marks in hopping but failed in swimming. The parents were concerned. They said, 'Forget about hopping. You are, anyway good at it. Concentrate on swimming.' They sent the rabbit for tuitions in swimming. And guess what happened? The rabbit forgot how to hop! As for swimming, have you ever seen a rabbit swim? While it is important for us to know what we are not good at, we must also cherish what is good in us. That is because it is only our strengths that can give us the energy to correct our weaknesses.

The moral(s) of the story –
1. Only YOU must decide what your real aptitude is and NOBODY else.
2. Understand your strengths and weakness inwardly and not on face value.
3. Always try to strengthen your strengths and weaken your weaknesses.

Stay tuned and we will analyze the Application of Self tomorrow…!

Attitude...!?!

So, little confused about the path to take? Can’t decide where to…? Cool down. Don’t be panic and don’t throw tantrums at yourself. We will get there with baby steps – step by step – one thing at a time. After all we have 97 days left, don’t we…?

This is the first step of what we are going to call a Strategic Creative Initiative - SCI for short, how is that?

Our SCI will be based on the FIVE Major elements or actions that will define the course of the matter.
1. Assessment – Evaluating the situation – what we have.
2. Analyze – Brainstorming for the permutations and combinations with SWOT analysis.
3. Improve – Amendments to the present factors when and where necessary – Restructure.
4. Implement – Making the amendments effective in routine – Habit building.
5. Govern – Administer and control the activities to head in the right direction.

These elements define the pattern of our progress but the units that we will work on can be grouped as-
1. Persona – Physique, Mind and Relations that defines the – ATTITUDE of self
2. Work – Skills, Capacities and Excellence that defines the – APTITUDE of self
3. Society – Awareness, Contribution and Responsibilities that defines the – APPLICATION of self
4. Humanity – Love, Brotherhood and Peace should define the – AMBITION of self
5. Universe – Oneness, Spirituality and Enlightenment would define the – APPROACH of self

Today we will discuss the first unit of our initiative – ATTITUDE

WHAT IS ATTITUDE?

When you hear the word attitude, what do you think about? I think of attitude as an inward feeling expressed by outward behavior. People always project on the outside what they feel on the inside. Some people try to mask their attitude, and they can fool others for a while. But that cover-up doesn’t last long. Attitude always wiggles its way out.

Your attitude colors every aspect of your life. It is like the mind’s paintbrush. It can paint everything in bright, vibrant colors – creating a masterpiece. Or it can make everything dark and dreary. Attitude is so pervasive and important that I’ve come to think of it like this:

It is the vanguard of your true self.
Its root is inward but its fruit is outward.
It is your best friend or worst enemy.
It is more honest and consistent about you than your words.
It is what draws people to you or repels them.
It is never content until it is expressed.
It is the librarian of your past.
It is the speaker of your present.
It is the prophet of your future.

There is not a single part of your current life that is not affected by your attitude. And your future will definitely be influenced by the attitude you carry with you from today forward.
- The Difference Maker

DETERMINE TO POSSESS A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TODAY and Stay tuned...!

Tips...!?!

I hope you have resolved to make most of the last 100 (98 remaining) days of this year and may that plan of yours take you where you want to… Here are some tips to making the expedition exciting if not successful…!?!

Personality:
1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
3. Don't over do; keep your limits
4. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does
5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
6. Dream more while you are awake
7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
8. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
12. Realize 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.
13. Smile and laugh more
14. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:
15. Call your family often
16. Each day give something good to others
17. Forgive everyone for everything
18. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
19. Try to make at least three people smile each day
20. What other people think of you is none of your business
21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
22. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
23. GOD heals everything
24. Do the right things
25. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
27. The best is yet to come
28. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
29. When you’re awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
30. If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

While you practice all of the above, share this knowledge with the people you love, people you school with, people you play with, people you work with and people you live with.

Not only will it enrich YOUR life but also that of those around you...!



Stay tuned and we will learn some more RULES here...!

Welcome GOD...!

Okay, the countdown has begun and the First Day is over, 99 remain. I have got something that may facilitate your effort as although you can anticipate the outcome; you might be confused about the method, i.e. where to start, what to do and how to do? Is it the case…? Well, here a poem comes to your rescue… Just read it, comprehend it, visualize it, feel it and BINGO… there you go…!

If God Came to Your House

If God came to your house, to spend a day or two,
If He came without warning, I wonder what you'd do.
Yes, if God came to your house, to spend a day or two,
If He came unexpected, just dropped in on you.
I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored guest,
And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best.
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there,
That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare.
But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Holy Books where they'd been?
Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard?
And wish you hadn't uttered that last loud hasty word?
And would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Lord just walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder if the Savior spend a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?
And would your family conversation keep up it's usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you read,
And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
And would you take Lord with you everywhere you'd planned to go?
Or maybe would you change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends,
Or hope that they would stay away until His visit ends?
And would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
Oh, it might be interesting to know the things that you would do,
If God came in person to spend some time with you.
Don't worry and pretend but be what you are,
Cause God knows you better than others from near and far.

Stay tuned and we will see to it how to get there where you want to…!

100 Days...!

Today is 23rd September 2010. Okay, so what’s the big deal? Yesterday was 22nd and tomorrow will be 24th! It was the same last year and the decade before and all the previous centuries of AD. It would be exactly the same next year, the next decade and next century and many more centuries to come… The Sun will raise the same and set the same. The wind will continue to flow its course. Water, however changed in form and quality, would continue to exist. Birds will sing, rains would harvest the crops and night will accompany the starry sky… So how does it make a different day on 23rd September 2010…?

Well, there are only TWO methods to CHANGE – Evolution and Revolution. Evolution is the nature’s process of manifestation of imperative and eventual Change, which obviously takes centuries and ages. No mortal changes on its own unless somebody decides to change the course of matter. And somebody deciding to change the course of time starts Revolution. This revolutionary has to be aware, committed, confident and absolute believer to see the results…

Once upon a time there was this King who although, was confident of victory in the imminent battle, he knew his men had their doubts. So along the way, he stopped at a temple and told them, “After I visit the temple, I will toss a coin. If it turns up heads, we will win; if it turns up tails, we will lose. Destiny holds us in her hand.” With that, The King entered the temple to pray. Then, he reappeared before his men and tossed the coin. Miraculously, the coin turned up heads. Reassured that the Gods favored them, his soldiers were now eager for battle. The sudden thunderstorm that followed the mid-day heat further boosted their confidence as it was perfect for a surprise attack.

While the enemies took shelter from the storm, King carefully deployed his troops. Once the rain stopped, they charged down upon the unsuspecting enemy in the gorge. Taken completely by surprise, the enemy King fled from the battlefield. In the chaos, many enemy generals died. With the death of the enemy leaders, the rest of the army dispersed. And so, in one surprise attack, King repelled the enemy and regained control of his territory.

“No one can change the hand of destiny,” his attendant told him after the battle. “Indeed not,” said the King as he took out a coin with heads on both sides…!



No, no… this battle was not fought on 23rd September… So what happened to 23rd September? Make a swift switch from history to maths and you can easily figure out that Today is the First day of the Final 100 Days of this calendar year 2010. Now how would you like to spend these 100 days? Just the same you did all these years? If your answer is ‘yes’ you will have the same life, the same surroundings, the same people to interact with and the same topics for discussions. If it is okay with you, do nothing! As it is, this place is not for the rat racers who never want to get off that spin-wheel. But if you are one of those looking forward to discover your true Being and with the newfound and profound insights will take their chances to Making A Difference, starting today we will explore and experiment this MAD philosophy.

Stay tuned...!

Anant Chaturdashi...!

Today is Anant Chaturdashi. Let's read to Story of Anant Chaturdashi on this auspicious occasion...!

Ganpati Ustsava starts on 4th (Shuddha) day of Bhadrapada and ends on 14th (Shuddha) day of the same month. Total celebration is of ten days. This year it was 12 days! Ganesh idols are immersed on 10th day – Anant Chaturdashi, which is today. Therefore it has special significance. There is a huge process of Ganesh Idols, which are led to the place of immersion, ceremoniously. It becomes a celebration of fervor, pleasure and enthusiasm.

A Brahmin, by name Sumant had one daughter by name Sushila. He had a stepmother, who used to torture her, thereby making her life miserable. She got married to Rishi by name Kaundinya. At her in laws place she was also very poor. Once, when she was walking through the jungle along with her husband, she saw some married girls with red colours apparels performing Pooja of the Kalash. She asked those girls about that Vrata and then performed it. Gradually the family of kaundinya & Sushila became rich. She developed strong faith that the richness and prosperity is due to that vrata. She showed that 14 knotted red silk thread to her husband and narrated the details about the vrata.

Kaundinya Rishi disbelieved her as well as the Vrata. He had more faith in his duty and sincere work – Karma, he threw that 14 knotted thread in the fire. As a result the entire Rishi family reversed back to the state of Poverty.

While wandering in search food for survival, they witnessed some funny and astonishing scenes. Mango-tree full of mangoes but no one eating them; lot of grass lying before the cows and bulls, but they were not evening looking at it, There was a big lake full of water, but no one was drinking water out of it. No one knew the reasons. In a rejected and desperate mood, when Kaundinya was lying on the floor, Anant gave its answer and unfolded the mystery. Every where there work virtues in abundance, but there was lack of faith, hence no one could enjoy the pleasure and joy. God is all pervasive and his existence has to be remembered all the time, for which the thread with 14 knots is to be preserved.

In reality this day of Anant Chaturdashi has an importance of Vrata (commitment) and not only celebration. This vrata has no social or public parlance, but is performed on individual basis. If advised by some one, or if one finds a thread with fourteen knots, then only this vrata is to be observed. After fourteen years of continuous observance of the Vrata, it is advised to release its inflictions which is known as "Udyapana " This Vrata was advised by Shri Krishna to Dharmaraj, in Mahabharat. In the disc, play game Dharmaraj lost to Kauravas and then Pandavas had to go to forest for 12 years and one year in excite. When Pandavas were in forest, Lord Krishna met them. Since the former had lost all their grandeur in disc play and they desired to get everything back, Lord Krishna advised them to perform this Vrata and Dharmaraj did it. The 14 knotted thread in this Vrata is known as Thread of Ananata (Anantacha Dora) which symbolizes God.

Anant is another form (Incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Along with Vishnu, Shesh (Vishnu’s throne – the divine snake) and Yamuna are also worshipped. It is to be observed for 14 years in continuation, and is observed on the fourteenth day of Shuddha Bhadrapada. One goes to the river early morning, takes bath in it. He should bring a copper kalash (vessel with narrow opening) and keep it in the middle of Pendal raised with beautiful decoration around. In this vessel, the image of Anant or Sheshnag is kept. The Fourteen knotted thread is placed before the kalash. The water in the Kalash is imagined as synonymous to that of the water from Yamuna River. Kalash is worshipped and Pooja is performed with all religious sites and procedures scientifically. Then the old thread is immersed in water and new one is tied around the wrist or placed around the neck.

God is infinite even if all the creatures (i.e. Shrishti) are destroyed, God is immortal in the form of 'Shesh' (Remainder) His powerful image is this fourteen knotted thread. There are 14 images of the god, which are known to be with supernatural power without the mercy and favor of God, human being does not get anything. There is no success for him. If a man believes in this concept, then only he would get the right fruit of his life. To remember Anant, all the time, it is suggested to tie 14 knotted thread around the neck.

"Anant rupee Parameshwar" is the one with the highest power and Control.

Keep FAITH in HIM and Stay tuned...!

Possession…!?!

How possessive and obsessed you are of your Belongings…! How you love to be in possession of them…! Does it really make you happy, satisfied and content… OR … is it the other way round…!

Once there was a very rich and greedy man. He loved and hoarded jewels.

One day a visitor asked to see them. So the jewels were brought out, amid much expensive security, and the two men gazed at the wonderful stones.

As the visitor was leaving he said, "Thank you for sharing your jewels with me."
"I didn't give them to you," exclaimed the rich man, "They belong to me."

"Yes of course," replied the visitor, "And while we enjoyed the jewels just the same, the real difference between us is your trouble and expense of buying and protecting them."

Think again of all your belongings...! Stay tuned...!

Silence...!

Today’s story doesn’t have any morale…! How is that? Well, I guess sometimes it is good to have just fun and don’t push hard to discover something every time. If you find it otherwise and do find any insight, please let me know and I will be grateful…!

The pupils of the Tendai School used to study meditation before Zen entered Japan. Four of them who were intimate friends promised one another to observe seven days of silence.

On the first day all were silent. Their meditation had begun auspiciously, but when night came and the oil lamps were growing dim one of the pupils could not help exclaiming to a servant: “Fix those lamps.”

The second pupil was surprised to hear the first one talk. “We are not supposed to say a word,” he remarked. “You two are stupid. Why did you talk?” asked the third.

“I am the only one who has not talked,” concluded the fourth pupil.

Try to practice the 'Sphere of Silence' and Stay tuned…!

MAYA - The Illusion...!?!

Being a little spiritually philosophical today let’s try to find answer to a, what seems eternal, question. I have been asked this question lately ‘What is Maya?’ I myself have pondered half of my life in search of the answer. Today we will try to understand what MAYA, not the software application but the concept of illusion, is straight from the greatest counselor, mentor and guru of all times world has ever witnessed – Lord Sri Krishna…! Here is the story –

Narada is an ancient sage who is said to have lived for thousands of years, wandering freely through all the levels of consciousness from heaven to earth was on very intimate terms with the Lord, here in the form of Krishna, so he could ask him all kinds of questions. And while they were walking, he asked the Lord, "Sir, can you please explain to me the secret of this magic called MAYA?"

Sri Krishna hesitated, because to understand maya is to understand the whole of life. But Narada was utterly devoted to him, so the Lord replied, "Of course. Let's sit down here in the shade and I shall tell you everything. But first, Narada, it's terribly hot; would you get me a glass of cool water?" "Right away," Narada promised, and he set out across the fields. The sun beat down, and though he was a good walker, the little line of thatched cottages on the horizon that marked the nearest village seemed no closer as he strode along. The heat grew unbearable.

Narada's throat became parched, too; he began to think he would ask for two glasses of water, and drink the second himself. Finally he reached the village and ran to the nearest house. The door opened - and there stood the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She smiled up at Narada through long, dark lashes, and something happened to him that had never happened before.

All he could do was hem and haw. Finally he blurted out, "Will you marry me?" That is the Indian way, you know; you cannot just say "What are you doing on Saturday night?" The couple settled down to a life of connubial bliss. After a while, children began to arrive.

Narada became a very animated household. Somebody was always being bathed or dressed; there were meals to get and people to be provided for. Narada and his wife became engrossed in their private little world, quietly building their dreams. Years passed. The children grew up, went to school, and got married; in time, grandchildren arrived. Narada became the patriarch of a great family, respected by the whole village; his lands stretched to the horizon.

He and his wife would look at each other fondly and say, "Don't you think being grandparents is the greatest thing on earth?" Then a great flood came. The village fields became a raging river, and before Narada's helpless eyes, everything that he loved and lived for - his lands, his cattle, his house, but especially his beloved wife and all their children and grandchildren - were swept away.
Of the entire village, only he remained. Unable to watch the destruction, Narada fell to his knees and cried for help from the very depths of his heart. "Krishna, Krishna!" At once the raging floods disappeared, and there was Sri Krishna, standing casually on the fields where they had walked what seemed so many years before.

"Narada," the Lord asked gently, "where is my glass of water?"

If you get the morale it’s alright, if you don’t… Everything is MAYA…!

Stay tuned all the same...!

Honesty...!

Dear All,
I hope you are enjoying my posts and finding some insights in due course. Some of you may have started practicing some of teachings as well. So far so good…!

Today we will read to a story that will preach the importance of Honesty – the most phenomenal of all the virtues that is on the verge of becoming extinct, though…!

A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
"It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO," he said.
"I have decided to choose one of you."
The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today - a very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed.
He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.

Every day, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by - still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - he so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened.

Jim felt sick at his stomach. It was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed. A few felt sorry for him! When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back.

"My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed. Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Here is your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!"

Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said?Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!"

Quite a long story, I must admit, but it is very close to my heart as it has happened about me with a otherwise climax but that's a different story...!

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust…!

If you plant goodness, you will reap friends…!

If you plant humility, you will reap greatness…!

If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment…!

If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective…!

If you plant hard work, you will reap success…!

If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation…!

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later…!

Stay tuned...!

Ghost...!

Today we will try to understand what ‘Ghost’ means, where and how they generate and on what modus operandi they operate…

The wife of a man became very sick. On her deathbed, she said to him, "I love you so much! I don't want to leave you, and I don't want you to betray me. Promise that you will not see any other women once I die, or I will come back to haunt you."

For several months after her death, the husband did avoid other women, but then he met someone and fell in love. On the night that they were engaged to be married, the ghost of his former wife appeared to him. She blamed him for not keeping the promise, and every night thereafter she returned to taunt him. The ghost would remind him of everything that transpired between him and his fiancée that day, even to the point of repeating, word for word, their conversations. It upset him so badly that he couldn't sleep at all.

Desperate, he sought the advice of a Zen master who lived near the village. "This is a very clever ghost," the master said upon hearing the man's story. "It is!" replied the man. "She remembers every detail of what I say and do. It knows everything!" The master smiled, "You should admire such a ghost, but I will tell you what to do the next time you see it."

That night the ghost returned. The man responded just as the master had advised. "You are such a wise ghost," the man said, "You know that I can hide nothing from you. If you can answer me one question, I will break off the engagement and remain single for the rest of my life." "Ask your question," the ghost replied. The man scooped up a handful of beans from a large bag on the floor, "Tell me exactly how many beans there are in my hand."

At that moment the ghost disappeared and never returned

If you find it hard to digest let me know on amookbhartiya@gmail.com and I may provide some hints… Stay tuned…!

Light...!?!

Well, we are talking much about inspiration, realization and enlightenment at this place for a while now. Some of the readers may have started wondering what’s this all about and where are we heading…!?!

Today’s story is for those curious, dubious and anxious souls with displeased personas otherwise…

In early times bamboo-and-paper lanterns were used with candles inside.
A blind man, visiting a friend one night, was offered a lantern to carry home with him.
"I do not need a lantern," he said. "Darkness or light is all the same to me."
"I know you do not need a lantern to find your way," his friend replied, "but if you don’t have one, someone else may run into you. So you must take it."
The blind man started off with the lantern and before he had walked very far someone ran squarely into him.
"Look out where you are going!" he exclaimed to the stranger. "Can’t you see this lantern?"

"Your candle has burned out, brother," replied the stranger.

If you didn’t get the morale, ask somebody to light your lantern… Stay tuned..!

The Other Side...!

Today’s story may seem too short to teach any wisdom, but then… Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life…!

One day a young Buddhist on his journey home came to the banks of a wide river. Staring hopelessly at the great obstacle in front of him, he pondered for hours on just how to cross such a wide barrier. Just as he was about to give up his pursuit to continue his journey he saw a great teacher on the other side of the river. The young Buddhist yells over to the teacher, "Oh wise one, can you tell me how to get to the other side of this river"?

The teacher ponders for a moment looks up and down the river and yells back, "My son, YOU ARE on the other side".

Have you received the message…? If not, you are still on the other side…!

Stay tuned as we continue our expedition to cross that river…!

A Cup of Tea...!

Starting today we will enjoy some ZEN stories of immense wisdom and extraordinary insight. Let’s give our souls an opportunity to get out of the materialistic chores and see how they decide to go with it.

Although ignorance could be bliss, apathy sure is a crime…!

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"

"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

Try to empty yourself before trying to learn something new and stay tuned...!

MORYA...!

Today is Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha’s Birthday! On this occasion let’s read a story of Ganesha that symbolizes overcoming Vasana – the impression of lust and desires remaining in the mind.

Kubera, the god of wealth, was very proud of his boundless fortune. One day, he organized a gorgeous dinner; among other famous guests, the divine couple, Shiva and Pârvatî, with their son Ganesha, was present.

The later, still a child, started to eat and he appeared quickly to be insatiable. Soon, the other guests found plates and dishes empty. Alas! Not satisfied with all the available food, Ganesha started to devour plates and dishes, the furniture and all the content of Alakapuri, the main city of Kubera.

When he achieved to gulp down the whole, the child Ganesha threatened to swallow Kubera himself. Frightened, the god of wealth rushed forward to Shiva's feet to implore his help, since the Ganesha voracious appetite seemed to be unlimited.

The remedy was simple but spectacular: Shiva gave his son a handful of roasted cereal grains. Ganesha ate it and, wonderfully, his hunger stopped immediately.

This legend teaches us that a handful of common food, given with love, and eaten with devotion, is more important and more sustaining that the banquet offered by Kubera to impress the gods. From a different angle, this story shows that properties cannot bring peace and satisfaction to anybody. The only path to self-realization requires to burn our vasana . The destruction of the vasana is symbolized by the consumption of the grilled rice; indeed, when the rice has been cooked, he loses his germinating capacity. Moreover, the seeds of our hidden desires lose strength and possibility to come back further.

Resentment...!

A story tells of a merchant in a small town who had identical twin sons. The boys worked for their father in the department store he owned and, when he died, they took over the store.

Everything went well until the day a fifty rupees note disappeared. One of the brothers had left the note on the cash register and walked outside with a customer. When he returned, the money was gone.

He asked his brother, "Did you see that fifty rupees note on the cash register?" His brother replied that he had not. But the young man kept probing and questioning. He would not let it alone. "Fifty rupees notes just don't get up and walk away! Surely you must have seen it!" There was subtle accusation in his voice. Tempers began to rise. Resentment set in. Before long, a deep and bitter chasm divided the young men. They refused to speak.

They finally decided they could no longer work together and a dividing wall was built down the center of the store. For twenty years hostility and bitterness grew, spreading to their families and to the community.

Then one day a man in an automobile licensed in another state stopped in front of the store. He walked in and asked the clerk, "How long have you been here?" The clerk replied that he'd been there all his life. The customer said, "I must share something with you. Twenty years ago I was 'riding the rails' and Came into this town in a boxcar. I hadn't eaten for three days. I came into this store from the back door and saw a fifty rupees note on the cash register. I put it in my pocket and walked out. All these years I haven't been able to forget that. I know it wasn't much money, but I had to come back and ask your Forgiveness. "

The stranger was amazed to see tears well up in the eyes of this middle-aged man. "Would you please go next door and tell that same story to the man in the store?" he said. Then the man was even more amazed to see two middle-aged men, who looked very much alike, embracing each other and weeping together in the front of the store.

After twenty years, the brokenness was mended. The wall of resentment that divided them came down.

It is so often the little things - like resentments - that finally divide people. And the solution, of course, is to let them go. There is really nothing particularly profound about it. But for fulfilling and lasting relationships, letting them go is a must. Refuse to carry around bitterness and you may be surprised at how much energy you have left for building bonds with those you love…!

Think Over…!

To support my all-time favorite philosophy of ‘Maximum Utilization of Available Resources’ that I preach every time today let’s read another story of Buddha. Although stories like this are profound and timeless these are more significant and relevant in today’s uncertain and turbulent times than any other day.

Buddha one day was on deep thought about the worldly activities and the ways of instilling goodness in human. The following is the text of conversation between him and his disciple.

One of his disciples approached him and said humbly “Oh my teacher! While you are so much concerned about the world and other, why don’t look in to the welfare and needs of your own disciples also.”

Buddha: “Ok... Tell me how I can help you”

Disciple: “Master! My attire is worn out and is beyond the decency to wear the same. Can I get a new one, please?”

Buddha found the robe indeed was in a bad condition which needed replacement. He asked the store keeper to give the disciple a new robe to wear on. The disciple thanked Buddha and retired to his room. Though he met his disciple’s requirement, Buddha was not all that contended on his decision. He realized he missed out some point. A while after, he realized what he should have asked the disciple, He went to his disciple’s place and asked him “Is your new attire comfortable? Do you need anything more?”

Disciple: “Thank you my Maser. The attire is indeed very comfortable. I need nothing more”
Buddha: “Having got the new one, what did you did with your old attire?”
Disciple: “I am using it as my bed spread”
Buddha: “Then... hope you have disposed off your old bed spread”
Disciple: “No... no... Master, I am using my old bedspread as my window curtain”
Buddha: “What about your old curtain?”
Disciple: “Being used to handle hot utensils in the kitchen”
Buddha: “Oh... I see... Can you tell me want did they do with the old cloth they used in kitchen”
Disciple: “They are being used to wash the floor.”
Buddha: “Then, the old rug being using to wash the floor…?!?”
Disciple: “Master, since they were torn off so much, we could not find any better use, but to use as a Twig in the oil lamp, which is right now lit in your study room…”
Buddha smiled in contentment and left for his room.

If not to this degree of utilization, can we at least attempt to find the best use of all our resources – at home and at office…? It becomes imperative in the critical times of Recession…!

Treat the earth well….it was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children. We did not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrowed it from our children.

Golden Rules...!

There's some mighty fine advice in these words, even if you're not superstitious. Do not keep this to yourself. Share it with your friends, as they also deserve to be happy.


ONE...
Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO...
Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE...
Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR...
When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE...
When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX...
Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN...
Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT...
Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE...
Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN...
In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN...
Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE...
Tal k slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN...
When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN...
Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN...
Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN...
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN...
Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN...
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN...
When you realize you 've made a mist ake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY...
Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice

TWENTY-ONE...
Spend some time alone.


By the way, did I mention, to turn a pattern of desired routine into a HABIT, exercise it at the same time, in the same fashion every day like clockwork for incessant 21 days without fail...?!? Try it with reading this blog regularly and Stay tuned...!

React OR Respond…!?!

The other day I was sitting in a restaurant waiting for my friend, watching around the people and their interactions, my favorite pastime and hobby! Suddenly, a cockroach flew from somewhere and sat on a lady. I wondered if this was the cockroach’s response to all the glory that was spoken about it!

She started screaming out of fear. With panic stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group got cranky to what was happening. The lady finally managed to push the cockroach to another lady in the group.

Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama. The waiter rushed forward to their rescue. In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behavior of the cockroach on his shirt. When he was confident enough, he grabbed and threw it out with his fingers. Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering!

Was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behavior? If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed? He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos. It is not the cockroach, but the inability of the ladies to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach that disturbed the ladies. I realized even in my case then, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss that disturbs me, but it’s my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me.

Its not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.

More than the problem, it’s my reaction to the problem that hurts me. The Take-Away:
The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded.

We should not react in life, we should always respond. Reactions are always instinctive whereas responses are always intellectual…!

A Reaction is a reflex –impulsive action focused on a narrow part of the overall situation, usually to the exclusion of larger goals and objectives. Often it is quick and happens without much or any thought – similar to the reflex when the doctor hits your knee with the rubber hammer and your lower leg flips up. It’s an answer to a specific question rather than an answer to the need behind the question. It’s action based on an awareness of, and a solution for, only a “narrow slice” of the situation.

A Response however, is a wiser course of action, encompassing the complexities of people and circumstances with an unflinching focus on goals and outcomes. Its action to accomplish goals based on a more thorough understanding of the whole situation. Try to comprehend the message and further to it, we would see some golden rules tomorrow.

Stay tuned…!

TIME...!

Today let's talk about the most valuable commodity of recent era - TIME...!

Why, How is it important and what should be the approach towards it...

The scarcest resource today is TIME. With every breath we take, we expend our energies and actually reduce our life span. When this thought strikes us, we realise how important it is to make the best use of the time at our disposal and ensure we have no regrets. A good test to know if you're using your time well is to simply answer this question now- If I were to die in the next 5 minutes what would I be doing.

Today I Must Exploit is a wonderful way to visualise how one uses his/her time. Each one of us has a different priority in life. As long as we are comfortable that we have focused our resources and our time to attain those priorities, we will never have any regrets about how we spend our time. If reading is our priority then so be it, watching a movie can also be ones priority especially if you are a move reviewer or sleep could be our prime concern after a hard days work. The problem is that we are rarely sure of our priorities and often we compromise on those priorities for short term pleasures.

Students in particular are guilty of squandering away precious time by ignoring their studies and substituting it with frivolous pursuits like watching movies, TV, sleeping or shopping. For professionals, the danger is in wasting time in gossiping, backbiting, leg pulling, ego massaging, indecision, etc.

Three simple TIME management rules are

1. Have a place for everything and put everything in its place.
2. Plan your priorities and prioritize your plans.
3. Pursue your priorities purposefully.

ActionPoints

• Ensure you start with a clean, orderly environment where all your stuff is kept in fixed places and locations.
• List out your priorities and plans to achieve them.
• Make a commitment to avoid all temptation and distractions that will divert your focus from the goal.

Well, that's all for today! Keep track of your time and try to be more organized...!

All the best and Stay tuned...!

Teachings...!?!

Today is 5 Sept – ‘Teacher’s Day’ is observed on this day in many parts of the world. On this occasion I am reiterating Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to the TEACHER…

It is not that I have nothing new to share on this occasion but the fact that all the VALUES and teachings expected in this are eternal and most relevant in today’s scenario. And this education has become imperative and mandatory for every single human, let alone the schoolchildren…

See for yourself…

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true.
But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero;
That for every selfish Politician, there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,
Steer him away from envy, if you can,
Teach him the secret of quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
Bees in the sun and the flowers on a green hillside.
In the school teach him it is far honourable to fail than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle with gentle people, and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men… but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth,
And take only the good that comes through.
Teach him if you can how to laugh when he is sad… Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders
But never to put a price-tag on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage to be impatient… let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will have sublime faith in mankind.
This is a big order, but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow, my son!

Choice...!?!

Once Wealth and Poverty approached a merchant and introduced themselves as Goddesses. The merchant offered his salutations to both of them and said: "May I know what brings you to my humble tenement?" The Goddess of Wealth said: "We want you to judge and tell us as to who is more beautiful between us two?"

The merchant was in a fix. He knew he was between the devil and the deep sea. If he were to declare wealth as more beautiful than poverty, poverty would curse him. If he were to declare poverty as more beautiful, than wealth, wealth would forsake him. However, he regained his composure and said: "I have great respect for you both.

Would you please act according to my instructions? Then only I can judge properly." The Goddesses agreed. He said: "Mother wealth, would you please go to the entrance (gates) and walk into the house? Mother, poverty! Would you please walk from here towards the gates? I can have a good look at you both, from near and far."

The two Goddesses did walk as the merchant wished them to. Then the merchant happily declared: "Mother wealth! You appear very beautiful when you enter the house. Mother poverty! You look very beautiful when you leave the house!" The Goddesses appreciated the wit and wisdom of the merchant. The Goddess of wealth happily stayed in his house while the Goddess of poverty cheerfully walked away.

When a serious problem confronts us, if we look within and think calmly, a ray of hope and light will beam forth and show us the way.

Replace Wealth with Happiness, Satisfaction, Gratitude, Peace and...
Poverty with Worry, Discontent, Nepotism, Hostilities and see the difference...!
To see the difference Be the difference...!