Upright...!?!

As a general and absolutely lenient observation, I discovered lately that most of the population has a tendency to sit in a bending position rather than straight and upright. Apart from a little sarcastic fact that this is the symbolic representation of the moral and value system of today’s world, this habit could prove fatal if continued and blissful if corrected.

The spinal cord of human body is straight and upright by birth naturally. Kids and children normally have straight back invariably. As they develop to become a teenager-youth-adult, matured (?) humans around make them habitual to bending with means like heavy Schoolbags, Computers, Videogames and TV to name a few. Ground sports and outdoor exercise is becoming more or less extinct allowing maximum time of the day for sitting. Study, work, rest – you name the reason and this habit enters the blood unwittingly. Taller people and women also adopt this awkward and unhealthy posture for the reasons of either inferiority complex or psychological result.

Function of lungs: Our lungs absorb the pure oxygen from the atmosphere and mix it with our blood keeping the blood healthy and pure. And ‘Pure blood makes Pink Health’ is the simplest doctrine. Lungs are encased in the ribs from all around and diaphragm puts pressure on them from below. When we sit in a bent position the pancreas put pressure on the diaphragm which transfers the pressure onto lungs. But in an upright posture lungs can enjoy about 30% more space to expand on the lower side. So to summarize the benefits of sitting straight, we can list them as –

• Body gets 30% more oxygen

• Increase in Blood purification by 30%

• Energy level increase by 30%

• Increase in immunity by 30%

• Burning of fats increase by 30%

• Refresh and rejuvenate in minutes

• And if nothing impressive personality!

Try an experiment when you feel really tired and exhausted. Instead of lying down on a coach or sitting in a relaxed posture on a chair, try to sit real straight and upright only for five minutes and see for yourself how revived you start feeling…! By sitting straight our respiratory system is exploited and put to optimum use. This one small habit will lead to an honorable and ‘upright’ old age.

What’s more, this habit will not cost you a single penny…! Great blessings come in small packages. This little habit can change the entire course of your health-life and the moment you started reading this you started straightening simultaneously and the moment you finish reading this, you are supposed to be sitting absolutely S-T-R-A-I-G-H-T and keep it that way whenever and wherever you S-I-T! You are most welcome to email, distribute and share this with maximum number of people to show that you care…!

Stay tuned and Sit Straight…!

(Original Marathi Article by – Prashant Balkrishna Kulkarni. Thank you Prashantji)

Happiness...!?!

How can you be happier? Jennifer L. Aaker, a marketing professor at Stanford University’s School of Business, Melanie Rudd, a Stanford MBA student, and Wharton marketing professor Cassie Mogilner, are here to help. Surprisingly few correlations between money and happiness are found, the trio instead set out to look at the way people spend their time and how that affects happiness. The researchers examined 60 academic studies, then tried to draw links between those findings to draw more general conclusions.

The results? Here are NINE guidelines they say anyone can use to increase their happiness.

1. Spend time with the “right people.” Sounds simple, but who exactly are the right people? Unfortunately, they’re generally not your office mates, who are the ones people tend to spend the most time with. The people that make you happiest will generally be friends, family, and romantic partners. That’s why one the most powerful influencers of general happiness is whether or not someone has a “best friend” at work and whether or not they like their boss.

2. Avoid small talk. A related predictor of happiness is how much substantive discussion a person engages in, compared to small talk. Generally, small talk makes people unhappy, and often, work relationships involve a disproportionate amount of small talk. If you want to increase your happiness, it’s far better to find one or two colleagues with whom you can have a real discussion than to engage in small talk around the water cooler.

3. Spend time on “socially connecting” activities, such as volunteering and spending time with friends. Work doesn’t count. Unless your job is particularly fulfilling and your colleagues are your best buds, work is not ’socially connecting’ and is generally one of the more unhappy parts of the day. Commuting is also gets high marks for making people unhappy.

4. Volunteering has been proven to be a good way to increase happiness. Volunteering makes it seem like you have more time. In general, spending time on someone else makes people feel like they have more spare time and that their future is more expansive.

5. Memory is important, because it helps us take an event that happened in the past and extend its ‘worth’ into the future. One way to help choose experiences that will increase happiness is to consider how you might remember them in the future. What are your happiest memories? How might you create more similar memories?

6. Day dream, or, as the researchers say, enjoy the experience without spending the time. As counterintuitive as it may seem, research has shown that the part of the brain responsible for feeling pleasure can be activated just by thinking about something pleasurable. And we often enjoy the anticipation of something pleasurable more than the actual experience that we think is going to be so great. The most common example is vacation planning, which some find more pleasurable than the vacation itself.

7. Expand your time. No, this does not mean you have to find a warp in the space-time continuum (although it might help). Focusing on the “here and now” slows down the perceived passage of time, allowing people to feel less rushed and hurried. How can we do that? Breathe slowly. Just for a few minutes. As the authors write: “In one study, subjects who were instructed to take long and slow breaths (vs. short and quick ones) for 5 minutes not only felt there was more time available to get things done, but also perceived their day to be longer.”

8. Pay people to do the chores you hate. Activities that we choose to do generally make us happier than those that are obligatory. So if you can afford it, hire someone else to do some of the ‘obligatory’ tasks, such as cleaning the house. Then use the time you’ve ‘bought’ not to catch up on work, but to do something you genuinely enjoy.

9. Be aware that aging changes the way people experience happiness. Youths tend to equate happiness with excitement, but as people get older, happiness is associated with feeling peaceful. Young people get more happiness from spending time with interesting new acquaintances, while older people get more enjoyment from spending time with close friends and family.

Stay happy and Stay Tuned...!

20 Values...!?!

Here are TWENTY Values that I relentlessly try to instill in any activity, initiative and undertaking, that help me excel in whatever I attempt and commit to. Try it and see for yourself, does it make any difference…?!?

1. Maintain your fitness, physique, mind and soul.

2. Speak less, listen more, think over, do the most.

3. Develop a right Approach, well begun is half-done.

4. Get rid of excuses – the crutches you could live without.

5. Never ever commit that you have a slightest doubt about.

6. Make integrity an immovable part of your being, don’t just praise; practice it.

7. Nothing in the world is more precious than having peace with your inner self.

8. No matter what, keep your promises at any cost; promises are never cheap anyway.

9. Try to be the part of solution and not of the problem, you have to be a part of either.

10. Wear a holistic attitude to see things from different angles and other people’s perspectives.

11. Try not to expect anything from anybody, give people more than they expect to get from you.

12. Everyday engage in at least one generous act that cannot even remotely benefit you.

13. If you are down and off, take the opportunity to outperform other on your way up.

14. Allow your dreams/passions to make you sleepless, realize and actualize them.

15. Whatever you try, use just single attribute for its manifestation – excellence.

16. Make sure that your every word/deed ‘Make a Difference’ in a positive way.

17. Always strike a balance between your personal, professional and social life.

18. Give credit of the achievement to others, especially when you crafted it.

19. Go that extra mile everyday to surpass your yesterday’s records.

20. Practice and perfect your skills to become a maestro.

Stay Tuned...!

Decision...!?!

Life is like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight paths. In our life many roads would come our way as we journey through life. There are roads that lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and religious vocation. There are also roads that lead to fame and fortune on one hand, or isolation and poverty on the other. There are roads to happiness as there are roads to sadness, roads towards victory and jubilation, and roads leading to defeat and disappointment.

Just like any road, there are corners, detours, and crossroads in life. Perhaps the most perplexing road that you would encounter is a crossroad. With four roads to choose from and with limited knowledge on where they would go, which road will you take? What is the guarantee that we would choose the right one along the way? Would you take any road, or just stay where you are: in front of a crossroad?

There are no guarantees.

You do not really know where a road will lead you until you take it. There are no guarantees. This is one of the most important things you need to realize about life. Nobody said that choosing to do the right thing all the time would always lead you to happiness. Loving someone with all your heart does not guarantee that it would be returned. Gaining fame and fortune does not guarantee happiness. Accepting a good word from an influential superior to cut your trip short up the career ladder is not always bad, especially if you are highly qualified and competent. There are too many possible outcomes, which your really cannot control. The only thing you have power over is the decisions that you will make, and how you would act and react to different situations.

Wrong decisions are always at hindsight.

Had you known that you were making a wrong decision, would you have gone along with it? Perhaps not, why would you choose a certain path when you know it would get you lost? Why make a certain decision if you knew from the very beginning that it is not the right one. It is only after you have made a decision and reflected on it that you realize its soundness. If the consequences or outcomes are good for you, then you have decided correctly. Otherwise, your decision was wrong.

Take the risk: decide.

Since life offers no guarantee and you would never know that your decision would be wrong until you have made it, then you might as well take the risk and decide. It is definitely better than keeping yourself in limbo. Although it is true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be that such a turn could be an opportunity for an adventure, moreover open more roads. It is all a matter of perspective. You have the choice between being a lost traveler or an accidental tourist of life. But take caution that you do not make decisions haphazardly. Taking risks is not about being careless and stupid. Here are some pointers that could help you choose the best option in the face of life's crossroads:

1. Get as many information as you can about your situation.

You cannot find the confidence to decide when you know so little about what you are faced with. Just like any news reporter, ask the 5 W's: what, who, when, where, and why. What is the situation? Who are the people involved? When did this happen? Where is this leading? Why are you in this situation? These are just some of the possible questions to ask to know more about your situation. This is important. Oftentimes, the reason for indecision is the lack of information about a situation.

2. Identify and create options.

What options does the situation give you? Sometimes the options are few, but sometimes they are numerous. But what do you do when you think that the situation offers no options? This is the time that you create your own. Make your creative mind work. From the most simplistic to the most complicated, entertain all ideas. Do not shoot anything down when an idea comes to your head. Sometimes the most outrageous idea could prove to be the right one in the end. You can ask a friend to help you identify options and even make more options if you encounter some difficulty, but make sure that you make the decision yourself in the end.

3. Weigh the pros and cons of every option.

Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. In this way, you get more insights about the consequences of such an option.

4. Trust yourself and make that decision.

Now that you have assessed your options, it is now time to trust yourself. Remember that there are no guarantees and wrong decisions are always at hindsight. So choose... decide... believe that you are choosing the best option at this point in time.

5. Take the responsibility of your decision

Now that you have made a decision, be ready to face its consequences: good and bad. It may take you to a place of promise or to a land of problems. But the important thing is that you have chosen to live your life instead of remaining a bystander or a passive audience to your own life. Whether it is the right decision or not, only time can tell. But do not regret it whatever the outcome. Instead, learn from it and remember that you always have the chance to make better decisions in the future.

Take a decision to Stay tuned...!

One Extra Bedroom…?!?

This is a real story written by an Indian software engineer that reveals a Bitter Reality…

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true…

Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.

My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.

I wanted to do something more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald's and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.

In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to USA.

My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing.

After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.

Every year I decide to go to India But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India ... The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rites the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.

After couple more years passed away, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA...

My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India..... My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.

Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA... I decided that had enough and wound-up everything and returned to India... I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.

Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.

Sometimes, I wondered was it worth all this?

My father, even after staying in India, had a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more.

I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.

Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me.

Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them.

But the question still remains 'was all this worth it?'

I am still searching for an answer.................!!!

START THINKING

IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???

LIFE IS BEYOND THIS. DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE

START LIVING IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE…!

Stay tuned…!

Difference...!?!

Once a little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, "Sweetheart , please hold my hand so that you don’t fall into the river."

The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand."

"What’s the difference?" asked the puzzled father.

"There’s a big difference," replied the little girl.

"If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."

Stay tuned...!