tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242662252024-03-12T17:45:56.761-07:00WELCOME TO "MY LIFE" :-))"The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live."
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"Music knows no you and me. It belongs to everyone who sings."
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"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
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"The ladder of success we climb is not leaning against a building - it is being held up by every person who ever loved us or taught us."Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-19794424807619392082010-12-28T00:08:00.000-08:002010-12-28T00:15:27.705-08:00Its winter holidays for my sunny dear. He is just eating my head every day as I cannot play with him throughout the day in his frequency :-( I dont know where he gets full load of energy to play play and play. I used to wonder when is he going to ask for "mommy can we read some phonics , can we do some math??". <br />
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Am I too much expecting from a Kindergartener?? I dont know. Anyways his academic drills will start from tomorrow onwards as I have just created a worksheet for him to engage himself for just one hour per day for the next 6 days before he knocks the school by Jan 3rd. <br />
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I very well know he is not going to welcome this after a long break but anyways I never ask for his preferences especially in studies :-)) Not being very hard on my sunny dear but make sure he is on track and not too much lagging behind other kids.<br />
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I made a kutti resolution for my sunny dear today. I'am not going to touch my laptop until he goes to bed by 8PM dailly. One hour study time, one hour story time. I hope it is enough for a kindergartener especially for my son. He is definitely smart and intelligent NO doubts for sure. And all his LEGO building skills make him much more smarter every day really. He just imagine something and just make the same thing using his LEGO's. I used to wonder how come he is able to do it?? I tried many times and I fail. My dear hubby and my dear sunny make a great pair in LEGO building. Thanks to his preschool who started this LEGO Play. Truly a constructive game which just enhance your creative and thinking skills with no doubts.<br />
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Okay sleepy time now and I just chopped some vegetables for tomorrow's Bisi Bela Baath. I also took a resolution for my health today that no matter what I have to knock the gym atleat for 5 days in a week. I know I'am going to succeed in my health, cooking and my sunny dear's studies and activities. I also promised to myself to practice my Guru's vocal lessons before 6 AM everyday. I know I'am going to do this for sure.<br />
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LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL this year. Not much health set backs when compared to previous year. Touch Wood :-)) Thanks to God for such a beautiful year really :-))Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-12671624842778984602010-12-23T18:19:00.000-08:002010-12-23T18:25:15.012-08:00<div class="ii gt" id=":cf" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div id=":cg"><span style="font-size: small;">One young academically excellent person went to apply for a <b>managerial position</b> in a big company.<br />
<a name='more'></a>He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision.<br />
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The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not score.<br />
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The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "none".<br />
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The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school fees?" The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.<br />
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The director asked, " Where did your mother work?" The youth answered, "My mother worked as clothes cleaner. The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.<br />
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The director asked, " Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?" The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.<br />
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The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.*<br />
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The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid.<br />
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The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.<br />
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This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.<br />
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After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.<br />
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That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.<br />
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Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.<br />
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<span style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136);">The Director</span> noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: " Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"<br />
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The youth answered, " I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes'<br />
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The Director asked, " please tell me your feelings."<br />
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The youth said, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not the successful me today. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.<br />
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The director said, " This is what I am looking for to be my manager.<br />
I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are hired.<br />
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Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: small;">A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?*<br />
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You can let your kid live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.</span> </div></div>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-497471765480867762010-11-02T22:40:00.000-07:002010-11-02T22:41:19.710-07:00In a letter to his wife Jai and his children, Dylan, Logan, and Chloe, he wrote this beautiful" guide to a better life" for his wife and children to follow.<br />
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This is amazing, he died of pancreatic cancer in 2008, but wrote a book ‘The last lecture” before then, one of the bestsellers in 2007. What a legacy to leave behind…<br />
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<a name='more'></a><strong>POINTS ON HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE</strong><br />
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<em><strong>Personality:</strong></em><br />
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1. Don’t compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.<br />
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2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment<br />
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3. Don't overdo; keep your limits<br />
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4. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does<br />
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5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip<br />
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6. Dream more while you are awake <br />
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7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..<br />
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8. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.<br />
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9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.<br />
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10. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present<br />
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11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you <br />
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12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.<br />
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Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.<br />
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13. Smile and laugh more<br />
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14. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.<br />
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<strong><em>Community:</em></strong><br />
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15. Call your family often<br />
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16. Each day give something good to others<br />
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17. Forgive everyone for everything<br />
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18. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6<br />
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19. Try to make at least three people smile each day <br />
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20. What other people think of you is none of your business<br />
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21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.<br />
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<strong><em>Life:</em></strong><br />
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22. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.<br />
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23. GOD heals everything<br />
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24. Do the right things<br />
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25. However good or bad a situation is, it will change<br />
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26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up<br />
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27. The best is yet to come<br />
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28. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful<br />
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29. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it<br />
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30. If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.<br />
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While you practice all of the above, share this knowledge with the people you love, people you school with, <br />
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people you play with, people you work with and people you live with.<br />
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Not only will it enrich YOUR life, but also that of those around you.Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-39119872556386035042010-09-23T22:24:00.000-07:002010-09-23T22:25:49.515-07:00<strong>The art or importance of keeping our WORD</strong><br />
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We all know that the pandavas left their kingdom for 13 long years for keeping up their word! Well, for Arjuna going away from the bhogas of a king, for the sake of truth, was not new. He did it once well before the aranyavaas. The story goes like this:<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The kalyaanam of pandavas with Draupadi was an unusual one. However, it was perfectly according to dharma shastras. Infact Draupadi is one of the greatest pativratas and praised even by Lord Krishna for her Dharma vartana. A few reasons to justify the kalyaanam:<br />
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1.Kunti Devi, the mother of pandavas, who never knew what a lie was, gave her will.<br />
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2.Vyaasa Maharshi, one of the avataar of Lord Vishnu, ordered the kalyaanam to be done.<br />
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3.Lord Shiva, pleased with her tapas, gave a boon to Draupadi to marry the pandavas.<br />
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4.Pandavas, though were five physically, were all amshas of Indra, the King of the Gods. Hence, pandavas were actually one.<br />
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Naarada, again an avataar of Lord Vishnu, suggested some rules to be followed by pandavas and Draupadi for living together. This is because, though they were amshas of Gods and Godesses, since they had a human form some addition rules according to dharma shastras needed to be followed. One of the rules was that: Draupadi should spend one year with each of the pandavas and while she was with one of them, no other pandavas should visit the palace where they might be. In case of any breach of their rule, one-year pilgrimage was prescribed by way of penance leaving the kingdom.The pandavas and Draupadi were living happily until one day: a brahmana came running to Arjuna saying that the thieves had stolen his cows. Arjuna wanted to rush with him to catch the thieves but he realised that his bow and arrows were kept in Yudhisthira's palace and he was there in the company of Draupadi. He hesitated for a while, then seeing brahmana's plight he rushed in to Yudhisthira 's palace took his bow and arrows and ran to catch the thieves. After he caught the thieves and punished them, after restoring the cows of the brahmana, Arjuna came back to Yudhisthira and told him about his transgression of the rule.<br />
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Yudhisthira, knowing the reason of the breach of their rule, said their is no need for Arjuna to take the pilgrimage. Since it is a mistake committed towards him, and that too for a good reason, he will pardon arjuna . However, Arjuna would never break his word. He immediately set out for a one-year pilgrimage. May be this is why Arjuna is such a favourite sakha of Lord Krishna.<br />
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<strong>Moral of the Story:</strong><br />
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1.The story shows how important it is to keep up ones word, whether it is of any consequence or not, how much ever difficult it is.<br />
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2.Arjuna, knowing that he will be punished for breaching the rule, did not stop doing his duty as a king to protect his people and punish the theif. Thus, one must always perform his duty without any laziness or any kind of fear.<br />
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3.Rewards for such people do show up as immediate difficulties, but in the end – it is truth is what always wins (Satyameva jayate). Arjuna's win was in the way of gaining eternal friendship with the Lord.<br />
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<strong>Message:</strong><br />
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1.Imagine if everyone keeps his word and always speaks truth — will we have corruption? will we have poverty? Though its a very difficult to inculcate, unless we are truthful there will be no development.<br />
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2.Like Arjuna if everyone does they duty — will there be such slow development for such a large community of intelligent people?<br />
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3.Temporal gains got by saying lies never will be permanent. They will not only bring us down on a long run in life, leave aside winning the heart of the God.Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-17182809150130327622010-08-15T05:01:00.000-07:002010-08-15T05:01:00.216-07:00<strong>Two Angels</strong><br />
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This was sent to me from my family friend Mr Amuthan(Our dear Amuthan Anna)<br />
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Keep reading to the bottom of the page -- don't stop at the feet (You'll see).<br />
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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 small space in the cold basement. <br />
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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.' <br />
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The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. <br />
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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? <br />
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The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. <br />
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The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die. <br />
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<strong><em>'Things aren't always what they seem,'</em></strong> the older angel replied. <br />
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'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.' <br />
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'Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem.' <br />
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Sometimes that 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 just might not know it until sometime later... <br />
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Oooo <br />
Some people ( ) <br />
come into our lives ) / <br />
and quickly go.. (_ / <br />
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<br />
oooO <br />
( ) Some people <br />
\ ( become friends <br />
\_ ) and stay awhile.... <br />
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leaving beautiful Oooo <br />
footprints on our ( ) <br />
hearts... ) / <br />
( _/ <br />
<br />
<br />
oooO <br />
( ) and we are <br />
\ ( never <br />
\_ ) quite the same because we have made a good friend!! <br />
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Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present! I think this is special...live and savor every moment... This is not a dress rehearsal! <br />
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Right Now ...... <br />
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-somebody is thinking of you. <br />
-somebody is caring about you. <br />
-somebody misses you <br />
-somebody wants to talk to you. <br />
-somebody wants to be with you. <br />
-somebody hopes you aren't in trouble. <br />
-somebody is thankful for the support you have provided. <br />
-somebody wants to hold your hand. <br />
-somebody hopes everything turns out all right. <br />
-somebody wants you to be happy. <br />
-somebody wants you to find him/her. <br />
-somebody is celebrating your successes. <br />
-somebody wants to give you a gift. <br />
-somebody thinks that you ARE a gift. <br />
-somebody loves you. <br />
-somebody admires your strength. <br />
-somebody is thinking of you and smiling. <br />
-somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-826476959601131282010-08-14T05:49:00.000-07:002010-08-14T05:49:00.430-07:00<strong>Determination and Persistence ( Real Story)</strong><br />
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Author : Unknown<br />
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This is a real life story of engineer John Roebling building the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, USA back in 1870. The bridge was completed in 1883, after 13 years.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjtH8BUG0ftZou5WXllFGcqF35x-9QWCFBgadtYYR519jiXundTsARoTu5_SUUpYAzea_EYuD5tz9N8RPemvGWdUKKWLku90V88_VTQou-_K2EaP1OxwOR7vD31EkyVK7q3Ln/s1600/brooklyn-bridge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjtH8BUG0ftZou5WXllFGcqF35x-9QWCFBgadtYYR519jiXundTsARoTu5_SUUpYAzea_EYuD5tz9N8RPemvGWdUKKWLku90V88_VTQou-_K2EaP1OxwOR7vD31EkyVK7q3Ln/s320/brooklyn-bridge.png" /></a></div><br />
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In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.<br />
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Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.<br />
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Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.<br />
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The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was also injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to talk or walk.<br />
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“We told them so.” “Crazy men and their crazy dreams.” “It’s foolish to chase wild visions.”<br />
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Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built.<br />
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In spite of his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever. He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task.<br />
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As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.<br />
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It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.<br />
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He touched his wife’s arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.<br />
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For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife’s arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man’s indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.<br />
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Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a <strong>never-say-die attitude</strong> that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal.<br />
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Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. <br />
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<strong><em>The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realised with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are. </em></strong>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-55991824371123554272010-08-13T05:39:00.000-07:002010-08-13T05:39:00.805-07:00<strong>LIVE AND WORK</strong><br />
Author : Unknown<br />
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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.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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 ablt 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.<br />
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As expected, Father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. <br />
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<em>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.</em><br />
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<em><strong>Father did not wake up the next day.</strong></em>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-67406198662334960202010-08-12T05:24:00.000-07:002010-08-12T05:24:00.661-07:00<strong>The Wooden Bowl</strong><br />
Author : Unknown<br />
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A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. <br />
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The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. <br />
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The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about grandfather,” said the son. I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence. <br />
<br />
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making the bowl for you and mama to eat.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. <br />
<br />
Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. <br />
<br />
The wise parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child’s future.Let us all be wise builders and role models. <br />
<br />
Take care of yourself, … and those you love, … today, and everyday!Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-71477681811152836972010-08-11T05:59:00.000-07:002010-08-11T05:59:00.465-07:00<strong>The little boy</strong><br />
Author : Unknown<br />
<br />
Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: “How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?”<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The surgeon said, “I’m sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn’t make it.”<br />
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Sally said, “Why do little children get cancer? Doesn’t God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?”<br />
<br />
The surgeon asked, “Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he’s transported to the university.”<br />
<br />
Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good-bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.<br />
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“Would you like a lock of his hair?” the nurse asked.<br />
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Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy’s hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, “It was Jimmy’s idea to donate his body to the university for study. He said it might help somebody else. “I said no at first, but Jimmy said, ‘Mom, I won’t be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.” She went on, “My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.”<br />
<br />
Sally walked out of Children’s mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy’s belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy’s belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son’s room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.<br />
<br />
It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:<br />
<br />
“Dear Mom, I know you’re going to miss me; but don’t think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just ’cause I’m not around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won’t be so lonely, that’s okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn’t like the same things us boys do. You’ll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don’t be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn’t look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God’s knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That’s when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good-bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn’t allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him ‘Where was He when I needed him?’ “God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.<br />
<br />
Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I’ve written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn’t that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I’m, sure the food will be great.<br />
<br />
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don’t hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I’m glad because I couldn’t stand that pain anymore and God couldn’t stand to see me hurt so much, either. That’s when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?<br />
<br />
Signed with Love from: God, Jesus & Me.Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-51581203877354742902010-08-10T05:53:00.000-07:002010-08-10T23:32:21.530-07:00<strong>BLIND GIRL</strong><br />
Author : Unknown<br />
<br />
There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she’s blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He’s always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she can see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, “now that you can see the world, will you marry me?” The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend is blind too, and refused to marry him. <br />
<br />
Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying. <strong>“Just take care of my eyes dear.”</strong><br />
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<br />
This is how human brain changes when the status changed.<br />
<br />
Only few remember what life was before, and who’s always been there even in the most painful situations. <br />
<br />
Life is A Gift. <br />
<br />
Today before you think of saying an unkind word – Think of someone who can’t speak.<br />
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Before you complain about the taste of your food – Think of someone who has nothing to eat.<br />
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Before you complain about your husband or wife – Think of someone ho’s crying out for a companion.<br />
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Today before you complain about life – Think of someone who went too early to heaven/hell.<br />
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Before you complain about your children – Think of someone who desires children but they’re barren.<br />
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Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn’t clean or sweep – Think of the people who are living in the streets.<br />
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Before whining about the distance you drive – Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.<br />
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And when you are tired and complain about your job – Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.<br />
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But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another – Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker.<br />
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And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down – Put a smile on your face and thank — you’re alive and still around<br />
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<strong>Life is a gift – Live it, Enjoy it, Celebrate it, And Fulfill it.</strong>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-46695397358231549272010-08-09T05:46:00.000-07:002010-08-10T00:52:40.483-07:00<strong>The important things in LIFE</strong><br />
Author : Unknown<br />
<br />
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.<br />
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So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.<br />
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He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.<br />
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The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.<br />
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He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”<br />
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“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.<br />
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The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car.<br />
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The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”<br />
<br />
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.<br />
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If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. <br />
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Play with your children. Take your partner out for dinner. <br />
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There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.<br />
<br />
Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. <strong>Set your priorities</strong>. The rest is just sand.Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-64863177196697305172010-08-08T05:27:00.000-07:002010-08-08T05:27:00.307-07:00<strong>The Power of Words( Story about Two Frogs)</strong><br />
Author : Unknown<br />
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A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.<br />
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The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.<br />
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This story teaches two lessons:<br />
<br />
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.<br />
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2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.<br />
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Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. <br />
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The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. <br />
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Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-32203022413239733702010-08-07T05:20:00.000-07:002010-08-07T05:20:00.155-07:00<strong>All about making of a MOTHER</strong><br />
Author : Unknown<br />
<br />
By the time the Lord made mothers, He was into the sixth day working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one?" <br />
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<a name='more'></a>And the Lord answered and said, "Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not elastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands." <br />
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The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No way!" said the Angel.<br />
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The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!" <br />
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"And that's on the standard model?" the Angel asked. <br />
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The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word." <br />
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The Angel tried to stop the Lord "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish." <br />
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"But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower." <br />
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The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord." <br />
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"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."<br />
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"Will she be able to think?" asked the Angel. <br />
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The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."<br />
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The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like You have a leak with this model. I told You that You were trying to put too much into this one."<br />
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"That's not a leak." the Lord objected. "That's a tear!" <br />
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"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked. <br />
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The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride." <br />
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The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything for this one. You even created the tear!"<br />
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The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, "I'm afraid you are wrong again. I created the woman, but she created the tear!"Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-59645972507453507512010-08-06T05:17:00.000-07:002010-08-06T05:17:00.319-07:00<strong>Building your house</strong><br />
Author: Unknown<br />
<br />
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. <br />
<br />
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."<br />
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The carpenter was shocked! <br />
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What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. <br />
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So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. <br />
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If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.But, you cannot go back. <br />
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You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, <strong>"Life is a do-it-yourself project."</strong> <br />
<br />
Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, Build wisely!Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-87142671538614276392010-08-05T05:14:00.000-07:002010-08-05T05:14:00.224-07:00<strong>THE OBSTACLE IN OUR PATH</strong><br />
<br />
Author : Unknown<br />
<br />
In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.<br />
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Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way. <br />
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Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. <br />
<br />
The peasant learned what many others never understand.<br />
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<strong>Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one's condition. </strong>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-85523812301569201562010-08-04T05:05:00.000-07:002010-08-04T10:45:55.782-07:00<strong>Mother and Son</strong><br />
Author: Unknown<br />
<br />
My mom only had one eye. I hated her, she was such an embarrassment. My mom ran a small shop at a flea market.She collected little weeds and such to sell, anything for the money we needed she was such an embarrassment.There was this one day during elementary school. I remember that it was field day, and my mom came. I was so embarrassed. How could she do this to me? I threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school..."Your mom only has one eye?!" and they taunted me.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I wished that my mom would just disappear from this world so I said to my mom, "Mom, why don't you have the other eye?! You're only going to make me a laughingstock. Why don't you just die?" My mom did not respond. I guess I felt a little bad, but at the same time, it felt good to think that I had said what I'd wanted to say all this time.<br />
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Maybe it was because my mom hadn't punished me, but I didn't think that I had hurt her feelings very badly.<br />
<br />
That night...I woke up, and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. My mom was crying there, so quietly, as if she was afraid that she might wake me. I took a look at her, and then turned away. Because of the thing I had said to her earlier, there was something pinching at me in the corner of my heart. Even so, I hated my mother who was crying out of her one eye. So I told myself that I would grow up and become successful, because I hated my one-eyed mom and our desperate poverty.<br />
<br />
Then I studied really hard. I left my mother and came to Seoul and studied, and got accepted in the Seoul University with all the confidence I had. Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. Then I had kids, too. Now I'm living happily as a successful man. I like it here because it's a place that doesn't remind me of my mom.<br />
<br />
This happiness was getting bigger and bigger, when someone unexpected came to see me "What?! Who's this?!"... It was my mother...Still with her one eye. It felt as if the whole sky was falling apart on me. My little girl ran away, scared of my mom's eye.<br />
<br />
And I asked her, "Who are you? I don't know you!!!" as if I tried to make that real. I screamed at her "How dare you come to my house and scare my daughter! Get out here now!" And to this, my mother quietly answered, "oh, I'm so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address," and she disappeared. Thank good ness... she doesn't recognize me. I was quite relieved. I told myself that I wasn't going to care, or think about this for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
Then a wave of relief came upon me... one day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. I lied to my wife saying that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went down to the old shack, that I used to call a house...just out of curiosity there, I found my mother fallen on the cold ground. But I did not shed a single tear. She had a piece of paper in her hand.... it was a letter to me.<br />
<br />
My Son,<br />
<br />
I think my life has been long enough now. And... I won't visit Seoul anymore... but would it be too much to ask if I wanted you to come visit me once in a while? I miss you so much. And I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I decided not to go to the school.... For you... I'm sorry that I only have one eye, and I was an embarrassment for you.<br />
<br />
You see, when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn't stand watching you having to grow up with only one eye... so I gave you mine... I was so proud of my son that was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye. I was never upset at you for anything you did. The couple times that you were angry with me. I thought to myself, 'it's because he loves me.' I miss the times when you were still young around me.<br />
<br />
I miss you so much. I love you. You mean the world to me. My world shattered! Then I cried for the person who lived for me. <strong>My Mother.</strong>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-51351181565111132852010-08-03T06:06:00.000-07:002010-08-10T23:49:39.263-07:00<strong>Love and Time</strong><br />
Author: Unknown<br />
<br />
Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.<br />
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When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.<br />
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Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, <br />
<br />
"Richness, can you take me with you?"<br />
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Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."<br />
<br />
Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!"<br />
<br />
"I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.<br />
<br />
Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you."<br />
<br />
"Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"<br />
<br />
Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her. <br />
<br />
Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Realizing how much was owed the elder, <br />
<br />
Love asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who Helped me?"<br />
<br />
"It was Time," Knowledge answered.<br />
<br />
"Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"<br />
<br />
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, <strong>"Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."</strong><br />
<br />
“The important message is that when we are prosperous, we overlook love. When we feel important, we forget love. Even in happiness and sorrow we forget love. Only with time do we realize the importance of love. Why wait that long? Why not make love a part of your life today?”Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-66082645082509816352010-08-02T05:27:00.000-07:002010-08-03T01:31:43.400-07:00<strong>Beauty of LOVE :-))</strong><br />
Author: Unknown<br />
<br />
A man and his girlfriend were married. It was a large celebration. All of their friends and family came to see the lovely ceremony and to partake of the festivities and celebrations. A wonderful time was had by all. The bride was gorgeous in her white wedding gown and the groom was very dashing in his black tuxedo. Everyone could tell that the love they had for each other was true. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>A few months later, the wife comes to the husband with a proposal: "I read in a magazine, a while ago, about how we can strengthen our marriage." she offered. "Each of us will write a list of the things that we find a bit annoying with the other person. Then, we can talk about how we can fix them together and make our lives happier together." The husband agreed, so each of them went to a separate room in the house and thought of the things that annoyed them about the other. They thought about this question for the rest of the day and wrote down what they came up with.<br />
<br />
The next morning, at the breakfast table, they decided that they would go over their lists. "I'll start," offered the wife. She took out her list. It had many items on it enough to fill 3 pages, in fact. As she started reading the list of the little annoyances, she noticed that tears were starting to appear in her husbands eyes.<br />
<br />
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Nothing" the husband replied, "keep reading your lists." The wife continued to read until she had read all three pages to her husband. She neatly placed her list on the table and folded her hands over top of it.<br />
<br />
"Now, you read your list and then we'll talk about the things on both of our lists." She said happily. Quietly the husband stated, "I don't have anything on my list. I think that you are perfect the way that you are. I don't want you to change anything for me. You are lovely and wonderful and I wouldn't want to try and change anything about you."<br />
<br />
The wife, touched by his honesty and the depth of his love for her and his acceptance of her, turned her head and wept. <br />
<br />
In life, there are enough times when we are disappointed, depressed and annoyed. We don't really have to go looking for them. We have a wonderful world that is full of beauty, light and promise.Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-41619190209009435712010-07-29T04:50:00.000-07:002010-07-29T21:23:13.406-07:00<strong><em>THIS IS HOW WE MISS OUT SOMETHING CALLED 'LIFE'</em></strong><br />
Author: Unknown<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">A boy was born to a couple after eleven years of marriage. They were a loving couple & the boy was the gem of their eyes. When the boy was around two years old, one morning the husband saw a medicine bottle open.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
He was late for office so he asked his wife to cap the bottle and keep it in the cupboard. His wife, preoccupied in the kitchen totally forgot the matter.<br />
<br />
The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to the bottle fascinated by its color & drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous medicine meant for adults in small dosages.<br />
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When the child collapsed the mother hurried him to the hospital, where he died. The mother was stunned. She was terrified how to face her husband.<br />
<br />
When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead child, he looked at his wife and uttered just five words.<br />
<br />
QUESTIONS :<br />
<br />
1. What were the five words ?<br />
<br />
2. What is the implication of this story?<br />
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ANSWER :<br />
<br />
The husband just said 'I am with you Darling'. The husband's totally unexpected reaction is a proactive behavior. The child is dead. He can never be brought back to life. There is no point in finding fault with the mother.<br />
<br />
Besides, if only he had taken time to keep the bottle away, this would not have happened. No one is to be blamed. She had also lost her only child.<br />
<br />
What she needed at that moment was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her.<br />
<br />
If everyone can look at life with this kind of perspective, there would be much fewer problems in the world. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. <em>Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears. And you will find things are actually not as difficult as you think.</em><br />
<br />
MORAL OF THE STORY:<br />
<br />
This story is really worth reading. ..... Sometimes we spend time in asking who is responsible or whom to blame, whether in a relationship, in a job or with the people we know.<br />
<br />
By this way we miss out something called L.I.F.E.Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-51875933132378869972010-07-20T05:41:00.000-07:002010-07-20T01:19:29.925-07:00<strong>Pursue a Lifetime of Learning :-))</strong><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the books you read and the people you meet.” -Charles Jones</span><br />
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Sure, most of us want to be intelligent, well-rounded, informed people with an interesting opinion and an ability to conduct an adult conversation. But sometimes that’s hard when your days mostly involve diaper changes, cooking, shuttling back and forth for kids activities, Goodnight Moon, Thomas and friends, Tinker Bell, Dr Seuss, Dora etc.. <br />
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As a student in school, it’s easy to learn new stuff — you’re bombarded with it. But as you dig into the trenches of parenthood, it’s easy to move into survival mode. Your brain can turn to mush if you’re not proactive.<br />
<br />
Part of our family’s mission statement is that we want to be lifelong learners. This means that in order to thrive as well-informed people, my husband and I need to seek out quality information in the midst of parenting our lil sweet cute one.<br />
<br />
Here are a few ways to pursue lifelong learning as I truly follow this in my day to day life. <br />
<br />
<strong>1. Read</strong><br />
<br />
Get in the habit of always reading something. There’s no possible way to read everything available, so start your “to be read” list now. 3,000 books are published per day in the United States alone, and you can find a tome about any topic imaginable.<br />
<br />
Don’t wait until your kids are older, you get enough sleep, or you have more time — something else will inevitably come up. <em><strong>Start with a goal of one chapter per day</strong></em>.<br />
<br />
Libraries make reading affordable, as do used bookstores. Audible‘s huge audiobook selection also makes it easier to “read” books while running errands and working out.<br />
<br />
<strong>2. Read Quality</strong><br />
<br />
Sure, you could read anything, but why? With so many options out there, there’s no reason to waste the brain God gave you with twaddle like celebrity magazines, poorly-written romance novels, or cheesy self-help books.<br />
<br />
I’m all for light reading during certain seasons, but even then, there are thousands of brilliantly-written fiction books and quality magazines from which to choose.<br />
<br />
Pursue your interests, but stretch your brain and try new things. Historical biographies (David McCullough is a brilliant writer), non-fiction that challenges your thinking, and classic literature are great places to start.<br />
<br />
<strong>3. When you do watch TV watch quality</strong><br />
<br />
I don’t watch much television, mostly because I don’t have time — I’d rather be doing ten other things. But I do enjoy a good movie or Scrubs episode, and I could watch sanjeev kapoor's cook all day.<br />
<br />
Make sure that:<br />
<br />
1. Your TV is off way more than it’s on, and that<br />
<br />
2. When it is on, that you’re watching something interesting.<br />
<br />
Don’t waste your brain and your time watching fluff. Pick out a few shows you enjoy — maybe three per week — and only turn on the TV for those. Then turn it off, and go do something else.<br />
<br />
<strong>4. Surround yourself with other learners</strong><br />
<br />
The people you befriend makes a huge impact on your attitude and your lifestyle choices. Do your friends encourage you to pursue quality interests? Are they also interested in the world around them?<br />
<br />
Life’s too short to spend time gossiping or discussing the latest episode of Entertainment Tonight. Find friends that support your desire to fill your mind with healthy brain food, because they want the same thing for themselves, too.<br />
<br />
<strong>5. Be around people different than you</strong><br />
<br />
It’s easy to get tunnel vision when you surround yourself only with people from the same background, worldview, or life stage. Leave your comfort zone and make friends with people you least expect. You’ll be surprised at how much you could learn. <br />
<br />
Get to know your elderly neighbor. Be friendly with the person from another country in the airline seat next to you. If you’re a Indian, do you only have Indian friends? Be proactive and meet your neighbors, and hear about life from their perspective. You’ll be challenged.<br />
<br />
<strong>6. Keep up with the news</strong><br />
<br />
Don’t bombard yourself with hours of news updates, because you’ll either get overwhelmed or depressed. But do stay in touch with the real world, even if you never leave the house except to walk to the park.<br />
<br />
Put a news feed on your iGoogle page, so that you can easily glance at the top headlines. Browse your city’s newspaper, either in print or online. Subscribe to quality blogs.<br />
<br />
Make sure and read international news as well. Give yourself a global perspective, too.<br />
<br />
<strong>7. Make a List</strong><br />
<br />
Once you have a few spare minutes, it can be hard to remember those things you want to learn about or try. The kids are in bed, the kitchen is clean, and — what is it I want to read? I can’t remember.<br />
<br />
As you think of ideas, write them down. Keep an ongoing list of books you want to read, websites you want to explore, or hobbies you want to try. Then refer to this list often. Keep it somewhere prominent, like in your home management notebook, on the fridge, or at your kids desk or at your dresser [places which you visit often].<br />
<br />
<strong>8. Say "I DON'T KNOW" to your kids</strong><br />
<br />
When your kids ask you something and you truly don’t know the answer, admit it. And then discover the answer together. Search the internet, head to your library, head to the museum, or call someone on the phone.<br />
<br />
You’ll show your kids that you don’t know everything, and that certain things are worth the trouble to learn. Plus, it’ll be a fun bonding experience to learn something new together.<br />
<br />
<strong>9. Just do something</strong><br />
<br />
When it comes down to it, just trying something is a good start. Refer to your list, and check out one new <br />
website daily. Try an unexpected book from the library, and keep it on your night stand so that it’s visible and easily accessible.<br />
<br />
Make a point to try one new thing a day. If you find your answer, or if your interest wanes, move on — no harm done. But if you dig deeper and find more interesting questions, or if the intimidating book turns out to be a page turner, then you just might be on your way to adding another dimension to your life.<br />
<br />
<strong>Never stop learning. Set a good example for your kids. And make the most of your life.</strong><br />
<strong></strong>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-35080634939622818862010-07-19T10:19:00.001-07:002010-07-19T12:26:19.743-07:00<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: black;">ONE BEDROOM FLAT...</b><span style="color: black;"> </span><b style="color: black;">WRITTEN BY AN INDIAN ENGINEER...</b><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">A Bitter Reality </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in 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.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">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. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I wanted to do some thing 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 <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279560210_2" style="border-bottom: rgb(54,99,136) 2px dotted; cursor: pointer;">McDonald's</span> and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">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.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">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.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">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.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">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.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">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 rights the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">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...</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">My 2 children and I </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA... </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I decided that had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India... I had just enough money to buy a decent 2 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">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.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this?</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">My father, even after staying in India,</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> h</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">ad a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">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.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">But the question still remains 'was all this worth it?'</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I am still searching for an answer...... ......... ..!!!</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">START THINKING</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">LIFE IS BEYOND THIS ..DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE ..</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">START LIVING IT.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">LIVE IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE</span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span></div>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-12906457394283562012010-07-19T09:05:00.000-07:002010-07-19T10:59:19.421-07:00<b>THOUGHTS</b> <br />
<br />
Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words.<br />
Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors.<br />
Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits.<br />
Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.<br />
Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.<br />
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- Mahatma Gandhi<br />
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<b>POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING FROM THIRUKURAL:</b><br />
Author: N.S.Sankararaman<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Management gurus these days lay great emphasis on the absolute necessity of a <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">person</span> to be positive about what they need to or want to achieve in their pursuits. A true and complete understanding <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">of the</span> role played by the adoption of positive conduct and attitude will certainly help in the easier attainment of one’s own objectives. <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">Positive attitude</span> has a great multiplying effect not only in leading one’s efforts to fruition but also by enhancing the quality and quantity of success. <br />
<br />
But,does positive attitude imply just blindly assuming an optimistic viewpoint irrespective of the possibilities of <br />
success in a particular operation or in a given situation. <b>Not at all</b>. Far from it, Positive attitude in a person best exemplifies itself by means of the person’s ability to adopt an open minded approach to issues,weighing objectively the possibilities of success in the most unbiased manner possible and where preconceived notions are totally absent. But development of positive attitude itself is the result of another welcome personality attribute in an individual which in plain terms is <b>HEALTHY ENTHUSIASM</b> which acts as a great motivating factor for one’s actions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">While chances of <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">succeeding</span> in one’s actions would be much greater with an adoption of positive attitude towards the particular action and the conviction of a possible positive result,the negative approach would act as a great impediment in the achievement of one’s objectives.While positive approach would enable a person to realize his true potentials , a negative mindset is bound to retard his progress,which is why even people with obviously very limited competence do succeed with apparent ease in their mission as they do possess the all important quality of <b>POSITIVE MINDSET</b>. <br />
<br />
Thiruvalluvar highlighting the importance of being enthusiastic about one’s own actions in the chapter titled ENTHUSIASM, says this particular attribute is one of the most important attributes a man should possess for tasting success. All other attributes though positive would not be fruitful without one being enthusiastic. <br />
<br />
Enthusiasm and being free from despondency would be the only stable attribute of a man’s personality. I am reminded of the story of a very well known businessman who failed in his various ventures over sixty five times only to make it very big eventually and presently having his own sweet and snack shop in South Chennai acclaimed as a pioneer in his own field. This is the kind of effect that positive attitude and enthusiasm would have upon the result of a man’s actions.The next KURAL confirms this view point. <br />
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Valluvar says in this KURAL that one with the desired level of enthusiasm will never become crestfallen even in times of adversities. The amount of mental energy that such men would be possessed with would stand them in good stead. <br />
<br />
To further emphasise his viewpoint Valluvar comes up with an interesting anology in the next verse.He says just as the tail of a waterflower is proportionate to the depth of water, the extent of a man’s ascendancy in <br />
his life would reflect the extent of his enthusiasm. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’s life best best illustrates this VALLUVAR VIEW. The question whether the Swamiji could have climbed the spiritual heights that he did in the short span of life time that he was granted by God without the great spiritual urge and thirst for spiritual learning is an interesting question to ponder.The heights that he rose to is truly a reflection of the man’s deep spiritual inclinations granted by who else but the Lord himself. <br />
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It is often said that to become great one should think about great things.There are ever so many success <br />
stories of individuals which would prove this. Doyens in whatever field they were involved have all possessed this particular quality.What is admirable is that Valluvar saying it in so succinctterms,so long ago,long before the advent of the industrial and materialistic age, that to become big , a man should always think big and continue to think big even if such success fails to materialize in the interim. <br />
<br />
By saying in the next verse that the one without ENTHUSIASM will be deprived of their self fulfilment due to their disinterestedness in taking pride from their strengths and successes,Valluvar by omission emphasises the extent of self gratification that an enthusiastic man would derive with the pride that he has about his own accomplishments and strengths. While this could be understood as nothing but pandering to one’s own <br />
EGO,perhaps this is also not so undesirable in this day and age. <br />
<br />
The vital importance of being enthusiastic and motivated in one’s task would be best illustrated by a strong elephant with sharp horns being mortally afraid of a motivated , single minded and purposeful tiger though <br />
small in stature and not as strong as the former. <br />
<br />
Valluvar’s propensity to drive home his viewpoint with extreme descriptions once again comes to the fore when he says that only ENTHUSIASM is one’s real strength and in its absence a man is to be equated to a wooden tree though in the form of a human being. </div>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-32550680131736822262010-07-16T04:00:00.000-07:002010-07-18T01:23:27.342-07:00I' am supposed to go and get thamboola from my close friend today :-)) <br />
<br />
So I thought of keeping fast today for my mapillai(my son-in-law) before I go and get vethalapakku! <br />
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Yesterday I read from a forum that the last friday before Aadi masam if we have fasting for Goddess Mahalakshmi, our wish will come out true. <br />
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I do have a wish for my Son-in-law. I hope Goddess Mahalakshmi will answer my prayers before end of this month. <br />
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I also hope Saibaba will be there with me for everything I do. <br />
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Chalo my fasting started now 4 :00 AM in the morning. Thought of knocking Hanumanji temple tomorrow let me see.Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-2226513782566826432010-07-07T08:08:00.000-07:002010-07-13T04:40:52.084-07:00Just few minutes back I got this GOOD news from my parents in INDIA. <br />
<br />
They got 10 years multiple entry visa. Thank you god for all your help.<br />
<br />
Truly glad to hear this news from them :-))Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24266225.post-37250480172799449872010-07-07T02:52:00.000-07:002010-07-18T01:22:52.354-07:00<strong>I found this article very interesting while surfing !</strong><br />
<strong>Author : Unknown</strong><br />
<br />
Ten years ago, I set out to examine luck. I wanted to know why some people are always in the right place at the right time, while others consistently experience ill fortune. I placed advertisements in national newspapers asking for people who felt consistently lucky or unlucky to contact me.<br />
<br />
Hundreds of extraordinary men and women volunteered for my research and over the years, I have nterviewed them, monitored their lives and had them take part in experiments.<br />
<br />
The results reveal that although these people have almost no insight into the causes of their luck, their thoughts and behaviour are responsible for much of their good and bad fortune. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Take the case of seemingly chance opportunities. Lucky people consistently encounter such opportunities, whereas unlucky people do not.<br />
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I carried out a simple experiment to discover whether this was due to differences in their ability to spot such opportunities. I gave both lucky and unlucky people a newspaper, and asked them to look through it and tell me how many photographs were inside. I had secretly placed a large message halfway through the newspaper saying: 'Tell the experimenter you have seen this and win $50.'<br />
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This message took up half of the page and was written in type that was more than two inches high. It was staring everyone straight in the face, but the unlucky people tended to miss it and the lucky people tended to spot it.<br />
<br />
Unlucky people are generally more tense than lucky people, and this anxiety disrupts their ability to notice the unexpected.<br />
<br />
As a result, they miss opportunities because they are too focused on looking for something else. They go to parties' intent on finding their perfect partner and so miss opportunities to make good friends. They look<br />
through newspapers determined to find certain types of job advertisements and miss other types of jobs. The lucky onesmake the best of what they have and find ways to make it better. Unlucky ones tend to find an<br />
easy way out and fail in life.<br />
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Lucky people are more relaxed and open, and therefore see what is there rather than just what they are looking for. My research eventually revealed that lucky people generate good fortune via four principles. They are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities, make lucky decisions by listening to their intuition, create self-fulfilling prophesies via positive expectations, and adopt a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good.<br />
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Towards the end of the work, I wondered whether these principles could be used to create good luck. I asked a group of volunteers to spend a month carrying out exercises designed to help them think and behave like a lucky person.<br />
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Dramatic results! These exercises helped them spot chance opportunities, listen to their intuition, expect to be lucky, and be more resilient to bad luck. One month later, the volunteers returned and described what had happened. The results were dramatic: 80% of people were now happier, more satisfied with their lives and, perhaps most important of all, luckier.<br />
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The lucky people had become even luckier and the unlucky had become lucky.<br />
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Finally, I had found the elusive 'luck factor'.<br />
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<strong><em>Here are Professor Wiseman's four top tips for becoming lucky:</em></strong><br />
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1) Listen to your gut instincts - they are normally right<br />
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2) Be open to new experiences and find ways to make things work better. Family and loved ones for a start.<br />
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3) Spend a few moments each day remembering things that went well<br />
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4) Visualize yourself being lucky before an important meeting or telephone call.<br />
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Have a Lucky day and work for it.<br />
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<strong><em>The happiest people in the world are not those who have no problems, but those who learn to live with things that are less than perfect</em></strong>Vidhya Govindanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355044751092022635noreply@blogger.com1