Life Lessons - Part 2

Life Lessons - Part 1

My computer has been on the blitz as well as my internet so I haven't posted in weeks.

Pet Lion

I loved this video. It really shows what the power of love can do.

Flash Movie

I came across this website which has all these inspiring flash movies. I'm posting my fav movie. Enjoy!!!

http://www.inspiringthots.net/movie/tree-dreams.php

Nice article about Parents

A conversation. ...this was narrated by an IAF pilot to IIT students on Special seminar for HUMAN RELATION.

My parents left for our native place on Thursday and we went to the airport to see them off. In fact, my father had never traveled by air before, so I just took this opportunity to make him experience the same. In spite of being asked to book tickets by train, I got them tickets on Jet Airways. The moment I handed over the tickets to him, he was surprised to see that I had booked them by air. The excitement was very apparent on his face, waiting for the time of travel. Just like a school boy, he was preparing himself on that day and we all went to the airport, right from using the trolley for his luggage, the baggage check-in and asking for window seat and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to happen. He was thoroughly enjoying himself and I, too, was overcome with joy watching him experience all these things. As they were about to go in for the security check-in, he walked up to me with tears in his eyes and thanked me. He became very emotional and it ! was not as if I had done something great but the fact that this meant a great deal to him. When he said thanks, I told him there was no need to thank me. But later, thinking about the entire incident, I looked back at my life. As a child how many dreams our parents have made come true. Without understanding the financial situation, we ask for cricket bats, dresses, toys, outings, etc.

Irrespective of their affordability, they have catered to all our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices they had to make to accommodate many of our wishes? Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us?

Same way, today when it comes to our children, we always think that we should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount of donation, we will ensure that we will have to give the child the best, theme parks, toys, etc. But we tend to forget that our parents have sacrificed a lot for our sake to see us happy, so it is our responsibility to ensure that their dreams are realized and what they failed to see when they were young, it is our responsibility to ensure that they experience all those and their life is complete. Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I have actually answered back without patience. When my daughter asks me something, I have been very polite in answering. Now I realize how they would have felt at those moments. Let us realize that old age is a second childhood and just as we take care of our children, the same attention and same care need to be given to our parents and elders. Rather than my dad saying thank you to me, I would want to say sorry for making him wait so long for this small dream. I do realize how much he has sacrificed for my sake and I will do my best to give the best possible attention to all their wishes. Just because they are old does not mean that they will have to give up everything and keep sacrificing for their grandchildren also. They have wishes, too.

Take care of your parents.

Believe In Yourself ...

Believe In Yourself ...
In the Power You Have
To Control your Own Life,
Day by Day.
Believe In the Strength
That You Have Deep Inside,
And your Faith will Help
Show You the Way…

Believe In Tomorrow
And what It will Bring...
Let a Hopeful Heart
Carry You Through…
For Things Will Work Out
If You Trust and Believe
There's No Limit
To What You Can Do!



Always Believe In You,
Listen to your Heart.
Trust your Instincts.
Know You CAN.
See Your Own Strengths.
Dream It -- Dare It.
Do What You are Afraid Of.



Keep the Faith.
Follow Your Vision...
Remember ANYTHING Is Possible
If Only You Believe !!!

Best Moments in Life

1. Falling in love.

2. Laughing till your stomach hurts.

3. Enjoying a ride down the country side.

4. Listening to your favorite song while traveling.

5. Going to sleep listening to the rain pouring outside.

6.. Passing your final exams with good grades.

7. Being a part of an interesting conversation.

8. Finding some money in some old pants.

9. Laughing at yourself..

10. Sharing a wonderful dinner with all your friends.

11. Laughing without a reason.

12. "Accidentally" hearing someone say something good about you.

13. Watching the sunset.

14. Listening to a song that reminds you of an important person in your life.

15. Having a great time with your friends.

16. Seeing the one you love happy.

17. Wearing the favorite shirt of a person you love.

18. Visiting an old friend of yours and remembering great memories.

19. Hearing someone telling you "I LOVE YOU"

Inspiring Sayings

That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well. - Abraham Lincoln

People seldom see the halting and painful steps by which the most insignificant success is achieved. - Anne Sullivan

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. - John Wooden

Ones best success comes after their greatest disappointments. - Henry Ward Beecher

It's simply a matter of doing what you do best and not worrying about what the other fellow is going to do. - John R. Amos

There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way. - Christopher Morley

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. - William Feather

Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong. - Ella Fitzgerald

Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can. - Lowell Thomas

Success usuallly comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. - Henry David Thoreau

It's all about character

A Speech

Speech by Bryan Dyson (CEO of Coca Cola)

'Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the
air. You name them - work, family, health, Friends and spirit and you're
keeping all of these in the Air.

You will soon or one day understand that work is a rubber ball.

If you drop it, it will bounce back.

But the other four Balls - Family,Health, Friends and Spirit - are made of
glass. If you drop one of these; they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked,
nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must
understand that and strive for Balance in your life.'

An Inspirational Poem

The More You …

The more you give,
the more you get

The more you laugh,
the less you fret

The more you do unselfishly,
The more you live abundantly

The more of everything you share,
The more you'll always have to spare

The more you love, the more you'll find
That life is good and friends are kind

For only what we give away,
Enriches us from day to day.

Quotes

They may forget what you said,
but they will never forget how you made them feel.
- Carl W. Buechner

There are only two ways to live your life.
One is though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as if everything is.
- Albert Einstein

When you are content to be simply yourself,
and don't compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.
- Lao-Tzu

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize
how close they were to success when they gave up.
- Thomas A. Edison

THIS IS HOW WE MISS OUT SOMETHING CALLED "LIFE

A boy was born to a couple after eleven years of marriage. They were a loving couple and 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. 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. The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to the bottle fascinated by its color and drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous medicine meant for adults in small dosages. 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. When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead child, he looked
at his wife and uttered just five words.

QUESTIONS :
1. What were the five words ?
2. What is the implication of this story?

ANSWER :
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. 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. What she needed at that moment was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her. 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. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears. And you will find things are actually not as difficult as you think.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

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.
By this way we miss out something called L.I.F.E.

Attitude

I finally got my computer back from repairs. Here is today's Quote.

Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.
- Charles Swindoll

Today...

Today before you think of saying an unkind word
Think of someone who can't speak
Before you complain about the taste of your food
Think of someone who has nothing to eat
Before you complain about your husband or wife partner
Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion

Today before you complain about life
Think of someone who went too early to heaven
Before you complain about your children
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep
Think of the people who are living in the streets

Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet
And when you are tired and complain about your job
Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who
wished they had your job

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
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down
Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around

Life is a gift
Live it...
Enjoy it...
Celebrate it...
And fulfill it.

A wonderful story

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."

"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.

"No", she replied. "He's out."

"Then we cannot come in", they replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.

"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"

The woman went out and invited the men in"

" We do not go into a House together," they replied.

"Why is that?" she asked.

One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How n ice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"

His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"

Their daughter was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"

"Let us heed our daughter's advice," said the husband to his wife.

"Go out and invite Love to be our guest ."

The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."

Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"

The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success !!!!!!"

Dissapointments

Dissapointments are like road bumps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don't stay on the bumps too long.... Move On!

A hand to guide you

I finally got my internet back yesterday.... so I can finally post. This is a quote from 'One Tree Hill'. I really love some of the quotes they have and write down my fav ones. Anyway here it is.

"When life comes rushing at you out of the darkness who will you choose to face it with? Will it be someone you trust? Will they be wise? And will their love for you help them to guide you to the light, or will they lose their way in the darkness? Will they make noble choices? Or will that person be untested, someone new?

Life comes rushing at you from out of the darkness. When it does, is there someone in your life you can count on -- someone who will watch over you when you stumble and fall, and in that moment, give you the strength to face your fears alone?"

A Quote!

Don't worry about failure,
Worry about the chances you miss,
When you don't even try.

God's Love

One day, I woke up early in the morning to watch the sunrise.

Ah, the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.

As I watched, I praised God for the beautiful work.

As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

He asked me, "Do you love me?"

I answered, "Of course God! You are my Lord!"

Then He asked,” If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms,

legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things

I wouldn't be able to do, the things I took for granted.

And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love you."

Then the Lord said,” If you were blind,

would you still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see it?

Then I thought of all the blind people in the world

and how many of them still loved God and his creation.

So I answered, "It’s hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

The Lord then asked me,” If you were deaf,

would you still listen to my word?"

How could I listen to anything, being deaf?

Then I understand. Listening to God's word is not merely using our ears but our hearts.

I answered, "It would be tough but

I would still listen to your words,"

The Lord then asked,” If you were mute,

would you still praise my Name?"

How could I praise without a voice?

Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing

from our very heart and soul.

It never matters what we sound like.

So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing,

I would still praise your Name."

And the Lord asked,” Do you really love me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,

"Yes Lord!

I love you because you are the one and true God!"

I thought that I had answered well, but God asked,

"Then why do you sin?"

I answered, "Because I am only human, I am not perfect."

"Then why do in times of peace you stray the furthest?

And why only in times of trouble do you pray the earnest?"

No answer. Only tears.

The Lord continued: Why only pray at fellowships and retreats?

Why seek me only in times of worship?

Why ask things so selfishly?

Why ask things so unfaithfully?

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

Why are you ashamed of Me?

Why are you not spreading the good news?

Why in times of persecution, you cry to others

when I offer My shoulders to cry on?

Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?

I tried to answer but there was no answer to give.

You are blessed with life.

I made you not throw this gift away.

I have blessed you with talents to serve me, but you continue to turn away.

I have revealed My word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.

I have spoken to you, but your ears were closed.

I have shown my blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away.

I have sent you servants, but you sat idly as they were pushed away.

Do you truly love Me?

I could not answer.

How could I?

I was embarrassed beyond belief.

I had no excuse.

What could I say to this?

When my heart had cried out, and the tears had flowed,

I said, "Please forgive me Lord.

I am unworthy to be your servant."

The Lord answered,” That is my grace, my servant."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me?

Why do you love me so?

The Lord answered, "Because you are my creation.

I will never abandon you.

When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.

When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.

When you fall, I will raise you up.

When you are tired, I will carry you.

I will be with you till the end of the days

and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before.

How could I have been so cold?

And for the first time, I truly prayed.

Must See

I have kept this photo in my e-mail for 2 years now. I look at it every now and again to remind me of how lucky I really am..... No matter what hardships I face, it is nothing compared to the sufferings of the child in the photo.

The writing below the pic basically says: This PHOTO is the 'Pulitzer Prize' winning photo taken in 1994 during the Sudan famine. The pic decipts a famine stricken child crawling towards an UN food camp, located a kilometer away.

The vulture is waiting for the child to die so it can eat it. This pic shocked the whole world. No one knows what happened to the child, including the photographer Kevin Carter who left the place as soon as the photo was taken.

Three months later he commited suicide due to depression.


This was found in his diary ,

Dear God, I promise I will never waste my food no matter how bad it can taste and how full I may be. I pray that He will protect this little boy, guide and deliver him away from his misery. I pray that we will be more sensitive towards the world around us and not be blinded by our own selfish nature and interests.

I hope this picture will always serve as a reminder to us that how fortunate we are and that we must never ever take things for granted.

Please don't break.. keep on forwarding to our friends On this good day.. Let's make a prayer for the suffering in anywhere any place around the globe and send this friendly reminder to others Think & look at this...when you complain about your food and the food we wasted daily....... ..

Strength vs. Courage

It takes strength to be firm
It takes courage to be gentle.

It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard

It takes strength to conquer.
It takes courage to surrender.

It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.

It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.

It takes strength to hide your own pains.
It takes courage to show them.

It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.

It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.

It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.

A story

My internet has been on the blitz for some time now so I was only able to post today. I wanted to post a story I found a few weeks back so here it is:-

Last Respects

Author Unknown

One day not too long ago the employees of a large company in St. Louis, Missouri returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign said: "Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym."

At first everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who this person might be.

The excitement grew as the employees arrived at the gym to pay their last respects. Everyone wondered: "Who is this person who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he's no longer here!"

One by one the employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: "There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU.

You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself.

Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

"The most important relationship you can have, is the one you have with yourself."

A story

Once a King called upon all of his wise men and asked them,
"Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and in every time. Something which can help me when none of you is available to advise me. Tell me is there any mantra?" All wise men got puzzled by King"s question. One answer for all questions? Something that works everywhere, in every situation?

In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? They thought and thought.

After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper. But the condition was that king was not to see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he’ll have to see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring.

After a few days, the neighbors attacked the Kingdom. It was a collective surprise attack of the King’s enemies. King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. King had to fled on his horse. The enemies were following him. His horse took him far away in the Jungle. He could hear many troops of horses following him and the noise was coming closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing at the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished. And he could not return because it was a small road. The sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. King became restless. There seemed to be no way..

Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was very small but very great. The message was – “This too will pass."

The King read it. Again read it. Suddenly something struck him- Yes! It too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all his pleasure have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. However when those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. Calm come on his face.
He kept standing there. The place where he was standing
was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his Kingdom. The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him.

After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were not on that path. The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his lost empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fan fare at the door. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being thrown on the King from every house, from every corner.
People were dancing and singing. For a moment King said to himself," I am one of the bravest and greatest Kings. It is not easy to defeat me..:

With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego emerging in him. Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: "This too will pass" He became silent. His face went through a total change -from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness.

If this too is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just a watcher. Everything passes by We are witness of all this. We are the perceiver. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes.

Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own life... Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent? They all come and pass away. Life just passes away. There were friends in the past.
They have gone. There are friends today. They too will go. There will be new friends tomorrow. They too will go. There were enemies in the past. They have gone. There may be enemies in the present. They too will go. There will be new enemies tomorrow and.. they too will go.

There is nothing permanent in this world. Every thing changes except the law of change. Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats and all sorrows. All have passed away. If there are problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away.


Who are you in reality? Know your real face. Your face is not your true face. It will change with the time. However, there is something in you, which will not change.. It will remain unchanged. What is that unchangeable? It is nothing but your true self. You are just a witness of change.

Four Seasons in A Tree

I really liked this story. It gives me hope for a better tommorrow. Anyway, here is the story:-

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no-it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but ONLY one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are - and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life - can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall. Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.

Author: Unknown

‘We must cry in order to grow, we must fail in order to know. Sometimes our vision only clears after our eyes are washed away with tears.’ - Author Unknown

Introduction

I've gointhrough a real rough patch in my life for almost 5 years now. One day I decided to start reading something inspiring each week to de-stress myself. That's why I created this blog to post some of the inspiring things I read. I hope that it will brighten up someone's day. I'll try to post each sunday.

Today's Quote: If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me. ~Author Unknown