1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.
During my second month of college, our professor
Gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student
and had breezed through the questions until I read
the last one:
"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the
cleaning woman several times. She was tall,
dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question
blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if
the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers,
you will meet many people. All are significant. They
deserve your attention and care, even if all you do
is sm ile and say "hello."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her
name was Dorothy.
===================================================
2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at11:30 p.m., an older African American
woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway
trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had
broken down and she desperately needed a ride.
Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally
unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man
took her to safety, helped her get assistance, and
put her into a taxicab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his
address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a
knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a
giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A
special note was attached..
It read:
"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway
the other night. The rain drenched not only my
clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.
Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying
husband's bedside just before he passed away... God
bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving
others."
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole.
===================================================
3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those
who serve.
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,
a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and
sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in
front of him.
"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.
"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and
studied the coins in it.
"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.
By now more people were waiting for a table and the
waitress was growing impatient.
"Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.
The little boy again counted his coins.
"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on
the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice
cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress
came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the
table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,
were two nickels and five pennies..
You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had
to have enough left to leave her a tip.
===================================================
4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.
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. Many loudly blamed the
King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did
anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of
vegetables. Upon 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. After 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. The
peasant learned what many of us never understand!
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve
our condition.
==================================================
5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a
hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who
was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only
chance of recovery appeared to be a blood
transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had
miraculously survived the same disease and had
developed the antibodies needed to combat the
illness. The doctor explained the situation to her
little brother, and asked the little boy if he would
be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a
deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will
save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in
bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,
seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his
face grew pale and his smile faded.
He looked up at the doctor and asked with a
trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away".
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the
doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his
sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Friday, June 08, 2007
India's integrity in diversity
Bengali
One Bengali = poet.
Two Bengalis = a film society.
Three Bengalis = political party.
Four Bengalis = two political parties.
More than four Bengali's = Countrywide agitation to bring Ganguli into Team.
Bihari
One Bihari = Laloo Prasad Yadav.
Two Biharis = booth-capturing squad.
Three Biharis = caste killing.
Four Biharis = entire literate population of Patna.
Mallu
One Mallu = coconut stall.
Two Mallus = a boat race.
Three Mallus = Gulf job racket.
Four Mallus = oil slick.
UP Bhaiyya
One UP bhaiyya = a milkman.
Two UP bhaiyyas = halwai shop.
Three UP bhaiyyas = a fist-fight in the UP assembly.
Four UP bhaiyyas = mosque-destruction squad.
Gujju
One Gujju = share-broker in a Bombaytrain.
Two Gujjus = rummy game in a Bombaytrain.
Three Gujjus = Bombay's noisiest restaurant.
Four Gujjus = stock market scam.
Andhraite
One Andhraite = chili farmer.
Two Andhraites = software company in New Jersey.
Three Andhraites = Naxalite outfit.
Four Andhraites = song-and-dance number in a Telugu movie.
Kashmiri
One Kashmiri = carpet salesman.
Two Kashmiris = carpet factory.
Three Kashmiris = terrorist outfit.
Four Kashmiris = shoot-at-sight order.
Tamil-Brahmin
One Tam-Brahm = priest at the Vardarajaperumal temple.
Two Tam-Brahms = Maths tuition class.
Three Tam-Brahms = Queue outside the U.S consulate at 4 a.m.
Four Tam-Brahms = Thyagaraja music festival in Santa Clara.
Mumbaikar
One Mumbaikar = footpath vada-pav stall.
Two Mumbaikars = film studio.
Three Mumbaikars = slum.
Four Mumbaikars = The number of people standing on your foot in the train at rush hour.
Sindhi
One Sindhi = currency racket.
Two Sindhis = papad factory.
Three Sindhis = duplicate goods shop in Ulhasnagar.
Four Sindhis = Hong Kong Retail Traders Association.
Marwari
One Marwa ri = The neighbourhood foodstuffs adulterator.
Two Marwaris = 50% of Calcutta.
Three Marwaris = Finish off all Gujaratis & Sindhis.
Four Marwaris = Threaten the Jews as a community.
Haryanvi
One Haryanavi = Tube light
Two Haryanavi = agriculture
Three Haryannavi= Lathi squad
Four Haryanavi = actually just one was enough
One Bengali = poet.
Two Bengalis = a film society.
Three Bengalis = political party.
Four Bengalis = two political parties.
More than four Bengali's = Countrywide agitation to bring Ganguli into Team.
Bihari
One Bihari = Laloo Prasad Yadav.
Two Biharis = booth-capturing squad.
Three Biharis = caste killing.
Four Biharis = entire literate population of Patna.
Mallu
One Mallu = coconut stall.
Two Mallus = a boat race.
Three Mallus = Gulf job racket.
Four Mallus = oil slick.
UP Bhaiyya
One UP bhaiyya = a milkman.
Two UP bhaiyyas = halwai shop.
Three UP bhaiyyas = a fist-fight in the UP assembly.
Four UP bhaiyyas = mosque-destruction squad.
Gujju
One Gujju = share-broker in a Bombaytrain.
Two Gujjus = rummy game in a Bombaytrain.
Three Gujjus = Bombay's noisiest restaurant.
Four Gujjus = stock market scam.
Andhraite
One Andhraite = chili farmer.
Two Andhraites = software company in New Jersey.
Three Andhraites = Naxalite outfit.
Four Andhraites = song-and-dance number in a Telugu movie.
Kashmiri
One Kashmiri = carpet salesman.
Two Kashmiris = carpet factory.
Three Kashmiris = terrorist outfit.
Four Kashmiris = shoot-at-sight order.
Tamil-Brahmin
One Tam-Brahm = priest at the Vardarajaperumal temple.
Two Tam-Brahms = Maths tuition class.
Three Tam-Brahms = Queue outside the U.S consulate at 4 a.m.
Four Tam-Brahms = Thyagaraja music festival in Santa Clara.
Mumbaikar
One Mumbaikar = footpath vada-pav stall.
Two Mumbaikars = film studio.
Three Mumbaikars = slum.
Four Mumbaikars = The number of people standing on your foot in the train at rush hour.
Sindhi
One Sindhi = currency racket.
Two Sindhis = papad factory.
Three Sindhis = duplicate goods shop in Ulhasnagar.
Four Sindhis = Hong Kong Retail Traders Association.
Marwari
One Marwa ri = The neighbourhood foodstuffs adulterator.
Two Marwaris = 50% of Calcutta.
Three Marwaris = Finish off all Gujaratis & Sindhis.
Four Marwaris = Threaten the Jews as a community.
Haryanvi
One Haryanavi = Tube light
Two Haryanavi = agriculture
Three Haryannavi= Lathi squad
Four Haryanavi = actually just one was enough
"I have three visions for India" -- A P J Abdul Kalam
As desired by the President of India, this paper is for circulation.
"I have three visions for India"
-by A P J Abdul Kalam
President's Office, November 19, 2006
In 3,000 years of our history, people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, conquered our minds. From Alexander onwards. The Greeks, the Turks', the-Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours. Yet we have not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone.
We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them. Why? Because we respect the freedom of others. That is why my first vision is that of FREEDOM. I believe that India got its first vision of this in 1857, when we started the war of independence. It is this freedom that we must protect and nurture and build on. If we are not free, no one will respect us.
My second vision for India is DEVELOPMENT. For fifty years we have been a developing nation. It is time we see ourselves as a developed nation. We are among the top five nations of the world in terms of GDP. We have 10 percent growth rate in most areas. Our poverty levels are falling. Our achievements are being globally recognized today. Yet we lack the self-confidence to see ourselves as a developed nation, self-reliant and self-assured. Isn't this incorrect?
I HAVE A THIRD VISION. India must stand up to the world. Because I believe that, unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. Only STRENGTH respects strength. We must be strong not only as a military power but also as an economics power. Both must go hand-in-hand.
My good fortune was to have worked with three great minds. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai of the Dept of Space, Professor Sathish Dhawan, who succeded him and Dr. Brahm Prakash, father of nuclear material. I was lucky to have worked with all three of them closely and consider this the great opportunity of my life.
I SEE FOUR MILESTONES IN MY CAREER: Twenty years I spent in ISRO. I was given the opportunity to be the Project Director for India's first satellite launch vehicle, SLV-3. The one that launched Rohini. These years played a very important role in my life as a scientist.
After my ISRO years, I joined DRDO and got a chance to be the part of India's guided missile program. It was my second bliss when Agni met its mission requirements in 1994. The Dept. of Atomic Energy and DRDO had this tremendous partnership in the recent nuclear tests, on May 11 and 13. This was the third bliss. The joy of participating with my team in these nuclear tests and proving to the world that India can make it, that we are no longer a developing nation but one of them, It makes me feel very proud as an Indian. The fact that we have now developed for Agni a re-entry structure, for which we have developed this new material. A very light material called carbon-carbon.
One day an orthopedic surgeon from Nizam institute of Medical Science visited my laboratory. He lifted the material and found it so light that he took me to his hospital and showed me his patients.
There were these little girls and boys with heavy metallic calipers weighing over three kg. each, dragging their feet around. He said to me : Please remove the pain of my patients. In three weeks, we made these Floor reaction Orthosis 300 gram calipers and took them to the orthopedic center. The children didn't believe their eyes. From dragging around a three kg. load on their legs, they could now move around! Their parents had tears in the eyes. That was my fourth bliss!
Why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why? We are the first in milk production. We are number one in remote sensing satellites. We are the second largest producer of wheat We are the second largest producer of rice. Look at Dr. Sudarshan, he has transferred the tribal village into a self sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the frontpage of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert land into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.
In India we only read about death, sickness terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance?
I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India. For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not ah under-developed nation; it is highly developed nation.
Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.
Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, the choice is yours.
YOU say that our government is inefficient. YOU say that our laws are too old. YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke, The airlines is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is in the pits.
YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - YOURS. Give him a face - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your international best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the
roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM.
YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU?
YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai
YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds ( Rs.650 ) a month to, "see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else"".
YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, "Jaanta hai main kaun hoon?" (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost".
YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand. Why dont' YOU spit paan on the streets of Tokyo? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston???
We are still talking of the same YOU
YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an Involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India?
Once in an interview, the famous ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay, Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place", he said.
"And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dogs feels the pressure in his bowels? In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. Will the Indian citizen do that here?" He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility. We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative.
We expect the government to do everything for us. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home.
Our excuse? "It is the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my son's rights to a dowry". So who's going to change the system? What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely no me and YOU.
When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr. Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away. Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England. When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf.
When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian Government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.
Dear Indians, The article is highly thought-inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too... I am echoing J.F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians..., "Ask what we can do for India and do what had to be done to make India what America and other western countries are today".
Dr Abdul Kalam
"I have three visions for India"
-by A P J Abdul Kalam
President's Office, November 19, 2006
In 3,000 years of our history, people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, conquered our minds. From Alexander onwards. The Greeks, the Turks', the-Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours. Yet we have not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone.
We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them. Why? Because we respect the freedom of others. That is why my first vision is that of FREEDOM. I believe that India got its first vision of this in 1857, when we started the war of independence. It is this freedom that we must protect and nurture and build on. If we are not free, no one will respect us.
My second vision for India is DEVELOPMENT. For fifty years we have been a developing nation. It is time we see ourselves as a developed nation. We are among the top five nations of the world in terms of GDP. We have 10 percent growth rate in most areas. Our poverty levels are falling. Our achievements are being globally recognized today. Yet we lack the self-confidence to see ourselves as a developed nation, self-reliant and self-assured. Isn't this incorrect?
I HAVE A THIRD VISION. India must stand up to the world. Because I believe that, unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. Only STRENGTH respects strength. We must be strong not only as a military power but also as an economics power. Both must go hand-in-hand.
My good fortune was to have worked with three great minds. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai of the Dept of Space, Professor Sathish Dhawan, who succeded him and Dr. Brahm Prakash, father of nuclear material. I was lucky to have worked with all three of them closely and consider this the great opportunity of my life.
I SEE FOUR MILESTONES IN MY CAREER: Twenty years I spent in ISRO. I was given the opportunity to be the Project Director for India's first satellite launch vehicle, SLV-3. The one that launched Rohini. These years played a very important role in my life as a scientist.
After my ISRO years, I joined DRDO and got a chance to be the part of India's guided missile program. It was my second bliss when Agni met its mission requirements in 1994. The Dept. of Atomic Energy and DRDO had this tremendous partnership in the recent nuclear tests, on May 11 and 13. This was the third bliss. The joy of participating with my team in these nuclear tests and proving to the world that India can make it, that we are no longer a developing nation but one of them, It makes me feel very proud as an Indian. The fact that we have now developed for Agni a re-entry structure, for which we have developed this new material. A very light material called carbon-carbon.
One day an orthopedic surgeon from Nizam institute of Medical Science visited my laboratory. He lifted the material and found it so light that he took me to his hospital and showed me his patients.
There were these little girls and boys with heavy metallic calipers weighing over three kg. each, dragging their feet around. He said to me : Please remove the pain of my patients. In three weeks, we made these Floor reaction Orthosis 300 gram calipers and took them to the orthopedic center. The children didn't believe their eyes. From dragging around a three kg. load on their legs, they could now move around! Their parents had tears in the eyes. That was my fourth bliss!
Why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why? We are the first in milk production. We are number one in remote sensing satellites. We are the second largest producer of wheat We are the second largest producer of rice. Look at Dr. Sudarshan, he has transferred the tribal village into a self sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the frontpage of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert land into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.
In India we only read about death, sickness terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance?
I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India. For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not ah under-developed nation; it is highly developed nation.
Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.
Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, the choice is yours.
YOU say that our government is inefficient. YOU say that our laws are too old. YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke, The airlines is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is in the pits.
YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - YOURS. Give him a face - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your international best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the
roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM.
YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU?
YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai
YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds ( Rs.650 ) a month to, "see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else"".
YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, "Jaanta hai main kaun hoon?" (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost".
YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand. Why dont' YOU spit paan on the streets of Tokyo? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston???
We are still talking of the same YOU
YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an Involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India?
Once in an interview, the famous ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay, Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place", he said.
"And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dogs feels the pressure in his bowels? In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. Will the Indian citizen do that here?" He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility. We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative.
We expect the government to do everything for us. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home.
Our excuse? "It is the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my son's rights to a dowry". So who's going to change the system? What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely no me and YOU.
When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr. Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away. Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England. When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf.
When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian Government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.
Dear Indians, The article is highly thought-inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too... I am echoing J.F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians..., "Ask what we can do for India and do what had to be done to make India what America and other western countries are today".
Dr Abdul Kalam
The "Yes" Trap
The "Yes" Trap
By Sharon Juden
How many times do you find yourself pushed to breaking point with deadlines, 'to-do' lists, your own expectations and desires, and then someone comes along and asks a 'little favor'. And what do you say? "No, Sorry, I'm too busy at the moment" or "OK, I'll see what I can do for you."
If, like me, you use the second response more times than you care to remember, we have to ask ourselves: "Why on earth do we DO IT??"
By saying "yes" when it really doesn't suit, what are you telling the world? – Or, to put it more pointedly, what do you THINK you're telling the world?
Exercise:
Take a moment to think about the times when you've said "yes" to a project or task, when really you've meant "no". And write down the signals you hoped you were sending out to the world.
The "Yes" Trap
Do you fall into the "yes" trap because you want people to know:
1. You're super-efficient and capable
2. You're reliable and dependable
3. You're indispensable
4. You're a go-getter and high achiever
5. You're hard-working and therefore worthy of your salary or the salary you're working towards
Some of these reasons will probably resonate. But, when you say "yes", is that how people really perceive you? Or do they perhaps see you just as a sure way of getting something done with the minimum of fuss and negotiation?
Exercise:
Now take a moment to think about how you feel when you say "yes" but really want to say "no". I'm guessing that there's at least as much negative feeling as positive.
Then think about the signals that other people will be picking up.
By saying "yes" what are you subconsciously telling yourself (and other people)? Perhaps that:
6. You don't value your own time
7. You don't value your own goals and needs
8. You're an easy option with no boundaries in place
9. You don't respect yourself, so why should anyone else?
While there is much debate in both philosophy as to whether or not (and to what extent) we create our reality, there is little doubt that we create our experience of reality when we represent things in our mind: If we think that by saying "yes" we will be that super-efficient, reliable, indispensable, go-getting person (points 1-5 above), then we will continue to say "yes". Even when common sense (and maybe our well-meaning friends) will tell us otherwise.
Learning to Choose "No"
The most important choice each of us has in life is to choose our priorities. What you do, and the outcome you achieve, is a direct result of the choices you make and the priorities you give to every task and project you encounter.
If saying "yes" leaves you feeling frustrated and stressed, annoyed with yourself, and feeling, deep down, more like a person described by points 6 to 9 above, then perhaps you're putting your priorities in the wrong place.
Try choosing "no" more often: When "no" is the right answer for you, say it politely, assertively and with conviction. See how much better that can make you feel.
The moment you recognize your needs and priorities, and find a better way to meet them, you'll find better peace of mind, and life will change for the better.
Exercise:
Now think again about the times you've said "yes", when really you wanted to say "no". Practice saying "no" politely and firmly. Remember, when "no" is the right answer, you're not making excuses; A brief and honest explanation of your reasons should suffice.
"No" is hard for many of people to say. We all like to feel appreciated and useful to others. But it's often far better to say "no" and concentrate on a few great wins, than to say "yes" after "yes" after "yes" and deliver poor results on the things that matter most.
Either you'll do it voluntarily and deliberately, or you'll do it when you collapse with a nervous breakdown. You owe it to yourself to take control of your own life and make the hard choices now, when they may be uncomfortable but at least they are do-able.
Take heed of the wise words of Stever Robbins, leadership and efficiency expert: "Something's got to give. Don't let it be you."
Sharon Juden leads Coaching Clinics in the Mind Tools Career Excellence Club. She is also a member of the Mind Tools Career and Life Coaching team.
By Sharon Juden
How many times do you find yourself pushed to breaking point with deadlines, 'to-do' lists, your own expectations and desires, and then someone comes along and asks a 'little favor'. And what do you say? "No, Sorry, I'm too busy at the moment" or "OK, I'll see what I can do for you."
If, like me, you use the second response more times than you care to remember, we have to ask ourselves: "Why on earth do we DO IT??"
By saying "yes" when it really doesn't suit, what are you telling the world? – Or, to put it more pointedly, what do you THINK you're telling the world?
Exercise:
Take a moment to think about the times when you've said "yes" to a project or task, when really you've meant "no". And write down the signals you hoped you were sending out to the world.
The "Yes" Trap
Do you fall into the "yes" trap because you want people to know:
1. You're super-efficient and capable
2. You're reliable and dependable
3. You're indispensable
4. You're a go-getter and high achiever
5. You're hard-working and therefore worthy of your salary or the salary you're working towards
Some of these reasons will probably resonate. But, when you say "yes", is that how people really perceive you? Or do they perhaps see you just as a sure way of getting something done with the minimum of fuss and negotiation?
Exercise:
Now take a moment to think about how you feel when you say "yes" but really want to say "no". I'm guessing that there's at least as much negative feeling as positive.
Then think about the signals that other people will be picking up.
By saying "yes" what are you subconsciously telling yourself (and other people)? Perhaps that:
6. You don't value your own time
7. You don't value your own goals and needs
8. You're an easy option with no boundaries in place
9. You don't respect yourself, so why should anyone else?
While there is much debate in both philosophy as to whether or not (and to what extent) we create our reality, there is little doubt that we create our experience of reality when we represent things in our mind: If we think that by saying "yes" we will be that super-efficient, reliable, indispensable, go-getting person (points 1-5 above), then we will continue to say "yes". Even when common sense (and maybe our well-meaning friends) will tell us otherwise.
Learning to Choose "No"
The most important choice each of us has in life is to choose our priorities. What you do, and the outcome you achieve, is a direct result of the choices you make and the priorities you give to every task and project you encounter.
If saying "yes" leaves you feeling frustrated and stressed, annoyed with yourself, and feeling, deep down, more like a person described by points 6 to 9 above, then perhaps you're putting your priorities in the wrong place.
Try choosing "no" more often: When "no" is the right answer for you, say it politely, assertively and with conviction. See how much better that can make you feel.
The moment you recognize your needs and priorities, and find a better way to meet them, you'll find better peace of mind, and life will change for the better.
Exercise:
Now think again about the times you've said "yes", when really you wanted to say "no". Practice saying "no" politely and firmly. Remember, when "no" is the right answer, you're not making excuses; A brief and honest explanation of your reasons should suffice.
"No" is hard for many of people to say. We all like to feel appreciated and useful to others. But it's often far better to say "no" and concentrate on a few great wins, than to say "yes" after "yes" after "yes" and deliver poor results on the things that matter most.
Either you'll do it voluntarily and deliberately, or you'll do it when you collapse with a nervous breakdown. You owe it to yourself to take control of your own life and make the hard choices now, when they may be uncomfortable but at least they are do-able.
Take heed of the wise words of Stever Robbins, leadership and efficiency expert: "Something's got to give. Don't let it be you."
Sharon Juden leads Coaching Clinics in the Mind Tools Career Excellence Club. She is also a member of the Mind Tools Career and Life Coaching team.
Dancing With God
When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing
God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realises that,
and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge
to the back or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness
from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing
to trust that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God as God abides in you.
Dance together with God,
trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else,
for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards; so let's continue to pray for one another.
And I Hope You Dance
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing
God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realises that,
and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge
to the back or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness
from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing
to trust that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God as God abides in you.
Dance together with God,
trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else,
for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards; so let's continue to pray for one another.
And I Hope You Dance
Experience is a great teacher
Life is a class-room, where-in we live to experiment;
and learn through the experiences we go-through
whether they are positive or negative.
Experiences come in different forms like; mistake,
stumbles, failures, hardships, hurts, disappointments
and also in the form of examples.
(where we learn through the experiences of others)
Experiences are a high-value-form of information
that is complete, and ready to be applied;
we should carefully learn through this faculty
and get the wisdom that is in it.
These marvelous things called experiences
are never limited or complete. These immense sensibilities
which are full ofcommonsense, when combined with
education they make our knowledge complete.
Experiences of life are practical teachings that add value in our life.
A person who equips himself with these will always enjoy
advantage over others, experienced people are always preferred
for key positions in companies. Socially also, voice of experience
and commonsense is welcomed, moreover, we all feel safe
when we are in experienced hands.
Therefore, we should value every experience;
find meanings in them, as each one of them,
has a lesson to teach and use them wisely.
and learn through the experiences we go-through
whether they are positive or negative.
Experiences come in different forms like; mistake,
stumbles, failures, hardships, hurts, disappointments
and also in the form of examples.
(where we learn through the experiences of others)
Experiences are a high-value-form of information
that is complete, and ready to be applied;
we should carefully learn through this faculty
and get the wisdom that is in it.
These marvelous things called experiences
are never limited or complete. These immense sensibilities
which are full ofcommonsense, when combined with
education they make our knowledge complete.
Experiences of life are practical teachings that add value in our life.
A person who equips himself with these will always enjoy
advantage over others, experienced people are always preferred
for key positions in companies. Socially also, voice of experience
and commonsense is welcomed, moreover, we all feel safe
when we are in experienced hands.
Therefore, we should value every experience;
find meanings in them, as each one of them,
has a lesson to teach and use them wisely.
Forgiveness Transforms
We all have a past
- a storehouse of good and bad memories; and carry
an emotional baggage of "stress and strain"
that is full with variety of hurts, resentments or anger
against others who have "wronged" us.
We let these unpleasant and unfair actions
remain in our mind for a lifetime.
These resentments and other negative emotions eats us up inside,
causes physical ailments and has a direct affect on our health:
it has a psychological cost also: in terms of stress, hostility,
strained relationships and so forth.
However we have a decision to make;
whether we can let the pressure of past hurts keep us down,
or we can make a determined effort to change the situation
by considering forgiveness as a powerful tool that can help.
It is not easy for us to forgive others.
Forgiveness is a transformational process that takes some effort;
especially, when we feel that we have a good reason
to be upset with other person.
The ability, compassion and wisdom to forgive are
great attributes anyone can possess and exercise.
We should understand what forgiveness means;
it does not mean "turning the other cheek"
(that is to permit the offense to occur again);
it does not mean that we should condone what was done;
nor does it means that we have to trust that person again.
When we forgive evil we do not excuse it, we do not tolerate it.
What was wrong is still wrong.Forgiveness means that we have released ourselves
from the emotional bondage that the event created for us.
It simply means that; we have made a decision to unshackle our mind;
from the negative hold on our feelings that have been running rampant
through our mind, body and spirit. It is finishing the old business
that allows us to experience the present; free of contamination,
it is letting go of the hurtful past, a past that our anger and
judgment cannot change.
The value of forgiveness is for us.
Freeing from past enables us; to live more, love more and
move forward with a lighter load and attract more optimal future.
- a storehouse of good and bad memories; and carry
an emotional baggage of "stress and strain"
that is full with variety of hurts, resentments or anger
against others who have "wronged" us.
We let these unpleasant and unfair actions
remain in our mind for a lifetime.
These resentments and other negative emotions eats us up inside,
causes physical ailments and has a direct affect on our health:
it has a psychological cost also: in terms of stress, hostility,
strained relationships and so forth.
However we have a decision to make;
whether we can let the pressure of past hurts keep us down,
or we can make a determined effort to change the situation
by considering forgiveness as a powerful tool that can help.
It is not easy for us to forgive others.
Forgiveness is a transformational process that takes some effort;
especially, when we feel that we have a good reason
to be upset with other person.
The ability, compassion and wisdom to forgive are
great attributes anyone can possess and exercise.
We should understand what forgiveness means;
it does not mean "turning the other cheek"
(that is to permit the offense to occur again);
it does not mean that we should condone what was done;
nor does it means that we have to trust that person again.
When we forgive evil we do not excuse it, we do not tolerate it.
What was wrong is still wrong.Forgiveness means that we have released ourselves
from the emotional bondage that the event created for us.
It simply means that; we have made a decision to unshackle our mind;
from the negative hold on our feelings that have been running rampant
through our mind, body and spirit. It is finishing the old business
that allows us to experience the present; free of contamination,
it is letting go of the hurtful past, a past that our anger and
judgment cannot change.
The value of forgiveness is for us.
Freeing from past enables us; to live more, love more and
move forward with a lighter load and attract more optimal future.
The best advice on concentration is - Be there, where you are
"Concentration"
can be described, as an ability of mind;
to focus attention on one object, thought or an act only,
and exclusion of every other thing at one point of time.
Every activity;
(Working, conversing, studying, thinking or even playing, cleaning the house and cooking)
we engage into; requires attention in order to be handled efficiently.
The tremendous power of concentration
can be seen in the practical example of magnifying glass;
that could burn a piece of paper
when rays of the Sun are focused through it.
The mind mastery called concentration
is a very desirable talent, a must for every person,
(Whether in material world or in spiritual world)
who wants to succeed.
When our minds are focused;
Our energy is not dissipated in unnecessary activities and thoughts.
Developed concentration has many benefits to give us, like;
control of thoughts, inner strength, better memory,
the ability to focus of mind, help in developing psychic abilities
like creativity, imagination and meditation,
stopping distractions, better functioning in daily life for
studying or working; and many more...
Therefore, develop;
your powers for concentration and gain a useful ability,
which will help you on most occasions in your life
can be described, as an ability of mind;
to focus attention on one object, thought or an act only,
and exclusion of every other thing at one point of time.
Every activity;
(Working, conversing, studying, thinking or even playing, cleaning the house and cooking)
we engage into; requires attention in order to be handled efficiently.
The tremendous power of concentration
can be seen in the practical example of magnifying glass;
that could burn a piece of paper
when rays of the Sun are focused through it.
The mind mastery called concentration
is a very desirable talent, a must for every person,
(Whether in material world or in spiritual world)
who wants to succeed.
When our minds are focused;
Our energy is not dissipated in unnecessary activities and thoughts.
Developed concentration has many benefits to give us, like;
control of thoughts, inner strength, better memory,
the ability to focus of mind, help in developing psychic abilities
like creativity, imagination and meditation,
stopping distractions, better functioning in daily life for
studying or working; and many more...
Therefore, develop;
your powers for concentration and gain a useful ability,
which will help you on most occasions in your life
A "Will" finds a way
A person may be aware of the fact
that he should quit smoking;
yet he continues with the habit.
A student needs to study,
knowing, how good it is for his future;
yet he prefers to involve in wasteful activities.
The reason is that mind doesn't like any discipline.
It loves its freedom and whims more than anything else.
We all have had experiences like these.
All of us are full of habits and addictions
that we wish, we should overcome.
"People do not lack strength: they lack will",
says Victor Hugo.
It takes Will-Power to build new habits;
and it takes Will-Power to break old habits.
Will-Power is the inner-power that grants the strength;
to make a decision, take action and execute tasks.
and to refuse to indulge in unnecessary harmful habits
also. it strengthens us to overcome inner-resistances.
When the "Will" is ready the feet are light.
It is an essential tool, that bestows the ability;
which is required for doing a good job, for studying,
building a business, losing weight, changing habits,
self-improvement, meditation, keeping and carrying out promises
and almost everything else.
Therefore, we should train our inner-power and gain strength;
because, Willingness is the key to success;
we can improve our lives become great successes just
by manifesting Will, self discipline and ambition.
that he should quit smoking;
yet he continues with the habit.
A student needs to study,
knowing, how good it is for his future;
yet he prefers to involve in wasteful activities.
The reason is that mind doesn't like any discipline.
It loves its freedom and whims more than anything else.
We all have had experiences like these.
All of us are full of habits and addictions
that we wish, we should overcome.
"People do not lack strength: they lack will",
says Victor Hugo.
It takes Will-Power to build new habits;
and it takes Will-Power to break old habits.
Will-Power is the inner-power that grants the strength;
to make a decision, take action and execute tasks.
and to refuse to indulge in unnecessary harmful habits
also. it strengthens us to overcome inner-resistances.
When the "Will" is ready the feet are light.
It is an essential tool, that bestows the ability;
which is required for doing a good job, for studying,
building a business, losing weight, changing habits,
self-improvement, meditation, keeping and carrying out promises
and almost everything else.
Therefore, we should train our inner-power and gain strength;
because, Willingness is the key to success;
we can improve our lives become great successes just
by manifesting Will, self discipline and ambition.
Praise is a positive feedback
One of the ways to-build-people-up is to praise them.
Appreciative words are the most powerful force for good on earth.
There is a power in praising people; when you appreciate
and praise them for their positive aspects something
begins to happen in them,
[Remember a time when someone told you something good about you in o praising manner]
they become happier, more loyal and feel encouraged and think
that you care for them.
Sincere recognition; a genuine pat on the back, given at the right time,
in the right way, for the right reasons and in front of the right people
can boost morale and commitment; also it can mean
a lot more than some money in their hand.
Praising, applauding and complimenting are excellent strategies;
that provide a motivational punch; which directly impacts
on performances.
No matter how busy you are, must take time to make
the other person feel important, because everyone has
an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying,
"make me feel important."
Be always sincere and honest
while looking for praiseworthy actions.
Make your office a more effective place to work;
by catching people doing something right.
Remember, your objective is not only to show appreciation;
but, also to exhort even greater effort and contribution
for better achievements in the future.
Appreciative words are the most powerful force for good on earth.
There is a power in praising people; when you appreciate
and praise them for their positive aspects something
begins to happen in them,
[Remember a time when someone told you something good about you in o praising manner]
they become happier, more loyal and feel encouraged and think
that you care for them.
Sincere recognition; a genuine pat on the back, given at the right time,
in the right way, for the right reasons and in front of the right people
can boost morale and commitment; also it can mean
a lot more than some money in their hand.
Praising, applauding and complimenting are excellent strategies;
that provide a motivational punch; which directly impacts
on performances.
No matter how busy you are, must take time to make
the other person feel important, because everyone has
an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying,
"make me feel important."
Be always sincere and honest
while looking for praiseworthy actions.
Make your office a more effective place to work;
by catching people doing something right.
Remember, your objective is not only to show appreciation;
but, also to exhort even greater effort and contribution
for better achievements in the future.
Two things rob people of their peace of mind Work unfinished and work not yet begin
Procrastination is keeping pending
The work-at-hand or putting-it-off till...???
It is a most common habit: we all suffer from
It at some point or often many a point in our life.
The phenomenon of postponement
Makes not now... to become never....
The person caught by a habitual procrastination
Deprives himself of the fullest realization
Of his dreams and hopes.
Make sure that your life doesn't have to be a long history
Of unfinished projects, piles of paper, messy rooms and self-sabotage.
Therefore, identify
The reasons and attitudes that feed procrastination.
Be diligent, don't wait;
Waiting is a trap there will always be reasons to wait.
The truth is there are two things in life
Reasons and results; and reasons simply don't count.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
Be a Do-it-now person.
Why put-off the work till tomorrow;
When you can put-it- off altogether by doing.
Get up... Get going... Take control.
The work-at-hand or putting-it-off till...???
It is a most common habit: we all suffer from
It at some point or often many a point in our life.
The phenomenon of postponement
Makes not now... to become never....
The person caught by a habitual procrastination
Deprives himself of the fullest realization
Of his dreams and hopes.
Make sure that your life doesn't have to be a long history
Of unfinished projects, piles of paper, messy rooms and self-sabotage.
Therefore, identify
The reasons and attitudes that feed procrastination.
Be diligent, don't wait;
Waiting is a trap there will always be reasons to wait.
The truth is there are two things in life
Reasons and results; and reasons simply don't count.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
Be a Do-it-now person.
Why put-off the work till tomorrow;
When you can put-it- off altogether by doing.
Get up... Get going... Take control.
Regained Self-Confidence
The business executive was deep in debt and could see no way out.
Creditors were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment. He sat on the park bench, head in hands, wondering if anything could save his company from bankruptcy.
Suddenly an old man appeared before him.
"I can see that something is troubling you," he said.
After listening to the executive's woes, the old man said, "I believe I can help you."
He asked the man his name, wrote out a check, and pushed it into his hand saying, "Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today, and you can pay me back at that time."
Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.
The business executive saw in his hand a check for $500,000, signed by John D. Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world!
"I can erase my money worries in an instant!" he realized. But instead, the executive decided to put the uncashed check in his safe. Just knowing it was there might give him the strength to work out a way to save his business, he thought.
With renewed optimism, he negotiated better deals and extended terms of payment. He closed several big sales. Within a few months, he was out of debt and making money once again.
Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the uncashed check. At the agreed-upon time, the old man appeared. But just as the executive was about to hand back the check and share his success story, a nurse came running up and grabbed the old man.
"I'm so glad I caught him!" she cried. "I hope he hasn't been bothering you.
He's always escaping from the rest home and telling people he's John D. Rockefeller. "
And she led the old man away by the arm.
The astonished executive just stood there, stunned. All year long he'd been wheeling and dealing, buying and selling, convinced he had half a million dollars behind him.
Suddenly, he realised that --It wasn't the money, real or imagined, that had turned his life around. It was his newfound self-confidence that gave him the power to achieve anything he went after.
Creditors were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment. He sat on the park bench, head in hands, wondering if anything could save his company from bankruptcy.
Suddenly an old man appeared before him.
"I can see that something is troubling you," he said.
After listening to the executive's woes, the old man said, "I believe I can help you."
He asked the man his name, wrote out a check, and pushed it into his hand saying, "Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today, and you can pay me back at that time."
Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.
The business executive saw in his hand a check for $500,000, signed by John D. Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world!
"I can erase my money worries in an instant!" he realized. But instead, the executive decided to put the uncashed check in his safe. Just knowing it was there might give him the strength to work out a way to save his business, he thought.
With renewed optimism, he negotiated better deals and extended terms of payment. He closed several big sales. Within a few months, he was out of debt and making money once again.
Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the uncashed check. At the agreed-upon time, the old man appeared. But just as the executive was about to hand back the check and share his success story, a nurse came running up and grabbed the old man.
"I'm so glad I caught him!" she cried. "I hope he hasn't been bothering you.
He's always escaping from the rest home and telling people he's John D. Rockefeller. "
And she led the old man away by the arm.
The astonished executive just stood there, stunned. All year long he'd been wheeling and dealing, buying and selling, convinced he had half a million dollars behind him.
Suddenly, he realised that --It wasn't the money, real or imagined, that had turned his life around. It was his newfound self-confidence that gave him the power to achieve anything he went after.
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