One









One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,

One life can make a difference,
You see, it’s up to you!

Secret to Success


A young man asked Socrates the secret to success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him toward the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into the water. The boy struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socratespulled his head out of the water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air. Socrates asked, 'What did you want the most when you werethere?" The boy replied, "Air." Socrates said, "That is the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it." There is no other secret.

A burning desire is the starting point of all accomplishment. Just like a small fire cannot give much heat, a weak desire cannot produce great results.


"Motivation is an external, temporary high that pushes you forward. Inspiration is a sustainable internal glow which pulls you forward." - Thomas Leonard.

Gandhi Passes His Own Examination


Gandhiji never told a lie. Once the inspector visited his school class and gave a few words of dictation. The third word was “kettle.” Gandhi’s friends were able to spell the word properly, but Gandhi didn’t know how.

The inspector began going around to check each student’s paper. While the inspector moved from student to student, the teacher saw that Gandhi’s spelling was wrong, so he touched Gandhi’s leg with his foot to get his attention. With his eyes he urged Gandhi to look at someone else’s paper. But Gandhi didn’t want to copy from anyone.
When the inspector came to Gandhi, he said, “Here’s a mistake. This boy doesn’t know how to spell ‘kettle.’ He has written it ‘ketle’.”
The inspector wasn’t angry, but he was disappointed that Gandhi didn’t know the answer.
The teacher was very angry with Gandhi. I told you to look at your friend’s paper, but you wouldn’t listen to me. You’re a disgrace to my class.”
Gandhi said, “I may be a disgrace, but I can’t tell a lie.”
Gandhi was sorry he’d made a mistake and had displeased his teacher, but he had pleased himself by being honest.
The teacher was silent.

November 30, 2009 The Donkey Carrying Salt



On a summer’s day, was a donkey walking in the mountains. Donkey was carrying a few sacks of salt on his back. The bag is very heavy, while the sun shines in the heat.
“Oh hot. Like I had no strength to walk again,” said the donkey.
Then he saw a river.
“Ah, there was a river! I better stop for a while,” said the donkey with joy.
Without thinking, he went into the river and byuur! Donkey slipped and fell. He tried to stand again, but to no avail.
He is trying to stand. Strangely, the longer was in the water, he felt the weight on his back getting lighter. Eventually the donkey could stand on his feet again.
“Oh dear, salts out!” master said angrily.
“Oh, I’m sorry! Did salt dissolved in water?” said the donkey.
A few days later, the donkey got another job to bring the salt. Like usual, he had to walk through the mountains with his master.
“Soon there will be in front of the river there,” said the donkey in the liver.
When he walked across the river, mule threw himself on purpose. Byuuur!. Of course there is salt in his back became soluble in water. The load becomes lighter.
“Great! It’s so soft!” donkey said lightly.
However, knowing the ass doing it deliberately master became angry.
“You lazy ass!” master said grimly.
The next day, the donkey got a job with cotton. Once again, he walked with his master through the mountains.
When he reached the river, again with the ass dropped deliberately. Byuuur!  But what happened? Load becomes heavy. Apparently, the cotton absorbs water and becomes heavy as stone.
Whether he likes it or not, the donkey had to go with the existing burden on his back. Under a hot sun the donkey staggering, carrying heavy loads in his back.
***
Think first before acting. Because of the wrong actions will cause loss for us.

The lost key


Mulla Nasruddin was searching for something in his garden. When his neighbour asked him what he was searching, he replied that he was looking for his house key.
Wanting to help him, his neighbour joined him asking : ''Do you remember where you dropped it?''
Mulla answered: 'Of course I do, in my house.'
'Why are you looking here?', asked his neighbour confused.
Mulla Nasrudin replied: 'Because there is much more light here than in my house.'

The secret of success!

A young man asked Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, the secret of Success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met.
Socrates asked the young man to walk with him toward the river.
When the water got up to their necks, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into the water. The man struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him under water until he started turning blue.
The young man struggled hard and finally managed to get up. The first thing he did was to gasp and take a deep breath.
Socrates asked, “What did you want the most when you were under the water?”
The man replied “Air”.
Socrates said: “That’s the most secret to success. When you want success as badly as you want air, you will get it. There is no other secret”.


Your teacher can open the door, but you must enter by yourself


Positive Meals



Be smart and understand how your state of mind affects the food you eat.
If you're angry or anxious while cooking then that's the energy you're putting into the food.  Instead, nourish and enrich your meals with positive energy!
Plan your meals, shop, prepare, cook and eat with a positive attitude.  And most of all enjoy the process.  Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Who decides



Outside my window, a new day I see, 
And only I can determine 
What kind of day it will be. 
It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay, 
Or boring and cold, unhappy and gray.

My own state of mind is the determining key, 
For I am only the person I let myself be. 

I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help, 
Or be selfish and think just of myself. 
I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun,
Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.

I can be patient with those who may not understand 
Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can. 

But I have faith in myself,
And believe what I say 
And I personally intend to make the most of each day.

--- Anonymous ---

Thoughts for Today

Say to yourself every morning:
- Today is going to be a great day!
- I can handle more than I think I can!
- Things don't get better by worrying about them!
- I can be satisfied if I try to do my best!
- There's always something to be happy about!
- I'm going to make someone happy today!
- It's not good to be down!
- Life is great, make the most of it!




Crazy but not stupid



One truck driver was doing his usual load delivery at a mental hospital, by parking his vehicle beside an open drain. 
He discovered a flat tyre when he was about to return from the mental hospital. He jacked up the truck and removed the flat tyre to fix the spare tyre. 
When he was about to fix the spare tyre, he accidentally dropped all the 4 bolts in the open drain. 
As he cannot fish the bolts in the open drain, he started to panic as to what should be done? 
Just then, one patient happened to walk past him and asked the driver as to why he was looking troubled. 
The driver thought to himself, since there is nothing much he can do or this mental joker can. Just to keep the bugging away, the truck driver informed the whole episode to the mental patient and gave a helpless look. 
The patient just laughed at the truck driver and said you just cannot even fix such a simple problem? No wonder you are destined to remain a truck driver for life 
the truck driver was astonished to hear such a compliment from a mental guy. 
Here is what you can do said the mental guy 
take one bolt from each of the remaining 3 tyres/wheels and fix it on to this tyre . Then drive down to the nearest workshop and replace the missing ones. Is'nt it simple my friend !!!!
The truck driver was so impressed with this quick fix answer and asked the patient.how come you are so smart and intelligent and you are here at the mental hospital? 
The patient replied...hello friend! I stay here because i am crazy but not stupid 

No wonder, there are some people, who behave like the Truck Driver, thinking that others are just stupid. So, guys, though you all are learned and wise, but, just watch out, there could be some CRAZY guys in our professional / personal lives, who could give us lot of quick fixes and brush our wisdom. 


The moral of the story is - just do not conclude that you know everything and do not judge people by mere looks/attire stature or academic background

It is the little things that make a big difference



There was a man taking a morning wa lk at or the beach. He saw that along with the morning tide came hundreds of starfish and when the tide receded, they were left behind and with the morning sun rays, they would die. The tide was fresh and the starfish were alive. The man took a few steps, picked one and threw it into the water. He did that repeatedly. Right behind him there was another person who couldn't understand what this man was doing. He caught up with him and asked, "What are you doing? There are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What difference does it make?" This man did not reply, took two more steps, picked up another one, threw it into the water, and said, "It makes a difference to this one."


What difference are we making? Big or small, it does not matter. If everyone made a small difference, we'd end up with a big difference, wouldn't we?


Children Learn What They Live




If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn . . .
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight . . .
If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive . . .
If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself . . .
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy . . .
If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilt . . .



BUT


If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient . . .
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident . . .
If a child lives with , he learns to be appreciative . . .
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love . . .
If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is . . .
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice . . .
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and those about him . . .
If a child lives with friendlienss(sic), he learns the world is a nice place in which to live . . .



WITH WHAT IS YOUR CHILD LIVING?


Dorothy Law Nolte

The Elephant robe


As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.
He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”
The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.
Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?
Failure is part of learning; we should never give up the struggle in life.

4 Seasons 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 whothey are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all theseasons  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.


Lesson: 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  

Two seeds


Two seeds lay side by side in the fertile soil.
The first seed said, “I want to grow! I want to send my roots deep into the soil beneath me, and thrust my sprouts through the earth’s crust above me … I want to unfurl my tender buds like banners to announce the arrival of spring … I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the blessing of the morning dew on my petals!”
And so she grew…
The second seed said, “Hmmmm. If I send my roots into the ground below, I don’t know what I will encounter in the dark. If I push my way through the hard soil above me I may damage my delicate sprouts … what if I let my buds open and a snail tries to eat them? And if I were to open my blossoms, a small child may pull me from the ground. No, it is much better for me to wait until it is safe.”
And so she waited…
A yard hen scratching around in the early spring ground for food found the waiting seed and promptly ate it.
Lesson: Seize the day!

Six Questions For Every Day

Spiritual Freedom


1: Life does not work through indecision. Indecision promotes blocks, confusion and stress. Make a decision and allow life to find movement through you. Trust yourself.
2: The 3 C’s of life are Courage, Capacity and Commitment. It takes Courage and a commitment to make many of life’s decisions, and capacity to follow them through. The 3 C’s of a successful relationship are Caring, Consideration and Communication. Communication opens the door between us, consideration allows us to pass through it and our ability to care for each other unites us.
3: Truth is not truth out of timing- yet it remains truth. We are the timing to recognize truth.
4: The mind recoils from the unknown, so we seek to make everything known, and, thus sage. Imagination is the key to the unknown- positive, uplifting imagination.
5: For as long as we search for Our God Self, we deny that we are it. Loving your self reveals your truth.
6: Becoming free is not changing yourself into someone you think you should be. Becoming free is falling in love with who you are- right now.
7: Imagine a room of pitch dark and a room of bright light connected by a door. When you open the door what happens? Light floods into the dark room, illuminating it. Live accordingly, think thoughts of light.
8: F.E.A.R- False Evidence Appearing Real
9: Anything of the past that is unresolved is unresolved now. Living NOW resolves the past.
10: Life flows from the inside out, never the reverse. Understand this and you cease to be a victim.
11: Love responds- fear reacts. Love connects- fear separates. Love uplifts- fear deflates. Love creates- fear destroys.
12: There is no such thing as a mistake- only experience. There is no such thing as failure- only people’s condemnation. There is no such thing as success- only people’s approval. Let life live through you.
13: Do not get caught up in modifying your life, allow life to change YOU. Modification is a superficial exterior veneer, change is an inner shift in consciousness.
14: Pain is a measure of your resistance to change.
15: Decide whether you want to be an onlooker of life or a participant. This is the birthplace of choice.
16: You hear with your ears- but you listen with your mind. You look with your eyes- but you see from the heart.
17: Consciousness is not contained in your body- you are the consciousness that contains the body. Consciousness draws to itself form through which to express
18: Your mind cannot exist in the moment. You cannot think your way into the moment, you can only think your way out of it. This indicates that your mind/intellect cannot set you free. Only your consciousness is aware of NOW. True freedom is a state of consciousness.
19: We each live in our own universe, a universe of our making. It is designed to support our beliefs and our focus. Our thoughts are our focus, so observe your thoughts, focus on your blessings, and trust. This is how you become a participant.
20: Practise seeing all life around you as an aspect of yourself. In this way you shatter the illusion of separation.
21: Your mind does now know the difference between what you do want or what you don’t want, it only knows what you focus on. Many people focus on what they don’t have, what they are incapable of doing and their sicknesses.
22: If you focus on what you do have, it increases. If you focus on what you don’t have, you will have even less. If you focus on your capabilities, they grow, if you focus on your health, it improves.
23: Your mind does not know the difference between a powerfully imagined reality and a physical happening reality. Why? Because there is no difference.
24: You only have a problem if you believe you have a problem.
25: Live these principles and you will be practising reality. Practise reality until you overcome the illusion. It is only an illusion that you are not free, now!
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