Make Your City a Better Place

It was evening time and roads were crowded with vehicles. Honking horns and loud vehicle noises irritated one and all. I was traveling in a shared auto rickshaw. My friend, myself and a lady with her around three years old daughter on her lap were the three occupants of the auto.

As the frustrated auto driver drove through the heavy evening traffic, he sweared at the rash drivers. His frustration was clearly visible to us. A little later the lady got down. She paid the driver. As she held the hand of her little daughter to start walking we heard a sweet voice, “thank you uncle”. The little girl thanked the driver. He smiled back at her and ran his fingers on her cheeks.

It seemed as if the “thank you” cooled him down. He didn’t swear again till we reached our lane. I told my friend to notice the effect of the small “thank you”.

In a days work if you appreciate someone’s work or thank him/her, you might just improve his mood, make him happy and relieve his frustration or tension to some extent. This would in turn prevent him from taking his frustration out on others which would eventually prevent many other bad tempers in your city or to be more precise around you.

Just think about this, if you can succeed in improving the moods of ten people, these ten people will in turn be nice to others they meet and the chain so formed will spread the happiness in your city. Your words of thankfulness and appreciation can actually make a difference to your city. You loose nothing by trying it out. So try it out…

How To Deal With Challenges

Wherever you are and however much of an adventure you are having, it is safe to say that more than likely that you will be faced with challenges and obstacles on a regular basis. This is what life is made up of. Some of us though seem to have the knack of making it all seem so easy, while others get caught up in the negativity of the challenge and only see problems ahead of them.

Challenges can consume you if you let them. You can, on the other hand choose to focus on your strengths instead and see challenges as a part of life, which is exactly what they are. If you allow yourself to focus on the difficulty of the challenge, that is what's going to grow in size, yet if you focus on solutions for your dilemma, the chances are you will find one or even more possibilities for solving your problem. Through trying times, we do not want to believe that some good can come out of our challenging periods. Yet, if we look back on the difficult times in our lives, whether it be about a relationship, one's business, an addiction, financial problems or other ... have we not learnt more as a result of each challenge? Have we not grown and become stronger, more compassionate human beings?

I am not saying that we need deny the severity of the challenge and the pain it may be causing. It is essential to feel the emotion that has surfaced to be able to accept the challenge and what it means to us. Give yourself time, but then put on your obstacle boots, do what you have to do about it, do all you can do and when that is done and no more can be achieved at that time, let it go and trust that it will be taken care. Wait and be patient for the right time and then take another step forward. Do not expect that all challenges can be solved immediately. Some need time and there always seems to be a reason for this. When challenges arise do not think you are being singled out and punished. Challenges are the stuff life is made of. However, how you choose to overcome the challenge will determine your rate of success.

In the words of Mark Victor Hansen, “Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what!. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more successful.”

by Kim Knight
www.kimknightcoaching.com

One Bedroom Flat.... think over it...

Every person those who are far away from their parents for jobs shouldhave to read this !!!
ONE BEDROOM FLAT... WRITTEN BY AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER..

A Bitter Reality, As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA , the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA , itwas as if a dream had come true.
Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India ..
My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.
I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald's and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I haveonly 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight.

Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going throug hall the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.

In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get any more holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA , after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to USA ... My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing.

After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.. Every year I decide to go to India … But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visitingIndia was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got amessage that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India .... The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rights the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.

After couple more years passed away, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy we returned to India to settle down.

I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA ...My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India ..... My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.

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

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

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

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

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

Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them..But the questionstillremains 'was all this worth it?

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

START THINKINGIS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM??? LIFE IS BEYOND THIS …..DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE ……..START LIVING IT …….LIVE ITAS YOU WANT IT TO BE …….

RAJ...

Spend Time With Your Friends and Family...

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.
SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"
DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?" replied the man.
SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?" the man said angrily.
SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "If you must know, I make Rs.100 an hour."
"Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down.
Looking up, he said, "Daddy, may I please borrow Rs.50?"
The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed.
Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior.

"The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that Rs.50 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.
"Are you asleep, son?" He asked.
No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.
"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier," said the man.
"It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the Rs.50 you asked for." The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" He yelled.

Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.
"Why do you want more money if you already have some?" the father grumbled.
"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.
"Daddy, I have Rs.100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."
Share this story with someone you like....

But even better, share Rs.100 worth of time with someone you love. It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts.

SHAY all the Way...

Lovely story.. Before we start my question to all of you is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?" The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child." Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much! The boy looked around for guidance and a few boys nodded approval, why not? So he took matters into his own hands and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning." Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay" Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, Shay, run home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team. That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world." Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people on your address list that aren't the appropriate ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who wrote this believes that we all can make a difference. We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the natural order of things." So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up that opportunity, leaving it and making the world a little colder in the process?

A wise man once said "every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them".

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The Hospital Window

A great note for all to read it will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present.'

The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings continued blessings to everyone who passes it on.
Just forward it to your friends to whom you wish blessings.

received by email

THE BRICK

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed downwhen he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door!

He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, 'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money Why did you do it?' The young boy was apologetic. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my brother, 'he said 'He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.'
Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.' Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. 'Thank you and may God bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!' God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.
Thought for the Day:
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!

Send this to every 'beautiful person' you wish to bless.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Read this line very slowly and let it sink in...

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
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Listen to your Heart...

Here are few examples of famous successful men who have made a mark by listening to their hearts, by not giving up, by working hard day in and day out, by keeping their goals in sight. They had vision and they didn’t hesitate in pursuing their dreams. They trusted their heart and their capability. All you need to be successful in life is right aptitude, attitude, vision and determination.

Bill Gates
William Henry Gates III attended an exclusive prep school in Seattle. He later went to Harvard University and dropped out to take up Software Development. While studying, in 1970, he and Paul Allen wrote the original Altair BASIC interpreter for MITS Altair 8800, first commercially successful PC. In 1975 Micro-soft and later Microsoft Corporation was founded. He has been number one on Forbes 400 for over a dozen years and most important of all he is sharing his success with others for a noble cause; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation currently provides 90% of world’s budget for eradication of polio.

Dhirubhai Ambani
At the age of 16 he moved to Aden, initially he worked as an attendant at gas station and later as a clerk in an oil company. He started his business at the age of 26 with a meager capital of $375 and today we all can see where Reliance stands. He was awarded with Indian entrepreneur of 20th century by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He moved from Rags-to-Riches. He rewrote the Indian Corporate history and single-handedly breathed life into the Indian Stock Market.

Steve Jobs
After graduating Steve Paul Jobs enrolled in Reed College and he dropped out after one semester. In 1976, 21 years old Jobs and 26 years old Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer Co. in a garage. Jobs popularized the concept of home computers. By 1984, Macintosh was introduced; he contributed in the building of world-wide-web and is CEO and Chairman of Pixar Animation Studios. With the success of iPOD, Apple is bigger than ever. Very few people know that for several years he worked at annual salary of $1.00 and so he is listed in the Guinness Book of world Records as “Lowest paid Chief Executive Officer”. Though, he was once gifted $9 crores jet by the company. His net worth is more than $3 billion.

Michael Dell
Michael Saul Dell joined university of Texas at Austin with intention of becoming a Physician. While still studying, he started a company called PC’s Limited in his dormitory. Success of this company was good enough to prompt Dell to dropout at the age of 19. In 1987 PC’s Limited became Dell Computer Corporation. In 2005, Forbes listed him as 18th richest in the world with a net worth of around $1600 crores.

Subhash Chandra Goel
The ZEE Chairman dropped out after standard 12. At the age of 19 he started his own vegetable oils unit. A casual visit to his friend at Doordarshan gave him idea of starting his Broadcasting Company, and we all know ZEE became a huge success for the man. He knew nothing about programming, distribution or film rights but he very thoroughly understood the Indian sensibility. Funded by a UK businessman ZEE became first satellite channel in India and today it reaches 320 lakhs homes with 20 crore people in South-east Asia alone. It also covers Asians in Africa, America, Europe, Australia and Middle-east.

These guys dared to listen to their hearts and follow their dreams; they worked hard to succeed and results are in right front of us. Though above are the examples of college dropouts who went on to become millionaires, what we don’t know is that though many dropped out only few went on to succeed. This article is just to tell you to pursue your dreams but be sensible in the steps you take.

Life is Fair...

One of the things Maria Shriver mentions in her book “Ten Things I Wish I Had Known Before Going Into The Real World” is that life isn’t fair…

We see around us, many times the bad guy wins, a very good person dies early, a corrupt politician wins the election and lives a very long life though he indulged in dirty politics which never did any good to anyone, some people work very hard and still don’t get the returns they deserve. So it seems “life isn’t fair”.

But actually life is fair. It seems unfair because we always look at it from the same angle. You would say the bad guy won, but how can you be sure that he is bad? Maybe he isn’t bad and you don’t know him completely or maybe the win was an invitation to new problems for him. You don’t know the inside story.

As far as the corrupt politician is concerned you only know about his professional life, you know him only through what media wrote about him or what you heard from others. His family life might be on rocks. He might be having all possible differences with his near and dear ones and believe me nothing is worse than that. His long life is a curse for him.

I just gave two examples to you. If you observe carefully, the lives of your family and friends around you, you will surely find many such examples which will prove that life isn’t unfair. So don’t ever be evil.

Life is fair…

Never Give Up...

There are times when nothing goes the way you want. All your plans fail, your rock solid dreams shatter like castles of sand. These are the testing times, you go through these because God wants you to realize your strength. Sometimes these problems lead you to new discoveries; the ones which bring you fame, prosperity, satisfaction, happiness and most importantly it takes your mental strength to a much higher level. It gives you confidence that you are strong enough to fight and come out victorious.

Later in your life when you will think about this time it will bring a smile on your face. It will give you confidence, strength and happiness and I say this with experience. I once read in an article in the Reader’s Digest “God picks tough ones to deal with tough problems”. So always be happy to face problems that god trusts you and believes that you can face those problems, don’t let him down.

The key to winning over such problems is by not loosing hope. Remember a match is not lost till the last ball is bowled and a war not won till the last bullet is fired. Every dark cloud has a silver lining, so you got to wait for that silver lining. Remember, no matter how long the night the dawn will break and you have to wait for the dawn.

So never give up, you never know when life would take a U-turn and you would suddenly come out of all the problems, right on top of this world, happy as u always were.

So hold on to the steering,,, drive steady… U turn ahead….