Monday, December 26, 2011
Christmas
Christmas has come and it has gone. Had a lot of visitors, some of my wife's colleagues turned up for lunch. My daughter's father-in-law and mother-in-law also came. So did my wife's sister, her children and her granddaughter. Went to midnight mass at Santhome English Church. Met and greeted a few acquaintances. Here are some pictures of the decorations made at home.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wedding Engagement
Attended a wedding engagement of a son of a colleague and family friend of my wife. His name is Pradeep Alexander and that of the prospective bride Sindhu Rebecca. The engagement was held at Tambaram, a suburb of Chennai (Madras) in Tamil Nadu State in India. The function started off with some prayers and singing of songs. The engagement was a simple affair without much fanfare.
Here are a few pictures taken during the ceremony.
This is a picture of the ceremonial gifts that the prospective bridegroom gives to the prospective bride.
Here are a few pictures taken during the ceremony.
This is a picture of the ceremonial gifts that the prospective bridegroom gives to the prospective bride.Here are some more pictures taken during the ceremony:
The prospective bridegroom
The Prospective Bride
The exchange of Bibles
The prospective bridegroom and bride exchanging rings
The ceremony ended with a blessing of the prospective couple a simple, prayer a general blessing of the gathering and dinner.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Quotes
Nothing eventful is happening around me so I'm resorting to some of the odds and ends that I had collected in some of my scrap books. Here are some interesting quotes that I had gathered over the years. You may have come across them some where else but here they are for what they are worth.
The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat. - Jane Wagner
Delete the adjectives and you'll have the facts. - Harper Lee
Asking politicians to give up a source of money is like asking Dracula to forsake blood. - Cal Thomas
We meet aliens everyday who have something to give us. They come in the form of people with different opinions. - William Shatner
The squeaky wheel may get the most oil, but it is also the first to be replaced. - Marilyn vos Savant
Haste is good only in catching fleas. - Alla Yaroshinskaya
Where there is shouting there is no true knowledge. - Leonardo da Vinci
Old people really do have a secret, though. You wanna know what it is? Luck. - Carl Ferguson
No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. - Hal Borland
Canned laughter indiscriminately robs humour of its subjectiveness. - Ajay Gopalkrishna
It is good to be spontaneous, it is good to be thorough, it is good to have something that inspires you. - Paul McCartney
"Fearless" is living in spite of those things that scare you to death. - Taylor Swift
Never harbour grudges; they sour your stomach and do harm to anyone else. - Robertson Davies
A lot of good things have come out of dreaming. - Arthur Miller
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. - Dave Barry
Happy is the man who at the end of his life possesses only what he has given to others. - Armando Fuentes Aguirre
Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time. - H. Jackson Brown Jr.
If you're willing to fail interestingly, you tend to succeed interestingly. - Edward Albee
Without knowledge, the world is bereft of culture. And so we must be educators and students both. - Roberta Bondar
Your mind is often your own enemy. It can kill you through over-analysis. - Rina Dhaka
If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much. - Donald H. Rumsfeld
Usefulness is not impaired by imperfection. You can drink from a chipped cup. - Greta K. Nagel
It would be interesting to find out what goes on in that moment when someone looks at you and draws all sorts of conclusions. - Malcolm Gladwell
The most difficult thing is to love oneself but unless we do that we can't love others. - Vishal Bhardwaj
The best time to plant an oak tree is 25 years ago. The second best time is today. - James Carville
Never underestimate the capacity of another human being to have exactly the same shortcomings you have. - Leigh Steinberg
A happy family is but an earlier heaven. - Sir John Bowring
If a problem has no solution, it may not be a problem, but a fact - not to be solved, but to be coped with over time. - Shimon Peres
I you do not know history, you don't know anything. You're a leaf that doesn't know it's part of a tree. - Michael Cruchton
The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat. - Jane Wagner
Delete the adjectives and you'll have the facts. - Harper Lee
Asking politicians to give up a source of money is like asking Dracula to forsake blood. - Cal Thomas
We meet aliens everyday who have something to give us. They come in the form of people with different opinions. - William Shatner
The squeaky wheel may get the most oil, but it is also the first to be replaced. - Marilyn vos Savant
Haste is good only in catching fleas. - Alla Yaroshinskaya
Where there is shouting there is no true knowledge. - Leonardo da Vinci
Old people really do have a secret, though. You wanna know what it is? Luck. - Carl Ferguson
No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. - Hal Borland
Canned laughter indiscriminately robs humour of its subjectiveness. - Ajay Gopalkrishna
It is good to be spontaneous, it is good to be thorough, it is good to have something that inspires you. - Paul McCartney
"Fearless" is living in spite of those things that scare you to death. - Taylor Swift
Never harbour grudges; they sour your stomach and do harm to anyone else. - Robertson Davies
A lot of good things have come out of dreaming. - Arthur Miller
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. - Dave Barry
Happy is the man who at the end of his life possesses only what he has given to others. - Armando Fuentes Aguirre
Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time. - H. Jackson Brown Jr.
If you're willing to fail interestingly, you tend to succeed interestingly. - Edward Albee
Without knowledge, the world is bereft of culture. And so we must be educators and students both. - Roberta Bondar
Your mind is often your own enemy. It can kill you through over-analysis. - Rina Dhaka
If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much. - Donald H. Rumsfeld
Usefulness is not impaired by imperfection. You can drink from a chipped cup. - Greta K. Nagel
It would be interesting to find out what goes on in that moment when someone looks at you and draws all sorts of conclusions. - Malcolm Gladwell
The most difficult thing is to love oneself but unless we do that we can't love others. - Vishal Bhardwaj
The best time to plant an oak tree is 25 years ago. The second best time is today. - James Carville
Never underestimate the capacity of another human being to have exactly the same shortcomings you have. - Leigh Steinberg
A happy family is but an earlier heaven. - Sir John Bowring
If a problem has no solution, it may not be a problem, but a fact - not to be solved, but to be coped with over time. - Shimon Peres
I you do not know history, you don't know anything. You're a leaf that doesn't know it's part of a tree. - Michael Cruchton
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Timeless Wisdom
Some timeless wisdom. Some of them are also Chinese proverbs.
* To attract good fortune, spend a new penny on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon.
* He who cannot control agree with his enemies is controlled by them.
* Behind every able man, there are always other able men.
* To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
* Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.
* If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it.
* He who strikes the first blow admits he's lost the argument.
* He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.
* Don't open a shop unless you like to smile.
* Be the first to the field and the last to the couch.
* A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.
* A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers.
* When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planed them.
* There are two perfectly good men, one dead, and the other unborn.
* If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.
* If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through.
* A diamond with a flaw is worth more than a pebble without imperfections.
* One joy shatters a thousand grieves.
* Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.
* Distance tests a horse's strength. Time reveals a person's character.
* To attract good fortune, spend a new penny on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon.
* He who cannot control agree with his enemies is controlled by them.
* Behind every able man, there are always other able men.
* To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
* Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.
* If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it.
* He who strikes the first blow admits he's lost the argument.
* He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.
* Don't open a shop unless you like to smile.
* Be the first to the field and the last to the couch.
* A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.
* A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers.
* When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planed them.
* There are two perfectly good men, one dead, and the other unborn.
* If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.
* If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through.
* A diamond with a flaw is worth more than a pebble without imperfections.
* One joy shatters a thousand grieves.
* Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.
* Distance tests a horse's strength. Time reveals a person's character.
Some Chinese Proverbs
Some Chinese proverbs from my collection of odds and ends in one of my scrap books.
A thorn defends the rose, harming only those who would steal the blossom.
A single conversation with a wise man is worth a month's of study of books.
The one who pursues revenge should dig two graves.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
The journey is the reward.
In the midst of great joy, do not promise anyone anything. In the midst of great anger, do not answer anyone's letter.
Beauty is the wisdom of women. Wisdom is the beauty of men.
Quarrelling is like cutting water with a sword.
Respect for one's parents is the highest duty of civil life.
Insanity is doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different outcome.
He who is not satisfied with himself will grow; he who is not sure of his own correctness will learn many things.
If a man fools me once, shame on him. If he fools me twice shame on me.
A clever person turns great troubles into little ones and little ones into none at all.
He who could foresee affairs three days in advance would be rich for thousands of years.
Clear conscience never fears midnight knocking.
When a man is crazy about a woman, only she can cure him.
If you bow at all, bow low.
A thorn defends the rose, harming only those who would steal the blossom.
A single conversation with a wise man is worth a month's of study of books.
The one who pursues revenge should dig two graves.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
The journey is the reward.
In the midst of great joy, do not promise anyone anything. In the midst of great anger, do not answer anyone's letter.
Beauty is the wisdom of women. Wisdom is the beauty of men.
Quarrelling is like cutting water with a sword.
Respect for one's parents is the highest duty of civil life.
Insanity is doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different outcome.
He who is not satisfied with himself will grow; he who is not sure of his own correctness will learn many things.
If a man fools me once, shame on him. If he fools me twice shame on me.
A clever person turns great troubles into little ones and little ones into none at all.
He who could foresee affairs three days in advance would be rich for thousands of years.
Clear conscience never fears midnight knocking.
When a man is crazy about a woman, only she can cure him.
If you bow at all, bow low.
The Best Type Of Person
A sage presented a prince with a set of three small dolls. The prince was not amused.
"Am I a girl that you give me dolls?" he asked.
"This is a gift for a future king," said the sage. "if you look carefully, you'll see a hole in the ear of each doll."
The sage handed the prince a piece of string and said, "Pass it through the ear of each doll."
The prince picked up the first doll and inserted the string into the ear. It came out from the other ear. The prince then inserted the string into the ear of the second doll. It came out of the mouth. The process was repeated to the third doll. The string did not come out from any part of the doll.
The sage then told the prince that the three dolls represent three kinds of men. The first does not retain anything told to him. The second cannot keep hold of what he hears. He repeats it to everyone else. The third type of doll represents a person who keeps everything that you tell him locked up in himself.
The prince then asked the sage, "Who is the best type of person?"
The sage replied that the best type of person is one who is trustworthy, a man must know when not to listen, when to remain silent and when to speak out.
"Am I a girl that you give me dolls?" he asked.
"This is a gift for a future king," said the sage. "if you look carefully, you'll see a hole in the ear of each doll."
The sage handed the prince a piece of string and said, "Pass it through the ear of each doll."
The prince picked up the first doll and inserted the string into the ear. It came out from the other ear. The prince then inserted the string into the ear of the second doll. It came out of the mouth. The process was repeated to the third doll. The string did not come out from any part of the doll.
The sage then told the prince that the three dolls represent three kinds of men. The first does not retain anything told to him. The second cannot keep hold of what he hears. He repeats it to everyone else. The third type of doll represents a person who keeps everything that you tell him locked up in himself.
The prince then asked the sage, "Who is the best type of person?"
The sage replied that the best type of person is one who is trustworthy, a man must know when not to listen, when to remain silent and when to speak out.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Breaks and Vacations
Some more odds and ends (quotes) from my scrap book on "Breaks and Vacations".
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. - Lao Tzu
I have had a holiday and I'd like to take it up professionally. - Kylie Minogue
A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking. - Earl Wilson
Vacation: Two weeks on the sunny sands - and the rest of the year on the financial rocks. - Sam Ewing
A good holiday is one spent among people whose notion of time are vaguer than yours. - John B. Priestly
Don't skip your vacations and breaks. Spend your breaks meditating, praying or reading. Don't bring your laptop with you on vacation. - Yasmeen Abdur-Rahman
To get away from one's working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change. - Charles Horton Cooley
A holiday gives one a chance to look backward and forward, to reset oneself by an inner compass. - May Sarton
A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in. - Robert Orben
He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left. - Chinese Proverb
A good vacation is over when you begin to yearn for your work. - Morris Fishbein
So, to prevent fatigue and worry, the first rule is: Rest often. Rest before you get tired. - Dale Carnegie
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. - Exodus 31:17
Every man who possibly can, should force himself to a holiday of a full month in a year, whether he feels like taking it or not. - William James
If I were a medical man, I should prescribe a holiday to any patient who considered his work important.
After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all other fellows' busy working. - Kenneth Grahame
Holidays in general breed unrealistic expectations. The minute you start wondering, "Is it going to be wonderful enough?" it never will be. - Pepper Schwartz
If all the year were playing holidays, to sport would be as tedious as to work, but when they seldom come, they wish'd for come. - William Shakespeare
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. - Lao Tzu
I have had a holiday and I'd like to take it up professionally. - Kylie Minogue
A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking. - Earl Wilson
Vacation: Two weeks on the sunny sands - and the rest of the year on the financial rocks. - Sam Ewing
A good holiday is one spent among people whose notion of time are vaguer than yours. - John B. Priestly
Don't skip your vacations and breaks. Spend your breaks meditating, praying or reading. Don't bring your laptop with you on vacation. - Yasmeen Abdur-Rahman
To get away from one's working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change. - Charles Horton Cooley
A holiday gives one a chance to look backward and forward, to reset oneself by an inner compass. - May Sarton
A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in. - Robert Orben
He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left. - Chinese Proverb
A good vacation is over when you begin to yearn for your work. - Morris Fishbein
So, to prevent fatigue and worry, the first rule is: Rest often. Rest before you get tired. - Dale Carnegie
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. - Exodus 31:17
Every man who possibly can, should force himself to a holiday of a full month in a year, whether he feels like taking it or not. - William James
If I were a medical man, I should prescribe a holiday to any patient who considered his work important.
After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all other fellows' busy working. - Kenneth Grahame
Holidays in general breed unrealistic expectations. The minute you start wondering, "Is it going to be wonderful enough?" it never will be. - Pepper Schwartz
If all the year were playing holidays, to sport would be as tedious as to work, but when they seldom come, they wish'd for come. - William Shakespeare
Greatness Of A Coach
Some more odds and ends from my scrap book on "The Greatness Of A Coach".
Make sure that team members know they are working with you, not for you. A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. - John Wooden
My responsibility is leadership, and the minute I get negative that is going to have an influence on my team. - Don Shula
You have no choices about how you lose, but you do have a choice about how you come back and prepare to win again. - Pat Riley
I learn teaching from teachers. I learn golf from golfers. I learn winning from coaches. - Henry Penick
A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are. - Ara Parasheghian
The secret to winning is constant consistent management. - Tom Landry
You get the best efforts from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within. - Bob Nelson
Coaches have to watch for what they do not want to see and tlisten to what they don't want to hear. - John Madden
Overcoaching is the worst thing you can do to a player. - Dean Smith
Probably my best quality as a coach is that I ask a lot of challenging questions and let the person come up with the answers. - Phil Dixon
Leadership, like coaching, is fighting for the hearts and souls of men and getting them to believe in you. You can't coach people unless you love them. - Eddie Robinson
Habits are critical to players. They cannot think and play well at the same time. - Don Meyer
Coaching is nothing more than eliminating mistakes before you get fired. - Lou Holtz
Either love your players or get out of coaching. - Bobby Dodd
Coaches build teams. Parents build players. - Charles Smyth
Coaching does not permit democracy. - Jeff Brown
All coaching is taking a player where he can't take himself. - Bill McCartney
I never see to be amazed at the power of the coaching process... - John Russell
Make sure that team members know they are working with you, not for you. A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. - John Wooden
My responsibility is leadership, and the minute I get negative that is going to have an influence on my team. - Don Shula
You have no choices about how you lose, but you do have a choice about how you come back and prepare to win again. - Pat Riley
I learn teaching from teachers. I learn golf from golfers. I learn winning from coaches. - Henry Penick
A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are. - Ara Parasheghian
The secret to winning is constant consistent management. - Tom Landry
You get the best efforts from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within. - Bob Nelson
Coaches have to watch for what they do not want to see and tlisten to what they don't want to hear. - John Madden
Overcoaching is the worst thing you can do to a player. - Dean Smith
Probably my best quality as a coach is that I ask a lot of challenging questions and let the person come up with the answers. - Phil Dixon
Leadership, like coaching, is fighting for the hearts and souls of men and getting them to believe in you. You can't coach people unless you love them. - Eddie Robinson
Habits are critical to players. They cannot think and play well at the same time. - Don Meyer
Coaching is nothing more than eliminating mistakes before you get fired. - Lou Holtz
Either love your players or get out of coaching. - Bobby Dodd
Coaches build teams. Parents build players. - Charles Smyth
Coaching does not permit democracy. - Jeff Brown
All coaching is taking a player where he can't take himself. - Bill McCartney
I never see to be amazed at the power of the coaching process... - John Russell
The Purpose of Life
Some more odds and ends (quotes) from my scrap book on the Purpose of life.
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
- Edward Everett Hale
Nothing contributes so much to tranquilizing the mind as a steady purpose; a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. - Mary Wollstonecraft
That is happiness; to be dissolved into something completely great - Willa Cather
To forget one's purpose is the commonest form of stupidity - Friedrich Nietzsche
All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why. - James Thurber
I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain and not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy - Og Mandino
You ask: What is the meaning and purpose of life? I can answer with another question: do you think we are wise enough to read God's mind? - Freeman Dyson
Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose - Helen Keller
Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose - not the one you began with perhaps, but one you'll be glad to remember. - Anne Sullivan
Our minds are finite, and yet even in these circumstances of finitude we are surrounded by possibilities that are infinite, and the purpose of life is to grasp as much as we can out of that infinitude. - Alfred North Whitehead
Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose - Ralph Waldo Emerson
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
- Edward Everett Hale
Nothing contributes so much to tranquilizing the mind as a steady purpose; a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. - Mary Wollstonecraft
That is happiness; to be dissolved into something completely great - Willa Cather
To forget one's purpose is the commonest form of stupidity - Friedrich Nietzsche
All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why. - James Thurber
I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain and not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy - Og Mandino
You ask: What is the meaning and purpose of life? I can answer with another question: do you think we are wise enough to read God's mind? - Freeman Dyson
Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose - Helen Keller
Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose - not the one you began with perhaps, but one you'll be glad to remember. - Anne Sullivan
Our minds are finite, and yet even in these circumstances of finitude we are surrounded by possibilities that are infinite, and the purpose of life is to grasp as much as we can out of that infinitude. - Alfred North Whitehead
Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Monday, October 17, 2011
Relationships In Life
There are three important relationships in life.
The first and foremost is your relationship with yourself - Intra-relationship.
The second is your relationship with others - Inter-relationship.
The third and the most important one is your relationship with God - Spiritual Relationship.
The first and foremost is your relationship with yourself - Intra-relationship.
The second is your relationship with others - Inter-relationship.
The third and the most important one is your relationship with God - Spiritual Relationship.
Friendship Or Love
This is a video that was sent to me by my sister. I'm giving the link. Though it is a bit long to watch it is worth watching. Here is the link:
Http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Yfbchq0xQmQ&vq=medium#t=1
Http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Yfbchq0xQmQ&vq=medium#t=1
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Some Thoughts On "Failure"
When your expectation or that of the world do not match we call it a failure. A child beginning to walk falls after every step and then finally masters the art of walking. Would you call the falling a failure? Are you struggling to walk today and did you fall? Falling prepares you to walk miles at a later date.
Which great man has not fallen before he succeeded? Your life is made up of a lot of events, some of them are failures. Failure in a relationship does not make you a failure. Continue to learn, change and keep going. Do not stop. It is only when you stop then it becomes a failure.
Which great man has not fallen before he succeeded? Your life is made up of a lot of events, some of them are failures. Failure in a relationship does not make you a failure. Continue to learn, change and keep going. Do not stop. It is only when you stop then it becomes a failure.
Some Odds And Ends On "Today"
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little at least we didn't get sick, and is we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. - Buddha
I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it. - Groucho Marx
Today is life, the only life you're sure of. Make the most of today.
Get interested in something. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto. - Dale Carnegie
Today's opportunities erase yesterday's failures. - Gene Brown
You had better live your best and act your best and think your best today; for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow. - Harriet Martineau
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalms 118:24
If you're talking about what you did yesterday, you're not doing much today. - James Andrews
Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have. So spend it wisely. Kay Lyons
The beginning is always today. - Mary Shelly
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "Thank you?" - William Arthur Ward
Devote today to something so daring; even you can't believe you're doing it. - Oprah Winfrey
Look to this day.
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your
existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day.
Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!
- Kalidasa
Live today. Yes, live today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Just today. Inhabit your moments. Don't rent them out to tomorrow. do you know what you're doing when you spend a moment wondering how things are going to turn out? You're cheating yourself out of today. Today is calling to you, trying to get your attention, but you're stuck on tomorrow, and today trickles away like water down a drain. You wake the next morning and that today that you wasted is gone forever. It's now yesterday. Some of those moments may have had wonderful things in store for you, but now you'll never know. - Jerry Spinelli
I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it. - Groucho Marx
Today is life, the only life you're sure of. Make the most of today.
Get interested in something. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto. - Dale Carnegie
Today's opportunities erase yesterday's failures. - Gene Brown
You had better live your best and act your best and think your best today; for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow. - Harriet Martineau
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalms 118:24
If you're talking about what you did yesterday, you're not doing much today. - James Andrews
Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have. So spend it wisely. Kay Lyons
The beginning is always today. - Mary Shelly
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "Thank you?" - William Arthur Ward
Devote today to something so daring; even you can't believe you're doing it. - Oprah Winfrey
Look to this day.
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your
existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day.
Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!
- Kalidasa
Live today. Yes, live today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Just today. Inhabit your moments. Don't rent them out to tomorrow. do you know what you're doing when you spend a moment wondering how things are going to turn out? You're cheating yourself out of today. Today is calling to you, trying to get your attention, but you're stuck on tomorrow, and today trickles away like water down a drain. You wake the next morning and that today that you wasted is gone forever. It's now yesterday. Some of those moments may have had wonderful things in store for you, but now you'll never know. - Jerry Spinelli
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Some Quotes On Enthusiasm
Knowledge is power and enthusiasm pulls the switch - Steve Droke
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm - Winston Churchill
The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm - Aldous Huxley
Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is due to the triumph of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the mother of effort. Nothing great was achieved without it - Ralph Waldo Emerson
One man has enthusiasm for 30 minutes, another for 30 days, but it is the man who has it for 30 years who makes a success of his life - Edward B Butler
Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swin in your gait, the grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to ececcute your ideas. You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the yeast the akes your hope rise to the stars. With it, there is accomplishment. Without it there are only alibis - Henry Ford
The great accomplishments of man have resulted from the transmission of enthusiasm - Thomas J Watson
Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no matter how difficult, a new meaning.
without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity, but with it you can accomplish miracles - Og Mandino
Enthusiasm is the sustaining power of all great action - Samuel Smiles
It's faith and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living - Oliver
Wendel Holmes
Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul - Douglas MacArthur
If you are not fired with enthusiasm, u will be fired with enthusiasm - Vince Lombardi
Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier - Susan Rabin
A man can succeed at almost anything fo which he has unlimited enthusiasm -
Charles Schwab
What I do best is share my enthusiasm - Bill Gates
Enthusiasm moves the world - Arthur James Balfour
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm - Winston Churchill
The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm - Aldous Huxley
Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is due to the triumph of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the mother of effort. Nothing great was achieved without it - Ralph Waldo Emerson
One man has enthusiasm for 30 minutes, another for 30 days, but it is the man who has it for 30 years who makes a success of his life - Edward B Butler
Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swin in your gait, the grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to ececcute your ideas. You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the yeast the akes your hope rise to the stars. With it, there is accomplishment. Without it there are only alibis - Henry Ford
The great accomplishments of man have resulted from the transmission of enthusiasm - Thomas J Watson
Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no matter how difficult, a new meaning.
without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity, but with it you can accomplish miracles - Og Mandino
Enthusiasm is the sustaining power of all great action - Samuel Smiles
It's faith and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living - Oliver
Wendel Holmes
Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul - Douglas MacArthur
If you are not fired with enthusiasm, u will be fired with enthusiasm - Vince Lombardi
Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier - Susan Rabin
A man can succeed at almost anything fo which he has unlimited enthusiasm -
Charles Schwab
What I do best is share my enthusiasm - Bill Gates
Enthusiasm moves the world - Arthur James Balfour
Friday, October 14, 2011
Petrol Prices
The price of petrol per gallon in Pakistan is $3.73, in Sri Lanka it is $4.35 whereas in India it is $7.20 (Rs. 74.84). Why is there such a vast difference in such nearby countries? The cost of petrol in India is nearly twice that of the other countries except for a few countries with the exception of Turkey where the price is as high as $10.19.
If you want a comparison of the petrol prices of global countries you can look up the site http://kshitij.com/research/petrol.shtml.
If you want a comparison of the petrol prices of global countries you can look up the site http://kshitij.com/research/petrol.shtml.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Rebuild Afresh
After putting in a lot of time an effort in a job, it is difficult to stop and start all over again.Though a painful job, it is the most appropriate thing to do. In case u decide to go ahead and complete the job with the flaw that u know exists, your conscience will gnaw at you in the future.The effort and time that you have put in hardly counts. The thing that really matters is the result of the effort. In case u realize that the time and effort have been wasted -whether it is a job, a career or a situation in life, it is of no point in carrying on even if the job is nearing completion. It is the time to tear down the whole thing and start afresh.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Some Interesting Oservations
30% of Internet is duplicate - they have either exact content or slightly modified content.
20% of Internet users are from United States.
Asia is showing the greatest percentage growth of Internet traffic. It also has the largest Internet netizens currently.
Highest Internet Penetration is in Australia where it is as much as 50%.
25% of live websites serve adult content.
20% of Internet users are from United States.
Asia is showing the greatest percentage growth of Internet traffic. It also has the largest Internet netizens currently.
Highest Internet Penetration is in Australia where it is as much as 50%.
25% of live websites serve adult content.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Weddings
Attended two weddings. One was the daughter of a family friend and was held at Nagerkoil, practically the southernmost tip of India in the State of Tamil Nadu. The bride was a doctor and so was the bridegroom. I am furnishing a picture of the bride together with her parents and my wife and myself. The parents of the bride are to the right of the bride who is in the middle all decked out in a bridal outfit.
The other was the son of my college mate and was held in Madurai right in the middle of Tamil Nadu. I ran out of battery and so I did not get any pictures.
Both the weddings went of splendidly and I met some of my old colleagues from my days of service in the Department of Irrigation. We had some recollections of the past experiences while in service. All of us have retired.
The other was the son of my college mate and was held in Madurai right in the middle of Tamil Nadu. I ran out of battery and so I did not get any pictures.
Both the weddings went of splendidly and I met some of my old colleagues from my days of service in the Department of Irrigation. We had some recollections of the past experiences while in service. All of us have retired.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Pure Truths
Here is another of the odds and ends that I came up with from my collection.
Pure truth:
Having a wife is part of living.
But having girlfriend along with wife is “Art of Living”.
Holy Spirit
Some people turn to God,
Some turn to alcohol.
Honestly speaking I don’t see any difference,
Both ways, life is being guided by a Spirit.
Head ache
Pharmacist to customer: In order to buy migraine pills, Sir, you need a proper prescription. A picture of your ‘wife’ is just not enough!
Pure truth:
Having a wife is part of living.
But having girlfriend along with wife is “Art of Living”.
Holy Spirit
Some people turn to God,
Some turn to alcohol.
Honestly speaking I don’t see any difference,
Both ways, life is being guided by a Spirit.
Head ache
Pharmacist to customer: In order to buy migraine pills, Sir, you need a proper prescription. A picture of your ‘wife’ is just not enough!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Vasthu
Creating a building or any other structure is based on the existence of five elements, i.e., fire, air, space, water and land then comes sound and time. Energy grids fill all space. The construction of a structure is to be done with an alignment to the energy grids A system of measurements forms the basis of construction which are essentially based on the rhythmic vibrations of time. This is the essence of vasthu.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Nothing To Write
I seem to be having the writer's block and there is nothing special happening in my life for me to write about. All I am doing at home is going through the old novels that I had accumulated, listen to music on iTunes and watch TV. I read a few of P.G. Wodehouse and some short stories by Agatha Christie featuring Poirot. I am sometimes so bored that I just lie down and daydream.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
An Enlightened Man
This is something from the odds and ends that I had collected. I have such a lot of scrap books that I still have to go through.
There was this wise old man who had answers to all life-related questions. He was and enlightened person. A boy wanted to test the old man. He caught hold of a little bird. Holding it in the palm of his hand and with the hand hidden inside his coat, he asked the old man, "I have a bird with me. Is it alive or dead?" The old man smiled and said, "If I tell you, the bird is alive, you will crush the bird and show me a dead one. If I tell you, the bird is alive, you will release the bird and show me it is alive."
Embarrassed, the boy dropped his head and began to walk away. He would have hardly walked a few steps. He heard the voice of the old man, "Mind you my son, in fact, this is the philosophy of life - your life and death are in your own hands."
There was this wise old man who had answers to all life-related questions. He was and enlightened person. A boy wanted to test the old man. He caught hold of a little bird. Holding it in the palm of his hand and with the hand hidden inside his coat, he asked the old man, "I have a bird with me. Is it alive or dead?" The old man smiled and said, "If I tell you, the bird is alive, you will crush the bird and show me a dead one. If I tell you, the bird is alive, you will release the bird and show me it is alive."
Embarrassed, the boy dropped his head and began to walk away. He would have hardly walked a few steps. He heard the voice of the old man, "Mind you my son, in fact, this is the philosophy of life - your life and death are in your own hands."
FOUR THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW YOUR MOBILE PHONE COULD DO
You might find this useful.
One:
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.
Two:
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone.
Three:
Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your mobile will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your mobile next time.
Four:
To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone!: * # 0 6 #, a 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. If your phone gets stolen or lost, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Spider's Web Stronger Than A Brick Wall
During World War II, a soldier was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.
Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.
As he waited, he prayed,“Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen.”
After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, “Well, I guess the Lord isn’t going to help me out of this one.”
Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.
”Hah, he thought, “What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor.”
As the enemy drew closer, he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand.
To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered it for quite a while.
“Lord, forgive me,” prayed the soldier."I had forgotten that for you a spider’s web is stronger than a brick wall.”
Dear friends,So just keep faith in HIM.
Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.
As he waited, he prayed,“Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen.”
After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, “Well, I guess the Lord isn’t going to help me out of this one.”
Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.
”Hah, he thought, “What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor.”
As the enemy drew closer, he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand.
To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered it for quite a while.
“Lord, forgive me,” prayed the soldier."I had forgotten that for you a spider’s web is stronger than a brick wall.”
Dear friends,So just keep faith in HIM.
A Prayer From Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
and to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Actually this is not St. Francis of Assisi's work. It was found written on the observe of a holy card of St. Francis, which was found in a Normal Almanac. The prayer bore no name; but in the English speaking world, on account of this holy card, it came to be called the Peace Prayer of St. Francis.
Reflections Of A Parent
I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but I can't prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral.
I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God's family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but I can't prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral.
I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God's family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Red Ants Eating A Piece Of A Biscuit
This is a picture of red ants eating a piece of biscuit that I shot today.
This is another that I took half an hour later. Nearly a quarter of the biscuit has been eaten up.
This was taken an hour later
Nearly complete within the next quarter of an hour and it is being taken away.
What I Want And What I Need
Here are a few lines penned by Swami Vivekananda:
When I asked God for strength
He gave me difficult situations to face.
When I asked God for brains and brawn
He gave me puzzles to solve.
When I asked God for happiness
He showed me some unhappy people.
When I asked God for wealth
He showed me how to work hard.
When I asked God for favors
He showed my opportunities to work hard.
When I asked God for peace
He showed me how to help others
God gave me nothing I wanted.
He gave me everything I needed.
Growing Or Ageing?
Growing or ageing is not a yearly process, but an everyday one. Putting life into days is growing whereas putting days into life is ageing. Those days when you do not do anything productive are those days when one just ages. But how does one put life into days and keep growing? There are three needs: the physical, the mental, the emotional and the spiritual. The physical one is 'to live'; the mental - 'to learn'; the emotional - to love and be loved and the spiritual is 'to leave a legacy'.
Stop ageing and start growing.
Fulfill:
Your need to 'live' by exercising your body everyday.
Your need to 'learn' by developing the habit of reading inspirational books. Learn a new proficiency every year.
Your need to 'love' by doing small acts and expressions of love. The expression of love is limitless.
Your need to 'leave a legacy' by contributing something positive to this planet. Plant a tree. The possibilities are endless.
Stop ageing and start growing.
Fulfill:
Your need to 'live' by exercising your body everyday.
Your need to 'learn' by developing the habit of reading inspirational books. Learn a new proficiency every year.
Your need to 'love' by doing small acts and expressions of love. The expression of love is limitless.
Your need to 'leave a legacy' by contributing something positive to this planet. Plant a tree. The possibilities are endless.
God's Cup Of Coffee
I am going to share a story I heard about God's cup of coffee.
A group of alumni, highly established in their professions, got together and decided to visit their old university professor. conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in life and work.
Offering his guests, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself does not add quality to the coffee.In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups. And then you began eying each other's cup. Now consider this: Life is the; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes by concentrating on only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."
God brews the coffee, not the cups. Enjoy your coffee!
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
A group of alumni, highly established in their professions, got together and decided to visit their old university professor. conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in life and work.
Offering his guests, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself does not add quality to the coffee.In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups. And then you began eying each other's cup. Now consider this: Life is the; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes by concentrating on only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."
God brews the coffee, not the cups. Enjoy your coffee!
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Desire And Its Fulfillment
Any desire that is entertained and not fulfilled turns out to be a something that is incomplete. And every thing that is incomplete keeps irritating you from inside. A relentless sense of incompleteness is always there. It is a kind of psychological irritation. The desire should be either got rid of or it should be fulfilled. No point in letting it hang. Every incomplete desire drains your energy leaving you fatigued. That is why it is not a lot of work that tires you. It is what remains incomplete that makes you tired.
Mouse
It seems that there was a mouse who was always afraid of the cat. A sage passed by and the mouse told him of his problem. The sage turned the mouse into a cat. Now it was afraid of the dog. So the sage turned it into a dog. Now it was afraid of man. The sage once again turned it into a man. Now it was afraid of God. At this stage the sage got fed up and turned the man back into a mouse saying, "Nothing is going to be of any help to you as in your heart you are still a mouse."
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monk
Another One.
A man is driving down the road and breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?
The monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, and even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound; a
sound like no other that he has ever heard. The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but they say, We can't tell you. You're not a monk.
The man is disappointed but thanks them anyway and goes about his merry way. Some years later, the same man breaks down in front of the same monastery.
The monks again accept him, feed him, and even fix his car.
That night, he hears the same strange mesmerizing sound that he had heard years earlier.
The next morning, he asks what the sound was, but the monks reply, We can't tell you. You're not a monk.
The man says, All right, all right. I'm dying to know. If the only way I can find out what that sound was, is to become a
monk, how do I become a monk?
The monks reply, you must travel the earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact number of sand pebbles. When you find these numbers, you will become a monk.
The man sets about his task. Some forty-five years later, he returns and knocks on the door of the monastery. He says, I have traveled the earth and devoted my life to the task demanded and have found what you had asked for. There are 71,145,236,284,232 blades of grass and 231,281,219,999,129,382 sand pebbles on the earth.
The monks reply, Congratulations, you are correct and now you are a monk. We shall now show you the way to the sound.
The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, the sound is behind that door.
The man reaches for the knob, but the door is locked. He asks, May I have the key? The monks give him the key, and he opens the door. Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone. The man requests the key to the stone door. The monks give him the key, and he opens it, only to find a door made
of ruby. He demands another key from the monks, who provide it. Behind that door is another door, this one made of sapphire. And so it went until the man had gone through doors of emerald, silver, topaz, and amethyst.
Finally, the monks say, This is the key to the last door. The man is relieved to no end. He unlocks the door, turns the knob,
and behind that door he is astonished to find the source of that
strange sound. It is truly an amazing and unbelievable sight but I can't tell you what it is because you're not a monk.
DON'T SWEAR AT ME; I'M STILL HUNTING FOR THE IDIOT WHO SENT THIS TO ME!
A man is driving down the road and breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?
The monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, and even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound; a
sound like no other that he has ever heard. The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but they say, We can't tell you. You're not a monk.
The man is disappointed but thanks them anyway and goes about his merry way. Some years later, the same man breaks down in front of the same monastery.
The monks again accept him, feed him, and even fix his car.
That night, he hears the same strange mesmerizing sound that he had heard years earlier.
The next morning, he asks what the sound was, but the monks reply, We can't tell you. You're not a monk.
The man says, All right, all right. I'm dying to know. If the only way I can find out what that sound was, is to become a
monk, how do I become a monk?
The monks reply, you must travel the earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact number of sand pebbles. When you find these numbers, you will become a monk.
The man sets about his task. Some forty-five years later, he returns and knocks on the door of the monastery. He says, I have traveled the earth and devoted my life to the task demanded and have found what you had asked for. There are 71,145,236,284,232 blades of grass and 231,281,219,999,129,382 sand pebbles on the earth.
The monks reply, Congratulations, you are correct and now you are a monk. We shall now show you the way to the sound.
The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, the sound is behind that door.
The man reaches for the knob, but the door is locked. He asks, May I have the key? The monks give him the key, and he opens the door. Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone. The man requests the key to the stone door. The monks give him the key, and he opens it, only to find a door made
of ruby. He demands another key from the monks, who provide it. Behind that door is another door, this one made of sapphire. And so it went until the man had gone through doors of emerald, silver, topaz, and amethyst.
Finally, the monks say, This is the key to the last door. The man is relieved to no end. He unlocks the door, turns the knob,
and behind that door he is astonished to find the source of that
strange sound. It is truly an amazing and unbelievable sight but I can't tell you what it is because you're not a monk.
DON'T SWEAR AT ME; I'M STILL HUNTING FOR THE IDIOT WHO SENT THIS TO ME!
Learn Chinese In Five Minutes
Here is another one from my collection of odds and ends.
That's not right...
Sum Ting Wong
Are you harboring a fugitive?...
Hu Yu Hai Ding?
See me ASAP...
Kum Hia Nao
Stupid Man...
Dum Gai
Small Horse...
Tai Ni Po Ni
Did you go to the beach?...
Wai Yu So Tan?
I bumped into a coffee table...
Ai Bang Mai Ni
I think you need a face lift...
Chin Tu Fat
It's very dark in here...
Wai So Dim?
I thought you were on a diet...
Wai Yu Mun Ching?
This is a tow away zone...
No Pah King
Our meeting is scheduled for next week...
Wai Yu Kum Nao?
Staying out of sight...
Lei Ying Lo
He's cleaning his automobile...
Wa Shing Ka
Your body odor is offensive...
Yu Stin Ki Pu
That's not right...
Sum Ting Wong
Are you harboring a fugitive?...
Hu Yu Hai Ding?
See me ASAP...
Kum Hia Nao
Stupid Man...
Dum Gai
Small Horse...
Tai Ni Po Ni
Did you go to the beach?...
Wai Yu So Tan?
I bumped into a coffee table...
Ai Bang Mai Ni
I think you need a face lift...
Chin Tu Fat
It's very dark in here...
Wai So Dim?
I thought you were on a diet...
Wai Yu Mun Ching?
This is a tow away zone...
No Pah King
Our meeting is scheduled for next week...
Wai Yu Kum Nao?
Staying out of sight...
Lei Ying Lo
He's cleaning his automobile...
Wa Shing Ka
Your body odor is offensive...
Yu Stin Ki Pu
Fun Puns
Here is one more of the odds and ends that I had collected.
A man’s home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.
A pessimist’s blood group is always B-negative.
My wife really likes to make pottery, but to me its klin time.
Practice safe eating - always use condiments.
Short gun wedding : A case of wife or death.
I used to work for a blanket factory , but it folded up.
If electricity comes from electrons, does that mean that morality comes from morons.
A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy.
Marriage is the mourning after the knot before.
A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
Corduroy pillows are making headlines.
Dancing cheek to cheek is really a form of floorplay .
Banning the bra was a big flop.
Does the name Pavlov ring a bell.
A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumor.
Without geometry , life is pointless.
Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.
Reading whilst sunbathing makes you well-red.
When you dream in color; it’s a pigment of your imagination.
A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.
When two egotist meet , its an I for an I.
A man’s home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.
A pessimist’s blood group is always B-negative.
My wife really likes to make pottery, but to me its klin time.
Practice safe eating - always use condiments.
Short gun wedding : A case of wife or death.
I used to work for a blanket factory , but it folded up.
If electricity comes from electrons, does that mean that morality comes from morons.
A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy.
Marriage is the mourning after the knot before.
A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
Corduroy pillows are making headlines.
Dancing cheek to cheek is really a form of floorplay .
Banning the bra was a big flop.
Does the name Pavlov ring a bell.
A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumor.
Without geometry , life is pointless.
Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.
Reading whilst sunbathing makes you well-red.
When you dream in color; it’s a pigment of your imagination.
A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.
When two egotist meet , its an I for an I.
Why Grow Corn On The Ear?
Here's another one.
Where can a man buy a cap for his knee?
Or a key for a lock of his hair?
Can your eyes be called an academy?
Because there are pupils there?
In the crown of your head what jewels are found?
Who crosses the bridge of your nose?
Could you use in shingling the roof of your mouth?
The nails on the end of your toes?
Could the crook in your elbow be sent to jail?
How can you sharpen your shoulder blades?
Could you sit in the shade of the palm of your hand?
Or beat the drum of your ear?
Does the calf of your leg eat the corn on your toe?
Then why grow corn on the ear?
Where can a man buy a cap for his knee?
Or a key for a lock of his hair?
Can your eyes be called an academy?
Because there are pupils there?
In the crown of your head what jewels are found?
Who crosses the bridge of your nose?
Could you use in shingling the roof of your mouth?
The nails on the end of your toes?
Could the crook in your elbow be sent to jail?
How can you sharpen your shoulder blades?
Could you sit in the shade of the palm of your hand?
Or beat the drum of your ear?
Does the calf of your leg eat the corn on your toe?
Then why grow corn on the ear?
An Athiests Holiday
Of the odds and ends that I had collected I came across this one.
In Florida, USA, an Atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that Atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a Judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the Lawyer, The Judge banged his gavel declaring, “Case dismissed!"
The Lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, How can you be possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kip Pur and Hanukkah, But my client and all other Atheists have no such holidays."
The Judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists." The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April fool’s Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'the fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says,There is no God, and then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.."
You got to love this Judge, who knows his scriptures.
In Florida, USA, an Atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that Atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a Judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the Lawyer, The Judge banged his gavel declaring, “Case dismissed!"
The Lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, How can you be possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kip Pur and Hanukkah, But my client and all other Atheists have no such holidays."
The Judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists." The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April fool’s Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'the fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says,There is no God, and then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.."
You got to love this Judge, who knows his scriptures.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tsunami In Japan
The tsunami that hit Japan is really shocking. The fury of nature knows no bounds. And it all our doing. Global warming and whatever calamity it is all our doing.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Another One More Wedding
There was another wedding yesterday. this time it was my first cousin's daughter's wedding. It went off well but I didn't get to see most of my relatives because they were conspicuous in their absence and my cousin was not forthcoming about the reasons.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Dreams
I dream a lot but almost always forget what I dream about but this one keeps recurring. It seems that I have to sit for an exam and I do not have the necessary text books for preparing for the exam. I keep searching for the books, especially on mathematics and history. I search everywhere but I can't find them. I don't know why I have this dream because I am way past the age for writing exams.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Meditation
The Bible says, "Be still, and know that I am God".
It is estimated by psychologists that we have some 60,000 thoughts each day and of these about 95% of them are repeated every day. And these thoughts, on the physical level consume a lot of energy. Just by maintaining silence for a few minutes the amount of energy spent can be reduced by a large amount and the number of thoughts also get reduced.
When we reduce the amount of thoughts, we will be able to hold other thoughts a little longer and when you hold the little thoughts that come into your mind a little longer they become powerful. The thoughts become so powerful that "when a thought is released from the seat of silence, a mere wish becomes a command to the universe."
During meditation we sit still and remain silent and that is why meditation is so potent. The best thing about meditation is that it transfers the higher vibration to you. Even if you do not know the techniques of meditation, just sit, remain silent and listen. You do not even have to listen. Just remain quiet, solitary and still.
It is estimated by psychologists that we have some 60,000 thoughts each day and of these about 95% of them are repeated every day. And these thoughts, on the physical level consume a lot of energy. Just by maintaining silence for a few minutes the amount of energy spent can be reduced by a large amount and the number of thoughts also get reduced.
When we reduce the amount of thoughts, we will be able to hold other thoughts a little longer and when you hold the little thoughts that come into your mind a little longer they become powerful. The thoughts become so powerful that "when a thought is released from the seat of silence, a mere wish becomes a command to the universe."
During meditation we sit still and remain silent and that is why meditation is so potent. The best thing about meditation is that it transfers the higher vibration to you. Even if you do not know the techniques of meditation, just sit, remain silent and listen. You do not even have to listen. Just remain quiet, solitary and still.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Another Wedding
There was another wedding that I attended on the 16th. This is a video I shot during the wedding. It shows a set of drummers and cymbalists playing at the entrance of the venue where the wedding was taking place. This is not a practice that is followed all over Tamil Nadu, at least, I've not seen such a performance anywhere else. The beauty of the thing is that these people were playing these instruments non-stop for hours together.
Here is another clip of the same drummers
Here is a clip of the music that was played inside the venue of the wedding. The Indian flute is called the Nadeswaram and the drums are known as Thavils.
Here is another clip of the same drummers
Here is a clip of the music that was played inside the venue of the wedding. The Indian flute is called the Nadeswaram and the drums are known as Thavils.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
125th Aniversary Celebrations Of A School
The school next door to my home called "All Saints Middle School" celebrated its 125th. anniversary yesterday the 12th. February 2011. The school was previously known as the Saint John's Vernacular School and was established in 1885 by the Danish Missionaries and was handed over, in 1946, to the late Mr. S. D. Rajendram who was an educationist and a strict disciplinarian. On his passing away in it was taken over by his daughter, the late Mrs. Grace Ponniah (1962 to 1981) and subsequently by his son, the late Mr. R. Ambrose Navamani (1981 to 2000). The school is now being run by the granddaughter of the late Mr. S.D. Rajendram and the daughter of Mr. R. Ambrose Navamani, Mrs. Rosette Jegajothi Selvakumar. The school was renamed as "All Saints Middle School" in 1946.
The vision of the school is to "Educate Everybody",
The mission of the school is to "Impart Education To The Unreached" and
The aim of the school is "Illamyil Kal" which means "Education At An Young Age".
The school was staffed by teams of teachers who were very dedicated, strict disciplinarians, following the foot step of the founder, and they passed on their legacy to the teachers who followed them and is now also staffed by dedicated and strict disciplinarians. The school has standards from the 1st. to the 8th. and a strength of some 200 students mostly drawn from the lower socio-economic group of people, but they are also well dedicated in their studies.
The school starts at 08:50 a.m with the singing of a prayer song, a recitation of a couplet known as the "Thirukural", a song called "Tamil Thai Vazhthu" - a song in praise of the State of Tamil Nadu where the school is situated, a recitation of a memorized verse from the bible and with a prayer by one of the teachers. The couplet known as "Thirukural" was written by a sage named Thiruvalluvar and they are very elaborate in just two lines and the children are taught the meaning of the couplet by the teachers and they are supposed to recite it from memory during the assembly. The Thirukural deserves a blog on its own..
After the arrival of the Chief Guest, Mrs. Girija Vaidyanathan an Indian Administrative Office and other invited dignitaries, the function started of by a prayer by the pastor and the singing of the "Tamil Thai Vazhthu" sung by one of the students.
The Chief Guest And Other Dignitaries On The Dias
A picture of the girl singing the song is shown below.
This was followed by the presentation of bouquets to the invited dignitaries like the chief guest etc.
This was followed by a dance by small children carrying the letters
"W E L C O M E"
hanging around their necks.
This was followed by local indigenous dances by some girls.
Then there was a skit by some boys arguing about the value of each number - the number one claiming that he was the biggest number and the best as he stood first and so on with number claiming the he was the best because he had the greatest value. The number zero just laughed and kept quiet. So a teacher was called to settle the claim to which she called number one and asked him what value he was? He replied that his value was one and so the teacher called the number zero to stand beside number one, the value was immediately increased to ten. She did so with a few other number ending up with nine and repeated the same procedure. Each time that the number zero joined one of the single numbers the value of the number went up. So the teacher settled the question as to which number had the biggest value by stating that it is zero.
This was followed by another dance by some girls holding umbrellas.
Then came the speech by the Chief Guest followed by the presentation of a memento to the Chief Guest and then prizes to the student who had excelled in various activities by the Chief Guest.
Mementos were presented to the old school teachers who had retired and to the teachers still serving.
A picture of the Chief Guest with the retired teachers of the school.
The function came to a close with the singing of the National Anthem followed by a sumptuous dinner. Of course all of the dances and activities of the students was interspersed with speeches by the various dignitaries with the presentation of mementos to them.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Silent Indian National Anthem
The Indian National Anthem sung by deaf and dumb school children. I don't know which school it is but I do know that it is touching and I wish a lot of others had the same patriotism that these children have.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wedding
The boy living in the house opposite to mine is getting married the day after tomorrow at Raichur in the State of Karnataka. They are leaving for Raichur tomorrow and before that they went to a Jain temple nearby today. The boy rides a horse up to the temple. Here are some pictures taken before the boy left for the temple taken in front of his home.
The Horse The Boy Is Going To Ride
Some Small Boys Who Had Come To Watch
The Band Playing Music
The Horse Decked Out In Fineries
The Bridegroom Coming Out Of His Home
The Bridegroom Mounted On The Horse
A Tray Of Kukumum (A Red Powder) Etc. That Will Be Put As A Spot On The Bridegrooms Forehead By His Women Relatives As A Blessing
The Horse Being Fed With Corn Cobs Provided By The Bridegroom's Family
After the blessing ritual is over the bridegroom will ride over to the temple and then return to his home. Tomorrow they will leave for Raichur where the wedding will take place. Later on on the 25th. there will be a reception for the bride and the bridegroom at Chennai in the State of Tamil Nadu, the birth place of the bridegroom. And that will be the end of the celebrations.
NASA Proves The Bible
For all the scientists out there, and for all the students who have a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible, here's something that shows God's awesome creation, and that He is still in control.
Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been called "myth" in the Bible is true? Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, Maryland, and a consultant in the space program, relates the following development. "I think one of the most amazing things that God has one for us today happened recently to our Astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland. They were checking out where the positions of the sun,moon,and planets would be 100 years and 1,000 years from now. We have to know this so we won't send up a satellite and have it bump into something later on in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down.
They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries, and it came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant that there was something wrong with either the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out, and they said, 'What's wrong?' Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed time. They scratched their heads and tore their hair out. There was no answer.
Finally a Christian man on the team said,'You know, one time I was in Sunday School, and they talked about the sun standing still.' While they didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said, 'Show us, 'He got a Bible and went to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense. There they found the Lord saying to Joshua, 'Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before Thee. Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy! And if darkness fell, they would overpower them. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right... 'The sun stood still and the moon stayed and lasted not to go down about a whole day!' (Joshua 10:12-13). The astronauts and scientists said, There is the missing day! They checked the computers going back into The time it was written and found it was close but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes; not a whole day. They read the Bible, and there it was about [approximately] a day.
These little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble because if you cannot account for 40 minutes, you'll still be in trouble 1000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS.The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story: Hezekiah, on his death bed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said 'Do you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?' Hezekiah said, 'It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let the shadow return backward 10 degrees.' Isaiah spoke to the Lord, and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD! Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes!"
Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second Kings make the missing day in the universe! Isn't it amazing?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Animal Oddities Etc.
Go to the site (http://www.animal.discovery.com/), type "creature countdowns" without the quotes in the search slot and then click on "Creature Countdowns : The A-List : Animal Planet" (this is usually the first in the list of pages that appears) and read and view some rare information and pictures of top ten features.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Don't Kill Our Children
There was a news report in the Hindu (India) where, during the course of a hearing regarding police encounter deaths, the learned judges were reported to have asked that the children of India should not be killed. But we are already, not literally but practically, killing our children. There is pollution everywhere - pollution of the atmosphere, the water and noise pollution etc. At least that is what the children of the major cities are being subjected to. And that is what is harming them. The forests are being denuded and no re-afforestation is being carried out resulting in climate changes causing floods and droughts, extreme heat and chill weather. We are not exactly killing our children but we are slowly but surely destroying their legacy.
The kind of earth that future generations are going to inherit, the way things are going on, makes one shudder - and a majority of us are not bothered about it.
The kind of earth that future generations are going to inherit, the way things are going on, makes one shudder - and a majority of us are not bothered about it.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Puzzle
Two Grandmothers with their two granddaughters;
Two Husbands with their two wives;
Two Fathers with their two sons;
Two Mothers with their two daughters;
Two Maidens with their two mothers;
Two sisters with their two brothers;
Yet only six in all lie buried here;
All legitimate born, from incest clear.
How can this be?
The answer to this is given in the next blog.
The answer to this is given in the next blog.
Answer To A Puzzle
Answer: There are two women each having a son. One woman marries the other woman’s son and so also the other woman. Both the couples have a daughter each. All the above relationships can be derived.
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