ಬದುಕು........ಒಂದಷ್ಟು ಹರಟೆ..............2

ಬದುಕು........ಒಂದಷ್ಟು  ಹರಟೆ..............2
When I am happy, I see the happiness in others. When I am depressed, I notice that people's eyes look sad. 
When I am weary, I see the world as boring and unattractive.

-SteveChan                                                                                                                                                            ಈ ಬದುಕನ್ನು  ಒಂದು ರೀತಿಯ ರಹಸ್ಯ, ವಿಚಿತ್ರ, ಸುಂದರ, ಅಸಹನೀಯ, ನಿರೀಕ್ಷೆ, ಇತ್ಯಾದಿಯಾಗಿ ಹಲವಾರ ವಿಚಾರವಂತರು ತಮ್ಮ ವಿಚಾರಗಳನ್ನು ಧಾಖಲಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರೂ ಬದುಕನ್ನ ತಮ್ಮ ತಮ್ಮ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ತಕ್ಕಂತೆ ಅರ್ಥಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಬದುಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಸುಖ, ದುಃಖ, ನೋವು, ನಲಿವು, ಪ್ರೀತಿ, ದ್ವೇಷ, ರೋಗ,ಬಡತನ, ಸಿರಿತನ, ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ಮಜಲುಗಳ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಬದುಕು ಸವೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಬದುಕು ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಥಪೂರ್ಣವೆನಿಸಿದರೆ ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಥಹೀನ. ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ಸುಂದರ ಮತ್ತೆ ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ನಿರಾಶೆ.    "ಏಕೆ ಹೀಗೆ? ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ಬದುಕು ಎಂದರೆ ನಿಜವಾದ ಅರ್ಥದಲ್ಲಿ ಏನು?" ಎಂಬ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಯುವಕನೊಬ್ಬನ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿತು. ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಯೋಚಿಸಿದ,ಸರಿಯಾದ  ಉತ್ತರ ಸಿಗಲಿಲ್ಲ.

                      ತನ್ನ ಸುತ್ತಲ ಪ್ರಪಂಚ ನೋಡುತ್ತಾ ಹೊರಟ.  ಎಲ್ಲರು ಬದುಕು ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿರುವವರೇ, ಯಾರನ್ನು ಕೇಳುವುದು? ದಾರಿ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವಕ ಯುವತಿಯರ ತಂಡವನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ವಿಚಾರಿಸಿದ. " ಅಯ್ಯೋ , ಈಗಲೇ ಬದುಕಿನ ಚಿಂತೆ ಏಕೆ? ಮೊದಲು ಖುಷಿಯಾಗಿ ಬದುಕೋಣ."ಎಂದು ಮುಂದೆ ಸಾಗಿದರು. ನಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಬ್ಬ ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾನಿಲಯದ ಪ್ರಾದ್ಯಾಪಕರನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಬದುಕಿನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವಿಚಾರಿಸಿದ. ಅವರು " ಈ ವರಗೆ ಬದುಕು ಹೀಗೆ ನಿರ್ಧಿಷ್ಟ  ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುವ ಯಾವ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ನಾನು  ಓದಿಲ್ಲ. ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತೇನೆ, ಸಿಕ್ಕರೆ ನಿನಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ." ಎಂದು ಜಾರಿಕೊಂಡ.

                      ಏನಿದು? ಬದುಕಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಥವೇ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲದೇ ನಾವೆಲ್ಲಾ ಬದುಕುತ್ತೀದ್ದೆವೆಯೇ?  ಎಂದು ಯುವಕ ಚಿಂತೆಗೆ ಒಳಗಾದ. ನಿರಾಶನಾಗದೆ ಮಧ್ಯ ವಯಸ್ಕ ಸಂಸಾರಸ್ತನಲ್ಲಿ  ಬದುಕಿನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕೇಳಿದ. " ನಾನು ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಅರ್ಧ ಜೀವನ ಸವೆಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ, ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಇನ್ನು ಇದೆ. ನನ್ನದಾಗಿ ಒಂದು ಮನೆ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಸಂಸಾರದ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಯೆಲ್ಲ ಮುಗಿದಮೇಲೆ ಬದುಕಿನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಚಿಂತಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ " ಎಂಬ ಉತ್ತರ ಬಂತು. ಕೊಂಚ ನಿರಾಶನಾದರು ಬದುಕಿನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳಿಯುವ ಕುತೂಹಲ ಜಾಸ್ತಿ ಇತ್ತು. ನಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ತನಗೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ವಯೋವ್ರುದ್ದ ,ಸಂಗೀತಗಾರ , ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿ ಹೀಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲರಲ್ಲೂ ವಿಚಾರಿಸಿದ. ಯಾರಿಂದಲೂ ಸಮರ್ಪಕ ಉತ್ತರ ಸಿಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. 

                     ಬೇಸರವಾಯಿತು, ನಿರ್ಜನ ಪ್ರದೇಶಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಗಿಡ ಮರ, ಹರಿಯುವ ನೀರು, ಹಸಿರು ನೆಲ, ಬೆಟ್ಟ ,ನೀಲಿ ಆಕಾಶ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ ಮೇಲೆ   ಮನಸ್ಸು ಶಾಂತವಾಯಿತು. ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯದ ನಂತರದ, ಹತ್ತಿರದಲ್ಲೇ ದ್ಯಾನಸಕ್ತನಾಗಿದ್ದ ಒಬ್ಬ ವಯೋವ್ರುದ್ದ  ಸನ್ಯಾಸಿಯಲ್ಲಿ  ಹೋಗಿ ಬದುಕಿನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿದ. ಸನ್ಯಾಸಿ ನಸುನಗುತ್ತ, " ಬದುಕು ಎಂದರೆ ಸವಿಜೇನು, ಬದುಕು ಎಂದರೆ ಸದಾಕಾಲ ಹರಿವ ನೀರು; ಬದುಕು ಎಂಬುದು ಸುಂದರ ಸಂಗೀತ; ಬದುಕು ಎಂದರೆ ಸುಂದರ,ಪರಮ ಪ್ರೇಮ ಹಾಗು ಭಕ್ತಿ. ಇದನ್ನು ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡಿಕೊ, ಬದುಕಿನ ಅರ್ಥ ತಿಳಿಯುತ್ತದೆ. ನಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿನಗೆ ಅನುಭವವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ." ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ. ನಮ್ಮ ಯುವಕನಿಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಅರ್ಥವಾಗದ್ದಿದ್ದರು ಸಮಾಧಾನವಾಯಿತು. ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸಿ ಹೊರಟ.  

                     ಹೌದು, ಬದುಕು ಎನ್ನುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಇಂಥದೇ ಅರ್ಥ ಎನ್ನುವ ಯಾವ ನಿರ್ಧಿಷ್ಟ ಉತ್ತರ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಬದುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲವು ಅನಿವಾರ್ಯಗಳೇ! ಯಾವುದರಿಂದಲೂ ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಎದುರಿಸುವ ಎದೆಗಾರಿಕೆ ತೋರಿದಲ್ಲಿ ಬದುಕು ಸಹ್ಯವೆನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ.ನಾವು ಹೇಗೆ ಭಾವಿಸುತ್ತೇವೋ ಹಾಗೆ ನಮಗೆ ಬದುಕು ಕಾಣುತ್ತದೆ. ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಬಣ್ಣದ ಕನ್ನಡಕ ಹಾಕಿಕೊಂಡಂತೆ. ಯಾವ ಬಣ್ಣದ್ದು ಎಂಬುವುದರ ಮೇಲೆ ಬದುಕಿನ ಬಣ್ಣ ನಿರ್ಭರವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ  ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಬದುಕು ತೋರುತ್ತದೆ. ಈ ಮೇಲಿನ ಉದಾಹರಣೆಗಳು ಇದನ್ನೇ ಹೇಳುತ್ತವೆ. ಬದುಕಿನ ಅರ್ಥ ಹುಡುಕುವ ಬದಲಿಗೆ, ಬದುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಗಿರಬೇಕೆನ್ನುವ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಚಿಂತಿಸಿ  ಬಾಳುವೆ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ  ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಉಪಯುಕ್ತ. ಕನ್ನಡಿಯನ್ನು ಒರಸಿ ಶುಚಿಮಾಡಿದಂತೆ, ಮನ- ಮನೆಯ ಒಳಗೂ ಹೊರಗು ನಿತ್ಯ ಗುಡಿಸಿ ಕಸ ತೆಗೆದರೆ, ಬಾಳುವೆ ಮಾಡುವ ಬದುಕು ಹೊಸತಾಗಿ ಕಾಣಲು ಸಹಕಾರಿ. ಆಗ ಬದುಕು ಅಮೂಲ್ಯ ಎನಿಸಬಹುದು, ಸಾರ್ಥಕ ಎನಿಸಬಹುದು, ಶಾಂತೆನಿಸಬಹುದು. 

                     ನೀವೇನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತೀರಾ?.................

LET US BE THANKFUL

LET US BE THANKFUL

Be thankful for what you have.

Be creative. Be innovative.

Think differently and positively.

Invite the people towards good with wisdom.
Live life with no excuse and love with no regrets.
When Life gives you 100 reasons to cry,

Show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.
Face your past without regret.
Handle your present with confidence.
Prepare for the future without fear.
Keep the faith and drop the fear.
Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs.
Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve.
Life is wonderful if you know how to live.


Each day is as special as you want it to
be.........MAKE IT GREAT

THIS IS LIFE

 THIS IS LIFE

             

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983.
From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"?
To this Arthur Ashe replied:
"The world over -- 50 million  children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis,
500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the  grand slam,
50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals,
when I was holding a cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?'.
And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?' "

"Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrow keeps you Human,
Failure keeps you humble and Success keeps you glowing,

but only Faith & Attitude keeps you going.

ಭಾವನೆಗಳು ............ಒಂದಷ್ಟು ಹರಟೆ..........1

            

 ಭಾವನೆಗಳು ............ಒಂದಷ್ಟು ಹರಟೆ..........1

                  ಶಂಕರರು  ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ  "ಜಗತ್ತು  ಮಾಯೆ , ಇಲ್ಲಿ  ಯಾವುದು ಶಾಶ್ವತವಲ್ಲ. ಪ್ರಪಂಚಿಕವಾದುದನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು           ಸತ್ಯದೆಡೆಗೆ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಆಗ ಜೀವನದ ಪರಮಗುರಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕಬಹುದು.ಇದು ಜೀವನದ ಸಾರ್ಥಕತೆ." ಈ ಸತ್ಯವನ್ನೇ ಶಂಕರರು "ಅಹಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಸ್ಮಿ" ಎಂದು ಕರೆದರು. ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕ ಹಾಗು ನಿರಂತರ ಆದರೆ 'ಅಹಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಸ್ಮಿ' ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಎಲ್ಲರು ಸಾಧಿಸಬಹುದು ಎಂದು ತಮ್ಮ ಭಜ ಗೋವಿಂದಂ ಪದ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾರಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಶುಷ್ಕವಾದ ವೇದಾನ್ತದಿಂದ ಬದುಕನ್ನು ವ್ಯರ್ಥ ಮಾಡದೆ ಸತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಅರ್ಥಮಾಡಿ ನಡೆಯಿರಿ  ಎಂದು ಸಾರಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

                   "ಆಸೆಯಿಂದ ದುಃಖ ಜನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ, ಆಸೆರಹಿತವಾದ ಜೀವನ ಮೋಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ದಾರಿತೊರಿಸುತ್ತದೆ" ಎಂಬುದು ಬುದ್ದನ ವಾದ. "ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಹಿಂಸೆಯನ್ನು ಮಾಡದೆ ಬದುಕು ನಡೆಸುವುದೇ ಪರಮ ಧರ್ಮ,ಇದು ಮೋಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಸರಿಯಾದ ಮಾರ್ಗ" ಎಂಬುದು ಜೈನ ಸಿದ್ದಾಂತ. ಇನ್ನು ಹಲವಾರು ಭಕ್ತಿ ಮಾರ್ಗಗಳು  ಭಕ್ತನಿಗೆ, ವ್ಯೆರಾಗ್ಯದ ಮಾರ್ಗ ವಿರಾಗಿಗೆ ಸರಿಯೆನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ವಿಪರೀತವಾಗಿ ಉಮರ್ ಖಯಾಮನು "ನಾಳೆಗಾಗಿ ಚಿಂತಿಸುವುದು ಮೂರ್ಖತನ, ನಾಳೆ ಬರುವಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು ಮುಗಿದಿರುತ್ತದೆ,ಜೊತೆಗೆ ನಿನ್ನೆಯ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಇಂದು ಕೂಡ ಸೇರಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ನಾವು ಮಾತ್ರ ಹಾಗೆ ಇರುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಸತ್ಯ ಅಸತ್ಯ ಎಂದೆಲ್ಲ ತಲೆ ಕೆಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದರ ಬದಲು ಇಂದು ನಮ್ಮ ಬಳಿಯೇನು ಇರುತ್ತದೋ ಅದನ್ನು ಆರಾಮವಾಗಿ ಅನುಭವಿಸಬೇಕು. ಜೀವನದ ಸಮಸ್ತ ಅನುಭವಗಳು ಈ ಬದುಕಿಗೆ, ಈ ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿರುವ ಕಾರಣ, ಇದನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಬದುಕುವುದು ಹಾಸ್ಯಾಸ್ಪದ." ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾನೆ.

               ಹೀಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರೂ ಕೂಡ ತಮ್ಮ ತಮ್ಮ ಅನುಭವಗಳೇ ಸರಿ ಎಂದು ನಂಬಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆನೆಯನ್ನು ಕುರುಡ ನೋಡಿದಂತೆ. ತಾನು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೇ ಸತ್ಯ ಎಂದು ವಾದಿಸುವುದು ಕೂಡಾ ಲೋಕದ ರೂಡಿ . ಹೀಗಾಗಿ  ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರೂ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಭಿನ್ನ ಭಿನ್ನ ವಾಗಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕಾಶಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಗಂಗಾ ಸ್ನಾನಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಸ್ವರ್ಗ ಎಂದು ಕೆಲವರು ಭಾವಿಸಿದರೆ, ಶುದ್ದವಾದ ನೀರಿನಿಂದ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಿದರು ಸ್ವರ್ಗವೇ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬರು. ಸ್ನಾನವೆಂಬುದು ದೈಹಿಕ ಆಚರಣೆಯೇ ಹೊರತು ಇದಕ್ಕೇನು ಮಹತ್ವ ಇಲ್ಲ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಕೆಲವರು, ದೇಹ ಶುದ್ದ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಮನಸ್ಸೇ ಶುದ್ದ ಇಲ್ಲದ್ದಿದ್ದರೆ ಏನು ಬಂತು? ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಹೀಗೆ ಭಾವನೆಗಳು ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರಲ್ಲೂ ಬೇರೆಯೇ ಆಗಿದೆ. ಇದೆ ರೀತಿ ಪೂಜೆ ಪುನಸ್ಕಾರಗಳಲ್ಲು ಅವರವರದೇ ಆದ  ವಿಭಿನ್ನ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯಗಳು ಇವೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದು ತಪ್ಪು, ಯಾವುದು ಸರಿ ಎಂಬ ವಾದಕ್ಕಿಂತ ನಮಗೇನು ಸರಿ ಎಂಬುವುದೇ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ.

                 ನಮ್ಮನಮ್ಮ ಭಾವನೆಗಳು, ನಮ್ಮ ನಂಬಿಕೆಗಳು, ಆಚಾರ ವಿಚಾರಗಳು ಯಾರಿಗೂ ನೋಯಿಸದೆ ಯಾರ ವ್ಯಯಕ್ತಿಕ ವಿಶ್ವಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ಧಕ್ಕೆ ಉಂಟುಮಾಡದೆ ಇದ್ದರೆ ನೆಮ್ಮದಿಯ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕೆ ಒಂದು ದಿಕ್ಕು ಸಿಗುತ್ತದೆ . ಬೇಡದ ವಿಚಾರಕ್ಕೆ ತಲೆ ಕೆಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದರ ಬದಲಿಗೆ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ನಾವು ಸರಿ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದರೆ ನಮ್ಮಿಂದ ಯಾರಿಗೂ ತೊಂದರೆಯಂತೂ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಸಹಾಯ ಆಗದಿದ್ದರೂ ಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ.

                         ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ನೀವೇನು ಅಂತೀರಾ?.................

HONESTY REAP TRUST

A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you." The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come
back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO".

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story.

She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their
plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure. Six months went by - still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing.
Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept
watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim m felt sick at his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were
beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!" All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows
I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed- Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive!  His name is Jim!". Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.  How could he be the new CEO the others said?

Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today.

But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.

When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!"

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.

If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.

If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.

If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment.

If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.

If you plant hard work, you will reap success.

If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later    

1 Attached files| 13KB

Winning Mantra from the Mahabharata

ONE BEDROOM FLAT... - 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 USA , it was 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 have only 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 through all 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 anymore 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 visiting India was a distant
dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message 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 wondered 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 question still
remains 'was all this worth it?'


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

WHAT DO YOU SAY? CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST HIM TO GET ANSWER? KINDLY HELP BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS.

                 ಮೌನ
                     ಮಾತು ಬೆಳ್ಳಿ ಮೌನ ಬಂಗಾರ
                     ಮಾತು ನೂರ ಹೇಳಿದರೆ
                     ಮೌನ ಸಾವಿರ ಚಿಂತಿಸಿತು.

                     ಮಾತು ಮಾತು ಮಾತಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗಿ
                     ನನ್ನ ಮಾತು ಕೊನೆಗೊಂದು ದಿನ
                     ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಬೇಡವೆನಿಸಲು
                     ಅಂದು ಮೌನದಲಿ ನೆಲೆನಿಂತಾಗ
                     ಕಾಣುವ ಅಂತರದರ್ಶನ ಭಯಾನಕ.

                     ತನ್ನ ಮಾತಿನಿಂದಾದ ಅಚಾತುರ್ಯ
                     ಕ್ರುತಿಯಿಂದಾದ ಅನಾಚಾರ
                     ರಹಸ್ಯದಲಿ ಕಂಡ ವಾಮಾಚಾರ
                     ಮೌನದಲಿ ಕೂತು ಬೆನ್ನಿಗೆ ಕತ್ತು ತಿರುಗಿಸಿದಾಗ
                     ಕಾಣುವುದು ಸರಿಪಡಿಸಲಾಗದ ಪಾಪದರ್ಶನ.

                     ದೇಹ ಸೋತು ಹಣ್ಣಾದಾಗ
                     ಮೂಲೆಗುಂಪಾಗಿ ಹಾಸಿಗೆ ಹಿಡಿದಾಗ
                     ಮಾತಿಗೆ ಬೆಲೆ ಇಲ್ಲ,ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಬೇಕೂ ಇಲ್ಲದಾಗ
                     ನಿಸ್ಸಾರ ಬದುಕು ಬೇಡವೆನಿಸಿ ಹೊರಳುವಾಗ
                     ಅಲೆಅಲೆಯಾಗಿ ಅನುಭವದ ಚಾರಣ
                     ಬೆನ್ನು ಹತ್ತಿದಾಗ ಮೌನ ........ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಬಂಗಾರ.

                     ಹೆಚ್ ಏನ್ ಪ್ರಕಾಶ್
                     22 ನವೆಂಬೆರ್ 2011

Keep the faith and drop the fear .

Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs.

Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve.
Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

GOD: Hello. Did you call me?


Me: Called you? No, who is this?


GOD: This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.


Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the
midst of something.


GOD: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.


Me: Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's
rush hour all the time.


GOD: Sure. Activity gets you busy . But Productivity gets you results.
Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.


Me: I understand. But I still can't figure out. By the way, I was not
expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.


GOD: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some
clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are
comfortable with.


Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?


GOD: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it
complicated.


Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?


GOD: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are
worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's
why you are not happy.


Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?


GOD: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.


Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.


GOD: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.


Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?


GOD: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified
without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that
experience their life becomes better not bitter.


Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?


GOD: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test
first and the lessons afterwards.


Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free
from problems?


GOD: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to)
Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance,
not when you are free from problems.


Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are
heading.


GOD: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look
inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes
provide sight. Heart provides insight.


Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the
right direction. What should I do?


GOD: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure
as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing
you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.


Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?


GOD: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to
go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.


Me: What surprises you about people?


GOD: when they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask
"Why me" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on
the side of the truth.


Me: Sometimes I ask, who I am, why am I here. I can't get the answer.


GOD: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be.
Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a
process of discovery but a process of creation.


Me: How can I get the best out of life?


GOD: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence.
Prepare for the future without fear.


Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.


GOD: There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.


Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start the day with
a new sense of inspiration.


GOD: Well.

Keep the faith and drop the fear .

Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs.

Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve.
Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

POINTED REPLIES ... Three moments in time ...
... WHEN YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP
Take 1:



Field Marshal Sam Bahadur Maneckshaw once started
addressing a public meeting at Ahmedabad in English.

The crowd started chanting, "Speak in Gujarati.
We will hear you only if you speak in Gujarati."

Field Marshal Sam Bahadur Maneckshaw stopped.
Swept the audience with a hard stare and replied,
"Friends, I have fought many a battle in my long career.
I have learned Punjabi from men of the Sikh Regiment;
Marathi from the Maratha Regiment; Tamil from the men
of the Madras Sappers; Bengali from the men of the
Bengal Sappers, Hindi from the Bihar Regiment;
and even Nepali from the Gurkha Regiment.

Unfortunately there was no soldier from Gujarat
from whom I could have learned Gujarati."

........ You could have heard a pin drop

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take 2:



JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France
in the early 60's when Charles DeGaule, the French
President, decided to pull out of NATO.

DeGaule said he wanted all US military out of France
as soon as possible.

Rusk responded "does that include the 180,000
who are buried here ?"

DeGaule could not respond.

............. You could have heard a pin drop

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Take 3:



Robert Whiting, an elderly US gentleman of 83,
arrived in Paris by plane.

At French Customs, he took a few minutes
to locate his passport in his carry on.

"You have been to France before, Monsieur ?"
the Customs officer asked sarcastically.

Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.
" Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."

The American said, 'The last time I was here,
I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports
on arrival in France !" the Customs officer sneered.

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long, hard look.

Then he quietly explained ... " Well, when I came ashore at
Omaha Beach, at 4:40am, on D-Day in 1944, to help liberate
your country, I couldn't find a single Frenchman to show a
passport to. ... "

............. You could have heard a pin drop

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

TELL ME HOW YOU WILL SPEND?

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in your private account for your use.

However, this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules.

The first set of rules would be:

Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you.

You may not simply transfer money into some other account.

You may only spend it.

Each day upon awakening, the bank opens your account with a new $86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules:

The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, It’s over, the game is over! It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.


What would you personally do?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right? Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right? You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?

ACTUALLY This GAME is REALITY!


Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank. We just can't seem to see it.

The MAGICAL BANK is TIME!

Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us.

What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost.

Yesterday is forever gone.

Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time....WITHOUT WARNING.

SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?

Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars.

Think about that, and always think of this:

Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.

So take care of yourself, be Happy, Love Deeply and enjoy life!

Here's wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day.

Start spending.

ಏನ ಬೇಡಲಿ?

                                       ಏನ ಬೇಡಲಿ?
               ಏನ ಬೇಡಲಿ ತಂದೆ? ನಿನ್ನಲೆನ ಬೇಡಲಿ ತಂದೆ?
               ಜಗವನು ಕಾಪಿಡುತ ಎಲ್ಲ ಕಡೆ ವ್ಯಾಪಿಸಿರುವ ನಿನ್ನ // ಏನ//

               ಹುಟ್ಟಿನಿಂದಲೇ ನಿನ್ನ ಕರುಣೆಯ ತೋರುತ/
               ಬಾಲ್ಯದಿಂದಲೇ ಭರವಸೆಯ ತುಂಬುತ/
               ಕಾಲಕಾಲಕೆ ಬೇಕುಬೇಡಗಳೆಲ್ಲವ ನೀಡುತ/
               ನಿನ್ನಯ ಕೃಪೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆಸುತಿರುವಾಗ ನಿನ್ನ/ // ಏನ//

               ಮಾಡಿದ ಕರ್ಮವ ತುಲನೆ ಮಾಡಿ/
               ನಿಷ್ಕರ್ಷೆಯಲಿ ಭುವಿಗೆ ಕಳುಹಿದೆ/
               ಕರುಣಾಸಿಂಧು ಜಗದಾ ಬಂಧು/
               ಕ್ರಮಿಸುವ ನನ್ನ ದಾರಿಯ ತೋರುತಲಿರುವಾಗ/ // ಏನ//

               ಉದಾರಚರಿತ ಚಿನ್ಮಯ ಮೊರುತಿ ನಿನ್ನಲಿ/
               ಭಕ್ತಿಯನಿತ್ತು ತೃಪ್ತಿಯ ಪಟ್ಟಿರುವೆ/
               ಬೇಡದೆ ಎಲ್ಲವ ನೀಡಿದ ನಿನ್ನಲಿ/
               ಭಕ್ತಿಯ ತೋರದೆ ಶ್ರದ್ದೆಯ ಇರಿಸದೆ ಮತ್ತೆ/ // ಏನ//

               ಹೆಚ್ ಏನ್ ಪ್ರಕಾಶ್
               18 ನವೆಂಬೆರ್ 2011