Instruments of Life

Transformation Plus meeting in Canberra

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 12:10:00 +0000

“Crisis change you” say Prabir Saha during a Transformation Plus meeting in Canberra

Organisation has held another monthly meeting in the Australian Capital

By Caetanno Goldbeck Freitas,

The Transformationplus team have had another meeting this Wednesday in the premises of The Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, in Canberra, ACT. The monthly encounter was attended by students of different nationalities and community members as well as their own staff who has shared personal stories and words of wisdom with the audience.

The meeting was carried out with the aim of motivating and encouraging people to transform themselves into their best inner self, to believe in their instincts and to not be afraid of changes, which are essential values and the main mission of Transformationplus.

“We exist to share experiences and to grow together”, said Mithun Alexander, the chief “servant” of the organisation that already counts with more than 4,800 members around Australia, after being created and launched in Melbourne and having settled in Sydney, two of the largest and most important cities in the country.

Angela, one of the team members, presented a book called Ego is The Enemy and made a speech supporting the ACT approach, which stands for Apply, Change and Teach. Then, Prabir Saha, the Transformationplus’ leader and Executive Director, took the lead of the meeting to share his own stories, impressing with his persuasive and confident way of speaking.

“Crisis change you when they happen, it is a valuable opportunity not to be missed”, highlighted Prabir, referring to a heart attack he survived to tell. “It transformed me as I was desperate for a change”, continued. Prabir also spoke about how to improve productivity with the Eisenhower Quadrant.

Sajini, from Sri Lanka, summed up the whole encounter as a “real motivational and inspirational experience to refresh our minds what is important, what we want to achieve and who we want to be or how we want to live”.

RELINQUISHING MY NEXT STORY

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 10:19:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

How are we all doing? Yes, I know we all are doing just fine.

The other day, I got a call from a friend whom I knew for over a decade now. That call was of very prime importance as it taught me some important lessons down the line. Wish if it would be just an offering of my pregnant mind, but it is not? It was very real.

"Hello, how are you?", greeted Zac, with his usual high pitch zest.

"Hey! Mate, how are you? What's going on? What can I do for you?", I said.

After usual chit chat I asked him if I could help him in anyway, as the purpose of the call was still unclear. Something must have triggered within him for which he called me, I thought.

"Buddy, there is a friend of mine whose name is Rohn. I don't know him that well but this guy is in deep hole. He is almost homeless and lives with a foster care taker couple. He is job less, deserted by his family, deep debts, severe alcoholic, attempted to end his own life, drugged, abused, and the list goes endless". He paused and took a deep breath and continued....

"I felt sorry for him and I know you can help him". He finally stopped.

I was amazed and on further enquiry from Zac I found out that he was a great student, very creative, had a great MBA in finance (sic), worked in top resorts like Radisson as a manager, married and migrated here with his family. It also overwhelmed me and I wondered, how the heck he managed to do the Houdini's act of fate disappearance.

Zac knew that he had stuck the chord inside me. So I asked his phone number and instead got the number of his care takers. I decided to take this subject up and see if I could help him. On that weekend, which I will never forget; I called that number around 3:30PM. After exchanging few pleasantries with the couple who were care givers, I finally got Rohn on the line. I tried to imagine the face behind this guttural voice who was talking in short burst of words with a cockney accent. I gave a 15 second introduction of myself and came straight to the point that I want to meet him. Till this time I made an assumption that he should be within 20Kms from the Melbourne CBD, however I was in for a big surprise. He was over 300 kilometers away in a tiny satellite town. I thought about it for a brief second and told him that I will see him at 7PM. He did not know from where I was calling from either. So I took a long breath, put a playlist of new mentorship audios, filled the tank with fuel and started the long journey towards this small country town where I had never been before; to meet someone whom I have never seen before. I went anyways.

The rain started hitting the car roof and the rhythm it was creating had a strange calming effect within me. I finally exited the highway and came within a kilometer of my final destination. I called Rohn's number. This time his voice sounded bit more excited which was always a positive sign. I finally knocked the door and an elderly gentleman greeted me. The couple were in late sixties wrapping up their dwelling in this country in 2 weeks time and they are going back to their country where they originally migrated from. Back to the roots as they say.

Finally Rohn came and sat beside me. He looked like a young studious accountant. Don't ask me why. I prodded him with few leading questions till he started talking. I listened to him intently. He was the middle sibling of 3. The elder sister is married and is 9 years older than him. He and his younger brother are only 3 years apart. The sister played a role of a guardian in his adolescent years. The two brothers were very friendly and looked upon each other. Both the parents were very loving and caring. They provided best of what they could do for all the 3 kids.

Now my dear readers, it may seem very strange how a kid who is raised so well can go ashtray, is it not? Well I too thought so and I was naturally very curious. Everything went normal till he got his first job. He met his fiance at his work place who then became his wife and then ultimately his ex-wife now. He being from a small country town suddenly got the sense of ecstasy at one go. Both started going out together. Now since both were working they use to spend lavishly on weekend and the lady being from a very affluent family did never bother about expenses. Slowly to keep things outward directed he started spending more than he could earn. His finances took a nose dive so he artificially kept it inflated using plastic money. Then he decided to propose his lady and he did. She said yes, and that was the beginning of the real story.

They both approached their parents and the parents said "yes" and they got married. Then buyers remorse struck one of the parents few months later, not sure whose and things got skewed. One things led to others and everyone was trying to figure out what is right for them (sic) and ultimately it reached a point where the fragility of the relationship was broken. A hasty separation on a dwindling finances was a catastrophe but it went ahead which was aptly facilitated by both the parents. I think they must have sighed a sense of relief.

The house they brought together went and so did everything else. The remaining finances which was meager anyways went out everyday evening on the roulette table in a casino where the Lady Luck was spinning the white ball. Life for Rohn was on high; don't get me wrong it was alcohol and some white powder which was the high boost propelling him to his ultimate low's. This went on for sometime until the demarcation between hallucinations and reality was torn apart. It was on one of his particular high days he decided to get over with it. However, God always has the master plan and trump card, is it not? A nurse, who was running late on her shift saw the act and she stopped the mishap from happening. A long & tedious rehabilitation process was initiated and after a second repeat of the failed attempt he finally bounced back. I met him when he was in his last phase of rehab with minus $100,000 in debt, no money, no house, two pair of dress and few of his earthly dwellings.

The most important and interesting part of this story begins now. Until now, for the entire time I was listening to his monotone, took some mental notes, encouraged him to speak with few questions and all along I just listened to him intently. Now it was my turn so I smiled and congratulated him. He was not sure if I congratulated him for going in that mess or coming out of it; I was not sure either. Now naturally you thought I would empathize with him but this subject as I was taught would have to surface using their own strength and all you have to do is to channelize that path. Like a free flowing water they would get the path and flow on. I told him, "wow! great but unfortunately they will not make a movie on the story on what happened till now but there are chances that they can think of making one on what you would going to do next." I tried to make him focus on his strength which was "writing poems" and "coordination job". I started working with him and in that day I made him to promise me two things, (a) follow his heart or inner voice which will always guide him right (b) apply for a night shift job in some motel. He anyways had less than two weeks to become homeless as his caregiver family is going back to their country which I mentioned before. So, why night shift? Well he can spend his night there and in the day time he can get the daily community rehab housing to sleep. He can get a bunk in day time easily as everyone else is out looking for work. I micro managed him and on the 7th day he got a job as a house manager in one of the highway motels. They paid him $10 an hour and with free breakfast. He made good use of the free breakfast, he told me later. As he used the motel's facility to clean his clothes and his other duties. He also befriended the driver of the shuttle bus and hitched a ride to the city daily when they drop the passengers at airport. Meanwhile I made him read lot of articles on Christopher Gardener on whose life the famous blockbuster movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" was made. He got his inner voice activated. The auto suggestion techniques worked. I requested him to move out of the foster home the very first day he got the job so he gets thawed with the uncertainties. Every morning he went to 6 places to check where he can sleep for that day which included community rehab centre, churches, and on some worst days I suggested him to go to Shopping Centre and just doze off in one secluded location. He managed that very well. He already had his driving license cancelled so asked him to apply again and after some prodding he got it back. His bus driver friend gave him his car on a profit sharing basis and he started driving as a UBER driver. Eventually he got his first bed after 3 months in the garage of his driver friend. He called me and made sure I knew. It was as if he brought a million dollar property. Indeed it was a similar feeling for him. He finally has a proper address in this country once again. His hard work paid off and he was made a front office manager and at night time he started driving UBER. He finally paid off his rent which was due to his friend. The best part is that he started writing his first poems once again. He gave me a printout of few of his writings. It was a great relief that finally he was tuned in to his own goodness.

Few days back when I checked with him he said that he started dating a Columbian girl who works along with him and life is slowly becoming better. He also paid off $5000 to his parents as he felt it was right thing to do. He is still on the path of progress but it was finally sub conscious driven. He did not drank since last 2 months nor he felt like smoking. It was great feeling talking to Rohn and when I asked him "what's next?" He laughed and said, "Relinquishing my next story"

ITS MY BIRTHDAY

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 16:13:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

Happy Birthday to you

Today is a birthday, I wonder for whom?
It must be for somebody right in this room.
So look all around you for somebody who
Is smiling and happy, my goodness, it's you!

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
We congratulate you, and hope all your sweet dreams come true,
Happy Birthday again, from me too

It’s Your Special Day Today

Make A Wish As It Matters

Just imagine the day when it’s your birthday. No, not that one either but your best birthday you ever had. C’mon, yes I know that you don’t remember your childhood fond memories, but the one you do remember and it was your very special day. Phew!!! Dealing with negates is tough, but if you do it often, you will eventually get the hang of it.

So Are You Ready To Make A Wish

While Remembering The Promise, Not The Problem

The conversation for making a wish goes like this - “Hey! Universe today is my very special day. Today is my day and I feel even more special than ever before. Today is the day I was given an opportunity. Today I choose to trust in you. I release frustration over the dreams and desires in my heart, knowing that you know what’s best for me. I choose to trust in your timing because you are faithful ”

So here are some questions?

Why My Wishes Will Be Heard Today?

It’s your Birthday today

What can this special wish do to my relationship?

Build Them

What can this special wish do to your belief?

Make Them

What can this special wish do for your success?

Take Ne 1 step forward

In the matter of universe, asking for what you want do matters; right or RIGHT?

It’s important to know that you have power of universe by your side

Ok, where to start now?

You need just 1 thing, which is;

It’s my birthday today

Ok, I have made up my mind

I Decided To Make A Wish

And I was AMAZED

LET’S MAKE A WISH

Cheers

Prabir

Share When You Care

LETS FIND YOUR AWESOME AGAIN

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 09:06:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

First of all I would like to wish all of you a year of becoming awesome again that's 2016.

This story is about a simple women from a small town who experienced travelling through time. In her own words she says....

The other day as I was driving in solitude, my eyes were getting weary of long drive. It was a moonless night, and when you stop your car in the middle of a very desolate road you hear the true song of this beautiful nature, is it not? I could hear the sound of crickets for sure, strange whistling of leaves which seems to be talking in a language of their own. I switched off my car engine but kept the lights on. Slowly the beam of that headlight attracted multitudes of nocturnal insects family who seems to be rejoiced seeing light and started buzzing around the headlight of the car. Just as if the ray of hope finally found its way in their lives.

My besty what a fine soul he is, finally called me to check my whereabouts and more for so knowing of my dozing driving habits. He is a caring soul. Being in the western world gave me the sense of freedom which we Eastern Europeans of Slavic origin did not ever had. We have been raised in a society where men go to war or work and women tend to raise the kids and look after the household. Saw my grandmother doing that and so did my mum too. Youngest of the seven Slavic siblings I was always independent and spoilt too. I was more like a boy in comparison to 6 (six) of my elder sisters. I mastered in music & contemporary dancing and took an advanced diploma in this country. Slowly fell in love with this country, decided to live here and married my husband who migrated from Serbia and is also a distant cousin. He is a neurologist whom I hardly see at all. He is alive and well in his own world. Last year I brought this farm house from the money I saved and when he is out on conferences, I come here, stay and work for my next music script. Seems to me that nature allows the creative juices to flow within. I met my besty in a music concert and instantly the chemistry struck. He is bold, energetic, charismatic and charming at the same time with the right dose of eccentricity which an individual must possess to do things out of ordinary and mundane life. We started hanging out on the music circuit. He is married too and his wife is a dentist who runs her thriving practice. Both are exactly opposites of each other, just like me and my husband were. Me and my besty had a spark which was quite evident, I felt alive and vibrant when I am around him. I deeply adore him and I always find a reason to be around him. I just love him, yeah that's right. My heart does not understand these rules and dynamics of the society. It just beats and loves and that what heart does, is it not?

As I stood in the front of my car on this dark night, my creative and ever active mind suddenly thought what if I would have met my Besty earlier. How would be our life then? The sound of that buzz made by the insects in the headlight beam seems to be increasing and it put me in a state of deep trance. I remembered the day of that summer of 1998 when me and few of my friends were coming towards the city of temples for the first time. It was late night and I was desperate to reach the guest house in a brand new colony which was just forming. It took me ages to find the guest house where we were booked in. I was nervous as tomorrow we had to report sharp at 9AM for our admission and it's already 2AM. We quickly slept and as we were tired from the long journey, we immediately went snoring. Snoring!!! Yes I do! So what? Next morning was a rush-rush and finally we reached there an hour earlier, it was 8AM. The campus was full of people walking, chatting, talking and so on. We bunch of 5 girls walking together was obviously a centre of attraction. We were very conscious. We saw a group of boys getting ready to stop us and suddenly this handsome guy called us from behind. He said, "Hey! Are you the ones who have come for the music & drama graduate program of 1998?"

Yes, we said in unison. Atleast he is a better option than those 5. The moment those 5 lover boys saw him they straightened up and quickly acted normal as if they are bored.

We asked him how did he know that we are here for the admission to music program. My first impression started on that very day. He replied, "what would you expect when you are carrying your piano case to the university. Either you are here for an admission to the music program or you will do a performance. Since I am the person who is responsible for selection of music performers for our university and I don't remember of any performance today so it must be the girls from Serbia on the exchange program, am I right or right?" Oh boy, what an observation. He is sharp, I thought. We got our admission and we started our journey. He was 3 years our senior. We soon became best friends. I use to hang out with him so much that people use to think that we are dating and honestly speaking yes we were. We became each other's greatest giver and we decided to become bigger than our problems together. We both wanted to serve humanity and we had each other. We felt strength and grace in each other's presence. He graduated next year and he went back to his country and I just wanted to be around him. My mind was with him and so is my heart now. He started working for a music production company as a junior composer. We emailed each other every day and spoke once a week. Two years passed like this and I graduated too. My parents wanted me to come back to Serbia but I wanted to be with him. I followed my heart and started applying. He helped me to get a role of a junior pianist in his company that he worked for. We finally united. I remember the day I landed in that foreign country and after my immigrantion formalities I came out and my heart sank as I could not find him. I looked left, then looked at right and then somebody whispered in my ears, "Let's build our dreams, now that we are finally together". I turned around and saw him wearing the shirt I gave him when he left college, I hugged him. I never kissed him until then but could not stop myself, our lips tenderly met and locked. I don't know how long we were seeking each other's warmth and longing but until a old lady who was waiting for her someone special took one single rose from the bunch of roses she was carrying and said, "A Rose will complete it all". I finally decided whom I am going to be in the rest of the journey through life. We clutched each other's hand and left the airport. This was 2001.

Suddenly, a truck passed by me that night and I came out of trance. I was back in 2016. My beautiful mind reversed the time to the point when I met him. These incident of meeting him is the most vibrant imagination of my heart, mind and I everyday wished it could turn for real. I always imagined what would life be if we were together. Well my heart smiles and says, you are still together is it not? The phone rang and as if the universe is giving me a sign, my besty said, could you please start driving and I am getting worried about you. Can you tell me where you are? My husband is sleeping but my besty is awake for me. Is that not love? Yes, you bet it is. I promised myself that lets be awesome again. I finally realized where love goes energy flows and life grows. I called him and said, "I will reach by 6AM, can you buy me a coffee. After I see you then I will do the rest. Let's meet at our usual place".

She started driving again though this time with her besty in her heart. Let's find your awesome again by being awesome again.

WHAT DO I WISH FOR YOU

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 12:01:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

In a far off land, It was just like that other day when the little sorrow was born in the house of these couple. Like every little one, they took good care of it. Kept raising it and soon it was growing by the love of the Devil; yeh! They kept taking care of it, nurturing it, feeding it and lo behold a healthy sorrow was being raised. Nobody was proud of it.

In a different part of the world this another couple were blessed with joy. They took great care of the little joy. It may not be with the same gusto as that other couple raised their sorrow, but never the less with "reckless abandon" their joy started growing, getting healthier and everyone seem to thrive in the presence of joy.

The point is both thrived in the loving care of their ....

Almost two decades had passed since; sorrow and joy were both established with their individual identities. They met people who were just like them. One day as fate would have it; they met. Oh boy! What a meeting, it turned out to be a holy communion. They slowly were able to aspire together. The sorrow aspired for the joy and joy appreciated how important was his existence.

One day their union created a little dream. They both raised their little dream. Initial days the sorrow was with the dream most of the time and when the dream use to rest the joy took over. Dream was young and like most of the good things in life was the source of constant ridicule. It was going through the phase which most of the dreamers know about. Uncertainty, Rejection, Reckless Agility, Hopelessness and many more. Sorrow built the resilience in the Dream. At night Joy bathed dream with the beauty of the vision and continue building on the resilience dream needed. Slowly but steadily the dream got the strength it needed to go after what it has aspired for..

So dear dreamers, sorrow and joy are equal participants in our journey and both these parents of a dreamer has a role to play. They are equally important and they are no different than each other. One portrays the lack of and other portrays the abundance of .... what?

The mind of a dreamer undergoes sorrow while being in the joy of the beauty of the dream.

So what should I wish for you dear dreamer?

A CONVERSATION WITH SOUL MATE

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 09:27:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

Hope you are gearing up for the greatest shopping spree. I also know many of you would be winding down and pumping up for the festive season. The other day I was driving my solitaire self along with my soul-mate on a dark desert highway. The warm smell of dusk was settling down between us. It was quite cozy in the impending winter. Hang on! I won't disappoint you till the very end. I will tell you what happened.

Well, I was actually having an interesting conversation with my soul mate. You have to picture this. The steady buzz of the V8 sounded like a soothing lullaby and I was forcing to keep my eyes open. I think my soul-mate figured out that occasionally the car was veering on the other lane as if gently swaying like the banana leaves in my village. I said, "Keep talking" lest if you want to reach in one single piece.

My soul-mate started blabbering incoherently and slowly it started making sense. I started trying to understand the story that was being told. The car slowly straightened.

The story took me the very day I saw the banana leaf swaying on a lazy summer afternoon. I still vividly remember I was trying to make the ants to take a diversion. These tiny army of little red & black ants were moving in a long single line trying to get a dead cockroach to their ant hill. I was 5 year old, I reckon. I was trying to put a small stick in the middle of their path but they still...

I heard a wail of a women coming from the concrete field adjacent to the rice mill. The grains which had been just harvested, has been washed and they were spread in these concrete field to dry in the summer sun. The wail grew louder as I approached the huddle of people. As I was small, I could slip between the legs of the people. I saw the lady who works as a laborer in the paddy was crying, and a big group of villagers were huddled around her, trying to console her. My grand ma was there too hugging her tight. This lady was crying loudly as if she was in deep pain and she was drooling too. I finally understood that her little baby who was suffering from fever, died. I also started crying with her just like my grandmother did. The doctor was called. It's the same doctor who tended the baby but the infection took its toll. The lady clutched the doctors arms and asked him why this happened. What is this fever all about?, she asked. The doctor as best he could, explained that it's something infinitely small which you cannot see. It's called virus. The doctor gave her a tranquilizer to calm her down and left. After a little while the elderly priest from the temple came. He was very close to the family and when the little baby was very sick. He performed a homage to the Fire God so that the good spirits can tend the ailing baby. However, things did not work out as he had planned. The lady clutched his hands and asked him why did this happen. The priest sighed and said, it's the will of God. She wailed even louder and asked who is this God who can't even protect an innocent child. Why even should we worship this God. Shall I cut my heart out and show this God what I want. I want to see him now, she said. She started sobbing again. The priest said, God is infinitely vast and you cannot see him with your eyes.

She said, what a fate we have. An infinitely small thing took the life of an infant with the will of someone who is infinitely vast. Why we are stuck between the small and the vast. Why?

That day, I did not understand why either. I came back to where the long line of ants were. They have climbed over the stick and continually marching with the dead coackroach. They just moved on in spite of the stick in their path. Life goes on. We overcome to become, don't we? I understood that.

I saw the petrol station on the highway and I pulled over. I covered more than 236 kilometers since my soul-mate started sharing this story with me. I came out of the car. I was alone, all along. My soul-mate kept me safe with this story. I looked at the stars in the infinitely vast galaxy and I felt my worries were so infinitely small.

I started refueling. My soul-mate is inside me.

Safe Driving on the highway. They say "Life is a highway".

Cheers

A Traveller

TRANSFORMERS MEET IN SYDNEY

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 23:13:00 +0000

My Dearest Fans,

WoW! I must say I am pumped up as finally was able to overcome to become the person I wished to see in myself.

Friends see, on we founded the Transformationplus group on Monday, the Feb 16, 2009 and I still remember the day when I did the first presentation in a hotel at 7AM (ssshhh...bad choice of time) where out of 42 RSVP's only 3 people did turn up. Well free tea and coffee actually helped. I was almost shivering as in my mind all the little voices were screaming and it gave me a bizarre feeling. I heard, c'mon you don't have an accent, you are Desi Guy (meaning from India), and what not. Well, I was definitely sweating with the uncertainty which this maverick experiment will cost me and my decision to make it happen against all odds. Fast forward, today this group is now 3500 Transformers (that's what we like call ourself) and operates out of Melbourne but now just started in Sydney on 7th November 2015. The URL to the group is given at the end of this blog.

So what the journey was like?

Not at all smooth to start with. We ran from all sort of issues, right from getting a permanent location, to funding, to ..... this list is long. So let us not focus on the list which will serve us no good.

I will rather focus on three things which kept us going. These were: -

Decision to do it, actually do whatever it takes
Acceptance of uncertainty which resulted in an adventure
Doing it long enough for people to trust and follow

So yesterday was the day when we started our Sydney chapter. We started with 7 people and we started it on an upbeat. We did some synapse exercise and asked people to introduce complete stranger with 1 minute Q & A. It was struggle for some but for many it was fun. Then we spoke about values and shared the learnings from Coach Wooden's 7 Principles.

We ended with a high energy finale. What an energy!!!

We parted with the resolve of having two new presenters.

http://www.meetup.com/transformationplus/

Cheers

Prabir

THE GAME OF 50

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 17:01:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

I will start this post with a quote;

"Never mistake motion for action"

-- Ernest Hemingway

Well, I had a recent opportunity to meet with one of the greatest athlete from North Carolina whose name is taken along with Michael Jordan. His name is Paul Miller. Had a very interesting brief conversation with him. In the cold & wet climate of Virginia which reminded me of the elusive hurricane which never came; this conversation was very heart warming though. I was asked, what is the one thing I feel challenged with? The answer is driving off course. Still getting a hang of left being the right way but the right side is actually the wrong side. Sounds confusing, I know; but that's what it is.

One thing he mentioned which was quite impactful was that, "your quality of vision will help you determine the quality of your priorities in life". I heard his story and it immediately touched my soul and I know many times I have been distracted in my life too as possibly the quality of my vision had to evolve. Got to do more.

Now he played a very interesting game with some of us; the game of 50. When I heard about this game it did not mean much but once I started playing full on, I finally fathomed on the deepest meaning which this game taught us.

He asked us to open our notebooks, and start writing 50 things you like your spouse or partner to have. Well, the first reaction of people was a smirk. People started joking saying things like, "wish", "like a lotto", etc. Once the general murmur came down he smiled and pointed out, what if this comes true fellas. The believers took the notebook and the pen in faith whereas the non- believers asked, "how the heck this is going to happen?"

He said something then, which sent a chill down in people's spine, "You will never be able to change things you tolerate". There was a murmur in the room again and a good lot of sigh, hmmm, etc. the understanding slowly started to sync in.

Few already started writing and few were engrossed in deep thought with the expectation of an impending chaos; "what if we do not tolerate". Then he said the second thing which shook people. He said, "Acceptance is a curse sometimes. People accept things as change for better is always chaotic at first, messy in the middle however always fulfills you at the last. This is so because you finally get your vertical alignment right. Your heart, your mind and your purpose are all tuned in to a perfect synchronicity. When a bird decides to fly it leaves the very ground it desperately clings on to at first, is it not?. When you just overcome the inertia of writing these 50 things you will at least move towards that direction. Would you start?"

The music titled, "Adiemus" by Karl Jenkins piped in through the speakers.

Slowly the room hushed up and there was an intense focus. Few started writing....

50 things

1) Strong willed

2) Determined

3) Focused

4) ... ...

Once the list is written, he said; "When you read the list it is the exact image your sub-conscious mind wants to see you as. You just love others who are are just like the image your sub conscious loves you to see as".

Work on these 50 things as if they are your own and you will count your blessings for the rest of your life. Universe will manifest.

That's the GAME OF 50.

"Today manifest, Change I"

#TomChai <3

OH UNLIKE A COW

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 07:13:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

Moo...ooo....ooo....ooo!!!

Well that was a "hello" in the language of cows.

So, for most of my adult life until then ....

Moo ... ooo or something similar which we call alarm goes off. Snooze 3, 6, 9, ... times and finally get up. Freshen up, lighten up and then get ready for the JOB. Catch the busy traffic of all other office goers and finally reach. Get busy in the job, get through the day. Oh off course we feed ourselves on tea, coffee, lunch, politics, snacks and finally head home again negotiating the traffic. Once you reach home, have dinner and then watch TV, Laptop, iPad, and whatever we can get our hands on. Ready to sleep now. 40 more years to go. Could you relate to this? Oh yes, in between off course raising a family, having kids, raising kids and prepare them for the same.

So one day, I decided to break the routine and travel to my favourite country side town of Yarrawonga near the interstate border. Along with me I had this guy who also owns a small milk bar and we decided to go to his home. Now this guy an ex-IT specialist who runs a milk bar. Now, please understand he left IT to get peace of mind but now he is stuck up with a milk bar which by law, must be open from 6am to 10pm with 3 public holidays. In short .... moo; once again.However, today was a special day as his son is tending the milk bar on a pretext that he will be allowed to go and see the AFL match between Hawks and Collingwood. Interesting, eh! He came in this country from INDIA 38 years back with a dream of making it big in the land of living. The story did not quite turn out like that. It took a twist and same is the date for most of the people. Why so?

Well, with strange twist of fate; I got a chance to listen to an audio by a self made millionaire which actually spoke about cows. No, he is not in a milk delivery business but he drove the point home in my heart. He is an IIT pass out gave a different perspective of life, which I will share with you while hearing birds chirping in this country cafe.

Just like how the person did about whom I mentioned in the initial paragraphs, the cow wakes up on the shout of a person (like an alarm), does what she needs to do. Then quickly gulp water while constantly being prodded by the dairy farmer. Then they all walk to the milking pen where they have this sucking machine fitted in their udders and they get milked. They are periodically ushered into giving birth using artificial insemination which in turn generates more milk. Once the cow finishes being useful they are retrenched from the circulation and are sold to slaughter house.

Well so what is the difference then between a person and the cow? Wait, not me but in Bhagavad Gita; the holy book Lord Krishna has asked the same question to Arjun. This made Arjun think hard and finally Lord Krishna smiled and said one simple point of difference; "A human can differentiate between what is right and wrong".

If that is so, why there are many people who leads life like a cow?

Well, there is an answer for that too.

It's starts with an "L". No not "L" for LION but; LACK of a compelling Dream and LOVE of a comfort zone. Combination of these two creates the third "L" word, LAZINESS. No, I don't mean a person sitting on a couch, but I am talking of a person who gets up, brushes, raise kids, go to office, comes home, help with household, watch electronic, work a little bit more, sleep and then once again until you add groceries, driving around, pressing clothes, etc as part of the 50 year old rut. Sounds familiar? If yes, let's become human again and get a compelling dream first and get out of this rut; once and for all.

Remember, we are not like cows. We are humans. All we have to do is LOVE our purpose to create better outcomes for the society.

Cheers

Prabir

3 TIPS OF SUCCESS FROM ANCIENT CIVILIZATION

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 23:57:00 +0000

My Dearest Friends,

Yes I know we live in 21st century. We are not naive that we don't know the advent of internet, the uprising of the Information Age, the biggest billionaires who don't own factories e.g. Facebook, the biggest Real estate owners who don't own a single building e.g. Airbnb, the biggest transport company who don't own a single car e.g. Uber, and many more such examples. However, today I am going to share with you the 3 tips of success from an ancient civilization.

How does it sound? Interesting eh! Ok hang on with me for little bit longer and I will share something with you.

These tips were written around 4th century BC and we are in 21st century AD. A sage called Ved Vyas wrote this. Yes you are right; these 3 tips are from the holy book called Bhagavad Gita. Well for the naysayers, the only thing we can say is these tips will help any individual who has the brain the size of a peanut but the humility of a saint.

Kindly note the version of Bhagavad Gita, I am referring to is so easy and beautiful to read. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who is the Founder Acharya of ISKON compiles this. The ISBN no is: 0-89213-134-9. The entire book is actually designed to feel the God that resides in our soul who helps us to fulfil our purpose, which is aligned through his consciousness.

So, here are the 3 tips which I would like to share with you all today.

Tip-1: You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the result of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty. [Page: 109]

This is a very important tip. We may have heard this over and over again but I understood when I read the preceding chapters again and swami ji’s explanation of this verse. The first line where Lord Krsna says to Arjun; “You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to fruits of action.” Is understood by most. However, the magic is in the next line where he has asked us to align the activity in accordance with our soul (the understanding of the presence of a supreme power within that activity, practice detachment from the activity itself and the ability to stick to that activity till the soul’s purpose is fulfilled.

Tip-2: When your intelligence has passed out of the dense forest of delusion, you will become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is to be heard. [Page: 114]

Well what does this mean?

This means that for attaining a clear direction, leaning on intelligence alone cannot help us move forward. With more intelligence you get more of ‘if’s’, ‘but’s’, etc. This creates delusion in one’s mind and in that process one stops working towards their goal.

Ok, so what do we do then?

Well, in the verses later; the magic is in the journey through that jungle of delusion. That what makes or breaks a person. In the dense forest one has to constantly retrospect what is the sole purpose of their soul. The God lives in our soul and once that connect happens the light from within creates the radiance again. The soul resides in the purpose of one’s existence.

Tip-3: For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realisation is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured success. That is my opinion. [Page: 273]

This should be read everyone and especially people like us who can get distracted in the dense forest of delusion. Fickle minded ness or non-congruence with the sole purpose or jumping boats all the time is a major cause of failure I today’s society. The depth of the mind comes from resolve of going for one dream, one objective and one mission where it is in complete congruence with our soul, the God within our soul and the purpose we want to fulfil.

Hope these tips have helped you as much as it did to many of us.

Existence in the consciousness of a supreme presence would give the solidarity of purpose.

Cheers

HOLD ON TO ME

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 20:58:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

The word "Freedom" entices me.

I must thank Pharrell Williams the famous hip hop singer to reinforce this word Freedom which is also the title of his famous song. Just love him and specially the meaning in the lyrics. First heard this song in one of the background music in a convention.

Right from the time I have read autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi and until I went through the day 3 of Breakthrough to Success program, I had developed the penchant of pursuing this magical elusive Dream of being Free which I know for sure can happen with focussed & consistent work ethics.

This evening, I was listening to his song for one more time and the moment I started humming the lyrics, it sent a shiver down my spine with the anticipation that I am actually in the process of becoming the person who can get free. It's as if Pharrell said to me, "My friend give me a ear and I will give you the voice". So I chose to give my ear. I tried singing the whole song with gusto but I am not a singer myself, I believe when life does not find a singer to sing his heart he produces a philosopher like me to speak his mind. Funny but true. You know why? It's because when one is drunk with the vision, he is intoxicated with an urge of breaking free, moving forward, creating the life which beckons the spirit of attaining the impossible.

So without further ado, I would like you to read the lyrics carefully and enjoy.

[Verse 1:]

Hold On To Me

Don't let me go

Who cares what they see?

Who cares what they know?

Your first name is Free

Last name is Dom

Cause you still believe in where we're from

Man's red flower

It's in every living thing

Mind use your power

Spirit use your wings

[Chorus:]

Freedom [x3]

Freedom! [x3]

[Verse 2:]

Hold On To Me

Ooh don't let me go

The cheetahs need to eat

Run antelope

Your first name is King

Last name is Dom

Cause you still believe in everyone

When a baby first breathes

When night sees sunrise

When the whale hops the sea

When man recognizes

[Chorus:]

Freedom! [x3]

Freedom [x2]

Breathe in

[Verse 3:]

We are from heat

The Electric one

Does it shock you to see, he left us the sun?

The atoms in the air

Organisms in the sea

The Sun, and yes, man

Are made of the same things

Freedom! [x3]

Freedom [x5]

So friends, I decided that I will walk with all those who walk. I would not stand still in splendor to watch the procession go by. I have my entourage ready for our journey to freedom.

Enjoy the video, get invigorated with your dream. I say to me, my dream, "Hold On To Me".

WINGS OF FIRE

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 14:55:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

The title of this post is actually the title of Dr. APJ Kalam's autobiography which I had a chance to devour the sweet nectar of a visionary who took INDIA ahead in the nuclear era. He "is" preferred to be remembered as a teacher rather than the President or Bharat Ratna Award recipient.

I had a chance to meet this great man 20 years ago for just 30 minutes when with my boss who came from Mumbai was summoned to do a presentation in a place called Chamdipur. I accompanied him and during that presentation had a blessing to meet him and his entourage.

Well when I reflect on that memory all I remember was that I met a very observant man who just saw and listened with full focus.

When I later read of him, I was inspired. Many years later when I read his autobiography I finally realized why he was so successful.

One thing on page-112 of the book which I will never forget, "The sweetness of sugar is neither the property of sugar nor the property of ours. We are producing the experience of sweetness in our interaction with the sugar". This one line I will never forget. He is a dreamer and has inspired many other dreamers across the globe.

The other thing which I vividly remember in that book was that he in his primary school use to wear a cap to school which identified as Muslim and he use to sit with his childhood friend Ramanadha Sastry who use to wear the thread worn by Brahmins. The teacher asked him to sit in the back. His friend cried. Dr. Kalam never forgets it. However the next day Ramanadha Sastry's father came to the school and made the teacher to apologize for spreading the poison of divided religion. Dr. Kalam talks in length about the impression it created in his mind.

I also remember how Dr. Kalam was inspired by Swami Sivananda when his dream for getting inside Air Force was shattered. He asked him to seek his true purpose which led him to pursue his career in Aeronautical Development Establishment. He first designed the hovercraft which created his passion for science and technology. This also helped him to find his team who later builds Agni. Another thing I remember is his close affinity to Indian history and specially Tipu Sultan who use rockets while fighting with Britishers. This inspired him to build Agni.

He was also a poet and he later wrote a poem when Agni was first launched.

Do not look at Agni

as an entity directed upward
to deter the ominous
or exhibit your might.
It is fire in the heart of an Indian.
Do not even give it
the form of a missile
as it clings to the
burning pride of this nation
and thus is bright.

Sharing some of the quotes which were my greatest inspirations.

Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep.

Dream, Dream Dream

Dreams transform into thoughts

And thoughts result in action.

It Is Very Easy To Defeat Someone, But It Is Very Hard To Win Someone

Don't take rest after your first victory because if you fail in second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.

Thinking is the capital, Enterprise is the way, Hard Work is the solution

The sides of the mountain sustain life, not the peak. This is where things grow, experience is gained, and technologies are mastered. The importance of the peak lies only in the fact that it defines the sides.

This was a tribute to the great teacher Dr. Kalam. One must read his book.

His best thoughts which I understand very well is....

Be active! Take on responsibility! Work for the things you believe in. If you do not, you are surrendering your fate to others.

Jai Hind

Cheers

THE SKY WHEEL

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 14:45:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

Titon wanted a break desperately after a dreadful quarter. The pressure for new targets given by his boss with even lesser resource than before was over bearing. He has become tired, irritated and frustrated. Oh! God show me a way.

For quite sometime his family was asking him to just take some time off. This weekend he thought too to do something different. He wanted to take the new attraction in his city called SKY WHEEL. It's a giant wheel almost 197 foot tall sky wheel and the view from the top is awesome, they say.

He woke up, happy that the weekend is just starting. Got ready and did some chores around his garden. The usual stuff and then a heavy lunch. He thought of taking an afternoon siesta before his shy wheel trip in the evening. The target meeting on Monday kept haunting him. He got up without the alarm for the first time in his life even though he remembers setting it for 5PM. He get up, dresses up and heads downtown.

He went to the ticket counter showed the printout he carried and was issued a wrist band and a note advising the safety procedures. He stands in the queue and eventually boards the steel cage like structure which was dangling from a giant hook. He was alone in his cage. He promptly buckled his seat belt and switched on the HD camera which was mounted on the wall. Slowly the wheel started spinning with a commentary coming from the speakers inside the cage. All was good and suddenly the wheel stopped when he was at the highest point. It's freezing cold up here. He tried pressing the emergency button but nothing happened the wheel did not move. He felt stuck just like his 9 to 5. He tried calling the 000 but strangely there was no signal on the phone. He was now perspiring. He just wanted to get out of here and go home. Getting out of this giant wheel seems to become a dominant thought in his mind. From the top the whole city was bustling with lights. Cars were moving. He shouted on top of his voice but no body response des until he hard a faint sound possibly from the cage just beneath him. He screamed louder....

"Help, anybody there?", shouted Titon

There was lull silence. He fretted and unbuckled himself. The wind speed increased and there was a light danglin sensation he began to feel. He tried to think of everything and his mind capsized with fear. He then began to focus on just one thing he could do to the most important goal in his life now, which was getting out of this sky wheel. So he opened the cage door which should have been electronically locked bit wasn't. He looked around and then decided to climb up the roof. He was sweating with fear. He closed his eyes and saw the picture of his son playing with him. With strong determination he climbed up and found hooks on the roof. Then he noticed small footholds which if he uses carefully then he climb down without any accident. He mumbled some prayers and gingerly inched towards the centre of the giant wheel. Took him an hour to do so. Once he reached the centre he saw a proper ladder and climbed down for another hour to reach the bottom. The moment after this ordeal when his foot touched the ground finally the alarm rang.

He got up and saw himself in his bed. His son was calling him. He woke up from his afternoon sleep in a jolt. He realized that he can come out of his rat race (sky wheel) too.

All he has to do is to;

Focus on his primary goal

Keep the end picture in mind

Give 200%

Have faith

With that belief he dressed up and left to go on a ride with the sky wheel.

Cheers

LONGING FOR MY INK AND PAPER

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:12:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

Hope you have handled well the chilling cold weather of Australia, the tropical rainy climate of Asia and the rustic summer of the USA.

Hey you have heard this for sure that there is a gap between a man's imagination and a man's attainment and that gap can only be bridged by the strength of his longing. The longing for my dream. A dream. The DREAM.

I woke up in the morning, possibly in the illusion of that dream where the paradise is just outside my door. I pushed the door hard but it did not open. I flipped out my pockets to find that key which will open that door and I will step in the sunny paradise where earth meets the sky, the beautiful birds fly debt free. That key must be found. I flipped my bed, ransacked the cupboard, toppled my drawers, opened my bags, checked under the carpet but could not find the key. I in despair clutched my aching heart and something hit my knuckles. I found my key in my heart hanging on the chain of solitude. I took the key in my hand and it melted in my hand into a shining element on my hand. I touched the lock door with my blessed hand and it opened. The longing was so intense that universe manifested the key out of thin air. I woke up in sweat with the realization that longing is the key to our paradise.

I woke up and stared at my notebook and the ink pen I use. The serene white pages of my notebook was longing for the ink in my pen. I realized that either we are like this dark ink or that white paper. It's the darkness of the ink that shines us bright and if it would not be the whiteness of the paper we would be still dumb. The whiteness in the paper when indulges with the darkness of the ink it either creates a history, an epic, a story, a poem, a masterpiece, a best seller or just some meaningless scribble. The secret behind is the longing which creates either that masterpiece or just a senseless scribble.

So in conclusion dear friends, the significance of man is not what he attains but what he is longing to attain.

Cheers in longing

97 AND 3

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:42:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

Do you know that 97+3=100? I know you might be thinking "what the heck?", well I won't blame you as I thought the same. Common man's syndrome until I met ....

Look you would have obviously guessed that it's not about mathematics but something deeper than that, is it not?

Simple, 97% who quit on their dreams work for 3% who does not. How about that?

WoW!!! It really blew my mind. So true, is it not? Quitting on the dreams is not an option. This is what I have seen; when you are consumed by your dream, God actually would remind you when you are not aligned to your dreams. Happens lots of time.

Most people including me many times goes ashtray and quit on their dreams, why?

Well it's not like that they get up in the morning and decide to quit. It's all embedded in the daily chores which takes a diversion when the main objective is not a dominant thought in the mind.

I have heard this that, "freedom is not a privilege; it's a responsibility". So dealing with this aspect of freedom is a great fun but it has a price to pay. Since we many times gets very circumstantial that we get driven by circumstances. Winners creates circumstances in their lives when they don't find the circumstances they want to have in their lives.

Well don't even think that people who pursue to be in 3% don't get hardships and pain. They have actually to deal with more.

Ok if you are that reader who would like to be in 3%, then I would like to list few points which would help us all to be where we really want to be. Here are few points you may wish to adopt.

3% Mentality 1: Get a habit of reading positive mental attitude books. Most of highly successful people have acquired this habit.

3% Mentality 2: Get yourself a mentor and allow yourself to get mentored. Remember NIKE; "Just Do It" attitude is the only thing that will work.

3% Mentality 3: Build a prosperity mentality by associating with people who are on a journey. No journey, no outcome.

That's all folks, these 3 things will open up the doors of next 3 and then the next set. Trust and enjoy the journey.

Happy 3%

Cheers

Prabir

DICTIONARY OF LIFE

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 12:50:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

How are we all?

How's your temperature? Scorching heat here at 42 degrees and Cold out there around 9 degrees. Taking an average I am sure you are all doing exactly how you should be, is it not?

No I am not rewriting the dictionary again but I would like to attempt to write about few words which means a lot to me and the perspective of understanding I have of them. These understanding have been influenced by many great scholars and achievers around the globe.

So if someone asks you of how many words are there in English Language? Then as per the website of Oxford dictionary they say, "the Second Edition of the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary contains full entries for 171,476 words in current use, and 47,156 obsolete words. To this may be added around 9,500 derivative words included as subentries."

Well out of say approximately 230,000 words, let me share just a few which would help you as much as it has helped me. Here you go;

Appreciation: the admiration, pleasure, and approval you have for the

positive things which touch your life and the reasons why things occur as they do.

Brilliant: when a person or situation is dazzling, just spectacular, simply shining and sparkling.

Congruence: when everything in our lives comes together in unprccedented accord, only due to the alignment of mind and heart.

Dreams: those aspects of your life which defines you and consumes you.

Ecstasy: far stronger and powerful than anything known to mankind. We realize love, bliss, rapture, and passion in every moment of journey. This makes the journey worth taking.

Focus: Follow One Course Until Successful.

Goals: The destination and the milestone.

Hope: the internal optimism.

Insight: the inner sense of knowing what is right for you, the hunch or whatever you call that as.

Joy: better deal than happiness. Happiness is a state, you can be happy or sad. Joy is different; even though you are unhappy you can still be joyful with the feeling of achieving your mission.

Knowledge: the understanding of things which are constant evolving.

Love: where your heart and mind aligns.

Money: as crucial as oxygen.

Optimism: the buoyancy which always have an uplifting feeling surging within you.

Persistence: the tenacity.

Quotes: the positive affirmations.

Retrospect: the art of inner guidance. This never fails you.

Self-worth: how you perceive yourself?

Thankfulness: gratitude of evolving.

Underdog: bounce factor.

Vibrant: aliveness.

Wisdom: the ability of understanding that though tomato is fruit you cannot add that in fruit salad.

Xerus: like Xerus, the African squirrel which never hibernates.

Zest: keenest passion.

Hope these becomes your dictionary of life too.

Cheers

MY WiFi TEACHER

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Fri, 29 May 2015 14:02:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

200 GB a month, that's how much internet is consumed in my home. The two internet savvy boys at home along with their beautiful mom ensures that every byte counts.

Well folks, this wifi taught me lots of things so calling it a teacher. We always pray for what, we say; "Be Stronger", is it not? The stronger the wifi signal the better is the performance. All I had to do is to become ready and moment I started looking my wifi teacher appeared and all I had to do is to connect. I can relate that to so much.

You know folks whenever the question around wifi comes I get lots of powerful and empowering words that comes to my mind which I will share them shortly. Also the moment I connect to my wifi teacher I get connected to the bigger world and it feels as if my world is on my finger tips.

What words do I associate with my wifi?

Abundance - Imagine I love wifi in abundance and unlimited. So I believe success is in abundance and I can tune in to it.

Acceptance - I had to accept the wifi signal just like I accept the teachers in my life.

Brilliant - Using wifi I browse and read great materials which make my brilliance come through.

Clarity - The precision of wifi signal taught me to have a clear insight to what I wanted in my life.

There are many more.

If you are in a true spirit of mentor ship even your wifi can become your teacher, is it not?

All I would say, "Become Stronger"

Cheers

Prabir

WHO IS IT

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sun, 10 May 2015 13:50:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

Someone asked me who is it? He was referring to the person whom I give top priority in my life. The person whom I love loads, is my mentor.

Well dear friends, I would repeat something here which Robin Sharma beautifully says;

I don't know your dreams.

I have no idea as to your desires.

I likely don't even know you personally but I do know what you are made of.

It's made of pure possibility;

It's a core made of power;

It's a mind made for visions;

It's a heart built for love; and

It's a spirit design to WoW.

It's only possible when you have a mentor in your life and the habit of reading positive mental attitude books. Again when I was asked who is it? I just smiled and said; "Look there are few basic facts of life which are common for everyone in this world. They are about you."

I could see a huge curiosity on his face. His whole face looked like one giant ear as he was "all ears". However, I continued saying; "Look you know certain things about yourself which others know too. For example, you are wearing this white shirt which you know and everyone knows too as they can see and it's pretty evident, right or RIGHT?"

"Right", he said.

"So, now the next things are the things you don't know about yourself but everyone else knows about it. For example, let's say that you don't know that you have lost considerable amount of hair on the back of your head and people can actually see your head looking almost bald from the back. You would not know unless a someone tells you so, right? That's what people who mentors you has a gifted ability to do so. They could see through you and know exactly what needs to be focussed on to get a desired outcome. Well think like this that now it's almost past midnight and you are sitting on a deserted beach and you do not know what to do. Then you suddenly see a footmarks on the beach and if you follow those steps then you will reach exactly where the person reached, right? Imagine those footsteps were your mentor's. How will you feel? I bet you will feel confident that you are going on the right direction as you are following the footsteps of the person whom you adore so much, is it not?"

The person nodded his head vigorously. Then he said, "Prabir was that all? Why it's important to read books?"

I smiled and said,"Good that you reminded me. There is a third kind too. There are few things about you which neither you know nor anyone else knows. Let me give you an example. Let's say that you wanted to do a career change and even though you have given many interviews but could not get through. You thought you gave the best shot but nothing happened. You began doubting yourself. Then let's say while reading a positive mental attitude book you found that you should always imagine a successful outcome before even attempting the very task itself. In your mind you always thought of failure which is completely opposite to what you have just read. See neither you or your mentor knew that, right? However a book informed the same and when you implement the strategies you will be a CHAMPION too."

The person got excited and shook hands with his mentor. On a dark deserted beach past midnight you just decide to follow the best?

You ROCK. Who is it for you?

BLENDS OF WHISKEY

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sat, 02 May 2015 09:53:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

Hey! No I have not started drinking. Now you must be wondering why a person who is a complete teetotaler is writing about whisky.

Well, it's a long story but I will cut it short for you all.

In a "B" Business School one of my friend who is a top notch, high flying corporate executive was invited to address the bright class of 40 plus students. No I was not in the class but in my recent meeting with him after 15 plus years he narrated this beautiful incident which just created an "aha" moment immediately. I will not name him here as I did not seek his prior permission before but my humble gratitude goes to him for giving me a wonderful view point using thing which I do not like in particular.

He asked to these bright young people in a loud voice;

"So what is your expectation from this class? Each one of you write your expectations on this white board in one word. In the interest of time we will get the first 20 to write and if rest of your expectations are same then we will call it a game. I will try to come up to your expectations."

The class quickly became a humdrum of activity, once everyone's expectation was up on that white board they all started to get impatient with how this suave man of early forties will address them. Something unexpected happens then. My friend then asked, "Who enjoys a drink or knows someone who does so? I mean socially or whatever."

Almost everybody raises their hand. Then he smiled scratching his chin which sported a French cut beard, he asked the class which now started relaxing and enjoying the whole experience as they felt very engaged. It's not one of another boring lecture where a professor babbles about boring theories which makes the whole class usually sleepy. The active ones would start tweeting using their assumed identities with other bored students world wide. However, nothing like that happens here. He continues;

"Please let me know your favorite blends".

Soon, people relaxed and started sharing the names of all their favorites blends of whiskey.

"Blue Label, Black Label, Johnny Walker, Teachers, Peters Scott,...."

My friend wrote all those names on the whiteboard and then with a twinkle in his eyes, he smiled and said; "You are all like these blend of whiskey. All amazing with your own unique blends of qualities and flavor. Each one of you are perfect or have opportunities to grow into whomever you want to blend into; just like these famous unique blends of whiskey".

The class stood up and gave a standing ovation. They later reviewed that all their objectives were met in such a short and powerful message. They later scored the class 9.5 out of 10.

We are all uniquely blended to fulfill a purpose and will be acceptable with grace by someone or some group, is it not? We just have to know that unique purpose which we are all blended for by this mystical universe.

Do you know your purpose as to why you were born? This question when I was first asked by my mentor intrigued me for many months until I found out why. Hope you today find yours too.

Have a unique blend of life, it's in the making, I am sure it is indeed. Just grab it friends. If not you, who? If not now, when?

Cheers

Prabir

I AM AN EAGLE AND HIPPOPOTAMUS

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 16:58:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

I was remembering a poem by Carl Sandberg where he mentioned, “There is an eagle in me that want to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that want to wallow in the mud.”

Well my dear friends, I relate to the above very much. Many a times I am an eagle but sometimes I act like a hippopotamus too. Well my big size helps as well, that’s an extra benefit. Look in the modern days with the advent of science and technology we have also given birth to new diseases. Rather I would say we have re-discovered these diseases. No my dear friends, I am not talking about HEPATITIS B or Cancer for that matter but some diseases like “exquisites” or “destination disease”. My mentor told me that these diseases are more deadly than AIDS, Cancer or EBOLA. Let’s talk about this particular disease called “destination disease”. It is those people who think;

I Have Arrived

Too many people just want to do enough to “arrive” and then they “retire”. Retire not in the real sense of retiring but more in the context of giving up. Everyone in the modern world is looking for quick fix or Band-Aid solutions. What I meant by Band-Aid solutions is that once the fix is done and pressure is relieved one stop doing what should be done you see and waddle in the mud like the hippopotamus. What the mentality should be is that of fitness, which means that, you do what should be done no matter what, just like eagles do.

Hang On! Did you think fitness as follows?

We jump to conclusions,

We throw our weight around,

We twist the truth,

We stretch the crap,

We bend the rules,

We push our luck,

We lift our egos,

We run from tough challenges,

Not that hippopotamus fitness of course, so no wonder we are still fat like that hippopotamus because we eat our own words very often.

To be an eagle I just had to understand that improvement is a never-ending battle. Remember as I said to “become” a better you, didn’t I? I reckon that if we can follow the impulse to soar more than the desire to wallow we will be successful, won’t we? Hey look, I know it will be struggle, well at least it was for me. I had to overcome my procrastination, laziness and self-doubt; before something positive happened within me. Hope you choose to soar like an eagle too instead of waddling in the mud like the hippopotamus. Good news is that you can choose either one. You life will be determined by the choices you make, is it not?

To end the post today, I would like to share with you something that I read recently:

I’m not where I am supposed to be;

I’m not what I want to be;

But I’m not what I used to be;

I haven’t learned how to arrive;

I have just learned how to keep on going.

I am trying to live these words and I will know eventually I will be successful, won’t you too?

Cheers

Prabir

THE CRACK IN THE DOOR

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 00:10:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

How are we? Feeling fantastic and getting better, are we not?

Well sometime back I wrote about a post on OMYAKON the coldest place on earth. Anyways, today's post is dedicated to all those people who are realize that it's only we who can improve our lives. Well would be very surprised if I say only 5% actually believes so. So if that is correct, then what do you reckon the 95% thinks? Well, they think their lives are whatever state it is now is because of some external circumstances, someone else, bad times, etc. You can think of anything for that matter apart from one self.

Well this reminds me of a story which I would like to share with you today. I am sure when you read the same and comprehend you will experience a massive change deep within you, just like it did for me.

"Why you kept the door open in such a freezing cold", said the energetic man who portrayed a strange state of excitement around him all the time.

The young kid, banged the door shut with a loud thud. Seems to be the person who is always trying to blame everything and everyone else for the crap life he is leading. There plenty like this one anyways. The sulky young kid got back to the lounge just beside the fireplace. The man did not look up and seem not to notice the loud thud.

Everybody went back to their own business. The house was filled with the beautiful aroma of Jasmine Rice which the lovely mom was cooking in the kitchen. She was humming a song while she was making preparation for dinner in this cold wintry night.

The man again said, "Can you check why the heater is not working? The cold air seem to keep coming."

The irritated young kid, sulking looked back with seething anger and sarcastically said, "NOTHING. A ghost must have come and opened the invisible door. Looks shut to me but you ever know what the ghosts do. Huh!".

The man seemed not to take any notice but smiled. He was actually enjoying. Seemed strange, is it not?

Sometimes in life, we have situations which comes across which may irritates few and teaches few but in every situation there is an aspect of learning. The learning is either "what to do" or "what not to do"; is it not?

The mom shouted from kitchen, "The dinner is getting cold, what's happening with the heater."

The man smiled and said again, "Oh didn't you hear the big NOTHING. It's nothing dear."

This time the lady smiled too. She exactly knew what's going to come now for their lovable and angry son who has just turned 14 years old. The son doubles up and started feeling uncomfortable as well in the cold. He looked at the central heater outlet which was pumping at full force from the floor. He looked around and found his father already went in the family room at the back of the house, which is much more warmer but no TV and XBox. He suddenly gave a loud sneeze. His father heard him and said loudly, "God Bless! Hope this cold is NOTHING!"

The young kid sulked and finally got up, walked up to the door and started looking all around.

How many times in life we have had situations where we knew there is a problem, but we did not take any action till it became an emergency. I am sure these kind has happened with all of us is it not?

Now the cold has become very chilling. The young kid ran his fingers through the periphery of the door and found few cracks from where the gust of cold wind is rapidly seeping through the remaining warmth of the house. He with his half hearted disposition took some cello tape from the drawer and put it haphazardly on the cracks. The cold air finally stopped. He shouted, "I fixed it now there will be no more cold air mum".

"Ok come fast and complete you dinner on time please."

Everything was fine until the cold dry air dried up the glue of the cello tape and the fell on the floor and the cold air was seeping in with full velocity. You can almost hear a strange whistling sound. The force of the wind actually increased the size of the gap of the crack.

The energetic man shouted from the kitchen, "Are you whistling with cold dear? Is everything ok?"

"NOTHING ...."

"Ok keep whistling, I like the tune"

"Huh! I will check".

"Thanks dear"

And, in life when we fix the problem half heartedly we tend to create the same thing over and over again. Just like this door which has a crack and that crack unless fixed fully will keep on opening up, is it not? I remember couple of years back one of my friend found a wheezing sound while driving his car and he just did not take any notice. In two weeks or so in peak traffic the car came to a grinding halt in a middle of a highway and would not budge. Finally it had to be towed away and engine had to be replaced. The reason is simple, there was an engine oil leak, the oil drained off the engine, the engine went dry and finally ceased working. The remedy was just to get a mechanic to tighten a screw and fill it with new oil. Total cost $100 max but because of not fixing properly the cost was around $3000. Just like when there is a crack in the door.

"Dad, it's difficult to fix, I put some more cello tape. This should hold."

Dad smiled, "Next time you get bruise from your soccer game, we will just put more band aids but not treat your wound. I think that's what you would do, won't you my son?"

The son sighed and said, "Ok I will stop my game now and let's fix it properly else I won't be able to sleep in this cold."

Now it's mom's turn to smile, as she always adorns his patience. He is very focussed and the son is focussed too but on games for the time being.

In your life my dear friends, it's the time now to identify the cracks. What these cracks are? Let's bare our heart open today.

It can be one of these or can be a combination of the following;

1. Crack because of a nagging habit which takes you down;

2. Crack because of an association which is not letting you grow;

3. Crack because of a bad relationship;

4. Crack because of a bad environment;

5. Crack because of a wrong career;

6. Crack because of ...... anything which slows you down for that matter.

So the dad & son gets to the work. They got to fix the crack in the door so that the room becomes warmer. The cold air cannot come and mess with the heat anymore.

The dad enthusiastically said, "Make a MOVE".

Soon, pudding was kneaded and using a range of applicators the pudding was used as filling in all the cracks, then with mom's hair dryer the blow dried the pudding. Then the son went one step further. He mixed the paint to get the right color and painted over the dried pudding on the cracks. The door is just like new. The dad and mom hugged the son and said, "You are my champ and you really understood right not to keep any cracks on the door, right?"

The son said, "Yeah, it's better to do it right then shiver in cold."

Just like in our life when you are in the journey of change, don't keep the door open, just shut the door, step in, play full on, don't let the cold air ruin the warmth of your heart.

Are you already on the way to fix the cracks on your door too?

MAKE THE MOVE!!!

If not you, who?

If not now, when?

Cheers

Prabir

KUNI CHAMP

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 14:20:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

How are we all?

I was busy in blogging circuit. Got introduced to some fellow bloggers from the city of Milan which was very interesting.

The last two post on the "Deep Blue Steel" and "Future Is on Sale Now" was a blockbuster. So I thought of writing something based on last few weeks study. Recently read somewhere that "Reading is enjoyed typically by 10% of world's population as a regular habit and they are accountable for 90% of the outcome".

I would like to share a story which I read recently which has inspired me very much. Well who has not heard of magic lamp? The genie which appears when you rub the lamp. The genie fulfills all your wishes. Not very far from the home of this young country lad, Kuni there use to be this old dilapidated temple of ancient king who use to rule during the era of Mohenjodaro and Harappa, the twin ancient city. Kuni's village today stands where once these two ancient twin cities existed 100's of years back. Today the advent of internet and modern technology had made people forget the glory of these twin cities which once boasted the cultural supremacy of an able run administration. Kuni was happy, cheerful and very energetic young person. Kuni in his native language meant "little". Possibly the dad and mom loved the little high spirited self and just called him "Kuni". Well he continued to be known as Kuni even when he grew up but he was ok with the name. Now, unlike others in this small village town this Kuni just had audacious dreams. He had few friends but he loved to be by himself and his favorite past time use to be to just sit near the water falls and dream big, talk to himself and that's pretty much it. He loved colorful things and always use to collect various things which he kept on his shelf. His parents called these things junk and often use to throw them out but in few days time they would get back on the shelf mysteriously. It showed kuni's determination, see.

Kuni like any other day sat on the rock beside the waterfall. There was a mist in the air from the waterfall 20 meters away. Kuni absentmindedly started throwing stone in the water and started thinking how he would make his way to the big city and become a millionaire. What a comfortable life he is leading there. Living in the high rise penthouse by the river front would've been ideal. He also dreamt how his cousin lived overseas and he would travel to multiple places, shop till he drops and dines in the finest restaurants of the world. Just be free, young rich and famous. I think everyone atleast in their life time may have thought about one of these three things or a combination thereof. Kuni was no different. His dominant thought was always there about being young, rich and free. That's a good sign you see!

Suddenly the gust of strong wind brought a spray from the waterfall and brought Kuni out of his day dream. Time for some action he thought but again his wandering mind started to wander off. He wanted to bring focus in his life but his sanguine nature keeps him away from focus which he had when he was a little kid. All he knew was books and studies, that's all. He suddenly became angry with himself and took a large fist size pebble and took out his permanent marker pen, scribbled the word "distraction", spit on it and threw it towards the waterfall. Symbolically he was letting his distraction go for once and for all.

Dingggggg...ggg....gggggg!!!

That was a big din as the pebble must have struck something which is a metal. He was now curious what would be behind the waterfall. He heard of ancient tale that there was a big treasure chest which was somewhere buried in this part of the vicinity but nobody ever found one. Kuni was now super excited and curious in anticipation. He thought for a little while and deviced a plan of action. He ran home and got a long nylon rope, a flashlight and few other essentials. He wanted to see if there's a treasure chest behind there. He ran back to that secluded waterfall again. He tied one end of the rope to a nearby Palm tree and other end to his waist and began started walking towards the waterfall one step at a time. He reached at the edge of the waterfall already fully drenched now. He again threw a pebble very hard towards the waterfall and he did hear the sound of something striking the metal once again. He took a deep breath and started walking directly through the falls. With his eyes closed he took 5/6 steps and suddenly felt that the gush of water has stopped and he was inside a cave and behind him was the waterfall now. He saw a very big lamp; shining yellow; just like gold. He saw the familiar pebble where he wrote the word, "distractions" which he threw from the other side.

He was happy but did not know what to do. He tried to move the giant lamp but it would not budge at all. Finally he remembered the story of the magic lamp so he rubbed the lamp, nothing happened. He then rubbed it harder and for sure genie appeared with whoosh and bang.

He asked - "Kuni, what do you want Kuni champ".

Kuni thought, "How the heck he knows me and knows that I am a champ".

"What are you thinking Kuni?", asked the Genie. He continued, "I will grant you only three wish but whatever you wish it cannot be anything for your yourself and your near dear ones. Also for what I fulfill for you in return I will take 10 things from your life too. Look who knows like you someone else may find me after 300 years and I have to keep my inventory running. Also, 1 of the 10 things I will let you choose but remaining 9 I will choose. I don't have all the time in the world, I woke up after 300 years so I am still sleepy. I will give you 10 minutes to think else you will not get anything and you will never be able to get out of here alive."

Kuni thought how arrogant these modern genies are? Phew! Now I have to ask for just one thing, what about all the cars, shoes, dresses, houses I want. 1 thing, let me ask for 10 billion dollars. What if, he takes back. This genie might take it back. What are those three things he cannot take from me? Thinking and prioritizing is so thought these days. Kuni shuddered with frustration. So 8 minutes went by but he was always thinking what would genie take away from him. He was worrying and was not able to focus.

The genie suddenly said in a booming voice, "2 minutes to go Kuni".

"Oh! Mama", Kuni sighed. Well my dear readers, Kuni was no ordinary person, he was a dreamer. He thought why not I ask him these things.

1. A vision greater than myself;

2. The inner strength to achieve those; and

3. A mentor who will help me to achieve those.

The genie must have read his mind and said, "Times up Kuni".

The genie continued, I will take off the following 10 things from you now. What is the first thing you want me to take off from you?

Kuni without flinching said; Distractions!!

The genie smiled again, and said the remaining 9 things are....

...

Kuni woke up with the blow of water from the waterfall. He must have fallen asleep again. He looked around. He was outside the waterfall, there was no rope, no genie nor anybody. He took a stone and threw it at the waterfall and there was no sound either. Was that a dream? Must have been.

He felt a strange strength in him knowing the gifts from the genie must be within him now. Does not matter what those 9 things either as he can focus what he will strive for not what he has to give up. He has the vision. With that belief he walked towards his home and he suddenly heard a voice; "Hi brother, how are you? Would you like to make some extra money?"

Kuni found his mentor.

Dear Readers, we don't need a genie outside, the genie is inside us. It just needs a rub. With that rub the Kuni became Kuni Champ, just like you would.

Cheers

Prabir

THE FUTURE IS UP FOR SALE NOW

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 13:40:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

A thought

"What motivates you today gives you the currency to purchase what you will be tomorrow. Today's advantage must be used to buy tomorrow's opportunities."

-- Mensa Otabill, author of Buy The Future

While listening to Simon T Bailey for last couple of days and the reference to this book on page-88 of "Shift Your Brilliance" intrigued me in thinking hard. What if the future is up for sale and you really can buy the one you like? With this thought I woke up to find myself in the car in this strange place where 1000's of cars are parked. There was a whole buzz in the area. Could hear some distant sound on microphone and general buzz of some busy people.

I got out of my car and started walking in the general direction of where other people were going. I saw families, singles, people with stroller, old, young, men, women, children everyone walking towards this sound. I looked ahead and said some circus kind of big shed with serpentine lines of people waiting excitedly. I asked a old guy walking beside me - "What's happening there?"

He looked at me as if I asked him are you human, I mean a strange disbelief look and he snapped, "Don't you know they are selling our future there. We can buy our future. I brought all my money I could. I will surely buy a good one".

"Are you joking, Sir? How can someone sell your future? Is it a joke of some kind?"

The man just dismissed me thinking I was an alien and kept moving on. I was now very curious and decided to see what's going on. I jostled with the crowd and managed to stand behind a long serpentine line full of people. The food vendors were busy selling small snacks to people and I heard someone say that it will take 5 more hours just to get near the ticket gate to gain an entry. I shuddered and getting this cue a street food vendor came and gave me a bottle of cold water and said - "Sir, just $5 a bottle, the sun will soon scorch you soon so keep yourself hydrated".

I brought the water bottle and I just looked back and was amazed that in less than 5 minutes the line was 3 times the size. I saw few volunteers distributing a pencil and a paper to everyone and putting a stamp on your hand. I also took the items and noticed that on top of the paper it's written in bold - "Write 100 lists of dreams you want to achieve in your lifetime". I was now really curious. I was quite excited as I thought that when I reach the counter a person will take the lost and give me all I want. So I quickly started writing everything I can think off. As I was writing the line started crawling forward. Couple of hours passed by. When I finished writing, I saw I was behind 10 people. A hand came out of the counter took the list, stamped it and returned along with the wrist band. The lady at the gate put the wrist band on our hands and I stepped inside a huge sprawling arena. There were multiple big tents like structure. I was now very excited, I checked my pocket and clutched whatever money I had on me. Want to finally make the best use of money. While day dreaming again stood behind the longest queue you can imagine which goes to a big rent in the middle of the ground with multiple entry gates. The big line then splits in 16 big lines which goes in 16 gates marked from 1 to 16. I started remembering all the 100 goals I have written but recalled only top few. I reckon I wrote based on the importance of those goals in my life. As I was coming near the place where the lines gets split in 16 different lines, I became anxious and apprehensive of what lies ahead of us. The volunteer dressed with a T-Shirt printed "Future Is All Yours" gave us a wet tissue and a comb. He also instructed us to use it just before we enter. I thought they will take our photos once we are inside after buying our future. I suddenly felt if the money in my pocket is sufficient to buy all I need, but I brushed that thought as they clearly wrote outside on the big bill board that, get everything you have got and that's all I had.

As I was nearing to the entrance, some 50 people still ahead of me, one of the volunteer gave us all a piece of paper and on top it's written again in bold - You must memorize all the contents of this page.

Now that you are going to fulfill all your dreams, it's important that you know about dreams. These quotes are to be remember by heart.

"Dreams comes a size too big so that we can grow onto them."

"Disappointment is the gap that exists between expectation and reality."

"Failure is the price you must pay to achieve for the success."

"Imagination is the soil that brings a dream to life."

"A dream is an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can do to achieve it."

"A possibility is a hint from God. One must follow it."

"The more concerned you become with things you can't control, the less you will do to improve the things you can control"

Now we got closer to the gate. I was sweating. I showed my wristband and I was ushered inside the tent which was dark and lit by a strange red dim light. The atmosphere was chilled and the bone jarring cold crept up my spine. I saw a silhouette of a nurse dressed in white motioned me to sit across her desk. I was totally nervous not w and really wanted to get out of here. Something inside urged me and I sat in the chair opposite to the nurse. Suddenly I felt nauseous and felt light in head. She gave me a glass of water to drink and I gulped the entire content in two big mouthfuls. I now really felt uneasy. The nurse suddenly got up and she jabbed my arm with a shot. I tried to protest but the water I think had something inside.

Then suddenly from the dark two men came and each one of them grabbed my arms on either side and took me to a room where a big coffin was laid in the centre. There were wreaths all around that coffin and I could smell an aroma of an powerful incense stick going somewhere. In the background I heard wailing sound of people crying. I felt like crying too. Those men suddenly disappeared. I was alone in the room. As if someone was whispering, I heard - "You are dead. The injection given to you was lethal. There is no future on sale here. You could have made it out there but a person stopped you every time. That person was responsible for all the bad thing happened to you. He is dead too. Sad that you let this person come between you and your dreams. We will notify your family of your demise. Before we bury you if you want you can see the person responsible for all your failure."

With that the wailing and howling sound increased to a crescendo. I was crying like a baby. I somehow managed to get closer to that coffin, and when I looked inside it, I suddenly became speechless, as I knew this person. I just stood near the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of my soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin: and when I looked inside I could see myself.

There was also a sign next to the mirror that said:

“There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: IT IS YOU."

Suddenly the realization dawned on me that I am the only person who can revolutionize my life. I am the only person who can influence my happiness, my realization and my success. I am the only person who can help myself. I am the only person who can accurately predict my future as I will create the same.

It also dawned on me that our life does not change when our circumstances changes, when our friends change, when our career changes, when our organisation changes. Our life changes when WE change, when we go beyond our limiting beliefs, when we realize that I am the only one responsible for my life, nobody else is.

"The most important relationship we can have, is the one we have with ourself”

Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don’t be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses: be a winner, build yourself, build your family and your reality.

The world is like a mirror: it gives back to anyone the reflection of the thoughts in which one has strongly believed.

The world and your reality are like mirrors laying in a coffin, which show to any individual the death of his divine capability to imagine, and create his happiness and his success.

It’s the way you face Life that makes the difference!

There is a saying, "When an egg is broken from outside force; life ends. When an egg is broken from inside force, life begins. Great things always begin from our inside."

I realized I was playing small, so I decided to never look back and never will ever again. I have a clear clarity in my mind as to where I stand and where I am going.

A knocking sound woke me up, and I saw myself in the parking lot. I rolled my window and the guard asked me - "Sir, are you OK? You were crying, I heard your sound and I tried hard to wake you up. I was almost going to call police. Are you ok?"

I opened my car doors and hugged him and said, "I just brought my future, it was on sale. Thank you so much for waking me up."

So, when are you buying yours?

Cheers

Prabir

DEEP BLUE STEEL

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:16:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

It was somewhere in the coast of Antibas, near Nice, south-eastern France where all the luxury yacht of billionaires are generally moored. The seagulls were busy feeding on the food particles dropped on the beach by careless beach goers. In one obscure section of the beach however there were few men busy ticking of the checklist of the loadings as they are going to embark for a voyage for a long time. The submarine was hidden beneath the giant structure which houses a shopping mall and a casino but down in the basement there is a secret wet dock only accessible to few.

The submarine stood tall, it's a small nuclear submarine which has a crew of only 12 of highly specialised men trained in multiple trade. It can stay underwater for 2 years and carries enough supplies for it's crew. An armored car pull over and a very sharp looking man dressed in an emasculate captain uniform stepped out. There was a click of the heels by two armed guards and someone screamed - "Captain on the bridge, attention!!!"

Every hands on the bridge froze as Priyam climbed the wooden plank on to the bridge. The first officer Jatin saluted the captain. Priyam extended his right hand and took the binoculars and scanned the horizon through the tunnel which was the entry to the sea. He nodded and said, - "Jatin, we are sailing at 1700. Get everything going by then". Priyam then motioned their chief navigator and weapon specialist to his private room in the deep recess of the most sophisticated submarine known to mankind, "Deep Blue Steel", the call sign being "OSX" or Oscar Sierra Xmas. It has stealth like nothing known to mankind. It has an onboard computer which can navigate without human aid both on a peace mission or underwater battle. It has been fitted with arrays of sophisticated sonar which can hear a fish taking burp 2000 nautical miles away. Also it is fitted with a robotic crawler which can dig the ocean floor and carry stuffs. Underneath it's titanium hull is a state of the art satellite communication system which can scramble any signals in a manner that can only be unscrambled by an electronic key sent by their system exclusively. This makes it tamper proof. It carries 10 torpedoes and 4 Short Range Ballistic missiles which after launch can be programmed or reprogrammed many times in flight. It also has a mini amphibious vessel which is a state-of-art two man vessel which can travel underwater, above the water and on land; fitted with lethal laser firing solution and surface to surface and surface to air mini missile battery. The whole thing is so compact that it has taken years of design from various industries to come and work together for many years. It was a pride for Priyam to lead the helm of this ship and its magnificent crew.

Down deep in the belly of the submarine Priyam once again reviewed the mission. He will be sailing next week along with his crew to reach somewhere near Bogota, Columbia. Their mission is to recover a person alive who has been held captive for last 17 years by the drug lord. He had been instrumental in bringing peace and empowered many youth to go on a positive outcome rather than indulge in white death powder. He is alive only because many within the drug cartel loves him and the chief knows that, so he is kept alive. It's called "Stockholm Syndrome". He educated Pablo's two kids and they are doing very good in the world outside obviously having no connection with this drug world and Pablo secretly admires this. Pablo knows if Oscar dies then there will be a chaos and his two sons would chase him down as they love for what Oscar did for them. This guy in captivity is known as Oscar, just Oscar. Oscar's real name is Pradeep and at the age of 36 he was captured by these drug lord while waging a war against them as an DEA agent, recruited by the fraternity of very powerful people and he soon rose to the level of a director. Known to be made of a resolve like that of steel. He infiltrated the core and came in contact with Pablo the kingpin of the world of white death. He wrecked havoc in their ranks while simultaneously helping the youth in changing their mindset. It was a candle that burned on both the ends. He was captured and was torchered for many years. He never saw daylight for first two years and slowly with the help of the youth whose life he had transformed and Pablo's two sons who started leaving everything in search of their beloved Oscar made Pablo to keep him at arms length. He was getting old too and wanted to come out of this white death.

It was 1700 hours and with three toots the moorings of OSX was removed, the nuclear powered engine whirred almost noiselessly and Captain Priyam and Jatin stood on the bridge and bade a final goodbye to their home of last 45 days in preparation of this mission. In an event if they are captured and to protect their real family identities all dog tag were left behind and nothing which can prove their original origin was left in the ship or on in person. Their clothes and everything were locally stitched, food were sourced from Colombia's towns and villages over last two years, and if they are ever captured dead then they would be mistaken as Colombian. These 12 people had just no identities. Nothing can track their background. These people spoke very fluent spanish and had their skin naturally toned to get that golden matte looks of Spanish origin people just like Columbians. They are so trained that they spoke Spanish even in their sleep. All these people carried Colombian drivers license of people who lived in Colombia and just disappeared. These people were sourced for last 7 years after carefully scrutinizing their details. These 12 people carried family photos of those Colombians and in their homes you would find photos of them. The whole mission had one objective, which is to get Oscar back alive.

Captain Priyam looked at the horizon and then went downstairs to the command centre. Jatin closed the hatch behind them. Priyam said,

"Take to periscope depth"

Jatin shouted in the intercom, "Aye-aye captain. Prepare to dive".

Priyam, quickly scanned the horizon and then lowered the periscope.

"Make the depth as 200 meters. Trim and then ahead full speed. No active sonar."

"Aye-aye captain."

Priyam came back to his room and lied down in his bunk. He remembered the last time he saw his family many years back before he volunteered for this mission along with the 12 other crew members. All 12 just believed in the mission and they somewhat have similar ideologies. The training was hard for these men. Reaching bogota without creating any noise is the easy part but the most difficult part is to extract Oscar from the enemy territory. These people have constant surveillance of their air, sea and land. They carry sophisticated weaponry which they brought from their drug money. He remembers his father like a distant memory and his voice still echoed in his ears.

"Priyam, you are born special. You are a very good kid, do you know why? Well let me tell you that you are meant to do special things in this world. You are the chosen one. You are very special. All you have to do is shift your brilliance."

Whenever, he use to remember this he used to think why did he say "shift your brilliance" instead of "shine your brilliance". Did he remembered correctly? Or was this his own imagination? He still did not understand, why so?

It was almost 5 days and they were nearing the cost of Bogota which was only 200 nautical miles away. They now have to get in their full stealth mode. Priyam had a plan, the giant oil tanker sailing with a Norwegian flag but registered in Sierra Leone. It's just over 458 meters long. The name is Seawise Giant. It's only 40 nautical miles away and his plan is slowly approach from the depth and use his robotic suction arm to suck on the giant underbelly of this ship and enter their water space undetected. He knows there will be some severe turbulence but he is counting on their computer auto trim feature and the strength of the auction. That's the only way. They have rehearsed this many times on a simulator but now it's the real things.

"Con Sonar captain. A new contact bearing two knot three. Twin screw. Designated as Charlie1. Keeping steady on course. Looks like a big baby."

"Keep the ping on. Steer direction. Make the depth 300 meters. Rendezvous with Charlie1 please."

"Conn sonar captain. Charlie 1 1200 meters dead ahead. Approaching at flank speed."

"Take depth to 500 meters. Full speed ahead. Come directly beneath the ship. Match speed. Rendezvous in 30 minutes. All team battle station ready."

"Aye-aye captain."

There was a buzz of activities as all the crew were on top alert. Captain Priyam motioned Jatin to come near him and asked him to load tube1 & 2 and flood it. Keep a firing solution ready just in case. Jatin nodded and left. Their submarine started experiencing a vibration from the Seawise Giant's two massive screws churning thousands of litres of water every second. The shuddering increased as the OSX matched the speed but soon the shuddering stopped.

"Captain we are directly beneath Charlie1. Both the tubes are flooded. The fishes are ready to swim on your command."

Captain Priyam, cool as cucumber instructed the next sets of complex instructions which will bring the submarine only 5 meters beneath the bottom of the giant. The crew confirmed after 15 minutes that this is achieved. The turbulence increased and the onboard computer became busy adjusting the trim real time through a complex set of algorithms and kept OSX steady.

The captain then called the "shunter", whose real name is Luiz. He sat on his system and began to move the robotic arms in a manner that it will be attached to the bottom of ship. The captain then asked them to keep running their engines so that the big ship does not suddenly experience the drag. After a trick bit of maneuvering finally there was light thud and cracking sound. Deep Blue Steel is now attached directly beneath the Seawise Giant. Nobody can track the submarine as its radar signature will be silhouetted by the Giant. The twosome sailed steadily towards the cost of Bogota. Just five nautical mile away from the Harbour the OSX will detach and shall continue in their mission. The robotic arm also acts as a conductor and uses Giant's super structure as a giant antenna. They were live on the standard radio channels and can use old tradecraft without raising eyebrows by these merchant of death.

The communication officer, Pedro started using his protocol and requested the local Colombian radio channel to play a song which would get the sleeper agent in Bogota to start the Mission Racso on the way.

Like any other day Sister Olivia tuned to the local FM Channel to hear the songs on special request. Today it played the song by Elvis. She momentarily froze but quickly composed herself. After 7 years finally the day has come. She quickly attended the evening mass and left for her home. On her way home riding the bicycle she alighted today near the traffic light and fixed her bicycle chain and rode off. Someone from top of a church saw her doing that. He had been watching this spot at this time for last 7 years. Finally the mission is on. He did not knew who the nun was, all he knew that he has to deliver 6 boxes in a particular address near the secluded old harbour which was not seen a human soul over many years apart from some kids who plays beach football there in a sunny day. However, next 5 days it is pouring so this spot is secluded as ever before. Also 50 meters beneath the water surface there a cave entrance which was made by early settlers some 300 years ago but because of global warming it is underneath the water surface for last over 150 years. Over last 7 years that beneath that cave a group of highly skilled engineers designed a secret wet dock and carved a path using a sophisticated machinery used for setting up sea oil rigs for a small size submarine to be docked. The rock wall would not let any body track big chunk of steel at all.

Beneath the Seawise Giant, the OSX slipped inside the Columbian water and they already figured out from the sonar report that six massive tugboats are on the way. When these tugboats begins to tug the mighty ship, they will slowly detach themselves from the Giant and dive deep to sail towards that cave. They have to maintain a depth of 80 meters to avoid the minefield in this area. Captain Priyam can do that with his eyes closed. He has practiced this for last two years on a simulator.

Like any other day Rozario, the young son of a commander in Pablo's army came to Pradeep, the Oscar for his history class. He likes Oscar uncle and sometime he buys some stationeries for Uncle Oscar from the shop near the church with the tall tower. Today he brought a pencil which is of Deep Blue Steel colour and a beautiful writing pad with a mermaid's picture as a watermark in every page. Oscar thanked him began his lesson but today his mind wandered off. He took a quick nature's break in the middle of the tutoring. While bidding goodbye like any other day he gave him a chocolate which Oscar knew he will finish by the time he walks home. Oscar lied in his bed thinking of the next 24 hours. His heart heaved with anticipation. In the toilet, he took a sharp knife and split the pencil and took out a small piece of paper just as if it were the pencil lead. This paper moment it comes in contact with the water will dissolve very quickly. He read a set of coordinates and timings. He memorized the same and flushed the paper. Then with a small pen knife he removed the eraser and took out a small microphone which can be inserted manually in the inner ear. He did it immediately and heard a small 3 beeps which means the receiver now knows that the microphone is now activated. Deep Blue Steel has finally come. He took the remains of the pencil in his pocket which he will later dispose. Rozario brought this gift from the shop just opposite to the Church and he is very friendly. Everyday the Uncle climbs on the top of the tower and seems to just stay there watch around and come back. Today he insisted that he take this new stock of Deep Blue Steel color pencil.

As Rozario leisurely walked towards his home he unwrapped the chocolate and began to devour the chocolate. He threw the wrapper on the side of the street while walking back to his home. A young street kid picked that wrapper and ran around two blocked and gave that wrapper to a man who wore a hood but gave him 100 colombian pesos. The street kid was very happy as it was a 10 days income in just a few hours of watching. The man walked quickly towards the church and on his way dumped his cloth with a homeless person. At his basement attic beneath his shop he carefully brought the wrapper under a special light and microscope and read some instructions which was carefully etched in the design of the wrapper. He smiled, and he called the radio station to play one of his favourite tenor vocalist. Pedro, the communication officer smiled when he heard the voice of the famous tenor vocalist in the local colombian radio and gave the requesters name which was a code word with the information inside the wrapper. He flicked the switch on his intercom and said,

"Captain, the Mission Rasco is on the move".

Captain Priyam, smiled for the first time in the entire voyage until now.

"Conn sonar, 4 new contacts heading our way. Designated Alpha 1 to 4. They are those tugboats taking the Giant home."

"Initiate the disengagement process. Match the speed but increase depth to 80 meters. Go active sonar. Don't want those mine fields disrupting anything now."

"Aye-aye captain."

The OSX slowly disengaged and slowly but steadily dived to 80 meters.

"Move at crawling speed with full active sonar. All the extraction team get on your scuba gear. Check all your equipments. Get through the checklist. Jatin take over the ship till we get Oscar home."

The crew shouted in joy, "Hooray!"

The local time was 2AM. It took Jatin for about 3 hours before they could see the entrance to the cave. Slowly they slid into the cave and travelled deep into the underwater way which was built for this purpose. The OSX finally docked. The team split in three teams of 3 people each. One team is tasked to booby trap the entire of cave, so that when they exit they can detonate any remains of this man made wet dock. Captain Priyam latched himself inside the amphibious vehicle and slowly started moving towards the designated area about which it was written inside that chocolate wrapper.

Captain Priyam was in charge of the overall mission. He sent 3 beeps and just said;

"3 Mermaids swimming in lane 4 & 5"

In response he got two words;

"Steel Mermaid".

Captain Priyam was obviously happy, here Mermaid was the codename of the amphibious vehicle. 3, 4 & 5 meant 0345 hours and lane is referred to the narrow marsh inhabited by crocodiles and alligator which runs behind the fortress where Oscar was captured and kept all these years. These predators fed on the deer and other animals who come at night or the dead bodies who were executed by Pablo's henchman. These predators had ample supply and they provided a natural protection for this fortress. The mermaid will crawl like a crab in the bottom of this marsh and will just wait where the sewerage gutter pipe flows out in that predator infested marsh.

Pedro will create a diversion 1 mile away from the fortress so that the attention of the guards who are there. Oscar will slowly lower himself with a rope in the deep well and the swim to the bottom to get in the tunnel and will swim for 200 meters till he surfaces on another part of the property. This he has to do in less than 4 minutes 37 seconds otherwise he will risk drowning. Then he will crawl on top of the giant gutter pipe. He has already planned everything and rehearsed this every month once. He will pry open the top of the gutter pipe manhole cover. Then is the most difficult part where he will swim through filth broken glass and rat infested tunnel which runs for about 500 meters out into the predator invested narrow marsh. Hope he does not get any hassles here. He has to exit at least at 3:45AM. Today is the day he waited for many long years. 9 years back during a failed prisoner's exchange program Oscar managed to pass a bible to the preacher and just told him "only give it to who wants it". 6 months later, one evening a immaculate looking young man met the priest and just said, "I am here to collect a bible which someone may have given you to look after." The priest knows it was no point asking who he is, so he gave the bible. That bible had the entire plan coded between the verses and this mission was an exact replica of that plan. So Mission Racso was Oscar's plan.

At around 3:30AM Oscar slowly get off from his bed looked around his cell and kept a book for Pablo on the table. He then wore his darkest clothes and motioned the guard to open his door. The guard did not get alarmed as for last 7 years he went for an meditation for 30 minutes under the Pepper Tree at this time daily. The sleepy guard did not notice that today he was not barefooted. He had shoes and gloves on. Oscar slowly walked towards the Pepper Tree which is beside the well. The moment guard looked else where he slowly used the bucket rope to lower himself in the well. He touched the water silently, took a deep breath and dived deep in the well. Just like the plan he surfaced and completed the first leg of exit.

Meanwhile Pedro and his two colleagues picked up a brawl with some drunk guys. Slowly the locals joined in and few cars were torched and now nobody knows who started the brawl in the first place. It was so noisy that from fortress they could hear the commotion. The head of security sent their team there to check for threats. Pedro and their team now returned back to the underwater cave.

Meanwhile, Captain Priyam moored the amphibious vehicle just beneath the outlet of the gutter pipe behind the fortress. The alligators must have caught a deer drinking water so there was a commotion. He did not gave any heed. He slowly surfaced his vehicle and brought it up enough so that the periscope can just come up. He switched it to night vision and just saw an alligator swimming nearby along with some snakes. He slowly deployed the three telescopic legs and raised the platform slowly to match the height of sewerage outlet. It was 3:40AM now. Another 5 minutes, and this long wait will be over. At 3:43AM he heard some noise and in his night vision he could see a skinny man appearing. He murmured in his microphone and heard the code word "Oscar meets the Mermaid". Oscar threw his dress inside the gutter and jumped to the small landing platform aboard the mermaid. Captain gave him a water jet salty water wash to take off any leeches which may have come in contact while he was in the tunnel and then he lifted the second hatch and let him in. He quickly lowered the vehicle below the water surface and sped off. He instructed the rest of the team that Oscar was aboard and keep the submarine ready. Captain Priyam threw a beacon emitting signal inside the tunnel.

The amphibious vehicle rushed underwater at full speed maintaining the depth and finally came inside the cave and latched back to OSX. All the crew raced back and the submarine engines roared. The security guards did notice some unusual sonar activities behind the fortress and called for an inspection.

By this time as Oscar has not returned back the Guard raised an alarm and all hell broke loose in the fortress. The security guards summoned the Colombian navy. The colombian battle ship went active on all sonars. They suddenly heard a big explosion underwater which was the cave booby trapped as a part of the mission. Sonar buoys were dropped along the coastline to hunt for enemy. Meanwhile Oscar was being treated for his bruises by the doctor on board and Captain Priyam and Jatin increased their depth to 700 metres.

"Conn sonar captain, A new contact bearing 698 designated as alpha class is heading this was fast and closing."

"Take depth to 1000 metres and 5 degrees bubble. Load tube 1 & 2. Keep an auto firing session on tube 2 and manual on tube 1".

"Aye-aye captain, tubes loaded with solution".

"Sonar what's the status?"

"Fish in the water; range 1200 metres and fast approaching."

"Make new heading to 160 and increase depth to 1100 metres, Down bubble 1 degrees".

"500 metres and approaching"

"Fire tube-1 and 2. New bearing 235. Flank speed. Get ready to fire decoy on my mark."

"Tube 1 & 2 launched. Counter maneuvers are being executed. 200 metres".

"Fire decoy now. New bearing 169. On my mark set to detonate torpedo-1".

"Aye-aye captain. Brace for impact".

A shudder was felt when the torpedo exploded with the decoy. The manual torpedo went and hit the target. The explosion rocked the whole area.

Captain Priyam instructed to launch some delayed bombs in the mine field as they approached the mine fields and set it at 30 minutes. They set towards the Antibas at last with Oscar. Captain Priyam just issued an order for a missile launch programmed to meet the probe emitting beacon which he threw in that gutter pipe while extracting Oscar.

Once they were in safe international water Captain Priyam went and saw Pradeep or Oscar. He has the same face as him. The name DEEP BLUE STEEL was after his name. Both the men hugged each other.

The DEEP BLUE STEEL shifted it's brilliance from dejá vù to vúja dé.

Cheers
Prabir

83,200 HOURS WORK IN 24 HOURS

noreply@blogger.com (prabirsaha) — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 06:51:00 +0000

My Dearest Reader Fans,

During 1990, I remember when a panel professor in front of all the assembled students of the college gave us a big lecture on what to expect in the outside world and how being an engineer we can do a positive contribution for the society. I remember feeling upbeat and in the college canteen we excitedly spoke about the Government jobs and joining PSU's like SAIL, etc. Lots of people are still in PSU's for that matter.

Listening to one of the Robert Kiyosaki's audio gave me a very different perspective which I would like to share with you.

Well when we start our income life it is all for 8 hours work every day for 5 days which equates to 40 hours per week. Considering working for all the 52 weeks in a year for full 5 days per week takes the number to 2,080 working hours per year. Considering 40 years of working (actually the real number is 50, but let's be conservative here) for 2,080 hours per year takes the figure to 83,200 working hours for a 40 years period. That's what most of the universities have trained us for and we see many people going in life with this plan. When first time someone asked me if in a period of 24 hours can we really work for 83,200 hours? You must be thinking it is just weirdo thought. What if it is true?

Well let us go to the year 1954 when Ray Kroc set the foundation of the franchising opportunity using McDonalds. McDonalds would have around 36,000 restaurants in the world. Ray Kroc or his family did not work in any of them but they make a whooping $7.5 million per day income. Each restaurant is owned by individuals like you and me generating their own income. How cool is that? They pay a royalty for every transaction to their franchiser and a franchisee fees.

Now let's overlay this in a very highly integrated world of today. Imagine you can create a clone of yourself and both works for 40 hours a week but send the income back to you. How about duplicating this aspect 1000 times or 10,000 times and even more for that matter. Also remember every time it is done a portion comes to you. Franchising in my mind is nothing but a very learnable, teachable and duplicable process. The aspect of learning and teaching if streamlined then it can be duplicated very well.

I think the hardest but here is getting at a level of duplication. I can explain this. In childhood I still remember a flute seller use to roam in the streets selling flute. He use to play a beautiful tune and it was so amazing that every kids use to run to get a flute. Now when we tried playing all that came out was pssshhhhh! Now someone asked the flute seller can he learn to play the flute as well. He said sure, keep aside 4 hours a week and I want say 500 rupees a month. Well the person did not turn up for the sessions or was irregular. He can blow all the air but all it will come out is psssshhh! Imagine that person asking you why I am not succeeding? You know what to say right?

Now imagine this when you train and develop 100 people all who does 10 hour work per week in their individual franchisee but the a small percentage of productivity is linked with you then in a week you have already worked 1000 hours equivalent. Now let's extrapolate let say over the years you train few and others train few and in this manner 1000 people got trained and they are working on their individual franchisee, so now in a week you are working 10,000 hours per week. Let's say now you have 10,000 people in your network then OMG, you are clocking 100,000 hours equivalent of work. The best part is even if you stop giving you 10 hours a week still you are clocking 99,990 hours a week. That what is the magic of how you can work 83,200 hours in one day.

Many people have done that and I know some of these people personally.

Lots of big companies like MySpace, Google+, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Vine, Ask-m, etc are leveraging on the power of this duplication. Everyone does a small bit and together it brings a big outcome. Ray Kroc just did that where all the thousands of McDonalds restaurant operating and the hours are leveraged in a massive scale.

One of the biggest example which nature gives us is "The Great Barrier Reef" which uses this theory.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres (1,400 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms.This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. CNN labeled it one of the seven natural wonders of the world. [Source: Wikipedia]

83,200 hours work in 24 hours is very cool.

Cheers

Prabir