My Recreation Room

14 stories worth reading, feeling & forwarding..

2014-03-05T04:20:00.003-08:00

1. Fall and Rise

Today, when I slipped on the wet tile floor a boy in a wheelchair caught me before I slammed my head on the ground. He said, “Believe it or not, that’s almost exactly how I injured my back 3 years ago .

2. A father's advice

Today, my father told me, “Just go for it and give it a try! You don’t have to be a professional to build a successful product. Amateurs started Google and Apple. Professionals built the Titanic

3. The power of uniqueness.

Today, I asked my mentor – a very successful business man in his 70’s – what his top 3 tips are for success. He smiled and said, “Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do something no one else is doing.

4. Looking Back

Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I’m working on for my Psychology class. When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, “Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.

5. Try and U shall know

I am blind by birth. When I was 8 years old, I wanted to play baseball. I asked my father- "Dad, can I play baseball?" He said "You'll never know until you try." When I was a teenager, I asked him, - "Dad Can I become a surgeon?". He replied "Son, you'll never know until you try." Today I am a Surgeon, just because I tried!

6. GOODNESS & GRATITUDE

Today, after a 72 hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the grocery store and gave me a hug. When I tensed up, she realized I didn’t recognize her. She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the most sincere smile and said, “On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center.”

7. LOVE CONQUERS PAIN

Today, after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road holding him and crying. And just before he died, he licked the tears off my face.

8. A DOOR CLOSES TO OPEN ANOTHER

Today at 7AM, I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so I went into work. At 3PM I got laid off. On my drive home I got a flat tire. When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat too. A man in a BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, we chatted, and then he offered me a job. I start tomorrow.

9. LOOKING BACK

Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother’s hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. She simply said, “I feel so loved right now. We should have gotten together like this more often.”

10. AFFECTION

Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed. About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy.

11. INNOCENCE

Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to start recycling. I chuckled and asked, “Why?” She replied, “So you can help me save the planet.” I chuckled again and asked, “And why do you want to save the planet?” “Because that’s where I keep all my stuff,” she said.

12. JOY

Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter’s antics, I suddenly realized that I need to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.

13. KINDNESS

Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutches with my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me. He helped me all the way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said, “I hope you feel better soon.”.

14. SHARING

Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe. He said he hadn’t eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy. Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating. The first thing the man said was, “We can share it.”

Reasons Not to Mess with Children

2012-05-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow

a human because even though it was a very large mammal its

throat was very small.

The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow

a human; it was physically impossible.

The little girl said, 'When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah.'

The teacher asked, 'What if Jonah went to hell?'

The little girl replied, 'Then you ask him.'

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children

while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around

to see each child's work.

As she got to one little girl who was working diligently,

she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, 'I'm drawing God.'

The teacher paused and said,

'But no one knows what God looks like.'

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing,

the girl replied, 'They will in a minute.'

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the

Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.

After explaining the commandment to 'honour' thy Father and

thy Mother, she asked, 'Is there a commandment that

teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?'

Without missing a beat one little boy,

the oldest of a family, answered,

'Thou shall not kill.'

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do

the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that

her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out

in contrast on her brunette head.

She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked,

'Why are some of your hairs white, Mum?'

Her mother replied, 'Well, every time that you do something wrong

and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.'

The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, 'Mummy, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?'

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was

trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.

'Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all

grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or

'That's Michael, he's a doctor.'

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, 'And there's the teacher, she's dead.'

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood.

Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, 'Now, class, if I

stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it,

and I would turn red in the face.'

'Yes,' the class said.

'Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?'

A little fellow shouted,
'Cause your feet ain't empty.'

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic

elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a

large pile of apples. The nun made a note,

and posted on the apple tray:

'Take only ONE. God is watching.'

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of

the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

A child had written a note,

'Take all you want. God is watching the apples.'

Art of using Irritation well!!

2012-05-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sharp Mind

2012-02-21T04:55:00.001-08:00

There once was a farmer who discovered that he had lost his watch in the barn. It was no ordinary watch because it had sentimental value for him. After searching high and low among the hay for a long while; he gave up and enlisted the help of a group of children playing outside the barn.

He promised them that the person who found it would be rewarded.

Hearing this, the children hurried inside the barn, went through and around the entire stack of hay but still could not find the watch. Just when the farmer was about to give up looking for his watch, a little boy went up to him and asked to be given another chance.

The farmer looked at him and thought, "Why not? After all, this kid looks sincere enough."

So the farmer sent the little boy back in the barn. After a while the little boy came out with the watch in his hand! The farmer was both happy and surprised and so he asked the boy how he succeeded where the rest had failed.

The boy replied, "I did nothing but sit on the ground and listen. In the silence, I heard the ticking of the watch and just looked for it in that direction."

Moral: A peaceful mind can think better than a worked up mind.

Allow a few minutes of silence to your mind every day, and see, how sharply it helps you to set your life the way you expect it to be...!

Know we know..

2011-12-14T05:55:00.001-08:00

Q: Why do men's clothes have buttons on the right while women's clothes have buttons on the left?

A: When buttons were invented, they were very expensive
and worn primarily by the rich. Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right! And that's where women's buttons have remained since.

Q: Why do ships and aircraft use 'mayday' as their call for help?

A: This comes from the French word m'aidez -meaning 'help me' -- and is pronounced, approximately, 'mayday.'

Q: Why are zero scores in tennis called 'love'?

A: In France , where tennis became popular, round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'egg.' When tennis was introduced in the US , Americans (mis)pronounced it 'love.'

Q. Why do X's at the end of a letter signify kisses?

A: In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.

Q: Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?

A: In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility of dealing, he would 'pass the buck' to the next player.

Q: Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?

A: It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink. To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink it simultaneously. When a guest trusted his host, he would only touch or clink the host's glass with his own.

Q: Why are people in the public eye said to be 'in the limelight'?
A:Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and theatres by burning a cylinder of lime which produced a brilliant light. In the theatre, a performer 'in the limelight' was the centre of attention.

Q: Why is someone who is feeling great 'on cloud nine'?

A: Types of clouds are numbered according to the altitudes they attain, with nine being the highest cloud If someone is said to be on cloud nine, that person is floating well above worldly cares.

Q: In golf, where did the term 'Caddie' come from?

A. When Mary Queen of Scots went to France as a young girl, Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scots game 'golf.' So he had the first course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her. Mary liked this a lot and when returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the long run), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced 'ca-day' and the Scots changed it into 'caddie.

Q: Why are many coin banks shaped like pigs?

A: Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of a dense orange clay called 'pygg'. When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as 'pygg banks.' When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a container that resembled a pig. And it caught on.

Q: Did you ever wonder why dimes, quarters and half dollars have notches (milling), while pennies and nickels do not?

A: The US Mint began putting notches on the edges of coins containing gold and silver to discourage holders from shaving off small quantities of the precious metals. Dimes, quarters and half dollars are notched because they used to contain silver. Pennies and nickels aren't notched because the metals they contain are not valuable enough to shave.

Success breeds Success

2011-09-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

“Success breeds Success.”

There was a farmer who grew superior quality, award-winning corn in his farm.
Each year, he entered his corn in the state fair where it won honors & prizes.

A news paper interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew his corn.
The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.

“How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn
in competition with yours each year?” The reporter asked.

“Why sir,” the farmer replied, “Didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen grains from the ripening
corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior, sub-standard & poor quality corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I have to grow good corn,
I must help my neighbors to grow good corns.”

The farmer gave a superb insight into the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless
his neighbors’ corn also improves. So it is in the other dimensions and areas of life!

Those who choose to be in harmony must help their neighbors and colleagues to be at peace.
Those who choose to live well must help others live well. The value of a life is measured by the lives
it touches…

Success does not happen in isolation; it is most often a participatory and collective process.
So share the good practices, ideas and new knowledge with your family, friends, team members, neighbors and all.

As they say: “Success breeds Success.”

Wishes Granted !!

2011-08-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

40 years of marriage:

A married couple in their early 60s was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant..
Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table..

She said, 'For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you each a wish.

The wife answered, 'Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband.

The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands.

The husband thought for a moment: 'Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I'm sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me.

The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish. So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof!...the husband became 92 years old

Money is yours but resources belong to society

2011-08-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

A good food for thought ! !!

MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY.

Germany is a highly industrialized country. It produces top brands like Benz, BMW, Siemens etc. The nuclear reactor pump is made in a small town in this country. In such a country, many will think its people lead a luxurious life. At least that was my impression before my study trip.

When I arrived at Hamburg, my colleagues who work in Hamburg arranged a welcome party for me in a restaurant. As we walked into the restaurant, we noticed that a lot of tables were empty. There was a table where a young couple was having their meal. There were only two dishes and two cans of beer on the table. I wondered if such simple meal could be romantic, and whether the girl will leave this stingy guy.

There were a few old ladies on another table. When a dish is served, the waiter would distribute the food for them, and they would finish every bit of the food on their plates.

We did not pay much attention to them, as we were looking forward to the dishes we ordered. As we were hungry, our local colleague ordered more food for us.

As the restaurant was quiet, the food came quite fast. Since there were other activities arranged for us, we did not spend much time dining. When we left, there was still about one third of unconsumed food on the table.

When we were leaving the restaurant, we heard someone calling us. We noticed the old ladies in the restaurant were talking about us to the restaurant owner. When they spoke to us in English, we understood that they were unhappy about us wasting so much food. We immediately felt that they were really being too busybody. "We paid for our food, it is none of your business how much food we left behind," my colleague GUI told the old ladies.

The old ladies were furious. One of them immediately took her hand phone out and made a call to someone. After a while, a man in uniform claimed to be an officer from the Social Security organisation arrived. Upon knowing what the dispute was, he issued us a 50 Mark fine. We all kept quiet. The local colleague took out a 50 Mark note and repeatedly apologized to the

officer.

The officer told us in a stern voice, "ORDER WHAT YOU CAN CONSUME, MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS IN THE WORLD WHO ARE FACING SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES. YOU HAVE NO REASON TO WASTE RESOURCES.´"

Our face turned red. We all agreed with him in our hearts. The mindset of people of this rich country put all of us to shame. WE REALLY NEED TO REFLECT ON THIS. We are from country which is not very rich in resources. To save face, we order large quantity and also waste food when we give others a treat. THIS LESSON TAUGHT US A LESSON TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT CHANGING OUR BAD HABITS.

My colleague photostatted the fine ticket and gave a copy to each of us as a souvenir. All of us kept it and pasted on our wall to remind us that we shall never be wasteful.

Its all about LOVE !!

2011-06-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time all feelings and emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island.

The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.

Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realised it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.

Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”

“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”

A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please take me with you.”

Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”

Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.”

When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone.

Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place.

On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”

Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”

“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows your true greatness and what you are capable of. Only Love can bring peace and great happiness in this world.”

“The important message is that when we are prosperous, we overlook love. When we feel important, we forget love. Even in happiness and sorrow we forget love. Only with time do we realize the importance of love. Why wait that long? Why not make love a part of your life today?”

Smile Is The Way!!!

2011-06-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

World Economics!!

2011-06-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

It is raining, and the little town looks totally deserted. It is toughtimes, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit.

        Suddenly, a rich tourist comes to town. Heenters the only hotel, lays a 100 Euro note on the reception counter,and goes to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to choose one. Thehotel proprietor takes the 100 Euro note and runs to pay his debt to thebutcher.

        The butcher takes the 100 Euro note, and runsto pay his debt to the pig grower. The pig grower takes the 100 Euronote, and runs to pay his debt to the supplier of his feed and fuel.

         The supplier of feed and fuel takes the100 Euro note and runs to pay his debt to the town's prostitute that inthese hard times, gave her "services" on credit.

         The hooker runs to the hotel, and paysoff her debt with the 100 Euro note to the hotel proprietor to pay forthe rooms that she rented when she brought her clients there.

          The hotel proprietor then lays the 100Euro note back on the counter so that the rich tourist will not suspectanything.

          At that moment, the tourist comes downafter inspecting the rooms, and takes his 100 Euro note, after saying thathe did not like any of the rooms, and leaves town.

          No one earned anything. However, thewhole town is now without debt, and looks to the future with a lot of optimism...

          And that is what this worldeconomics is all about!

Economics For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance))

The Husband Store

2011-04-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City , Where a woman may go to choose a husband.
Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates.

You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!
There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights.
There is, however, a catch ........
You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building !
So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.
On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men have jobs and love the Lord.

The second floor sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, and love kids.

The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, and are extremely good looking.

'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads:
Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, and are drop-dead good looking and help with the housework.

'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!' Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads:

Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop- dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 6 - You are visitor 4,363,012 to this floor.

There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. Watch your step as you exit the building :D

Sardarji's Mom's Letter...

2011-04-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Banta
Vahe Guru !

I am in a well here and hoping you are in the same well there. I'm writing this letter slowly, because I know you cannot read fast.

We don't live where we did when you left home. Your dad read in the newspaper that most accidents happen 20 miles from home, so we moved 20 miles.

I wont be able to send the address as the last Sardar who stayed here took the house numbers with them for their new house so they would not have to change their address. Hopefully by next week we will be able to bring our earlier address plate here, so that our address will remain same too.

This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine, situated right above the commode. I'm not sure it works. Last week I put in 3 shirts, pulled the chain and haven't seen them since.

The weather here isn't too bad. It rained only twice last week. The first time it rained for 3 days and second time for 4 days.

The coat you wanted me to send you, your Aunt said it would be a little too heavy to send in the mail with all the metal buttons, so we cut them off and put them in the pocket.

Your father has another job. He has 500 men under him. He is cutting the grass at the cemetery.

By the way I took Bahu to our club's poolside. The manager is really badmash. He told her that two-piece swimming suit is not allowed in this club. We were confused as to which piece should we remove?

Your sister had a baby this morning. I haven't found out whether it is a girl or a boy, so I don't know whether you are an Aunt or Uncle.

Your uncle, Jetinder fell in a nearby well. Some men tried to pull him out, but he fought them off bravely and drowned. We cremated him and he burned for three days.

Your best friend, Balwinder, is no more. He died trying to fulfill his father's last wishes. His father had wished to be buried at sea after he died. And your friend died while in the process of digging a grave for his father.

There isn't much more news this time. Nothing much has happened.

P.S: Beta, I was going to send you some money but by the time I realized, I had already sealed off this letter.

Little Chintu

2011-04-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Little Chintu came into the kitchen where his mother was cooking dinner.

His birthday was coming up and he thought this was a good time to tell his mother what he wanted.

Mom, I want a Cycle for my birthday.

Little Chintu was a bit of a troublemaker. He had gotten into trouble at school and at home.

Chintu's mother asked him if he thought he deserved to get a Cycle for his birthday.

Little Chintu, of course, thought he did.

Chintu's mother wanted Chintu to reflect on his behavior over the last year.

Go to your room, Chintu, and think about how you have behaved this year.

Then write a letter to Krishna and tell him why you deserve a Cycle for your birthday.

Little Chintu stomped up the steps to his room and sat down to write Krishna a letter.

**************
Letter 1

Dear Krishna ,

I have been a very good boy this year and I would like a Cycle for my birthday.

I want a red one.

Your friend,

Chintu

**************
Chintu knew that this wasn't true. He had not been a very good boy this year,

So he tore up the letter and started over.

**************
Letter 2

Dear Krishna ,

This is your friend Chintu. I have been a good boy this year and I
would like A red Cycle for my birthday. Thank you.

Your friend,
Chintu
**************
Chintu knew that this wasn't true either. So, he tore up the letter and started again.
**************
Letter 3

Dear Krishna ,

I have been an OK boy this year. I still would really like a Cycle for my birthday.

Chintu
**************
Chintu knew he could not send this letter to Krishna either. So, Chintu wrote a fourth letter.

**************
Letter 4

Krishna ,

I know I haven't been a good boy this year. I am very sorry.

I will be a good boy if you just send me a Cycle for my birthday.

Please! Thank you,

Chintu

**************

Chintu knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get him a Cycle.

Now, Chintu was very upset. He went downstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to temple.

Chintu's mother thought her plan had worked, as Chintu looked very sad.

Just be home in time for dinner, Chintu's mother told him.

Chintu walked down the street to the temple on the corner.

Little Chintu went into the temple and up to the altar.
He looked around to see if anyone was there.

Chintu bent down and picked up a statue of the radha.

He slipped the statue under his shirt and ran out of the temple, down the street, into the house, and up to his room.

He shut the door to his room and sat down with a piece of paper and a pen.

Chintu began to write his letter to Krishna .

**************
Letter 5

Krishna ,

I'VE KIDNAPPED YOUR GIRLFRIEND. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE
CYCLE!!!!!!

Chintu !!!!

Change..

2011-03-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often."
—Sir Winston Churchill

Hats of !!

2011-03-25T05:15:00.000-07:00

10 things to learn from Japan

1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.

4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly.

What do you think?

2011-03-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

Last month, legendary investor Warren Buffett commented: "If you've got the power to raise prices without losing business to a competitor, you've got a very good business. And if you have to have a prayer session before raising the price by 10 percent, then you've got a terrible business."

What do you think? Do share your comments with us.

The Harsha Bhogle's 1 liner

2011-03-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

1. This was in a match btw India and SA.. umpire Rudi Kuertzen caught on camera sporting a rare smile. harsha commented....

"last time Rudi Kuerzten smiled there was peace in west asia"

2. This is again from the natwest trophy final..When Yuvraj got out at a very crucial stage..harsha's one liner..

" Yuvraj Singh will realize that this will be his longest walk bak to the pavillion "

3. When Sachin once got out to a lollypop offspinner (I guess it was Michael Vaughn) in '02.

He wonderfully said, " Oh what a shame. It was reminiscent of a soldier who survived the war when all the bullets were flying by his nose and then got run over by a bicycle in his native town ."

4. Ind vs Aus 2000 icc knockout champioship played in Kenya. (yuvi's debut)

Sachin was smasing all aussie bowlers, and then he his a superb off drive off lee.

harsha : " this innings by tendulkar has been a beautiful garden, the last shot being the most beautiful flower in it "

5. ind vs nzl. (in nzl 2002-2003) Sehwag had MANY lucky escapes. when he was dropped once again.

harsha : " its been that kind of a day. today sehwag can walk blindfolded across a busy highway and not get runover ."

6. Natwest Final:

During Naser Hussain's mistimed hits/top edges on his way to his maiden hundred " Naser Hussain is trying desperately hard to find innovative ways of getting himself out"

7. in the same match... " if you are not watching this segment of play, don't ever call yourself a cricket lover anymore. you are watching cricket of a very high order here".

8. Here's n old one...at perth Adam Gilchrist took a blinder and he described Gilly's dive thus, " ... some of the sea-gulls flying here are going to get a complex."

9. when Tendulkar got a hundred he said

"Touch of Class & stamp of Authority "

10. recently in india's tour of south africa...he blurted out suddenly after Sreesanth's antiques with the bat and hips..." dis is the funniest thing u'll ever watch on a cricket field"...!!

11. When Smith dropped Sachin in the 2nd Test

Graeme Smith would be hoping that the world under his feet opens up & he would find a crevice large enough for him to slip through....

12. After india lost the recent test series in SA

India lost the series because they surprised themselves by winning the 1st test . A win should never be a surprise .

13. After Anil Kumble scored his maiden Ton...this is what our great man had to say...

" This is the most romantic moment in Indian Cricket....."

14. " The last time Billy gave lbw , Berlin wall was not there , there was peace in Afganistan,..................."

15. In a match between Aus n SL , Harsha said to Ian Chappell , " I am sure you'll never become a lawyer , I understand everything you say "

Ian Chappell had no counter for this.

16. Harsha was hosting the ICC Awards before the T20 World Cup and he called on Jonty Rhodes to present an award.

So as Jonty began climbing down the stairs, Harsha exclaimed, ''it's pretty unusual to see Jonty walk down the stairs, I thought he might slide down them !"

17. when the wickets were falling in a heap in the T20 match...

THIS SERIES IS SPONSERED BY KFC AND THE WICKETS ARE FALLING FASTER THAN THEIR (KFC's) DELIVERIES....

18. when Gambhr was dropped twice on consecutive deliveries, - " We should conduct a dream job in Australia & the winner will get to stand in the slip region!!!!!!"

19. When Kumble and Ishant were batting, Hussey dropped a catch of Ishant off the bowling of Johnson and Harsha exclaimed," It's autumn in Adelaide. It's the time when leaves change their colour and they start dropping. Here, as well the catches are dropping..".

20. In a match, dravid left a ball alone while batting. To this gavaskar, who was commenting alongside harsha was very impressed by the way he left the ball. He went on appreciating that for a minute or so. After this harsha's comment was, " Sunny, you nearly got an orgasm of happiness, didn't u!" & then both burst out into laughter!

21. dhoni is battin with anil kumble.. dhoni calls for a tight single,n harsha has this to say," dhoni scrambles for a single n causes anil kumble n all of his 37 yrs to rush to the other end.."

22. after shaun tait did not live up to the hype Cricket Australia created around him, ponting took him off the attack.

harsha, in his own inimitable style:

'shaun tait should go up to ponting and say " hello mr ponting, my name is shaun tait, and i am supposed to take 45 wickets in this test match "

23. HB was analysing the innings of laxman...laxman made a crucial 79 in the second innings.

HB said something like- " aussies must be feeling that wenever we are on the verge of 17th ,this man(laxman) comes in between!"

24. RP SIngh walked in but it was Laxman on strike. So the Aussies wanted him to take a single and get RP on strike... so they spread out the field completely, with only the keeper, one slip and one gully inside the 30 yard circle..

That's when Harsha says ..

"now suddenly, Don Bradman is batting out there in the middle... "

25. Seeing the flock of seagulls flying across the pitch Harsha tells Wasim Akram : " As you would say in Punjabi... kee gull hai? sea gull hai!!! "

26. when michael clarke was caught at slip off kumble , he was still watin 4 da decision , over this harsha said, " i think he is waitin for tomorrow's newspaper to declare him out"

27. Yuvraj hit the long six off brett lee went outside the stadium in durban

'are there people working late in the office there....... we want the ball back'

27. in t-20 gayle hit a monstrous six but but fell just short of the golf course outside the stadium

harsha: " wat a poor shot just misses the golf course "

28. " if i cannot be tendulkar then tendulkar can also not be me "

29. the palyers told their favourite shots while coming on to bat....

Collingwood said "a little nurdle of the pads" and Pietersen said blocking the ball....

Harsha commented " the next thing they'll say is that their favourite shot is to leave the ball alone"

30. what an introduction to India Australia semifinal: " This is a battle between unstoppable force against immovable object "

Japanees Bus Stop..

2011-03-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

A Fantastic sentence written on Japanees Bus Stop..

"Only Buses Will Stop Here, not your Time..
So keep Walking Towards your Goal..!!"

Bus Stop!/Stop! Stop! Stop!

Beautiful Thought !!

2011-03-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.
The mind is everything.
What we think we become.”..

From a reader...

2011-03-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

O all learned people , fully realize your conduct towards different objects of the universe, know ye the electricity that maintains all beautiful objects, the sun, the invisible matter brought into creation, the invigorating vital airs, thus ye become the utilisers of all objects…Homage to him who knows the science of clouds, and to him who knows the science of electricity.

Why walk when you can fly

2011-03-21T15:52:00.000-07:00

Once there was a king who received a gift of two magnificent falcons from Arabia. They were peregrine falcons, the most beautiful birds he had ever seen. He gave the precious birds to his head falconer to be trained.

Months passed and one day the head falconer informed the king that though one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.

The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the falcon, but no one could make the bird fly. He presented the task to the member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace window that the bird had still not moved from its perch. Having tried everything else, the king thought to himself, "May be I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem." So he cried out to his court, "Go and get a farmer."

In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above the palace gardens. He said to his court, "Bring me the doer of this miracle."

The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king. The king asked him, "How did you make the falcon fly?"

With his head bowed, the farmer said to the king, " It was very easy, your highness. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting."

We are all made to fly -- to realize our incredible potential as human beings. But instead of doing that, we sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling.

So let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight.

-- From the Book "Why walk when you can fly"

Living Mind - Experience Life’s Rhythm

2011-03-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

A Hoysala king on a hunting expedition captured a gorgeous white baby elephant that got separated from its mother. The elephants of noble breed belonged to the king of the neighbouring region. But gradually the baby elephant was turning out to be naughty and ill mannered. The king who was concerned about its impudence with the mahout handed his minister the responsibility of tracing the cause. The minister hoisted himself on a tree close to the baby elephant to keep a watch on him through the night. As night approached, he saw some men of ill-repute sitting near the baby elephant. They were badmouthing people, exuding anger and vengeance. This went on for several days. The minister duly reported this to the king who had the men barred from that place. He now sent a group of wise people to keep the baby elephant company. Very soon, the baby returned to its natural state of goodness and virtuosity.

Can we hope to always be surrounded by good people or be in a good environment? Life is unstable and unpredictable. How can we insulate ourselves from the bad effects?

The solution is to have a “living mind”, a mind that is watchful and observant. When the mind is dominated by suspicion, anger, fear, hurt or anxiety, it becomes dead and fossilised. It loses its ability to enquire into anything, be it an event or an emotion. It becomes compulsive, mechanical and repetitive. Such a mind devoid of awareness and alertness is prone to fall a victim to the vagaries of the world. It is weak and helpless. A mind that is awake and watchful nurtures goodness, virtue, joy and love within a human being in all aspects of life. A dead mind can only brag about its ideals of goodness and integrity but in reality its actions are prompted by fear, confusion and rigidity. It is fossilised thinking. Awareness is what can give you an extraordinary quality of life.

There are different views about life. Some say it is predestined; others say it is an accident and that it has no destiny. But there is a destiny and it is crafted by our thoughts. This is how we create our destiny:

•Thoughts

•Emotions

•Moods

•Temperaments

•Actions

• Destiny

When we do not throw the light of awareness onto our thoughts regarding a particular situation, it precipitates emotions like anger, hurt and fear. When these emotions are not attended to, we get used to them and they cause mood swings. Thereafter, it becomes our second nature, our temperament. Just as layer upon layer of sedimentation solidifies into rock, continuous unawareness and ignorance go to make our personality. We become defined, limited and controlled by them. Our actions would then be directed by our moods. Such unintelligent action would lead to a poor destiny, devoid of love, joy, abundance or success.

Hence, “a living mind” which is vigilant about what it thinks and feels is of utmost importance to create a great destiny. Destiny is also not created in one moment; it takes shape with each situation life throws up and with each response you give to it.

So come alive, live consciously, be aware of every movement, and be awake to every rhythm of life. In living life every moment that you see is each time a new beginning.

The writer is faculty member, One World Academy. www.oneworldacademy.com

The only place that baby can reach...

2011-03-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

There was this family with one kid. One day the mother was out and dad was in charge of the kid, who just turned three.

Someone had given the kid a little 'tea set' as a birthday gift and it was one of his favorite toys. Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when kid brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea from father, kid’s Mom came home.

Dad made her wait in the living room to watch the kid bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!!'

Mom waited, and sure enough, the kid comes down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up, then she says to him, 'Did it ever occur to you that the only place that baby can reach to get water is the toilet??'

....Mothers know!!

MORAL OF THE STORY: Domain knowledge is very important!!! Else your supplier will trick you

Brain knocking ...

2011-03-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

Scholars who contemplate on their thoughts and translate them into actions are the ones who are really great and noble.