character

This short real life happening by professional life success coach Steve Brunkhorst educate us how good manners rewards one's life... really inspiring, great article:-

The Secret of Happiness by Steve Brunkhorst, © Copyright 2004

The old man shuffled slowly into the restaurant.

With head tilted, and shoulders bent forward, he leaned on his trusty cane with each unhurried step. His tattered cloth jacket, patched trousers, worn out shoes, and warm personality made him stand out from the usual Saturday morning breakfast crowd.

Unforgettable were his pale blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds, large rosy cheeks, and thin lips held in a tight, steady smile. He stopped, turned with his whole body, and winked at a little girl seated by the door. She flashed a big grin right back at him.

A young waitress named Mary watched him shuffle toward a table by the window. Mary ran over to him, and said, "Here, Sir. Let me give you a hand with that chair." Without saying a word, he smiled and nodded a thank you.

She pulled the chair away from the table. Steadying him with one arm, she helped him move in front of the chair, and get comfortably seated. Then she scooted table up close to him, and leaned his cane against the table where he could reach it.

In a soft, clear voice he said, "Thank you, Miss. And bless you for your kind gestures." You're welcome, Sir." She replied. "And my name is Mary. I'll be back in a moment, and if you need anything at all in the mean time, just wave at me!"

After he had finished a hearty meal of pancakes, bacon, and hot lemon tea, Mary brought him the change from his ticket. He left it lay.

She helped him up from his chair, and out from behind the table. She handed him his cane, and walked with him to the front door. Holding the door open for him, she said, "Come back and see us, Sir!"

He turned with his whole body, winked a smile, and nodded a thank you. "You are very kind." he said softly.

When Mary went to clean his table, she almost fainted. Under his plate she found a business card, and a note scribbled on a napkin. Under the napkin was a one hundred dollar bill. The note on the napkin read... Dear Mary, I respect you very much, and you respect yourself too. It shows by the way you treat others. You have found the secret of happiness. Yourkind gestures will shine through those who meet you."

The man she had waited on was the owner of the restaurant where she worked. This was the first time that she, or any of his employees had ever seen him in person.

Authors Note: This story is based on actual events experienced by a friend from St. Paul, Minnesota. The note is the exact wording on the napkin that she has kept in her scrap book for fifteen years. About The Author: Steve Brunkhorst is a professional life success coach .

Beauty

Beauty, nature's beauty is unparallel, this picture depicts the perfect rural calmness and serinity. The eternal poem fits well to describe the beauty

A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases;
it will neverPass into nothingness;
but still will keep
A bower quiet for us,
and a sleepFull of sweet dreams,
and health,
and quiet breathing.

-John Keats, Endymion Bk. i, I

Nice Joke isn't!!!

Easy Vs Difficult

Easy vs Difficult

Easy is to get a place is someone's address book.
Difficult is to get a place in someone's heart.

Easy is to judge the mistakes of others
Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes

Easy is to talk without thinking
Difficult is to refrain the tongue

Easy is to hurt someone who loves us.
Difficult is to heal the wound...


Easy is to forgive others
Difficult is to ask for forgiveness

Easy is to set rules.
Difficult is to follow them...

Easy is to dream every night.
Difficult is to fight for a dream...

Easy is to show victory.
Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity...

Easy is to admire a full moon.
Difficult to see the other side...

Easy is to stumble with a stone.
Difficult is to get up...

Easy is to enjoy life every day.
Difficult to give its real value...

Easy is to promise something to someone.
Difficult is to fulfill that promise...

Easy is to say we love.
Difficult is to show it every day...

Easy is to criticize others.
Difficult to appreciate others wholeheartedly…..

To Think

Read and think for a moment......As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the factthat these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to theirfront leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, atanytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

I saw a trainer near by and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animalsjust stood there and made no attempt to get away.

"Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."

I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

True......Right???

Lesson:- Don't be chained by false beliefs, eventhough failed in initial attempts you are capable of achieving greatness. So keep-on trying.

cool !!!

Creative Advertisement, cool isn,t!!!

Poem by Mother Teresa

This poem was written by Mother Teresa and is engravedon the wall of her home for children in Calcutta. This is one of the touching poem.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, &self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish,ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friendsand some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Behonest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroyovernight:
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forgettomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you andGod;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, OM (August 27, 1910 – September 5, 1997) was an Indian Catholic nun of Albanian origin who founded the Missionaries of Charity. Her work among the poverty-stricken of Kolkata (Calcutta) made her one of the world's most famous people, and it is widely thought that she will be canonized shortly.
Teresa was awarded the Templeton Prize in 1973, the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1980. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in October 2003, hence she may be properly called Blessed Teresa by Catholics. She was the first and only person to be featured on an Indian postage stamp while still alive.

catch it!!!!

Catch it !!!! Nice cute photo!

Public Speaking Tips

I had received this article from email, which I hope may be useful to those who have little fear in Public Speaking. Even the bold and intelligent guys when goes to the podium may search for words on seeing the huge audiance. In board rooms when surrounded by colleagues and boss, thing goes wrong and mind becomes blank in many times, just read this and get benefitted and face the public in confidence!!!!!

Tips for public speaking:-

Ensure your speech will be captivating to your audience as well as worth their time and attention. Videotape your presentation and analyze it. Emphasize your strong points during your presentation.

Be solemn if your topic is serious. Present the desired image to your audience. Appear relaxed, even if you feel nervous. Establish rapport with your audience. If a microphone is available, adjust and adapt your voice accordingly.

Master the use of presentation software such as PowerPoint well before your presentation. Persuade your audience effectively. Speak loudly and clearly. Sound confident. Maintain sincere eye contact with your audience.

If what you have prepared is obviously not getting across to your audience, change your strategy mid-stream if you are well prepared to do so. Allow yourself and your audience a little time to reflect and think.

Keep audience interested throughout your entire presentation. Remember that an interesting speech makes time fly, but a boring speech is always too long to endure even if the presentation time is the same.

Check out the location ahead of time to ensure seating arrangements for audience, whiteboard, blackboard, lighting, location of projection screen, sound system, etc. are suitable for your presentation.

Tell audience ahead of time that you will be giving out an outline of your presentation so that they will not waste time taking unnecessary notes during your presentation.

Here are just a few hints, public speaking tips and techniques to help you develop your skills and become far more effective as a public speaker.

MistakesMistakes are all right.
Recovering from mistakes makes you appear more human.
Good recovery puts your audience at ease - they identify with you more.

How to use the public speaking environment

Try not to get stuck in one place.Use all the space that's available to you.Move around.One way to do this is to leave your notes in one place and move to another.If your space is confined (say a meeting room or even presenting at a table) use stronger body language to convey your message.

Tell stories

Stories make you a real person not just a deliverer of information.Use personal experiences to bring your material to life.No matter how dry your material is, you can always find a way to humanise it.

Technology

Speak to your audience not your slides.Your slides are there to support you not the other way around.Ideally, slides should be graphics and not words (people read faster than they hear and will be impatient for you to get to the next point).If all the technology on offer fails, it's still you they've come to hear.

Humour

Tell jokes if you're good at telling jokes.If you aren't good, best to leave the jokes behind.There's nothing worse than a punch line that has no punch.Gentle humour is good in place of jokes.Self-deprecation is good, but try not to lay it on too thick.

You can learn to enjoy public speaking and become far more effective at standing in front of a group of people and delivering a potent message.

And remember to keep practicing!

Friends?!

A friend is someone we turn to

When our spirits need a lift
A friend is someone we treasure

For our friendship is a gift
A friend is someone who fills our lives

With beauty, joy, and grace
And makes the world we live in

A better and happier place
A friend In need is
A friend Indeed!!!!

To ponder!!!

Read Each One Carefully and Think About It a Second or Two:-

1. I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.
2. No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make you cry.
3. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
4. A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
5. The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can't have them.
6. Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.
7. To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
8. Don't waste your time on a man/woman, who isn't willing to waste their time on you.
9. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the person, we will know how to be grateful.
10. Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened.
11. There's always going to be people that hurt you so what you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around.
12. Make yourself a better person and know who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you .
13. Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least expect them to.
14. REMEMBER: WHATEVER HAPPENS, HAPPENS FOR A REASON.

Honesty

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided something different. He called young people in the kingdom together one day.

He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you." The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued.

"I am going to give each one of you a seed today, one very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!"

One boy name Ling was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story. She helps him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Everyday he would water it watches to see if it had grown.

After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks went by. Still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by; still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed.

Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed grow.

A year finally went by and all of the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection.

Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot but his mother said he must be honest about what happened.

Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful -- in all shape and sizes.

Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kids laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey nice try." When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!"All of the sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified.

"The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"When Ling got to the front, the emperor asked his name."My name is Ling," he replied.

All kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down.He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!"

Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?
Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds, which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you.

Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap inner strength.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.

But if you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.

So be careful what you plant now, it will determine what you will reap tomorrow.

Pearls of Love

Life without of Love is deplorable. Some lovable pearls of wisdom on LOVE:-

• Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship and find out you still care for that person.

• A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was never meant to be and you just have to let go.

• It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

• There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real.

• A careless word may kindle strife, a cruel word may wreck a life, a timely word may level stress, a loving word may heal and bless.

• The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

• When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
  

Eat carefully!!

Amazing isn't, DON'T EAT MORE THAN WHAT YOU CAN CHEW!!!

Beautiful tree

Believe it or not, This is a tree!!!

Philosophy!!!

Charles Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the"Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions.Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor andactress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the oneswith the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They arethe ones that care.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrowin Australia." (Charles Schultz)

Sunset !!!!

The above photo, received by me through email, is quite fascinating as it depicts Sun-Set and Moon rise simultaneously, on the same side.

Footprints

Footprints- Short Story

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked beach at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that this happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it.
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied,
"My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."


Comment:-
I like this story very much and I used to read it again and again and everytime it gives a sense of solance.

Happy Pongal

Pongal is a popular harvest festival in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu. Named after a sweet rice dish, Pongal starts on January 14 of each year. The celebration lasts for three days. On the first day, Pongal is offered to Bhogi or Indran (the rain gods) for providing rain for the harvest. On the second day, pongal is offered to the Sun God. On the third day, the family's cattle (mattu) is cleaned and dressed up with flowers, bells, and color powder. This is the day to honor the cattle's hard work for plowing the fields.


"WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY PONGAL & MAGARA SHANKRANTHI"

Gold Fish

Heard of Gold Fish, but this one is amazing, looking really like Golden Fish, Isnt?!

Dawn to Dusk

Dawn:- The early morning sunrise brings cheers to plants, birds, animals and humans.. The morning pleasantness is unique and it filled with the uncertain curiosity about the day, for some it may brings luck, happiness, and success...

Dusk:- Like the birds, animals retire themselves man also retires from the hard -dog day. The evening dusk is sort of enigma. The fading light carries with him the days toil. The above pictures visualises the up & downs of the changes in every day, which if we ponder seriously, perhaps may teach a lesson or two.

Dawn and Dusk are common not only to nature but we for humans too!!!!

Calm before the Storm

calm before the Storm

This is one of the photos from the 17th Annual Photo Contestant Winners 2005 of the National Geographic. This bags the Merit Prize: Mr.Fakrul Islam.

Background: - Fakrul Islam forgot his raincoat on an evening outing in his native Bangladesh. When there was a sudden change of weather, Islam ran for shelter, from which he looked out on this scene. "Nature's beauty attracted me to the image," says Islam, a political science lecturer in Sylhet, a city in northeastern Bangladesh on the Surma River. Islam says that whenever he's not working, he likes to take photographs. "My theory behind photography is to capture unusual presents for the future." (Nikon F601, 19-35mm Sigma zoom lens, Fujichrome Provia 100 film.) Olympus Camedia C-770 digital camera and a copy of the National Geographic Photography Field Guide.

Comments: - This photo perfectly depicts the arrival of impending thunderstorm, the dark clouds and the blue water gives a mystic appearance to the photo. Excellent photo.

Nature and God

This cool nature picture reminds of great moments and places in earth and make us to think of

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Lifes Rules!!!

Rules for Life

1. Pursue achievable Goals.

2. Keep a genuine Smile.

3. Share with others.

4. Help thy Neighbors.

5. Maintain a youthful Spirit.

6. Get along with the Rich, the Poor, the Beautiful & the Ugly.

7. Keep Cool under Pressure.

8. Lighten the atmosphere with Humor.

9. Forgive the annoyance of others.

10. Have few Friends.

11. Co-0perate and reap greater Rewards.

12. Treasure every moment with your loved ones.

13. Have high confidence in yourself.

14. Respect the disadvantaged.

15. Indulge yourself occasionally.

16. Surf the Net at leisure.

17. Take calculated Risk.

18. Understand Money isn't everything!!!

Follow the rules and enjoy Life.

(borrowed wisdom from email)

New Year a better year !

New Year Resolutions !

Every year almost all of us at least think of taking some new year resolutions, many successfully follow the resolutions, many faces stumbling blocks and their resolutions fades gradually, lets look some of the common resolutions and how to follow (!) at least some.

Top New Year Resolutions[1]

• § Lose Weight
  § Pay Off Debt
  § Save Money
  § Get a Better Job
  § Get Fit
  § Eat Right
  § Get a Better Education
  § Drink Less Alcohol
  § Quit Smoking Now
  § Reduce Stress Overall
  § Reduce Stress On-the-Job
  § Take a Trip
  § Volunteer to Help Others

How to make your New Year Resolutions successful: -

To be successful with your own resolutions, Marlatt[2], who has studied the subject for more than 20 years, suggests:
• Have a strong initial commitment to make a change.
• Have coping strategies to deal with problems that will come up.
• Keep track of your progress. The more monitoring you do and feedback you get, the better you will do.

Sure-fire ingredients for setting yourself up for resolution failure, he adds, include:

• not thinking about making resolutions until the last minute.
• Reacting on New Year's Eve and making your resolutions based on what's bothering you or is on your mind at that time.
• Framing your resolutions as absolutes by saying, "I will never do X again."

Marlatt has these suggestions: "Take credit for success when you achieve a resolution, but it is a mistake to blame yourself if you fail. Instead, look at the barriers that were in your way. See how you can do better the next time and figure out a better plan to succeed. You do get to try again and can make behavior changes throughout the year, not only at New Year's."


[1] http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml

[2] http://www.washington.edu/newsroom/news/1997archive/12-97archive/k122397.html