Oppertunities

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity,       an optimist sees the opportunity in every

difficulty.

Winston Churchill

You never KNOW what you can do till you try.

When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us
Alexander Graham Bell

Truth, Thoughts

Truth is but a resting place until the next revelation

Strike a Chord of Silence

We are disturbed not by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us

Epictetus 

What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday,
and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow.
Our life is the creation of our mind.
Buddha

Today

The best time to do something significant is between Yesterday and Tomorrow.

फ़िक्र करें सो बावरे, ज़िक्र करें सो साध

उठ फरीदा ज़िक्र कर, फ़िक्र करेगा आप!

बाबा फरीद

They are fools who are always worrying over little things

They are wise and saint who praise and remember God

Stand up Farid , and busy yourself in remembering and following  the dictates of God

And stop worrying as there is almighty God to take care of all unforeseen troubles.

Baba Farid

We spend most of over time worrying over little things, we are tense over problems which haven’t even occurred and most of times problems don’t even fall upon us. But we are fool enough to always worry over those problems and the result is that most of times we worry about those problems which have no real existence. If instead of this we can have faith in the almighty God who revolves the earth around the sun and that too on no road, in a fixed path and fixed time avoiding all obstacles in between. The God who makes big tree out of a tiny seed, The God who saves the earth from falling incessantly , Science can only gives us logic and laws after events have occurred , with each new event in physical science , the law is modified . We are all creation of that almighty so even if we face problems, pass through tough times, there must be some significance of all events in life whether good or bad, So Baba Farid rightly stresses and advises him and all, to stop worrying and have faith in almighty God, which is a solution to all worldly problems.

My Favourite Quotes

Our plans miscarry because they have no aim.
When you don't know what harbor you're
aiming for, no wind is the right wind.
Seneca
 
The greatest discovery is that a human being can alter his life
by altering his attitudes of mind.
William James

If there is no dull and determined effort,
there will be no brilliant achievement.
Hsun-tzu

He who would learn to fly
must first learn to walk and run and climb and dance;
one cannot fly into flying.
Nietzsche

We can do anything we want if
we stick to it long enough.
Helen Keller

The merit of an action lies
in finishing it to the end.
Genghis Khan

Live every act fully,
as if it were your last.
Buddha

No man ever became great except
through many and great mistakes.
William E. Gladstone

Only by great risks can
great results be achieved.
Xexes

You must act as if it is
impossible to fail
Ashanti Proverb

All things at first appear difficult.
Chinese Proverb

The beginnings of all things are small.
Cicero

Action must be taken at once; there
is no time to be lost.
Miguel Hidalgo

In the middle of difficulty lies
opportunity.
Albert Einstein

Never , never, never,  never give up.
Winston Churchill

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is
only to be understood.
Marie Curie

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
Confucius

If you are not ready today, you will
be even less ready tomorrow.
Ovid

Hear and forget. See and remember.
Do and understand.
Chinese Proverb

Nothing is so difficult that it cannot be
accomplished by diligence.
Terence

Things do not happen. Things are made
to happen.
John F. Kennedy

One must learn by doing the thing: though you
think you know it, you can't be certain until you try.
Sophocles

Nothing would be done at all it we waited until it
could be done so well that no one could find fault
with it.
Cardinal Newman

Do the little things well now. In time great things
will be presented to you, waiting to be done.
Persian Proverb

There is no darkness but ignorance.
Shakespeare

Happy are those who can call today their own:
who, secure within can say, tomorrow, do thy
worst, for I have lived today.
John

One should count each day a separate life.
Seneca

Who can say with certainty that
one will live to see tomorrow?
Tibetan Proverb

No matter how hard the past, you
can always begin again today.
Buddha

The beginning is the most
important part of the work.
Plato

Procrastination

Never put off till tomorrow , what you can do to-day

What causes procrastinations :-

1. Fear of disapproval.
2. Laziness
3. Doubts

Fear of disapproval is the main cause of procrastinations. The victim of procrastination believes that even if fulfills his obligations , he would be still rejected, criticized , that's why he better decides not to try at all. But this a big mistake , he is making , it's better to try and then be disapproved than not to try at all  , because when you try something , make efforts to accomplish a task , you always get a sense of satisfaction, you go through a process which adds to your experience .It further sends positive signals to our self conscience , raising our moral. But not trying at all makes us feel guilty , it takes away our positive energy and fills negativity all around.

Sometimes we fear disapproval because of delay in the projects/tasks , but social science says that " People are generally not concerned by how long it takes to complete a task , but they are more interested in how well work is done"

   

Laziness , lack of physical exercises makes our spirit dull. Just like a machine requires maintenance, our body ,too requires regular physical as well mental(meditations) exercises. There is no need of spending hours for taking exercises but if you can spare and hour or a half for Yoga or other light exercises , then nothing like that.But don't expect miracles in days or few weeks , Yoga must be done for at least 6 months before you can start reaping it's results.

One must build self confidence and have a positive attitude. If you are confident and have a positive attitude then the doubts start receding away from you. Think about the solutions , find out the all sources which can help, take fresh initiatives and above all never mind failure. In fact failures are stepping stones towards success. Just don't live with your failures, they are the milestones but not the goals .We all failed  several times in various stages of life , but life don't stop , success follows failure . A failures is a failure in one aspect , but the other aspect of it is that it gives us learning , we learn the methods which do not work , next we can improve our methods, so that it works.

MAYA THE ILLUSION

Is it Day or is it Night, What is it, I can’t make it out!

This is all illusion, the Maya

That which appears to be a Diamond, Might be a Fire

And that which appears to be a sparking, Might turn out to be a Star,

This is all illusion, the Maya

All faces look alike in the crowd, and how will you identify which is friend or foes

This is all illusion, the Maya

Problems are like washing machines

Problems are like washing machines

 - they twist us,

 - spin us and knock us around,

   but in the end we come out

   cleaner, brighter and better than before.

Carcasse, tu trembles?

 

“Carcasse, tu trembles?
Tu tremblerais bien davantage, si
tu savais, où je te mène.”

- Henri de la tour d’Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne (1611-1675)

Sometimes in a battle Carcaisse couldn’t help trembling, then instead of consoling his body he spoke to his body as if one speaks to a servant and said Carcaisse you tremble but you will tremble a lot more, if you knew where I am taking you now.

 So sometimes when we are passing through difficult times then grief overcomes us and we are in a state of melancholy, we become distraught. But if we come to know that the problems which we are facing are just insignificant as compared to those which we are going to face, then suddenly we realize that we are better off than the tough times ,waiting ahead. Problems, difficulties, tough times are always relative, a sum of 10000$ might be   just enough to support day’s living for a billionaire but the same amount will take care for month for a poor. The amount is same but its value varies from person to person. Similarly the problems which we are facing like shortage of funds, loss someone etc. , if we can change out attitude toward the problem then surely we can face it in a more better and stronger way. If we can take control of nerves, our reactions, then we can definitely lessen the aftereffects of the crisis.

Nothing endures but Change.

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

—Confucius

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

—Mohandas Gandhi

Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.

—Frank Herbert

Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

There is nothing permanent except change.

 —Heraclitus.

Money rules this world.

 

 

Today I had to go out to a bank Rohini sector-7; I reached there in 20 minutes. I was on my bike. There were a number of vehicles outside the Bank, I was looking for some space to park the bike, a Rickshaw driver was also waiting outside the bank, apparently the passenger must have been inside the bank, although it came to my mind to request him to park it towards other side, but then I found some spare space and parked my bike. In the meantime a car came; someone from inside the car shouted at rickshaw driver and asked to remove the rickshaw from there. The Rickshaw driver moved it towards other side and made room fro the car, immediately without any complain. But what came to my was the that Rickshaw and he car are both  driven by human but car gets more priority because it is much costlier as compared to rickshaw and also the rickshaw driver is quite poor as compared to car man. The rickshaw driver easily submitted to the car man, although he had the equal right before the law, as a citizen he has the equal right before the law, but laws only exist for those who are aware of them and have the might and means to defend their rights.

  

Though this is quite a simple event, but it teaches us about a bitter truth of life that “Might is right and money always rules this world, and perhaps it will always rule the world”.  Logic and reasons are mere interpretations of events.

Inspirational work from Rabindranath Tagore

God respects me when I work; but he loves me when I sing.

Those who want to help knock at the door.

Those who love find the door already open.

I slept and dreamed life was joy.

I awoke and saw life was service

I served and lo, service was joy.

Importance of being naive in learning a new subject

When we want to learn something totally new e.g. Yoga, Meditation, we must approach as a beginner, we must give up all doubts and other hindrances.

                           There is story that a  Zen monk, Rinzai, attained his enlightenment, and the first thing he asked was, "Where is my body? Where has my body gone?" And he began to search. He called his disciples and said, "Go and find out where my body is. I have lost my body." He had become the formless. You too are a formless existence, but you know yourself not directly, but from others' eyes. You know all this through the mirror. Sometime, while looking in the mirror, close your eyes and then think, meditate: if there was no mirror, how could you have known your face? If there was no mirror, there would have been no face. You do not have a face; mirrors give you faces. Think of a world where there are no mirrors. You are alone -- no mirror at all, not even others' eyes working as mirrors. You are alone on a lonely island; nothing can mirror you. Then will you have any face? Or will you have any body? You cannot have one. You do not have one at all. We know ourselves only through others, and the others can only know the outer form. That is why we become identified with it.

                                  Another Zen mystic, Hui-Hai used to say to his disciples, "When you have lost your head meditating, come immediately to me. When you lose your head, come immediately to me. When you begin to feel there is no head, do not be afraid; come immediately to me.This is the right moment. Now something can be taught to you." With a head, no teaching is possible. The head always comes in between.
                
        Therefore when you want to learn something new , you must approach as a beginner and not as a learned one and step by step attain the mastery over your subject. Encounter these techniques with a fresh mind -- with alertness, of course, but not with argumentation.

Mind Traps - How to avoid them

By default, the human brain is designed as a problem-solving organ.In fact, we need the stimulation of mental challenges in order to keep our brains healthy and functioning at their best.

Steps to come out of Mind traps:

The utmost important thing is that we need to have a sense of control over ourselves, and in-case we can’t, we must try to  exert control over our responses to the particular mind trap.

Investigating practical solutions to problems is therefore a mood-enhancing activity in itself. Instead of worrying about what has gone wrong in the past or might go wrong at some time in the future, one should calm oneself  down through various relaxation exercises like Yoga,  Meditation , tune to light music , faith in almighty God.

For example if you are facing a financial crisis, consult your friends, relatives. When we share our problems with our friends, the solutions start flowing during discussion alone. Also remember that you are not the first person on this earth who is struggling under debt .Every cloud has a silver lining. May be these problems are preparing you for some greater responsibilities…..

Controlling Thoughts - Napoleon’s way

When you think about something, don’t allow other thoughts to enter your mind.When you think about your work, then think about things relating to work alone. Don’t let other thought to disturb your work.

                          When you go to Church, Temple or Mosque just think about God alone, don’t let other thought to interfere. That was the method Napoleon applied “When I want to think of things more pleasant, I close the cupboards of my mind revealing the more unpleasant things of life, and open up the cupboards containing the more pleasant thoughts. If I want to sleep, I close up all the cupboards of mind!”

From Fear to Renunciation

In enjoyment, there is fear of disease

in social position, there is fear of falling off

in wealth, there is the fear of (hostile) kings;

in honour, there is the fear of humiliation

in power, there is the fear of foes

in beauty, there is the fear of old age

in scriptural erudition, there is the

fear of opponents

in virtue, there is the fear of traducers

in body, there is the fear of death

everything in this world pertaining to men is attended with fear

renunciation alone leads to

fearlessness.

(Vairagya-Shatakam)

LAW OF PROSPERITY

The secret of prosperity, of course, would be to live within your income, to spend less than what you earn, and not go into debt.

That would be the greatest wisdom in a nutshell!  

If you have not got the cash, then don’t purchase items—go without them.

Inspiring Quotations

To convert ideas and good intentions into something real and positive requires time and perseverance.

Eugenio Mendoza

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Nothing of great value in life comes easily. The things of highest value sometimes come hard. The gold that has the greatest value lies deepest in the earth, as do the diamonds.

Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993, American Christian reformed pastor, speaker, author)

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Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot from a winning touchdown.

H. Ross Perot (1930-, American businessman, founder of EDS)

All great achievements require time.

David J. Schwartz (American trainer, author of "The Magic of Thinking Big")

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Don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.

Author Unknown

From time to time, life as a leader can look hopeless. To help you, consider a man who lived through this: Failed in business at age 31. Defeated for the legislature at 32. Again failed in business at 34. Sweetheart died at 35. Had a nervous breakdown at 36. Defeated in election at 38. Defeated for Congress at 43. Defeated for Congress at 46. Defeated for Congress at 48. Defeated for Senate at 55. Defeated for Vice President at 56. Defeated for Senate at 58. Elected President at age 60. This man was Abraham Lincoln.

Author Unknown

Keep on trying. Each failure is one step closer to a success.

Thomas J. Vilord

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all.

Dale Carnegie (1888-1955, American trainer, author, "How to Win Friends and Influence People")

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933, American President (30th))

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931, American inventor, founder of GE)

I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955, German-born American physicist)

History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.

B.C. Forbes

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Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.

Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774, Anglo-Irish author, poet, playwright)

Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784, British author)

My parents told me that people will never know how long it takes you to do something. They will only know how well it is done.

Nancy Hanks

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There's only one way you can fail, and that's to quit.

Brian Hays

Before success comes in any man's life, he's sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That's exactly what the majority of men do.

Napoleon Hill (1883-1970, American speaker, author, "Think And Grow Rich")

Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.

Louis E. Boone (American author)

Edison failed 10, 000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.

Napoleon Hill (1883-1970, American speaker, author, "Think And Grow Rich")

Failure is nature's plan to prepare you for great responsibilities.

Napoleon Hill (1883-1970, American speaker, author, "Think And Grow Rich")

People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.

Lao-Tzu (BC 600-?, Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism)

I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.

George S. Patton (1885-1945, American army general during World War II)

Failure is good. It's fertilizer. Everything I've learned about coaching, I've learned from making mistakes.

Rick Pitino (1952-, American college basketball coach)