When by yourself You cannot manage To complete any task Use ALL your strength Turn around and ASK!

A young boy and his father were walking along a forest path. At some point, they came across a large tree branch on the ground in front of them.

The boy asked his father, “If I try, do you think I could move that branch?” His father replied, “I am sure you can, if you use all your strength.”

The boy tried his best to lift or push the branch, but he was not strong enough and he couldn't move it.

He said, with disappointment, “You were wrong, dad. I can't move it.”

“Try again,” replied his father.

Again, the boy tried hard to push the branch. He struggled but it did not move.

“Dad, I cannot do it,” said the boy.

Finally his father said, “Son, I advised you to use all your strength. You didn’t.
You didn't ask for my help.”

We haven't used all our strength until we have recognized, appreciated and galvanized the strength and support of those who love and surround us, and those who care about our purpose.

Our real strength lies not in independence, but in interdependence.
No individual person has all the strengths, all the resources and all the stamina required for the complete blossoming of their vision.
That requires the inspired collaboration of many like-hearted beings.

To ask for help and support when we need it is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of wisdom.
It is a call for the greater strength that lives in our togetherness.

When we ask for help and we are refused, it just means we have to ask at another time, or ask in another way, or ask another person.

It helps to remember SWSWSWSW.
Some will, some won't, so what, someone's waiting!

When by yourself
You cannot manage
To complete any task
Use ALL your strength
Turn around and ASK!

Both were deriving their strength and motivation from the same source.

This is a story of two brothers.
One was a drug addict and a drunker who frequently beat up his family. The other one was a very successful businessman who was respected in society and had a wonderful family.
Some people wanted to find out why two brothers from the same parents, brought up in the same environment, could be so different. The first one was asked:
“How come you do what you do? You are a drug addict, a drunk, and you beat your family. What motivates you?”
He said, “My father.”
They asked, “What about your father?” The reply was, “My father was a drug addict, a drunk and he beat his family. What do you expect me to be? That is what I am.”
They went to the brother who was doing everything right and asked him the same question.
“How come you are doing everything right? What is your source of motivation?” And guess what he said?
“My father. When I was a little boy, I used to see my dad drunk and doing all the wrong things. I made up my mind that that is not what I wanted to be.”
Both were deriving their strength and motivation from the same source, but one was using it positively and the other negatively.
Negative motivation brings the desire to take the easier way which ends up being the tougher way.

Respect yourself. Respect your life..and dont base your own value, based on what people say. You are unique and precious ONE.

A man went to a Guru and asked, "What's the value of life?"

Guruji gave him one stone and said, "Find out the value of this stone, but don't sell it."

The man took the stone to an Orange Seller and asked him what its cost would be.

The Orange Seller saw the shiny stone and said, "You can take 12 oranges and give me the stone."

The man apologized and said that the guru has asked him not to sell it.

He went ahead and found a vegetable seller. "What could be the value of this stone?" he asked the vegetable seller.

The seller saw the shiny stone and said, "Take one sack of potatoes and give me the stone."

The man again apologized and said he can't sell it.

Further ahead, he went into a jewelery shop and asked the value of the stone.

The jeweler saw the stone under a lens and said, "I'll give you 50 Lakhs for this stone." When the man shook his head, the jeweler said, "Alright, alright, take 2 crores, but give me the stone."

The man explained that he can't sell the stone.

Further ahead, the man saw a precious stone's shop and asked the seller the value of this stone.

When the precious stone's seller saw the big ruby, he lay down a red cloth and put the ruby on it. Then he walked in circles around the ruby and bent down and touched his head in front of the ruby. "From where did you bring this priceless ruby from?" he asked. "Even if I sell the whole world, and my life, I won't be able to purchase this priceless stone.

Stunned and confused, the man returned to the Guru and told him what had happened. "Now tell me what is the value of life, guru ji?"
Guru said, "The answers you got from the Orange Seller, the Vegetable Seller, the Jeweler & the Precious Stone's Seller explain the value of our life...

You may be a precious stone, even priceless, but people will value you, based on their financial status, their level of information, their belief in you, their motive behind entertaining you, their ambition, and their risk taking ability. But don't fear, you will surely find someone who will discern your true value."

Respect yourself. Respect your life..and dont base your own value, based on what people say. You are unique and precious ONE. Become better by polishing yourself by becoming more valuable by helping others...

Ridiculing parents when they are alive, and longing for them when they are not around, has no meaning..

ONE day, I was so angry, that I left home, swearing not to return, till I became a big guy. Parents, who can't even buy me a Bike, have no rights to dream to make me an Engineer. In my fit of anger, I didn't even realise that I was wearing my father's Shoes. I even stole his wallet, which had some papers, torn as well, which my mother hadn't  seen...

While, I was rushing on foot towards the bus station, I realised some prickly pain in my foot. I also felt dampness inside the shoe. That is when I realised the shoe had a hole underneath.

There were no buses around. Not knowing what to do, I started to look in my Dad's wallet. I found a loan receipt of Rs. 40,000, which he taken from his office. A laptop bill (he had bought for me). To my utter shock, I also found a letter from his manager to wear a neat looking shoes, henceforth to the office. I remembered my mother pestering him to buy a pair of new shoes, but he had convinced her that his shoes would last foranother six months atleast.

Also, found an old scooter to a new bike, Exchange offer letter in his wallet.

I instantly remembered, that when I left home, my Dad's scooter was not there.

I started feeling weak in my legs, and felt like weeping uncontrollably!. I ran back home with my foot paining, only to find my Dad nor the scooter there. I found him at the exchange offer place.

Looking at my Dad, my grief engulfed me. I hugged him tightly and started crying loudly, said "Dad I don't need the Bike".

That is when I realised, the pain, hardship our parents go through, and the unconditional love that they give us. We should only look to seek our needs and not our unrealistic wants.

Ridiculing parents when they are alive, and longing for them when they are not around, has no meaning..

All these external forms of Bhakti, this repetition of the name, worship of Pratika, this Nishta, this Ishtam, are but the preparations until that eternal power wakes up.

There was a certain Yogi who used to practise meditation in a lonely part of the forest, on the banks of a river. There was a poor cowherd, a very ignorant man, who used to tend his herd in that forest. Every day he used to see this same Yogi meditating by the hour, practising austerities, living alone, studying. Somehow he got curious what he did, so he came to him and said "Sir, can you teach me the way to God?"

This Yogi was a very learned, great man, and he replied, "How will you understand God, you common cowherd; blockhead, go home and tend your cows and don't bother your head with such things".

The poor fellow went away, but somehow a real want had come to him. So he could not rest, and he came again to the Yogi, and said "Sir, won't you teach me something about God ?"

Again he was repulsed, "Oh, you blockhead, what can you understand of God ? Go home."

But he could not sleep, he could not eat; he must know something about God.

So he came again, and the Yogi, in order to quiet the man, as he was so insisting, said, "I'll teach you about God."

The man asked, "Sir, what sort of being is God? What is his form? How does he look?"

The Yogi said, "God is just like the big bull in your herd ; that is just God; God has become that big bull".

The man believed him, and went back to his herd, and day and night he took that bull for God, and began to worship it. He brought the greenest grass for that bull, rested close to it, and gave it light, sat near it, and followed it. Thus days and months and years passed. His whole soul was there. One day he heard a voice, as it were, coming out of the bull. "The bull speaks". "My son, my son". "Why, the bull is speaking! No, the bull cannot speak". Again he went away, and sat near meditating in great misery of his heart; he did not know anything. Again he heard the voice coming out of the bull, "My child, my child". He went near-"No, the bull cannot speak". Then he went back again and sat despondent. Again the voice came and that time he found it out. It was from his own heart. He found that God was in him. Then he learned the wonderful truth of the Teacher of all Teachers, "I am with thee always". And the poor cowherd learnt the whole mystery.

Then he goes back to the Yogi, and when he is at some distance the Yogi sees him. The Yogi has been the most learned man in the country, practising austerity for years, meditating, studying, and this cowherd, an ignorant blockhead, never studied a book, never learnt his letters, but he comes, his whole body, as it were, transfigured, his face changed, the light of heaven shining round his face.

The Yogi got up. "What is this change ? Where did you get this ?"

"Sir, you gave me that."

"How? I told you that in joke".

"But I took it seriously, and I got everything I wanted out of that bull, for is He not everywhere?"

So that bull was the pratika, and that man worshipped the bull as his pratika, as God, and he got everything out of it.

So that intense love, that desire, brings out everything. Everything is in ourselves, and the external world and the external worship, are the forms, the suggestions that call it out. When they become strong, the Lord within awakes. The external teacher is but the suggestion. When faith in the external teacher is strong, then the Teacher of all teachers within speaks; eternal wisdom speaks in the heart of that man. He need not go any more to any books, or any men, or any higher beings, he need not run after supernatural or preternatural beings for instruction; the Lord Himself becomes his instructor. He gets all he wants from himself, no more need to go to any temple, or church; his own body has become the greatest temple in the world, and in that temple lives the Lord of Creation.

In every country great saints have been born, wonderful lives have been (lived), coming out of the sheer power of love. So all these external forms of Bhakti, this repetition of the name, worship of
Pratika, this Nishta, this Ishtam, are but the preparations until that eternal power wakes up. Then alone comes spirituality.

“The Supreme Lord is manifest in all beings. We should be thankful to the Lord for so mercifully giving us the chance of serving Him through His glorious creation.

There was once a great Yogi who lived in the caves of the Himalayas near Vasishta Guha. The Mahatma was a Jnani. He used to remain in trance (Samadhi) for days together. Once in four days he used to come down to Rishikesh town for alms. He would go from door to door begging. Some would give him Bhiksha; some others would refuse and send him away; yet some others would even abuse him.
One day he thought: “Had there not been this stomach it would have been very good. I would have worshipped God all the time and would have been saved from the trouble of going from door to door for Bhiksha and bearing such insults.” He, therefore, determined to complain to God and protest against the  creation of his stomach. One day he prayed to God and God appeared before him.
The Yogi said, “My Lord, I have a complaint to make.” The Lord urged him to tell Him what he had in his mind. He then poured forth his heart – mentioning how unkind it was of God to have created the stomach alongwith man; how he, for instance, could have prayed to Him all day and night but for this part of the body; and how, in wandering for food, men have to suffer various hardships and bear innumerable insults from others. God said: “It is all true; but I have created the stomach for the good of humanity.” He was surprised at this answer, “How could that be?” was his doubt.
The Lord explained: “It is only because of your stomach you go out of your cave for taking Bhiksha. Otherwise, you would have remained completely in solitude. When you go out, you help innumerable men and women, by your Darshan , by your conversation, by accepting prostrations and blessing people, and by providing an opportunity for men to offer you alms and thus purifying themselves. Further you sanctify the place you visit, by the very dust of your feet; and such a place becomes “punya-kshetra” (sacred place). But for these, how can a householder get Atma Suddhi (self-purification)?” The Lord continued: “Your good, my child, lies in doing good to others. Your happiness lies in others’ happiness. Your salvation lies in bringing salvation to others. Do not be selfish. By interrupting your meditation for a few hours, you are able to uplift hundreds of your brethren. Helping others is the best of virtues. See, I Myself abandon My Vaikuntha often, undergo the hardships that beset the mortals, merely to save the universe from vice. Follow Me in this respect.If, in the course of performing actions for the good of others, you are insulted, you should bear it coolly. Be above insult and praise. By serving your fellow-creatures with Atma Bhav you are to Me a thousandfold more dear.” The Lord then disappeared, making the Yogi more wise.
We should all serve humanity with Prem and Bhav, with the feeling: “The Supreme Lord is manifest in all beings. We should be thankful to the Lord for so mercifully giving us the chance of serving Him through His glorious creation.

"It makes a difference to this one."

There was a man taking a morning walk at the beach. He saw that along with the morning tide came hundreds of starfish and when the tide receded, they were left behind and with the morning sun rays, they would die. The tide was fresh and the starfish were alive. The man took a few steps, picked one and threw it into the water. He did that repeatedly. Right behind him there was another person who couldn't understand what this man was doing. He caught up with him and asked, "What are you doing? There are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What difference does it make?" This man did not reply, took two more steps, picked up another one, threw it into the water, and said, "It makes a difference to this one."

Our life is like an echo: We get back what we give.

A little boy got angry with his mother and shouted at her, "I hate you, I hate you." Because of fear of reprimand, he ran out of the house. He went up to the valley and shouted, "I hate you, I hate you," and back  came the echo, "I hate you, I hate you." This was the first time in his life he had heard an echo. He got scared, went to his mother for protection and said there was a bad boy in the valley  who shouted "I hate you, I hate you." The mother understood and she asked her son to go back and shout, "I love you, I love you." The little boy went and shouted, "I love you, I love you," and back came the echo. That taught the little boy a lesson that our life is like an echo: We get back what we give.

There's no use in overreacting to the events and circumstances of our everyday lives. Many times what looks like a setback, may actually be a gift in disguise.

Once upon a time, there was a farmer in the central region of China. He didn't have a lot of money and, instead of a tractor, he used an old horse to plow his field.

One afternoon, while working in the field, the horse dropped dead. Everyone in the village said, "Oh, what a horrible thing to happen." The farmer said simply, "We'll see." He was so at peace and so calm, that everyone in the village got together and, admiring his attitude, gave him a new horse as a gift.

Everyone's reaction now was, "What a lucky man." And the farmer said, "We'll see."

A couple days later, the new horse jumped a fence and ran away. Everyone in the village shook their heads and said, "What a poor fellow!"

The farmer smiled and said, "We'll see."

Eventually, the horse found his way home, and everyone again said, "What a fortunate man."

The farmer said, "We'll see."

Later in the year, the farmer's young boy went out riding on the horse and fell and broke his leg. Everyone in the village said, "What a shame for the poor boy."

The farmer said, "We'll see."

Two days later, the army came into the village to draft new recruits. When they saw that the farmer's son had a broken leg, they decided not to recruit him.

Everyone said, "What a fortunate young man."

The farmer smiled again - and said "We'll see."

There's no use in overreacting to the events and circumstances of our everyday lives. Many times what looks like a setback, may actually be a gift in disguise. And when our hearts are in the right place, all events and circumstances are gifts that we can learn valuable lessons from.

Someone, who is really strong and self-confident, doesn't feel the need to show this to others.

Two cats were walking on a narrow path toward each other. When they came near one another, no one was willing to let the other pass first. They just stood there, screaming at each other.

"You let me pass first," said one cat.

"No! I was first here," said the other cat.

"No, I must be first, because I am bigger."

"No, I must be first, because I am more beautiful."

"No, I am wiser than you, and you must, therefore, respect me."

"I am stronger."

"I have many cats that will hurt you if you don't let me pass."

After a while, the screams turned into a fight. The cats started fighting, scratching, and biting each other.

A little while later, a wiser cat arrived to the scene. He looked at them and started to laugh.

The two cats stopped fighting, at looked at him amazed.

"Why are you laughing?" The cats asked him.

"I am laughing at you and at your behavior. You are wasting your time and are hurting each other, just because you won't let the other one pass. The path is wide enough for each cat to pass to the other side."

"Why are you fighting? Don't you have anything better to do?"

"It is a matter of honor and power." The two cats said.

The wise cat was amused and said, "Do you need to prove you are stronger? Who cares about this?"

"Is it really important who passes first to the other side of the path? Is it worthwhile to have all these scratches and bites? You are wasting your time, energy and health on nonsense."

"There is life, there is good food, there are wonderful things to enjoy and to do, and you are standing, here, facing each other, yelling, scratching and fighting. Is this a practical and rational act? Open your eyes and grow up!"

"Look around, and see all the animals around you laughing at your irrational behavior."

The two cats were bewildered and didn't know what to say. The words of the wise cat made sense, but their subconscious, programmed behavior and habits were too strong. It was not easy for them to resist them.

Did the two cats stopped fighting and each one went on their way? I leave that for you to think about.

"Someone, who is really strong and self-confident, doesn't feel the need to show this to others. He or she feels good about himself, and others feel his strength, and respect him, with love, not fear."

Many times we assume things and then strongly believe that our assumption is right. But if we don't keep an open mind, we may land in trouble.

A ship had been at sea in bad weather for days. As the visibility was not good because of a heavy fog, the captain stayed on the bridge to keep an eye on all directions. Suddenly the lookout on the bridge cried "I can see light far away." The captain shouted to the signalman, "Signal the other ship: We are on a collision course. It is advisable that you change your course 30 degrees." The signal that came back read, "You are advised to change your course 30 degrees!" The captain said to the signalman, "Send to him: This is the ship's captain. Change your course 30 degrees immediately to avoid collision!" "I'm a seaman second class, "came the reply, "No, I repeat, you change your course immediately to avoid collision!" The captain became furious. He said to the signalman "Send: This is a US battleship, the second largest in the United States. I demand that you immediately change your course!” Then came the signal from the others. "This is a lighthouse! Your call!"

The above story is a good example of the pitfalls of assumption. Many times we assume things and then strongly believe that our assumption is right. But if we don't keep an open mind, we may land in trouble.

It just means allowing others to win in one arena of the game, while we win in the other arena of the game. We have to choose which arena matters to us and which arenas do not.

There once lived a great mathematician in a village. He was often called by the local king to advice on matters related to the economy. His reputation had spread as far as Taxila in the North and Kanchi in the South. So it hurt him very much when the village headman told him..

“You may be a great mathematician who advises the king on economic matters but your son does not know the value of gold or silver.” The mathematician called his son & asked..

“What is more valuable – gold or silver?” “Gold,” said the son. That is correct. Why is it then that the village headman makes fun of you, Claims you do not know the value of gold or silver…? He teases me every day. He mocks me before other village elders as a father who neglects his son.

This hurts me. I feel everyone in the village is laughing behind my back because you do not know what is more valuable, gold or silver. Explain this to me, son. So the son of the mathematician told his father the reason why the village headman carried this impression.

Every day on my way to school, the village headman calls me to his house. There, in front of all village elders, he holds out a silver coin in one hand and a gold coin in other. He asks me to pick up the more valuable coin. I pick the silver coin. He laughs, the elders jeer, everyone makes fun of me And then I go to school. This happens every day.

That is why they tell you I do not know the value of gold or silver. The father was confused. His son knew the value of gold and silver, and yet when asked to choose between a gold coin and silver coin always picked the silver coin. “Why don’t you pick up the gold coin?” he asked.

In response, the son took the father to his room & showed him a box. In the box were at least a hundred silver coins. Turning to his father, the mathematician’s son said, “The day I pick up the gold coin the game will be over. They will stop having fun and I will stop making money”

Sometimes in life, we have to play the fool because our seniors and our peers, and sometimes even our juniors like it. That does not mean we lose in the game of life. It just means allowing others to win in one arena of the game, while we win in the other arena of the game. We have to choose which arena matters to us and which arenas do not.

People began to help each other, because they liked the sense of joy they felt at this moment.

One day the most peaceful inhabitants from the Earth asked one very powerful wizard to stop all wars and bloodshed on the planet.

– It is simple, – he said. — I will destroy all weapons on the Earth, and nobody will be able to fight anymore.

– It would be great! –people exclaimed.

The magic wand’s wave – and this was done.

There was a peace on the planet for three days, while the majority of those who were prone to fight, sought and could not find a weapon. When they understood they’ve lost it forever, they have made spears of young trees and started to fight again.

When the wizard heard this bad news, he said:

– Do not worry. I will destroy all young trees, so that they will not be able to fight.

After two or three days of useless search for young trees, suitable for making spears, rebellious people started to cut giant trees, make batons from them, and the bloodshed has started again. The Wizard destroyed all big trees. Then humans made knives and swords of metal. He destroyed all metal on the planet. People made sling and began to throw stones at each other. It was necessary to destroy the stones, too. And then peacekeepers began to worry: all trees have disappeared; there is no metal and stones. How to live, what to eat now? There will be no vegetation soon, and people will die without even fighting. No, this is a wrong solution of the problem.

The Wizard became confused:

– I do not know how to behave now. I would have destroyed all humanity, but, unfortunately, it is not in my power!

The peacekeepers fell into despair; they did not know what to do. And then one clever kid turned to the Wizard.

– I know what you should do. Let people feel, how others perceive their actions. If one person hurt someone, let him feel the same pain, and if he brings joy to someone, let him feel the same joy. So no one will hurt each other, because he will feel the pain immediately too and would have to stop.

All people were inspired with the greatness of kid’s thought, and the wizard realized his idea. He returned all trees, stones and metals.

Since that day nobody on the planet tried to hurt his neighbour, because he would have to feel the same pain too. People began to help each other, because they liked the sense of joy they felt at this moment. And they began to live in harmony and joy.

Struggles help all of us, that's why a bit of effort goes a long way to develop our strength to face life's difficulties!

A man, an avid Gardener saw a small Butterfly laying few eggs in one of the pots in his garden.

Since that day he looked at the egg with ever growing curiosity and eagerness.

The egg started to move and shake a little.

He was excited to see a new life coming up right in front of his eyes.

He spent hours watching the egg now. The egg started to expand and develop cracks.

A tiny head and antennae started to come out ever so slowly. The man's excitement knew no bounds.
He got his magnifying glasses and sat to watch the life and body of a pupa
coming out.

He saw the struggle of the tender pupa and couldn't resist his urge to "HELP".

He went and got a tender forceps to help the egg break, a nip here, a nip there to help the struggling life and the pupa was out. The man was ecstatic!

He waited now each day for the pupa to grow and fly like a beautiful butterfly, but alas that never happened.

The larvae pupa had a oversized head and kept crawling along in the pot for the full 4 weeks and died!

Depressed the man went to his botanist friend and asked the reason. His friend told him the struggle to break out of the egg helps the larvae to send blood to its wings and the head push helps the head to remain small so that the tender wings can support it thru its 4 week life cycle. In his eagerness to help, the man destroyed a beautiful life!

Struggles help all of us, that's why a bit of effort goes a long way to develop our strength to face life's difficulties!

How you treat others is exactly how they will treat you? There is a wise Chinese saying: "The person who loves others will also be loved in return." God might be trying to work in another person's life through you.

A long time ago in China , a girl named Li-Li got married & went to live with her husband and mother-in-law.

In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all. Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law's habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly.
Days passed, and weeks passed. Li-Li and her mother-in-law never stopped arguing and fighting. But what made the situation even worse was that,
according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her mother-in-law and obey her every wish. Al l the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing Li-Li's poor husband great distress.

 Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-law's bad temper and dictatorship any longer, and she decided to do something about it. Li-Li went to see her father's good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs. She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all.

 Mr. Huang thought for awhile, and finally said, "Li-iL, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen to me and obey what I tell you."

 Li-Li said,"Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do whatever you tell me to do. "Mr. Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs. He told Li-Li, "You can't use a quick-acting poison to get rid of your mother-in-law, because that would cause people to become suspicious. Therefore, I have given you a number of herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving. Now, in order to make sure that nobody suspect you, when she dies, you must be very careful to act very friendly towards her. "Don't argue with her, obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen." Li-Li was so happy. She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law.
Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served the specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr. Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper, obeyed her mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother.

After six months had passed, the whole household had changed. Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found that she almost
never got mad or upset. She hadn't had an argument with her mother-in-law in six months because she now seemed much kinder and easier to get along with.
 The mother-in-law's attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love Li-Li like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relatives that Li-Li was the best daughter-in-law one could ever find. Li-Li and her mother-in-law were now treating each other like a real mother and daughter. Li-Li's husband was very happy to see what was happening.

One day, Li-Li came to see Mr. Huang and asked for his help again She said, "Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep off the poison from killing my mother-in-law. She's changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her."
 Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head. "Li-Li, there's nothing to worry about. I never gave you any poison.

The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude toward her, but that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her."
                                                                                  How you treat others is exactly how they will treat you? There is a wise Chinese saying: "The person who loves others will also be loved in return." God might be trying to work in another person's life through you.

Amazed with her attitude, the business leader thanked her and came back to his country. He worked hard to incorporate the same attitude among his employees, and today his company is one of the best companies in the world.

A top business leader who made waves in the Information Technology industry was on a business trip to Tokyo. He was always very humble and shared all his success with his employees. After all his meetings, he went to a shopping mall to buy chocolates and gifts to his employees back in his country.

As he entered the mall a little lady gave a warm smile and welcomed him, he was very touched, felt good, and was not able to forget the warmth in her smile. He was noticing her as he was shopping; she was giving the same smile to all the customers who walked into the mall.

The business leader started wondering if she was every fed up doing the same thing again and again, he walked up to her and asked, “My dear lady, are you not tired of doing this job, and how long have you been doing this?”

The lady smiled and said, ” No sir, I am working here from the last 10 years and I like my job.”

The business leader was shocked and asked, ” Why you have been doing this for 10 years, and why do you like your job?”

The lady smiled again and said, ” Sir, because I am serving my country.”

This was a little amusing for the business leader. He said,” You are serving your country by smiling?”

The little lady said, “Yes sir, I smile and all the customers coming to the mall fell happy and relaxed. They shop more, my boss is happy, and pays me more. Since I am paid more, I can take care of my family. Since I can take care if my family, they are happy. As all the customers buy from us, the demand for goods is more and since the demand is more, there are many factories. Since there are many factories there are many jobs. Since there are jobs, people in the country are happy.

As most of our customers are foreigners, there is foreign exchange. Since there is foreign exchange, our country has lot of money and is richer every day. And people like you who are happy with our service visit our country more often and some time you will tell your family and friends too. My country gets more visitors, more money, more jobs and has more happy people. That’s how I serve my country.”

Amazed with her attitude, the business leader thanked her and came back to his country. He worked hard to incorporate the same attitude among his employees, and today his company is one of the best companies in the world.

The money you spend on friends is returned or reciprocated in some form or the other. Money spent on charity gets converted into blessings from God which becomes your eternal property. Money spent on pleasures is just frittered away! So when you spend money, think a little.

The wisdom of Birbal was unparalleled during the reign of Emperor Akbar. But Akbar's brother in law was extremely jealous of him. He asked the Emperor to dispense with Birbal's services and appoint him in his place. He gave ample assurance that he would prove to be more efficient and capable than Birbal. Before Akbar could take a decision on this matter, this news reached Birbal.

Birbal resigned and left. Akbar's brother in law was made the minister in
place of Birbal. Akbar decided to test the new minister. He gave three
hundred gold coins to him and said, Spend these gold coins such that, I get
a hundred gold coins here in this life; a hundred gold coins in the other
world and another hundred gold coins neither here nor there.

The minister found the entire situation to be a maze of confusion and
hopelessness. He spent sleepless nights worrying over how he would get
himself out of this mess. Thinking in circles was making him go crazy.
Eventually, on the advice of his wife he sought Birbal's help. Birbal said,
Just give me the gold cons. I shall handle the rest.

Birbal walked the streets of the city holding the bag of gold coins in his
hand. He noticed a rich merchant celebrating his son's wedding. Birbal gave
a hundred gold coins to him and bowed courteously saying, The Emperor Akbar sends you his good wishes and blessings for the wedding of your son. Please accept the gift he has sent.

The merchant felt honoured that the king had sent a special messenger with such a precious gift. He honoured Birbal and gave him a large number of expensive gifts and a bag of gold coins as a return gift for the king.

Next, Birbal went to the area of the city were the poor people lived. There
he bought food and clothing in exchange for a hundred gold coins and
distributed them in the name of the Emperor.

When he came back to town he organized a concert of music and dance. He
spent a hundred gold coins on it.

The next day Birbal entered Akbar's darbar and announced that he had done
all that the king had asked his brother-in-law to do. The Emperor waited to
know how he had done it. Birbal repeated the sequences of all the events and
then said, The money I gave to the merchant for the wedding of his son you have got back while on this earth. The money I spent on buying food and
clothing for the poor  you will get it in the other world. The money I
spent on the musical concert  you will get neither here nor there.

This is true even today. The money you spend on friends is returned or reciprocated in some form or the other. Money spent on charity gets converted into blessings from God which becomes your eternal property. Money spent on pleasures is just frittered away! So when you spend money, think a little.

Know, that in our weaknesses, we find our strengths.

A waterman in India had two big water pots, each of the pot hanging on each end of his yoke, which he carried around across his shoulder. One of the pot was cracked, but the other pot was not. While the good water pot can bring back home a full pot of water, the cracked water pot could only bring back half pot of water. For two years, this happens everyday.

The waterman could always been able to bring only one and half pot of water to his master's residence. Of course the good water pot felt proud of his achievement. But the poor cracked water pot felt very sad of its imperfection.

The cracked water pot said to the waterman, "I again want to apologize you." "Why?" asked the water man. "For these two years, I could only bring half portion of a full jug as I have a crack on my side that made the water I brought in drip little by little along the way to master's house", said the water pot.

The waterman told the water pot, "Tomorrow when we return back to our master house, I'd like you to take notice of beautiful flowers along the way." Right, when they climbed up the hill, the cracked water pot looked around and just realized that there are many beautiful flowers along the way.

The waterman said to the water pot, "Did you realize that there were flowers along the way of your side but there was none along the other pot's side? It was because I have always been aware of your flaw and I took use of it. I had planted flower seeds along the way on your side, and everyday when we walked home from the spring, you water them. For these two years I have been able to pick up those beautiful flowers to decorate our master's table. Without you as who you are, our master's house wouldn’t be as beautiful as it is now."

Everyone of us have our own shortage. But if we are willing to, we can make advantage of them instead of opposing them. In the eyes of the wise, nothing is wasted. Do not be blocked by your disadvantages. Know, that in our weaknesses, we find our strengths.

Do the best you can with what you have and be grateful for what you get.

It all started one lazy Sunday afternoon in a small town near Toronto in Canada.  Two school-going friends had a crazy idea.  They rounded up three goats from the neighborhood and painted the number 1, 2 and 4 on their sides.  That night they let the goats loose inside their school building.

The next morning, when the authorities entered the school, they could smell something was wrong.  They soon saw goat droppings on the stairs and near the entrance and realized that some goats had entered the building.  A search was immediately launched and very soon, the three goats were found.  But the authorities were worried, where was goat No. 3?  They spent the rest of the day looking for goat No.3. There was panic and frustration. The school declared a holiday for the students.  The teachers, helpers and the canteen boy were all busy looking for the goat No. 3, which, of course, was never found.   Simply because it did not exist.

We may have our own goats, but are obviously looking for the elusive, missing, non-existent goat No.3.  So instead of making the most of what we have and focusing on our strengths, we worry about the missing piece.

Do the best you can with what you have and be grateful for what you get.

Life's joys are in these sweet little gestures of love and respect for our fellow beings. God, Grant us always the ability to show such amazing kindness and Gestures.

A man often bought oranges from an old lady.

After they were weighed, paid for and put in his bag, he would always pick one from his bag, peel it, put a segment in his mouth, complain it's sour and pass on the orange to the seller.

The old lady would put one segment in her mouth and retort, "why, it's sweet," but by then he was gone with his bag.

His wife, always with him, asked, "the oranges are always sweet, then why this drama every time?"

He smiled, "the old mother sells sweet oranges but never eats them herself. This way I get her to eat one, without losing her money. That's all."

The vegetable seller next to the old lady, saw this everyday.

She chided, "every time this man fusses over your oranges, and I see that you always weigh a few extra for him. Why?"

The old lady smiled, "I know he does this to feed me an orange, only, he thinks I don't understand. I never weigh extra. His love tilts the scale slightly every time."

Life's joys are in these sweet little gestures of love and respect for our fellow beings. God, Grant us always the ability to show such amazing kindness and Gestures.

Where is your focus? Where is your faith and hope? In the midst of any storm, do keep faith on the Creator always and do the good Karma. They will never ever disappoint you. NEVER. Remember, He neither slumbers nor sleeps…

In a forest, a pregnant deer is about to give birth.

She finds a remote grass field near a strong-flowing river.
This seems a safe place.
Suddenly labour pains begin.

At the same moment, dark clouds gather around above & lightning starts a forest fire.
She looks to her left & sees a hunter with his bow extended pointing at her.

To her right, she spots a hungry lion approaching her.

What can the pregnant deer do?
She is in labour!
What will happen?
Will the deer survive?
Will she give birth to a fawn?
Will the fawn survive?
Or will everything be burnt by the forest fire?
Will she perish to the hunters’ arrow?
Will she die a horrible death at the hands of the hungry lion approaching her?
She is constrained by the fire on the one side & the flowing river on the other & boxed in by her natural predators.

What does she do?

She focuses on giving birth to a new life.

The sequence of events that follows are:

- Lightning strikes & blinds the hunter.
- He releases the arrow which zips past the deer & strikes the hungry lion.
- It starts to rain heavily, & the forest fire is slowly doused by the rain.
- The deer gives birth to a healthy fawn.
In our life too, there are moments of choice when we are confronted on αll sides with negative thoughts and possibilities.
Some thoughts are so powerful that they overcome us & overwhelm us.

Maybe we can learn from the deer.
The priority of the deer, in that given moment, was simply to give birth to a baby.
The rest was not in her hands & any action or reaction that changed her focus would have likely resulted in death or disaster.

Ask yourself,
Where is your focus?
Where is your faith and hope?
In the midst of any storm, do keep faith on the Creator always and do the good Karma. They will never ever disappoint you. NEVER.
Remember, He neither slumbers nor sleeps…

Do you have any picture of god? I need a small one to put in my wallet.

A ticket  collector in  a  train  found  an  old  worn  out  wallet  in  a  compartment  full   of  people.  He  looked  in  side  to find  the  name  of  its owner  but  there  was  no clue.  All  that  there  was  some  money  and  a  picture  of  Krishna.  He  held  it  up   and  asked  who does  this wallet  belongs to?

An  old  man  said  that's my  wallet  sir,  please  give  it  to me. The  ticket  collector said  you  will have  to  prove  that  it  is yours.  Only  then  I  can  hand  it  over  to   you.

The  old  man  with  a  toothless smile  said  it  has a  picture  of  Krishna  in  it..

The  ticket  collector said  that  is no proof;  any  one  can  have  a  picture  of  Krishna in  his wallet.  What  is special about  that?  Why  is your  picture  not there  in  it  like most  normal  people?

The  old  man  took  a  deep  breath  and  said,  let  me  tell you  why  my  picture  is not there  in  it.  My  father  gave  me  this wallet  to me  when  I  was  in  school.  I  used  to get  a  small  sum  as pocket  money  then.  I  had  a  kept  a  picture  of  my  parents  in it.

When I was teenager I  was  greatly  enamored  by  my  good  looks.  I  removed  my parent's picture  and  put  in  one  of  my  own.  I  loved  to see  my  own  face  and  my thick  black  hair.

Some  years later,  I  got  married.  My  wife  was beautiful  and  I  loved  her  a  lot. I replaced  my  picture  in  this wallet  with  a  picture  of  her.  I  spent  hours gazing  at her  pretty  face.

When my first  child was born,  my  life  entered  a  new  chapter;  I  shortened  my working  hours to  play  with  my  baby.  I  went  late  to work  and  returned  home early.  My  baby's  picture  occupied  the  prized  position  in  my  wallet.

 The  old  man's  eyes brimmed  with  tears  as he  went  on.  My  parents  passed away many  years ago.  Last  year  my  wife  too left  for her  mortal  coil.  My  son, my  only  son,  is too  busy with  his family.  He  has no time  to look after me.


All  that  I  had  ever held  so  close  to my  heart  is now  far,  far  away  from  my  reach. Now I  have  put  this picture  of  Krishna  in  my  wallet.  It  is only  now that   I  have  realized  that  he  is the  eternal  companion.  He  will  never leave  me. Alas!   If only  I  had  realized  this before.  If only  I  had  loved  the  lord  all these  years, with  the  same  intensity  as I  loved  my  family,  I  would  not have  been  so  lonely today!

 The  ticket  collector quietly  gave  the  wallet  to the  old  man.  When  the train stopped  at  the  next  station,  he  went  to a book  stall at  the  platform  and  asked the  salesman,  do you  have  any  picture  of  god? I  need  a  small  one  to  put  in  my  wallet.

Love never walks alone, Where ever love is, there is always prosperity and wealth. They all go hand in hand.

One women saw 3 saints in front of her house. And she was not knowing any of them.

Women said –
“kindly come inside and have food”

Saint replied – "is your husband inside the house? ”

Women – “no, he has gone out”

Saint –“will come inside the house only when he has come”

In the evening the woman's husband comes home and she tells the complete story about the saints.

Husband – “go and tell them I have come home and invite them inside the house.”

Women went out and called the saints inside the house.

Saint said – “we all dont go inside anyones house together. ”

“but why?” – women asked

One of the saint replied – “my name is wealth”

Then he pointed  to other saints and said –
“these two saints names are prosperity and love"

Only one of us can come inside your house!

"U go in and discuss with your family and decide which saint you want to invite ”

Women went inside and told all this to her husband.

Her husband became too excited

And said –“if this is the matter then let us invite wealth! Our house will be filled with happiness”

Wife – “I feel we should invite prosperity”

Their daughter was in the next room , she was listening to all this discussions.  She came close to them and said –
“I feel we should invite love. Beside love nothing is important”

“you are  right, we should invite love only” – her parents agreed.

Women went out and asked saints –
“Between you all who is love please come inside the house”

Love started walking towards the house!

Other two saints started following love.

The surprised women asked the saints –
“i only invited love then why you two are coming inside the house?”

One of the saint replied – “if you had invited prosperity or wealth, then only that particular saint would have entered your house.

But you have invited love!

Love never walks alone,
Where ever  love is, there is always prosperity and wealth. They all go hand in hand.                                    

Stay with love,

Spread love, give love and take love.

As love is the only secret to success !!

"Face the storms that come your way with a smile of hope"

A little  girl walked  to &  fro from  school  each  day.  Though  the  weather  one morning  was  questionable  & clouds were  forming,  she  made  her  daily trek  to school.  As  the  afternoon  progressed,  the winds whipped  up,  along  with lightning.  The  mother of  the  little  girl felt  concerned  that  her  daughter would be  frightened  as she walked  home  from  school.  She  was also afraid  that  the storm  might  harm  her child.

Full  of  concern,  the mother  got  into her  car &  drove  along  the  route  to her child's school.  As she  did,  she  saw  her  little  girl walking  along.  At  each  flash  of lightning  the child  would  stop,  look up,  & smile  & with  each  flash,  the  child would  look at  the  streak  of  light  & smile.

When the mother drew  up  beside  the  child,  she  lowered  the  window  & called "What  are  you  doing?"  

The  child  answered,  "I  am  trying  to look  pretty  because  God  keeps taking  my picture."

"Face  the  storms  that come  your  way with  a  smile  of  hope"