Tuesday, October 27, 2015

2015-43 - Whatever Happens…

This story is about a king who was fond of hunting. He was always accompanied by a minister who was very close to him. This minister kept telling everyone, "Whatever happens, happens for the good". This annoyed the other ministers in the court.

During one of the hunting excursions, the king lost his toe and the minister couldn't stop himself from saying, "Whatever happens, happens for the good". Since the king was the victim this time round, he got very annoyed with the minister and threw him in jail.

During another hunting trip, the king was captured by cannibals and was about to be killed, when they noticed one toe missing. Their tradition did not let them kill a person with a missing body part. So they set him free.

At once, the king recalled his minister’s words and realised how true they were. He visited the jailed minister and apologised for what he had done. The minister pointed out that it was good that he was jailed, else he would have accompanied the king and would end up being the cannibals’ meal.


Many a time we are taken aback by the short term impact of an event and don't realise that each of these events shape our long term future. It is nature's way of controlling our lives.

~ Author Unknown
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“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.”

~ Lou Holtz
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Tuesday, October 20, 2015

2015-42 - One Day...

While I was walking in the park, I noticed a little girl. Barefoot and dirty, she watched all the people pass by indifferently. She was silent and did not say a word. Everybody passed by and did not pay any attention to her.

The very next day I decided to go back to that park and check if the girl was still there. She was right there in the same spot as yesterday, sadly looking around. I was worried about her, as a park full of strangers is not a good place for small kids to be alone.

As I approached her, I realized that the girl’s back was oddly deformed. A thought crossed my mind that maybe this was the reason why everyone was avoiding her and did not try to help. I got closer and smiled to let her know that I was there to talk, to help. I started with a “Hello” and then sat down near her. The girl was very surprised, however, after a long stare, she replied “Hi”.

We talked for hours together until dusk. The park became silent and empty. Then I carefully asked the little girl as to why she was so sorrowful and lonesome. “I am different, that’s why” pat came her reply. I agreed with her and smiled “Yes, you are”, and then I continued “you remind me of an angel, pure and sweet”. She slowly got to her feet and smiled “Really?” I confirmed that she looked to me like a little Guardian Angel who watched all the people passing by. To my surprise, she nodded her head and admitted “I am, I am your Guardian Angel”, and spread her wings. I was so amazed, that I couldn't say a word. After a moment she explained “Think of someone other than yourself – that was the purpose of my job here”.

Then I got to my feet and asked “Why nobody stopped to help you?”

“Because only you could see me”, was her answer and then she was gone.

~ Author Unknown
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“Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions."

~ Dalai Lama
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Tuesday, October 13, 2015

2015-41 - It’s all in the mind…

Imagine that you have been nominated to participate in the Olympics, and just a few days before the event, you lose your hand.

That’s what happened to Karoly Takacs, top shooter for the Hungarian army. He was expected to win a Gold in the 1940 Olympics at Tokyo. A few months before the event, in a training camp, he lost his right hand in an explosion. Any person, at that stage, would quit & regret it for the rest of their life.

Takacs was different. He focused on what he needed to be a winner, i.e. will power, and not what he had lost. He decided to practice shooting with his left hand. Within months, he was competing with other shooters.

Though the Olympics were cancelled due to World War II, he became a Gold Medallist at the age of 38. Not satisfied, he realized his dream of an Olympic championship in 1952 at Helsinki.

It is not circumstances or events in our life, but our response to these
events that decide our fate. We may decide to give up, or bounce back
and be a winner. It’s all in our mind.

~ Author Unknown

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“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."

~ John Barrymore
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Tuesday, October 6, 2015

2015-40 - Don't Underestimate Your Worth

A well-known speaker began his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were raised.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands were raised.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special - Don't ever forget it!

~ Author Unknown
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“Self-worth comes from one thing - thinking that you are worthy."


~ Wayne Dyer
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