I'VE LEARNED....

Please Read all the way to the bottom:
 
They're written by Andy Rooney, a man who had the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy.......
   
I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.   
I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.
   
I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
   
I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
   
I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.  
 
I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
   
I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
   
I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
   
I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.  
 
I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
   
I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
   
I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
   
I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.
   
I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.  
 
I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
   
I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
   
I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
   
I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.
   
I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.  
 
I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
   
I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
   
I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
   
I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
   
I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.  
 
I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
   
I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
   
I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
   
I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
 
I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.  
 
I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Story: The Three Dolls

A sage presented a prince with a set of three small dolls. The prince was not amused.

 

“Am I a girl that you give me dolls?” – He asked.

“This is a gift for a future king,” Said the sage. “If you look carefully, you’ll see a hole in the ear of each doll.”

 

The sage handed him a piece of string. “Pass it through each doll.” – He said.

 

Intrigued, the prince picked up the first doll and put the string into the ear. It came out from the other ear. “This is one type of person,” said the sage, “whatever you tell him, comes out from the other ear. He doesn’t retain anything.”

 

The prince put the string into the second doll. It came out from the mouth. “This is the second type of person,” said the sage, “whatever you tell him, he tells everybody else.”

 

The prince picked up the third doll and repeated the process. The string did not come out. “This is the third type of person,” said the sage, “whatever you tell him is locked up within him. It never comes out.”

 

“What is the best type of person?” – Asked the prince.

 

The sage handed him a fourth doll, in answer. When the prince put the string into the doll, it came out from the other ear.

 

 “Do it again.” – Said the sage.

 

The prince repeated the process. This time the string came out from the mouth. When he put the string in a third time, it did not come out at all.

 

“This is the best type of person,” said the sage. “To be trustworthy, a man must know when not to listen, when to remain silent and when to speak out.”

Worth a read! - Thinking “Out of the Box”

Worth a read! -"Thinking -Out of the Box"

Many hundreds of years ago in a small Italian town, a merchant had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to the moneylender. The moneylender, who was old and ugly, fancied the merchant's beautiful daughter so he proposed a bargain. He said he would forgo the merchant's debt if he could marry the daughter. Both the merchant and his daughter were horrified by the proposal.

The moneylender told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty bag. The girl would then have to pick one pebble from the bag.If she picked the black pebble, she would become the moneylender's wife and her father's debt would be forgiven. If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven. But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.

They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the merchant's garden. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. He then asked the girl to pick her pebble from the bag.

What would you have done if you were the girl? If you had to advise her, what would you have told her? Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:

1. The girl should refuse to take a pebble.

2. The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the moneylender as a cheat.

3. The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.

The above story is used with the hope that it will make us appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking.

The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.

"Oh, how clumsy of me," she said."But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked." Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the moneylender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an advantageous one.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Most complex problems do have a solution, sometimes we have to think about them in a different way.

QUEEN

 OK, I have broken one of my records or I should say made a new one, coz never did something like this before. Scene was, we 4 friends decided to watch Queen on Sunday Morning-11.15am show, but one of my friends got stuck in some urgent work and came in the theater at 12.30pm. She missed half the movie and in interval she asked me to accompany her for the next show of the movie.  Hence we watched the 2pm show of Queen again! Now come on, would I have watched it again if I did not like the movie? But I LOVED it. How could have said no?

The story which starts with a sad note, takes hilarious turns. I mean some scenes are so side-splitting that I literary wished “Rolling On the Floor, Laughing”. This movie gives lots of msgs, especially it shows no matter where you go, or which caste, religion, and country you come from, each and every individuals in this world are same by one or other things! And wherever you go it is not difficult to make friends. The theme is exactly like English-Vinglish –Finding your own self- but story is completely different. I’ll say only common thing in EV and Queen is Music by Amit Trivedi. And also it is official that Rani Mehra is my second favorite character after Shashi Godbole!

What a delightful story with pleasant direction by Vikas Bahl, combined with charming acting by Kangana Ranaut. I wish from bottom of my heart that this year maximum Filmfare awards should be taken away by Queen. They, the cast and crew members of Queen, deserve it.

I honestly believe the movie should have named as Queen of Hearts, because it does still your heart and you cannot just have enough of QUEEN in its 146minutes’ journey. You would really wish movie to go on a little longer after it ends. Truly a splendid experience (Twice) ;)  And I am sure it will be marvelous 3^rd time, taking my parents to watch it on this weekend. I just hope I don’t go on breaking my, watching English-Vinglish 10 times in theater, record with Queen. And even if I did, I won’t regret it!

WAYS TO FEEL POSITIVE

10 Ways to Feel Positive and Confident

Positive thinking is essential to self-confidence and overall health. According to the Mayo Clinic,positive thinking has been scientifically linked to longer lives, lower rates of depression, increased immunity, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. We have been conditioned to think negatively, compare ourselves to others, and get stuck in self-deprecating cycles of worry. It’s all around us, in the news, on your Facebook feed, even in your home.

So how do you make the shift to feeling more positive and confident? Start small, with positive and intentional actions every day. The more you practice positive thoughts and behaviors, the more confident and self-assured you will feel. 

10 Positive Habits to Practice

 

1. Make a decision. Don’t consult with a friend about what to order at dinner or call your  spouse when shopping for groceries. Make a decision based on what your gut is telling you.      
2.  It will make you feel stronger and allows you to practice trusting your inner voice.
3. Try something new. Confidence doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from effort.
4. Gently exercise. Exercise is the most important treatment for anxiety, depression, and  insomnia. Just moving your body will break-up negative thoughts and boost serotonin. 
5. Move your body every day, just be mindful of your energy and never overdo it. 
6. A seven minute workout or yoga in your living room will all work!
7. Clean up your news feed. Social media that is full of triggers, images, and updates can push you into a bad mood. Start following inspirational or “happy” accounts.
8. HealthyPlace on Facebook or my Guidance Girl page always inspires. Happsters on Instagram, and Mind Body Green for healthy living tips are also good choices. 
9. The more positive images you view the better you will feel.
10. Think back over the past week and write down every nice thing others said to you.

 Review the complements or comments when you’re feeling insecure.
Make a happy playlist. Music can physiologically changes your brain and body. It can make  you breathe faster, increase your pulse, and make you smile. Songs with a quick tempo and uplifting lyrics have been shown to be more effective at bringing out happy emotions. One of my favourites is Happy by Parrel What are a few on your playlist?

 

Say no. Don’t say yes when you want to say no. You’re letting yourself down if you do favours you don’t want to do. Next time someone asks for something that will make you feel funky, and you feel the urge to say “yes,” remind yourself they are asking, not ordering. You will respect yourself more later on.
Practice posture. Hunching over at your desk can make you less confident and more insecure according to research from Ohio State University. Pull your belly button in towards your spine and pull your shoulders back when sitting or standing.
Give yourself credit for small, daily accomplishments, even if you are not done.

Did you work on cleaning up your closet but still have stacks of clothes to fold?

Great, take a moment to focus on what you have done, don’t just wait until a project is finished.
Get grateful. Write a thank-you note, or call someone to say thanks for meeting with you for lunch last week. People who are mindful of the positives in their life, create more positive energy. Comment on a post you like, email a friend, or even write down what you are grateful for in the moment (try and think of 5 new ones each time).
 

Remember, small shifts can produce remarkable results.  The intention of building more

 positive thoughts and experiences will undoubtedly increase your self-confidence and self-esteem. 

One of my favourite affirmations that may help is:

“I am perfectly imperfect. I strive for better while loving all that I am today. In loving myself today, I am better equipped to improve myself tomorrow.”

 

This is special

A successful businessman was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.


Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the executives in his company together.


He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you." The young executives were shocked, but the boss 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 the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."


One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Every day, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.


Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.


Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.


By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.


Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing.
Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.


A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.


Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room.


When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful - in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!


When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.


Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"


All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front.  Jim was terrified.. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"


When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed, Jim told him the story.


The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!


His name is "Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.


"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.


Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room 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; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.



All of you, except Jim, 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. Jim 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
Chief Executive Officer!"


* 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 contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later..
Think about this for a minute.


If I happened to show up on your door step crying, would you care?
If I called you and asked you to pick me up
because something happened, would you come?
If I had one day left to live my life, would you be part of that last day?
If I needed a shoulder to cry on, would you give me yours?
This is a test to see who your real
friends are or if you are just someone to talk to you when they are bored.


Do you know what the relationship is between your two eyes?
They blink together,
they move together,
they cry together,
they see things together,

and they sleep together,
but they never see each other;
that's what friendship is.
Your aspiration is your motivation, your
motivation is your belief ,
your belief is your peace,
your peace is your target,
your target is heaven,
and life is like hard core
torture without it! 

We Indians are Unique

1. Every Indian bachelor wants to marry a fair girl.

2. When the doorbell rings, a male or kid goes to open the door and the females run for their dupatta. So, keep ur friends close but your dupatta closer.

3. Picking up/dropping a relative (airport/railway stn) is an important family affair. Railway stns are like a stroll in the park.

4. Every teenage girls first crush is Dhoni or Virat Kholi. Mothers approve!! Mothers dont approve film stars though!

5. We thrive on street food and we dont get sick.

6. Every indian mother has 2 careers… working/housewife + Match making.

7. We have all had secret boyfriends/girlfriends. We dint care about them cheating on us but we dreaded getting caught by each others parents.

8. Indian girls have 3 type of brothers…. Real brother, cousin brother, Rakhee brother. Every indian guy is definitely somebodys rakhee brother!

9. The bride MUST cry at her Vidai. A bride has no business looking happy.

10. We go on cleaning sprees only during diwali/Christmas or when we have guests coming over.

11. However old we are, our parenrs need to know every detail of our schedule. Daily. No excuses. No exemption.

12. When indian parents buy tickets, every child becomes under 12. Getting a half ticket is a huge victory!

13. If we live in another city and dont call our mom daily , she’ll freak out and call all our friends to make sure we are alive.

14. We get embarrassed in front of our parents even when the word “sex” is written on a form to specify gender.

15. No other nationality can beat indians in bargaining. “Chalo bhaiya . Na tera na mera. Itne paise theek hain.”

16. No matter if we are Convent educated. When we are actually angry, we switch to highly effective, dirty, Hindi swear words.

17. We spend more time talking to guests at the door when they are leaving than while sitting in the living room.

18. Why to change the remote batteries when u can just slap the shit out of the remote and make it work?

19. Meeting a person with the same surname is like finding a long lost twin.

When justice is tempered with mercy...( A Wonderful mail received...)

A judge was sitting in judgment of an old lady who pleaded guilty of stealing some tapioca from a plantation.
In her defense, the old lady admitted to the Judge that she was indeed guilty of the crime because she was poor and her son was sick while her grandchild was hungry.
The plantation manager insisted that she be punished as a deterrent to others.
The judge going through the documents then looked up and said to the old lady, “I’m sorry but I cannot make any exception to the Law and you must be punished accordingly”.
The old lady was fined Rp.1 million (USD 100) and if she could not pay the fine then she will be jailed for 2 1/2 years as demanded by the Law.
She wept as she could not pay the fine.
The Judge then took off his hat and put in Rp.100,000 into the hat and said, “In the name of justice, I fine all present in the Court @ Rp.50,000 (USD 5.50) each as dwellers of this City for letting a child starve until her grandmother is compelled to steal to feed her grandchild. The Registrar will now collect the fines from all present.”
The Court managed to collect Rp 3.5 million (USD 350) including the fine collected from the plantation manager, whereby the fine was paid off and the rest was given to the old lady.

The Falcon & The Branch

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

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

The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the falcon, but no one could make the bird fly.

He presented the task to the member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace window that the bird had still not moved from its perch.

Having tried everything else, the king thought to himself, “May be I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem.” So he cried out to his court, “Go and get a farmer.”

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

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

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

---

We are all made to fly — to realize our incredible potential as human beings. But at times we sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, and the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling. Let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight!