What is the mystery of an Avatar?

The Upanishads prescribe certain sadhanas (spiritual exercises) to achieve inner peace. One of that is engaging in Karma or beneficial activity - that is to say, service to people which will help diminish the sense of ego; this refers to acts that are good and godly. When one’s thoughts are engaged in such activities, the mind turns away from the talk it indulges in. Listening to spiritual advice, reflection on spiritual directions, and discovering ways and means of confirming faith in the Lord, recital of the names of God and withdrawing the mind from sensual pursuits have been prescribed by the scriptures for silencing the mental chatter, this inner talk, as a preparation for attaining the Supreme Lord.  For it is only when the mind is cleansed and clarified that it can achieve such a profound task. Only then the lessons taught and the experiences undergo ne can be pure and unsullied.

Making a Difference

Making a Difference  

 

“Don’t fail to do something just because you can’t do everything.”

You’re probably familiar with the starfish story, the one about all the starfish that had been washed up on the beach during high tide only to be left there in the sand to die as the tide went back out.  A young boy playing on the beach recognized the fate of the starfish and began to methodically pick them up one at a time and toss them back into the sea.  A man who had been observing the boy approached him shaking his head.  “What’s the point, boy, don’t you see there are thousands of these starfish lying along the beach?  There’s no way you’re going to make a difference.” Undaunted, the boy replied to the man as he tossed another starfish into the ocean, “Yeah, but it made a difference to that one.”   

During World War II my grandmother committed herself to writing letters to servicemen stationed overseas, primarily to those who at one time had been students in the Sunday school class she taught.  Now, my grandmother’s letters were no small feat.  They were labours of love, written in her small handwriting on multiple pages front and back and often times around the edges.  In them she would share news from home, stories she remembered about that person’s family and childhood, and offer words of encouragement and inspiration.  Each letter she composed represented hours of tedious work.  Yet, I doubt seriously that my grandmother’s letter writing made much of a difference in defeating Hitler and saving the world. But I am pretty sure it made a difference to each one of those servicemen who received them, maybe to some it made ALL the difference.   

Too often, I’m afraid, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the challenges and problems that exist in our lives and the world around us, becoming paralysed by the enormity of it all. We’re like the man observing the boy on the beach tossing starfish back in the sea.  “What’s the point?” we ask ourselves.  “Surely my little contribution won’t make any difference.”  Oh, but it does!  In fact, for some it might make ALL the difference. 

So . . . “Don’t fail to do something just because you can’t do everything.”     

By The Numbers

My son and I really enjoy the television drama “Numbers” on Friday nights. It’s a thinking show where a genius FBI agent applies complex mathematical methods to solve crimes. I cannot vouch for its realism, but it seems really cool. So, it got me thinking. Why not share some interesting numbers (minus the complex calculations) with you? Take heart – no math degree required here.    1 – Thought, word or action can change the world.    We each have the power to create a positive ripple, affecting many people many miles away. We can change the world of those around us. This also creates a powerful ripple effect inside each of us – it feels good! As Zig Ziglar says, “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”    3 – Hours of reading per day that Zig Ziglar still invests to this day!    A reader is a leader.    8 – Years the average person spends eating during their lifetime.    Learn to quit managing your time… and manage your attention.    10 – Positive customer experiences required to counteract a single negative customer Service Where it Counts provides practical tips for front line service excellence.    28 – Years the average person spends sleeping over the course of a lifetime.    Hey, that’s not all bad! Learn to Quit Moving… and Be Still.    45 – Percent of those who read an e-newsletter who read it from start to finish.    That’s why I try to keep ‘em interesting!    52 – Years old when Ray Kroc founded McDonald’s. It’s never too late to start working on your dream!    55 – Percent of web users who will watch a video (up to 30 minutes in length!) from start to finish.    If you cannot make it through this newsletter watch my You Tube channel.    65 – Percent of workers report receiving no recognition for good work in the previous year according to a Harris Poll.    We do more for those who appreciate us. So, challenge yourself to sincerely and specifically recognize at least three positive contributions each day (i.e., “Hey, Jack, great tie!” does not count). I know you will see the difference in your team’s discretionary effort if you take 70 – Percent of New Year’s resolutions that fail within a month.    Focus x Competence x Passion = Adherence (our ability to stick to our plans).    100 – Percent of the time that someone who perseveres will win.    Sticking to It has practical tips to help you consistently execute your plans. Babe Ruth said, “It’s hard to beat a guy who never gives up.”    50,000 – Screaming girls I was with for my 22nd wedding anniversary.    My wife and I took our family to the Jonas Brothers concert, which happened to fall on our anniversary!    Infinity – People who help us succeed along the way.    Success is not a solitary achievement. It is achieved with the help of others along the way.    Until next time, one million good wishes!

 

Mouth and money

Mouth and money  

There is infinite wisdom in old sayings. Put your money where your mouth is, is one such useful advice for all politicians who habitually put their mouth where money is. The idea of a right to food in one of the hungriest nations is good. However, as we have said before with respect to other such “rights” handed down in India, any legal binding on government must be matched by its capacity to deliver. Without that capacity, rights and laws remain on paper, generate legal activism and, worse, public cynicism. Hence, to carry conviction about the proposed food security legislation, prepared by the National Advisory Council, state governments have to put in place a public distribution system (PDS) that can deliver food to those who need it and seek it. India’s PDS remains patchy and geographically skewed — more prevalent where it is less needed and virtually absent where it is most needed. The proposed legislation makes access to subsidised food a legally enforceable right for about 75 per cent of the country’s population, much of which is undernourished. In a break from the past, it does away with the categorisation of households as antyodaya (poorest of the poor), below poverty line (BPL) and above poverty line (APL). Instead, it proposes just two broad categories — “priority” and “general” — for the sale of subsidised food. While the priority households will be entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per month at Rs 3 a kg for rice, Rs 2 for wheat and Rs 1 for millets, the general category will get 20 kg at less than half of the minimum support price (MSP) of the respective cereals. Ironically, the proposed law, in fact, reduces the scope of the PDS since it is not universal like the existing PDS is in theory. The benchmarks for fixing prices of different foodgrains meant for the general category households will be the MSPs of these grains and not the actual economic cost of the grains to the government which is generally far higher as it includes post-procurement market levies, handling, storage and transport costs. This would effectively mean substantial lowering of the cost of foodgrains (read higher food subsidy) for the non-poor from the present levels. Apart from such inherent problems in the proposed law, the Union Minister for Food and Agriculture, Sharad Pawar, has raised valid doubts about the government’s ability to procure, stock and supply the required grains to work the system, especially given stagnation in output and productivity in recent years. A food security system based on imported food would be disastrous, taking India back to the era of “ship to mouth” existence. Hopefully, these issues will be addressed and the government will not willy-nilly put the cart before the horse, so to speak (another wise sayin

The ABC’s of Love

The ABC’s of Love 

Psychiatrist Louis B. Cady of Evansville, Indiana, gives us the ABC’s of love as it relates to our children.  When I read this I knew that I wanted to share it with my readers.  Enjoy! Accept your child–not as perfect, not as a “model,” but as a basically good kid. Be there!  You can’t be absent all the time, nor can you show your interest or love for your child if you aren’t present.  Be there for football games, dance recitals and the like. Care for your child.  Even when s(he) messes up! Discipline; don’t punish.  It takes “guts” to discipline; it only takes a “wimp” of a parent to let kids get by with anything. Expect the best: Generally, you’ll get what you expect (bad or good). Family–the centre around which the child’s life should revolve.  School, friends and games are the “planets” which should circle around the “sun” of the family. God/Spiritual – pick yours carefully; there will ALWAYS be a “god” of something in your and your family’s life.  Make sure it’s a good one.  This doesn’t mean you have to be a  ”super-Christian” or go to church seven days a week.  It DOES mean that you must instil some sense of spirituality, moral order, and ethics in your child. Honesty–the bedrock of good character. Make sure you demonstrate it by example. Interest–in your child.  If you aren’t interested, the friendly local drug pusher will be. Joy– in raising children, watching them develop, being a part of their lives, seeing them turn out as wonderful adults. Kindness–in discipline and relationships with your kids.  Avoid harshness or punitiveness. Listen!  Frequently, YOU are wrong.  You are a parent, not God, and certainly not infallible. Motivate–don’t intimidate. NO to negativity!  Be positive!  Any dummy can be negative about things that anyone else does, especially kids.  Look for the good in your child and emphasize it.  Things that are focused on and emphasized get bigger and stronger. Open to questions and concerns of your child; be open to examine your own actions and motivations, as well. Practice (makes perfect); you can mess up, and you don’t have to be perfect.  Just don’t make a habit of it.  Learn from your mistakes. Question; interact–your child will not always tell you unless you ask and demonstrate interest. Reason with your teenager; don’t demand or command arrogantly when there is a disagreement.  If you must, discipline, but not until you have attempted reason. Say your feelings–your child is not telepathic.  It’s also important to frequently “say” your feelings of love and affection. Touch–your child with hugs and kisses. Hugs are appropriate for virtually all ages. Don’t be embarrassed, and don’t get out of the “HUG HABIT”! Unity–as a family.  Don’t allow splits or divisions to develop between warring “factions.” Value your time together–you won’t have it forever. Wonder at the priceless gift of your lives together–you will value it more and do more with it. X marks the spot for your treasure: the home and your family. You–the critical person who must show your efforts, caring, affection, interest, honesty.  Don’t wait to respond; INITIATE! Zero— the serious problems you will have in your and your teenager’s life if you follow these principles. Based on his research and practice, Dr. Cady believes this alphabet of love will make a positive difference in your child and your relationship with that child.

 

First-aid for Burns - Have a safe Diwal

Here is wishing you a safe Diwali. India sees the maximum number of burn accidents during Diwali. Here is a ready reckoner just in case there is an accident near you. Your quick action can save lives and alleviate suffering for people around you. Remember to keep a bucket of water close by when lighting crackers.

Burns destroy skin, which controls the amount of heat our bodies retain or release, holds in fluids, and protects us from infection. While minor burns on fingers and hands are usually not dangerous, burns injuring even relatively small areas of skin can develop serious complications. If you think a burn of any type is significant, do not hesitate to call an ambulance immediately.

Here are the first aid steps for treating a burn.

STAY SAFE! Do not let the rescuer get burned trying to save the victim.


Cool the burned area with cool running water for several minutes. DO NOT overcool the casualty; this may dangerously lower the body temperature.

DO NOT remove anything sticking to the burn; this may cause further damage and cause infection.

DO NOT touch or interfere with the injured area. DO NOT burst blisters.

DO NOT apply lotions, ointment, or fat to the injury.

Gently remove any rings, watches, belts, shoes, or smouldering clothing from the injured area, before it starts to swell. Carefully remove burned clothing unless it is sticking to the burn.

Cover the injury with a sterile burns sheet or other suitable non-fluffy material, to protect from infection. A clean plastic bag or kitchen film may be used. Burns to the face should be cooled with water, not covered.

Ensure that the emergency service is on its way. While waiting, treat the casualty for shock. Monitor and record breathing and pulse, and resuscitate, if necessary.

Three Rules for turning Stress into Success

1. Accept the Unchangeable:

Everything that has happened in your life to this minute is unchangeable. It's history. The greatest waste of energy is in looking back at missed opportunities, lamenting past events, grudge collecting, getting even, harbouring ill will, and any vengeful thinking. Success is the only acceptable form of revenge. By forgiving your trespassers, you become free to concentrate on going forward with your life and succeeding in spite of your detractors. You will live a rewarding and fulfilling life.  Your enemies, on the other hand, will forever wonder how you went on to become so successful without them and in the shadow of their doubts.

2. Change the Changeable:
What you can change is your reaction to what others say and do. And you can control your own thoughts and actions by dwelling on desired results instead of the penalties of failure. The only real control you have in life is that of your immediate thoughts and actions. Since most of what we do is a reflex, subconscious habit, it is wise not to act on emotional impulse. In personal relations, it is better to wait a moment until reason has the opportunity to compete with your emotions.



3. Avoid the Unacceptable:

Go out of your way to get out of the way of potentially dangerous behaviours and environments. When people tailgate you on the freeway, change lanes. If they follow you at night, drive to a well-lighted public place. When there are loud, obnoxious people next to you at a restaurant or club, change tables or locations. Also, be cautious of personal relationships developed via the Internet. With the massive number of individuals surfing the net, the number of predators increases in like proportion. Always be on the alert for potentially dangerous situations involving your health, personal safety, financial speculation and emotional relationships.