LIFE ACADEMY

news room video

2008-07-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

NEWS ROOM VIDEO

2008-07-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

NEWS ROOM VIDEO

2008-07-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

HOW TO LOVE LIFE

2008-06-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

Life is short, and we all need to step back and realize how great it really can be. This guide will hopefully help you to love your life and everything about it.

Be optimistic. Think of life in the best way possible, look at the glass as half full, and find the better side of every situation. You would be amazed at how much more there is to life than the negative.
Live every moment to the fullest. Don't waste a single second being sad, bored, or lonely. Get out there and dance, and sing as if no one was around. You never know how much longer you have to do so.
Be selfless. Give more than you receive, and share with others. Do less for yourself, and more for the people around you. Also when you do the right thing you get a fantastic feeling inside.
Laugh often. This is possibly the most important point in this how-to guide. Laughter is the number one most important thing in life. Laugh much, and smile often.
Live in the present. Forget about the past, as there is nothing you can do about it. Don't worry about the future, as what is to come is to come, and if you forget to live in the moment, you would be surprised at how quickly time can slip.
Be yourself. Be outgoing, and live up to your own standards, not anyone else's. Who cares what others think about you? Who cares if you can't sing, can't dance, or if your clothes don't match. Do what you want to do, and be who you want to be.
Be kind to everyone. Kindness is the key to unlocking your own happiness and joy. If others notice your kindness, they will gratefully return it. Make as many close friends as you can, and help them when they are down, as you never know when you will need them to catch you.
Stand there. Sometimes just standing somewhere quiet or peaceful and get thinking about what you have achieved, what you are about to achieve, or what you want to achieve, and sometimes just sometimes it will hit you... a feeling of utmost respect for life.
Do what you enjoy If you have always wanted to learn something, or feel like improving on something you already do, go for it! Don't let anyone stop you from doing what you love, and if you feel comfortable doing it then don't hold back. If you do your going to regret it.

BE HAPPY

2008-06-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Be optimistic. Think of life in the best way possible, look at the glass as half full, and find the better side of every situation. You would be amazed at how much more there is to life than the negative.
Live every moment to the fullest. Don't waste a single second being sad, bored, or lonely. Get out there and dance, and sing as if no one was around. You never know how much longer you have to do so.
Be selfless. Give more than you receive, and share with others. Do less for yourself, and more for the people around you. Also when you do the right thing you get a fantastic feeling inside.
Laugh often. This is possibly the most important point in this how-to guide. Laughter is the number one most important thing in life. Laugh much, and smile often.
Live in the present. Forget about the past, as there is nothing you can do about it. Don't worry about the future, as what is to come is to come, and if you forget to live in the moment, you would be surprised at how quickly time can slip.
Be yourself. Be outgoing, and live up to your own standards, not anyone else's. Who cares what others think about you? Who cares if you can't sing, can't dance, or if your clothes don't match. Do what you want to do, and be who you want to be.
Be kind to everyone. Kindness is the key to unlocking your own happiness and joy. If others notice your kindness, they will gratefully return it. Make as many close friends as you can, and help them when they are down, as you never know when you will need them to catch you.
Stand there. Sometimes just standing somewhere quiet or peaceful and get thinking about what you have achieved, what you are about to achieve, or what you want to achieve, and sometimes just sometimes it will hit you... a feeling of utmost respect for life.
Do what you enjoy If you have always wanted to learn something, or feel like improving on something you already do, go for it! Don't let anyone stop you from doing what you love, and if you feel comfortable doing it then don't hold back. If you do your going to regret it.

Food For Thought

2008-06-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

Never welcome something you cannot entertain.

Never open your doors if you mean to close your heart.

Never accept love if you can't give yourself in return.

Never start a relationship you know you want to end.

Two of the shortest words in the English language are "YES" and "NO" and yet they are often the ones that require the most thought before they are said.

Some thoughts are better left unsaid, some feelings are better left kept to yourself, but love has its way of expressing itself despite the silence. Always say you are sorry to people you have wronged. Remember, it is not always what you say that hurts, but the words that you don't.

Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place.

Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road humps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don't stay on the humps too long.
Move on!

When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God is thinking of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means.

There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.

Life is a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can spend it only once.

NEWS ROOM TEXT

2008-06-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

ADVICE ON LIFE TO COLLEGE GRADUATES

2008-06-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

by Paula Wagner Apfelbach On Wisconsin magazine, Winter 2000

When students graduate from college and go out into life, they may need some helpful tips or advice on how to make it in the "real world." This advice can also apply to just about everyone.

Advice on Life

This advice can apply to everyone, in most situations.

Trust your gut. It will very rarely steer you wrong.

No matter what you believe today, most of your friends will fall away over time. Those who remain for the long haul are precious.

Honesty is still the best policy especially if it's delivered respectfully and gently.

Having a few regrets isn't such a bad thing; they serve as reminders to do things differently next time.

Sleep enough. Then, when you figure out how, tell me.

Apologize. Enough said.

If you still don't know what you want to be when you grow up, don't sweat it. You can decide later and change your mind often after that.

Listen. Listen some more.

There's just no substitute for taking the high road, having insurance, or speaking kindly.

Live simply. Less truly is more.

Think long and hard before welcoming dogs or small children into your life. Then, if you do, learn good parenting skills and love them wholly and unconditionally.

The Golden Rule is a classic. It has been true across all cultures, through all of time.

Another classic is the one that says, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Duct tape is overrated, but it will hold up a fallen hem.

When the big, bad world gets you down, know that there are many good, decent people out there, too. Life will always be about balance.

I've heard this attributed to Prince Charles, but no matter: Never miss an opportunity to sit down or go to the bathroom.

When it's hard to wake up, recall that it's proof that you're alive. Pondering the alternative will open your eyes the rest of the way.

Create bonding rituals with those you love; the strength you gain may be your only sustenance in difficult times.

Visit a cemetery. It's a powerful reminder of your significance- or lack thereof.

People seldom change. If you can't accept them as they are, spare yourself an ulcer and move on.

When consoling someone, a simple, genuine "I'm sorry" carries tremendous weight.

Work isn't everything. Neither is sex or winning. But holding hands comes close.

If you achieve just one major goal each year, you'll have accomplished a great deal by the end of your life.

Deep down, people just want to feel capable and lovable. If you can make them feel that way, you'll have them eating out of your hands.

Four words: luggage with huge wheels.

Learn to accept a compliment gracefully. A smile and simple "thank you" will do.

Some people do act like jerks, but it's probably healthier for you to feel sorry for them than angry at them.

Go easy on yourself. Some days, you're the only one who will.

Cook something the first time according to the recipe. After that, wing it.

Respect your elders. They really have "been there, done that," and they'd be thrilled to tell you about it, if only you'd ask.

Respect cultures, ideologies, and viewpoints that are different from your own. They have a lot to offer.

Nothing replaces good health. Nothing.

Not everyone likes you (or me either), but that's okay. No one's opinion of you matters more than your own.

Take care of the earth and those who need your help.

Cultivate an interest in the arts. Their grace endures.

Good cooking, polished manners, passable golf, and excellent typing skills will still get you pretty far.

Be who you are. Who else could you be?

Be present. Be grateful. Be awed.

Thanks for listening

Summary

These are good pointers or tips for all of us to follow to succeed in life.

2008-06-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

22ND CENTURY LIFELESSNESS..!!

Our communication - Wireless,
Our business - Cashless,
Our telephone - Cordless,
Our cooking - Fireless,
Our youth - Jobless,
Our religion - Creedless,
Our food - Fatless,
Our faith - Godless,
Our labour - Effortless,
Our conduct - Worthless,
Our relation - Loveless,
Our attitude - Careless,
Our feelings - Heartless,
Our politics - Shameless,
Our education - Valueless,
Our Follies - Countless,
Our arguments - Baseless,
Our commitment - Aimless,
Our poor - Voiceless,
Our life - Meaningless Finally, Our existence - Useless????

NEWS ROOM PHOTO

2008-06-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

HANDLING CRITICISM

2008-05-26T16:45:00.000-07:00

HANDLING CRITICISM
1. Listen to it.
2. Evaluate from it.
3. Learn from it.
4. Respond to it.
5. Forget it.
6. Keep on serving

FOUR TRAITS OF EFFECTIVE LEADERS

2008-05-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

FOUR TRAITS OF EFFECTIVE LEADERS

Each of us commands some authority. There are or will be those we guide, supervise, rear, mentor or lead. Some of us will be effective and others will feel as if we're running a cemetery: we've got a lot of people under us and nobody's listening.

Much has been written and taught about leadership, but I find that at least four traits are common in all people of authority who effectively elicit cooperation and respect from those who look up to them. Whether you are a parent, whether you find yourself in the workplace, sitting on a volunteer committee or teaching someone a new skill, these traits will help you effectively guide those who would seek to follow.

These good leaders are...

*Listeners. They take time to listen to the suggestions and concerns of those they endeavor to lead.

*Encouragers. They don't try to do it all themselves. Neither do they motivate by force or guilt. They encourage others and help bring out their best.

*Assertive. They say what needs to be said without being unkind. They tell the truth as they see it, openly and frankly.

*Decisive. They know what needs to be done and they make timely, even difficult, decisions when necessary. But they can also take charge without running over the people in their lives.

In short, good leaders L-E-A-D!

QUICK TIPS

2008-05-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Quick Tips

See the order in chaos,
pleasure in pain,
stillness in movement,
unity in diversity,
balance in imbalance,

Enjoy every experience!
see the good / divine in all
Surf the Waves of Life, Like a Dolphin
Be the eye of the cyclone

Forgive, accept, don't judge,
give thanks and praise, bless,
have compassion, understanding, respect

Take responsibility for actions, thoughts & words

Be aware moment to moment of your
thoughts, feelings, actions, words.
Checking motivations, filters, archetypes

Responding from higher perspectives
instead of reacting from subconscious habits

Detached but Involved
centered, at peace,
innocent but wise,

but don't even be attached to that,
be free from fixed beliefs or perspectives

Know for yourself.
Examine everything.
Be an inner scientist - yourself being the lab.

Self-Appraisal

2008-05-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

SELF APPRAISAL

The boy asked, "Maam, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?" The woman replied, "I already have someone to cut my lawn."

"I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now." replied the boy. The woman responded that she was very satisfied with the person who was presently cutting her lawn.

The little boy was even more perseverant and said, "I'll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of Palm beach , Florida ." Again the woman answered in the negative.

With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver.

The store owner, who was listening to this conversation, walked over to the boy and said, "Son... I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job."

The little boy replied, "No thanks, I was just checking my performance on the job I already have. I am the one who is working for the lady I was talking to!"

THE LEADER

2008-05-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

THE LEADER

fOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE CRITICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LEADER:

1. All good leaders have perspective. They simplify problems, ask the right questions, and balance long and short-term interests. They listen more than they talk. Good leaders "need to be able to cut through the clutter and come up with a solution."

2. Successful leaders turn strategy into results. They face reality and adjust plans to achieve their goals. They motivate people and are decisive, adhering to the 70-30 rule : If you have 70% of the information it's time to make a decision because "if you hold out for the last 30% you're probably toast."

3. Great leaders have the courage to make changes, even when things are good.

4. Effective leaders are self aware and savvy. They know how to read people and they flex their style to achieve results.

5. True leaders have unshakeable integrity. They set the moral tone and ethical standard of an organization. They ask for help and seek the council of others.

6. Proven leaders know how to build strong teams. A leader's ability to recognize potential in others and foster it builds successful organization.

IT’S ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO CHANGE.

2008-03-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

The first step toward getting somewhere
is to decide that you’re not going to stay where you are.

Analyze your life in terms of your environment.
Are the things around you helping you toward your success -
or are they holding you back?

You’re a product of your environment.
So choose an environment that will best develop you toward your goals.

Your world today is a living expression
of how you’re using and have used your mind.
It’s something you can change at any time.

Where you are in your life today,
you made an appointment to be there five years ago.
Where you’ll be five years from now
will be determined by your actions today and in the future.

Don’t remain a captive to your environment.
Don’t say “If I could, I would,”
say, “If I can, I will.”

You can make changes anytime.
Why not start today?

GOD DOESN'T EXIST

2008-01-10T09:08:00.000-08:00

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.

As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.

They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?"asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.

Tell me, if God exists,would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.

The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?"asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber.And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

GREAT THINGS HAPPEN WHEN

2008-01-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

Great things happen when small things are done with purpose, care and persistence. Few people can make a big positive impact on the first attempt, yet anyone can have a small impact, and then another and another.

The small things matter, because they join together to become big things. Every moment is your opportunity to do the small things that can surely and steadily bring about big results.

Those who sit and wait for a big break rarely ever get o

ne, and wonder why life has been so cruel and unfair. Those who do what they can, when they can, with what they have, will get precisely where they intend to go.

Today is your chance to do what you can. It may seem small, but focus and persistence will, over time, make it into something big. Meaningful, lasting value is something that is built, effort upon effort, day after day, moment by moment.

Step forward at every opportunity, be willing to do the small things, and you'll be making the big things happen.

THE LIST

2008-01-09T04:25:00.000-08:00

Everyone should have this list.

1. If you feel far away from God, guess who moved?
2. Fear knocked. Faith answered. No one was there.
3. What you are is God's gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.
4. I am God's melody of life and He sings His song through me.
5. We can never really go where God is not, and where He is, all is well.
6. No matter what is happening in your life, know that God is waiting
for you with open arms.
7. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
8. Do your best and then sleep in peace. God is awake.
9. God has a purpose and plan for me that no one else can fulfill.
10. The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will
not protect you.
11. We are responsible for the effort, not the outcome.
12. We set the sail; God makes the wind.
13. Begin to weave and God will give you the thread.
14. Sometimes when God says "no", it's because He has something better
in store for you.
15. The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.
16. Prayer: don't bother to give God instructions, just report for
duty.
17. It's my business to do God's business and it's His business to
take care of my business.
18. Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.
19. How come you're always running around looking for God? He's
not lost.
20. God put me on earth to accomplish a number of things; right
now I'm so far behind I will live forever.

- Author Unknown -

BE HAPPY

2008-01-06T05:25:00.000-08:00

Be happy at all times with everyone.

That is the highest sadhana and the sweetest offering to the Lotus Feet of the Lord.

Self-reliance alone is the true experience of unending happiness.

If anything other than that makes you happy, realize that it is untrue and that it

will surely come to meet with grief.

Be happy with good thoughts...

Be happy with pure feelings...

Be happy with high ideals...

Be happy with no attachments...

Be happy with a loving heart that is dedicated at all times to God!

Serve the Lord with a radiant smile...

Part of the book: 'Inspiring Thoughts'
By Seema M. Dewan
Copyright reserved by author
Permission given for sharing without changes to text.

HAPPY NEW YEAR-2008!

2007-12-26T17:58:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year2008 - The most popular videos are a click away

TWO BROTHERS

2007-12-20T08:46:00.000-08:00

There were once 2 brothers who lived on the 80th level. On coming home one day, they realized to their dismay that the lifts were not working and that they have to climb the stairs home. After struggling to the 20th level, panting and tired, they decided to abandon their bags and come back for them the next day. They left their bags then and climbed on. When they have struggled to the 40th level, the younger brother started to grumble and both of them began to quarrel. They continued to climb the flights of steps, quarreling all the way to the 60th floor. They then realized that they have only 20 levels more to climb and decided to stop quarreling and continue climbing in peace. They silently climbed on and reached their home at long last. Each stood calmly before the door and waited for the other to open the door. And they realized that the key was in their bags which was left on the 20th floor This story is reflecting on our life...many of us live under the expectations of our parents, teachers and friends when young. We seldom get to do the things that we really like and love and are under so much pressure and stress so that by the age of 20, we get tired and decided to dump this load. Being free of the stress and pressure, we work enthusiastically and dream ambitious wishes. But by the time we reach 40 years old, we start to lose our vision and dreams. We began to feel unsatisfied and start to complain and criticize. We live life as a misery as we are never satisfied. Reaching 60, we realize that we have little left for complaining anymore, and we began to walk the final episode in peace and calmness. We think that there is nothing left to disappoint us, only to realize that we could not rest in peace because we have an unfulfilled dream ...... a dream we abandoned 60 years ago.

So what is your dream? Follow your dreams, so that you will not live with regrets.

BURDENS OF LIFE

2007-12-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

Burdens Of Life

We worry about our family, we worry about money or the lack of it. We worry about work, about where we live, about all sorts of things.

These are all burdens - the things we pick up along life’s path and lug them around the obstacles and over the crevasses that life will bring; only to find that, at the destination they are useless and we can’t take them with us.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

2007-12-15T23:52:00.000-08:00

Believe In Yourself

Believe in yourself and you can achieve
Things you never thought possible
Believe in yourself and you can discover
Talents new, that lie away hidden

Believe in yourself and you can reach
New heights that you thought unscalable
Believe in yourself and you can solve
Problems that defy any solution

Believe in yourself and you can conquer
Any situation, however difficult
Believe in yourself and you can make
The most complicated things seem simple

Believe in yourself and you can learn
The skills of gaining knowledge from experience
Believe in yourself and you can enjoy
The beauty in nature's abundance

Believe in yourself and you can perceive
New depths your senses can apprehend
Believe in yourself and you can perform
Way beyond your expectations

Believe in your goal and work towards it
With determination and dedication
Believe in yourself and output enhance
By contributing to a given situation

Believe in yourself and you'll feel blessed
As God's very own special creation.

LESSONS FROM AN OYSTER

2007-12-15T01:09:00.000-08:00

Lessons from an Oyster

"There once was an oyster whose story I tell,
Who found that some sand had got into his shell.

It was only a grain, but it gave him great pain.
For oysters have feelings although they're so plain.

Now, did he berate the harsh workings of fate
That had brought him to such a deplorable state?

Did he curse at the government, cry for election,
And claim that the sea should have given him protection?

'No,' he said to himself as he lay on a shell,
Since I cannot remove it, I shall try to improve it.

Now the years have rolled around, as the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate destiny stew.

And the small grain of sand that had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl all richly aglow.

Now the tale has a moral, for isn't it grand
What an oyster can do with a morsel of sand?

What couldn't we do if we'd only begin
With some of the things That get under our skin.

The richest man, whatever his lot,
Is he who is content with what he has got."

- Author Unknown -

LIFE IS

2007-12-12T05:30:00.001-08:00

Life Is...

Life is beautiful
A gift given to us
The most precious
We can ever have
Don't give it away

Life is our breath
Life gives us love
And even a chance
When we are in pain
It makes us think

Life is like a rose
That shines so bright
But can hurt you too
With its sharp thorns
But don't fear to live

Do not expect too much
Make the best out of it
Because life is short
Can be taken away when
You less expect it....

Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.

LIFE

2007-12-12T05:20:00.000-08:00

LIFE

Life is always so wonderful and unbelievably exciting.

Each aspect of life is mysterious and adventurous.

Life brings a wrapped gift everyday for each one of us.

It unveils the most mysterious things with a gentle breeze.

Life's multiple dimensions are very interesting to be experienced with.

Each one has got unique things to experience and learn from it.

Every aspect of life is so mingled with nature that nature becomes the other name of life.

Life moves the nature way and it unveils new things every minute.

Without this adventure in life, life would be a miserable hell.

Even a very tiny movement of nature inspires us,

like when we see a sparrow pass away with a quick note

we feel energized.

This is life. unexpected and new to you the next moment.

Observe every second for nature may reveal something really

Nature is lively, And Life is natural.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

2007-12-10T08:18:00.001-08:00

LIFE FUNDAS

2007-12-08T18:45:00.000-08:00

LIFE FUNDAS

Live life justly.
Do not mess with others unnecessarily.
Be a good person on whom others can rely.
First others problem, then your problem.
Always burn your ego if it gets out of limit and you
will experience a new lease of life.
Smile because it releases necessary chemicals to
handle the situation.
Pursue your goals with all your will single line
determination.
Keep in mind that your action do not hurt others.
Remove your treat the poison of your body / mind to
remain alive in your life.
All days are not same, each day is a new day. But
always start the day with a pleasant smile, cool mind and a golden heart.
Never think bad for anybody.
Thank God whatever you get.
There is always some good waiting at the turn of the
road. So have patience even if your current road is full of potholes.
�Some things
happen from time to time, so wait for suitable time.
Do not amplify bad or ill. Try to suppress / remove
it from deviating you from it. It is not always to find evil. Evil is our
mind.
God really made the world a beautiful place to live.
HaHaHa HaHaHa HaHaHa HaHaHa HaHaHa HaHaHa, just
cannot stop laughing, its always good for health and soul and it lessens
your pain.
Do not get stuck at any point of life, good or bad,
because time is always moving and so is your breath.
Memories are to cherish and not to live by.
Full force of emotion harms you more than your enemy.
Keep you head cool and heart clean.
God has made you with lots of efforts. Do not make
his efforts look in vain. Fulfill all the objectives from his point of
view and not yours. J
Do not amplify truth if it is of no worth. It will
only hurt somebody and damage your reputation.
Many things look good only if they are unreal.
Put your objectives of life aside and live some
moments of your life for your own self. Its really worthwhile and amazing,
but come back fast because life without objective leads no where.
Be silent because it is necessary for re-silence.
Make always a sincere effort to make someone smile
from his / her heart.
Always take care you do not hurt any one by your
action / words and deeds.
You can do anything but keep yourself so conscious
that you hear your heart and follow it, because it will lead to you right
way, either way.
First do your job at par and then distribute advice to
others.
Be flexible and ready for changes.

Lessons on Life

2007-12-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

Lessons on Life

There was a man who had four sons. he wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly.

So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distant away.

The first son went in the winter,

the second in the spring,

the third in summer,

and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up in it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral:

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.

SECRET TRUTHS OF LIFE

2007-12-05T20:35:00.000-08:00

SECRET TRUTHS OF LIFE

1. Love: Life requires that you love it. Choose each day to reach out to someone, to be grateful for the wind, the air, the sun, the dirt beneath your feet. Be thankful you're alive, then love life, love yourself, and love those around you.

2. Depression: For you who tell yourselves you can't love life, it is because you love a lie and the lie becomes your master. When you decide to stop loving the lie you will stop bowing to it. Then you can start on the journey to becoming master of your life.

3. Anger: The root of all anger is pain. Identify your pain and then give it comfort.

4. Social behavior: You are better than no one, and no one is better than you. All people are equal. If someone told you differently, they lied to you.

5. Power: Power is a lie. The more you try to control others, the less influence you will have. The more freedom you give to others, the more influence you will have.

6. Bullying: Any pain you inflict upon others, whether physical or emotional, will come back to you. If you tell yourself that controlling others makes you powerful, you lie to yourself.

7. Attitude: You can refuse to be influenced by negative attitudes around you. Attitudes are decisions. Decide to form your own attitude, regardless of those around you.

8. Faith: You can replace "I can't" with "I think I can" anytime you want. You can replace "It won't happen" with "God can help make it happen" anytime you want.

9. Religion: Scientists have learned that the human brain is wired to believe in a Supreme being. Fighting against this will depress you.

10. Control Freaks: It is human nature to resist compulsion. When you try to control others, you incite rebellion. Dictators and control freaks can only have temporary power.

11. Finances: If you question every purchase your spouse makes their frustration will tempt them to spend more and more. If you give them a reasonable and fair budget, they will be tempted to abide by it. The same goes for every company department in the world.

12. Sibling Conflict: The African Dinka tribe, which lives in simple yet functional conditions, does not allow a child to hit another. Bullying is stopped at a young age. When we let our children hit each other, we are less civilized than they are.

13. Parenting: Being a parent is the hardest thing you'll ever do, and the most rewarding.

14. Kids: If you think kids are a nuisance, someone probably once treated you like a nuisance. This was a lie and you knew it. Forgive them, and try to correct the lie.

15. Kids: If children are a nuisance, adults are a mega-nuisance. It we can't tolerate a child, we become intolerable.

16. Babies: No man or woman who wasn't a wuss, ever died from a baby crying on an airplane.

17. Success: It isn't never falling, it's rising every time you fall.

For more reality hints see www.apnewz.com

LUCK FAVOURS THOSE WHO FAVOR THEMSELVES

2007-12-05T20:08:00.000-08:00

LUCK FAVOURS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES.

A flood was threatening a small town and everyone was leaving for safe ground except for one man who said,"GOD WILL SAVE ME. I HAVE FAITH."

As the water level rose a jeep came to rescue him, the man refused, saying, " GOD WILL SAVE ME. I HAVE FAITH".

As the water level rose further, he went up to the second floor of his building and a boat came to help him. Again he refused to go , saying,"GOD WILL SAVE ME . I HAVE FAITH".

The water level kept rising fast and the man climbed on to the roof of his building .A Helicopter came to rescue him. Again he refused to be lifted, saying, " GOD WILL SAVE ME. I HAVE FAITH".

Well, finally he drowned. When he reached GOD, he angrily questioned HIM ," I HAD COMPLETE FAITH IN YOU. WHY DID YOU IGNORE MY PRAYERS AND LET ME DROWN?

THE LORD REPLIED, " WHO DO YOU THINK SENT YOU THE JEEP, THE BOAT AND THE HELICOPTER?

LUCK FAVOURS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES! ! !

RICH AND POOR

2007-12-04T18:40:00.000-08:00

Rich and Poor

by: singingsoul

He who has a costly existence on earth is necessarily
poor
He who needs less is definitely rich

He who can’t share joys of life with others is
certainly poor
He who has a big heart is undoubtedly rich

He who loses patience and hope soon is clearly poor
He who has songs on lips and hope in the heart is
obviously rich

He who exploits the less fortunate souls is indeed
poor
He who extends a helpful hand is truly rich

He who thrives on inequalities that are unjust is by
any measure, poor
He who shortens the distance between hearts is
naturally rich

He who doesn’t understand that at the end of a rat
race – one is still a rat – is surely poor
He who considers life a journey through ups and downs
is actually rich

He who can see a weeping eye and not wipe any teardrop
is really poor
He who brings the smile on such a face is extremely
rich

He who runs the competitive race without leading a
complete life is so poor
He who can enjoy his work and vagaries of life is so
rich!

He who knows not that he came alone and shall leave
for above too alone- is poor for sure
He who embraces the facts of life and accepts them –
is very rich

12 TIPS ON HAPPINESS

2007-12-02T05:41:00.000-08:00

12 TIPS ON HAPPINESS

1. Know Your Purpose

Other people will try to tell you what to do with your life. They mean well, but they aren’t you. If you follow their advice you may make them happy--or you may not--but you most assuredly make yourself unhappy. Your answers will come from within. Practice listening internally. What is your inner wisdom telling you to do ?

2. Take Time To Reflect

A sure way to make yourself miserable is to be busy every moment of every day. When will you be able to listen to your inner wisdom to stay on purpose if you’re always busy ? Without reflection, you can’t step back from your life to see the big picture. Where is your life going, anyway ? Reflection allows you to see the subtle signs that announce a change is on the way.

3. Identify Your Talents and Develop Them

Many people are on a “self-improvement campaign”. Their intent is admirable but the process usually backfires. Inherent in a plan to improve is the assumption that something is wrong. You are not okay. No sooner do you “fix” one flaw, than another one appears. After years of work on yourself, you may still feel dissatisfied and unhappy.
The route that will take you where you want to go is to start with your strengths. Add to them by developing new skills. Start from a place of abundance, not a place of scarcity. You’ll be happier and self-esteem will flourish.

4. The Joy is in the Joy-Ney

Think of something you wanted very badly. When you finally got it, did it give you all the joy and satisfaction, all the happiness you expected. Probably not. Why? Because the joy in life occurs between the peaks. The joy is when you’re on your way to an achievement or accomplishment, not the moment you reach the peak. Sure, it feels good to reach a goal, but if you expect goal attainment to make you happy, you will spend most of your days unhappy.

5. Stretch Yourself to be Uncomfortable Every Day
(Take Some Risks)

If you play it safe in your life--never risking--when life presents you with an opportunity, you won’t be able to seize it. If you practice risk taking every day, however , your comfort zone will expand. You will find yourself taking more risks. Your confidence will grow, your experiences will be richer, and you will have fewer regrets. All that adds up to feelings of happiness.

6. Look For Life’s Stepping Stones

Life is a series of experiences. You relish some experiences, others you label as hardships, disappointments, set backs or disruptions. Whatever life presents to you is an opportunity to grow and learn, if you choose to view it that way. You have the power to decide if any given event is going to be a stumbling block, or a steppingstone. Your happiness depends upon the choice you make.

7. Let Go

You cannot control other people. You cannot control what happens to you. So let go. The harder you try to control things, the tighter and more rigid you become. You will feel happier if you are more fluid, more able to “ go with the flow”. But you can’t flow until you let go. Don’t hold on to things, people or feelings that upset you. Let them go. As you begin to practice this principle, you will discover a paradox: To gain control, relinquish control.

8. Trust The process

If you stop trying to control everything and everyone, you will find you need to trust. Yourself. Others. The Process. This means you may need to act at times without knowing the outcome of your actions. Success may not always be guaranteed. However, what you bemoan today, you may celebrate tomorrow.

9. Be Patient

When you begin to see your life as a process, instead of a series of goals, the driving sense of urgency begins to lift. You cannot hurry a process. Things take time. Patience is easier when you stay focused on the ”now”, this moment. Impatience comes from expecting the future to bring you happiness, instead of finding happiness in this moment.

10. Be A Human Being

Many people strive to be human havings. They surround themselves with all kind of things. Once they’ve done this, they still aren’t happy. Others try to be human doings. They work all the time. They’re always on the lookout for the magical achievement that will make them happy. The secret isn’t to be found in what you have or what you do. The secret is to be.

11. Expect Change

Change is normal. Expecting life to stay the same day to day, month to month, year to year, creates unhappiness. That isn’t how life is. The nature of life is change. It has always been that way. Today the changes happen faster. Because of technology and communications, we can see more changes as they occur. when you view change as normal , you are on the way to becoming a change master instead of a change victim.

12. Choose Happiness

Being unhappy is how some people get attention. There are other ways to get attention. Decide that you are going to be happy in your life. Decide that basic life decisions will help you see in every day and every situation what there is to be happy about. Until you choose this attitude, you cannot take charge of your happiness.

FAMILY

2007-12-02T05:27:00.000-08:00

Family

I think about those I do not see,
Sensing that they too think of me.

So many miles I have strayed,
When I could have simply stayed.

Merely to expand the bond,
To make new memories far beyond.

Life’s choices find us miles apart,
Ever close with the beat of my heart.

To relive in my mind’s eye,
Keeps them close and always near by.

Memories gathered from the start,
Forever alive within my heart.

My message is so simple and small.
Those three words most important of all,
I LOVE YOU!

EIGHTY FLOORS : CELEBRATE LIFE !!

2007-12-01T06:47:00.000-08:00

E i g h t y F l o o r s: Celebrate Life !!

There were once 2 brothers who lived on the 80th floor of a tall building.

On coming home one day, they realized to their dismay that the lifts were not working and that they have to climb the stairs home. After struggling to the 20th level, panting and tired, they decided to abandon their bags and come back for them the next day. They left their bags then and climbed on............

When they have struggled to the 40th level by this time they had gone sufficiently mad and irritated. The younger brother started to grumble and both of them began to quarrel. They continued to climb the flights of steps, quarreling all the way to the 60th floor.

They then realized that they have only 20 levels more to climb and decided to stop quarreling and continue climbing in peace. They silently climbed on and reached their home at long last. Each stood calmly before the door and waited for the other to open the door. And they realized that the key was in their bags which were left on the 20th floor.........

This story is a reflection on our life and times. All of us climb the tall building called life...........some till all the 80 floors and some less. Many of us climb under the expectations of our companion.

Time to time these are our friends and parents till the 20th floor, then our spouse and our dear ones till the next level of the building. We seldom get to do the things that we really like and love and are under so much pressure and stress so that by the age of 20, we get tired and decided to dump this load. Being free of the stress and pressure, we work enthusiastically

and dream ambitious wishes.

By the time we reach 40 years old, we start to lose our vision and dreams. We began to feel unsatisfied and start to complain and criticize. We live life as a misery as we are never satisfied.

Reaching 60, we realize that we have little left for complaining anymore, and we began to walk the final episode in peace and calmness. We think that there is nothing left to disappoint us, only to realize that we could not rest in peace we have an unfulfilled dream..........a dream we abandon 60 years ago. So what's your dream.....?

Know your dreams and follow it so that you will not live with regrets.

Help others and thank God.

Accept yourself...

Believe in yourself...

Like yourself...

Inside each of us are powers so strong, treasures so rich, possibilities so endless, that to command them all to action would change the history of the world.

Celebrate LIFE!!!

YOU YUBE VIDEO: AA JA NACH LE

2007-11-30T03:27:00.000-08:00

TRY LIFE

2007-11-28T06:27:00.000-08:00

Try Life

Smooth roads never make good drivers.
Smooth sea never makes good sailors.
Clear skies never make good pilots.

Problem free life never makes a strong person.
Be strong enough to accept the challenges of life.

Don’t ask life, ‘Why me?’. Instead say, ‘Try me!’

LIFE'S WISDOM

2007-11-27T20:08:00.000-08:00

LIFE'S WISDOM

You are responsible for what you are today, your pain and suffering and misery.

You cannot escape your responsibility by blaming fate, for fate is of your own making, or by blaming fate / God for he is but the divine dispenser of fruits in accordance with the merits of your own actions.

You are none to blame but yourself for your present state of affairs.

Fate is nothing but the sum total of your past actions.

By exercising your free will in the past, you have brought on the resultant fate ( Present)

By exercising your free will in the present, wipe out the past record , work for a better future.

Whether for acquiring more happiness or for reducing misery, you have to exercise your free will in the present.

Fate is invisible.

The past is past and is beyond our vision and unseen.

Do not worry about fate or the past.

The present is before you and by exercise of freewill, you can shape the future and this is what you should do.

Start with boundless hope with the presumption that nothing is impossible for you.

If you work with earnestness and persist in your efforts, you can accomplish anything.

If we do not succeed in the first few attempts, it means that in the past we have exercised our free will just in opposite direction.

So our present effort must be proportionate to that past activity to eliminate those effects.

Thus the past obstacles which we face in life are just the gauge by which we have to guide our present activities.

If you do not succeed even after your best effort, do not despair for fate being a product of your free will, can never be stronger than free will.

When we see a nail on the wall we cannot see what exact length of the nail is embedded in the wall.

How much effort is required to pullout the nail depends on how deeply the nail is embedded on the wall.

We do not desist from the attempt to pull out the nail simply because we happen to be ignorant of the length of the nail in the wall or of the number and intensity of strokes which drove it in.

If we do not succeed in the first few attempts, we increase the number of intensity of our present efforts to pull it out.

The nail in the wall represents the obstacles which arise in our present life due to the wrong use of our freewill in the past.

Just as we persevere to pull out the nail from the wall, we should make persistent efforts to counteract the ill effects of our past actions.

We are bound to pull out the nail sooner or later.

Similarly, we are bound to overcome all the obstacles which we face in our life, if we try hard.

LIFE'S RULES

2007-11-27T19:38:00.000-08:00

LIFE'S RULES

(http://local.families.com/lifes-rules,t66065)

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative
on the same night.

2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race
has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."

3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness".

4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never
want you to share yours with them.

5. And when God, who created the entire universe with all of its
glories, decides to deliver a message to humanity, HE WILL NOT use, as his messenger, a person on cable TV with a bad hairstyle.

6. You should not confuse your career with your life.

7. No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too
seriously.

8. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

9. Never lick a steak knife.

10. Take out the fortune before you eat the cookie.

11. The most powerful force in the universe is gossip.

12. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age,
gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.

13. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice
person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.

14. Your friends will love you anyway.

15. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of
professionals built the Titanic.

16. Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas.

17. You need only two tools. WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and
it should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the tape

18. The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship: "I
apologize" and "You are right."

19. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

20. When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat
crow while it's still warm.

21. Learn to pick your battles. Ask yourself, "Will this matter one year
from now? How about one month? One week? One day?"

22. Never pass up an opportunity to pee.

23. If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!

24. Work is good, but it's not that important.

25. And finally? Be really nice to your family and friends. You
never know when you are going to need them to empty your bedpan. __________________

TWELVE RULES FOR BEING HUMAN

2007-11-27T19:31:00.000-08:00

TWELVE RULES FOR BEING HUMAN

1. You will receive a body.
You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours the entire period.

2. You will learn lessons.
You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called Life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons.
Growth is a process of trial and error: experimentation. The "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately "work."

4. A lesson is repeated until learned.
A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can then go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end.
There is no part of life that does not contain its lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.

6. "There" is no better than "here."
When your "there" has become a "here," you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here."

7. Others are merely mirrors of you.
You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.

8. What you make of your life is up to you.
You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.

9. Life is exactly what you think it is.
You create a life that matches your beliefs and expectations.

10. Your answers lie inside you.
The answers to life's questions lie inside you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.

11. You will forget all this.

12. You can remember it whenever you want.

( http://www.links2love.com/12rules_for_being_human.htm )

SOME RULES TO LIVE BY

2007-11-27T19:25:00.000-08:00

Some Rules to Live By

(http://www.ouuf.org/Humor/liferules.html)

You receive one physical body. You may like it or you may hate it, but it's yours. You may make alterations, improvements, and maintenance on a regular basis.

You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time school called life. This life is just a 'test'. If it were a real life, you would have been given instructions on where to go and what to do. Each day lessons will be taught. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.
There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial and error along with experimentation. The "failed" experiments are just as important to our lives as the successful ones.
A lesson is repeated until it is learned. Lessons will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned them. Then can you go on to another lesson.
Learning does not end. There is no part of life that does not contain significant lessons. Every day, every waking hour we are confronted with thoughts, situations, and experiences from which we can learn.
'Over there' is not better than 'right here.' Whenever we arrive 'over there' we will find another 'over there' that appears better. A good message is to be in the 'here and now.'
Other people's mannerisms, quirks, or personalities which we love or dislike are merely mirror images of ourselves in what we love or dislike within us.
What you make of your life is up to you. We have all the tools and resources needed. The choice is yours as to what you do with those tools.
A question, challenge or 'situation' is posed of us when we are prepared and ready to answer the question, accept the challenge, or deal with the 'situation.'
What you see in the universe, sees you. Trust in yourself and the universe is trusting. Love yourself and the universe is a loving place.--Contributed by Eva Close

LIFE'S IMPORTANT RULES

2007-11-27T19:17:00.000-08:00

Life's Important Rules

( http://www.notso.com/rules.htm )

Indecision is the key to flexibility.
You can't tell which way the train went by looking at the track.
There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of preparation.
Happiness is merely the remission of pain.
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
Sometimes too much to drink is not enough.
The facts, although interesting, are irrelevant.
The careful application of terror is also a form of communication.
Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.
Things are more like they are today than they ever were before.
Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting dirty for.
. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
I have seen the truth and it makes no sense.
Suicide is the most sincere form of self-criticism.
If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
One seventh of your life is spent on Monday.
By the time you make ends meet, they move the ends.
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
This is as bad as it can get, but don't count on it.
Never wrestle a pig. You just get dirty and it pisses off the pig.
The trouble with life is you're halfway through it before you realize it’s a do-it-yourself thing.

LIFE-WHAT A RIDE !

2007-11-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

Life - what a ride!

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body - but rather a skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘WOW, what a ride!’ " - Anonymous -

PRAYER

2007-11-27T07:11:00.001-08:00

PRAYER

असतो मा सद्गमय |
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ||
मृत्योर् मा अमृतं गमय |
ॐ शांति शांति शांति ||

Which transliterates to:

Asato Ma Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

This means: " Lead Us From Untruth To Truth, Lead Us From Darkness To Light, Lead Us From Death To Immortality, Aum (the universal sound of God) Let There Be Peace Peace Peace."