Humbleness

One day, I met an old classmate. We had not seen each other for about 30 years. 

When I saw him again, this time at a hotel lobby, he wore simple clothes. I felt touched.

He walked up to me and was glad to see me again. But deep within me, I was not impressed with his status compared to mine, I could not hide it.

We exchanged contact details, and I could see the joy in him as he collected mine.

I told him I would drop him home in my brand new Range Rover but he declined and said he had already called for his car, a 2001 Honda Accord.

I invited him the next day for lunch at my house. A part of me wanted to impress him, to show off my success while another was to discuss opportunities and possibly help him.

He drove to Parkview, where I lived. He looked impressed with my house, one I had taken a heavy mortgage to acquire and thereafter we had lunch. He told me he was into small business and particularly real estate. 

I brought up more business discussions, but he did not sound too interested. I asked him how I could help him. He said he was fine. I even told him that if he was interested, I could help him secure some loans. He looked at me and smiled.

He told me he would invite me over to his place soon. His old car came for him. I was grateful to God for what I have. “All fingers are not equal," I thought to myself.

Two weeks later, my wife and I went to see him in a remote area. Initially, my wife was reluctant to go because she was not impressed with my friend’s status to warrant our visiting him at his house.

I was able to convince her that we were close friends in college.

We saw the estate. We asked for directions to his home. Those leading us spoke of his name with deference.

It was a simple but lovely home. A 4-bedroom bungalow. I saw 4 cars parked in front. We entered his house. It was simply elegant, he welcomed us warmly.

Lunch was well served, his wife calls him Papa Onos.

During lunch, he asked about my MD. He said they were friends. I saw a company gift on one of his tables nearby. That company owned about 38% shares where I worked. He told me he owned the company. He also owned the Estate.

I did not know when I called him, Sir.  I was in awe of him, too.

I Had Learnt A Lesson In Humility, A Big One. Appearances Are Deceptive.

 He noticed my discomfort.

Driving back home, I was very quiet. My wife was humbled and extremely calm. I could perceive the thoughts in her mind. I looked at myself. Living on loans, heavy loans, and showing off while someone who pays my salary is quite modest and living a simple life. Indeed, Deeper Rivers Flow In Majestic Silence!

Reflection:

Adjust Your Perception Towards Others This Year. Read, Learn, And Take A Good Step Towards Change.

Stop Judging People Based On Their Physical Appearance Or Level Of Education. Rather, Concentrate More On How To Better Your Life Than How To Impress People.

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Innocence

Every day early morning a little girl would come to the temple & stand before the idol, close her eyes & with folded hands, murmur something for a couple of minutes.

Then she would open her eyes, bow down, smile and go out running. This was a daily affair. 

The temple Poojari was observing her & was curious about what she was doing. He thought, she is too young to know the deeper meanings of religion, she would hardly know any prayers. But then what was she doing every morning in the temple?

Fifteen days passed, Poojari now couldn’t resist but to find out more about her behaviour. 

One morning, the Poojari reached there before the girl & was waiting for her to complete her ritual. 

He placed his hand on her head and said, “My child, I have seen since the last fifteen days that you come here regularly. What do you do?”

“I pray,” She said spontaneously.

“Do you know any prayers?” asked the Poojari with some suspicion in his voice.

“…No” Replied the girl.

"Then what are you doing closing your eyes, every day?” he smiled.

*Very innocently the girl said:“I do not know any prayer, but I know "a,b,c,d….up to z."  'I recite it five times' and tell God that, "I don’t know your prayer, but it cannot be outside of these alphabets." Please arrange the alphabets as you wish and that is my prayer.”*

And then she ran, jumping on her way out. The Poojari stood there dumbstruck, staring at her for a long time as she disappeared running in the wilderness.

This indeed is an  UNCONDITIONAL  belief in God.

 

No matter in what form or language you pray, God will listen. All you need to do is believe.

Short Stories

1. LOOKING BACK

I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I was working on for my psychology class. When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, "Success is when you look back at your life, and the memories make you smile".

2. LOVE CONQUERS PAIN

After I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road, holding him and crying. But just before he died, he licked the tears off my face.

3. TOGETHERNESS

As my father, my three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother's hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. She simply said, "I feel so loved right now. We should have gotten together like this more often.”

4. AFFECTION

I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed. About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had kissed him since I was a little boy.

5. JOY

When I witnessed a 27-year-old cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter's antics, I suddenly realized that I needed to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.

6. KINDNESS

A boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutches with my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me. He helped me all the way across campus to my class, and as he was leaving, he said, "I hope you feel better soon.”

7. SHARING

I was travelling in Kenya, and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe. He said he hadn't eaten anything in over three days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy. Then, my friend offered him the rest of his sandwich. The man first said, "We can share this.”

Life is short! Live every minute to the fullest and celebrate it every day.

This too shall pass - lessons

1. Change is the river, not the rock. We cling to stability, yet life, like a meandering river, insists on flowing. This book gently reminds us that change isn't the enemy, but the current that carries us to new shores. It teaches us to navigate the rapids with grace, to find the hidden beauty in the unexpected bends. We cannot avoid it, but we can choose how we respond to it. We can resist it and suffer, or we can accept it and adapt.

2. Every crisis whispers a question. Job loss, illness, heartbreak – storms that shake our foundations. But Samuel shows us that within each crisis lies a question, a chance to redefine ourselves.  It challenges us to question our assumptions, beliefs, and values. It invites us to discover new aspects of ourselves and our potential. Do we crumble, or do we rise, stronger and more resilient, like the redwood after a fire?

3. Vulnerability is not weakness, but courage. We build walls, afraid to expose our cracks. Yet, "This Too Shall Pass" reminds us that vulnerability is the bridge to connection. We are not islands, adrift in a vast ocean. Sharing our struggles, not hiding them, is the true mark of courage, and it paves the way for healing and deeper understanding. In shared stories, in listening ears, and in the warmth of empathy, we find solace, strength, and the courage to face even the darkest storms.

4. Grief is not a guest, but a companion. Loss casts a long shadow, and we often try to chase it away. But Samuel teaches us that grief is not an unwelcome visitor, but a companion on the road to healing. We learn to walk with it, not deny it, finding solace in its quiet echoes and eventually, the promise of new beginnings.

5. The power of "and" instead of "but." Life is rarely black and white. We yearn for happiness, but fear its fleeting nature. This book shows us the magic of embracing the "and" – joy and sorrow, success and failure, woven together into the rich fabric of our lives.

6. Impermanence is a feature of life. Author Julia gracefully reminds us that nothing lasts forever, neither the good nor the bad. She encourages us to appreciate what we have and not take anything for granted. She urges us to live in the present and not worry about the future or dwell on the past.

7. Forgiveness is a gift, not to the other, but to ourselves. 

Letting go of resentment, Samuel teaches us, is not condoning, but setting ourselves free. Forgiveness becomes a gift, not to the one who wronged us, but to our own hearts, allowing us to move forward with lightness and peace.

8. Every ending is a new beginning. Life is a series of chapters, some ending abruptly, others fading into the next. This book reminds us that within each ending lies the seed of a new beginning, a blank page waiting to be filled with the ink of hope and possibility.

9. Hope is not a destination, but a compass. The future can feel shrouded in mist, but "This Too Shall Pass" reminds us that hope is not a faraway land, but a compass we carry within. It guides us through uncertainty, nudging us towards the light, even when the path seems lost.

10. This too shall pass. The final, and perhaps most profound, lesson. Life is a kaleidoscope of moments, joy and sorrow dancing in an ever-changing rhythm. This book whispers a simple truth: this too shall pass. The storm will clear, the sun will rise again, and even in the darkest night, the promise of dawn remains.

So, dear friend, if you stand at a crossroads, heart heavy with doubt, pick up "This Too Shall Pass." It's a companion on the journey, a gentle hand offering solace and whispering wisdom. 

Bowl of noodles

A Bowl Of Noodles.

===========

That night Misha got into a fight with her mother and left the house. On the way, she remembered that she had no money in her pocket, nor did she have any coins to call home.

Soon she crossed a noodle shop. Suddenly, the aroma of noodles made her hungry. She wanted a bowl of noodles, but had no money.

The shopkeeper saw her standing in front of the counter and asked, "Hey dear, do you want to eat a bowl of noodles?"

"But... I don't have money." She answered hesitantly. "Do not worry, I have a solution for that too." The shopkeeper said. "Come in, I will make you a bowl of noodles."

A few minutes later, the shopkeeper brought her a bowl full of hot noodles. A few minutes after eating it, Misha started crying.

"What happened child?" the shopkeeper asked. “Nothing! I'm just overwhelmed by your kindness." Misha said, wiping her tears. "A stranger on the street gives me a bowl of noodles, and my own mother kicked me out of the house after a small fight. What she did was wrong!!"

The shopkeeper remained silent for some time and kept listening to her. Then when she finished the noodles, he sat down beside her and asked her very patiently and affectionately, "Dear, why did you think so? Think again!! I just gave you a bowl of noodles and you felt a sense of gratitude...while your mother has been nurturing you since you were in her womb, even before you were born. Have you ever paid any attention to her? Have you ever felt heartfelt gratitude towards her?"

Misha was really shocked to hear this. She thought to herself, "Why didn't I ever think so? A stranger's bowl of noodles made me feel grateful and I have never felt such gratitude for my mother, who has raised me since childhood. I did not even have the slightest feeling of it."

In that moment, she got restless to meet her mother. A while ago, there was hatred for her mother in her eyes, but now she had tears of love for mother.

She thanked the shopkeeper wholeheartedly and went back home.

As soon as Misha reached home, she saw that her mother was waiting at the door. She looked worried and tired, and was looking for her everywhere. Seeing Misha, her mother said softly, "Where did you go Misha, come in, dear. You must be very hungry? I have prepared your favourite rice for you. Come eat it while it is still hot."

Misha ran to her mother and started crying in her arms. The mother's heart also filled with love, the atmosphere was brimming with love.

Sometimes, in life, we get so moved by a stranger's small kindness that it becomes easy to appreciate them, and be grateful to them. On the other hand, we tend to take for granted the love and support of those with whom we are very close, especially our parents. We get so used to their love, care, encouragement, support and sacrifice that we see all this as their responsibility towards us, and start thinking of ourselves as deserving of it all!

And Often Without Even Thinking About It, We Vent Our Anger On Them!

The Love And Concern Of Parents Is The Most Precious Gift Which Is Given To Us From Birth. Although parents do not expect anything from us in return for our upbringing, but Still We Never Think What We Can Do For Our Parents, Who Love Us More Than We Ourselves Do!!

A loving embrace and respect for them from the bottom of our heart, perhaps that will bring them the happiest moments!

Reflection

There Is No Place For Expectation In Love. There Is Only Place For Gratitude. That Is Why Love Is The Culmination Of Human Nobility.

Self Examination

If you usually put *more sugar in your tea when in a hotel* than you do at home, you're most likely to be corrupt. 

If you use *more tissue in a public washroom* than you do at home, you are a potential thief; if given the opportunity you would take what's not yours. 

If you serve yourself *more food that you can finish* just because someone else is footing the bill; proves the greedy streak in you. 

If you usually *jump queues*; shows that, if given a powerful position, you have the potential to abuse your office. 

If you usually *go on the wrong side* while in a traffic jam or have no regard for traffic lights; then you are one who would easily embezzle public funds, if you're given a position at a public office, since you have contempt for any form of regulation. 

If you channel waste or dirty water *from your compound to a neighbour's compound* rather than manage it, you're ill-mannered and selfish. 

If you look at this post and wonder whether it was really necessary to talk about these issues; then you are dishonest. You would not hesitate to cover up ills in the society, for your own benefit. 

Let us try to be people of character wherever we find ourselves. 

*A country is as good, or bad, as its citizens make it.* 

Contenment

Kaun Banega Crorepati

In a recent episode, Neeraj Saxena was the fastest to answer in the "Fastest Finger First" round and took the hot seat.

He sat very calmly, without shouting, dancing, crying, raising his hands, or hugging Amitabh. 

Neeraj is a scientist, a Ph.D., and a Vice-Chancellor of a university in Kolkata. He has a pleasant and simple personality. He considers himself fortunate to have worked with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and mentioned that initially, he thought only about himself, but under Kalam's influence, he began thinking about others and the nation as well.

Neeraj started playing. He used the audience poll once, but since he had the "Double Dip" lifeline, he got the chance to use it again. He answered all the questions with ease, and his intelligence was impressive. He won ₹3,20,000 and an equivalent bonus amount, and then there was a break.

After the break, Amitabh announced, "Let's proceed, Dr. Sahab. Here comes the eleventh question..." Just then, Neeraj said, _"Sir, I would like to quit."

Amitabh was surprised. Someone playing so well, with three lifelines still left, and a good chance to win a crore (₹1,00,00,000), was quitting? He asked, "This has never happened before."

Neeraj calmly replied, "Other players are waiting, and they are younger than me. They should also get a chance. I have already won a lot of money. 

I feel  _'what I have is enough.' I do not desire more."

Amitabh was stunned, and there was a moment of silence. Then, everyone stood up and applauded him for a long time. 

Amitabh said, "We have learned a lot today. It is rare to see a person like this."

After he quit the game, a girl took the hot seat and shared her story: "My father threw us out, including my mother, just because we are three daughters. Now, we live in an orphanage."

If Neeraj had not quit, being the last day, no one else would have gotten a chance. Because of his sacrifice, this poor girl got an opportunity to earn some money. 

In today's world, people are not ready to give up even a single penny from their inheritance. We see fights and even murders over it. Selfishness is rampant. But this example is an exception.

When your needs are fulfilled, you should stop and give others a chance.

Less is more -

Contentment is Enough

Diwali

*Once, after Dussehra had passed and Diwali was approaching, a group of young men and women, somewhat like an NGO, arrived at a college.*

*They asked a few questions to the students; however, one question brought silence to the college!*

*They asked, "When Diwali is celebrated as the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, then why do we worship Lakshmi on Diwali? Why not worship Shri Ram?"*

*There was silence because, in those days, there was no social media, no smartphones. No one knew the answer. Then, breaking the silence, a hand was raised to answer the question!*

*The answer was that the "Diwali" festival is associated with two eras, "Satya Yuga" and "Treta Yuga"!*

*"In Satya Yuga, Goddess Lakshmi emerged on that day during the churning of the ocean!" That’s why "Lakshmi Pooja" is performed.*

*Lord Shri Ram also returned to Ayodhya on the same day in Treta Yuga. The people of Ayodhya welcomed him by lighting lamps. Hence, it is called Diwali.*

*Thus, this festival has two names, "Lakshmi Pooja," linked to Satya Yuga, and "Diwali," which is associated with Treta Yuga, Lord Shri Ram, and the lamps.*

*After our answer, there was silence for a while because no one knew the answer – not even the group who had posed the question!*

*Later, it was learned that the group was, in today’s terms, "liberals" (leftists) who were visiting colleges to plant the idea that there was no purpose to "Lakshmi Pooja" since Diwali is related to Shri Ram. In essence, they were attempting to brainwash the students.*

*However, after our answer, the group disappeared!*

*There was also another question about the relationship between Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh. Why do we worship both on Diwali?*

*The correct answer is:*

*When Goddess Lakshmi emerged during the churning of the ocean and married Lord Vishnu, she became the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She appointed Kubera as the manager of wealth distribution.*

*Kubera, however, was somewhat miserly. Instead of distributing wealth, he became the sole keeper of it.*

*Distressed, Goddess Lakshmi shared her troubles with Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu suggested, "Change your manager!"*

*Lakshmi hesitated, saying, "Kubera, the king of the Yakshas, is my devoted follower. It might offend him!"*

*Then Lord Vishnu advised her to take advantage of Shri Ganesh’s vast wisdom.*

*Goddess Lakshmi requested Shri Ganesh to become the distributor of wealth.*

*Shri Ganesh, being highly intelligent, agreed, saying, "Mother, bless whomever I name without any hesitation or objections!" Mother Lakshmi agreed.*

*Shri Ganesh then began clearing the obstacles to prosperity for people and opened the doors to wealth.*

*Kubera remained a mere treasurer, while Shri Ganesh became the bestower of wealth.*

*Seeing Shri Ganesh’s generosity, Goddess Lakshmi blessed her adopted son, saying that wherever her husband Narayan was not present, her son Ganesh would accompany her.*

*Diwali arrives on the new moon of Kartik month. During this time, Lord Vishnu is in yogic slumber. He awakens eleven days later on Dev Uthani Ekadashi.*

*Goddess Lakshmi visits the earth between Sharad Purnima and Diwali, and she brings Shri Ganesh along. This is why Lakshmi and Ganesh are worshipped together on Diwali

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