Thursday, September 29, 2011



NARA'S NOTEPAD

VOLUME 7
OCTOBER 2011
NUMBER 10


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NARA

MEMO FROM NARA...

Always outstanders are awarded. Among us, there are many outstanders in every walk of activity. There are outstanders in the field of sports, cinema, education, media, medicine, business, architecture etc. etc. You name the fields, there are outstanders who are considered to be the so-called celebrities. In fact, outstanders are extraordinary people who are determined to show their potential talents to the maximum level possible. They show their determination and willpower. Persistence of their effort indeed pays the prize. A student may stand first in the class or college or in the state or in the country. Similarly an actor or a director of a cinema may excel in his or her action which becomes far superior to that of many other actors and cinema directors.
 
All of us are trying to be outstanding in our won area of specialization. But only a few come out as outstanders because of opportunity and other factors. Unimaginable activities are being carried out by some people to establish records as in sports. These people are being appreciated and honored by all of us. Every year we see such honoring celebrations. The celebrities are followed by a mass of fans who are mad after them. It gives more encouragement to the celebrities and they wish to do more accomplishments which bring greater achievements. Such outstanding achievements may or may not be useful for the people. But still, people are however happy if someone who is close to them. He or she may be a relative, friend, classmate, belong to the same State or country. Men and women are outstanding for which they are awarded. In order to celebrate the awards, rewards are being announced liberally.

 Recently, veteran Tamil filmmaker K. Balachander (81) was honored with the Dada Saheb Phalke award. The award consisted of a Swarn Kamal, cash prize of Rs. 10,00,000  and a shawl. I felt the cash award is not needed for a rich person like Balachader! Similarly, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu announced Rs. 2 crores for a gold medalist in Olympics, one crore for a silver medalist and Rs. 50,00,000 for a bronze medalist. Such rewards may be an inducement for our sportsmen and women to work hard for receiving these cash rewards. In a way it is good on the part of governments to announce such rewards. In fact, the reward money comes from the public as taxes! Huge sums of money given as rewards may be used to improve the conditions needed for improving the infrastructure which will automatically bring more and more people to become outstanding. Excelling in a particular field is certainly outstanding. But the outstanders should not be made lazy by cash rewards. Money kills the initiative to do something outstanding. Money kills the willingness to do hard work. Money is the basic impediment for all our attempts to achieve our real-life-goals. ‘Doping’ is one of the curses sprang in the world of sports. Similarly ‘match fixing’ is another menace in cricket game. These are the curses because of money-inducement. So let there be credible outstanders for whom we offer our appreciation always.
                                                                                                                                                                           

DO IT...



v  Do one thing at a time.
v  Know the problem.
v  Learn to ask questions.
v  Distinguish sense from non-sense.
v  Accept change as inevitable.
v  Admit mistakes.
v  Be calm.
v  Say it simple.

JUST TO LAUGH...


A cat died. God met her at the gates and said, “You’ve been a good cat all these years. Anything you want is yours for the asking.” The cat said, “All my life I slept on hard wooden floors. I’d like a nice fluffy pillow.” God said, “So be it,” and there was a huge fluffy pillow. A week later, six mice died. At the gates, God made them the same offer. The mice said, “All of our lives we’ve had to run from cats, from dogs, and even from people! We’d love some roller skates.” God said, “So be it.” A week later, God noticed the cat asleep on her fluffy pillow. God gently awakened her and asked, ”Is everything okay? Are you happy?” The cat replayed, “Oh, heaven is fluffy and I just loved the meals on wheels you sent over!”

THE MIND CONTROL



The mind is an infinite wonder. It has the fantastic ability to transmute your desires into their physical counterparts. You can do anything that your mind can conceive. So how can you use your mind to achieve your dreams? One of the most effective ways is to use the "as if" principle. Act as if you are the person you want to be. Act as if you are already in possession of whatever you long to have. So what do you want to be? You want to be a lawyer, doctor, athlete, or newscaster? Think, act, and feel like one.
 The problem with the people of the modern world is that they are too preoccupied with worries, anxieties, and negative emotions. As a result, they are adversely affecting their state of health. White lies have become prevalent nowadays in order to ease the burdens or to persuade others to do things that they thought are unattainable. There is absolutely no limit with what the mind can achieve. But you have to combine belief, will power, and action with positive thinking in order to arrive at your intended destination. You see? The mind is a powerhouse. Be absolutely confident.                                                               – Michael Lee

HEALTH TIPS...


v  Drink coffee. Studies in Brazil showed that people who drink coffee every day are less likely to suffer from depression. Coffee is the world’s most popular mood-enhancing drug, but remember, to drink in moderation



v  Eat more spinach. Popeye's favorite green is packed with folic acid, an important vitamin that boosts serotonin production.



v  Eat foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Certain kinds of fish like salmon or sardines have Omega-3, which is known to elevate mood levels—high doses are even used to treat depression.



v  Eat more colorful fruits and vegetables. They contain antioxidants which help remove toxins from our bodies that cause stress and aging.


INTRINSIC SATISFACTIONS


While undertaking any activity, focus your attention periodically on the possible intrinsic satisfactions. Marvel at and appreciate the beauty involved. Take pride in your activity. When finished with each work period, take a minute or two to appreciate your work.



v  Learning new information is interesting, it satisfies our curiosity; it feels good to understand.

v  Much of what we learn about nature or our bodies and minds is beautiful and awesome. The mystery and complexity of the origin and development and purpose of everything in the universe is mind-boggling – a challenge to the greatest minds.

v  Pulling old and new information together so that it “makes more sense” is satisfying. Like solving a puzzle.

v  When we acquire enough information that we feel competent and knowledgeable relative to others, we feel a sense of mastery.

v  Using the knowledge by doing something, such as writing or talking to others…and thinking about doing so...is gratifying. It can be creative.

v  Planning our own learning experiences and exercising the self-discipline and responsibility involved can produce pride.

v  Learning to solve problems and help others is deeply satisfying.


TRAITS OF A GOOD LEADER



1. TALK STRAIGHT: Be clear and concise in your communication.

2. DEMONSTRATE RESPECT: Genuinely care for and respect everyone and make sure you express it correctly.

3. CREATE TRANSPARENCY: Be open and authentic.

4. RIGHT WRONGS: If there has been an error from your end, apologize quickly.

5. SHOW LOYALTY: Address problems and issues face-to-face and provide favorable solutions.

6. DELIVER RESULTS: Accomplish the task you are appointed for. Avoid making excuses for not delivering.

7. GET BETTER: Always make an effort to learn and improve.

8. CONFRONT REALITY: Do not have unrealistic goals and expectations. Always meet issues as they are.

9. CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS: Be clear while disclosing and revealing expectations.

10. PRACTICE ACCOUNTABILITY: Always hold yourself and others accountable and responsible for their respective tasks.

11. LISTEN FIRST: Don’t make any assumptions. Listen before speaking.

12. KEEP YOUR COMMITMENTS: Make sure you commit carefully. Always state your intent while committing.

13. EXTEND TRUST: Extend trust abundantly to those who have made an effort to earn your trust.

ACUPUNCTURE



ACUPUNCTURE is the Chinese art of healing. Its objective is to restore a person’s health, balance and harmony by stimulating the body’s internal healing powers. A widely acclaimed effect of acupuncture is relief from pain or an analgesic effect, irrespective of its cause. Acupuncture provides analgesia for minor and major surgeries and women all over the world have been spared from labor pains by using acupuncture. The sensation of pain from any part of the body is carried to the thalamus, the area of the brain which perceives pain. The pain impulse travels somewhat slowly till it reaches a mechanism in the nervous system called ‘the Gate.” When the Gate is bombarded with too many impulses, it closes and prevents pain impulses from reaching the brain. Another theory is that when acupuncture is performed, morphine-like substances called endorphins and eukephallins present in the body increase and block the ability of the brain to perceive pain.

LINES I LIKED...


v  You can’t lose something you never had.

v  When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.

v  The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.

v  He who rejects change is the architect of decay.

v  The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.

Let your past make you better not bitter!

Meet you next month – October, 2011

 

Prof. A. Narayanan, Ph. D., FISPP



 Ph : 0422 2423017 Mobile : 98422 42301

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