Sunday, April 29, 2012


NARA'S NOTEPAD

VOLUME 8

MAY 2012

NUMBER 5


NARA'S NOTEPAD
SUPPORTED
BY
READERS LIKE YOU

MEMO FROM NARA




Everything is increasing in quantity and quality. Is it progress? Of course, I think it is. No one likes to have a static society. We wish to have a dynamic society. Change is the key to all this. The human population is alarmingly increasing. Their needs are also increasing. Food production, housing, transportation, water requirement, schools and colleges, jobs, hospitals, hotels, business houses – are all increasing leaps and bounds year after year. The never ending increase of all these, all over the world means what? We hope to adjust or manage such increases at a given time. But over time, there is no possibility of decrease either in quantity or quality. The quality of life, the gadgets we use such as vehicles, electronic goods, dresses and many other items are also increasing because of the technology developments.



Science plays an important role in increasing the quality of life and the products we use. Better facilities for better life make the world a worthy place to live. Increase in jobs and pay indeed, compensate for the increase in our expenditure. The ‘brand’ culture has entered in our civilization. Business management has changed the life style of people. Day by day poverty level is diminishing according to government statistics. I do not know how far it is true? Still the quality of life of poor people is increasing.



The price rise of all commodities including the eatables is a known fact. The cost of fuel, electricity, transport and even water is going on increasing. Such increase is happening irrespective of all safety measures taken by the respective governments. Increase, increase and increase! - in every aspect of life. Has anyone thought about this simple fact of increase? The limitless increase in everything is going to meet a point one day! Can anyone think of that day?



We talk so much about our future generation. We preach about leaving a clean planet for our children and grand-children. Have we thought about the increased usage of natural resources for the benefit of our generation? How are we going to live a simple life so that we decrease our demands and bring down the ever growing increase? ‘More and more’ – are the aim of everyone. But who will say ‘less’ and ‘less’? Economists, business people and politicians talk about increase in growth of economy and business. The budget of every country is increasing every year touching billions and trillions of dollars. Think of next decade? What will happen to the increase? The growth in every field is increasing. Manufacturing industries are growing in number and products are produced in huge quantities to meet the needs of the growing population.



Developed, developing and less developed countries are working towards an increase in production. Population growth followed by the growing needs is a worrying aspect of our economics. Is it possible to decrease our demands wherever possible? You may say: ‘What a silly idea it is?’ However I have started decreasing my demands and also preaching others to do so. It may not match the ever increasing growth but to my satisfaction I wish to decrease my demands.


SPONSORSHIP




Thanks to

Dr.Unnikrishnan Nampoothiri

  for sponsoring the March, April & May issues of

NARA’S NOTEPAD.

LIFE




There are two fundamental approaches that we adopt in life - we may be thinking about things or we may be taking action. We can do these in a masterful way, serene and calm; or we may find difficulties get stressed and worry ourselves - in this case we have a life challenge. Well done personal development involves changing from living for tomorrow to living today. By learning to change our way of being, while facing challenges in life, and gradually developing the knowledge and skills we need, we move from stress and worry to serenity and calmness.

TO QUOTE...




Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo Buscaglia

 Ours is the age of substitutes: instead of language, we have jargon; instead of principles, slogans; and instead of genuine ideas, Bright ideas. – Eric Bentley

The first duty in life is to be as artificial as possible. What the second duty is no one has yet discovered. – Oscar Wilde.

WHAT YOU WANT?


Take a choice: money, health, physical energy, beauty, creativity, recognition, power, adventure, contentment, achievement, self expression, authority, love, peace of mind, enlightenment. Would you like any of these? If you are like most people today, you probably want ALL of these.


But if you search your true desires, you might find that there are a few things you want more than others. And, if you keep going in your search, you'll find one desire that has been with you your whole lifetime and is the one path you need to follow.


Although money is the obvious desire, it is usually not the final goal. Indeed, money can, and does buy happiness - up to a point. Once you have enough money to be financially secure or to purchase the material objects you want, the true desire might be something else.


Love is the goal of every person's heart. Whether it is love of a mate, or a family, or respect and recognition from peers and fellow workers, love is the ageless pursuit. The mystics say that love is the sole purpose of life- to give love and to find it. But love comes in many forms. Not only is there the overt display of affection or true inner feelings, but there is the self-respect and inner contentment that goes with accomplishment. For some people, true peace of mind will never be attained until they complete some creative tasks or achieve certain heights in business.


Many people seek the authority that comes with a good position in a job. Along with that can come recognition and fame? Although you may want the money that is associated with high management levels, many people simply seek that satisfaction of working from the inner circles. The goal of every person regardless of background and material desires is health. A sound body is the gift that will get you to the other goals.


 Adventure and travel is a driving force for many people. They may seek jobs that  involve travel, or they may be looking forward to taking time off to visit the exotic ports and see the other side of the world.

 Finally, regardless of wealth and health, expression and love, everyone is looking for peace of mind. That's not to say   emptiness of mind, but to be rid of petty worries and confusion, to be finished with fears and live in total awareness. It surely is the ultimate lifetime goal.                                            – Helen Malmsio

ABRAHAM LINCOLN



· Failed in business at age 31

· Was defeated in a legislative race at age 32

· Failed again in business at age 34

· Overcome death of sweetheart at age 35

· Had a nervous breakdown at age 36

· Lost an election at age 38

· Lost a congressional race at age 43

· Lost a congressional race at age 46

· Lost a congressional race at age 48

· Lost a Senatorial race at age 55

· Failed to become Vice President at age 56

· Lost a Senatorial race at age 58

· Was elected President of the United States at age 60


FOCUS





Focus can be defined as: cantering attention on something (such as a goal or problem). When you look at the benefits of focus, you can easily see why it affects everything you do:



    Focus helps you get clear about your objectives.

    Focus helps you cut a precise path to your goal(s).

    Focus keeps you on track with your plans.

    Focus helps you avoid distractions.

    Focus helps you work as efficiently as possible.

    Focus helps identify specific, productive action steps.



Clearly, if you want to be successful in less time with less effort, focus is a skill you need to have.

JUST TO LAUGH


Teacher: George Washington not only chopped down his father’s cherry tree, but also admitted doing it. Now do you know why his father didn’t punish him?

Student: Because, George still had the axe in his hand!



Customer: ‘Waiter, is this supposed to be coffee or tea?’
Waiter: ‘What does it tastes like?’
Customer: ‘It tastes like gasoline.’
Waiter: ‘Well, Sir that would be coffee. Our tea tastes like turpentine.’

TRUST YOUR INSTINCT



Instinct is that inner voice that affects how you think, feel, and act. It’s part of what experts refer to as “emotional intelligence.” Trusting your instincts often leads to positive outcomes.

 • Trust your instincts when analyzing information. If something doesn’t seem right, review it until you have the information you need to make a good decision.

 • Let your instincts guide you as a parent.

 • Trust your instincts when it comes to safety. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, pay attention to that feeling and take steps to protect yourself and the people you care about.

LINES I LIKED




Ø  Believe in your own ability to do big things.

Ø  Work is a pleasure if we make it so.

Ø  Every failure is but a blessing in disguise.

Ø  Apologizing makes us greater individuals.

Ø  If you want to make friends – listen!

Ø  Leave everything a little better than you found it.

 





Treat everyone you meet, like you want to be treated!

Meet you next month – June, 2012

 

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



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