Thursday, December 31, 2015


NARA'S NOTEPAD

VOLUME 12
JANUARY 2016
NUMBER 1


NARA'S NOTEPAD
IS
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NARA'S NOTEPAD
THANK

MJF Ln. T. S. GOVINDARAJAN, State President,



Tamil Nadu Senior Agro technologists’ Forum (TANSAF)

And

MRS. PADMA GOVINDARAJAN, Coimbatore


MEMO FROM NARA



Fifty years ago when I was a student of B. Sc. (Ag), the Professor of Economics taught us the law of supply and demand giving examples of agricultural products. Later on, I could see it in real life, how supply and demand operates not only in marketing of goods but also in every walk of life. In India, there is a severe power shortage in some states while demand of power for various purposes – domestic, industrial, agricultural, business etc. is growing but we all know for sure the supply is limited because of constraints in production. If there is no production, supply gets limited and hence one has to limit one’s demand. One of the methods of limiting demand is to save power without wastage. In order to make the people to use less power, the cost of the power can be increased. When the cost escalates, people have an inclination to use less power in both domestic and commercial sectors.

The power shortage has increased the demand for gadgets like UPS and generators and the supply of these gadgets has also increased. Therefore when the supply of power is limited, demands for an alternative are increasing and thus create good marketing for UPS and generators.

The supply and demand determine the prices of products. If desire for goods increases while its availability deceases, their prices rise. On the other hand, if availability of the commodity increases and the desire for it decreases, the price comes down. This fantastic economic theory is used as the fundamental rule for marketing all over the world.

Production costs limit the supply or increase the price of goods – may be electronic goods, vehicles, tooth paste, soap, clothes etc. etc. Supply is also determined by the technology used in the production. New advanced technology is also determining the supply. Sometimes supply is withheld for creating a scarcity in the market to get increased price for the commodities. Above all, the number of suppliers of a particular product counts a lot. Limited numbers control the market price while larger numbers create competition. Such competition helps the consumers to go for better products with cheaper cost.

Similarly one of the major determinants of demand is the income of the consumers. The demands get increased when people have more money in their pockets. Taste and preferences also determine the demand. Sometimes consumers expect that the cost of a particular item may go up in future, so they decide to buy it as early as possible. Also if the number of potential consumers is large, the demand gets increased. I find it so fascinating to think of our day to day life linked with supply and demand theory of Economics. Actually the phrase “supply and demand” was first used by James Denham-Steuart (1767) in his book: An inquiry into the Principles of Political Economy. Then later on, many other economists applied this phrase in their own studies.

Hence, supply and demand, indeed govern our life. One has to plan his or her life according to this simple economic theory. But who cares about it when one has plenty of money! Somehow supply and demand are ignored or managed. In fact, life itself is a management and everyone is good at it.

TO QUOTE



Most people have never learned that one of the main aims in life is to enjoy it. – Samuel Butler

The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but your thoughts about it. – Eckhart Tolle

Three things cannot be long hidden: the Sun, the Moon and the Truth. - Buddha

HOW TO STOP APPOLOGIZING?




1. Know when it is a good time to be sorry. It’s appropriate to say something when someone has received bad news, or you’ve really made life difficult for someone else.

2. Notice who you tend to apologize to. Are there certain people who undermine your confidence, who leave you a feeling as if you’re always wrong?

3. Try to notice when you’re starting to apologize. Habits are often hard to recognize. They’re usually automatic, and we’re only semi-conscious of patterns we fall into, and things we tend to say.

4. Try and look for the roots, or the need, you’re covering up. For example, perhaps an authority figure (parent, teacher, older sibling, coach) used to get angry if you didn’t “just shut up” or take the blame. Alternatively, you may feel you can’t really share the way you feel – so you just apologize.

5. Related to the above, consider how your drive to apologize to others is likely to affect you much further down the road. For example it is likely that you’re building up a heap of grievances, or you may pull back from get close to those you love.

6. Decide to establish and enforce your boundaries, and to say “no” to others – without also saying “sorry”!


JUST TO LAUGH...



There was a preacher who fell in the ocean and he couldn't swim. When a boat came by, the captain yelled, "Do you need help, sir?" The preacher calmly said "No, God will save me." A little later, another boat came by and a fisherman asked, "Hey, do you need help?" The preacher replied again, "No God will save me." Eventually the preacher drowned & went to heaven. The preacher asked God, "Why didn't you save me?" God replied, "Fool, I sent you two boats!"
A man is talking to God. "God, how long is a million years?" God answers, "To me, it's about a minute." "God, how much is a million dollars?" "To me, it's a penny." "God, may I have a penny?" "Wait a minute."

SELF-CARE






1. Consciously teach yourself to relax, and practice relaxation as soon as you feel stressed.

2. Pay attention to what you eat and drink.

3. A warm shower or bath can help our muscles to relax, and can help ease the tension in our body and mind.

4. Talking with someone who accepts us as we are – and is nonjudgmental – is highly therapeutic.

5. Recognize that there are things that are outside our control – and there are some situations that we simply cannot change.

6. Reward and indulge yourself with things that you enjoy so you feel respected and valued as a person. (For example, buy some clothes you love, or get your hair and nails done)

7. Make an effort to establish and maintain a work/ life balance. You need to make time for your hobbies, and to hang out with your friends.

8. Organize your time, and prioritise your tasks. You’ll feel a lot less anxious if you get things done on time.

9. Recognize that you have limits and enforce your boundaries. If you live with too much pressure you will end up overwhelmed.

10. Keep a sense of humour – smile and laugh throughout the day.

TO BETTER BRAIN POWER




1. Breath deep. More air it means more oxygen in the blood and therefore in the brain. Breath through your nose and you'll notice that you use your diaphragm more, drawing air deeper into your lungs. Several deep breaths can also help to relax you, which is conducive to clearer thinking.


2. Meditate. A simple meditation you can do right now is just closing your eyes and paying attention to your breath. Tensing up your muscles and then relaxing them to start may help. When your mind wanders, just bring your attention back to your breath. Five or ten minutes of this will usually relax you, clear your mind, and leave you more ready for any mental task.

3. Sit up straight. Posture affects your thinking process. Prove it to yourself by doing math in your head while slouching, looking at the floor and letting your mouth hang open. Then do the mental math while sitting up straight, keeping your mouth closed and looking forward or slightly upwards. You'll notice that it's easier to think with the latter posture.

LINES I LIKED



Life presents so many opportunities to learn.

Life runs with commitment.

Life will always surprise us.

Life would be simpler if we accepted everything at face value.

Life’s journey is to understand what we already possess.